1.Development, Validity and Reproducibility of a Food Frequency Questionnaire in Pregnancy for the Universiti Sains Malaysia Birth Cohort Study
Loy SL ; Marhazlina M ; Nor Azwany Y ; Hamid Jan JM
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2011;17(1):1-18
Introduction: This study aimed to develop and examine the validity and
reproducibility of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among
Malay pregnant women in Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods: A total of 177 Malay
pregnant women participated in the validation study while 85 of them
participated in the reproducibility study which was carried out in the antenatal
clinic of Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital. The newly developed FFQ was
validated against two 24-hour dietary recalls (DR). The FFQ was repeated 20 to
28 days apart. Results: Results showed that the FFQ moderately over estimated
the nutrient and food intakes compared to the DR. Spearman correlation
coefficients for nutrients ranged from 0.24 (fat) to 0.61 (calcium) and for foods,
ranged from 0.13 (organ meats, onion and garlic) to 0.57 (malt drink). For
nutrients, 72 to 85% of women were classified into the correct quartiles from the
FFQ and the DR while for foods, 67 to 85% of women were classified correctly.
Bland-Altman plot showed relatively good agreement between these two dietary
methods. The intra-class correlation (ICC) was used to estimate reproducibility.
It ranged from 0.75 (vitamin C) to 0.94 (phosphorus) for nutrients while it ranged
from 0.73 (confectionary) to 0.96 (coffee) for foods. Conclusion: On average, at
least 90% of pregnant women were correctly classified into the quartiles for
nutrients and foods from the two sets of the FFQ. The FFQ presented acceptable
reproducibility and appears to be a valid tool for categorising pregnant women
according to dietary intake.
2.Knowledge of and attitudes towards of menstrual disorders adults in north-eastern state of Peninsular Malaysia
Nor Asyikin Y ; Nani D ; Nor Azwany Y ; Shamsul Kamal A ; Imran A ; Shaiful Bahari I ; Rosediani M.
Malaysian Family Physician 2015;10(3):2-10
Introduction: In Malaysia, the prevalence of menstrual disorders among adolescents and young
adults is high. However, most of them are not aware of the signs and symptoms of menstrual
disorders in terms of medical issue as well as Islamic ruling. Awareness of the menstrual disorder
symptoms is important so that early and appropriate treatment can be given.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to compare the knowledge and attitude of premarital
men and women on menstrual disorders.
Methods: This was a comparative cross sectional study conducted in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Selfadministered
questionnaires were given for data collection. The questionnaires consisted of 3 parts
that required information on the women’s and men’s socio-demographic data, women’s menstrual
history and information in knowledge and attitude of men and women on menstrual disorders.
Results: A total of 460 respondents were involved in this study with a response rate of 93.5%. The
prevalence of good knowledge was higher among women compared to men with 73.2% and 26.8%,
respectively. There was a significant difference on knowledge and attitude on menstrual disorders
between premarital men and women.