Background: Globally, adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) remains a public health priority within the Sustainable Development Goals. In Mongolia, individuals aged 15-24 account for over 40% of all sexually transmitted infections (STIs), representing a significant national challenge. Current health education for adolescents focuses predominantly on biological knowledge while neglecting life skills, consent, and communication. This focus has led to a deepening “knowledge-practice gap,” increasing vulnerability to risky behaviors. Therefore, it is essential to identify the actual SRH needs of youth and evaluate the national curriculum against international Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) standards. Aim: To compare and evaluate the SRH knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of university students and to identify content gaps by comparing the national curriculum with international CSE standards. Materials and Methods: An analytical case-control study was conducted among 585 students (freshmen, n=289; senior students, n=296) using random sampling. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire based on UNESCO CSE standards and the national curriculum. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0, employing X2 and t-tests for significance (p<0.05). Content analysis was executed using a triangulation matrix. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between the study groups in terms of age (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001), and living environment (p<0.001), while groups were homogeneous regarding gender (p=0.183) and socio-economic status. Senior students demonstrated significantly higher levels of SRH knowledge, attitudes, and practices across all variables compared to freshmen (p<0.001). However, a profound knowledge-practice gap persists; for instance, while 70% of freshmen were aware of STI transmission routes, regular condom use was reported at only 45%. Content analysis revealed that while the national curriculum covers biological aspects well, key CSE concepts such as “Consent,” “Psychology of Relationships,” and “Digital Safety” are notably absent. Furthermore, a curriculum based on negative attitudes and “prohibitions” contributes to fear among youth regarding seeking medical assistance. Conclusion The significant knowledge-practice gap (p<0.001) among students highlights the urgent need to revise the national curriculum in alignment with international CSE standards. To mitigate risky behaviors, it is recommended to transition from information-based teaching to a competency-based “Integrated Learning Model” supported by school-hospital-family partnerships.

Background: The ichthyosis is a hereditary skin disease and inherited by autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X recessive trait separately. The X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) is the most frequent cutaneous disease and general incidence accounts for one in 2000-5000 male births. Molecular pathogenesis of XLI is due to mutations, which are large deletion, missense, frame shift and nonsense in STS gene. The vast majority of mutation frequency is a large deletion, which are found in 85-90% of patients with XLI. An exon deletion of the STS can be detected by Polymerase chain reaction with exon specific primers. An identification of STS gene mutation has various importance such as 1) detection of mutation type; 2) for genetic counselling, 3) disease severity, 4) carrier detection. Methods: In the present study, pedigree analysis was used for type of inheritance, and Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect a deletion in STS gene and normal control used. A deletion was identified in case PCR bands were not visualized in agarose gels. Results: We included one patient, who had typical symptoms of XLI including dark, adherent scales on skin. Mutation analysis of the STS gene showed that the patient had whole gene deletion (del: Exon 1-10), which was demonstrated by the repeated amplification failure of exons. We used a sample of healthy man as a wild type control, which showed normal amplification of STS gene’s exons. Further, the current study will be focused on the screening of heterozygote large deletion of Del: Exon1-10 of STS gene among patient’s female relatives. Conclusion An ichthyosis case enrolled in this study was inherited by X-recessive and we identified whole exon deletion of STS gene in this patient.

BackgroundHuman vitamin D status primarily depends on skin exposure to the ultraviolet B (UVB) spectrum of the sunlight.Despite the many days of sunshine in Mongolia, the northern latitute means that much of the UVB is filteredout as it passes through the atmosphere. Studies of Mongolian infants, schoolchildren, and pregnant womenreveal prevalent and profound vitamin D deficiency in the winter months in Mongolia. To date, there has notbeen a single study of the vitamin D levels of Mongolian men, and no studies of working age women outside ofUlaanbaatar. The goal of this study is to determine Vitamin D levels among Mongolian working age populationin different geographical areas, in different seasons, and in different work settings.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 healthy adults, recruited by a multistage clustersampling method in Ulaanbaatar, South Gobi, and Bulgan. Each participant was tested for serum 25(OH)Dconcentrations, twice in winter and summer. Samples were measured by ELISA. The paired sampling (120summer samples/120 winter samples total 240 samples) frame allowed us to compare an individual’s winter25(OH)D levels to their own summer 25(OH)D levels, avoiding any confounding by differences betweenindividuals. A paired T-test (two sided) with unequal variances was used to test for differences in 25(OH)Dlevels among study groups.Results95% of all participants were Vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/ml) in winter, 24% deficient in summer (p < 0.001).The mean winter serum 25(OH)D levels were (±SD) 10.7±5.3 ng/ml, which were doubled in the summer to(±SD) 26.1±8.1 ng/ml. In all three regions, men and women had similar mean 25(OH)D levels. In Ulaanbaatar,office workers had higher winter 25(OH)D levels than urban outdoor workers. Surprisingly, office workersin the Gobi had higher 25(OH)D levels than nomads in both winter and summer. In Bulgan, there were nodifferences between office workers and nomads in any season.ConclusionWe observe that low vitamin D levels are more prevalent in our winter samples of healthy working age adults.The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is very high amongst the adult population. These data suggest a needto increase vitamin D intake either through improved fortification and/or supplementation.