Search

Despite typically being studied as a unidimensional construct, self-esteem has been proposed to comprise of two distinct but highly correlated domains: self-competence and self-liking. This study aimed to examine how the two domains of self-esteem predict the sexual functioning of young adults in Malaysia, and the potential role of relationship status as a moderator. A total of 314 Malaysian young adults aged 21.08 years on average (SD = 1.84) completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Female Sexual Function Index. Results suggest that self-competence, but not self-liking, was positively associated with sexual arousal, lubrication/erection, and orgasm among those who were single. Aside from the sexual functioning domain of sexual pain, no significant associations between self-esteem and sexual functioning were found among those who were in a relationship. These findings provide support to the bidimensional conceptualisation of self-esteem in the context of sexual well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The postoperative effects on Asian women after hysterectomy have not been fully explored. This study was undertaken to investigate the physical, psychological and sexual functioning effects in multi-ethnic Malaysian women who have undergone hysterectomy. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on women who underwent hysterectomy at the Gynecological Outpatient Clinic, University of Malaya Medical Center between November 2008 and October 2009. Results: Postoperative physical and psychological effects were common. Participants with higher household income had a significantly lower number of physical and psychological problems. Young women were more likely to experience psychological effects. There were significant differences between ethnic groups in physical and psychological symptoms. A multivariate model to determine factors associated with sexual functioning identified the importance of sexual relationship, spouse or partner's attitudes, and ethnic groups as significant covariates. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of ethnic-based approaches to counseling to mitigate the psychological effects of hysterectomy and to focus on young women with low socioeconomic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to assess the changes in sexual life and sexual function in women after spinal cord injury using the validated Malay Version of Female Sexual Function Index. Thirty-three women with spinal cord injury from the Spinal Rehabilitation Unit of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia participated in this study. A comparison was made between this group of women and a control group comprising 34 women matched for age and marital status. The findings showed that 40% of the women continued to have sexual activity after injury. Frequency of sexual activity and desire was lower among women with spinal cord injury, but the ability to achieve arousal, lubrication, orgasm and overall sexual satisfaction did not differ from those of the control group. These findings imply that it is possible for women with spinal cord injury to have an active, satisfying sexual life in spite of changes in sexuality caused by the injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We adapted the English International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) into Malay. This was difficult as many sex-related terms do not exist in colloquial Malay. In the pretest, there was no difficulty with comprehension and all subjects judged the Malay IIEF equivalent to the English IIEF. After slight modification, a final instrument was evaluated in two studies. Study A included 136 subjects. It showed that the instrument had good reliability and discriminant validity. The factor structure of the English IIEF was not reproducible. Study B included 26 ED subjects who underwent oral sildenafil therapy. The Malay IIEF was sensitive to treatment response. The area under the ROC curve of the Malay IIEF-5 was 0.86; the optimal cutoff score has a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 75%. The results suggest that the Malay IIEF requires more work, but the Malay IIEF-5 has acceptable measurement properties to recommend its use in clinical practice and research.International Journal of Impotence Research (2003) 15, 329-336. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sexual satisfaction and sexual performance of long-term daily uses of kratom in Malaysia have been evaluated. • Daily consumption of kratom decoction is reported to improve sexual functioning among adult males. • No relationships between the years of use or current daily quantity of kratom consumption have been found. Kratom leaves from Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) trees are believed to have medicinal value, and have a long-history of folk medicine use for self-treatment of a broad range of indications. In Southeast Asia, traditional uses of kratom include as an aphrodisiac and a sexual performance enhancer. The study evaluated sexual functioning in a cohort of long-term male kratom users in the state of Penang, Malaysia. A field face-to-face survey, including the Malay version of the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) called Mal-BMSFI was conducted between January and December of 2017. The mean (SD) age of the cohort (N = 92) was 37.0 (11.2) years, and the mean (SD) duration of kratom use was 9.14 (5.5) years. All participants reported consuming kratom decoction, with an average amount of 1200 ml daily. Seventy-two participants (78%) reported using kratom to enhance sexual performance, and 71 of them (71/72, 99%) reported experiencing improved sexual performance. Of those who reported not using kratom to enhance sexual performance, 7/20 (35%) also experienced improved sexual performance after kratom use. The reported enhancements of sexual performance included: more energy during sex (75/92), delayed ejaculation (71/92), help to maintain erection (70/92), longer climax (51/92), increased sexual desire (44/92), and reduced sex organ sensitivity (43/92). The mean (SD) Mal-BMSFI score was 33.9 (7.1) and 78/92 (85%) reported overall high satisfaction with their sex life in the past 30 days. In conclusion long-term daily, male users of kratom decoction in Malaysia reported improved sexual functioning attributed to their kratom consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The ASEAN Costs in Oncology (ACTION) Study had previously reported high levels of psychological distress among cancer survivors in the region. We aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the (unmet) needs in Asian patients living with cancer in a middle-income setting. Methods Twenty focus group discussions were conducted among patients with breast, cervical, prostate or colorectal cancer (N = 102) at five tertiary Malaysian hospitals (public, academic, private). Thematic analysis was performed. Results Seven themes were identified. (1) Information; participants emphasized the need for physicians to provide detailed information on latest treatment options. Besides medical advice, informational needs on diet, and traditional and complementary medicine remained unmet."(2) Psychosocial; "coping with cancer diagnosis" and "fear of recurrence" were major issues. The need for "support groups" as a source of informational and psychological support was raised. It was also stressed that increased "public awareness" was needed to circumvent the stigma against cancer survivors. (3) Physical; patients stressed on concerns regarding "side effects of treatment", including "fertility", "sexuality" and "sexual function". (4) Practical support; major unmet needs in "transportation and parking" and "comfortable facilities" in hospitals were reported. (5) Financial; The burden of "out-of-pocket" expenses, "paying first then claim" and the costs of "essential items" e.g. breast prosthesis, colostomy bags were highlighted. (6) Systemic; Issues with "accessibility and eligibility of financial aid" were frustrating to needy patients. The need for an "integrated care system" where different departments work together to avoid repeated tests, and consolidate hospital appointments into the same day was repeatedly raised. (7) Employment; Patients needed "job security" and "cancer leave". Lack of work-related flexibility, and discrimination at workplace were voiced out. Conclusions There seems to be an overarching theme of limited patient-centered healthcare during the survivorship period in Asian settings. These findings underscore the need for holistic cancer survivorship services that address wider aspects of wellbeing including the urgent need for patient navigation programs. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia. Disclosure N. Bhoo-Pathy: Research grant / Funding (institution): Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]