Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 86 in total

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  1. Fulltext Identification of Anopheles balabacensis introlatus as a vector of monkey malaria in Malaya
    Eyles DE, Warren M, Guinn E, Wharton RH, Ramachandran CP
    Bull World Health Organ, 1963;28(1):134-5.
    PMID: 14166986
  2. Fulltext INVESTIGATIONS LEADING TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ANOPHELES UMBROSUS GROUP AS THE PROBABLE VECTORS OF MOUSE DEER MALARIA
    Wharton RH, Eyles DE, Warren M, Moorhouse DE, Sandosham AA
    Bull World Health Organ, 1963;29:357-74.
    PMID: 14058228
    Although mosquitos of the Anopheles umbrosus group have long been recognized as important vectors of human malaria in Malaya, there have been doubts about the origin of some of the malaria infections found, especially in A. umbrosus and A. letifer. Investigations have accordingly been carried out in the Malayan swamp-forest, in conjunction with laboratory studies, into the nature of malaria infections in wild-caught mosquitos, the biting behaviour of anophelines and the presence of malaria infection in man and animals. The authors conclude from the results reported in this paper that A. umbrosus is a vector of mouse deer malaria and rarely, if ever, transmits primate malaria; that A. letifer transmits both human and mouse deer malaria; and that A. baezai and A. roperi are probably vectors of mouse deer malaria.
  3. Fulltext Yellow fever vaccination in Malaya by subcutaneous injection and multiple puncture. Haemagglutinin-inhibiting antibody responses in persons with and without pre-existing antibody
    Gordon Smith CE, McMahon DA, Turner LH
    Bull World Health Organ, 1963;29:75-80.
    PMID: 14043754
    In view of the risk of introduction of yellow fever into South-East Asia, comparative studies have been made of yellow fever vaccination in Malayan volunteers with a high prevalence of antibody to related viruses and in volunteers without related antibody. In a previous paper the neutralizing antibody responses of these volunteers were reported. The present paper describes the haemagglutinin-inhibiting (HI) antibody responses of the same groups of volunteers and discusses the relationship of these responses to the neutralizing antibody responses.The HI responses to yellow fever following vaccination closely paralleled the neutralizing antibody responses whether vaccination was subcutaneous or by multiple puncture. Volunteers with a high level of YF HI antibody due to infection with other group B viruses were found to be less likely to show a significant YF HI response than those without antibody. 90% of HI responses could be detected by the 21st day after vaccination.As with neutralizing antibody responses, volunteers given vaccine doses of 50-500 mouse intracerebral LD(50) subcutaneously gave greater responses than those given higher doses.
  4. Fulltext Cervical cancer control in developing countries: memorandum from a WHO meeting
    Bull World Health Organ, 1996;74(4):345-51.
    PMID: 8823955
    This memorandum summarizes the report of a WHO Consultation on the Control of Cervical Cancer in Developing Countries, held on 6-7 November 1994, in New Delhi, India. Evaluated was the current situation with regard to cervical cancer and the relevance of current practices in screening. New pragmatic approaches to cervical cancer were proposed that are relevant for developing countries; this includes empowerment of women to come forward, and visual inspection-"downstaging".
  5. Fulltext Nutritional aspects of changes in disease patterns in the Western Pacific region
    Cavalli-Sforza LT, Rosman A, de Boer AS, Darnton-Hill I
    Bull World Health Organ, 1996;74(3):307-18.
    PMID: 8789929
    One impact of socioeconomic progress on populations has been to reduce the number of cases due to diseases of undernutrition and microbial contamination of food, which affected mostly infants and young children, and to increase those due to diseases of excessive food consumption, which are affecting adults and a growing number of children. This article reviews the main dietary factors which have an influence on cardiovascular disease and cancer, and discusses the link between economic development and increased rates of chronic diseases. There is evidence that the noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors have risen rapidly in countries of the WHO Western Pacific Region. Data from 29 countries and areas in the region indicate that 70% of them show lifestyle diseases in three or more of the top five causes of death. While public health measures have been implemented by some countries to prevent and control nutrition-related chronic diseases, further action is needed.
  6. Fulltext Evaluation of the safety of domestic food preparation in Malaysia
    Desmarchelier PM, Apiwathnasorn C, Vilainerun D, Watson C, Johari MR, Ahmad Z, et al.
    Bull World Health Organ, 1994;72(6):877-84.
    PMID: 7867133
    Food-handling practices were studied in 119 and 158 households, respectively, in an urban and a rural community in Peninsular Malaysia. Hazard analyses, including microbiological analysis of foods, were carried out in two households in each community and in a house that prepared food for distribution in the urban area. Kitchen hygiene was generally acceptable, although rated "poor" in some instances in the rural area. Food prepared for lunch was usually sufficient for dinner also, the leftover items being stored at ambient temperature until required. In the house that prepared food for distribution, breakfast was prepared during the evening, stored at ambient temperature overnight, and reheated before sale the next morning. There was a local preference for cooking food at temperatures close to boiling point; this reduced the numbers of vegetative cells but not those of spores. In some stored foods the populations of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and mesophilic aerobic bacteria increased, the last-mentioned reaching spoilage levels. Reheating reduced the populations of proliferating bacteria in most foods to acceptable levels but would not have destroyed heat-resistant enterotoxins. Because of their importance in combating acute bacterial foodborne disease, the control of the temperature and time factors during the cooking and storage of food should receive special attention in education on health and food safety.
  7. Fulltext Insecticide-impregnated bed nets for malaria control: a review of the field trials
    Bermejo A, Veeken H
    Bull World Health Organ, 1992;70(3):293-6.
    PMID: 1638658
    Insecticide-impregnated bed nets act as a physical barrier to repel and kill mosquitos. Community intervention trials suggest that these nets are effective in preventing malaria-related mortality and morbidity--but not malaria infection--in areas of low and moderate transmission; the results from areas of high transmission are not so encouraging. Comparison of the results from these trials and their interpretation are difficult because of variations in the epidemiology of malaria and several methodological flaws. Problems such as defining appropriate health indicators, monitoring bed-net usage, introducing bed nets randomly, selecting adequate controls, performing statistical analysis, and comparing bed nets with other available interventions are considered. Further community intervention trials are needed, paying attention to the methods and to assessment of their impact on malaria.
  8. Fulltext Telemedicine to deliver diabetes care in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Correia JC, Meraj H, Teoh SH, Waqas A, Ahmad M, Lapão LV, et al.
    Bull World Health Organ, 2021 Mar 01;99(3):209-219B.
    PMID: 33716343 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.19.250068
    Objective: To determine the effectiveness of telemedicine in the delivery of diabetes care in low- and middle-income countries.

    Methods: We searched seven databases up to July 2020 for randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of telemedicine in the delivery of diabetes care in low- and middle-income countries. We extracted data on the study characteristics, primary end-points and effect sizes of outcomes. Using random effects analyses, we ran a series of meta-analyses for both biochemical outcomes and related patient properties.

    Findings: We included 31 interventions in our meta-analysis. We observed significant standardized mean differences of -0.38 for glycated haemoglobin (95% confidence interval, CI: -0.52 to -0.23; I2 = 86.70%), -0.20 for fasting blood sugar (95% CI: -0.32 to -0.08; I2 = 64.28%), 0.81 for adherence to treatment (95% CI: 0.19 to 1.42; I2 = 93.75%), 0.55 for diabetes knowledge (95% CI: -0.10 to 1.20; I2 = 92.65%) and 1.68 for self-efficacy (95% CI: 1.06 to 2.30; I2 = 97.15%). We observed no significant treatment effects for other outcomes, with standardized mean differences of -0.04 for body mass index (95% CI: -0.13 to 0.05; I2 = 35.94%), -0.06 for total cholesterol (95% CI: -0.16 to 0.04; I2 = 59.93%) and -0.02 for triglycerides (95% CI: -0.12 to 0.09; I2 = 0%). Interventions via telephone and short message service yielded the highest treatment effects compared with services based on telemetry and smartphone applications.

    Conclusion: Although we determined that telemedicine is effective in improving several diabetes-related outcomes, the certainty of evidence was very low due to substantial heterogeneity and risk of bias.

  9. Fulltext Hypertension care in demographic surveillance sites: a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Viet Nam
    Geldsetzer P, Tan MM, Dewi FS, Quyen BT, Juvekar S, Hanifi SM, et al.
    Bull World Health Organ, 2022 Oct 01;100(10):601-609.
    PMID: 36188011 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.22.287807
    Objective: To determine the proportion of adults with hypertension who reported: (i) having been previously diagnosed with hypertension; (ii) taking blood pressure-lowering medication; and (iii) having achieved hypertension control, in five health and demographic surveillance system sites across five countries in Asia.

    Methods: Data were collected during household surveys conducted between 2016 and 2020 in the five surveillance sites in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Viet Nam. We defined hypertension as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or taking blood pressure-lowering medication. We defined hypertension control as systolic blood pressure

  10. Fulltext Developing an agenda for the decolonization of global health
    McCoy D, Kapilashrami A, Kumar R, Rhule E, Khosla R
    Bull World Health Organ, 2024 Feb 01;102(2):130-136.
    PMID: 38313156 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.23.289949
    Colonialism, which involves the systemic domination of lands, markets, peoples, assets, cultures or political institutions to exploit, misappropriate and extract wealth and resources, affects health in many ways. In recent years, interest has grown in the decolonization of global health with a focus on correcting power imbalances between high-income and low-income countries and on challenging ideas and values of some wealthy countries that shape the practice of global health. We argue that decolonization of global health must also address the relationship between global health actors and contemporary forms of colonialism, in particular the current forms of corporate and financialized colonialism that operate through globalized systems of wealth extraction and profiteering. We present a three-part agenda for action that can be taken to decolonize global health. The first part relates to the power asymmetries that exist between global health actors from high-income and historically privileged countries and their counterparts in low-income and marginalized settings. The second part concerns the colonization of the structures and systems of global health governance itself. The third part addresses how colonialism occurs through the global health system. Addressing all forms of colonialism calls for a political and economic anticolonialism as well as social decolonization aimed at ensuring greater national, racial, cultural and knowledge diversity within the structures of global health.
  11. Fulltext Continuing a scientific dialogue between sectors on health and economics
    Sadana R, Khosla R, Gisselquist R, Sen K
    Bull World Health Organ, 2024 May 01;102(5):299-299A.
    PMID: 38693944 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.24.291722
  12. Fulltext Cognitive testing in 19 countries to refine WHO's Sexual Health Assessment of Practices and Experiences
    Hunter EC, Fine E, Black K, Henriks J, Tofail F, Morroni C, et al.
    Bull World Health Organ, 2024 Dec 01;102(12):861-872.
    PMID: 39611192 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.23.291162
    OBJECTIVE: To refine a standard questionnaire on sexual practices, experiences and health-related outcomes to improve its cross-cultural applicability and interpretability. We aimed to explore participants' willingness and ability to answer the draft questionnaire items, and determine whether items were interpreted as intended across diverse geographic and cultural environments.

    METHODS: We conducted cognitive interviews (n = 645) in three iterative waves of data collection across 19 countries during March 2022-March 2023, with participants of diverse sex, gender, age and geography. Interviewers used a semi-structured field guide to elicit narratives from participants about their questionnaire item interpretation and response processes. Local study teams completed data analysis frameworks, and we conducted joint analysis meetings between data collection waves to identify question failures.

    FINDINGS: Overall, we observed that participants were willing to respond to even the most sensitive questionnaire items on sexual biography and practices. We identified issues with the original questionnaire that (i) affected the willingness (acceptability) and ability (knowledge barriers) of participants to respond fully; and/or (ii) prevented participants from interpreting the questions as intended, including poor wording (source question error), cultural portability and very rarely translation error. Our revisions included adjusting item order and wording, adding preambles and implementation guidance, and removing items with limited cultural portability.

    CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that a questionnaire exploring sexual practices, experiences and health-related outcomes can be comprehensible and acceptable by the general population in diverse global contexts, and have highlighted the importance of rigorous processes for the translation and cognitive testing of such a questionnaire.

  13. STUDIES OF ARBOVIRUSES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. SEROLOGICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
    STANLEY NF, CHOO SB
    Bull World Health Organ, 1964;30(2):221-6.
    PMID: 14153411
    In order to obtain information on the occurrence of arboviruses in Western Australia, sera from white persons and Australian aborigines and from animals were subjected to antibody estimations with selected viruses as a prelude to virus isolations. The serological evidence shows the presence of group A and group B arboviruses but significant differences in antibody distribution between the two groups. Antibodies to group A viruses, particularly to the Malayan mosquito virus AMM 2354, are present in both the aboriginal and the white populations over the entire territory. Neutralizing antibody to another group A virus, AMM 2021, isolated in Malaya, is found in much lower prevalence, while antibodies to the newly isolated Queensland group A virus, MRM 39, are found only in the Kimberley area. No avian group A antibodies were detected. The prevalence of group B antibodies is high in the northern part of the State and almost non-existent in the central areas. The results indicate the presence of more than one group B virus and the absence of dengue neutralizing antibody in the Australian aborigine. A unique situation exists in central Australia, where all aboriginal sera have group A antibody but none has group B antibody.
  14. Fulltext Studies on the relationship between fluorescent antibody response and ecology of malaria in Malaysia
    Collins WE, Warren M, Skinner JC, Fredericks HJ
    Bull World Health Organ, 1968;39(3):451-63.
    PMID: 4882987
    The fluorescent antibody (FA) technique was used to detect the presence of malarial antibody in populations living in 3 different ecological areas of Malaysia. Serum samples were tested using Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. fieldi antigens. An area of hyperendemic malaria had a good correlation between the antibody responses and active parasitaemias. The percentage and intensity of responses increased with the age of the individuals. In an area of hypoendemic malaria, each of 17 sites had ecological conditions which would favour or discourage the transmission of malaria. The reasons for high FA responses in some villages and low responses in others were readily apparent. The effect of even limited control programmes on the malarial ecology could be measured by an examination of the antibody responses. An aboriginal population receiving suppressive drugs had FA responses indicating both past experience and the effect of the drug programme.
  15. Fulltext Observations of filariasis in Sarawak and Brunei
    De Zuleta J
    Bull World Health Organ, 1957;16(3):699-705.
    PMID: 13472426
  16. Fulltext A malaria-control experiment in the interior of Borneo
    De Zulueta J, Lachance F
    Bull World Health Organ, 1956;15(3-5):673-93.
    PMID: 13404443
    A first experiment on malaria control in the interior of Borneo by spraying with residual insecticides is described. The work was carried out in the isolated, sparsely populated valleys of the Baram River and its tributary, the Tinjar, in northern Sarawak. The experimental area was divided into three parts: a DDT test area, where a 75% suspension of wettable powder was applied at the rate of 2 g of DDT per m(2) of surface; a BHC test area, where a 50% suspension of wettable powder was applied at the rate of 0.10 g of gamma isomer per m(2); and a check area.Entomological investigations made before the spraying operations were started showed that Anopheles leucosphyrus Dönitz, 1901 was the main malaria vector in both the test and the check areas. Out of a total of 7568 A. leucosphyrus dissected, 30 gland infections were detected-a sporozoite-rate of 0.40%. A. barbirostris was found to be a secondary vector throughout the experimental area.THE RESULTS OF INSECTICIDE SPRAYING WERE SATISFACTORY: in the DDT test area, the spleen-rate fell from 51.8% to 25.1%, and the parasite-rate from 35.6% to 1.6%, in 21 months, and a similar reduction in the rates was observed in the BHC test area. In the check area, the spleen- and parasite-rates rose during the period of observations. It is considered that if such a degree of control can be obtained in 21 months, complete eradication can be expected in the near future.Although BHC spraying proved effective, the fact that it has to be repeated every three months makes it impracticable in the interior of Sarawak, where communications are very poor and difficulties of transport very great. DDT spraying, which need only be done twice a year, is therefore to be preferred. The cost of the DDT operations-US$ 0.45 per person protected per year-is comparatively high, owing to the difficulty of communications and to the necessity for spraying not only the village "longhouses", but also the temporary shelters which the semi-nomadic people in the interior of Sarawak build each year in the rice-fields.
  17. Fulltext Malaria in Sarawak and Brunei
    De Zulueta J
    Bull World Health Organ, 1956;15(3-5):651-71.
    PMID: 13404442
    A general malaria survey of Sarawak and Brunei, two of the territories of British Borneo, is described. Contrary to what was expected in view of the climate and the general conditions, the prevalence of malaria in Sarawak and Brunei proved, on the average, to be low. The coastal areas were found to be practically free from the disease, although epidemics have occurred there in recent years. Malaria was found to be endemic in the hilly and mountainous interior. In fact, topography proved to be an important factor in malaria prevalence, the spleen- and parasite-rates, generally speaking, being higher the more abrupt the country. Differences were also observed in the prevalence among the various racial groups, but these were considered to be due to different habits and customs rather than to race itself.Entomological studies showed that Anopheles leucosphyrus Dönitz was the main malaria vector in the interior of Sarawak, A. barbirostris playing a secondary role. A. leucosphyrus balabacensis had already been recognized as the malaria vector in Brunei.The favourable results of a first field trial of residual insecticides are mentioned and plans for a nation-wide malaria-control programme are briefly outlined.
  18. Fulltext Resistance to insecticides in the larvae of Culex fatigans in Malaya
    Reid JA
    Bull World Health Organ, 1955;12(5):705-10.
    PMID: 14379006
    After two years' use of hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) as a larvicide in Georgetown, on Penang Island, control of Culex fatigans breeding became unsatisfactory. Two laboratory colonies of fatigans were established, one from Georgetown, and one from Kuala Lumpur where no insecticides had been used; tests were then made to determine the median lethal concentrations (MLC) of BHC, dieldrin, and DDT for the larvae of the two strains. The Georgetown strain was found to have acquired a tenfold resistance to BHC, and also to dieldrin to which it had not been exposed, but it showed no significant increase of resistance to DDT, to which it had also not been exposed. A year later, when both strains had passed through some ten generations in the laboratory without exposure to insecticides, the Georgetown strain was found to have lost much of its resistance to BHC, although the MLC was still twice that of the non-resistant Kuala Lumpur strain.
  19. Fulltext Present status of malaria control in Asia
    Dy FJ
    Bull World Health Organ, 1954;11(4-5):725-63.
    PMID: 13209318
    The author summarizes the information given by 13 governments-Afghanistan, Burma, Ceylon, China, India, Indonesia, Malaya, Netherlands New Guinea, Philippines, Portuguese India, Sarawak, Thailand, and Viet Nam-on their existing and proposed malaria-control programmes in response to a questionnaire prepared by WHO for discussion at the First Asian Malaria Conference, which was held in Bangkok in September 1953.Although in late 1953 nearly 46.5 million of the 271 million people living in malarious regions were protected against the disease, more than 224 million others were still unprotected.It is noted that residual-insecticide spraying-the basis of most campaigns-has significantly reduced spleen- and parasite-rates; that the minor opposition to spraying initially encountered in some places quickly disappeared as the benefits became apparent; that malaria control has resulted in general improvements in public health and has promoted socio-economic development; that anopheline resistance to the insecticides used has not been observed; that ten governments voiced the need for indoctrination of public officials concerning malaria control; and that there is a trend among governments to make financial provision for long-term malaria-control schemes.
  20. Fulltext The control of rabies in Malaya through compulsory mass vaccination of dogs
    Wells CW
    Bull World Health Organ, 1954;10(5):731-42.
    PMID: 13182594
    A fulminating extension of rabies-which has been enzootic in northern Malaya since 1924-occurred in Kuala Lumpur in April 1952. The outbreak was suppressed by the compulsory mass vaccination of dogs, stringent legislation, and intensive stray-dog destruction. Similar measures are being employed in the current campaign, the aim of which is the complete eradication of the disease.From an average annual incidence of 112 confirmed canine cases prior to 1952-when a total of 198 cases was reported-the incidence fell to 15 cases (all in unvaccinated dogs) for the period January-November 1953, during the last 5(1/2) months of which no case in either animals or man was reported. It is considered that the extensive publicity campaign and strict enforcement of the control measures have contributed measurably to the present improved position.Statistics relating to confirmed cases in dogs previously vaccinated with (a) phenolized 20% brain-tissue suspension vaccine (buffalo origin) and (b) chicken-embryo vaccine (Flury strain) are quoted and their probable significance in favour of the latter under Malayan conditions is discussed. The hypothesis that the development of rabies may, in many instances, have been blocked by the vaccine is advanced.The plan for a pan-Federation compulsory vaccination campaign in 1954, to consolidate the 1952-3 improvements, is outlined.
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