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  1. Nayak V, Nayak KR, Goyal S, Jain S, Prabhath S, Palimar V, et al.
    Adv Physiol Educ, 2024 Mar 01;48(1):40-48.
    PMID: 38059281 DOI: 10.1152/advan.00092.2023
    Attitude, ethics, and communication are key attributes in the doctor-patient relationship and to strengthen these qualities, the National Medical Commission, the body that regulates medical education and medical professionals in India introduced a course called Attitudes, Ethics and Communication (AETCOM) in the undergraduate medical curriculum. The objective of this study was to ascertain the perceptible qualitative influence of the modules in communication in the AETCOM course and to obtain feedback on its implementation. In this cross-sectional study, the attitude of medical students in all stages of training including internship was first explored using a Communication Skills Attitude Scale. Out of 27 modules in AETCOM course, five modules named foundations of communication deal with communication, and they are taught from the first to final professional years of training. After introducing communication modules in AETCOM for all professional years, feedback was collected from interns who had completed training in all modules. The interns provided feedback with a validated scale and two focused group discussions. Additionally, feedback from faculty involved in teaching AETCOM was analyzed. There was a significant increase in the positive attitude scores in the final year and internship compared to the first year. Eighty percent of the interns agreed that communication modules in AETCOM were useful and that they equipped them with the communication skills required for actual practice during their internship. Faculty agreed that these modules motivated the students to acquire communication skills. However, faculty also felt that these modules alone may not be sufficient to learn communication skills.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In the current study, we have assessed the attitude of medical students toward learning communication skills in all stages of their training. The novelty of our study is that communication modules were formally introduced for the first time into the medical curriculum and feedback was obtained from a cohort of interns who completed training in all modules in communication from AETCOM. The feedback from faculty and students provided us with concepts to improvise these modules.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  2. Lee WY, Lau MN, Soh EX, Yuen SW, Ashari A, Radzi Z
    BMC Oral Health, 2023 Dec 19;23(1):1015.
    PMID: 38115099 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03762-w
    BACKGROUND: Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD) is a valid and reliable eight-item self-administered questionnaire for the assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness and is commonly used to screen sleep-disordered breathing for children and adolescents. The cross-sectional study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt ESS-CHAD into a Malay version of Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (MESS-CHAD) for the Malaysian population, and to assess the validity and reliability of MESS-CHAD.

    METHODS: Forward-backward translation method was used to translate and cross-culturally adapt ESS-CHAD. Three linguistic experts and two paediatricians content validated the translated version. Face validity was conducted through audio-recorded semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 native Malay-speaking children and adolescents followed by thematic analysis. The revised questionnaire was then proofread by a linguistic expert. A total of 40 subjects answered the MESS-CHAD twice, 2 weeks apart, for test-retest reliability and internal consistency. For criterion validity, 148 eligible subjects and their parents answered MESS-CHAD and the Malay version of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale extracted from the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (M-PSQ:SRBD) concurrently. Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) and P values of the model's outer weight and outer loading were analysed using SmartPLS software to assess the indicator's multicollinearity and significance for formative construct validity.

    RESULTS: Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranging from 0.798 to 0.932 and Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.813 to 0.932 confirmed good to excellent test-retest reliability and internal consistency, respectively. Spearman Correlation Coefficient value of 0.789 suggested a very strong positive correlation between MESS-CHAD and M-PSQ:SRBD. VIF ranging from 1.109 to 1.455 indicated no collinearity problem. All questionnaire items in MESS-CHAD were retained as the P value of either outer model weight or outer model loading was significant (P cross-culturally adapted into Malay version for the Malaysian population, and found to be valid and reliable.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  3. Chan CM, Abdul Latiff AH, Noh LM, Ismail IH, Abd Hamid IJ, Liew WK, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2023;14:1209315.
    PMID: 37529038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209315
    INTRODUCTION: With increased diagnostic capabilities and treatment modalities in the field of primary immunodeficiencies (PID), many pediatric patients survive beyond childhood and experience a change of care to the adult-oriented healthcare system. Unfortunately, the transition pathways for PID are less clearly defined, resulting in deterioration of quality of care in adulthood. Hence, this is the first regional study to address PID clinicians' opinions on practices and challenges of transition care in 7 Southeast Asia (SEA) countries.

    METHODS: We adopted a cross-sectional study design through an online survey platform to enquire opinions of transition practices from expert representatives in 7 SEA countries.

    RESULTS: Regionally, 3 out 7 countries reported having no practice of transition care. Among cited challenges were reluctant adaptation by patients and caregivers to unfamiliarized adult healthcare systems, inadequate ratio of adult immunologists to patients and lack of facilities for transfer.

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence to advocate policy makers on the importance of standardized integration of transition practice towards betterment of transiting PID patients into adulthood.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  4. Li Q, Kamaruddin N, Yuhaniz SS, Al-Jaifi HAA
    Sci Rep, 2024 Jan 03;14(1):422.
    PMID: 38172568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50783-0
    This study introduces an augmented Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) neural network architecture, integrating Symbolic Genetic Programming (SGP), with the objective of forecasting cross-sectional price returns across a comprehensive dataset comprising 4500 listed stocks in the Chinese market over the period from 2014 to 2022. Using the S&P Alpha Pool Dataset for China as basic input, this architecture incorporates data augmentation and feature extraction techniques. The result of this study demonstrates significant improvements in Rank Information coefficient (Rank IC) and IC information ratio (ICIR) by 1128% and 5360% respectively when it is applied to fundamental indicators. For technical indicators, the hybrid model achieves a 206% increase in Rank IC and an impressive surge of 2752% in ICIR. Furthermore, the proposed hybrid SGP-LSTM model outperforms major Chinese stock indexes, generating average annualized excess returns of 31.00%, 24.48%, and 16.38% compared to the CSI 300 index, CSI 500 index, and the average portfolio, respectively. These findings highlight the effectiveness of SGP-LSTM model in improving the accuracy of cross-sectional stock return predictions and provide valuable insights for fund managers, traders, and financial analysts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  5. Ahmad NS, Karuppiah K, Praveena SM, Ali NF, Ramdas M, Mohammad Yusof NAD
    Sci Rep, 2024 Jan 04;14(1):556.
    PMID: 38177620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49968-4
    Malaysia's government's decision to reopen schools during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially for students taking important exams, has alarmed the public. However, the Ministry of Education has implemented a COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for educational institutions. The school management's ability to protect children from COVID-19 rests on their understanding, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 SOP compliance. This study investigated Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya school management's COVID-19 SOP compliance determinants. Multistage sampling was used to sample 740 school management from Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Selangor. A self-administered questionnaire collected sociodemographic, occupational, and lifestyle data, knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 SOP compliance. The school management had good knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 SOP. Monthly income, school location, smoking status, and physical activity differed significantly from KAP (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  6. Yao L, Zhou K, Zhou Y, Kueh YC, Liu H, Liu Z, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2024 Jan 10;24(1):151.
    PMID: 38200518 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17596-2
    BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy has been recognized as a critical component in people's participation and maintenance of physical activity. This study aims to validate the Chinese version of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESE) among Chinese children and adolescents using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on two primary and two secondary schools in central China. The ESE scale was translated into Chinese (ESE-C) using the standard forward-backward translation method. Data were analyzed using Mplus 8 for the CFA.

    RESULTS: The final model showed a satisfactory level of goodness-of-fit (CFI = 0.918; TLI = 0.905; SRMR = 0.043; RMSEA = 0.066), indicating a good construct validity of the ESE-C for children and adolescents in mainland China. Furthermore, the final ESE-C model achieved composite reliability values of 0.963 and average variance extraction values of 0.597, indicating sufficient convergent and discriminant validity. Besides, the Cronbach's alpha value was 0.964, demonstrating excellent internal consistency of the ESE-C scale.

    CONCLUSION: The ESE-C scale is a valid instrument for assessing exercise self-efficacy among children and adolescents in mainland China.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  7. Guo K, Ouyang J, Minhat HS
    BMC Public Health, 2023 Dec 18;23(1):2530.
    PMID: 38110936 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17315-x
    BACKGROUND: The increased number of older persons in China, and the prevalence of most chronic diseases raised with age significantly increased the total disease burden. When a person ages, psychological distress happens when they are faced with stressors that they cannot cope with. Psychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Health literacy influences several health outcomes, such as emotional functioning among the population. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the mediator role of health literacy between the presence of chronic disease and psychological distress among older persons living in Xi'an city. Thus, this study used the Cognitive Behavior Theory (CBT) as a combination of the basic behavioral and cognitive psychology principles to explain the cognitive processes associated with psychological distress.

    METHODS: This study employs a quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey of 300 older persons over 60 years living in the six urban districts of Xi'an city. Data were collected using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). This study employed descriptive statistics and inferential methods to analyze the data. The inferential methods applied structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesis of the mediator role of health literacy between the presence of chronic disease and psychological distress.

    RESULTS: In this study, chronic disease had an effect on health literacy among older persons living in Xi'an city (β=-0.047, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  8. Yusof AAB, Chii MLS, Yusoff NIM, Kama RNIFRM, Raj JR, Ghani NAA, et al.
    BMC Womens Health, 2023 Nov 17;23(1):614.
    PMID: 37978374 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02745-x
    BACKGROUND: Turner Syndrome (TS) is a rare sex chromosome abnormality occurring in 1 in 2500 female live births. To date, there is limited data on TS patients in Malaysia. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life (QoL) and body image disturbances among adult population with TS in comparison to age-matched controls in a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur: Hospital Chancellor Tuanku Mukhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HCTM, UKM).

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in HCTM, UKM, Kuala Lumpur. TS participants who attended clinic in HCTM, UKM and controls who were hospital staff members were recruited via purposive sampling. TS participants' sociodemographic and clinical profiles were retrieved from medical records. Two validated, translated questionnaires; World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire and Body Image Disturbances Questionnaires (BIDQ) were completed by participants.

    RESULTS: A total of 34 TS patients were approached and 24 (70.5%) of them participated in this study. Their median (IQR) age was 24.0 (7.0) years and their responses were compared to 60 age-matched healthy females as controls [median age (IQR) = 24.0 (8.0) years]. The most common medical problem in TS participants was premature ovarian insufficiency (n = 23; 95.8%). There were no significant differences between TS and control groups' median scores (overall QOL; 4.00 vs. 4.00, general health; 3.50 vs. 4.00, physical health; 14.86 vs. 15.43, psychological health; 14.67 vs. 14.00 and environment; 15.00 vs. 15.50) of the different WHOQOL-BREF domains. However, TS participants were found to score 13.33 against 16.00, lower than the control group (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  9. Othman NH, Rajali A, Zulkifeli NRN, Shaharuddin IM, Hussein KH, Hassan MIA
    Spec Care Dentist, 2024;44(1):221-230.
    PMID: 37055924 DOI: 10.1111/scd.12858
    BACKGROUND: Athletes with disabilities may be at an even greater risk of orofacial trauma than their counterparts, and the risk may vary depending on the type of sports. This study aimed to assess the incidence of sports-related dental injuries and oral health status among Malaysian para-athletes.

    METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess self-reported dental injuries and knowledge of their management. An intraoral examination was performed using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index following the World Health Organization guidelines.

    RESULTS: A total of 61 para-athletes (men = 90.16%, n = 55; women = 9.84%, n = 6) from different sports categories with different disabilities randomly participated in this study. The incidence of self-reported dental injuries was 18.0% (n = 11), with the most common injury being crown tooth fracture (72.7%) and lip laceration (63.6%). However, the majority of the athletes (70.5%, n = 43) did nothing after experiencing dental trauma, and 82.0% (n = 50) were unaware of the immediate management of dental trauma. Based on the intraoral examination, only 9.8% (n = 6) of the athletes had perfectly sound teeth. The mean total DMFT index was 3.49 ± 2.371, while the mean DMFT index for decayed, missing, and filled teeth was 1.28 ± 1.293, 0.74 ± 0.705, and 1.48 ± 1.120, respectively. The mean DMFT index for decayed, missing, and filled teeth and total DMFT index significantly differed among the types of disabilities (P  .05).

    CONCLUSION: The most commonly reported injuries among para-athletes are crown tooth fractures and lip lacerations. The total DMFT index among para-athletes is moderate, emphasising the need for improvements.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  10. Ibrahim A, Mat Ludin AF, Shahar S, Hamzah NH, Chin AV, Singh DKA
    Exp Gerontol, 2023 Dec;184:112326.
    PMID: 37967590 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112326
    INTRODUCTION: Cardiorespiratory fitness has an inverse relationship with cognitive impairment and frailty in older adults. Direct assessment of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) is the gold standard to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. However, it is costly and requires a laboratory setting. Therefore, VO2 max estimation among older adults with cognitive frailty (CF) will allow the assessment of aerobic capacity, which is commonly overlooked due to the complexity of the test.

    AIM: This study aims to determine the use of one of three physical performance tests (2-minute step, 2-minute walk, and 1-minute sit to stand) to effectively estimate cardiorespiratory fitness among older adults with CF.

    METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, community-dwelling individuals aged 60 years old and above in Klang Valley were screened for CF. The participants performed three physical performance tests (2-minute walk, 2-minute step, and 1-minute sit to stand) followed by treadmill-based maximal exercise testing on another day.

    RESULTS: A total of 32 older adults with cognitive frailty (mean age; SD: 67.1;4.7 years) participated in this study. Nearly half of them had hypertension (43.5 %), hypercholesterolemia (43.5 %), and multimorbidity (47.8 %). Among the endurance tests performed, only the 2-minute walk test independently predicted VO2 max by sex-specific with men (R2 = 0.58, p = 0.03) and women (R2 = 0.34, p = 0.01). The 2-minute walk test had good agreement with VO2 max (ICC = 0.77, 95 % CI: -3.1-2.4).

    CONCLUSION: The 2-minute walk test is a valid tool for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness among older adults with CF. However, it should be further tested across a larger population.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  11. Hong Y, Al Mamun A, Yang Q, Masukujjaman M
    Sci Rep, 2024 Jan 19;14(1):1706.
    PMID: 38243057 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52215-z
    The fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment, and sustainable fashion consumption (SFC) has become a pressing concern. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing sustainable fashion consumption behavior (SCB) among Chinese adults, specifically the role of values, attitudes, and norms in shaping such behavior, using the value-belief-norm framework. The study used an online cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 350 participants recruited through a convenience sampling method using social media platforms and email invitations, and the obtained data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results of the study showed that biospheric (BV), altruistic (AV), and egoistic (EV) values significantly influenced the New ecological paradigm (EP), which, in turn, positively affected awareness of consequences (AC). Personal norms (PN) were positively influenced by EP, AC, and ascription of responsibility (AR). Social norms (SN) and trust in recycling (TR) were also found to positively influence sustainable fashion consumption intentions (SCI). Finally, the study found that SCI and TR were significant predictors of SCB, whereas the moderating effect of TR not statistically significant. The study's originality lies in its comprehensive investigation of the interplay between various factors (particularly using norms in two facets; PN and SN) in shaping SCB, using a structural equation modeling approach, and exploring the moderating effect of TR. The findings of this study suggest that interventions aimed at promoting SFC should focus on fostering values and beliefs that prioritize the environment, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their actions, creating an environment in which SFC is normalized, and increasing TR.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  12. Lintanga AJBJ, Rathakrishnan B
    BMC Psychol, 2024 Jan 19;12(1):38.
    PMID: 38243327 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01513-8
    BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to uncover the effect of psychological safety climate (PSC) on employees' job satisfaction and organisational climate mediating processes explaining that association. It is posited that the four PSC aspects (management commitment, management priority, organisational participation, and organisational communication) are important for employees' job satisfaction and organisational climate act as resources to facilitate the enactment of managerial quality.

    METHODS: This study uses a quantitative approach through a questionnaire survey method involving 340 Kota Kinabalu City Hall employees who were selected through simple random sampling.

    RESULTS: The results of linear regression analysis found that organisation participation has a positive significant relationship with job satisfaction. Organisational communication also showed a negative and significant relationship with job satisfaction. Meanwhile, both management commitment and management priority are statistically insignificant. When the organisational climate is included in the relationship as a mediator through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to reinforce the role of psychological safety climate in increasing job satisfaction, such mediating role can only strengthen the relationship between management commitment and organisational participation with job satisfaction.

    CONCLUSION: Despite the study being cross-sectional, it contributes to knowledge on the resources facilitating PSC, which is important for employees' psychological health. From a practical viewpoint, this study contributes to the literature showing that organizations with good PSC should have policies and practices directed towards employee well-being. The implications of the study for DBKK management are to providing knowledge on the types of psychosocial safety climate domains that plays a crucial role in improving the job satisfaction of DBKK employees.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  13. Mubarak N, Zahid T, Rana FR, Ijaz UE, Shabbir A, Manzoor M, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2023 Nov 21;13(11):e079507.
    PMID: 37989383 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079507
    INTRODUCTION: Countries are grappling with a rapidly worsening upsurge in the opioid-related overdose deaths, misuse and abuse. There is a dearth of data in Pakistan regarding the practices and competencies of pharmacists in handling opioid-related issues.

    STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study, conducted across Punjab, Pakistan.

    METHOD: The study deployed a validated survey to evaluate the competencies and practices of the community and hospital pharmacists.

    RESULTS: 504 community pharmacists and 279 hospital pharmacists participated in the survey with an overall response rate of 85.5%. Almost half of the respondents 'never' or 'sometimes' made clinical notes in a journal or dispensing software to monitor ongoing opioid use. Generally, pharmacists were reluctant to collaborate with physicians or notify police regarding the abuse/misuse of opioids. Hospital pharmacists achieved significantly higher mean competency scores than chain and independent community pharmacists (p<0.05). In competency evaluation, three priority areas emerged that require additional training, that is, 'opioid overdose management', 'opioid use monitoring' and 'therapeutic uses of opioids'.

    CONCLUSION: Both community and hospital pharmacists hold significant positions and potential to contribute meaningfully to the mitigation of harms and risks associated with opioids. Nevertheless, this study underscores notable deficiencies in the competence of pharmacists, whether in hospital or community settings in Punjab, concerning various aspects related to the dispensing and utilisation of opioids. It also highlights the pressing need for the development of strategies aimed at improving several practice areas including the documentation, the quality of patient counselling, the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms for opioid abuse and the stringent enforcement of regulatory policies to curtail opioid misuse. Thus, to mitigate the opioid epidemic in Pakistan, it is imperative to institute opioid stewardship initiatives aimed at rectifying the competency and procedural deficiencies within the pharmacist workforce.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  14. Tumin M, Raja Ariffin RN, Mohd Satar N, Ng KP, Lim SK, Chong CS
    Iran J Public Health, 2014 Jul;43(7):926-35.
    PMID: 25909060
    BACKGROUND:
    Solving the dilemma of the organ shortage in Malaysia requires educating Malaysians about organ donation and transplantation. This paper aims at exploring the average Malaysian households ' preferred channels of campaigns and the preferred campaigners in a family setting, targeting at the dialysis family members.

    METHODS:
    We analyzed the responses of 350 respondents regarding organ donation campaigns. The respondents are 2 family members of 175 dialysis patients from 3 different institutions. The information on respondents' willingness to donate and preferred method and channel of organ donation campaign were collected through questionnaire.

    RESULTS:
    Malaysian families have a good tendency to welcome campaigns in both the public and private (their homes) spheres. We also found that campaigns facilitated by the electronic media (Television and Radio) and executed by experienced doctors are expected to optimize the outcomes of organ donation, in general. Chi-square tests show that there are no significant differences in welcoming campaigns among ethnics. However, ethnics preferences over the campaign methods and campaigners are significantly different (P <0.05).

    CONCLUSION:
    Ethnic differences imply that necessary modifications on the campaign channels and campaigners should also be taken under consideration. By identifying the preferred channel and campaigners, this study hopes to shed some light on the ways to overcome the problem of organ shortage in Malaysia.

    KEYWORDS:
    Campaigns; Dialysis patients; Family; Malaysia; Organ donation
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  15. Hamid NC, Malek KA, Mat-Nasir N, Mohamad M, Nasir NM
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Sep 26;19(19).
    PMID: 36231478 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912179
    The low prevalence of condom usage among youth with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Diseases (HIV/STDs) is a concern. Condom use self-efficacy has been identified as a significant predictor of condom usage. This cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of good condom usage and its association with condom use self-efficacy among Malaysian urban youth, aged between 18 to 24 years old attending HIV/STDs clinics in primary-care settings, Selangor. Utilising the Harmonised Malay version of Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES M-H) questionnaire, the data from 218 responders were analysed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of good condom usage was 61% (95% CI: 54%, 68%). The average mean score of condom use self-efficacy was 3.07. Condom use self-efficacy was divided into four subscales of mechanics, perceived barriers, assertiveness and intoxicants. The assertiveness subscale had the highest average mean score of 3.42, while the intoxicant subscale score had the lowest average mean score of 2.24. Good condom usage was significantly associated with condom use during first sexual intercourse (aOR = 5.81, 95% CI: 1.97, 17.14), duration diagnosis of HIV/STDs of more than 12 months (aOR = 6.40, 95% CI: 2.30, 17.86) and the high assertiveness subscale score (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.36). A behavioural change campaign that targets high-risk youth in primary care settings could promote condom use self-efficacy particularly assertiveness to increase condom usage among the youth.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  16. Cheah MHJ, Chin YS, Saad HA, Lim PY, Chan YM, Shariff ZM
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2022;31(4):740-747.
    PMID: 36576290 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202212_31(4).0015
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a multidimensional concept that indicated an individual's holistic health, whereby the urban-poor community are susceptible to low HRQoL due to their high vulnerability. This study aimed to determine factors that predicted the HRQoL among the urban-poor school-aged children.

    METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study and a total of 408 primary school-aged children (male: 72.3%; female: 27.7%), with a mean age of 9.68±1.48 years, were recruited from 10 urban-poor flats through cluster sampling at the central region of Malaysia. Their anthropometry, nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice, physical activity, dietary practices, and HRQoL were assessed.

    RESULTS: A quarter (24.5%) of the urban-poor children were either overweight or obese in the present study. The HRQoL total score among the urban-poor children was 65.0±18.5. The result of multiple linear regression analysis shown that higher nutrition attitude (B=0.34, p=0.001) and practices (B=0.39, p=0.001), higher physical activity (B=3.73, p=0.004), higher lunch intake (B=1.35, p<0.001), lower supper intake (B=-1.35, p<0.001), and lower fast-food intake (B=-1.61, -1.17, p<0.001) are the significant predictors of better HRQoL among the urban-poor children (R2=0.32, F(8,399)=23.72, p<0.001).

    CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should focus on these predictors to formulate interventions that could enhance the HRQoL among the Malaysian urban-poor children.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  17. Ching YK, Chin YS, Appukutty M, Chan YM, Lim PY, Nasir KH
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2023;32(1):168-182.
    PMID: 36997497 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202303_32(1).0020
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence for gene-diet interactions is lacking among individuals with specific dietary practices including vegetarians. This study aimed to determine the interactions of rs174547 in the fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) gene with macronutrient such as carbohydrate (particularly fibre), protein and fat intakes on abdominal obesity among middle-aged Malaysian vegetarians of Chinese and Indian ethnicity.

    METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 vegetarians in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. Dietary intakes of vegetarians were assessed by using a food frequency questionnaire. Waist circumference of vegetarians was measured by using a Lufkin tape W606PM. Genotypes of the rs174547 of vegetarians were determined by using Agena® MassARRAY. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the interactions of the rs174547 with macronutrient on abdominal obesity.

    RESULTS: About 1 in 2 vegetarians (51.5%) had abdominal obesity. Individuals with CT and TT genotype at T3 intake of carbohydrates, protein, fat and fibre as well as individuals with TT genotype at T2 intake of carbohydrates and protein had higher odds of abdominal obesity (pinteration <0.05). The gene-diet interaction remained significant for fibre intake (OR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.25-17.74, pinteraction=0.022) among vegetarians with TT genotype at T2 intake of fibre after adjusting for age and sex and considering the effects of ethnicity and food groups.

    CONCLUSIONS: The rs174547 significantly interacted with fibre intake on abdominal obesity. A specific dietary fibre recommendation based on genetics is needed among Chinese and Indian middle-aged vegetarians.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  18. Hussein M, Siddiq A, Ismail HM, Mansy N, Ellakwa DE, Nassif M, et al.
    Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2024 May 02;18:e82.
    PMID: 38695200 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2024.50
    BACKGROUND: Medical students hold significant importance, as they represent the future of healthcare provision. This study aimed to explore psychological antecedents towards the monkeypox (mpox) vaccines among postgraduate and undergraduate medical students across countries.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical students aged 18 years old and above in 7 countries; Egypt, Romania, Malaysia, and Yemen, Iraq, India, and Nigeria. We used social media platforms between September 27 and November 4, 2022. An anonymous online survey using the 5C scale was conducted using snowball and convenience Sampling methods to assess the 5 psychological antecedents of vaccination (i.e., confidence, constraints, complacency, and calculation, as well as collective responsibility).

    RESULTS: A total of 2780 participants were recruited. Participants' median age was 22 years and 52.1% of them were males. The 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination were as follows: 55% were confident about vaccination, 10% were complacent, 12% experienced constraints, and 41% calculated the risk and benefit. Lastly, 32% were willing to be vaccinated for the prevention of infection transmission to others. The Country was a significant predictor of confidence, complacency, having constraints, and calculation domains (P < 0.001). Having any idea about the mpox vaccine was linked to 1.6 times higher odds of being more confident [OR = 1.58 (95% CI, 1.26-1.98), P < 0.001] Additionally, living in a rural area significantly increased complacency [OR = 1.42 (95% CI, 1.05-1.95), P = 0.024] as well as having anyone die from mpox [OR = 3.3 (95% CI, 1.64-6.68), P < 0.001]. Education level was associated with increased calculation [OR = 2.74 (95% CI, 1.62-4.64), P < 0.001]. Moreover, being single and having no chronic diseases significantly increased the calculation domain [OR = 1.40 (95% CI, 1.06-1.98), P = 0.02] and [OR = 1.54 (95% CI, 1.10-2.16), P = 0.012] respectively. Predictors of collective responsibility were age 31-45 years [OR = 2.89 (95% CI, 1.29-6.48), P = 0.01], being single [OR = 2.76 (95% CI, 1.94 -3.92), P < 0.001], being a graduate [OR = 1.59 (95% CI (1.32-1.92), P < 0.001], having no chronic disease [OR = 2.14 (95% CI, 1.56-2.93), P < 0.001], and not knowing anyone who died from mpox [OR = 2.54 (95% CI, 1.39-4.64), P < 0.001), as well as living in a middle-income country [OR = 0.623, (95% CI, 0.51-0.73), P < 0.001].

    CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the multifaceted nature of psychological antecedents of vaccination, emphasizing the impact of socio-demographic factors, geographic location, and awareness, as well as previous experiences on individual attitudes and collective responsibility towards vaccination.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
  19. Pasyar N, Rambod M, Behrouzi Z
    Malays J Med Sci, 2020 May;27(3):75-83.
    PMID: 32684808 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.3.8
    Background: Thalassemia is a prevalent chronic blood disorder, which is accompanied with a wide range of challenges. This study aimed to determine the predictor role of perceived social support and spiritual intelligence in hope among thalassemia patients.

    Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 thalassemia patients. The data were collected using Miller hope scale, spiritual intelligence scale, and personal resource questionnaire. The data were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.

    Results: The results indicated that the mean score of hope was 173.38 (standard deviation [SD] = 24.6). Besides, 86.7% of the patients showed high levels of hope. The mean score of spiritual intelligence was 134.66 (SD = 18.07). In addition, 91.7% of the patients showed moderate levels of spiritual intelligence. The mean score of social support was 127.87 (SD = 20.19) and the patients showed high social support levels. The results revealed a significant association between hope and perceived social support (r = 0.65, P < 0.001) as well as between hope and spiritual intelligence (r = 0.63, P < 0.001). Moreover, perceived social support (b = 0.43, P < 0.001) and spiritual intelligence (b = 0.37, P < 0.001) were the predictors of hope among thalassemia patients.

    Conclusion: Considering the study results, in addition to common treatments for thalassemia, policymakers' are recommended to pay attention to spiritual intelligence and more importantly social support to enhance thalassemia patients' hope.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies
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