MyMedR

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 656 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Marketing of commercial milk formula: a system to capture parents, communities, science, and policy

Rollins N, Piwoz E, Baker P, Kingston G, Mabaso KM, McCoy D, et al.

Lancet, 2023 Feb 11;401(10375):486-502.
PMID: 36764314 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01931-6

Despite proven benefits, less than half of infants and young children globally are breastfed in accordance with the recommendations of WHO. In comparison, commercial milk formula (CMF) sales have increased to about US$55 billion annually, with more infants and young children receiving formula products than ever. This Series paper describes the CMF marketing playbook and its influence on families, health professionals, science, and policy processes, drawing on national survey data, company reports, case studies, methodical scoping reviews, and two multicountry research studies. We report how CMF sales are driven by multifaceted, well resourced marketing strategies that portray CMF products, with little or no supporting evidence, as solutions to common infant health and developmental challenges in ways that systematically undermine breastfeeding. Digital platforms substantially extend the reach and influence of marketing while circumventing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Creating an enabling policy environment for breastfeeding that is free from commercial influence requires greater political commitment, financial investment, CMF industry transparency, and sustained advocacy. A framework convention on the commercial marketing of food products for infants and children is needed to end CMF marketing.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy
Policy and priorities for national cancer control planning in low- and middle-income countries: Lessons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Costs in Oncology prospective cohort study

ACTION Study Group

Eur J Cancer, 2017 03;74:26-37.
PMID: 28335885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2016.12.014

BACKGROUND: Evidence to guide policymakers in developing affordable and equitable cancer control plans are scarce in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

METHODS: The 2012-2014 ASEAN Costs in Oncology Study prospectively followed-up 9513 newly diagnosed cancer patients from eight LMIC in Southeast Asia for 12 months. Overall and country-specific incidence of financial catastrophe (out-of-pocket health costs ≥ 30% of annual household income), economic hardship (inability to make necessary household payments), poverty (living below national poverty line), and all-cause mortality were determined. Stepwise multinomial regression was used to estimate the extent to which health insurance, cancer stage and treatment explained these outcomes.

RESULTS: The one-year incidence of mortality (12% in Malaysia to 45% in Myanmar) and financial catastrophe (24% in Thailand to 68% in Vietnam) were high. Economic hardship was reported by a third of families, including inability to pay for medicines (45%), mortgages (18%) and utilities (12%), with 28% taking personal loans, and 20% selling assets (not mutually exclusive). Out of households that initially reported incomes above the national poverty levels, 4·9% were pushed into poverty at one year. The adverse economic outcomes in this study were mainly attributed to medical costs for inpatient/outpatient care, and purchase of drugs and medical supplies. In all the countries, cancer stage largely explained the risk of adverse outcomes. Stage-stratified analysis however showed that low-income patients remained vulnerable to adverse outcomes even when diagnosed with earlier cancer stages.

CONCLUSION: The LMIC need to realign their focus on early detection of cancer and provision of affordable cancer care, while ensuring adequate financial risk protection, particularly for the poor.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy/economics
Fulltext The Influence of Person-Environment Fit on the Turnover Intention of Nurses in Jordan: The Moderating Effect of Psychological Empowerment

Amarneh S, Raza A, Matloob S, Alharbi RK, Abbasi MA

Nurs Res Pract, 2021;2021:6688603.
PMID: 33815841 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6688603

There is an acute shortage of nurses worldwide, including in Jordan. The nursing shortage is considered to be a crucial and complex challenge across healthcare systems and has stretched to a warning threshold. High turnover among nurses in Jordan is an enduring problem and is believed to be the foremost cause of the nurse shortage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the multidimensional impact of the person-environment (P-E) fit on the job satisfaction (JS) and turnover intention (TI) of registered nurses. The moderating effect of psychological empowerment (PE) on the relationship between JS and TI was also investigated. Based on a quantitative research design, data were collected purposively from 383 registered nurses working at private Jordanian hospitals through self-administered structured questionnaires. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 25 and Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS) 3.2.8 were used to analyze the statistical data. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between person-job fit (P-J fit), person-supervisor fit (P-S fit), and JS. However, this study found an insignificant relationship between person-organization fit (P-O fit) and JS. Moreover, PE was also significantly moderate between JS and TI of nurses. This study offers an important policy intervention that helps healthcare organizations to understand the enduring issue of nurse turnover. Additionally, policy recommendations to mitigate nurse turnover in Jordan are outlined.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
Planning for population redistribution in Malaysia

Abd Aziz Bin Abdullah W

Asian Pac Popul Programme News, 1983;12(2):15-6.
PMID: 12280072
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy*
Can clean biomass energy use lower CO2 emissions in African economies? Empirical evidence from dynamic long-run panel framework

Sulaiman C, Abdul-Rahim AS

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2020 Oct;27(30):37699-37708.
PMID: 32607996 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09866-y

This paper seeks to answer an empirical question of whether clean biomass energy consumption lowers CO2 emissions while controlling for technical innovation in eight selected countries from Africa for the 1980-2015 period. The countries which are chosen based on availability of data on biomass energy and technological innovation include Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Zambia. Applying pooled mean group, mean group, and dynamic fixed effect panel estimators, the results indicate that clean biomass energy use decreases CO2 emission in the long run. But the effect of biomass energy consumption on CO2 emission is insignificant in the short run. The findings imply that CO2 emission can be reduced by increasing clean biomass energy in the energy mix of these countries. Similarly, environmental quality and economic growth can be achieved simultaneously by increasing the share of biomass energy in large-scale production process. Furthermore, the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), which hypothesizes an inverted U-shaped relationship between CO2 emission and economic growth, was validated in the long run. This suggests that the EKC pattern is only observed in the long run. Thus, as part of recommendation from this study, policy makers in these countries should formulate more policies that will enhance clean biomass energy production and its usage to substitute significant percentage of fossil fuel use in production process.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
Fulltext Within cluster pattern identification: A new approach for optimizing recycle point distribution to support policy implementation on waste management in Malaysia

Azri S, Ujang U, Abdullah NS

Waste Manag Res, 2023 Mar;41(3):687-700.
PMID: 36129019 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X221123489

Despite the government's policies and objectives, Malaysia lags behind in sustainable waste management techniques, particularly recycling. Bins should be located conveniently to encourage recycling and reduce waste. The current model of bin location-allocation is mostly determined by distance. However, it has been identified that previous studies excluded an important factor: litter pattern identification. Litter pattern is important to identify waste generation hotspots and litter distribution. Thus, we proposed the within cluster pattern identification (WCPI) approach to optimize the recycle point distribution. WCPI gathers the information on litter distribution using geotagged images and analyses the pattern distribution. The optimal location for recycle bin can be identified by incorporating k-means clustering to the pattern distribution. Since k-means faces the non-deterministic polynomial-time-hard challenge of selecting the ideal cluster and cluster centre, WCPI used the total within-cluster sum of square on top of k-means clustering. The proposed location by WCPI is validated in terms of accessibility and suitability. Furthermore, this study provides further analysis of carbon footprint that can be reduced by simulating the data from geotagged images. The results show that 10,323.55 kg of carbon emission can be reduced if the litter is sent for recycling. Thus, we believe that locating bins at an optimal location will embark on consumer motivation to dispose of recycled waste, reduce litter and lessen the carbon footprint. At the same time, these efforts could transform Malaysia into a clean and sustainable nation that aims to achieve Agenda 2030.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
Contraceptive method switching in Peninsular Malaysia: ethnic differences, 1940s-1970s

Davanzo J, Starbird E, Reboussin D, Tan Boon Ann, Abdullah SH

Malays J Reprod Health, 1988 Jun;6(1):1-21.
PMID: 12281591
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy; Family Planning Policy
Applying data mining in healthcare: an info-structure for delivering 'data-driven' strategic services

Abidi SS

Stud Health Technol Inform, 1999;68:453-6.
PMID: 10724926

Presently, there is a growing demand from the healthcare community to leverage upon and transform the vast quantities of healthcare data into value-added, 'decision-quality' knowledge, vis-à-vis, strategic knowledge services oriented towards healthcare management and planning. To meet this end, we present a Strategic Knowledge Services Info-structure that leverages on existing healthcare knowledge/data bases to derive decision-quality knowledge-knowledge that is extracted from healthcare data through services akin to knowledge discovery in databases and data mining.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy Making
Seeking representation in policy-making governmental bodies

Abu Bakar S

Malays J Pathol, 1997 Dec;19(2):93-7.
PMID: 10879247
Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy/legislation & jurisprudence; Health Policy/trends*; Policy Making*
Malaysia [Population education in countries of the region]

Abu-bakar F

Bull Unesco Reg Off Educ Asia Pac, 1982 Jun.
PMID: 12265670
Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext The Impact of the COVID-19 Self-Isolation Policy on the Occupations of Vulnerable Groups

Amirudin A, Urbański M, Saputra J, Johansyah MD, Latip L, Tarmizi A, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 Jun 15;18(12).
PMID: 34203631 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126452

Today, the spread of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impact on world public health and bring about considerable human suffering partly due to government policies on reducing the spread. COVID-19 has significantly affected human health and it has impacted on the occupation of vulnerable groups such as tour guides, drivers and shop assistants. Of these, the present study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 self-isolation policy on the occupation of vulnerable groups in Semarang City, Indonesia. To achieve this objective, this study uses a qualitative method with an ethnography approach considering a rational or non-rational thinking model. The binary opposition thinking pattern pioneered by Lévi-Strauss was used in the interview process with 25 informants in Semarang City, Indonesia. The data analyzed the response pattern of informants through the taxonomy analysis. Three levels of vulnerability among groups relating to occupation were identified; jobs lost, income decreased, and delayed salary. The result of the analysis found that the group who obeyed self-isolation was categorized as a rational thinking; these groups stay at home, do not go to work, and have no income. Besides that, the group who ignored self-isolation is categorized as non-rational thinking; they work, as usual, get their salary, and believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is a disaster and they pray for their safety to God. In conclusion, COVID-19 brings a significant impact on occupation in the forms of postponing, declining, and missing income besides the health effects among vulnerable groups in Semarang city, Indonesia. In avoiding COVID-19 infection, the circumstances of vulnerable groups are worse when self-isolation is required. Thus, this study suggests that the government needs to assist vulnerable groups by focusing on strategic policies, such as strategies for survival, providing access to basic needs, including health, and offering livelihood plans by providing access to medical services and other source of income.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
Motivations and built environment factors associated with campus walkability in the tropical settings

Ramakreshnan L, Fong CS, Sulaiman NM, Aghamohammadi N

Sci Total Environ, 2020 Dec 20;749:141457.
PMID: 33370890 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141457

Recognizing and mainstreaming pertinent walkability elements into the university campus planning is crucial to materialise green mandates of the campus, while enhancing social and economic sustainability. In one of such attempts, this transverse study investigated the walking motivations, built environment factors associated with campus walkability and the relative importance of the studied built environment factors in reference to the sociodemographic attributes from the viewpoint of the campus community in a tropical university campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An online survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted between May and September 2019. The built environment factors associated with campus walkability were expressed and ranked as adjusted scores (AS). Meanwhile, multivariable logistic regression was deployed to examine the relative importance of the studied built environment factors in reference to the sociodemographic attributes of the campus community. Among 504 total responses acquired, proximity between complementary land uses (90.7%) was reported as the main motivation for walking. On the other hand, street connectivity and accessibility (AS: 97.62%) was described as the most opted built environment factor, followed by land use (AS: 96.76%), pedestrian infrastructure (AS: 94.25%), walking experience (AS: 87.07%), traffic safety (AS: 85.28%) and campus neighbourhood (AS: 59.62%), respectively. Among the sociodemographic attributes, no regular monthly income (OR = 3.162; 95% CI = 1.165-8.379; p

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
The Application of Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Heat Island Mitigation in Asia: Progress, Challenges, and Recommendations

Ramakreshnan L, Aghamohammadi N

Curr Environ Health Rep, 2024 Mar;11(1):4-17.
PMID: 38172471 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00427-2

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Unprecedented urbanization in Asia affects the net radiation and energy flux of urban areas in the form of urban heat islands (UHI). The application of nature-based solutions (NbS) via urban green and blue infrastructures is a promising approach to mitigate UHI via urban boundary condition modifications, which affect the energy balance. This narrative review discusses the application of green and blue infrastructures in the Asian context by highlighting its progress, challenges, and recommendations. This review is descriptive in nature and includes perspectives on the discussed topics.
RECENT FINDINGS: Studies on the application of green and blue infrastructures in UHI mitigation are still scant in Asia. Their cooling performance is greatly influenced by their types, size, geometry, surface roughness, spread (threshold distance), temporal scales, topography, pollution levels, prevailing climate, and assessment techniques. Distinct urban characteristics, climatic conditions, environmental risks, lack of awareness and expertise, lack of policy and government incentives, and limited scientific studies are the major challenges in their implementation of UHI mitigation in Asia. Although green and blue infrastructures are associated with urban cooling, more in-depth experimental work and multidisciplinary research collaboration are paramount to exploring its implementation potential in Asia and other countries that share similar urban and environmental characteristics.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
Protecting breastfeeding in West and Central Africa: over 25 years of implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

Sokol E, Clark D, Aguayo VM

Food Nutr Bull, 2008 Sep;29(3):159-62.
PMID: 18947028

In 1981 the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes out of concern that inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitutes was contributing to the alarming decline in breastfeeding worldwide and the increase in child malnutrition and mortality, particularly in developing countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Nutrition Policy/legislation & jurisprudence*
Enhancing Sustainability in Healthcare Delivery-A Challenge to the New Malaysia

Ahmad D

Malays J Med Sci, 2019 Jan;26(1):1-4.
PMID: 30914889 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.1.1

There have been substantial improvements in the health indicators since Malaysia achieved independence. These were accomplished through strong primary healthcare services addressing maternal and paediatric health, as well as the successful control of communicable diseases. The rate of decline in the mortality statistics has been at a virtual standstill, or at best, almost plateaued since 2000. However, with the plethora of national health issues at both the policy and delivery levels, we cannot continue on with 'business as usual'. Therefore, we must strategise effective and practical approaches to a renewed and revamped national healthcare services for a modern 'New Malaysia' that are compatible with our quest toward the status of a 'truly developed' nation.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
Fulltext Abdominal Obesity in Malaysian Adults: National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III, 2006)

Kee CC, Jamaiyah H, Noor Safiza MN, Khor GL, Suzana S, Jamalludin AR, et al.

Malays J Nutr, 2008 Sep;14(2):125-35.
PMID: 22691770 MyJurnal

Abdominal obesity (AO) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in adults. There is a lack of data on the magnitude and socio-demographic profile of AO among Malaysian adults at the national level. In the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS III) conducted in 2006, AO of adults aged 18 years and above was determined based on the waist circumference as part of the nutritional status assessment. This article reports the prevalence of AO in relation to socio-economic factors and demographic characteristics of adult subjects. Out of a total of 33,465 eligible individuals 18 years and above, waist circumference was measured in 32,900 (98.3%) individuals. The prevalence of AO was assessed using the cut-off points recommended by World Health Organization. The mean waist circumference in men and women was 84.0cm [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 83.8, 84.3] and 80.3cm (95% CI: 80.1, 80.6) respectively. The national prevalence of AO was 17.4% (95% CI: 16.9, 17.9). The identified risks of AO were women (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 3.8, 4.6), aged 50-59 years (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 4.0, 7.7), Indians (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 2.4, 3.8), housewives (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7), subjects with primary education (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.5) and ever married (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.6). Being the largest population-based study on AO among Malaysians, these findings have important public health implications. There is an urgent need to revise public health policies and programmes aimed at prevention of abdominal obesity especially in the groups at risk.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy
Fulltext Breastfeeding in Malaysia: Results of the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS III) 2006

Fatimah S, Siti Saadiah HN, Tahir A, Hussain Imam MI, Ahmad Faudzi Y

Malays J Nutr, 2010 Aug;16(2):195-206.
PMID: 22691925 MyJurnal

In Malaysia, the National Breastfeeding Policy recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued up to two years. Since the 1990s, several breastfeeding promotion programmes had been implemented in the country. This article reports the findings on the prevalence of breastfeeding practice from The Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS III) which was conducted in 2006. A total of 2167 mothers or carers of children below two years old were interviewed representing 804,480 of the estimated population of children aged below 2 years in Malaysia. Respondents were asked whether various types of liquid or solid food were given to the child at any time during the preceding 24-hour period. The overall prevalence of ever breastfed among children aged less than 12 months was 94.7% (CI: 93.0 - 95.9). The overall prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding below 6 months was 14.5% (CI: 11.7 - 17.9). Prevalence of timely initiation was 63.7% (CI: 61.4 - 65.9) and the continued prevalence of breastfeeding up to two years was 37.4% (CI: 32.9 - 42.2). The findings suggest that the programmes implemented in the last ten years were effective in improving the prevalence of ever breastfeeding, timely initiation of breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding up to two years. However, the challenge is to improve exclusive breastfeeding practice. Longterm community-based interventions need to be carried out in partnership with the existing health care system, focusing on discouraging the use of water and infant formula, especially in the first few months of life.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
The value of life and accident costing: a willingness-to-pay study amongst motorcyclists in Malaysia

Mohd Fauzi MY, Nor Ghani MN, Radin Umar RS, Ahmad Hariza H

Appl Health Econ Health Policy, 2004;3(1):5-8.
PMID: 15702934

Motorcyclists constitute a large proportion of total road casualties in Asian countries Unfortunately, studies conducted for the purpose of evaluating the cost of traffic crashes, and cost-benefit analyses of safety interventions, are almost nonexistent in these countries. The loss-of-output approach to valuing life has been used for many years, yet this method has also long been criticised as it results in significant resource misallocation. This study attempts to overcome this problem by estimating the value of a statistical life among motorcyclists using the willingness-to-pay method that is commonly used in developed countries. The study recommends adopting a value of MYR1.1 million (almost five times the previous estimate) per statistical life for public policy analysis involving motorcycle safety.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Policy
Fulltext Sociodemographic factors of mental health literacy among housewives living in low cost apartments in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia

Siti Nor Amirah M.H., Husna H., Muhamad Afnan A., Suriani I., Ahmad Iqmer Nashriq M.N.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):121-125.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Evaluation of mental health literacy is important in assisting the development of intervention and policies toward preventing mental health problems. This study aims to explore mental health literacy and its socio- demographic predictors in a group of housewives living in low-cost apartments in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A Malay version of the self-administered Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) was used in this cross-sectional study. Age, ethnicity, religion, educational level and family income were tested using one-way ANOVA and independent t-test. Result: A total of 103 eligible respondents participated in the study. Most respondents were from the age group of 30 and above, from the Malay ethnic group, Muslims, had formal education up to secondary level with a monthly family income below RM4000 (USD980). The overall mean (sd) mental health literacy score was low 106.65 (11.21) and was significantly associated with ethnicity, religion, educational level and family income (p>0.05). Conclusion: Mental health literacy scores were low and showed variations within sociodemographic groups.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy
Fulltext Unpacking the asymmetric impact of exchange rate volatility on trade flows: A study of selected developed and developing Asian economies

Kayani UN, Aysan AF, Gul A, Haider SA, Ahmad S

PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0291261.
PMID: 37819995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291261

Maintaining a stable exchange rate is a challenging task for the world, especially for developing economies. This study examines the impact of asymmetric exchange rates on trade flows in selected Asian countries and finds that the effects of increased exchange rate volatility on exports and imports differ among Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, and Korea. The quarterly data from the period 1980 to 2018 is collected from the International Financial Statistics (IFS) database maintained by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We employ both linear and non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) models for estimation. The non-linear models yielded more significant findings, while the linear models did not indicate any significant effects of exchange rate volatility on trade flows. The results of the study suggest that in the case of Pakistan, both the linear and non-linear models indicate that increased exchange rate volatility adversely affects exports and imports, while decreased volatility enhances both. This implies that stabilizing the exchange rate would be beneficial for Pakistan's trade. In contrast, the linear model applied to Malaysia shows no long-run effects of exchange rate volatility on exports. However, the result suggests that decreased volatility stimulates Malaysia's exports. Therefore, in the case of Malaysia, stabilizing the exchange rate could contribute to boosting exports. We also found that increased exchange rate volatility boosts exports of Japan. On the other hand, decreased volatility hurts exports of Japan. As for the long-run effects of exchange rate volatility on imports, we found that increased volatility boosts imports of Korea. The study provides various policy implications regarding the impact of exchange rate volatility on trade flows in developing economies. The study highlights the importance of country-specific considerations in understanding the impact of exchange rate volatility on trade flows, and has important policy implications for promoting trade and economic growth in these nations. It emphasizes the need to model exchange rate volatility separately for developed and developing countries and to continue research and analysis to identify ways to mitigate its negative effects on the economy.

Matched MeSH terms: Policy

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links