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Displaying publications 21 - 29 of 29 in total

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Motorcycles entering from access points and merging with traffic on primary roads in Malaysia: behavioral and road environment influence on the occurrence of traffic conflicts

Abdul Manan MM

Accid Anal Prev, 2014 Sep;70:301-13.
PMID: 24831271 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2014.04.009

This paper uses data from an observational study, conducted at access points in straight sections of primary roads in Malaysia in 2012, to investigate the effects of motorcyclists' behavior and road environment attributes on the occurrence of serious traffic conflicts involving motorcyclists entering primary roads via access points. In order to handle the unobserved heterogeneity in the small sample data size, this study applies mixed effects logistic regression with multilevel bootstrapping. Two statistically significant models (Model 2 and Model 3) are produced, with 2 levels of random effect parameters, i.e. motorcyclists' attributes and behavior at Level 1, and road environment attributes at Level 2. Among all the road environment attributes tested, the traffic volume and the speed limit are found to be statistically significant, only contributing to 26-29% of the variations affecting the traffic conflict outcome. The implication is that 71-74% of the unmeasured or undescribed attributes and behavior of motorcyclists still have an importance in predicting the outcome: a serious traffic conflict. As for the fixed effect parameters, both models show that the risk of motorcyclists being involved in a serious traffic conflict is 2-4 times more likely if they accept a shorter gap to a single approaching vehicle (time lag <4s) and in between two vehicles (time gap <4s) when entering the primary road from the access point. A road environment factor, such as a narrow lane (seen in Model 2), and a behavioral factor, such as stopping at the stop line (seen in Model 3), also influence the occurrence of a serious traffic conflict compared to those entering into a wider lane road and without stopping at the stop line, respectively. A discussion of the possible reasons for this seemingly strange result, including a recommendation for further research, concludes the paper.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design*
Physical Activity Among Adolescents in an East Malaysian Rural Indigenous Community: Exploring the Influence of Neighborhood Environmental Factors

Saimon R, Choo WY, Chang KH, Ng CJ, Bulgiba A

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Nov;27(8 Suppl):33S-40S.
PMID: 25900978 DOI: 10.1177/1010539515582220

This study explores the rural environmental factors that influence adolescents' participation in physical activities (PA). Thirty-six indigenous adolescents, aged 13 to 17 years from rural communities of East Malaysia were involved in the photovoice procedures: photo-taking, selecting, contextualizing, and codifying themes. Despite being endowed with natural resources such as river, forest, hills, and so on, the adolescents and the community did not capitalize on these rich resources to promote and engage in PA. Poor maintenance of natural resources, the lack of pedestrian infrastructures and road safety, the lack of PA facilities, and negative perception of ancestors' agricultural activities were among factors that constrained adolescents' PA. Although basic amenities such as play spaces and pedestrian infrastructures are necessary to increase adolescents' PA, any intervention should make the most of the natural resources, which are cheaper, environment friendly, and sustainable.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design/statistics & numerical data*
Fulltext Physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors among Malays in selected rural and urban communities in Sarawak

Cheah, Whye Lian, Helmy Hazmi, Chang, Ching Thon, Wan Manan Wan Muda

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2015;15(3):104-111.
MyJurnal

The objective of this study was to describe the differences in physical activity with socio-demographic factors and its association with cardiovascular risk factors. It was a cross-sectional study among selected urban and rural Malays communities in Kuching and Samarahan. Physical activity data was obtained using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version. Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors was based on blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose and body mass index (BMI). Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. A total of 223 participated with higher response from rural areas (60.1%) and females (61.9%). More than half of the respondents (58.5%) were overweight and obese, with a mean BMI of 25.9 kg/m2 (SD=4.9). About 25% of the respondents were found to have blood pressure in the at-risk range. The prevalence of at-risk blood glucose was 52.3% with a mean value of 7.3mmol/L (SD=3.46). The prevalence of at-risk cholesterol were lower with 31.8%, mean value of 3.5 mmol/L (SD=2.94). There were more active respondents living in rural area (p=0.02). Logistics regression analysis showed that urban area (OR=1.988 95% CI 1.082 to 3.652), systolic blood pressure (OR1.020 95% CI 1.003 to 1.037) and blood cholesterol (OR0.884 95% CI 0.785 to 0.996) were associated with physical activity level. Change of physical activity due to urbanization can increase the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases. Efforts to include physical activity in intervention programme should be more intensified, with more provision of suitable built environment.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design
Fulltext Pilot study to investigate the feasibility of the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) to identify older Malaysian people at risk of falls

Romli MH, Mackenzie L, Lovarini M, Tan MP

BMJ Open, 2016 08 16;6(8):e012048.
PMID: 27531736 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012048

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between home hazards and falls in older Malaysian people is not yet fully understood. No tools to evaluate the Malaysian home environment currently exist. Therefore, this study aimed to pilot the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) to identify hazards in Malaysian homes, to evaluate the feasibility of using the HOME FAST in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study and to gather preliminary data about the experience of falls among a small sample of Malaysian older people.
DESIGN: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted.
SETTING: An urban setting in Kuala Lumpur.
PARTICIPANTS: 26 older people aged 60 and over were recruited from the control group of a related research project in Malaysia, in addition to older people known to the researchers.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: The HOME FAST was applied with the baseline survey for the MELoR study via a face-to-face interview and observation of the home by research staff.
RESULTS: The majority of the participants were female, of Malay or Chinese ethnicity and living with others in a double-storeyed house. Falls were reported in the previous year by 19% and 80% of falls occurred at home. Gender and fear of falling had the strongest associations with home hazards. Most hazards were detected in the bathroom area. A small number of errors were detected in the HOME FAST ratings by researchers.
CONCLUSIONS: The HOME FAST is feasible as a research and clinical tool for the Malaysian context and is appropriate for use in the MELoR study. Home hazards were prevalent in the homes of older people and further research with the larger MELoR sample is needed to confirm the validity of using the HOME FAST in Malaysia. Training in the use of the HOME FAST is needed to ensure accurate use by researchers.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design/statistics & numerical data*
Planning Accessibility Strategies and Connectivity for Malaysian Urban Built Environment

Abd Samad NA, Said I, Abdul Rahim A

Stud Health Technol Inform, 2018;256:367-377.
PMID: 30371497

Access to our buildings relies to the accessibility of its external environment and the route taken. Developments and planning in urban areas has many several requirements and restrictions. Planning accessibility for Malaysian built environment is achievable by designing in compliance to the requirements enforced by authorities. Accessible design is commonly associated with providing facilities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the issue that is often brought up is the inaccessibility of the external environment and lacking of seamless connectivity between buildings and the outdoor. The intention is to formulate accessibility strategies and work out planning process on how accessibility can be achieved. Universal Design will be the basis for the design and planning concept to accommodate all users to enjoy our urban built environment. It is notable that developed countries advances more in terms of implementing and enforcing accessibility measures via legislative and regulatory documents, government strategies and initiatives within its planning approach than the developing nations. The methodology will be looking into the establishment of strategies and measures of international and local planning policy, local and action plans of City of London as selected Local Authority to be analyzed its inclusive policy has been successfully implemented in their jurisdiction. The findings, discussions and result will be an outcome of generating a framework of accessibility strategies that is derived from interviews and government documents accordingly to targeted Malaysian urban areas focusing the City of Petaling Jaya and Putrajaya and how it can be improvised. Therefore, an interpretation of adopting accessibility planning strategies of developed country, to be adapted locally according to Malaysian legislation, culture and lifestyles.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design*
Planning for sustainable tourism in southern Pulau Banggi: an assessment of biophysical conditions and their implications for future tourism development

Teh L, Cabanban AS

J Environ Manage, 2007 Dec;85(4):999-1008.
PMID: 17204361

A priori assessments of a site's biophysical and socio-economic capacity for accommodating tourism are less common than tourism impact studies. A priori evaluations can provide a contextual understanding of ecological, economic and socio-cultural forces, which shape the prospects for sustainable tourism development at the host destination, and can avert adverse impacts of tourism. We conduct an a priori assessment of the biophysical environment of Pulau Banggi, in the Malaysian state of Sabah for sustainable tourism development. We characterise baseline conditions of the island's marine biodiversity, seasonality, and infrastructure. We then evaluate how existing biophysical conditions will influence options for sustainable tourism development. In particular, we suggest conditions, if there are any, which constitute a limit to future tourism development in terms of compatibility for recreation and resilience to visitor impacts. We find that the biggest constraint is the lack of adequate water and sanitation infrastructure. Blast fishing, although occurring less than once per hour, can potentially destroy the major attraction for tourists. We conclude that while Pulau Banggi possesses natural qualities that are attractive for ecotourism, financial and institutional support must be made available to provide facilities and services that will enable local participation in environmental protection and enhance prospects for future sustainable tourism.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design/economics
Fulltext Public preference of Islamic garden elements and professional perceptions towards Astaka Moroco in Putrajaya compared to Middle Eastern Islamic Gardens

Fazlena Abd. Rahim, Norsidah Ujang, Mohamed Mohamed Tolba Said

Journal of Advanced Research Design, 2018;46(1):1-13.
MyJurnal

The lack of understanding of Islamic principles in the design of public spaces has led to
the weakness of the function, aesthetic value and the identity of urban places. The study
seeks to identify the characteristics and elements of the Islamic urban space in
Putrajaya base on publics and expert perception and preference. A questionnaire
survey was conducted with approximately 500 civilians to analyse the public perception
of Putra Square and Astaka Moroco. A photo base interview was carried out with
approximately 100 professionals in the built environment field to evaluate the quality
of Astaka Moroco in comparison to Islamic gardens in the Middle East based on their
perception. The results indicate that the style of the Dataran Putra is the most preferred
by the public compared to the Astaka Morocco. The professionals inform that Astaka
Morocco is not comparable to the quality of Islamic gardens in the Middle East either
in terms of function or aesthetic value due to the lack of understanding of the Islamic gardens elements and principles. In addition, the public liked the Islamic garden style
that reflects the local identity and the functions as public spaces instead of just as an
exhibit or a model. The findings can be a good guide in designing the Islamic public
spaces which are favoured by the public.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design
The impact of exposure to films of natural and built environments on state body appreciation

Swami V, Pickering M, Barron D, Patel S

Body Image, 2018 Sep;26:70-73.
PMID: 29906631 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.06.002

Previous work has shown that exposure to images of nature results in elevated state body appreciation, but static images may lack ecological validity. Here, we examined the impact of exposure to short films of simulated, first-person walks in natural or built environments. Thirty-six university students completed a measure of state body appreciation before and after watching films of either a walk in a natural or a built environment created specifically for the present study. Two weeks later, they completed the same task but watched the other film type. Results indicated that exposure to the film of a natural environment resulted in significantly elevated state body appreciation (d = 0.66). There was no significant change in state body appreciation following exposure to the film of the built environment (d = 0.14). These findings suggest that exposure to films depicting the natural environment may promote immediate, moderate-sized improvements in state body image.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design*
Fulltext Urban governance and the systems approaches to health-environment co-benefits in cities

Oliveira JA, Doll CN, Siri J, Dreyfus M, Farzaneh H, Capon A

Cad Saude Publica, 2015 Nov;31 Suppl 1:25-38.
PMID: 26648361 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00010015

The term "co-benefits" refers to positive outcomes accruing from a policy beyond the intended outcome, often or usually in other sectors. In the urban context, policies implemented in particular sectors (such as transport, energy or waste) often generate multiple co-benefits in other areas. Such benefits may be related to the reduction of local or global environmental impacts and also extend into the area of public health. A key to identifying and realising co-benefits is the adoption of systems approaches to understand inter-sectoral linkages and, in particular, the translation of this understanding to improved sector-specific and city governance. This paper reviews a range of policies which can yield health and climate co-benefits across different urban sectors and illustrates, through a series of cases, how taking a systems approach can lead to innovations in urban governance which aid the development of healthy and sustainable cities.

Matched MeSH terms: Environment Design