MyMedR

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cytology practice: An international survey in the Asia-Pacific region

Wang YH, Bychkov A, Chakrabarti I, Jain D, Liu Z, He S, et al.

Cancer Cytopathol, 2020 Dec;128(12):895-904.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on various aspects of cytology practice in the Asia-Pacific region.

METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to cytopathology laboratories in 24 Asia-Pacific countries to explore the impact of restrictive measures on access to health care, use of general and personal protective equipment (PPE), and changes in cytology workflow and workload from February to April 2020.

RESULTS: A total of 167 cytopathology laboratories from 24 countries responded to the survey; the majority reported that restrictive measures that limited the accessibility of health care services had been implemented in their cities and/or countries (80.8%) and their hospitals (83.8%). The respondents noted that COVID-19 had an impact on the cytologic workflow as well as the workload. Approximately one-half of the participants reported the implementation of new biosafety protocols (54.5%) as well as improvements in laboratory facilities (47.3%). Rearrangement or redeployment of the workforce was reported in 53.3% and 34.1% of laboratories, respectively. The majority of the respondents reported a significant reduction (>10%) in caseload associated with both gynecological (82.0%) and nongynecological specimens (78.4%). Most laboratories reported no significant change in the malignancy rates of both gynecological (67.7%) and nongynecological specimens (58.7%) compared with the same period in 2019.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the survey demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant reduction in the number of cytology specimens examined along with the need to implement new biosafety protocols. These findings underscore the need for the worldwide standardization of biosafety protocols and cytology practice.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower/organization & administration; Health Manpower/standards; Health Manpower/statistics & numerical data

Indonesian immigrant settlements in peninsular Malaysia

Azizah Kassim

Sojourn, 2000 Apr;15(1):100-22.

PMID: 12349650

For over 2 decades, until the economic crisis in mid-1997, Malaysia's rapid economic growth attracted an influx of foreign labor, mostly from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. In 1997 the number of registered workers was estimated at 1.2 million and undocumented ones at approximately 800,000. The influx created various problems, of which housing is one of the most serious, especially in the Kelang Valley. This paper examines the ways and means by which Indonesian workers, the largest group among foreigners, overcame their accommodation problem. Two types of settlements are identified, that is, illegal ones in the squatter areas and legal ones, which are largely in Malay Reservation Areas. The settlements, which signify Indonesians' success in finding a foothold in Malaysia, today have become a base for more in-migration.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

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: Health Manpower

International labor migration and the family: some observations from Indonesia

Hugo G

Asian Pac Migr J, 1995;4(2-3):273-301.

PMID: 12320103

This article addresses two dimensions of the complex interrelationship between the family and international labor migration in Indonesia: the role of the family in influencing labor movements out of Indonesia; and the consequences of this movement on family well-being, structure, and functioning. Research on this topic in Indonesia is highly limited due mainly to the recency of large scale international labor migration, inadequate data collection systems, a high incidence of undocumented migration, and failure of available research to be sensitive to family related issues. Against a rapidly changing economic and social situation, two major overlapping systems of migration have developed. The official system is focused strongly on the Middle East (although other Asian destinations are increasing in significance) and is dominated by female migrants. The undocumented system is much larger in volume, is focused upon Malaysia, involves more males than females, and is becoming permanent in some cases. The role, status, and experiences of women migrants in relation to their families (decision making, networks, remittances) are discussed with recommendations for other areas needing further research attention.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Introduction: population migration and urbanization in developing countries

Kojima R

Dev Econ, 1996 Dec;34(4):349-69.

PMID: 12292278

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Japanese direct investment and its impact on migration in the ASEAN 4

Ito S, Iguchi Y

Asian Pac Migr J, 1994;3(2-3):265-94.

PMID: 12289775

"The purpose of this article is to show the relationship among Japanese direct investment...,domestic labor markets, and international labor migration in ASEAN-4 countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand). The effects of foreign direct investment on skilled labor migration are also considered."

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Job transfers: a neglected aspect of migration in Malaysia

Menon R

Int Migr Rev, 1987;21(1):86-95.

PMID: 12314668

"This article examines the incidence of [job-related] transfers in Malaysia. The retrospective migration data from the Malaysia Family Life Survey [conducted in 1976-1977] are used to demonstrate that transfers comprise 18 percent of all migration in the country and that there has been a rise in the incidence of transfers over a 35 year period. Factors underlying this trend are outlined. Furthermore, significant differences in age, educational attainment and other characteristics between transferees and other types of migrants are identified and their implications discussed."

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower*

Labor markets and economic development in Malaysia

Smith JP

Res Popul Econ, 1991;7:131-56.

PMID: 12317026

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Malaysia's social policies on mental health: a critical theory

Mubarak AR

J Health Soc Policy, 2003;17(1):55-72.

PMID: 14620736

This article aims to review the social policies on mental health and mental illness in Malaysia. Using critical theory, major policy issues pertaining to mental health and mental illness such as mental health legislation, prevalence rates and quality of services available to the people with mental health problems are discussed in detail. Implications of these issues on persons with mental health problems are critically evaluated. The paper highlights that the other countries in ASEAN region also require similar review by policy literature.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Fulltext Maternal, neonatal, and child health in southeast Asia: towards greater regional collaboration

Acuin CS, Khor GL, Liabsuetrakul T, Achadi EL, Htay TT, Firestone R, et al.

Lancet, 2011 Feb 05;377(9764):516-25.

PMID: 21269675 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62049-1

Although maternal and child mortality are on the decline in southeast Asia, there are still major disparities, and greater equity is key to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We used comparable cross-national data sources to document mortality trends from 1990 to 2008 and to assess major causes of maternal and child deaths. We present inequalities in intervention coverage by two common measures of wealth quintiles and rural or urban status. Case studies of reduction in mortality in Thailand and Indonesia indicate the varying extents of success and point to some factors that accelerate progress. We developed a Lives Saved Tool analysis for the region and for country subgroups to estimate deaths averted by cause and intervention. We identified three major patterns of maternal and child mortality reduction: early, rapid downward trends (Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand); initially high declines (sustained by Vietnam but faltering in the Philippines and Indonesia); and high initial rates with a downward trend (Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar). Economic development seems to provide an important context that should be coupled with broader health-system interventions. Increasing coverage and consideration of the health-system context is needed, and regional support from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations can provide increased policy support to achieve maternal, neonatal, and child health goals.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Medical manpower in a rapidly expanding population

Sandosham AA

Med J Malaya, 1968 Dec;23(2):146-51.

PMID: 4241012

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower*

Migrant labor absorption in Malaysia

Nayagam J

Asian Pac Migr J, 1992;1(3-4):477-94.

PMID: 12285766

The use of migrant workers to ease labor shortages caused by rapid industrialization in Malaysia during the twentieth century is examined. "This paper will focus on: (1) the extent, composition and distribution of migrant workers; (2) the labor shortage and absorption of migrant workers; and (3) the role of migrant workers in the government's economic restructuring process."

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Migrant workers in ASEAN: a review of issues and implications for government policies

Lim Lin Lean, Chan PT

Int Migr, 1983;21(2):277-87.

PMID: 12266834

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Migrant workers spreading HIV in Southeast Asia

AIDS Wkly Plus, 1996 Oct 21.

PMID: 12320478

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Migration and development: a critical relationship

Appleyard RT

Asian Pac Migr J, 1992;1(1):1-18.

PMID: 12317235

"Wide income differentials, the threat of increased illegal immigration from developing countries, and sub-replacement fertility in the developed countries are some reasons for the recent reassessment of the relationship between migration and development.... The model presented in this article proposes different roles for permanent immigrants, contract workers, professional transients, illegal migrants and others according to the stages of modernization of the sending and receiving countries. The model was found consistent with the experiences of Mauritius, Seychelles, Singapore and, to a lesser extent, Malaysia."

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

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: Health Manpower

Neurology in Asia

Tan CT

Neurology, 2015 Feb 10;84(6):623-5.

PMID: 25666629 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000001224

Asia is important as it accounts for more than half of the world population. The majority of Asian countries fall into the middle income category. As for cultural traditions, Asia is highly varied, with many languages spoken. The pattern of neurologic diseases in Asia is largely similar to the West, with some disease features being specific to Asia. Whereas Asia constitutes 60% of the world's population, it contains only 20% of the world's neurologists. This disparity is particularly evident in South and South East Asia. As for neurologic care, it is highly variable depending on whether it is an urban or rural setting, the level of economic development, and the system of health care financing. To help remedy the shortage of neurologists, most counties with larger populations have established training programs in neurology. These programs are diverse, with many areas of concern. There are regional organizations serving as a vehicle for networking in neurology and various subspecialties, as well as an official journal (Neurology Asia). The Asian Epilepsy Academy, with its emphasis on workshops in various locations, EEG certification examination, and fellowships, may provide a template of effective regional networking for improving neurology care in the region.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower/statistics & numerical data*

On mobility and fertility transitions in east and southeast Asia

Skeldon R

Asian Pac Migr J, 1992;1(2):220-49.

PMID: 12343909

The relationship between fertility and mobility is examined with reference to Zelinsky's [1971] mobility transition hypothesis. Five Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, China) at different stages of development and mobility transition are compared with respect to shifting sectoral patterns of migration and changing levels of fertility. National trends suggest that the development sequence proposed by Zelinsky on the basis of the European experience does not generally apply to Asia. In four out of five cases examined, fertility declined before substantial urbanization took place. Zelinsky's sequence of mobility change should be modified to fit the experience of developing countries, but the importance of the interrelations hip between fertility decline and mobility change remains

Matched MeSH terms: Health Manpower

Perceived safety management practices in the logistics sector

Auyong HN, Zailani S, Surienty L

Work, 2016 Mar 09;53(4):729-35.

PMID: 26967037 DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162272

BACKGROUND: Malaysia's progress on logistics has been slowed to keep pace with its growth in trade. The Government has been pressing companies to improve the safety of their activities in order to reduce society's loss due to occupational accidents and illnesses. Occupational safety and health is a crucial part of a workplace because every worker has to take care of his/her own safety and health. The main occupational safety and health (OSH) national policy in Malaysia is the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994. Only those companies which have excellent health and safety care have good quality and productive employees. This study investigated safety management practices in the logistics sector.

OBJECTIVES: The present study is concerned with the human factors to safety in the logistics industry. The authors examined the perceived safety management practices of workers in the logistics sector. The purpose was to identify the perception of safety management practices of Malaysian logistics personnel.

METHODS: Survey questionnaires were distributed to assess logistics personnel about management commitment. The quantitative method using the availability sampling method was applied. The data gathered from the survey were analysed using SPSS software. The responses to the survey were rated according to the Likert scale type, with '1' indicating strongly disagree and '5' indicating strongly agree. One hundred and three employees of logistics functions completed the survey.

RESULTS: The highest mean scores were found for fire apparatus, prioritisation of safety, and safety policy.

CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study also emphasise the importance of the management's commitment in enhancing workplace safety. Specifically, companies should maintain good relations between the employer and the employee to help reduce workplace injuries.

Matched MeSH terms: Occupational Health/manpower

Providing maternal and child care in rural Malaysia

Chen PC

Trop Geogr Med, 1977 Dec;29(4):441-8.

PMID: 610030

Since Independence, gained in 1957, major changes have occurred in the rural areas of Malaysia not least amongst which has been the provision of maternal and child care services to hitherto neglected areas. In the first part of this paper, the demographic and disease patterns are described. The second part outlines the general development efforts and describes in greater detail the rural health services that have been organized in Malaysia. In the concluding section, changes in mortality and morbidity are examined.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Health/manpower*

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