BACKGROUND: International students make up an increasing proportion of university students in Australia. Research suggests that they have poor sexual health knowledge compared with local students.
METHODS: Thematic analysis was undertaken on focus groups carried out at the University of Adelaide (South Australia), with 21 female international students from Malaysia and China.
RESULTS: Four themes were identified: poor sexual health knowledge; complex attitudes about premarital sex; difficulty accessing sexual health information, and poor understanding the role of general practitioners in this area; and ideas about future education.
DISCUSSION: Participants believed that international students have insufficient sexual health education when they arrive in Australia. They were concerned that some students may become more sexually active in Australia, and may not have adequate access to health services and information. All participants felt it was necessary for international students to receive better sexual health education. International students are important to Australian universities, and it should be mandatory to ensure that culturally appropriate sex education is made available to this group.
Matched MeSH terms: Sexual Behavior/psychology*; Students/psychology*
The fast increase in the rate of uptake of smoking amongst adolescent girls in Malaysia is a public health concern. The objective of this study was to investigate factors that influenced the initiation of smoking and the effects of advertisement on consolidating the smoking habit among teenage girls in the urban city of Kuala Lumpur. Qualitative research was conducted using both interviews and focus group discussions with groups of adolescent girls. Data collected was analysed using grounded thematic theory methodology and validated using methodological triangulation. The reasons for initiating smoking elicited from the study can be grouped into 4 general themes; influence by peers, influence of seeing parents smoking, misguided belief that it could alleviate stress and finally that it would impress others. Smoking imageries in media and advertisements were not primary influencing factors in the initiation of smoking but it encouraged them to progress to become regulars. Ways should be sought to empower girls to feel more confident about resisting pressures to initiate smoking. This could be done through activities such as positive peer sports, education on how to alleviate stress and curbing of smoking imageries in the media.
Cancers and related treatments have devastating effects on psychosexual life of patients. This study helps us to understand the cultural perspectives of 50 Asian women diagnosed with cancer. Median age was 50+ years. Median duration of time from diagnosis to interview was 23 months. Thirty-eight per cent stopped sex before illness, 36% stopped sex completely whereas 18% stopped gradually after diagnosis; 8% continued to have sex till time of interview. Overall, 70% were living with spouse but not engaged in sexual intercourse; 31.4% slept in different room, 48.6% slept in the same room but without any form of sexual contact. Thirty-eight per cent believed sexual activity could cause cancer recurrence, and 30% believed cancer could be sexually transmitted. Eighty-two per cent reported acceptance of changes to physical appearance. Approximately 70-86% did not discuss sexuality with their doctor or spouse; 90% agreed doctors should ask about psychosexual issues on a routine basis. Approximately 74.4% reported good cooperation from spouse. Cultural beliefs of Asians pose as barriers to providing and receiving psychosexual affection between women diagnosed with cancer and their spouse. However, these beliefs also serve as protective factors in their mutual acceptance of change in psychosexual activities. Health-care professionals need to be sensitive to the vast cultural differences in psychosexual expressions and needs of women diagnosed with cancer.
Patient satisfaction is critical for the growth and prosperity of any oral health service or practice. The success of any oral health service can be assessed by an evaluation of the degree of satisfaction/dissatisfaction of its patients.
Matched MeSH terms: Dental Care/psychology*; Military Personnel/psychology*
The global statistics reveal that at least one in every five women experiences rape or attempted rape during her lifetime. Rape myths encompass a set of (false) beliefs. Adolescents have high rates of rape victimization than other age groups. Rape myths among health care providers may have a negative influence on proper care of the victims. A total of 422 medical undergraduates of both sexes, studying at two Malaysian Institutes took part in the study. A validated questionnaire used in an earlier study was used for the present study, with a slight modification of scoring system. The age range of medical students was 17 to 34 years: mean +/- SD of men and women, were 20.6 +/- 2.1 and 20.3 +/- 2 respectively. Only about 19% of women and 11% of men had a very good positive attitude. Nearly 1/3 of women and 1/2 of men had a more negative attitude. On the whole the average total score of women was significantly higher (p=0.0004) than men. Nearly 50% of candidates with a village background carried more negative attitude. Violence against women is a significant public health problem. The major revelation of the present study is that only less than 20% of the medical undergraduates had a more positive attitude towards rape. Introduction of courses on 'sexual violence' in medical curriculum is likely to increase a) awareness, b) skills in management, c) in providing support and care for the victims and d) in implementing preventive actions.
The objectives for this study were to assess Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in young people aged 15-25 who sought orthodontic treatment, and to measure the association between orthodontic treatment need (using the IOTN), sex, age and education level, and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL).
Matched MeSH terms: Malocclusion/psychology*; Quality of Life/psychology*
Given that breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer affecting Malaysian women and its low survival rate, this study investigates the possible influence of support group intervention on quality of life (QOL). It also examines the interrelationships between QOL subdomains as research has shown the influence of emotional expression on psychological and physical well-being. Rasch analysis was implemented to examine perception of QOL and the comparability of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General and Breast Cancer scales (FACT-G and FACT-B) of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy inventory. Results indicated that perception of QOL may be influenced by factors other than support group intervention. The FACT-G and FACT-B scales were comparable in the measurement of QOL for breast cancer, and the interrelationships between the QOL subdomains were supported. The findings of this study accentuate the importance of focusing support group interventions on improvement of emotional well-being to maintain patients' QOL despite the cancer.
Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/psychology*; Survivors/psychology*
A cross-sectional survey of 400 medical students of multicultural backgrounds at the University of Malaya was conducted to understand their attitudes towards euthanasia and factors related to medical decisions and ethical reasoning concerning the prolongation of life, the right to die and euthanasia. The student respondents completed self-administered questionnaires that comprised of twelve questions with multiple stems addressing personal perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and decisions about euthanasia and the relief of suffering. The majority of respondents (52%) were for the withdrawal of active therapy in a patient suffering from a terminal painful disease while 48% of them were against it. Seventy-one percent of the students involved in the study were against the idea of active euthanasia i.e. the administration of a lethal injection. However, 27% of the respondents felt that there was a moral justification to assist patients to die. Thirty-two percent of the respondents favoured the legalization of euthanasia in Malaysia while 67% of them were strongly against it. The majority (61%) of respondents would not practice euthanasia as a doctor nor would they have performed on themselves if or when it became legal. The main issue surrounding euthanasia that concerned the respondents was the misuse of it by unethical practitioners and they felt that further debate on the matter was essential, both within the local and international communities.
Presently, there is increased in research on job strain and the effects of religiosity on employee well-being. Despite increased recognition of religiosity as a moderator of well-being, limited research has focused on Islamic perspective of moderating job strain. This study examines the moderating effects of Islamic personal religiosity on the relationship between job strain and employee well-being in Malaysian universities. One hundred and seventeen (117) Muslim academic and administrative staff from four public universities were sampled. Data were collected via questionnaires, and our findings show that the effect of job strain on well-being is significant for employees and that personal religiosity of employees contributed to alleviating job strain and enhancing well-being. Thus, the study concludes that Islamic personal religiosity moderates the relationship between job strain and employee well-being.
We report on the case of a 38-year-old Malay housewife diagnosed with conversion disorder. It was believed that 'evil spirits' caused her symptoms. The patient was eventually treated by the Main Puteri, a Malay shamanistic healing ceremony, after previous treatments failed. The patient improved on the third day of the performance, which was attributed to the departure of the spirits from her body. This case documents the potential benefits of indigenous psychotherapy.
A study of the smoking habits and attitudes toward smoking among 120 doctors at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia was conducted between May to August 1991. Eighteen percent of the doctors were smokers, 13% ex-smokers and 69% had never smoked. All the smokers were male and all except one smoked only cigarettes. Three of the 32 female doctors were ex-smokers. Nineteen of the 21 smokers only smoked in areas where they could not be seen by the public. Most doctors (equally among smokers and non-smokers) had first-degree relatives (mostly males) who were smokers and 28% had relative with smoking-related disease. 81% non-smoking and 43% smoking doctors had advised healthy people to stop smoking. 92% non-smoking and 52% smoking doctors support the smoking-ban in the hospital. Seven of the 21 smokers had never attempted to quit smoking.
Fifty-Jour patients with oral lichen planus were studied over a three-year period. The important sites were the cheek mucosa, tongue and gingiva. The reticular pattern was the most common type. The professionals and the white collar workers formed the majority of the cases. Emotional disturbances was a predominant factor in this lesion. The rate of malignant change ranges from one to ten percent. Treatment included reassurance, good oral hygiene, avoidance of hot and spicy foods and topical corticosteroids.
On the basis of a questionnaire on smoking behaviour, knowledge and attitudes administered to medical students in the University of Malaya in July 1987, the prevalence of smoking was found to be low (10%) among medical students. Smokers and non-smokers were equally well informed about common smoking complications. Most students, irrespective of smoking status, felt that they would as future doctors, often advise sick smokers against smoking. In contrast, less than half would do so for healthy smokers who do not themselves raise the question of smoking. The students' personal smoking behaviour also influenced their view of their professional role. Appropriate values, attitudes and a preventive approach towards smoking need to be further developed in the medical students' thinking and behaviour.
An alarm about suspected toxic gas leakage was raised in a primary school. All the students were evacuated by the staff and the community to a district hospital in Teluk Intan, Perak, about 8 km from the school. Sixty-four primary students from the school, four secondary school students and a student’s mother, who was near the school were all examined by a team of medical officers: Perceptions and records of the incidence from the students, staff and medical officers were recorded and examined by the author who visited the school and the hospital after the incidence. Psychosomatic symptoms related to anxiety attack were predominant There was no evidence of any gas leak. Symptomatic management was given by the medical officers. The psychogenic aetiology of the subsequent physical symptoms and behaviour, and the difference from epidemic hysteria are discussed.
This study investigated whether knowledge and attitudes of Malay college students regarding smoking can be positively influenced by educational intervention. The experiment included a pretest to assess the students knowledge and attitudes regarding smoking, a lecture on the health risks associated with smoking, and a posttest given six weeks later to assess whether any changes had occurred. A profile of the typical Malay student smoker was also elicited. Twenty-seven percent of the study population were smokers. Of the men in the sample, 44% were smokers, while less than 4% of the women were smokers. T-tests indicated that knowledge of the health risks associated with smoking was significantly improved for most groups, while attitudes towards smoking were essentially unchanged.
A study of completed in-patient suicides at the University Hospital Kuala Lumpur (UHKL) and Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta (HBUK) between 1st January 1967 to 31st December 1987 were conducted. Records of completed in-patient suicides during the period were exhaustively studied. Only 18 cases were from UHKL and 23 cases were from HBUK. It was found that the suicide patients were mainly young Chinese males from the lower socio economic group. The main reasons for suicide were interpersonal conflicts and physical illness. Alcohol was not an important factor unlike patients in the West.. Suicidal intent was also important. Many of the suicides were committed during the early hours of the morning and they usually occurred at inaccessible places. The method was strongly influenced by availability. To the best knowledge of the author, this is the first study of in-patient suicides in Malaysia.