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Attitudes towards deprescribing among multi-ethnic community-dwelling older patients and caregivers in Malaysia: a cross-sectional questionnaire study

Kua KP, Saw PS, Lee SWH

Int J Clin Pharm, 2019 Jun;41(3):793-803.
PMID: 31020599 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-019-00829-z

Background Deprescribing describes a process of medication regimen optimization with the aim to reduce adverse events and improve quality of life. There is limited research on perceptions of older adults, defined as those 60 years of age and older, about their willingness to cease a medication in developing countries. Objective To ascertain patients' attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and experiences regarding the number of medications they were taking and their opinions regarding deprescribing. Setting A primary care health clinic and three community pharmacies in Malaysia. Method A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted by administering the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire to older adults aged 60 years and over or caregivers attending a health clinic and three community pharmacies in Malaysia. Descriptive results were reported for participants' characteristics and questionnaire responses. Analysis of correlation between participant characteristics and their responses was performed using Spearman's correlation. Main outcome measure Patients' and caregivers' attitudes and beliefs towards reducing medications and characteristics of patients such as age, gender, education level, number of medication taken and number of medical center managing the patient. Results 650 participants were approached and the response rate was 85.2%. A total of 554 participants completed the questionnaire (502 older adults and 52 caregivers). Older adults in the study were taking a median of three medications and/or supplements compared to four in caregiver recipients. 88.1% of older adults were satisfied with their current medication regimen and 67.7% would like to try stopping or reducing the dose of their medicines when their doctor recommended. 82.7% of caregivers were satisfied with their care recipient's current medications and 65.4% were willing to stop taking or reduce the number of drugs taken by their care recipient's upon doctor's recommendation. Older adults (p = 0.003) and those with lower education level (p

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext Effectiveness of Mass and Small Media Campaigns to Improve Cancer Awareness and Screening Rates in Asia: A Systematic Review

Schliemann D, Su TT, Paramasivam D, Treanor C, Dahlui M, Loh SY, et al.

J Glob Oncol, 2019 04;5:1-20.
PMID: 30969807 DOI: 10.1200/JGO.19.00011

PURPOSE: The main objective of this systematic review was to identify whether mass and small media interventions improve knowledge and attitudes about cancer, cancer screening rates, and early detection of cancer in Asia.
METHODS: The review was conducted according to a predefined protocol. Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched in September 2017, and data extraction and rating of methodologic study quality (according to Joanna Briggs Institute rating procedures) were performed independently by reviewers.
RESULTS: Twenty-two studies (reported across 24 papers) met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (n = 21) were conducted in high or upper-middle income countries; targeted breast (n = 11), cervical (n = 7), colorectal (n = 3), or oral (n = 2) cancer; and used small media either alone (n = 15) or in combination with mass media and other components (n = 5). Studies regarding cancer screening uptake were of medium to high quality and mainly reported positive outcomes for cervical cancer and mixed results for breast and colorectal cancer. The methodologic strength of research that investigated change in cancer-related knowledge and the cost effectiveness of interventions, respectively, were weak and inconclusive.
CONCLUSION: Evidence indicated that small media campaigns seemed to be effective in terms of increasing screening uptake in Asia, in particular cervical cancer screening. Because of the limited number of studies in Asia, it was not possible to be certain about the effectiveness of mass media in improving screening uptake and the effectiveness of campaigns in improving cancer-related knowledge.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Knowledge and attitude towards identification of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis among emergency personnel in tertiary teaching hospital

Rahman N'A, Chan CM, Zakaria MI, Jaafar MJ

Australas Emerg Care, 2019 Mar;22(1):13-21.
PMID: 30998867 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2018.11.002

INTRODUCTION: An emergency department (ED) is often the first point of medical contact for sepsis patient, which plays an important role in early identification and management of high-risk septic patients. The present study was aim to evaluate emergency personnel's knowledge and attitude toward identification and management of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital and recruited all emergency personnel. A validated questionnaire on knowledge and attitude towards identification and management of SIRS/sepsis was distributed among 120 emergency personnel. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
RESULTS: Overall finding founds emergency nurses and assistant medical officer appeared to have moderate knowledge in several important areas of SIRS/sepsis identification and management. Majority of the emergency personnel have neutral attitudes, as they do not give enough importance towards identification of patients with SIRS and sepsis. The present study finding found that knowledge of clinical criteria and management of SIRS/sepsis was highest among assistant medical officers (p=0.02) and bachelor's degree holders (p=0.02) with emergency experience more than 5 years (p=0.03). A trend toward an increase in knowledge of SIRS and sepsis is significantly correlated with positive attitudes.
CONCLUSION: The emergency personnel demonstrated a moderate knowledge and neutral attitude toward identification and management of SIRS and sepsis. Therefore, the awareness and knowledge of SIRS and sepsis should be enhanced among emergency personnel in order to improve outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Prostate cancer screening perspective, Malaysia

Sothilingam S, Sundram M, Malek R, Sahabuddin RM

Urol Oncol, 2010;28(6):670-2.
PMID: 21062649 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2009.12.014

The incidence of prostate cancer in Malaysia is still low compared to the west. This may be due to a true low incidence or lower detection rates. Prostate Awareness Campaigns are held on a yearly basis to educate and encourage males over the age of 50 years to have their prostate examined. Such a campaign was organized in 2005 at the national level involving 12 district hospitals. A total of 2770 participants attended the campaign. 38.7% had no urinary symptoms and attended out of curiosity. Among the symptomatic patients, nocturia was the most bothersome in the majority. 84.6% of the participants also had some degree of erectile dysfunction based on the IIEF questionnaire. 10.4% of participants had a PSA > 4 ng/mL. Malay participants had the highest mean PSA level (2.32 ng/mL) and Indian participants the lowest (1.30 ng/mL). 408 participants were called back for biopsy but only 183 agreed to the biopsy. 30 cancers were detected. At present Malaysia will benefit most by continuing to conduct these awareness programmes to educate the public on prostate disease and hopefully in future patients will be less reluctant to have prostate biopsies taken when indicated.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fatalism, faith and fear: A case study of self-care practice among adults with type 2 diabetes in urban Malaysia

Saidi S, Milnes LJ, Griffiths J

J Clin Nurs, 2018 Oct;27(19-20):3758-3767.
PMID: 29893043 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14559

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore self-care and self-care support in patients with Type 2 diabetes in urban Malaysia.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in Malaysia and associated long-term and life-changing complications is increasing. With effective self-care and self-care support, severe complications of the condition can be avoided or reduced. Prior to this study, no evidence existed about Malaysian patients' management of the condition or support for self-care from the healthcare system.
DESIGN: A single embedded qualitative case study.
METHODS: Semistructured interviews with 18 patients with Type 2 diabetes aged 28-69 years, healthcare professionals (n = 19), observations (n = 13) of clinic appointments from two urban settings in Malaysia and a documentary analysis. Recordings were transcribed verbatim, field notes were made during observations and the data analysed and synthesised within and across case using Framework analysis.
FINDINGS: Three main themes explained self-care and self-care support in Malaysia: fatalism, faith and fear. Patients were fatalistic about developing diabetes - they perceived it as inevitable because it is so common in Malaysia. However, faith in God, coupled with fear of the consequences of diabetes, motivated them to engage in self-care practices. The fear was largely induced by diabetes healthcare professionals working in overcrowded clinics, and stretched thinly across the service, who used a direct and uncompromising approach to instil the importance of self-care to avoid severe long-term complications.
CONCLUSION: This study provided important insight on how people in Malaysia developed diabetes, their responses to the disease and the approach of healthcare professionals in supporting them to engage with self-care.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Any future development of self-care programmes in Malaysia needs to recognise the factors that motivate patients to self-care and include components that build self-efficacy.
Study site: three outpatient clinics (one in primary care and two in secondary care), Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Passive smoking: directions for health education among Malaysian college students

Kurtz ME, Johnson SM, Ross-Lee B

Int J Health Serv, 1992;22(3):555-65.
PMID: 1644515 DOI: 10.2190/JFRP-E61C-Y7R7-G7J8

This study investigated knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts of Malaysian college students regarding health risks associated with passive smoking, as well as possible directions for intervention and health education programs. Students responded anonymously to a structured written questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine (1) differences in knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts between smokers and nonsmokers and between men and women; (2) the relationship between smoking by parents, siblings, and friends, and students' knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts; and (3) relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts. Peer groups and siblings had a substantial influence on students' attitudes toward passive smoking and their preventive efforts when exposed to passive smoke. A regression analysis revealed a statistically significant linear dependence of preventive efforts on knowledge and attitudes, with the attitude component playing the dominant role. This research suggests that educational efforts on passive smoking, directed toward young college students in developing countries such as Malaysia, should concentrate heavily on changing attitudes and reducing the effects of peer group and sibling influences.
Study site: Institut Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam; Stamford College, Petaling Jaya; Selangor, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext An assessment of health-care students' attitudes toward patients with or at high risk for HIV: implications for education and cultural competency

Jin H, Earnshaw VA, Wickersham JA, Kamarulzaman A, Desai MM, John J, et al.

AIDS Care, 2014;26(10):1223-8.
PMID: 24625279 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2014.894616

Stigma perpetuated by health-care providers has been found to be a barrier to care for vulnerable populations, including HIV-infected, people who inject drugs (PWIDs), and men who have sex with men (MSM) in multiple clinical contexts and remains unexamined among professional health-care students in Malaysia. This cross-sectional, anonymous, and Internet-based survey assessed the attitudes of medical and dental students toward HIV-infected, PWID, and MSM patients. Survey invitation was emailed to 3191 students at 8 professional schools; 1296 (40.6%) responded and scored their attitudes toward these patient groups using a feeling thermometer, indicating their attitudes on a sliding scale from 0 (most negative) to 100 (most positive). Compared to general patients (mean = 76.50), the mean scores for HIV-infected (mean = 54.04; p < 0.001), PWID (mean = 37.50; p < 0.001), and MSM (mean = 32.13; p < 0.001) patients were significantly lower and significantly different between each group comparison. Within group differences, most notably religion, ethnicity, and personally knowing someone from these populations were associated with significant differences in attitudes. No differences were noted between pre-clinical and clinical year of training. Health-care students represent the next generation of clinicians who will be responsible for future HIV prevention and treatment efforts. Our findings suggest alarmingly negative attitudes toward these patients, especially MSM, necessitating prompt and effective interventions designed to ameliorate the negative attitudes of health-care students toward vulnerable populations, specifically HIV-infected, PWID, and MSM patients in Malaysia.
Site site: online surveys at seven universities: University of Malaya, National University of Malaysia, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Penang International Dental College, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia, and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Knowledge, perceived barriers and facilitators of medication error reporting: a quantitative survey in Malaysian primary care clinics

Samsiah A, Othman N, Jamshed S, Hassali MA

Int J Clin Pharm, 2020 Aug;42(4):1118-1127.
PMID: 32494990 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-020-01041-0

Background Medication errors are the most common types of medical errors that occur in health care organisations; however, these errors are largely underreported. Objective This study assessed knowledge on medication error reporting, perceived barriers to reporting medication errors, motivations for reporting medication errors and medication error reporting practices among various health care practitioners working at primary care clinics. Setting This study was conducted in 27 primary care clinics in Malaysia. Methods A self-administered survey was distributed to family medicine specialists, doctors, pharmacists, pharmacist assistants, nurses and assistant medical officers. Main outcome measures Health care practitioners' knowledge, perceived barriers and motivations for reporting medication errors. Results Of all respondents (N = 376), nurses represented 31.9% (n = 120), followed by doctors (n = 87, 23.1%), pharmacists (n = 63, 16.8%), assistant medical officers (n = 53, 14.1%), pharmacist assistants (n = 46, 12.2%) and family medicine specialists (n = 7, 1.9%). Of the survey respondents who had experience reporting medication errors, 56% (n = 62) had submitted medication error reports in the preceding 12 months. Results showed that 41.2% (n = 155) of respondents were classified as having good knowledge on medication error and medication error reporting. The mean score of knowledge was significantly higher among prescribers and pharmacists than nurses, pharmacist assistants and assistant medical officers (p

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Seeking medical help for cancer among urban dwellers in Malaysia-Emotional barriers and awareness of cancer symptoms

Su TT, Azzani M, Donnelly M, Majid HA

Eur J Cancer Care (Engl), 2020 Jul;29(4):e13232.
PMID: 32050305 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13232

OBJECTIVES: The main aims of the study were to identify barriers to seeking help for cancer, appraise demographic and socio-economic differences in relation to barriers and evaluate the association between barriers and cancer symptoms awareness and delayed help-seeking.
METHODS: A total of 2,360 adults (18 years and above) from randomly selected households in metropolitan Kuala Lumpur completed face-to-face interviews with trained research assistants that incorporated the validated Malay version of the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM). Logistic regression was the main statistical technique that was used to investigate the study objectives and relationships (noted above).
RESULTS: The most commonly reported barriers to help-seeking were emotional barriers. The probability of delaying seeking help was 49% higher in participants who reported emotional barriers (OR = 1.49; CI: 1.32-1.68; p

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext An exploration of disease awareness among tuberculosis patients: The empirical link between attitude and self-preventive care

Mokhtar KS, Rahman NA, Haron MS, Rahman NHA

J Infect Dev Ctries, 2020 04 30;14(4):349-359.
PMID: 32379711 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.11583

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) remains alarmingly high in developing countries, including Malaysia. Recognised as the leading global infectious disease, untreated TB can be fatal. TB is easily spread through the air, and any close contact with a TB patient can put others at risk. This study therefore aimed to investigate the level of awareness of TB among TB patients and how their attitudes affect self-preventive healthcare.
METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated self-administered questionnaire at 18 hospitals in six states of Malaysia, namely, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kelantan, Sabah, and Sarawak in 2015. The study sample comprised 1600 TB patients who were randomly selected using data obtained from the Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia. A total of 1368 of the completed questionnaires were considered usable and included in the statistical analysis.
RESULTS: Overall, the level of TB awareness was found to be high, and the respondents possessed positive attitudes towards TB and health-seeking behaviours. Self-preventive care among the TB patients was determined as being at a moderate level. With regard to contact with others, the patients were more comfortable around their families than their friends and neighbours.
CONCLUSIONS: More health education programmes are recommended to cultivate positive attitudes towards TB, to encourage communities to have a better understanding of TB, and to create awareness among patients of the proper ways to practice self-preventive care.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
A cross sectional study on assessing the knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol in Malaysia

Dellemin NA, Zahari Z, Ahmad Hassali MA, Rashid SA

Pak J Pharm Sci, 2020 May;33(3):1057-1061.
PMID: 33191229

Recent years, the prevalence of paracetamol allergy becomes great concerns. However, data on knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol are lacking. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitude, and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol (KAP-ARP). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated self-administered questionnaire around Pasar Siti Khadijah, Kelantan from February 2016 to January 2017 among the general population. A total of 177 respondents participated in this study. The mean percentage scores for knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol were 31.7% (SD 23.6), 53.1% (SD 19.2) and 53.3% (SD 23.9), respectively. This study revealed that respondents demonstrated a poor level of knowledge, a fair level of attitude and negative perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol. These results may lay a basis for conducting a study of knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions among general population in other different setting or around Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Pregnancy in Females with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An International, Multi-centre Study

Laube R, Yau Y, Selinger CP, Seow CH, Thomas A, Wei Chuah S, et al.

J Crohns Colitis, 2020 Sep 16;14(9):1248-1255.
PMID: 32191292 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjaa047

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Poor knowledge of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in pregnancy underlies unwarranted voluntary childlessness [VC], and risks poorer obstetric outcomes and adverse fetal outcomes. IBD is increasing worldwide but education on IBD issues might be heterogeneous based on cultural differences and variations in models of care.
METHODS: Consecutive female IBD subjects aged 18-45 years were prospectively recruited from two dedicated IBD-pregnancy clinics, two multidisciplinary IBD clinics and nine general gastroenterology clinics. Subjects completed the validated CCPKnow [score 0-17] with questions on demographics, medical history and pregnancy knowledge. The primary outcome was knowledge per clinic-type and per geographical region.
RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 717 subjects from 13 hospitals across ten countries. Dedicated IBD-pregnancy clinics had the highest knowledge, followed by multidisciplinary IBD clinics then general IBD clinics (median CCPKnow 10.0 [IQR: 8.0-11.0], 8.0 [IQR: 5.0-10.5] and 4.0 [IQR:2.0-6.0]; p

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext Nutritional status, dietary intake patterns and nutrition knowledge of children aged 5-6 years attending kindergartens in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Poh BK, Kathryn Tham BL, Wong SN, Winnie Chee SS, Tee ES

Malays J Nutr, 2012 Aug;18(2):231-42.
PMID: 24575669 MyJurnal

Early childhood is a period during which many factors influence the development of lifelong eating habits. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of young children and to determine factors related to eating habits.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Understanding of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the practice of preventive measures among doctors and nurses in a university teaching hospital- A cross-sectional study

Ng BH, Low HJ, Nik Nuratiqah NA, Faisal AH, Soo CI, Periyasamy P, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2021 07;76(4):454-460.
PMID: 34305104

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge and adequate practice of preventive measures among health care workers (HCWs) are important to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among doctors and nurses in the medical department in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia between November 18, 2020 and December 18, 2020 during the third wave of COVID-19 epidemic in Malaysia. We studied the knowledge and practice of preventive measures of COVID-19 among doctors and nurses in the COVID-19 or sudden acute respiratory infection (SARI) wards and general medical wards. Data was collected using a validated self-designed google form online-questionnaire.
RESULTS: A total of 407 subjects completed the study and 80.8% were females; 55.8% were aged between 30-39 years; 46.4% were medical doctors. The main source of COVID-19 knowledge was the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) website (35.1%). Majority (97%) had sufficient knowledge and 82% practiced proper preventive measures. Doctors had a higher mean knowledge score compared to nurses (p < 0.001). HCWs working in COVID-19 or SARI wards scored higher in knowledge questions compared to those in the general medical wards (p = 0.020). Nurses practiced better preventive measures (p < 0.001). Good knowledge could not be predicted based on professions (OR: 0.222, 95% CI: 0.048 - 1.028, p = 0.054). Majority were unable to recall the proper steps of donning (85.8%) and doffing (98.5%).
CONCLUSIONS: Although majority had good knowledge and practiced proper preventive measures, there was a poor recall in donning and doffing steps regardless of place of practice. The MOH website is a useful platform for tailored continuous medical education and regular updates on COVID-19. Regular training and retraining on donning and doffing of PPE is needed to bridge this gap.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext Uncovering Physical and Attitudinal Barriers to Adherence to Precautions for Preventing the Transmission of COVID-19 and Anxiety Level of People in Wuhan: 2 Months After the Lockdown

Lin Y, Alias H, Luo X, Hu Z, Wong LP

J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry, 2020 09 22;62(2):201-210.
PMID: 33183846 DOI: 10.1016/j.psym.2020.09.005

BACKGROUND: Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, was locked down on January 23, 2020. We aimed to investigate the barriers to the physical prevention, negative attitudes, and anxiety levels.
METHODS: A online cross-sectional survey was conducted with the people living in Wuhan between March 12th and 23rd, 2020.
RESULTS: Of a total of 2411 complete responses, the mean and standard deviation for the total physical prevention barriers score was 19.73 (standard deviation ± 5.3; range 12-45) out of a possible score of 48. Using a cut-off score of 44 for the State-Trait Inventory score, 79.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78.2-81.5) of the participants reported moderate to severe anxiety during the early phase of the outbreak, and 51.3% (95% CI 49.2-53.3) reported moderate to severe anxiety after the peak of coronavirus disease 2019 was over (during the study period). Comparing anxiety levels in the early phase of the outbreak and after the peak of the outbreak, 58.5% (95% CI 56.5-60.5) recorded a decreased anxiety. Females reported a higher likelihood of having decreased levels of anxiety than males (odds ratio = 1.78, 95% CI 1.48-2.14). Low negative attitudes score were associated with a higher decrease in anxiety (odds ratio = 1.59, 95% CI 1.33-1.89).
CONCLUSIONS: The attitudinal barriers to prevention of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 are more prominent than physical prevention barriers after the peak of coronavirus disease 2019. High anxiety levels even after the peak warrant serious attention.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext Older women breast cancer survivors: decision making, sources of information and wellness activities in Malaysia

Mohamed NA, Muhamad M

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(3):2043-8.
PMID: 23679316

The purpose of this study ??s to profile older breast cancer survivors in Malaysia. In a survey study, ? custom made questionnaire was administered to 69 breast cancer patients and survivors between 60 and 84 years of age in Peninsular Malaysia. The main ethnic group recorded was Chinese, followed by Malay and Indian. The majority of women were married (87%) and had children (84.1%). Just over half (53.6%) had primary and secondary education, whereas 24.7% had higher education. Fifty five percent of the study participants made their own decision on treatment, 60.8% exercised at least 3 times in a week, and 56.6% sought information from specialists. Our study suggests that older breast cancer survivors are aware of the importance of exercise in their daily lives and make attempts to be cancer free (e.g. doing exercise, recreational activity and have good relationships with friends and family).

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
The Practice of First Aid for Burn Injuries Among the Population of East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia for 2012-2016

Seow SN, Halim AS, Wan Sulaiman WA, Mat Saad AZ, Mat Johar SFN

J Burn Care Res, 2020 Jul 03;41(4):905-907.
PMID: 32166315 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/iraa025

Burns are a devastating public health problem that result in 10 million disability-adjusted life-years lost in low- and middle-income countries. Adequate first aid for burn injuries reduces morbidity and mortality. The rate of proper first aid practices in other countries is 12% to 22%.1,2 A 5-year retrospective audit was performed on the database of the Burn Unit in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia for 2012-2016; this involved 485 patients from the east coast of Malaysia. The mean age of the patients is 17.3 years old. The audit on first aid practices for burn injury showed poor practice. Out of 485 burned patients, 261 patients (53.8%) claimed that they practiced first aid. However, only 24 out of 485 patients (5%) practiced the correct first aid technique where they run their burn wound under cool water for more than 20 minutes. Two hundred and twenty-two patients had not received any first aid. Two patients did not respond to the question on the first aid usage after burn injury. The mean age of patients who practiced first aid was 15.6 years old. Out of the 261 patients who practiced first aid, 167 (64%) run their wound under tap water for different durations. Others practiced traditional remedies such as the application of "Minyak Gamat" (6.5%), soy sauce (5.5%), other ointments (3.6%), milk (1.8%), and eggs (0.7%), as well as honey, butter, and cooking oil (0.4% each). First aid practices for burn injuries in the population of east coast Malaysia are still inadequate. The knowledge and awareness of school children and the general Malaysian population must be enhanced.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Linguistic validation of stigmatisation degree, self-esteem and knowledge questionnaire among asthma patients using Rasch analysis

Ahmad S, Ismail AI, Khan TM, Akram W, Mohd Zim MA, Ismail NE

J Asthma, 2017 04;54(3):318-324.
PMID: 27410725 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2016.1208222

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The stigmatisation degree, self-esteem and knowledge either directly or indirectly influence the control and self-management of asthma. To date, there is no valid and reliable instrument that can assess these key issues collectively. The main aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the newly devised and translated "Stigmatisation Degree, Self-Esteem and Knowledge Questionnaire" among adult asthma patients using the Rasch measurement model.
METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study recruited thirty adult asthma patients from two respiratory specialist clinics in Selangor, Malaysia. The newly devised self-administered questionnaire was adapted from relevant publications and translated into the Malay language using international standard translation guidelines. Content and face validation was done. The data were extracted and analysed for real item reliability and construct validation using the Rasch model.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The translated "Stigmatisation Degree, Self-Esteem and Knowledge Questionnaire" showed high real item reliability values of 0.90, 0.86 and 0.89 for stigmatisation degree, self-esteem, and knowledge of asthma, respectively. Furthermore, all values of point measure correlation (PTMEA Corr) analysis were within the acceptable specified range of the Rasch model. Infit/outfit mean square values and Z standard (ZSTD) values of each item verified the construct validity and suggested retaining all the items in the questionnaire. The reliability analyses and output tables of item measures for construct validation proved the translated Malaysian version of "Stigmatisation Degree, Self-Esteem and Knowledge Questionnaire" as a valid and highly reliable questionnaire.
Study site: Respiratory clinics, Hospital Selayang, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext Result of randomized control trial to increase breast health awareness among young females in Malaysia

Akhtari-Zavare M, Juni MH, Said SM, Ismail IZ, Latiff LA, Ataollahi Eshkoor S

BMC Public Health, 2016 08 08;16:738.
PMID: 27502284 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3414-1

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide as well as in Malaysia. Breast self-examination (BSE) has a role in raising breast cancer awareness among women and educational programs play an important role in breast cancer preventive behavior. The aim of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of Breast Health Awareness program based on health belief model on knowledge of breast cancer and breast-selfexamination and BSE practice among female students in Malaysia.
METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out among 370 female undergraduate students from January 2011 to April 2012 in two selected public universities in Malaysia. Participants were randomized to either the intervention group or the control group. The educational program was delivered to the intervention group. The outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months after implementing the health educational program. Chi-square, independent samples t-test and two-way repeated measures ANOVA (GLM) were conducted in the course of the data analyses.
RESULTS: Mean scores of knowledge on breast cancer (p<0.003), knowledge on breast self examination (p<0.001), benefits of BSE (p<0.00), barrier of BSE (0.01) and confidence of BSE practice (p<0.00) in the intervention group had significant differences in comparison with those of the control group 6 and 12 months after the intervention. Also, among those who never practiced BSE at baseline, frequency of BSE practice increased 6 and 12 months after the intervention (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: The Breast Health Awareness program based on health the belief model had a positive effect on knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination and practice of BSE among females in Malaysia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: The ANZCTR clinical trial registry ( ACTRN12616000831482 ), retrospectively registered on Jun 23, 2016 in ANZCTR.org.au.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext Are healthcare workers ready for Ebola? An assessment of their knowledge and attitude in a referral hospital in South India

Ahmad A, Khan MU, Jamshed SQ, Kumar BD, Kumar GS, Reddy PG, et al.

J Infect Dev Ctries, 2016 Aug 02;10(7):747-54.
PMID: 27482807 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.7578

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic to be a public health emergency of international concern. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the highest risk of infection, as they may come into contact with patients' blood or fluids. This study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitudes of HCWs towards EVD in India.
METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a multispecialty public sector referral hospital of Telangana, India. Knowledge and attitude of HCWs were evaluated using a pre-validated questionnaire. A sample of 278 participants was selected to participate in this study. The Chi-squared test was used to assess the relationship between attitudes and demographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used examine the association between knowledge and study variables.
RESULTS: Of 257 participants who responded (92.4% response rate), 157 (61.1%) were females. The majority of the respondents were physicians (n = 117, 45.5%). Radio and television were the major sources of information about EVD reported by participants (89%). Overall knowledge of HCWs was poor (mean knowledge score: 6.57 ± 2.57). Knowledge of physicians and experienced workers (≥ 10 years) was significantly higher than their respective groups. The overall attitude of the participants was positive (mean attitude score: 1.62 ± 0.57). Significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitude were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that participants lack basic understanding of EVD. We recommend future studies be conducted across India to identify and subsequently bridge the knowledge gaps among HCWs.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*

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