Feasibility of National Health Insurance for Saudi Healthcare Services: Qualitative Study

In this paper, we determine the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the NHI system. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabias (KSA) health-care system is funded by oil earnings and is free at the point of delivery. Because of rising expenditures and rising oil market volatility, this system is being increasingly stressed. Based on face-to-face interviews, the goal of this work is to examine qualitatively the advantages, challenges, and variables related to the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in Saudi Arabia. Interviews were performed to gather qualitative data on the advantages, challenges, and issues connected with the implementation of the NHI system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For the qualitative data analysis, an Atlas.ti.8 version was chosen. The implementation of the National Health Insurance- NHI, TAKAFUL type following the formation of high levels of citizen awareness, the installation of an administrative control center, and the building of a robust healthcare infrastructure is the researchs ultimate proposal. Based on the nature of Saudi residents and their level of satisfaction with present public healthcare facilities, this is a viable alternative scheme

Feasibility of National Health Insurance for Saudi Healthcare Services: Qualitative Study

In this paper, we determine the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the NHI system. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabias (KSA) health-care system is funded by oil earnings and is free at the point of delivery. Because of rising expenditures and rising oil market volatility, this system is being increasingly stressed. Based on face-to-face interviews, the goal of this work is to examine qualitatively the advantages, challenges, and variables related to the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in Saudi Arabia. Interviews were performed to gather qualitative data on the advantages, challenges, and issues connected with the implementation of the NHI system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For the qualitative data analysis, an Atlas.ti.8 version was chosen. The implementation of the National Health Insurance- NHI, TAKAFUL type following the formation of high levels of citizen awareness, the installation of an administrative control center, and the building of a robust healthcare infrastructure is the researchs ultimate proposal. Based on the nature of Saudi residents and their level of satisfaction with present public healthcare facilities, this is a viable alternative scheme

Female sexual dysfunction among Malaysian women in a primary care setting: Does the frequency of sexual activity matter?

The aim of the study was to compare sexual functioning among Malaysian women in a primary care setting between those with a low and high frequency sexual intercourse.Across-sectional study on 230 married Malaysian women in a primary-care setting was conducted at the Bandar Tun Razak Clinic, Cheras. A validated Malay version of Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire (MVFSFI) was used to assess the sexual functioning profiles among women with low and high sexual activity. The percentage of women who had sexual intercourse 3-4 times a week, 1-2 times a week and < 1-2 times a month were 13.4%, 44.3 % and 42.4 % respectively. Women with a low frequency of sexual intercourse (Low SI) tended to suffer from more sexual dysfunction, (χ²=28.98, p < 0.001) compared to those with a high frequency of sexual intercourse (High SI) group. Women who were less sexually active (having low frequency intercourse, ie. ≤ 1 – 2 times per week) were found to be less sexually aroused (χ²= 25.9, p< 0.001), less orgasmic (χ²=19.8, p< 0.001), less lubricated during sexual activity (χ²=11.1, p< 0.001), complain of sexual pain (χ²=4.3, p = 0.033) and feels less satisfied sexually (χ²=12.6, p< 0.001).The problem of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in the Malaysian primary care population with low sexual activity needs to be addresse

Sexual desire and sexual arousal in Malaysian women: are they of the same entity?

Objective: To investigate the correlation between sexual desire and sexual arousal among Malaysian women in a primary care setting. Methods: The Malay Version of Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSI) was used to assess low sexual desire and lack of sexual arousal among the respondents. A total of 230 married women aged 18 – 70 years old participated in this study. Their sociodemographic, marital profiles and correlation between low sexual desire and lack of sexual arousal were examined. Results: More than 60% respondents with low sexual desire have co-exist low sexual arousal and 94.4% respondents with high sexual desire do have high sexual arousal ( χ²= 79.6, p <0.001 ), with correlation of r = 0.852. Conclusions: The strong correlation between sexual desire and arousal has both diagnostic and therapeutic indications, and may also strongly support the circular model (Basson-inspired model) of sexual response among women

The impacts of climate variability on cholera cases in Malaysia

Introduction: Altered weather patterns and changes in precipitation, temperature and humidity resulting from climate change could affect the distribution and incidence of cholera. This study is to quantify climate-induced increase in morbidity rates of cholera. Material and Methods: Monthly cholera cases and monthly temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity data from 2004 to 2014 were obtained from the Malaysian Ministry of Health and Malaysian Meteorological Department, respectively. Poisson generalized linear models were developed to quantify the relationship between meteorological parameters and the number of reported cholera cases. Results: The findings revealed that the total number of cholera cases in Malaysia during the 11 year study period was 3841 cases with 32 deaths. Out of these, 45.1% of the cases were among children below 12 years old and 75% of the cases were from Sabah. Temperature and precipitation gave significant impact on the cholera cases in Sabah, (p<0.001) while precipitation were significant in Terengganu (p<0.001), and Sarawak (p=0.013). Monthly lag temperature data at Lag 0, 1, and 2 months were associated with the cholera cases in Sabah (p<0.001). The change in odds of having cholera cases were by the factor of 3.5 for every 1ºC increase in temperature. However, the contribution of rainfall was very mild, whereby an increase of 1 mm in precipitation will increase the excess risk of cholera by up to 0.8%. Conclusion: This study concludes that climate does influence the number of cholera cases in Malaysia

Implementation of an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) approach for analyzing the cost of community-based rehabilitation activities for disabled children

INTRODUCTION: Activity-based costing (ABC) is a method to estimate costs by time motion activity. All activities run in the program were evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to estimate costs of all activities in Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program for disabled children. METHODOLOGY: Time motion study was conducted from March 2015 to April 2016 to determine time taken for each activity run by the assigned staff. A costing form was used to impute cost of CBR activities. The total annual gross income of assigned staff was divided by 22days/month, then 6 hours or 8 hours to calculate cost per minute for each activity. RESULTS: The results showed that, total cost for CBR activities in 12 months program was RM 39,408,009 with mean RM 218,933 (range: RM 0 – RM 977,675). The highest cost of routine CBR activity is fardhu ain with mean of RM 72,036 (range: RM 0 – RM62, 8363) and the lowest mean cost of CBR routine activity is RM 491 (range: RM 0 – RM 1,745). The highest mean cost for support team activities is medical team with mean of RM 1,336 (range: RM 0 – RM 3,225) and the lowest mean cost is an assessor panel from department of education RM 3 (range: RM 0 – RM 280). CONCLUSION: Ample cost of CBR activities can be determined using ABC approach. All data obtained can be evaluated for future financial planning by the policy maker to enhance CBR program in futur

Screening for type 2 diabetes and periodontitis patients (CODAPT-My©): a multidisciplinary care approach

Background: The practice of referring diabetic patients for dental intervention has been poor despite awareness and knowledge of the oral health efects of diabetes. Likewise, dentists treating patients receiving diabetes treatment are rarely updated on the glycaemic status and as a result, the opportunity for shared management of these patients is missed. This study aimed to provide a standardised care pathway which will initiate screening for diabetes from dental clinics and link patients with primary care for them to receive optimised care for glycaemic control. Method: A Modifed Delphi technique was employed to obtain consensus on recommendations, based on current evidence and best care practices to screen for diabetes among patients attending dental clinics for periodontitis. Expert panel members were recruited using snowball technique where the experts comprised Family Medicine Specialists (5), Periodontists (6), Endocrinologists (3) and Clinical Pharmacists (4) who are involved in management of patients with diabetes at public and private healthcare facilities. Care algorithms were designed based on existing public healthcare services. Results: The CODAPT© panel recommends referral to primary care for further evaluation of glycaemic status if patients diagnosed with periodontitis record fasting capillary blood glucose levels≥5.6 mmol/L. Intervention treatment options for prediabetes are listed, and emphasis on feedback to the dental healthcare team is outlined specifcally. Conclusion: The CODAPT© care pathway has the potential to link dental clinics with primary care for diagnosis and/ or optimised treatment of prediabetes/diabetes among patients receiving periodontitis treatment. Keywords: Care pathway, Primary healthcare, Dental, Periodontitis, Diabetes, Prediabete

Knowledge and attitude on sex among medical students of a Malaysian university: a comparison study

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between clinical/socio-demographic factors with knowledge and attitude on sex among medical students of the National University of Malaysia (UKM). Methods: A cross-sectional study assessing 452 students using a self-administered questionnaire of knowledge and attitude was performed and had a response rate of 80%. Results: The majority of respondents were Malays (56%), females (57.5%), lived in urban areas (66.4%), had a median family income of RM3000 and perceived themselves as moderately religious (60%). The overall score on knowledge about sex was 21.7 of 35 (a higher score indicates better knowledge about sex). It was noted that 73.2% of students felt that they did not receive adequate training in medical school to deal with patients' sexuality and sexual problems, while 51.5% felt uncomfortable talking to patients about these issues. Students in the clinical year were more knowledgeable than those in pre-clinical years (22.67 versus 20.71, P22 marks [median score]). Discussion: The students' attitude on sex was considered conservative as the majority of them disagreed on premarital sex, masturbation, abortion, homosexuality and oral sex. Gender and religiosity have a large influence on attitudes on controversial sexual issues, whereas clinical status plays a small role. Knowledge on sex among UKM medical students is inadequate and their attitudes on sex are considered conservative. Integration of sexual medicine and health modules in the medical curriculum is crucial for students to more effectively address patients' sexual problems and promote non-judgmental attitudes towards patients. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd