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Intention of pregnant women to exclusively breastfeed their infants: The role of beliefs in the theory of planned behaviour

Ismail TA, Muda WM, Bakar MI

J Child Health Care, 2014 Jun;18(2):123-32.
PMID: 23728933 DOI: 10.1177/1367493512473857

This study was aimed at identifying behavioural, normative and control belief influencing intention to practise exclusive breastfeeding among pregnant women in Malaysia. An interviewer-guided questionnaire assessing behavioural, normative and control belief was developed based on the findings elicited from focus group discussions. Intention referred to the respondent's intended duration of exclusive breastfeeding, which was measured in weeks. Bivariate correlational analysis, linear regression analysis and independent t test comparing intenders and non-intenders were conducted to identify the composite belief measures and individual beliefs significantly influencing intention. Composite measures of all the beliefs were significantly correlated with intention, but injunctive normative belief and behavioural belief were the only significant factors identified from linear regression analysis. The respondents agreed to comply with four referents of their mother, husband, nurses and mother-in-law. Non-intenders believed that those referents would oppose them practising exclusive breastfeeding for six months. The behavioural belief concerning difficulty to leave the infant significantly differentiated intenders from non-intenders. Exclusive breastfeeding promotion should include the woman's mother, husband and mother-in-law. Nurses should provide accurate and complete information related to breastfeeding practise. Providing support for women to continue the practise even though separated from their infants may improve their intention and practise of exclusive breastfeeding.
Fulltext The prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to various definitions and hypertriglyceridemic-waist in Malaysian adults

Zainuddin LR, Isa N, Muda WM, Mohamed HJ

Int J Prev Med, 2011 Oct;2(4):229-37.
PMID: 22174962

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome can be diagnosed according to several different criteria such as the latest International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Program III (NCEP ATPIII), and World Health Organization (WHO). The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the concordance between the above mentioned definition, and hypertriglyceridemic-waist criteria.
METHODS: This cross sectional study was done in Bachok, Malaysia and involved 298 respondents aged between 18 to 70 years. Multistage random sampling method was used to identify study locations while convenient random sampling method was applied to select individuals. Hypertriglyceridemic waist was defined from an internationally acceptable cut-off criterion. Kappa statistic (κ test) was used to determine the concordance between various definitions and hypertriglyceridemic-waist.
RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome based on different definitions was 32.2% (IDF), 28.5% (NCEP ATP III) and 12.4% (modified WHO). The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemic-waist was 19.7% and based on the IDF criteria a total of 97.5% participants with hypertriglyceridemic-waist had metabolic syndrome. The IDF criteria showed the highest concordance with NCEP ATPIII criteria (κ = 0.63), followed by hypertriglyceridemic-waist criteria (κ = 0.62) and WHO criteria (κ = 0.26).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was highest using the IDF criteria compared to NCEP ATPIII, modified WHO and hypertriglyceridemic-waist. There was a good concordance of IDF criteria with NCEP ATP III and hypertriglyceridemic-waist criteria.
KEYWORDS: Hypertriglyceridemic-waist; Malaysia; Metabolic syndrome
Prevention practices of vaginitis among Malaysian women and its associated factors

Wan Muda WM, Wong LP, Tay ST

J Obstet Gynaecol, 2018 Jul;38(5):708-715.
PMID: 29526143 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2017.1405923

Information on vaginal-related issues among Malaysian women is very limited. This study aimed to explore factors associated with preventive practices of vaginitis among Malaysian women. A cross-sectional computer-assisted telephone interview survey of a representative sample of multi-racial Malaysian women aged 18-50 years old was conducted from January to April 2014. Women from 1446 households responded to the survey and nearly one-third (32.1%) reported to have experienced vaginitis. In multivariate analyses, respondents in the urban locality were more likely to practice vaginitis prevention (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.06-1.84) compared with those in the rural areas. Respondents who perceived low susceptibility to vaginitis were less likely to practice vaginitis prevention (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.57-0.91) compared with responders who highly perceive susceptibility. Respondents who had no formal education were less likely to practice vaginitis prevention (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.05-0.48) compared with those with tertiary education. This study showed that comprehensive education and health programmes need to focus on women with a low educational level, living in rural areas and women with low perceived susceptibility to vaginitis. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Little is known about vaginitis issues among women in Malaysia. This study provides information regarding vaginitis among Malaysian women by looking at the factors associated with prevention practices. What do the results of this study add? From our study, factors associated with prevention practices were found to be educational level, locality, and perceived susceptibility of vaginitis. Those who perform fewer vaginitis prevention practices were women with a low educational level and those who live in rural areas. From the Health Belief Model, women with a low perceived susceptibility of vaginitis were less likely to carry out vaginitis prevention practices. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The findings may provide additional insights for policy makers and healthcare providers to deliver effective approaches in order to improve prevention practices of vaginitis among women in multi-ethnic communities. This study has identified points of interest which need to be put in attention for women's health section which has been overlooked in Malaysia.
Women are at a higher risk of metabolic syndrome in rural Malaysia

Jan Mohamed HJ, Mitra AK, Zainuddin LR, Leng SK, Wan Muda WM

Women Health, 2013;53(4):335-48.
PMID: 23751089 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2013.788120

Metabolic syndrome has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to determine gender differences in the prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome in a rural Malay population. This cross-sectional study, conducted in Bachok, Kelantan, involved 306 respondents aged 18 to 70 years. The survey used a structured questionnaire to collect information on demographics, lifestyle, and medical history. Anthropometric measurements, such as weight, height, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Venous blood samples were taken by a doctor or nurses and analyzed for lipid profile and fasting glucose. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 37.5% and was higher among females (42.9%). Being unemployed or a housewife and being of older age were independently associated with metabolic syndrome in a multivariate analysis. Weight management and preventive community-based programs involving housewives, the unemployed, and adults of poor education must be reinforced to prevent and manage metabolic syndrome effectively in adults.
Breast milk expression among formally employed women in urban and rural Malaysia: A qualitative study

Ismail TA, Sulaiman Z, Jalil R, Muda WM, Man NN

Int Breastfeed J, 2012;7(1):11.
PMID: 22929649

Many women are unable to practice exclusive breastfeeding because they are separated from their infants while working. Expressing their breast milk helps them to continue breastfeeding. This study explores the perception and experiences related to the feasibility, acceptability and safety of breast milk expression among formally employed women in Kelantan, Malaysia.
Fulltext Association between household food insecurity and nutritional outcomes among children in Northeastern of Peninsular Malaysia

Ali Naser I, Jalil R, Wan Muda WM, Wan Nik WS, Mohd Shariff Z, Abdullah MR

Nutr Res Pract, 2014 Jun;8(3):304-11.
PMID: 24944776 DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2014.8.3.304

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between household food insecurity and nutritional status of children in low-income households. A cross sectional study involved a survey of households (n = 223) receiving the financial assistance.
SUBJECTS/METHODS: Eligible mothers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria such as non-pregnant, non-lactating mothers, aged 18 to 55 years with their youngest children aged 2 to 12 years, were purposively selected. The Radimer/Cornell hunger and food-insecurity instrument was administered and children's height and weight were measured.
RESULTS: About 16.1% of the households were food secure, while 83.9% experienced some kind of food insecurity. Out of food insecure category, 29.6% households were food insecure, 19.3% women were individual food insecure and 35.0% fell into the child hunger category. Education of the mother (P = 0.047), household size (P = 0.024), number of children (P = 0.024), number of children going to school (P = 0.048), total monthly income (P < 0.001), income per capital (P < 0.001), number of household members contributing to the income (P = 0.018) and food expenditure (P = 0.006) were significant risk factors for household food insecurity. The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in children were 61.0%, 61.4% and 30.6% respectively. Based on multinomial logistic regression, children in food-insecure households were 2.15 times more likely to be underweight and three times to be stunted than children in the food-secure households.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that household food insecurity is associated with the nutritional status of the children in the rural area of Northeastern Peninsular Malaysia.
KEYWORDS: Northeastern Peninsular Malaysia; child hunger; household food insecurity; nutritional status
Fulltext Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among adolescents attending school in Kelantan, Malaysia

Ab Rahman A, Ab Rahman R, Ibrahim MI, Salleh H, Ismail SB, Ali SH, et al.

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2011 May;42(3):717-25.
PMID: 21706952

The objectives of this study were to describe the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among adolescents attending school and to compare the levels of knowledge between males and females and between older and younger groups of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,034 secondary school students using a self administered validated questionnaire. The items with the fewest correct responses included: whether one can get pregnant after a single act of sexual intercourse (30.4%), whether sexual intercourse causes sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (12.4%) and whether washing the vagina after sexual intercourse prevents pregnancy (17.0%). Their main source of sexual information was friends (64.4%). An independent t-test revealed the mean knowledge score was significantly higher among females than males on items assessing whether the genitalia may be touched freely by family members, females having attained menarche may become pregnant if having sex, whether pregnancy will occur if there is penetration of the penis into the vagina, whether premarital sexual intercourse causes pregnancy and if there is a relationship between abandoned babies and premarital pregnancies. The mean knowledge score assessing whether pregnancy can be prevented using condoms was higher among males than females. The mean knowledge scores were significantly higher among form four and form five students than forms one, two and three students. Lack of knowledge regarding important aspects of sexual and reproductive health warrant the need to strengthen sexual and reproductive health education.
Automatic alkaloid removal system

Yahaya MR, Hj Razali MH, Abu Bakar CA, Ismail WI, Muda WM, Mat N, et al.

Pak J Biol Sci, 2014 Jan 01;17(1):141-5.
PMID: 24783795

This alkaloid automated removal machine was developed at Instrumentation Laboratory, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Malaysia that purposely for removing the alkaloid toxicity from Dioscorea hispida (DH) tuber. It is a poisonous plant where scientific study has shown that its tubers contain toxic alkaloid constituents, dioscorine. The tubers can only be consumed after it poisonous is removed. In this experiment, the tubers are needed to blend as powder form before inserting into machine basket. The user is need to push the START button on machine controller for switching the water pump ON by then creating turbulence wave of water in machine tank. The water will stop automatically by triggering the outlet solenoid valve. The powders of tubers are washed for 10 minutes while 1 liter of contaminated water due toxin mixture is flowing out. At this time, the controller will automatically triggered inlet solenoid valve and the new water will flow in machine tank until achieve the desire level that which determined by ultra sonic sensor. This process will repeated for 7 h and the positive result is achieved and shows it significant according to the several parameters of biological character ofpH, temperature, dissolve oxygen, turbidity, conductivity and fish survival rate or time. From that parameter, it also shows the positive result which is near or same with control water and assuming was made that the toxin is fully removed when the pH of DH powder is near with control water. For control water, the pH is about 5.3 while water from this experiment process is 6.0 and before run the machine the pH of contaminated water is about 3.8 which are too acid. This automated machine can save time for removing toxicity from DH compared with a traditional method while less observation of the user.
Fulltext Understanding Dieting and Previous Weight Loss Attempts among Overweight and Obese Participants: Insights into My Body Is Fit and Fabulous at Work Program

Ismail TAT, Jalil RA, Wan Ishak WR, Hamid NF, Wan Nik WS, Jan Mohamed HJ, et al.

Korean J Fam Med, 2018 Jan;39(1):15-22.
PMID: 29383207 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.2018.39.1.15

Background: A qualitative study providing an in-depth exploration of people's view and the increasing burden of overweight and obesity is required. This study aimed to explore the understanding of dieting and previous experiences on weight loss attempts among overweight and obese government employees in Kelantan, Malaysia, prior to recruitment into the intervention program.
Methods: Thirteen focus group discussions involving 129 participants from a weight-loss intervention program were conducted within the first 1 month of recruitment. These discussions were moderated by two trained researchers in the Malay language and assisted by an interview guide. They were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed, and codes and themes from each discussion were constructed.
Results: The participants understood dieting with various meanings, including skipping meals and removing rice from daily diets. They applied numerous methods to lose weight and achieved various outcomes. Health and appearance, social support, and compliance with current trends were the factors motivating these participants to lose weight. Their determination to lose weight was limited by lack of self-control and motivation, experiences of unpleasant effects, influence on weight, and environmental and health factors.
Conclusion: Real-life weight loss experiences and perceptions provided relevant insights into current weight loss management strategies. Some of these issues and misunderstandings should be emphasized in weight loss strategies during health promotion.