Prevalence and Sociodemographic Determinants of Any Tobacco Use and Dual Use in Six Countries of the WHO South-East Asia Region: Findings From the Demographic and Health Surveys
Conclusion:
Prevalence of dual tobacco use and its underlying socioeconomic disparities should be taken into account for the planning of tobacco control activities in the region.
Implications:
The dual tobacco use phenomenon is being increasingly recognized as a distinct entity in the fight against tobacco addiction. When compared with single product users, dual users have a greater risk of developing tobacco related diseases and are less likely to quit their habits. However, this phenomenon has not been studied adequately in the South-East Asia region. In this context, this study has provided a detailed and comprehensive...
Source: Nicotine and Tobacco Research - April 8, 2016 Category: Addiction Authors: Sinha, D. N., Suliankatchi, R. A., Amarchand, R., Krishnan, A. Tags: Original Investigation Source Type: research
New size data on the enigmatic Spirula spirula (Decabrachia, suborder Spirulina), on a global geographic scale
Abstract
The ram’s horn squid Spirula spirula is a unique deep-water marine organism whose life cycle remains enigmatic. Interpretations of its ecology and habitat preferences are currently based solely on dredging, on fishery data, stable isotope data and rare molecular genetic analyses of dead specimens. These methods form the basis to decipher phylogeographic questions of otherwise unobservable deep-sea animals such as S. spirula. Here, new morphological data from internal shells (specimens n = 408, analysed n = 260) are presented from 12 different populations over huge distances, from the Atla...
Source: European Journal of Applied Physiology - March 30, 2016 Category: Physiology Source Type: research
Influence of Resource Availability on the Foraging Strategies of the Triangle Butterflyfish Chaetodon triangulum in the Maldives
This study aimed to examine if, within-reef differences in the feeding regime and territory size of the Triangle Butterflyfish Chaetodon triangulum occurred, as a function of resource availability. Results showed that the dietary specialisation of C. triangulum was significant in both areas of low and high coral cover (χL22 = 2.52 x 102, P (Source: PLoS One)
Source: PLoS One - March 21, 2016 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Josie F. Chandler Source Type: research
Zika virus infection in a traveller returning from the Maldives, June 2015.
We report a Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in a patient with fever and rash after returning to Finland from Maldives, June 2015. The patient had dengue virus (DENV) IgG and IgM antibodies but pan-flavivirus RT-PCR and subsequent sequencing showed presence of ZIKV RNA in urine. Recent association of ZIKV with microcephaly highlights the need for laboratory differentiation of ZIKV from DENV infection and the circulation of ZIKV in areas outside its currently known distribution range.
PMID: 26794427 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)
Source: Euro Surveill - January 14, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Korhonen EM, Huhtamo E, Smura T, Kallio-Kokko H, Raassina M, Vapalahti O Tags: Euro Surveill Source Type: research
Zika virus infection in a traveller returning from the Maldives, June 2015
We report a Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in a patient with fever and rash after returning to Finland from Maldives, June 2015. The patient had dengue virus (DENV) IgG and IgM antibodies but pan-flavivirus RT-PCR and subsequent sequencing showed presence of ZIKV RNA in urine. Recent association of ZIKV with microcephaly highlights the need for laboratory differentiation of ZIKV from DENV infection and the circulation of ZIKV in areas outside its currently known distribution range. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - January 14, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Changes in access to and costs of overseas treatment after the introduction of universal health coverage in the Maldives: Findings from surveys and the analysis of claims data
Conclusions
Despite the fact that the objectives of the two surveys differed which may have led to differences in measurements, it can be concluded that UHC has narrowed the gap between the rich and poor in utilizing medical treatment overseas. However, median out of pocket spending on MTO has increased over the years indicating the need to broaden the benefit package of the UHC program. Further research is needed on the most deprived populations who have not accessed care abroad despite the change in the health financing system in the country. (Source: Health Services Management Research)
Source: Health Services Management Research - December 23, 2015 Category: Health Management Authors: Suzana, M., Chongsuvivatwong, V. Tags: Primary research Source Type: research
Cardiovascular Health Among South Asians
While South Asian countries, especially India, struggle through a new wave of economic development, relying upon the strength of their relatively young population and new leadership, they are simultaneously plagued by the diseases of both the developing and the developed world. South Asians, that is, people living in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, and Maldives or with ancestral roots in these countries, have high coronary atherosclerotic burden largely owing to substantially high metabolic risk factors such as diabetes. (Source: CVD Prevention and Control)
Source: CVD Prevention and Control - December 1, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Sunil K. Agarwal, Jagat Narula Tags: Editor's Page Source Type: research
Resuscitating the National Mental Health Policy in the Maldives.
CONCLUSIONS: The most significant challenge included stigma and poor awareness around mental health at all levels, compounded by the lack of established mental health advocacy groups. The broad scope of mental health in the policy without accompanying detailed plans and lack of local research may have also been barriers. The background of political instability and its consequences on the health sector have also been significant barriers to political endorsement. Persevering with advocating for mental health and improving awareness will be crucial to ensure that resuscitation attempts are successful.
PMID: 26634664 ...
Source: Australasian Psychiatry - December 1, 2015 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Mohamed A Tags: Australas Psychiatry Source Type: research
Yixin Lu.
Authors:
Abstract
My favorite food is lobster. My favorite place on earth is The Maldives.
PMID: 26585884 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Angewandte Chemie)
Source: Angewandte Chemie - November 20, 2015 Category: Chemistry Tags: Angew Chem Int Ed Engl Source Type: research
Global assessment of cadmium concentrations in the skin of free-ranging sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus)
Publication date: Available online 9 October 2015 Source:Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology Author(s): Laura C. Savery, Tânia Li Chen, James T.F. Wise, Sandra S. Wise, Christy Gianios, John Buonagurio, Christopher Perkins, Carolyne Falank, Tongzhang Zheng, Cairong Zhu, John Pierce Wise Cadmium is a non-essential, toxic metal found accumulated in the organs of stranded cetaceans. Currently, there is no baseline cadmium concentration reported in a free-ranging, pelagic, cetacean. The aim was to determine cadmium concentrations in the skin of free-rangi...
Source: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology and Pharmacology - October 11, 2015 Category: Toxicology Source Type: research
Global assessment of cadmium concentrations in the skin of free-ranging sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus).
Abstract
Cadmium is a non-essential, toxic metal found accumulated in the organs of stranded cetaceans. Currently, there is no baseline cadmium concentration reported in a free-ranging, pelagic, cetacean. The aim was to determine cadmium concentrations in the skin of free-ranging sperm whales (n=340) collected from 16 regions around the world during the voyage of the Odyssey (2000 - 2005) considering region, gender, and age in males. Cadmium was detected in 82% of skin biopsies with a mean of 0.3±0.04 ug/g ww (0.02 to 12.4 ug/g ww). These levels were higher than reported in literature in toothed whale ski...
Source: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology and pharmacology : CBP - October 5, 2015 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Savery LC, Chen TL, Wise JT, Wise SS, Gianios C, Buonagurio J, Perkins C, Falank C, Zheng T, Zhu C, Wise JP Tags: Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol Source Type: research
The economic burden of overseas medical treatment: a cross sectional study of Maldivian medical travelers
Background:
Access to tertiary care is a problem common to many small states, especially island ones. Although medical treatment overseas (MTO) may result in cost savings to high income countries, it can be a relatively high cost for low and middle income source countries. The purpose of this study was to estimate the costs of overseas medical treatment incurred by the households of medical travelers from Maldives and assess the burden of medical treatment overseas on the government and on households.
Methods:
A survey was conducted of inbound Maldivian medical travelers who traveled during the period June – December 201...
Source: BMC Health Services Research - September 26, 2015 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Mariyam SuzanaAnne MillsViroj TangcharoensathienVirasakdi Chongsuvivatwong Source Type: research
Globalization and Changing Family Relations: Family Violence and Women’s Resistance in Asian Muslim Societies
Abstract
There is a growing body of research on family relationships and the nature of family violence in Muslim-majority countries of Asia. However, patterns and trends around family dynamics and violence do not remain static. Despite the diversity of South Asian societies, all are being influenced by a constellation of globalized social, economic, political and religious forces that manifest in unique ways in different contexts. To date, there is little written about the implications for women’s rights and gendered violence when globalization remolds religious, cultural, geographic and other social re...
Source: Sex Roles - September 17, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: research
State of neonatal health care in eight countries of the SAARC region, South Asia: how can we make a difference?
Authors: Das JK, Rizvi A, Bhatti Z, Paul V, Bahl R, Shahidullah M, Manandhar D, Stanekzai H, Amarasena S, Bhutta ZA
Abstract
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an organization of eight countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. The major objectives of this review are to examine trends and progress in newborn and neonatal health care in the region. A landscape analysis of the current state of neonatal mortality, stillbirths and trends over the years for each country and the effective interventions to reduce neonatal mortality...
Source: Paediatrics and international child health - July 28, 2015 Category: Pediatrics Tags: Paediatr Int Child Health Source Type: research
Parrotfish Build Islands with Their Poop
Parrotfish munching on algae ingest coral and then eliminate the rocky substrate, creating island-building grade sediment in places like the Maldives. Julia Rosen reports
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Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - June 1, 2015 Category: Science Tags: More Science Biology Energy & Sustainability Climate CONSERVATION EARTH Environment Ecology Source Type: research
