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Fulltext Comparing morbidity patterns in two government health centers and four private GP clinics in the Kinta district

Ding HJ, Chan SC

Family Physician, 2003;12(2&3):25-29.

The morbidity patterns and demographics of patients presenting to two government health centers and four private general practice clinics were studied over one week. Results showed little difference in the morbidity patterns but a significant difference in the demographics of the patients. The commonest illnesses seen were minor ones like upper respiratory tract infection and chronic ones like hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A wide spectrum of illnesses was seen in all the clinics. Both places handled few emergencies and referred only occasionally. There was an equal percentage of patients from both sexes. Ages of the patients varied from place to place and the racial distribution was influenced by several factors, including the existing patient population and the race of the doctor.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Facilities
The role of historical Persian gardens on the health status of contemporary urban residents: gardens and health status of contemporary urban residents

Rostami R, Lamit H, Khoshnava SM, Rostami R

Ecohealth, 2014 Sep;11(3):308-21.
PMID: 24859923 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-014-0939-6

The inherent economic and social challenges in major cities have been known to foster stress among the urban population. Frequent stress over long periods may well have serious damaging outcomes, resulting in ailments such as burnout syndrome, sleeplessness and exhaustion, depression, feelings of panic, among others. Therefore, providing access to resources that may enable people to cope with the stress of urban life has become a crucial phenomenon in the twentieth century. Increasing empirical evidence indicates that the presence of natural areas can contribute to enhancing the quality of life in many ways. This study examines two historical Persian gardens from the residents' perspective in well-known, historic cities of Iran: Isfahan and Kerman. The data were collected through questionnaires (n = 252), semi-structured interviews (n = 20), and visual observation techniques. The findings demonstrate that nature, diversity and the gardens' historical background, and coherence motivate the residents' frequent visits to the gardens, which help to address their social, psychological, and physical needs. In addition, the residents' involvements and the variety of experiences that occur in the gardens lead to the creation of deeper meanings and values associated with the gardens. Subsequently, these construct functional and emotional attachment that evokes a sense of place and identity and may contribute to society's health and well-being.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Facilities*
Second-hand smoke in public spaces: how effective has partial smoke-free legislation been in Malaysia?

Abidin EZ, Hashim Z, Semple S

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(11):6845-50.
PMID: 24377615

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to gather data on second-hand smoke (SHS) concentrations in a range of public venues following the implementation of partial Smoke-Free Legislation in Malaysia in 2004.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: PM2.5 was measured as a marker of SHS levels in a total of 61 restaurants, entertainment centres, internet cafes and pubs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
RESULTS: Under the current smoke-free laws smoking was prohibited in 42 of the 61 premises. Active smoking was observed in nearly one-third (n=12) of these. For premises where smoking was prohibited and no active smoking observed, the mean (standard deviation) indoor PM2.5 concentration was 33.4 (23.8) μg/m3 compared to 187.1 (135.1) μg/m3 in premises where smoking was observed The highest mean PM2.5 was observed in pubs [361.5 (199.3) μg/m3].
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of high levels of SHS across a range of hospitality venues, including about one-third of those where smoking is prohibited, despite 8 years of smoke-free legislation. Compliance with the legislation appeared to be particularly poor in entertainment centres and internet cafes. Workers and non-smoking patrons continue to be exposed to high concentrations of SHS within the hospitality industry in Malaysia and there is an urgent need for increased enforcement of existing legislation and consideration of more comprehensive laws to protect health.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Facilities*
Fulltext Public and private sectors collective response to combat COVID-19 in Malaysia

Tan CS, Lokman S, Rao Y, Kok SH, Ming LC

J Pharm Policy Pract, 2021 May 03;14(1):40.
PMID: 33941265 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-021-00322-x

Over the last year, the dangerous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly around the world. Malaysia has not been excluded from this COVID-19 pandemic. The resurgence of COVID-19 cases has overwhelmed the public healthcare system and overloaded the healthcare resources. Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia has adopted an Emergency Ordinance (EO) to instruct private hospitals to receive both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients to reduce the strain on public facilities. The treatment of COVID-19 patients at private hospitals could help to boost the bed and critical care occupancy. However, with the absence of insurance coverage because COVID-19 is categorised as pandemic-related diseases, there are some challenges and opportunities posed by the treatment fees management. Another major issue in the collaboration between public and private hospitals is the willingness of private medical consultants to participate in the management of COVID-19 patients, because medical consultants in private hospitals in Malaysia are not hospital employees, but what are termed "private contractors" who provide patient care services to the hospitals. Other collaborative measures with private healthcare providers, e.g. tele-conferencing by private medical clinics to monitor COVID-19 patients and the rollout of national vaccination programme. The public and private healthcare partnership must be enhanced, and continue to find effective ways to collaborate further to combat the pandemic. The MOH, private healthcare sectors and insurance providers need to have a synergistic COVID-19 treatment plans to ensure public as well as insurance policy holders have equal opportunities for COVID-19 screening tests, vaccinations and treatment.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Facilities
Fulltext Proportion of women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus who performed an oral glucose test at six weeks postpartum in Johor Bahru with abnormal glucose tolerance

Fatin A, Alina TI

Malays Fam Physician, 2019;14(3):2-9.
PMID: 32175035

Introduction: Glucose testing at six weeks postpartum has been recommended by the World Health Organization as the earliest period in which to detect abnormal glucose tolerance among women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aimed to determine the outcomes of six weeks postpartum glucose testing and its associated factors among women with a history GDM who attended government primary health clinics in Johor Bahru.
Methods: The study was a cross sectional study which was conducted among women with a history of GDM who registered from January to June 2016 at primary health clinics in Johor Bahru and underwent an oral glucose tolerance test at six weeks postpartum. Secondary data were obtained from Maternal Health Records (clinic copy). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23.0. Descriptive statistics and simple logistic regression analysis were used.
Results: One hundred and twenty-two women with a history of GDM completed the postpartum glucose testing. Approximately 12% of these women were reported to have abnormal glucose tolerance. Insulin usage (OR:5.44; 95% CI:1.53, 19.43; p=0.009), abnormal glycated hemoglobin (OR:8.70; 95% CI:2.68,26.27; p<0.01), hospital follow-up (OR:3.38; 95% CI: 1.11, 10.34; p=0.033) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR:3.96; 95% CI: 1.16, 13.54; p=0.028) were found to have significant associations with abnormal glucose tolerance at six weeks postpartum.
Conclusion: The proportion of women with a history of GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance at six weeks postpartum in Johor Bahru was 12% and was associated with insulin usage, abnormal glycated hemoglobin, hospital follow-up and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Screening during the postpartum period offers a window of opportunity for early identification of diabetes and prediabetes, as women with history of GDM are at increased risk of future glucose intolerance.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Facilities