Displaying publications 161 - 180 of 254 in total

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  1. Lai PS, Chua SS, Chan SP, Low WY, Wong IC
    Maturitas, 2010 Jan;65(1):55-63.
    PMID: 19962839 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.10.006
    OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (OPSQ) and to assess the opinion of postmenopausal osteoporotic women towards pharmaceutical care.
    METHODS: A 16-item instrument was designed. Each response consists of a five-point Likert-like scale with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction. The face and content validity was established via consultation with an endocrinologist and three pharmacists as well as feedback from participants in a preliminary study. Postmenopausal osteoporotic women taking bisphosphonates were recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention (n=90) and control groups (n=90). Pharmaceutical care was provided at month 2 to the intervention group while the control group received standard pharmacy services. The OPSQ was administered at month 6 (end of the intervention period), to assess patients' satisfaction. Factor analysis was performed using varimax rotation. Internal reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was performed by using the Mann-Whitney U test.
    RESULTS: The internal reliability of the OPSQ produced a Cronbach's alpha of 0.86. Factor analysis identified one component in the OPSQ, which measured patient satisfaction. The intervention group showed significantly better overall OPSQ score than the control group (91.89+/-7.22% versus 84.32+/-7.48%, p<0.001). This indicates that the OPSQ was able to differentiate between participants who received pharmaceutical care from those who did not.
    CONCLUSIONS: The 16-item OPSQ developed in this study has high internal reliability and is a valid instrument for assessing osteoporotic women's satisfaction with pharmaceutical care service in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling/methods*
  2. Burton D, Zeng XX, Chiu CH, Sun J, Sze NL, Chen Y, et al.
    J Community Health, 2010 Dec;35(6):579-85.
    PMID: 20186474 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-010-9244-7
    We sought to develop a smoking-cessation intervention for male Chinese restaurant workers in New York City that required no seeking out by participants; provided support over a relatively long period of time; and was responsive to participants' cultural backgrounds and daily lives. The resulting intervention consisted of a minimum of 9 proactive phone counseling sessions within a 6-month period for each participant recruited at his worksite. All activities were conducted in Chinese languages. The efficacy of this proactive phone-counseling intervention was assessed in a pretest/posttest design comparing baseline smoking with smoking 6 months after the intervention ended. Of 137 male employees recruited at their restaurants, 101 (median age 40.5) participated in the phone-counseling intervention in 2007-2008, with 75 completing the program with at least 9 counseling calls. We found a linear increase in smoking cessation from 0% at Call 1 to 50.7% at Call 9 for 75 men who completed the program, and we found for all 101 participants a 32.7% intent-to-treat cessation rate for 6 months post-end of program, adjusted to 30.8% by saliva cotinine assessments. The results indicate that combining field outreach with phone counseling over an extended period of time can facilitate smoking cessation for population groups whose environments do not support efforts to quit smoking.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling/methods*
  3. Chawarski MC, Mazlan M, Schottenfeld RS
    Drug Alcohol Depend, 2008 Apr 1;94(1-3):281-4.
    PMID: 18164145 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.11.008
    This pilot randomized clinical trial evaluated whether the efficacy of office-based buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT), provided with limited counseling or oversight of medication adherence is improved by the addition of individual drug counseling and abstinence-contingent take-home doses of buprenorphine. After a 2-week buprenorphine and stabilization period, heroin dependent individuals (n=24) in Muar, Malaysia were randomly assigned to Standard Services BMT (physician administered advice and support, and weekly, non-contingent medication pick-up) or Enhanced Services (nurse-delivered manual-guided behavioral drug and HIV risk reduction counseling (BDRC) and abstinence-contingent take-home buprenorphine (ACB), 7 day supply maximum). Outcomes included retention, proportion of opioid-negative urine tests, self-reported drug use, and self-reported HIV risk behaviors. 12/12 (100%) of Enhanced Services and 11/12 (92%) of Standard Services participants completed the entire protocol. The proportion of opioid-negative urine tests increased significantly over time for both groups (p<0.001), and the reductions were significantly greater in the Enhanced Services group (p<0.05); Enhanced Services group achieved higher overall proportions of opiate negative urine toxicology tests (87% vs. 69%, p=0.04) and longer periods of consecutive abstinence from opiates (10.3 weeks vs. 7.8 weeks, p=0.154). Both groups significantly reduced HIV risk behaviors during treatment (p<0.05), but the difference between Enhanced and Standard Services (26% vs. 17% reductions from the baseline levels, respectively) was not statistically significant (p=0.9). Manual-guided behavioral drug and HIV risk reduction counseling and abstinence-contingent take-home buprenorphine appear promising for adding to the efficacy of office-based BMT provided with limited drug counseling and medication oversight.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling*
  4. Ahmad WA, Khanom M, Yaakob ZH
    Int J Clin Pract, 2011 Aug;65(8):848-51.
    PMID: 21762308 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2011.02714.x
    The treatment of heart failure in pregnant women is more difficult than in non-pregnant women, and should always involve a multidisciplinary team approach. Knowledge required includes hemodynamic changes in pregnancy and the resultant effect on women with pre-existing or pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular drugs in pregnancy, ethical issues and challenges regarding saving mother and baby. In addition, women having high risk cardiac lesions should be counselled strongly against pregnancy and followed up regularly. Pregnancy with heart failure is an important issue, demanding more comprehensive studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling/methods
  5. Julia PE, Othman AS
    Spinal Cord, 2011 Jul;49(7):791-4.
    PMID: 21321578 DOI: 10.1038/sc.2011.4
    This study is a cross-sectional, face-to-face interview.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sex Counseling/methods
  6. Al-Shookri A, Khor GL, Chan YM, Loke SC, Al-Maskari M
    Diabet Med, 2012 Feb;29(2):236-44.
    PMID: 21824187 DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2011.03405.x
    In this randomized controlled trial we evaluated the effectiveness of medical nutritional therapy on Arab patients with Type 2 diabetes in Oman delivered by a dietitian.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling/methods*
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2013 Nov 22;62(46):920-7.
    PMID: 24257201
    Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable mortality in the world. Article 14 of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) states that countries should promote cessation of tobacco use and adequate treatment for tobacco dependence. Health-care providers asking all patients about their tobacco use and advising tobacco users to quit are evidence-based strategies that increase tobacco abstinence. This report examines the proportion of tobacco smokers in 17 countries responding to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) who saw a health-care provider in the past year and who reported that a health-care provider asked them about smoking and advised them to quit. Respondents were tobacco smokers aged ≥15 years surveyed during 2008-2011 in Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Vietnam. The proportion of smokers who had visited a health-care provider during the previous 12 months ranged from 21.6% in Egypt to 62.3% in Poland. Among these, the proportion reporting that a health-care provider asked if they smoked ranged from 34.9% in Vietnam to 82.1% in Romania. Among those screened for tobacco use, those who reported their health-care providers advised them to quit ranged from 17.3% in Mexico to 67.3% in Romania. In most countries, persons aged ≥45 years were more likely to report being screened and advised to quit than were persons aged ≤24 years. Health-care providers should identify smokers and provide advice and assistance in quitting at each visit as an adjunct to effective community interventions (e.g., increased price of tobacco products; smoke-free policies, mass media campaigns, and tobacco quitlines).
    Study name: Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS-2011)
    Matched MeSH terms: Directive Counseling/statistics & numerical data*
  8. Ahmadi A, Mustaffa MS, Haghdoost AA, Mansor SMS
    Trends Psychiatry Psychother, 2017 7 13;39(2):88-97.
    PMID: 28700038 DOI: 10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0047
    Introduction: Anxiety disorders in primary school-aged children negatively affect their mental health and psychological development. Available non-medical treatments for these conditions are time-consuming and expensive. In this context, eclectic therapy is a therapeutic approach that incorporates some therapeutic techniques and philosophies to create the ideal treatment. In this study, eclectic therapy consisted of art therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy designed for children suffering from high level of anxiety in their middle childhood years. The therapy also included group guidance sessions for their mothers. The effectiveness of this intervention was examined in the study.

    Methods: 61 students aged 9-12 years with high levels of anxiety participated in the study. Intervention A (n = 20) consisted of 9-hour eclectic therapy for children with 3-hour group guidance sessions for their mothers. Intervention B (n = 20) consisted of 9-hour eclectic therapy for children. There was also a control group (n = 21).

    Results: Teacher ratings of children's mental health difficulties and self-report ratings of anxiety disorders indicated a significant difference from pretest to posttest, revealing a large effect size between the two interventions. Higher levels of pretest scores significantly predicted higher posttest scores for all domains of anxiety and mental health difficulties. Furthermore, age, gender, mothers working a 15-hour day, mother's educational level, parental divorce rates, parental death, and family monthly income predicted therapy outcomes.

    Conclusion: Results provide support for the effectiveness of eclectic art and CBT to improve children's mental health and reduce anxiety through changing thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors that may cause fear and anxiety.

    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  9. Mat Nuri TH, Hong YH, Ming LC, Mohd Joffry S, Othman MF, Neoh CF
    Front Pharmacol, 2017;8:739.
    PMID: 29123479 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00739
    The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has increased with the fast growing of aging population, thereby posing great challenges to provision of care for AD patients. Pharmacists play a vital role in the management of AD; this includes recognizing early symptoms of AD, providing medication counseling to AD patients and their caretakers, and identifying potential adverse drug reactions. A comprehensive understanding of the disease progression, as well as the pharmacological therapy, is essential to provide effective care to AD patients. The level of knowledge about AD among the pharmacists, however, remains unknown. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge on AD among the pharmacists in public hospitals and health clinics and its correlates. A clear picture of the characteristics associated with different levels of knowledge could facilitate the targeted re-training of pharmacists. The 30-item validated Alzheimer disease knowledge scale (ADKS) tool was pilot-tested and used in this cross-sectional study. All pharmacists, from nine public hospitals and seven public health clinics in the State of Selangor, Malaysia, were invited to participate in this cross-sectional survey. The ADKS score was computed and compared across demographics characteristics. A total of 445 pharmacists responded to the survey. These pharmacists had a moderate overall score in ADKS; nevertheless, high scores were recorded in the domains of treatment management and care giving. No difference in AD knowledge was found among pharmacists worked in public hospitals and health clinics, except for the domain of care giving (p = 0.033). Ethnicity and age group were independent predictors of ADKS score in the current study. The pharmacists in the current study had moderate AD knowledge. On-going education and training programme on AD, in particular the domains other than treatment management and care giving, should be provided to the pharmacists to ensure delivery of quality care to AD patients.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Hospitals, Selangor, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  10. Arrivé E, Ayaya S, Davies MA, Chimbetete C, Edmonds A, Lelo P, et al.
    J Int AIDS Soc, 2018 Jul;21(7):e25157.
    PMID: 29972632 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25157
    INTRODUCTION: Disclosure of HIV status to HIV-infected children and adolescents is a major care challenge. We describe current site characteristics related to disclosure of HIV status in resource-limited paediatric HIV care settings within the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium.

    METHODS: An online site assessment survey was conducted across the paediatric HIV care sites within six global regions of IeDEA. A standardized questionnaire was administered to the sites through the REDCap platform.

    RESULTS: From June 2014 to March 2015, all 180 sites of the IeDEA consortium in 31 countries completed the online survey: 57% were urban, 43% were health centres and 86% were integrated clinics (serving both adults and children). Almost all the sites (98%) reported offering disclosure counselling services. Disclosure counselling was most often provided by counsellors (87% of sites), but also by nurses (77%), physicians (74%), social workers (68%), or other clinicians (65%). It was offered to both caregivers and children in 92% of 177 sites with disclosure counselling. Disclosure resources and procedures varied across geographical regions. Most sites in each region reported performing staff members' training on disclosure (72% to 96% of sites per region), routinely collecting HIV disclosure status (50% to 91%) and involving caregivers in the disclosure process (71% to 100%). A disclosure protocol was available in 14% to 71% of sites. Among the 143 sites (79%) routinely collecting disclosure status process, the main collection method was by asking the caregiver or child (85%) about the child's knowledge of his/her HIV status. Frequency of disclosure status assessment was every three months in 63% of the sites, and 71% stored disclosure status data electronically.

    CONCLUSION: The majority of the sites reported offering disclosure counselling services, but educational and social support resources and capacities for data collection varied across regions. Paediatric HIV care sites worldwide still need specific staff members' training on disclosure, development and implementation of guidelines for HIV disclosure, and standardized data collection on this key issue to ensure the long-term health and wellbeing of HIV-infected youth.

    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  11. Williams M, Valayannopoulos V, Altassan R, Chung WK, Heijboer AC, Keng WT, et al.
    J Inherit Metab Dis, 2018 May 02.
    PMID: 29721915 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-018-0184-1
    BACKGROUND: Transaldolase deficiency (TALDO-D) is a rare autosomal recessive inborn error of the pentose phosphate pathway. Since its first description in 2001, several case reports have been published, but there has been no comprehensive overview of phenotype, genotype, and phenotype-genotype correlation.

    METHODS: We performed a retrospective questionnaire and literature study of clinical, biochemical, and molecular data of 34 patients from 25 families with proven TALDO-D. In some patients, endocrine abnormalities have been found. To further evaluate these abnormalities, we performed biochemical investigations on blood of 14 patients.

    RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Most patients (n = 22) had an early-onset presentation (prenatally or before 1 month of age); 12 patients had a late-onset presentation (3 months to 9 years). Main presenting symptoms were intrauterine growth restriction, dysmorphic facial features, congenital heart disease, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hepato(spleno)megaly. An older sib of two affected patients was asymptomatic until the age of 9 years, and only after molecular diagnosis was hepatomegaly noted. In some patients, there was gonadal dysfunction with low levels of testosterone and secondary luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) abnormalities later in life. This overview provides information that can be helpful for managing patients and counseling families regarding prognosis. Diagnostic guidelines, possible genotype-phenotype correlations, treatment options, and pathophysiological disease mechanisms are proposed.

    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  12. Norhayaty S., Nurul Dalila M.S., Tai, Evelyn L.M., Liza Sharmini A.T., Zunaina E., Azhany Y.
    MyJurnal
    Tunnel vision is a classic sign among patients with advanced glaucoma. However, other conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, optic neuritis and rod-cone dystrophy may be characterized by similar visual field defects. A 52-year-old lady with a family history of glaucoma presented with bilateral gradual loss of peripheral vision for two years. She claimed to have poor night vision about 20 years prior to this presentation. Her visual acuity was 6/7.5 in both eyes. The anterior chamber depth was moderate bilaterally, with Schaffer grading on gonioscopy of grade I to II. The intraocular pressure was 14 mmHg in both eyes. The optic discs appeared normal. Fundus examination showed scattered hypopigmented changes sparing the fovea. Humphrey visual field test revealed bilateral constricted visual fields. She was diagnosed with retinitis punctata albescens (RPA) based on her symptom of poor night vision, supported by the diffuse hypopigmented changes in her fundi. The management of this condition involves careful counselling regarding the genetic nature of the disease and its progressive course. We discuss this case to illustrate the importance of a thorough history taking and careful fundus examination in the workup of patients presenting with tunnel vision.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  13. Mohamed M, Lau DSC, Loh CK, Syed Zakaria SZ, Alias H, A Jamal AR, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Parents of children with chronic illness such as thalassaemia, experience parental anxiety as a result of multiple stressors; these parents will consequently undergo the process of coping and adjustment in order to overcome the situation. Identifying families who may require psychosocial intervention is an important step towards providing holistic management for these children.

    Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the level of parenting stress amongst parents of children with thalassaemia. Risk factors associated with high parenting stress score were identified. Research instruments used were the Parenting Stress Index/Short Form and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations.

    Results: A total of 54 subjects were recruited. High total parenting stress score (TPSS, defined at 75th centile) for this cohort was 99.5 whereas the mean TPSS was 86.18. Overall, 24% of these parents have high TPSS. Chinese ethnicity, number of children, monthly income, task-oriented and emotion-oriented coping mechanisms were significantly associated with a high TPSS. Logistic regression analysis revealed that low task-oriented but high emotion-oriented scores were risk factors with the greatest predictive power.

    Conclusion: Early recognition of parenting stress is important to identify at risk parents so that interventions such as counseling and social support may be given.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  14. Al-Namnam NM, Hariri F, Thong MK, Rahman ZA
    J Oral Biol Craniofac Res, 2018 08 29;9(1):37-39.
    PMID: 30202723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2018.08.007
    Crouzon syndrome exhibits considerable phenotypic heterogeneity, in the aetiology of which genetics play an important role. FGFR2 mediates extracellular signals into cells and the mutations in the FGFR2 gene cause this syndrome occurrence. Activated FGFs/FGFR2 signaling disrupts the balance of differentiation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis via its downstream signal pathways. However, very little is known about the cellular and molecular factors leading to severity of this phenotype. Revealing the molecular pathology of craniosynostosis will be a great value for genetic counselling, diagnosis, prognosis and early intervention programs. This mini-review summarizes the fundamental and recent scientific literature on genetic disorder of Crouzon syndrome and presents a graduated strategy for the genetic approach, diagnosis and the management of this complex craniofacial defect.
    Matched MeSH terms: Genetic Counseling
  15. Dominic NA, Thirunavuk Arasoo VJ, Botross NP, Riad A, Biding C, Ramadas A
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2018 Jul 27;19(7):1809-1815.
    PMID: 30049192
    Background: There is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of multifaceted group-based interventions to improve psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of breast cancer (BCa) survivors in Malaysia. This study is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of such intervention program among the BCa survivors. Materials and Methods: This was a group-based intervention program with pre- and post-test design, carried out among BCa survivors (n=37) who were members of Breast Cancer Support Group Centre, Johor Bahru. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the impact of the program on psychosocial well-being and HRQOL of the participants. Results: The mean age of BCa survivors was 58.1 years (SD=9.7), with mean age at diagnosis of 49.9 years (SD=9.6). Majority of them were of Chinese ethnicity, married and had secondary level education, but were unemployed. More than 86% of them were diagnosed to have early BCa diagnosis and have since completed the treatment. There were significant decreases in median depression (p=0.001), anxiety (p<0.001) and stress (p<0.001) scores at post-intervention. More than 85% of the participants rated themselves to have a good or very good QOL at post-intervention, as opposed to 75.9% at pre-intervention. Significant improvements in several HR-QOL domain scores were seen, with psychological score improving the most (p<0.001), followed by social relationship (p=0.002) and physical health (p=0.004). Conclusions: Group-based multifaceted intervention can be a viable solution to improve psychosocial well-being of BCa survivors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  16. Ke GN, Wong SF
    Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw, 2018 Oct;21(10):637-645.
    PMID: 30256674 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2018.0072
    This article designed and tested a cognitive behavioral-based preventive intervention program for youths with problematic Internet use (PIU) behavior. The program is the Psychological Intervention Program-Internet Use for Youth (PIP-IU-Y). A cognitive-based therapy approach was adopted. A total of 45 secondary students from four schools completed the intervention program that was conducted in a group format by registered school counselors. Three sets of self-reported data on Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ), Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) were collected at three time points: 1 week before the intervention, immediately after the last intervention session, and 1 month after the intervention. Paired t-test results showed that the program was effective in preventing negative progression into more serious Internet addiction stages, and reducing anxiety and stress and interaction phobia of the participants. The effect was evident immediately at the end of the intervention session and was maintained 1 month after the intervention. This study is among the first to develop and test a preventive intervention program for youths with PIU. The effectiveness of our program in preventing negative progression of PIU and its symptoms in problematic users has led us to postulate that the program will also prevent normal users from developing serious symptoms. The majority of the intervention programs reported in the literature merely tailor to those who already have problems.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  17. Htay MNN, Latt SS, Abas AL, Chuni N, Soe HHK, Moe S
    PMID: 30596109 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_104_18
    INTRODUCTION: Family planning and contraception is the effective strategy to reduce maternal mortality, child mortality, abortion, and unwanted pregnancies. Since the medical students are the future doctors, it is important to have proper knowledge and training on family planning services. This study aimed to explore the effect of teaching-learning process at maternal and child health (MCH) clinics on the students' knowledge, perceptions toward contraception methods, and family planning counselling.

    METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the private medical institution in Malaysia. The same questionnaire was used to administer twice, before and after the posting. Moreover, a qualitative question on the issues related to family planning and contraception utilizations in Malaysia was added to the after posting survey. The quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (version 20) and qualitative data by RQDA software.

    RESULTS: A total of 146 participants were recruited in this study. Knowledge on contraception method before posting was 5.11 (standard deviation [SD] ±1.36) and after posting was 6.35 (SD ± 1.38) (P < 0.001). Thematic analysis of the students' answer revealed four salient themes, which were as follows: (1) cultural barrier, (2) misconception, (3) inadequate knowledge, and (4) improvement for the health-care services.

    CONCLUSIONS: The teaching-learning process at the MCH posting has an influence on their perception and upgraded their knowledge. It also reflects the role of primary health-care clinics on medical students' clinical exposure and training on family planning services during their postings.

    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  18. Mathews A, Azad AK, Abbas SA, Bin Che Rose FZ, Helal Uddin ABM
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2018 12 21;10(4):226-231.
    PMID: 30568380 DOI: 10.4103/JPBS.JPBS_80_18
    Background: In Malaysia, community pharmacies play an important and vital role in both urban and rural areas with approximately 30% of 12,000 registered pharmacists with annual retention certificate practicing in community pharmacies. The main objective of this study was to find the perception of respondents on the value and necessity of pharmacists.

    Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was divided into two sections: the first section assessed the visits to community pharmacies, purpose, interaction with pharmacy staffs, professional fee, and improvements to pharmacy practices; the second section evaluated the characteristics of respondents including an e-consent form. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (version 11.5).

    Results: The highest number of respondents (66.1%) consulted with the pharmacists for cough and cold, 33.1% for gastric and stomach ailments, and 28.9% for diarrhea and constipation. Only 34% of cases were handled by the pharmacists, whereas 52.1% by the sales assistant. Approximately 88.5% showed satisfaction with the counseling provided. A total of 46.3% did not know whom they dealt with, whereas 51.2% wanted personal attention of the pharmacists instead of the sales assistants. However, 66.9% of respondents preferred to a private consultation room. Records of only 32.2% of respondents were secured by the pharmacies, whereas 42.1% showed interest to pay a professional fee. Moreover, 83.3% agreed the fee of RM5 only, whereas 20.8% agreed to RM10. Among the respondents, majority agreed to pay a fee willingly, but approximately 30% stayed neutral.

    Conclusion: There is a need for the community pharmacists to play vital roles firsthand at the front desk to serve the patients professionally instead of handing over the responsibilities to the sales assistant.

    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  19. Cheung KW, Tan LN, Seto MTY, Moholkar S, Masson G, Kilby MD
    Fetal Diagn Ther, 2019;46(5):285-295.
    PMID: 30861511 DOI: 10.1159/000496202
    BACKGROUND: Fetal subdural haematoma (SDH) is associated with poor prognosis.

    OBJECTIVE: The conflicting evidence from the literature presents a challenge in prenatal counselling. We present a case study and systematic review of the literature for the management and outcome of fetal SDH.

    METHODS: Systematic search of electronic database.

    RESULTS: A total 45 cases were extracted from 39 papers. Prenatal ultrasonographic features were intracranial echogenicity (42%), lateral ventriculomegaly (38%), presence of an intracranial mass (31%), macrocephaly (24%), midline deviation of cerebral falx (20%), and intracranial fluid collection (11%). Further secondary features were noted including reversed diastolic flow in the middle cerebral artery (11%), echogenic bowel (4%), hydrops fetalis (2%), and elevated middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (2%) (all highly likely to be associated with fetal anaemia). The rates of termination of pregnancy, stillbirth, and neonatal death were 18% (8/45), 16% (7/45), and 11% (5/45), respectively. Overall, therefore, the fetal and perinatal mortality was 32% (12/37). Amongst the 24 survivors with available neurological outcome, 42% (10/24) and 58% (14/24) had abnormal and normal neurological outcome, respectively. Underlying aetiology of fetal SDH was not identified in 47% (21/45). Fetal SDH with an identifiable underlying aetiology was the only factor associated with a higher chance of normal neurological outcome when compared to fetal SDH without a detectable cause (78.5 vs. 21.4%, p = 0.035).

    CONCLUSIONS: Stillbirth and neonatal death occurred in a significant proportion of fetal SDH. 58% of survivors had normal neurological outcome, and better prognosis was seen in SDH with identifiable underlying aetiology.

    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
  20. Ranjit, S., Carol, P., Kellie, C., Pauline, M., Renuka, S.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of pregnancy in prenatal and postnatal period of pregnancy complicated with thick nuchal translucency but normal karyotype. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 119 singleton pregnancies with increased NT (NT > 2.5mm) but a normal karyotype over a 3 year period. The records of ultrasound at 18-20 and 25-26 weeks’, antenatal and postnatal details were reviewed. The developmental and health outcomes of the surviving children were obtained through telephone conversation with the family. Adverse outcome such as miscarriages, termination of pregnancy, intrauterine death, structural anomalies and neurodevelopment delay were analysed. Results: Out of 119 foetuses with increased NT but normal karyotype, 11.8% of pregnancies ended with miscarriages, termination of pregnancy and intrauterine death. 89.9% foetuses were structurally normal. 12.9% presented with structural anomalies in the second-trimester ultrasound scan. 81.8% showed major malformations, out of which 44% consisted of heart defects. 1% of foetuses were syndromic and 1.9% had developmental delay. 96.8% of foetuses with NT equal to or greater than the 95th percentile (3.4mm) and 80% with NT equal to or greater than the 99 percentile (5.5mm) had a normal outcome. 50% of foetuses with thickened nuchal fold had a poor outcome. Postnatal follow-up was established for all infants and toddlers, and abnormalities were observed in 5.6% of them. Chances of having a live and healthy infant decreases with increased NT, corresponding to 80% for NT equal to or greater than 5.5mm. Conclusion: We have provided data that may help in the counselling of parents and increasing their confidence on a favourable pregnancy outcome. In cases with increased nuchal translucency but normal karyotype, the chances of normal pregnancy success rate is 89.9%. Parents can be reassured that thickened nuchal translucency with a normal karyotype and normal targeted ultrasound between 20-22 weeks gestation, the risk of adverse perinatal outcome and postnatal developmental delay is not increased in comparison with that of the general population. This seems to be the case for all degrees of increased nuchal translucency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Counseling
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