MATERIALS AND METHODS: The communities were selected from rural and urban populations in four peninsular states (Selangor, Kelantan, Perak, and Johor). Following a multistage sampling approach, communities in each stratum were selected according to probability proportional to the size and identified based on national census data by the community and administrative registers. Households were randomly selected. Eligible individuals were those aged between 35 and 70 years old, self-reported or identified as hypertensive at screening. Informed consent was taken. A survey using validated questionnaires was conducted.
RESULTS: The total number of respondents was 579. The mean age was 59.0 (95%: 58.4, 59.7) and more were women (71.5%) than men (28.5%). Regarding respondents selfreported level of hypertension knowledge, 2.9% reported having no knowledge at all, 80.1% had little knowledge, and 17.9% were very familiar. Among all respondents, 56.2% (95% CI: 50.7, 61.6) correctly answered at least four out of five objective knowledge questions.Almost all (91.5%) were aware that hypertension could cause a stroke. However, one-fifth believed it could cause cancer. Almost threequarters said that people with high blood pressure generally felt well (72.1%) and recognized that they should not stop taking their medication (70.7%). Most of the respondents knew that people should take their medication even if they feel well (73.6%). Although more than half (66.0%) of the respondents rated their health as poor. Interestingly, most did not perceive themselves as having a long-term illness (95.0%).
CONCLUSION: This study provides reassurance that individuals with hypertension in disadvantaged communities in Malaysia have a relatively good understanding of hypertension. Further research should explore the challenges they face on their therapeutic journeys.
METHODS: Workers from all 143 registered abattoirs in 11 of 13 states in Malaysia were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants were interviewed to ascertain information on illness and activities performed at the abattoir. A serum sample was obtained to test for Nipah virus antibody.
RESULTS: Seven (1.6 %) of 435 abattoir workers who slaughtered pigs versus zero (0%) of 233 workers who slaughtered ruminants showed antibody to Nipah virus (P = 0.05). All antibody-positive workers were from abattoirs in the three states that reported outbreak cases among pig farmers. Workers in these three states were more likely than those in other states to have Nipah antibody (7/144 [4.86%] versus 0/291 [0%], P < 0.001) and report symptoms suggestive of Nipah disease in pigs admitted to the abattoirs (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Nipah infection was not widespread among abattoir workers in Malaysia and was linked to exposure to pigs. Since it may be difficult to identify Nipah-infected pigs capable of transmitting virus by clinical symptoms, using personal protective equipment, conducting surveillance for Nipah infection on pig farms which supply abattoirs, and avoiding handling and processing of potentially infected pigs are presently the best strategies to prevent transmission of Nipah virus in abattoirs.
METHODS: Tear samples were collected from eight healthy volunteers using the standard Schirmer's test strip method with or without anesthesia and microcapillary tubes. The total tear protein concentrations were analyzed via spectrophotometry and bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay. The protein profile was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimal wetting length of Schirmer's strip and suitable buffer solutions were compared. Discomfort levels reported by participants and the ease of execution for ophthalmologists were also evaluated.
RESULTS: Tear samples exhibited typical protein profiles as shown by SDS-PAGE. The mean total protein obtained from an optimum wetting length of 20 mm using Schirmer's strip without anesthesia in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) yielded substantial quantities of protein as measured by nanophotometer (220.20 ± 67.43 µg) and the BCA protein assay (210.34 ± 59.46 µg). This method collected a significantly higher quantity of protein compared to the microcapillary tube method (p=0.004) which was much more difficult to standardize. The clinician found it harder to utilize microcapillary tubes, while participants experienced higher insecurity and less discomfort with the microcapillary tube method. PBS used during the tear protein extraction process eluted higher tear protein concentration than ammonium bicarbonate, although the difference was not statistically significant. Using anaesthesia did not ease the sampling procedure substantially and protein quantity was maintained.
CONCLUSION: Good quality and quantity of protein from tear samples were extracted with the optimized procedure. Schirmer's strip test in the absence of local anesthesia provided a standard, convenient, and non-invasive method for tear collection.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a locality within Selangor, sampling a total of 1449 young adults. The Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey was used to measure cyberbullying victimisation. The Family APGAR scale, General Health Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and single-item measures were used to assess family dysfunction, psychological distress and health behaviour, respectively.
RESULTS: The 1-month prevalence of cyberbullying victimisation among young adults was 2.4%. The most common cyberbullying act experienced was mean or hurtful comments about participants online (51.7%), whereas the most common online environment for cyberbullying to occur was social media (45.8%). Male participants (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.60, 95% CI=1.58 to 8.23) had at least three times the odds of being cyberbullied compared with female participants. Meanwhile, participants with higher levels of psychological distress had increased probability of being cyberbullied compared with their peers (AOR=1.13, 95% CI=1.05 to 1.21).
CONCLUSIONS: As evident from this study, cyberbullying victimisation prevails among young adults and is significantly related to gender and psychological distress. Given its devastating effects on targeted victims, a multipronged and collaborative approach is warranted to reduce incidences of cyberbullying and safeguard the health and well-being of young adults.