Background: Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is a public health issue in Sarawak. This study aimed to determine the present status of IDD among first trimester pregnant women in Sarawak after a decade of implementation of USI. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of IDD involved 30 Maternal and Child Health Clinics throughout Sarawak with 750 pregnant women in the selected clinics were randomly selected via systematic sampling. Socio-demographic data, urinary iodine sample, thyroid size examination, and household salt were also collected. Further associations and odds were analysed using Krusskal-Wallis, Chi square and Logistic regression. Result: The prevalence of goiter rate (TGR) was found to be 1.0% (n=10). The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) for Sarawak was 123.9μg/L (IQR 56.5-192.1μg/L) which indicates an iodine deficiency. Median UIC for both Sri Aman and Mukah had achieved adequacy of iodine intake which were 150.7 (IQR 128.2-235.8) and 170.2 (IQR 119.1-264.7) respectively. Sarawak divisions and ethnicity were found significant association with UIC. Conclusion: USI programme should be continue as has improved IDD in Sarawak despite majority of pregnant women in Sarawak still having iodine insufficiency. Programme manager should anticipate to location who has UIC lower than <100 μg/L.

Introduction: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) among Sarawakian school children has been highlighted as substantial public health problem. It has mandated universal salt iodization (USI) implemention in Sarawak started since 2008. This paper describes the approach in methodology of Sarawak IDD Survey 2018 which aimed to determine the current status of IDD among school children in Sarawak after 10 years of USI implementation. Method: The IDD survey was conducted between July and September 2018 involving all 12 divisions in Sarawak. 30 schools were selected via multistage proportionate-to-population size sampling technique and 1200 school children were randomly selected via systematic sampling. Results: All selected schools participated in the survey, which resulted in a 100% school’s response rate. A total of 988 school children participated in the survey, with overall response rates of 82.3%. Conclusion: The present study findings will highlight the impact of mandatory USI towards the iodine level among school children in Sarawak.

Aim: An aging population is a potential burden for unprepared developing countries. Malaysia is foreseen to be an aging country by 2035. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hearing disability among older persons in Malaysia. Methods: Data from a nationwide survey implemented using a stratified cluster sampling design were analyzed. This study was carried out through face‐to‐face interviews and guided questionnaires. The questions were based on the Washington Group of Disability (WG) questionnaires, which produce multiple disability identifiers. Hearing disability is defined as at least one domain or question out of four questions coded as “A lot of difficulty” or “Cannot hear at all”. Results: The prevalence of hearing disability among older persons aged ≥60 years was 6.4% (95% CI 5.0–8.3), whereas 1.5% (95% CI 0.90, 2.50) older persons were reported to be using a hearing aid. The determinants of hearing disability are being male (aOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.94–3.66), being unemployed (retired, homemaker, unemployed; aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.86–4.14) and had no formal education (aOR 18.25, 95% CI 4.18–79.55). Conclusions: Promoting healthy aging is important and crucial for Malaysia, in preparation toward an aging nation, as it could reduce the country's financial burden in the long term. Health‐related agencies should promote health awareness and treatment centers in relation to hearing disability among older persons, as they should be educated and informed about healthcare choices availability, which is aligned with the Global Disability Action Plan 2014–2021. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 43–48.