METHODS: The study was conducted among second-year dental students in a dental materials science class, during which students participated in a mock assessment that included extended matching questions (EMQs) and single correct answer (SCA) questions. An online questionnaire comprising three sections: demographic information, Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles Questionnaire, and 15 closed-ended questionnaire items employing a 5-point Likert scale were administered to assess students' perceptions of the assessment methods. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and a post-hoc Bonferroni test.
RESULTS: All 70 students participated in the study with the majority being female, Chinese, and activist learners. Median total scores among various learning styles, gender, and ethnicity did not exhibit significant differences. Analysis of individual questionnaire items revealed mixed perceptions regarding EMQs. Reflectors generally held more positive perceptions of EMQs, while theorists showed the lowest total median scores toward EMQs. Most students did not prefer EMQs over SCAs, and some students expressed confusion about EMQs, especially those with a theorist learning style.
CONCLUSION: Although students generally showed good perceptions towards these assessment methods, further research is needed to better understand the interplay of learning styles, assessment preferences, and educational outcomes in dental education.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single centre study on hip fracture patients admitted to an acute care orthogeriatric unit over a 12-month period, aimed at determining the impact of pre-operative use of antiplatelets and anticoagulants on time to surgery (TTS) and its impact on one-year mortality rates.
RESULTS: Amongst 404 eligible patients, 102 were on antiplatelets, 23 on anticoagulants and 279 were neither on antiplatelets or anticoagulants. Our study showed that patients taking clopidogrel (p<0.001) and DOACs (p=0.001) were more likely to have delayed surgery compared to those who were not on these agents. In addition, all patients on warfarin experienced surgical delay. Warfarin group also had highest mortality rates compared to other group and 10 times more likely to die within a year (p=0.001).
CONCLUSION: The results from this study are consistent with existing literature, suggesting that the use of clopidogrel and anticoagulants have a negative impact on TTS in hip fracture patients. Strategies should be developed for patients on these medications to enhance their TTS.
PURPOSE: This study evaluated differences of TPC and TNF-α concentrations in tears at different severity of NPDR among participants with diabetes in comparison with normal participants.
METHODS: A total of 75 participants were categorized based on Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study scale, with 15 participants representing each group, namely, normal, diabetes without retinopathy, mild NPDR, moderate NPDR, and severe NPDR. All participants were screened using McMonnies questionnaire. Refraction was conducted subjectively. Visual acuity was measured using a LogMAR chart. Twenty-five microliters of basal tears was collected using glass capillary tubes. Total protein concentration and TNF-α concentrations were determined using Bradford assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
RESULTS: Mean ± SD age of participants (n = 75) was 57.88 ± 4.71 years, and participants scored equally in McMonnies questionnaire (P = .90). Mean visual acuity was significantly different in severe NPDR (P = .003). Mean tear TPC was significantly lower, and mean tear TNF-α concentration was significantly higher in moderate and severe NPDR (P < .001). Mean ± SD tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations for normal were 7.10 ± 1.53 and 1.39 ± 0.24 pg/mL; for diabetes without retinopathy, 6.37 ± 1.65 and 1.53 ± 0.27 pg/mL; for mild NPDR, 6.32 ± 2.05 and 1.60 ± 0.21 pg/mL; for moderate NPDR, 3.88 ± 1.38 and 1.99 ± 0.05 pg/mL; and for severe NPDR, 3.64 ± 1.26 and 2.21 ± 0.04 pg/mL, respectively. Tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations were significantly correlated (r = -0.50, P < .0001). Visual acuity was significantly correlated with tear TPC (r = -0.236, P = .04) and TNF-α concentrations (r = 0.432, P < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study identified differences in tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations with increasing severity of NPDR.
METHODS: All undergraduate second-year dental students were invited to participate in the dental materials science practical session and were randomly allocated into two groups: Group 1 (feedback) sandwich and Group 2 (ATA). The session began with the teacher giving a short briefing on the commonly used dental materials, followed by a short demonstration of the manipulation of those materials. Students were then allowed to mix and manipulate the materials, and teachers provided feedback accordingly. At the end of the session, 16 close-ended (five-point Likert scales) and an open-ended questionnaire were distributed to students to evaluate their perceptions of the feedback given. Internal reliability of the questionnaire items was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. Mean feedback scores were analysed using an independent t-test with ANCOVA for controlling gender and ethnicity. Thematic analysis was used to code the qualitative data.
RESULTS: Sixty-nine students participated in the present study with the majority being females (72.5%) and Chinese (79.7%). Cronbach's alpha analysis suggested removing three Likert-scale items, with the remaining 13 items being accepted. Generally, no significant difference was noted between the two groups (p = 0.197), but three items were found to be significant (p
METHODS: AMS programme team members within 349 hospitals from 10 countries (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam) completed a questionnaire via a web-based survey link. The survey contained questions as to whether 12 core components deemed essential for AMS programmes were implemented.
RESULTS: Overall, 47 (13.5%) hospitals fulfilled all core AMS programme components. There was a mean positive response rate (PRR) of 85.6% for the responding countries in relation to a formal hospital leadership statement of support for AMS activities, but this was not matched by budgeted financial support for AMS activities (mean PRR 57.1%). Mean PRRs were ≥80.0% for the core AMS team comprising a physician or other leader responsible for AMS activities, a pharmacist and infection control and microbiology personnel. Most hospitals had access to a timely and reliable microbiology service (mean PRR 90.4%). Facility-specific antibiotic treatment guidelines for common infections (mean PRR 78.7%) were in place more often than pre-authorization and/or prospective audit and feedback systems (mean PRR 66.5%). In terms of AMS monitoring and reporting, PRRs of monitoring specific antibiotic use, regularly publishing AMS outcome measures, and the existence of a hospital antibiogram were 75.1%, 64.4% and 77.9%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Most hospitals participating in this survey did not have AMS programmes fulfilling the requirements for gold standard AMS programmes in hospital settings. Urgent action is required to address AMS funding and resourcing deficits.
STUDY DESIGN: The study design is a cross-sectional self-report study conducted across 42 countries.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-report study was conducted in 42 countries, with a total of 82,243 participants included in the final data set.
RESULTS: The study provides an overview of suicide ideation rates across 42 countries and confirms the structural validity of the P4 screener. The findings indicated that sexual and gender minority individuals exhibited higher rates of suicidal ideation. The P4 screener showed adequate reliability, convergence, and discriminant validity, and a cutoff score of 1 is recommended to identify individuals at risk of suicidal behavior.
CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the reliability and validity of the P4 suicide screener across 42 diverse countries, highlighting the importance of using a cross-cultural suicide risk assessment to standardize the identification of high-risk individuals and tailoring culturally sensitive suicide prevention strategies.
OBJECTIVE: This study examines the sources of information for COVID-19 used by the Malaysian public and identifies those that are associated with building public confidence and positive perceptions toward the Malaysian government.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey of 4850 Malaysian residents was conducted. Participant demographics, media use, information sources, and attitudes surrounding COVID-19 were assessed. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to gauge the relationship between demographics, information sources, and attitudes toward COVID-19.
RESULTS: Malaysians primarily used television and internet news portals to access information on COVID-19. The Malaysian Ministry of Health was the most preferred source of COVID-19 information. Respondents who referred to the Ministry of Health, television, and the Malaysian National Security Council for information were more likely to believe that the country could win the battle against COVID-19 and that the government was handling the health crisis well compared to those who referred to other information sources. Those who used the World Health Organization, friends, YouTube, family, and radio as sources of information were less likely to harbor confidence and positive belief toward combating COVID-19.
CONCLUSIONS: Managing information and sustaining public confidence is important during a pandemic. Health authorities should pay considerable attention to the use of appropriate media channels and sources to allow for more effective dissemination of critical information to the public.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A self-administered Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) scale and the lifestyle and habits questionnaire-brief (LHQ-B) were used in this cross-sectional study. A global PSQI score of greater than 5 indicates poor sleep quality. All university dental students were invited to take part. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: A total of 338 students took part in the study, with a response rate of 90.4%. The proportion of females was higher (68.3 %) and more than half of the respondents (56.7 %) were in their clinical years. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 36.7%. At multivariable level, poor sleep quality was associated with being male (OR=1.72 [95% confidence interval (1.05, 2.83)] and engaging in an unhealthy lifestyle for psychological health (OR=2.64 [95% confidence interval (1.34, 5.21)] and nutrition (OR=2.48 [95% confidence interval (1.028, 4.82)].
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of poor sleep quality among undergraduate dental students in our study was comparable to that found in other studies. Male students were more likely to have poor sleep quality than female students. Our findings indicate that poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5) may be linked to unhealthy lifestyle habits related to psychological health and nutrition. Health education that emphasizes these domains is essential for improving their lifestyle habits and sleep quality.