Background: Substance use remains a critical public health and social concern, closely linked to increased sexual risk behaviors and a heightened vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly HIV and syphilis. International and national evidence suggests that individuals who use drugs often experience impaired judgment during intoxication, leading to unprotected intercourse, casual sexual encounters, and multiple sexual partners. In Mongolia, empirical data regarding sexual risk behaviors within this population remain scarce. Therefore, there is a pressing need to determine the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors and identify the specific factors influencing these patterns among drug users. Materials and Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional analytical design involving 181 participants who use drugs. Data were collected via structured questionnaires. Sexual risk behavior was evaluated using two approaches: as a dichotomous categorical variable and as a cumulative sexual risk score. Statistical analysis was performed using frequency distributions, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The associations between variables were tested using the (chi square test, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression models. Results: The findings revealed that 12.2% of participants exhibited high-level sexual risk behaviors, with a mean cumulative risk score of 8.13 ±4.40. Engaging in sexual intercourse while under the influence of alcohol, the frequency of intoxicated sex (reported as "often" or "always"), and a history of casual sexual encounters were significantly associated with sexual risk behaviors. Furthermore, gender, cohabitation status, condom use during the first sexual experience, and the frequency of alcohol-involved sexual encounters were statistically significant predictors of the cumulative risk score. A weak positive correlation was observed between the number of sexual partners in the past year and the cumulative sexual risk score, which remained a significant positive predictor in the linear regression model. Conclusion Sexual risk behavior among people who use drugs is more closely associated with behavioral factors—such as alcohol-influenced sexual activity, casual encounters, lack of condom use during sexual debut, and multiple partnership—than with basic socio-demographic characteristics. Consequently, risk reduction interventions should move beyond general awareness. Efforts must prioritize reducing substance- and alcohol-related sexual risks, promoting consistent condom use, and enhancing the accessibility of STI screening and counseling services tailored to this high-risk group.

Background: Drug use is closely associated with sexually transmitted infections, especially syphilis and HIV, through unsafe sexual practices, multiple partners, and high-risk patterns of substance use. Prisoners with a history of drug use represent a particularly vulnerable subgroup. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of rapid syphilis test positivity and selected associated factors among incarcerated people who use drugs. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among 105 prisoners. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and a finger-prick rapid dual test. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Fisher exact tests were used, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 29.1±8.4 years; 78.1% were male. A history of STI was reported by 16.2%, STI-related symptoms during the last 12 months by 19.0%, STI testing during the last 12 months by 39.0%, and STI testing while incarcerated by 45.7%. However, 79.0% had received STI-related education or information. Among 81 participants with valid rapid syphilis test results, 27 were positive, giving a prevalence of 33.3%. Syphilis positivity was significantly higher among those using more than one route of drug administration (41.4% vs 13.0%, p=0.018) and among those with a prior STI history (70.0% vs 26.6%, p=0.011). No significant associations were found with sex, age, education, marital status, cohabitation, income, syringe use, recent STI symptoms, casual sex before arrest, or overall sexual risk behavior. Conclusion These findings suggest that targeted syphilis screening, counseling, and linkage to confirmatory testing and treatment should be strengthened among incarcerated people who use drugs, particularly those with multi-route drug use and a previous STI history.

Background: Although HIV prevalence in the general population of Mongolia remains low (<0.1%), infections are concentrated among key populations, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). Regular monitoring of infection prevalence and associated risk behaviors is essential for early detection of epidemiological changes and timely response. Aim: To determine the prevalence of HIV and syphilis, assess levels of risk behaviors, and monitor trends among key populations. Materials and Methods: A simplified cross-sectional behavioral and biological surveillance survey was conducted in 2025, integrated with community center-based services in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan. Non-probability sampling methods (venue-based, community center-based, online, and snowball sampling) were applied. HIV and syphilis infections were screened using rapid diagnostic tests, with confirmatory testing performed. Results: HIV prevalence was 0% among female sex workers (FSW), 6.1% among MSM, and 4.8% among TGW. Syphilis prevalence was 5.5% among FSW (decreasing trend), 12.6% among MSM (increasing trend), and 17.5% among TGW (highest). Coverage of community center-based prevention programs was 15.3% among FSW, 33.1% among MSM, and 64.6% among TGW, while condom use remained below 80% across all groups. Conclusion Although HIV prevalence in the general population remains low, concentrated transmission persists among MSM and TGW at approximately 5–6%. High levels of risk behaviors and insufficient coverage of prevention services indicate continued transmission risk. It is necessary to introduce pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), strengthen STI prevention measures, and expand program coverage.

Background: A 2018 study on the global burden of disease, accidents, and risk factors reported that 1.6 million peo ple died in 2017 due to household air pollution. Poor indoor air quality has been highlighted as a contributing factor to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and exacerbation of asthma and allergies. A 2019 study estimated that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less reduces average life expectancy by 1.8 years, with more severe effects in highly polluted regions. Additionally, a study by Miller et al. (2007) found that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, particularly among women. Direct measurement devices are highly effective in determining indoor PM2.5 concentrations, identifying sources of pollution, tracking pollutant dispersion, and monitoring temporal variations. Studies suggest that direct measurement is an accurate, cost-effective method that provides detailed data suitable for local conditions. Aim: To investigate the indoor air quality of houses and apartments in Darkhan city during the winter season using the Purple Air monitoring device. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a targeted sample of 128 households in Darkhan city. The study examined factors such as stove type, type of coal used, annual and daily coal consumption, frequency of heating, and chimney sealing conditions. To collect data, the Purple Air monitoring device was installed in each house hold for a month, after which it was retrieved. During retrieval, participants completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 55 questions across 7 pages at the time of device installation and 25 questions across 3 pages at the time of device retrieval. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Results: A total of 128 households in Darkhan city participated in the study. The average duration of residence in the current home was 9.5 years, with no statistically significant variation. The distribution of housing types was as follows: traditional Mongolian gers (40.6%), houses (39.1%), and apartments (20.3%). The 24-hour average PM2.5 concentration was highest in gers (70.9 μg/m³), followed by houses (46.8 μg/m³) and apartments (22.8 μg/m³), with a statistically significant difference (p=0.0001). PM2.5 levels were most variable in gers, followed by houses and then apartments. House holds using central heating (apartments) had an average 24-hour PM2.5 concentration of 22.8 μg/m³, whereas households using stoves (gers and houses) had a significantly higher concentration of 59.4 μg/m³ (p=0.0001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between traditional and improved stoves. Among study participants, 21.4% reported that someone in their household smoked indoors. Additionally, 86.5% regularly burned incense, candles, or herbs, while 99.2% did not use an air purifier. Conclusion The indoor particulate matter concentration in houses and gers in Darkhan was 59.4μг/m3. Variations in stove types, poor chimney sealing limited space, and frequent gaps and cracks contribute to increased spread of indoor air pollutants.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).