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  1. Abas AH, Daud A, Mohd Hairon S, Shafei MN
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Jun;30(3):32-41.
    PMID: 37425379 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.3.3
    Data on the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in Malaysia remain unclear as they are currently limited to specific settings and occupational groups. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain in Malaysia. In this scoping review, we had systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar from January 2016 to April 2020. In addition, we had included cross-sectional studies on LBP in Malaysia. Studies without data on the prevalence and risk factors were excluded. The settings, population, design, sample size, evaluation methods, prevalence and risk factors of the studies were summarised. The literature search identified 435 potentially eligible studies; of these, 21 had met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of LBP in Malaysia among various types of the population had ranged from 12.4% to 84.6%. Among the various types of occupation, the prevalence of LBP was the highest among nurses (67.9%), followed by drivers (65.7%). In addition, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), lifting heavy objects, working posture, lifestyle, working hours and mental health were identified as the risk factors of LBP in Malaysia. The current evidence suggests that LBP is a serious health problem among several occupational groups in Malaysia. Therefore, it is crucial to implement the correct interventions for the prevention of LBP among these groups.
  2. Liew TK, Yong GY, Zainal Abidin Z, Asnir ZZ
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Jun;30(3):135-142.
    PMID: 37425384 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.3.12
    BACKGROUND: The article aims to study the demographics and clinical characteristics of ocular trauma patients presenting to the Eye Casualty Clinic between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 era in Ampang Hospital, Malaysia.

    METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data of patients presented with ocular trauma injury to the Ampang Hospital during the COVID-19 era from 18 March 2020 to 17 September 2020 were retrieved and compared with the similar period of the previous non-COVID-19 era year.

    RESULTS: Among the total number of 453 patients, 76.82% (n = 348) were predominantly males. The commonest age group was between 21 years old-40 years old (49.45%, n = 224), and the commonest location of ocular trauma injury occurred at the workplace (38.19%, n = 173); welding was the commonest work-related injury (13.83% in 2019; 12.50% in 2020). Injury-to-treatment time was significantly longer during the COVID-19 era, where patients who sought treatment within a day of injury were 27.27% (n = 69) in 2019 and 18.50% (n = 37) in 2020 (P = 0.030). During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with vision worse than 6/60 on presentation were higher at 8% compared with 3.56% before the COVID-19 pandemic (OR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.01, 5.48; P = 0.047). Similarly, patients with a vision worse than 6/60 post-treatment during the COVID-19 period were significantly higher at 7.00% compared with 1.58% before the COVID-19 pandemic (OR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.53, 14.62; P = 0.007).

    CONCLUSION: The majority of ocular trauma cases in this study population were male adults between 21 years old and 40 years old, and welding was the commonest work-related injury. COVID-19 era has a higher percentage of patients presented with severe visual impairment, longer injury-to-treatment time and poorer post-treatment visual outcomes.

  3. Abdul Aziz NA, Baharudin NS, Alias NA
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Jun;30(3):176-183.
    PMID: 37425381 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.3.16
    INTRODUCTION: A high level of perceived social support can lessen stress. However, the lack of knowledge on stress and perceived social support among students during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was explored. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between stress and perceived social support among undergraduate Health Sciences students.

    METHODS: A convenience sampling method was used in a cross-sectional study of 290 undergraduate Health Sciences students in public universities. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was used to measure the perception of stress, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to measure perceived social support from three sources, including family, friends and significant others.

    RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found between the stress level and the total score of the MSPSS (r = -0.432), perceived social support from family (r = -0.429), significant others (r = -0.328), and friends (r = -0.219, P < 0.001). Over three-quarters (73.4%) of the students have a moderate stress level (mean = 21.17, SD = 5.75). The highest social support perceived was from a family (mean = 5.21, SD = 1.48).

    CONCLUSION: The study suggested that social support from family is the strongest for students to go through the stress of tough times. It also highlighted the need for attention to stress management among undergraduate students for healthy well-being. Future studies that involve other academic fields of study and qualitative research would give useful information on perceived social support among students.

  4. Kanesen D, Kandasamy R, Wong ASH, Tharakan J, Lim CJ, Abdullah JM
    Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Oct;28(5):82-93.
    PMID: 35115890 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.5.8
    Background: To study the clinical outcome of tuberculous meningitis with hydrocephalus (TBMH) and the factors contributing to its poor clinical outcome.

    Methods: Clinical data of 143 adult patients diagnosed with TBM over a 6-year period in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant clinical and radiological data were studied. Patients with TBMH were further analysed based on their clinical grade and rendered treatment to identify associated factors and outcome of this subgroup of patients. The functional outcome of patients was assessed at 12 months from treatment.

    Results: The mean age of patients was 35.6 (12.4) years old, with a male gender predominance of 67.1%. Forty-four percent had TBMH, of which 42.9% had surgical intervention. In the good modified Vellore grade, 76.5% was managed medically with concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT), steroids and osmotic agents. Four patients had surgery early in the disease as they did not respond to medical therapy and reported a good outcome subsequently. Poor outcome (65.2%) was seen in the poor modified Vellore grade despite medical and surgical intervention. Multivariate model multiple Cox regression showed significant results for seizure (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 15.05; 95% CI: 3.73, 60.78), Glasgow coma scale (GCS) (aHR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.89) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count (aHR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.17).

    Conclusion: Hydrocephalus was seen in 44% of patients in this study. GCS score, seizure and high CSF cell count were factors associated with a poor prognosis in TBM. Patients with TBMH treated medically (TBMHM) had better survival function compared to TBMH patients undergoing surgical intervention (TBMHS) (P-value < 0.001). This retrospective study emphasises that TBMH is still a serious illness as 47.6% of the patients had poor outcome despite adequate treatment.

  5. Abdul Halim NA, Wee LH, Mohd Saat NZ, Jit Singh SJ, Siau CS, Chan CMH
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Oct;29(5):133-145.
    PMID: 36474542 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.5.14
    BACKGROUND: School-based smoking cessation intervention programmes are challenging to implement and evaluate. This study aimed to explain the process of developing the Fit and Smart Adolescent Smoking Cessation Programme (FSSCP). Logic model is a visual tool that helps programme planners to create an activity action plan that suits the target group to achieve programme objectives and goals.

    METHODS: This two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial was implemented between January 2018 and November 2018. Six schools were selected using stratified random sampling, whereby students were purposively selected and invited. The criteria of inclusion to the programme were secondary school students (aged 13 years old-17 years old) who smoked conventional cigarettes (CC) and electronic cigarettes (EC).

    RESULTS: A total of 422 students from six schools participated in this study. Three schools were designated as intervention (n = 250) and the other three as control schools (n = 172). Formative evaluation of participants in the FSSCP using the logic model showed that participants were satisfied with the overall programme (91.5%), were motivated to stop smoking (90.4%) and were prevented from relapse (89.2%). The quit rate at a 3-month follow-up was 41.8%.

    CONCLUSION: The logic model supported the development of the programme, with details on the processes, dissemination activities, identification of barriers, evaluation criteria and outcomes provided.

  6. Larki M, Sharifi F, Manouchehri E, Latifnejad Roudsari R
    Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Dec;28(6):8-19.
    PMID: 35002486 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.6.2
    The pandemic and its consequences have been shown to have a negative impact on the availability and accessibility of the basic services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs. The aim of this study was to investigate the responses to the essential SRH needs for women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative review was conducted based on the Scale for Assessing Narrative Review Articles (SANRA), in order to present key activities for responding to the important SRH needs of women in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The literature search was performed through English databases of Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect, as well as Persian databases including Magiran and Scientific Information Database (SID). In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) and the reports of Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were searched. The search was carried out from December 2019 up to 10 January 2021. Essential reproductive healthcare services for women during the COVID-19 pandemic were divided into six categories including access to contraception, safe abortion and post-abortion care, sexual health and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention, cervical cancer screening and prevention, maternity services and also addressing violence against women and girls. These essential needs should be considered as a priority by governments as well as public and private stakeholders. It seems that the implementation of the shifted strategies, active participation of public and private stakeholders, consideration of human rights and ethical issues, ensuring access to vulnerable populations, regular contact with individuals and the increased cooperation of individuals for responding to the SRH needs during the COVID-19 outbreak, are necessary.
  7. Lau ZC, Mohd Yusof BN, Abas F, Abd Wahab N, Wan Zukiman WZH, Ismail A
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Oct;29(5):5-16.
    PMID: 36474545 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.5.2
    The Identifying the dynamic metabolome of the individual in response to a particular stimulus using a metabolomic approach is an emerging research area. Measuring the postprandial metabolite response utilising a meal-challenge test (MCT) provides information beyond the fasting state, which is especially important since human beings spend most of their time in the postprandial state. This is pertinent as an excessive rise in postprandial glycaemia is common in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which puts them at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). While a low glycaemic index (GI) meal improves postprandial glycaemia and insulin levels in MCT studies among individuals with T2DM, its effect on metabolite changes in the postprandial state is unclear. This review summarises the perturbation in postprandial metabolites following a low GI meal in comparison to that following a usual or high GI meal and maps the metabolites in their metabolic pathways. We undertook a literature review using electronic databases, with the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, to retrieve relevant studies based on specific criteria. A total of seven related studies were documented. For the majority of metabolites studied, it was identified that metabolic regulation following an MCT extends beyond the glucose pathway. Altered metabolic pathways after the consumption of a low GI meal include: i) essential amino acid metabolism by altering the levels of plasma phenylalanine, tyrosine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine and valine; ii) glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) metabolism by altering citrate and alanine, and iii) gut microbiota metabolism by altering betaine and acetate. The altered metabolites regulated the pancreatic insulin secretion and related to other dietary factors beyond GI modifications. These metabolomics data need to be interpreted cautiously because the metabolic changes analysed might not be due to the beneficial effects of a low GI meal. Validation of the putative metabolomic biomarkers following a dietary intervention MCT is suggested because researchers need to fully understand the kinetics and metabolism of individuals metabolite before reaching a solid conclusion. Further research characterising the metabotype based on habitual dietary patterns is warranted.
  8. Abdul Karim AK, Azrai Abu M, Ahmad MF, Mat Jin N, Suharjono HN
    Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Oct;28(5):34-41.
    PMID: 35115885 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.5.3
    The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the community at large. It has affected almost everyone and every aspect of social, economic and educational activities. Training in reproductive medicine has not been spared, as training in this field requires a combination of clinical interaction with patients, procedural experience, constant discussions and the element of research. The changes to numbers of new infections or active cases dictate the restrictions placed on the community and health care services alike. At the beginning of the pandemic, both the patients' fear of going to a health care facility and movement restrictions had caused a significant reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia's recommendation to withhold all non-essential medical services, including those related to reproductive medicine, falls under this category. Therefore, it could negatively impact the quality of training and lead to an extension of training duration in reproductive medicine. Thus, the procedural experience could be supplemented with simulator training, teleconsultation could replace standard clinic sessions and online meeting platforms could replace routine academic meetings. Any modifications must be adaptable or flexible, as similar infectious pandemics and restrictions could recur from time to time.
  9. Long GC, Umat C, Din NC
    Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Oct;28(5):10-33.
    PMID: 35115884 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.5.2
    Background: Attaining socio-emotional competence is challenging for children with hearing impairment. There is wide recognition of children with cochlear implant (CI) indicating significant improvement in their speech and language abilities, however many factors may restrict their chance of having reciprocal social interactions. A significant improvement in speech and language does not automatically affirm the quality of social interactions. This present observation on social-emotional development addressed a more current representative population of children with hearing loss who have benefitted from cochlear implantation.

    Methods: The research conducted a systematic review of selected articles from Scopus and PubMed databases, retrieved through three search-process keywords, namely socio-emotional, children and CI. The inclusion criteria only included journal articles published in English with empirical data from the year 2010-2019. The initial search had identified 189 potential abstracts and after removal of duplicates, only 38 eligible studies met the inclusion criteria.

    Results: Among 38 studies reviewed, 19 studies showed comparable socio-emotional skills with peers in social interaction, empathy, emotion theory of mind and comprehension skills. Conversely, the other 19 studies presented underprivileged results in socio-emotional functioning mainly in identifying facial expression, regulating emotion and emotional cues in the auditory domain.

    Conclusion: This review concluded that the socio-emotional development among children with CI, both at preschool-age and school-age, was not justified due to the heterogeneity in studies across measurement and small sample size. Also, the conclusion recommended extensive cross-referencing, mixed-mode research design, detailed distinguishing of socio-emotional functioning and identification of diverse groups of the population with impaired hearing as an approach to provide empirical evidence on socio-emotional functioning among children with CI in the future.

  10. Chan KS, Junnarkar SP, Low JK, Huey CWT, Shelat VG
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Oct;29(5):59-73.
    PMID: 36474543 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.5.7
    BACKGROUND: Mortality of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is high ranging 10%-40%. Old age predicts outcomes in many diseases but there is paucity of data on PLA outcomes. We aim to compare the morbidity and mortality between elderly and non-elderly in PLA.

    METHODS: This is a retrospective study from 2007-2011 comparing elderly (≥ 65 years old) and non-elderly (< 65 years old) with PLA. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Baseline clinical profile and outcomes were compared.

    RESULTS: There were 213 patients (elderly patients = 90 [42.3%], non-elderly patients = 123 [57.7%]). Overall median age is 62 (interquartile range [IQR] = 53-74) years old. PSM resulted in 102 patients (51 per arm). Length of hospitalisation stay (LOS) was significantly longer in elderly patients in both unmatched (16 [IQR = 10-24.5] versus 11 [IQR = 8-19] days; P < 0.001) and matched cohorts (17 [IQR = 13-27] versus 11 [IQR = 7-19] days; P = 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in elderly patients in the unmatched cohort (elderly patients = 21.1%, non-elderly patients = 7.3%; P = 0.003) but was insignificant following PSM (elderly patients = 15.7%, non-elderly patients = 9.8%; P = 0.219). Duration of antibiotic therapy and need for percutaneous drainage (PD) were comparable before and after PSM.

    CONCLUSION: Age ≥ 65 years old is associated with longer LOS. In-hospital mortality though higher in elderly patients, was not statistically significant.

  11. Khongwichit S, Saelim M, Na-Songkhla Y, Buncherd H, Nopparatana C, Srinoun K
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Oct;29(5):39-47.
    PMID: 36474544 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.5.5
    BACKGROUND: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) analyser is widely used in haematological testing. In addition to the Westergren method, new automatic methods for ESR measurements have been developed. We aimed to study the reliability, precision, accuracy and stability of the Caretium XC-A30 automated ESR analyser.

    METHODS: Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-treated blood samples were analysed via the Caretium XC-A30 automated ESR analyser and the Westergren method to compare accuracy. Precision was assessed using control samples and patient samples were classified into three groups-low, medium and high-according to their rates of sedimentation. Moreover, a stability test was performed.

    RESULTS: The correlation coefficient of the results of the Caretium XC-A30 and Westergren analyses was 0.97. The correlation coefficient of ESR values obtained from the two methods assessed in the low, medium and high groups were r = 0.80, r = 0.68 and r = 0.74, respectively. The coefficient of variation of within-run (%CVw) and between-run (%CVb), with replicates performed with commercial controls samples, were 7.54% and 8.04% for the normal control and 4.68% and 3.50% for abnormal control, respectively. The %CVw obtained with patient samples in the low, medium and high groups were 10.68%, 13.13% and 4.45%, respectively. The Caretium XC-A30 measurements were stable for up to 24 h when samples were stored at 4 °C.

    CONCLUSION: The Caretium XC-A30 ESR analyser proved to be a suitable instrument for routine analysis of ESR.

  12. Majid M, Ab Rahman A, Taib F
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Feb;30(1):152-161.
    PMID: 36875202 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.1.13
    BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked with health risk behaviours (HRBs). The study aimed to evaluate ACEs in the undergraduate health campus of a public university located in the northeast of Malaysia and determine their association with HRBs.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed by recruiting 973 undergraduate students at the health campus of a public university from December 2019 to June 2021. The World Health Organization (WHO) ACE-International Questionnaire and the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System questionnaire were distributed using simple random sampling according to year of study and the selected batch of students. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic findings and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between ACE and HRB.

    RESULTS: The 973 participants (male [n = 245] and female [n = 728]) had a median age of 22 years old. The prevalence of child maltreatment among the study population was 30.2%, 29.2%, 28.7%, 9.1% and 6.1% for emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, physical neglect and sexual abuse, respectively, among both sexes. The most commonly reported household dysfunctions were parental divorce/separation (5.5%). Community violence was 39.3% among the surveyed participants. The highest prevalence of HRBs among respondents was 54.5% from physical inactivity. The findings confirmed that those exposed to ACEs were at risk of HRBs and that a higher number of ACEs was associated with a higher number of HRBs.

    CONCLUSION: ACEs were highly prevalent among participating university students, ranging from 2.6%-39.3%. Hence, child maltreatment is an important public health problem in Malaysia.

  13. Shaharudin MI, Abd Rahman NFN
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):34-45.
    PMID: 36818895 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.4
    Frailty is conceptually defined as a state of increased vulnerability in older persons, resulting from age-associated declines in physiological reserve and function as they cope with everyday life stressors. To date, the prevalence of frailty has been assessed in various ways. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of the condition and the assessment tools used to determine its occurrence among Malaysian older individuals. A systematic literature search was performed on electronic bibliographic databases, namely, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOHost: MEDLINE Complete and Google Scholar. Ten eligible articles were reviewed and evaluated using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Frailty was diagnosed using Fried's frailty phenotype and the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI). Assessment tools that included physical performance tests detected a lower prevalence of frailty than that determined using questionnaire-based tools. The prevalence of frailty ranged from as low as 6% to as high as 76%, and there was a higher prevalence among older persons living in aged care homes. This review suggests increasing prospective and interventional studies on frailty to establish a cause-effect relationship between standardised tools of assessing frailty and its prevalence among Malaysian older persons and provide guidelines for health professionals on promoting active lifestyles among older populations.
  14. Yuniartha R, Arfian N, Setyaningsih WAW, Kencana SMS, Sari DCR
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):46-59.
    PMID: 36818894 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.5
    BACKGROUND: Chronic hyperglycaemia of diabetes causes long-term damage and impaired function of multiple organs. However, the pathological changes in the liver following long-term diabetes remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the pathological complications of long-term diabetes in the rat liver.

    METHODS: Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce diabetes in rats at a single dose (60 mg/kg body weight [BW]). Rats were euthanised at 1 month (DM1 group), 2 months (DM2 group) and 4 months (DM4 group) following diabetes induction with six rats in each group. Immunohistochemistry was performed against SOD1, CD68, p53 and p16 antibodies. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of SOD1, SOD2, GPx, CD68, p53, p21 and caspase-3 genes were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

    RESULTS: Hepatic p53 mRNA expression was significantly higher in DM1, DM2 and DM4 groups compared to the control group. The p21 and caspase-3 mRNA expressions were significantly upregulated in the DM2 and DM4 groups. The p16-positive cells were obviously increased, particularly in the DM4 group. Bivariate correlation analysis showed mRNA expressions of p21 and caspase-3 genes were positively correlated with the p53 gene.

    CONCLUSION: Diabetic rats exhibited increased apoptosis and senescence in the liver following a longer period of hyperglycaemia.

  15. Jamal M, Sathar J, Jamari J, Mohd Saffian S
    Malays J Med Sci, 2023 Feb;30(1):129-136.
    PMID: 36875203 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.1.11
    BACKGROUND: Haemophilia A is a bleeding disorder caused by inadequate clotting factor VIII (FVIII). There are two main modes of treatment approach in severe haemophilia A patients either with on-demand or prophylaxis therapy with clotting factor FVIII concentrates. In this study, a comparison was made between the bleeding incidence rate of the on-demand and prophylaxis group in severe haemophilia A patients at Ampang Hospital, Malaysia.

    METHODS: A retrospective study involving patients with severe haemophilia was conducted. The patient's self-reported bleeding frequency was retrieved from the patient's treatment folder from January to December 2019.

    RESULTS: Fourteen patients received on-demand therapy, while the other 24 patients received prophylaxis treatment. The total number of joint bleeds in the prophylaxis group was significantly lower compared to the on-demand group (2.79 bleeds versus 21.36 bleeds [P < 0.001]). Furthermore, the total annual usage of FVIII was higher in the prophylaxis group compared to the on-demand group (1,506 IU/kg/year [± 905.98] versus 365.26 IU/kg/year [± 223.90], P = 0.001).

    CONCLUSION: Prophylaxis FVIII therapy is an effective treatment in reducing the frequency of bleeding joints. However, this treatment approach is associated with high cost due to the high consumption of FVIII.

  16. Kour I, Vasesi D, Singhal L, Gupta V
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):60-66.
    PMID: 36818898 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.6
    BACKGROUND: To determine the antibiotic resistance pattern, the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenem resistance in blood culture isolates of E. coli. Further, we evaluated and compared Carba NP, Modified Carba NP and a kit-based Rapidec Carba NP test to detect carbapenem resistance rapidly.

    METHODS: Twenty-six carbapenem-resistant strains and four susceptible strains were selected. The three methods mentioned above were evaluated as per Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). These tests are based on biochemical detection of the hydrolysis of the beta-lactam ring of a carbapenem-imipenem, followed by the colour change of a pH indicator.

    RESULTS: Carba NP test was positive in 24 out of 26 isolates; the Modified Carba NP and Rapidec Carba NP tests were positive for all the isolates (26/26). All the carbapenemase non-producers (100%, 04/04) were negative.

    CONCLUSION: Modified Carba NP is a more effortless and inexpensive alternative to the Carba NP test, allowing the detection of carbapenemase activity directly from bacterial cultures of Enterobacteriaceae. The test could be used in low-income countries with large reservoirs for carbapenemase producers and can be implemented in any laboratory worldwide.

  17. Krishnan P, Krishnan K, Chan WK
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):115-122.
    PMID: 36818893 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.11
    BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy rehabilitation improves patients' activity in daily life and helps them return to work. Physiotherapy rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients mainly focuses on respiratory and functional rehabilitation assessment. This research project aims to assess the knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients among clinical physiotherapy students and the relationship between these variables.

    METHODS: A preliminary, cross-sectional study was conducted on 159 clinical physiotherapy students from various education backgrounds. A three-part questionnaire assessing socio-demographic variables, knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients was distributed among clinical students from major physiotherapy programmes at tertiary institutions. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and Spearman correlation tests were used for data analysis.

    RESULTS: Most of the respondents (95.6%) were categorised as having an above average knowledge on COVID-19. Eighty-seven respondents (54.7%) were categorised as having an above average awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients. The knowledge of COVID-19 was positively correlated with awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation (P < 0.05).

    CONCLUSION: This research study showed that the knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness level of physiotherapy rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients was above average among clinical physiotherapy students. The association between knowledge of COVID-19 and awareness of physiotherapy rehabilitation among clinical physiotherapy students had a weak positive correlation.

  18. Tan ST, Rajan DS
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):164-169.
    PMID: 36818892 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.16
    This study aims to compare the feeding practices adopted by stay-at-home mothers and work-from-home mothers during the COVID-19 lockdown. Feeding practices were assessed using a 39-item validated Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). The Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to determine the mean difference in feeding practices by maternal employment status after adjusting for the mother's age and educational attainment and the child's age and gender. The current study revealed that a noticeable proportion of mothers adopted feeding practices that encourage balance and variety (4.45 ± 0.62), promote a healthy environment (4.34 ± 0.81) and impose dietary restrictions for health (4.32 ± 1.04) during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean scores of feeding practices across maternal employment status, except for the emotion regulation and modelling subscales. Work-from-home mothers had a significantly higher mean score in the emotion regulation subscale than stay-at-home mothers (F = 14.892, P < 0.001). In comparison to work-from-home mothers, stay-at-home mothers had a significantly higher mean score in the modelling subscale during the COVID-19 pandemic (F = 4.163, P = 0.044). In conclusion, there was just a modest variation in the feeding practices adopted by stay-at-home mothers and work-from-home mothers in this unprecedented pandemic.
  19. Tan PP, Abdul Rahman J, Sarah MN, Mohamad Azlin SAA, Zambree N, Mohd Noor S
    Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):170-172.
    PMID: 36818896 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.17
    Songs are commonly used in educational public health programmes to facilitate the understanding of health messages. During the COVID-19 pandemic, national blood banks witnessed a pronounced reduction in blood donors. Thus, we created a song with the title 'Keep the World Beating' to raise awareness of the need for blood and to promote blood donation. To maximise participation, we carried out a live broadcast of the donation process and the music video on social media, increasing visibility and accessibility to the event. The number of donations increased in the month after the song was released. Songs can be used to strengthen current entertainment-education strategies promoting blood donation and to increase the level of awareness among the local population, thus motivating people to donate blood in a time of need.
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