METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 adolescents aged 10 years old-19 years old throughout Malaysia. The questionnaire used was adapted from a previous study and the pilot study resulted in Cronbach's alpha of 0.85. IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0 software was used for data analysis at two statistical levels: descriptive and inferential (Mann-Whitney U test).
RESULT: The most important health information needs related to high-risk behaviour according to the adolescents were 'violence' (3.72 score out of 5), 'sexual activity-related disease' (3.64 score out of 5) and 'physical activity and effect of lack in physical activity' (3.61 score out of 5). 'Physician' (4.01 score out of 5) and 'the internet' (3.95 score out of 5) were the most important sources for obtaining health information related to high-risk behaviours. The main criterion for the quality of health information was the 'validity and reliability of the information' (4.55 score out of 5). The findings indicate that adolescents have a positive attitude towards health information-seeking behaviour, although slight differences between boys and girls are exhibited. The most common barrier to health information seeking experienced by adolescents is 'difficulty in determining the quality of information found'.
CONCLUSION: Adolescents tend to use professional and informal sources, have good criteria in the selection of information and have a considerably high interest in seeking health information related to high-risk behaviour.
METHODS: CD117 (c-KIT) antibodies were used to stain 160 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded invasive breast carcinoma tissues to demonstrate the presence of mast cells. Then the labelled mast cells were counted in 10 fields at 400× magnification and the mean value was used to represent the mast cell density.
RESULTS: The demographic distribution revealed that most patients were 40 years old or older (92.5%) and of Malay ethnicity (66.3%). With regard to prognostic factors, the most prevalent subtype was invasive carcinoma of no special type (80.6%), followed by tumour grade 3 (41.3%), T2 tumour size (63.1%), N0 lymph node stage (51.3%), presence of lymphovascular invasion (59.4%), positive oestrogen (64.4%) and progesterone receptors (53.1%), and negative human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression (75.0%). However, there was no significant difference in stromal mast cell density among the different demographic and prognostic factor groups in invasive breast carcinoma.
CONCLUSION: The findings from this study suggest that stromal mast cells do not play a significant role in preventing or promoting tumour growth in invasive breast carcinoma.
METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Data were extracted from the hybrid medical records of patients from the Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), Malaysia. Adults with established diagnosis of hypertension and on prescription of Val-based SPC therapies as part of routine medical care from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2018, with ≥ 1 year of follow-up were included. Primary endpoint was proportion of patients achieving therapeutic BP control (BP < 140/90 mmHg). Secondary outcomes included change from baseline (CFB) in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), and subgroup analysis was based on baseline SBP categories and presence of diabetes.
RESULTS: Study included 409 hypertensive patients. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of the population was 65.1 (10.6) years old, with male predominance (61.6%). Proportion of patients achieving target BP between baseline and follow-up were 57.0% (P < 0.001). Mean CFB in SBP and DBP were recorded as 19.52 mmHg and 7.47 mmHg, respectively. Over half of the patients achieved the target BP in all subgroups categorised by SBP at baseline, except the subgroup of SBP 160 mmHg-179 mmHg. SPC therapies were continued in 97.3% of patients at 1-year follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Patients using Val-based SPC therapies had significant reduction in BP with good tolerability, with 57% of patients achieving target BP over a prolonged 1-year follow-up period. Uptake of SPC therapy is warranted to improve patient care and outcomes in hypertension.
METHODS: This study used Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2017 data. Cross-sectional study design with two-stage stratified sampling method was employed. A sample of ever-married non-pregnant women of reproductive age was selected and multinomial logistic regression was utilised in analysis.
RESULTS: It was found that around half of rural women (45.0%, N = 4,934) and more than half of urban women (60.3%, n = 3,913) were overweight. Nearly one in seven rural women (14.0%, n = 1,537) and 1 in 12 urban women (9.0%, n = 564) were reported as underweight. Our analyses revealed that being overweight was substantially connected with age, husband's occupation, economic status, television access, and division for both urban and rural areas. Women from poor households were significantly more likely to be underweight than women from middle- income households for both urban (P < 0.05; OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.94) and rural (P < 0.05; OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.46) areas. Interestingly, women without television access both in urban (P < 0.001; OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.91) and rural (P < 0.001; OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.84) areas had an inverse association with overweight/obesity compared to women with television access. In both areas, women in Sylhet and Mymensingh had higher likelihood of being underweight than Barisal division. Additionally, in both residential zones, women in Sylhet had lower likelihood of being overweight than Barisal division.
CONCLUSION: This study reveals that multiple characteristics are linked to both overweight and underweight among ever-married, non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Bangladesh. Addressing these variables should be a priority in public health efforts to combat the dual challenge of malnutrition in Bangladesh.
METHODS: This registry-based, unmatched case-control study encompasses all adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) reports associated with COVID-19 vaccines, received by the Department of Pharmacy at Hospital Kuala Lumpur through the Malaysian Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (MADRAC) AEFI reporting forms. Twenty-four potential risk factors were evaluated, including demographic information, medical history, food allergies, COVID-19 vaccination history and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, were evaluated using MADRAC AEFI reporting forms. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: Cutaneous reactions were more frequent in middle-aged females, especially after the first COVID-19 vaccine dose. These reactions, primarily mild and generalised, included pruritus and urticaria. Notably, 52% were delayed reactions (more than 4 h post-vaccination). Factors associated with increased risk of cutaneous reaction following COVID-19 immunisation included history of seafood and shellfish allergy (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR]: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.96; P = 0.020), history of vaccine allergy (adjOR: 4.07; 95% CI: 1.44, 11.54; P = 0.008), past dermatological diseases (adjOR: 5.48; 95% CI: 2.03, 14.78; P = 0.001), and past medication allergy (adjOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.36, 3.31; P = 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Self-reported histories of allergies to vaccines, foods or medications were found to increase the likelihood of cutaneous reactions following COVID-19 vaccination. These reactions, which were predominantly mild, did not hinder the administration of the second vaccine dose. The majority of reactions occurred after the first dose, manifesting as generalised pruritus and urticaria. They were effectively managed with oral antihistamines and low-dose corticosteroids, thereby avoiding the need for hospitalisation.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study comprising OA communities was conducted between January 2022 and September 2022 in the Gombak District, Selangor. A self-administered online questionnaire using Google Forms and a self-administered printed questionnaire was used to collect data from youths aged 18 years old-24 years old. The Malay version of Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale-25 (CD-RISC-25) was used to assess psychological resilience. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.0, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associated factors and their significance level.
RESULT: A total of 158 participants were involved in this study. The mean score for psychological resilience was estimated at 69.28 (SD = 14.52). The social relationships domain recorded the highest mean score for quality of life (71.54, SD = 13.72). Meanwhile, the total mean score for self-esteem fell into the high-level category (35.77, SD = 4.94), and the domain of relationship and family dynamics under family environment scored the highest mean score of 18.83 (SD = 2.89). Psychological resilience was associated with youths of KOA Batu 12 (β = -14.274, P < 0.05), KOA Ulu Batu (β = -17.789, P < 0.05), less than four siblings (β = -6.495, P < 0.05), owner of residential property (β = -7.543, P < 0.05), high self-esteem (β = 0.612, P < 0.05) and good relationship and family dynamic (β = 1.391, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Developing interventions aimed at psychological resilience determinants may assist OA youths in coping with future threats.
METHODS: This was a case study with convenience sampling techniques. This study lasted approximately 2 years, beginning in February 2016. This study was divided into two phases: an intervention phase followed by an interview. The participants were invited to undergo the 8-week supervised moderate aerobic exercise programme. This qualitative study involved 14 participants selected from the intervention phase. They were interviewed about their experiences using a semi-structured questionnaire guided by the health belief model.
RESULTS: This study involved 14 participants who were aged between 26 years old and 40 years old and smoked from 11 to 20 cigarettes per day. Most participants perceived benefits and self-efficacy regarding smoking habits and tobacco withdrawal symptoms (TWS) following the exercise intervention.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that moderate exercise might be helpful in increasing self-efficacy in smoking cessation and the findings encourage further research on exercise programmes as an adjunct to smoking cessation treatments in Malaysia.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 144 parents of children with ASD were recruited from two main tertiary hospitals in Kelantan, Malaysia, a developing country in Southeast Asia. Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between parental affiliate stigma, resilience and QoL. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify the significant associated factors of affiliate stigma, resilience and QoL.
RESULTS: Correlational analyses revealed that perceived affiliate stigma demonstrated an inverse relationship with resilience and QoL. Additionally, resilience had a positive relationship with QoL. Regression analyses revealed that the father's employment status, the mother's level of education, having a disability card, the child's age at ASD diagnosis, comorbidities of the child and ASD severity perceived by parents were associated with parental affiliate stigma, resilience and QoL.
CONCLUSION: Study findings highlight the contribution of socio-demographic characteristics of children with ASD and their families in the determination of affiliate stigma, resilience and QoL.
METHOD: In silico testing was conducted to develop an effective and economical starting strategy. Thereby, this study significantly advances the development of novel treatments to combat antibiotic resistance. Using clavulanic acid as the benchmark medicine, the potency of the beta-lactamase inhibitor brazilein was predicted. Using the Molegro Virtual Docker computer tool, docking was performed to estimate the chemical and physical properties of the compounds, as well as the biological activity of brazilein toward the required receptor. The receptors used were SHV-1 beta-lactamase, PDB code: 2H0T; TEM-1 beta-lactamase, PDB code: 4OQG and CTX-M-14 beta-lactamase, PDB code: 6VHS. Data analysis was performed by comparing the binding energies of the docking results between the ligands and the target receptor. The more stable the bond that formed between the ligand and the target receptor, the lower the bond energy.
RESULTS: The in silico test results on the blaSHV gene were as follows: binding energy of ligand MA4_400[A] = -100.699, brazilein = -82.206, clavulanic acid = -79.3704; in the blaTEM gene: ligand bond energy 2UL_301[B] = -107.681, brazilein = -82.0296, clavulanic acid = -103.3; in the blaCTX-M gene: X57_301[A] ligand bond energy = -86.6197, and brazilein = -88.1586, clavulanic acid = -101.933.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate the significant potential of brazilein sappan wood to block the beta-lactamase activity of blaCTX-M.
METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. Data from the Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (IBBS) 2017 (n = 630) were used. The survey was carried out in all states in Malaysia and its duration was 4 months (from March 2017 to June 2017). Ordered probit regressions were utilised to shed light on the association between sociodemographic variables and levels of HIV knowledge.
RESULTS: A large proportion of FSWs had middle-level HIV knowledge (44.1%). FSWs with tertiary-level education were 19.5% more likely to have high-level HIV knowledge compared to those without formal education. The probability of having low-level HIV knowledge was 6.8% lower among FSWs with monthly incomes of RM1,500-RM1,999 than those having incomes of ≤ RM499. Being single instead of married was associated with 7.6%-8% lower probabilities of having low- and middle-level HIV knowledge.
CONCLUSION: Public health interventions to improve FSWs' HIV knowledge need to take into consideration the role of sociodemographic factors.
METHODS: A total of 180 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in this study and fulfilled the self-administered questionnaire in Diabetes Clinic of Primary Medical Center of University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; the response rate was 84%. We used the universal sampling method and assessed three groups of factors including sociodemographic, information and communication technology (ICT), willingness and interest, and disease factors.
RESULTS: Our results showed that 56% of the patients with diabetes were interested to use such programs; majority of the patients were Malay, and patients in the age group of 51-60 years formed the largest group. Majority of these patients studied up to secondary level of education. Age, education, income, and money spent for checkup were significantly associated with the interest of patients with diabetes to the internet-based programs. ICT-related factors such as computer ownership, computer knowledge, access to the internet, frequency of using the internet and reasons of internet usage had a positive effect on patients' interest.
CONCLUSION: Our results show that among low to intermediate social class of Malaysian patients with type 2 diabetes, more than 50% of them can and wanted to use the internet-based self-management programs. Furthermore, we also show that patients equipped with more ICT-related factors had more interest toward these programs. Therefore, we propose making ICT more affordable and integrating it into the health care system at primary care level and then extending it nationwide.
METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 92 SLE patients (46 LN and 46 non-LN) and 26 controls. Data were collected from medical records. Serum VEGF assays were performed by specific, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (ELISA). Laboratory investigations included urinalysis, urine protein-creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, albumin and VEGF levels. Blood pressure, renal biopsy result and treatment were recorded. LN activity was evaluated using the renal subscale of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (rBILAG, 2004). The rBILAG measures blood pressure (diastolic and systolic), urine protein, serum creatinine, calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), presence of active urinary sediments and histological evidence of active nephritis.
RESULTS: Serum VEGF was elevated in SLE patients with LN compared with the non-LN group and healthy controls. The levels found were significantly higher in the sera of patients with active nephritis compared to those with quiescent nephritis (P = 0.024). The study did not find a statistically significant relationship between serum VEGF levels and histological classes of LN.
CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference of serum VEGF level between LN and non-LN SLE groups and between the non-LN group and healthy controls. However, there were increased levels of serum VEGF in the LN group, especially in patients with active nephritis as compared to quiescent nephritis group. This reflects the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis, however the clinical potential of this biomarker needs further study.