Impact of Climate on the Incidence of Acute Coronary Syndrome　- Differences Between Japan and Thailand.

Background: Although there are many reports of temperature being associated with the onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), few studies have examined differences in ACS due to climatic differences between Japan and Thailand. The aim of this joint Japan-Thailand study was to compare patients with myocardial infarction in Japanese and Thai hospitals in different climates. Methods and Results: We estimated the climate data in 2021 for the Wakayama Prefecture and Chonburi Province, two medium-sized cities in Japan and Thailand, respectively, and ACS patients who were treated at the Wakayama Medical University (WMU) and Burapha University Hospital (BUH), the two main hospitals in these provinces (ACS patient numbers: WMU, n=177; BUH, n=93), respectively. In the Chonburi Province, although the average temperature was above 25℃, the number of ACS cases in BUH varied up to threefold between months (minimum: July, 4 cases; maximum: October, 14 cases). In Japan and Thailand, there was a mild to moderate negative correlation between temperature-atmospheric pressure at the onset of ACS, but different patterns for temperature-humidity (temperature-atmospheric pressure, temperature-humidity, and atmospheric pressure-humidity: correlation index; r=-0.561, 0.196, and -0.296 in WMU vs. r=-0.356, -0.606, and -0.502 in BUH). Conclusions: The present study suggests that other climatic conditions and factors, not just temperature, might be involved in the mechanism of ACS.

Resilience and Influencing Factors Among Youths Undergoing Substance Abuse Treatment in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Resilience aids rapid recovery from substance abuse, prevents the likelihood of relapse, and improves the quality of life of the youths with substance abuse. Objective: This study aimed to assess the resilience level and related factors predicting resilience among youths undergoing substance abuse treatment in Thailand. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design with a simple random sampling technique was used. A total of 430 young substance abusers undergoing treatment were recruited from ten treatment centers in Eastern Thailand from April to June 2021. Data were collected using nine questionnaires: demographic form, resilience questionnaire, Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire, psychological flexibility for substance abuser questionnaire, cognitive fusion questionnaire, substance abuse self-stigma scale, family connectedness scale, friendship intimacy questionnaire, and personal resource questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze data. Results: The results showed a high level of resilience (89.30%) among the youths undergoing substance abuse treatment. The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the significant factors associated with resilience include self-esteem (ß = 0.260, p < .001), psychological flexibility (ß = 0.222, p < .001), social support (ß = 0.209, p < .000), and family connectedness (ß = -0.194, p < .001). All the variables collectively explained 26.9% of the variance for resilience among the youths with substance abuse (R 2 = .269, p < .001). Conclusion: Determining resilience and its related factors among the youths undergoing substance abuse treatment is significant as it guides the formulation of the substance abuse treatment programs, improves mental health and quality of life, and prevents relapse.

Interventions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among informal sector workers: a literature review.

Despite the increasing incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among informal sector workers due to exposure to workplace risk factors, there is a dearth of literature examining the effectiveness of interventions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of interventions to prevent musculoskeletal health problems and/or reduce risk factors among informal sector workers. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using an appraisal checklist developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The heterogeneity of the studies precluded a meta-analysis, so a narrative synthesis method was used. Eight intervention studies met the inclusion criteria. This review identified three types of interventions: 1) mechanical exposure interventions, 2) production systems/organizational culture interventions and 3) modifier intervention. These interventions provided high and moderate evidence to support the use of these strategies for prevention of musculoskeletal injuries or workplace risk. The effects, whether positive, negative or none, was influenced by sample size, sampling technique, comparison group and time examined.