Displaying all 18 publications

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Thevi T, Abas AL
    Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ), 2019 4 1;17(66):101-106.
    PMID: 32632055
    Background Since cataract is the leading cause of blindness and no study has been done on the surgical incidence trends, we conducted this research in Melaka. Objective To describe incidences of cataract surgery according to basic demographic variables and types of surgery performed. Method Using the National Eye Database (NED), we performed descriptive statistics calculating incidence rates per 1,000 population by demographic features and types of cataract operations to look at the trends of surgeries in the population. Statistics for population were obtained from the department of statistics. Result From 2007-2010, 6270 patients mostly 60-69 years underwent cataract surgery. Phacoemulsification (78.2%) was the commonest surgery performed. The annual incidence rate of cataract surgery reduced from 2.05 per 1000 population in 2007 to 2.02 per 1000 population in 2010 (p<0.05). Incidence rates for those aged 60 and above rose while for those aged below nine years it declined. Indians had the highest incidence rates followed by Chinese and Malays per 1000 population. Females had a higher incidence rate although there was a declining trend over the years. Conclusion Cataract surgery rates showed a decline. Public health education and awareness on detection and operating upon cataracts should be increased and especially targeted towards vulnerable groups such as women, individuals of Indian ethnicity and those aged 50 years and above.
  2. Thevi T, Abas AL
    Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ), 2021 2 18;18(70):122-132.
    PMID: 33594017
    Background Cataract surgery which is the only scientific method to treat cataracts has evolved from large incisions of intracapsular cataract excision to extracapsular cataract exicison and now modern day phacoemulsification. Anaesthesia too has progressed from general anaesthesia to local and topical anaesthesia. A variety of intraocular lenses are available ranging from rigid to foldable, multifocal and toric. Day care surgeries are becoming the norm these days. Objective Cataract surgery has advanced with new techniques and modalities. We studied the trends of cataract surgery and outcomes over the years. Method We performed secondary data analysis (National Eye Database) of cataract surgery patients in Hospital Melaka (2007 - 2014). Result Most patients were 60-69 years (mean 65.0 years). Primary cataract rose (p<0.05) but there was no difference in laterality and first or second eye (p>0.05). More patients presented with Hypertension and Diabetes (p<0.05). Pterygium encroaching the cornea showed a rise (p<0.05). Phacoemulsification (80.8%) showed a rise while Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE) (15.4%) declined (p<0.05). More Specialists operated and fewer combined surgeries were performed (p<0.001). Type of anaesthesia did not change (p>0.05). Operative complications reduced (p<0.001). Anterior chamber, scleral fixated and foldable intraocular lenses usage reduced (p<0.05). There was no change in pre-operative visual acuity (p>0.05) but postoperative vision showed a rise in good outcomes (p<0.05). Conclusion Melaka Hospital shows a rise in phacoemulsification and a decline in Extracapsular Cataract Extraction. More patients presented with primary cataracts. More Specialists operated and there was a reduction in intraoperative and postoperative complications. Post-operative visual outcomes showed a remarkable improvement. This improvement is in keeping with the aim of improved vision for all by 2020.
  3. Thevi T, Abas AL
    Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ), 2021 6 25;18(72):414-419.
    PMID: 34165102
    Bauxite is an ore from which Aluminium is produced. Malaysia, once the leading producer of bauxite has reduced production as mining activity has caused community outrage. Due to concerns about health concerns, rising pollution and environmental hazards, the government has revoked the licenses of bauxite miners. We therefore did a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between exposure to Bauxite and Alumina with incidence of various types of cancers. Bauxite mines and alumina refineries. Individuals of all ages exposed to Bauxite and Alumina. Exposure to bauxite and alumina. Incidence due to overall cancers and specific types of cancers. Exposure to bauxite and alumina did not cause variations in incidence of overall cancer and specific types of cancer such as cancer of lip, cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, cancer of digestive organs and others. We conclude that there is no evidence that bauxite or alumina exposure cause increase incidence of cancer but due to the small number of studies included in this review, we recommend more cohort studies to be done in future.
  4. Thevi T, Abas AL
    Oman J Ophthalmol, 2018 6 23;11(2):113-118.
    PMID: 29930443 DOI: 10.4103/ojo.OJO_220_2016
    BACKGROUND: Cataract surgery is associated with a variety of complications, one of which is vitreous loss. Doctors and policymakers should be aware about the precipitating factors, associations, and expected outcomes of vitreous loss. This study was, therefore, undertaken to set guidelines to improve the visual outcomes of patients.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective 8-year analysis was conducted from 2007 to 2014 using the national eye database. Demographic features, ocular comorbidities, grade of surgeon, type of surgery, and the associations with the occurrence of vitreous loss, and the final visual outcomes of these patients were studied.

    RESULTS: Out of 12,992 eyes, only 3.2% had vitreous loss, mostly aged <40 years. Pseudoexfoliation was the only ocular comorbidity causing vitreous loss. Medical Officers and Gazetting Specialists got more vitreous loss compared to specialists. Intracapsular cataract extraction, phaco convert to extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), ECCE, and phaco all had a significant vitreous loss. Vitreous loss was the most significant intraoperative complication causing poor vision and resulted in impaired or poor visual outcome.

    CONCLUSION: Vitreous loss occurred in almost all types of cataract surgeries, especially by junior surgeons, among those aged <40 years and significantly caused poor visual outcome compared to other complications. Pseudoexfoliation had higher occurrence of vitreous loss. Vitreous loss patients had impaired/poor visual outcome due to preexisting comorbidity and astigmatism. Patients at risk and junior surgeons should be closely monitored to improve outcomes. Further studies need to be done to see why and when the vitreous loss occurred.
  5. Thevi T, Abas AL
    Oman J Ophthalmol, 2019 10 11;12(3):160-165.
    PMID: 31902990 DOI: 10.4103/ojo.OJO_238_2018
    INTRODUCTION: Pseudoexfoliation (PXM) is a fibrillar material deposited in the anterior chamber of the eye and can cause disintegration of zonules and make pupillary dilatation difficult. This can make surgery difficult and result in intraoperative and postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to learn about whether the presence of pseudoexfoliation caused significant complications during cataract surgery.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a secondary data analysis of 12,992 eyes from 2007 to 2014 using the National Eye Database of Melaka Hospital Malaysia on intraoperative and postoperative cataract surgery complications of patients with PXM.

    RESULTS: Patients with PXM were 2.68 times more likely to get intraoperative complications (P < 0.001). They had a higher incidence of lens subluxation, zonular dehiscence, and vitreous loss (P < 0.001). Although posterior capsule rupture (PCR) was the most common intraoperative complication during cataract surgery (4.8%), the presence of pseudoexfoliation was not associated with PCR (P > 0.05). We did not observe any association between patients with pseudoexfoliation and any of the postoperative complications such as corneal decompensation, raised intraocular pressure, and intraocular lens decentration (P > 0.05). Pseudoexfoliation did not cause corneal decompensation (P > 0.05) although corneal decompensation was the highest postoperative complication of cataract surgeries (0.18%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PXM had a higher rate of intraoperative complications which were mainly vitreous loss and zonular dehiscence and also lens subluxation/dislocation. We observed poorer visual outcomes in those with PXM following cataract surgery. Patients with pseudoexfoliation should be identified and precautions taken to minimize these complications to get better visual outcomes.

  6. Thevi T, Abas AL
    Indian J Ophthalmol, 2017 Oct;65(10):920-925.
    PMID: 29044054 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_512_17
    Traumatic endophthalmitis is a devastating condition that can occur following an open globe injury and result in loss of vision. The use of prophylactic antibiotics is empirical as most surgeons fear complications associated with the same. No systematic review has been performed in English on the role of intravitreal/intracameral antibiotics in preventing traumatic endophthalmitis. We searched for randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials comparing intracameral/intravitreal antibiotics with placebos on PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library using keywords open globe/trauma/penetrating/perforating injuries endophthalmitis. The last search was on 5 May 2017. We included patients of all ages with open globe injuries who received intracameral/intravitreal antibiotics, regardless of the dose. Quality of the trials was assessed using Cochrane collaboration tools to assess the risk of bias. The main outcome measures were endophthalmitis and visual acuity. We included three trials. Overall, intravitreal/intracameral antibiotics were noted to significantly reduce the occurrence of endophthalmitis in open globe injuries (relative risk [RR] 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.57). The use of intravitreal/intracameral antibiotics did not have an effect in improving visual acuity (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.61-2.23). Two trials (Narang 2003; Soheilan 2001) were observed to have no significant effect on visual acuity while another trial (Soheilan 2007) did not list visual acuity as part of its objectives. Intracameral/intravitreal antibiotics reduce the risk of endophthalmitis in open globe injuries; although, there was no improvement in the visual acuity. We, therefore, recommend the use of intravitreal/intracameral injections in open globe injuries to prevent this devastating complication.
  7. Thevi T, Maizura Z, Abas AL
    Indian J Ophthalmol, 2017 Jan;65(1):24-29.
    PMID: 28300736 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_452_16
    INTRODUCTION: As in all surgeries, complications during cataract surgery are unavoidable and cause distress to the surgeon and the patient. This study was conducted to know the factors contributing to complications in our settings, to be able to counsel patients about complications and outcomes and to reduce litigations.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The secondary data analysis was conducted using the National Eye Database from 2007 to 2014. Demographic features, ocular comorbidities, technique of surgery, grade of surgeons, types of intraoperative complications, and reasons for not obtaining good visual acuity following intraoperative complications were studied. Statistics was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.

    RESULTS: Out of 12,992 eyes, 6.1% had intraoperative complications. The highest rate of complications was when more trainees (medical officers [MOs] and gazetting specialists) operated. Posterior capsule rupture (PCR) was the most common complication followed by vitreous loss and zonular dehiscence. Those aged below 40 years had more complications (P < 0.05), and females had more complications. Ethnicity did not affect complications. Pseudoexfoliation was the only comorbidity causing complications (P < 0.05). Phacolytic lenses had 8.118 times the odds of getting intraoperative complications. MOs and gazetting specialists got more complications. Good outcomes were obtained in cases without complications and those operated by specialists. High astigmatism was the main reason for poorer outcomes.

    CONCLUSION: Intraoperative complications were caused mostly by less experienced doctors and had poorer outcomes. Age below 40 years, females, the presence of pseudoexfoliation and phacolytic lenses had more complications. PCR was the most common complication.

  8. Thevi T, Abas AL, Dua HS
    Indian J Ophthalmol, 2024 Sep 10.
    PMID: 39257085 DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_300_24
    Management of nonhealing corneal ulcers is challenging as it can lead to complications such as melting, descemetocele, and perforation, which can be prevented by amniotic membrane graft (AMG). The absence of any review (English language) on AMG for corneal ulcers prompted us to conduct this review. We looked for clinical trials (randomized and controlled) on the effect of AMG combined with other treatments, through various search engines utilizing the terms amniotic membrane and corneal ulcer. All patients who received AMG and/or conventional medication were included. Risk of bias tools derived from Cochrane collaboration were used to ascertain the standard and quality of the trials. Visual acuity and epithelial healing time were the main outcome measures studied. Three trials were finally selected for analysis. AMG was noted to be associated with better uncorrected visual acuity and reduction in neovascularization. There was no difference in best corrected visual acuity, epithelial healing time, and corneal opacity. There is evidence that the use of AMG is associated with improved uncorrected visual acuity as well as reduction in neovascularization of the cornea among patients with corneal ulcers, but there was no improvement in epithelial healing time or corneal opacity. Further multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to elicit the beneficial effects of the intervention and augment the validity of this review.
  9. Thevi T, Abas AL, Stephanie Yen Li C
    BMC Ophthalmol, 2021 Sep 27;21(1):348.
    PMID: 34579663 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-021-02100-4
    BACKGROUND: We conducted the study to compare the psychometric properties of the English version of the Questionnaire and the Bahasa Malaysia (Malay Language) version regarding the vision-related Quality of Life of patients with cataracts.

    METHODS: The Malay version was translated by two independent translators who were well versed in both languages. We carried out a cross-sectional study collecting data between June 2017 and March 2018 in the pre-operative Eye Clinic of Hospital Melaka with 224 respondents (mean age 66.8 years) and another 204 respondents (mean age 64.3 years) participating in the English version and Malay version of the Questionnaire respectively. Methods used to validate the standard questionnaire included the use of construct validity via factor analysis and the deployment of reliability test through assessment of internal consistency via Cronbach's alpha.

    RESULTS: We observed both English and Bahasa Malaysia versions to have high reliability with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.90 and above in factors on difficulty with activities and responses to vision problems. Exploratory factor analysis performed revealed that the three-factor model fits the data well for the English version of the questionnaire - difficulty with activities (23.81 % of variance), responses to vision problem (22.22 % of variance) and general health and vision (14.68 % of variance). The Bahasa Malaysia version of the questionnaire produced three factors with two of the factors resembling the factors from the original version of the questionnaire - difficulty with activities (24.3 % of variance) and responses to vision problem (23.7 % of variance). Item response theory analysis revealed that these factors for both English and Bahasa Malaysia versions comprised of adequately fitted items.

    CONCLUSION: The present study observed that both the English and Bahasa Malaysia versions of the NEI VFQ-25 have comparable construct validity to the original American version. With high validity and reliability, the tool shall be able to provide health care providers the assessment of impact due to cataract and other ophthalmic conditions on the vision-related quality of life of ophthalmic patients.

  10. Htay MNN, Latt SS, Abas AL, Chuni N, Soe HHK, Moe S
    PMID: 30596109 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_104_18
    INTRODUCTION: Family planning and contraception is the effective strategy to reduce maternal mortality, child mortality, abortion, and unwanted pregnancies. Since the medical students are the future doctors, it is important to have proper knowledge and training on family planning services. This study aimed to explore the effect of teaching-learning process at maternal and child health (MCH) clinics on the students' knowledge, perceptions toward contraception methods, and family planning counselling.

    METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the private medical institution in Malaysia. The same questionnaire was used to administer twice, before and after the posting. Moreover, a qualitative question on the issues related to family planning and contraception utilizations in Malaysia was added to the after posting survey. The quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (version 20) and qualitative data by RQDA software.

    RESULTS: A total of 146 participants were recruited in this study. Knowledge on contraception method before posting was 5.11 (standard deviation [SD] ±1.36) and after posting was 6.35 (SD ± 1.38) (P < 0.001). Thematic analysis of the students' answer revealed four salient themes, which were as follows: (1) cultural barrier, (2) misconception, (3) inadequate knowledge, and (4) improvement for the health-care services.

    CONCLUSIONS: The teaching-learning process at the MCH posting has an influence on their perception and upgraded their knowledge. It also reflects the role of primary health-care clinics on medical students' clinical exposure and training on family planning services during their postings.

  11. Kyaw Soe HH, Than NN, Lwin H, Nu Htay MNN, Phyu KL, Abas AL
    PMID: 29629384 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_61_17
    CONTEXT: Scientific research not only promotes health and combats diseases of an individual, but also it can strengthen the effectiveness of health systems. Hence, understanding of scientific methods becomes a crucial component in the medical profession.
    AIMS: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and barriers toward research among undergraduate medical and dental students.
    SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 295 undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students from a private medical college in Malaysia.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We purposively selected 360 students attending the 3rd, 4th, and 5th year in MBBS course and BDS course in September 2015. A total of 295 students who were willing to provide written informed consent were included in this study. We collected data using a validated, self-administered, structured questionnaire which included 20 questions about knowledge toward scientific research, 21 attitude items in regard to scientific research, a list of 10 barriers toward conducting medical research, and 5 questions of confidence to conduct the medical research.
    STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression.
    RESULTS: Among the students, 56.9% had moderate knowledge while the majority (83.3%) had moderate attitude toward scientific research. The majorly cited barriers were the lack of time (79.9%), lack of knowledge and skills (72.1%), lack of funding (72.0%) and facilities (63.6%), and lack of rewards (55.8%). There was a significant association between age, academic year, and knowledge of research as the older age group, and 4th- and 5th-year students had higher knowledge score. The students of higher attitude score had better-perceived barriers score toward research with regression coefficient 0.095 (95% confidence interval 0.032-0.159).
    CONCLUSIONS: Even though the students had the positive attitudes toward scientific research, a supportive and positive environment is needed to improve skills and knowledge of research and to overcome the barriers toward the conduct of scientific research.
    Study site: Melaka-Manipal Medical College (MMMC), Melaka, Malaysia
  12. Htay MNN, Than NN, Abas AL, Lwin H, Moe S
    PMID: 30079358 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_144_17
    CONTEXT: Family planning is crucial for everyone within the reproductive age to promote the health and welfare of every member of the family. For the medical students, it is essential to have core knowledge, understanding of family planning concept, and competency in communication skills with the patients. The final-year medical students are posted in Maternal and Child Health Clinics for 3 weeks to gain the knowledge and practical experiences on the primary healthcare in the community.

    AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of final-year medical students on family planning services offered at community clinics in Malaysia.

    SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was qualitative study.

    SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This qualitative study used the data of the students' reflection written in the case reports on family planning. Coding, identification of subthemes, and themes were done by two researchers independently using RQDA software.

    STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Thematic analysis.

    RESULTS: Final-year medical students who had exposure to the clinical services at primary care clinic, regarding Malay word (Klinik Kesihatan) gained the learning opportunities during family planning session such as learning by observation, clerking, and counseling the patients, understanding the barriers to utilizing services and learning for their self-improvement. These learning opportunities lead to developing the positive attitudes on their learning experiences and the positive attitudes toward the concept and services of family planning.

    CONCLUSIONS: To have the better understanding of family planning services and provide the better care to the community in the future, the clinical exposure at the primary care clinics should be promoted for medical students in Malaysia.
  13. Soe HHK, Than NN, Lwin H, Phyu KL, Htay MNN, Moe S, et al.
    J Family Med Prim Care, 2018 9 21;7(4):756-761.
    PMID: 30234049 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_300_17
    Background: Disease surveillance is one of the major components to combat against infectious diseases. As health-care professionals are indispensable to mandatory notifiable disease surveillance, their knowledge and attitudes toward infectious disease notification played an important role for timely and effective reporting to the surveillance system. Therefore, we aimed to determine the knowledge of mandatory notifiable infectious diseases in Malaysia and attitude towards infectious disease reporting among final year medical students.

    Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2017 in the private medical college in Malaysia.

    Materials and Methods: We purposively selected the final year (semester 10) medical students and a total of 124 students participated in this study. We collected data using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance.

    Results: Among the final year medical students, 47.5% had moderate knowledge but 4.2% had good knowledge of mandatory infectious disease notification. Only 3.2% of the students correctly answered all the notifiable diseases listed in the questionnaire. Most of the students had positive attitude toward communicable diseases reporting, rewards, and penalty for notification. There was no significant relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge and attitude of infectious disease notification.

    Conclusions: The majority of the final year medical students had moderate level of knowledge and positive attitude of infectious disease notification; however, there were some deficiencies. Better instruction and training on infectious disease notification procedures of Malaysia should be provided to the final year medical students which could not only reduce underreporting but also improve timely and effective reporting in future.

  14. Uma E, Ismail Rashid AH, Abas AL, Nettem S, Nagraj SK, Mastura N
    Int J Appl Basic Med Res, 2017 Dec;7(Suppl 1):S8-S14.
    PMID: 29344450 DOI: 10.4103/ijabmr.IJABMR_133_17
    Context: Of the several methods available for assessment of professionalism, there is still no consensus on an ideal tool for dental undergraduate (UG) students.

    Aims: The study aims to use a hybrid tool for assessment of professionalism among dental undergraduate students.

    Settings and Design: Cross-sectional design with purposive sampling.

    Subjects and Methods: All final year UG dental students participated in this study. Evaluation of knowledge about professionalism was through written test. Professional behavior of each final year student in a clinical setting was assessed with a prevalidated questionnaire of multisource feedback (MSF). The scores of written test and the MSF were calculated for each student. Data were analyzed to evaluate scores of knowledge and MSF scores as per assessor category. Correlation between knowledge scores and MSF was evaluated. Student perceptions were taken toward assessment of professionalism.

    Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Pearson's coefficient was used to determine the correlation between average knowledge scores and the MSF scores.

    Results: Knowledge scores were significantly more for female students (P < 0.05, t-test). Patients rated the students highest. Correlation between knowledge and MSF scores was found to be statistically significant (Pearson's correlation, P < 0.01). Students gave feedback that assessment of professionalism should be done from the beginning of the clinical years.

    Conclusions: Evaluation revealed that knowledge toward professionalism correlated with the professional behavior implying association between knowledge and reasons for a particular action.

  15. Nettemu SK, Nettem S, Singh VP, William SS, Gunasekaran SS, Krisnan M, et al.
    Int J Implant Dent, 2021 06 10;7(1):77.
    PMID: 34109477 DOI: 10.1186/s40729-021-00315-0
    AIM: This study was to evaluate the association between peri-implant bleeding on probing in peri-implant diseases and its association with multilevel factors (site specific factors, implant factors, and patient level factors).

    METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study involved consented adult patients with ≥ 1 dental implant. Two calibrated operators examined the patients. BoP was outcome variable and peri-implant gingival biotype was principal predictor variable. The effects of site, implant, and patient level factors on BoP were assessed using a multilevel logistic regression model.

    RESULTS: Eighty patients for a total of 119 implants and 714 sites were included in the study. Bleeding on probing was observed in 42 implants (35.29%) with a significant higher risk observed in presence of gingival recession, thin peri-implant gingival biotype, duration of implant placement, smokers, and male patients.

    CONCLUSION: Peri-implant bleeding on probing was associated with site specific, implant, and patient level factors.

  16. Lee J, Lim S, Lee K, Guo X, Kamath R, Yamato H, et al.
    Int J Hyg Environ Health, 2010 Sep;213(5):348-51.
    PMID: 20542729 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2010.05.007
    Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a major threat to public health. Asian countries having the highest smoking prevalence are seriously affected by SHS. The objective of the study was to measure SHS levels in hospitality venues in seven Asian countries and to compare the SHS exposure to the levels in Western countries. The study was carried out in four types of related hospitality venues (restaurant, café, bar/club and entertainment) in China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Real-time measurement of particulate matter of <2.5microm aerodynamic diameter (PM(2.5)) was made during business hour using a handheld laser operated monitor. A total of 168 venues were measured in seven countries. The average indoor PM(2.5) level was 137microg/m(3), ranging from 46microg/m(3) in Malaysia to 207microg/m(3) in India. Bar/club had the highest PM(2.5) level of 191microg/m(3) and restaurants had the lowest PM(2.5) level of 92microg/m(3). The average indoor PM(2.5) level in smoking venues was 156micro/m(3), which was 3.6 times higher than non-smoking venues (43microg/m(3)). Indoor PM(2.5) levels were significantly associated with country, type of venue, smoking density and air exchange rate (p<0.05). In the seven Asian countries, PM(2.5) levels were high due to SHS in public places. The current levels are comparable to the levels in Western countries before the adoption of smoke-free policy. Since Asian country has high prevalence of SHS in public places, there is an urgent need for comprehensive smoke-free regulation in Asian countries.
  17. Htay MNN, Marzo RR, Bahari R, AlRifai A, Kamberi F, El-Abasiri RA, et al.
    PMID: 33977169 DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100759
    BACKGROUND: The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has a social and psychological impact among healthcare workers worldwide and appropriate coping strategies are essential to avoid the negative mental health effects. This study aimed to investigate the coping strategies among the healthcare workers from different countries and their attitude towards teamwork during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using an online, web-based questionnaire, which was distributed to healthcare workers from 32 countries during April and May 2020. The respondents were recruited by the non-random convenience sampling method.

    RESULTS: A total of 2166 respondents responded to the survey and the majority were working in low- and middle-income countries. Among them, 36% were doctors, 24% were nurses and 40% worked in other healthcare sectors. More than 70% of the respondents answered that "getting family support" and "positive thinking" were coping methods for them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately half of the respondents worshiped according to their belief and conducted prayers (58.4%) and had adequate sleep and food intake (48.2%). The significant associations were observed between attitude score towards interprofessional teamwork and gender (p = 0.009), age (31-45 years) (p 

Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links