Search

Background: There is limited evidence on the association of anemia with chronic diseases and disabilities among older persons in Malaysia. We assessed the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among community-dwelling older persons. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the nationwide National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015 (NHMS 2015) on the health of older adults conducted by the Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Malaysia. A two-stage stratified random-cluster sampling design was utilized. Data were collected on the sociodemographic profiles, non-communicable disease (NCD) comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia status) and disabilities among the older persons. Anemia was defined based on the World Health Organization’s standards. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of anemia with chronic diseases and disabilities. Results: The prevalence of anemia was 35.3% (95% CI: 33.1, 37.4) in the older persons. Chronic disease profiling showed that the prevalence rates of anemia among the older persons with diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were 38.6%, 35.3% and 34.1%, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, persons aged 80 years and above (adjusted OR (aOR): 2.64; 95% CI: 2.00, 3.47), 70–79 years (aOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.66), with diabetes (aOR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.51) and with disabilities in walking (aOR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.54) and self-care (aOR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.05) had higher odds of anemia compared to their respective reference categories. Among the persons with diabetes, the respondents aged 80 years and above (aOR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.56, 3.94), 70–79 years old (aOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.76) and with disabilities in vision (aOR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.63) and walking (aOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.91) were more likely to be anemic. Furthermore, among the older persons without diabetes, persons aged 80 years and above (

Background: There is limited evidence on the association of anemia with chronic diseases and disabilities among older persons in Malaysia. We assessed the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among community-dwelling older persons. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the nationwide National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015 (NHMS 2015) on the health of older adults conducted by the Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Malaysia. A two-stage stratified random-cluster sampling design was utilized. Data were collected on the sociodemographic profiles, non-communicable disease (NCD) comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia status) and disabilities among the older persons. Anemia was defined based on the World Health Organization’s standards. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of anemia with chronic diseases and disabilities. Results: The prevalence of anemia was 35.3% (95% CI: 33.1, 37.4) in the older persons. Chronic disease profiling showed that the prevalence rates of anemia among the older persons with diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were 38.6%, 35.3% and 34.1%, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, persons aged 80 years and above (adjusted OR (aOR): 2.64; 95% CI: 2.00, 3.47), 70–79 years (aOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.66), with diabetes (aOR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.51) and with disabilities in walking (aOR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.54) and self-care (aOR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.05) had higher odds of anemia compared to their respective reference categories. Among the persons with diabetes, the respondents aged 80 years and above (aOR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.56, 3.94), 70–79 years old (aOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.76) and with disabilities in vision (aOR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.63) and walking (aOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.91) were more likely to be anemic. Furthermore, among the older persons without diabetes, persons aged 80 years and above (

Internet addiction (IA) among adolescents is an issue of growing concern with adverse effects on adolescents’ health and social functioning. This study aims to determine the prevalence of IA among school-going adolescents in Malaysia and its associated factors—specifically, lifestyle factors. A nationwide cross-sectional school-based health survey was conducted in 2017 among 27,497 students from 212 randomly selected secondary schools. Information regarding sociodemography, lifestyle, and internet use was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. IA was measured using the Malay Version of Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT). The prevalence of internet addiction was 29.0%. A multivariable logistic analysis revealed that inadequate fruit and vegetable intakes, consumed carbonated soft drinks at least once a day, consumed fast food at least three days/week, sedentary behavior, current E-cigarette users, and ever/current alcohol drinkers were lifestyle factors significantly associated with IA. Adolescents from urban schools, of higher school grade, and those whose parents are married but living apart were also found to have a greater risk for internet addiction. A positive association was found between IA with unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors among adolescents. The modification of lifestyle factors needs to be considered while developing strategies and interventions for awareness-raising and prevention of IA among adolescents.

Internet addiction (IA) among adolescents is an issue of growing concern with adverse effects on adolescents’ health and social functioning. This study aims to determine the prevalence of IA among school-going adolescents in Malaysia and its associated factors—specifically, lifestyle factors. A nationwide cross-sectional school-based health survey was conducted in 2017 among 27,497 students from 212 randomly selected secondary schools. Information regarding sociodemography, lifestyle, and internet use was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. IA was measured using the Malay Version of Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT). The prevalence of internet addiction was 29.0%. A multivariable logistic analysis revealed that inadequate fruit and vegetable intakes, consumed carbonated soft drinks at least once a day, consumed fast food at least three days/week, sedentary behavior, current E-cigarette users, and ever/current alcohol drinkers were lifestyle factors significantly associated with IA. Adolescents from urban schools, of higher school grade, and those whose parents are married but living apart were also found to have a greater risk for internet addiction. A positive association was found between IA with unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors among adolescents. The modification of lifestyle factors needs to be considered while developing strategies and interventions for awareness-raising and prevention of IA among adolescents.