Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 365 in total

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  1. Takeshita YJ, Tan Boon Ann, Arshat H
    Malays J Reprod Health, 1986 Dec;4(2):73-90.
    PMID: 12314887
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection*
  2. Fakhrul Syafiq, Huzaifah Ismail, Hazleen Aris, Syakiruddin Yusof
    MyJurnal
    Widespread use of mobile devices has resulted in the creation of large amounts of data. An example of such data is the one obtained from the public (crowd) through open calls, known as crowdsourced data. More often than not, the collected data are later used for other purposes such as making predictions. Thus, it is important for crowdsourced data to be recent and accurate, and this means that frequent updating is necessary. One of the challenges in using crowdsourced data is the unpredictable incoming data rate. Therefore, manually updating the data at predetermined intervals is not practical. In this paper, the construction of an algorithm that automatically updates crowdsourced data based on the rate of incoming data is presented. The objective is to ensure that up-to-date and correct crowdsourced data are stored in the database at any point in time so that the information available is updated and accurate; hence, it is reliable. The algorithm was evaluated using a prototype development of a local price-watch information application, CrowdGrocr, in which the algorithm was embedded. The results showed that the algorithm was able to ensure up-to-date information with 94.9% accuracy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  3. Muhammad Ilyas Ahmad Shuhairi, Hadzliana Zainal, Khoirulzariah Ismail
    MyJurnal
    This study aimed to review the availability of sugar-free medicine available in the market using the online Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS) Malaysia 2016. Data collection was obtained from product information (PI) for prescription medications contained in the MIMS Malaysia 2016. Concise information for each product was collected based on therapeutic class groupings. The therapeutic class obtained from PI was assigned to one of the 11 major therapeutic classes. PI that stated its use in paediatrics was further reviewed for the availability of sugar free ingredient. Each product was then allocated into the poison groups: Group B, Group C and Non-Scheduled Poison. A total of 282 PI items from 336 companies in MIMS Malaysia 2016 that satisfied our eligibility criteria were reviewed. Of the 282 PI items reviewed, most of the products, 169 (59.9%) were sugarbased product, while 87 (30.9%) of them belong to sugar free products. Our study found that most of the medicines reviewed in the MIMS Malaysia 2016 were under Group C (134 of total 282). There is still a high number of sugar-containing medicines despite the promotion of sugar-free medication. Therefore, consumers need to be educated on the use of sugar-free medicines in children to increase the demand and availability in the market.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  4. Arshad A, Kong KO
    J Clin Rheumatol, 2007 Apr;13(2):59-62.
    PMID: 17414529 DOI: 10.1097/01.rhu.0000260494.29921.9e
    BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common but controversial condition. There appears to be different level of belief of its existence and awareness. We set out to explore the variations of perceptions and awareness of this condition among rheumatologists from the Southeast Asia (SEA) region.
    METHODS: One hundred eight rheumatologists from the participating countries; 28 from Malaysia, 20 from Singapore, 26 from Thailand, 2 from Brunei, and 42 from Indonesia were approached to participate in this survey by answering specific questions regarding their beliefs in relation to FMS; 82% respondents from Malaysia, 100% from Singapore, 92% from Thailand, 100% from Brunei, and 90% from Indonesia completed the questionnaires.
    RESULTS: Most rheumatologists (92.5%) from SEA believe that FMS is a distinct clinical entity, and also this condition is considered an illness rather than a disease. Eighty-seven percent rheumatologists from SEA believe that FMS is a mixture of medical and psychological illness, 9% believe that FMS is primarily a psychological illness, and 3% believe that it is a medical illness. Only 60% of those in a university setting include FMS in their undergraduate teaching. Eighty-five percent of the respondents ordered blood tests to exclude other serious pathologic conditions, and 100% of the respondents from SEA countries also prescribed some form of drugs to FMS patients.
    CONCLUSION: FMS is apparently seen worldwide. This study confirmed that there was a variation of perceptions and knowledge of FMS among rheumatologists from SEA countries. However, most rheumatologists agreed that FMS is a distinct clinical entity with a mixture of medical and psychological factors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  5. Yousuf RM, Fauzi AR, How SH, Rasool AG, Rehana K
    Singapore Med J, 2007 Jun;48(6):559-65.
    PMID: 17538757
    Informed consent is now accepted as the cornerstone of medical practice, with reasonable patient standards typically considered to be appropriate in the developed countries; however it is still challenged in many developing countries. The objective of this descriptive study was to evaluate the perceptions and practices among attending medical professionals in matters relating to informed consent in selected hospitals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  6. Neni SW, Latif AZ, Wong SY, Lua PL
    Seizure, 2010 Jun;19(5):280-90.
    PMID: 20466567 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2010.04.006
    This study was carried out to gauge the preliminary insight regarding epilepsy among the rural society. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine general level of awareness, knowledge and attitudes (AKA) towards epilepsy among rural communities, (2) to compare the AKA level based on socio-demographic characteristics and (3) to investigate rural cohort's perception of the best epilepsy treatment, preference for epilepsy information delivery and preference for mode of transportation to seek medical treatment. This prospective, cross sectional study included a sample of 615 rural residents enrolled via cluster sampling in East Coast region of Peninsular Malaysia (mean age=41.6+/-18.02, female=56.6%, married=65.5%, Malay=94.0%, monthly income < or = RM 500=56.9%). The Total AKA level was generally low (2.66+/-0.7). Gender-wise no significant difference was shown regarding AKA level (p>0.05). However, respondents with higher education significantly possessed better attitudes and higher Total AKA level compared to those with lower education level (p<0.001). Employed respondents reported significantly more favourable attitudes than unemployed respondents (p=0.011). Additionally, higher income rural cohorts possessed both significantly better attitudes and better AKA. These rural communities perceived modern medicine as the best epilepsy treatment (56.60%), preferred to obtain direct epilepsy-related information from health personnel (60.4%) and chose to use their own car to seek medical treatment in hospital (76.30%). The outcomes of this preliminary study signified the need to devise a dedicated epilepsy education program for implementation among rural residents. Increased AKA level in the society could enhance the people's acceptance, reduce stigmatisation and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for epilepsy patients and their family.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  7. Katherason SG, Naing L, Jaalam K, Ismail A
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2008 Oct 01;2(5):364-8.
    PMID: 19745504
    BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections (NIs) have a serious impact on patient outcomes in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

    METHOD: A prospective cohort-targeted comprehensive surveillance study on NI associated with usage of devices was conducted in three ICUs in Malaysia using a developed NI surveillance form. Patients who developed infection outside an ICU were excluded from the study.

    RESULTS: The device associated NI was 21.1%. The mean duration for development of NI was 10.0 +/- 7.44 days in ICU. The major device-associated infections were nosocomial pneumonia (18.7%) followed by bacteremia (8.5%) and urinary tract infections (4.7%) respectively. NI incidence density rate was 20.6 per 1,000 patient-days. Bacteremia, urinary tract infection (UTI) and nosocomial pneumonia (NP) rates were 8.9, 4.7 and 20.5 per 1,000 patient-days, respectively. Acinetobacter species, Klebseilla pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant pathogens isolated from the NIs subjects during the study period in the three ICUs.

    CONCLUSION: Analysis of the rate of the NIs associated with usage of devices in the three ICUs showed that it is highly correlated with the use of mechanical ventilation devices, followed by intravascular devices and usage of indwelling urinary catheters.

    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  8. Khairur Rijal Jamaludin, Nolia Harudin, Faizir Ramlie, Mohd Nabil Muhtazaruddin, Che Munira Che Razali, Wan Zuki Azman Wan Muhamad
    MATEMATIKA, 2020;36(1):69-84.
    MyJurnal
    Prediction analysis has drawn significant interest in numerous field. Taguchi’s T-Method is a prediction tool that developed practically but not limited to small sample analysis. It was developed explicitly for multidimensional system prediction by relying on historical data as the baseline model and adapting the signal to noise ratio (SNR) as well as zero proportional concepts in strengthening its robustness. Orthogonal array (OA) in T-Method is a variable selection optimization technique in improving the prediction accuracy as well as help in eliminating variables that may deteriorate the overall performance. However, the limitation of OA in dealing with higher multidimensionality restraint the optimization accuracy. Binary particle swarm optimization used in this study helps to cater to the limitation of OA as well as optimizing the variable selection process to better prediction accuracy. The results show that if the historical data consist of samples with higher correlation of determination (R2) value for the model creation, the optimization process in reducing the number of variables would be much reliable and accurate. Comparing between T-Method+OA and T-Method+BPSO in four different case study, it shows that T-Method+BPSO performing better with greater R2 and means relative error (MRE) value compared to T-Method+OA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  9. Zahedi H, Djalalinia S, Sadeghi O, Zare Garizi F, Asayesh H, Payab M, et al.
    Nutr Neurosci, 2020 Dec 14.
    PMID: 33314992 DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2020.1853411
    OBJECTIVE: Several studies have been conducted on the relationship between breakfast consumption and mental health with conflicting results. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to summarize evidences on the association between skipping breakfast and mental health.

    METHODS: We searched online databases for all related papers through the comprehensive international data bases of Institute of PubMed/ MEDLINE, ISI/WOS and Scopus up to December 2019, using relevant keywords. Overall, 14 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis.

    RESULTS: The total sample size of all selected studies was 399,550 individuals with age range of 6 to ≥65 years old. We found a significant positive association between skipping breakfast and Odds Ratio (OR) of depression (pooled OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.34-1.44), stress (pooled OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04-1.43) and psychological distress (pooled OR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.47-1.62). In contrast, there was no significant association between skipping breakfast and anxiety in all age cohort (pooled OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.97-1.65). However, subgroup analysis based on age stratification showed that there was a significant positive association between skipping breakfast and anxiety in adolescences (pooled OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.25-1.77).

    CONCLUSION: In conclusion, skipping breakfast was positively associated with odds of depression, stress and psychological distress in all age groups and anxiety in adolescence, underlining impact of breakfast on mental health.

    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  10. Al-Naggar RA, Al-Jashamy K
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(12):3397-401.
    PMID: 22471487
    BACKGROUND: The media play big roles in the public understanding of many health issues, and the information relayed to the public through the media clearly influences behavior.

    OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine whether the content of articles on breast cancer in women published in the Star newspaper in 1997 differed from that of those published in 2007 and also to determine what factors may have caused any differences.

    METHODOLOGY: About 45 articles were identified for the year 1997 and 97 from the year 2007. Copies of the articles were obtained through the Star newspaper library. All the articles were read an initial time. The final sample for analysis consisted of 18 newspaper articles published in 1997 and 79 in 2007. Once data collection sheets were completed for all articles, the data were transferred to two spreadsheets and analyzed manually.

    RESULTS: Living with breast cancer was the main theme of many articles in both years. Family history was emphasized as a risk factor in articles from 2007, while an inappropriate bra, electrical power lines, stress, smoking and alcohol were emphasized in 1997 as risk factors. In general, articles in 2007 focused on overall health practices, especially exercise, while in 1997, mammography was considered as the dominant prevention method.

    CONCLUSION: The content of the articles on breast cancer that were published in the Star newspaper in Malaysia in 1997 totally differed from that of those published in 2007. The differences seem to reflect social, political, and scientific occurrences over the period studied.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  11. Akhtari-Zavare M, Ghanbari-Baghestan A, Latiff LA, Khaniki H
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(4):1337-41.
    PMID: 25743795
    BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, including Malaysia. This study focused on media choice and attempted to determine the communication channels mostly used and preferred by women in seeking information and knowledge about breast cancer.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out to examine the breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior among 450 students at one private university in Malaysia.

    RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 25±4.3 years. Common interpersonal information sources were doctors, friends, and nurses and common channel information sources were television, brochure, and internet. Overall, 89.9% used cell phones, 46.1% had an interest in receiving cell phone breast cancer prevention messages, 73.9% used text messaging, and 36.7% had an interest in receiving text breast cancer prevention messages. Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences among age, eduation, nationality and use of cell phones.

    CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of health information seeking behavior is important for community health educators to target populations for program development.

    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  12. Foo LL, Quek SJ, Ng SA, Lim MT, Deurenberg-Yap M
    Health Promot Int, 2005 Sep;20(3):229-37.
    PMID: 15814526
    The National Breastfeeding Survey 2001 was the first comprehensive study on breastfeeding conducted on a national level in Singapore. It aimed to establish the prevalence of breastfeeding among Chinese, Malay and Indian mothers and to identify factors influencing breastfeeding. A total of 2098 mothers were interviewed in this two-phase study, with the first interview conducted 2 months after delivery and the second interview 6 months after birth among mothers who were still breastfeeding at 2 months. Frequency distributions of breastfeeding prevalence and types of breastfeeding practices at different time intervals (from birth to 6 months) were produced. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to construct a model with predictive information on factors which influence continued breastfeeding till 2 months and 6 months after delivery respectively. The study found that about 94.5% of the mothers attempted breastfeeding. At 1 month, 71.6% were still breastfeeding, 49.6% continued to do so at 2 months, and 29.8% persisted till 4 months. By 6 months, the breastfeeding prevalence rate fell to 21.1%. The results of this study show higher breastfeeding prevalence rates compared to past studies in Singapore. Despite this, exclusive breastfeeding is still not a common practice. Various factors were found to be significant in influencing mothers' decision to breastfeed. Factors such as ethnicity, age, educational attainment, religion and baby's sex are non-modifiable in the short term or at an individual level. However, factors such as awareness of breastfeeding benefits, advice from health professionals and previous breastfeeding experience are potentially modifiable. Efforts aimed at promoting breastfeeding in Singapore need to take these modifiable factors into consideration so as to better tailor health promotion efforts on breastfeeding to women.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  13. Chang MS, Jute N
    PMID: 7777923
    An Aedes survey using various larval survey methods was conducted in 12 urban housing areas and 29 vacant lands in Sibu town proper. Aedes albopictus larvae were found in all areas surveyed while Aedes aegypti larvae were present in 10 localities and 4 vacant lands. There were no significant difference in the house index, breteau and larval density index of these two Aedes (Stegomyia) species from the survey areas. The proportion of containers positive with Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in area outside the house compound and near the house fencing were 3.2 times higher than outdoor compound. The indoor/outdoor breeding ratio for Ae. aegypti alone is 1.6:1. The most preferred breeding habitats outdoor were plastic cups and used tires while indoor habitats were ant traps and flower vases. In the vacant lands, the average number of larvae per containers was significantly higher than in houses and over 51% of the containers inspected were positive. Shared breeding between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larvae accounted for 9% in house surveys and 4.5% in vacant land survey. The use of various methods in Aedes larval survey may provide essential information in the study of vector epidemiology in dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever transmission.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  14. Shahabuddin SH
    Med J Malaysia, 1986 Dec;41(4):327-30.
    PMID: 3670155
    In recent years, female enrollment into medical faculties almost all over the world has increased tremendously. In the UKM, female medical students constitute 47.6% of the total enrollment for 1985; in the first year, they form 61.1% of the medical class. Once accepted, a woman has an equal if not better chance of graduation. However, it is during the later years of the career of female doctors that cause most concern because it has been shown that fewer women than men acquire additional qualifications. In view of their increasing enrollment, career aspirations of female doctors will have an important impact on the health services. A survey was conducted among 149 final-year medical students in 1985. This study revealed that irrespective of sex, the majority of medical students do wish to pursue postgraduate education. However, of those who do not wish to undergo further training, the majority are female students. The pattern of choice of speciality also differs in that females do not choose surgical-based disciplines.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  15. Razali SM, Hamzah AM
    Am J Psychiatry, 1999 Jan;156(1):158.
    PMID: 9892319
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection/methods
  16. NURUL HIDAYAH ZULKIPLI, SURIA BABA
    MyJurnal
    The problem in analysing qualitative study is regularly highlighted when it comes to data analysis process. Unlike quantitative data that deals with numerical and statistical issues, analysing qualitative data requires the researcher to deal with understanding human experiences and interpreting the data. Therefore, validity and reliability of the analysis are often questioned and becomes a challenge in analysing data from qualitative research. The objective of this writing is to highlight some of the challenges and strengths in the qualitative research process. Validity, reliability, and credibility are among the challenges in analysing qualitative study. Rigor in conducting data collection helps in overcoming the problem in validity, reliability and credibility. In addition, in-depth understanding and triangulation techniques such as interview, document analysis and observation used in qualitative researches are among the strengths for qualitative study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  17. Saifur RG, Dieng H, Hassan AA, Salmah MR, Satho T, Miake F, et al.
    PLoS One, 2012;7(2):e30919.
    PMID: 22363516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030919
    BACKGROUND: The domestic dengue vector Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in indoor containers. However, in northern peninsular Malaysia, they show equal preference for breeding in both indoor and outdoor habitats. To evaluate the epidemiological implications of this peridomestic adaptation, we examined whether Ae. aegypti exhibits decreased survival, gonotrophic activity, and fecundity due to lack of host availability and the changing breeding behavior.

    METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This yearlong field surveillance identified Ae. aegypti breeding in outdoor containers on an enormous scale. Through a sequence of experiments incorporating outdoors and indoors adapting as well as adapted populations, we observed that indoors provided better environment for the survival of Ae. aegypti and the observed death patterns could be explained on the basis of a difference in body size. The duration of gonotrophic period was much shorter in large-bodied females. Fecundity tended to be greater in indoor acclimated females. We also found increased tendency to multiple feeding in outdoors adapted females, which were smaller in size compared to their outdoors breeding counterparts.

    CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The data presented here suggest that acclimatization of Ae. aegypti to the outdoor environment may not decrease its lifespan or gonotrophic activity but rather increase breeding opportunities (increased number of discarded containers outdoors), the rate of larval development, but small body sizes at emergence. Size is likely to be correlated with disease transmission. In general, small size in Aedes females will favor increased blood-feeding frequency resulting in higher population sizes and disease occurrence.

    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  18. Salih MR, Bahari MB, Hassali MA, Shafie AA, Al-Lela OQ, Abd AY, et al.
    J Neurosci Rural Pract, 2012 Sep;3(3):244-50.
    PMID: 23188969 DOI: 10.4103/0976-3147.102596
    INTRODUCTION: Seizure-free patients or substantial reduction in seizure frequency are the most important outcome measures in the management of epilepsy. The study aimed to evaluate the patterns of seizure frequency and its relationship with demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang. Over a period of 6 months, the required data were extracted from the medical records using a pre-designed data collection form.

    RESULTS: Seizure frequency showed no significant association with patient's demographics and clinical characteristic. However, significant reduction in seizure frequency from the baseline to the last follow-up visit was only seen in certain subgroups of patients including Malays, females, patients <4 years of age, patients with global developmental delay/intellectual disability, and patients with focal seizure. There was no significant association between seizure frequency and rate of adverse events. Polytherapy visits were associated with higher seizure frequency than monotherapy visits (27.97 ± 56.66, 10.94 ± 30.96 attack per month, respectively) (P < 0.001). There was a clear tendency to get antiepileptic drugs used at doses above the recommended range in polytherapy (8.4%) rather than in monotherapy (1.4%) visits (P < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between seizure frequency and number of visits per patient per year (r = 0.450, P < 0.001).

    CONCLUSION: Among children with structural-metabolic epilepsy, Malays, females, patients <4 years of age, patients with global developmental delay/intellectual disability and patients manifested with focal seizure are more responsive antiepileptic drug therapy than the other subgroups of patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
  19. Kamal SM, Hassan CH, Alam GM, Ying Y
    J Biosoc Sci, 2015 Jan;47(1):120-39.
    PMID: 24480489 DOI: 10.1017/S0021932013000746
    This study examines the trends and determinants of child marriage among women aged 20-49 in Bangladesh. Data were extracted from the last six nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys conducted during 1993-2011. Simple cross-tabulation and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were adopted. According to the survey conducted in 2011, more than 75% of marriages can be categorized as child marriages. This is a decline of 10 percentage points in the prevalence of child marriage compared with the survey conducted in 1993-1994. Despite some improvements in education and other socioeconomic indicators, Bangladeshi society still faces the relentless practice of early marriage. The mean age at first marriage has increased by only 1.4 years over the last one and half decades, from 14.3 years in 1993-1994 to 15.7 years in 2011. Although the situation on risk of child marriage has improved over time, the pace is sluggish. Both the year-of-birth and year-of-marriage cohorts of women suggest that the likelihood of marrying as a child has decreased significantly in recent years. The risk of child marriage was significantly higher when husbands had no formal education or little education, and when the wives were unemployed or unskilled workers. Muslim women living in rural areas have a greater risk of child marriage. Women's education level was the single most significant negative determinant of child marriage. Thus, the variables identified as important determinants of child marriage are: education of women and their husbands, and women's occupation, place of residence and religion. Programmes to help and motivate girls to stay in school will not only reduce early marriage but will also support overall societal development. The rigid enforcement of the legal minimum age at first marriage could be critical in decreasing child marriage.
    Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
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