Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 1451 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Hamid TA, Pakgohar M, Ibrahim R, Dastjerdi MV
    Arch Gerontol Geriatr, 2015 May-Jun;60(3):514-21.
    PMID: 25662038 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2015.01.003
    UI is a worldwide chronic condition among postmenopausal women. Little is known about the meaning of lived experiences of urinary incontinence of these women's viewpoints in their context.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life/psychology*
  2. Labao HC, Faller EM, Bacayo MFD
    Ann Glob Health, 2018 08 31;84(3):474-480.
    PMID: 30835403 DOI: 10.29024/aogh.2331
    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are alarmingly high among migrant workers in Malaysia. MSDs are the most prevalent occupational-related conditions in most parts of the world affecting function, productivity and overall health-related quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to determine the profile of Filipino migrant workers in Malaysia and their various musculoskeletal complaints.

    METHOD: This study utilized a quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional research design. A total of 60 subjects were randomly selected after passing the study's sampling criteria. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was to used to determine common MSDs affecting the various regions in the body. The Demographic Pofile Sheet was provided to gather a subject's demographic characteristics.

    RESULTS: Filipino migrant workers mostly complain of pain in the low back area (60%) and shoulder pain (60%), followed by pain in the upper back (48.3%) and neck pain (45%) in the last 12 months. Household workers accounting for 73.3% of the subjects commonly complain of pain in the hips/thighs (78.9%), while workers in the service industry commonly complain of knee pain (39.1%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Results imply that Filipino migrant workers have a higher prevalence of shoulder and lower back pain in the last 12 months. Household workers are more susceptible to hip/thigh pain. Interventions focusing on ergonomics policy implementation, education on posture and lifting techniques and physical function is recommended. Further studies should consider the psychological and psychosocial aspects of migrant employment, which are known risk factors for MSDs.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  3. Bai X, Xiao W, Soh KG, Agudamu, Zhang Y
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0293483.
    PMID: 37883372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293483
    Healthy aging is a global goal to enhance the quality of life for older persons. This study evaluated the benefits of 12-week concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan. Healthy Chinese women aged 60 years and above were enrolled to the control (n = 26) and intervention (n = 25) groups. Participants in the intervention group engaged in three exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks, whereas control group engaged in free-living activities. Each exercise session consisted of 20-45 minutes of walking and 20-45 minutes of Yang style 24-form Taijiquan. 12-week exercise improved (p < 0.05) the sit and reach test (within-group mean difference: +5.6 cm; Hedges' g = 0.77), handgrip strength (mean difference: +3.1 kg; g = 0.89), arm curl (mean difference: +2.1 repetitions; g = 0.69), chair stand (mean difference: +2.6 repetitions; g = 0.63), and one-legged standing (mean difference: +2.2 seconds; g = 1.07). There was no improvement in the circulatory health, body composition, or life satisfaction. Therefore, this concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan training, which targets major whole-body muscle groups, could improve aging-critical flexibility, muscular fitness, and balance in older women. The exercise meets the current WHO guideline, is safe to perform, and could be campaigned as a health promotion for older persons.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  4. Hassan H, Othman MF, Razak HRA
    Curr Med Imaging, 2021;17(11):1271-1275.
    PMID: 33593263 DOI: 10.2174/1573405617666210216091202
    Bone metastases are a common source of malignancy in the skeleton and occur much more often than primary bone cancer. Several works were being performed to identify early markers for bone metastasis and novel drug targets to improve patients' quality of life. As some concerns exist with the [18F]sodiumfluoridein positron emission tomography (PET) bone imaging, there has been an increase in the number of targeted radiopharmaceutical markers for bone metastases imaging in its competitor, 68Ga. Since 18F properties are superior to those of 68Ga, there is a distinct motivation for developing 18F radiopharmaceuticals for bone metastases imaging.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  5. Lua PL, Talib NS
    Subst Use Misuse, 2012 Aug;47(10):1100-5.
    PMID: 22545914 DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2012.679840
    This paper focuses on the evaluation of addiction program effectiveness which involves changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) profile. This study was conducted from 2007 until 2010 at a rural methadone maintenance treatment center in Malaysia to assess HRQoL outcomes before and after treatment. Fifty-seven respondents completed the WHOQOL-BREF at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months postintervention. Data were analyzed using nonparametric techniques (SPSS 15). Significant and positive HRQoL impacts were demonstrated. Future studies with larger sample are encouraged. This study was supported by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  6. Lo TS, Yusoff FM, Kao CC, Jaili S, Uy Patrimonio MC
    Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2017 Jun;56(3):346-352.
    PMID: 28600046 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2017.04.015
    OBJECTIVE: Transvaginal mesh anterior-posterior (TVM-AP) provides better cure rates in the surgical treatment of vaginal cuff eversion than anterior transvaginal mesh combined with sacrospinous ligament fixation (TVM-A). We determine the outcomes after TVM-A and TVM-AP surgeries in advanced vaginal cuff prolapse.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of 796 women who underwent pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery from July 2006 to January 2012 in Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals were reviewed. We included women who presented with advanced cuff eversion and treated with TVM surgery. Data were analysed after three years post-surgery. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and perioperative data. The paired-samples t test was used for comparison of preoperative and postoperative continuous data. The outcomes measured were objective cure (POP-Q stage ≤ 1) and subjective cure (negative response to question 2 and 3 on POPDI-6).

    RESULTS: A total of 97 patients was analysed. 61 patients had TVM-A and 36 patients had TVM-AP insertion. Mean follow-up was 52 months. The objective cure rate for TVM-AP was significantly higher than TVM-A, 94.4% versus 80.3%. TVM-AP also showed a higher subjective cure rate (91.7%) though there was no significant difference from TVM-A (p = 0.260). The mesh extrusion rate was low at 3.1% with no major complications seen. In TVM-A the blood loss was lesser and the operation time was shorter.

    CONCLUSION: TVM-AP showed better objective cure rate than TVM-A at 52 months. However, TVM-A is less invasive in comparison with an acceptably good cure rates.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  7. Ng CG, Abousheishaa AA, Low SY, Zainal NZ, Thong KS, Awaluddin AB, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2023 Aug 01;24(8):2583-2591.
    PMID: 37642043 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.8.2583
    OBJECTIVE: Vortioxetine is a monoaminergic drug with a novel multimodal mechanism of action. We investigated its efficacy on depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and quality of life among cancer patients.

    METHODS: In this multicenter, open-label, single-arm, observational study, patients received flexible doses of Vortioxetine for a period of six months. All participants were assessed at baseline and scheduled for monitoring at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. Depression severity was assessed using Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale. The Perceived Deficiency Questionnaire (PDQ-5) assessed the perceived cognitive difficulties in concentration, executive functioning, and memory. The European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC) was used to assess the patients' quality of life. Side effects of vortioxetine were monitored using the Antidepressant Side-Effect Checklist (ASEC).

    RESULTS: Patients experienced a reduction in MADRS scores from 29.89 ± 5.997 at baseline to 11.59 ± 4.629 by Week 24. The PDQ-5 scores showed significant change from Week-4, whereas the EORTC role, emotional, and cognitive functioning scores showed a significant change from Week 2 onwards. CGI-Severity scores decreased from a baseline of 4.39 ± 0.746 to 2.41 ± 1.085 by Week 24. During the 24-Weeks of therapy, around three-quarters of the patients (73.3%) had one or more adverse events reported on the ASEC. The most frequently reported TEAEs were dry mouth, insomnia, somnolence, and headache, with more than a 30% incidence rate.

    CONCLUSION: Vortioxetine seems promising in the management of depression and enhancement of cognitive function and quality of life of cancer patients with Major Depressive Disorder.
    .

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  8. Bin Suliman MA, Hanis TM, Kamdi MKA, Ibrahim MI, Musa KI
    PMID: 36901652 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054642
    Many stroke survivors suffer with varying degrees of disability and require assistance. Family members commonly act as informal caregivers, caring for these stroke survivors and ensuring care adherence. However, many caregivers reported a poor quality of life and physical and psychological distress. Due to these issues, multiple studies have been conducted to understand the experience of caregivers, the outcomes of caregiving, and interventional studies among caregivers. This study aims to explore the intellectual landscape of studies on stroke caregivers using bibliometric analysis. Studies with "stroke" and "caregiver" terms in the title were extracted from the Web of Sciences (WOS) database. The resulting publications were analysed using the 'bibliometrix' package in R. There were 678 publications analysed, dating from 1989 to 2022. The USA has the highest number of publications (28.6%), followed by China (12.1%) and Canada (6.1%). The most productive institution, journal and author were The University of Toronto (9.5%), 'Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation' journal (5.8%) and Tamilyn Bakas (3.1%), respectively. Co-occurrences keywords analysis revealed mainstream research on stroke survivors, burden, quality of life, depression, care, and rehabilitation, reflecting the timeless hotspot in the field. This bibliometric analysis helps us understand the current state of stroke caregiver research and its recent developments. This study can be used to evaluate research policies and promote international cooperation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  9. Wahab NA, Chien BH, Omar MR, Aziz AA, Mustafa N, Sukor N, et al.
    Acta Med Indones, 2021 Jan;53(1):77-81.
    PMID: 33818409
    Co-occurrence of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) and phaeochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) are rare, although some cases have been reported. We report a case of left paraganglioma in a 20-year-old lady with an underlying CCHD who underwent palliative Glenn shunt, subsequently developed polycythaemia and cavernous sinus thrombosis presented with palpitation, sweating, headache and hypertension of 3-months duration at the age of 17. The abdominal CT scan revealed an enhancing left paraaortic mass measuring 5.2 cm x 4.4 cm x 3.8 cm. A 24-hour urine catecholamine demonstrated raised noradrenaline level to six times upper limit of normal and hence diagnosis of left sympathetic (sPGL) was made. In view of the delayed diagnosis and significant morbidity associated with her condition, surgical treatment is no longer an option. Therefore, vigilant screening and early treatment of PCC-PGL in patients with CCHD are crucial in order to avoid significant morbidity and ensure a good quality of life.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  10. Chean KY, Abdulrahman S, Chan MW, Tan KC
    Int J Occup Environ Med, 2019 10;10(4):203-215.
    PMID: 31586385 DOI: 10.15171/ijoem.2019.1657
    BACKGROUND: Despite its excellent psychometric properties, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) has not been previously used in measuring respiratory quality of life (RQoL) among traffic police and firefighters who are at risk of poor respiratory health by virtue of their occupations.

    OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the RQoL of the occupationally exposed (firefighters and traffic police) and the occupationally unexposed populations in Penang, Malaysia.

    METHODS: We recruited male traffic police and firefighters from 5 districts of Penang by convenient sampling during June to September 2018. Participants completed the SGRQ. Scores (symptoms, activity, impacts, total) were derived using a scoring calculator. Higher scores indicate poorer RQoL. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were fitted to explore the relationship of the independent predictive factors with participants' RQoL.

    RESULTS: We recruited 706 participants---211 firefighters, 198 traffic police, and 297 from general population. Smokers had significantly higher scores than non-smokers in all SGRQ domains. Regardless of smoking status, the "occupationally exposed group" had higher symptoms score than the "occupationally unexposed group," who had higher activity and impact scores. Smoking status, comorbidity status and monthly income were significant independent predictors of SGRQ total score.

    CONCLUSION: In comparison with the general population, firefighters and traffic police reported poorer RQoL; smoking further deteriorated their respiratory health. There is a need to strengthen preventive health measures against occupational disease and smoking cessation among firefighters and traffic police.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  11. Endarti D, Riewpaiboon A, Thavorncharoensap M, Praditsitthikorn N, Hutubessy R, Kristina SA
    Value Health Reg Issues, 2018 May;15:50-55.
    PMID: 29474178 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2017.07.008
    OBJECTIVES: To gain insight into the most suitable foreign value set among Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai, and UK value sets for calculating the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire index score (utility) among patients with cervical cancer in Indonesia.

    METHODS: Data from 87 patients with cervical cancer recruited from a referral hospital in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia, from an earlier study of health-related quality of life were used in this study. The differences among the utility scores derived from the four value sets were determined using the Friedman test. Performance of the psychometric properties of the four value sets versus visual analogue scale (VAS) was assessed. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used to test the agreement among the utility scores. Spearman ρ correlation coefficients were used to assess convergent validity between utility scores and patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. With respect to known-group validity, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine the differences in utility according to the stages of cancer.

    RESULTS: There was significant difference among utility scores derived from the four value sets, among which the Malaysian value set yielded higher utility than the other three value sets. Utility obtained from the Malaysian value set had more agreements with VAS than the other value sets versus VAS (intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plot tests results). As for the validity, the four value sets showed equivalent psychometric properties as those that resulted from convergent and known-group validity tests.

    CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of an Indonesian value set, the Malaysian value set was more preferable to be used compared with the other value sets. Further studies on the development of an Indonesian value set need to be conducted.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life/psychology*
  12. Dong, K.Y., Chan, M.S., Ong, S.T.
    Ann Dent, 2002;9(1):-.
    MyJurnal
    Twenty-one patients who underwent ablative surgery for head and neck cancer at Bristol Dental Hospital and School, England between the years 1996 and 2002 were enrolled in the study. A self-completed questionnaire based on Head and Neck Specific measures was addressed to the patients. The overall post-operative quality of life among these patients is acceptable. About half of the patients complained of moderate to severe difficulty in opening mouth wide (55%) and dry mouth (45%) and about one-third had major problems in swallowing solid food (36%), sleep disturbance (32%), trouble eating and enjoying meals (32%) and speech problems (32%). The study shows a tendency for the quality of life to improve steadily with increasing post-operative interval. It is hoped that the results will provide an insight into the patients' functional and psychological recovery, which will in turn help to facilitate the planning of appropriate strategies to improve their quality of life.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  13. Syed Alwi SM, Mazlan M, Mohd Taib NA, Che Din N, Narayanan V
    PLoS One, 2022;17(11):e0277056.
    PMID: 36395277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277056
    OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a well-known phenomenon among breast cancer survivors. Cognitive impairment among breast cancer survivors can significantly affect their quality of life and ability to function independently. However, there is a lack of specific and focused cognitive intervention to improve their cognitive performances. This study aimed to develop a tailored cognitive intervention framework module by adapting the attention and memory interventions from the Cognitive Rehabilitation Manual of the Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group (BI-SIG) of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) and incorporating them with the relevant exercises for cognitive rehabilitation for Malaysian breast cancer survivors with CRCI based on the consensus agreement of the expert panel.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Delphi consensus technique was conducted online to review and evaluate the framework module. A panel of experts, including rehabilitation medicine physicians, occupational therapists, and clinical psychologists in Malaysia, was invited to participate in this study. For each round, the expert consensus was defined as more than 90% of the expert panel agreeing or strongly agreeing with the proposed items.

    RESULTS: A total of 33 practitioners completed the three Delphi rounds. 72.7% of the expert panel have been practising in their relevant clinical fields for more than six years (M = 10.67, SD = 5.68). In Round 1, 23% of the experts suggested that the framework module for attention training required further improvements, specifically in the language (M = 1.97, SD = 0.75) and instructions (M = 2.03, SD = 0.71) provided. In Round 2, 15% of the experts recommended additional changes in the instruction (M = 2.15, SD = 0.67) for attention training. Amendments made to the framework module in line with the recommendations provided by the experts resulted in a higher level of consensus, as 94% to 100% of the experts in Round 3 concluded the framework module was suitable and comprehensive for our breast cancer survivors. Following the key results, the objectives were practical, and the proposed approaches, strategies, and techniques for attention and memory training were feasible. The clarity of the instructions, procedures, verbatim transcripts, and timeframe further enhanced the efficacy and utility of the framework module.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study found out that the cognitive intervention framework module for breast cancer survivors with cognitive impairment following chemotherapy can be successfully developed and feasible to be implemented using Delphi technique.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  14. Yusof ZY, Jaafar N
    PMID: 22682472 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-10-63
    The study aimed to develop and test a Malay version of the Child-OIDP index, evaluate its psychometric properties and report on the prevalence of oral impacts on eight daily performances in a sample of 11-12 year old Malaysian schoolchildren.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  15. Quek KF, Low WY, Razack AH, Loh CS
    Med J Malaysia, 2001 Sep;56(3):293-301.
    PMID: 11732073
    Main objective of this study is to validate the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL-20) in the Malaysian population. Reliability and internal consistency were evaluated using the test-retest method and Cronbach's alpha. Responsiveness was expressed as the effect size. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha value = 0.68 to 0.87). Test-retest correlation coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficient were significant (ICC = 0.58 and 0.91) as well as the high degree of sensitivity and specificity. The HRQOL-20 is a reliable, valid and sensitive to clinical changes in the Malaysian urological population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  16. Megat Kamaruddin PSN, Mohammed Nawi A, Abdul Manaf MR, Yaman MN, Abd Malek AM
    Glob Heart, 2023;18(1):12.
    PMID: 36936248 DOI: 10.5334/gh.1173
    BACKGROUND: Electronic Health (eHealth) interventions as a secondary prevention tool to empower patients' health in decision-making and behaviour.

    OBJECTIVE: With the growing body of evidence supporting the use of eHealth interventions, the intention is to conduct a meta-analysis on various health outcomes of eHealth interventions among ischaemic heart disease (IHD) patients.

    METHODS: Based on PRISMA guidelines, eligible studies were searched through databases of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, EBSCOHost, and SAGE (PROSPERO registration CRD42021290091). Inclusion criteria were English language and randomised controlled trials published between 2011 to 2021 exploring health outcomes that empower IHD patients with eHealth interventions. RevMan 5.4 was utilised for meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, and risk of bias (RoB) assessment while GRADE software for generating findings of physical health outcomes. Non-physical health outcomes were analysed using SWiM (synthesis without meta-analysis) method.

    RESULTS: This review included 10 studies, whereby, six studies with 895 participants' data were pooled for physical health outcomes. Overall, the RoB varied significantly across domains, with the majority was low risks, a substantial proportion of high risks and a sizeable proportion of unclear. With GRADE evidence of moderate to high quality, eHealth interventions improved low density lipoprotien (LDL) levels in IHD patients when compared to usual care after 12 months of interventions (SMD -0.26, 95% CI [-0.45, -0.06], I2 = 0%, p = 0.01). Significance appraisal in each domain of the non-physical health outcomes found significant findings for medication adherence, physical activity and dietary behaviour, while half of the non-significant findings were found for other behavioural outcomes, psychological and quality of life.

    CONCLUSIONS: Electronic Health interventions are found effective at lowering LDL cholesterol in long-term but benefits remain inconclusive for other physical and non-physical health outcomes for IHD patients. Integrating sustainable patient empowerment strategies with the advancement of eHealth interventions by utilising appropriate frameworks is recommended for future research.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  17. Shrestha R, Copenhaver M, Bazazi AR, Huedo-Medina TB, Krishnan A, Altice FL
    AIDS Behav, 2017 Apr;21(4):1059-1069.
    PMID: 28108877 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1693-x
    Although it is well established that HIV-related stigma, depression, and lack of social support are negatively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV (PLH), no studies to date have examined how these psychosocial factors interact with each other and affect HRQoL among incarcerated PLH. We, therefore, incorporated a moderated mediation model (MMM) to explore whether depression mediates the effect of HIV-related stigma on HRQoL as a function of the underlying level of social support. Incarcerated HIV-infected men with opioid dependence (N = 301) were recruited from the HIV units in Kajang prison in Malaysia. Participants completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, HIV-related stigma, depression, social support, and HRQoL. Results showed that the effect of HIV-related stigma on HRQoL was mediated via depression (a1:β = 0.1463, p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life/psychology*
  18. Murukesu RR, Singh DKA, Shahar S, Subramaniam P
    Front Public Health, 2020;8:471.
    PMID: 33014971 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00471
    Following the rapid increase of the aging population, health promotion and prevention of physical disability and dementia in older persons are essential for healthy aging. For example, there may be a potential to prevent or reverse cognitive frailty, the co-existence of both physical frailty and cognitive impairment in older persons. However, evidence-based interventions targeting the prevention or potential reversibility of cognitive frailty among community dwelling older adults are scarce. In this paper, we described the rationale, development and delivery of a multi-domain intervention comprising multi-component physical exercise prescription, cognitive training, dietary counseling and promotion of psychosocial support, called the WE-RISE trial. The aim of WE-RISE intervention is to potentially reverse cognitive frailty. This is a two-armed, single blinded, randomized controlled trial conducted over a duration of 6 months, at senior citizen activity centers within the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Ambulating, community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above with cognitive frailty are randomized into two groups; (1) intervention group: which receives an instructor based "WE-RISE" intervention for the first 3 months, and then a home-based "WE-RISE at Home" intervention for the following 3 months; (2) control group: usual care with no modifications to their daily routine. Primary outcome is cognitive frailty status and secondary outcome include physical function, cognitive performance, nutritional status, psychosocial status and quality of life which are obtained during baseline screening and subsequent follow ups at 3rd and 6th month. Description of the intervention is done using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist. This trial protocol has received approval from Research Ethics Committee of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM PPI/111/8/JEP-2018-558) and the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (MyResearch Reference: JKMM 100/12/5/2: 2018/405). Trial registration number: ACTRN12619001055190.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  19. Faheem M, Butt RA, Raza B, Alquhayz H, Abbas MZ, Ngadi MA, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2019 Nov 20;19(23).
    PMID: 31757104 DOI: 10.3390/s19235072
    The importance of body area sensor networks (BASNs) is increasing day by day because of their increasing use in Internet of things (IoT)-enabled healthcare application services. They help humans in improving their quality of life by continuously monitoring various vital signs through biosensors strategically placed on the human body. However, BASNs face serious challenges, in terms of the short life span of their batteries and unreliable data transmission, because of the highly unstable and unpredictable channel conditions of tiny biosensors located on the human body. These factors may result in poor data gathering quality in BASNs. Therefore, a more reliable data transmission mechanism is greatly needed in order to gather quality data in BASN-based healthcare applications. Therefore, this study proposes a novel, multiobjective, lion mating optimization inspired routing protocol, called self-organizing multiobjective routing protocol (SARP), for BASN-based IoT healthcare applications. The proposed routing scheme significantly reduces local search problems and finds the best dynamic cluster-based routing solutions between the source and destination in BASNs. Thus, it significantly improves the overall packet delivery rate, residual energy, and throughput with reduced latency and packet error rates in BASNs. Extensive simulation results validate the performance of our proposed SARP scheme against the existing routing protocols in terms of the packet delivery ratio, latency, packet error rate, throughput, and energy efficiency for BASN-based health monitoring applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  20. Goodson M, McLellan E, Rosli R, Tan MP, Kamaruzzaman S, Robinson L, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2021;9:637484.
    PMID: 34368037 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.637484
    Background: The number of people living with dementia worldwide is increasing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where little is known about existing post-diagnostic care and support. This study aimed to better understand healthcare provision for people living with dementia in Malaysia, and to identify priorities for providing timely, quality, and accessible care and support to all. Methods: This is a qualitative interview study on care providers and facilitators (health and community care professionals, paid carers, traditional medicine practitioners, faith healers, community leaders, non-governmental organisations). A topic guide, piloted in Malaysia and peer reviewed by all LMIC partners, elicited the understanding of dementia and dementia care and barriers and facilitators to care for people living with dementia and carers, and perceptions of key priorities for developing efficient, feasible, and sustainable dementia care pathways. Verbatim transcription of audio-recorded interviews was followed by iterative, thematic data analysis. Results: Twenty interviews were conducted (11 healthcare professionals, 4 traditional medicine practitioners, and 5 social support providers). The findings indicate that dementia care and support services exist in Malaysia, but that they are not fully utilised because of variations in infrastructure and facilities across the country. Despite a locally recognised pathway of care being available in an urban area, people with dementia still present to the healthcare system with advanced disease. The interviewees linked this to a public perception that symptoms of dementia, in particular, are normal sequelae of ageing. Earlier detection of dementia is commonly opportunistic when patients present to GPs, government clinic staff, and general physicians with other ailments. Dementia may only be identified by practitioners who have some specialist interest or expertise in it. Workforce factors that hindered early identification and management of dementia included lack of specialists, overburdened clinics, and limited knowledge of dementia and training in guideline use. Post-diagnostic social care was reported to be largely the domain of families, but additional community-based support was reported to be available in some areas. Raising awareness for both the public and medical professionals, prevention, and more support from the government are seen as key priorities to improve dementia management. Conclusions: This qualitative study provides novel insight into the availability, delivery, and use of post-diagnostic care and support in Malaysia from the perspective of care providers. The respondents in this study perceived that while there was a provision for dementia care in the hospital and community settings, the different care sectors are largely unaware of the services each provides. Future work should explore how care provision across different service sectors and providers can be supported to better facilitate patient access and referral between primary, secondary, and social care. The importance of supporting families to understand dementia and its progression, and strategies to help them care for relatives was emphasised. There is also a need for broad workforce training and development, at both the postgraduate and undergraduate levels, as well as improved general awareness in the community to encourage earlier help-seeking for symptoms of dementia. This will enable the use of preventive strategies and access to specialist services to optimise care and quality of life for people living with dementia in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links