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Fulltext Use of home phototheraphy for neonatal jaudice

Adlina, S., Ambigga, D., Narimah, A.H.H., Ridha, A.Z.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2007;7(2):49-52.
MyJurnal

Home phototherapy treatment has been available in the Klang Valley (comprising Petaling ]aya, Kuala Lumpur; Shah Alam and Klang) since 2003. This study was conducted to create awareness of the existence of home phototherapy and its usage in Malaysia. This was a retrospective study using 1297 informed consent forms that parents had to read and sign prior to the commencement of home phototherapy. lt was found that the majority ofthe babies was males (41.2%), at or over 36 weelds gestation (97.2%), from areas in Selangor (57.4%), fully breastfed (53 %) and referred by doctors (98%). The mean age of the babies at initiation of lwme phototherapy was 6. 7 days. The mean bilirubin level at the start of home phototherapy was 243.8 umoVL and the mean bilirubin level at the end of home phototherapy 5 was 139.3 umoVL. The mean decrease in bilirubin level was 103.12 umoVL and the mean number of days of usage was 3.5 days which is a daily decrement of about 29 umoVL (29.46 + 13.8). Home phototherapy remains a viable clinical option for full term babies with physiological jaundice.
Fulltext A population-based study on the prevalence and factors associated with obesity in Selangor

Rampal, G.R. Lekhraj, Sanjay, R., Azhar, M.Z., Sherina, M.S., Ambigga, D., Rahimah, A.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2006;2(2):89-97.
MyJurnal

Objective: This study was conducted to determine prevalence and factors associated with obesity in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in all districts of Selangor State. All individuals, 15 years and above in the selected households, were included. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Weight was recorded using TANITA model HD-309 and height was measured using SECA Body meter Model 208. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 8.2 taking into account the complex survey design. Results: The overall mean age of the 2219 respondents was 36.6(95% CI 35.7 – 37.6) years. There was no significant difference in the mean age of the males and females (p=0.697). The majority of the respondents were Malays (52.9%), followed by Chinese (30.9%), Indians (15.4%) and
other races (0.9%). The overall mean BMI was 24.1 kg/m2 (95% CI=23.8- 24.4). The overall prevalence of obesity was 12.2% (95% CI 10.6%, 14.0%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of obesity in the males compared to females (p>0.05). The prevalence of obesity increased with age up to the ages of 40-59 years and then decreased after 60 years. The highest prevalence of obesity was in the 40-59 years age groups in both sexes. The overall prevalence of obesity was significantly higher amongst the Malays (15.2%) compared to the Indians (11.6%) and Chinese (7.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only age and ethnicity were associated with obesity. Sex and educational level were not associated with obesity.
Fulltext A profile of cancer patient outcomes from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Malaysia

Suthahar A, Gurpreet K, Ambigga D, Maniam T, Dhachayani S, Fuad I, et al.

Singapore Med J, 2009 Jul;50(7):720-3.
PMID: 19644630

The aim of this paper was to determine the sociodemographic and cancer characteristics of patients with cancer at a tertiary care centre.
Fulltext Psychological distress, quality of life and coping in cancer patients: a prospective study

Suthahar A, Gurpreet K, Ambigga D, Dhachayani S, Fuad I, Maniam T, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Dec;63(5):362-8.
PMID: 19803291 MyJurnal

We present the results and conclusions of an observational prospective cohort design study using self-administered questionnaires to determine correlation between psychosocial factors and cancer outcome among 80 consecutive newly diagnosed treatment naïve cancer subjects who were being referred to the Oncology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Subjects were recruited over a period of 43 weeks from October 2000 till July 2001. Follow-up assessments were carried out at 6-months and 12 to 26 months later. The prediction of survival time was performed by the Cox Regression Analysis method with adjustments for biological and psychosocial risk factors. It was noted that depression (p = 0.001), stage 4 cancer disease (p = 0.016), neurological (p = 0.032), gastrointestinal tract (p = 0.04), head and neck (p = 0.011), gynaecological (p = 0.005) and bone and soft tissue (p = 0.030) malignancies were independent and statistically significant prognostic factor of survival during the study period. It was further shown than depressed patients were found to have almost four fold greater risk of dying than non-depressed patients and patients with stage 4 cancer illness have a five fold greater risk of dying than patients with stage 1 disease. Furthermore, based on tumour types subjects with neurological, gynaecological, head and neck, bone and soft tissue and gastro intestinal tract malignancies were found to have approximately thirty-six, twenty-five, twenty-two, sixteen and seven fold greater risk of dying respectively when compared to subjects with genitourinary cancers. This study further affirms the need for health care providers to be aware of the psychological aspects of the cancer patient and provide appropriate therapy so as to ensure that this group of individuals would have enhanced survival rates.

Study site: Oncology clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)
Smoking status and its relationship with depression among the elderly population in Malaysia: Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018

Ariaratnam S, Kee CC, Krishnapillai AD, Sanaudi R, Tohit NM, Ho KB, et al.

Tob Induc Dis, 2023;21:109.
PMID: 37654502 DOI: 10.18332/tid/169682

INTRODUCTION: Literature exploring smoking status and its association with depression among the elderly population using nationwide data in Malaysia is limited. Hence, a nationwide survey to determine the prevalence of smoking and depression among the elderly (aged ≥60 years) population was undertaken.
METHODS: This secondary dataset analysis used data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018. Data from 3914 participants were collected on elderly health in the Malaysian population. Sociodemographic characteristics were recorded. Smoking status was grouped as current smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers. A validated Malay language version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (M-GDS-14) was used to screen for depression among the elderly.
RESULTS: There was a significant association between smoking status with location, gender, employment status, marital status, ethnicity, education level, income, and depression. Current smokers are significantly higher in rural than urban areas. Among depressed participants, 65.7%, 17.1% and 17.2% were non-smokers, former smokers and current smokers, respectively. Multiple logistic regression showed that single (unmarried/separated/ divorced/widowed) participants were more likely to be depressed compared to married participants (AOR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.16-2.43). Whilst unemployed participants were more likely to be depressed than those who were employed (AOR=1.72; 95% CI: 1.22-2.44). Other Bumiputras were more likely to have depression compared to Malay, Chinese and Indian participants. Participants without formal education were more likely to be depressed compared to those having tertiary education. These participants have a 2-fold increased risk of depression (AOR=2.13; 95% CI: 1.02-4.45). Participants whose monthly salaries were <2000 MYR (AOR=3.67; 95% CI: 1.84-7.31) and 1000-1999 MYR (AOR=2.71; 95% CI: 1.23-5.94) were more likely to have depression compared with those who had received ≥3000 MYR. Ever smokers were more likely to be depressed than non-smokers (AOR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.23-2.29).
CONCLUSIONS: Elderly Malaysians are indeed at risk of developing depression particularly if they had ever smoked. Public health awareness and campaigning are pertinent to disseminate these outcomes in order to spread the awareness associated with smoking-related depression.
Fulltext Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus among the elderly: The 2011 National Health and Morbidity Survey, Malaysia

Ho BK, Jasvindar K, Gurpreet K, Ambigga D, Suthahar A, Cheong SM, et al.

Malays Fam Physician, 2014;9(3):12-9.
PMID: 26425300 MyJurnal

Diabetes mellitus is an important cardiovascular risk factor. The objective of this study was to provide population-based estimates on the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rate of diabetes among the older persons in Malaysia. Analysis of secondary data from a cross-sectional national population-based survey was done, which was conducted in 2011 throughout Malaysia. A total of 2764 respondents (15.5%) were older persons. The overall prevalence of diabetes among older persons was 34.4% in which 65.2% were aware of their diabetes status. Out of those who were aware, 87.5% had been treated. Only 21.8% of those treated had their diabetes controlled. The results of multiple logistic regression showed that the factors associated with higher awareness rates were women, Indians and higher income groups; factors associated with higher treatment rates were urban residents and those who were married and widow/widower/ divorcee. There was a high overall prevalence, awareness and treatment rate of diabetes among older persons in Malaysia but with suboptimal control rate.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2011)
Fulltext Prescribing of antihypertensive agents in public primary care clinics - is it in accordance with current evidence?

Ramli AS, Miskan M, Ng K, Ambigga D, Nafiza M, Mazapuspavina M, et al.

Malays Fam Physician, 2010;5(1):36-40.
PMID: 25606184

Large population surveys in Malaysia have consistently shown minimal improvement of blood pressure control rates over the last 10 years. Poor adherence to antihypertensive medication has been recognized as a major reason for poor control of hypertension. This study aimed to describe the prescribing pattern of antihypertensive agents in 2 public primary care clinics and assess its appropriateness in relation to current evidence and guidelines.
Fulltext Prevalence of smoking and its associated factors with smoking among elderly smokers in Malaysia: findings from a nationwide population-based study

Lim KH, Jasvindar K, Cheong SM, Ho BK, Lim HL, Teh CH, et al.

Tob Induc Dis, 2016;14:8.
PMID: 27006650 DOI: 10.1186/s12971-016-0073-z

BACKGROUND: The determination of smoking prevalence and its associated factors among the elderly could provide evidence-based findings to guide the planning and implementation of policy in order to will help in reducing the morbidity and mortality of smoking-related diseases, thus increase their quality of life. This paper describes the rate of smoking and identifies the factor(s) associated with smoking among the elderly in Malaysia.
METHODS: A representative sample of 2674 respondents was obtained via a two-stage sampling method in proportion to population size. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a set of standardized validated questionnaire. Data was weighted by taking into consideration the complex sampling design and non-response rate prior to data analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine the factor/s associated with smoking.
RESULTS: The prevalence of non-smokers, ex-smokers and current smokers among Malaysians aged 60 years and above were 36.3 % (95 % CI = 32.7-39.8), 24.4 % (95 % CI = 21.2-27.5) and 11.9 % (95 % CI = 9.5-14.3), respectively. Current smokers were significantly more prevalent in men (28.1 %) than in women (2.9 %), but the prevalence declined with advancing age, higher educational attainment, and among respondents with known diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Multivariable analysis revealed that males (aOR, 18.6, 95 % CI 10.9-31.9) and other Bumiputras (aOR 2.58, 95 % CI 1.29-5.15) were more likely to smoke. in addition, elderly with lower educational attainment (aOR, 1.70, 95 % CI 1.24-7.41) and those without/unknown hypertension also reported higher likelihood to be current smokers (aOR 1.98, 95 % CI 1.35-2.83). However, there were no significant associations between respondents with no/unknown diabetes or hypercholesterolemia with smoking.
CONCLUSIONS: In short, smoking is common among elderly men in Malaysia. Therefore, intervention programs should integrate the present findings to reduce the smoking rate and increase the smoking cessation rate among the elderly in Malaysia and subsequently to reduce the burden of smoking-related disease.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2011)