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Southeast Asian tropical medicine and parasitology network

Waikagul J

Parasitol Int, 2006;55 Suppl:S297-300.
PMID: 16326132

The SEAMEO TROPMED Network is a regional cooperative network established in 1967 for education, training and research in tropical medicine and public health under the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization. The Network operates through four Regional Centers with respective areas of specialization and host institutions: Community Nutrition/Tropmed Indonesia; Microbiology, Parasitology and Entomology/Tropmed Malaysia; Public Health/Tropmed Philippines; and Tropical Medicine/Tropmed Thailand. To train health workers, to support research on endemic and newly emerging diseases, and to advocate relevant health policies are the main functions of these centers. SEAMEO TROPMED Network in collaboration with the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University and other institutions has regularly organized the Seminar on Food-borne Parasitic Zoonoses every 3-5 years over the past 15 years. The Faculty of Tropical Medicine has organized the annual Joint International Tropical Medicine Meeting since 1996. Full papers of the presentations at these two meetings have been published as supplementary issues to the Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, an in-house journal of SEAMEO TROPMED Network. Recently, the Parasitology Association of ASEAN Countries has rotated the hosting of the ASEAN Congress of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine. These institutional and conference networks will enable closer links, to promote the health of people in the Southeast Asian region.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Whole-grain dietary recommendations: the need for a unified global approach

Seal CJ, Nugent AP, Tee ES, Thielecke F

Br J Nutr, 2016 06;115(11):2031-8.
PMID: 27082494 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114516001161

Increased whole-grain (WG) consumption reduces the risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, is related to reduced body weight and weight gain and is related to improved intestinal health. Definitions of 'WG' and 'WG food' are proposed and used in some countries but are not consistent. Many countries promote WG consumption, but the emphasis given and the messages used vary. We surveyed dietary recommendations of fifty-three countries for mentions of WG to assess the extent, rationale and diversity in emphasis and wording of any recommendations. If present, recommendations were classified as either 'primary', where the recommendation was specific for WG, or 'secondary', where recommendations were made in order to achieve another (primary) target, most often dietary fibre intake. In total, 127 organisations were screened, including government, non-governmental organisations, charities and professional bodies, the WHO and European Food Safety Authority, of which forty-nine including WHO provide a WG intake recommendation. Recommendations ranged from 'specific' with specified target amounts (e.g. x g WG/d), 'semi-quantitative' where intake was linked to intake of cereal/carbohydrate foods with proportions of WG suggested (e.g. x servings of cereals of which y servings should be WG) to 'non-specific' based on 'eating more' WG or 'choosing WG where possible'. This lack of a harmonised message may result in confusion for the consumer, lessen the impact of public health messages and pose barriers to trade in the food industry. A science-based consensus or expert opinion on WG recommendations is needed, with a global reach to guide public health decision making and increase WG consumption globally.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Enough With Polio: It's Measles' Turn Now in Pakistan

Rehman IU, Khan TM

Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2016 08;10(4):539-40.
PMID: 27263952 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2016.91
Matched MeSH terms: Public Health Surveillance
Mefenamic acid in combination with ribavirin shows significant effects in reducing chikungunya virus infection in vitro and in vivo

Rothan HA, Bahrani H, Abdulrahman AY, Mohamed Z, Teoh TC, Othman S, et al.

Antiviral Res, 2016 Mar;127:50-6.
PMID: 26794398 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.01.006

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection is a persistent problem worldwide due to efficient adaptation of the viral vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Therefore, the absence of effective anti-CHIKV drugs to combat chikungunya outbreaks often leads to a significant impact on public health care. In this study, we investigated the antiviral activity of drugs that are used to alleviate infection symptoms, namely, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), on the premise that active compounds with potential antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities could be directly subjected for human use to treat CHIKV infections. Amongst the various NSAID compounds, Mefenamic acid (MEFE) and Meclofenamic acid (MECLO) showed considerable antiviral activity against viral replication individually or in combination with the common antiviral drug, Ribavirin (RIBA). The 50% effective concentration (EC50) was estimated to be 13 μM for MEFE, 18 μM for MECLO and 10 μM for RIBA, while MEFE + RIBA (1:1) exhibited an EC50 of 3 μM, and MECLO + RIBA (1:1) was 5 μM. Because MEFE is commercially available and its synthesis is easier compared with MECLO, MEFE was selected for further in vivo antiviral activity analysis. Treatment with MEFE + RIBA resulted in a significant reduction of hypertrophic effects by CHIKV on the mouse liver and spleen. Viral titre quantification in the blood of CHIKV-infected mice through the plaque formation assay revealed that treatment with MEFE + RIBA exhibited a 6.5-fold reduction compared with untreated controls. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that MEFE in combination with RIBA exhibited significant anti-CHIKV activity by impairing viral replication in vitro and in vivo. Indeed, this finding may lead to an even broader application of these combinatorial treatments against other viral infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Evidence and potential risk factors of tuberculosis among captive Asian elephants and wildlife staff in Peninsular Malaysia

Yakubu Y, Ong BL, Zakaria Z, Hassan L, Mutalib AR, Ngeow YF, et al.

Prev Vet Med, 2016 Mar 1;125:147-53.
PMID: 26775804 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.01.008

Elephant tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important re-emerging zoonosis with considerable conservation and public health risk. We conducted prospective cohort and cross-sectional studies in elephants and wildlife staff respectively in order to identify potential risk factors associated with TB in captive Asian elephants and their handlers in Peninsular Malaysia. Sixty elephants in six different facilities were screened for TB longitudinally using the ElephantTB STAT-PAK and DPP VetTB assays from February 2012 to May 2014, and 149 wildlife staff were examined for tuberculosis infection using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFT) assay from January to April, 2012. Information on potential risk factors associated with infection in both elephants and staff were collected using questionnaires and facility records. The overall seroprevalence of TB amongst the elephants was 23.3% (95% CI: 13.8-36.3) and the risk of seroconversion was significantly higher among elephants with assigned mahouts [p=0.022, OR=4.9 (95% CI: 1.3-18.2)]. The percentage of QFT responders among wildlife staff was 24.8% (95% CI: 18.3-32.7) and the risk of infection was observed to be significantly associated with being a zoo employee [p=0.018, OR=2.7 (95% CI: 1.2-6.3)] or elephant handler [p=0.035, OR=4.1 (95% CI: 1.1-15.5)]. These findings revealed a potential risk of TB infection in captive elephants and handlers in Malaysia, and emphasize the need for TB screening of newly acquired elephants, isolating sero-positive elephants and performing further diagnostic tests to determine their infection status, and screening elephant handlers for TB, pre- and post-employment.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Role of teleconsultation in moving the healthcare system forward

Yusof K, Neoh KH, bin Hashim MA, Ibrahim I

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2002;14(1):29-34.
PMID: 12597515

The equitable access to quality healthcare by Malaysians has consistently been the primary objective of the Ministry of Health (MOH). The epidemiological transition to chronic illnesses, advances in medical technology, escalating healthcare costs and rising patient expectations has necessitated the strategic use of information systems in healthcare delivery. Malaysia has broken new ground by implementing a nationwide network to address inadequate access to healthcare, as well as to lower costs and achieve better health outcomes. Teleconsultation refers to the electronic transmission of medical information and services from one site to another using telecommunication technologies. This technology transforms the healthcare system by rapidly matching patient needs with the appropriate level of care however geographically remote they may be. Our findings suggest that even in these early stages of implementation, teleconsultation has led to cost savings, a more efficient allocation of resources, enhanced diagnostic options and better health outcomes.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health Administration
Effect of iodized oil supplementation on thyroid hormone levels and mental performance among Orang Asli schoolchildren and pregnant mothers in an endemic goitre area in Peninsular Malaysia

Isa ZM, Alias IZ, Kadir KA, Ali O

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2000 Dec;9(4):274-81.
PMID: 24394503

Although endemic goitre is no longer a major public health problem in Malaysia, iodine deficiency still remains a significant problem in a few remote settlements. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of iodized oil intervention in the prevention of endemic goitre among the indigenous people in Malaysia. A pretest and post-test controlled trial was conducted among primary schoolchildren and pregnant mothers in Lasah, Sungai Siput and Perak. Legap Post and Yum Post were selected as the intervention areas, while Perwor Post and Poi Post were taken as controls. The variables studied included thyroid hormone concentrations, thyroid volume, urinary iodine excretions and mental performance. A baseline and two follow-up visits were conducted in both intervention and control areas. Intervention subjects were given iodized oil in the form of capsules which were taken orally (Laboratoire Guerbet, Paris, France). There was a significant increase in serum thyroxine hormone (T4) concentrations (p<0.0001) and a significant decrease in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations (p<0.05) in the schoolchildren following the intervention, however, pregnant mothers did not show any significant changes in T4 and TSH concentrations. Thyroid size was significantly reduced in both groups (p<0.05). Urinary iodine excretions showed a significant increase in both groups following the intervention (p<0.01). However, mental performance in schoolchildren was not affected. In conclusion, iodized oil (oral) is effective in reducing thyroid size, as well as improving the supply of iodine among schoolchildren and pregnant mothers in endemic goitre areas; however, its long-term effects need to be monitored closely. This method can be considered as an alternative while awaiting national coverage for the salt iodization program.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext A primary health care project in Sarawak

Chen PCY, Tan YK

Med J Malaysia, 1982 Mar;37(1):25-34.
PMID: 7121343

A joint pilot project between the Ministry of Health and the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, to test the value of village aides in extending the health care system into isolated Iban communities was started in May 1979 in the Entabai District of Sarawak. A group of 15 village aides consisting of 11 traditional Iban manangs (medicine-men) and 4 youths were trained to provide primary health care including simple curative care, preventive care and to assist in the detection of malaria. Evaluation carried out 2 years later showed the following. In respect of curative care, the village aides were each, on the average, treating 70.6 patients per month, the most common illness being headaches (30.4 percent), which together with abdominal pain, constipation, bodyaches, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, worm infestations, cough and sore throat, accounted for 89 percent of all illnesses seen by them. Subsequent to the introduction of village aides in the project area, the number ofseriously ill patients requiring admission to the rest beds of the klinik desa dropped by 43.8 percent and the number of emergency referrals to the back-up divisional hospitals fell by 46.1 percent showing that patients were coming to the klinik desa for treatment at an earlier stage. The 11 traditional Iban manangs, who had received training had, on their own accord, drastically reduced the use of traditional Iban modes of therapy in preference for "modern" medicine. During the 24 months immediately after the introduction of village aides into Entabai, 9 gravity feed water supply systems together with the related "health package" advocating general cleanliness, the use of latrines andfences were effected, whereas only 6 such systems were installed in the previous 24 months, indicating that it is likely that the village aides were of some assistance in mobilizing the community is respect of these self-help efforts. During the same period, the majority of longhouses in the area successfully established a number of vegetable gardens growing foods for home consumption, and continue to vigorously advocate breast feeding of infants in opposition to bottle feeding. During the 23 months after village aides were introduced, a total of 1,093 blood films were collected by the 15 village aides, the average number of blood films per village aide being 3.2 blood slides per month. Village aides are socially accepted by the Iban community who utilize their curative skills when mild illnesses disturb them, but who proceed directly to the klinik desa when more serious illnesses such as fevers strike them. The project has established clear lines of communication between the health team and the community, and has stimulated the community to organize itself to achieve an increasingly high level of health through community participation and self reliance. Plans have been approved in principle to train a further 2000 village aides in primary health care for the state of Sarawak.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health Administration
The fading links between tradition and oral health in Singapore

Cheong YH

Int Dent J, 1984 Dec;34(4):253-6.
PMID: 6597130

Singapore is an island republic of 616 km2. Four main ethnic groups make up its population of 2.4 million; these are the Chinese, Malays, Indians and others. Singapore's successful housing, industrialization and modernization programmes have caused tremendous changes in the lifestyles and expectations of the people. This very success has rendered some traditional customs impractical and irrelevant. Older Indians and Malay women still chew betel-nut. During the Hindu Thaipusam ceremony a traditional practice of dental interest is the piercing of devotees' cheeks and tongues with slivers of silver. There is no pain, bleeding or permanent tissue damage. The Chinese pick their teeth, crack melon seeds and scrape their tongues every morning. They also drink large quantities of unsweetened tea. Yet they remain caries-prone. Singaporeans have recently adopted the practice of eating at all hours of the day and night. This may have a bearing on their future caries state. Singapore has two categories of dental practitioner: the graduate and the registered but unqualified dentist who is invariably of Chinese descent. The swaged metal crown over sound and diseased tooth structure is frequently the unfortunate trademark of the latter. Often abscesses and cysts develop beneath these crowns. Successful dental health programmes have produced a DMFT of 2.8 in 12-year-old children, which betters the DMF target of 3.0 set by WHO for the year 2000. The progressive outlook of Singaporeans may eventually reduce further the number of traditional practices which are harmful to oral health.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
The epidemiological situation of HIV / AIDS in Asian and Pacific countries

Petersen G

Natl AIDS Bull, 1991 Jul;5(6):28-30.
PMID: 12179697
Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Protein calorie malnutrition: a major health problem of multiple causation in Malaysia

Chen ST

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1974 Mar;5(1):85-9.
PMID: 4209141
Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext Work place violence (WPV) against healthcare workers in Africa: A systematic review

Njaka S, Edeogu OC, Oko CC, Goni MD, Nkadi N

Heliyon, 2020 Sep;6(9):e04800.
PMID: 32964153 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04800

Background: WPV amongst healthcare workers has been reported as a public health challenge across the countries of the world, with more in the developing countries where condition of care and service is very poor.
Objectives: We aimed to systematically produce empirical evidence on the WPV against health care workers in Africa through the review of relevant literature.
Method: We sourced for evidence through the following databases: PubMed, Science direct and Scopus from 30th November to 31st December 2019 as well as the reference list of the studies included. A total of 22 peer reviewed articles were included in the review (8065 respondents). Quality appraisal of the included studies was assessed using critical appraisal tools for cross-sectional studies.
Result: Across the studies, diverse but high prevalence of WPV ranging from 9% to 100% was reported with the highest in South Africa (54%-100%) and Egypt (59.7%-86.1%). The common types were verbal, physical, sexual harassment and psychological violence. The correlates of WPV reported were gender, age, shift duty, emergency unit, psychiatric unit, nursing, marital status and others. Various impacts were reported including psychological impacts and desire to quit nursing. Patients and their relatives, the coworkers and supervisors were the mostly reported perpetrators of violence. Doctors were mostly implicated in the sexual violence against nurses. Policy on violence and management strategies were non-existent across the studies.
Conclusion: High prevalence of WPV against healthcare workers exists in Africa but there is still paucity of research on the subject matter. However, urgent measures like policy formulation and others must be taken to address the WPV as to avert the impact on the healthcare system.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext Advances in Family Health Programme in Malaysia

Faridah Abu Bakar

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):3-3.
MyJurnal

The Family Health Programme in Malaysia started off with a humble beginning in the 1920s by the introduction of midwifery legislation under the Straits Settlement Ordinance and the Federal Malay states Midwifery Enactment. Institutionalisation of nursing training took placed in the 1940s while the rural health services for pregnant women and children were established in the 1950’s. In 1967, the school health program was initiated, followed by the de-livery of the school health services in 1972. The Ministry of Health (MoH) set up a Maternal and Child Health unit within the MoH organisation in 1974 to oversee the maternal, child and school health activities. In 1996, the Family Health Development Division was established with the prenatal, adolescent, adult, people with disability and nu-trition health services were incorporated into the family health activities. Subsequently, the age-group wellness and population genetic screening were introduced in year 2000. The family health programme has embraced the public health approach as its building blocks. Throughout the years, individual patient care has advanced the most through the improvement of standards and quality of services within the health clinics. Plateauing of maternal mortality ratio and under-5 mortality rate, increasing trend of non-communicable diseases, remerging of communicable diseases, urbanisation and globalization, and increasing ageing population are new challenges in the delivery of family health services to the community. In order to cater for these challenges, it is crucial to recognise the population health as one of the main component in the family health programmes. Transformation in the scope of new family and popu-lation health is needed to improve the delivery of family programme beyond the boundary of MoH facilities.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext Forecasting daily confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia using ARIMA models

Singh S, Murali Sundram B, Rajendran K, Boon Law K, Aris T, Ibrahim H, et al.

J Infect Dev Ctries, 2020 09 30;14(9):971-976.
PMID: 33031083 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.13116

INTRODUCTION: The novel coronavirus infection has become a global threat affecting almost every country in the world. As a result, it has become important to understand the disease trends in order to mitigate its effects. The aim of this study is firstly to develop a prediction model for daily confirmed COVID-19 cases based on several covariates, and secondly, to select the best prediction model based on a subset of these covariates.
METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted using daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 collected from the official Ministry of Health, Malaysia (MOH) and John Hopkins University websites. An Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model was fitted to the training data of observed cases from 22 January to 31 March 2020, and subsequently validated using data on cases from 1 April to 17 April 2020. The ARIMA model satisfactorily forecasted the daily confirmed COVID-19 cases from 18 April 2020 to 1 May 2020 (the testing phase).
RESULTS: The ARIMA (0,1,0) model produced the best fit to the observed data with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) value of 16.01 and a Bayes Information Criteria (BIC) value of 4.170. The forecasted values showed a downward trend of COVID-19 cases until 1 May 2020. Observed cases during the forecast period were accurately predicted and were placed within the prediction intervals generated by the fitted model.
CONCLUSIONS: This study finds that ARIMA models with optimally selected covariates are useful tools for monitoring and predicting trends of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health Surveillance
Fulltext The impact of implementing HIV prevention policies therapy and control strategy among HIV and AIDS incidence cases in Malaysia

Apenteng OO, Osei PP, Oduro B, Kwabla MP, Ismail NA

Infect Dis Model, 2020;5:755-765.
PMID: 33073067 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2020.09.009

Malaysia is faced with a high HIV/AIDS burden that poses a public health threat. We constructed and applied a compartmental model to understand the spread and control of HIV/AIDS in Malaysia. A simple model for HIV and AIDS disease that incorporates condom and uncontaminated needle-syringes interventions and addresses the relative impact of given treatment therapy for infected HIV newborns on reducing HIV and AIDS incidence is presented. We demonstrated how treatment therapy for new-born babies and the use of condoms or uncontaminated needle-syringes impact the dynamics of HIV in Malaysia. The model was calibrated to HIV and AIDS incidence data from Malaysia from 1986 to 2011. The epidemiological parameters are estimated using Bayesian inference via Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation method. The reproduction number optimal for control of the HIV/AIDS disease obtained suggests that the disease-free equilibrium was unstable during the 25 years. However, the results indicated that the use of condoms and uncontaminated needle-syringes are pivotal intervention control strategies; a comprehensive adoption of the intervention may help stop the spread of HIV disease. Treatment therapy for newborn babies is also of high value; it reduces the epidemic peak. The combined effect of condom use or uncontaminated needle-syringe is more pronounced in controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext Antibiogram Profiles and Risk Factors for Multidrug Resistance of Salmonella enterica Recovered from Village Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus Linnaeus) and Other Environmental Sources in the Central and Southern Peninsular Malaysia

Mohammed Jajere S, Hassan L, Zakaria Z, Abu J, Abdul Aziz S

Antibiotics (Basel), 2020 Oct 15;9(10).
PMID: 33076451 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9100701

The emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR), including colistin resistance, among Enterobacteriaceae recovered from food animals poses a serious public health threat because of the potential transmission of these resistant variants to humans along the food chain. Village chickens or Ayam Kampung are free-range birds and are preferred by a growing number of consumers who consider these chickens to be organic and more wholesome. The current study investigates the antibiogram profiles of Salmonella isolates recovered from village chicken flocks in South-central Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 34 isolates belonging to eight serotypes isolated from village chickens were screened for resistance towards antimicrobials including colistin according to the WHO and OIE recommendations of critical antibiotics. S. Weltevreden accounted for 20.6% of total isolates, followed by serovars Typhimurium and Agona (17.6%). The majority of isolates (73.5%) demonstrated resistance to one or more antimicrobials. Eight isolates (23.5%) were resistant to ≥3 antimicrobial classes. Colistin resistance (minimum inhibitory concentrations: 4-16 mg/L) was detected among five isolates (14.7%), including S. Weltevreden, S. Albany, S. Typhimurium, and Salmonella spp. Univariable analysis of risk factors likely to influence the occurrence of MDR Salmonella revealed that the flock size, poultry production system, and use of antibiotics in the farm were not significantly (p > 0.05) associated with MDR Salmonella. The current study highlights that MDR Salmonella occur at a lower level in village chickens compared to that found in live commercial chickens. However, MDR remains a problem even among free-range chickens with minimal exposure to antibiotics.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext Prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia among the rural community of Inanam sub-district in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia: a health screening program findings

Khairul Anwar Zarkasi, Nur Zuliani Ramli, Vennila Gopal, Sadia Choudhury Shimmi, Anne Lolita Miranda, Wan Salman Wan Saudi, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):93-93.
MyJurnal

Introduction:Malaysia has the highest prevalence of obesity among the Southeast Asian nations which increases the risk for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Since rural communities regularly face challenges in receiving medical services, regular health screening programs targeting these communities are necessary for early diagnosis and intervention to prevent complications as well as preserve the patients’ quality of life. Methods: A community health screening program was performed in the Inanam sub-district of Kota Kinabalu, Sa-bah, Malaysia. A total of 50 participants via convenience sampling were examined for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) to determine their general and central obesity status. Estimation of body fat percentage (Fat%) and body fat mass was conducted by using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Addition-ally, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and capillary blood glucose were also measured. Results: The participants had a median age of 39.50 years. The prevalence of general obesity was 28%, while the prevalence of central obesity was 78% (based on WC) and 74% (according to WHR). Hypertension and hyperglyce-mia prevalence was reported at 24% and 20%, respectively. BIA showed that both Fat% and fat mass had positive associations with BMI (r=0.656, p=0.001 for Fat%; r=0.868, p=0.001 for fat mass) and WC (r=0.505, p=0.001 for Fat%; r=0.761, p=0.001 for fat mass). The DBP had positive associations with the BMI (r=0.390, p=0.005), WC (r=0.467, p=0.001), and WHR (r=0.331, p=0.019), while the SBP had a positive association with the WC alone (r=0.341, p=0.015). Conversely, there were no significant associations between capillary blood glucose and BMI, WC, or WHR. Conclusion: The rural community of Inanam sub-district had a higher prevalence of central obesity than the national level. This should raise concern among healthcare professionals regarding future hypertension and hyperglycemia risk in this community.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext Determinants of overweight and obesity among undergraduate students residing in Universiti Putra Malaysia

Zaahirah Mohammad, Norliza Ahmad, Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):71-71.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Overweight and obesity among adults, especially young adults have been increasing for the past 20 years and is an emerging public health concern all over the world, including Malaysia. This study aims to explore the determinants of overweight and obesity among undergraduate students residing in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using random sampling was conducted in three residential colleges. Independent variables include socio-demographic factors, knowledge on physical activity and dietary intake, lifestyle (physical activity, dietary intake, sleep duration and quality and smoking status) and stress. Data was collected using a vali-dated and reliable self-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurement (weight and height were mea-sured to determine body mass index). IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23 was used for data analysis. Multiple logistic regression was employed to find the determinants of overweight and obesity among the respondents. Significant level was set at less than 0.05. Results: A total of 494 respondents participated with 98.8% response rate. Overweight and obesity prevalence among the respondents was 38.1% with 22.9% and 15.9% of the respondents were overweight and obese respectively. The significant associated factors were age group of 24 years and above (AOR=2.671, p=0.04), male (AOR=1.818, p=0.04), Malay ethnicity (AOR=5.34, p=0.008) and Indian ethnicity (AOR=7.155, p = 0.018). Conclusion: Overweight and obesity prevalence among undergraduate students were more than one third. Programmes and policies should be directed to these high-risk groups as identified in this study.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext A study on knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among doctors and nurses in Petaling District

Nor Fadilah Othman, Hamidah Amin Abd. Latip, Fazlina Yusoff, Haslinda Hassan, Ziti Akthar Supian

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):82-82.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Family planning practice is important among the high-risk mothers. Thus, the knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among health care workers are very important in influencing the use of contraception among them. The objective of this study was to determine level of knowledge, attitudes and practices related to contraception among doctors and nurses in Petaling District, Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 300 doctors and nurses working in the Maternal and Child Health Unit from six large public health clin-ics in Petaling district was conducted in May 2019. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: A total of 109 doctors and 149 nurses participated in this study. The response rate was 86%. The median duration of service in KKM and working in MCH were 9 years (IQR 6.0) and 3 years (IQR 6.0) respectively. Majority (74%) had attended CME on family planning. The mean score of knowledge was 9.0 (out of 13) (SD 1.899). In terms of attitude, 51.6% would often suggest family planning to relatives or friends. Three common perceived barriers for effective counselling on family planning were too many patients (94.5%), time constraint (91.7%) and inadequate knowledge on contraception (60.4%). Common preferred methods of contraception among users were hormonal method (33.1%), followed by barrier (condom) method (29.5%). Medical officers had better knowledge score as compared to nurses (p

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
Fulltext Association of children’s BMI and physical activity: a cross sectional study

Lily Shuzeen Kimin, Wenda Riona Lamiri, Alvin Oliver Payus, Constance Liew Sat Lin, Mohd Firdaus Mohd Hayati, Rhanye Mac Guad, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):61-61.
MyJurnal

Introduction:The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity among primary school children is a growing public health concern worldwide. Previous study in West Malaysia showed a prevalence of obesity with an estimated of 6.6% among 7-year-olds children and rising to 13.8% among 10-year-olds children. However, no study has ever been conducted in East Malaysia on childhood obesity. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of child-hood obesity and to investigate the association of physical activity levels with obesity and its intervention among primary school children in Kota Kinabalu. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 484 students (aged 7-12 years old) was conducted in five primary schools at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The schools were selected based on cluster sampling method and simple random sampling method. Primary school children with a known medical condition such as bronchial asthma, type-1 diabetes mellitus or those with a prolonged use of oral steroids was excluded from the study. Self developed questionnaires were used to record sociodemographic details and anthropometric mea-sures both parents and children, and physical activity was measured using a Children Physical Activity Questionnaire (C-PAQ). The intervention involved 3 components; I) motivational interviewing, ii) brief and focused advice, iii) ac-tivity session. Follow up was done 3 months after the intervention was conducted. Results: The prevalence of child-hood obesity among primary school children is 13.2%. There is a negative correlation between children’s BMI and amount of physical activity (-0.347) and positive correlation between children’s BMI and amount of non-physical activity (0.339). Little changes in the BMI of the children after intervention, t(127)= 2.866, p=0.005. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that childhood obesity is not a prevalent health problem in Kota Kinabalu and has proved that physical activity levels have significant associations with children’s body mass indices.

Matched MeSH terms: Public Health

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