Delphi consensus recommendations on treatment for advanced-stage marginal zone lymphoma in South Korea.

Due to the lack of treatment guidelines for the management of advanced-stage marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), only one chemoimmunotherapy-cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone plus rituximab (R-CVP)-is reimbursed in the first-line setting in South Korea. The aim of this study was to develop a consensus-based recommendation for the treatment of patients with advanced-stage MZL. Twelve hematologist oncologists participated in a two-round Delphi process to identify consensus on the management of patients with advanced-stage MZL in South Korea.

Clinical decision pathway and management of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A multidisciplinary consensus in Asia-Pacific.

Objectives: To develop consensus on patient characteristics and disease-related factors considered in deciding treatment approaches for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) based on real-world treatment patterns in 4 territories in Asia-Pacific.

Methods: A three-round modified Delphi involving a multidisciplinary panel of HN surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists was used. Of 41 panelists recruited, responses of 26 from Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan were analyzed.

Risk stratification and management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A physician survey in six Asia-Pacific territories.

Objectives: Multiple clinical practice guidelines, conflicting evidence, and physician perceptions result in variations in risk stratification among patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This study aims to describe the extent of this variation and its impact on management approaches in the Asia-Pacific region.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 32 urologists and seven medical oncologists with ≥8 years of experience managing early-stage bladder cancer patients across Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Controversies in terminology associated with management of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC in Asia-Pacific.

Objectives: Examine the understanding of terminologies and management patterns of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in six territories in Asia-Pacific.

Methods: This study involved two phases: (1) a survey with 32 urologists and 7 medical oncologists (MOs) and (2) a factorial experiment and in-depth interviews with 23 urologists and 2 MOs. All clinicians had ≥8 years' experience managing NMIBC patients in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Vaccine wastage in Ghana, Mozambique, and Pakistan: An assessment of wastage rates for four vaccines and the context, causes, drivers, and knowledge, attitudes and practices for vaccine wastage.

Vaccine procurement costs comprise a significant share of immunization program costs in low- and middle-income countries, yet not all procured vaccines are administered. Vaccine wastage occurs due to vial breakage, excessive heat or freezing, expiration, or when not all doses in a multidose vial are used. Better estimates of vaccine wastage rates and their causes could support improved management of vaccine stocks and reduce procurement costs.

Estimating direct medical costs of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Philippines: a protocol.

Introduction: Diabetes and its complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. The prevalence of diabetes in the Philippines has increased from 3.4 million in 2010 to 3.

Direct non-medical and indirect costs of diabetes and its associated complications in Vietnam: an estimation using national health insurance claims from a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: The prevalence of diabetes in Vietnam has increased from 2.5% in 2007 to 5.5% in 2017, but the burden of direct non-medical and indirect costs is unknown.

National Health Insurance Databases in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Background: Social health insurance administrative databases were established in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines in 2014, 2017 and 2012, respectively; however, these databases have been scarcely used for research, if at all. This study explored the feasibility and accessibility of using these databases for scientific research, highlighting challenges and barriers in their use.

Methodology: The databases included in this evaluation comprised the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) from Indonesia, Vietnam Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) from Vietnam and PhilHealth from the Philippines.

An Abstinence and Safer Sex Intervention for Adolescents Attending the Public Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Singapore.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a behavioral intervention in increasing secondary abstinence and safer sex among heterosexually active adolescents aged 16-19 years.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted at the only national sexually transmitted infection clinic in Singapore. The intervention focused on information giving, motivation, and skills building to abstain or practice safer sex.

Risky sexual behaviors among Malay adolescents: a comparison with Chinese adolescents in Singapore.

Objective: Malays, with majority of the individuals being Muslim, form the largest ethnic group in Southeast Asia. This region is experiencing a rising incidence of HIV infections. Due to circumcision and prohibition of sex outside marriage, being Muslim was argued to be a protective factor against sexually transmitted infections (STI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Determinants of Heterosexual Adolescents Having Sex with Female Sex Workers in Singapore.

Objectives: We assessed the proportion of and socio-ecological factors associated with ever having had sex with female sex workers (FSWs) among heterosexual adolescents. We also described the characteristics of the adolescents who reported inconsistent condom use with FSWs.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study (response rate: 73%) of 300 heterosexually active male adolescents of 16 to 19 years attending a national STI clinic in Singapore between 2009 and 2014.