scholarly journals Factors associated with second-hand smoke awareness in Malaysia

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Kang Cheah ◽  
Chien Huey Teh ◽  
Hock Kuang Lim
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Smoking Behaviour ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Demographic Profiles ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Government ◽  
Multistage Sampling

Background: The proportion of people exposed to second-hand smoke increases dramatically with a sharp increase in the prevalence of smoking. It is expected that awareness of the effect of second-hand smoke plays an important role in curbing smoking. Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine factors affecting awareness of second-hand smoke in Malaysia. Methods: Nationally representative data, covering a large sample size (4153 respondents) and collected based on multistage sampling, are used. Multiple logistic regression is employed to analyse the effects of demographic and lifestyle variables on the likelihood of being aware of second-hand smoke. Results: Results show that older people are less likely to be aware of second-hand smoke than youngsters and that less-educated individuals are less likely to be aware of second-hand smoke than well-educated individuals. Significant relationships are found between second-hand smoke awareness and wealth index, ethnicity and smoking behaviour. Conclusion: Demographic profiles should be considered when drawing up policies aimed at improving awareness of second-hand smoke among adults. The government needs to focus more on older people, wealthy individuals, less-educated individuals, Chinese individuals and smokers if a successful policy is to be implemented.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting the Utilization of a Minimum of Four Antenatal Care Services in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garoma Wakjira Basha
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Nationally Representative

Background. Antenatal care is defined as the routine care of pregnant women provided between conception and the onset of labor. This study is aimed to identify factors affecting the utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services in Ethiopia. Methods. The study used data from the nationally representative 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). A total of 7,167 mothers who gave birth within five years preceding the 2016 EDHS whose complete information was available in the survey were included in this study. Logistic regression statistical analyses were used to identify factors associated with the utilization of a minimum of 4 ANC services in Ethiopia. Results. Among the 7,167 women included in this study, 2,598 (36.6%) had utilized a minimum of 4 ANC services in Ethiopia. This study showed that factors such as place of residence, region, mothers’ education level, household wealth index, desire for pregnancy, frequency of reading newspaper, frequency of listening to radio, and frequency of watching TV were associated with the utilization of a minimum of four ANC services at 5% level of significance in Ethiopia. Conclusion. Strategies to increase the accessibility and availability of healthcare services are important particularly for communities in rural areas. Financial support that enables mothers from poor households to use health services will be beneficial. Health promotion programs targeting mothers with no education are vital to increase their awareness about the importance of antenatal services.

scholarly journals Family Support and Loneliness among Older Persons in Multiethnic Malaysia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Kimm Lii Teh ◽  
Nai Peng Tey ◽  
Sor Tho Ng
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
National Policy ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Using Data

This study investigates factors affecting older persons’ state of loneliness in multiethnic Malaysia using data from the 2004 Malaysian Population and Family Survey, the first nationally representative sample in Malaysia. The study sample was extracted to include Malays, Chinese, Indians and other Indigenous groups aged 60 and above, and who had children (n= 1791). Cross tabulations and ordinal logistic regression methods were used in the analysis. Among the ethnic groups, older Malays were more likely than their Chinese and Indian counterparts to experience loneliness. Loneliness was found to be associated with age, marital status, education level, sources of income, health status, and physical limitations. Among older people, feelings of loneliness were inversely related with coresidence with adult children and participation in religious activities. Sociodemographic changes have eroded the traditional family support system for the elderly, while social security remains inadequate. This study shows the important role of family in alleviating loneliness among older people. Hence the need to promote and facilitate coresidence, as well as participation in religious activities, and a healthy lifestyle as a priority strategy is in line with the objectives of the National Policy for the Older People.

Factors associated with participation in physical activity among adolescents in Malaysia

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Kang Cheah ◽  
Hock Kuang Lim ◽  
Chee Cheong Kee ◽  
Sumarni Mohd Ghazali
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Censored Regression Model ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Background: The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has become a serious public health issue. Among the multi-factorial drivers behind NCDs are modifiable health risk factors, most notably, physical inactivity. Objective: In response to the nearly global policy priority of encouraging regular participation in physical activity, the objective of the present study is to examine the factors that determine participation in physical activity among Malaysian adolescents. Methods: Nationally representative data consisting of a large sample size was used. A censored regression model was developed to estimate the likelihood of participation and time spent on physical activity. Results: There are significant relationships between physical activity and gender, ethnicity, self-rated academic performance, maternal education, household size and time spent on physical education. Conclusion: The present study provides new insights into the factors affecting physical activity participation among adolescents. Specifically, self-rated excellent academic performance, household size and physical education can increase the likelihood of being physically active. Evidence of the present study implies that policy makers should pay special attention to females, Chinese, adolescents with self-rated poor academic performance and adolescents who have low maternal education.

scholarly journals Projecting future demand for informal care among older people in China: the road towards a sustainable long-term care system

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Hu
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Informal Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation Technique ◽  
Modelling Framework ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Government ◽  
Care System

AbstractThe long-term care system in China relies heavily on informal care provided by family members. This study makes projections on the demand for informal care among Chinese older people between 2015 and 2035 and quantifies the level of long-term care resources needed to meet their needs. The data come from longitudinal information in a nationally representative sample, China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey 2011 and 2013. The macrosimulation approach (PSSRU model) and the Markov approach are integrated into one Bayesian modelling framework. The Monte Carlo simulation technique is used to capture parameter uncertainty. We project that the demand for informal care will increase from 41.3 million people (95% CI: 39.9–42.7) in 2015 to 82.6 million people (95% CI: 78.3–86.9) in 2035. The long-term care system faces unbalanced pressure of demand for informal care from different groups of older people. The projected demand is sensitive to changes in older people’s disability trajectory and the availability of formal care provided by the government, but less sensitive to an increase in singleton households in the future. We discuss possible policy measures to alleviate the mounting pressure on the demand for informal care.

Nationally representative surveys show gradual shifting of overweight and obesity towards poor and less-educated women of reproductive age in Nepal

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Ipsita Sutradhar ◽  
Tahmina Akter ◽  
Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Rajat Das Gupta ◽  
Hemraj Joshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Outcome ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Reproductive Age Women ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Government

Abstract Overweight and obesity are considered major public health concerns all over the world. They have the potential to increase the risk of developing non-communicable diseases in reproductive age women, increasing their risk of pregnancy related complications and adverse birth outcome. This study was carried out to identify the trend of prevalence of overweight and obesity, along with their determinants, among reproductive age women (15–49 years) in Nepal. Data were taken from the nationally representative 2006, 2011 and 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHSs). Women were considered to be overweight or obese when their BMI was 23.0–27.5 kg/m2 or ≥27.5 kg/m2, respectively. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed, with significance taken at p<0.05. The prevalences of overweight and obesity both showed rising trends in women of reproductive age in Nepal from 2006 to 2016, particularly among those with no education, only primary education and poor women. The presence of overweight and obesity was found to be significantly associated with the sample women’s age, educational status, wealth index, place of residence, ecological zone, developmental region, number of household members, marital status and ethnicity. In 2016 one in every three women of reproductive age in Nepal was either overweight or obese. As overweight and obesity have detrimental effects on women’s health, the Government of Nepal, in collaboration with other government and non-government organizations, should take action to halt the rising trends in overweight and obesity in the country.

scholarly journals DEMOGRAPHICS, KNOWLEDGE AND SMOKING: AN INSTRUMENTAL VARIABLE APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (No.2) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Yong Kang Cheah ◽  
Kuang Hock Lim ◽  
Muhammad Fadhli Mohd Yusoff
Keyword(s):  
Educational Level ◽  
Instrumental Variable ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Smoking Behaviour ◽  
Participation Decision ◽  
Intervention Measures ◽  
Variable Approach ◽  
Married Individuals ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Rural Dwellers

Smoking is one of the main factors that causes various diseases. The objective of the present study is to investigate factors determining smoking behaviour among adults. The present study used instrumental variable (IV) regressions to estimate the effects of demographic and knowledge factors on participation decision and amount decision of smoking. Nationally representative data of a developing country (Malaysia) was used. Contrary to popular belief, knowledge was found to be positively associated with the propensity to smoke, as well as the amount of smoking. Age, gender, wealth index, educational level, ethnicity, marital status and house locality were significantly associated with smoking. Males were more likely to smoke and smoked more than females. Educational level reduced the likelihood and amount of smoking. Malays and married individuals were less likely to smoke than non-Malays and unmarried individuals. Urban dwellers smoked more cigarette relative to rural dwellers. In terms of policy implication, it is suggested that intervention measures directed toward reducing the prevalence of smoking should not pay too much attention to improving the knowledge of health effects of smoking among Malaysian adults. Anti-smoking policies must be designed carefully by taking into account of the demographic factors which are correlated with the likelihood and amount of smoking. The present study is the first of its kind that includes knowledge as a separate variable for analyses and uses IV regressions to analyse participation decision and amount decision of smoking.

scholarly journals Is There Any Association Between Undesired Children and Health Status of Under-five Children? Analysis of Nationally Representative Sample From Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Zakiul Alam ◽  
Md. Syful Islam
Keyword(s):  
Child Mortality ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Childhood Mortality ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Government

Abstract Introduction: Child health, especially childhood mortality, is one of the critical indicators of human development. No child mortality is desirable, but it is still high in Bangladesh. We aimed to assess the effect of the child's desired status of mothers on childhood morbidity and mortality of Bangladesh. Data and Method: We used the data from nationally representative cross-sectional Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2014 and restricted the analyses to children born in the past five years preceding the survey. We estimated the undesired status (excess in boy, girl, both, and parity) by subtracting an ideal number of children from the total live birth. We measured childhood mortality (neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality), morbidity (fever, diarrhea, cough, and ARI), and nutritional problems (stunting, wasting, and underweight). Finally, we utilized the chi-square test and multilevel logistic regression analyses. Findings: The prevalence of undesired children was 20.7%, 23.2%, 4.9%, and 30.3% for boys, girls, both boys and girls, and parity, respectively. Age, education, residence, division, and household wealth index were significantly associated with undesired children. The prevalence of under-five mortality was 3.1% among desired children, almost double (5.9%) among undesired children. The likelihood of under-five mortality was 85% (AOR) to 97% (COR) higher among undesired children than the desired one. Childhood malnutrition (stunting and underweight except wasting) was also higher and significantly associated with undesired children. We also found 17% (AOR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.96) lower postnatal checkup for undesired children. Despite lower under-five mortality among higher socioeconomic status, the relative contribution of undesired children to under-fiver mortality was larger. Conclusion: The share of childhood mortality and malnutrition was higher among undesired children. Every child should be wanted, and no unwanted pregnancies are desirable; thereby, the government should reemphasize the proper use of family planning methods to reduce child mortality and malnutrition.

Internet-based Online Higher Education in Nepal Amidst COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashis Acharya ◽  
Nabaraj Poudyal ◽  
Ganesh Lamichhane ◽  
Babita Aryal ◽  
Bibek Raj Bhattarai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Human Life ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Traditional Concept ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Online Higher Education ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
The Government

The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected all aspects of human life, with education, not an exception. In an attempt to stop the SARS-CoV-2 spreading like wildfire, the Government of Nepal has implemented nationwide lockdowns since March 24, 2020, that have enforced schools and universities to shut down. As a consequence, more than four hundred thousand students of various levels in higher education institutions (HEIs) are in a dilemma about restoring the situation. Several HEIs, nationwide, have leaped forward from the traditional concept of learning—limited within the boundary of the classroom—to choosing digital platforms as an alternative means of teaching because of the pandemic. For this research, the descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out to investigate the effects and challenges of learning via digital platforms during this pandemic. Data were collected from students and faculty at various levels of higher education and analyzed statistically with different factors using t-test and ANOVA, and variables were found to be approximately normally distributed. The study revealed that 70% of the respondents had access to the Internet, but 36% of the Internet accessed did not continue online classes due to unexpected disturbance in Internet and electrical connectivity. Likewise, 65% of students did not feel comfortable with online classes, and among attendees of online classes, 78% of students want to meet the instructor for a better understanding of course matters. According to the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model, three factors, such as institutional policy, internet access, and poverty, are found to be significant factors affecting the online higher education systems in Nepal. On the brighter side, this outbreak has brought ample opportunities to reform the conventional teaching-learning paradigm in Nepal.

scholarly journals Investigating the status of marital burnout and related factors in married women referred to health centers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbobeh Nejatian ◽  
Ali Alami ◽  
Vahideh Momeniyan ◽  
Ali Delshad Noghabi ◽  
Alireza Jafari
Keyword(s):  
Marital Satisfaction ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Married Women ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Status ◽  
Multistage Sampling ◽  
Emotional Burnout

Abstract Background Marital burnout is an important issue in marriage and many factors play an important role in this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to determine the status of marital burnout and the factors affecting married women who were referred to health centers because of it. Methods In this study, 936 women were selected by multistage sampling and data collection was performed using questionnaires of demographic and couple burnout. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 24. Results The mean (± SD) of marital burnout, in this study, was 55.46 (± 18.03) (out of 147 score). There was a significant relationship between the level of women's education with total marital burnout, and the subscales of somatic and emotional burnout (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was also observed between mandatory marriage and total marital burnout, as well as subscales of somatic, emotional, and psychological burnout (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was detected and observed between women's participation in training courses of communication skills and total marital burnout, inclusive of the subscales regarding psychological burnout (P < 0.05). The results of linear regression showed a significant relationship between mandatory in marriage, marital satisfaction, marriage duration, and husband's level of education with women's marital burnout. The variables were finally able to predict 12% of marital burnout variance. It should be noted that marital satisfaction had a higher effect on predicting marital burnout (P < 0.001). Conclusions Marital satisfaction was one of the effective factors in predicting marital burnout, so it can be concluded that it is necessary to pay more attention to this issue. Educational programs and examining the factors that enhance marital satisfaction are needed to prevent and reduce marital burnout in married couples.

Do expectations for post-retirement family and government support crowd out pre-retirement savings? Insights from the working-age population in Thailand

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Nopphol Witvorapong ◽  
Yong Yoon ◽  
Wiraporn Pothisiri
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Filial Piety ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Financial Security ◽  
Retirement Savings ◽  
Family Transfers ◽  
Retirement Expectations ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Government

Abstract Based on nationally representative data (N = 8,901), this study investigates the extent to which expectations for intra-family transfers and government assistance in old age impact the probability of saving for retirement among working-age individuals in Thailand. Results show that expectations for financial non-self-reliance and expectations that family support would constitute the most important source of old-age financial security reduce the probability that working-age individuals would save for retirement. Expectations for government support have no impact on average. Given that filial piety is weakening in Thailand, this study suggests that the government encourage pre-retirement savings more strongly.

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