METHODS: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted of 1895 adults aged ≥40 years who were randomly selected across Malaysia and interviewed using the Awareness and Beliefs about Cancer questionnaire, which was previously validated and culturally adapted by the research team. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations between anticipated delay for help seeking >2 weeks and socio-demographic and health-related variables.
RESULTS: Anticipated delay in help-seeking was reported for persistent cough (19.3 %), rectal bleeding (6.1 %) and breast changes (2.5 %). Difficulty in accessing a doctor was associated with anticipated delayed help-seeking for breast changes and rectal bleeding (adjusted ORs 7.58; 95 % CI 1.98, 28.94 and 2.37; 95 % CI 1.21, 4.66, respectively); not recognising the symptom 'unexplained bleeding' as a colorectal cancer warning sign was associated with anticipated delayed help-seeking for rectal bleeding (adjusted OR 1.54; 95 % CI 1.03, 2.31); and ethnicity was associated with anticipated delay for rectal bleeding and persistent cough.
CONCLUSIONS: Generally, anticipated delay to help-seeking for cancer symptoms in Malaysia (a middle-income country) appeared to be a less significant problem compared to other countries including high-income countries. There appeared to be a significant association between social variation indicators in Malaysia and anticipated delay in help-seeking.
METHODS: We used a cross-sectional study with data from the Malaysian TB Information System (TBIS) recorded from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017. All children aged 0-14 years who were registered in the TBIS with at least one household contact of TB cases were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (adj. OR) and for adjusting the confounding factors.
RESULTS: A total of 2793 children were included in the study. The prevalence of active TB was 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 1.77%). Children aged 6 weeks [adj. OR 7.48 (95% CI: 2.88, 19.43), p
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants comprised Malay male opioid-naive subjects (n = 159) and opioid-dependent patients (n = 160) from MMT clinics in Kelantan, Malaysia, between March and October 2013. Sleep quality was evaluated using the translated and validated Malay version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
RESULTS: The opioid-dependent patients exhibited higher global PSQI scores [adjusted mean (95% CI) = 5.46 (5.02, 5.90)] than the opioid-naive group [4.71 (4.26, 5.15)] [F (1, 313) = 4.77, P = 0.030].
CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the poorer sleep quality among opioid-dependent patients on MMT, as manifested by their higher global PSQI scores. The sleep complaints in this patient population are a factor to consider and, when necessary, sleep evaluation and treatment should be undertaken to improve MMT patients' quality of sleep and overall treatment outcome.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in relation to AR during the era of COVID-19, and identify the associated factors with good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice.
METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to assess the KAP of HCWs in Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A validated questionnaire was used to collect participants' data, which consisted of the following information; socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude and items for practice. Data were presented as percentages and median (IQR). Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to compare them. Logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors linked to KAP.
RESULTS: The study included 406 HCWs. Their median (IQR) knowledge score was 72.73% (27.27%-81.82%), attitude score was 71.43% (28.57%-71.43%) and practice score was 50% (0%-66.67%). About 58.1% of the HCWs stated that antibiotics could be used to treat COVID-19 infection; 19.2% of the participants strongly agreed and 20.7% agreed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotics were overused at their healthcare institutions. Only 18.5% strongly agreed and 15.5% agreed when asked whether antibiotics used properly for the right indication and duration can still result in AR. The significantly associated factors with good knowledge were nationality, cadre and qualification. A positive attitude was significantly associated with age, nationality and qualification. Good practice was significantly associated with age, cadre, qualification and working place.
CONCLUSION: Although the HCWs had a positive attitude regarding AR during COVID-19, their knowledge and practice need significant improvement. Implementation of effective educational and training programmes are urgently needed. In addition, further prospective and clinical trial studies are needed to better inform these programmes.
METHODS: This qualitative study was multi-centered and used a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between December 2022 and January 2023 among 11 health commissioners using video calls.
RESULTS: Seven themes emerged from the data, including knowledge of AR and its consequences, the antibiotic prescription system, the future of AR and potential contributory factors, the impact of COVID-19 on AR and their relationship, the experience of AR during the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare facilities, barriers that prevent the misuse of antibiotics during pandemics, and recommendations regarding antibiotic resistance during pandemics.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study could be used to inform policy and practice for government healthcare workers (HCWs) and the public. Furthermore, this study identified the main challenges of AR during the pandemic, and the recommendations of health commissioners were provided accordingly. Such recommendations could be beneficial on a national and international scale to reduce the impact of future pandemics on AR.
ABBREVIATIONS: COVID-19: Novel coronavirus disease 2019; AR: Antibiotic Resistance; IPC: Infection prevention and control; MDRO: multi-drug resistant organism; ASP: Antimicrobial Stewardship Program; HCW: Healthcare worker; KSA: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; WHO: World Health Organization; MOH: Ministry of Health; MOEWA: Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture; AMR: Antimicrobial Resistance; PHCC: Primary Healthcare Center.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March-November 2014 in the form of a telephone survey. Participants aged 40 years and above were randomly selected across Malaysia and interviewed using the validated Awareness Beliefs about Cancer (ABC) measurement tool. Linear regression was conducted to test the association between symptom and risk factor recognition and socio-demographic variables.
RESULTS: A sample of 1895 participants completed the survey. On average, participants recognised 5.8 (SD 3.2) out of 11 symptoms and 7.5 (SD 2.7) out of 12 risk factors. The most commonly recognised symptom was 'lump or swelling' (74.5%) and the most commonly recognised risk factor was 'smoking' (88.7%). Factors associated with prompted awareness were age, ethnicity, education and smoking status.
CONCLUSION: Recognition of symptom and risk factors for most cancers was relatively low across Malaysia compared to previous studies in high-income countries and to studies conducted in Malaysia. There is a need to conduct regular public health campaigns and interventions designed to improve cancer awareness and knowledge as a first step towards increasing the early detection of cancer.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case review of pilots diagnosed with CAD at the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in October 2020.
RESULTS: Thirteen cases of CAD were included in the review. Ten pilots were diagnosed after developing acute coronary syndrome; the remaining three pilots were diagnosed during a routine medical examination via an exercise stress test. Twelve pilots required a revascularization procedure. A total of 11 pilots (84.6%) were recertified for flying duties, while another two were disqualified. The duration to recertification for these 11 pilots was between three months and one year.
CONCLUSIONS: The risk assessment was initiated with initial risk-stratification using population-appropriate risk calculator combined with the 4 × 4 aeromedical risk matrix. The reassessment of return to flying after coronary artery disease must be carried out no sooner than six months after the event. Pilots must be hemodynamically stable with no evidence of significant inducible ischemic left and a minimum 50% of ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). A follow-up is recommended at the initial six months after recertification and then annually with a routine noninvasive cardiac assessment.