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The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): validation of the Malay version

Sidi H, Abdullah N, Puteh SE, Midin M

J Sex Med, 2007 Nov;4(6):1642-54.
PMID: 17608666

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent sexual health problem that has been inadequately investigated in Malaysia, a nation with a conservative multiethnic society.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and potential risk factors that may impair sexual function in Malaysian women

Sidi H, Puteh SE, Abdullah N, Midin M

J Sex Med, 2007 Mar;4(2):311-21.
PMID: 17040486

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent sexual health problem that does not spare the women in Malaysia, a nation with a conservative multiethnic society.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health Services/organization & administration; Women's Health*
'Lest we forget' as we move forward with cervical screening

Saville M, McNally O

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2018 Jun;58(3):265-266.
PMID: 29864221 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.12813
Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
The prevalence of symptoms in menopausal women in the Far East: Singapore segment

McCarthy T

Maturitas, 1994 Oct;19(3):199-204.
PMID: 7799826

Questionnaires (4000) on experience of menopausal symptoms in Singaporean women aged 40-55 were distributed by students. In total, 524 envelopes were returned (13.1%) and of these 420 were analyzed. Of these, 366 were classified as either pre-, peri- or postmenopausal on the basis of their menstrual patterns. Menopausal symptoms in this sample of Singaporean women were, in general, similar to those experienced in the West though the prevalence was low compared to European studies. No significant differences in individual symptoms were found between the 3 groups but, taken together, symptoms were significantly highest in the perimenopausal and lowest in the other menopausal groups. In the postmenopausal group 50% had been menopausal for at least 1 year at 50.5 years.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
Walking with patients is a privilege

Manchester A

Nurs N Z, 2016 Mar;22(2):16-7.
PMID: 27186616
Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health/history*
Managing Women with Sexual Dysfunction: Difficulties Experienced by Malaysian Family Physicians

Muhamad R, Horey D, Liamputtong P, Low WY

Arch Sex Behav, 2019 04;48(3):949-960.
PMID: 30238183 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1236-1

Recognizing barriers to managing sexual issues makes it more likely that effective ways to overcome them will be found. In Malaysia, where discussion of sexual issues is taboo, sociocultural factors may influence how physicians manage patients with these types of problems. This article focuses on the challenges encountered by 21 Malay family physicians when women experiencing sexual problems and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) attended their clinics, an uncommon occurrence in Malaysia, despite their high prevalence. This qualitative study employed a phenomenological framework and conducted face-to-face in-depth interviews. Three main barriers to managing women with sexual problems were identified that can hinder assessment and treatment: insufficient knowledge and training; unfavorable clinic environments; and personal embarrassment. Some barriers were associated with physician characteristics but many were systemic. These were further evaluated using social cognitive theory. Professional attitudes appear important as those physicians with an interest in managing women's health seemed to make greater effort to explore issues further and work to gain trust. Physicians who appeared indifferent to the impact of FSD showed greater reluctance to find solutions. Systemic issues included unfavorable clinical settings, lack of training, and lack of local evidence. Any strategy to address FSD needs to be underpinned by appropriate policies and resources.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
Fulltext Genetic Data from Nearly 63,000 Women of European Descent Predicts DNA Methylation Biomarkers and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Risk

Yang Y, Wu L, Shu X, Lu Y, Shu XO, Cai Q, et al.

Cancer Res, 2019 Feb 01;79(3):505-517.
PMID: 30559148 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-2726

DNA methylation is instrumental for gene regulation. Global changes in the epigenetic landscape have been recognized as a hallmark of cancer. However, the role of DNA methylation in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains unclear. In this study, high-density genetic and DNA methylation data in white blood cells from the Framingham Heart Study (N = 1,595) were used to build genetic models to predict DNA methylation levels. These prediction models were then applied to the summary statistics of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of ovarian cancer including 22,406 EOC cases and 40,941 controls to investigate genetically predicted DNA methylation levels in association with EOC risk. Among 62,938 CpG sites investigated, genetically predicted methylation levels at 89 CpG were significantly associated with EOC risk at a Bonferroni-corrected threshold of P < 7.94 × 10-7. Of them, 87 were located at GWAS-identified EOC susceptibility regions and two resided in a genomic region not previously reported to be associated with EOC risk. Integrative analyses of genetic, methylation, and gene expression data identified consistent directions of associations across 12 CpG, five genes, and EOC risk, suggesting that methylation at these 12 CpG may influence EOC risk by regulating expression of these five genes, namely MAPT, HOXB3, ABHD8, ARHGAP27, and SKAP1. We identified novel DNA methylation markers associated with EOC risk and propose that methylation at multiple CpG may affect EOC risk via regulation of gene expression. SIGNIFICANCE: Identification of novel DNA methylation markers associated with EOC risk suggests that methylation at multiple CpG may affect EOC risk through regulation of gene expression.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
Fulltext Validity and Reliability of Health Belief Model Questionnaire for Promoting Breast Self-examination and Screening Mammogram for Early Cancer Detection

Che Mohamed N, Moey SF, Lim BC

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 09 01;20(9):2865-2873.
PMID: 31554389 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.9.2865

Background: Early detection of breast cancer is essential in improving overall women’s health. The researchers
sought to develop a comprehensive measure that combined the basic components of the health belief model (HBM)
with a focus on breast self-examination (BSE) and screening mammogram amongst women. Methods: Questionnaire
items were developed following a review of relevant literature of HBM on BSE and screening mammogram. The
sampling frame for the study was Malaysian women aged 35 to 70 years old, living in Kuantan, Pahang and able to
read or write in Bahasa Malaysia or English. As such, 103 women were randomly selected to participate in the study.
Tests of validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability were subsequently performed to determine the
psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Results: The EFA revealed nine factors (self-efficacy of mammogram,
perceived barriers of BSE and mammogram, perceived susceptibility of breast cancer, perceived severity of breast
cancer, cues to action for mammogram screening, perceived benefits of BSE, health motivation, perceived benefits
of mammogram and self-efficacy of BSE) containing 54 items that jointly accounted for 74.2% of the observed
variance. All nine factors have good internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha ≥ 0.8. Fifty-four items remained in
the final questionnaire after deleting 13 problematic items. The scale also showed good convergent and discriminant
validity. Conclusion: The findings showed that the designed questionnaire was a valid and reliable instrument for the
study involving women in Kuantan, Pahang. The instrument can help to assess women’s beliefs on BSE adoption and
mammogram screening in health care practice and research.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
Investing in women's health is essential in the era of polycrises

Riha J, Orth Z, Khosla R

BMJ, 2024 Mar 06;384:q550.
PMID: 38448053 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q550
Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
Cultural health beliefs in a rural family practice: a Malaysian perspective

Ariff KM, Khoo SB

Aust J Rural Health, 2006 Feb;14(1):2-8.
PMID: 16426425 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2006.00747.x

Background: Understanding the sociocultural dimension of a patient’s health beliefs is critical to a successful clinical encounter. Malaysia with its multi-ethnic population of Malay, Chinese and Indian still uses many forms of traditional health care in spite of a remarkably modern rural health service.
Objective: The objective of this paper is discuss traditional health care in the context of some of the cultural aspects of health beliefs, perceptions and practices in the different ethnic groups of the author’s rural family practices. This helps to promote communication and cooperation between doctors and patients, improves clinical diagnosis and Management, avoids cultural blind spots and unnecessary medical testing and leads to better adherence to treatment by patients.
Discussion: Includes traditional practices of ‘hot and cold’, notions of Yin-Yang and Ayurveda, cultural healing, alternative medicine, cultural perception of body structures and cultural practices in the context of women’s health. Modern and traditional medical systems are potentially complementary rather than antagonistic. Ethnic and cultural considerations can be integrated further into the modern health delivery system to improve care and health outcomes.
KEY WORDS: alternative medicine, child health, cultural healing, traditional medicine, women’s health

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
Fulltext Female community health volunteers to reduce blood pressure: feasible and sustainable?

Bhuvan KC, Khanal S

Lancet Glob Health, 2018 04;6(4):e373.
PMID: 29530416 DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30034-2
Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
Body mass index of married Bangladeshi women: trends and association with socio-demographic factors

Hossain MG, Bharati P, Aik S, Lestrel PE, Abeer A, Kamarul T

J Biosoc Sci, 2012 Jul;44(4):385-99.
PMID: 22340969 DOI: 10.1017/S002193201200003X

Body mass index (BMI) is a good indicator of nutritional status in a population. In underdeveloped countries like Bangladesh, this indicator provides a method that can assist intervention to help eradicate many preventable diseases. This study aimed to report on changes in the BMI of married Bangladeshi women who were born in the past three decades and its association with socio-demographic factors. Data for 10,115 married and currently non-pregnant Bangladeshi women were extracted from the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). The age range of the sample was 15-49 years. The mean BMI was 20.85 ± 3.66 kg/m(2), and a decreasing tendency in BMI was found among birth year cohorts from 1972 to 1992. It was found that the proportion of underweight females has been increasing in those born during the last 20 years of the study period (1972 to 1992). Body mass index increased with increasing age, education level of the woman and her husband, wealth index, age at first marriage and age at first delivery, and decreased with increasing number of ever-born children. Lower BMI was especially pronounced among women who were living in rural areas, non-Muslims, employed women, women not living with their husbands (separated) or those who had delivered at home or non-Caesarean delivery.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
Frailty and potentially inappropriate medications using the 2019 Beers Criteria: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH)

Thiruchelvam K, Byles J, Hasan SS, Egan N, Kairuz T

Aging Clin Exp Res, 2021 Sep;33(9):2499-2509.
PMID: 33449339 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01772-0

BACKGROUND: Frailty is an essential consideration with potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), especially among older women.
AIMS: This study determined the use of potentially inappropriate medications according to frailty status using the Beers Criteria 2019, identified medications that should be flagged as potentially inappropriate and harmful depending on individual health factors, and determined the association between frailty and PIMs, adjusted for characteristics associated with PIMs.
METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study included 9355 participants aged 77-82 years at baseline (2003). Frailty was measured using the FRAIL (fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illness and loss of weight) scale. Generalised estimating equations using log-binomial regressions determined the association between frailty and risk of using PIMs.
RESULTS: Among participants who were frail and non-frail at baseline, the majority used ≥ 3 PIMs (74.2% and 58.5%, respectively). At 2017, the proportion using ≥ 3 PIMs remained constant in the frail group (72.0%) but increased in the non-frail group (66.0%). Commonly prescribed medications that may be potentially inappropriate in both groups included benzodiazepines, proton-pump inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and risperidone was an additional contributor in the non-frail group. When adjusted for other characteristics, frail women had a 2% higher risk of using PIMs (RR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01, 1.03).
CONCLUSION: Given that the majority of frail women were using medications that may have been potentially inappropriate, it is important to consider both frailty and PIMs as indicators of health outcomes, and to review the need for PIMs for women aged 77-96 years who are frail.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
Fulltext In the finger it lingers

Mohd AW, Mohamad I, Wan Ghazali WS, Johan KB

Malays Fam Physician, 2017;12(2):32-33.
PMID: 29423129 MyJurnal

A previously healthy 80-year-old woman presented with a history of a thorn prick injury over the
distal phalange of her left finger obtained while gardening two months ago. She claimed to have a
non-healing cut with a nodular lesion, which progressively increased in size, extending upwards
towards the region of her left arm. There was no fever or palpable lymph nodes in the axillary region.
She had been prescribed antibiotics from the local hospital but her condition did not improve.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
Fulltext Anthropometric and reproductive factors among newly- diagnosed breast cancer patients and healthy women: a case-control study

Zunura'in Z, Almardhiyah AR, Gan SH, Arifin WN, Sirajudeen K, Bhavaraju V, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2016;17(9):4439-4444.
PMID: 27797258

The objective of this case-control study was to determine anthropometric and reproductive factors associated with the development of breast cancer among women. Fifty-six newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were recruited from the Oncology Clinic, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and 56 healthy female hospital employees were recruited as controls. Socio-demographic and reproductive data were obtained using a standard questionnaire. Anthropometric factors (body weight, height, body fat percentage, visceral fat and waist and hip circumference) were assessed. A high waist circumference (adjusted OR= 1.04, [95% CI: 1.00, 1.09]) and being more than 30 years of age at rst full-term pregnancy (adjusted OR=3.77, [95% CI: 1.10, 12.90]) were predictors of breast cancer development. The results of this study indicate that weight and reproductive health management should be emphasized for breast cancer prevention in Malaysia.

Study site: Oncology clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health
Utilization of Private Sector Family Planning Services in Malaysia

Lai SL, Tey NP, Mahmud A, Ismail N

Int Q Community Health Educ, 2021 Jul;41(4):395-403.
PMID: 33167794 DOI: 10.1177/0272684X20972864

BACKGROUND: The private sector is playing an increasingly important role in family planning services globally. The active participation of private providers is associated with a higher contraceptive prevalence rate.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the differentials and determinants of the utilization of private providers for family planning services.
METHOD: This study used the 2014 Malaysian Population and Family Survey data. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression were performed on 1,817 current users of modern methods.
RESULTS: Overall, 26% of modern method users obtained their supplies from private clinics/pharmacies and 15.2% from other sources, such as drug stores and sundry shops. The odds of utilizing the private sector for family planning services differ significantly across regions and socio-economic groups. The odds of obtaining supply from the private clinics/pharmacies were higher among the Chinese and urban women (AOR > 1), and it was lower among those from the eastern region (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30-0.73). Non-Bumiputera, urban, higher educated, and working women, and those whose husbands decided on family planning had higher odds of obtaining the supply from the other sources (AOR > 1).
CONCLUSION: The private sector complements and supplements the public sector in providing family planning services to the public.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health Services/statistics & numerical data*
A study on the menopause in Malaysia

Ismael NN

Maturitas, 1994 Oct;19(3):205-9.
PMID: 7799827

In an attempt to gather data on the menopause in Malaysia, 400 women (13% Chinese, 70% Malays and 16% Indians), representing the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia, were interviewed. The majority (76%) of these women were still married and living with their husbands and 63% of them were working. Most of them (90%) had attained menarche by the age of 15 years and 50% of them had married before the age of 20. Their reproductive record was good, since 76% of them had 3 or more children who were still alive. The mean age at menopause in the Malaysian women studied was 50.7 years. Analysis of the climacteric symptoms reported showed significant differences in the vasomotor and nervosity indices in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups. Eighty percent (80%) of the women saw no need to consult a doctor about their climacteric symptoms. When they did, most of them (84%) received medication, but 43% of them did not comply with the prescribed treatment. Dyspareunia and urinary incontinence were evidently regarded as embarrassing complaints in all three groups, since around 80% of the women did not seek medical advice. This is not surprising in view of the fact that 89% of them rated their health as good.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
Fulltext Knowledge and awareness about STDs among women in Bangladesh

Hossain M, Mani KK, Mohd Sidik S, Shahar HK, Islam R

BMC Public Health, 2014;14:775.
PMID: 25081860 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-775

BACKGROUND:
Knowledge and awareness concerning sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has become the burning issue of the day. Although STDs pose serious risks to health security, there is very little literature quantifying the knowledge and awareness of these diseases and their principal socioeconomic determinants. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of different socio-economic and demographic factors on knowledge and awareness about STDs among women in Bangladesh.

METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2011. It involves 10,996 women in six divisions of Bangladesh - Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Barisal, Khulna and Sylhet. In this study, the percentage distribution and logistic regression model are used to identify which factors are associated with knowledge and awareness among women in Bangladesh about STDs.

RESULTS:
There is a significant association between geographic division (Dhaka: OR = 1.669, 95% CI = 0.89-2.10, Khulna: OR = 2.234, 95% CI = 1.2-3.2); places of residence (Rural: OR = 0.363, 95% CI = 0.20-1.08), respondent's age (20-29 years: OR = 1.331; 95% CI = 0.98-2.31); education (Primary: OR = 2.366, 95% CI = 1.98-3.1, secondary: OR = 10.089, 95% CI = 8.98-12.77, higher: OR = 20.241, 95% CI = 18.33-22.65); listening to radio (OR = 1.189, 95% CI = 1.29-3.12) and watching TV (OR = 2.498, 95% CI = 2.22-4.09) with knowledge and awareness among women in Bangladesh about STDs.

CONCLUSION:
There is a need to improve the education in Bangladesh about STDs particularly among those in the rural areas and older ages of women (30-49 years). Formal, informal and special educational knowledge and awareness programmes may be implemented to educate people concerning STDs in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Chittangong division. Campaigns and mass media can be used to increase the knowledge and awareness among the community, especially among women. Policies concerning the issue of STDs need to be improved and can be emphasized in collaboration with government agencies to ensure the success of these campaigns.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health Services
Fulltext The use of complementary and alternative medicine among Malay breast cancer survivors

Shaharudin SH, Sulaiman S, Emran NA, Shahril MR, Hussain SN

Altern Ther Health Med, 2011 Jan-Feb;17(1):50-6.
PMID: 21614944

BACKGROUND: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by breast cancer survivors.
METHODS: A descriptive survey design was developed. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, cancer clinical treatment history, and use of CAM were obtained through a modified self-administered questionnaire from 116 Malay breast cancer survivors aged 21 to 67 years who were 2 years postdiagnosis and currently undergoing follow-up treatment at breast cancer clinics at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre.
RESULTS: Data suggest that 64% of the participants were identified as CAM users; dietary supplements were the most common form used, followed by prayer and Malay traditional medicine. Within the wide range of dietary supplements, multivitamins were most often taken followed by spirulina, vitamin C, evening primrose oil, and herbal products. Contrary to other findings, the CAM users were found to be older, had secondary education levels, and were from middle-income households. However, there was no significant difference between CAM users and nonusers in this study. Family members played an important role as the main source of information along with doctors/health care providers, friends, and printed materials/mass media. The reasons participants gave for using CAM were mainly to assist in healing the body's inner strength, to cure cancer, and to reduce stress. Only half of the participants consulted with their physicians regarding the safety of CAM use. The participants began to use CAM while undergoing clinical treatments. Most of the participants used CAM for more than a year. About RM100 to RM149 (31.88 USD to 47.50 USD at press time) were spent monthly on CAM by 32% of the participants. The CAM use was found to be effective and beneficial for patients' disease states, and they were contented with the usage of the CAM therapies. Multivariate analysis revealed that thedecision to use or not to use CAM was not dependent on sociodemographic background or cancer clinical treatment history.
CONCLUSIONS: CAM was commonly used by breast cancer survivors as a coping mechanism to battle the disease.
Study site: Breast cancer clinics, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health*
The Bio-Psycho-Social Dimension in Women's Sexual Desire: 'Argumentum ad novitatem'

Roslan NS, Jaafar NRN, Sidi H, Baharudin N, Kumar J, Das S, et al.

Curr Drug Targets, 2019;20(2):146-157.
PMID: 28641524 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170622090337

Sexual desire includes complex motivation and drive. In the context of biological and cognitive- emotive state art of science, it is often a neglected field in medicine. In regard to the treatment, study on women's sexual function received less attention compared to the men's sexuality. In the past, this endeavor was relatively not well disseminated in the scientific community. Recently, there was a revolutionized surge of drug targets available to treat women with low sexual desire. It is timely to review the relevant biological approach, especially in the context of pharmacotherapy to understand this interesting clinical entity which was modulated by numerous interactive psychosocial inter-play and factors. The complex inter-play between numerous dimensional factors lends insights to understand the neural mechanism, i.e. the rewards centre pathway and its interaction with external psychosocialstimulus, e.g. relationship or other meaningful life events. The function of hormones, e.g. oxytocin or testosterone regulation was described. The role of neurotransmitters as reflected by the introduction of a molecule of flibenserin, a full agonist of the 5-HT1A and partial agonist of the D4 to treat premenopausal women with low sexual desire was deliberated. Based on this fundamental scientific core knowledge, we suggest an outline on know-how of introduction for sex therapy (i.e. "inner-self" and "outer-self") where the role of partner is narrated. Then, we also highlighted on the use of pharmacological agent as an adjunct scope of therapy, i.e. phosphodiasterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and hormonal treatment in helping the patient with low sexual desire.

Matched MeSH terms: Women's Health

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