Impacts of and survival adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic among the hill tribe population of northern Thailand: A qualitative study

Background COVID-19 has exerted a variety of impacts on people, particularly people with limited education living in poor economic settings. This study investigates the impacts of and adaptations to COVID-19 among the hill tribe people of northern Thailand. Methods A qualitative method was used to elicit information from key informants who lived in a hill tribe village in Mae Fah Laung district, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Fourteen questions on two issues were used to gather information, and an NVivo program was used to extract the findings. Results A total of 57 hill tribe villagers participated, including 36 females and 21 males (mean age of 50.1 years, min = 20 and max = 90). Twenty-seven individuals were Thai Yai, 14 were Yunan Chinese, eight were Akha, and eight were members of other minor tribes. Regarding education and occupation, 30 individuals were illiterate, while 27 had attended different levels of primary school; 40 individuals were unemployed, 13 were employed as daily wage workers and farmers, and the other 4 were attending school. Three age categories were used to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: impact of access to the educational system among the young, loss of jobs and family financial problems among the working, and access to medical care for the elderly. Six adaptation stages in response to the COVID-19 crisis were observed among the hill tribe people: shock stage with no prior experience, looking for help from health and other agencies, considering the national lockdown policy, complying with prevention and control measures, reducing stressful situations and following the new normal approach, and addressing suffering points at home and elsewhere. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted different impacts on different age categories among the hill tribe population living in remote and border areas. Effective adaptations have been implemented to address the new normal life under the disease, and six adaptation stages have been identified that have helped them survive the greatest threat to humankind today.

Download Full-text

Experiences and expectations regarding COVID-19 prevention and control measures among the hill tribe population of northern Thailand: a qualitative study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11145-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Siwarak Kitchanapaibul ◽

Anusorn Udplong ◽

Tawatchai Apidechkul ◽

Ratipark Tamornpark ◽

Thanatchaporn Mulikaburt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Prevention ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Control Measures ◽

The Other ◽

Northern Thailand ◽

Hill Tribe ◽

Prevention And Control Measures ◽

Hill Tribes ◽

And Control ◽

The Hill

Abstract Background COVID-19 has been a major human threat for a year. A large number of people have been infected and killed globally, including hill tribe people living in remote and border areas between Thailand and Myanmar. Different expectations of and experiences with the implemented disease prevention and control measures by local, national and international organizations have been widely reported. This study aimed to understand the experiences and expectations regarding the disease prevention and control measures that were implemented among hill tribe people in Thailand. Methods Qualitative data were collected from participants aged 20 and older who belonged to the hill tribes living on the border of northern Thailand and Myanmar. A semistructured questionnaire was used to guide interviews. Information was extracted for thematic analysis by the NVivo program. Results Fifty-seven participants (36 female, 21 male) were interviewed; 27 participants were Thai Yai, 14 participants were Yunnan Chinese, 8 participants were Akha, and 8 participants were from other tribes. The average age was 45.8 years (min = 20 years, max = 90 years). Thirty participants had never attended school, and the other 27 participants had received education at different levels, from primary school to higher education. Forty participants were unemployed, 13 worked as agriculturists, and the other 4 were attending school. Both positive experiences, such as improving personal hygiene practices, maintaining close contact and increasing relationships among family members and demonstrating the leadership of the villager leaders, and negative experiences, including interruption of social interactions, family financial problems, poor access to medical care services, and invisible people to the government, were found. Different expectations were observed regarding organizations at the local, national, and international levels. Expectations at the local level included villagers and community leaders taking action to strongly contribute to prevention and control measures and to prevent unscreened people from entering the village. Obtaining accurate information about the disease and being financially supported were expectations at the national level, while closing borders to protect cases from overflowing into their villages was an international-level expectation. Conclusion Although hill tribes reside in very remote rural areas, they experience both positive and negative effects of the disease prevention and control measures implemented by organizations. Their expectations are formally and informally voiced to policy makers at the local, national and international levels.

Download Full-text

Autosomal Microsatellite Investigation Reveals Multiple Genetic Components of the Highlanders from Thailand

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12030383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 383

Author(s):

Aornpriya Mawan ◽

Nonglak Prakhun ◽

Kanha Muisuk ◽

Suparat Srithawong ◽

Metawee Srikummool ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Forensic Investigation ◽

Northern Thailand ◽

Hill Tribe ◽

Genetic Components ◽

Large Populations ◽

Population Interactions ◽

Hill Tribes ◽

The Hill

The hill tribes of northern Thailand comprise nine officially recognized groups: the Austroasiatic-speaking (AA) Khmu, Htin and Lawa; the Hmong-Mien-speaking (HM) IuMien and Hmong; and the Sino-Tibetan-speaking (ST) Akha, Karen, Lahu and Lisu. Except the Lawa, the rest of the hill tribes migrated into their present habitats only very recently. The Thai hill tribes were of much interest to research groups focusing on study of cultural and genetic variation because of their unique languages and cultures. So far, there have been several genetic studies of the Thai hill tribes. However, complete forensic microsatellite database of the Thai hill tribes is still lacking. To construct such database, we newly generated 654 genotypes of 15 microsatellites commonly used in forensic investigation that belong to all the nine hill tribes and also non-hill tribe highlanders from northern Thailand. We also combined 329 genotypes from previous studies of northern Thai populations bringing to a total of 983 genotypes, which were then subjected to genetic structure and population relationships analyses. Our overall results indicated homogenous genetic structure within the HM- and Tai-Kadai (TK)-speaking groups, large genetic divergence of the HM-speaking Hmong but not IuMien from the other Thai groups, and genetic heterogeneity within the ST- and AA-speaking groups, reflecting different population interactions and admixtures. In addition to establishing genetic relationships within and among these populations, our finding, which provides a more complete picture of the forensic microsatellite database of the multiple Thai highland dwellers, would not only serve to expand and strengthen forensic investigation in Thailand, but would also benefit its neighboring countries of Laos and Myanmar, from which many of the Thai hill tribes originated and where large populations of these ethnic groups still reside.

Download Full-text

Fatores de risco associados à hipertensão arterial em idosos

Revista Brasileira de Educação e Saúde ◽

10.18378/rebes.v7i1.4488 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

Suzane Albuquerque dos Santos Fukahori ◽

Camila Gomes de Moura Nascimento ◽

Simone Lugon da Silva Almeida ◽

João Victor Batista Cabral

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Arterial Hypertension ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Female Gender ◽

The Elderly ◽

Control Measures ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Prevention And Control Measures ◽

And Control ◽

Perception Of Health

A Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica é uma condição clínica com múltiplas causas e é definida por níveis elevados e sustentados de pressão arterial, sendo considerada uma das principais doenças crônicas não transmissíveis que acometem a população idosa. Objetivou-se identificar os fatores de risco associados à hipertensão arterial em idosos. O presente trabalho trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, com busca realizada na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, por meio das bases de dados LILACS, BDENF e MEDLINE, associados ao repositório SciELO, entre os anos de 2010 e 2015, com a utilização dos descritores combinados e síntese dos dados por meio de tabulações. Foram evidenciados como fatores de risco à hipertensão arterial nos idosos: a própria senilidade, o sexo feminino, excesso de peso, pior autopercepção de saúde, não adesão ao tratamento, incapacidade funcional, depressão e a inatividade física. Os resultados mostram o papel dos fatores de riscos para o desenvolvimento e complicações da hipertensão, todavia também são sinais para a detecção precoce e para a ampliação das intervenções de medidas de prevenção e controle nas diversas esferas de atendimento em saúde.Risk factors associated with arterial hypertension in elderly<pre>Abstract: Systemic Arterial Hypertension is a clinical condition with multiple causes and is defined by elevated and sustained blood arterial pressure levels, being considered one of the main chronic non transmissible diseases that affect the elderly population. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with hypertension in the elderly. The present article deals with an integrative review, with a search carried out in the Virtual Health Library, through the LILACS, BDENF and MEDLINE databases, associated with the SciELO repository, between 2010 and 2015 years, using the descriptors combined and synthesis of the data by through tabulations. Senility, female gender, overweight, worse self-perception of health, non-adherence to treatment, functional disability, depression and physical inactivity were evidenced as risk factors for hypertension in the elderly. The results show the role of risk factors for the development and complications of hypertension, but they are also signals for the early detection and for the expansion of the interventions of prevention and control measures in the different health care spheres.</pre>

Download Full-text

Regulatory Impact Assessment in pandemic times: a practical exercise in the COVID-19 context

Revista do Serviço Público ◽

10.21874/rsp.v71i0.4824 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 ◽

pp. 165-188

Author(s):

Daniel Marques Mota ◽

Flavio Saab ◽

Raisa Zandonade Vazzoler ◽

Karina Schunig ◽

Edson Antônio Donagema ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Impact Analysis ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

The Elderly ◽

Control Measures ◽

High Rate ◽

Problem Analysis ◽

Regulatory Policies ◽

Regulatory Impact Analysis ◽

Regulatory Impact ◽

Prevention And Control Measures

This study aimed to demonstrate the potential use of the problem analysis and definition, one of the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) phases, as an alternative in directing critical, rational and logical thinking for the formulation of regulatory policies and actions to face COVID-19. The theoretical basis involved an overview of regulation, RIA and problem analysis and definition. A descriptive study with qualitative approach was used to report the results of the virtual workshop, with didactic-pedagogical characteristics, on the main problem analysis and definition in the COVID-19 context. Seven employees and one trainee, who works in the regulatory quality improvement unit at Anvisa, participated in the virtual workshop. The main problem was defined as “Dissemination of the little-known SARS-COV-2 coronavirus, untreated and with a high rate of contagion”. Ten consequences related to the problem were identified, with worsening mental health problems being one of them. As an illustration, the study highlighted five of the 20 causes listed by the participants. The low population adherence to the prevention and control measures was considered one of the problem causes. The risk group population, such as the elderly and people with comorbidities, was one of the 30 agents affected by the problem identified in the workshop. This study is a contribution to coping with COVID-19, as well as to other future public health emergencies.

Download Full-text

The Communication of Corporate Social Responsibility: Asian Oasis—Mythical Journeys in the Hill Tribe Villages of Northern Thailand

10.4135/9781529717785 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Scott Michael Smith

Keyword(s):

Corporate Social Responsibility ◽

Social Responsibility ◽

Northern Thailand ◽

Hill Tribe ◽

Corporate Social ◽

The Hill

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus infection among the hill tribe youths, northern Thailand

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-019-3747-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tawatchai Apidechkul

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Hepatitis B Virus Infection ◽

Northern Thailand ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Hill Tribe ◽

B Virus ◽

The Hill

Download Full-text

The burden of seasonal influenza in Italy: a systematic review of influenza-related complications, hospitalizations, and mortality

10.22541/au.163283460.08141129/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Irene Giacchetta ◽

Chiara Primieri ◽

Riccardo Cavalieri ◽

Alexander Domnich ◽

Chiara de Waure

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Risk Groups ◽

The Elderly ◽

Control Measures ◽

Italian Population ◽

Infected People ◽

Public Health Decision ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Health Decision ◽

Prevention And Control Measures

Background: reliable country-specific data on influenza burden play a crucial role in informing prevention and control measures. Our purpose was to provide a comprehensive summary of the available evidence on the burden of seasonal influenza in Italy. Methods: we performed a sys-tematic literature review of articles published until 31 July 2020. PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched using terms related to burden, influenza, and Italian population. We in-cluded studies investigating seasonal influenza-related complications, hospitalizations and/or mortality. Results: sixteen studies were included: eight (50%) analyzed influenza-related compli-cations, eight (50%) hospitalizations, while seven (43.8%) influenza-related deaths. Only three studies (19.7%) concerned pediatric age. The synthesis of results showed that patients with chron-ic conditions have an increased risk for complications up to almost three times as compared to healthy people. Hospitalizations due to influenza can occur in as much as 5% of infected people depending on the study setting. Excess deaths rates were over six-fold higher in the elderly as compared to the rest of population. Conclusions: although there are still gaps in existing data, there is evidence of the significant burden that influenza places each year especially on high-risk groups. These data should be used to inform public health decision-making.

Download Full-text

The Prevalence of severe depression in Iranian elderly: A meta-analysis and meta-regression

10.21203/rs.2.17178/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Nader Salari ◽

Masoud Mohammadi ◽

Aliakbar Vaisi-Raygani ◽

Alireza Abdi ◽

Shamarina Shohaimi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Severe Depression ◽

The Elderly ◽

Control Measures ◽

Knowledge Network ◽

Effective Control ◽

Care For The Elderly ◽

Meta Regression ◽

Potential Factors

Abstract Background Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the elderly and one of the most common risk factors for suicide in the elderly. Studies show different and inconsistent prevalence rates in Iran. This study aims to determine the prevalence of severe depression in Iranian elderly through a meta-analysis approach.Methods The present meta-analysis was conducted between January 2000-August 2019. Articles related to the subject matter were obtained by searching Scopus, Sciencedirect, SID, magiran, Barakat Knowledge Network System, Medline (PubMed), and Google Scholar databases. The heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated using I 2 index and the data were analyzed in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software.Results In a study of 3948 individuals aged 50-90 years, the overall prevalence of severe depression in Iranian elderly was 8.2% (95% CI: 4.14-6.3%) based on meta-analysis. Also, in order to investigate the effects of potential factors (sample size and year of study) on the heterogeneity of severe depression in Iranian elderly, meta-regression was used. It was reported that the prevalence of severe depression in Iranian elderly decreased with increasing sample size and increasing years of the study, which is significantly different (P<0.05).Conclusion Considering the high prevalence of severe depression in Iranian elderly, it is necessary for health policy makers to take effective control measures and periodic care for the elderly.

Download Full-text