Old Threats, New Approach and National Security in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges in Dealing With Cross-border Crime in East Coast of Sabah

Dollah, Ramli; Hassan, Wan Shawaluddin Wan; Peters, Diana; Othman, Zaini

doi:10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n3s1p178

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Sabah State is a setting which poses unique challenges to Malaysia’s national TB control program. Sabah is less economically developed than peninsular Malaysia, has an interior which can be topographically challenging and difficult to access for healthcare provision, has substantial communities of marginalised persons living in overcrowded informal settlements, and a porous land/sea border with the Philippines [ 16 ]. Our results show that while Sabah has a moderate overall burden of TB, there were geographic hotspots of disease – particularly the districts of: Semporna, Pitas, Kota Marudu, Tuaran, and Kota Kinabalu.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Sabah, Malaysia, 2012–2018

et al. 2020

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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is of high public health importance in Malaysia. Sabah State, located on the island of Borneo, has previously reported a particularly high burden of disease and faces unique contextual challenges compared with peninsular Malaysia. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of TB in Sabah to identify risk groups and hotspots of TB transmission. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of TB cases notified in Sabah, Malaysia, between 2012 and 2018. Using data from the state's 'myTB' notification database, we calculated the case notification rate and described trends in the epidemiology, diagnostic practices and treatment outcomes of TB in Sabah within this period. The Chi-squared test was used for determining the difference between two proportions. Results: Between 2012 and 2018 there were 33 193 cases of TB reported in Sabah (128 cases per 100 000 population). We identified several geographic hotspots, including districts with > 200 cases per 100 000 population per year. TB rates increased with age and were highest in older males. Children < 15 years accounted for only 4.6% of cases. Moderate or advanced disease on chest X-ray and sputum smear positivity was high (58 and 81% of cases respectively), suggesting frequent late diagnosis. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB prevalence was low (0.3% of TB cases), however, rapid diagnostic test coverage was low (1.2%) and only 18% of all cases had a positive culture result. Treatment success was 83% (range: 81-85%) in those with drug-sensitive TB and 36% (range: 25-45%) in cases of MDR-TB. Conclusion: Between 2012 and 2018, TB notifications in Sabah State equated to 20% of Malaysia's total TB notifications, despite Sabah representing only 10% of Malaysia's population. We found hotspots of TB in urbanised population hubs and points of migration, as well as evidence of late presentation and diagnosis. Ensuring universal health coverage and expansion of GeneXpert® coverage is recommended to reduce barriers to care and early diagnosis and treatment for TB.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Sabah, Malaysia, 2012–2018

et al. 2020

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“…All heads of coastal villages on the Semporna mainland that were deemed safe to visit by a local informant were visited and briefed about the study. Many areas were not accessible during the field work period because of recent armed incursions by foreigners and the resultant military operations by the Malaysian Armed Forces [17]. The local social dynamics were such that potential researchers and respondents should obtain the approval of village heads before commencement of studies.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-communicable diseases among low income adults in rural coastal communities in Eastern Sabah, Malaysia

et al. 2019

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Background Rural coastal communities in Sabah are still overly represented in the hardcore poor economic status. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia among adults, in relation to economic status. Methods A cross-sectional study using stratified random sampling was conducted in seven coastal villages in Semporna, Sabah: Kabogan Laut, Salimbangun, Pekalangan, Pokas, Tampi-Tampi Timbayan, Sum Sum and Selinggit. Socio-demographic data were obtained via interviewer administered questionnaires in Sabah Malay creole. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and blood lipids were obtained. Results A total of 330 adults (133 males, 197 females) completed the study. Mean age was 43.7 ± 15.8 years. Most participants (87%) were living below the Poverty Line Income. Median per capita household income was RM83.33/month (≈ USD20/month). The number of newly diagnosed cases of hypercholesterolemia was 40.6%, diabetes mellitus was 5.8%, and hypertension was 24.5%. Adults from the hardcore poor economic status (household income ≤RM760/month (≈USD183/month) were the most represented in those who did not have a blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids check in the 12 months preceding the study (Χ 2 , p < 0.01). Adults from hardcore poor economic status were also the most represented in undiagnosed hypertension and uncontrolled blood pressure among those diagnosed (Χ 2 , p = 0.013). Among diabetics from the hardcore poor group, the undiagnosed fasting blood glucose was 11.2 ± 4.5 compared to 5.1 ± 0.6 mmol/L for diagnosed diabetics (p < 0.001). Among hypercholesterolemics from the hardcore poor group, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol values were significantly higher in the undiagnosed group compared to the diagnosed group (p < 0.001). Conclusion Many people in this rural coastal community were unaware that they had high cholesterol level (40.6%) and elevated blood pressure (24.5%). Routine health check is not common among low income adults in rural coastal communities in Semporna. The findings suggest public health initiatives should emphasize access to and the necessity of routine health checks for those aged 40 years.

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“…Sabah is less economically developed than peninsular Malaysia, has an interior which can be topographically challenging and di cult to access for healthcare provision, has substantial communities of marginalised persons living in overcrowded informal settlements, and a porous land/sea border with the Philippines. [16] Our results show that while Sabah has a moderate overall burden of TB, there were geographic hotspots of disease -particularly the districts of: Semporna, Pitas, Kota Marudu, Tuaran, and Kota Kinabalu. These districts correspond with areas of frequent cross-border movement between Malaysia and the Philippines (Semporna and Pitas) and the more populous urbanised districts of northwestern Sabah (Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Marudu).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Sabah, Malaysia, 2012–2018

Goroh

Rajahram

Avoi

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is of high public health importance in Malaysia. Sabah State, located on the island of Borneo, has previously reported a particularly high burden of disease and faces unique contextual challenges compared with peninsular Malaysia. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of TB in Sabah to identify risk groups and hot spots of TB transmission. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of TB cases notified in Sabah, Malaysia, between 2012 and 2018. Using data from the state’s ‘myTB’ notification database, we calculated the case notification rate and described trends in the epidemiology, diagnostic practices and treatment outcomes of TB in Sabah within this period. The Chi-squared test was used for determining the difference between two proportions. Results: Between 2012 and 2018 there were 33 193 cases of TB reported in Sabah (128 cases per 100 000 population). We identified several geographic hotspots, including districts with > 200 cases per 100 000 population per year. TB rates increased with age and were highest in older males. Children < 15 years accounted for only 4.6% of cases. Moderate or advanced disease on chest X-ray and sputum smear positivity was high (58% and 81% of cases respectively), suggesting frequent late diagnosis. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB prevalence was low (0.3% of TB cases), however, rapid diagnostic test coverage was low (1.2%) and only 18% of all cases had a positive culture result. Treatment success was 83% (range: 81–85%) in those with drug-sensitive TB and 36% (range: 25–45%) in cases of MDR-TB. Conclusion: Between 2012 and 2018, TB notifications in Sabah State equated to 20% of Malaysia’s total TB notifications, despite Sabah representing only 10% of Malaysia’s population. We found hotspots of TB in urbanised population hubs and points of migration, as well as evidence of late presentation and diagnosis. Ensuring universal health coverage and expansion of GeneXpert® coverage is recommended to reduce barriers to care and early diagnosis and treatment for TB.

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Old Threats, New Approach and National Security in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges in Dealing With Cross-border Crime in East Coast of Sabah

Abstract: For centuries there has been the free movement of people and goods across North Borneo to its neighbouring countries

Cited by 9 publications

References 7 publications

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Sabah, Malaysia, 2012–2018

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Sabah, Malaysia, 2012–2018

Non-communicable diseases among low income adults in rural coastal communities in Eastern Sabah, Malaysia

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Sabah, Malaysia, 2012–2018

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