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Fulltext A comparative study on how medical students learn about the use of abbreviations in medical practice

Farah Syazana Ahmad Shahabuddin, Nur Hazirah Ahmat, Ahmed Ikhwan Mohamad, Lau, Kit Mun, Siti Aisyah Mohd Yusof, Teh, Pei Chiek, et al.

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2015;9(2):13-21.
MyJurnal

Background: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by healthcare workers has been reported to compromise patient safety. Medical students are future doctors. We explored how early medical students acquired the practice of using abbreviations, and their ability to interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical practice.

Method: Eighty junior and 74 senior medical students were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire designed to capture demographic data; frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of mishaps due to misinterpretation; and the ability of students to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations. Comparisons were made between senior and junior medical students.

Results: Abbreviation use was highly prevalent among junior and senior medical students. They acquired the habit mainly from the clinical notes of doctors in the hospital. They used abbreviations mainly to save time, space and avoid writing in full sentences. The students experienced difficulties, frustrations and often resorted to guesswork when interpreting abbreviations; with junior students experiencing these more than senior students. The latter were better at interpreting standard and non-standard abbreviations. Nevertheless, the students felt the use of abbreviations was necessary and acceptable. Only a few students reported encountering mishaps in patient management as a result of misinterpretation of abbreviations.

Conclusion: Medical students acquired the habit of using abbreviations early in their training. Senior students knew more and correctly interpreted more standard and non-standard abbreviations compared to junior students. Medical students should be taught to use standard abbreviations only.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Fulltext A complex behavioural change intervention to reduce the risk of diabetes and prediabetes in the pre-conception period in Malaysia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Skau JK, Nordin AB, Cheah JC, Ali R, Zainal R, Aris T, et al.

Trials, 2016;17(1):215.
PMID: 27117703 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-016-1345-x

Over the past two decades, the population of Malaysia has grown rapidly and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Malaysia has dramatically increased, along with the frequency of obesity, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension. Early-life influences play an important role in the development of non-communicable diseases. Indeed, maternal lifestyle and conditions such as gestational diabetes mellitus or obesity can affect the risk of diabetes in the next generation. Lifestyle changes can help to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is a protocol for an unblinded, community-based, randomised controlled trial in two arms to evaluate the efficacy of a complex behavioural change intervention, combining motivational interviewing provided by a community health promoter and access to a habit formation mobile application, among young Malaysian women and their spouses prior to pregnancy.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Fulltext A new mathematical evaluation of smoking problem based of algebraic statistical method

Mohammed MJ, Rakhimov IS, Shitan M, Ibrahim RW, Mohammed NF

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2016 Jan;23(1):S11-5.
PMID: 26858555 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.08.015

Smoking problem is considered as one of the hot topics for many years. In spite of overpowering facts about the dangers, smoking is still a bad habit widely spread and socially accepted. Many people start smoking during their gymnasium period. The discovery of the dangers of smoking gave a warning sign of danger for individuals. There are different statistical methods used to analyze the dangers of smoking. In this study, we apply an algebraic statistical method to analyze and classify real data using Markov basis for the independent model on the contingency table. Results show that the Markov basis based classification is able to distinguish different date elements. Moreover, we check our proposed method via information theory by utilizing the Shannon formula to illustrate which one of these alternative tables is the best in term of independent.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
A nutrition education intervention for anthropometric and biochemical profiles of rural older Malays with metabolic syndrome

Shahar S, Adznam SN, Lee LK, Yusof NA, Salleh M, Mohamed Sakian NI

Public Health Nurs, 2013 Mar;30(2):140-9.
PMID: 23452108 DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2012.01051.x

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a nutrition education intervention package in improving anthropometric, clinical and biochemical indicators of rural older Malays with metabolic syndrome (MS).

Matched MeSH terms: Food Habits
Fulltext A pedometer-based intervention with daily walking steps and its relationship with nutritional status among overweight/obese university students in Kuala Terengganu

Kok, J.L., Asma’, A., Khairil-Shazmin, K., Hayati, M.Y.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(3):17-28.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pedometer-based intervention and the relationship between daily walking steps and nutritional status among overweight/obese university students in Kuala Terengganu. Materials and methods: The study was an 8-week intervention study that included 23 overweight/obese university students. After 7 days of baseline activity, anthropometric data such as weight, height and waist circumference and a one-day dietary record were taken. The participants were divided into a control and case group. The control group (n=15) was instructed to continue with their normal activities and habits throughout the 8 weeks. The case group (n=8) was instructed to walk based on the targeted number of steps. Data such as body weight, waist circumference and a one-day dietary record were taken after the intervention. Results: Both case and control group show significant differences in body mass index (BMI) with p=0.017 and p=0.047 respectively. However, there is a large and significant difference between walking steps and BMI before and after intervention for the case group. There were no differences in any other study parameters during the 8-week study. Conclusion: In conclusion, short-term intervention with a pedometer increased physical activity and positively affected the BMI of overweight/obese participants. The use of a pedometer was efficient in measuring daily physical activity (r= 0.756, p< 0.05).

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Fulltext A review of epidemiological studies of oral cancer and precancer in Malaysia

Zain, R.B., Ghazali, N.

Ann Dent, 2001;8(1):-.
MyJurnal

This paper attempts to review epidemiological studies of oral cancer and precancer in Malaysia. The defmitions of prevalence, incidence, risk habits and oral cancer and precancers were discussed to better understand' the different types of studies conducted, which would be important in making comparisons between studies. Currently, epidemiological data on oral cancer in Malaysia are sketchy. The only incidence data for oral cancer in Malaysia was reported by Hirayama in 1966, 35 years ago. He estimated that 3.1 new cases per 100,000 population were diagnosed for the year 1963. A number of histopathological data of oral and maxillofacial biopsies were reported. Oral cancer accounted for one-fifth of all oral biopsies. A national study on oral mucosal lesions in Malaysia carried out in 1993/4 reported that there was a variation seen in the occurrence of oral premalignancy among the ethnic groups. The Indians and the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak were identified as high risk groups for oral cancer and precancer. It was also observed that both of the ethnic groups chewed betel quid. In conclusion, the epidemiological studies have provided useful data, which may be used in planning for future oral health programmes and research towards enhancing Malaysia's on-going effort in preventing the occurrence of these diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
A review on sperata aor (Hamilton, 1822), a popular food Ffish of indian subcontinent

Sandipan Gupta

Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:1217-1222.

Sperata aor is a freshwater catfish of Bagridae family which is distributed throughout Indian subcontinent including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. It is a popular food fish due to its good taste and high nutritional value. Recently it has also made its entry in domestic ornamental fish markets of India and has been reported to have moderate export price too. Earlier, few works on different aspects of its morphology and biology have been carried out but no consolidated review is available on these aspects. Therefore, the current work was done to sum up all available information on these aspects to fill the information gap that will be beneficial to its future fishery. Considering all available information, knowledge on food and feeding habit of this fish species is satisfactory, except detail information on spatial variation of its breeding periodicity, proper information on other aspects are still lacking. No work has been conducted to examine its captive culture potential or for induced breeding. Further work should be done to explore its future fishery.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
A study on the prevalence of oral habits in 100 cases of squamous cell carcinoma in Malaysia

Ng KH, Siar CH, Ramanathan K, Murugasu P

Ann Dent, 1986;45(2):7-10.
PMID: 3468879
Matched MeSH terms: Habits*
Fulltext A survey of optometric contact lens prescribing in Malaysia

Norhani Mohidin, Tee, Lee Fung

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2009;7(2):59-72.
MyJurnal

This survey represents an initial examination of contact lens practice in Malaysia. It is based on a questionnaire that was sent to selected members of the Association of the Malaysian Optometrists to survey the prescribing habits of g contact lenses and care products. Questions included types of lenses prescribed, care systems frequently recommended and types of complications seen. Optometrists in Malaysia prescribed an average of 90 new pairs of contact lenses per year. Soft lenses made up 84% of the prescription followed by 14% of rigid gas permeable lenses and 1.5% of polymethymethacrylate lenses. Disposable/frequent replacement lenses accounted for 60% of the soft lenses prescribed. The most commonly prescribed disinfecting system was chemical disinfection. The most common complication seen during aftercare consultation was dry eye-related problems.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Fulltext A survey on computer password practices among medical undergraduate students at Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia

Azmi, M.T., Emran, M.T.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2006;12(1):0-0.
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.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Fulltext A workplace email-linked website intervention for modifying cancer-related dietary and lifestyle risk factors: rationale, design and baseline findings

Ang YK, Mirnalini K, Zalilah MS

Malays J Nutr, 2013 Apr;19(1):37-51.
PMID: 24800383 MyJurnal

Introduction: The use of email and website as channels for workplace health
information delivery is not fully explored. This study aims to describe the
rationale, design, and baseline findings of an email-linked website intervention
to improve modifiable cancer risk factors. Methods: Employees of a Malaysian
public university were recruited by systematic random sampling and randomised
into an intervention (n=174) or control group (n=165). A website was developed
for the intervention and educational modules were uploaded onto the website.
The intervention group received ten consecutive weekly emails with hypertext
links to the website for downloading the modules and two individual phone
calls as motivational support whilst the control group received none. Diet,
lifestyle, anthropometric measurements, psychosocial factors and stages of change
related to dietary fat, fruit and vegetable intake, and physical activity were
assessed. Results: Participants were predominantly female and in non-academic
positions. Obesity was prevalent in 15% and 37% were at risk of co-morbidities.
Mean intake of fats was 31%, fruit was ~1 serving/day and vegetable was <1
serving/day. Less than 20% smoked and drank alcohol and about 40% were
physically inactive. The majority of the participants fell into the Preparation
stage for decreasing fat intake, eating more fruit and vegetables, and increasing
physical activity. Self-efficacy and perceived benefits were lowest among participants in the Precontemplation/Contemplation stage compared to the Preparation
and Action/Maintenance stages. Conclusion: Baseline data show that dietary and
lifestyle practices among the employees did not meet the international guidelines
for cancer prevention. Hence the findings warrant the intervention planned.
Keywords: Cancer, risk factors, email, website, worksite

Matched MeSH terms: Food Habits/physiology*; Food Habits/psychology
Fulltext ACCOUNTING FOR TRASH MANAGEMENT AT UNIVERSITIMALAYSIA TERENGGANU

NUR AQILAH AWANG NASRAN, SHAYUTI MOHAMED ADNAN, FATIMAH SHAHMAN, SITI HAJAR ZAWAWI

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2019;1(3):36-45.
MyJurnal

This paper provides preliminary evidence ofthe need foraccounting for trash management in public organizations, in particular, UniversitiMalaysia Terengganu (UMT). It has two objectives: tosolicit opinions from students regarding their behaviorsand perceptions towards recycling habits,and to provide data on the extent of accounting for trash management at UMT. A survey among155 UMT students indicatedthat theyrecycled the trashandwereaware of environmental issues caused by the waste. However, they were not informed about the benefits of environmental management accounting practice particularly regardingtrash management. Interviewswith UMT management also revealed that while UMT supported recycling activities byfunding the projects and providing facilities, the data on the opportunity cost involved in the current practice was never integrated into UMT accounting system. As a result, the management hadno idea of how much was lost (or gained) during the process. Based on the findings,this study callsfor the implementation of accounting for trash management in a public university.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Aberrant proteins featured in the saliva of habitual betel quid chewers: an indication of early oral premalignancy?

Jessie K, Jayapalan JJ, Rahim ZH, Hashim OH

Electrophoresis, 2014 Dec;35(24):3504-11.
PMID: 25223738 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201400252

Prolonged chewing of betel quid is known to cause oral diseases, including cancer. The present study was performed to screen for aberrant proteins in the saliva of habitual betel quid chewers compared to nonchewers. Saliva of female subjects (n = 10) who had been chewing betel quid for more than 20 years and nonbetel quid chewers (n = 10) of the same gender and range of age was analyzed by gel-based proteomics. Increased structural microheterogeneity of saliva haptoglobin beta chains indicated by shifts of focused spots similar to that earlier reported in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, and their relatively higher abundance compared to nonbetel quid chewers, were detected in saliva protein profiles of all chewers. In addition, the majority of the betel quid chewers also showed significant higher abundance of hemopexin, alpha-1B glycoprotein, alpha1-antitrypsin, complement C3, and transthyretin. These proteins had previously been associated with several different cancers. Our data demonstrated different forms of protein aberration in the saliva of betel quid chewers, which may be indicative of early oral precancerous conditions.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Fulltext An Evaluation of the Video Narrative Technique on the Self-Efficacy of Medication Understanding and Use Among Post-Stroke Patients: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Appalasamy JR, Quek KF, Md Zain AZ, Joseph JP, Seeta Ramaiah S, Tha KK

Patient Prefer Adherence, 2020;14:1979-1990.
PMID: 33116441 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S253918

Introduction: Self-efficacy is positively associated with medication understanding and use self-efficacy (MUSE) among post-stroke patients. It is also closely related to knowledge, belief, and perception, which vary among people from different socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures. As interventions using video and peer stories have emerged to be successful on behavior modification, this study aimed to explore the effectiveness of video narratives incorporated with Health Belief constructs on MUSE and its associated factors among patients with stroke at a local setting.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) for 12 months was carried out on patients diagnosed with stroke at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The RCT recruited up to 216 eligible patients who were requested to return for two more follow-ups within six months. Consented patients were randomized to either standard care or intervention with video narratives. The control of potential confounding factors was ensured, as well as unbiased treatment review with prescribed medications, only obtained onsite.
Results and Discussion: A repeated measure of MUSE mean score differences at T0 (baseline), T2 (6th month) and T4 (12th month) for antithrombotic, antihypertensive, and all medication categories indicated significant within and between groups differences in the intervention group (p<0.05). Moreover, this impact was reflected upon continuous blood pressure (BP) monitoring compared to the control group (F (1214) =5.23, p=0.023, ƞ2=0.024). Though BP measure differences were non-significant between the groups (p=0.552), repeated measure analysis displayed significant mean differences between intervention and control group on BP control over time (F (1.344, 287.55) =8.54, P<0.001, ƞ2=0.038). Similarly, the intervention's positive impact was also present with similar trends for knowledge, illness perception, and the belief about medicine. Though significant differences (p<0.05) of all outcome measures gradually decreased between T2 and T4 in the intervention group; nevertheless, these positive findings confirmed that personalized video narratives were able to motivate and influence MUSE and its associated factors among post-stroke patients. The significant improvement in medication-taking self-efficacy and the sustenance of BP monitoring habits among patients in the intervention group strengthened our conceptual framework's practicality.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Fulltext Antecedents of the responsible acquisition of computers behaviour: Integrating the theory of planned behaviour with the value-belief-norm theory and the habits variable

Loo WH, Yeow PHP, Yee Yen Y

PLoS One, 2023;18(6):e0286022.
PMID: 37267259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286022

The responsible behaviour of consumers that purchase green computers is a form of sustainable consumption, as green computers use less energy resulting in less CO2 emissions and the use of fewer toxic metals and materials during their production. The research question is how to encourage such behaviour. Although prior research has provided some answers by investigating the antecedents of the behaviour, it has done so through a piecemeal approach from the angles of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory, and habits. The present research aims to investigate the antecedents of the responsible acquisition of computers behaviour (RACB) among Malaysian consumers by integrating the TPB and the VBN theory with the habits variable. Hypotheses and a research framework were developed based on these theories and a survey questionnaire was used to collect information on the green computer purchase behaviour of computer owners aged 17 and over in Malaysia. A total of 1,000 usable surveys were completed and structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data collected. The findings reveal that the TPB, the VBN theory, and the habits variable can be integrated to explain RACB, which is formed when biospheric values trigger subjective norms that subsequently result in the formation of habits that lead to intentions of acquiring green computers and RACB. The study's findings show that although personal norms do not affect RACB, subjective norms affect ascriptions of responsibility, personal norms, and RACB. The findings provide insights to policymakers, NGOs, manufacturers, and marketers that can assist them in designing strategies for the effective promotion of RACB.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Areca nut: a review

Arjungi KN

Arzneimittelforschung, 1976;26(5):951-6.
PMID: 786304

Areca cattechu Linn is commonly known as areca nut or betel nut. It is a very widely cultivated plant in eastern countries like India, Bangladesh, Ceylon, Malaya, the Philippines and Japan. The importance of this nut is due to its use for chewing purposes. It had an important place as a pharmaceutical in Ayurveda--the ancient Indian system of medicine--also in the Chinese medicinal practices. The pharmaceutical importance of areca nut is due to the presence of an alkaloid, arecoline. Synthetic arecoline hydrobromide is also shown to possess numerous pharmacological properties. Chewing of "betel quid" or areca nut is a typical oriental habit. Betel quid comprises betel leaf, areca nut, catechu, lime and sometimes also tobacco. It is shown that there exists a correlationship between betel quid or areca nut chewing habit and oral cancer. A number of investigators have been able to produce cellular changes such as leukoplakia by application of betel quid or areca nut extract to the buccal mucosa of different animal.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits
Fulltext Assessment of diet quality among married couples in a selected urban area in Selangor

Asma, A., Nawalyah, A.G., Rokiah, M.Y., Mohd Nasir, M.T.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2010;16(2):17-28.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the overall diet quality of husbands and wives in a selected urban area in Selangor.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor among 150 married couples aged 20 and above, who voluntarily agreed to participate and were not practicing any special diet. Data were collected using a 2-day 24-Hour Dietary Recall and a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to evaluate the quality of diet among husbands and wives using the Diet Quality Index Revised (DQI-R).
Result: Majority of husbands and wives in this study were in the middle-age group, had received tertiary education, had household monthly income of more than RM3, 500 and encompass household size of 3 to 5 persons. The mean DQI-R score for husbands (mean age= 43.33 + 11.16 years) and wives (mean age= 41.28 + 10.93 years) were 67.8 + 9.1 and 64.4 + 9.3 respectively and there was a significant different in scores between the husbands and wives (p < 0.001). In general, the diet quality of this study population was not satisfactory and that the diet quality of husbands was better compared to their wives.
Conclusion: This study gives an insight picture of husbands and wives’ quality of diet. It can be used as a guideline to improve health intervention programs in the future.

Matched MeSH terms: Food Habits
Associated factors of tooth wear among Malaysian 16-year-olds: a case-control study in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Saerah NB, Mastura N, bin Ismail AR, Sadiq MA

Community Dent Health, 2012 Mar;29(1):33-8.
PMID: 22482247

To determine the associated factors of tooth wear (TW) among 16-year-old school children.

Matched MeSH terms: Food Habits
Association of dietary patterns with sociodemographic and health-related factors among coronary artery disease (CAD) patients

Esmaili H, Mohd Yusof R, Abu Saad H, Ghaemian A, Darani Zad N

Ecol Food Nutr, 2015;54(1):4-19.
PMID: 25347717 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2014.930031

This study aimed to identify the association of dietary patterns with sociodemographic and health-related characteristics among coronary artery disease patients. In this cross-sectional study, the participants were 250 patients coronary artery disease aged ≥ 40 years old. Data collection was done using questionnaires related to sociodemographics, health-related factors, and food-frequency intake information. Three dietary patterns (traditional, western, and healthy) were obtained using principal component analysis. The result showed that dietary patterns were associated with sociodemographic and health-related factors. According to the result, all the factors were taken very seriously when planning a promotional program for healthy lifestyle in prevention of CAD.

Matched MeSH terms: Food Habits*
Fulltext Awareness and Knowledge of Oral Cancer among Siamese Ethnic Group in Tumpat, Kelantan

Kassim NK, Adnan MM, Wern CW, Ru LZ, Hanafi MH, Yusoff A

Malays J Med Sci, 2017 Aug;24(4):47-54.
PMID: 28951689 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.4.6

INTRODUCTION: Oral cancer is a life-threatening disease. Lack of public awareness is a potent barrier for the early detection of oral cancer, especially for high-risk populations.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the awareness and knowledge of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer among a Siamese ethnic group in Tumpat, Kelantan.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a guided questionnaire on sociodemography, habits, awareness and knowledge of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer. Individuals under 18 years old and who had been diagnosed with oral cancer were excluded from this study.
RESULTS: A total of 195 respondents participated, 61.5% were female and the mean age was 46 (1.64). About 41% of the respondents had received secondary education and 35.4% were illiterate. Most respondents were self-employed (21.5%), followed by farmers (19.5%) and housewives (20%). The majority of them had a monthly income that fell below the poverty level of RM 830 (76.9%). Among the respondents, 22.6% had the habit of smoking, 25.6% consumed alcohol, 8.2% were betel quid chewers and 2.6% chewed tobacco. Out of 195 respondents, only 6.7% were aware of oral cancer. About 16.9% of the respondents correctly answered all of the questions regarding the signs and symptoms of oral cancer and only 4.1% knew the risk factors of oral cancer.
CONCLUSION: The awareness and knowledge of oral cancer in this targeted population were unsatisfactory. Future effective health promotion programs and education should be emphasised.

Matched MeSH terms: Habits

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