University of Community Health Magway

Abstract Background Oral diseases are common and widespread around the world. Many oral health problems are preventable and early onset is reversible. Myanmar faces many challenges in rendering oral health services and about 70 percent of total population resides in rural areas. These relate to the availability and accessibility of oral health services. Therefore, oral health education is one key element to prevent oral diseases and to promote oral health. Methods A quasi-experimental study was carried out at Basic Education Middle Schools in rural areas of Magway Township to study the effectiveness of oral health education on knowledge and behavior of eight to ten years old school children. A total of 220 school children, 110 from intervention school and 110 from control school, participated in this study from 2015 to 2017. Data for knowledge and behavior were collected before and after intervention in the two groups by using self-administered questionnaire. Tooth brushing method data were collected by direct observation with checklist. Oral health education was provided at eight weekly intervals for one year in the intervention group. After one year and six months, oral health knowledge and behavior were determined in the intervention group only to measure retention. Chi-square test, two samples t test, One way repeated measure ANOVA were used for data analysis. The study was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of University of Public Health in Yangon, Myanmar. Results There were significant differences between the two groups in oral health knowledge (p<0.05) except one and also in behavior (p<0.001) at after intervention. A positive effect of intervention was found in intervention group. The intervention had significant effect on sustainability of correct knowledge and behavior by the school children in intervention group although education session was stopped for six months after one-year education (p<0.001). Their mean knowledge and behavioral scores at three different points in time were (2.45±1.12 and 1.56±0.90) at baseline, (3.79±1.12 and 3.60±1.21) at one year after education, and (4.07±0.98 and 3.24±1.31) at six months after cessation of education, respectively. Conclusion The repeated oral health education was effective to promote and sustain oral health knowledge and behavior.

Abstract The adopting healthy life styles are greatly influenced by individual’s perceived risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire that can assess the individual’s perceived risk of developing four major NCDs. Exploratory sequential mixed methods design was used. Qualitative part developed the question items pool by conducting two expert panels while quantitative part validated the questionnaire using both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Separate samples were used for EFA (n=150) and CFA (n=210). The participants were aged between 25-60 years of both sexes with no known history of NCDs. Face to face interview was conducted. Parallel analysis was done to decide the number of factors to be extracted. EFA was done using maximum likelihood method with Promax rotation to extract the underlying factors of perceived risk while CFA was done to assess the goodness of fit of proposed EFA Model using model fit indices. Based on literature search, 86-item questionnaire was firstly generated. During two expert panels, some overlapped items and items that did not represent the specific construct were removed. Experts made sure the content validity of developed 51-item questionnaire which was used to collect data from 360 participants. EFA revealed the five factors model with 22 high loading items which extracted 54% of total variance. CFA proved that hypothesized five factors model of 21-item questionnaire (one item was removed due to low loading) was satisfied with adequate psychometric properties and model fit indices (RMSEA=0.056, CFI=0.921, TLI=0.908, SRMR=0.063 & χ2/df=1.66). Developed 21-item questionnaire was shown to be valid and reliable to assess the perceived risk of developing NCDs among Myanmar population. Further research should be conducted to assess on the utility of the questionnaire in mismatch between risk perception and current risk and individualized counseling for behaviour change communication.

BackgroundCyberbullying is a global public health concern with tremendous negative impacts, not only on the physical and mental health of students but also on their well-being and academic performance. However, there are very few studies on cyberbullying among university students, especially in Myanmar. This study aims to determine the percentage of university students who suffered cyberbullying victimization in the last 12 months, and the association between students’ socio-demographic characteristics, adverse events following cyberbullying and cyberbullying victimization.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among university students aged 18 years and older at one medical university in Magway, Myanmar. A total of 412 students (277 males and 135 females) participated in the study. Data were collected from August to September, 2018 using a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analyses (models I and II) were performed to estimate the unadjusted (UOR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsIn total, 40.8% of males and 51.1% of females in the study had suffered cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months. In model I, students who had been studying at the university for 3 years or less (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.14–2.85), and who had witnessed psychological, physical or sexual violence, or cyberbullying in their neighborhoods, (AOR = 2.95; 95% CI 1.48–5.91) were more likely to have suffered cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months. In model II, being a victim of cyberbullying was associated with difficulties in concentrating and understanding lectures (AOR = 3.96; 95% CI 1.72–9.11), and substance abuse (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.02–5.49). Non-resident students were at a higher risk of being cyberbullying victims than their resident peers (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.04–3.34).ConclusionTwo out of five students had suffered cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months, and only half of the victims discussed their experience(s) with someone else. Students who suffered cyberbullying victimization faced academic difficulties and started or increased smoking, betel chewing or alcohol drinking. Counter measures to prevent and mitigate the adverse events related to cyberbullying victimization are urgently needed among university students in Myanmar. Periodic screening for cyberbullying, counseling services, cyber-safety educational programs, and awareness raising campaigns should be implemented.

ABSTRACTThis study aims at describing oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and determining its associated factors in a middle-aged and older adult community dwelling population in Myanmar. In a cross-sectional community survey, 633 individuals (men 55% and women 45%), aged 35–65 years, selected by multi-stage random sampling, responded to a structured questionnaire on the Oral Health Impact Profile-short form (OHIP-14), health status, health behavior and socio-demographic information. Participants had an overall mean score of 8.1(item mean=0.65) on the OHIP-14, 57.2% had impaired OHRQoL and 16.6% frequent impaired OHRQoL. The highest prevalence of problems was found to be psychological discomfort (60.2%), followed by physical pain (51.7%) and physical disability (40.9%). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, poor oral health status (tooth loss, having one or more cavities, and poor perceived periodontal health), and poor general health status (depressive symptoms) were positive while oral health behavior (drinking piped or bottled water, using toothpaste with fluoride, and never visited a dentist) were negatively associated with both impaired and frequent impaired OHRQoL. In addition, frequent soft drink consumption was associated with impaired OHRQoL, and having a high household income and being physically inactive were associated with frequent impaired OHRQoL. A high prevalence of impaired OHRQoL was found among this middle-aged and older adult population in central Myanmar. Several risk factors (poor oral health status, poor general health status, poor oral and general health behavior) for impaired OHRQoL were identified, which could help in guiding oral health interventions among the populace.