Introduction: Job stress is defined as harmful physical, negative, emotional responses that occur when the require-ments of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker. Factors influencing job stress among nurses in primary healthcare in Malaysia are poorly identified. The objective of this study is to assess the job stress score and identify the predictors of job stress among nurses in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Kuala Lan-gat district of Selangor. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 216 nurses in PHC facilities of Kuala Langat District. Data collection conducted using self-administered questionnaire adopted and modified from Job Stress Scale, Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) and Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS). Results: There is evidence of job stress with mean score of 28.4(5.5) among nurses in PHC facilities of Kuala Langat District, Selangor, Malaysia. There are association between age, role in organization, duration of services, outside job scope, family size, doing house chores, balance between work and family, balance between work and leisure activities, workload, inadequate preparation, lack of staff support, uncertainty concerning treatment, role conflicts and patients and their families with job stress (p
Introduction: Physical inactivity has been recognised as the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. Individuals who are physically inactive have an increased risk of 20% to 30% of dying prematurely. Individuals who fulfil the minimum recommendations of physical activity can reduce the development of Non-Communicable Diseases. In 2015, 33.5% of Malaysian adults were reported to be physically inactive. Various factors were found to be associated with physical activity participation and these factors need to be explored. Methods: A cross-sectional study using proportionate simple random sampling was conducted. A total of 310 health staff were sampled according to the proportion from five divisions and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. IBM SPSS version 22.0 were used to analyse the data. Predictors for physical activity were also determined. Results: The response rate was 97.7% (303 out of 310). The prevalence of physical inactivity among respondents was 37.6%. The predictors for physical inactivity were smoker/ex-smoker (aOR=2.308, p=0.027), certificate/diploma education (aOR=2.135, p=0.008), personal barrier (aOR=1.055, p=0.017) and social environment barrier (aOR=1.106, p =0.025). Conclusion: People that have a higher possibility of being physically inactive were those with certificate or diploma education and smokers or ex-smokers. Those with personal barriers and social environment barriers likewise have higher probability of being physically inactive. Thus, appropriate health interventions should be developed by taking these factors into consideration to promote physical activity among the health staff.
Water-based metalworking fluid (MWF) provides a suitable environment for microbes to grow. This study aimed at identifying the level and species of microbial contamination of MWF in a metal machining factory and to determine the corresponding Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the workers’ blood samples. Methods: Total of 298 workers in the production section of a metal machining factory, the production section using MWF as coolant fluid, were involved in this study. The Analytical Profile Index system was used to identify the species of microbes isolated from MWF bulk and air samples. Tryptone soya agar was used to incubate unknown bacteria, and sabouraud dextrose agar was used for unknown fungi. The level of IgG antibodies in workers’ blood were measured as an indicator of the exposure to the microbes isolated from MWF, corresponded to the microbial species isolated from MWF. Results: The most dominant microbes isolated from the channels were Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 21 (34.4%) workers were positively exposed to E. coli, 30 (42.2%) to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 45(75%) exposed to Candida albicans. Also, the mean level of optic density of IgG to Klebsiella pneumoniae was 0.415 (0.02). Conclusion: Water-based metalworking fluid in this metal machining factory was contaminated with bacteria and fungi. The workers in the production section were exposed to MWF as well as the microbes present in MWF. The level of IgG in blood was the biomarkers for occupational exposure to microbial contaminant MWF.
Background: Lack of awareness, poor knowledge and attitude regarding cancer have been identified as possible reasons accounting for the late presentation which lead to the poor survival of cancer patients in Malaysia. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in three traditional Malay villages in Negeri Sembilan among adult males. Those who were already diagnosed with prostate cancer or Non malaysians were excluded from the study. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires which consist of several sections namely socio-demographic, awareness about prostate cancer, sources of information, family history of prostate cancer, lifestyle associated with risk of cancer, knowledge and attitude towards prostate cancer. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Chisquare test was used to determine associations. Level of significance was set at p