The prevalence of obesity and the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthy lifestyle among the adult population in Kampung Banyuk, Kampung Kerto and Kampung Langup

Background Obesity has become a great public health concern and prevent!ive measures need to be done. Objective The objective of this research is to determine the prevalence ofobesity and their knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards a healthy lifestyle among the residents in Kampung Banyok, Kampung Kerto and Kampung Langup. Methods A cross-sectional study was done among 126 randomly selected villagers aged 18 years and above from the three selected villages. They were interviewed based on a questionnaire and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results It was found that more than half of the respondents are obese. Among the respondents, for the healthy lifestyle component, the level of good KAP is 69.2%, 46.8% and 60.3% respectively. As for obesity component, the level of good KAP is 60.3%, 54% and 54.8% respectively. Among the obese respondents, the level of knowledge and attitude on healthy lifestyle and obesity is better. Obese respondents have better obesity preventive practice while the non-obese respondents have better practice on healthy lifestyle. The only significant correlation noted was between knowledge and practice on obesity albeit a negative one. Conclusion The level of knowledge and attitude and practice on healthy lifestyle among the obese respondents are encouraged but more effort in the preventive practice ofobesity shou1d be done to reduce the prevalence.

Effect of stacking sequence and fiber content on mechanical and morphological properties of woven kenaf/polyester fiber reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) hybrid laminated composites

Hybrid laminated composites were fabricated from woven kenaf, woven polyester and polylactic acid (PLA) using the hot compression method. The hybrid composites consist of woven material as reinforcement having the fiber weight-matrix ratio of 40:60. Six samples of hybrid laminated composites were prepared in different stacking sequences using the hand lay-up method. The laminates were prepared and tested based on ASTM International standard method for tensile, flexural and impact properties. S4 samples yield the highest tensile strength, elongation and impact strength among the hybrid composites that were recorded at 103 MPa, 17.88% and 84 kJ/m2, respectively. However, the composition of woven kenaf and woven polyester influenced the result obtained for flexural strength. Higher composition of woven kenaf in hybrid laminated composites exhibited better flexural properties. The tensile fracture surface morphology was evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The data gathered could provide understandings of new hybrid laminated composites for industrial applications such as automotive, structural, and non-structural applications

Thermal Stability, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and Flammability Properties of Woven Kenaf/Polyester-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Hybrid Laminated Composites

This paper presents the thermal and flammability properties of woven kenaf/polyester-reinforced polylactic acid hybrid laminated composites. The effects of the fiber content and stacking sequences of hybrid composites were examined. The hybrid composites were fabricated using the hot press method. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and flammability properties of woven kenaf/polyester-reinforced polylactic hybrid composites were reported. The thermal results have demonstrated the effect of the hybridization of the composites on the thermal stability and viscoelastic properties of the laminates. The work also measured the burning rate of the hybrid composites during the flammability test. The S7 sample that consisted of all woven kenaf layers in composite recorded the highest char residue of 10%, and the S8 sample displayed the highest decomposition temperature among all samples. However, as for hybrid composites, the S5 sample shows the optimum result with a high char yield and exhibited the lowest burning rate at 29 mm/min. The S5 sample also shows the optimum viscoelastic properties such as storage and loss modulus among hybrid composites

Thermal Stability, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and Flammability Properties of Woven Kenaf/Polyester-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Hybrid Laminated Composites

This paper presents the thermal and flammability properties of woven kenaf/polyester-reinforced polylactic acid hybrid laminated composites. The effects of the fiber content and stacking sequences of hybrid composites were examined. The hybrid composites were fabricated using the hot press method. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and flammability properties of woven kenaf/polyester-reinforced polylactic hybrid composites were reported. The thermal results have demonstrated the effect of the hybridization of the composites on the thermal stability and viscoelastic properties of the laminates. The work also measured the burning rate of the hybrid composites during the flammability test. The S7 sample that consisted of all woven kenaf layers in composite recorded the highest char residue of 10%, and the S8 sample displayed the highest decomposition temperature among all samples. However, as for hybrid composites, the S5 sample shows the optimum result with a high char yield and exhibited the lowest burning rate at 29 mm/min. The S5 sample also shows the optimum viscoelastic properties such as storage and loss modulus among hybrid composites.</jats:p

Childhood<i>Cryptosporidium</i>infection among aboriginal communities in Peninsular Malaysia

Cryptosporidium is a coccidian parasite that is prevalent worldwide, some species of which cause morbidity in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. The prevalence and predictors of Cryptosporidium infection, and its effect on nutritional status, have recently been explored among 276 children (141 boys and 135 girls, aged 2–15 years) in aboriginal (Orang Asli) villages in the Malaysian state of Selangor. Faecal smears were examined by the modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining technique while socio–economic data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements. Cryptosporidium infection, which was detected in 7·2% of the aboriginal children, was found to be significantly associated with low birthweight (⩽2·5 kg), being part of a large household (with more than seven members) and prolonged breast feeding (>2 years). The output of a binary logistic regression confirmed that large household size was a significant predictor of Cryptosporidium infection (giving an odds ratio of 2·15, with a 95% confidence interval of 1·25–5·02). Cryptosporidium infection is clearly a public-health problem among the aboriginal children of Selangor, with person-to-person the most likely mode of transmission