Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 330 in total

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  1. Gammelgaard J
    WorldAIDS, 1992 May.
    PMID: 12317433
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization*
  2. Karim R
    World Health Forum, 1998;19(4):365-8.
    PMID: 10050161
    The author reflects on 24 years of involvement in WHO activities, and their effect on her own life and on the maternal and child health services in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization/organization & administration*
  3. Togami E, Chiew M, Lowbridge C, Biaukula V, Bell L, Yajima A, et al.
    PMID: 37064541 DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.1.973
    The global burden of dengue, an emerging and re-emerging mosquito-borne disease, increased during the 20-year period ending in 2019, with approximately 70% of cases estimated to have been in Asia. This report describes the epidemiology of dengue in the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Region during 2013-2019 using regional surveillance data reported from indicator-based surveillance systems from countries and areas in the Region, supplemented by publicly available dengue outbreak situation reports. The total reported annual number of dengue cases in the Region increased from 430 023 in 2013 to 1 050 285 in 2019, surpassing 1 million cases for the first time in 2019. The reported case-fatality ratio ranged from 0.19% (724/376 972 in 2014 and 2030/1 050 285 in 2019) to 0.30% (1380/458 843 in 2016). The introduction or reintroduction of serotypes to specific areas caused several outbreaks and rare occurrences of local transmission in places where dengue was not previously reported. This report reinforces the increased importance of dengue surveillance systems in monitoring dengue across the Region.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  4. Pok KY, Squires RC, Tan LK, Takasaki T, Abubakar S, Hasebe F, et al.
    Western Pac Surveill Response J, 2015 Jun 30;6(2):73-81.
    PMID: 26306220 DOI: 10.5365/WPSAR.2015.6.1.017
    Accurate laboratory testing is a critical component of dengue surveillance and control. The objective of this programme was to assess dengue diagnostic proficiency among national-level public health laboratories in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  5. Arima Y, Edelstein ZR, Han HK, Matsui T
    Western Pac Surveill Response J, 2013 May 14;4(2):47-54.
    PMID: 24015372 DOI: 10.5365/WPSAR.2012.3.4.019
    Dengue is an emerging vectorborne infectious disease that is a major public health concern in the Asia and the Pacific. Official dengue surveillance data for 2011 provided by ministries of health were summarized as part of routine activities of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Based on officially reported surveillance data, dengue continued to show sustained activity in the Western Pacific Region. In 2011, Member States reported a total of 244,855 cases of which 839 died for a case fatality rate of 0.34%. More than 1000 cases were reported each from Cambodia, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Singapore and Viet Nam. Cambodia, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands reported higher activity relative to 2010. There continues to be great variability among the dengue-endemic countries and areas in the Region in the number of cases and serotype distribution. The continued high notification rate and complex dengue epidemiology in the Region highlight the need for information-sharing on a routine and timely basis.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  6. WHO Chron, 1981;35(5):163-7.
    PMID: 7324457
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization*
  7. Zin T, Mudin KD, Myint T, Naing DKS, Sein T, Shamsul BS
    WHO South East Asia J Public Health, 2013 Jan-Mar;2(1):6-11.
    PMID: 28612817 DOI: 10.4103/2224-3151.115828
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Water and sanitation are major public health issues exacerbated by rapid population growth, limited resources, disasters and environmental depletion. This study was undertaken to study the influencing factors for household water quality improvement for reducing diarrhoea in resource-limited areas.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from articles and reviews from relevant randomized controlled trials, new articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and WELL Resource Centre For Water, Sanitation And Environmental Health.

    DISCUSSION: Water quality on diarrhoea prevention could be affected by contamination during storage, collection and even at point-of-use. Point-of-use water treatment (household-based) is the most cost-effective method for prevention of diarrhoea. Chemical disinfection, filtration, thermal disinfection, solar disinfection and flocculation and disinfection are five most promising household water treatment methodologies for resource-limited areas.

    CONCLUSION: Promoting household water treatment is most essential for preventing diarrhoeal disease. In addition, the water should be of acceptable taste, appropriate for emergency and non-emergency use.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  8. Cowling BJ, Caini S, Chotpitayasunondh T, Djauzi S, Gatchalian SR, Huang QS, et al.
    Vaccine, 2017 Feb 07;35(6):856-864.
    PMID: 28081970 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.12.064
    The fourth roundtable meeting of the Global Influenza Initiative (GII) was held in Hong Kong, China, in July 2015. An objective of this meeting was to gain a broader understanding of the epidemiology, surveillance, vaccination policies and programs, and obstacles to vaccination of influenza in the Asia-Pacific region through presentations of data from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. As well as a need for improved levels of surveillance in some areas, a range of factors were identified that act as barriers to vaccination in some countries, including differences in climate and geography, logistical challenges, funding, lack of vaccine awareness and education, safety concerns, perceived lack of vaccine effectiveness, and lack of inclusion in national guidelines. From the presentations at the meeting, the GII discussed a number of recommendations for easing the burden of influenza and overcoming the current challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. These recommendations encompass the need to improve surveillance and availability of epidemiological data; the development and publication of national guidelines, where not currently available and/or that are in line with those proposed by the World Health Organization; the requirement for optimal timing of vaccination programs according to local or country-specific epidemiology; and calls for advocacy and government support of vaccination programs in order to improve availability and uptake and coverage. In conclusion, in addition to the varied epidemiology of seasonal influenza across this diverse region, there are a number of logistical and resourcing issues that present a challenge to the development of optimally effective vaccination strategies and that need to be overcome to improve access to and uptake of seasonal influenza vaccines. The GII has developed a number of recommendations to address these challenges and improve the control of influenza.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  9. Kotirum S, Vutipongsatorn N, Kongpakwattana K, Hutubessy R, Chaiyakunapruk N
    Vaccine, 2017 06 08;35(26):3364-3386.
    PMID: 28504193 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.04.051
    INTRODUCTION: World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Rotavirus vaccines to prevent and control rotavirus infections. Economic evaluations (EE) have been considered to support decision making of national policy. Summarizing global experience of the economic value of rotavirus vaccines is crucial in order to encourage global WHO recommendations for vaccine uptake. Therefore, a systematic review of economic evaluations of rotavirus vaccine was conducted.

    METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, NHS EED, EconLit, CEA Registry, SciELO, LILACS, CABI-Global Health Database, Popline, World Bank - e-Library, and WHOLIS. Full economic evaluations studies, published from inception to November 2015, evaluating Rotavirus vaccines preventing Rotavirus infections were included. The methods, assumptions, results and conclusions of the included studies were extracted and appraised using WHO guide for standardization of EE of immunization programs.

    RESULTS: 104 relevant studies were included. The majority of studies were conducted in high-income countries. Cost-utility analysis was mostly reported in many studies using incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per DALY averted or QALY gained. Incremental cost per QALY gained was used in many studies from high-income countries. Mass routine vaccination against rotavirus provided the ICERs ranging from cost-saving to highly cost-effective in comparison to no vaccination among low-income countries. Among middle-income countries, vaccination offered the ICERs ranging from cost-saving to cost-effective. Due to low- or no subsidized price of rotavirus vaccines from external funders, being not cost-effective was reported in some high-income settings.

    CONCLUSION: Mass vaccination against rotavirus was generally found to be cost-effective, particularly in low- and middle-income settings according to the external subsidization of vaccine price. On the other hand, it may not be a cost-effective intervention at market price in some high-income settings. This systematic review provides supporting information to health policy-makers and health professionals when considering rotavirus vaccination as a national program.

    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  10. SYAFIQAH ASYIQIN ROHADI, IZAN JAAFAR, ISMANIZA ISMAIL, TENGKU AZMINA IBRAHIM
    MyJurnal
    The household activities such as vacuuming may elevate the concentration of particulate matter in indoor environments. Cleaning workers and occupants inside closed room may be exposed to the fine particulate matter and at risk of developing numerous respiratory symptoms. This study aims to determine the concentration of the particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) that might arise during vacuuming activities and estimated the surface compartmental residence time of particulate matter in indoor environment after each vacuuming activities. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations throughout vacuuming were measured in forty-seven offices in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu using the TSI Dust Track DRX. Based on the concentrations measured, the surface compartmental residence time was then estimated using standardized equations taken from literature. The result shows that highest particulate matter concentration was nearly eleven times higher than the World Health Organization guidelines of 25 µg/m3 for PM2.5 concentration (PM2.5 was 270 µg/m3, PM10 was 421 µg/m3), while the particulate matter were estimated to remain lingers inside the air for around 1-4 days before being deposited on the surface. In conclusion, the usage of vacuum cleaners may contribute to more particulate matter being released inside the air due to the resuspension phenomenon. Therefore, it is important for the occupants to maintain proper ventilation after each vacuuming activities took place.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  11. Bandyopadhyay S, Lum LC, Kroeger A
    Trop Med Int Health, 2006 Aug;11(8):1238-55.
    PMID: 16903887 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2006.01678.x
    BACKGROUND: The current World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of dengue includes two distinct entities: dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF)/dengue shock syndrome; it is largely based on pediatric cases in Southeast Asia. Dengue has extended to different tropical areas and older age groups. Variations from the original description of dengue manifestations are being reported.
    OBJECTIVES: To analyse the experience of clinicians in using the dengue case classification and identify challenges in applying the criteria in routine clinical practice.
    METHOD: Systematic literature review of post-1975 English-language publications on dengue classification.
    RESULTS: Thirty-seven papers were reviewed. Several studies had strictly applied all four WHO criteria in DHF cases; however, most clinicians reported difficulties in meeting all four criteria and used a modified classification. The positive tourniquet test representing the minimum requirement of a haemorrhagic manifestation did not distinguish between DHF and DF. In cases of DHF thrombocytopenia was observed in 8.6-96%, plasma leakage in 6-95% and haemorrhagic manifestations in 22-93%. The low sensitivity of classifying DHF could be due to failure to repeat the tests or physical examinations at the appropriate time, early intravenous fluid therapy, and lack of adequate resources in an epidemic situation and perhaps a considerable overlap of clinical manifestations in the different dengue entities.
    CONCLUSION: A prospective multi-centre study across dengue endemic regions, age groups and the health care system is required which describes the clinical presentation of dengue including simple laboratory parameters in order to review and if necessary modify the current dengue classification.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  12. Hashim R, Song TH, Muslim NZ, Yen TP
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2014 Dec;25(2):21-39.
    PMID: 27073597 MyJurnal
    This study aimed to assess the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in the tissues of fish collected from the lower reach of the Kelantan River, Malaysia. Fishes were collected using gill nets during the dry and wet seasons. A total of 78 individual fish were caught and comprised 6 families, 11 genera and 13 species. The dorsal muscle was analysed using a graphite furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The mean concentration of Cd in Chitala chitala (0.076 mg/kg) was above the critical limit values of the European Commission (EC), World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The mean concentrations of Cd in Barbonymus gonionatus and Tachysurus maculatus were already at the level of concern, whereas the other species were approaching the limits of permissible levels. No fish samples were found to have a Ni level higher than the permissible limit of 0.5-0.6 mg/kg set by the WHO (1985). Osteochilus hasseltii (0.169 mg/kg) and T. maculatus (0.156 mg/kg) showed high Pb concentrations. The concentrations of heavy metals were found to be elevated in the wet season (p<0.05). Omnivorous fish were detected with elevated concentrations of Cd and Ni, whereas carnivorous fish had the highest concentration of Pb. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in fish tissues were positively correlated with fish weight (p<0.05). This study determined that the fish species caught in the Kelantan River were contaminated with non-essential metals (Cd, Ni and Pb). Nevertheless, the heavy metal concentration in the fish tissues, with the exception of C. chitala, O. hasseltii and T. maculatus, did not exceed the EC, FAO, Malaysian Food Act (MFA) or WHO guidelines.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  13. Lennox CE, Kwast BE
    Trop Doct, 1995 Apr;25(2):56-63.
    PMID: 7778195
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  14. Taba AH
    Trop Doct, 1980 Jan;10(1):21-3.
    PMID: 7368301
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  15. Husniza H, Wan Nazaimoon WM
    Trop Biomed, 2006 Jun;23(1):109-15.
    PMID: 17041559 MyJurnal
    A modified micromethod for measuring urine iodine was successfully established and validated. The micromethod showed good correlation with the method used by several World Health Organization (WHO) collaborative laboratories (y = 0.9342x + 4.6213; r = 0.962; p = 0.01; n = 50). The micromethod also showed good agreement when compared to the reference WHO method. The sensitivity of the assay was 13.809 ug/L (n = 8) and mean recoveries were 114, 103 and 106% at concentrations of 30, 40 and 50 ug/L (n = 3) respectively. At iodine concentrations of 51 +/- 15.5, 108 +/- 32.4 and 149 +/- 38.6 ug/L, intra-assay coefficient of variations (CVs) were 13%, 7% and 5% respectively (n = 20), and inter-assay CVs were 10%, 15% and 7% respectively (n = 10). The assay showed good linearity plot (y = 1.0407x + 60.451; r = 0.993; n = 3).
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  16. Hidayatulfathi O, Sallehuddin S, Ibrahim J
    Trop Biomed, 2004 Dec;21(2):61-7.
    PMID: 16493400
    The adulticidal activity of methanol extracts from three Malaysian plants namely Acorus calamus Linn., Litsea elliptica Blume and Piper aduncum Linn. against adult of Aedes aegypti (L.) were studied. Standard WHO bioassay tests were used to evaluate the effectiveness of these plant extracts. The hexane fraction from methanol extract of Acorus calamus rhizome was the most effective, exhibiting LC50 and LC90 values of 0.04 mgcm(-2) and 0.09 mgcm(-2) respectively. For L. elliptica, the methanol fraction also displayed good adulticidal property with the LC50 and LC90 values of 0.11 mgcm(-2) and 6.08 mgcm(-2) respectively. It is found that hexane fraction of the P. aduncum crude extract was the least effective among the three plants showing LC50 and LC90 values of 0.20 mgcm(-2) and 5.32 mgcm(-2), respectively. However, although A. calamus showed lowest LC values, the LT50 results indicated that the methanol fraction of L. elliptica was most potent extract among the extracts tested.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  17. Elia-Amira NMR, Chen CD, Low VL, Lau KW, Haziqah-Rashid A, Amelia-Yap ZH, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Jun 01;38(2):196-204.
    PMID: 34172711 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.2.058
    Susceptibility status of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) sampled from residential areas in Interior, Sandakan and Tawau divisions of Sabah, Malaysia, was evaluated based on the WHOrecommended doses of organochlorine and organophosphate larvicides. To determine susceptibility status, larval bioassays were carried out and post 24-hour mortalities based on WHO resistance classifications were adopted. The results demonstrated that Ae. albopictus larvae were resistant toward 5 out of the 8 larvicides tested. Larvae from all populations were resistant against bromophos, fenitrothion, malathion, temephos and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), with mortalities ranging from 0.00 to 89.33%. Dieldrin, on the other hand, could induce 100.00% mortalities in all populations, followed by fenthion and chlorpyrifos, with mortalities ranging from 97.33 to 100.00% and 81.33 to 100.00% respectively. Despite most populations exhibiting similitude in their resistance status, larvae from Sandakan exhibited the highest resistance level whereas the lowest level was observed in Keningau. In view of the inadequacy of some larvicides in controlling Ae. albopictus in this study, integrated management such as insecticide rotation or combination of interventions is warranted.
    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  18. Lee VWY, Li A, Li JTS
    Tob Induc Dis, 2021;19:28.
    PMID: 33867905 DOI: 10.18332/tid/133633
    INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a modifiable risk factor for many diseases. The public should recognize the impact of smoking on their health and their wealth. The current study aimed to evaluate the cost burden of smoking to target Asia-Pacific countries.

    METHODS: The current study estimated the annual spending and lifetime spending of smokers in the target Asia-Pacific countries (Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia) on purchasing cigarettes, as well as predicted the revenue that could be generated if smokers spent the money on investment instead of buying cigarettes. Smokers' spending on cigarettes and the potential revenue generated from investment were estimated based on the selling prices of cigarettes, Standards & Poor's 500 Index, and life expectancies of smokers. Data were extracted from reports released by the World Health Organization or government authorities.

    RESULTS: The annual expenses (in US$) on purchasing one pack of cigarettes, in decreasing order, were: Australia ($5628.30), Singapore ($3777.75), Hong Kong ($2799.55), Malaysia ($1529.35), South Korea ($1467.30), and Thailand ($657.00). The lifetime spending on purchasing one pack of cigarettes each day were: Australia ($308993.67), Singapore ($207398.48), Hong Kong ($151735.61 for male and $166853.18 for female), South Korea ($80261.31), Malaysia ($72338.26), and Thailand ($31207.50).

    CONCLUSIONS: The cost burden of smoking is high from a smoker's perspective. Smokers should recognize the high economic burden and quit smoking to enjoy better health and wealth.

    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
  19. Alahmar AT, Calogero AE, Sengupta P, Dutta S
    World J Mens Health, 2021 Apr;39(2):346-351.
    PMID: 32009311 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.190145
    PURPOSE: Oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) are potential contributing factors for idiopathic male infertility. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) have been reported to be effective in the treatment of idiopathic male infertility, in general, owing to its antioxidant properties. Thus, the present study intends to investigate the effects of CoQ10 therapy on semen parameters, oxidative stress markers and SDF in infertile men, specifically with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia (OA).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, sixty-five infertile patients with idiopathic OA and forty fertile men (control) were included. All participants underwent semen analysis based on the World Health Organization guidelines (5th edition, 2010). Patients received CoQ10 at the dose of 200 mg/d orally for three months. Seminal plasma CoQ10, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and SDF levels were measured in controls (baseline) and infertile patients pre- and post-CoQ10 treatment.

    RESULTS: CoQ10 treatment for three months significantly improved sperm concentration (p<0.05), progressive motility (p<0.05), total motility (p<0.01), seminal fluid CoQ10 concentration (p<0.001), TAC (p<0.001), and GPx (p<0.001) levels in infertile men with OA. Further, ROS level (p<0.05) and SDF percentage (p<0.001) were reduced in OA patients as compared to the baseline. CoQ10 levels also correlated positively with sperm concentration (r=0.48, p=0.01) and total motility (r=0.59, p=0.003) while a negative correlation was recorded between SDF and sperm motility (r=-0.54, p=0.006).

    CONCLUSIONS: CoQ10 supplementation for three months could improve semen parameters, oxidative stress markers and reduce SDF in infertile men with idiopathic OA.

    Matched MeSH terms: World Health Organization
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