Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 140 in total

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  1. Zainur RZ, Loh KY
    Med J Malaysia, 2006 Dec;61(5):651-6.
    PMID: 17623974
    Postpartum is a crucial period for a mother. During this period a mother is going through the physiological process of uterine involution and at the same time adapting to her new role in the family. Many postpartum complications occur during this period. Among the important obstetric morbidities are postpartum hemorrhage, pregnancy related hypertension, pulmonary embolism and puerperal sepsis. Common surgical complications are wound breakdown, breast abscess and urinary fecal incontinence. Medical conditions such as anemia, headache, backache, constipation and sexual problems may also be present. Unrecognized postpartum disorders can lead to physical discomfort, psychological distress and a poor quality of life for the mothers. Providing quality postnatal care including earlier identification of the problems (correction) and proper intervention will help the mother to achieve full recovery and restore her functional status back to the pre-pregnancy state sooner.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period/physiology*; Postpartum Period/psychology
  2. Zainab AM, Pereira XV
    Malays Fam Physician, 2007;2(3):95-101.
    PMID: 25606093 MyJurnal
    One of the commonest psychological problems that a clinician would encounter in primary care is depression. The prevalence of depression is high in women, the elderly and those with underlying physical problems or during the postpartum period. The spectrum of clinical presentations is wide and somatic complaints are more common in primary care clinics. Depression may present as a primary disorder and co-morbidity with other psychological problems or physical illnesses is high. A good clinical interview is an important form of assessment and a quick screening of depression can be done with the administration of proper rating scales, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or Geriatric Depression Scale. Repeated use of the same scale in a patient would help the clinician to monitor the progress objectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  3. Yusuff AS, Tang L, Binns CW, Lee AH
    Breastfeed Med, 2015 Jul-Aug;10(6):300-4.
    PMID: 26090921 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2015.0069
    INTRODUCTION: Globally many women suffer from depression during pregnancy. This study investigated the impact of antenatal depressive symptoms on the duration of breastfeeding up to 6 months among women in Sabah, Malaysia.
    SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 2,072 women was conducted in Sabah during 2009-2010. Participants were recruited at 36-38 weeks of gestation and followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the validated Malay version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between antenatal EPDS scores and cessation of breastfeeding before 6 months postpartum.
    RESULTS: In total, 1,078 (52%) women with complete information on breastfeeding duration were included in the final sample. Approximately 99% of mothers were breastfeeding at discharge, and 87% of them continued to breastfeed at 6 months postpartum. Women with an antenatal EPDS score of 8 or above were twice more likely to stop breastfeeding before 6 months (adjusted hazards ratio=1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.26, 3.01) than those who scored less than 4 on the EPDS.
    CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms during pregnancy appeared to be associated with early breastfeeding cessation for mothers residing in Sabah.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  4. Yimer N, Rosnina Y, Wahid H, Saharee AA, Yap KC, Ganesamurthi P
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2010 Apr;42(4):607-15.
    PMID: 19809886 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-009-9464-y
    The primary objectives of this study were to investigate incidence of abnormal ovarian cyclicity (AOC) and its type in dairy and beef cows with prolonged postpartum period (>90 days) and in heifers that fail to conceive. A total of 53 animals were included in the study: 17 Friesian crosses, 16 Braford crosses, eight Brangus crosses, and 12 local Kedah-Kelantan (KKX) crosses. These animals were initially checked for absence of pregnancy via palpation per rectum. Blood samples for progesterone analysis were obtained twice a week for 2 to 3 months following their spontaneous oestrous cycle, and all animals were rechecked for pregnancy at the end of the study. Progesterone analysis indicated that 33.9% of the total animals were having AOC: 18.9% with cessation of ovarian cyclicity, 9.4% with prolonged luteal phases (PLP), and 5.7% short luteal phases. The highest incidence was observed in Brangus crosses (62.5%), followed by Braford crosses (43.8%), and Friesian crosses (35.3%). In contrast, no AOC was observed in the local KKX breeds, and all of them were found to be pregnant at the end of the study. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in the incidence of AOC and its type was observed between Kedah-Kelantan crosses and the other breeds. Although not significant (p > 0.05), Friesian crosses showed a higher percentage incidence of AOC than beef cows (40% vs 36.4%), with major types being PLP (26.7%) in dairy and cessation of ovarian cycle (27.3%) in beef cows. Compared with beef heifers, beef cows showed a higher percentage of AOC (36.4% vs 28.6%) where again, cessation of cyclicity was the predominant abnormality. In conclusion, AOC reflected by abnormal endocrine pattern is a possible cause of reduction in fertility for dairy and beef cows beyond 90 days postpartum and heifers that fail to conceive.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  5. Yahya NFS, Teng NIMF, Das S, Juliana N
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2021 Dec;30(4):662-674.
    PMID: 34967195 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202112_30(4).0013
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Globally, there is a high prevalence of postpartum depression (17.7%) reported in a recent study among mothers during the postpartum period. It contributes to poor health and well-being among newly delivered women. We reviewed the published effect of nutrition and physical activity interventions on improving and treating postpartum depression.

    METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The scoping review was performed using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. The systematic search was conducted using Scopus, Pubmed, EBSCOHost and Google Scholar in April 2020, updated in March 2021. Only literature published between January 2010 until February 2021 was searched.

    RESULTS: A total of 25 articles were included, of which 23 were randomised controlled trials , and 2 were quasi-experimental studies. Some of studies found improvements in depression (76% out of all studies). On this basis, nutrition or physical activity intervention probably improves postpartum depression. Moreover, the integration of nutrition and physical activity appears to improve depression in the more thorough follow-up of participants . Active involvement of the participant in the interventions was contributory to effectiveness.

    CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition and physical activity interventions with appropriate strategy and delivery are promising options for the management of postpartum maternal mental health. More definitive investigation of non-pharmacological interventions to ameliorate depression among postpartum women is warranted.

    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  6. Wan Omar WFN, Giribabu N, Karim K, Salleh N
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2019 Dec 05;245:112175.
    PMID: 31442621 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112175
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Marantodes pumilum (Blume) Kuntze has traditionally been used to firm the uterus after delivery, however scientific evidences behind this claim is still lacking.

    AIMS OF STUDY: To demonstrate Marantodes pumilum leaves aqueous extract (MPE) has an effect on uterine contraction after delivery and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved.

    METHODS: Day-1 post-delivery female rats were given MPE (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day) orally for seven consecutive days. A day after the last treatment (day-8), rats were sacrificed and uteri were harvested and subjected for ex-vivo contraction study using organ bath followed by protein expression and distribution study by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques, respectively. The proteins of interest include calmodulin-CaM, myosin light chain kinase-MLCK, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), G-protein α and β (Gα and Gβ), inositol-triphosphate 3-kinase (IP3K), oxytocin receptor-OTR, prostaglandin (PGF)2α receptor-PGFR, muscarinic receptor-MAChR and estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms α and β. Levels of estradiol and progesterone in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).

    RESULTS: Ex-vivo contraction study revealed the force of uterine contraction increased with increasing doses of MPE. In addition, expression of CaM, MLCK, SERCA, Gα, Gβ, IP3K, OTR, PGF2α, MAChR, Erα and ERβ in the uterus increased with increasing doses of MPE. Serum analysis indicate that estradiol levels decreased while progesterone levels remained low at day-8 post-partum in rats receiving 250 and 500 mg/kg/day MPE.

    CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the claims that MPE help to firm the uterus and pave the way for its use as a uterotonic agent after delivery.

    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period/blood; Postpartum Period/physiology
  7. Wan Mohamed Radzi CWJB, Salarzadeh Jenatabadi H, Samsudin N
    BMC Public Health, 2021 01 27;21(1):27.
    PMID: 33499833 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09999-2
    BACKGROUND: Since the last decade, postpartum depression (PPD) has been recognized as a significant public health problem, and several factors have been linked to PPD. Mothers at risk are rarely undetected and underdiagnosed. Our study aims to determine the factors leading to symptoms of depression using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis. In this research, we introduced a new framework for postpartum depression modeling for women.

    METHODS: We structured the model of this research to take into consideration the Malaysian culture in particular. A total of 387 postpartum women have completed the questionnaire. The symptoms of postpartum depression were examined using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and they act as a dependent variable in this research model.

    RESULTS: Four hundred fifty mothers were invited to participate in this research. 86% of the total distributed questionnaire received feedback. The majority of 79.6% of respondents were having depression symptoms. The highest coefficients of factor loading analysis obtained in every latent variable indicator were income (β = 0.77), screen time (β = 0.83), chips (β = 0.85), and anxiety (β = 0.88). Lifestyle, unhealthy food, and BMI variables were directly affected by the dependent variable. Based on the output, respondents with a high level of depression symptoms tended to consume more unhealthy food and had a high level of body mass indexes (BMI). The highest significant impact on depression level among postpartum women was unhealthy food consumption. Based on our model, the findings indicated that 76% of the variances stemmed from a variety of factors: socio-demographics, lifestyle, healthy food, unhealthy food, and BMI. The strength of the exogenous and endogenous variables in this research framework is strong.

    CONCLUSION: The prevalence of postpartum women with depression symptoms in this study is considerably high. It is, therefore, imperative that postpartum women seek medical help to prevent postpartum depressive symptoms from worsening.

    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  8. Wan Mahmud WM, Awang A, Herman I, Mohamed MN
    Malays J Med Sci, 2004 Jul;11(2):19-25.
    PMID: 22973123
    Increased international collaboration in clinical trials has created a need for cross culturally valid instruments to assess the quality of life and behavioural disorders. Cross cultural studies of depressive symptomatology, in particular, must be preceded by an exhaustive study of the psychometric properties of the instruments to ensure the validity of the comparison. In this article, we examined the validity, reliability and factor structure of the Malay version of the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) among Malay postpartum women attending selected health centres in Kedah, North West of Peninsular Malaysia. Our findings indicated that the current version of the BDI-II is psychometrically strong and appropriate for use in assessing depressive symptomatology among this group of women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  9. Wan Mahmud WM, Shariff S, Yaacob MJ
    Malays J Med Sci, 2002 Jan;9(1):41-8.
    PMID: 22969317 MyJurnal
    The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and associated risk factors of postpartum depression among Malay women in Beris Kubor Besar, Bachok, Kelantan The study was conducted between February to August 1998. A two-stage population survey approach was employed. Firstly, all the women who delivered between the months of February and May 1998 in the catchment area were identified. In stage 1, the 30 items GHQ was used as the screening instrument at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. All the potential cases (scoring above 6 on the questionnaire) were later interviewed using the CIS in stage 2 of the study. Diagnosis of postpartum depression was only made if the women fulfilled required criteria. Of the 174 women who were recruited, 17 of them fulfilled the criteria for postpartum depression yielding an incidence rate of 9.8 %. The condition was found to be significantly linked to low income or socioeconomic status, having marital problems (mainly financial in nature) and not breast - feeding.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  10. Wan Ab Rahman WS, Abdullah WZ, Husin A, Nik Mohd Hassan NFF, Hassan MN, Zulkafli Z
    Malays J Pathol, 2019 Aug;41(2):185-189.
    PMID: 31427554
    INTRODUCTION: Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is a rare acquired bleeding disorder caused by polyclonal immunoglobulin G autoantibodies against clotting factor VIII (FVIII). The incidence was reported to be rare occurring in 0.2- 4 cases/million/year. Patients may present with different clinical manifestations to various specialties. Early recognition of the disease contributes to favourable clinical outcome.

    CASE SERIES: Here, we reported five cases of this disorder with different clinical presentations from two tertiary hospitals in Kelantan state, Malaysia within a two year-period. Most of them were elderly, except for one who presented at the age of 36 years old. No direct or secondary cause was identified except for one patient who had developed from pregnancy-related at 3 weeks postpartum. These patients presented with spontaneous bleeding typically into skin, muscles, and mucous membranes but also at rare site in the epidural space. All patients denied previous history of bleeding or family history of bleeding disorder. FVIII activities were recorded between <1% to 19%, while the inhibitor titre levels were between 3.9 BU to 340 BU. The treatment approaches especially at presentation were complicated by unfamiliarity of managing this rare condition but all these patients received appropriate medical attention.

    DISCUSSION: Prompt diagnosis and management in the right hand are critical. Awareness of this disorder by medical personnel at all levels in the community and in various specialties is important.

    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  11. Voon HY, Pow JY, Tan LN, Suharjono HN, Teo WS
    BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2019 Jul 11;19(1):240.
    PMID: 31296180 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-019-2373-9
    BACKGROUND: Ragged placental membranes is a distinct entity from retained placenta and not uncommonly reported in midwifery texts. Although the incidence of postpartum endometritis is merely 1-5% after vaginal births, it remains the most common source of puerperal sepsis, contributing up to 15% of maternal mortality in low income countries. Geographically-remote centres in Malaysia prophylactically administer antibiotics for women with ragged placental membranes after vaginal birth, extrapolating evidence from retained placenta. We sought to clarify the rationale in continuing such practices.

    METHODS: This was an open-label, prospective, multicentre, randomized trial. Three hospitals where the current protocol was to administer prophylactic amoxycillin-clavulanic acid served as the sites of recruitment. Women who delivered vaginally beyond 24+ 0 weeks of gestation with ragged membranes were invited to participate in the trial and randomized into prophylaxis or expectant management with medical advice by blocks of 10, at a 1:1 ratio. A medication adherence diary was provided and patients followed up at 2 weeks and 6 weeks postpartum.

    RESULTS: A total of 6569 women gave birth vaginally in three centres during the trial period, of which 10.9% had ragged membranes. The incidence of endometritis was not significantly raised in women with or without prophylaxis (0.90% vs 0.29%; p = 0.60). All cases of endometritis presented within the first 2 weeks and preventive use of antibiotics did not ameliorate the severity of endometritis since rates of ICU admission, surgical evacuation and transfusion were comparable.

    CONCLUSION: Preventive use of antibiotics after vaginal delivery in women with ragged placental membranes did not result in a reduction of endometritis. Educating women on the signs and symptoms of endometritis would suffice. Based on the reported incidence of ragged membranes, a change in practice would result in 1500 less prescriptions of antibiotics per annum in these three centres.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03459599 (Retrospectively registered on 9 March 2018).

    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  12. Teoh CS, Aizul MHI, Wan Fatimah Suriyani WM, Ang SH, Nurul Huda MZ, Nor Azlini MI, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2013 Apr;68(2):157-60.
    PMID: 23629564 MyJurnal
    The potential harms of herbs to the pregnant mothers and their foetuses as well as the effect of herbs taken by nursing mothers on their babies remain largely unknown. Common perception is that herbal medicines ingestion during pregnancy and confinement period is a common practice among multi-racial Malaysian mothers. The purpose of this study was to explore the usage of herbal medicines during pregnancy and post-partum period among mothers who gave birth at a tertiary hospital in a metropolitan city of Malaysia. This cross sectional study was conducted between October and December 2010. The subjects were interviewed twice after giving birth: before hospital discharge and 6 to 8 weeks later. A total of 323 mothers were recruited for this study. The prevalence of herbs ingestion during pregnancy was 13.9%, with half of the users consuming it during the first trimester. A total of 163 (52.9%) mothers ingested herbs during the post-partum period. Significantly more Chinese (p=0.01) and Malay (p=0.04) mothers ingested herbs during pregnancy and post-partum period, respectively. Infants of mothers who ingested herbs had a higher rate of neonatal jaundice compared to infants of mothers who did not ingest herbs during the post-partum period (P=0.001).
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period*
  13. Tan, AE, Siti, S.A.
    Medicine & Health, 2008;3(2):288-293.
    MyJurnal
    A cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate if outpatient administration of in-travenous iron sucrose complex (Venofer) was a sensible option in treating iron defi-ciency anaemia during pregnancy and puerperium. A total of 120 patients with iron deficiency anaemia were recruited from the Obstetric Day Care Clinic at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) over 18 months from March 2003 to August 2004. The main outcome measures were haemoglobin increment, patients’ compliance, adverse effects and saving from hospitalization fees. The pre-treatment haemoglobin (Hb) level was 8.5+0.85g/dl for the antenatal patient and 7.6+0.80 g/dl in the post-partum group. The mean post-treatment haemoglobin increment at day four-teenth was 3.52+0.75g/dl. One patient developed skin rash while another had low-grade pyrexia. Seven patients experienced mild metallic taste. There were no serious side effects or anaphylactic reactions. Ten patients (8.3%) did not complete their ther-apy - eight delivered before completion of treatment; another two defaulted following delivery. The average number of Venofer used was seven ampoules i.e. 700mg per person, most of them required three sessions to complete the course. Outpatient treatment allows each patient to save hospitalization fees of RM45 per day, which to-talled up to RM135 for a 3-days ward stay. An estimation of RM16,200 hospitalization fees for the 120 patients was avoided during the study period. In conclusion, outpatient treatment of anaemia in pregnancy and post-partum period using Venofer was safe and feasible, with high patient compliant and cost-savings from hospitalization fees. 
    Study site: Obstetric Day Care Clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  14. Tan YL, Naidu A
    J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2014 May;40(5):1423-5.
    PMID: 24689652 DOI: 10.1111/jog.12334
    Spontaneous rupture of uterine fibroid is rarely encountered. We present a case of a 31-year-old who presented with acute abdominal pain at 9 weeks postpartum. On examination, the abdomen had diffuse tenderness, with rebound tenderness in the suprapubic area and in both iliac fossae. On ultrasonography, a 12.7 × 8.6 × 8.9-cm sized hyperechoic mass was visible on the posterior wall of the uterus. A large amount of fluid was visible in the paracolic gutters and the Pouch of Douglas (POD). The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy. A ruptured, cystic degenerated uterine fibroid with active bleeding was found, as well as approximately half a liter of free, bloodstained peritoneal fluid and pus. Myomectomy was performed, followed by evacuation of the fluid and clots. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. In conclusion, preoperative diagnosis of a perforated, uterine fibroid with spontaneous intra-abdominal hemorrhage is difficult; exploratory laparotomy is both diagnostic and therapeutic in this rare, life-threatening condition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  15. Tan TL, Lee LY, Lim WC
    Med J Malaysia, 2018 12;73(6):427-429.
    PMID: 30647223
    The occurrence of Leptospirosis and Escherichia coli coinfection in the post-partum period is a novel case. This report illustrated a previously well woman from a suburban area presented with acute neurological deterioration following a two days history of fever during her puerperal period. Early interventions with fluids, broad spectrum antibiotics and intensive supportive care were given. Despite that, she deteriorated rapidly and developed pulmonary hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and multi-organ failure. She succumbed within 12 hours of admission. The knowledge about such fatal co-infections should be disseminated to medical practitioners encountering Leptospirosis infection and general public.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  16. Tan ML, Foong SC, Ho JJ, Foong WC, Mohd R, Harun Z
    Int Breastfeed J, 2020 10 14;15(1):85.
    PMID: 33054789 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-020-00328-2
    BACKGROUND: Antenatal breastfeeding education (ANBE) is provided to all pregnant women attending Ministry of Health (MOH) clinics and some private health facilities in Malaysia, in line with the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). However, the 6 month exclusive breastfeeding prevalence remains relatively low in Malaysia, suggesting that there may be a gap between what is currently taught and what is received by the women.

    OBJECTIVES: To determine how women perceived their ANBE experience in the first 8 weeks postpartum including what was useful and what they would like to have been included, sources of ANBE and infant feeding practices at the time of survey.

    METHODS: Women during their first 8 weeks postpartum who attended MOH clinics in Penang State, Malaysia were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire in April and May 2015. Categorical responses were presented as numbers and proportions while free text responses were compiled verbatim and categorised into themes. The perceptions of primiparous and multiparous women were compared. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted to known confounders was used to determine if ANBE was associated with exclusive breastfeeding at the time of survey.

    RESULTS: A total of 421 women completed the 15-item questionnaire (84% response rate) of which 282 were complete and available for analysis. Of these, 95% had received ANBE, majority (88%) from MOH clinics. Almost all women found it useful. However, there were areas both in the delivery (e.g. too short) and the content (e.g. nothing new) that were described as not useful; and areas they would like more coverage (e.g. milk expression, storage and overcoming low milk supply). The exclusive breastfeeding prevalence at the time of survey was 61%. ANBE was significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding even after adjusting for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.1, 95% confidence interval 1.7, 38.3).

    CONCLUSIONS: ANBE is widely implemented and perceived as useful and may be associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Our findings give insight into content that women would like more of and how delivery of ANBE could be improved, including individualized sessions and communicating at a suitable level and language. Future studies could focus on the quality of ANBE delivery.

    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period/psychology*
  17. Syazwani NH, Koh DCL, Shamsuddin K, Ahmad S
    Movement Health & Exercise, 2020;9(1):19-29.
    MyJurnal
    Women with previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been found to have higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Participation in adequate physical activity during and after pregnancy has been found to mitigate this risk. The main purpose of this study was to determine the status of physical activity among women with recent GDM during pregnancy and 8-weeks post-partum. A secondary aim of the study was to explore factors associated with physical activity during and 8-weeks post-partum. Physical activity status was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The data were collected during pregnancy through a self-reported questionnaire (n=336) and via telephone interview 8-weeks post-partum (n=117). The results uncovered a significant association between physical activity and status of GDM during pregnancy. Women who reported higher physical activity participation during pregnancy were less likely to have GDM. However, there were no significant association between physical activity participation and GDM status post-partum. Age was associated with participation in physical activity during pregnancy. Self-efficacy and risk perception of developing T2DM were associated with physical activity participation at 8-weeks post-partum. In conclusion, this study highlighted the different factors that should be targeted (for during pregnancy and post-partum) to promote physical activity among this high-risk population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
  18. Sulaiman Z, Liamputtong P, Amir LH
    Health Soc Care Community, 2018 01;26(1):48-55.
    PMID: 28560792 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12460
    Nearly half of the working population in Malaysia are women, and with only a short period of maternity leave, they may struggle to achieve the recommended 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. The aim of this paper was to explore the relationship between the timing of return to work and beliefs and breastfeeding practices among women in urban Malaysia. A qualitative inquiry based on a phenomenological framework and multiple methods was used: face-to-face interview, participant diary and researcher field notes. Data collection took place in Penang and the Klang Valley, Malaysia, from March to September 2011. Eligible participants were purposely identified at randomly selected recruitment sites. A thematic analysis method was used to develop the typologies and categories of the findings. A total of 40 working women with a mean age of 32 years (SD 3.4) were interviewed and 15 participated in the diary writing. Most women (75%) returned to work between 2 and 3 months. Only 10% returned to work 4 months or later postpartum, and 15% had an early return to work (defined here as less than 2 months). The women fell into three groups: Passionate women with a strong determination to breastfeed, who exclusively breastfed for 6 months; Ambivalent women, who commenced breastfeeding but were unable to sustain this after returning to work; and Equivalent women, who perceived formula feeding as equally nutritious as breast milk. Although longer maternity leave was very important for Ambivalent women to maintain breastfeeding, it was not as important for the Equivalent or Passionate women. In conclusion, returning earlier was not an absolute barrier to continuing breastfeeding. Instead, a woman's beliefs and perceptions of breastfeeding were more important than the timing of her return to work in determining her ability to maintain breastfeeding or breast milk feeding.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period/psychology
  19. Subramaniam K, Hasmi AH, Mahmood MS
    Malays J Pathol, 2014 Dec;36(3):213-6.
    PMID: 25500522 MyJurnal
    Ruptured dissecting aortic aneurysm more commonly occur in men in the 40 to 70 age group, and most commonly is associated with atherosclerosis. Uncommon causes are previous heart surgery, connective tissue disorders and aortitis. Despite its rarity, Clostridium spp aortitis progresses very rapidly with a mortality rate of approximately 79% in adults, typically occurring within 48 hours of infection. We present a case of sudden death due to clostridial aortitis causing ruptured aortic dissection in an apparently healthy adult female, 7 weeks post-spontaneous vaginal delivery. This case highlights the pathology of aortic dissection and cystic media necrosis as presentations of clostridium spp infection in young female adult.
    Matched MeSH terms: Postpartum Period
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