MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an experimental before and after study performed between October 2014 and March 2015. Five hundred and eighty students were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. All were required to complete both pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires. Those in the intervention group were given an information leaflet to read before answering the post-intervention questionnaire.
RESULTS: Almost half (48.3%) of the students had poor knowledge, with a score less than 5, and only 51 (8.8%) exhibited good knowledge, with a score of 11 and above. After educational intervention, the number of students with poor knowledge was reduced to 177 (29.3%) and the number of students who exhibited good knowledge increased to 148 (25.5%). Students from the intervention group demonstrated significant higher total scores in knowledge regarding 'HPV infection and cervical cancer' (p=0.000) and 'HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention' (p=0.000) during post-intervention as compared to the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge on HPV infection and vaccination is low among pre-university students. Educational intervention in the form of information leaflets appears effective in creating awareness and improving knowledge.
METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study done in University Hospital Fertility Clinic for one year duration. A total of 88 euthyroid women who underwent COH as part of planned in-vitro fertilization (IVF) were invited to participate in this study. Serum thyroid function of each women will be monitored before stimulation (T1), day 10-13 of cycle (T2), during oocyte retrieval (T3), one week following embryo transfer (T4), and at four weeks after embryo transfer (T5). Reproductive outcome of IVF will be observed and documented.
RESULTS: Nine women had ongoing singleton pregnancy, seven suffered from miscarriage, while the rest had implantation failure. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) increased throughout stimulation, peaking at 32-36 hours after hCG administration compared to baseline (1.250 vs. 1.740 mIU/L and 13.94 vs. 15.25 pmol/L). It remains elevated until one week following embryo transfer. The increment of serum TSH exceeded the upper limit, acceptable for first trimester (<1.60 mIU/L). However, the evolution of serum TSH and fT4 did not significantly differ with pregnancy outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: In euthyroid women, thyroid function changed significantly during COH, but these changes were not different between the three reproductive outcomes. Thus, we do not suggest continuous thyroid function monitoring during COH.
METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to public and private contraceptive providers who practise in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
RESULTS: A total of 400 doctors were invited and 240 (60%) of them responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 161 (65.9%) were from the public or government sector and 89 (34.1%) were from the private sector. The knowledge score of doctors was classed as 'average', and correlated well with their previous training level, working position, number of patients seen in a week and number of contraceptive methods available in their facilities. The age, gender, working duration, availability of IUDs in the premises and number of IUD insertions in a month were not statistically associated with the providers' knowledge. The use of IUDs was low, especially among private doctors, and was significantly related to their knowledge of the method. Knowledge scores, perception and practice were significantly lower in the private sector.
METHODS: This randomised controlled trial conducted from January 2018 until December 2018. Pregnant women below 34 weeks of gestation, with Hb concentration less than 11 g/dL and serum ferritin level less than 12 ug/L were randomised to receive either one tablet Zincofer® or one tablet Iberet Folate® daily for four weeks. Both groups were compared in terms of effect on Hb level, serum ferritin level, and other haematological indices adverse effect related to treatment, and treatment cost.
RESULTS: Hundred and thirty patients were recruited in this study with 68 patients in Iberet Folic group and 62 patients in Zincofer group. The change in the Hb and serum ferritin level from baseline to day 30 did not differ significantly between treatment groups. The mean (±SD) change from baseline to day 30 was 2.15 (±0.59) g/dL in the Iberet Folic group, and 1.98 (±0.49) in the Zincofer (p value = 0.08). Mean serum ferritin at day 30 was 17.2 (±3.68) ug/L and 16.7 (±4.28) ug/L with 8.44 (±3.41) and 8.55 (±3.50) difference, respectively (p = 0.86). Adverse events were comparable in between groups, with p value >0.05. GI intolerance and constipation were among the common side effects, occurred in 34.6 and 29.2% cases, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Zincofer® offers equivalent efficacy and side effect profile in comparison with Iberet Folic® for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) during pregnancy, but with lower cost.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 109 couples with male factor were done over 14 months in a tertiary university hospital in Malaysia. The data were divided into four groups; Group I: normal sperm parameters, Group II: normal sperm concentration but reduced total sperm motility, Group III: reduced sperm concentration and motility, Group IV: reduced sperm concentration but normal sperm motility. Only fresh semen samples and fresh embryo transfers were included. The fertilization, cleavage rate, embryo quality and pregnancy outcome were assessed.
RESULTS: Overall, group I had the highest oocytes yield and ICSI attempted; (10.12 + 6.50), whereas the lowest was in group IV; (7.00 + 2.82). Group II revealed the highest fertilization and cleavage rates; (54.14 + 25.36), (55.16 + 26.06), thus not surprisingly resulting in the highest number of good embryos and highest clinical pregnancy rates. The lowest cleavage and pregnancy rates were seen in group IV. However, all the outcomes were not statically significant (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Similar fertilization rate and comparable pregnancy outcome was seen among couples with normal and reduced sperm concentration and motility.
METHODS: A total of 312 women were randomly divided into two groups with 156 participants each group. In Group A, ASP medium was used during ET, whereas in Group B, no ASP medium was utilized. Positive implantation was defined as serum beta-hCG level >5 mIU/mL taken on the 7th day following ET.
RESULTS: The average age of the majority of the participants was 30-39 years and had at least 4-5 years of subfertility. The unexplained subfertility was the prominent cause of ET failure in both groups. In most of the participants in both groups, ET was done using fresh embryo cycles with good to excellent embryo grades. After the ASP medium was manipulated in the OC in both groups, the positive implantation rate was not different in both groups (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The elimination of air bubbles in OC by using the ASP medium during ET did not confer an additional benefit nor exert a negative impact on implantation rate.