Page 113 - ANUAL REPORT MOH 2017

conducted in Malaysia in 2012. The prevalence of ever drinker (ever consumed alcohol in their lifetime)
in this survey was 19.3 per cent and was significantly higher among those from urban schools. The
prevalence of ever drinker in AHS 2017 showed an increase by 2.0 per cent as compared to the findings
in GSHS (Malaysia) 2012.

Among the students who ever consumed alcohol in AHS 2017, majority (76.4 per cent) of them had
their first alcoholic beverages before the age of 14 years. The consequence of early alcohol drinking
could lead to memory impairment causing low educational achievement and high absenteeism rates.
The prevalence of drunkenness among the students in AHS 2017 was 6.1 per cent and was significantly
higher in males (8.1 per cent) compared to females (4.2 per cent). The main source in obtaining
alcoholic beverages among the current drinkers in AHS 2017 was from their own family members.
Other sources of alcoholic beverages were by buying themselves from the stores or getting from their
friends. Among the students who drank alcohol in AHS 2017, 4.7 per cent of them got into trouble with
their family and friends, missed schools or got into fights one or more times as a results of drinking
alcohol. These problems were significantly more common among males (5.8 per cent) compared to
females (3.5 per cent).

PREVALENCE OF DRUG USE AMONG THE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA-
DATA FROM ADOLESCENT HEALTH SURVEY (AHS 2017)
Globally, marijuana or cannabis remains the world’s most widely used drugs while amphetamines remain
the second and is perceived to be increasing in many regions including most part of Asia. Adolescent
Health Survey conducted in year 2017 also investigated the drug use among the secondary school
students in Malaysia, showed that the prevalence of those who ever used drugs in their lifetime was 4.3
per cent. This was 2.5 per cent times higher compared to Malaysian GSHS 2012. The prevalence of
current drug users was 3.4 per cent which was higher in males (5.3 per cent) as compared to females
(1.5 per cent). Among the current users, about 25.9 per cent had bought drugs from someone else.

VIOLENCE AND INJURY PREVENTION (VIP) PROGRAMME

MoH provides a dedicated service for victims of domestic violence, child maltreatment and sexual
assault cases, known as One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC), which is currently available in 129 MoH
Hospitals. It operates 24 hours a day and is under the administration of the Accident and Emergency
Department of the hospital.

• Surveillance and Research of Violence and Injury Prevention Surveillance System (VIPSS)
The health sector is one of the main data sources for violence and injury for this country. Violence and
Injury Prevention (VIP) unit routinely compiles and analyses data from:
i. Health Informatics Centre (MoH Admission and Death Due to Injury).
ii. One Stop Crisis Centre (Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Data) from MoH Hospitals
iii. The Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Team (Child Abuse Data) from MoH Hospitals

To strengthen SCAN data collection, a system called Violence and Injury Prevention Surveillance system
(VIPSS) is being developed with the help of the Information Management Division. Currently it is on
Field trial in 4 Hospitals. This web based computerized system will provide better quality data related
to child maltreatment and will be based at all SCAN Team in MOH Hospitals. The plan is to expand
this system to OSCC and other violence and injury related cases.

112 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA