1.Menstrual Care For Individuals With Disability: A Case Report
Medicine and Health 2019;14(1):209-214
Individuals with disabilities have different needs and concerns at different stages of
life. The arrival of puberty brings about new challenges especially for females with
issues related to menstrual care involving both the patient and their caregivers.
This case report is about a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome who was cared
for by her widowed father since the age of six. She was suffering from severe
mental disability. Her father was concerned, because she was unable to maintain
personal hygiene during menses such as changing sanitary napkins and managing
stains, hence requested for menstrual manipulation. Options for menstrual
manipulation for individuals with disabilities include both medical and surgical
interventions. Hormonal therapy options include oral contraceptive pills, depoprovera, progestin implants and progesterone release intra-uterine contraceptive
devices. Surgical options such as hysterectomy or endometrial ablation may be
considered as a last resort as it is more invasive and irreversible, involving ethical
and legal implications. Selection of the suitable therapy involves shared decision
making between health care provider and caregiver taking into consideration the
patient’s best interest. This case report also highlights the role of family physicians
in managing and coordinating care on delicate issues related to menstrual care for
people with disabilities. This case report may serve as a guide to physicians and
families with special needs children, while approaching issues on menstrual care.
2.Self-Perceived Stigma and its Effect on Quality of Life among Malaysians Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Nadia AB ; Leelavathi M ; Narul Aida S ; Diana M
Medicine and Health 2017;12(2):230-243
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic remains a significant burden in Malaysia. Stigma related to HIV and its effect on the quality of life (QOL) of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) remains under-reported. The aim of the present study was to assess self-perceived stigma amongst PLHIV attending an urban community clinic and its influence on their QOL. Data was collected using HIV Stigma Scale and WHO-QOL HIV BREF Scale. The overall stigma experienced by PLHIV in this community was higher than previous studies (mean ± SD; 103.37 ±18.14). Majority participants had fear disclosing their disease status, while personalized stigma or the experience of prejudice and rejection was the least experienced. The overall QOL was low and was significantly impaired in social relationship domain (mean ± SD; 12.72 ± 3.59). However, their ability to perform daily activities was not affected by the illness (mean ± SD; 14.48 ± 2.91). PLHIV with higher spiritual values demonstrate lower perception of negative self-image and inferiority (r= -0.54). This finding was unique to PLHIV in this study and suggested the importance of spirituality and personal beliefs on their self-esteem. In conclusion, stigma remains as a significant problem among PLHIV in this community. Primary care offers the best platform to promote a holistic management of PLHIV, where the integration between counselors, religious experts, family and non-governmental associations could come together. The management of PLHIV is unique in every community, hence individualized approach based on cultural norms and beliefs could assist in the overall management of