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Serum folate concentration, cognitive impairment, and DNA damage among elderly individuals in Malaysia

Lee LK, Shahar S, Rajab N

Nutr Res, 2009 May;29(5):327-34.
PMID: 19555814 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2009.05.006

The notion that dietary factors affect cognitive function and subsequently the risk of dementia has increased over the years from a global viewpoint. Because low folate intake has been described to impair cognitive function, we tested the hypothesis that low serum folate concentration is associated with cognitive impairment and an attenuated increase in DNA damage. We investigated the relationship between serum folate concentration, cognitive impairment, and DNA damage among elderly people attending health clinics in Klang Valley, an urban area in Malaysia. Two hundred thirty-two participants, composed of 115 men (49.6%) and 117 women (50.4%), were involved; none of the patients were diagnosed with neuropsychiatric problems, nor where they terminally ill. Sociodemography and health variables were assessed through face-to-face interview. Cognitive impairment review was conducted through an Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire. The estimation of dietary intake, serum folate concentration, and DNA damage was individually analyzed using validated Dietary History Questionnaires, immunoassay methods, and an Alkaline Comet Assay study (10 mL of peripheral venous blood), respectively. Results indicated that more men had cognitive impairment (33.0%) and DNA damage (27.0% for percentage DNA in tail, 22.6% tail moment) compared with women (25.6%, 15.4%, and 15.4%, respectively) (P < .05 for all parameters), recording an average folate deficiency value of 13.9% (0.2% higher than women). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis outlined the association of cognitive impairment with older age (odds ratio [OR], 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-5.57), smoking habits (OR, 5.12; 95% CI, 2.48-10.57), poor serum folate concentration (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.26-9.52), and DNA damage (percentage DNA in tail) (OR, 13.70; 95% CI, 1.36-138.29). In conclusion, this study highlighted the important role of serum folate concentration for cognitive function and provided a concise picture regarding the elevated levels of oxidative DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its influencing factors among adolescent girls in Mashhad, Iran

Mirhosseini NZ, Yusoff NA, Shahar S, Parizadeh SM, Mobarhen MG, Shakery MT

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2009;18(1):131-6.
PMID: 19329406

Introduction: This study sought to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, one of the major public-health challenges worldwide, and its influencing factors among 15 to 17 years old adolescent girls in Mashhad, Iran.
Methods: A total of 622 high school adolescents participated in a cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic characteristics and dietary habits. Anthropometric assessments, blood pressure measurement and biochemical assessment were done.
Results: Applying BMI Z-score for age and gender (WHO 2007), 14.6 % and 3.4 % of subjects were classified as overweight and obese, respectively. Enlarged WC (> 80 cm) was seen in 9.5% of subjects. The prevalence of combined hypertension was 6.1% which was increased by the severity of obesity. A total of 24.5% of subjects had hypertriglyceridemia and 57% of them had low level of HDL-cholesterol. Hyperglycemia was present in 16.7% of subjects. Based on the NCEP ATP III (2001) criteria, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 6.5% and increased to 45.1% in obese subjects. Increasing BMI or WC, led to significant increment in the number of metabolic syndrome features (p < 0.001). High socioeconomic status of family, medical history of parents and dietary habits especially high consumption of carbohydrates were influencing factors in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: Approximately 6.5% of all and 45% of obese subjects met the criteria for the metabolic syndrome. Dietary habits especially carbohydrate consumption, socioeconomic status of family and medical history of parents can be influential factors in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext National Orthopedic Registry in Malaysia--National Orthopedic Hip Fracture Database (NOHFD)

Muhammad Anwar Hau A

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Sep;63 Suppl C:74.
PMID: 19227678
Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Prevalence of refractive error in malay primary school children in suburban area of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Hashim SE, Tan HK, Wan-Hazabbah WH, Ibrahim M

Ann Acad Med Singap, 2008 Nov;37(11):940-6.
PMID: 19082201

INTRODUCTION: Refractive error remains one of the primary causes of visual impairment in children worldwide, and the prevalence of refractive error varies widely. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of refractive error and study the possible associated factors inducing refractive error among primary school children of Malay ethnicity in the suburban area of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was performed from January to July 2006 by random selection on Standard 1 to Standard 6 students of 10 primary schools in the Kota Bharu district. Visual acuity assessment was measured using logMAR ETDRS chart. Positive predictive value of uncorrected visual acuity equal or worse than 20/40, was used as a cut-off point for further evaluation by automated refraction and retinoscopic refraction.
RESULTS: A total of 840 students were enumerated but only 705 were examined. The prevalence of uncorrected visual impairment was seen in 54 (7.7%) children. The main cause of the uncorrected visual impairment was refractive error which contributed to 90.7% of the total, and with 7.0% prevalence for the studied population. Myopia is the most common type of refractive error among children aged 6 to 12 years with prevalence of 5.4%, followed by hyperopia at 1.0% and astigmatism at 0.6%. A significant positive correlation was noted between myopia development with increasing age (P <0.005), more hours spent on reading books (P <0.005) and background history of siblings with glasses (P <0.005) and whose parents are of higher educational level (P <0.005). Malays in suburban Kelantan (5.4%) have the lowest prevalence of myopia compared with Malays in the metropolitan cities of Kuala Lumpur (9.2%) and Singapore (22.1%).
CONCLUSION: The ethnicity-specific prevalence rate of myopia was the lowest among Malays in Kota Bharu, followed by Kuala Lumpur, and is the highest among Singaporean Malays. Better socio-economic factors could have contributed to higher myopia rates in the cities, since the genetic background of these ethnic Malays are similar.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Linking data to tobacco control program action among students aged 13-15 in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, 2000-2006

Sirichotiratana N, Sovann S, Aditama TY, Krishnan M, Kyaing NN, Miguel-Baquilod M, et al.

Tob Control, 2008 Dec;17(6):372-8.
PMID: 18669557 DOI: 10.1136/tc.2007.024190

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made tobacco use prevention a primary health issue. All ASEAN countries except Indonesia have ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the world's first public health treaty on tobacco control.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Prevalence and risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in a multiethnic population of patients presenting for bariatric surgery in Singapore

Lee YH, Johan A, Wong KK, Edwards N, Sullivan C

Sleep Med, 2009 Feb;10(2):226-32.
PMID: 18387341 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2008.01.005

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is becoming more prevalent world wide. Bariatric surgery is one treatment option for patients with severe or morbid obesity. There have been few comprehensive studies examining prevalence and risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the multiracial Singaporean bariatric surgery population.
METHODS: We performed full polysomnography on 176 consecutive patients undergoing assessment for bariatric surgery. Questionnaires regarding snoring, the presence of witnessed apneas and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were administered. Anthropometric and demographic measurements include age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI) and neck circumference.
RESULTS: The prevalence of OSA was 72%, and 49% of the 176 patients had an AHI >= 15. There was a male predominance of OSA (X(2) = 29.7; p<0.001). OSA subjects had larger neck circumference (43.9 +/- 4.5 vs. 39.4 cm +/- 3.3; p<0.001) and higher BMI (43.1 +/- 7.6 vs. 39.1 +/- 5.4 kg/m(2); p<0.001). The neck circumference (OR = 1.37; p<0.001), presence of snoring (OR = 8.25; p<0.001) and an ESS >10 (OR = 3.24; p = 0.03) were significant independent predictors of an AHI >= 15. A neck circumference of 43 cm had an 80% sensitivity and 83% specificity for predicting an AHI >= 15.
CONCLUSIONS: OSA is common amongst Singaporeans undergoing evaluation for bariatric surgery, with a high prevalence of moderate and severe disease. An increased neck circumference is a strong independent predictor for an AHI >= 15, with a neck circumference of greater than 43 cm being a sensitive and specific predictor. Race was not found to be a risk factor.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Prevalence and causes of functional low vision in school-age children: results from standardized population surveys in Asia, Africa, and Latin America

Gilbert CE, Ellwein LB, Refractive Error Study in Children Study Group

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2008 Mar;49(3):877-81.
PMID: 18326706 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.07-0973

Data on the prevalence and causes of functional low vision (FLV) in adults and children are lacking but are important for planning low-vision services. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and causes of FLV among children recruited in eight population-based prevalence surveys of visual impairment and refractive error from six countries (India [2 locations]; China [2 locations]; Malaysia, Chile, Nepal, and South Africa).

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Is Kelantan joining the global cancer epidemic?--experience from hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia; 1987-2007

Othman NH, Nor ZM, Biswal BM

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Jul-Sep;9(3):473-8.
PMID: 18990023

OBJECTIVE: To determine the trend of cancer cases in one major hospital in Kelantan over a 20 year period from 1987 to 2007 and to speculate the change in trend due to the socio-economic and other health status in the state.

METHODOLOGY: All data on clinically diagnosed cancer cases in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia [HUSM] were retrieved from the hospital medical records. The cancers were classified according to ICD10 and scrutinized to avoid duplicate or more entries. The increment in cancer incidence was calculated based on total numbers of cancer cases per each 5-6 year period.

RESULTS: A total of 12,228 solid cancers were diagnosed during the period. There is an increment of 20.1% for 1991-1996 from 1987-1990 period, 67.4% for 1997-2001 from 1991-1996 period and 305.9% for 2002-2007 from the 1997-2001 period. The rise was steep in the last 5-6 years. After excluding referred cases from states outside Kelantan, the increments were 20.1%, 67.4% and 143.6% for the consecutive 5-6 year periods. The predominant rising trends were seen for cancers of the female organs, digestive tract and endocrine organs.

CONCLUSION: Cancer cases in HUSM are showing a rising trend, associated with increasing prevalence of smoking, obesity and diabetes in the community served by the hospital. Since HUSM is the only hospital managing cancer in the state of Kelantan, to reduce cancer incidence in the state, life-style issues need to be addressed.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Self-care actions taken for vasomotor symptoms by some postmenopausal Kelantanese women

Dhillon HK, Singh HJ, Mahmood NM, Ghaffar NA

Climacteric, 2008;11(6):518-24.
PMID: 18991079 DOI: 10.1080/13697130802491031

OBJECTIVE:
Documentation of self-care actions for vasomotor complaints by some postmenopausal women in Kelantan.

METHODS:
A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 326 naturally menopausal women to determine the prevalence and types of self-care actions taken for vasomotor complaints.

RESULTS:
Fractionally more women took self-care actions for night sweats than hot flushes. The choice of self-care action depended upon the area of residence and the educational level. The most common action taken for night sweats was to sleep either in an air-conditioned room or under a ceiling fan. About one-quarter of the complainants used hormone replacement therapy, the majority of who were urban-living and with secondary education. Only a small fraction used traditional remedies.

CONCLUSION:
A large proportion of women complaining of vasomotor complaints took self-care actions and the choice of self-care actions depended on the area of residence and educational level. The use of modern remedies and less of the traditional remedies was more common amongst the more affluent and educated women than women in rural areas who either did nothing or resorted to the more simple type of self-care actions. Contrary to our expectations, the use of traditional remedies was low.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
A preliminary study on the prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis in patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms in Malaysia

Norhayati M, Azlin M, Al-Mekhlafi MH, Anisah N, Nor Aini U, Fatmah MS, et al.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2008 Dec;102(12):1274-8.
PMID: 18602128 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.05.019

An observational study was carried out to establish the existence of intestinal microsporidiosis among patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia. A total of 893 faecal specimens from hospitalized patients were examined for microsporidia using a modification of the usual Gram-chromotrope stain technique. One hundred and sixteen (13.0%) patients were positive for microsporidia: 84 (72.4%), 27 (23.3%) and 5 (4.3%) were low, moderate and high excreters of microsporidia spores, respectively. Of the 91 patients with available medical records, microsporidiosis was commonly observed in children aged 0-6 years (26.4%) and adults aged >or=31 years (57.2%). About one-third of this infection was observed in immunocompetent individuals. Among the immunosuppressive group, microsporidia were observed to be more prevalent in patients with haematological malignancy or a combination of malignancy and diabetes mellitus. About 74% of the patients who had microsporidia in their faeces had gastrointestinal symptoms, which could be related to infections or induced by immunosuppressive therapy. The role of microsporidia in causing gastrointestinal symptoms in this population is as yet unclear.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Detection of helminth infections in dogs and soil contamination in rural and urban areas

Azian MY, Sakhone L, Hakim SL, Yusri MY, Nurulsyamzawaty Y, Zuhaizam AH, et al.

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2008 Mar;39(2):205-12.
PMID: 18564703

A study was conducted to determine the helminthes in dog's feces and soil samples from urban and rural areas. Six species of nematodes (Toxocara sp, an undetermined nematode larvae, Strongyloides sp larvae, Ascaris sp ova, hookworm ova, Trichuris sp ova) and one species of Cestode (Taenia sp) were found in 175 stool samples. Seventy-eight point nine percent of stool samples were positive for helminthes. Mixed infection with at least one parasite was found in 32.6% of the samples. The prevalence of helminth infection ranged from 1.1% to 45.1%. The prevalence of hookworm sp was the highest with 45.1%. The highest prevalence in urban dogs was hookworm sp in 76.7% and in rural areas was Ascaris sp in 48.7%. Soil samples were also examined to determine contamination of the environment, especially due to Toxocara canis, as a potential source of infection. Urban soil samples showed a higher contamination rate with 26.7% compared to rural areas with 4.9%. Toxocara ova were the most prevalent helminthes contaminating the soil with 12.1%. This study showed that humans from both urban and rural areas are at risk of acquiring helminth infection from contaminated soil.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Status of diabetic retinopathy among diabetics registered to the Diabetic Eye Registry, National Eye Database, 2007

Goh PP, National Eye Database Study Group

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Sep;63 Suppl C:24-8.
PMID: 19230243

Diabetic Eye Registry, a web based registry hosted at the National Eye Database (www.acrm.org.my/end) collects data in a systematic and prospective nature on status of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among diabetics seen for the first time at Ministry of Health ophthalmology clinics. The 2007 report on 10,586 diabetics revealed that 63.3% of eyes examined had no DR, 36.8% had any form of DR, of which 7.1% had proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Up to 15.0% of eyes had vision threatening DR requiring laser or surgery at their first visit. Data on diabetic eye registry is useful in monitoring the quality of diabetic management, particularly in eye screening as reflected by the proportion of patients with severe DR needing intervention at the first visit to Ophthalmology clinics.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext A report of the Malaysian dialysis registry of the National Renal Registry, Malaysia

Lim YN, Lim TO, Lee DG, Wong HS, Ong LM, Shaariah W, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Sep;63 Suppl C:5-8.
PMID: 19230240

The Malaysian National Renal Registry was set up in 1992 to collect data for patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). We present here the report of the Malaysian dialysis registry. The objectives of this papar are: (1) To examine the overall provision of dialysis treatment in Malaysia and its trend from 1980 to 2006. (2) To assess the treatment rate according to the states in the country. (3) To describe the method, location and funding of dialysis. (4) To characterise the patients accepted for dialysis treatment. (5) To analyze the outcomes of the dialysis treatment. Data on patients receiving dialysis treatment were collected at initiation of dialysis, at the time of any significant outcome, as well as yearly. The number of dialysis patients increased from 59 in 1980 to almost 15,000 in 2006. The dialysis acceptance rate increased from 3 per million population in 1980 to 116 per million population in 2006, and the prevalence rate from 4 to 550 per million population over the same period. The economically advantaged states of Malaysia had much higher dialysis treatment rates compared to the less economically advanced states. Eighty to 90% of new dialysis patients were accepted into centre haemodialysis (HD), and the rest into the chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) programme. The government provided about half of the funding for dialysis treatment. Patients older than 55 years accounted for the largest proportion of new patients on dialysis since the 1990s. Diabetes mellitus has been the main cause of ESRD and accounted for more than 50% of new ESRD since 2002. Annual death rate averaged about 10% on HD and 15% on CAPD. The unadjusted 5-year patient survival on both HD and CAPD was about 80%. Fifty percent of dialysis patients reported very good median QoL index score. About 70% of dialysis patients were about to work full or part time. There has been a very rapid growth of dialysis provision in Malaysia particularly in the older age groups. ESRD caused by diabetes mellitus, despite being a preventable and treatable cause of ESRD--has increased and accounted for more than 50% of incident dialysis patients. Death and survival rates on dialysis are comparable to those from other countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Orgasmic dysfunction among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia

Sidi H, Midin M, Puteh SE, Abdullah N

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2008;20(4):298-306.
PMID: 19124324 DOI: 10.1177/1010539508322810

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction and the potential risk factors that may be associated with orgasmic dysfunction among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia.
METHODS: A validated questionnaire for sexual function was used to assess orgasmic function. A total of 230 married women aged 18 to 70 years participated in this study. Their sociodemographic and marital profiles were compared between those who had orgasmic dysfunction and those who did not, and the risk factors were examined.
RESULTS: The prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction in the primary care population was 51.9%. Women with orgasmic dysfunction were found to be significantly higher in the following groups: age >45 years, being non-Malay, having lower academic status, married longer, having more children, married to an older husband, and being at menopausal state.
CONCLUSION: Women with infrequent sexual intercourse are less likely to be orgasmic (odds ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.11-0.74).

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Severity of visual impairment and depression among elderly Malaysians

Noran NH, Izzuna MG, Bulgiba AM, Mimiwati Z, Ayu SM

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2009 Jan;21(1):43-50.
PMID: 19124335 DOI: 10.1177/1010539508327353

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between severity of visual impairment and depression among elderly Malaysians attending an eye clinic.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The study population included patients, aged>or=60 years who attended the Eye Clinic in University Malaya Medical Centre. Exposure measurement was based on ophthalmologic examinations by an ophthalmologist. Data on outcome were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale.
RESULTS: After adjusting for important confounders, severity of visual impairment either having low vision or blind were independent risk factors of depression. The odds of developing depression among elderly with low vision were 2 times more than those with normal vision, and elderly who were blind had almost 5 times the odds to be depressed compared with those having normal vision.
CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest a positive relationship between the severity of visual impairment and depression among elderly Malaysians.
Study site: Eye Clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Device, Questionnaire & Scale: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in patients with diabetes mellitus in a primary care setting

Khatoon R, Khoo EM

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Jun;62(2):130-3.
PMID: 18705445 MyJurnal

The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in diabetic patients and in different ethnic groups at a primary care setting, and to evaluate risk factors associated with PAD in these diabetic patients. A cross sectional study of 200 diabetic patients over 18 years old who attended a primary care clinic at a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was carried out. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using structured questionnaires for demographic characteristics and risk factors evaluation. Blood pressure measurements, assessment of peripheral neuropathy and ankle brachial pressures were performed. PAD was diagnosed by an ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) of <0.9 on either leg. The overall prevalence of PAD was 16% in this diabetic population. The prevalence of PAD was 5.8% in Malays, 19.4% in Chinese and 19.8% in Indians. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 41%, foot ulcer 9.5%, and gangrene 3.0%. The presence of foot ulcer was weakly associated with PAD (P=0.052). No significant relationships were found between age, gender, smoking status, duration of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and PAD. PAD is common in the diabetic population of this study.
Study site: primary care clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Prevalence and risk factors of retinal arteriolar emboli: the Singapore Malay Eye Study

Cheung N, Lim L, Wang JJ, Islam FM, Mitchell P, Saw SM, et al.

Am J Ophthalmol, 2008 Oct;146(4):620-4.
PMID: 18639861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2008.05.033

To examine the prevalence and risk factors of retinal arteriolar emboli, a risk predictor of stroke, in an Asian population.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Prevalence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes among carriage and invasive Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Malaysia

Neela V, Ehsanollah GR, Zamberi S, Van Belkum A, Mariana NS

Int J Infect Dis, 2009 May;13(3):e131-2.
PMID: 18955004 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2008.07.009
Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic healthy blood donors in Northern Peninsular Malaysia

Sasidharan S, Uyub AM

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2009 Apr;103(4):395-8.
PMID: 19211121 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.11.021

Helicobacter pylori infection is recognized as being strongly associated with chronic gastritis, duodenal ulceration and, probably, gastric carcinoma. Seroepidemiological studies have shown that a large proportion of healthy people have antibodies against H. pylori. A serological study was conducted in asymptomatic healthy blood donors in Northern Peninsular Malaysia to assess the seropositivity for H. pylori and to investigate the relationship with ethnic group, gender, ABO blood group and age. A total of 5370 serum samples collected from 3677 male and 1693 female donors in different age groups, and who had no gastrointestinal complaints, were studied with an in-house ELISA for the presence of H. pylori IgG and IgA antibodies. Seven hundred and sixty subjects (14.2%) were seropositive. The overall seropositivity did not differ with ethnicity, gender, ABO blood group and age among asymptomatic healthy blood donors in Northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Current prevalence and predictors of protein-energy malnutrition among schoolchildren in rural Peninsular Malaysia

Al-Mekhlafi MS, Surin J, Atiya AS, Ariffin WA, Mahdy AK, Abdullah HC

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2008 Sep;39(5):922-31.
PMID: 19058591

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the current prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) among Orang Asli schoolchildren and to investigate the potential predictors of malnutrition. A total of 241 (120 males and 121 females) Orang Asli schoolchildren age 7-12 years living in remote areas of Pos Betau, Pahang participated voluntarily in this study. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were collected and the children were screened for intestinal parasitic infections. The overall prevalences of mild and significant underweight conditions were 52.3% and 37.3%, respectively, and the prevalences of mild stunting and wasting were 43.6% and 43.1%, respectively, while the prevalences of significant stunting and wasting were 43.6% and 5.6%, respectively. There was a significant association between gender (male) and malnutrition (p = 0.029). The results also showed a higher prevalence of stunting among children age < or = 10 years than in older children (p = 0.001). Other independent variables, including socioeconomic status and intestinal parasitic infections, had no significant associations with malnutrition indices. PEM is prevalent among schoolchildren in rural Malaysia and therefore of public health concern since PEM diminishes immune function and impairs cognitive function and educational performance. School-based programs of prevention through health education and interventions should be considered as an essential part of measures to improve the quality of life of schoolchildren in rural Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence

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