Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 1141 in total

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  1. Toward cultural competence in cancer genetic counseling and genetics education: lessons learned from Chinese-Australians
    Barlow-Stewart K, Yeo SS, Meiser B, Goldstein D, Tucker K, Eisenbruch M
    Genet Med, 2006 Jan;8(1):24-32.
    PMID: 16418596
    PURPOSE: In societies such as Australia with a strong multicultural makeup, culturally determined attitudes to genetics, testing, and counseling may be incompatible with current genetics service provision.

    METHODS: An ethnographic investigation using purposive sampling to increase subject diversity was used to explore the range of beliefs about kinship and inheritance using Chinese-Australians as a case. Participants comprised a sample of 15 Chinese-Australians who had been recruited through several community-based organizations.

    RESULTS: The level of acculturation does not correlate with holding beliefs about inheritance, kinship, and causes of hereditary cancer that are based on "Western" biomedical or traditional concepts. Mismatch between beliefs may exist within families that can impact participation in cancer genetic testing. Family history taking that underpins the surveillance, management, and referral to genetic counseling where there is a strong family history of breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer can also be impacted unless recognition is made of the patrilineal concept of kinship prevalent in this Chinese-Australian community.

    CONCLUSION: This community-based study confirmed and validated views and beliefs on inheritance and kinship and inherited cancer attributed to senior family members by Chinese-Australians who attended cancer genetic counseling. Barriers to communication can occur where there may be incompatibility within the family between "Western" and traditional beliefs. The findings were used to develop strategies for culturally competent cancer genetic counseling with Australian-Chinese patients. These include nonjudgmental incorporation of their belief systems into the genetic counseling process and avoidance of stereotyping. They have also influenced the development of genetics education materials to optimize family history taking.

    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  2. Tooth wear in three ethnic groups in Sabah (northern Borneo)
    Milosevic A, Lo MS
    Int Dent J, 1996 Dec;46(6):572-8.
    PMID: 9023582
    The prevalence and associated aetiologies of tooth wear were investigated in three ethnic groups in Sabah (Northern Borneo) using the Tooth Wear Index (TWI). The number of surfaces with enamel wear only, dentine exposed for less than a third or dentine exposed for more than a third were categorised into the TW minimal, moderate or severe respectively. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit medical/dental history, oral hygiene practices, satisfaction with body image, diet and other personal habits/details. The sample comprised of a self selected sample of 148 dental hospital attenders; 47 (32 per cent) each of ethnic Chinese and Malay and 54 (36 per cent) of ethnic Kadazan, matched for age and with a similar number of scoreable teeth per subject. Dentine exposure within the total sample was a common finding (95 per cent TW with moderate, 41 per cent TW severe). The Kadazan group had significantly (P < 0.05) more surfaces with severe tooth wear than the Chinese or Malay. Tobacco chewing was positively associated (rho = +0.4, P < 0.05) with both moderate and severe tooth wear, as was the habit of crushing/eating bones. Neither carbonated beverages or fresh fruit intake were associated with tooth wear, but their frequency of consumption was low. The buccal and occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth were the most severely worn. Generally, wear was greater in the upper anterior sextant compared to the lower anterior sextant, with the exception of the lower incisal edges in the Kadazan group. Tooth wear into dentine was a common occurrence, especially among the Kadazan subjects and least among the Chinese subjects. The aetiological factors associated with this tooth wear are different to those encountered in Western cultures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  3. Fulltext Tolerance of daily single compared to space dose of Merital
    Haq SM, Buhrich N
    Med J Malaysia, 1980 Jun;34(4):358-62.
    PMID: 7219263
    Merital is a recently introduced antidepressant agent which is structurally unrelated to the traditional antidepressant agents and which is reported to have minimal side effects. This study aimed to establish the olerance of a single compared to a spaced dose .schedule of Merital. It was found that a single morrung dose of Merital 100 mgs compared to a similar dose of the drug given in two divided doses did not appreciably increase the frequency or severity of side effects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  4. Fulltext Tobacco use, knowledge and attitude among Malaysians age 18 and above
    Lim KH, Sumarni MG, Amal NM, Hanjeet K, Wan Rozita WM, Norhamimah A
    Trop Biomed, 2009 Apr;26(1):92-9.
    PMID: 19696733 MyJurnal
    This study aims to determine the level of knowledge and to understand their attitude towards smoking and secondly to determine how sociodemographic background, smoking status and knowledge on the health risks of smoking contribute toward the development of such attitude. A total of 10,545 respondents age 18 years and above across Malaysia were interviewed. Results indicated that level of knowledge and attitude varied by gender, education level, smoking status, age, ethnicity and smoker category. Smokers' low education, poor knowledge on the dangers of smoking and being males had more positive or greater impact on their attitudes towards smoking. Formulation and implementation of a holistic programme aimed at increasing knowledge and attitude change that accounts for sociodemographic background of the population is recommended in order to bring down smoking rates and thus reduce smoking related health problems in this country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  5. Tissue-type plasminogen activator restriction fragment length polymorphism in the Chinese, Indians and Malays of Singapore
    Saha N
    Hum. Hered., 1989;39(6):364-6.
    PMID: 2575596
    A total of 215 subjects comprising 95 Chinese, 66 Malays and 54 Indians were investigated for restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the tissue-type plasminogen activator (PLAT) gene at an EcoRI site using the probe ptPA-4352. The phenotypic distribution showed a good agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The gene frequencies of PLAT*1 were found to be 0.47 in the Chinese, 0.52 in the Malays and 0.41 in South Indians.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  6. Time trends in upper gastrointestinal diseases and Helicobacter pylori infection in a multiracial Asian population--a 20-year experience over three time periods
    Leow AH, Lim YY, Liew WC, Goh KL
    Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2016 Apr;43(7):831-7.
    PMID: 26847417 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13550
    Marked epidemiological changes in upper gastrointestinal diseases and Helicobacter pylori infection have taken place in the Asian Pacific region. In particular, differences with respect to race in the multiracial Asian population in Malaysia have been important and interesting.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  7. Time to achieve first blood pressure control after diagnosis among hypertensive patients at primary health care clinics: a preliminary study
    Cheong AT, Mohd Said S, Muksan N
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP485-94.
    PMID: 23343640 DOI: 10.1177/1010539512472361
    This study aimed to examine the duration to achieve first blood pressure (BP) control after the diagnosis of hypertension. This was a retrospective cohort study on 195 hypertensive patients' (age ≥18 years) records from a primary health care clinic. The median time to achieve first BP control was 7.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.99-9.35). Cox proportional hazards regression results showed female patients were 1.5 times more likely to achieve BP control when compared with male patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.50, 95% CI 1.09-2.09, P = .013). Those with monotherapy were 2 times more likely (HR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.39-3.13, P < 0.001) and those on 2 drugs were 3.5 times more likely (HR = 3.49, 95% CI = 1.65-7.40, P = .001) to achieve BP control than those with nonpharmacological treatment. The median time to achieve BP control was longer than the recommended time. Doctors may need to consider starting the pharmacological treatment early and be more aggressive in hypertensive management for male patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  8. Time and place in the prehistory of the Aslian languages
    Dunn M, Kruspe N, Burenhult N
    Hum Biol, 2013 Feb-Jun;85(1-3):383-400.
    PMID: 24297234
    The Aslian language family, located in the Malay Peninsula and southern Thai Isthmus, consists of four distinct branches comprising some 18 languages. These languages predate the now dominant Malay and Thai. The speakers of Aslian languages exhibit some of the highest degree of phylogenetic and societal diversity present in Mainland Southeast Asia today, among them a foraging tradition particularly associated with locally ancient, Pleistocene genetic lineages. Little advance has been made in our understanding of the linguistic prehistory of this region or how such complexity arose. In this article we present a Bayesian phylogeographic analysis of a large sample of Aslian languages. An explicit geographic model of diffusion is combined with a cognate birth-word death model of lexical evolution to infer the location of the major events of Aslian cladogenesis. The resultant phylogenetic trees are calibrated against dates in the historical and archaeological record to infer a detailed picture of Aslian language history, addressing a number of outstanding questions, including (1) whether the root ancestor of Aslian was spoken in the Malay Peninsula, or whether the family had already divided before entry, and (2) the dynamics of the movement of Aslian languages across the peninsula, with a particular focus on its spread to the indigenous foragers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  9. Fulltext Thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy--a six year review
    Lim BH, Raman S, Sivanesaratnam V, Ngan A
    Singapore Med J, 1989 Dec;30(6):539-41.
    PMID: 2635396
    Twenty eight patients with hyperthyroidism complicating their pregnancies were seen at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a six-year period. All patients were treated with antithyroid drugs, carbimazole being the mainstay of treatment. The incidence of the disease was 0.9 per 1000 births and was similar with other series. No cases of fetal goitre were noted. The mean birth weight was 2952 g; there was no significant difference in the birth weight of term live births in patients treated with carbimazole alone or carbimazole combined with propranolol.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  10. Fulltext Thrombosis at unusual sites in reproductive age group - a case series
    Mohd.Tohit ER, Khalid B, Seman Z, Md Noor S
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2016;12(1):63-66.
    MyJurnal
    Thrombosis is one of the causes of morbidity and mortality in women of reproductive age group. Thrombosis at unusual sites may pose diagnostic and management dilemma for health care personnel. Teamwork and good communication provide the best modalities for maximum benefits to patients. Here with, we presented a case series of thrombosis at unusual sites seen and managed in our clinic.
    A 35 year-old Malay lady presented with left hemiparesis while she was on oestrogen based combined contraception pills (C-OCP). Imaging studies showed extensive venous thrombosis with bilateral acute cortical infarct. Thrombophilia screening of antiphospholipid syndrome were negative. She was put on anticoagulant and stopped 2 years after the incident.
    A 40 year-old Malay lady presented with abdominal discomfort, lethargy and massive splenomegaly. Bone marrow and trephine examination revealed primary myelofibrosis with positive JAK2617F. Imaging study showed chronic portal vein thrombosis with portal vein hypertension, complicated by gastro-oesophageal varices. She was put on hydroxyurea and later started on ruxolitinib with banding done over her gastro-oesophageal varices.
    A 26 year-old Malay lady presented with serositis, mouth ulcer and anaemia symptoms. Laboratory studies were positive for systemic lupus erythematosus and negative for antiphospholipid study. Imaging study showed long segment thrombosis of right internal jugular vein with surrounding subcutaneous oedema. She is currently stable on anticoagulants and steroid. Teamwork and holistic approach is practiced in the investigation and management to provide maximum benefits for patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  11. Thiopurine methyltransferase polymorphisms in a multiracial asian population and children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
    Kham SK, Tan PL, Tay AH, Heng CK, Yeoh AE, Quah TC
    J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 2002 Jun-Jul;24(5):353-9.
    PMID: 12142782
    The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) polymorphisms in a multiracial Asian population and to assess its relevance in the management of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Six hundred unrelated cord blood samples from 200 Chinese, Malay, and Indian healthy newborns were collected at the National University Hospital, Singapore; an additional 100 children with ALL were analyzed for five of the commonly reported TPMT variant alleles using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction-based assays. In the cord blood study, the TPMT*3C variant was detected in all three ethnic groups; Chinese, Malays, and Indians had allele frequencies of 3%, 2.3%, and 0.8%, respectively. The TPMT*3A variant was found only among the Indians at a low allele frequency of 0.5%. The TPMT*6 variant was found in one Malay sample. Among the children with ALL, two white and one Chinese were heterozygous for the TPMT*3A variant and showed intermediate sensitivity to 6-mercaptopurine during maintenance therapy. Three Chinese patients and one Malay patient were heterozygous for the TPMT*3C variant. Mercaptopurine sensitivity could be validated in only one out of four TPMT*3C heterozygous patients. The overall allele frequency of the TPMT variants in this multiracial population was 2.5%. The TPMT*3C was the most common variant allele; TPMT*3A and TPMT*6 were rare. These results support the feasibility of performing TPMT genotyping in all children diagnosed with acute leukemia to minimize toxicity from thiopurine chemotherapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  12. Fulltext Therapeutic-diagnostic evaluation of chronic cough amongst adults: causes, symptoms and management at the primary care level, Malaysia
    Nantha YS
    J Family Med Prim Care, 2014 Jul;3(3):207-12.
    PMID: 25374855 DOI: 10.4103/2249-4863.141611
    BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with chronic cough pose a common diagnostic dilemma during routine consultations at public primary care clinics in Malaysia. To date, there has been little attempt at designing a standardized model or algorithm to facilitate an accurate diagnosis of chronic cough. This study proposes a clinical method to detect the causes of chronic cough in a primary care setting in Malaysia.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 117 patients aged above 18 at an urban primary care clinic were tracked over a span of 5 months to diagnose the cause of chronic cough. A therapeutic-diagnostic method was employed to help identify the causes of chronic cough. Subsequently, the demographic details of patients, the prevalence of the different causes of chronic cough and the relationship between history and diagnosis were analyzed statistically.
    RESULTS: Chronic cough had a slightly higher male preponderance (51.3% vs. 48.7%). Patients within the 'above 60' age category had the highest frequency of chronic cough. The most common cause of chronic cough was post-infectious cough (n = 42, 35.9%), followed closely by angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor related cough (n = 14, 12%). Majority of patients had the symptom of phlegm production (n = 41, 54%). 33 patients (29.2%) had recent upper respiratory tract infection (<2 weeks ago) prior to the diagnosis of chronic cough. There were poor association between symptoms and the various entities comprising chronic cough. The exceptions were the following associations: (1) Bronchial asthma and itchiness of throat (P = 0021), (2) gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn (P < 0.001), (3) upper airway cough syndrome and running nose (P = 0.016) and (4) pulmonary tuberculosis and absence of weight loss (P = 0.004).
    CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the effectiveness of a therapeutic-diagnostic technique in the diagnosis of chronic cough. Consistent with previous studies, there was poor association between most symptoms and the causes of chronic cough. A study involving a larger primary care population is required to confirm the findings found in this analysis.
    KEYWORDS: Angiotensin-converting enzyme-I related cough; chronic cough; post-infectious cough; primary care; therapeutic-diagnostic evaluation
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  13. The yaws or "puru" of Malaya. Its treatment and eradiaction
    Viswalingam A
    Malayan Medical Journal, 1926;1:22-4.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  14. 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: Malaysia/ethnology
  15. Fulltext The use of febuxostat for gout in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) Kuantan. [Abstract]
    Abdullah H
    International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2017;16(11):50.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Febuxostat is a non-purine-selective oral xanthine oxidase inhibitor drug, and is an alternative to Allopurinol to lower serum uric acid in gout patients. It is probably more effective than Allopurinol, however, its use is limited because of its cost and availability. Allopurinol has been the mainstay treatment for gout for about 50 years. However, its use has been associated with allergic reactions especially in patients with renal impairment.The objective of this study was to describe HTAA Rheumatology Unit experiences with Febuxostat in the management of gout.
    Materials and method: Case records belonging to 6 patients who had been started on Febuxostat between January 2012 and January 2017 were analysed.
    Results: The majority of patients on Febuxostat were males (83.3%) as well as Malays (83.3%). About 66.7% of patients had already developed mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (GFR between 30-89 mL/min) due to multifactorial causes by the time they were started on Febuxostat. Also 33% of patients had mild liver impairment (ALT & AST < 1.5 ULN) due to fatty liver prior to Febuxostat. All patients had been started on Febuxostat due to allergic reactions to Allopurinol. All patients were on Febuxostat 40 mg once a day. Following Febuxostat, a significant decrease in the uric acid levels much closer to the target level i.e. less than 360 µmol/L were achieved in all patients. Only 1 patient (16.7%) developed a side effect i.e. ALT > 1.5 ULN while the rest tolerated the drug very well.
    Conclusion: Although the number of patients analysed was small, Febuxostat was shown to be very effective and safe for use in patients with gout even with concomitant mild to moderate renal impairment. Serum uric acid levels reduced significantly while on the lowest dose of 40 mg once a day.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  16. Fulltext The trends of DMARDS prescribed in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Malaysia
    Sulaiman W, Toib A, Chandrashekhar G, Arshad A
    Oman Med J, 2009 Oct;24(4):260-06.
    PMID: 22216379 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2009.53
    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the trends of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
    METHODS: Patients who fulfilled the ACR criteria for RA from 1995 to 2006 and who attended the Rheumatology clinic at Ipoh Hospital were selected and their records were evaluated to determine the changing trends in the use of DMARDs.
    RESULTS: 128 patients with RA were identified. The most commonly prescribed DMARD as monotherapy was sulphasalazine (47.7%), followed by methotrexate (35.9%) and hydroxychloroquine. Methotrexate and sulphasalazine were the most frequently prescribed DMARDs, of which the use of methotrexate has increased 6 folds from 1997 to 2007 and the use of sulphasalazine remains around 30% to 50%. The combination of methotrexate with leflunomide has significantly increased in usage by 4 folds during the study period whilst methotrexate with sulphasalazine combination usage had slightly declined.
    CONCLUSION: DMARDs are still the cornerstone in the treatment of RA. Changes in the trend and aggressive use of DMARDs has been markedly influenced by the patient's awareness of early treatment, the incapacitating damage, availability of recently introduced leflunomide and the advancement of current recommended treatment protocol.
    Study site: Rheumatology clinic, Hospital Raja, Parmaisuri Bainum (HRBP), Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  17. The treatment of an obsessive-compulsive girl in the context of Malaysian Chinese culture
    Ong SB, Leng YK
    Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 1979 Sep;13(3):255-9.
    PMID: 293181
    The case history, treatment and follow-up of a thirteen-year-old girl with obsessive-compulsive neurosis of six months duration are reported. Results show that behaviour modification techniques were effective though a second course of treatment was required. Her illness and its treatment by behaviour therapy in relation to the Malaysian Chinese culture is discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  18. Fulltext The traditional practice in the hospital setting: what are the ethical implications?
    Rosnani Zakaria, Muzaimi Mustapha, Tengku Alina Tengku Ismail, Bella Puvok, Kamarul Aryffin Baharuddin, Mohd Suhaimi Ab Wahab, et al.
    Education in Medicine Journal, 2015;7(4):68-72.
    MyJurnal
    Myth, believe in powerful ‘being’ commonly known as jinn and usage of ‘bomoh’ as the medium is still widespread in our community in Kelantan especially among the Malay community. This believe and practice of usin ‘bomoh’ to cure and help with known and unknown disease believe to be caused by the jinn, occasionally poses a significant complication and threat to the management of patient in the hospital. Our case is just one of many cases that happen in our local hospital, and we hope by sharing this case will illustrate how ethical discussion occasionally surpassed the four common ethical pillars.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  19. The thiamine content of human milk in Malaya. I. The normal level of thiamine in milk from Malay, Chinese and Indian women
    Simpson IA, Chow AY
    J Trop Pediatr (Lond), 1956 Jun;2(1):3-17.
    PMID: 24544028 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.tropej.a057405
    (1) The use of the thiochrome method for the estimation of thiamine in human milk is discussed, with special reference to the possible production of an artefact, following the incubation of the milk with pepsin, in addition to the use of takadiastase (clarase). No evidence could be found to suggest that an artefact resembling thiamine was produced by the method of analysis described.
    (2) The thiamine content of 91 samples of full lactation human milk from apparently "normal" Malay, Chinese and Indian women in Malaya is recorded. The mean milk thiamine level of 11.3 ug/100 ml. found is considerably lower than the levels recorded for milk samples from apparently "normal " women in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A.; and slightly lower than that recorded in Australia. The results suggest that the dietary
    intake of thiamine in Malaya is inadequate to maintain optimum thiamine levels in the milk of lactating women.
    (3) No significant difference was found in the mean thiamine content of milk from women of the three principal racial groups in Malaya ; nor was any significant difference found to be associated with the parity or age of the women or, in the case of full lactation milks, with the time after parturition at which the sample was collected. No significant difference was found in samples collected from the same woman at different times of the day or before and after a main meal.
    (4) Marked differences were found in the thiamine content of samples of milk from individual women, and the possible reasons for this are discussed.
    (5) The examfnation of 48 samples of milk collected during the first month after parturition confirmed previous recorded observations that the thiamine content of such milks, initially low, gradually increases to reach "normal" levels towards the end of the first month of lactation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  20. Fulltext The systematic cultural adaptation of a UK public health cancer awareness raising programme for Malaysia: the Be Cancer Alert Campaign
    Schliemann D, Su TT, Paramasivam D, Somasundaram S, Ibrahim Tamin NSB, Dahlui M, et al.
    Transl Behav Med, 2019 11 25;9(6):1087-1099.
    PMID: 31583402 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz134
    Increasingly, policy and research attention is being directed toward improving global health in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated the cultural adaptation of a UK-designed and developed evidence-based mass media campaign with the aim of improving colorectal cancer and breast cancer awareness in Malaysia. Guided by the heuristic framework of cultural adaptation, a multidisciplinary team adapted the UK Be Cancer Aware programme for implementation in the Malaysian context. The approach included five steps: (a) information gathering and needs assessment; (b) preliminary design; (c) preliminary testing; (d) refinement; and (e) final trial. Key findings from the information gathering stage related to the need to take into account differences in ethnicity, religion, and beliefs about cancer. Discussions with experts indicated that particular words were not acceptable in Malay culture and that specific aspects were "taboo" (e.g., showing pictures of breasts in relation to breast cancer on TV). Stage 3 of the analysis revealed that the presentation of cancer survivors rather than health professionals on programme materials was preferred by Malaysians and that there was a poor level of awareness about colorectal cancer. The results were used systematically to adapt two culturally suitable cancer awareness mass media campaigns for implementation in Malaysia. The developed materials were in line with government priorities and took into account the local health care system structure. The establishment of a partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., the Ministry of Health and the lead patient advocacy organization) and the application of a systematic approach to address cultural factors and resource constraints contribute to the successful implementation of public health programmes in global health settings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
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