PIP: Family planning in Malaysia is discussed. Family planning began in Malaysia about 15 years ago through the efforts of voluntary family Planning Associations in the various Malay states. In 1966 the Malaysian Parliament passed the National Family Planning Act setting up the National FAmily Planning Board to formulate policies and methods for the promotion and spread of family planning knowledge and practice on the grounds of health of mothers and children and welfare of the family. In 1967, the board set a target of 40,000 new acceptors of family planning and 90% of the target was reached. This represents 3% of the child-bearing married women aged 15-49. The target for 1968 of 65,000 new acceptors is being achieved. A survey of acceptors is to be carried out from December 1968 to April 1969 to ascertain how many women who accepted family planning continue to practice it. Malaysia's crude birth rate declined from 46.2 in 1957 to 37.3 in 1966 before the government program was instituted. Abortion attempts have been frequent. The main method of contraception used is oral contraceptives. According to a 1957 survey, 31% of the married women in the metropolitan areas and 2% of rural women were using contraception. Presently, in Malaysia there is a need to: 1) train personnel to provide services, 2) inform and motivate families to accept family planning, 3) continue a broad educational program, 4) reform Malaysia's antiquated abortion law, and 5) integrate family planning services more fully into the general health services of the country.
MeSH terms: Abortion, Induced*; Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Behavior; Birth Rate*; Contraception; Contraception Behavior; Contraceptives, Oral*; Demography; Developing Countries; Family Planning Services; Fertility; Health Planning*; Malaysia; Motivation*; Patient Acceptance of Health Care*; Population; Population Dynamics; Psychology; Public Policy*
Using a trial design previously evolved at Sungei Buloh Leprosarium, a pilot trial was performed of B.663, in the dosage of 100 mgm. twice weekly, in eight patients with previously untreated lepromatous leprosy. The therapeutic results, as measured by clinical, bacteriologic and histologic assessment, and especially by the rate of fall of the morphologic index, were similar to those obtained with sulfone therapy or with 0.663 in the dosage of 300 mgm. daily. Although B.663 pigmentation was produced in all eight patients, it developed more slowly and was less intense than with standard dosage. Difficulties resulting from skin discoloration in assessing the clinical progress of patients on B.663 are discussed.