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Fulltext Health literacy and food beliefs among Ibans, Sarawak

Yap SB

Med J Malaysia, 1985 Dec;40(4):294-300.
PMID: 3842729

A morbidity survey was carried out on a sample of eight longhouses in the Entabai area of the Sixth Division, Sarawak. Of the 645 respondents interviewed, only 148 (22.9%) had experienced at least one spell of illness during the one month prior to the survey.A total of 161 spells of illness was reported, giving a rate of three spells per person per year for the community. Most of the complaints were mild in nature, with fever and aches being the commonest reported. About two thirds of the illnesses were seen by the village aide or at the klinik desa, while the remaining preferred to be treated by the manang. A sub-sample of 49 heads of household were interviewed on their views of the causation, prevention and spread offive common conditions. About 14-43% of the respondents had no knowledge of the causes of fever, cough, diarrhoea or worms. Among those who mentioned some causative factors, only a portion had correct concepts of the various aspects of diseases. Food taboos associated with the five conditions were not too numerous or extensive enough to affect dietary intakes. However, this is not so during the post-partum period where the mother is not allowed to eat many vegetables and meat which are common items in their everyday diets.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Physicians' experiences with HPV vaccine delivery: evidence from developing country with multiethnic populations

Wong LP

Vaccine, 2009 Mar 4;27(10):1622-7.
PMID: 19100803 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.11.107

Physicians' experiences in providing human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization were assessed by mailed questionnaire. Response rate of 41.4% was achieved. Malay Muslim physicians were more likely to agree that cultural sensitivity is an issue when recommending HPV vaccines. Pediatricians and family physicians were more likely to agree that acceptance is better if vaccines were recommended to prevent cervical cancer than to prevent a sexually transmitted disease. Near 70% rated success of HPV vaccines recommendation in their practice as very poor with the majority patients preferred to postpone immunization. Physicians reported cultural disparities in vaccine uptake and perceived high vaccination cost limits its use.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Fulltext Information needs, preferred educational messages and channel of delivery, and opinion on strategies to promote organ donation: a multicultural perspective

Wong LP

Singapore Med J, 2010 Oct;51(10):790-5.
PMID: 21103814

INTRODUCTION:
This study assessed the information needs, preferred educational messages and channels of delivery, as well as opinions on strategies to promote organ donation. It aimed to provide insight into a culturally sensitive public education campaign to encourage organ donation in diverse ethnic communities in Asia, namely the Malays, Chinese and Indians.

METHODS:
A total of 17 focus group discussions with 105 participants were conducted between September and December 2008. The participants were members of the general public aged 18 to 60 years, who were recruited through convenient sampling in the Klang Valley area of Malaysia.

RESULTS:
Across ethnic groups, there was a general concern about the mistreatment of the deceased's body in the organ procurement process. The Chinese and Indian participants wanted assurance that the body would be treated with respect and care. The Muslims wanted assurance that the handling of a Muslim's body would follow the rules and regulations of the Islamic faith. The most important information requested by the Muslim participants was whether cadaveric donation is permissible in Islam. A lack of national public education and promotion of organ donation was noted. All the three ethnic groups, especially the Malays, required community and religious leaders for support, encouragement and involvement, as sociocultural influences play a significant role in the willingness to donate organs.

CONCLUSION:
The pronounced ethnic differences in information needs suggest that culturally sensitive public educational messages are required. Organ donation and transplantation organisations should work closely with community and religious organisations to address the sociocultural barriers identified.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Fulltext Libido, sexuality and the levonorgestrel IUS in Malaysia

Wong CY

J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 2001 Jan;27(1):56.
PMID: 12457552 DOI: 10.1783/147118901101194976

Hysterectomy and tubal sterilisation are two commonly performed gynaecological procedures in Malaysia. Little has been published about the psychological impact on sexuality of such operations in the Far East. Many Malaysian patients believe that surgery to the pelvic organs may be detrimental to the sexual health and needs of women. There is a widespread belief that the uterus is essential for the libido and sexual wellbeing of women. It is also believed that tubal sterilisation may result in the loss of libido and thus of sexual desire for her husband. Despite counselling to dispel these misconceptions, patients frequently refuse surgical management for fear of losing their libido and sexuality. Inability to satisfy and consummate marriage is a valid reason for the partner to find another wife (Muslims in Malaysia are legally allowed to have four wives). This fear of ultimately losing the husband to another woman due to lack of libido and loss of sexuality often causes women to refuse appropriate surgery. The recent availability of the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (IUS) in Malaysia provides a suitable medical alternative to surgery in managing some of these patients. There is good evidence to suggest the effectiveness of the levonorgestrel IUS in the treatment of menorrhagia. The use of the levonorgestrel IUS in women whose cultural beliefs/misconceptions are not amenable to counselling, may help in the psychological preservation of their libido and sexuality.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Levonorgestrel IUS use in Islamic Malaysia

Wong CY

Br J Fam Plann, 2000 Apr;26(2):117.
PMID: 10896464
Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
The need for kidney transplantation in low- and middle-income countries in 2012: an epidemiological perspective

Muralidharan A, White S

Transplantation, 2015 Mar;99(3):476-81.
PMID: 25680089 DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000000657

Epidemiological and demographic transitions are shifting the burden of modifiable risk factors for chronic and end-stage kidney disease to low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This shifting burden of disease--combined with economic transitions and health system reforms--has led to the rapid growth of dialysis populations in LMIC including Malaysia, Tunisia, Turkey, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay. Yet, compared to 1.5 million on dialysis in LMIC, only approximately 33,000 kidney transplants were performed in 2012. Reasons include health system factors (personnel, infrastructure, system coordination, and financing) and cultural factors (public and professional attitudes and the legal environment). The size of the dialysis populations, however, is generally a poor indicator of the potential need for kidney transplantation in LMIC. Population needs for kidney transplantation should instead be assessed based on the epidemiology of the actual underlying burden of disease (both treated and untreated), and the costs and benefits of treatment as well as prevention strategies relative to existing service provision. Here, we review current data on the global burden of end-stage kidney disease and the distribution of major risk factors, and compare this to access to kidney transplantation in 2012.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Mammographic screening practices among Chinese-Australian women

Kwok C, Fethney J, White K

J Nurs Scholarsh, 2012 Mar;44(1):11-8.
PMID: 22151348 DOI: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2011.01429.x

To report mammographic screening practice among Chinese-Australian women, and to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics, acculturation factors (English proficiency and length of stay in Australia), cultural beliefs, and having a mammogram as recommended.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Rating the quality of the family environment in different cultures

Rey JM, Peng R, Morales-Blanquez C, Widyawati I, Peralta V, Walter G

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2000 Sep;39(9):1168-74.
PMID: 10986814 DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200009000-00017

OBJECTIVE:
To examine the extent to which clinicians from different cultures agree when rating the quality of a child's family environment and the effect of country, language, and training factors on these ratings.

METHOD:
Eighty-seven health professionals from Malaysia, Spain, Australia, Indonesia, the United States, Denmark, and Singapore rated 7 case vignettes using the Global Family Environment Scale. Half (54%) were psychiatrists. One quarter (26%) performed the ratings after attending a training session, the rest (n = 64, 74%) after reading a training manual.

RESULTS:
Overall, interrater agreement (intraclass r) was 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.96). There were no significant differences in agreement according to country, language, training, or professional group, although there were country differences in the ratings given to 2 vignettes. The majority of raters found the description of the anchor points (86%), training manual (95%), and case vignettes (97%) clear.

CONCLUSIONS:
Clinicians from different cultures seem to be able to make global ratings of the quality of the family environment that are reliable and consistent when using case vignettes. This can be achieved with little training. Global ratings of the quality of the family environment may be a useful tool in mental health research and clinical work.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Fulltext Four ways blue foods can help achieve food system ambitions across nations

Crona BI, Wassénius E, Jonell M, Koehn JZ, Short R, Tigchelaar M, et al.

Nature, 2023 Apr;616(7955):104-112.
PMID: 36813964 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05737-x

Blue foods, sourced in aquatic environments, are important for the economies, livelihoods, nutritional security and cultures of people in many nations. They are often nutrient rich1, generate lower emissions and impacts on land and water than many terrestrial meats2, and contribute to the health3, wellbeing and livelihoods of many rural communities4. The Blue Food Assessment recently evaluated nutritional, environmental, economic and justice dimensions of blue foods globally. Here we integrate these findings and translate them into four policy objectives to help realize the contributions that blue foods can make to national food systems around the world: ensuring supplies of critical nutrients, providing healthy alternatives to terrestrial meat, reducing dietary environmental footprints and safeguarding blue food contributions to nutrition, just economies and livelihoods under a changing climate. To account for how context-specific environmental, socio-economic and cultural aspects affect this contribution, we assess the relevance of each policy objective for individual countries, and examine associated co-benefits and trade-offs at national and international scales. We find that in many African and South American nations, facilitating consumption of culturally relevant blue food, especially among nutritionally vulnerable population segments, could address vitamin B12 and omega-3 deficiencies. Meanwhile, in many global North nations, cardiovascular disease rates and large greenhouse gas footprints from ruminant meat intake could be lowered through moderate consumption of seafood with low environmental impact. The analytical framework we provide also identifies countries with high future risk, for whom climate adaptation of blue food systems will be particularly important. Overall the framework helps decision makers to assess the blue food policy objectives most relevant to their geographies, and to compare and contrast the benefits and trade-offs associated with pursuing these objectives.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Climacteric and menopause in seven South-east Asian countries

Boulet MJ, Oddens BJ, Lehert P, Vemer HM, Visser A

Maturitas, 1994 Oct;19(3):157-76.
PMID: 7799822

The menopause is universal, but what about the climacteric? In an attempt to answer this question, a study was conducted in seven south-east Asian countries, namely, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. Samples of approximately 400 women in each country were questioned about a number of climacteric complaints, incontinence and dyspareunia, consultation of a physician, menopausal status and several background characteristics. Special care was taken to overcome linguistic and cultural problems, and the data collected were kept as objective as possible. From the results obtained we were able to show that the climacteric was indeed experienced in south-east Asian countries, although in a mild form. The prevalence of hot flushes and of sweating was lower than in western countries, but was nevertheless not negligible. The percentages of women who reported the more psychological types of complaint were similar to those in western countries. The occurrence of climacteric complaints affected perceived health status. A physician was consulted for climacteric complaints by 20% of the respondents, although this was most frequently associated with the occurrence of psychological complaints and less so with that of hot flushes and sweating. The median age at menopause (51.09) appeared to be within the ranges observed in western countries. Ethnic background and age at menarche were found to have a significant influence on age at menopause. The study clearly demonstrated that climacteric complaints occur in south-east Asia. The findings suggest, however, that vasomotor-complaint-related distress might be 'translated' into psychological complaints, which are more frequently considered to warrant consulting a physician.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Eating disorders in the Far East

Tsai G

Eat Weight Disord, 2000 Dec;5(4):183-97.
PMID: 11216126

OBJECTIVE: To investigate eating disorders (EDs) prevalence rates among Asian populations and identify characteristics that distinguish them from their Western counterparts.
METHOD: Potential references were identified through an English-language literature search using Medline, Psychinfo, Dissertation Abstracts (1966 to 1999) and through extensive manual searching of textbooks, reviews and reference lists.
RESULTS: The majority of studies related to EDs were conducted in Japan and China and a few were conducted in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Korea whereas there was none in the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand. Prevalence rates in Japan range from 0.025 to 0.030% for anorexia nervosa (AN) and from 1.9 to 2.9% for bulimia nervosa (BN). Community studies in China have found the AN prevalence to be 0.01% and BN rates ranging from 0.5% to 1.3%. These rates are lower than ED rates in the West (particularly the U.S. and Britain). Body dissatisfaction (BD) and dieting rates, however, were similar to those in the West. BD rates ranged from 68% (Taiwan) to 81% (Korea) and dieting rates ranged from 34% (Taiwan) to 68% (Japan). Sociocultural and developmental risk factors were relevant to this population.
CONCLUSIONS: EDs in Asian populations have received little attention because they have been predominantly viewed as associated with Western culture. Classified by many as a "culture-bound syndrome" of the West, they may really be a culture-change syndrome.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Fulltext Quality of life in South East Asian patients who consult for dyspepsia: validation of the short form Nepean Dyspepsia Index

Mahadeva S, Wee HL, Goh KL, Thumboo J

Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2009;7:45.
PMID: 19463190 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-7-45

BACKGROUND:
Treatment objectives for dyspepsia include improvements in both symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There is a lack of disease-specific instruments measuring HRQoL in South East Asian dyspeptics.

OBJECTIVES:
To validate English and locally translated version of the Short-Form Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF-NDI) in Malaysian patients who consult for dyspepsia.

METHODS:
The English version of the SF-NDI was culturally adapted locally and a Malay translation was developed using standard procedures. English and Malay versions of the SF-NDI were assessed against the SF-36 and the Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (LDQ), examining internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity.

RESULTS:
Pilot testing of the translated Malay and original English versions of the SF-NDI in twenty subjects did not identify any cross-cultural adaptation problems. 143 patients (86 English-speaking and 57 Malay speaking) with dyspepsia were interviewed and the overall response rate was 100% with nil missing data. The median total SF-NDI score for both languages were 72.5 and 60.0 respectively. Test-retest reliability was good with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.90 (English) and 0.83 (Malay), while internal consistency of SF-NDI subscales revealed alpha values ranging from 0.83 - 0.88 (English) and 0.83 - 0.90 (Malay). In both languages, SF-NDI sub-scales and total score demonstrated lower values in patients with more severe symptoms and in patients with functional vs organic dyspepsia (known groups validity), although these were less marked in the Malay language version. There was moderate to good correlation (r = 0.3 - 0.6) between all SF-NDI sub-scales and various domains of the SF-36 (convergent validity).

CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates that both English and Malay versions of the SF-NDI are reliable and probably valid instruments for measuring HRQoL in Malaysian patients with dyspepsia.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Men's health issues in Asia

Ho CC, Tan HM

Aging Male, 2013 Sep;16(3):81-4.
PMID: 23822757 DOI: 10.3109/13685538.2013.809414

Men's health has gained prominence over the past few years but it is still not on par with the attention or funding that women and child health is getting. In Asia, this issue is even more conspicuous. With westernization of lifestyle, Asian men's problems emulate their Western counterparts but there are certain issues unique to Asian men due to cultural differences. This review will discuss the health issues affecting Asian men and suggest measures that can be taken to overcome them.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
The impact of religion and cultural values on AIDS education programs in Malaysia and the Philippines

Osteria T, Sullivan G

AIDS Educ Prev, 1991;3(2):133-46.
PMID: 1873137

This paper examines the impact of cultural values and government policies on the content of AIDS educational literature prepared by public health agencies in Malaysia and the Philippines. The literature from these countries, which has been distributed to the public and is intended to inform them of the danger of AIDS, how the HIV is and is not transmitted, and how to avoid infection, is analyzed and evaluated for effectiveness and congruence with the dominant religious tenets and cultural practices in each country, and attitudes to sexual behavior. The paper also describes the response of these countries to the AIDS pandemic, and concludes with suggestions about how this form of AIDS education can be improved.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Religious--sociocultural psychotherapy in patients with anxiety and depression

Razali SM, Hasanah CI, Aminah K, Subramaniam M

Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 1998 Dec;32(6):867-72.
PMID: 10084352

To show the effectiveness of incorporating religious-sociocultural components in the management of patients with generalised anxiety disorders and major depression who have strong religious and cultural backgrounds as compared with a normal psychotherapeutic approach.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Sporadic koro and marital dysharmony

Adityanjee, Zain AM, Subramaniam M

Psychopathology, 1991;24(1):49-52.
PMID: 2023985 DOI: 10.1159/000284697

A case of Koro is described in a Malaysian Chinese man in the setting of martial dysharmony and sexual rejection. A distinction is suggested between the epidemic form of Koro and the Koro symptom occurring sporadically. Existence of the sporadic Koro syndrome is discussed and a unified classificatory system is proposed.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS-M) among type 2 diabetic patients

Abdulameer SA, Syed Sulaiman SA, Hassali MA, Sahib MN, Subramaniam K

Int J Rheum Dis, 2014 Jan;17(1):93-105.
PMID: 24472272 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.12104

The aims of this study were to translate and examine the psychometric properties of the Malaysian version of the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS-M) among type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) and to assess the correlation between osteoporosis knowledge, health belief and self-efficacy scales, as well as assess the osteoporosis risk in the sample population using quantitative ultrasound measurement (QUS).

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Gender, Cultural Influences, and Coping with Musculoskeletal Pain at Work: The Experience of Malaysian Female Office Workers

Maakip I, Oakman J, Stuckey R

J Occup Rehabil, 2017 Jun;27(2):228-238.
PMID: 27339144 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-016-9650-5

Purpose Workers with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) often continue to work despite their condition. Understanding the factors that enable them to remain at work provides insights into the development of appropriate workplace accommodations. This qualitative study aims to explore the strategies utilised by female Malaysian office workers with MSP to maintain productive employment. Methods A qualitative approach using thematic analysis was used. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 female Malaysian office workers with MSP. Initial codes were identified and refined through iterative discussion to further develop the emerging codes and modify the coding framework. A further stage of coding was undertaken to eliminate redundant codes and establish analytic connections between distinct themes. Results Two major themes were identified: managing the demands of work and maintaining employment with persistent musculoskeletal pain. Participants reported developing strategies to assist them to remain at work, but most focused on individually initiated adaptations or peer support, rather than systemic changes to work systems or practices. A combination of the patriarchal and hierarchical cultural occupational context emerged as a critical factor in the finding of individual or peer based adaptations rather than organizational accommodations. Conclusions It is recommended that supervisors be educated in the benefits of maintaining and retaining employees with MSP, and encouraged to challenge cultural norms and develop appropriate flexible workplace accommodations through consultation and negotiation with these workers.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Primary health care for the children of Sarawak

Benster R, Stanton J

Br J Hosp Med, 1989 Dec;42(6):488-90.
PMID: 2611474

Rosalind Benster and Judith Stanton went to Sarawak to study child health care. Their aim was to highlight areas of most need so that the tiny health budget could be channelled in the relevant directions. They found cultural and environmental differences to account for significant differences in the nutritional status of children from different tribes. They suggest remedies to this situation.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Tradition, cultural patterns and drug availability as predictors of youthful drug abuse: a comparison of Malaysia with post-revolutionary Iran

Spencer C

J Psychoactive Drugs, 1985 Jan-Mar;17(1):19-24.
PMID: 3981302
Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*

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