Iodine is an essential micronutrient for normal physical and mental development. Iodine deficiency is endemic in 130 countries worldwide, including Malaysia. This is a cross-sectional study done to determine the prevalence and risk factors of iodine dejiciency among 342 rural mothers attending antenatal clinics in Bachok, Kelantan. A self-adrninistered questionnaire on the knowledge, attitudes, practices and other risk factors relating to iodine deficiency was done. Physical examination for thyroid enlargement was carried out and urine samples were taken for urine iodine determination. The prevalence of iodine deficiency based on urine iodine Q level of less than 100 mcg/l was 63.0 % (95% CI: 57.8, 68.2). The mean urinary iodine level was 87.3 mcg/l with a median of 78.0 mcg/l. However, the goiter prevalence was only 9.4%. The total mean scores of knowledge, attitudes and practices were generally low at 58.6 (SD 7.9), 52.9 (SD 7.9) and 42.9 (SD 10.9) respectively. Logistic regression analysis found that a smoking husband is a risk for iodine deficiency (OR=2.0). In conclusion, iodine deficiency disorders among rural antenatal mothers were still prevalent in Bachok. Their level of knowledge on the causes, effects, prevention and clinical presentations of Q iodine deficiency disorders were poor. In addition, having a husband who is a smoker increases the risk of the antenatal mothers developing iodine denciency.
Study site: Antenatal clinic (klinik kesihatan), Bachok, Kelantan, Malaysia
A cross-sectional study was carried out through a postal survey of a random sample of registered medical practitioners in Malaysia to explore the pursuit and practice of CAM among them. A response rate of 42% was acquired. 27.1% of the medical practitioners are currently using CAM on themselves or their own families and 22.2% actually have referred patients to CAM practitioners. Analysis showed that only 14.9% of the medical practitioners who responded were exposed to CAM during their undergraduate days. Out of 28 respondents graduated from USM, 15 (53.6%) were exposed while out of the 80 graduates of UM, only 6 (7.5%) were exposed and out of 58 respondents graduates of UKM, only 5 (8.6%) were exposed to CAM during their undergraduate teaching. These differences are statistically different (p < 0.001). Analysis also showed that more (72.6%) medical practitioners are for having training in CAM during the medical undergraduate studies. Only 9.1% of the respondents have attended any training in CAM post graduation and 36.8% would like further training on CAM postgraduate and would pay for it. The findings illustrate the need for training in CAM in medical undergraduate education especially in this new age where alternative therapy is in demand by the consumers.