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Fulltext Body fat percentage distribution of an orang asli group (aborigines) in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Azuwani, A.R., Noor Khairiah, K., Cheong, Y.Z., Kok, C.C., Aw, N.S.L., Nadiah Mhd, S., et al.

Malays J Nutr, 2013;19(2):205-214.
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Background: Although body fat percentage (BFP) is a widely accepted indicator of total body fat, it has not been extensively used in studies conducted among the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia. Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the BFP distribution in a group of Orang Asli adults living in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Methods: Kampung Sungai Ruil, one of the Orang Asli settlements in Cameron Highlands, was conveniently selected for this crosssectional study. A total of 138 respondents aged 18 years and above were assessed. Skinfold thickness was measured using the Slim Guide skinfold caliper to calculate BFP. Waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure and random plasma glucose were also measured. Results: The mean BFP of the females (29.7%) was higher than the males (18.9%) and the respondents with abdominal obesity (36.2%) had higher mean BFP compared to those with normal waist circumference (23.7%) Those in the age group of 18-28 years old (22.1%) had lower BFP than
respondents in the age groups 29-39 years old (27.3%) and 40-50 years old (29.1%) (p=
Fulltext The distribution and population density of Bornean Tarsier, “tarsius bancanus borneanus (elliot)” in secondary and rehabilitated forests of Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia

Hani Nabilia Muhd Sahimi, Chubo, John Keen, Marina Mohd. Top @ Mohd. Tah, Noor Bahiah Saripuddin, Siti Sarah Ab Rahim

Trop Life Sci Res, 2018;29(1):139-154.
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Tarsius bancanus borneanus (kera hantu) pertama kali dicam oleh Elliot pada
tahun 1990 merupakan spesies endemik yang boleh ditemui di kepulauan Borneo yang
terdiri dari Sabah dan Sarawak (Malaysia), Brunei Darussalam dan Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Sub-spesies ini telah disenaraikan sebagai haiwan yang terlindung sepenuhnya di bawah
Ordinan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar Sarawak (1998) dan disenaraikan sebagai spesies
yang terdedah kepada kepupusan oleh IUCN. Kajian ini telah dijalankan di Universiti Putra
Malaysia Kampus Bintulu Sarawak (UPMKB), dari Oktober 2014 hingga Mac 2015. Menerusi
persampelan tangkap-lepas yang meliputi kawasan seluas 37 ha hutan sekunder dan 7.13
ha hutan yang dipulihara, sebanyak 16 ekor kera hantu telah ditangkap menggunakan jaring
kabut manakala seekor kera hantu telah berjaya ditangkap semula. Kepadatan populasi
kera hantu yang ditangkap menggunakan jaring kabut di dalam hutan sekunder adalah
38 individu/km² manakala 28 individu/km² dicatatkan bagi hutan yang dipulihara. Dengan
menggunakan kaedah penangkapan per satu unit usaha (net-jam), masa purata bagi
seekor kera hantu ditangkap di dalam hutan sekunder adalah 26.6 jam/haiwan dan 30 jam/
haiwan di dalam hutan yang dipulihara. Keputusan membuktikan data mengenai kehadiran
kera hantu di dalam kedua-dua hutan sekunder dan hutan yang dipulihara terutamanya di
kampus UPMKB sekaligus menonjolkan nilai pemuliharaan kawasan hutan tersebut.
Farmers' attitudes towards GM crops and their predictors

Mustapa MAC, Batcha MFN, Amin L, Arham AF, Mahadi Z, Yusoff NAM, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2021 Oct;101(13):5457-5468.
PMID: 33709409 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11194

BACKGROUND: Genetically modified (GM) crops have become a controversial global issue since their commercialization in 1996. However, despite technological advancements, only a few studies have investigated farmers' attitudes towards GM crops in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to analyse such attitudes and their determining factors. A validated questionnaire was distributed to farmers in the Cameron Highlands, Pahang (n = 176). SPSS software was used to analyse the descriptive statistics of the farmers' attitudes to GM crops, while SmartPLS software was used to determine the predictors.
RESULTS: Descriptive analysis shows that the farmers claimed to have a high level of self-efficacy, and perceived GM crops as possessing high benefits which translate into a highly positive attitude towards GM crops. However, at the same time, they rated GM crops as involving moderate risks and would incur moderate costs to farm, as well as acknowledging a low level of support from the government. The structural equation model (SEM) analysis demonstrates that five factors have been identified as direct predictors of attitude to GM crops: government support (ß = 0.364, P
Staff/internal customer satisfaction in the department of pathology, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar Seremban as a prerequisite for organisational excellence

Azizon, O., Wan, A., Suryani, Ibtisam, Noor Hasni, Nik Hafizah, et al.

Journal of Health Management, 2008;4(1):96-108.
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Studies have shown that organisational excellence is influenced amongst others by top management leadership and management quality, human resource management and customer focus. This is clearly illustrated by international organisational excellence models, e.g the Malaysian Prime Minister Quality Award, the American Quality Award, EFQM Excellence and Deming Prize Criteria Models.

With the objective of finding out how well the Pathology Department, Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban fares, a study was conducted in early 2006 and a repeated study performed in 2007 after remedial actions and continuous improvement activities have been undertaken by the department leadership and top management. The study was performed on the staff (internal customer) to gauge the degree of satisfaction in the areas of leadership, resource management and customer focus.

The study showed an increased in the overall satisfaction i.e. 65.43% in 2007 compared to 18.29% in 2006. The staff of the department have appreciated that the current leadership has been strengthened and the management has shown improved caring, professionalism and team work as stipulated by the Ministry of Health's Corporate Culture. There has also been increased sense of belonging, feeling being cared for, appreciated and loved by the management. This has led staff being more proud of the organisation and 88.1% have maintained that they have worked very hard in 2007 study compared to 57.69% in 2006 study. This study has shown that top management and leadership commitment and being staff or internal customer focus, while instituting changes in the organisation would inevitably lead to increased staff satisfaction and this in turn leads to improved staff participation and contribution to the organisation.
Fulltext HPV positivity and its' influencing factors among invasive cervical cancer women in Malaysia

Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, Norin Rahayu Samsuddin, Sharifah Noor Akmal Syed Hussain, Shamsul Azhar Shah, Syed Mohamed Aljunid

Int J Public Health Res, 2011;1(1):13-22.
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Accepted 10 August 2011.
Introduction Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most prevalent female cancer in Malaysia. Almost 70% of its’ causal factors are attributable to oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18 and other risk factors. HPV genotypes distributions are also noted to differ by geographical area.
Methods This was cross sectional study conducted in 2007, to determine the influencing factors of HPV positivity and prevalence of HPV infections among patients with cervical cancer in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Patients’ paraffin-embedded cervical tissues kept in the Pathology Department from 1999 to 2007 were randomly selected. A total of 81 medical records with complete information were chosen as samples and patients were contacted for consent. Tissue samples were further derived for PCR DNA for HPV genotyping. Analyses included descriptive statistics; bivariate χ2 test and correlation were used to determine relationship between factors and HPV positivity. Significance level of less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.
Results Mean age of cancer diagnosis was at 52 ± 12.2 years. Women of Chinese ethnicity was the highest ethnicity to be HPV positive at 65.4% and squamous cell carcinoma was more commonly found (59.3%) compared with other types of cancers. The prevalence of HPV positivity was 92.6% with type 16 being the most common (74.1%), followed by type 33 (30.9%) and 18 (22.2%). Multiple HPV infections were a common finding at 54.3%. Factors thought to influence positivity i.e. age of intercourse, number of sexual partners, number of parity, smoking status of patients and their partners, oral contraceptive usage, presence of chronic illnesses and cancer stage were not significantly associated with HPV positivity. Increased CC severity level was not associated with increased number of HPV infections (Pearson correlation 0.58; p =0.607).
Conclusions High HPV positivity at 92.6% was found among ICC patients. Factors thought to influence HPV positivity were not significant. The top three HPV genotypes were type 16 followed by type 33 and 18. However, local women HPV serotypes findings need to be replicated in a larger population sample.
Fulltext Specific heats of neat and glycerol plasticized polyvinyl alcohol

Lee, Tin Sin, Wan Aizan Wan Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak Rahman, Noor Azian Morad, Mohd Shahrul Nizam Salleh

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2010;18(2):-.
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The specific heats (Csp) of neat polyvinyl alcohol (NPVOH) and 40 phr glycerol plasticized polyvinyl alcohol (PPVOH) were measured using a method known as power compensate differential scanning calorimetry. A high purity sapphire (Al2O3) was used as a reference material. NPVOH has a melting temperature of approximately 480 K, while PPVOH has a value of 30 K lower than NPVOH. The amplitude increment of Csp for NPVOH was also higher than PPVOH at melting stage. Overall, Csp of NPVOH is lower than PPVOH because glycerol has reduced the rigidity of PVOH and subsequently induced the motion of molecular structure at an elevated temperature. Based on the specific heat outcomes, neat PVOH and glycerol plasticized PVOH required 1173.544 J/g and 1946.631 J/g, respectively, to heat from 330 to 550 K.
Fulltext Stature and sex estimation using foot measurements for Malays and Chinese in Malaysia

Phang, Sook Fun, Khairul Osman, Sri Pawita Albakri Amir Hamzah, Noor Hazfalinda Hamzah, Ab Halim Mansar, Normaizatul Afizah Ismail

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2011;9(2):23-28.
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Kajian ini dijalankan untuk membentuk formula demi menganggar ketinggian tubuh badan dan menentukan jantina dengan menggunakan panjang dan lebar kaki. Seramai 150 orang subjek yang berumur 20-30 tahun diambil dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Kampus Kuala Lumpur (UKMKKL). Subjek tersebut adalah Melayu (45 lelaki dan 45 perempuan) dan Cina (30 lelaki dan 30 perempuan). Ketinggian, panjang dan lebar kaki diukur menggunakan alatan antropometrik dalam ukuran milimeter. Hasil statistik menunjukkan bahawa pelbagai ukuran kaki kanan dan kiri tidak mempunyai perbezaan yang signifikan (Panjang kaki/FL: t(298) = -0.235, p = 0.815; Lebar kaki/FW: t(298) = 0.932, p = 0.352). Perbezaan yang signifikan pada semua ukuran pula dapat dilihat pada jantina (Tinggi/S: t(148) = 12.550, p < 0.05; FL:t(148) = 11.692, p < 0.05; FW:t(148) = 8.321, p < 0.05). Bagi kaum, ketinggian tubuh badan kaum Cina adalah lebih tinggi berbanding kaum Melayu secara signifikan (t(148) = -3.103, p < 0.05) tetapi tiada perbezaan yang signifikan diperhatikan pada ukuran kaki (FL: t(148) = 0.002, p = 0.999; FW:t(148) = 1.362, p = 0.175). Korelasi yang paling tinggi telah ditunjukkan antara ketinggian tubuh badan dengan panjang kaki pada semua kumpulan. Analisis Regresi Garis Lurus dan Regresi Berganda telah digunakan untuk membentuk formula menganggar ketinggian tubuh badan. Walau bagaimanapun, didapati formula yang dibentuk dari Regresi Berganda adalah lebih tepat kerana kombinasi panjang dan lebar kaki menghasilkan korelasi koefisen yang lebih tinggi dalam semua formula (S = 585.298+(4.898xFL)-(1.453xFW), F(2,149 = 149.324, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.670). Formula untuk penentuan jantina juga telah dibina menggunakan Analisis Pokok Klasifikasi. Keputusan menunjukkan ketepatan untuk menentukan jantina seseorang adalah di antara 86.3-87.5% bagi perempuan dan 85.2-85.7% bagi lelaki dengan menggunakan panjang kaki manakala di antara 68.4-76.8% bagi perempuan dan 77.8-81.0% bagi lelaki dengan menggunakan lebar kaki.
Fulltext Prevalence of pathogenic microorganims in ready-to-eat foods prepared at selected ‘high risk' school hostel kitchens and canteens in Pahang

Jeyaletchumi, P., Ardi, A, Noraliza, M.A., Nurul Aini, I., Maizatul Akmar, H., Suraya, H., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2006;6(1):23-28.
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Two hundred and sixty four samples of ready -to-eat foods (RTE) were obtained over a period of six months (April to September 2005) from 33 school hostel kitchens and canteens previously implicated in food poisoning outbreaks from 2000 to 2004. Sampling was done by food technologists and assistant environmental health ofhcers from various districts in Pahang while microbiological analysis was carried out at the Mentakab Food Quality Control Laboratory. The objective of the study was to obtain a comprehensive picture on the microbiological status of the foods that may have accounted for food poisoning outbreaks at school hostels and canteens in Pahang. Each food sample was analyzed for Total Plate Count (TPC), Salmonella, Coliform, Escheria coli, Staphylococcus aerus and Bacillus cereus. lt was found that none of the ready-to-eat foods sampled contained Salmonella although hve samples contained Bacillus cereus , four samples contained Staphylococcus aerus. High Coliform Counts were found in 15 food samples while Escheria coli was detected in two samples. Overall, it was found that 10.2 % of the samples had unsatisfactory counts.
Fulltext Expectant management of missed miscarriage

Andi Anggeriana Andi Asri, Noor Azmi Mat Adenan, Ali Jafarzadeh Esfehani, Norhafizah Mohtaruddin, Ma, Saung Oo, Latiffah A. Latiff

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2015;11(1):69-76.
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Early pregnancy losses occur in 10-20% of all pregnancies. Surgical evacuation has always been the mainstay of management of miscarriages. The main aim of this study was to understand the success rate of expectant management of miscarriage with regards to gestational sac size and period of gestation. The secondary outcome was to measure the satisfaction level and the rate of pregnancy after 6 month of expectant management. Patients diagnosed with missed miscarriages were requested to choose between expectant or surgical management. Those decided for expectant management on “wait and watch” approach were assessed weekly up to 5 completed weeks until complete miscarriage was achieved spontaneously. Surgical evacuation was performed if medically indicated or requested by the patients at any time or at the end of fifth week if complete miscarriage was not achieved. Out of 212 cases, 75 (35.4%) opted for expectant management. Complete miscarriage was achieved in 85.3% of subjects by the end of fifth weeks respectively. Mean of Gestational sac size and period of gestation was not found to influence the success rate of complete spontaneous miscarriage in the expectant management. No morbidity was recorded during the five weeks of the study period. Mean satisfaction score was 9.7±8.3. Pregnancy occurred in 47% of patients within 6 months follow up. The Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested the end of second week as the cut off for surgical intervention. This study revealed that expectant management of missed miscarriage is a reliable management of missed miscarriage within the first two weeks.
Fulltext Psycho-behavioural factors contributing to truancy among malay secondary school students in Malaysia

Shamsul Azhar Shah, Azura Abdullah, Azimatun Noor Aizuddin, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Nazarudin Safian, Rozita Hod, et al.

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;13(2):128-137.
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Objective: Truancy is a disciplinary problem, which frequently occurs among school students and it has many contributory as well as inter-related factors. It is a growing problem in this country and it often becomes a prelude to other delinquent behaviours. The study objective is to determine the prevalence of truancy as well as factors related to it including psycho-behavioural factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 556 Malay student’s selected using multi-stage sampling was conducted. Results: The overall prevalence of truancy is 30.2%. The predictors to truancy are age, students who frequenting entertainment centre, students who have not completed Quran recital, coping strategies using problems solving methods and time spent watching television/video. There is a significant association between truancy and psycho-behaviour such as watching video/internet pornography, frequenting entertainment centre, smoking, motorcycle racing and dating a special friend. Conclusion: Truancy is a social issue, which must be given serious attention by all concerned components of the society.
Fulltext Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance profiling of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica isolated from ‘Selom’ (Oenanthe stolonifera)

Learn-Han, L., Yoke-Kqueen, C., Shiran, M.S., Sabrina, S., Noor Zaleha, A.S., Sim, J.H., et al.

International Food Research Journal, 2009;16(2):191-202.
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Fifty-nine isolates of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (S. enterica) isolated from indigenous vegetables, ‘selom’ (Oenanthe stolonifera) associated with 13 different serovars were obtained from Chemistry Department of Malaysia. The isolates encompass the common serovar, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Weltevreden (S. Weltevreden) (39%) and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Agona (S. Agona) (8.5%). Frequencies of the other 11 Salmonella serovars were ranged from 1.7% to 5.1%. All isolates were characterized by Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), plasmid profiling and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The results demonstrated ERIC-PCR, RAPD and composite analysis of both are suitable typing methods for S. enterica by demonstrating good discriminative ability and can be utilize as a rapid approach of comparing S. enterica isolates for epidemiological investigation. From this study, ERIC-PCR is exhibited lower discriminatory power when compare with RAPD. On the other hand, plasmid profiles yielded 32 profiles with molecular size ranging from 1129 bp to 17911 bp. Thirteen antimicrobial agents were included in this study and all isolates showed 100% (59/59) resistant to erythromycin and showed Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance (MAR) indexes ranging from 0.08 to 0.68. Dendrogram generated from antimicrobial resistance profiling exhibited poor discriminatory capability at serovar level. Although poultry still remain as the common reservoir for multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella. The isolation of 13 Salmonella serovars from selom that showed high MDR in this study is alarming. These results supported the notion that indigenous vegetable (selom) are gaining more antimicrobial resistance and could be potential health hazards.
Fulltext A survey among guardians on child restraint system (CRS) usage In central peninsular Malaysia

Noor Faradila, P., Aqbal Hafeez, A., Azhar, H., Rohayu, S., Akmalia, S., Mohd Syazwan, S., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2016;16(101):1-6.
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Children are much more likely than adults to get serious injuries in car crashes due to their softer bones, weaker neck muscle and fragile bodies. Child restraint system (CRS) can help in reduce injury and prevent fatality in the event of a crash. Thus the aim of this paper is to gauge the prevalence of CRS usage among guardians of children age below 11 years old. A survey to addressed guardians knowledge on CRS usage, practice and their views on fitting child restraints system to their vehicles were carried out among parents and carers who are caring children aged 11 years old and below. Seventy-four percent (74%) out of 500 respondents cited they have used CRS, however only 40% of them is currently using CRS with their children. Respondent in Kuala Lumpur and younger guardians reported twice likely to use CRS. In addition, graduate respondents are 1.5 times more likely to use CRS for their children. In conclusion, high incorrect usage rate and understanding of the CRS could promote additional injury towards the children in a car crash. Many initiatives could be introduced before the implementation of the CRS law in Malaysia such as awareness, community-based programs and CRS clinics that aim to guide guardians on the correct and effective way of installing the CRS device in their car.
Fulltext Quality of life amongst post coronary artery bypass Patients at the national heart institute, malaysia

Ho, SE, Noor Siah, A.A., Zaidah, Z., Teoh, KH, Gurbinder, J.S., Ismail, M.S., et al.

Medicine & Health, 2010;5(2):77-85.
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Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery has increased the survival rate for individuals suffering from myocardial infarction or coronary ischemia. The present study aimed to examine the perception of quality of life amongst post CABG patients at the National Heart Institute Malaysia. A total of 69 post CABG patients, were studied using the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 (SF-36). The findings showed that post CABG respondents possessed good level of quality of life (SF-36) physically and mentally. There were significant differences between the role physical in the physical functioning domains of quality of life with gender (t=0.286, p
Fulltext Elevated expression of CD151 gene in estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive breast carcinoma

Ivyna Bong, P.N., Zubaidah, Z., Rohaizak, M., Naqiyah, I., Noor Hisham, A., Sharifah, N.A., et al.

Medicine & Health, 2011;6(1):33-40.
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The tetraspanin gene, CD151 is involved in various tumour cell progression and metastasis. Its expression is increased in high grade, estrogen receptor negative and c-erbB-2 positive breast cancer. However, the biological function and expression phenotype among different tumour status, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status and c-erbB-2 expression in multi-ethnic Malaysian breast cancer patients has not been well investigated. We used quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure the CD151 gene expression in 45 breast cancers. Our preliminary results revealed that CD151 expression is significantly higher in ER positive and PR positive breast cancers at 95% and 99% confidence intervals, respectively. In contrast, there is no significant correlation between CD151 expression and tumour grades or c-erbB-2 status at 95% confidence interval level. Our preliminary findings suggested that CD151 may be involved in the estrogen responsive pathways. CD151 could be a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in the treatment of estrogen dependent breast cancer patients.
Fulltext Hubungan infestasi Demodex sp. dan masalah jerawat di kalangan orang dewasa di Lembah Klang, Malaysia

Chew, Poh Ling, Noor Hayati Mohd Isa, Siti Nor Azreen Abdul Manap, Ismail Mohd Ghauth, Aisah Md Yunus

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2010;8(1):45-48.
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Demodex sp. merupakan ektoparasit kulit dan dikenali sebagai tungau folikel yang selalu didapati pada manusia pada semua peringkat umur, kaum dan kumpulan geografi. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan prevalens infestasi Demodex sp. di kalangan orang dewasa berumur antara 20 hingga 29 tahun di kawasan Lembah Klang dan menentukan kaitan infestasi ektoparasit ini dengan jantina dan masalah jerawat. Kajian ini merupakan kajian pertama penentuan prevalens infestasi Demodex sp. di Malaysia. Seramai 350 orang subjek telah dikaji yang mana pemilihan sampel dilakukan secara pensampelan rawak berstrata. Pengambilan spesimen dilakukan secara kikisan kulit pada kawasan muka iaitu dahi, hidung, pipi dan dagu. Spesimen dititiskan dengan medium Hoyer dan pemerhatian dijalankan di bawah mikroskop cahaya. Borang soal selidik diedarkan untuk mengetahui kehadiran jerawat pada kulit muka. Hasil kajian mendapati prevalens keseluruhan infestasi Demodex sp. adalah 18.9% dan lelaki menunjukkan infestasi lebih tinggi (25.7%) berbanding perempuan (12.0%) manakala tiada perbezaan bermakna antara masalah jerawat dan infestasi Demodex sp. Kesimpulannya, infestasi Demodex sp. hadir di kalangan satu perlima dari subjek dengan lelaki didapati lebih bermasalah.
Fulltext Patient-related barriers to cancer pain management – a prospective cross sectional study in a tertiary hospital

Choy, Y.C., Wan Nuruddin Shah, W.J., Wong, Y.M., Boey, C.Y., Noor Zuhaily, M.N., Kumutha, T., et al.

Journal of Surgical Academia, 2013;3(1):7-12.
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Effective management of cancer pain is often hampered by patients’ lack of knowledge regarding cancer pain management and other barriers related to ethnicity and religious beliefs. This cross sectional study was performed to determine the patient-related barriers to effective cancer pain management. One hundred patients receiving cancer pain management were studied. Inclusion criteria were: patients over the age of 18 years, able to communicate, with known diagnosis of cancer, experiencing persistent pain for the past two weeks. A modified version of the Barriers Questionnaire II (BQ-II) was used and a modified Brief Pain Inventory was used to assess the pain profile. Barriers such as, patient’s attitude and beliefs, communication skills and fear of side effects of pain medication were determined, given a score and the summation was recorded as the total patient related barriers score. Overall, 85% of respondents achieved more than 40% pain relief and the 72 of 100 patients reported low patient related barrier scores of 6 or less. Nevertheless, the main patient related barriers were: fear of tolerance to opioids (51%), ethnicity (p=0.003) and religious beliefs (p=0.002) which constituted the major components of the patient-related barriers score. Ethnicity and religious beliefs had significant influence on patient-related barriers score suggesting the need of further investigation into this area. In order to achieve a comprehensive view, other barriers to effective cancer pain management such as those related to the health systems and healthcare providers need to be assessed together.
Fulltext Dengue infections and circulating serotypes in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Ahmad Nizal, M.G., Rozita, H., Mazrura, S., Zainudin, M.A., Hidayatulfathi, O., Faridah, M.A, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2012;12(1):21-30.
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This study observed the pattern of reported dengue infections, clinical manifestations, and circulating dengue serotypes in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The aim of this study was to determine the co-circulation of the four different dengue virus serotypes in Negeri Sembilan. We analyzed the surveillance data (VEKPRO) from Negeri Sembilan State Health Department and National Public Health Laboratory, Malaysia on reported dengue infections from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010. There were 1466 reported dengue infections, 1342 (91.5%) cases were dengue fever (DF) and 124 (8.5%) were dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). The mean age was 32.2± 15.8 years old and most were young adults, aged 15 years old and older. Males (p < 0.05), and those residing in Seremban district (p < 0.05) were more likely to get dengue infections. Symptoms presented upon admission were fever (100%), headache (99.9%), myalgia and arthralgia (98.8%), rash(24.2%), petechiae (16.0%),bleeding tendencies (7.0%) and neurological deficits(1.2%). All four dengue serotypes (DEN 1 – 4) were present, the pre-dominant serotype was DEN-3, noted in January, then existed together with DEN-2 until around May. DEN-1 was the most pre-dominant circulating dengue serotype afterwards, reaching a peak in December 2010. Dengue affected all age groups particularly young adults and males. Most cases reported were in urban areas and Seremban district. Most of the dengue infections occurred in the first half of the year, with the DEN-2 and DEN-3 serotypes being the most predominant.
Fulltext Evaluation of medical students' perception towards the BigSib Programme in the School of Medical Sciences, USM

Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff, Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahim, Abdul Rahman Noor, Nor Azwany Yaacob, Zabidi Azhar Mohd Hussin

Education in Medicine Journal, 2010;2(1):2-11.
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Objective: BigSib Students' Peer-Group Mentoring Programme was implemented as an innovative, interactive and integrated instructional method in the Universiti Sains Malaysia medical school curriculum designed to enhance and strengthen medical students training in soft skills and professional development. This study was conducted to evaluate first- and second-year medical students’ perceptions of and attitudes towards the Programme.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried on 314 medical students. Questionnaires assessing medical students' perceptions and attitudes towards the Programme were administered. Data were analysed by using SPSS version 12.

Results: 45.9 % of the students perceived the BigSib Students' Peer-Group Mentoring Programme as successful. More than 50% of the students are willing to participate in the Programme. About 60% of the students perceived it as an effective Programme in developing their soft skills and professionalism.

Conclusion: Medical students have positive attitudes toward the Programme and it is perceived as a successful and effective Programme in developing students' personal attributes. Similar peer-group mentoring programme may be considered relevant to be incorporated into the medical curriculum in the future.
Fulltext Anxiety and depressive symptoms and coping strategies in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients in Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Noor Jan Naing, K. O., Nor Azillah, A. A., Nooriny, I., Tan, C. H., Yeow, Y. Y., Hamidin, A.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2010;6(1):71-81.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is the second most common cancer among men in Malaysia. Establishing local data will help to improve the treatment strategies and lower the anxiety and depression level among NPC patients. Our aim was to compare the level of symptoms of anxiety and depression and the coping strategies employed between NPC and cancer-free patients. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study with universal sampling was conducted on 22 NPC patients and 30 cancer-free patients from the Oncology and Radiotherapy Department and Ear, Nose and Throat clinic of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) between 12 to 29 May 2008. In this study, the symptoms of depression and anxiety were obtained by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) while Brief COPE questionnaire was used to understand patients’ coping strategies. Results: The prevalence of NPC was higher in the Chinese, men, aged between 40 and 59 years, and those from the lower income group. The levels of anxiety and depression symptoms were found to be higher in the NPC group as compared to the cancer-free group. However, only the level of depression was found significantly related to the NPC group (p=0.002). This study also found that the two comparison groups were
using different types of coping strategies. The NPC patients mainly used ‘acceptance’ as their coping strategy while the comparative group most often used ‘religion’. Among the types of coping strategies reported by the patients, ‘use of instrumental support’ type was found to be associated with a lower level of anxiety (p = 0.035) and ‘humour’ type was associated with lower depressive symptoms (p = 0.269). On the contrary, ‘selfblame’ type was associated with both anxiety (p =0.0001) and depression (p = 0.001) symptoms. In addition, patients with different gender, ethnicity, educational levels, and
monthly income were also found to have significant differences in their levels of anxiety and depression as well as type of coping strategies. Conclusions: NPC patients had higher anxiety and depression levels as compared to the comparative group. Different socio-demographic backgrounds and different types of coping strategies had an influence on patients resulting in different levels of anxiety and depression.
Study site: ENT clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fulltext A cross-sectional evaluation of nutritional status among paediatric oncology patients in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. [Kajian rintis penilaian status pemakanan di kalangan pesakit onkologi pediatrik di Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia]

Noor Aini Mohd. Yusoff, Zalina Abu Zaid, Raiza Sham, Rosita Jamaluddin, Suzana Shahar, A. Rahman A. Jamal

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2007;5(1):47-58.
MyJurnal

Malnutrition is common among pediatric oncology patients. Factors contributing to malnutrition include physiological abnormalities, response to the tumors and side effects of the treatment. A pilot study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of 17 pediatric oncology patients aged 4 to 12 years old in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The
nutritional status was assessed via anthropometric measurements and dietary intake through 3 days repeatitive 24 hours diet recall with subjects and their carers. Biochemical profiles (serum albumin and hemoglobin) were reviewed from the medical record. Through anthropometry measurements, weight and height were used to calculate Z-scores and further determine the percentile weight-for-age, height-for-age using NCHS percentile charts (WHO 1983). Frisancho’s standards (1981) were used to define malnutrition based on MUACfor- age. Underweight as determined using z scores below -2 for weight-for-age was observed in 70.6% of the subjects. Whilst, 76.5% of the subjects were classified as stunted (z score < –2) for height-for-age. Based on MUAC-for-age percentile, the sign of severe malnutrition category (<5 percentile) was observed in 35.3% of the subject and 23.6% of the subject were in the moderate malnutrition (>5 – <10 percentile). About 70.6% of the subject had low haemoglobin (< 11 g/dl) and 29.4% of the subject were hypoalbuminemia (< 35 g/dl) . Total macronutrient intake was assessed and compared with the individual requirement (Seashore 1984) for energy and protein intake were satisfactory, except for subjects in age group 10 – 12 years who achieved only 70% of the individuals requirements. As a conclusion, although food intake of the subjects was satisfactory but chronic malnutrition was prevalent. Early recognition of malnutrition is essential in order to plan for a nutritional intervention and further enhancing the quality of life.
Key words: Nutritional status, pediatric oncology, anthropometric, dietary intake, biochemical profile.

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