Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 1139 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Asdren Zajmi, Nur Atikah Adam, Mohammed Abdelfatah Alhoot
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Tropical phagedenic ulcer is a skin disease caused by a cocktail of bacteria. This painful ulcer forms over the lower limbs. It is also associated with necrotic slough and foul-smelling discharge that eventually lead to amputation and permanent disabilities. Tropical phagedenic ulcer in Malaysia has not been given much attention. In light of this situation, this research was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding tropical phagedenic ulcer among the public in Shah Alam, Selangor. Methods: The total respondents were 384, consisting of 164 males and 220 females who were randomly selected. Data were obtained qualitatively through structured questionnaires and analysed using the chi-square test to study the association between the dependent variables and demographic factors. Results: The collected data showed that the respondents (67.2%) had poor knowledge of trop- ical phagedenic ulcer; merely 65.4% considered it to be a health problem, whereas 29.7% believed it is contagious. Also, the data revealed an association between age (χ2=13.587, p =0.004), marital status (χ2=15.435, p=0.001), time spent in community (χ2=6.438, p=0.04) and knowledge of the local name of tropical phagedenic ulcer. About 74.7% of the respondents did not know the cause of tropical phagedenic ulcer. Only 22.1% of the respondents had encoun- tered tropical phagedenic ulcer patients and an association was found between the variable with gender (χ2=4.672, p =0.031), age (χ2=24.134, p =0.000) and marital status (χ2=17.143, p =0.001). Conclusion: This study reveals mis- conceptions about the aetiology and transmission of tropical phagedenic ulcer which greatly influence the attitude of community members towards tropical phagedenic ulcer patients.
  2. Lekhraj Rampal, G. R., Sanjay, R., Azhar, M. Z., Kamil, M. H.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: It is estimated that 4.9 million people worldwide died in 2000 as a result of their addiction to nicotine, about half of them prematurely. This huge death toll is rising rapidly, especially in low and middle income countries where most of the world’s 1.2 billion tobacco users live.
    Objectives: This study aimed to determine (i) the prevalence of smoking among the community aged 18 and above in Terengganu state, and (ii) the relationship between smoking and age, sex, educational level, family and peer influence.
    Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used in this study and data was collected using a standardised pre-tested structured questionnaire.
    Results: The overall mean age of the respondents was 38.9 (95% CI= 37.7 – 40.2) years. The majority of the respondents were Malays (99.1%). Of the 653 respondents, 32.2% and 23.6% were ever and current smokers respectively. Of this, 211 ever smokers, 199 (94.3%) were males and only 12 (5.7%) were females. The prevalence of ever and current smokers for males was 73.2% and 53.7% respectively compared to the females (3.1% and 2.1% respectively). There was a significant association between smoking status and sex (p<0.001). The prevalence of ever smokers was lowest amongst respondents with college or university educational level. However, for current smokers, those with college or university education had the highest prevalence. The overall mean initiation age of ever smokers was 19.7 years (95% CI = 18.8 – 20.7). The mean initiation age for the males (19. 1 years) was significantly lower compared to 29.8 years for the females (p<0.001). The mean duration of smoking for the current smokers was 21.6 (95% CI= 19.1 – 24) years. There was also no significant difference in the mean duration of current smoking for males compared to the females (p = 0.5). The majority (93.4%) of the ever smokers started either because their friends asked them to try or they were trying for fun. The quit ratio was 27%.
    Conclusion : The prevalence of ever and current smokers in males is very high (73.2% and 53.7% respectively) compared with the females (3.1% and 2.1% respectively). The mean initiation age for the males (19.1 years) was significantly lower compared to 29.8 years for the females (p<0.001). Key words: Smoking, prevalence, initiation age, duration, Terengganu state
  3. Nagesh Chodankar N., Vinoth Kumar, Urban John Arnold D’Souza, Ahmad Faris Abdullah
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Aerobic power reflects the physical fitness of the individual. Evidences support differences in phys-iological responses to exercise. There is less data on VO2 max among common ethnic population of Sabah. Ob-jective of this study was to investigate VO2 max among Kadazan, Dusun, Brunei Melayu, Bugis, Murut and others of Sabah in male and female young adult population. Methods: A total of 385 participants were randomly selected. Monark 894 E leg bicycle ergo meter was used to measure aerobic power VO2 max. Based on the heart rate male and female respectively 450 & 300 kilogram-force meter/minute was chosen. Based on Astrand rhyming nomogram (age correction factor included-VO2 Max multiplied by 1.05) calculations Vo2Max was calculated in l/min. The age correction done VO2 Max (l/min) was multiplied by 1000 and later divided by the body weight to derive the actual VO2Max in ml/kg/min. The recovery heart rate after 1 minute was taken and the difference were calculated for the further analysis. Data was tabulated and analysed by one way ANOVA test - Hocherberg’s GT2. Results: There was no significant difference in VO2 max between the common ethnic young adult population both in males and fe-males. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in VO2 max among the common ethnic adult but have a similar aerobic capacity in the study group.
  4. Mohamad Hasyizan Hassan, Eng, Ming Fung, Rhendra Hardy Mohd Zaini, Shamsul Kamalrujan Hassan, Seevaunnamtum, Praveena, Mohd Zulfakar Mazlan, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Background: Existing techniques of predicting difficult laryngoscopy are inadequate requiring evaluation of Maxillopharyngeal Angle (MP-A) on lateral cervical radiograph described. Objectives: This study aimed to compare MP-A test with Modified Mallapati Test (MMT) in predicting their diagnostic values and Area Under Curve of Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUCROCC) of both test. Methods: This is a double blinded interventional study of 93 patients. Each patient’s MMT score was assessed during preoperative assessment and subsequent MP-A test done by obtaining lateral cervical radiograph with the head in neutral position. Laryngeal view was assessed using Cormack-Lehane grade after induction of anesthesia, was used as reference standard to determine the diagnostic values of MMT and MP-A respectively. Results: The MP-A compared to MMT in predicting difficult larngoscopy had higher sensitivity (77.78 vs 44.44) specificity (88.10 vs 67.86) and accuracy (87.10 vs 65.59) with higher Odd Ratio(26.12 vs 1.68). The AUCROCC was significantly higher in MP-A test 0.83(95%CI: 0.67, 0.99) (P = 0.001) vs MMT 0.56(95%CI: 0.36, 0.76) (P = 0.546) with LR+ of 6.53 vs 1.38. Conclusion: The Maxillopharyngeal Angle test was superior in predicting difficult laryngoscopy as compared to Modified Mallampati Test.
  5. Ibrahim Ahmed Alhothily, Nazri Che Dom, Siti Aekbal Salleh, Anila Ali
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Aedes albopictus is known for its aggressiveness towards human and recently expanded to more coun- tries outside the native regions. Thus, the demographic parameters of Aedes albopictus are important to determine the characteristics of this species mosquitoes in terms of the reproduction rates and dispersal distance. Materials and Methods: This study, was performed using a Shah Alam strain of Aedes albopictus originally collected in twenty district areas of the central zone of Shah Alam. This research applies field work-study with a cross-sectional design to investigate the demographic parameters of Aedes albopictus. The demographic evaluation of Aedes albopictus was conducted under the control environment in insectarium. Results: Investigation on the demographic parameters of Aedes albopictus clearly showed that there is a significance different observed in the total number of mosquito eggs produced in both high and low incidence rate IR areas (p=0.03). In contrast, other parameters showed insignificant value between high and low IR areas. Conclusion: The key to control the mosquito vectors population is by tracking the vector’s life cycle including its survival. Therefore, the outcome of this study may provide as a baseline to esti- mate the dengue outbreak in the current episystem.
  6. Latiffah Abdul Latiff, Mehrnoosh Akhtari-Zavare, Ali Jafarzadeh Esfehani, Azrin Shah Abu Bakar, Chin Yit Siew, Hamidin Awang, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Secure attachment to parents prevents adolescents from externalizing behaviours especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to identify the contributors to parental attachment in a developing society. Methodology: This cross sectional study was performed on urban secondary students (aged between 13 and 17 years) based on multistage sampling in Pasir Gudang District, Johor, Malaysia. The depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21) and Inventory of parent and peer attachment (IPPA) questionnaires were used along with a questionnaire for demographic information. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to identify the main effect of study parameters on IPPA scores for father and mother. Results: A total of 2980 students (46.9% male and 53.1% female) participated in this study. Mean and SD for age was 14.39±1.28. Depression score and school form had a significant main effect on both paternal and maternal attachment (p
  7. Najat Milad Elmahdi, Latiffah A. Latiff, Mehrnoosh Akhtari-Zavare, Maimunah Ismail, Rosliza Abdul Manaf, Azrin Shah Abu Bakar
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Ovarian cancer is recognizable as the fourth leading cancer in Malaysia. Knowledge on ovarian cancer is low among Malaysian women, which may affect their interpretation of early symptoms and delay presentation of ovarian cancer cases. The aim of this study was to determine the level of ovarian cancer knowledge and its determinants among female nonacademic staff in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia. Methods: A crosssectional study was designed to collect the data from 366 participants via a validated self-administered questionnaire, from April to July 2015. Results: The mean age of participants was 34 ± 7.89. Most of the sample was Malay (96.4%), married (61.5%). A total of 51.4% of respondents reported low knowledge level. Knowledge of ovarian cancer was significantly associated with marital status (p
  8. Suzana Ab Hamid, Muhammad Helmi Muhammad Noor, Khairul Anuar Zainun
    MyJurnal
    We report a case of a fatal gunshot injury to the chest which illustrates the compatibility of the Postmortem Multislice Computed Tomography (PMCT) features with that of conventional forensic autopsy findings. This case demonstrates that the PMCT has high potential to enhance the investigation and performance of conventional forensic autopsy.
  9. Abdul Aziz Mohamed Yusoff, Wan Salihah Wan Abdullah, Alarmelu Nithya Ramanathan, Jafri Malin Abdullah, Zamzuri Idris
    MyJurnal
    Although the precise etiology of Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM, WHO grade IV) remains unknown, its progression
    is believed to be driven by the accumulation of multiple genetic alterations. Here, we report a case of a patient who
    developed GBM, and associated with dual alterations, particularly 4977-bp deletion in mtDNA (mtDNA4977) and
    p.Arg132His (R132H) mutation in IDH1. A 35-year old Malaysian woman patient who primary diagnosed with astrocytoma WHO grade I and subsequently after four years developed a GBM, was detected with a mtDNA4977. This
    deletion appears to be a sporadic mutation. Additionally, analysis of patient’s tumor tissue also found to harbor a heterozygous IDH1 R132H mutation. This represents the first case report of coexisting mtDNA4977 together with IDH1
    R132H mutation in a Malaysian patient of GBM. The findings of dual alterations could be of therapeutic benefit if
    these alterations were justified to be contributing to GBM growth and aggressiveness.
  10. Nurul Suhaili Kamarudin, Rosni Ibrahim, Nur Hanani Ahmad, Siti Norbaya Masri
    MyJurnal
    Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a potentially fatal and progressive angioinvasive fungal infection. It is classically described in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and hematological malignancies. This report describes a case of progressive rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a patient with poorly controlled diabetes who was on prolonged prednisolone therapy for autoimmune kidney disease. The patient, who was a female, presented to hospital with headache, orbital pain and nasal bridge swelling. Black eschar on nasal mucosae was present on admission. Later, she was started on intravenous fluconazole for the diagnosis of fungal sinusitis. Subsequently, she developed intra- cerebral haemorrhage complicated with transtentorial herniation. Diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis was later observed by a laboratory finding and the treatment was changed to intravenous amphotericin B. However, the patient succumbed to her illness on the 6th day of hospitalisation. This report discusses the risk factors associated with rhinocerebral mucormycosis as well as the underlying pathogenesis. This report will also highlight the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for mucormycosis to improve prognosis in patients.
  11. Narwani Hussin, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim, Pik Pin Goh, Timothy William, Jenarun Jelip, Rose Nani Mudin
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Most of the recent publications on malaria in Malaysia were conducted in Sabah focusing on the emer-gence of Plasmodium knowlesi. This analysis aims to look into the incidence, mortality, and case fatality rate (CFR) of malaria caused by all Plasmodium species in the whole of Malaysia and to compare the different malaria char-acteristics and trends between Peninsular Malaysia (PM) and Sabah & Sarawak. Methods: This is a secondary data review of all malaria confirmed cases notified to the Ministry of Health, Malaysia from January 2013 to December 2017. Results: From 2013 to 2017, a total of 16,500 malaria cases were notified in Malaysia. The cases were mainly contributed from Sabah (7,150; 43.3%) and Sarawak (5,684; 34.4%). Plasmodium knowlesi was the commonest species in Sabah and Sarawak (9,902; 77.1%), while there were more Plasmodium vivax cases (1,548; 42.2%) in PM. The overall average incidence rates (IR), mortality rate (MR) and CFR for malaria in Malaysia were 0.106/1,000, 0.030/100,000 and 0.27%, respectively. Sarawak reported the highest average IR of 0.420/1,000 followed by Sabah (0.383/1,000). Other states in PM reported below the national average IR with
  12. Vrshni Menaka R Siva Nathan, Mahedzan Mat Rabi
    MyJurnal
    Fat density lesions or masses arising from the mesentery are best imaged in Computed Tomography or Magnetic Res- onance Imaging scans. This a case of a 75 year old man who presented with intestinal obstructive symptoms. Urgent computed tomography scan was carried out which revealed a large mesenteric lipoma compressing the small bowel at the level of the jejunal loops. Small bowel obstruction can be due to intrinsic, extrinsic and intraluminal causes. Mesenteric lipomas are uncommon, thus torsion or twisting of the mesenteric lipoma causing intestinal obstruction is exceptionally rare.
  13. A. B. M. Tofazzal Hossain, Shaila Kabir, Charissa Winston, Loo Yizhan, Sadia Choudhury Shimmi, M. Tanveer Hossain Parash, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction:A unilateral enlarged tonsil always is a suspicion of carcinoma. Especially if it is with fungating ulcer-ative surface. Neoplasms in unilaterally enlarged tonsil include squamous cell carcinomas and lymphomas. Lym-phomas in oropharynx are not common specially with fungating surface. Usually lymphomas in these areas are Non-Hodgkin’s type. Case description: A 62-year-old woman was admitted in the tertiary level hospital of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with the complaint of sore throat, odynophagia and right neck swelling. She was treated as a case of acute tonsillitis by general practitioner without any noticeable improvement. Oral cavity examination revealed a hugely enlarged right tonsil with fungating ulcerative surface and almost obstructing the oropharynx. Trismus was seen which make the examination difficult. A non-tender right upper neck swelling was palpable. All baseline lab-oratory investigations were normal. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed a heterogeneously enhancing mass at oropharynx compromising the airway, right supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Histology of biop-sy from right tonsillar mass showed High grade B-cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy was planned. First cycle of chemo-therapy was administered, Patient was discharged home with the complete plan of chemotherapy. Conclusion: This patient was clinically suspicious of carcinoma of palatine tonsil. But later proven as high grade B-cell lymphoma. All unilateral enlarged tonsils are not always carcinoma.
  14. Ayiesah, R., Riza, S.
    MyJurnal
    The health related quality of life (HRQoL) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is greatly influenced by their health status. The Health Index Questionnaire - Short Form 36 (SF-36) and St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) are commonly used to assess the HRQoL of COPD patients. Objective: This study investigates differences in HRQoL following sessions of pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP) with a control group (CG) that had no intervention. Method: This quasi-experimental study involving 17 subjects assigned to the CG and 16 subjects in the intervention group (IG). Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant authority. Both groups were given the health index questionnaires- SF-36 and SGRQ prior and 5 weeks after the intervention. The CG only had medication while the IG performed exercises (cycling, treadmill walking, upper limb strengthening exercise and stair climbing exercise). Results: Data analysis using SPANOVA demonstrated significant improvement in HRQoL measured from SF-36 in domains of bodily pain (p=0.005), vitality (p=0.021) and mental health (p=0.002) in IG unlike the CG. Similarly, SGRQ, also shows improvement in symptom (p=0.028), activity (p=0.004) and total score (p=0.012. Conclusion: The 5 weeks pulmonary rehabilitation program demonstrated improvement in HRQoL among COPD
    patients.
  15. Rosmadi Ismail, Ummi Affah Mahamad, Abdul Aziz Marwan
    MyJurnal
    Oesophageal perforation is a not uncommon condition, yet it carries a high mortality rate and has been observed as the most grievous trauma to the digestive tract. Common causes include iatrogenic instrumentation, foreign-body swallowing, and physical injury. This report highlighted a case of oesophageal perforation complicated by formation of proximal descending aorta pseudoaneurysm as a result of okra ingestion. The patient was successfully treated with conservative treatment. The possible mechanism of oesophageal rupture, diagnosis, treatment, and other complica- tion will be further discussed.
  16. Yusoh N. A., Haslina Ahmad, Leong, S. W.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Ruthenium polypyridyl complex (RPC), [Ru(dppz)2PiP]2+ or RuPiP, where dppz = dipyridophenazine, and PiP = 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenantroline has been shown to exhibit anticancer activities by stalling the replication fork progression in human cancer cell line, causing DNA double-strand break (DSB) leading to the initiation of DNA damage response (DDR). Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes are activated in response to DNA damage thus, RuPiP may be advantageously combined with the inhibitors of PARP to improve its efficacy in cancer cell killing. This study was conducted to investigate the cytotoxic effects of RuPiP and selected PARP inhibitor, NU1025, alone or in combination in vitro and the possible combinations in order to achieve synergism against three different cancer cell lines. Methods: Cell viability was determined by MTT assay based on established method and the combination index (CI) values were calculated using Chou and Talalay method. Results: Here, we reported that the treatment with RuPiP alone led to dose-dependent decreases in the cell viability meanwhile NU1025 exhibited no toxicity as a single agent. The CI values (
  17. Nicholas Pang, Sofeinah Didora Judip, Jeanny John, Erwani Minin, Noor Rajrinnie Rajak, Luqman Ridha Anwar, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: University-wide healthcare programme are difficult to implement without complete protocols. This paper describes a collaborative academia-nursing programme to design a quick, user-friendly primary care screen- ing toolkit, to be used at community level at each faculty in UMS. Methods: A Primary Care Condition Assessment Questionnaire was designed by family medicine physicians, mental health doctors, and public health physicians. The questionnaire was pilot tested in 2 different faculties. The Primary Care Condition Assessment Questionnaire was manualized, and a one-day intervention training programme was administered. Subsequently 19 nurses and assistant medical officers were trained in the questionnaire administration and given concurrent communication skills and collaborative practice training to operate the questionnaire. Qualitative assessments of abilities to perform common primary health assessments were performed. Results: Trained nurses qualitatively felt they were more con- fident to perform primary care screening of common healthcare conditions and were able to deliver advice and refer screen-positive individuals to appropriate referral pathways. Conclusion: Public health programmes like HUMS2U put healthcare into the hands of nurses, allowing task-shifting to adequately trained non-specialist professions, and empowers nurses in basic non-communicable disease training and management. Further research will be performed to assess efficacy of the programme at all 23 faculties and departments of the university.
  18. Nurimatussolehah Sarijan, Sabariah Md Noor, Tun Maizura Mohd Fathullah, Malina Osman, Zainina Seman
    MyJurnal
    Percentage of haemolysis is widely used as a quality parameter to assess red blood cell viability in blood banking. In certain blood banks, serum potassium level is used due to the unavailability of the former test. The relationship between these two tests, however, is still unclear. The objective of this study is to determine the association between haemolysis measured using two different methods for quality control. Methods: A total of forty-four samples of packed red cell in citrate-phosphate-dextrose with optisol were randomly selected from donation drives. Nine millilitres of blood was collected weekly starting from day-2 of storage, followed by day-7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 for assessment of red blood cell haemolysis by measuring serum potassium level and percentage of haemolysis.Results: These two parameters were correlated significantly with a positive moderate linear relationship on day 7, 21 and 28 with r = 0.393, 0.448 and 0.425, respectively and p-values less than 0.01. The linear regression analysis showed there was a significant regression equation which could be used to predict the serum potassium level from the percentage of haemolysis. Conclusion: There were significant increases in the percentage of haemolysis and serum potassium level in the packed red cell units with storage. The serum potassium level would be able to be predicted from the percentage of haemolysis using the regression equations on day 7, 21 and 28. The serum potassium measurement could be used as an alternative test to the percentage of haemolysis before issuing blood.
  19. Rampal, G.R. Lekhraj, Sanjay, R., Azhar, M.Z., Sherina, M.S., Ambigga, D., Rahimah, A.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: This study was conducted to determine prevalence and factors associated with obesity in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in all districts of Selangor State. All individuals, 15 years and above in the selected households, were included. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Weight was recorded using TANITA model HD-309 and height was measured using SECA Body meter Model 208. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 8.2 taking into account the complex survey design. Results: The overall mean age of the 2219 respondents was 36.6(95% CI 35.7 – 37.6) years. There was no significant difference in the mean age of the males and females (p=0.697). The majority of the respondents were Malays (52.9%), followed by Chinese (30.9%), Indians (15.4%) and
    other races (0.9%). The overall mean BMI was 24.1 kg/m2 (95% CI=23.8- 24.4). The overall prevalence of obesity was 12.2% (95% CI 10.6%, 14.0%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of obesity in the males compared to females (p>0.05). The prevalence of obesity increased with age up to the ages of 40-59 years and then decreased after 60 years. The highest prevalence of obesity was in the 40-59 years age groups in both sexes. The overall prevalence of obesity was significantly higher amongst the Malays (15.2%) compared to the Indians (11.6%) and Chinese (7.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only age and ethnicity were associated with obesity. Sex and educational level were not associated with obesity.
  20. Neevaarthana Subramaniam, Siti Marwanis Anua, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Wan Mohd, Azizah Othman, Nor Fazila Che Mat
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Dengue is an endemic disease that affects community members of all ages, including young chil- dren. With proper exposure, children will be aware of their surroundings and can keep themselves protected. Thus, the current study design introduces an activity-based programme to suit children, with the aim of testing the effectiveness of this programme by analysing knowledge and practice scores of children before and after the programme. Method: A pilot study to determine the effectiveness of an activity-based programme was conducted among fifty KEMAS kindergarten children from June to July 2019. The one-day based programme consisting of theatre performance and games were conducted at the Universiti Sains Malaysia. Data from participants involved was collected a week before and a week after the activity-based programme using a validated questionnaire. Results from the data were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive test was used to generate socio-demographic data while the Wilcoxon Sign-Rank test was used to compare knowledge and attitude scores before and after the programme. Results: A total of 46 participants have successfully attended the activity-based programme and completed pre and post questionnaires. There were significant differences in both knowledge and practice scores among participants following participation in the activity-based programme, where, p < 0.001. Conclusion: This preliminary study concludes that an activity-based programme on dengue has improved participants’ knowledge and practice towards dengue, thus can be considered as a validated programme for early exposure of prevention knowledge and measures against dengue among kindergarten children.
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links