Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 460 in total

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  1. Joseph J, Nishizawa H, Jalimin SN, Othman R, Jaaman SA, Bali J, et al.
    PLoS One, 2023;18(11):e0293979.
    PMID: 37943882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293979
    Long-term monitoring of sea turtle aggregations is critical for understanding the impacts of environmental changes on their population health and habitat suitability. Brunei Bay is a significant foraging ground for green turtles in the South China Sea. We analyzed the body size, hematology and body condition of green turtles for their health status in their foraging ground in Brunei Bay over a period of nine years (2011-2019). Additionally, we used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to evaluate changes in the size and genetic composition of green turtle aggregations. Our findings revealed that the size composition of the green turtle population varied seasonally, but there were no significant temporal changes in genetic and size compositions. Hematology parameters and Fulton's body condition index were consistent with those reported for apparently healthy green turtles. Furthermore, we found that blood reference intervals indicated the turtles were healthy. These results provide valuable baseline data for future comparisons with other foraging aggregations and for long-term monitoring of green turtles in Brunei Bay.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status
  2. Abd Kadir NA, Azzeri A, Mohd Noor MI, Kefeli Z, Abdullah MF, Ramlee MNA, et al.
    Medicine (Baltimore), 2023 Apr 25;102(17):e33590.
    PMID: 37115076 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033590
    BACKGROUND: Adequate health literacy is necessary for individuals as it enables them to readily acquire information, process it, and apply it to health-related decisions. Various factors including geographical area will determine the disparity in health literacy status. Communities living in protected areas have limited health literacy and health status owing to a lack of access to infrastructure and medical facilities. Existing studies have discussed health literacy among various populations disproportionately affected by certain diseases. However, research remains underdeveloped, and the causal factors are largely untested. This research aims to better understand how population living conditions especially those who are living in protected areas are affected and exposed to limited health literacy.

    METHOD: This study will comprehensively review full-text papers published between 2013 and 2023. We will search 3 databases, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science, using the keyword search strategy to find articles related to the issue. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses will be used to guide the selection of relevant studies. The results will then be assessed using the standard Cochrane Quality assessment method. The outcome is addressed in light of a narrative synthesis that utilizes a theme category and focuses on each component's main conclusions.

    RESULT: This protocol describes the planned scope and methodology for the systematic review and meta-analysis that will provide current evidence on; The status of health literacy among the community in protected areas and; The effect of Protected Areas on health literacy according to their types and characteristics.

    CONCLUSION: Meta-analysis of low-to-high health literacy status will benefit the development of policy recommendations for protected areas.

    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status
  3. Tan HM, Tan WP, Wong JH, Ho CC, Teo CH, Ng CJ
    Korean J Urol, 2014 Nov;55(11):710-7.
    PMID: 25405012 DOI: 10.4111/kju.2014.55.11.710
    PURPOSE: The proposed Men's Health Index (MHI) aims to provide a practical and systematic framework for comprehensively assessing and stratifying older men with the intention of optimising their health and functional status.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed from 1980 to 2012. We specifically looked for instruments which: assess men's health, frailty and fitness; predict life expectancy, mortality and morbidities. The instruments were assessed by the researchers who then agreed on the tools to be included in the MHI. When there was disagreements, the researchers discussed and reached a consensus guided by the principle that the MHI could be used in the primary care setting targetting men aged 55-65 years.
    RESULTS: The instruments chosen include the Charlson's Combined Comorbidity-Age Index; the International Index of Erectile Function-5; the International Prostate Symptom Score; the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male; the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument; the Sitting-Rising Test; the Senior Fitness Test; the Fitness Assessment Score; and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. A pilot test on eight men was carried out and showed that the men's health index is viable.
    CONCLUSIONS: The concept of assessing, stratifying, and optimizing men's health should be incorporated into routine health care, and this can be implemented by using the MHI. This index is particularly useful to primary care physicians who are in a strategic position to engage men at the peri-retirement age in a conversation about their life goals based on their current and predicted health status.
    KEYWORDS: Health status indicators; Men; Physical fitness; Retirement
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  4. Loh LC, Lai CH, Liew OH, Siow YY
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Dec;60(5):570-7.
    PMID: 16515107
    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a growing health problem worldwide and in Malaysia. Until recently, research on COPD has been slow and difficult, partly due to the huge heterogeneity of this disease, and its variable and imprecise definitions. To perform a descriptive study on a convenient sample of local patients with COPD treated in a state hospital in Malaysia. Fifty-two patients [mean (95% CI) age: 67 (63-70) years; 86% male: 38% Malays, 36% Chinese, 25% Indians; mean (95% CI) PEFR: 45 (40-51) % predicted normal] were interviewed. Clinico-demographic data was collected using a structured questionnaire and health-related quality of life was scored using St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). For analysis, patients were also divided into moderate (n=17) [PEFR 50% to 80%] and severe (n=35) [PEFR < 50%] disease groups. Except for education and total family income, demographic and comorbidity variables were comparable between the two groups of COPD severity. All except 9% of patients were current or ex-smokers. Breathlessness, not chronic bronchitis (i.e. cough and sputum), was the first ranking respiratory symptom in over 70% of the patients, whether currently or at early disease manifestation. Between 5 and 15% of the patients denied any symptom of chronic bronchitis as current or early stage symptoms. Duration of symptoms prior to the diagnosis varied considerably with about 9% having symptoms for over 10 years. Over 80% of the patients smoked for over 15 years before the onset of symptoms. Quality of life in patients with COPI) was generally poor and similar between both COPD severity groups. About one fifth of the patients had exacerbations more than 12 times a year. While many features described in our local patients are well recognized in COPD, the finding that 'chronic bronchitis' is not a prominent symptom in the current or past history may have important implications in the diagnosis of at risk individuals and patients with early disease requiring attention. More research is required to confirm and to understand this.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  5. Nor Aini J, Poh BK, Chee WS
    Pediatr Int, 2013 Apr;55(2):223-8.
    PMID: 23253297 DOI: 10.1111/ped.12035
    BACKGROUND: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the ability of a children's physical activity questionnaire (cPAQ) to assess physical activity levels and bone health status of school children.
    METHODS: Subjects consisted of 90 pre-pubertal and early pubertal children aged 9-10 years. Components of physical activity were assessed using metabolic intensity (METPA) scores and mechanical bone strain (MECHPA) scores. An Actical accelerometer was used to validate METPA scores among a sub-sample of 57 children. Reliability was assessed by test-retesting all children after a 7 day interval. Whole body bone mineral content (BMC) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
    RESULTS: The reliability of cPAQ for assessment of various categories of physical activity was moderate to high (r ranged from 0.55 to 0.68, P < 0.001). Agreement was fair for repeated use of the cPAQ (Cohen's kappa = 0.32, P < 0.001). Bland-Altman plots show cPAQ had fair agreement only for moderate activity (mean difference 35.4 min/week; 95% limits of agreement -434.0 to +504.9 min/week). Approximately 69.6% of children were correctly classified (into the same or adjacent quartiles) according to the quartiles of BMC for METPA score, and 58.7% were correctly classified according to MECHPA score. Only 10.9% and 12.0% of children were grossly misclassified as compared to METPA and MECHPA scores, respectively.
    CONCLUSIONS: The cPAQ has reasonable validity in assessing moderate physical activity, and it demonstrates good ability to accurately classify children according to BMC. It fails, however, to assess other activity levels, suggesting that objective measurement is still a better method of assessment of physical activity among primary school children.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  6. Rani H, Ueno M, Zaitsu T, Kawaguchi Y
    Int J Dent Hyg, 2016 May;14(2):135-41.
    PMID: 26098532 DOI: 10.1111/idh.12160
    OBJECTIVE: To assess oral malodour level and its association with health behaviour, oral health behaviour and oral health status among adolescents.
    METHOD: A questionnaire survey and clinical examination that included tongue coating and oral malodour status were conducted on 665 senior high school students in Saitama, Japan. Analyses of Pearson chi-square, independent samples t-test and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS 19.0 with the significance level set at P health education.
    KEYWORDS: adolescents; health behaviour; oral malodour; tongue coating
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  7. Phua KL
    J Emerg Manag, 2015;13(3):255-63.
    PMID: 26150369 DOI: 10.5055/jem.2015.0239
    In the twenty-first century, climate change is emerging as a significant threat to the health and well-being of the public through links to the following: extreme weather events, sea level rise, temperature-related illnesses, air pollution patterns, water security, food security, vector-borne infectious diseases, and mental health effects (as a result of extreme weather events and climate change-induced population displacement). This article discusses how national healthcare systems can be redesigned through changes in its components such as human resources, facilities and technology, health information system, and health policy to meet these challenges.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  8. Spohr MH, Wright NH, Herm J
    Medinfo, 1995;8 Pt 2:1639.
    PMID: 8591525
    We developed a computer model which measures the impact of disease on a population, has the ability to track changes in disease incidence over time, and incorporates costs of disease prevention and treatment. This model was developed with data for Malaysia and used by the Ministry of Health in the development of their national health plan. The model uses the DHLL (DALY) measure which incorporates morbidity and mortality impacts of disease. The ability of the model to adjust for changes in disease incidence over a period of years allows health planners to accurately reflect demographic and development related changes in disease incidence. This model is of value to health planners because in incorporates information on population health status, costs of prevention and treatment, and changes in health status over time. It produces an evaluation of the cost effectiveness of possible interventions that can be used by health planners in making decisions on resource allocation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  9. Chen PCY
    Med J Malaysia, 1987 Sep;42(3):146-55.
    PMID: 3506636
    In Malaysia, the elderly are still a relatively neglected group of people in that little priority is given to the important health issues associated with an aging population. This paper examines some of the relevant findings obtained during a survey which was carried out in 1984/1985. These findings have serious policy implications concerning family support, work, income, retirement, community involvement, social network, transport, and housing as pertaining to the elderly. There is an urgent need, as the population ages and social changes occur in society, for health planners, politicians and policy-makers to scrutinise the existing policies and develop new policies so as to retain those traditional practices that support, improve and maintain the psychological and social well-being of the elderly; and to develop new policies and programmes thus promoting a better lease of life for this small but important group to whom we owe so much.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status Indicators*
  10. Ali O, Rampal KG, Lubis SH
    Med J Malaysia, 1984 Sep;39(3):234-8.
    PMID: 6544926
    A study was carried out to study lite prevalence of hypertension amongst rural Malays living in two villages in Kuala Selangor district. Simple random sampling of households was carried out and all members 15 years and above were examined. Out of 359 persons examined, 92 (25.6%) had hypertension. A significant increase in prevalence was observed with increasing age and in smokers. Prevalence rates did not differ significantly in the two sexes and with income. Only 38 of the hypertensives were known cases. It was found that 78. 7% of them had been detected within less than five years and 81.6% had undergone medical treatment. It is proposed that preventive programmes in hypertension be introduced in rural health services and a national prevalence survey be conducted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  11. Hopkins S
    Health Policy, 2006 Feb;75(3):347-57.
    PMID: 15896870
    The East Asian economies of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand suffered declines in their economic growth rates in 1997. The Indonesian and Thai government followed the World Bank prescription for adjustment, which included a cut-back in government spending at a time when there were significant job losses. Malaysia chose its own path to adjustment. Evidence presented in this paper shows that although the declines were short-lived that there was an impact on the health status measured by mortality rates for the populations of Indonesia and Thailand. There was little apparent impact on the health status of Malaysians. The lessons for other developing economies include the importance of social safety nets and the maintenance of government expenditure in minimising the impact of economic shocks on health.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status Indicators*
  12. Shafie AA, Vasan Thakumar A, Lim CJ, Luo N, Rand-Hendriksen K, Md Yusof FA
    Pharmacoeconomics, 2019 05;37(5):715-725.
    PMID: 30535779 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-018-0758-7
    OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop an EQ-5D-5L value set reflecting the health preferences of the Malaysian adult population.

    METHODS: Respondents were sampled with quotas for urbanicity, gender, age, and ethnicity to ensure representativeness of the Malaysian population. The study was conducted using a standardized protocol involving the EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQ-VT) computer-assisted interview system. Respondents were administered ten composite time trade-off (C-TTO) tasks and seven discrete choice experiment (DCE) tasks. Both linear main effects and constrained non-linear regression models of C-TTO-only data and hybrid models combining C-TTO and DCE data were explored to determine an efficient and informative model for value set prediction.

    RESULTS: Data from 1125 respondents representative of the Malaysian population were included in the analysis. Logical consistency was present in all models tested. Using cross-validation, eight-parameter models for C-TTO only and C-TTO + DCE hybrid data displayed greater out-of-sample predictive accuracy than their 20-parameter, main-effect counterparts. The hybrid eight-parameter model was chosen to represent the Malaysian value set, as it displayed greater out-of-sample predictive accuracy over C-TTO data than the C-TTO-only model, and produced more precise estimates. The estimated value set ranged from - 0.442 to 1.

    CONCLUSIONS: The constrained eight-parameter hybrid model demonstrated the best potential in representing the Malaysian value set. The presence of the Malaysian EQ-5D-5L value set will facilitate its application in research and health technology assessment activities.

    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  13. Paudyal P, Kulasabanathan K, Cassell JA, Memon A, Simkhada P, Wasti SP
    BMJ Open, 2020 10 26;10(10):e038439.
    PMID: 33109656 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038439
    OBJECTIVE: To summarise the evidence on health and well-being of Nepalese migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Malaysia.

    DESIGN: Systematic review.

    DATA SOURCES: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and Global Health databases.

    ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies were eligible if they: (1) included Nepalese migrant workers aged 18 or older working in the GCC countries or Malaysia or returnee migrant workers from these countries; (2) were primary studies that investigated health and well-being status/issues; and (3) were published in English language before 8 May 2020.

    STUDY APPRAISAL: All included studies were critically appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute study specific tools.

    RESULTS: A total of 33 studies were eligible for inclusion; 12 studies were conducted in Qatar, 8 in Malaysia, 9 in Nepal, 2 in Saudi Arabia and 1 each in UAE and Kuwait. In majority of the studies, there was a lack of disaggregated data on demographic characteristics of Nepalese migrant workers. Nearly half of the studies (n=16) scored as 'high' quality and the rest (n=17) as 'moderate' quality. Five key health and well-being related issues were identified in this population: (1) occupational hazards; (2) sexual health; (3) mental health; (4) healthcare access and (5) infectious diseases.

    CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive review of the health and well-being of Nepalese migrant workers in the GCC countries and Malaysia. This review highlights an urgent need to identify and implement policies and practices across Nepal and destination countries to protect the health and well-being of migrant workers.

    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  14. Henry EB, Barry LE, Hobbins AP, McClure NS, O'Neill C
    Value Health, 2020 07;23(7):936-944.
    PMID: 32762996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2020.03.003
    OBJECTIVES: To estimate and compare the minimally important difference (MID) in index score of country-specific EQ-5D-5L scoring algorithms developed using EuroQol Valuation Technology protocol version 2, including algorithms from Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Taiwan, and the United States.

    METHODS: A simulation-based approach contingent on all single-level transitions defined by the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system was used to estimate the MID for each algorithm.

    RESULTS: The resulting mean (and standard deviation) instrument-defined MID estimates were Germany, 0.083 (0.022); Indonesia, 0.093 (0.012); Ireland, 0.098 (0.023); Malaysia, 0.072 (0.010); Poland, 0.080 (0.030); Portugal, 0.080 (0.018); Taiwan, 0.101 (0.010); and the United States, 0.078 (0.014).

    CONCLUSIONS: These population preference-based MID estimates and accompanying evidence of how such values vary as a function of baseline index score can be used to aid interpretation of index score change. The marked consistency in the relationship between the calculated MID estimate and the range of the EQ-5D-5L index score, represented by a ratio of 1:20, might substantiate a rule of thumb allowing for MID approximation in EQ-5D-5L index score warranting further investigation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  15. Su YP, Ferraro KF
    J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, 1997 Jan;52B(1):S27-36.
    PMID: 9008679
    Research on health assessments has shown the importance of social relations as a factor influencing health, especially among older people. Drawing upon sociological theories of social integration and social exchange, this research examines two domains of social relations which are expected to influence assessed health. In addition, the study uses a cross-national sample (N = 3,407) of noninstitutionalized older people from the Republic of Korea, Fiji, Malaysia, and the Philippines to determine if modernization conditions the relationships between social relations and health. Results indicate that social integration has a positive effect on subjective health assessments in all nations, whereas social contributions are significant only in Korea. Findings suggest that health assessments by elders in the most modernized nations appear to be much more influenced by the contributions they make to the social order than is the case in nations which are less modernized.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  16. Shafie AA, Vasan Thakumar A
    Eur J Health Econ, 2020 Dec;21(9):1411-1420.
    PMID: 32892230 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-020-01233-5
    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test multiplicative modelling with EQ-5D-3L time-trade-off (TTO) and visual analogue scale (VAS) values.

    METHODS: A multi-stage sampling design was adopted for the study and data collection took place in three phases in 2010, 2011, and 2012 in the Northern region of Malaysia. Face-to-face interviews involved respondents answering both 13 TTO and 15 VAS valuation tasks were carried out. Both additive and multiplicative model specifications were explored using the valuation data. Model performance was evaluated using out-of-sample predictive accuracy by applying the cross-validation technique. The distribution of the model values was also graphically compared on Bland-Altman plots and kernel density distribution curves.

    RESULTS: Data from 630 and 611 respondents were included for analyses using TTO and VAS models, respectively. In terms of main-effects specifications, cross-validation results revealed a slight superiority of multiplicative models over its additive counterpart in modelling TTO values. However, both main-effects models had roughly equal predictive accuracy for VAS models. The non-linear multiplicative model with I32 term, MULT7_TTO, performed best for TTO models; while, the linear additive model with N3 term, ADD11_VAS, outperformed the other VAS models. Multiplicative modelling neither altered the dimensional rankings of importance nor did it change the distribution of values of the health states.

    CONCLUSION: Using EQ-5D-3L valuation data, multiplicative modelling was shown to improve out-of-sample predictive accuracy of TTO models but not of VAS models.

    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  17. Seghatoleslam T, Habil H, Hatim A, Ardakani A, Ishak K, Rashid R
    J Relig Health, 2018 Oct;57(5):1829-1841.
    PMID: 28188463 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0362-8
    The aim of the study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bahasa Melayu version of the Taqwa (piety) questionnaire, used for the measurement of behaviour of Drug Dependency Syndrome (DDS), in Malay patients. A sample of 98 males with a psychiatric diagnosis (DSM-IV-R) as the DDS was randomly selected from Kajang Khafidz Polyclinic Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After receiving their agreement to attend the study, they completed the Taqwa (piety) questionnaire. The reliability was assessed by determining the Cronbach's [Formula: see text] to measure the consistency of related questions for all four dimensions (subscales), including individual, social, cognitional, and emotional Taqwa behaviour. In the next step to evaluate the composite reliability, convergent, and discrimination validity, a measurement model was determined via Conformity Factor Analysis (CFA) based on Partial List Square method (Smart- PLS Ver: 2M3). The reliability of four dimensions of the questionnaire was acceptable ([Formula: see text] correlated to each other. However, according to the CFA method, the items with low loading factor (<0.5) were excluded from each dimension. Item 24 and 35 that were related to individual Taqwa, and item 35 that belonged to emotional Taqwa were excluded from the analysis. The composite reliability and convergent, and discrimination validity were satisfied in all conformity factor loading that exceeded 0/05. The psychometric properties of the Taqwa questionnaire are acceptable, and the scale is a good instrument for assessing the Islamic attitude, beliefs, and behaviour of the Bahasa Melayu DDS patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  18. Cheah YK, Azahadi M, Phang SN, Abd Manaf NH
    East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 2018 Sep;28(3):85-94.
    PMID: 30146496
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of suicidal ideation with demographic, lifestyle, and health factors, using data from National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011 (NHMS 2011) of Malaysia.
    METHODS: The NHMS 2011 included 10,141 respondents. Independent variables of suicidal ideation were income, age, household size, sex, ethnicity, education, marital status, smoking, physical activity, and self-rated health. The risk factors of suicidal ideation were determined using logistic regression analysis.
    RESULTS: In the pooled sample, suicidal ideation was associated with age, sex, ethnicity, and self-rated health, but not associated with income, household size, education, physical activity, or smoking.
    CONCLUSION: The likelihood of having suicidal ideation is positively associated with young adults, women, Indians, and those with poor self-rated health.
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2011)
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status*
  19. Khor GL, Shariff ZM
    BMC Public Health, 2019 Dec 16;19(1):1685.
    PMID: 31842826 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-8055-8
    The purpose of this correspondence is to express our disappointment with the coverage of the BMC Public Health supplement: Vol 19 (4) titled "Health and Nutritional Issues Among Low Income Population in Malaysia", which neglected to include the fundamental health and nutrition issues that are adversely affecting the lives and livelihood of the indigenous peoples. The Supplement comprised 21 papers. Two of these papers included indigenous peoples as study subjects. These two papers addressed peripheral, albeit important health issues, namely visual impairment and quality of life, and not the persistent and rising health concerns impacting this population. We will provide evidence from research and reports to justify our critique that the Supplement missed the opportunity to spotlight on the serious extent of the health and nutritional deprivations of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia. As researchers of the indigenous peoples, we ought to lend our voice to the "silenced minority" by highlighting their plight in the media including scientific journals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Health Status Disparities*
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