BackgroundThe spread of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is a global health concern. Myanmar stands at the frontier of artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum. Myanmar also has the highest reported malaria burden in Southeast Asia; it is integral in the World Health Organization’s plan to eliminate malaria in Southeast Asia, yet few epidemiological data exist for the general population in Myanmar.MethodsThis cross-sectional, probability household survey was conducted in Phyu township, Bago Region (central Myanmar), during the wet season of 2013. Interviewers collected clinical and behavioural data, recorded tympanic temperature and obtained dried blood spots for malaria PCR and serology. Plasmodium falciparum positive samples were tested for genetic mutations in the K13 region that may confer artemisinin resistance. Estimated type-specific malaria PCR prevalence and seroprevalence were calculated, with regression analysis to identify risk factors for seropositivity to P. falciparum. Data were weighted to account for unequal selection probabilities.Results1638 participants were sampled (500 households). Weighted PCR prevalence was low (n = 41, 2.5%) and most cases were afebrile (93%). Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species (n = 19. 1.1%) and five (26%) P. falciparum samples harboured K13 mutations. Plasmodium knowlesi was detected in 1.0% (n = 16) and Plasmodium vivax was detected in 0.4% (n = 7). Seroprevalence was 9.4% for P. falciparum and 3.1% for P. vivax. Seroconversion to P. falciparum was 0.003/year in the whole population, but 16-fold higher in men over 23 years old (LR test p = 0.016).DiscussionThis is the first population-based seroprevalence study from central Myanmar. Low overall prevalence was discovered. However, these data suggest endemic transmission continues, probably associated with behavioural risk factors amongst working-age men. Genetic mutations associated with P. falciparum artemisinin resistance, the presence of P. knowlesi and discrete demographic risk groups present opportunities and challenges for malaria control. Responses targeted to working-age men, capable of detecting sub-clinical infections, and considering all species will facilitate malaria elimination in this setting.

Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for global mortality. A community based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in Hmawbi Cantonment Area, Yangon Region in November, 2015. This study aimed to identify the prevalence, awareness and risk factors of hypertension concerning smoking, alcohol dinking, eating food pattern, taking regular exercise, stressful condition and body mass index (BMI). The sample consisted of 210 respondents from three Units (Light Infantry Regiments) were randomly selected to participate in the study. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. It was found that 33.3% of respondents had hypertension; 55.7% achieved good awareness on hypertension as well; 16.7% respondents were current smoker; 7.6% had the history of alcohol drinking; 67.1% respondents took regular exercise; 29.5% respondents were in stressful condition; 32.9% re-spondents were overweight and 19.5% were obese. Hypertension was significantly associated with age (p-0.001), family income (p<0.001), awareness level (p-0.01), current smoking status (p<0.001), alcohol drinking (p<0.001), regular exercise taking (p<0.001), stressful condition (p<0.001), and increase BMI (p<0.001) of respondents. This setting in Hmawbi evidenced that age, family income, smoking, alcohol drinking, consumption of salty and fast food, stressful condition and increase BMI were identified as risk factors and taking regular exercise was protective. Over-all, over 50% of respondents having good awareness show that favorable circumstances exist for further strengthening the hypertension prevention and control program. These findings have implications for future public health interven-tion and clinical efforts to decrease the prevalence of hypertension among population.South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.6(1) 2016: 20-26