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Background Tak Province, at the Thai–Myanmar border, is one of three high malaria incidence areas in Thailand. This study aimed to describe and identify possible factors driving the spatiotemporal trends of disease incidence from 2012 to 2015. Methods Climate variables and forest cover were correlated with malaria incidence using Pearson’s r. Statistically significant clusters of high (hot spots) and low (cold spots) annual parasite incidence per 1000 population (API) were identified using Getis-Ord Gi* statistic. Results The total number of confirmed cases declined by 76% from 2012 to 2015 (Plasmodium falciparum by 81%, Plasmodium vivax by 73%). Incidence was highly seasonal with two main annual peaks. Most cases were male (62.75%), ≥ 15 years (56.07%), and of Myanmar (56.64%) or Thai (39.25%) nationality. Median temperature (1- and 2-month lags), average temperature (1- and 2-month lags) and average relative humidity (2- and 3-month lags) correlated positively with monthly total, P. falciparum and P. vivax API. Total rainfall in the same month correlated with API for total cases and P. vivax but not P. falciparum. At sub-district level, percentage forest cover had a low positive correlation with P. falciparum, P. vivax, and total API in most years. There was a decrease in API in most sub-districts for both P. falciparum and P. vivax. Sub-districts with the highest API were in the Tha Song Yang and Umphang Districts along the Thai–Myanmar border. Annual hot spots were mostly in the extreme north and south of the province. Conclusions There has been a large decline in reported clinical malaria from 2012 to 2015 in Tak Province. API was correlated with monthly climate and annual forest cover but these did not account for the trends over time. Ongoing elimination interventions on one or both sides of the border are more likely to have been the cause but it was not possible to assess this due to a lack of suitable data. Two main hot spot areas were identified that could be targeted for intensified elimination activities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-019-2871-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Using paper-based records to store patient data is common in a developing country like Myanmar. Implementing electronic medical records (EMR) can have a significant impact on the efficiency and quality of patient care. In this paper, potential users’ perceptions around an EMR system was obtained via qualitative interviews conducted with clinic staff from a non-governmental healthcare provider, Marie Stopes International Myanmar (MSI-M). Users’ prospective concerns included the extra workload and training required during the transition stage, accessibility and confidentiality of data held under the new system, and the provision of technical support and the suitability of current infrastructure. Generally, respondents regarded EMR favorably, with expectations of knowledge gains from training, and for facilitating their routine work when accessing, retrieving, and reviewing patient data. The findings represent the perceptions and acceptability relating to EMR by clinic staff in an international non-governmental organization operating in Myanmar.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to both Isoniazid and Rifampicin with or without resistant to other drug, is among the most alarming pandemic problem. The objectives of this study was to assess the risk factors of MDR TB in Central Nepal.A matched case control study was conducted among 186 cases of MDR TB and 372 non-MDR TB controls from central region of Nepal. Pretested questionnaires containing socio-economic, culturalbehavioral; environmental, biological and health service factors were used. Variables significant in bivariate analysis were entered in multiple regression models for further analysis.After adjusting for confounders, previous smoking habit (aOR= 4.5,(95%CI(1.24-16.2)) (p=0.04), and perceived social discrimination (aOR=5.83,95%CI (1.77-19.71)) (P=0.021) independently predicted greater MDR TB risk.Encouraging MDR TB cases for smoking cessation through awareness activities should be a priority. Stigma reduction programs should include the empowerment of patients and communities while promoting TBrelated research for further exploration into the risk factors of TB and associated stigma.