The association of registered person with disabilities (PWDS) and poverty in two selected social welfare association in Kuching, Sarawak

The study is related to the association of registered Person with Disabilities (PWDs) and poverty in two selected Social Welfare Association in Kuching, Sarawak. The research problems include the relation between the poverty and disability, the main reason for PWDs to register themselves under the Department of Social Welfare and preference on type of assistance provided. The main purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between poverty and disability among registered PWDs and to find out whether is it true that poverty did intluence the causes of disability in Kuching, Sarawak. The method that has been used in this study was by conducting a questionnaire toward the PWDs. The study showed that most of the PWDs were having physical defects and their family's income and household's consumption fell below a predetermined poverty line. Apart from that, majority of the PWDs decides to register under Social Welfare Department because they were recommended to do so by doctors or their relatives and friends. This study also shows that most of the PWDs prefer social assistance instead of financial assistance to survive. Thus, the researchers conclude that disability and poverty are actually intricately linked as both a cause and consequence of each other

The level of knowledge, attitude and practice on complementary feeding among caregivers in Kampung Jeriah, Sibu, Sarawak from 23rd September 2013 to 8th December 2013

Background: The period for complementary feeding is crucial for young infants. Lack of awareness in knowledge, attitude and practice towards complementary feeding among caregivers will lead to improper practice of complementary feeding which may affect the health of children under their care. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on complementary feeding among caregivers in Kampung Jeriah, Sibu, Sarawak. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done among 60 caregivers in Kampung Jeriah, Sibu, Sarawak. Non-probability sampling method was adopted to select at least one caregiver from each household in the village. A self-administered style of data collection was used. The data was analysed for descriptive data of mean, median, frequencies and standard deviation using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Among the respondents, the levels of KAP are 61.7%, 50% and 60% respectively. In this study, the respondents with lower income have significantly better knowledge regarding complementary feeding (p=0.01). The results also showed that respondents aged 25-44 years old had good practice towards complementary feeding as compared to younger or older group, which is reflected in the p value 0.032. Almost half of the respondents with good level of knowledge (48.6%) started to give complementary food to their child at age 6 months old. Conclusion: Generally, the respondents had a satisfactory level of knowledge and practices towards complementary feeding. However. the level of attitude on complementary feeding was relatively low compared to the level of knowledge and practice. Statistically, there was no significant correlation between the three components (knowledge, attitude and practice on complementary feeding). It was recommended that more health education should be held by the health authority on complementary feeding so that the knowledge, attitude and practice of caregivers on the topic could be improved. II