Displaying publications 161 - 180 of 515 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Geographic accessibility of healthcare services and health seeking behaviours of rural communities in Kudat and Pitas areas of Sabah
    Naing Oo Tha, Wendy Diana Shoesmith, Chrystalle B. Y. Tan, Mohd Yusof Ibrahim, Syed Shajee Hussein
    Borneo Epidemiology Journal, 2020;1(1):45-54.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: One of the aims outlined in Malaysia’s Health Vision 2020 is to be a nation of healthy individuals, families, and communities through an equitable, affordable, efficient, environmentally adaptable, and consumer friendly healthcare system. Sabah faces tremendous challenges to provide the best care for patients. For example, Sabah's unique geographical location and landscape, such as steep hills and rivers, is one of the challenges that health staff faces. Objectives of this study aimed to examine the prevalence of geographical accessibility, types of healthcare services, and the types of health seeking behaviour in 2 northern rural areas of Sabah to assess the geographic accessibility and availability of healthcare services.
    Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two rural areas in Sabah—Kudat and Pitas. Data collection was done by using questionnaire and face–to-face interviews
    Results: It was found that 48% of the study population sought healthcare and they mainly chose healthcare services from hospitals and health clinics.
    Conclusion: Half of the population in the areas studied used healthcare in the last year. The choice of using a public hospital or community health clinics was determined by distance from residence
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  2. Fulltext Knowledge, attitude and practice on antenatal care among Orang Asli women in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan
    Rosliza AM, Muhamad JJ
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2011;11(2):13-21.
    MyJurnal
    The maternal health status of Orang Asli women in Malaysia was noted to be lower as compared to other groups of population in the country. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice on antenatal care, which is a vital component of maternal health among the Orang Asli women in three Orang Asli villages in Jempol District, Negeri Sembilan. All women aged between 15 to 49 years old who had at least one antenatal experience were interviewed using a structured, pretested questionnaire. A total of 104 women were interviewed. Among them, 92.3% admitted attending antenatal clinic during their previous pregnancies while only 48.1% came early for their first check-up. About 70% of the women had history of home delivery and 44.2% had experienced at least one high risk pregnancy before. Study revealed that 44.2% (95% CI, 34.7 – 53.7%) of the women have good knowledge regarding antenatal care while 53.8% (95% CI, 44.3 – 63.1%) of them noted to have positive attitude regarding antenatal care. However, result showed that the level of knowledge regarding the importance of early antenatal care, screening test and complications of diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy were poor. In conclusion, the rate of home delivery and late antenatal booking was still high among the Orang Asli women and it is significantly associated with their attitude regarding antenatal care. These findings can be used to plan a customized health intervention program aiming to improve the maternal health practices and eventually improve the health status of the Orang Asli women
    Study site: Orang Asli village, Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  3. A cross-sectional survey of the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding schistosomiasis among rural schoolchildren in Taiz governorate, southwestern Yemen
    Alharazi TH, Al-Mekhlafi HM
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2021 06 02;115(6):687-698.
    PMID: 33130880 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa115
    BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards schistosomiasis among rural schoolchildren in Taiz governorate, southwestern Yemen.

    METHODS: A total of 406 children were screened for urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the children's demographic and socio-economic information and their KAP towards schistosomiasis.

    RESULTS: Overall, 73 children (18%) were found to be infected by Schistosoma mansoni. None of the children were positive for Schistosoma haematobium. The prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was significantly higher among boys than girls (22.1% vs 12%; p=0.010). Approximately two-thirds (63.3% [257/406]) of the children had heard about schistosomiasis, however, only 38.5%, 53.6%, 28.4% and 38.1% had correct knowledge concerning the causes, symptoms, transmission and prevention, respectively. A significantly higher level of knowledge was observed among boys and Schistosoma-infected children compared with girls and non-infected children (p<0.05). However, a better level of knowledge does not seem to translate directly into the performance of hygienic practices. Multivariate logistic regression showed that sex and infection status were the significant predictors of good knowledge.

    CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal schistosomiasis is prevalent among schoolchildren in rural Yemen. The findings reveal that children's knowledge about schistosomiasis is inadequate. Therefore, besides mass drug administration, integrated control programmes should also include health education and the provision of improved drinking water and proper sanitation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  4. Dengue epidemic in Malaysia: urban versus rural comparison of dengue immunoglobulin G seroprevalence among Malaysian adults aged 35-74 years
    Azami NAM, Moi ML, Salleh SA, Neoh HM, Kamaruddin MA, Jalal NA, et al.
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2020 11 06;114(11):798-811.
    PMID: 32735681 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa056
    BACKGROUND: A periodic serosurvey of dengue seroprevalence is vital to determine the prevalence of dengue in countries where this disease is endemic. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dengue immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity among healthy Malaysian adults living in urban and rural areas.

    METHODS: A total of 2598 serum samples (1417 urban samples, 1181 rural samples) were randomly collected from adults ages 35-74 y. The presence of the dengue IgG antibody and neutralising antibodies to dengue virus (DENV) 1-4 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the plaque reduction neutralisation test assay, respectively.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of dengue IgG seropositivity was 85.39% in urban areas and 83.48% in rural areas. The seropositivity increased with every 10-y increase in age. Ethnicity was associated with dengue seropositivity in urban areas but not in rural areas. The factors associated with dengue seropositivity were sex and working outdoors. In dengue IgG-positive serum samples, 98.39% of the samples had neutralising antibodies against DENV3, but only 70.97% of them had neutralising antibodies against DENV4.

    CONCLUSION: The high seroprevalence of dengue found in urban and rural areas suggests that both urban and rural communities are vital for establishing and sustaining DENV transmission in Malaysia.

    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  5. Fulltext Anaemia during pregnancy in rural Kelantan
    Ahmad Z, Jaafar R, Mohd Hassan MH, Othman MS, Hashim A
    Malays J Nutr, 1997 Mar;3(1):83-90.
    PMID: 22692237 MyJurnal
    A retrospective study of anaemia in pregnancy in rural Kelantan was conducted. The study sample consist of 9,860 mothers who had antenatal care at one of the 102 rural health clinics selected and had delivered a live baby. Anaemia in pregnancy was determined by reviewing the antenatal records for the haemoglobin level recorded at the first and last antenatal visit. Estimation of haemoglobin was done either by photocalorimetric methods or the Sahli's method in these rural clinics. At the time of booking, 47.5% of the mothers were anaemic by WHO criteria (Hb < 11.0 g/dl), with 1.9% having less than 9.0 g/dl. Age of mother, parity and late gestational age at the first antenatal visit were associated with anaemia during pregnancy at the time of booking. However, practise of contraception by the mother did not show any association with anaemia in pregnancy. There were 594 mothers (6.0%) who delivered a baby weighing less than 2.5 kg. There was no association between the low birth weight of the child and the status of anaemia in the mother at the last antenatal visit.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  6. Fulltext Isolation of Campylobacter and Salmonella from houseflies (Musca domestica) in a university campus and a poultry farm in Selangor, Malaysia
    Choo LC, Saleha AA, Wai SS, Fauziah N
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Apr;28(1):16-20.
    PMID: 21602764 MyJurnal
    Insects, in particular house flies and cockroaches, have been shown to be associated with the spread of pathogens in livestock farms and in human disease outbreaks: among these pathogens are salmonellae and campylobacters. A total of 60 flies were caught in three locations: an animal teaching facility and a cafeteria in a university campus, and a poultry farm. Five percent (5%) and 13.3% of flies sampled were found to carry Campylobacter and Salmonella, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  7. Fulltext Obesity among schoolchildren in Kuala Selangor: a cross-sectional study
    Sumarni Mohd G, Muhammad Amir K, Ibrahim Md S, Mohd Rodi I, Izzuna Mudla MG, Nurziyana I
    Trop Biomed, 2006 Dec;23(2):148-54.
    PMID: 17322816
    Childhood obesity is an established problem in many countries and emerging in others. Epidemiological data on obesity in children is essential in order to plan public health policy and services. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of obesity in schoolchildren in the fifth grade of elementary school (10-12 years old) in the district of Kuala Selangor. Ten schools of which five are in urban and five in rural areas were selected consisting of 699 eleven year old schoolchildren from the three major ethnic groups. Using international cut-off points for obesity, we report an overall prevalence of obesity of 7.2%. Prevalence of obesity in urban children is 7.2% whereas in rural children it is 7.0 %. Analysed by gender, there were 8.9% obese boys and 5.3% obese girls. Among the 3 major ethnic groups, the Malays had the highest prevalence of obesity at 9.3% followed by the Chinese with 6.6% while among Indians 3.0%. The data obtained from this study suggests that obesity in Kuala Selangor children is a cause for concern in urban and rural areas.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  8. Fulltext Prevalence of self-medication and traditional medication among residents in a village in Sepang, Selangor
    Yunus, M.A., Nasir, M.M.T., Nor Afah, M.Z., Sherina, M.S., Leong, C.S.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2004;4(2):30-33.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of health care utilization amongst the rural community and the prevalence of complementary health care in Kampung Giching, Sepang, Selangor, A cross sectional study was conducted in 2001. Out of the 154 respondents selected by universal sampling, only 131 completed the questionnaires giving a response rate of 85.1 %. The
    respondents were asked to recall the presence of any illness during the past 6 months and their use of health care, Twenty-four respondents claimed to be healthy without having any illness (18,3%), 33 respondents (25,2%) reported that they had chronic illnesses, while the rest (n=74) reported having acute illnesses. There were 54.2% of the respondents admitted trying self-medication and 10.3% seelced traditional medication for their respective illnesses. Among the self»medicated respondents, 48,3% used modem medicine, 48 .3% used traditional medicine, 1.7% used both modern and traditional medicines and 1 .7% respondent used home remedies. The results of this study show that both modern and traditional practitioners play important roles in giving information on self-medication, These practitioners as well as the public should be advised on the benejits and side»e]j"ects of both types of medication (modern and traditional).
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  9. Fulltext Functional status of the elderly in a rural community in Malaysia
    Sherina, M.S., Lekhraj, R., Mustaqim, A.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2004;4(1):55-58.
    MyJurnal
    Functional dependence is common in hte life and may be due to the normal process of ageing or associated with physical disorders. This study was done to determine the prevalence and factors affecting functional dependence among the elderly in a rural community setting. A cross sectional study design using stratifed proportionate cluster sampling method was used in this study. All elderly residents aged 60 years old and above in the selected kampungs in Mukim Sepang were selected as respondents. The Barthel`s Index ( B1) was used to screen for functional dependence among the respondents. Functional dependence in basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) implies that the respondent needs assistance in one or more of these tasks. Out of the 263 elderly residents, 223 agreed to participate givinga response rate 84.8%. The mean age was 69.7 years with a SD of 6.8 years. Age ranged from 60-99 years. Thirtyyfive (15.7%) of the respondents were dependent in at kast one function of the ADL. The most common problem identifed was urinary incontinence (9.9%). Functional dependence is common among our elderly population. This problem needs to be addressed by the health care personnel to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  10. Fulltext Community awareness and attitudes towards influenza outbreak and prevention in Serian, Sarawak
    Rohaya Mohd-Nor, Rose Nanju@Manju, Samuel Lihan, Sidiah John Siop, Rekaya Vincent Balang, Constance Rinen Justin Wah, et al.
    Int J Public Health Res, 2013;3(2):334-346.
    MyJurnal
    To date, there has been no systematic research that investigates the rural community awareness and attitudes towards pandemic influenza H1N1 and its prevention measures in the context of Sarawak. There is also no systematic study about whether the initiatives to educate the public undertaken by the government and other agencies have empowered the rural communities to practice an effective self-care within the context of community, that assist to curb the potential spread of this disease. Our research aims to address these limitations. In this paper, we report a survey finding about the awareness and attitudes of the Serian community with regard to this area of research interest. We also investigate the relevant sources of information that the community relies on in understanding about the influenza and how it can spread. Overall, the outcomes of the survey reveal that a majority of our respondents has a relatively low level of knowledge and awareness particularly about the characteristics of the illness and how H1N1 virus can transmit. With regard to prevention measures, a majority of them reported good understanding and awareness about the effective self-care practices that can help to curb the potential spread of the influenza. The top five sources to obtain information about the influenza were: information from family, relatives, friends or neighbours; radio; TV; newspapers; and government health talk seminar or campaigns. The research outcomes can offer pragmatic contributions that can benefit the health campaigners and policy makers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  11. Life expectancy in an aboriginal Malaysian population
    Dobbins JG
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1979 Mar;10(1):106-14.
    PMID: 483006
    A life table for an aboriginal Malaysian population, the Semelai, living in West Malaysia, was constructed using censuses from 1965, 1969, and 1974; and interview data from 1974. The life expectancy at birth for this population, 54.0 years, was compared to that of other Malaysian populations and selected Asian populations. This comparison indicated that the Semelai were at a disadvantage compared to the Malaysian populations, but in a favorable position when compared with the other Asian populations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  12. Parasitic disease among fishermen living on Penang Island. I. Helminthiases
    Anuar K, Ramachandran CP, Paran TP
    Med J Malaysia, 1978 Jun;32(4):321-7.
    PMID: 732632
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  13. Fulltext Breastfeeding practices in a rural community in Kedah
    Yadav, H.
    JUMMEC, 2010;13(1):38-44.
    MyJurnal
    Breast feeding has been actively encouraged in Malaysia in the last few years in all public hospitals. This study proposes to find out the prevalence of breast feeding in three villages in a rural community in Kedah, Malaysia. This was a cross sectional study on breastfeeding practices in Kubang Pasu, a district of Kedah. Majority of the mothers initiated breast feeding but exclusive breastfeeding was only 21% for four months and predominant breastfeeding was about 12.6%. The breastfeeding practice was more prevalent among women from the higher educational strata and higher income than those from the lower strata and lower income (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  14. Fulltext Traditional male circumcision in a rural community in Kedah, Malaysia
    Khan AR, Teh SP, Narayan KA
    International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2009;3(2):19-23.
    MyJurnal
    Background: Circumcision though not mentioned in the Quran is believed to be a compulsory practice among the Muslims. In Malaysia, although there are several methods of circumcision available and traditional circumcision is still popular.
    Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a small fishing village of Kedah to study the methods of circumcision available to the villagers. This was followed with an in-depth interview conducted with ‘Tok Mudim’, a practitioner of traditional method of circumcision.
    Results: Forty three of the eligible 71 subjects participated in the study giving the response rate as 60.5%. The most common age for circumcision was 9 years old. Despite private clinics being the most common place of circumcisions, there was an increasing number of boys going to the ‘Tok Mudim’ for circumcision. A Mass Circumcision Ceremony is traditionally practiced. The ‘Tok Mudim’ described the procedure in detail and was of the opinion that the reason traditional method is still popular was because of the fear of injections and impotency among the parents. Most common complication faced by the ‘Tok Mudim’ was bleeding and infection.
    Discussion and Conclusion: Till the community shifts entirely to using modern medicine, there is a need to integrate traditional practitioners into the system. Training the ‘Tok Mudim’ to use modern instruments and aseptic techniques should be considered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  15. Fulltext Amalan perancang keluarga dan faktor hubungkait bagi penduduk wanita daerah Hulu Langat, Selangor
    Jamsiah, M., Rahmah, M.A., Sh Ezat, W.P., Shamsul, A.S.
    Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2009;15(1):57-63.
    MyJurnal
    Background : Family planning is a method to control family size and to increase the intervals between chidbirths using multiple methods of contraceptives.
    Objectives : This study aims to determine the pravelance of family planning practice among married women (wife less than 55 years old) and its related factors and also to determine the husbands knowledge on family planning and their support.
    Methodology : This is a cross sectional study done through direct interviews amongst 118 married couples in Kampung Sesapan Batu Mingkabau, Hulu Langat Selangor.
    Results : On family planning practise, 43.2% of couples is currently practising, 22.0% have practiced but stopped and 34.8% have never used any types of family planning methods. As high as 75% of wives received support from their husband to pratice family planning. There is a significant association between family planning practice and wife’s age, husband’s age, wife’s occupation, wife’s education, wife’s knowledge and husband’s support. Husband’s knowledge , number of live children and husband’s education have no significant assocation in influencing family planning practice.
    Conclusion : To achieve better knowledge and family planning practises, husband’s involvement and support must be encouraged to ensure the correct informations and support are delivered to both couples. Approach through husbands is regarded as one of the key factors to the success of rural women family planning practice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  16. Fulltext Blood pressure patterns and the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors in a rural community in Northern Malaysia
    Narayan, K.A., A Rashid, K.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2007;7(1):14-19.
    MyJurnal
    This study was conducted to study the blood pressure pattern and the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors in a rural community in two coastal villages in rural Kedah, Mahysia. Out of the total population 504 were above 20 years of age and were eligible to participate. There were 227 males and 252 females. The mean systolic blood pressure was found to rise with age, peaking in the 6l·70 years age group, For women the mean blood pressure rose earlier from the age group of 4-l· 50 years. Mean blood pressures rose with increasing body mass index. lt also varied with occupation and education. The retired and unemployed had a higher blood pressure than those employed and there was an inverse relationship with increasing education. The prevalence of hypertension was 33.6%. More females were hypertensive (36.5%) as compared to males (3 0.4%) and this finding was the same for both systolic and diastolic hypertension. Majority (71.4%) of the hypertensives were undiagnosed. 72.5% of hypertensives who were on treatment were not under control. Hypertension was more prevalent among retirees and illiterates. Prevalence of hypertension increased correspondingly with age. Obesity was associated with hypertension. There was no association with family history of hypertension. Multiple logistic regression showed a positive association only for obesity. ln conclusion, given the high prevalence of hypertension at
    present, it appears that the prevalence will increase as each age cohort grows older. Obesity, especially among housewives is a significant assorted factor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  17. Ecological factors influencing the growth of the child
    Chen PC
    Med J Malaysia, 1979 Sep;34(1):6-12.
    PMID: 542155
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  18. Helminthiases in peninsular Malaysia--prevalence and density of infestation of hookworm, Ascaris and trichuris in rural school children
    Lo EK, Varughese J, Ghouse A, Noor M
    Med J Malaysia, 1979 Dec;34(2):95-9.
    PMID: 548726
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  19. Letter: Stool characteistics and western diseases
    Balasegaram M, Burkitt DP
    Lancet, 1976 Jan 17;1(7951):152.
    PMID: 54670
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
  20. Some aspects of vitamin A consumption in a rural area in West Malaysia
    Teoh Soon Teong
    Med J Malaysia, 1973 Jun;27(4):243-7.
    PMID: 4270779
    Matched MeSH terms: Rural Population
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links