Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

The Relationship Between the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Use of Biomedical Services: Evidence From East Asian Medical Systems
To provide East Asian evidence to the relationship between the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the use of biomedicine, this article examines the institutionalization of traditional East Asian medicine (EM) in China, Korea, and Japan and how it affects the relationship between EM use and biomedicine use. It uses the 2010 East Asian Social Survey. Logistic regressions specify the statistical association between EM use and biomedical physician visits. These models show that the high institutional acceptance of EM promotes the concurrent use of EM and biomedicine. In addition, since these countries feat...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - January 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Shim, J.-M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Prescription Drug Use Among Adults With Chronic Conditions in South Korea: Dual Burden of Health Care Needs and Socioeconomic Vulnerability
The aim of this study is to identify the social determinants of prescription drug use among adults with chronic diseases by examining the associations between socioeconomic position and prescription medicine use and perceived burden for pharmaceutical expenditure, using a sample of the Korean population from the 2008 Korea Health Panel, with 4 analytic models. Controlled with health status and the type of health insurance, the probability of using prescription drugs and overall spending on drugs significantly increased with rising income level, while perceived burden for out-of-pocket payment significantly decreased. These...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - January 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Jung, Y., Byeon, J., Chung, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Correlation Between New Cooperative Medical Scheme Policy Design and Catastrophic Medical Payment: Evidence From 25 Counties in Rural China
This study collected data on NCMS policy design and health care spending from 25 counties and rural households in their catchment areas. It shows that on average, NCMS has a growing but small effect on the reduction of catastrophic medical payment (CMP) incidence. If outpatient spending can be reimbursed from an NCMS pooled account, the incidence of CMP before a reimbursement and that after a reimbursement will be reduced. Higher nominal reimbursement rate for inpatient spending at provincial hospitals is correlated with higher incidence of CMP before a reimbursement. Higher ceiling for annual reimbursement from NCMS is as...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - January 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Zhang, L., Li, S., Yi, H., dIntignano, L. M., Ding, Y. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Screening Strategies in Singapore
The objective of this study was to conduct an incremental cost-effectiveness analysis from the payer’s perspective in Singapore of 3 gestational diabetes mellitus screening strategies: universal, targeted, or no screening. A decision tree model assessed the primary outcome: incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Probabilities, costs, and utilities were derived from the literature, the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort study, and the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s database. Relative to targeted screening using risk factors, universal s...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - January 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Chen, P. Y., Finkelstein, E. A., Ng, M. J., Yap, F., Yeo, G. S. H., Rajadurai, V. S., Chong, Y. S., Gluckman, P. D., Saw, S. M., Kwek, K. Y. C., Tan, K. H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

The Long-Term Public Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has many health benefits, both in the short term and the longer term, to infants and their mothers. There is an increasing number of studies that report on associations between breastfeeding and long-term protection against chronic disease. Recent research evidence is reviewed in this study, building on previous authoritative reviews. The recent World Health Organization reviews of the short- and long-term benefits of breastfeeding concluded that there was strong evidence for many public health benefits of breastfeeding. Cognitive development is improved by breastfeeding, and infants who are breastfed and mot...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - January 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Binns, C., Lee, M., Low, W. Y. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

The Year of the Monkey and Progress in Public Health in the Asia Pacific Region
(Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health)
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - January 20, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Binns, C., Low, W. Y. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Reviewer Acknowledgment
(Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health)
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Tags: Reviewer Acknowledgment Source Type: research

Health Literacy in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study
This study aimed to test the validity of the Mandarin version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q) for use in the general public in Taiwan. Multistage stratification random sampling resulted in a sample of 2989 people aged 15 years and above. The HLS-EU-Q was validated by confirmatory factor analysis with excellent model data fit indices. The general HL of the Taiwanese population was 34.4 ± 6.6 on a scale of 50. Multivariate regression analysis showed that higher general HL is significantly associated with the higher ability to pay for medication, higher self-perceived social status, high...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Duong, V. T., Lin, I.-F., Sorensen, K., Pelikan, J. M., Van Den Broucke, S., Lin, Y.-C., Chang, P. W. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

A Cross-sectional Study on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and General Psychiatric Morbidity Among Adult Survivors 3 Years After the Wenchuan Earthquake, China
This study was conducted to examine the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and general psychiatric morbidity among adult survivors 3 years after the Wenchuan earthquake, China. Through a multistage systematic sampling approach, a cross-sectional survey of 360 participants, 18 years or older, was conducted. The prevalence of PTSD and general psychiatric morbidity was 10.3% and 20.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed significant predictors for PTSD, including female gender and having felt guilt concerning someone’s death or injury. Significant predictors for general psychiatric morbidity inclu...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Zhang, W., Duan, G., Xu, Q., Jia, Z., Bai, Z., Liu, W., Pan, X., Tian, W. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

The Impact of Cigarette Plain Packaging on Health Warning Salience and Perceptions: Implications for Public Health Policy
The study employed a mixed methods design using focus group interviews with 6 student groups and self-administered questionnaires with 1239 students. The participants were nonsmoking, current smokers, and quit-smoking teenagers from secondary schools and colleges. Focus group revealed that although nonsmoking teenagers perceived fear appeals to warning messages, current smokers did not perceive fear appeals to health. Black and white backgrounds of the cigarette package were chosen as the best color for plain packaging. However, most participants suggested various pictorials and a bigger size of pictorial warnings for grea...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Auemaneekul, N., Silpasuwan, P., Sirichotiratana, N., Satitvipawee, P., Sompopcharoen, M., Viwatwongkasem, C., Sujirarat, D. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Alcohol Use Disorder and Heavy Episodic Drinking in Rural Communities in Cambodia: Risk Factors and Community-Perceived Strategies
Alcohol misuse is increasing in Southeast Asia. We investigated the extent of and risk factors for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and heavy episodic drinking (HED) in a rural community in Cambodia. We also attempted to explore the communities’ perception of alcohol misuse and elicited potential community-based strategies to address the alcohol problem. A mixed-methods study design was used, combining a cross-sectional questionnaire survey with qualitative interviews (focus group discussions and key informant interviews). AUD and HED were measured using the AUDs Identification Test Alcohol Consumption questionnaire. The p...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Yeung, W., Leong, W.-Y., Khoun, K., Ong, W., Sambi, S., Lim, S.-M., Bieber, B., Wilder-Smith, A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Factors Influencing Access to Sexual Health Care Among Behaviorally Bisexual Men in Vientiane, Laos: A Qualitative Exploration
In Laos, men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV, and bisexual behavior among men is common. We conducted a qualitative study to explore access and influences on sexual health care seeking among bisexual men in Vientiane. In 2013, behaviorally bisexual men were recruited from bars, clubs and dormitories for 5 focus group discussions and 11 in-depth interviews. Participants (aged 18-35 years) commonly reported high-risk sexual behaviors, yet most had never been tested for HIV, and none reported testing for sexually transmitted infections. Common barriers to testing were low perception of risk,...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Bowring, A. L., Pasomsouk, N., Higgs, P., Sychareun, V., Hellard, M., Power, R. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Correlates of Mental Depression Among Female Sex Workers in Southern India
This study examines the prevalence and correlates of major depression among FSWs in southern India. Major depression was assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-2 depression scale data from a cross-sectional Behavioral Tracking Survey, 2010-2011 conducted among FSWs (n = 1986) in Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern India. Almost two-fifths of FSWs (39%) reported major depression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows a significant association between major depression and the following characteristics for FSWs: low autonomy, alcohol use, experience of violence, police arrest, inconsistent condom use with clien...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Patel, S. K., Saggurti, N., Pachauri, S., Prabhakar, P. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Importance of Health and Social Care Research into Gender and Sexual Minority Populations in Nepal
Despite progressive legislative developments and increased visibility of sexual and gender minority populations in the general population, mass media often report that this population face a wide range of discrimination and inequalities. LGBT (lesbian, gay, and bisexual, and transgender) populations have not been considered as priority research populations in Nepal. Research in other geographical settings has shown an increased risk of poor mental health, violence, and suicide and higher rates of smoking, as well as alcohol and drugs use among LGBT populations. They are also risk for lifestyle-related illness such as cance...
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Regmi, P. R., van Teijlingen, E. Tags: Guest Editorial Source Type: research

Sex Workers Need Public Health Too
(Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health)
Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health - November 4, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Binns, C., Low, W.-Y. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research