MyMedR

Displaying all 4 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Effect of different packaging materials on quality of fresh-cut broccoli and cauliflower at chilled temperature

Raseetha, S., Nadirah, S.

International Food Research Journal, 2018;25(4):1559-1565.
MyJurnal

Temperature management is the most important tool to extend shelf-life and indirectly delay losses of quality parameters in vegetables during postharvest storage. Quality losses are enhanced by use of improper packaging material, extended storage, higher temperatures, low relative humidity, physical damage and chilling injuries. Packaging helps to keep food from drying out and to preserve nutritive values, flavour, texture and colour. Broccoli and cauliflower stored at inappropriate temperature and humidity would easily deteriorate as they are highly perishable. Most of the time, domestic consumers store these vegetables under common refrigerated conditions with or without packaging until being used for consumption. The quality deterioration of these vegetables occurs rapidly in both situations. Thus the aim of this research was to determine the effect of different types of packaging including plastic bag, cling film (shrink wrap) and white paper on the quality parameters including antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and colour of fresh-cut broccoli and cauliflower at chilled temperature 8-10°C for 21 days. Fresh-cut broccoli was found to contain higher amount of total phenolic content (274 mg/100g) and antioxidant activity (179 mg/100g) compared to cauliflower that has total phenolic content (137 mg/100g) and antioxidant activity (163 mg/100g). Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of broccoli and cauliflower that was packed with plastic bag, shrink wrap and paper decreased after 21 days of storage. Yellowing in broccoli significantly increased, reflecting the b* values, from 6.9 (control) to 29.89 (cling film), 23.2 (paper) and 24.99 (plastic bag), respectively. Darkening in cauliflower also significantly increased, reflecting the L* values, from 65.07 (control) to 87.43 (plastic bag), followed by shrink wrap, and paper which was 86.51 and 84.69, respectively, after 21 days. Among the three types of packaging materials, white paper was efficient to maintain the quality (based on colour, antioxidant and total phenolic compounds).
Fulltext Redirection of non-critical patients in the emergency department of Hospital Tuaran to the primary care unit (klinik kesihatan)

Michal, C.S., Nadirah, S., Juhanah, G., Praneetha, P., Mohan, G.

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences, 2016;10(2):47-59.
MyJurnal

The Emergency Department (ED) provides treatment for acutely ill patients in need of urgent medical attention. Despite the availability of the primary care unit ‘Klinik Kesihatan’, where non urgent patients should be treated, Malaysia’s public hospitals still need to deal with overcrowding of non-urgent patients in ED. The main aim of the study was to assess the willingness of non-urgent patients to be redirected to Klinik Kesihatan. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Hospital Tuaran Emergency Department, Sabah. Non-urgent patients were interviewed using a questionnaire, to find out the purpose of their visit to Emergency Department. A total of 318 non-urgent patients out of 457 patients were interviewed during the study duration. 41 respondents (12.9%) were willing to be redirected towards a Klinik Kesihatan. No associated factors were found when compared with the unwilling to be redirected group. Among 277 respondents who rejected redirection to Klinik Kesihatan, 70.4% agreed to pay a surcharge to be treated in the Emergency Department and there was no association found with the employment status (p= 0.391). Most patients were not willing to accept redirection to a Klinik Kesihatan and would prefer to visit the Emergency Department despite knowing that their condition or illness is one that does not require emergency treatment. Social media, advertisements and pamphlets must be made available to educate patients on the proper use of the Emergency Department.
Fulltext Case study of occupational hazards amongst the gastrointestinal assistants (GIA) exposed to Succindialdehyde (SA) in the endoscopy unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH)

Michal, C.S., Nadirah, S., Ammar, R., Philip, G., Jayaram, M., Savio, S.

Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2016;13(2):15-22.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Workers in hospitals are exposed to various occupational hazards such as high level disinfectants (HLD).
Disinfection is an essential component of the endoscope reprocessing. In the Endoscopy Unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
Succindialdehyde (SA) is used as the disinfectant for endoscope reprocessing. SA has properties that are similar to formaldehyde
in regard to contact allergies and toxicity. The purpose of this case study is to describe the occurrence of work related symptoms
(WRS), the proper use of personal protective attire (PPE) and the need of pre-employment health enquiries for those exposed to SA.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional case study. Twenty eight gastrointestinal assistants (GIA) from the thirty two exposed staff
working with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Endoscopy Unit, who fulfilled the study criteria, were given a modified Respiratory
Surveillance Questionnaire. This questionnaireis used as the health surveillance tool for the staff exposed to the occupational
respiratory hazard by the Occupational Health Unit, University of Edinburgh. Results: Most of the GIAs complained of headache
(85.7%), skin irritations (60.7%) followed by 57.1% watery eyes, wheeziness and runny nose. Majority (92.9%) of the GIAs wore
personal protective equipment (PPE) during the disinfection procedure. Pre-employment enquiries regarding asthma, skin and
mucosal sensitivity problems and lung function were not made to any of the GIAs. Only 14.3% of them do annual health surveillances.

Conclusion: Most of the GIAs, 92.9% experienced at least one WRS despite wearing PPE. Staff exposed to the chemical disinfectants
should wear proper PPE and do annual health surveillances. By practising this, we may avoid WRS and treat the staff accordingly.
Fulltext Treatment outcomes of extended versus nonextended intensive phase in pulmonary tuberculosis smear positive patients with delayed sputum smear conversion: A retrospective cohort study at primary care clinics in Kota Kinabalu

Atiqah A, Tong SF, Nadirah S

Malays Fam Physician, 2023;18:2.
PMID: 36969335 DOI: 10.51866/oa.191

INTRODUCTION: Delayed sputum smear conversion in patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis is a crucial problem at primary care clinics in Sabah resulting in poor treatment outcomes. This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between extended and nonextended intensive phase treatments among patients with delayed sputum smear conversion and to identify the factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes.
METHOD: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a Malaysian tuberculosis registry, medical records and clinic referral emails from five primary care clinics in Kota Kinabalu from January 2014 to December 2018. A total of 163 patients with delayed sputum smear conversion were selected and divided into cohort groups: 90 patients received 3 months of intensive phase treatment (extended intensive phase), and 73 patients received 2 months of intensive phase treatment (non-extended intensive phase).
RESULTS: Of the 163 patients, 33.7% had unsuccessful treatment outcomes (25.2% had treatment failure; 0.6% died; 3.7% defaulted; and 4.3% transferred out), and 3.7% had relapse. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of unsuccessful treatment outcomes (37.6% vs 28.6%, OR=1.51, CI=0.77-2.94, P=0.226) and relapse (2.2% vs 5.7%, 0R=0.36, CI=0.65-2.04, P=0.404) between the extended and non-extended intensive phase groups. High sputum acid-fast bacilli grade (AFB) at 2 months, drug resistance and lack of directly observed treatment, short-course supervision (DOTS) were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcomes.
CONCLUSION: Extended intensive phase treatment in patients with delayed sputum smear conversion does not prevent unsuccessful treatment outcomes and relapse.