Health status of Orang Asli (aborigine) community in Pos Piah, Sungai Siput, Perak, Malaysia.
A study of health status of Orang Asli population (based on physical examination findings) was conducted in 4 villages in Pos Piah, Sungai Siput Perak, Malaysia. In all 356 individuals between 4 months-72 years old (178 males and 178 females) participated in this study. Poor general health status, physical and mental handicaps were seen in 7.8%, 0.3% and 0.3% of the population, respectively. About one-fifth of the population had dental caries. Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and hepatosplenomegaly were among the commonest abnormalities with the occurrence rates of 19.8%, 13.7% and 6.7%, respectively, being detected in the population. About one-fifth of the population showed signs suggestive of protein-energy deficiency; whilst less than 5% showed signs indicative of riboflavin, iodine and iron deficiencies. Vitamin A deficiency was the commonest nutritional deficiency identified in this community with almost 38.4% of them showing signs of the deficiency. The commonest skin infection was scabies.
Norhayati binti Moktar
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Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. hayati@medic.ukm.my
Noor Hayati
M I
MI
Nor Fariza
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N
Rohani
A K
AK
Halimah
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AS
Sharom
M Y
MY
Zainal Abidin
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AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D044469:Racial Groups; D012532:Scabies / Q000453:epidemiology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000453:epidemiology