Title: South African Medical Journal

Title: South African Medical Journal

ISO Abbreviated Title: S. Afr. Med. J.

JCR Abbreviated Title: S Afr Med J

ISSN: 0038-2469

Issues/Year: 12

Journal Country South Africa

Language: Multi-Language

Publisher: Med Assoc S Africa

Publisher Address: Med House Central SQ 7430 Pinelands Priv Bag X1, Johannesburg, South Afric

Subject Categories:

Medicine, General & Internal: Impact Factor

? Leary, W.P., Reyes, A.J., Lockett, C.J., Arbuckle, D.D. and Vanderbyl, K. (1983), Magnesium and deaths ascribed to ischemic-heart-disease in South-Africa: A preliminary-report. South African Medical Journal, 64 (20), 775-776.

Full Text: 1983\Sou Afr Med J64, 775.pdf

Von Schirnding, Y.E.R., Fuggle, R.F. and Bradshaw, D. (1991), Factors associated with elevated blood lead levels in inner city Cape Town children. South African Medical Journal, 79 (4), 454-456.

Full Text: 1991\Sou Afr Med J79, 454.pdf

? Jooste, P.L., Weight, M.J. and Kriek, J.A. (1997), Iodine deficiency and endemic goitre in the Langkloof area of South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 87 (10), 1374-1379.

Full Text: 1997\Sou Afr Med J87, 1374.pdf

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To quantify the prevalence of iodine deficiency and endemic goitre in the Langkloof area.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Four primary schools in four communities in the Langkloof.

SUBJECTS: 565 primary schoolchildren from Standard 2 to Standard 5.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical diagnosis of thyroid size by palpation, level of iodine in urine and drinking water samples, level of iodine in iodised salt samples from the area, percentage of households with iodised salt on the premises, and anthropometric measures of body height and weight.

RESULTS: The prevalence of endemic goitre varied from 14.3% to 30.2% in the four communities and, based on urinary iodine levels, the iodine deficiency ranged from mild to severe. Both iodised and non-iodised salt were available at the local grocery stores but only small percentages of households had iodised salt in the house. The iodine content of drinking water was low. Anthropometric indices of undernutrition indicated medium to high levels of stunting in three of the four communities, the worst being in the community with the highest goitre prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS: Endemic goitre caused by iodine deficiency is a public health problem in the Langkloof, varying in severity from mild to severe in the different communities. The impact of mandatory iodisation of table salt, introduced at the end of, (1995), needs to be assessed in these communities.

Keywords: Disorders

Title: Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health

Full Journal Title: Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health

ISO Abbreviated Title:

JCR Abbreviated Title:

ISSN:

Issues/Year:

Language:

Publisher:

Publisher Address:

Subject Categories:

: Impact Factor

? Dazo, B.C., Sudomo, M., Hardjawidjaja, L., Joesoef, A. and Bardoji, A. (1976), Control of Schistosoma japonicum infection in Lindu Valley, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 7 (2), 330-340.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea7, 330.pdf

Abstract: In Indonesia, schistosomiasis is presently confined to two endemic areas in Central Sulawesi, Lindu (1,500) and Napu (5,000 inhabitants) valleys. Because of various development schemes now underway, it is feared that the natural balance which existed for many years between the parasite, the snail intermediate hosts and man, will be upset and will place some 70,000 people of the adjoining Palu and Palolo areas at risk. Measures are being taken to control and prevent the spread of the disease. A pilot control programme is planned for two years in the village of Anca in Lindu with a population of 391 and a prevalence rate of 70.5%. Langko village with a population of 464 and a prevalence rate of 53.7% will be utilized as the comparison area. Baseline data on human, malacological and animal reservoir hosts are being collected and control operations are anticipated to commence in July 1975. Measures to be applied to control schistosomiasis in the order of priorities are: (a) agro-engineering or modification of the environment, (b) environmental sanitation through the provision of adequate water supply and construction of latrines, (c) mollusciciding of remaining snail infested areas, (d) chemotherapy, and (e) health education campaign. At the end of the two-year control programme, the following activities will be carried out to determine the degree of intervention achieved, (a) human data: calculation of prevalence rates, incidence rates, and changes in the intensity of infection based on quantitative egg counts, (b) malacological data: changes in the number and extent of snail foci, snail density, and snail infection rates, (c) reservoir hosts: changes in the prevalence rates among domestic and wild animals. Calculation of reclaimed areas and increase in agricultural production will also be assessed together with the overall cost/benefit analysis of the project undertaking.

? Imandel, K., Khodabandeh, A., Mesghaly, A. and Firozian, H. (1977), Epidemiology of fluorosis in the Borazjan area of Iran. I. Fluoride content in drinking water. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 8 (1), 87-88.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea8, 87.pdf

? Sekarajasekaran, I.A. (1979), Physical changes of the environment and health effects with special reference to water pollution and sanitation in Malaysia. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 10 (4), 634-649.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea10, 634.pdf

Abstract: Development of a human community are not without changes in its environment. Such changes result in either beneficial or adverse effects on human health. In Malaysia, in the wake of the New Economic Policy aimed at the redressing of the poor population and income distribution, development of the nation has brought about various changes in the environment. Some of these changes have elevated basic public health problems, while others, particularly new agricultural practices and industrialisation programmes with urbanisation trends, have brought a new set of problems due to water pollution and sanitation. Various measures are being taken to protect and to improve the environment so that progress can be realised with minimum adverse effects. This also calls for assistance from international sources, in terms of expertise, training and funds.

? Han, A.M. and Myint, T.M. (1986), Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in relation to diarrhoea in a rural community in Burma. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 17 (1), 59-62.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea17, 59.pdf

Abstract: A study was conducted in a rural community in Burma, to determine how people perceive the importance of food, water and defecation in the causation of diarrhoea and to determine whether people wash hands or use soap after defecation or before preparing and eating food. 90% of mothers with under-five children in the community were interviewed. 53 to 86% of people were aware of the importance of food, water and defecation in the causation of diarrhoea. Although 34 to 88% practised hand washing before eating/food handling or after defecation, only 5 to 12% regularly used soap. Furthermore, drinking water for under-five children was obtained by dipping the drinking g or cup into the drinking water pot (83%) which could result in contamination of drinking water.

? Candler, W., Phuphaisan, S., Echeverria, P., Liangthorachon, B., Bhaibulaya, M., Arthur, J., Bodhidatta, L. and Buduan, R. (1990), Amebiasis at an evacuation site on the Thai-Cambodian border. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 21 (4), 574-579.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea21, 574.pdf

Abstract: Symptomatic intestinal amebiasis was highly endemic among the Cambodians living at Green Hill, an evacuation site on the Thai-Cambodian border between June 1987 through May 1989. Monthly incidence rates of intestinal amebiasis were determined to be inversely proportional to cumulative monthly rainfall. The highest incidence of amebic dysentery was 63/1000 in children 12-23 months old. Behavioral risk factors were investigated by conducting a case-control study. A questionnaire was administered to 73 families, each having at least one member with confirmed intestinal amebiasis within the past 3 months, and to 95 randomly selected control families having no individual with diarrhea for at least 3 months. Individuals from families with greater than 4 members were at higher risk for acquiring intestinal amebiasis. No significant differences in behavioral risk factors were identified between case and control families. Eighty-six percent of 51 water samples drawn from wells where amebiasis patients obtained their drinking water had greater than 10 coliforms/100 ml. The main route of transmission of E. histolytica was not identified, but was most likely via the fecal-oral route.

? Swaddiwudhipong, W., Lerdlukanavonge, P., Khumklam, P., Koonchote, S., Nguntra, P. and Chaovakiratipong, C. (1992), A survey of knowledge, attitude and practice of the prevention of dengue hemorrhagic fever in an urban community of Thailand. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 23 (2), 207-211.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea23, 211.pdf

Abstract: To evaluate the effect of a health education program on the prevention and control of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in the municipality of Mae Sot, Tak Province, a survey of adult residents, mainly housewives, was conducted in late April 1990 to assess their knowledge of DHF and practice of preventive methods. A total of 417 respondents from 417 households selected by a systematic-cluster sampling method were interviewed. More than 90% of them knew that the disease is transmitted by Aedes mosquitos and indicated water jars and water retention in the houses as the common breeding places. However, the other two common breeding places, ant-traps and cement baths, were less frequently mentioned. This finding was consistent with the greater proportion of respondents who reported no larval control methods for these two kinds of containers than for the others. Covering water containers was the most common practice to prevent mosquito breeding in drinking-water containers whereas addition of abate (temephos sand granules) or changing stored water frequently was commonly used for non-drinking water storage. Larval control for ant-traps was mainly accomplished by the addition of chemicals, including abate, salt, oil or detergent. Health education efforts in this area could induce the majority of respondents to accept themselves as responsible for the Aedes control program. Health education by health personnel played an important role in disseminating DHF information and prevention methods. Radio and television were the main effective mass media for public health education on DHF in this area.

? Migasena, P. and Choopanya, K. (1992), Nutrition and the environmental situation in Bangkok. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 23 (3), 46-53.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea23, 46.pdf

Abstract: Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a large city of about six million people. According to the rapid growth of economy, Bangkok faces to the problems of urbanization and industrialization. Non-communicable disease such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers are the leading causes of death. There is a trend of increasing air pollution in the congested areas and industrialized zones, with the increase over the ambient air quality standard involving suspended particulate matter. Other public health problems include the sanitation of restaurants, the quality of drinking water and coloring agents in food, drug addiction especially in young males. Poor hygiene in drug injection is one of the major causes of HIV transmission. AIDS, originally our imported disease, needs urgent prevention by health education and counseling. Improvements in government and non-government health care resources are still needed. A good cooperative city health plan serves a practical purpose, especially for the solution of the air and water pollution in Bangkok. However, pilot operational research on nutrition, health and environment in relation to city health planning needs to be discussed further for more effective implementation.

? Lee, H.L. and Singh, K.I. (1993), Studies on the effect of translocation of chemical insecticides in Eicchornia host plant on Mansonia mosquitos: A potential control method. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 24 (2), 105-109.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea24, 105.pdf

Abstract: A novel method for the control of Mansonia larvae was developed and tested. In this method, foliar absorption and translocation of a chemical insecticide, monocrotophos, a known systemic insecticide was studied in the Eicchornia plant. Acetone solution of the insecticide was painted onto leaves of the plant. At daily intervals, stems were severed and divided into equal sections which were introduced into bowls. Larvae of Aedes aegypti were tested for the presence of monocrotophos. It was found that translocation of the insecticide occurred at different rates in the stems and in some plants the chemical was also released into the surrounding water. Based on these results, 2 insecticides namely, monocrotophos and temephos were painted onto leaves of the host plant and their translocation to the root and water environment was examined by testing with Mansonia and Aedes aegypti larvae. The results again confirmed the translocation process and it was found that the insecticides were secreted into the surrounding water, thereby killing the larvae. However, in leaves painted with permethrin (synthetic pyrethroid) or flufenoxuron (chitin synthesis inhibitor), such a process was not detected. The potential of this new concept in Mansonia larval control is examined.

? Suthienkul, O. (1993), Bacteriophage typing of Vibrio fluvialis. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 24 (3), 449-454.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea24, 449.pdf

Abstract: Six stable bacteriophages of Vibrio fluvialis were isolated from 44 surface water specimens collected in Thailand and Japan. Twelve different phages types were found among 109 V. fluvialis isolated from feces of diarrheal patients and the environment. Seventy-three percent (80/109) of these 109 isolates were typable with these phages. One phage type, designated as A (1) was predominant and accounted for 43% of the V. fluvialis examined. The six bacteriophages used in this typing scheme were stable for at least during a three-month storage at 4°C. This proposed bacteriophage typing scheme may be of valuable aid in tracing sources and routes of infection in outbreaks of V. fluvialis infection in man.

? Luksamijarulkul, P., Pumsuwan, V. and Pungchitton, S. (1994), Microbiological quality of drinking water and using water of a Chao Phya River community, Bangkok. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 25 (4), 633-637.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea25, 633.pdf

Abstract: Safe water is essential for good health of humans. The contamination of water with infected fecal material is common in areas with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. The determination of microbiological quality of water is essential. Simple routine testing of the bacteriological quality of drinking water is designed to detect the presence of coliform bacteria and virological assessment is to detect the presence of enteric viruses, especially hepatitis A virus (HAV). Therefore, this study attempted to determine the HAV and coliform bacteria contamination in drinking water and using water of a Chao Phya River community, Bangkok where crowded living conditions increase the risk of water-related diseases. 95 samples of drinking water and 75 samples of used water in containers were collected with sterile technique for determining HAV antigen by ELISA and coliform contamination by the Most Probable Number Technique (MPN). The results revealed that HAV and coliform contamination rates of drinking water were 25.26% and 64.21%, respectively. The rain water had the highest contamination (60.00% and 80.00%). Tap water was 23.73% for HAV (14/59 samples) and 64.41% for coliforms (38/59 samples) whereas running water had the least contamination (2.94% for HAV and 5.88% for coliforms). The contamination rates of used water were 10.69% for HAV and 68.67% for coliforms.

? Haque, Q.M., Sugiyama, A., Iwade, Y., Midorikawa, Y., Yoshimura, H., Kawsar, U., Shimada, T. and Yamauchi, T. (1996), Characterization of Aeromonas hydrophila: A comparative study of strains isolated from diarrheal feces and the environment. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 27 (1), 132-138.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea27, 132.pdf

Abstract: Thirty-five strains of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from feces of diarrheal patients and from the environments were collected from Thailand and Japan. The physiological, biochemical, and serological characteristics, antibiotic resistance patterns and cell surface-related properties were compared. The diarrheal and environmental isolates of A hydrophila were found to be remarkably consistent in general culture and biochemical characteristics, with the exception of the reaction to D-arabinose in which the diarrheal strains were positive and environmental strains were negative. The plasmid patterns and cell surface-related properties of the environmental and diarrheal isolates were different. All strains produced Vero cell cytotoxin, hemolysin and lecithinase at 37 degrees, 30°and 15°C. In contrast, 83% of the environmental strains produced these virulence factors even at 4°C. All strains indicated almost uniform susceptibility to the 16 antibiotics tested. Variations were found in the plasmid profile, toxin production in relation to the differences of temperature and cell surface-related properties of the strains. These variations between the clinical and environmental isolates could have potential as epidemiological markers for the sources of strains.

? Hirata, M., Kuropakornpong, V., Arun, S., Sapchatura, M., Kumnurak, S., Sukpipatpanont, B., Chongsuvivatwong, V., Funahara, Y. and Sato, S. (1997), A case-control study of acute diarrheal disease among school-age children in southern Thailand. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 28 (3), 18-22.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea28, 18.pdf

Abstract: We conducted a case-control study of school-age children in Phatthalung, a province in southern Thailand using a questionnaire to investigate associations of children’s hygiene-related behavior and hygienic conditions in their homes with acute diarrheal disease. We compared 69 acute diarrhea (less than 7 days duration) cases that attended two hospitals in Phatthalung during August 1995 to June 1996 with 69 age-, sex-and address-matched controls in primary schools who had not suffered from diarrheal disease for the past one year before August 1995. Three factors were found to be significantly associated with acute diarrheal disease: farmer or gum planter as the occupation of father [Odds ratio (OR) 6.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-26.1, p < 0.01], installation of a refrigerator in children’s homes (OR 0.2, CI 0.1-0.8, p < 0.05), and drinking untreated water (OR 2.3, CI 0.9-6.1, p < 0.1). There was no significant difference for sources of drinking water between cases and controls. Considering the data on drinking water, the results indicated that there are some problems with quality of sources of drinking water. The results also suggested that having a refrigerator could have preventive effects on acute diarrheal disease, while inadequate behavior and unhygienic environment in the homes of farmers and gum planters might be related to acute diarrheal among school-age children.

? Pongpaew, P., Tungtrongchitr, R., Phonrat, B., Supawan, V., Schelp, F.P., Intarakhao, C., Mahaweerawat, U. and Saowakontha, S. (1998), Nutritional status of school children in an endemic area of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) after one year of iodine supplementation. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 29 (1), 50-57.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea29, 50.pdf

Abstract: To improve the health and nutritional status of school children in an area of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) by means of different iodine fortifications in salt, fish sauce and drinking water, anthropometric assessment for nutritional measurement, including hematological status, were performed. There was a significant difference in the weight and height of the children from the four schools investigated, before and after supplementation in each school. The prevalence of anemia (as indicated by hematological measurement) and iodine deficiency (as indicated by urinary iodine concentration in the children from the four schools) were assessed and compared before and after iodine supplementation, a decrease in prevalence was found in all school children, however, serum ferritin did not change before and after supplementation.

? Prakash, C. (1998), Serological diagnosis of jaundice epidemics in India. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 29 (3), 497-502.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea29, 497.pdf

Abstract: Enterically transmitted non-A, nonB-hepatitis (ET-NANBH) is a major public health problem in India, where the endemicity of this disease is high and poor public sanitation coupled with compromised quality of drinking water leads to major and minor outbreaks. Sophisticated technics for characterization of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are not easily available/affordable, resulting in continuation of the diagnosis of NANBH for most epidemics. This study attempts to serologically determine the etiology of epidemics of NANBH in India. Eighteen outbreaks of jaundice occurring in various regions of India over a period of twenty months were selected for this laboratory based study. Representative cases of each outbreak were subjected to detailed serological investigation for immunological markers of viral hepatitis. Each serum sample was tested for the immunological markers of acute or recent infection with hepatitis A or B viruses (anti-HAV-IgM, HBsAg and anti-HBc-IgM) by Macro ELISA (Abbott).The sera found to be negative for these three markers ie non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) sera were further tested for anti-HEV by Macro ELISA (anti-HEV EIA, Abbott). A highly significant number of NANBH sera were reactive for anti-HEV in case of almost all the outbreaks. The lowest figure for anti-HEV positivity in NANBH sera of outbreak was compared with anti-HEV positivity in the controls and found to be significantly high. It was concluded that anti-HEV is an important marker revealing probability of the NANBH outbreak being due to HEV.

? Sherchand, J.B., Cross, J.H., Jimba, M., Sherchand, S. and Shrestha, M.P. (1999), Study of Cyclospora cayetanensis in health care facilities, sewage water and green leafy vegetables in Nepal. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 30 (1), 58-63.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea30, 58.pdf

Abstract: Cyclospora cayetanensis, a newly emerging parasite, is endemic in Nepal. A total of 2, 123 stool specimens were collected from 3 health care facilities based on clinical symptoms during the period between, (1995), to October, (1998). Out of these specimens, cayetanensis oocysts were found in 632 (29.8%). To identify possible sources for Cyclospora infection, drinking water, sewage water, green-leafy vegetables including fecal samples of various animals were collected and examined. The vegetable leaves were washed in distilled water then the washings, sewage water and drinking water were centrifuged and the sediment were examined microscopically. As a result, oocyst of Cyclospora were identified in sewage water and vegetable washings on four different occasions in June, August, October and November. The positive results were also confirmed as C. cayetanensis by development of 2 sporocysts after 2 week incubation period in potassium dichromate. A survey of 196 domestic animals from the same areas demonstrated that two chickens were positive for Cyclospora-like organism and others were negative. Although further studies are needed to clarify the direct link between Cyclospora infection and these sources, the results suggest that sewage water, green leafy vegetables are possible sources of infection and chickens could be possible reservoir host of Cyclospora in Nepal.

? Xu, X.J., Yang, X.X., Dai, Y.H., Yu, G.Y., Chen, L.Y. and Su, Z.M. (1999), Impact of environmental change and schistosomiasis transmission in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River following the Three Gorges construction project. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 30 (3), 549-555.

Full Text: Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea30, 549.pdf

Abstract: With the construction of the Three Gorges high dam on the Yangtze River in China in mind, a serious of ecological environmental factors that might affect the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in Jian Han Plain were investigated by means of data collection, field surveys and observation in Hubei Province. Several ecological factors including water level of the Yangtze River, riparian water table, annual rainfall and yearly evaporation were investigated in relation to the prevalence of schistosomiasis. The results suggest that after the dam construction, middle water level flows (ie between flood flows and dry-weather flows) will persist in the flood season due to a rise in the water table. The investigation indicated that snail distribution and human schistosomiasis prevalence differed significantly between years which had typically high, middle and low typical water levels in the Yangzte. Moreover, the prevalence of the disease showed a significant linear regression relationship with density of snail intermediate hosts, water table, annual rainfall, yearly evaporation and ground altitude in the survey area. Systematic and careful monitoring and surveillance is necessary to investigate the impact of the environmental changes brought about by the dam construction on schistosomiasis transmission.

? Nomura, Y., Poudel, K.C. and Jimba, M. (2007), Hard-to-reach populations in Japan. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 38 (2), 325-327.

Full Text: 2007\Sou Asi J Tro Med Pub Hea38, 325.pdf

Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the trends of sampling locations and methods of studying hard-to-reach populations conducted in Japan. We accessed a Japanese medical database on 30 September 2005 to review 5 study types of hard-to-reach populations conducted in Japan: men who have sex with men, homeless, sex workers, undocumented migrants, and injecting drug users. We then categorized their sampling locations and methods. We found 298 articles on hard-to-reach populations published from 1983 to September 2005. Of the 285 studies sampled, approximately 92% were facility-based studies and the rest were community-based. This tendency was consistent in each subgroup, the majority of the studies were conducted among patients in medical facilities. Our study shows the majority of studies on hard-to-reach populations in Japan adopted a convenience sampling method and were facility-based. We suggest the utilization of comparatively valid techniques, such as time-location or respondent driven sampling to more clearly understand these populations.

Keywords: Community Based, Database, Drug, Facilities, Japan, Medical, Men, Methods, Migrants, Patients, Populations, Review, Sampling, Sex, Sex Workers, Techniques, Trends, Utilization