MyMedR

Association between self-reported physical activity and indicators of body composition in Malaysian adolescents

Su TT, Sim PY, Nahar AM, Majid HA, Murray LJ, Cantwell MM, et al.

Prev Med, 2014 Oct;67:100-5.

PMID: 25016043 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.07.001

BACKGROUND: Obesity and lack of physical activity are fast becoming a concern among Malaysian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess physical activity levels among Malaysian adolescents and investigate the association between physical activity levels and body composition such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 1361 school-going 13 year old multi-ethnic adolescents from population representative samples in Malaysia were involved in our study. Self-reported physical activity levels were assessed using the validated Malay version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Height, weight, body fat composition and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Data collection period was from March to May 2012.

RESULTS: 10.8% of the males and 7.4% of the females were obese according to the International Obesity Task Force standards. A majority of the adolescents (63.9%) were physically inactive. There is a weak but significant correlation between physical activity scores and the indicators of obesity. The adjusted coefficient for body fatness was relatively more closely correlated to physical activity scores followed by waist circumference and lastly BMI.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that high physical activity scores were associated with the decreased precursor risk factors of obesity.

Fulltext The status of men's health in Asia

Ng CJ, Teo CH, Ho CC, Tan WP, Tan HM

Prev Med, 2014 Oct;67:295-302.

PMID: 25117523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.007

This study aims to compare health status and its risk factors between men and women who are from countries of different income status in Asia.

Does one cigarette make an adolescent smoker, and is it influenced by age and age of smoking initiation? Evidence of association from the U.S. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (2011)

Reidpath DD, Davey TM, Kadirvelu A, Soyiri IN, Allotey P

Prev Med, 2014 Feb;59:37-41.

PMID: 24270054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.11.011

OBJECTIVES: Evidence that age of smoking initiation represents a risk factor for regular smoking in adolescence is complicated by inconsistencies in the operational definition of smoking initiation and simultaneous inclusion of age as an explanatory variable. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between age, age of smoking initiation and subsequent regular smoking.
METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted of the U.S. Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2011. A sex stratified multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to model the likelihood of regular smoking with age and age of smoking initiation as explanatory variables and race/ethnicity as a covariate.
RESULTS: After controlling for race/ethnicity, age and age of smoking initiation were independently associated with regular smoking in males and females. Independent of age, a one year's decrease in the age of smoking initiation was associated with a 1.27 times increase in odds of regular smoking in females (95% CI: 1.192-1.348); and similar associations for males (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.216-1.341).
CONCLUSION: While the majority of high school students do not become regular smokers after initiating smoking, earlier initiation of smoking is associated with subsequent regular smoking irrespective of sex or race/ethnicity. These findings have potentially important implications for intervention targeting.
KEYWORDS: Adolescent; Epidemiology; Smoking

1st Asia Pacific Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence Based Medicine Conference. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Editorial

Bulgiba A, Wong YL, Hairi NN

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S1-2.

PMID: 23528958 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.03.005

Prevalence and factors associated with HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discriminatory attitudes: a cross-sectional nationwide study

Wong LP

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S60-3.

PMID: 23583477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.03.013

OBJECTIVE: The prime purpose of this study is to assess HIV/AIDS-related self-stigma and discrimination (S&D) attitudes and associated factors using multivariate analysis of data from the 2010-11 National Survey of Understanding the Root of HIV/AIDS Related Stigma and Discrimination.
METHOD: A national telephone survey was carried out with 2271 of the Malaysian public aged 18-60 years. The sample was contacted by random digit dialing covering the whole of Peninsular Malaysia from December 2010 to May 2011. The HIV-transmission knowledge, HIV-related self-stigma, and public stigma were investigated.
RESULTS: Despite high level of HIV-transmission knowledge [mean (SD)=10.56 (2.42), mean score at 70th percentile] the respondents in this study had moderate levels (mean scores near midpoints) of self-stigma and public stigma attitudes. HIV-transmission knowledge score was not significantly correlated with self-stigma score, but showed a significantly small positive effect (r<0.2) for public stigma scores. Ethnicity is the strongest correlate of HIV-transmission knowledge, self-stigma, and public stigma attitudes in the multivariate analyses. Other significant correlates were age, socioeconomic group, and urban-rural setting.
CONCLUSIONS: The root causes of HIV stigma and discriminatory attitudes were not associated with knowledge deficiency. Interventions should be oriented towards promoting de-stigmatization of HIV/AIDS, and tailored socio-culturally.
KEYWORDS: Discriminatory; HIV/AIDS; Knowledge; Stigma

A comparison of smoking behaviour characteristics between Caucasian smokers in the United Kingdom and Malay smokers in Malaysia

Robson N, Bond A, Wolff K

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S8-10.

PMID: 23624111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.04.010

OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that smoking behaviour differs by ethnicity. This study aims to compare smoking behaviour characteristics between Caucasian and Malay smokers.
METHODS: A cross sectional survey, involving 175 smokers attending smoking cessation clinics at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom and University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between May 2005 and February 2007. Data on demographics, smoking history, nicotine dependence and smoking behaviour were collected.
RESULTS: All participants were males, mean age 30.7 ± 10.3 years. Caucasians initiated smoking significantly earlier (mean age 14.8 ± 2.8 years) (p = 0.001) and smoked regularly significantly earlier (mean age 17.3 ± 3.5) (p = 0.003) than Malays (mean starting age 16.9 ± 4.4 years and mean age regular use 19.5 ± 4.5 years), respectively. Caucasians smoked less for social integration than Malays (p = 0.03) but smoked more for regulation of negative affect than Malays (p = 0.008) and smoked more for hedonism than Malays (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Malays smoke as a means of socially integrating. This has important public health implications. Social reasons and the social environment play a role in smoking uptake, smoking maintenance and smoking cessation and this should be borne in mind for strategies planning to promote smoking cessation.
KEYWORDS: Behaviour; Caucasian; Character; Cigarette; Malay; Nicotine; Smoking

Clinical Epidemiology (CE) and Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) in the Asia Pacific region (Round Table Forum)

Su TT, Bulgiba AM, Sampatanukul P, Sastroasmoro S, Chang P, Tharyan P, et al.

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S5-7.

PMID: 23624253 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.04.009

Clinical Epidemiology (CE) and Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) have become increasingly important in an era of rising costs, patient safety concerns and evidence-based health care. CE and EBM research in the Asia Pacific region have grown significantly. However, there are three main challenges such as linking evidence to practice and policy; developing a strong collaborative network; and a need for resources and technical expertise to produce evidence. The Cochrane Collaboration is a possible solution to resolve above challenges identified, particularly the challenge of transforming evidence to practice. In addition, training can be carried out to enhance technical expertise in the region and there is also the promising potential that collaborations could extend beyond systematic reviews. To improve the adoption of evidence-based health policy, selection of the best evidence for the right audience and focusing on the relevant issues through appropriate methodology are essential. Information on effectiveness and cost effectiveness needs to be highlighted for policy makers. The way forward to strengthen research and capacity building is to establish the Asia Pacific Consortium for CE and EBM. The consortium would help to create mutually rewarding scientific research and collaborations that will augur well for advances in CE and EBM.

Fulltext Effectiveness of peer-led education on knowledge, attitude and risk behavior practices related to HIV among students at a Malaysian public university--a randomized controlled trial

Ibrahim N, Rampal L, Jamil Z, Zain AM

Prev Med, 2012 Nov;55(5):505-10.

PMID: 22982947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.09.003

OBJECTIVE: Develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led education program related to HIV/AIDS among university students.
METHOD:
DESIGN: randomized controlled trial with 276 university students at Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang in 2011.
INTERVENTION: A peer-led education program on HIV prevention by university students.
OUTCOME: differences in knowledge, attitude and risk behavior practices related to HIV between baselines, immediate follow-up after intervention and after three months.
RESULTS: Significant improvement in sound knowledge in the intervention group as compared to the control group (Odds ratio, 1.75; 95% CI 1.01, 3.00; p=0.04) and improvement in good attitude related to HIV (Odds ratio 2.22; 95% CI 1.37, 3.61; p=0.01). The odds of high substance risk behavior was significantly reduced in the intervention group as compared to the control group (Odds ratio 0.07; 95% CI 0.02, 0.34; p=0.01). The association between good knowledge and intervention was modified by the different time points (baseline, immediately after intervention and 3 months after intervention), ethnicity and gender.
CONCLUSION:
Peer-led education program in HIV prevention improves knowledge, attitude and substance risk behavior. Changes in sexual risk behavior may require a longer follow-up.

Do older people with visual impairment and living alone in a rural developing country report greater difficulty in managing stairs?

Hairi NN, Bulgiba A, Peramalah D, Mudla I

Prev Med, 2013 Jan;56(1):8-11.

PMID: 23103916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.10.016

Managing stairs is a challenging activity of daily living (ADL) for older people. This study aims to examine the association between visual impairment and difficulty in managing stairs among older people living alone and those living with others.

Chronic diseases, depressive symptoms and functional limitation amongst older people in rural Malaysia, a middle income developing country

Hairi NN, Bulgiba A, Mudla I, Said MA

Prev Med, 2011 Oct;53(4-5):343-6.

PMID: 21864564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.07.020

To determine prevalence and prevalence ratio of functional limitation amongst older people with combined chronic diseases and co-morbid depressive symptoms compared with older people with either chronic disease or depressive symptoms alone.

Temporal changes in psychobehavioral responses during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic

Wong LP, Sam IC

Prev Med, 2010 Jul;51(1):92-3.

PMID: 20403375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.04.010

This paper aimed to examine the temporal changes in psychobehavioral responses in relation to reported 2009 H1N1 influenza deaths.

Delays in time to primary treatment after a diagnosis of breast cancer: does it impact survival?

Mujar M, Dahlui M, Yip CH, Taib NA

Prev Med, 2013 Mar;56(3-4):222-4.

PMID: 23234860 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.12.001

OBJECTIVE: Treatment delays in breast cancer are generally thought to affect prognosis but the impact on survival remains unclear. Indicators for breast cancer care include time to primary treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether time to primary treatment (TPT) in breast cancer impacts survival.
METHOD: A total of 648 breast cancer patients treated in the University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Malaysia between 2004 and 2005 were included in the study. TPT was calculated from the date of pathological diagnosis to the date of primary treatment. Mortality data was obtained from the National Registry of Births and Deaths. Last date of follow-up was November 2010.
RESULTS: Median TPT was 18 days. Majority 508 (69.1%) of the patients received treatment within 30 days after diagnosis. The majority was surgically treated. Ethnicity (p=0.002) and stage at presentation (p=0.007) were significantly associated with delayed TPT. Malay ethnicity had delayed TPT compared to the Chinese; Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.9 (Confidence Interval (CI) 1.237, 2.987). Delayed TPT did not affect overall survival on univariate and multivariate analyses.
CONCLUSION: Time to primary treatment after a diagnosis of breast cancer had no impact on overall survival. Further studies on care before diagnosis are important in drawing up meaningful quality indicators.

Increase in maternal adiposity and poor lipid profile is associated with oxidative stress markers during pregnancy

Loy SL, KNS S, JM HJ

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S41-4.

PMID: 23219759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.11.021

This study aimed to evaluate changes in maternal adiposity and lipid profile and to correlate these parameters with Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels among pregnant women.

Impact of applied progressive deep muscle relaxation training on the health related quality of life among prostate cancer patients--a quasi experimental trial

Isa MR, Moy FM, Razack AH, Zainuddin ZM, Zainal NZ

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S37-40.

PMID: 23454597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.02.011

To determine the impact of applied progressive muscle relaxation training on health related quality of life among prostate cancer patients.

Suicide prevention program for at-risk groups: pointers from an epidemiological study

Maniam T, Chinna K, Lim CH, Kadir AB, Nurashikin I, Salina AA, et al.

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S45-6.

PMID: 23454536 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.02.022

The aim of this paper is to identify at-risk groups for a focused suicide prevention program for Malaysia.

Low nocturnal ocular perfusion pressure as a risk factor for normal tension glaucoma

Ramli N, Nurull BS, Hairi NN, Mimiwati Z

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S47-9.

PMID: 23352960 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.01.007

In the absence of raised intraocular pressure (IOP), haemodynamic parameters have been implicated in the development of normal tension glaucoma (NTG). The purpose of this study is to compare 24-hour IOP and haemodynamic parameters in NTG patients and non-glaucoma patients.

Prevalence and associated factors of stress in the Malaysian Police Force

Masilamani R, Bulgiba A, Chinna K, Darus A, Isahak M, Kandiben S, et al.

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S57-9.

PMID: 23352959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.01.008

This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress and the associated socio-demographic and work factors among police personnel in Metropolitan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Predictors of death in Malaysian HIV-infected patients on anti-retroviral therapy

Lubis R, Bulgiba A, Kamarulzaman A, Hairi NN, Dahlui M, Peramalah D

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S54-6.

PMID: 23352555 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.01.006

To determine the predictors of death in Malaysian HIV-infected patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART).

How well does self-reported adherence fare compared to therapeutic drug monitoring in HAART?

Bulgiba A, Mohammed UY, Chik Z, Lee C, Peramalah D

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S34-6.

PMID: 23313585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.01.002

The aim of the study was to determine how well self-reported adherence fares compared to therapeutic drug monitoring in monitoring HAART adherence.

Psychometric properties of DAPonDEN: definitions, attitudes and practices in relation to diarrhea during enteral nutrition questionnaire

Majid HA, Bin Sidek MA, Chinna K

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S64-6.

PMID: 23298820 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.12.021

To investigate the psychometric properties of the developed 21 item questionnaire to measure definitions, attitudes and management practices in relation to diarrhea during enteral nutrition (DAPonDEN).

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