Includes bibliographical references.

The Year of the Rat and Public Health -- Cryptosporidium Infection Increases the Risk for Chronic Diarrhea Among People Living With HIV in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis -- Can a National Health Insurance Policy Increase Equity in the Utilization of Skilled Birth Attendants in Indonesia? A Secondary Analysis of the 2012 to 2016 National Socio-Economic Survey of Indonesia -- High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risk of Stroke Subtypes: Jichi Medical School Cohort Study -- Association Between Electronic Cigarette Use and Levels of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Uric Acid -- Demographic and Socioeconomic Variables Associated With Health Care–Seeking Behavior Among Foreign Workers in Malaysia -- Condition-Specific Oral Health Impacts in Thai Children and Adolescents: Findings From the National Oral Health–Related Quality of Life Survey -- Ageism -- The Inspiring Spirit of Prince Mahidol With a Contagious Smile for Public Health -- Vale Professor Duncan Boldy.

[Article Title: The Year of the Rat and Public Health/ Colin Binns and Wah Yun Low, p. 6-7]

Abstract: The Year of the Rat is the first year in the traditional zodiac calendar. According to one version of the myth, the Jade Emperor declared that the order of precedence would be decided by the order of arrival at his party. The rat was tiny in comparison with the other animals, but quite cunning. He tricked the ox into letting him ride on his back. As they approached the finishing line, the rat jumped off and beat the ox “by a whisker,” to become first in the zodiac calendar. Year 2020 will be a “metal rat” in the 60-year cycle of the universe.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539520903550

[Article Title: Cryptosporidium Infection Increases the Risk for Chronic Diarrhea Among People Living With HIV in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis/ Wiwien S. Utami, Elsa H. Murhandarwati, Wayan T. Artama and Hari Kusnanto, p. 8-18]

Abstract: We conducted a systematic review research and meta-analysis to reveal the relationship between the risk of chronic diarrhea and Cryptosporidium infection in people living with HIV in Southeast Asia. We performed online peer-reviewed literature research from January 2005 to December 2017, which included PubMed, Science Direct, ProQuest, EBSCO, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. Calculation of size effects in the meta-analysis was performed by STATA 13.0 software to estimate relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for any associations. Seven cross-sectional research articles were recruited in this study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our analysis revealed a significant relationship between cryptosporidiosis and the risk of chronic diarrhea in people living with HIV, with RR = 1.325; 95% CI = 1.157 to 1.517; and P < .000. Our results suggested that cryptosporidiosis increases the risk of chronic diarrhea, and low CD4+ lymphocyte cell counts aggravate the degree of diarrhea. Therefore, clinicians should be more aware in treating HIV-positive people, especially those with low CD4+ cell counts, and we suggest that Cryptosporidium laboratory examinations be conducted immediately.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539519895422

[Article Title: Can a National Health Insurance Policy Increase Equity in the Utilization of Skilled Birth Attendants in Indonesia? A Secondary Analysis of the 2012 to 2016 National Socio-Economic Survey of Indonesia/ Siti Khadijah Nasution, Yodi Mahendradhata and Laksono Trisnantoro, p. 19-26]

Abstract: The Indonesian government has been implementing the National Health Insurance (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional [JKN]) policy since 2014. This study aimed to evaluate JKN based on equity indicators, especially in skilled birth attendants (SBAs) use. The data were obtained from National Socio-Economic Survey of Indonesia during 2012 to 2016. To analyze the data, χ2 and logistic regression tests were applied. The respondents were married mothers from 15 to 49 years who had delivered a baby. Deliveries by SBAs increased at the national level, but this achievement showed significant variation according to geographical location. The coverage of deliveries by SBAs in the eastern areas of Indonesia was still much lower than those in the western areas. All factors determining SBAs utilization (health insurance ownership, education, household economic status, and geography factor) indicated the positive correlation (P < .05). The inequity of SBA use in differences in geographical location and socioeconomic status continues to occur after the implementation of JKN.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539519892394

[Article Title: High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risk of Stroke Subtypes: Jichi Medical School Cohort Study/ Jun Watanabe, Eiichi Kakehi, Kazuhiko Kotani, Kazunori Kayaba, Yosikazu Nakamura and Shizukiyo Ishikawa, p. 27-34]

Abstract: We aimed to investigate the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and the incident stroke subtypes. We enrolled 11 027 participants between the ages of 18 and 90 years without a history of stroke in 12 Japanese communities. Cox’s regression models were used for stroke subtypes, adjusted for traditional risk factors, according to the categories based on HDL-C concentrations: 1.04 to 1.55 mmol/L, ≥1.56 mmol/L, and <1.03 mmol/L (as the reference). During a mean follow-up of 10.7 years, 412 stroke events had occurred. However, HDL-C was not significantly associated with the incidence of cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage. High HDL-C concentration was associated with a decreased incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage in women (hazard ratio = 0.23; 95% confidence interval = 0.06-0.89), but not in men (hazard ratio = 0.73; 95% confidence interval = 0.27-1.97). Therefore, high HDL-C concentration might have a protective effect on the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage, particularly in women.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539519900685

[Article Title: Association Between Electronic Cigarette Use and Levels of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Uric Acid/ Jihyun Moon, Hyowon Lee, Mihee Kong, Hyeonju Kim and Yunhwan Oh, p. 35-41]

Abstract: The present study investigated whether electronic cigarette use, which is becoming increasingly common, was related to systemic inflammation that may lead to cardiovascular disease, similar to conventional cigarette smoking. The study included 1208 men (19-65 years old) who participated in the 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). The participants were categorized as electronic cigarette users, conventional cigarette users, and nonsmokers. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was used as an inflammatory index, and uric acid level was used as a metabolic indicator. After adjusting for confounding factors, electronic cigarette use was significantly associated with elevated serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (β = 1.326, P = .002), uric acid levels (β = 0.400, P = .042), and hyperuricemia (uric acid level of >7 mg/mL; odds ratio = 2.67, 95% confidence interval = 1.27-5.58). These findings suggest that electronic cigarette use may be associated with systemic inflammation markers, similar to conventional cigarette use.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539519899777

[Article Title: Demographic and Socioeconomic Variables Associated With Health Care–Seeking Behavior Among Foreign Workers in Malaysia/ Ahmad Farid Osman, Muzalwana Abdul Mutalib, Khaled Tafran and Chin Sieng Chong, p. 42-48]

Abstract: Foreign workers in Malaysia face various barriers in accessing health care, which results in many of them being unable to obtain appropriate medical treatment in case of sickness. This study investigates the foreign workers’ health care–seeking behavior and the demographic and socioeconomic variables that influence it. Data were collected from 502 foreign workers using a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the influence of demographic and socioeconomic variables on health care–seeking behavior among foreign workers. In cases of severe sickness, 20.5% of foreign workers stated that they will not go or are unlikely to go to a clinic or hospital. The multiple logistic regression revealed that foreign workers’ tendency to avoid medical treatment is associated with gender, marital status, monthly income, preferred language of communication, and work classification. Nonetheless, in cases of mild sickness, demographic and socioeconomic variables do not influence foreign workers’ health care–seeking behavior.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539519893801

[Article Title: Condition-Specific Oral Health Impacts in Thai Children and Adolescents: Findings From the National Oral Health–Related Quality of Life Survey/ Piyada Prasertsom, Issarapong Kaewkamnerdpong and Sudaduang Krisdapong, p. 49-56]

Abstract: This study was a part of the 7th National Oral Health Survey of Thailand and aimed to assess overall and condition-specific oral health–related quality of life of 12 and 15 year olds. Oral impacts were assessed using the Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances Index for 12 year olds and the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances index for 15 year olds. Overall oral impacts and condition-specific oral impacts (CS-impacts) were calculated. Detailed characteristics of CS-impacts were analyzed. Seventy-five percent of 12 year olds and 70.1% of 15 year olds had one or more oral impacts. CS-impacts attributed to dental caries were 37.8% and 36.5% for 12 and 15 year olds, respectively, followed by CS-impacts attributed to periodontal diseases and oral lesions. Dental caries was the most important cause of oral impacts. The severe impacts on daily performances of 12 year olds were mainly caused by dental caries, while those of 15 year olds related to dental caries and oral lesions. The majority of Thai children and adolescents experienced oral impacts. CS-impacts attributed to dental caries were most prevalent and most severe.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539519899774

[Article Title: Ageism/ Raudah M. Yunus and Noran N. Hairi, p. 57]

Abstract: Equality for older adults cannot be achieved merely through the provision of better age-friendly infrastructures and health care. What is more important is how older adults are viewed and treated by others. Evidence from empirical studies demonstrated that implicit bias—including ageism—affects how people perceive and behave toward “the others” and that such prejudice is common among health care providers and within the health care settings, leading to suboptimal treatment among older patients and health disparities. Worse, such unspoken prejudice contributes to the condoning of, or indifference to, abuse and neglect.
Ageism—and its internalization—is complex, and it stems from multiple factors: Westernization, urbanization and adoption of modern lifestyles, changing societal norms and family structures, and the media. These forces gradually caused the loss or weakening of status, traditional roles, and authority of older adults in society. Modern popular culture has created among the wider population an exaggerated and irrational fear of aging, by constantly trumpeting the need to “stay young and beautiful” in numerous antiaging cosmetic and health product advertisements. Youthfulness is portrayed as a life goal and pinnacle of success. Aging thus is viewed with disdain, creating a tendency among youths to dissociate themselves from elders.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539520903541

[Article Title: The Inspiring Spirit of Prince Mahidol With a Contagious Smile for Public Health/ Masamine Jimba, p. 58]

Abstract: About 100 years ago, on August 27, 1916, His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla arrived in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He stayed at the Moorland Hotel, now called the Gloucester Inn by the Sea. He lived there for some time and became interested in public health in the city. He conducted research into Gloucester’s sanitation system and published a report “Sanitary Survey of the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts.”1
According to Professor Joseph Brain (one of the authors of Celebrating the Legacy of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol of Songkla: a century of progress in public health and medicine in Thailand),1 who now lives near Gloucester and is Cecil K and Philip Drinker Professor of Environmental Physiology at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, “He wasn’t just coming to collect a Harvard degree. He understood how air and water quality, poverty, and occupation, affect health, and he wanted to do something about it.”

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539520903540

[Article Title: Vale Professor Duncan Boldy/ Colin Binns, p. 64]

https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539519884136