Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is responsible for a lot of adverse health effects and it is one of the most common causes of preventable mental impairment. Impaired cognitive function is an outcome of impaired neurodevelopment process during early pregnancy due to iodine deficiency. A few cross-sectional studies found differences in mental performance between areas with high iodine found naturally in the environment (well water) and those with low iodine level, but other studies showed otherwise. Intervention studies with iodine also give variety of results ranging from significant improvement of mental performance to non-significant findings. Malaysia faces with challenges in iodine supplementation among the population but it can be dealt with effectively if the programme is well executed and monitored.
Congenital Hypothyroidism ; Intelligence ; Intellectual Disability

Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Adolescent ; Women ; Knowledge ; Vaginal Smears

There is a strong and increased worldwide interest on the aspects of prevention of oral disease and oral health promotion in dental education. However, some studies imply that dental students are not knowledgeable enough in this issue. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of, attitude towards and practice on preventive dentistry among senior dental students in Yemen. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among senior dental students in six dental schools in Yemen. The questionnaire obtained personal information, and questions about knowledge on preventive dental care, attitudes towards and practice on preventive dentistry. Among 346 students who filled the questionnaire, a total of 91.6% has good knowledge about fissure sealant effectiveness, only 34.7% knows about the importance of fluoride toothpaste compared to brushing technique in preventing caries, with significant gender difference (p=0.005). Odds of good knowledge among non-Qat chewers was 1.9 (95%CI: 1.26-4.42). Multivariable regression analysis indicated that female gender was associated with higher positive attitudes (OR: 2.03, 95%CI:1.21-3.36,p=0.007). Attitudes were significantly associated with Qat chewing (OR = 1.95, 95%CI: 1.04-3.66, p=0.03), type of university (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.36-0.94, p=0.02), and mothers' level of education (OR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.05-3.47, p=0.03). There was a high percentage of competency in practicing preventive measures among students (80.9%). Dental education should emphasize the overall aspects of preventive dentistry with early exposure of preventive dental training in order to improve students' knowledge and attitudes and consequently practice on preventive care.​

Although the Ministry of Health Malaysia has been encouraging the practice of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM)1, 2, 3, 4 but patients/clients has not been able to apply it for their need of medical treatments and sometimes it leads to negative outcomes due to lack of knowledge on T&CM and its safe applications5,6’7,8 Most of the western-trained physicians are ignorant of risk and benefits of T&CM9,10,11. This study was aimed to determine the gap between knowledge regarding T&CM and perception on education in T&CM among the medical staffs in five selected hospitals in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was done at five public hospitals among medical staff in Malaysia by using quantitative methods. A total of 477 medical staffs were involved in this study. The study showed that the overall knowledge of T&CM among the medical staffs were poor (61.2%). Having good knowledge regarding T&CM were significantly higher in Hospital Duchess of Kent (52%, p=0.001), among the non-Malays (44%, p=0.047) and pharmacists (47.2%, p=0.030). Positive perception on health education in T&CM among medical staffs were high (85.3%) especially among females (88.1%, p=0.002) and pharmacists (93.7%, p<0.001). The use of T&CM among the general population is relatively high in Malaysia and many patients increasingly seek the information on T&CM therapies from medical staffs. Knowledge regarding T&CM was poor in this study because most of the medical staffs have not been exposed to T&CM education. This interesting scenario between poor knowledge and high positive perception on health education in T&CM shows the demand of urgent intervention in educating the medical staffs. We recommend that medical staffs must have some basic education and knowledge about T&CM before they could offer advice to their patients. Doctors are of the utmost important in this regard because they play a very important role in patient care. Providing T&CM education to medical staff may help to integrate T&CM into the mainstream medicine.
Medicine, Traditional ; Complementary Therapies

The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of secondary school students in Sana'a Yemen related to exposure to second-hand smoking. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sana'a city. The total sample size was 336 students in which 63 were males and 273 were females. These students were stratified random sampling. Data were collected by using Questionnaire comprising of 3 parts: Part 1- consists of socio-demographic data. Part 2- consists of the knowledge regarding smoking and second-hand smoking and Part 3-consists of adolescents' attitude in relation to second-hand smoking. Out of 336 students, majority were between 14-18 years old (75.9%), males (81.2%), (55.7%) of them was fathers' occupation private employee and low educated mother was (86.3%). The students who do not have smoking habit were (94.3%), and those who do not have friends with the habit of smoking was (57.4%). (57.10) having some one else at home who smokes beside them. The reaction of non printed mass media for SHS warning was (83.3%). The exposed to smoke out door was (60.1%). In this study, the majority of students had inadequate knowledge about the second-hand smoke was (52.7%). A higher percentage of students who had unfavorable attitudes toward secondhand smoke was (86.6%). We concluded that The level of knowledge and attitude about the second-hand smoke is relatively low among the secondary school student in Sana'a Yemen. The finding of this study emphasized the need of effective awareness programs to increase level of consciousness and knowledge regarding SHS.

Great importance has been attributed to birth weight all over the world because it is considered as one of the best predictors of prenatal survival and a good indicator of quality life. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of low birth weight babies (LBW) and factors related to it in Baghdad city. A cross sectional study was carried out in four general hospitals in Baghdad city, Iraq. A total of 225 newborn babies, alive, singleton and without congenital malformation were selected randomly from these four general hospitals.The result of the study showed the prevalence rate of low birth weights was 21.3%. Mothers’ educational level, monthly family income, mothers with chronic hypertension, mothers with history of previous low birth weight infants and anemic mothers were significantly associated with low birth weight babies (P= 0.03, 0.01, 0.02,<0.01, 0.02) respectively. It is clearly evidenced the lack of equity in populations and disparity in socioeconomic status are common related factors for the low birth weight babies as can be seen as a public and global health problem.
Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Iraq

The unstable living situation in Iraq in the last 10 years after 2003 war affected the daily life of most Iraqis, and especially the children. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of an unstable living environment on children’s health. A community-based qualitative study was done to collect data from 20 mothers of children (age 7 to 8years old) through in-depth interview (IDI). Data was recorded using tape recorders and was later transcribed and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis techniques. The majority of mothers interviewed said the past nine years of unstable security in the capital had affected their daily life; some mothers also expressed concern about their child’s nutritional status, their eating habits during the school day, and the unhealthy food being sold at school canteens. As a conclusion, the unstable living situations in Baghdad city after the last war had affected the cognitive and nutritional development of children. More precautions should be taken by parents to ensure their children safety in the future.
Economics ; Social Conditions ; Child ; Health ; Iraq

The most effective and affordable public health strategy to prevent hypertension, stroke and renal disease is by reducing daily salt consumption. Therefore, this study aims to determine the association of knowledge, attitude and practice on salt diet intake and to identify foods contributing to high sodium intake. Secondary data analysis was performed on MySalt 2016 data. It was conducted from November 2015 until January 2016 which involving Ministry of Health Staff worked at 16 study sites in Malaysia. Salt intake was measured using 24 hours urinary sodium excretion. Food frequency questionnaire was used to determine the sodium sources. Knowledge, attitude and practice of salt intake were assessed using a validated questionnaire adapted from WHO. Demographic data and anthropometric measures also were collected. Sodium levels of more than 2400mg/day was categorised as high sodium intake. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 21. The mean sodium intake estimated by 24 hours urinary sodium excretion was 2853.23 + 1275.8 mg/day. Food groups namely rice/noodles (33.8%), sauces/seasoning (20.6%), meat and poultry (12.6%) and fish/seafoods (9.3%) were the major contributors of dietary sodium. In multiple logistic regression analysis, being a male (aOR=2.83, 95% CI 2.02 – 3.96) and obese (aOR=6.78, 95% CI 1.98 – 23.18) were significantly associated with high urinary sodium excretions. In addition, those who were unsure that high salt intake can cause hypertension (aOR=1.24, 95% CI 0.65 – 2.36), those who think that they consumed too much salt (aOR=2.10, 95% CI 1.13 – 3.87) and those who only use salt rather than other spices for cooking (aOR=2.07, 95% CI 1.29 – 3.30) were significantly associated with high urinary sodium excretion. This study showed that the main sources of sodium among Malay healthcare staff is cooked food. Poor knowledge and practice towards reducing salt consumption among them contributes to the high sodium consumption. The practice of healthy eating among them together with continuous awareness campaign is essential in order to educate them to minimize sodium consumption and to practice healthy eating.​

The evolution in lifestyle and dietary habits of the Malaysian people that have taken place over the last few decades can be largely attributed to both family and social environment. These factors are known to affect the nutritional status of the community, in both children and adults. Reduced physical activity and changes in their diet have been one of the contributing factors to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. However, in Malaysia, in which nutrition transition has been a norm, it is worrying when the trends of overweight and obesity have been rising steadily over the years especially among children. Although numerous strategies to control obesity in Malaysia have been taking place, many had shown little effect. Analysing strategies implemented at national level is thus crucial in order to ascertain reasons for the shortfalls of these strategies especially among children. Obesity most commonly begins as early as the ages of 5 and 6 years, or during adolescence. Obesity is indeed a major public health concern due to its huge negative impact on the society at large which is well supported by evidence-based literatures. Managing this issue is complex and holistic approach is thus crucial in reducing its incidence and prevalence.

Pengenalan: Soal selidik sebagai alat untuk mengukur faktor sosiobudaya berkaitan COVID-19 masih belum digunakan secara meluas oleh kebanyakan penyelidik. Di Malaysia, tiada soal selidik yang dibina dan disahkan untuk tujuan tersebut. Oleh itu, tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk membina dan mengesahkan soal selidik sebagai alat ujian yang baru bagi mengukur faktor sosiobudaya berkaitan COVID-19 dalam kalangan Orang Asli di Malaysia. Metodologi: Kajian rintis ini melibatkan 30 orang penduduk Orang Asli di Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang. Indeks Kesahan Kandungan (CVI) digunakan untuk menguji kesahan kandungan soal selidik, manakala kesahan konstruk dan kebolehpercayaan konsistensi dalaman soal selidik ditentukan menggunakan Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) dan Cronbach’s Alpha. Hasil Kajian: Satu set soal selidik terdiri daripada empat konstruk telah dibina iaitu kepercayaan, amalan perubatan tradisional, adat dan budaya tradisional, dan sokongan sosial. Sebanyak 16 item telah dikekalkan di dalam EFA dengan nilai Cronbach’s Alpha setiap konstruk adalah 0.617, 0.778, 0.773 dan 0.779. Rumusan Soal selidik yang telah dibina ini berjaya divalidasi dan boleh digunakan untuk mengukur faktor sosiobudaya berkaitan COVID-19 dalam kalangan Orang Asli. Walau bagaimanapun, penambahbaikan masih perlu dilakukan dari masa ke semasa untuk memastikan soal selidik ini relevan terutamanya jika ia digunakan ke atas populasi atau dari negara yang berbeza dari Malaysia, dengan mengambil kira juga penyakit yang berbeza.