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  1. Amirah M.S., Farahiyah S.K., Sugathan, S., Ohn, Mar S.
    MyJurnal
    Background: A systematic review reported a high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice during pregnancy. Earlier Malaysian studies related to it were based on Malay predominant populations.

    Objectives: The study objectives were to determine prevalence, types, aims, and associated factors of CAM use during pregnancy and the postnatal period among women who gave birth in a Malaysian tertiary hospital.

    Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among women who were admitted to the postnatal wards of “Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, Perak state, Malaysia” using a structured questionnaire, designed to collect data on the participants’ demography, details of CAM practice and their attitude towards its use.

    Results: The prevalence of CAM use among 134 respondents was 87.3%. The most commonly used method was naturopathy using abdominal hot stone application or massage as reported by 72% respondents. It was rated highly effective in improving circulation or recuperation by 90% of users. Herbal usage was reported by 36% and the commonest type was Indonesian traditional herbal medicine “Jamu”. The use of CAM was significantly low among Chinese respondents (P
  2. Ohn Mar S, Ali O, Sandheep S, Husayni Z, Zuhri M
    Singapore Med J, 2019 Feb;60(2):97-103.
    PMID: 29876579 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2018065
    INTRODUCTION: This study explored attitudes towards vasectomy and its acceptance as a method of contraception among clinical-year medical students, and determined the association between their demographic characteristics, and attitudes and acceptance.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical-year medical students from a Malaysian private medical college using a self-administered questionnaire.

    RESULTS: There were 330 participants with a female preponderance and a mean age of 22.0 ± 1.1 years. The largest proportion of respondents were from Year 3. The vast majority were ethnically Malay (91.8%) and followed Islam (92.4%). Overall, 60.9% of participants had a positive attitude towards vasectomy and 76.0% showed good acceptance. Gender, academic year, ethnicity and religion variables were not associated with attitudes and acceptance (p > 0.05). A significantly higher proportion of male respondents thought that vasectomy was religiously forbidden and would give a bad impression. A significantly higher proportion of Year 5 students agreed to the statement 'I would recommend vasectomy to relatives, friends and people close to me' compared to Year 3 and 4 students.

    CONCLUSION: Students' perception of vasectomy as a contraceptive method was encouraging. Our results suggest that their knowledge improved as medical training progressed, and attitudes evolved for the better irrespective of their traditional, cultural and religious beliefs - highlighting the importance of providing students with evidence-based learning about male sterilisation, which is more cost-effective and is associated with lower morbidity than female sterilisation. A qualitative study involving students from different ethnicities and religions would provide a better understanding of this subject.

  3. Ohn Mar S, Malhi FS, Syed Rahim SH, Soe MM
    Chin J Integr Med, 2017 Sep 15.
    PMID: 28914436 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2780-6
    OBJECTIVE: To explore women's rationalization for using alternative medications, their experience and view on safety of long-term use.

    METHODS: Two focus group discussions, involving 5 participants each for Chinese and Indian groups, were conducted separately. Participant's personal information was collected anonymously. The discussion covered 5 areas: determinants for taking medications; reason for choosing alternative medications rather than hormone replacement therapy (HRT); how these medications help them; their view on cost-effectiveness and concerns over long-term use. The discussions were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed.

    RESULTS: Chinese participants took supplements for controlling symptoms while Indian participants used herbs as a preventive measure during menopause according to their tradition. Women of both groups mentioned that they did not take HRT because of fear of side effects. Chinese group mentioned that medications remarkably improved their symptoms whereas Indian participants appreciated their herbals more for improvement in general wellbeing than for specific symptoms. All members agreed that using alternative medication was cost-effective. Both Chinese and Indian participants were quite confident in saying that long-term use will not be associated with any side effects. However, Indian group emphasized that proper preparation of herbal compound using different types of leaves, is essential in order to avoid untoward effects.

    CONCLUSIONS: Chinese and Indian women used alternative medicine in prevention and treatment of menopause-related problems even as they were avoiding HRT because of the fear of side effects. They believed that their supplements were effective, safe and cost-beneficial even with long-term use.

  4. Ohn Mar S, Malhi F, Syed Rahim SH, Chua CT, Sidhu SS, Sandheep S
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Nov;27(8 Suppl):19S-25S.
    PMID: 25972428 DOI: 10.1177/1010539515586457
    This cross-sectional study investigated the use of alternative medications to alleviate menopause-related symptoms among Malay, Chinese, and Indian women of Ipoh city. The prevalence, types, effectiveness, and associated factors were determined. The prevalence of alternative medication use was 41.4%. Evening primrose oil (EPO) was the most popular medication used (18.1%), followed by soy-based products (12.3%), green tea (6.8%), and gingko (5.8%). The medication was reported to be highly effective by 58.3% of soya bean diet users and 41.1% of EPO users. Significant variables associated with the use were Chinese or Indian ethnicity (P < .001), age between 50 and 54 years (P < .01), lower self-health rating (P < .05), education level of diploma or professional degree (P < .05), employment as professionals or entrepreneurs (P < .05), and the use of hormone replacement therapy (P < .05). Regression analysis showed that Chinese and Indians had significantly higher odds for the use than Malays (Chinese: odds ratio [OR] = 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.392-7.837; Indians: OR = 3.248, 95% CI = 1.586-6.654).
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