Profile of Men's Health in Malaysia: Problems and Challenges

Overview

Journal Asian J Androl

Specialty Urology

Date 2011 Mar 2

PMID 21358664

Citations 5

Authors

Seng Fah Tong

Wah Yun Low

Chirk Jenn Ng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Men's health concerns have evolved from the traditional andrology and male sexual health to a more holistic approach that encompasses male psychological, social and physical health. The poor state of health in men compared to their female counterparts is well documented. A review of the epidemiological data from Malaysia noted a similar trend in which men die at higher rates in under 1 and above 15 years old groups and most disease categories compared to women. In Malaysia, the main causes of death in men are non-communicable diseases and injuries. Risk factors, such as risk-taking behaviour, smoking and hypertension, are prevalent and amenable to early interventions. Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and prostate disorders are also prevalent. However, many of these morbidities go unreported and are not diagnosed early; therefore, opportunities for early intervention are missed. This reflects poor health knowledge and inadequate health-care utilisation among Malaysian men. Their health-seeking behaviour has been shown to be strongly influenced by family members and friends. However, more research is needed to identify men's unmet health-care needs and to develop optimal strategies for addressing them. Because the Malaysian population is aging and there is an increase in sedentary lifestyles, optimizing men's health will remain a challenge unless effective measures are implemented. The existing male-unfriendly health-care system and the negative influence of masculinity on men's health behaviour must be addressed. A national men's health policy based on a male-friendly approach to health-care delivery is urgently needed to provide a framework for addressing these challenges.

Citing Articles

Erectile dysfunction in male lymphoma survivors in a Southeast Asian country.

Gan G, Ng D, Leong Y Singapore Med J. 2021; 63(7):376-380.

PMID: 33472336 PMC: 9578128. DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2021003.

Prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed glycaemic disorders in men with erectile dysfunction attending a primary care clinic.

Ng Y, Teoh S, Mohd Radzniwan A, Syahnaz M J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2019; 14(1):88-94.

PMID: 31435395 PMC: 6695078. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2018.12.002.

Prevalence and predictors of erectile dysfunction in adult male outpatient clinic attendees in Johor, Malaysia.

Nordin R, Soni T, Kaur A, Loh K, Miranda S Singapore Med J. 2018; 60(1):40-47.

PMID: 29774359 PMC: 6351699. DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2018049.

Biopsychosocial Determinants of the Health of Boys and Men Across the Lifespan.

Thorpe Jr R, Halkitis P Behav Med. 2016; 42(3):129-31.

PMID: 27337616 PMC: 5809330. DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2016.1191231.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and socio demographic determinants of hypertension in Malaysian adults.

Abdul-Razak S, Daher A, Ramli A, Ariffin F, Mazapuspavina M, Ambigga K BMC Public Health. 2016; 16:351.

PMID: 27097542 PMC: 4839122. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3008-y.

References

Zainal S, Quek K, Biswajit C . Awareness of prostatism among male patients in Teluk Intan Hospital. Med J Malaysia. 2006; 60(5):540-7. View

Homma Y, Kawabe K, Tsukamoto T, Yamanaka H, Okada K, Okajima E . Epidemiologic survey of lower urinary tract symptoms in Asia and Australia using the international prostate symptom score. Int J Urol. 1997; 4(1):40-6. DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2042.1997.tb00138.x. View

Pu Y, Chiang H, Lin C, Huang C, Huang K, Chen J . Changing trends of prostate cancer in Asia. Aging Male. 2005; 7(2):120-32. DOI: 10.1080/13685530412331284687. View

Macdonald J . Shifting paradigms: a social-determinants approach to solving problems in men's health policy and practice. Med J Aust. 2006; 185(8):456-8. DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00648.x. View

Chute C, Panser L, Girman C, Oesterling J, Guess H, Jacobsen S . The prevalence of prostatism: a population-based survey of urinary symptoms. J Urol. 1993; 150(1):85-9. DOI: 10.1016/s0022-5347(17)35405-8. View

Othman N, Nor Z, Biswal B . Is Kelantan joining the global cancer epidemic?--experience from hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia; 1987-2007. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2008; 9(3):473-8. View

Kraemer S . The fragile male. BMJ. 2000; 321(7276):1609-12. PMC: 1119278. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.321.7276.1609. View

Nawawi H, Nor I, Noor I, A Karim N, Arshad F, Khan R . Current status of coronary risk factors among rural Malays in Malaysia. J Cardiovasc Risk. 2002; 9(1):17-23. DOI: 10.1177/174182670200900103. View

Galdas P, Cheater F, Marshall P . Men and health help-seeking behaviour: literature review. J Adv Nurs. 2005; 49(6):616-23. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03331.x. View

10.

Teh G, Sahabudin R, Lim T, Chong W, Woo S, Mohan M . Prevalence of symptomatic BPE among Malaysian men aged 50 and above attending screening during prostate health awareness campaign. Med J Malaysia. 2002; 56(2):186-95. View

11.

Kesteloot H, Sans S, Kromhout D . Dynamics of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in Western and Eastern Europe between 1970 and 2000. Eur Heart J. 2005; 27(1):107-13. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehi511. View

12.

Tan H, Low W, Jenn Ng C, Chen K, Sugita M, Ishii N . Prevalence and correlates of erectile dysfunction (ED) and treatment seeking for ED in Asian Men: the Asian Men's Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) study. J Sex Med. 2007; 4(6):1582-92. DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00602.x. View

13.

Cheah P, Liong M, Yuen K, Teh C, Khor T, Yang J . Chronic prostatitis: symptom survey with follow-up clinical evaluation. Urology. 2003; 61(1):60-4. DOI: 10.1016/s0090-4295(02)02081-2. View

14.

Mohamad W, Mokhtar N, Mafauzy M, Mustaffa B, Musalmah M . Prevalance of obesity and overweight in northeastern peninsular Malaysia and their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 1996; 27(2):339-42. View

15.

Courtenay W . Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: a theory of gender and health. Soc Sci Med. 2000; 50(10):1385-401. DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(99)00390-1. View

16.

Homma Y, Yamaguchi O, Hayashi K . Epidemiologic survey of lower urinary tract symptoms in Japan. Urology. 2006; 68(3):560-4. DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2006.03.035. View

17.

Garraway W, Collins G, Lee R . High prevalence of benign prostatic hypertrophy in the community. Lancet. 1991; 338(8765):469-71. DOI: 10.1016/0140-6736(91)90543-x. View

18.

Addis M, Mahalik J . Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking. Am Psychol. 2003; 58(1):5-14. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066x.58.1.5. View

19.

Khoo E, Tan H, Low W . Erectile dysfunction and comorbidities in aging men: an urban cross-sectional study in Malaysia. J Sex Med. 2008; 5(12):2925-34. DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00988.x. View

20.

Galdas P, Cheater F, Marshall P . What is the role of masculinity in white and South Asian men's decisions to seek medical help for cardiac chest pain?. J Health Serv Res Policy. 2007; 12(4):223-9. DOI: 10.1258/135581907782101552. View