1.Elderly Diabetic Patients’ Perception on Family Support and Glucose Control
Rahmah Mohd Amin ; Noraishah Jaafar
International Journal of Public Health Research 2011;1(1):7-12
Elderly are often associated with multiple social and health problems. Family members are important in helping them doing their daily activities. For elderly diabetics, family support has a role in diabetes management and glucose control. The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of elderly diabetics regarding the role of family support on their glucose control. This qualitative technique was a part of the study on glucose control and its associated factors among elderly diabetics. It was conducted from February until May 2009 in Kulim. Ten respondents were purposively sampled based on their glucose control. HbA1c 6.5% or less was considered as good glucose control. In depth interview, using semi-structured interview guide was used in this study. The conversation had been taped, transcribed to verbatim and analyzed manually using thematic analysis. All ten respondents perceived that family support did not play a role on their glucose control. They believed that self-awareness and self-determination were important to control the glucose level. Those with good glucose control practiced healthy diet, and not affected by food prepared by their family members compared to those with poor glucose control. However, both groups claimed that, they did not receive much advice from their family members and no special food was prepared for them. Elderly diabetics should be motivated on self-determination and focusing on good glucose control. Health education should be given to patients and their family members to increase their diabetes knowledge especially on useful advice and proper food preparation. It could motivate the elderly diabetics to control their glucose level.
Diabetes Mellitus
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Diabetic Diet
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Aged
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Family
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Motivation
2.Factors Influencing Pap Smear Practice Among Primary School Teachers In Diyala City, Iraq
Oras Zaki Saadoon ; Rahmah Mohd Amin ; Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2014;14(1):19-28
Cervical cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women in Iraq. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing Pap smear practice among married primary school teachers in Diyala City, Iraq. A total of 222 teachers (aged 20 years to 63 years) residing in Diyala City were enrolled in a cross sectional study from 1st August till 30th September 2012. The sampling method was a self-administered survey using a multistage sampling technique. The prevalence of Pap smear practice was very low (12.6%). Relatives and friends were the main source of information about the Pap smear test for more than one third (41.9%) of the respondents. However, the medical doctor’s advice was the most important reason for undergoing a Pap smear test in more than two third (60.7%) of respondents. Only 32.4% of the teachers have good knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smear test, but 76.1% of them showed a positive attitude toward learning about cervical cancer and Pap smear. Based on multiple logistic regression analysis results only the husband’s encouragement (p= 0.003, prevalence odds ratio [POR] = 0.256, 95%CI 0.10-0.63) was significantly associated with Pap smear practice. A more effective educational program is needed to educate Iraqi women about cervical cancer and screening tests, including Pap smear.
Papanicolaou Test
3.Hospital Efficiency: Concept, Measurement Techniques and Review of Hospital Efficiency Studies
Hossein Moshiri ; Syed Mohammed Aljunid ; Rahmah Mohd Amin
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2010;10(2):35-43
In a time of rising demands on hospital reimbursement levels, focus on efficient operations is becoming more imperative. In health care systems, the measurement of efficiency is usually the first step in auditing individual performance of production units, e.g. hospitals, health centers, etc. It constitutes the rational framework for the distribution of human and other resources between and within health care facilities. The term efficiency is broadly used in economics and refers to the best utilization of resources in production. Typical example of efficiency is technical efficiency, referring to the effective use of resources in producing outputs. In the Farrell framework, a hospital is judged to be technically efficient if it is operating on the best practice production frontier in its hospital industry. In general, there are two main frontier methods in measuring efficiency. The first is Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a linear programming method which enables the measurement of efficiency consistent with the theoretically based concept of production efficiency. DEA typically examines the relationship between inputs to a production process and the outputs of that process. The second technique for assessing efficiency that is employed is Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). This is an econometric technique to estimate a conventional function; with the difference being that efficiency is measured using the residuals from the estimated equation. The error term is therefore divided into a stochastic error term and a systematic inefficiency term.
4.Prevalence And Perceived Severity Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Flood Victims In Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
San San Oo ; Rahmah Binti Mohd Amin ; Aniza Binti Abd Aziz ; Myat Moe Thwe Aung
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2016;16(2):30-40
Floods can lead to direct economic and property losses and result not only in physical injuries and deaths but also in psychological trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a commonly used indicator to evaluate psychological injuries after disaster. This study aimed to determine the relationship between PTSD prevalence and related perceived severity of post flood impact by economical, non-economical and flood status severity domains besides relevant socio-demographic factors according to gender specific analysis. This cross-sectional study was conducted among community in Kampung Hulu Takir, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia in 2015 two weeks after flood. It included a total of 98 males and 110 females aged 18 years and above. Data was collected by interview-guided questionnaire to determine the prevalence of PTSD. SPSS version 21.0 was used for analysis of the relationship between socio demographic factors, perceived economic, non-economic and flood severity with PTSD. Finally chi square test was used to assess the predictors of PTSD according to gender. The prevalence of PTSD was 9.2% in males and 10.9% in females, giving a total of 10.1%. Significantly higher prevalence of PTSD was found in severely perceived economic and flood impact categories (33.3% and 23.8% in males; 23.8 % and 37.5% in females) and giving in overall 44.0% and 31.3 % respectively. Effective PTSD management strategies targeting females post flood victims who severely perceived economically and nature flood impact should be implemented in order to prevent further consequences of PTSD.
5.Coping Among Flood Affected Traditional Village Residents In Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Aniza Abd. Aziz ; Arunodaya Barman ; Rahmah Mohd Amin ; San San Oo ; Norizhar Kadarman ; Ahmad Fadhlinoor Marican
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2016;16(2):8-14
The communities settled in this traditional flood-prone area are potentially at risk of frequent inundation. This compelled the affected population to cope or adapt some strategy to reduce the negative impacts on their lives. The objective of this study was to explore the coping approach among the residents in a flood affected traditional village in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu and determine its associated factors. A cross sectional study which involved 210 adults who lived in traditional village houses was conducted from April to May 2015. Universal sampling was applied. This community-based study was part of the curriculum requirement for undergraduate medical students of UniSZA. The participants’ background, experience during the recent flood and their coping response were assessed using self-administered validated Malay version Brief COPE inventory that consists of three domains (emotion-focused, problem-focused and less-useful), 14 subscales and 30 items. The mean (SD) age of participants were 46.7(15.54) years with almost equal sex ratio. Most of the participants were married (78.1%) and unemployed (54.8%). The most common coping approach applied by the villagers was emotion-focused followed by problem-focused and less-useful coping. There were four adjusted variables significantly associated with higher total coping score namely awareness on evacuation site (b=5.38, 95%CI:1.68,9.08, p=0.005), knowledge on health risk of flood (b=3.79, 95%CI:0.92,6.66, p=0.010), discussed on flood preparedness with family (b=2.50, 95%CI:0.84,4.16, p=0.003) and stored food before flood (b=4.506, 95%CI 1.67,7.34, p=0.002). The emotion-focused coping was the most preferred coping approach among the villagers. A significant better coping was associated with the villagers who were aware of the gazetted evacuation site and have knowledge on the flood health hazard. The villagers who planned with their family and practiced storage of adequate food as part of household preparedness also demonstrated significant higher coping level.
6.Physical Inactivity Among Adults In A Rural Village Of Kuala Terengganu: Knowledge, Attitude, Social Support And It’s Associated Factors
Rahmah Binti Mohd Amin ; Aniza Binti Abd Aziz ; San San Oo
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2016;16(3):19-22
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and factors associated with it among adults in a rural village in Kuala Terengganu. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults age 18 years and above. Data were collected via face to face interview using a set of structured questionnaire. Those who were terminally ill, mentally or physically disabled were excluded. A total of 211 adults were studied. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 46.0%. Being female, not working, having negative attitude towards physical activity and without good environmental support were found to be significantly associated with being physically inactive. Multiple factors of individual characteristic and environmental factor determine one’s physical inactivity.
7.Validation of the Malay Version of the Parental Bonding Instrument among Malaysian Youths Using Exploratory Factor Analysis
Noor Azimah Muhammad ; Khadijah Shamsuddin ; Khairani Omar ; Shamsul Azhar Shah ; Rahmah Mohd Amin
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2014;21(5):51-59
Background: Parenting behaviour is culturally sensitive. The aims of this study were (1) to translate the Parental Bonding Instrument into Malay (PBI-M) and (2) to determine its factorial structure and validity among the Malaysian population.
Methods: The PBI-M was generated from a standard translation process and comprehension testing. The validation study of the PBI-M was administered to 248 college students aged 18 to 22 years.
Results: Participants in the comprehension testing had difficulty understanding negative items. Five translated double negative items were replaced with five positive items with similar meanings. Exploratory factor analysis showed a three-factor model for the PBI-M with acceptable reliability. Four negative items (items 3, 4, 8, and 16) and item 19 were omitted from the final PBI-M list because of incorrect placement or low factor loading (< 0.32). Out of the final 20 items of the PBI-M, there were 10 items for the care factor, five items for the autonomy factor and five items for the overprotection factor. All the items loaded positively on their respective factors.
Conclusion: The Malaysian population favoured positive items in answering questions. The PBI-M confirmed the three-factor model that consisted of care, autonomy and overprotection. The PBI-M is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the Malaysian parenting style. Confirmatory factor analysis may further support this finding.
8.Psycho-behavioural Factors Contributing To Truancy Among Malay Secondary School Students In Malaysia
Shamsul Azhar Shah ; Azura Abdullah ; Azimatun Noor Aizuddin ; Mohd Rohaizat Hassan ; Nazarudin Safian ; Rozita Hod ; Rahmah Mohd Amin
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2012;13(2):1-10
Objective: Truancy is a disciplinary problem, which frequently occurs among school students and it has many contributory as well as inter-related factors. It is a growing problem in this country and it often becomes a prelude to other delinquent behaviours. The study objective is to determine the prevalence of truancy as well as factors related to it including psycho-behavioural factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 556 Malay student’s selected using multi-stage sampling was
conducted. Results: The overall prevalence of truancy is 30.2%. The predictors to truancy are age, students who frequenting entertainment centre, students who have
not completed Quran recital, coping strategies using problems solving methods and time spent watching television/video. There is a significant association between truancy and psycho-behaviour such as watching video/internet pornography, frequenting entertainment centre, smoking, motorcycle racing and dating a special
friend. Conclusion: Truancy is a social issue, which must be given serious attention by all concerned components of the society.
9.Preventive Practice On Secondhand Smoke And Its Associated Factors Among Adults In A Suburban Community In Kuala Terengganu
Nik Nor Ronaidi bin Nik Mahdi ; Aniza binti Abd Aziz ; Rahmah binti Mohd. Amin ; Intan Suhana Munira binti Mat Azmi
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2020;20(1):55-63
Secondhand smoke (SHS) carries many health risks and is associated with diseases and premature deaths among nonsmoking adults and children. Despite many health promotions and legislative measures executed by the government to protect the public from SHS, the prevalence of SHS exposure is still high. Personal appropriate practices to avoid exposure are crucial especially at home or private area. Therefore, the current study focused on describing individual preventive practices on SHS and determining its associated factors. A cross sectional study was conducted among 250 adults in a village, Kuala Terengganu. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between all independent variables and the SHS preventive practice status. The prevalence of SHS exposure was 66.0%. Majority of the respondents (77.2%) has good knowledge on SHS. Nevertheless, despite having good knowledge, a large proportion of them showed poor attitude toward SHS (77.6%) and poor preventive practices (61.2%). Poor preventive practices on SHS were significantly associated with being older (ORadj: 1.0206, 95% CI: 1.0004, 1.0412), female (ORadj: 2.0644, 95% CI: 1.0753, 3.9635), smoker (ORadj: 12.1107, 95% CI: 4.0630, 36.0991), not having existing tobacco-related morbidity (ORadj: 3.6795, 95% CI: 1.1795, 11.4786), and poor attitude towards SHS (ORadj: 4.1871, 95% CI: 2.0955, 8.3665). The preventive practices of SHS among the villagers were poor despite showing acceptable level of knowledge. Hence, health awareness on the potential impact of SHS to the public as well as instilling appropriate behavior for them to avoid SHS and educate smokers need to be emphasized.
10.Sociodemographic Determinants Of Obesity Among 12 Years Old School Adolescents In Kuala Terengganu And Besut Districts, Malaysia
Nurzaime Zulaily ; Aryati Ahmad ; Nor Saidah Abd Manan ; Rahmah Mohd Amin ; Mohd Razif Shahril ; Sharifah Wajihah Wafa Syed Saadun Tarek Wafa ; Engku Fadzli Hassan Syed Abdullah ; Amran Ahmed
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2017;2017(Special Volume (2)):11-19
Worldwide prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents increased substantially over decades. Addressing potential risk factors of obesity among adolescents is very important for a successful intervention program in this population. The present study aimed to identify the sociodemographic determinants of obesity among school adolescents in Terengganu. A cross-sectional survey involving 3,798 school adolescents age 12 years old from 136 government primary schools in Kuala Terengganu and Besut districts were carried out from November 2014 to June 2015. For the purpose of this paper, the data for 2,842 school adolescents classified as either normal BMI (< +1SD) (n= 2,305) or obese (+2SD) (n= 537) based on WHO cut-off points were taken for analysis. Sociodemographic information on subjects and their parents were obtained from self-reported questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were conducted by Physical Education teachers and uploaded into a specific developed database. The prevalence of obesity was relatively high in both genders in this study. Binary logistic regression analysis found gender, parental BMI, household income, household size and maternal working status were independently associated with obesity among school adolescents in this population. In the final model, being male, having working mother, and having obese parents were identified to be potential risk factors for obesity whilst having large household size lower the risk of obesity among these adolescents. Prevention programs are needed to increase awareness about the risk factors of obesity in adolescent and interventions should now focus on family member as well mainly the parents.
Sociodemographic
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obesity
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school adolescents
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Terengganu
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Malaysia