1.A Review of Smoking Research In Malaysia
Wee Lei Hum ; Caryn Chan Mei Hsien ; Yogarabindranath Swarna Nantha
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(3 Suppl.):29-41
Two hundred and seventy one original published materials
related to tobacco use were found in a search through a
database dedicated to indexing all original data relevant to
Medicine and Health in Malaysia from 1996 - 2015. A total of
147 papers were selected and reviewed on the basis of their
relevance and implications for future research. Findings
were summarised, categorised and presented according to
epidemiology, behaviour, clinical features and management
of smoking. Most studies are cross-sectional with small
sample sizes. Studies on smoking initiation and prevalence
showed mixed findings with many small scale studies within
the sub-groups. The majority of the studies were related to
factors that contribute to initiation in adolescents.
Nonetheless, there are limited studies on intervention
strategies to curb smoking among this group. There is a
lack of clinical studies to analyse tobacco use and major
health problems in Malaysia. In addition, studies on the best
treatment modalities on the use of pharmacotherapy and
behavioural counselling have also remained unexplored.
Reasons why smokers do not seek clinic help to quit
smoking need further exploration. A finding on the extent of
effort carried out by healthcare providers in assisting
smokers to make quit attempts is not known. Studies on
economic and government initiatives on policies and
tobacco use focus mainly on the effects of cigarette bans,
increased cigarettes taxes and the influence of the tobacco
industry. Recommendations are given for the government to
increase efforts in implementing smoke-free legislation,
early and tailored interventions. Clinical studies in this area
are lacking, as are opportunities to research on ways to
reduce smoking initiation age and the most effective quit
smoking strategies.
Smoking
;
Tobacco Use
2.Prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users among Malaysian current and ex-smokers
Ho Bee Kiau ; Mohamad Haniki b. Nik Mohamed ; Jamalludin Ab Rahman ; Samsul Draman ; Mira Kartiwi ; Syafinaz Ab Rahman ; Noor Zurani Md Haris Robson ; Caryn Mei Hsien Chan ; Lim Kuang Hock ; Nizam bin Baharom ; Norliana Ismail ; Tee Guat Hiong ; Jane Ling Miaw Yn ; Lei-Hum Wee
Malaysian Family Physician 2019;14(2):10-17
Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are new devices that have been accepted widely by both
smokers and non-smokers. However, the evidence on EC used in Malaysia is scarce. The objective of thisstudy was to determine the prevalence of EC use and the socio-demographic and smoking characteristicsassociated with current EC use among Malaysian current and ex-smokers.
Methods: This was a sub-analysis of data from a cross-sectional, national-population- based EC study
conducted from May to June in 2016 in Malaysia. A detailed description of the sampling methods can
be found in the National E-cigarette Survey (NECS) 2016 report. Briefly, data were obtained from 1396
individuals who had ever been smokers, i.e., 957 (68.6%) current smokers and 439 (31.4%) ex-smokers.
Results: Current EC use was found predominantly among current smokers (8.0%) as compared with
ex-smokers (4.3%). Among current smokers, the main reasons given for smoking ECs were wanting to
try it (44.7%), followed by intention to quit tobacco smoking (15.8%) and to reduce tobacco smoking
(10.5%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that among current smokers, current EC
users were more likely to be younger, i.e., 18-44 years (aOR= 4.83, 95% CI= 1.97-11.86, p=0.001),
urban residents (aOR= 1.89, 95% CI= 1.15-3.11, p=0.012), single/ divorced/ widowed (aOR= 2.11,
95% CI= 1.24-3.61, p=0.006) and students (aOR= 2.25, 95% CI= 1.01-5.01, p=0.048). Among exsmokers, only younger respondents (18-44 years old) was reported as being more likely to be current EC users (aOR= 3.81, 95% CI= 1.14-12.76, p=0.030).
Conclusion: This study showed that currently using and ever having used ECs were more prevalent
among current smokers. The reasons given for initiating EC use among current smokers were mainly
wanting to try it, followed by intention to quit and to reduce tobacco smoking. Current EC use appears
to be common among current smokers who are younger, urban residents, single/divorced/widowed and students. Therefore, EC cessation intervention strategies and policies should target these high-prevalence
groups
3.Prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users among Malaysian current and ex-smokers
Ho Bee Kiau ; Mohamad Haniki b. Nik Mohamed ; Jamalludin Ab Rahman ; Samsul Draman ; Mira Kartiwi ; Syafinaz Ab Rahman ; Noor Zurani Md Haris Robson ; Caryn Mei Hsien Chan ; Lim Kuang Hock ; Nizam bin Baharom ; Norliana Ismail ; Tee Guat Hiong ; Jane Ling Miaw Yn ; Lei-Hum Wee
Malaysian Family Physician 2019;14(2):10-17
Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are new devices that have been accepted widely by both
smokers and non-smokers. However, the evidence on EC used in Malaysia is scarce. The objective of thisstudy was to determine the prevalence of EC use and the socio-demographic and smoking characteristicsassociated with current EC use among Malaysian current and ex-smokers.
Methods: This was a sub-analysis of data from a cross-sectional, national-population- based EC study
conducted from May to June in 2016 in Malaysia. A detailed description of the sampling methods can
be found in the National E-cigarette Survey (NECS) 2016 report. Briefly, data were obtained from 1396
individuals who had ever been smokers, i.e., 957 (68.6%) current smokers and 439 (31.4%) ex-smokers.
Results: Current EC use was found predominantly among current smokers (8.0%) as compared with
ex-smokers (4.3%). Among current smokers, the main reasons given for smoking ECs were wanting to
try it (44.7%), followed by intention to quit tobacco smoking (15.8%) and to reduce tobacco smoking
(10.5%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that among current smokers, current EC
users were more likely to be younger, i.e., 18-44 years (aOR= 4.83, 95% CI= 1.97-11.86, p=0.001),
urban residents (aOR= 1.89, 95% CI= 1.15-3.11, p=0.012), single/ divorced/ widowed (aOR= 2.11,
95% CI= 1.24-3.61, p=0.006) and students (aOR= 2.25, 95% CI= 1.01-5.01, p=0.048). Among exsmokers, only younger respondents (18-44 years old) was reported as being more likely to be current EC users (aOR= 3.81, 95% CI= 1.14-12.76, p=0.030).
Conclusion: This study showed that currently using and ever having used ECs were more prevalent
among current smokers. The reasons given for initiating EC use among current smokers were mainly
wanting to try it, followed by intention to quit and to reduce tobacco smoking. Current EC use appears
to be common among current smokers who are younger, urban residents, single/divorced/widowed and students. Therefore, EC cessation intervention strategies and policies should target these high-prevalence
groups
4.Intervensi Kesihatan Di Tempat Kerja Bagi Aktiviti Fizikal Dan Atau Nutrisi Di Negara-Negara Berpendapatan Rendah Dan Sederhana: Satu Ulasan Sistematik Workplace Health Intervention For Physical Activity And Or Nutrition In Middle Income And Low Income Countries : A Systematic Review
NADIA ATIQAH MOHAMAD NOR ; WEE LEI HUM ; CARYN MEI HSIEN CHAN
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2021;19(No.2):1-13
A systematic review was conducted to summarize health intervention program that aimed to increase physical activity
and/or nutrition among middle income and low income countries employees from January 2008 until December 2019.
The objective of this review is to identify the types of health intervention and its effects on increasing physical activities
and nutrition at the workplace. A systematic search of the following databases was conducted: Scopus, PubMed and
Web of Science following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta Analysis (PRISMA) guideline.
A modified McMaster critical appraisal tool for quantitative studies was used to assess the methodological quality of
the included studies. Given the heterogeneity of the included studies, a descriptive synthesis was conducted. Out of 6940
studies, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria range from health education, environmental change and behavioural
change of healthy lifestyle. Based on a heterogeneous evidence base it can be surmised that workplace health
interventions may have a positive impact on the health and behaviour of the employees. Current evidence however lacks
clarity and uniformity in terms of intervention parameters and measurement outcomes, which limits broader application
of these results. In conclusion, workplace health intervention is potential for increasing physical activity and improving
the nutritional status of employees. Recommendation with regard to effectiveness however cannot be made. It is hoped
that findings from this review may inform and guide future policies and practices regarding workplace health promotion.