Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 53 in total

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  1. Prevalence and ethnic differences of autosomal-dominant cerebellar ataxia in Singapore
    Zhao Y, Tan EK, Law HY, Yoon CS, Wong MC, Ng I
    Clin Genet, 2002 Dec;62(6):478-81.
    PMID: 12485197
    We report the prevalence and ethnic differences of autosomal-dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) in Singapore. Amongst 204 patients with ataxia who underwent genetic testing for dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) and for spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12, 58 (28.4%) patients from 36 families tested positive. SCA 3 was identified in 31 (53.4%) patients from 15 families, SCA 2 in 17 (29.3%) patients from 12 families and SCA 1 in four (6.9%) patients from four families. Other SCA subtypes were rare. SCA 2 was the only subtype identified amongst ethnic Malay and ethnic Indian families. The estimated prevalence of ADCA in Singaporean families was at least 1 : 27,000. Based on the history and ancestry of Singaporeans, our study supported a founder effect for specific SCA subtypes and the association of ethnicity-specific SCA subtypes. Our findings suggest that SCA 2 is relatively common amongst the Malay race and that priority testing for SCA 3 and SCA 2 for ethnic Chinese, and SCA 2 for ethnic Malay, may be cost effective and relevant for the region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  2. Darkroom prone provocative test in primary angle closure glaucoma relatives
    Zahari M, Ong YM, Taharin R, Ramli N
    Optom Vis Sci, 2014 Apr;91(4):459-63.
    PMID: 24637481 DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000000220
    To evaluate ocular biometric parameters and darkroom prone provocative test (DPPT) in family members of primary angle closure (PAC) glaucoma (PACG) patients and to establish any correlation between these biometric parameters and the DPPT response.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  3. Fulltext Does a positive family history influence the presentation of breast cancer?
    Yip CH, bt Mohd Taib NA, Lau PC
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Jan-Mar;9(1):63-5.
    PMID: 18439076
    INTRODUCTION: An important risk factor for developing breast cancer is a positive family history of breast cancer. In Malaysia, there is no population-based breast screening programme, but the clinical practice guidelines suggest increased surveillance for those with a positive family history ie mammography for those 40 years old and above, breast self-examination and clinical breast examination yearly.
    OBJECTIVE: To determine if women with a family history of breast cancer present with earlier stages of disease.
    METHODOLOGY: From Jan 2001 to Dec 2006, 1553 women with breast cancer presenting to the University Malaya, where family history was recorded, were eligible for this study. Women with a first or second degree relative with breast cancer were compared with those who have no family history with regard to their race, age, stage, size and duration of symptoms. The Chi Square test of significance was used for analysis.
    RESULTS: Out of 1553 patients, 252 (16.2%) were found to have a relative with breast cancer out of which 174 (11.2%) had at least one affected first degree relative. There were no significant difference in the incidence of positive family history between the Malays, Chinese and Indians. 20% below the age of 40 years old had a positive family history compared with 12.6% in women with no family history. (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in stage at diagnosis between those with and without family history, ie 24.2% late stages (Stage 3 and 4) in the group with no family history compared with 21.8% in the group with family history. (p>0.05). The mean size in the group with no family history was 4.4 cm compared to 4.1 cm in the group with family history. There was a significant difference in screen-detected cancers in the women with family history, 10.7% compared with 5.1% of screen-detected cancers in the group without a family history. However there was no difference in the duration of symptoms between the 2 groups--25.8% in the women without a family history presented after 1 year of symptoms compared with 22.4% in the group with a family history (p>0.05).
    CONCLUSION: Having a family history of breast cancer does not appear to have much impact on the health-seeking behavior of women. Even though there were more screen detected cancers, these comprised only 10% of the group with family history. Public education should target women at risk ie with family history to encourage these women to present earlier and to undergo screening for breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  4. Fulltext Screening for Corynebacterium diphtheriae
    Wilson AP, Matthews S, Bahl M, Efstratiou A, Cookson BD
    J Clin Pathol, 1992 Nov;45(11):1036-7.
    PMID: 1452782 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.45.11.1036
    A throat swab from a 9 year old girl with pharyngitis yielded a non-toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae var mitis and Streptococcus group G. C pseudodiphtheriticum was isolated from the throats of two of her four brothers. In each case the isolate was sent to the reference laboratory before full identification. The growth was found to be mixed for one brother; the other isolate being a toxin producing C diphtheriae var gravis. The child was asymptomatic and the case proves that all colonial types on the Hoyles plate should be identified.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  5. Psychiatric morbidity in the first-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients
    Varma SL, Zain AM, Singh S
    Am. J. Med. Genet., 1997 Feb 21;74(1):7-11.
    PMID: 9033998
    There is increasing evidence that genetic factors play a role in the etiology of schizophrenic disorders. One thousand eighty-nine first-degree relatives of schizophrenics and 1,137 controls were studied to discover their psychiatric morbidity. Psychiatric morbidity was found in 16.34% of the first-degree relatives (FDR) of schizophrenics (parents, 5.69%; siblings, 7.71%; offspring, 2.94%) as compared to 6.9% in the controls (P < 0.001). Schizophrenia was found in 8.3% of the patient group, which was significantly higher (0.2%) as compared to the controls. Schizoid-schizotypal personality disorder was found in 3.03% of FDRs of the schizophrenic group. Depressive disorder was found in 4.4% and 2.1% in the control and patient group, respectively, which was statistically significant. Morbidity risk of schizophrenia was found in 16.97%, 6.22% and 5.79% of schizophrenia, schizoid-schizotypal personality disorder and depressive disorder, respectively, in the FDR of schizophrenic group.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  6. Fulltext Psychiatric morbidity in the families of paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenia patients
    Varma SL, Sharma I, Chugh S
    Singapore Med J, 1992 Feb;33(1):67-9.
    PMID: 1598611
    A total of 1018 and 812 first degree relatives (FDR) of schizoprencies and controls respectively, were studied to find out the psychiatric morbidity in the families of paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenia patients. The risk of schizophrenia and affective disorders was found to be independent of the probands subtype diagnosis. The risk for schizoid-schizotypal and paranoid personality disorders was found to be increased in the first degree relatives of paranoid schizophrenic, as compared to non-paranoid schizophrenic, thus suggesting that the psychopathology in the FDR may differ with the subtype diagnosis of the proband.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  7. Validation of the medical outcomes study family and marital functioning measures in SLE patients in Singapore
    Thumboo J, Fong KY, Chan SP, Leong KH, Feng PH, Thio ST, et al.
    Lupus, 1999;8(7):514-20.
    PMID: 10483028 DOI: 10.1191/096120399678840747
    OBJECTIVE: To validate the Medical Outcomes Study Family and Marital Functioning Measures (FMM and MFM) in a multi-ethnic, urban Asian population in Singapore.
    METHODS: English speaking Chinese, Malay or Indian SLE patients (n=120) completed a self-administered questionnaire containing the FFM and MFM at baseline, after 2 weeks and after 6 months. Lupus activity, disease-related damage and quality of life were assessed using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG), Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index and SF-36 Health Survey respectively. Scale psychometric properties were assessed through factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, quantifying test-retest differences and known-groups construct validity.
    RESULTS: Factor analysis of scores obtained at baseline and after 6 months identified 3 factors corresponding to the FFM (1 factor) and the MFM (2 factors). Both scales showed acceptable internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.95 for the FFM and 0.70 for the MFM. Mean (s.d.) test-retest differences were -0.31 (3.82) points for the FFM and -0.70 (4.26) points for the MFM. Eleven out of 13 a priori hypotheses relating both the FFM and MFM to demographic, disease and quality of life variables were confirmed, supporting the construct validity of these scales.
    CONCLUSION: The FFM and MFM are valid and reliable measures of family and marital functioning in a multi-ethnic cohort of Asian SLE patients in Singapore.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health*
  8. Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in a developing country over a 10-year period
    Thong MK, Bazlin RI, Wong KT
    Dev Med Child Neurol, 2005 Jul;47(7):474-7.
    PMID: 15991868
    Clinical data on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are lacking in developing countries. The objective of this study was to delineate the demographic characteristics, investigations, and outcome of 21 Malaysian males diagnosed with DMD over a period of 10 years. Mean age presentation was 3 years 8 months (SD 23mo; range 10 to 84mo), mean duration from first presentation to diagnosis was 3y 7mo (SD 26mo; range 5 to 84) and the mean age for loss of ambulation was 11 years (SD 25mo; range 102 to 168). There was family history of DMD in five of the 21 patients. Muscle biopsy showed confirmatory findings of DMD in the 16 patients tested. Molecular genetic analysis showed dystrophin gene deletions in 11 of these 16 patients. Four and seven of the students stopped schooling and had learning difficulties, respectively; only nine had satisfactory school performances. Eight out of 14 patients evaluated were classified as having severe to total dependency levels on the modified Barthel Index for activities of daily living assessment. DMD is associated with significant medical and social needs for a developing country such as Malaysia. Earlier referral, genetic counselling, and provision of support and rehabilitative services are the main priorities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  9. Linkage analysis and whole exome sequencing reveals AHNAK2 as a novel genetic cause for autosomal recessive CMT in a Malaysian family
    Tey S, Shahrizaila N, Drew AP, Samulong S, Goh KJ, Battaloglu E, et al.
    Neurogenetics, 2019 08;20(3):117-127.
    PMID: 31011849 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-019-00576-3
    Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a form of inherited peripheral neuropathy that affects motor and sensory neurons. To identify the causative gene in a consanguineous family with autosomal recessive CMT (AR-CMT), we employed a combination of linkage analysis and whole exome sequencing. After excluding known AR-CMT genes, genome-wide linkage analysis mapped the disease locus to a 7.48-Mb interval on chromosome 14q32.11-q32.33, flanked by the markers rs2124843 and rs4983409. Whole exome sequencing identified two non-synonymous variants (p.T40P and p.H915Y) in the AHNAK2 gene that segregated with the disease in the family. Pathogenic predictions indicated that p.T40P is the likely causative allele. Analysis of AHNAK2 expression in the AR-CMT patient fibroblasts showed significantly reduced mRNA and protein levels. AHNAK2 binds directly to periaxin which is encoded by the PRX gene, and PRX mutations are associated with another form of AR-CMT (CMT4F). The altered expression of mutant AHNAK2 may disrupt the AHNAK2-PRX interaction in which one of its known functions is to regulate myelination.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  10. Fulltext Impact of a standardized protocol for the Management of Prolonged Neonatal Jaundice in a regional setting: an interventional quasi-experimental study
    Tan HS, Balasubramaniam IS, Hss AS, Yeong ML, Chew CC, Singh RP, et al.
    BMC Pediatr, 2019 05 29;19(1):174.
    PMID: 31142302 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1550-3
    BACKGROUND: Prolonged neonatal jaundice (PNNJ) is often caused by breast milk jaundice, but it could also point to other serious conditions (biliary atresia, congenital hypothyroidism). When babies with PNNJ receive a routine set of laboratory investigations to detect serious but uncommon conditions, there is always a tendency to over-investigate a large number of well, breastfed babies. A local unpublished survey in Perak state of Malaysia revealed that the diagnostic criteria and initial management of PNNJ were not standardized. This study aims to evaluate and improve the current management of PNNJ in the administrative region of Perak.

    METHODS: A 3-phase quasi-experimental community study was conducted from April 2012 to June 2013. Phase l was a cross-sectional study to review the current practice of PNNJ management. Phase ll was an interventional phase involving the implementation of a new protocol. Phase lll was a 6 months post-interventional audit. A registry of PNNJ was implemented to record the incidence rate. A self-reporting surveillance system was put in place to receive any reports of biliary atresia, urinary tract infection, or congenital hypothyroidism cases.

    RESULTS: In Phase I, 12 hospitals responded, and 199 case notes were reviewed. In Phase II, a new protocol was developed and implemented in all government health facilities in Perak. In Phase III, the 6-month post-intervention audit showed that there were significant improvements when comparing mean scores of pre- and post-intervention: history taking scores (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  11. Sociodemographic and health-lifestyle determinants of obesity risks in Malaysia
    Tan AK, Dunn RA, Samad MI, Feisul MI
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2011 Apr;23(2):192-202.
    PMID: 20460299 DOI: 10.1177/1010539509359535
    The purpose of this study was to examine the sociodemographic and health-lifestyle factors that affect the likelihood of obesity among Malaysians. Data were obtained from the Malaysian Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance-1. The cross-sectional population-based survey consisted of 2447 observations, with an obesity prevalence rate of 17.2%. Based on logit regression analysis, the results suggest that obesity risks in Malaysia are affected by gender, education level, family history, health conditions, smoking status, and ethnic backgrounds. Specifically, Malaysians more likely to be obese are females (5.3%), lower educated (0.9%), those with history of family illnesses (4.8%), and nonsmokers (6.4%). However, Chinese (9.3%) and other (5.5%) ethnic groups are less likely to be obese when compared with Malays. Based on these results, several policy implications are discussed vis-à-vis obesity risks in Malaysia.
    Study name: Malaysia Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance-1 (MyNCDS-1) survey
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  12. Fulltext Psychiatric and surgical management of male genital self-mutilation
    Suraya Y, Saw KC
    Singapore Med J, 1999 Oct;40(10):656-8.
    PMID: 10741196
    Cases of genital self-mutilation are usually seen in the general hospital setting and can be difficult to manage especially in those patients who have psychiatric illness. A joint effort between the psychiatric and the surgical services will be required right from the beginning of hospital admission to diagnosis and later, to follow-up. Psychiatric consultation strategies at the different phases of intervention will be needed to cater for the special needs of the surgical team, patient and family. We describe three cases of genital self- mutilators and the general management of these patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  13. Fulltext Parental body mass index is associated with adolescent overweight and obesity in Mashhad, Iran
    Shafaghi K, Shariff ZM, Taib MN, Rahman HA, Mobarhan MG, Jabbari H
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2014;23(2):225-31.
    PMID: 24901091 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.2014.23.2.11
    OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among secondary school children aged 12 to 14 years in the city of Mashhad, Iran and its association with parental body mass index.
    METHODS: A total of 1189 secondary school children (579 males and 610 females) aged 12- 14 years old were selected through a stratified multistage random sampling. All adolescents were measured for weight and height. Household socio-demographic information and parental weight and height were self-reported by parents. Adolescents were classified as overweight or obese based on BMI-for age Z-score. Multivariable logistic Regression (MLR) determined the relationship between parental BMI and adolescent overweight and obesity.
    RESULTS: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity among secondary school children in Mashhad was 17.2% and 11.9%, respectively. A higher proportion of male (30.7%) than female (27.4%) children were overweight or obese. BMI of the children was significantly related to parental BMI (p<0.001), gender (p= 0.02), birth order (p<0.01), parents' education level (p<0.001), father's employment status (p<0.001), and family income (p<0.001). MLR showed that the father's BMI was significantly associated with male BMI (OR: 2.02) and female BMI (OR: 1.59), whereas the mother's BMI was significantly associated with female BMI only (OR: 0.514).
    CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of overweight/obesity among the research population compared with previous studies in Iran could be related to the changing lifestyle of the population. The strong relationship with parental BMI was probably related to a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Strategies to address childhood obesity should consider the interaction of these factors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health/statistics & numerical data*
  14. Fulltext Psychiatric morbidity in schizophrenic relatives--use of Self-Reporting Questionnaires (SRQ)
    Salleh MR
    Singapore Med J, 1990 Oct;31(5):457-62.
    PMID: 2259943
    A validated study of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) of the World Health Organization against ICD-9 was found to have good validation indices at the cut-off point of 5/6. The sensitivity was 84.8% and specificity 83.7%. However, SRQ-24 had poor validation indices and are too sensitive to detect psychotic illness. Twenty-three per cent of 264 schizophrenic relatives who had been staying together with them and or actively involved in their care for at least one year had neurotic disorders compared with 1% who had latent schizophrenia. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was higher in the first-degree relatives compared with non-first degree relatives.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health*
  15. Fulltext Risk factors for wheeze in the last 12 months in preschool children
    Quah BS, Mazidah AR, Simpson H
    Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2000 Jun;18(2):73-9.
    PMID: 10928618
    Most children with asthma develop their symptoms before the age of 5 years and many preschool wheezers continue to wheeze in the early school years. It is thus important to investigate the factors that predispose young children to wheeze. The objective of this study was to investigate the relevant environmental and family influences on recent wheeze (wheeze within the last 12 months) in preschool children. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five primary health clinics in the district of Kota Bharu from April to October 1998. Nurses from these clinics distributed Bahasa Malaysia questionnaires containing questions on asthma symptoms, environmental risk factors, family's social status and family history of atopy and wheeze to preschool children aged 1-5 years during their home visits. The respondents were parent(s) or carer(s) of the children. A total of 2,524 (87.7%) complete questionnaires were available for analysis of risk factors. One hundred and fifty six (6.2%) children had current wheeze. Significant risk factors associated with current wheeze were a family history of asthma (O.R. = 6.36, 95% C.I. = 4.45-9.09), neonatal hospital admission (O.R. = 2.38, 95% C.I. = 1.51 - 3.75), and a maternal (O.R. = 2.12, 95% C.I. = 1.31-3.41) or paternal (O.R. = 1.52, 95% C.I. = 0.95-2.43) history of allergic rhinitis. Among environmental factors examined, namely, household pets, carpeting in bedroom, use of fumigation mats, mosquito coils and aerosol insect repellents, maternal and paternal smoking, and air conditioning, none were associated with an increased risk of wheeze. In conclusion, the strongest association with current wheeze was a family history of asthma. Also significant were neonatal hospital admission and a history of allergic rhinitis in either the mother or father. None of the environmental factors studied were related to current wheeze in preschool children.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  16. The analyze toddler growth and development according to family's economic status in Village Limau Manis, Districts Tanjung Morawa
    Pangaribuan IK, Simanullang E, Poddar S
    Enferm Clin, 2020 06;30 Suppl 5:92-95.
    PMID: 32713594 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.11.029
    The toddler stage is a golden period and at the same time a critical period for a child, since he / she will experience rapid brain growth and development so that he/ she need sufficient nutrition intake. Toddler's abnormal growth and development are usually found in low economic community because they cannot afford to provide their need for basic food for their toddler's growth and development. The objective of the research was to analyze toddler's growth and development according to family's economic status. The research used descriptive analytic method with cross-sectional design. It was conducted at Limau Manis Village, Tanjung Morawa Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency, from January to June 2016. The population was 1899 toddlers, and 113 of them were used as the samples, taken by using simple random sampling technique. The data were gathered by using questionnaires to find out toddler's growth and development according to family's economic status. The result of univariate analysis showed that 57 toddlers (50.4%) had abnormal growth and development. The result of bivariate analysis with chi-square test showed that there was the correlation of toddler's growth and development with economic status (p value=0.004), women's care pattern (p value=0.028), and environmental sanitation (p value=0.01). Therefore, empowerment of family's economy through the development of family's nutrition portfolio is necessary.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  17. Metabolic, immunological and clinical characteristics in newly diagnosed Asian diabetes patients aged 12-40 years
    Pan CY, So WY, Khalid BA, Mohan V, Thai AC, Zimmet P, et al.
    Diabet Med, 2004 Sep;21(9):1007-13.
    PMID: 15317606 DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2004.01287.x
    AIM: To describe the clinical, biochemical and immunological characteristics of young-onset diabetes in Asia.
    METHODS: Clinical, biochemical and immunological variables were assessed in 919 newly diagnosed (duration less than 12 months) young onset Asian diabetic patients aged between 12 and 40 years. The subjects constituted 57% Chinese, 29% Indians and 14% Malays, recruited from diabetes centres in China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Singapore.
    RESULTS: The mean age (+/- sd) was 31.6 +/- 7.2 years, with the majority (66%) in the 31-40 years age group. Mean body mass index (BMI) (+/- sd) was 25.3 +/- 5.0 kg/m2 with 47% exceeding the suggested Asian cut-off point for obesity (BMI > or = 25). Ethnic difference in clinical characteristics included BMI, blood pressure, mode of treatment and degree of insulin resistance. Most patients had a clinical presentation of Type 2 diabetes. About 10% had a classical combination of ketotic presentation, presence of autoimmune-markers and documented insulin deficiency indicative of Type 1 diabetes. Forty-eight percent were receiving oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs) while 31% were on diet only, 18% were receiving insulin and 2% were on a combination of insulin and OHA.
    CONCLUSION: Young onset diabetes patients in Asia represent a heterogeneous group in terms of their clinical and biochemical characteristics and classical Type 1 diabetes is relatively uncommon. The 5-year follow up study will determine the progress of these patients and help to clarify the natural history.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  18. Central and peripheral blood pressure profile of young offspring with hypertensive and normotensive parents
    Othman AS, Othman NI, Rosman A, Nudin SS, Rahman AR
    J Hypertens, 2012 Aug;30(8):1552-5.
    PMID: 22635140 DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e328355207b
    OBJECTIVES: In this cross-sectional study we compared the central aortic systolic pressure (CASP), peripheral brachial systolic pressure (PSP), peripheral brachial diastolic pressure (PDP) and augmentation index (AIx) between normotensive offspring of nonhypertensive parents (ONT) and normotensive offspring with at least one hypertensive parent (OHT).
    METHODOLOGY: A total of 100 healthy ONT (mean age 20.95 ± 2.06) and 100 healthy OHT (mean age 20.89 ± 2.12) individuals were recruited. Parental history of hypertension was determined by detailed history taking. CASP, PSP, PDP and AIx were measured using the BPro device. All blood pressure (BP) measurements were calibrated using oscillometric BP readings.
    RESULTS: The OHT group had higher PSP (117.57 ± 10.06 versus 114.52 ± 8.94, P < 0.05), PDP (72.39 ± 7.28 versus 70.39 ± 6.50, P < 0.05) and CASP (103.72 ± 8.95 versus 101.37 ± 7.74, P < 0.05) compared to the ONT group. There was no significant difference in AIx in the ONT group (57.97 ± 11.02 versus 58.08 ± 12.16, P = 0.95) in comparison to the OHT group. However, following adjustments for certain cardiovascular risk factors, only PSP (117.33 versus 114.76, P < 0.05) remained significantly higher in the OHT group compared to the ONT group. Analysis of adjusted data within sex showed that CASP was higher in the female OHT group compared to the female ONT group, whereas PDP were higher in the male OHT group compared to the male ONT group.
    CONCLUSION: Alterations in PSP, PDP and CASP are already present in early life in normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents, with possible differences in mechanism between different sexes.
    Study site: Clinical Research Laboratory in Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, Selangor, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  19. Fulltext Recurrent Bell's palsy in a young woman
    Ngow HA, Wan Khairina WM, Hamidon BB
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Oct;49(10):e278-80.
    PMID: 18946598
    Bell's palsy is a benign lower motor neuron facial nerve disorder. It is almost always unilateral. We report a 20-year-old nulliparous woman with five episodes of recurrent Bell's palsy. A review of recent medical literature revealed a paucity of case reports involving an individual with five episodes of recurrent Bell's palsy, with none found in Asian neurology medical literature. Despite the multiple episodes of Bell's palsy recurrences, the patient did not suffer much neurological sequelae from the disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health
  20. Fulltext A qualitative study on the implementation of family health team: the perspectives of providers and patients
    Mohd Hanafiah AN, Johari MZ, Azam S
    BMC Fam Pract, 2020 08 09;21(1):162.
    PMID: 32772931 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-020-01217-7
    BACKGROUND: Malaysia has committed to the global call to achieve universal health coverage, and with the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals, is further strengthening the health system through the primary health care services, particularly the family doctor concept. The Enhanced Primary Health Care (EnPHC) initiative was implemented to address the worrying upward trend of non-communicable disease prevalence, and incorporates the Family Health Team (FHT) concept. The aim of this paper is to describe the implementation of the FHT as part of the EnPHC intervention.

    METHODS: In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with the intervention design team, healthcare providers and patients in two rounds during the implementation period. A total of 121 individuals in the two rounds, split into different groups, where some of the participants of the FGD were also interviewed individually. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis, with codes being organised into larger themes.

    RESULTS: Themes that emerged from the data were around the process of FHT implementation and the advantages of the FHT, which included continuity of health care and improved quality of care. Patients and health care providers were receptive to the FHT concept, and took the effort to adapt the concept in the local settings.

    CONCLUSIONS: The FHT concept implemented at 20 public primary health clinics has benefits appreciated by health care providers and patients. Addressing the viable shortcomings would better prepare the current primary healthcare system to scale up the FHT concept nationwide and enhance its feasibility and sustainability.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with the National Medical Research Register, Ministry of Health Malaysia ( NMRR-17-295-34711 ).

    Matched MeSH terms: Family Health*
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