Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 169 in total

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  1. A randomised controlled trial of an SMS-based mobile epilepsy education system
    Lua PL, Neni WS
    J Telemed Telecare, 2013 Jan;19(1):23-8.
    PMID: 23390210 DOI: 10.1177/1357633X12473920
    We evaluated an epilepsy education programme based on text messaging (SMS). Epilepsy outpatients from three hospitals in Malaysia were randomised into two groups: intervention and control. Patients in the control group were supplied with printed epilepsy educational material while those in the intervention group also received text messages from the Mobile Epilepsy Educational System (MEES). A total of 136 patients completed the study (mean age 31 years; 91% Malay; 51% with an illness duration of more than 5 years). A between-group analysis showed that the awareness, knowledge and attitudes (AKA) about epilepsy did not significantly differ between the groups at baseline (P > 0.05). The intervention patients reported better AKA levels during follow-up compared to the control patients (P < 0.05). A within-group analysis showed that in intervention patients, there were significant improvements in all AKA domains with larger effect sizes (P < 0.01) while control patients also exhibited significant improvement in most domains except for Awareness but with smaller effect sizes. After controlling for possible confounding variables (age, gender, educational qualification, monthly income and baseline mean for each domain), the intervention group still reported significantly higher AKA than the control group particularly in Awareness (P < 0.001) and Total AKA (P = 0.003). There was also significantly better medication adherence and clinic attendance in the intervention group (P < 0.05). The results suggest that the addition of the MEES to conventional epilepsy education is effective in improving AKA.
    Study site: Neurology clinics, public hospitals, Terengganu, Pahang, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  2. Contributions of phonological awareness, phonological short-term memory, and rapid automated naming, toward decoding ability in students with mild intellectual disability
    Soltani A, Roslan S
    Res Dev Disabil, 2013 Mar;34(3):1090-9.
    PMID: 23314249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.12.005
    Reading decoding ability is a fundamental skill to acquire word-specific orthographic information necessary for skilled reading. Decoding ability and its underlying phonological processing skills have been heavily investigated typically among developing students. However, the issue has rarely been noticed among students with intellectual disability who commonly suffer from reading decoding problems. This study is aimed at determining the contributions of phonological awareness, phonological short-term memory, and rapid automated naming, as three well known phonological processing skills, to decoding ability among 60 participants with mild intellectual disability of unspecified origin ranging from 15 to 23 years old. The results of the correlation analysis revealed that all three aspects of phonological processing are significantly correlated with decoding ability. Furthermore, a series of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that after controlling the effect of IQ, phonological awareness, and rapid automated naming are two distinct sources of decoding ability, but phonological short-term memory significantly contributes to decoding ability under the realm of phonological awareness.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness/physiology
  3. Fulltext Factors that hinder organ donation: religio-cultural or lack of information and trust
    Tumin M, Noh A, Jajri I, Chong CS, Manikam R, Abdullah N
    Exp Clin Transplant, 2013 Jun;11(3):207-10.
    PMID: 23432623 DOI: 10.6002/ect.2012.0194
    This paper examines factors that influence Malaysian persons with a tertiary level of education on their willingness to donate organs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  4. Teaching engineering ethics using BLOCKS game
    Lau SW, Tan TP, Goh SM
    Sci Eng Ethics, 2013 Sep;19(3):1357-73.
    PMID: 23065541 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-012-9406-3
    The aim of this study was to investigate the use of a newly developed design game called BLOCKS to stimulate awareness of ethical responsibilities amongst engineering students. The design game was played by seventeen teams of chemical engineering students, with each team having to arrange pieces of colored paper to produce two letters each. Before the end of the game, additional constraints were introduced to the teams such that they faced similar ambiguity in the technical facts that the engineers involved in the Challenger disaster had faced prior to the space shuttle launch. At this stage, the teams had to decide whether to continue with their original design or to develop alternative solutions. After the teams had made their decisions, a video of the Challenger explosion was shown followed by a post-game discussion. The students' opinion on five Statements on ethics was tracked via a Five-Item Likert survey which was administered three times, before and after the ethical scenario was introduced, and after the video and post-game discussion. The results from this study indicated that the combination of the game and the real-life incident from the video had generally strengthened the students' opinions of the Statements.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness/ethics*
  5. Socio-ethical education in nanotechnology engineering programmes: a case study in Malaysia
    Balakrishnan B, Er PH, Visvanathan P
    Sci Eng Ethics, 2013 Sep;19(3):1341-55.
    PMID: 23149672 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-012-9418-z
    The unique properties of nanotechnology have made nanotechnology education and its related subjects increasingly important not only for students but for mankind at large. This particular technology brings educators to work together to prepare and produce competent engineers and scientists for this field. One of the key challenges in nanotechnology engineering is to produce graduate students who are not only competent in technical knowledge but possess the necessary attitude and awareness toward the social and ethical issues related to nanotechnology. In this paper, a research model has been developed to assess Malaysian nanotechnology engineering students' attitudes and whether their perspectives have attained the necessary objectives of ethical education throughout their programme of study. The findings from this investigation show that socio ethical education has a strong influence on the students' knowledge, skills and attitudes pertaining to socio ethical issues related to nanotechnology.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness*
  6. Oral cancer awareness and its determinants among a selected Malaysian population
    Ghani WM, Doss JG, Jamaluddin M, Kamaruzaman D, Zain RB
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(3):1957-63.
    PMID: 23679299
    OBJECTIVE: To assess oral cancer awareness, its associated factors and related sources of information among a selected group of Malaysians.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on all Malaysian ethnic groups aged ≥15 years old at eight strategically chosen shopping malls within a two week time period. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. Significance level was set at α<0.05.

    RESULTS: Most (84.2%) respondents had heard of oral cancer. Smoking was the most (92.4%) recognized high risk habit. Similar levels of awareness were seen for unhealed ulcers (57.3%) and red/white patches (58.0%) as signs of oral cancer. Age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, occupation and income were significantly associated with oral cancer awareness (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: There was a general lack of awareness regarding the risk habits, early signs and symptoms, and the benefits of detecting this disease at an early stage. Mass media and health campaigns were the main sources of information about oral cancer. In our Malaysian population, gender and age were significantly associated with the awareness of early signs and symptoms and prevention of oral cancer, respectively.

    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness*
  7. Fulltext Antibacterial activity of Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. A. extract against Escherichia coli
    Zainin, N. S., Lau, K. Y., Zakaria, M., Son, R., Abdull Razis, A. F., Rukayadi, Y.
    International Food Research Journal, 2013;20(6):3319-3323.
    MyJurnal
    An awareness of Escherichia coli as a foodborne pathogen and illness causing bacterium has been increased among consumers. Moreover, there is demand for natural product in order to reduce synthetic product that can cause toxic to the human. In this study, antibacterial activity, in term of MIC, MBC and killing-time curve of methanolic extract of Boesenbergia rotunda have been tested against a standard E. coli ATCC 25922 and two E. coli isolated from milk products using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) methods. The results show that B. rotunda extract was susceptible to all E. coli strains. The MIC and MBC values of B. rotunda extract against E. coli ranged 0.019 mg/mL 2.5 mg/mL and 0.039 mg/mL – 5.0 µg/mL, respectively. Killing-time curves were constructed at concentrations of 0x MIC, 1/2x MIC, 1x MIC, and 2x MIC. All E. coli strains can be killed with concentration of 2x MIC after 2 hours. The results show that B. rotunda extract has potential antibacterial activity against E. coli.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  8. Fulltext Community awareness and attitudes towards influenza outbreak and prevention in Serian, Sarawak
    Rohaya Mohd-Nor, Rose Nanju@Manju, Samuel Lihan, Sidiah John Siop, Rekaya Vincent Balang, Constance Rinen Justin Wah, et al.
    Int J Public Health Res, 2013;3(2):334-346.
    MyJurnal
    To date, there has been no systematic research that investigates the rural community awareness and attitudes towards pandemic influenza H1N1 and its prevention measures in the context of Sarawak. There is also no systematic study about whether the initiatives to educate the public undertaken by the government and other agencies have empowered the rural communities to practice an effective self-care within the context of community, that assist to curb the potential spread of this disease. Our research aims to address these limitations. In this paper, we report a survey finding about the awareness and attitudes of the Serian community with regard to this area of research interest. We also investigate the relevant sources of information that the community relies on in understanding about the influenza and how it can spread. Overall, the outcomes of the survey reveal that a majority of our respondents has a relatively low level of knowledge and awareness particularly about the characteristics of the illness and how H1N1 virus can transmit. With regard to prevention measures, a majority of them reported good understanding and awareness about the effective self-care practices that can help to curb the potential spread of the influenza. The top five sources to obtain information about the influenza were: information from family, relatives, friends or neighbours; radio; TV; newspapers; and government health talk seminar or campaigns. The research outcomes can offer pragmatic contributions that can benefit the health campaigners and policy makers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  9. Fulltext The values of the traditional culinary practices towards the modernization as perceived by the Malay Chefs in Klang Valley
    Ismail, N. A., Ab. Karim, M. S., Othman, M., Abd. Halim, N.
    International Food Research Journal, 2013;20(5):0-0.
    MyJurnal
    The central question to be examined in this study is associated with the value of the Malays traditional culinary practices of Malay chef in preparing the traditional food in Malaysian hotels. Present understanding highlighted that hotels are giving high priority on their superior services, such as luxury accommodations and intimate hospitalities. As such, promoting local foods in their dining establishment has taken a back seat. Research from past scholars indicated that hotel in Malaysia can be the one stop center for the local and international tourists to get the first hand information about local food specialities. On the hindsight, very limited efforts have been put into practice on the promotions of local food especially Malay cuisines in hotels. Main issue such as mass-produced Malay cuisines in the commercial kitchens, for example, should be highlighted to ensure that hotels are not jeopardizing the originality of traditional food preparations. Therefore, a qualitative reasearch focusing in in-depth interview with 10 Malay chefs was conducted in hotels around the Klang Valley. The results are so profound that majority of the Malay chefs under study shared similar understandings on technology advancements and modernizations that have taken place in their daily food preparations. Another finding revealed that one of the most challenging factors in preventing the Malay chefs to prepare the Malay food as it has been done traditionally is the attitude and awareness of the young generations to understand the values in traditional culinary practices. This study concludes with suggestion that aggressive knowledge sharing and information dissemination among the Malay chefs in hotels are needed to effectively market the traditional Malay food.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  10. Fulltext Towards improved construction waste management: A review on the issues, challenges and the need of the supply chain management mechanisms in residential housing development in Malaysia
    M.N.N. Husna, R.M.R. Ahmad, R.E. Intan, C.H. Asmawati
    ASM Science Journal, 2013;7(1):59-66.
    MyJurnal
    Throughout the years, the construction industry has made an important contribution to the Malaysian economy. Moreover, the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006–2010) has also played a significant role in the demands of executing major residential housing project developments where it has been observed that construction waste was one of the priority waste streams. Due to the increasing number in the population that is actively involved in economic activities, and the modernization of the country, the types of construction waste that are being produced, and identifying the source such as waste are becoming more complex. Therefore, appropriate actions and approaches are needed to be taken with respect to its effective management in handling the solid waste from construction sites. This paper is intended to review the issues and the challenges enclosed within the supply chain management mechanisms in order for improving construction waste management. Throughout this review, useful information and better understanding concerning the current issues, challenges and the supply chain management mechanisms would be made inclusive in the field to be explored. The findings would also assist in improving the quality and awareness on the construction waste management that is being practiced.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  11. Fulltext HRQoL profile and psychometric properties assessment of caregiver quality of life instrument among HIV/AIDS family caregivers in Terengganu
    Lua, P.L., Norhayati, M., Ahmad Kashfi, A.R.
    Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2013;22(1):1-13.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: This preliminary investigation intended to evaluate the healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) profile of HIV/AIDS family caregivers residing in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia and to explore the psychometric properties of the Malay Caregiver Quality of Life (MCQoL) questionnaire in this sample. Methods: A convenient sample of family caregivers of HIV/AIDS patients who were aware of the diagnosis was enrolled. They were recruited from the Infectious Disease Clinic, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Terengganu. Data was analysed using SPSS16 employing descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods. Results: Thirty respondents consented participation [median age = 43.0 years (range 19.0-81.0); female = 63.3%, married = 70.0%; ≤ primary school qualification = 46.7%; self-employed = 66.7% and rural residents = 56.7%]. Across all patients, the highest domain score was for Disruptiveness (median = 3.3; range 1.4-4.0) while Burden was the lowest (median = 2.3; range 1.0-3.6). As expected, males reported significantly better Financial Concerns and Burden (p
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  12. Fulltext A conceptual framework of stress management intervention for medical students
    Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff, Mohd Jamil Yaacob, Naing, Nyi Nyi, Ab Rahman Esa
    Education in Medicine Journal, 2013;5(3):93-99.
    MyJurnal
    Teaching stress management skills for medical students has been echoed as an important educational component in medical education. Discussions about approaches to teaching stress management in medical education context are largely unexplored despite of a large number of articles have emphasized on its importance. This paper describes four elements in a framework as an approach to teaching stress management skills in medical education. As one moves through the framework, it provides a greater degree of insight on stress management ability as is acquired through one's awareness, experience and conscious effort that allow stressful situations to be handled effectively and efficiently. It may provide a useful educational framework for medical teachers to teach and assess stress management skills of medical students. It also may be used as an aid in planning, implementing and evaluating stress management programs in medical schools. The authors discuss about the implications of this framework for future research in medical education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  13. Fulltext Psychiatry and World No Tobacco Day
    Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin
    ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2013;14(2):190-192.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: Smoking is a prevalent problem globally but more so among most ASEAN countries. Worldwide, six million lives are lost annually and this number is expected to grow. In light of this, the World Health Organization recognises the 31st of May to be World No Tobacco Day. For 2013, the theme is "Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship". This article aims to increase awareness among mental health workers, in particular psychiatrists, on the dangers of smoking, the tactics of the tobacco industry, and simple measures to address these problems within their daily activities.

    Method: A brief review of recent relevant literature in the field and actual experience from the field were highlighted in this opinion section.

    Results and Conclusion: Mental health workers are at an advantage as they have training in both psychological treatments such as brief intervention, cognitive behavioural therapy or counselling skills and for some others, pharmacological treatments. It is timely that health workers in the region take up this challenging but meaningful opportunity to help those with mental illness to stop their dependence for tobacco.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  14. Fulltext Sociodemographic predictors of recall and recognition of colorectal cancer symptoms and anticipated delay in help- seeking in a multiethnic Asian population
    Loh KW, Majid HA, Dahlui M, Roslani AC, Su TT
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(6):3799-804.
    PMID: 23886185
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Malaysia. The prognosis of the disease is excellent if detected at an early stage, but the majority of Malaysian patients present at late stages. We aimed to assess the awareness of cancer warning signs and anticipated delay in help-seeking as possible contributors to this phenomenon.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey using the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Measure was initiated in Perak, Malaysia. A total of 2,379 respondents aged 18 years and above were recruited using a multi-stage sampling in five locations. Analysis of covariance was used to examine independent sociodemographic predictors of scores for symptom awareness.

    RESULTS: Younger age, being female, a higher education, and higher income were significantly associated with better scores for both recall and recognition of warning symptoms. Among the ethnic groups, Malays had better recognition of symptoms whereas Chinese recalled the most symptoms. Passing bloody stool was associated with the least anticipated delay and unexplained anal pain had the highest anticipated delay.

    CONCLUSIONS: The level of awareness across all ethnicities in Malaysia is generally low, especially among minorities. Targeted public education, which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, should be developed to encourage early help-seeking and improve clinical outcomes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness*
  15. Fulltext Comprehensive Healthcare module: medical and pharmacy students' shared learning experiences
    Tan CE, Jaffar A, Tong SF, Hamzah MS, Mohamad N
    Med Educ Online, 2014 Jan;19(1):25605.
    PMID: 28440130 DOI: 10.3402/meo.v19.25605
    Introduction The Comprehensive Healthcare (CHC) module was developed to introduce pre-clinical medical and pharmacy students to the concept of comprehensive healthcare. This study aims to explore their shared learning experiences within this module. Methodology During this module, medical and pharmacy students conducted visits to patients' homes and to related community-based organisations in small groups. They were required to write a reflective journal on their experiences regarding working with other professions as part of their module assessment. Highly scored reflective journals written by students from the 2011/2012 academic session were selected for analysis. Their shared learning experiences were identified via thematic analysis. We also analysed students' feedback regarding the module. Results Analysis of 25 selected reflective journals revealed several important themes: 'Understanding of impact of illness and its relation to holistic care', 'Awareness of the role of various healthcare professions' and 'Generic or soft skills for inter-professional collaboration'. Although the primary objective of the module was to expose students to comprehensive healthcare, the students learnt skills required for future collaborative practice from their experiences. Discussion The CHC module provided early clinical exposure to community-based health issues and incorporated some elements of inter-professional education. The students learnt about the roles of other healthcare professions and acquired soft skills required for future collaborative practice during this module.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  16. Fulltext Present status and future concerns of expanded newborn screening in malaysia: sustainability, challenges and perspectives
    Leong YH, Gan CY, Tan MA, Majid MI
    Malays J Med Sci, 2014 Mar;21(2):63-7.
    PMID: 24876809 MyJurnal
    Newborn screening (NBS) program is an important tool for the early diagnosis and preventive treatment of life-long impairments. NBS is one of the strategies recommended by the World Health Organization to promote the primary prevention of congenital anomalies and the health of children with these conditions. However, NBS initiation and implementation in developing countries, especially South-East Asian and North African regions, are slow and challenging. Expanded NBS is not mandatory and has not yet been incorporated into the public healthcare system in our country. Limited funding, manpower shortages, inadequate support services, low public awareness, and uncertain commitment from healthcare practitioners are the main challenges in establishing this program at the national level. Involvement and support from policy makers are very important to the success of the program and the benefit of the entire population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  17. Exploring antibiotic use and practices in a Malaysian community
    Fatokun O
    Int J Clin Pharm, 2014 Jun;36(3):564-9.
    PMID: 24700341 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-014-9937-6
    BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, antibacterial agents are among the most utilized drugs. There has been an increase in their use in recent years, contributing to an increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

    OBJECTIVES: This study explores the pattern of antibiotic use and practices in a Malaysian community and identifies the variables associated with a likelihood of non-compliance with a course of antibiotic treatment.

    SETTING: The study was conducted in Cheras, a community located to the south-east of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia.

    METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 250 individuals, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of antibiotic use, sources of antibiotics, use of antibiotics without prescription, discontinuation of antibiotic treatment, antibiotic resistance awareness, handling of unused antibiotics, and association between respondents characteristics and compliance with a course of antibiotic treatment.

    RESULTS: Approximately 36 % of the participants (n = 91) had taken antibiotics in the year of the study. The majority (66.8 %) obtained antibiotics from clinics. Almost 80 % of the participants had never obtained antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. Nearly 55 % discontinued the course of antibiotics once symptoms disappeared. The most common method of disposing leftover antibiotics was throwing them into the household rubbish bin (78.8 %). Only 6.4 % of participants returned leftover antibiotics to the pharmacist or doctor. Univariate analysis revealed that male gender (p = 0.04), lack of knowledge of antibiotic functions (p < 0.0001), and lack of awareness of antibiotic resistance (p < 0.0001) were all significantly associated with a greater likelihood of non-compliance with a full course of prescribed antibiotic treatment.

    CONCLUSION: Most individuals in the Malaysian community obtained antibiotics through prescription. Non-completion of a course of antibiotic treatment and improper disposal of unused antibiotics need to be addressed to prevent AMR. Male gender, lack of knowledge and awareness of antibiotics and resistance were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of non-compliance with a full course of prescribed antibiotic treatment. Therefore, patient education and counselling about antibiotics and antibacterial resistance is very important to enhance compliance to antibiotic therapy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  18. Community pharmacists' attitudes, perceptions, and barriers toward adverse drug reaction reporting in Malaysia: a quantitative insight
    Elkalmi RM, Hassali MA, Ibrahim MI, Jamshed SQ, Al-Lela OQ
    J Patient Saf, 2014 Jun;10(2):81-7.
    PMID: 24618640 DOI: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000000051
    This study was designed to explore awareness and attitudes of community pharmacists toward the national ADR reporting system activities in the northern states of Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness*
  19. Fulltext Climate change: a review of its health impact and perceived awareness by the young citizens
    Rahman MS, Mohamad OB, Zarim Zb
    Glob J Health Sci, 2014 Jul;6(4):196-204.
    PMID: 24999143 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v6n4p196
    In recent time climate change and its impact on human health and awareness constitute a set of complex and serious consequences to be tackled by an individual country. Climate change is not merely an environmental issue, but also it is a threat that goes beyond national borders. The purpose of this study is to identify the awareness and the impact of climate change, perceived by the young citizens in Malaysia by focusing on gender differences. Based on a survey of 200 respondents from different public and private University's students in Malaysia, this research used descriptive statistics and T-test to look into the research objective. The results revealed media can play an important role in the awareness of climate change. Meanwhile the male respondents have shown considerable attention on the physical impact of climate change like heat related stress. On the other hand female respondents have shown considerable attention to the psychological impact by the climate change. From a pragmatic perspective, the findings from this research will assists the policy makers to understand more about the perceived awareness on the climate change issues of the young citizens which ultimately assist them to inaugurate new initiatives to confront the challenges of climate changes. This research is among the pioneer study on the issue of the perceived awareness in regards to climate change in Malaysia by focusing on gender differences.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness*
  20. Fulltext Iatrogenic submandibular duct rupture complicating sialography: a case report
    Sharouny H, Omar RB
    Iran Red Crescent Med J, 2014 Sep;16(9):e7882.
    PMID: 25593739 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.7882
    INTRODUCTION: Sialolithiasis is the most common disease of salivary glands. Sialography is particularly important for the assessment of the outflow tract and in diagnosing obstructive salivary gland lesions including calculi.

    CASE PRESENTATION: We report on a 38-year-old female with sialolithiasis whom had Wharton's duct perforation, complicating the sialography. She was treated conservatively with a course of co-amoxiclav, oral prednisolone for three days and pain-killers. The patient was clinically well on follow-up reassessments at the end of the first week and three weeks post procedure.

    CONCLUSIONS: Perforation of salivary duct complicating the sialography is rare. Awareness of this potential complication and utilizing a good sialography technique need to be advocated amongst radiologists. Response to treatment by conservative management is preferred as illustrated in this case.

    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
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