MyMedR

Despite several guidelines published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and national authorities, there is a general increase in the number of healthcare workers (HCWs) contracting tuberculosis. This review sought to evaluate the compliance of the HCWs toward tuberculosis preventive measures (TPMs) in their workplace. Both electronic databases and manual searches were conducted to retrieve articles regarding the compliance of HCWs in the workplace published from 2010 onwards. Independent reviewers extracted, reviewed, and analyzed the data using the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) 2018, comprising 15 studies, 1572 HCWs, and 249 health facilities. The results showed there was low compliance toward TPMs in the workplace among HCWs and health facilities from mostly high-burden tuberculosis countries. The failure to comply with control measures against tuberculosis was mainly reported at administrative levels, followed by engineering and personnel protective control measures. In addition, low managerial support and negative attitudes of the HCWs influenced the compliance. Further studies are needed to elucidate how to improve the compliance of HCWs toward the preventive measures against tuberculosis in order to reduce the disease burden among HCWs worldwide.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Facilities*; Health Personnel; World Health Organization

Factors associated with the spatial accessibility of healthcare services measured by the floating catchment area (FCA)-based method: A scoping review

Ab Hamid J, Juni MH, Rosliza AM, Syed Ismail SN, Lim PY

Med J Malaysia, 2023 Jan;78(1):109-117.

PMID: 36715200

INTRODUCTION: The floating catchment area (FCA) method has emerged as the most comprehensive and accurate method for quantifying the spatial accessibility of health care services. There were variants of the FCA-based method that was continuously improvised by the researchers to suit specific local contexts and the different nature of healthcare service delivery. This scoping review identifies factors associated with the spatial accessibility of healthcare services that were specifically measured using the FCAbased method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This scoping review was performed through electronic databases (PubMed and ScienceDirect) using keywords: 'spatial accessibility', 'floating catchment area' and 'factors'. Google Scholar and Mendeley Network were also used as additional sources to obtain relevant studies.

RESULTS: A total of 32 articles were included in this review. Factors identified can be distinguished into two broad categories, which are spatial and non-spatial factors. Spatial factors were remoteness or distance from the urban centre, areas in close proximity to main roads, and some specific geographical characteristics such as mountainous and deltaic regions, whereas non-spatial factors were the degree of urbanisation, population density and various demographic profiles of the population such as socioeconomic status, health need, and minority ethnic composition.

CONCLUSION: This study adds to the body of literature pertinent to the factors associated with spatial accessibility to healthcare services. These findings could give insight for researchers to consider and incorporate those additional variables to further improve the FCA-based method calculations.

Matched MeSH terms: Catchment Area (Health)*; Health Services Accessibility*

Fulltext Spatial Accessibility of Primary Care in the Dual Public-Private Health System in Rural Areas, Malaysia

Ab Hamid J, Juni MH, Abdul Manaf R, Syed Ismail SN, Lim PY

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2023 Feb 10;20(4).

PMID: 36833838 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043147

Disparities in access to health services in rural areas represent a global health issue. Various external factors contribute to these disparities and each root requires specific remedial action to alleviate the issue. This study elucidates an approach to assessing the spatial accessibility of primary care, considering Malaysia's dual public-private system specifically in rural areas, and identifies its associated ecological factors. Spatial accessibility was calculated using the Enhance 2-Step Floating Catchment Area (E2SFCA) method, modified as per local context. Data were secondary sourced from Population and Housing Census data and administrative datasets pertaining to health facilities and road network. The spatial pattern of the E2SFCA scores were depicted using Hot spot Analysis. Hierarchical multiple linear regression and geographical weight regression were performed to identify factors that affect E2SFCA scores. Hot spot areas revolved near the urban agglomeration, largely contributed by the private sector. Distance to urban areas, road density, population density dependency ratios and ethnic composition were among the associated factors. Accurate conceptualization and comprehensive assessment of accessibility are crucial for evidence-based decision making by the policymakers and health authorities in identifying areas that need attention for a more specific and localized planning and development.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Facilities; Health Services Accessibility*

Fulltext Using an intersectionality approach to transform health services for overlooked healthcare users and workers after covid-19

Mothupi M, Dasgupta J, Hosseini Jebeli SS, Stevenson J, Berdichevsky K, Vong S, et al.

BMJ, 2023 Jun 07;381:e072243.

PMID: 37286226 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072243

Intersectional analysis and action are needed to prepare for future pandemics and ensure more inclusive health services, say Mamothena Mothupi and colleagues

Matched MeSH terms: Delivery of Health Care; Health Facilities; Health Personnel; Health Services

Fulltext Editorial: Global surgery: the next Frontier in global public health

Henry JA, Wong LY, Ameh E, Yip CH, Hill A

Front Public Health, 2023;11:1293880.

PMID: 37869182 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1293880

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health*; Global Health; World Health Organization

A priority list of environmental health issues for Malaysia

Hashim JH, Hashim Z, Hod R, Jalaludin J, Mohamed N, Karuppannan S, et al.

Rev Environ Health, 2023 Jun 27;38(2):349-359.

PMID: 35468665 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0030

OBJECTIVES: Environmental risk factors contribute to 24% of the global burden of disease from all causes in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and to 23% of all global deaths. Malaysia being an advanced developing country, there is a need to prioritise environmental health issues to enable environmental health practitioners to focus on the most significant and urgent environmental health concerns.

CONTENT: This project was undertaken by a Thematic Working Group on Environmental Health Experts (TWG 10) under the Malaysian National Environmental Health Action Plan. Sixteen pre-selected environmental health issues were presented to a two focus group discussions among 20 environmental health and related professionals who then scored each issue on its magnitude and severity scale.

SUMMARY: The total of these scores generated a list of priority environmental health issues for Malaysia. Children environmental health came out as the environmental health issue of the highest priority.

OUTLOOK: We hope that this list of priority environmental health issues will be used for prioritising academic and professional manpower training, research funding allocation and planning for intervention programmes by various stakeholders.

Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Health*; Global Health*

Fulltext Editorial: Women in science: Public Health Education and Promotion 2022

Caron RM, Jamshed SQ, Goodman MS, Kang S

Front Public Health, 2023;11:1204113.

PMID: 37213627 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1204113

Matched MeSH terms: Health Education*; Health Promotion*

The World Health Organization Reviews Another Year of Global Health Progress and Some Setbacks

Binns C, Low WY

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2024 Jul;36(5):425-428.

PMID: 39044384 DOI: 10.1177/10105395241265205

Matched MeSH terms: Global Health*; World Health Organization*

Fulltext What is a justice-oriented approach to global health?

Khosla R, Venkatapuram S

BMJ Glob Health, 2023 Mar;8(3).

PMID: 36948533 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012155

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy; Public Health*; Global Health*

A consensus on men's health status and policy in Asia: a Delphi survey

Teo CH, Ng CJ, Ho CC, Tan HM

Public Health, 2015 Jan;129(1):60-7.

PMID: 25542745 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2014.11.009

OBJECTIVE: There is currently no documentation on the availability and implementation of policies related to men's health in Asia. This Delphi study aimed to achieve an Asian consensus on men's health policy based on the opinions and recommendations from men's health key opinion leaders.
STUDY DESIGN: A two-phase Delphi online survey was used to gather information from men's health stakeholders across Asian countries.
METHODS: All stakeholders were invited to participate in the survey through men's health conferences, personal contacts, recommendations from international men's health organizations and snowballing method. Stakeholders were asked about their concerns on 17 men's health key issues as well as their opinion on the availability and recommendations on men's health policies and programmes in their countries.
RESULTS: There were a total of 128 stakeholders (policy makers, clinicians, researchers and consumers), from 28 Asian countries, who responded in the survey. Up to 85% of stakeholders were concerned about various men's health issues in Asia and in their respective country, particularly in smoking, ischaemic heart disease and high blood pressure. There is a lack of men's health policies and programmes in Asia (availability = 11.6-43.5%) and up to 92.9% of stakeholders recommended that these should be developed.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings call for policy change and development, and more importantly a concerted effort to elevate men's health status in Asia.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy*; Health Status*; Men's Health*

School health in Malaysia: where are we now?

Pavlin BI, Ali O, Poh BK

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2014 Sep;26(5 Suppl):4S-6S.

PMID: 25143526 DOI: 10.1177/1010539514545286

Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*; Health Surveys; School Health Services*; Health Behavior

Fulltext The Tsinghua-Lancet Commission on Healthy Cities in China: unlocking the power of cities for a healthy China

Yang J, Siri JG, Remais JV, Cheng Q, Zhang H, Chan KKY, et al.

Lancet, 2018 05 26;391(10135):2140-2184.

PMID: 29678340 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30486-0

Matched MeSH terms: Health Policy*; Health Promotion*; Urban Health*

A systematic review of mental health literacy in Pakistan

Munawar K, Abdul Khaiyom JH, Bokharey IZ, Park MS, Choudhry FR

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2020 Dec;12(4):e12408.

PMID: 32803860 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12408

Individual mental health has become a primary global concern. In Pakistan, the prevalence of mental health issues is still unclear, as not many studies have assessed the level of mental health literacy (MHL) in the country. This systematic review aims to bridge this gap by encouraging the early detection of mental disorders, lessening stigma, and improving help-seeking behavior. Nine electronic databases were searched to identify empirical literature in this area. Only studies that evaluated MHL efficacy and those published in English were selected. Non-peer reviewed articles and gray literature were excluded. From 613 studies retrieved, 59 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Forty-three of the included studies mentioned mental health outcome measures (of which only four mentioned reliability indices), 13 discussed stigma, 18 examined help-seeking approaches to mental illness treatments, and 47 discussed mental health knowledge. Additionally, the outcome of the MHL measures had considerable heterogeneity and limited validity. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to a lack of MHL operationalization. Besides, the measurement tools in the studies lacked consistency and standardization. This review compiled the available studies on MHL to assist researchers currently studying the various dimensions of MHL, as well as those designing new studies or investigating effective methods to increase MHL. This review highlights the need for well-designed controlled intervention studies. Further implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are mentioned.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Mental Health*; Health Literacy*

Environmental impact on human health in Malaysia

DeWitt GF, Sekarajasekaran A, Wan KC

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1979 Dec;10(4):581-6.

PMID: 538509

Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Health*; Health*; Health Status*

Fulltext Knowledge and Risk Perceptions of Occupational Infections Among Health-care Workers in Malaysia

Subramanian GC, Arip M, Saraswathy Subramaniam TS

Saf Health Work, 2017 Sep;8(3):246-249.

PMID: 28951800 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2016.12.007

Health-care workers are at risk of exposure to occupational infections with subsequent risk of contracting diseases, disability, and even death. A systematic collection of occupational disease data is useful for monitoring current trends in work situations and disease exposures; however, these data are usually limited due to under-reporting. The objective of this study was to review literature related to knowledge, risk perceptions, and practices regarding occupational exposures to infectious diseases in Malaysian health-care settings, in particular regarding blood-borne infections, universal precautions, use of personal protective equipment, and clinical waste management. The data are useful for determining improvements in knowledge and risk perceptions among health-care workers with developments of health policies and essential interventions for prevention and control of occupational diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Personnel*; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Occupational Health*

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