Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal helminth that infects humans through contact with soil containing the larvae. Methods A systematic search was performed for relevant titles, abstract and keywords in database from Cochrane Library, PLOS One, PubMed and several other sources in October 2017 based on PICO strategy. Out of 511 papers that were evaluated for possible inclusion, final assessment for eligibility has yielded a total of 17 papers to be included which were found suitable for analysis covering period from 2012 till 2016. Results A major challenge of giving an overview of prevalence data for S. stercoralis lies in the low sensitivity of diagnostic method used which resulted in very low prevalence in certain countries. Cambodia and Laos presented with high prevalence ranging from 17.4% to 45.9% by using high sensitivity of diagnostic methods. The current prevalence situation of S. stercoralis in Southeast Asia still have wide gaps remains due to several reasons. Conclusions The information we have today only scratches the surface which cannot truly reflect the true burden of S. stercoralis in Southeast Asia The main risk factor is personal hygiene practices especially amongst males.

Introduction Women as patients is a normal situation. However, women patients of the obstetric and gynaecology category are of a different category. This is because obstetric and gynaecology patients will be warded in the maternity ward and labour room according to the needs of their care and treatment. The care and treatments in the maternity ward and labour room involving the care and treatments by a special team of trained medical doctors, midwives and nurses in obstetrics and gynaecology areas of expertise. Hence, the importance of scutinising the relevant laws and legislations pertaining to the protection of female patients’ rights when they are utilising the maternity ward and labour room are fundamental in determining whether such rights existing in our healthcare services pertaining to pregnant women. Healthcare laws relating to women’s healthcare and government health policy on pregnant women are scrutinised to ascertained whether the laws and policy give impact or effect to the healthcare services rendered, including scrutinising the qualification, capability and the quantity of obstetric and gynaecology doctors on whether it fulfils the requirement of the government hospitals’ maternity ward and labour room. Methods Doctrinal research method is adopted with applying the empirical approach whereby interviews and a focus group discussion were held with the O&G specialist doctors and selected medical officer and staff nurses of Maternity Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Results The finding shows that there are already in placed a policy of the Ministry of Health Malaysia outlining the women patients’ rights in maternity ward and labour room. However, there are deficiencies from the aspect of law and government policy wherein there is no specific laws in relation to pregnant patient rights nor is there a clear policy on women health. Conclusions The writing concludes that there is a need for a new policy to re-establish governance in maternity ward and to further enhance health care quality for women patients hence, to appropriately define the position of women patients’ rights in the government hospital’s maternity ward.

Introduction Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the commonest drug prescribed, however it is not without risk of adverse effects especially if the usage is inappropriate. We aimed to evaluate the frequency, indications and appropriateness of PPIs prescription among the medical inpatients, Serdang Hospital, which is a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Methods This is a cross sectional study consisting of 1184 patients admitted to medical ward and received PPI from 1st July 2016 to 31st March 2017, and their database were further analysed by SPSS Statistics 17.0. Unpaired t-test was performed to analyze the data collected. P < 0.05 (two-tailed) is considered significant. Their indications were cross-referenced against the indications adapted from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Results About 23.9% (1184/4953) of inpatients were using PPIs, and 63.0% (746/1184) of them recently started on PPI in the ward, with mean age of 59.7 years. More male patients were commenced on PPIs during hospitalization (P value < 0.05). Based on the FDA guideline, only 21.8% patients were indicated, 32.2% were borderline indicated, and 46.0% patients were not indicated in prescribing PPIs. Stress ulcer prophylaxis was the commonest indication, while anaemia with no evidence of gastrointestinal bleed was the main non-indication in starting PPIs. Only 11% of patients had performed the oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGDS) during the hospital stay. Conclusions 46.0% of inpatients were inappropriately prescribed PPIs according to FDA guideline. More efforts should be initiated to improve the current situation of PPIs overutilization in Malaysia.

Introduction Overweight and obesity are a major public health problem due to its association with serious chronic diseases. Concerning childhood overweight/obesity, its rise in developing countries is so that there is a need to provide more evidence on its burden and associated factors in order to set preventive measures. Methods This study was designed to know the prevalence and related factors of overweight and obesity amongst adolescents in Yaoundé- Cameroon, and to draw their epidemiological profile. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 13.6% and 4.3% respectively. Results revealed that practices associated with overweight and obesity are increase in age (R = 0.42, p < 0.001), female gender (p < 0.001). In addition, the use of bikes, cars or buses to go to school compared to walking (OR: 0.26; CI: 0.14 – 0.64; p = 0.0026) increase the risk of being overweight or obese. After adjusting the multivariable logistic model for age and sex with our study variables, it reveals that the odds of being obese for those who consume alcohol once a week were nine fold higher than that of those who consumed 2-5 times a week (OR: 9.37; CI: 1.34 to 193.41). Conclusions This results show that there is a need for health education in schools so as to help in health promotion and prevention, therefore avoid chronic disease conditions at older ages.

Introduction Dengue fever, the most known vector-borne disease in the tropical and subtropical regions has become major public health concern worldwide. Rapid urbanization, increased population movement and poor public hygienic lifestyle contributed to the proliferated of high incidence of dengue fever in urban and semi urban areas. With the increasing trend of dengue cases and deaths, methods of dengue surveillance should be reevaluated in predicting dengue outbreak. Methods This study aimed to determine association between Aedes Index and Breteau Index with dengue outbreak in the district of Kota Tinggi, Johor. Results Total of 593 dengue cases in 2015 collected from Kota Tinggi Health Office. The study found that there were significant association between Aedes Index and Breteau Index with localities (p< 0.01) significant association between dengue outbreak incidence and low transmission of aedes indices (p<0.01). However these indices reported low sensitivity and specificity in predicting dengue outbreak in this area. Conclusions As dengue disease remains a major endemic in Malaysia, better surveillance index should be reconsider as the main surveillance for dengue disease.

Introduction Thalassemia disease is a serious health problem as it gives psychosocial burden not only to the patients but also to the patients’ ecosystem. Among the difficulties faced by patients are psychosocial problems, especially in the process patients’ growth and development. Therefore, this study examines what factors can influenced the psychosocial of Thalassemic patients.. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 161 of Thalasemia Major children at Women and Children Hospital, Likas and Keningau District Hospital, Sabah from February to April 2013. The validated PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scale and Social Support questionnaire has been used. Results The results showed that the overall psychosocial score was 68.50 (SP 15.18) with the lowest average school psychosocial score of 58.38 (SP 17.82). Only gender factor showed a significant relationship with psychosocial score of emotional function. There is no significant relationship noted between other sociodemographic factors with overall psychosocial scores or with the psychosocial scores of each function. In relation to subscale social support factors, there was a significant relationship between the psychosocial scores of each function and overall with social support factors of parents, close friends, classmates and teachers. The results of linear regression multivariate analysis suggest that social support factors from classmates is a significant factor in the psychosocial impact of Thalassemia Major pediatric patients. Conclusions In conclusion, social support factors primarily from peers are very important in influencing the psychosocial of Thalassemia Major children in overcoming their life's functionality like other normal children

Introduction Prostate cancer is indeed a raising health problem in the world. As our life expectancy improves, the prevalence of prostate cancer may also increase. Diet is believed to be one of the common major risk factors contributing to the development of prostate cancer. Objective This review aims to i) understand the effect of dietary habit towards risk of developing prostate cancer, ii) to summarize the published articles on risk of developing prostate cancer and iii) to provide information in designing the optimal diet for primary and secondary prostate cancer prevention. Methods A search was conducted to review published studies on prostate cancer and diet through PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Science Direct. Results High intake of red meat, processed meat and dairy products were commonly linked to the prostate cancer while consumption of antioxidants and certain vitamins may give protective mechanism towards prostate cancer. Conclusions Diet of low carbohydrates, n-3 PUFAs, colorful fruits and vegetables are still the best advice to counsel the patient while lifestyle of smoking and heavy alcohol intake should be avoided in preventing prostate cancer.

Introduction In Malaysia prostate cancer is ranked as fifth type of cancer among male. Unlike other cancers, prostate cancer is slow growth type of cancer; hence most patients may be asymptomatic despite having the disease. The burden associated with prostate cancer disease started from the diagnosis, the progress of disease and the varying impact of the available treatment options till the quality of life. The review focused on the disease and economic burden of prostate cancer disease towards country and patient personally. Methods A search was conducted to review related published studies on economic burden of the prostate cancer through PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Schorlar and Science Direct searching engines databases using keywords: Prostate cancer, economic burden and disease burden, treatment burden and treatment cost. For exploration on the burden itself, the keywords used were economic cost, mortality, morbidity, quality of life, treatment burden, palliative care. A review on the morbidity and mortality comparing global, Asian and Malaysia situation reviewed from previous review paper and online data. Conclusions Economic burden of prostate cancer include quality of life, treatment cost and palliative cost and palliative support care system. Development and improvise of the treatment facilities and equipment, strong knowledge and clinical training of staff in the treatment of cancer should be well planned in order to reduce the increasing burden of prostate cancer in Malaysia

Introduction The time to start Antenatal Care (ANC) check-up is very significant because it determines the way to resolve complications and remedies during pregnancy. Different parameters play important roles in participating ANC in a society. A global consensus gives us the idea that most tribal people living in remote areas are far from basic needs related to education, employment, and affordable healthcare. The study aimed to delve into delayed ANC practices and the factors affecting the decision to receive ANC among tribal women dwelling in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. Methods This paper is a quantitative study. Interview schedule or questionnaire was mainly used as an instrument for data collection from 556 married women having babies for less than one year. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to determine significant factors related to the time of the introduction of ANC. Results Only 16.4% of the women had started to receive ANC in the early stage of pregnancy (≤3 months) and 13.5%, after three months (delayed ANC) of their pregnancies. 70% did not seek ANC. The result found that one-third (29.9%) of the pregnant women wanted ANC from a trained doctor, but only 16.4% initiated attendance within three months of the pregnancy. Conclusions The study results suggest that specific efforts are needed to advance the socio-economic status of the tribal people; they need to increase the educational level of women and their husbands, build their nearest health centers, and strengthen family planning programs.

Introduction Substantial advances on the life expectancy have been achieved in Malaysia over the past few decades. It is essential that elderly lead a healthier old age which leans towards successful aging. Thus, this study describes the major causes of premature mortality among the elderly population in Malaysia, 2014. Methods The calculation of premature mortality in terms of Years of Life Lost (YLL) was based on the method used in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. YLL is the mortality component determined by the age-sex specific number of deaths and life expectancy at the age of death. Mortality data was obtained from the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Elderly aged 60 years and above were included in this study. Results The major causes of premature mortality among elderly in Malaysia were Cardiovascular and Circulatory Diseases (39.0%); followed by Malignant Neoplasms (16.6%), Respiratory Diseases (9.8%), Respiratory Infections (9.2%) and Diabetes Mellitus (6.8%). Conclusions Awareness programme, early screening and help seeking among elderly should be a priority in planning health services to reduce the burden of Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) among elderly.