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Managing plastic waste disposal by assessing consumers' recycling behavior: the case of a densely populated developing country

Khan F, Ahmed W, Najmi A, Younus M

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Nov;26(32):33054-33066.
PMID: 31512138 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06411-4

The rapid increase in urbanization has given rise to the need of proper waste management. Within municipal waste, the plastic waste is a growing concern which is causing severe harm to our ecosystem. If ignored, this problem will have harmful effects on both human and wildlife. Therefore, this study aims to find out the factors that influence the recycling behavior patterns of consumers regarding plastic waste. The variables from the theory of planned behavior were adopted to study the behavior of consumers toward recycling plastic waste. The data was collected from 243 residents of Karachi-metropolitan city of Pakistan. The partial least square-structural equation modelling was applied to analyze the data. The findings of the current study reveal that different consumers' attributes and attitudes trigger different types of recycling behavior when it comes to waste disposal. Pressure from family and friends and perceived behavioral control trigger the behavior of reselling the waste plastic products while consumer's awareness of consequences and personal attitude toward proper waste disposal leads to reuse or donating that product to someone who can use that plastic product. The understanding of these consumer attributes may help to shape the behavioral outcomes in order to manage waste disposal. This study will be beneficial for business managers looking to improve reverse logistics as well as government/municipal policy makers and academics/researchers who are interested in a solution-oriented study.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Landfill area estimation based on integrated waste disposal options and solid waste forecasting using modified ANFIS model

Younes MK, Nopiah ZM, Basri NE, Basri H, Abushammala MF, Younes MY

Waste Manag, 2016 Sep;55:3-11.
PMID: 26522806 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.10.020

Solid waste prediction is crucial for sustainable solid waste management. The collection of accurate waste data records is challenging in developing countries. Solid waste generation is usually correlated with economic, demographic and social factors. However, these factors are not constant due to population and economic growth. The objective of this research is to minimize the land requirements for solid waste disposal for implementation of the Malaysian vision of waste disposal options. This goal has been previously achieved by integrating the solid waste forecasting model, waste composition and the Malaysian vision. The modified adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (MANFIS) was employed to develop a solid waste prediction model and search for the optimum input factors. The performance of the model was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination (R(2)). The model validation results are as follows: RMSE for training=0.2678, RMSE for testing=3.9860 and R(2)=0.99. Implementation of the Malaysian vision for waste disposal options can minimize the land requirements for waste disposal by up to 43%.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Fulltext Cancer prevention in the Asia Pacific region

Yoo KY

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2010;11(4):839-44.
PMID: 21133587

Cancer incidences as well as the most prevalent cancer types vary greatly across Asian countries since people have differing health behaviors as well as lifestyle factors related to cancer risk. Countries have varying systems of government organization, laws, resources, facilities, and management strategies for addressing the cancer burden. Examples such as Korea and Japan with existing national cancer control programs need to focus on early screening and detection and quality of screening methods. If screening and detection increase to cover more than 50% of the target population, survival rate increases and thus the number of cancer patients detected increases resulting in higher medical cost. Thus, expansion of cancer screening, in addition to smoking prevention, immunization increase, and diet control awareness, are needed for cancer prevention strategies. Countries such as Thailand, China, Malaysia, and Turkey need to begin organized efforts to reduce cancer deaths through state-wide cancer screening programs. Strategies focused on increasing survival among cancer patients are also needed. In addition, government organizations and law regulations need to be in place as the first step towards cancer prevention. For the countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, Mongolia, and Iraq which do not have any cancer-related organizations in place, the first step that is needed is to raise public awareness about cancer; a public awareness campaign is the number one priority and should begin immediately. The easiest and most feasible step at this point is dissemination of cancer education materials during school health education and physical health screening. This must be started immediately because we need to avoid the development of existing cancers where patients will need to seek specialized cancer treatment facilities that are non-existent in these regions. In addition, hospitals need to take a step further and start undergoing registration of cancer prevalence and incidence cases beginning at the regional level. Through the hospital census, countries will be able to determine the magnitude of the cancer burden. Moreover, countries with professionals and researchers with advanced cancer research, education, and training also need to contribute through international cooperation.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Relations between creativity and intelligence among Malaysian pupils

Yong LM

Percept Mot Skills, 1994 Oct;79(2):739-42.
PMID: 7870496

This paper describes an empirical study of the relation between creativity and intelligence of 397 Malaysian secondary school pupils. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, Figural Form A and Verbal Form A (Malay Language version), and the Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test were administered to 181 boys and 216 girls from five secondary schools located in the urban and suburban areas of Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya in Malaysia. Analysis indicated that scores on verbal creativity were related to intelligence while those on figural creativity were not.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries*
Fulltext A need to rethink and mold consensus regarding pharmacy education in developing countries

Hassali MA, Ahmadi K, Yong GC

Am J Pharm Educ, 2013 Aug 12;77(6):112.
PMID: 23966715 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe776112
Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Fulltext Cholera in selected countries in Asia

Lopez AL, Dutta S, Qadri F, Sovann L, Pandey BD, Bin Hamzah WM, et al.

Vaccine, 2020 02 29;38 Suppl 1:A18-A24.
PMID: 31326255 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.035

INTRODUCTION: Although the current pandemic of cholera originated in Asia, reports of cholera cases and outbreaks in the region are sparse. To provide a sub-regional assessment of cholera in South and Southeast Asia, we collated published and unpublished data from existing surveillance systems from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
METHODS: Data from existing country surveillance systems on diarrhea, acute watery diarrhea, suspected cholera and/or confirmed cholera in nine selected Asian countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) from 2011 to 2015 (or 2016, when available) were collated. We reviewed annual cholera reports from WHO and searched PubMed and/or ProMED to complement data, where information is not completely available.
RESULTS: From 2011 to 2016, confirmed cholera cases were identified in at least one year of the 5- or 6-year period in the countries included. Surveillance for cholera exists in most countries, but cases are not always reported. India reported the most number of confirmed cases with a mean of 5964 cases annually. The mean number of cases per year in the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand were 760, 592, 285, 264, 148 and 88, respectively. Cambodia and Vietnam reported 51 and 3 confirmed cholera cases in 2011, with no subsequent reported cases.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We present consolidated results of available surveillance in nine Asian countries and supplemented these with publication searches. There is paucity of readily accessible data on cholera in these countries. We highlight the continuing existence of the disease even in areas with improved sanitation and access to safe drinking water. Continued vigilance and improved surveillance in countries should be strongly encouraged.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Menstrual flow duration and spotting following Multiload Copper 250 intra-uterine device insertion

Goh TH, Ang ES, Yip YC

J Obstet Gynaecol (Lahore), 1983 Oct;4(2):127-8.
PMID: 12279948
Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Factors associated with HER2 overexpression in breast cancer: Experience in an Asian developing country

Tan GH, Choo WY, Taib NA, Yip CH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(5):837-40.
PMID: 20104975

INTRODUCTION: The HER2 gene is amplified in up to 30% of human breast cancers, leading to overexpression of the HER2 protein on the cell surface. Overexpression of HER2 is associated with a more aggressive cancer and hence a poorer overall survival.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between clinico-pathological features and HER2 overexpression in breast cancer.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Surgery, University Malaya Medical Centre. The association between HER2 overexpression, determined by immunohistochemistry, and other clinicopathological factors was evaluated in 996 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer treated from 2005 to 2007 using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS: HER2 overexpression occurred in 30.3% of patients. On bivariate analysis, HER2 overexpression was inversely related to ER expression (p<0.01) and PR expression (p<0.01). This overexpression was associated with a higher tumour grade, lymphovascular positivity and infiltrating ductal carcinoma subtype. On multivariate analysis, HER2 overexpression was significantly associated with higher tumour grade (p= 0.018, CI 1.25-11.04), PR negativity (p= 0.002, CI 0.30-0.77) and lymphovascular positivity (p= 0.042, CI 1.01-2.12).
CONCLUSIONS: HER2 overexpression was observed in 30.3% of Malaysian female breast cancer patients. This group of patients represents a more aggressive subtype of breast cancer with higher tumour grade, PR negativity and lymphovascular positivity. No significant relationship was established between HER2 overexpression and age, race, lymph node, ER, pathology subtype and stage of disease from this study.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Determinants of fertility in Malaysia -- how much do we know?

Ying SL

J Southeast Asian Stud, 1992 Mar;23(1):112-32.
PMID: 12286188
Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Initial experience of abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs in Borneo

Yii MK

ANZ J Surg, 2003 Oct;73(10):790-3.
PMID: 14525567

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) repairs are routine operations with low mortality in the developed world. There are few studies on the operative management of AAA in the Asian population.This study reports the initial results from a unit with no previous experience in this surgery by a single surgeon on completion of training.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries*
Competency-based training of health professions teachers in seven developing countries

Vanderschmidt L, Massey JA, Arias J, Duong T, Haddad J, Noche LK, et al.

Am J Public Health, 1979 Jun;69(6):585-90.
PMID: 443499
Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries*
Designing a prehospital system for a developing country: estimated cost and benefits

Hauswald M, Yeoh E

Am J Emerg Med, 1997 Oct;15(6):600-3.
PMID: 9337371

Many of the costs associated with prehospital care in developed countries are covered in budgets for fire suppression, police services, and the like. Determining these costs is therefore difficult. The costs and benefits of developing a prehospital care system for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which now has essentially no emergency medical services (EMS) system, were estimated. Prehospital therapies that have been suggested to decrease mortality were identified. A minimal prehospital system was designed to deliver these treatments in Kuala Lumpur. The potential benefit of these therapies was calculated by using statistics from the United States corrected for demographic differences between the United States and Malaysia. Costs were extrapolated from the current operating budget of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. Primary dysrhythmias are responsible for almost all potentially survivable cardiac arrests. A system designed to deliver a defibrillator to 85% of arrests within 6 minutes would require an estimated 48 ambulances. Kuala Lumpur has approximately 120 prehospital arrhythmic deaths per year. A 6% resuscitation rate was chosen for the denominator, resulting in seven survivors. Half of these would be expected to have significant neurological damage. Ambulances cost $53,000 (US dollars) to operate per year in Kuala Lumpur; 48 ambulances would cost a total of $2.5 million. Demographic factors and traffic problems would significantly increase the cost per patient. Other therapies, including medications, airway management, and trauma care, were discounted because both their additional cost and their benefit are small. Transport of patients (including trauma) is now performed by police or private vehicle and would probably take longer by ambulance. A prehospital system for Kuala Lumpur would cost approximately $2.5 million per year. It might save seven lives, three of which would be marred by significant neurological injury. Developing countries would do well to consider alternatives to a North American EMS model.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries*
Factors affecting the attractiveness of medical tourism destination: an empirical study on India- review article

Sultana S, Haque A, Momen A, Yasmin F

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Jul;43(7):867-76.
PMID: 25909055

In this edge, medical tourism is not a new idea. Medical treatment is one of the essential demands of human beings and it requires high quality and intensive care. Beside western world, few developing countries are playing key roles as medical tourism destinations. India is one of the leading names among these countries. The purpose of the paper is to find the factors influencing the attractiveness of India as a health tourism destination.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Fulltext Descriptive analysis to assess seasonal patterns of COVID-19 and influenza in low-income and middle-income countries in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America

Kyaw MH, Spinardi JR, Jagun O, Franco Villalobos C, Kapetanakis V, Sharf-Williams R, et al.

BMJ Open, 2024 Jan 31;14(1):e081019.
PMID: 38296298 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081019

OBJECTIVES: Understanding disease seasonality can help predict the occurrence of outbreaks and inform public health planning. Respiratory diseases typically follow seasonal patterns; however, knowledge regarding the seasonality of COVID-19 and its impact on the seasonality of influenza remains limited. The objective of this study was to provide more evidence to understand the circulation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, in an endemic scenario to guide potential preventive strategies.
DESIGN: In this study, a descriptive analysis was undertaken to describe seasonality trends and/or overlap between COVID-19 and influenza in 12 low-income and middle-income countries using Our World in Data and FluMart data sources. Plots of COVID-19 and influenza cases were analysed.
SETTING: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
OUTCOME MEASURES: COVID-19 cases and influenza cases.
RESULTS: No seasonal patterns of SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV-2/influenza cocirculation were observed in most countries, even when considering the avian influenza pandemic period.
CONCLUSIONS: These results can inform public health strategies. The lack of observed seasonal behaviour highlights the importance of maintaining year-round vaccination rather than implementing seasonal campaigns. Further research investigating the influence of climate conditions, social behaviour and year-round preventive measures could be fundamental for shaping appropriate policies related to COVID-19 and respiratory viral disease control in low-income and middle-income countries as COVID-19 variant data and epidemiologic patterns accrue over time.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Fulltext Characterisation of beta-globin gene mutations in Malaysian children: a strategy for the control of beta-thalassaemia in a developing country

Thong MK, Tan JA, Tan KL, Yap SF

J Trop Pediatr, 2005 Dec;51(6):328-33.
PMID: 15967770 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmi052

beta-thalassaemia major, an autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy, is one of the most common single gene disorders in multi-racial Malaysia. The control of beta-thalassaemia major requires a multi-disciplinary approach that includes population screening, genetic counselling, prenatal diagnosis and the option of termination of affected pregnancies. To achieve this objective, the molecular characterisation of the spectrum of beta-globin gene mutations in each of the affected ethnic groups is required. We studied 88 consecutive unrelated individuals and their respective families with beta-thalassaemia (74 beta-thalassaemia major, 12 HbE-beta-thalassaemia, 2 with HbE homozygotes) and four individuals with beta-thalassaemia trait that contributed a total 180 alleles for study. Using a 2-step molecular diagnostic strategy consisting of amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) to identify the 8 most common mutations followed by other DNA-based diagnostic techniques, a total of 177 (98.3 per cent) of the 180 beta-thalassaemia alleles were characterised. One out of 91 (1 per cent) of the Chinese alleles, one out of 46 (2.2 per cent) Malay alleles and one out of two Indian alleles remained unknown. A 100 per cent success rate was achieved in studying the Kadazandusun community in this study. A strategy to identify beta-globin gene mutations in Malaysians with beta-thalassaemia is proposed based on this outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
The Singapore state's response to migration

Yap MT

Sojourn, 1999 Apr;14(1):198-211.
PMID: 12295146
Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Current and projected gaps in the availability of radiotherapy in the Asia-Pacific region: a country income-group analysis

Abu Awwad D, Shafiq J, Delaney GP, Anacak Y, Bray F, Flores JA, et al.

Lancet Oncol, 2024 Feb;25(2):225-234.
PMID: 38301690 DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(23)00619-8

BACKGROUND: Cancer incidence and mortality is increasing rapidly worldwide, with a higher cancer burden observed in the Asia-Pacific region than in other regions. To date, evidence-based modelling of radiotherapy demand has been based on stage data from high-income countries (HIC) that do not account for the later stage at presentation seen in many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to estimate the current and projected demand and supply in megavoltage radiotherapy machines in the Asia-Pacific region, using a national income-group adjusted model.
METHODS: Novel LMIC radiotherapy demand and outcome models were created by adjusting previously developed models that used HIC cancer staging data. These models were applied to the cancer case mix (ie, the incidence of each different cancer) in each LMIC in the Asia-Pacific region to estimate the current and projected optimal radiotherapy utilisation rate (ie, the proportion of cancer cases that would require radiotherapy on the basis of guideline recommendations), and to estimate the number of megavoltage machines needed in each country to meet this demand. Information on the number of megavoltage machines available in each country was retrieved from the Directory of Radiotherapy Centres. Gaps were determined by comparing the projected number of megavoltage machines needed with the number of machines available in each region. Megavoltage machine numbers, local control, and overall survival benefits were compared with previous data from 2012 and projected data for 2040.
FINDINGS: 57 countries within the Asia-Pacific region were included in the analysis with 9·48 million new cases of cancer in 2020, an increase of 2·66 million from 2012. Local control was 7·42% and overall survival was 3·05%. Across the Asia-Pacific overall, the current optimal radiotherapy utilisation rate is 49·10%, which means that 4·66 million people will need radiotherapy in 2020, an increase of 1·38 million (42%) from 2012. The number of megavoltage machines increased by 1261 (31%) between 2012 and 2020, but the demand for these machines increased by 3584 (42%). The Asia-Pacific region only has 43·9% of the megavoltage machines needed to meet demand, ranging from 9·9-40·5% in LMICs compared with 67·9% in HICs. 12 000 additional megavoltage machines will be needed to meet the projected demand for 2040.
INTERPRETATION: The difference between supply and demand with regard to megavoltage machine availability has continued to widen in LMICs over the past decade and is projected to worsen by 2040. The data from this study can be used to provide evidence for the need to incorporate radiotherapy in national cancer control plans and to inform governments and policy makers within the Asia-Pacific region regarding the urgent need for investment in this sector.
FUNDING: The Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) Regional Office (RCARP03).

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Clinical characteristics of basal cell carcinoma in a tertiary hospital in Sarawak, Malaysia

Yap FBB

Int J Dermatol, 2010 Feb;49(2):176-9.
PMID: 20465642 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04342.x

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer among Orientals. Data on this malignancy is lacking in Malaysia, prompting a retrospective study to determine the clinical characteristics in the skin clinic, Sarawak General Hospital between 2000 and 2008.
METHODS: Demographic data and clinical features of 64 histopathologically proven BCC from 43 patients were retrieved. Statistical analysis was performed comparing the clinical characteristics based on the region of involvement and gender.
RESULTS: The mean age of presentation was 60.9 years. Male to female ratio was 1.05. Majority of the patients were Chinese (44.2%) followed by Malays (32.6%), Bidayuhs (14.0%) and Ibans (6.9%). Nodular BCC accounted for 95.3% of cases while 4.7% were superficial BCC. All the nodular BCC were pigmented. Ulceration was noted in 18%. There were 82.8% of BCC on the head and neck region and 17.2% on the trunk and limb region. BCC on the latter region were larger (mean 35.0 cf. 14.4 mm, p < 0.001) and ulcerated (45.5% cf. 11.3%, p = 0.01). Superficial BCC were also more frequently encountered in this region (18.2% cf. 1.9%, p = 0.02). Compared to women, men had larger BCC (mean 21.1 cf. 13.3 mm, p = 0.03) and kept them for a longer duration (mean 21.6 cf. 13.3 months, p = 0.04).
CONCLUSION: Clinical characteristics of BCC in Sarawak were similar to other Asian studies. Additionally, BCC on the trunk and limbs and in men were larger, ulcerative and long standing warranting better efforts for earlier detection.
Study site: Skin clinic, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
Is It Time for Joint Health Technology Assessment in Asia? Opportunities and Challenges

Ngorsuraches S, Chaiyakunapruk N, Jianfei Guo J, Yang BM

Value Health Reg Issues, 2017 05;12:99-100.
PMID: 28648323 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2017.04.002
Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries
The health care seeking behavior of schizophrenic patients in 6 East Asian areas

Rhi BY, Ha KS, Kim YS, Sasaki Y, Young D, Woon, et al.

Int J Soc Psychiatry, 1995;41(3):190-209.
PMID: 8847200

The patterns of health care seeking behavior of 1061 schizophrenics and the factors that affect the determination of the patterns were studied in 6 areas of 5 nations in east Asia: Hunan and Sichuan Provinces in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. The information was gathered through a structured questionnaire developed by the authors. The subjects generally favored psychiatry-oriented health care, but with frequent interruptions or combination with other types of managements. Most Japanese subjects sought care in western medicine, while subjects from Hunan, Sichuan and Korea alternated between western medicine and magicoreligious therapies or traditional herbal medicine. In the Philippines and Malaysia, the majority of the subjects sought magicoreligious therapies first, then later sought western psychiatric care. The choice of western psychiatric care was mostly influenced by the decision maker's knowledge and interpretation of the patient's illness. In determining the choice of management among various types of non-psychiatric management, cost, location, and societal attitudes played substantial roles as well as knowledge and interpretation. Suggestions and opinions were discussed to improve health care services for schizophrenic patients in each community.

Matched MeSH terms: Developing Countries*

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