Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rapidly escalating in developing countries and social factors such as the dynamics of the family play an important part in the lifestyle choices that lead to the onset and maintenance of chronic illness. There remains a gap in Malaysia as the majority of the studies were focused on the normal population rather than directly towards persons having NCDs. This study aimed to examine emerging risk factors such as family functionality and its association with NCD.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a multistage random sampling method.
Urban residential areas in Selangor, Malaysia.
A total of 2542 adults residing in urban areas of Selangor were recruited.
Family functionality was measured using the APGAR (Adaptation, Participation, Gain or Growth, Affection and Resources) scale and multiple logistic regression was performed to measure the association between emerging risk factors and NCD.
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension was 10.8% and 6.1%, respectively. Widowed/separated status (adjusted OR (AOR) 41.53, 95% CI 19.06 to 90.48, p value=0.001) was reported to be a predictor of diabetes. As for hypertension, familial functionality (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 1.11 to 14.50, p value
There is a growing concern that family functionality is an emerging risk factor for NCDs. Future family-centred health promotion programmes should be incorporated to improve self-management behaviours and health outcomes.
This study investigates how environmental and household variables relate to groundwater quality in Indonesia.
The research uses data from the 2020 Cross-sectional Household Drinking Water Quality Study, the National Socioeconomic Survey 2020, and climate records.
Indonesia.
The study includes 5965 households across 34 provinces, using descriptive and path analysis techniques.
The microbiological quality of drinking water was primarily focused on Escherichia coli as an indicator of microbial contamination.
Out of 5965 households, only 5.15% had emptied faecal sludge (FS) in the last 3 years, while E. coli contamination was detected in 71.21% of the samples. Improved drinking water sources and proper FS emptying practices were associated with better water quality.
These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and evidence-based policymaking to safeguard both drinking water quality and sanitation practices, which are crucial for public health and environmental sustainability.
To understand experiences of stigma and discrimination among adults who are homeless across multiple care and support system contexts.
Cross-sectional survey embedded within an ethnographic case study.
South London, UK, 2024.
Convenience sample of 74 people experiencing homelessness, aged over 18 years.
Participants most commonly reported unfair treatment in public settings (85%), legal settings (72%), housing and homelessness services (68%) and health settings (65%). These experiences were attributed to a range of factors and identities, with homelessness the most commonly cited; people commonly linked unfair experiences to multiple identities. People with more comorbidities reported experiencing unfair treatment across more system settings, including and beyond health systems.
Unfair treatment was reported across multiple care and support systems with greater ill-health associated with more unfair treatment. Future larger-scale surveys should measure the extent of stigma and discrimination across the population.