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Fulltext Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in the Malaysian adult population: results from the national health and morbidity survey 1996

Lim TO, Morad Z, Hypertension Study Group

Singapore Med J, 2004 Jan;45(1):20-7.
PMID: 14976578

We determined the prevalence of hypertension and the level of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among Malaysian adults in a population based cross-sectional survey. Twenty-one thousand and three hundred ninety-one adults aged 30 or older in all 13 states of Malaysia in 1996 were sampled using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling design. Thirty-three percent of adults had hypertension with a higher percentage among women. Among hypertensives, 33% were aware of their hypertension, 23% were currently on treatment and a mere 6% had controlled hypertension. There was practically no difference in mean BP between treated and untreated hypertensives. Concerted public health effort is urgently required to improve the detection, treatment and control of hypertension in Malaysia.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-1996)

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Implementation of an event reporting system in a transfusion medicine unit: a local experience

Usin MF, Ramesh P, Lopez CG

Malays J Pathol, 2004 Jun;26(1):43-8.
PMID: 16190106

Event reporting can provide data to study the failure points of an organization's work process. As part of the ongoing efforts to improve transfusion safety, a Medical Event Reporting System Transfusion Medicine, (MERS - TM) as designed by Kaplan et al was implemented in the Transfusion Medicine Unit of the University Malaya Medical Centre to provide a standardized means of organized data collection and analysis of transfusion errors, adverse events and near misses. An event reporting form was designed to detect, identify, classify and study the frequency and pattern of events occurring in the unit. Events detected were classified according to Eihdhoven Classification model (ECM) adopted for MERS - TM. Since our system reported all events, we called it Event Reporting System - Transfusion Medicine (ERS-TM). Data was collected and analyzed from the reporting forms for a period of five months from January 15th to June 15th 2002. The initial half of the period was a process of evaluation during which 118 events were reported, coded, analyzed and corrective measures adopted to prevent the recurrence of the same event. The latter half saw the reporting of 122 events following the adoption of corrective measures. There was a reduction in the occurrence of some events and an increase in others, which were mainly beyond the organization's control. A longer period of evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying contributory causes that can be useful to develop plans for corrective and preventive action and thereby reduce the rate of recurrence of errors through proper training and adoption of just culture.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Global overview of injecting drug use and HIV infection among injecting drug users

Aceijas C, Stimson GV, Hickman M, Rhodes T, United Nations Reference Group on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care among IDU in Developing and Transitional Countries

AIDS, 2004 Nov 19;18(17):2295-303.
PMID: 15577542

OBJECTIVE: To provide global estimates of the prevalence of injecting drug use (IDU) and HIV prevalence among IDU, in particular to provide estimates for developing and transitional countries.
METHODS: Collation and review of existing estimates of IDU prevalence and HIV prevalence from published and unpublished documents for the period 1998-2003. The strength of evidence for the information was assessed based on the source and type of study.
RESULTS: Estimates of IDU prevalence were available for 130 countries. The number of IDU worldwide was estimated as approximately 13.2 million. Over ten million (78%) live in developing and transitional countries (Eastern Europe and Central Asia, 3.1 million; South and South-east Asia, 3.3 million; East-Asia and Pacific, 2.3 million). Estimates of HIV prevalence were available for 78 countries. HIV prevalence among IDU of over 20% was reported for at least one site in 25 countries and territories: Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia and Montenegro, Spain, Libya, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Viet Nam, China, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, USA and Canada.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings update previous assessments of the number of countries with IDU and HIV-infected IDU, and the previous quantitative global estimates of the prevalence of IDU. However, gaps remain in the information and the strength of the evidence often was weak.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Hospital service quality: a managerial challenge

Rose RC, Uli J, Abdul M, Ng KL

Int J Health Care Qual Assur Inc Leadersh Health Serv, 2004;17(2-3):146-59.
PMID: 15301271

While much is known generally about predictions of customer-perceived service quality, their application to health services is rarer. No attempt has been made to examine the impact of social support and patient education on overall service quality perception. Together with six quality dimensions identified from the literature, this study seeks to provide a more holistic comprehension of hospital service quality prediction. Although 79 percent of variation is explained, other than technical quality the impact of the remaining factors on quality perception is far from constant, and socio-economic variables further complicate unpredictability. Contrary to established beliefs, the cost factor was found to be insignificant. Hence, to manage service quality effectively, the test lies in how well healthcare providers know the customers they serve. It is not only crucial in a globalized environment, where trans-national patient mobility is increasingly the norm, but also within homogeneous societies that appear to converge culturally.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Analisis Data Panel ke Atas Fungsi Pengeluaran Sektor Pembuatan Makanan di Malaysia

Abu Hassan Shaari Mohd Nor, Fauziah Maarof

Sains Malaysiana, 2004;33.

The main purpose of this article is to introduce the technique of panel data analysis in econometrics modeling. The elasticity of labour, capital and economic of scale for twenty two food manufacturing firms covering from 1989 to 1993 is estimated using the Cobb-Douglas model. The three main techniques of panel data analysis discussed are least square dummy variables (LSDV), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and generalized least square (GLS). Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method is included as the basis of comparison.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Aerial surveys give new estimates for orangutans in Sabah, Malaysia

Ancrenaz M, Gimenez O, Ambu L, Ancrenaz K, Andau P, Goossens B, et al.

PLoS Biol, 2005 Jan;3(1):e3.
PMID: 15630475

Great apes are threatened with extinction, but precise information about the distribution and size of most populations is currently lacking. We conducted orangutan nest counts in the Malaysian state of Sabah (North Borneo), using a combination of ground and helicopter surveys, and provided a way to estimate the current distribution and size of the populations living throughout the entire state. We show that the number of nests detected during aerial surveys is directly related to the estimated true animal density and that a helicopter is an efficient tool to provide robust estimates of orangutan numbers. Our results reveal that with a total estimated population size of about 11,000 individuals, Sabah is one of the main strongholds for orangutans in North Borneo. More than 60% of orangutans living in the state occur outside protected areas, in production forests that have been through several rounds of logging extraction and are still exploited for timber. The role of exploited forests clearly merits further investigation for orangutan conservation in Sabah.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
A clinical and economic study of community-acquired pneumonia between single versus combination therapy

Hasali MA, Ibrahim MI, Sulaiman SA, Ahmad Z, Hasali JB

Pharm World Sci, 2005 Jun;27(3):249-53.
PMID: 16096896

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children in many developing countries. It is reported that 12.9 million children under 5 years of age died world-wide in 1990 and one-third of these deaths or 4.3 million annually were attributed to acute respiratory infection with pneumonia.
OBJECTIVES: On this basis, a study was conducted in a district hospital to study the therapy outcomes of antibiotic regimens used in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) management and to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis (CE) between IV ampicillin versus combination therapy of IV ampicillin and IV gentamicin.
METHOD: A prospective, randomized, controlled, single blind study was conducted in a pediatric ward in a 80-bed district hospital. Pediatric patients diagnosed with CAP aged 2 months to 5 years old were randomly and equally divided into two treatment arms: ampicillin versus ampicillin plus gentamicin. The dose of IV ampicillin used in this study was 100 mg/kg/day divided every 6 h and 5 mg/kg of IV gentamicin as a single daily dose. Both clinical and economic evaluations were carried out to compare both treatment arms.
RESULTS: With the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 40 patients diagnosed with CAP were included in the study. The results showed that the two treatment arms were significantly different (P < 0.05) in terms of duration of patients on ampicillin, number of days of hospitalization and time to switch to oral therapy. A significant difference was noted between the two treatment modalities in terms of effectiveness and cost (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Overall, the endpoint of this study showed that the total cost per patient of ampicillin-treated group is cheaper than the total cost with the combination therapy (ampicillin plus gentamicin) and reduced unnecessary exposure to adverse effects or toxicities. Besides that, addition of gentamicin in the treatment modalities will only increase the cost of treatment without introducing any changes in the treatment outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
A survey of ectoparasites in Gunung Stong Forest Reserve, Kelantan, Malaysia

Mariana A, Zuraidawati Z, Ho TM, Mohd Kulaimi B, Saleh I, Shukor MN, et al.

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2005 Sep;36(5):1125-31.
PMID: 16438136

A survey of ticks and other ectoparasites was carried out during a national biodiversity scientific expedition at Gunung Stong Forest Reserve, Kelantan, Malaysia from 23-29 May 2003. A total of 272 animals comprised of 12 species of birds, 21 species of bats, 7 species of rodents and 2 species of insects were examined for ticks and other ectoparasites. From these animals, 5 species in 4 genera of ticks; 7 species in 2 families of Mesostigmatid mites and 5 species of chiggers were collected. Among the ectoparasites found were Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense, which are of known medical importance. A tick island consisting of 10 nymphal stages of Dermacentor spp was observed feeding on Rattus tiomanicus.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Breastfeeding prevalence and practices among Singaporean Chinese, Malay and Indian mothers

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
Fulltext Perceived skill and utilisation of information technology in medical education among final year medical students, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Lim TA, Wong WH, Lim KY

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Oct;60(4):432-40.
PMID: 16570704

The objective of this survey was to obtain a self-reported assessment of the use of information technology (IT) by final year medical students. Two hundred and sixty five students responded to a questionnaire survey. 81.5% of students considered their computer skills adequate, while 87.9% had access to computers outside the campus. Most students reported adequate skills at word processing, e-mailing and surfing the Internet. Fifty three percent of students spent three hours or more each week on the computer. While students indicated a general willingness to access Internet-based materials, further steps need to be taken to increase the use of this method of instruction.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Solid waste collection and recycling in Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia: a case study

Isa MH, Asaari FA, Ramli NA, Ahmad S, Siew TS

Waste Manag Res, 2005 Dec;23(6):565-70.
PMID: 16379126

The implementation of a suitable solid waste management programme with appropriate methods of recycling as an inherent element is vital to the alleviation of the problems associated with solid waste generation, handling and disposal, environmental conservation, public hygiene, etc. The present work is a case study on solid waste collection and recycling practices in Nibong Tebal town, Penang, Malaysia. The amount and types of domestic waste generated, household participation in recycling, identification of existing problems related to the implementation of the recycling programme, etc. formed the basis of this study. Surveys (interviews/questionnaires) and on-site observations were conducted to gather information on the solid waste collection and recycling practice of the residents. A focus group of 60 individuals was selected and their response to a questionnaire, prepared according to a Likert scale, was obtained and analysed. The majority of the respondents expressed concerns about recycling and wanted more to be done in this regard. Illegal collection, aesthetically displeasing sites and a lack of public awareness were problems of major concern. Issues related to inadequate funding and manpower as well as end market are also addressed and suggestions made.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Lifestyle practices and prevalence of obesity in a community within a university campus

Moy FM, Atiya AS

JUMMEC, 2005;8:33-38.

Malaysia has undergone rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization in recent decades and this has brought about imminent changes in the lifestyle of Malaysians. This is a cross-sectional study which attempts to examine the lifestyle practices and the prevalence of obesity of a group of security guards and their spouses of the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Data collection was conducted by both the methods of face-to-face interview and self-administered questionnaire. The respondents were surveyed on lifestyle practices such as smoking habits, exercise and eating pattern. Anthropometric measurement such as weight and height were also taken to establish the extend of obesity by using Body Mass Index (BMI). This study reveals that the community did have some unhealthy lifestyle practices such as smoking (27.7%; 95%CI 20.2%, 36.2%), low prevalence of adequate exercise (13.8%; 95%CI 8.4%, 21.0%); high prevalence of overweight and obesity (64%; 95%CI 55.1%, 72.3%); and high prevalence of co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, the community is considered to be a vulnerable and high-risk group for morbidity and mortality with the above predisposed risk factors. KEYWORDS: Lifestyle practices, overweight and obesity

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Fulltext Validation of the Malay Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire to measure cancer pain

Aisyaturridha A, Naing L, Nizar AJ

J Pain Symptom Manage, 2006 Jan;31(1):13-21.
PMID: 16442478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2005.06.011

The original version of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was translated into a Malay version by the standard procedure and was then evaluated for its psychometric properties. Of 119 eligible patients, a total of 113 (95%) agreed to participate in this study. Ages ranged from 18 to 76 years and interviews were conducted between August, 2004 and November, 2004. The pain intensity items demonstrated high loading with one factor, whereas the pain interference items were loaded on another factor. Two factors explained 62% of the variance. Compared to the Karnofsky Performance Scale, the pain intensity scales had a moderate negative (Pearson's) correlation (-0.520, P < 0.001) and the pain interference scales had a high negative correlation (-0.732, P < 0.001), showing good concurrent validity. The coefficient alpha of both subscales demonstrated good internal consistency of the items. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the test-retest stability was 0.61 for the pain intensity scale and 0.88 for the pain interference scale. The Malay version of the BPI is a reliable and valid instrument for cancer pain assessment and is comparable with the original version of the BPI in terms of structure and psychometric properties.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Reliability of reasons for early termination of breastfeeding: application of a bivariate probability model with sample selection to data from surveys in Malaysia in 1976-77 and 1988-89

Kuate-Defo B, DaVanzo J

Popul Stud (Camb), 2006 Mar;60(1):83-98.
PMID: 16464777 DOI: 10.1080/00324720500462223

Although extensively collected, data on people's reasons for their behaviour provided retrospectively have been met with some scepticism on the grounds that they may be subject to biases and errors that jeopardize their usefulness. This study investigates, for a sample of 1,327 births, the reliability with which women in Peninsular Malaysia recalled, at intervals 12 years apart, reasons for not initiating or for stopping breastfeeding less than 3 months after a birth. Overall, we find low to moderate reliability of recall. Levels of reliability are relatively high for some reasons (the child died and no or insufficient milk) but low for some others (child ill, breastfeeding inconvenient). Results from selection models show that reliability does not vary with the length of time since the child's birth but is inversely related to socio-economic status (proxied by education and employment). Social status, social norms, and health-related factors appear to be significant influences on women's consistency of reporting.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Mode choice model for vulnerable motorcyclists in Malaysia

Ibrahim Sheikh AK, Radin Umar RS, Habshah M, Kassim H, Stevenson M, Ahmed H

Traffic Inj Prev, 2006 Jun;7(2):150-4.
PMID: 16854709

In developing countries, motorcycle use has grown in popularity in the past decades. Commensurate with this growth is the increase in death and casualties among motorcyclists in these countries. One of the strategic programs to minimize this problem is to reduce motorcyclists exposure by shifting them into safer modes of transport. This study aims to explore the differences in the characteristics of bus and motorcycle users. It identifies the factors contributing to their choice of transport mode and estimates the probability that motorcyclists might change their travel mode to a safer alternative; namely, bus travel.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Fulltext Quality assurance in mammography: College of Radiology Survey in Malaysia

Ho EL, Ng KH, Wong JH, Wang HB

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Jun;61(2):204-8.
PMID: 16898312

Malaysia's mammography QA practice was surveyed based on the Malaysian Ministry of Health and the American College of Radiology (ACR) requirements. Data on mammography unit, processor, image receptor, exposure factors, mean glandular dose (MGD), sensitometry, image quality and viewbox luminance were obtained. Mean developer temperature and cycle time were 34.1 +/- 1.8degreesC and 107.7 +/- 33.2 seconds. Mean base+fog level, speed index and contrast index were 0.20+/-0.01, 1.20+/-0.01 and 1.33+/-0.26 respectively. Eighty-six percent of the fifty centres passed the image quality test while 12.5% complied with ACR recommended viewbox luminance. Average MGD was 1.0+/-0.4 mGy. Malaysia is on the right track for QA but with room for total quality improvement.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection/methods*
Fulltext The product of outcome-based undergraduate medical education: competencies and readiness for internship

Lai NM, Ramesh JC

Singapore Med J, 2006 Dec;47(12):1053-62.
PMID: 17139402

INTRODUCTION: Outcome-based curriculum is adopted at the International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia, where specific learning objectives are laid out progressively under eight major outcomes. We present an outcome-guided, self-reported competency profile of our undergraduate students near the end of their training, focusing on elements that are considered most immediately relevant for their internship.
METHODS: Anonymous surveys were conducted on two cohorts of medical students in their final semester at IMU. The surveys covered a range of competencies, including practical skills, ward routines, generic attributes and evidence-based medicine, grouped under the exit outcomes as defined by the university.
RESULTS: A total of 92 students were assessed. In general, the students were confident of their ability on common practical skills and ward routines. They were comfortable with the level of professionalism and personal attributes required for internship, with the prospect of handling unexpected additional tasks and working away from home perceived as the main difficulties. Most students referred to at least three sources of clinical information to answer their clinical queries. However, they referred more to single journals than databases or collections. The majority could critically appraise journal articles to a variable extent, but nearly half took 30 minutes or longer to trace an abstract of interest.
CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates the strength of outcome-based curriculum in its ability to produce competent students that are well prepared for their internship. Assessing students using this educational approach provides a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses, and identifies stages in their training where additional inputs are required.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Malaysian registered nurses' professional learning

Chiu LH

Int J Nurs Educ Scholarsh, 2006;3:Article 16.
PMID: 16646943

Findings of a study of the impact of professional learning on Malaysian registered nurses are reported. The offshore delivery post-registration nursing degree programme is a formal aspect of professional learning, which enables Malaysian registered nurses to upgrade their hospital-based training or diploma of nursing qualification to a degree. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected from twelve programme graduates, through individual and focus group interviews. The programme promoted their personal professional growth and enhanced their professional development. It increased self-confidence, knowledge, self-fulfillment, critical thinking ability, interpersonal skills, interest in research and research utilisation, and life-long learning. There was evidence of career mobility and a raised awareness of their professional role and responsibility.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Fulltext Measuring maternal mortality in Malaysia

Hematram, Y.

JUMMEC, 2006;9(1):30-34.
MyJurnal

There has been a significant decline in maternal mortality in Malaysia since independence. The issue of measuring maternal mortality accurately is a problem in all countries. Another major problem is whether we can reduce the mortality further. The definition of maternal mortality includes two major components, which are causation of death and the time of death. To improve data collection on maternal deaths, we need to collect all data on maternal deaths, which are omitted or misclassified. Deaths from accidental causes that are not normally used in the calculations of maternal mortality need to be carefully reexamined to be excluded. The time of death means that in maternal mortality calculations, it includes up to six weeks after delivery, but recent World Health Organization (WHO) publication (ICD-10) suggests that the collection of maternal deaths even after six weeks should be reviewed because there are many maternal deaths which occur after six weeks. Measuring maternal mortality rate should be encouraged rather than maternal mortality ratio. Another measurement of maternal mortality is the lifetime risk of the women. The lifetime risk is the measure of maternal mortality that takes into account the probability of becoming pregnant and the probability of dying as a result of pregnancy. Many countries have started reporting the lifetime risk, which is considered to be better indicator to measure maternal health.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection
Malaysia and harm reduction: the challenges and responses

Reid G, Kamarulzaman A, Sran SK

Int J Drug Policy, 2007 Mar;18(2):136-40.
PMID: 17689356

In Malaysia the response to illicit drug use has been largely punitive with the current goal of the Malaysian government being to achieve a drug-free society by 2015. This paper outlines the results of a desk-based situation assessment conducted over a 3-week period in 2004. Additional events, examined in 2005, were also included to describe more recent policy developments and examine how these came about. Despite punitive drug policy there has been a substantial rise in the number of drug users in the country. Over two-thirds of HIV/AIDS cases are among injecting drug users (IDUs) and there has been an exponential rise in the number of cases reported. Further, data suggest high risk drug use practices are widespread. Harm reduction initiatives have only recently been introduced in Malaysia. The successful piloting of substitution therapies, in particular methadone and buprenorphine, is cause for genuine hope for the rapid development of such interventions. In 2005 the government announced it will allow methadone maintenance programmes to operate beyond the pilot phase and needle and syringe exchange programmes will be established to serve the needs of IDUs.

Matched MeSH terms: Data Collection

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