1. A study to determine actual daily consumption of drinking and residential water for households in Ulaanbaatar
Zolzaya D ; Suvd B ; Amgalan G ; Tsegmed S ; Bolor B ; Soyombo G ; Oyun-Erdene O ; Altangerel B ; Oyunchimeg D ; Enkhjargal A ; Bolormaa I ; Tsogtbaatar B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2024;208(2):39-47
Introduction :
Water is a vital resource for human existence and is essential for daily food processing, preparation,
washing, hygiene, and sanitation. Furthermore, providing the population with safe drinking water is one
of the pressing problems of the world and some regions.
In recent years, population density and the scale of commercial and industrial activities, as well as clean
and dirty water consumption were increased in the capital city. As a result of these, ground and surface
water resources are becoming scarce and polluted.
Therefore, assessment of daily drinking and residential water consumption of Ulaanbaatar should be
determined to use drinking water properly in daily life and water loss. This study assessed the actual
amount of households’ daily water consumption.
Goal:
The purpose of this study is to determine the daily consumption of drinking water for households in ger
areas and apartments in Ulaanbaatar.
Materials and Method:
This study covers 30 households in ger areas and 15 apartment households, in Ulaanbaatar.
Household members performed 6-10 types of measurements every day, within 7 days. As a result of
these measurements, actual consumption of water quantity used for drinking and household purposes
was calculated. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS Version 21 to calculate the true probability of
difference between parameters.
Result:
67.9% of the households in the ger areas were 4-5 family members. The average daily household
consumption of drinking and domestic water were 68.3 ± 3.57 L (95% 61.3-75.3), the minimum
consumption was 12 L, and the maximum was 227 L. Average of the household water consumption
water was 97.6-108.9 liters during the weekends, and water consumption was statistically higher than
weekdays (p=0.001; p=0.01).
The water consumption of residential households with 3 family members accounted for the majority
(30.8%) in this study. The average daily consumption of drinking and domestic water was 297.67±19.7
liters. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.96) in week. The average daily water
consumption including drinking and residential was 270.3-335.97 L.
The total daily drinking and residential water consumption per person was 15.57 L for households in ger areas and 90 L for apartment households. Calculating the daily water consumption of households in ger areas, 60.3% of it is used for laundry, washing dishes, food preparation, washing face and hands, and clothes, 31% for drinking, and 8.7% for outdoor water use. While apartment households, approximately 94.1%, were used for household and 5.9% for drinking purposes.
Research ethics approval :
This study was discussed at the meeting of the Academic Council of the National Center for Public
Health. In addition, this study was carried out according to the methods and methods discussed and
approved at the meeting of the Medical Ethics Control Committee of the Ministry of Health (Resolution
No. 08).
Conclusion
The total daily consumption of drinking and residential water per person were 15.57 litres for the
households in the ger areas and 90 litres for the apartment households. It implies that it does not exceed
the WHO recommendations
2.Study results of the prevalence for thyroid disorders
Tsegmed S ; Norolkhoosuren B ; Otgonbayar S ; Tsientcogzol D ; Lkhagvajav B ; Buanzaya B ; Enkhtuya N ; Anand U ; Bolormaa N ; Narantuya D ; Unursaikhan S
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2022;199(1):15-23
Introduction:
Among the endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic disease and thyroid disorders occupy a significant place. According to the World Health Organization, 8-18% of the world’s population suffer from thyroid disorders. In our country, no research on the prevalence of the disorders has been conducted before, and this research methodology was discussed by the Scientific committee of the National Center for Public Health and was approved by resolution No.156 of the Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health on 2020.
Materials and Methods:
In order to determine the prevalence
of thyroid disease in the country, we collected the actual number of thyroid disorders registered in 9 districts of the capital city and 330 soums of 21 aimags for a total of 10 years from 2011 to 2020. The prevalence of thyroid disorders was mapped using Arc view and GIS software.
Results
Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic disease account for 2.3% of all outpatient cases. Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic disease accounted for an average of 168.3 per 10000 population over the past 10 years, and thyroid disorders accounted for 45 or 26.7% of endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases. Thyroid disorders are highest in people aged 40-49 years.
Thyroid toxicity is the most common type of thyroid disease in Mongolia, accounting for 56.2%, with an average of 17.2 per 10000 population in 2011-2020. However, iodine deficiency-related thyroid disease accounts for 5.5% of all thyroid disorders, with an average of 2.5 per 10000 population in 2011-2020. In 2011, it decreased by 2.2 per 10000 population, and by 2020, it decreased by 0.2 per thousand to 2.0, but in the last 5 years, it has increased by an average of 2.4 per 10,000 population, and in the last 5 years it has increased by 0.2 per thousand, or 2.6 per 10,000 population. Morbidity is high in the Khangai and Central regions.
3.Evaluation of air pollution prevention consultation, Ulaanbaatar
Zolzaya D ; Bolor B ; Oyunchimeg D ; Enkhtuya P ; Tsegmed S ; Bolormaa I ; Chinzorig B ; Amartuvshin T ; Suvd B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2022;199(1):74-82
Introduction:
Mongolia’s capital hosts about half the country’s total population, and its air pollution ranks among the highest in the world during winter. Air pollution is linked to reduced fetal growth, preterm birth, low birth weight, impaired cognitive intra-uterine development, impaired cognitive development, and even spontaneous abortion. Antenatal care includes fetal development monitoring, prevention of anemia, immunization against infectious diseases, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and any health risk factors such as environmental pollution.
Health care measures for pregnant women and children under one year of age have the potential to be highly effective because they are directly aimed at reducing pneumonia in children. As such, we need to conduct this survey to determine whether pregnant women were satisfied with the information and advice on air pollution prevention provided by health facilities and to take evidence-based measures.
Materials and Methods :
The survey data were collected using quantitative and qualitative research methods. In this study, a total of 958 pregnant women participated from Songinokhairkhan district, Bayanzurkh district, and Bayankhongor province center. The overall satisfaction of health services is calculated using the three dimensions namely: satisfaction with health service, operation, and environment of the Health Organization. Satisfaction scores were assessed using an even-point scale. These are “Very Dissatisfied-1 point”, “Dissatisfied-2 point”, “Satisfied-3 point”, “Very satisfied-4 point”. The results were calculated after entering the survey data into SPSS-23, creating a database, and performing error control. The research methodology was discussed at the meeting of the Academic Council of the National Center for Public Health on December 25, 2019, and the methodology was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the MOH (Stagnant №2).
Results :
The survey covered 958 pregnant women aged 16-45 in Bayanzurkh district Songinokhairkhan district, and Bayankhongor province. During antenatal care visits, the majority of pregnant women (BZD- 56.9%, SKHD- 68.3%, BKH province - 86.7%) were advised by their health specialists to go outside for fresh air, while women in Ulaanbaatar (BZD- 18.9%, SKHD- 24.7%) received the information and advice at the lowest percentage. Pregnant women in Ulaanbaatar were less involved in air pollution training than in Bayankhongor. Participants in the air pollution prevention training rated it as “satisfied” regardless of location. 37.2% of pregnant women obtained information on protecting their health from air pollution from the board of Family Health Center and 34% from their district health centers. 86.1% of the participants were able to obtain information on air pollution on their own, while 86% of them got information from their family and friends.
Conclusion
The percentage of pregnant women getting medical advice, training, and information on air pollution prevention from hospitals during their antenatal care visits was the highest in rural areas. Moreover, their level of satisfaction with counseling had been rated as “satisfied”. Pregnant women often seek information on air pollution prevention from non-professional sources, such as their family and friends.
4.Satisfaction of health care and services for parents and guardians with 0–5 years-old children
Bolor B ; Enkhtuya P ; Tsegmed S ; Oyunchimeg D ; Zolzaya D ; Bolormaa L ; Chinzorig B ; Amartuvshin T ; Suvd B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2021;196(2):37-45
Introduction:
Within the framework of health sector reform, the development of the organization, the responsibility
of doctors and medical professionals, and the improvement of ethics, quality and safety of care and
services are top priorities. Customer satisfaction is important for the implementation of this operation
based on results and quality. The WHO Recommendation states that health professionals have a key
role to play in providing information and advice to citizens and their families on how to prevent, mitigate
and address air pollution, and how to inform the general public and decision-makers. ADB, the Ministry
of Health, and UNICEF report that information and promotional materials on air pollution prevention
are scarce and do not provide advice to clients. Therefore, it is the reason for conducting a survey to
determine the level of satisfaction of clients receiving child health care.
Materials and methods:
The survey data were collected using quantitative and qualitative research methods. In this study, totally
1160 guardians of children aged 0-5 participated from Songinokhairkhan and Bayanzurkh district and
Bayankhongor aimag center. The overall satisfaction of health services is calculated using the three
dimensions namely: satisfaction with health service, operation and environment of Health Organization.
Satisfaction scores were assessed using an even-point scale. These are “Very Dissatisfied-1 point”,
“Dissatisfied-2 point”, “Satisfied-3 point”, “Very satisfied-4 point”. The results were calculated after
entering the survey data into SPSS-23, creating a database, and performing error control. Research
methodology discussed at the meeting of the Academic Council of the National Center for Public Health
on December 25, 2019, and the methodology was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the
MOH (Stagnant №2).
Results:
84.7 percent of the respondents were parents of children aged 0-5 years. Their average age is 34,
most of them have higher education, and 43.0 percent of them have a household income of 500,000-1
million MNT. Guardians of children aged 0-5 years in Bayanzurkh District were “dissatisfied” with the
Family Health Center’s dressing room, wardrobe, toilet and parking lot. Guardians of children aged
0-5 years in Songinokhairkhan district were “dissatisfied” in the parking lot and toilet of the health
organization. Guardians of children aged 0-5 years in Bayankhongor aimag were satisfied with the
services, operation and environment of the health organization. Studies have shown that 76.5 percent
of the guardians did not receive air pollution risk training. As for difficulties in preventing air pollution,
31.4 percent of the surveyed population answered that they cannot change their living and working
environment to prevent air pollution.
Conclusion
It shows the health care organizations need to improve the hospital environment as well as to provide
training how to protect children from air pollution risk for guardians.
5.Risk factors of stomach cancer
Unursaikhan S ; Tsegmed S ; Oyundari B ; Sainsanaa Kh ; Narantuya D
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2021;196(2):95-101
Various studies conducted worldwide emphasized the importance of identifying gastric cancer risk
factors for better prevention and further incidence reduction. A total of 52 identified risk factors for
gastric cancer were classified into nine categories in which diet, lifestyle, and infections are leading
causes. Gastric cancer morbidity and mortality has an increasing trend annually in our country. In
Mongolia, only 1% is diagnosed in the carcinoma stage, 3% in the first stage, 11% in the second
stage, 43% in the third stage, 42% in the fourth stage.
The “Gastric cancer risk factors study, 2018” by L.Tulgaa, and D.Ganchimeg confirmed smoking on
an empty stomach as a risk factor. B.Gantuya et al`s (2018) study on gastric cancer and helicobacter
infection, as well as S.Tsegmed et al`s (2012) gastric cancer prevalence, its risk factors study, had
similar results.
B.Gantuya et al (2018) identified the excessive consumption of salt among the gastric cancer
diagnosed population in Mongolia. Also, L.Tulgaa and D.Ganchimeg et al`s “Gastric cancer risk
factors study, 2018” results reported the daily consumption of salt in tea is a risk for gastric cancer.
L.Tulgaa et al`s (2018) study participants had irregular mealtime such as dinners are at a very late
hour, the meals aren`t chewed well, leftover meals, and seasoning consumption. These characteristics
were significantly different in two groups with a statistically important result.
Furthermore, the study results suggested a need to provide practical advice on healthy eating to the
population as 50% of the participants consumed more than 5 high-risk food products for esophageal
and gastric cancer along with combined risk factors.
6.The incidence of stomach and esophageal cancer in Mongolia: a data from 2009-2018
Tulgaa L ; Nasanjargal T ; Ulziisaikhan B ; Ganchimeg D ; Tegshjargal B ; Tsegmed S ; Batbold B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2020;192(2):27-36
Introduction:
Cancer is a major public health issue both in Asia and in Mongolia. The most prevalent cancer related
deaths in Mongolia are registered for the stomach, esophagus and liver.
Purpose:
We aimed to investigate the incidence of stomach and esophageal cancer in Mongolian population.
Materials and Methods:
Epidemiologic data were collected from 2009 to 2018 through the oncology cabinet of all hospitals and
medical centers from all provinces, soums (the smallest unit of provinces) and major districts of the
capital city. The incidence of stomach and esophageal cancer was calculated by appropriate methods
and it was presented by ArcGIS Pro 9.2 software. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be
statistically significant and based on two side hypotheses. All calculations were performed in the IBM
SPSS Statistics software. The study design in concordance with ethical guidelines was approved
by the Ethics Committee of Ministry of Health Mongolia. All clinical investigations were conducted
according to the principles laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki.
Results:
The incidence of esophageal cancer in last ten years (2009-2018) was 10.09 in 100000 populations
and the highest incidence were registered in Uvs (38.13), Bayan-Ulgii (24.15) and Zavkhan (18.18)
provinces, respectively. The incidence of stomach cancer was 20.33 in 100000 populations and the
highest incidences were registered in Uvs (53.01), Khovd (46.02) and Darkhan-Uul (40.50) provinces,
respectively.
Conclusion
1. Incidence rates for esophageal and stomach cancer are high among the Mongolian population.
In the last decade, the incidence of esophageal cancer had not decreased significantly, but it’s
constant.
In our study, the esophageal cancer incidence was 10.09 per 100’000 people, which includes
one of the high incidence rate countries according to the WHO classification. More than 10
aimags incidence rate of esophageal cancer was higher than the National average. Most of them have occurred in the western region of the country. Most of the Western, some of Khangai and
Eastern soums have had the highest incidence of esophageal cancer what we have shown on
the mapping.
2. The incidence rates of stomach cancer were registered as 20.33 per 100’000 people in the last
10 years at the national level. It has shown that according to the WHO classification, our country
is also one of the countries with the highest incidence of stomach cancer. The stomach cancer
incidence trend was increased in the last 10 decades. Therefore, some of aimag’s soums has
included the highest rate classification. In addition, some soums in the Western, Khangai, and
Eastern aimags had have a very high incidence of stomach cancer.
According to results in the above, the nationwide targeted prevention program is needed
especially where the highest incidence rates. Also there is a lack of cooperation between national
organizations to accurate registration of gastrointestinal cancer and to fight against these harmful
cancers.
7.Selenium-containing products and new coronavirus
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2020;193(3):79-86
Live species with selenium deficiency are unable to produce adequate antioxidant selenoprotein to
defend themselves, so the virus may turn harmful and cause additional stubborn illness.
The disease associated with selenium deficiency in humans became known as cardiomyopathy or
Keshan disease, an area in northeastern China that endemic spread. Some of the study results on
the treatment of COVID-19 patients and selenium levels in patients are similar to previous studies
indicating the antiviral effects of selenium. Indeed, various cellular and viral mechanisms, including
selenium and selenoprotein, affect viral pathogens, including glutathione peroxidase, which depends
on selenium encoded by the virus. Such viral mechanisms affect well-operated oxidative stress
associated with multiple RNA-virus infections and increase viral replication (resulting in increased
mutation frequency); as with SARS-CoV-2, selenium deficiency pathogens or mortality are high.
Inadequate selenium deficiency has been reported in the Mongolian population. According to a
2005 year study report by the University of Otto in New Zealand and the Center for Nutrition, 57%
of children aged 06–35 months in Ulaanbaatar and four aimags had low selenium consumption in
plasma. In most countries, the most important sources of selenium are meat and wheat products,
and the concentration of selenium in the main staples eaten by Mongolians, such as wheat and meat,
was remarkably low
8.Selenium concentration in drinking water in Central Region Mongolia
Erdentsogt E ; Tsegmed S ; Tuvshinbayar B ; Sindireva A B ; Golubkina N A
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2020;194(4):46-56
Background:
Mongolia is characterized by restricted sources of drinking water and intensive water pollution due
to high rates of urbanization, mining industry development, enormous amount of livestock, and ever-growing attempts in domestic production of cereals and vegetables. Among others, Se is the least
studied element in Mongolian water resources.
Goal:
To assess the selenium content of Mongolia’s drinking water depending on its geographical location
and to identify areas of environmental risk associated with the chemical composition of the water.
Materials and Methods:
In the summer of 2017, water samples were collected from 5 aimags (Dornogovi, Tuv, Selenge,
Umnugovi, Arkhangai) and Ulaanbaatar city and sent to Moscow, Russia for analysis. Of the collected
samples, 19 were groundwater (wells, wells, springs) and 2 were surface water (Tuul River, Selenge
River).
Results:
Based on fluorimetric method of analysis, the first results on Se levels in drinking water of five aimags,
Ulaanbaatar, and Erdenet were obtained. Uneven distribution of Se in Mongolia was manifested,
the highest Se concentrations being typical for the southern resources (up to 18,600 μg/L) and the
lowest, for the Northern ones (up to 0.022 μg/L). ICP-MS data of Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg,
I, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Si, Sn, Sr, V, and Zn contents indicate poly-microelementosis existence
in the South of Mongolia (Dorno-Gobi aimag) where ground water is characterized by elevated
levels of As and extremely high levels of Se, Li, Na, F, Cl, B, and nitrates ions, exceeding maximum
permissible levels by 1.86; 4.3; 3.1; 3.1; 2.7; 3.4; and 1.8 times respectively. Toxic concentrations of
Se in groundwater of Dorno-Gobi aimag contradict with the published low human serum Se and low
content of the element in horseflesh that suggests the possible effect of the above pollutants on Se
bioavailability.
Conclusion
Revealed phenomenon and mosaic distribution of heavy metals in areas with high and low Se content
in water resources indicate the need of direct search for Se and other pollutant transfer in food chain
in various ecological loading conditions, creation of a map of Se distribution in water resources of
other Mongolian regions, and large-scale evaluation of the human poly-elemental status.
9.The result of measured household indoor air quality, Ulaanbaatar, 2020
Oyun-Erdene O ; Tsegmed S ; Buuveidulam A ; Bolor B ; Bataa Ch ; Narantuya D ; Suvd B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2020;194(4):74-83
Introduction:
Beginning 15 May 2019, the consumption of raw coal in Ulaanbaatar has been replaced by the
consumption of briquette fuel for the improvement of air quality according to Governmental Resolution
No.62 adopted in 2018. Since after this resolution has been in placed the number of CO poisoning
has been increased as of 18 December 2019, nine persons were died and 1394 people get a health
care service due to CO poisoning. However, it has been not been assessed briquette affect to the
indoor air quality and its health impact. Thus, it is need urge to define the indoor air quality effect of
briquette and its heath impact.
Goal:
To assess the indoor air quality of the household using the “improved briquette” and identify the
causes of the risk.
Material and Method:
This a cross-sectional survey, conducted from January 31, 2020 to April 31, 2020, data were obtained
by quantitative, qualitative (observation, interview) and direct indoor air quality measurement. The
survey sampling frame was 40 households in central 6 districts of Ulaanbaatar that used improved
fuels (20 households with a history of carbon monoxide poisoning and 20 households that were not
affected), and 14 households in the Nalaikh district that used raw coal, in total of 54 households were
participated. Indoor air quality was measured by PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, NO2, and microclimate per
household for 24 hours during a week.
The statistical data analysis was done by the SPSS-23 program and preformed required parametric
and non-parametric tests. The normality of the data was checked by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.
The most of data was not normally distributed. So, thus we used median and used relevant non-parametric tests. The average level of microclimate indicators, and air quality indicators were defined
as mean, median and its IQR and standard deviation. The 95% confidence intervals of mean and
frequencies were determined and used to differentiate group differences.
The Ethical permission to start the survey was approved by the 2nd meeting of the Ministry of Health
on February 4, 2020. The committee was reviewed and approved the research methodology based on
whether data collection technique and tools are considered the ethical issues, and whether provided
accurate information for make decisions to enroll to the survey for respondents.
Results:
According to the health statistic, from October 2, 2019 to March 31, 2020, a total of 2,768 people from 837 households were exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Of the total reported cases, 10 were
drunk, and 2 were due to other disease complications, and a total of 2,756 cases were confirmed
diagnosis as carbon monoxide poisoning.
Emissions of CO were recorded every 15 seconds and the results were calculated by conducting
continuous measurements per household for 24 hours a week. The level of CO emitted into the
indoor environment of households exposed by carbon monoxide had increased during the following
time from 7 am to 9 am in the morning, from 13 pm to 15 pm, from 18 pm to 20 pm in the evening, and
from 22 pm to 24 pm at night. During this period of time, the indoor air CO level had increased from
the WHO mild poisoning recommendation level.
Conclusion
It has been defined that the carbon monoxide emits to the indoor air households which are using an
improved fuel according to measurement the 30 minutes, 31-60 minutes, and 61-120 minutes after
burning.
10.Issue in late diagnosis of gastric cancer
Tulgaa L ; Ganchimeg D ; Chinzorig M ; Erkhembayar E ; Tegshjargal B ; Nasanjargal T ; Dashmaa A ; Bayar D ; Tsegmed S ; Bolor-Erdene T ; Otgonbayar I ; Batbold B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2019;187(1):42-47
Introduction:
Gastric cancer is still one of the most leading causes of mortality in the world. The highest mortality rate of gastric cancer is estimated in Mongolia. South Korea and Japan, where leading the incidence of gastric cancer, mortality rates are observed in 51th and 31nd rank respectively. In Mongolia, gastric cancer is the second leading site, after liver cancer.
Goal:
We aimed to determine the cause of late diagnosis of gastric cancer and to evaluate supply of upper endoscopy devices and human resource for gastric cancer in the general hospital of provinces and districts.
Materials and Methods:
In this study, 84 patients suffering from gastric cancer (42 patients in III, IV TNM stage; 42 patients in I, II TNM stage)were investigated in National Cancer Center, Mongolia. A survey questionnaire which included age, gender, education, income, risk factors and clinical questions was detected from all patients. And we conducted study of supply of upper endoscopy devices and human resource for gastric cancer in general hospitals of from 21 provinces and general hospitals of 6 districts by questionnaire.
Results:
Seventy three(86.9%) patients were over 50 years old and the highest rates of gastric cancer were in group of 61-70 years (40.5%). From the results, the reason to visiting hospital was significantly different between two groups. 55.1% of patients suffering from early-stage gastric cancer were voluntarily diagnosed by upper endoscopy. In contrary, 55.8% of patients suffering from late-stage gastric cancer have visited the hospital due to worsening symptoms or dysphagia and vomiting. Factors such as age, gender, education, employment status and income had no significant effect on late diagnosis of gastric cancer. In totally 24(89%)general hospitals out of 27 had upper endoscopy devices and 22 (81.5%) hospitals had endoscopist. Although 75% of total general hospitals conduct
annual cancer screening, 64% of them do not perform the endoscopy in annual screening.
Conclusion
In our country, late diagnosis of gastric cancer is related to the attitudes of patients for preventing and screening disease. Therefore, it is important to improve the health education of the population and to develop healthy, right attitudes and practices. And the study revealed that general hospitals have insufficient for upper endoscopy devices and human resource.
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