Theses (MSc. Public Health)

Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate the types and purpose of social media use, estimate the prevalence of social media use and determine the association between social media use and psychological effects among university students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in International Medical University among 12 Undergraduate programmes for a period of three months in 2018 with 396 respondents. Proportionate random sampling was carried out using the students name list. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire with three parts (socio-demographic, types and purpose of social media use and DASS-21). Social media use (dependent variable) was measured by the frequency of site-checks across five social media (Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, YouTube and Twitter) per week and converted to a global score of 0 to 1050. While respondents with scores higher than 280 were categorized as high social media use. Independent variable this study includes socio-demographics such as gender, age, and course, types and purposes of social media use. Results: Results showed that 50.8% (95% CI: 49.5, 55.7) of respondents were considered to be high social media use. Depression is found to be significantly associated with high social media use (p < 0.05). The most used social media is YouTube (93.9%) followed by Facebook (89.4%). Majority of the respondents (88.4%) used smartphone to access social media, and 88.8% used more than two social media sites among the five. Other results showed that Instagram users reported more body image concerns while/after using the site. Whereas more YouTube users reported feeling motivated while/after using the site. Conclusion: Social media is an indispensable tool for students to communicate and engage with friends and family, search for information, and for self-expression. However, overusing social media might cause undesirable effects on their psychological well-being. Therefore, awareness should be raised among users of social media of these negative effects and public health talks targeted at them should be held. Keywords: Social media, Psychological effects, university students

Introduction: Poor oral health can have a significant effect on quality of life. Good oral health related behaviour prevents, maintains, and promotes general health as well as oral health. A study was undertaken to assess the oral health related behaviour and risk factors of poor oral health among a group of Yeminis adolescents living in Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 students of Yemenis adolescents aged 11-17 years old from two schools in Klang Valley, Malaysia during the study period of two weeks in September 2018. Systematic random sampling method was carried out and students who met the selection criteria were recruited into the study. Oral health behaviour was the dependent variable and sociodemographic, knowledge and attitude were independent variables. Data were collected using an interviewer administered validated questionnaire. Chi square test for comparison of proportions and odds ratio to determine strength of associations were done. iv Results: The mean age of the study population was 13 years, (SD=1.8) and comprised of 54.4% males and 45.6% females. There was no statistically significant association between oral health related behaviour and socio demographic factors like gender, age, number of siblings and parents’ education level. There was also no statistically significant association between oral health knowledge and oral health behaviour. Female adolescents displayed better behaviour than the male in respect of the frequency and time of teeth brushing. This difference was a statistically significant. Although a high proportion of participants were aware that sweets affect oral health adversely, they consumed sweets regularly. Conclusion: The study found that about a third of the participants had poor oral health knowledge and poor oral health related behaviour. About a third of the participants have had sought treatment for dental disease in the past. . Key words: Oral health behaviour, migrants, Yemenis, Adolescents, Malaysia.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, risk factors, adverse effects and steps to overcome internet addiction among adolescents attending tuition centres in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 253 students aged between 10 and 19 years old in two selected tuition centres that were located in Kepong. Data collection was carried out in September 2016 using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of four parts including socio-demographic, Chen Internet Addiction Questionnaire (CIAS), adverse effects of internet addiction questionnaire and steps to overcome internet addiction. Adverse effects of internet addiction were studied based on five major aspects: interpersonal, behavioural, physical, psychological and academic. The CIAS questionnaire was used to determine internet addiction among adolescents participated in present study. CIAS was a self-reported instrument which consisted of 26 items and rated based on 4-point Likert scale. The score for CIAS is ranged from 26 to 104 and a cut-off points of 64 was set. The screening cut-off points has high diagnostic accuracy (88%) and specificity (92.6). The internal reliability of the scale and subscales ranged from 0.79 to 0.93. Results The prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents participated in this study was 27.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the adolescents who spent longer time online and having high internet speeds were significantly associated with internet addiction. Based on the five major aspects of adverse effect in this study, adolescents were greatly affected on interpersonal and psychological aspects. The perception of adolescents revealed that by gradually reducing online hours, substitute internet usage with healthier activities and family support were the best ways to overcome internet addiction. Conclusion The findings of this study showed about the prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents attending the selected tuition centres in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur while factors associated with internet addiction included daily online hours (OR = 7.49, 95% CI = 3.23 , 17.33, p < 0.001) and internet speeds (OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.10 , 11.55, p = 0.014). Key words: Internet addiction, Kuala Lumpur, adolescent, tuition centre