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Fulltext Moving Towards Optimized Noncommunicable Disease Management in the ASEAN Region: Recommendations from a Review and Multidisciplinary Expert Panel

Castillo-Carandang NT, Buenaventura RD, Chia YC, Do Van D, Lee C, Duong NL, et al.

Risk Manag Healthc Policy, 2020;13:803-819.
PMID: 32765135 DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S256165

Introduction: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. Progress has been slow despite the World Health Organization action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs in the region. This paper presents recommendations focused on practical strategies for optimizing NCD management in the ASEAN region.
Methods: A multidisciplinary group of experts from six ASEAN member states convened for two face-to-face meetings to discuss barriers and possible recommendations for optimizing NCD management, focused on cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders, in the region. Multiple approaches, ie, analysis of insights from the meetings and a review of existing literature on NCD programs in the ASEAN region were followed. The proposed recommendations were also based on selected successful interventions in ASEAN member states, thus providing actionable strategies.
Results: The gaps identified in NCD management for cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders in the ASEAN region were classified into gaps relating to policies and to clinical and public health practice. The proposed solutions addressing policy gaps include fostering multisectoral public-private partnerships, employing "whole-of-government" and "whole-of-society" approaches and promoting "health-in-all policies approach" to manage issues with financing, accessibility, efficiency and quality of health services. Whereas proposed solutions to bridge clinical and public health practice gaps entail strengthening primary care services, building the capacity of trained healthcare workers and employing collaborative care for holistic management of patients.
Conclusion: The scale of premature and preventable deaths from NCDs in the ASEAN region remains a serious public health concern and requires a "whole-of-system approach". The interventions proposed in this paper build on regional collaborations and knowledge sharing to help develop a concerted and targeted response to NCDs.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Fulltext Multilevel interventions as climate change adaptation response to protect maternal and child health: a scoping review protocol

Lokmic-Tomkins Z, Bhandari D, Watterson J, Pollock WE, Cochrane L, Robinson E, et al.

BMJ Open, 2023 Jul 27;13(7):e073960.
PMID: 37500279 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073960

INTRODUCTION: Growing evidence suggests that climate change-related extreme weather events adversely impact maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes, which requires effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate interventions at individual, community and policy levels to minimise these impacts. This scoping review proposes to map the evidence available on the type, characteristics and outcomes of multilevel interventions implemented as adaptational strategies to protect MCH from the possible adverse effects of climate change.
METHODS: The following databases will be searched: Embase, MEDLINE, Emcare, EPPI-Centre database of health promotion research (BiblioMap) EPPI-Centre Database for promoting Health Effectiveness Reviews (DoPHER), Global Health, CINAHL, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database, Maternity and Infant Care Database, Education Resource Information Center, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and Global Index Medicus, which indexes Latin America and the Caribbean, Index Medicus for the South-East Asia Region, African Index Medicus, Western Pacific Region Index Medicus. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ClinicalTrials.gov, conference proceedings, thesis and dissertations, policy and guidelines and their reference lists will also be searched. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts and full text based on predefined eligibility criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews using the Population, Concept and Context framework and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist will be used to structure and report the findings.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics permission to conduct the scoping review is not required as the information collected is publicly available through databases. Findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion/methods
Fulltext Necessary Knowledge and Skills for Dietitians in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study

Aldubayan K, Aljuraiban G, Aldisi D

Malays J Med Sci, 2019 May;26(3):110-118.
PMID: 31303855 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.3.9

Background: Dietitians play a major role in health promotion and chronic diseases prevention. Graduates from clinical nutrition and dietetics major should be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills for their role to be more effective. The purpose of this study is to investigate the knowledge and skills needed by current and future graduates in clinical nutrition and dietetics.
Methods: In this qualitative study, structured interviews by focus groups were conducted. Dietitians from different governmental and private sectors were invited to participate in the study. Focus groups were stratified based on the participants' gender and years of experience to promote self-disclosure. Abridged transcript of relevant and useful points was performed. The transcripts were coded and cross-validated by two researchers.
Results: A total of four focus groups were conducted. Two focus groups comprise 9 male participants and the other two comprise 10 females. The age of participants ranged 25-40 years old. Participants were employees in Riyadh city with experience that ranged 3-10 years old. Nine themes of the necessary knowledge and skills were identified.
Conclusion: It is recommended for the Saudi government to create standards specialised for clinical nutrition and dietetics undergraduate and graduate programmes.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Fulltext Non-face-to-face physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic review

Müller AM, Khoo S

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 2014;11(1):35.
PMID: 24612748 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5868-11-35

Physical activity is effective in preventing chronic diseases, increasing quality of life and promoting general health in older adults, but most older adults are not sufficiently active to gain those benefits. A novel and economically viable way to promote physical activity in older adults is through non-face-to-face interventions. These are conducted with reduced or no in-person interaction between intervention provider and program participants. The aim of this review was to summarize the scientific literature on non-face-to-face physical activity interventions targeting healthy, community dwelling older adults (≥ 50 years). A systematic search in six databases was conducted by combining multiple key words of the three main search categories "physical activity", "media" and "older adults". The search was restricted to English language articles published between 1st January 2000 and 31st May 2013. Reference lists of relevant articles were screened for additional publications. Seventeen articles describing sixteen non-face-to-face physical activity interventions were included in the review. All studies were conducted in developed countries, and eleven were randomized controlled trials. Sample size ranged from 31 to 2503 participants, and 13 studies included 60% or more women. Interventions were most frequently delivered via print materials and phone (n=11), compared to internet (n=3) and other media (n=2). Every intervention was theoretically framed with the Social Cognitive Theory (n=10) and the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (n=6) applied mostly. Individual tailoring was reported in 15 studies. Physical activity levels were self-assessed in all studies. Fourteen studies reported significant increase in physical activity. Eight out of nine studies conducted post-intervention follow-up analysis found that physical activity was maintained over a longer time. In the six studies where intervention dose was assessed the results varied considerably. One study reported that 98% of the sample read the respective intervention newsletters, whereas another study found that only 4% of its participants visited the intervention website more than once. From this review, non-face-to-face physical activity interventions effectively promote physical activity in older adults. Future research should target diverse older adult populations in multiple regions while also exploring the potential of emerging technologies.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion/methods*
Fulltext Nutrition and the Malaysian Healthy Lifestyle Programme: challenges in implementation

Suleiman AB, Tee ES

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 1998 Dec;7(3/4):230-7.
PMID: 24393676

There are significant differences in the food consumption patterns of countries. In the lower income countries, most of the energy intake is derived from cereals and starchy roots. On the other hand, the intake of these carbohydrate foods is much lower in the economically developed countries and more of the energy is derived from added fats, alcohol, meat, dairy products and sweeteners. The contribution of energy from various food groups has changed markedly over the past three decades. With increasing national wealth there is a general tendency for the consumption of cereal foods to decline, whereas the consumption of added fats, alcohol, meat and dairy products has increased over the years. Similar changes have also been observed for Malaysia. These dietary alterations, as well as other lifestyle changes, have brought about a new nutrition scenario in many developing countries. These countries are now faced with the twin problems of malnutrition, that is, undernutrition among some segments of the population and diet-related chronic diseases in other groups; for example, obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes and various cancers. In Malaysia, deaths due to diseases of the circulatory system and neoplasms have been on the rise since the 1960s. The former has been the most important cause of death in the country for more than 15 years, with cancer ranking third for almost 10 years. Epidemiological data collected from different community groups showed increased prevalences of various risk factors amongst Malaysians. In view of the changed nutrition scenario in the country, intervention programmes have been reviewed accordingly. The Healthy Lifestyle (HLS) Programme was launched in 1991 as a comprehensive, long-term approach to combating the emerging diet-related chronic diseases. For six consecutive years one thematic campaign per year was carried out; namely, coronary heart disease (1991), sexually transmitted diseases (1992), food safety (1993), childhood diseases (1994), cancers (1995) and diabetes mellitus (1996). To further strengthen health promotion among the community, another series of activities to be carried out under the second phase of the HLS programme from 1997 to 2002 was launched within the framework of the National Plan of Action on Nutrition (NPAN) for Malaysia. In view of the importance of diet and nutrition in the causation and prevention of chronic diseases, the theme for the first year of this phase was Healthy Eating. It is clear that nutrition education for the community in order to inculcate a culture of healthy eating is the long-term solution. A series of guidelines have been prepared for dissemination to the public via a variety of media and approaches, and with the collaboration of various government and non-governmental organisations. The implementation of the programme is, however, a challenge to health and nutrition workers. There is a need to examine the strategies for nutrition education to ensure more effective dissemination of information. The challenge is to determine how best to promote healthy eating within the present scenerio of rapid urbanisation, 'western' dietary pattern influence, a whole barrage of convenience and 'health' foods, and nutrition misinformation. We would like to share our experiences in the approaches taken and our concerns with other countries in the region given that various opportunities exist for collaboration.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion*
Nutrition promotion: the role of monitoring physical growth

Zulkifli SN

Asia Pac J Public Health, 1992;6(4):210-6.
PMID: 1345448

Growth monitoring has been included as one of the basic strategies for child survival. In this paper, the rationale for this is reiterated both for individual as well as population nutritional surveillance. Methods for and approaches to growth monitoring are described. In addition, potential problems in implementing growth monitoring projects and interpreting the results are discussed. Despite its lack of sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic tool, its advantages in terms of low cost, simplicity, reliability and social acceptability justify its use in nutritional surveillance, particularly in populations at risk of malnutrition.
Publication year: 1992-1993

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion/methods*
Nutritional problems of Malaysian children and approaches taken to overcome them

Arokiasamy JT

Asia Pac J Public Health, 1990;4(1):65-71.
PMID: 2223281

Nutritional status of children is an important factor in child survival, especially in developing countries. It is therefore important that nutritional problems are addressed and overcome. This paper reviews the many studies conducted in Malaysia on nutritional problems among children. It also documents the approaches, including intersectoral approaches, that have been taken to overcome these problems. Possible actions that have to be taken in the future to further improve the nutritional status of Malaysian children are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Fulltext Observational study of the status of coronary risk biomarkers among Negritos with metabolic syndrome in the east coast of Malaysia

Mokhsin A, Mokhtar SS, Mohd Ismail A, M Nor F, Shaari SA, Nawawi H, et al.

BMJ Open, 2018 12 04;8(12):e021580.
PMID: 30518581 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021580

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), ascertain the status of coronary risk biomarkers and establish the independent predictors of these biomarkers among the Negritos.
SETTINGS: Health screening programme conducted in three inland settlements in the east coast of Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia.
SUBJECTS: 150 Negritos who were still living in three inland settlements in the east coast of Malaysia and 1227 Malays in Peninsular Malaysia. These subjects were then categorised into MS and non-MS groups based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) consensus worldwide definition of MS and were recruited between 2010 and 2015. The subjects were randomly selected and on a voluntary basis.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: This study was a cross-sectional study. Serum samples were collected for analysis of inflammatory (hsCRP), endothelial activation (sICAM-1) and prothrombogenesis [lp(a)] biomarkers.
RESULTS: MS was significantly higher among the Malays compared with Negritos (27.7%vs12.0%). Among the Malays, MS subjects had higher hsCRP (p=0.01) and sICAM-1 (p<0.05) than their non-MS counterpart. There were no significant differences in all the biomarkers between MS and the non-MS Negritos. However, when compared between ethnicity, all biomarkers were higher in Negritos compared with Malays (p<0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis affirmed that Negritos were an independent predictor for Lp(a) concentration (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there may possibly be a genetic influence other than lifestyle, which could explain the lack of difference in biomarkers concentration between MS and non-MS Negritos and for Negritos predicting Lp(a).

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Overview of reviews of standardised occupation-based instruments for use in occupational therapy practice

Romli MH, Wan Yunus F, Mackenzie L

Aust Occup Ther J, 2019 08;66(4):428-445.
PMID: 30821362 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12572

INTRODUCTION: Using standardised instruments is one approach to support evidence-based practice. Referring to systematic reviews is an option to identify suitable instruments. However, with an abundance of systematic reviews available, therapists are challenged to identify an appropriate instrument to use. Therefore, this overview of reviews aimed to summarise relevant systematic review findings about standardised occupation-based instruments relevant for occupational therapy practice.
METHODS: An overview of reviews was conducted. A systematic search was performed on four databases up to March 2018. Included systematic reviews were analysed for quality using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR).
RESULTS: A total of 2187 articles were identified after removing duplicates. Ultimately, 58 systematic reviews were identified that yielded 641 instruments. From those, 45 instruments were selected for appraisal as they met the inclusion criteria of being developed mainly by occupational therapists and were recommended in the summarised findings from the systematic reviews. The instruments were classified according to the following occupation domains: (i) multidimensional, (ii) activities of daily living, (iii) productivity, (iv) social, (v) sleep/rest, (vi) sexuality and (vii) spirituality. No systematic review was identified that specifically focussed on occupations related to school/education, leisure and play.
DISCUSSION: Certain occupation domains such as activities of daily living, social and sleep/rest received high attention amongst researchers. There is a need for systematic reviews of instruments to measure education/school, play and leisure. Limited numbers of instruments were developed by occupational therapists outside the occupation domain of activities of daily living, and in areas of practice other than children and older people. Nevertheless, this overview can give some guidance for occupational therapists in selecting a suitable occupational therapy instrument for practice.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion/methods
Partner's engagement in community-based health promotion programs: a case study of professional partner's experiences and perspectives in Iran

Bahraminejad N, Ibrahim F, Riji HM, Majdzadeh R, Hamzah A, Keshavarz Mohammadi N

Health Promot Int, 2015 Dec;30(4):963-75.
PMID: 24934454 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/dau043

Community-based health promotion requires effective participation and partnership of diverse and numerous stakeholders from community as well as external professional organizations. Although effective partnership of stakeholders is often the key for success of health promotion practice and research, but this has proved to be a complex and challenging task. This study is an exploratory study to identify professional stakeholder's perspectives and experiences toward the partner's engagement challenges in community-based participatory research conducted in Population Research Centers in Iran. A qualitative study design with in-depth semi-structured interviews as data collection method was chosen. Using purposeful sampling technique, policy-makers and managers (mainly academics) involved in community-based participatory research in these centers were invited to be interviewed. Data were collected to the point where no new information was forthcoming. All interviews were taped and transcribed. To provide answers for research questions, qualitative content analysis was employed to extract emerging main themes from numerous cods. Findings were categorized in three main themes as Partnership's relationship and trust issues, Partnership's individual issues and Partnership's system issues. Although community-based participatory research in Iran benefits from more than a decade history and some physical infrastructures, but it seems that public health experts and researchers and other partner organizations are lagging behind in terms of capacities and competencies required to effectively utilize the available structure and opportunities. Hence, capacity development, both among professional partners and community may be the main way forward to tackling the future challenges for strengthening community actions but should include both levels of individuals and systems.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Fulltext Patterns of smoking among adolescents in Malaysia and Thailand: findings from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia survey

Hammond D, Kin F, Prohmmo A, Kungskulniti N, Lian TY, Sharma SK, et al.

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2008;20(3):193-203.
PMID: 19124313 DOI: 10.1177/1010539508317572

At present, 70% of the world's 1.1 billion smokers are in developing countries, with over 50% in Asia alone. The current study examined patterns of youth smoking in Thailand and Malaysia. Respondents were 2002 youths between the ages of 13 and 17 from Thailand (n = 1000) and Malaysia (n = 1002). Respondents were selected using a multistage cluster sampling design and surveyed between January 2005 and March 2005. Approximately 3% of youth between the ages of 13 and 17 were current smokers, with an additional 10% to 12% reporting experimental smoking. Males were between 7 and 15 times more likely to report smoking behavior than females. Less than 1% of females respondents in either country met the criteria for current smoking, and less than 5% met the criteria for experimental smoking. In contrast, more than 50% Thai males and approximately one-third of Malaysian males aged 17 met the criteria for either experimental or current smoking.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion*
Fulltext Perceived Severity and Susceptibility towards Leptospirosis Infection in Malaysia

Sukeri S, Zahiruddin WM, Shafei MN, Hamat RA, Osman M, Jamaluddin TZMT, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 09 01;17(17).
PMID: 32882876 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176362

BACKGROUND: Perceived severity and susceptibility refers to one's belief of the seriousness and the risk of contracting a specific disease. It is an essential study in public health as it assists in the understanding of the motivating factors towards disease prevention. This qualitative study aimed to explore perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection among respondents in two states of Malaysia.
METHODS: Focus group discussions using the phenomenology approach was conducted involving 72 respondents in Selangor and Kelantan. Data were examined using content analysis.
RESULTS: Respondents perceived leptospirosis infection as severe due to its poor disease prognosis and complications. However, some rated it less severe when compared with other chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Their perceptions were influenced by their knowledge about the disease, media portrayal and frequency of health campaigns by the government. All respondents believed they were not susceptible to the disease.
CONCLUSION: The low perceived susceptibility of leptospirosis infection is a matter of concern as it may contribute to respondents' lack of motivation towards preventing the disease. The study findings may provide the basis for health promotional activities designed to heighten public perceived threat towards leptospirosis infection and thereby improving preventive health behaviors for avoiding leptospirosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Perceived barriers to and ideas for weight control interventions in Malay homemakers: results from focus groups

Ng LW, Malhotra R, Lai D, Tai ES, Østbye T

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP552-61.
PMID: 23482708 DOI: 10.1177/1010539513479966

To develop a better understanding of perceived barriers to and ideas for weight loss and maintenance among Malay homemakers in Singapore.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion/methods*
Fulltext Perception and use of traditional medical treatment and cosmetics amongst Malay high school adolescents in Kuala Lumpur

Norana Johar, Haliza Mohd Riji, Pataki—Schweize, Kerry J.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2001;1(1):22-29.
MyJurnal

Due to the increasing demand or modern medical treatment and modern cosmetics by society, traditional sources have been neglected by younger generations. This study assesses the baseline level of Malay high school adolescents' use and perceptions of traditional medical treatment and cosmetics. 100 Malay high school students in Kuala Lumpur were administered a sbt- art uestionnaire. It was found that the amil is a strong external influence in their choice of medical treatment, (2) a wide variety of services are used by choice when they become ill, (3) a majority (68.8%) ofthese adolescents have a ddinite "loose " beliefin traditional medical treatment and related cosmetics; and (4) they would welcome promotion and information about these for the purposes of promoting their health and preserving their cultural heritage. Further study and action to broaden adolescent knowledge of traditional medical treatment and cosmetics are essential to ensure the continuance of this type of health promotion for the next generation.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Fulltext Perception of Cancer Risk and Its Associated Risk Factors among Young Iraqis living in Baghdad

Alaa H, Shah SA

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 08 01;20(8):2339-2343.
PMID: 31450904 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.8.2339

Cancer is responsible for substantial burden on communities and more specifically on less developed countries. The incidence of cancer is on the rise due to population growth and aging, also due to increment of the risk factors such as smoking, increasing weight, low physical activity associated with adoption of western lifestyle. Around 14 million cases of new cancer and 8 million deaths from cancer is estimated to occur by 2012. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Baghdad from June 2016 to October 2016. Participants were selected according to our inclusion criteria, namely aged between 18 to 40 years and not being diagnosed with any chronic diseases. Those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were 700 participants who completed the questionnaire. Results showed that most of our participants had low perceived susceptibility to cancer risk (62.4%), low perceived severity (59.8%), but good perceived benefits of screening (56.6%). Hierarchal linear regression analysis showed that sociodemographic factors of gender, marital status, and education level were statistically significant. Moreover, factors of health behaviour such as practice towards health and preventive behaviour were associated with the outcome. Finally, treatment control and emotional factors were mostly predicting the outcome. Perceived susceptibility to cancer along with its psychological factors and behaviour were important contributors to self-perceived health in this study. Hence there is association between perception and future morbidity and mortality, thus it is crucial for public health policy. Comprehensive health programs that include health promotion campaigns and proper health care services that deals with secondary prevention.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Fulltext Perception towards health promotion activities: findings from a community survey in the state of Penang, Malaysia

Hassali, M.A., Saleem, F., Shafie, A.A., Aljadhey, H., Chua, G.N., Masood, I., et al.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2012;12(2):6-14.
MyJurnal

The study aimed to explore the perceptions towards health promotion activities among population of Penang Island,
Malaysia. The study was designed as a questionnaire based cross sectional analysis. General public from the district of
Jelutong, located in the state of Penang, Malaysia was conveniently approached for the study. Descriptive statistics
were used to ascertain demographic characteristics where as inferential statistics were employed to measure the
extent of association among study variables. Out of 480 respondents, a response rate of 82.7% was achieved. The study
cohort was dominated by females (63.0%) and majority of the participants belonged to Malay ethnicity (88.1%). One
hundred and seventy two (43.3%) never attended a health promotional campaign and mentioned lack of time and
transport as potential barriers. Among those who attended such activities, one third was satisfied with the benefits of
health campaigns. Approximately 90% of the participants demanded accessible locations, common language as mode of
communication and complete medical checkups with professional advice at health promotional campaigns. General
public can encouraged to participate in the health promotion activities by considering their priorities before designing
a health promotion program. This will help in targeting and achieving the goal “health for all”.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Perceptions and attitudes of pharmacy students towards volunteering at health promotional programs: a cross-sectional study from Malaysia

Saleem F, Hassali MA, Ibrahim ZS, Rasheedy AA, Aljadhey H

J Community Health, 2015 Apr;40(2):285-90.
PMID: 25115271 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-014-9930-y

The present study aims to explore the perceptions and understanding of future pharmacists towards volunteerism in health promotional activities. The study was designed as a cross sectional, descriptive survey. All pharmacy undergraduates (n = 293) from the first, second and third professional years enrolled at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia were targeted for the study. A pre validated, 15-itemed questionnaire was used for data collection and was analysed by using SPSS. Dichotomous groups were compared with Mann-Whitney U test. The Jonckheere-Terpstra test was used to evaluate the trend of association. Where significant associations were reported, effect size was calculated by using Kendall tau correlation coefficient. p value of <0.05 was considered to be of statistical significance. Out of 200 respondents, 185 completed the study with a response rate of 92.5 %. Agreement with mandatory status of volunteerism at community services was significant with gender (p = 0.003) and year of study (p = 0.045). Confidence in performing health promotional activities (p = 0.001, τ = 0.155) and needed communication skills during health promotional activities (p = 0.022, τ = 0.322) were also significantly associated with year of study with a moderate positive trend from junior to senior classes. Although pharmacy undergraduates showed positive interest and will to volunteer at the health promotional programs, certain issues were also highlighted. Therefore, in order to address these challenges, pharmacy curriculum needs to include a greater emphasis on role of pharmacists in public health. This can be achieved by having a dedicated core course as part of pharmacy curriculum.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion/organization & administration*
Periventricular haemorrhage in very low birth weight Malaysian neonates

Boo NY, Ong LC, Lye MS, Wong KP, Mastura M

J Trop Pediatr, 1993 Aug;39(4):224-9.
PMID: 8411316

A prospective study was carried out to determine the incidence, clinical presentation, early outcome, and risk factors associated with periventricular haemorrhage (PVH) in 88 (84 per cent) of the 105 consecutive very low birth weight (VLBW) (< 1500 g) Malaysian neonates born in the Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Based on the cranial ultrasound findings, PVH was detected in 86 of the 88 neonates (98 per cent, 95 per cent confidence intervals: 95 to 101). Seventeen (20 per cent) of them had grade I, 52 (61 per cent) had grade II, 7 (8 per cent) had grade III and 10 (12 per cent) had grade IV PVH. PVH was detected in all the affected neonates by the fifth day of life. Sixty-four neonates (74 per cent) were symptomatic when PVH was first detected. Shock (P < 0.01), pallor (P = 0.028), low haematocrit of less than 40 per cent (P < 0.01), convulsion (P < 0.001), and bulging of anterior fontanelle (P = 0.019) were significantly more common in the neonates with severe PVH (grades III or IV). Death occurred in 43/86 (50 per cent, 95 per cent confidence interval: 39-61 per cent) of the neonates with PVH before their first discharge from the hospital. Ventriculomegaly developed in 29/43 (67 per cent, 95 per cent confidence intervals: 54.4-81.4) of the survivors with PVH. Our study suggests that PVH is a common problem in the Malaysian VLBW neonates. To reduce the incidence and severity of this condition, prevention of preterm delivery and improvement in the basic facilities for neonatal care would help.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Fulltext Pharmaceutical service during flood in Johore State

Maimunah, W., Kwong, CS, Siti Rozana, M.S., Shahariah, A.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2009;15(3):132-137.
MyJurnal

Objective : This scientific writing is meant for describing the problems faced by pharmacy staffs during heavy flood situations in Johore and the actions to be taken for solving these problems.
Methodology : This finding is in accordance to the observations, experiences and interview of staffs (through questionnaires), who are involved directly and indirectly in preparations of emergency during flood. Efficiency of pharmaceutical services provided during flood is evaluated.
Result : Several problems were identified when providing pharmaceutical services, such as purchasing and supplying of items, pre-packing, preparing drug charts, visit to relief centers, post-flood health campaign, and doctors from NGOs prescibing medicines out of MOH drug formulary. During the period of flood, usage of drug and non-drug items increases drastically resulting in the current stock in store were not sufficient to compensate for the high demand. Moreover, inaccessibility of certain roads in districts such as Segamat and Kota Tinggi, aggravated and worsen the problems of obtaining goods from suppliers. Workload of pharmacy staffs increased especially in activities such as pre-packing and preparing drug charts due to shortage of manpower.
Conclusion : Even though workload increased drastically during flood, pharmaceutical services provided by the state pharmacy are still able to maintain good quality services to cater for the need of healthcare professionals and patients. Throughout the flood period, all the difficulties and hurdles faced by us had been solved; due to the cooperation from other agencies. Besides, by writing this article, a disaster preparedness guideline is produced for the purpose of improving management of future disasters.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion
Pharmacy student-led health education campaign initiative

Lee SWH

Curr Pharm Teach Learn, 2019 03;11(3):292-295.
PMID: 30904152 DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2018.12.010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To describe the development and assessment of a health education campaign and determine its potential for integration into a bachelor of pharmacy curriculum.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: Pharmacy students developed a "hands-on" health campaign for delivery to university students. A health promotion topic was chosen and delivered each year for 2015-2017; sexual health, diabetes, and antimicrobial resistance, respectively. All health campaign participants were screened for cardiovascular risk factors. University students who participated in the health campaign in 2017 also completed a questionnaire assessing their understanding and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance.
FINDINGS: In the three health campaigns conducted from 2015 to 2017, 1010 university students and adults were screened. Pharmacy students expressed a high level of professional achievement and satisfaction and felt that the activities provided a meaningful learning experience. Similarly, supervising pharmacists reported satisfaction with students' competency.
SUMMARY: The use of a health education campaign is an alternative model to educate pharmacy students on communication and critical thinking skills, as well as provide an opportunity for service learning.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Promotion/methods

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