METHODS: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study using a purposive sampling method. Children aged 4‒12 years who attended the Children's Unit at Gaza Ophthalmic Hospital, Gaza Strip, Palestine from September 2019 to July 2020, were examined. A comprehensive eye test was conducted for all participants. Those who failed the eye examinations and were diagnosed with refractive amblyopia were included in the study. Demographic data and amblyopic refractive error patterns were analyzed accordingly.
RESULTS: Of the 107 children, 72.9% were newly diagnosed with refractive amblyopia. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) of age of the children who participated was 7.85 (1.55) years. Approimately two-thirds of the patients were female (57.9%). Unilateral amblyopia was predominant in 60.7% of the cases. Moderate amblyopia was common (81.9%). A total of 149 amblyopic eyes were examined in total, with a mean (SD) (range) of best-corrected distance visual acuity and spherical equivalent of 0.45 (0.19) (0.2 to 1.3) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution and + 0.76 (4.51) diopters (- 10.25 to + 11.50). Astigmatism was the most common amblyogenic factor (53.7%) among children with amblyopia.
CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of refractive amblyopia was 72.9%, and meridional amblyopia accounted for the highest percentage. Girls were more commonly affected than boys. The majority were in the 7-year-old age group. Most cases were unilateral with moderate refractive amblyopia. Our study yields insights into the patterns of refractive amblyopia among children in the Gaza Strip.
METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study used a purposive sampling technique. The list of facilities providing refraction services in the city of Malé was compiled through a desk review and finalized after verification by personnel from the Ministry of Health. The availability of human resources and infrastructure was measured using a pre-coded questionnaire that also listed barriers to service provision, followed by on-site observations and subsequent data analysis.
RESULTS: Three clinical ophthalmology departments within hospitals, two ophthalmology hospitals, and nine primary eye care centers were selected for this study. The private sector (n = 12, 85.7%) was the primary provider of refractive error services. All facilities possessed the essential equipment required for refraction. Only optometrists and ophthalmologists conducted refraction. Contact lens assessment and low vision services were not available at any facility. The number of refractions conducted in Malé annually was 145,392. Human resources and management-related factors were the major barriers to the provision of clinical refraction services (n = 21, 44.7%).
CONCLUSIONS: Accessibility to refractive error management and low vision services is needed in Malé to meet current population needs. Existing resources, including humans and equipment, require augmentation regarding service provision and enhancement. Knowledge of these barriers could lead to the upscaling of refraction services in Malé, Maldives by health policy makers.
OBJECTIVE: To overcome the drawback of cold storage requirement for LAMP reagents we modified the reagents by adding sucrose as stabilizer. We then sought to determine the stability at room temperature of the premixed LAMP reagents containing sucrose.
METHOD: Premixed LAMP reagents with sucrose and without sucrose were prepared. The prepared mixtures were stored at room temperature for up to 60 days, and were subjected to LAMP reactions at various intervals using rat kidney samples to detect leptospiral DNA.
RESULTS: The premixed LAMP reagents with sucrose remained stable for 45 days while sucrose-free premixed LAMP reagents showed no amplification from day 1 of storage at room temperature up to day 14.
CONCLUSION: The LAMP reagent system can be refined by using sucrose as stabilizer, thus allowing their storage at room temperature without the need for cold storage. The modified method enables greater feasibility of LAMP for field surveillance and epidemiology in resource-limited settings.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the knowledge and attitude of nurses regarding BRCA genetic testing in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia.
METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 nurses using a simple random sampling technique in a tertiary teaching hospital in northeast peninsular Malaysia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, assessing nurses' knowledge and attitude regarding BRCA genetic testing. Fisher exact test analysis was used to determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge and attitude level. In addition, the overall knowledge and attitude were analysed using the sum score of each outcome based on Bloom's cut-off point.
RESULTS: Of the 150 nurses, 66.7% had high knowledge level about BRCA genetic testing, and 58% were positive towards genetic testing. The participants' mean age was 28.9 years (SD = 6.70). Years of working experience (p = 0.014) significantly influenced knowledge level on BRCA genetic testing, whereas speciality working experience (p <0.001) significantly influenced BRCA genetic testing attitudes.
CONCLUSIONS: The results show that most nurses have adequate knowledge of BRCA genetic testing. However, their attitude could be termed negative. Therefore, targeted education programs on BRCA genetic testing and risk are needed to improve the knowledge and attitude of nurses and, ultimately, can educate the women and increase health-seeking behaviour among eligible women.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the financial burden of HD treatment on patients at a Malaysian tertiary teaching hospital.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the HD unit at a Malaysian tertiary teaching hospital from January to February 2021. Patients undergoing HD were purposively selected. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, finances, the patient's health history, treatment costs, and healthcare utilization. In addition, Pearson Chi-Square tests were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: A total of 100 patients receiving HD treatment were included in the study. The mean age was 62.06 years (SD = 27.50), with 52% reporting moderate financial burdens. The financial burden was associated with employment status, salary, and income class among HD patients (p <0.05).
CONCLUSION: Evidence showed a large proportion of Malaysian patients receiving HD treatment came from the B40 income bracket. The findings indicate that financial burdens can impact HD patients and are related to employment status, salary, and income class. Therefore, the ability to identify HD patients' financial needs is critical in nursing practice.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the job satisfaction of the foreign-educated nurses in Malaysia, which includes the job satisfaction dimensions and the significant difference between sociodemographic status and job satisfaction.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 102 foreign-educated nurses working in private hospitals, clinics, hemodialysis centers, nursing homes, and private homes in Malaysia was conducted from September 2017 to March 2018. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: The study revealed that the participants had a median satisfaction score of 22 (IQR = 19 to 24). Serving the sick and needy and participants' self-respect were the highest satisfaction dimensions among the participants (Median = 3, IQR = 3 to 3). Moreover, the job satisfaction was significantly higher for registered foreign-educated nurses (mean rank = 62.5) than for unregistered foreign-educated nurses (mean rank = 48.65) when working in other countries (p = 0.02). Indian nurses (mean rank = 60.36) also expressed higher satisfaction in terms of working in other countries than Filipino nurses (mean rank = 46.88; p = 0.02). In addition, positive relationships with colleagues and superiors led to higher satisfaction among Indian nurses (mean rank = 61.02) than among Filipino nurses (mean rank = 47.24; p = 0.04). The job satisfaction of male foreign-educated nurses was significantly higher than their female counterparts in terms of self-respect, relationship with fellow nurses and superiors, working in other countries, career development, and ease of finding employment (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The overall job satisfaction among the foreign-educated nurses in Malaysia is high, mainly when serving the sick and needy, and their degree of self-respect. Understanding job satisfaction among foreign-educated nurses in Malaysia enables the management team to develop effective strategies for addressing nursing shortages and improving the quality of patient care.
METHODS: To verify the accuracy of the system, the Bioscanner method was compared to the widely used standard anthropometric manual measurement technique (i.e., tape measure). One transtibial prosthetic user was recruited to conduct a walking activity at a normal walking pace for 5 to 15 minutes. Circumferential profiles of the participant were obtained digitally and manually during 2-5 minutes of resting walking intervals. The mean differences between the two methods were compared and percentage differences were calculated. The means were used to calculate the standard error measurement (SEM) and the 95% confidence intervals. Study of the limit of agreement between the two method was also used to validate the accuracy of Bioscanner.
RESULTS: The findings showed that both measurements gave a general comparable linear pattern. The averaged results from both methods resulted in only small distinctive differences especially at circumference near the mid-patella tendon. Similarly, the pressure-sensitive areas of the limb resulted in only an average of 2.28% differences between the two measurement techniques. The system showed high reliability and SEM with <1 of 95% CI values and repeatability study gave ICC >0.9.
CONCLUSIONS: Bioscanner appeared to be comparable with the standard manual method. The Biosculptor system provides the portability, fast, reliable, and high accuracy measurements of the transtibial residual limb circumference, thus, it can be considered as a valuable tool for daily measurement of amputee's residual limb and pre-prosthetic training.