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Fulltext Caregiving for epilepsy: awareness, knowledge, attitude, and health-related quality of family caregivers

Lua, P.L., Nor-Khaira-Wahida, K., Zariah, A.A., Lee K.F.

Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 2014;23(1):45-56.
MyJurnal

Living with epilepsy is equally demanding for both patients and their caregivers. The caregivers’ tasks are not limited to caring for the patients only but also the need to improve their awareness, knowledge and attitude (AKA) level as lack of understanding has a major impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Little is known about the influence of AKA on family caregivers’ HRQoL. Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to assess and relate the AKA and HRQoL profiles of epilepsy carers. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study included a sample of 32 epilepsy family caregivers who were recruited from the Neurology and Paediatric Clinics of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ), Kuala Terengganu. Results: Majority were Muslims (93.8%), married (65.6%), housewives (31.2%), who earning monthly income of not more than RM 1000 (34.4%) and was the patients’ mothers (40.6%). The Total AKA score was generally good (mean=123.4±16.8, median 122.5) with awareness being good, knowledge moderate and attitude positive whereas HRQoL score for Disruptiveness was the highest (good) compared to other domains. There were significantly higher scores for Sexual Functioning (p = 0.039) among Poor AKA group and Pain Management (p = 0.040) among Good AKA. Conclusion: The overall outcomes signified that family caregivers with Good AKA experienced better well-being compared to those with Poor AKA while carrying out their roles as caregivers. Consequently, carers clearly require constant epilepsy education to enhance skill-building in order to understand and keep updates with the disease, thus indirectly sustaining their desired HRQoL status from time to time.

Study site: Neurology and Paediatric Clinics of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ), Kuala Terengganu

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Awareness, knowledge, and attitudes with respect to epilepsy: an investigation in relation to health-related quality of life within a Malaysian setting

Lua PL, Neni WS

Epilepsy Behav, 2011 Jul;21(3):248-54.
PMID: 21576038 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.03.039

The influence of awareness, knowledge, and attitudes (AKA) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with epilepsy has not been widely established. The aims of this preliminary study were to (1) assess general AKA and HRQoL levels, (2) correlate AKA and HRQoL levels, and (3) compare the HRQoL of patients with epilepsy with different AKA levels. A cross-sectional sample of outpatients with epilepsy were recruited from the Neurology Clinic, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 15 employing descriptive and nonparametric statistics. On written consent, included patients completed the Malay AKA Epilepsy and the Malay Quality of Life in Epilepsy-30 (MQOLIE-30) instruments. Across all patients, both AKA levels (median: 80.0, range: 0-170) and overall HRQoL (median 51.5; range 15-97) were moderate. Awareness was significantly correlated only with Seizure Worry (r(s)=+0.29, p<0.05), whereas Knowledge was not significantly linked to any domain. However, Attitudes was significantly correlated with all domains (r(s)=+0.35 to +0.47, p<0.01) except Medication Effects and Seizure Worry. Patients with good AKA levels (Total Score ≥ median) experienced significantly better Overall Quality of Life and Cognitive Functioning (p<0.05). Findings showed that AKA may play an important role in influencing patients' HRQoL, suggesting that epilepsy treatment efforts should also focus on enhancing AKA through epilepsy awareness to improve health outcomes.

Study site: Neurology Clinic, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness*
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
Fulltext Carers as teachers

Loh, Sit Fong, Sinniah, Aishvarya, Ruzanna Zamzam, Marhani Midin, Wan Salwina Wan Ismail, Mahadevan, Raynuha

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2009;10(2):186-193.
MyJurnal

Objectives: This paper reports the outcome of Session With Carer, one of the activities in the Year 4 Personal and Professional Development (PPD) module in the new integrated curriculum of the Undergraduate Medical Programme at the Faculty of Medicine,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Methods: This activity involves groups of 14 – 15 students sitting in with family members of individuals with mental illness. The session starts with the carer giving his or her perspective of patient’s care and the challenges involved. This is followed by a question and answer session. Finally, the carer provides a written feedback by way of scoring certain items as well as brief comments. After the session, each student is required to prepare an individual report in the form of reflective writing. Results: Out of a total of 224 students, the reflections of 126 students were reviewed to assess what they had learnt from the Session With Carer. Among the more significant findings were: 100% learnt about the various challenges faced by carers. 31.7% learnt the importance of
faith/spirituality of the carer in caring for a mentally ill family member. 29.4% learnt the importance of family and others’ support. An equal number, that is, 26.2% learnt that it helps for the carer to have good mental health and a positive attitude, as well as good
knowledge of the illness. Those who became aware of the benefits of the carer having patience and determination made up 23.8% of the total reflections reviewed. Conclusion: The findings show that the Session With Carer is very educational, and helps create more
awareness of the importance of the carer’s role in patient management and support. In other words, carers can act as teachers in creating more public awareness about mental illness and
ultimately, help in gradually removing the stigma associated with mental illness. Therefore, carers should be utilized for this purpose.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Fulltext Awareness and practice of breast self examination among Malaysian women with breast cancer

Loh SY, Chew SL

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(1):199-202.
PMID: 21517257

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a self-generated, non-invasive and non-irradiative method of breast cancer detection. This paper documents Malaysian women's awareness and practice of regular BSE as a potent breast cancer detection tool. A pre-test post-test questionnaire survey on women diagnosed with breast cancer (n=66) was conducted. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were performed to correlate demographic variables, knowledge and regular practice of BSE. Findings showed that 80% of the breast cancer survivors self-detected the breast lumps, despite a high 85% of these women reporting they were never taught about BSE. More than 70% of the women maintained that lack of knowledge/skill on the proper practice of BSE was the key barrier to a more regular BSE practice. After an educational intervention on BSE and breast awareness, we found an increase report from 17% (at pre-test) to 67% (at post-test) of self reported monthly BSE practices. Provision of self-management education incorporating BSE, a readily available cheap method, should be introduced at primary care and breast clinics. This strategy promotes women's self-efficacy which contributes towards cancer control agenda in less resource available countries around Asia Pacific. Longer follow up may be crucial to examine the adherence to positive BSE behaviour.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Fulltext Change in infection control practices and awareness of hospital medical staff in the aftermath of SARS

Loh LC, Chelliah A, Ang TH, Ali AM

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Dec;59(5):659-64.
PMID: 15889569 MyJurnal

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic illustrated the crucial role of infection surveillance and control measures in the combat of any highly transmissible disease. We conducted an interview survey of 121 medical staff 145 doctors, 46 staff nurses and 30 medical assistants) in a state hospital in Malaysia three months after the end of SARS epidemic (from October to December 2003). Staff was grouped according to those directly involved in the care of suspected SARS patients [S+ group n=41] and those who were not [S- group; n=80]. On hand washing following sneezing, coughing and touching patients, the proportions of medical staff that reported an increase after the SARS crisis were 22.3%, 16.5% and 45.5% respectively. On wearing masks, gloves, and aprons when meeting potentially infectious patients, the proportions that reported an increase were 39.7%, 47.1% and 32.2% respectively. Significantly more staff in S+ than S- group reported these increases. Sixty percent of staff was aware of changes in hospital infection control policies after SARS; 93.4% was aware of notifying procedures, and 81.8% was aware of whom to notify in the hospital. Regarding infection isolation ward, Infectious Control Nurse and Infection Control Committee Chairman in the hospital, the proportions of staff that could correctly name them were 39.7%, 38.3% and 15.7% respectively. Significantly more in S+ than S- group could do so. However, more than half the staff claimed ignorance on the knowledge of infection isolation ward (56.2%), Infection Control Nurse (57.9%) and Chairman (65.3%). Our findings demonstrated that SARS crisis had some positive impact on the infection control practices and awareness of medical staff especially on those with direct SARS involvement. Implications for future control of infectious diseases are obvious.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness*
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*
A cluster randomized trial on improving nurses' detection and management of elder abuse and neglect (I-NEED): study protocol

Loh DA, Choo WY, Hairi NN, Othman S, Mohd Hairi F, Mohd Mydin FH, et al.

J Adv Nurs, 2015 Nov;71(11):2661-72.
PMID: 26031344 DOI: 10.1111/jan.12699

The aim of this study was to describe a trial protocol of an educational intervention for nurses to improve their awareness and practice in detecting and managing elder abuse and neglect.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Fulltext A Case of Acute Granulomatous Conjunctivitis Caused by Cat-transmitted Sporothrix schenckii

Ling JLL, Koh KL, Tai E, Sakinah Z, Nor Sharina Y, Hussein A

Cureus, 2018 Oct 08;10(10):e3428.
PMID: 30546976 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.3428

In human, sporotrichosis infection commonly manifests as skin lesions through direct inoculation. It is rarely associated with ocular manifestation via a zoonotic transmission. We describe a young lady who presented with acute left eye granulomatous conjunctivitis who had a history of exposure to her sick cat diagnosed with sporotrichosis infection. Sporothrix schenckii was isolated from the culture of the excised conjunctival tissue. The patient recovered fully after six months of oral anti-fungal treatment. Clinicians should be aware of this new zoonotic infection transmitted by infected felines as it is reversible with timely diagnosis and initiation of anti-fungal therapy.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Understanding and Challenges in Taking Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors among Malaysian Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients: A Qualitative Study

Lim YM, Eng WL, Chan HK

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2017 07 27;18(7):1925-1930.
PMID: 28749622

Background: In Malaysia, the treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has long been delivered under the
Malaysian Patient Assistance Program (MYPAP), but research on identifying factors contributing to non-adherence to
tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is still limited. The current study explored understanding and challenges of Malaysian
CML patients in taking imatinib and nilotinib. Methods: Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted
with 13 CML patients receiving treatment at a public tertiary care center, and were analyzed using the content analysis
approach. Results: The patients generally demonstrated inadequate knowledge, particularly of the natural history and
staging of CML, the function of TKIs, and the methods used for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. A number of
them also had experiences of withholding, skipping or altering the treatment, mainly due to the life-disturbing adverse
drug effects (ADRs), forgetfulness, and religious and social issues. Besides, most of them were found having limited
skills in managing the ADRs, and not using prompts as reminders to take the medications. Furthermore, even though
nilotinib was generally perceived as better tolerated as compared with imatinib, the inconvenience caused by the need
to take it twice daily and on an empty stomach was constantly highlighted by the patients. Conclusion: While TKIs
are widely used for CML treatment in Malaysia, the findings have revealed a lack of patient education and awareness,
which warrants an integrated plan to reinforce medication adherence.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Awareness of the ozone layer and acceptance of a new CFC-free metered dose inhaler among asthmatic patients

Liam CK, Lim KH

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 1998 Aug;2(8):683-9.
PMID: 9712285

University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Fulltext Impact of Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Bans in Thailand: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Southeast Asia Survey

Li L, Borland R, Yong HH, Sirirassamee B, Hamann S, Omar M, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2015 Aug;12(8):9508-22.
PMID: 26287219 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120809508

In September 2005 Thailand became the first Asian country to implement a complete ban on the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products at point-of-sale (POS). This paper examined the impact of the POS tobacco display ban in Thailand, with Malaysia (which did not impose bans) serving as a comparison. The data came from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey (2005-2011), a prospective cohort survey designed to evaluate the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of tobacco control policies. Main measures included smokers' reported awareness of tobacco displays and advertising at POS. At the first post-ban survey wave over 90% of smokers in Thailand were aware of the display ban policy and supported it, and about three quarters thought the ban was effective. Noticing tobacco displays in stores was lowest (16.9%) at the first post-ban survey wave, but increased at later survey waves; however, the levels were consistently lower than those in Malaysia. Similarly, exposure to POS tobacco advertising was lower in Thailand. The display ban has reduced exposure to tobacco marketing at POS. The trend toward increased noticing is likely at least in part due to some increase in violations of the display bans and/or strategies to circumvent them.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
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
Fulltext Perception of adult patient towards the importance of prevention of coronary artery disease in a private hospital in Malaysia

Leela Chellamuthu, Ho, Siew Eng, Joel Hoashea Munjan, Susanna Emmanuel Vijayan

The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 2016;8(1):49-55.
MyJurnal

Aim: This study aims to determine the perception of adult patients towards the importance of prevention of coronary artery diseases (CAD) in order to raise awareness on the risk of CAD.
Method: 80 adults between 18-40 years old were enrolled in the out-patient department at a private hospital. The awareness and perception of the importance of preventing CAD were assessed using a questionnaire.
Result: The level of perception on the importance of prevention of CAD was quite good. 75% of the subjects (n = 60) recorded good level of perception meaning they are aware of the importance of prevention of CAD. 22.5% of the subjects (n = 18) recorded a satisfactory level of perception while only 2.5% of the subjects (n = 2) recorded a poor level of perception towards the importance of prevention of CAD. Majority of the subjects had good perception on importance of a balanced diet, exercise and active lifestyle.
Conclusion: In conclusion it can be said that although people are aware of the risk posed by CAD, recommendations such as proper health teachings and guide lines are still required to ensure that the community is able to understand the risk and take preventive measure in order to reduce the risk of obtaining the risk of heart disease.
Study site: Outpatient clinic, private hospital, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Fulltext Awareness on breast cancer screening in Malaysia: a cross sectional study

Lee MS, 'Azmiyaty Amar Ma' Ruf C, Nadhirah Izhar DP, Nafisah Ishak S, Wan Jamaluddin WS, Ya'acob SNM, et al.

Biomedicine (Taipei), 2019 Sep;9(3):18.
PMID: 31453799 DOI: 10.1051/bmdcn/2019090318

INTRODUCTION: The increasing rate of breast cancer (BC) incidence in Malaysia hints a lack of awareness among Malaysians. One (1) woman out of nineteen (19) is at risk with BC and almost up to fifty percent (50%) of women diagnosed with BC were reported to be under the age of fifty (50). Our main concern is to study the level of awareness among the women on risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, preventions and treatments.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted exclusively among women in the public with total sample of three hundred and forty six (346), questionnaires were distributed using a simple random technique. Data was collected and analyzed by student T test in SPPS version 20.
RESULTS: Our study reveals insufficient awareness on BC. Overall, awareness on risk factors is inadequate, but good knowledge on the importance of family history and diet as risk factors are discovered. Awareness on the cause and clinical manifestations of BC is required for improvement. As for treatment, alternatives especially surgery and chemotherapy are unclear to public, public is remotely unwitting on cessation of smoking to prevent BC at the early stage.
CONCLUSION: Malaysian has spaces for improvement on awareness of BC in terms of risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Early detection can be achieved with good awareness because it leads to better prognosis and lower mortality.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
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*
Fulltext Correction: Lalani, S. and Poh, C.L. Flavonoids as Antiviral Agents for Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71). Viruses 2020, 12, 184

Lalani S, Poh CL

Viruses, 2020 Jun 30;12(7).
PMID: 32630136 DOI: 10.3390/v12070712

We have recently been made aware by Mr. Saravanan (National University of Singapore) thatthe structure of prunin flavonoid used in their study was different to the one that we reported [...].

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Fulltext Perceptions and implementation of orthodontic clinical practice guidelines (CPG) by dental officers and orthodontists in Malaysia

Lake, S.T., Aug, L.C.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2007;7(2):35-41.
MyJurnal

This survey elucidated the perceptions and implementation 0f orthodontic Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) by all ortlmduntistc and dental officers in the Ministry of Health Mahysia (MOH). Two different set: uf xelf-administered questionnaires were targeted at first·year dental officers (FYDO), dental officcrx (DO) and administrative Senior Dental Officers (SDO) in one group and unhocluntists in another group. Only 30% responded from a total of 1,327 MOH dental officers, with no participation from three States. Majority (89%) of officers have heard of CPG: although some were unsure of their purpose and usage. About 69% have read orthodontic CPG; of whom 87% have read other MOH dental CPG:. About 78.6% found CPGs 'gaud to excellenf but 16,0% did not answer this question. Same comments received included: language was confusing, inadequate details and pictures, need improvement, irrelevant, need CPG: for other orthodontic problems, need more knowledge first and requests for mare copies. Only 27.7% used them often, 53% occasionally and 15% hardly follow CPG:. About 82% felt that they were encouraged to use CPGx in their workplace and the majority (86%) knew where they were kept especially SDC: and DO; About 90% in the orthndonzist group have received hard copies of orthodontic CPGs but the majority (76%) has not seen them on the website. Although all felt that CPG; were useful to officers and encouraged their use, only 62.5% have introduced CPGs to their officers. There was generally more awareness and usage of CPGS among SDOs compared with DOs and FY DO; The dissemination and availability of orthodontic CPG: is reasonably good. However, the implementation by mthodontists and administrative officers can be improved for better awareness, understanding and usage by dental officers, especially FYDOs.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
Fulltext The development and validation of the advance care planning questionnaire in Malaysia

Lai PS, Mohd Mudri S, Chinna K, Othman S

BMC Med Ethics, 2016 10 18;17(1):61.
PMID: 27756366

BACKGROUND: Advance care planning is a voluntary process whereby individual preferences, values and beliefs are used to aid a person in planning for end-of-life care. Currently, there is no local instrument to assess an individual's awareness and attitude towards advance care planning. This study aimed to develop an Advance Care Planning Questionnaire and to determine its validity and reliability among older people in Malaysia.

METHODS: The Advance Care Planning Questionnaire was developed based on literature review. Face and content validity was verified by an expert panel, and piloted among 15 participants. Our study was conducted from October 2013 to February 2014, at an urban primary care clinic in Malaysia. Included were those aged >50 years, who could understand English. A retest was conducted 2 weeks after the first administration.

RESULTS: Participants from the pilot study did not encounter any problems in answering the Advance Care Planning Questionnaire. Hence, no further modifications were made. Flesch reading ease was 71. The final version of the Advance Care Planning Questionnaire consists of 66 items: 30 items were measured on a nominal scale, whilst 36 items were measured on a Likert-like scale; of which we were only able to validate 22 items, as the remaining 14 items were descriptive in nature. A total of 245 eligible participants were approached; of which 230 agreed to participate (response rate = 93.9 %). Factor analysis on the 22 items measured on a Likert-scale revealed four domains: "feelings regarding advance care planning", "justifications for advance care planning", "justifications for not having advance care planning: fate and religion", and "justifications for not having advance care planning: avoid thinking about death". The Cronbach's alpha values for items each domain ranged from 0.637-0.915. In test-retest, kappa values ranged from 0.738-0.947.

CONCLUSIONS: The final Advance Care Planning Questionnaire consisted of 63 items and 4 domains. It was found to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess the awareness and attitude of older people in Malaysia towards advance care planning.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness*
Fulltext Exploring the perception on humanitarian issues from the health science students of Indian and Malaysian nationality: a cross sectional study

Kumar, Naveen, Nur Amni Mohd Shamsuddin, Normylia Jamil, Atiqah Mohd Zayed, Swamy Ravindra, S., Guru, Anita, et al.

Education in Medicine Journal, 2015;7(2):9-14.
MyJurnal

Objective: The idea of humanitarianism is evolving with progressing life. Awareness about this global issue has to be emphasized particularly among the younger generation and thus be encouraged to be exposed and involved in humanitarian projects in need. Being responsible citizens of the country one should develop concern about the humanitarian issues, and this attitude needs to be developed from student life. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted on 200 participants of the Malaysian and Indian (100 each) health science students using faculty validated close ended questionnaire. Results of the data were analyzed statistically by testing with chi square analysis from SPSS software. Results: From the present study, it has been observed that, despite the cultural and economical diversity between the two nations, there was no observable difference in student’s point of view on humanitarian issues in most of the areas concerned. Overall evaluation also reflected effect of the socio-economic status of the countries on the perception of the issue amongst the students. Conclusion: Despite of different geography, diverse culture and dissimilar socio-economic status, the need of concern towards humanitarian issues is observable. Students of both nations have positive attitude towards the humanitarian issues as well.

Matched MeSH terms: Awareness

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