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Fulltext Factorial validity and reliability of the simplified-Chinese version of Snaith-Hamilton pleasure scale: a study among depressed patients at an out-patient clinic in Malaysia

Anne, Yee, Huai, Seng Loh, Chong, Guan Ng

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2014;15(1):66-71.
MyJurnal

Objective: The Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) is a self-assessment scale designed to evaluate anhedonia in various psychiatric disorders. To facilitate its use in Malaysian settings, our current study aimed to examine the validity of the Simplified-Chinese translated version of the SHAPS (SHAPS-SC) in a group of subjects at a university out-patient clinic. Method: A total of 40 depressed patients were recruited in this cross sectional study. They were given both the Simplified Chinese and Malay versions of SHAPS, General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess their hedonic state, general mental health condition and level of depression. Results: Our study showed that SHAPS-SC had impressive internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.84) and concurrent validity, and fair parallel-forms reliability (Pearson’s correlation 0.39). Conclusion: SHAPS-SC demonstrated good psychometric properties in the evaluation of hedonic state among a group of Chinese speaking depressed patients in an out-patient setting. It is easy to administer and suitable as a valid and reliable questionnaire in assessing anhedonia among depressed patients in Malaysia. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 15 (1): January - June 2014: 66-71.

Study site: psychiatric out-patient clinic, University
Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Coping Styles and Clinical Factors in Relation to Quality of Life among Patients with Schizophrenia

Mohd Badi, M., Osman, C.B., Anisah, O.

Medicine & Health, 2008;3(1):14-21.
MyJurnal

This is a cross sectional study examining quality of life in relation to coping styles among patients with Schizophrenia (N=92) in remission, from June 2002 to December 2002.Remission state is determined by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). The psychiatric diagnosis was made by treating psychiatrist using the Clinical Interview Schedule for the DSM-IV Diagnosis. They are subsequently asked to complete demographic and clinical data questionnaire and followed by 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) of the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) for the assessment of quality of life and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS). The QOL in term of overall mental health among patients with schizophrenia was significantly and positively associated with ethnic group (p

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Perceptions of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in South-East Asia: Results from Patient and Physician Surveys

Malik RA, Aldinc E, Chan SP, Deerochanawong C, Hwu CM, Rosales RL, et al.

Adv Ther, 2017 06;34(6):1426-1437.
PMID: 28502036 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-017-0536-5

There are no data on physician-patient communication in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) in the Asia-Pacific region. The objective of this study was to examine patient and physician perceptions of pDPN and clinical practice behaviors in five countries in South-East Asia. Primary care physicians and practitioners, endocrinologists, diabetologists, and patients with pDPN completed separate surveys on pDPN diagnosis, impact, management, and physician-patient interactions in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Data were obtained from 100 physicians and 100 patients in each country. The majority of physicians (range across countries, 30-85%) were primary care physicians and practitioners. Patients were mostly aged 18-55 years and had been diagnosed with diabetes for >5 years. Physicians believed pDPN had a greater impact on quality of life than did patients (ranges 83-92% and 39-72%, respectively), but patients believed pDPN had a greater impact on items such as sleep, anxiety, depression, and work than physicians. Physicians considered the diagnosis and treatment of pDPN a low priority, which may be reflected in the generally low incidence of screening (range 12-65%) and a lack of awareness of pDPN. Barriers to treatment included patients' lack of awareness of pDPN. Both physicians and patients agreed that pain scales and local language descriptions were the most useful tools in helping to describe patients' pain. Most patients were monitored upon diagnosis of pDPN (range 55-97%), but patients reported a shorter duration of monitoring compared with physicians. Both physicians and patients agreed that it was patients who initiated conversations on pDPN. Physicians most commonly referred to guidelines from the American Diabetes Association or local guidelines for the management of pDPN. This study highlights important differences between physician and patient perceptions of pDPN, which may impact on its diagnosis and treatment. For a chronic and debilitating complication like pDPN, the physician-patient dialogue is central to maximizing patient outcomes. Strategies, including education of both groups, need to be developed to improve communication.
FUNDING: Pfizer.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext The association between the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and anthropometric indices among university’s staff

Hasmiza Halib, Nur Amalina Hamdan, Napisah Hussin, Noramilin Shafie

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2017;17(102):0-0.
MyJurnal

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is broadly used as an adjunct treatment for patients to treat various kinds of disease, prevent disease and to sustain and enhance quality of life of the users. The study is aimed to investigate the association between CAM uses, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and anthropometric indices among workers or staffs in Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Gong Badak Campus, Kuala Terengganu. A total of 300 subjects participated in this study and completed the malay version of modified HRQol (SF-12) questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements among the subjects were done. Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used to test the association and the hypotheses. The prevalence of CAM users was 37.3%. The results showed that bodily pain score domain was significantly higher among non-CAM users. Overall, male had higher Mental Health Composite Score (MCS) score than female. Physical Health Composite Score (PCS) was only correlated negatively with BMI among non-CAM users but negative correlated with body fat percentage in both CAM and non-CAM users. As conclusion, HRQoL had significant negative correlation with body fat percentage among CAM users. No association was found between CAM use and HRQoL scores.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Mental Health Conceptualization and Resilience Factors in the Kalasha Youth: An Indigenous Ethnic and Religious Minority Community in Pakistan

Choudhry FR, Khan TM, Park MS, Golden KJ

Front Public Health, 2018;6:187.
PMID: 30065918 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00187

The Kalasha are a religious, ethnic, and linguistic minority community in Pakistan. They are indigenous people living in remote valleys of the Hindu Kush Mountains in northern Pakistan, neighboring Afghanistan. The Kalasha are pastoral, as well as agricultural people to some extent, although they are increasingly facing pressures from globalization and social change, which may be influencing youth and community development. Their traditional world view dichotomizes and emphasizes on the division of the pure (Onjeshta) and the impure (Pragata). There remains a scarcity of literature on mental health and resilience of indigenous communities in South Asia and Pakistan generally, and the polytheistic Kalasha community specifically. Thus, the current study was conducted with the aim to explore the cultural protective factors (resilience) of the Kalasha youth (adolescents and emerging adults) and to explore their perceived etiological understandings and preferred interventions for mental health support systems. The theoretical framework of Bronfenbrenner's (1, 2) ecological systems model was used. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted, considering the advantage of its idiographic approach and the "double hermeneutic" analytic process. This methodology was consistent with the aim to understand and make sense of mental health and resilience from the Kalasha indigenous perspective. A total of 12 in-depth interviews were conducted with adolescents and emerging adults (5 males, 7 females), along with ethnographic observations. The analysis revealed 3 superordinate themes of mental health perceptions and interventions, each with more specific emergent themes: (1) Psychological Resilience/Cultural Protective Factors Buffering Against Mental Health Problems (Intra-Communal Bonding & Sharing; Kalasha Festivals & Traditions; Purity Concept; Behavioral Practice of Happiness and Cognitive Patterns); (2) Perceived Causes of Mental Health Issues (Biological & Psychosocial; Supernatural & Spiritual; Environmental); and (3) Preferred Interventions [Shamanic Treatment; Ta'awiz (Amulets); Communal Sharing & Problem Solving; Medical Treatment; Herbal Methods]. The overall findings point to the need for developing culturally-sensitive and indigenous measures and therapeutic interventions. The findings highlighted the Kalasha cultural practices which may promote resilience. The findings also call for indigenous sources of knowledge to be considered when collaboratively designing public health programs.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext A better mental health for all

Jasraj, S., Viknesh, N.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2017;26(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

Psychiatric services have progressed well throughout history, marked by a shift from heavily inpatient asylums to outpatient management via deinstitutionalization, and advances in psychopharmacology. An overview of important themes is discussed at public mental health level. Firstly, differences between sexes are touched upon from theoretical and societal perspectives. Next, among the disabled, the phenomenon of diagnostic overshadowing, attributing apparent mental health problems to learning disability, contributes to their overall poorer quality of life. Mental health at both extremes of age is another important theme, whereby dementia and depression are keenly observed in the older age group, while maternal risk factors and parenting play a role in the mental well-being of the younger age group. Fourthly, inequalities, stigma and discrimination, are rife among people living with mental illness, and thereby detrimental in their road to recovery. Deinstitutionalization is explained as being more than just downsizing the inpatient load, gaining prominence with the emergence of community psychiatry services, and found to be helpful in overcoming stigma. Demographically, it was demonstrated that developing countries, as opposed to developed countries, have advantages in their approaches to psychiatric services, including better integration of people living with mental illness into society. Lastly, the psychological well-being of mental health workers should not be discounted, with measures such as stress management and resilience training proving to be key in combating burnout.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Premature ejaculation in urban malaysian population: the associations between erectile dysfunction(ED), anxiety and depression

Shamini Arasalingam, Hatta Sidi, Ng Chong Guan, Srijit Das, Marhani Midin, Ramli Musa

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2016;15(1):89-96.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Both premature ejaculation(PE) and erectile dysfunction(ED) are prevalent sexual health disorders that have been inadequately investigated in Malaysia, a multiethnic and conservative nation.The objective of the study was to study the relationship between PE and ED, and other common mental health issues, i.e. anxiety and depression in Malaysian urban population.
Methods: The diagnosis for PE was established by clinical diagnosis using DSM-5 and ISSM definition criteria for PE, whereas a diagnosis of ED was established by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Anxiety and depression levels were detected from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
Results: Based on DSM-V and ISSM clinical diagnosis for PE, the prevalence of PE was found to be 25%. Erectile dysfunction (p = 0.035, OR = 3.315, 95% CI 1.088, 10.103) and severe anxiety (p = 0.020, OR = 7.656, 95% CI 1.383, 42.396) significantly predicted presence of PE.
Conclusion: There was a strong association between PE and ED and between PE and anxiety. Routine examination for PE in male patients should address the issue and the management of both ED and anxiety among PE patients, especially in an urban Malaysian clinical and medical care setting.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Factors associated psychological well-being of mothers with low birth weight (LBW) infants who are admitted at neonatal intensive care units (NICU)

Rusnani Ab Latif

The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 2018;9(3):39-45.
MyJurnal

Psychological well-being is relatively complex notions with a variety of components that may contribute to it. Individuals differ in their overall levels of psychological health and well-being. Mother with low birth weight (LBW) babies required hospitalization especially in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) more exposed to the experience of anxious symptoms. Therefore, it would become a stressful event that might cause psychological distress or even emotional crisis in mother's when their infants were LBW especially premature. Health promotion is very important to prevent this problem. Health promotion efforts aimed at improving infant health status must do so by improving women's health. Improving women's health before, during, and after pregnancy is the key to reduce the human and economic costs associated with infant mortality and morbidity. To improve both women's and infants' health, efforts should include an emphasis on preventive health care services, family-oriented work site options, changes in social norms, and individual behavior modification. Therefore, it is important for health care professionals in NICU to be able to assess the factors associated psychological well-being of mother's with LBWinfant.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Sociodemographic, lifestyle and health factors associated with depression among adults in Malaysia: an ethnic comparison

Cheah, Y.K., Azahadi, M., Phang, S.N., Abd Manaf, N.H.

JUMMEC, 2019;22(1):33-40.
MyJurnal

Background: Depression is a serious mental health illness worldwide. The purpose of the study was to
investigate the relationships between depression and its risk factors of sociodemography, lifestyle, and health
among the adults of the different ethnic groups in Malaysia.

Method: A nationwide database with 10141 observations was used. Multivariable logistic regression analyses
stratified by ethnicity were estimated.

Results: Ethnicity and gender, age, education, marital status and self-rated health were correlated to the
likelihood of having depression. Malay females and smokers (AOR: 2.083) were more likely to suffer from
depression than Malay males (AOR: 0.305) and non-smokers. Higher-income Chinese displayed higher odds of
having depression than lower-income Chinese (AOR: 1.009). Indians and others with secondary-level education
displayed a lower likelihood of developing depression compared to those with primary-level education (AOR:
0.587).

Conclusion: This study could contribute significantly to the formulation and development of an effective
policy directed towards reducing the prevalence of depression in the vulnerable. These were the adults, in
the younger age group, with lower education, with self-rated poor health, being female, unmarried, Malay
and Chinese, and Indians and others. A nationwide policy targeted towards the Malay females to reduce
their depression, with attention to the Chinese with a high income, and to the Indians and others with poor
educational background to improve their knowledge of mental health, would be worthy of consideration.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
To reduce or to cease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative studies on self-regulation of driving

Ang BH, Oxley JA, Chen WS, Yap KK, Song KP, Lee SWH

J Safety Res, 2019 09;70:243-251.
PMID: 31848001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2019.07.004

INTRODUCTION: The ability to remain safe behind the wheels can become arduous with aging, yet important for sustaining local travel needs. This review aimed to explore safe mobility issues involving older adults and gain a broad understanding of older drivers' self-regulatory driving practices and motivators behind such behavioral changes, including strategies adopted to reduce or cease driving while maintaining safe mobility.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed on 11 online databases for quantitative studies describing self-regulation of driving amongst older adults aged 60 years and above from database inception until December 2018. Data were described narratively and, where possible, data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.
RESULTS: Of the 1556 studies identified, 54 studies met the inclusion criteria and 46 studies were included in the meta-analyses. All included studies examined car drivers only. Older adults who were single or female were found to be at higher odds of driving cessation. Physical fitness, mental health, social influence, and support systems received by older adults were important driving forces influencing mobility and adjustments made in their travel patterns.
CONCLUSIONS: Driving self-regulation amongst older adults is a multifaceted decision, impacting mobility and mental health. Therefore, future interventions and support systems should not only create opportunities for retaining mobility for those who have ceased driving, but also promote better psychological and social well-being for regulators and for those who are transitioning from driving to non-driving status. Practical applications: (a) Engage and educate older adults about self-regulation, including strategies that can be adopted and non-car mobility options available. (b) Expand the research focus to explore potential interactions of factors facilitating or hindering the transition process to develop a more comprehensive framework of self-regulation. (c) Encourage ongoing research to formulate, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of policies and interventions implemented. (d) Expand the research horizon to explore and understand the perspectives of older adults from developing countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Internet addiction among secondary school students in Klang Valley, Malaysia: what is the association with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and selfesteem?

Abdul Aziz, M., Wan Ismail W.S., Bahar N., Mahadevan R., Azhar Shah S.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(2):17-26.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Internet addiction is becoming a global problem and has been associated with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. There is a strong need for local research, given the recent rise of mental health issues amongst children and adolescents in Malaysia, as well as lack of research in this field locally. Methods: This study assessed the prevalence of internet addiction, and its association with internetrelated factors, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and self-esteem, amongst selected secondary school students in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. In a cross-sectional study, 199 adolescents were conveniently chosen from six randomly selected secondary schools within Klang Valley. Subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, as well as Malay versions of the Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 anxiety subscale (DASS-21) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results: This study found that 49.2% of students were addicted to the internet. Significant factors associated with internet addiction were spending longer hours online during the holidays (OR 1.20, CI 1.01-1.35), easy access to a computer (OR 4.01, CI 1.50 - 10.76), confiding on the internet (OR 4.07, CI 1.49-11.13), severe level of anxiety (OR 3.63, CI 1.04-12.73) and high depression scores (OR 1.10, CI 1.01-1.20). Contrary to previous studies, self-esteem was not found to be significantly associated with internet addiction. Conclusion: This study has important implications in relation to clinical practice, research, and policy-making in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Coping Strategies and Suicidality: A Cross-Sectional Study From China

Liang J, Kõlves K, Lew B, de Leo D, Yuan L, Abu Talib M, et al.

Front Psychiatry, 2020;11:129.
PMID: 32231596 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00129

Background and Objective: Suicide is a leading cause of death in young people. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be triggered by life and study stresses; therefore, it is important to understand the role of coping strategies. The current study analyzed the link between different coping strategies and suicidality in university students in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2,074 undergraduate students from China used a stratified-clustered-random sampling method (response rate 94.4%). The Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised Scale was used to identify suicidal risks, while the Brief COPE scale was used to measure different coping strategies. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilized to examine coping strategies and suicidality. Results: A negative association of some coping skills (active coping and positive reframing) with suicidality and a positive association of some other coping skills (self-distraction, substance abuse, behavioral disengagement, venting, and self-blame) with suicidality were observed after adjusting for sociodemographic and mental health variables. Conclusions: Training and supporting young people to identify and apply adaptive coping strategies to deal with life stress could help to reduce suicidal ideation and behavior.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

Khoo EJ, Lantos JD

Acta Paediatr, 2020 07;109(7):1323-1325.
PMID: 32289175 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15307
Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Malaysian society and health: issues and challenges in the 21st century

Wong YL, Mohd Amin J

JUMMEC, 2005;8:53-58.

Malaysia, like many aspiring developing countries, is undergoing a health transition that has seen the concomitant decrease in communicable diseases and increase in chronic diseases due to urbanization, modernization and ageing population. Health in the Malaysian society will thus increasingly focus on emerging problems that are both chronic and infectious in nature, such as, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. Re-emerging diseases previously well-controlled, such as, tuberculosis for instance is another addition to these immediate health issues facing Malaysian society today. Despite the tremendous health gains and above average health status that Malaysians now enjoy, we are compelled to take stock of these urgent issues as well as to anticipate and handle serious challenges to our health in the 21st century. In this paper, we review the changing trends and discuss related challenges in disease pattern, environmental health, demographic impacts on health, migration influxes and health, effects of globalization on health, mental health and wellness as well as fundamental access and equality in health care. Being proactive, resilient and innovative, Malaysian society would forge ahead towards our Vision for Health in this new era. KEYWORDS: Society and health, health trends and issues, Vision for Health, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Health; Mental Health
Fulltext The association between the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and anthropometric indices among university’s staff

Halib H, Hamdan NA, Hussin N, Shafie N

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2017;17 Special(2):74-81.

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is broadly used as an adjunct treatment for patients to treat various kinds of disease, prevent disease and to sustain and enhance quality of life of the users. The study is aimed to investigate the association between CAM uses, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and anthropometric indices among workers or staffs in Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Gong Badak Campus, Kuala Terengganu. A total of 300 subjects participated in this study and completed the malay version of modified HRQol (SF-12) questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements among the subjects were done. Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used to test the association and the hypotheses. The prevalence of CAM users was 37.3%. The results showed that bodily pain score domain was significantly higher among non-CAM users. Overall, male had higher Mental Health Composite Score (MCS) score than female. Physical Health Composite Score (PCS) was only correlated negatively with BMI among non-CAM users but negative correlated with body fat percentage in both CAM and non-CAM users. As conclusion, HRQoL had significant negative correlation with body fat percentage among CAM users. No association was found between CAM use and HRQoL scores.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Associations Between Social Capital and Depressive Symptoms Among College Students in 12 Countries: Results of a Cross-National Study

Backhaus I, Varela AR, Khoo S, Siefken K, Crozier A, Begotaraj E, et al.

Front Psychol, 2020;11:644.
PMID: 32411038 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00644

Introduction: A mental health crisis has hit university campuses across the world. This study sought to determine the prevalence and social determinants of depressive symptoms among university students in twelve countries. Particular focus was placed on the association between social capital and depressive symptoms.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students at their first year at university in Europe, Asia, the Western Pacific, and Latin and North America. Data were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and social capital. The simplified Beck's Depression Inventory was used to measure the severity of depressive symptoms. Social capital was assessed using items drawn from the World Bank Integrated Questionnaire to Measure Social Capital. Multilevel analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between social capital and depressive symptoms, adjusting for individual covariates (e.g., perceived stress) and country-level characteristics (e.g., economic development).
Results: Among 4228 students, 48% presented clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Lower levels of cognitive (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.44-2.29) and behavioral social capital (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.29-1.76) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. The likelihood of having depressive symptoms was also significantly higher among those living in regions with lower levels of social capital.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that lower levels of individual and macro-level social capital contribute to clinically relevant depressive symptoms among university students. Increasing social capital may mitigate depressive symptoms in college students.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Cigarette smoking dose-response and suicidal ideation among young people in Nepal: a cross-sectional study

Sathian B, Menezes RG, Asim M, Mekkodathil A, Sreedharan J, Banerjee I, et al.

Nepal J Epidemiol, 2020 Mar;10(1):821-829.
PMID: 32257512 DOI: 10.3126/nje.v10i1.28277

Background: Worldwide, tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for morbidity and early mortality among adult population. The present study aimed to find out the association between current smoking and suicidal ideation among young people in Nepal.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 452 youths from Pokhara, Nepal. The present study included both genders (age 18-24 years) who were smokers as well as non-smokers.
Results: Across the study period, 452 participants were identified after matching for age, and sex (226 in the smoking group and 226 in the non-smoking group). The mean age of participants was 21.6±1.2 years and 58.8% were males. The overall rate of suicidal ideation in our cohort was 8.9%. Smokers were slightly more likely to report suicidal ideation than non-smokers (aOR 1.12). The risk of developing suicidal ideation was 3.56 (95% CI 1.26-10.09) times more in individuals who smoked greater than 3.5 cigarettes per week (p=0.01).
Conclusion: The rate of suicidal ideation was slightly higher among smokers and a dose-response relationship was identified with the number of cigarettes smoked per week. Being aware of the link between smoking and suicidal ideation may help health care professionals working with young people to address more effectively the issues of mental well-being and thoughts about suicide.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Risk factors of depression, anxiety and stress among adults attending primary health clinics in an urban area in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Abd Rahman R, Idris IB, Husnina Ibrahim

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):240-246.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Mental health problem is an important public health issue which causes deterioration in quality of life, function and financial capabilities. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 1996, the prevalence of mental problem among adults in Malaysia was 10.7% and this has increased to 29.2% in NHMS 2015. The aim of this study was to evaluate the burden of depression, anxiety and stress among adults in a city in Klang Valley, Malaysia including its associated factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by analysing secondary data obtained from screening program performed in six primary health clinics in the city throughout 2016. There were 576 adults participated in the screening program which consisted of mental health screening using Depression, Anxiety, Stress 21 (DASS-21) questionnaire and health status screening using Health Status Screening Form.
Results: The prevalence of depression was 20.5%, anxiety was 44.5%, while stress was 10.1%. By using logistic regression, history of being abused was the only significant protective factor associated with depression, anxiety and stress with OR of 0.062 (95% CI 0.007; 0.563, p=0.004), OR of 0.001 (95% CI 0.000; -, p=0.001) and OR of 0.026 (95% CI 0.003; 0.238, p<0.001) respectively. Other independent variables were not statistically significant.
Conclusions: As conclusions, surprisingly the risk of depression, anxiety and stress were not increased among participants who reported history of being abused. This was probably due to good coping mechanism among them. Nevertheless, early intervention needs to be emphasized to prevent mental disorders among this group of people in community.
Keywords: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Adults, Urban

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Examining depressive symptoms and their predictors in Malaysia: stress, locus of control, and occupation

Yeoh SH, Tam CL, Wong CP, Bonn G

Front Psychol, 2017;8:1411.
PMID: 28878710 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01411

The 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey estimated that over 29% of the adult population of Malaysia suffers from mental distress, a nearly 3-fold increase from the 10.7% estimated by the NHMS in 1996 pointing to the potential beginnings of a public health crisis. This study aimed to better understand this trend by assessing depressive symptoms and their correlates in a cross-section of Malaysians. Specifically, it assesses stress, perceived locus of control, and various socio-demographic variables as possible predictors of depressive symptoms in the Malaysian context. A total of 728 adults from three Malaysian states (Selangor, Penang, Terengganu) completed Beck's depression inventory as well as several other measures: 10% of respondents reported experiencing severe levels of depressive symptoms, 11% reported moderate and 15% reported mild depressive symptoms indicating that Malaysians are experiencing high levels of emotional distress. When controlling for the influence of other variables, depressive symptoms were predictably related to higher levels of stress and lower levels of internal locus of control. Ethnic Chinese Malaysians, housewives and those engaged in professional-type occupations reported less depressive symptoms. Business owners reported more depressive symptoms. Further research should look more into Malaysians' subjective experience of stress and depression as well as explore environmental factors that may be contributing to mental health issues. It is argued that future policies can be designed to better balance individual mental health needs with economic growth.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health
Fulltext Classification of neck/shoulder pain in epidemiological research: a comparison of personal and occupational characteristics, disability, and prognosis among 12,195 workers from 18 countries

Sarquis LMM, Coggon D, Ntani G, Walker-Bone K, Palmer KT, Felli VE, et al.

Pain, 2016 May;157(5):1028-1036.
PMID: 26761390 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000477

To inform case definition for neck/shoulder pain in epidemiological research, we compared levels of disability, patterns of association, and prognosis for pain that was limited to the neck or shoulders (LNSP) and more generalised musculoskeletal pain that involved the neck or shoulder(s) (GPNS). Baseline data on musculoskeletal pain, disability, and potential correlates were collected by questionnaire from 12,195 workers in 47 occupational groups (mostly office workers, nurses, and manual workers) in 18 countries (response rate = 70%). Continuing pain after a mean interval of 14 months was ascertained through a follow-up questionnaire in 9150 workers from 45 occupational groups. Associations with personal and occupational factors were assessed by Poisson regression and summarised by prevalence rate ratios (PRRs). The 1-month prevalence of GPNS at baseline was much greater than that of LNSP (35.1% vs 5.6%), and it tended to be more troublesome and disabling. Unlike LNSP, the prevalence of GPNS increased with age. Moreover, it showed significantly stronger associations with somatising tendency (PRR 1.6 vs 1.3) and poor mental health (PRR 1.3 vs 1.1); greater variation between the occupational groups studied (prevalence ranging from 0% to 67.6%) that correlated poorly with the variation in LNSP; and was more persistent at follow-up (72.1% vs 61.7%). Our findings highlight important epidemiological distinctions between subcategories of neck/shoulder pain. In future epidemiological research that bases case definitions on symptoms, it would be useful to distinguish pain that is localised to the neck or shoulder from more generalised pain that happens to involve the neck/shoulder region.

Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health

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