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Myanmar has a high proportion of out-of-pocket (OOP) health care expenditures with limited cost-sharing mechanisms. In Myanmar, there were limited data on the frequency of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) due to OOP payments, as well as on the factors associated with CHE. This study aimed to investigate health care expenditure, the frequency of CHE, and the factors influencing CHE among households in Magway, Myanmar. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in 2012 for 700 households (350 in urban areas and 350 in rural areas) in Magway. CHE was defined as a condition wherein the total amount of household health care expenditure was 40% or more of non-food expenditure in the past year. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confident intervals (CIs) of CHE. In the previous year, 28.3% of 350 urban households and 51.4% of 350 rural households utilized outpatient services. Households with at least one member admitted to a medical facility were 10.0% and 12.9%, respectively. Those with CHE were 25.2% in the urban areas and 22.7% in the rural areas. The adjusted OR of CHE was 7.79 (95% CI 3.73–16.26) for hospitalization and 1.08 (95% CI 0.36–3.23) for outpatient care, relative to no services used. These findings indicated that nearly one fourth of households in Magway faced CHE due to inpatient care. A safety-net mechanism to protect households from CHE in Myanmar seems essential.

We conducted a cross-sectional study of the risk behaviours inherent in tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and premarital sex, among 400 medical students (186 males) from a medical university, Yangon, and 410 community youths (244 males) 15 to 24 years of age from selected townships in Myanmar. As a result, we found that 12.8% smoked, 34.5% consumed alcohol and 10.1% engaged in premarital sex, among medical students, whereas among community youths, the corresponding rates were 28.8%, 32.1% and 11.9%. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of all risk behaviours between male and female respondents. Such risk behaviours were more dominant among males, while being very low among females. Among male respondents, the smoking rate was significantly higher among community youths (46.7%) than among medical students (26.9%); however, student alcohol consumption (58.5%) was greater than that of community youths (47.1%). Premarital sexual experience did not differ significantly between the two groups. These risk behaviours were correlated with one another. Having close friends who engaged in similar behaviours was found to be the major contributing factor for those kinds of risk among both groups. Our results highlighted the fact that, despite their relatively sophisticated knowledge of risks, the prevalence of risky behaviour among the medical students was no less frequent than among community youths. To diminish those risks, evaluations of actual conditions, behaviour modifications and specific preventive measures compatible with existing culture and changing lifestyles should be undertaken. Effective adolescent health programs at schools, colleges and universities should be revised and emphasized.

We conducted a cross-sectional study of the risk behaviours inherent in tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and premarital sex, among 400 medical students (186 males) from a medical university, Yangon, and 410 community youths (244 males) 15 to 24 years of age from selected townships in Myanmar. As a result, we found that 12.8% smoked, 34.5% consumed alcohol and 10.1% engaged in premarital sex, among medical students, whereas among community youths, the corresponding rates were 28.8%, 32.1% and 11.9%. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of all risk behaviours between male and female respondents. Such risk behaviours were more dominant among males, while being very low among females. Among male respondents, the smoking rate was significantly higher among community youths (46.7%) than among medical students (26.9%); however, student alcohol consumption (58.5%) was greater than that of community youths (47.1%). Premarital sexual experience did not differ significantly between the two groups. These risk behaviours were correlated with one another. Having close friends who engaged in similar behaviours was found to be the major contributing factor for those kinds of risk among both groups. Our results highlighted the fact that, despite their relatively sophisticated knowledge of risks, the prevalence of risky behaviour among the medical students was no less frequent than among community youths. To diminish those risks, evaluations of actual conditions, behaviour modifications and specific preventive measures compatible with existing culture and changing lifestyles should be undertaken. Effective adolescent health programs at schools, colleges and universities should be revised and emphasized.