MyMedR

Development of Welding Fumes Health Index (WFHI) for Welding Workplace's Safety and Health Assessment

Hariri A, Paiman NA, Leman AM, Md Yusof MZ

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Aug;43(8):1045-59.

This study aimed to develop an index that can rank welding workplace that associate well with possible health risk of welders.

Burden and nutritional deficiencies in opiate addiction- systematic review article

Nabipour S, Ayu Said M, Hussain Habil M

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Aug;43(8):1022-32.

PMID: 25927032

Addiction to the illicit and prescribed use of opiate is an alarming public health issue. Studies on addictive disorders have demonstrated severe nutritional deficiencies in opiate abusers with behavioral, physiological and cognitive symptoms. Opiate addiction is also link with a significant number of diseases including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and other blood borne diseases generally stem from the use of needles to inject heroin. The use of medication assisted treatment for opioid addicts in combination with behavioural therapies has been considered as a highly effective treatment. Methadone is a long-lasting μ-opioid agonist and a pharmacological tool which attenuates withdrawal symptoms effectively replacement therapies. This review article aims to explain opiate addiction mechanisms, epidemiology and disease burden with emphasis on dietary and nutritional status of opiate dependent patients in methadone maintenance therapy.

Fulltext Organ donation campaigns: perspective of dialysis patient's family members

Tumin M, Raja Ariffin RN, Mohd Satar N, Ng KP, Lim SK, Chong CS

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Jul;43(7):926-35.

PMID: 25909060

BACKGROUND:
Solving the dilemma of the organ shortage in Malaysia requires educating Malaysians about organ donation and transplantation. This paper aims at exploring the average Malaysian households ' preferred channels of campaigns and the preferred campaigners in a family setting, targeting at the dialysis family members.

METHODS:
We analyzed the responses of 350 respondents regarding organ donation campaigns. The respondents are 2 family members of 175 dialysis patients from 3 different institutions. The information on respondents' willingness to donate and preferred method and channel of organ donation campaign were collected through questionnaire.

RESULTS:
Malaysian families have a good tendency to welcome campaigns in both the public and private (their homes) spheres. We also found that campaigns facilitated by the electronic media (Television and Radio) and executed by experienced doctors are expected to optimize the outcomes of organ donation, in general. Chi-square tests show that there are no significant differences in welcoming campaigns among ethnics. However, ethnics preferences over the campaign methods and campaigners are significantly different (P <0.05).

CONCLUSION:
Ethnic differences imply that necessary modifications on the campaign channels and campaigners should also be taken under consideration. By identifying the preferred channel and campaigners, this study hopes to shed some light on the ways to overcome the problem of organ shortage in Malaysia.

KEYWORDS:
Campaigns; Dialysis patients; Family; Malaysia; Organ donation

Factors affecting the attractiveness of medical tourism destination: an empirical study on India- review article

Sultana S, Haque A, Momen A, Yasmin F

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Jul;43(7):867-76.

PMID: 25909055

In this edge, medical tourism is not a new idea. Medical treatment is one of the essential demands of human beings and it requires high quality and intensive care. Beside western world, few developing countries are playing key roles as medical tourism destinations. India is one of the leading names among these countries. The purpose of the paper is to find the factors influencing the attractiveness of India as a health tourism destination.

Fulltext Does menthol-brand cigarette initiate early smoking? Evidence from a cross sectional study in Sarawak, Malaysia

Rahman MM, Arif MT, Razak MF, Suhaili MR, Tambi Z, Akoi C, et al.

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Mar;43(3):385-6.

PMID: 25988103

"Taking my breath away by keeping stress at bay" - an employee assistance program in the automotive assembly plant

Sundram BM, Dahlui M, Chinna K

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Mar;43(3):263-72.

PMID: 25988085

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of individual-focused stress management training namely Deep Breathing Exercise (DBE) on self-perceived occupational stress among male automotive assembly-line workers.

Determinants of Caesarean Risk Factor in Northern Region of Bangladesh: A Multivariate Analysis

Rahman M, Ahmad Shariff A, Shafie A, Saaid R, Md Tahir R

Iran J Public Health, 2014 Jan;43(1):16-27.

PMID: 26060675

Caesarean section (c-section) rates have been increasing dramatically in the past decades around the world. This increase has been attributed to multiple factors such as maternal, socio-demographic and institutional fac-tors. Therefore, this study examines the impact of maternal, socio-demographic and relevant characteristics on caesar-ean delivery in the northern region of Bangladesh.

Neurobehavioral Performance of Estate Residents with Privately-Treated Water Supply

Mohd Ridzwan SF, Anual ZF, Sahani M, Ghazali AR

Iran J Public Health, 2013 Dec;42(12):1374-86.

PMID: 26060639

Neurotoxicants present in water supply may affect human functions in terms of attention, response speed and perceptual motor speed. Neurobehavioural performance can be influenced by gender, age and education levels. This study aims to assess the neurobehavioral performance of palm oil estate residents with private water supply in southern Peninsular of Malaysia.

Fulltext The Impact on Family among Down syndrome Children with Early Intervention

Mohammed Nawi A, Ismail A, Abdullah S

Iran J Public Health, 2013 Sep;42(9):996-1006.

PMID: 26060660

BACKGROUND:
Child with Down's syndrome is an individual who is suitable and eligible to receive early intervention services. This study aimed to measure the family outcome among parents of Down syndrome children, on the impact of receiving early intervention and identify the factors influencing it.

METHODS:
A cross sectional was conducted from April 2009 until January 2010 with a total of 125 parents of children with Down syndrome. There are five domains of family outcomes that has been studied which are understanding the strengths, abilities and special needs of children, knowing the rights and talk on children behalf, assisting the child to grow and learn, having a support system and be involved in the community. Children with Down syndrome aged four to 15 years was chosen as the respondents when they were accompanying their children in seven rehabilitation centers or during house visits.

RESULTS:
Family outcomes among parents of Down syndrome children who receive early intervention is better, 67.3 percent, compared to parents of Down syndrome children who receive late intervention, 41.4 percent. There are significant relationship between the acceptance level of intervention, parents education level, family income and the family outcomes. Parents of children who receive early intervention were more positive in understanding the strengths, abilities and special needs of their children compared to other family outcomes.

CONCLUSION:
Families whom children received early intervention had indirectly proved the importance and benefit of early intervention, not only for children with special needs, but for their family as well.

KEYWORDS:
Down syndrome children; intervention; special needs

Medical Tourism in Malaysia: Prospect and Challenges

Sarwar A

Iran J Public Health, 2013 Aug;42(8):795-805.

PMID: 26056632

Tourism, combined with the phrase medical, seems to be a new form of tourism which has gained huge popularity in recent decades. Though, a number of literatures available with regard to the tourism industry and the competitiveness of the destination, however, the major aspects which determine the satisfaction of medical tourists are hardly focused specifically on Malaysia. There is a lack of empirical evidence in this area of study which needs to be bridged. Hence, this study aimed at investigating the various factors contributing towards the development of medical tourism in Malaysia.

Effectiveness of Nutrition Education vs. Non-Nutrition Education Intervention in Improving Awareness Pertaining Iron Deficiency among Anemic Adolescents

Yusoff H, Wan Daud WN, Ahmad Z

Iran J Public Health, 2013;42(5):467-71.

PMID: 23802103

This study was carried out to compare the effect between nutrition education intervention and non-nutrition education intervention on awareness regarding iron deficiency among schooling adolescents in Tanah Merah, one of rural district in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Anxiety Status and its Relationship with General Health Related Quality of Life among Prostate Cancer Patients in Two University Hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Isa MR, Moy FM, Abdul Razack AH, Md Zainuddin Z, Zainal NZ

Iran J Public Health, 2013;42(3):240-8.

PMID: 23641401

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety among prostate cancer patients, and to ascertain the association between stress status, socio-demographic, medical and surgical illness, current urinary problem and cancer status with general health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among these patients.

Role of NGOs and CBOs in Waste Management

Ahsan A, Alamgir M, Imteaz M, Nik Daud N, Islam R

Iran J Public Health, 2012;41(6):27-38.

PMID: 23113191

Developing cities like Khulna, the third largest metropolitan city in Bangladesh, have now begun to confess the environmental and public health risks associated with uncontrolled dumping of solid wastes mainly due to the active participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in municipal solid waste (MSW) management.

Is suicide predictable?

Seghatoleslam T, Habi H, Rashid RA, Mosavi N, Asmaee S, Naseri A

Iran J Public Health, 2012;41(5):39-45.

PMID: 23113176

THE CURRENT STUDY AIMED TO TEST THE HYPOTHESIS: Is suicide predictable? And try to classify the predictive factors in multiple suicide attempts.

Fulltext Effects of soy on body composition: A 12-week randomized controlled trial among Iranian elderly women with metabolic syndrome

Bakhtiari A, Yassin Z, Hanachi P, Rahmat A, Ahmad Z, Sajadi P, et al.

Iran J Public Health, 2012;41(4):9-18.

PMID: 23113160

BACKGROUND: To examine the effects of soy [in the form of textured soy protein (TSP) and soy-nut] on body composition in elderly women with metabolic syndrome (MetS).
METHODS: A 12-week randomized clinical trial was conducted on 75 women between 60-70 years of age with MetS in rural health clinics around Babol, Iran in 2009. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups of soy-nut (35g/d), TSP (35g/d) and control. Body fat, lean mass and anthropometric indicators were measured before and after intervention, too.
RESULTS: Participants were classified as overweight and showing android fat distribution. After 12 weeks of intervention, both soy-nut and TSP groups showed an increase of non-significant in lean mass (0.9 and 0.7 kg), hip circumference (0.45 and 0.28 cm), triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness (0.87 and 0.67mm) and reduction in BMI (-0.15 and -0.33), waist circumference (-0.83 and -1.2) and body fat (-1.5% and -1.7%). Significant increase in the mean change of TSF and lean mass was observed in the users of soy-nut compared to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: 12-week intervention of soy had a mild favorable effect on body composition in elderly women with MetS.
KEYWORDS: Body composition; Metabolic syndrome; Older women; Soy

Reference charts for height and weight of school children from west malaysia in comparison with the United States centers for disease control and prevention

Bong Y, Shariff A, Majid A, Merican A

Iran J Public Health, 2012;41(2):27-38.

PMID: 23113132

Reference charts are widely used in healthcare as a screening tool. This study aimed to produce reference growth charts for school children from West Malaysia in comparison with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) chart.

Fulltext Gender differences in the attitude and strategy towards weight control among government employees in Penang, Malaysia

Aina Mardiah B, Hazizi A, Nasir MM, Zaitun Y, Jan JH

Iran J Public Health, 2012;41(1):28-36.

PMID: 23113119

Background: This was a cross-sectional study on the gender differences in weight-control behavior. The strategies used, weight status, weight satisfaction, and proportion of individuals attempting to lose weight among 233 government employees (104 men and 129 women) working in the Federal Government Building in Penang, Malaysia, were assessed.
Methods: Anthropometric indicators such as body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage were measured to determine the subjects’ body weight status. A questionnaire covering the following items was used to assess weight-control behavior: social support, self-monitoring, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, planning, preparation/buying, portion control, social interactions, and cognitive behavioral strategies.
Results: About 50% of the subjects were classified as overweight. Based on percent body fat percentage, 70% of them were classified as having unhealthy levels of body fat. Women were found to be more dissatisfied with their current weight, and were more likely to attempt weight reduction compared to men. Women reported higher levels of social support for dieting and had better expectations for diet and exercise (P < 0.05). They also reported higher use of weight control strategies. For self-monitoring, although no gender-dependent differences (P > 0.05) were observed, women reported more frequent self-monitoring of diet, whereas men reported more frequent self-monitoring of exercise.
Conclusion: Health care professionals and researchers should be aware of the different strategies used by men and women in order to plan and/or implement community-wide weight management programmes.
Keywords: Weight Control, Body Weight Status, Diet, Exercise, Gender Differences

Genetic Association Analysis of Dopamine DRD3 Ser9Gly Polymorphism and Schizophrenia in Malay Population

Tee S, Tang P, Loh H

Iran J Public Health, 2011;40(2):6-10.

PMID: 23113067

BACKGROUND: Molecular components of the dopamine receptor (DRD3) play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SCZ). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between the DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphism and SCZ but the results have been inconclusive.

METHOD: In this study, we investigated this controversial association between the Ser9Gly (A/G) polymorphism and SCZ using Malay cases-control (261 cases/157 controls) samples. PCR-RFLP was performed to genotype the distribution of the DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphism.

RESULTS: Both healthy control and SCHZ patient groups were in of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the analyzed genetic variability. There was a significant association between the genotype distribution DRD3 polymorphisms and SCZ (χ(2)= 9.359; df = 2; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION: We believe that further studies are required to examine the association between others dopamine-related genes and the behavioral phenotypes of SCZ.

A Pilot Study Evaluating the Stigma and Public Perception about the Causes of Depression and Schizophrenia

Khan T, Hassali M, Tahir H, Khan A

Iran J Public Health, 2011;40(1):50-6.

PMID: 23113054

To evaluate public perceptions towards the causes of depression and schizophrenia and identifications of factors resulting stigma towards mental ill.

Why Women Are Averse to Facility Delivery in Northwest Nigeria: A Qualitative Inquiry

Tukur I, Chan CK, Tinsu T, Muhammed-Baba T, Aderemi Ijaiya M

Iran J Public Health, 2016 May;45(5):586-95.

PMID: 27398331

In many sub-Saharan African countries the rate of antenatal care (ANC) has been increased but skilled birth attendance rate is still low. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reasons why women prefer home delivery when facility based delivery is available at minimal cost.

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