Female sexual dysfunction among overweight and obese women in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

Objectives: Overweight and obesity have been identified as risk factors for sexual dysfunction. However, this relationship has not been well documented in women, and the results have been conflicting, perhaps because of the complexity of female sexuality. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with female sexual dysfunction [FSD] and its subtypes among overweight and obese women

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2012 at Klinik Rawatan Keluarga Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. A validated Malay version of the Female Sexual Function Index was administered to 204 overweight and obese women. The socio-demographics and physical and biochemical parameters were obtained. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the confounding factors toi sexua/ dysfunction

Results: The prevalence of FSD among overweight and obese women was reported to be 12.3% [95% CI:7.79, 16.81]. Sexual desire disorder was the most prevalent dysfunction [23%], followed by arousal disorder [8.3%], lubrication disorder [9 3%], orgasm disorder [4.9%], satisfaction disorder [9.3%] and pain disorder [6.9%]. Parity 1.08 [1.01, 1.15] and duration of marriage 0.70 [0.50, 0.96] were significantly associated with FSD in the study cohort

Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction among overweight and obese women was low. Parity showed a significant positive correlation with FSD, while the duration of marriage appeared to be a protective factor against FSD

Doctors' views on the quality of claims provided by pharmaceutical representatives: a comparative study in Malaysia and Australia

Objectives: Doctors perceive the interactions with pharmaceutical representatives as professionally appropriate. However, studies have shown that the interaction is associated with less rational prescribing of medications. No previous study has assessed doctors' opinions of the presentation of pharmaceutical representatives and the quality of claims provided to the doctors in Australia and Malaysia. The aim of this study was to compare the opinions of Australian and Malaysian doctors of sales explanations and quality of claims provided by the pharmaceutical representatives

Methods: We recruited samples of primary care doctors in Australia and Malaysia to evaluate pharmaceutical sales visits. After a visit, doctors were asked to fill out a questionnaire on the main product and claims discussed during the visit. Descriptive statistics were employed, and Chi-square analysis and clustered linear regression were used to assess differences between doctors from both countries

Results: The majority of doctors reported that the presentations were convincing as well as likely to change their prescribing habits and improved their knowledge. The majority of marketing claims recorded by doctors in Australia and Malaysia were classified as vague claims. Approximately one-third of the claims were unambiguous [Australia 31% and Malaysia 33%]. In a majority of the presentations [Australia, 65%, Malaysia, 84%], doctors indicated that the primary claims by the pharmaceutical representatives were entirely or nearly accurate

Conclusions: Doctors in Australia and Malaysia held generally positive views of the presentations of pharmaceutical representatives, although the information being presented varied