Literature on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and its impact has consistently focused on not only comorbidities but also homogenous and small populations. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and trends of primary GAD in a nation wide population based study in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Version 5.0.0 (MINI) to ascertain GAD status of subjects. All Malaysian aged 16 years and above were eligible to participate from each of the house holds selected. Face to face interview was conducted. A total of 19193 participants were identified with 330 participants having primary GAD, thus giving the prevalence of primary GAD as 1.7%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age groups of 16-19 and 20-29 years were more likely to have primary GAD compared to those more than 60 years of age. Chinese participants were less likely to have primary GAD compared to Malay participants. Indian participants were more likely to have primary GAD compared to Malay participants. Single participants were more likely to have primary GAD compared to married participants while widow/widower/divorcee were more likely to have primary GAD compared to married participants. Those who were in the private sector, being self-employed, being a home maker/unpaid worker and retirees were more likely to have primary GAD compared to government/semi government participants. Multivariate analysis showed that gender, ethnicity and occupation were significantly associated with primary GAD.

Institute for Public Health Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC-IPH) was established and given the task of logistic management during the major flood disaster in Malaysia on the eve of 2015 new year. The objective of this paper is to share the experience and challenges faced in the process. Upon establishment, CPRC-IPH recruited its members, set up a designated flood operation room, created an inventory of stand-by vehicles, deployed them to flooded areas for aids, monitored their activities thoughout, devised the idea of vehicle-day to quantify the intensity of involvement of the stand-by vehicles provided by different parties, and submitted feedback daily to Ministry of Health Malaysia Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC-KKM) in Putrajaya. The result wasa 22-member team running CPRC-IPH for 20 days, different tasks outlined in the terms of reference. Eighty-seven (87) vehicles were on stand-by, of which 55 were from various agencies under Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, 15 from concessionaries, and 17 from a private rental company. In total, 281 vehicle-days were completed throughout the period; out of which 39 vehicle-days were contributed by MOH vehicles, 124 by concessionaries, and 118 were rented. On average, around 14 cars were deployed each day with two from MOH. This greatly reduced the impact to the exisiting core business of the participating MOH agencies. Three challenges faced by CPRC-IPH in the process were shortage of vehicle supply, communication breakdown, and difficulties in monitoring. Government private partnership, establishment of standard operation procedure for disaster management, prior structured training for CPRC members, utilisation of diverse information systems, and creative simplification of quantifying measurement were the keys in solving the problems faced. In conclusion, CPRC-IPH fulfilled the logistic management successfully. It is hoped that its experience may help to improve the logistic management for flood disaster in the future.

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.