METHODS: Using Eimeria tenella oocysts as a model parasite, the present study evaluated three check points: (1) the proportion of parasites that remain floating in flotation solution (sucrose or saturated saline) during centrifugation, (2) the proportion of oocysts that naturally float after addition of flotation solution after centrifugation, and (3) the rate of recovery on cover slips after completion of the flotation protocol.
RESULTS: After centrifugation in sucrose solution and saturated saline solution, 82.4% and 60.3% of oocysts floated, respectively. After addition of flotation solution after the final centrifugation step, the recovery rates for oocysts that naturally floated again for 30 min in sucrose and saturated saline were 39.2% and 38.2%, respectively. The recovery rate on cover slips as the final step after performing a commonly used flotation method was 36.4% in sucrose solution (the rate for saturated saline solution could not be assessed due to rapid crystallization).
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that floating oocysts could have become dispersed by the addition of flotation solution, and not all of these oocysts remained floating after an additional 30 min of settling time although collection on cover slips could be effective for accurate recovery.
METHODS: Twenty-three out of 1196 government primary schools in central Peninsular Malaysia participated in this cluster-randomized control study. Schoolchildren aged 9-11 years with a body mass index (BMI) z-score greater than + 1 SD (WHO) were eligible for the study. The intervention group participated in the MyBFF@school program while the control followed the existing standard curriculum. The primary outcome was cardiorespiratory fitness using physical fitness score (PFS) measured by the modified Harvard step test. Data were collected at baseline, month-3 and month-6 and were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle using mixed linear models.
RESULTS: A total of 954 schoolchildren completed six months follow up, with 439 (n = 439) in the intervention group (n = seven schools), while 515 (n = 515) in the control group (n = 16 schools). In the first three months, there was significant within-group PFS improvement in overall (both), girls (both) and obese (control). Comparing between-groups, the mean differences favored the control in most parameters, but were not significant: overall (-0.15(-0.75, 0.45), p = 0.83), boys (-0.07(-0.98, 0.83), p = 0.83), girls (-0.27(-1.27, 0.73), p = 0.81), overweight (-0.16(-1.28, 0.94), p = 0.97), obese (-0.05(-1.03, 0.92), p = 0.93), morbidly obese (-0.68(-2.43, 1.05), p = 0.26), urban (0.07(-0.79, 0.94), p = 0.45), and rural (-0.35(-1.34, 0.62), p = 0.30). At month-six, the within-group improvements maintained. However, the mean differences now favored the intervention group although they remained not significant: overall (0.05(-0.98, 1.07), p = 0.69), boys (0.06(-1.35, 1.46), p = 0.86), girls (0.10(-1.31, 1.51), p = 0.74), overweight (0.15(-1.07, 1.36), p = 0.93), obese (0.28(-0.98, 1.55), p = 0.75), morbidly obese (-0.79(-2.74, 1.15), p = 0.47), urban (0.61(-0.56, 1.77), p = 0.47), and rural (-0.69(-2.52, 1.14), p = 0.17).
CONCLUSIONS: MyBFF@school program showed positive trend in cardiorespiratory fitness changes especially after six months. MyBFF@school intervention program has the potential to combat obesity in primary schoolchildren and should be at least six months.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial number: NCT04155255, November 7, 2019 (Retrospective registered). National Medical Research Register: NMRR-13-439-16563. Registered July 23, 2013. The intervention program was approved by the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC), Ministry of Health, Malaysia and, the Educational Planning and Research Division (EPRD), Ministry of Education, Malaysia. It was funded by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
METHODS: This is a cluster randomized controlled trial which involved schoolchildren aged 13, 14 and 16 years old from 15 out of 415 government secondary schools in central Peninsular Malaysia which were randomly assigned into six intervention (N = 579 schoolchildren) and nine control (N = 462 schoolchildren).The intervention group followed MyBFF@school program carried out by trained personnel for 6 month while the control group only followed the existing school curriculum by the Ministry of Education. The primary outcomes presented in this study were body mass index adjusted for age (BMI z-score), waist circumference (WC), percentage body fat (PBF) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM), measured at baseline, three and six months. Analyses of all outcomes except for the baseline characteristics were conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle. Mixed linear models adjusted for baseline outcome value and gender were used to evaluate the effectiveness after three and six months of intervention.
RESULTS: Overall, there was no significant difference in the mean difference (MD) of BMI z-score (MD = 0.05, Confident Interval (95%CI: -0.077 to 0.194), WC (MD = 0.437, (95%CI:-3.64 to 0.892), PBF (MD = 0.977,95%CI:-1.04 to 3.0) and SMM (MD = 0.615,95%CI:-2.14,0.91) between the intervention and control group after 6 months of intervention after controlling for outcomes measured at baseline and gender.
CONCLUSIONS: Although the MyBFF@school programme appeared promising in engaging children and promoting awareness of healthy behaviors, it did not lead to significant improvements in the anthropometric outcomes. Possible reasons for the lack of effectiveness could include the need for more intensive or targeted interventions, parental involvement, or challenges in sustaining behavior changes outside of school settings.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial number: NCT04155255, November 7, 2019 (Retrospective registered). National Medical Research Register: NMRR-13-439-16,563. Registered July 23, 2013. The intervention program was approved by the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC), Ministry of Health Malaysia and Educational Planning and Research Division (EPRD), Ministry of Education Malaysia. It was funded by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
METHODS: This is a cluster randomized controlled trial which involved schoolchildren aged 13, 14 and 16 years old from 15 out of 415 government secondary schools in central Peninsular Malaysia which were randomly assigned into six intervention (N = 579 schoolchildren) and nine control (N = 462 schoolchildren). The intervention group was given NEI consisting of a nutrition education module carried out by trained personnel for 24 weeks on top of the existing curriculum while the control group only followed the existing school curriculum by the Ministry of Education. The primary outcomes were the nutrition knowledge and attitude score. The mixed effect model taking into consideration the cluster effect was used to assess the changes of nutrition knowledge and attitude scores from baseline until 6 months.
RESULTS: Overall, there was no significant increase in the adjusted mean difference (AMD) of nutrition knowledge score (AMD = 0.33%, Confident Interval (95 CI): -4.35% to 5.01) between the intervention and control group after 6 months of intervention after controlling for nutrition knowledge score at baseline, gender, location and ethnicity. Similarly, after controlling for the nutrition attitude score at baseline, ethnicity, location and gender as well as taking into account the cluster effects, there was no significant increase on the AMD of nutrition attitude score in the overall (AMD = 0.194, (95 CI): -1.17 to 1.56) and also among girls, location (urban vs rural) and Malays. There was also no significant reduction of AMD in the nutrition attitude score among boys and non-Malays.
CONCLUSION: MyBFF@school with NEI resulted with no significant improvement for nutrition knowledge and attitude among older schoolchildren. Therefore, to effectively impart the nutrition knowledge and change their nutrition attitude requires an in-depth study and multi-pronged and customized approach.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial number: NCT04155255, November 7, 2019 (Retrospective registered). National Medical Research Register: NMRR-13-439-16563. Registered July 23, 2013. The intervention program was approved by the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC), Ministry of Health Malaysia and Educational Planning and Research Division (EPRD), Ministry of Education Malaysia. It was funded by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at public universities in Malaysia. KAP towards COVID-19 were measured using a structured Malay and English version questionnaire consisting of (i) sociodemographic characteristics, (ii) knowledge of COVID-19 (10 items), attitudes associated with COVID-19 (five items) and practice on COVID-19 preventive measures (six items). Validity and reliability tests were conducted to assess the level of consistency of KAP content with Cronbach alpha values of 0.617, 0.616 and 0.722 for each section, respectively. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal Wallis test and Pearson correlation were conducted.
RESULTS: Around 73% of the respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19, 58.6% possessed positive attitudes, and 54.6% were classified as having good practices in COVID-19 prevention. There was no significant difference in knowledge scores among sociodemographic data. A significant difference in attitude scores was observed among race, zones of the public university and household incomes. Besides that, a significant difference in practice scores was also observed among gender, race and student accommodation. A weak positive and significant correlation existed between knowledge and practices (r = 0.220 and p = 0.001). Meanwhile, there was no correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.039 and p = 0.517).
CONCLUSION: Undergraduate students from Malaysian public universities had good KAP associated with COVID-19. Still, appropriate health promotion activities are needed to provide the students with adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and good practice of COVID-19 prevention measures in the future.
METHODS: A random cluster sampling cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019. The study involved registered care providers for preschoolers under four years old without acute psychiatric illness. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Malay-CES-D) and Karasek's Job Content Questionnaires (Malay-JCQ) were used to assess depression symptoms and psychosocial job-related risks. Logistic regression (p
METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a prior systematic review of costs of influenza and other respiratory illnesses in LMICs and contacted authors to obtain data on cost of illness (COI) for laboratory-confirmed influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infection. We calculated the COI by household income strata and calculated the out-of-pocket (OOP) cost as a proportion of household income.
RESULTS: We included 11 studies representing 11 LMICs. OOP expenses, as a proportion of annual household income, were highest among the lowest income quintile in 10 of 11 studies: in 4/4 studies among the general population, in 6/7 studies among children, 2/2 studies among older adults, and in the sole study for adults with chronic medical conditions. COI was generally higher for hospitalizations compared with outpatient illnesses; median OOP costs for hospitalizations exceeded 10% of annual household income among the general population and children in Kenya, as well as for older adults and adults with chronic medical conditions in China.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that influenza and acute respiratory infections pose a considerable economic burden, particularly from hospitalizations, on the lowest income households in LMICs. Future evaluations could investigate specific drivers of COI in low-income household and identify interventions that may address these, including exploring household coping mechanisms. Cost-effectiveness analyses could incorporate health inequity analyses, in pursuit of health equity.
AIM: The mediating role of epistemic justification was investigated regarding its relationship between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy beliefs.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted incorporating a multifactorial correlational design. Using convenience sampling, 690 participants (55.7% females, Mage = 32.24 years, SD = 9.75) from different regions of Türkiye completed an online survey via Google Forms.
RESULTS: The results demonstrated a strong and statistically significant correlation between beliefs in COVID-19 conspiracy theories and beliefs in COVID-19 vaccination conspiracy theories. The mediating effects of justification by authority and personal justification were statistically significant between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories.
CONCLUSION: Using the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, the present results indicated the complex relationships between conspiracy beliefs and epistemic justification. The present results indicate the importance of authorities in taking early action to provide scientific evidence and information to the public to avoid individuals believing false information.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved married Malay women with functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and FD-IBS overlap per Rome IV criteria. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis were performed to determine the association between DGBI, marital quality, and clinical attributes of catastrophizing, psychological dysfunction, and quality of life. Path analysis models were developed, tested, and fitted to elucidate relationships that satisfied significance testing and fit indices (termed supported relationship).
KEY RESULTS: Of 1130 screened participants, 513 were analyzed. The prevalence of FD, IBS, and FD-IBS overlap was 33.9% (n = 174), 29.5% (n = 151), and 36.6% (n = 188), respectively. Of 17 variables in MANOVA, significant differences in variables were observed for FD vs. FD-IBS overlap (10), IBS versus FD (10), and IBS versus FD-IBS overlap (5). Pearson correlation matrices found significant correlations for 15 of 17 variables. After testing and fitting, the third path model (Model 3) was deemed the final model. Model 3 suggested that relationships between DGBI and marital and clinical attributes were complex and bidirectional. The number of supported relationships were 50, 43, and 39 for FD-IBS overlap, FD, and IBS, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: Relationships between DGBI, marital quality, and clinical attributes among married Malay women are complex and bidirectional.
METHOD: A survey was designed and administered to 110 speech-language pathologists across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The survey contained 60 questions on current practices and knowledge of existing resources for assessing and treating multilingual children with developmental language disorder. Data were analysed to identify relationships between practices and demographic variables including country of origin, years of service, and speech-language pathologists' multilingual status.
RESULT: Current practices reveal little knowledge and/or use of standardised tests for developmental language disorder across countries, but relatively high self-perceived competence when working with multilingual clients for Indonesia and Malaysia. However, several challenges were perceived across the board in practice with multilingual children, including socioeconomic challenges (i.e. costs involved for families and social status), insufficient training on the relevant topics, and limited access to appropriate tools and resources in their current practice.
CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the need for training and appropriate assessment tools to ensure the adoption of evidence-based service delivery for multilingual caseloads, minimising misclassification of developmental language disorder and boosting confidence levels in speech-language pathologists in Southeast Asia.
METHODS: An international survey was conducted with representatives from East Asia (Hong Kong, China, and Japan), South Asia (India and Pakistan), and Southeast Asia (Vietnam and Thailand). The survey collected data on faculty members serving as chairpersons, moderators, speakers, and organizing committee members of annual scientific meetings held between 2018 and 2022.
RESULTS: A total of 33 conferences were held between 2018 and 2022: 24 in gastroenterology, 5 in hepatology, and 4 in endoscopy across East, South, and Southeast Asia, respectively. The total number of invited faculty members was 4106. Out of 4106, the number of women involved as chairperson, moderator, speakers, and organizing committee was 105, 78, 290, and 146, respectively. The representation of women faculty ranged from 3.8% to 25% in East Asia, 9.2% to 13.5% in South Asia, and 11.8% to 34.3% in Southeast Asia. Overall, the increase in women's participation was minor and statistically non-significant. However, there was an increase of women's participation as chairpersons, moderators, speakers, and organizing committee members from 14.1% in 2018 to 15.2% in 2022.
CONCLUSION: Participation of women in Asian annual conferences in the capacity of chairperson, moderator, speaker, and/or organizing committee member was significantly under-represented. This under-representation necessitates targeted measures to enhance women's roles in these meetings, thereby supporting their career advancement.
METHODS: From July 2020 to August 2021, we surveyed 16 461 adults across 29 countries who self-reported changes in 18 lifestyle factors and 13 health outcomes due to the pandemic. Three networks were generated by network analysis for each country: lifestyle, health outcome, and bridge networks. We identified the variables with the highest bridge expected influence as central or bridge variables. Network validation included nonparametric and case-dropping subset bootstrapping, and centrality difference tests confirmed that the central or bridge variables had significantly higher expected influence than other variables within the same network.
RESULTS: Among 87 networks, 75 were validated with correlation-stability coefficients above 0.25. Nine central lifestyle types were identified in 28 countries: cooking at home (in 11 countries), food types in daily meals (in one country), less smoking tobacco (in two countries), less alcohol consumption (in two countries), less duration of sitting (in three countries), less consumption of snacks (in five countries), less sugary drinks (in five countries), having a meal at home (in two countries), taking alternative medicine or natural health products (in one country). Six central health outcomes were noted among 28 countries: social support received (in three countries), physical health (in one country), sleep quality (in four countries), quality of life (in seven countries), less mental burden (in three countries), less emotional distress (in 13 countries). Three bridge lifestyles were identified in 19 countries: food types in daily meals (in one country), cooking at home (in one country), overall amount of exercise (in 17 countries). The centrality difference test showed the central and bridge variables had significantly higher centrality indices than others in their networks (P