Breastfeeding is almost universal, but there are many barriers for proper breast feeding practices. Inadequate knowledge, or inappropriate practice, of breastfeeding may lead to undesirable consequences. The aim of this study was to assess breastfeeding knowledge, and practice among mothers in Arma’a district Shabwah governorate and identify factors that may affect breastfeeding practice in the study population. A cross-sectional study using pre-tested validated structured questionnaire conducted among mothers who were attending Arma’a hospital and four health care units around Arma'a district. Sample size was 130 mothers who had at least one child aged two years or younger. Breastfeeding knowledge and practice of participants were assessed based on their experience with the last child.This study found that there are only 24 mothers (18.6%) have good knowledge while 106 mothers (81.4%) have low knowledge. 63 mothers (48.5%) had good breastfeeding practice while 67 mothers (51.5%) have poor breastfeeding practice. 54.0% mothers that have good knowledge have good practice while 52.8% mothers of poor knowledge have poor practice. Mothers’s knowledge was significantly associated with their education level and their practice was significantly associated with the number of pregnancies (p-value=0.04 and =0.027 respectively). There was no significant association with other demographic data, and between knowledge and practice. No exclusive breastfeeding reported in this study.This study shows that undesirable cultural practices such as giving pre-lacteal, avoiding exclusive breastfeeding are still prevalent among the mothers. The maternal knowledge towards breastfeeding was very low and there was big gap between actual and desired practices.

Health professionals, especially nurses, in primary care setting are considered most appropriate for providing sexual health care. To provide quality sexual health care, nurses should have adequate sex knowledge and hold positive attitude towards sexuality. However, nurses’ perceived inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes towards sexuality were reported to be two major barriers to sexual health care, yet little is known about these barriers among nursing students in Hong Kong. This study was conducted to examine sex knowledge and attitudes towards sexuality among nursing students in Hong Kong. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on the first year nursing students (N= 258) who were recruited to participate via convenience sampling. The General Sexual Knowledge Scale (GSKS) and Attitude towards Sexuality Scale (ATSS) were used to collect data for this study. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics and independent t-test. Results Sex knowledge was 10.4 ± 3.5 and sexual attitude was 32.9 ± 4.6 indicating nursing students’ sex knowledge was poor and their sexual attitudes were neutral. Sex knowledge was positively related to the sexual attitudes (r = 0.47, p < .01). The attitudes were more liberal in students aged 20 years old or above than students aged 19 or below. Sexual attitudes were also more liberal among students who did not reported religious affiliation than students who did. Conclusions Knowledge and positive attitudes regarding human sexuality needed to be promoted among nursing students. Findings from this study provided useful information in preparing nursing students to render high quality sexual health care in primary care settings.

Prostate cancer is forth most common diagnosed tumors in Malaysian male. The use of a self-reported, quality of life assessment is important for clinical practice, care taker and researcher to evaluate the level of quality of life. The aim of this study was to measure the internal consistency of the translated Malay Language EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC PR-25 questionnaires among prostate cancer patient at National University of Malaysia hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods This was a cross sectional study conducted between July 2017 and Dec 2017. The respondent comprised of 110 Malaysian prostate cancer patients who were under follow up at Urology and Oncology Clinic. Sets of translated Malay language EORTC QLQ C30 and EORTC PR-25 consisted of functional, symptom and global health status domains were administered to assess their quality of life. Results The translated questionnaires were acceptable by 110 respondents. Cronbach`s α coefficient result were 0.913 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and 0.829 (EORTC PR25) respectively suggested that this instrument had good internal consistency. Conclusions Our study confirmed that translated Malay language EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PR25 questionnaires are acceptable, reliable and valid instrument to be used among Malaysian prostate cancer patients.

The Ministry of Health, Malaysia had introduced the community based action programme (KOSPEN) to improve the early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the population. This study aims to identify factors associated with non-participation in screening activities and its barriers. Methods This cross sectional study was conducted from May to June 2016 in KOSPEN localities. A total of 2354 adults aged 18 years and above were selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling design. The data were obtained through face-to-face interviews using validated questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with non-participation in health screening. Results Out of 2156 respondents interviewed (response rate of 91.6%), approximately 75% (n=1624) of the respondents did not participate in the KOSPEN health screening programme. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that, males (aOR: 2.35, 95% CI 1.21, 4.55) and those working in private sector (aOR: 2.11, 95% CI 1.21, 3.67) were more likely to not participate in health screening. While, age, ethnicity, level of education, marital status and household income were not significantly associated with non-participation in health screening. The barrier for not participated were “did not know health screening was conducted in their localities” (39.3%) and had no time to attend the programme (18.2%). Conclusions The study findings are of public health concern as about three quarters of the respondents failed to participate in this programme because they didn’t know that there were health screening activities conducted in their localities beside the time constraint problems. Thus, KOSPEN health screening activities should be made known to the community especially males who are mostly working in the private sector.

Self-medication, the unsolicited use of prescription and over the counter (OTC) drugs, is practised all over the world, particularly in countries like Bangladesh. So, this study is focused on the prevalence and attitude and knowledge about various aspects of self-medication with painkillers among students of the selected residential university of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods It is a cross-sectional interview-based study. The study population was the students of the university who lives in attached residential halls. The total number of respondents was 209. Results Every respondent both male (105) and female (104) have reported that they had practiced self-medication with painkillers for their both acute and chronic pain like headache, menstrual cramp, back/muscle/joint pain etc. Drugs commonly used by the students were Napa (19.6%), Paracetamol (12.9%), Etorix (6.2%), ACE (10.0%) HPR ds (10.0%), Rolac (9.6%) etc. Many of the drugs were non-OTC drugs. The main sources of information were advised by the manager of the pharmacy (36.8%), self-decision (16.7%), media (12.0%) and advice from friends/relatives (23.0%). The prime factors that influenced students to try self -medicated painkillers were dissatisfaction toward the medical centre in the area (23.9%), cost-effectiveness (20.6%), unavailability of medical facilities (11.5%) etc. 64 of the respondents (both M & F) reported that they have no clear idea about the possible side effects of the chronic use of painkillers. Dependency on a painkiller for pain management was (M=32 and F=48). Conclusions 41% of students taking a self-medicated painkiller with analgesics in an emergency perceive it as safe.

This study determines the association between osteoporosis knowledge, health belief and calcium intake behaviour among students in a medical sciences university. Methods This study was conducted using cross sectional design. Malaysian students, aged 18 to 40 were selected using stratified randomisation method. The osteoporosis knowledge, health belief and calcium intake behaviour of participants were obtained through a validated questionnaire. Results The response rate of the study was 93.0% (n=333). More than 80% of participants had been exposed to information related to osteoporosis knowledge and calcium-rich foods. The mean score of osteoporosis knowledge test (OKT)= 50.4±6.48, perceived susceptibility= 14.2±4.02, perceived seriousness= 20.4±4.67, perceived benefits of calcium= 23.1±3.94, perceived barriers to calcium= 14.4±3.99 and health motivation= 21.6±3.79. Only 37.8% of participants consumed adequate dairy products. There were significant correlations between OKT and perceived benefits of calcium (r=0.127, p=0.020), perceived barriers to calcium (r=-0.208, p<0.001) and health motivation (r=0.173, p=0.002). Perceived seriousness to osteoporosis, health motivation and OKT significantly predicted intake of dairy products (p<0.001). Conclusions The osteoporosis knowledge was moderate, health belief was moderate and consumption of dairy products was low. The osteoporosis knowledge and health belief were correlated but not the behaviour of dairy products consumption. Young adults had moderate osteoporosis knowledge and consumption of dairy products was low. Future educational programme should focus on osteoporosis knowledge, health belief as well as determining factors that influence behaviour of consumption of dairy products.

Emergency work with regular exposure to traumatic events may cause a large burden of mental health consequences. Among the first responders, firefighters are generally said to have a larger risk for PTSD as they involve directly and indirectly with critical incidents and traumatic events as part of their duties. This systematic review will determine the prevalence of PTSD and identify factors which associated to the PTSD among firefighters. Methods Systematic search was performed for published articles from year 2007 till 2017 from five electronic literature databases and the PRISMA checklist was used for the workflow for article selection. A total of 12 articles were selected for final examination from a total of 188 articles screened. Results The prevalence of PTSD among firefighters are ranged from 6.4% to 57 %. Predictors are include demographic factor (age, educational level and marital status), job factors (years of service, rank, numbers of traumatic events, job stress, organization stress and burnout, occupational effort, internal locus control, resource availability, debriefing attendance), social support, post traumatic growth, comorbidity (anxiety, depression, work related injuries, chronic musculoskeletal disorder), coping style, resilience, personality, biological factor (adiponectin level) and physical factor (waist circumference, body mass index). Conclusions Various factors identified in different dimensions in order to promote the opportunities for firefighters to grow for a better outcome psychologically. Therefore, it is vital to recognize modifiable factors which are associated with PTSD and research need to focus more on these factors or predictors.

Community-based health promotion programme has been recognised to reduce modifiable lifestyle risk behaviours for non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of the awareness, knowledge and acceptance of a community-based intervention programme, “Komuniti Sihat, Pembina Negara“ (KOSPEN) (Healthy Community, Developed Nation). Methods This cross-sectional study employed a two-stage proportionate sampling method to select a representative sample of communities in the Southern states of Peninsular Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, and Johor. Face-to-face interviews by trained research assistants using pre-validated questionnaires was the study tool applied. Results The study revealed that approximately two thirds of respondents were aware of the KOSPEN programme (65.5%) and almost half (45.4%) of them were involved in the health promotion activities, namely health screenings (84.8%), health talks (66.4%), and providing plain water in formal occasion (52.9%). About two thirds and one-quarter of them have a very good (73.4%) and good (24.1%) general view on this programme. Four out of ten respondents faced difficulties joining the activities. Lack of time (83.0%) was reported as the main barrier. Conclusions The KOSPEN programme in overall was moderately accepted by the community. However, the need for future improvement has to be highlighted in order to enhance the involvement and participation of the communities.

The prevalence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Jakarta reaches 0.6%. It is ranked the second largest after West Java (0.7%). To deal the illness, tuberculosis patients need their family support. The general aim of this study is to measure the family support in adult pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Central Jakarta. Methods The research is an analytical research and cross sectional design. The study population are the treatment supporter of adult pulmonary tuberculosis in Central Jakarta area. The subject of the study are the treatment supporter recorded in the YARSI TB care database. The number of samples are determined by quota sampling. The data collected is quantitative data. Results The respondents involved are 51 people, aged between 17-71 years old. Male respondents are 20 people (39.2%) and female respondents are 31 people (60.3%). The majority of the respondents’ education level is senior high school (70,6%) graduates. The treatment supporters living with the patients are about 45,1%. Family support is good, about 54,9%. Bivariate analysis showed p value=0,033 (correlation between behavior intention and family support). Conclusions Behavior intention is significantly correlated with the behavior of family support in adult pulmonary tuberculosis patients Motivation and persuasive action are required to maximize the support for pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

There is limited knowledge in the context of Africa on how work history associates with hypertension at old age. Therefore, this paper analyses such an association using Ghana as a case study. Methods Data from the World Health Organisation Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health Wave 2 was used to explore the relationship between work history and diagnosed hypertension at old age. In the Wave2 study, a multistage cluster sampling was used to select participants at the household level across rural/urban areas in all administrative regions. A multifactor logit regression analysis was performed. The paper also estimated diagnosed hypertension prevalence across subgroups. Results The mean age of the total of 3564 participants examined was 64 years (SD = ±10years). The overall prevalence of hypertension was 10.3% [95% CI = 9.4– 11.1]. The highest predicted rate was 41.1% [95% CI=38.0 – 49.2] among those who stopped working before the statutory retirement age 60 years, whereas it was only 4% [95% CI = 3.7 – 5.2] for those who retired from active work at age 60 years. Those who retired at age <60years recorded the highest risk of hypertension diagnosis [OR = 14.1; 95% CI=10.5-19.5]. There was also a significant association between diagnosed hypertension and a history of working <5 days per week [OR=1.6; 95% CI=1.1-2.3]. It emerged that those with a history of informal sector employment were at significant risk of hypertension at old age, if they worked <5days per week [OR=1.5; 95% CI=1.0-2.3]. Conclusions Overall, retirement age emerged as a significant risk factor for diagnosed hypertension at old age, followed by a history of less than five working days per week. .