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This exploratory study examines the sociodemographic factors associated with extracurricular activity (ECA) participation of primary school students in Penang (Malaysia). The dichotomous choice Logit model is applied on survey data of 459 respondents. Results indicate that household affluence, ethnicity, education level of parent, and schooling level of the child are significant factors associated with ECA participation likelihoods. Several observations are noted. First, measures to introduce free/subsidized non-academic classes to all school children should be considered to prevent social inequalities with regards to ECA favouring wealthier households. Second, there exists a divergence of ECA selections even amongst ethnic groups, with Chinese families favouring music and arts, while Malay households are more inclined towards religious studies. Third, education policymakers should be cognizant of the advantages of ECA beyond the academic realm when designing future educational curriculum. Last, contemporary childhood upbringing methods in Malaysia favour equal opportunities in ECA participation irrespective of gender.

In this exploratory study, the censored Tobit model is applied on primary data collected amongst parents of primary school students in Penang, Malaysia to examine the determinants of participation and expenditures on private tuition (PT). Results of the marginal effects indicate that socio-demographic characteristics--ethnicity, household income, level of schooling, and marital status--affect the probability of participation and its corresponding conditional (amongst those whose spending is positive) and unconditional (overall) expenditures. Specifically, compared to ethnic Malays, households of Chinese and Indian descent are more likely to send their children to PT, whilst spending more on conditional and unconditional expenditures, "ceteris paribus." Low-income households have a lower likelihood to enrol their children in PT classes and spend less on conditional and unconditional expenditures than higher income households. Upper primary students are more likely to attend PT and spend more on conditional and unconditional expenditures than lower primary students. Single-parent households spend more on conditional and unconditional expenditures than households where both parents are together, all else equal. Based on these findings, several observations in terms of comparisons to other studies and policy implications are noted vis-a-vis the demand for PT amongst primary school students. (Contains 4 tables and 3 notes.)

Background This study examined the factors associated with body mass index (BMI) categories of Malaysian adolescents by physical activity (PA) status. Methods Data were obtained from the 2012 Malaysia Global School-based Student Health Survey. Generalized ordered logit regression analysis was conducted on 24 339 adolescents by PA status. Results Early- (ages 11–13) and middle-stage (ages 14−16) adolescents were associated with higher overweight and obesity risks than their older peers (ages 17–18). Male adolescents faced higher underweight and obesity likelihoods than females. Hunger due to food shortage at home was associated with higher likelihoods of underweight and normal weight BMI categories. Smokers were more likely to be underweight or normal weight than non-smokers. Segmented-sample analysis by PA status indicated that, while the direction of associations was parallel across PA status, the magnitudes of association between age, hunger and smoking status with BMI status were greater among active than inactive adolescents. Conclusions Male adolescents faced a dual burden of underweight and obesity. Other sociodemographic and dietary-lifestyle factors were associated with adolescent BMI categories. Segmented-sample analysis by PA status uncovered varying associations between factors that would otherwise be masked in pooled sample analysis. Public health authorities should take these factors into consideration when deliberating programs to ensure healthy adolescent body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blood shortage situation is a perennial concern in Malaysia. This study examines the sociodemographic and lifestyle related factors associated with blood donation status of non-donors, occasional donors, and regular donors. Discerning the donation status of blood donors is important as studies have noted that it is more cost-effective to reactivate occasional (consisting of existing or former) donors than to recruit new donors. Based on stratified random sampling measures, primary data were obtained from 550 Malaysian adults aged 18-60 years from Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Ordered probit analysis was conducted and marginal effects of various factors on blood donation status calculated. Results indicate that sociodemographic factors associated with donor status include gender, marital status, education level, and income level. Lifestyle related factors affecting donor status comprise working hours, family history, and fear of the donation process. It is concluded that donor awareness and education programs should be focused on females, singles, and individuals in the lower socioeconomic echelons. Donor retention strategies should be aimed at those with previous family history of blood recipients. Measures should be implemented to accommodate busy people and those fearful of the donation process. These strategies could be undertaken not only in Malaysia but also in other countries with comparable sociodemographic and health care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the association between socio-demographic and programme-related factors and usage likelihoods of two types of e-resource platforms (E-library and Learning Management System (LMS)) by Open Distance Learning (ODL) university students. Based on stratified random sampling measures, primary data were collected from 1,192 student respondents from an ODL university in Malaysia. Information on socio-demographic characteristics (age, ethnicity, gender, education level, household income) and programme-related factors (location of regional centre, year registered, programme of study, attendance to orientation session) were elicited. Logistic regression analysis was applied on two separate outcome variables with affirmative (Y=1) and negative (Y=0) responses reflecting E-library and LMS utilisation. Results indicate that students who are more likely to use E-library consist of older, recent enrolees, and orientation session participants, while Chinese students are less likely to use the facility than their respective peers. Positive LMS usage likelihoods are associated with students who are younger, female, Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) holders, orientation programme attendees, Science and Technology majors, registered five or more years, and those hailing from the regional centres of Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. Students from low income bracket households are less likely to utilise LMS than others. Based on these outcomes, several observations are noted to provide university policy-makers with a better understanding of the determinants of E-library and LMS utilisation among ODL university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on body weight conditional upon endogenous physical activity (PA) is examined for adults in Malaysia. We find an inverse link between body weight and PA at elevated PA levels. Vigorous PA with metabolic equivalent of task (MET) of 1500 minutes per week and above is required for healthy changes in body weight. Older individuals and those with low education and a family history of illnesses are associated with higher body mass index (BMI) across PA levels. Individuals of Chinese and other ethnicity, males, smokers, and persons working long hours have lower BMI at all PA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As is the case in many developing nations, previous studies of breast cancer screening behavior in Malaysia have used relatively small samples that are not nationally representative, thereby limiting the generalizability of results. Therefore, this study uses nationally representative data from the Malaysia Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance-1 to investigate the role of socio-economic status on breast cancer screening behavior in Malaysia, particularly differences in screening behaviour between ethnic groups. The decisions of 816 women above age 40 in Malaysia to screen for breast cancer using mammography, clinical breast exams (CBE), and breast self-exams (BSE) are modeled using logistic regression. Results indicate that after adjusting for differences in age, education, household income, marital status, and residential location, Malay women are less likely than Chinese and Indian women to utilize mammography, but more likely to perform BSE. Education level and urban residence are positively associated with utilization of each method, but these relationships vary across ethnicity. Higher education levels are strongly related to using each screening method among Chinese women, but have no statistically significant relationship to screening among Malays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the socio-demographic determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption using household survey data from Malaysia. A bivariate ordered probability model is developed by the copula approach. Results for a system of fruit and vegetable servings per week indicate that education, age, ethnicity, income, location of residence, smoking status and health conditions are significant predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption in Malaysia. Policy implications are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]