Several studies on job stress have been conducted among nurses, teachers, clerks, lecturers, laboratory technicians, petroleum and automotive workers and the calculated prevalences ranged from 20-35%; associated factors identified include high job demand, low job control and poor social support. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of stress in dental healthcare workers of an institution of higher learning in Kelantan. A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and associated factors of stress in 54 dental healthcare workers of an institution of higher learning in Kelantan [response rate of 63.5 percent] was conducted in March 2006. The Malay version of the validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire were used as research instruments in this study. Informed consents were obtained from all participants. The prevalence of stress was 22.2%. One (1.9%) staff member experienced severe stress whilst 20.4% experienced mild to moderate stress. After controlling for age, sex, marital status and duration of work, psychological job demand (adj. b 0.61, 95% CI 0.21, 1.00, p=0.003), toxic exposures (adj. b 1.41, 95% CI 0.47, 2.35, p=0.004) and overtime work (adj. b 5.67, 95% CI - 1.18, 10.16, p=0.015) were directly associated with reported stress in dental healthcare workers. High psychological job demand, increased toxic exposures at work and increased overtime work were significantly associated with stress in dental healthcare workers. These findings can be used to guide preventive measures to reduce stress in dental healthcare settings.
The sample size calculation for a prevalence only needs a simple formula. However, there are a number of practical issues in selecting values for the parameters required in the formula. Several practical issues are addressed and appropriate recommendations are given. The paper also suggests the application of a software calculator that checks the normal approximation assumption and incorporates finite population correction in the sample size calculation.
To examine the reliability and construct validity of the Malay Version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), a validation study was conducted in 184 automotive assembly workers. The internal consistency and construct validity were assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient
and exploratory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for DASS-Depression, DASS-Anxiety and DASS-Stress were 0.91, 0.88 and j 0.89, respectively, indicating satisfactory internal consistency Exploratory factor analysis showed three meaningful common factors that could
explain the three theoretical constructs of this instrument. These results suggested that the Malay version DASS is reliable and valid for assessing, the self perceived depression, anxiety and stress among Malaysian automotive workers.
Study site: Two automotive assembly plants, Pahang, Malaysia
Breast cancer is the commonest female cancer in Malaysia with a prevalence of 86.2 cases per 100,000 women in 1996. Pronling breast cancer patients is important for better planning of preventive and screening strategies for Malaysian women. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to identify histological presentation, socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics and prevalence of risk or protective factors of breast cancer among women with breast cancer in Kelantan. A total of 175 female breast cancer patients who were diagnosed in 1991 to 2000, were interviewed using standardized questionnaires. The mean (sd) age was 47.0 (9.6) years with 77.7% Malay, 20.6% Chinese and 1.7% others. About half (52.6%) had 9 years or less of formal education, while 59.4% were housewives/unemployed and 60.6% had a monthly family income of less than RM1 ,000. The commonest histological type was innltrative ductal carcinoma (73 .7%) . Presentation of breast cancer with the stage lll or Vl was 59.4%. The prevalence of nulliparity · 13.1%, breastfeeding longer than two years - 58.9%, premenstrual period - 72.0%, menarche at 11 years old or less - 5 .7%, positive family history - 14.4%, overweight/obesity - 48.0%, oral contraceptives use 30.3%, hormone replacement therapy » 1.1%, cigarette smoking - 4.6%, consuming akohol - 3.4%, previous benign breast disease - 6.3%, previous breast biopsy - 2.9% and previous oophorectomy - 4.6%. The patients were younger compared to other studies. The ethnic distribution did not represent the population distribution of Kelantan. The prevalence of overweight/obesity and smoking were higher than the national prevalence among women, thus they should be included in the prevention strategies for breast cancer. Further studies are recommended to investigate why many of breast cancer patients in Kelantan presented at a younger age and at advanced stages of cancer.
A cross-sectional study of 71 laboratory technicians in Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) Hospitals (response rate 89.9%) was conducted from September ZOO1 till February 2002. Seven MOH Hospitals in Kelantan were chosen. Karase job Content — Questionnaire (Malay Version) was used as research instrument in this study. There were five scales in the questionnaire; two scales were used to dehne job strain - decision latitude and psychological demands. Results showed that the majority of laboratory technicians in MOH Hospitah were classified as passive. However, the proportion of high strain group was the second highest after passive group. The percentage of laboratory technicians in MOH Hospitals which was classified as having a high job strain was 26.8%. The “high strain" group scored significantly higher for hazardous conditions, toxic exposures, total psychological stressors, total physical hazard, and total physical stressors as compared to the “non»high strain” group. Laboratory technicians in “high strain" group had significantly younger in age (18-34 years) group (42.1%) compared to those in “non·high strain" group (7.7%) and shorter total duration of employment (yr) ( 15 .3 x 6.8) compared to those in “non»high strain" group (19.2 x 6.7). We therefore conclude that less experienced and higher psychosocial factors at work experiencing higher job strain compared to those who were more experienced and less psychosocial factors.