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  1. Ong HC, Ling AC, Ng DS, Ng RX, Wong PL, Omar SFS
    IDCases, 2021;23:e01051.
    PMID: 33532241 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01051
    Preterm birth is a global concern with considerable morbidity and mortality. Intrapartum infection is a known cause of preterm birth and Actinomyces infection is one of the infections contributing to preterm birth. We report a case of preterm birth of a trisomy-21 neonate to a mother with positive Actinomyces naeslundii from an intra-operative placental swab sample and discussed the relationship of this bacteria and preterm delivery, and the role of postpartum antibiotics use in this case.
  2. Chong SCS, Kamarulzaman A, Azwa I, Ng RX, Chong ML, Raman N, et al.
    Sex Health, 2021 05;18(2):147-155.
    PMID: 33715762 DOI: 10.1071/SH20180
    Background By the end of 2017, an estimated 83% of people living with HIV in Malaysia knew their serostatus. However, the Ministry of Health reported a high proportion of those newly diagnosed had low CD4 counts <200 cells/µL, indicating late presentation for testing may be pervasive.

    METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted to explore the context and experiences of people at risk of HIV infection testing and seeking treatment later in the course of their infection. Participants recruited (n = 20) were HIV positive, aged >18 years who fit the description of late presentation (World Health Organization defined as CD4 cell count <350 cells/µL). Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a framework approach was used to interrogate the data.

    RESULTS: Many participants perceived themselves at low risk of HIV infection and did not undergo routine voluntary testing; rather, they were diagnosed when seeking treatment for serious illness or as part of mandatory employment-related testing. Perceived lack of confidentiality and potential discriminatory behaviour at public health facilities were significant deterrents to testing. Participants were satisfied with HIV treatment, but rarely sought psychosocial support in order to 'protect' their privacy.

    CONCLUSION: Unless drivers of HIV infection are effectively addressed, including stigmatising and discriminatory practices, and low health literacy, the occurrence of late presentation will persist. Their collective impact will not only jeopardise efforts to improve the treatment cascade, but may also impact engagement with other biomedical prevention and care technologies.

  3. Chong N, Azwa I, Hassan AA, Mousavi ME, Wong PL, Ng RX, et al.
    AIDS Behav, 2024 Aug;28(8):2780-2792.
    PMID: 38806844 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04381-4
    HIV activism has a long history of advancing HIV treatment and is critical in dismantling HIV-related stigma. This study evaluated the psychometric quality of the HIV Activist Identity, Commitment, and Orientation Scale (HAICOS) to assess clinicians' propensity towards HIV activism in Malaysia. From November 2022 to March 2023, 74 general practitioners and primary care physicians in Malaysia participated in the study. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) extracted an internally consistent three-factor solution with 13 items: (1) HIV activist identity and commitment, orientation towards (2) day-to-day, and (3) structural activism. The Cronbach's alpha value was 0.91, and intra-class correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.86. Stigma-related (prejudice and discrimination intent) and clinical practice (comfort in performing clinical tasks with key populations and knowledge about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) measures supported the construct validity of the scale. The study provided concise, structurally valid, and reliable measures to evaluate HIV activism among clinicians.
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