1.A review of teenage pregnancy research in Malaysia
Mohd Azri Mohd Suan ; Adibah Hanim Ismail ; Haliza Ghazali,
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(4):214-219
Objective: To summarise the published research on teenage
pregnancy in Malaysia, discuss the impact of the findings on
clinical practice, and identify gaps in teenage pregnancy
research in Malaysia.
Methods: There were 31 articles related to teen pregnancy
found after searching a database dedicated to indexing all
original clinical research data published in Malaysia from
year 2000 to 2014. Twenty-seven articles (including reports
from the National Obstetrics Registry) were selected and
reviewed on the basis of clinical relevance and future
research implications. This literature review has been
divided into eight sections: epidemiology, age at first
marriage, adolescent fertility rate, unmarried childbearing,
risk factors, maternal risks and neonatal outcome, future
plan after delivery, and contraceptive use.
Results: More than 19,000 births to teenage mothers were
recorded each year between 2009 and 2011. Adolescent
fertility rates were recorded at 6 births per 1000 women ages
15–19 years in 2013. Many of these births were from unwed
pregnancies, which accounted for 1.99% of total deliveries.
A majority of young mothers were willing to take care of their
baby, although some of them planned to put their baby up
for adoption. Risk factors for teenage pregnancy were found
to be similar to those published in studies worldwide.
Conclusion: More research is needed to better understand
the issue of teen pregnancy. For the best results,
collaborative studies among nationwide hospitals and
institutions should be the way forward.
Pregnancy in Adolescence
2.Sexual Pain Disorders Among Malay Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Malaysia
Adibah Hanim Ismail ; Rawa Baw ; Hatta Sidi ; Ng Chong Guan
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2014;15(1):1-7
This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors of sexual pain disorders among Malay women in Malaysia with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 347 women (174 nondiabetic
and 173 diabetic subjects) who attended the diabetic clinic in a university hospital. Sexual pain disorders were assessed using the Pain sub scale of Malay Version of the Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI). Sociodemographic
information of the subjects was collected with a pre-designed questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of sexual pain disorders among Malay women with type 2 diabetes mellitus was 10.4% and the control group was 9.2% but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis did not find any relevant associated factor with sexual pain disorder. Conclusion: Sexual pain disorders among Malay women were not dependent on the diabetic status. Further studies with different population of diabetic patients are needed to confirm the results.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
;
Women
;
Malaysia
3.The implication of stigma on people living with HIV and the role of social support – A case report
Abdul Hadi b. Abdul Manap ; Lee Ping Yein ; Adibah Hanim Ismail@Daud
Malaysian Family Physician 2020;15(2):43-45
Despite the advancements made in the knowledge and treatment of the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) since it was first discovered, people living with HIV (PLWH) continue to be stigmatized.
This paper presents the case of an HIV-infected patient who delayed the necessary treatment due
to stigma and ultimately presented with AIDS. Through social support, however, he was able to
overcome his internalized stigma; he was finally willing to start on antiretroviral treatment (ART).
This case report addresses the effect of stigma on and the role of social support in the management of
an individual with HIV.
4.Stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) among primary health care providers in Kinta District, Perak
Maliza binti Mawardi ; Chan Yuen Ching ; Adibah Hanim binti Ismail @Daud
Malaysian Family Physician 2021;16(1):31-38
Background: Stigmatizing attitudes expressed by health care providers prevent some members of
at-risk populations from accessing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening and care.
This attitude contributes to the continuity of the infection dissemination within our community,
which gives an impact on the healthcare service and the curtailment of the global HIV/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic.
Objective: This study was conducted to identify stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their determinants among primary health care providers in Kinta
District, Perak.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 36 primary care clinics in Kinta District,
Perak. Using stratified random sampling, 365 primary health care providers were recruited into
the study. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic data
as well as information on the healthcare experiences of healthcare providers, their knowledge of
HIV/AIDS, and attitudes toward PLWHA. Determinants were identified using multiple linear
regression.
Results: More than half of the respondents (54.1%) had never provided care to HIV/AIDS
patients. A minority (29.9%) had received training on HIV/AIDS. This study shows that doctors
(Coef.= -9.50, 95% CI: -18.93, -0.07, p= 0.048), respondents with HIV-positive relatives,
(Coef.= -5.61, 95% CI: -10.57, -0.65, p= 0.027), those who had provided care to HIV/AIDS
patients (Coef.= -2.38, 95% CI: -4.31, -0.45, p= 0.016), and those with a higher knowledge
score on HIV/AIDS (Coef.= -0.86, 95% CI: -1.59, -0.13, p= 0.021) were less likely to show
stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWHA.
Conclusion: The issue of stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWHA among primary health care
providers needs to be addressed. This study finds that knowledge, profession, experiences with
caring for PLWHA, gender, and having HIV-positive relatives are significant predictors of
stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWHA among primary health care providers in Kinta District,
Perak. Interventional programs to improve knowledge and awareness, as well as decrease stigma
toward PLWHA, should be implemented among all health care providers, especially those who
have no opportunity to provide direct care.