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Quality of life of the Malaysian general population: results from a postal survey using the SF-36

Azman AB 1 , Sararaks S 2 , Rugayah B 3 , Low LL 4 , Azian AA 5 , Geeta S 6 Show all authors , Tiew CT 7

Affiliations 

  • 1 A B Azman, PhD. Public Health Specialist, Institute of Public Health, 50590 Kuala Lumpur,
  • 2 S Sararaks, MPH. Public Health Specialist, Institute of Public Health, 50590 Kuala Lumpur,
  • 3 B Rugayah, MPH. Public Health Specialist, Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, 50586 Kuala Lumpur
  • 4 L L Low, BSc (Hons). Research Officer, Institute of Public Health, 50590 Kuala Lumpur
  • 5 A A Azian, MPH. Medical Officer, Institute of Public Health, 50590 Kuala Lumpur
  • 6 S Geeta, MBBS. Medical Officer, Institute of Public Health, 50590 Kuala Lumpur
  • 7 C T Tiew, BSc (Hons). Senior Statistician, Institute of Public Health, 50590 Kuala Lumpur
Med J Malaysia, 2003 Dec;58(5):694-711.
PMID: 15190656 MyJurnal

Abstract

Population norms for Health Related Quality of Life using SF-36 are described. A national sample was canvassed in 2000 using a self-administered SF-36 in Bahasa Malaysia and English. Response rate was 30.6%, with 3072 usable data. Male: Female ratio was 1.04 and mean age was 39.8 years. Quality of life was affected by age and sex. Older population and women had a poorer quality of life. Population norms for Malaysia differed from those of US, Canada and Australia. The malaysian general population norm described is useful as reference point for studies in Malaysia. Variability in scores by age and sex emphasize the need to use appropriate age- or sex-specific normative data.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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