Background: The lip trill is a semi-occluded vocal tract exercise found to have positive outcomes on vocal parameters of healthy individuals after a single session. However, the effect of several lip trill sessions has not been studied. Objective: This study investigated the effect of a 3- to 4-week lip trill exercise program on Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), Maximum Phonation Frequency Range (MPFR), Harmonics-to-Noise Ratio (HNR), and mean Speaking Fundamental Frequency (mean SFF). Methods: Three vocally untrained healthy females with perceptually normal voices participated in a multiple-baseline, single-case experimental research. Five to seven direct training sessions were randomly assigned. Self-implementation was encouraged thereafter. Participants were assessed on all outcome measures for 15 sessions. Data were visualized and inspected. Cohen’s d was also derived using Standardized Mean Difference for single-subject research. Results: Visual and statistical analyses revealed a decreased MPT when training was introduced, increased MPFR variability during the training phase, and increased stability in mean SFF post-training. Perceived effects include vocal freedom, decreased laryngeal stress, and vocal conditioning. Vocal outcomes in one participant yielded a significant effect on MPFR and mean SFF and a small effect on HNR. Conclusion There is evidence of lip trill effect on pitch control and vocal conditioning. Findings also revealed that motivation, exercise frequency, and adherence could contribute to positive gains in vocally healthy speakers. Further investigation in consideration of the study findings and limitations is warranted.
prevention

No abstract available.
Primary Prevention*

This paper proposes a conceptual model for establishing a new approach to improvise anti-smoking strategies. The Tobacco Control programme under the World Health Organization (WHO) has established MPOWER measures to be applied globally. Although numerous approaches have been implemented, there is a knowledge gap pertaining to the positive impact of these strategies. Therefore, analyzing current approaches and establishing new strategies will be beneficial for the tobacco control movement. The proposed model has been adapted from the Medical Research Council (MRC), United Kingdom framework for complex interventions which can be used as reference for researchers to develop a new initiative or strategy for tobacco control. This proposed model incorporates three phases, which are (i) Phase 1: To identify factors influencing stop smoking desires and their successfulness among “specific location” population, (ii) Phase 2: To analyse available smoking cessation strategies globally using systematic review, and (iii) Phase 3: To develop new potential tools/products/guidelines for anti-smoking promotions based on Phase 1 and 2. The novelty of this concept in developing anti-smoking strategies is the incorporation of local needs in Phase 1. This research may contribute significantly to stop or quit smoking behavior among Malaysians. At the end of this study, researchers will be able to recommend new and/or adapted tools/products/guidelines based on the framework discussed. Also, government regulations regarding cigarettes should be properly reviewed in order to achieve more significant results whilst minimizing expenses for anti-smoking campaigns.
Smoking Prevention

Atrial Fibrillation ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Primary Prevention

No abstract available.
Coronary Disease* ; Secondary Prevention*

No abstract available.
Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Primary Prevention*

Bac Can Centre of Preventive Health has not established the required departments as set forth in decision numbered 2468/1999/QD-BYT yet. There was a shortage of specialized staff, in terms of the number and quality. Moreover, the center' facilities and equipment have not been as proper as its functions. The centers' capacity has concentrated on the scope of epidemic control, health program management, and information technology application. Technical support will be provided with the mode of hand-on-practice for certain subjects
health ; prevention & control

Data research from 1997-2004, restrospective and cross-sectional studies were conducted every 6 months from 4/2002-4/2004 to collect data on malaria patients and the rate of malaria parasite and follow up the sectoral development of Anopheles and An. minimus at areas where interruption of vector prevention at different times: 1, 2 or 3 years showed that indicators like malaria patients, malaria patients/1000 residents and the density of malaria parasite were decreasing and stable. An.minimus recovers and increase with time. The density at 2-3 years after spraying was higher than the density at the point of spraying. An.minimus presented at all sites of the study but the density in striking people was low. If the supervision, management and treatment of malaria patients are well, the malaria situation could be kept stable even vector control methods were not used often
Malaria ; Prevention & control

Clothers with hats and mosquito nets made from Olyset tried on 50 people who were working out-door at nights and 50 people who were sleeping with mosquito nets indoor at nights. 100 control people divided into 2 groups. Results showed that mosquito density indoor decreased significantly, clinical malaria and malarial parasite reduced from the 2nd month to the 4th month. There was no case of clinical malaria and malaria parasite on the 5th month. There was no major change in the control groups before and after experiment. After 7 to 10 months of experiment, no major changes of falling mosquito (80%) when contacted with Olyset net within three minutes
Malaria ; artesunate ; prevention & control

An evaluation of the malaria control activity in 2000 has shown that the malaria control activity has obtained some achievements including no big outbreak, reduction of morbidity number and mortality number to 50% and 60%, respectively when comparing with these in 1995. This paper presented some shortcoming such as the high morbidity and mortality, malaria in the central highland, limited diagnosis, treatment, education and communication in the local level, especially in remote areas as well as unstable equipment and material
Malaria ; artesunate ; prevention & control