Dispersion or dilution of stool by water from heavy rainfall may affect Strongyloides stercoralis free-living development producing infective filariform larvae (FL). This study examined effect of water dilution of stool on survival of S. stercoralis free-living development. One g of stool was prepared in water so that its soluble component was diluted sequentially from 1:2 to 1:480. Three dishes were used to compare FL production in three culture conditions: stool suspension, stool sediment deposited in soil, and isolated rhabditiform larvae (RhL) deposited in soil. The fourth dish was for developmental observation of RhL into free-living stages. Numerous FL were generated from undiluted or 1:2 diluted stool and stool sediment placed on soil. However, starting from dilution 1:5, FL production continuously decreased in both stool suspensions and stool sediments placed on soil. RhL isolated from stool dilutions placed on soil gave rise to few FL. Worm mating were seen at 24-30 hours in dilutions 1:20-1:120 only. Highest numbers of FL from indirect free-living cycle were 1/3 of those from control. FL production decreased as stool dilution increased, and reached zero production at 1:160 dilution. Rainfall may disperse or dilute stool so that nutritional supplement for S. stercoralis free-living development is insufficient.

Background: Risk assessment criteria for predicting dengue outbreak must be appropriated at village levels. We aimed to develop risk dengue village prediction criteria, predict village dengue risk, and strengthen dengue prevention based on community participation. Methods: This participatory research conducted in Southern Thailand included the following 5 phases: (i) preparing communities in 3 districts; (ii) developing risk dengue village prediction criteria; (iii) applying computer program; (iv) predicting village dengue risk with 75 public health providers in 39 PCUs; and (v) utilizing findings to strengthen dengue prevention activities in 220 villages. Data collecting for prediction used secondary data from primary care units in the past 5 year and current year. Descriptive statistics used calculating criteria and comparing with standard level to adjust score of risk. Results: Risk dengue village assessment criteria had 2 aspects: dengue severity (3 factors) and dengue outbreak opportunity (3 factors). Total scores were 33 points and cut-off of 17 points for high and low dengue risks villages. All criteria were applied using computer program ( http://surat.denguelim.com ). Risk prediction involved stakeholder participation in 220 villages, and used for strengthening dengue prevention activities. The concept of integrated vector management included larval indices surveillance system, garbage management, larval indices level lower than the standard, community capacity activities for dengue prevention, and school-based dengue prevention. The risk prediction criteria and process mobilized villages for dengue prevention activities to decrease morbidity rate. Conclusion: Dengue risk assessment criteria were appropriated within the village, with its smallest unit, the household, included. The data can be utilized at village levels for evaluating dengue outbreak risks.

By the end of March 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic were widespread in Thailand led to the closures of schools and universities. The home quarantine, social distancing, and other restrictions are likely to have psychological impact on students. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress and determine predictors among undergraduate public health students. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the School of Public Health - Walailak University. Research subjects included 463 students selected by a 2-stage random sampling. A research tool was a self-administered standardized 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale. An ordinal logistic regression analysis was executed to determine the predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress. The results showed that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 24.8, 31, and 18.8%, respectively. Significant predictors of depression and anxiety were educational environment (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13 - 0.6;   OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2 - 0.7), and tense feelings during learning (OR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.9 - 6.6; OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.2 - 0.8). Relationship with boy/girlfriends was considered a predictor of depression and stress (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2 - 4.9; OR = 0.5,95% CI: 0.2 - 0.9). Marital status of parent (OR = 15.5, 95% CI: 1.2 - 192.3) and family provision for learning (OR= 3.1, 95% CI: 1.3 - 7.6) were predictors of depression, and specialized majors (OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1 - 0.7) was a predictor of stress. Noticeable worries about “My physical health”, “Health systems being overloaded”, and “Restricted liberty of movement” are also considered as predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress. The findings are needed to develop a good education environment and counseling services for cases having emotional problems. HIGHLIGHTS Depression, anxiety, and stress account for 24.8, 31, and 18.8 %, respectively among public health students during the COVID-19 pandemic Three groups of predictors are related to personal and family relationship, educational environment, and worries about COVID-19 Establishing psychological support, reducing academic burden to fit learning needs, and improving educational environments should be urgently done GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

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Purpose: This study aimed to (i) identify the pathogenic bacterial profile and Cefoperazone (CPZ) sensitivity; (ii) assess the therapeutic effectiveness of CPZ and (iii) determine factors associating with the treatment success. Patients and methods: The retrospective study was conducted in Kien Giang hospital, Vietnam. Sample size was 210 medical records of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients admitted to the hospital from January to December 2018. The Chi square and Fisher’s exact test were used to determine factors associating with the treatment success such as age, gender, comorbidities, levels of CAP severity respiratory rate, PaO2, and laboratory findings of blood tests. Statistical significance was at level α = 0.05. Results: The main pathogenic bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.1%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (26.7%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%), and were highly susceptible to CPZ. Mean duration of obtaining clinical stability was 3.01 days. The obtainment of clinical stability through CPZ monotherapy on the third, fifth and seventh day of treatment process accounted for 78.9%, 87.6% and 100% of total cases, respectively. CPZ achieved a highly successful rate in the monotherapy (79.07%) if the treatment was guided by antibiotic sensitivity testing results. The association between the treatment success and factors such as age, respiratory rate, and severity category of CAP were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Minimizing CPZ resistance, and CPZ overuse during CAP therapy is necessary. The factors associating with the success of therapy are useful in predicting the prognosis of CAP patients, planning the sequential therapy, and determining hospital discharge.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease. In Thailand, public health professionals are the main stakeholder for risk management. The aim was to explore the reflections of the public health students regarding the first case of a COVID-19 patient near a university area, southern Thailand. Study design: The cross-sectional qualitative study. Methods: The study was conducted written on one page which contained four elements of the reflection concept. Students’ reflections were collected by the researcher after oral consent. The data analysis used the thematic analysis technique and included the following five steps: 1) reading and rereading to understand reflections, 2) identifying the coding, 3) setting the category of the coding in relation to meanings, 4) interpreting the theme based on their meaning and related phenomena, and 5) setting the main themes. Results: Ninety public health students that studied at a 3rd level classification of a community public health program. Almost all (77) were women (85.6%), were 20-21 years old, and had received information regarding the coronavirus outbreak from social media, family members, other students, lecturers, and other people. The 17 themes and 35 sub-themes of the reflection concept included three themes’ regarding the seven sub-themes of “What I faced”, five themes regarding the six sub-themes of “What I did”, four themes regarding the seven sub-themes of “What Happened”, and five themes regarding the 19 sub-themes of “So what or now what” elements. Conclusions: The reflections of the public health students are important for lecturers, the university, and their parents for supporting and guiding them to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.