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Fulltext The development and validity of the medical student stressor questionnaire (MSSQ)

Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahim, Mohd Jamil Yaacob, Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2010;11(1):13-24.
MyJurnal

Objective: To determine the construct validity and the internal consistency of the Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) among medical students hence in the future it could be used as a valid and reliable instrument to identify stressors among medical students. Methods: The blueprint for the development of MSSQ was developed after a review of literature on the subject and a discussion with experts in the field. It comprised of 40 items
with six hypothetical groups. The face validity of the questionnaire was established through discussion with 141 final year medical students whereas content validity was established through discussion with experts from field of Medical Education and Psychiatry. It was administered to a total of 761 medical students. Data was analysed using Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12. Factor analysis was applied to test construct validity of the MSSQ. Reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha and item total correlation) was applied to test internal consistency of the MSSQ. Results: The total Cronbach’s alpha value of the MSSQ was 0.95. All the preliminary 40 items were included in the MSSQ as the items had item total correlation value of more than 0.3. The items were loaded nicely into the six pre-determined hypothetical groups as their factor loading values were more than 0.3.
Conclusion: This study showed that MSSQ had good psychometric value. It is a valid and reliable instrument in identifying stressors among medical students.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Stability of usmeq-i in measuring emotional intelligence in medical students

Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;13(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

Objective: Emotional Intelligence (EI) is described as the ability to perceive, express,
understand, motivate, control and regulate emotion. The USM Emotional Quotient Inventory (USMEQ-i) was designed to measure EI and it was found to be a reliable and valid tool in a sample of prospective medical students. The objective of this study is to determine stability of the USMEQ-i to measure EI at different time and occasions. Methods: A prospective cohort study was done on 196 first year medical students. It was administered to the medical students at four different intervals. The Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation analysis were applied to measure the internal consistency and agreement level across the intervals. The analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18. Results: A total of 196 first year medical students participated in this study. Its overall Cronbach’s alpha value across intervals ranged between 0.94 and 0.97. The Cronbach’s alpha values of emotional control, emotional maturity, emotional conscientiousness, emotional awareness, emotional commitment, emotional fortitude, and emotional expression scale ranged between 0.59 and 0.91. The Cronbach’s alpha value for the faking index scale ranged from 0.76 to 0.89. The ICC coefficient values for EI total score was 0.83, EI domain score ranged between 0.62 and 0.76 and the faking index score was 0.76. Conclusion: The USMEQ-i has demonstrated a good level of stability and internal consistency to measure EI at different time and occasions. It is a promising psychometric instrument that can be used to measure EI.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Bolton tooth-size dsicrepancies among University of Malaya's dental students

Othman, S.A., Mookin, H., Asbollah, M.A., Hashim, N.A.

Ann Dent, 2008;15(1):40-47.
MyJurnal

The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate what percentage of the dental students in the University of Malaya has a tooth size discrepancy. The sample comprised 40 good quality pre-treatment study models with fully erupted and complete permanent dentitions from first molar to first molar, which were selected from the dental students of the University of Malaya. The mesiodistal diameter tooth sizes were randomly measured manually from first molar to first molar using digital calliper (Mitutoyu) accurate to 0.01 mm, and the Bolton analyses for anterior and overall ratios were calculated by scientific calculator. Reproducibility analysis for intra- and interexaminer calibrations was assessed by measuring 10 study models twice, a week apart. A paired sample t-test and the correlation coefficient were used to evaluate the systematic and random errors of the measurements using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12.0. The reproducibility of the intra and inter-examiners for the sum of upper and lower mesiodistal tooth size were high (average mean difference = 0.62, r = 0.82). This study found 47.5% of the samples had anterior, and about 10% had overall· tooth width ratios greater than 2 standard deviations from Bolton's mean. Large percentage of the dental students of the University of Malaya has tooth size discrepancies outside of Bolton 2 standard deviations. It would seem prudent to routinely perform the tooth size analysis and include the findings into orthodontic treatment planning.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Assessment Of Orthodontic Treatment Standard In Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya

Leong, B.L., Zamzam, N., Yassin, Z., Abdul Kadir, R.

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

The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment outcome using fixed and removable appliances, in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya (U.M.). The study models of 25 fixed and 30 upper removable appliance cases, with complete written records were examined before and after orthodontic treatment using the PAR (Peer Assessment Rating) Index. All the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows. Eighty five percent of the cases selected as sample were either 'improved' or 'greatly improved'. Among the 10 cases which were 'greatly improved', all had high pre-treatment PAR points (> 35 PAR points). Conversely, all the eight cases classified as 'worse or no different' were with low pretreatment PAR scores « 20 PAR points). The mean treatment duration in this study was 23. I months, ranging from 2 months to 78 months. The results of this study showed that the standard of treatment in this Faculty were fairly acceptable.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Evaluation of psychometric properties of the malay version perceived stress scale in two occupational settings in malaysia

Al-Dubai S, Ganasegeran K, Barua A, Rizal A, Rampal K

Ann Med Health Sci Res, 2014 Jul;4(Suppl 2):S104-7.
PMID: 25184074 DOI: 10.4103/2141-9248.138023

BACKGROUND: The 10-item version of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a widely used tool to measure stress. The Malay version of the PSS-10 has been validated among Malaysian Medical Students. However, studies have not been conducted to assess its validity in occupational settings.
AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the PSS-10 in two occupational setting in Malaysia.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among 191 medical residents and 513 railway workers. An exploratory factor analysis was performed using the principal component method with varimax rotation. Correlation analyses, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Bartlett's test of Sphericity and Cronbach's alpha were obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for the social sciences version 16 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) software.
RESULTS: Analysis yielded two factor structure of the Malay version of PSS-10 in both occupational groups. The two factors accounted for 59.2% and 64.8% of the variance in the medical residents and the railway workers respectively. Factor loadings were greater than 0.59 in both occupational groups. Cronbach's alpha co-efficient was 0.70 for medical residents and 0.71 for railway workers.
CONCLUSION: The Malay version of PSS-10 had adequate psychometric properties and can be used to measure stress among occupational settings in Malaysia.
KEYWORDS: Factor structure; Malaysia; Occupational; Perceived stress scale; Psychometric properties; Validity

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Comparison between Ventriculosubgaleal Shunt and Extraventricular Drainage to Treat Acute Hydrocephalus in Adults

Nee LS, Harun R, Sellamuthu P, Idris Z

Asian J Neurosurg, 2017 Oct-Dec;12(4):659-663.
PMID: 29114279 DOI: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_122_16

Context: Hydrocephalus, due to subarachnoid or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), meningitis, or tumor compression, is usually transient and may resolve after treatment. There are several temporary methods of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, none of it is superior to the other, and the decision is based on its various etiologies and factors. Ventriculosubgaleal shunt (VSGS) is one of those temporary measures, which is a simple and rapid CSF decompression method without causing electrolyte and nutritional losses.

Aims: The aim is to study the efficacy of VSGS for temporary CSF diversion, compared to extraventricular drainage (EVD) in adult hydrocephalus patients; to evaluate the outcome in terms of avoiding a permanent shunt, and to look for incidences of their complications.

Settings and Design: This was a retrospective observational study.

Subjects and Methods: The data were acquired from case notes of fifty patients with acute hydrocephalus: 26 secondary to IVH, 10 from aneurysm rupture, 8 posttrauma, and 6 from infection. All these patients had undergone CSF diversion in Hospital Queen Elizabeth II, Sabah, Malaysia, between 2013 and 2015. The patients were followed up from the date of treatment until the resolution of hydrocephalus, where parameters such as shunt dependency and complications were documented.

Statistical Analysis Used: All analyses were carried out using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences Version 22.0. Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test is used for univariate analysis of categorical variables.

Results: A total of 21 (42%) patients underwent EVD insertion and 29 (58%) underwent VSGS insertion. Thirty-seven (74%) patients did not require a permanent shunt; 24 (64.8%) of them were from the VSGS group (P = 0.097). EVD had more intracranial complications (44.1%) compared with VSGS (23.5%), with a statistically significant P = 0.026.

Conclusions: VSGS is a safe and viable option for adult hydrocephalus patients, with the possibility of continuation of the treatment for such patients in nonneurosurgical centers, as opposed to patients with EVDs. Furthermore, even though this method had no statistical difference in avoiding a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt, VSGS has statistically significant less intracranial complications compared with EVD.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Asian-Pacific round of WFS activities

Asian Pac Popul Programme News, 1979;8(1):16.
PMID: 12309486
Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Determinants of the willingness to participate in biobanking among Malaysian stakeholders in the Klang Valley

Amin L, Hashim H, Mahadi Z, Ismail K

BMC Med Res Methodol, 2018 12 05;18(1):163.
PMID: 30518344 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-018-0619-2

BACKGROUND: The demand in biobanking for the collection and maintenance of biological specimens and personal data from civilians to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases has increased notably. Despite the advancement, certain issues, specifically those related to privacy and data protection, have been critically discussed. The purposes of this study are to assess the willingness of stakeholders to participate in biobanking and to determine its predictors.

METHODS: A survey of 469 respondents from various stakeholder groups in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia was carried out. Based on previous research, a multi-dimensional instrument measuring willingness to participate in biobanking, and its predictors, was constructed and validated. A single step Structural Equation Modelling was performed to analyse the measurements and structural model using the International Business Machines Corporation Software Package for Social Sciences, Analysis of Moment Structures (IBM SPSS Amos) version 20 with a maximum likelihood function.

RESULTS: Malaysian stakeholders in the Klang Valley were found to be cautious of biobanks. Although they perceived the biobanks as moderately beneficial (mean score of 4.65) and were moderately willing to participate in biobanking (mean score of 4.10), they professed moderate concern about data and specimen protection issues (mean score of 4.33). Willingness to participate in biobanking was predominantly determined by four direct predictors: specific application-linked perceptions of their benefits (β = 0.35, p

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Key social science priorities for long-term COVID-19 response

Lees S, Sariola S, Schmidt-Sane M, Enria L, Tan KA, Aedo A, et al.

BMJ Glob Health, 2021 Jul;6(7).
PMID: 34312181 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006741
Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Unesco in Asia and the Pacific: 40 years on

UNESCO. Regional Office for Education in Asia and the Pacific

Bull Unesco Reg Off Educ Asia Pac, 1986 Nov.
PMID: 12342774
Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences*
Evaluation of Optic Nerve Head Parameters, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness, and Ocular Perfusion Pressure in Migraine Patients

Michael NDB, Hussein A, Abd Halim S, Ab Hamid SA

Cureus, 2019 May 04;11(5):e4599.
PMID: 31309023 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4599

Background Neurovascular changes occur during the migraine is believed to cause alteration in cerebral and retinal circulation that possible result in damage to the brain and even retina or optic nerve. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurement can be used as an index to assess ganglion cell and retinal nerve fiber damages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the optic nerve head (ONH) parameters, RNFL thickness, and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in migraine patients. Methods This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan from July 2016 to November 2018, involving patients with a confirmed diagnosis of migraine and controls. Ninety-four eyes of 47 migraine patients and 94 eyes of 47 healthy subjects were included in this study. Blood pressure and intraocular pressure were measured and OPP was calculated. ONH parameters and RNFL thickness were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) after pupillary dilatation. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Inc Version 24). Results With respect to all means values of ONH parameters, there was no statistically significant difference between migraine patients and controls. For RNFL, there were significant reductions in average and superior RNFL thickness on both eyes with adjustment of age and gender (P-value: right eye (RE) average = 0.027; RE superior = 0.034; left eye (LE) average = 0.037; LE superior = 0.031). In view of OPP, there was no significant difference between migraine patients and controls (P-value = 0.172). Weak correlations were found between the ONH parameters and RNFL thickness with OPP, respectively, in migraine patients. Conclusion This study showed no difference in ONH parameters between migraine patients and healthy subjects. There was significant thinning in average and superior RNFL for migraine patients. No difference found in OPP between both groups. ONH parameters and RNFL thickness had a weak correlation with OPP in migraine patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Effect of maternal perceived stress during pregnancy on gestational diabetes mellitus risk: A prospective case-control study

Mishra S, Shetty A, Rao CR, Nayak S, Kamath A

Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2020 07 08;14(5):1163-1169.
PMID: 32673836 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.06.048

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A variety of risk factors have been reported for the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). But limited review on the role of antenatal perceived stress necessitated the design of the present study to evaluate the association between GDM and perceived stress during pregnancy.
METHODS: A prospective case-control study was carried out among 100 GDM cases and 273 matched controls, attending regular antenatal clinic at two private hospitals of Karnataka. Data was collected by personal interviews using a standard questionnaire. Perceived stress was assessed using the Cohen 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Score of ≥20 was identified as high stress. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 15 was used for analysis.
RESULTS: Exposure rates for high maternal perceived stress among cases during pregnancy were noted. The odds of GDM were 13 folds higher among those with high antenatal stress (≥20) compared to those with low (<20) (p

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Knowledge and perception of medical students on feedback

Naekashri Jothi, Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff

Education in Medicine Journal, 2015;7(3):44-55.
MyJurnal

Feedback and students’ perception towards it has gained increasing attention in the educational literature recently, yet it is an underresearched area. The importance of feedback has not been perceived in a positive manner among medical students. This may be due to students’ lack of knowledge on the concept of feedback and their awareness of the benefits of feedback. This study focused on students’ knowledge on the concept of feedback and their perception towards the feedback system practiced in School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 433 numbers of students from year 1, 3 and 5 medical students. The variables that were included in this were the gender and their year of study. A validated questionnaire was used to perform this study. School and ethical committee clearance were obtained prior to the start of the study. Data obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: Findings revealed that students have an average level of knowledge on the concept of feedback and have a neutral perception towards the feedback system that is practiced in School of Medical Sciences, USM. There was no association between students’ knowledge level on feedback and their perception with their year of study and gender differences. However, although there was not much difference in students’ perception level about feedback with their year of study but it was found those students’ perception level decreases as their year of study progresses. It was also found that there was a poor correlation between medical students’ knowledge level on feedback with their perception towards the feedback system in School of Medical Sciences, USM. Conclusions: The area in which it raised concern in students’ perception about feedback was the factors that are involved in feedback practice, which are the givers of feedback, timing of feedback and the mode of feedback. Further study addressing students’ poor engagement and involvement in feedback can be done and issues identified from this study can be included in together for further improvements of the feedback system.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext The construct validity and internal consistency of the postgraduate stressor questionnaire among postgraduate medical trainees

Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff

Education in Medicine Journal, 2010;2(1):22-29.
MyJurnal

Objective: To determine the construct validity and the internal consistency of the Postgraduate Stressor Questionnaire (PSQ) among postgraduate medical trainees hence it could be used as a valid and reliable instrument to identify stressors among them.

Methods: Items of the PSQ were derived from a review of literature on the subject and a discussion with experts in the field. It comprised of 28 items with seven hypothetical groups. The content and face validity was established through discussion with experts from field of Medical Education and Psychiatry. It was administered to all participants (N = 34) of postgraduate personal and professional development programme in a Malaysian university. Data was analysed using Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18. Factor analysis was applied to test construct validity whereas reliability analysis was applied to test internal consistency of the PSQ.

Results: Thirty three postgraduate medical trainees participated in this study. Factor analysis found that the 28 items of the PSQ were loaded nicely into the seven pre-determined groups as their factor loading values were more than 0.3. The reliability analysis showed that the Cronbach's alpha value for The PSQ was 0.95. Whereas, The Cronbach's alpha values for academic, poor relationship with superior, bureaucratic constraints, work-family conflicts, poor relationship with colleagues, performance pressure, and poor job prospect domains were 0.63, 0.84, 0.81, 0.65, 0.73, 0.78, and 0.70 respectively.

Conclusion: This study showed that the PSQ is a reliable and valid instrument to identify stressors of postgraduate medical trainees. It is a promising instrument that can be used in future to explore further on this area.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Prevalence and sources of stress among medical students in Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiteit Maastricht

Liew, Yen Yee, Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff

Education in Medicine Journal, 2013;5(4):34-41.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Various studies had been done on medical students stress, but there is yet no comparative study done between universities in Asia and Europe. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiteit Maastricht (UM) share a lot in common in terms of medical education as both actively apply PBL-oriented education into their curriculum. It will be interesting to find out the effect of differing culture, one Eastern and another Western, on the prevalence of stress and stressors among medical students of both universities.

Method: A comparative study was conducted on medical students from USM and UM. Psychological distress was measured by the 12 item General Health Questionnaire and stressors were measured by the 40 item Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire. The calculated sample size was 215 per university. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.

Result: Results showed that the overall prevalence of psychological distress among medical students of USM and UM was 25.9% and no significant difference was found between the two universities. Binary logistic regression test showed that medical students in pre-clinical phase were 1.84 times more likely to develop psychological distress than medical students in clinical phases (B = 0.612, odd ratio (CI95%) = 1.84 (1.16, 2.93), p = 0.010). The major stressors were related to academic requirements, UM medical students perceived the stressors as causing less stress than USM medical students (t-stat (df) = 5.33 (380), p-value < 0.001).

Conclusion: Psychological health among medical students in the two universities was comparable. Academic requirements were the most stressful events as perceived by the students, but UM medical students had more positive perception toward the stressors than USM medical students. Pre-clinical students experienced higher psychological pressures than the clinical students. The medical schools should provide more attention to pre-clinical students because they might need psychological support from them.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Mushrooms and truffles: historical biofactories for complementary medicine in Africa and in the middle East

El Enshasy H, Elsayed EA, Aziz R, Wadaan MA

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:620451.
PMID: 24348710 DOI: 10.1155/2013/620451

The ethnopharmaceutical approach is important for the discovery and development of natural product research and requires a deep understanding not only of biometabolites discovery and profiling but also of cultural and social science. For millennia, epigeous macrofungi (mushrooms) and hypogeous macrofungi (truffles) were considered as precious food in many cultures based on their high nutritional value and characterized pleasant aroma. In African and Middle Eastern cultures, macrofungi have long history as high nutritional food and were widely applied in folk medicine. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available information related to the nutritional and medicinal value of African and Middle Eastern macrofungi and to highlight their application in complementary folk medicine in this part of the world.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Validation of the General Medication Adherence Scale in Saudi Patients With Chronic Diseases

Naqvi AA, AlShayban DM, Ghori SA, Mahmoud MA, Haseeb A, Faidah HS, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2019;10:633.
PMID: 31231222 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00633

Objective: The aim was to validate the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) (English version) in Saudi patients with chronic disease. Methods: A month-long study was conducted in the out-patient department of tertiary care hospitals in three cities of Saudi Arabia that collected data from a randomized sample of Saudi patients with chronic disease. The study aimed to achieve an item-to-subject ratio greater than 1:10. Factor analyses were conducted and fit indices calculated. Convergent, discriminant, known group, and concurrent validities were analysed. Internal consistency was determined using test-retest reliability using Cronbach's alpha (α), McDonald's coefficient omega (ω
t
), and Pearson's correlation coefficient (ρ). Sensitivity analysis was conducted. Data were analysed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The study was ethically approved (i.e., IRB-129-26/6/1439). Results: The survey gathered responses from 171 patients with a response rate of 85.5%. An item-to-subject ratio of 1:15 was achieved. Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure with acceptable fit indices (i.e., normed fit index (NFI) = 0.93, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.99, and comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.99), i.e., greater than 0.9. The value of root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.01, i.e., less than 0.08. The tool established construct validity, i.e., convergent and discriminant validities. Known group and concurrent validities were also established. An α value of 0.74 and ω
t
value of 0.92 were reported. Test-retest reliability ρ = 0.82, p < 0.001. The tool had high sensitivity (>75%) and specificity (>80%). Conclusion: The GMAS-English was successfully validated in Saudi patients with chronic disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Web-based KAP Intervention on Office Ergonomics: A Unique Technique for Prevention of Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Global Corporate Offices

Madhwani KP, Nag PK

Indian J Occup Environ Med, 2017 Jan-Apr;21(1):18-22.
PMID: 29391743 DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_145_17

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate web-based Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) intervention on office ergonomics - a unique method for prevention of musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) - in corporate offices that influences behavior modification.

Background: With the increasing use of computers, laptops and hand-held communication devices globally among office employees, creating awareness on office ergonomics has become a top priority. Emphasis needs to be given on maintaining ideal work postures, ergonomic arrangement of workstations, optimizing chair functions, as well as performing desk stretches to reduce MSD arising from the use of these equipment, thereby promoting safe work practices at offices and home, as in the current scenario many employees work from home with flexible work hours. Hence, this justifies the importance of our study.

Objective: To promote safe working by exploring cost-effective communication methods to achieve behavior change at distant sites when an on-site visit may not be feasible.

Materials and Methods: An invitation was sent by the Medical and Occupational Health Team of a multinational corporation to all employees at their offices in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia to take up an online Nordic questionnaire, a screening tool for musculoskeletal symptoms, shared in local languages on two occasions - baseline evaluation (n = 240) and a follow-up evaluation after 3 months (n = 203). After completing the baseline questionnaire, employees were immediately trained on correct postures and office ergonomics with animation graphics. The same questionnaire was sent again after a 12-week gap only to those employees who responded to the baseline questionnaire on initial assessment.

Statistical Analysis Used: Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software and variables were compared using odds ratio as well as Chi-square test.

Results: Of the 203 employees who responded, 47.35% had some musculoskeletal symptoms. Among them 58.7% had lower back pain, 46.9% had upper back pain, 44.1% had wrist pain, 39.5% had shoulder pain, and 37% had knee pain. The percentages are high as some participants had multiple complaints i.e. 2 or 3 complaints. However, only 40% of these employees had ongoing symptoms at the time of evaluation (past 7 days). A subsequent 3-month evaluation after web-based intervention showed a significant 41-50% decline in ongoing symptoms.

Conclusions: We conclude that newer technology using web-based animation graphics is a highly efficient technique to create office ergonomics awareness and has the potential to become a best practice in countries where language is a communication barrier and an on-site visit may not be feasible due to meagre resources.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Does the milk powder scare matter? A survey examining Penang's consumer purchase intention with attitude as the mediator

Abbasi, G. A., Yow, B. C., Goh, Y. N

International Food Research Journal, 2020;27(2):327-338.
MyJurnal

In the present work, the extended Theory of Planned Behaviour was utilised in order to exam- ine and unearth the consumer milk powder purchase intention after the milk powder scare. For this reason, a self-administered questionnaire was developed using established scales. Moreo- ver, a survey on 200 respondents was conducted in Penang, Malaysia through an online survey questionnaire. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was utilised to analyse the data. The findings revealed that product knowledge, product involvement, and perceived benefit were positively and significantly related to purchase intention. Surprisingly, perceived risk and country of origin's image do not have any significant relationship with purchase inten- tion. Attitude, playing the role of the mediating variable in the present work, was discovered to have a mediating effect on the relationships among product knowledge, product involve- ment, perceived benefit, perceived risk, country of origin's image, and purchase intention regarding milk powder. The present work shines a new light on Malaysian consumers’ purchase intention towards milk powder. Furthermore, the results of the present work can be adopted as a source of reference by milk powder companies in order to formulate strategic marketing plans, for instance during the food scare crisis.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences
Fulltext Perceptions of students on learning Arabic language vocabulary through a card game

Norshida Hashim, Tuan Sarifah Aini Syed Ahmad, Siti Nur Dina Mohd Ali, Norfazlika Abd Karim

Journal of Academia Universiti Teknologi MARA Negeri Sembilan, 2019;7(101):33-40.
MyJurnal

Vocabulary is essential in mastering any languages. However, learning vocabulary is tedious as it requires students to memorize numerous words and perform a lot of exercises. Thus, it is essential to provide fun learning activities for learning vocabulary in order to promote students’ engagement in the learning process. Since the Arabic language is learnt in various levels of learning institutions such as schools and universities, a card game has a great potential to be utilized as a learning tool to enhance the learning of Arabic language vocabulary. This paper investigated perceptions of students on using a card game named as Ahsulu! in learning the Arabic language vocabulary at the intermediate level of Arabic language proficiency. This study involved students of Degree in Biology and Degree in Chemistry at Universiti Teknologi MARA Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Pilah Campus, Malaysia, who were selected based on purposive sampling. The data gathered by using an online survey and were analyzed descriptively by using Social Science Statistical Package (SPSS) Version 23. The findings suggest that using Ahsulu! as a learning tool could promote fun learning, ensure learning to take place and increase communication.

Matched MeSH terms: Social Sciences

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