Pharyngeal micro-organisms of 131 Australian and Malaysian children and adults were compared by analysis of aerobic culture of throat swab specimens. Enteric Gram-negative bacilli were commonly isolated in small numbers from Malaysian adults whether they had sore throats (28%) or not (36%), but were detected in only 9% of Australian adults without sore throats and in only 12% and 4% of Malaysian children with and without sore throats respectively. In other respects microbiological findings were similar in the different groups of subjects studied. It is concluded that the pharyngeal carriage rate of enteric Gram-negative bacilli may differ substantially between different groups of normal individuals. Our findings also suggest that these micro-organisms do not have a pathogenic role in pharyngitis.
Twenty children with retinoblastoma are reviewed who were treated at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur over a 10-year-period. They constitute 6.6% of childhood malignancies and without exception all presented with advanced disease. Hereditary cases were notably absent in the the series probably because past cases have almost invariably succumbed without an opportunity to transmit the gene. With enucleation and radiotherapy six of the patients have survived from 2 to 12 years. The addition of vincristine and cyclophosphamide has not been associated with improved survival.
The populations of scrub typhus vector chiggers were compared in two developing oil palm areas, one 5 years old and the other 7 years old at the inception of the study. Both areas were located within the same oil palm scheme in central Peninsular Malaysia. Leptotrombidium (L.) deliense, a principal vector of scrub typhus in Malaysia, was found in reduced numbers in the older oil palm habitat. This reduction is attributed to changes in the microhabitat, specifically the elimination of grasses between the oil palm trees due to canopy shading and to cultural practices.
Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) umbricola, described here as a new species, is a member of the L. (L.) deliense group and most closely resembles L. (L.) vivericola. L. (L.) umbricola was collected from the ground surface and from animal hosts, in similar habitats to the scrub typhus vector, L. (L.) deliense. The host and habitat distribution records and the Rickettsia tsutsugamushi infection rates within unengorged specimens suggest that L. (L.) umbricola may be an important vector of scrub typhus in Peninsular Malaysia.
The increase in menstrual blood loss associated with copper-bearing IUDs may cause or aggravate pre-existing anaemia. In order to evaluate this risk, 84 Malaysian women wearing copper-IUDs were studied longitudinally by means of serial measurements of blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb), serum iron (S/Fe) and transferrin saturation (T/S). The initial Hb was under 12 gm% in 33.7% of patients. The mean Hb showed no significant change up to 12 months while S/Fe fell significantly at the end of this time; the T/S was significantly reduced as early as 6 months post-insertion. There is a significant risk of anaemia following copper-IUD insertion, particularly with long-term usage. Progestogen-releasing IUDs may offer the most feasible solution to this problem in our local context since oral medication with iron or drugs to reduce menstrual blood loss is not practicable.
PIP: Many countries have a wealth of population data already available for utilization. In launching family planning population programs on a national scale every country must establish a long range of integrated programs of evaluation and data collection which will measure the past, current, and future trends in fertility, mortality, and migration patterns. These demographic features and poupulation profiles will assist in charting the strategies, objectives, targets, and survey components to be implemented for the successful launching of a country-wide program. In Malaysia the 10-year period population census, vital registration systems, sample houshold surveys, immigration, emigration, industrialization records, and KAP surveys serve as a source for obtaining population data and for charting population programs. Attention is directed to the census and to essential features of a census as well as to vital registration systems. The population census is a "total process of collecting, compiling and publishing demographic, economic and social data pertaining at a specific time or times to all persons in a country or delimited territory." A census is conducted on a national scale and enumeration is done individually. In Malaysia a De Jure and a De Facto Census are normally conducted. Enumeration is carried out by means of direct interviews or canvasser methods. Malaysia's last census was conducted between May and June 1980. The organization aspects of administering a nationwide census is a long process which may take a couple of years in the planning period. While the census provides a picture on the population at 1 point in time, the vital registration system monitors the continuous process of vital events and performs dual functions: to register vital events and obtain vital records which are legal documents; and to collect statistics about vital events. In Malaysia the registration of births and deaths and marriages is compulsory. Vital statistics may also be obtained from household surveys.
MeSH terms: Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Data Collection*; Developing Countries; Health Planning; Malaysia; Population Characteristics*; Research; Social Planning; Vital Statistics*; Censuses*
MeSH terms: Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration*; Developing Countries; Health Services/utilization; Health Services, Indigenous; Humans; Malaysia; Medicine, Traditional*; Patient Care Team
MeSH terms: Adult; Asia, Southeastern; Birth Rate; Contraception; Economics; Family Planning Services*; Far East; Female; Humans; National Health Programs*; Pregnancy
PIP: While Malaysia's National Family Planning Board is primarily responsible for family planning activities, several organizations and ministries, both governmental and voluntary, participate in various service programs. Current population policy attempts to go beyond family planning. Population education, treatment of infertility, and cancer screening are offered as well as family planning, to make the program more useful to greater numbers of people. The government also wishes to improve the status of women thereby giving them alternative choices of lifestyle. Rural women are reached through the Ministry of Agriculture's community development program. While the National Family Planning Board receives only 0.12% of the national budget, this figure is not expected to increase. Tables giving vital rates show that population fell below the 30 per 1000 mark for the first time in 1977. A higher rate of fertility decline has taken place between 1967 - 1977 than occurred from 1957 - 1967. Current demographic objectives are to reduce crude birthrate to 28.2 per 1000 by 1980. This goal would require 817,963 new acceptors. While the pill accounts for 80% of acceptor's choice, the proportion using condoms has increased from 1.4% during 1969 - 1970 to 11.4% in 1979. Despite reported side effects with the pill and the illegality of induced abortions, virtually all acceptors are well satisfied with the program in its current form.
MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Birth Rate; Contraception; Family Planning Services*; Female; Fertility; Humans; Malaysia; Male; National Health Programs*; Pregnancy
Although those Malaysian secondary schoolchildren who have never used drugs are consistent in their support for legal and social sanctions against drug use, it is argued that such sanctions are a relatively unimportant factor in the decision whether or not to use drugs. Non-drug users inhabit a social world separated from their drug-using contemporaries; they rely on information from public rather than direct social sources, and claim to have been little interested in information received. However, there is evidence that, for a minority of the drug-using sub-sample, public information campaigns have made them more rather than less interested in experimenting with drug substances.
Summary In order to unravel the complex set of the determinants of fertility, we suggest that the child-bearing process be separated into a sequence of events and intervals. As the first step in the child-bearing process, age at first birth is a critical variable. Using data from the 1966-67 West Malaysia Family Survey, we formulate and test a model of the cultural, social and economic determinants of the timing of first birth among a sample of mothers, aged 30-44. Social origins, measured by the woman's father's occupation and the woman's birthplace are not important determinants, but education, early work experience, and ethnicity exercise very strong effects on the age at first birth. Age at first marriage mediates much of the effect of background variables, which suggest that there is little use of contraception to plan the first birth interval. The strong effect of ethnicity is consistent with a cultural interpretation, but important qualifications are noted.
Thirty girls who had been detained in a remand home on suspicion of prostitution were examined in the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. All except two were below 21 years old. Endocervical and high vaginal swabs were taken for cultures. A sample of blood was taken for serology. Eleven of the girls [37%] had no evidence of a sexually transmitted disease. The others [63%] had one or more of the following: 5 with positive serology for syphilis, 3 had gonorrhoea, 6 with trichomonas, 2 with candidiasis.rl with Chlamydia trachomatls, 2 with Ureaplasma urealyticum and 1 with C. vaginale. With such a high incidence of STD in these young girls with a history of prostitution, it is recommended that a more regular and comprehensive screening be carried out on such high risk women.
Study site: University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)
The status of P. falciparum resistance to chloroquine in Sabah, Malaysia were not know until 1971-1972. Several in-vivo and on in-vivo studies were conducted from 971-1975, and the result showed 51% out of total 57 cases studied were resistant to chloroquine. The latest in-vitro study (collaborative with WHO) started in July 1978, to continue till 1980, to cover the whole State. The preliminary result shows 65 cases (85%) out of a total 76 successful tests are resistant to chloroquine. On the basis of this preliminary result, the radical treatment for P. falciparum infection was changed from chloroquine to Fansidar from June 1979 throughout the State.
First six cases of neonatal group B beta-haemolytic streptococcal sepsis in GHKL & Maternity Hospital K.L. were reported and in one third, it was fatal. Five of the cases were 'early - onset' type and one was 'late - onset' type. While maternal infant transmission of the disease is important in the 'early - onset' type, environmental sources of infection are also significant. No gestational age or birthweight is spared from the disease. Finally, there are cases of 'early - onset' GBS sepsis presenting like hyaline membrane disease of the newborn and it is important to find ways to distinguish them which so far has not been satisfactory.
Euparadistomum is described from 7 species of small mammal in Malaysia. The worms display characteristics intermediate between E. buckleyi Singh and E. pearsoni Talbot particularly with regard to body shape and arrangement of vitelline fields. The nature of morphological variation is discussed and comment made on the possible life-cycle of the parasite.
This is an analysis of ovarian neoplasms encountered in Sarawak during the period January 1976-December 1977. There were 149 benign and 36 primary malignant tumours with an incidence of 44.3 per cent and 23.6 per cent respectively, in neoplasms 01 the Reproductive System. Amongst the benign ovarian tumours Dermoid Cyst
(Cystic Teratoma) was quite frequent (29.5 per cent). In malignant neoplasms Cystadenocarcinomas constituted 66.7 per cent of the total. A case each of Granulosa cell earcinoma, Adenoacanthoma and Endodermal sinus tumours, 4 of Dysgerminoma and 6 of metastatic ovarian tumours were also recorded.