1.Parental perception of children’s weight status and sociodemographic factors associated with childhood obesity
Noor Shafina Mohd Nor ; Abdul Rasyid Ariffien ; Anis Siham Zainal Abidin ; Nor Izwah Mohamed Kamarudin ; Jamaluddin Mohamad
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(3):221-225
Introduction: The trend of childhood obesity is on the rise
and hence leading towards the increase in obesity related
complications. Early recognition of obesity in children and
accurate parental perception of the status of the weight of
their children is vital. Furthermore, identification of
sociodemographic risk factors contributing to obesity is
crucial in order to identify children who are in the risk group
and thus prevent potential complications. This study is
aimed to establish the parental perception of the status of
the weight of their children. Secondly, the study also to
identify the sociodemographic risk factors associated with
obesity in children.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 245
children from 5 to 12 years of age. Following informed
consent, the children were classified into either normal
(body mass index (BMI) >5th to <85th percentile), overweight
(BMI >85th to <95th percentile) or obese (BMI >95th
percentile) groups. Parents responded to questionnaires
which assessed their perception and sociodemographic
factors.
Results: A total of 157 participants (64.1%) had normal BMI
while 41(16.7%) were overweight and 47(19.2%) were obese.
More parents of overweight and obese group had
misperceptions of their children’s weight status (p=0.001).
Families with higher household income, children with higher
birth weight, higher education of mothers and family history
of obesity and type 2 diabetes had increased risk of higher
BMI among their children (p=0.029, p=0.013, p=0.041 and
p=0.001 respectively).
Conclusions: Most parents of either overweight or obese
children had inaccurate perception of the status of weight of
their children. Higher household income, birth weight and
education level of the mothers as well as history of diabetes
and obesity in the family are associated with increased risk
of childhood obesity
2.Recommendation for Improvement in COVID-19 Vaccine Program in Malaysia: An Online Nationwide Qualitative Survey
Hana Maizuliana Solehan ; Mohd Dzulkhairi Mohd Rani ; Nurul Azmawati Mohamed ; Muslimah Ithnin ; Abdul Rasyid Ariffien ; Che Ilina Che Isahak
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.4):76-83
Introduction: Maintaining high levels of vaccinations is important for public health success in any vaccination planning. Success requires a better understanding of the public’s perceptions of diseases and consequent decisions about
vaccinations. This study aims to gather exploratory qualitative data on public opinion on the Malaysian Government’s COVID-19 immunization campaigns. Methods: Open-ended question on Google Form was advertised online
between 2 to 17 December 2020. The questionnaire form was deactivated when saturation has been reached. The
free text questions were analysed by qualitative thematic analysis by all authors on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
Results: Six hundred and sixty-one participants replied to the online questionnaire. Four themes emerged from the
thematic analysis on suggestions for future National COVID-19 Immunisation Program. First, COVID-19 vaccine
administration policy; secondly, knowledge dissemination and plan to address obstacles of public acceptances towards the vaccine proactively; thirdly, better implementation programs by the government and fourthly, using local
research expertise for vaccine development and alternative medicines. Participants believe all this are essential in
increasing their trust and uptake for the government’s future national COVID-19 Immunisation Program. Conclusion:
This study highlights the suggestions made by the public for the Malaysian Government. These findings will help
develop education and intervention strategies for new vaccine introduction to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in
Malaysia.