A prospective case controlled study was conducted to determine the incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy (ASB), causative organisms and fetal outcome. Out of 510 antenatal mothers screened, 46 (9%) had ASB. The main organisms isolated were E. coli (16%), Staphylococcus aureus (15%) and Beta-Haemolytic Streptococcus (11%). Oral Nitrofurantoin and Cefuroxime axetil achieved sensitivity levels of 96%. There was no significant difference in period of gestation at birth and birthweight between the control and study groups. The reasons for routine antimicrobial therapy for ASB are discussed.
PIP: The effectiveness and impact of the Population and Family Health Project in the rural areas of Malaysia is evaluated. A total of 790 women who delivered during the past 3 years from the time of the survey, were identified from 2,013 women aged 15-49 years, during the 2nd Family and Health Survey (1979) in Peninsular Malaysia. The rural health districts which were selected by random sampling include: Perlis, Kubang Pasu, Sebeang Perai Selatan, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Langat, Melaka Utara, Kota Bharu/Tumpat, and Pasir Mas. The pattern of maternal care during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium are examined with respect to selected variables. These women are further classified into 2 groups by type of birth attendant at delivery and these 2 groups are also examined in relation to selected socioeconomic variables. The major proportion of women had their 1st antenatal visit during the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The highest % (28.3%) of 1st antenatal visits occurred during the 5th month of pregnancy. Use of a trained medical practitioner is preferred (82.5%), while only 17.5% of women preferred the services of traditonal birth attendants. Women in this latter group had less education and were in lower income groups, than the former group of women. Majority of women in all ethnic and age groups had no postnatal check after their last childbirth.
This study compares the knowledge, attitudes and practice of mothers in two ethnic groups with regard to acute respiratory infections (ARI) in their child. Most had traditional beliefs as to the cause of ARI with only a minority knowing the causes. Most mothers were aware of the effect of frequent attacks of ARI on the health status of their child and of the importance of early treatment. Reasons for their becoming worried during an episode of ARI in their child indicated that problems of distance, transportation and arrangements for care of their other children predominate. A large proportion of the respondents felt that their present knowledge of ARI was inadequate and were thus interested in obtaining more information.
PIP:
The NADI program (pulse in Malay) was initially launched as a pilot project in 1980 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It utilized an integrated approach involving both the government and the private sectors. By sharing resources and expertise, and by working together, the government and the people can achieve national development faster and with better results. The agencies work through a multi-level supportive structure, at the head of which is the steering committee. The NADI teams at the field level are the focal points of services from the various agencies. Members of NADI teams also work with urban poor families as well as health groups, parents-teachers associations, and other similar groups. The policy and planning functions are carried out by the steering committee, the 5 area action committees and the community action committees, while the implementation function is carried out by the area program managers and NADI teams. The chairman of each area action committee is the head of the branch office of city hall. Using intestinal parasite control as the entry point, the NADI Integrated Family Development Program has greatly helped in expanding inter-agency cooperation and exchange of experiences by a coordinated, effective and efficient resource-mobilization. The program was later expanded to other parts of the country including the industrial and estate sectors. Services provided by NADI include: comprehensive health services to promote maternal and child health; adequate water supply, proper waste disposal, construction of latrines and providing electricity; and initiating community and family development such as community education, preschool education, vocational training, family counseling and building special facilities for recreational and educational purposes.
Matched MeSH terms: Maternal-Child Health Centers*
Traditionally, Chinese women adhere to special dietary practices during the month following childbirth. This paper discusses the dietary practices and food taboos practised by Chinese women in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 134 Chinese mothers of children below one year were recruited from three Maternal and Child Health Clinics and Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to obtain information on socioeconomic background, dietary practices, food taboos and cooking methods during the confinement period. Food intake was assessed by multiple 24-hour dietary recall among 34 mothers during their confinement month (zuo yuezi). Body weight and height were measured, and body mass index calculated. Majority of the respondents had secondary school education (77.6%), household income between RM1001 and RM3000 (64%), and were homemakers (48.5%). The women were aged 18-39 years, and 68% were of normal weight. Most women (82%) practised 30 days of confinement, during which they adhered to special dietary practices. The diet was directed at attaining yin-yang (cold-hot) balance, whereby “hot†foods were most commonly used and “cold†foods were avoided. Ginger, rice wine and sesame seed oil, considered “hot†foods, were used in large amounts in the cooking. Rice, chicken and pork were also consumed in large amounts. Most vegetables and fruits were considered “cold†and were prohibited during confinement. Most mothers drank specially-prepared teas boiled from Chinese herbs. Mean energy intake was 19% below RNI, while mean protein intake was 93% above RNI (NCCFN, 2005). Mean intakes of thiamin, riboflavin and niacin were above 75% of RNI, while vitamins A and C were at half of RNI or less. Mean iron and calcium intakes were at 222% and 67% of RNI, respectively. It is concluded that most Chinese women in Kuala Lumpur do conform to special dietary practices during zuo yuezi.
Study site: three Maternal and Child Health Clinics and Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
A study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of health services at two maternal and child health (MCH) clinics in Kuala Lumpur. The time spent for individual patient care by the clinic staff was used as an indicator for the evaluation. The main objective was to derive a model of ideal operation time for specific patient care activities at a MCH clinic. Primary data was collected through systematic random sampling of patients between 25/7/1985 and 31/7/1985. Secondary data was obtained from available clinic records for July, 1985. The time a patient spent at the clinic and the time she spent at each examination station and waiting between stations was recorded with digital watches. Results show tha patients spent 80% of their time at the clinics waiting. The actual time spent on each patient was found to be considerably less than the ideal time measured under ideal conditions. Various recommendation are presented in the paper to reduce waiting time and extend examination time. The ideal patient capacity for the two clinics was also calculated.
PIP:
Experiencing remarkable decreases in mortality rates over the past 3 decades, Malaysia currently has one of the lowest mortality rates among developing countries, a rate that compares favorably with those of developed countries. Between 1957 and 1989, the crude death rate dropped from 12.4/1000 population to 4.6. Over the same period, Malaysia recorded even greater decreases in the infant mortality rate, from 75.5/1000 births to 15.2. The Maternal mortality rate also declined from 1.48 in 1970 to 0.24 in 1988. The data indicates that mortality rates vary from state to state, and that rural areas have a higher mortality than urban areas. According to a study by the National Population and Family Development Board, the use of maternal and child health services has played an important role in reducing neonatal, perinatal, infant, child, and maternal mortality rates. Nearly all women in Malaysia receive antenatal services. While the country has achieved great gains on mortality rates, programs focusing on specific age and socioeconomic groups could lead to even greater reductions. The Minister for National Unity and Social Development, Dato Napsiah Omar, has called for the development of programs designed to improve the population's quality of life.
Matched MeSH terms: Maternal-Child Health Centers*
PIP: In 1976 the United Nations's Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific launched a comparative study on integrated family planning programs in a number of countries in the region. In November 1979 the study directors from the participating countries meet in Bangkok to discuss the current status of the studies in their countries. The Korean and Malaysian studies were completed, the Bangladesh study was in the data collecting phase, and the Pakistani research design phase was completed. The meeting participants focused their attention on the findings and policy implications of the 2 completed studies and also discussed a number of theorectical and methodological issues which grew out of their research experience. The Malaysian study indicated that group structure, financial resources, and the frequency and quality of worker-client contact were the most significant variables determining program effectiveness. In the Korean Study, leadership, financial resources, and the frequency and quality of contact between agencies were the key variables in determining program effectiveness. In the Malaysian study there was a positive correlation between maternal and child health service performance measures and family planning service performance measures. This finding supported the contention that these 2 types of service provision are not in conflict with each other but instead serve to reinforce each other. Policy implications of the Korean study were 1) family planning should be an integral part of all community activities; 2) family planning workers should be adequately supported by financial and supply allocations; and 3) adequate record keeping and information exchange procedures should be incorporated in the programs.
Citation: Prevalence survey of sexually transmitted diseases among sex workers and women attending antenatal clinics: Malaysia (1999-2000). Manila: World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific; 2001