title: Ethnic and gender differentials in non-communicable diseases and self-rated health in Malaysia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper examines the ethnic and gender differentials in high blood pressure (HBP), diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), arthritis and asthma among older people in Malaysia, and how these diseases along with other factors affect self-rated health. Differentials in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among older people are examined in the context of socio-cultural perspectives in multi-ethnic Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for this paper are obtained from the 2004 Malaysian Population and Family Survey. The survey covered a nationally representative sample of 3,406 persons aged 50 and over, comprising three main ethnic groups (Malays, Chinese and Indians) and all other indigenous groups. Bivariate analyses and hierarchical logistic regression were used in the analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Arthritis was the most common non-communicable disease (NCD), followed by HBP, diabetes, asthma and CHD. Older females were more likely than males to have arthritis and HBP, but males were more likely to have asthma. Diabetes and CHD were most prevalent among Indians, while arthritis and HBP were most prevalent among the Indigenous groups. Older people were more likely to report poor health if they suffered from NCD, especially CHD. Controlling for socio-economic, health and lifestyle factors, Chinese were least likely to report poor health, whereas Indians and Indigenous people were more likely to do so. Chinese that had HBP were more likely to report poor health compared to other ethnic groups with the same disease. Among those with arthritis, Indians were more likely to report poor health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceived health status and prevalence of arthritis, HBP, diabetes, asthma and CHD varied widely across ethnic groups. Promotion of healthy lifestyle, early detection and timely intervention of NCDs affecting different ethnic groups and gender with socio-cultural orientations would go a long way in alleviating the debilitating effects of the common NCDs among older people.
authors.affiliation: Population Studies Unit, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Jane K L
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.affiliation: Population Studies Unit, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nai Peng
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Tey
authors.affiliation: Population Studies Unit, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sor Tho
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D017678:Sex Distribution