1.The Relationship between Media Use and Body Mass Index among Secondary Students in Kuching South City, Sarawak, Malaysia
Whye Lian Cheah ; Ching Thon Chang ; Saimon Rosalia ; Lai Dekun Charles ; Sze Lin Yii ; Pik Hoong Tiong ; Kim Pey Yeap
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2011;18(3):33-42
Background: Overweight and obesity rates among adolescents have increased substantially
over the years. This study aimed to determine the body mass index (BMI) of students and parents
and the relationship among media use, BMI, socio-demographic profiles, and snacking behaviour
during television watching of secondary school students in Kuching South City.
Methods: In accordance with the two-stage sampling method, a total of 316 adolescents aged
13–17 years from 7 secondary schools participated. Data were collected using questionnaire and
anthropometric measurement. Independent t test, one-way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, and chisquare
test were performed.
Results: The mean BMI was 20.56 kg/m2 (SD 4.33) for boys and 20.15 kg/m2 (SD 3.91) for
girls. No significant difference in terms of z score for BMI-for-age or socio-demographic factors was
found. The mean duration of time devoted to media use was 4.69 hours (SD 2.93) on weekdays and
5.69 hours (SD 2.87) on weekends. Boys were found to spend more hours on media use than did the
girls (t = 4.293, P < 0.01). Respondents were reported to consume more cereal compared with soft
drinks and junk foods. Respondents whose fathers worked in the private sector devoted the fewest
hours to media use, whereas those with self-employed fathers devoted the most time to media use.
Respondents with mothers who were employed spent more time on media use than did respondents
whose mothers were housewives (F = 4.067, P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between
BMI and media time or snacking habits.
Conclusion: This finding indicated that media time has no effect on body weight, because
respondents were found to have normal weight and to consume less unhealthy food.
2.Factors predicting screen time related to physical and behavioural complaints in primary school children
Ting Siew Leng ; Rosalia Saimon ; MD Mizanur Rahman ; Rasitasam @Razitasham bt Safii ; Ho Siat Lian ; Nancy John ; Lim Lik Thai ; Nazirin Arsad
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(6):649-654
problems from extended usage of electronic devices areissues among primary school children. This study is aimedto investigate the prevalence of physical and behaviouralcomplaints arising from the electronic device usage and toidentify the potential factors that predicted the complaints.Methods: This was a primary school-based cross-sectionalstudy using multistage cluster sampling, conducted at Baudistrict in Sarawak, Malaysia in 40 primary schools. Aquestionnaire was used to collect information of usagepattern in insufficient lighting, timing and position. Thephysical and behavioural complaints were traced. Dataanalysis was performed using SPSS version 22. A p-value <0.05 with 95% CI was considered as statistically significant. Results: About 52.8% of the 569 students used digitaldevices in a bright room, 69.8% in the day time and 54.4% insitting position. The physical complaints were headache(32.9%), neck, shoulder and back pain (32.9%) followed by byeye strain (31.8%). Regarding behavioural problems, 25.7% ofthe students had loss of interest in study and outdooractivities (20.7%), skipped meals (19.0%) andarguments/disagreements with parents (17.9%). After logisticregression analysis, the lying position (OR=1.71, 95% CI:1.096, 2.688) and darkroom lighting (OR=2.323 95% CI: 1.138,4.744) appeared to be potential predictors of the complaint.Conclusion: One-quarter of the students studiedexperienced physical complaints, and one-fifth hadbehavioural problems associated with the use of electronicdevices. Lying position and darkroom lighting are thepotential predictors of complaints. Therefore, we suggestthat the children should use electronic devices in the sittingposition with adequate room lighting.
3.The Health and Wellness Benefits of Traditional Postnatal Practice (TPC) on Postnatal Mothers: A Systematic Review
Patricia Sator ; Rohani Mamat ; Syed Sharizman Syed Abdul Rahim ; Kim Geok-Chan ; Rosalia Saimon ; Sukhbeer Kaur A/P Darsin Singh ; Waidah Sawatan
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.6):286-294
Introduction: Postnatal is a transition process for the mother back to her non-pregnancy state and involves the changes in hormones level. During the postnatal period, many health issues need to be addressed for both mother and
newborn. One of the upsetting health issues for the mother due to the increasing trend is postnatal depression and
if it is not identified and treated early, it may cause further complicated problems not only to the mother but also to
the baby, family, and local community. With this issue, the Ministry of Health Malaysia has taken a few initiatives to
encourage the postnatal mother to also practice the non-medical approaches or traditional postnatal care (TPC) as a
self-care for the prevention of postnatal depression. Aim: To systematically identify and review studies examining the
influence of TPC on postnatal mothers. Design & Data Sources: A systematic search strategy on the research trend
for the period between the years 2013 to 2020 through the Scopus database, Science Direct, and PubMed database.
Methods: This review has identified 7 journal articles based on the preferred reporting items for the systematic reviews (PRISMA) framework. Results: There are many methods of TPC, such as traditional postnatal body massage,
herbal consumption, herbal bath, body steaming, and body wrapping based on own culture and beliefs. Besides the
TPC preparation and techniques, some studies also describe the effects of TPC on a mother’s health and wellness.
Conclusion: TPC shows encouraging health trends, and it helps to enhance the well-being and good health of postpartum mothers.