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  1. Fulltext Association of socio-demographics and home food environment factors on body weight status among primary school children
    Rina Syahira Rathuan, Nurzalinda Zalbahar, Norhasmah Sulaiman
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(106):19-25.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Obesity in children is a global epidemic issue. Home food environment is an important aspect that may influence children’s body weight status. The aim of this study is to identify the association between socio-de- mographics and home food environment (HFE) factors with body weight status in primary school children in Bangi, Selangor. Methods: There were 398 children (43.5% males and 56.5% females) aged 7-11 years old (mean age of 9.04±1.41 years) and their parents (66.6% mothers and 33.4% fathers) from eight randomly selected primary schools participated in this study. Parents were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire on socio-demograph- ic background, feeding practices and food availability, while children were interviewed to obtain information on parental styles and physical activity level. Weight and height of children were assessed, and BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) was calculated by using WHO Anthroplus Software. Results: Overweight and obesity prevalence was 17.8% and 13.1% respectively. A majority of the parents (61.3%) in this study practiced authoritative parenting style. The increased odds of childhood obesity has been found to be associated with an increasing age (OR=1.239, p
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  2. Fulltext Associations between the indoor microbiome, environmental characteristics and respiratory infections in junior high school students of Johor Bahru, Malaysia
    Fu X, Yuan Q, Zhu X, Li Y, Meng Y, Hashim JH, et al.
    Environ Sci Process Impacts, 2021 Aug 01;23(8):1171-1181.
    PMID: 34278392 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00115a
    Pathogens are commonly present in the human respiratory tract, but symptoms are varied among individuals. The interactions between pathogens, commensal microorganisms and host immune systems are important in shaping the susceptibility, development and severity of respiratory diseases. Compared to the extensive studies on the human microbiota, few studies reported the association between indoor microbiome exposure and respiratory infections. In this study, 308 students from 21 classrooms were randomly selected to survey the occurrence of respiratory infections in junior high schools of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Vacuum dust was collected from the floor, chairs and desks of these classrooms, and high-throughput amplicon sequencing (16S rRNA and ITS) and quantitative PCR were conducted to characterize the absolute concentration of the indoor microorganisms. Fifteen bacterial genera in the classes Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Cyanobacteria were protectively associated with respiratory infections (p < 0.01), and these bacteria were mainly derived from the outdoor environment. Previous studies also reported that outdoor environmental bacteria were protectively associated with chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, but the genera identified were different between acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Four fungal genera from Ascomycota, including Devriesia, Endocarpon, Sarcinomyces and an unclassified genus from Herpotrichillaceae, were protectively associated with respiratory infections (p < 0.01). House dust mite (HDM) allergens and outdoor NO2 concentration were associated with respiratory infections and infection-related microorganisms. A causal mediation analysis revealed that the health effects of HDM and NO2 were partially or fully mediated by the indoor microorganisms. This is the first study to explore the association between environmental characteristics, microbiome exposure and respiratory infections in a public indoor environment, expanding our understanding of the complex interactions among these factors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  3. Fulltext Associations of sociodemographic factors and body image with body weight status among Yemeni adolescents in Selangor and Putrajaya, Malaysia
    Abdulwali Ali Mareh, Zuriati Ibrahim, Faisal Ali, Ahmed Al-Shahethi, Hazizi Abu Saad
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(106):63-68.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of malnutrition in Yemen, little is known on malnourished Yemeni adoles- cents in Malaysia. This study aimed to assess the body weight status among Yemeni adolescents in Malaysia and its association with sociodemographic factors and body image. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 364 Yemeni adolescents aged between 12 to 18 years were recruited from four schools in Selangor and Putrajaya, Malaysia. So- ciodemographic factors and body image data were collected through face to face interview. Height and body weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23.6%, with 5.2% of thinness. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that a family income greater than RM5,001 (OR = 3.77, p = 0.004), body shape dissatisfaction (OR = 3.54, p = 0.001) and perception of overweight/obesity (OR
    = 5.75, p = 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of being overweight and obese. Whereas a positive per- ception of underweight (OR = 0.23, p = 0.009) was found to be a significant protective factor against overweight and obesity. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are prevalent among Yemeni adolescents in Malaysia. These findings highlight the need for regular weight status assessments amongst adolescents. Additionally, an obesity intervention program that incorporates body image perception may improve the children’s body weight status.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  4. Asthma control and care among Malaysian primary school children: a cross-sectional study
    Ahad A, Khoo EM
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2017 Jul;29(5):422-429.
    PMID: 28719788 DOI: 10.1177/1010539517717766
    Children with uncontrolled asthma have high risk of poor health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess asthma control and care in primary school children with reported asthma. A total of 6441 primary school children were first screened for parent-reported physician-diagnosed asthma and 448 (8.9%) children were reported to have asthma. Of these, 311 (69.4%) parents
    agreed to participate in assessment of asthma control study using Global Initiative for Asthma
    2009 guidelines. Only 161 (51.8%) children were found to have good asthma control, 99 (31.8%) had partly controlled asthma, and 51 (16.4%) had uncontrolled asthma in the past one week. In the past 1 year, 157 (50.5%) children had asthma exacerbations, 21 (6.8%) had hospitalizations, and 104 (33.4%) had received emergency asthma care. Only 108 (34.7%) asthmatic children received regular follow-up care. Controller medications were underutilized (12.2%) compared to reliever medications (35.0%). Asthma control among primary school children was poor indicating suboptimal care.
    Keywords: asthma, control, exacerbation, management, school childrenStudy site: primary schools, Port Dickson District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  5. Fulltext Asthma symptoms and respiratory infections in Malaysian students-associations with ethnicity and chemical exposure at home and school
    Norbäck D, Hashim Z, Ali F, Hashim JH
    Environ Res, 2021 06;197:111061.
    PMID: 33785322 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111061
    Little is known on respiratory effects of indoor chemicals in the tropics. We investigated associations between asthma and respiratory infections in Malaysian students and chemical exposure at home and at school. Moreover, we investigated differences in home environment between the three main ethnic groups in Malaysia (Malay, Chinese, Indian). Totally, 462 students from 8 junior high schools in Johor Bahru participated (96% participation rate). The students answered a questionnaire on health and home environment. Climate, carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were measured inside and outside the schools. Multilevel logistic regression was applied to study associations between exposure and health. Totally 4.8% were smokers, 10.3% had wheeze, 9.3% current asthma, and had 18.8% any respiratory infection in the past 3 months. Malay students had more dampness or mould (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  6. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms reporting in Malaysian adolescents: do adolescents, parents and teachers agree with each other?
    Wan Salwina WI, Baharudin A, Nik Ruzyanei NJ, Midin M, Rahman FN
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2013 Dec;6(6):483-7.
    PMID: 24309858 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2013.05.001
    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a clinical diagnosis relying on persistence of symptoms across different settings. Information are gathered from different informants including adolescents, parents and teachers. In this cross-sectional study involving 410 twelve-year old adolescents, 37 teachers and 367 parents from seven schools in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, reliability of ADHD symptoms among the various informants were reported. ADHD symptoms (i.e. predominantly hyperactive, predominantly inattentive and combined symptoms) were assessed by adolescents, teachers and parents, using Conners-Wells' Adolescent Self-report Scale (CASS), Conner's Teachers Rating Scale (CTRS) and Conner's Parents Rating Scale (CPRS) respectively. For predominantly hyperactive symptoms, there were statistically significant, weak positive correlations between parents and teachers reporting (r=0.241, p<0.01). Statistically significant, weak positive correlations were found between adolescents and parents for predominantly inattentive symptoms (r=0.283, p<0.01). Correlations between adolescents and parents reporting were statistically significant but weak (r=0.294, p<0.01). Weak correlations exist between the different informants reporting ADHD symptoms among Malaysian adolescents. While multiple informant ratings are required to facilitate the diagnosis of ADHD, effort should be taken to minimize the disagreement in reporting and better utilize the information.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  7. Attention, Impulsiveness, and Gender in Academic Achievement Among Typically Developing Children
    Alavi M, Seng JH, Mustaffa MS, Ninggal MT, Amini M, Latif AA
    Percept Mot Skills, 2018 Nov 14.
    PMID: 30426868 DOI: 10.1177/0031512518809163
    Although several studies have examined the relationships among attention, impulse control, gender, and academic achievement, most have focused on clinical samples and have considered only one or two academic subjects. This study investigated these relationships among typically developing children using general achievement measures (academic scores and grades). Our participants were 270 typically developing primary school students (142 boys and 128 girls) of different nationalities living in Malaysia, recruited with purposive sampling with a mean age of 9.75 years. We found that both attention and impulse control significantly predicted academic achievement. Girls had a higher level of attention and impulse control than boys, but gender was not a significant moderator between either attention or impulse control and academic achievement. We discuss the implications of these findings and the need for further research.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  8. Fulltext Attitude towards sex: study of secondary schoolchildren in Selangor state
    Maha, A., Azhar, M. Z., Sherina, M. S., Sharmili, V., Rampal, L., Abdah, A., et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2010;6(1):33-61.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: HIV/AIDS is one of the leading health problems worldwide. There is an increasing rate among the ages between 13 to 49 years old. School based intervention is an important component of community-based interventions for HIV/AIDS and is the best stage to promote abstinence which is best maintained among those not sexually experienced. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine attitude towards sex among secondary school children in Selangor state. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Four out of nine districts in Selangor state were selected at random. Students were divided according to gender, academic performance (good or poor) with no behavioural problems
    and students with evidence of behaviour problems (at risk). Results: Out of 149 students, the majority (56.4%) were females. The majority of students did not think sex should be discussed in depth and do not speak to parents, teachers, religious teachers, counselors, relatives, doctors or nurses but speak to friends regarding sex. More than half watch pornography. A significantly higher percentage of male students in the weak and at-risk group admit to thinking of intimacy (hugging and kissing) with the opposite gender. A higher number of these students would try sex out of curiosity, for fun, because it was difficult to say ‘no’ to and that they would like it. A significantly higher percentage will try sex because they did not want to hurt their girlfriends’ feeling by saying ‘no’. While the majority of students think intimacy will end in sex, a significantly higher percentage of male at-risk students think just talking with the opposite gender will end in sex. The majority of male students responded feeling attracted to the picture of a girl in sexy clothing but a significantly higher percentage of at-risk students also felt attracted to the picture of a girl properly attired. A significantly higher percentage of male at-risk students say parents do not say sex before marriage is wrong and a significantly higher percentage of
    male students of weak and at-risk groups say girlfriends say sex before marriage is okay. A significantly higher percentage of weak and at-risk students speak to doctors regarding sex and think sex should be discussed in depth. Conclusion: Weak and at-risk male students appeared to have a more vulnerable attitude towards sex. This may predispose them to risky sexual behaviours leading to HIV/AIDS. Poor academic performance and behaviour problems may not be different as potential sexual risk predictors. The information obtained will be useful in designing intervention programmes in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  9. Attitude, knowledge and ethical perception toward precision medicine among junior and senior medical students: Findings from one Malaysian medical school
    Koh, Kwee Choy, Shanmugan Goonasakaren, Ng, Lam Kean, Chua, Yi Lin, Lee, Jia Ying, Alaric Ding Tian Ang
    International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2017;11(3):10-19.
    MyJurnal
    Background: Medical schools are escalating changes
    to meet the need for doctors competent to work in the
    era of precision medicine. Information on the current
    level of awareness of precision medicine among medical
    students can help effect the necessary changes in the
    medical curriculum. A cross-sectional comparative
    study was done to assess the knowledge, attitude and
    perception toward the practice of precision medicine
    among junior and senior medical students in a medical
    school in Malaysia.

    Materials and Method: A survey instrument measuring
    attitude toward precision medicine, perceived
    knowledge of genomic testing concepts, and perception
    toward ethical consideration related to precision
    medicine, was distributed to junior and senior medical
    students. Comparisons were made between senior and
    junior medical students.

    Results: Only about one-third of the 356 respondents
    had heard of precision medicine although 92.7%
    expressed interest to learn more about precision
    medicine. Overall, junior and senior medical students
    had positive attitude toward the adoption of genomeguided
    prescribing and precision medicine but were
    uncomfortable with their knowledge of genomic testing
    concepts. Both junior and senior students were largely
    well grounded in their understanding of ethical issues
    related to precision medicine.

    Conclusions: Knowledge of precision medicine was low
    among junior and senior medical students. Although
    the students supported the use of precision medicine,
    they did not feel adequately prepared to apply genomics
    to clinical practice. Their perceptions on ethical issues
    related to precision medicine were sound. Seniority did
    not appear to influence the perceptions of the students.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools, Medical
  10. Attitudes of medical school deans toward interprofessional education in Western Pacific Region countries
    Lee B, Celletti F, Makino T, Matsui H, Watanabe H
    J Interprof Care, 2012 Nov;26(6):479-83.
    PMID: 22830530 DOI: 10.3109/13561820.2012.706336
    To examine the attitudes of medical school deans toward interprofessional education (IPE) and collaborative practice (CP), we conducted survey research in the Western Pacific Region. This regional survey was conducted as a collaborative research project with the World Health Organization. A survey was distributed to the medical school deans in Malaysia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea and Japan. Thirty-five surveys were returned from four countries. The survey demonstrated that many medical school deans have positive attitudes toward IPE and CP. However, respondents also reported that it is not easy to introduce interprofessional learning in their academic settings. It is suggested that collaboration between education systems and health systems is needed to introduce IPE in the academic setting. The possible role of international organizations is mentioned. This information helps to identify local efforts on which global health organizations and national governments can build.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools, Medical*
  11. Attitudes toward epilepsy among the primary and secondary school teachers in Malaysia, using the public attitudes toward epilepsy (PATE) scale
    Lim KS, Hills MD, Choo WY, Wong MH, Wu C, Tan CT
    Epilepsy Res, 2013 Oct;106(3):433-9.
    PMID: 23886655 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2013.06.014
    INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of study comparing the attitudes toward epilepsy between the teachers and general population, teachers and students, using a similar quantitative scale.
    METHODS: This study was performed in one primary and one secondary school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, using the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale.
    RESULTS: A total of 186 teachers aged 39.6±10.4 years completed the questionnaire. The mean scores in both personal and general domains of PATE scale were significantly better in the teachers, comparing to the scores in the secondary and college students reported in previous study (Lim et al., 2013; p<0.001 and <0.05, respectively). The mean scores in personal domain was significantly better in the teachers, comparing to the general population reported by Lim et al. (2012; p<0.001). This hold true when comparing teachers with general population with tertiary education, suggesting that the better attitude is specific to the job, rather than tertiary education generally. Subanalysis showed that the attitudes of teachers were significantly better than the general population and the students related to employment and social life, but were equally negative on issues directly related to education, such as placing children with epilepsy in regular classes.
    CONCLUSION: Teachers had more positive attitudes toward epilepsy as compared with the general population with tertiary education. Attitude to epilepsy may differ specific to types of work.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools*; School Teachers
  12. Attitudes toward menstruation, menstrual-related symptoms, and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls: a rural school-based survey
    Wong LP
    Women Health, 2011 Jun 21;51(4):340-64.
    PMID: 21707338 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2011.574792
    Folk culture surrounding menstrual-related matters has considerable implications for symptom expression and treatment-seeking behavior. A cross-sectional survey of 1,295 rural adolescent girls aged 13 to 19 years was conducted between February 4 and April 16, 2009 to examine these associations. With a higher score indicating a more positive attitude toward menstruation, the mean attitude score was 3.84 (SD ± 1.62) out of a maximum of six. No significant association was observed between the severity of menstrual symptoms and attitudes. Most (63.1%) of the participants identified themselves as having premenstrual symptoms, and 61.1% viewed premenstrual symptoms as a normal part of menstrual cycle. Participants with a higher severity of symptoms in the premenstrual (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10) and menstrual phase (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07), were more likely to consult a physician for premenstrual symptoms, and having a divorced/separated parents was associated with a reduced odds of consulting a physician compared to those having parents that were married (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.83). The findings imply the need for education to help adolescent girls manage menstrual symptoms and increase awareness of the benefit of treating them. Given that menstrual-related information was widely available from mothers, family, and social culture are potentially important in shaping good menstrual attitudes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  13. Attitudes towards dysmenorrhoea, impact and treatment seeking among adolescent girls: a rural school-based survey
    Wong LP
    Aust J Rural Health, 2011 Aug;19(4):218-23.
    PMID: 21771164 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2011.01213.x
    Study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea, its impact, and treatment-seeking behaviour of rural adolescent girls in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  14. Fulltext Attitudes towards persons with mental illness among university students
    Redhwan Ahmed, Al-Naggar
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2013;14(1):0-0.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Globally, there is growing evidence of stigmatization of people with mental illnesses and mental illness is more stigmatizing than physical illnesses. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the attitudes of university students towards persons with mental illness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Management and Science University students during the academic year 2012. Prior ethical approval was taken for conducting the study. A total of 300 medical and health science students was recruited in this study and the response rate was 93%. The survey questionnaire was adopted from a previous study with 15 statements about attitude towards mental health illness and sociodemographic characteristics. Classes were chosen randomly and students also randomly selected. The inclusion criterion for this research was medical and health science students while the exclusion criterion was students from other faculties, staff and lecturers. Data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 13.0. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of the basic demographics and survey items of the questionnaire. T-test and multiple linear regression were used to explore the relationship between the socio-demographic and the attitude. Results: A total number of 279 students participated in this study. The majority of them were female, age 20 years and above, single, Malay, from International Medical School (IMS) and from urban areas (68.5%, 88.2%, 96.4%, 58.1%, 60.2%, 77.8% respectively). In this study, the majority of the participants showed a moderate to good attitude towards people with mental illness. Univariate analysis showed that marital status influenced the attitudes of university students towards people with mental illness (p=0.015). In multivariate analysis, multiple linear regression showed that gender, marital status, smoking and drinking alcohol significantly influenced the attitude of university students towards people with mental illness (p=0.014, p=0.012; p=0.009, p=0.013; respectively). Conclusion: This study showed that the undergraduate university students had a moderate to good attitude towards people with mental illness. Gender, marital status, smoking and drinking alcohol significantly influenced the attitude of undergraduate university students towards people with mental illness. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 14 (1): January - June 2013: XX XX.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools, Medical
  15. Fulltext Attitudes towards vasectomy and its acceptance as a method of contraception among clinical-year medical students in a Malaysian private medical college
    Ohn Mar S, Ali O, Sandheep S, Husayni Z, Zuhri M
    Singapore Med J, 2019 Feb;60(2):97-103.
    PMID: 29876579 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2018065
    INTRODUCTION: This study explored attitudes towards vasectomy and its acceptance as a method of contraception among clinical-year medical students, and determined the association between their demographic characteristics, and attitudes and acceptance.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical-year medical students from a Malaysian private medical college using a self-administered questionnaire.

    RESULTS: There were 330 participants with a female preponderance and a mean age of 22.0 ± 1.1 years. The largest proportion of respondents were from Year 3. The vast majority were ethnically Malay (91.8%) and followed Islam (92.4%). Overall, 60.9% of participants had a positive attitude towards vasectomy and 76.0% showed good acceptance. Gender, academic year, ethnicity and religion variables were not associated with attitudes and acceptance (p > 0.05). A significantly higher proportion of male respondents thought that vasectomy was religiously forbidden and would give a bad impression. A significantly higher proportion of Year 5 students agreed to the statement 'I would recommend vasectomy to relatives, friends and people close to me' compared to Year 3 and 4 students.

    CONCLUSION: Students' perception of vasectomy as a contraceptive method was encouraging. Our results suggest that their knowledge improved as medical training progressed, and attitudes evolved for the better irrespective of their traditional, cultural and religious beliefs - highlighting the importance of providing students with evidence-based learning about male sterilisation, which is more cost-effective and is associated with lower morbidity than female sterilisation. A qualitative study involving students from different ethnicities and religions would provide a better understanding of this subject.

    Matched MeSH terms: Schools, Medical
  16. Australia, the Colombo Plan, and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
    Luke HA
    Australas Radiol, 1970 Feb;14(1):15-9.
    PMID: 5525077
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools, Medical*
  17. Fulltext Barriers and facilitators to education access for marginalised non-citizen children in Malaysia: A qualitative study
    Loganathan T, Ong ZL, Hassan F, Chan ZX, Majid HA
    PLoS One, 2023;18(6):e0286793.
    PMID: 37267412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286793
    In Malaysia, marginalised non-citizen children are excluded from formal education at public schools. Recognising education as a fundamental human right, the barriers and facilitators to educational access among refugee and asylum-seeker, migrant, stateless and undocumented children in Malaysia were explored. Qualitative data were collected via 32 in-depth interviews with multiple stakeholders. Data were thematically analysed and organised at three socio-ecological levels. At the 'legislative and policy' level, the requirement of citizenship documents only allows some stateless children to access public schools. Yet, many informal learning centres are not state-endorsed, as they are unable to fulfil licensing criteria. Importantly, denying the right to work for adult refugees and other undocumented people demotivates the pursuit of education among children. At the 'individual and family' level, financial constraints constitute a major reason for school dropouts, especially through expectations on boys to work. Cultural norms partly contribute to the lower enrolment of Rohingya refugee girls in secondary education, but gender parity is maintained for most in primary education. Another factor is proximity to learning centres, which links to safety concerns and transportation costs. Those who accessed public schools reported bullying by local children, which parallels institutional discrimination against marginalised non-citizens. At the 'community and educational institutions' level, inadequate funding for learning centres limits their ability to invest in physical facilities, teachers' salaries and others. Despite difficult operating conditions, learning centres address diverse school readiness, educational backgrounds, and language competencies among students by having sensitised teachers, placement tests and preparatory classes at school entry, and options for vocational training. We propose the gradual inclusion of all children in public schools and the immediate state recognition and support of learning centres. Correspondingly, realising the 'Right to Work' for refugees and stateless peoples will be synergistic in advancing universal education access for all children.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools*
  18. Fulltext Barriers to the utilization of primary care services for mental health prolems among adolescents in a secondary school in Malaysia
    Aida J, Noor Azimah M, Mohd Radzniwan AR, Tuti Iryani MD, Ramli M, Khairani O
    Malays Fam Physician, 2010;5(1):31-5.
    PMID: 25606183
    OBJECTIVE: To study the barriers toward the utilization of primary care services for mental health problems among adolescents in a secondary school in Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia.
    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in July 2008 at a secondary school in Hulu Langat, Selangor. The respondents were selected using randomised cluster sampling among Form Four and Form Five students. Students were given self-administered questionnaire, consisting socio-demographic data and questions on their help-seeking barrier and behaviour. Help-seeking behaviour questions assess the use of medical facility and help-seeking sources. The formal help-seeking sources include from teachers, counsellors and doctors. The informal help-seeking sources include from friends, parents and siblings.
    RESULTS: A total of 175 students were included in the study. None of the students admitted of using the primary health care services for their mental health problems. Majority of the students were not aware of the services availability in the primary health care (97.1%). More than half of them thought the problems were due to their own mistakes (55.4%) and the problems were not that serious (49.1%). With regard to perception of the primary health care services, (43.2%) of the students were worried about confidentiality, half of them were concerned about other people's perception especially from their family members (44.6%) and friends (48.6%). Minority of them (10.8%) thought that nobody can help them. Few of them thought smoking (3.4%), alcohol (3.4%) and recreational drugs (1.1%) can solve their emotional problems.
    CONCLUSION: One of the major barriers identified in the students' failure to use the health care facilities was their unawareness of the availability of the service for them in the community. Thus there is a need to promote and increase their awareness on this issue.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools
  19. Fulltext Behavioural and emotional issues among primary school pupils with congenital colour vision deficiency in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A case-control study
    Thomas BAWM, Kaur S, Hairol MI, Ahmad M, Wee LH
    F1000Res, 2018;7:1834.
    PMID: 30815251 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.17006.1
    Background: Congenital colour vision deficiency (CCVD) is an untreatable disorder which has lifelong consequences. Increasing use of colours in schools has raised concern for pupils with CCVD. This case-control study was conducted to compare behavioural and emotional issues among age, gender and class-matched pupils with CCVD and normal colour vision (NCV). Methods: A total of 1732 pupils from 10 primary schools in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur were screened, of which 46 pupils (45 males and 1 female) had CCVD. Mothers of male pupils with CCVD (n=44) and NCV (n=44) who gave consent were recruited to complete a self-administered parent report form, Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 4-18 (CBCL/ 4-18) used to access behavioural and emotional problems. The CBCL/ 4-18 has three broad groupings: Internalising, Externalising and Total Behaviour Problems. Internalising Problems combines the Withdrawn, Somatic Complaints and Anxiety/ Depression sub constructs, while Externalising Problems combines the Delinquent and Aggressive Behaviour sub constructs. Results: Results from CBCL/ 4-18 showed that all pupils from both groups had scores within the normal range for all constructs. However, results from the statistical analysis for comparison, Mann-Whitney U test, showed that pupils with CCVD scored significantly higher for Externalising Problems (U=697.50, p=0.02) and Total Behaviour Problems (U=647.00, p= 0.01). Significantly higher scores were observed in Withdrawn (U=714.00, p=0.02), Thought Problems (U=438.50, p<0.001) and Aggressive Behaviour (U=738.00, p=0.04). Odds ratios, 95% CI, showed significant relative risk for high Total Behaviour Problem (OR:2.39 ,CI:1.0-5.7), Externalising Problems (OR:2.32, CI:1.0-5.5), Withdrawn (OR:2.67, CI:1.1-6.5), Thought Problems (OR:9.64, CI:3.6-26.1) and Aggressive Behaviour (OR:10.26, CI:3.4-31.0) scores among pupils with CCVD. Conclusion: Higher scores among CCVD pupils indicates that they present more behavioural and emotional problems compared to NCV pupils. Therefore, school vision screenings in Malaysia should also include colour vision to assist in the early clinical management of CCVD children.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools*
  20. Fulltext Beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy medicines among senior pharmacy students: An exploratory insight from Andhra Pradesh, India
    Ahmad A, Khan MU, Kumar BD, Kumar GS, Rodriguez SP, Patel I
    Pharmacognosy Res, 2014 10 1;7(4):302-8.
    PMID: 26692742 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.158438
    OBJECTIVES: To assess the beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) medicines among senior pharmacy students.

    METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among pharmacy students in four pharmacy schools located in Andhra Pradesh in South India. This study was conducted from the August to September 2014. The study population included all pharmacy students enrolled in Doctor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy programs in studied pharmacy schools. The pretested AYUSH survey had 8 questions on AYUSH related beliefs and 8 question on AYUSH related attitudes. The survey also asked participants about AYUSH related knowledge, frequency of use of AYUSH and the reason for using AYUSH. The data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test were employed to study the association between the independent and dependent variables.

    RESULTS: A total of 428 pharmacy students participated in the survey. 32.2% of the study population was females and 32.5% of the population resided in rural areas. Males were more likely to have positive beliefs about AYUSH when compared to females (odd ratio [OR] = 4.62, confidence interval [CI] = 2.37-8.99, P < 0.001). Similarly, students living in hostels were more positive in their beliefs about AYUSH compared with students living at home (OR = 2.14, CI = 1.12-4.07, P < 0.05). Students living in hostel also had a positive attitude about AYUSH use (OR = 1.74, CI = 1.03-2.93, P < 0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Pharmacy students held favorable attitude and beliefs about AYUSH use. This baseline survey provides important information about the pharmacy student's perception about AYUSH. Further research is needed to explore the reasons that shape the pharmacy student's beliefs and attitudes about AYUSH.

    Matched MeSH terms: Schools, Pharmacy
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