MyMedR

Social problems and health in urbanization

Talib R, Agus MR

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1992;23 Suppl 3:84-93.

One of the main characteristics of urbanization in Asia is the very rapid increase in population movement from rural to urban centers. This phenomenon has led to changing population structure, its composition and lifestyles in the cities and its fringes. As a consequent of population pressure on urban system and infrastructure, compounded by the nature of the composition of the in-migrant population, the urban concentrates are faced with several social and socio-economic problems. Although there has been a lot of interests among researchers to study the causes and effects or urbanization, there is a vacuum in the area of health implications. Planners and administrators usually give priority to the physical aspects of the urban and urbanities. Social problems and health implications thereof receives very little attention either at the level of administration or research. This paper therefore is a brave attempt to focus and draw some attention to this neglected area by looking at selected social problems and the health consequences.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems/trends*

Fulltext Phylogenetic relationships of Malaysia's long-tailed macaques, Macaca fascicularis, based on cytochrome b sequences

Abdul-Latiff MA, Ruslin F, Fui VV, Abu MH, Rovie-Ryan JJ, Abdul-Patah P, et al.

Zookeys, 2014.

PMID: 24899832 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.407.6982

Phylogenetic relationships among Malaysia's long-tailed macaques have yet to be established, despite abundant genetic studies of the species worldwide. The aims of this study are to examine the phylogenetic relationships of Macaca fascicularis in Malaysia and to test its classification as a morphological subspecies. A total of 25 genetic samples of M. fascicularis yielding 383 bp of Cytochrome b (Cyt b) sequences were used in phylogenetic analysis along with one sample each of M. nemestrina and M. arctoides used as outgroups. Sequence character analysis reveals that Cyt b locus is a highly conserved region with only 23% parsimony informative character detected among ingroups. Further analysis indicates a clear separation between populations originating from different regions; the Malay Peninsula versus Borneo Insular, the East Coast versus West Coast of the Malay Peninsula, and the island versus mainland Malay Peninsula populations. Phylogenetic trees (NJ, MP and Bayesian) portray a consistent clustering paradigm as Borneo's population was distinguished from Peninsula's population (99% and 100% bootstrap value in NJ and MP respectively and 1.00 posterior probability in Bayesian trees). The East coast population was separated from other Peninsula populations (64% in NJ, 66% in MP and 0.53 posterior probability in Bayesian). West coast populations were divided into 2 clades: the North-South (47%/54% in NJ, 26/26% in MP and 1.00/0.80 posterior probability in Bayesian) and Island-Mainland (93% in NJ, 90% in MP and 1.00 posterior probability in Bayesian). The results confirm the previous morphological assignment of 2 subspecies, M. f. fascicularis and M. f. argentimembris, in the Malay Peninsula. These populations should be treated as separate genetic entities in order to conserve the genetic diversity of Malaysia's M. fascicularis. These findings are crucial in aiding the conservation management and translocation process of M. fascicularis populations in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

International Women's Day observed in Malaysia

CIRDAP Dev Dig, 1999 Dec.

PMID: 12157876

On the eve of International Women's Day, 80 women representing five women's groups in Malaysia, including Persatuan Sahabat Wanita, CAW's network member, marched from Petaling Jaya to Penang to attend the Women's Day celebration. The group had organized the visitation in order to strengthen its networking. During their meeting with some reporters before their departure to Penang, they demanded that the women's groups be consulted before any guideline on the prevention and handling of sexual harassment at the workplace is drawn up. They said that they have been handling several complaints and their input would help the Human Resource Ministry formulate a comprehensive set of guidelines. This demand by the women's group was in response to the announcement by the Human Resource Minister Datuk Lim Ah Lek that in a month time a code would be ready on guidelines about the establishment and implementation of in-house preventive and redress mechanisms for dealing with sexual harassment.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

The Penal Code (Amendment) Act 1989 (Act A727), 1989

Malaysia

Annu Rev Popul Law, 1989;16:32-3, 545-6.

PMID: 12344384

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Fulltext Loneliness among elderly in community residence at Pontian District, Johore

Rohani Mamat, Hussein S Z, Shamsudin K

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):44-0.

MyJurnal

Introduction: Loneliness is a major social problem among the elderly that has gone through almost all countries in the world. Even though loneliness is seen as the health-threatening but, the loneliness assessment is still marginal- ized in routine medical check-up for every senior citizen. Methods: This is a sequential explanatory mixed-method study with a cross-sectional community survey was conducted among 380 community residence elderly followed by in-depth interview among eight respondents. This study aims to measure the loneliness and to explore loneliness experienced by older adults. Data were collected using the short form of Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S) and data were analysed using SPSS (version 23.0) for windows. In the qualitative study, eight re- spondents were interviewed face-to-face and data were analysed using thematic analysis Braun and Clarke (2006). Results: The results revealed that 37.2% of respondents had loneliness. Bivariate analyses showed the age, level of education and marital status were significantly associated with loneliness. The results of multiple logistic regression discovered gender (OR=1.75,95%CI:1.04-2.93; p=0.03) and marital status (OR=2.24,95%CI: 1.33-3.77;p= 0.002) were a significant predictor of loneliness. In a qualitative study, the result showed two main themes were recorded as causes of loneliness among the elderly are ‘changing the lifestyles’ and ‘ineffective communications. The sub-themes included ‘loss of someone who significant’, ‘limited physical mobility’, ‘all alone’ and ‘no support’. Conclusion: The issue of loneliness needs critically to be addressed even though Malaysia has not reached the ‘aging population’, but the loneliness prevalence experienced by the older adult has similarities with other countries that have attained that status.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Fulltext Breastfeeding practices in a rural community in Kedah

Yadav, H.

JUMMEC, 2010;13(1):38-44.

MyJurnal

Breast feeding has been actively encouraged in Malaysia in the last few years in all public hospitals. This study proposes to find out the prevalence of breast feeding in three villages in a rural community in Kedah, Malaysia. This was a cross sectional study on breastfeeding practices in Kubang Pasu, a district of Kedah. Majority of the mothers initiated breast feeding but exclusive breastfeeding was only 21% for four months and predominant breastfeeding was about 12.6%. The breastfeeding practice was more prevalent among women from the higher educational strata and higher income than those from the lower strata and lower income (p

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Fulltext Risk taking behaviour among early adolescents in Johor Bahru and its associated factors

Rahmah MA, Shahraniza B

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2008;14(2):24-30.

MyJurnal

Introduction : Social problems among adolescents are on the increasing trend. Their involvement in different kinds of high risk behaviours could lead them into juvenile delinquency. Early adolescence is the stage where they are easily influenced. However, this is the period where they should be captured for health prevention enhancement.
Objectives : A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify factors associated with risk taking behaviours involving form one adolescents in selected secondary schools in Johor Bharu.
Methods : Using self administered questionnaires, a total of 280 respondents were recruited via multi-stage sampling.
Results : The prevalence of risk taking behaviour among respondents was 66.8%. Going to video games and karaoke centres was the most popular risk taking behaviour (46.8%) to be followed by truancy (30.7%). Among all the factors studied, being male (AOR=4.5, 95% CI 2.39-8.4), Malay (AOR=7.5, 95% CI 3.30-17.19), and having negative perception towards teachers (AOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.16-0.65) were risk factors for such behaviour among respondents. However, coming from an intact family (AOR=0.1), 95% CI 0.02-0.47) was found to be protective against risk taking behaviour.
Conclusion : Intact family structure and having positive perception towards teachers were found to be protective against risk taking behaviours among adolescents.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Fulltext Child welfare and social work: the legal, political and social contexts of Malaysia

Ibrahim H, Jarimal N

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2018;3(3):1-5.

MyJurnal

This paper is based on literature review on the legal, political and social context of Malaysia regarding child welfare and social work. Children are an asset and younger generations will become the leaders of the country in future. In the Malaysian context, a variety of factors impact on how children are defined. These include the Islamic perspective, local cultural practices, approaches based on biological growth and relevant legislation. Such varying definitions can cause confusion in the application of law and could result in injustice. When talking regarding the social problems concerning children in Malaysia, there include abuse, neglect, abandonment of babies, street children, children beyond parental control, children involved with crime, underage marriage, prostitution and child trafficking.However, the shortage of professional social workers who can effectively manage abuse and child neglect cases is a serious problem.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Population change and some aspects of socio-economic development

UNESCO. Regional Office for Education in Asia and the Pacific

Bull Unesco Reg Off Educ Asia Pac, 1982 Jun.

PMID: 12265663

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems*

Social policy and population growth in South-East Asia

You Poh Seng Rao B, Shantakumar G

Int Labour Rev, 1974 May-Jun;109(5-6):459-70.

PMID: 12307191

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems*

Country watch: South-East Asia

Bagasao TM

AIDS STD Health Promot Exch, 1996.

PMID: 12347180

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Women's rights: eternal principles, changing forms

Asiaweek, 1993 Nov 17.

PMID: 12287494

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Responding to local needs. Self-help groups

Jayaseelan J

AIDS Action, 1993 Mar-May;[nil](20):4.

PMID: 12288933

PIP: Pink Triangle, the only community-based group in Malaysia which works with men who have sex with men, took initial steps in August 1992 to establish a self-help project for people who are HIV-seropositive. Supporting people who are HIV-positive and fighting for their rights is new in Malaysia. The group has thus far been publicized through its public education events, hospitals, and other nongovernmental organizations. For the first time, information is being published specifically by and for people living with HIV/AIDS. The project also has a phone line to allow people to speak anonymously with someone who shares their experience. Many callers are men who have sex with men in the social context of intense prejudice and discrimination. Afraid to openly acknowledge their sexuality with strangers, the callers have yet to accede to meeting each other face-to-face in a group setting. The author notes in closing that Pink Triangle must be realistic about what can be achieved in Malaysia and allow the group to develop according to people's needs and not on the basis of a model imported from outside of the country.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

"Clutching a knifeblade": human rights and development from Asian women's perspective

Sancho-liao N

Focus Gend, 1993 Jun;1(2):31-6.

PMID: 12345217

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Shifts in drug-taking threaten Asia

Gammelgaard J

WorldAIDS, 1992 May.

PMID: 12317433

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Public Prosecutor v. Dr. Nadason Kanagalingam, 9 June 1984

Malaysia. High Court

Annu Rev Popul Law, 1987;14:39.

PMID: 12346715

The defendant, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, was accused of voluntarily causing a woman to miscarry, such miscarriage having been performed without good faith and an intention to save the woman's life. The Court upheld the conviction of the defendant, rejecting his argument, supported by an expert witness, that he had performed the abortion in order to avoid the possibility of pulmonary embolism, which might result because the woman had enlarged varicose veins. It held that the argument was not reasonable under the current law and that procuring an abortion was a serious matter to be done only as a last resort to save the life of a woman or to save her from becoming a mental "wreck."

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Fulltext Why girls get married early in Sarawak, Malaysia - an exploratory qualitative study

Kohno A, Dahlui M, Nik Farid ND, Safii R, Nakayama T

BMC Womens Health, 2020 03 04;20(1):46.

PMID: 32131810 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-00911-z

BACKGROUND: Child marriage, a marriage that involves someone under the age of 18 years, is a long-standing social issue in Sarawak state, Malaysia. The state has taken several measures to improve situations of inequity for women who get married early; however, the practice is still a common part of the tradition and culture. The aim of this study was to explore the factors leading to child marriage in Sarawak state, Malaysia.

METHODS: This was an exploratory qualitative study conducted via semi-structured interviews with twenty-two women who were married when they were younger than 18 years old in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Participants were recruited through purposive and convenient sampling with the use of data from a reproductive health clinic and recruitment in villages. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: Four overarching themes were identified: health risk behaviour, family poverty, early marriage as fate, and family disharmony.

CONCLUSIONS: In-depth understanding of the unique factors leading to child marriage locally will facilitate the introduction of new approaches to interventions to eradicate child marriage in Sarawak state, Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Indonesian migrants in Johor: an itinerant labour force

Guinness P

Bull Indones Econ Stud, 1990 Apr;26(1):117-31.

PMID: 12282972

"The links between Indonesia and Johor, Malaysia, across the narrow straits have been strong for centuries. Many Johoreans trace their origins to various islands in the Indonesian archipelago. In recent years the presence of large numbers of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia has become the focus of media and political debate; it is seen not only as undermining working conditions but as aggravating fragile ethnic relations within Malaysia. The aim of this article is to examine the presence and employment of Indonesians in the southern area of Johor, and the responses of government and the public to this phenomenon."

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

Transcultural aspects of community psychiatry

Hartog J

Ment Hyg, 1971 Jan;55(1):35-44.

PMID: 5549644

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems

The relationship between poverty and fertility in Peninsular Malaysia: a district analysis

Teo Cheok Chin P

Tijdschr Econ Soc Geogr, 1989;80(5):284-301.

PMID: 12157771

Matched MeSH terms: Social Problems