Introduction: Phototherapy is the primary treatment for neonatal jaundice and is evaluated via total serum bilirubin (TSB) level. Hanging white material around phototherapy unit can multiply energy delivery by many folds. This study is to evaluate the effect of hanging white bedsheet around phototherapy unit on the reduction of TSB level. Methods: Comparative interventional study was conducted in two public hospitals. 200 eligible neonates with hyperbiliru- binemia were recruited and assigned to intervention (n=100) and control group (n=100). Neonates assigned into intervention group were nursed under phototherapy with the addition of white bedsheet hanging around the unit while the control group were nursed under phototherapy with non-white curtains. Results: Mothers’ blood group (x = 3.75, p = .29), neonates’ blood group (x = 2.87, p = .41), birth weight (t = 1.41, p = .16), baseline total serum bilirubin (TSB) level (p = .08), baseline irradiance of phototherapy prior to the hanging of curtains (p = .13) and hours of phototherapy (p = .53). The mean for TSB level in intervention and control group at 24 hours was 235.82µmol/L and 208.67µmol/L respectively. The mean difference in TSB level between intervention and control group was sta- tistically significant at 24 hours (x = 27.15, t = 4.56, p < .001) and 48 hours (x = 19.27, t = 2.32, p = .02) after initi- ation of phototherapy. Conclusion: The baseline and demographic characteristics of the neonates and mothers were comparable between the intervention and control group. The TSB level at 24 hours and 48 hours were significantly lower in control group if compared to the intervention group. Therefore, hanging white bedsheet did not significantly hasten the reduction of TSB level when compared to ordinary non-white curtains.
This study explores the quality of life, social integration and the effects of perceived stigma of people with mental illness living in the community. Adopting a complimentary mixed method, this study was represented by 165 people with mental illness in Kuching, Sibu and Miri. Findings indicated that the quality of life scale was poor, 49.67% and 78.43% often experienced stigma. Anticipated stigma 43.79%; 16.99% all the time and 4.58% never experienced stigma. Findings also noted that people with mental illness living in the community are still largely depending on and needed continuous support from their family members/carers for financial aid and their living arrangement for a “better” quality of life. Where treatment is concerned, follow up care at home by health care providers continue to play a significant role. In order to “erase” the perceived or stigma experienced, establishing therapeutic relationship, communication and creating awareness on “stigma discrimination paradigm” poses a phenomenal challenge in the current misrepresentations of mental health messages.