Parental perception of child’s body weight status and its association with socio-demographic factors among Malay children in primary schools in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

@#Introduction: Obesity rate among school children has increased globally. Parental perception plays a significant role in the management of obesity among children. Previous studies indicated that parents who accurately perceived their child’s body weight status (BWS) tended to encourage healthy behaviours as compared to parents who overlooked the problem. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between socio-demographic factors with parental perceptions of their child’s BWS among school children in Terengganu, Malaysia. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, 389 school children aged 9 to 11 years old were recruited. Height and weight were measured using calibrated tools and inputted into the World Health Organization AnthroPlus software for body mass index z-score calculation. Parental perceptions of their child’s BWS were explored using a selfadministered questionnaire together with their socio-demographic background. Results: Of 389 subjects, 53.2% of school children were from rural and 46.8% were from urban schools. Overall, mean BMI-for-age z-score between school locations showed no significant difference, with higher means reported in urban (-0.2±1.6SD) than in rural (-0.4±1.6SD). Significant association was found between parents’ perceptions and actual BWS (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that parents of overweight children and parents in rural schools were more likely to misperceive their child’s BWS. Conclusion: This finding suggests that parents from rural areas and having overweight children were more likely to have misperceptions of their child’s BWS. Therefore, knowledge-based intervention programmes among parents specifically in the rural areas are needed to increase the level of awareness to assist in obesity prevention.

Ultra-processed Food Consumption in Relation to BMI and Body Fat Percentage of Adults in Terengganu

@#Introduction: There is an emergent increase of ultra-processed food consumption in developing countries including Malaysia which carries a likelihood towards the increase of obesity. However, few studies have been done in relating between ultra-processed consumption and obesity, especially in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to determine the consumption of ultra-processed foods and its relationship with BMI and body fat percentage among university committee in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 167 individuals aged 18 to 59 years old in Kuala Nerus. Data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire which consisted of three different sections: socio-demographic profile, two days 24-hour dietary recall, and nutritional status assessment on BMI and body fat percentage. Consumption of ultra-processed foods were determined by classifying two days 24-hour dietary recall based on ultra-processed food classification. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 with p<0.05 to indicate significant. Results: The results showed Group 4 (ultra-processed foods) contributes 23% of overall daily energy consumption while Group 1+2 (unprocessed or minimally processed food + culinary ingredients) and Group 3 (processed foods) had contributed 75% and 2% respectively. Results showed that there was no relationship found between the ultra-processed food consumption and nutritional status through spearmen correlation at p<0.05. Conclusion: It is evidently clear from the findings that the consumption of ultra-processed foods is providentially still low among the respondents.

Prevalence of Vegetable Intake and its associated Personal, Socio-environmental, Physical-environmental Factors among Malay Adolescents in Rural Terengganu

@#Introduction: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of vegetable intake and its associated personal, socio-environmental and physical-environmental factors among Malay adolescents in rural Terengganu. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted from 1st January 2019 to 31st May 2019 at selected secondary schools in rural Terengganu in Marang and Hulu Terengganu districts. A total of 240 students were recruited by multistage random sampling method in schools and based on inclusion criteria. A validated questionnaire was developed consisting of four (4) sections; demographic data, personal, socio-environmental and physical-environmental factors of vegetable intake. Reliability test found the validity and internal consistency of the questionnaire to be acceptable with a Cronbach Alpha value of 0.762. Results: The respondents consisted of 53% males and 47% females with mean age of 15.01 (1.00) years old. Majority of the respondents had normal BMI status (48%) follows by underweight (20%), overweight (16%) and obese (16%). Majority (83%) had inadequate vegetable intake per day. Factors that were associated with the vegetable intake among adolescents were liking (p=0.01), intention (p=0.01) and habit (p<0.01) for personal factor. An availability of vegetable at leisure place (p=0.01) was significant for physical-environmental factor. Conclusion: Majority of the adolescents did not meet the recommended intake of vegetable daily. Therefore, development of intervention programs to promote intake of vegetables among adolescents should consider their liking, habits, intention and the availability at leisure place compare to others in schools or any organizations.

Knowledge and Attitude towards Blood Donation among Non Blood Donor Residents of Kuala Terengganu at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu

@#Introduction: : Blood supply shortage is a worldwide problem including Malaysia. According to statistical data from 2011 to 2015, Terengganu which is one of the states in Malaysia has the lowest blood donation rate. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude score towards blood donation and their associated factors among nondonors of Kuala Terengganu. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire involving systematically random sampling of 320 nondonors attending Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah. Data were analysed using Multiple Logistic Regression and Pearson correlation. Results: The mean knowledge and attitude scores were 5.19 (1.87) and 70.79 (8.19), respectively. Sixty-four percent (64.69%) and 92.81% of the participants have good knowledge and attitude, respectively. Gender, education level, and occupation have a significant association with knowledge, while education level and occupation were found to be significantly associated with attitude. No significant association found between the knowledge and attitude level. Most reported barriers to blood donation were a refusal to give blood to other religion and race. The main source to acquire information pertaining to blood donation was mainly from social media. Conclusion: Refusal of giving blood to other religion and race is recognised as the main issue that hinders participants to donate their blood. Thus, proper education and aggressive promotion regarding blood donation are needed especially among the nondonor in this region of Malaysia

First molecular identification of Cryptosporidium by 18S rRNA in goats and association with farm management in Terengganu

Objective:To identify the prcvalencc of Cryptosporidium from goats in tlrec types of farm management systems in Terengganu,Malaysia and to determine the Crptosporidium species infecting goats by using 18S rRNA.Methods:A total of 478 fecal samples were randomly collected from goats in three farms;199 samples were collected from intensive farm,179 samples from semi-intensive farm and 1O0 samples from extensive farm.The samples were processed by using formolether concentration technique and stained by using modified Ziehl-Neelsen.Positive samples were performcd by using nested PCR analysis by using 18S rRNA.Results:Out of 478 goats,207 (43.3％) were found to be infected with Cryptosporidium.Goats reared under the intensive farm management system reported the highest prevalence of infection (49.7％),followed by intensive farm management system (41％) and the lowest prevalence was reported in the goats reared under semi-intensive management system (37.4％).Conclusions:The identified species found in goat was Cryptosporidium parvum.Future study on the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum in goats needs to be done in order to find the source of transmission of this parasite.

Sociodemographic Determinants Of Obesity Among 12 Years Old School Adolescents In Kuala Terengganu And Besut Districts, Malaysia

@#Worldwide prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents increased substantially over decades. Addressing potential risk factors of obesity among adolescents is very important for a successful intervention program in this population. The present study aimed to identify the sociodemographic determinants of obesity among school adolescents in Terengganu. A cross-sectional survey involving 3,798 school adolescents age 12 years old from 136 government primary schools in Kuala Terengganu and Besut districts were carried out from November 2014 to June 2015. For the purpose of this paper, the data for 2,842 school adolescents classified as either normal BMI (< +1SD) (n= 2,305) or obese (+2SD) (n= 537) based on WHO cut-off points were taken for analysis. Sociodemographic information on subjects and their parents were obtained from self-reported questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were conducted by Physical Education teachers and uploaded into a specific developed database. The prevalence of obesity was relatively high in both genders in this study. Binary logistic regression analysis found gender, parental BMI, household income, household size and maternal working status were independently associated with obesity among school adolescents in this population. In the final model, being male, having working mother, and having obese parents were identified to be potential risk factors for obesity whilst having large household size lower the risk of obesity among these adolescents. Prevention programs are needed to increase awareness about the risk factors of obesity in adolescent and interventions should now focus on family member as well mainly the parents.

Sociodemographic Determinants Of Obesity Among 12 Years Old School Adolescents In Kuala Terengganu And Besut Districts, Malaysia

Worldwide prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents increased substantially over decades. Addressing potential risk factors of obesity among adolescents is very important for a successful intervention program in this population. The present study aimed to identify the sociodemographic determinants of obesity among school adolescents in Terengganu. A cross-sectional survey involving 3,798 school adolescents age 12 years old from 136 government primary schools in Kuala Terengganu and Besut districts were carried out from November 2014 to June 2015. For the purpose of this paper, the data for 2,842 school adolescents classified as either normal BMI (< +1SD) (n= 2,305) or obese (+2SD) (n= 537) based on WHO cut-off points were taken for analysis. Sociodemographic information on subjects and their parents were obtained from self-reported questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were conducted by Physical Education teachers and uploaded into a specific developed database. The prevalence of obesity was relatively high in both genders in this study. Binary logistic regression analysis found gender, parental BMI, household income, household size and maternal working status were independently associated with obesity among school adolescents in this population. In the final model, being male, having working mother, and having obese parents were identified to be potential risk factors for obesity whilst having large household size lower the risk of obesity among these adolescents. Prevention programs are needed to increase awareness about the risk factors of obesity in adolescent and interventions should now focus on family member as well mainly the parents.

First molecular identification of Cryptosporidium by 18S rRNA in goats and association with farm management in Terengganu

Objective To identify the prevalence of Cryptosporidium from goats in three types of farm management systems in Terengganu, Malaysia and to determine the Cryptosporidium species infecting goats by using 18S rRNA. Methods A total of 478 fecal samples were randomly collected from goats in three farms; 199 samples were collected from intensive farm, 179 samples from semi-intensive farm and 100 samples from extensive farm. The samples were processed by using formol-ether concentration technique and stained by using modified Ziehl–Neelsen. Positive samples were performed by using nested PCR analysis by using 18S rRNA. Results Out of 478 goats, 207 (43.3%) were found to be infected with Cryptosporidium. Goats reared under the intensive farm management system reported the highest prevalence of infection (49.7%), followed by intensive farm management system (41%) and the lowest prevalence was reported in the goats reared under semi-intensive management system (37.4%). Conclusions The identified species found in goat was Cryptosporidium parvum. Future study on the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum in goats needs to be done in order to find the source of transmission of this parasite.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodiasis and coccidiosis in goats from three selected farms in Terengganu, Malaysia

Objective: To reveal the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodiasis, Trichostrogylus, Haemonchus, Strongyloides and Trichuris and coccidiosis, mainly Eimeria in kids, yearlings and adult goats. Methods: A total of 287 goat faecal specimens were randomly collected from three farms in Kuala Terengganu, Setiu and Besut. Results: Prevalence of coccidiosis (89.2%) was significantly higher (P 0.05). The concurrent infections between GINs and Eimeria were 67.94% in all groups. Polyparasitisms of Trichostrongylus (17.4%), Haemonchus (15.15%) and Strongyloides (40.4%) with Eimeria had infected most adult goats. Dual infections of Trichostrongylus with Eimeria and Trichuris with Eimeria were significantly higher in adults than yearlings and kids (P<0.05). Conclusions: GINs and Eimeria were widely distributed in the goats leading to higher risk of morbidity and mortality.

Knowledge, Attitude, Practices Related To Dengue Fever Among Rural Population In Terengganu, Malaysia

Aedes mosquito-borne Dengue morbidity is predominantly high in the tropics and subtropics regions. Dengue is also a public health problem in Malaysia since the first epidemic in 1973. Reducing the vector population and personal protection still plays an important role in dengue prevention and control. With the information of community’s dengue knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP), the authorities could construct evidence-based, community- empowered vector control program. Upon the understanding of the value of baseline data, a cross-sectional study was carried out in dengue hotspot areas in Seberang Takir using universal sampling. The study results showed that 54.6% of the population had high level of knowledge, 18.6% had good attitude and 91.7% were performing good practices against Dengue infection. After adjusting confounding variables, age and educational levels of respondents, knowledge as well as attitude were found to be significant associated factors for having good practice against Dengue. The study findings provide the need for further information to undertake a holistic approach which is in need of community participation and cooperation.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodiasis and coccidiosis in goats from three selected farms in Terengganu, Malaysia

Objective To reveal the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodiasis, Trichostrogylus, Haemonchus, Strongyloides and Trichuris and coccidiosis, mainly Eimeria in kids, yearlings and adult goats. Methods A total of 287 goat faecal specimens were randomly collected from three farms in Kuala Terengganu, Setiu and Besut. Results Prevalence of coccidiosis (89.2%) was significantly higher (P 0.05). The concurrent infections between GINs and Eimeria were 67.94% in all groups. Polyparasitisms of Trichostrongylus (17.4%), Haemonchus (15.15%) and Strongyloides (40.4%) with Eimeria had infected most adult goats. Dual infections of Trichostrongylus with Eimeria and Trichuris with Eimeria were significantly higher in adults than yearlings and kids (P < 0.05). Conclusions GINs and Eimeria were widely distributed in the goats leading to higher risk of morbidity and mortality.

Inadequate Iodine Intake among School Children in Terengganu- Findings from the National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Survey 2008

Iodine deficiency is still prevalent worldwide and it is the main cause of goiter, thyroid dysfunction and mental retardation. The aim of the study was to determine the iodine status and goiter prevalence among the school children in Terengganu. The representative sample consists of 1163 primary school children aged 8-10 years old randomly selected from urban and rural schools in Terengganu using stratified systematic random sampling technique. Urinary iodine levels in spot urine were determined by in house modified micro-method while goiter assessment was carried out by palpation of thyroid gland. The status of iodine deficiency was determined by the median urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) and total goiter prevalence (TGP) in accordance with the WHO criteria. The result showed the median [inter-quartile range (IQR)] urinary iodine concentrations was 78.7µg/L (50.1µg/L -120.0µg/L) indicating the iodine intake was slightly lower than recommended range of 100 µg/L. The rural school children had a significantly lower Iodine levels (median UIC=72.4µg/L, IQR=46.7µg/L -113.0µg/L) than the urban school children (median UIC=87.7µg/L, IQR=54.5 µg/L - 127.5µg/L). The total goiter prevalence (TGP) was 5.7%. The prevalence of goiter was significantly higher in rural (TGP=6.9%) compared to urban areas (TGP=3.6%). The study revealed that school children in Terengganu showed mild iodine deficiency and the condition is more pronounced in children from rural areas. The findings emphasize the importance of intervention implementation, universal salt iodization to ensure sufficient intake of iodine among the Terengganu school children.