Background: Social misconduct amongst adolescents is a worrying and ever growing problem in Malaysia, despite efforts taken to overcome it.
Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted among secondary school students in Melaka Tengah District to measure the prevalence and determine the factors associated with social misconduct amongst adolescents. A total of 414 form four students were recruited by systematic random sampling fulfilling the study criteria between Jun to September 2008, from eight randomly selected secondary schools in the district. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software version 12.0. Socio-demographic, housing and family factors in relation with social misconduct were studied.
Results : The prevalence of the social misconduct in this study was 70.5%. The most prevalent misconduct includes loitering (37.4%), truancy (30.0%), watching pornographic films (28.7%), and involved in pre-sexual activities (23.7%). The factors that showed significant association with social misconduct were sex and race.
Conclusion : The prevalence of social misconduct is high among adolescent and males as well as Malays are at higher risk. Activities planned for adolescents should be stressed on the danger and effects of social misconduct and be more focused towards male and Malay adolescents.
Introduction : Diabetes mellitus is recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. The burden of diabetes to society are morbidity, mortality and extensive usage of health care services.
Methodology : This study aimed to determine the provider’s cost in treating diabetic foot patient per day in orthopaedic ward, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) in year 2006. Result : A total of 54 patients fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 29 were eligible for analysis. The cost of health care providers derived from cost calculation on capital and recurrent costs. Results showed that the average cost for treating diabetic foot patient per day is RM 634.57. Recurrent costs contributed 75.3% of the total diabetic foot treatment and Intensive Care Unit costs was the biggest percentage (40.5%).
Discussion : The results were comparable with findings by Case-Mix Unit of UKMMC. Treatment cost of diabetic foot is substantial and therefore avoidance of this complication must be emphasized to all diabetic patients.