The Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) in Malaysia for all methods is 55% and for modern methods is 35%. These figures are very low compared to neighbour countries. This analysis is to find the probable reasons and suggest remedies for the very low contraceptive use and minimize the adverse consequences. This is a retrospective analysis based on the reports of National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) and Ministry of Health Malaysia from 1974 to 2012. There is no difference in the use of contraception between the different ethnic groups. The unmet contraceptive demand is 25%. In a study of teenagers between the ages of 18-21, around 20% had sex with new partners without using any contraceptive methods. Of the 510462 babies born in the year 2010, there were 52982 out of wedlock pregnancies. These mothers had not used any form of contraceptives. The contraceptive use in Malaysia had stagnated for 25 years. Approximately 60% of these mothers had not used any form of contraception. Lack of contraceptive awareness; myths and non-availability are possibly the major causes for less use of contraceptives. Family planning services must be free and freely available in urban as well as rural areas.

Female migrant workers are susceptible for economic exploitation, physical violence and sexual abuse. They are at risks of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, illegal termination of pregnancy and related problems. They also spread the diseases knowingly and unknowingly. There are about five millions registered and undocumented migration workers are in Malaysia. The Malaysian government is committed to stop the illegal trafficking of women and under aged girls. The health education programme and screening procedures are important to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

An overlooked endemic zoonosis in Africa, monkeypox infection, which has spread to multiple non-endemic countries since early May 2022, was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization on July 23, 2022. As of August 8, 2022, over 28,000 confirmed and probable monkeypox cases were reported globally, including 6 deaths from the African continent and 4 deaths from the non-endemic regions. Although the current outbreak mostly belongs to the West African clade, which has a lower-case fatality ratio of <1%, there is limited data among immune-weakened individuals infected with monkeypox. It is still unknown if pregnant people are more susceptible to monkeypox. In addition, it is unclear whether having monkeypox increases the risk of birth defects. This commentary addresses reported cases of monkeypox infection in pregnancy and the possible maternal and fetal outcomes, including congenital monkeypox, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Factors behind the escalating global monkeypox outbreak, as well as the prevention and control of monkeypox via the One Health approach, are discussed to shed light on curbing the continuous emergence of monkeypox.   Copyright © 2022 Najimudeen et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.

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