There are increasing researches about non-communicable disease such as elevated blood pressure among people living with HIV before and after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors among 340 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy at a Malaysian public hospital providing HIV-related treatment. Data on socioeconomic background, anthropometry, medical history and dietary intake of the patients were collected. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure >=130/85 (mm Hg). Prevalence of hypertension was 45.60% (n=155) of which 86.5% of the hypertensive group were male (n=134). The results showed that increase in age (OR 1.051, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.024-1.078), higher body mass index (OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.106-2.71), bigger waist circumference (OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.106-2.71), higher waist-hip ratio (OR 1.070, 95%CI 1.034-1.106), higher fasting plasma glucose (OR 1.332, 95%CI 0.845-2.100) and percentage energy intake from protein >15 (OR 2.519, 95%CI 1.391-4.561) were significant risk factors for hypertension (p<0.001). After adjusting for other variables, increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.069 95%CI 1.016-1.124, p=0.010), being male (aOR 3.026, 95%CI 1.175-7.794, p=0.022) and higher body mass index (aOR 1.26, 95%CI 1.032-1.551, p=0.024) were independently associated with hypertension. None of the antiretroviral therapy and immunologic factors was linked to hypertension. In conclusion hypertension among PLHIV was linked to the well-known risk factors such as age, gender and body mass index. With HAART, people can live longer by making monitoring and control of some reversible factors, especially excessive weight gain for maintaining quality of life.
Primary dysmenorrhea is a womanhood problem around the world and negatively affects quality of life. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and to determine the factors associated with its intensity. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 311 undergraduate female students aged 18 to 27 years in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Socio-demographic characteristics and menstrual factors were obtained through interviews with the help of a pretested questionnaire. The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 89.1%. Residing at home, younger age, lower number of years of formal education for the mother, positive family history of dysmenorrhea, higher severity of bleeding, and shorter menstrual period intervals were significantly associated with the higher intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is a common health concern among young women. Being aware of the factors that are associated with its intensity makes it possible for health professionals to organize better focused programs to reduce the adverse effects of dysmenorrhea.
Assessment of the nutritional status of 4054 households from rural communities in Peninsular Malaysia was undertaken from 1992 to 1995. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were obtained from a self-selected sample of 1854 men and 2741 women aged >= 18 years. The BMI and WHR results are presented according to gender, age groups and type of community as defined by the main occupation, namely, fishing, rice farming, estate work, rubber and coconut small-holding. The mean BMI for men and women of all age groups are 22.5 kg/m2 and 23.8 kg/m2, respectively. The mean BMI for both genders increases with age between 18.0 and 49.9 years, after which the value declines. The prevalence of pre-obese (BMI >= 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) is 19.8% for men and 28.0% for women. The prevalence of obese men and women (>= 30.0 kg/m2) is 4.2% and 11.1%, respectively. The highest prevalence of pre-obese and obese men is found in the age groups of 30.0-49.9 years, while that for women is in the 40.0-49.9 years age group. The prevalence of pre-obesity and obesity is higher in women than in men for every age group. A similar result was indicated by WHR whereby a higher proportion of women (22.5%) than men (5%) for all ages was found to show central obesity. The prevalence of overweight adults is higher when compared with previous studies on subjects from almost similar rural communities. This study indicated that overweight is on the increase in rural communities, especially among female subjects.
Nutrition and HIV are closely related. Any immune impairment as a result of HIV leads to malnutrition, which in turn, can also lead to reduced immunity, thus contributing to a more rapid progression to AIDS.
Abortion is a serious public health issue, and it poses high risks to the health and life of women. Yet safe abortion services are not readily available because few doctors are trained to provide such services. Many doctors are unaware of laws pertaining to abortion. This article reports survey findings on Malaysian medical students' attitudes toward abortion education and presents a case for including abortion education in medical schools.