Although the Halal concept has not been a major element among non-Muslim consumers living in an Islamic country, whether the non-Muslim consumers are aware of the underlying advantages that come with Halal food products or their viewpoints arising from their religious belief, are some intriguing questions that need to be answered. Thus the objective of the study explore the underlying determinants that are likely to influence non-Muslim consumers’ perceptions and attitudes towards Halal concept and Halal food products in Malaysia in lieu of new paradigm in emerging global issues on sustainability, environmental, food safety and animal welfare. A survey was conducted in the Klang Valley where 400 non-Muslim respondents were interviewed via structured questionnaires to gather information on their awareness and attitude towards Halal food products in the Malaysian food market. Descriptive statistic was used to identify the socio-economic/ demographic characteristics and attitudes of the respondents toward the Halal food principles. The logit model
was used to determine the extent to which selected socio-economic/demographic characteristics influenced
the respondents’ attitude and understanding on Halal principles and Halal food products. The results of this
study suggest that non-Muslim consumers are aware of the existence of Halal food, Halal principles and the
advantages of Halal way in slaughtering the animals. This can be shown by their significant awareness that
Halal is not only the way Muslim slaughter their animals but also relates to environmental, sustainability,
animal welfare and food safety. In general, various socio-economic/demographic factors such as education
level, older generation, those who are more religious and the urban dweller seem to more likely to be aware of the advantages of Halal principles.
The aims of this research were to investigate the present beverage choice preference of school
children and to examine the most preferred type of milk that is available in the market. As well as to determine the effect of personal and environmental factors on children’s intention to consume milk and its comparison between rural and urban area of Selangor. A total of 389 of 5th grade primary school children were selected in this study. This research was supported by social cognitive theory. Multiple linear regression, Pearson productmoment correlation, and cross-tabulation were used for forecasting the factors affecting to consumption of milk. It was found that the preferred beverages of children were: Mineral water, Milo, fruit juice, milk, yoghurt, Ribena, tea and soft drinks and it was the same amongst children in urban and rural areas. Among different types of milk, children preferred flavored milk rather than plain milk. Based on the findings, personal factors were more effective than environmental factors. To increase milk intake among children, marketers need to focus and strengthen the acceptability of milk and increase consumption by altering perception of milk advertisements. This article also profiled the children who are likely to drink milk based on personal and environmental factors in different areas.
MeSH terms: Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Animals; Beverages; Carbonated Beverages; Child; Cognition; Flavoring Agents; Humans; Milk; Mineral Waters; Tea; Yogurt; Linear Models; Intention
This research was carried out to determine the fructooligosaccharides content in local honey samples, namely the wild Malaysian Tualang honey and common wild honey obtained from Tapah, Perak and a commercial Tualang honey. Local wild honeys were found to contain a higher concentration of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) compared to the commercial Tualang honey. The FOS quantified from local wild honeys was inulobiose, kestose and nystose. Nystoses were found at a very low amount in the commercial Tualang honey. The effects of honey on the growth of Bifidobacterium longum BB 536 were investigated. Both wild and commercial honey samples including FOS standard were found to support the growth of B. longum. The pH value of the skim milk + honey inoculated with the probiotic strain decreases as expected. Addition of honey was found to support the growth of B. longum BB 536.
Rubber seed as a waste product from rubber plantations contains nutritive values that can be harnessed
as food for human, feed for animals or biofuel for energy. Proximate analysis showed moisture content of
3.99%, protein content of 17.41 g/100g, fat content of 68.53 ± 0.04 g/100g and ash content of 3.08 ± 0.01
g/100g. Amino acid in rubber seed is high in Glutamic acid (16.13%) and low in Cysteine (0.78%). Despite its potential as a source of protein, fresh rubber seeds contain a toxic factor, cyanogenetic glucoside (186 mg/kg). FAME analysis indicated that rubber seed oil is high in oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid. The fuel potential of rubber seed (585.41 kJ/kg) is in reasonable agreement with ASTM.
This paper is interested in exploring the interrelatedness of some accompanying policy changes and
initiatives in the selected Asian countries as well as reviewing the Malaysian National Food Security Policy. Actions taken in response to the food crisis in the selected Asian countries have worked out well and produced promising outcomes from a combination of availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability aspects in food security. Malaysia weighted more on availability aspect in food security by introducing more short- and longterm policy measures for boosting paddy and rice production, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak under the National Food Security Policy. However, much of the unhappiness and disequilibrium in the local paddy and rice market were created due to irrational extensive intervention of the Miller Subsidy and Beras Nasional programmes in the nation. Many of the policy measures targeted at area expansion and productivity but it was suggested that the dominant path to achieve the targeted self-sufficiency level is through research and development at specialized and committed paddy and rice research centre. Trade oriented self-reliance approach that strategized with multiple and diversified sources of rice import was tipped to be superior of current selfsufficiency approach.
We attempted to investigate possible hepatoprotective effect of Eurycoma longifolia jack (ELJ) using carbon tetrachloride-induced (CC14) acute hepatotoxicity model in rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced by oral administration of 4.0mg/kg of CCI4 in corn oil (1:1) once to one experimental group of 5 rats and, in three other similar groups, challenged doses (300, 750 and 1500 mg/kg respectively) of ELJ were given one day before and one hour after 4.0 mg/kg CC14 and then once daily for three consecutive days. Three other groups of 5 rats each serving as controls were administered with distilled water, corn oil and ELJ (750mg/kg) only respectively. Rats were sacrificed on day three (corn oil & CC14 treated groups) and on day 4 (Distilled water, ELJ alone and CC14 with graded doses of ELJ treated groups) and samples of blood and liver tissue were taken for biochemical (serum) and histopathological examinations to assess hepatoprotection of ELJ against CC14-induced hepatotoxicity. In the low (300mg/kg) and medium (750 mg/kg) dose ELJ treated groups, CCI4 induced moderate inflammation, fatty acid change and necrosis of hepatocytes while in the high (1500mg/kg) dose ELJ, CC14 induced severe inflammation, fatty acid change and necrosis of hepatocytes. Biochemical measurements of ALT and ALP shows a moderate and insignificant reduction of serum levels in the low dose ELJ group but a more significant reduction in the medium and high dose ELJ groups when compared with the CC14 only group. The increase in serum total bilirubin caused by CC14 was non-significantly reduced by all the doses of ELJ. Animals treated with CC14 alone and in groups treated with both CC14 and graded doses of ELJ had a reduction in body weight, food and water intake but in ELJ (750mg/kg) only treated group, no such reduction in body weight, food and water intake was observed. This observation suggest that ELJ administered alone did not cause any toxic effect to the liver but in combination with CCI4, appeared to synergize the CC14-induced hepatotoxicity which increases as the dose of ELJ is increased. The anorexic, hypodypsic and reduced body weight evident in the CC14 alone and in ELJ plus CC14 treated groups but not in animals treated with ELJ alone, suggests that ELJ alone does not induce anorexia, hypodypsia or loss of weight. In conclusion, the results of our study suggest that ELJ is not hepatotoxic when given alone and appeared to have some degree of protective effects in rats against CC14-induced hepatotoxicity.
Bone health status was investigated in 178 free-living Chinese post-menopausal women in Kuala Lumpur. Body mass index (BMI), body composition (using whole body DXA), calcium intake and serum 25-OH vitamin D status were measured along with biochemical markers of bone turnover, that is, pro-collagen Type 1 N-terminal peptide (P1NP), osteocalcin (OC) and C-telopeptide ß cross
link of Type 1 collagen (CTX- β). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DXA (Hologic, USA) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip. Results showed that osteopenia was present in 50% of the subjects at the spine and 57.9% at the femoral neck. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 10% of the subjects at both the femoral neck and spine. A total of 29.3% of the subjects had high
levels of CTX- ß. Mean serum level of 25-OH vitamin D was 60.4+15.6 nmol/L and 50.6% of the subjects had hypovitaminosis D (defined as
MeSH terms: Body Composition; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Calcium; Female; Femur Neck; Health Status; Humans; Osteoporosis; Peptides; Rickets; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Biomarkers; Bone Density; Osteocalcin; Body Mass Index; Bone Remodeling; Collagen Type I
This paper explores the relationship between household wealth and nutritional status of pre-school children in Bangladesh using the nationally representative 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data. Chronic malnutrition was measured by z-score of height-for-age and the effect of household wealth on adverse childhood growth rate was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analyses. Overall, 43% of the children were stunted. The multivariate binary logistic regression analysis yielded significantly increased risk of stunting among the poorest (OR=2.26, 95% CI=1.77-2.89) as compared to the richest. The multivariate multinomial logistic regression produced elevated risk of moderate stunting (OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.50-2.61) and severe stunting (OR=2.88, 95% CI=2.00-4.14) of children in the poorest category compared to their richest counterparts. Children’s age, duration of breastfeeding, mother’s education, body mass index, mother’s working status and place of region were also identified as important determinants of children’s nutritional status. The findings suggest that apart from poverty reduction, maternal education, and strengthening of child and maternal health care services are important to improve health and nutritional status of the children.
MeSH terms: Maternal Health; Bangladesh; Breast Feeding; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Family Characteristics; Female; Growth Disorders; Health Surveys; Humans; Mothers; Nutritional Status; Poverty; Body Mass Index; Logistic Models; Malnutrition
Malaysian edible bird’s nests (EBN) are from the swiflet species, Aerodromus fuciphagus. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the nutrient composition of EBN obtained from different parts of Peninsular Malaysia, collected at three different harvesting seasons, to four commercial brands. A total of 18 raw, unprocessed EBN samples from the North, South and East Coast zones of Peninsular Malaysia and duplicate samples of 4 commercial brands (processed) of EBN samples were analysed. The protein and mineral contents of unprocessed EBN samples between zones and harvesting seasons were comparable. Mean (± SEM) protein content of unprocessed EBN was 61.5 ± 0.6 g/100g and the top four minerals detected were calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium with mean (± SEM) concentration of 553.1 ± 19.5 mg/100g, 187.9 ± 10.4 mg/100g, 92.9 ± 2.0 mg/100g and 6.3 ± 0.4 mg/100g respectively. Sialic acid content ranged between 0.7 to 1.5%, and remained comparable between samples from different zones and harvesting seasons. The commercial brands were found to contain higher amounts of calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus compared to unprocessed EBN, warranting further investigation and verification with more samples. Since the nutrient contents of EBN may be affected by seasonal variations and even breeding sites, it is recommended that a more comprehensive study be conducted involving more samples and breeding sites as such data are important to ensure sustainability of the EBN industry in this country.
Background : Two of the most common indicators of institutional healthcare quality are Hospital Accreditation Status and Patient Satisfaction. However, the relationship between them is not well understood. In Malaysia, only 20.48% hospitals have been accredited. This is very much less compared to hospitals in America, Europe, Australia and certain Asian countries whereby 90% of their hospitals have already been accredited.
Objective : The objective of this study was to compare the extent to which a patient’s satisfaction is related to hospital accreditation status, to examine the relationship between patient satisfaction and hospital work load and to determine factors that influence patients’ satisfaction.
Methodology : A cross-sectional study was conducted whereby 150 patients from each accredited and non-accredited hospital involved in this study group giving a total of 300 samples. `SERVQUAL’ instrument was used in this study. Patients were interviewed at 2 different times - during admission and upon discharge.
Result : Results showed 34.7% patients were satisfied with services in accredited hospital and 30.6% patients were satisfied with services in non-accredited hospital. `Corporate Culture’ component showed the lowest satisfaction score among the entire dimension in both categories hospitals. Patient satisfaction was noted to be reduced with increase in hospital work load. Other factors which significantly influence patient satisfaction include level of education, employment status and patient income. There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction between accredited and non-accredited hospital in all dimension measured.
Conclusion : Therefore there is no difference of patients’ satisfaction with regards to services provided by accredited and non-accredited hospitals.
MeSH terms: Accreditation; Asia; Australia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Employment; Europe; Hospitalization; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Patient Discharge; Personal Satisfaction; Quality of Health Care; Organizational Culture; Workload; Patient Satisfaction
Background : Miscarriage is a common problem in pregnancy which can occur during early, mid or late pregnancy. Incomplete miscarriage can be treated expectantly, medically or surgically. The most preferred method used in UKMMC is using sharp curettage.
Methodology : This study is conducted in the UKMMC from 1st January 2010 to 30th March 2010. The purpose of this study is to analyze the cost of treating incomplete miscarriage using metal sharp curettage from the provider’s perspective per patient-day.
Result : A total of 17 samples were eligible for analysis from 46 patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cost is derived from cost calculation on capital and recurrent costs. Results showed that the average cost for treating incomplete miscarriage using sharp curettage per day is RM252.56. Recurrent costs contributed 83.3% of the total treatment with overhead cost was the biggest percentage (51.6%). Discussion The treatment cost for incomplete miscarriage using sharp curettage is found to be higher as compared to medical approach according to literatures. The higher cost of surgical approach was mainly attributed to the recurrent cost which is included in the calculation.
Conclusion : Effective usage of the operation theatre and all resources should be managed and utilized well in order to achieve optimum outcome.
MeSH terms: Abortion, Spontaneous; Abortion, Incomplete; Curettage; Female; Health Resources; Humans; Metals; Pregnancy; Health Care Costs
Background: An effective doctor-patient communication has increasingly being recognized as an important factor in patient care. All means should be oriented towards narrowing communication gap. The essential methods must be searched and doctor must be able to conduct communication session in more pleasing manner.
Methodology: This is a systematic review on observations made on doctor-patient relationship on various setting and supported by feedbacks from many scholars who are involved in research, teaching and also papers and studies on the said subject.
Results: It is been realized that effective communication is not easily done if its process not well complemented and the gap is left widening. From all possible communication gaps recognized and listed, at least ten have identified to be the most essential methods to be prioritized while counseling or consulting a patient.
Conclusion: Effective communication between patient and doctor is the essential prerequisite of good medical practice and especially important for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Its mutual benefit can only be observed if all efforts are centered towards managing the communication gap.
Introduction : An organization performs well with proper management methods. Participation is a process involving cooperation and collaboration within all levels of individuals, groups or community for the purpose of organization improvement. Empowerment brings the organization further by delegation of power and responsibilities to others for better result.
Methodology : This is a systematic review on various publications, articles and studies based on the findings and researches conducted by experts and scholars involved with participation and empowerment of organizations.
Results : Participation and empowerment are crucial in every organization including healthcare. Its success depends on factors such as proper planning, mutual understanding, regular training and continuous education. They contribute towards better outcome in goal setting, decision making, problem solving and organizational development. There are also various levels of empowerment and participation depending on the type of activities, organisation’s performance and level of authority.
Conclusion : The prerequisite for an organisation’s success is dependent upon holistic participation and appropriate empowerment. The benefits gained from these measures are indeed invaluable. It creates sense of ownership, increases motivation and satisfaction, optimizing resources, promote innovations, enhancing quality and improving efficiency.
MeSH terms: Cooperative Behavior; Decision Making; Goals; Humans; Motivation; Ownership; Personal Satisfaction; Power (Psychology); Problem Solving; Research
Introduction: Non-verbal cues are untold words that carry a significant meaning. As a doctor, this remark needs to be perceived correctly. It is an inevitable communication knowledge and skills ought to be mastered in any doctorpatient relationship, particularly when making patient’s assessment.
Methodology: This was a systematic communication assessment of a real observations on doctor-patient relationship in various setting. It was supported by feedbacks from many scholars who were involved in research and teaching and also reviews, papers and studies on the said subject.
Results: It has been realized that non-verbal communication was equally important and necessary to complement the verbal one. From all non-verbal cues we have recognized and listed, we have identified at least ten to be the most vital areas to be observed while counseling or consulting a patient.
Conclusion: Non-verbal cues were always present to support doctor in making a final conclusion about his/her patient’s state. If doctor was patience enough, he or she could has a complete profile of his/her patient and this would lead to the improvement in a person’s life. Having an observant attitude and being able to nose around appropriately were skills that have to be learnt, experienced and applied as these might make an effective doctor-patient communication.
Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease and major cause of chronic renal disease. Chronic renal disease can be prevented if known risk factors were been early detected. Albuminuria is the earliest clinical evidence of chronic renal disease. Objectives of this study is to identify the incidence of albuminuria and relationship between albuminuria with socio demographic and clinical factors such as blood sugar control, blood pressure control, excessive body mass index and hypercholesterolemia.
Methodology: Data been collected from patient’s record that been regularly follow up at Primary Healthcare Clinics in Negeri Sembilan. Duration of study follow up was from the date of they been diagnosed of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 until detection of albuminuria or 1st July 2007,end date of data collection then survival analysis been done.
Result: Majority of study population was female 60.9% and Malay 69.7%. Mean age was 59.9 ± 10.7 and duration having Diabetes Mellitus was 7.0 ± 6.3 years. Only 22% achieved optimum glucose (HbA1c < 6.5%), controlled blood preassure 130/80 mmHg 42.3%, level of cholesterol <4.5 mmol/L only 22.7 %, 11.4% of patients having ideal body weight < 23 kg/m2. The incidence of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 was 24.4 cases per 1000 population. The median of follow up duration was 22 years; with minimum follow up was 7 months and maximum 42 years. Survival analysis showed that the median of free albuminuria among cases was 22 years (CI 95%:16.5 – 27.4). The log rank test showed no significant relationship between high blood pressure, excessive body mass index and hypercholesterolemia with albuminuria. This study noted that the occurrence of albuminuria seems to be higher among those were hypertensive (26.6%), and excessive body mass index (24.7%).
Conclusion: Percentage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 patient that achieved optimum clinical target still very low. Early detection of albuminuria is very important as preventive measure of diabetes nephropathy. Good blood pressure control and ideal body weight also prevent of occurring diabetes nephropathy complication.
Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, albuminuria, survival analysis.
MeSH terms: Albuminuria; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; China/ethnology; Cholesterol; Chronic Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glucose; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; India/ethnology; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Malaysia; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Primary Health Care; Risk Factors; Cohort Studies; Body Mass Index; Incidence; Survival Analysis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
Background : The implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) requires a level of measurement. The effectiveness of OSHMS implementation was influenced by inhibiting and supporting factors. The objective of this study was to determine the inhibiting and supporting factors towards the implementation of OSHMS in medical laboratories.
Methodology : The implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) requires a level of measurement. The effectiveness of OSHMS implementation was influenced by inhibiting and supporting factors. The objective of this study was to determine the inhibiting and supporting factors towards the implementation of OSHMS in medical laboratories.
Result : This study showed the level of compliance to the OSHMS MS1722 guideline among medical laboratories who are MS ISO 15189 accredited & have a higher scores in overall measurement indicators OSHMS compared to those do not have SAMM accreditation. Private medical laboratories services have higher scores in overall measurement indicators OSHMS, compared to government medical laboratories. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between medical laboratories which have ISO 9000 quality management system certification, compared to level of compliance to the OSHMS MS 1722 guideline among medical laboratories. There was also no significant difference (p>0.05) between the laboratories who had been operating for more than 10 years compared to those with less than 10 years, towards implementing the OSHMS. Results showed that majority of medical laboratories management perceived that difficulty and complexities of OSH legislation are the most important factor that prevent them from implementing OSHMS in their organization. The most important supporting factor, that medical laboratories management perceived as the most important to comply to the OSHMS were their moral responsibilities towards the community.
Conclusion : In conclusion, the study shows there were many inhibiting and supporting factors that contribute towards effective implementation of OSHMS elements in workplace.
Background : Study of stress among adults in rural community is seldom been conducted and this study aims to see the prevelence of the stress among this group of population.
Methodology : A cross sectional study was conducted to measure the prevalence of stress among the rural people in Hulu Langat District, Selangor using O`Donnell Personal Stress Inventory and coping mechanism practiced by them.
Result : A total of 265 respondents through universal sampling participated in this study. The stress prevalence identified was 16.2%. The factors which have significant association with stress were age, education level, marital status, working women, duration of working per day and body mass index. Diseases such as diabetis mellitus and hypertension showed no association with stress. Preferred coping mechanism used by respondents included emotional support, instrumental support, behavior modification and denial.
Conclusion : Stress among the rural population is high in Malaysia. Measures has to be taken to reduce the stress as it can effect the general health of the people.
MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Behavior Therapy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Malaysia; Personality Inventory; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rural Population; Women, Working; Body Mass Index; Prevalence; Marital Status
Introduction: The effect of stress among correctional officers at the workplace can contribute to various health problems and this also affect their work performance and motivation.
Methodology: Study was done at a prison located at the rural district in Kedah. The study was conducted by using randomized stratified sampling method. A total of 418 self administrated questionnaires were distributed. These questionnaires included socio demographic factor, family and marriage factor, Personal Stress Inventory (using Stress Symptom Scale with 52 items), work related stressors (Job Stress Survey) and Brief COPE (Coping Orientation for Problems Experienced with 28 items).
Result: Response rate was 90.9%. Stress prevalence for correctional officers was 45.8%. Socio demographic factors which have significant relation with stress status were marital status, promotion factor, age, monthly salary, duration of service and number of children (p< 0.05). Family and marriage factor which have significant relation with stress status among married officer were pressure from relatives, clean up house, sexual frustration, conflict with spouse, conflict with children, conflict due to household work and no babysitter (p< 0.05).
Discussion: The study showed that work related stressors that have influence with stress were excessive workload, working after work hours, not enough staff, disgraced words from fellow workers, competition in carrier development and excessive work stress (p< 0.05). Multiple linear regression model was done in this study and revealed factors that explained 52% of variation in stress score distributions were behavioural disengagement, no babysitter, denial, conflict with children, replace other worker’s duty, not enough time with family, competition in carrier development, venting of emotion, positive reframing and emotional support. Coping strategies that have significant effect in reducing stress symptoms are positive reframing and emotional support.
Conclusion: Stress management programs should be implemented and emphasizing on specific stressors and coping mechanism are important to reduce the risk of occupational stress among correctional officers.
MeSH terms: Work Performance; Adaptation, Psychological; Family Characteristics; Frustration; Marriage; Motivation; Personality Inventory; Surveys and Questionnaires; Salaries and Fringe Benefits; Prevalence; Linear Models; Workload; Workplace; Marital Status; Spouses
Introduction: Physiological changes in the oral cavity and dental-related complications may occur during pregnancy. These intraoral changes that occur during pregnancy combined with lack of routine dental check-ups and delays in treatment for oral disease, place pregnant women at higher risk for dental infections. The objectives of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of pregnant women on periodontal disease and its effect on pregnancy, to investigate the relationship of their knowledge and awareness with level of education and the barriers of oral healthcare utilization among pregnant women.
Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire with an introductory letter and consent form were given to pregnant women who came for their routine maternity check-up at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Data entry and analysis was done using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12.
Result: Ninety-two pregnant women responded to the questionnaire. Only 23.9% answered correctly to the question on what is plaque. However, 45.7% knew that plaque can cause gum disease and a majority of the respondents 72.8% also knew that bleeding gum is an indication to inflamed gums. The result shows that, although 59.8% of the respondents were aware that it is necessary to brush their teeth frequently during pregnancy, only less than half of the respondents (44.6%) were aware that dental plaque and poor plaque control may cause periodontal disease among pregnant women. The majority (33.7%) feels that the long waiting time in the clinic would be their main barrier in seeking dental treatment.
Conclusion: A majority of pregnant women have limited knowledge and poor awareness on periodontal disease and its effect on pregnancy.
Study site: Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Kuala Lumpur Hospital
Introduction: To determine the effectiveness of the enhance enforcement programmes (The Ops) on the percentage of seatbelt wearing among front occupants in Malaysia.
Methodology: The roadside observations for measuring the seatbelt wearing among front occupant were conducted before, two weeks and six months after the Ops. The study was conducted in selected states representing four different zones (Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central zones) of Peninsular Malaysia.
Result: A total of 12,298 drivers and 11,212 front occupants were observed for their seatbelt wearing status through out the study. Percentage of seatbelt wearing among drivers and front passengers were increased from the baseline of 82.6 % and 74.4 % to 92 % (95 % CI: 91.2, 92.7) and 87.0 % (95 % CI: 85.9, 88.0) after two week, but declined to 85.7 % (95 % CI: 84.4, 86.8) and 76.8 % (95 % CI: 75.2, 78.3) after six months of the Ops respectively. Pre and post analysis revealed that after 2 weeks, the Ops were significantly effective in increasing the seatbelt wearing among front passengers and drivers with the RR (95 % CI) of 1.17 (1.14, 1.20) and 1.12 (1.10,1.13) respectively. However, after six months, the effectiveness of the Ops was reduced for both type of vehicle occupant.
Conclusion: This study sheds light on the importance of the enhance enforcement programme for increasing the seatbelt wearing in Malaysia. However, in order to give more impact on seatbelt wearing, the strategy and the frequency of the enhance enforcement programme in Malaysia may need to be revised.