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Geological influence on terrestrial gamma radiation dose rate in the Malaysian State of Johore

Ramli AT, Hussein AW, Lee MH

Appl Radiat Isot, 2001 Feb;54(2):327-33.
PMID: 11200896

Measurements of environmental terrestrial gamma radiation dose-rate (TGRD) have been made in Johore, Malaysia. The focus is on determining a relationship between geological type and TGRD levels. Data were compared using the one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), in some instances revealing significant differences between TGRD measurements and the underlying geological structure.
Fulltext Comparison of Brugia-Elisa and thick blood smear examination in a prevalence study of brugian filariasis in Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia

Lim BH, Rahmah N, Afifi SAB, Ramli A, Mehdi R

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56(4):491-6.
PMID: 12014770

A total of 1,134 finger-pricked blood samples were collected from residents of Setiu, Terengganu. A drop of blood was used to make thick blood smear and about four drops were used for obtaining serum. The smears were stained and examined by the State Vector Control Unit in Kuala Terengganu, while the serum samples were tested for specific IgG4 antibodies to a novel recombinant antigen using Brugia-Elisa. Prevalence of filariasis in these areas were found to be 0.26% (3/1,134) using thick blood smear examination and 2.47% (28/1,134) using Brugia-Elisa, thus demonstrating the greater sensitivity of the latter test. In addtion, Brugia-Elisa showed a high level of specificity (97.8%, 1,106/1,131) when compared to thick blood smear examination.
Wavelet-based compression of medical images: filter-bank selection and evaluation

Saffor A, bin Ramli AR, Ng KH

Australas Phys Eng Sci Med, 2003 Jun;26(2):39-44.
PMID: 12956184

Wavelet-based image coding algorithms (lossy and lossless) use a fixed perfect reconstruction filter-bank built into the algorithm for coding and decoding of images. However, no systematic study has been performed to evaluate the coding performance of wavelet filters on medical images. We evaluated the best types of filters suitable for medical images in providing low bit rate and low computational complexity. In this study a variety of wavelet filters are used to compress and decompress computed tomography (CT) brain and abdomen images. We applied two-dimensional wavelet decomposition, quantization and reconstruction using several families of filter banks to a set of CT images. Discreet Wavelet Transform (DWT), which provides efficient framework of multi-resolution frequency was used. Compression was accomplished by applying threshold values to the wavelet coefficients. The statistical indices such as mean square error (MSE), maximum absolute error (MAE) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) were used to quantify the effect of wavelet compression of selected images. The code was written using the wavelet and image processing toolbox of the MATLAB (version 6.1). This results show that no specific wavelet filter performs uniformly better than others except for the case of Daubechies and bi-orthogonal filters which are the best among all. MAE values achieved by these filters were 5 x 10(-14) to 12 x 10(-14) for both CT brain and abdomen images at different decomposition levels. This indicated that using these filters a very small error (approximately 7 x 10(-14)) can be achieved between original and the filtered image. The PSNR values obtained were higher for the brain than the abdomen images. For both the lossy and lossless compression, the 'most appropriate' wavelet filter should be chosen adaptively depending on the statistical properties of the image being coded to achieve higher compression ratio.
Environmental 238U and 232Th concentration measurements in an area of high level natural background radiation at Palong, Johor, Malaysia

Ramli AT, Hussein AW, Wood AK

J Environ Radioact, 2005;80(3):287-304.
PMID: 15725504

Concentrations of uranium-238 and thorium-232 in soil, water, grass, moss and oil-palm fruit samples collected from an area of high background radiation were determined using neutron activation analysis (NAA). U-238 concentration in soil ranged from 4.9 mg kg(-1) (58.8 Bq kg(-1)) to 40.4 mg kg(-1) (484.8 Bq kg(-1)), Th-232 concentration ranged from 14.9 mg kg(-1) (59.6 Bq kg(-1)) to 301.0 mg kg(-1) (1204 Bq kg(-1)). The concentration of U-238 in grass samples ranged from below the detection limit to 0.076 mg kg(-1) (912 mBq kg(-1)), and Th-232 ranged from 0.008 mg kg(-1) (32 mBq kg(-1)) to 0.343 mg kg(-1) (1.372 Bq kg(-1)). U-238 content in water samples ranged from 0.33 mg kg(-1) (4.0 Bq L(-1)) to 1.40 mg kg(-1) (16.8 Bq L(-1)), and Th-232 ranged from 0.19 mg kg(-1) (0.76 Bq L(-1)) to 0.66 mg kg(-1) (2.64 Bq L(-1)). It can be said that the concentrations of environmental U-238 and Th-232 in grass and water samples in the study area are insignificant. Mosses were found to be possible bio-radiological indicators due to their high absorption of the heavy radioelements from the environment.
Is opportunistic oral cancer screening by dentists feasible? An analysis of the patterns of dental attendance of a nationally representative sample over 10 years

Yusof ZY, Netuveli G, Ramli AS, Sheiham A

Oral Health Prev Dent, 2006;4(3):165-71.
PMID: 16961024

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether or not opportunistic oral cancer screening by dentists to detect pre-malignant or early cancer lesions is feasible. The objective was to analyse the patterns of dental attendance of a national representative sample over a period of 10 years to ascertain whether individuals at high-risk of oral cancer would be accessible for opportunistic oral cancer screening.
METHODS: Secondary analysis of data extracted from the British Household Panel Survey, a national longitudinal survey (n=5547). Analysis to ascertain whether patterns of attendance for dental check-ups for a period of 10 years (1991-2001) were associated with risk factors for oral cancer such as age, sex, education, social class, smoking status and smoking intensity.
RESULTS: Males, aged over 40 years, less educated manual workers and smokers were significantly less likely to attend for dental check-ups compared with females and younger, higher educated, higher socio-economic class non-smokers (p < 0.05). Throughout the 10-year period, young people, more than older people, had progressively lower odds ratios of attending. Those with more education used dental services more. Heavy smokers were infrequent attendees.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that opportunistic oral cancer screening by dentists is not feasible to include high-risk groups as they are not regular attendees over 10 years. Those who would be screened would be the low-risk groups. However, dentists should continue screening all patients as oral precancers are also found in regular attendees. More should be done to encourage the high-risk groups to visit their dentists.
Fulltext The level of physical activities amongst elderly in a community

Ramli A

JUMMEC, 2007;10(1):29-33.
MyJurnal

Little is known of Malaysian older people’s participation in physical activities, and the purpose of this pilot study is to explore their participation and the barriers. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 80 eligible respondents at the Kuala Lumpur Health Clinic of which 70 responded. Thirty-six (51.4%) were males and 34 (48.6%) were females. There were 26 (37.1%) Malays, 20 (28.6%) Chinese, 18 (25.7%) Indians and 6 (8.6%) of other ethnic groups. Forty (57.1%) took part in some form of physical activities and the remaining 30 (42.9%) reported no participation at all. The Chinese participated actively in physical activities (90%), followed by Indians (66.7%) and Malays (30.8%). The five common activities were walking (60%), tai chi (20%), gardening (12.5%), stretching (2.5%) and cycling (5.0%). Identified barriers to physical activities were lack of time (26.7%), having health problems (26.7%), was already fit (26.7%), no companion to exercise with (13.3%) and no exercise knowledge (6.7%). These findings indicated that emphasis should be given to the females and the Malay ethnic group when planning physical activity education for the older people as they were identified to be the least active groups.
Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Fulltext The problems and impacts of orofacial pain among a group of Malaysian aborigines

Yusof ZYM, Mohamed NH, Radzi Z, Yahya NA, Ramli AS, Abdul Kadir R

Ann Dent, 2007;14(1):31-38.
MyJurnal

Background: The high prevalence and impacts of orofacial pain (OFP) have caused major sufferings to individuals and society. The purpose of the study was to investigate the problems and impacts of OFP among a group of Malaysian aborigines. The objectives were to determine (i) the prevalence, aetiology, duration, severity, types and persistence of OFP during the past 3 months preceding the study; (ii) its associated impact on daily performance; and (iii) the measures taken for pain relief.
Methods: This is a cross sectional study carried out in Kuala Lipis, Pahang involving 6 villages of Orang Asli Bateq and Semai. Study sample was chosen using convenient sampling including adults aged 16 years and above. Participants were invited for an interview using structured questionnaire followed by clinical examination. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS ver12.
Results: Response rate was low at 20% (n = 140). Over one-quarter (26.4%) of the sample experienced OFP in the previous 3 months. Toothache was found to be the main aetiology (83.3%) followed by gingival pain (18.9%), temporomandibular joint (10.8%) and facial pain (8.1%). Mean duration of pain was 9.8 days for toothache, 162.4 days for gingival pain, 7.3 days for TMJ and 5.7 days for facial pain. Of those who had OFP, over half rated the pain as moderate (37.8%) and severe (29.7%) and most of the pain was ‘intermittent’ in nature (81.1%). Over half (62.2%) admitted the pain had disappeared during the interview. In terms of pain relief, 56.8% of the sample used traditional medicine. The pain had impacted on the chewing ability (70.3%, p=0.01), ability to sleep at night (73.0%, p<0.001), levels of anxiety (70.3%), ability to perform daily chores (33.3%) and social life (35.1%) of the Orang Asli sample.
Conclusion: This study suggests the prevalence of OFP was high among the Orang Asli sample, which imposed considerable physical and psychological impacts on daily life.
Key words: orofacial pain; impacts; quality of life; Malaysian aborigines
White coat effect and white coat hypertension: one and the same?

Ramli A, Halmey N, Teng C

Malays Fam Physician, 2008;3(3):158-61.
PMID: 25606143

White coat hypertension (WCHT) and white coat effect (WCE) are often thought to be of the same entity. They are in fact different conditions which carry distinctive definitions and prognostic significance. WCHT is diagnosed when office blood pressure (OBP) is ≥140/90 mmHg on at least 3 occasions, while the average daytime or 24-hour blood pressure is <135/85 mmHg. It is common with 15% prevalence in the general population and may account for over 30% of individuals in whom hypertension is diagnosed. Although individuals with WCHT were reported to have a better cardiovascular (CV) prognosis when compared to those with sustained hypertension and masked hypertension; they were also shown to have a greater prevalence of target organ damage (TOD) and metabolic abnormalities than that of normotensive subjects. In contrast, WCE is defined as the transient elevation of OBP induced by the alerting response to a doctor or a nurse. WCE can occur in both normotensive and hypertensive persons; and is not substantially influenced by reassurance and familiarisation. There is conflicting evidence with regards to prognostic significance of WCE, where most data indicated that it does not predict future TOD, CV morbidity or mortality; with some studies showed otherwise. This case scenario aims to solve the diagnostic perplexity with regards to WCHT and WCE, followed by an evidence-based commentary of how to best manage such conditions.
The thermoluminescence response of doped SiO2 optical fibres subjected to photon and electron irradiations

Hashim S, Al-Ahbabi S, Bradley DA, Webb M, Jeynes C, Ramli AT, et al.

Appl Radiat Isot, 2009 Mar;67(3):423-7.
PMID: 18693024 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2008.06.030

Modern linear accelerators, the predominant teletherapy machine in major radiotherapy centres worldwide, provide multiple electron and photon beam energies. To obtain reasonable treatment times, intense electron beam currents are achievable. In association with this capability, there is considerable demand to validate patient dose using systems of dosimetry offering characteristics that include good spatial resolution, high precision and accuracy. Present interest is in the thermoluminescence response and dosimetric utility of commercially available doped optical fibres. The important parameter for obtaining the highest TL yield during this study is to know the dopant concentration of the SiO2 fibre because during the production of the optical fibres, the dopants tend to diffuse. To achieve this aim, proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), which has no depth resolution but can unambiguously identify elements and analyse for trace elements with detection limits approaching microg/g, was used. For Al-doped fibres, the dopant concentration in the range 0.98-2.93 mol% have been estimated, with equivalent range for Ge-doped fibres being 0.53-0.71 mol%. In making central-axis irradiation measurements a solid water phantom was used. For 6-MV photons and electron energies in the range 6, 9 and 12 MeV, a source to surface distance of 100 cm was used, with a dose rate of 400 cGy/min for photons and electrons. The TL measurements show a linear dose-response over the delivered range of absorbed dose from 1 to 4 Gy. Fading was found to be minimal, less than 10% over five days subsequent to irradiation. The minimum detectable dose for 6-MV photons was found to be 4, 30 and 900 microGy for TLD-100 chips, Ge- and Al-doped fibres, respectively. For 6-, 9- and 12-MeV electron energies, the minimum detectable dose were in the range 3-5, 30-50 and 800-1400 microGy for TLD-100 chip, Ge-doped and Al-doped fibres, respectively.
The thermoluminescence response of doped SiO2 optical fibres subjected to fast neutrons

Hashim S, Bradley DA, Saripan MI, Ramli AT, Wagiran H

Appl Radiat Isot, 2010 Apr-May;68(4-5):700-3.
PMID: 19892557 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2009.10.027

This paper describes a preliminary study of the thermoluminescence (TL) response of doped SiO(2) optical fibres subjected to (241)AmBe neutron irradiation. The TL materials, which comprise Al- and Ge-doped silica fibres, were exposed in close contact with the (241)AmBe source to obtain fast neutron interactions through use of measurements obtained with and without a Cd filter (the filter being made to entirely enclose the fibres). The neutron irradiations were performed for exposure times of 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-days in a neutron tank filled with water. In this study, use was also made of the Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) code version 5 (V5) to simulate the neutron irradiations experiment. It was found that the commercially available Ge-doped and Al-doped optical fibres show a linear dose response subjected to fast neutrons from (241)AmBe source up to seven days of irradiations. The simulation performed using MCNP5 also exhibits a similar pattern, albeit differing in sensitivity. The TL response of Ge-doped fibre is markedly greater than that of the Al-doped fibre, the total absorption cross section for Ge in both the fast and thermal neutrons region being some ten times greater than that of Al.
Improvement of digital mammogram images using histogram equalization, histogram stretching and median filter

Langarizadeh M, Mahmud R, Ramli AR, Napis S, Beikzadeh MR, Rahman WE

J Med Eng Technol, 2011 Feb;35(2):103-8.
PMID: 21204610 DOI: 10.3109/03091902.2010.542271

Breast cancer is one of the most important diseases in females worldwide. According to the Malaysian Oncological Society, about 4% of women who are 40 years old and above are involved have breast cancer. Masses and microcalcifications are two important signs of breast cancer diagnosis on mammography. Enhancement techniques, i.e. histogram equalization, histogram stretching and median filters, were used to provide better visualization for radiologists in order to help early detection of breast abnormalities. In this research 60 digital mammogram images which includes 20 normal and 40 confirmed diagnosed cancerous cases were selected and manipulated using the mentioned techniques. The original and manipulated images were scored by three expert radiologists. Results showed that the selected methods have a positive significant effect on image quality.
Gasifier selection, design and gasification of oil palm fronds with preheated and unheated gasifying air

Guangul FM, Sulaiman SA, Ramli A

Bioresour Technol, 2012 Dec;126:224-32.
PMID: 23073112 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.09.018

Oil palm frond biomass is abundantly available in Malaysia, but underutilized. In this study, gasifiers were evaluated based on the available literature data and downdraft gasifiers were found to be the best option for the study of oil palm fronds gasification. A downdraft gasifier was constructed with a novel height adjustment mechanism for changing the position of gasifying air and steam inlet. The oil palm fronds gasification results showed that preheating the gasifying air improved the volumetric percentage of H(2) from 8.47% to 10.53%, CO from 22.87% to 24.94%, CH(4) from 2.02% to 2.03%, and higher heating value from 4.66 to 5.31 MJ/Nm(3) of the syngas. In general, the results of the current study demonstrated that oil palm fronds can be used as an alternative energy source in the energy diversification plan of Malaysia through gasification, along with, the resulting syngas quality can be improved by preheating the gasifying air.
Fulltext Medication adherence among hypertensive patients of primary health clinics in Malaysia

Ramli A, Ahmad NS, Paraidathathu T

Patient Prefer Adherence, 2012;6:613-22.
PMID: 22969292 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S34704

Poor adherence to prescribed medications is a major cause for treatment failure, particularly in chronic diseases such as hypertension. This study was conducted to assess adherence to medications in patients undergoing hypertensive treatment in the Primary Health Clinics of the Ministry of Health in Malaysia. Factors affecting adherence to medications were studied, and the effect of nonadherence to blood pressure control was assessed.
Multimodal physiotherapeutic management for stage-IV osteitis pubis in a 15-year old soccer athlete: a case report

Vijayakumar P, Nagarajan M, Ramli A

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2012;25(4):225-30.
PMID: 23220803 DOI: 10.3233/BMR-2012-0337

Osteitis pubis among soccer athletes is a disabling painful condition and it is difficult to manage without integrating a multimodal treatment approach. There is limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of exercise in treating Osteitis pubis especially when it progress to a chronic painful condition. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the successful multimodal physiotherapeutic management for a 15-year old soccer athlete diagnosed with stage-IV Osteitis pubis. Land and water based active core muscle strengthening exercises, Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques (PNF) and Manual Therapy are some of the essential components incorporated in multimodal intervention approach with emphasis to water based strength and endurance training exercises. The athlete was able to make progress to a successful recovery from his chronic painful condition and accomplished the clearly established clinical outcomes during each phase of rehabilitation.
Fulltext Perception towards teaching and learning of clinical education among physiotherapy students during clinical placements. [Persepsi terhadap pengajaran dan pembelajaran pendidikan klinikal di kalangan pelajar fisioterapi semasa penempatan klinikal]

Ramli A, Ramli NI, Kamarudin K, Bahari SE, Azmi NA

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2012;10(2):1-7.
MyJurnal

This study aims to identify the perception of third year physiotherapy students on the teaching and learning during clinical placements. A sample of 154 third year undergraduate and diploma students from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the Universiti Teknologi Mara and the Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu completed the questionnaire. High internal reliability of teaching and learning activities scale in the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach alpha (α = 0.94). Findings showed significant differences (p < 0.05) of perception among students in the clinical block between different levels of education, the ideal number of students in a group during clinical teaching session, and in the activity of ‘patient-centered activities,’ as well as 'feedback to the student.’ These findings demonstrated that the level of education does influence the students’ perceptions on their teaching and learning during clinical placements. In conclusion, the level of education is a contributory factor that influences the students’ rate of learning in clinical education.
Keywords: Clinical education, physiotherapy students, perception, undergraduate, diploma
Fulltext History of falls and its relationship with nutritional status among elderly patients. [Sejarah jatuh dan hubungannya dengan status pemakanan di kalangan pesakit warga tua]

Cheng SH, Shahar S, Lee FS, Ramli A

Sains Malaysiana, 2012;41:379-385.

Rising risk of falls has been associated with injury and dysfunction among the elderly. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of falls and association with nutritional status among 143 elderly patients from medical ward and clinic in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Anthropometric indicators and bone health status using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) were also assessed. History of falls, functional status and dietary intake based on dietary history was assessed
through questionnaire which was administered by face-to-face interview with the subjects. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16.0 and Foodworks. The past-year prevalence of falls (falls at least once in the previous 12 months) in this study was 32.9%. The past year prevalence of falls in women (40.2%) was higher than in men (17.4%) (p<0.01). Women who had calcium intake less than 300 mg/d (adjusted OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.02-9.24) and protein intake < 1 g/kg body weight (adjusted OR = 3.68, 95% CI = 0.98-13.84) were more likely to have a higher risk of falls. In conclusion, one third of the subjects, especially women in this study had a history of falls. Elderly people should be assessed for calcium and protein intake and those with calcium intake less than 300 mg/day and protein intake less than 1 g/kg body weight should be given intervention to reduce falls risk factor and subsequent fall-related co-morbidity.
Keywords: Elderly patients; falls; nutritional status
Fulltext Community-based cardiovascular Risk Factors Intervention Strategies (CORFIS) in managing hypertension: A pragmatic non-randomised controlled trial

Low WHH, Seet W, Ramli AS, Ng KK, Jamaiyah H, Dan SP, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2013 Apr;68(2):129-35.
PMID: 23629558 MyJurnal

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the number one cardiovascular risk factor in Malaysia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Community-Based Cardiovascular Risk Factors Intervention Strategies (CORFIS) in the management of hypertension in primary care.
METHODS: This is a pragmatic, non-randomized controlled trial. Seventy general practitioners (GPs) were selected to provide either CORFIS (44 GPs) or conventional care (26 GPs) for 6 months. A total of 486 hypertensive patients were recruited; 309 were in the intervention and 177 in the control groups. Primary outcome was the proportion of hypertensive patients who achieved target blood pressure (BP) of <140/90mmHg (for those without diabetes mellitus) and <130/80mmHg (with diabetes mellitus). Secondary outcomes include change in the mean/median BP at 6-month as compared to baseline.
RESULTS: The proportion of hypertensive patients who achieved target BP at 6-month was significantly higher in the CORFIS arm (69.6%) as compared to the control arm (57.6%), P=0.008. Amongst those who had uncontrolled BP at baseline, the proportion who achieved target BP at 6-month was also significantly higher in the CORFIS arm (56.6%) as compared to the control arm (34.1%), p<0.001. There was no difference in the patients who had already achieved BP control at baseline. There were significant reductions in SBP in the CORFIS arm (median -9.0mmHg; -60 to 50) versus control (median -2mmHg; -50 to 48), p=0.003; as well as in DBP (CORFIS arm: median -6.0mmHg; ranged from -53 to 30 versus control arm: median 0.0mmHg; ranged from -42 to 30), p<0.001.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received CORFIS care demonstrated significant improvements in achieving target BP.
Thermoluminescence responses of photon- and electron-irradiated lithium potassium borate co-doped with Cu+Mg or Ti+Mg

Alajerami YS, Hashim S, Ramli AT, Saleh MA, Saripan MI, Alzimami K, et al.

Appl Radiat Isot, 2013 Aug;78:21-5.
PMID: 23644162 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.03.095

New glasses Li2CO3-K2CO3-H3BO3 (LKB) co-doped with CuO and MgO, or with TiO2 and MgO, were synthesized by the chemical quenching technique. The thermoluminescence (TL) responses of LKB:Cu,Mg and LKB:Ti,Mg irradiated with 6 MV photons or 6 MeV electrons were compared in the dose range 0.5-4.0 Gy. The standard commercial dosimeter LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) was used to calibrate the TL reader and as a reference in comparison of the TL properties of the new materials. The dependence of the responses of the new materials on (60)Co dose is linear in the range of 1-1000 Gy. The TL yields of both of the co-doped glasses and TLD-100 are greater for electron irradiation than for photon irradiation. The TL sensitivity of LKB:Ti,Mg is 1.3 times higher than the sensitivity of LKB:Cu,Mg and 12 times less than the sensitivity of TLD-100. The new TL dosimetric materials have low effective atomic numbers, good linearity of the dose responses, excellent signal reproducibility, and a simple glow curve structure. This combination of properties makes them suitable for radiation dosimetry.
Effects of a Worksite Health Programme on the Improvement of Physical Health among Overweight and Obese Civil Servants: A Pilot Study

Ramli A, Henry LJ, Liang YF, Beh JY

Malays J Med Sci, 2013 Oct;20(5):54-60.
PMID: 24643369 MyJurnal

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity and reduced energy expenditure has led to increased obesity among office workers. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a worksite health programme aimed at improving physical health among obese civil servants.
METHODS: A total of 28 employees participated in a six-month-long obesity health programme, which consisted of two weekly unsupervised exercise sessions and monthly dietary/health education sessions. The physical fitness and body fat percentages of participants were assessed at the baseline and after six months, using SPSS version 20.0.
RESULTS: The participants were 31.6 years (SD 8.2) of age, and had a BMI of 27.6 kg/m(2) (SD 3.2). The Wilcoxon test showed significant differences in body fat percentage (P = 0.010), gross maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max, P = 0.014), partial curl up repetition (P = 0.001) and sit and reach distance (P = 0.005). However, no significant effects were observed on body mass (P = 0.193), self-perceived level of physical activity (P = 0.145) or behaviour toward exercise (P = 0.393).
CONCLUSION: The worksite health programme successfully improved the physical fitness and body fat percentages of subjects, despite not improving the subjects' self-perceptions with regard to physical activity.
Fulltext Learning pathways during clinical placement of physiotherapy students: a Malaysian experience of using learning contracts and reflective diaries

Ramli A, Joseph L, Lee SW

J Educ Eval Health Prof, 2013;10:6.
PMID: 23997897 DOI: 10.3352/jeehp.2013.10.6

Learning contracts and reflective diaries are educational tools that have been recently introduced to physiotherapy students from Malaysia during clinical education. It is unclear how students perceive the experience of using a learning contract and reflective diary. This study explores the learning pathways of the students after using a learning contract and a reflective diary for the first time in their clinical placement.

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