Theses (MSc. Public Health)

ntroduction: The objective of this study was to qualitatively describe the content present on e- cigarette manufacturer and retailer websites in Malaysia and to study the e-cigarette use behaviour, motivations, information seeking behaviour and experiences of e-cigarette users in Malaysia. Methodology: This research uses a cross-sectional descriptive study design. 30 e-cigarette manufacturer and retailer websites were analyzed and coded for regulatory and promotional themes. 9 online e-cigarette platforms on Reddit, Facebook and Lowyat forum were identified on which questionnaire was shared with items relating to sociodemographic factors, tobacco- related factors, information seeking behaviour and side effects experienced. Modified FTND questionnaire for vaping was used to assess predictors for e-cigarette use behaviour. Results: The content analysis identified only click through age verification (60%), health related (47%), smoking cessation (37%) and modernity (37%) related advertising strategies to be most common, and promotion (37%) and sales (93%) of nicotine products on the websites. The average FTND score of the respondents was 3.9 and average number of side effects experienced was 4. Health and smoking cessation related reasons were the most common for e-cigarette use and multivariable regression analysis revealed dual use, being a male and use of nicotine e-cigarettes to be significantly associated with increase in FTND score. Conclusion: The content analysis revealed regulatory void, youth accessibility, health- information based advertising, and promotion and sales of nicotine products on the websites. The study of e-cigarette users found low to moderate e-cigarette dependence among respondents and the health and smoking cessation related motivations for use to be most common. The findings revealed current smoking status, sex, and use of nicotine in e-cigarettes to be significant predictors of e-cigarette dependence. The research findings call for regulation of online e-cigarette marketplace in Malaysia and further research of harms and benefits of e- cigarettes. Keywords: Content Analysis, E-cigarette Websites, E-cigarette Use Behaviour,

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between eating behaviours and work-related stress among working-adults residing at Rasah Kemayan, Malaysia. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 133 working-adults at the residential area of Rasah Kemayan to determine the relationship between eating behaviour and work-related stress and identify the coping strategies used by the respondents when they are stressed. The study was conducted between September to November 2016. Systematic sampling was carried out to select the houses and from each house a working-adults who met the selection criteria was selected for this study. The Eating Behaviour of the subjects was assessed using Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). The Job Content Questionnaire was used to determine the work-related stress among the employees. The Brief Cope Inventory Questionnaire (BCI) survey instruments were used to determine the coping skills of the subjects. Results: The prevalence of work-related stress among the working population in Rasah Kemayan is 25.6%. Factors that were statistically significantly associated with work-related stress are transport mode; shared vehicle (13.5%), self-driven vehicle (12.0%) and emotional eating (21.8%). Other factors had no association with Work-related stress. As for coping, the strategies that were used frequently by the respondents are Behavioural Disengagement, Self-Blame, and Positive Reframing with median of 4. Conclusion: These findings bear potential implications in preventing work-related stress by applying suitable coping strategy to combat of work-related stress which may alter their eating behaviour. There is need for working adults to come up with interventions to manage stress and healthy eating at the work place for better health. Keywords: Work-related stress, eating behaviour, coping skills