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Fulltext Upregulation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Enhances Ethylene Biosynthesis and Accelerates Flower Senescence in Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum L

Dek MSP, Padmanabhan P, Sherif S, Subramanian J, Paliyath AG

Int J Mol Sci, 2017 Jul 15;18(7).
PMID: 28714880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071533

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a key enzyme that phosphorylates phosphatidylinositol at 3'-hydroxyl position of the inositol head group initiating the generation of several phosphorylated phosphatidylinositols, collectively referred to as phosphoinositides. The function of PI3K in plant senescence and ethylene signal transduction process was studied by expression ofSolanum lycopersicumPI3K in transgenicNicotiana tabacum, and delineating its effect on flower senescence. Detached flowers of transgenic tobacco plants with overexpressedSl-PI3K(OX) displayed accelerated senescence and reduced longevity, when compared to the flowers of wild type plants. Flowers from PI3K-overexpressing plants showed enhanced ethylene production and upregulated expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase 1 (ACO1). Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed thatPI3Kwas expressed at a higher level in OX flowers than in the control. Seedlings of OX-lines also demonstrated a triple response phenotype with characteristic exaggerated apical hook, shorter hypocotyls and increased sensitivity to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate than the control wild type seedlings. In floral tissue from OX-lines,Solanum lycopersicumphosphatidylinositol 3-kinase green fluorescent protein (PI3K-GFP) chimera protein was localized primarily in stomata, potentially in cytoplasm and membrane adjacent to stomatal pores in the guard cells. Immunoblot analysis of PI3K expression in OX lines demonstrated increased protein level compared to the control. Results of the present study suggest that PI3K plays a crucial role in senescence by enhancing ethylene biosynthesis and signaling.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco/genetics*; Tobacco/growth & development*
Fulltext Exposure to tobacco secondhand smoke and its associated factors among non-smoking adults in smoking-restricted and non-restricted areas: findings from a nationwide study in Malaysia

Lim KH, Teh CH, Nik Mohamed MH, Pan S, Ling MY, Mohd Yusoff MF, et al.

BMJ Open, 2018 01 08;8(1):e017203.
PMID: 29317411 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017203

OBJECTIVES: Secondhand smoke (SHS) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aims of the paper are to assess SHS exposure among non-smoking adults in Malaysia attending various smoking-restricted and non-restricted public areas according to the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (CTPR) as well as its relationship with various sociodemographic variables.
DESIGN: Data were extracted from a cross-sectional study, the Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2011 which involved 3269 non-smokers in Malaysia. Data was obtained through face-to-face interviews using a validated pre-tested questionnaire. Factors associated with exposure to SHS were identified via multivariable analysis.
RESULTS: The study revealed that almost two-thirds of respondents were exposed to SHS in at least one public area in the past 1 month, with a significantly higher exposure among males (70.6%), those with higher educational attainment (81.4%) and higher income (quintile 1%-73.9%). Besides, the exposure to SHS was almost four times higher in non-restricted areas compared with restricted areas under the CTPR (81.9% vs 22.9). Multivariable analysis revealed that males and younger adults at non-restricted areas were more likely to be exposed to SHS while no significant associated factors of SHS exposure was observed in restricted areas.
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed the prevalence of SHS exposure was higher among Malaysian adults. Although smoke-free laws offer protection to non-smokers from exposure to SHS, enforcement activities in restricted areas should be enhanced to ensure strict public abidance. In addition, legislation of restricted areas should also be extended to greatly reduce the SHS exposure among non-smokers in Malaysia.
Study name: Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS-2011)

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco Smoke Pollution/prevention & control; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/statistics & numerical data*
Fulltext Predictors of smoking cessation among adult smokers in Malaysia and Thailand: findings from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey

Li L, Borland R, Yong HH, Fong GT, Bansal-Travers M, Quah AC, et al.

Nicotine Tob Res, 2010 Oct;12 Suppl:S34-44.
PMID: 20889478 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntq030

Limited longitudinal studies on smoking cessation have been reported in Asia, and it remains unclear whether determinants of quitting are similar to those found in Western countries. This study examined prospective predictors of smoking cessation among adult smokers in Thailand and Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco Use Disorder/ethnology; Tobacco Use Disorder/psychology*
Indirect effects of cigarette butt waste on the dengue vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Dieng H, Rajasaygar S, Ahmad AH, Rawi CS, Ahmad H, Satho T, et al.

Acta Trop, 2014 Feb;130:123-30.
PMID: 24239749 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.11.001

Despite major insecticide-based vector control programs, dengue continues to be a major threat to public health in urban areas. The reasons for this failure include the emergence of insecticide resistance and the narrowing of the spectrum of efficient products. Cigarette butts (CBs), the most commonly discarded piece of waste, also represent a major health hazard to human and animal life. CBs are impregnated with thousands of chemical compounds, many of which are highly toxic and none of which has history of resistance in mosquitoes. This study was performed to examine whether exposure to CB alters various biological parameters of parents and their progeny. We examined whether the mosquito changes its ovipositional behaviors, egg hatching, reproductive capacity, longevity and fecundity in response to CB exposure at three different concentrations. Females tended to prefer microcosms containing CBs for egg deposition than those with water only. There were equivalent rates of eclosion success among larvae from eggs that matured in CB and water environments. We also observed decreased life span among adults that survived CB exposure. Extracts of CB waste have detrimental effects on the fecundity and longevity of its offspring, while being attractive to its gravid females. These results altogether indicate that CB waste indirectly affect key adult life traits of Aedes aegypti and could conceivably be developed as a novel dengue vector control strategy, referring to previously documented direct toxicity on the larval stage. But this will require further research on CB waste effects on non-target organisms including humans.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco Products
Fulltext Relationship between the levels of nicotine addiction with psychosocial factors among registered smokers at the Government Hospital Quit Smoking Clinic services around Klang Valley

Mohd Haazik Mohamed, Kamathi Perialathan, Noh Amit

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):90-90.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Nicotine addiction is one of the major issue in public health especially in Malaysia. Nicotine addiction also make a quitting smoking process difficult for most smokers and could cause relapse and failure. This study inves-tigated relationship between nicotine addiction and psychosocial factors such as anxiety, depression and social sup-port among smokers registered in quit smoking clinic services in the hospital around Klang Valley, Malaysia. Meth-ods: A cross-sectional study has been conducted among 115 smokers. Results: Results showed that 23.5% smokers had high nicotine addiction, 24.3% had moderate nicotine addiction, and the rest had low nicotine addiction. There is a positive significant relationship between nicotine addiction with age and smoking duration (r=0.34, p< 0.01 and r=0.41, p< 0.01, respectively). There is also a positive significant relationship between nicotine addiction with anxi-ety and depression (r=0.33, p< 0.01 and r=0.38, p< 0.01, respectively). In addition, there is a negative significant re-lationship between nicotine addiction with social support overall and social support from significant others (r= -0.22, p< 0.05 and r= -0.19, p< 0.05, respectively). The study shows that psychosocial factors such as anxiety, depression, social support and socio-demographic factors such as age and smoking duration were potentially affecting smoker ́s nicotine addiction. Conclusions: Besides pharmacological treatment, this study proves the importance of psycho-social factors involvement in helping client with nicotine addiction issues. Therefore, psycho-education, behaviour modification and psychosocial support skills should be enhanced for the quit smoking clinic handler. Studies on the need for psychosocial factors in helping smokers reduce their psychological and behaviours dependence on nicotine addiction should also be explored in greater depth.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco Use Disorder
Discarded cigarette butts attract females and kill the progeny of Aedes albopictus

Dieng H, Saifur RG, Ahmad AH, Rawi CS, Boots M, Satho T, et al.

J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2011 Sep;27(3):263-71.
PMID: 22017091

Discarded cigarette butts (DCB) waste occurs worldwide, pollutes landscapes, is unsightly, and results in added debris removal costs. There is, therefore, a great deal of current interest in making use of DCBs in beneficial ways. Despite evidence that DCBs are harmful to water fleas (Daphnia magna), which breed in aquatic environments as do mosquito larvae, their impact on dengue vectors is unknown. We examined whether Aedes albopictus alters its ovipositional responses, larval eclosion, and development in response to presence of DCBs in its habitats. We found oviposition activity in DCB-treated water similar to that of control water and that ovipositional activity in DCB solutions steadily increased over time as those solutions aged to 10 days. Larval eclosion was initially suppressed on day 1 in DCB solution, but increased thereafter to levels similar to control larval eclosion rates. The DCB-water solutions produced significantly higher mortality in both 1st and 2nd instars over control larvae for several days after initial exposure. Mortality rates decreased sharply 3 to 5 days postexposure as DCBs continued to decompose. We found increased survival rates during late development, but daily input of fresh DCBs prevented most young larvae from completing development. Taken together, these observations suggest that decomposing did not deter gravid Ae. albopictus females from ovipositing in treated containers and that DCB solutions had larvicidal effects on early instars. Our results are discussed in the context of DCB use to control container-breeding Ae. albopictus, a competent dengue vector in Asia and other parts of the world.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Prevalence of smoking and its associated risk factors among secondary school students in Kelantan, Malaysia

Lim Hui Li, Heng Pei Pei, Teh Chien Huey, Kee Chee Cheon, Sumarni Mohd Ghazali, Lim Kuang Hock, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):44-50.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Minimizing smoking initiation among adolescents has been identified as a strategy to reduce the preva- lence of tobacco induced diseases among Malaysian adults. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with smoking among secondary school- going adolescents in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods: A school-based survey was carried out in Kelantan to determine the prevalence and associated factors of smoking among Kelantanese adolescents. Two-stage cluster sampling was used to ensure the representativeness of the sample. A self-administered validated questionnaire was utilised to obtain data from the selected respondents. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with smoking behaviour among school-going adolescents. Results: The study revealed that 10.1% (95 CI 8.5-11.9%) of the selected respondents were current smokers. The prevalence of male who smoked was significantly higher compared to female. MLR revealed that, males, respondents with at least one smoking parent/guardian, as well as the respondents with less supportive parents/ guardian were more likely to smoke. However, by having a few numbers of close friends and helpful peers in the school had shown no significant association for being the current smokers. Conclusion: The study showed that the prevalence of smoking was a bit lower than the national prevalence, and smoking behaviour was predominant among male adolescents in Kelantan state. Comprehensive measures with the involvement of parents/guardians were imperative to tackle smoking habits among adolescents by targeting high-risk groups identified in the study.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Association between secondhand smoke exposure at home and cognitive performance among rural primary school children in Malaysia

Ellis-Suriani Z, Norsa'adah B, Othman A, Siti-Azrin AH

Tob Induc Dis, 2021;19:27.
PMID: 33867904 DOI: 10.18332/tid/133638

INTRODUCTION: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is linked to a series of serious health problems. Children may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of SHS exposure at home. This study aimed to determine the association between SHS exposure at home and cognitive performance in school children.
METHODS: A multistage sampling was performed across rural primary schools in Kuala Krai, Kelantan, Malaysia. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and the children aged 10-11 years (n=312) were subjected to cognitive tests including digit span, letter-number sequencing, coding, and symbol search. Cognitive performance was tested using subscales derived from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.
RESULTS: The prevalence of SHS exposure at home was 55.8%, where 11.9% of children lived with one smoker, while 43.9% of children lived with ≥2 smokers. There was a significant difference in the mean score of the combined cognitive tests between SHS-exposed and non-exposed children after adjustment for sex, parental educational level, family income and academic performance [Pillai's Trace=0.084, F statistic (df)=6.803 (4302), p<0.001].
CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the primary school children in rural Kuala Krai were exposed to SHS from at least one smoker at home. There was a significant association between SHS exposure at home and cognitive performance.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Fulltext Factors associated with tuberculosis among children and adolescents in kelantan: a cross-sectional study

Hafizuddin Awang

Malaysian Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2018;24(1):1-14.
MyJurnal

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the proportion of tuberculosis patients among children and adolescents, to describe the socio-demography and clinical factors for tuberculosis infection among children and adolescents in Kelantan from 2012 until 2015. Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study between tuberculosis and non-tuberculosis cases among children and adolescents using Tuberculosis Information System as a source population. All notified cases that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Descriptive statistics, simple and multiple logistic regressions were used for data analysis. Results: Out of 5412 tuberculosis cases, 8.4% were children and adolescents group with mean age of 15. Among 322 children and adolescents with tuberculosis, majority of them were Malay (91.2%), 7.5% illiterate and 79.6% resided in non-urban area. By clinical factors, 2.8% were Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive and 14.6% were cigarettes smokers. Older age, cigarettes smoking, female gender, Malay ethnicity, good education level and non-urban residence were the significant associated factors for tuberculosis infection among children and adolescents with AOR 1.41 (95%CI: 1.29,1.54; p

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco Products
First Report of Soft Rot Caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum on Cucumber in Malaysia

Nazerian E, Sijam K, Zainal Abidin MA, Vadamalai G

Plant Dis, 2011 Nov;95(11):1474.
PMID: 30731752 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-10-10-0754

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most important vegetable fruits in Malaysia. Cucumber is principally grown in the states of Johor, Kelantan, and Perak. The broad host range Enterobacteriaceae pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum, can cause soft rot on stems or cucumber fruit. In Malaysia, cucumber is produced in a warm, humid climate, thus the plant is susceptible to attack by P. carotovorum at any time during production. In 2010, cucumber samples with wilted and chlorotic leaves, water-soaked lesions, and collapsed fruits were found in multiple fields. Small pieces of infected stems and fruit were immersed in 5 ml of saline solution (0.85% NaCl) for 20 min and then 50 μl of this suspension was spread onto nutrient agar (NA) and incubated at 27°C for 24 h. White-to-pale gray colonies with irregular margins were selected for analysis. For pathogenicity tests, cucumber fruits were surface sterilized by ethyl alcohol 70%, washed with sterilized distilled water, cut into small pieces, and inoculated with 20 μl of 108 CFU/ml suspensions of five representative strains. Cucumber plants were grown for 3 weeks in sterilized soil and their stems were inoculated with 20 μl of 108 CFU/ml of bacterial suspension. Inoculated samples and control (noninoculated) plants were placed in a growth chamber with 80 to 90% relative humidity at 27°C. Symptoms occurred on fruit slices and stems after 1 to 3 days and appeared the same as naturally infected samples, but the control samples remained healthy. Koch's postulates were fulfilled with the reisolation of cultures with the same characteristics as described earlier. Hypersensitivity reaction (HR) assays were done by infiltrating 108 CFU/ml of bacterial suspension into tobacco leaf epidermis and HR developed. All strains were subjected to biochemical and morphological assays, as well as molecular assessment. The strains were gram negative, facultative anaerobes, rod shaped, able to macerate potato slices and growth at 37°C; catalase positive; oxidase and phosphatase negative; able to degrade pectate; sensitive to erythromycin; negative for utilization of α-methyl glycoside, indole production, and reduction of sugars from sucrose; acid production from arabitol, sorbitol, and utilization of citrate were negative, but positive for raffinose and melibiose utilization. PCR amplification of the pel gene by Y1 and Y2 primers produced a 434-bp fragment on agarose gel 1% (1). Amplification of intergenic transcribed spacer region by G1 and L1 primers gave two main bands at approximately 535 and 580 bp on agarose gel 1.5%. The ITS-PCR products were digested with RsaI restriction enzyme (3). On the basis of biochemical and morphological characteristics, PCR-based pel gene and characterization of the ITS region, and digestion of the ITS-PCR products with RsaI restriction enzyme, all isolates were identified as P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of soft rot caused by P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum on cucumber from Malaysia. References: (1) A. Darraas et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 60:1437, 1994. (2) N. W Schaad et al. Laboratory Guide for the Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. 3rd ed. The American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, 2001. (3) I. K. Toth et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67:4070, 2001.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
First Report of Pectobacterium wasabiae Causing Soft Rot of Cabbage in Malaysia

Golkhandan E, Sijam K, Meon S, Ahmad ZAM, Nasehi A, Nazerian E

Plant Dis, 2013 Aug;97(8):1110.
PMID: 30722504 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-01-13-0112-PDN

Soft rot of cabbage (Brassica rapa) occurs sporadically in Malaysia, causing economic damage under the hot and wet Malaysian weather conditions that are suitable for disease development. In June 2011, 27 soft rotting bacteria were isolated from cabbage plants growing in the Cameron Highlands and Johor State in Malaysia where the economic losses exceeded 50% in severely infected fields and greenhouses. Five independent strains were initially identified as Pectobacterium wasabiae based on their inability to grow at 37°C, and elicit hypersensitive reaction (HR) on Nicotiana tabaccum and their ability to utilize raffinose and lactose. These bacterial strains were gram-negative, rod-shaped, N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase, gelatin liquefaction, and OPNG-positive and positive for acid production from D-galactose, lactosemelibiose, raffinose, citrate, and trehalose. All strains were negative for indole production, phosphatase activity, reducing sucrose, and negative for acid production from maltose, sorbitol, inositol, inolin, melezitose, α-methyl-D-glucoside, and D-arabitol. All the strains exhibited pectolytic activity on potato slices. PCR assays were conducted to distinguish P. wasabiae from P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis, P. atrosepticum, and other Pectobacterium species using primers Br1f/L1r (2), Eca1f/Eca2r (1), and EXPCCF/EXPCCR, respectively. DNA from strains did not yield the expected amplicon with the Br1f/L1r and Eca1f/Eca2r, whereas a 550-bp amplicon typical of DNA from P. wasabiae was produced with primers EXPCCF/EXPCCR. ITS-RFLP using the restriction enzyme, Rsa I, produced similar patterns for the Malaysian strains and the P. wasabiae type strain (SCRI488), but differentiated it from P. carotovora subsp. carotovora, P. atrosepticum, P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis, and Dickeya chrysanthemi type strains. BLAST analysis of the 16S rRNA DNA sequence (GenBank Accession No. KC445633) showed 99% identity to the 16S rRNA of Pw WPP163. Phylogenetic reconstruction using concatenated DNA sequences of mdh and gapA from P. wasabiae Cc6 (KC484657) and other related taxa (4) clustered Malaysian P. wasabiae strains with P. wasabiae SCRI488, readily distinguishing it from other closely related species of Pectobacterium. Pathogenicity assays were conducted on leaves and stems of four mature cabbage plants for each strain (var. oleifera) by injecting 10 μl of a bacterial suspension (108 CFU/ml) into either stems or leaves, and incubating them in a moist chamber at 80 to 90% relative humidity at 30°C. Water-soaked lesions similar to those observed in the fields and greenhouses were observed 72 h after injection and bacteria with similar characteristics were consistently reisolated. Symptoms were not observed on water-inoculated controls. The pathogenicity test was repeated with similar results. P. wasabiae was previously reported to cause soft rot of horseradish in Japan (3). However, to our knowledge, this is the first report of P. wasabiae infecting cabbage in Malaysia. References: (1) S. H. De Boer and L. J. Ward. Phytopathology 85:854, 1995. (2) V. Duarte et al. J. Appl. Microbiol. 96:535, 2004. (3) M. Goto and K. Matsumoto. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 37:130, 1987. (4) B. Ma et al. Phytopathology 97:1150, 2007.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Smoking among medical workers in the institute of respiratory medicine (IPR) Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Shamsir study), 2002.

Sallehudin, A.B. AB

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2004;4(1):15-18.
MyJurnal

Cigarette smoking is so widespread that even medical workers are not exempted. A cross sectional survey was conducted among health care workers of the Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Kuala Lumpur to determine the prevalence of smoking and to assess readiness among the current smokers to quit. A total of 165 workers from all categories was surveyed using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire, The survey began in Mac 2002 and ended in April 2002, The survey showed that 24.8% of the workers surveyed were current smokers. Only male workers were found to smoke and the prevalence among them was 60.3%. Majority were moderate smokers, smoking between 10 to 20 cigarettes a day and were mainly lower category of workers, Median age of starting to smoke was 17.6 years, There were 20 smokesr ( 52.6%) who were ready to quit. This study found the prevalence of smoking among male health care workers to be higher than males in the general population. The low level of education of these workers seemed to influence smoking status.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Religious perception and other associated factors of smoking among male secondary school students in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Fadhli, Y., Zulkifli, A., Razlan, M.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2005;5(2):58-63.
MyJurnal

This is a cross-sectional study to determine the association between religious perception and smoking behavior of secondary male students in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted on 526 secondary four male students from eight randomly selected schools in Kota Bharu. There were 182 (34.6%) students who were current smokers, 12 (2.3%) were ex-smokers and 332 (63.1%) were non·smokers. More than half of the current smokers (53.4%) smoked regularly. Student’s perceptions on the religious opinion on smoking were signihcantly associated with smoking behavior. Other significant risk factors were having close friends who smoke, their perceptions on benefits and negative effects of smoking and the level of
y relationship with their fathers. These factors were also found to be good predictors of student's smoking status. Health education programs to control smoking should include the religious aspect of smoking to improve it’s effectiveness.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Environmental tobacco smoke and its association with asthma like symptoms among Malaysian children under 6 years old

Azmawati M.N., Aisah M., Norfazilah A.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2015;15(2):49-59.
MyJurnal

Children less than 6 years old are the most vulnerable group to get harm from Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure, especially their respiratory system. To determine the prevalence of ETS exposure and its association with asthma like symptoms among children less than 6 years old. A cross sectional study was conducted in between January till April 2014 among parents with children less than 6 years old in Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 142 parents were selected by simple random sampling and data were collected using guided questionnaire on ETS exposure and asthma like symptoms (cough and wheeze) among their children. A total of 52.8% of children found to be exposed to ETS, and 43.7% were exposed from their father. ETS exposure significantly associated with cough without cold (adjusted OR=5.46, 95% CI 2.37, 12.61), dry cough at night (adjusted OR=3.74, 95%CI 1.41, 9.95) and cough upon physical activity (adjusted OR=3.08, 95% 1.07, 8.89) among these children. Children less than 6 years old are vulnerable to respiratory problem due to ETS exposure especially on cough symptoms. More strategies should be developing to reduce the exposure to ETS.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Contributory factors to the smoking of Shisha among teenagers in the Perak city of Ipoh: a preliminary qualitative survey

Khor, Poh Yen, Norshidah Harun, Fazreenizam Ishak, Nur Aimy Iryany Mohd Anuar, Noraini Abdul Karim, Aqirah Azman, et al.

Int J Public Health Res, 2012;2(1):80-84.
MyJurnal

Accepted 13 January 2012.
Introduction The purpose of this study is to explore the reasons of Shisha smoking among teenagers in Ipoh, Perak.
Methods Data was collected using in-depth face to face interview. Purposive convenient sampling was used to select volunteer respondents from one of the Shisha restaurant located at Ipoh. The interviews were conducted for 15-20 minutes, recorded using video tape. The data obtained was transcribed and coded for the purpose of thematic analysis.
Results All respondents were influenced by peers in their first attempt in Shisha smoking. Other reasons attracting them to continue smoking Shisha include appealing smell and the flavoured taste of Shisha, easy to access, perceived that Shisha was not addictive and its’ cheaper price. In terms of perception on health risk, all respondents believed that Shisha was less harmful compared to cigarette smoking.
Conclusions More educational programme, health talk about risk of Shisha should be developed and conducted to rectify the misconception about health risk of Shisha smoking. The target population should be focus on male teenagers who smoke Shisha in order to control the widespread Shisha smoking in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Wood fuel consumption and mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from a dynamic panel study

Sulaiman C, Abdul-Rahim AS, Chin L, Mohd-Shahwahid HO

Chemosphere, 2017 Mar 06;177:224-231.
PMID: 28292722 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.019

This study examined the impact of wood fuel consumption on health outcomes, specifically under-five and adult mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, where wood usage for cooking and heating is on the increase. Generalized method of moment (GMM) estimators were used to estimate the impact of wood fuel consumption on under-five and adult mortality (and also male and female mortality) in the region. The findings revealed that wood fuel consumption had significant positive impact on under-five and adult mortality. It suggests that over the studied period, an increase in wood fuel consumption has increased the mortality of under-five and adult. Importantly, it indicated that the magnitude of the effect of wood fuel consumption was more on the under-five than the adults. Similarly, assessing the effect on a gender basis, it was revealed that the effect was more on female than male adults. This finding suggests that the resultant mortality from wood smoke related infections is more on under-five children than adults, and also are more on female adults than male adults. We, therefore, recommended that an alternative affordable, clean energy source for cooking and heating should be provided to reduce the wood fuel consumption.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Susceptibility to smoking as a predictor of smoking initiation among adolescents - a longitudinal study in Kota Tinggi District, Malaysia

Lim, K.H., Sumarni, M.G., Kee, C.C., Amal, N.M., Norhamimah, A.

Medicine & Health, 2011;6(1):49-58.
MyJurnal

Susceptibility to smoking, which is defined as a lack of cognitive commitment not to smoke in the future, has been shown to be a predictor for adolescent smoking initiation in developed countries. This study aims to evaluate the utility of a susceptibility-tosmoke measure as a predictor of smoking initiation among adolescents in Kota Tinggi district, Johor Malaysia. Susceptibility to smoking was evaluated among 1763 adolescents at baseline using a two-item construct. At follow-up 12 months later, 1288 of the 1763 adolescents (73.1%) responded. Results showed 14.9% (n=188/1260) of the respondents were susceptible to smoking at baseline. Among the susceptible adolescents, 31.9% initiated smoking after one year. Respondents who were identified as susceptible to smoking by the measure were 3.7 times (95%; CI: 2.17- 6.30) more likely to initiate smoking compared to non-susceptible respondents after adjusting for gender, school locality, percentage of friends who smoke, father smoking, parental acceptance of smoking, and belief in the positive and negative consequences of smoking. The findings suggest that the susceptibility measure is a reliable predictor and can be used as a screening tool to identify adolescents who are at risk of initiating smoking.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Cercarial dermatitis in Kelantan, Malaysia an occupation related health problem

Chiew, Eng Wooi, Lim, Susan Lee Hong, Ambu, Stephen

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2007;1(2):69-73.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Kelantan, an east coast state of Peninsular Malaysia is rich in culture and supports a population that is dependent on agriculture. The crops cultivated are mainly paddy and rubber but in recent years tobacco is beginning to gain importance over paddy. We centered our study around Bachok District which is about 25 kilometers east of Kota Bharu, the state capital.
Methods: Based on case reports we focused our study on cercarial dermatitis and also recorded the socioeconomic status of the people in the four study villages.
Result: The ducks and cows were the common livestock kept by the farmers and these were found to be significantly associated (P=0.05) with the occurrence of dermatitis. Cercariae shedding by snails were found in waters used for irrigation.
Conclusion: The results indicate that cercarial dermatitis is occupation specific, and its debilitating effect was having an influence on the socioeconomic status and general wellbeing of the population in these villages. The dermatitis occurred only during the field preparation and transplanting stages of paddy and was found to be significantly associated (P=

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco
Fulltext Smoking habits among medical students in a private university

Rashid AK, Azizah AM

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2011;11(1):70-77.
MyJurnal

Comparison of rates of smoking across countries revealed that students are more likely to begin smoking in medical school than to give it up and increase their cigarette consumption rather than decrease it. A cross-sectional survey of all consenting medical students in a private medical university in north Malaysia was conducted in 2008 to determine the prevalence and smoking habits among them. A self administered questionnaire which was returned to the investigators in a sealed envelope was used. Results were tabulated and analysed with SPSS version 13.0 software. The response rate was 83.3% (508/610). The prevalence rate for current smokers was 5.3% (27/508) and for ever smokers 9.3% (47/508). Factors significantly associated with smoking were gender (p<0.001), age group (p<0.001) and family income (p=0.003). The odds of being a smoker was 14 folds high when a family member smoked and the odds of being an ever smoker was almost 6 folds more when a family member smoked. Friends were the most common influence to start smoking and the most common reason to stop smoking among ever smokers. The reasons for not smoking among the never smokers were health concerns and the distasteful smell of cigarettes. A module on how to help medical students to stop smoking should be included in the curriculum of every medical school. This will not only help them become good educators but will prevent them from picking up the habit. Educational intervention should also include family members who smoke.
Key words: smoking, medical students, university, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco Use Disorder
Fulltext Work Stress Prevalence among the Management Staff in an International Tobacco Company in Malaysia

Swee, W.F., Anza, E., Noor Hassim, I.

Medicine & Health, 2007;2(1):93-98.
MyJurnal

A cross sectional study on work stress prevalence was carried out among 185 executives and managers in the head quarter of an international tobacco company. The aim of the study was to identify work stress prevalence in this company and work stressors that were associated with stress experienced by the workers. A questionnaire based on the Personal Stress Inventory by O'Donell (1984) was used. Data collected from participants included sociodemography factors, symptoms of stress and work stressors related to organizational policy, organizational structure, organizational process, and work environment. The study showed that the prevalence of stress among executives was 68.1% and managers were 67.9%. There was no significant difference in the level of stress between the executives and the managers in the company. The sociodemographic factors that were significantly associated with stress were salary, number of children and personal factors. The significant stressors in the workplace were lack of job recognition, over focusing on quality of work, heavy workload and long working hours.

Matched MeSH terms: Tobacco

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