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Introduction: This study looks at the patient's perspective to determine the Catastrophic Health Expenditure (CHE) level and the possible factors which can be associated with CHE in cancer patients. Methods: This cross sectional study was done in National Cancer Institute, Malaysia with 206 patients sampled using the multilevel sampling method and data collected from interview with patients using a validated questionnaire. The CHE definition used in this study is when the monthly health expenditure exceeds more than 10% of the monthly household income. Results: This study showed a CHE level of 26.2%. CHE was higher in Indian ethnicity (P = 0.017), single marital status (P = 0.019), poverty income (P < 0.001), small household size (P = 0.006) and without Guarantee Letter (GL) (P = 0.002) groups. The significant predicting factors were poverty income aOR 5.60 (95% CI: 2.34 - 13.39), home distance near to hospital aOR 4.12 (95% CI: 1.74 - 9.76), small household size aOR 4.59 (95% CI: 1.07 - 19.72) and lack of Guarantee Letter aOR 3.21 (95% CI: 1.24 - 8.30). Conclusion: The information from this paper can be used by policy makers to formulate better strategies in terms of health financing so that high risk for CHE cancer patients groups can be protected under a better health financing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on living arrangements predict poor older Malaysians by sex disaggregation. The respondents in this paper are 60 years old and above in 2016, to a total n=2467 (50.8% men, and 49.2% female) from 91 districts in Malaysia. The majority poor male (64.92%), and female (60.3%) respondents are living with children. Three types of significant (p<0.05) living arrangements predict poor male respondents are living with-spouse-only (odd=8.357) with children (odd=5.141), and with relative (odd=2.514). Three types of significant (p<0.05) living arrangements predict poor female respondents are living with-spouse-only (odd=53.333) with children (odd=8.69), and with relative (odd=3.257). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being old is often associated with poverty, as a result of limited access to financial resources due to retirement or deterioration in health. The high incidence of poverty among the elderly is a global concern. How much the elderly have is important but how they use what they have is equally important. This paper focuses on financial practice and problems of the elderly in Malaysia. Data used in the analysis were collected in 2004 from among 2,327 elderly aged between 55 and 75 years. Samples were selected using multi stage systematic sampling. Financial practice was measured using 12 statements representing four dimensions, namely, planning, cash management, credit and investment. Financial problems were measured using seven items with two dimensions, namely, daily problems and credit management. In general, the elderly in the study performed basic financial practice (planning and cash management) but a lower percentage of these elderly performed credit and investment plans. About one third of elderly had experienced at least one of the seven financial problems listed. Multiple regression analysis conducted to explore the factors explaining variation in financial practice revealed that the model explained 20.7% variation in the financial practice score. The variable significantly explained the variations in the financial practice score were gender, age, region, ethnicity, education, home ownership, health perception, and income. A further research is needed to better understand the dynamic of financial practice among the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Monsoon Cup sporting event is an international yachting regatta held annually in Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, Malaysia during monsoon season between November and January. This research is significant for stakeholders (the community and organisers) in terms of promoting a more transparent process for managing and organising of the Monsoon Cup sailing event. The aim of this research is to examine the social and economic needs of the residents and the goals of the organisers' (government and Event Company) in organising the Monsoon Cup event. This research used qualitative technique and data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interview with 14 individuals from the organizing team and 36 local residents from Pulau Duyong. The collected data was analysed using thematic content analysis. This research used social exchange theory to develop its theoretical framework. Several important themes emerged from the interviews with the residents that the event would provide positive economic impact especially in increasing income and providing new business opportunities. The interviews with the organisers revealed some important goals which were to promote Terengganu internationally, to provide source of income, to promote traditional boat making industry and to encourage the sport of sailing. Finally, this research had exposed the similarities and differences between residents' needs and organisers' goals which can provide strategies to achieve mutual understanding between the key stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated socio-demographic factors and product attributes affecting purchase decision of special rice by Malaysian consumer. The primary data were analyzed by using binary logit model. Demographic factors and consumer preference for special rice (with reference to basmati rice) attributes were identified to affect purchasing behavior for special rice. Size of household, marital status, number of children, household income and gender of consumers are the main socio-demographic factors that significantly influence households' choices of special rice for home consumption in the Klang Valley area. The findings also suggest that product attributes such as flavor and aroma, availability, brand name and quality also influence the frequent purchasing of Basmati rice among the Malaysian consumers. However price and easy preparation are not significant in influencing the frequent purchasing of Basmati rice since most consumers are aware that special rice such as Basmati is expensive and all rice has to be prepared in a usual way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]