In Malaysia, the number of registered organ donors are relatively small in comparison to other countries. This study aimed to investigate the awareness, knowledge and practices on organ donation among public in Sarawak. A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural parts of Bintulu, Sarawak. Questionnaires consisting of socio-demography (5 items), awareness (4 items), knowledge (6 items) and practice (5 items) questions were distributed using random and snowball sampling techniques. A total of 327 respondents (age = 33.27 ±10.06 years; urban area = 50.2%; male = 59.0%; Christian = 48.9%; Bumiputra Sarawak = 53.2%) were enrolled. Urban respondents have demonstrated better knowledge (definition = 24.1% vs 23.6%; treatment = 42.2% vs 41.6%; side effects = 45.2% vs 32.9%; from living donor = 80.1% vs 70.8%; from dead donor = 71.7% vs 53.4%; organs can be donated = 19.9% vs 27.3%) compared to rural respondents. Urban respondents possessed better awareness (awareness = 86.1% vs 73.9%; source of information = 39.2% vs 31.7%; need = 70.5% vs 50.3%) than their counterparts. Subsequently, urban respondents reported better practice (agree = 68.7% vs 60.2%; registered = 2.4% vs 1.2%; donate after death = 27.7% vs 25.5%; without permission = 20.5% vs 18.0%; for loved ones = 72.9% vs 64.6%) than rural respondents. Conclusion: Population in urban area are more aware, have higher knowledge and better practice regarding organ donation. Health education on organ donation should be encouraged specifically among rural residents to enhance the number of registered organ donors in Malaysia.
Sarcopenia, characterized as muscle loss that occurs with aging, is a major health problem in an aging population, due to its implications on mobility, quality of life, and fall risk. Protein supplementation could improve the physical fitness by increasing protein anabolism, and exercise has a documented evidence of positive effect on functional status among the elderly. However, the combined effect of both protein supplementation and exercise has not been investigated among sarcopenic elderly in the Asian population. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of exercise intervention and protein supplementation either alone or in combination for 12 weeks, on body composition, functional fitness, and oxidative stress among elderly Malays with sarcopenia. Sixty five sarcopenic elderly Malays aged 60-74 years were assigned to the control group, exercise group (ExG), protein supplementation group (PrG), or the combination of exercise and protein supplementation group. A significant interaction effect between body weight and body mass index (BMI) was observed, with the PrG (-2.1% body weight, -1.8% BMI) showing the highest reductions. Further, there was a decrease in % body fat (-4.5%) and an increase in fat-free mass (kg) (+5.7%) in the ExG after 12 weeks (P < 0.05). The highest increments in lower and upper body strength were observed in the PrG (73.2%) and ExG (47.6%), respectively. In addition, the ExG showed a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and both interventions did not alter either lipid or protein oxidation. In conclusion, the exercise program was found to improve muscle strength and body composition, while protein supplementation reduced body weight and increased upper body strength, among sarcopenic elderly in Malaysia.