Healthcare · 3 authors, 2 centres
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This cross-sectional study used cluster analysis to identify two broad patterns of health- and oral health-compromising behaviours (HOHCBs) in 2435 Malaysian army personnel: a 'high-risk' cluster with 30 behaviours and a 'most common risk' cluster with 12 behaviours. The main finding is that army personnel engage in an average of 14.1 HOHCBs, highlighting the need for targeted, multi-behaviour health promotion to support military readiness.
Health- and oral health-compromising behaviours (HOHCBs) can negatively impact the health readiness and combat readiness of military personnel. This study aimed to identify clustering patterns and the number of HOHCBs in Malaysian army personnel, a population with limited prior research on this topic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated, self-administered online questionnaire. The sample included 2435 army personnel from Central Peninsular Malaysia, selected via multistage sampling. The questionnaire assessed 42 HOHCB items across 15 domains (10 health, 5 oral health). Data were analyzed using hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA) and K-means cluster analysis. Key Results: The analysis identified two broad clusters: Cluster 1, 'unhealthy lifestyles with high-risk behaviours,' comprising 30 HOHCBs (e.g., physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, drug use, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene), and Cluster 2, 'most common risk behaviours,' comprising 12 HOHCBs (e.g., unhealthy nutrition, tobacco use, risky driving, infrequent flossing). The average number of clustering HOHCBs per individual was 14.1 (SD = 4.1), with the most common clustering number being 15 (9.2%). The sample is limited to army personnel in one region of Malaysia, and findings may not generalize to other military branches or populations. Implications: The findings support the need for targeted, multi-behaviour health promotion programmes. Prioritizing interventions for the 'most common risk behaviours' cluster could address prevalent issues, while targeting the 'high-risk' cluster could address a broader range of behaviours. These strategies may help improve health readiness and combat readiness in the military population.
