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Fulltext The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder and association with productivity loss: a preliminary study among labour intensive manual harvesting activities in oil palm plantation

Ng YG, Tamrin SB, Yik WM, Yusoff IS, Mori I

Ind Health, 2014;52(1):78-85.
PMID: 24292878

Production agriculture such as harvesting in oil palm plantation has been frequently associated with MSD and significant loss of productivities. This study tends to evaluate from the viewpoint of health, the association between self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and productivities; the impact of musculoskeletal disorders on productivity. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 143 harvesters in oil palm plantation. A general questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic background data while Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of MSD. Expressed in 4 different indicators; daily harvesting quantity, efficiency score, sick leave and presenteeism, the productivity data were analysed for association. There is significant association between reported acute prevalence of MSD (within 7 d) and productivity loss in terms of presenteeism (χ(2)=5.088; p<0.05) as well as quantity of daily harvest (χ(2)=7.406; p<0.01). Logistic regression adjusted for age, BMI and smoking indicate that harvesters with MSD (past seven days) were more likely to be engaged in presenteeism (OR=2.87 95% CI=1.34, 6.14) and had lower daily productivity (OR=2.09 95% CI=1.02, 4.29) compared to harvesters without MSD (past 7 d). This study reveals that oil palm harvesters suffering acute MSD (for the past week) were likely to be still present to work and produce half lesser than their healthy counterparts. Thus, further study with comprehensive surveillance strategy is essential in order to determine the urgency or need of appropriate intervention.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Factors affecting the HIV/AIDS epidemic: an ecological analysis of global data

Mondal MN, Shitan M

Afr Health Sci, 2013 Jun;13(2):301-10.
PMID: 24235928 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v13i2.15

All over the world the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has became a stumbling stone in progress of human civilization and is a huge concern for people worldwide.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Cardiovascular disease risk factors and socioeconomic variables in a nation undergoing epidemiologic transition

Rasiah R, Yusoff K, Mohammadreza A, Manikam R, Tumin M, Chandrasekaran SK, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2013;13:886.
PMID: 24066906 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-886

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) related deaths is not only the prime cause of mortality in the world, it has also continued to increase in the low and middle income countries. Hence, this study examines the relationship between CVD risk factors and socioeconomic variables in Malaysia, which is a rapidly growing middle income nation undergoing epidemiologic transition.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Congenital rubella syndrome: a review of laboratory data from 2002 to 2011

Saraswathy TS, Rozainanee MZ, Asshikin RN, Zainah S

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2013 May;44(3):429-35.
PMID: 24050074

Rubella infection in pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to fetal anomalies, commonly known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The objective of our study was to analyze the serological test results among infants suspected of having CRS aged < or = 12 months compared with their clinical status. Between January 2002 and December 2011, 3,279 serum samples from infants aged < or = 12 months from government hospitals in Malaysia were examined for rubella specific IgM and IgG antibodies using a Axsym, automated analyzer (Abbott Laboratories). Forty-eight samples were positive for rubella specific IgM antibodies and 494 samples were positive for rubella specific IgG antibodies. These were then age stratified and their clinical history reviewed for any CRS symptoms. Fifteen of 38 rubella IgM positive infants (39.5%) aged < 3 months, had a clinical appearance compatible with CRS. However, only 1 IgM positive infant aged 3 to 6 months and one infant aged 7 to 11 months had clinical appearance compatible with CRS. The most common abnormal findings in these cases were congenital heart defects and cataracts. Forty-eight point eight percent of IgM positive cases and 53.1% of IgG positive cases, had inadequate information in the chart to determine the presence of CRS. Clinical findings and timely laboratory diagnosis to determine the presence of CRS are important in infants born with congenital defects. Physicians should also be aware of the appropriate interpretation of these findings.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Tobacco smoking and its association with illicit drug use among young men aged 15-24 years living in urban slums of Bangladesh

Kabir MA, Goh KL, Kamal SM, Khan MM

PLoS One, 2013;8(7):e68728.
PMID: 23935885 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068728

Tobacco smoking (TS) and illicit drug use (IDU) are of public health concerns especially in developing countries, including Bangladesh. This paper aims to (i) identify the determinants of TS and IDU, and (ii) examine the association of TS with IDU among young slum dwellers in Bangladesh.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Oppositional Defiant Disorder: prevalence based on parent and teacher ratings of Malaysian primary school children

Gomez R, Hafetz N, Gomez RM

Asian J Psychiatr, 2013 Aug;6(4):299-302.
PMID: 23810136 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2013.01.008

BACKGROUND: This study examined the prevalence rate of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in Malaysian primary school children.
METHODS: In all 934 Malaysian parents and teachers completed ratings of their children using a scale comprising DSM-IV-TR ODD symptoms.
RESULTS: Results showed rates of 3.10%, 3.85%, 7.49% and 0.64% for parent, teacher, parent or teacher ("or-rule"), and parent and teacher ("and-rule") ratings, respectively. When the functional impairment criterion was not considered, the rate reported by parents was higher at 13.28%.
DISCUSSION: The theoretical, diagnostic and cultural implications of the findings are discussed

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Child marriage and its association with adverse reproductive outcomes for women in Bangladesh

Kamal SM, Hassan CH

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP1492-506.
PMID: 24097938 DOI: 10.1177/1010539513503868

This study examines the prevalence of child marriage and its effect on reproductive outcomes among women in Bangladesh using the most recent 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data. Both bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques used in the study yielded quantitatively important and reliable estimates of child marriage and its impact on adverse reproductive and health outcomes. Overall, 77% of the marriages among women aged 20 to 49 years old took place before the age of 18 years. Women's education is the most single significant determinant of child marriage. Findings revealed that after being adjusted for sociodemographic factors, child marriage significantly (P < .001) increases the likelihood of stillbirth/miscarriage (odds ratio [OR] = 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.45-2.24) and pregnancy termination (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.12-1.38). Programs should aim to retain girls in school for longer periods not only to raise the age at first marriage but also for sound reproductive health and overall social development of Bangladesh.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
A review on the prevalence and measurement of elder abuse in the community

Sooryanarayana R, Choo WY, Hairi NN

Trauma Violence Abuse, 2013 Oct;14(4):316-25.
PMID: 23878148 DOI: 10.1177/1524838013495963

Aging is a rising phenomenon globally and elder abuse is becoming increasingly recognized as a health and social problem. This review aimed to identify the prevalence of elder abuse in community settings, and discuss issues regarding measurement tools and strategies to measure elderly abuse by systematically reviewing all community-based studies conducted worldwide.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Perceptions and myths regarding oral health care amongst strata of low socio economic community in Karachi, Pakistan

Khan SA, Dawani N, Bilal S

J Pak Med Assoc, 2012 Nov;62(11):1198-203.
PMID: 23866411

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of dental myths and perceived knowledge regarding oral healthcare practices and its associations with levels of education amongst low socioeconomic strata in Karachi, Pakistan.
METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2011. Two-staged random sampling was conducted to achieve a sample size of 576 participants from 8 union councils of Gadap Town, Karachi, Pakistan. An interview-based questionnaire was used to determine the participants' perceptions towards oral health and hygiene practices as well as the prevalence of common dental myths. The subjects were interviewed through a formulated questionnaire that was cross-translated into Urdu language.
RESULTS: Response rate from the participants was 550 (95.48%). Of the total, 270 (47%) respondents believed in the myth of tooth extraction affecting the eye vision. This was significantly associated with the socio-demography of the respondents. Besides, 421 (73%) thought that tooth extraction is not the ultimate remedy for pain relief and it was statistically significant with age and educational status of the participants. Those who considered bleeding while brushing to be normal were 144 (25%), and it was significantly associated with age and education level. Impact of oral health on general health was positively responded by 392 (68%), while 418 (72.5%) respondents did not think that the retention of baby teeth is important. Both these perceptions were significantly associated with age and level of education.
CONCLUSION: Pakistani population has considerable belief in myths and false perceptions regarding oral health issues. Various stakeholders should be involved to develop policies towards healthy attitudes and beliefs within the community towards their oral healthcare.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Review of patients with Strongyloides stercoralis infestation in a tertiary teaching hospital, Kelantan

Azira NM, Abdel Rahman MZ, Zeehaida M

Malays J Pathol, 2013 Jun;35(1):71-6.
PMID: 23817397 MyJurnal

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode infecting humans. The actual prevalence of infestation with this parasite in our setting is not well established. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the age, sex and co-morbid conditions among patients with S. stercoralis infestation as well as to study the common manifestations of strongyloidiasis in our patients. Records of patients with positive S. stercoralis larvae from January 2000 to December 2012 in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan were reviewed. Ten patients were male and two were female. Their ages ranged from 19 to 78 years old. The majority (92%) of cases, presented with intestinal symptoms and 50% with moderate to severe anaemia. Thirty percent of cases had extraintestinal manifestations such as cough, sepsis and pleural effusion. Ninety-two percent of the patients had a comorbid illness. Most patients were immunocompromised, with underlying diabetes mellitus, retroviral disease, lymphoma and steroid therapy contributing to about 58% of cases. Only 58% were treated with anti-helminthic drugs. Strongyloidiasis is present in our local setting, though the prevalence could be underestimated.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext New insights of Microsporidial infection among asymptomatic aboriginal population in Malaysia

Shahrul Anuar T, M Al-Mekhlafi H, Md Salleh F, Moktar N

PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e71870.
PMID: 24014078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071870

Studies on microsporidial infection mostly focus on immunodeficiency or immunosuppressive individuals. Therefore, this cross-sectional study describes the prevalence and risk factors of microsporidiosis among asymptomatic individuals in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Risk factors for depression and anxiety among pregnant women in Hospital Tuanku Bainun, Ipoh, Malaysia

Fadzil A, Balakrishnan K, Razali R, Sidi H, Malapan T, Japaraj RP, et al.

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Apr;5 Suppl 1:7-13.
PMID: 23857831 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12036

Anxiety and depression are prevalent during pregnancy. Estimates of the prevalence of anxiety and depression during pregnancy vary according to the criteria used, variable methodologies and population characteristics.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a multiracial suburban Asian population in Malaysia

Goh SC, Ho EL, Goh KL

Hepatol Int, 2013 Jun;7(2):548-54.
PMID: 26201786 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-012-9359-2

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the Malaysian population is not known. Malaysia has a multiracial Asian population with three major Asian races: Malay, Chinese, and Indian living together. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors in a suburban Malaysian population.
METHODS: Consecutive subjects who came for a health checkup at a suburban medical facility were recruited for the study. All individuals had clinical assessments, anthropometric measurements, blood tests, and ultrasonography of the liver performed. Those with significant alcohol consumption and history of chronic liver disease were excluded.
RESULTS: Of the 1,621 "health screened" individuals analyzed, 368 (22.7 %) were found to have NAFLD. They comprised Chinese 1,269 (78.3 %), Malay 197 (12.1 %), and Indian 155 (9.6 %). Males and "older" age group ≥45 years had high prevalence rates with the highest in Indian (68.2 %) and Malay (64.7 %) males. Chinese females <45 years had the lowest prevalence of 5.2 %. A significant increase in the prevalence of fatty liver between age <45 years and ≥45 years was seen in female of all three races but in male, this increase was seen only among the Indians. NAFLD was strongly associated with diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, body mass index ≥23, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension.
CONCLUSION: NAFLD is common in suburban Malaysian population. Older Indian and Malay males have an inordinately high prevalence of the disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Prevalence of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation in Malaysian patients with hypertension

Wong JS, Bau R, Ahmad F, Ismail R, Yip AFY

Med J Malaysia, 2013 Apr;68(2):141-3.
PMID: 23629560 MyJurnal

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is usually asymptomatic and often associated with established cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension. The prevalence atrial fibrillation in patients admitted to Malaysian hospitals has been determined, but asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AAF) in hypertensive patients in the primary care setting is not established. This study reports the prevalence of AAF in hypertensive patients in Malaysia, in a primary care setting. The overall prevalence of AAF was 0.75% with no differences between the gender. The prevalence of AAF increases with age - in the age groups of 30-39, >40-49, >50-59, >60-69, 70-79 and >80 years old were 0%, 0.17%, 0.35%, 2.32%, 2.59%, and 0% respectively. Hypertensive patients with age of ≥ 61 year old were associated with a probability of 10.6 times higher for AAF. We suggest the age threshold to screen for AAF to be age of 60. It is estimated that there are 49,029 Malaysians with AAF in 2010. A large population is at risk of AAF-related complications. There is justification for an even greater emphasis on diagnostic, primary and secondary prevention strategies.
Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Behavioral and emotional problems in a Kuala Lumpur children's home

Abd Rahman FN, Mohd Daud TI, Nik Jaafar NR, Shah SA, Tan SM, Wan Ismail WS

Pediatr Int, 2013 Aug;55(4):422-7.
PMID: 23617604 DOI: 10.1111/ped.12115

There is a dearth of studies on behavioral and emotional problems in residential care children in Malaysia. This study describes the behavioral and emotional problems in a sample of children in a government residential care home and compares them with their classmates living with their birth parents.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Neural tube defects in Malaysia: data from the Malaysian National Neonatal Registry

Boo NY, Cheah IG, Thong MK, Malaysian National Neonatal Registry

J Trop Pediatr, 2013 Oct;59(5):338-42.
PMID: 23583959 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmt026

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and early outcome of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Malaysia. This prospective study included all neonates with NTDs (spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocoele) born in 2009 in 32 Malaysian hospitals in the Malaysian National Neonatal Network. The prevalence of NTDs was 0.42 per 1000 live births, being highest among the indigenous people of Sarawak (1.09 per 1000 live births) and lowest among Malaysians of Chinese descent (0.09 per 1000 live births). The most common type of NTDs was anencephaly (0.19 per 1000 live births), followed by spina bifida (0.11 per 1000 live births) and encephalocoele (0.07 per 1000 live births). Majority of the infants with anencephaly (94.5%, n = 51), 45.8% (n = 11) with encephalocoele and 9.5% (n = 4) with spina bifida died. The median duration of hospital stay was 4 (range: 0-161) days.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
"Feeling unsafe": a photovoice analysis of factors influencing physical activity behavior among Malaysian adolescents

Saimon R, Choo WY, Bulgiba A

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP2079-92.
PMID: 23513006 DOI: 10.1177/1010539513480229

Understanding the factors influencing physical activity (PA) in the Asia-Pacific region is critical, given the high prevalence of inactivity in this area. The photovoice technique explores the types of PA and factors influencing PA among adolescents in Kuching, Sarawak. A total of 160 photographs were collected from participants (adolescents, n = 22, mean age = 14.27 ± 0.7 years, and parents, n = 8, mean age = 48 ± 6.8 years). Data analysis used constant comparison methods of a grounded theory. The Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity was used to categorize PA factors. Study findings were centered on the concept of safety, facilities, parental restriction, friends, cultural traits, media, community cohesiveness, and weather. The central theme was "feeling unsafe" when being outdoors. To promote PA behavior, provision of PA facilities needs to be supported by other programs that build on peer support, crime prevention, and traffic safety, together with other educational campaigns.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Hair arsenic levels and prevalence of arsenicosis in three Cambodian provinces

Hashim JH, Radzi RS, Aljunid SM, Nur AM, Ismail A, Baguma D, et al.

Sci Total Environ, 2013 Oct 1;463-464:1210-6.
PMID: 23759330 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.04.084

Natural, inorganic arsenic contamination of groundwater threatens the health of more than 100 million people worldwide, including residents of the densely populated river deltas of South and Southeast Asia. Contaminated groundwater from tube wells in Cambodia was discovered in 2001 leading to the detection of the first cases of arsenicosis in 2006. The most affected area was the Kandal Province. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of arsenicosis in Cambodia based on acceptable criteria, and to investigate the use of hair arsenic as a biomarker not only for arsenicosis-related signs but also for associated symptoms. A cross-sectional epidemiological study of 616 respondents from 3 purposely selected provinces within the Mekong River basin of Cambodia was conducted. The Kandal Province was chosen as a high arsenic-contaminated area, while the Kratie Province and Kampong Cham Province were chosen as moderate and low arsenic-contaminated areas, respectively. The most prevalent sign of arsenicosis was hypomelanosis with a prevalence of 14.5% among all respondents and 32.4% among respondents with a hair arsenic level of ≥1 μg/g. This was followed by hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation and mee's lines. Results also suggest a 1.0 μg/g hair arsenic level to be a practical cut off point for an indication of an arsenic contaminated individual. This hair arsenic level, together with the presence of one or more of the classical signs of arsenicosis, seems to be a practical criteria for a confirmed diagnosis. Based on these criteria, the overall prevalence of arsenicosis for all provinces was found to be 16.1%, with Kandal Province recording the highest prevalence of 35.5%. This prevalence is comparatively high when compared to that of other affected countries. The association between arsenicosis and the use of Chinese traditional medicine also needs further investigation.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Fulltext Racial variations in booking haemoglobin of primigravidae in Malaysia: a prospective study

Tan ACC, Leong EWK, Chua AC, Moy FM

BMC Res Notes, 2013;6:173.
PMID: 23634656 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-173

BACKGROUND: Variations in racial haemoglobin had been previously described in multiple studies locally and abroad. This study was conducted to quantify the differences in haemoglobin of booking primigravidae amongst the three major races in Malaysia at the antenatal clinic of University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
FINDINGS: One year prospective study of booking full blood count sample of primigravidae taken in one centre was conducted. Multiple comparative analyses of the booking haemoglobin were performed using the One-way ANOVA comparative mean test in each trimester. 622 primigravidae without any known history of haematological disorders were recruited into the study. The mean haemoglobin for the Indian race was the lowest compared to the two other races in the second and the third trimesters, and it was found to be statistically significant lower (p- value 0.001) than the Malay race in the second trimester. It was also found that the Indian race had a significantly higher incidence of moderate to severe anaemia (p- value: 0.029). The prevalence of anaemia in our study population is also significantly higher in the Indian population (p- value: 0.01 ).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study have established that there is racial preponderance to anaemia in pregnancy. The Indian race is at a higher risk of having anaemia in pregnancy particularly in the second trimester.
Study site: Antenatal clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence
Urban vs. rural factors that affect adult asthma

Jie Y, Isa ZM, Jie X, Ju ZL, Ismail NH

Rev Environ Contam Toxicol, 2013;226:33-63.
PMID: 23625129 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6898-1_2

In this review, our aim was to examine the influence of geographic variations on asthma prevalence and morbidity among adults, which is important for improving our understanding, identifying the burden, and for developing and implementing interventions aimed at reducing asthma morbidity. Asthma is a complex inflammatory disease of multifactorial origin, and is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The disparities in asthma prevalence and morbidity among the world's geographic locations are more likely to be associated with environmental exposures than genetic differences. In writing this article, we found that the indoor factors most consistently associated with asthma and asthma-related symptoms in adults included fuel combustion, mold growth, and environmental tobacco smoke in both urban and rural areas. Asthma and asthma-related symptoms occurred more frequently in urban than in rural areas, and that difference correlated with environmental risk exposures, SES, and healthcare access. Environmental risk factors to which urban adults were more frequently exposed than rural adults were dust mites,high levels of vehicle emissions, and a westernized lifestyle.Exposure to indoor biological contaminants in the urban environment is common.The main risk factors for developing asthma in urban areas are atopy and allergy to house dust mites, followed by allergens from animal dander. House dust mite exposure may potentially explain differences in diagnosis of asthma prevalence and morbidity among adults in urban vs. rural areas. In addition, the prevalence of asthma morbidity increases with urbanization. High levels of vehicle emissions,Western lifestyles and degree of urbanization itself, may affect outdoor and thereby indoor air quality. In urban areas, biomass fuels have been widely replaced by cleaner energy sources at home, such as gas and electricity, but in most developing countries, coal is still a major source of fuel for cooking and heating, particularly in winter. Moreover, exposure to ETS is common at home or at work in urban areas.There is evidence that asthma prevalence and morbidity is less common in rural than in urban areas. The possible reasons are that rural residents are exposed early in life to stables and to farm milk production, and such exposures are protective against developing asthma morbidity. Even so, asthma morbidity is disproportionately high among poor inner-city residents and in rural populations. A higher proportion of adult residents of nonmetropolitan areas were characterized as follows:aged 55 years or older, no previous college admission, low household income, no health insurance coverage, and could not see a doctor due to healthcare service availability, etc. In rural areas, biomass fuels meet more than 70% of the rural energy needs. Progress in adopting modern energy sources in rural areas has been slow. The most direct health impact comes from household energy use among the poor, who depend almost entirely on burning biomass fuels in simple cooking devices that are placed in inadequately ventilated spaces. Prospective studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of biomass smoke on lung health among adults in rural areas.Geographic differences in asthma susceptibility exist around the world. The reason for the differences in asthma prevalence in rural and urban areas may be due to the fact that populations have different lifestyles and cultures, as well as different environmental exposures and different genetic backgrounds. Identifying geographic disparities in asthma hospitalizations is critical to implementing prevention strategies,reducing morbidity, and improving healthcare financing for clinical asthma treatment. Although evidence shows that differences in the prevalence of asthma do exist between urban and rural dwellers in many parts of the world, including in developed countries, data are inadequate to evaluate the extent to which different pollutant exposures contribute to asthma morbidity and severity of asthma between urban and rural areas.

Matched MeSH terms: Prevalence

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