3.A Case Control Study on Risk Factors Associated with Drug Addiction amongst Malaysian Males
Azhar Md Zain ; Sanjay Rampal ; Lekhraj Rampal
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2007;3(2):17-27
Objectives: Drug addiction poses a significant threat to the health, social and economic fabric of families, communities and nations. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with drug addiction amongst Malaysian males. Methods: A population-based case control study was carried out in Johor state. Cases were defined as confirmed male drug dependents aged 15 and above. Controls were defined as those aged 15 and above who had never used illegal drugs in their lifetime. A total of 1016 cases were selected at random from a list obtained from the state anti-drug agency and 1106 controls were sampled from a population-based sampling frame. After obtaining verbal consent, they were interviewed by trained graduates. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using StataV8.2. The final model was adjusted for smoking, age, alcohol consumption, importance of religion, ethnicity, education level and self-esteem. Results: The final model had good fit (p>0.05) and good discrimination (AUC=0.94). Compared with those aged 15-19 years, the highest risk was amongst the 20-29 years age group (adjusted OR(aOR) 7.2; 95%CI=3.8,13.7) followed by the 30-39 year age group (aOR 5.4; 95%CI=2.9, 10.2) and 40-49 year age groups (aOR 5.0;95%CI=2.6,9.8). Being an ever-smoker was highly associated with drug addiction (aOR 98.7; 95%CI=28.7, 339.5). Compared with the Chinese, Malays (aOR 7.4;95%CI=4.9,11.2) and Indians (aOR 3.8;95%CI=2.1,7.0) had a higher risk of drug addiction. Drug addiction was associated with disagreeing "that religion is important as guidance in their life" (aOR 16.2;95%CI=8.3,31.9), and a histor of alcohol consumption (aOR 7.6; 95%CI=5.6,10.4). Conclusion: In conclusion the important risk factors associated with drug addiction is smoking, ethnicity, age, education level, alcohol consumption and not giving importance to religion as guidance in their life.However an increased self-esteem (aOR 0.6;95%CI=0.4,0.5) is protective against drug addiction.
4.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
Lekhraj Rampal ; Liew Boon Seng
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(2):95-97
The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (caused by
the virus SARS-CoV-2) is the greatest threat not only to global
health but also has far reaching socio economic impact on
nearly all the countries in the world. The first 4 cases of
COVID-19 was first reported on the 29th December 2019, all
linked to Huanan (Southern China) seafood wholesale
market.
1,2 On the 31st December 2019, the World Health
Organization (WHO) China Country Office was informed of
a pneumonia of unknown cause, detected in the city of
Wuhan in the Hubei province, China
5.Knee Pain and Functional Disability of Knee Osteoarthritis Patients Seen at Malaysian Government Hospitals
Chai Nien Foo ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Munn-Sann Lye
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2017;13(2):7-15
Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the main cause of knee pain. It also affects individual’s physical functioning.
Anti- inflammatory drugs and knee replacement are the mainstay methods in the management of knee OA in Malaysia.
However, patients with knee OA often suffer pain. The general objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness
of a cognitive behavioural intervention module on knee pain, functional disability and psychological outcomes
among knee OA patients attending Orthopedics Clinics in Hospital Putrajaya and Hospital Serdang, Malaysia. This
study aims to determine the baseline level of knee pain and functional disability among knee OA patients. Methods:
Baseline results on the knee pain and functional disability were obtained from a two arm parallel- group randomized
controlled study. Three hundred patients aged 35 to 75 years diagnosed with knee OA were recruited. A set of pre
tested and validated Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire was used in this study.
Results: Mean baseline of KOOS pain was 56.09 (SD=21.75) and 52.26 (SD=22.08) for the intervention and control
groups respectively. Participants in the intervention and control groups had a mean KOOS function in daily living of
61.11 (SD=21.20) and 56.72 (SD=22.13) respectively. Overall mean baseline of KOOS function in sport and recreation
was 35.30 (SD=27.38). Conclusions: Majority of participants had moderate level of knee pain and functional
disability in daily living. However, participants had more extreme symptoms of functional disability in sport and
recreation. Therefore, interventions to reduce knee pain and functional disability symptoms in knee OA are needed.
6.Prevalence and predictors of pediculosis capitis among primary school children in Hulu Langat, Selangor
Nor Faiza Mohd Tohit ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Lye Mun-Sann
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(1):12-17
Introduction: Pediculosis capitis infestation is endemic in
both developing and developed countries leading to various
physical, economical and psychological consequences. Our
main objective was to determine the prevalence and
predictors of pediculosis capitis among primary school
children in Hulu Langat District, Malaysia.
Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study using cluster
random sampling method was carried out in Hulu Langat
District, Malaysia. Self-administered pretested
questionnaires were used to collect the data. Hair and scalp
examination was also carried out. Multivariate logistic
regression was used to control for potential confounding
and determine the predictors.
Results: The overall mean age of the 1,336 respondents was
9.3 years. Majority were males (52.8%), Malays (79.5%) and
81.3% of the fathers had secondary or tertiary education as
compared to 77.3% for the mothers. The overall prevalence
of pediculosis capitis was 15.3%. The prevalence of
pediculosis was significantly higher among females (28.4%)
than males (3.7%, p=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression
analysis showed that age 10 years or more (Odds Ratio (OR)
= 2.34, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.673 to 3.272), female
gender (OR = 10.26, 95% CI = 6.620 to 15.903), history of
contact with an infested person (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.506 to
2.960), Indian compared to Chinese (OR = 3.55, 95% CI =
1.282 to 9.860), Malay to Chinese (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = .994
to 6.774) were associated with pediculosis capitis.
Conclusions: Prevalence of pediculosis capitis among
children aged 7 - 12 years in Hulu Langat District was high.
There is a need for screening and treatment of pediculosis
capitis in primary schools.
Lice Infestations
7.COVID-19 Pandemic update
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(3):195-198
The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a health crisis that is
unprecedented. The global and local status of COVID-19
outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation. When the pandemic
erupted even the super powers and high-income countries
struggled on how to tackle the crisis in their own countries.
They were all startled with the sudden turn of events and no
country was prepared for this catastrophic event that has
posed the world with new challenges, not only, for the
governments and healthcare workers but also humanity. This
editorial addresses issues as of first of May 2020.
8.Prevalence of Job stress and its Associated Factors among Universiti Putra Malaysia Staff
Okonkwo Mukosolu ; Faisal Ibrahim ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Normala Ibrahim
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2015;11(1):27-38
Introduction: Stress in the work place is a global major risk factor to worker’s health, which triggers
the workers to be poorly motivated and less productive. Objectives: The objective of the study was to
determine the prevalence of job stress and its associated factors among Universiti Putra Malaysia staff.
Methods: This is a cross sectional study involving 511 academic and non-academic staff of Universiti
Putra Malaysia in Serdang. Probability proportionate to size was used for calculating the required sample
size. Results: The overall prevalence of stress was 21.7% (21.0% among male and 23.0% among
female). The variables found to be significantly associated with stress were: Job demand, coworker
support, depression, anxiety, focus and venting of emotion and self-blame (p<0.05). The findings
revealed that UPM staffs are exposed to a range of specific stressors such as work stressor: job demand,
lack of social support such as co-worker support and supervisor support, psychological stressors such as
depression and anxiety, coping such as focus and venting of emotion and self-blame. Work stressor such
as job demand was the main predictor of stress (p value = 0.001). Conclusion: The overall prevalence
of job stress was 21.7%. The predictors job stress were job demand, lack of support from co-worker and
supervisor, depression, anxiety and use of avoidance focused coping.
Quality of Life
;
Stress, Physiological
9.Prevalence and Predictors of Suicidality Among Medical Students in A Public University
Tan Siew Tin ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Normala Ibrahim
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(1):1-5
Background: Undergraduate medical students have been
the most distressed group among the student population.
Depression and anxiety have been found to be more
prevalent in this group of students compared to others.
Objective: This study was conducted to determine the
prevalence and predictors of suicidality among
undergraduate medical students in a public university.
Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study,
conducted in a public university in Selangor, Malaysia. Data
were collected using self-administered questionnaires from
January to February 2013, and analysed using the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences Software (version 21).
Results: Out of 625 undergraduate medical students, 537
(85.9%) participated in the study. The prevalence of the
suicidality among undergraduate medical students was
7.0%. The significant predictors of suicidality based on
multiple logistic regression were the respondent’s lifetime
suicide attempts (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 10.4, 95% CI 2.7
to 40.9); depression (AOR 5.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 23.0); breaking
off a steady love relationship (AOR 5.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 22.4);
hopelessness (AOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 21.6); and something
valued being lost or stolen (AOR 4.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 15.9).
Conclusion: These findings indicate that mental health care
services should be strengthened at university level. The
results show a need for an intervention programme to
reduce suicidality among the undergraduate medical
students.
Students, Medical
;
Depression
10.A National Study on the Prevalence and Factors Associated with Smoking Amongst Malaysians Aged 18 Years and Above
Lekhraj Rampal ; Sanjay Rampal ; MZ Azhar ; MS Sherina ; T Mohamad ; R Ramlee ; J Ahmad
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2008;4(2):41-53
Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Malaysia with the objectives of determining the prevalence of smoking in Malaysia, reasons for starting to smoke, age first started to smoke, duration of smoking and to determine the relationship between smoking and age, sex,race, education level, peer influence and parental smoking status. Methods:All residents aged 18 years and above from selected households were included in this study. A standardised pre-tested structured questionnaire was used in this study. Results: The results showed that the overall mean age of the 17.246 respondents was 38.8 (95% CI=38.5-39.2) years with a range of 18-100 years. The majority were Malays (55.5%) followed by Chinese (21.2%) and Indians (11.2%). The age , sex and ethnicity adjusted prevalence of ever and current smokers were 32.0% and 24.9% respectively. The prevalence of ever and current smokers for males was 59.3% and 47.2% respectively. For the females,the prevalence of ever and current smokers was 4.8% and 2.7% respectively. The highest ethnicity adjusted prevalence of current smokers was in Malays (28.9%) followed by the Chinese (18.7%). The lowest prevalence was amongst the Indians (16.8%). The highest prevalence of current smokers was found in Kelantan (30.2%), Terengganu (29.7%), Pahang (28.7%) and Kedah (26.9%); the lowest prevalence was in Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory (20.4%). The overall mean initiation age of current smokers was 19.2 years (95% CI=19.1. 19.4 years). The mean initiation age of male current smokers was significantly lower (18.9 years) compared to female current smokers(24.1 years). The mean duartion of smoking amongst the current smokers was 18.6 years .Males smoked significantly more cigarettes than the females (p<0.001). Discussion: Multivirate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was significantly associated with age, sex, ethnicity, educational level and peer and family influence.