Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

529-530

Authors: Abdullah Nadeem, Khulud Qamar, Abdul Moiz Sahito

None.

542-550

Authors: Lee Siew-Keah, Kang Waye Hann, Shun Kah Hoe, Lai Rui En, Lim Boon Chin, Master Manfai Sae Chan, Tee Zhi Kang, Chua Ang-Lim

Objective: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice levels and perceived barriers towards healthy living to prevent hypertension among young adults in Malaysia. Methods: Adults aged 18-25 years reside in Malaysia were recruited via convenience sampling. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical knowledge on hypertension (K1), knowledge (K), attitude (A), practice (P) and perceived barriers in practising healthy living to prevent hypertension were assessed. Average scores were categorised into good (80%-100%), upper-moderate (70%-79%), lower-moderate (60%-69%) and poor (<60%). Multivariate analysis was performed to test the difference and relationship of variables. Pearson correlation test was used to test the association of two continuous variables. Results: A total of 1 218 respondents participated in this survey. The mean score of K1 was 54.1%, while the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards healthy living were 82.7%, 78.2%and 68.5% respectively. The prevalence of high salt intake, high fat intakes, low fibre intake, sedentary lifestyle and lack of annual health screening was 83.2%, 81.4%, 70.3%, and 73.2%, respectively. Abnormal BMI was associated with low P scores, while lower socio-economic status, unawareness of self-blood pressure reading and those without family history of hypertension were associated with lower scores in K1, K, A, and P. K1, K, A and P are significantly inter-related. The main perceived barriers included self-proclaimed good fit status, frequent consumption of out-of-home food, and addiction to high salt/fat food. Conclusions: The national strategies for health management should be prioritized in reducing salt and fat, promoting annual health screening, physical activities and fibre intake in this age group.

558-567

Authors: Narges Amani Hamedani, Majid Pirestani, Abdolhossein Dalimi

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and molecular features of human cystic echinococcosis in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all human cystic echinococcosis patients admitted to Tehran’s hospitals from 2011 to 2019 were enrolled, and demographic characteristics, clinical findings, and laboratory data were collected. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and fresh tissue samples of 175 cystic echinococcosis patients were evaluated for molecular characterization. The samples’ isolated DNA was used to amplify cytochrome c oxidaseⅠand NADH dehydrogenase subunitⅠgenes. Also, the morphological features of fresh samples were examined. Results: In total, 175 patients with a mean age of 45 (9-98) years were admitted to Tehran’s hospitals diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis. Moreover, the highest (26.9%) and the lowest (2.9%) prevalence of cystic echinococcosis cases were in the 16- 30 and 1-15 years range, respectively. Male/female ratio was 0.96 (49.1% vs. 50.9%). The liver was affected in 92 patients (52.6%), and two or more organs were infected in 7 patients (4.0%). The cysts’ diameter varied from 1 to 25 cm, and 96.0% of the patients had a single hydatid cyst. All patients underwent radical surgery and the PAIR technique was applied for all cases. No significant difference was observed between the protoscolex hooks of pulmonary and hepatic cysts. G1-G3 had the highest percentage (99.4%) over other identified G6 genotypes (0.6%). Conclusions: The sheep-dog cycle plays an important role in transmitting the human cystic echinococcosis infection in Tehran.

571-572

Authors: Eric David B. Ornos, Jared Gabriel L. Dela Rosa, Jea Giezl N. Solidum, Jervy P. Garcia, Erika P. Ong, Rafael Lorenzo G Valenzuela, Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco

None.