Introduction: A retrospective review of all burn patients admitted to the Burn Unit between 2015 -2020. To determine the demographics, causes, total body surface area (TBSA), length of hospital stay and their relationship with TBSA, percentage of patients requiring surgery, mortality and its causes, and the relationship of inhalational injury to mortality of burn patients in Terengganu over six years. Materials and methods: A descriptive study. Data were collected through the Hospital Information System (HIS). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics V21.0. Results: A total of 805 patients were admitted to the Burn Unit between 2015 -2020, with an average of 134 individuals annually. Minor burns accounted for 591 cases, moderate burns for 131 cases and 83 patients suffered major burns. Children were the most affected, accounting for 63% of all BI cases. The mean age for paediatric patients was 3.78, while for adults, the mean age was 36.7. The male-to-female ratio, irrespective of age group, was 1.67. The most typical BI causes were scalds. The average length of stay was 15 days, during which a 1.6% mortality rate was recorded. Inhalational injury was strongly linked to death. According to Fisher’s exact test, TBSA in BI and length of stay were significantly correlated (P < 0.001). Surgery was needed in 29% of children and 46.5% of adults. Conclusions: The significant incidence of burn injury in this study suggests that raising awareness and increasing education by the authorities is a critical prevention initiative.
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) was found to be high among nurses especially those working in the hospital. One of the risk factors of MSDs is psychosocial factors apart from physical and ergonomic factors. However, limited study was found specifically looking at this association among nurses working at tertiary university hospital especially in Malaysia. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess the association between organizational psychosocial risk factors with MSDs among nurses working at tertiary university
Cancer-induced bone pain is currently facing inadequate pain management due to unwanted side effects and relative ineffectiveness. The search for alternative therapy to alleviate pain and target a few mechanism pathways might improve survival in metastatic patients. Vitamin E which has been promoted as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-metastatic were chosen in this study to potentiate its capability in a cancer-induced bone pain rat model. Rats were randomly grouped into five groups, and a breast cancer cell line was induced into the left femur of four groups: Negative Control (NC), Alpha Tocopherol (ATF), Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) and Zoledronic Acid (ZA), whereas Sham group as healthy subjects induced with supplementary media. Pain assessment tests were carried out at four days intervals. The animals were sacrificed after 21 days following SPECT/CT imaging. Bone specimens were analyzed for ELISA and gene expression studies. The results showed that the animal model was successfully validated via the presence of abnormal uptake of the skeletal system. Pain assessment tests demonstrated that vitamin E, specifically TRF significantly alleviate pain compared to the NC group. Biomarker activity illustrated that the TRF supplement group was able to regulate the bone turnover activity comparable to the ZA treatment group. Gene expression studies signify the role of TRF supplement comparable to the ZA group in the ability to regulate osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast activation, and regulating the secretion of metastatic cancer cytokine. This finding addressed the beneficial potency of TRF compared to ATF as a therapeutic option in the management of cancer-induced bone pain.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is believed to have had health benefits in treating hypertension in past decades, especially in rural areas. However, CAM is often not supported by scientific evidence. Thus, awareness of the possible toxicity of CAM in the self-management of health is crucial. This study aims to identify CAM users’ prevalence, beliefs, health literacy, and examine the associated factors for the self-management of hypertension. This cross-sectional study used a set of questionnaires consisting of demographic data, health-related characteristics, the Montana State University CAM Health Literacy Scale, the Hypertension Self-Care Activity Level Effect (H-SCALE), and the Beliefs About Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ). The study employed simple random sampling, and it was conducted in four health clinics located in Jerantut, Pahang, from January 2021 to May 2021. The analysis involved a total of 233 hypertensive patients. The study found that 60.9% (n = 142) of the participants used CAM within the last 12 months to treat hypertension, with herbs (n = 71, 50%) being the most preferred alternative medication. Most of the respondents had adequate health literacy regarding CAM usage (mean 44.50 ± 5.67) and held a positive perception toward CAM with Specific-Necessity (mean 17.61 ± 2.91) higher than Specific-Concern (mean 15.02 ± 3.40). The results showed that 96.1% (n = 224) reported adherence to alcohol cessation, 65.7% (n = 153) reported adherence to taking medication, 62.7% (n = 146) reported adherence to quitting smoking, 39.9% (n = 93) reported adherence to good weight management, 25.3% (n = 59) reported adherence to active physical activity, and only 14.2% (n = 33) reported adherence to take a healthy diet. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the female gender was linked to non-adherence with taking medication while having higher health literacy was related to greater adherence to medication. The study also found that female gender was associated with non-adherence with quitting smoking, which was accompanied by a higher belief about medication specificnecessity. In contrast, older age was related to better adherence to quitting smoking. Factors such as being female, having longer disease duration, and having higher health literacy were associated with non-adherence with weight management, while having formal education and a stronger belief in the importance of specific medication were linked to greater adherence to weight management. The study found that a higher belief in the importance of specific medication and being female were related to non-adherence with quitting alcohol use. This study may provide a better understanding of CAM usage among people with hypertension with significant concerns over safety and interaction with the standards prescribed treatment. Further intervention is needed to decrease the possibility of complications and optimize self-management of hypertension with the use of CAM.
The transmission and severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) are related to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between daily reported COVID -19 cases and environmental variables. In this study, we used data from October 2020 to October 2021. We used a Generalised Additive Model (GAM) to examine the short-term relationship between COVID -19 and environmental variables in Selangor, Malaysia, using daily meteorological components and daily confirmed COVID -19 cases. We discovered a significant inverse relationship between daily confirmed COVID -19 cases and mean temperature (Tave), relative humidity, wind speed, rainfall, and wind effect index (K), while temperature-humidity index (THI) was significantly associated with an increase in daily confirmed COVID -19 cases. The results of this study provide important insights into the impact that environmental factors may have on the transmission of COVID -19 and should be considered in the development of public health interventions in Selangor, Malaysia.
Eye: Questionnaire-based Vision Screening (EyeQVS) is a 21-item questionnaire designed to screen for reduced vision, visual field defects, binocular disorders, dry eye, postural ergonomic problems and computer vision syndrome. EyeQVS offer an online and equipment-free vision screening option. The purpose of this research is evaluating both usability and validity of EyeQVS. The testability was surveyed using grading scales and the experience was investigated using structured and open-ended questions. Each target ocular condition of EyeQVS was compared to the full eye examination. Method: In the usability investigation of EyeQVS, two modes were employed [selfadministration (fifty-two self-respondents cum patients) and proxy-administration (ten proxy-respondents for sixty-two patients) modes] in screening for vision problems. In the validation investigation, fifty-two subjects were recruited using convenient sampling to check the accuracy of EyeQVS. Each subject was screened with EyeQVS before undergoing a comprehensive eye examination. Results: All respondents indicated high confidence towards EyeQVS with an average of more than 8 points on the Likert scale score. The majority found it easy to use and navigate. Respondents also adored the short duration required to complete the vision screening. The Chi-square of the Independence Test revealed that the designated components of EyeQVS had a good relationship with respective clinical tests (p < 0.05). Conclusion: EyeQVS exhibits workable user satisfaction and operative validation from the full eye examination findings. EyeQVS provides alternative online easy access to preventive eye care. EyeQVS is pragmatic for vision screening implementation in locations where equipment-based screening is not feasible. It is also suitable for vulnerable communities needing special care, support or protection because of age, disability, poverty or accessibility issues.
Malaysia has the highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia and is growing. Environmental and genetic factors influence weight increase and obesity, leading to numerous diseases and mortality. This study aimed to develop a genotyping method to detect FTO gene variant rs9939609, known for its association with body mass index (BMI) and obesity. In-house primers detected rs9939609. Two common primers flanked the variation region, and two more primers identified the wild type and alternative allele. Capillary sequencing verified results. We developed FTO gene variant rs9939609 genotyping. This method can be used to genotype FTO variant rs9939609 in any research.
After retirement, the activities and roles of retirees change as their previously dominant activity and productivity is no longer a part of their routine. This transition can affect each retiree differently, and the risk of non-communicable diseases among retirees becomes more apparent due to lifestyle changes. Achieving occupational balance is crucial for successful ageing, life satisfaction, and subjective well-being in healthcare settings. However, occupational balance is defined and described differently across diverse populations. This study conducted a two-round Delphi study among 18 occupational therapy experts to identify the definition and attributes of occupational balance following retirement in Malaysia. The first round involved open-ended interviews exploring the definition and attributes of occupational balance, followed by a second round using close-ended questions to achieve experts' consensus. The study concluded that occupational balance is defined as an optimal engagement in meaningful and desired occupations, including self-care, productivity, and relaxing activities, according to the retirees' routines and contexts. The attributes were divided into four main groups, and 16 out of 21 statements achieved more than 80 per cent agreement among Malaysian OT experts. The study pioneers fundamental occupational therapy research central to Malaysian perspectives and contributes to healthcare research by exploring possible constructs associated with occupational balance following retirement. Future studies are necessary to explore the influence of each attribute on occupational balance.
Ocular trauma remains a significant cause of eye blindness. Disruption or violation of the globe's integrity can lead to an ocular emergency that usually jeopardises the vision. Early identification of this condition can fasten the management process to give the patients the best and most appropriate treatment. We described the role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in diagnosing globe rupture in the Emergency Department.
It is well established that knee stability can be altered during fatigue, which may increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. This is due to a reduction in neuromuscular control that leads to abnormal movement patterns. This study aims to review the impact of fatigue on landing biomechanics among individuals who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Four databases (Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant articles, with a focus on full-text English-language research articles published between 2012 and 2022. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies, and two independent reviewers were involved in the study evaluation, with a third reviewer resolving any discrepancies. Data on study demographics, fatigue simulation methods, landing tasks, outcome measures, and results were extracted from included studies. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The results of these studies showed that fatigue simulation reduced knee flexion only in two studies and increased hip flexion moment only in two studies during landing among individuals with ACLR. These inconclusive results show that fatigue may negatively impact landing biomechanics in people who have had an ACLR, potentially increasing their risk of re-injury. Fatigue did not affect the landing strategies adopted by individuals who have undergone ACLR. Some of these changes, such as reduced knee flexion and reduced hip flexion moment, could potentially increase the risk of re-injury. However, other changes, such as an increased hip flexion angle, may protect the joint from further injury. More research is needed to better understand the impact of fatigue on landing strategies in this population and to identify strategies that can minimize the risk of re-injury.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although with advanced medical insight and care, patients with late-stage CRC have a poor prognosis due to a lack of efficient therapy. Numerous scientific studies on the effects of vitamin E on cancer have been undertaken over the last few decades, with mixed findings. Thus, the goal of this review was to compile and summarize the data on vitamin E in vivo and in vitro experimental trials. PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were used for automated search of the literature spanning the period from 2010 to February 2021 using the following keywords: vitamin E or tocopherol or tocotrienol; and colorectal cancer or colorectal carcinogenesis or colorectal tumorigenesis. The findings obtained from the ten selected papers on vitamin E, in both in vitro and in vivo models, exhibited the positive effects of vitamin E on colorectal carcinogenesis, thus, necessitating further research on the notable isomers and metabolites of this compound.
Caring for critically ill patients may have a negative impact on nurses’ professional quality of life (ProQOL), including their compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS), leading to nurses’ turnover and concerns about the quality of care provided. Spiritual intelligence (SI) has been considered an important quality in most professions in recent years, but there is limited research on its role in contributing to the ProQOL of nurses. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the role of SI and its relationship with professional nurses’ ProQOL. This study aimed to determine the level of SI and ProQOL among critical care nurses in private hospitals. Followed by examining the relationship between SI and demographic data towards the dimension of ProQOL. A multisite study using a cross-sectional design was conducted on 136 nurses working at three private hospitals in Malaysia from March 2021 to March 2022 via an online survey. Data was gathered using the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI-24) and the Professional Quality of Life Version 5 (ProQOL-5), and descriptive and multivariate analyses were run using SPSS. SI among nurses was found at moderate to high levels of (61.30 ± 12.95), and the majority nurses had a moderate level of CS (72.1%), BO (77.2%), and STS (75.0%). In regression, there was a statistically significant relationship between SI toward CS (β = 0.61, t = 9.79, p < 0.01) and BO (β = -0.31, t = -4.19, p < 0.01), suggesting that CS levels were significantly higher with increasing SI levels, and BO levels significantly reduced with increasing SI levels. Also, female nurses are predicted to have a higher level of BO than male nurses (β = 0.20, t = 2.77, p = 0.01). The study’s results suggested that a holistic strategic approach is needed to improve CS and mitigate the negative component of ProQOL (BO and STS) by utilizing SI. It is hoped that nursing education institutes and hospital organizations can contribute to cultivating SI among nurses with extra consideration given to female nurses.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is any glucose intolerance that appears or is diagnoses for the first-time during pregnancy. According to International Diabetes Federation, the worldwide prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in 2019 was 14.4%, while in Malaysia for 2019 was 22.5%. The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness of aerobic exercise in preventing gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women at risk towards fasting blood glucose level, insulin resistance level, and oral glucose tolerance test level. This study was designed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyse (PRISMA) checklist. A total of five databases were used: Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), MEDLINE (EBSCO), PubMed (NCBI) and Cochrane library. Data were extracted based on PICO framework. Study bias was assessed using Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The findings of the studies were analysed into three themes according to outcome measures. Five studies from 1,866 studies were included. Three studies showed significant improvement results, while two showed no significant or similar results between groups in related outcome measures. The result indicates aerobic exercise might prevent gestational diabetes mellitus among at-risk pregnant women. However, ss we focused only on one intervention, we could not analyse the effect of aerobic exercise with resistance or dietary, which could benefit the population
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the globe, causing huge disruptions to everyday lifestyles, including in Malaysia. The government-enforced movement control order (MCO) forced the closure of all public and private educational institutions, affecting all the physical learning sessions as they must be shifted to online and distance learning (ODL). This has created stress among lecturers due to these unanticipated changes. A total of 12 participants were involved in this qualitative phenomenology design to explore their experiences of the ODL and how they cope with their stress. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with the guidance of a semi-structured interview format. Thematic analysis of the in-depth interview transcriptions found there were 6 themes, and 15 subthemes representing feelings, challenges, and ways of dealing with ODL. The study concluded that ODL during the COVID-19 pandemic can affect mental health and well-being among participants.
Breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, attitude and breastfeeding intention affect breastfeeding rates, especially in mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) who are associated with having poor breastfeeding outcomes. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate whether breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and sociodemographic factors are associated with breastfeeding intention among GDM pregnant mothers attending health clinics in Selangor. Validated questionnaires including Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (BSES-SF), Knowledge and Attitude, Breastfeeding Questionnaire (KA-BFQ), and Infant Feeding Intention (IFI) were self-administered to assess maternal knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and intention towards breastfeeding. Pearson’s Chi Square and independent t-test were used to investigate factors associated with breastfeeding intention among GDM mothers. Multiple linear regression was executed to explore determinants of breastfeeding intention among the studied population. A total of 124 pregnant women with GDM visiting chosen public health clinics in Selangor were recruited for this study. Findings revealed the scores (Mean ± SD) for breastfeeding knowledge 25.66 ± 8.736, breastfeeding attitude 81 ± 11.5, and breastfeeding self-efficacy 48.5 ± 12. About 84.7% (n = 105) had the intention to breastfeed with a mean score of 11 ± 5.25. Further analysis depicted significant associations between breastfeeding intention with a family history of diabetes (AOR = 3.551, 95% CI: 1.127 to 11.185, p-value = 0.030) and breastfeeding knowledge (AOR = 1.107, 95% CI: 1.036 to 1.182, p-value = 0.003). This study concluded that mothers with GDM had fair breastfeeding knowledge, good attitude, high self-efficacy, and high intention in breastfeeding. These findings highlight the need to develop culture-specific interventions in improving breastfeeding knowledge particularly to enhance breastfeeding intention among GDM mothers.
Despite the accumulation of dental plaque, adsorption of colourant pigment from foods and beverages was found to influence the quality of aesthetic restorations. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of different solutions on colour stability and microhardness of microhybrid and nanofilled composite resins. This project was a laboratory based experimental study. Three types of composite resins were used; microhybrid (FiltekTM Z250), nanohybrid (FiltekTM Z250 XT) and universal nanocomposite (FiltekTM 350 XT). A total of 135 disc-shaped specimens were prepared and were randomly divided into five subgroups (n = 9): artificial saliva, mouthwash, carbonated drink, energy drink and coffee. Samples were immersed in the solutions at time intervals of 24 hours, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days. All specimens were assessed for the staining effect using a spectrometer (QE65000) and microhardness evaluation using the Vickers indenter (LECO LM 248AT, St. Joseph, Michigan, USA). Data on spectrometer colour spectrum and surface hardness were subjected to a one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test at a significance level of P < 0.05. There was a significant difference in discolouration between all three types of composite resins when immersed in all solutions regardless of the pH values (P < 0.05). Vickers hardness test showed statistically significant microhardness among all composite resins on Day 28. The staining medium caused significant discolouration and decreased the hardness of all the materials tested. Microhybrid composite resin reported the lowest colour variations and resistance to hardness test.
Genetic variation research indicates that 25% to 70% of body weight is determined by genetics. This study aimed to identify the influence of genetic variants on weight and biochemical data changes in participants who underwent a weight management program. A total of 30 obese participants were randomly assigned to either intervention or control groups. The study consisted of three phases: Phase I (pre-assessment), Phase II (intervention phase), and Phase III (post-assessment). The intervention and control groups were selected using block randomisation. The study involved 30 participants aged between 31 and 41 with a BMI of 32.8 ± 6.12 kg/m2. By examining the available data, it is possible to observe trends suggesting potential associations between certain genotypes and weight changes. Two specific variants, rs1726866 and rs1800497, significantly impacted glucose levels. Additionally, these two variants and another variant called rs1051168 were observed to influence cholesterol levels. These findings contribute to our understanding of the genetic factors that can potentially influence glucose and cholesterol metabolism and may have implications for personalised approaches to managing glucose and cholesterol-related conditions towards weight management programs.
Background: Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome with signs and symptoms resulting from any structural dysfunction of ventricular filling or blood ejection. miRNAs were known as essential regulators and tissue-specifically expressed. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) expression in macrophages is already well known to promote hypertrophy, cardiac inflammation, and failure due to pressure overload. In this study, we aim to identify the role of expression miR-155 as a potential biomarker for HF.
Nurses are exposed to many clinical monitoring alarms in managing critically ill patients, gradually leading to emotional exhaustion and burnout. This situation is called alarm fatigue, where nurses tend to do inappropriate actions to silence the alarms or adjust them outside the appropriate limits. Thus, this study aims to explore stress and alarm fatigue among staff nurses dealing with critically ill patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 114 nurses dealing with critically ill patients (ICU/CCU/HDU/NICU, and A&E) in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Using purposive sampling, participants who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were asked to fill up a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, a nursing stress scale, and an alarm fatigue questionnaire. After 30 minutes, the questionnaire was collected. Most nurses dealing with critically ill patients reported a low level of stress (65.8%) and alarm fatigue (69.3%). Based on study findings, subscale workload was identified as the primary source of stress (Mean = 2.516, SD = 0.484). Meanwhile, education level and working shift are the only sociodemographic characteristics associated with stress and alarm fatigue (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlation was seen between stress and alarm fatigue, and this revealed a weak correlation between these two variables (r = 0.078, p = 0.411). Stress and alarm fatigue was found statistically not significant towards each other. Future studies should explore different risk factors associated with alarm fatigue among nurses dealing with critically ill patients.
Street food plays a significant role in the economy, where it supports the livelihoods of millions of people living in urban and rural areas while also contributing to tourism industries. As such, the hygiene and safety of street food should not be underestimated, as poor adherence to food hygiene and safety can contribute to foodborne diseases. A good understanding of food safety among consumers can reduce the incidence of foodborne outbreaks. However, comprehensive literature on the safety of street food is still inadequate. Therefore, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted among street food consumers in Kuala Kangsar, Perak Malaysia, to determine the level of food safety knowledge and attitudes, as well as the associated factors. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and Chi-square tests were conducted using SPSS version 26. Findings revealed that street food consumers in Kuala Kangsar have a moderate knowledge (59 ± 17) on, and positive attitudes (78 ± 14) towards food safety. Analysis revealed a significant association between participants’ food safety knowledge and attitudes scores, and gender with participants’ knowledge (p < 0.05). Even though the level of food safety knowledge and attitudes among street food consumers were satisfactory, the study suggests that several important factors, including cross-contamination, food pathogens, proper food storage, and time/temperature control, should be stressed when providing food safety education to the general public since these are the topics that the participants could not correctly answer. In addition, to promote hygiene and safety with regard to street food in Malaysia, related agencies such as the Ministry of Health and regulatory authorities must design effective initiatives and implement adequate control.
