With the high demands on research ou tputs, academicians are under pressure to cope with their teaching responsibilities as well as other managerial and administrative responsibilities that may affect their in role and extra role performance. Four hundred and thirty one (431) academicians fr om twen ty (20) Malaysian public universities were sampled which drawn from a stratified sampling The study examined the factors affecting in role and extra role performance among academicians in Malaysian public universities. There were two (2) propose d affecting factors that being examined; namely job demands as independent factor, perceived job burnout as the mediating factor and religious perso nality as a moderating factor. The job demands, in role performance and extra role performance questi onnaire revised by Bakker (2014), while the perceived job burnout questionnaire by Demerouti (2010) and religious personality questionnaire by Krauss (2007) were adopted and adapted. The Job demands resources theory of burnout guided the study through a q uantita tive research design. Data were analysed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 approaches of structural equation modelling t o test the hypothesised model. The findings of this study largely supported the hypothesised relationships proposed in the theoreti cal mod el especially the mediating effect of perceived job burnout between job demands towards in role and extra role performance. The study concluded that all research objectives were successfully answered and achieved. Future studies applying the propos ed mode l are therefore recommended to be conducted at the institutions of higher learning across Malaysia in order to verify these findings.
Today sport and tourism are among the developed worlds’ most sought after leisure experiences and are becoming very important reflecting the hos t venue both socially and culturally. In this new era, many challenges were even more significant for Malaysia as she is not yet developed like other countries. Therefore, a careful selection of a potential place as a host venue for sports’ event is import an t. In line with that notion, this study aims to examine residents’ perception towards social and cultural impacts on hosting World Kite Festival in Pasir Gudang, Johor. A self administered questionnaire was developed. A total of 461 residents were succes sf ully surveyed and their perceptions towards social and cultural impacts were assessed by utilizing Scale of Perceived Social Impact (SPSI). All obtained data were further analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). In order to achiev e the research objectives, descriptive statistic was used for assessing the percentages, mean, rank and standard deviation. While independent t Test was used to investigate the gender differences among residents at World Kite Festival. The finding indicate s that there was a positive impact of hosting a sports’ event to the resident at Pasir Gudang although some negative impacts were witnessed. Thus, some improvement is needed.
MeSH terms: Female; Holidays; Leisure Activities; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Change; Sports
Every individual at some point will make critical career decision making in life. Making a wrong career decision will affect a person’s fu ture including feeling unhappy, job stress and eventually job withdrawal. This study examined the factors affecting career decision making among government servants in Malaysia. The population and sample were taken from three departments. The population wa s 140 employees and 103 respondents were identified as the sample. Convenience sampling was employed to collect the primary data. The result from several statistical analysis found that all the independent variables; salary and benefits, working environmen t and job security were correlated with the dependent variable that is career decision making. Therefore, from the findings, employers, especially from the government agencies, were urged to increase recruiting permanent position instead of contract employ ment and offering better benefits to improve employees’ career decision making.
MeSH terms: Decision Making; Employment; Government; Government Agencies; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Salaries and Fringe Benefits
Introduction: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Paddy fields are high risk area for JEV transmission due the presence of Culex tritaeniorhynchus as vector and wild boar as an amplifier host. Methods: We presented case reports for three patients infected with JEV residing in paddy field area from 2015 to 2018 in Kerian, Perak; illustrating the symptoms and epidemiology trend of the dis-ease. Results: All three cases live next to paddy field and were exposed during peak biting hours. They presented with fever and altered consciousness. IV Acylovir was started as one of the treatments and all had lumbar puncture for CSF testing. Two cases (adult) were confirmed JE after they had passed away. Two cases occurred during fasting month where food wastes were abundance. The source of infection was probably from wild boars that came out at night to hunt for food. Presence of C. tritaeniorhynchus was demonstrated as the main vector in these areas. Conclusion: JE has no cure and human vaccination is the main prevention method. At the moment, vector control, environmental management, chemical control and personal protection are the main mitigation strategies for this area. Further study on JEV and wild board in Kerian will be most beneficial.
Abstracts For The 1st International Borneo Healthcare And Public Health Conference And 4th Borneo Tropical Medicine And Infectious Disease Congress. Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Laboratory screening tests are common elements of health care. Comprehensive care of patients is dependent on the results of laboratory investigations. Dissemination of knowledge and improving attitude of com-munity for utilization of laboratory services are utmost important in community health care. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and utilization of the laboratory services among the employees of University Malaysia Sabah, determine their expectations of employees on the medical laboratory services.
Methods: A total of 200 UMS staff participated. The data were collected using a cross-sectional self-administered questionnaires and descriptive data analysis was done.
Results: 5% of the participants in this study agreed to have the health check and blood screening tests every year. Less than 10% of respondents agreed to do more frequent blood tests check if they are at high risk such as family history of cancer, hypertension and diabetes 181 out of 200 respondents do not agree that doing laboratory tests can help for early diagnosis of some diseases. The most used laboratory tests were plasma sugar (70.8%), blood grouping (60.4%), urine examination (50%) and serum lipid (46%).
Conclusion: Based on the results, recommendations were made to improve the knowledge, attitude and utilization of the laboratory services and set up laboratory services easily accessible by the university community. This will lead to positive health benefits in people and improve associated health outcomes.
MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; Borneo; Comprehensive Health Care; Cross-Sectional Studies; Delivery of Health Care; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Hypertension; Malaysia; Mass Screening; Motivation; Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Early Detection of Cancer
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the ninth leading cause of mortality in the world while it is the most prevalent infection which is ranked abolve HIV/AIDS. In Malaysia, tuberculosis is still a public health problem. Sabah State on Malaysian Borneo had 20-30% of total TB cases of the country. In Sabah, case notification rate of almost 200 per 100,000 population was still present in the last 10 years. Hotspots are defined as TB notification rate more than 100/100.000 in a district or TB notification rate more than 100/100,000 in the squatters’ area. In this study, cycle threshold (ct) values in GeneXpertMTB/RIF (Xpert) were tried to be correlated with growth in Mycobacterim growth indicator tubes (MGIT) by measurement of time to detection (TTD). Methods: Sputum samples from six hotspots of Kota Kinabalu were studied by Xpert as well as MGIT culture after processing of sputum samples. The correlation between Mean ct value of Xpert and TTD in MGIT was analysed by using IBM SPSS Statistic 25 and the statistical test used was Pearson Correlation test. Results: The results of Xpert indicated 35 of 204 sputum samples were pos-itive whereas only one sample was rifampicin resistant. The mean ct values were very low, low and medium in all the hotspots with sputum from one hotspot showed medium ct values predominantly. The sputum from remaining hotspots showed mainly very low and low ct values. MGIT results showed no growth in five samples with two very low, two low and one medium mean ct values. Conclusion: The finding indicated that there were correlations be-tween mean ct values of Xpert and TTD in MGIT with a few exceptions.
MeSH terms: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Borneo; HIV; Humans; Malaysia; Polysorbates; Public Health; Rifampin; Sputum; Transients and Migrants; Tuberculosis; Prevalence
Abstracts For The 1st International Borneo Healthcare And Public Health Conference And 4th Borneo Tropical Medicine And Infectious Disease Congress. Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Cancer is a major public health problem and the third leading cause of death in Malaysia. Ovarian cancers are the fifth most common cancer among women in Peninsular Malaysia. Our aim is to assess the risk factors in healthy young adult female students from UMS and will act as an input for further prevention of ovarian cancer. Methods: Cross sectional, questionnaire-based study was done on total 278 Medical and Nursing students from Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and received the answers based on genetic assessment of ovarian cancers whether gives positive history of ovarian cancers in first degree, second degree and third-degree relatives. The life-time risk of a woman who has a first degree relative with ovarian cancer is five percent (the average woman’s lifetime risk is 1.4 percent). Results: Assessing the hereditary risk factor, total 1.8% gives positive results for ovarian cancer in first degree relatives. The lifetime risk of ovarian cancer among female mutation carriers was 39-46% for BRCA1 and 12-20% for BRCA2 mutation carriers. In our study, regarding physical activity,63.7% is not meeting with WHO recommendation for Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) and remaining 36.3% meets WHO recommendation. By using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPQA)Score Protocol, only 2.6 % of Medical students showed Health Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) active,36.4 % showed minimally active and 60.9% showed inactive. Among nursing students only 5.5% showed HEPA active, 35.4% showed minimally active and 59.1% are inactive. Conclu-sion: Primary prevention through behavioural and lifestyle modification is a cost-effective means of preventing the large burden cancer has on societies world-wide.
Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB), commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is one of the ten leading causes of death worldwide. The gold standard, microbiological culture for detection and differentiation of mycobac-teria are time-consuming and laborious. The use of fast, easy and sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for diagnosis of TB remains challenging because there is a high degree of homology within Mtb complex (MTBC) members and absence of target genes in the genome of some strains. This study aimed to identify new candidate genetic marker and to design specific primers to detect Mtb using in silico methods. Methods: Using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) program, Mtb H37Rv chromosome reference genome sequence was mapped with other MTBC members and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at Rv1970 was found to be specific only for Mtb strains. Mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) combine with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used as an alternative method to detect the point mutation. MAMA primers targeting the SNP were designed using Primer-BLAST and the PCR assay was optimized via Taguchi method. Results: The assay amplified a 112 bp gene fragment and was able to detect all Mtb strains, but not the other MTBC members and non-tuberculous Mycobacte-ria. The detection limit of the assay was 60 pg/μl. Conclusion: Bioinformatics has provided predictive identification of many new target markers. The designed primers were found to be highly specific at single-gene target resolution for detection of Mtb.
MeSH terms: Cause of Death; Chromosomes; Genetic Markers; Mutation; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Nucleotides; Tuberculosis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Point Mutation; Computational Biology; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Limit of Detection
Introduction: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in Malaysia, predominantly among women under age of 60 and they often presented late. Borneo is home to multi-racial indigenous with heterogeneous background and breast cancer profile can be absolutely unique. This study aims to examine the demographic characteristics and stage at presentation in Sandakan women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospec-tive study involving those women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2016 to December 2018 in Duchess of Kent Hospital, Sandakan identified via hospital cancer registry and patient records. Only breast cancer with epithelial origin was included. Age, ethnicity and stages at presentation of breast cancer were analysed. Logistic regression was used to study their relationships. Results: 110 women were newly diagnosed as breast cancer. Mean age was 53.5 (SD 12.7), the youngest at 30 and the eldest at 97. Majority (64.6%) were local indigenous wom-en, constituted by 25.4% Sungai, 14.1% Kadazan-Dusun, 12.7% Bugis and the minorities. Chinese women are the main local non-indigenous (32.7%) followed by 2.7% Malay. 52.1% presented at late stages (stage III/IV). Subgroup analysis of T-staging revealed 41.7% had advanced symptoms (T3/T4). Indigenous group was more likely to present at younger ages (OR 12.0; 95%CI 1.5-93.8) and with advanced symptoms (OR 3.1; 95%CI 1.2-8.0). Conclusion: Awareness on breast cancer remains inadequate particularly among indigenous women. Difficult healthcare accessi-bility and incline towards traditional medicine could attribute to late presentation. Outreach awareness programmes are warranted in addition to mobile screening services.
MeSH terms: Borneo; Cancer Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethnic Groups; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Medical Records; Medicine, Traditional; Middle Aged; Minority Groups; Neoplasms; Registries; Logistic Models; Early Detection of Cancer
ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS. New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected
Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Smoking kills 5 million people a year and it is known to cause several types of cancer and chronic diseases. Majority of smokers started smoking during adolescence and therefore preventing tobacco use among adolescents is critical to prevent them from future smoking. Our study aims to investigate the prevalence of current cigarette smoking and its associated factors among male adolescents in Malaysia.
Methods: Data was obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS): Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) 2017 which was a cross-sectional study. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling design was used to select a nationally representative sample of school-going adolescents in Malaysia. Data collection was conducted using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associated factors of current cigarette smoking among male adolescents in Malaysia.
Results: Approximately one-fifth (22.4%) of male adolescents were current cigarette smokers. Male adolescents who aged 16-17 years, from rural schools, those whose parents were widowed/ divorced/ separated, those who had either one or both parents/guardians who used tobacco product, those who were current illicit drug users and current alcohol users were more likely to be current cigarette smokers.
Conclusion: A substantial percentage of Malaysian male adolescents were current cigarette smokers. Anti-smoking campaigns and tobacco prevention initiatives should be targeted at adolescents at risk to prevent them from becoming cigarette smokers.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2017)
MeSH terms: Adolescent Health; Adolescent; Chronic Disease; Divorce; Health Surveys; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Morbidity; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tobacco; Prevalence; Logistic Models; Drug Users; Tobacco Use
Introduction: Low socio-economic status (SES) has been associated with poorer access and worse outcome in kid-ney transplantation (KT) for high-income countries. In contrast, relatively little is known about the KT access and outcome between the socio-economic gradient in Malaysia, which is a low- and middle-income country. The aim is to determine the association of SES with access and outcome of kidney transplantation in Malaysia. Methods: We examined the Malaysian National Renal Registry for kidney transplant candidates listed between 2002 to 2011. Cox’s regression was used to assess associations of SES with transplant access and outcome (survival). Results: 1234 patients were transplanted in 2002-2011 after excluding pediatric patients and multiple transplantations. The mean age of patients was 42.3 ± 12.3 years, 789 (63.9%) were male and 797 (65.0%) were of Chinese ethnicity. After multivariate adjustment, the highest income group were 20% less likely to access KT compared the lowest income group (adjusted HR=0.80, CI: [0.62, 1.04] producing trend for P-Value = 0.001. While patient with highest education were 50% more likely to survive compared to patient with lowest education (adjusted HR=0.50, CI: [0.34, 0.73] producing trend for P-Value < 0.001. Conclusion: Even in a healthcare system that is almost achieving universal health coverage, disparities exist in both extremes of the socio-economic gradient for the access and outcomes for KT in Malaysia. Reducing the SES disparities in KT will require policy initiatives addressing the components of SES (income, education, and employment) as well as the pathways by which this affect the health of KT patient.
Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to occupational blood and body fluid exposure (OBBE) that potentially cause blood-borne infection such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, with risk of transmission 0.3%, 6 to 30% and 0-10% respectively. They are exposed to these infections through percutaneous injury, splash exposure of blood and body fluids to mucous membrane and non-intact skin. Aim of this study was to determine prevalence and risk factors associated with occupational exposure of blood and body fluid in a tertiary government hospital in Sabah. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted involving 10 places, was chosen by stratified random sampling and involved various job categories (specialist, medical officer, house officer, nurse, hospital assistant and Sedafiat worker). Self-administered questionnaire used as study tool. The data was analysed by using SPSS version 22.0. Association of risk factors and OBBE incidence were determined by Chi-square test and simple logistic regression. Results: A total of 334 respondents involved in this study. Prevalence of OBBE was 25.2% with 95% CI of 20.6% to 30.2% and highest (41.3%) among HCWs working in medical ward. Nurses were less likely to have occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (Crude OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.57). Needle recapping (Crude OR=3.77, 95% CI: 1.99, 7.10) and never attend training in infection prevention (Crude OR=3.19, 95% CI: 1.69, 6.05) were associ-ated with higher odds of OBBE. There was 76.3% of respondents adhere to universal precaution. HCWs who did not work in shift (Crude OR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.49, 6.21) and non-nurses (Crude OR=2.04, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.92) profession had better adherence to universal precaution. Conclusion: Prevalence of OBBE was 25.2%. Modifiable risk factors for OBBE were identified including needle recapping and training on infection prevention. Shift work is associated with adherence to universal precaution. Adequate training, increasing knowledge and awareness may help to reduce OBBE burden.
MeSH terms: Body Fluids; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Personnel; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Humans; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Incidence; Prevalence; Chi-Square Distribution; Logistic Models; Occupational Exposure; Universal Precautions
Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) has become the number one cause of death worldwide. Past studies have established the efficiency of prebiotics, probiotics, and their combination on lowering blood lipids. However, the mechanism(s) on the reduction of cholesterol involved is not fully understood due to limited in-vivo studies. Therefore, the reported hypocholesterolaemic potential of probiotics and prebiotics supplementations warrants fur-ther research. This study examined the effectiveness of the intervention products on improving lipid profiles, (to-tal cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, TG). Methods: A randomized, single blind intervention involving 8 weeks of treatment followed by 4 weeks of washout period was carried out on 29 volunteers with TC 5.2-6.0 mmol/L who were screened from 517 volunteers. Exclusion criteria included chronic diseases, immune-compromised diseases, consumption of cholesterol-lowering drugs, and pregnancy if female. Informed consent was obtained before com-mencement of the study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 2g/d Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM pro-biotic powder, 10g/d inulin, 10g/d dietary fibre, control intervention of 20mg/d statin, or control intervention of diet counseling. Results: No significant (p>0.05) changes were observed in the fasting blood glucose, physical activities and total nutrient intake of all the groups. Inulin reduced LDL-C by 12.13%. Probiotic reduced TC by 6.98%. Dietary fibre reduced TC by 8.6%, and LDL-C by 16.08%. Conclusion: Although the results showed no significant changes, it may be clinically significant as the intervention products improve the lipid profiles. It was concluded that the im-provement in the lipid profiles may be attributable to the intervention products.
Introduction: Smartphone addiction is a hotly debated public health issue and it affects every generation especially the youth and younger generation nowadays (Generation Z / i-Generation) and contributes to the poor mental health status like stress, anxiety and depression. This study is carried out to determine the prevalence of smartphone addic-tion and its association with stress, anxiety and depression among the undergraduate students in Unitversity Malaysia Sabah. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah. A total number of 456 undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah with at least a smartphone device were enrolled in the study by stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire, Smartphone Addiction Scale Malay Version (SAS-M) and The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items (DASS-21) Malay Version were used for data collection. The prevalence of smartphone addiction, stress, anxiety and depression among un-dergraduate students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah were determined. Simple linear regression was used to determine the effect of smartphone addiction to stress, anxiety and depression. Results: Prevalence of smartphone addiction among undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah is 61.2% (95% CI : 56.5%, 65.7%). The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression among undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah are 34.9%, 58.6% and 42.5% respectively. The univariate analysis shows that smartphone addiction is significantly associated with stress (Regression Coeeficient = 0.774, 95% CI 0.54, 1.01 ; P-value
MeSH terms: Smartphone; Adolescent; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Health Status; Humans; Malaysia; Public Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students; Prevalence; Linear Models; Behavior, Addictive
Introduction: Responder’s action during mass environmental chemical incident involves collaboration of multiple agency. They clean the exposure site, control public safety and safe lives. The health of the responder is also as valuable as the public and always been neglected. Hence, this study is to highlights the method used and challenges during the incidents. Methods: A modified Occupational Health Surveillance Programme designed by Baker and Matte (Thirteen Steps in designing and implementing an Occupational Health Surveillance Programme) was imple-mented. These method full fill the criteria of impossible further reduce exposure to known hazards and uncertain health effect of the offending chemicals. Two core workplace namely the source of chemical contamination locale and victims’ evacuation centre were identified. The exposed responder is identified and categorised according to their expected exposure. Offending chemicals identified were known hazardous to health. An electronic survey form was developed and the surveillance were conducted during the event and post-exposures of one, third and sixth months. Laboratory tests were performed as a grab sample randomly and strategically to represent responder exposure. Results: During the event, 1338 responders were surveyed and twenty percent had symptoms of cough, headache, sore throat, nausea and skin irritation. After one-month post-exposure, three percent of responder noted to have continue symptoms. Laboratory tests were performed randomly due to the sheer numbers of responders in action. Only sixty-one samples were collected and sixteen percent had positive metabolites for urine cyanide. Re-sponders with abnormal laboratory result (FBC/LFT/RP/Urine) were interviewed and a repeat sample were performed. Conclusion: The health surveillance of the responder in mass environmental chemical incident is a great challenge when the exposure level is unsure and involve more than one chemicals. Likewise, reliability and validity adopting statistical test for health surveillance instruments is unattainable due to urgency. However, a proper method of occu-pational surveillance need to be devised and implemented to ensure the protection of worker’s health is guaranteed.
MeSH terms: Cough; Cyanides; Headache; Nausea; Pharyngitis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Reproducibility of Results; Occupational Health; Workplace; Uncertainty; Chemical Hazard Release
Introduction: Primary health care providers face a wide range of stressors and are at high risk of developing occu-pational burnout, which may cause ineffectiveness and reduce the productivity of the health care system. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the primary health care provider working in health facilities under Tuaran Area Health Office. A total of 199 of 604 providers randomly selected as respondents for this study. Self-ad-ministered questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory are used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence and Chi-square test was used to determine the association of risk factors. Results: Prevalence of occupational burnout is 10.1% with high level of overall burnout (n = 20), 60.8% are having low to moderate level of overall burnout (n = 121) and 29.1% has no burnout (n = 58). A significant relationship was observed between burnout, high workload, out-of-scope workload and distance between home and workplace (p≤0.01). However, no significant relationship was observed between burnout and age, gender, marital status, finan-cial status, education level, experience and income. Conclusion: This study shows that distribution of workload as well as the job scope may affect burnout. Further study can be conducted to identify home-workplace distance re-lation to burnout. With the identification of these factors, a counter measures and intervention can be implemented.
MeSH terms: Burnout, Professional; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Facilities; Health Personnel; Humans; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Chi-Square Distribution; Workload; Workplace; Marital Status
Introduction: Anaemia in pregnancy is a major cause of disability worldwide, with a prevalence of more than 20% in >80% countries worldwide. Of those affected, roughly 50% are due to iron-deficiency anaemia, but there is some variation across different populations due to local culture and practices. Anaemia affects 38% of pregnant women worldwide, while in Malaysia the prevalence is 35%. The study aim is to determine the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in 2 rural districts in Sabah as well as knowledge, attitude and practices towards anaemia in these women. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was done in Tongod and Kinabatangan Districts involving 217 pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of gestation who attended antenatal check-up at 6 government clin-ics in these districts. An interview using a standardized questionnaire was conducted by community nurses at the respective clinics. Sociodemographic and antenatal details was collected, including information about knowledge, attitude and practices toward anaemia. The Chi-square test was used to compare anaemia at 36 weeks with select-ed sociodemographic and antenatal factors, as well as KAP factors. Results: The mean age of women in the study was 28.4 ± 5.9 years, and the mean haemoglobin level at around 36 weeks age of gestation was 11.0 ± 1.1 g/dL. Prevalence of anaemia in these women was 52%. Most of the answers in the KAP section reflected the relatively high awareness about anaemia in pregnancy and methods to lessen its effects. A significant association was found between anaemia at 36 weeks and monthly family income, defaulting on iron supplements, caffeine beverages taken with meals, and dietary restrictions (p = 0.010, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.017 respectively). Conclusion: The high preva-lence of anaemia among pregnant women in these 2 districts reflects the practices of these women despite high levels of knowledge of anaemia. More effort needs to be done to apply this knowledge to decrease anaemia in pregnant women in rural areas.
Introduction: World Health Organization in 2019 reported that about 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-trans-mitted helminths (STH) worldwide. Infected children with STH might manifest signs of anaemia and impaired nutri-tionally or physically. This study aimed to look at the prevalence of STH in the area of North Sabah among rural pri-mary schools and examine the associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected primary school in the district of Kudat of Sabah from 2014 to 2015. Tools used for the study were questionnaire and stool sampling. Questionnaire focused data on sociodemographic, hygiene and use of anti-helminths drugs. Stool samples collected were sent for microscopic examination for presence of STH ova. Written consents were obtained from parents/guardians. Chi-square was used to examine the association of having STH and factors on utilities fa-cilities, hygiene and anti-helminths drug. SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis. Results: There was 433 school children aged 7 to 12 years old with 224 males and 209 females respondents. Three-quarters main source of water supply in the homes from treated water. Those with proper built toilet were 96%. Practices of washing hands after toilet and before eating were 96% as well. Almost 95% wear slippers when outside homes. Only 61% took their anti-helminths drug in the past 1 year while in the last 6 months the uptake was 38.7%. The prevalence of positive ova of STH in the stool sample was 57 out of 433 or 13.2%. STH infection was not statistically significant associated with the above factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of STH infection among primary school children in the district of Kudat although has lowered over the years is still considered higher than most states in Malaysia. Continuous public health intervention is necessary to further bring down the prevalence of STH infections.
MeSH terms: Anemia; Animals; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Helminths; Humans; Hygiene; Informed Consent; Malaysia; Male; Public Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schools; Soil; Water Supply; World Health Organization; Prevalence; Bathroom Equipment
Introduction: Despite considerable effort invested for tuberculosis (TB) control, the outcome has not been optimal due to several barriers. Stigma has been an important factor that hinders the completion of full course of TB treat-ment, i.e. it results in poor treatment adherence. This systematic review is aimed to review the interventions target-ing tuberculosis related stigma in order to improve treatment adherence among tuberculosis patients in developing countries. Methods: A systematic electronic database search (PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Science Direct, Ovid, Spring and Cochrane) covering articles published between 2008 and 2019 had been conducted using truncat-ed search words of “stigma related to tuberculosis”, “TB Stigma”, “Intervention”, “treatment adherence”, “treatment compliance”, and “developing countries”. Only English articles exploring stigma among TB patients and its anti-stig-ma intervention in developing countries were included. Results: A total of 846 articles were retrieved and 346 were excluded due to duplication while another 361 non-relevant articles at the stage of title screening were excluded. Subsequently, 119 articles were excluded for not fulfilling inclusion criteria and only 3 studies remained. Conclu-sion: From the three articles, TB treatment outcomes were improved with the use of stigma intervention, including health education and counselling, self-support, and psychological support interventions. Optimal implementation of stigma interventions may vary by setting, resources, and the local TB epidemiology. More controlled interventional research is needed in stigma reduction that leads to improve TB adherence in developing countries.
MeSH terms: Counseling; Developing Countries; Health Education; Humans; Patient Compliance; Tuberculosis; Treatment Outcome; PubMed; Social Stigma
Introduction: Malaria is a public health concern and still endemic in Malaysia particularly in Sabah. Malaria is due to plasmodium parasite which can be further divided into human malaria and zoonotic malaria. Plasmodium knowlesi, a zoonotic malaria species, is increasing in trend and alarming despite of ongoing prevention and control measures especially in Sabah. Methods: This is a case-control study involving a total of 169 respondents which comprises of 43 cases and 126 controls from Mukim Paginatan and Mukim Nalapak, Ranau. A simple random sampling were used to select subjects. Results: This study found male, forest related and doing outdoor activity has higher risk of contracting malaria. Village house is another significant risk factor. The specific risk factors with the strongest association with malaria is the presence of monkey near housing or farm area (OR5.667; 95% CI: 2.429, 13.220), live near forest (OR 5.330; 95% CI: 1.209, 23.495), presence of pond or pool or river near house (OR 4.222; 95% CI: 1.552, 11.490), doing outdoor activity after 5 PM (OR 3.434; 95% CI: 1.522, 7.748) and ever overnight in the hut (OR 2.724; 95% CI: 1.334, 5.561). Conclusion: This study shows several risk factors that associated with malaria knowlesi. Based on the identified risk factors, preventive and control measure can be improved and optimized.
MeSH terms: Animals; Haplorhini; Housing; Humans; Malaria; Malaysia; Male; Parasites; Public Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Research Design; Risk Factors; Case-Control Studies; Plasmodium knowlesi; Rivers; Ponds; Forests; Farms