Rapid diagnostic tests for diagnosing uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in endemic countries.

Background: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for Plasmodium falciparum malaria use antibodies to detect either HRP-2 antigen or pLDH antigen, and can improve access to diagnostics in developing countries.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of RDTs for detecting P. falciparum parasitaemia in persons living in endemic areas who present to ambulatory healthcare facilities with symptoms suggestive of malaria by type and brand.

Do colloids in comparison to crystalloids for fluid resuscitation improve mortality?

Permanent neurological impairment or death arising from hospital-acquired hyponatremia in both children and adults is well documented. The choice of intravenous fluids for fluid resuscitation in critically ill patients is a top priority in evidence-based medicine. The question of whether colloids in comparison to crystalloids can improve mortality in such cases remains to be answered.

Mekong malaria. II. Update of malaria, multi-drug resistance and economic development in the Mekong region of Southeast Asia.

In an expansion of the first Mekong Malaria monograph published in 1999, this second monograph updates the malaria database in the countries comprising the Mekong region of Southeast Asia. The update adds another 3 years' information to cover cumulative data from the 6 Mekong countries (Cambodia, China/Yunnan, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam) for the six-year period 1999-2001. The objective is to generate a more comprehensive regional perspective in what is a global epicenter of drug resistant falciparum malaria, in order to improve malaria control on a regional basis in the context of social and economic change.

Costs to the patient for seeking malaria care in Myanmar.

This study investigates the costs incurred by patients diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria at a formal rural health facility in Myanmar. A cross-sectional survey of 410 patients indicated that the majority of patients were male (89.3%), married (84.

Performance appraisal of rapid on-site malaria diagnosis (ICT malaria Pf/Pv test) in relation to human resources at village level in Myanmar.

Logistic, economic and technical factors limit rapid access to microscopic confirmation of symptomatic diagnosis of malaria in many rural areas in endemic countries such as Myanmar. A study was conducted to evaluate a rapid on-site immunochromatographic test (ICT Malaria Pf/Pv) for detection of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax in two villages in the Taikkyi region of Myanmar.

Assessment of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Myanmar.

This study assesses the burden of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and effectiveness of an intervention package in Myanmar. Disability adjusted life years (DALYs) lost for fatal and non-fatal DHF cases and DALYs averted due to intervention for DHF from 1970-1997 were estimated. The data are based on reported cases and deaths from DHF extracted from annual reports of the Myanmar vector borne disease control program.

Modeling factors influencing malaria incidence in Myanmar.

This is a documentary study to determine factors influencing malaria incidence in Myanmar. The period of study covered was from 1989 to 1998 using time series data. Multiple regression analysis was performed on the dependent variable, yearly incidence of malaria in Myanmar, with hypothesized independent variables including variables related to epidemiology, demography, service and socioeconomic status.

Treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Myanmar: a clinical decision analysis.

This study was undertaken to compare cost-effectiveness of three drug regimes for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Myanmar. The alternative regimens in this study were chloroquine (CQ), sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and mefloquine (MFQ) along with their therapeutic efficacy in Myanmar. The study was performed by modeling a clinical decision tree based on a hypothetical 1,000 adult uncomplicated falciparum malaria cases.

Ex post and ex ante willingness to pay (WTP) for the ICT Malaria Pf/Pv test kit in Myanmar.

Willingness to pay (WTP) for the ICT Malaria Pf/Pv test kit was assessed by the contingent valuation method using a bidding game approach in two villages in Myanmar. Kankone (KK) village has a rural health center (RHC) and Yae-Aye-Sann (YAS) is serviced by community health worker (CHW). The objectives were to assess WTP for the ICT Malaria Pf/Pv test kit and to determine factors affecting the WTP.