Knowledge on Goitre: A Comparison Between Remote Inland and Coastal Areas

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to determine the level of knowledge of goitre among the Aborigines and that Malays in remote inland and coastal areas. According to our previous study, the prevalence of goitre in remote inland areas (Baling, Kedah) was 5 times higher compared to coastal areas (Carey Island, Selangor). The Aborigines (30.2%) and Malays (30.8%) in remote areas had higher prevalence of goitre compared to the Aborigines (6.0%) and Malaysia (6.7%) in coastal areas. However, the difference between the two ethnic groups was small and it was not significant. The level of knowledge of goitre determined among the Malays and the Aborigines in both area. The were asked about goitre, than cause, its effects on growth, knowledge on iodine, etc. It was found that although knowledge on goitre in both area was low, the population living in remote inland areas were more knowledgeable compare to those living in coastal areas (p. 0.05).

ABSTRAK

Matlamat utama kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan tahap pengetahuan penyakit goiter di kalangan Orang Asli dan Orang Melayu di kawasan pedalaman dan di kawasan pantai. Berdasarkan kajian kami yang telah lalu, prevalens goiter di kawasan pedalaman (Baling, Kedah) adalah 5 kali lebih tinggi berbanding prevalens goiter di kawasan pantai (Pulau Carey, Selangor). Orang Asli (30.2%) dan Orang Melayu (30.8%) di kawasan pedalaman mempunyai prevalens goiter yang lebih tinggi berbanding Orang Asli (6.0%) dan Orang Melayu (6.7%) di kawasan pantai. Walau bagaimanapun, perbezaan di antara kedua-dua kumpulan etnik ini adalah kecil dan tidak bererti. Tahap pengetahuan mengenai penyakit goiter telah ditentukan dikalangan Orang Melayu dan Orang Asli di kedua-dua kawasan. Mereka ditanya mengenai goiter, penyebab, kesan ke atas tumbesaran, pengetahuan mengenai iodin, dll. Didapati bahawa tahap pengetahuan goiter di kedua-dua kawasan adalah rendah; walau bagaimanapun, populasi yang tinggal di kawasan pedalaman adalah tinggi tahap pengetahuannya berbanding populasi yang tinggal di kawasan pantai (p.0.05).