Social and psychological factors affecting eating habits among university students in a Malaysian medical school: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Eating habits have been a major concern among university students as a determinant of health status. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of eating habits and its associated social and psychological factors among medical students. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among 132 medical students of pre-clinical phase at a Malaysian university. A self-administered questionnaire was used which included questions on socio-demography, anthropometry, eating habits and psychosocial factors. Results Mean (±SD) age of the respondents was 22.7 (±2.4) years and (the age) ranged from 18 to 30 years. More than half had regular meals and breakfast (57.6% &, 56.1% respectively). Majority (73.5%) consumed fruits less than three times per week, 51.5% had fried food twice or more a week and 59.8% drank water less than 2 liters daily. Eating habits score was significantly low among younger students (18–22 years), smokers, alcohol drinkers and those who did not exercise. (ppp Conclusion Most of the students in this study had healthy eating habits. Social and psychological factors were important determinants of eating habits among medical students.</p

The relationship between risky work behaviors and self-reported knee pain among Malaysian railway workers

Background: Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal pains at workplace and its prevalence ranges from 10 to 60%. Risky work behaviors are established risk factors. They result in functional impairment, disability and reduce quality of life. Objectives: This study aims to determine the relationships between risky work behaviors and knee AL-Dubai et al.; BJMMR, 10(3): 1-9, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.19097 2 pain among Malaysian railway workers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 513 railway workers across eight states within Peninsular Malaysia. Socio-demographics, risky work behaviors, occupational safety and history of knee pain were obtained by direct interviews using a structured closed ended questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The prevalence of self-reported knee pain over the past one year was 31.6%. Multivariate analysis yielded six significant predictors of knee pain: Socio-demographics (tertiary education); risky work behaviors (lifting or carrying heavy objects, working in uncomfortable position of knee joint, repeated flexion and extension of knee joint, continuous sitting work); and occupational safety (applying Personal Protective Equipment - PPE during work). Conclusion: The significant associations between knee pain and risky work behaviors in railway workers point to urgent need for preventive measures, particularly in high risk occupations

Exploration of risk taking behaviors and perceived susceptibility of colorectal cancer among Malaysian adults: a community based cross-sectional study

Background: Perceived susceptibility to an illness has been shown to affect Health-risk behavior. The objective of the present study was to determine the risk taking behaviors and the demographic predictors of perceived susceptibility to colorectal cancer in a population-based sample. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 305 Malaysian adults in six major districts, selected from urban, semi-urban, and rural settings in one state in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was used in this study. It was comprised of socio-demographics, risk-taking behaviors, and validated domains of the Health Belief Model (HBM). Results: The mean (+/- SD) age of the respondents was 34.5 (+/- 9.6) and the majority (59.0%) of them were 30 years or older. Almost 20.7% of the respondents felt they were susceptible to colorectal cancer. Self-reported perceived susceptibility mirrored unsatisfactory screening behaviors owing to the lack of doctors' recommendation, ignorance of screening modalities, procrastination, and the perception that screening was unnecessary. Factors significantly associated with perceived susceptibility to colorectal cancer were gender (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.3), age (OR = 2. 2, 95% CI 1.2-4.0), ethnicity (OR = 0. 3, 95% CI 0.2-0.6), family history of colorectal cancer (OR = 3. 2, 95% CI 1.4-7.4) and alcohol intake (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 2.1-7.5). Conclusion: The present study revealed that screening behavior among respondents was unsatisfactory. Hence, awareness of the importance of screening to prevent colorectal cancers is imperative