Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the most frequent sub-cortical degenerative disease, characterized by universal progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement.Methodology This cross sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of PD among elderly attending the neurology clinic in Serdang Hospital. A total of 150 records of patients attended the clinic from January to December were randomly selected. Data was collected using a proforma form seeking information related to age, gender, race, locality, and presence of comorbidity particularly diabetes mellitus.Result The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (IBM SPSS) version 22.0. The prevalence of PD among the elderly involved in the study was 34%. Majority of the respondents were aged 60 to 70 years old (54.7%), male (53.3%), Chinese (56.7%), from urban locality (93.0%) and were not diabetic (69.3%). The inferential statistics showed no significant association between all the factors with PD. However, the associations between age and diabetes mellitus with PD were almost significant with p values of 0.07 and 0.08 respectively.Conclusion Overall, the prevalence of PD among elderly who attended the neurology clinic in year 2016 was less than half with none of the factors under study were significantly associated with PD. However with bigger sample size, possible significant association may be obtained between age and diabetes mellitus.

In July 2010 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Niigata University (NU) signed a memorandum of agreement to continue collaboration in joint planning and implementation of education, research and practice services in the field of medicine. Since then several undergraduate and postgraduate students including academic staffs have been visiting NU and UKM as part of their learning experience. This collaboration is also a good opportunity for Doctor of Public Health (DRPH) postgraduate candidates to gain experience on the practice of public health in handling public health issues, planning the healthcare facilities, delivering a quality public health services, enforcing public health policies/regulations and finally learn about the health systems in general at other countries especially from developed country like Japan. The learning experience will help student to evaluate the difference of practice of public health in different countries based on their culture, availability of resources, disease trend and other factors influence the practice of public health.
Delivery of Health Care ; ethnology ; Public Health ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Japan

Postpartum depression is a depressive episode that can start at any point during the first year after childbirth. There are several tools that can be used for PPD screening. The need to define a predictive tool that is clinically useful and has acceptable sensitivity and sensitivity is important especially to be used in the primary care setting. This systematic review investigates the evidence of the sensitivity and specificity of screening tools used for PPD screening. The Standard for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracies (STARD) guidelines were used to conduct the review as a basis for our methodology. PubMed, ScienceDirect and Springerlink databases between 2007 until 2017 were comprehensively searched EPDS and BDI instrument has sensitivity of more than 80% but findings for specificity was inconclusive. The heterogeneity across studies could be the result of methodological differences in validation of the instruments. In addition, these studies were conducted across continents and settings with different cultures, languages and resources. We have identified 5 different instruments used to screen for postpartum depression. The EPDS was the most validated instrument in the review and we found that EPDS and BDI have higher accuracy to screen postpartum depression because the sensitivity reported were more than 80%.

Abstract Introduction: Mental problems have become increasingly important public health issue globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students in a public university in Malaysia. Methods: A total of 447 medical students were sampled by stratified proportionate to size sampling according to year of study. Validated self-administered questionnaire was used consisted of 5 sections namely, socio-demographic factors, social support received from family members and friends, presence of co-morbidity, previous history of resolved mental problem and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS- 21. Data was analysed by using the statistical computer software ‘Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)’ version 22 involving three levels of analysis (descriptive, chi square and multiple logistic regression). Results: Only 31.1% of the respondents were found to be depressed with mainly within the moderately depressed category, 53.9% had anxiety and 26% were having stress. Perceived social support received from family members was a significant predicting factor for depression, anxiety and stress. Conclusion: High proportion of depression, anxiety and level of stress among medical students were found. The stressful medical program is putting medical students at risk of mental problems. Parents and family members should be encouraged to be more involved in any related programs to promote better mental health and well-being of medical students.

Prisoner tend to be marginalized and deprived that it burdens them with psychological trauma, predominantly depression. This review will identify the determinants of depression among adult inmates. Literatures published from 2012 to March 2017 were searched from various databases. Inclusion criteria were English full text, adults with a diagnosis of depression while exclusion criteria were diagnostic instruments, clinical or drug trials. The review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement reporting. A total of 168 studies were identified although only 14 studies were eligible for final review. Factors associated with inmates’ depression range from the potentially modifiable to non-modifiable. Recognized modifiable factors were psychological, family support, and environment while non-modifiable were biological, demographic, individual, and social. Determinants identified should be addressed in formulation of better targeting therapy, in terms of both prevention and treatment of depression among inmates.

Abstract Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during their pregnancy have a greater risk of developing overt diabetes mellitus and dysglycemia (prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose) later in future, compared to mothers with normal pregnancy. Postpartum screening is crucial for early identification of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in women with GDM. Nevertheless, despite various strategies, its rate remains low. A systematic review using databases of PubMed/Medline, Science Direct and CINAHL from 2008 to 2018, was conducted to identify the factors influencing the attendance of postpartum diabetes screening. Open access English articles, focusing on observational studies were reviewed. Primary screening of titles and abstracts of 91 articles were done, secondary screening of 31 articles resulted in 6 articles, included in this manuscript. Various factors identified to be associated with the attendance to postpartum diabetes screening, which are age, education, ethnicity, some obstetric factors like multiparty, and history of insulin usage previously. Many women fail to be screened for diabetes during the postpartum period, and this delays T2DM diagnosis, which in turn gives rise to various complications. Further research that considers these factors is necessary for developing interventions to improve postpartum T2DM screening for mothers with GDM during their pregnancy

Introduction: Despite remarkable improvement in maternal health, anaemia during pregnancy remains a significant public health threat to Malaysian women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and associated factors of anaemia in pregnancy among pregnant mothers in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Methods: A total of 482 pregnant mothers were recruited using cluster sampling. Data were collected using a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire consisting of four sections, namely socio-demographic and socioeconomic details, obstetric history, nutritional factors, and iron supplementation status. In this study, anaemia in pregnancy was defined as haemoglobin (Hb) <11.0 g/dL, which was based on blood test taken during the first trimester. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictive model for anaemia during pregnancy among the respondents. Results: The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy among the respondents was 22.0%, with 95.3% respondents mildly anaemic. Respondents with an intake of iron supplementation of once daily (AOR=0.191, 95% CI: 0.074- 0.914), more than once daily (AOR=0.149, 95%CI: 0.091-0.248), and low intake of seafood (AOR=0.320, 95% CI: 0.187-0.526) were less likely to develop anaemia during pregnancy. Conclusion: The findings revealed moderate level of anaemia in pregnancy, which was dominated by those in the mild category, with increased risk predicted among young mothers. Iron supplementation (once daily or more) and low intake of seafood protected mothers from developing anaemia during pregnancy.

Introduction: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a common disabling condition among older adults with the majority, remain undertreated. This study aimed to determine the uptake of non-pharmacological treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain among older adults and the associated factors. Methods: A stratified sampling proportionate to size with individual clinics as the strata were used to recruit 276 respondents from six public health clinics in Petaling district, one of the most aged districts in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Based on the proportion calculated, eligible older adults were selected by systematic random sampling from the registration list. Data was collected using a pre-tested and validated questionnaire through a face-to-face interview with respondents. The questionnaire comprised of seven sections, namely, socio-demographic, comorbidity, depression, pain severity, treatment options, attitude towards chronic pain and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Inferential analysis was conducted using ChiSquare (X2) and Fisher’s Exact Tests. The P value of < 0.05 regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 242 (87.7%) of the respondents had chronic musculoskeletal pain, in which 235 (85.1%) were treated with non-pharmacological treatments. The commonly used non-pharmacological treatments were exercise (67.8%), biological-based therapies (40.9%) and massage (33.7%). The uptake of non-pharmacological treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain among older adults was significantly associated with the presence of diabetes. Conclusion: The findings revealed the remarkably high uptake of non-pharmacological treatment among older adults who experienced chronic musculoskeletal pain which was significantly associated with diabetes and the presence of other diseases like high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, back pain and rheumatic arthritis.

Introduction: Population ageing brings along various crucial implications, with working beyond retirement age is one of the economics implications of ageing. Realizing the increasing demand and concern to accommodate older adults into the workforce, this review was conducted to develop better understanding on the factors associated with post-retirement employment among older adults aged 50 years and older. Methods: Using Scopus, ScienceDirect and PubMed databases, related articles between January 2017 and June 2021 were thoroughly searched using combination of keywords and screened according to the predetermined eligibility criteria. Post-retirement employment was defined as employment of older adults aged 50 years old and above beyond retirement age or re-employment of retired older adults, either from compulsory or voluntary retirement. All observational, qualitative, mixed methods and experimental studies were included in the screening process. The Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT) was used to assess the quality of included articles. Results: A total of 12 articles included for review, with seven articles rated as high-quality. The review had successfully identified 10 factors associated with working beyond retirement age among older adults. Having good health status and being male gender were the commonest factors influencing the decision to work beyond retirement age, followed by level of education, financial commitment/ reasons, and work characteristics. Conclusion: The findings of this review provide a crucial insight and foundation towards addressing the unique needs of older workers in the employment policy.

Introduction: Premarital sexual behaviour remains an important sexual and reproductive health issue among adolescents in Malaysia. It is also a prohibited act and considered sinful among the Muslims community. This study aimed to identify the determinants of premarital sexual behaviour among the late adolescents age group in Pahang, Malaysia. Methods: An observational study was conducted among eligible late adolescents, which were recruited using probability sampling method. Only those aged 18 to19 years old, and previously attended the public secondary schools in Malaysia were included, with non-Malaysian, married and those who were absent during the data collection day were excluded. Data was collected using a valid and reliable set of questionnaires measuring the personal (demographic profile, knowledge and attitude), behavioural (premarital sexual behaviour and high-risk activities) and environmental (subjective norms and perceived parental communication) factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants of premarital sexual behaviour. Results: A total of 390 adolescents aged 18 and 19 years old participated in this study, with 82.3% of respondents reported never had premarital sexual behaviour. Multiple logistic regression showed that the male and engagement in high-risk activities had higher odds in premarital sexual behaviour respectively (AOR =11.649, 95% CI: 3.615,37.536, p <0.001; AOR=19.224, 95% CI: 7.820,47.262, p <0.001). Conclusion: Male gender and engagement in high-risk activities remained important risk factors towards the ongoing concern related to premarital sexual behaviour among adolescents in Malaysia. Failure to address this issue should be explored and improve accordingly.