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The development of tone discrimination in infancy: Evidence from a cross-linguistic, multi-lab report

Kalashnikova M, Singh L, Tsui A, Altuntas E, Burnham D, Cannistraci R, et al.

Dev Sci, 2024 May;27(3):e13459.
PMID: 37987377 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13459

We report the findings of a multi-language and multi-lab investigation of young infants' ability to discriminate lexical tones as a function of their native language, age and language experience, as well as of tone properties. Given the high prevalence of lexical tones across human languages, understanding lexical tone acquisition is fundamental for comprehensive theories of language learning. While there are some similarities between the developmental course of lexical tone perception and that of vowels and consonants, findings for lexical tones tend to vary greatly across different laboratories. To reconcile these differences and to assess the developmental trajectory of native and non-native perception of tone contrasts, this study employed a single experimental paradigm with the same two pairs of Cantonese tone contrasts (perceptually similar vs. distinct) across 13 laboratories in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North-America testing 5-, 10- and 17-month-old monolingual (tone, pitch-accent, non-tone) and bilingual (tone/non-tone, non-tone/non-tone) infants. Across the age range and language backgrounds, infants who were not exposed to Cantonese showed robust discrimination of the two non-native lexical tone contrasts. Contrary to this overall finding, the statistical model assessing native discrimination by Cantonese-learning infants failed to yield significant effects. These findings indicate that lexical tone sensitivity is maintained from 5 to 17 months in infants acquiring tone and non-tone languages, challenging the generalisability of the existing theoretical accounts of perceptual narrowing in the first months of life. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This is a multi-language and multi-lab investigation of young infants' ability to discriminate lexical tones. This study included data from 13 laboratories testing 5-, 10-, and 17-month-old monolingual (tone, pitch-accent, non-tone) and bilingual (tone/non-tone, non-tone/non-tone) infants. Overall, infants discriminated a perceptually similar and a distinct non-native tone contrast, although there was no evidence of a native tone-language advantage in discrimination. These results demonstrate maintenance of tone discrimination throughout development.

Matched MeSH terms: Pitch Perception*; Speech Perception*
Fulltext The determinants of maternal perception of antenatal care services during the COVID-19 pandemic critical phase: A systematic review

Bahari NI, Sutan R, Abdullah Mahdy Z

PLoS One, 2024;19(2):e0297563.
PMID: 38394134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297563

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted devastating effects on healthcare delivery systems, specifically those for pregnant women. The aim of this review was to determine the maternal perception of antenatal health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic critical phase.
METHODS: Scopus, Web of Science, SAGE, and Ovid were systematically searched using the keywords "maternal", "COVID-19 pandemic", "maternal health service", and "maternal perception". Articles were eligible for inclusion if they were original articles, written in English, and published between January 1, 2020, and December 12, 2022. This review was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eligible articles were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Thematic analysis was used for data synthesis.
RESULTS: Of 2683 articles identified, 13 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the narrative synthesis. Five themes emerged regarding the determinants of maternal perception of antenatal healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic critical phase: lack of psychosocial support, poor maternal healthcare quality, poor opinion of virtual consultation, health structure adaptation failure to meet women's needs, and satisfaction with maternal health services.
CONCLUSION: Maternal perception, specifically pregnant women's psychosocial and maternal health needs, should be focused on the continuation of maternal care during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is critical to identify the maternal perception of maternal health services during the pandemic to ensure health service equity in the "new normal" future.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
The associations of illness perception with metabolic control (HbA1c) among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a district hospital

Lee SF, Teh XR, Malar LS, Ong SL, James RP

Int J Pharm Pract, 2018 Oct;26(5):442-449.
PMID: 29193388 DOI: 10.1111/ijpp.12413

OBJECTIVES: Despite the availability of a wide selection of anti-diabetic treatments, many type 2 DM (T2DM) patients still do not have controlled glucose levels. In addition to pharmacological intervention, patients' own implicit beliefs about their illness should be targeted for health intervention. Thus, we conducted a quantitative study to evaluate the associations between illness perception (IP) domains and metabolic control (HbA1c) of T2DM patients in Selama Hospital and to identify patients' perceptions of the causal T2DM factors.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient department of Selama Hospital from October to December 2015. A total of 200 T2DM patients were recruited using systematic random sampling. A self-administered validated questionnaire consisting of three sections was used, and the data were analysed using SPSS version 18. The associations between eight IP domains and HbA1c were evaluated via multiple linear regression. P values <0.05 were considered significant.
KEY FINDINGS: The analysis included data from 200 respondents with a mean age of 57.7 years (SE = 9.8). The majority were women (64.5%) and Malays (86%) with a primary school education (43.5%) and a family history of diabetes (53.5%). The median duration of illness was 5 years (IQR = 7), and the median HbA1c level was 8.15% (IQR = 3.1). The mean score for the eight IP domains was 33.7 (SE = 8.43) out of a total score of 80. Using multiple linear regression, HbA1c was found to be significantly associated with IP domains of identity symptoms at 0.221 (95% CI 0.083-0.358). Moreover, 79.4% of patients ranked diet and eating behaviour as the main factor for T2DM.
CONCLUSION: The IP domain of identity symptoms was significantly correlated with T2DM metabolic control. By understanding patients' IP, healthcare providers can focus on behavioural approaches to managing T2DM patients. Steps must be taken to educate patients about the importance of diet control in managing T2DM.
Study site: Outpatient clinic, Selama Hospital, Perak, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
Fulltext The association between various visual function tests and low fragility hip fractures among the elderly: a Malaysian experience

Chew FL, Yong CK, Mas Ayu S, Tajunisah I

Age Ageing, 2010 Mar;39(2):239-45.
PMID: 20065356 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afp259

BACKGROUND: hip fractures are an increasing source of morbidity and mortality in older people. The role of visual function tests such as visual impairment, stereopsis, contrast sensitivity and visual field defects in low fragility hip fractures in Asian populations is not well understood.
OBJECTIVE: to determine the association between various visual function tests and low fragility hip fractures in an Asian population.
DESIGN: case-control study.
SETTING: University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
SUBJECTS: 108 cases aged > or = 55 years admitted with low fragility fractures and 108 controls (matched for age, gender and race).
METHODS: both cases and controls underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination, which included visual acuity, stereopsis, contrast sensitivity and visual field testing.
RESULTS: poorer visual acuity (odds ratio, OR = 4.08; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.44, 11.51), stereopsis (OR = 3.60, 95% CI: 1.55, 8.38), contrast sensitivity (OR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.48, 7.57) and visual field defects (OR = 11.60, 95% CI: 5.21, 25.81) increased the risk of fracture. Increased falls were associated with poorer visual acuity (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.04, 5.13), stereopsis (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.32), contrast sensitivity (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.05, 4.30) and visual field defects (OR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.69, 6.86).
CONCLUSION: impaired visual acuity, stereopsis, contrast sensitivity and visual field defects are associated with an increased risk of low fragility hip fractures. We recommend that all patients aged > or = 55 should have an annual ophthalmological examination that includes visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stereopsis and visual field testing to assess the risks for falls and low fragility fractures.

Matched MeSH terms: Depth Perception
The association between the perception of crime and walking in gated and non-gated neighbourhoods of Asian developing countries

Gul Y, Sultan Z, Jokhio GA

Heliyon, 2018 Aug;4(8):e00715.
PMID: 30094383 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00715

It has been reported in the literature that the perception of crime at the neighbourhood level inversely affects the walking behaviour of individuals. On the other hand, the gated neighbourhoods are considered safe from crime, however, there is a lack of research on the association of the perception of crime and walking in gated neighbourhoods. Therefore, the objectives of the study reported in this paper were to investigate the association between the perception of crime and walking in gated and non-gated neighbourhoods. A questionnaire was used to collect the data on walking and the perception of crime in 16 neighbourhoods of Karachi Pakistan, 8 out of which were gated. Independent sample t-test and gamma tests were used for the data analysis. The results show that although there is a lower perception of crime in the gated neighbourhoods, yet the inhabitants of gated neighbourhoods engage in less physical activity comprising of walking. In spite of a greater perception of crime in non-gated neighbourhoods, higher values of walking were reported by the residents of those neighbourhoods. Therefore, it has been concluded that there does not exist a definite relationship between the perception of crime and walking behaviour at the neighbourhood level and the perceived safety from crime claimed by the proponents of the gated neighbourhoods does not encourage walking among the residents.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
Fulltext The association between subcortical and cortical fMRI and lifetime noise exposure in listeners with normal hearing thresholds

Dewey RS, Francis ST, Guest H, Prendergast G, Millman RE, Plack CJ, et al.

Neuroimage, 2020 01 01;204:116239.
PMID: 31586673 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116239

In animal models, exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent damage to hair-cell synapses (cochlear synaptopathy) for high-threshold auditory nerve fibers without affecting sensitivity to quiet sounds. This has been confirmed in several mammalian species, but the hypothesis that lifetime noise exposure affects auditory function in humans with normal audiometric thresholds remains unconfirmed and current evidence from human electrophysiology is contradictory. Here we report the auditory brainstem response (ABR), and both transient (stimulus onset and offset) and sustained functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses throughout the human central auditory pathway across lifetime noise exposure. Healthy young individuals aged 25-40 years were recruited into high (n = 32) and low (n = 30) lifetime noise exposure groups, stratified for age, and balanced for audiometric threshold up to 16 kHz fMRI demonstrated robust broadband noise-related activity throughout the auditory pathway (cochlear nucleus, superior olivary complex, nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, inferior colliculus, medial geniculate body and auditory cortex). fMRI responses in the auditory pathway to broadband noise onset were significantly enhanced in the high noise exposure group relative to the low exposure group, differences in sustained fMRI responses did not reach significance, and no significant group differences were found in the click-evoked ABR. Exploratory analyses found no significant relationships between the neural responses and self-reported tinnitus or reduced sound-level tolerance (symptoms associated with synaptopathy). In summary, although a small effect, these fMRI results suggest that lifetime noise exposure may be associated with central hyperactivity in young adults with normal hearing thresholds.

Matched MeSH terms: Auditory Perception/physiology*
Fulltext The association between perceived social support, socio-economic status and mental health in young Malaysian adults

Tam CL, Foo YC, Lee TH

East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 2011 Jun;21(2):73-8.
PMID: 21838210

Objectives: To examine gender differences in mental health and perceived social support, relationship between parents’ income and mental health, and differences in mental health across education levels.
Methods: A total of 303 students aged 16 to 26 years were recruited from Selangor, Malaysia. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and General Health Questionnaire were used to measure the level of perceived social support and the mental health status. Demographic data, including education level and parents’ income, were also obtained.
Results: Females perceived significantly higher levels f overall social support than males (t = –2.7; p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in mental health status between males and females (t = –1.8; p > 0.05), as well as mental health status among different parental income groups (χ2 = 5.0; p > 0.05) and the education levels of the subjects (χ2 = 0.7; p > 0.05). A more favourable mental health status of the subjects was associated with higher parental incomes (r = –0.1; p < 0.05).
Conclusions: There were gender differences for perceived social support, but not for mental health status in older adolescents and young adults. There was also a relationship between parental income and an individual’s mental health status, but mental health was not related to their education level.
Key words: Mental health; Social class; Social support

Matched MeSH terms: Social Perception*
Fulltext The acceptance of eTPP reporting system by using TAM model

Mohd Hafizan Musa, Ahmad Kamalrulzaman Othman, Rusnani Mohamad Khalid, Yusnita Sokman, Wan Mohd Farid Wan Zakaria

Journal of Academia Universiti Teknologi MARA Negeri Sembilan, 2018;6(1):8-20.
MyJurnal

Technological innovations are significant in human and professional life. A new online correction and
prevention system called eTPP to replace old traditional system has introduced new major changes in
the reporting process. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the level of user's acceptance
towards eTPP and to investigate the factors that influence user's behavioural intentions to use eTPP in
UiTM Cawangan Johor, Kampus Segamat. A Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was employed
as a conceptual framework to investigate the factors that influence users' acceptance to use eTPP. To
test the model, data were collected from 44 respondents from various departments in UiTM
Cawangan Johor, Kampus Segamat. Questionnaires were distributed to collect primary data from the
respondents about their acceptability of eTPP. The results were presented through multiple regression
analysis and supported by mediating analysis (Preacher and Hayes, 2008; Baron and Kenny, 1986),
whereby it showed consistent mediating result with the regression result. The overall finding of the
study showed that the perceived ease of use was the main factor influencing eTPP acceptance among
the users.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
Fulltext The Validation of Questionnaire on End-of-Life Care Knowledge, Perceptions, and Preferences among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Hemodialysis

Rozi NRB, Ali WASRW, Draman CRB, Pasi HB

Indian J Palliat Care, 2021 02 17;27(1):99-103.
PMID: 34035625 DOI: 10.4103/IJPC.IJPC_221_20

Introduction: End-of-life care issues for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are still not fully highlighted in trials and clinical practice. Due to the inadequacy, exploring patients' knowledge, perceptions, and preferences is essential to improve the delivery of care. This was performed using questionnaires which have been a widely useful tool in medical researches. Up to date, there was no published, validated questionnaire developed in Malaysia for such purposes yet.
Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate the questionnaire on end-of-life care knowledge, perceptions, and preferences among hemodialysis (HD) patients.
Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 92 HD patients from 14 centers. It involved four phases including (i) developing the questionnaire and pretesting, (ii) improving and editing and redistribution to respondents for the pilot study, (iii) factor analysis (FA), and (iv) internal consistency reliability testing.
Results: The result of FA with varimax rotation performed identified three domains for the 41 items, with 10-20 items in each domain. All the 41 analyzed items had a good factor loading of more than 0.4 with the lowest value of 0.421 and were nicely fit into three respective domains: knowledge, perceptions, and preferences. Internal consistency reliability analysis Cronbach's α values were between 0.5 and 0.7 for all domains, higher than the level set for this study (0.5).
Conclusion: The questionnaire was successfully validated and considered a useful tool in describing ESRD patients' end-of-life care knowledge, perceptions, and preferences.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
Fulltext The Relationship of Health Beliefs on the Stage of Mammography Behavior Adoption amongst Women in Kuantan, Pahang

Ramli HA, Moey SF, Abdul Mutalib AM

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 06 01;20(6):1913-1920.
PMID: 31244318 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.6.1913

Background: Breast cancer (BC) awareness is relatively poor among Malaysian women indicated by the presence of BC at a late stage and the low rate of mammography screening. Only a few theoretically based studies have been conducted on Malaysian women’s participation in mammography. Therefore, the objective of this study is to use health belief model (HBM) and stage of change model (SCM) to determine the relationship between health beliefs on the behavioral adoption of mammography amongst women in Kuantan, Pahang. Methods: Five hundred and twenty women were randomly selected to complete the survey. Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression (MLR) to ascertain the multivariate relationships between health beliefs and stage of mammography behavioral adoption. Results:
The MLR test indicates that there is no significant difference in perceived severity, benefits, motivator factors and cues to action between participants in the action stage and the maintenance stage. However, significant differences existed in perceived severity, susceptibility, motivator factors and self-efficacy between the pre-contemplation, relapse and contemplation stage to that of the referenced (maintenance) stage of mammography adoption. Conclusion: Women in the action stage are more likely to progress towards maintenance stage as they perceived breast cancer as a disease that leads to death and that mammogram screening is beneficial in detecting the disease at an early stage. However, women in the pre-contemplation, relapse and contemplation stage are found unlikely to move towards the maintenance stage as they perceived their risk of getting breast cancer is low.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
The Mediating Effects of Organizational Justice in Determining the Relationship between Performance-Based Pay and Employees’ Turnover Intention

Kuan Mei Yang, Rusli Ahmad, Siti Mariam Abdullah

Journal of Cognitive Sciences & Human Development, 2015;1(1):1-10.
MyJurnal

This is a study on employees’ perception of justice towards performance-based pay and
the effect of these perceptions on their turnover intention. This study aims to examine
the mediating role played by distributive and procedural justice in linking pay distribution
and pay procedure of performance-based pay to employees’ turnover intention. A
review of past literature in this particular area has prompted the researchers to narrow
the gaps in previous studies. Towards that, this study utilized questionnaires which
were administered among 50 non-managerial employees currently working in a private
company located in Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia. Data analysis was done using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 20.0. Pearson Correlation and
Stepwise Regression were used to examine the relationship between the variables. The
outcomes of Stepwise Regression revealed that distributive justice fully mediated the
relationship between pay distribution and employees’ turnover intention in contrast to
procedural justice which did not have a significant impact in the relationship. The findings
of this study are useful references for organisation management of the pay system
to improve employees’ performance.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
Fulltext The Malaysian Women's Experience of Care and Management of Postnatal Depression

Arifin SRBM, Cheyne H, Maxwell M, Yousuf A

Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health, 2021;17:10-18.
PMID: 34040649 DOI: 10.2174/1745017902117010010

Objectives: Early detection and intervention for Maternal Postnatal Depression (PND) are imperative to prevent devastating consequences for mothers, babies, and families. However, there are no guidelines that explicitly focus on the management of PND in Malaysia. Consequently, it is unclear whether women with PND are receiving proper care and treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to explore Malaysian Women's experience in managing PND symptoms.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 33 women attending Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics in Kuala Lumpur. Data were obtained through a face-to-face semi-structured interview and analysed using framework analysis.
Results: The women considered PND as a personal and temporary issue. Therefore, professional care was deemed unnecessary for them. Additionally, all Malay women considered religious approach as their primary coping strategy for PND. However, this was not the case for most Indian and Chinese women.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that women did not acknowledge the roles of Healthcare Practitioners (HCPs) in alleviating their emotional distress.Also, they perceived PND as a personal problem and less serious emotional condition. It is due to this perception that the women adopted self-help care as their primary coping strategy for PND. However, the coping strategy varied between different cultures. These findings underscore the importance of HCPs' proactive action to detect and alleviate PND symptoms as their attitude towards PND may influence Women's help-seeking behaviour.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
Fulltext The Malaysia DREEM: perceptions of medical students about the learning environment in a medical school in Malaysia

Al-Naggar RA, Abdulghani M, Osman MT, Al-Kubaisy W, Daher AM, Nor Aripin KN, et al.

Adv Med Educ Pract, 2014;5:177-84.
PMID: 24959093 DOI: 10.2147/AMEP.S61805

BACKGROUND:
Students' perceptions of their learning environment, by defining its strengths and weaknesses, are important for continuous improvement of the educational environments and curriculum. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore students' perceptions of their learning environment, among medical students in Malaysia. Various aspects of the education environment were compared between year levels and sex.

METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2012. A total number of 438 medical students participated in this study, and the response rate was 87.6%. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Comparisons of the mean scores of Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) subscales were calculated. The t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences.

RESULTS:
The majority of the study participants were female, Malay, and from year 3 (68.7%, 65.3%, and 55.7%; respectively). Analysis of each of the 50 items of the DREEM inventory showed that 47 items scored ranged between 2.00 and 3.00, and three items scored below 2.00. These were identified as problem areas in this medical school that are required to be critically addressed. The overall score showed that the medical students' perceptions were positive. The students' perception toward educational environment was positive for all five DREEM subscales.

CONCLUSION:
The study found that, in general, the perceptions of the participants about the learning environment were positive. Nevertheless, the study also found there is a need for curriculum improvement in this school and identified priority areas for such improvement.

KEYWORDS:
DREEM; Malaysia; learning environment; medical education; students’ perceptions

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
The Malay hearing in noise test

Quar TK, Mukari SZ, Abdul Wahab NA, Abdul Razak R, Omar M, Maamor N

Int J Audiol, 2008 Jun;47(6):379-80.
PMID: 18569117 DOI: 10.1080/14992020801886796
Matched MeSH terms: Speech Perception*
Fulltext The Heat Is On: Effects of Synchronous Music on Psychophysiological Parameters and Running Performance in Hot and Humid Conditions

Nikol L, Kuan G, Ong M, Chang YK, Terry PC

Front Psychol, 2018;9:1114.
PMID: 30072929 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01114

Running in high heat and humidity increases psychophysiological strain, which typically impairs running performance. Listening to synchronous music has been shown to provide psychophysiological benefits, which may enhance running performance. The present randomized, crossover study examined effects of listening to synchronous music on psychophysiological parameters and running performance in hot and humid conditions. Twelve male runners (21.7 ± 2.2 y; 166.17 ± 7.18 cm; 60.32 ± 9.52 kg; 59.29 ± 5.95 ml kg-1 min-1) completed two running trials in simulated conditions (31°C and 70% humidity) with and without synchronous music. Participants ran on a treadmill inside a climatic chamber for 60 min at 60%

V
˙

O2max and continued to run to exhaustion at 80%

V
˙

O2max. Time-to-exhaustion under the synchronous music condition was 66.59% longer (mean = 376.5 s vs. 226.0 s, p = 0.02, d = 0.63) compared to the no music condition. Ratings of perceived exertion were significantly lower for the synchronous music condition at each time point (15, 30, 45, and 60 min) of the steady state portion of the running trials. Small differences in heart rate were detected between conditions. No significant between-condition differences were found in urine specific gravity, percentage of body weight loss, thermal comfort, and blood lactate. Findings suggest that listening to synchronous music is beneficial to running performance and perceived exertion in hot and humid conditions.

Matched MeSH terms: Auditory Perception
The Effect of 20-Minute Mindful Breathing on the Perception of Suffering and Changes in Bispectral Index Score in Palliative Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

Beng TS, Jie HW, Yan LH, Ni CX, Capelle DP, Yee A, et al.

Am J Hosp Palliat Care, 2019 Jun;36(6):478-484.
PMID: 30453747 DOI: 10.1177/1049909118812860

A randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 20-minute mindful breathing in suffering reduction. Forty palliative care patients with an overall suffering score of 4 or above as measured with the Suffering Pictogram were recruited and randomly assigned to 20-minute mindful breathing or 20-minute supportive listening. There was statistically significant reduction of suffering score in both the groups. For Bispectral Index Score value, there was statistically significant difference between intervention and control. A 20-minute mindful breathing could be useful in the alleviation of suffering in palliative care.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception
Fulltext The Association of Falls with Instability: An Analysis of Perceptions and Expectations toward the Use of Fall Detection Devices Among Older Adults in Malaysia

Abdul Rahman K, Ahmad SA, Che Soh A, Ashari A, Wada C, Gopalai AA

Front Public Health, 2021;9:612538.
PMID: 33681130 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.612538

Background: Falls are a significant incident among older adults affecting one in every three individuals aged 65 and over. Fall risk increases with age and other factors, namely instability. Recent studies on the use of fall detection devices in the Malaysian community are scarce, despite the necessity to use them. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the prevalence of falls with instability. This study also presents a survey that explores older adults' perceptions and expectations toward fall detection devices. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 336 community-dwelling older adults aged 50 years and older; based on randomly selected participants. Data were analyzed using quantitative descriptive analysis. Chi-square test was conducted to investigate the associations between self-reported falls with instability, demographic and walking characteristics. Additionally, older adults' perceptions and expectations concerning the use of fall detection devices in their daily lives were explored. Results: The prevalence of falls was 28.9%, where one-quarter of older adults fell at least once in the past 6 months. Participants aged 70 years and older have a higher fall percentage than other groups. The prevalence of falls was significantly associated with instability, age, and walking characteristics. Around 70% of the participants reported having instability issues, of which over half of them fell at least once within 6 months. Almost 65% of the participants have a definite interest in using a fall detection device. Survey results revealed that the most expected features for a fall detection device include: user-friendly, followed by affordably priced, and accurate. Conclusions: The prevalence of falls in community-dwelling older adults is significantly associated with instability. Positive perceptions and informative expectations will be used to develop an enhanced fall detection incorporating balance monitoring system. Our findings demonstrate the need to extend the fall detection device features aiming for fall prevention intervention.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception*
Fulltext The Acquisition, Analyses and Interpretation of fMRI Data: A Study on Functional Specialisation in Primary Auditory Cortices

Yusuf, A.N., Abdul Hamid, K., Mohamad, M., Abd hamid, A.I.

Medicine & Health, 2008;3(2):300-317.
MyJurnal

In this study, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used to investigate func-tional specialisation in human auditory cortices during listening. A silent fMRI paradigm was used to reduce the scanner sound artefacts on functional images. The subject was instructed to pay attention to the white noise stimulus binaurally given at an inten-sity level of 70 dB higher than the hearing level for normal people. Functional speciali-sation was studied using the Matlab-based Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM5) software by means of fixed effects (FFX), random effects (RFX) and conjunction analyses. Individual analyses on all subjects indicated asymmetrical bilateral activation of the left and right hemispheres in Brodmann areas (BA) 22, 41 and 42, involving the primary and secondary auditory cortices. The percentage of signal change is larger in the BA22, 41 and 42 on the right as compared to the ones on the left (p>0.05). The average number of activated voxels in all the respective Brodmann areas are higher in the right hemisphere than in the left (p>0.05). FFX results showed that the point of maximum intensity was in the right BA41 whereby 599±1 activated voxels were ob-served in the right temporal lobe as compared to 485±1 in the left temporal lobe. The RFX results were consistent with that of FFX. The analysis of conjunction which fol-lowed, showed that the right BA41 and left BA22 as the common activated areas in all subjects. The results confirmed the specialisation of the right auditory cortices in pro-cessing non verbal stimuli.

Matched MeSH terms: Auditory Perception
Fulltext The 'auxiliary' white coat effect in hospitals: perceptions of patients and doctors

Tiang KW, Razack AH, Ng KL

Singapore Med J, 2017 10;58(10):574-575.
PMID: 28367582 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2017023

A doctor's attire is important in making a positive first impression and enhancing the overall healthcare experience for patients. We conducted a study to examine the perceptions and preferences of patients and doctors regarding six types of dress codes used by doctors in different scenarios and locations. A total of 87 patients and 46 doctors participated in the study. Separate sets of questionnaires containing four demographic questions and 14 survey questions were distributed to the two groups. Most patients preferred doctors to dress formally in white coats regardless of the scenario or location, whereas the majority of doctors preferred formal attire without white coats. Both groups preferred operating theatre attire in the emergency department. Our findings confirmed that patients perceived doctors in white coats to be more trustworthy, responsible, authoritative, confident, knowledgeable and caring. There is a need to educate the public about the reasons for changes in doctors' traditional dress codes.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception*
Fulltext Thalassaemia: a study on the perception of patients and family members

Wahab IA, Naznin M, Nora MZ, Suzanah AR, Zulaiho M, Faszrul AR, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2011 Oct;66(4):326-34.
PMID: 22299552 MyJurnal

Marked improvement in the management of thalassaemia has not been matched by progress in psychosocial rehabilitation as thalassaemia continues to pose challenges to patients and their family members. Few studies have been carried out in Malaysia to look at such issues. This study is therefore to explore the concerns, beliefs and feelings about thalassaemia. It was conducted in the year 2009 over 7 months on "focus groups", in patients aged 8-22 years and parents attending Paediatric Clinic of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang. Results showed that concerns and adverse impact were related to lower grades in education, poor self-image, less chance of employment, marriage, financial burden and social integration. Compliance to subcutaneous iron chelator was poor. There were various concerns related to blood transfusion therapy. It is evident that thalassaemia greatly affects the psychosocial dimensions and a more structured long term psychosocial support is needed to improve quality of life of patients.

Study site: Paediatric Clinic of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang.

Matched MeSH terms: Perception*

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