Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health最新文献

Older adults are at greater risk of mental health issues. This study examined the factors influencing mental well-being among 2230 Malaysian older adults, using data from the 2018 to 2019 Malaysia Ageing and Retirement Survey. The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used to assess mental well-being, and linear regression analysis identified the significant factors. Women had lower mental well-being scores than men (P = .012, β = -0.016). Chinese (P = .024, β = -0.020), Indian (P < .001, β = -0.043), and other ethnicities (P < .001, β = -0.031) reported lower scores than Malays. The factors associated with better well-being were secondary (P = .001, β = 0.032) and tertiary education (P < .001, β = 0.063), and good (P < .001, β = 0.081) and moderate (P < .001, β = 0.038) health status. Diseases-limiting activities were associated with poor well-being (P < .001, β = -0.030). Support from family (P < .001, β = 0.062) and friends (P < .001, β = 0.032), social activity participation (P < .001, β = 0.026), and functional ability (P < .001, β = 0.043) were significant positive factors. There is a need for targeted interventions to enhance mental health among Malaysian older adults.

A nomogram provides a novel solution for assessing the risks of type 2 diabetes among teachers. This is particularly effective when the nomogram incorporates the Healthy Lifestyle Index (HLI) and relevant predictors. In this study, we followed up with a group of teachers from the CLUSTer cohort using RedCap and linked it with the Malaysian National Diabetes Registry. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the predictors associated with T2DM risk in teachers during the follow-up period. We translated our findings into an online interactive nomogram. A total of 3477 teachers were included in the study, of whom 697 (20.0%) were ultimately diagnosed with T2DM. The Cox regression model revealed that HLI and 11 other predictors were significantly associated with diabetes risks among teachers. A nomogram that predicted the risks of T2DM at five, seven, and nine years was developed. Of the 12 predictors, age, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and HLI contributed the most to the total score. Combining the HLI with other predictors in a nomogram allows teachers to assess their T2DM risks and take action to prevent the development of T2DM.

Informal caregiving can impair caregivers' subjective well-being. However, this issue has been overlooked among young adults. We examined the association between informal caregiving and subjective well-being among young adults in Japan. This cross-sectional study included 3496 individuals aged 18 to 29 years who participated in the Survey on Satisfaction and Quality of Life, a nationwide online survey by the Cabinet Office of Japan, between 2019 and 2020. Three aspects of subjective well-being were evaluated: life satisfaction, social relationship satisfaction, and health status satisfaction. Participants were divided into three groups based on their engagement in caregiving: "non-caregiver," "potential caregiver" (having a family member who needs care but the participants were not engaged in caregiving), and "caregiver." Consequently, 283 (8.1%) participants were potential caregivers and 53 (1.5%) were caregivers. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that compared with non-caregivers, caregivers exhibited significantly lower satisfaction with social relationships and health status, but not life satisfaction. These findings suggest psychosocial disadvantages for young adult caregivers, highlighting the importance of support for them.

This study aims to investigate and compare the psychosocial and oral health factors among Myanmar older adults with and without a history of COVID-19 infection and assess the association between psychological factors and oral health outcomes among those with a history of COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 participants in Yangon from 2023 to 2024 using face-to-face interviews and clinical oral examinations. Participants with a history of COVID-19 infection experienced greater psychological distress and poorer oral health outcomes than those without such a history. In those who contracted COVID-19, depression positively associated with decayed teeth; decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT); and oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14), whereas negatively associated with present teeth. Anxiety positively related to decayed teeth, DMFT, and periodontal pockets. Stress negatively associated with decayed teeth, but positively with OHIP-14. Implementing oral health promotion programs and providing mental support for this vulnerable population are essential to improve their oral health and well-being.

This study aimed to determine the potential predictive value of four noninvasive anthropometric indices in screening for the risk of diabetes and hypertension in the Lao population. The data used for this study were collected as part of the National Health Survey which used the World Health Organization's stepwise approach, covered 17 provinces and Vientiane capital, and had a representative sample of 3240 participants above 18 years old. Among the anthropometry indices tested, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) had the highest predictive power for the prevalence of diabetes (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.73) and hypertension (AUC = 0.70). It is suitable for use in urban or rural areas and for fieldwork. The WHtR can serve as a public health and clinical screening tool, as there are no differences between sexes, ages, and ethnicities when monitoring diabetes and hypertension risk in Lao PDR, using the optimal cutoff point of 0.5 for both diabetes and hypertension.