PIP: 292 village midwives (bidans) in Malaysia were interviewed between January 1969 and December 1970 as they came to report for training. The mean age was 47.3, 80% had had no schooling, 43% had practiced less than 10 years (32% between 10 and 20 years, 21% between 20 and 30 years, and 4% more than 30 years). On the average each bidan reported attending 3 deliveries during the past month and 26 during the past year. The average charge per delivery was about U.S.$2.00. Of 267 who responded to a question concerning other services they provided, 50% said they performed massages, 30% performed massages combined with other services, 12% said they did not do anything other than midwifery and 7% prescribed herbs and performed abortions. 67% said they first had contact with the mother during the seventh to ninth month of pregnancy, 42% between the fourth and sixth month, and 7% at or before the third month. 40% said the postpartum care lasted less than 1 week, 40% from 1-2 weeks and 19% between 2-7 weeks. Only 2 out of 198 bidans disapproved of family planning services. 99% were not worried that this would affect their job in conducting deliveries. 62% had been approached by women about family planning information services during the last 3 months. 95% thought they could help to promote the government's program by recruiting patients and distributing contraceptives. Since oral contraceptives are the most frequently used contraceptive in Malaysia, bidans could resupply the women with the pill. They could play an important role in promoting contraceptive continuation in rural areas by providing women with a continuous motivation through their constant contact. The success of using bidans in rural family planning services will greatly depend on their supervision. They can be paid with a flat salary-type payment, with an incentive scheme alone, or a combination of the two.
The Simulium rufibasis subgroup is one of three subgroups of the Simulium (Simulium) tuberosum species-group; it is characterized by a pair of clustered stout hairs on the ventral surface of female abdominal segment 7. A member of the S. rufibasis subgroup in Taiwan was investigated morphologically and genetically using the universal cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcoding gene and polytene chromosomal banding pattern. The Taiwanese material is morphologically similar to S. rosliramlii Takaoka & Chen from Vietnam and represents the second species of the S. rufibasis subgroup known from Taiwan. It also represents a novel molecular lineage that is distinct from three other primary lineages identified as S. doipuiense, S. doipuiense/S. rufibasis, and S. weji previously reported from Thailand. The mitochondrial evidence for a distinct lineage in Taiwan is supported by chromosomal analysis, which revealed unique sex chromosomes. For nomenclatural stability, we associate the name S. arisanum Shiraki with the Taiwanese entity. Originally described from females from Taiwan, S. arisanum until now has remained an enigmatic species.
BACKGROUND: The relationship between the activity of the epiphysis and gonads in rats of different sex and age in different seasons of the year was determined by studying the levels of melatonin and testosterone in the blood plasma. Determination of the levels of melatonin and testosterone in the serum of rats was carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To assess the relationship between the levels of melatonin and testosterone the correlation coefficient was calculated. Based on the study of the levels of melatonin and testosterone in serum the circannual relationship between the activity of the pineal gland and gonads in males of reproductive age has been determined. In females, the relationship between the levels of melatonin and testosterone without the circannual dependence has been determined. The strongest correlation between melatonin and testosterone is present in males at the age of 9 months in autumn, and it corresponds to the human age of 29-30 years.
The main purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between self-concept, family
relationship quality and externalizing behavior problem (aggressive behavior and delinquency
behavior) among adolescents in Selangor. Besides that, this study also to determine the level of selfconcept,
family relationship quality and externalizing behavior among secondary school students as
well as to compare the differences between these three variables according to sex. A total of 400
students (nmale =53%, nfemale=47%) from secondary schools were selected in this study. The multi-stage
cluster sampling technique was used during sample selection. Data were obtained from selfadministered
questionnaire that are consist of Individual Protective Factors Index Questionnaire
(1992), Family Relationship Characteristics (1997), Aggression Scale (2001) and Problem Behavior
Frequency Scale (1977). The findings revealed that majority of students have moderate level of selfconcept,
family relationship quality as well as externalizing behavior. In terms of sex differences, the
results showed that family belief, family structure and externalizing behavior have significant
differences according to sex (t= -4.393 to 7.588, p
Background The aim of this systematic review is to quantitatively synthesize evidence on the prevalence of superficial vein patterns in the cubital region. Method A systematic literature search was conducted through a number of electronic databases. We identified 27 studies, including 9924 arms, which met the inclusion criteria. Results Meta-analysis showed that "N" shaped arrangement type was the commonest pattern (≈44-60%) followed by "M" shaped arrangement (≈20-25%). The prevalence of "M" type and "M"-like type was significantly higher in males, whereas females showed a significant predominance of "I" or "O" type. No significant differences in various pattern types were found for laterality. The frequency of "M" type is significantly lesser in Indian and Japanese populations, but they have significantly higher frequency of "N" type. In Malay population, "I" or "O" type was significantly higher, while the brachial CV was poorly developed or missing significantly in Indian population. Conclusion This evidence-based clinical anatomy review contributes to our anatomical knowledge regarding the true prevalence of pattern types of the superficial veins in cubital region in humans and, subsequently, might help in performing safer venous access and more direct approaches to these veins, especially under emergency conditions.
The age-old wisdom is that “women live longer than men”. Gender difference in life expectancy is becoming a
worldwide phenomenon both in developed and developing countries. The process of ageing may be viewed
from the perspectives of physical, psychological, and social-economic wellbeing. We investigated gender
difference in understanding ageing in relation to life expectancy, fears relating to diseases and deteriorating
economic status, and perceived old age comfort and their preparedness. Data were obtained from an online
survey and in-person interview of 518 respondents aged 40 years and older residing in Malaysia, which was
based on a convenience sample collected from May 2015 to January 2016. Data were analysed using chisquared
tests and multinomial logistic regression. There were varying views between men and women when
it came to understanding ageing in relation to life expectancy, fears of ageing, deteriorating economic status
and their perception of old age comfort. Women were more optimistic about living longer compared to men
but feared more the consequences of old age diseases. In spite of displaying less concern about financial
preparedness, women were, however, willing to cut down expenses, while men would prefer longer working
hours to ensure a comfortable retirement.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to screen for psychiatric symptomatology in Form 4 students in Ipoh, Perak and to determine demographic characteristics, contributing factors and the key person consulted for psychiatric / emotional problems. Methods: Between December 1997 and March 1998, 84 Form 4 students selected by random sampling from 2 Ipoh schools (one co-educational - S1 and one all boys - S2) were screened using the 30-item Malay version General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) and a demographic questionnaire. S1 students were interviewed by a psychiatrist (second author) to assess for anxiety / depression / somatization using DSM IIIR criteria. Results: Eighty three students (98.8%) completed their questionnaires. Twenty four students (28.9%) had high GHQ scores (8 and above). There was no significant association found between GHQ scores and gender, race, parental occupation and marital status / situation, number of siblings, frequency of illness and Penialian Menengah Rendah (PMR) results. A significant association was found between the GHQ scores and the students' birth order and perceived performance in the past 6 months as compared to PMR. Fifty percent consulted their friends for emotional problems, 29.2% their parents, 4.9% their siblings. None consulted their teacher / school counselor. Conclusion: Further studies are recommended to look into the prevalence of psychiatric symptomatology amongst our Malaysian secondary school students and into the possible use of the Malay version GHQ-30 as a screening tool in this age group.
Research in forensic anthropology is recent in Malaysia due to limited access to documented skeletal collections. However, advanced imaging techniques provide virtual bone samples for use in morphometric studies to establish population-specific standards by virtual anthropology. This study examined sexual dimorphism in the subpubic angle using a three-dimensional computed tomography model of the pelvis, in a contemporary Malaysian population. The sample comprised multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of 50 male and 50 female adults. Segmentation of the MDCT scans was performed using 3D Slicer, and four landmarks were acquired using Stratovan Checkpoint for the subpubic angle measurement. The technical error of measurement (TEM), relative TEM, and coefficient of reliability (R) exhibited high reliability in measurements. Results showed that the subpubic angle in males was 68.6°±7.6° and in females 87.4°±6.5°. The subpubic angle in females was significantly larger than in males (P<0.001). Inverse correlation was found between the subpubic angle and age, in both males (r=-0.449, P<0.01) and females (r=-0.385, P<0.01). The overall accuracy of sex estimation using the subpubic angle was 94% (P<0.001). The subpubic angle, with a demarcating point of 78.6°, showed a sensitivity and specificity of 94% in the classification of female individuals. In conclusion, sex estimation using the subpu bic angle is highly accurate, with a high degree of expected sensitivity and specificity in the Malaysian population.
This paper presents the results of an anthropometric data collected from polytechnic students in Malaysia. A total of 1032 (595 males and 437 females) students participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 18 to 24 years. A total of 34 anthropometric dimensions were measured. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, standard error of mean, coefficient of variation, minimum, maximum and percentile for each parameter were estimated. In addition, the comparison between Malaysia anthropometric data and Thailand (South) anthropometric data were also presented. The results show that there is a total of 12 and 11 (of dimensions parameters) significant differences (p < 0.05) between the male and female adults respectively.
The choice to take-up specific complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities is influenced by many factors including cultural background, experience and peer-participation. In this study we investigated the beliefs and attitudes that contributed to CAM choices in a non-urban Malaysian population (N = 700). We found significant differences in the beliefs held by men and women in this population. Specifically, women believed more strongly than men that CAM providers offered healthy lifestyle advice (p = 0.042) and that those who were averse to discomfort from conventional treatments were more likely to take up CAM (p = 0.016). In addition, those individuals who chose to use CAM more strongly believed that CAM products were more healthy than conventional treatments (p = 0.002), that their effects were well understood (p = 0.002) and that CAM products worked with the body (p = 0.017). The data obtained in this study emphasize the lessons that can be learned by conventional healthcare providers in communicating the benefits of treatments to their patients. CAM users also believed that CAM products never caused harm (p = 0.007), which is a concern given that the modes of action of some CAM modalities and their interaction with prescribed treatments are not always well understood.
The 10-item Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a measurement for individuals to self-report the extent to which they accept and respect their bodies. Although the BAS-2 has been translated into the Malay language and found to have promising qualities, the psychometric characteristics of the English version of BAS-2 remain unknown in the Malaysian context. The present study thus administered the English version BAS-2 and selfie-editing frequency scale to 797 individuals aged 18 to 56 years old in Malaysia. The dataset that was randomly divided into two halves were submitted to exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis respectively. Both of the factor analyses consistently support a one-factor model. The Cronbach's alpha and McDonald omega coefficients were greater than 0.90, indicating that the BAS-2 has good internal consistency. The incremental validity is also evident. A hierarchical multiple regression showed that the BAS-2 score had a positive relationship with selfie-editing frequency after controlling for age and gender. Moreover, the measurement invariance test supported scalar invariance between genders, and an analysis of covariance did not find significant gender differences. Overall, the findings replicate past findings and regularly support the usability of the BAS-2 in the Malaysian context. The implications of the BAS-2 and future directions are also discussed.
The sex ratio, gonad development and fecundity of Miyakella nepa (Latreille, 1828), in the coastal waters of Pantai Remis, Perak, were investigated from February 2012 to January 2013. Sex identification was done by identifying stomatopod's genitalia organs, and the ovaries were dissected out and preserved for further analysis. Female stomatopods with mature or near spawning stages were used for fecundity estimation. A total of 951 specimens of M. nepa, with 565 females and 386 males were examined. Results showed a sex ratio of 1:1.46 (male:females). Maximum GSI was estimated to be 5.80, while lowest was 2.95. Sexual maturity for female M. nepa was observed at 100 mm total length. The mean fecundity of M. nepa was 425,657 (? 1,8701) eggs which was observed to increase with increased body length.