ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Diabetes health literacy and numeracy are health indicators of increasing attention to empower diabetic self-management. This study aimed to explore the predictors of diabetes health literacy and numeracy among urbanized older adults. Methods: A total of 408 older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 50 years and older were recruited using stratified random sampling from eight health clinics in Petaling district. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to measure knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, self-care behavioral skills, diabetes health literacy and numeracy related to diabetes mellitus, as well as the sociodemographic background. Multivariable linear regression was used to understand and rank the predictors of diabetes health literacy and numeracy among the respondents. Results: The total mean score for diabetes health literacy was 53.74 ± 0.60, which was significantly predicted by age (β = -0.21, p=0.01), secondary (β =12.21, p<0.001) and tertiary (β = 16.37, p<0.001) education levels, non-Malays (β = -5.83, p<0.001), being employed (β = -2.77,p=0.02), have other comorbidities (β = -3.02, p=0.003), diabetes related self-efficacy (β = -0.37, p=0.02) and self-care behavioral skills (β =0.36, p<0.001). Meanwhile, the total mean score for diabetes health numeracy was 1.50 ± 0.13 and was significantly predicted by age (β=-0.15, p<0.001), secondary (β=1.09, p=0.002) and tertiary (β=2.24, p<0.001) education levels, and attitude towards diabetes (β=0.16, p<0.001). Conclusion: Very low diabetic numeracy was observed, which was predicted by increased age, low education and low attitude score towards managing diabetes. Hence promoting diabetic numeracy should be targeted among older adults with identified risks.
ABSTRACT
Abstract@#Introduction: Malaysia is known for its shy and prudent community that indirectly causing the stigma and taboos related to later life sexuality. This study aimed to explore the sexual desire and satisfaction in later life among the Malay ethnic elderly in Malaysia who were living in the urban area, where discussions about sexual issues are perceived less sensitive and stigmatized. Methods: A total of 234 eligible elderly were approached but only 160 older people completed the questionnaire, sampled using multistage cluster sampling method. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using questionnaires consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, cognitive function, perceived health status, presence of chronic illnesses, smoking history, disability, perceived sexual problems, sexual desire and satisfaction. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to determine the associated factors for sexual desire and satisfaction, respectively. All tests significant level was set at 0.05. Results: Majority of the respondents were having sexual desire (53.8%) and not satisfied with their sexual life (51.3%), with elderly women (55.7%) experienced more sexual problems compared to men. The results showed male, being married, good perceived health and absence of arthritis were the significant contributing factors of better sexual desire. Having good health perception, being married and absence of sexual problems were significantly predicting better sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: The study emphasized the multifactorial aspects contributed towards the sexual dissatisfaction among the respondents despite having desire for sexual activity. Focus should be given to elderly women who tend to have multiple chronic diseases and more likely a widow due to their longer life expectancy.
ABSTRACT
Abstract@#Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Community Medicine Posting to instilling and cultivating teamwork, leadership and professionalism among the medical students in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, professionalism, teamwork and leadership sections was distributed to the year four medical students before and after the Community Medicine Posting. The posting lasted for 6 weeks and served as an intervention for the purpose of this study. Results: A total of 107 of medical students were involved with mean age of 22.64 ± 0.63 years old. The mean score for professionalism and leadership were significantly (p<0.001) increased following the posting, with leadership had the highest mean difference of 10.12. Conclusion: The study confirmed the effectiveness of the Community Medicine Posting to cultivate leadership and professionalism skills among the medical students, and surprisingly not effective towards teamwork. Professionalism and leadership are two essential skills towards medical best practices