In the behavioural conceptual model of health education, behavioural pattern is placed first in the chain of events which can lead from health to disease. If such a model is acceptable, it implies that primary health education must be directed at those behavioural patterns that pre-dispose to diseases. There are obviously numerous behavioural patterns that one is familiar with which would pre-dispose to diseases. The paper discussed some of the more important examples to illustrate the role of behavioural patterns in the causation of disease and the consequential need for health education directed at such behavioural patterns. In relation to nutritional diseases, behavioural patterns in many areas of the developing world are a major contributory factor to the prevalence of protein calorie malnutrition. Such dietary restrictions may even cause the sick individual to be denied the very food he requires. Examples of behavioural patterns in relation to communicable and non-communicable diseases and to medical care were also discussed.
5% of hospital admissions in Malaysia each year consist of patients suffering from renal diseases; from these 600 new cases of chronic renal failure will be diagnosed. The common causes of chronic renal failure in Malaysia in order of frequency are chronic glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, obstructive uropathy, malignant hypertension, chronic pyelonephritis, SLE nephritis and gouty nephropathy. Prevention of renal diseases require good control of the underlying conditions.
Malaysia has a large variety of traditional medical systems that are a direct reflection of the wide ethnic diversity of its population. These can be grouped into four basic varieties, namely, traditional bumiputra ("native"), traditional Chinese, traditional Indian and modern medicine. The Malay, lban and Kadazan traditional medical systems are briefly described. It is noted that despite the great inroads made by modern medicine, the traditional systems are firmly established. Patients move from one system to another or use several systems simultaneously.