Alor Setar Centre

Personnel

• Dr Wee Teik Keng
• Dr Azhar Napis
• Dr Chun Khian Tan
• Dr Keng Hwang Teh
• Dr Teik Guan Yew

Why was this centre selected for ISAAC?

I was invited by the national Coordinator, Professor Jessie De Bruyne, to participate in ISAAC. We were really excited as we don’t have much opportunity to participate in such a big study. It was also important to be able to know the prevalence of asthma and allergic disorders from this region which is known as the Rice Bowl of Malaysia and to be able to compare with other parts of Malaysia especially the urban section of the population. Alor Setar, situated in the north western region of the peninsula, has a largely rural population with padi planting as the main occupation and is also predominantly Malay. However there is also a significant population of Chinese and Indian ethnicity.

Our experience of ISAAC

The questionnaires for conducting the survey were translated into the Malay language and Mandarin and this were tested out by Professor Jessie de Bruyne and Professor Quah Ban Seng. The students in the age group of 13-14 years were able to respond to the Malay questionnaire as this is the medium of instruction in the secondary school. As for the primary school children aged 6-7 years where the medium of instruction is mandarin questionnaires were given in that language. Teachers were very helpful in translating for the parents as well.

The initial enthusiasm in conducting the study was a bit dampened as we realized we had to undertake the survey ourselves, having to go to schools using our own transport and some of these schools were rather inaccessible and located right inside the padi fields. Nevertheless the response from everybody was heartwarming and I was very fortunate that my fellow investigators helped lighten the load. And it was a great learning experience.

Getting permission from the State Director of Education to conduct the survey was not difficult. Teachers in the school were obliging and helped arranged for a suitable time and place for the survey and video presentation. Where there was anticipated discipline problem the presence of the discipline teacher helped in maintaining order. With such co operation it is not surprising that the response rate was high.

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the Ministry of Education, Malaysia for granting permission to perform both phase One and Three surveys among the school children in the Kota Setar district. We are also indebted to all children, parents and school staff who participated in the surveys.