Factors related to the practice of breast self examination (BSE) and Pap smear screening among Malaysian women workers in selected electronics factories

BACKGROUND: The Malaysian Ministry of Health promotes breast self-examination (BSE) for all women, and Pap smear screening every three years for all sexually active women ages 20 years and above. The objectives of this paper were to examine the practice of these two screening tests among women production workers in electronics factories, and to identify factors related to practice. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of women production workers from ten electronics factories. Data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire from a total of 1,720 women. The chi-square test, odds ratio and binomial logistic regression were used in bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence rates were 24.4% for BSE once a month, and 18.4% for Pap smear examination within the last three years. Women who were significantly more likely to perform BSE every month were 30 years and older, Malays, with upper secondary education and above, answered the BSE question correctly, and had a Pap smear within the last three years. The proportion of women who had a Pap smear within the last three years were significantly higher among those who were older, married, with young children, on the contraceptive pill or intra-uterine device, had a medical examination within the last five years, answered the Pap smear question correctly, and performed BSE monthly. CONCLUSION: Screening practice rates in this study were low when compared to national rates. Socio-demographic and health care factors significantly associated with screening practice are indicative of barriers which should be further understood so that more effective educational and promotional strategies could be developed

Designing adaptation pathways for flood-affected households in Bangladesh

Abstract Existing adaptation planning processes are inadequate to address the impacts of flooding. The goal of the study is to design adaptation pathways for enhancing livelihood resilience of flood-affected households in Bangladesh—one of the most flood-vulnerable countries in the world. We developed adaptation pathways by using three sequential steps: (1) assessing livelihood resilience by constructing resilience indices; (2) determining adaptation options by employing principal component analysis (PCA) of resilience indicators; and (3) designing pathways of selected adaptation options by conducting key informant interviews (KIIs), and participatory workshops. Livelihood resilience was assessed based on an established framework that builds on 18 indicators representing three capacities (absorptive, adaptive and transformative) and six dimensions: social, institutional, economic, ecological, physical, and political. Using a structured questionnaire survey, we collected data from 360 households of 18 villages of 9 sub-districts in Bangladesh. Results revealed that about one-third of total households had capacities to reduce flood shocks and stresses and improve livelihood opportunities. Following a resilience assessment, we conducted PCA for determining adaptation options, namely learning, infrastructure, and governance. Through KIIs and stakeholder engagement workshops, pathways of selected adaptation options were designed. The adaptation pathways entail short-, medium-, and long-term adaptation options, which contribute to maintaining persistence, leading to the transition, and facilitating transformation. Essential issues of implementation of adaptation pathways were determined. Critical policy implications around strengthening governance, promoting economy, and managing technologies were outlined

Anti-Cancer Effect of Aloe Emodin on Breast Cancer Cells, MCF

Abstract-Phytochemicals of some plants are believed to have natural anti-proliferative properties to various cancer cells. Thus, they might have the potential as alternative choice for contemporary treatment as the latter are usually associated with many unpleasant side effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible anti-cancer effect of aloe emodin (AE; 1,8-Dihydroxy-3-hydro-xymethyl-anthraquinone) on estrogenpositive breast cancer cells, MCF-7. We were able to demonstrate the efficiency of AE, an antraquinone derivatives which are present in Aloe Vera leaves, in limiting the proliferation effect of MCF-7 cells in a dose and time dependent manner using WST-1 assay. Our preliminary result suggests that AE could be a promising natural candidate for future pharmacological study, targeting in breast cancer prevention strategies