1.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
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.Cessation of E-Cigarette Use Among Adults in Malaysia: Findings from a Nationwide Survey
Muhammad Fadhli Mohd Yusoff ; Jane Ling Miaw Yn ; Thamil Arasu Saminathan ; Jamaluddin Ab Rahman ; Wan Shakira Rodzlan Hasani ; Tania Gayle Robert Lourdes ; Lim Kuang Hock ; Sumarni Mohd Ghazali ; Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamed
International Journal of Public Health Research 2022;12(no.1):1564-1570
Introduction:
The use of e-cigarettes has increased rapidly around the world including in Malaysia. However, a significant proportion of people who started using e-cigarettes later discontinued using them. The aim of this study is to identify prevalence of former e-cigarette use and factors associated with quitting, among Malaysian adults.
Methods:
This study is a part of a national household survey examining the use of e-cigarettes among Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above in 2016. A multistage stratified cluster sampling method was used in the survey. A bilingual (Malay and English) structured questionnaire was used and data was collected via face-to-face interview. Prevalence of current e-cigarette use and former e-cigarette use were determined. A multiple logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with quitting e-cigarettes.
Results:
A total of 4,288 adults participated in the survey, where 110 (3.2%) and 289 (8.6%) were identified as current and former e-cigarette users respectively. The following factors were significantly associated with quitting e-cigarette use: e-cigarette users who had no exposure to e-cigarettes at the workplace (aOR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.39, 5.24); the perception that e-cigarette is more harmful to others compared to tobacco smoke (aOR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.22, 4.97); and the perception that e-cigarettes do not help people to maintain cigarette abstinence (aOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.92).
Conclusions
This study contributes to a better understanding of the factors associated with cessation of e-cigarettes. Findings from this study can assist any e-cigarette cessation intervention measures.
4.Comorbidities and clinical features related to severe outcomes among COVID-19 cases in Selangor, Malaysia
Wan Shakira Rodzlan Hasani ; Shubash Shander Ganapathy ; Chong Zhuo Lin ; Halizah Mat Rifin ; Mohammad Nazaruddin Bahari ; Muhammad Haikal Ghazali ; Noor Aliza Lodz ; Muhammad Hafizuddin Taufik Ramli ; Nur Liana Ab Majid ; Jane Ling Miaw Yn ; Muhammad Fadhli Mohd Yusoff ; Noor Ani Ahmad ; Anita Suleiman ; Ahmad Faudzi Yusoff ; Venugopalan Balan ; Sha&rsquo ; ari Ngadiman
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2021;12(1):46-52
Background: Pre-existing comorbidities can predict severe disease requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission among COVID-19 cases. We compared comorbidities, clinical features and other predictive factors between COVID-19 patients requiring ICU admission for intubation/mechanical ventilation and all other COVID-19 cases in Selangor, Malaysia.
Methods: Field data collected during the COVID-19 outbreak in Selangor, Malaysia, up to 13 April 2020 were used, comprising socio-demographic characteristics, comorbidities and presenting symptoms of COVID-19 cases. ICU admission was determined from medical records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with ICU admission requiring intubation/mechanical ventilation among COVID-19 cases.
Results: A total of 1287 COVID-19-positive cases were included for analysis. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (15.5%) and diabetes (11.0%). More than one third of cases presented with fever (43.8%) or cough (37.1%). Of the 25 cases that required intubation/mechanical ventilation, 68.0% had hypertension, 88.0% had fever, 40.0% had dyspnoea and 44.0% were lethargic. Multivariate regression showed that cases that required intubation/mechanical ventilation had significantly higher odds of being older (aged 360 years) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.9] and having hypertension (aOR = 5.7), fever (aOR = 9.8), dyspnoea (aOR = 9.6) or lethargy (aOR = 7.9) than cases that did not require intubation/mechanical ventilation.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 cases in Selangor, Malaysia requiring intubation/mechanical ventilation were significantly older, with a higher proportion of hypertension and symptoms of fever, dyspnoea and lethargy. These risk factors have been reported previously for severe COVID-19 cases, and highlight the role that ageing and underlying comorbidities play in severe outcomes to respiratory disease.
5.Training is an Important Factor for Community Health Workers in Performing KOSPEN Health Screening Activities in Malaysia: Community Health Workers (KOSPEN) 2016
Tania Gayle Robert Lourdes ; Wan Shakira Rodzlan Hasani ; Muhammad Fadhli Mohd Yusoff ; Hamizatul Akmal Abd Hamid ; Halizah Mat Rifin ; Hasimah Ismail ; Thamil Arasu Saminathan ; Jane Ling Miaw Yn ; Nur Liana Ab Majid ; Mohd Ruhaizie Riyadzi ; Ahzairin Ahmad ; Rosnah Ramly
International Journal of Public Health Research 2021;11(2):1439-1447
Introduction:
Community health workers/volunteers (CHW) are health workers who are trained but do not possess a formal professional certificate. They are members of the community who live and work in that particular community. This study aimed to determine factors associated with not performing health screening
activities by volunteers under KOSPEN; a community-based intervention programme, initiated by Ministry of Health Malaysia in October 2013.
Methods:
Data from the “Evaluation of the implementation of KOSPEN programme in Malaysia 2016” was used,a cross-sectional study which was carried out in randomly selected KOSPEN localities throughout Malaysia. The response rate was 94.9%. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics andlogistic regression analysis was applied using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results:
700 volunteers were included in this study. Majority were female (65.7%), aged 50-59 years (30.9%), had secondary education (65.3%), employed (55.7%.) and married (80.4%). Several issues were identified by the volunteers; funding (47.2%), module content and comprehensibility (11.4% respectively), submitting returns (17%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that volunteers who never attended training (aOR 2.79; 95% CI:1.66, 4.67) and who felt the content of the training module was inadequate (aOR 2.693; 95% CI: 1.46, 4.98) were more likely did not perform screening activities in the community.
Conclusion
Volunteers who were not trained and those who felt the content of the training module was inadequate did not carry out screening activities. These findings will be useful for stakeholders to make improvements to the programme for a more successful implementation.