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The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection and cancer risk in a longitudinal study. The study population consisted of 2729 atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, who had no previous history of cancer at baseline

BackgroundEach year millions of travelers visit Southeast Asia where rabies is still prevalent. This study aimed to assess the risk of rabies exposure, i.e., by being bitten or licked by an animal, among travelers in Southeast Asia. The secondary objective was to assess their attitudes and practices related to rabies.Methodology/Principal FindingsForeign travelers departing to the destination outside Southeast Asia were invited to fill out the study questionnaire in the departure hall of Bangkok International Airport. They were asked about their demographic profile, travel characteristics, pre-travel health preparations, their possible exposure and their practices related to rabies during this trip. From June 2010 to February 2011, 7,681 completed questionnaires were collected. Sixty-two percent of the travelers were male, and the median age was 32 years. 34.0% of the participants were from Western/Central Europe, while 32.1% were from East Asia. Up to 59.3% had sought health information before this trip. Travel clinics were the source of information for 23.6% of travelers. Overall, only 11.6% of the participants had completed their rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis, and 15.3% had received only 1–2 shots, while 73.1% had not been vaccinated at all. In this study, the risk of being bitten was 1.11 per 100 travelers per month and the risk of being licked was 3.12 per 100 travelers per month. Among those who were bitten, only 37.1% went to the hospital to get post exposure treatment. Travelers with East Asian nationalities and longer duration of stay were significantly related to higher risk of animal exposure. Reason for travel was not related to the risk of animal exposure.ConclusionsTravelers were at risk of being exposed to potentially rabid animals while traveling in Southeast Asia. Many were inadequately informed and unprepared for this life-threatening risk. Rabies prevention advice should be included in every pre-travel visit.

Since rabies is a preventable disease as long as one has the appropriate knowledge, attitude, and practice, it is essential to promote prevention activities for the Japanese population in Thailand to avert serious consequences of this disease.

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Highlights Treatnet Family (TF) had a positive significant impact in reducing alcohol use. After participating in the TF, the adolescents were engaged with significantly fewer friends who consumed substances and participated in antisocial behaviours. The two most reported life events (i.e., “got in a lot of arguments or fights” and “had problems with drugs or alcohol”) before the intervention were significantly decreased at the follow-up assessment. Based on parent’s/family member’s reports, there was a significant decrease in mental health problems across time.

The use of stimulant substances for non-medical purposes critically contributes to global problems related to substance use. Over 27 million people worldwide have used amphetamines, methamphetamines, and prescription psychostimulants, and around 19 million have used cocaine in 2018. 1 An increase in the burden of (psycho)stimulant use disorder (PSUD), both amphetamine-type (AUD) and cocaine-type (CUD), reflect those trends. From 2008 to 2017, the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to CUD increased by 17% and AUD by 5%. The economic burden of PSUD varies across income status with CUD and AUD accounting in 2019 for 0.01 and 0.02% of the DALYs in low income and lower-middle income countries, as compared to 0.16% and 0.09 respectively in high income countries. 2 However, regional differences are also relevant: CUD is particularly burdensome in Tropical Latin America, where its prevalence is only outnumbered by North America; meanwhile, the regions with highest prevalence of AUD are East and South-East Asia. 3 Moreover, around 11.3 million people worldwide use drugs intravenously including opioids, amphetamines, methamphetamines, and cocaine. The concurrent use of an injected stimulant and an opioid increases the risk of medical problems, overdoses, and deaths in comparison to the injection of only one substance. 1,3 In the US, up to a third of opioid overdose deaths involved the concurrent use of a stimulant.

Background Adolescent substance use is a leading risk factor of medical and social problems in adults. However, evidence-based interventions for substance use disorders (SUD) among youth in resource-limited countries are lacking. Treatnet Family (TF), developed by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aims to make youth SUD care more affordable and accessible in low- and middle-income countries. This study explores the suitability of TF in Vietnam. Method Twenty interviews were conducted with eight adolescents and their family members who participated in TF, and four practitioners who delivered TF. Questions centred on their experiences with the intervention and suggestions for improvement. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the data. Results All adolescents were male with an average age of 19.3. Seven of them had left school. Most caregivers were female. Both family members and adolescents expressed a great demand for support, and both groups appreciated the immediate improvement in parent–child communication. However, the impact of TF could be compromised due challenges in recruiting families, possibly arising from the novelty of a family-based intervention in Vietnam and drug-related stigma. The perception of drug use as an acute condition instead of a chronic disorder, and the lack of a continuing care system, also made it difficult to retain participants. Conclusion Vietnamese adolescents with SUD and their family members were in great need of support and access to evidence-based interventions. Building a comprehensive, health-centred substance use disorder treatment and care system would enhance treatment impact.