Suriani Ismail

Emotional Health and Self-esteem Among Adolescents in Malaysian Orphanages

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of depression, anxiety, stress and low self-esteem among institutional Malaysian adolescents. This cross-sectional descriptive study included 287 adolescents aged 12–18 years living in six selected orphan homes. Study’s instruments included Socio-demographic questionnaire, validated Malay version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The findings revealed that 85.2, 80.1 and 84.7% of participants had depression, anxiety and stress respectively. Females were more likely to be depressed. Furthermore, anxiety was significantly associated with race and age but no significant associations between stress and the demographic factors were found. The study also showed that 70.8% of males and 69.2% of females had low self-esteem and the self-esteem was associated with depression, anxiety and stress.Therefore, mental health problems are very common among adolescents in Malaysian orphanages. Results reveal the urgency of immediate actions to reduce the mental health problems among Malaysian institutional adolescents.

Factors Affecting Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Among African Women in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a health concern among women worldwide, presently ranking as the second to fourth common cancer type among women in different parts of the world. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) 16 and 18 are the main causative agents of cervical cancer. However, prevention is possible with early and regular cervical cancer screening. Objective: This study aimed to identify the cervical cancer screening practices and factors affecting the screening status of African immigrant women attending selected church services in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study among 320 randomly selected respondents between ages 18-69 was conducted in three different churches with high numbers of African participants. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the respondents. To ensure a good understanding, the questionnaire was written and self-explained in English language, because English is the general spoken language among the study population. Three levels of analysis were conducted using SPSS 21, involving descriptive analysis, chi square and multiple logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 98.2%, the majority (68.1%) of the respondents being aged 31-50 years and married. The prevalence of screening among the respondents over the past 3 years was 27.2%. Using a p-value of 0.05 as the significance level, the final model showed that marital status (p=0.004), knowledge (p=0.035), perceived barriers (p=0.003), and having a regular health care provider (p<0.001) were the only significant predicting factors of uptake of cervical screening among African immigrant women in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Conclusion: The findings revealed that the uptake of cervical cancer screening among the African women was very low. Marital status, knowledge, perceived barriers and having a regular health care provider were the predictive factors. Specific awareness programs to increase uptake should be designed and implemented by the relevant authorities.

Stress and coping mechanisms among adolescents living in orphanages: An experience from Klang Valley, Malaysia

Health issues often differ from one population to another. Assessing different aspects of the health condition is a vital step toward developing and designing appropriate prevention and treatment programs to reduce health problems in any group or population. This study aimed to assess both the prevalence of stress and the coping mechanisms as well as identify the predictors of stress levels among adolescents in Malaysian orphanages.

Influence of coping mechanisms on emotional problems among adolescents in Malaysian orphanages

Psychological problems are increasing dramatically among children and adolescents living in orphanages (Mohammadzadeh, Awang, K. S, & Ismail, 2017; Polihronakis, 2008). This study aimed to assess the influence of coping mechanisms on emotional problems in Malaysian orphanages. Using the validated Malay versions of DASS21 and Brief COPE scale, 287 adolescents (aged 13‐17) from 8 orphanages in Klang Valley, 2015, participated in this study. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Unversiti Putra Malaysia and a written consent form was obtained from all the respondents and caregivers. The results showed that stress was significantly predicted by denial, venting, religion, humor, planning, and active coping. Only denial had a positive association with stress. Results of logistic regression showed participants using denial were 2.37 times (P = .001) more likely to be stressful. The participants using venting, humor, planning, and active coping were 0.61 (P = .01), 0.59 (P = .02), 0.56 (P = .01), and 0.39 times (P = .001) less likely to be stressful. Denial, self‐blame, planning, and humor had significant impact on depression. Participants using denial, self‐blame, and humor were, respectively, 1.70 (P = .01), 1.58 (P = .02), and 1.38 times (P = .03) more likely to be depressed. The participants using planning were 1.41 times (P = .03) less likely to be depressed. Meanwhile, substance use and self‐distraction have positive significant impact on anxiety. Participants using substance use method (P = .001) and self‐distraction (P = .04) were 1.78 and 1.31 times more likely to be anxious, respectively. As understanding the risk factors of emotional problems is a vital step to develop appropriated programs for reducing mental issues in