METHODS: An operational utility test to elucidate the efficiency and effectiveness of the dengue RT-RPA assay was conducted among a group of researchers new to the assay. Nineteen volunteer researchers with different research experience were recruited. The participants performed the RT-RPA assay and interpreted the test results according to the protocol provided. Deviation from the protocol was identified and tabulated by trained facilitators. Post-test questionnaires were conducted to determine the user satisfaction and acceptability of the dengue RT-RPA assay.
RESULTS: All the participants completed the test and successfully interpreted the results according to the provided instructions, regardless of their research experience. Of the 19 participants, three (15.8%) performed the assay with no deviations and 16 (84.2%) performed the assay with only 1 to 5 deviations. The number of deviations from protocol, however, was not correlated with the user laboratory experience. The accuracy of the results was also not affected by user laboratory experience. The concordance of the assay results against that of the expected was at 89.3%. The user satisfaction towards the RT-RPA protocol and interpretation of results was 90% and 100%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The dengue RT-RPA assay can be successfully performed by simply following the provided written instructions. Deviations from the written protocols did not adversely affect the outcome of the assay. These suggest that the RT-RPA assay is indeed a simple, robust and efficient laboratory method for detection of dengue virus. Furthermore, high new user acceptance of the RT-RPA assay suggests that this assay could be successfully deployed into new laboratories where RT-RPA was not previously performed.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to translate and validate (with cross-cultural adaptation) the English System Usability Scale questionnaire into Malay, the main language spoken in Malaysia. The development of a translated version will allow the usability of mobile apps to be assessed in Malay.
METHODS: Forward and backward translation of the questionnaire was conducted by groups of Malay native speakers who spoke English as their second language. The final version was obtained after reconciliation and cross-cultural adaptation. The content of the Malay System Usability Scale questionnaire for mobile apps was validated by 10 experts in mobile app development. The efficacy of the questionnaire was further probed by testing the face validity on 10 mobile phone users, followed by reliability testing involving 54 mobile phone users.
RESULTS: The content validity index was determined to be 0.91, indicating good relevancy of the 10 items used to assess the usability of a mobile app. Calculation of the face validity index resulted in a value of 0.94, therefore indicating that the questionnaire was easily understood by the users. Reliability testing showed a Cronbach alpha value of .85 (95% CI 0.79-0.91) indicating that the translated System Usability Scale questionnaire is a reliable tool for the assessment of usability of a mobile app.
CONCLUSIONS: The Malay System Usability Scale questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to assess the usability of mobile app in Malaysia.
METHODS: Six children were recruited and underwent Bonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction implant surgery. The patients' audiometric thresholds for air conduction, bone conduction and sound-field tests were assessed pre-operatively and at six months post-operatively. Patients' satisfaction was assessed at six months post-operatively with the Hearing Device Satisfaction Scale.
RESULTS: No major complications were reported. Mean aided sound-field thresholds improved post-operatively by more than 30 dB for 0.5-4 kHz (p 0.05). All patients were satisfied (scores were over 90 per cent) with the implant in terms of functional outcome and cosmetic appearance.
CONCLUSION: Bonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction implant surgery is safe and effective among children with congenital aural atresia with conductive hearing loss.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the determinants associated with Twitter use in psychiatric consultations and to assess the level of satisfaction in using the microblogging platform. In addition, the level of e-health literacy is also assessed among users.
METHODS: The target population included Twitter users seeking psychiatric consultation. A leading psychiatrist's twitter account with 4.5 million followers was selected and consent obtained. A validated Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire was adopted to assess the level of satisfaction in Twitter use and e-health literacy. The questionnaire was tagged to the chosen Twitter account and reminders were sent until the sample size was reached. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. The analysis included descriptive statistics tabulation, multi-response analysis, and cross-tabulation for satisfaction variables and the chi-square test was used to measure association between different variables.
RESULTS: The study obtained 155 completed response sheets, of which 52 were Twitter users seeking psychiatric advice while the rest sought general health advice. Most of the study participants were females (71.6 %). Women, single status and income range between 4000-9000 Saudi riyal were found to be significantly associated with Twitter use for psychiatric consultation. Generally, most of the participants were satisfied with Twitter in seeking psychiatric consultation that reduced financial disbursement. Furthermore, concerns were expressed regarding the waiting period, word limitations and issues of privacy. The e-health literacy was higher among the participants.
CONCLUSION: Psychiatric consultations via Twitter is more popular among women. By addressing privacy issues and reducing response time, Twitter may be used as a major platform to deliver mental health services to the population.