Factors Contributing to Non-Communicable Diseases in a Selected Low Socio-Economic Status Community in Kedah, Malaysia

@#Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are evolving as the leading cause of death worldwide, including in Malaysia. Changes in a socio-economic status have increased at-risk populations with NCDs. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence of self-reported NCDs and its contributing factors in a selected low socio-economic status community in Kedah, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire was done among convenience samples of 139 adults (age more than 18 years old) living in a selected low socio-economic status community in Kedah. Results: Among 139 respondents with a mean (SD) age 48.5 (13.1), there were 40.3% of respondents reported to have chronic illnesses with a prevalence of hypertension (25.9%), diabetes mellitus (21.6%), hypercholesterolemia (7.2%), chronic respiratory diseases (5.0%), heart disease (2.9%) and stroke (1.4%). The significant contributing factors of NCDs by multiple logistic regression were age, marital and working status. A person with an increase in 1 year of age has 1.05 times the odds to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.09, p-value=0.007). A divorcee has 3.55 times the odds compared to a married person to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.28 to 9.80, p-value=0.015). The non-working individual has 2.27 times the odds compared to working individuals to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.03 to 5.01, p-value=0.042). Conclusion: The prevalence of NCDs is high in this selected low socio-economic status community. The contributing factors are age, marital and working status.

Oral Cancer Awareness and Knowledge among Marginalised Group in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia

@#Oral cancer is the sixth common type of cancer in the world. In Malaysia, it contributes to about 10.6% death in government hospitals. Mortality and morbidity due to oral cancer could be reduced if it could be detected at an early stage. Socioeconomic status is an important determinant of incidence of head and neck cancer. This study investigated the awareness and knowledge of low-income community in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia and its associated factors. This cross-sectional study used questionnaire with convenient sampling among the community of Paya Nahu who attended our health campaign. Their awareness was fairly good (7, however, their in-depth knowledge on oral cancer was poor with a mean score of 9.68 (SD 4.46). Smoking was the well-known risk factor (64.4%), about half of them knew the sign and symptoms of oral cancer, 77.1% agreed with benefit of early detection and 55% of them knew that mouth self-examination is a step to prevent oral cancer. The unemployed has 0.33 time the odds compared to the employed to have good knowledge (95% CI: 0.120, 0.890, p-value < 0.029) when adjusted for occupation. Media and health campaign were the main sources of information. It is essential to increase awareness and knowledge on oral cancer among the low socioeconomic status community. Since low socioeconomic standard is a factor which restricts health seeking behaviour, outreach programmes such as informative media and improved health campaign should be planned accordingly.

Cervical cancer and pap smear screening: knowledge, attitude and practice among working women in northern state of Malaysia

@#Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers in women worldwide. The Pap smear test is the primary screening procedure used to detect abnormal cells that may develop into cancer.

Yeast Infection and Diabetes Mellitus among Pregnant Mother in Malaysia

Background: Vaginal yeast infection refers to irritation of the vagina due to the presence of opportunistic yeast of the genus Candida (mostly Candida albicans). About 75% of women will have at least one episode of vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime. Several studies have shown that pregnancy and uncontrolled diabetes increase the infection risk. Reproductive hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and elevated glucose levels characteristic of diabetes provide the carbon needed for Candida overgrowth and infection. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of vaginal yeast infection among pregnant women with and without diabetes. Methods: This was a case-control study using cases reports from Kepala Batas Health Clinic, Penang State, Malaysia from 2006 to 2012. In total, 740 pregnant ladies were chosen as sample of which 370 were diabetic and 370 were non-diabetic cases. Results: No relationship between diabetes and the occurrence of vaginal yeast infection in pregnant women was detected, and there was no significant association between infection and age group, race or education level. Conclusion: In conclusion, within radius of this study, vaginal yeast infection can occur randomly in pregnant women.