MyMedR

Displaying all 10 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext “CanDiTM”: a Malaysian-tailored dietary smartphone app for cancer patients and survivors

Noor Salihah, Pei LL, Aryati Ahmad, Mohd. Razif Shahril

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2017;17 Special(2):32-40.

Despite being effective in promoting healthy dietary behaviour, smartphone apps are scarcely available for our local communities and the majority of nutritional-related information is based on western food selections. Our new innovation aims to provide specific educational advice about recommended food intake, types, nutritional qualities and weight issues for cancer patients and survivors who suffer appetite problems and nutritional deficits. The Cancer Dietary (CanDiTM) app was developed as a convenient, flexible and attractively engaging smartphone app containing healthy tips which are uniquely tailored to the local food choices, preferences and ingredients. This helps customise users’ dietary needs besides permitting constant information up-dating. Features are broadly categorised into Healthy Eating Guide (advice from healthy eating to eating problems, weight loss prevention and increasing proteins and calories intake) and Malaysian Recipes For Cancer Patients (focusing on common Malaysian dishes, ingredients, treatment-based recipes and special diets). An additional Symptom Diary allows user’s personal profile to be recorded and stored virtually online. Its feasibility and acceptability were further tested among 30 cancer patients, family caregivers and dieticians recruited from a public hospital in Terengganu, Malaysia. Very good feasibility (> 80%) and excellent acceptability (> 90%) were reported regarding its ease of operation, suitability of language used, attractiveness, knowledge enhancement and perceived usefulness. With this scientific yet creative innovation, routine dietary habits related to cancer conditions could be easily facilitated for both patients/survivors as well as family caregivers for their independent and healthy living.
Fulltext Health-related quality of life profile in relation to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among breast cancer patients

Pei, Lin Lua, Noor Salihah Zakaria, Nik Mazlan Mamat

ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;13(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

Objective: Despite the availability of modern anti-emetics, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) symptoms remain distressing to a high number of cancer patients. This study intended to (1) describe the incidence of CINV and antiemetic usage; (2) assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and correlate its components with Global Health Status; (3) evaluate HRQoL status in relation to CINV among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two government hospitals located in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Terengganu, Kelantan). The Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis Follow-up (MANE-FU) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) were administered. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were employed (SPSS 16). Results: Respondents included 41 female patients (age = 49 ± 9.6 years; Malay = 92.7%; no family history of breast cancer = 68.3% and on moderately emetogenic chemotherapy = 97.6%). Majority of patients experienced nausea during or after chemotherapy (90.2%) and rated it as ‘severe’. Most patients had taken anti-emetic
(87.8%) and considered it ‘somewhat useful’. The median score for Global Health Status was 50 (IqR= 16.7). Emotional Functioning, Fatigue and Pain correlated fairly with HRQoL (rs= +0.435; -0.417; -0.387 respectively). Patients with ‘a lot’ and ‘moderate’ nausea displayed significantly more fatigue compared to those with little nausea (p=0.029). Those who experienced vomiting reported worse HRQoL profile compared to those who did not (p=0.011). Conclusion: These findings generally ascertained that CINV remains poorly controlled and significantly interferes with HRQoL, providing rooms for improvements in therapeutic intervention.
Fulltext Weight changes during chemotherapy and prognostic outcome in breast cancer: a preliminaryassessment in single centre cohort

Lin, Lua Pei, Noor Salihah Zakaria, Nik Mazlan

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2016;16(1):129-136.
MyJurnal

A concern in breast cancer involves changes in weight which may adversely affect the prognosis of patients. This
study intended to evaluate weight changed uring chemotherapy and its association with prognostic outcome
measured as event-free survival (EFS)among breast cancer patients. A total of63 women diagnosed with breast cancer
and have been treated by anthracycline-based chemotherapy between 2005 and 2011were included.A weight change
(WC) was calculated based on relative percentage of weight changes from baseline to post-chemotherapy and
categorized into either weight change (WC >5%) or stable (±5% WC).Survival probabilities were estimated using the
Kaplan-Meier (SPSS 20). Upon treatment completion, 42.9% of the women experienced weight changes. A small
weight reduction was observed (61.1 ± 11.6kg to 60.2 ± 11.9kg; -0.8 ± 4.0kg; p=0.106). The median EFS of women who
experienced weight change was shorter (median 61.0 months) compared to those who maintained their weight
(median 89.0 months) (p=0.044). In this study, weight changes during breast cancer chemotherapy were associated
with poorer prognosis in comparison to women who maintained their weight.
A brief review of current scientific evidence involving aromatherapy use for nausea and vomiting

Lua PL, Zakaria NS

J Altern Complement Med, 2012 Jun;18(6):534-40.
PMID: 22784340 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2010.0862

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compile existing scientific evidence regarding the effects of essential oils (EOs) administered via inhalation for the alleviation of nausea and vomiting.
METHODS: CINAHL, PubMed, and EBSCO Host and Science Direct databases were searched for articles related to the use of EOs and/or aromatherapy for nausea and vomiting. Only articles using English as a language of publication were included. Eligible articles included all forms of evidence (nonexperimental, experimental, case report). Interventions were limited to the use of EOs by inhalation of their vapors to treat symptoms of nausea and vomiting in various conditions regardless of age group. Studies where the intervention did not utilize EOs or were concerned with only alcohol inhalation and trials that combined the use of aromatherapy with other treatments (massage, relaxations, or acupressure) were excluded.
RESULTS: Five (5) articles met the inclusion criteria encompassing trials with 328 respondents. Their results suggest that the inhaled vapor of peppermint or ginger essential oils not only reduced the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting but also decreased antiemetic requirements and consequently improved patient satisfaction. However, a definitive conclusion could not be drawn due to methodological flaws in the existing research articles and an acute lack of additional research in this area.
CONCLUSIONS: The existing evidence is encouraging but yet not compelling. Hence, further well-designed large trials are needed before confirmation of EOs effectiveness in treating nausea and vomiting can be strongly substantiated.
Fulltext Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy Knowledge among Undergraduates of Health Sciences: Which Traits Predict Good Knowledge?

Pei Lin L, Zakaria NS

Malays J Med Sci, 2013 Jan;20(1):60-8.
PMID: 23785256 MyJurnal

Accurate medical information is essential among health care professionals to aid dissemination of information to the public. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge about breast cancer and to identify related factors among undergraduate health sciences students in a public university in Terengganu, Malaysia.
Fulltext Knowledge, attitude and behaviours related to weight control and body-image perceptions among chinese high school students

Lee CY, Yusof HM, Zakaria NS

Malays J Med Sci, 2019 Sep;26(5):122-131.
PMID: 31728124 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.5.11

Background: Body-image perception is one of the determinants in weight management, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to assess weight-control knowledge, attitude and behaviours along with body-image perceptions among Chinese high school students in order to compare the weight-control behaviours with those perceptions.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 277 Chinese students in Form 1 and Form 2 in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia using convenience sampling. The following outcomes were evaluated: weight-control knowledge, attitude and behaviours (weight-related knowledge and attitude questionnaire; weight control strategies scale) and body-image perceptions (figure rating scale).

Results: Both genders were found to have high weight-control knowledge, with female adolescents scoring significantly higher than male adolescents (P = 0.010). However, only half of the adolescents (50.9%) perceived that obesity is bad for health. Although only 44.4% of adolescents were dissatisfied with their current weight status, 62.8% intended to change their present weight status. Male adolescents significantly engaged more in physical activity (PA) (P = 0.035) and self-monitoring (SM) (P = 0.014) compared to their female counterparts. Furthermore, male adolescents chose their current body size as their ideal body image, but female adolescents preferred a slimmer ideal figure. The percentage of male and female adolescents who desired a smaller body figure was 39.6% and 54.5%, respectively. Lastly, there was no significant difference between weight-control behaviours and adolescents' body-image perceptions.

Conclusion: Female Chinese adolescents had higher weight-control knowledge and preferred a slimmer body size, yet males were more likely to engage in PA and SM behaviours. Essentially, imprecise attitude towards obesity among half of the Chinese high school students is of particular concern.
Fulltext HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY STATUS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CHILD FEEDING PRACTICE AND CHILDREN’S WEIGHT STATUS AMONG LOW INCOME MOTHERS IN TERENGGANU

CHEAH PEI SHYUAN, HAYATI MOHD YUSOF, ASMA ALI, NOOR SALIHAH ZAKARIA

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(2):101-110.
MyJurnal

Food insecurity is normally associated with lower socioeconomic status and improper feeding practices which may consequently affect growth and development of young children. This study aims to assess household food security status and its association with child feeding practices and children’s weight status among low income mothers in Terengganu. A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted at four public maternal and child health clinics (MCH) located in Terengganu. A total of 107 of low-income mothers between ages of 18 to 45 years with net household income less than RM 3000 who has at least one child aged two years and above were recruited. The instruments used were Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) and weight-for-age child growth chart for children’ weight status at aged one year. Descriptive statistic and non-parametric tests were employed (SPSS 20). Majority of the households were food secure (85.0%). Yet, it is also important to note that about 15% of the household had experienced some degree of food insecurity. There was no significant correlation between household food security and all child feeding practice domains. Most of the mothers had children with normal weight (mean Z-score =-0.72+0.99). There was statistically significant association between household food security status and weight of children at one year of age (p=0.01). In conclusion, majority of the households experienced food secure. Household food security were associated with children’s weight status at early age but not correlated with parent’s child feeding practice.
Fulltext Use of Chinese herbal medicine and health-related quality of life among cancer patients in Johor, Malaysia

Loke, Mi Mi, Chong, Kah Hui, Noor Salihah Zakaria, Hayati Mohd Yusof

Malays J Nutr, 2017;23(2):227-238.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is becoming increasingly popular among cancer patients worldwide. While health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in relation to cancer outcomes has attracted global attention, there are few studies on CHM use and HRQoL among cancer patients in Malaysia. This study attempted to determine the association between use of CHM, including the types, reasons, and beliefs, and HRQoL among Malaysian cancer patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 cancer patients (60 male and 60 female) recruited from government oncology clinics in Johor state. A purposive non-probability sampling was applied to recruit respondents.
Results: Use of CHM was reported by about half of the patients (49.2%). Common types of CHM used included Chinese herbal extracts (27.5%), Sabah snake grass (12.2%), and ginger (11.5%). The median score for overall belief in CHM significantly differed between
CHM users (71.7%) and non-users (65.0%) (p<0.001). The HRQoL was generally reported as ‘good’ with high scores for overall functioning scales and low scores for symptom scales. However, no significant difference in HRQoL between CHM users and non-users was noted. ‘Social Functioning’ scores between both groups showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) with respect to sex, with females scoring higher than males. No significant association was noted between CHM use and socio-demographic characteristics except for sex.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of self-prescription of CHM among the cancer patients studied. Nonetheless use of CHM did not show any significant difference in terms of quality of life among CHM users.
Study site: Oncology clinics, Hospital Sultan Ismail (Johor Bahru) and Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail (Batu Pahat), Johor, Malaysia
Fulltext Motivators and barriers of physical activity among private office workers in Selangor

Nui Jia Jun, Khairil Shazmin Kamarudin, Asma Ali, Noor Salihah Zakaria

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(1):58-65.
MyJurnal

Introduction: In Malaysia, private office workers tend to be more physically inactive due to work burden. This study aimed to determine physical activity level, motivation factors and barrier towards physical activity among private office workers. Methods: A cross sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted at nine private com- panies in Selangor involving 106 office workers aged 21 to 55 years old. Self-administered questionnaires includ- ing Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) and Physical Activity Barrier (PAB) were administered. Results: Over half of the respondents (58.5%) were having low physical activity level. The main motivation factors include physical condition, psychological condition and mastery. Meanwhile, tired after work, laziness, lack of discipline, family commitment and adverse weather were the main perceived barriers. A weak positive correlation was found between total motivation score and total physical activity (r=0.296; p=0.002). In contrast, there was a weak negative correlation between barriers and total physical activity (r=-0.237; p=0.015). Conclusion: The current physical activity level, its main motivation factors and barriers among private office workers were identified, providing an opportunity to create effective setting-based health promotion and intervention. It is also recommended that policy suggestions are made to influence and prepare essential partners (e.g. companies and employees) to promote ways of incorporating physical activity into one’s daily routine.
Fulltext Body weight satisfaction: association with weight control practices among type 2 diabetic patients

Noor SZ, Lua PL, Nik MM

Malays J Nutr, 2011 Apr;17(1):55-66.
PMID: 22135865 MyJurnal

The recommendation to lose weight has been the guiding principle in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients. However, to facilitate this process, it is vital to understand factors associated with personal feelings about body weight and related behaviour.