A Review of Published Literature Regarding Health Issues of Coastal Communities in Sabah, Malaysia

Amirah Azzeri, Goh Hong Ching, Hafiz Jaafar, Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor, Nurain Amirah Razi, Amy Yee-Hui Then, Julia Suhaimi, Fatimah Kari and Maznah Dahlui
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Amirah Azzeri: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Goh Hong Ching: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Hafiz Jaafar: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Nurain Amirah Razi: Department of Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56100, Malaysia
Amy Yee-Hui Then: Institute of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Julia Suhaimi: Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Fatimah Kari: Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Maznah Dahlui: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Several of the coastal zones in Sabah, Malaysia, are isolated and inaccessible. This study aimed to review the published literature on the health status of the coastal communities in Sabah. The following four main health issues were found: (i) malaria, (ii) tuberculosis (TB), (iii) seafood poisoning, and (iv) antenatal problems. Factors associated with the risk of acquiring malarial infection in the studied coastal area were advanced age, male sex, farming as an occupation, history of travel outside the village, and rainy seasons. TB infection was primarily observed in adult men. Seafood poisoning was significantly common in Sabah. Studies have reported that tetrodotoxin and paralytic shellfish poisoning were commonly reported (30–60 cases annually). Several pregnant women in the coastal community had insufficient knowledge of the national antenatal care programme. Nonetheless, 99% of them received antenatal care at public healthcare facilities with 92% of them undergoing safe delivery. Nevertheless, a majority of the pregnant women had iodine deficiency due to low iodised salt intake. Findings from this review highlighted that the coastal communities in Sabah are experiencing significant health problems. Specific attention is required to significantly enhance the health and well-being of the individuals living in the coastal communities in Sabah.

Keywords: health status; coastal; Sabah (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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