Displaying publications 401 - 420 of 1140 in total

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  1. Mohd Shahrir MS, Eashwary M, Heselynn H, Mohd Shahdan S
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-8077.2007.00252.x
    Aim: To provide the first case series analysis for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Malaysia.
    Methods: Patient records were studied from rheumatology clinics in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital and Putrajaya Hospital in Malaysia.
    Results: Thirty-one patients from two rheumatology centres were studied. Thirteen patients (41.9%) were male and 18 patients (58.1%) were female. Nineteen patients (61.3%) were Malays, four (12.9%) were Chinese, seven (22.6%) were Indians and one (3.2%) was a Sikh. The majority of patients were in the >.50 years age-group (11 [35.5%]) followed by the 41-50 years age-group (10 [32.3%]). Thirteen patients (41.9%) had the disease since 41-50 years of age. Twenty-three patients (77.4%) had no family history of PsA. Twenty-three patients (74.2%) had psoriasis first, seven (22.6%) had arthritis first and one (3.2%) developed psoriasis and arthritis at the same time. Twenty-four patients (77.4%) had positive activity correlation for skin and arthritis. The majority of patients had symmetrical arthritis (20 [64.5%]) and chronic plaque-like lesions (22 [71.0%]). These patients were on NSAIDS and methotrexate (14 [45.2%]). One patient (3.6%) needed surgery for joint replacement.
    Conclusion: Patients who were diagnosed as having PsA were Malays, age group of more than 50, disease onset at 41-50 years of age, no family history, had symmetrical and chronic plaque lesions, had psoriasis first and needed NSAIDS and methotrexate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  2. Wan Mohamad WM, Mohd Ashari NS, Wan AbHamid WZ
    Objective: We presented a case report, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Malay boy. Interestingly, this case occurs in a boy, which is not so common because autoimmune disease usually occurs in female. Design: Case report. Methods: We highlighted a case of a boy with SLE who presented with clinical symptoms suggestive of SLE and fulfilled the criteria for SLE diagnosis. Results: The patient was successfully managed with antihypertensive, intravenous cyclophosphamide and oral prednisolone and respond well to the therapy. Conclusion: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease which rarely occurs in male. However we reported one such case which fulfilled the criteria for SLE. © 2017 Japan Health Sciences University & Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  3. Khan YH, Sarriff A, Khan AH, Mallhi TH
    DOI: 10.4314/tjpr.v13i1.22
    Purpose: To evaluate knowledge and perceptions of osteoporosis among university students in Malaysia belonging to different age groups, gender and ethnicity.
    Methods: Using convenience sampling method, current study was conducted among students of University Sains Malaysia (USM), Pulau Penang, Malaysia. A pre-validated self-administered questionnaire was used to carry out the study.
    Results: The mean age of the participants was 24.61 ± 5.51 years. A majority, 401 (87 %), identified osteoporosis correctly as a disease that makes bones weak and fragile. Lack of milk and dairy products were identified by majority of participants (74 %) as a risk factor for osteoporosis while being petite (24 %) and family history (34.5 %) were the least identified risk factors. Female showed statistically higher knowledge score than males (243.89 versus 216.12, p = 0.02). Ethnicity (Malay: 228.32, Chinese: 264.46, Indian: 194.04, Others: 236.94, p = 0.00) and type of education (Hybrid: 225.99, Arts: 182.21, Science: 286.23, p = 0.00) were factors that correlated significantly with knowledge and perceptions of osteoporosis.
    Conclusion: This study demonstrates an urgent need for the implementation of educational and awareness programs for university students belonging to various age groups. Such programs should be designed on the basis of the parameters of health belief model. © Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, 300001 Nigeria. All rights reserved.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  4. Ghani WMN, Ramanathan A, Prime SS, Yang YH, Razak IA, Abdul Rahman ZA, et al.
    Cancer Invest, 2019;37(7):275-287.
    PMID: 31307249 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2019.1635614
    Previous studies found that ethnicity influences oral cancer patients' survival; however, most studies were limited to certain ethnic groups particularly from the West, thus of limited relevance to Asians where the disease is most prevalent. We investigated the relationship between ethnicity and patient survival in multi-racial Malaysia. 5-year survival rate was 40.9%. No statistically significant difference was observed in survival between Malays, Chinese, Indians and Indigenous peoples (45.7%, 44.0%, 41.3%, 27.7% respectively). Increased tumor size, lymph node involvement and advanced tumor were predictive of poor survival. We conclude that ethnicity has no effect on survival or its prognostic indicators.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  5. Mohd A, Gun SC, Das Gupta E, De'Souza B
    APLAR Journal of Rheumatology, 2006;9 Suppl 1:A89.
    Objective: To determine the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of the patients with gout, on follow up in Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic, Hospital Seremban.
    Methods: This was a retrospective study. Case notes of all our existing gout patients were reviewed, and data on demography, clinical features, associated conditions, and laboratory findings were noted.
    Results: 54 patients were studied, 48 (89%) were male and 6 (11%) were female at the ratio of M : F = 8:1, 30 (57%) of them had the onset of symptoms at their 3rd and 4th decades of life. The majority were the Malays 39 (72%), followed by the Indians 11 (20%) and the Chinese 4 (8%). Commonly associated conditions were hypertension in 37 (68.5%), obesity (BMI of 30 and above) in 36 (66.7%) and hyperlipidaemia in 36 (66.7%) of them. Mixed hyperlipidaemia (High TG and LDL cholesterol) were found in 19 (53%). Underlying history of diabetes mellitus 7 (13%), alcohol consumption 8 (15%), smoking habits 22 (40%) and family history of gout 18 (33%). Half of our patients 27 (50%) had at least 2 or more joints involvement. 28 (52%) of them had tophaceous gout. Among those with tophaceous gout, 18 (64%) had renal impairment with serum creatinine of .150mmol/l. 6 (31.5%) of the patients with renal impairment found to have renal calculi on ultrasonography.
    Conclusion: There was male predominance in our group of patients which was consistent with other reported epidemiological studies. Hypertension, mixed hyperlipidaemia and obesity were common associated conditions while diabetes mellitus, smoking and family history of gout were not. The majority of gout patients in our clinic were Malays and due to religious reasons, alcohol was not a common associated factor. Half of our patients had multiple joints involvement and more than half also had tophaceous gout. There was high incidence of renal impairment seen in patients with tophaceous gout. These could be due to delay in seeking medical treatment, present of renal calculi and possibly contributed by associated hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  6. Schliemann D, Su TT, Paramasivam D, Somasundaram S, Ibrahim Tamin NSB, Dahlui M, et al.
    Transl Behav Med, 2019 11 25;9(6):1087-1099.
    PMID: 31583402 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz134
    Increasingly, policy and research attention is being directed toward improving global health in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated the cultural adaptation of a UK-designed and developed evidence-based mass media campaign with the aim of improving colorectal cancer and breast cancer awareness in Malaysia. Guided by the heuristic framework of cultural adaptation, a multidisciplinary team adapted the UK Be Cancer Aware programme for implementation in the Malaysian context. The approach included five steps: (a) information gathering and needs assessment; (b) preliminary design; (c) preliminary testing; (d) refinement; and (e) final trial. Key findings from the information gathering stage related to the need to take into account differences in ethnicity, religion, and beliefs about cancer. Discussions with experts indicated that particular words were not acceptable in Malay culture and that specific aspects were "taboo" (e.g., showing pictures of breasts in relation to breast cancer on TV). Stage 3 of the analysis revealed that the presentation of cancer survivors rather than health professionals on programme materials was preferred by Malaysians and that there was a poor level of awareness about colorectal cancer. The results were used systematically to adapt two culturally suitable cancer awareness mass media campaigns for implementation in Malaysia. The developed materials were in line with government priorities and took into account the local health care system structure. The establishment of a partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., the Ministry of Health and the lead patient advocacy organization) and the application of a systematic approach to address cultural factors and resource constraints contribute to the successful implementation of public health programmes in global health settings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  7. Tan SG, Gan YY, Asuan K, Abdullah F
    Hum Genet, 1981;59(1):75-6.
    PMID: 10819027
    Malays, Chinese and Indians from peninsular Malaysia; Ibans and Bidayuh from Sarawak state, Northern Borneo; and Bataks, Minangkabau and Javanese from North Sumatra, Indonesia, were subtyped for Gc (group-specific component) by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing. All eight populations investigated were found to be polymorphic for three common alleles, Gc1F, Gc1S and Gc2.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  8. Ramirez SP, McClellan W, Port FK, Hsu SI
    J Am Soc Nephrol, 2002 Jul;13(7):1907-17.
    PMID: 12089388 DOI: 10.1097/01.asn.0000018406.20282.c8
    The factors associated with proteinuria were examined in a large multiracial Asian population participating in a screening program aimed at the early detection of renal disease. Of 213,873 adults who participated, 189,117 with complete data were included. Malay race, increasing age, both extremes of body mass index (BMI), self-reported family history of kidney disease (FKD), and higher systolic and diastolic BP measurements (even at levels classified as being within the normal range) were independently associated with dipstick-positive proteinuria. The odds ratios (OR) for proteinuria increased progressively with age. There was a J-shaped relationship between BMI and proteinuria (OR of 1.3, 1.00, 1.3, 1.6, and 2.5 for BMI of < or =18.00, 23.00 to 24.99, 25.00 to 27.49, 27.50 to 29.99, and > or =30.00 kg/m(2), respectively, compared with BMI of 18.01 to 22.99 kg/m(2)). OR for proteinuria according to systolic and diastolic BP were significantly increased beginning at levels of 110 and 90 mmHg, respectively. In addition, the Malay race was associated with a significantly higher OR for proteinuria, compared with the Chinese race (OR of 1.3). Finally, FKD was significantly associated with proteinuria (OR of 1.7), whereas a family history of diabetes mellitus and a family history of hypertension were not. When family histories were analyzed by clustering, isolated FKD remained a significant determinant of proteinuria and the magnitude of the effect was not significantly different from that observed in the presence of a coexisting family history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension. This is the first study to evaluate factors associated with proteinuria in an Asian population. The epidemiologic study of renal disease in this population suggests that risk factors for renal disease might differ significantly among racial groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  9. Hakim HM, Khan HO, Ismail SA, Lalung J, Kofi AE, Nelson BR, et al.
    Int J Legal Med, 2020 Jul;134(4):1335-1337.
    PMID: 31897667 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02237-4
    Genetic polymorphisms at 23 Y chromosome short tandem repeat (STRs) loci included in the Powerplex® Y23 PCR kit were successfully scored in 128 unrelated Kedayan individuals living in Sabah, East Malaysia. Complete haplotypes were recorded for all individuals and included 92 different types with 72 being unique to single male subjects. Three important forensic statistics were calculated from these data; haplotype diversity = 0.993, discriminating capacity = 0.719, and match probability = 0.015. The Kedayan appear to be most closely related to Malays and Filipinos in a multidimensional scaling plot and are separated from other mainland Asia populations including Thais and Hakka Han. These new data for Kedayan have been deposited in the YHRD database (accession number: YA004621). Our statistical analyses showed the reliability of Y-STR loci for geographically extended use in forensic casework and for studying human population history.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  10. Chia ZJ, Lim KS, Fong SL, Sim RS, Rajahram GS, Narayanan V, et al.
    Epilepsy Behav, 2020 09;110:107158.
    PMID: 32512367 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107158
    BACKGROUND: Epilepsy stigma is an important issue affecting people with epilepsy (PWE) in various social aspects of life. Most studies on stigma were among the metropolitan population but rarely on indigenous people. Hence, this study aimed to understand the attitudes toward epilepsy of the East Malaysians, comparing with the West Malaysians previously reported.

    METHOD: This study was performed among the indigenous people in Kuching and Sibu (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) using the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale. A higher score indicates poorer attitude.

    RESULT: A total of 360 respondents (41.7% Kadazan-Dusun, 30.6% Bidayuh, and 24.7% Iban) aged 34.6 ± 12.6 years completed the questionnaire. They were predominantly females and had lower education level and income compared with the West Malaysians. The Sabah population had significantly lower mean scores (better attitudes) than those in Sarawak, in both personal and general domains (p Malaysia, the mean score in the personal domain was significantly lower in Sabah, while Sarawak had significantly higher scores in general domain (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  11. Mohd Yusuf BN, Zakaria N, Abdul-Talib AN
    J Infect Public Health, 2021 Mar;14(3):380-384.
    PMID: 33621801 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.11.008
    BACKGROUND: This research study aims to:(1) identify and explore the social network communication tools used to facilitate the adjustment process of Malaysian female expatriate nurses working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (hereafter "the Kingdom" or "SA") who are accompanied by neither their spouses nor families and (2) determine how these tools facilitate their adjustment to their new environment. Emphasis is placed on this particular group of respondents primarily due to the dearth of research conducted on female expatriate nurses.

    METHOD: We conducted a preliminary study using semi-structured interviews with sixteen (16) Malaysian female expatriate nurses working in SA to obtain a broader understanding of their experiences with cross-cultural adaptation and their use of social media tools to connect with their families and friends in their home country.

    RESULTS: This study uncovers numerous social media communication tools being used by female expatriate nurses to help curb their loneliness and lessen the culture shock of living and working in a foreign country. Continuous engagement with these tools helps Malaysian female expatriate nurses maintain their emotional stability, thereby enabling them to remain mentally strong and ultimately prolonging their stay in SA.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study's outcomes contribute significantly to the knowledge of the government, various organizations, and aspiring female expatriate nurses in the healthcare industry because the results can assist female expatriate nurses during the adjustment period, enabling them to work efficiently and successfully in the host country.

    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  12. Rashid MNA, Mahat NA, Khan HO, Wahab RA, Maarof H, Ismail D, et al.
    Int J Legal Med, 2020 Sep;134(5):1675-1678.
    PMID: 32222814 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02279-z
    The use of 21 autosomal STR loci for human identification has been gaining popularity throughout the world. It has been indicated that the forensic statistical parameters for supporting the use of 21 STR loci varied among different populations. Hitherto, such data for the diverse Malaysian populations remain unreported, rendering doubts in the court of law about its real ability for human identification in Malaysian population. Using the GlobalFiler™ Express PCR Amplification Kit, complete DNA profiles of 21 STR loci from buccal swabs of convicted Malaysian criminal (n = 570; 190 each for Malays, Chinese, and Indians) (by the year 2016-2017) were analyzed for their allele frequencies, exact test of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, observed and expected heterozygosity, power of discrimination, power of exclusion, match probability, and polymorphism information content. Most of the loci were found to be in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after the Bonferroni correction. Being the most informative locus, SE33 demonstrated the highest power of discrimination and power of exclusion, indicating its usefulness to discriminate individuals. In contrast, TPOX had the lowest power of discrimination and power of exclusion, as well as being the less informative genetic locus for all Malaysian population studied here. The probabilities that two individuals would share the same DNA profiles among the Malaysian Malays, Chinese, and Indians, as well as in general Malaysian population, were 1.3713 × 10-25, 2.8822 × 10-25, 7.5668 × 10-26, and 1.0385 × 10-26, respectively. The results obtained here were found comparable with similar studies reported in other populations. Hence, its robustness for forensic human identification among the Malaysian populations is, therefore, statistically supported.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  13. Mumin NA, Rahmat K, Fadzli F, Ramli MT, Westerhout CJ, Ramli N, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 02 06;9(1):1459.
    PMID: 30728394 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37451-4
    Synthesized 2D images can be reconstructed from tomosynthesis images in breast imaging. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of synthesized 2D images (C-View) in comparison to full field digital mammography (FFDM) when used with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in multi-ethnic Malaysian population. FFDM and C-View images (n = 380) were independently evaluated by three readers through Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categorisation, breast density and lesion characterisation. Statistical analysis was done comparing sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of C-View + DBT with FFDM + DBT as standard of reference. Very good interreader agreement in BI-RADS category and density assessment between C-View + DBT and FFDM + DBT, with high sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of C-View + DBT when compared with FFDM + DBT. There was comparable PPV between C-View + DBT and FFDM + DBT, with histopathology as gold standard. High level of interreader agreement in BI-RADS category and density assessment for FFDM + DBT and C-View + DBT. There was good agreement between FFDM + DBT and C-View + DBT in mass characterization, and almost perfect agreement in calcification and asymmetric density. 52.2% lower radiation dose incurred when using C-View + DBT. Hence, synthesized 2D images are comparable to FFDM with reduction in radiation dose within the limits of Malaysian multi-ethnic population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  14. Leong AS
    Pathology, 1979 Apr;11(2):241-9.
    PMID: 460949
    Marchiafava-Bignami disease, a rare affliction of alcoholic males, is described in a severely malnourished Malaysian Indian male who took no alcohol. It is the second report of the disease in an Asian and represents one of the few cases which have occurred in non-alcoholics. Besides the pathognomonic demyelination of the central portion of the corpus callosum, there were striking demyelinative plaques in the subcortical white matter. In addition, neuropathological features of Wernicke's disease were found suggesting that severe malnutrition with thiamine deficiency was probably the cause of his demise.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  15. Wong MS, Chew WL, Aw TC
    Pathology, 1999 Aug;31(3):225-9.
    PMID: 10503268
    Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is formed when apolipoprotein(a) is linked to low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol via a single disulfide bond. It is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction and raised concentrations are associated with an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease. Singapore has a multi-racial population of 77% Chinese, 14% Malays and 7% Indians. Studies have shown that the Indians have significantly higher standardised mortality ratios (SMR) compared to the Chinese and the Malays. We measured serum Lp(a) concentrations in 803 healthy individuals recruited from the Multiphasic Health Screening Programme, using the Macra Lp(a) sandwich enzyme immunoassay kit (Strategics Diagnostics, Delaware, USA). Lp(a) concentrations were skewed in all three groups. Our population mean was 9.0 mg/dl, with 50th, 75th and 95th percentile values of 10.2, 19.8 and 43.1 mg/dl, respectively, which are lower than values reported from Caucasian populations (15.0, 29.0 and 60.0 mg/dl, respectively). Males had lower Lp(a) concentrations than females (P < 0.05). The Indian group had significantly higher concentrations (median 12.3 mg/dl) compared to their Chinese (median 9.6 mg/dl) and Malay (median 8.4 mg/dl) counterparts (P < 0.05). This could partly account for the higher SMR seen in the Indian population in Singapore. As serum Lp(a) concentrations are method- and population-dependent, we recommend that laboratories determine their own reference ranges by their method to avoid misclassification of the coronary heart disease (CHD) risk of patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  16. Gan YY, Chen CF
    Biochem Genet, 2012 Feb;50(1-2):52-62.
    PMID: 21927815 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-011-9458-0
    Human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is one isoform of the nitric oxide synthases that are responsible for nitric oxide synthesis from L-arginine. The gene encoding eNOS contains a 27-bp VNTR polymorphism in intron 4. We report here for the first time the presence of a novel allele 3, which was absent in all other populations studied to date, in 1.7% each of Singaporean Indians and Malays. We also detected the presence of a novel genotype 3/5 in 3.4% each of Singaporean Indians and Malays. Allele 6, which was absent in Han Chinese from northern China and Taiwan and was also absent in Indians from the Indian subcontinent, was found in 2.1% of Singaporean Chinese and in 0.3% of Singaporean Indians.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  17. Normala I, Zubaidah JO, Nik Shaliza H, Hamidin A, Noorjan KON, Siti Irma Fadhilah I, et al.
    MyJurnal
    The objective of the study was to determine the proportion of sound HIV knowledge and common misconceptions about HIV among university students. A set of pre tested and validated questionnaire assessing sound HIV knowledge and common misconceptions about HIV was used in this cross sectional study. HIV knowledge was defined as sound when one was able to identify correctly two ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and reject three major misconceptions about HIV. Out of 300 respondents, 298 completed the questionnaire giving a response rate of 99.3%. A total of 40.9% of university students have sound HIV knowledge. The majority of those who lacked sound HIV knowledge were young (60.2%) and female (60.4%). A significant proportion still believed that HIV can be transmitted via social contact (13.8%), by sneezing or coughing (11.4%) and mosquito bites (10.1%). About 6.7% were believed wrongly that HIV can be treated by vaccine and healthy-looking people cannot have HIV.
    Study site: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  18. Chu AHY, Bernard JY, Koh D, Müller-Riemenschneider F
    Res Q Exerc Sport, 2021 Sep;92(3):361-368.
    PMID: 32154777 DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2020.1734520
    Purpose: Variability in accelerometry-data processing decisions limited data comparability across studies. We aimed to examine different accelerometry-data processing rules: varying bout lengths and allowance of 0- and 2-min interruptions on the total and bout-accumulated time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior estimates, and describe the distribution of activity time based on counts per min (CPM) in granular categories. Method: Using the Singapore Health 2 survey, this study included 746 adults (41.8% women, median age 45.0 years) who provided valid ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer-data (≥4 valid days with ≥10-h/day). Quantile regression analysis adjusting for accelerometry daily wear time, age, and gender was performed to calculate the median and interquartile range of accelerometry estimates. Results: Median MVPA time accumulated in bouts of 1-min versus bouts of 10-min was 39.2 min/day and 6.0 min/day, respectively. MVPA time was higher when considering a 2-min interruption (range: 1.8-39.2 min/day) compared to 0-min interruption (range: 0-35.5 min/day) across bout lengths of 1- to 15-min. Participants were sedentary (≤100 CPM) for a daily median of 7.6 h/day. Median activities min/day on the lower-intensity activity spectrum (100-2499 CPM) decreased from 63.4 to 4.6 min/day, while on the higher-intensity activity spectrum (≥2500 CPM) was ≤2.9 min/day. Men generally spent more time in MVPA than women. Conclusions: This study highlights the differences in accelerometry estimates based on data processing decisions, and the importance of quantifying accelerometry-based activity time across the granular intensity spectrum. More studies are warranted to understand the determinants and health impact of these behaviors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
  19. Hairol MI, Nordin N, P'ng J, Sharanjeet-Kaur S, Narayanasamy S, Mohd-Ali M, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(3):e0246846.
    PMID: 33657109 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246846
    Visual-motor integration (VMI) is related to children's academic performance and school readiness. VMI scores measured using the Beery-Bucktenicka Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery-VMI) can differ due to differences in cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This study compared the VMI scores of Malaysian preschoolers with the corresponding US norms and determined the association between their VMI scores and socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 435 preschoolers (mean age: 5.95±0.47 years; age range: 5.08-6.83 years) from randomly selected public and private preschools. VMI scores were measured using Beery-VMI in the preschools' classrooms. Information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the preschoolers was obtained using a parent-report questionnaire. One sample t-test was used to compare their VMI scores with the corresponding US norms. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the influence of socioeconomic factors on the preschoolers' VMI scores. Overall, Malaysian preschoolers' VMI performance was similar to the US standardized norms (p>0.05). Children from low-income families were twice likely to obtain lower than average VMI scores than those from higher-income families (OR = 2.47, 95%CI 1.05, 5.86). Children enrolled at public preschools were more likely to obtain a lower than average VMI score than those who enrolled at private preschools (OR = 2.60, 95%CI 1.12, 6.06). Children who started preschool at the age of six were more likely to obtain lower than average VMI scores than those who started at an earlier age (OR = 4.66, 95%CI 1.97, 11.04). Low maternal education level was also associated with lower than average VMI score (OR = 2.60, 95%CI 1.12, 6.06). Malaysian preschoolers' Beery-VMI performance compared well to their US counterparts. Some socioeconomic factors were associated with reduced VMI scores. Those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to have reduced VMI performance, potentially adversely affecting their school readiness, cognitive performance, and future academic achievements.
    Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia/ethnology
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