Objective: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, pattern of smoking and sociodemographic factors among Kerinchi residents in Kuala Lumpur, as well as to identify the association between smoking, stress, anxiety and depression. Methods: This study was carried out at four community housing projects in the Lembah Pantai area in Kuala Lumpur. Data was collected between 3 February 2012, and 29 November 2012. Data collectors made house visits and used interviewer administered questionnaires containing questions on demographic data and smoking patterns. Depression anxiety stress scale (DASS) was used to assess psychological symptoms. Alcohol smoking and substance involvement screening tool (ASSIST) scale was used to assess nicotine use. Results: Data from 1989 individuals (833 households) showed the age of respondents ranged from 18 to 89 years and the mean age was 39.12 years. There were 316 smokers indicating the prevalence of smoking was 15.85%, with 35.5% among males and 1.8% among females. Further, 86.6% of smokers were Malay and 87% were Muslims. Divorce was associated with smoking. Unemployment and housewives were less associated with smoking. Depression and anxiety were significantly associated with smoking (OR = 1.347. 95% CI: 1.042–1.741) and (OR = 1.401. 95% CI: 1.095–1.793) respectively. Conclusion: Screening for depression and anxiety should be routinely performed in the primary care setting and in population-based health screening to intervene early in patients who smoke.

Objectives:The aim of this study is to investigate the “Hospital Service providers” perception, attitude and actual practice in managing schizophrenia in Malaysia.Method:In this study, it was designed as a mixed -methods study. in the first phase, quantitative surveys have been implemented among 42 service providers. in the second phase, the descriptive qualitative study method was also used.Result:The questionnaires designed to gather the data relating to the respondent satisfied in managing Schizophrenia in Malaysia. Thirty five (or 83.3%) of the respondents are satisfied with the current Schizophrenic overall management, but twenty one (or 50.1%) of the respondents does not satisfy with current psychosocial interventions available in Malaysia. The qualitative found that, the psychiatrists responded that they are satisfied with current use of atypical antipsychotic in the hospitals but they are concerned with the lack of community services particularly in the university hospitals. The medical officers and general practitioners responded that they received many patients who were brought by their families to see them in outpatient clinic. However, many doctors failed to diagnose the disorder as they have a lack of training in diagnosing mental illness diseases. This is mainly due to misperception about mental illness particularly in rural areas among the Malay population.Conclusion:The study concluded that more community awareness program needs to be done which emphasis on mental illness to reduce the duration of untreated illness and ensure active roles of family members in supervision of treatment.

This study surveyed Malaysian aborigine people to determine the prevalence of alcohol abuse dependence, psychiatric morbidity and psychosocial correlates among Malaysians aborigines. Studies among minority group in developed nations repeatedly showed severe drinking problems (Lomnitz, 1976; Gordon, 1978; Karno et al, 1987; Yamamoto et al, 1993).Household survey with informed consent taken. Selected household were chosen and orang asli (aborigines) age 18 above were interviewed in Kuala Betis areas. Alcohol screening used AUDIT questionnaires and Psychiatric morbidity measured by MINI. Odds ratio was used as measures of the association for the variables. The data analysis was done using SPSS version. 276 orang asli were interviewed during the study. Majority are within age group of 18-29 years of age (37%) with the mean age 36.51 years old. The M: F (50.7% and 49.3%). Senoi ethnic group is the majority (97.8%). 28% has no formal education and 58% received primary school education.Majority are married (82.2%). Half of them are employed and more than half received less than RM 500 monthly (USD 150). Types of alcohol use mainly beer and whisky. 90.24% have AUDIT score less than 7.Multivariate analysis showed only those employed are significantly associated with alcohol problems, Odds ratio= 0.089, 95% CI (0.033-0.246), P< 0.001.Prevalence of alcohol use among orang asli is comparable with general population. Employed people may have more money to buy alcoholic beverages. Orang asli probably need more attention on awareness program and further interventions.