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  1. Sex preference and fertility in Peninsular Malaysia
    Pong SL
    Stud Fam Plann, 1994 May-Jun;25(3):137-48.
    PMID: 7940619 DOI: 10.2307/2137940
    This study uses data from the Second Malaysian Family Life Survey, conducted in 1988, to examine parents' preferences for the sex of their children within each of Malaysia's three ethnic groups. While Malay and Indian parents do not show a consistent sex preference, Chinese parents prefer to have all sons, or a combination of sons and daughters, with more sons than daughters, or at least an equal number of them. Son preference among the Chinese does not seem to be a constraint to fertility decline among that population. Since 1970, Chinese fertility has dropped rapidly; at the same time, Chinese son preference has become more pronounced. Evidence indicates that further reductions in Chinese fertility, through the reduction in sex preference, would be small.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  2. Ethnic differences in normal spirometric lung function of Malaysian children
    Azizi BH, Henry RL
    Respir Med, 1994 May;88(5):349-56.
    PMID: 8036303
    Spirometric recordings of 1098 Malaysian children who were free of respiratory symptoms were examined by least square regression analysis of log-transformed lung function data. Ethnic differences were observed in FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75 independent of father's education, exposure to passive smoking, wood stove, kerosene stove and mosquito repellents, family history of chest illness and history of allergy, after adjusting for standing height, age and sex. Exposure to kerosene stove was significantly associated with reduced FVC and FEV1 indicating that environmental factors may impair lung function in symptomless children. Prediction equations were derived for each ethnic group and sex. Comparison with data from the literature showed that Malaysian children had lower lung function values than Caucasian children. Generally, Chinese children had higher FEV1, FVC and FEF25-75 than Malay and Indian children. Indian children consistently had the lowest lung function values. Since these ethnic differences were independent of environmental and other host factors, anthropometric variations could be an explanation.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  3. Fulltext A microbiological study of genital ulcers in Kuala Lumpur
    Zainah S, Cheong YM, Sinniah M, Gan AT, Akbal K
    Med J Malaysia, 1991 Sep;46(3):274-82.
    PMID: 1839925
    The microbial aetiology of genital ulcers was studied in 249 patients (241 men and 8 women) attending a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Herpes simplex virus type 2 was isolated in 48 (19.2%) patients, Haemophilus ducreyi from 22 (8.8%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae from seven (2.8%) and Chlamydia trachomatis from four (1.6%). Syphilis was diagnosed in 18 (7.2%) patients on the basis of dark field microscopy. Two (0.8%) patients were found to have both chancroid and syphilis and one (0.5%) had both gonorrhoea and syphilis. No organism was isolated in the remaining 151 (61.5%) patients. Overall, the accuracy of clinical diagnosis was 58% for single infection, 67% for herpes, 63% for syphilis, 47% for chancroid and 0% for lymphogranuloma venereum. Therefore, our study confirms the need for laboratory tests to diagnose accurately the aetiology of genital ulcer disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  4. Serum HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI, AII and B levels in Singapore newborns
    Saha N, Wong HB
    Biol. Neonate, 1987;52(2):93-6.
    PMID: 3115319
    The mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD) in Indians is more than three times that in the Chinese and Malays of Singapore. Serum total and HDL cholesterol as well as apolipoprotein (Apo) AI, AII and B levels were determined in a group of 349 newborns (cord blood) from both sexes in these three ethnic groups in order to examine if a trend is reflected at birth. Both serum LDL cholesterol and Apo B levels were low in the newborn, while HDL cholesterol and Apo AII levels were almost the same as in adults. Serum Apo AI levels were also low in newborns. No consistent difference as to ethnic group or sex was observed in any of the parameters investigated, except that the females had significantly higher levels of serum Apo AI in all the ethnic groups. Serum total and HDL cholesterol levels in Singapore newborns were comparable to those reported in Caucasians and Asians. The trends of incidence of CAD were not reflected in the lipid profiles studied at birth.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  5. Combined team management of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy
    Ng CS, Lim LS, Chng KP, Lim P, Cheah JS, Yeo PP, et al.
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1985 Apr;14(2):297-302.
    PMID: 4037689
    225 women with diabetes in pregnancy were managed by a team of obstetricians, physicians (endocrinologists) and paediatricians from the National University of Singapore. A protocol of management was formulated and followed. The incidence of 1.1% or 1 in 90 pregnancies was found, with significantly higher incidence in Indians and lower in Malays. There were 37 established diabetics and 188 diagnosed during pregnancy. Of these (188), 74 were gestational diabetics. All the women were treated with Insulin and Diet or Diet alone. 177 (79%) were treated with Insulin and Diet. Blood sugar profiles were done for monitoring diabetic control. 72.8% of the women were between para 0 and 1 and 85.2% between the ages of 20 and 34. 72.5% of the women delivered at 38 weeks gestation or later. 48.9% went into spontaneous labour, 32.4% were induced and 18.7% had elective caesarean section. 62.2% of the women had labour of less than 12 hours. The overall caesarean section rate was 41.7%. There were 3 stillbirths and 2 neonatal deaths. The perinatal mortality rate was 2.2%. Thirteen babies had congenital malformations (5.8%). 77.8% of the babies had Apgar score of 7 or more at 5 minutes after delivery. 79.1% of the babies weighed between 2.5 kgm and 3.9 kgm. Pre-eclamptic toxaemia was the commonest complication in pregnancy followed by Urinary Tract Infection and Polyhydramnios. Postpartum complications in the mother were confined to 14 women (6.2%), and wound infection or breakdown was the commonest cause.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  6. The variation of glucose tolerance in a multi racial population
    Ch'ng SL, Chandrasekharan N
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1985 Apr;14(2):223-8.
    PMID: 4037680
    The pattern of plasma and urine sugar changes after 50g glucose load in 1900 Malaysians (522 males and 1378 females) consisting predominantly of Malays, Chinese and Indians were studied. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results show bimodal distribution of 120 min. plasma sugar values in the age groups 21 years and above and trimodal distribution in most groups above 40 years. The mean 120 minutes plasma sugar cut-off values for nondiabetics (ND), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetics (DM) of 8.4 and 11.1 mmol/l respectively were close to the values recommended by the National Diabetic Data Group (NDDG). Fifty two percent of all subjects showed peaked plasma sugar values at 60 minutes (14% of them had IGT, 12% DM), 25% peaked at 30 minutes (98% of them were ND). The rest showed peaked values at 90 minutes (17%), 120 minutes (4%) and 150 minutes (2%) and from this group forty two percent were DM and 23% had IGT. Reliance on urine sugar qualitative tests could misclassify 7.3% of subjects (predominantly elderly females) with hyperglycaemia of greater than 11 mmol/l. This study shows that in the 50 g glucose tolerance test, the NDDG criteria for ND, IGT, DM is still applicable to the Malaysian population. The sampling time could be reduced to four points at 0, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. Blood analysis is the preferred method for the diagnosis of hyperglycaemia in elderly females.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  7. Oral melanin pigmentation in 467 Thai and Malaysian people with special emphasis on smoker's melanosis
    Hedin CA, Axéll T
    J Oral Pathol Med, 1991 Jan;20(1):8-12.
    PMID: 2002444
    At the faculties of dentistry in Chiang Mai, Thailand (CM), and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KL), 234 and 233 consecutive out-patients were interviewed concerning tobacco and chewing habits and examined for the presence of oral melanin pigmentation. Tobacco was regularly used by 32% and 28% of the studied populations in CM and KL. Cigarette smoking was the predominant habit, but the chewing of betel and tea leaves (miang) and the smoking of banana leaf cigars (khi yo) was also registered. The genetically acquired pigmentation dominated. Although nearly all non-tobacco users in the Malay and Indian populations had oral melanin pigmentation, it was found that tobacco smokers had significantly more oral surfaces pigmented than non-tobacco users. Among Thais, the percentage of pigmented individuals was significantly higher among tobacco smokers. It was concluded that tobacco smoking stimulates oral melanocytes to a higher melanin production also in dark-skinned ethnic groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  8. Clinical, genetic and fertility studies of Indians with beta S-globin gene and the influence of Hb S on Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection
    Joishy SK, Hassan K, Lopes M, Lie-Injo LE
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1988;82(4):515-9.
    PMID: 3076706
    Clinical studies were carried out on mild Indian sickle cell anaemia in Malaysia, and genetic and fertility studies were carried out on 101 families with and without sickle-cell haemoglobin (Hb S). The Indian sickle cell anaemia patients reached adulthood, and pregnancies and deliveries were uneventful without blood transfusion. There was no foetal wastage and the number of children produced was not significantly different from that in families without Hb S. 28 Indian patients hospitalized with Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection were also examined for their beta S genotype. P. falciparum malaria infection occurred much more frequently in individuals without Hb S than in Hb S carriers.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  9. Enamel defects in a fluoridated south-east Asian community
    Chellappah NK, Vignehsa H, Lo GL
    Aust Dent J, 1990 Dec;35(6):530-5.
    PMID: 2090085
    The prevalence and distribution patterns of enamel defects in maxillary incisors was assessed in 194 Singaporean children aged 11-15 years and belonging to three different ethnic groups. All were born and continuously resident in Singapore, which has a tropical climate. The water supply was fluoridated in 1957 at a level of 0.7 ppm. The mouth prevalence of defects was 71.5 per cent and the tooth prevalence was 55.9 per cent; 82 per cent of all affected teeth demonstrated white lesions of various forms. Although there was no sex difference in the prevalence and distribution pattern of defects, some racial differences were observed. The results were compared with data from other studies where the same classification of defects was used.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  10. Prognosis of patients who present with an episode of myelopathy of unknown origin in Malaysia: a retrospective study of 52 patients
    Tan CT
    Aust N Z J Med, 1989 Aug;19(4):297-302.
    PMID: 2783084
    Fifty-four per cent of 52 patients presenting to the University of Malaya Medical Centre with a myelopathy for which appropriate investigations uncovered no definite etiology, subsequently developed clinically definite or probable multiple sclerosis. In the subgroup of patients with a presentation indicative of acute/subacute transverse myelopathy, 14 or 52% also went on to develop clinically definite or probable multiple sclerosis, a far higher proportion than previously recorded in the literature. This finding is probably a further manifestation of racial difference in the behaviour of multiple sclerosis. For the group as a whole, the only factor which appeared to be associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis was female sex; 67% of 33 female patients went on to develop multiple sclerosis after a mean follow-up period of 5.5 years. Other factors such as age of onset, racial composition, level of spinal cord involvement, presence of fever and CSF finding were found not to be important.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  11. Preimmunisation hepatitis B screening in Singapore--a viewpoint from private sector clinics
    Mah GK, Yeo A
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1990 May;19(3):339-43.
    PMID: 2144101
    Blood samples from 1,600 persons who sought immunisation against hepatitis B in private clinics in Singapore in 1988-1989 were screened for two viral markers. Of that total, 4.81% were positive for HBsAg and 17.31% had anti-HBs levels greater than 10 mIU/ml, indicating that about 22.12% of the general population would not benefit from immunisation. Preimmunisation screening will identify persons not requiring the hepatitis B vaccine and thus, avoid wastage. When immunisation has already been performed without screening, recall for post-immunisation screening should be considered in order to detect the infectious hepatitis B carriers. Data in this study indicates that at this point in time, it is important to immunise adolescents and adults, in addition to neonates and children.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  12. Ischaemic heart disease and its risk factors in Singapore in comparison with other countries
    Hughes K, Yeo PP, Lun KC, Sothy SP, Thai AC, Wang KW, et al.
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1989 May;18(3):245-9.
    PMID: 2774470
    Mortality from ischaemic heart disease in Singapore is now reaching comparability with the West. For the early 1980s, rates for Indians and Malays were higher than in U.S.A. and England and Wales and while those for Chinese were lower they were considerably higher than in Japan. In keeping with this the levels of the major risk factors in Singapore are now comparable to the West. Cigarette smoking in males is virtually the same as in Britain, while the proportion of hypertensives on medication is higher than in the West. The main cause for concern is the current high levels of serum cholesterol in Singapore and strenuous health education efforts are needed to bring about dietary changes.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  13. A study on the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Singapore
    Lim KC, Pillai R, Singh M
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1982 Dec;13(4):547-50.
    PMID: 6763354
    The indirect fluorescence antibody technique has been employed to study the prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies in Singapore. 42.5% of clinically suspected cases of toxoplasmosis showed antibody titres. Of these, 17.5% had titres greater than or equal to 1.64. Malays and Indians have higher positive rates compared to the main ethnic group, the Chinese. Antibody titres are found in both males and females and span through the various age groups. The possible mode of transmission is discussed and the importance of congenital toxoplasmosis is indicated.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  14. Fulltext Cardiovascular diseases in Chinese, Malays, and Indians in Singapore. II. Differences in risk factor levels
    Hughes K, Yeo PP, Lun KC, Thai AC, Sothy SP, Wang KW, et al.
    J Epidemiol Community Health, 1990 Mar;44(1):29-35.
    PMID: 2348145 DOI: 10.1136/jech.44.1.29
    STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine cardiovascular risk factors to see how these might explain differences in cardiovascular disease mortality among Chinese, Malays, and Indians in the Republic of Singapore.
    DESIGN: The study was a population based cross sectional survey. Stratified systematic sampling of census districts, reticulated units, and houses was used. The proportions of Malay and Indian households were increased to improve statistical efficiency, since about 75% of the population is Chinese.
    SETTING: Subjects were recruited from all parts of the Republic of Singapore.
    SUBJECTS: 2143 subjects aged 18 to 69 years were recruited (representing 60.3% of persons approached). There were no differences in response rate between the sexes and ethnic groups.
    MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data on cardiovascular risk factors were collected by questionnaire. Measurements were made of blood pressure, serum cholesterol, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting triglycerides and plasma glucose. In males the age adjusted cigarette smoking rate was higher in Malays (53.3%) than in Chinese (37.4%) or Indians (44.5%). In both sexes, Malays had higher age adjusted mean systolic blood pressure: males 124.6 mm Hg v 121.2 mm Hg (Chinese) and 121.2 mm Hg (Indians); females 122.8 mm Hg v 117.3 mm Hg (Chinese) and 118.4 mm Hg (Indians). Serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride showed no ethnic differences. Mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol in males (age adjusted) was lower in Indians (0.69 mmol/litre) than in Chinese (0.87 mmol/litre) and Malays (0.82 mmol/litre); in females the mean value of 0.95 mmol/litre in Indians was lower than in Chinese (1.05 mmol/litre) and Malays (1.03 mmol/litre). Rank prevalence of diabetes for males was Indians (highest), Malays and then Chinese; for females it was Malays, Indians, Chinese.
    CONCLUSIONS: The higher mortality from ischaemic heart disease found in Indians in Singapore cannot be explained by the major risk factors of cigarette smoking, blood pressure and serum cholesterol; lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher rates of diabetes may be part of the explanation. The higher systolic blood pressures in Malays may explain their higher hypertensive disease mortality.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  15. Mortality from cardiovascular diseases in Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore, in comparison with England and Wales, USA and Japan
    Hughes K
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1989 Nov;18(6):642-5.
    PMID: 2624412
    Age-standardised death rates, for ages 35-64 years in both sexes, from ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertensive disease for Chinese, Malays, and Indians in Singapore (1980-84) have been compared with those in England and Wales, USA and Japan (1982). For ischaemic heart disease Indians have the highest mortality, then Malays, with Chinese less than the Western countries but more than Japan. For cerebrovascular disease the Malays have highest mortality, then Indians, then Chinese, followed by Japan, England and Wales, and USA in that order. For hypertensive disease it is again Malays, then Indians, then Chinese, but followed by the different order of USA, England and Wales, and Japan. The differences are discussed in the light of declining trends in mortality from these disease in Singapore over the preceding 25 years. The special problems of ischaemic heart disease in Indians and hypertension and it's sequelae in Malays are highlighted.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  16. Hepatitis B virus markers in prostitutes in Singapore
    Goh CL, Kamarudin A, Chan SH, Rajan VS
    Genitourin Med, 1985 Apr;61(2):127-9.
    PMID: 3980022
    The prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in 121 men and 239 women prostitutes was studied. Of 33 (9.7%) with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), nine (27.3%) also had hepatitis Be antigen, which was more prevalent in men than women. Antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were found in about 71% of men and women prostitutes. Hepatitis B virus markers were more prevalent in men than in women prostitutes. Compared with other people, prostitutes had a significantly greater prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers. This study strongly suggested the importance of sexual transmission of infection with hepatitis B virus in a country where infection is endemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  17. A cross-sectional study of hepatitis B immune status in Asian children in Singapore
    Quak SH, Singh R, Oon CJ, Wong HB
    Ann Trop Paediatr, 1982 Jun;2(2):53-6.
    PMID: 6185078
    A study of race-related distribution of hepatitis B markers was conducted in 458 children admitted consecutively to Singapore General Hospital. The positive rates for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Chinese, Malays and Indians were 11.2, 8.0 and 12.2% respectively and the corresponding figures for anti-HBs were 30.2, 12.0 and 14.6%. In Chinese children HBsAg prevalence was shown to be sex-related, being higher in males than females. The percentages of Chinese children positive for anti-HBs and anti-HBc were also higher than those of the Indians. This study confirmed that Singapore children were exposed to hepatitis B infection from early life. All three races were equally susceptible to this infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  18. Prevalence of Parkinson disease in Singapore: Chinese vs Malays vs Indians
    Tan LC, Venketasubramanian N, Hong CY, Sahadevan S, Chin JJ, Krishnamoorthy ES, et al.
    Neurology, 2004 Jun 08;62(11):1999-2004.
    PMID: 15184604
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of Parkinson disease (PD) in Singapore and compare the rates between Singaporean Chinese, Malays, and Indians.

    METHODS: A three-phase community-based survey among a disproportionate random sample of 15,000 individuals (9,000 Chinese, 3,000 Malays, 3,000 Indians) aged 50 years and above who live in central Singapore was conducted. In phase 1, trained interviewers conducted a door-to-door survey using a validated 10-question questionnaire. In phase 2, medical specialists examined participants who screened positive to any of the questions. Participants suspected to have PD had their diagnosis confirmed in phase 3 by a movement disorders specialist.

    RESULTS: The participation rate was 67% among 22,279 eligible individuals. Forty-six participants with PD were identified of which 16 were newly diagnosed cases. The prevalence rate of PD for those aged 50 and above in Singapore was 0.30% (95% CI: 0.22 to 0.41), age-adjusted to US 1970 census. The prevalence rates increased significantly with age. The age-adjusted prevalence rates among Chinese (0.33%, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.48), Malays (0.29%, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.67), and Indians (0.28%, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.67) were the same (p = 1.0).

    CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PD in Singapore was comparable to that of Western countries. Race-specific rates were also similar to previously reported rates and similar among the three races. Environmental factors may be more important than racially determined genetic factors in the development of PD.

    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  19. Fulltext Ethnic variations in female vulnerability after an acute coronary event
    Mak KH, Kark JD, Chia KS, Sim LL, Foong BH, Ding ZP, et al.
    Heart, 2004 Jun;90(6):621-6.
    PMID: 15145860
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the ethnic variation of short and long term female vulnerability after an acute coronary event in a population of Chinese, Indians, and Malays.
    DESIGN: Population based registry.
    PATIENTS: Residents of Singapore between the ages of 20-64 years with coronary events. Case identification and classification procedures were modified from the MONICA (monitoring trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease) project.
    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adjusted 28 day case fatality and long term mortality.
    RESULTS: From 1991 to 1999, there were 16 320 acute coronary events, including 3497 women. Age adjusted 28 day case fatality was greater in women (51.5% v 38.6%, p < 0.001), with a larger sex difference evident among younger Malay patients. This inequality between the sexes was observed in both the pre-hospitalisation and post-admission periods. Among hospitalised patients, women were older, were less likely to have suffered from a previous Q wave or anterior wall myocardial infarction, and had lower peak creatine kinase concentrations. Case fatality was higher among women, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43 to 1.88) and 1.50 (95% CI 1.37 to 1.64) for 28 day and mean four year follow up periods. There were significant interactions of sex and age with ethnic group (p = 0.017). The adjusted hazards for mortality among Chinese, Indian, and Malay women versus men were 1.30, 1.71, and 1.96, respectively. The excess mortality among women diminished with age.
    CONCLUSION: In this multiethnic population, both pre-hospitalisation and post-admission case fatality rates were substantially higher among women. The sex discrepancy in long term mortality was greatest among Malays and in the younger age groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
  20. Factors influencing health-related quality of life of Asians with anxiety disorders in Singapore
    Luo N, Fones CS, Thumboo J, Li SC
    Qual Life Res, 2004 Mar;13(2):557-65.
    PMID: 15085928 DOI: 10.1023/B:QURE.0000018484.89711.e2
    As little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Asians with anxiety disorders, we assessed HRQoL in Singaporeans with anxiety disorders and identified factors influencing their HRQoL. Outpatients with anxiety disorders (n = 119) attending a hospital psychiatric clinic completed the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). SF-36 score reduction from population norms (quantified as the number of standard deviations below the mean) in these subjects was compared with existing data on Singaporeans with various medical conditions and Americans with panic disorder (PD). Factors influencing HRQoL were examined using stepwise multiple linear regression models. SF-36 score reduction in these subjects (0.3-1.4 SD) was greater than that in Singaporeans with systemic lupus erythematosus or thyroid cancer survivors for seven scales but similar to that in Americans with PD (0.5-1.7 SD). BAI and GHQ-12 scores, presence of PD/generalized anxiety disorder, presence of chronic medical conditions, being married or increasing age accounted for 19-61% of the variance in six selected SF-36 scales. In conclusion, it can be said that Singaporeans with anxiety disorders experience clinically important reductions in HRQoL; both clinical and socio-demographic factors influence HRQoL in such subjects.
    Study site: Neuroscience Psychiatric Clinic, tertiary referral hospital, Singapore
    Matched MeSH terms: India/ethnology
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