BackgroundMyanmar has a high burden of malaria with two-third of the population at risk of malaria. One of the basic elements of the Roll Back Malaria Initiative to fight against malaria is early diagnosis and treatment within 24 h of fever. Public awareness about malaria is a key factor in malaria prevention and control and in improving treatment-seeking behaviour.MethodsA large community-based survey was carried out in 27 townships of malaria endemic regions in Myanmar in 2015 which reported on the knowledge, behaviour and practices around malaria in the general population. We used the data already collected in this survey to assess (i) general public awareness of malaria and (ii) treatment-seeking behaviour and associated factors among persons with acute undifferentiated fever.ResultsA total of 6597 respondents from 6625 households were interviewed (response rate of 99.5%). About 85% of the respondents were aware that mosquito bite was the mode of transmission of malaria and 90% mentioned that malaria was preventable. However, only 16% of the respondents knew about anti-malaria drug resistance. There were certain misconceptions about the transmission of malaria such as dirty water, same blood group, sharing shelter, sleeping/eating together and poor hygiene. Health facility staff were the most common source of information about malaria (80%). Nearly one-fourth (23%) of the respondents with fever resorted to self-medication. Around 28% of the respondents with fever underwent blood testing, less than half of whom (44%) were tested within 24 h. Elderly age group, females, those with poor knowledge about malaria and those residing in non-Regional Artemisinin Resistance Initiative townships were associated with poor treatment-seeking behaviour in case of fever.ConclusionAlthough there is fair knowledge on mosquito bite as a mode of transmission and prevention of malaria, there are some misconceptions about transmission of malaria. Those having poor knowledge about malaria have poor treatment-seeking behaviour. A considerable number of respondents seek care from informal care providers and seek care late. Thus, there is a need to promote awareness about the role of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment and address misconceptions about transmission of malaria.

Introduction: Globally, transmissions of diseases are more likely to be infected among MSM due to their sexual risk behaviors like unprotected anal sex and multiple sexual partners. Very scarce or limited studies were noted regarding alcohol consumption and sexual risk behavior among MSM in Myanmar. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the patterns sexual risk behavior among MSM in two major cities of Myanmar. Purposive sampling was applied and sampling was made through Myanmar MSM network. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by using a structured questionnaire. Patterns of sexual risk behavior were described as frequency/percentage and mean/median as appropriate. Bivariate analysis (Chi-squared test) was also done to find out the association between condomless anal intercourse and multiple sexual partners.Results: A total of 256 MSM included in the study and their mean age was 27.33±7.7 years. The age group was categorized into 15-24 years as young MSM and ≥25 years as adult MSM. All MSM in the study have experienced sexual intercourse with men in their lifetime. Within one month, 47.3% of young MSM and 63.9% of adult MSM had multiple sexual partners. Over 70% to 80% of MSM had multiple sexual partners within six months and one year respectively. Never/inconsistent condom use was detected among 61.3% of young MSM and 56.1% of adult MSM who had sex with their permanent sexual partners within one month. On the other hand, 33.3% of young MSM and 23.5% of adult MSM did not use condom regularly during one month. Significantly higher proportion of Apwint (open type) of MSM had more than one sexual partner than other types of MSM (p<0.001). Over 69% of Apwint (open type) of MSM, 51.3% of Apone (hidden type) and 26.5% of Thange (partner of MSM) had more than one sexual partner. Similar pattern of association between type of MSM and number of partners was also seen for other time periods like within three months, six months and one year (p<0.001). Conclusion:Current study identified the alcohol consumption and sexual risk behavior among MSM in major cities of Myanmar. Intervention to reduce unsafe sexual practices like having multiple partners and condomless anal intercourse should be done since many MSM had practiced these unsafe sexual behaviors.

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