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INTRODUCTION: Performing the Hajj or pilgrimage is obligatory for all Muslims. Certain Hajj religious rites cannot be performed during menstruation. Hence, it is common for female pilgrims to seek a doctor's advice on methods of menstrual suppression during Hajj. This exploratory study aimed to determine the prevalence and usage profile of menstrual suppression practices among Malaysian women performing Hajj and their associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cohort study involved 437 women aged 18-55 years old who attended compulsory pre-Hajj courses in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The self-administered questionnaires contained sociodemographic information, and biomedical characteristics were obtained. A follow-up call was made after their return from Hajj to obtain information regarding practice, medication is taken, and their intended duration of menstrual suppression. Descriptive and inferential analysis were done. RESULTS: Post Hajj, about 81.3% (347/437) of women were contactable and completed their menstrual calendar and 17.6% (62/347) of female pilgrims practiced menstrual suppression. The mean duration of hajj was 44 days and 77.4% (48/61) intended to suppress their menstruation throughout the whole of their Hajj travel. Previous use of contraception was associated with menstrual suppression practice (p<0.001). The commonest method of menstrual suppression was combined oral contraceptive pills (53.2%) followed by oral progestogens only pill (35.5%). CONCLUSION: Almost one-fifth of Malaysian female Hajj pilgrims practiced menstrual suppression. Previous use of contraception was associated with menstrual suppression practice. Combined oral contraceptive pills were the commonest method used and the method was chosen was based on the individual desired duration of menstrual suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The common cold is the commonest reason for primary care encounters worldwide. This paper aims to describe the reasons that influence patients to seek medical consultation for the common cold. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among adult patients of an urban teaching primary care clinic. An adapted bilingual survey form was administered by the researchers to obtain data regarding their decision to seek medical consultation for a cold and the reasons for their decision. Quantitative analyses were done to describe the close-ended responses. Open-ended responses were analysed using a qualitative approach and the frequencies of the themes were reported. Results: A total of 320 respondents participated in this study, with a response rate of 91.4%. They were predominantly females (59.4%), Malay (70.9%), and had tertiary education (65.9%). More than half of the patients (52.5%) said they would seek consultation for cold symptoms. Fever was the commonest symptom (57-61%) which compelled them to seek consultation. The commonest reason for seeking consultation was to get medications (41.7%), whereas the commonest reason not to seek consultation was the practice of self-medication (44.2%). Ethnicity was found to be significantly associated with the decision to seek doctor's consultation. Conclusion: Colds are usually self-limiting and do not result in complications. Empowering patients by providing appropriate self-care knowledge can help to reduce the burden of primary care services. Patients should be taught about red flag symptoms as well as drug safety for medications commonly taken for colds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]