PIP: On August 15, 1978, the integrated parasite control/family planning program was launched by the National Family Planning Board in the Tanjong Malim Estate in Kuala Lumpur (the estate is a rubber oil palm plantation) to enhance the health status of the estate workers and their families. Personal hygiene, good toilet habits, and washing fruits and vegetables before eating were emphasized. Pre- and post-surveys of worm infestation of the estate population revealed that treatment with drugs dramatically reduced the rate of intestinal helminthiasis infection among the population. To sustain the prevention or total eradication of the disease, an ongoing educational program was initiated and included the following features: 1) increasing knowledge of the community as to how intestinal helminthiasis is transmitted, and ways of limiting transmission; 2) providing safe and sanitary toilet facilities for young children, and; 3) periodic deworming of susceptible population every 3 months. The estate members are also encouraged to plant vegetables in their backyard. The National Family Planning Board also helped the estate members organize different functional groups, such as Mothers' Group. This multifaceted approach to family planning appears to have an encouraging future, particularly in family development.
Coagulation, fibrinolytic activity and platelet function were studied in 104 Asian women volunteers who received 150 mg of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate intramuscularly every three months for two years or more. The results were compared with those in matched controls. There was a paucity of change in coagulation factors. The fibrinogen levels were increased and prothrombin time was shortened. The fibrinolytic activity, as shown by the euglobulin clot lysis time, was significantly increased. This latter change contrasts with the many reports concerning Caucasian women and may reflect an increase in fibrinolytic potential in Asian women.
PIP: The nature of the family in Southeast Asia is examined by reviewing the work of Koichi Mizuno on multi-household compounds in Northeast Thailand in comparison with groupings among Kedah Malays. The authors conclude that the family among Thais and Malays is a flexible, social circle of interwoven dyadic relations and that it can take a variety of grouping pattterns according to circumstances
PIP: Many countries have a wealth of population data already available for utilization. In launching family planning population programs on a national scale every country must establish a long range of integrated programs of evaluation and data collection which will measure the past, current, and future trends in fertility, mortality, and migration patterns. These demographic features and poupulation profiles will assist in charting the strategies, objectives, targets, and survey components to be implemented for the successful launching of a country-wide program. In Malaysia the 10-year period population census, vital registration systems, sample houshold surveys, immigration, emigration, industrialization records, and KAP surveys serve as a source for obtaining population data and for charting population programs. Attention is directed to the census and to essential features of a census as well as to vital registration systems. The population census is a "total process of collecting, compiling and publishing demographic, economic and social data pertaining at a specific time or times to all persons in a country or delimited territory." A census is conducted on a national scale and enumeration is done individually. In Malaysia a De Jure and a De Facto Census are normally conducted. Enumeration is carried out by means of direct interviews or canvasser methods. Malaysia's last census was conducted between May and June 1980. The organization aspects of administering a nationwide census is a long process which may take a couple of years in the planning period. While the census provides a picture on the population at 1 point in time, the vital registration system monitors the continuous process of vital events and performs dual functions: to register vital events and obtain vital records which are legal documents; and to collect statistics about vital events. In Malaysia the registration of births and deaths and marriages is compulsory. Vital statistics may also be obtained from household surveys.
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.