No abstract

The upshot of blood pressure relies on the quantity and frequency of caffeine intake and on the rate of caffeine metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effect of coffee consumption on blood pressure among frequent and non-frequent drinkers in rural and urban area of Kota Kinabalu. A total of 168 participants (Mean age = 26.52 ± 6.33 years; female = 50%; weight = 61.35 ± 12.52 kg; height = 163.37±7.70 cm; diploma holder = 45.2%) were recruited. Questionnaires consisting of socio-demography (5 items), caffeine intake frequency (2 items) and knowledge on coffee, blood pressure and effect to human health (10 items) were distributed. Blood pressure (BP) was taken before coffee consumption and after 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th minutes. SPSS version 24 were employed for statistical analysis. Frequent drinkers displayed significantly higher BP on the 90th (p=0.015) and 120th (p<0.001) respectively after intervention compared to non-frequent drinkers. Significant upshot of BP was detected among frequent drinkers between 0th and 30th minutes (p<0.001), 30th and 60th minute (p<0.001), 60th and 90th minute (p=0.002), 90th and 120th minute (p<0.001). Subsequently, only urban participants reported significant increase in BP between 0th and 30th minute (p<0.001), 30th and 60th minute (p<0.001), 60th and 90th minute (p<0.001), 90th and 120th minute (p<0.001). Both rural and urban population possessed moderate knowledge (5.85 ± 1.91 vs 5.71 ± 1.73). This research ratifies that frequent caffeine intake elevated higher BP. This finding provided elementary evidence supporting that coffee intake is not advisable by hypertension patients

Martial arts which promotes meditation, discipline and physical activity have positive effect on overall health and well-being of the practitioner. This study aimed to investigate the improvement of quality of life of martial arts practitioners such as silat. This randomized interventional study was conducted in six states in Malaysia including Pahang, Terengganu, Selangor, Kelantan, Kedah and Sabah. Participants were randomly divided into control (not practicing martial arts) and intervention (practicing martial arts) groups. Self-administered questionnaires consisting of socio-demography (5 items), smoking cessation (4 items), physical activity (6 items) and overall wellbeing (7 items) were distributed to both groups at pre- and post-intervention. A total of 200 participants (age group of 18-28 years = 95%; male = 98%; Muslim = 98%; collage/university education level = 99%) were recruited. Intervention group showed better improvement on lethargy (78.0% vs 66.0%), agitations (80.0% vs 54.0%), restlessness (82.0% vs 53.0%), depressions (92.0% vs 56.0%) and smoking cessation (100.0% vs 75.0%), compared to the control group. Martial arts promote a positive effect on a person's overall quality of life. This finding encourages an alternative for better health promotion specifically among youths

In Malaysia, the number of registered organ donors are relatively small in comparison to other countries. This study aimed to investigate the awareness, knowledge and practices on organ donation among public in Sarawak. A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural parts of Bintulu, Sarawak. Questionnaires consisting of socio-demography (5 items), awareness (4 items), knowledge (6 items) and practice (5 items) questions were distributed using random and snowball sampling techniques. A total of 327 respondents (age = 33.27 ±10.06 years; urban area = 50.2%; male = 59.0%; Christian = 48.9%; Bumiputra Sarawak = 53.2%) were enrolled. Urban respondents have demonstrated better knowledge (definition = 24.1% vs 23.6%; treatment = 42.2% vs 41.6%; side effects = 45.2% vs 32.9%; from living donor = 80.1% vs 70.8%; from dead donor = 71.7% vs 53.4%; organs can be donated = 19.9% vs 27.3%) compared to rural respondents. Urban respondents possessed better awareness (awareness = 86.1% vs 73.9%; source of information = 39.2% vs 31.7%; need = 70.5% vs 50.3%) than their counterparts. Subsequently, urban respondents reported better practice (agree = 68.7% vs 60.2%; registered = 2.4% vs 1.2%; donate after death = 27.7% vs 25.5%; without permission = 20.5% vs 18.0%; for loved ones = 72.9% vs 64.6%) than rural respondents. Conclusion: Population in urban area are more aware, have higher knowledge and better practice regarding organ donation. Health education on organ donation should be encouraged specifically among rural residents to enhance the number of registered organ donors in Malaysia.