ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE
AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS. New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected; Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: The use of medicinal plants as a remedy and prevention of diseases based on practical skills, knowledge and therapies was passed down from one generation to the next. It was reported by WHO that, approximately a quarter of the modern drugs were derivatives of plants or herbs, used as traditional medicines. It has contributed greatly in the health care management as the main source of medicine for many of the rural population in Sabah. This preliminary study was carried out to observe the use of medicinal plants in different villages of Kudat and to know about the knowledge of the villagers related to possible side effects of these plants.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study which was carried out in different villages of Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia between August and September 2018. The data were obtained through interviewing the people in different villages by using semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data.
Results: Among the 87 participants, 37.9% were male and 62.1% were female. Their mean age was 45.87 (±14.03) and they were mostly from Kadazan-Dusun (50.6%) and Rungus (42.5%). The highest level of education among the participants was SPM (20.7%). Roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits of 49 plant species were reported in the treatment of more than 30 types of health conditions. Anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, joint pain, hypercholesterolaemia, fever, asthma, malaria, vomiting and few acute illnesses are mentionable. Majority (71%) of the participants did not have any knowledge about possible side effects of the orally ingested or tropically applied medicinal plants.
Conclusion: There should be thorough research on dosage, mechanism of action and possible side effects of the medicinal plants and the results of these researches should reach the users of these plants.
ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS. New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected; Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Since January 2010, the UMS Polyclinic, situated at Riverside Plaza, Kingfisher Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, provided general medical consultation as well as specialist consultations comprising of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology (Diabetes and related problems), Dermatology, Rheumatology, Cardiology including ECG and ECHO services, Orthopedic, Ophthalmology, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Psychiatry. The purpose of this study was to look into the Dermatology consultations provided by the UMS Polyclinic in order to improve health care services, by reporting on the demographic characteristics of the patients with reference to the provisional diagnosis and management offered, as well as referrals to tertiary health care centers for further managements. Methods: It was a retrospective, descriptive study which included 76 patients who visited the Dermatology Specialist Clinic at UMS Polyclinic from January to December 2018.
Results: The 76 patients comprised of 50 males and 26 female patients with the age ranged from 2 years to 86 years, with 5 children (under the age of 12 years).The catchment population of the patients were mainly from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kingfisher, and also from wide areas of Kota Kinabalu with a few from Kudat,Tamparuli, Telipok, Keningau, Kinarut and Beaufort, etc. The consultations comprised of 19 varieties of dermatological problems to which were given appropraite management. The period of the year 2018 under study showed highest attendance in February with 21 patients (27.6%) followed by 13 patients (17.1%) in October with December showing 11 patients (14.5% ).
Conclusion: A total of 32 varieties of Dermatological problems were found among the 76 patients consulted. Acne Vulgaris was found to be the highest variant with 12 cases(15.7%) with Seborrhoeic Dermatitis seen as 5 cases (6.5%) followed by 4 cases (5.2%) each of Contact Dermatitis, Allergy/Hypersensitivity, Photosensitive Dermatitis, and Vitiligo. Certain patients had to be referred to Dermatology Department at Hospital Queen Elizabeth for further management, like for skin biopsy, and also for Electro-cautery machine, Phototherapy, and Laser, as we are still waiting for few equipments.