Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 32 in total

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  1. Electrical Impedance Tomography as a Primary Screening Technique for Breast Cancer Detection
    Akhtari-Zavare M, Latiff LA
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(14):5595-7.
    PMID: 26320422
    Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a new non-invasive, mobile screening method which does not use ionizing radiation to the human breast. It is based on the theory that cancer cells display altered local dielectric properties, thus demonstrating measurably higher conductivity values. This article reviews the utilisation of EIT in breast cancer detection. It could be used as an adjunct to mammography and ultrasonography for breast cancer screening.
  2. Fulltext Contraceptive use among women with chronic medical conditions and factors associated with its non-use in Malaysia
    Manaf RA, Ismail IZ, Latiff LA
    Glob J Health Sci, 2012 Sep;4(5):91-9.
    PMID: 22980381 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v4n5p91
    INTRODUCTION: Women with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, which may be minimized through optimal preconception care and appropriate contraceptive use. This study aimed to describe contraceptive use among women with chronic medical conditions and factors associated with its non-use.
    METHODS: This study used cross-sectional data from a family planning survey among women with chronic medical conditions conducted in three health facilities in a southern state of Malaysia. A total of 450 married women in reproductive age (18-50 year) with intact uterus, and do not plan to conceive were analysed for contraceptive use. Both univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with contraceptive non-use among the study participants.
    RESULTS: A total of 312 (69.3%) of the study participants did not use contraceptive. Contraceptive non-use was highest among the diabetics (71.2%), connective tissue disease patients (68.6%) and hypertensive patients (65.3%). Only 26.3% of women with heart disease did not use contraceptive. In the multivariate analysis, contraceptive non-use was significantly more common among women who received their medical treatment in the health clinics as compared to those who received treatment in the hospital (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09, 2.79), being in older age group of 41-50 year (adjusted OR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.19, 4.48), having children (adjusted OR=4.57, 95% CI: 1.66, 12.57) and having lower education (adjusted OR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.43, 5.77).
    CONCLUSION: About two-third of women with chronic medical conditions who needed contraceptive did not use them despite the higher risk of pregnancy related complications. The high unmet need warrant an effective health promotion programme to encourage the uptake of contraceptives especially targeting women of older age group, low education and those who received their medical treatment at health clinics.
    Study site: Outpatient clinic, three hospitals; 8 health clinics, Malaysia
  3. Fulltext Effect of Nigella sativa on reproductive system in experimental menopause rat model
    Parhizkar S, Latiff LA, Parsa A
    Avicenna J Phytomed, 2016 Jan-Feb;6(1):95-103.
    PMID: 27247926
    Menopause is the condition when regular menstrual periods cease and may be accompanied by psychological and physical symptoms. The purpose of current study was to determine Nigella sativa effects on reproductive system in experimental menopause animal models.
  4. Fulltext Insufficient Knowledge of Breast Cancer Risk Factors Among Malaysian Female University Students
    Abu Samah A, Ahmadian M, Latiff LA
    Glob J Health Sci, 2016;8(1):277-85.
    PMID: 26234996 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v8n1p277
    Despite continuous argument about the efficacy of breast self-examination; it still could be a life-saving technique through inspiring and empowering women to take better control over their body/breast and health. This study investigated Malaysian female university students' knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, signs, and symptoms and assessed breast self-examination frequency among students.
  5. Breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior and interest on cell phone and text use: a cross-sectional study in Malaysia
    Akhtari-Zavare M, Ghanbari-Baghestan A, Latiff LA, Khaniki H
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(4):1337-41.
    PMID: 25743795
    BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, including Malaysia. This study focused on media choice and attempted to determine the communication channels mostly used and preferred by women in seeking information and knowledge about breast cancer.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out to examine the breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior among 450 students at one private university in Malaysia.

    RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 25±4.3 years. Common interpersonal information sources were doctors, friends, and nurses and common channel information sources were television, brochure, and internet. Overall, 89.9% used cell phones, 46.1% had an interest in receiving cell phone breast cancer prevention messages, 73.9% used text messaging, and 36.7% had an interest in receiving text breast cancer prevention messages. Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences among age, eduation, nationality and use of cell phones.

    CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of health information seeking behavior is important for community health educators to target populations for program development.

  6. Comparison of gait parameters across three attentional loading conditions during timed up and go test in stroke survivors
    Manaf H, Justine M, Ting GH, Latiff LA
    Top Stroke Rehabil, 2014 Mar-Apr;21(2):128-36.
    PMID: 24710973 DOI: 10.1310/tsr2102-128
    Little is known about the effects of attentional loading on performance of turning during walking in individuals with stroke.
  7. Fulltext Toxicity effect of nigella sativa on the liver function of rats
    Dollah MA, Parhizkar S, Latiff LA, Bin Hassan MH
    Adv Pharm Bull, 2013;3(1):97-102.
    PMID: 24312819 DOI: 10.5681/apb.2013.016
    The aim of this study was to determine the toxic effect of Nigella sativa powder on the liver function which was evaluated by measuring liver enzymes and through histopathological examination of liver tissue.
  8. Alternative supplement for enhancement of reproductive health and metabolic profile among perimenopausal women: a novel role of Nigella sativa
    Latiff LA, Parhizkar S, Dollah MA, Hassan ST
    Iran J Basic Med Sci, 2014 Dec;17(12):980-5.
    PMID: 25859301
    The aim of this open label crossover study was to investigate the effects of Nigella sativa on reproductive health and metabolic profile of perimenopausal women in Rawang, Malaysia.
  9. Emotional health and coping mechanisms among adolescents in Malaysian residential foster care homes: A comparative study with adolescents living with families
    Mohammadzadeh M, Tajik E, Awang H, Latiff LA
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2018 Feb;32:156-158.
    PMID: 29278817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2017.12.011
  10. Fulltext Barriers to breast self examination practice among Malaysian female students: a cross sectional study
    Akhtari-Zavare M, Juni MH, Ismail IZ, Said SM, Latiff LA
    Springerplus, 2015;4:692.
    PMID: 26587360 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1491-8
    Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer and the second reason of cancer deaths among woman worldwide, including Malaysia. The objective of this paper is to assess the practice of breast self-examination (BSE) and identify the barriers of BSE practice among undergraduate female students in Malaysia.
  11. Knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination practice among Iranian women in Hamedan, Iran
    Akhtari-Zavare M, Ghanbari-Baghestan A, Latiff LA, Matinnia N, Hoseini M
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(16):6531-4.
    PMID: 25169482
    BACKGROUND: In Iran, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and a major public health problem.

    METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out to determine knowledge on breast cancer and breast self- examination (BSE) practices of 384 females living in the city of Hamadan, Iran. A purposive sampling method was adopted and data were collected via face-to-face interviews based on a validated questionnaire developed for this study.

    RESULTS: Among respondents 268 (69.8%) were married and 144 (37.5%) of the respondents reported having a family history of breast cancer. One hundred respondents (26.0%) claimed they practiced BSE. Level of breast cancer knowledge was significantly associated with BSE practice (p=0.000). There was no association with demographic details (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: The findings showed that Iranian women's knowledge regarding breast cancer and the practice of BSE is inadequate. Targeted education should be implemented to improve early detection of breast cancer.

  12. Mental Trauma Affliction and Infliction: Punishment and Atonement for Sins?
    Syed Hassan ST, Jamaludin H, Latiff LA, Raman RA, Khaw WF
    Bull Emerg Trauma, 2014 Oct;2(4):139-40.
    PMID: 27162885
  13. Fulltext Contributing factors of obesity among stressed adolescents
    Tajik E, Zulkefli NA, Baharom A, Minhat HS, Latiff LA
    Electron Physician, 2014;6(1):771-8.
    PMID: 25763144 DOI: 10.14661/2014.771-778
    BACKGROUND: Many adolescents suffer from common mental disorders such as stress, which affects health through the psychosocial process, eating behavior, food choices and physical activity. During adolescence, dietary patterns are formed and can affect the occurrence of diseases in later life. This is a review of the results in the pertinent literature, from 1989 until November 2013, concerning stress and the contributing factors that lead to obesity among adolescents. The aim of this review is to identify obesity among stressed adolescents as well as the contributing factors.
    METHODS: A descriptive design was used for both quantitative and qualitative studies while, in addition, psychological theories were used for the qualitative studies. The articles were screened to ensure their quality and included in this review accordingly. Ten articles were included in the review comprising cross-sectional, cohort, review and meta-analysis. Interviews and questionnaires were used for data collection.
    RESULTS: The literature provided obvious information focusing on emotional stress and obesity for both boys and girls. This review revealed that stress results in overweight and obesity among adolescents through changes in lifestyle including decreased physical activity and increased food intake. Gender and economic status are the main components that affect obesity in stressed adolescents.
    CONCLUSION: Obesity is a consequence of stress among adolescents and is exacerbated by the wrong eating attitude. Developing proper food choices among adolescents can help prevent obesity and other complications in adulthood.
    KEYWORDS: Adolescent; Body Mass Index; Eating; Obesity; Stress
  14. Dietary intake of patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease and that of healthy controls in Iran
    Nazeminezhad R, Tajfard M, Latiff LA, Mouhebati M, Esmaeily H, Ferns GA, et al.
    Eur J Clin Nutr, 2014 Jan;68(1):109-13.
    PMID: 24219895 DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2013.205
    The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary intake and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in individuals with and without angiographically defined coronary artery disease.
  15. Fulltext Knowledge of female undergraduate students on breast cancer and breast self-examination in Klang Valley, Malaysia
    Akhtari-Zavare M, Latiff LA, Juni MH, Said SM, Ismail IZ
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(15):6231-5.
    PMID: 26434821
    BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, breast cancer is the first cancer among females regardness of race.

    AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge and BSE practice among undergraduate female students at four public universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 820 undergraduate female students using a self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, knowledge of breast cancer and BSE practice.

    RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 21.7±1.2 years. The majority of them were single (96.8%), Malay (91.9%) and 16.5% of respondents had a family history of breast cancer. This study showed low level of knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination among participants. Only 19.6% participants were performing BSE regularly. Knowledge of breast self-examination was significantly associated with BSE practice (p=0.00). Also, there were significant associations between performing BSE with age, marital status and being trained by a doctor for doing BSE (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that the rate of BSE practice and knowledge of breast cancer is inadequate among young Malaysian females. A public health education program is essential to improve breast cancer prevention among this group.
  16. Comparative Assessment of a Self-sampling Device and Gynecologist Sampling for Cytology and HPV DNA Detection in a Rural and Low Resource Setting: Malaysian Experience
    Latiff LA, Ibrahim Z, Pei CP, Rahman SA, Akhtari-Zavare M
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(18):8495-501.
    PMID: 26745108
    PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the agreement and differences between cervical self-sampling with a Kato device (KSSD) and gynecologist sampling for Pap cytology and human papillomavirus DNA (HPV DNA) detection.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women underwent self-sampling followed by gynecologist sampling during screening at two primary health clinics. Pap cytology of cervical specimens was evaluated for specimen adequacy, presence of endocervical cells or transformation zone cells and cytological interpretation for cells abnormalities. Cervical specimens were also extracted and tested for HPV DNA detection. Positive HPV smears underwent gene sequencing and HPV genotyping by referring to the online NCBI gene bank. Results were compared between samplings by Kappa agreement and McNemar test.

    RESULTS: For Pap specimen adequacy, KSSD showed 100% agreement with gynecologist sampling but had only 32.3% agreement for presence of endocervical cells. Both sampling showed 100% agreement with only 1 case detected HSIL favouring CIN2 for cytology result. HPV DNA detection showed 86.2%agreement (K=0.64, 95% CI 0.524-0.756, p=0.001) between samplings. KSSD and gynaecologist sampling identified high risk HPV in 17.3% and 23.9% respectively (p= 0.014).

    CONCLUSION: The self-sampling using Kato device can serve as a tool in Pap cytology and HPV DNA detection in low resource settings in Malaysia. Self-sampling devices such as KSSD can be used as an alternative technique to gynaecologist sampling for cervical cancer screening among rural populations in Malaysia.

  17. Fulltext Predictor of cardiovascular risks in end stage renal failure patients on maintenance dialysis
    Lim CT, Yap XH, Chung KJ, Khalid MA, Yayha N, Latiff LA, et al.
    Pak J Med Sci, 2015 Nov-Dec;31(6):1300-5.
    PMID: 26870086 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.316.8039
    OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of morbidity and premature mortality in end stage renal failure patients (ESRD) receiving dialysis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of various risk factors in this group of high CVD risk patients in local population.
    METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional retrospective study in a single hospital. A total of 136 ESRF patients, consisted of 43 haemodialysis (HD) and 93 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, were recruited and followed up for 36 months duration. Midweek clinical and laboratory data were collected. The occurrence of existing and new CVD events was recorded.
    RESULTS: Multiple Logistic Regression showed pre-existing cardiovascular event (odds ratio, 4.124; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.990 to 17.187), elevated total cholesterol level (odds ratio, 0.550; 95% CI, 0.315 to 0.963), elevated serum phosphate level (odds ratio, 5.862; 95% CI, 1.041 to 33.024) and elevated random blood glucose level (odds ratio, 1.193; 95% CI, 1.012 to 1.406) were significantly associated with occurrence of CVD events.
    CONCLUSIONS: History of cardiovascular event before the initiation of dialysis, elevated level of serum phosphate and random blood glucose levels are the risk factors of CVD whereas paradoxically a high total cholesterol level has CVD protective effect towards the ESRF patients.
    KEYWORDS: CVD risk; End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF); Haemodialysis; Peritoneal dialysis
  18. Fulltext Health beliefs and breast self-examination among undergraduate female students in public universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia
    Akhtari-Zavare M, Juni MH, Ismail IZ, Said SM, Latiff LA
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(9):4019-23.
    PMID: 25987079
    BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in women and the most common cause of cancer death worldwide.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 792 female undergraduate students in public universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia, from January to April 2011. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire developed for this study.

    RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 21.7±1.2 years. Most of them were single (96.8%), Malay (91.9%) and 150 (19.6%) claimed they had practiced BSE. There was a significant differences between performers and non-performers correlated to age, marital status, check breast by doctor, and being trained about BSE. Performers had lower mean scores for perceived barriers and susceptibility and higher mean score for confidence. Stepwise logistic regression analysis yielded four significant predictor variables.

    CONCLUSIONS: Overall our findings indicate that the practice of BSE while perceived as being important is not frequently practiced among female in Malaysia. Targeted education should be implemented to improve early detection of breast cancer.
  19. 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.

  20. Fulltext Designing and validating a questionnaire on healthy lifestyle to reduce depressive symptoms among adolescents
    Tajik E, Latiff LA, Yit Siew C, Awang H, Adznam SNA
    Iran J Psychiatry, 2020 Jan;15(1):27-40.
    PMID: 32377212
    Objective: Most adolescents do not meet national recommendations for healthy lifestyle and reducing depressive symptom. A comprehensive educational program with its specified questionnaire is needed to improve healthy lifestyle to assess the lifestyle components. This study aimed to confirm the validity of a healthy lifestyle questionnaire to assess depressive symptoms among adolescents.
    Method: A descriptive predictive study using simple random sampling was performed in a secondary school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, among 235 school-going adolescents (13-15 years old) with Malaysian nationality. The instrument consisted of a set of dual language (English and Malay) for both researcher-administered questionnaires (knowledge, attitude, eating behavior, and relaxation activities) and standard-validated questionnaires (Physical Activity questionnaire for Adolescents, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale- 21, and Brief Copping). Data were analyzed using the kappa statistics (k) and the intraclass correlation coefficient test for reliability and Partial Least Squares (PLS) for validity.
    Results: The reliability of all variables was over the substantial level (ICC and/or k > 0.61). The model and construct variables were predictive of depressive symptoms by 49.4%. To analyze the validity of the questions, 11 questions were removed from the initial model for factorial loading less than 0.5. In convergent validity of theory of information-motivation-behavioral skills, AVE (average variance construct), the outer loading, was higher than 0.5.
    Conclusion: PLS confirmed the existence of sufficient correlations between different items of the construct. Thus, the weights of indicators appeared to be appropriate indicators for the model. The results proved that the information, motivation, and behavioral skills model was efficient for healthy lifestyle and can be a good base for further research.
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