1.Internet Addiction and Its Associated Factors among School-going Adolescents in Malaysia
Muhd Hafizuddin Taufik Ramli ; Muhammad Solihin Rezali ; Nik Adilah Shahein ; Norhafizah Sahril ; Chan Ying Ying ; Nor&rsquo ; Ain Ab Wahab ; Mohd Shaiful Azlan Kassim
International Journal of Public Health Research 2021;11(2):1466-1473
Introduction:
Internet usage has changed the way adolescents socialize. This study aims to
determine the determinants of internet addiction among school-going adolescents
in Malaysia.
Methods:
This study was a cross-sectional study involving 27,455 school-going adolescents
from 212 selected schools in Malaysia, as part of the 2017 National Health and
Morbidity Survey that implemented a two-stage stratified cluster sampling design.
Data collection via a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from March
till May 2017.
Results:
Overall, 8,049 (29.0%) school-going adolescents had internet addiction. Internet
addiction was positively associated with male (odds ratio, OR [95% confidence
interval, CI] = 1.20 [1.08,1.34]) compared to female, Chinese ethnicity (1.67
[1.12,2.48]) compared to other ethnicity, feeling loneliness (1.37 [1.20,1.57])
compared to never feel lonely, unable to sleep due to worrying of something (1.40
[1.17,1.67]) compared to able to sleep, insufficient parental supervision (1.30
[1.14,1.48]) compared to sufficient parental supervision, depression (1.67
[1.48,1.89]) compared to no depression, anxiety (2.12 [1.95,2.30]) compared to
no anxiety and stress (2.26 [1.96,2.61]) compared to no stress. The odds of having
internet addiction increase from Form 2 (1.51 [1.28,1.78]), Form 3 (2.37
[2.01,2.80]), Form 4 (2.60 [1.76,3.85]) to Form 5 adolescents (2.96 [1.98,4.41])
compared to Form 1 adolescents.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that being a male, of Chinese ethnicity, higher form level,
feeling loneliness, unable to sleep due to worrying of something, insufficient
parental supervision, depression, anxiety and stress were positively associated
with internet addiction among school-going adolescents.
2.Physical Inactivity and Its Associated Factors among Adults in Malaysia: Findings from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019
Nazirah Alias ; Chan Ying Ying ; Lim Kuang Kuay ; Ahzairin Ahmad ; Halizah Mat Rifin ; Nik Adilah Shahein ; Azli Baharudin
International Journal of Public Health Research 2022;12(no.1):1536-1545
Introduction:
Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for worldwide mortality with major implications towards general health. Monitoring the level of physical inactivity may reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors. This study aims to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and its associated factors among adults aged 18 years and above in Malaysia.
Methodology:
Data was obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019. It was a cross-sectional, population-based survey which employed two- stage stratified random sampling design. A total of 10,356 out of 10,472 respondents were interviewed using a short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
Results:
Overall, the prevalence of physical inactivity among adults aged 18 years and above in Malaysia was 24.6% (95% CI: 23.2, 26.1). Results from multivariable logistic model showed that Chinese ethnicity (aOR 1.32; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.67), urban dwellers (aOR 1.30; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.57), those who were single (including widow, widower and divorcee) (aOR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.61), students (aOR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.30, 3.40), higher household income earners (aOR 1.34; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.68) and those with hypercholesterolaemia (aOR 1.25; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.51) were significantly more likely to be physically inactive.
Conclusion
Specific and appropriate intervention towards targeted group is in crucial need to increase the level of physical activity and to promote an active living towards an active and healthy Malaysia.
3.Anxiety and Its Associated Factors among School-going Adolescents in Malaysia
Muhd Hafizuddin Taufik Ramli ; Muhammad Solihin Rezali ; Nik Adilah Shahein ; Norhafizah Sahril ; Chan Ying Ying ; Nor Ain Ab Wahab
International Journal of Public Health Research 2022;12(no.2):1608-1616
Introduction:
Many mental health disorders have onset during adolescence. To date, the data on the correlates of anxiety is still lacking. Therefore, this study is crucial to determine the factors associated with anxiety among school-going adolescents in Malaysia.
Methodology:
This study was based on 26,892 school-going adolescents from 212 selected schools in Malaysia. Anxiety was measured using Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Associations between anxiety, sociodemographic characteristics and variables of interest were examined using multivariable logistic regression.
Results:
Overall, 10,540 (39.7%) school-going adolescents had anxiety. Anxiety was positively associated with female (odds ratio, OR [95% confidence interval, CI] = 1.30 [1.19,1.42]) compared to male counterpart, feeling loneliness (1.78 [1.54,2.05]) compared to not lonely, unable to sleep due to worry of something (1.79 [1.56,2.05]) compared to able to sleep, being bullied (1.66 [1.48,1.87]) compared to not being bullied, physical abuse (1.33 [1.18,1.49]) compared to no physical abuse, verbal abuse (1.47 [1.35,1.59]) compared to no verbal abuse, current drinker (1.23 [1.06,1.43]) compared to not current drinker, current drug use (1.84 [1.43,2.35]) compared to not current drug use, ever had sex (1.17 [1.01,1.36]) compared to never had sex, physically inactive (1.16 [1.06,1.26]) compared to physically active and internet addiction (2.59 [2.37,2.83]) compared to no internet addiction. Chinese ethnic (0.68 [0.50,0.93]) compared to other ethnic, and Form 2 (0.78 [0.69,0.89]) and Form 3 (0.73 [0.65,0.82]) students compared to Form 1 students, were protective of anxiety.
Conclusion
Prevention and intervention programs for these “at-risk†adolescents should be planned holistically towards reducing the risk factors.