Facilitators and Barriers to Uptake of Community-Based Diabetes Prevention Program Among Multi-Ethnic Asian Patients With Prediabetes.

Objective: This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to the uptake of a community-based diabetes prevention program (DPP) from the perspectives of decliners with prediabetes in a multi-ethnic Asian community.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 individuals with prediabetes who declined participation in a large community-based diabetes prevention program in Singapore. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify themes, which were subsequently mapped onto the Capacity-Opportunity-Motivation and Behavior model (COM-B).

Accuracy of a Rapid Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Plus a Chromogenic Phenotypic Test Algorithm for Detection of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase and Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacilli in Positive Blood Culture Bottles.

We studied the performance of an algorithm combining multiplex polymerase chain reaction with phenotypic detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamases and carbapenemases directly from positive blood culture bottles in patients with gram-negative bacteremia and found good concordance with routine cultures. Such an algorithm may be a tool to improve time to optimal therapy in patients with gram-negative bacteremia.

Patterns of use and perceived value of social media for population health among population health stakeholders: a cross-sectional web-based survey.

Background: Although existing studies have described patterns of social media use in healthcare, most are focused on health professionals in one discipline. Population health requires a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure diversity and to include diverse stakeholders. To date, what is known about using social media in population health is focused on its potential as a communication tool.

Developing population health research priorities in Asian city state: Results from a multi-step participatory community engagement.

Objectives: To identify a broad range of research priorities to inform the studies seeking to improve population health outcomes based on the engagement of diverse stakeholders.

Methods: A multi-step, participatory and mixed-methods approach was adopted to solicit and structure the investigative themes from diverse stakeholders. The priority setting exercise involved four key phases: (1) feedback from community leadership; (2) interim ranking survey and focus group discussions during the population health symposium; (3) individual in-depth interviews with stakeholders in the community; and (4) synthesis of the research priorities from the multistep process.

Deep whole-genome sequencing of 100 southeast Asian Malays.

Whole-genome sequencing across multiple samples in a population provides an unprecedented opportunity for comprehensively characterizing the polymorphic variants in the population. Although the 1000 Genomes Project (1KGP) has offered brief insights into the value of population-level sequencing, the low coverage has compromised the ability to confidently detect rare and low-frequency variants. In addition, the composition of populations in the 1KGP is not complete, despite the fact that the study design has been extended to more than 2,500 samples from more than 20 population groups.

Prevalence of disturbed bowel functions and its association with disturbed bladder and sexual functions in the male population.

Background And Aim: Chronic constipation is usually associated with young women, and urinary and sexual dysfunction has been reported as co-morbidity. Elderly men also appear to suffer from chronic constipation, as well as lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction, but their association as co-morbidity has not been studied in the community. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of bowel symptoms in our community with particular reference to the association with urinary and sexual dysfunction in the male population.

A comparative study of condom use and self-reported sexually transmitted infections between foreign Asian and local clients of sex workers in Singapore.

Objective: We conducted a survey to compare condom use and its associated factors between foreign Asian and local clients of female sex workers in Singapore.

Study: A survey was conducted between 2001 and 2002 on a random sample of 810 clients (677 foreign Asian workers and 133 locals) recruited from the streets and outside the brothels in Singapore.

Results: Foreign clients were more likely than locals to be inconsistent condom users with sex workers.

Concerns over participation in genetic research among Malay-Muslims, Chinese and Indians in Singapore: a focus group study.

Objective: This study was aimed at exploring and comparing peoples' concerns over donation of blood specimens for genetic research across three ethnic groups in Singapore: Malay-Muslims, Chinese and Indians.

Methods: We conducted 12 focus group sessions among 98 participants with 7-10 in each group.

Results: Concerns over donation of blood specimens for genetic research were diverse, with all ethnic groups expressing anxiety about breach of confidentiality, finding out that they have a disease and misuse of research for cloning.

The prevalence, symptom characteristics, and impact of irritable bowel syndrome in an asian urban community.

Objectives: To study the epidemiology, symptom characteristics and impact of IBS in an urban Asian population.

Methods: A validated bowel symptom questionnaire was administered at face-to-face interviews to a random sample of 3,000 households in Singapore.

Results: The response rate was 78.