Children orphaned from COVID-19 in Thailand: maximize use of civil registration database for policies.

Orphans, especially those who experience maternal loss at a young age, face significant long-term negative impacts on their lives and psychological well-being, extending beyond the age of 18. As of July 2023, the global death toll of COVID-19 has reached 6.9 million, leaving behind an unknown number of orphans who require immediate attention and support from policymakers. In Thailand, from April 2020 to July 2022, the total number of COVID-19-related deaths reached 42,194, resulting in 4,139 parental orphans. Among them, 452 (10.9%) were children under the age of five, who are particularly vulnerable and necessitate special policy attention and ongoing support. While the provision of 12 years of free education for all and Universal Health Coverage helps alleviate the education and health expenses borne by households supporting these orphans, the monthly government support of 2,000 Baht until the age of 18 is insufficient to cover their living costs and other education-related expenditures. We advocate for adequate financial and social support for COVID-19 orphans, emphasizing the importance of placing them with relatives rather than institutional homes. In the context of post-pandemic recovery, this perspective calls upon governments and global communities to estimate the number of orphans and implement policies to safeguard and support them in the aftermath of COVID-19.

Multi-dimensional impacts of Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on Sustainable Development Goal achievement.

BACKGROUND: Health, social and economic crises triggered by the Coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) can derail progress and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This commentary analyses the complex nexus of multi-dimensional impacts of the pandemic on people, prosperity, planet, partnership and peace. From our analysis, we generate a causal loop diagram explaining these complex pathways and proposed policy recommendations. MAIN TEXT: Health systems, health and wellbeing of people are directly affected by the pandemic, while impacts on prosperity, education, food security and environment are indirect consequences from pandemic containment, notably social measures, business and school closures and international travel restrictions. The magnitude of impacts is determined by the level of prior vulnerability and inequity in the society, and the effectiveness and timeliness of comprehensive pandemic responses. CONCLUSIONS: To exit the acute phase of the pandemic, equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines by all countries and continued high coverage of face masks and hand hygiene are critical entry points. During recovery, governments should strengthen preparedness based on the One Health approach, rebuild resilient health systems and an equitable society, ensure universal health coverage and social protection mechanisms for all. Governments should review progress and challenges from the pandemic and sustain a commitment to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Situation Analysis of Varroosis and Tropilaelaps Infestation of Honeybees in Thailand, 2017-2018.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To explore the prevalence of Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps infestation in honeybees in Thailand and investigate factors associated with those diseases. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed during 2017-2018. We sampled 144 apiaries in 13 provinces from the surveillance database of the Department of Livestock Development. In total, 1,152 bee samples were collected. A microscopic exam was performed to assess if each sample was infested with Varroa destructor mites and tropilaelaps mites. A chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps infestation at the apiary level was 50.69% and 32.64%, respectively. At the beehive level, we found that the prevalence of Varroa destructor infestation was 22.74% while that of Tropilaelaps infestation was 6.94%. The northern region saw the highest prevalence of Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps infestation. Apiaries that received a "Good Agricultural Practice" (GAP) certificate from the Bureau of Livestock Standards and Certification, demonstrated a 42% lower chance of contracting both parasitic infestations; however, no statistically significant difference was reported. Apiaries that had a history of chemical use showed approximately 2.7 times greater odds of Tropilaelaps infestation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16-6.21) with statistical significance (p = 0.02). The probability of Varroa destructor infestation amongst apiaries with apiary movement was approximately 60% lower than amongst those without apiary movement (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.20-0.80, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps infestations are a critical concern for beekeeping in Thailand. Apiary movement tended to lower the risk of Varroa destructor infestation while chemical use tended to enhance the risk of Tropilaelaps infestation. Further studies that allow a more comprehensive collection of determinants of parasitic infestation in honeybees, for instance, apiary cleaning frequency and farm environments (such as temperature and rainfall), are recommended.

Spatial Panel Data Analysis on the Relationship between Provincial Economic Status and Enrolment in the Social Security Scheme amongst Migrant Workers in Thailand, 2015-2018.

BACKGROUND: Thailand has a large flow of migrants from neighbouring countries; however, the relationship between economic status at the provincial level and the insured status of migrants is still vague. This study aimed to examine the association between provincial economy and the coverage of the Social Security Scheme (SSS) for migrants. METHODS: Time-series data were analysed. The units of analysis were 77 provinces during 2015-2018. Data were obtained from the Social Security Office (SSO). Spatiotemporal regression (Spatial Durbin model (SDM)) was applied. RESULTS: Migrant workers were mostly concentrated in Greater Bangkok, the capital city and areas surrounding it, but SSS coverage was less than 50%. However, the ratio of insured migrants to all migrants seemed to have positive relationship with the provincial economy in SDM. The ratio of insured migrants to all migrants was enlarged in all regions outside Greater Bangkok with statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Low enforcement on employment law in some areas, particularly Greater Bangkok, can result in lesser SSS coverage. The provincial economic prosperity did not guarantee large SSS coverage. Interventions to ensure strict insurance enrolment are required.

Global benchmarking of children's exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages across 22 countries.

Restricting children's exposures to marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages is a global obesity prevention priority. Monitoring marketing exposures supports informed policymaking. This study presents a global overview of children's television advertising exposure to healthy and unhealthy products. Twenty-two countries contributed data, captured between 2008 and 2017. Advertisements were coded for the nature of foods and beverages, using the 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) Europe Nutrient Profile Model (should be permitted/not-permitted to be advertised). Peak viewing times were defined as the top five hour timeslots for children. On average, there were four times more advertisements for foods/beverages that should not be permitted than for permitted foods/beverages. The frequency of food/beverages advertisements that should not be permitted per hour was higher during peak viewing times compared with other times (P < 0.001). During peak viewing times, food and beverage advertisements that should not be permitted were higher in countries with industry self-regulatory programmes for responsible advertising compared with countries with no policies. Globally, children are exposed to a large volume of television advertisements for unhealthy foods and beverages, despite the implementation of food industry programmes. Governments should enact regulation to protect children from television advertising of unhealthy products that undermine their health.