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Fulltext Work related determinants of breastfeeding discontinuation among employed mothers in Malaysia

Amin RM, Said ZM, Sutan R, Shah SA, Darus A, Shamsuddin K

Int Breastfeed J, 2011;6(1):4.
PMID: 21342506 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4358-6-4

This cross-sectional study assesses factors that contribute to discontinuing breastfeeding among employed mothers in Malaysia.
Fulltext A Comparison of the National Cervical Cancer Policies in Six Developing Countries with the World Health Organization Recommendations: A Narrative Review

Amir SM, Idris IB, Said ZM, Yusoff HM, Manaf MRA

Iran J Public Health, 2023 Jun;52(6):1108-1120.
PMID: 37484154 DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v52i6.12952

BACKGROUND: This study reviewed cervical cancer policies implemented in developing countries that adhered to WHO standards. Despite long being known as a preventable disease, cervical cancer is still one of the leading causes of mortality among women. Nine out of ten cervical cancer deaths occurred in less-developed countries, suggesting that the preventive and control approaches in these countries might differ from those in developed nations.
METHODS: Cervical cancer policies in six developing countries from each WHO region were selected while related data from the Cervical Cancer Country Profiles 2021 by WHO were retrieved for comparison.
RESULTS: The cervical cancer policies that were included in this review were from Malaysia, Thailand, Iran, Kenya, Argentina, and Ukraine. According to the latest guidelines on the management of cervical cancers, WHO recommendations have been elaborated on primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. A comparison of policies among these selected countries showed variation in each level of prevention. The cancer burden in each country was also found to determine the progression of cervical cancer prevention and policy controls in these countries.
CONCLUSION: This review emphasizes the dissimilarities of cervical cancer policies in six developing countries compared to recommendations by the WHO. Identifying these discrepancies could help policymakers in developing nations to recognize the pressing issues surrounding cervical cancer prevention and establish more effective prevention and control approaches.
Fulltext Prevalence and associated factors of moderate to severe erectile dysfunction among adult men in Malaysia

Rezali MS, Mohamad Anuar MF, Abd Razak MA, Chong ZL, Shaharudin AB, Kassim MSA, et al.

Sci Rep, 2023 Dec 06;13(1):21483.
PMID: 38057375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48778-y

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a pervasive problem among men, often shrouded in silence and stigma. This manuscript analysed the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 data to identify the prevalence of moderate to severe ED among men aged 18 and above in Malaysia and describe its associated factors. Self-administered questionnaire on ED utilised a locally validated International Index of Erectile Function. Variables on sociodemographics, risky lifestyles and comorbidities were obtained via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The prevalence was determined using complex sampling analysis, and logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors of ED. A sample of 2403 men aged ≥ 18 participated, with a moderate to severe ED prevalence was 31.6% (95% CI 28.8, 34.6). The mean (± SD) of the total score of IIEF-5 for overall respondents was 18.16 (± 4.13). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between moderate to severe ED among men aged 60 years and above, single or divorcee, men without formal, primary, and secondary education, non-government employees, unemployed, and retiree, as well as physically inactive men. Focused public health interventions are necessary to improve education in sexual health, increase health promotion programs, and promote healthy ageing across the population.
Fulltext Prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of high-risk vaginal human papillomavirus infection: findings from a public cervical cancer screening registry

Jailani AS, Balqis-Ali NZ, Tang KF, Fun WH, Samad SA, Jahaya R, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2023 Nov 14;23(1):2243.
PMID: 37964260 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17132-2

INTRODUCTION: High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) screening is vital for early cervical cancer detection and treatment. With the introduction of the national cervical cancer screening programme and screening registry in Malaysia, there is a need to monitor population-based HPV screening uptake and high-risk HPV prevalence as part of cervical cancer surveillance.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors predicting high-risk HPV infection in Malaysia based on a public, community-based cervical cancer screening registry targeting women at risk of getting HPV infection.
METHODS: The study used data from the Malaysian cervical cancer screening registry established by the Family Health Development Division from 2019 to 2021. The registry recorded sociodemographic data, HPV test details and results of eligible women who underwent HPV screening at public primary healthcare facilities. A vaginal sample (via self-sampling or assisted by a healthcare provider) was used for DNA extraction for HPV detection and genotyping. Registry data were extracted and analysed to determine prevalence estimates of high-risk HPV infection. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine predictors of high-risk HPV infection. All analyses were performed using Stata version 14.
RESULTS: The programme screened a total of 36,738 women during the study period. Women who attended the screening programme were mainly from urban areas, aged 30-39 years, and of Malay ethnicity. The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 4.53% among women screened, with the yearly prevalence ranging from 4.27 to 4.80%. A higher prevalence was observed among urban settling women, those aged 30-49 years, those of Indian ethnicity, and those without children. The results from logistic regression showed that women from urban areas, lower age groups, of Indian or Chinese ethnicity, and who are self-employed were more likely to be infected with high-risk HPV.
CONCLUSION: Targeted and robust strategies to reach identified high-risk groups are needed in Malaysia. In addition, the registry has the potential to be expanded for an improved cervical cancer elimination plan.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number: NMRR ID-22-00187-DJU.