Lethal drinking and youths

A cheap but lethal home-brewed alcoholic cocktail, mixed with 90 percent alcohol, ginseng, vanilla, honey among other ingredients, has recently killed 14 young men in Semarang, Central Java. The men bought these materials from a small drink vendor (a warung) and died after drinking this cocktail, popularly known as oplosan in Indonesia. This was not an isolated event and it is important to note the high risks associated with drinking oplosan in the first place. 

This potentially lethal practice is quite rampant, particularly among young men from lower socio-economic backgrounds, both in rural and urban areas of Indonesia. Last year for instance, the Indonesian media widely reported the deaths of young men who drank this cocktail in Surabaya and Madiun in East Java, Indramayu in West Java, as well as the deaths of several Thai citizens in Papua. It seems that these cases are merely the tip of the iceberg since not all deaths, health and social consequences related to this hazardous practice can be detected or reported in the media. 

During my fieldwork in a slum area in Makassar, South Sulawesi, in mid 2008, I found that many young men drank this dangerous oplosan drink not only because of the chemical or pharmacological effects, but also because of the cultural meaning attached to this risky practice. 

In addition, it is quite clear that drinking oplosan is a social event among young men. Many researchers have found the contradictory functions of alcohol as a social glue among young men even though alcohol may also trigger conflict or even violence among them. 

Because most of the young men in Indonesia who drink oplosan are from a low socio-economic background, they usually pool money to buy the materials that they will mix to produce this lethal cocktail. One of the most important meanings that these young men attach to the practice of drinking oplosan is to achieve and maintain their masculine status. 

Many of them mention that they participate in this risky and potentially lethal drinking practice to prove their manhood as well as to numb their frustration from their harsh daily lives. 

Australian sociologist, R.W. Connell, the pioneer in theorizing masculinity, cited the tendency of “hyper-masculinity” among young men from disadvantaged backgrounds that push them to be involved in risky practices such as risky drinking, drug use, crime or violence. 

According to Connell, unlike many young men from higher socio-economic backgrounds who also are involved in risky activities but mature more quickly because of work and marriage, young men from low socio-economic backgrounds usually engage in these risky practices earlier and longer. 

They also lack the resources and support to mature quickly and identify with their masculinity through conventional channels such as education, employment and career. Many young men from deprived backgrounds engage often in these risky practices and later face severe health, social, economic and legal consequences or even death. 

It is therefore important to note that repression alone cannot prevent many young men from drinking oplosan. As reported by many researchers, engagement in risky practices among young men from a low socio-economic background also has structural, cultural and gender dimensions. High levels of school drop-outs, low access to decent employment, boredom and the desire to prove their manhood - even through self destruction - push these young men into chronic alienation and marginalization. 

Community development programs that increase educational attainment, employability and access toward health prevention and care programs, needs to be designed and implemented to reduce the marginalization of poor young men. It is also noteworthy that in most cultures there is a sense of exclusion for young men who lack financial independence and have no decent employment. These young men generally will suffer from lower self esteem and many of them compensate their misery with risky practices. 

The feminization of labor - in which young females have better access to employment in the service sectors in urban areas – has also exacerbated the alienation of many young men. This gender dimension of unemployment and underemployment should be taken into account as well. 

For more than 15 years in Indonesia, when we talk about gender it usually means talking about efforts to increase the well-being of girls and women. It is now urgent to also incorporate men and boys into the gender discussion. 

Epidemiological data clearly shows that the mortality, morbidity, socio-economic and legal consequences of risky practices such as hazardous drinking, drug use, traffic accidents, unsafe sex, crime and violence are highly concentrated among men between 15-24 years of age, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. 

Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the engagement of young men in these risky activities will also affect the well being of their female counterparts such as their mothers, their sisters or their partners. In many cases the engagement of young men in these risky practices may create physical, psychological, social and economic problems for females such as domestic violence, sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS), social stigma, discrimination, exclusion or even death. 

Finally, it is urgent to better understand the cultural context and the political economy of young men who undertake risky activities, in order to design and implement appropriate and comprehensive interventions.

Source: Sudirman Nasir , MELBOURNE | Sat, 01/31/2009 11:38 AM | Opinion 

Seeking some rest and recreation in the hidden corner of Batam

Let’s start by being brutally honest: At first glance, Batam Island does not really appear a great vacation proposition. 

Parts of the island are best described as an eyesore, with highly utilitarian industrial and commercial premises stretching over large swathes of the land.

And let’s be frank about the land itself, too – flat for one thing, with soil – exposed through the island’s numerous excavations – in an unappealing orangey-yellowish color that looks infertile and grubby. 

Now we’ve got that out of the way, there is one more thing to add: Better things lie ahead.

As you travel from the island’s Hang Nadim airport to the area known as Nongsa, the industrial and commercial buildings – and that grubby-looking soil – gradually give way to dense thickets of shrubs and low-lying plants.

Keep going. This unkempt shrubbery then gives way to something else – to signs of humanity taming this wilderness and making it into something lovely and fresh. You have arrived at the dreamy vacation area of Nongsa, Nongsa is in the northern coastal region of Batam Island, with attractive inlets and beaches that add up to an idyllic and tranquil setting for some rest and recreation. There are golf courses here for those so interested, but it is much more the coast, the beaches and the resorts along the waterfront that attract visitors. 

The resorts at Nongsa range from the pristine and ultramodern to the more traditional and tropical made from timber and bamboo with thatched roofs. Some of the modern architecture is impressive but those who find all that concrete and steel clinical and cold with may prefer the more “traditional” architecture with its natural materials.

Regardless of the style of architecture, the common theme here is the sea and the Strait of Singapore that Nongsa looks out onto. The shores and skyscrapers of Singapore are visible in the distance – no prizes for guessing why Singaporeans account for many of the holidaymakers.

Singapore is but a 45-minute ferry ride away, making it all too easy for those city-dwellers to escape their crowded city-state for the tranquility of Batam’s resort, the ferry dropping them at the very well-constructed and -managed ferry terminal known as Nongsapura.

Thanks to Nongsapura, getting to and from the resorts is easy and comfortable, with ferries setting off at regular intervals to destinations in both Singapore and Malaysia. These speedy ferries deftly negotiate busy waters, weaving around the huge cargo ships and tankers that pass through the strait. Before all that, though, comes the Nongsa River.

The Nongsa River connects the island to the strait. Like much of the rest of Batam Island, it is surrounded by dense vegetation, which lends it a distinctly wild air. Trips upriver to view exotic birds and wild monkeys are possible, although most people find it hard to drag themselves away from the coast.

One of those coastal attractions is Nongsa’s impressive and expansive marina open to private vessels. Otherwise, there are plenty of watery activities to help while away the holidays: fishing, snorkeling, parasailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing and banana boating.

The downside of all these water activities is the water itself – or more particularly the clarity of the water. It is perhaps only to be expected that with this strait being a major marine thoroughfare – dozens of massive ships pass through the Strait and often time clouds of exhaust fumes can be seen belching from their enormous engines – the water is going to be on the murky side of pristine.

The problem of pollution is also evident in the work of the cleaners raking the beaches each morning, burying the less desirable offerings that have been washed up on the shore.

Never mind – there is no need to swim in the sea, as the resorts all have their own swimming pools replete with fountains and waterfalls, and a mix of depths to please everyone from children and the more serious swimmer. Given this, the sea may be better left alone as a backdrop for the resorts.

Otherwise, the environment in Nongsa is generally clean and well kept, creating great benefits for the local wildlife. In the thick lush forests, visitors can see exotic and colorful birds going about their business of foraging and nesting. At night, bats sweep across the sky, gorging themselves on the abundant fruit hanging from the trees.

Nongsa and its resorts may be quite different from the rest of Batam Island, but are created ideally for rest and recreation. The detail in the construction and management of the hotels and resorts means taking a vacation here can be very pleasing and satisfying – regardless of first impressions.

Source: Simon Marcus Gower , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 01/21/2009 2:21 PM | Travel 

Obama reverses abortion-funds policy

President Barack Obama continued his march to reverse contentious Bush administration policies, ending the ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide information about it.

Obama signed a memorandum reversing the ban Friday afternoon, a day after he ordered the closures of the Guantanamo Bay prison and secret overseas CIA prisons, a review of military trials of terror suspects and a ban on torture.

The president's focus on foreign policy comes even as he tries to deal with economic issues, Americans' biggest concern at a time that the economy is struggling. On Friday, he met with Republican and Democratic leaders at the White House to discuss legislative hurdles as he strives to get his massive economic stimulus plan enacted.

Liberal groups welcomed Obama's decision on the abortion funding ban, while abortion rights foes criticized the president. The abortion measure is a highly emotional one for many people, and Obama's action came one day after the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion.

Critics have long held that the rule unfairly discriminates against the world's poor by denying U.S. aid to groups that may be involved in abortion but also work on other aspects of reproductive health care and HIV/AIDS, leading to the closure of free and low-cost rural clinics.

Supporters of the ban say that the United States still provides millions of dollars in family planning assistance around the world and that the rule prevents anti-abortion taxpayers from backing something they believe is morally wrong.

The Bush policy reversed by Obama had banned U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. The rule also had prohibited federal funding for groups that lobby to legalize abortion or promote it as a family planning method.

Both Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who will oversee foreign aid, had promised to do away with the rule during the presidential campaign.

"This policy has made it more difficult for women around the world to gain access to essential information and healthcare services," Clinton said in a statement. "Rather than limiting women's ability to receive reproductive health services, we should be supporting programs that help women and their partners make decisions to ensure their health and the health of their families."

Known as the "Mexico City policy," the inflammatory ban has been reinstated and then reversed by Republican and Democratic presidents since Ronald Reagan established it in 1984.

In a move related to the lifting of the abortion rule, Obama also is expected to restore funding to the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), probably in the next budget. Both he and Clinton had pledged to reverse a Bush administration determination that assistance to the organization violated U.S. law.

The Bush administration had barred U.S. money from the fund, contending that its work in China supported a Chinese family planning policy of coercive abortion and involuntary sterilization. UNFPA has vehemently denied that it does.

Congress had appropriated $40 million to the UNFPA in the past budget year but the Bush administration had withheld the money as it had done every year since 2002.

Obama also is expected at some point to lift or ease restrictions on federal money for stem cell research, an issue that divides people along similar battle lines, but there was no word about any action on that Friday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has expressed interest in pressing legislation on stem cells in the first 100 days of the new Congress if the new administration doesn't act.

Some scientists want broader use of embryonic stem cells than is allowed, hoping for new treatments for many diseases. Obtaining stem cells from four- or five-day-old embryos kills the embryos, and many opponents see that as taking life.

On his third full day in office, Obama reached out to key U.S. allies, phoning British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Saudi King Abdullah, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. He also spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Obama also turned his attention to the biggest worry of Americans - a recession expected to be the deepest since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Speaking briefly before the meeting of legislative leaders at the White House, Obama urged bipartisan support for his stimulus package.

"I recognize that there are still some differences around the table and between the administration and members of Congress about particular details on the plan," he said. "But I think what unifies this group is a recognition that we are experiencing an unprecedented, perhaps, economic crisis that has to be dealt with, and dealt with rapidly."

Many Republican lawmakers believe the $825 billion package is too costly, and that too much of the spending is for long-range projects that will not boost the economy quickly. Obama and Democratic leaders promised to consider their recommendations.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, told reporters after the meeting that the Republicans "had some constructive suggestions, which we'll review."

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader in the Senate, said at the National Press Club that he believes the measure will clear Congress by the mid-February target date set by Obama. 
 

Source: The Associated Press , Washington | Sat, 01/24/2009 9:15 AM | World 

HIV/AIDS cases reach 2,208

The number of HIV/AIDS cases in Denpasar reached 2,208 in July, 2008, of which 95 percent were adoloscents or in the productive age group, an official says. 

Eighty-five out of the total cases have died due to the disease, Denpasar municipal administration secretary Nyoman Aryana said Thursday. 

Speaking at the opening of a basic training course in Sanur Kauh village, Sanur, Aryana said the data was just the tip of the iceberg as it was difficult to detect the real number of people infected with the virus. 

Aryana urged all sectors of the community to actively take part in the campaign to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. 

Denpasar Health Office head, and head of the training course committee, Luh Putu Sri Armini said the course was designed to give people comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AID and how to curb transmission of the virus. – JP


HIV/AIDS cases jump by 350% in Jambi

The number of people living with HIV/AIDS (ODHA) in Jambi has increased by more than 350 percent, with 953 people reported last year compared with 262 people in the previous year, an official has said. 

Head of the Infectious Diseases Control and Mitigation Office of Jambi Province, Azwar Djouhari, said that of the 953 people, 105 had developed AIDS.

Azwar said that, according to data from the province’s health agency, of the 262 people reported as living with HIV/AIDS in 2007, 86 had developed AIDS.

“It’s already become our collective problem,” he said, adding that the people with HIV/AIDS were living in 10 regencies and cities.

Azwar said HIV/AIDS could be spread through unsafe sex, needle-sharing and blood transfusions, as well as passing from pregnant women to their babies.

The highest incidence of HIV/AIDS infections in the province is among injecting drug users, 
who account for about 61 percent of the whole, with 41 people reported as HIV positive, 66 people as having AIDS and 36 deaths last year, Azwar said. 

He said 25.42 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS were infected through heterosexual intercourse and 6.78 percent from homosexual intercourse. 

Of the whole, 1.69 percent were women infected by their husbands, and 0.1 percent were prenatal transmissions. 

“So far we have not come across any cases of HIV/AIDS transmitted through blood transfusions,” he said. 

Azwar said HIV/AIDS could be avoided through such means as abstaining from sexual intercourse, having only one sexual partner, using a condom and using sterile needles for injecting drugs, tattooing and body piercing.

“Don’t get infected and don’t infect others,” he said.

Azwar said people living with HIV/AIDS could live a normal life by taking antiretroviral drugs that suppressed the virus in their blood — until the virus reached an amount that could not be detected by a test. 

Facts on HIV/AIDS in Jambi
- 61 percent of ODHA were infected through injecting drug user
- 25.42 percent of ODHA through heterosexual intercourse 
- 6.78 percent from homosexual intercourse. 1.69 percent were women infected by their husbands, 
- 0.1 percent were prenatal transmissions.

Medicsight seeks FDA clearance to market colonography software in the US

Medicsight PLC, developer of Computer-Aided Detection software (CAD), is seeking clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration to market its colonography product throughout the country.  

In a statement, the company said it submitted Premarket Notification to the FDA for clearance to market of its ColonCAD image analysis software, a move that will prompt a FDA review process. 

Medicsight has completed a large multi-reader CT colonography trial involving the review of several hundred patient datasets to support the submission. 

The company has already received regulatory approvals to market ColonCAD throughout Europe, Canada, Australia, China, and Brazil. 

The outcomes of the US National CT Colonography Trial demonstrating the efficacy of CT colonography as a primary screening examination for colorectal cancer, and the inclusion of CT colonography in the 2008 American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screening, increasingly supports the predicted growth of the US CT colonography market, the company said. 

Medicsight added it cannot predict when, or if, clearance will be gained. 

Medicsight's ColonCAD and LungCAD software use an advanced CAD algorithm to analyse CT scans of the colon and lung and automatically highlight suspicious areas that may be indicators of disease. CAD may highlight areas easily overlooked by the reviewing radiologist, such as small lesions or regions that are hidden from view behind folds in the colon or normal structures and surrounding tissue in the lung.

Source: www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk

Wind Early Warning Danger

Day, Dina (32) requested permission to go home more quickly from the office. Since the morning, Dina felt dizzy and nauseous. "I entered I wind", he said in Fahmi (35), her husband by phone on a house, Dina order of chicken porridge and hot tea to reduce the uncomfortable feeling. She spread eucalyptus oil to the entire body, before sleeping out. Come nightfall, are also not yet built, Fahmi recently home office. Access to rooms, rates are still sleeping, but .... is not breathing anymore! Or has died

She seems, are holding pain shortly before died. In addition to panic, her husband also confused, knowing far, for this condition are good only. Even his wife is quite skillful women have a lot of activity each day, Consequently, the disease of "hidden" if their lives that Dina? 

According to dr. Djoko Maryono, DSPD, DSPJ, internist and cardiology experts from the Pertamina Hospital Center, which is experienced by Dina Angina Pectoris. The people we call as the first regular sitting of the wind. 
Symptoms are similar to common colds, only a little more weight. Not surprising. The disease tends to does not matter

Colds this one was not common colds. "That's called a light wind is one of the symptoms of coronary heart disease, which if not immediately be handled has a direct died only in 15-30 minutes after the first attack" dr. Joko reminded. 

Therefore, the death occurred as result of not “kerokan The oil or wind”, such as the Dina, but not because the detection of deviation in the heart of people. Even, if after office Dina go directly to the hospital or the doctor, and not even “kerokan home”, it was not related to the disease, may still die was safe. 

The characteristics of headache, nausea, and recognized that experienced people Angina Pectoris is nearly similar to normal flu disease. Only people also feel crowded chest, pain in the hearts, perspiration out of corn, and the body is cold. Unfortunately, this often does not realize as indications of interference in the heart that are critical. 
According to dr. Joko, 20% of complaints Angina Pectoris the check to the doctor or hospital was detected as acute coronary heart disease. It is an interruption in the heart due to the difference in the coronary vessel, so that blood is not able to deliver oxygen-oxygen needed by the network of walls of the heart cavity. Therefore, if not detected since the beginning, has a Sudden death can be experienced. 

Angina Pectoris disease itself is not a comfortable feeling linger, which occurred more than 5 minutes, due to the decrease in blood pressure that the heart pumping. As a result, the heart requires more oxygen. Because the heart is not capable of pumping perfectly, the blood vessels take the form of reaction recovery contraction to charging sufficient oxygen in the heart pump was contraction that cause cold sweat on the skin.