Browsing 2021 fellows by Title
Now showing items 1-14 of 14
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Determinants of adolescent pregnancy and access to reproductive and sexual health services for married and unmarried adolescents in rural Lao PDR: a qualitative study
(2018-06-08)
Background: Early marriage and pregnancy is a risk factor for poor maternal and child health and socio-economic outcomes. Bokeo and Luang Namtha provinces in northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has high rates of teenage pregnancy. The purpose of this research was firstly to explore factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in rural Lao. Secondly, to understand the specific challenges adolescent mothers face in accessing maternal health services. Methods: Qualitative interviews were undertaken with adolescent mothers and unmarried ... -
The health needs and access barriers among refugees and asylum-seekers in Malaysia: A qualitative study
(2018-08-15)
Background: In Malaysia, refugees and asylum-seekers are a vulnerable group that often face circumstances in which their health and wellbeing can be compromised. This qualitative study sought to examine the key health concerns and barriers to healthcare access among refugees and asylum-seekers in Malaysia through the lens of healthcare professionals, program staff and experts on refugee and migrant health. Methods: We conducted 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews with experts, healthcare professionals, program managers or executives from ... -
Health System Responses to the Health Needs of Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study
(2019-05-06)
Background: This study was conducted to examine the responses and challenges in addressing the health needs of refugees and asylum-seekers in Malaysia from a health systems and policy perspective. Methods: Twenty semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants comprising experts, healthcare professionals and program personnel with professional experience in refugee health issues. Deductive and inductive analyses were conducted to identify themes. Results: Our study identified a broad range of actors involved in the response ... -
HIV and syphilis knowledge, perceptions, and practices among Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand
(2022-11-28)
Background: Thailand has been one of the largest migration hubs in Southeast Asia for the past four decades and keeps attracting migrants from neighboring countries. Due to difficulties associated with their status, migration can place individuals at a heightened risk for sexually transmitted diseases. This study aimed to examine factors influencing HIV and syphilis preventive behaviors among Myanmar migrants in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted among Myanmar migrants aged 18 years and above ... -
Informal workers and access to healthcare: a qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to accessing healthcare for beer promoters in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
(2016-04-18)
Background: Informal workers often face considerable risks and vulnerabilities as a consequence of their work and employment conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the interplay between the experience of informal work and access to health, using as an example, female beer promoters employed in the informal economy, in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Methods: In-depth interviews were undertaken with 24 female beer promoters working in beer shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in Vientiane City. The recruitment strategy ... -
Knowledge of and attitudes towards abortion among adolescents in Lao PDR
(2020-08-03)
Rationale: Adolescent pregnancy in Lao PDR is the highest in Southeast Asia. It leads to negative health and social consequences in young people. It is anticipated that this problem is partly caused by limited sexual and reproductive health literacy (SRHL), leading to poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) decisions. Based on the concept of health literacy, SRHL goes beyond knowledge and behavior and is the self-perceived ability of an individual to access the needed information, understand the information, appraise and apply the information ... -
Perceived barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services for youth in Lao People's Democratic Republic
(2019-10-29)
Background: Sexual activity during youth is common in Lao PDR. However, young people seldom utilize sexual and reproductive health services and subsequently suffer from poor sexual and reproductive health. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the barriers perceived by youth that prevent their access to sexual and reproductive health services. Methods: Twenty-nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants aged 15–25 years, from urban and rural areas. A vignette was used during interviews with those who had ... -
Perceptions and management of postpartum haemorrhage among remote communities in Lao PDR
(2020-01-10)
Introduction: In Lao People’s Democratic Republic, despite a policy to provide free maternal health services in healthcare facilities, many rural women continue to deliver at home, without a skilled birth attendant. These women are at high risk of postpartum haemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal mortality in the country. While women in remote areas continue to be unable to access facility-based birthing, interventions to reduce postpartum haemorrhage are a priority. This requires an understanding of how women and their families recognise ... -
Post-COVID-19 health-care utilization: one year after the 2020 first wave in Brunei Darussalam
(2023-01-18)
Objective: Patients who recover from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection are at risk of long-term health disorders and may require prolonged health care. This retrospective observational study assesses the number of health-care visits before and after COVID-19 infection in Brunei Darussalam. Methods: COVID-19 cases from the first wave with 12 months of follow-up were included. Health-care utilization was defined as health-care visits for consultations or investigations. Post-COVID condition was defined using the World Health ... -
Sexual and reproductive health literacy of school adolescents in Lao PDR
(2019-01-16)
Rationale: Adolescent pregnancy in Lao PDR is the highest in Southeast Asia. It leads to negative health and social consequences in young people. It is anticipated that this problem is partly caused by limited sexual and reproductive health literacy (SRHL), leading to poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) decisions. Based on the concept of health literacy, SRHL goes beyond knowledge and behavior and is the self-perceived ability of an individual to access the needed information, understand the information, appraise and apply the information ... -
Social capital in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases among migrants and refugees: a systematic review and meta-ethnography.
(2021-12-05)
Globally, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) falls disproportionately on underserved populations. Migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable due to economic instability and systemic poverty. Despite the myriad of health risks faced by migrants and refugees, access to appropriate healthcare is hindered by structural, cultural and socioeconomic barriers. We conducted a systematic review and meta-ethnography to obtain critical insight into how the interplay of social capital and structural factors (eg, state policies and socioeconomic ... -
The social determinants of chronic disease management: perspectives of elderly patients with hypertension from low socio-economic background in Singapore
(2019-01-03)
Background: In Singapore, the burden of hypertension disproportionately falls on the elderly population of low socio-economic status. Despite availability of effective treatment, studies have shown high prevalence of sub-optimal blood pressure control in this group. Poor hypertension management can be attributed to a number of personal factors including awareness, management skills and overall adherence to treatment. However, these factors are also closely linked to a broader range of community and policy factors. This paper explores the perceived ... -
Validation of the Questionnaire on Sexual and Reproductive Health Literacy for Adolescents Age 15 to 19 Years in Lao People's Democratic Republic
(2022-03-08)
BACKGROUND:Beyond sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, it is sexual and reproductive health literacy (SRHL) that reflects the capacity to deal with sexuality. Many interventions have been conducted to increase SRH knowledge in adolescents, but SRHL has rarely been measured, and a well-validated tool is needed to measure it. Objective: This study aimed to validate a tool to measure adolescent SRHL. METHODS:Reliability, validity, and cultural equivalence were investigated using data from expert consultations, cognitive interviews, and ... -
Walking the talk for dementia: A unique immersive, embodied, and multi-experiential initiative
(2023-11-27)
Coping with dementia requires an integrated approach encompassing personal, health, research, and community domains. Here we describe "Walking the Talk for Dementia," an immersive initiative aimed at empowering people with dementia, enhancing dementia understanding, and inspiring collaborations. This initiative involved 300 participants from 25 nationalities, including people with dementia, care partners, clinicians, policymakers, researchers, and advocates for a 4-day, 40 km walk through the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Spain. A 2-day ...