Publications by authors named "Nan S N Htun"
Article Synopsis
- Southeast Asia is experiencing an epidemiological shift where non-communicable diseases are becoming more significant, but infectious diseases still persist alongside emerging health threats, complicating data-driven policy-making for health interventions.
- A systematic review identified 542 relevant studies involving cross-sectional surveys from 2010 to 2021 across Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, highlighting the prevalence of various health conditions within these communities.
- Non-communicable diseases were reported more frequently in the surveys than infectious diseases; however, there was a noticeable lack of studies focusing on holistic health measures, highlighting key health issues that align with prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality in the region.
Article Synopsis
- - The South and Southeast Asia Community-based Trials Network (SEACTN) is conducting a survey to better understand the prevalence of various diseases among rural populations in low to middle-income countries in Southeast Asia, as part of its Rural Febrile Illness project (RFI).
- - A cross-sectional household survey will be carried out in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Thailand, using a two-stage cluster-sampling method to enroll about 1,500 participants per country, who will undergo interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory testing.
- - The study, which has received ethical approval, aims to present disease prevalence data and analyze associations with sociodemographic factors, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare resource allocation in the region.
Article Synopsis
- Deaths in lower income countries often go unrecorded, making verbal autopsy, a method to determine causes of death through interviews with family members, essential for gathering critical health data.
- A study in Southeast Asia highlighted the importance of understanding local customs and cultural practices surrounding death to ensure emotional sensitivity during interviews.
- Key findings included variations in mourning practices across different demographics, recommendations on timing for interviews, and the necessity for respectful community engagement to facilitate effective data collection.
Effect of a Multidimensional Physical Activity Intervention on Body Mass Index, Skinfolds and Fitness in South African Children: Results from a Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
January 2019
Obesity-related conditions impose a considerable and growing burden on low- and middle-income countries, including South Africa. We aimed to assess the effect of twice a 10-week multidimensional, school-based physical activity intervention on children's health in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. A cluster-randomised controlled trial was implemented from February 2015 to May 2016 in grade 4 classes in eight disadvantaged primary schools.
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- * Conducted on 1600 adults aged 35 and older, the research found a significant prevalence of diabetes and high rates of undiagnosed cases, with a notable correlation between certain helminths and diabetes risk.
- * The results suggest that helminth infections like Taenia spp. may negatively impact glycemic control, indicating a need for further investigation into their mutual influence on health outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- Low- and middle-income countries are grappling with both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, with gastrointestinal infections being linked to health issues like malnutrition and insulin resistance.
- A study of South African school children aged 9-14 found a high prevalence of prediabetes (71.8%) and identified Helicobacter pylori as a major infectious agent that correlates positively with higher HbA1c levels.
- The research suggests that while H. pylori might be a factor in diabetes, further investigation is required to confirm its role in this context.
Background: As traditional lifestyle and diets change with social and economic development, disadvantaged communities in low- and middle-income countries increasingly face a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. We studied the relationship between physical fitness and infections with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), intestinal protozoa and Helicobacter pylori among schoolchildren in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1009 children, aged 9 to 12 years, from eight primary schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Port Elizabeth.
Background: An in-depth epidemiological investigation on intestinal parasite infections in an impoverished area of Port Elizabeth, South Africa provides a unique opportunity for research on its impact on children's physical fitness, cognitive performance and psychosocial health. Additionally, we will screen risk factors for the development of diabetes and hypertension in adulthood.
Methods/design: A 2-year longitudinal cohort study will be conducted, consisting of three cross-sectional surveys (baseline and two follow-ups), in eight historically black and coloured (mixed race) primary schools located in different townships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Article Synopsis
- * A systematic review analyzed studies on the correlation between diabetes and severe dengue presentations, finding that diabetes increases the risk of a severe clinical outcome (OR 1.75).
- * More extensive and detailed prospective studies are necessary to fully understand the impact of diabetes on dengue severity, especially given the alarming rise of both diseases globally.