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Fulltext Economic Burden of the Inadequate Management of Allergic Rhinitis and Urticaria in Asian Countries Based on the GA²LEN Model

Kulthanan K, Chusakul S, Recto MT, Gabriel MT, Aw DCW, Prepageran N, et al.

Allergy Asthma Immunol Res, 2018 Jul;10(4):370-378.
PMID: 29949833 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2018.10.4.370

PURPOSE: Across Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, (referred to as Asia) approximately 30-53 million individuals of the 151 million employed suffer from allergic rhinitis (AR) and urticaria. It is estimated that approximately 90% of patients with these allergic conditions are insufficiently treated, impacting the socioeconomic burden in terms of absence from work and decreased productivity. This study aims to estimate the socioeconomic burden of allergies in Asia and the cost savings that their adequate management can provide. Due to the limited availability of regional data, this study focused AR and urticaria in selected countries.
METHODS: Published literature, information from statistical bureaus, clinician surveys and extrapolation of selected data from the European Union were used to determine the socioeconomic costs of AR and urticaria.
RESULTS: Many patients in Asia suffer from perennial allergies and experience symptoms of AR and urticaria for up to 298 days per year. An estimate of the indirect costs of patients insufficiently treated for AR and urticaria amounts to USD 105.4 billion a year, which equates to USD 1,137-2,195 per patient due to absenteeism and presenteeism. Adherence to guideline-approved treatment can lead to estimated savings of up to USD 104 billion.
CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that within Asia, the socioeconomic impact of AR and urticaria is similar to that seen in the European Union in spite of the lower wages in Asia. This is due to the mainly perennial allergens prevailing in Asia, whereas the sensitization patterns observed in the European Union are dominated by seasonal exposure to pollen. These results underline the need for governmental initiatives to increase public awareness on the prevention and treatment of these and other allergic diseases as well as greater research funding and large-scale studies to reduce their growing socioeconomic burden in coming years.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Migration plans and hours of work in Malaysia

Gillin ED, Sumner DA

Int Migr Rev, 1985;19(2):239-50.
PMID: 12280256

"This article describes characteristics of prospective migrants in the Malaysian Family Life Survey and investigates how planning to move affects hours of work. [The authors] use ideas about intertemporal substitution...to discuss the response to temporary and permanent wage expectations on the part of potential migrants. [An] econometric section presents reduced-form estimates for wage rates and planned migration equations and two-stage least squares estimates for hours of work. Men currently planning a move were found to work fewer hours. Those originally planning only a temporary stay at their current location work more hours."

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits*
Time-bound promotions in Indian medical institutes: a mirage?

Sukhlecha A

Indian J Med Ethics, 2016 Oct-Dec;1(4):264.
PMID: 27731301

Incentives, pay hikes and timely promotions enhance the job performance of an employee. In medical institutes, too, satisfied teachers would train students in a better way leading to better equipped doctors and ultimately, greater patient satisfaction. A study in Malaysia links high levels of satisfaction of employees with good salary, promotions, and incentives.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Fulltext Cost of preterm birth during initial hospitalization: A care provider's perspective

Zainal H, Dahlui M, Soelar SA, Su TT

PLoS One, 2019;14(6):e0211997.
PMID: 31237874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211997

Preterm birth incidence has risen globally and remains a major cause of neonatal mortality despite improved survival. Demand and cost of initial hospitalization has also increased. This study assessed the cost of preterm birth during initial hospitalization from care provider perspective in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of two hospitals in the state of Kedah, Malaysia. It utilized universal sampling and prospectively followed up preterm infants till discharge. Care provider cost was assessed using mixed method of top down approach and activity based costing. A total of 112 preterm infants were recruited from intensive care (93 infants) and minimal care (19 infants) units. Majority were from the moderate (23%) and late (36%) preterm groups followed by very preterm (32%) and extreme preterm (9%). Median cost per infant increased with level of care and degree of prematurity. Cost was dominated by overhead (fixed) costs for general (hospital), intermediate (clinical support services) and final (NICU) cost centers where it constituted at least three quarters of admission cost per infant while the remainder was consumables (variable) cost. Breakdown of overhead cost showed NICU specific overhead contributing at least two thirds of admission cost per infant. Personnel salary made up three quarters of NICU specific overhead. Laboratory investigation was the cost driver for consumables. Gender, birth weight and length of stay were significant factors and cost prediction was developed with these variables. This study demonstrated the inverse relation between resource utilization, cost and prematurity and identified personnel salary as the cost driver. Cost estimates and prediction provide in-depth understanding of provider cost and are applicable for further economic evaluations. Since gender is non-modifiable and reducing LOS alone is not effective, birth weight as a cost predictive factor in this study can be addressed through measures to prevent or delay preterm birth.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Fulltext A cross sectional study on job satisfaction level and the influencing factors among public health specialists in the Ministry of Health Malaysia, September 2004 - October 2004

Aniza, I., Syed Mohamed Al Junid, Sharifa Ezat

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2005;5(2):25-31.
MyJurnal

Job satisfaction level of workers is among the important factors influencing the performance and productivity of an organization. A cross sectional study was conducted among Public Health Specialists in the Ministry of Health of Malaysia to identify their job satisfaction level and the factors influencing it. The respondents are from the Association of Public Health Specialists of Malaysia. A working in Ministry of Health. Focus group discussions were conducted in four states to develop a relevant and comprehensive questionnaire. Survey questionnaires were then mailed to the respondents. The response rate was 7 2.3%. In measuring the job satisfaction level seven aspects were studied. The study showed that ‘job and workload` is the main contributor to job dissatisfaction followed by ’management and policy aspect’, 'salary and remuneration: aspect’ and resources and facilities aspect. Most of the respondents (94.0%) were dissatisfied with their job. Gender and income were the predictors of general job satisfaction. As a conclusion, the management, policy and remuneration shouM be revised in order to overcome the problems identified and subsequently increase job satisfaction levels among Public Health Specialists in the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Fulltext Work related injury and illness: exploring the return-to-work program in Malaysia

Awang H, Mansor N, Rodrigo SK

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2015 Nov;46(6):1124-33.
PMID: 26867371

Illness and injury have a significant impact on employees, their families and employers. The consequences faced by an injured worker could lead to disability, which could then lead to inability to work. This study examined the patterns of the Return to Work (RTW) using data from The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) of Malaysia RTW database from 2010 to 2013. Factors of successful return to work, employees' salary upon returning to formal employment were also investigated. Gender, age, year of injury, industry, and job hierarchy were found to be significant predictors of employees' salary upon returning to work. Although there are other costs involved on the part of employers and employees, themselves, in the long term the financial returns that can be brought back by injured workers who have successfully returned to work combined with the qualitative benefits substantially outweighs the costs of RTW program.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits/statistics & numerical data*
Fulltext The influence of depassivating element on the performance of aluminium anodes

Daud, M., Mohd Kamarudin, S.R., Samsu, Z., Ripin, M.S., Sattar, M.S., Rejab, R.

Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2013;2013(2):16-20.
MyJurnal

The corrosion behaviour of ternary aluminium alloy sacrificial anodes with small amount addition of tin as depassivating element in natural seawater was studied by means of conventional DC electrochemical measurements. Metallurgical microscope was employed in order to observe the changing of microstructure caused by tin present in ternary alloys. The relationship between microstructure and electrochemical results was examined and particular attention paid to the cause of the electrochemical efficiency of anode performance. The results indicate that the proper precipitates uniformly distributed of tin are influence on improving electrochemical performance of alumnium alloy anode.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Fulltext Market-mediated responses confound policies to limit deforestation from oil palm expansion in Malaysia and Indonesia

Taheripour F, Hertel TW, Ramankutty N

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2019 09 17;116(38):19193-19199.
PMID: 31481625 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1903476116

The global demand for palm oil has grown rapidly over the past several decades. Much of the output expansion has occurred in carbon- and biodiversity-rich forest lands of Malaysia and Indonesia (M&I), contributing to record levels of terrestrial carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. This has led to a variety of voluntary and mandatory regulatory actions, as well as calls for limits on palm oil imports from M&I. This paper offers a comprehensive, global assessment of the economic and environmental consequences of alternative policies aimed at limiting deforestation from oil palm expansion in M&I. It highlights the challenges of limiting forest and biodiversity loss in the presence of market-mediated spillovers into related oilseed and agricultural commodity and factor markets, both in M&I and overseas. Indeed, limiting palm oil production or consumption is unlikely to halt deforestation in M&I in the absence of active forest conservation incentives. Policies aimed at restricting palm oil production in M&I also have broader consequences for the economy, including significant impacts on consumer prices, real wages, and welfare, that vary among different global regions. A crucial distinction is whether the initiative is undertaken domestically, in which case the M&I region could benefit, or by major palm oil importers, in which case M&I loses income. Nonetheless, all policies considered here pass the social welfare test of global carbon dioxide mitigation benefits exceeding their costs.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Fulltext Employee career decision making: the influence of salary and benefits, work environment and job security

Nur`ain Achim, Nur Idayu Badrolhisam, Nurfitriah Zulkipli

Journal of Academia Universiti Teknologi MARA Negeri Sembilan, 2019;7(101):41-50.
MyJurnal

Every individual at some point will make critical career decision making in life. Making a wrong career decision will affect a person’s fu ture including feeling unhappy, job stress and eventually job withdrawal. This study examined the factors affecting career decision making among government servants in Malaysia. The population and sample were taken from three departments. The population wa s 140 employees and 103 respondents were identified as the sample. Convenience sampling was employed to collect the primary data. The result from several statistical analysis found that all the independent variables; salary and benefits, working environmen t and job security were correlated with the dependent variable that is career decision making. Therefore, from the findings, employers, especially from the government agencies, were urged to increase recruiting permanent position instead of contract employ ment and offering better benefits to improve employees’ career decision making.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Fulltext A study of occupational stress and coping strategies among correctional officers in Kedah, Malaysia

Mohd Zukri, I., Noor Hassim, I.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2010;16(2):66-74.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The effect of stress among correctional officers at the workplace can contribute to various health problems and this also affect their work performance and motivation.
Methodology: Study was done at a prison located at the rural district in Kedah. The study was conducted by using randomized stratified sampling method. A total of 418 self administrated questionnaires were distributed. These questionnaires included socio demographic factor, family and marriage factor, Personal Stress Inventory (using Stress Symptom Scale with 52 items), work related stressors (Job Stress Survey) and Brief COPE (Coping Orientation for Problems Experienced with 28 items).
Result: Response rate was 90.9%. Stress prevalence for correctional officers was 45.8%. Socio demographic factors which have significant relation with stress status were marital status, promotion factor, age, monthly salary, duration of service and number of children (p< 0.05). Family and marriage factor which have significant relation with stress status among married officer were pressure from relatives, clean up house, sexual frustration, conflict with spouse, conflict with children, conflict due to household work and no babysitter (p< 0.05).
Discussion: The study showed that work related stressors that have influence with stress were excessive workload, working after work hours, not enough staff, disgraced words from fellow workers, competition in carrier development and excessive work stress (p< 0.05). Multiple linear regression model was done in this study and revealed factors that explained 52% of variation in stress score distributions were behavioural disengagement, no babysitter, denial, conflict with children, replace other worker’s duty, not enough time with family, competition in carrier development, venting of emotion, positive reframing and emotional support. Coping strategies that have significant effect in reducing stress symptoms are positive reframing and emotional support.
Conclusion: Stress management programs should be implemented and emphasizing on specific stressors and coping mechanism are important to reduce the risk of occupational stress among correctional officers.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Fulltext Work Stress Prevalence among the Management Staff in an International Tobacco Company in Malaysia

Swee, W.F., Anza, E., Noor Hassim, I.

Medicine & Health, 2007;2(1):93-98.
MyJurnal

A cross sectional study on work stress prevalence was carried out among 185 executives and managers in the head quarter of an international tobacco company. The aim of the study was to identify work stress prevalence in this company and work stressors that were associated with stress experienced by the workers. A questionnaire based on the Personal Stress Inventory by O'Donell (1984) was used. Data collected from participants included sociodemography factors, symptoms of stress and work stressors related to organizational policy, organizational structure, organizational process, and work environment. The study showed that the prevalence of stress among executives was 68.1% and managers were 67.9%. There was no significant difference in the level of stress between the executives and the managers in the company. The sociodemographic factors that were significantly associated with stress were salary, number of children and personal factors. The significant stressors in the workplace were lack of job recognition, over focusing on quality of work, heavy workload and long working hours.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Fulltext Cost analysis of hypertension management in an urban Primary Medical Centre Kuala Lumpur

Azimatun Noor, A., Amrizal, M.N., Weng Kang, T, Rafidah, A.R., Hong, Y Geok, Adibah, A, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2014;14(3):0-0.
MyJurnal

Hypertension is one of the commonest health problems in Malaysia and its cases are on a rise. In conjunction with the above statement, it is predictable that the cost of healthcare services will further increase in the future. Therefore, cost study is necessary to estimate the health related economic burden of hypertension in Malaysia. A cross sectional study was carried out to quantify the direct treatment cost of hypertension. Three hundred and ninety one hypertensive patients’ data from Bandar Tasik Selatan Primary Medical Centre in year 2010 were collected and analysed. The direct treatment costs were calculated. The result showed that out of 391 hypertensive patients, 12.5% was diagnosed hypertensive without any co-morbidity, 25.3% with 1 co-morbidity dyslipidemia only; 4.3% with diabetes mellitus type 2 only; 0.5% with chronic kidney disease only and none with ischaemic heart disease. Patients with 2 co-morbidities (dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus type 2) were 42.2%; with 3 co-morbidities (diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia and chronic kidney disease) was 4.3%. The mean cost of direct treatment of hypertension per visit/ year was RM289.42 ±196.71 with the breakdown costs for each component were medicines 72.2%, salary 14.6%, laboratory tests 5.0%, administration 4.4% and radiology tests 3.8%. Dyslipidemia is by far the commonest co-morbidity among hypertensive patients. Direct costs of treating hypertension are mostly dependent on present of co-morbidity and numbers of drugs used. Thus, the annual budget could be calculated precisely in the future especially for drugs.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Faith-based health care

McAdam D

Lancet, 2016 Jan 30;387(10017):429-30.
PMID: 26869565 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00169-0
Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Factors influencing registered nurses perception of their overall job satisfaction: a qualitative study

Atefi N, Abdullah KL, Wong LP, Mazlom R

Int Nurs Rev, 2014 Sep;61(3):352-60.
PMID: 24902878 DOI: 10.1111/inr.12112

AIM: The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore factors related to critical care and medical-surgical nurses' job satisfaction as well as dissatisfaction in Iran.
BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction is an important factor in healthcare settings. Strong empirical evidence supports a causal relationship between job satisfaction, patient safety and quality of care.
METHOD: A convenient sample of 85 nurses from surgical, medical and critical care wards of a large hospital was recruited. Ten focus group discussions using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach.
FINDINGS: The study identified three main themes that influenced nurses' job satisfaction and dissatisfaction: (1) spiritual feeling, (2) work environment factors, and (3) motivation. Helping and involvement in patient care contributed to the spiritual feeling reported to influence nurses' job satisfaction. For work environment factors, team cohesion, benefit and rewards, working conditions, lack of medical resources, unclear nurses' responsibilities, patient and doctor perceptions, poor leadership skills and discrimination at work played an important role in nurses' job dissatisfaction. For motivation factors, task requirement, professional development and lack of clinical autonomy contributed to nurses' job satisfaction.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Nurse managers should ensure a flexible practice environment with adequate staffing and resources with opportunities for nurses to participate in hospital's policies and governance. Policy makers should consider nurses' professional development needs, and implement initiatives to improve nurses' rewards and other benefits as they influence job satisfaction.
KEYWORDS: Environment; Iran; Motivation Factors; Qualitative

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Labor migration in Asia

Martin PL

Int Migr Rev, 1991;25(1):176-93.
PMID: 12316776

"A recent conference sponsored by the United Nations Center for Regional Development (UNCRD) in Nagoya, Japan examined the growing importance of labor migration for four major Asian labor importers (Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore) and five major labor exporters (Bangladesh, Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand).... The conference concluded that international labor migration would increase within Asia because the tight labor markets and rising wages which have stimulated Japanese investment in other Asian nations, for example, have not been sufficient to eliminate migration push and pull forces...."

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits*
Fulltext Exploitation of Foreign Workers, Obstacles and Challenges in the Construction Sector

MAIZATUL AZIAN MARJUKI

Trends in Undergraduate Research, 2018;1(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

The presence of foreign workers is very crucial in the development of our country. Their presence in Sabah has created a big issue and it is difficult to be solved since 1990s. Migrant workers migrate to Malaysia in search of income although they are offered a low salary, unconducive living arrangements and long working hours. This has encouraged the rise of human trafficking. Ministry of Internal Affairs Malaysia is trying to solve this issue by abolishing recruitment of foreign workers through agents and rectify the policy on managing and recruiting foreign workers.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Breast cancer survivors: return to work and wage loss in selected hospitals in Malaysia

Su TT, Azzani M, Tan FL, Loh SY

Support Care Cancer, 2018 May;26(5):1617-1624.
PMID: 29209834 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-3987-y

PURPOSE: This study aimed, firstly, to assess the determinants of return to work (RTW), secondly, to explore the amount of annual wage loss, and finally, to discover the determinants of wage loss among breast cancer (BC) survivors.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used in this research. The data was collected via interview using a validated questionnaire. Logistic regression models were developed to discover the significant determinants of RTW and of wage loss among BC survivors.
RESULTS: A total of 256 BC survivors were included in this study. The analysis showed that there was a 21% loss of or reduction in mean income within 1 year after diagnosis. The significant predictors of RTW are being a government employee, having reduced wages or wage loss, and if the case had been diagnosed 1 year or more ago. Being a private sector employee and having a late stage of cancer was a barrier to RTW. The main risk factors for reduced wages or wage loss were belonging to the age group of 40-59 years, being of Chinese or Indian ethnicity, having low educational status, and not returning to work. However, belonging to the higher monthly income group (earning > RM 2000) is a protective factor against the risk of reduced wages or wage loss.
CONCLUSIONS: Non-RTW and wage loss after diagnosis of BC may result in the survivors experiencing a significant financial burden. Assessment of these patients is becoming more crucial because more women participate in the workforce in Malaysia nowadays and because BC is managed using multiple treatment modalities with their consequences could lead to long absences from work.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits/economics*
Fulltext Factors influences crude herbs use among patients with chronic diseases attending a government health clinic: a cross-sectional survey

Saw, Y. Y., Rajendran, D., Alicia, L. M. L., Chan, Y. L., Chow, Z. S., Roslan, A. Z., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(102):52-52.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Crude herbs can be defined as raw plants materials (e.g. leaves, flowers, roots, etc.) which are not being/minimally processed or dried. Globally, particularly in Malaysia, the use of crude herbs has been increasing. The reasons were as an ailment of diseases underlying conditions and for general wellbeing. In this study, our aim was to investigate factors influences crude herbs use among older patients with chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using purposive sampling among patients attended government health clinic
at Klinik Kesihatan Kampar, Perak. Self-designed questionnaires were used to collect data and data was analysed using SPSS software (ver. 23). Results: A total of 441 participants were enrolled in this study, the response rate was 71.35%. Demographic characteristics of patients who consume crude herbs were; female (57.25%), Malays (45.06%), age between 50-59 years old (31.96%), secondary education level (49.1%), and earned income less than RM3000 (93.27%). Female gender was found associated with the use of crude herbs (p < 0.05). Other socio-demographic characteristics, such as age, race, education level, and salary range found not associated with crude herbs (p > 0.05). The common reasons given by patients to use crude herbs were; family influence, effectiveness in reducing sugar, and accessible and cheaper compared to commercialised herbal drugs. The prevalence of crude herbs use,
particularly among ageing patients is alarming. The physicians need to take into account on crude herbs used when prescribing medications. The use of crude herbs can be beneficial but yet can be detrimental if it is consumed while on prescribed medications. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the survey area needs to broaden to other parts of Malaysia, particularly rural is warranted.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits
The relations among child quality, family structure, and the value of the mother's time in Malaysia

Leppel K

Malay Econ Rev, 1982 Oct;27(2):61-70.
PMID: 12266446

PIP: A model of the determinants of child quality and of the value of a woman's time is developed and tested using data from the Malaysian Family Life Survey of 1976-1977. Child quality is measured by educational attainment; factors influencing the value of the mother's time include size and age composition of household, family income, education, and hours worked. The results indicate that size and age composition of household affect a woman's asking wage. However, more data are needed before the effects of family structure on schooling can be measured with confidence.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits*
Fulltext Effects of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment on Patients' Health Related Quality of Life: Results from a Follow Up Study

Ahmad N, Javaid A, Syed Sulaiman SA, Basit A, Afridi AK, Jaber AA, et al.

PLoS One, 2016 Jul 28;11(7):e0159560.
PMID: 27467560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159560

At present, within the management of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) much attention is being paid to the traditional microbiological and clinical indicators. Evaluation of the impact of MDR-TB treatment on patients' Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) has remained a neglected area.

Matched MeSH terms: Salaries and Fringe Benefits

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