Displaying all 5 publications

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Banga Singh KK, Ojha SC, Deris ZZ, Rahman RA
    Z Gesundh Wiss, 2011 Jun;19(3):231-236.
    PMID: 21654922
    AIMS: In Malaysia, Shigella spp. is the third most common bacterial agent responsible for childhood diarrhoea. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Shigella spp. isolated from patients admitted to the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from January 2001 to December 2009. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective study was used. Stool samples from patients were cultured using a standard culture method. Shigella spp. isolates were identified by biochemical and serological methods, and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method. RESULTS: A total of 138 Shigella spp. were isolated from a total of 14,830 routine stool specimens, yielding an isolation rate of 0.93% that corresponded to 9.99% of the 1,381 bacterial pathogens isolated. Of these isolates, S. sonnei was the predominant species, followed by S. flexneri and S. boydii. Seasonal variation was noticed, and no significant differences were detected in the demographic data for S. flexneri and S. sonnei. The susceptibility of all isolated Shigella strains was tested against seven antibiotics. Ceftriaxone (99.1%), ciprofloxacin (98.4%), and nalidixic acid (93.8%) were effective against the Shigella strains, whereas tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole exhibited high frequencies of resistance (58.4% and 53.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study is important for public health education aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with Shigella spp. infection. Our results also will be helpful for paediatricians and microbiologists in the selection of appropriate antibiotics for the management of diarrhoea.
  2. Tang KHD
    Z Gesundh Wiss, 2020 Jun 13.
    PMID: 32837842 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-020-01316-w
    Aim: The first Covid-19 cases were reported in Malaysia on 25 January 2019 followed by a quiescent period before an upward swing of the cases at the end of February 2020, partly attributed to mass gathering during a religious event. This short communication aims to provide an overview of the measures taken by the Malaysian Government in response to Covid-19, and of the effectiveness of the Movement Control Order.

    Subjects and methods: This short communication reviews articles and government announcements related to containment measures and the Movement Control Order of Malaysia, and graphically presents data pertinent to Covid-19 in Malaysia in order to show the relationship between fluctuations in Covid-19 cases and movement control.

    Results: At the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, Malaysia had initiated travel restrictions and quarantine; but with a persistent increase in new Covid-19 cases, the Movement Control Order was finally rolled out on 18 March 2020, requiring closure of all businesses except those providing essential services and items. Enforcement of the order was tightened progressively, resulting in significant improvement of compliance, while other interventions such as tracking of potential contacts and medical screening were underway, and the media continued to provide updates and general advices. The numbers of new and active Covid-19 cases started showing evident downtrends from mid-April, thus indicating the effectiveness of movement control and its compliance.

    Conclusion: The article provides insight into crucial factors contributing to the success of movement control to effectively contain Covid-19, and highlights the need to prevent future upsurge through continuous monitoring and enforcement.

  3. Bailey R, Sweeney R
    Z Gesundh Wiss, 2022 Nov 12.
    PMID: 36404931 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-022-01770-8
    AIM/PURPOSE: The article seeks to articulate a consensus of the opinions of a group of subject experts about the principles and strategies of inclusive physical activity.

    METHODS: A 3-stage Delphi study involving a group of 34 Europe-based subject specialists was used to articulate shared expert opinions on the main research question: What are the key principles (general theories, values, or framework) that should guide practice of inclusive approaches to physical activity? What are the key strategies (practical approaches that can promote inclusive physical activity) of inclusive approaches to physical activity?

    RESULTS: Four core principles and four core strategies (and six less-supported principles/strategies for each) were identified through this process. The core principles were: focus on participants' needs; include disabled people in planning; focus on ability, not disability; and promote equal opportunities. The four core strategies were: adapt the rules and aims of the programme to the abilities of participants; apply adaptability of teaching/coaching methods; be accessible and available to participants; and establish models to make sure participants' voices are heard.

    CONCLUSIONS: The article concludes by offering ten concepts - drawn from the empirical findings - that might act as a starting-point for the development of the concept for an inclusive physical activity programme.

  4. Vicheet WV, Tan ST
    Z Gesundh Wiss, 2023 May 25.
    PMID: 37361309 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-023-01941-1
    AIM: This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the correlations between food security, diet quality and weight change among working women during the endemic phase of COVID-19 in the Klang Valley of Malaysia.

    METHODS: Working women aged 18-49 years were required to self-report their socio-demographics and pre-pandemic body weight (body weight during February 2020). Body height and current body weight were measured using a SECA stadiometer and TANITA weighing scale. Food security was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES); the diet quality was determined with the Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) for Malaysia.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe food insecurity was 19.9%. It is noted that 64.3% of working women gained weight throughout the pandemic, with an average weight gain of 4.36 ± 3.19 kg. Concerning diet quality, the majority (82.5%) achieved the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W). Findings from linear regression revealed that food security was not significantly correlated with weight change. However, working women who failed to achieve the MDD-W gained, on average, 1.853 kg more than those who did (p = 0.040). On the other hand, no significant correlation was observed between food security status and diet quality in weight change of working women.

    CONCLUSION: The current study shall provide an impetus to develop intervention strategies for promoting healthy eating among working women.

  5. Alabed AAA, Elengoe A, Anandan ES, Almahdi AY
    Z Gesundh Wiss, 2022;30(5):1133-1142.
    PMID: 33078089 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-020-01395-9
    BACKGROUND: There is a major public health challenge threatening the world with the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in December 2019 from Wuhan, China.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 and its transmission, causes and prevention among people living in Malaysia.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among people living in Malaysia by using an online survey in March and April 2020.

    RESULTS: Out of 520 respondents, the mean age was 36.9 ± 14.9, between 19 and 67 years with the majority being female. Most respondents had good knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 with mean ± sd 18.2 ± 1.7, 5.2 ± 1.1 and 4.1 ± 1.4, respectively. In addition, the majority had good knowledge regarding cause, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment and quarantine measures after answering 21 questions.

    CONCLUSION: To date, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for COVID-19, thus staying at home is the best preventive measure to curb the further growth of positive cases in the country. These findings could provide an insight in designing effective preparedness for future pandemic outbreaks.

Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links