The purpose of this article is to discuss the strengths and limitations of two teaching strategies currently utilized
in Diploma in Nursing, in Malaysia. The diploma was started in 1994 with a 3 years duration of study. It also
requires certificates of qualification from the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA) and the Malaysian Board of
Nursing.
Teaching strategies of individual teachers differ according to their teaching styles and generalized lesson plans,
which include structures, instructional objectives, outlines of teaching and learning tactics, and other
accessories needed to implement the strategies. A strategy does not necessarily follow a single track all the
time, but changes according to the demands of the situations such as the age, level, needs, interests and abilities
of the students. Thus, strategy is a method that is more comprehensive. It is directional in nature and refers to
the goal oriented activities of the teacher. Hence, it resembles science rather than arts.
Lecture and simulation methods are the best teaching strategies for nursing students in Malaysia. The lecture
method allows clarification on difficult concepts, organizes thinking, and promotes problem solving attitudes,
whereas simulation provides students with the opportunity for proper social, emotional and intellectual
development. Moreover, students are highly motivated by educational simulation, for they enjoy the learning
process while participating in it.
Programmes that increase awareness of childhood obesity are vital to reducing the
number of obese adults and adults with cardiovascular diseases. However, the
effectiveness of these programmes must be evaluated to optimise resources for childhood
obesity awareness programmes. The present study was conducted to assess the
intermediate cost-effectiveness and provide a cost analysis of childhood obesity health
promotion programmes. This quasi-experimental study compared the intermediate
outcomes of the Sahabat Sihat and Be Best programmes over a six-month period. Data
regarding health-related quality of life (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS), the Knowledge, Attitude and
Practice questionnaire, and biomedical data were obtained from booklets prepared by
MySihat for childhood obesity-related health promotion programmes. Data regarding cost
was obtained from the expenditure records of the respective health promotion
programmes. The intergroup and intragroup comparisons between the EQ-5D and
EQ-VAS results, the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice scores, and the biomedical data
were explored using the Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests. Descriptive statistics were
utilised in the analysis of the cost results. Be Best and Sahabat Sihat were successful in
helping to prevent overweight respondents from becoming obese. The Attitude score was
higher among the Sahabat Sihat cohort, but the Practice score was higher among the Be
Best cohort. Be Best had a lower mean cost per participant and was more cost-effective
than Sahabat Sihat.
Currently, the development of information technology and the increase in the number of nursing students occur drastically. Based on this premise, the purpose of this article is to shed light into the future development of curriculum for the nursing field. Philosophy is considered one of the most important components of both education system and curriculum, because the educational philosophies reflect the social, economic and political aspects of a society, in which they are applied. As an educator, understanding the philosophy to be adapted in the curriculum and learning process is important, to provide a framework for the best performance of both the teacher and the student. In conclusion, it is important to implement the philosophy of curriculum in the education program as each philosophy aids in the principles and guidelines of the learning process. Globally, most programs are usually based on the philosophy related to that program. Therefore, as an educator, we must know the philosophical development of the curriculum of education, so that we are able to analyse and choose which is appropriate.
Family planning is a method of controlling fertility which helps to prevent unwanted pregnancies among couples. Unwanted pregnancy has negative effects for mothers and children. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of family planning practices among women in Serdang area and associated factors with their family planning practices. A cross sectional study was conducted with a systematic random sampling of 349 women of reproductive age, who attended Sri Kembangan Polyclinic. Descriptive analysis with chi-square and multiple regression analysis were conducted to identify factors associated with the family planning practice. The prevalence of family planning practice was 38.4%. Family planning was significantly associated with age (p=0.001), marital status (p=0.001), mode of delivery of the last pregnancy (p=0.001), number of children (p=0.001), source of information (p=0.004), level of knowledge (p=0.001), and the attitude (p=0.004). Using multiple logistic regression, four factors contributed to family planning practice, were identified as statistically significant: marital status (married OR=40, 95% CI: 9.45, 169.8), religion (Muslim OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.4), number of children (children>4 OR=2.98, 95% CI:1. 74, 5.09) and attitude (positive attitude OR=1.88, 95% CI:1.11, 3.18). The prevalence of family planning practice in Serdang was low even though knowledge was sufficient. The use of pamphlets and booklets are still needed to enhance efforts in health education. Currently, practice on family planning will determine the future structure of the community and the economic wellbeing of a country. Future study should focus on family planning practice among teenager and types of methods for women.
This scoping review describes the research-based mindfulness intervention on anxiety, distress, and depression. The search strategy retrieved articles published in English from 2014 to 2019 and were retrieved across Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The PRISMA-Scr checklist is a tool to evaluate the quality of the articles. The selection criteria initially included all original articles in English, with 1,527 that were related to mindfulness intervention for anxiety, distress, and depression. A total of 490 full texts were retrieved, and after the abstracts were reviewed, 124 full-text articles were included for eligibility, and the final eight studies were determined. The articles were reviewed and screened for relevance to mindfulness intervention in reducing anxiety, distress, and depression among those with chronic diseases. The results have shown that mindfulness intervention reduces anxiety, distress, and depression among patients with chronic diseases. The review contributes further insight into the fact that mindfulness intervention is also appropriate for other conditions to facilitate reducing psychological symptoms.