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Endemic fluorosis among 14-year-old Yemeni adolescents: an exploratory survey

Kadir RA, Al-Maqtari RA

Int Dent J, 2010 Dec;60(6):407-10.
PMID: 21302739

To assess the extent of fluorosis in a representative sample of 14-year-old Yemeni adolescents.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Prevalence and correlates of physical disability and functional limitation among community dwelling older people in rural Malaysia, a middle income country

Hairi NN, Bulgiba A, Cumming RG, Naganathan V, Mudla I

BMC Public Health, 2010;10:492.
PMID: 20716377 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-492

The prevalence and correlates of physical disability and functional limitation among older people have been studied in many developed countries but not in a middle income country such as Malaysia. The present study investigated the epidemiology of physical disability and functional limitation among older people in Malaysia and compares findings to other countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Prevalence of clinical malaria among an Orang Asli community in Malaysia

Kaur G

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2009 Jul;40(4):665-73.
PMID: 19842399

An epidemiological cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of clinical malaria among the Orang Asli population of Raub, Pahang, Malaysia. The study was conducted on a representative sample of 520 Orang Asli. Malariometric and clinical measurements were taken. The overall parasitemic rate was 24.2% (95% CI 20.7-28.1). Twenty-three point four percent (95% CI 19.5-26.9) of respondents age two years and above were clinically febrile. The prevalence of fever, chills, perspiration and body aches during a one month period prior to the survey among the same group ranged between 4.2% (95% CI 2.7-6.4) and 13.5% (95% CI 10.6-16.7). Children 2-12 years old were more likely to present with fever, and symptoms of malaria than older children. Gender was not significantly associated with fever or any of the other malaria symptoms. Presence of clinical fever and history of malaria symptoms were all strongly associated with current infection. The association was significant even after controlling for age (adjusted OR 2.8-5.1, 95% CI 1.1-8.3). Orang Asli children significantly experienced greater morbidity due to malaria compared to adults. Control and treatment of malaria should focus on children, while further research should explore the effects of malaria morbidity on the quality of life of these children.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Adults' perceptions of being overweight or obese: a focus group study

Chang CT, Chang KH, Cheah WL

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2009;18(2):257-64.
PMID: 19713186

The objective of this study was to explore the perception of, feelings and attitudes toward overweight or obesity, and the perceived barriers to weight loss among native adults from lower socio-economic background. A total of six gender- and ethnic-specific focus groups consisted of 38 overweight and obese purposefully and criterion selected adults (21 women and 17 men), participated in this study. An unstructured discussion guide based on the study objectives were used for the focus groups. The results showed that some participants perceived themselves as ugly, felt ashamed of their body size and were frustrated because they did not desire to be overweight. Due to their excess weight, most also expressed they were less effective in their work performances. Although some participants had negative attitudes toward themselves because of excess weight, this appeared to link to self-stigmatization rather than anti-obesity discrimination. The participants remained in the Pre-contemplation stage of losing weight probably because of perceived barriers such as difficulty to resist eating, lack of know how and previous failed attempts to lose weight. Importantly, this study provided some evidence that individuals in the Pre-contemplation stage are unable to take action to lose weight, even if effective strategies are suggested.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Driver characteristics associated with child safety seat usage in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Kulanthayan S, Razak A, Schenk E

Accid Anal Prev, 2010 Mar;42(2):509-14.
PMID: 20159074 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2009.09.015

The rapidly motorizing environment in Malaysia has made child occupant safety a current public health concern. The usage of child safety seats (CSS) is a widely regarded intervention to enhance child occupant safety, yet no study has been conducted on CSS in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the CSS usage rates in Malaysia and to assess driver characteristics that are associated with CSS usage.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Bed sharing among mother-infant pairs in Klang district, Peninsular Malaysia and its relationship to breast-feeding

Tan KL

J Dev Behav Pediatr, 2009 Oct;30(5):420-5.
PMID: 19827222 DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0b013e3181ba083a

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of mother-infant bed sharing in Klang district, Peninsular Malaysia and to identify factors associated with bed sharing.

METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study involving 682 mother-infant pairs with infants up to 6 months attending government clinics in Klang district, Peninsular Malaysia. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a pretested structured questionnaire for a 4-month period in 2006. Data regarding maternal, paternal, obstetric, infant, occupancy, breast-feeding characteristics, and bed-sharing practice were collected. Data on bed sharing were based on practice in the past 1-month period. Bed sharing was defined as an infant sharing a bed with mother, and infant must be within arms reach from the mother, whereas a bed was defined as either a sleeping mattress placed on a bed frame or placed on the floor. The prevalence of bed sharing was estimated. Relationship and magnitude of association between independent factors and bed sharing were examined using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Logistic regression analysis was used to control for confounding factors.

RESULTS: The prevalence of bed sharing among mothers with infants aged between 1 and 6 months was 73.5% (95% confidence interval: 70.0-76.7). In multivariate analysis, urban/rural differences, mothers' ethnicity, occupation, family income, husbands' support on bed sharing, number of children younger than 12 years staying in the house, and breast-feeding were associated with bed sharing.

CONCLUSIONS: These factors need to be considered in analyzing the overall risks and benefits of bed sharing, paying attention to breastfeeding practices.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Patterns of smoking among adolescents in Malaysia and Thailand: findings from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia survey

Hammond D, Kin F, Prohmmo A, Kungskulniti N, Lian TY, Sharma SK, et al.

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2008;20(3):193-203.
PMID: 19124313 DOI: 10.1177/1010539508317572

At present, 70% of the world's 1.1 billion smokers are in developing countries, with over 50% in Asia alone. The current study examined patterns of youth smoking in Thailand and Malaysia. Respondents were 2002 youths between the ages of 13 and 17 from Thailand (n = 1000) and Malaysia (n = 1002). Respondents were selected using a multistage cluster sampling design and surveyed between January 2005 and March 2005. Approximately 3% of youth between the ages of 13 and 17 were current smokers, with an additional 10% to 12% reporting experimental smoking. Males were between 7 and 15 times more likely to report smoking behavior than females. Less than 1% of females respondents in either country met the criteria for current smoking, and less than 5% met the criteria for experimental smoking. In contrast, more than 50% Thai males and approximately one-third of Malaysian males aged 17 met the criteria for either experimental or current smoking.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Prevalence and distribution of soil-transmitted helminthiases among Orang Asli children living in peripheral Selangor, Malaysia

Al-Mekhlafi MS, Azlin M, Nor Aini U, Shaikh A, Sa'iah A, Fatmah MS, et al.

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2006 Jan;37(1):40-7.
PMID: 16771211

Soil-transmitted helminthiases are a public health problem in rural communities. A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and distribution of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm was conducted in 281 Orang Asli children (aborigines) aged between 2 and 15 years, from 8 Orang Asli villages in Selangor, Malaysia. All the children were infected with soil-transmitted helminthes, with 26.3% of the children infected either with A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura or hookworm and 72.6% having mixed infection. The overall prevalences of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm were 61.9, 98.2 and 37.0%, respectively. Approximately 19.0, 26.0 and 3.0% of the children had severe infection of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection, respectively. The prevalences and mean egg per gram (epg) counts for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura were not significantly dependent on age, therefore age-dependent convexity was not seen in this study. However, the results of this study reveal an age-dependent prevalence and mean epg count in children with hookworm infection. We conclude that ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection are still prevalent and therefore a public health concern in Orang Asli communities. Severe ascariasis and trichuriasis may lead to other health and medical problems.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Seroprevalence of cysticercosis in a rural village of Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia

Noor Azian MY, Hakim SL, Sumiati A, Norhafizah M

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2006 Jan;37(1):58-61.
PMID: 16771213

The objective of this study was to determine exposure to cysticercosis among a rural population in a selected village in Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 135 serum samples were analyzed. The result showed that the seroprevalence of cysticercosis antibodies was 2.2%. There was no significant difference in the seroprevalence among age groups (p=0.307). Even though there was a slightly higher antibody titer in males compared to females, the difference was not significant (p=0.400). The results indicate evidence of exposure to cysticercosis in this rural population.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Cognitive impairment among the elderly in a rural community in Malaysia

Sherina MS, Rampal L, Mustaqim A

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):252-7.
PMID: 15559177 MyJurnal

Cognitive impairment is common in late life and may be due to the normal process of ageing or associated with physical or mental disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among the elderly in a rural community setting. A cross sectional study design using stratified proportionate cluster sampling method was used in this study. A questionnaire similar to the Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ) was used as a screening instrument for cognitive impairment. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 22.4% (50/223) among the elderly respondents. Cognitive impairment among the elderly was significantly associated with age, gender, ethnicity, marital status and level of education.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness in a rural population in Sepang district, Selangor

Reddy SC, Rampal L, Nurulaini O

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):212-7.
PMID: 15559172 MyJurnal

A community based cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness in residents aged forty years and above in kampung Jenderam Hilir of Sepang district, Selangor state. A total of 311 out of 341 (91.3%) respondents participated in this study. The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness observed was 18.9% and 2.9% respectively. The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness increased significantly with age. Amongst the 159 respondents who agreed for eye checkup, refractive errors (56%), cataract (20.1%), glaucoma (4.4%) and diabetic retinopathy (1.3%) were found to be causing visual impairment and blindness.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Blood pressure in rural and urban adult healthy females of Jat Sikh community in Punjab, North India: an epidemiologic profile

Sidhu S, Badaruddoza, Kaur A

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):233-41.
PMID: 15559175

Blood pressure readings were collected from 1042 adult females of rural and urban Jat Sikh community of Punjab, a north Indian State. Anthropometric measurements like height, weight and skinfold thickness were also collected. The difference between rural and urban females in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure was found to be statistically significant. All anthropometric variables and age have a significant positive association with blood pressure. The effects of anthropometric variables on blood pressure were assessed simultaneously through stepwise multiple regression analysis. All 'F' ratios have been found highly significant (p < 0.001) among both rural and urban female population.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext The prevalence of depression among the elderly in Sepang, Selangor

Sherina MS, Rampal L, Mustaqim A

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Mar;59(1):45-9.
PMID: 15535335 MyJurnal

Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression among the elderly and to identify its associated factors.
Methods: A cross sectional study design was used. Stratified proportionate cluster sampling method was used to select the respondents. A 30 item Geriatric Depression Scale questionnaire was used as a screening instrument.
Results: 7.6% of the elderly were found to have depression. Only employment status was found to be significantly associated with depression.
Discussion: The prevalence of depression in the elderly was 7.6%. Primary Care providers need to be vigilant when treating elderly patients as depression is commonly found in this age group .
Study site: Nine villages in Mukim Sepang, Sepang District, Selangor, Malaysia
Device, Questionnaire & Scale: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30)

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Socio-demographic and psychosocial correlates of erectile dysfunction among hypertensive patients

Fadzil MA, Sidi H, Ismail Z, Hassan MR, Thuzar K, Midin M, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S23-8.
PMID: 23453753 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.12.024

OBJECTIVE:
The main aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of ED and the associated socio-demographic and psychological correlates among hypertensive patients from a rural multiethnic community in Malaysia.

METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among hypertensive patients attending rural primary care clinics. The socio-demographic, health characteristics, erectile function and levels of depression, anxiety and stress were recorded and analysed. The International Index of ErectileFunction-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used to assess erectile function and the levels of depression, anxiety and stress, respectively.

RESULTS:
A total of 253 hypertensive patients comprising 178 (70.4%) Malays, 56 (22.1%) Chinese and 18 (7.5%) Indians participated. The mean age of participants was 59.8 ± 10.62 years. Overall, the prevalence rate of ED was 62%: 90 (35%) with moderate and 69 (27%) with severe ED. The prevalence rate of ED among those aged 65 years or older (83.1%) was significantly higher than those less than 65 years (51.8%), (p<0.001). Higher prevalence rates were also noted among the Chinese (78.6%) compared to Malays (59.6%) and Indians (50%) (p=0.021); lower education level (69.1%) (p=0.026), among hypertensive patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus (70.6%) (p=0.026) and WHR ≥ 0.9 (31.3%) (p=0.021). However, no significant association was found between depression, anxiety and stress scores with IIEF-5 score.

CONCLUSION:
The prevalence rate of ED among Malaysian hypertensive patients is high. The rate increases significantly with age, Chinese ethnicity, concomitant diabetes mellitus, lower education level, WHR and the number of pack years of smoking. ED should be properly recognized and managed in hypertensive patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Towards an effective control programme of soil-transmitted helminth infections among Orang Asli in rural Malaysia. Part 1: prevalence and associated key factors

Nasr NA, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Ahmed A, Roslan MA, Bulgiba A

Parasit Vectors, 2013;6:27.
PMID: 23356952 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-27

Despite the continuous efforts to improve the quality of life of Orang Asli (Aborigines) communities, these communities are still plagued with a wide range of health problems including parasitic infections. The first part of this study aimed at determining the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and identifying their associated factors among rural Orang Asli children.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards polio immunization among residents of two highly affected regions of Pakistan

Khan MU, Ahmad A, Aqeel T, Salman S, Ibrahim Q, Idrees J, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:1100.
PMID: 26541976 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2471-1

Despite the efforts of national and international organizations, polio has not been eradicated from Pakistan. The prevalence of polio in Pakistan is exceptional in global context. Quetta and Peshawar divisions are amongst the most affected regions hit by polio in Pakistan. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards polio immunization among residents of Quetta and Peshawar divisions in Pakistan.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext Rural doctors' views on and experiences with evidence-based medicine: The FrEEDoM qualitative study

Hisham R, Liew SM, Ng CJ, Mohd Nor K, Osman IF, Ho GJ, et al.

PLoS One, 2016;11(3):e0152649.
PMID: 27031700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152649

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based medicine is the integration of individual clinical expertise, best external evidence and patient values which was introduced more than two decades ago. Yet, primary care physicians in Malaysia face unique barriers in accessing scientific literature and applying it to their clinical practice.
AIM: This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of rural doctors' about evidence-based medicine in their daily clinical practice in a rural primary care setting.
METHODS: Qualitative methodology was used. The interviews were conducted in June 2013 in two rural health clinics in Malaysia. The participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Four focus group discussions with 15 medical officers and three individual in-depth interviews with family medicine specialists were carried out. All interviews were conducted using a topic guide and were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, checked and analyzed using a thematic approach.
RESULTS: Key themes identified were: (1) doctors viewed evidence-based medicine mainly as statistics, research and guidelines, (2) reactions to evidence-based medicine were largely negative, (3) doctors relied on specialists, peers, guidelines and non-evidence based internet sources for information, (4) information sources were accessed using novel methods such as mobile applications and (5) there are several barriers to evidence-based practice, including doctor-, evidence-based medicine-, patient- and system-related factors. These included inadequacies in knowledge, attitude, management support, time and access to evidence-based information sources. Participants recommended the use of online services to support evidence-based practice in the rural settings.
CONCLUSION: The level of evidence-based practice is low in the rural setting due to poor awareness, knowledge, attitude and resources. Doctors use non-evidence based sources and access them through new methods such as messaging applications. Further research is recommended to develop and evaluate interventions to overcome the identified barriers.
Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Fulltext DSM-IV-defined anxiety disorder symptoms in a middle-childhood-aged group of Malaysian children using the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale

Ahmadi A, Mustaffa MS, Udin A, Haghdoost A

Trends Psychiatry Psychother, 2016 03 18;38(1):14-22.
PMID: 27007941 DOI: 10.1590/2237-6089-2015-0027

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the middle-childhood age group. The purpose of this study is to assess anxiety disorder symptoms, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), in a large community sample of low socioeconomic level rural children and to investigate some of the psychometric properties (internal consistency, construct and convergent validity and items rated as often or always experienced) of the Malay version of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale - Child version (SCAS-C).
METHOD: Six hundred children aged 9-11 and 424 of their parents completely answered the child or parent versions of the SCAS.
RESULTS: Results indicated that the internal reliability of subscales were moderate to adequate. Significant correlations between child and parent reports supported the measure's concurrent validity. Additionally, anxiety levels in this Malaysian sample were lower than among South-African children and higher than among their Western peers. There were both similarities and differences between symptom items reported as often or always experienced by Malaysian students and by children from other cultures. Confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence of the existence of five inter-correlated factors for anxiety disorders based on SCAS-C.
CONCLUSION: Although some of the instrument's psychometric properties deviated from those observed in some other countries, it nevertheless appears to be useful for assessing childhood anxiety symptoms in this country.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Nutrient Intake in Vietnamese Preschool and School-Aged Children is Not Adequate: The Role of Dairy

Bao Khanh le N, Burgers MR, Huu Chinh N, Tuoc BV, Dinh Dung N, Deurenberg P, et al.

Food Nutr Bull, 2016 Mar;37(1):100-11.
PMID: 27004970 DOI: 10.1177/0379572116631642

The traditional Vietnamese diet carries the risk of micronutrient deficiencies, and a substantial part of children <11 years do not meet the Vietnamese recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for a range of nutrients. Dairy products are known for their high nutrient density and milk in particular for its provision of high-quality protein and relevant concentrations of calcium, magnesium, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and pantothenic acid.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
The development of an intervention package to prevent children under five years old drowning in rural Bangladesh

Hossain M, Mani KK, Mohd Sidik S, Kadir Shahar H

Acta Paediatr, 2016 Aug;105(8):e373-8.
PMID: 27111395 DOI: 10.1111/apa.13447

AIM: There are an estimated 372 000 worldwide deaths by drowning every year, and it has been described as a secret epidemic in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to develop an intervention package to prevent children under the age of five from drowning in rural Bangladesh.
METHODS: This was a qualitative study using focus group discussions in three villages in rural Bangladesh. The 45 participants were mothers and fathers with children under five, the parents of children who had drowned and community leaders.
RESULTS: The majority of the participants (71%) were male. The focus groups revealed that most drowning's occurred between 11am and 2pm and that risk factors included the following: children not being able to swim, ditches that were not filled in, lack of medical facilities, parents who were not aware of childhood drowning and lack of information through the media about how to prevent of childhood drowning. Suggestions included using a mobile-based short messaging service or voice calls to parents, especially mothers, could increase awareness and reduce the risk of childhood drowning.
CONCLUSION: A safety education programme could be effective in increasing knowledge and changing attitudes, which could prevent drowning among children in Bangladesh.

Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population

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