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A comparison of the information needs of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in Malaysia and the United kingdom

Gopal RL, Beaver K, Barnett T, Ismail NS

Cancer Nurs, 2005 Mar-Apr;28(2):132-40.
PMID: 15815183

Little is known about the information needs of women with breast cancer in non-Western societies. This study examined the priority information needs of 100 women with breast cancer in Malaysia and compared the findings to previous work involving 150 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United Kingdom. The study used a valid and reliable measure, the Information Needs Questionnaire (INQ). The INQ contained 9 items of information related to physical, psychological, and social care, used successfully in Canada and the United Kingdom. The INQ was shown to have cross-cultural relevance and sensitivity. For Malaysian women, information about likelihood of cure, sexual attractiveness, and spread of disease were the most important information needs. For UK women, similar priorities were evident, apart from the item on sexual attractiveness, which was ranked much lower by women in the United Kingdom. The cultural similarities and differences that emerged from this study have implications for nurses in the cancer field caring for people from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Breast care nurses are not a feature of the Malaysian healthcare system, although the findings from this study support the view that specialist nurses have a vital role to play in meeting the psychosocial needs of women with breast cancer in non-Western societies.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Oculogyric spasm in Asian psychiatric in-patients on maintenance medication

Tan CH, Chiang PC, Ng LL, Chee KT

Br J Psychiatry, 1994 Sep;165(3):381-3.
PMID: 7994510

BACKGROUND: The objective was to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of oculogyric spasm (OGS) in an Asian country.
METHOD: All 2035 Asian (88% Chinese, 7% Malays and 5% Indonesians) psychiatric in-patients in the state psychiatric hospital in Singapore were surveyed for occurrence of oculogyric spasm (OGS) over a two-month period.
RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (1.7%) developed OGS (53% male and 47% female). All the 34 patients had been on maintenance antipsychotic drugs for more than five months. Eighteen patients had recurrent attacks. The mean chlorpromazine equivalent daily dose for those patients with recurrent OGS was 511 mg. This was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the 277 mg daily dose received by those without recurrent OGS. Most (68%) of the attacks occurred between 1400-2000 h suggesting that OGS may have a diurnal variation.
CONCLUSIONS: OGS presenting as tardive dystonia may be due to a relative increase in cholinergic activity.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
The use of the FACT-H&N (v4) in clinical settings within a developing country: a mixed method study

Bilal S, Doss JG, Rogers SN

J Craniomaxillofac Surg, 2014 Dec;42(8):1590-7.
PMID: 25224886 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2014.04.015

In the last decade there has been an increasing awareness about 'quality of life' (QOL) of cancer survivors in developing countries. The study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the FACT-H&N (v4) in Urdu language for Pakistani head and neck cancer patients. In this study the 'same language adaptation method' was used. Cognitive debriefing through in-depth interviews of 25 patients to assess semantic, operational and conceptual equivalence was done. The validation phase included 50 patients to evaluate the psychometric properties. The translated FACT-H&N was easily comprehended (100%). Cronbach's alpha for FACT-G subscales ranged from 0.726 - 0.969. The head and neck subscale and Pakistani questions subscale showed low internal consistency (0.426 and 0.541 respectively). Instrument demonstrated known-group validity in differentiating patients of different clinical stages, treatment status and tumor sites (p < 0.05). Most FACT summary scales correlated strongly with each other (r > 0.75) and showed convergent validity (r > 0.90), with little discriminant validity. Factor analysis revealed 6 factors explaining 85.1% of the total variance with very good (>0.8) Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and highly significant Bartlett's Test of Sphericity (p < 0.001). The cross-culturally adapted FACT-H&N into Urdu language showed adequate reliability and validity to be incorporated in Pakistani clinical settings for head and neck cancer patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
An initial look at the quality of life of Malaysian families that include children with disabilities

Clark M, Brown R, Karrapaya R

J Intellect Disabil Res, 2012 Jan;56(1):45-60.
PMID: 21435066 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2011.01408.x

While there is a growing body of literature in the quality of life of families that include children with disabilities, the majority of research has been conducted in western countries. The present study provides an initial exploration of the quality of life of Malaysian families that include children with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Dynamics characterising Malaysian society are described as developments in social policy and service delivery that support persons with disabilities and their families.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Sleep education in medical school curriculum: a glimpse across countries

Mindell JA, Bartle A, Wahab NA, Ahn Y, Ramamurthy MB, Huong HT, et al.

Sleep Med, 2011 Oct;12(9):928-31.
PMID: 21924951 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2011.07.001

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of education about sleep and sleep disorders in medical school education and to identify barriers to providing such education.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Validity of the FACT-H&N (v 4.0) among Malaysian oral cancer patients

Doss JG, Thomson WM, Drummond BK, Raja Latifah RJ

Oral Oncol, 2011 Jul;47(7):648-52.
PMID: 21602094 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2011.04.023

To assess the cross-sectional construct validity of the Malay-translated and cross-culturally adapted FACT-H&N (v 4.0) for discriminative use in a sample of Malaysian oral cancer patients. A cross-sectional study of adults newly diagnosed with oral cancer. HRQOL data were collected using the FACT-H&N (v 4.0), a global question and a supplementary set of eight questions ('MAQ') obtained earlier in pilot work. Of the 76 participants (61.8% female; 23.7% younger than 50), most (96.1%) had oral squamous cell carcinoma; two-thirds were in Stages III or IV. At baseline, patients' mean FACT summary (FACT-G, FACT-H&N, FACT-H&N TOI, and FHNSI) and subscale (pwb, swb, ewb, fwb, and hnsc) scores were towards the higher end of the range. Equal proportions (36.8%) rated their overall HRQOL as 'good' or 'average'; fewer than one-quarter rated it as 'poor', and only two as 'very good'. All six FACT summary and most subscales had moderate-to-good internal consistency. For all summary scales, those with 'very poor/poor' self-rated HRQOL differed significantly from the 'good/very good' group. All FACT summary scales correlated strongly (r>0.75). Summary scales showed convergent validity (r>0.90) but little discriminant validity. The discriminant validity of the FHNSI improved with the addition of the MAQ. The FACT-H&N summary scales and most subscales demonstrated acceptable cross-sectional construct validity, reliability and discriminative ability, and thus appear appropriate for further use among Malaysian oral cancer patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
From the ideal to the real world: a phenomenological inquiry into student sojourners' reentry adaptation

Hsiao F

J Music Ther, 2011;48(4):420-39.
PMID: 22506298

This phenomenological study examines the thematic structure of reentry transition for international music therapy graduates who have returned home after studying in the United States. Emphasis is placed upon career development. Standardized open-ended interviews were used to obtain rich and in-depth descriptions of the participants' experiences. Ten music therapists from six countries participated in the study. The themes that emerged from the data include moving from the ideal to the real world, shifting from the role of student to professional, confronting reality and working through challenges, and achieving personal growth and self-transformation. The dynamics of cross-cultural comparison, confronting the home culture, and redefining music therapy and professional identities within the local cultural context are illustrated via quotations from the participants. Implications and recommendations for music therapy education and career preparation for international graduates are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
The direct and indirect effects of corruption on motor vehicle crash deaths

Hua LT, Noland RB, Evans AW

Accid Anal Prev, 2010 Nov;42(6):1934-42.
PMID: 20728645 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2010.05.015

Recent empirical research has found that there is an inverted U-shaped or Kuznets relationship between income and motor vehicle crash (MVC) deaths, such that MVC deaths increase as national income increases and decrease after reaching a critical level. Corruption has been identified as one of the underlying factors that could affect this relationship, primarily by undermining institutional development and effective enforcement schemes. The total effect of corruption can be decomposed into two components, a direct and an indirect effect. The direct effect measures the immediate impact of corruption on MVC deaths by undermining effective enforcement and regulations, while the indirect effect captures the impact of corruption on hindering increases in per capita income and the consequent impact of reduced income on MVC deaths. By influencing economic growth, corruption can lead to an increase or decrease in MVC deaths depending on the income level. Using data from 60 countries between 1982 and 2003, these effects are estimated using linear panel and fixed effects negative binomial models. The estimation results suggest that corruption has different direct effects for less developed and highly developed countries. It has a negative (decreasing) effect on MVC deaths for less developed countries and a positive (increasing) effect on MVC deaths for highly developed countries. For highly developed countries, the total effect is positive at lower per capita income levels, but decreases with per capita income and becomes negative at per capita income levels of about US$ 38,248. For less developed countries, the total effect is negative within the sample range and decreases with increased per capita income. In summary, the results of this study suggest that reduction of corruption is likely a necessary condition to effectively tackle road safety problems.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Fulltext Opportunities and obstacles to the elimination of malaria from Peninsular Malaysia: knowledge, attitudes and practices on malaria among aboriginal and rural communities

Al-Adhroey AH, Nor ZM, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Mahmud R

Malar J, 2010;9:137.
PMID: 20497543 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-137

Despite continuous efforts by the government and private sectors, malaria is still a public health problem in rural Peninsular Malaysia. This study investigated household knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding malaria in two malaria endemic communities, forest-aboriginal and rural communities, in the Lipis district of Pahang state, Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Fulltext Support for and reported compliance among smokers with smoke-free policies in air-conditioned hospitality venues in Malaysia and Thailand: findings from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey

Yong HH, Foong K, Borland R, Omar M, Hamann S, Sirirassamee B, et al.

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2010 Jan;22(1):98-109.
PMID: 20032039 DOI: 10.1177/1010539509351303

This study examined support for and reported compliance with smoke-free policy in air-conditioned restaurants and other similar places among adult smokers in Malaysia and Thailand. Baseline data (early 2005) from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey (ITC-SEA), conducted face-to-face in Malaysia and Thailand (n = 4005), were used. Among those attending venues, reported total smoking bans in indoor air-conditioned places such as restaurants, coffee shops, and karaoke lounges were 40% and 57% in Malaysia and Thailand, respectively. Support for a total ban in air-conditioned venues was high and similar for both countries (82% Malaysian and 90% Thai smokers who believed there was a total ban), but self-reported compliance with bans in such venues was significantly higher in Thailand than in Malaysia (95% vs 51%, P < .001). As expected, reporting a ban in air-conditioned venues was associated with a greater support for a ban in such venues in both countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Sociocultural adjustment among sojourning Malaysian students in Britain: a replication and path analytic extension

Swami V, Arteche A, Chamorro-Premuzic T, Furnham A

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 2010 Jan;45(1):57-65.
PMID: 19337675 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-009-0042-4

The present study examined the sociocultural adjustment of 249 sojourning Malaysian undergraduates in Britain. One-hundred and ten Malay and 139 Chinese students enrolled in various courses answered a self-report questionnaire that examined various aspects of sociocultural adjustment and socio-demographics. Overall, Malay students reported significantly poorer sociocultural adjustment than Chinese students, as well as more negative outcomes on a range of predictors. Path analysis for the total sample showed that higher family income led to greater sociocultural adjustment, but partially because it led to more contact with host and conationals, better language proficiency, lower perceived cultural differences and less perceived discrimination. Moreover, participants with higher English proficiency were better adapted, but partially because they perceived less cultural differences as well as having more contact with host nationals. Additionally, individuals reporting better sociocultural adjustment also reported better health statuses. The same model was equally useful at predicting sociocultural adjustment for both Malay and Chinese participants. These results are discussed in terms of the role played by income in buffering against the negative aspects of sociocultural adjustment.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Protecting children from violence and maltreatment: a qualitative comparative analysis assessing the implementation of U.N. CRC Article 19

Svevo-Cianci KA, Hart SN, Rubinson C

Child Abuse Negl, 2010 Jan;34(1):45-56.
PMID: 20060588 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.09.010

(1) To identify which United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recommended child protection (CP) measures, such as policy, reporting systems, and services for child abuse and neglect (CAN) victims, individually or in combination, were most important in establishing a basic level of child protection in 42 countries; and (2) to assess whether these measures were necessary or sufficient to achieve basic child protection in developing and industrialized countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
The impact of diabetes mellitus and other chronic medical conditions on health-related Quality of Life: is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?

Wee HL, Cheung YB, Li SC, Fong KY, Thumboo J

Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2005;3:2.
PMID: 15644146

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important public health concern, the impact of which is increased by the high prevalence of co-existing chronic medical conditions among subjects with DM. The aims of this study were therefore to (1) evaluate the impact of DM and co-existing chronic medical conditions on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (which could be additive, synergistic or subtractive); (2) to determine the extent to which the SF-6D (a single-index preference measure) captures the multidimensional information provided by the SF-36 (a profile measure).

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Fulltext Cross cultural translation, adaptation and reliability of the Malay version of the Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS)

Nathan AM, Zaki R, Rozario R, Dhania N, Mohd Hamirudin SN, Eg KP, et al.

Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2015;13:139.
PMID: 26338016 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-015-0336-z

The Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) is a parent-proxy questionnaire that assesses severity of acute respiratory infections in children. The aim was to (a) perform a cross-cultural adaptation and (b) prove that the Malay CARIFS is a reliable tool.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Fulltext Psychosocial factors and obesity in 17 high-, middle- and low-income countries: the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiologic study

Rosengren A, Teo K, Rangarajan S, Kabali C, Khumalo I, Kutty VR, et al.

Int J Obes (Lond), 2015 Aug;39(8):1217-23.
PMID: 25869608 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2015.48

Psychosocial stress has been proposed to contribute to obesity, particularly abdominal, or central obesity, through chronic activation of the neuroendocrine systems. However, these putative relationships are complex and dependent on country and cultural context. We investigated the association between psychosocial factors and general and abdominal obesity in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiologic study.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Fulltext Infodemiological patterns in searching medication errors: relationship with risk management and shift work

Di Simone E, Di Muzio M, Dionisi S, Giannetta N, Di Muzio F, De Gennaro L, et al.

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2019 Jun;23(12):5522-5529.
PMID: 31298407 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201906_18224

INTRODUCTION: Western world health care systems have been trying to improve their efficiency and effectiveness in order to respond properly to population aging and non-communicable diseases epidemic. Treatment of the elderly population is becoming complex due to the high number of prescribed drugs because of multimorbidity. Errors in drugs administration in different health care related settings are an actual important issue due to different causes. Aim of this observational study is to measure the online interest in seeking medication errors information related to risk management and shift work.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated Google Trends® for popular search relating to medication errors, risk management and shift work. Relative search volumes (RSVs) were evaluated from 2008 to 2018. A comparison between RSV curves related to medication errors, risk management and shift work was carried out. Then, we compared the world to Italian search.
RESULTS: RSVs were persistently higher for risk management than for medication errors (mean RSVs 069 vs. 48%) and RSVs were stably higher for medication errors than shift work (mean RSVs 48 vs. 22%). In Italy, RSVs were much lower compared to the rest of the world, and RSVs for medication errors during the study period were negligible. Mean RSVs for risk management and shift work were 3 and 25%, respectively. RSVs related to medication errors and clinical risk management were correlated (r=0.520, p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: Google Trends® search query volumes related to medication errors, risk management and shift work are different. RSVs for risk management are higher, and they are correlated with medication errors. Also, shift work search appears to be lower. These results should be interpreted in order to correctly evaluate how to decrease the number of medication errors in different health care related setting.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Indonesian Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale: Translation and psychometric evaluation

Chia ZJ, Jehosua SY, Lim KS, Khosama H, Hamid DH, Fong SL, et al.

Epilepsy Behav, 2020 02;103(Pt A):106833.
PMID: 31839499 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106833

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy stigma has been associated with poor quality of life among people with epilepsy (PWE). It is important to understand the variation and degree of epilepsy stigma in one of the most populous and culturally diverse nations in the world, Indonesia. Hence, this study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale.
METHOD: The translation was performed according to standard principles and tested in 200 native Indonesian speakers who were aged above 18-year-old for psychometric validation.
RESULTS: The items in each domain had similar means and standard deviations (equal item variance), means ranging from 2.17 to 2.86 in general domain and 2.75 to 3.56 in personal domain and, standard deviations ranging from 0.87 to 1.05 and 0.88 to 1.01 in general and personal domain, respectively. Item-domain correlations were more than 0.5 for all items, and they correlate higher within their own domain compare with the other domain (convergent and divergent validity). Multitrait analysis showed similar variance, floor, and ceiling patterns to a great extent compared with the initial study. The Indonesian PATE scale also showed mostly similar correlation with demographic characteristics except monthly income. Principle axis analysis revealed strong factor loading (>0.3) in their hypothesized domain, except item 14. The Cronbach's α values for general and personal domains were 0.836 and 0.765, which were within the accepted range of 0.7 to 0.9.
CONCLUSION: The Indonesian PATE scale is a validated and reliable translation for measuring public attitudes toward epilepsy.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Iron chelation therapy in the management of thalassemia: the Asian perspectives

Viprakasit V, Lee-Lee C, Chong QT, Lin KH, Khuhapinant A

Int J Hematol, 2009 Nov;90(4):435-445.
PMID: 19862602 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-009-0432-0

Worldwide, thalassemia is the most commonly inherited hemolytic anemia, and it is most prevalent in Asia and the Middle East. Iron overload represents a significant problem in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. Chelation therapy with deferoxamine has traditionally been the standard therapeutic option but its usage is tempered by suboptimal patient compliance due to the discomfort and demands associated with the administration regimen. Therefore, a great deal of attention has been focused on the development of oral chelating agents. Deferiprone, even though available for nearly two decades in Asia with recent encouraging data on cardiac iron removal and long-term efficacy, has serious adverse effects including agranulocytosis and neutropenia which has impeded it from routine clinical practice. A novel oral chelator; deferasirox is effective throughout a 24 h dosing period and both preclinical and clinical data indicate that it successfully removes both hepatic and cardiac iron. In Asia, optimal management of severe thalassemia patients and the availability and access to oral iron chelators still presents a major challenge in many countries. In this regard, the development and implementation of consensus guidelines for management of Asian patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia will be a major step towards improving and maintaining the continuity of patient care.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Postpartum depression in Asian cultures: a literature review

Klainin P, Arthur DG

Int J Nurs Stud, 2009 Oct;46(10):1355-73.
PMID: 19327773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.02.012

OBJECTIVES:
Postpartum depression (PPD), a major health concern, produces insidious effects on new mothers, their infant, and family. This literature review aims to explore risk factors for postpartum depression among women in Asian cultures, which has not been fully elaborated.

DATA SOURCES:
A literature search was undertaken by using various electronic research databases. Studies were eligible for this review if they (a) examined risk factors for PPD, (b) were conducted in Asian countries using quantitative or qualitative methodologies, and (c) were published in English in peer-reviewed journals between 1998 and 2008. A total of 64 studies from 17 countries were reviewed, summarised, and synthesised.

RESULTS:
The prevalence of postpartum depression in Asian countries ranged from 3.5% to 63.3% where Malaysia and Pakistan had the lowest and highest, respectively. Risk factors for postpartum depression were clustered into five major groups: biological/physical (e.g., riboflavin consumption), psychological (e.g., antenatal depression), obstetric/paediatric (e.g., unwanted pregnancy), socio-demographic (e.g., poverty), and cultural factors (e.g., preference of infants' gender). Traditional postpartum rituals were not found to provide substantial psychological benefits for the new mothers.

CONCLUSIONS:
This review informs a current state of knowledge regarding risk factors for postpartum depression and has implications for clinical practice. Health care professionals should be aware that the phenomenon is as prevalent in Asian cultures as in European cultures. Women should be screened for potential risk factors and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum periods so that appropriate interventions, if needed, can be initiated in a timely fashion.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison
Fulltext The other-race effect and holistic processing across racial groups

Wong HK, Estudillo AJ, Stephen ID, Keeble DRT

Sci Rep, 2021 04 19;11(1):8507.
PMID: 33875735 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87933-1

It is widely accepted that holistic processing is important for face perception. However, it remains unclear whether the other-race effect (ORE) (i.e. superior recognition for own-race faces) arises from reduced holistic processing of other-race faces. To address this issue, we adopted a cross-cultural design where Malaysian Chinese, African, European Caucasian and Australian Caucasian participants performed four different tasks: (1) yes-no face recognition, (2) composite, (3) whole-part and (4) global-local tasks. Each face task was completed with unfamiliar own- and other-race faces. Results showed a pronounced ORE in the face recognition task. Both composite-face and whole-part effects were found; however, these holistic effects did not appear to be stronger for other-race faces than for own-race faces. In the global-local task, Malaysian Chinese and African participants demonstrated a stronger global processing bias compared to both European- and Australian-Caucasian participants. Importantly, we found little or no cross-task correlation between any of the holistic processing measures and face recognition ability. Overall, our findings cast doubt on the prevailing account that the ORE in face recognition is due to reduced holistic processing in other-race faces. Further studies should adopt an interactionist approach taking into account cultural, motivational, and socio-cognitive factors.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison

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