Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 81 in total

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  1. Saleeza SN, Norma-Rashid Y, Azirun MS
    PMID: 24450233
    We conducted mosquito surveillance at outdoor breeding habitat in 459 households at 7 urban locations in Putrajaya, Malaysia from January to December 2010 to determine the predominant species and breeding locations. The most common species found at all locations was Aedes albopictus. Gardening utensils were the most common breeding sites. Of the 1,885 mosquito larvae specimens found, 1,774 (94.1%) were Ae. albopictus larvae, 84 (4%) were Ae. aegypti larvae and 27 (1%) were Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. The Aedes index for each of the locations was higher than the goal set by the Ministry of Health for Malaysia. However, the container index at each of the locations was within the goal. The Breateau index was above the goal set by the Ministry of Health at Precinct 9B1 but the other locations were within the goal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  2. Minhat HS, Mohd Amin R
    J Community Health, 2012 Aug;37(4):840-7.
    PMID: 22160659 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-011-9518-8
    Leisure participation has been proven to be beneficial and has a positive link to successful ageing. This study aims to explore the sociodemographic determinants of leisure participation among the Malaysian elderly. A cross-sectional study was conducted among persons aged 60 years and above, purposively selected from eight health clinics in the state of Selangor. Leisure participation was measured using a validated Leisure Participation Questionnaire specific for Malaysian elderly, consisting of 25 activities, categorized into 4 categories, namely recreational (physical), cognitive, social and productive. Frequency of such participation was measured on a 6-point scale. Its association with sociodemographic variables was examined using inferential and regression analysis. 268 participants were involved in this study (response rate = 100%). The most common daily leisure activities were having conversations while relaxing (78.7%), watching television (74.6%) and reading (63.4%). The least frequently done leisure activities were from the recreational and cognitive categories. The activities were weakly correlated to each other, reflecting the lack of diversity of leisure activities among respondents. Education was the main predictor for leisure participation among elderly, with higher educational level is associated with high RAS (B = 1.020, P < 0.05), CAS (B = 1.580, P < 0.05) and SAS (B = 1.276, P < 0.05). Education level, marital status and locality were important determinants of leisure participation among elderly, with education being the main predictor. Further studies exploring the effective method of educating the ageing society are recommended.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  3. Khairiyah AM, Razak IA, Raja-Latifah RJ, Tan BS, Norain AT, Noor-Aliyah I, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2009 Apr;21(2):184-95.
    PMID: 19190002 DOI: 10.1177/1010539509331788
    The objective of this study is to share cost analysis methodology and to obtain cost estimates for posterior restorations in public sector dental clinics. Two urban and 2 rural dental clinics in Selangor state were selected. Only cases of 1 posterior restoration per visit by dental officers were included over 6 months. One capsulated amalgam type, 1 capsulated tooth-colored, and 1 non-capsulated tooth-colored material were selected. A clinical pathway form was formulated to collect data per patient. Annual capital and recurrent expenditures were collected per clinic. The mean cost of an amalgam restoration was RM 30.96 (sdRM 7.86); and tooth-colored restorations ranged from RM 33.00 (sdRM 8.43) to RM 41.10 (sdRM 10.61). Wherein 1 USD = RM 2.8. Restoration costs were 35% to 55% higher in clinics in rural areas than in urban areas. The findings demonstrate economy of scale for clinic operation and restoration costs with higher patient load. Costs per restoration were higher in rural than in urban dental clinics. More studies are recommended to address the dearth of dental costs data in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
  4. Vlahov D, Wang C, Ompad D, Fuller CM, Caceres W, Ouellet L, et al.
    Subst Use Misuse, 2008;43(3-4):413-28.
    PMID: 18365941 DOI: 10.1080/10826080701203013
    To quantify the risk of death among recent-onset (< 5 years) injection drug users, we enrolled 2089 injection drug users (IDUs) age data to the census and mortality, we calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) over time. The adjusted SMR (with national data as the reference) for IDUs was 3.66 for 1997, which increased to 9.78 by 1998, decreased slightly to 7.08 by 1999, and continuously declined to 2.54 by 2002. These data confirm considerable excess mortality among recent onset injection drug users compared to non-IDU peers in the general population and indicate need for interventions such as increased quality and accessibility to drug abuse** treatment and overdose prevention to prevent premature death among young IDUs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  5. Sulaiman AH, Seluakumaran K, Husain R
    Public Health, 2013 Aug;127(8):710-5.
    PMID: 23474376 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2013.01.007
    To investigate listening habits and hearing risks associated with the use of personal listening devices among urban high school students in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  6. Sein KK
    Midwifery, 2013 Nov;29(11):1257-63.
    PMID: 23415368 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2012.11.012
    to examine the postpartum beliefs and practices among young women (15-24 years)
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
  7. Kan SP, Guyatt HL, Bundy DA
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1989 11 1;83(6):817-20.
    PMID: 2617652
    This study compares levels of geohelminth infection in children living in rural estates and urban slum areas of Malaysia. The statistical characteristics of geohelminth infection in 1499 children from birth up to 15 years of age, living in rural estates, were analysed according to age, sex and ethnic origin and compared with the same statistics for 1574 slum-dwelling children of similar age groups and ethnic origins. The prevalence and intensity of ascariasis and trichuriasis were significantly higher among children from the urban slums. Slum-dwelling ethnic Indians and Malays had higher levels of infection with Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura than their rural counterparts, but the infection status of the ethnic Chinese in the 2 areas was similar. Hookworm infection was similar in both areas, indicating that hookworm infection is neither necessarily nor solely a rural disease. These results suggest that urban slum children are at greater risk of ascariasis and trichuriasis than their rural counterparts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  8. Ibrahim N, Che Din N, Ahmad M, Amit N, Ghazali SE, Wahab S, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2019 Jun 13;19(Suppl 4):553.
    PMID: 31196009 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6861-7
    BACKGROUND: The high number of adolescents and young adults harbouring suicidal ideation, as reported by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, is alarming. This cross-sectional study aims to examine the association between social support and spiritual wellbeing in predicting suicidal ideation among Malaysian adolescents.

    METHODS: A total of 176 adolescents in selected urban areas in the states of Wilayah Persekutuan and Selangor were selected. The Suicide Ideation Scale (SIS) was used to measure the level of severity or tendency of suicidal ideation. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to measure the perceived social support received by the respondent while the Spiritual Wellbeing Scale (SWBS) was used to measure the religious wellbeing (RWB), the existential wellbeing (EWB) and the overall score of spiritual wellbeing (SWB).

    RESULTS: The study found that both RWB and EWB showed significant negative correlation with suicidal ideation. Similarly, support from family and friends also showed a negative correlation with suicidal ideation. Further analysis using multiple regressions showed that RWB and SWB, and family support predict suicidal ideation in adolescents.

    CONCLUSION: Spiritual wellbeing in combination with family support plays a major role in predicting suicidal ideation. Therefore, intervention for encompassing spirituality and family support may contribute to a more positive outcome in suicidal adolescents.

    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
  9. Abdul Mutalip MH, Mahmud MAF, Lodz NA, Yoep N, Muhammad EN, Ahmad A, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2019 01 21;9(1):e023359.
    PMID: 30670512 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023359
    INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is the most common zoonotic disease that causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease can cause sporadic epidemics and recent epidemics have become more apparent in urban localities. There is lack of documented evidence on the specific risk factors of leptospirosis infection among the urbanites, thereby impeding initiatives for prevention in urban settings. We aim to systematically search published articles and synthesise evidence on the risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection among the susceptible populations in urban localities, particularly to identify the risk factors of non-recreational leptospirosis infection.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a systematic review of observational studies that investigated environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban localities. The search will be performed for any eligible articles from selected electronic databases from 1970 until May 2018. The study will include any studies that investigated risk factors of confirmed leptospirosis cases who acquired the infection in urban locality, particularly exposures from the non-recreational and non-water-related activities. Study selection and reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline. All data will be extracted using a standardised data extraction form and quality of the studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale guideline. Descriptive and meta-analysis will be performed by calculating the standardised median ORs and risk ratios for types of the non-recreational risk factors stratified by social, living conditions and environmental exposures, types of reservoirs and transmissions and types of activities and employments associated with leptospirosis infection in urban locality.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No primary data will be collected thus no formal ethical approval is required. The results will be disseminated though a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.

    PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018090820.

    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  10. Karupaiah T, Swee WC, Liew SY, Ng BK, Chinna K
    J Community Health, 2013 Feb;38(1):163-71.
    PMID: 22930284 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-012-9597-1
    Diet-related non-communicable disease (DR-NCD) occurrence is a serious problem amongst Malaysian women and urbanization is probably a challenge to their achieving the nutritional environment conducive to healthy eating. This case study aimed to determine diet quality of an urban community using women respondents from high rise dwellings in Kuala Lumpur. The sample consisted of 135 households and a healthy eating index (HEI) scale was used to evaluate the women's diet quality. A total of 128 women (Malays = 45, Chinese = 56, Indian = 27) participated. Total HEI score was significantly different (P < 0.05) within ethnicity (Indians = 75.7 ± 8.1 0.05) regardless of ethnicity. Income strata (ρ = 0.159, P = 0.048) and eating out frequency (ρ = -0.149, P = 0.046) also independently affected HEI scores. Income negatively correlated with sodium restriction score (ρ = -0.294, P = 0.001) but positively with cereals (ρ = 0.181; P = 0.025), fruits (ρ = 0.178; P = 0.022), dairy products (ρ = 0.198; P = 0.013) and food variety (ρ = 0.219, P = 0.007). Decreased vegetable intake (ρ = -0.320; P < 0.001) and sodium excess (ρ = -0.135, P = 0.065) were associated with eating out frequency and poor HEI scores. This case study suggests health promotion for DR-NCD prevention is needed at the community level to improve diet quality of urban women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  11. Roslan MA, Ngui R, Vythilingam I, Fatt CK, Soon OP, Keat LC, et al.
    J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2020 06 01;36(2):115-119.
    PMID: 33647124 DOI: 10.2987/19-6904.1
    The present study aimed to explore the current status of knowledge and practices of dengue prevention associated with sociodemographic status among the community living in an urban area of Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 441 participants were interviewed regarding sociodemographic status, knowledge of dengue, and self-reported prevention practices. Participants over 40 years old were more likely (odds ratio [OR] = 4.210, 95% CI = 1.652-10.733, P = 0.003) to have better dengue knowledge. Participants whose average monthly household income was more than MYR3,000 (US$715) were more likely (OR = 1.607, 95% CI = 1.059-2.438, P = 0.026) to have better practices of dengue prevention measures. The finding suggests that both government and community efforts are essential in order to continue to educate about dengue and reduce the frequency of dengue cases nationwide.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
  12. Azit NA, Ismail A, Ahmad N, Ismail R, Ishak S
    BMC Public Health, 2019 Nov 01;19(1):1432.
    PMID: 31675946 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7814-x
    BACKGROUND: With the rise in prevalence of childhood tuberculosis (TB) globally, contact tracing should be a powerful strategy for early diagnosis and management, especially in children who are household contacts of active TB cases. Here, we aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with TB disease in children who are household contacts of TB cases.

    METHODS: We used a cross-sectional study with data from the Malaysian TB Information System (TBIS) recorded from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017. All children aged 0-14 years who were registered in the TBIS with at least one household contact of TB cases were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (adj. OR) and for adjusting the confounding factors.

    RESULTS: A total of 2793 children were included in the study. The prevalence of active TB was 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 1.77%). Children aged  6 weeks [adj. OR 7.48 (95% CI: 2.88, 19.43), p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
  13. Rozita Z, Lim MT, Lee HS
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 04;74(2):145-150.
    PMID: 31079126
    INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. It is a major factor for many other metabolic disorders. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of increase body mass index (BMI) and obesity and their associated demographic characteristics among adults in an urban area.

    METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted where data was extracted from the Health Status Screening Form (BSSK) at health clinics in Johor Bahru. Using the World Health Organization (WHO), criteria for obesity, BMI≥30.0 kg/m2 was specified as obese and combination of both BMI ranges for overweight (25.0-30.0kg/m2) and obesity (≥30.0kg/m2) as elevated BMI.

    RESULTS: The overall prevalence of elevated BMI and obesity was 54.6% and 20.1% respectively. Men had a higher prevalence of elevated BMI (57.4%) with odds of 1.28 higher (95%CI: 1.04-1.58). High prevalence of elevated BMI and obesity were seen among the Indians (elevated BMI - 60.2%, obesity - 19.4%) followed by Malays (elevated BMI -57.8%, obesity - 23.1%) and Chinese showed the lowest (elevated BMI - 39.0%, obesity - 8.8%). The odds of elevated BMI and obesity were lower among younger adults as compared to older adults (≥30 years old).

    CONCLUSION: Using WHO criteria, about one in two adults had elevated BMI while one in five were obese. Elevated BMI and obesity disparities were evident in age and ethnicity, but sex differences were encountered in elevated BMI group.

    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  14. Wee LH, Yeap LLL, Chan CMH, Wong JE, Jamil NA, Swarna Nantha Y, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2019 Jun 13;19(Suppl 4):540.
    PMID: 31196096 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6860-8
    BACKGROUND: Organization productivity is strongly linked to employees' socioeconomic characteristics and health which is marked by absenteeism and presenteeism. This study aims to identify anteceding factors predicting employees' absenteeism and presenteeism by income, physical and mental health.

    METHODS: An online health survey was conducted between May to July 2017 among employees from 47 private companies located in urban Malaysia. A total of 5235 respondents completed the 20-min online employee health survey on a voluntary basis. Chi-Square or Fisher's exact tests were used to determine association between income with demographic and categorical factors of absenteeism and presenteeism. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify factors predicting absenteeism and presenteeism.

    RESULTS: More than one third of respondents' monthly income were less than RM4,000 (35.4%), 29.6% between RM4,000-RM7,999 and 35.0% earned RM8,000 and above. The mean age was 33.8 years (sd ± 8.8) and 49.1% were married. A majority were degree holders (74.4%) and 43.6% were very concerned about their financial status. Mean years of working was 6.2 years (sd ± 6.9) with 68.9% satisfied with their job. More than half reported good general physical health (54.5%) (p = 0.065) and mental health (53.5%) (p = 0.019). The mean hours of sleep were 6.4 h (sd ± 1.1) with 63.2% reporting being unwell due to stress for the past 12 months. Mean work time missed due to ill-health (absenteeism) was 3.1% (sd ± 9.1), 2.8% (sd ± 9.1) and 1.8% (sd ± 6.5) among employees whose monthly income was less than RM4,000, RM4,000-RM7,999 and over RM8,000 respectively (p = 0.0066). Mean impairment while working due to ill-health (presenteeism) was 28.2% (sd ± 25.3), 24.9% (sd ± 25.5) and 20.3% (sd ± 22.9) among employees whose monthly income was less than RM4,000, RM4,000-RM7,999 and over RM8,000 respectively (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  15. Savell E, Gilmore AB, Sims M, Mony PK, Koon T, Yusoff K, et al.
    Bull World Health Organ, 2015 Dec 01;93(12):851-61G.
    PMID: 26668437 DOI: 10.2471/BLT.15.155846
    OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare tobacco marketing in 16 countries while the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control requires parties to implement a comprehensive ban on such marketing.

    METHODS: Between 2009 and 2012, a kilometre-long walk was completed by trained investigators in 462 communities across 16 countries to collect data on tobacco marketing. We interviewed community members about their exposure to traditional and non-traditional marketing in the previous six months. To examine differences in marketing between urban and rural communities and between high-, middle- and low-income countries, we used multilevel regression models controlling for potential confounders.

    FINDINGS: Compared with high-income countries, the number of tobacco advertisements observed was 81 times higher in low-income countries (incidence rate ratio, IRR: 80.98; 95% confidence interval, CI: 4.15-1578.42) and the number of tobacco outlets was 2.5 times higher in both low- and lower-middle-income countries (IRR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.17-5.67 and IRR: 2.52; CI: 1.23-5.17, respectively). Of the 11,842 interviewees, 1184 (10%) reported seeing at least five types of tobacco marketing. Self-reported exposure to at least one type of traditional marketing was 10 times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries (odds ratio, OR: 9.77; 95% CI: 1.24-76.77). For almost all measures, marketing exposure was significantly lower in the rural communities than in the urban communities.

    CONCLUSION: Despite global legislation to limit tobacco marketing, it appears ubiquitous. The frequency and type of tobacco marketing varies on the national level by income group and by community type, appearing to be greatest in low-income countries and urban communities.

    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  16. Su TT, Amiri M, Mohd Hairi F, Thangiah N, Dahlui M, Majid HA
    Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:174821.
    PMID: 25710002 DOI: 10.1155/2015/174821
    This study aims to compare various body composition indices and their association with a predicted cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile in an urban population in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  17. Nik Jaafar NR, Tuti Iryani MD, Wan Salwina WI, Fairuz Nazri AR, Kamal NA, Prakash RJ, et al.
    Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Apr;5 Suppl 1:27-34.
    PMID: 23857834 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12072
    To examine the relationship between externalizing/internalizing syndromes and school truancy among Form Four (10th grade) students attending "high-risk" schools in Kuala Lumpur.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
  18. Swami V, Kannan K, Furnham A
    Int J Soc Psychiatry, 2012 Nov;58(6):568-76.
    PMID: 21821633 DOI: 10.1177/0020764011415208
    Previous studies examining body image from a cross-cultural perspective have tended to neglect samples from different ethnic groups or along a rural-urban continuum. To overcome this limitation, the present study examined positive body image among rural and urban women from three major indigenous ethnic groups in Sabah, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  19. Masilamani R, Darus A, Ting AS, Ali R, Awang Mahmud AB, Koh D
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2012 Mar;24(2):278-87.
    PMID: 21385771 DOI: 10.1177/1010539510393725
    The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of job stress among secondary school teachers using Karasek Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), the association between salivary cortisol, salivary IgA, and sociodemographic characteristics, and the association between log cortisol, IgA levels, and job strain categories. A cross-sectional study was undertaken using JCQ and salivary cortisol and IgA samples. Cluster sampling was done yielding 302 respondents. The prevalence of stress among all teachers was 20.2%. Being a Malay, teaching experience of 5 to 10 years, and those without a supervisor's support had higher prevalence of high job strain. Teachers in the 31 to 40 years age bracket, educating handicapped children with the absence of supervisor support exhibited higher stress levels with lower log salivary IgA levels. Further studies must be conducted using salivary biomarkers to study the in-depth relationship of stress, extending into other occupational groups.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
  20. Chia BH, Chia A, Yee NW, Choo TB
    Arch Suicide Res, 2010;14(3):276-83.
    PMID: 20658381 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2010.494147
    The objective of this study was to investigate suicide trends in Singapore between 1955 and 2004. Suicide cases were identified from the Registry of Birth and Death, Singapore, and analyzed using Poisson regression. Overall, suicide rates in Singapore remained stable between 9.8-13.0/100,000 over the last 5 decades. Rates remain highest in elderly males, despite declines among the elderly and middle-aged males in recent years. Rates in ethnic Chinese and Indians were consistently higher than in Malays. While the rates among female Indians and Chinese have declined significantly between 1995 and 2004, some increase was noted in female Malays. Although there was no increase in overall suicide rates, risk within certain population segments has changed over time.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urban Population/statistics & numerical data*
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