Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that significantly burdens both children and caregivers’ quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemography of AD and determine its impact on the quality of life among AD children and their families in Sarawak. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational population-based epidemiological study of primary school children in Kuching. The U.K. Working Party’s Diagnostic (UKWPD) criteria was utilized to diagnose atopic dermatitis. Disease impact on quality of life was assessed via standardized questionnaires. Skin examination was performed. Results: A total of 968 children aged 7 to 12 years were recruited. The prevalence of AD was 7.0%. Malays were the commonest affected ethnic group. Most of the AD children had other associated atopies. Majority of children with AD had mild to moderate severity based on IGA with mean EASI score (standard deviation) of 1.50 (2.0). The mean Children’s Dermatology Quality Life Index (CDQLI) and Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) were 7.26 (5.53) and 7.74 (6.12), respectively. “Symptoms of itch, sore or pain” was the most affected domain in children, whereas “Treatment impact” most affected in families. There was significant association between disease severity and children’s quality of life. Conclusion Atopic Dermatitis is common in Kuching school children. Children with AD and their families had a significant impact on quality of life, although most were mild diseases.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Sarawak (Malaysia)

ABSTRACT Epidemiological and longitudinal studies have shown that pregnancy is associated with increased gingival inflammation and worsening of periodontal status. Prospective studies suggested that periodontal therapy during pregnancy might reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and significant periodontal status improvement. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of periodontal disease amongst pregnant women, and to compare periodontal conditions before and after non-surgical periodontal therapy. This study was a cross-sectional and intervention study of pregnant women at the Mother and Child Health Clinic, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuching, who were referred to the Periodontic Unit, Jalan Masjid Dental Clinic, Kuching for further periodontal examination and treatment. All participants were examined and diagnosed with healthy periodontium or diseased periodontium. Sixty women became the subjects and 85% were diagnosed with periodontal disease, while 15% had healthy periodontium. Plaque score (PS) and bleeding score (BS) were evaluated at baseline and at eight weeks. At baseline, all periodontal parameters (mean ± SD) were higher in the diseased periodontium group compared to the healthy group (BS, 39.6 ± 21.5 vs 6.5 ± 3.9; PS, 46.4 ± 30.1 vs 33.5 ± 31.1). After two months, both groups showed improvement in all periodontal parameters; diseased periodontium (p = 0.001) and healthy periodontium group (p = 0.016). In conclusion, 85% of the participants in this study had periodontal diseases and, the non-surgical periodontal therapy improved the participants’ periodontal status. Furthermore, there was no significant adverse pregnancy outcomes reported in this study.
Periodontal Diseases ; Pregnant Women ; Malaysia (Kuching, Sarawak)

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common worldwide. This study aims to determine the patterns of STIs among attendees in the Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH). Methods: This is a retrospective study. Medical records of new cases referred to GUM clinic, SGH between the year 2018 and 2020 were reviewed. Demography data, diagnosis, and clinical characteristics of STIs were reviewed and analysed using SPSS software. Results: There was a total of 225 patients with newly diagnosed STIs. Their mean age was 30.9 years old. There were 124 (55.1%) males and 101 (44.9%) females. Nearly half (46.7%) of the patients were Malay, followed by Sarawak indigenous groups (33.3%), and Chinese (18.7%). Most patients (n=119, 52.9%) were single at the time of diagnosis. Three quarters (73.3%) of the patients were heterosexual, while 47 (20.9%) patients were homosexual or bisexual, and missing data in the remaining 5.8%. Anogenital wart was the commonest STI (49.8%), followed by syphilis (n=91, 40.4%), genital herpes (n=24,10.7%) and gonorrhoea (n= 15, 6.7%). The commonest symptoms were genital growth (n= 107, 47.6%), followed by pelvic discharge (n=22, 9.8%). Conclusion The most common STIs in our study are anogenital warts, syphilis, genital herpes and gonorrhea. Effective national sexuality education in Malaysia is paramount in reducing premarital sex and STIs. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are effective to reduce genital warts and HPV related malignancies.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Papillomavirus Vaccines ; Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic, Sarawak General Hospital (Malaysia)