METHOD: This study used secondary data retrieved from a cross-sectional study involving 492 male employees' completed data. Eligible participants completed validated questionnaires of the Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC-12) scale, short version Demand Induced Strain Compensation (DISQ 2.1), Oldenburg Burnout Inventory - Emotional Exhaustion domain and the Three Eating Factor Questionnaire (TEFQ) -Uncontrolled Eating domain; assessing psychosocial safety climate, job demands and job resources, emotional exhaustion, and uncontrolled eating behaviour, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on weight and height. The research statistical model was tested by two-steps of assessment replicating partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
RESULT: The results show that psychosocial stressors (psychosocial safety climate, job demands and job resources) had significant effects on emotional exhaustion (β= -0.149, p=0.004; β= 0.223, p<0.001; β= -0.127, p=0.013). Emotional exhaustion predicted by work stressors may act as a chain reaction which could result in uncontrolled eating (β=0.138, p=0.005) and high BMI (β=0.185, p<0.001). Emotional exhaustion does mediate the relationship between PSC and uncontrolled eating behaviour (β= -0.021 [95% boot CI bias corrected: -0.048, -0.002]).
CONCLUSION: The psychosocial stressors at work are significant factors for emotional exhaustion, which further signifies the positive effect on uncontrolled eating behaviour and BMI among Malaysian male employees.
METHOD: A total of 328 municipal workers were enrolled in April to March 2016 were asked to recall if they experienced eleven HRI symptoms during the previous work day. Rasch Measurement Model was used to examine the unidimensional parameters and bias for gender before identifying the threshold of HRI symptoms. We determined the threshold symptom based on the person-item map distribution on a logit ruler value.
RESULTS: A total of 320 respondents were analysed. The psychometric features HRI symptoms suggested evidence of unidimensionality and free of bias for gender (DIF size =0.57; DIF t value =1.03). Based on the person-item map distribution, the thirst item was determined as the threshold item (Cut-off point = -2.17 logit) for the preventative action purposes to group the person as mild and moderate/severe HRI groups.
CONCLUSION: Thirst item is viewed as threshold symptoms between mild and moderate or severe HRI symptoms. It is a reliable symptom to initiate behavioural response to quench the thirst by adequate fluids. Failure to recognise the thirst symptom may lead to devastating unwanted health complications.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried in six faculties (Kulliyyah) in IIUM Kuantan campus using an adopted self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected after obtaining ethical approval and analyzed the data by using SPSS version 20.0.
RESULT: Relatively low level of knowledge and awareness (73.8%) and high stigma (67.9%) about TB disease was found among IIUM Kuantan students. There was a significant association between type of Kulliyyah and level of knowledge and awareness. The level of TB perception does not have any significant association with the level of knowledge and awareness of TB disease.
CONCLUSION: These findings would suggest that more efforts should be made to improve the knowledge, awareness, and perception of students regarding TB disease.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed in March and April 2016. The outdoor temperatures were measured using the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) tool. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire containing sociodemographic factors prior to work shift; while working profile, hydration practices, and HRI symptoms at the end of work shift. The hydration status of the respondents was assessed by direct observation of their urine colour. Multiple logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of age, working profile, hydration practice, history of previous HRI, and hydration status on the likelihood that outdoor workers having moderate to severe HRI.
RESULTS: A total of 320 respondents completed the questionnaire. The mean (standard deviation) outdoor workplace temperature was 30.5°C (SD 0.53°C). The percentage of respondents who experienced moderate to severe HRI was 44.1%. The likelihood that outdoor workers experienced moderate to severe HRI symptoms was associated with irregular fluid intake [odds ratio (OR): 16.11, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 4.11; 63.20]; consumption of non-plain water (OR: 5.92, 95%CI: 2.79; 12.56); dehydration (OR: 3.32, 95%CI: 1.92; 5.74); and increasing outdoor workplace temperature (OR: 1.85, 95%CI: 1.09; 3.11).
CONCLUSION: Irregular drinking pattern and non-plain fluid intake was found to have a large effect on HRI severity among outdoor workers exposed high temperatures during a heat wave phenomenon.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year old fifth gravida patient who had a missed abortion was diagnosed as having a molar pregnancy with beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (βhCG) level of 509,921 IU/L. Her lung field was clear and she underwent suction and curettage (S & C) procedure. However, after six weeks, AA presented to the emergency department with a massive bleeding, although her βhCG level had decreased to 65,770 IU/L. A trans-abdominal ultrasound indicated the presence of an intra-uterine mass (3.0 × 4.4 cm). Nevertheless, her βhCG continued to show a declining trend (8,426 IU/L). AA was advised to undergo a chemotherapy but she refused, citing preference for alternative medicine like herbs instead. She opted for an "at own risk" (AOR) discharge with scheduled follow up. Subsequently, her condition improved with her βhCG showing a downward trend. Surprisingly, at six months post S & C, her βhCG ameliorated to 0 IU/L with no mass detected by ultrasound.
CONCLUSIONS: Brucea javanica fruits, Pereskia bleo and Annona muricata leaves can potentially be useful alternatives to chemotherapy and need further studies.