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Screening as a public health strategy--the ethical implications

Narimah A

Med J Malaysia, 2000 Aug;55 Suppl B:52-61.
PMID: 11125524
Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods*
Fulltext Burden of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors in Malaysia

Begum R, Khan TM, Ming LC

J Epidemiol Glob Health, 2016 12;6(4):325-326.
PMID: 27095074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jegh.2016.03.004
Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods*
Fulltext An Evidence-Based Review of Impacts, Strategies and Tools to Mitigate Urban Heat Islands

Leal Filho W, Echevarria Icaza L, Emanche VO, Quasem Al-Amin A

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2017 12 19;14(12).
PMID: 29257100 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121600

The impacts of climate changes on cities, which are home to over half of the world's population, are already being felt. In many cases, the intensive speed with which urban centres have been growing means that little attention has been paid to the role played by climatic factors in maintaining quality of life. Among the negative consequences of rapid city growth is the expansion of the problems posed by urban heat islands (UHIs), defined as areas in a city that are much warmer than other sites, especially in comparison with rural areas. This paper analyses the consistency of the UHI-related literature in three stages: first it outlines its characteristics and impacts in a wide variety of cities around the world, which poses pressures to public health in many different countries. Then it introduces strategies which may be employed in order to reduce its effects, and finally it analyses available tools to systematize the initial high level assessment of the phenomenon for multidisciplinary teams involved in the urban planning process. The analysis of literature on the characteristics, impacts, strategies and digital tools to assess on the UHI, reveals the wide variety of parameters, methods, tools and strategies analysed and suggested in the different studies, which does not always allow to compare or standardize the diagnosis or solutions.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods*
Fulltext Effective Communication at Different Phases of COVID-19 Prevention: Roles, Enablers and Barriers

Mohd Hanafiah K, Ng C, Wan AM

Viruses, 2021 Jun 03;13(6).
PMID: 34204909 DOI: 10.3390/v13061058

In an age of globalisation and hyperconnectivity, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented and sustained impact worldwide. This article discusses issues related to (science) communication at different phases of the COVID-19 epidemic timeline. We consider the role of communication for prevention from the ecological perspective, taking into consideration that many emerging pathogens, including COVID-19, likely arise in part due to anthropogenic changes to natural environments. Communication forms part of the early response setting the scene for public buy-in of public health interventions at the start of an outbreak, as well as to maintain precautions over time. Finally, communication is a key element in increasing acceptance for new tools that require mass uptake to be effective, as seen with roll-out challenges for the COVID-19 vaccines, which faced heightened concerns of efficacy and safety while mired with rampant misinformation. Ultimately, strategies for prevention of viral epidemics such as COVID-19 must include communication strategies at the forefront to reduce the risk of the emergence of new diseases and enhance efforts to control their spread and burden. Despite key themes emerging, what constitutes effective communication strategies for different people and contexts needs to be investigated further.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods*
Genetically modified mosquito: the Malaysian public engagement experience

Subramaniam TS, Lee HL, Ahmad NW, Murad S

Biotechnol J, 2012 Nov;7(11):1323-7.
PMID: 23125042 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201200282

On December 21, 2010, 6000 genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes were released in an uninhabited forest in Malaysia. The purpose of the deliberate release was a limited “marked release and recapture” (MRR) experiment, a standard ecological method in entomology, to evaluate under field conditions, the flight distance and longevity of the sterile male Aedes aegypti strain OX513A(My1), a GM strain. As with any other GM technologies, the release was received with mixed responses. As the scientific community debate over the public engagement strategies for similar GM releases, dengue incidence continues to rise with a heavy toll on morbidity, mortality and healthcare budgets. Meanwhile the wild female Aedes aegypti continues to breed offspring, surviving and evading conventional interventions for vector control.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods*
Malaria eradication within a generation: ambitious, achievable, and necessary

Feachem RGA, Chen I, Akbari O, Bertozzi-Villa A, Bhatt S, Binka F, et al.

Lancet, 2019 09 21;394(10203):1056-1112.
PMID: 31511196 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31139-0
Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods
Fulltext The systematic cultural adaptation of a UK public health cancer awareness raising programme for Malaysia: the Be Cancer Alert Campaign

Schliemann D, Su TT, Paramasivam D, Somasundaram S, Ibrahim Tamin NSB, Dahlui M, et al.

Transl Behav Med, 2019 11 25;9(6):1087-1099.
PMID: 31583402 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz134

Increasingly, policy and research attention is being directed toward improving global health in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated the cultural adaptation of a UK-designed and developed evidence-based mass media campaign with the aim of improving colorectal cancer and breast cancer awareness in Malaysia. Guided by the heuristic framework of cultural adaptation, a multidisciplinary team adapted the UK Be Cancer Aware programme for implementation in the Malaysian context. The approach included five steps: (a) information gathering and needs assessment; (b) preliminary design; (c) preliminary testing; (d) refinement; and (e) final trial. Key findings from the information gathering stage related to the need to take into account differences in ethnicity, religion, and beliefs about cancer. Discussions with experts indicated that particular words were not acceptable in Malay culture and that specific aspects were "taboo" (e.g., showing pictures of breasts in relation to breast cancer on TV). Stage 3 of the analysis revealed that the presentation of cancer survivors rather than health professionals on programme materials was preferred by Malaysians and that there was a poor level of awareness about colorectal cancer. The results were used systematically to adapt two culturally suitable cancer awareness mass media campaigns for implementation in Malaysia. The developed materials were in line with government priorities and took into account the local health care system structure. The establishment of a partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., the Ministry of Health and the lead patient advocacy organization) and the application of a systematic approach to address cultural factors and resource constraints contribute to the successful implementation of public health programmes in global health settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods*
Fulltext Eliminating malaria in Malaysia: the role of partnerships between the public and commercial sectors in Sabah

Sanders KC, Rundi C, Jelip J, Rashman Y, Smith Gueye C, Gosling RD

Malar J, 2014 Jan 21;13:24.
PMID: 24443824 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-24

BACKGROUND: Countries in the Asia Pacific region have made great progress in the fight against malaria; several are rapidly approaching elimination. However, malaria control programmes operating in elimination settings face substantial challenges, particularly around mobile migrant populations, access to remote areas and the diversity of vectors with varying biting and breeding behaviours. These challenges can be addressed through subnational collaborations with commercial partners, such as mining or plantation companies, that can conduct or support malaria control activities to cover employees. Such partnerships can be a useful tool for accessing high-risk populations and supporting malaria elimination goals.
METHODS: This observational qualitative case study employed semi-structured key informant interviews to describe partnerships between the Malaysian Malaria Control Programme (MCP), and private palm oil, rubber and acacia plantations in the state of Sabah. Semi-structured interview guides were used to examine resource commitments, incentives, challenges, and successes of the collaborations.
RESULTS: Interviews with workers from private plantations and the state of Sabah MCP indicated that partnerships with the commercial sector had contributed to decreases in incidence at plantation sites since 1991. Several plantations contribute financial and human resources toward malaria control efforts and all plantations frequently communicate with the MCP to help monitor the malaria situation on-site. Management of partnerships between private corporations and government entities can be challenging, as prioritization of malaria control may change with annual profits or arrival of new management.
CONCLUSIONS: Partnering with the commercial sector has been an essential operational strategy to support malaria elimination in Sabah. The successes of these partnerships rely on a common understanding that elimination will be a mutually beneficial outcome for employers and the general public. Best practices included consistent communication, developing government-staffed subsector offices for malaria control on-site, engaging commercial plantations to provide financial and human resources for malaria control activities, and the development of new worker screening programmes. The successes and challenges associated with partnerships between the public and commercial sector can serve as an example for other malaria-eliminating countries with large plantation sectors, and may also be applied to other sectors that employ migrant workers or have commercial enterprises in hard to reach areas.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods*
Fulltext Community responses to COVID-19 pandemic first wave containment measures: a multinational study

Aung MN, Stein C, Chen WT, Garg V, Saraswati Sitepu M, Thu NTD, et al.

J Infect Dev Ctries, 2021 Aug 31;15(8):1107-1116.
PMID: 34516418 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.15254

INTRODUCTION: National strategies to control COVID-19 pandemic consisted mostly of social distancing measures such as lockdowns, curfews, and stay-home guidelines, personal protection such as hand hygiene and mask wearing, as well as contact tracing, isolation and quarantine. Whilst policy interventions were broadly similar across the globe, there were some differences in individual and community responses. This study explored community responses to COVID-19 containment measures in different countries and synthesized a model. This exaplains the community response to pandemic containment measures in the local context, so as to be suitably prepared for future interventions and research.
METHODOLOGY: A mutlinational study was conducted from April-June 2020 involving researchers from 12 countries (Japan, Austria, U.S., Taiwan, India, Sudan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand). Steps in this research consisted of carrying out open-ended questionnaires, qualitative analyses in NVivo, and a multinational meeting to reflect, exchange, and validate results. Lastly, a commuinty response model was synthesized from multinational experiences.
RESULTS: Effective communication is key in promoting collective action for preventing virus transmission. Health literacy, habits and social norms in different populations are core components of public health interventions. To enable people to stay home while sustaining livelihoods, economic and social support are essential. Countries could benefit from previous pandemic experience in their community response. Whilst contact tracing and isolation are crucial intervention components, issues of privacy and human rights need to be considered.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding community responses to containment policies will help in ending current and future pandemics in the world.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods
Fulltext Healthcare Databases in Thailand and Japan: Potential Sources for Health Technology Assessment Research

Saokaew S, Sugimoto T, Kamae I, Pratoomsoot C, Chaiyakunapruk N

PLoS One, 2015;10(11):e0141993.
PMID: 26560127 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141993

Health technology assessment (HTA) has been continuously used for value-based healthcare decisions over the last decade. Healthcare databases represent an important source of information for HTA, which has seen a surge in use in Western countries. Although HTA agencies have been established in Asia-Pacific region, application and understanding of healthcare databases for HTA is rather limited. Thus, we reviewed existing databases to assess their potential for HTA in Thailand where HTA has been used officially and Japan where HTA is going to be officially introduced.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health/methods