A study protocol for a multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial of the impact of a multi-component One Health strategy to eliminate Opisthorchis viverrini and soil transmitted helminths in the Lower Mekong Basin.

Background: Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are two of the most common helminths contributing to the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs) burden in the Lower Mekong Basin. Although mass drug administration is the cornerstone of control programs to reduce morbidity caused by these infections, this approach has limitations in preventing re-infections. Elimination requires additional measures such as reservoir host treatment, improved hygiene and health education to reinforce MDA's impact.

A review of health education activities targeting schoolchildren for the control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Southeast Asia, with emphasis upon the Magic Glasses approach.

Soil-transmitted helminths continue to be a serious problem causing disease and morbidity globally. Children, mostly school-aged, are more at risk of these infections. The main strategy for control remains to be the mass drug administration (MDA) of antihelminthic drugs.

Cost analysis for "The Magic Glasses Philippines" health education package to prevent intestinal worm infections among Filipino schoolchildren.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a significant public health problem affecting over 900 million people globally. Health education has been shown to complement mass drug administration (MDA) for the control of these intestinal worms. We reported recently results of a cluster randomised control trial (RCT) showing the positive impact of the "The Magic Glasses Philippines (MGP)" health education package in reducing STH infections among schoolchildren in intervention schools with ≤15% STH baseline prevalence in Laguna province, the Philippines.

"The Magic Glasses Philippines": a cluster randomised controlled trial of a health education package for the prevention of intestinal worm infections in schoolchildren.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) cause substantial disease and disability globally. Health education has proven complementary to school-based drug administration programs for STH control. We determined the generalizability of the impact of "The Magic Glasses" health education package for STH prevention in schoolchildren in Laguna province, the Philippines, having previously shown its positive impact in China.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional indices among Filipino schoolchildren.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still prevalent among schoolchildren in the Philippines. We evaluated the risk factors associated with STH and the relationship between STH and nutritional indices among schoolchildren aged 9-10 years in Laguna province, the Philippines.

Methods: We used the baseline data from 40 schools enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of the Magic Glasses Philippines health education package.

Effectiveness of school-based nutrition interventions in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of school-based nutrition interventions (SBNI) involving schoolchildren and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on child nutrition status and nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.

Design: A systematic review on published school nutrition intervention studies of randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, controlled before-and-after studies or quasi-experimental designs with control. Nine electronic bibliographic databases were searched.

Determining the Impact of a School-Based Health Education Package for Prevention of Intestinal Worm Infections in the Philippines: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Intervention Trial.

Background: Repeated mass drug administration (MDA) of antihelminthics to at-risk populations is still the main strategy for the control of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. However, MDA, as a stand-alone intervention, does not prevent reinfection. Accordingly, complementary measures to prevent STH reinfection, such as health education and improved sanitation, as part of an integrated control approach, are required to augment the effectiveness of MDA for optimal efficiency and sustainability.

Group singing improves quality of life for people with Parkinson's: an international study.

Group singing has been reported to enhance quality of life (QoL) and mental health in older people. This paper explored whether there are differences in the effects of group singing intervention on people with Parkinson's (PwPs) in Australia, UK and South Korea. The study included PwPs ( = 95; mean age = 70.

Impact of the "BALatrine" Intervention on Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Central Java, Indonesia: A Pilot Study.

Many latrine campaigns in developing countries fail to be sustained because the introduced latrine is not appropriate to local socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions, and there is an inadequate community health education component. We tested a low-cost, locally designed and constructed all-weather latrine (the "BALatrine"), together with community education promoting appropriate hygiene-related behaviour, to determine whether this integrated intervention effectively controlled soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. We undertook a pilot intervention study in two villages in Central Java, Indonesia.

A systematic review on the effects of group singing on persistent pain in people with long-term health conditions.

Background And Objectives: Singing can have a range of health benefits; this paper reviews the evidence of the effects of group singing for chronic pain in people with long-term health conditions.

Database And Data Treatment: We searched for published peer-reviewed singing studies reporting pain measures (intensity, interference and depression) using major electronic databases (last search date 31 July 2018). After screening 123 full texts, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria: five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), seven non-RCTs and one qualitative study.

Group Singing Has Multiple Benefits in the Context of Chronic Pain: An Exploratory Pilot Study.

Aims: This paper reports findings of a pilot singing intervention to assist people living with chronic pain.

Methods: Pain Management Clinic outpatients participated in 10 weekly group singing sessions. Benefits of the intervention and its impact on participants' (N = 4) experiences of pain were explored qualitatively.

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases (2): A Qualitative Evaluation of a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia.

Performing arts used as a method of spreading health information dates back to the origins of storytelling. However, interventions in developing, non-Western countries typically utilize Western entertainment forms. This qualitative investigation assesses responses to an intervention designed around traditional Javanese shadow puppetry ().

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases: Evaluating a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia.

'Rama and the Worm' is a shadow puppet production targeting neglected diseases in Central Java. It is an entertainment-based intervention study to promote health by reducing the impact of parasitic diseases such as soil-transmitted helminths (STH). The study uses traditional Javanese shadow puppetry () as a vehicle in village communities to disseminate health messages and promote behaviour change to prevent diseases caused, primarily, by inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene.

Prevalence of HIV Infection and Risk Factors Among Female Sex Workers in a Southeast Province of Vietnam.

Female sex workers (FSWs) are at heightened risk of HIV infection. This research aims to determine the prevalence of HIV and relevant risk factors and related behavior among FSWs in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, a southeast province of Vietnam. 420 FSWs were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and biological samples tested for HIV.

What are the risk factors for HIV in men who have sex with men in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam?- A cross-sectional study.

Background: The number of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Vietnam was estimated to rise from 156,802 in 2009 to 256,000 in 2014. Although the number of new HIV reported cases has decreased by roughly 14,000 cases per year from 2010 to 2013 a concerning increase in HIV prevalence has been identified among men who have sex with men (MSM) from 1.7 % in 2005 to 2.

Drug injecting and HIV risk among injecting drug users in Hai Phong, Vietnam: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Hai Phong, located in northern Vietnam, has become a high HIV prevalence province among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) since the infection shifted from the southern to the northern region of the country. Previous research indicates high levels of drug and sex related risk behaviour especially among younger IDUs. Our recent qualitative research provides a deeper understanding of HIV risk behaviour and highlights views and experiences of IDUs relating to drug injecting and sharing practices.

Does a socio-ecological school model promote resilience in primary schools?

Background: This research investigates the extent to which the holistic, multistrategy "health-promoting school" (HPS) model using a resilience intervention can lead to improved resilience among students.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design using a study cohort selected from 20 primary schools in Queensland, Australia was employed. Ten intervention schools using HPS protocols, with training support, were compared with 10 control schools in student resilience scores and protective factors.

The Australian preventive health agenda: what will this mean for workforce development?

The formation of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) and the National Preventative Task Force in 2008, demonstrate a renewed Australian Government commitment to health reform. The re-focus on prevention, bringing it to the centre of health care has significant implications for health service delivery in the primary health care setting, supportive organisational structures and continuing professional development for the existing clinical and public health workforce. It is an opportune time, therefore, to consider new approaches to workforce development aligned to health policy reform.

The confounding effects of age, gender, serum creatinine, and electrolyte concentrations on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations in critically ill patients.

Objective: To investigate the confounding effects of age, gender, serum creatinine, and electrolyte concentrations on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations in critically ill patients.

Design: A prospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: A 20-bed general intensive care unit of a tertiary referral hospital.