Safety an efficacy of honey as a supplementary theraphy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Method: A randomized controlled trial involving 34 patients which were allocated to two groups; honey (n=22) and standard care (n=12). Health outcomes were total QOL score using St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRO) assessed at baseline, two, four and six months. QOL total score changes was analysed using Repeated measure ANOVA. A lower SGRO score indicates better QOL. Results: There were no statistical differences of sociodemographic and QOL between the honey and standard care groups at baseline. The results showed statistically significant baseline and post 2, 4 and 6-months differences of total QOL score in the honey group. Otherwise, only marginally significant difference was detected between baseline and post 2-months in the standard group. Comparison of total QOL score between the two groups based on time favoured the honey group. Honey group demonstrated significantly lower mean total QOL score as compared with the standard group at 4 months (28.89; 95%CI: 21.19, 36.59 vs 42.38; 95%CI: 31.95, 52.81) and 6-months (22.91; 95%CI: 14.94, 30.87 vs 41.95; 95%CI: 31.17, 52.73). Conclusion: Patients with COPD on honey showed better intermediate and long term changes in overall QOL

Transcripts of unfulfillment : a study of sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction among Malay-Muslim women in Malaysia

The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), or in everyday notion, sexual dissatisfaction, among Malay women remains high, denoting that there are several influences shaping their experience of sex within marriage. This qualitative study identified the perceived effects of social factors in the development of sexual dysfunction among Malay women. Engaging a phenomenological framework, 26 in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted among married women from Peninsular Malaysia, based on their self-reporting of FSD symptoms. All sessions were audio-recorded and the data were transcribed verbatim and managed in the ATLAS.ti software before being analysed. The three themes that emerged—‘sex is taboo and culturally unacceptable’, ‘self-ignorance about sex’, and ‘lack of husband’s role in mutual sexual enjoyment’—suggest some influence of Islamic teachings and cultural conduct, as in Adat, on sexuality in society. However, a lack of knowledge and nonadherence to positive values and teachings around sexual satisfaction between men and women, as espoused through the Islamic religion, have affected woman’s sexual functions and coupling relationship even more significantly. The results of this qualitative study show that a formal, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive sex education programme incorporating both medical and Islamic knowledge may work to effectively reduce FSD

Experiences of family medicine specialist in providing health care for LGBT patients: A qualitative study in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia

Recent years have witnessed a growing health concern over lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Malaysia, particularly for human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI). LGBT patients continue to report discrimination in healthcare setting despite the effort of primary healthcare practitioners offering community friendly services. This qualitative study aimed to provide understanding of the current issue and to explore the challenges that family medicine specialists (FMS) face when dealing with LGBT patients.30 FMSs working in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia were interviewed through a phenomenological framework using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and managed in an analytic computer software NVivo 12. The data were then analysed thematically. Their experiences revealed three overlapping themes; (i) LGBT phenomenon as deviation from social norms and vulnerable members of society, (ii) obstacles in providing culturally competent care, and (iii) barriers incorporating spiritual needs for holistic care. Lack of formal training, the existence of stigma, challenging patients' personalities, and unfavourable clinic setting are the four main barriers cited by the FMS. This study shed light on the sensitive issue of LGBT in Malaysia and the current situation related to the challenges faced by FMS when dealing with LGBT patients. In order to successfully overcome those challenges, proper training of healthcare personnel and a collaborative effort with other relevant authorities is essential

Prevalence and risk factors of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

© 2021 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010305Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and tuberculosis (TB) together impose a high disease burden in terms of both mortality and health economics worldwide. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of latent TB infection (LTBI) in patients with T2DM in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was performed, and adult T2DM patients (n = 299) were included. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the LTBI-associated risk factors in patients with T2DM. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between T2DM and LTBI and was adjusted for potential confounders. The prevalence of LTBI in patients with T2DM was 11.4% (95% CI: 8.0–15.0%). There was no significant difference in the socio-demographic characteristics between LTBI and non-LTBI subjects. No significant difference in the smoking status, the duration of smoking, and the duration of T2DM, HbA1c, or treatments was observed. Interestingly, a higher level of education was observed to be associated with a lower prevalence of LTBI in T2DM patients (aOR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01–0.70, p = 0.02). Although the prevalence of LTBI in T2DM was low, it is important to screen for it in T2DM patients due to the risk of developing severe active TB.This research was funded by the Universiti Sains Malaysia short term grant 304/PPSP/61313027.Published versio

Effects of group and individual culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy on depression and sexual satisfaction among perimenopausal women

Aims: Previous research has shown the efficacy of culturally adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CA-CBT) in reducing depression, yet its effect on increasing sexual satisfaction is not well documented. In this study, an embedded randomized controlled trial design was used to examine the effect of group and individual CA-CBT on depression and sexual satisfaction among perimenopausal women. Method: A total of 64 depressed Iranian perimenopausal women were randomly assigned to two formats of treatments; sixteen sessions of group CA-CBT and eight sessions of individual CA-CBT, as well as a waitlist control group. Depression and sexual satisfaction were measured using BDI-II and ENRICH, respectively, at T1 (pre-treatment), T2 (post-treatment) and T3 (follow-up). Results: Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that the women who underwent both group and individual CA-CBT had effectively reduced depression and increased sexual satisfaction between pre-treatment and post-treatment, and it was sustained after six months of follow-ups with large effect sizes of significant differences (p < 0.001), but the control group did not. Conclusion: The results showed promising evidence for the efficacy of both treatment groups of CA-CBT for depression and sexual satisfaction among perimenopausal women. The population mental health burden among perimenopausal women may likely be reduced by propagating this effective treatment

Coping strategies for sexual problems and sexual dysfunction amongst Malay women with breast cancer : a qualitative study

Introduction: Women’ sexuality becomes complex after breast cancer diagnosis and sexual health is highly neglected in the management of the illness. Aims: To explore the coping and strategies to overcome sexuality problems and sexual dysfunction among women with breast cancer. Material and Methods: Using the in-depth and photo-elicitation interview methods, this qualitative study following phenomenological analysis was conducted on fourteen married female respondents with breast cancer and had the positive result for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) screened by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6 items) from Kelantan, Malaysia. The interviews data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed in analytic computer software NVivo11 Pro. The transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis by referring to the meaning-making theory. Main Outcome Measures: We identified overlapping themes of coping and strategies among women with breast cancer to overcome sexual problems and sexual dysfunction which correspond with meaning-making theory. Results: Three themes have emerged. Women with breast cancer that developed sexuality problem and sexual dysfunction strived to accept the illness using religious belief and conform by altering sexual practices. These individuals positively look for a solution by seeking formal healthcare advice, modify their physical appearance, active discussion with the husband and support from other survivors. A few of them passively struggle with the subject by averting the intimacy and receptive toward polygamy. Conclusion: This study highlighted the various mechanisms that emphasized the pivotal role of religious belief and relationship context as key factors in the coping strategies among women with breast cancer in Malaysia. The finding may not be generalized to other countries

Sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction refers to the interruption of any sexual response phase, which includes sexual desire, sexual arousal, orgasm, and either sexual pain or lack of sexual pleasure, that leads to significant personal distress. This disorder is often diagnosed by a physician in accordance with the symptoms listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Sexual dysfunction has been attributed to multiple biological, psychological, cultural-religious, and relational factors. This entry presents an overview of sexual dysfunction from a historical perspective, focusing on changes in the differences of models of men-women sexual responses, the criteria for diagnosis, as well as a review of the prevalence and possible etiology and risk factors

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted advances of a sexual nature, including demands for sexual services, undesirable sexual suggestions, or other verbal, nonverbal, or physical acts of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is pervasive worldwide and is a common occupational hazard for women. Primarily, it manifests as gendered and sexist malevolence. It generally appears in three broad ways: (1) harassment, (2) unwanted sexual attention, and (3) sexual coercion. Sexual harassment is most often enacted by men against women, and although men also experience sexual harassment, women report feeling frightened and distressed as a result of sexual harassment more often than men do

Sexual dysfunction : social factors

Sexual dysfunction refers to the disturbance of any sexual response, or lack of pleasure, at any stage of sexual activity that results in impairment of individual social and sexual functioning and produces significant distress. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), male sexual dysfunction refers to the following sexual disorders: delayed ejaculation, premature (early) ejaculation, erectile disorder, and male hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Female sexual dysfunction includes female sexual interest/arousal disorder, female sexual orgasmic disorder, and genito-pelvic pain/ penetration disorder. When diagnosing sexual dysfunctions, in addition to medical factors, social factors—including personal, partner, relationship, cultural, and religious factors—should also be assessed. An understanding of these social influences can inform treatment and assist in alleviating individual distress

Sexual dysfunction among six months postpartum women in north-eastern Malaysia.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common problem among postpartum women. However, little is known about this topic in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its associated factors in postpartum women in Kelantan, Malaysia. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 452 sexually active women at six months postpartum from four primary care clinics in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The participants were asked to fill in questionnaires consisting of sociodemographic information and the Malay Version of the Female Sexual Function Index-6. The data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. With a 95% response rate, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among sexually active, six months postpartum women was 52.4% (n = 225). FSD was significantly associated with the older husband's age (p = 0.034) and lower frequency of sexual intercourse (p<0.001). Therefore, the prevalence of postpartum sexual dysfunction in women is relatively high in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Efforts should be made to raise awareness among healthcare providers about screening for FSD in postpartum women and for their counseling and early treatment