The prevalence of occupational stress among academician is increasing in developed and developing countries. The job is not only to teach, but also involve in doing research, publications, consultation and administrative work. This study aims to assess the prevalence of occupational stress among academic staff in a research university and to investigate the association and correlation between stress and job factors which are career development, research, teaching and interpersonal relationship. One research university in Malaysia was selected randomly. A cross-sectional study was conducted and the respondents were recruited by using a randomized stratified sampling method. A total of 380 self-administered and validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and Stress Sources Questionnaires (SSQ) were distributed among academic staff between March to May 2012. The statistical analyses used were χ2, independent–t test and Pearson Correlation. Response rate was 81.1%. Stress prevalence was 22.1%. All socio-demographic factors showed no association with stress except ethnic group. Teaching, research and career development had significant association with stress among academic staff (p<0.05). Overall result showed career development, that include university condition and required publications for promotion were the greatest source of stress among the academicians. Occupational stress showed positive linear relationship to career development, research and teaching. There was a fair positive relationship between occupational stress and career development, research and teaching. It is recommended to organize continuous stress assessment program to identify and evaluate the current level of stress at the university level. This data could be a foundation for implementing prevention and control measures to reduce stress in the workplace.
Keywords: academic staff, lecturer, occupational stress, research, teaching, career development, interpersonal relationship, research university, job stress
Religion has been found to moderate the stress-strain relationship. This moderator role, however, may be dependent on age. The present study tested for the three-way interaction between work experience, age, and religiosity in the prediction of women's well-being, and predicted that work experience and religiosity will combine additively in older women, while in younger women religiosity is predicted to moderate the relationship between work experience and well-being. In a sample of 389 married Malay Muslim women, results of the regression analyses showed significant three-way interactions between work experience, age, and religiosity in the prediction of well-being (measured by distress symptoms and life satisfaction). While in younger women the results were in line with the predictions made, in the older women, both additive and moderator effects of religiosity were observed, depending on the well-being measures used. These results are discussed in relation to the literature on work and family, with specific reference to women's age, religion, as well as the issue of stress-strain specificity.
The author carried out the present study to examine the determinants of Malaysian women's well-being. Specifically, the author proposed a theoretical model of women's roles and well-being--made up of roles, negative affectivity, conflict, and health--and statistically validated it in a group of women occupying both work and family roles (N = 389). Using a life-course approach (P. Moen, 1998) to roles and well-being, the author further examined the model in women of 3 different age groups (age of Group 1 = 20-29 years, age of Group 2 = 30-39 years, and age of Group 3 = 40 years and older). The results supported the proposed model, which showed reasonable fit when applied to the 3 groups of women. The results also indicated that the predictors of women's well-being differ according to their respective age groups. The author discussed these findings in relation to the life-course approach to women's roles.
The author tested for the 3 possible pathways (i.e., direct, moderator, and mediator effects) in which locus of control can influence the relationship between work-family conflict and well-being. The author predicted that work-family conflict would be negatively correlated with well-being. In a sample of 310 Malaysian employed women with families, work-family conflict was a significant predictor of both job satisfaction and distress--negatively related to job satisfaction and positively related to symptoms of distress. More important, the results provided support for the effects of all 3 pathways of control on the relationship between work-family conflict and well-being, depending on the outcome measure: For job satisfaction, locus of control had direct effects, acted as a partial mediator, and played a significant moderating role. In contrast, only the direct effect of locus of control predicted distress. The author discusses those findings with reference to the literature on work-family conflict, locus of control, and the issue of stress-distress specificity.
The accelerated phase of industrialisation and urbanisation in recent decades has inevitably brought about changes in the lifestyle of Malaysians. Changes in dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles are known to be associated with changes in health and increased prevalence of chronic diseases in the population. The objective of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the link between demographic variables and food consumption patterns related to the nutrition transition in Malaysia. This review uses various reports and publications from several ministries and selected local studies. The statistics compiled over the last two decades have shown that as the population achieves affluence, intakes of calories, fats and sugars increase, which may account for the substantial increase in food importation bills over the same period. Similarly, the rapid growth of the fast food industry during the last decade has added another dimension to the change in food consumption patterns of Malaysians. With the exception of a study on adolescents, the prevalences of overweight and obesity in children and adults are not strictly comparable due to the difference in body mass index (BMI) cut-off points in children and the study protocol in adults, and hence should not be misinterpreted as trends. The recent recommendation to lower the BMI cut-off points for Asians would only increase the magnitude of the existing prevalence among adults. The need to promote healthy nutrition for the population must be pursued vigorously, as the escalation of nutrition-related chronic degenerative diseases - once an urban phenomenon--has now spread to the rural population at an alarming rate. This paper indicates that the problem is real and needs urgent attention because it may be just the tip of the iceberg.
A simple and inexpensive external fixator has been designed. It is constructed of galvanized iron pipe and mild steel bolts and nuts. It can easily be manufactured in a hospital workshop with a minimum of tools.
The author considered both the direct effect and the moderator effect of role salience in the stress-strain relationship. In contrast to previous studies that have examined the effects of salience on well-being within specific social roles, the present study focused on the work-family interface. From a sample of 147 employed English women with children, the present results of the regression analyses showed that both effects are possible, depending on the outcome measures used. The author observed a direct effect of role salience in the prediction of job satisfaction; work salience was positively related to job satisfaction, over and above the main-effect terms of work-interfering-with-family (WIF) conflict and family-interfering-with-work (FIW) conflict. In contrast, the author found a moderator effect of role salience and conflict for symptoms of psychological distress. However, contrary to predictions, the author found that work salience exacerbated the negative impact of WIF conflict, rather than FIW conflict, on well-being. The author discussed these results in relation to the literature on work-family conflict, role salience, and the issue of stress-strain specificity.
Panoramic radiograph is a routine investigation tool in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning however the limitation of two-dimensional image in assessing the position of impacted canine and surrounding tissues had cause unnecessary treatment options and complications during treatment. This report highlights the differences in investi- gation outcome and orthodontic treatment planning of two similar cases of patients with impacted upper canine, in which one only had panoramic radiograph and another case supplemented with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). The case supported only by panoramic radiograph had changes in treatment planning during canine remov- al surgery as prevention from oro-antral fistula. This event could have been prevented if CBCT was taken where the canine can be assessed for proximity towards maxillary sinus. It is recommended for CBCT in orthodontic assessment for canine impaction especially for cases where canine is positioned higher than root apex of adjacent teeth and when root resorption is suspected.
The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary-layer flow and heat transfer due to a shrinking sheet in a porous medium is considered for the first time. The Navier-Stokes equations and the heat equation are reduced to two nonlinear ordinary differential equations via similarity transformations. The transformed equations are solved by a semi-analytic method. The effects of the suction and porosity parameters, the Prandtl and Hartmann numbers on the skin friction, heat transfer rate, velocity and temperature profiles are discussed and presented, respectively.
Sesi praktikal konvensional sebelum ini telah dilaporkan kurang berkesan dalam mencapai objektif pembelajaran. Oleh itu “Speedy Biochemistry” diperkenalkan untuk membantu pelajar mengaplikasikan pengetahuan yang telah mereka pelajari di dalam kelas. Teknik ini memupuk semangat kerja berpasukan dan penerapan pengetahuan dalam penyelesaian masalah yang dapat dicapai melalui pembelajaran aktif. Pendekatan pembelajaran aktif telah kian diminati oleh para akademik kerana memberikan lebih banyak faedah kepada pelajar. Sesi “Speedy Biochemistry” telah dijalankan di kalangan pelajar perubatan Tahun 1 di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia dan maklum balas mereka telah direkodkan. “Speedy Biochemistry” boleh menjadi contoh sesi pembelajaran aktif yang baik dalam meningkatkan minat pelajar perubatan di dalam mata pelajaran Biokimia.
Introduction : Stress is part of our life. It can happen anywhere including in medical school. Medical school is perceived as being stressful because their difficulties in education, longest period of study and dealing with the patients. Stress can be perceive as negative or positive. Coping strategies are the method that we can use to prevent stress when it comes to us. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stress and coping strategies among of medical students in National University of Malaysia, Malaysia University of Sabah and Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak.
Methods : This study involved 450 medical students through stratified sampling in which 150 medical students from each of the three universities. This study was conducted through self administered questionnaires. The questionnaires included were socio demographic factor, Personal Stress Inventory (using Stress Symptoms Scale with 52 items), BRIEF COPE (Coping Orientation for Problems Experienced with 28 items). The determination of cut off point for stress symptoms score was using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results : Response rate was 90.8%. The prevalence of stress among medical students were 44.1%. The contributory factors to the stress were financial problems, stress of up coming examination period, relationship problems with parents, peers, siblings and lecturers. Coping mechanisms which had significant association with stress includes self distraction, venting of emotion, denial, behavioral disengagement, humor and self blaming. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association (p
Primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs) occurring directly from the lung parenchyma without involvement of the chest wall or pleura are particularly unusual. We describe a 16-year-old male who presented with severe chest and back pain following a fall during high jump competition. Incidental finding of an opacity at the right lung upper lobe was seen on his chest radiograph. Computed tomography of the thorax demonstrated a lobulated hypodense lesion in the anterior segment of right upper lobe and subsequent biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma/ PNET following histologic and immunohistochemical examination. Whole-body positron emission computed to- mography/computed tomography (PET/CT) revealed mild, homogenous F18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the lung lesion with no evidence of metastasis. He eventually underwent right thoracotomy and right upper lobectomy. Indeed, F18-FDG PET/CT is a valuable imaging method in demonstrating active focus of glucose metabolism in lung parenchymal lesion, for preoperative evaluation and as baseline scan for patient’s monitoring.
This paper presents the technology of Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Wireless Mesh
Sensor Network (WMSN) that will be used in agriculture. In this paper, ZigBee technology platform is
applied in 2.45 GHz and active RFID to sustain the WSN by developing a fully automated IoT solution
in agriculture for irrigation system. The system includes a plurality of sensor nodes installed in a crop
field sending an ID, which are embedded sensor and WSN that work on ZigBee 2.4 GHz platform. The
ID was sent to act as a signal of soil in dry condition of a specific area to a reader at base station. The
pump stations will use information from base station to sprinkling water in the specific area of the dry
state automatically. The automatic control system is very practical in agriculture but most of it is based
on schedule and timer regardless of soil condition and temperature. Therefore, wireless automated
irrigation system for efficient water use and production is proposed.
OBJECTIVES: Determination of the psychosocial status and assessment of the level of satisfaction in Malaysian cleft palate patients and their parents.
DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Sixty cleft lip and palate patients (12 to 17 years of age) from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia and their parents were selected. The questionnaires used were the Child Interview Schedule, the Parents Interview Schedule, and the Cleft Evaluation Profile (CEP), administered via individual interviews.
RESULTS: Patients were teased because of their clefts and felt their self-confidence was affected by the cleft condition. They were frequently teased about cleft-related features such as speech, teeth, and lip appearance. Parents also reported that their children were being teased because of their clefts and that their children's self-confidence was affected by the clefts. Both showed a significant level of satisfaction with the treatment provided by the cleft team. There was no significant difference between the responses of the patients and their parents. The features that were found to be most important for the patients and their parents, in decreasing order of priority, were teeth, nose, lips, and speech.
CONCLUSIONS: Cleft lip and/or palate patients were teased because of their clefts, and it affected their self-confidence. The Cleft Evaluation Profile is a reliable and useful tool to assess patients' level of satisfaction with treatment received for cleft lip and/or palate and can identify the types of cleft-related features that are most important for the patients.
Cervical cancer is preventable due to effective screening to detect pre-malignant lesion, and vaccination against its causative organism namely human papillomavirus (HPV). This review article described current situation of cervical cancer in Malaysia. There is decreasing cervical cancer incidence in the country, with age-standardized rate of 10.3, versus 14.1 and 7.5 per 100 000 for worldwide and high-income countries, respectively. School-based HPV vaccination is part of national immunization since 2010, with yearly coverage rate of 83%-91%. The figure declined during coronavirus disease-19 pandemic due to scarce vaccine supply and movement-control order, resulting in about 500 000 students missing their course, with catch-up program currently onboard. Opportunistic cervical screening program started in 1960s with cervical smear cytology, which is succeeded by HPV DNA screening since 2020. Cervical cytology remains indispensable screening method in healthcare facility without access to HPV test kit, and used to triage high-risk HPV positive with abnormal cytology that require urgent colposcopy. Computed tomography is the main imaging modality to assess local and distal extent of cervical cancer. Primary surgical treatment for early-stage cancer is performed by trained gynecologic oncologist, with long waiting list for radiation therapy in locally advanced disease due to limited available public facility. There is restricted access to targeted therapy due to high treatment cost. In conclusion, Malaysia is heading toward cervical cancer elimination through rigorous investment in primary and secondary prevention, and increase in public engagement with the support of government policy enforcement.
In 1977, the World Health Assembly (WHA) set the social target--the "Health For All" goal and in 1995, urged member states to "re-orientate medical education and medical practice for "Health For All" (resolution WHA 48.8). This led to World Health Organisation to enunciate the "5-star doctor" needing skills in healthcare management, quality assurance and health economics. The Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya introduced the New Integrated Curriculum (NIC) in 1995. The objective was aimed at producing a competent doctor with a holistic approach to the practice of medicine. This was to be achieved by having 3 strands of studies i.e. The Scientific Basis of Medicine (SBM), the Doctor, Patient, Health and Society (DPHS), and Personal and Professional Development (PPD) over the 5-year programme, split into 3 phases. Elements of the "5-star doctor" were introduced in strand 2--DPHS and strand 3--PPD. Management studies were introduced in the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) strand. This led to an instructional module--"Principles of Management in Health Care Services (PMGT)" comprising of the Management of Self, Resources and People and incorporating a three week field programme. Evaluation is undertaken at the end of the phase IIIA of the studies. This NIC approach will be able to produce a "5-star doctor", a team player, leader, communicator and an effective manager.
The discovery and invention of new medical applications may be considered blessings to humankind. However, some applications which might be the only remedy for certain diseases may contain ingredients or involve methods that are not in harmony with certain cultural and religious perspectives. These situations have raised important questions in medical ethics; are these applications completely prohibited according to these perspectives, and is there any room for mitigation? This paper explores the concept of darurah (necessity) and its deliberation in the formulation of fatwas on medicine issued by the National Fatwa Council of Malaysia. Darurah has explicitly been taken into consideration in the formulation of 14 out of 45 fatwas on medicine thus far, including one of the latest fatwas regarding uterine donation and transplantation. These fatwas are not only limited to the issues regarding the use of unlawful things as remedies. They include issues pertaining to organ transplantation, management of the corpse and treatment of brain dead patients. While deliberation of darurah in medicine may vary from issue to issue, darurah applies in a dire situation in which there are no lawful means to prevent harm that may be inflicted upon human life. Nevertheless, other aspects must also be taken into the deliberation. For example, consent must be obtained from the donor or his next of kin (after his death) to conduct a cadaveric organ transplantation.
The ability to objectify ballistic evidence is a challenge faced by firearms examiners around the world. A number of researchers are trying to improve bullet-identification systems to address deficiencies detailed within the National Academy of Science report (2009). More recently focus has turned to making use of more sophisticated imaging modalities to view entire regions of the projectile and the development of automated systems for the comparison of the topographical surfaces recorded. Projectiles from a newly bought air pistol with 0.177 calibre pellets (unjacketed), fired series of 609 pellets were examined using an optical microscope. A mathematical methodology was developed to pre-process the resultant topographical maps generating point data for comparison, analysed using the principal component analysis (PCA). In most cases limited to reasonable success was achieved. The objective method still requires an operator to identify the Land Engraved Areas to be scanned, however the mathematical alignments were objectively achieved. The PCA results illustrated that the striation marks were neither exclusive nor specific to the LEA regions but rather crossed over regions. This study also proves that a single weapon does not necessarily leave identical marks of projectiles on its surface.