The training and utilization of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in maternal and child health and family planning programs in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia are discussed. Special efforts to organize and train TBAs for family planning in Malaysia are examined in detail. Import factors for successful utilization of TBAs include: (a) definite assignment of functions and tasks, (b) organization of good operational steps and (c) implementation of good supervisory activities.
Matched MeSH terms: Child Health Services; Maternal Health Services
Development of a human community are not without changes in its environment. Such changes result in either beneficial or adverse effects on human health. In Malaysia, in the wake of the New Economic Policy aimed at the redressing of the poor population and income distribution, development of the nation has brought about various changes in the environment. Some of these changes have elevated basic public health problems, while others, particularly new agricultural practices and industrialisation programmes with urbanisation trends, have brought a new set of problems due to water pollution and sanitation. Various measures are being taken to protect and to improve the environment so that progress can be realised with minimum adverse effects. This also calls for assistance from international sources, in terms of expertise, training and funds.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services Administration
The permainan puteri (usually abbreviated to main puteri) is an indigenous Kelantanese healing ceremony in which the bomoh (traditional medicine-man), the sick individual and other participants become spirit-medium through whom puteri (spirits) are able to enact a permainan ('play'). It has been successfully used as a psychotherapy for depression. The bomoh assisted by his minduk (master of spirits) and a troupe of musicians, is able to provide a conceptual framework around which the sick individual can organize his vague, mysterious and chaotic symptoms so that they become comprehensible and orderly. At the same time the bomoh is able to draw the sick individual out of his state of morbid self-absorption and heighten his feelings of self-worth. The involvement of his family, relatives and friends tends to enhance group solidarity and reintegrate the sick individual into his immediate social group.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services*; Health Services, Indigenous*
There are many crucial determinants of the individual outcome and benefit of a university education including the stressful interplay of cultural and socioeconomic factors which are of growing importance in the inflationary 1970's. An epidemiological study of university students from 1969-1972 in Canada, 1973-1974 in Britain, and 1975 in Singapore, attempted to identify stresses leading to mental ill-health in these students. Singapore was chosen as an example of a culture bridging the developed Northern and developing Southern nations of the world. Cultural differences affecting the results of the study are discussed as is the role of social change.
Matched MeSH terms: Student Health Services/utilization
Analysis of World Fertility Survey data from five countries--Colombia, Costa Rica, Korea, Malaysia and Nepal--shows that the availability of contraceptive services and supplies is a major determinant of use. In Nepal, where few women know where to obtain supplies, only two percent are contracepting. In Costa Rica, where almost all married women know an outlet nearby, 53 percent use effective methods.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services Accessibility*
Malaysia has a large variety of traditional medical systems that are a direct reflection of the wide ethnic diversity of its population. These can be grouped into four basic varieties, namely, traditional "native," traditional Chinese, traditional Indian and modern medicine, examples of which are described. In spite of the great inroads made by modern medicine, the traditional systems are firmly established. Patients move from one system to another or use several systems simultaneously. The integration of the traditional Malay birth attendant into the health team is described. The forces influencing the development, acceptance and integration of the medical systems is discussed.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services/trends*; Health Services, Indigenous/trends
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.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services; Maternal Health Services*
Rajakumar MK, Suleiman AB, Lee CH, Cheah M, Yeoh PH
Citation: Rajakumar MK, Abu Bakar Suleiman, Lee CH, Cheah M, Yeoh PH. The Future of The Health Services in Malaysia. A Report of a Committee of Council of the Malaysian Medical Association. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Medical Association, 1980
Malaysia has a large variety of traditional medical systems that are a direct reflection of the wide ethnic diversity of its population. These can be grouped into four basic varieties, namely, traditional “native”. traditional Chinese. traditional Indian, and modem medicine, examples of which are described. In spite of the great inroads made by modem medicine, the traditional systems are firmly established. Patients move from one system to another or use several systems simultaneously. The integration of the traditional Malay birth attendant into the health team is described. The forces influencing the development, acceptance, and integration of the medical systems are discussed.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services, Indigenous/utilization
In a survey of 5233 patients seen in the clinics of three general practitioners, 339 patients were found to be doctor hoppers (6.48 per cent). Respiratory symptoms and fever were the commonest presentation affecting mainly the paediatric age group. No improvement in the symptoms was quoted as the most common reason for switching to another doctor. Many factors contributed to doctor hopping and these were best considered in relation to the illness, the patient and the doctor: From the point of prevention, the doctor himself has a significant role to play, particularly in improving the doctor-patient relationship and patient compliance.
Study site: Johor (Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat, Muar)
Matched MeSH terms: Personal Health Services/utilization*
A cohort of90 infants born in March 1979 in Kedah, Pahang and Malacca were followed up to find out the feeding practices, preventive health care and medical care practices during infancy. A high proportion of infants were breastfed compared to the urban population. However, early introduction of solids was very common. Parents were well aware of the immunisation schedule and attended government clinics for immunisation. However, attendance for health appraisal was not made according to schedule. Cough and cold,fever, diarrhoea, measles and skin conditions were the common ailments. Medical care for cough and cold, fever and diarrhoea was sought from general practitioners, clinics, and hospitals. Practice of buying analgesics and penicillin cream for self treatment for fever and sores was a common practice. Help was soughtfrom traditional healers for measles. Fever and diarrhoea were thought to be signs of health by some and nothing was done. Mothers were well educated on the importance of breast feeding but were not aware that introduction ofearly solids is not satisfactory. Education with regards to introduction of solids by health staff was not done timely. Health staff were mentioned as injluentials for feeding practices and immunisation, but were not mentioned for medical care. Some recommendations for infant care are also mentioned in the paper.
Despite being part of one of the few remaining primitive areas of the world, both Sabah and Sarawak are provided with adequate, though simple, urban and rural general medical services. At present no reliable data on the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in these areas have been collected and no organised treatment services are available. Gonorrhoea appears to be the commonest notifiable infectious disease in Sarawak, and beta-lactamase-producing strains have been isolated. Because of the rapidly expanding economy and the encouragement of the tourist trade, sexually transmitted disease is likely to prove an increasing problem, for which a specialised service for diagnosis and treatment is badly needed.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services/supply & distribution; Health Services/trends