Introduction: Each year, more than 20 million people are injured and 1.17 million are killed due to road
traffi c accidents. Developing countries account for over 85% of the deaths, and close to 90% of the disability caused by road traffi c crashes worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practice and the factors infl uencing university students in Malaysia concerning road traffic accident. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among the students of Management and Science University, Malaysia. The questionnaire was distributed randomly to the students of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 13, T-test and ANOVA. Results: The total number of 109 students with the mean age of 20.94±1.89 years participated in this study. Approximately 39 (35.7%) of the participant had been involved in one or more than one road traffi c accident. About 93.6% of them were very strongly/strongly convinced of seat belts importance. Multivariate analysis using the multiple linear regression method showed that age and attitude were signifi cantly associated with the exposure to the accident. Conclusion: The study participants had moderate knowledge about road traffic regulations and most of them mentioned that high speed, drivers’ lack of awareness about traffi c regulation and laws, and drivers’ non-compliance with traffi c rules and regulation were the most important cause of road traffic accidents. Almost all students were very strongly/strongly convinced of seatbelts importance. Age and attitude were signifi cantly associated with the exposure to the accident.
Objective :This study was performed to determine changes in diet and lifestyle among breast cancer survivors in Malaysia.
Methods :This was a qualitative study done on fifteen survivors (8 Malays and 7 non-Malays) obtained from the Oncology and Surgery Department, National University of Malaysia Hospital. The study was conducted using a semi-structured interview format. The data obtained were sorted into various categories via content analysis.
Results :Majority of breast cancer survivors increased their fruit and vegetable intake following diagnosis. Some non-Malays changed to vegetarian whereas all the Malays remained on the same dietary pattern. As far as exercise was concerned, all Malays did not exercise before diagnosis, but did so after diagnosis, whereas most of non- Malays did not exercise either before or after diagnosis.
Conclusion : Some changes were noticed in dietary and lifestyle behaviors after diagnosis among some survivors. The differences were due to their different cultural and religious backgrounds.
Introduction : The purpose of this study is to explore the differences of quality of life (QOL) of Malay and non-Malay breast cancer survivors using qualitative method.
Methods : Data was collected using in-depth face to face interview. List of the patients were obtained from Oncology & Surgery Departments and contact numbers were obtained from the medical record. The interviews were conducted either in their home or in the hospital after the appointment has been made.
Results : The majority of the Malays were unable to fulfill the needs of their families. However, the non-Malays were able to fulfill the needs of their families. The majority were satisfied with social interaction and the relationships with their families and friends. In terms of feelings, most survivors felt sad, angry and sometimes they feel like they were going to die early. However the majority coped well with their illness. Regarding sleep, all Malays did not have any sleeping problems, but most of the non-Malays reported serious problems. All survivors were worried about the other female members of the family of getting the same illness. Most survivors did not have any problems with altered body image.
Conclusion : Malays did not have any sleeping problems, but most of the non-Malays reported serious problems. However, the majority of survivors coped well with their illnesses.
Introduction : The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer survivors based on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics.
Methods : A cross-sectional study was performed on 125 breast cancer survivors from the outpatient clinics. FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast) questionnaire was used to assess survivors’ QOL.
Results : Survivors with low body mass index (BMI) (underweight) were found to have the lowest overall QOL. Those who were overweight had a higher overall QOL, and those who were normal-weight had the highest QOL. Low educational level, being underweight and low monthly household income were significantly associated with lower overall QOL Tamoxifen use and employment status were significantly associated with QOL in some domains. Time since diagnosis to QOL interview was significantly associated with greater scores in emotional well-being (EWB). Multiple linear regression indicated that age, marital status, monthly household income, surgery and histological grade were indicative of the patients QOL.
Conclusion : The four primary factors related to better QOL were high educational level, high income, normal body weight and greater duration from the time of diagnosis to the time of interview. Age, marital status, income, lumpectomy and histological grade were indicative of the patient QOL.
Study site: Oncology and Surgical clinics; Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia