Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and oncogenic HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. However, HPV vaccination is already available as the primary preventive method against cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of HPV vaccination among Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Malaya (UM) students. This study was conducted from March until August 2009. Pre-tested and validated questionnaires were filled by the third year UKM (n=156) and UM (n=149) students from medical, dentistry and pharmacy faculties. The results showed that the overall level of knowledge on HPV infection, cervical cancer and its prevention among respondents was high and the majority of them had positive attitude towards HPV vaccination. Medical students had the highest level of knowledge (p<0.05). Very few students (3.6%) had already taken the vaccine with no significant difference between the two Universities (p=0.399). In conclusion, the knowledge and attitude of the respondents were high and positive, respectively. Only few students took HPV vaccination. Thus, more awareness campaigns and HPV vaccination services should be provided at universities' campuses with the price of the HPV vaccine reduced for the students.

Introduction: In the current digital age, people’s use of electronic devices has significantly increased screen time, which may have an impact on different aspects of their lives. Adolescents today are exposed to excessive screen time, which may affect their sleep and contribute to anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between screen time with sleep quality, anxiety and depression, among adolescents in Klang Valley, Malaysia.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study information was gathered from among 353 secondary school students in the Klang Valley using a questionnaire. The instrument that was used in this study was Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Malay version, screen-based media usage (SCREENS-Q) and Hopkins Symptom Check List-25 (HSCL-25) Malay version. The sampling method was stratified and convenience sampling method. The analysis study used the Smart Partial least squares (PLS) method to analyze the data.Results: Using the Smart PLS technique, we examined the relationship between these variables and identified revealed that screen time has a direct, positive, and significant impact on anxiety level (Mean = 0.134, β = 0.123, p < 0.01) and depression levels (Mean = 0.202, β = 0.194, p < 0.01). Moreover, screen time has a low effect on sleep quality (Mean = 0.128, β = 0.117, p < 0.05). However, the mediating factor, sleep quality, was not significant in the indirect effect of screen time with anxiety (Mean = 0.047, β = 0.040, p  > 0.05) and depression (Mean = 0.044, β = 0.043, p < 0.05).Discussion: This study highlights the importance of understanding the association between screen use, sleep quality, anxiety and depression. Notably, excessive screen time appears to be associated with poorer sleep quality, ultimately increasing anxiety and depression. Understanding the effects of excessive screen time on sleep and well-being may have a substantial impact on public health policies and interventions. Enacting policies that promote better screen habits and sleep hygiene could improve people’s overall quality of life and well-being in the digital age. However, more longitudinal research is needed to confirm the causality of these relationships and investigate potential intervention strategies.

This study focused on the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and adolescent smoking among secondary school students (13 to 17 years) in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our objective was to evaluate the relationships between adolescent demographics, socioeconomic status and smoking status. The survey data were based on baseline findings from a cross-sectional study (N = 422 adolescents). Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (household monthly income and daily allowance) and adolescent smoking status. Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) reading and the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) were used to evaluate adolescent smoking status. A Multivariate Multinomial Logistic Regression (MMLR) was employed to test selected demographic and socioeconomic predictors of smoking status. Of the 422 adolescents (M age = 15.58, SD = 1.24), more than half of the participants initiated smoking between 13 to 17 years old (59.0%). A total of 308 (73.0%) were electronic cigarette users, with more than 50% comprising of single users. The mean CO reading was 2.14 ppm with 78.0% of adolescents scoring more than 0 on the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC). Males and participants aged 15 and 16 years were at increased risks of sole CC smoking. Meanwhile, males, those who are not hooked on smoking and with a non-smoker CO reading were at increased risks of sole EC smoking. Finally, Bumiputeras were at less risk of EC smoking. Demographic variables such as age, gender and ethnicity predicted smoking status predicted smoking risk, but not socioeconomic factors. The findings allow policy makers to target specific high-risk demographic groups when designing smoking cessation programs for adolescents.

Caregivers of children with learning disabilities have been shown to experience increased stress and greater negative caregiving consequences than those with typically developing children. There remains a lack of studies focusing on stress and coping mechanisms among caregivers of a wider age group and diagnosis of individuals with disabilities in Asian countries. The current study examines levels of perceived stress and associated child and caregiver factors among caregivers of children with learning disabilities in the Malaysian context. An additional aim was to determine whether caregiver coping styles may be predictors of perceived stress. The Malay version of the Perceived Stress Scale with 10 items and the Brief COPE Scale were administered to a sample of 190 Malay caregivers of children with learning disabilities registered with community-based rehabilitation centres in Kelantan, a state in Peninsular Malaysia. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine the predictors of perceived stress. The mean total perceived stress score of caregivers was 16.96 (SD = 4.66). The most frequently used coping styles found among caregivers included religion, acceptance and positive reframing, while substance use and behavioural disengagement were least frequently used. Higher perceived stress was significantly predicted among caregivers with fewer children, frequent use of instrumental support and behavioural disengagement coping, and lack of emotional support and religious coping. Findings indicate that the perceived stress levels among caregivers were significantly predicted by different coping styles. It is vital to help the caregivers improve their good coping styles in order to reduce their stress levels.

This study was carried out to determine the sleeping hours and their effect on the academic achievements among year 2 and year 3 Biomedical Science students of Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for the session 2009/2010. A total of 104 subjects were involved in the study in which close-ended questionnaires were used. The result showed that there was no association (p>0.05) between sleeping hours and academic achievement (CGPA). There was also no association between stress level and CGPA (p>0.05) and between study skill and CGPA (p>0.05). Using the Mann-Whitney test, there was no significant median difference seen in CGPA according to year of study (p>0.05). However, there was a significant (p<0.05) median difference in CGPA according to gender. The male CGPA was found to be higher than females. In conclusion, this report showed that sleeping hours did not affect students’ academic achievements CGPA. However, CGPA differs among gender with male of 3.52 and female of 3.27