This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude and behavior in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) including comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) among 439 first year students; 213 sciences and 226 arts students from 5 Faculties of University Malaysia Sabah (2016-2017). Exposure of Malaysian students to sexual education is limited to science subjects which are only being taught at upper elementary and secondary high school levels. Arts students are less exposed to sexual education across Malaysia as it is delivered in Basic Science subject only. It was a university-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Pretested self- administered questionnaire was anonymously completed by all participants and was conducted from November 2016 to January 2017. Students’ demographic characteristics from Science and Arts streams were same except females, Sabah ethnics and Malays were more in Arts. Awareness of HIV/AIDS, Condom, Wet dream, COC pills and abortion services were more in Science students and statistically significant. 34.3 % and 81.2% of Science students agreed that CSE should be introduced in primary and secondary school but not statistically significant. 22 out of 439 students were sexually active. Science students had more knowledge about SRH and favourable attitude towards sexuality education but less favourable behaviour of watching and reading pornographic materials. It was concluded that there were gaps in knowledge, attitude and behaviour of SRH and need to remedy these by giving appropriate CSE classes to first-year university students in an elective module according to their culture and religious beliefs in accord with International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (ITGSE).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Differences in the Helicobacter pylori infection rate are not sufficient to clarify the dissimilarity of gastric cancer incidence between Myanmar and its neighboring countries. To better understand this trend, the H. pylori virulence gene cagA was characterized in Myanmar. METHODS: Glutamate-proline-isoleucine-tyrosine-alanine (EPIYA) patterns and CagA multimerization (CM) motifs of cagA genotypes were examined by performing polymerase chain reactions and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Of 69 tested H. pylori strains, cagA-positive patients had significantly more severe histological scores in their antrum than cagA-negative patients. Sequence analysis revealed that 94.1% of strains had Western-type cagA containing an EPIYA motif (92.6%) or EPIYT motif (6.4%). The intestinal metaplasia scores in the antral of patients infected with the ABC and ABCC types of cagA were significantly higher than those of patients with AB-type cagA. Interestingly, in patients infected with H. pylori, 46.3% of strains with three EPIYA motifs contained two identical Western-typical CM motifs, and these patients showed significantly higher antrum inflammation scores than patients infected with two identical nontypical-CM motif strains (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In Myanmarese strains, Western-type cagA was predominant. The presence of CM motifs and the proportion of multiple EPIYA-C segments might partially explain the intermediate gastric cancer risk found in Myanmar.
Genotype ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Metaplasia ; Myanmar ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Virulence

This paper investigates the antenatal care (ANC) services utilization in currently pregnant women during their visits to maternal and child health (MCH) clinics of rural (Kinabatangan) and urban (Sandakan), Sabah. A community clinic based, cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. In total, 800 currently pregnant women attending two MCH clinics, from April to September 2012, were participated using tested set questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was used for background characteristics and chi-square analysis was applied to identify the rural-urban differences among the variables.In both study areas, previous births delivered by skilled birth personnel were same. In pregnant women from rural, less income, more grand-multiparity, earlier antenatal care booking, more frequent post-natal care, more use of contraception compared to those in urban. In comparison, urban pregnant women had more anti-tetanus toxoid injection in their previous pregnancies, past history of antenatal care for at least four times, increase in household members. As this study found the differences in ANC services utilization at Rural and Urban, further study is needed to explore concrete reasons for above findings. By delivering services according to the needs of all clients, irrespective of their place of residence, it will improve ANC services utilization in both areas of Sabah and hence will improve more on existing health status of the Nation.

Osteomalacia is one of the post-gastrectomy complications resulting from the impaired absorption of vitamin D and calcium.1 Vitamin D deficiency or osteomalacia can be diagnosed by clinical, biochemical and radiographic parameters, and bone biopsy. The radiologic findings of “Looser zones” or pseudofractures aid in the diagnosis. Severe generalized pain, mimicking rheumatologic disorders is one of the features that maybe a presenting complaint of osteomalacia. We report a case of osteomalacia as a consequence of gastric by-pass surgery.
Osteomalacia ;

The lower percentage of water, sanitation and hygiene are the root causes of diarrhoea and cholera. Cholera is a sudden onset of acute watery diarrhoea which can progress to severe dehydration and death if untreated. The current pandemic, Vibrio Cholera O1 started in 1961. This study explores water, sanitation, hygiene and cholera and diarrhoea in three affected villages of Beluran District, Sabah Malaysia to support effective and timely public health intervention. This cross sectional study uses purposive sampling. All (114) households were interviewed and household water samples collected. The study reported lower coverage improved sanitation facilities (35.3% to 52.3%), no latrine at home (37% to 63%), improved water supply (52% to 60%), and prevalence of hand washing after toilet (57% - 74%). For water quality, Ecoli was present in household water (32% to 37%) but Vibrio cholerae was not isolated in any of the water samples tested. Statistically significant associations were found for; 1) occupation−non-agriculture and unimproved sanitation facility and 2) house ownership and correct knowledge of ORS preparation. Predictors for household water quality were: latrine at home, and improved household toilet. Aggressive strategies to improve water supply, sanitation and hygiene−hand washing after toilet−were recommended for future prevention of cholera and diarrhoea in the affected area.
Cholera ; Sanitation ; Rural Population

There has been significant magnitude of problems of diabetes in Myanmar, according to the estimates of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the recent National Survey on the prevalence of diabetes. There has been a wide gap of equity between the urban and rural healthcare delivery for diabetes. Myanmar Diabetes Care Model (MMDCM) aims to deliver equitable diabetes care throughout the country, to stem the tide of rising burden of diabetes and also to facilitate to achieve the targets of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2013-2020). It is aimed to deliver standard of care for diabetes through the health system strengthening at all level. MMDCM was developed based on the available health system, resources and the country's need. Implementation for the model was also discussed.

Adrenal oncocytomas are rare adrenal neoplasms which are usually large and nonfunctioning. Most of them are benign. We report a rare case of adrenal oncocytoma presenting with bilateral gynaecomastia and hypogonadism in 67-year- old male from Myanmar who had elevated estradiol levels. He successfully underwent an adrenalectomy and the histologic diagnosis was an oncocytoma. The immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was positive for neuron specific enolase (NSE), vimentin and synaptophysin. Feminizing adrenal oncocytoma has not been reported in literature.
Adenoma, Oxyphilic

Island health differs from other health care systems, particularly in that there are limited resources and referral faculties available. With globalisation and climate change, island populations have become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters and global pandemics. This study will identify, explore, compare and report on island health issues facing in the western Pacific, before making appropriate recommendations. A review of selected health indicators in Pacific islands was collected from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other publicly available resources. In the Pacific region, 15 islands saw lower health expenditure (

Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas 2013, the prevalence of diabetes in Myanmar is 5.7%.(1) Diabetes is recognized as a risk equivalent for coronary heart disease. The lipid profile in patients with type 2 DM is characterized by elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and raised small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) particles. This is believed to be a key factor in promoting atherosclerosis in these patients. There is ample evidence that aggressive statin therapy reduces cardiovascular end points in patients with DM in both primary and secondary prevention studies. In all persons with DM, current treatment guidelines recommend reduction of LDLC to less than 100 mg/dL, regardless of baseline lipid levels. In very high risk patients with DM and coronary heart disease lowering of LDL-C to less than 70 mg/dL may provide even greater benefits. Treatment for hypertriglyceridaemia is recommended only if TG levels is very high (>500 mg/dL).
Myanmar ; Practice Guideline

Objectives: To estimate the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome (MS in Myanmar obese children and to determine the risk factors associated with MS in obese children comparing with normal weight children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the risk factors for metabolic syndrome between normal and obese children by using the pediatric definition for metabolic syndrome [International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 2007]. Twenty-three obese children (BMI, ≥ 97th percentile) and 23 normal weight children (BMI, < 85th percentile) aged 5-12 years were included in the study. Blood pressure, body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and glucose concentrations were determined. Results: Based on the IDF pediatric criteria, 9 obese children (39.1%) had metabolic syndrome while no normal weight child had metabolic syndrome. Ten (43.5%) normal weight children and 3 (13.0%) obese children had at least one risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. Central obesity (WC ³ 90th percentile for age and sex), the most common risk factor, was observed in 25 children (54.4% of the total population). Conclusion This study highlights the need for early recognition of risk factors for metabolic syndrome in all children to halt the progression of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in later life.
Metabolic Syndrome ; Risk Factors