ABSTRACT
Objectives@#Sarcopenia has emerged as a significant aging-related disease that affects many facets of societal-level and patient-level public health. This study analysed knowledge of sarcopenia and associated socio-demographic factors among the general public of Malaysia in order to effectively improve its prevention and countermeasures. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Selangor, Malaysia, using Google Forms among 202 Malaysian adults from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge scores. The continuous variables were evaluated using the independent t-test, Mann–Whitney test, and one-way analysis of variance test. The Spearman correlation coefficient was employed to determine the correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge score levels. @*Results@#The final analysis included 202 participants. The mean±standard deviation age was 49.03±12.65. Only 6.9% of participants had good knowledge of sarcopenia and were aware of sarcopenia’s characteristics, consequences, and treatments. Post-hoc comparisons using the Dunnett T3 test showed statistical significance in mean knowledge score and age group (p=0.011) and education level (p≤0.001). The Mann–Whitney test revealed that gender (p=0.026) and current smoking status (p=0.023) significantly influenced knowledge scores. @*Conclusions@#The general public’s knowledge of sarcopenia was found to be poor to moderate and associated with age and education status. Therefore, education and interventions by policymakers and healthcare professionals to improve public knowledge of sarcopenia in Malaysia are needed.
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Hypertension contributes to major cardiovascular morbidities and mortalities worldwide and medication compliance is crucial in achieving target blood pressure control. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with non-compliance towards anti-hypertensive medication in Malaysia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among hypertensive patients who were attending the medical outpatient department, Hospital Serdang from March until May 2018. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit patients and a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information. Non-compliance is defined as attaining a score of 26 and below from the Medication Compliance Scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS v. 23. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of medication non-compliance among hypertensive patients. Results: A total of 120 respondents were recruited into this study with a response rate of 60.9%. Mean age of the study respondents was 60.82 ± 11.25 years old. They were predominantly female (60.8%), Malay (58.3%) and attained at least secondary educational level (75.0%). The prevalence of non-compliance towards anti-hypertensive medication was 25%. Multiple logistic regression showed that side effects of medication (OR=5.59; 95% CI=1.29-24.21, p=0.021), traditional medications usage (OR=19.19; 95% CI=3.90-94.45, p=<0.001), health advice counsellors (OR=35.31; 95% CI=2.03-35.31, p=0.003) and duration of hypertension (OR=3.38; 95% CI=1.05-10.91, p=0.042) were predictors of non-compliance to anti-hypertensive medications among hypertensive patients Conclusion: Our study reported that those with longer duration of hypertension, suffered from side effect of medication and have experience in usage of traditional medicine are the predictors of medication non-compliance.