Factors associated with quality of life among adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Malaysia is increasing. It is essentials to assess the quality of life (QoL) of T2DM to measure outcome of T2DM for better care and control of the disease. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with QoL among adult patients with T2DM. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients attending diabetic clinic in Seremban 2 Health Clinic. Patients were selected using systematic random sampling method and data collection gathered by self-administered questionnaire. SF-36 was used for assessing the QoL which has 8 health domains and 2 component summaries that incorporated both physical and mental component. The response rate was 89%. QoL were found significantly associated with socio-demographic factors such as age (PF: p=0.043), gender (PF: p<0.001, BP: p=0.013 & PCS: p=0.007), ethnicity (BP: p=0.03), education level (RP: p=0.006, GH: p=0.038, VT: p=0.009, RE: p=0.012, MH: p=0.001, PCS: p=0.037, & MCS: p<0.001), marital status (VT: p=0.027), and employment status (PF: p<0.001, RP: p<0.001, GH: p<0.001 & VT: p=0.041). Lower QoL scores were observed in older age group, females gender, lower education, divorced/widowed and unemployed. Clinical profiles such as diabetic duration (PF: p=0.005, RP: p=0.033, GH: p=0.004, RE: p=0.044 and PCS (p=0.003), and presence of co-morbidity (PF: p=0.012) were also significantly associated with QoL in various SF-36 domains. Type of treatment was significantly associated with QoL in all domains (p<0.05) except in BP. Glycemic control significantly associated with QoL in RP (p=0.008), BP (p=0.002), GH (p=0.003), RE (p=0.009), PCS (p=0.001), and MCS (p=0.017). Diabetic complication was significantly associated with all the 8 health domains and 2 component summaries (p<0.01). In conclusion, socio-demographic, diabetic complication, co-morbidity, duration, treatment types and glycemic control were found to be associated with QoL among T2DM patients

The concept of district health management in Malaysia

Background: In Malaysia, public health services sector are administered by the Ministry of Health through its central headquarters to the state and district offices. The District Health Offices particularly manage and coordinate the delivery of an effective, efficient and affordable health services in the districts throughout Malaysia. Materials and Methods: The information and statistics used in this article are based on the data collected from reports, articles, and publications by the Ministry of Health Malaysia and journals published pertaining to the District Health Management in Malaysia. Result: A District Health Office is entrusted with two major roles; to deliver public health services and to manage resources within a district. Led by a Public Health Physician, it acts as a body to oversee the execution of the national health policies and strategies at the ground level and serves to enforce existing health related legislation. It is also responsible in disease monitoring and surveillance and also the achievement of specific health indicators for each activity. There are six major services provided by the District Health Office, namely the Family Health, Disease Control, Occupational Health, Food Quality Control, Health Education, as well as Environmental Health and Water Supply Services. Conclusion: A District Health Office functions as the basic operational level in Malaysia healthcare system. Being the backbone in government healthcare system, it is essential to provide a well organised and integrated health service in delivering quality healthcare services to the population