1.Prevalence of Hearing Loss among Primary School Students in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Uyanga D ; Dorjpagma E ; Batzorig B ; Byambasuren L ; Chimedsuren O ; Enkh-Oyun Ts
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2026;215(1):3-8
Introduction:
Hearing loss is an important public health issue that negatively affects
children’s speech, cognitive development, academic performance, and social interaction.
Even mild hearing impairment may lead to adverse developmental outcomes. However, data
on hearing loss among primary school children in Mongolia remain limited.
Goals:
To determine the prevalence, type, and severity of hearing loss among primary school
students in Ulaanbaatar and to assess associated socio-demographic factors.
Material and Method:
A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,254 primary school students.
Hearing screening was performed using pure-tone audiometry following a standardized
protocol. Students who failed the screening were referred for confirmatory diagnostic
audiometry. Hearing loss was classified as mild (21–35 dB), moderate (36–50 dB), and severe (≥50 dB). Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Statistical
analysis data were analyzed using RStudio software. Descriptive statistics were used to
summarize participant characteristics. Associations between hearing loss and independent
variables were examined using chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. Variables
with p<0.20 in univariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression
model. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported, and p<0.05
was considered statistically significant.
Ethical considerations:
The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (Approval No. 2024/3
06). Written informed consent was obtained from parents or legal guardians, and assent was
obtained from participating students prior to data collection.
Results:
Of the 1,254 students, 116 (9.2%) required further evaluation, and hearing loss was
confirmed in 23 students (1.8%). Most cases were mild in severity. Paternal education level
was significantly associated with hearing loss (p=0.028), whereas no significant associations
were observed for sex or household income.
Conclusion
The prevalence of hearing loss among primary school students in Ulaanbaatar was 1.8%,
with most cases being mild and unilateral. These findings highlight the importance of
implementing regular school-based hearing screening programs and improving parental
awareness of children’s hearing health.
2.Prevalence of Hearing Loss Among Adults in Ulaanbaatar Assessed by Tablet-Based Hearing Screening
Baigalmaa O ; Byambasuren L ; Junghwa B ; Batzorig B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2026;215(1):9-19
Introduction:
Hearing loss adversely impacts communication, cognitive function, and quality of life, yet
early detection among adults remains inadequate. Despite the availability of portable, cost
effective tablet-based audiometric screening tools, national-level prevalence data on adult
hearing loss in Mongolia are scarce, and no large-scale screening studies in primary health
care settings have been conducted to date.
Goal:
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of screen-detected hearing loss among adults
in Ulaanbaatar, evaluate its association with age and test frequency, and identify associated
factors.
Material and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted at primary health care clinics across nine districts
of Ulaanbaatar (2024–2025), enrolling 2,335 adults (≥18 years). Hearing screening was
performed using the MAICO easyTone device with DD65 v2A headphones at 500–6000 Hz
(30 dB HL at 500 Hz; 20 dB HL at remaining frequencies), with ambient noise monitored per
ANSI S3.1-2008. Each ear was classified as Pass or Refer at each frequency. Outcomes
included screen-detected hearing loss (SD-HL), speech-frequency hearing loss (SD
SFHL, 500–2000 Hz), and high-frequency hearing loss (SD-HFHL, 4000–6000 Hz), each
categorized as bilateral or unilateral. Associated factors were assessed by univariable and
multivariable logistic regression.
Results:
SD-HL was identified in 37.2% of participants (bilateral: 31.5%; unilateral: 5.7%), SD-SFHL
in 30.6%, and SD-HFHL in 36.3%. Prevalence increased markedly with age, from 29.9%
(40–49 years) to 96.6% (≥70 years) (p<0.001). On multivariable logistic regression, male
sex was inversely associated with a positive screening result (OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42–0.99,
p=0.049).
Conclusion
The findings of this study confirm that the MAICO easyTone tablet-based
hearing screening device is a feasible and appropriate tool for the early detection of hearing
loss among adults in routine primary health care settings in Ulaanbaatar. The high prevalence
of screening-detected hearing loss underscores the urgent need to establish adult hearing
screening programs in Mongolia. Future studies should include standard audiometric
confirmation in participants with positive screening results to determine the diagnostic validity
of this hearing screening approach.
3.Association of Nasal Bone Fractures with the Degree of Health Damage
Nomundari E ; ; Bayarmaa E ; Byambasuren L ; Nomintsetseg T ; Batbayar Kh
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;89(5):138-141
Background:
Nasal bone fracture is the most common facial bone injury and remains a significant clinical and forensic
concern. Although perceived as minor, management can lead to long-term complications such as external nasal deformity,
septal perforation, nasal obstruction, and chronic rhinosinusitis. These sequelae compromise quality of life and frequently
give rise to medico-legal disputes regarding the assessment of health damage and work capacity.
Aim:
To characterize nasal bone fractures and septal deformities and to evaluate their correlation with the severity of
health damage and loss of work capacity.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 70 patients individuals with acute nasal bone
fractures treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, First Central Hospital of Mongolia, and patients with minor
injuries assessed at the National Forensic Agency of Mongolia. Data collection included structured questionnaires, physical
examination, nasal endoscopy and computed tomography. Nasal bone fractures were classified according to Hwang
(2002) and septal deviations were categorized using Mladina’s classification (1987). Statistical analyses were performed
to explore associations between fracture type, septal deviation, nasal obstruction and functional impairment.
Results:
Septal deviation was identified in 60% of patients without fracture and in 40% of those with concurrent fractures.
Among 60 cases of blunt nasal trauma, septal deviation showed a statistically significant association with septal fracture
(p=0.001). Hwang type II, III, and IV fractures demonstrated the strongest correlation with unilateral or bilateral nasal
obstruction (χ²=29.72). Bilateral nasal bone fractures were more frequently associated with septal deviation, while logistic
regression analysis revealed an increased risk of impaired work capacity (coefficient 0.237).
Conclusion
1. In 40% of the study participants with nasal trauma, nasal bone fractures were accompanied by septal injury, initially
classified as mild.
2. These patients underwent surgical treatment; however, when the recovery period extended beyond four weeks a
reassessment of health impairment was required. According to the criterion of prolonged disruption of health, the
degree of impairment was subsequently reclassified as moderate.
4.Study of technology for obtaining granular medicine form from Hepaclin-4 prescription
Baasanpurev L ; Byambasuren G ; Ulambayar B ; Tungalag N ; Altantsetseg A ; Adilbish A ; Enkhsaikhan M ; Batbyamba M ; Tsetsegmaa S ; Tserentsoo B ; Altansukh Ts ; Tserendolgor B
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2024;25(2):38-44
Introduction:
Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which is used in traditional medicine, has the ability to
remove blood-drying heat. Chiazospermum erectum Bernh. has the ability to relieve typhoid fever and
poison fever. Carthamus tinctorius L. has antiseptic, analgesic and anti-toxic properties. Saussurea amara
L. has bactericidal, anti-infective, and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers found that the Hepaclin-4
recipe has antioxidant, membrane-strengthening, liver-protective, necrosis-preventing, detoxification, and
peroxidation product accumulation-reducing properties. Therefore, extracting the granular medicine form
from the concentrated extract containing the Hepaclin-4 formulation is the basis of our research work.
Goal:
To obtain the granular medicine form from the concentrated extract containing ingredients of the
Hepaclin-4 recipe.
Materials and Methods:
The research was carried out with the support of the Institute of Pharmaceutical
Research and the University of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The raw materials for the Hepaclin-4 formula were extracted by remaceration with water, 40% ethanol, and 70% ethanol (1:10 ratio). Six types of granules were extracted from the concentrated extract using several excipients by the wet granulation method, and the pouring weight and flowability were determined.
Results:
The quality index of the concentrated extract of the Hepaclin-4 recipe complies with the standards
outlined in the 11th Pharmacopoeia of the National Pharmacopoeia of Mongolia. In qualitative analysis of
total flavonoid, spots were detected at the same level as standard quercetin (Rf=0.88) and rutin (Rf=0.4),
indicating the presence of flavonoids. According to the results of the above research, lactose was found to
be the suitable filler for extracting granules, and starch at 8% was identified as the appropriate binding agent from the concentrated extract of the Hepaclin-4 formula.
Conclusion
It was found suitable to select 8% lactose as a filler and starch as a binding agent from the concentrated extract of the Hepaclin-4 formula and obtain a granule drug form using the wet granulation
method.
5.The study of the drug needs to treat for community acquired pneumonia in children
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2021;18(1):31-38
Abstract:
Demographical, social and cultural factors including population health, diagnoses, introduction of new treatment methods, capacity of the health organizations, enhancement of professional skills of medical practitioners, as well as drug efficacy affect the needs of drug. There are many methods used to estimate needs of drug. For example; Essential medicine list, medicines prescribed for specific illnesses and medicines consumed by norms. Moreover, there are two ways to estimate the demand of the essential medicines making basic comparisons of essential drug needs and morbidity indicators of the other countries in compliance with the recommendation of WHO.1
Actual needs of the essential medicines for most common diseases and other medicines have determined by selecting from the records of inpatients by classification and amount as well as estimating the classification, amount and price of the medicines sold by pharmacy for the given period. This estimation reveals the temptation of the needs of the drug so that the amount of the supply will be determined by upcoming month, season and year. More importantly, It will not only benefit the classification, amount of the necessary medications but also it will estimate the budget for the certain period.
In the recent 9 years, the community acquired pneumonia cases among the 0 to 5 year old children admitted to the hospitals of Ulaanbaatar city have increased by 15.7%.
Therefore, we have studied the needs of drug in the treatment actual consumption of medicine the CAP in children among 0 to 5 year old.
The research was referenced by the method of determining drug needs by consumption and morbidity indicators, other methods developed by scientists such as Hogerzell H.V., Jonathan D.Quick., James R.Rakin., Richard O.Laing., Ronald W.O.Connor., Andrew, Kobzari L.V, Dryomovo N.B, Glembotskaya G. T, Mnushko Z.N. Numerical data has been determined by average and standard deviation as well as maximum or minimum value employing variation analysis method.
Result of the study
Having determined the average number of CAP in children cases, temp of annual growth, fluctuations, statistical report of the last decade based on the actual medicine consumption for the treatment of CAP in children of all the participants (96 inpatients aged from 0 to 5 year) and disease prognoses; as result, it has been estimated the necessary drug needs for 27591-33869 CAP in children cases which will be treated in the hospitals of Ulaanbaatar city from 2019-2013.
There’s a tendency that approximately 31509 patients aged from 0 to 5 year are going to be hospitalized for CAP in children so that it’s estimated to require 1156848.1 MNT for the treatment.
6.The study of the drug use treating community acquired pneumonia in children
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2021;18(1):54-63
Abstract:
Respiratory diseases are the most common among the population of Mongolia, besides, the data regarding the pneumonia and chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) among the community acquired pneumonia in children specially 0-5 year old has taken into much consideration when re- viewing the statistical report of 2010-2018 of Mongolia.1
Looking at the details, as regards 2010-2011 there were 82 CAP case, which increased by 6.8%, but in 2011-2012, 48 cases were registered, which dropped into 3.7%. Again in 2012-2013, jumped by 2.6 % by reporting 33 cases. Then from 2013 to 2014, it has become 406 cases, increased by 31.8% whereas it added up to 848 cases registered in 2014-2015, which fell by 50.4%. 788 cases reported in 2015-2016 , rose by 94.7%. Then the figure decreased by 2.2%, only 36 reported cases in 2016-2017, again it soared up to 14.1% when 224 cases were registered in 2017-2018. In the last 9 years, the community acquired pneumonia among the 0 to 5 year olds in Ulaanbaatar city has increased by 10.4%.
Reviewing the Statistical Report of 2010-2018 of Mongolia, hospitalized cases of the children aged from 0-5 year old for CAP has gradually increased from 2010 to 2014; the total number of the above mentioned cases has become 8603 and the average increase was 13,1%.
In fact, the figure fell by 40% by reporting 8071 cases in 2014-2015 which whereas in 2015- 2016 there were 13073 cases, an increase of 108.3%. Then, in 2016-2017, the number has de- creased by 6.3% with 1604 reported cases. But in 2017-2018, registering 3260 cases, the rated jumped by 13.9%.2
In the recent 9 years, the pneumonia cases among the 0 to 5 year old children admitted to the hospitals of Ulaanbaatar city have increased by 15.7%. Therefore we have studied the actual medicine consumption in the treatment of the CAP among 0 to 5 year old.
The research data was processed by cross-sectional study by employing retrospective analysis is used to randomly select actual drug consumption from the records of the inpatients who diag- nosed as CAP.
Result of the study
In the last 9 years, the CAP among the 0 to 5 year old children hospitalized in Ulaanbaatar city has increased by 15.7%.
The number of the inpatients diagnosed as the CAP has reached 21535 cases, which is increased by 6.2% in 2014-2018. Furthermore, there is tendency to increase pneumonia cases by 31509; it’s possible to have approximately an increase of 5.1% in the 2019-2023.
We have revealed 30 different types of medicines have been used for the treatment of the CAP after examining prescribed drugs.
7.Study on structure and functions of organs involved in the formation of khuumii sound
Rentsendorj Ts ; Enebish S ; Juramt B ; Uurtuya Sh ; Shine-Od D ; Ganchimeg P ; Byambasuren L ; Dorjsuren Ts ; Erdembileg Ts ; Amgalanbaatar D ; Dagdanbazar B ; Nyamdorj D
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2020;192(2):3-9
Introduction:
Khuumii (throat singing) is a unique form of art derived from the nomadic population of Central Asia,
producing two or more “simultaneous” sounds and melodies through the organ of speech.
Material and Methods:
The aim of the study is to identify the anatomical structures involved in the formation of khuumii
and the features and patterns of their functions and compare each type of khuumii as performed by
Mongolian people. A total of 60 participants aged 18-60 years (54 men and 6 women) were selected
by non-random sampling method using cross-sectional study. Statistical analysis was performed
using SPSS 23 software using questionnaires, X-ray, endoscopy, sound research method, and
general blood tests.
Results:
90.7% of the khuumii singers were male and 9.3% were female. The average height of the participants
was 172.91±0.93 cm (arithmetic mean and mean error), average body weight was 77.53±2.46 kg,
and body mass index was 25.93±5.31 respectively. Heart rate was 92.19±20.71 per minute prior to
khuumii while 133.19±19.09 after performing khuumii and 85.81-98.56 at 95% confidence interval. In
terms of ethnicity (ethnographically), the Khalkh were the largest ethnic group (72.1%), followed by
Bayad, Buryatia, Darkhad, Torguud, and Oirat (2.3%), respectively. 60.5% of the participants were
professional khuumii singers who graduated from relevant universities and colleges. The process of
Khuumii was recorded by X-ray examination, and laryngeal endoscopy evaluated the movement of
true and false vocal chords, interstitial volume, movements of epiglottis and arytenoid cartilage, and
mucosa. Khuumii increases the workload of the cardiovascular system by 70-80%. Furthermore, the
sound frequency is 2-4 times higher than that of normal speech, and sound volume is 0.5-1 times
higher. 95.3% of throat singers did not have a sore throat, 88.4% did not experience heavy breathing,
and 74.1% had no hoarseness. During the formation of khuumii sound, thoracic cavity, diaphragm,
and lungs regulate the intensity of the air reaching the vocal folds, exert pressure on the airways and
vibrate the sound waves through air flows passing through the larynx and vocal folds. Mouth-nose
cavity as well as pharynx are responsible for echoing the sound.
Conclusion
It is appropriate to divide khuumii into two main types according to structural and functional changes
in the organs involved; shakhaa and kharkhiraa. Khuumii, the “Human music” originating from the
people of Altai Khangai basin by imitating the sounds of nature with their own voice in ancient times,
spread all over the world from Mongolia and it is proposed to classify khuumii into two main types of
shakhaa and kharkhiraa in terms of structural involvement and functionality.
8.The burden and disability assessment in patients with primary headache
Byambasuren Ts ; Burmaajav B ; Otgonbayar L
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2019;189(3):22-31
Background:
Headache is a common disorder among population. 47% of population of the world suffers from the
primary headache. Due to the chronic lasting process of headaches, individuals lose productivity, get
depression because of negative impact on people’s quality of life and economic status.
Headache disorders are amongst the top ten causes of disability in Europe [4]. Three of these (migraine, tension-type headache and medication-overuse headache) are important in primary care because they are common and responsible for almost all headache-related burden.
The burden is immense on workers, women and children in terms of missing work and school days. The personal and social burden of primary headache is high. Health, occupational, social, and psychological factors contributing to burden in people with disabling headache have not been fully unraveled. Headache disorders are not perceived by the public as serious since they are mostly episodic, do not cause death, and are not contagious. A large number of people with headache disorders are not diagnosed and treated: worldwide only 40% of those with migraine or tension-type headache (TTH) are professionally diagnosed and only 10% of those with medication-overuse headache (MOH).
There are no studies on the burden and disability assessment in patients with primary headache in our
country, therefore a need for conducting this study.
Goal:
The burden and disability assessment in patients with primary headache in Mongolian adults.
Methods and Materials:
This cross-sectional study was carried out from June to November of 2017. Participants aged 18-65
years old randomly were selected from four aimags of Mongolia and three districts of Ulaanbaatar city.
They were visited by door to door calling and surveyed using the HARDSHIP and Migraine Disability
Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire. The diagnosis of headache was made using the International
Classification of Headache Disorders-3 beta. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS-23 program,
and level of depression in headache present patients was determined by odds ratio (OR). Study
methodology introduced at Ethical review Committee of “Ach” Medical University and approved in 2017
(№17/3/2).
Results:
There were 2043 participants 39.7% and 60.3% of them were men and women respectively. The mean
age of them was 38.0±13.4 years. 57.4% (n=1173) of participants had headache, and 27.4%, 30.0%,
11.2% and 7.5% of them had migraine, tension-type headache, chronic headache and medication overuse
headache respectively. 42% of participants with headache had the median duration of suffering 7 years
(IQR=3-13 years). Out of 1173 participants with headache 20.7% had depression. 23% of participants with
migraine had depression whereas 68.2 % and 47% of participants with chronic headache and medicine overuse headache had depression respectively. Participants with migraine were 1.85 (OR: 1.85, CI: 95%, 1.39-2.47) times, with chronic headache 3.40 (OR: 3.40, CI: 95%, 2.04-5.67) times and medicine overuse headache 3.31 (OR: 3.31, CI: 95%, 1,50-7.30) times more likely to suffer from depression compare to participants with no headache.
People with migraine loses their productivity 10.6 days/m, with chronic headache 19.7 days/m, with
MOH 20.3 days/ m. According the MIDAS (migraine disability assessment) people with migraine has mild disability, while people with chronic headache and MOH had middle score of disability.
Conclusion
The prevalence of primary headaches is high among Mongolian adults. These headaches
cause disability, impair work, study and daily activities, decrease life quality, and brings unrecognized
socioeconomic burden.
9.Case study result on Auditory Perception Performances of a Childwith Cochlear Implant
Oyun Z ; Delgerbaigal M ; Boldbayar U ; Batbuyan G ; Asralt N ; Byambasuren L ; Tsengelsaikhan N ; Ariuntuul G
Innovation 2018;12(4):55-
The main goal of this study is to examine the development of auditory perception performances of a cochlear implanted child who receive auditory verbal therapy.
Present study included a child with prelinguistic hearing loss who received cochlear implant at the Department of ENT, 1st State Central Hospital and enrolled in Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) in the Speech Therapy Unit of “ Aid” Clinic. This hearing impaired child participated in auditory verbal therapy with their mother and/or father for 5 months, and the family was given training programs to apply at home after each therapy session. The auditory perception performances of a child were evaluated before implantation and after: twice every week in total 32 Audio-Verval Therapy sessions were performed with the help of Medel LittlEars Auditory Questionnaire, LIP (Listening Process Profile), Ling’s Five Sound Test, the Multiple Frequency Animal Sound Test (mFAST) and MTP (Monosyllable and Polysyllable Test).
The auditory perception performances of a child joining auditory verbal therapy programs increased after 5 months of implantation. According to the Ling’s test all 5 sounds are determined (20-60dB) in 1m distance, but discrimination is observed in frequency range between 40-60 dB for sounds “A”, “U” and “M”.
Parents active participation as well as full attendance in the AVT treatment shows progress in auditory development of a child. Furthermore evaluation and data analysis is needed.
10.Current Cochlear Implant Surgical and Audio Verbal Therapy Practice Patterns of Patients with Severe and Profound Hearing Loss in Mongolia
Delgerbaigal M ; Oyun Z ; Boldbayar U ; Batbuyan G ; Asralt N ; Byambasuren L ; Otgonbayar B ; Ariuntuul G
Innovation 2018;12(4):60-
This study investigates cochlear implant surgical and Audio Verbal Therapy (AVT) practice patterns of patients with hearing loss (HL) based on data of “Aid” ENT Clinic and Speech Therapy Unit of School of Dentistry, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS) between 2009-2018.
Our aim was to describe and collect related data on surgical interventions, using cochlear implant for patients with severe hearing loss and their involvement in the AVT sessions.
Hospital based registry data by audiologistwere retrospectively investigated. Descriptive statistics are used to describe the basic features of the data in the study.
In total 78 patients had cochlear implantation surgery with chronological age between 2 months and 55 years. From total subjects 46 (54.59%) were male and 32 (33.41%) female. The distribution of etiology for the hearing loss showed that the majority of hearing loss 47 (60%) had due to infectious diseases, other diseases or injury, 25 (32%) congenital and 6 (8%) unknown causes.
Documentation and proper registration is essential for better outcome of cochlear implantation surgery, especially teamwork of speech therapist doing AVT and audiologist in charge of fitting. Furthermore, epidemiological studies are important for evaluation and monitoring of interventions by every specialists included in the treatment team.
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