Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 96 in total

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  1. Zafir, M.M., Fazilah, M.H.
    MyJurnal
    Stres di tempat kerja terjadi apabila keperluan kerja tidak sepadan dengan kebolehan, sumber, dan kehendak pekerja. Ia boleh memberi kesan ke atas psikologi dan fisiologi manusia. Seseorang individu yang berasa tertekan dengan kerja yang dilakukan akan menunjukkan kemurungan yang berpanjangan. Apabila rasa tertekan, psikologi akan terganggu dan pekerja gagal membuat keputusan dengan baik. Situasi ini boleh menjejaskan prestasi kerja mereka dan menggugat produktiviti organisasi. Masalah paling dibimbangi adalah stres di tempat kerja boleh menyebabkan penyakit berbahaya seperti tekanan darah tinggi, sakit jantung dan melemahkan sistem pertahanan badan terhadap penyakit. Stres di tempat kerja juga boleh menyebabkan kemalangan di tempat kerja, peningkatan kos keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan, gangguan trauma kumulatif, menjejaskan prestasi kerja serta mengganggu kehidupan sosial individu. Masalah keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan akibat stres di tempat kerja seharusnya tidak diabaikan oleh organisasi kerana ia boleh menyebabkan sumber manusia sesebuah negara kehilangan daya saingnya. Sumber manusia yang berasa terancam akibat masalah keselamatan dan kesihatan akan gagal menggunakan sepenuhnya kreativiti mereka dan melakukan tugas pada tahap minimum. Fenomena ini seharusnya dibimbangi dalam persekitaran perniagaan masa kini yang sangat kompetitif. Di Malaysia, kajian yang berkaitan dengan stres seharusnya dipertingkatkan kerana kajian lepas terhadap stres di tempat kerja adalah tidak menyeluruh. Perkembangan ini sejajar dengan perubahan yang berlaku di persekitaran kerja seperti teknologi, sosial, ekonomi, undang-undang buruh dan seumpamanya. Kajian stres di tempat kerja perlu dijalankan kerana sumbangannya amat bernilai dalam menghasilkan sumber manusia yang lebih produktif dan berdaya saing.
  2. Khalib AL, Ngan HU
    MyJurnal
    Workplace bullying has drawn greater attention in the last one and half decades. Despite its recognition by many organizations and countries, it is still rife. Why is that so? Could it be that the root of the problem has not been addressed? Or, could it be due to difficulties and resistances in embarking preventive and control measures. In this paper, we will examine the possible causes of workplace bullying based on a proposed model. In depth discussion of the personal and organizational factors are made while the work group and societal factors are dealt with in brief. In summary, the root of workplace bullying is multi-factorial. Understanding the complexity and subtlety of workplace bullying is pertinent in the effort to prevent or curtail it.
  3. Dyah Pitaloka, S., Rizal, A.M.
    MyJurnal
    Background: A cross sectional study was carried out to identify the level and factors associated with patients’ satisfaction in antenatal clinic at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
    Methods: A total of 150 respondents were selected by using convenience sampling method. Data was collected via structured questionnaire with face to face interview. The obtained data was analyzed by using SPSS version 11.5.
    Results: Majority of the respondents were Malay (72%), while Chinese (18%) and Indian (10%).
    Age of the respondents around 19 to 40 years old with tertiary education level (50.7%) and most of them are working (76.4%). More than half of the respondents were satisfied with the service that they received (56.7%), while the others (43.3%) not satisfied. Generally, most of the respondents were satisfied with interpersonal aspects from the staff (62%), technical quality of the doctors (79.3%), efficacy (78%), availability (50.7%), and the financial aspect (70%). Meanwhile, the respondents were not satisfied with the several aspects i.e. accessibility (61.3%), convenience (51.3%), and continuity of care (81.3%). In bivariate analysis, the result of this study showed that there were only two factors significantly related with level of satisfaction (p

    Study site: Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)
  4. Rozhan, S., Jamsiah, M., Rahimah, A., Ang, K.T.
    MyJurnal
    Background: The COMBI concept is a novel approach by the WHO to control communicable diseases which are influenced by community behaviour. The Ministry of Health is currently evaluating its use against dengue in selected areas throughout Malaysia. COMBI doctrine differs from previous dengue campaigns. It acknowledges that the factors contributing to dengue proliferation may differ between areas. Factors for a given area are analysed, then a single precise behavioural goal to overcome those problems is formulated. To inculcate this behavioural change, the target community is subjected to an intensive campaign using Integrated Marketing Communication techniques adapted from the advertisingindustry, particularly involving volunteers from the community itself.
    Methodology: In Selangor the pilot project was implemented in Section 3 and Section 4 of Bandar Baru Bangi, in the district of Hulu Langat. Here, Aedes breeding was found to occur mainly in water containers of semi permanent nature (eg. ‘kolah’, aquatic plant jars, flower pot bases etc). A total of 172 volunteers were recruited to disperse the message of “Suluh – Suluh, Basuh - Basuh” whilst distributing leaflets and flashlights to 2666 homes. Residents were instructed to illuminate such water containers twice weekly and scrub any containers found to contain larvae. The program commenced on 23/5/2004 and lasted 16 weeks.
    Results : During this period, the initial Aedes Index of 5 was reduced to 0.96 while combined cases of Dengue Fever / Dengue Haemorraghic Fever in Sections 3 and 4 reported to the Hulu Langat District Health Office also dropped to 1 (unconfirmed).
    Conclusion : The COMBI approach in Hulu Langat successfully demonstrated that correct problem identification synergized with community engagement can potentially reduce Aedes proliferationand dengue morbidity.
  5. Azmi, M.T., Emran, M.T.
    MyJurnal
    Background: Without any doubt, the combo of user ID and password are the most used authentication method in the computing and internet environment. However, due to the enormous number of accounts that require password authentication, users tend to develop bad habits in their password practices which in turn will put their account security at risk. With the increasing use of computing in health-care settings and the use of EMR in hospitals, such practices are a cause for concern.
    Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires, investigating the practice of the respondents in keeping their passwords secure. Respondents in this survey are the undergraduate students of Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
    Results: Among the findings are that 87.4% of the respondents used the same password for more than one account. If a user used the same password for several accounts, it might trigger a domino effect if any of the account passwords were compromised. A total of 98.9% of the respondents memorised their password only in their mind, without writing down the password anywhere. This may lead to using easily guessable passwords which may introduce additional security risk to their accounts. The majority of the respondents (96.6%) never or rarely change their passwords. The study also showed that 82.7% of the respondents used passwords which are 6-8 characters in length. Longer passwords are usually safer but harder to remember. The questionnaire also explored the users’ password combination style, whether they used numbers only or combination of numbers and alphabets or some other pattern. A total of 39.1% used letters only but 27.6% used combination of numbers only which is less secure. About 77% of the respondents used personal information such as their birthday date or a person’s name as part of their password.
    Conclusions: This habit may make their password guessable to people who are close to them. In conclusion, most medical students are not practising safe password conduct and they should be educated on this. If not, patients’ data confidentiality may be compromised in the future due to such practices.
  6. Rizal. A.M., Enna, M.H., Aljunid, S.M., Rohana, A.G., Soehardy, Z., Norella, C.T.K.
    MyJurnal
    Background: A randomised clinical trial was carried out to study the cost-effectiveness of continuous venovenous hemofiltration using high volume and standard volume.
    Methods: Study was done through interviews involving patients or their relatives and document review on patients’ treatment and progress note during the hemofiltration therapy in the Intensive Care Unit, Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia. Study also involved secondary data analysis and a structured questionnaire survey to assess the treatment and medical cost incurred by the hospital during the continuous venovenous hemofiltration therapy.
    Results: The result of this study showed that the continuous venovenous hemofiltration given at high volume 4-6 litres/hour is more cost effective than standard volume of 2 litres/hour. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score reduction in the high volume hemofiltration is 3.0 units over 24 hours. This reduction is higher than the standard volume hemofiltration which is only 0.5 unit over 24 hours.
    Conclusions: High volume hemofiltration is more cost effective than standard volume therapy, where only RM 5,552 compared to RM 23,512 is needed for every one unit of SOFA score reduction respectively.
  7. Khalib, A.L., Suriyati, A.A.
    MyJurnal
    Gender bias are most obvious in the distribution of income and wealth. This reflects women’s unequal position in the labour market , their less favorable treatment in most social security systems and their lower status within the household. Discrimination against women is also evident in the political sphere. Their access to power is not commensurate with their numbers, their needs or their contributions as citizens. As well as affecting women’s physical and mental health, gender bias also affect the quality of the services they receive. In most developed countries, women are offered equal access to basic health care. However their use of those service may be hindered by a number of gender related factors which are likely to affect poor women in particular. In health organization, gender bias gives significant impact to the evaluation of staff performance, increase stress level and miscommunication. It is also influence the leadership style and also can create ‘glass ceiling’ phenomenon. Job dissatisfaction , absenteeism and high turn over are also the consequences of gender bias. Alongside the development of gender sensitive methods of routine data collection, gender bias in health research will also need to be addressed. Most biomedical research continues to be based on the unstated assumption that women and men are physiologically similar in all respects apart from their reproductive systems. Other biological differences are ignored, as are the social/gender differences that have such a major impact on health.
  8. Ayiesah, R., Ismail, D.
    MyJurnal
    Low back pain (LBP) is a major medical and social problem associated with disability and work absenteeism. Since the effect on unawareness on back care among hospital staff may affect the smooth running of the services to the public and patients, it is the objective of this study to identified the awareness of back care among nurses so that preventive measures can be taken. About 80 nurses working in the outpatient clinic was survey using self addressed questionnaires which were adapted from Zutphen Physical Activity Questionnaire at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu. Demographic analysis demonstrated that among the eighty nurses that responded, 37.5% (n=30) are Malays, 25% (n=25) Chinese and 37.5% (n=30) ( to include other Sabahan tribes). Their age group varies between 23 to 55 years of age. A total of 72 nurses, both agreed (45%,n=36) and strongly agreed (45%,n=36) that understanding good postures is important to prevent LBP. They felt strongly (55%, n=44) about the importance of correct lifting techniques, and having a well-designed workplace (50%,n=40). Regarding factors that cause LBP, 55% (n=44) of them strongly agreed that good lifting technique can prevent LBP while 56 (70%) agreed that prolong sitting doing computer work can cause LBP. About 60% (n=48) also agreed that LBP can cause stress and that 45% (n=36) of them strongly agreed that being overweight than average can worsen LBP. However, 40% (n=32) provide a neutral answer to whether height have any influence on LBP while 50% (n=40) agreed that weak back muscles can worsen the backache further. However, 45% (n=36) agreed that games that involved back movement have high risks and 55% (n=44) agreed that swimming helps to strengthen back muscle. The environmental factors addresses issues of footwear and soft mattress where 60%(n=48) agreed while 15%(n=12) strongly agreed that good footware and appropriate use of soft mattresses 60% (n=48) can prevent LBP. This study have demonstrated that the nurses that participated had a clear understanding and knowledge on back care even though a wider study need to be carried out to ensure validity of study finding.

    Study site:outpatient clinic, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu
  9. Phua KL
    MyJurnal
    Population ageing is inevitable in Malaysia as a result of declining fertility rates. Steps can be taken to face this challenge. These include ways to promote “healthy ageing” and “compression of morbidity” and ways to promote “productive ageing”, i.e., keeping the elderly economically and socially engaged. This article, based on a review of the literature, argues that it is illogical to force people into compulsory retirement at an arbitrary age when they can continue to contribute actively to society. Instead, ways can be devised to promote healthy ageing, prolonging independence and encouraging productive ageing through gradual economic and social disengagement of the individual depending on the individual’s physical health, mental health, contribution to society and personal inclination and preferences. Public policy in general and public health policy in particular can be designed or redesigned to help achieve this.
  10. Izamin, I., Jamsiah, M., Aniza, I.
    MyJurnal
    Each organization has a particular culture, due to personal interactions, with certain values shared by its members. Corporate culture is defined as ‘the set of shared, taken-for-granted implicit assumptions that a group holds and that determines how it perceives, thinks about, and reacts to its various environments’. Positive corporate culture is linked to increased staff alignment, advanced level of employee commitment, increased employee productivity, enhanced organizational effectiveness and increased profitability. Researchers claimed that most studies suggesting the associations between culture and performance are methodologically weak. Cultural transformation has been a big part of NHS reforms and health system redesign in United States to deliver improvements in quality and performance. Environment, market competition, technology advancement, information age and government policies will influence the cultural change within the organization. Undesirable culture might emerge if the organization does not act appropriately to manage its corporate culture. There are six critical success factors for the implementation of corporate culture changes: committed and effective leadership, clear definition of the desired goals, rigorous implementation of a change management model, effective mitigation of change resistance, active governance structure and a design model, and effective communication. Among the issues in implementing corporate culture within healthcare organizations are middle managers dilemma, cultural diversity and subcultures within the organization, size of healthcare organization and critical mass.
  11. Emilia, Z.A., Noor Hassim, I.
    MyJurnal
    Background: A cross-sectional study on work-related stressors among nurses in a public teaching hospital had also attempted to explore functions of coping strategies in determining stress.
    Materials and Methods: A structured bilingual questionnaire (English-Malay) on symptoms and sources of stress, and coping style measure was disseminated to medical and surgical nurses working in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Socio demographic information and stress management methods were inquired. Frequency in workplace stressors were assessed using Nursing Stress Scale. Stress symptoms and home-life stressors were evaluated using Personal Stress Inventory. Measurement of coping strategies was performed using Coping Orientation for Problems Experienced questionnaire.
    Results: A total of 181 questionnaires were disseminated and 151 (83.4%) were satisfactorily completed by nurses. It was found that the prevalence of work-related stress among medical and surgical nurses was 49.3% (N=74/150). Analysis of dichotomized outcome (between Stress and No stress group) illustrated high workload (t-value=4.122; p
  12. Aniza, I., Syed Mohamed Aljunid, Jamsiah, M.
    MyJurnal
    Skim Sistem Saraan Malaysia (SSM) telah diperkenalkan pada tahun 2002 menggantikan skim Sistem Saraan Baru (SSB) kepada kakitangan sektor awam. Satu kajian keratan rentas telah dijalankan ke atas Pakar Perubatan Kesihatan Awam (PPKA) pada 2004 yang bertujuan untuk mendapatkan persepsi mereka mengenai skim SSM. Semua PPKA yang berdaftar dengan Persatuan Pakar Perubatan Kesihatan Awam (PPPKA) yang berkhidmat dengan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) dipilih sebagai responden. Kajian ini menggunakan borang soalselidik yang diisi sendiri oleh responden. Kadar respon kajian ini ialah 70.0% iaitu 217 responden. Kajian ini mendapati sebanyak 80.6% PPKA tidak bersetuju dengan pelaksanaan SSM, hanya 7.4% bersetuju dan sebanyak 12.0% berkecuali. Kelemahan-kelemahan utama SSM yang dikenalpasti oleh responden yang tidak bersetuju dengan SSM ialah prosedur atau skim perkhidmatan yang kabur(83.9%), peperiksaan Tahap Kecekapan yang tidak releven (54.1%) dan kenaikan pangkat terjejas (40.5%). Hasil kajian ini dapat membantu pihak-pihak yang terlibat memperbaiki kelemahan-kelemahan SSM supaya pelaksanaannya menjadi lebih mantap dan dapat menangani kelemahan yang wujud di dalam skim tersebut.
  13. Jamsiah, M., Md Idris, M.N., Sharifa Ezat, W.P., Norfazilah, A.
    MyJurnal
    Satu kajian keratan rentas telah dijalankan ke atas 285 orang penduduk yang berumur 18 tahun dan ke atas di Kg. Bangi Daerah Hulu langat, Selangor D.E. dari 6-12 Mac 2006. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk melihat prevalens senaman dan faktor yang mempunyai hubungan dengannya. Kaedah persampelan universal telah digunakan dan pengumpulan data melalui borang soalselidik berpandu. Alatan yang digunakan termasuk penimbang berat Seca dan sfigmomanometer yang telah di kalibrasi, stateskop dan pita pengukur ketinggian. Hasil kajian menunjukkan hanya 13.7% daripada responden yang di kaji di dalam kategori cukup bersenam mengikut definisi kajian. Antara faktor-faktor yang mempunyai hubungan yang signifikan dengan prevalens cukup bersenam adalah jantina (p=0.004), tahap pendidikan (p=0.02) dan status perkahwinan (p
  14. Rizal, A.M., Muhammad, M., Aljunid, S.M., Normalina, M., Faridah Hanom, A., Chuah, K.L., et al.
    MyJurnal
    Background: A randomised single blinded clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of two methods of cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation: extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification (PEA) was carried out at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) between March 2000 and August 2001. Methods: The effectiveness of cataract surgery was assessed from the quality of life specifically for vision via Visual Function 14 (VF-14) preoperatively, one week, two months and six months after surgery. Results: The result showed that there was a significant increased in VF-14 scores after a week, two months and six months postoperation compared to the score before surgery for both techniques. However there was no significant difference in VF-14 scores when compared between ECCE and PEA. Conclusions: This study indicated that both techniques give equal benefit to cataract patients. Since effectiveness of cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation is unrelated to operative procedures, less costly technique should be promoted.
  15. Rosnah Sutan
    MyJurnal
    Introduction : Stillbirth is one of the important adverse pregnancy outcomes that has been used as a health indicator for the measurement of the health status of a country especially for its obstetric care management. However, the aetiology of the occurrence of the stillbirth was commonly difficult to identify because of limitations in the classification system.
    Methods : A review of existing, available information published up to January 2007 on stillbirths in Malaysia was used to obtain the basic background on the determinant factors of stillbirths. Results : Malaysia, which is a fast developing country, reported a stillbirth rate in the range of 4 to 5 per 1000 births. Almost 30- 40% were recorded as normally formed macerated stillbirths. This was based on a rapid reporting system of perinatal deaths using the modified version of the Wigglesworth’s pathophysiology classification. Those of extreme maternal age (less than 19 years and more than 35 years), those reside in rural areas, of the ‘Bumiputera’ and Indian ethnic groups were at higher risk of stillbirth. On detailed analysis it was seen that the risks of having a normally formed macerated stillbirth increased among those who had a preterm delivery and hypertension. Stillbirth rates were also higher in those with shorter gestational age and in those with parity between 2 and 5. No other factors related to stillbirth were found in this review.
    Conclusion : This is a review based on existing published data which has a lot of limitation when it comes to analysing other important factors that might be related with the risk of the stillbirth. However, extreme maternal age and mothers from rural areas are the two factors that were persistently found in almost all literature. When these factors are combined with signs of pre term delivery, they indicate that close monitoring needs to be done.
  16. Rosnah, I., Azmi, M.T.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: To determine association between occupational stress and personality characteristics among nurses at Maternal and Child Health Clinic in the state of Malacca, emphasizing on type of personality and personal perception of stress.
    Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted among 152 nurses of Maternal and Child Health Clinics in Malacca using self administered questionnaires and selected via multistage sampling.
    Results : This study showed that a total of 28.3% of the nurses were found to be stressed. Almost half (41.2%) of those who perceived that they were stressed were likely to be really stressed (p = 0.004). Therefore those who perceived themselves to be stressed should be referred for stress evaluation and further management if necessary. However selfperception of stress cannot be used as a screening tool for stress due to its lack of sensitivity (56.8%) and poor Positive Predictive Value (41.2%). Majority of the nurses were of Guardians Personality Type (98%) and 72.4% of them had extrovert trait. However there were no significant associations between stress with personality type or characteristic, most probably due to the preponderance of one personality type or characteristic. Other studied variables such as socio-demographic factors (age, gender, ethnicity, religion, marital status, educational level, body mass index, type of work place, position, duration of service and poverty level) and social factors (placement, chronic medical illness, chronic care taker, smoking status and alcohol drinker) were suggestive of an association between them and stress but were not statistically significant.
    Conclusion : There is no association between occupational stress and personal characteristics among nurses in Malacca.
  17. Aniza, I., Hossein, M., Otgonbayar, R., Munkhtuul, Y.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction : Economic evaluations can provide “value-for money” information to those making decisions about the allocation of limited health care resources. In particular, economic evaluations can be used to identify interventions that are worth providing and those that are not. Furthermore, evaluations can be used with other approaches to help set priorities, such as program-budgeting marginal-analysis.
    Methodology : Compile and systematically describe from the publications, articles and reports on economic evaluation in healthcare decision making.
    Result : A high quality economic evaluation should provide decision makers with information that is useful, relevant, and timely. In addition, evaluations should be based on rigorous analytical methods, be balanced and impartial (credible), and be transparent and accessible to the reader. There are many situations where economic evaluations can assist decision makers: decisions by various levels of government or administrative bodies (e.g., regional health authorities, hospitals, drug plans) to fund a program, service or technology, pricing decisions by government regulators and technology manufacturers, clinical practice guidelines, priorities for research funding by governments and researchbased firms, post-marketing surveillance and updates of economic information based on the use of the technology in the “real world” (which can then be used to inform one of the other types of decisions).
    Conclusion: This requires that decision makers take a broad view of the impact of a technology, and decision that are more explicit and transparent. The ultimate test of an evaluation is whether it leads to better decision in the presence of uncertainty, and results in the more efficient and effective use of resources.
  18. Sazlina, S.G., Krishnan, R., Shamsul, A.S., Zaiton, A., Visvanathan, R.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction : The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the pattern of falls in community dwelling older people attending a primary care clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
    Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted in an urban primary care clinic. Participants aged 60 years and older were included in the study. A structured questionnaire, assessing socio-demographic variables, medical and falls history was administered by one investigator over a 3-month period in 2004.
    Results : A total of 151 respondents participated in this study with a response rate of 72%. The prevalence of falls was 47.0% over the previous 12-months period. Fifty-seven percent reported experiencing recurrent falls. Majority (61%) of falls occurred in the home and the two most common places were the bathroom (27%) and stairs (27%). Sixty-one percent of older people who fell, sustained an injury and most sought medical attention.
    Conclusion : In conclusion, falls are common amongst older people attending this primary care clinic. It occurred commonly in the home in the bathroom and near stairs. However, a larger local community study is warranted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for falls in Malaysia.

    Study site: primary care clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  19. Wan Puteh SE, Selahuddeen AA, Aljunid SM, Zarihah Z
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: This study seeks to identify the socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics of smokers (aged 18 and above), thus develop a predicting model for tobacco abstinence receiving cessation services for tobacco dependence at the Smoking Cessation Clinics (SCC) in government Primary Health Centers in Malaysia. These predictors would improve the effectiveness and efficiency of these clinics.
    Methods : Smokers who sought smoking cessation therapy at the SCCs from 1st January 2004 to 31st
    December 2004 were chosen randomly from clinic’s registries, and 254 smokers were recruited from 8 clinics chosen through stratified random sampling. Data analyses were performed with SPSS 12.0. 17.3% of smokers attending SCCs were able to quit smoking for at least six months.
    Results : Factors significantly contributing to quitting success were elderly smokers (above 40 years old), smoked for more than 15 years, smoked less than ten sticks per day, had a previous history of quitting attempt, self referral to the clinic, high confidence level, attended SCC at least four times, each counseling session lasted for at least 30 minutes and were satisfied with the clinic service. In logistic regression model, smokers aged 40 years and above were 6.7 times more successful to quit, high level of confidence were nine times more successful, smoked more than ten sticks per day were ten times less successful, self referred smokers were ten times more successful and attending for at least 30 minutes counseling session were 12 times more successful.
    Conclusion : This study concludes that more concerted effort is needed to approach various groups of target population and SCCs clinic services need to be improved.
  20. Redhwan, A.A., Md Idris, M.N., Zaleha, M.I., Robert, C., Fuad, I., Sami, R.A.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction : The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer survivors based on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics.
    Methods : A cross-sectional study was performed on 125 breast cancer survivors from the outpatient clinics. FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) questionnaire was used to assess survivors’ QOL.
    Results : Survivors with low body mass index (BMI) (underweight) were found to have the lowest overall QOL. Those who were overweight had a higher overall QOL, and those who were normal-weight had the highest QOL. Low educational level, being underweight and low monthly household income were significantly associated with lower overall QOL Tamoxifen use and employment status were significantly associated with QOL in some domains. Time since diagnosis to QOL interview was significantly associated with greater scores in emotional well-being (EWB). Multiple linear regression indicated that age, marital status, monthly household income, surgery and histological grade were indicative of the patients QOL.
    Conclusion : The four primary factors related to better QOL were high educational level, high income, normal body weight and greater duration from the time of diagnosis to the time of interview. Age, marital status, income, lumpectomy and histological grade were indicative of the patient QOL.
    Study site: Oncology and Surgical clinics; Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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