The increasing involvement of women in the paid-labor market has led to multifactorial exposure towards the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This review aims to identify the prevalence of NCDs and the associated risk factors among working women. A systematic review was performed using PubMed and Scopus databases. Twelve articles published between 2015 and 2019 satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were selected for qualitative synthesis. Among working women, the prevalence of NCDs was as follows: coronary heart disease, 0.3%–5.9%; metabolic syndrome, 52.0%; diabetes mellitus, 8.9%–16.0%; hypertension, 16.6%–66.4%; non-skin cancer, 3.7%. The prevalence of NCD risk factors was as follows: overweight/obesity, 33.8%–77.0%; low physical activity, 51.0%; unhealthy diet, 44.9%–69.9%; dyslipidemia, 27.8%–44.0%. The factors associated with NCDs were long working hours, double work burden, and stress. NCD is an important burden of working women that will lead to reduced work quality and affect family well-being. Disease prevention approaches, such as the intervention of common workplace risk factors and specific work schedule design, are among the strategies for improving the situation.

Background Physical inactivity in pregnancy has been associated with excessive gestational weight gain, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus and postpartum depression. Despite these risks, physical inactivity level remains high especially in higher income countries. The prevalence of physical inactivity among women in Malaysia aged ≥16 years was 28.2% in 2019 exceeding men by 6.1%. However, little is known regarding the subpopulation of pregnant women especially in Kuala Lumpur which is the most urbanized and highly populated city in Malaysia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to measure the physical inactivity prevalence among first trimester pregnant women in Kuala Lumpur and to identify its determining factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which 339 first trimester pregnant women were sampled from 13 maternal and child health clinics located in all four parliament districts of Kuala Lumpur. Self-administered questionnaires which contained the Malay version of the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ) were used. Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the physical inactivity prevalence followed by simple and multiple logistic regression to identify the determinants of physical inactivity with significant level of 5%. Results The prevalence of physical inactivity was 38.3%. The highest activity was seen in the household activity domain, despite only 24.8% of the respondents were housewives/unemployed. There was little to no participation observed in the vigorous intensity category. The determinants of physical inactivity were primigravida (aOR 3.54 95% CI 1.40, 8.97), education level (aOR 3.77 95% CI 1.35, 10.52) and body mass index (aOR 0.88 95% CI 0.80, 0.97) which explained 22.6% variation of physical inactivity in the final adjusted model. Conclusion The prevalence of physical inactivity among first trimester pregnant mothers in this study was 38.3%, and the highest activity was seen in the household category. Health education on physical activity in pregnancy should be focused on those who are primigravida and have no tertiary education. The educational content should be updated and tailored to current pandemic situation where self-isolation is the new norm, by advocating for home-based, moderate to vigorous intensity physical activities.

Background: We reviewed studies on the prevalence of Chlamydia infection as a risk factor for developing cervical cancer in a meta-analysis studies published in that subject area. Methods: Cochrane Library and PubMed databases were systematically searched for articles (observational and randomized controlled trials) published from 2008-2018. A meta-analysis of studies was performed to analyse the association between chlamydia infection and cervical cancer. Results: Five articles were included in the final analysis (N=5271). All five articles were case-control studies, of which three studies sampled from population-based registries. All studies involved with sexually active women with minimum 15 years old. Three studies reported the association of C. trachomatis infection cervical cancers, two other studies reported C. trachomatis-HPV co-infection in association with cervical cancer. Result showed C. trachomatis has an overall prevalence of 31.9%, pooled OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.67, OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.78 to 2.54 among cervical cancer. There was a mild publication bias detected at 3.0 effect estimation. Heterogeneity detected from clinical and methodological diversities particularly from C. trachomatis-HPV co-infection subgroup analysis, including sampling bias, geographical strain diversity, and different outcome endpoint measured. Conclusion: C. trachomatis infection was significantly associated with the development of cervical cancer. Co-infection of C. trachomatis-HPV with cervical cancer is plausibly sound but temporality of C. trachomatis-HPV with the development of cervical cancer need to be proven in future prospective cohort studies.

The trend of choosing natural birth at home without proper supervision is gaining more attention and popularity in Malaysia. This is partly due to wrong beliefs of modern medical care. It prompts the need to explore further into other myths and wrong beliefs present in communities around the world surrounding pregnancy and childbirth that may lead to harmful consequences. A total of 25 literatures were selected and reviewed. The most reported wrong belief is the eating behaviour such as avoiding certain nutritious fruits besides eating saffron to produce fairer skinned babies which in fact contains high doses of saffron that may lead to miscarriage. The most worrying myth however, is that unregulated birth attendants such as doulas have the necessary knowledge and skills to manage complications in labour which may well end up in perinatal or even maternal death. Other myths suggested that modern medical care such as vaginal examinations and baby’s heart monitoring in labour as unnecessary. A well-enforced health education programme by well-trained healthcare personnel besides sufficient number of antenatal care visits are needed to overcome these myths, wrong beliefs and practices. In conclusion, potential harmful beliefs and practices in pregnancy and childbirth are still abound in today’s communities, not just in least developed and developing countries but also in developed countries. Women and children are two very vulnerable groups, therefore debunking myths and eliminating harmful practices should be one of a healthcare provider priority especially those in the primary care settings as they are the closest to the community.