Search

Background: Child malnutrition problems still occur in Malaysia, particularly stunting. This study aimed to determine the proportion of stunting among children below 5 years old and investigate the factors associated with stunting on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia., Methods: This study utilised data from the 2016 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with malnutrition among non-stunted and stunted children., Results: The proportion of stunting among children below 5 years old in this East Coast region was 26.2%. When divided by state, Kelantan had the highest proportion of stunting, followed by Pahang and Terengganu, at 28.8%, 26.2% and 23.4%, respectively. In this study, the factors associated with stunting were children aged 24 months old-59 months old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.26, 1.83; P < 0.001), male children (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.76; P < 0.001), Orang Asli children (aOR: 2.84; 95% CI: 1.86, 4.32; P < 0.001), children with low birth weight from 1,500 g to 2,499 g (aOR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.36, 2.55; P < 0.001) and children from households that practice unsanitary waste disposal (aOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.16, 1.74; P = 0.001)., Conclusion: Stunting among children under the age of 5 years old on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia remains a public health problem. To reduce the prevalence of stunting in this region, intervention programmes should be intensified. Emphasis should be placed on public health programmes that target the associated factors, such as dietary habits, Orang Asli children, low birth weight and unsanitary waste disposal., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None., (© Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2023.)

Bauxite mining is not known to most Malaysian except recently due to environmental pollution issues in Kuantan, Pahang. Potential impacts are expected to go beyond physical environment and physical illness if the situation is not controlled. Loss of economic potentials, and the presence of unpleasant red dust causing mental distress, anger and community outrage. More studies are needed to associate it with chronic physical illness. While evidences are vital for action, merely waiting for a disease to occur is a sign of failure in prevention. All responsible agencies should focus on a wider aspect of health determinants rather than merely on the occurrence of diseases to act and the need to emphasize on sustainable mining to ensure health of people is not compromised.

The current Ebola outbreak, which is the first to affect West African countries, has been declared to have met the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Thus, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Malaysia has taken steps to strengthen and enhanced the five core components of preparedness and response to mitigate the outbreak. The National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) commands, controls and coordinates the preparedness and response plans for disasters, outbreaks, crises and emergencies (DOCE) related to health in a centralised way. Through standardised case definition and mandatory notification of Ebola by public and private practitioners, surveillance of Ebola is made possible. Government hospitals and laboratories have been identified to manage and diagnose Ebola virus infections, and medical staff members have been trained to handle an Ebola outbreak, with emphasis on strict infection prevention and control practices. Monitoring of the points of entry, focusing on travellers and students visiting or coming from West African countries is made possible by interagency collaborations. To alleviate the public's anxiety, effective risk communications are being delivered through various channels. With experience in past outbreak control, the MOH's preparedness and response plans are in place to abate an Ebola outbreak.