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Fulltext Clinical utility of extended monocytes parameters as a screening tool in suspected dengue infection

Nur Aliaa, Eusni Rahayu Mohd Tohit, Nik Hafidzah Nik Mustapha, Malina Osman

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):162-167.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Increased monocyte percentage and monocyte anisocytosis were suggested as new markers for den- gue fever detection. This study aims to investigate and evaluate monocyte volume standard deviation (MoV-SD) and monocyte percentage (Mono %) parameters using Coulter automated haematology analyser as screening parameters in discriminating between dengue infection and other febrile illness. Methods: A cross-sectional laboratory analysis using suspected dengue fever patients were included in this study. The study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar Seremban from June 2016 until June 2017. Patients were classified into dengue positive and dengue negative based on dengue IgM and NS1 result. The diagnostic performance of MoV-SD and Mono % was analysed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The cut-off value of the MoV-SD and Mono % was determined and evaluated with the validation group. Chi-square test was used to assess the as- sociation between the parameters. Results: 88 (48.4%) from 182 samples were confirmed to have dengue infection. ROC curve analysis showed Mono % at cut off value of 10.5 % with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.869 with 84.1% sensitivity and 84% specificity (95% CI: 0.812-0.925) and MoV-SD cut off value at 22.2 (AUC 0.776, 80.7% sensitivity, 61.7% specificity, 95% CI: 0.709-0.843) are an excellent parameters in separating dengue positive and dengue-negative patients. A cut-off value of 10.5 of Mono % and 22.2 of MoV-SD were applied to the validation group showed 83.1%, 66.4% sensitivity and 84.9%, 77.3% specificity respectively. Conclusion: MoV-SD and Mono
% parameters are a potential parameter for the screening of dengue infection in acute febrile illness patients with good specificity and sensitivity.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Prevention of oral health disease: knowledge and practices among pregnant women in Kuantan, Malaysia

Nurjasmine Aida Binti Jamani, Karimah Hanim Binti Abd. Aziz, Zurainie Binti Abllah

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2019;3(4):923-932.
MyJurnal

Background: Oral disease in association of pregnancy outcome has been long researched.
Most pregnant women perceived that oral disease in pregnancy are expected and considered
to be normal. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of pregnant women and
their practices towards oral disease. Methods: 296 pregnant mothers were recruited from
government clinics in Kuantan, Malaysia. A validated and self -administered questionnaire
assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices towards oral health was used. Results were
analysed by descriptive analysis, chi square test and multiple logistic regression. Results:
Most respondents showed poor knowledge on oral health problem with its pregnancy
outcome (66.6%) and poor attitude about dental health during pregnancy (53.4%). Half of
them had good practice on oral health. Tooth cavity (46.3%) and gum bleeding (29.4%) were
the commonest problem reported by them. Only one third of the mothers utilize dental
service. Higher level of education was associated with better oral health practice [OR:0.02 CI
(1.12,3.92)] Conclusions: Knowledge on the relationship between oral health and pregnancy
outcome is still low among pregnant mothers. Utilization of dental service was also low. High
level of education is proven to give better oral health care.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Blood cholinesterase activity and associated factors among pesticide-exposed vegetable family farmers in Sabah Malaysia

Bitinsun Botinggo, Khamisah Awang Lukman, Mohammad Saffree Jeffree, Saihpudin @ Sahipudin Saupin

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):9-9.
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Introduction: Chemical pesticide is commonly used among vegetable family farmers in Sabah. There is no system to monitor adverse health effects. This study is to determine the blood cholinesterase activity and associated factors among vegetable family farmers. Methods: A cross sectional study has involved 163 farmers aged 18-60 years old. Validated questionnaire was used to assess the associated factors. Lovibond AF267 Cholinesterase Kit was used to determine the blood cholinesterase activity. Chi square test was used to determine the association between blood cholinesterase activity and socio demographic factors and work practices. Results: Approximately 23.3% of study sample had low blood cholinesterase activity. There were significant associations between low blood cholinesterase activity with older age group (p

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Occupational burnout and its influencing factors among primary health care providers under Tuaran Area Health Office

Joshua Teo Beng Chin, Shamsul Bahari Shamsudin, Noraziah Bakri

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):28-28.
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Introduction: Primary health care providers face a wide range of stressors and are at high risk of developing occu-pational burnout, which may cause ineffectiveness and reduce the productivity of the health care system. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the primary health care provider working in health facilities under Tuaran Area Health Office. A total of 199 of 604 providers randomly selected as respondents for this study. Self-ad-ministered questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory are used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence and Chi-square test was used to determine the association of risk factors. Results: Prevalence of occupational burnout is 10.1% with high level of overall burnout (n = 20), 60.8% are having low to moderate level of overall burnout (n = 121) and 29.1% has no burnout (n = 58). A significant relationship was observed between burnout, high workload, out-of-scope workload and distance between home and workplace (p≤0.01). However, no significant relationship was observed between burnout and age, gender, marital status, finan-cial status, education level, experience and income. Conclusion: This study shows that distribution of workload as well as the job scope may affect burnout. Further study can be conducted to identify home-workplace distance re-lation to burnout. With the identification of these factors, a counter measures and intervention can be implemented.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext The development of friendship instrument in chemistry and engagement of school of quantitative sciences in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students

Nurul Izzati Binti Hasnun, Nurul Aziera Binti Zainol Abidin, Nurhana Binti Roslan, Mohamad Shukri Bin Abdul Hamid

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(8):85-112.
MyJurnal

Friendship is a topic that should be emphasized and studied, and it can be positive or negative. There are many forms of friendship that can be termed, but it may also differ from one's perspective and certain characteristics of a person. The value of friendship is very important to study in order to know the level of our friendships. In college student development, peer influence can also influence student engagement in engaging in their college activities. It can be seen in terms of involvement in sports activities, curriculum activities and more. The main purpose of this study was to develop of Friendship instrument in chemistry and engagement of SQS UUM students and find the relationships between genders with chemistry and engagement. Using Factor Analysis in order to develop valid and reliable of the friendship Instrument based on chemistry and engagement. In order to study the validity of the data, face validity was used before the instrument was distributed in which the pilot study was conducted. To determine which factor is best, the analysis uses varimax rotation and selects which component is best and meets the criteria. Normality test was used to find the data was normal or nonnormal. Spearman Correlation and Chi Square Test method used in the non-normal data to find the relationship of selected variables.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Occlusal force and occlusal contact reestablishment with resin-bonded fixed partial dental prostheses using the Dahl concept: A clinical study

Idris RI, Shoji Y, Lim TW

J Prosthet Dent, 2021 Jan 14.
PMID: 33455729 DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2020.11.035

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Space creation for a metal retainer of the resin-bonded fixed partial dental prostheses (RBFPDPs) with the Dahl concept remains controversial because of the lack of clinical studies.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the occlusal force and occlusal contact reestablishment of RBFPDPs cemented at an increased occlusal vertical dimension (the Dahl concept) and to evaluate the factors affecting them.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective clinical study was carried out on 28 participants receiving cantilevered RBFPDPs at an increased occlusal vertical dimension at the Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA. Maximum occlusal forces were recorded at precementation, postcementation, and 12-week review visit by using pressure indicating film, while occlusal contact reestablishment was assessed at the precementation stage and 12-week review visit by using shim stock foils. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis (α=.05).
RESULTS: Significant differences were found for maximum occlusal force between the precementation and the postcementation and between the postcementation and the 12-week review of RBFPDPs (P.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, occlusal force was reestablished after 12 weeks, and occlusal contact was completely reestablished in most participants after placement of RBFPDPs at an increased occlusal vertical dimension.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext The effectiveness of antenatal class towards improvement of knowledge among pregnant women in Hospital Chancellor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM)

Rohani Mamat, Roziah Arabi, Hartini Jantan, Hanisah Zainal Abidin, Nor Azizah Ahmad, Shakinah Awang

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(105):60-0.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Antenatal knowledge is associated with positive outcome for pregnant women as it provides infor- mation to allow them to identify any problems during pregnancy. Studies have underlined the problems of the information overload is possible during an antenatal class, it is unclear to what extend information given during an- tenatal class are retain by mother, thus the need for this study. Methods: This is a quasi-pre-post experimental study involving 82 participants. Baseline pre and post knowledge on antenatal class was evaluated among respondents using validate questionnaires. T-test was used to determine the relationship between various socio-demographic factors and knowledge of respondents. Results: Chi-square test used to test pre and post knowledge score. There was a significant increase in the difference between before and after antenatal classes run against the knowledge. In addition, the study found no significant difference for participants who are professional and non-professional and level of education. Conclusion: This study concludes thatthe antenatal classes run in HCTM shows a positive im- pact in improving maternal care during pregnancy, childbirth and care after birth. It is best to suggest that to increase promotion and information regarding antenatal classes so that pregnant women and couple could attend and get the benefit from the class.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Learning styles among year 1 semester 1nursing students in college of nursing Kubang Kerian, Kelantan

Rusnani Ab Latif, Fairani Yusof, Tan, Yok Mui, Nor Suraizai Ibrahim

The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 2019;10(4):3-11.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Students learn in many ways. Some students are visual learners, while others are auditory or kinesthetic learners. The purpose of the study is to identify the learning style of the students and factors that influence their learning styles. Methods: This is a descriptive study with cross-sectional design. Convenient sampling was used. In this study, a total of 51 nursing students were involved. A set of questionnaires using VARK (Visual; Auditory; Read/Write; Kinesthetic) inventory was used. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were use. Results: The learning styles of the respondents were mostly kinesthetic learning style and auditory learning styles which is 14(27.5%) for both, ten respondent had combinations of various styles, seven respondents had read write learning style and six respondent had visual learning style which is 13.7% and 11.8% respectively. Chi-square test shows that there was significant difference between learning style and respondents' demographic factors of previous school and number of siblings, where p-value 0.05). Conclusion: In order to achieve the goal of student learning it is important to use a combination of teaching methods and to make the classroom environment as stimulating and interactive as possible

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Effect of cigarette smoking on the academic achievement among Management and Science University students

Sohayla M. Attalla, Sakinah Ruhi, Che Nur Fadhlina Bt Che Mud

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(107):18-22.
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Introduction: Cigarette smoking is showing an increasing prevalence among university students nowadays. Smok- ing includes the act of smoking cigarette containing tobacco and/or other ingredients or just inhaling the cigarette smoke. Smoking has many known physical side effects that include psychological or cognitive effects. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the effect of cigarette smoking on the academic achievement among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 136 students including 113 male and 23 fe- male aged 18 to 29 years from Management and Science University with 30 non smoker students. The question- naire included items about the social demographic characteristics, smoking status, the study styles and the aca- demic achievement of the participants. A frequency statistics, descriptive statistics and chi square test were used to analyze the collected data using SPSS version 25. Results: Among the smoker students, 51.5% came to class ear- ly, 80.8% attend classes regularly, 49.3% studied on weekends and 39.7% planned sufficient time to study for exam. Mean CGPA for smoker students is 2.6. Conclusion: Smoking is proven to be associated with low academic performance among university student.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pet and stray cats in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Tan LP, Megat Abd Rani PA, Sharma RSK, Syed Hussain SS, Watanabe M

Trop Biomed, 2020 Sep 01;37(3):542-550.
PMID: 33612769 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.3.542

Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan that has a worldwide distribution, is known to infect many warm-blooded vertebrates. The feline species including domestic cats are the definitive hosts for Toxoplama gondii and shed the infective oocyst. There is lack of information on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats in Malaysia. The objective of this study was to determine both the seroprevalence of T. gondii and the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in cats' feces in Klang Valley, Malaysia. 198 blood and 201 fecal samples were collected from pet and stray cats from the local council, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia respectively. The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats in the Klang Valley was found to be 5.5%. There was a high prevalence (10.5%) of T. gondii DNA detected in the cat fecal samples in both pet and stray cats suggestive of T. gondii oocyst shedding. Stray cats showed a higher seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of T. gondii than the pet cats. However, comparative analysis using Chi-square test showed no significant difference between both groups (P>0.05). Higher prevalence (10.5%) of cats shedding T. gondii DNA as compared to the seroprevalence (5.5%) was found in the cat population in the Klang Valley. The high prevalence of cats shedding T. gondii DNA is alarming as this may directly reflect the number of oocysts excreted into the environment posing a significant public health hazard.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Prevalence and perceived severity of post-traumatic stress disorder among flood victims in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Oo, San San, Rahmah Mohd Amin, Aniza Abd Aziz, Thwe Aung, Myat Moe, Rohayah Husain

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2016;16(2):30-40.
MyJurnal

Floods can lead to direct economic and property losses and result not only in physical injuries and deaths but
also in psychological trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a commonly used indicator to evaluate
psychological injuries after disaster. This study aimed to determine the relationship between PTSD prevalence
and related perceived severity of post flood impact by economical, non-economical and flood status severity
domains besides relevant socio-demographic factors according to gender specific analysis. This cross-sectional
study was conducted among community in Kampung Hulu Takir, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia in 2015 two
weeks after flood. It included a total of 98 males and 110 females aged 18 years and above. Data was
collected by interview-guided questionnaire to determine the prevalence of PTSD. SPSS version 21.0 was used
for analysis of the relationship between socio demographic factors, perceived economic, non-economic and
flood severity with PTSD. Finally chi square test was used to assess the predictors of PTSD according to
gender. The prevalence of PTSD was 9.2% in males and 10.9% in females, giving a total of 10.1%. Significantly
higher prevalence of PTSD was found in severely perceived economic and flood impact categories (33.3% and
23.8% in males; 23.8 % and 37.5% in females) and giving in overall 44.0% and 31.3 % respectively. Effective
PTSD management strategies targeting females post flood victims who severely perceived economically and
nature flood impact should be implemented in order to prevent further consequences of PTSD.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Nutrition knowledge among Malaysian elderly

Norimah A.Karim, Nik Shanita Safii, Safiah Mohd Yusof, Norazliana Mohd Noor, Zawiah Ahmad, Tee, E Siong

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2008;6(2):43-54.
MyJurnal

This paper reports the nutrition knowledge of Malaysian elderly, as part of a nationwide study to evaluate the status of nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of food and nutrition among various communities in Malaysia. A total of 906 elderly, age ranging between 60 to 96 years old, with mean age 67.4 ± 6.7 years representing all states in Malaysia participated in the study. An interview administered questionnaire was used to assess the nutrition knowledge and to collect demographic data of the elderly. Subjects were in the 60-65 years (51%) and more than 65 years (49%) age category. There were 46% Malays, 32% Chinese, 6% Indians while the remaining 16% comprised of other minority groups in Malaysia such as Iban, Kadazan, Melanau, Orang Asli and others. More than half of the elderly (54%) had no formal education, 36% completed primary schooling and only 9% finished secondary education. Overall 73% elderly were categorized as having poor nutrition knowledge, 18% moderate and only 9% good. The minority groups had the highest percentage of poor nutrition knowledge (91%) while the Chinese had the highest percentage of good nutrition knowledge (11%). More female (78%) than male (67%) had poor nutrition knowledge, in contrast to more male (10%) than female (8%) with good nutrition knowledge. Chi square test showed that there was a significant correlation between educational status and nutrition knowledge. This was reflected in the results which showed that 81% elderly with no formal education were categorized in the poor nutrition knowledge group. Majority of the elderly did not know about foods to be consumed most (88%), or to be eaten least (87%). Only a quarter to a third of the elderly responded correctly to questions on nutrient function and content. The question on foods with high salt was well responded by the elderly (65%). It is quite discouraging to show that a majority of Malaysian elderly had poor nutrition knowledge. This study indicated that appropriate nutrition education interventions need to be implemented to improve the shortcomings of nutrition knowledge among the Malaysian elderly.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Five-Year Review of Histopathological Findings of Colorectal Cancer Patients Operated in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan Kuantan Pahang Malaysia

Azmi, M.N., Zailani, M.A., Norashikin, M.N., Asma Assaedah, Norra, H., Kalavathy, R., et al.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2007;6(1):1-14.
MyJurnal

PURPOSE: This review was performed to determine the association between demographic characteristics and the histopathological findings of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients operated in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) Kuantan Pahang Malaysia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the histopathological reports of 119 CRC cases operated in HTAA from January 2001 to December 2005 which met the inclusion criteria of histologically proven adenocarcinoma. The following demographic characteristics which include age, gender, and ethnicity were assessed. The histopathological related variables which include the site of primary tumor, Astler and Coller stage, tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis were analyzed. Chi square test was used for categorical variables. Data with low expected counts were assessed using Fisher’s exact tests. RESULTS: There were 59 males and 60 females with age ranging from 23 to 93 years. 81.5% of the patients were older than 50 years (p=0.038). Malays accounted for 58.8% of the total cases, followed by Chinese (36.1%) and Indian (5%). Rectosigmoid region and rectum were the most common sites for primary tumor (55.6%). Cancer in male predominantly occurred in the rectum (p=0.023). Malays were commonly diagnosed with stage C2 (54.3%) while Chinese were diagnosed with stage B2 (58.1%) (p=0.011). Fifty percent of the patients who are less than 50 years old were diagnosed with stage C2 (p=0.024). There was significant change from well to moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (p=0.000). Sixty percent of female patients diagnosed to have cancer with lymph node metastasis (p=0.044). Significant lymph node metastasis was also observed among Malay patients (p=0.022). CONCLUSION: The findings from the present review suggest that there are several associations between demographic distribution and histopathological characteristics of CRC. More than fifty per cent of CRC are found in the rectosigmoid region and the rectum. CRC are more common in Malay race and rectal cancer is predominantly affecting the male. About forty five percent of patients harbor metastases in the lymph nodes and fifty percent of the younger age group were presenting with nodal metastases.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Non-leisure time physical activity for adult Malaysian and determinant factors

Ahmad Taufik Jamil, Singh, Rakesh, Aniza Ismail, Azahadi Omar

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2015;15(3):84-93.
MyJurnal

Non-Leisure Time Physical is the main component of physical activity in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to study the associated factors related to Non-Leisure Time Physical (occupational & travel) in Malaysia. This data is from the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey, consisting of 32,575 respondents. It was a cross-sectional study among Malaysian adult, aged 18 years and was conducted using proportional to the size stratified sampling method. Chi square test and logistic regression model were used to analyse the data. The result showed that non-leisure time physical activity (NLTPA) gives more contribution to total physical activity, as compared to leisure time physical activity with percentage of 64.3% and 35.7% respectively. There was a significant association between NLTPA with age (P < 0.001), gender (P < 0.001), ethnicity (P < 0.001), education (P < 0.001), occupation (P < 0.001), income (P < 0.001), marital status (P < 0.001), region (P < 0.001). The main component of physical activity in Malaysia is NLTPA. Promoting NLTPA may have potential to increase physical activity levels in Malaysia.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Prevalence of Stress and Coping Mechanism among Staff Nurses in the Intensive Care unit

Lexshimi RG, Raja, Saadiah Tahir, Santhna, L.P., Md Nizam, J.

Medicine & Health, 2007;2(2):146-153.
MyJurnal

The working environment of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses is a constant source of stress. Researchers have described ICU as a stressful environment because of the complex nature of patients’ health problems requiring an extensive use of very sophisticated technology. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of stress among staff nurses working in ICU, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM), factors influencing stress and to explore the symptoms of stress experienced. This descriptive study was conducted on 67 staff nurses working in ICU, HUKM. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires included sections on socio-demographic data, factors influencing stress and symptoms of stress experienced. Data was analyzed using frequency and percentage. The Chi square test was used to examine the relationship between socio-demographic data and factors influencing stress. Findings indicated that stress symptoms were experienced by 100 per cent (n =67) of staff nurses Knowledge, working experience, critically ill patients, and environmental factors were one of the many factors contributing to the stress experienced by the ICU nurses in HUKM. Nurses working in ICU, HUKM are found to have a high level of stress. Recommendations like encouraging ICU nurses to take up post basic ICU courses and increasing the nurses quota can reduce the prevalence of stress among ICU nurses. Hospital management has an important role to play in reducing the stress levels of nurses working in ICU as stress has an effect on job performance and quality of nursing care.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Factors associated with birth weights among infants

Rusnani Ab Latif

The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 2018;9(103):45-53.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Birth weight is the single most important factor which determines infant morbidity and
mortality. Birth weight of the newborn is believed to be influenced by several factors. Therefore, it is
important to understand the possible factors that influence birth weight.

Methodology: The respondents were 230 postnatal mothers who participated in this study. A selfadministered
questionnaire was used for interviewing the postnatal mothers. One Way Analysis of
Variance (ANOVA), Chi-square tests and the independent t-test were used. Statistically significant data
were those that had a p- value < 0.05.

Results: The mean birth weight was 3080.02±400.61g. The incidence of low birth weight (LBW) was
12.6%. By using One-Way ANOVAtest, the factors that were found to be significantly associated with birth
weight (p

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Approaches of learning among medical undergraduates of faculty of medicine and health sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2016

Nurul Mursyidah Zakaria, Nur Asyiqin Jasman Farok, Siti Khadijah Adam, Syafinaz Amin Nordin

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(1):1-6.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Challenge arises for medical undergraduates as the subject of medicine is intricate and extensive. Although students come from the same pool of excellent academic background, the medical undergraduates are still prone to failure in exams, resulting in them repeating the year of study or even having the thought of changing to other courses. In order to cope with the programme, students may adopt learning approaches that would help them to go through the programme. Therefore, it would be interesting to explore the learning approaches of medical students in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Methods: The purposes of this study were to determine the learning approach of medical undergraduates of Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (FMHS, UPM) together with its associated factors, which were socio-demographic characteristics and learning environment. This research was a cross-sectional study where the sample size calculated was 554. Self-administered questionnaires were given to the respondents chosen by simple random sampling. The socio-demographic characteristics were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage. Chi-square test was used to analyse the association between the variables. Results: The response rate was 83% (460 respondents agreed to participate). The majority of the respondents were females (73.7%), Malay (67%), and in their clinical years of study (58.7%). Overall, most students preferred deep approach (DA) of learning (49.6%), followed by strategic approach (29.1%) and surface apathetic approach (21.3%) of learning. There were statistically significant associations between learning approach and gender (p=0.005), as well as between learning approach and year of study (p=0.037). Conclusion: Our study showed an association between learning approaches and year of study and gender. DA of learning was the preferred learning approach in medical students at FMHS, UPM. This approach of learning, where students learn to understand the subject matter, may result in students become effective learners. Their understanding about the subject matter will be applicable to their clinical practice in the future.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Predicting type 2 diabetes using genetic and environmental risk factors in a multi-ethnic Malaysian cohort

Abdullah N, Abdul Murad NA, Mohd Haniff EA, Syafruddin SE, Attia J, Oldmeadow C, et al.

Public Health, 2017 Aug;149:31-38.
PMID: 28528225 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2017.04.003

OBJECTIVE: Malaysia has a high and rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). While environmental (non-genetic) risk factors for the disease are well established, the role of genetic variations and gene-environment interactions remain understudied in this population. This study aimed to estimate the relative contributions of environmental and genetic risk factors to T2D in Malaysia and also to assess evidence for gene-environment interactions that may explain additional risk variation.
STUDY DESIGN: This was a case-control study including 1604 Malays, 1654 Chinese and 1728 Indians from the Malaysian Cohort Project.
METHODS: The proportion of T2D risk variance explained by known genetic and environmental factors was assessed by fitting multivariable logistic regression models and evaluating McFadden's pseudo R(2) and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC). Models with and without the genetic risk score (GRS) were compared using the log likelihood ratio Chi-squared test and AUCs. Multiplicative interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors was assessed via logistic regression within and across ancestral groups. Interactions were assessed for the GRS and its 62 constituent variants.
RESULTS: The models including environmental risk factors only had pseudo R(2) values of 16.5-28.3% and AUC of 0.75-0.83. Incorporating a genetic score aggregating 62 T2D-associated risk variants significantly increased the model fit (likelihood ratio P-value of 2.50 × 10(-4)-4.83 × 10(-12)) and increased the pseudo R(2) by about 1-2% and AUC by 1-3%. None of the gene-environment interactions reached significance after multiple testing adjustment, either for the GRS or individual variants. For individual variants, 33 out of 310 tested associations showed nominal statistical significance with 0.001

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Short-Term Versus Long-Term Systemic Corticosteroid Use in the Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Alshehri S, Alalawi M, Makeen A, Jad A, Alhuwaysi A, Alageeli M, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Feb;28(1):59-65.
PMID: 33679221 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.1.8

Background: The administration of systemic corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is the first line of management. The duration of this administration, however, is not well established in clinical practice. The objective of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes between short-term and long-term corticosteroid use in the acute exacerbation of COPD patients.
Methods: A single-centre, retrospective cohort study was conducted. From 2014 to 2018, all patients over 40 years old with COPD who were admitted to the hospital with a case of COPD exacerbation and received systemic corticosteroids at presentation were included. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the duration of systemic corticosteroid therapy. The primary outcome was hospital re-admission within 180 days. The secondary outcomes were 30 days mortality and length of hospitalisation. The two groups were compared using an independent sample t-test, a Chi-square test, and a Mann-Whitney U test, according to the data type.
Results: Eighty patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 52 (65%) patients completed long-term therapy, while 28 (35%) patients were on short-term treatment. A total of 15 (28.8%) patients reached the primary endpoint in the long-term treatment group versus 19 (67.9%) in the short-term treatment group (P = 0.001). The 30-day mortality was 4 (7.7%) and 0 (0%), respectively, and the median length of hospitalisation was 6.5 and 7.5 days in the long-term group and short-term group, respectively (P = 0.32, P = 0.88).
Conclusion: Long-term corticosteroid use in the management of acute COPD exacerbation was significantly associated with fewer 180 days re-admission. The duration of corticosteroid use remains controversial, and further studies are recommended to assess the relationship between patient profile and adherence to therapy post-discharge with re-exacerbation.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution
Fulltext Perceptions and myths regarding oral health care amongst strata of low socio economic community in Karachi, Pakistan

Khan SA, Dawani N, Bilal S

J Pak Med Assoc, 2012 Nov;62(11):1198-203.
PMID: 23866411

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of dental myths and perceived knowledge regarding oral healthcare practices and its associations with levels of education amongst low socioeconomic strata in Karachi, Pakistan.
METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2011. Two-staged random sampling was conducted to achieve a sample size of 576 participants from 8 union councils of Gadap Town, Karachi, Pakistan. An interview-based questionnaire was used to determine the participants' perceptions towards oral health and hygiene practices as well as the prevalence of common dental myths. The subjects were interviewed through a formulated questionnaire that was cross-translated into Urdu language.
RESULTS: Response rate from the participants was 550 (95.48%). Of the total, 270 (47%) respondents believed in the myth of tooth extraction affecting the eye vision. This was significantly associated with the socio-demography of the respondents. Besides, 421 (73%) thought that tooth extraction is not the ultimate remedy for pain relief and it was statistically significant with age and educational status of the participants. Those who considered bleeding while brushing to be normal were 144 (25%), and it was significantly associated with age and education level. Impact of oral health on general health was positively responded by 392 (68%), while 418 (72.5%) respondents did not think that the retention of baby teeth is important. Both these perceptions were significantly associated with age and level of education.
CONCLUSION: Pakistani population has considerable belief in myths and false perceptions regarding oral health issues. Various stakeholders should be involved to develop policies towards healthy attitudes and beliefs within the community towards their oral healthcare.

Matched MeSH terms: Chi-Square Distribution

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