Suchergebnisse

Commuting plays a causal role in the process of adjusting between residence and workplace. This paper examines the relationship between demographic, socio-economic and social environment factors and commuting patterns in Bangkok, Thailand. Based on the assumption that the commuting decision involves a two-step process—a decision to work at home or not, and a decision on commuting distance and time—the results indicated that age, sex, occupation and time spent living in current home were significantly associated with workplace location. Age and home-ownership status related to commuting time, and commuting distance related to occupation and home-ownership status. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that correlates of commuting patterns were largely explained by the set of socio-economic factors. Home-ownership status, however, had an important effect on commuting patterns.

Background: During the last three decades, Myanmar has faced a steadily growing population of older people as a result of sustained declines in mortality and fertility. Quality of life (QoL) is an important issue among older people as it reflects their health status and well-being. This study aimed to investigate the QoL of older people and analyze factors associated with QoL of older people in Taungu Township, Bago Region, Myanmar.Methods: The study is based on a cross-sectional study among 233 older people aged 60 years or above living in the Taungu Township. The data were collected through structured questionnaire using face-to-face interview, during March to April 2011. Questions on QoL were from the standard World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and bi-variate analysis (χ2 test) were employed.Results: The study revealed that 72.1% of older people had an average QoL (Mean - SD) to (Mean + SD), 14.2% and 13.7% had high and low QoL. QoL is significantly and positively (directly) associated (p<0.05) with older people's individual income. It is implied that appropriate implementation should increase its coverage both in terms of area and less opportunity for older persons.Conclusion: Government should expand older people's self-help group to improve livelihoods by creating job opportunities and income generate in all States and Regions. It is also suggested the WHOQOL-BREF, the standard questionnaires needs to be validated according to context of Myanmar cultures and norms, including the meaning of "quality of life".

Background: Antimicrobial misuse is common in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), and this practice is a driver of antibiotic resistance. We compared community-based antibiotic access and use practices across communities in LMICs to identify contextually specific targets for interventions to improve antibiotic use practices. Methods: We did quantitative and qualitative assessments of antibiotic access and use in six LMICs across Africa (Mozambique, Ghana, and South Africa) and Asia (Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Thailand) over a 2·5-year study period (July 1, 2016–Dec 31, 2018). We did quantitative assessments of community antibiotic access and use through supplier mapping, customer exit interviews, and household surveys. These quantitative assessments were triangulated with qualitative drug supplier and consumer interviews and discussions. Findings: Vietnam and Bangladesh had the largest proportions of non-licensed antibiotic dispensing points. For mild illness, drug stores were the most common point of contact when seeking antibiotics in most countries, except South Africa and Mozambique, where public facilities were most common. Self-medication with antibiotics was found to be widespread in Vietnam (55·2% of antibiotics dispensed without prescription), Bangladesh (45·7%), and Ghana (36·1%), but less so in Mozambique (8·0%), South Africa (1·2%), and Thailand (3·9%). Self-medication was considered to be less time consuming, cheaper, and overall, more convenient than accessing them through health-care facilities. Factors determining where treatment was sought often involved relevant policies, trust in the supplier and the drug, disease severity, and whether the antibiotic was intended for a child. Confusion regarding how to identify oral antibiotics was revealed in both Africa and Asia. Interpretation: Contextual complexities and differences between countries with different incomes, policy frameworks, and cultural norms were revealed. These contextual differences render a single strategy inadequate and instead necessitate context-tailored, integrated intervention packages to improve antibiotic use in LMICs as part of global efforts to combat antibiotic resistance.