METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted 30 semistructured interviews with health policy-makers, health service providers, and other experts working in the United Nations (n = 6), ministries and public health (n = 5), international (n = 9) and national civil society (n = 7), and academia (n = 3) based in Indonesia (n = 6), Malaysia (n = 10), Myanmar (n = 6), and Thailand (n = 8). Data were analysed thematically using deductive and inductive coding. Interviewees described the cumulative nature of health risks at each migratory phase. Perceived barriers to addressing migrants' cumulative health needs were primarily financial, juridico-political, and sociocultural, whereas key facilitators were many health workers' humanitarian stance and positive national commitment to pursuing universal health coverage (UHC). Across all countries, financial constraints were identified as the main challenges in addressing the comprehensive health needs of refugees and asylum seekers. Participants recommended regional and multisectoral approaches led by national governments, recognising refugee and asylum-seeker contributions, and promoting inclusion and livelihoods. Main study limitations included that we were not able to include migrant voices or those professionals not already interested in migrants.
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is one of the first qualitative studies to investigate the health concerns and barriers to access among migrants experiencing forced displacement, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, in Southeast Asia. Findings provide practical new insights with implications for informing policy and practice. Overall, sociopolitical inclusion of forcibly displaced populations remains difficult in these four countries despite their significant contributions to host-country economies.
METHOD: National policies related to AAPS were reviewed using data from the Global Information System on Alcohol and Health, following the framework of the WHO Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. The policy review was supplemented with data from corporate annual reports, press releases, four databases of academic literature, market research from Euromonitor International, and news articles.
RESULTS: Four TACs--Carlsberg, Diageo, Heineken, and San Miguel--have been expanding operations in Southeast Asia by setting up new breweries, acquiring local alcohol companies as subsidiaries, and entering into joint ventures. In contrast, policies for regulating AAPS vary across Southeast Asia and range from nonexistent to strong control of AAPS. There is strong control of AAPS in countries with existing legislation ranging from a complete ban (Brunei) to almost comprehensive bans (Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos) and partial bans (Thailand). Nonexistent to weak control of AAPS is observed in the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, which mostly rely on voluntary regulation.
CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings point to the growing power of TACs in the region and call for the need for stronger measures based on scientific evidence of effectiveness that are implemented without interference from commercial interests.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
METHODS: MSM and TGW aged at least 18 years, were enrolled from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, then followed up 6-monthly for 12 months. Anal swabs were collected at every visit for HR-HPV genotypes to define anal HR-HPV incidence, clearance, and persistence. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with HR-HPV persistence.
RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty-five MSM and TGW were included in this study, of whom 72.3% were HIV-positive. The incidence of anal HR-HPV persistence was higher in HIV-positive than HIV-negative MSM participants (28.4/1000 vs. 13.9/1000 person-months). HIV-positive participants had HR-HPV lower clearance rate than HIV-negative participants (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.7). The overall persistence of HR-HPV was 39.9% in HIV-positive and 22.8% HIV-negative participants. HPV-16 was the most persistent HR-HPV in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants. HIV infection (aOR 2.87; 95% CI 1.47-5.61), living in Kuala Lumpur (aOR 4.99; 95% CI 2.22-11.19) and Bali (aOR 3.39; 95% CI 1.07-10.75), being employed/freelance (aOR 3.99; 95% CI 1.48-10.77), and not being circumcised (aOR 2.29; 95% CI 1.07-4.88) were independently associated with anal HR-HPV persistence.
CONCLUSION: HIV-positive MSM and TGW had higher risk of persistent anal HR-HPV infection. Prevention program should be made available and prioritized for HIV-positive MSM and TGW where resources are limited.
RESULTS: Five repatriation missions performed was led by the National Agency for Disaster Management (NADMA) with the Ministry of Health providing technical expertise. A total of 432 citizens were repatriated from the missions. The operations were divided into four phases: the pre-boarding screening phase, the boarding and in-flight phase, the reception phase and the quarantine phase. The commercial aircraft used were from two different commercial airlines. Each mission had flight crew members between 10 and 17 people. There were 82 positive cases detected among the repatriated citizens. There was a single positive case of a healthcare worker involved in the mission, based on the sample taken on arrival of the flight. There were no infections involving flight team members.
CONCLUSION: Medical flight crew must be familiar with aircraft fittings that differ from one commercial airline to another as it influences infection control practices. A clear understanding of socio-political situation of a country, transmission routes of a pathogen, disease presentation, and knowledge of aviation procedures, aircraft engineering and design is of great importance in preparing for such missions. Our approach of multidiscipline team involvement managed to allow us to provide and execute the operations successfully.
METHODS: From May to July 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted among registered general practitioners (GPs) in Indonesia. A contingent valuation method was employed to evaluate the WTP. Besides acceptance and WTP, various explanatory variables were also collected and assessed. A logistic regression and a multivariable linear regression were used to explore the explanatory variables influencing acceptance and WTP, respectively.
RESULTS: Among 407 respondents, 391 (96.0%) expressed acceptance of a free vaccination. The mean and median WTP was US$ 37.0(95%CI:US$ 32.76-US$ 41.23) and US$ 17.90(95%CI:US$ 17.90-US$ 17.90), respectively. In an unadjusted analysis, those 30 years old or younger had 2.94 times greater odds of vaccine acceptance compared to those who were older (95%CI: 1.07-8.08). Location of alma mater, type of workplace, length of individual medical experience, and monthly income of GPs were all significantly associated with WTP.
CONCLUSION: Although the vast majority of GPs would accept a freely provided vaccine, they were also somewhat price sensitive. This finding indicates that partial subsidy maybe required to achieve high vaccine coverage, particularly among GPs at community health centres or those with a shorter duration of medical practice.
METHODS: This study was conducted in December 2017-February 2018 in the dental department of Labuang Baji, which is a government hospital and Ibnu Sina Hospital, which is a private hospital. The samples were all patients who received dental treatment. Patient satisfaction was measured using a questionnaire (PSQ-18). Data were tested using Independent T-Test and ANOVA using SPSS version 24.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in accessibility, comfort, and communication between the public and private hospitals (p<0.05); the average value of patient satisfaction was higher in private hospitals.
CONCLUSION: Patients in private hospitals are more satisfied with the health services provided by health care providers, compared to patients in public hospitals.