Lumpur Research Articles

Natural health product knowledge as a significant factor associated with health-promoting lifestyle in a low-income urban community in Kuala Lumpur

BackgroundLow income communities are vulnerable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which affect their economy and disability status. An effective approach to address the NCD burden is through the multidimensional concept of health-promoting lifestyle. Another preferred approach by the population worldwide for NCD treatment is natural health product (NHP). Studies on NHP and health-promoting lifestyle among this vulnerable population, specifically the low-income urban community, are limited. Therefore, this study, aimed at investigating the NHP knowledge and health-promoting lifestyle, and to determine the factors associated with health-promoting lifestyle in a low income urban community in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. This study has focused on sociodemographic characteristics, annual health monitoring activities, and health status, which are modifiable and non-modifiable factors.MethodsPhase 1 of the study involves developing the Malay-version NHP knowledge questionnaire, whereas Phase 2 involves a cross-sectional study of 446 randomly selected low-income respondents to determine their level of health-promoting lifestyle and the associated factors. The respondents’ sociodemographic, socioeconomic, health monitoring activity, health status, and NHP knowledge data were obtained using the newly developed Malay-version NHP questionnaire and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) questionnaire. The independent variables include sociodemographic status, annual health monitoring activities, health status and NHP knowledge were analysed using simple and multiple linear regression.ResultsIn this study, the 10-item NHP knowledge questionnaire developed in the Malay version contains two domains [safe use (eight items) and point of reference (two items)] (total variance explained: 77.4%). The mean of NHP knowledge score was 32.34 (standard deviation [SD] 7.37). Meanwhile, the mean score of health-promoting lifestyle was 109.67 (SD 25.01). The highest and lowest scores of health-promoting lifestyles are attributed to spiritual growth and physical activity, respectively. Ethnicity is associated with a higher health-promoting lifestyle level, same goes to the occupational status − NHP knowledge interaction. “Unclassified” education status and annual blood glucose level monitoring are associated with a lower level of health-promoting lifestyle.ConclusionA new questionnaire in Malay version was developed to measure NHP knowledge. Compared to other subpopulations, the respondents’ health-promoting lifestyle levels in this study were low, associated with ethnicity, education status, and health monitoring activities. The findings provided insight into the interaction between NHP knowledge and occupational status, which is associated with a higher health-promoting lifestyle level. Accordingly, the future health-promoting lifestyle intervention programmes in healthcare delivery should target these factors.

A time-motion study on impact of spatial separation for empiric airborne precautions in emergency department length of stay.

To evaluate the impact of spatial separation on patient flow in the emergency department. This was a retrospective, time-and-motion analysis conducted from 15 to 22 August, 2022 at the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During this duration, spatial separation was implemented in critical and semi-critical zones to separate patients with symptoms of respiratory infections into respiratory area, and patients without into non-respiratory area. This study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Patients triaged to critical and semi-critical zones were included in this study. Timestamps of patient processes in emergency department until patient departure were documented. The emergency department length-of-stay was longer in respiratory area compared to non-respiratory area; 527 min (381-698) versus 390 min (285-595) in critical zone and 477 min (312-739) versus 393 min (264-595) in semi-critical zone. In critical zone, time intervals of critical flow processes and compliance to hospital benchmarks were similar in both areas. More patients in respiratory area were managed within the arrival-to-contact ≤30 min benchmark and more patients in non-respiratory area had emergency department length-of-stay ≤8 h. The implementation of spatial separation in infection control should address decision-to-departure delays to minimise emergency department length of stay. The study evaluated the impact of spatial separation on patient flow in the emergency department. Emergency department length-of-stay was significantly prolonged in the respiratory area. Hospital administrators and policymakers can optimise infection control protocols measures in emergency departments, balancing infection control measures with efficient patient care delivery. STROBE guidelines. None. The study obtained ethics approval from the institution's Medical Ethics Committee (MREC ID NO: 20221113-11727). The author has checked and make sure our submission has conformed to the Journal's statistical guideline. There is a statistician on the author team (Noor Azhar).

Qualitative Assessment on the Impact of Family-Based Drug Prevention Program by the National Anti-Drugs Agency in Malaysia

Family-based prevention programs aim to prevent youth from falling victim to substance abuse issues by focusing on what families can offer. This study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of the Family on Alert (FoA) program conducted by NADA. A qualitative method was utilized involving focus group discussions with key informants from NADA in the state of Selangor, Kedah, Johor, Sabah, and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. NVivo software was used to analyze the qualitative data. Generally, the FoA program implemented by NADA has positively impacted the participants, particularly in increasing the awareness, knowledge, and attitude among parents in preventing drug abuse among adolescents in Malaysia.

Ombudsman in Malaysia: An Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in promoting good governance principles

This research focuses on the ombudsman in Malaysia and its importance in strengthening good governance in civil state service. Public complaints towards maladministration and abuse of power of the government administrators or authorities have always been an issue that must be resolved in order to ensure that the government authorities are performing their functions within their jurisdictions. Ombudsman has been introduced in European countries to settle maladministration issues. In Malaysia, the current ombudsman system is adopted by the OFS which is situated in Kuala Lumpur and Integrity and Ombudsman Unit Sarawak (UNIONS) under the Premier Department of Sarawak. The implementation and effectiveness of ombudsman system will be analysed and comparison will be made to Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and United Kingdom; which have adopted and practised ombudsman in their systems; particularly with regards to administrative law issues. This study shall improve the society’s awareness on the importance of ombudsman as one of the alternatives to resolve public complaints towards government administrators.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in blood serum of adults living in high and low-traffic volume areas in Malaysia: A comparative cross-sectional study

Ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) originate predominantly from fuel combustion of motor vehicles and have the potential to affect human health. However, there is insufficient knowledge regarding serum PAHs health risks among the Malaysian population. This study aims to compare PAH concentrations, distributions, correlations, and health risks in 202 blood serum samples drawn from residents living in high-traffic volume areas (Kuala Lumpur) and low-traffic volume areas (Hulu Langat) in Malaysia. Solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed to extract and analyze blood serum samples. Questionnaires were distributed to obtain sociodemographic and contributing factors of serum PAHs. The mean total PAHs concentration in serum of the Kuala Lumpur group was 54.44 ng g−1 lipids, double the Hulu Langat group's concentration (25.7 ng g−1 lipids). Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IcP) and acenaphthene (ACP) feature the most and least abundant compounds in both study groups. The mean concentrations of IcP and ACP in the Kuala Lumpur and Hulu Langat groups were 26.8 vs 12.68 and 0.27 vs 0.14 ng g−1 lipids, respectively. High-molecular-weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) composed 85% of serum total PAHs in both groups. Significant correlations were found (i) between the individual serum PAH congeners (p < 0.01) and (ii) between serum PAHs and total lipids (p < 0.01). According to the questionnaire data, high traffic volume and outdoor hobbies were the only contributory factors that confirmed significant relationships with serum PAHs (p < 0.001). Health risk assessment was computed using benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) equivalent (BaPeq) and demonstrated that the Kuala Lumpur group has twofold greater carcinogenic risk than the Hulu Langat group (16.11 vs 7.76 ng g−1 lipids). Our study reveals that traffic volumes notably impact serum PAH levels and general health among the Malaysian population.

Aflatoxin M1 levels in urine and breast milk of lactating mothers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Aflatoxins are carcinogens that can contaminate food and affect various body organs especially liver and kidney. When consumed, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is partially metabolised into aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which is excreted in the urine. Breast milk may also contain AFM1 due to maternal dietary intake from contaminated food. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the levels of AFM1 in both urine and breast milk among breastfeeding mothers (n = 256). The mother’s demographic information was collected during recruitment. Mothers were then scheduled for an appointment to provide a morning urine sample along with five to ten mL samples of breast milk. AFM1 levels in both samples were analysed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spearman’s rho and Chi-square were used to determine the associations between mean levels of AFM1 in urine and breast milk. Findings show 68.0% of urine samples were contaminated with AFM1 (mean levels = 0.08 ± 0.04 ng/mL), while 14.8% of breast milk samples had AFM1 (mean levels = 5.94 ± 1.81 ng/kg). Urine AFM1 levels were not significantly associated with AFM1 levels in breast milk (p > 0.05). This study can act as a baseline for future research examining long-term aflatoxin exposure among both mothers and infants.

Collective action success factors and community satisfaction in Malaysia’s urban commons

This study examines maintenance and management in socio-economically grounded multi-owned low-cost housing schemes in Malaysia, employing an augmented institutional analysis framework. Focusing on collective action success factors, the research addresses two main questions: ‘How does the influence of the six collective action success factors impact community satisfaction?’ and ‘To what extent does the income of parcel holders contribute to the success factors affecting community satisfaction within collective action?’ Combining quantitative and qualitative methods, this study encompasses a survey of 633 parcel holders in Greater Kuala Lumpur and subsequent interviews with local leadership. Successful self-management of common properties was influenced by the physical environment, social capital, rules-in-use, stakeholders’ interest, adaptation, and racial relationships. Additionally, income acted as a moderator between community satisfaction level and physical environment attributes, as well as stakeholders’ interests. This research recommends government subsidies for multi-owned low-cost housing maintenance, contributing policy insights to the global housing discourse.

Taking A Job Offer From A Competitor: A Career Move In Paradox

It was a bit hot day in December 2005; Syed Zainal was driving his car back to his home in Kuala Lumpur. It is already afternoon, and the sun is slowly setting down while he is driving his car on the congested roads of Kuala Lumpur. ‘I am a corporate guy looking for career opportunities, and I learn about making the best out of any given opportunity,’ Syed Zainal narrated his career progression mindset. Syed Zainal went for a job interview at the Proton head office in Kuala Lumpur. He met with the board of directors at the Proton head office. The board offered Syed Zainal the opportunity to join the Proton group and lead the production operation at the group level. Syed Zainal finished his interview for the position of managing director of Proton Group (The largest Malaysian car production group) and slowly driving back toward his home and thinking about the offer, the competition Syed Zainal gave to the Proton Group, and the lifetime opportunity coming in the shape of the current job offer. Syed Zainal has to decide and provide the answer next week. Syed Zainal was building steady capacities at the Perodua car manufacturing (A competitor of the Proton group); Syed Zainal spent a good ten years at Perodua company and became deputy managing director in the same year. A good job offer is at hand, and Syed Zainal needs to make a critical decision of his life to accept the new job offer to start a career at Proton Group (the biggest car production group in the country) or keep working with the Perodua (the second large production group in the country. Proton Borad wants the answer from Syed Zainal by next week.

Implementation of Adaptive Physical Education for Hearing Impaired Students in Kuala Lumpur

Implementation of Adaptive Physical Education for Hearing Impaired Students in Kuala Lumpur

Risk Factors for Anemia in Adolescent Pregnancies: Evidence From the Lembah Pantai Urban Health District in Malaysia.

Introduction Adolescent pregnant mothers are at higher risk of acquiring anemia during pregnancy, which has detrimental consequences for the mother and baby. Untreated and prolonged anemia can lead toperinatal morbidity and mortality and antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum maternal morbidity.Anemia among adolescent pregnant mothers can be attributed to many factors, such as poor nutrition and the physiological demands of pregnancy. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of anemia among adolescent pregnancies in Lembah Pantai Health District in an urban setting. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from registry records of adolescentpregnant mothers in the Lembah Pantai District Health Office in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia from 2019 to 2022. All adolescent pregnancies aged 10 to 19 years were included in this study. Those with a prior diagnosis of thalassemia or other hematological disorders, as indicated in their medical records, were excluded from the study. The chi-square (χ2) test was applied to elicit the association at a univariate level, and those variables with a p-value of <0.25 were included in a multiple logistic regression model. Results A total of 307 records were reviewed, and 272 pregnant adolescent cases were eligible for the analyses. The prevalence of anemia among teenage pregnancies from 2019 to 2022 was 28.7% (95% CI: 23.0-33.6). This prevalence was lower than in many lower-income countries and developing countries.Factors that were significant on using multiple logistic regression analysis included marital status (unmarried) (AOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.01-3.45, p=0.046), residing area Seputeh (AOR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14-0.61, p=0.001), and third trimester of first antenatal visit/booking (AOR: 5.08, 95% CI: 2.02-12.70, p<0.001).The population in the Seputeh area has a higher overall household income in comparison toLembah Pantai. Conclusions According to the WHO classification, the prevalence of anemia among adolescent pregnant women at the Lembah Pantai District Health Office reflects amoderate public health issue. Consequently, anemia may exacerbate the impact of other health conditions in this population.Hence, local health authorities should ensure that anemia is adequately addressed without ignoring other crucial health issues. A multidisciplinary, comprehensive, holistic strategy involving healthcare providers, school health teams, and community assets offers a potential solution. Strategies that can be employed include providing targeted health and nutrition education in schools through school health teams. Additionally, establishing adolescent-friendly health clinics tailored to the specific needs of pregnant adolescents and enhancing antenatal services to ensure comprehensive screening and management of anemia should also be implemented.Hence, this will ensure achieving safe motherhood goals through an effective healthcare response.

INTERACTIONAL QUALITY AS AN ANTECEDENT OF PATIENT ATTITUDES: EVIDENCE FROM AN ARMY HOSPITAL IN THE FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR

Background and Purpose: The quality of interactions between service providers (employees) and patients in the course of providing everyday services may have a major impact on patient attitudes, according to a thorough evaluation of several recent quality management studies released in the 21st century. The relationship has been extensively studied in public and private healthcare organizations, but little is known about the role of interactional quality as a key antecedent in army hospitals. The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between patient attitudes and interactional quality. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional research design, with 212 self-administered questionnaires collected from patients in an army hospital in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, using a purposive sampling technique. The SmartPLS was used to evaluate the measurement model and to test the structural model. Findings: According to the findings of structural equation modelling, interactional quality attributes, namely responsiveness, assurance, and empathy were significant predictors of patient attitudes such as satisfaction and loyalty. Contributions: To sustain and improve the service performance of the organisational sample, this study offers crucial advice, that is quality of interaction between employees and patients is built according to responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The competence of employees to practice this interaction in delivering daily services can enhance patients’ satisfaction and loyalty. Practitioners may utilize to comprehend various perspectives on interactional quality. These recommendations can also be used to improve patient relationship management programmes. Keywords: Interactional quality, patient satisfaction, patient loyalty, army hospital. Cite as: Ismail, A., Mokhtar, A. Jamil, A. H., Ibrahim, N. S., Rino, Hussin, T., &amp; Tajuddin, A. (2024). Interactional quality as an antecedent of patient attitudes: Evidence from an army hospital in the Federal Teritory of Kuala Lumpur. Journal of Nusantara Studies 9(2), 80-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp80-105

The relationship between social capital and community resilience among urban poor communities in Malaysia

The problem of poverty remains persistent in developing countries around the world. Poor households, particularly those headed by women, young people, and informal workers, particularly those who live in urban areas, are those most affected by vicious cycles of socioeconomic disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This condition, therefore, will lead to urban poverty issues that decline individuals’ quality of life and livelihoods due to the growing population and expansion of urbanization areas. However, there are limited numbers of empirical studies on the impact of community resilience on poverty. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between social capital and community resilience among urban poor communities. 481 respondents from urban poor communities living in the poor communities housing called, the People’s Housing Project (PHP) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were given a structured questionnaire by cluster sampling from December 2021 to July 2022. Data were analyzed using reliability analysis, correlation, and regression analysis. The findings showed that social capital is positively significant in community resilience building through having a good relationship with the community’s representative and having good involvement in the neighborhood. This study has proven that social capital in poverty adaptation among the poor should be given priority by the authorities in the poverty alleviation programs. The government must implement specific social capital policies and methods for upgrading the income of the urban poor with the aim of fostering resilience among urban poor communities in Kuala Lumpur in an effort to eradicate poverty.

Beyond Motherhood: The Stress Landscape for Working Women in Kuala Lumpur

Among the roles that women are frequently associated with in society are mother, wife, and daughter. However, working women have another role outside the home, and juggling these responsibilities is what working women face. Being a mother and working is not an easy journey. Working women experience mental strain and high levels of stress at home and work. A mixed-method approach was used to investigate the stress landscape for working women in Kuala Lumpur. Two factors were assessed in a study contributing to stress related to one's job: 1) stress at work and 2) stress at home. To represent the population, 34 working mothers as teachers were selected as respondents. According to the study's findings, there are no appreciable variations in the stress factors among participants based on the stress level at home and at work, even though the mean is slightly higher for stress at work rather than at home. The qualitative findings show that the respondents were very stressed from the workload, such as handling students, administrative tasks, guidance, counselling, supervision, and attending to parents. The researcher suggested creating avenues for advancement within every education field as a token of appreciation for their contributions throughout their tenure. This will foster a never-ending sense of hope and an unwavering desire for personal development among the working mothers who are teachers, leading to promotions which will give them a positive view on handling their stress level.

The efficacy of Relative Strength Index (RSI) in KLSE market trade

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a widely used technical indicator in stock trading because of its simple application. However, its application combined with fundamental analysis in Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) is yet to be explored extensively. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of RSI as a predictive tool in the KLSE market. First, 39 stocks that met the set of criteria guided by fundamental soundness were identified. Trading signals are then initiated based on the RSI indicators, which are superimposed on the charts of the identified stocks. The return on investment (ROI) was then estimated and benchmarked against KLCI performance over a period of five years starting from 21st July 21, 2018. It was found that the average ROI was 3.46% against KLCI’s -24.37% over the same period of 5 years, measured between 21st July 21, 2018, 21st July 21, 2023. The average ROI improves as the number of trade iterations increases to five. The peak average ROI is approximately 22%. Technology is the top performer, recording an ROI of more than 40%. In conclusion, the combination of RSI and fundamental analysis yielded a mixed set of results. Although it outperforms KLCI, the annualised ROI is only slightly above 4%. Nevertheless, the results of this study provide valuable insights into the application of the RSI as a trading signal generator in the KLSE market.

URBAN VOIDS: NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS (NBS) TO REVITALIZE KUALA LUMPUR

URBAN VOIDS: NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS (NBS) TO REVITALIZE KUALA LUMPUR

Design and investment strategy optimization of district cooling system during the ramp-up phase

District Cooling (DC) systems, known for their efficiency and integration of renewable energy sources, encounter substantial design and investment complexities during the initial ramp-up phase. This critical phase is characterized by increasing cooling demand, necessitating a scientific approach to equipment selection and sizing that spans multiple temporal scales. A key yet frequently underestimated element in DC systems is the inclusion of backup chiller. While traditionally reserved to emergency use, its proactive interactions with regular system operations can significantly diminish operational expenses, despite the inherent complexities. Our study presents an innovative mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) optimization framework. This framework is designed to manage and optimize the intricate DC system design and investment strategy during the ramp-up phase, with a particular focus on the strategic inclusion of backup chillers. To demonstrate this framework, our research undertakes a comprehensive analysis of a real-world DC project in Kuala Lumpur. The findings show that the MILP optimization delivers substantial reductions in Life Cycle Costs (LCC) up to 3.33% across various system configurations. This is of significant value for energy efficiency and sustainable urban energy systems.

The Correlation between Dental Health Status and Educational Level, Age, and Gender as Demographic Attributes of the Children of Migrant Workers

Introduction Migrant workers and their families appear to have greater health issues, given their need to adjust to new environments and restricted access to healthcare services. One obstacle to receiving healthcare is culture. This study aims to analyze the correlation between dental health status and the level of class, age, and gender as demographic attributes in the children of migrant workers. Methods This cross-sectional study involved the children of Indonesian migrant workers who resided in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The population of the study consisted of children who met the inclusion criteria. Their ages varied between six and twelve. In this study, we used the purposive sampling method. There are 93 samples that met the inclusion criteria. We obtained the data on dental health status using the RedCap online form, which is used in the WHO oral health survey. The researchers performed data analysis, the def-t and DMF-T measurement index and prevalence analyses, and the Spearman-Rho correlation tests to examine the data and determine the appropriate analytical tests. Results The characteristics of the children of Indonesian migrant workers are as follows: based on the class level, 1, 5, and 6; based on age, 6-8 and 9-11; and based on gender, nearly equal between the male and female respondents. The DMF-T index score was 1.22, and the def-t index was 3.77 among the migrant children. The prevalence of caries in permanent adult crowns was lower (53.76%) than that in primary children crowns (64.52%.). Root caries is present in less than 1% of the adult population; however, its prevalence among the children of migrant workers is indeterminable. The majority of the negative correlation occurs between the level of grade and age of the children of Indonesian migrant workers and their dental and oral health status; however, there is no significant correlation between gender and oral health status. Conclusion The DMF-T index of migrant children is low, while their def-t index is high. The prevalence of crown and root caries among the children of migrant workers is significantly higher. There are many negative correlations between the educational level and age of the migrant children and their oral health status.

Microsporum canis and Sporothrix schenckii: Fungi Causing Skin Infections in Cats

Companion animals such as cats help to reduce stress among people as they delight their owners in their ways. Good management and hygiene practices of pets help in keeping them in a healthy condition. Nevertheless, since fungal infection develops rapidly, there is a high tendency for them to get infected. The paucity of data regarding skin mycoses among cats in Malaysia leads to this study. Private veterinary clinics from the Central Region of Peninsular Malaysia were approached for participation in this study. Sampling was conducted for one year, collecting hair plucked, skin scrapings, and swabs from lesions of the cats with skin problems and inoculating onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar media. Diagnosing the fungal colony was conducted through a direct examination method using lactophenol cotton blue stain and molecular identification of the isolates using polymerase chain reaction targeting the fungi species’ internal transcribed spacer region and β-tubulin gene. Of the 127 cats, 93 were positively infected, mainly with Microsporum canis (n = 38) and Sporothrix schenckii (n = 26). Saprophytic fungi detected on cats were Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Candida sp., Chaetomium sp., Chrysosporium sp., Curvularia sp., Fusarium sp., Geotrichum sp., Penicillium sp., Talaromyces sp., Trichoderma sp., Trichosporon sp., and Xylaria sp. This finding represents the number of cats infected with fungal dermatitis in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya.

Bridging the nature–cultural heritage gap: evaluating sustainable entanglements through cemeteries in urban Asia

The expanding footprint of urban Asian settlements and increasing living standards have put pressure on cemetery sites. Public health narratives and the sanctity associated with death matters in Asian urban landscapes have fed into the rhetoric of cemeteries as undesirable heritage spaces. Often lacking protection, many cemeteries have been exhumed, cleared, and relocated to allow room for new developments and infrastructure, risking the survival of this quiet element of the urban cultural patrimony. Within an Asian context, synergies between nature and cultural heritage preservation are not prevalent in major cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. In light of increasing recognition of urban cemeteries as multi-valued sites with both natural and cultural heritage values, this paper turns to deconstructing the nature–cultural binary and the concept of entanglement to frame an investigation of collaborative interactions. A focused study on Asian urban cemeteries follows, examining existing trends and adapted mix uses and highlighting the region’s unique conservation challenges. The analysis reveals three major typologies encapsulating the region’s current nature–cultural heritage entangled preservation approaches: sustainable compromises, memories, and everyday sustainability. To conclude, the paper distils respectful alternative futures for these spaces to be better integrated into the modern textures of the cities, unlocking functional recourses to destruction or oblivion.

Physical inactivity and its associated factors among pre-retirement government healthcare workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

IntroductionThe rising worldwide concern of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) is alarming as it is associated with 80% of annual global mortality. NCD threat is rising due to, among others, the increasing ageing population, thus putting the efforts to promote health ageing at the forefront of many countries’ health agenda. Physical activity has been recognised as one of the significant factors in the pursuit of healthy ageing. Nevertheless, approximately one third of individuals in Malaysia are physically inactive. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and its associated factors among pre-retirement government healthcare workers.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2023 among pre-retirement government healthcare workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The sample size required was 233 and proportionate random sampling was used to recruit potential respondents who answered self-administered online questionnaires. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to measure the level of physical activity and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.ResultsA total of 214 complete responses were received from the 233 questionnaires distributed, giving a response rate of 91.8%. The prevalence of physical inactivity among pre-retirement healthcare workers was 39.7% as compare only 29.9% in general population. Significant predictors for physical inactivity included higher education levels (SPM, STPM, or certificate holders) (AOR = 13.4, 95% CI: 2.47–72.65), non-Malay ethinicity (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.23–18.38), personal barriers (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI:1.35–1.79), social barriers (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06–1.39), and physical environment barriers (AOR = 1.468, 95% CI: 1.221–1.765).ConclusionThis study shows a worrying prevalence of physical inactivity among pre-retirement healthcare workers that is even higher than the general population in Malaysia. The findings highlight the importance of focusing the preventive strategies among non-Malay workers and those with lower education levels. It is also vital to address all the physical, social, and environmental barriers towards physical inactivity. By prioritising these factors, employers and stakeholders will be able to establish better workplace health promotion and address the issue of physical inactivity more efficiently.