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"Controlling ourselves, by ourselves": risk assemblages on Malaysia's assembly lines

Root R

Med Anthropol, 2008 Oct-Dec;27(4):405-34.
PMID: 18958787 DOI: 10.1080/01459740802427737

Since the early 1990s, the Malaysian government has identified factories as high risk for HIV and AIDS. Signaling epidemiological concerns over the rising rates of HIV among factory workers, a significant proportion of whom are women, the label also appeared to reconstitute stereotypes of factory women as dangerously sexual and of factories as immoral spaces. Drawing on ethnographic research in the export processing zones of Penang, Malaysia in the mid-1990s, I examine the meanings and experiences of HIV risk among factory women themselves. Data were analyzed using discourse and grounded theory methods, the former to identify women's multiple modes of rationalizing HIV risks, and the latter to theorize the sources and significance of women's HIV risk assemblages. The heuristic of assemblages as localized knowledge spaces helped to show that biomedical and socioreligious risk lexica operated not as fixed epistemological categories but as situational resources in women's risk scripts. Overall, women desired multiple risk knowledges to help them "control themselves by themselves," a project of reflexive self-shaping mediated by the diverse and discordant discourses of gender, ethnicity, and modernity in Malaysia that shaped how HIV risks were engendered and experienced.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Fulltext A Comparison of Practices During the Confinement Period among Chinese, Malay, and Indian Mothers in Singapore

Fok D, Aris IM, Ho J, Lim SB, Chua MC, Pang WW, et al.

Birth, 2016 09;43(3):247-54.
PMID: 27018256 DOI: 10.1111/birt.12233

BACKGROUND: Confinement (restrictions placed on diet and practices during the month right after delivery) represents a key feature of Asian populations. Few studies, however, have focused specifically on ethnic differences in confinement practices. This study assesses the confinement practices of three ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic Asian population.
METHODS: Participants were part of a prospective birth cohort study that recruited 1,247 pregnant women (57.2% Chinese, 25.5% Malay, and 17.3% Indian) during their first trimester. The 1,220 participants were followed up 3 weeks postpartum at home when questionnaires were administered to ascertain the frequency of adherence to the following confinement practices: showering; confinement-specific meals; going out with or without the baby; choice of caregiver assistance; and the use of massage therapy.
RESULTS: Most participants reported that they followed confinement practices during the first 3 weeks postpartum (Chinese: 96.4%, Malay: 92.4%, Indian: 85.6%). Chinese and Indian mothers tended to eat more special confinement diets than Malay mothers (p < 0.001), and Chinese mothers showered less and were more likely to depend on confinement nannies during this period than mothers from the two other ethnic groups (p < 0.001 for all). Malay mothers tended to make greater use of massage therapy (p < 0.001), whilst Indian mothers tended to have their mothers or mothers-in-law as assistant caregivers (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Most Singapore mothers follow confinement practices, but the three Asian ethnic groups differed in specific confinement practices. Future studies should examine whether ethnic differences persist in later childrearing practices.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Fulltext A pilot study: the development of a culturally tailored Malaysian Diabetes Education Module (MY-DEMO) based on the Health Belief Model

Ahmad B, Ramadas A, Quek KF, Md Zain AZ

BMC Endocr Disord, 2014 Apr 08;14:31.
PMID: 24708715 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6823-14-31

BACKGROUND: Diabetes education and self-care remains the cornerstone of diabetes management. There are many structured diabetes modules available in the United Kingdom, Europe and United States of America. Contrastingly, few structured and validated diabetes modules are available in Malaysia. This pilot study aims to develop and validate diabetes education material suitable and tailored for a multicultural society like Malaysia.

METHODS: The theoretical framework of this module was founded from the Health Belief Model (HBM). The participants were assessed using 6-item pre- and post-test questionnaires that measured some of the known HBM constructs namely cues to action, perceived severity and perceived benefit. Data was analysed using PASW Statistics 18.0.

RESULTS: The pre- and post-test questionnaires were administered to 88 participants (31 males). In general, there was a significant increase in the total score in post-test (97.34 ± 6.13%) compared to pre-test (92.80 ± 12.83%) (p 85%) at post-test (84.1%) compared to pre-test (70.5%) (p

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Fulltext A psychiatric rating scale for schizophrenia in Singapore (Woodbridge Hospital rating scale for schizophrenia)

Tsoi WF, Kua EH

Med J Malaysia, 1982 Dec;37(4):300-5.
PMID: 7167079

This scale is constructed to meet the need for an efficient, rapid and economical method of
measuring change in schizophrenic patients during the course of psychotropic medication (drug trial) in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual population of low educational level. Items are included only if (1) they can be elicited objectively, (2) they are important symptoms of schizophrenia and (3) they are frequent maniJestatz'on of the schizophrenic syndrome as recorded in Woodbridge Hospital. It could be used by a single rater but its reliability should be further improved if two raters are involved.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
A test of the resource security and the body mass index reference point hypotheses of body dissatisfaction amongst adolescents in eight countries

Mellor D, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, McCabe MP, Ricciardelli LA, Skouteris H, Mussap AJ

Ethn Health, 2014;19(5):548-64.
PMID: 24261816 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2013.857761

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify cultural-level variables that may influence the extent to which adolescents from different cultural groups are dissatisfied with their bodies.
DESIGN: A sample of 1730 male and 2000 female adolescents from Australia, Fiji, Malaysia, Tonga, Tongans in New Zealand, China, Chile, and Greece completed measures of body satisfaction, and the sociocultural influences on body image and body change questionnaire, and self-reported height and weight. Country gross domestic product and national obesity were recorded using global databases.
RESULTS: Prevalence of obesity/overweight and cultural endorsement of appearance standards explained variance in individual-level body dissatisfaction (BD) scores, even after controlling for the influence of individual differences in body mass index and internalization of appearance standards.
CONCLUSIONS: Cultural-level variables may account for the development of adolescent BD.
KEYWORDS: GDP; adolescents; body dissatisfaction; culture; sociocultural influences

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Adaptation problems of asian migrants

Hastings J

Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 1977 Dec;11(4):219-21.
PMID: 272878
Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
An exploratory study of traditional birthing practices of Chinese, Malay and Indian women in Singapore

Naser E, Mackey S, Arthur D, Klainin-Yobas P, Chen H, Creedy DK

Midwifery, 2012 Dec;28(6):e865-71.
PMID: 22079015 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2011.10.003

to explore the traditional birthing practices of Singaporean women.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Autonomy for whom? A perspective from the Orient

Ng LF, Shumacher A, Goh CB

Palliat Med, 2000 Mar;14(2):163-4.
PMID: 10829153 DOI: 10.1191/026921600669696020
Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Breast feeding among the Chinese in four countries

Koh TH

J Trop Pediatr, 1981 04;27(2):88-91.
PMID: 7230315 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/27.2.88
Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Bride burning

Kumar V, Kanth S

Lancet, 2004 Dec;364 Suppl 1:s18-9.
PMID: 15967137
Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Fulltext Child health strategies in primary health care

Jelliffee DB

Med J Malaysia, 1986 Mar;41(1):84-7.
PMID: 3796356

Various key aspects needing consideration in primary health care services for children are described. These include the need for basic curative facilities, a dyodic approach, concentration on major issues, use of appropriate technology and cultural appropriateness.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Classification of amok in DSM-IV

Gaw AC, Bernstein RL

Hosp Community Psychiatry, 1992 Aug;43(8):789-93.
PMID: 1427677

Culture-bound syndromes have been described worldwide in many individuals and, for certain syndromes, in epidemic proportion, yet these disorders have been classified as rare and exotic conditions warranting minimal attention. Development of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases offers an opportunity for providing a more sophisticated classification of these phenomena. The authors examine amok, a syndrome first described in Malaysia that consists of homicidal frenzy preceded by a state of brooding and ending with somnolence and amnesia. They discuss the concept of and criteria for a culture-specific disorder and propose that amok be classified as a culture-specific explosive behavioral disorder in DSM-IV.

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
Clinical and epidemiological perspectives of dyspepsia in a multiracial Malaysian population

Goh KL

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2011 Apr;26 Suppl 3:35-8.
PMID: 21443706 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06648.x

Dyspepsia is perhaps the most common gastrointestinal disease universally. The prevalence of dyspepsia ranges from 7-40% in population based studies worldwide. These figures vary with definition of dyspepsia used and also with the survey methodology. As with Western studies, functional dyspepsia (FD) predominates in Asia. With a decline in peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, the proportion of FD is set to increase further. Studies have shown FD to account for 50-70% of cases of uninvestigated dyspepsia. In Malaysia dyspepsia has been reported in up to 15% of a rural and 25% of an urban population. No racial differences were seen in the rural survey. In the urban survey, Malays and Indians were found to have significantly more dyspepsia than Chinese. No clear explanation can be found for these racial differences. In clinical practice, Malays seem to complain a lot of wind and bloating in the "stomach." This is interesting to note when you compare it with the prevalence of H. pylori which is distinctly less common amongst Malays compared to the Indians and Chinese. As with many Asian populations, many Malaysians do not consult for complains of dyspepsia. Many will self medicate and others may even bear with their complains. This is probably true in the rural population. Traditional medications are often used and these are often ethnic based. Different types of lotions for example are used for massaging the putative area in the abdomen by Malay, Chinese and Indian patients. Moxibustion and acupuncture is still practiced by Chinese traditional physicians for treatment of dyspepsia. The notion that mood disorders may underlies dyspepsia is still poorly accepted by a less educated or rural population who consider a psychiatric consultation a taboo. Amongst urban dwellers where Westernized medical care is readily available and the awareness of potential serious disease like cancer is higher, consultation for dyspepsia is certainly higher. Indeed a higher education level has been identified as independent risk factors for dyspepsia in both an urban and rural population survey in Malaysia. With greater consultation for dyspepsia, there has also been a higher demand and utilization of endoscopy services for investigation of gastrointestinal diseases in the country.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Clinical features of depression in Asia: results of a large prospective, cross-sectional study

Srisurapanont M, Hong JP, Tian-Mei S, Hatim A, Liu CY, Udomratn P, et al.

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Dec;5(4):259-67.
PMID: 24038919 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12104

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical features of depression in Asian patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Community health and changing hazards in a voluntary agricultural resettlement

Meade MS

Soc Sci Med, 1978 Jun;12(2D):95-102.
PMID: 705375
Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Fulltext Cultural adaptation and validity of the Malay version of the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS-M) among patients with schizophrenia in a psychiatric clinic

Yee A, Ng BS, Hashim HMH, Danaee M, Loh HH

BMC Psychiatry, 2017 Dec 02;17(1):384.
PMID: 29197359 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1553-2

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-M) among patients with schizophrenia in a psychiatric outpatient clinic.
METHODS: Ninety-nine schizophrenia outpatients were administered the Malay version of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-M), Malay version of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Malay version of Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and Malay version of World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF).
RESULTS: An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of BPRS-M produced a seven-factor solution which accounted for 71.4% of the total variance. It exhibited fair internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.75). "Positive symptoms" and "Resistance" factors had association with unemployment and number of antipsychotics, positively correlated with PANSS but negatively correlated with WHOQOL-BREF. "Mood disturbance" factor correlated with lifetime history of suicide attempts, Malay version of CDSS and WHOQOL-BREF (psychological). Both "Negative symptoms" and "Activation" factors were associated with male, lower education, unemployment and positively correlated with Malay version of PANSS but negatively correlated with WHOQOL-BREF.
CONCLUSIONS: The BPRS-M demonstrated promising psychometric properties in terms of dimensionality, reliability, and validity that generally justifies its use in routine clinical practice in Malaysia.
Study site: psychiatric clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*
Cultural formulation of psychiatric diagnosis. Sakit Gila in an Iban longhouse: chronic schizophrenia

Barrett RJ

Cult Med Psychiatry, 1997 Sep;21(3):365-79.
PMID: 9352169
Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Current status of organ transplant in Islamic countries

Ghods AJ

Exp Clin Transplant, 2015 Apr;13 Suppl 1:13-7.
PMID: 25894121

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation consists of 57 member states whose people are mainly followers of the Islamic religion. During the past several decades, organ transplants have been increasingly used for the treatment of end-stage organ failures worldwide. This study is to investigate the current status of organ transplant in Islamic countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics
Fulltext Does cultural practice affects neonatal survival- a case control study among low birth weight babies in Aceh Province, Indonesia

Sutan R, Berkat S

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2014;14:342.
PMID: 25269390 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-342

BACKGROUND: Cultural practice have often overlooked when providing maternal and child health care services. Low birth weight is the second cause of neonatal mortality in the world but it is a major factor in a developing country such as Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to predict the neonatal mortality among low birth weight babies in Aceh Province Indonesia.
METHODS: Unmatched case control study was conducted using data from year 2010 to 2012 in 8 selected districts of Aceh Province Indonesia. A total of 500 samples were obtained. There were 250 of the samples died in neonatal period (case group) and 250 who were alive (control group). There were 26 variables studied and were grouped into 4 factors: neonatal factor, maternal factor, maternal and child health services and neonatal care practices. The data was analysed using bivariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS: There were 13 out of 26 variables found as determinant factors of neonatal mortality among low birth weight babies in Aceh Province. The predictors found in this study were: boy (aOR1.80, 95% CI: 1.09-2.96), moderate low birth weight (aOR17.84, 95% CI: 6.20-51.35), preterm (aOR1.84, 95% CI: 1.07- 3.17), presence of maternal illnesses (aOR1.87, 95% CI: 1.06-3.30), too short or too long birth interval (aOR1.80, 95% CI: 1.20-2.91), inappropriate antenatal care (aOR2.29, 95% CI: 1.34-3.91), inappropriate neonatal visit (aOR7.04, 95% CI: 3.67-13.49), not practicing kangaroo mother care (aOR15.32, 95% CI: 2.85-82.56), not using warm bottle padding (aOR20.70, 95% CI: 6.32-67.80), not practicing 'didaring' (aOR4.33, 95% CI: 1.83-10.19), late initiation of breastfeeding (aOR2.03, 95% CI: 1.09-3.80), discard colostrums (aOR3.53, 95% CI: 1.93-6.43) and not practicing exclusive breastfeeding (aOR5.58, 95% CI: 2.89-10.77).
CONCLUSIONS: Cultural practices are strongly seen among Acehnese. Inappropriate antenatal care and neonatal care, late initiation of breastfeeding, discarding colostrums and not practicing exclusive breastfeeding were related to cultural practices. Improving knowledge heat preservation to prevent hypothermia using Kangaroo mother care, warm bottle padding and 'didaring' were proven methods to reduce neonatal mortality. Strengthening of health services in screening for high risk cases and anticipate intervention tailored to cultural practices are important to decrease neonatal mortality among low birth weight.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*

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