1.Survey on determining methods of delivering health information to urban population aged 15-64
Erdenetungalag E ; Davaalkham J ; Аmarbal A
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2013;163(1):37-41
GoalTo determine current and the most widely used methods of delivering health information to urban population aged 15-64.Materials and MethodsA two-stage proportional sampling method was used and 809 respondents aged 15-64 were involved. The data was collected using quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data was processed using the SPSS 13 software. Error limit (e) of 0.05 was chosen as having a statistical probability.ResultsSurvey involved 809 respondents aged 15-64 from Ulaanbaatar, Bayan-ulgii aimag (western region), Huvshul aimag (forest region), Dornod aimag (eastern region) and Dundgovi aimag (central region) centers of which 357 are male and 452 female. TV is the most popular information source although there are no regular hours for health information; in particular NCDs. Respondents prefer to watch related programs at specific TV hours every week. In regards to ways of receiving information, respondents would like to see live TV programs (60.9%), short commercials or ads (29.7%), documentaries (24.1%) and entertainment shows (17.1%).Conclusions:1. The most popular sources for getting health information, specifically on NCDs, to the population are television, newspapers, magazines, the Internet and friends. There is no difference noticed in information sources between Ulaanbaatar and aimag centers.2. There is a need to deliver information to population aged 15-64 on general understanding of NCDs, their prevention, on healthy diet, avoidance of harmful habits such as use of alcohol and tobacco. The most effective ways to deliver the information to the target population are communication channels such as television, health professionals and facilities, health volunteers, newspapers, magazines, Internet and friends.
2. MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG SEXUAL MINORITY GROUP WITH HIV
Erdenechimeg R ; Khihigzuren Z ; Jargal B ; Tungalag M ; Davaalkham J
Innovation 2015;9(1):76-80
There were currently diagnosed by totally 177 cases with HIV in our country. The 82.3% of those were male and 72.9% of them were men sex with man. Sexual minority group especially men who intercourse with male are highly risk to HIV infection. By the study of 2011, which aimedto assess risk to exposure HIV infection among sexual minority group, 56.2% of all participants answered as had depression symptoms and 12.8% of them seen to psychologist and health workers. In addition, 2% of them used by injection of drug for last year, and 60.6% harmfully drank.The study was done by quantitative and qualitative methods and used specific designed questionnaire for sexual minority with HIV infection. Totally 26 consumers participated in our survey. Before the starting of the study, we introduced inform consent to all participants and if they agreed to participate, we coded research cards and collected the information.All participants were answered alcohol drink, and 46.1% of them determined with heavy drinking or harmful consumption by the AUDIT versus 7.8% were alcohol dependence. 65.3% oftotal participants used as smoke, 5 cases used cannabis; one of them has been used within last twelve months. In addition, 23.1% of all participants had anxiety and 15.3% had mild depression symptoms. Of the total 26 cases, 7 cases had suicide thinking related with sexual orientationand 2 cases had suicide thinking related with HIV infection. Those cases answered often feeling hopeless and helpless.In sexual minority group with HIV, alcohol and tobacco consumption was high, drug abuse was low. 15.3-23.1% of all participants had depression and anxiety symptoms. Suicide thinking has been occurred for those cases it means risk to suicide commitment.
3.Prevalence of underweight among children under five years in Mongolia
Otgonjargal D ; Batjargal J ; Davaalkham D
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2013;164(2):38-41
IntroductionOne key target of the United Nations Millennium Development goals is to reduce the prevalence of underweight among children younger than 5 years by half between 1990 and 2015. Child malnutrition is internationally recognized as an important public health indicator for monitoring nutritional status and health in populations. World Health Organization estimated the malnutrition was associated with 54% of child deaths in developing countries. The devastating effects of malnutrition on human performance, health, and survival are well-established and a recent global analysis demonstrated that child malnutrition is the leading cause of the global burden of disease. The importance of assessing population nutritional status every 5 years is widely recognized, and three rounds of National Nutrition Survey were carried out in Mongolia since 1992 with support from UNICEF. The most recent Third National Nutrition Survey was carried out with the purpose of assessing nutritional status of Mongolian children and women six years ago in 2004.ObjectiveTo describe the national prevalence of underweight in children under five.Materials and MethodsThe current cross-sectional survey was conducted in 21 provinces of 4 economic regions of the country and capital Ulaanbaatar city. Household was randomly selected based on local administrative and soum/family hospital registry and enrolled a total of 706 children aged 0-59 months were selected from sampled households. Interviews, anthropometric measurements and clinical examinations were used in the survey. Child growth was assessed based on z-scores calculated using the WHO Child Growth Standard. Low weight-for-age (underweight) can result from either long-term or short-term nutritional deficit.Results4.7% of the surveyed children were underweight. According to the WHO criteria the prevalence of underweight in Mongolian children less than 5 years of age was include “low prevalence rate”. The prevalence of the underweight among children less than 5 years was significantly higher in Rural area than the Urban.Conclusions:1. The national prevalence of underweight remains at “low” level according to WHO classification. 2. Child malnutrition reduction is needed to successfully meet the Millennium Development Goals.3. In rural area the prevalence of underweight among in 0-59 months old children was highest than urban area’s children.4. The prevalence of nutrition deficiencies varies between different regions calling for implementation of interventions specific for local conditions and needs.
4.Knowledge, attitude, practice of mothers and caregivers regarding infant and young child feeding in Mongolia
Otgonjargal D ; Batjargal J ; Davaalkham D
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2012;159(1):31-36
Introduction. More than 3.5 million mothers and children under five die unnecessarily each year due to the underlying cause of under nutrition, and millions more are permanently disabled by the physical and mental effects of a poor dietary intake in the earliest months of life. Malnutrition has a negative impact on the physical and intellectual development which can further affect health, living potentials and the quality of life. It has been established that to reduce child mortality and to prevent illnesses related to malnutrition the most effective actions are to breastfeed, feed with proper complementary foods, enrich child’s diet with vitamin A, zinc and other necessary vitamins and mineral supplements, and to treat chronic malnutrition. This can be achieved by implementing internationally reputed projects and programs. Goal. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers in the project areas towards, infant and young child feeding.Materials and Methods. This survey conducted in each of 5 soums of Gobi-Altai, Sukhbaatar, Dundgobi, Tuv, and Arkhangai aimags and each of 5 khoroos of Chingeltei and Songinokhairkhan districts of Ulaanbaatar city. Survey recruited a total of 1077 mothers and caregivers of children aged 0-35 months.Results. 7 in 10 mothers participating in the study have “insufficient” level of knowledge of feeding young children and this is related to the mother’s education level. 2. 21.8% of mothers and caregivers were aware of the recommendations of breastfeeding the child within an hour after birth and 38.6% were not aware of exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age. 1 in 4 mothers participating in the survey (25.2%) had the wrong understanding of feeding a child 1-2 times a day while complementary feeding: 43.6% of mothers in Sukhbaatar aimag, and 33.8% in Gobi-Altai aimag had this insufficient knowledge of frequency of breast feeding while giving complementary food to the baby. Half (50.3%) of mothers and caregivers did not know the correct amount of food to be given at one time to feed a child and this knowledge was insufficient across all aimags and districts. Knowledge of illnesses caused by nutrition and their preventions was insufficient among mothers in all aimags and districts.Conclusions:1. 65, 7% of mothers exclusively breastfed their children until the age of 6 months. The percentage of exclusively breastfeeding in districts is similar to the national average; however, in rural aimags it is twice higher.2. Only 41, 5% of children up to 3 years of age were fed with complementary food at right time, while 42, 8% - too early and 15%- too late.3. Only 8, 7% of mothers and caretakers have correct practice of feeding children of 12-23 months old more than 5 times per day, which is not sufficient indicator.
5.Isolated systolic hypertension and physical activity
Dechmаa J ; Narantuya D ; Bolormaa I ; Otgontuya D ; Davaalkham D
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2012;162(4):20-24
IntroductionIsolated systolic hypertension (ISH) has been found to increase the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease significantly among both middle-aged and elderly men and women. ISH is a higher risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) than isolated diastolic hypertension. Because of this it is important to determine the prevalence of ISH and its associated risk factors in order to reduce CVD mortality and morbidity in Mongolia.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to compare the physical activity of people with ISH to it of people with normal blood pressure (BP).Мaterials and MethodsWe examined the physical activity using the data of “Mongolian STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Noncommunicable Disease and Injury Risk Factors-2009”. ISH was defined as systolic BP≥140 mmHg and diastolic BP<90 mmHg. The Control (normotensive) group comprised subjects whose systolic BP<140 mmHg and diastolic BP<90 mmHg. Using to approach of WHO “STEPS” Survey, physical activity was assessed on intensity, duration and frequency of physical activity at work, in recreational settings and during transportation using complex set of 16 questions.ResultsAccording to the survey results, 74% of people who had normal BP and 48.7% of people with ISH engaged in moderate levels of physical activity in recreational settings daily a week. It was statistically difference in two groups. Males with ISH were more likely to engage in high levels of physical activity at work and in recreational settings compared to females. In terms of age differences, moderate and high levels of physical activity at work decreased steadily with age. Mean duration and frequency of physical activity a week weren”t difference in two groups.ConclusionFrequency of physical activity decreased with age in respondents with Isolated systolic hypertension. Males engaged more in high levels of physical activity at work and in recreational settings more than females. Moderate levels of physical activity in recreational settings was lower in respondents with ISH compared to respondents who had normal blood pressure (p<0.05).
6.COMPARISON STUDY OF MOUTH SORES AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHANGES AMONG PEOPLE WITH HIV INFECTION
Batsuuri M ; Urjinlkham J ; Davaalkham J ; Bayarchimeg B ; Oyun-Enkh P ; Oyunkhishig Kh ; Nyamsuren E
Innovation 2018;12(4):12-15
BACKGROUND. To identify the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV positive group of patients, and to compare their CD4 cell count and viral load to stages of disease progress.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. In the present study, we evaluated 30 HIV+ adult patients, attended to the AIDS/STI Department of National Center for Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health Mongolia. Each patient was clinically examined for detection of oral mucosal lesions. In addition, CD4 cell count was determined by Flow Cytometry, as well as viral load by RT-PCR (Amplicor HIV- RNA, TM test 1.5, Roche)
RESULTS. 46% of all examined HIV/AIDS patients had oral lesions. Oral Candidiasis constituted the most common lesion, representing 35%, Herpes 22%, followed by Oral Leukoplakia 17%, Necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis 9%, Aphthous Recurrent Stomatitis 13%, Kaposi’s sarcoma 4%. The patients, who have a viral load high exhibited oral lesions related to HIV, independent of CD4 cell count, although patients with CD4+ levels of 233 cel/mm3 were more susceptible to develop these lesions.
СONCLUSION. The most common oral lesion was Oral Candidiasis, followed by Oral Leukoplakia and Necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis. A high viral load was strongly associated to the oral lesions occurrence independently of CD4+cell count..