Gender Differences in Factors Associated with the Total Delay in Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Selangor, Malaysia.

: Gender plays a significant role in health-care-seeking behavior for many diseases. Delays in seeking treatment, diagnosis, and treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) may increase the risk of transmission in the community and lead to poorer treatment outcomes and mortality. This study explores the differences in factors associated with the total delay in treatment of male and female pTB patients in Selangor, Malaysia.

Use of movement restrictions during an outbreak of COVID-19 in Selangor, Malaysia.

Objective: Various public health and social measures have been used during the COVID-19 outbreak, including lockdowns, contact-tracing, isolation and quarantine. The objective of this manuscript is to describe outbreaks of COVID-19 in Selangor, Malaysia, the public health strategies used and the observed impact of the measures on the epidemic curve.

Methods: Information on all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Selangor between 25 January and 28 April 2020 was obtained.

Probable Nipa Palm Wine-Associated Hepatitis A Outbreak after Attending a Funeral Ceremony in Sabah.

Foodborne outbreaks of hepatitis A virus (HAV) are most commonly associated with fresh and frozen produce and with various types of shellfish. Alcoholic beverage-borne outbreaks of hepatitis A are extremely rare. Here, we report an outbreak of hepatitis A associated with the consumption of a traditional wine at a funeral ceremony in the Sabah state of Malaysian Borneo.

Seroprevalence of diphtheria toxoid IgG antibodies in the Malaysian population.

Background: Despite high childhood immunization coverage, sporadic cases of diphtheria have been reported in Malaysia in recent years. This study aims to evaluate the seroprevalence of diphtheria among the Malaysian population.

Methods: A total of 3317 respondents age 2 years old to 60 years old were recruited in this study from August to November 2017.

Comorbidities and clinical features related to severe outcomes among COVID-19 cases in Selangor, Malaysia.

Background: Pre-existing comorbidities can predict severe disease requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission among COVID-19 cases. We compared comorbidities, clinical features and other predictive factors between COVID-19 patients requiring ICU admission for intubation/mechanical ventilation and all other COVID-19 cases in Selangor, Malaysia.

Method: Field data collected during the COVID-19 outbreak in Selangor, Malaysia, up to 13 April 2020 were used, comprising socio-demographic characteristics, comorbidities and presenting symptoms of COVID-19 cases.

Prevalence and factors associated with secondhand smoke exposure among Malaysian adolescents.

Introduction: Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) has been proven to be detrimental to health. However, there is little information on SHS exposure among Malaysian adolescents. This study aims to assess the magnitude of and factors associated with SHS exposure among school-going adolescents in Malaysia.

Association between Availability of Neighborhood Fast Food Outlets and Overweight Among 5⁻18 Year-Old Children in Peninsular Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

A growing number of fast-food outlets in close proximity to residential areas raises a question as to its impact on childhood overweight and obesity. This study aimed at determining the relationship between the availability of fast-food outlets that were in close proximity to residential areas and overweight among Malaysian children aged 5 to 18 years. Measurement data on the weight and height of 5544 children (2797 boys, 2747 girls) were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011.

The discriminative ability of waist circumference, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio in identifying metabolic syndrome: Variations by age, sex and race.

Objectives: Many studies have suggested that there is variation in the capabilities of BMI, WC and WHR in predicting cardiometabolic risk and that it might be confounded by gender, ethnicity and age group. The objective of this study is to examine the discriminative abilities of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) to predict two or more non-adipose components of the metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high fasting plasma glucose) among the adult Malaysian population by gender, age group and ethnicity.

Methods: Data from 2572 respondents (1044 men and 1528 women) aged 25-64 years who participated in the Non Communicable Disease Surveillance 2005/2006, a population-based cross sectional study, were analysed.

Sociodemographic factors associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors among Malaysian adults.

Background: To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Malaysian adults.

Methods: We analysed data on 1044 men and 1528 women, aged 24-64 years, participants in the Non Communicable Disease Surveillance 2005/2006, a nationally representative, population-based, cross-sectional study. Prevalence of obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycemia, physical inactivity, smoking, risky drinking, low vegetable and fruit intake were determined and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic factors associated with having ≥3 of these cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Optimal waist circumference cut-off values for predicting cardiovascular risk factors in a multi-ethnic Malaysian population.

Introduction: Previous studies have proposed the lower waist circumference (WC) cutoffs be used for defining abdominal obesity in Asian populations.

Objective: To determine the optimal cut-offs of waist circumference (WC) in predicting cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in the multi-ethnic Malaysian population.

Methods: We analysed data from 32,703 respondents (14,980 men and 17,723 women) aged 18 years and above who participated in the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006.

The assessment of risk factors for the Central/East African Genotype of chikungunya virus infections in the state of Kelantan: a case control study in Malaysia.

Background: The aims of the study were to assess the risk factors in relation to cross border activities, exposure to mosquito bite and preventive measures taken.An outbreak of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in Malaysia has been reported in Klang, Selangor (1998) and Bagan Panchor, Perak (2006). In 2009, CHIKV infection re-emerged in some states in Malaysia.

Non-practice of breast self examination and marital status are associated with delayed presentation with breast cancer.

Delay in seeking treatment for breast cancer is a barrier to the early diagnosis and management of the disease, resulting in a poorer prognosis. We here estimated the prevalence of delayed presentation for breast cancer and identified possible influential sociodemographic factors in a cross-sectional study of 250 patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer at the Radiotherapy and Oncology Clinic in Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire and from medical records.

Epidemiology of smoking among Malaysian adult males: prevalence and associated factors.

Background: Three National Health and Morbidity Surveys (NHMSs) had been conducted in Malaysia in 10-year intervals from 1986-2006. Based on the latest NHMS survey in 2006, we describe the prevalence of smoking and identify the social and demographic factors associated with smoking among adult males in Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among 15,639 Malaysian adult males aged 18 years and above was conducted using proportional to size stratified sampling method.

Optimal BMI cut-off values for predicting diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia in a multi-ethnic population.

Objective: To determine the optimal cut-offs of BMI for Malaysian adults.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the cut-off values of BMI with optimum sensitivity and specificity for the detection of three cardiovascular risk factors: diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia.

Prevalence and impact of physical disability on Malaysian school-aged children: a population-based survey.

Purpose: To determine the magnitude and impact of physical disability on Malaysian school-aged children between 7 and less than 18 years old.

Method: Cross-sectional population-based household interview with two-stage stratified sampling design.

Setting: The Malaysian Third National Health of Morbidity Survey, 2006.

Estimates of the burden of rotavirus disease in Malaysia.

Background: Accurate national estimates of the disease burden associated with rotavirus diarrhea are essential when considering implementation of a rotavirus vaccination program. We sought to estimate rotavirus disease-associated morbidity and mortality in Malaysia, using available sources of information.

Methods: We analyzed national data from the Ministry of Health (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) to derive rates of hospitalization, clinic visits, and deaths related to acute gastroenteritis (AG) among children <5 years of age.

A case-control study of influenza vaccine effectiveness among Malaysian pilgrims attending the Haj in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To determine influenza vaccine effectiveness against clinically defined influenza-like illness among Malaysian pilgrims attending the Haj in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: During February and March 2000, the authors conducted an unmatched case-control study. Case patients were identified at one of five hotel clinics, while controls were residents of these hotels who had not attended a clinic.