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The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is on the rise among adolescents and young people and these people are frequently subjected to significant levels of stigma, resulting in most of them avoiding HIV testing services. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of HIV testing uptake and its associated factors among students who were willing to undergo HIV testing. A cross-sectional study across five campuses within the Klang Valley was conducted between March to May 2020. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire and the HIV Stigma Scale (HSS) was used to assess perceived stigma towards people with HIV. The results were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and the prevalence of HIV testing uptake and its associated factors were assessed using multiple logistic regression. A total of 305 students showed a willingness to undergo HIV testing, with only 17% (95% CI; 13.0,21.0)(N=52) of the students ever undergoing an HIV test. The overall stigma associated with HIV was found to be high (93.4%) among the students. Students enrolled in non-health-related courses (AOR=0.33, 95% CI; 0.15,0.73), 5th year students (AOR=0.13, 95%CI; 0.02, 0.78), older aged people (AOR=1.35, 95% CI; 1.03,1.78), and those who had multiple sexual partners (AOR=5.28, 95% CI 1.42,19.60) were significantly associated with HIV testing uptake. Although stigma was associated with HIV testing in simple logistic regression, it was not significant in the multivariate logistic analysis and there was no correlation between HIV uptake and HIV-related stigma. The prevalence of HIV uptake among students was low, and it was discovered that variables acting as facilitators were students who engaged in risky behaviors, and that these variables should be formulated and incorporated into advanced university-based programs to harness the potential of testing and expand it to periodic HIV testing.

To assess knowledge, practices on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and practices among an urban population in Selangor. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted involving 336 adults in 161 houses randomly selected from three towns in Selangor, Malaysia. The mean knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors was moderately high among participants. Socioeconomic characteristics (SES) significantly associated with higher mean scores were being in middle age, female, high-income group and never smokers. Although the general knowledge on preventing cardiovascular risks among the urban population was moderately high, their lifestyle practices on preventing cardiovascular disease were moderate.

As cognition declines with age, cognitive impairment rates are expected to increase ranging from 100% to 300% in this region. It could be higher among elderly who had any chronic diseases. The aim of the present work was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of cognitive impairment among elderly with hypertension. A clinic-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at several community clinics in Sabak Bernam and Hilir Perak districts from July to December 2015. A total of 480 patients were recruited. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 13.13% (95%CI: 13.11, 13.15). Factors associated with cognitive impairment among elderly hypertensive were no formal educational level [OR: 3.95 (95%CI: 1.80, 8.67)]; history of high cholesterol [OR: 3.24 (95%CI: 1.15, 9.16)]; underweight [adj. OR: 4.88 (95%CI: 1.34, 17.67)]; and increasing age [OR: 1.03 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.06)]. Public health policy makers and geriatric practitioners should emphasise on early cognitive function assessment among elderlies who are hypertensive, unemployed, poor educational background, males, high cholesterol level and underweight to enhance the quality of geriatric services. Earlier establishment of diagnosis may prevent from greater rate of decline in cognitive functioning among this vulnerable group.

Most available data on the prevalence and characteristics of low back pain (LBP) are reported in developed countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of LBP and potential risk factors among a group of workers in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 workers in a fertilizer company in Malaysia. The sample comprised both blue- and white-collar workers. A set of questionnaires consisting of sociodemographic items, the NORDIC musculoskeletal questionnaire and the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for this study. The main analysis conducted was a multivariate logistic regression. Results showed that a total of 40% of workers experienced LBP. Compared to workers younger than 30 years of age, the risk of LBP was 8 times higher among those over 50 years of age. In addition, workers who were moderately stressed at work had a risk of LBP that was almost five times higher, and workers who did not have awkward posture for a long period of time had an 80% lower risk of LBP. In a multivariate logistic regression, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, it was found that less repetitive work, shorter sustained positions and less frequent lifting of heavy objects prevented LBP. After the final adjustment including all other variables, only engaging in repetitive work was associated with LBP. In conclusion, each workplace should ensure that older workers, especially those who are working in stressful environments, are prevented from engaging in repetitive work, sustaining prolonged awkward postures and lifting heavy objects.