RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium was 12.9%, whereas that of Schistosoma mansoni was 2.95%. Additionally, the males had higher prevalence (60%) of S. mansoni than females (40%). However, both gender were equally infected with S. haematobium (50%). With regard to risk factors, distance of residence from water source and source of drinking water are relatively associated with the infection.
METHOD: Active case detection was done on cases living quarters and workplaces. Patients were interviewed, and their blood and urine samples were sent for methanol analysis. Samples of suspected alcoholic beverages were also sent for analysis. A suspected case was defined as any person presented with clinical symptoms with a history of consuming alcoholic beverages within five days before symptoms and high anion gap metabolic acidosis. A confirmed case was defined as a suspected case with positive blood and urine methanol.
RESULTS: In total, there were 25 suspected cases, of which 12 cases were confirmed. The calculated attack rate was 48%. There were six mortalities (50%) secondary to severe metabolic acidosis. The most common presenting symptom was vomiting (75%) and abdominal pain (41.7%). These cases were linked to consumption of illicitly produced alcohol. Samples of the alcoholic drinks were positive containing high level of methanol.
CONCLUSION: The methanol outbreak in the Hulu Langat was successfully managed. Appropriate control and prevention measures were taken, including health promotion and joint enforcement activities. Steps were taken successfully through collaborations with multiple agencies and cooperation with Selangor Health Departments and the Ministry of Health. Continuous surveillance on the product of liquor, and health promotion are essential to prevent a similar outbreak from happening again in future.
Methods: In this study, AA was administered orally at an individual dose of 300 and 2000 mg/kg body weight to group 1 and 2 respectively, while group 3 served as normal control. All the animals were observed for 2 weeks to determine any behavioral and physical changes. On day 15, blood was collected for hematological and biochemical investigation, later animals from all the three groups were euthanized to harvest and store essential organs for histopathological analysis. Four different staining techniques; hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, Periodic acid Schiff and Oil O Red were used to investigate any alterations in different tissues through microscopical observation.
Results: The results of the study showed no morbidity and mortality at two different dosage of AA treatment. Daily food & water intake, body weight, relative organ weight, hematological and biochemical parameters were detected to be normal with no severe alteration seen through microscopical investigation in the structure of harvested tissues. Our findings support the safety profile of AA, which was well tolerated at higher dose. Thus, an in-detail study on the subacute disease model is warranted.
Methods: A cross-sectional study with a cross-sectional methodology was done in selected places from August 2018 to December 2018. We interviewed 197 participants aged equal to or more than 18 years old and measured their blood pressure (BP). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were applied.
Results: The overall HTN prevalence of 30.0% was recorded. The differences of HTN prevalence rates were seen by several characters including age groups (p <0.001), accompanying disease (p <0.001) and alcohol drinking (p <0.05). Factors independently associated with hypertension were age (ORs: 3.1 [1.1-9.1]; 6.1 [1.7-22.3]), much salty consumption (OR: 2.6 [1.1-6.6]), alcohol use (OR: 3.1 [1.2-8.1]), HTN familial history (OR: 4.2 [1.3-13.3]) and at least one suffering disease (OR: 5.2 [2.1-12.7]).
Conclusions: Thus, this study highlighted the high overall HTN prevalence in the Vietnam Northwestern region. Significant differences of HTN rate were observed among several characteristics such as age groups, accompanying disease and alcohol drinking. Age group, much salty consumption, alcohol use, hypertension familial history and at least one suffering disease were risk factors for HTN in study group.