Literacy and attitude of Asian youths on dengue and its prevention in an endemic developed community.

Background: Over the past few decades, the incidence of dengue fever has considerably increased. Effective vector control strategies and specific protection using dengue vaccine are thought to be the key elements to combat dengue. The dengue incidence among the Singapore youths (15-24 years) was second only to that of adults (25-44 years).

Extending the diabetic retinopathy screening intervals in Singapore: methodology and preliminary findings of a cohort study.

Background: The Diabetic Retinopathy Extended Screening Study (DRESS) aims to develop and validate a new DR/diabetic macular edema (DME) risk stratification model in patients with Type 2 diabetes (DM) to identify low-risk groups who can be safely assigned to biennial or triennial screening intervals. We describe the study methodology, participants' baseline characteristics, and preliminary DR progression rates at the first annual follow-up.

Methods: DRESS is a 3-year ongoing longitudinal study of patients with T2DM and no or mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR, non-referable) who underwent teleophthalmic screening under the Singapore integrated Diabetic Retinopathy Programme (SiDRP) at four SingHealth Polyclinics.

The influence of caregivers' knowledge and understanding of asthma aetiology on domiciliary management of children with asthma.

Introduction: Asthma is a common childhood disease, and paediatric patients with asthma rely on caregivers to administer domiciliary asthma care. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, understanding, perceptions and main concerns of caregivers and its influence on their home management of children with asthma.

Methods: Data from 14 caregivers of children with asthma was collected during three focus group discussions held in two polyclinics in Singapore.

Effects of a written asthma action plan on caregivers' management of children with asthma: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

Background: Caregivers of children with asthma provided with a written asthma action plan (WAAP) are reported to be more confident in their ability to provide care for their child during an asthma exacerbation. However, little is known about how a WAAP impacts on their care processes that contributed to this increased confidence.

Aims: To determine the effects of a WAAP on caregivers' understanding of asthma symptoms, their use of asthma medications for their children, and acute care visits to consult their physicians.