Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 90 in total

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  1. 'Lest we forget' as we move forward with cervical screening
    Saville M, McNally O
    Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2018 Jun;58(3):265-266.
    PMID: 29864221 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.12813
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
  2. Fulltext A comparative study on family, social supports and mental health of rural and urban Malay women
    Mubarak AR
    Med J Malaysia, 1997 Sep;52(3):274-84.
    PMID: 10968098
    The present study aims to compare the family's social environment, social supports and mental health of Malay women from rural and urban areas. Equal number (n-184) of Malay women from similar socio-economic back grounds were chosen from the rural areas of Kedah and urban areas of Pulau Pinang using the stratified random sampling method. The results indicated significantly higher level of mental health problems among the rural respondents when compared with the urban subjects. Among the family related variables included in the present study, cohesiveness, moral religious emphasis and organization and intellectual and cultural orientation were found to be significantly associated with the mental health problems of rural respondents. Whereas, only one variable, namely, active recreational orientation was found to be having an impact on the mental health of urban respondents. Similarly, deficiencies in the social support perceived from family and other members of the community were found to be significantly associated with the mental health problems of rural samples when compared to the social support perceived from the others for the urban subjects. The implications of these observations are discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
  3. A study on the menopause in Malaysia
    Ismael NN
    Maturitas, 1994 Oct;19(3):205-9.
    PMID: 7799827
    In an attempt to gather data on the menopause in Malaysia, 400 women (13% Chinese, 70% Malays and 16% Indians), representing the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia, were interviewed. The majority (76%) of these women were still married and living with their husbands and 63% of them were working. Most of them (90%) had attained menarche by the age of 15 years and 50% of them had married before the age of 20. Their reproductive record was good, since 76% of them had 3 or more children who were still alive. The mean age at menopause in the Malaysian women studied was 50.7 years. Analysis of the climacteric symptoms reported showed significant differences in the vasomotor and nervosity indices in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups. Eighty percent (80%) of the women saw no need to consult a doctor about their climacteric symptoms. When they did, most of them (84%) received medication, but 43% of them did not comply with the prescribed treatment. Dyspareunia and urinary incontinence were evidently regarded as embarrassing complaints in all three groups, since around 80% of the women did not seek medical advice. This is not surprising in view of the fact that 89% of them rated their health as good.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
  4. Fulltext A survey of health problems of Nepalese female migrants workers in the Middle-East and Malaysia
    Simkhada P, van Teijlingen E, Gurung M, Wasti SP
    BMC Int Health Hum Rights, 2018 01 18;18(1):4.
    PMID: 29347938 DOI: 10.1186/s12914-018-0145-7
    BACKGROUND: Nepal is a key supplier of labour for countries in the Middle East, India and Malaysia. As many more men than women leave Nepal to work abroad, female migrant workers are a minority and very much under-researched. The aim of the study was to explore the health problems of female Nepalese migrants working in the Middle-East and Malaysia.

    METHODS: The study was conducted among 1010 women who were registered as migrant returnees at an organisation called Pourakhi Nepal. Secondary data were extracted from the records of the organisation covering the five-year period of July 2009 to July 2014.

    RESULTS: The 1010 participants were aged 14 to 51 with a median age of 31 (IQR: 38-25) years. A quarter of respondents (24%) reported having experienced health problems while in the country of employment. Fever, severe illness and accidents were the most common health problems reported. Working for unlimited periods of time and not being able to change one's place of work were independently associated with a greater likelihood of health problems. Logistic regression shows that migrant women who are illiterate [OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.38, p = 0.042], who had changed their workplace [OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.32, p = 0.007], who worked unlimited periods of time [OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.44 to 1.93, p = 0.020], had been severely maltreated or tortured in the workplace [OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.92, p = 0.010], were not being paid on time [OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.60 to 3.55, p = 0.038] and migrant women who had family problems at home [OR = 3.48, CI 95%: 1.22 to 9.98, p = 0.020] were significantly associated with health problems in their host country in the Middle East.

    CONCLUSION: Female migrant workers face various work-related health risks, which are often related to exploitation. The Government of Nepal should initiate awareness campaigns about health risks and rights in relation to health care services in the host countries. Recruiting agencies/employers should provide information on health risks and training for preventive measures. Raising awareness among female migrant workers can make a change in their working lives.

    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health/statistics & numerical data*
  5. An international comparison of women's health issues in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore: the CIDA-SEAGEP Study
    Choi BC
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2004 Nov 19;4:989-1006.
    PMID: 15578123
    This was an international study of women's health issues, based on an Official Study Tour in Southeast Asia (the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore) and Canada. The objectives of the study were to identify and compare current gaps in surveillance, research, and programs and policies, and to predict trends of women's health issues in developing countries based on the experience of developed countries. Key informant interviews (senior government officials, university researchers, and local experts), self-administered questionnaires, courtesy calls, and literature searches were used to collect data. The participating countries identified women's health as an important issue, especially for reproductive health (developing countries) and senior's health (developed countries). Cancer, lack of physical activity, high blood pressure, diabetes, poverty, social support, caring role for family, and informing, educating, and empowering people about women's health issues were the main concerns. Based on this study, 17 recommendations were made on surveillance, research, and programs and policies. A number of forthcoming changes in women''s health patterns in developing countries were also predicted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
  6. An international comparison of women's occupational health issues in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore: the CIDA-SEAGEP study
    Choi BC
    Occup Med (Lond), 2005 Oct;55(7):515-22.
    PMID: 16174662
    An international comparison study of women's occupational health issues was carried out in 2000 for the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore. The study was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency's Southeast Asia Gender Equity Program.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
  7. Fulltext Anthropometric and reproductive factors among newly- diagnosed breast cancer patients and healthy women: a case-control study
    Zunura'in Z, Almardhiyah AR, Gan SH, Arifin WN, Sirajudeen K, Bhavaraju V, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2016;17(9):4439-4444.
    PMID: 27797258
    The objective of this case-control study was to determine anthropometric and reproductive factors associated with the development of breast cancer among women. Fifty-six newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were recruited from the Oncology Clinic, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and 56 healthy female hospital employees were recruited as controls. Socio-demographic and reproductive data were obtained using a standard questionnaire. Anthropometric factors (body weight, height, body fat percentage, visceral fat and waist and hip circumference) were assessed. A high waist circumference (adjusted OR= 1.04, [95% CI: 1.00, 1.09]) and being more than 30 years of age at rst full-term pregnancy (adjusted OR=3.77, [95% CI: 1.10, 12.90]) were predictors of breast cancer development. The results of this study indicate that weight and reproductive health management should be emphasized for breast cancer prevention in Malaysia.

    Study site: Oncology clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  8. Arterial Hypertension in Women: State of the Art and Knowledge Gaps
    Chapman N, Ching SM, Konradi AO, Nuyt AM, Khan T, Twumasi-Ankrah B, et al.
    Hypertension, 2023 Jun;80(6):1140-1149.
    PMID: 36919603 DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.20448
    Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death among women globally. However, there is a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding the sex-specific pathophysiology of the condition. In addition, risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular disease unique to women or female sex are insufficiently acknowledged in clinical guidelines. This review summarizes the existing evidence on women and female-specific risk factors and clinical management of hypertension, to identify critical knowledge gaps relevant to research, clinical practice, and women's heart health awareness. Female-specific risk factors relate not only to reproduction, such as the association of gynecological conditions, adverse pregnancy outcomes or menopause with hypertension, but also to the specific roles of women in society and science, such as gender differences in received medical care and the underrepresentation of women in both the science workforce and as participants in research, which contribute to the limited evidence-based, gender- or sex-specific recommendations. A key point is that the development of hypertension starts in young, premenopausal women, often in association with disorders of reproductive organs, and therefore needs to be managed early in life to prevent future cardiovascular disease. Considering the lower blood pressure levels at which cardiovascular disease occurs, thresholds for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension may need to be lower for women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  9. Beliefs and practices surrounding postpartum period among Myanmar women
    Sein KK
    Midwifery, 2013 Nov;29(11):1257-63.
    PMID: 23415368 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2012.11.012
    to examine the postpartum beliefs and practices among young women (15-24 years)
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  10. Body mass index of married Bangladeshi women: trends and association with socio-demographic factors
    Hossain MG, Bharati P, Aik S, Lestrel PE, Abeer A, Kamarul T
    J Biosoc Sci, 2012 Jul;44(4):385-99.
    PMID: 22340969 DOI: 10.1017/S002193201200003X
    Body mass index (BMI) is a good indicator of nutritional status in a population. In underdeveloped countries like Bangladesh, this indicator provides a method that can assist intervention to help eradicate many preventable diseases. This study aimed to report on changes in the BMI of married Bangladeshi women who were born in the past three decades and its association with socio-demographic factors. Data for 10,115 married and currently non-pregnant Bangladeshi women were extracted from the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). The age range of the sample was 15-49 years. The mean BMI was 20.85 ± 3.66 kg/m(2), and a decreasing tendency in BMI was found among birth year cohorts from 1972 to 1992. It was found that the proportion of underweight females has been increasing in those born during the last 20 years of the study period (1972 to 1992). Body mass index increased with increasing age, education level of the woman and her husband, wealth index, age at first marriage and age at first delivery, and decreased with increasing number of ever-born children. Lower BMI was especially pronounced among women who were living in rural areas, non-Muslims, employed women, women not living with their husbands (separated) or those who had delivered at home or non-Caesarean delivery.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
  11. Climacteric and menopause in seven South-east Asian countries
    Boulet MJ, Oddens BJ, Lehert P, Vemer HM, Visser A
    Maturitas, 1994 Oct;19(3):157-76.
    PMID: 7799822
    The menopause is universal, but what about the climacteric? In an attempt to answer this question, a study was conducted in seven south-east Asian countries, namely, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. Samples of approximately 400 women in each country were questioned about a number of climacteric complaints, incontinence and dyspareunia, consultation of a physician, menopausal status and several background characteristics. Special care was taken to overcome linguistic and cultural problems, and the data collected were kept as objective as possible. From the results obtained we were able to show that the climacteric was indeed experienced in south-east Asian countries, although in a mild form. The prevalence of hot flushes and of sweating was lower than in western countries, but was nevertheless not negligible. The percentages of women who reported the more psychological types of complaint were similar to those in western countries. The occurrence of climacteric complaints affected perceived health status. A physician was consulted for climacteric complaints by 20% of the respondents, although this was most frequently associated with the occurrence of psychological complaints and less so with that of hot flushes and sweating. The median age at menopause (51.09) appeared to be within the ranges observed in western countries. Ethnic background and age at menarche were found to have a significant influence on age at menopause. The study clearly demonstrated that climacteric complaints occur in south-east Asia. The findings suggest, however, that vasomotor-complaint-related distress might be 'translated' into psychological complaints, which are more frequently considered to warrant consulting a physician.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
  12. Fulltext Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological treatment for the overactive bladder in women: A network meta-analysis
    Nalliah S, Wg P, Masten Singh PK, Naidu P, Lim V, Ahamed AA
    Aust Fam Physician, 2017 Mar;46(3):139-144.
    PMID: 28260277
    BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a common medical condition that causes significant distress and impact on the quality of life in women. Muscarinic receptor antagonists remain the mainstay of therapy, but they are limited by their efficacy and adverse effects. The objective of the article was to compare the clinical efficacy and tolerability of medications used to treat OAB in women through network meta-analysis.

    METHODS: Data from eligible studies of commonly prescribed pharmacological agents in the treatment of OAB in women were entered into Net-MetaXL after a literature search using two online databases (PubMed and Cochrane). Studies between 31 July 2000 and 31 July 2015 were included in this study.

    RESULTS: Five quantitative studies were eligible for analysis. The most efficacious drug to treat OAB in women appears to be solifenacin 10 mg once daily (OD), followed by oxybutynin 3 mg three times a day. However, solifenacin 10 mg OD caused more adverse effects that the other treatments.

    DISCUSSION: Our results are similar to those of another systematic review. When considering efficacy, tolerability and cost, solifenacin 5 mg once daily is the drug of choice as it is more efficacious, albeit with more adverse effects, than other treatments. If solifenacin is unsuitable, oxybutynin 3 mg TDS is recommended.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  13. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Symptom Burden in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer in Malaysia
    Chui PL, Abdullah KL, Wong LP, Taib NA
    Cancer Nurs, 2017 7 21;41(3):189-199.
    PMID: 28723722 DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000527
    BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used for cancer- and chemotherapy-related symptoms. Nurses are likely to encounter many CAM users in their practice.

    OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess CAM use and examine the symptom burden of CAM and non-CAM users among patients with breast cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy.

    METHODS: A CAM use questionnaire and the Side-Effect Burden Scale were administered to 546 patients. Complementary and alternative medicine use was categorized as mind-body practices (MBPs), natural products (NPs), or traditional medicine (TM).

    RESULTS: We identified 386 CAM users (70.7%) in this study. The CAM users reported a higher marginal mean total symptom burden score (40.39 ± 2.6) than non-CAM users (36.93 ± 3.21), although this difference was not statistically significant (P = .09). Triple-modality (MBP-NP-TM) CAM users had a significantly higher marginal mean total symptom burden score (47.44 ± 4.12) than single-modality (MBP) users (34.09 ± 4.43). The risk of having a high total symptom burden score was 12.9-fold higher among the MBP-NP-TM users than among the MBP users.

    CONCLUSIONS: Complementary and alternative medicine use is common among Malaysian patients who are undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. However, CAM and non-CAM users reported similar symptom burdens, although single-modality use of MBP is likely associated with a lower symptom burden.

    IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses should keep abreast of current developments and trends in CAM use. Understanding CAM use and the related symptom burden will allow nurses to initiate open discussion and guide their patients in seeking additional information or referrals for a particular therapy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  14. Cultural health beliefs in a rural family practice: a Malaysian perspective
    Ariff KM, Khoo SB
    Aust J Rural Health, 2006 Feb;14(1):2-8.
    PMID: 16426425 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2006.00747.x
    Background: Understanding the sociocultural dimension of a patient’s health beliefs is critical to a successful clinical encounter. Malaysia with its multi-ethnic population of Malay, Chinese and Indian still uses many forms of traditional health care in spite of a remarkably modern rural health service.
    Objective: The objective of this paper is discuss traditional health care in the context of some of the cultural aspects of health beliefs, perceptions and practices in the different ethnic groups of the author’s rural family practices. This helps to promote communication and cooperation between doctors and patients, improves clinical diagnosis and Management, avoids cultural blind spots and unnecessary medical testing and leads to better adherence to treatment by patients.
    Discussion: Includes traditional practices of ‘hot and cold’, notions of Yin-Yang and Ayurveda, cultural healing, alternative medicine, cultural perception of body structures and cultural practices in the context of women’s health. Modern and traditional medical systems are potentially complementary rather than antagonistic. Ethnic and cultural considerations can be integrated further into the modern health delivery system to improve care and health outcomes.
    KEY WORDS: alternative medicine, child health, cultural healing, traditional medicine, women’s health
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  15. Development and validation of the osteoporosis patient satisfaction questionnaire (OPSQ)
    Lai PS, Chua SS, Chan SP, Low WY, Wong IC
    Maturitas, 2010 Jan;65(1):55-63.
    PMID: 19962839 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.10.006
    OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (OPSQ) and to assess the opinion of postmenopausal osteoporotic women towards pharmaceutical care.
    METHODS: A 16-item instrument was designed. Each response consists of a five-point Likert-like scale with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction. The face and content validity was established via consultation with an endocrinologist and three pharmacists as well as feedback from participants in a preliminary study. Postmenopausal osteoporotic women taking bisphosphonates were recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention (n=90) and control groups (n=90). Pharmaceutical care was provided at month 2 to the intervention group while the control group received standard pharmacy services. The OPSQ was administered at month 6 (end of the intervention period), to assess patients' satisfaction. Factor analysis was performed using varimax rotation. Internal reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was performed by using the Mann-Whitney U test.
    RESULTS: The internal reliability of the OPSQ produced a Cronbach's alpha of 0.86. Factor analysis identified one component in the OPSQ, which measured patient satisfaction. The intervention group showed significantly better overall OPSQ score than the control group (91.89+/-7.22% versus 84.32+/-7.48%, p<0.001). This indicates that the OPSQ was able to differentiate between participants who received pharmaceutical care from those who did not.
    CONCLUSIONS: The 16-item OPSQ developed in this study has high internal reliability and is a valid instrument for assessing osteoporotic women's satisfaction with pharmaceutical care service in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  16. Fulltext Differentials in the prevalence of anemia among non-pregnant, ever-married women in Bangladesh: multilevel logistic regression analysis of data from the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey
    Kamruzzaman M, Rabbani MG, Saw A, Sayem MA, Hossain MG
    BMC Womens Health, 2015;15:54.
    PMID: 26219633 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-015-0211-4
    Anemia is one of the most common public health problems globally, and high prevalence has been reported among women of reproductive age, especially in developing countries. This study was conducted to evaluate differentials in the prevalence of anemia among non-pregnant, ever-married women of reproductive age in Bangladesh, and to examine associations with demographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional factors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
  17. Documentation of self-care actions taken for somatic complaints by postmenopausal Malay women living in Kelantan Malaysia
    Dhillon HK, Mohd Zaki Nik Mahmood N, Singh H
    Maturitas, 2007 Nov 20;58(3):241-8.
    PMID: 17913406
    The aim of this study was to document some of the self-care actions taken by women in Kelantan to manage their somatic symptoms associated with menopause.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  18. Early detection and prevention of domestic violence using the Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) in primary health care clinics in Malaysia
    Wong YL, Othman S
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2008;20(2):102-16.
    PMID: 19124304 DOI: 10.1177/1010539507311899
    Despite being an emergent major public health problem, little research has been done on domestic violence from the perspectives of early detection and prevention. Thus, this cross-sectional study was conducted to identify domestic violence among female adult patients attending health centers at the primary care level and to determine the relationship between social correlates of adult patients and domestic violence screening and subsequent help/health-seeking behavior if abused. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 710 female adult patients from 8 health centers in Selangor who matched the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study, using a structured questionnaire that included adaptation of a validated 8-item Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST). Statistical tests showed significant differences in ethnicity, income, and education between those screened positive and those screened negative for domestic violence. Of the participants, 92.4% reported that during consultations, doctors had never asked them whether they were abused by their husband/partner. Yet, 67.3% said they would voluntarily tell the doctor if they were abused by their husband/partner. The findings indicate that primary care has an important role in identifying domestic violence by applying the WAST screening tool, or an appropriate adaptation, with women patients during routine visits to the various health centers. Such assessment for abuse could be secondary prevention for the abused women, but more important, it will serve as primary prevention for nonabused women. This approach not only will complement the existing 1-stop crisis center policy by the Ministry of Health that copes with crisis intervention but also will spearhead efforts toward prevention of domestic violence in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  19. Fulltext Effect of having a subsequent child on the mental health of women who lost a child in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake: a cross-sectional study
    Xu Y, Herrman H, Bentley R, Tsutsumi A, Fisher J
    Bull World Health Organ, 2014 May 1;92(5):348-55.
    PMID: 24839324 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.13.124677
    To assess whether having a subsequent child had an effect on the mental health of Chinese mothers who lost a child during an earthquake.
    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
  20. Fulltext Effects of Lifestyle Intervention towards Obesity and Blood Pressure among Housewives in Klang Valley: A Quasi-Experimental Study
    Kassim MSA, Manaf MRA, Nor NSM, Ambak R
    Malays J Med Sci, 2017 Dec;24(6):83-91.
    PMID: 29379390 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.6.10
    Background: The obesity rate in Malaysia is the highest in Asia. Half its population is obese or overweight. The present study aims to determine the effects of lifestyle intervention on weight loss and blood pressure among Malaysian overweight and obese housewives in Klang Valley.

    Methods: A quasi-experimental study with 328 obese and overweight low socio- economic status housewives aged 18-59 years old who met the screening criteria participated in the study. They were recruited into an intervention group (N = 169) or control group (N = 159). The intervention group received a lifestyle intervention consisting of a diet, physical activity and self-monitoring behavior package. The control group (delayed intervention group) received a women's health seminar package. Both groups were followed up for six months. Weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure were evaluated both pre- and post-intervention.

    Results: A total of 124 participants from the intervention group and 93 participants from the control group completed the study. Mean weight loss was 1.13 ± 2.70 kg (P < 0.05) in the intervention group and 0.97 ± 2.60 kg (P < 0.05) in the control group. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) reductions in the intervention group were 5.84 ± 18.10 mmHg (P < 0.05). The control group showed reduction in SBP 6.04 ± 14.52 mmHg (P < 0.05). Both group had non-significant DBP reduction. Multivariate analysis via General Linear Model Repeated Measures observed no significant differences in terms of parameter changes with time in both groups for all parameters.

    Conclusions: The results indicate that the lifestyle interventions in this study resulted in modest weight loss and thus decreased BMI and blood pressure (SBP) within six months of intervention.

    Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
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