Diabetes mellitus is a public health concern in Malaysia. Treatment of diabetes is costly and can lead to complications if disease is poorly controlled. Diabetes self-management (DSM) is found to be essential for optimal glycemic control. This cross-sectional study was conducted among samples from four randomly selected diabetes clinics in Sarawak, Malaysia. The aim was to determine the predictors for DSM. Face-to-face interview using questionnaire was used to collect data. Four hundred respondents with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were recruited. Majority of the respondents were Sarawak Bumiputra (Iban and Bidayuh, 48.6%) and female (68.6%). The mean age was 58.77 years (SD = 11.46) and approximately half of the respondents (50.6%) had T2DM for six years (SD = 4.46). The mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) was 8.06 mmol/L (SD = 2.94), with majority (76.1%) having the level higher than 6.1 mmol/L. Multiple logistic regression tests showed significant linear relationship between DSM and belief in treatment effectiveness (p = 0.001), family support (p = 0.007), and self-efficacy (p = 0.027). Health care personnel must convince patients with T2DM of the effectiveness of the treatment, empower and enhance their self-efficacy, and enlist the family support so as to ensure patients sustain their DSM efforts.
Context:Breaking of bad news is an important component in the management of cancer patients.Aims:This study aimed to assess the perceptions of breaking bad news of cancer diagnosis.Settings and Design:It was a cross-sectional study using Breaking Bad News Assessment Schedule (BAS) questionnaire on cancer patients in Serian district.Materials and Methods:Using snowballing sampling method, a total of 134 patients were interviewed face-to-face after the consent was obtained from each of the respondents.Statistical Analysis Used:Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 19.0.Results:Majority were comfortable with the current method of breaking bad news. The main aspects found to be the areas of concern were the importance of the usage of body language, management of time and identifying patients’ key area of concerns. There were significant difference between sex and “information giving” (P = 0.028) and “general consideration” (P = 0.016) and also between “the age and setting the scene” (P = 0.042). Significant difference was also found between the types of cancer and “the setting of scene” (P = 0.018), “breaking bad news technique” (P = 0.010), “eliciting concerns” (P = 0.003) and “information giving” (P = 0.004).Conclusion:Good and effective communication skill of breaking bad news is vital in the management of cancer patients. As the incidence of new cases of cancer increase every year, breaking of bad news has become a pertinent to the medical professionals’ role. Specific aspects of communication skills based on local characteristics should be more emphasized in the formulation of training for doctors.
Though vegetarians own the privilege of a wide range of health benefits and of much lower risk of many diseases, they are also cut off many essential nutritional values. This study aimed to determine the vegetarian practices, body composition and dietary intake of vegetarians among Hindus and Buddhists in Kuching, Sarawak. Using questionnaire and anthropometric measurement, this cross-sectional study was carried out in Hindu and Buddhist temples in Kuching. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS version 22. A total of 114 respondents participated in the study, with mean age of 45.8 years (SD±16.01), females (57%), and majority Buddhists (81.6%). Majority of the respondents were on lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (71%) with more among the Hindus. More than half of the respondents were overweight and obese (64.1%). About 58% of the respondents were found to have abnormal waist circumference and 78.1% with over fat percentage. Buddhist respondents consumed more carbohydrates than Hindus. Hindu respondents consume more macro-nutrients such as protein and fat with a mean intake of 102.9 g (SD ±34.60) and 20.9 % of total energy intake respectively and more micro-nutrients. Vegetarian diet does not warranty healthy body as the quality and quantity of the food intake can influence the nutritional status of a person. Knowledge on choice of food should be imparted to improve their health status. South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.8(1) 2018: 3-9
Yogurt provides the body with nutrients such as vitamin B, minerals and proteins. Despite the nutrition offered by yogurt, local studies in Malaysia reported that the consumption of yogurt still remains as one of the lowest amongst all dairy products in Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the yogurt consumption and purchasing reasons among yogurt consumers in Kuching, Sarawak. It was a descriptive study based on online survey via Google form. Respondents were recruited from a list of customers of a yogurt supplier in Kuching via an advertisement through social media. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS (version 27). A total of 236 respondents participated in this study whereby the majority were females (71.2%) and most of respondents bought their yogurt from being informed by advertisement. A majority used yogurt at least once a month and most likely type of yoghurt used was the yoghurt drink (61.9%). The largest share of respondents indicated that the quality of product (93.7%), variation in flavour (83.9%), information in product’s label (79.7%), price consideration (71.2%), quality (71.2%), ease of location (76.2%) and access of transportation (69.9%) markedly stimulated their consumption behaviour in finalising their yogurt purchasing reasons. Consumer’s behaviour toward the yogurt purchasing decision were controlled specifically by its product factors, prices offered and accessibility of conditions. Implications of this study have contributed to future local research on population study in the Sarawak and may increase the awareness of yogurt’s benefits among non-yogurt buyers to encourage greater consumption.
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