Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 240 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Orthodontic treatment need in Asian adult males
    Soh J, Sandham A
    Angle Orthod, 2004 Dec;74(6):769-73.
    PMID: 15673139
    Orthodontic treatment in adults has gained social and professional acceptance in recent years. An assessment of orthodontic treatment need helps to identify individuals who will benefit from treatment and safeguard their interest. The purpose of this study was to assess the objective and subjective levels of orthodontic treatment need in a sample of orthodontically untreated adult Asian males. A sample of male army recruits (n = 339, age 17-22 years, Chinese = 258, Malay = 60, Indian = 21) with no history of orthodontic treatment or craniofacial anomalies participated in the study on a voluntary basis with informed consent. Impressions for study models were taken. Objective treatment need was assessed based on study model analysis using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Questionnaires were used to assess subjective treatment need based on subjective esthetic component (EC) ratings. Fifty percentage of the sample had a definite need for orthodontic treatment (dental health component [DHC] grades 4 and 5), whereas 29.2% had a moderate need for treatment (DHC grades 3). The occlusal trait most commonly identified was dental crossbite. Malay males had the highest percentage with a definite need for treatment for both dental health and esthetic reasons in comparison with Chinese and Indian males. However, there was no difference in the level of treatment need among the ethnic groups (P > .05). No correlation between objective and subjective EC scores was found (P > .05). A high level of investigator-identified treatment need was not supported by a similar level of subject awareness among the adult sample.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health
  2. Meeting the challenge of epidemic infectious disease outbreaks: an agenda for research
    Phua KL, Lee LK
    J Public Health Policy, 2005 Apr;26(1):122-32.
    PMID: 15906881
    Challenges arising from epidemic infectious disease outbreaks can be more effectively met if traditional public health is enhanced by sociology. The focus is normally on biomedical aspects, the surveillance and sentinel systems for infectious diseases, and what needs to be done to bring outbreaks under control quickly. Social factors associated with infectious disease outbreaks are often neglected and the aftermath is ignored. These factors can affect outbreak severity, its rate and extent of spread, influencing the welfare of victims, their families, and their communities. We propose an agenda for research to meet the challenges of infectious disease outbreaks. What social factors led to the outbreak? What social factors affected its severity and rate and extent of spread? How did individuals, social groups, and the state react to it? What are the short- and long-term effects on individuals, social groups, and the larger society? What programs can be put in place to help victims, their families, and affected communities to cope with the consequences--impaired mental and physical health, economic losses, and disrupted communities? Although current research on infectious disease outbreaks pays attention to social factors related to causation, severity, rate and extent of spread, those dealing with the "social chaos" arising from outbreaks are usually neglected. Inclusion, by combining traditional public health with sociological analysis, will enrich public health theory and understanding of infectious disease outbreaks. Our approach will help develop better programs to combat outbreaks and equally important, to help survivors, their families, and their communities cope better with the aftermath.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health/ethnology
  3. Fulltext Do adolescents attending Bandar Mas primary care clinic consult health professionals for their common health problems?
    Khairani O, Zaiton S, Faridah MN
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Jun;60(2):134-9.
    PMID: 16114152
    The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of the common health problems namely acne, overweight, smoking and depressive symptoms among adolescents attending a primary healthcare clinic, whether they seek treatment for these problems and the reasons for not consulting health professionals. It was a clinic-based, crosssectional study. All adolescents aged 13 to 20 years who attended the clinic during the study period were included in the study. The respondents were given self-administered questionnaires and their weights were measured to assess if they had the above disorders. A total of 215 adolescents were included in the study. The proportion of adolescents who had acne were 70.7%, overweight 8.9%, smoking 41.9% and depressive symptoms 9.8%. Only 25% of those who had acne, 47% of those who were overweight, 9.5% who had depressive symptoms and none of those who smoked had ever sought treatment for these problems. The common reasons given for not consulting the health professionals were 'did not consider it as a problem', 'shy' and 'thought there was no treatment available'. The majority of the adolescents who attended the clinic did not consult health professionals the above common health problems. It is important to educate them on these disorders and encourage health-seeking behaviour in adolescents.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health*
  4. An exploratory study on cultural variations in oral health attitudes, behaviour and values of freshman (first-year) dental students
    Kawamura M, Wright FA, Declerck D, Freire MC, Hu DY, Honkala E, et al.
    Int Dent J, 2005 Aug;55(4):205-11.
    PMID: 16167608
    To identify similarities and differences in oral health attitudes, behaviour and values among freshman dental students.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health*
  5. Factors associated with obesity in Chinese-American children
    Chen JL, Kennedy C
    Pediatr Nurs, 2005 Mar-Jun;31(2):110-5.
    PMID: 15934563
    OBJECTIVE:A cross-sectional study design was utilized to examine factors associated with obesity in Chinese-American children.
    SUBJECTS:Chinese-American children (8 to 10 years old) and their mothers (N = 68) in California participated in the study.
    MEASUREMENTS:Mothers completed demographic information, the Family Assessment Device, Attitudes Toward Child Rearing Scale, and Suinn-Lew Asian Self-identity Acculturation Scale. Children's body mass index was measured, and children completed a self-administered physical activity checklist, Food Frequency Questionnaire, and the Schoolagers' Coping Strategies Inventory.
    RESULTS:Results indicated three variables that predicted children's body mass index: older age, a more democratic parenting style, and poor communication (R2=.263, F=8.727, p = .0001). Children whose mothers had a low level of acculturation were also more likely to be overweight than were children whose mothers were highly acculturated.
    CONCLUSION:This study revealed that children's ages, a democratic parenting style, and poor family communication contribute to increased body mass index in Chinese-American children. Other factors related to children's BMI and dietary intake include acculturation level of the mother and family affective responses. Future studies should examine the change in BMI over time and in different age groups and why parenting and family communication impact children's body weight.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health/ethnology
  6. A comparison of the information needs of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in Malaysia and the United kingdom
    Gopal RL, Beaver K, Barnett T, Ismail NS
    Cancer Nurs, 2005 Mar-Apr;28(2):132-40.
    PMID: 15815183
    Little is known about the information needs of women with breast cancer in non-Western societies. This study examined the priority information needs of 100 women with breast cancer in Malaysia and compared the findings to previous work involving 150 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United Kingdom. The study used a valid and reliable measure, the Information Needs Questionnaire (INQ). The INQ contained 9 items of information related to physical, psychological, and social care, used successfully in Canada and the United Kingdom. The INQ was shown to have cross-cultural relevance and sensitivity. For Malaysian women, information about likelihood of cure, sexual attractiveness, and spread of disease were the most important information needs. For UK women, similar priorities were evident, apart from the item on sexual attractiveness, which was ranked much lower by women in the United Kingdom. The cultural similarities and differences that emerged from this study have implications for nurses in the cancer field caring for people from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Breast care nurses are not a feature of the Malaysian healthcare system, although the findings from this study support the view that specialist nurses have a vital role to play in meeting the psychosocial needs of women with breast cancer in non-Western societies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health/ethnology*
  7. Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of epilepsy in Asia: toward a uniform study protocol
    Lim SH, Pan A
    Epilepsia, 2005;46 Suppl 1:48-9.
    PMID: 15816980
    Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of epilepsy (KAPE) among the public play a major role in determining the extent to which people with epilepsy can be integrated into their society.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health*
  8. Exploring terminally ill patients' and their families' perceptions of holistic care in Malaysia
    Loh KY
    Int J Palliat Nurs, 2006 Jan;12(1):38-41.
    PMID: 16493304 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2006.12.1.20396
    AIM: To document the perception of terminally ill patients and their family members on the care provided to them, and to look at the components of holistic care that are viewed as inadequate.
    METHODS: Thirty cancer patients from a 10-bed palliative ward and their family members who were the chief carers were interviewed. They were asked to give their perceptions on four major areas of care: physical, social, psychological and spiritual. The participants were asked to report which area(s) of the service were inadequate.
    RESULTS: Most patients and family members perceived that they received adequate physical care. However, the psychosocial and spiritual aspect of care were perceived as inadequate by the majority of patients and their families. None of the patients interviewed had ever been asked about spiritual distress.
    CONCLUSION: The holistic model of care in caring for terminally ill patients is not practised fully. Further development in the psychosocial and spiritual aspects of care is necessary. There is a need to conduct further research to address these domains.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health*
  9. Lived experiences of family caregivers of mentally ill relatives
    Chang KH, Horrocks S
    J Adv Nurs, 2006 Feb;53(4):435-43.
    PMID: 16448486 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03732.x
    AIM: The aim of this paper is to report a study conducted to explore the meanings of the lived experiences that Chinese family caregivers in Malaysia ascribed to the care they provided to relatives with severe and persistent mental illness.
    BACKGROUND: In the past, many researchers have used quantitative approaches to explore the experiences of family caregivers of relatives with severe and persistent mental illness. However, the results of these studies have been far from conclusive because of serious methodological flaws. In addition, a large majority of these studies were conducted in western cultures, and it has been difficult to transfer the results to family caregivers in oriental cultures.
    METHOD: The philosophy of Martin Heidegger underpinned the study. Qualitative data were collected mainly through in-depth interviews with 19 criterion-selected Chinese family caregivers of relatives with severe and persistent mental illness in 2002.
    FINDINGS: We present the emergent themes reflecting the meaning structures of managing, enduring, and surviving the day-to-day experiences of the Chinese family caregivers. The impact of the stigma of the relatives' mental illness on family caregivers and families is pervasive and strong. As a result, family caregivers tried to avoid talking about their relative's mental illness with extended family or friends in order to protect their families from 'losing face'. In addition, most family caregivers believed that adopting positive behaviours and attitudes helped them cope with caregiving.
    CONCLUSION: Mental health nurses need to help Chinese family caregivers to cope with the stresses and stigmas of their relatives' mental illnesses through psychosocial education or family intervention, and to provide them with culturally-congruent care. They should also educate the public about mental health and ill health through health promotion and education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health
  10. Fulltext Postnatal depression and socio-cultural practices among postnatal mothers in Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Azidah AK, Shaiful BI, Rusli N, Jamil MY
    Med J Malaysia, 2006 Mar;61(1):76-83.
    PMID: 16708738 MyJurnal
    This is a cross sectional study to determine the relationship of postnatal depression (PND) and socio-cultural practices post-delivery among women in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Four hundred and twenty one pregnant women were screened for depression between 36 - 42 weeks of pregnancy, 1 week and 4 - 6 weeks postpartum using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The women also completed questionnaires on socio-demography, psychosocial support and traditional postnatal care. The prevalence of PND at 4-6 weeks postpartum was 20.7%. Depressive symptoms at the end of pregnancy (p<0.05) and one week postpartum (p<0.05), worry about the baby (p<0.05), use of traditional medication (p<0.05) and traditional massage (p<0.05) were significantly associated with PND.
    Study site: Maternal and Child Health Clinics (Klinik Kesihatan), Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health/ethnology*
  11. How do men perceive erectile dysfunction and its treatment? A qualitative study on opinions of men
    Low WY, Ng CJ, Choo WY, Tan HM
    Aging Male, 2006 Sep;9(3):175-80.
    PMID: 17050117 DOI: 10.1080/13685530600914601
    INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical disorder affecting the aging male. A man's perception of a disease affects his health seeking behaviour. This study aimed to explore perceptions of ED among men with ED and how these perceptions came about.
    METHODS: This qualitative study utilized in-depth interviews involving 17 urban men aged between 40 and 75 years old.
    RESULTS: Misconceptions existed regarding the definitions of ED. Most men perceived impotence to be more serious than ED. Although most were aware of the medical causes of ED, 'overuse of penis' and black magic were mentioned as culturally-related causes. ED was perceived as a serious problem associated with loss of manhood and it had a significant impact on relationships with their partners. However, some adopted an 'accepting' view and attributed it to aging and fate. Most men were only familiar with PDE-5 inhibitors and traditional therapies. PDE-5 inhibitors were perceived to be effective but they were concerned about side effects and costs.
    CONCLUSIONS: Identifying men's perceptions of ED and its treatment would help doctors in their consultation, and inform health policy makers in planning appropriate public education and services.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health*
  12. The hierarchical cluster analysis of oral health attitudes and behaviour using the Hiroshima University--Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) among final year dental students in 17 countries
    Komabayashi T, Kawamura M, Kim KJ, Wright FA, Declerck D, Goiâs Mdo C, et al.
    Int Dent J, 2006 Oct;56(5):310-6.
    PMID: 17069075
    OBJECTIVE: To explore and describe international oral health attitudes/ behaviours among final year dental students.

    METHODS: Validated translated versions of the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) questionnaire were administered to 1,096 final-year dental students in 17 countries. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted within the data to detect patterns and groupings.

    RESULTS: The overall response rate was 72%. The cluster analysis identified two main groups among the countries. Group 1 consisted of twelve countries: one Oceanic (Australia), one Middle-Eastern (Israel), seven European (Northern Ireland, England, Finland, Greece, Germany, Italy, and France) and three Asian (Korea, Thailand and Malaysia) countries. Group 2 consisted of five countries: one South American (Brazil), one European (Belgium) and three Asian (China, Indonesia and Japan) countries. The percentages of 'agree' responses in three HU-DBI questionnaire items were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. They include: "I worry about the colour of my teeth."; "I have noticed some white sticky deposits on my teeth."; and "I am bothered by the colour of my gums."

    CONCLUSION: Grouping the countries into international clusters yielded useful information for dentistry and dental education.

    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health/ethnology*
  13. Fulltext Body image differences among Malay, Samoan, and Australian women
    McDowell AJ, Bond M
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2006;15(2):201-7.
    PMID: 16672204
    Comparisons of body attitudes and associated behaviours were undertaken using Malay, Samoan, and Australian female students. The general goal of the research was to determine the degree to which the observed pattern of attitudes and behaviours was attributable to culture. The specific analyses comprised an examination of group differences using standard measures that included the Body Attitudes Questionnaire, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and detailed questions concerning the use of diet and exercise as weight control strategies. The main findings concerned a number of cultural differences, particularly in relation to diet and exercise, that were evident even with the effect of body mass index held constant. These results are interpreted in terms of the efficacy of entrenched cultural beliefs in protecting against introduced, more dominant, cultural values. The Australian sample exhibited the most negative body image, although there was some evidence that Malays and Samoans were influenced by Western ideals of weight and shape. It is proposed that to fully understand the differential meaning of negative body image across cultures and the potential impact of westernisation, both within-group and between-group differences in body size need to be acknowledged.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health/ethnology*
  14. Fulltext Self-monitoring of blood glucose among diabetes patients attending government health clinics
    Mastura I, Mimi O, Piterman L, Teng CL, Wijesinha S
    Med J Malaysia, 2007 Jun;62(2):147-51.
    PMID: 18705449 MyJurnal
    The aims of this study were (i) to determine the prevalence of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) among Type 2 diabetes patients attending government health clinics and (ii) to ascertain the factors influencing SMBG. Five hundred and fifty-six Type 2 diabetes patients from two government health clinics in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The total subjects of the study were 556 patients. Eighty-five patients (15.3%) of patients; performed SMBG. However, 170 subjects were included in the statistical analysis, 85 patients who were not self-monitoring were randomly selected and was compared with 85 patients who were self-monitoring. Among those who performed SMBG, the majority (83.5%) monitored less than once per day and only 16.5% monitored at least once a day. One-third of patients adjusted their medications based on their SMBG results. The higher patient's level of education (p= 0.024, CI 1.29 - 35.3); the higher total family income (p= 0.041, CI 1.26 - 4.79); the longer duration of diabetes (p<0.01, CI 2.22 - 7.29); and treatment regime which includes insulin (p< 0.001, CI 2.05 -9.24) were significant predictors of SMBG practice. Although SMBG is recognised to be useful and effective in achieving diabetes control, this study has found that only a minority of patients with diabetes performed SMBG. Hence healthcare personnel must increase awareness on the importance of SMBG and strongly promote the practice among diabetic patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health
  15. Cross-cultural adaptation of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) for the Malaysian adult population
    Saub R, Locker D, Allison P, Disman M
    Community Dent Health, 2007 Sep;24(3):166-75.
    PMID: 17958078
    The aim of this project was to develop an oral health related-quality of life measure for the Malaysian adult population aged 18 and above by the cross-cultural adaption the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP).
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health
  16. Government public health policy: three cautionary tales from Malaysia, South Africa and the United States
    Blum J, Carstens P, Talib N
    Med Law, 2007 Dec;26(4):615-42.
    PMID: 18284107
    Three authors describe problematic scenarios of health policy in their respective countries. These examples illustrate the role of government influences in determining resource allocation, legislation, health provision and health outcomes in very different situations. These outcomes are affected not only by attitudes to public health, but also by the legal systems in the countries which are the subjects of this study. The authors draw conclusions about the use and abuse of public health regulation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health
  17. Beliefs in genetic determinism and attitudes towards psychiatric genetic research: psychometric scale properties, construct associations, demographic correlates, and cross-cultural comparisons
    Voracek M, Swami V, Loibl LM, Furnham A
    Psychol Rep, 2007 Dec;101(3 Pt 1):979-86.
    PMID: 18232457
    Using two new scales, this study examined beliefs in genetic determinism and attitudes towards psychiatric genetic research in student samples from Austria, Malaysia, Romania, and the United Kingdom. For both constructs, effects of culture were detectable, whereas those related to key demographics were either small and inconsistent across samples (political orientation and religiosity) or zero (sex and age). Judged from factorial dimensionality and internal consistency, the psychometric properties of both scales were satisfactory. Belief in genetic determinism had lower prevalence and corresponded only modestly to positive attitudes towards psychiatric genetic research which had higher prevalence. The correlations of both constructs with a preference of inequality among social groups (social dominance orientation) were modest and inconsistent across samples. Both scales appear appropriate for cross-cultural applications, in particular for research into lay theories and public perceptions regarding genetic vs environmental effects on human behavior, mental disorders, and behavioral and psychiatric genetic research related to these.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health*
  18. A comparison of knowledge of diabetes mellitus between patients with diabetes and healthy adults: a survey from north Malaysia
    Yun LS, Hassan Y, Aziz NA, Awaisu A, Ghazali R
    Patient Educ Couns, 2007 Dec;69(1-3):47-54.
    PMID: 17720351 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2007.06.017
    Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess and compare the knowledge of diabetes mellitus possessed by patients with diabetes and healthy adult volunteers in Penang, Malaysia.
    Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 20 February 2006 to 31 March 2006. We randomly selected 120 patients with diabetes mellitus from a diabetic clinic at the General Hospital Penang, Malaysia and 120 healthy adults at a shopping complex in Penang. Each participant was interviewed face-to-face by a pharmacist using a validated questionnaire, and they were required to answer a total of 30 questions concerning knowledge about diabetes mellitus using Yes, No or Unsure as the only response.
    Results: The results showed that patients with diabetes mellitus were significantly more knowledgeable than the healthy volunteers about risk factors, symptoms, chronic complications, treatment and self-management, and monitoring parameters. Educational level was the best predictive factor for diabetes mellitus and public awareness.
    Conclusion: Knowledge about diabetes mellitus should be improved among the general population.
    Practice implications: This study has major implications for the design of an educational programme for diabetics and a health promotion programme as a primary prevention measure for the healthy population in general, and especially for those at high risk. The results could be useful in the design of future studies for evaluating patients' and the general public's knowledge about diabetes mellitus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health
  19. Maternity services and the role of the traditional birth attendant, bidan kampung, in rural Malaysia
    Ali A, Howden-Chapman P
    J Public Health Manag Pract, 2007 May-Jun;13(3):278-86.
    PMID: 17435495 DOI: 10.1097/01.PHH.0000267686.08282.3c
    This study was undertaken to explore the roles played by bidan kampungs and understand their contribution to rural Malay women during pregnancy and childbirth hundred sixteen pregnant women, 13 Western midwives, and 12 bidan kampungs were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected from focus groups, in-depth interviews, field notes, and observations. The findings indicated that although the women were happy to have Western maternity care, they valued the social and spiritual support received from bidan kampungs during pregnancy and postnatal care. Western care was considered useful for "modern" illnesses. The traditional maternity care that women received included pantang or ritual prohibitions that helped them through pregnancy and helped them achieve better postnatal recovery. The study indicates that there is a need to combine Western and traditional care for the benefit of the pregnant women and their infants' health.
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health/ethnology*
  20. Factors associated with inappropriate utilisation of emergency department services
    Selasawati HG, Naing L, Wan Aasim WA, Winn T, Rusli BN
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2007;19(2):29-36.
    PMID: 18050561 DOI: 10.1177/10105395070190020601
    This study was carried out to determine the associated factors and the reasons for inappropriate utilisation of Emergency Department (ED) services at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital. A case-control study was conducted with 170 cases from ED and 170 controls from the Outpatient Department (OPD). A self-administered questionnaire was designed and used to obtain sociodemographic data, knowledge on the functions of ED and OPD, health seeking attitude and behaviour, and reasons for seeking treatment at ED. The study found that gender, marital status, family size, shift work, perceived illness, and knowledge on the role and functions of ED and OPD were significant associated factors. The three most common reasons for inappropriate utilisation of ED were as follows: "due to severity of illness" (85%), "can't go to OPD during office hours" (42%), and "ED near my house" (27%).

    Study site: Emergency department, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
    Matched MeSH terms: Attitude to Health*
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links