METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018 (NHMS 2018), a cross-sectional study using stratified cluster sampling design. Older persons were defined as aged ≥60 years in this study. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25.0.
RESULTS: Overall, 14.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.46, 15.84) of older persons reported having experienced at least one fall during the past 12 months. Univariate analyses revealed an association between the history of falls with not being employed (odds ratio [OR]: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.03, 1.77]), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.65 [95% CI: 1.33, 2.04]), limitation in activities of daily living (ADL) (OR: 1.90 [95% CI: 1.43, 2.54]) or instrumental ADL (OR: 1.47 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.84]). Multiple logistic regression revealed that falls were positively associated with those who had diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.55 [95% CI: 1.23, 1.94]) and limitation in ADL (OR: 1.56 [95% CI: 1.14, 2.15]); 43.9% of falls occurred outdoors.
CONCLUSION: One in six older Malaysian people experience at least one fall over a 12-month period. Diabetes mellitus and limitation in ADL were the factors associated with falls among older persons. A comprehensive and targeted program designed to reduce risk of falls is urgently needed. Future research should identify suitable programs for our setting to reduce the potential society burden of falls in older Malaysians. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 33-37.
METHOD: The study utilized data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2020, a nationwide cross-sectional survey employing a two-stage stratified random sampling technique to ensure national representativeness. HIV knowledge was assessed using the UNGASS indicators questionnaire, which comprises five questions on HIV prevention and transmission. The data were collected using the computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) method. Respondents who did not correctly answer all five questions were considered to have inadequate knowledge about HIV. Descriptive analysis and complex sample logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 28.0.
RESULTS: The survey identified 5,561 eligible respondents, leading to the participation of 3,187 individuals in the second phase of the study, which resulted in a response rate of 57.3%. Our study revealed an overall prevalence of inadequate HIV knowledge at 77.4%, with adolescents aged 13-19 exhibiting the highest prevalence at 86.1%. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that respondents with no formal education (aOR 4.34, 95% CI: 0.65, 29.08) were over four times more likely to lack HIV knowledge. Additionally, respondents with only secondary education had an increased risk of 1.79 times. Individuals residing in rural areas were significantly more likely to have inadequate HIV-related knowledge. Furthermore, respondents who worked as unpaid workers, homemakers, or caregivers (aOR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.82) showed a higher likelihood of lacking HIV knowledge.
CONCLUSION: Three out of four individuals in the general Malaysian population were found to lack sufficient knowledge about HIV. This underscores the need for targeted interventions in HIV education, particularly in rural areas and among populations with lower educational attainment. Additionally, digital platforms and youth-focused campaigns could be especially effective for reaching adolescents. Policymakers must prioritize inclusive, accessible HIV prevention strategies to address these gaps and reduce transmission rates.
METHODS: The 2022 Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) 2022 was a nationwide study involving Malaysian students aged 13 to 17 years old. It used a multistage stratified cluster sampling method to ensure a representative sample. Data collection was performed via a validated self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the consumption of carbonated soft drinks.
RESULTS: The prevalence of carbonated soft drink consumption at least once daily in the past 30 days was 32.4% (95% CI: 30.93, 33.87). The results revealed that the consumption of carbonated soft drinks was highest among males and young adolescents. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that health-related behaviours associated with high soft drink consumption included consuming fast food at least three days per week, drinking alcohol, drinking fewer than six glasses of plain water, and being physically inactive. In addition, a greater intake of carbonated soft drinks was positively associated with depression and suicide attempts.
CONCLUSION: This study provides compelling evidence that the consumption of carbonated soft drinks was associated with health-related behaviours and poor mental health among Malaysian adolescents.
METHODS: The study utilized data from the National School-Based Health Survey 2022, a nationwide survey involving school-going adolescents aged 13-17, with a total of 33,523 participants from 239 schools. To assess depression, the study employed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), considering a score of 10 or higher as indicative of depression. Dietary behaviours were assessed using a validated self-administered questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization's Global School-based Student Health Survey. Descriptive analysis and complex sample logistic regression were carried out using SPSS version 26.0.
RESULTS: The study revealed a 26.9% overall prevalence of depression, with higher risks among female adolescents (AOR 2.71, 95% CI 2.51, 2.92) and those in higher grades. Malays (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.41, 2.07), Other Bumiputeras (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.32, 2.17), and Others (AOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.16, 2.30) had elevated odds of depression compared to Indians. Healthy dietary habits, like consuming less than two servings of fruits daily, correlated with depression (AOR 1.44 95% CI 1.35, 1.54). Additionally, unhealthy dietary behaviours such as fast food consumption (AOR 1.73 [95% CI 1.55, 1.93]) and carbonated soft drink intake (AOR 1.59 [95% CI 1.48, 1.70]) were positively associated with depression.
CONCLUSIONS: One out of every four Malaysian adolescents was identified to experience depression. Depression was linked to several factors, such as being female, belonging to higher grade levels, identifying as Malays, Other Bumiputeras, or belonging to other ethnicities, and participating in the consumption of fast food, carbonated soft drinks, and fruits. To address these observations, it is crucial to formulate effective public health programmes that prioritize adolescent mental health and encourage the adoption of healthy eating habits.
METHODS: Data from the 2022 national health survey were utilized. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a standard questionnaire on contraceptive use among the eligible WR who provided written consent. Unmet needs refer to fecund WR who are not using any contraceptive method but wish to either limit childbearing (cease having children) or space pregnancies (delay their next birth).
RESULTS: Out of 1,987 eligible WR, 1,877 respondents were interviewed, resulting in an 86.6% response rate. This study focused on 1,236 WR who were currently married or in a union and fecund. The prevalence of unmet family planning needs was 26.7% (95% CI: 22.6, 31.3) with 20.7% (95% CI: 17.1, 24.8) attributed to unmet needs for limiting and 6.0% (95% CI: 3.9, 9.3) for spacing. Unmet family planning needs were associated with WR who resided in Peninsular Malaysia (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.36, 4.30), those employed in the private sector (aOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.66), and those aged 35 years and above (aOR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.66).
CONCLUSIONS: Unmet family planning needs are prevalent in Malaysia and associated with specific WR groups. An in-depth study should follow these findings to identify barriers in accessing family planning services, which are currently available.
METHODS: Data from a nation-wide community-based cross-sectional study were analyzed. This study was conducted using a two-stage stratified random sampling design. In total, 3772 older adults aged ≥60 years responded to the survey. Depression was identified using a validated Malay version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (M-GDS-14), with those scored ≥6 categorized as having depression. Functional limitations were assessed using both Barthel's Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). The relationship was determined by multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for other variables.
RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.4, 13.4). Multiple logistic regression analysis found that older adults with limitations in ADL were 2.6 times more likely of having depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.58, 95% CI 2.01, 3.32), while those with limitations in IADL the risk of having depression was almost doubled (aOR 1.68, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.14). Other significant factors were incontinence (aOR 3.33, 95% CI: 2.33, 4.74), chronic medical illness (aOR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.81), current smoker (aOR 4.19, 95% CI: 1.69, 10.39), poor social support (aOR 4.30, 95% CI: 2.98, 6.20), do not have partner, ethnic minorities and low individual monthly income.
CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with functional limitation in both basic ADL and complex IADL are independently at higher risk of having depression. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 21-25.
METHODS: This study was based on data obtained from 3716 Malaysians aged ≥60 years as part of the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018. QoL was measured using the Control, Autonomy, Self-realization and Pleasure 19-item (CASP-19) questionnaire. UI was measured using the Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID) score. Association between UI and QoL were examined using linear regression analysis, after controlling socio-demographic variables and comorbidities.
RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of UI was 5.2%. By subtypes, the prevalence of stress UI and urge UI were both 2.0%, while that of mixed UI was 1.3%. The UI group rated their lives more negatively in all four domains of QoL compared with non-UI group. Those who were incontinent had lower standardized scores on control and autonomy domains of CASP-19 as well as total score. Results from linear regression analysis indicated that UI had a significantly negative impact on control and autonomy domains of QoL after controlling for socio-demographic factors and comorbidities.
CONCLUSION: UI contributes to a significant reduction on QoL of older persons. Healthcare providers need to be sensitive in evaluating and discussing UI, particularly with their older patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 38-42.
METHODS: Data from a nationwide survey implemented using a stratified cluster sampling design were analyzed. This study was carried out through face-to-face interviews and guided questionnaires. The questions were based on the Washington Group of Disability (WG) questionnaires, which produce multiple disability identifiers. Hearing disability is defined as at least one domain or question out of four questions coded as "A lot of difficulty" or "Cannot hear at all".
RESULTS: The prevalence of hearing disability among older persons aged ≥60 years was 6.4% (95% CI 5.0-8.3), whereas 1.5% (95% CI 0.90, 2.50) older persons were reported to be using a hearing aid. The determinants of hearing disability are being male (aOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.94-3.66), being unemployed (retired, homemaker, unemployed; aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.86-4.14) and had no formal education (aOR 18.25, 95% CI 4.18-79.55).
CONCLUSIONS: Promoting healthy aging is important and crucial for Malaysia, in preparation toward an aging nation, as it could reduce the country's financial burden in the long term. Health-related agencies should promote health awareness and treatment centers in relation to hearing disability among older persons, as they should be educated and informed about healthcare choices availability, which is aligned with the Global Disability Action Plan 2014-2021. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 43-48.
Results: A total of 3,977 elderly completed the vision disability questionnaire. The overall prevalence of vision disability among those who were 60 years old and above was 4.5%. Multiple logistic regression revealed that no formal education (AOR: 6.69, 95% CI: 1.52, 29.49), only primary education (AOR: 4.26, 95% CI: 1.01, 18.03), unemployed/retiree or homemaker (AOR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.79, 5.89), hypertension (AOR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.00, 2.09), and malnourished elderly (AOR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.76, 461) had higher odds for having vision disability.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that a low education level, unemployment, hypertension, and malnourishment are significant risk factors for VD among Malaysia's elderly. Strengthening awareness campaigns to increase VD awareness and provide high-quality rehabilitation services must target specific groups, such as the elderly with a low level of education and the unemployed. Empower primary healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the quality of eye care delivery and expand eye screening in settling VD issues nationally.
OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among OA children in Malaysia and analyse the knowledge gaps.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. This review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.
RESULTS: This review identified six studies involving the participation of OA children from eight subtribes residing in Peninsular Malaysia. The overall prevalence of anaemia among OA children ranged from 21.6 to 80.0%, with iron deficiency anaemia prevalence at 34.0%. The risk factors of anaemia among OA children reported from one study in this review were being younger than ten years old children (AOR 2.11 (95% CI 1.23, 3.63)) and moderate to heavy Ascaris infections (AOR 2.05 (95% CI 1.12, 3.76)). There was no data from OA children from certain age groups and subtribes. Additionally, there is a paucity of data on risk factors for anaemia among OA children from the currently available evidence.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anaemia among OA children poses a moderate to severe public health concern. Therefore, more comprehensive studies in the future are needed to address the gaps identified in this review, primarily regarding anaemia risk factors. This data would encourage policymakers in devising effective national prevention strategies to improve morbidity and mortality among OA children in the future.