Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 87 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Content of general practice
    Lim TO
    Med J Malaysia, 1991 Jun;46(2):155-62.
    PMID: 1839420
    Eight general practitioners participated in a survey of content of general practice. This is useful as an indicator or morbidity in the community as well as of workload of general practice. A total of 3164 consultations were recorded, of which 2764 (87%) were because of an illness and the rest (13%) for other reasons like medical examinations, antenatal check, family planning advice, pregnancy tests, pap smear and vaccination. The old and the young have high consultation rates for an illness, men consulted as often as women. The most common illness seen was upper respiratory tract infections, accounting for 37% of all illnesses. Other common minor illnesses were skin infections (6%), genito-urinary infections (5%), minor musculoskeletal (6%) and gastrointestinal (6%) complaints as well as minor injuries and cuts (4%). Major disorders form an unusually low proportion (18%) of all illnesses seen, in comparison with figures from United Kingdom. The common major disorders seen were hypertension, asthma, chronic rheumatic disorders and diabetes. Circulatory disorders were remarkably rare, accounting for only 1% of illnesses. Psychological disorders, both major and minor, were also rarely seen, accounting for only 1% of illnesses which is in marked contrast with figures from the United Kingdom. Factors contributing to these notable findings are discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  2. Immigrant Health Study. 9. The chest radiographic changes in an immigrant population - a pilot study. [Abstract]
    Basri JJA
    JUMMEC, 1998;3:64-64.
    With the increasing ease of travel and the passage of peoples between counkies there is a need to ensure that the recipient country is not burdened by the need for care of ilniiiigrant with health problems as well as the increased risk posed to the local population froni exposure to conun~unicabled isease. To assess the chest radiographs of a selected group of inun~igrantsto ascertain the presence of abnormalities especially the presence of tuberculosis. A total of 250 imniigrants were prospectively evaluated by a PA chest radiograph. The chest radiograph was evaluated by two radiologists for the presence of abnormalities of the heart, lungs, mediastinum and bony rib cage. There were 112 Indonesians, 133 Bangladeshis, one Myanmar, three Pakistanis and one others. Males made-up 222 while there were 28 females. The chest radiograph was diagnostic in all cases. There were 13 cases with enlarged hearts but with no evidence of heart failure. There was only a single inlmigrant who had evidence of active TB though there were 6 others who had evidence of old disease. There was evidence of other infections in five. With regard to the mediastinuni there was a single case with enlarged hila probably secondary to increased cardiac output. There were 21 patients with scoliosis of the spine and two with abnormaIities of the ribs. Even though there was a single case with evidence of TB from this pilot study, from unreported data from the UMMC, there were 15,16 and 23 immigrants treated for TB for 1994,1995 and 1996 respectively. This was mainly seen in the Indonesians followed by the Bangladeshis and Myanmar. We attribute this discrepancy to the biased salnpie in this study where probably only the healthy were seen while those who were not well did not want to participate in this study. In addition, this may also be due to the small sample used in this study. We feel that screening of the immigrants out in the field may be able to detect cases of active TB. As for the large hearts we feel that in the absence of any cardiac symptoms and other radiological changes these are probably due to the increased workload on the heart from physical activities. This is a recognised presentation. The changes in the mediastinum and bony rib cage are probably not very significant.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  3. Work-family conflict, locus of control, and women's well-being: tests of alternative pathways
    Noor NM
    J Soc Psychol, 2002 Oct;142(5):645-62.
    PMID: 12236473 DOI: 10.1080/00224540209603924
    The author tested for the 3 possible pathways (i.e., direct, moderator, and mediator effects) in which locus of control can influence the relationship between work-family conflict and well-being. The author predicted that work-family conflict would be negatively correlated with well-being. In a sample of 310 Malaysian employed women with families, work-family conflict was a significant predictor of both job satisfaction and distress--negatively related to job satisfaction and positively related to symptoms of distress. More important, the results provided support for the effects of all 3 pathways of control on the relationship between work-family conflict and well-being, depending on the outcome measure: For job satisfaction, locus of control had direct effects, acted as a partial mediator, and played a significant moderating role. In contrast, only the direct effect of locus of control predicted distress. The author discusses those findings with reference to the literature on work-family conflict, locus of control, and the issue of stress-distress specificity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload*
  4. Truck driver fatigue risk assessment and management: a multinational survey
    Adams-Guppy J, Guppy A
    Ergonomics, 2003 Jun 20;46(8):763-79.
    PMID: 12745978 DOI: 10.1080/0014013021000056980
    As part of an organizational review of safety, interviews and questionnaire surveys were performed on over 700 commercial goods drivers and their managers within a series of related companies operating across 17 countries. The results examine the reported incidence of fatigue-related problems in drivers and their associations with near miss and accident experience as well as work and organizational factors. Experience of fatigue problems while driving was linked to time of day and rotation of shifts, though most associations were small. There were significant associations found between fatigue experiences and driver and management systems of break taking and route scheduling. The quantitative combined with qualitative information suggested that, where feasible, more flexible approaches to managing the scheduling and sequencing of deliveries assisted drivers in managing their own fatigue problems through appropriate break-taking. The results are interpreted within the overarching principles of risk assessment and risk control.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  5. Fulltext Evolution of the implementation of corporate culture in the Ministry of Health
    Roslan, J.G., Nordin, M.J., Lutpiyudin, A., Husnita, H.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2003;3(1):58-61.
    MyJurnal
    Corporate culture can simply be defined as “The way we do things around here". It comprise of assumptions, values, norms and tangible signs. Ministry of Health has started its culture building in 1991. Prior to this study, there have been two studies to evaluate its implementation. There were two types of respondents, where administered questionnaires were sent to all head of departments and all U3 medical ojjicers in public services in Malaysia, About 50% (n=126) of head of departments and only 18% (n=1321) of medical ojjicers responded. The study shows that at least 83% of head of departments perceived that the three core value of corporate culture has been implemented in their departments. However for rites and rituals, less than habf of them have implemented it. Singing of corporate song is done more in hospital as compared to health. As for medical officer, only 28% of them have received training on corporate culture. Among those who have received training, only a quarter understood the meaning of corporate culture. Doctors were also asked to give opinion on how to generate a caring doctor. About one-third suggested to reduce the workload of doctors. Apart from increasing manpower, workload can also be reduced by reengineering the system and upgrading the doctors’ competency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  6. A study of job strain and dissatisfaction among lecturers in the School of Medical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia
    Huda BZ, Rusli BN, Naing L, Tengku MA, Winn T, Rampal KG
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2004 Mar;35(1):210-8.
    PMID: 15272771
    Job stress has now become one of the most significant health and safety issues in the workplace and one of the least understood areas of organizational cost. A cross-sectional study to assess job strain and dissatisfaction in lecturers of the School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was undertaken between August 2001 and May 2002. The original English version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) version 1.7 (revised 1997) by Robert Karasek was self-administered to 73 (response rate 58.4%) lecturers in School of Medical Sciences USM. The prevalence of job strain (defined by low decision latitude and high psychological demands) in USM was 23.3%. The risk factors of job strain in the lecturers were psychological stressors (adjusted OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0, 1.4), created skill (adjusted OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2, 0.8) and working in clinical-based departments (adjusted OR 18.7, 95% CI 1.6, 22.7). The prevalence of job dissatisfaction was 42.6%. Associated factors of job dissatisfaction in USM lecturers were decision authority (p < 0.001) and psychological job demand (p < 0.001). We conclude that psychological stressors and created skill were non-protective and protective, respectively, against job strain in USM lecturers. Clinical-based lecturers experienced higher job strain compared to non-clinical-based lecturers. Psychological job demand was strongly associated with job dissatisfaction, and decision authority was protective against job dissatisfaction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload*
  7. Fulltext Prevalence and risk factors of job strain among laboratory technicians in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
    Aziah BD, Rusli BN, Winn T, Naing L, Tengku MA
    Singapore Med J, 2004 Apr;45(4):170-5.
    PMID: 15094986
    Several sources of job stress exist. Some of these stressors are intrinsic to the job, while some are related to psychosocial and other factors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload/statistics & numerical data*
  8. Risk factors of job-related depression in laboratory technicians in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) and Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) hospitals in Kelantan
    Aziah BD, Rusli BN, Winn T, Naing L, Tengku MA
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2004 Jun;35(2):468-75.
    PMID: 15691158
    A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the risk factors of job-related depression in laboratory technicians in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) and Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) Hospitals in Kelantan, between September 2001 and February 2002. One hundred and two laboratory technicians from HUSM and 79 from KKM Hospitals were selected and 84 (82.4%) from HUSM and 71 (89.9%) from KKM Hospitals were recruited as study subjects. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire using the validated Malay version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), originally developed by Robert Karasek. The results indicated significant associations between the risk factors of job-related depression, and low social support, and high psychological demands (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-8.8) in laboratory technicians in HUSM. However, for laboratory technicians in KKM Hospitals, the significant association was between job-related depression, and low social support and low decision authority (OR 9.7, 95% CI 1.1-91.1). Low social support was highly associated with job-related depression in laboratory technicians in HUSM and KKM Hospitals. We, therefore, conclude that low social support positively predicted depression in laboratory technicians in HUSM and KKM Hospitals. In addition, high psychological demands also significantly predicted depression in laboratory technicians in HUSM; however, for laboratory technicians in KKM Hospitals, low decision authority was the significant predictor of depression.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload/psychology
  9. Occupational heat stress of workers in a Plastic Industry, Selangor
    Goh See Ben, Zailina Hashim, Rosnan Hamzah
    Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2004;1(2):56-63.
    MyJurnal
    A cross sectional study to determine the exposure of heat and its biological effects on the workers in a plastic factory located in the Shah Alam Industrial Estate, Selangor, Malaysia. Forty five respondents from the polymer section in the factory were selected as the respondents. Variables measured were the environmental temperature (WBGTin), air velocity, relative humidity, body temperature, average heart and recovery heart rate. QUESTEMP°34 Area Heat Stress Monitor was used to measure the environmental temperature in °C (WBGTin) and relative humidity (%). Velocicheck Model TSI 8830 was used to measure the air velocity in meter per second (m/s) while the OMRON Blood Pressure Monitor Model T3, was used to measure average heart rate and recovery heart rate. Body temperature (°C) was measured by the Instant Ear Thermometer-OMRON Gentle Temperature Model MC509. Interviews using questionnaires were used to determine respondents’ socioeconomic background, previous risk factors on heat exposure and other information related to heat stress. Results showed that the mean environmental temperature for the exposed group was 28.75°C, the mean air velocity was 0.15 m/s and the mean relative humidity was 58.1%. These production workers were exposed occasionally to heat when loading plastic powder into the molds as well as demolding the finished plastic products from the molds. The average time of monitoring was 2 hours for intermittent exposure and 8 hours duration for overall exposure. Maximum demand for work load was measured 1 minute after work activities were stopped at the demolding section. There was a significant difference between body temperature and average heart rate before work, after 2 hours of work and after 8 hours of work ( p < 0.001). The mean recovery heart rate after 1 min was 88.0 ± 12.0 beat per min. (bpm), indicating that there is no excessive physiological demand. Body temperature (36.8 ± 0.40°C) and average heart rate after 8 hours (78 ± 12 bpm) indicated a good body control of heat exposure. Five out of six workplaces monitored had temperatures of greater than 28°C (ACGIH TLV). The workers were exposed to moderate heat stress during the study period, however, body temperature and average heart rate measurement did not reach unacceptable level of physiologic strain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  10. An international comparison of women's occupational health issues in the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore: the CIDA-SEAGEP study
    Choi BC
    Occup Med (Lond), 2005 Oct;55(7):515-22.
    PMID: 16174662
    An international comparison study of women's occupational health issues was carried out in 2000 for the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore. The study was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency's Southeast Asia Gender Equity Program.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  11. Fulltext A cross sectional study on job satisfaction level and the influencing factors among public health specialists in the Ministry of Health Malaysia, September 2004 - October 2004
    Aniza, I., Syed Mohamed Al Junid, Sharifa Ezat
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2005;5(2):25-31.
    MyJurnal
    Job satisfaction level of workers is among the important factors influencing the performance and productivity of an organization. A cross sectional study was conducted among Public Health Specialists in the Ministry of Health of Malaysia to identify their job satisfaction level and the factors influencing it. The respondents are from the Association of Public Health Specialists of Malaysia. A working in Ministry of Health. Focus group discussions were conducted in four states to develop a relevant and comprehensive questionnaire. Survey questionnaires were then mailed to the respondents. The response rate was 7 2.3%. In measuring the job satisfaction level seven aspects were studied. The study showed that ‘job and workload` is the main contributor to job dissatisfaction followed by ’management and policy aspect’, 'salary and remuneration: aspect’ and resources and facilities aspect. Most of the respondents (94.0%) were dissatisfied with their job. Gender and income were the predictors of general job satisfaction. As a conclusion, the management, policy and remuneration shouM be revised in order to overcome the problems identified and subsequently increase job satisfaction levels among Public Health Specialists in the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  12. Fulltext A study on the clients’ charter in the Teluk Wanjah Dental Clinic, Kedah
    Lake, Shuet Toh, Humiyati, R.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2005;5(2):50-57.
    MyJurnal
    The objective of this study was to evaluate compliance :0 the cliencs’ charter in a dental clinic and factors that may afect the updating of the charter. Our clients’ charter states that registration time is within IO minutes and waiting-mom time before being seen by the dentist is within 30 minutes. Convenience sampling was carried our over two weeks. Only patients above 12 years treated by dental officers were included. Data recorded included registration and wrziting-room time, treatment time, punctualiry afpaniems and workload of ajcicers. There were a total of 532 patients (407 walk»in/outpatients, 125 appointments). Results show that the mean waiting-mom time for all paticnm was nor compliant to the clients' charter (42.7 x 23.8 min for walking flll 44.9 : 32.7 min for appointments). Only 33% were seen within 30 min whilst about 23% waited for more than 60 minutes. All The mean registration time (17.9 1- 12.8 min) was ncmcomplianr everyday except on Thursdays where there were very few patients. Waiting time for elderly patients was not statistically significant from the younger patients. About 36% of appointment ariems were seen within 30 minutes; althou h hal 0 them were late, Exmzctivns, dentures and examination and diagnosis took the shortest time wrzh about 88%, 91% and 98% completed within 30 minutes respectwely. There was variable individual speed and number of patients managed by different operators, although the majority was flrsnyear dental officers. Factors that may contribute waiting time included number of patients per day, operator and punctualizy of patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  13. Fulltext Reliability and construct validity of the Malay version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) among secondary school teachers in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Hadi AA, Naing NN, Daud A, Nordin R
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2006 Nov;37(6):1254-9.
    PMID: 17333785
    This study was conducted to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Malay version of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) among secondary school teachers in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A total of 68 teachers consented to participate in the study and were administered the Malay version of JCQ. Reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency whilst construct validity was assessed using factor analysis. The results indicated that Cronbach's alpha coefficients revealed decision latitude (0.75), psychological job demand (0.50) and social support (0.84). Factor analysis showed three meaningful common factors that could explain the construct of Karasek's demand-control-social support model. The study suggests the JCQ scales are reliable and valid tools for assessing job stress in school teachers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload/psychology
  14. Fulltext Work-related stress and coping: a survey on medical and surgical nurses in a Malaysian teaching hospital
    Emilia, Z.A., Noor Hassim, I.
    Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2007;13(1):55-66.
    MyJurnal
    Background: A cross-sectional study on work-related stressors among nurses in a public teaching hospital had also attempted to explore functions of coping strategies in determining stress.
    Materials and Methods: A structured bilingual questionnaire (English-Malay) on symptoms and sources of stress, and coping style measure was disseminated to medical and surgical nurses working in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Socio demographic information and stress management methods were inquired. Frequency in workplace stressors were assessed using Nursing Stress Scale. Stress symptoms and home-life stressors were evaluated using Personal Stress Inventory. Measurement of coping strategies was performed using Coping Orientation for Problems Experienced questionnaire.
    Results: A total of 181 questionnaires were disseminated and 151 (83.4%) were satisfactorily completed by nurses. It was found that the prevalence of work-related stress among medical and surgical nurses was 49.3% (N=74/150). Analysis of dichotomized outcome (between Stress and No stress group) illustrated high workload (t-value=4.122; p
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  15. Fulltext Work Stress Prevalence among the Management Staff in an International Tobacco Company in Malaysia
    Swee, W.F., Anza, E., Noor Hassim, I.
    Medicine & Health, 2007;2(1):93-98.
    MyJurnal
    A cross sectional study on work stress prevalence was carried out among 185 executives and managers in the head quarter of an international tobacco company. The aim of the study was to identify work stress prevalence in this company and work stressors that were associated with stress experienced by the workers. A questionnaire based on the Personal Stress Inventory by O'Donell (1984) was used. Data collected from participants included sociodemography factors, symptoms of stress and work stressors related to organizational policy, organizational structure, organizational process, and work environment. The study showed that the prevalence of stress among executives was 68.1% and managers were 67.9%. There was no significant difference in the level of stress between the executives and the managers in the company. The sociodemographic factors that were significantly associated with stress were salary, number of children and personal factors. The significant stressors in the workplace were lack of job recognition, over focusing on quality of work, heavy workload and long working hours.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  16. Heat stress monitoring in the paintshop and bodyshop at an automotive assembly plant
    Azwan A., Rusli N., Nik Khairol Reza M.Y., Ahmad Syaarani Y., Edimansyah A., Mazalisah M., et al.
    Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2007;4(1):11-17.
    MyJurnal
    Heat stress is considered to be the sum of heat generated in the body (metabolic heat) plus the heat gained from the environment (environmental heat) minus the heat lost from the body to the environment. The consequences of heat stress can caused heat disorder such as heat stroke, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and other heat related diseases. The objective of this study was to compare the pattern of heat stress in each section. A crosssectional study was carried out in two sections (Paintshop A and Bodyshop B) in a selected automotive assembly plant in Selangor to monitor the environmental heat stress. The environmental heat monitoring was done on 89 March 2005. Heat stress monitor (Model: QUESTemp o 34 Thermal Environment Monitor, Quest Technologies, USA) was used to record the pattern of heat exposure in the workplace over a period of eight hours. Heat parameters such as dry temperature, wet temperature, globe temperature and relative humidity were measured. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT) and workload evaluation were used to compare both sections. Heat parameters such as timeweighted average wet bulb globe temperature for indoor setting (TWAWBGT indoor ), dry temperature (DB), natural wet bulb temperature (WB), globe temperature (GB) in Paintshop A were higher than those in Bodyshop B. The relative humidity in Paintshop A was hotdry compared to Bodyshop B which is hotwarm. Paintshop A was considered a hot area compared to Bodyshop B which is normal. Workers in both sections were not faced with heat stress problems because they were worked under acceptable condition according to American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists standard. Both sections in the automotive assembly plant exhibited acceptable working condition for workers in a tropical environment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  17. Fulltext Working conditions, self-perceived stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life: a structural equation modelling approach
    Rusli BN, Edimansyah BA, Naing L
    BMC Public Health, 2008 Feb 06;8:48.
    PMID: 18254966 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-48
    BACKGROUND: The relationships between working conditions [job demand, job control and social support]; stress, anxiety, and depression; and perceived quality of life factors [physical health, psychological wellbeing, social relationships and environmental conditions] were assessed using a sample of 698 male automotive assembly workers in Malaysia.

    METHODS: The validated Malay version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was applied to test the structural relationships of the model using AMOS version 6.0, with the maximum likelihood ratio as the method of estimation.

    RESULTS: The results of the SEM supported the hypothesized structural model (chi2 = 22.801, df = 19, p = 0.246). The final model shows that social support (JCQ) was directly related to all 4 factors of the WHOQOL-BREF and inversely related to depression and stress (DASS). Job demand (JCQ) was directly related to stress (DASS) and inversely related to the environmental conditions (WHOQOL-BREF). Job control (JCQ) was directly related to social relationships (WHOQOL-BREF). Stress (DASS) was directly related to anxiety and depression (DASS) and inversely related to physical health, environment conditions and social relationships (WHOQOL-BREF). Anxiety (DASS) was directly related to depression (DASS) and inversely related to physical health (WHOQOL-BREF). Depression (DASS) was inversely related to the psychological wellbeing (WHOQOL-BREF). Finally, stress, anxiety and depression (DASS) mediate the relationships between job demand and social support (JCQ) to the 4 factors of WHOQOL-BREF.

    CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that higher social support increases the self-reported quality of life of these workers. Higher job control increases the social relationships, whilst higher job demand increases the self-perceived stress and decreases the self-perceived quality of life related to environmental factors. The mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress on the relationship between working conditions and perceived quality of life in automotive workers should be taken into account in managing stress amongst these workers.

    Matched MeSH terms: Workload/psychology*
  18. Work and women's well-being: religion and age as moderators
    Noor NM
    J Relig Health, 2008 Dec;47(4):476-90.
    PMID: 19093675
    Religion has been found to moderate the stress-strain relationship. This moderator role, however, may be dependent on age. The present study tested for the three-way interaction between work experience, age, and religiosity in the prediction of women's well-being, and predicted that work experience and religiosity will combine additively in older women, while in younger women religiosity is predicted to moderate the relationship between work experience and well-being. In a sample of 389 married Malay Muslim women, results of the regression analyses showed significant three-way interactions between work experience, age, and religiosity in the prediction of well-being (measured by distress symptoms and life satisfaction). While in younger women the results were in line with the predictions made, in the older women, both additive and moderator effects of religiosity were observed, depending on the well-being measures used. These results are discussed in relation to the literature on work and family, with specific reference to women's age, religion, as well as the issue of stress-strain specificity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload/psychology
  19. Fulltext ROC analysis of MAMMEX and SOUNDEX — expert systems for the diagnoses of breast diseases
    Ngah, U.K., Aziz, S.A., Aziz, M.E., Murad, M., Mahdi, N.M.N., Shakaff, A.Y.M., et al.
    ASM Science Journal, 2008;2(1):1-11.
    MyJurnal
    The incidences of breast cancer have been rising at an alarming rate. Mass breast screening programmes involving mammography and ultrasound in certain parts of the world have also proven their benefits in early detection. However, radiologists may be confronted with increased workload. An attempt has been made in this paper to rectify part of the problems faced in this area. Expert systems based on the interpretation of mammographic and ultrasound images for classifying patient cases could be utilized by doctors (expert and non-expert) in screening. These softwares consist of MAMMEX (for mammogram) and SOUNDEX (for breast ultrasound) could be used to deduce cases according to Breast Imaging Recording and Data System (BI-RADS), based on patients’ history, physical and clinical assessment, mammograms and breast ultrasound images. A total of 179 retrospective cases from the Radiology Department, hospital of the University of Science Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan were used in this study. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was implemented, based on the usage of a two-class forced choice of classifying suspicious and malignant findings as positive with normal, benign and probably benign classified as negative. Results yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.997 with the least standard error value of 0.003 for MAMMEX while an AUC of 0.996 with the least standard error of 0.004 was accomplished for SOUNDEX. A system which very closely simulated radiologists was also successfully developed in this study. The ROC curve analysis indicated that the expert systems developed were of high performance and reliability.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
  20. Fulltext Pharmaceutical service during flood in Johore State
    Maimunah, W., Kwong, CS, Siti Rozana, M.S., Shahariah, A.
    Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2009;15(3):132-137.
    MyJurnal
    Objective : This scientific writing is meant for describing the problems faced by pharmacy staffs during heavy flood situations in Johore and the actions to be taken for solving these problems.
    Methodology : This finding is in accordance to the observations, experiences and interview of staffs (through questionnaires), who are involved directly and indirectly in preparations of emergency during flood. Efficiency of pharmaceutical services provided during flood is evaluated.
    Result : Several problems were identified when providing pharmaceutical services, such as purchasing and supplying of items, pre-packing, preparing drug charts, visit to relief centers, post-flood health campaign, and doctors from NGOs prescibing medicines out of MOH drug formulary. During the period of flood, usage of drug and non-drug items increases drastically resulting in the current stock in store were not sufficient to compensate for the high demand. Moreover, inaccessibility of certain roads in districts such as Segamat and Kota Tinggi, aggravated and worsen the problems of obtaining goods from suppliers. Workload of pharmacy staffs increased especially in activities such as pre-packing and preparing drug charts due to shortage of manpower.
    Conclusion : Even though workload increased drastically during flood, pharmaceutical services provided by the state pharmacy are still able to maintain good quality services to cater for the need of healthcare professionals and patients. Throughout the flood period, all the difficulties and hurdles faced by us had been solved; due to the cooperation from other agencies. Besides, by writing this article, a disaster preparedness guideline is produced for the purpose of improving management of future disasters.
    Matched MeSH terms: Workload
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links