Characteristic of drug-related problems and pharmacists’ interventions in a stroke unit in Thailand

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background Little information is available regarding pharmacist’s intervention to solve drug-related problems (DRPs) in a stroke unit. Objective...     

Leptospirosis in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand

Leptospirosis, which is caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira, is a zoonotic disease of global importance and an emerging health problem. We studied patients suspected of having leptospirosis in Kamphaeng Phet Province, Thailand. Of 106 patients with suspected leptospirosis evaluated at the provincial hospital, 69 (65%) were confirmed positive (titer > or = 1:800 or > or = 4-fold increase in titer) by microscopic agglutination testing. Seventy-seven percent (53) of the cases occurred during the rainy season (June through November). Sera reacted predominantly with Bratislava, Autumnalis, and Icterohaemorrhagiae serovars. The screening Leptospira Dip-S-Ticks test had poor sensitivity (32%) but a specificity of 100% compared with a Leptospira IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Leptospirosis was found to be a frequently confirmed cause of morbidity in Kamphaeng Phet Province in those suspected of having the illness.     

Strengthening the self-care of women working in the informal sector: local fabric weaving in Khon Kaen, Thailand (Phase I)

The first phase of this study was undertaken using Participatory Action Research (PAR) to identify the factual situations of fabric-weaving women working in the informal sector in Thailand. The aims were to enhance the mutual understanding of the women and researchers concerning the problems faced by these women and to establish an action plan to address these problems. The participant group consisted of 107 women working in the informal sector from three local villages who voluntarily took part in the study. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative methods through structured questionnaires, focus groups, in-depth interviews, participant observations, and field notes. The results of the study revealed that the women learned their health problems were related to work and their labor potentially placed them at a risk for illness. When the women realized the gravity of their situation, they attained a sense of empowerment and took the initiative in establishing action plans to address their problems.