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IntroductionIn an ageing society, falls is a serious issue that contributes to morbidity and mortality. Additional health problem such as urinary incontinence could further increase risks. Urinary incontinence could present in the form of stress, urge incontinence or mixed. Previous studies have demonstrated the link between urinary incontinence and falls. This sub-study aims to demonstrate the prevalence of falls among older women in Malaysia and its association with urinary incontinence. MethodologyData was obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018, a cross-sectional survey focusing on elderly health in the population. Secondary data obtained were for women aged ≧60 years old (n=). Information on socio-demography and falls history were obtained from face-to-face interview. Urinary incontinence was measured using a validated tool, Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID) which could assess stress and urge incontinence. Descriptive and logistic regression complex sampling analysis was done using SPSS version 22. ResultsThe prevalence of having at least 1 fall episode in the past 12 months at the date of interview among women aged 60 and above was 14.7% in Malaysia. Those aged >80 years old, from urban area, unemployed and with a spouse have higher prevalence of falls compared to their counterparts. The prevalence of falls among women with urinary incontinence was 24.3%; higher for stress incontinence (33.5%) compared to urge incontinence (20.1%). Older women with urinary incontinence have almost 2 times odds of falling [OR 1.98 (95% CI: 1.3, 3.0). Those with stress incontinence 3 times odds of falling [OR 3.09 (95% CI: 2.0,5.0)] as to urge incontinence [OR 1.48(95% CI: 0.52,4.19)]. Multiple logistic regression revealed that urinary incontinence were positively associated with those who had stress urinary incontinence [aOR 1.51 (95%CI: 1.03,2.04)] Discussion / ConclusionPrevalence of falls increases with age which is consistent with previous studies. The finding that urinary incontinence is associated with falls was similar to studies done in England, Australia, Japan and the United States. This could be due to the need to rush to the bathroom due to incontinence. Another study suggested that the discomfort and anxiety associated with it which could interfere with balance leading to falls. Urinary incontinence should be considered as a risk factor for falls especially in women. Likely due to the small sample size, significant associations when multiple factors were considered were unable to be demonstrated. Further studies should be done in the future with larger sample size to explore the association in order to determine the necessity and suitable early preventive strategies.

AIM Studies on the influence of social support on activity limitation among older persons remain limited. A better understanding of this relationship will help with resource planning and policy making aimed to reduce burden of care. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of social support on limitation in daily living among older persons in Malaysia. METHODS Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018, a nation-wide, cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified sampling design, were analyzed. A representative sample of individuals aged ≥60 years identified through national sampling frames throughout Malaysia was included. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using validated questionnaires on activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL). Social support was measured using the Duke Social Support Index. RESULTS The overall prevalence of the presence of any limitations in ADL and IADL was 17.0% and 42.9% respectively. Overall prevalence of the older persons with low to fair social support was 30.8% and high to very high social support was 69.2%. Logistic regression analysis identified the following factors as being associated with limitations in ADL and IADL: being female, of older age, having a monthly income

Aim Falls are a common problem among older people, leading to major morbidity and increased mortality. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls among older persons in Malaysia and its associated factors. Methods Data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018 (NHMS 2018), a cross-sectional study using stratified cluster sampling design. Older persons were defined as aged ≥60 years in this study. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25.0. Results Overall, 14.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.46, 15.84) of older persons reported having experienced at least one fall during the past 12 months. Univariate analyses revealed an association between the history of falls with not being employed (odds ratio [OR]: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.03, 1.77]), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.65 [95% CI: 1.33, 2.04]), limitation in activities of daily living (ADL) (OR: 1.90 [95% CI: 1.43, 2.54]) or instrumental ADL (OR: 1.47 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.84]). Multiple logistic regression revealed that falls were positively associated with those who had diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.55 [95% CI: 1.23, 1.94]) and limitation in ADL (OR: 1.56 [95% CI: 1.14, 2.15]); 43.9% of falls occurred outdoors. Conclusion One in six older Malaysian people experience at least one fall over a 12-month period. Diabetes mellitus and limitation in ADL were the factors associated with falls among older persons. A comprehensive and targeted program designed to reduce risk of falls is urgently needed. Future research should identify suitable programs for our setting to reduce the potential society burden of falls in older Malaysians. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 33-37.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and factors associated with anemia among men in Malaysia. The researchers used data from the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS). The hemoglobin levels of men aged 15 years and above who gave their consent was measured using the HemoCue® Hb 201+ System©. The majority of them (87.2%) were men aged 15–59 years, referred to as the younger age group in this study. The prevalence of anemia among men was 12.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 10.9, 14.5). The prevalence was higher among older men (30.7%, 95% CI: 26.6, 35.1) than younger men (10.0%, 95% CI: 8.2, 12.2). Anemia among men was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratios (aOR) = 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1, 4.4) and those with diabetes (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.1) via a logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, older men were more affected by anemia than younger men in this study. Anemia among older men in Malaysia is at the level of moderate to severe public health significance. The likelihood of developing anemia is increased among older men with diabetes compared to older men without diabetes. These often-overlooked issues among men need to be detected and treated early in order to prevent complications and improve their quality of life.

Various factors contribute to suicidal attempt. This study aims to determine the relationship between suicidal attempt and its associated factors among school-going adolescents in Malaysia. Data from the National Health and Morbidity 2017 survey were analyzed. This survey was implemented as a nationwide school-based survey targeting adolescents 13 to 17 years old. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analysis was done using SPSS version 20. A total of 27 399 adolescents participated in this survey. The prevalence of suicidal attempt was 6.9% (95% confidence interval = 6.2-7.7). Multivariate analysis found that the odds of suicidal attempt among adolescent with depression is 4.3 (adjusted odds ratio = 4.3; 95% confidence interval = 3.9-4.8). Other significant factors are young adolescent, non-Malay ethnicities especially Indian, adolescent with parents living apart, and those without peer support and parental connectedness. A holistic approach for the planning of preventative strategies and public health policies should be made according to these risk factors.