MyMedR

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.

Fulltext Maxillofacial injuries associated with intimate partner violence in women

Saddki N, Suhaimi AA, Daud R

BMC Public Health, 2010;10:268.

PMID: 20492720 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-268

The facial region has been the most common site of injury following violent episodes. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of maxillofacial injuries associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) in women treated at a single facility in Malaysia.

Fulltext Awareness of school students on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their sexual behavior: a cross-sectional study conducted in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Anwar M, Sulaiman SA, Ahmadi K, Khan TM

BMC Public Health, 2010;10:47.

PMID: 20113511 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-47

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) rank among the most important health issues for the people especially the young adults worldwide. Young people tend to engage in sexual activity at younger ages in the past decade than in the 1970s, and 1980s. Knowledge is an essential precursor of sexual risk reduction. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, to produce the baseline information about school students' awareness and perception about sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) and their sexual activity to help establish control and education programmes.
METHODS: Students from form 4 (aged between 15 to 16 years), form 5 (aged between 16 to 17 years) and form 6 (aged between 18 to 20 years) in their class rooms were approached and asked to complete self administered and anonymous pre-validated questionnaires. SPSS for windows version 13 was used to analyze the results statistically and results were presented in tabular form.
RESULTS: Data was collected from 1139 students aged between 15 to 20 years, 10.6% of which claimed that they never heard about STIs. Sexual experience related significantly with gender, race, and education level. Approximately 12.6% claimed to have sexual experience of which 75.7% had their sexual debut at 15-19 years and 38.2% were having more than 3 partners. Sexual experience was found to be significantly associated with gender (p = 0.003), ethnicity (p = 0.001) and education level (p = 0.030). However, multiple partner behaviour was significantly associated only with gender (p = 0.010). Mean knowledge score was 11.60 +/- 8.781 and knowledge level was significantly associated with religion (p = 0.005) education level (p = 0.000), course stream (p = 0.000), socioeconomic class (p = 0.000) and sexual experience (p = 0.022).
CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that school students have moderate level of knowledge about STIs although they are sexually active. Interventions such as reinforcing the link between STIs and HIV/AIDS, assessing the current status of sexuality education in schools and arranging public talks and seminars focusing on STIs prevention education are needed to improve their awareness.

Fulltext Factors associated with dental visit and barriers to utilisation of oral health care services in a sample of antenatal mothers in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Saddki N, Yusoff A, Hwang YL

BMC Public Health, 2010;10:75.

PMID: 20163741 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-75

The aims of this study were to determine factors associated with dental visit and to describe barriers to utilisation of oral health care services among antenatal mothers attending the Obstetric and Gynaecology Specialist clinic in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Fulltext Working conditions, self-perceived stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life: a structural equation modelling approach

Rusli BN, Edimansyah BA, Naing L

BMC Public Health, 2008 Feb 06;8:48.

PMID: 18254966 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-48

BACKGROUND: The relationships between working conditions [job demand, job control and social support]; stress, anxiety, and depression; and perceived quality of life factors [physical health, psychological wellbeing, social relationships and environmental conditions] were assessed using a sample of 698 male automotive assembly workers in Malaysia.

METHODS: The validated Malay version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was applied to test the structural relationships of the model using AMOS version 6.0, with the maximum likelihood ratio as the method of estimation.

RESULTS: The results of the SEM supported the hypothesized structural model (chi2 = 22.801, df = 19, p = 0.246). The final model shows that social support (JCQ) was directly related to all 4 factors of the WHOQOL-BREF and inversely related to depression and stress (DASS). Job demand (JCQ) was directly related to stress (DASS) and inversely related to the environmental conditions (WHOQOL-BREF). Job control (JCQ) was directly related to social relationships (WHOQOL-BREF). Stress (DASS) was directly related to anxiety and depression (DASS) and inversely related to physical health, environment conditions and social relationships (WHOQOL-BREF). Anxiety (DASS) was directly related to depression (DASS) and inversely related to physical health (WHOQOL-BREF). Depression (DASS) was inversely related to the psychological wellbeing (WHOQOL-BREF). Finally, stress, anxiety and depression (DASS) mediate the relationships between job demand and social support (JCQ) to the 4 factors of WHOQOL-BREF.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that higher social support increases the self-reported quality of life of these workers. Higher job control increases the social relationships, whilst higher job demand increases the self-perceived stress and decreases the self-perceived quality of life related to environmental factors. The mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress on the relationship between working conditions and perceived quality of life in automotive workers should be taken into account in managing stress amongst these workers.

Fulltext The distinctive profile of risk factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in comparison with other head and neck cancer types

Abdulamir AS, Hafidh RR, Abdulmuhaimen N, Abubakar F, Abbas KA

BMC Public Health, 2008;8:400.

PMID: 19055849 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-400

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and other head and neck cancer (HNCA) types show a great epidemiological variation in different regions of the world. NPC has multifactorial etiology and many interacting risk factors are involved in NPC development mainly Epstein Barr virus (EBV). There is a need to scrutinize the complicated network of risk factors affecting NPC and how far they are different from that of other HNCA types.

Fulltext Assessment of dental caries predictors in 6-year-old school children - results from 5-year retrospective cohort study

Masood M, Yusof N, Hassan MI, Jaafar N

BMC Public Health, 2012;12:989.

PMID: 23158416 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-989

This was a retrospective cohort study undertaken to assess the rate and pattern of dental caries development in 6-year-old school children followed-up for a period of 5 years, and to identify baseline risk factors that were associated with 5 years caries experience in Malaysian children.

Fulltext A qualitative exploration of Malaysian cancer patients' perceptions of cancer screening

Farooqui M, Hassali MA, Knight A, Shafie AA, Farooqui MA, Saleem F, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2013;13:48.

PMID: 23331785 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-48

Despite the existence of different screening methods, the response to cancer screening is poor among Malaysians. The current study aims to examine cancer patients' perceptions of cancer screening and early diagnosis.

Fulltext Dietary patterns and risk of colorectal cancer in Tehran Province: a case-control study

Safari A, Shariff ZM, Kandiah M, Rashidkhani B, Fereidooni F

BMC Public Health, 2013;13:222.

PMID: 23497250 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-222

Colorectal cancer is the third and fourth leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among men and women, respectively in Iran. However, the role of dietary factors that could contribute to this high cancer incidence remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine major dietary patterns and its relationship with colorectal cancer.

Fulltext Erratum: Randomized controlled trial on drowning prevention for parents with children aged below five years in Bangladesh: a study protocol

Hossain M, Mani KK, Mohd Sidik S, Hayati KS, Rahman AF

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:898.

PMID: 26374101 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2169-4

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.

Fulltext Reading the mind of children in response to food advertising: a cross-sectional study of Malaysian schoolchildren's attitudes towards food and beverages advertising on television

Ng SH, Kelly B, Se CH, Sahathevan S, Chinna K, Ismail MN, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:1047.

PMID: 26459341 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2392-z

Television food advertising (TVFA) is the most dominant medium in the obesogenic environment promoting unhealthy food choices in children.

Fulltext Increased risks of cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance among the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia

Tuan Abdul Aziz TA, Teh LK, Md Idris MH, Bannur Z, Ashari LS, Ismail AI, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2016;16(1):284.

PMID: 27009064 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2848-9

Despite the strategic development plan by the authorities for the Orang Asli, there are six subtribes of which their population numbers are small (less than 700). These minorities were not included in most of the health related studies published thus far. A comprehensive physiological and biomedical updates on these small subtribes in comparison to the larger subtribes and the urban Malay population is timely and important to help provide appropriate measures to prevent further reduction in the numbers of the Orang Asli.

Fulltext Severe maternal morbidity and near misses in tertiary hospitals, Kelantan, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Norhayati MN, Nik Hazlina NH, Sulaiman Z, Azman MY

BMC Public Health, 2016;16(1):229.

PMID: 26944047 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2895-2

Severe maternal conditions have increasingly been used as alternative measurements of the quality of maternal care and as alternative strategies to reduce maternal mortality. We aimed to study severe maternal morbidity and maternal near miss among women in two tertiary hospitals in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Fulltext Prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and socio demographic determinants of hypertension in Malaysian adults

Abdul-Razak S, Daher AM, Ramli AS, Ariffin F, Mazapuspavina MY, Ambigga KS, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2016;16(1):351.

PMID: 27097542 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3008-y

Hypertension is the leading cardiovascular risk factor globally as well as in Malaysia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and the socio demographic determinants of hypertension among Malaysian adults.

Fulltext Vitamin D level and its association with adiposity among multi-ethnic adults in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: a cross sectional study

Shafinaz IS, Moy FM

BMC Public Health, 2016 Mar 07;16:232.

PMID: 26951992 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2924-1

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in both temperate as well as tropical countries. Obesity is one of the factors contributing to vitamin D deficiency. As our country has a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, we aimed to study serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and its association with adiposity using various adiposity indicators; and to study other risk factors that affect serum 25(OH)D level among multi-ethnic adults in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

METHODS: This was a cross sectional study conducted with a multistage sampling. All permanent teachers working in government secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur were invited for the study. The data collection included serum 25(OH)D, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), body fat percentage, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. Demographic characteristics, sun avoidance, sun exposure and physical activity were enquired from the participants using a self-administered questionnaire. The data was analyzed using a complex sample analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 858 participants were recruited. Majority of them were Malays, females and had tertiary education. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) was 67.4 %. Indian participants (80.9 %) had the highest proportion of vitamin D deficiency, followed by Malays (75.6 %), others (44.9 %) and Chinese (25.1 %). There was a significant negative association between serum 25(OH)D level with BMI (β = -0.23) and body fat percentage (β = -0.14). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, Malays, Indians and females (p

Fulltext Erratum to: 'Characteristics associated with the consumption of malted drinks among Malaysian primary school children: findings from the MyBreakfast study'

Jan Mohamed HJ, Loy SL, Taib MN, Karim NA, Tan SY, Appukutty M, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2016;16:162.

PMID: 26883422 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2745-2

Fulltext Cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination regime: comparing twice versus thrice vaccinations dose regime among adolescent girls in Malaysia

Aljunid S, Maimaiti N, Nur AM, Noor MRM, Wan Puteh SE

BMC Public Health, 2016 Jan 23;16:71.

PMID: 26803814 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2754-1

BACKGROUND: The HPV vaccine was introduced to Malaysian national immunization programme in 2010. The current implementation age of HPV vaccination in Malaysian is at the age of 13 years school girls, given according to a 3 doses protocol which may complicate implementation and compliance. Aim of the study is to determine the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination regime comparing twice versus thrice HPV vaccinations dose regime among adolescent girls in Malaysia.

METHODS: A Markov cohort model reflecting the natural history of HPV infection accounting for oncogenic and low-risk HPV was adapted for 13 year old Malaysian girls cohort (n = 274,050). Transition probabilities, utilities values, epidemiological and cost data were sourced from published literature and local data. Vaccine effectiveness was based on overall efficacy reported from 3-doses clinical trials, with the assumption that the 2-doses is non-inferior to the 3-doses allowing overall efficacy to be inferred from the 3-doses immunogenicity data. Price parity and life-long protection were assumed. The payer perspective was adopted, with appropriate discounting for costs (3 %) and outcomes (3 %). One way sensitivity analysis was conducted. The sensitivity analysis on cost of vaccine, vaccine coverage and discount rate with a 2-doses protocol was performed.

RESULT: The 3-doses and 2-doses regimes showed same number of Cervical Cancers averted (361 cases); QALYs saved at 7,732,266. However, the lifetime protection under the 2-doses regime, showed a significant cost-savings of RM 36, 722,700 compared to the 3-doses scheme. The MOH Malaysia could vaccinate 137,025 more girls in this country using saving 2-doses regime vaccination programme. The model predicted that 2-doses HPV vaccination schemes can avoid additional 180 Cervical Cancers and 63 deaths compare to 3-doses.

CONCLUSION: A 2-doses HPV vaccination scheme may enable Malaysian women to be protected at a lower cost than that achievable under a 3-doses scheme, while avoiding the same number of Cervical Cancer cases and deaths. Using the saving money with 2-doses, more Cervical Cancers and deaths can be avoided.

Fulltext A cross sectional study on the motivators for Asian women to attend opportunistic mammography screening in a private hospital in Malaysia: the MyMammo study

Hassan N, Ho WK, Mariapun S, Teo SH

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:548.

PMID: 26065413 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1892-1

To date, because of limited budgets and lower incidence of breast cancer, the majority of Asian countries do not have population-based screening programmes, but instead offer opportunistic screening. However, there have been few studies which have assessed the motivators for women attending such programmes and the appropriateness of the programmes in terms of targeting women at risk.

Fulltext PCDD and PCDF exposures among fishing community through intake of fish and shellfish from the Straits of Malacca

Azlan A, Nasir NN, Shamsudin N, Rahman HA, Khoo HE, Razman MR

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:683.

PMID: 26194098 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2044-3

Exposure to PCDD/PCDF (dioxin and furan) through consumption of fish and shellfish is closely related to the occurrence of skin diseases, such as chloracne and hyperpigmentation. This study aimed to determine the exposure of PCDD/PCDF and its congeners in fish and shellfish obtained from different regions of the Straits of Malacca among the fishing community.

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