Antenatal (AN) care is vital for all pregnant women and for reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity. AN care knowledge and specific AN care practices are some of the crucial components of what determines effective AN care. In developing nations, the health of pregnant women can be even more sensitive to these factors. Objectives of this study was to assess the antenatal (AN) care practice and pregnancy outcome of ever-married women aged 18 to 49 years old having at least one pregnancy experience ,residing in kampongs of Sikuati area, Kudat between March to December 2015. Cross–sectional descriptive study, non-probability convenient sampling method was used and 150 eligible participants were interviewed through face to face by trained interviewers using a semi-structured questionnaire and their knowledge of AN care, their AN care practices and outcomes and complications of their pregnancies were recorded. 99% of all the women received AN care, and 64% of the women received essential AN care practice (AN visit of minimum 4 times). The study revealed that overall knowledge amongst the women with good knowledge was 48% and low knowledge was 52%. Despite this, it was found that low knowledge of AN care was associated with essential AN care practice. Additionally, AN care practices, assessed through timing of first AN care visit and frequency of visits, was not significantly associated with pregnancy complications. Despite these results, outcomes were good and all complications were properly and successfully addressed. This may reflect the effectiveness of current programs in place promoting importance of AN care and delivery practices. Maintenance of current programs with targeted interventions to address low knowledge level and the low level of compliance with essential AN care completed are recommended..
Toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 and O139 are causative agents of deadly
diarrheal disease named cholera. Vibrio cholerae O1 is traditionally divided into two
biotypes, classical and El Tor, which are different in phenotypic as well as genotypic traits.
Since 1961, classical strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 serogroup has become obsolete as the
cause of epidemic and pandemic cholera and replaced by El Tor strains. Since 2002, atypical
O1 El Tor strains possessing the traits of classical strains have been increasingly recognized
as the cause of cholera in many countries across the world. This article focuses on the genetic
traits of O1 classical and El Tor strains. Furthermore, an overview of emergence of atypical
O1 El Tor strains and their genetic traits is presented.
Introduction: Hypertension prevalence is increasing globally and has become a major issue of disease as it is a major cause for cerebrovascular, kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Even among treated patients, there is a dispropor-tional of blood pressure control causing a major public health challenge. This study is aimed to decide on the prev-alence of uncontrolled hypertension and its associated factors among hypertensive patient attending hypertension clinic at primary health clinics in Tuaran district. This study is justified by the fact that uncontrolled hypertension leads to high mortality, morbidity and even premature death. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study among 460 hypertensive patients attending three primary health clinics in Tuaran district, Sabah. Data were collected using structured modified questionnaires through interviews, physical examinations and patient’s medical records. Types of data collected include socio-demography, lifestyle behavior, physical examination, co-morbidity status and med-ical adherence. Data analysis done using SPSS version 24.0. Results: Prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 45.9%. The study found that factors significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension with p
Aging population will be an inevitable phenomenon around the globe. This study aimed to
assess the quality of life and its associated factors among the elderly population in rural areas of
Kudat, Sabah. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly aged 60 and
above living in Tambuluran Area of Kudat. Quality of life was assessed using WHOQOL-BREF
questionnaires. Socio-demographic data of the elderly, perceived morbidities and utilization of health
services were collected. Independent sample t-test was used for data analysis. A total of 165
respondents participated in this study with a mean age of 71.42±6.50. The mean WHOQOL-BREF
score was 65.20 ±11.49. Mean scores for physical and psychological domains were lower than
average. Age, marital status, educational level and perceived morbidity were associated significantly
with QOL. In conclusion, QOL was generally average among elderly in rural areas of Kudat.
Therefore, interventions should place emphasis on physical and psychological aspects of life among
these aged population.
Obesity is a prevailing health issue and has been recognized as a threat in public health worldwide.
Rural setting is no longer a barrier to the epidemic of obesity as previously thought. This crosssectional
study aimed to determine the risk factors and associated co-morbidities of obesity among
adults aged 18 and above in rural community of Kudat, Sabah. 28.2% of respondents were found to be
obese with female predominance (54.9%). Older age, formally educated, ever-drinkers and high
systolic blood pressure were associated with obesity. Various forms of interventions should also
involve the rural area to close the disparity of health.