MyMedR

Displaying publications 3581 - 3600 of 24604 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Participation of nurses in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in a private hospital in Melaka, Malaysia

Siew, Wei Fern, Loh, Cindy Sze Nee

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2016;10(3):4-13.
MyJurnal

Background: Continuing professional development (CPD) is a primary strategy for nurses to keep abreast with the rapid changes in the health care practices of current times. Evidence has shown that nurses lack the initiative to take up the additional CPD offered by their organisation and have to be persuaded to do so once they have achieved the minimum 25 points of CPD mandated by Malaysia Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing (MNB).
Objective: To determine the extent to which nurses from a private hospital in Melaka will participate in CPD and the challenges affecting them from participating in CPD
upon achieving the mandatory CPD points specified by MNB.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive survey. A sample of 188 registered nurses (RNs) from a private hospital in Melaka was recruited via purposive sampling technique to complete a self-reporting questionnaire. The instrument which was adapted and used with permission was pilot-tested for reliability and validated by content experts to ensure its suitability for this local study.
Results: The survey showed that 82.4% of the registered nurses (RNs) had attained additional CPD points apart from the minimum 25 CPD points stipulated by MNB. The findings on RNs reading journals or engaged in distance learning programmes were not encouraging as the percentages were only 31.4% and the latter, 9%. In-service talks, grand round discussions and online sources of continual nursing education that do not require the RNs to be away from their work duties were the most frequent type of CPD activities participated by the RNs as compared to conferences, workshops, distance learning programmes or post basic courses. The top 3 challenges that affect RNs’ participation in CPD were time constraint (90.4%), work commitments (85.6%) and difficulty in getting nominated (53.7%) to attend the CPD activities of their choice.
Conclusions: The results of this study highlighted the respondents’ views to the management on the importance to align the approach of sponsoring CPD courses according to the nurses’ needs in order to meet their context of practice. The management also ought to take into consideration the identified challenges encountered by the nurses to participate in CPD upon achieving their mandatory CPD points specified by MNB.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext Availability of sugar-free medicine for children: Are we denying their needs?

Muhammad Ilyas Ahmad Shuhairi, Hadzliana Zainal, Khoirulzariah Ismail

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2018;13(2):1-7.
MyJurnal

This study aimed to review the availability of sugar-free medicine available in the market using the online Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS) Malaysia 2016. Data collection was obtained from product information (PI) for prescription medications contained in the MIMS Malaysia 2016. Concise information for each product was collected based on therapeutic class groupings. The therapeutic class obtained from PI was assigned to one of the 11 major therapeutic classes. PI that stated its use in paediatrics was further reviewed for the availability of sugar free ingredient. Each product was then allocated into the poison groups: Group B, Group C and Non-Scheduled Poison. A total of 282 PI items from 336 companies in MIMS Malaysia 2016 that satisfied our eligibility criteria were reviewed. Of the 282 PI items reviewed, most of the products, 169 (59.9%) were sugarbased product, while 87 (30.9%) of them belong to sugar free products. Our study found that most of the medicines reviewed in the MIMS Malaysia 2016 were under Group C (134 of total 282). There is still a high number of sugar-containing medicines despite the promotion of sugar-free medication. Therefore, consumers need to be educated on the use of sugar-free medicines in children to increase the demand and availability in the market.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext Prevalence of Aspergillus spp. and occurrence of aflatoxins in peanut sauce processing by peanut sauce manufacturers

Farawahida Abdul Halim, Jinap Selamat, Nor Khaizura Mahmud @ Ab Rashid, Chin, C. K., Nik Iskandar Putra Samsudin, Norlia, M.

International Food Research Journal, 2020;27(1):121-130.
MyJurnal

The aims of the present work were to determine the prevalence of Aspergillus spp. and occurrence of aflatoxins (AFs) along the peanut sauce processing line from different peanut sauce
companies in Malaysia, and to determine to which extent peanut sauce processing steps
employed by the peanut sauce industries could efficiently reduce AFs in peanut sauce. Peanut
and chili samples were collected at each processing step along the peanut sauce production
from three peanut sauce companies which were different in companies’ profile. Peanut
samples from Companies B (87.5%) and C (100%) were contaminated with AFs. Of these,
12.5% (Company B) and 75% (Company C) samples exceeded the Malaysian regulatory limit.
None of the samples from Company A was contaminated. The steps efficient in reducing AFs
in peanut sauce identified in the present work were (i) safety monitoring of raw materials, (ii)
sorting of raw materials, and (iii) heat treatment of raw materials.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Collective danger and individual risk: cultural perspectives on the hazards of medical research

Parker DB, Barrett RJ

Intern Med J, 2003 Sep-Oct;33(9-10):463-4.
PMID: 14511200 DOI: 10.1046/j.1445-5994.2003.00460.x

Changes in medical research ethics in the past two decades have made the communication of risk to potential participants a legal imperative. Using ethnographic data from two different cultures, we examine the hazards associated with medical research in relation to the respective societal contexts that imbue them with meaning. The Iban, a Dayak people indigenous to Borneo, perceive the hazards of participating in research in terms of danger to the collective. In Australia they are construed in terms of risk to individuals. Risk in medical research is one manifestation of a broader notion of 'risk' that is constitutive of the research enterprise itself and, we argue, fundamental to post-industrial society.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext Covid-19 : providing rehabilitation care in the time of pandemic

Salmah Anim Abu Hassan

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(2):35-37.
MyJurnal

In the wake of COVID-19 infection in the world, it is
more devastating when a developing country is
affected. Fortunately, due to coordinated infection
control measures in Malaysia, the national morbidity
and mortality rate is kept low. As of May 6th 2020,
22 patients required intensive care and the mortality
rate was 1.66%.1
The majority of patients contracted
a milder form of the disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext Who would get measles in Petaling District? A trend analysis of measles outbreak from 2014-2018

Mohamed Paid Yusof, Idayu Badilla Idris, Nur Ashiqin Abd Rahman, Raudah Abd Rahman, Wan Rosmawati Wan Ismail

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(3):67-72.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Measles outbreaks are endemic in Southeast Asia. A possible reason for such outbreaks is low vaccine coverage. In Malaysia, there is a lack of studies on measles outbreaks. The urban district of Petaling in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia, reported a high number of outbreaks in 2014–2018. Thus, we analysed the trend of mea- sles outbreaks and identify the common characteristics of measles cases in Petaling District. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using secondary data from the Petaling District Health Office online surveillance system. Data from 2014 until 2018 from the e-Measles and eWabak systems were extracted, and the trend and common character- istics of measles cases were analysed. Results: A total of 48 outbreaks involving 124 cases were reported during the period investigated. The outbreaks showed an increasing trend from 2.1% in 2014 to 37.5% in 2016, and decreased slightly from 29.2% in 2017 to 27.1% in 2018. The common characteristics were age 1 to

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext Assessment of knowledge and attitude towards HIV patients among dental students in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)

Al-Kadhim AHA, Ahmad Bakri NAS, Ameruddin AM, Al-Ani STY, Jaafar A

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2019;4(2):58-65.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Dental officers could be the first medical personal to diagnose HIV/AIDS and cross-contamination may happen. More efforts should be taken to improve knowledge and the behaviour of dental students towards HIV/AIDS patients. The objective of this study is to assess and compare knowledge and the attitude of USIM dental students towards HIV patients.
Methods: A total of 136 dental students from Year 2 to Year 5 of academic year 2017/2018 participated in this study. Students were consented and briefed about the purpose of the current project prior to answering self-administered questionnaires that have been previously validated.
Results: The mean total knowledge and attitude score were 69.65% (good) and 68.54(%) (passive), respectively. Both clinical and pre-clinical students have passive attitude towards HIV patients and showed good level of knowledge with 70.81% and 66.39% respectively. There were significant association between sex and knowledge of HIV/AIDS among USIM dental students (p=0.001). There is also a statistically positive weak correlation between knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients.
Conclusions: USIM dental undergraduates have good knowledge and passive attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients. Improvement of dental curriculum regarding HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients is recommended through conducting activities such as seminar, workshop and small-group discussion among dental students.
Study site: Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext OBSERVATION OF FLOWER VISITORS TO DETERMINE THEIR POTENTIAL ROLE AS POLLINATORS OF Ixora coccinae AND Ruellia simplex

Fakhriah Kamaruddin, Mohamed Nor Zalipah

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(1):61-70.
MyJurnal

This study aimed to determine the potential pollinating agents of Ixora coccinae and Ruellia simplex at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) campus based on the foraging activities of the flower visitors. The diurnal observations (0700 hr to 1800 hr) were conducted for a total of 144 hours and 96 hours for I. coccinae, for R. simplex respectively. The flower visitor activities (landing or hovering at the flowers) and the time spent at the flowers however were recorded for only the first 10 minutes of every hour between 0700 hr and 1000 hr for four days. A total of 383 flower visitations was recorded by 17 insect species and a bird species, the olive-backed sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis). For I. coccinae, the most common visitors were Apis cerana, Heterotrigona itama and Xylocopa confusa, in which all species were found to show only landing behaviour to forage at the flowers, and the time spent foraging at the flowers was not significantly different between the species (Kruskal-Wallis test, H = 1.323, df = 2, p = 0.055). For R. simplex, the most common visitors were A. cerana with 100% landing, and C. jugularis which recorded 80% landing and 20% hovering during their visits to the flowers. Between the two, A. cerana recorded significantly longer time spent at the flowers as compared to C. jugularis (Mann-Whitney test, U = 17.355, p < 0.001). Based on the visitation rate and feeding behaviour of the flower visitors, A. cerana, H. itama and X. confusa were the potential pollinating agents for I. coccinae while for R. simplex, A. cerana showed higher potential to be a pollinating agent as compared to C. jugularis. Therefore, this study highlighted the importance of recording the behaviour of each flower visitor to determine the relative contribution to the pollination success of the plant species visited.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT POLICY ON DIRECT DRIVERS OF DEFORESTRATION IN MALAYSIA

MOE SHWE SIN, SHANGKARI A/P WASU DAVEN

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(2):67-82.
MyJurnal

Deforestation is one of the incredible difficulties confronting mankind. The extraction of woods remains one of the main drivers of deforestation in Malaysia. Relatively, rising in timber values may lead to enlarge in the net advantages of clearing land. Thus, this study is written to assess the process and underlying causes of forest cover change in Malaysia from 1997 to 2016. After assessed the discusses it on the impact of direct drivers with different management scenarios on deforestation in Malaysia. The research design, data, and method also performed by using System Simulation Model. Model validation and sensitivity tests was carried out after the simulation model is implemented to check the correctness in line with the real system. The simulation analysis was carried out with three different simulation periods together with the impact of two main policies: (1) controlling threshold profit; (2) discounted rate. The result of the study indicates that the most suitable policy combination to manage the deforestation is scenario 2 (policy 2B) with the RM650 per/ha threshold profit coupled with interest rate r=4% within 50years period.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext PRELIMINARY STUDY ON E-HAILING DRIVERS NEEDS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATION IN TOURISM INDUSTRY

Shahazwan Mat Yusoff, Anwar Farhan Mohamad Marzaini, Siti Maftuhah Damio

Journal of Academia Universiti Teknologi MARA Negeri Sembilan, 2021;9(1):14-20.
MyJurnal

E-hailing apps Grab and Uber have become household names, particularly among urbanites over these five years. Overall the consumer response to e-hailing services in Malaysia has been positive, with The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) reporting that 80% of consumers prefer e-hailing over taxis. As such, many believe the availability of e-hailing services will help to boost demand, and raise property prices and rentals and help the tourism sector in locations where they are available. As the demand grows, and tourists around the globe keep rising, the means of communication plays a vital role. Hence, this article explores the Grab drivers’ needs in English language learning for the purpose of successful communication in working environment. The needs are categorised into three elements: needs of English language at workplace, problems in English language usage, and preferences in learning English. A case study was carried out among 50 Grab drivers in Kuala Lumpur. The analysis of responses to the needs in English language learning among Grab drivers is hoped to fashion English language course or the syllabus to the e- hailing drivers.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGAL ISOLATES ASSOCIATED WITH ANTHRACNOSE DISEASE ON CHILLI AND ITS PATHOGENIC LEVEL

WONG KAH YIN, NUR ELIA NADHIRA MOHD ASMADI, SUHAIZAN LOB, NURUL FAZIHA IBRAHIM

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(3):51-56.
MyJurnal

Many chilli producers in Malaysia are facing a huge problem of anthracnose disease that infect the chilli fruits either at pre- or post-harvest stage. Due to this infection, the chilli fruits become rotten and could be colonized by grey conidial masses which is unfit for human consumption and cannot be sold. This study was aimed to isolate the fungal species associated with anthracnose symptoms collected from several mini-markets near Gong Badak, Terengganu. Pathogenicity test was conducted for all these isolates to evaluate their pathogenic level. Based on the results, five fungal isolates were successfully isolated and morphologically identified as Colletotrichum spp. All these isolates were labelled as UMTT46C, UMTT48C, UMTT50C, UMTT52C and UMTT54C. From these, fungal isolate (UMTT54C) showed the highest pathogenic level with disease severity (DS), 68.9%. Other Colletotrichum spp. recorded percentage of DS ranged from 53.3% to 60%. Identification of fungal isolates and their pathogenic level from the infected chilli is very important to assist in control strategy which can further provide a good protection measure for many chilli producers.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Policy implications of health changes in rapidly developing countries: the case of Malaysia

Harlan WR, Harlan LC, Oii WL

J Public Health Policy, 1984 Dec;5(4):563-72.
PMID: 6526940
Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of pathogens causing urinary tract infections in the Asia-Pacific region: Results from the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART), 2010-2013

Jean SS, Coombs G, Ling T, Balaji V, Rodrigues C, Mikamo H, et al.

Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2016 Apr;47(4):328-34.
PMID: 27005459 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2016.01.008

A total of 9599 isolates of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) were collected from 60 centres in 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region from 2010-2013. These isolates comprised Enterobacteriaceae species (mainly Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae and Morganella morganii) and non-fermentative GNB species (predominantly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii). In vitro susceptibilities were determined by the agar dilution method and susceptibility profiles were determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) interpretive breakpoints recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute in 2015. Production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) amongst E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis and K. oxytoca isolates was determined by the double-disk synergy test. China, Vietnam, India, Thailand and the Philippines had the highest rates of GNB species producing ESBLs and the highest rates of cephalosporin resistance. ESBL production and hospital-acquired infection (isolates obtained ≥48h after admission) significantly compromised the susceptibility of isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and most β-lactams, with the exception of imipenem and ertapenem. However, >87% of ESBL-producing E. coli strains were susceptible to amikacin and piperacillin/tazobactam, indicating that these antibiotics might be appropriate alternatives for treating UTIs due to ESBL-producing E. coli. Fluoroquinolones were shown to be inappropriate as empirical therapy for UTIs. Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem in the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, continuous monitoring of evolutionary trends in the susceptibility profiles of GNB causing UTIs in Asia is crucial.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext INFLUENCES OF HYGIENE PRACTICES, AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT LEVELS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AMONG UMT STUDENTS

NUR SYUHADA IBRAHIM, ZIKRI MUHAMMAD, JUMADIL SAPUTRA

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2019;1(2):69-74.
MyJurnal

Industrial development plays the most important role inthe degradationof the global environment. In line with this issue, most universities in the world have introduced environmentalmanagement to increase awarenessamong young generation towards the environment. Therefore, this study is employed to examine the influences of hygiene practices, awareness and involvement levels towards environmentalhygiene among UMT students. The design of this study is quantitative using cross-sectionaldata collectedfrom students at residential colleges in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. A total of 120 respondents participatedbut only data from 100 students could be used for further analysis after the datascreening process. The result of this study showed that the level of awareness of UMT students on environmental issues could be categorized as moderate. Besides that, this study found that the level of awareness had significant positive influences on environmentalhygiene. Meanwhile, hygiene practices and the level of involvement did not have significant influences on environmentalhygiene. In addition, using the findings of this study, we suggest that the stakeholders of UMT increase the hygiene practice and involvement among young generation to increase the level of awareness regarding environmental hygiene.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Challenges faced by parents when seeking diagnosis for children with sensorineural hearing loss

Hamzah NFA, Umat C, Harithasan D, Goh BS

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 2021 Apr;143:110656.
PMID: 33662710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110656

INTRODUCTION: The Joint Committee of Infant Hearing (JCIH) recommended hearing screening by one month of age, diagnosis of hearing loss by three months of age, and intervention initiated by six months of age. In Malaysia however, the age of diagnosis of hearing loss in children is relatively late. This study aimed to identify the challenges faced by parents in seeking a diagnosis of hearing loss for their children.
METHOD: The study utilized a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions to obtain information about parents' experiences during the diagnosis period and their challenges when going through that process. In this study, a total of 16 parents of children who were diagnosed with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss and received intervention within three years at the time of the study participated. Ten of the children were cochlear implant users, and six were hearing aid users.
RESULTS: Thematic analysis was used to analyse themes generated from the data according to the study objective. Four main themes and 17 subthemes were identified from this study. The four main themes were 1) Parents' emotion; 2) Parental knowledge; 3) Others; 4) Profesional services. Challenges that parents faced often include emotional behaviours such as feeling guilty and devastated during the diagnosis, lack of information-sharing from healthcare givers, lack of knowledge on childhood hearing loss among parents, support from families, seek for a second opinion, worry about others' acceptance, longer time for diagnosis to confirm, late referral to other related profesionals and no priority for the appointment.
CONCLUSION: Emotion is identified as the biggest challenge faced by parents in the process of diagnosis for their children with hearing loss. Hence, management of parental emotion needs to be emphasized by health profesionals as it influences the acceptance of parents towards their child's diagnosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Over 30 years of HABs in the Philippines and Malaysia: What have we learned?

Yñiguez AT, Lim PT, Leaw CP, Jipanin SJ, Iwataki M, Benico G, et al.

Harmful Algae, 2021 02;102:101776.
PMID: 33875175 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2020.101776

In the Southeast Asian region, the Philippines and Malaysia are two of the most affected by Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Using long-term observations of HAB events, we determined if these are increasing in frequency and duration, and expanding across space in each country. Blooms of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST)-producing species in the Philippines did increase in frequency and duration during the early to mid-1990s, but have stabilized since then. However, the number of sites affected by these blooms continue to expand though at a slower rate than in the 1990s. Furthermore, the type of HABs and causative species have diversified for both toxic blooms and fish kill events. In contrast, Malaysia showed no increasing trend in the frequency of toxic blooms over the past three decades since Pyrodinium bahamense was reported in 1976. However, similar to the Philippines, other PST producers such as Alexandrium minutum and Alexandrium tamiyavanichii have become a concern. No amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) has been confirmed in either Philippines or Malaysia thus far, while ciguatera fish poisoning cases are known from the Philippines and Malaysia but the causative organisms remain poorly studied. Since the 1990s and early 2000s, recognition of the distribution of other PST-producing species such as species of Alexandrium and Gymnodinium catenatum in Southeast Asia has grown, though there has been no significant expansion in the known distributions within the last decade. A major more recent problem in the two countries and for Southeast Asia in general are the frequent fish-killing algal blooms of various species such as Prorocentrum cordatum, Margalefidinium polykrikoides, Chattonella spp., and unarmored dinoflagellates (e.g., Karlodinium australe and Takayama sp.). These new sites affected and the increase in types of HABs and causative species could be attributed to various factors such as introduction through mariculture and eutrophication, and partly because of increased scientific awareness. These connections still need to be more concretely investigated. The link to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) should also be better understood if we want to discern how climate change plays a role in these patterns of HAB occurrences.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext Association of Physicochemical Characteristics, Aggregate Indices, Major Ions, and Trace Elements in Developing Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) in Agricultural Area

Harun HH, Kasim MRM, Nurhidayu S, Ash'aari ZH, Kusin FM, Karim MKA

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 04 25;18(9).
PMID: 33923119 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094562

The aim of this study was to propose a groundwater quality index (GWQI) that presents water quality data as a single number and represents the water quality level. The development of the GWQI in agricultural areas is vital as the groundwater considered as an alternative water source for domestic purposes. The insufficiency of the groundwater quality standard in Malaysia revealed the importance of the GWQI development in determining the quality of groundwater. Groundwater samples were collected from thirteen groundwater wells in the Northern Kuala Langat and the Southern Kuala Langat regions from February 2018 to January 2019. Thirty-four parameters that embodied physicochemical characteristics, aggregate indicator, major ions, and trace elements were considered in the development of the GWQI. Multivariate analysis has been used to finalize the important parameters by using principal component analysis (PCA). Notably, seven parameters-electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and chloride were chosen to evaluate the quality of groundwater. The GWQI was then verified by comparing the groundwater quality in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A sensitivity analysis was performed on this index to verify its reliability. The sensitivity GWQI has been analyzed and showed high sensitivity to any changes of the pollutant parameters. The development of GWQI should be beneficial to the public, practitioners, and industries. From another angle, this index can help to detect any form of pollution which ultimately could be minimized by controlling the sources of pollutants.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
Fulltext A Qualitative Study on Formal and Informal Carers' Perceptions of Dementia Care Provision and Management in Malaysia

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: Malaysia
Evaluation of safety climate differences among employees' demographic variables: a cross-sectional study in two different-sized manufacturing industries in Malaysia

Saedi AM, Majid AA, Isa Z

Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2021 Sep;27(3):714-727.
PMID: 31131712 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2019.1623454

Introduction. Demographic information is one of the key parameters that organizations utilize to modify their practices in order to respond to the existing risk within work environments. The present article aims to assess the level of safety climate factors as well as to evaluate the influence of personal factors on safety climate in two different-sized industries. Methods. A total of 216 employees in two large and three small and medium-sized chemical manufacturing industries responded to a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to measure the safety climate level; a two-independent-sample Mann-Whitney U test and a Kruskal-Wallis test were run to compare the difference in safety climate scores among different demographic variables. Results. The lower level of safety climate in small and medium-sized industries revealed lower understanding and performance of management and non-management with regard to safety climate compared to the large industries. Additionally, significant mean differences on some safety climate factors among demographic variables were detected in both sizes of industries, emphasizing the important role of the employees' demographic variables on the plants' safety climate. Conclusion. Improving organization-level and group-level safety climates is recommended to improve employees' level of safety climate and control their personal factors.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia
The Integration and Harmonisation of Secular and Islamic Ethical Principles in Formulating Acceptable Ethical Guidelines for Modern Biotechnology in Malaysia

Hasim NA, Amin L, Mahadi Z, Yusof NAM, Ngah AC, Yaacob M, et al.

Sci Eng Ethics, 2020 06;26(3):1797-1825.
PMID: 32266581 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-020-00214-4

The Malaysian government recognises the potential contribution of biotechnology to the national economy. However, ongoing controversy persists regarding its ethical status and no specific ethical guidelines have been published relating to its use. In developing such guidelines, it is important to identify the underlying principles that are acceptable to Malaysian society. This paper discusses the process of determining relevant secular and Islamic ethical principles and establishing their similarities before harmonising them. To achieve this, a series of focus group discussions were conducted with 23 knowledge experts representing various stakeholders in the biotechnology community. Notably, several principles between the secular and Islamic perspectives are indirectly or directly similar. All the experts agreed with the predominant six ethical principles of secular and Islamic philosophy and their importance and relevance in modern biotechnology. These are beneficence and non-maleficence as the main or overarching principles, the preservation of religious and moral values, the preservation of the intellect and the mind, the protection of human safety, the protection of future generations, and protection of the environment and biological diversity. Several adjustments were made to the terminologies and definitions of these six principles to formulate acceptable guiding principles for the ethics of modern biotechnology in Malaysia. These can then be adopted as core values to underpin future national guidelines on modern biotechnology ethics. These principles will be particularly important in guiding the policy makers, enforcers, industries and researchers to streamline their activities. In so doing, modern biotechnology and its products can be properly managed without jeopardising the interests of the Muslim community as well as the general public. Importantly, they are expansive and inclusive enough to embrace the religious sensitivity of diverse quarters of Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Malaysia

Filters

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

External Links