A universal salt iodization (USI) was introduced in Sarawak, Malaysia in 2008 to control the iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) among its population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the USI among school children in Sarawak after 10 years of implementation. The data were extracted from 2008 and 2018 Sarawak state-wide IDD surveys. Briefly, both surveys were cross-sectional surveys covering information on the socio-demographic, status of goitre, urinary iodine, and the amount of iodine in the salt samples. A total of 1104 and 988 between the ages of 8 and 10 were involved in the 2008 and 2018 surveys, respectively. The overall prevalence of goitre among the school children in Sarawak was significantly lower in 2018 (0.1%) compared to 2008 (2.9%). The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in urine samples had risen significantly from 102.1 µg/L in 2008 to 126.0 µg/L in 2018. In terms of iodine content in salt samples, the median concentration improved significantly in 2018 (35.5 µg/L) compared to 2008 (14.7 µg/L). After 10 years of USI implementation in Sarawak, the results from both surveys confirmed the effectiveness of mandatory USI in increasing the nutritional iodine status of school children in Sarawak.

Anemia is one of the most serious public health problems affecting women more than men. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among female and male workers in Malaysia. Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015 was used to es mate the prevalence of anemia among female and male workers aged 15-64 years in Malaysia. Hemoglobin level (Hb) of capillary sample was determined using Hemocue@ point of care (POCT). Socio-demographic data were collected through face-to face interviews. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to tabulate the findings. Prevalence of anemia among female and male working persons were 34.1% (95% CI=32.1, 36.1) and 12.0% (95% CI=10.9, 13.1), respectively. Anemia among female working persons was significantly associated with Indian ethnicity (aOR: 2.37, 95% CI=1.54, 3.66), Malay ethnicity (aOR: 1.48, 95% CI=1.04, 2.11), those who were professionals and technical officers (aOR: 2.08, 95% CI=1.23, 3.51), and skilled workers (aOR: 1.47, 95% CI=1.10, 1.96). While anemia among male counterparts was significantly associated with older age males (aOR: 2.05, 95% CI=1.50, 2.81), those with the regular working day (aOR: 1.50, 95% CI=1.03, 2.18), and staggered working day (aOR: 1.50, 95% CI=1.01, 2.21). The prevalence of anemia among female workers is higher than male workers. The significant factors associated with anemia among female workers are ethnicity and type of occupation. In contrast, age and working time system are the associated factors of anemia among male workers.

This article aims to determine the gender differences in the common CVD risk prevalence among the working-age population in Malaysia. A national survey was conducted in 2019 using a validated questionnaire and several clinical measurements. The prevalence of eight CVD risks and the prevalence of more than three CVD risks by gender were calculated via a complex sample design using IBM SPSS version 25. Females were noted to have a significantly higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (40.3% versus 29.0%; 0.001), abdominal obesity (62.5% versus 39.8%; 0.001), BMI of 25 kg/m2 and above (55.1% versus 45.9%; 001) and physically inactivity (25.4% versus 18.6%; 0.001) compared to males. In contrast, males significantly showed a higher prevalence of current smokers (45.3% versus 1.3%; 0.001) and current drinkers (18.2 versus 7.1%; 0.001) compared to females. For diabetes mellitus and hypertension, males and females had nearly similar prevalences and were statistically insignificant (14.4% versus 14.9%; p=0.579 and 24.2% versus 22.1%; p=0.112, respectively). The prevalence of those with more than three CVD risks was significantly higher among males compared to females (7.4% versus 4.7%; 0.001). Gender differences were observed in the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, abdominal obesity, BMI of 25 kg/m2 and above, physical inactivity, current tobacco smoker and current drinker among working-age population in Malaysia.

Introduction : In Malaysia, the adolescent health surveys conducted in 2012 and 2017 revealed an increasing trend of adolescent health risk behaviours and protective factors. This current article aims to describe the methodology of the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022: Adolescent Health in Malaysia. Methods : The current nationwide cross-sectional survey of Malaysian secondary school students used multistage stratified sampling to select 240 nationally representative schools. This survey is conducted from June to July 2022 among the students in forms 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in all Malaysian states by 34 data collection teams. A validated self-administered questionnaire is used, similar to those used in the NHMS 2012 and NHMS 2017. The quality control is done twice, once at the field level and once at the central level. Sample weighting and analysis are conducted using SPSS statistical software version 28.0. Results : A total of 239 out of 240 randomly selected schools with 33,523 adolescents are involved in this study (overall response rate is 89.0%). The distribution of state, sex, and form among adolescents is almost equal. Compared to both previous adolescent health surveys using the same methodology and approaches, the overall response rates for NHMS 2017 and NHMS 2012 are 89.2% and 88.8%, respectively. Conclusions : The implementation of NHMS 2022 has employed an acceptable methodology for a survey of the adolescent population. This reliable data provides national estimates for adolescent health risk behaviours and protective factors. The survey allows the relevant authorities to carried out further improve the health status of adolescents in Malaysia.

Introduction. Working people are exposed to occupational hazards and are at risk of having occupational disease or injury in a rapidly industrializing country like Malaysia. This study aims to review and summarize the occupational disease and injury in Malaysia from 2016 to 2021. Methods. This study used PubMed and Scopus databases to conduct a systematic literature search using a set of keywords. The selected records dated from 1 January 2016 to 8 September 2021 were extracted into the Mendeley Desktop and ATLAS.ti 8 software. Systematic screening was conducted by two independent researchers and finalized by the third researcher. Data were coded and grouped according to the themes. The results were presented as the table for descriptive analysis and cross-tabulation between the themes. Results. A total of 120 records were included in this study. Under the theme of main health problems, the findings showed that mental health, infectious disease, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the top three problems being discussed in the literature for the working people in Malaysia. The findings also showed an increasing trend of mental health problems during pandemic COVID-19 years. In addition, hospital was the highest workplace where the occupational health problems were reported.Discussion/Conclusion. There was substantial work on the mental health problem, infectious diseases, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders as the main health problem among workers in Malaysia in the past five years. The employers must report any occupational health and injury case to the authority and prompt intervention can be initiated.

Mental health problems are major public health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic due to uncertainties of the disease, public fears and movement control orders which interrupt economic activities. Uncertainties about the diseases could trigger anxiety, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs) who are directly involved in handling COVID-19 patients and specimens. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with a probable generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among public laboratory HCWs in Central Peninsular Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2021 with a total of 406 respondents participating in this study. Anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Malay-validated 7-items GAD questionnaire. The cut-off points to define probable GAD were scores of eight and above. A descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression were conducted to calculate the prevalence of probable GAD and its associated factors. The prevalence of probable GAD among laboratory HCWs was 20.7%. Factors associated with probable GAD among laboratory HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic were younger age group (aOR=3.23; 95% CI:1.22, 8.57), excessive working time of more than 50 hours per week (aOR=3.09; 95% CI: 1.76, 5.42) and working with COVID-19 specimens (aOR=1.83; 95% CI:1.07, 3.14). HCWs in the national laboratory were at risk of having probable GAD during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among the younger age group, those exposed to excessive working time and those who handled COVID-19 specimens. Thus, stakeholders should improve the existing psychological support and provide supportive working environments including a regular mental health screening and early intervention among those who were screened positive for probable GAD.