Page 34 - nhms 2012 Putrajaya

W.P. PUTRAJAYA GSHS 2012 Discussion

4.0 DISCUSSION

InW.P. Putrajaya, a lower prevalence of students (7.0%) are at risk of becoming underweight compared
to the national ^gure (8.8%). The prevalence for being at risk of overweight and obesity were each
observed to be higher compared to the national prevalence (25.8% vs 22.8% and 11.3 vs 9.5%,
respectively). Consumption of fruit and vegetable was lower compared to the national prevalence
(26.4% vs 28.7%). The prevalence of students consuming soft drink was lower than the national
prevalence (24.0% vs 29.4%). However, the consumption of fast food was higher compared to the
national prevalence (6.3% vs 6.0%).

In the past 30 days, the prevalence of students who never or rarely wash their hands before eating or
after using the toilet were each lower than the national prevalence (1.8% vs 5.0% and 2.9% vs 5.4%,
respectively). Additionally, less students never or rarely use soap when washing their hands compared
to the national prevalence (10.5% vs 13.7% respectively). Majority of the students (87.2%) brushed
their teeth at least twice daily and reportedly, the use of _uoridated toothpaste was higher compared
to the national prevalence (66.7% vs 57.2%).

The prevalence of students who could not sleep at night due to worry was higher compared to the
national prevalence (9.4% vs 5.4%). This prevalence was the highest in the country. About 9.3% of
students reported feeling lonely most of the time in the past 12 months. This ^gure is higher than
the national prevalence (8.1%). Fewer students claimed of not having a close friend compared to the
national prevalence (2.1% vs 3.1%). The prevalence of on suicidal ideation, plan and attempt were
each lower compared to the national prevalence (5.9% vs 7.9%, 3.9% vs 6.4% and 4.3% vs 6.8%,
respectively).

The prevalence of being physically active (spent at least 60 minutes daily on ^ve or more days a week)
was higher than the national prevalence (29.7% vs 22.7%). However, more students had engaged in
sedentary activities such as watching television or playing computer game for at least 3 hours a day,
compared to the national prevalence (59.0% vs 47.3%).This ^gure was the also highest among all the
states.

The prevalence of truancy was lower compared to the national prevalence (20.9% vs 30.9%). The
prevalence of peer support was higher compared to the national prevalence (56.4% vs 44.3%).
Parental or guardian connectedness and bonding were each higher compared to the national
prevalence (33.4% vs 31.5 and 48.0% vs 43.1% recpectively). However, the prevalence of parental or
guardian supervision was lower than the national prevalence (11.4% vs 14.2%).

The prevalence of reported ever had sexual intercourse in W.P. Putrajaya was comparable to the
national prevalence (8.4% vs 8.3%).

The prevalence of students who were current smokers of cigarettes and other tobacco product were
each lower compared to the national prevalence (8.0% vs 11.5 and 3.7% vs 5.5%, respectively). Among
those who ever smoked, about three quarters of them ^rst tried a cigarette before the age of 14 years.
The prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke from people in their presence was comparable to
the national ^gure (39.6% vs 41.6%). Reportedly, there was a lower prevalence of parents or guardians
who used any form of tobacco compared to the national ^gure (34.9% vs 40.2%). Among students
who were non-smokers, the susceptibility to smoking was lower than the national prevalence (7.6%vs
9.6%).

Most of the violent behaviour assessed in this survey among the students in W.P. Putrajaya was noted to
be lower than the national levels, with the exception of verbal abuse which was higher (46.8% vs 42.7%).

20