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  1. Fulltext Men's Health Index: a pragmatic approach to stratifying and optimizing men's health
    Tan HM, Tan WP, Wong JH, Ho CC, Teo CH, Ng CJ
    Korean J Urol, 2014 Nov;55(11):710-7.
    PMID: 25405012 DOI: 10.4111/kju.2014.55.11.710
    PURPOSE: The proposed Men's Health Index (MHI) aims to provide a practical and systematic framework for comprehensively assessing and stratifying older men with the intention of optimising their health and functional status.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed from 1980 to 2012. We specifically looked for instruments which: assess men's health, frailty and fitness; predict life expectancy, mortality and morbidities. The instruments were assessed by the researchers who then agreed on the tools to be included in the MHI. When there was disagreements, the researchers discussed and reached a consensus guided by the principle that the MHI could be used in the primary care setting targetting men aged 55-65 years.
    RESULTS: The instruments chosen include the Charlson's Combined Comorbidity-Age Index; the International Index of Erectile Function-5; the International Prostate Symptom Score; the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male; the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument; the Sitting-Rising Test; the Senior Fitness Test; the Fitness Assessment Score; and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. A pilot test on eight men was carried out and showed that the men's health index is viable.
    CONCLUSIONS: The concept of assessing, stratifying, and optimizing men's health should be incorporated into routine health care, and this can be implemented by using the MHI. This index is particularly useful to primary care physicians who are in a strategic position to engage men at the peri-retirement age in a conversation about their life goals based on their current and predicted health status.
    KEYWORDS: Health status indicators; Men; Physical fitness; Retirement
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health/standards*; Men's Health/trends*
  2. A consensus on men's health status and policy in Asia: a Delphi survey
    Teo CH, Ng CJ, Ho CC, Tan HM
    Public Health, 2015 Jan;129(1):60-7.
    PMID: 25542745 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2014.11.009
    OBJECTIVE: There is currently no documentation on the availability and implementation of policies related to men's health in Asia. This Delphi study aimed to achieve an Asian consensus on men's health policy based on the opinions and recommendations from men's health key opinion leaders.
    STUDY DESIGN: A two-phase Delphi online survey was used to gather information from men's health stakeholders across Asian countries.
    METHODS: All stakeholders were invited to participate in the survey through men's health conferences, personal contacts, recommendations from international men's health organizations and snowballing method. Stakeholders were asked about their concerns on 17 men's health key issues as well as their opinion on the availability and recommendations on men's health policies and programmes in their countries.
    RESULTS: There were a total of 128 stakeholders (policy makers, clinicians, researchers and consumers), from 28 Asian countries, who responded in the survey. Up to 85% of stakeholders were concerned about various men's health issues in Asia and in their respective country, particularly in smoking, ischaemic heart disease and high blood pressure. There is a lack of men's health policies and programmes in Asia (availability = 11.6-43.5%) and up to 92.9% of stakeholders recommended that these should be developed.
    CONCLUSIONS: These findings call for policy change and development, and more importantly a concerted effort to elevate men's health status in Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  3. Men's health issues in Asia
    Ho CC, Tan HM
    Aging Male, 2013 Sep;16(3):81-4.
    PMID: 23822757 DOI: 10.3109/13685538.2013.809414
    Men's health has gained prominence over the past few years but it is still not on par with the attention or funding that women and child health is getting. In Asia, this issue is even more conspicuous. With westernization of lifestyle, Asian men's problems emulate their Western counterparts but there are certain issues unique to Asian men due to cultural differences. This review will discuss the health issues affecting Asian men and suggest measures that can be taken to overcome them.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  4. Fulltext Managing the aging man in Asia: a review
    Tong SF, Ho C, Tan HM
    Int J Urol, 2011 Jan;18(1):32-42.
    PMID: 20969645 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2010.02652.x
    The aging man is becoming a major burden to Asian countries because of the current poor health status of Asian men and the aging Asian population. Life expectancy at birth for men is shorter than women by an average of 4 years in Asian countries and major causes of death are cardiovascular disease, cancers, injuries and infections. However, there are considerable variations between Asian countries because of great disparity in socioeconomic status. Male-specific disorders, such as male sexual health and urological conditions, are other major health burdens because they have a great impact on men's quality of life. More importantly, many risk factors to the causes of mortality and morbidities, such as high-risk behavior and smoking, can be improved with health promotion and early intervention. The current evidence suggests that the poor health status of men is the result of their poor health care utilization, negative health-seeking behavior, the adverse social environment for men and gender-insensitive health care delivery. However, much evidence is still needed as Asian countries have great diversity in culture, societal values and men's needs. Asian time-tested wisdom on a balanced healthy lifestyle to longevity should be explored as potential men's health promotional programs. Taking into account Asian men's health-care needs, a gender-streamlined approach and man-friendly health care delivery should be on the national agenda in managing the aging man.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  5. Fulltext The men's health gap: men must be included in the global health equity agenda
    Baker P, Dworkin SL, Tong S, Banks I, Shand T, Yamey G
    Bull World Health Organ, 2014 Aug 01;92(8):618-20.
    PMID: 25197149 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.13.132795
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  6. Fulltext Engaging men in health services: are we ignorant?
    Mohd Ihsani Mahmood, Idayu Badilla Idris, Rosnah Sutan, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi, Rozita Hod, Hanizah Mohd. Yusof
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2014;14(2):99-104.
    MyJurnal
    Men’s health remain unclear term for majority of general population as well as physician worlwide. Nowadays there is an increase interest in addressing men’s requirement in health care as a separate branch. When discussing about men’s health, it is fair to say that even a man himself does not know much about men’s health. Most of them think that men’s health is just a discussion on sex. This thought is not entirely right. The scope of men’s health is actually larger than the male sex organ itself. To define men’s health, we have to look at man holistically.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health
  7. Fulltext Setting up a men's clinic has never been an easy task. I have done it, and here is my story
    Ismail Bin Mohd Tambi M
    Asian J Androl, 2011 Jul;13(4):607-8.
    PMID: 21399648 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2010.128
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  8. Fulltext Treatment-seeking behavior among male civil servants in northeastern Malaysia: A mixed-methods study
    Arumugam P, Tengku Ismail TA, Daud A, Musa KI, A Hamid NA, Ismail SB, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 04 15;17(8).
    PMID: 32326447 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082713
    Background: Men's health in Malaysia is slowly gaining more attention, but minimal research has examined how Malaysian men behave and seek treatment. While few studies have investigated men's treatment-seeking behavior (TSB), those that have been conducted seem to be inconclusive and tend to yield contradictory findings.
    Objectives: This paper aims to determine the proportion of inappropriate TSB and to explore in-depth treatment-seeking behavior among male civil servants in northeastern Malaysia.
    Methods: This paper adopted a mixed-methods approach, specifically a concurrent parallel study design. A quantitative study using a self-administered questionnaire was performed to identify the proportion of appropriate and inappropriate TSB among male civil servants in northeastern Malaysia. Concurrently, a qualitative study was conducted involving six focus group discussion sessions, and the results of both parts were integrated to provide a detailed explanation of TSB among the participants.
    Results: A total of 381 participants were involved in the quantitative study, yielding a response rate of 94.8%; 246 (64.6%) engaged in inappropriate TSB. Some of the reported morbidities among the participants were hypertension (26.5%) and diabetes mellitus (26.2%). From the qualitative study, a main theme related to TSB emerged with several sub-themes, which were health literacy, stage of seeking treatment, preference for alternative treatment, perceived threat of illness, self-treatment, and the influence of family members and others.
    Conclusions: TSB among male civil servants in northeastern Malaysia is poor, and the factors contributing to it are multidimensional. This study has provided new valuable evidence on men's TSB in northeastern Malaysia. The findings can be used to facilitate and improve current policies and the implementation of men's health services throughout the country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  9. Science and society: Development of the Asian Men's Health Report: challenges and opportunities
    Ng CJ, Teo CH, Ho CCK, Tan HM
    Nat Rev Urol, 2017 Oct;14(10):630-636.
    PMID: 28695921 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2017.93
    Men have shorter life expectancy and higher mortality than women; however, only a few countries have dedicated men's health policies. Men's health reports can support the development of men's health policies. The 2013 Asian Men's Health Report (AMHR) systematically documents and compares the status of men's health across countries in Asia. The AMHR can be used as an exemplar to guide future men's health reports. The main challenges during creation of the AMHR were the lack of comprehensive health databases and the variety of data quality between countries. The AMHR revealed variations in mortality and morbidity across diseases, regions, and income groups, prompting a Delphi survey among men's health stakeholders to determine whether any dedicated men's health policies in Asia existed and to reach a consensus on the recommendations of men's health policies. The AMHR helped to promote men's health in Asia and across the world, generated research questions and collaborations, provided evidence to support development of men's health policies, identified the need to improve existing health databases, and developed a framework for the creation of other men's health reports.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health/statistics & numerical data*
  10. Depression, hormonal status and erectile dysfunction in the aging male: results from a community study in Malaysia
    Low WY, Khoo EM, Tan HM, Hew FL, Teoh SH
    Journal of Men's Health and Gender, 2006;3:263-270.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmhg.2006.02.007
    Background: Depression and erectile dysfunction (ED) are common in aging and the two conditions often co-exist. These conditions have been shown to be associated with hormonal changes in men. This paper examines the association between depression, ED, and hormonal status of men aged above 50 years in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.
    Methods: Five hundred men aged 50 years and above were randomly selected via the electoral roll and invited to participate in a community-based study on men's health: 351 men responded. Respondents were interviewed individually based on a self-developed questionnaire, which included information on socio-demographic data. Erectile function was measured using the International Index for Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and depression was measured using the 15 item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).
    Results: Sixty-nine percent of the men were diagnosed with ED. Mean GDS score was 3.33 (SD = 3.29). Nineteen percent (n = 67) of the men had abnormal levels of testosterone (≤11 nmol/l) and this comprised 73% of men with ED (n = 49) and 27% of men without ED (n = 18). There was no significant association between testosterone level and ED (χ2 = 0.68, p = 0.41). Significant association was found between depression (GDS ≥ 5) and men with ED (χ2 = 6.07, p = 0.014). Sex hormone binding globulin and luteinising hormone were negatively correlated with erectile function. Results of the multiple linear regression showed that age and depression are predictors of erectile function.
    Conclusion: Depression and ED should be screened for when either exists in the male patient and treatment directed accordingly. © 2006 WPMH GmbH.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health
  11. The aging male in Malaysia: Opening speech at the first Asian ISSAM meeting
    Jui YBDC
    Aging Male, 2001;4:106-108.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health
  12. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in primary care setting, Malaysia
    Abdul Rahman AA, Al Sadat N, Low WY
    Journal of Men's Health, 2011;8:S50-S53.
    DOI: 10.1016/S1875-6867(11)60021-3
    Background: The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and associated factors of erectile dysfunction (ED) among men who frequented public primary care clinics in an urban district in Malaysia.
    Methods: A total of 1331 men aged 40-76 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on demographic information, medical history and lifestyle factors were obtained through self administered questionnaire. ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5).
    Results: The participants' age ranged from 40-79 years with a mean of 54.7 (±8.3) years. The prevalence of ED was 69.5%. In terms of severity, 33.1% had mild, 26.6% moderate and 9.8% severe ED. The participants with increased age had reportedly higher prevalence of ED. The prevalence of ED increased from 49.7% of men in their 40s to 66.5%, 92.8% and 93.9% of men in their 50s, 60s and 70s respectively. The prevalence of moderate and severe ED also increased with age. The prevalence of severe ED was only 2.1% of men in their 40s and rose to 22.4% of men aged more than 60 years. The prevalence of ED among those with diabetics or heart disease was the highest (89.2%) followed by hypertensives (80.4%) and hypercholesterolaemia (78.9%). Men in their 50s (OR = 2.0) and 60s (OR = 13.5) had higher odds in ED.
    Conclusions: This study found that ED was common among men aged 40 years and above at the primary care setting. The prevalence and severity of ED increased with age. © 2011 WPMH GmbH.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health
  13. Fulltext Knowledge on male sexual and reproductive health: a comparison between final year medical students in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Monash University (MU), Melbourne, Australia
    Shaiful Bahari, I., Rosediani, M., Nik Hazlina, N.H., Shamsunarnie, M.Z., Leon, P.
    Education in Medicine Journal, 2012;4(2):45-58.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Greater needs of medical doctors to provide appropriate care for both genders related diseases, however men face more problem since their problems have less been recognized. Objective: The objective was to determine the level of men’s health knowledge among final year medical students in USM and MU. Method: A total of 199 final year medical students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan, Malaysia and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (75 students from USM and 124 students from MU) were enrolled in the study and completed self-administered questionnaire on the topics related to male sexual and reproductive health. Result: The response rate for USM and MU was 44% and 68.9% respectively. Out of 52 items, 17 items were significantly had higher percentage in answering correctly (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health
  14. Fulltext Gaps in the management of diabetes in Asia: A need for improved awareness and strategies in men's sexual health
    Kang WH, Mohamad Sithik MN, Khoo JK, Ooi YG, Lim QH, Lim LL
    J Diabetes Investig, 2022 Dec;13(12):1945-1957.
    PMID: 36151988 DOI: 10.1111/jdi.13903
    Sexual dysfunction, which is defined as 'difficulty during any stage of the sexual encounter that prevents or impairs the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity', is globally prevalent in males with prediabetes and diabetes. It is an early harbinger of cardiovascular diseases and has a profound impact on one's physical, mental, and social health. Among patients with either prediabetes or diabetes, the most common male sexual dysfunctions are hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation. In Asia, although sexual health is an important factor of men's health, it is rarely discussed freely in real-life practice. Addressing sexual health in Asian males has always been challenging with multiple barriers at the levels of patients and health care providers. Therefore, the assessment and management of sexual dysfunction in routine clinical practice should involve a holistic approach with effective patient-provider communication. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and the management of hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation among males with either prediabetes or diabetes (type 1 and type 2), as well as the evidence gaps across Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health
  15. Public health strategies to address Asian men's health needs
    Tong SF, Low WY
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2012 Jul;24(4):543-55.
    PMID: 22815311 DOI: 10.1177/1010539512452756
    Men's health discourse has been around for more than 2 decades. The higher mortality rates and the shorter life expectancy in Asian men compared with their women counterparts show the disadvantaged status of men's health. Thus, discussions on men's health should address their health needs and not be confined to sex-specific male urology and reproductive health. In Asia, assessing men's health needs is challenging because of the vast differences in the socioeconomic status and the diverse culture among its member countries. Although, the epidemiology of men's health provides the focus for what to address in improving men's health, having an optimal strategy requires the understanding of men's health-seeking behaviors and the social determinants surrounding them. Thus, public health approaches addressing health behaviors and health promotion in the society should be one of the keys in improving men's health status. Locally relevant information is needed to inform effective public health approaches.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  16. Men's health: sexual dysfunction, physical, and psychological health--is there a link?
    Tan HM, Tong SF, Ho CC
    J Sex Med, 2012 Mar;9(3):663-71.
    PMID: 22188573 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02582.x
    INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction in men, such as erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and premature ejaculation, generates considerable attention. Its association with physical and psychological health is an issue which should be addressed seriously.
    AIM: A review of the literature pertaining to the correlation between sexual dysfunction and physical and psychological health.
    METHODS: PubMed search for relevant publications on the association between sexual dysfunction in men and physical and psychological health.
    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical and epidemiological evidence that demonstrates the association between sexual dysfunction in men and physical and psychological health.
    RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction, i.e., erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and premature ejaculation, has been shown to be associated with physical and psychological health. There is a strong correlation between sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, quality of life, and depression.
    CONCLUSION: The association between men's sexual dysfunction and physical and psychological health is real and proven. Therefore, it should not be taken lightly but instead treated as a life-threatening medical problem.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  17. Fulltext Profile of men's health in Malaysia: problems and challenges
    Tong SF, Low WY, Ng CJ
    Asian J Androl, 2011 Jul;13(4):526-33.
    PMID: 21358664 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2010.125
    Men's health concerns have evolved from the traditional andrology and male sexual health to a more holistic approach that encompasses male psychological, social and physical health. The poor state of health in men compared to their female counterparts is well documented. A review of the epidemiological data from Malaysia noted a similar trend in which men die at higher rates in under 1 and above 15 years old groups and most disease categories compared to women. In Malaysia, the main causes of death in men are non-communicable diseases and injuries. Risk factors, such as risk-taking behaviour, smoking and hypertension, are prevalent and amenable to early interventions. Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and prostate disorders are also prevalent. However, many of these morbidities go unreported and are not diagnosed early; therefore, opportunities for early intervention are missed. This reflects poor health knowledge and inadequate health-care utilisation among Malaysian men. Their health-seeking behaviour has been shown to be strongly influenced by family members and friends. However, more research is needed to identify men's unmet health-care needs and to develop optimal strategies for addressing them. Because the Malaysian population is aging and there is an increase in sedentary lifestyles, optimizing men's health will remain a challenge unless effective measures are implemented. The existing male-unfriendly health-care system and the negative influence of masculinity on men's health behaviour must be addressed. A national men's health policy based on a male-friendly approach to health-care delivery is urgently needed to provide a framework for addressing these challenges.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health*
  18. Barriers and facilitators to health screening in men: A systematic review
    Teo CH, Ng CJ, Booth A, White A
    Soc Sci Med, 2016 09;165:168-176.
    PMID: 27511617 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.07.023
    RATIONALE: Men have poorer health status and are less likely to attend health screening compared to women.

    OBJECTIVE: This systematic review presents current evidence on the barriers and facilitators to engaging men in health screening.

    METHODS: We included qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies identified through five electronic databases, contact with experts and reference mining. Two researchers selected and appraised the studies independently. Data extraction and synthesis were conducted using the 'best fit' framework synthesis method.

    RESULTS: 53 qualitative, 44 quantitative and 6 mixed-method studies were included. Factors influencing health screening uptake in men can be categorized into five domains: individual, social, health system, healthcare professional and screening procedure. The most commonly reported barriers are fear of getting the disease and low risk perception; for facilitators, they are perceived risk and benefits of screening. Male-dominant barriers include heterosexual -self-presentation, avoidance of femininity and lack of time. The partner's role is the most common male-dominant facilitator to screening.

    CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of barriers and facilitators to health screening in men including the male-dominant factors. The findings are particularly useful for clinicians, researchers and policy makers who are developing interventions and policies to increase screening uptake in men.

    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health/trends*
  19. Help seeking behaviour among men with erectile dysfunction in primary care setting
    Ab Rahman AA, Al-Sadat N, Low WY
    Journal of Men's Health, 2011;8 Suppl 1:S94-S96.
    DOI: 10.1016/S1875-6867(11)60033-X
    Background: To examine the self-reported erectile problem and help-seeking behaviour among men.
    Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1331 men aged 40 years and above who attended public primary care clinics in an urban district in Malaysia. Questions were asked regarding presence of erectile problem, help-seeking behaviour and treatment sought.
    Results: The mean age was 54.7 (±8.3), ranging from 40 to 79 years. Among the subjects, 69.5% (n = 925) had erectile dysfunction (ED); however, only 54.8% reported having difficulty with erection. The subjects with severe ED had higher proportion of self-reported ED (90.8%) than moderate (75.7%) and mild ED (27.4%). More than two-third of the subjects (67.2%) have spoken to someone about their difficulty; of these, 54.1% spoke to their spouse or partner, 6.3% to friends and 5.3% to family members. Only 32.4% had initiated the discussion with their doctor, whereas only 10.5% reported that their doctor had raised the issue. Among the men who did not seek any help, reasons were: ED normal part of aging (37.9%), due to health condition (32.2%), ED was caused by medication (9.4%) and they were embarrassed (7.3%). Only 4.4% had sought treatment. More than one third participants (35%) had used Sildenafil while most had used other traditional medicines such as Tongkat Ali, massage and Chinese herbs.
    Conclusions: Self-reported erectile problem among men is common. However, ED is not a health condition that patients would commonly discuss with their doctors despite the fact that they are already seeing doctors for various other medical reasons. © 2011 WPMH GmbH.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health
  20. Fulltext Asian men’s health: gender disparity and life expectancy
    Ho, Christopher C.K., Teo, C.H., Ng, C.J., Zulkifli, M.Z., Tan, M.H.
    Journal of Surgical Academia, 2014;4(2):5-8.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this review was to analyze the gender disparities found as well as the life expectancies in Asia. An analysis of the data on gender disparities as well as life expectancies of the different Asian countries was done based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory Data Repository as well as the regional government databases. Middle Eastern countries have the highest male to female population ratio. The results show that in terms of population pyramid, Asia is moving towards a more geriatric population. Qatar has the highest life expectancy for men and is the only country in Asia where men live longer than women (difference of 2 years). In general, women in Asia live longer than men. High income countries like Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore have higher life expectancies as compared to those on the lower income nations. The life expectancy of Asian men still lags women. Men’s health care needs to be addressed urgently. The disparity in income-status reflecting the lifespan of men is an impetus for us to narrow the gap of health in Asian countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Men's Health
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