Displaying all 14 publications

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Nga VT, Dung VNT, Chu DT, Tien NLB, Van Thanh V, Ngoc VTN, et al.
    Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2019 07 08;13(4):2495-2501.
    PMID: 31405667 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2019.07.014
    Childhood obesity prevalence is shooting up at a phenomenal rate worldwide, leading to long-term devastating consequences. A great number of studies have investigated factors contributing to the increase in BMI of children and adolescents. School-based, home-based and clinic-based solutions have been suggested as possible viable strategies, among which school-based interventions is believed to produce a noticeable effect on a massive scale. However, the question of whether school interventions, especially school education exert significant impact on childhood obesity or not, is left with mixing results. This article aims to holistically review the relationship between school education and childhood obesity. Various factors are covered, including health education, nutrition education, school nutrition, physical education, teachers' awareness, teaching practice and school stress, In all, school education is not the answer to childhood obesity but just part of it. More attempts from other stakeholders (parents, community, policy makers, researchers, etc.) should be made in order to solve this complicated puzzle.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data*
  2. Mohamad N, Latif MT, Khan MF
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2016 Feb;124:351-362.
    PMID: 26590697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.11.002
    This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and potential sources of PM10 as well as assess the potential health hazards it posed to school children. PM10 samples were taken from classrooms at a school in Kuala Lumpur's city centre (S1) and one in the suburban city of Putrajaya (S2) over a period of eight hours using a low volume sampler (LVS). The composition of the major ions and trace metals in PM10 were then analysed using ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The results showed that the average PM10 concentration inside the classroom at the city centre school (82µg/m(3)) was higher than that from the suburban school (77µg/m(3)). Principal component analysis-absolute principal component scores (PCA-APCS) revealed that road dust was the major source of indoor PM10 at both school in the city centre (36%) and the suburban location (55%). The total hazard quotient (HQ) calculated, based on the formula suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), was found to be slightly higher than the acceptable level of 1, indicating that inhalation exposure to particle-bound non-carcinogenic metals of PM10, particularly Cr exposure by children and adults occupying the school environment, was far from negligible.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data
  3. Ling MT
    J Appl Meas, 2016;17(3):365-392.
    PMID: 28027058
    The importance of instilling leadership skills in students has always been a main subject of discussion in Malaysia. Malaysian Secondary School Students Leadership Inventory (M3SLI) is an instrument which has been piloted tested in year 2013. The main purpose of this study is to examine and optimize the functioning of the rating scale categories in M3SLI by investigating the rating scale category counts, average and expected rating scale category measures, and steps calibrations. In detail, the study was aimed to (1) identify whether the five-point rating scale was functioning as intended and (2) review the effect of a rating scale category revision on the psychometric characteristics of M3SLI. The study was carried out on students aged between 13 to 18 years (2183 students) by stratified random sampling in 26 public schools in Sabah, Malaysia, with the results analysed using Winsteps. This study found that the rating scale of Personality and Values constructs needed to be modified while the scale for Leadership Skills was maintained. For future studies, other aspects of psychometric properties like differential item functioning (DIF) based on demographic variables such as gender, school locations and forms should be researched on prior to the use of the instrument.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data
  4. Othman M, Aghamohammadi N, Nik Farid ND
    BMC Public Health, 2019 Oct 28;19(1):1390.
    PMID: 31660934 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7748-3
    BACKGROUND: Shisha smoking has re-emerged in the Middle East in the last two decades and has spread rapidly in these communities. Information about shisha smoking in adolescents in Sudan is deficient. Hence, the aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of shisha smoking among adolescents and determine the associated factors.

    METHODS: This study is a school based cross sectional study among secondary school students in Khartoum State - Sudan that targets both male and female students aged 14-17 years. A total of 3387 students from 29 public and private schools were selected by multi stage random sampling. The participants completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire which was based on Arabic version of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).

    RESULTS: The response rate was 100% in schools and among participants, 57.3% were females and 51.6% were from public schools. The overall prevalence of those who had ever smoked shisha was 13.4%, and among male students the prevalence was 16.8%, while it was 10.9% in females. The associated factors were poor academic performance OR 2.90 CI 95% (1.21-6.94), friends smoking shisha OR 2.39 CI 95% (1.65-3.45), friends smoking cigarettes OR 2.76 CI 95% (1.90-4.01), peer pressure to smoke shisha OR 13.76 CI 95% (7.86-24.07) and unexpectedly restriction of selling shisha to minors OR 2.21 CI 95% (1.28-3.82).

    CONCLUSION: The prevalence of those who had ever smoked shisha is among the lowest in Middle East region; therefore, regular surveillance system is needed. A well-structured peer based comprehensive tobacco control programmes that are supported by strict and rigorous anti-tobacco regulations which control both commercial and social resources of tobacco are needed to contain this issue among adolescents.

    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data
  5. Wahab S, Rahman FN, Wan Hasan WM, Zamani IZ, Arbaiei NC, Khor SL, et al.
    Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Apr;5 Suppl 1:82-9.
    PMID: 23857842 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12067
    Chronic stress in adolescents may cause physical, mental and emotional health issues which lead to poor outcomes if left untreated. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress, and their association with stressors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data
  6. 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: Schools/statistics & numerical data*
  7. Wan Ismail WS, Nik Jaafar NR, Sidi H, Midin M, Shah SA
    Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S114-20.
    PMID: 23763872 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.05.002
    INTRODUCTION: To determine sociodemographic and psychological factors associated with bullying behavior among young adolescents in Malaysia.
    METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of four hundred ten 12-year-old adolescents from seven randomly sampled schools in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sociodemographic features of the adolescents and their parents, bullying behavior (Malaysian Bullying Questionnaire), ADHD symptoms (Conners Rating Scales), and internalizing and externalizing behavior (Child Behaviour Checklist) were obtained from adolescents, parents and teachers, respectively.
    RESULTS: Only male gender (OR=7.071, p=0.01*, CI=1.642-30.446) was a significant sociodemographic factor among bullies. Predominantly hyperactive (OR=2.285, p=0.00*, CI=1.507-3.467) and inattentive ADHD symptoms reported by teachers (OR=1.829, p=0.03*, CI=1.060-3.154) and parents (OR=1.709, p=0.03*, CI=1.046-2.793) were significant risk factors for bullying behavior while combined symptoms reported by young adolescents (OR=0.729, p=0.01*, CI=0.580-0.915) and teachers (OR=0.643, p=0.02*, CI=0.440-0.938) were protective against bullying behavior despite the influence of conduct behavior (OR=3.160, p=0.00*, CI=1.600-6.241). Internalizing behavior, that is, withdrawn (OR=0.653, p=0.04*, CI=0.436-0.977) and somatic complaints (OR=0.619, p=0.01*, CI=0.430-0.889) significantly protect against bullying behavior.
    DISCUSSIONS: Recognizing factors associated with bullying behavior, in particular factors distinctive to the local population, facilitates in strategizing effective interventions for school bullying among young adolescents in Malaysian schools.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data
  8. Raj SM, Sein KT, Anuar AK, Mustaffa BE
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1997 3 1;91(2):131-2.
    PMID: 9196748
    Stool examination of 249 early primary schoolchildren at 2 schools in north-eastern peninsular Malaysia revealed that 73 were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, 103 with Trichuris trichiura, and 18 with hookworms. Infected children were treated with a single dose of 400 mg of albendazole. The school attendance records during a 60 d period before treatment and 2 consecutive 60 d periods after treatment were examined. The absenteeism rate did not improve more among infected children after treatment than it did among the uninfected control children. The correlation between worm intensity and the number of lost school-days was poor. There was no evidence that intestinal helminthiasis caused school absenteeism among this group of children.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data*
  9. Chhoa KH, Zakaria H, Abd Rahman FN
    Pediatr Int, 2019 Mar;61(3):284-292.
    PMID: 30636372 DOI: 10.1111/ped.13789
    BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption in the under-aged is one of the main concerns regarding Malaysian adolescents. There is no previous study on problematic alcohol use (PAU) in adolescents in Sarawak. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PAU, its associated variables and its relationship with depression.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 327 secondary school students completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and Children's Depression Inventory, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between the different variables.

    RESULTS: A total of 42.2% of adolescents had PAU. Urban adolescents had a higher prevalence compared with rural adolescents (OR, 1.612; 95% CI: 1.036-2.508 P = 0.034). Female adolescents (56.8%) and Bumiputera Sarawak adolescents (76.8%) comprised a large proportion of the respondents with PAU. Cultural norm (78.3%) and curiosity (68.1%) were the two main reasons for PAU. Only family history of alcohol use (OR, 2.273; 95% CI: 1.013-5.107; P = 0.047), ever consumed alcohol (OR, 57.585; 95% CI: 21.885-151.525; P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data
  10. Alagappan M, Rampal L, Zalilah MS
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 12;74(6):513-520.
    PMID: 31929478
    INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and factors associated among secondary school students in Batang Padang District, Perak, Malaysia.

    METHODS: Out of the 7247 students in the ten selected schools studied, a total of 6248 students (2928 males, 3320 females) took part. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted odd ratio.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 16.0% and 11.5% respectively. Obesity/overweight was significantly (p<0.05) associated with gender, age, ethnicity, education level of father, education level of mother, physical activity, disordered eating, smoking status, body size perception and body part satisfaction. The multivariable analysis results showed that the odds of being overweight/obesity were higher in males compared to females (OR 1.56, 95%CI: 1.37, 1.77). The results also showed that the odds of being overweight/obesity were highest among those in age group 12 and 13 years and among Malay ethnicity. The odds of overweight/obesity were higher in those who was dissatisfied with their body parts, (OR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.71, 2.25), dissatisfied with their body size (OR: 4.25, 95%CI: 3.60, 5.02), low physical activity (OR 1.23, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.44), current smokers (OR 1.38, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.78) and at risk of having eating disorder (OR: 1.39, 95%CI 1.22, 1.59).

    CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity is high. The findings from this study can be used by policy makers to plan an integrated intervention program in schools.

    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data*
  11. Charles Shapu R, Ismail S, Ahmad N, Ying LP, Abubakar Njodi I
    Nutrients, 2020 Jun 04;12(6).
    PMID: 32512907 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061681
    Addressing the gap in knowledge, attitude, and practice among adolescent girls are important as malnutrition has a negative effect on their future generation. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of adolescent girls towards reducing malnutrition in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State, Nigeria. This was a school-based cross-sectional study conducted among 612 adolescent girls (10 to 19 years old). KoBo collect toolbox was used for the data collection between 3 June and 31 July 2019. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards reducing malnutrition. The majority of respondents (451, 80.2%; 322, 57.3%) had poor knowledge and attitude towards reducing malnutrition respectively, 278 (49.5%) had poor practice towards reducing malnutrition. Schooling (GGSS; p = 0.022; Shehu Garbai; p = 0.003) was a significant predictor of knowledge. Religion (p = 0.023), information (p < 0.001) and motivation (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of attitude. School (GGSS; p < 0.001; GGC; p < 0.001; Shehu garbai; p < 0.001; Bulabulin; p = 0.030; Zajeri day; p = 0.049), education of father (p = 0.001), information (p = 0.026) and behavioral skill (p = 0.019) were significant predictors of practice. There is a need to focus on both school-based and community-based health education intervention to address the poor knowledge, attitude, and practice among adolescent girls for a healthier future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data
  12. Ahmed A, Choo WY, Marret MJ, Guat-Sim C, Othman S, Chinna K
    PLoS One, 2015;10(3):e0119449.
    PMID: 25786214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119449
    Official reports of child maltreatment in Malaysia have persistently increased throughout the last decade. However there is a lack of population surveys evaluating the actual burden of child maltreatment, its correlates and its consequences in the country. This cross sectional study employed 2 stage stratified cluster random sampling of public primary schools, to survey 3509 ten to twelve year old school children in Selangor state. It aimed to estimate the prevalence of parental physical and emotional maltreatment, parental neglect and teacher- inflicted physical maltreatment. It further aimed to examine the associations between child maltreatment and important socio-demographic factors; family functioning and symptoms of depression among children. Logistic regression on weighted samples was used to extend results to a population level. Three quarters of 10-12 year olds reported at least one form of maltreatment, with parental physical maltreatment being most common. Males had higher odds of maltreatment in general except for emotional maltreatment. Ethnicity and parental conflict were key factors associated with maltreatment. The study contributes important evidence towards improving public health interventions for child maltreatment prevention in the country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data*
  13. Ma'pol A, Hashim JH, Norbäck D, Weislander G, Hashim Z, Isa ZM
    J Asthma, 2020 08;57(8):842-849.
    PMID: 31155989 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1614614
    Background: Almost one third of the world population suffers from allergic conditions. Respiratory symptoms are common in Malaysian children but there are few studies on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), inclusive of field clinical test for asthma among children in Malaysia. The aim was to provide insight on factors related to level of FeNO among students in Terengganu, Malaysia.Methods: In total, 487 randomly selected students from eight secondary schools participated (13-14 years old). A Standardized questionnaire was used to obtained information on doctors' diagnosed asthma, current asthma and respiratory symptoms. FeNO measurement and skin prick test (SPT to common allergen) were conducted.Results: The geometric mean FeNO was 16.7 ppb. Totally, 38.4% of students had elevated FeNO level (>20 ppb) and 40.3% had had positive SPT to house dust mites allergens (HDM), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1), Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1) or Felis domisticus (cat). Male gender, height, parental history of allergy, self-reported allergy, and atopy were associated with FeNO. In particular, a combination of sensitization to HDM or cat and elevated FeNO were associated with doctor-diagnosed asthma and self-reported allergy to food, pollen and cat.Conclusion: Asthma, respiratory symptoms and sensitization to HDM and cat are common among students and presence of elevated FeNO levels indicate ongoing airway inflammation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data
  14. Ibrahim N, Sherina MS, Phang CK, Mukhtar F, Awang H, Ang JK, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2017 08;72(4):221-227.
    PMID: 28889133 MyJurnal
    No abstract available.
    Matched MeSH terms: Schools/statistics & numerical data*
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links