Yong Kang Cheah

Exploring factors influencing smoking behaviour in Malaysia

OBJECTIVEnThe objective of present study is to investigate the determinants of smoking behaviour among adults in Malaysia.nnnMETHODnFindings of the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-3) by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, were used. The sample consisted of 34,539 observations. A logistic regression model was thus applied to estimate the probability to participate in smoking.nnnRESULTSnAge, income, gender, marital status, ethnicity, employment status, residential area, education, lifestyle and health status were statistically significant in affecting the likelihood of smoking. Specifically, youngsters, low income earners, males, unmarried individuals, Malays, employed individuals, rural residents and primary educated individuals were more likely to smoke.nnnCONCLUSIONnIn conclusion, socio-demographic, lifestyle and health factors have significant impacts on smoking participation in Malaysia. Based on these empirical findings, several policy implications are suggested.

DETERMINANTS OF LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIA

This paper examines how socio-demographic and health-lifestyle factors determine participation and duration of leisure-time physical activity in Malaysia. Based on the Malaysia Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance-1 data, Heckmans sample selection model is employed to estimate the probability to participate and duration on physical activity. Results indicate that gender, age, years of education and family illness history are significant in explaining participation probability in leisure-time physical activity. Gender, income level, smoking-status and years of education are significant in explaining the weekly duration conditional on participation, whereas smoking-status and years of education are significant in determining the unconditional level of leisure-time physical activity.

The Determinants of Participation in Physical Activity in Malaysia

Objectives In light of the importance of physical activity, the aim of the present study is to examine the factors affecting participation in physical activity among adults in Malaysia. Methods A logistic regression model and the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey consisting of 30,992 respondents were used. Results Age, income, gender, education, marital status, region, house locality, job characteristics, and medical conditions are significantly associated with participation in physical activity. In particular, old individuals, high income earners, females, the well-educated, widowed or divorced individuals, East Malaysians, urban dwellers, the unemployed, and individuals who are not diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia are less likely to be physically active than others. Conclusion Because sociodemographic and health factors play an important role in determining physical activity, the government should take them into account when formulating policy.

Factors associated with participation in physical activity among adolescents in Malaysia.

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.

Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with nutrition label use among Malaysian adults

Purpose – Nutrition labels bridge communication between food manufacturers and consumers and are instrumental in shaping food choices and dietary habits. Gaining insight into the factors associated with nutrition label use precedes evaluating the effectiveness of these labels. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with nutrition label use among multi-ethnic Malaysian adults. Design/methodology/approach – Data from the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (n=39,506) on nutrition label use was analysed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the factors associated with reading nutrition labels, adjusted for confounders. Findings – The findings show that females, young adults aged between 18 and 30 years, Malays, tertiary educated, singles, employed individuals, physically active adults and non-smokers were significantly associated with increased odds of nutrition label use. Research limitations/implications – Causality could ...

Factors associated with second-hand smoke awareness in Malaysia:

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.

Demographic and lifestyle factors associated with sexual activity among adolescents in Malaysia

ABSTRACT Having a better understanding of the factors associated with sexual behaviour among adolescents is important as it may assist government in lowering the prevalence of teen pregnancy. The objective of the present study is to examine the effects of demographic and lifestyle factors on the likelihood of engaging in sexual intercourse with a focus on Malaysian adolescents. Using a nationally representative data collected by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the present study finds that age, self-rated academic performance, parents’ marital status, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking can significantly affect the sexual behaviour among adolescents. The present study concludes by discussing the policy implications of these findings. As a measure towards reducing underage sex, successful policies should be targeted primarily at adolescents who aged more than 16 years self-rate their academic performance as poor, have single parents, and adopt alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking behaviours.

Demographic and lifestyle determinants of time spent in physical activity among Malaysian adolescents

Background and objectives The objective of the present study is to examine factors affecting time spent in physical activity among adolescents in Malaysia. Patients and methods A nationally representative data of adolescents that consists of 25399 respondents is used. The demographic (age, gender, education) and lifestyle (fruits and vegetables consumption, carbonated soft drink consumption, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, sex behaviour, participation in physical education class, obesity) determinants of physical activity are assessed using binomial regression. Results The results show that age is negatively associated with time spent in physical activity. However, being male and education levels are positively related to time spent in physical activity. Having unhealthy lifestyle and being obese are associated with low levels of physical activity. Physical education seems to promote participation in physical activity. Conclusion In conclusion, demographic and lifestyle factors play an important role in determining levels of physical activity among adolescents. In order to reduce the prevalence of physically inactive adolescents, policy makers should focus primarily on late adolescents, females, adolescents who engage in unhealthy lifestyle and seldom attend physical education classes, as well as obese adolescents.

Socioeconomic and lifestyle determinants of blood glucose screening in Malaysia

Abstract Background The increase in prevalence of diabetes is a serious public health issue. It is well-documented that use of blood glucose screening can help to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Objectives To examine the socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with use of blood glucose screening among Malaysian adults. Methods Nationally representative data from 2,415 survey respondents was used. The survey was a cross-sectional population-based study previously conducted by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. A logistic regression model was developed to estimate the likelihood of using blood glucose screening. Results Age, marital status, ethnicity, income, smoking, and body mass index were significantly associated with use of blood glucose screening. In particular, older individuals, married individuals, Malays, higher income earners, non-smokers, and being obese, overweight or of normal weight were correlated with a higher likelihood of using blood glucose screening. Conclusions It is important to acquire a better knowledge of the factors that can influence the decision of people to adopt preventive measures. Having better information regarding which groups of individuals use or do not use blood glucose screening can assist governments in developing appropriate intervention programs.

Factors Affecting Alcohol Consumption: The Case of Penang, Malaysia

In light of the increases in alcohol-induced diseases and social problems, the present study sets out to examine the factorsxa0affecting alcohol consumption among adults in Penang (Malaysia) using a cross-sectional survey sample consisting of 398xa0respondents. The results of the logistic regression analysis show that age, gender, ethnicity, marital status and smokingxa0are significantly associated with alcohol consumption. In particular, males (OR: 3.720; 95% CI: 1.939, 7.136), Chinesexa0(OR: 3.628; 95% CI: 1.808, 7.279) and smokers (OR: 5.083; 95% CI: 1.876, 13.774) are more likely to consume alcoholxa0than others, whereas, old individuals (OR: 0.971; 95% CI: 0.941, 1.002), Malays (OR: 0.059; 95% CI: 0.021, 0.165) andxa0married individuals (OR: 0.419; 95% CI: 0.211, 0.833) are less likely to consume alcohol than others. Based on the findingsxa0of the present study, several intervention strategies toward reducing alcohol consumption are proposed. Specifically, thesexa0strategies should be targeted at young individuals, males, Chinese, unmarried individuals and smokers.