Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 457 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Ali O, Isa ZM
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 1995 Sep;4(3):319-24.
    PMID: 24394359
    This study was conducted to investigate the nutritional status of the rural population in Malaysia, especially women and children. A total of 262 women aged 18 and over and 183 children aged 2-6 years were selected using multistage cluster sampling from four locations in rural areas. It was found that the prevalence of malnutrition among children 2-6 years old ranged between 25.5% in the Malays Felda settlement scheme to 80% in the Orang Asli settlement. Malnutrition was associated with worm infestations, bottle feeding and early weaning. More than 30% of Orang Asli women were malnourished compared to less than 15% of Malay Felda settlement women. On the other hand, Malay women in the land settlement scheme had a higher risk of developing overweight and diabetes. Goitre was found among 11.5% of children; however, no cretinism was found. Breast feeding was still a common practice among rural mothers, but inadequate health education tended to reduce the duration of breast feeding and increased early weaning. Upgrading women's status in the rural areas will ultimately improve the nutritional and health status of the children and community as a whole.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  2. Sulaiman Z, Mohamad N, Ismail TA, Johari N, Hussain NH
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2016;25(3):625-30.
    PMID: 27440698 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.092015.08
    The flood that hit Kelantan in December 2014 was the worst in Malaysian history. Women and their infants accounted for a large proportion of the people at risk who were badly affected, as almost half of the population in Kelantan was in the reproductive age group. This report serves to raise awareness that breastfeeding mothers and infants are a special population with unique needs during a disaster. Four of their concerns were identified during this massive flood: first, the negative impact of flood on infant nutritional status and their health; second, open space and lack of privacy for the mothers to breastfeed their babies comfortably at temporary shelters for flood victims; third, uncontrolled donations of infant formula, teats, and feeding bottles that are often received from many sources to promote formula feeding; and lastly, misconceptions related to breastfeeding production and quality that may be affected by the disaster. The susceptibility of women and their infant in a natural disaster enhances the benefits of promoting the breastfeeding rights of women. Women have the right to be supported which enables them to breastfeed. These can be achieved through monitoring the distribution of formula feeding, providing water, electricity and medical care for breastfeeding mothers and their infants. A multifaceted rescue mission team involving various agencies comprising of local government, including the health and nutrition departments, private or non-governmental organizations and individual volunteers have the potential to improve a satisfactory condition of women and infants affected by floods and other potential natural disasters.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  3. Khor GL, Sharif ZM
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2003;12(4):427-37.
    PMID: 14672867
    This report is a part of a multi-centre study in Asia on the problem of dual forms of malnutrition in the same households. In Malaysia, the prevalence of underweight and stunting persist among young children from poor rural areas. Overweight in adults, especially women from poor rural areas has been reported in recent years. Thus, this study was undertaken in order to assess the presence of the dual burden of underweight child-overweight mother pairs in a poor rural community. Out of 140 Malay households identified to have at least one child aged 1-6 years and mother aged above 20 years, 52.1% of the mothers were overweight, 15.7% of the children were underweight, 27.1% stunted and 5% wasted. Socio-economic background and food intake frequency data were collected from 54 underweight child/overweight mother pairs (UW/OW) and 41 normal weight child/normal weight mother pairs (NW/NW). Compared with the overweight mothers, a higher percentage of the normal weight mothers had received secondary education, were employed and with a higher household monthly income, although these differences were not significant. Patterns of food intake of the mothers and children appeared to have more similarities than differences between the UW/OW and NW/NW groups. Quantitative dietary intakes for 2 days using 24-hr recall and physical activity energy expenditure over the same period were assessed in a sub-group of UW/OW and NW/NW mothers and children. The NW/NW children showed significantly higher intake of total calories, fat and riboflavin than the UW/OW counterparts. Mean energy and nutrient intake of mothers from both groups were not significantly different, although the NW/NW mothers showed higher intake adequacy for total calories and most nutrients. While most of the mothers from both groups reported having no chronic illnesses, about half of the children in both groups had infections, especially gastrointestinal infections, over a 2-week period. Energy expenditure from physical activity for both UW/OW and NW/NW mothers and children did not differ significantly. This study confirmed inadequate intake of total energy and nutrients as the major factor for underweight in Malay children from rural areas. However, assessing intake and physical activity by interview methods were not sensitive enough to overcome perceived problems of under-reporting of energy intake and over-estimation of energy expenditure, especially by overweight subjects. Further investigations on a larger sample are necessary to understand the family dynamics leading to the double burden of malnutrition within the same household.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers/statistics & numerical data*
  4. Yahya NFS, Teng NIMF, Das S, Juliana N
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2021 Dec;30(4):662-674.
    PMID: 34967195 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202112_30(4).0013
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Globally, there is a high prevalence of postpartum depression (17.7%) reported in a recent study among mothers during the postpartum period. It contributes to poor health and well-being among newly delivered women. We reviewed the published effect of nutrition and physical activity interventions on improving and treating postpartum depression.

    METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The scoping review was performed using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. The systematic search was conducted using Scopus, Pubmed, EBSCOHost and Google Scholar in April 2020, updated in March 2021. Only literature published between January 2010 until February 2021 was searched.

    RESULTS: A total of 25 articles were included, of which 23 were randomised controlled trials , and 2 were quasi-experimental studies. Some of studies found improvements in depression (76% out of all studies). On this basis, nutrition or physical activity intervention probably improves postpartum depression. Moreover, the integration of nutrition and physical activity appears to improve depression in the more thorough follow-up of participants . Active involvement of the participant in the interventions was contributory to effectiveness.

    CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition and physical activity interventions with appropriate strategy and delivery are promising options for the management of postpartum maternal mental health. More definitive investigation of non-pharmacological interventions to ameliorate depression among postpartum women is warranted.

    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  5. Chong KN, E HC, Zaki RA, Mohd SH, Majid HA, Ng AK, et al.
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2021 Dec;30(4):632-642.
    PMID: 34967192 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202112_30(4).0010
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Maternal diet during pregnancy may impact infant respiratory morbidity. The aim was to determine the association between antenatal maternal diet and respiratory morbidity of their infants during their first 6 months of life.

    METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study included healthy motherinfant pairs. Maternal diet during the last trimester was determined with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Infant respiratory morbidity was solicited at 1, 3 and 6 months.

    RESULTS: Three hundred mother-baby pairs were recruited. Maternal consumption of milk and dairy products was associated with reduced respiratory symptoms at 1 month (aOR 0.29 [95% CI: 0.10, 0.86], p=0.03) and 3 months old (aOR 0.43 [95% CI: 0.20, 0.93], p=0.03), while intake of confectionery items was associated with increased unscheduled doctor visits at 3 months (aOR 2.01 [95% CI 1.33, 3.06], p=0.001) and increased nebuliser treatment at both 3 months (aOR 1.88 [95% CI 1.12, 3.17], p=0.02) and 6 months (aOR 1.64 [95% CI 1.05, 2.54], p=0.03). Finally, at 6 months, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was associated with increased nebuliser treatment (aOR 17.3 [95% CI 1.50, 199], p=0.02) while exclusive breastfeeding was associated with reduced incidence of respiratory symptoms (OR 0.47 [95% CI 0.26, 0.83], p=0.01).

    CONCLUSIONS: Increased antenatal maternal consumption of milk and dairy products may reduce respiratory morbidity while increased consumption of confectionery items may increase respiratory morbidity in their infants during the first 6 months of life.

    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers*
  6. Siti Aishah Sulaiman, Nor Azian Abdul Murad, Chow, Yock Ping, Zam Zureena Mohd Rani, Salwati Shuib, Dayang Anita A. Aziz, et al.
    MyJurnal
    VACTERL association is a rare genetic disorder involving at least three of the following congenital
    malformations: vertebral defects (V), anal atresia (A), cardiac defects (C), trachea-oesophageal fistula with
    or without oesophageal atresia (TE), renal anomalies (R) and limb abnormalities (L). Until now, the
    aetiology of VACTERL association is unknown, particularly at the molecular level. Here, we performed
    whole exome sequencing (WES) of an infant with VACTERL association. The patient was delivered
    prematurely at 30 weeks and had 4/6 of the VACTERL malformations. Trio-WES analysis was performed
    using Torrent Suite and ANNOVAR. Polymorphisms with an allele frequency of >0.01 were excluded, and
    the remaining variants were filtered based on de novo mutations, autosomal recessive, X-linked and di-genic
    inheritance traits. In this patient, no homozygous, compound heterozygous or X-linked mutations was
    associated with VACTERL. However, we identified two heterozygous mutations; KIF27
    (ENST00000297814: c.3004A> C:p.N1002H) and GNAS (ENST00000371098: c.205C>A:p.H69N) genes that
    were inherited from her father and mother respectively. A de novo, IFT140 gene mutation
    (ENST00000426508: c.683C>G:p.S228C) was also identified in this patient. The VACTERL phenotype in
    this patient may due to heterozygous mutations affecting KIF27 and GNAS genes, inherited via autosomal
    recessive trait. In addition, the IFT140 gene mutation may also be involved. These genes are known to be
    directly or non-directly involved in the sonic hedgehog signalling that is known to be implicated in
    VACTERL. This is the first report of these genetic mutations in association with VACTERL.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  7. Binns C, Lee M, Low WY
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2016 Jan;28(1):7-14.
    PMID: 26792873 DOI: 10.1177/1010539515624964
    Breastfeeding has many health benefits, both in the short term and the longer term, to infants and their mothers. There is an increasing number of studies that report on associations between breastfeeding and long-term protection against chronic disease. Recent research evidence is reviewed in this study, building on previous authoritative reviews. The recent World Health Organization reviews of the short- and long-term benefits of breastfeeding concluded that there was strong evidence for many public health benefits of breastfeeding. Cognitive development is improved by breastfeeding, and infants who are breastfed and mothers who breastfeed have lower rates of obesity. Other chronic diseases that are reduced by breastfeeding include diabetes (both type 1 and type 2), obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, and some types of cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  8. Vasanthamala A, Arokiasamy JT
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 1989;3(3):219-23.
    PMID: 2620023 DOI: 10.1177/101053958900300308
    This study compares the knowledge, attitudes and practice of mothers in two ethnic groups with regard to acute respiratory infections (ARI) in their child. Most had traditional beliefs as to the cause of ARI with only a minority knowing the causes. Most mothers were aware of the effect of frequent attacks of ARI on the health status of their child and of the importance of early treatment. Reasons for their becoming worried during an episode of ARI in their child indicated that problems of distance, transportation and arrangements for care of their other children predominate. A large proportion of the respondents felt that their present knowledge of ARI was inadequate and were thus interested in obtaining more information.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers*
  9. Binns C, Lee MK, Low WY, Zerfas A
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2017 Oct;29(7):617-624.
    PMID: 29094630 DOI: 10.1177/1010539517736441
    The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDCs) in 2015, which included several goals and targets primarily related to nutrition: to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. In the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) member countries as a group, infant and child mortality were reduced by more than 65% between 1990 and 2015, achieving the MDG target of two-thirds reduction, although these goals were not achieved by several smaller countries. The SDGs are broader in focus than the MDGs, but include several goals that relate directly to nutrition: 2 (zero hunger-food), 3 (good health and well-being-healthy life), and 12 (responsible consumption and production-sustainability). Other SDGs that are closely related to nutrition are 4 and 5 (quality education and equality in gender-education and health for girls and mothers, which is very important for infant health) and 13 (climate action). Goal 3 is "good health and well-being," which includes targets for child mortality, maternal mortality, and reducing chronic disease. The Global Burden of Disease Project has confirmed that the majority of risk for these targets can be attributed to nutrition-related targets. Dietary Guidelines were developed to address public health nutrition risk in the Asia Pacific region at the 48th APACPH 2016 conference and they are relevant to the achievement of the SDGs. Iron deficiency increases the risk of maternal death from haemorrhage, a cause of 300000 deaths world-wide each year. Improving diets and iron supplementation are important public health interventions in the APACPH region. Chronic disease and obesity rates in the APACPH region are now a major challenge and healthy life course nutrition is a major public health priority in answering this challenge. This article discusses the role of public health nutrition in achieving the SDGs. It also examines the role of APACPH in education and advocacy and in fulfilling the educational needs of public health students in public health nutrition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  10. Heng KV, Lum LCS, Breen E, Lye CW, Kuan WC, Goh SH, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2024 Jan;36(1):127-132.
    PMID: 37981736 DOI: 10.1177/10105395231211978
    Breastfeeding rates in urban Malaysian mothers are below World Health Organization (WHO) targets. Our prospective survey identified breastfeeding prevalences at 3, 6, and 12 months of 85.5%, 77%, and 60%, respectively. Combined (direct and expressed) breastfeeding significantly sustained longer-term breastfeeding. Efforts should be focused on mothers of Indian ethnicity and on expression after one month postpartum.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers*
  11. Norhayati MN, Aniza AA, Nik Hazlina NH, Azman MY
    Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2015 Dec;7(4):398-405.
    PMID: 25808643 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12184
    Social support is an essential component for the physical and emotional well-being of postpartum mothers. The objective of this study is to determine the psychometric properties of the revised Malay version Medical Outcome Study (MOS) Social Support Survey using a confirmatory validity approach.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  12. Gill HK, Kumar HC, Cheng CK, Ming CC, Nallusamy R, Yusoff NM, et al.
    Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2013 Jun;31(2):167-72.
    PMID: 23859418 DOI: 10.12932/AP0274.31.2.2013
    BACKGROUND: Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency (PID) caused by a dysfunctional respiratory burst enzyme NADPH-oxidase. The concurrence of Klinefelter’s Syndrome (KS) and CGD would be extremely rare.
    OBJECTIVE: We describe the study of a family where the youngest male child had X-linked CGD (X-CGD) while his older brother was both an X-CGD carrier and a Klinefelter.
    METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to study respiratory burst and gp91-phox expression, while genetic investigation was done by RT-PCR, PCR and X-chromosome short tandem repeat (X-STR) analysis.
    RESULTS: The Dihydrorhodamine (DHR) assay showed the patient’s neutrophils failed to produce a respiratory burst, while both the mother and an older brother showed a bimodal response. gp91-phox expression was absent in the patient’s neutrophils, and bimodal in the mother’s and brother’s neutrophils. The patient’s cDNA showed a C>T change at nucleotide 676 of the CYBB gene. The same change was seen in the patient’s gDNA, while the brother and mother were heterozygous, with C and T, in this position. The c.676C>T is a nonsense mutation that leads to premature termination of the gp91-phox protein. The brother karyotyped as 47, XXY and X chromosome analysis showed that he had inherited both his mother’s X chromosomes.
    CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the patient had gp91-phox deficient CGD while his older brother was a CGD carrier and a Klinefelter, who had inherited both his mother’s X chromosomes. This is the first report of such a concurrence in an individual, and argues for family members to be included in PID studies.
    Key words: Chronic granulomatous disease, CYBB, gp91-phox, Klinefelter’s syndrome NADPHoxidase
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  13. Ezat SW, Hod R, Mustafa J, Mohd Dali AZ, Sulaiman AS, Azman A
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(5):2991-9.
    PMID: 23803068
    BACKGROUND: Introduction of the HPV vaccine is a forefront primary prevention method in reducing the incidence of carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. The Malaysia government has implemented the National HPV immunisation programme since 2010, supplying HPV vaccine free to targeted 13 year olds. This study aimed to explore the level of knowledge among mothers on cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccine and National HPV (NHPV) immunisation programme since its' implementation. It also assessed acceptance of mothers towards HPV vaccine being administered to their daughter, son or themselves.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 155 respondents using self-administered questionnaires; conducted in December 2012 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique.
    RESULTS: A response rate of 100% was obtained. Overall, 51.0% of mothers had good knowledge, with 55% having good knowledge of cervical cancer, 54.2% for both HPV and the National HPV immunisation programme and 51.0% for the HPV vaccine. Regression analyses showed that ethnicity was associated with knowledge on cervical cancer (p=0.003) while education was associated with knowledge on HPV (p=0.049). Three factors are associated with knowledge of the National HPV immunisation programme; ethnicity (p=0.017), mothers' education (p=0.0005) and number of children (p=0.020). The acceptance of HPV vaccine to be administered among daughter was the highest at 87.1%, followed by for mothers themselves at 73.5%, and the least is for sons 62.6%.
    CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the overall level of knowledge was moderate. Adequate information on cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccination and the National HPV immunisation programme should be provided to mothers in order to increase acceptance of the HPV vaccine which can reduce the disease burden in the future.
    Study site: O&G clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers/psychology*
  14. Alsaad MA, Shamsuddin K, Fadzil F
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2012;13(3):879-83.
    PMID: 22631665
    Cervical cancer is caused by HPV infection and can be prevented by early vaccination.

    OBJECTIVE: To assess Syrian women's level of knowledge and determinants of good knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV infection and its vaccines.

    METHODS: A cross sectional survey was undertaken among mothers with daughters in sixth grade classes enrolled in primary schools in Aleppo city, Syria. Samples were selected through cluster sampling and data collected using a self-administered questionnaire.

    RESULTS: Less than a third of the mothers had heard of HPV infection and vaccines against cervical cancer and levels of knowledge were generally low. Good knowledge was associated with high education level, higher family monthly income, having few--less than four children, positive history of cervical cancer screening, and working or having relatives working in the medical field. The main source of information was television and few reported health care providers as a source of knowledge on HPV infection and vaccine.

    CONCLUSION: Since knowledge of HPV infection and its connection with cervical cancer and its vaccine are low, more efforts must be made to educate Syrians prior to introduction of any HPV vaccination programme. Public health efforts must focus on educating mothers, the public as well as health care providers.

    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  15. Usman AS, Mustaffa R, Ramli N, Diggi SA
    Asian J Transfus Sci, 2013 Jan;7(1):84-5.
    PMID: 23559775 DOI: 10.4103/0973-6247.106750
    OBJECTIVE: Maternal allo-antibody production is stimulated when fetal red blood cells are positive for an antigen absent on the mother's red cells. The maternal IgG antibodies produced will pass through the placenta and attack fetal red cells carrying the corresponding antigen. Allo-immune hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn caused by anti-E rarely occurs.

    CASE SUMMARY: We report two cases of anti-E hemolytic diseases in neonates. One of the neonates had severe hemolysis presenting with severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, while the other had moderate anemia and unconjugated hyperbilrubinemia. Although both the neonates were treated by phototherapy and intravenous immunoglobulin, one of them received double volume exchange transfusion.

    CONCLUSION: There appeared to be an increase in the occurrence of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn caused by Rh antibodies other than anti-D. In this case report, both patients presented with anemia and hyperbilirubinemia but were successfully treated, with a favorable outcome.

    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  16. Gomez R, Stavropoulos V
    Assessment, 2020 12;27(8):1971-1984.
    PMID: 30003809 DOI: 10.1177/1073191118787284
    For a Malaysian sample, the current study used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine the best model for parent ratings of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and then multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (MCFA) to confirm this model, and to examine measurement invariance across different language versions (Malay and English), child's gender (boys and girls), informants (mothers and fathers), and racial groups (Malay, Chinese, and Indians). In all 1,407 Malaysian parents completed SDQ ratings of their children (age ranging from 5 to 13 years). The EFA showed most support for a two-factor model oblique model, with factors for a positive construal factor and a psychopathology factor. CFA confirmed this model, and MCFA showed full measurement invariance (configural, metric. and scalar) across the groups in the different comparisons. For all comparisons, there were equivalencies for latent mean scores. The implications of the findings for clinical and research practice involving the SDQ in Malaysia are discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
  17. Heng J, Quan J, Sim LW, Sanmugam S, Broekman B, Bureau JF, et al.
    Attach Hum Dev, 2018 Feb;20(1):24-42.
    PMID: 28840781 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2017.1365912
    Past research indicates that socioeconomic status (SES) accounts for differences in sensitivity across ethnic groups. However, comparatively little work has been conducted in Asia, with none examining whether ethnicity moderates the relation between SES and sensitivity. We assessed parenting behavior in 293 Singaporean citizen mothers of 6-month olds (153 Chinese, 108 Malay, 32 Indian) via the Maternal Behavioral Q-Sort for video interactions. When entered into the same model, SES (F(1,288) = 17.777, p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Mother-Child Relations/ethnology*; Mothers*
  18. Zalbahar N, Najman J, McIntrye HD, Mamun A
    Aust N Z J Public Health, 2016 Dec;40(6):572-578.
    PMID: 27624991 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12574
    OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prospective association between parental pre-pregnancy BMI and adult male and female offspring BMI and waist circumference (WC).

    METHODS: Sub-sample of 2,229 parent-offspring pairs with parental pre-pregnancy BMI and offspring BMI and WC at 21 years were used from the MUSP (Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy cohort). Multivariable results were adjusted for maternal factors around pregnancy (e.g. gestational weight and smoking during pregnancy) and offspring factors in early life (e.g. birth weight) and at 14 years (e.g. sports participation and mealtime with family).

    RESULTS: After adjustments for confounders, each unit increase in paternal and maternal BMI, the BMI of young adult offspring increased by 0.33kg/m(2) and 0.35kg/m(2) , and the WC increased by 0.76 cm and 0.62 cm, respectively. In the combination of parents' weight status, offspring at 21 years were six times the risk being overweight/obese (OW/OB) when both parents were OW/OB, compared to offspring of healthy weight parents.

    CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal parental BMI are independently related to adult offspring BMI and WC.

    IMPLICATIONS: Both prenatal paternal-maternal weight status are important determinants of offspring weight status in long-term. Further studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers*
  19. Nik Yusof Fuad NF, Ching SM, Awg Dzulkarnain DH, Cheong AT, Zakaria ZA
    BMC Complement Med Ther, 2020 Jun 26;20(1):197.
    PMID: 32586306 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-02984-7
    BACKGROUND: Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used among postpartum mothers to maintain their well-being. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with CAM use among postpartum mothers in a primary-care clinic in Malaysia.

    METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 725 postpartum mothers, aged 18 and above, attending a primary-care clinic. The systematic sampling method was used to recruit patients through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of CAM use among postpartum mothers.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of CAM use among postpartum mothers was 85.5%. Manipulative body therapies, including massage, reflexology, hot stone compression and body wrapping were the most widely used methods of CAM (84.1%) among postpartum mothers, followed by biological-based therapies (33.1%). More than half of the respondents (52.1%) opted to use CAM, as they had observed good results from other CAM users. However, our study showed that 57.1% of mothers who consumed herbal medicine reported neonatal jaundice in their newborn. The median of the expenditure on CAM usage was 250 Malaysian Ringgits, or USD 61.3 per month. According to multiple logistic regression analyses, being Muslim (OR = 5.258, 95% CI: 2.952-9.368), being Malay (OR = 4.414, 95% CI: 1.18-16.56), having a higher educational level (OR = 2.561, 95% CI: 1.587-4.133) and having delivered via spontaneous vaginal delivery (OR: 5.660, 95% CI: 3.454-9.276) had a significantly positive association with CAM use among postpartum mothers.

    CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAM use was high (8 out of 10) among postpartum mothers. Postpartum mothers who are Malay, Muslim, have a higher educational level and who have had spontaneous vaginal delivery tended to use CAM more. Manipulative body therapies, including massage, reflexology, hot stone compression and body wrapping, were the most widely used forms of CAM, followed by biological-based therapies. More than half of the mothers who consumed herbal medicine reported neonatal jaundice in their newborn. Thus, education to increase awareness regarding the consumption of herbs is urgently required in this country.

    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers/statistics & numerical data*
  20. Thangarajah P, Hajissa K, Wong WK, Abdullah MA, Ismail N, Mohamed Z
    BMC Infect Dis, 2019 Feb 28;19(1):202.
    PMID: 30819141 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-3830-9
    BACKGROUND: Accurate diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection remains elusive and requires a comprehensive assessment through laboratory and clinical investigation. In this study, a diagnostic algorithm based on paired serum samples and clinical data was developed and evaluated.

    METHODS: A total of 1267 suspected cases of Toxoplasma infection were enrolled in this study from January 2016 to December 2016. The cases were screened for anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG by electrochemiluminiscence immunoassay (ECLIA) method. Based on the serological profiles, all cases with first seropositive serum samples were considered as suggestive cases of Toxoplasma infection. Thus, second serum samples were obtained after an interval of 2 weeks. The diagnosis was made based on laboratory results and clinical data.

    RESULTS: A total of 482 T. gondii seroreactive cases were selected. The patient's records were traced and the data were analysed. Accordingly, 152 cases were diagnosed as clinically confirmed cases; 198 cases were clinically asymptomatic and 132 cases were newborn babies or infants who did not have toxoplasmosis and only acquired passive immunity from their mothers. The paired serum algorithm allowed classifying the seroreactive cases as follows: early (0.6%), acute (1.9%), reactivation (13.5%), recent (1.5%), passive immunity from mother (27.3%) and possible congenital infections (1.2%). In addition, cases of reactivated toxoplasmosis were detected among the pregnant mothers (13/82; 15.8%), children aged above 1 year (2/8; 25.0%) and immunocompetent mothers (5/135; 3.7%). Furthermore, the application of the paired serum analysis resulted in remarkably improved treatment initiation.

    CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasmosis diagnosis and treatment can be improved through the use of paired serum diagnostic algorithm.

    Matched MeSH terms: Mothers
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links