2.Performance of Malaysian Medical Journals
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2016;23(2):1-5
Indexation status matters for scholarly journal prestige and trust. The performance of
Malaysian medical journals at the international level is gauged through the global citation databases,
and at the national level through MyCite, a national citation indexing system. The performance
indicators include journals publication productivity, the citations they garner, and their scores
on other bibliometric indices such as journal impact factor (IF), and h-index. There is a growing
consciousness amongst journal editorials to improve quality and increase chances of getting indexed
inMyCite. Althoughitisnow possible to gauge journal performance withinMalaysia,throughMyCite,
the government and public are concerned about journal performance in international databases.
Knowing the performance of journals in MyCite will help the editors and publishers to improve the
quality and visibility of Malaysian journals and strategise to bring their journal to the international
level of indexation.
3.Soil Transmitted Helminth Infection among Children Admitted to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang
The International Medical Journal Malaysia 2019;18(2):107-112
Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections by Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and
hookworms still persist in rural and urban areas of developing communities. Recent studies in Malaysia
focused on Orang Asli communities and none in the hospital settings. This study aimed to investigate the
prevalence and associated risk factors for STH among children admitted to Paediatric ward of the Hospital
Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 135 (78 males, 57
females) patients in HTAA from December 2017 to May 2018. Faecal samples were examined using wet
smear, Kato-Katz, Harada-Mori and sedimentation techniques. Demographic data and hygiene practice
information were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of STH was 5.9%
(A.lumbricoides 5.2%, T.trichiura 0.7%, and hookworms 0.7%). Prevalence among males was 3.8% and females
8.8%. Majority (95.6%) were Malays. Chi square analysis showed that factors significantly associated with STH
infections are household monthly income (p<0.05), education level of mother (p<0.05) and father (p<0.05),
the source of drinking water (p<0.05), the method of garbage disposal (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis
confirmed garbage disposal via burning as a risk factor of STH infections (p= 0.021, OR=23.8, 95% CI=1.6-
350.06). Conclusion: This study shows that the prevalence of STH infections is low in children probably
due to the effective implementation of control programs and good hygiene practice. Differences in individual
lifestyles and the humid weather condition are probable reasons for sporadic infection to still exist.
5.Arteriovenous malformation of the mandible: A rare but life-threatening disease.
Baharudin Abdullah ; Abdullah Pohchi * ; Abdul Rani Samsudin
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2007;14(1):62-64
AVM in the mandible is rare. It may present with recurrent episodes of unexplained gingival haemorrhage, bony swelling, tooth mobility or facial asymmetry. We reported our experience in managing a case of a 15 year old Malay girl who presented with a life threatening bleeding from her mandible.
Mandible
;
Hemorrhage
;
Arteriovenous Malformations
;
experience
;
Tooth Mobility
6.Psychiatric Morbidities among Attenders of an Islamic Spiritual Healing Centre in Malaysia
Khadijah Hasanah Abang Abdullah
The International Medical Journal Malaysia 2017;16(1):75-82
Introduction: Traditional medicine which includes Islamic faith healing centre is still an important place to
seek treatment whether for psychiatric reasons or others. This study aims to determine the prevalence of
psychiatric illness among attenders of an Islamic spiritual healing centre and to understand patients’ illness
attribution and their religiosity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done with a systematic random
sampling to obtain the prevalence of psychiatric illness which was diagnosed using Malay version of Mini
International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I). Religiosity was measured using Hatta Islamic Religiosity
Scale 1996 (HIRS96) and illness perception using Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ). Results: The
prevalence of psychiatric illness among the attenders was 53.5%. Depressive disorder were more prevalent
(41.5%) followed by anxiety disorder (28.3%), bipolar disorder (16.8%) and psychotic disorders (5.9%). More
than half (58.8%) of attenders attributed their illness to supernatural causes but there were no significant
difference between those with psychiatric illness and those without in terms of their attribution to
supernatural causes, p=0.197.Generally, the patients had a higher religiosity score. Conclusion : This high
prevalence shows a need for collaboration with the spiritual healing practitioners to improve delivery of
treatment to patient and this would be a more holistic approach.
7.Pilomatrixoma: A Diagnostic Pitfall on Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Benign ‘Neck Metastases’
The International Medical Journal Malaysia 2014;13(2):63-66
Pilomatrixoma is a benign tumour that originates from the matrix of the hair root. This rare tumour is usually
managed by the dermatologists. The commonest location of this tumour is in the head and neck region; hence,
it can be encountered by any doctors with interest in this area. When presented in the neck, this hard tumour
may pose a diagnostic challenge. A case report of pilomatrixoma misdiagnosed as a metastatic neck disease
from fine-needle aspiration cytology is presented. The mistake in the diagnosis has led to a more aggressive and
high morbidity surgery than necessary. It is important that head and neck doctors be aware of this condition and
includes it in the differential diagnosis of hard masses presenting in the neck.
8.Mandibular fracture at HUSM: a 5-year retrospective study
Archives of Orofacial Sciences 2009;4(2):33-35
This is a retrospective study to determine the distribution
site, associated fracture and causes of mandibular fractures at HUSM, over a 5 year period, from 1st January 2002 – 31st December 2006.
Records of patients who had mandibular fracture were reviewed. Data of age, sex, site of fracture, causes and associated fracture were recorded and analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. There were 113 (84.3%) males and 21 (15.7%) females. The mean age for male was
84.3% and female was 15.7%. The fracture occurs mostly at the age of 11-20 years (45.5%), followed by 21-30 years (30.6%). Motor vehicle accidents (MVA) were the commonest causes of mandibular fracture (92.5%), followed by fight and assault (3.7%), industrial
accidents (3.0%), fall (0.7%). There were no cases recorded due to sport injury. The commonest site of mandibular fracture occurs at
angle and para-symphysis (23%), followed by body (20.1%),
symphysis (16.7%), condyle (15.5%) and ramus (1.7%). The most common associated fractures were head injury (23.5%), followed by clavicle fracture (17.2%) and fracture of radius (10.7%). Mandibular
fracture was common in males with the mean age 24.63 years and mostly due to MVA. Angle and para-symphysis is the commonest site of mandibular fracture with most of the patient suffered from concomitant head injury.
9.Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Donated Blood from the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2013;20(2):41-46
Background: Infections caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are global public health problems. The safety of donated blood can be estimated by monitoring the prevalence of viral markers in the donor population. The present study was carried out in the Jazan region to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV among Saudi blood donors.
Methods: Over a period of six years (January 2004 to December 2009), a total of 29 949 blood units were collected from healthy voluntary and replacement native Saudi blood donors. The donated units were serologically screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). These data were then analysed.
Results: HBsAg was positive in 3.8% of the blood units that were collected, the blood units with anti–HCV seropositivity had the lowest prevalence (0.41%), and the prevalence of HBsAg was highest in the group that was > 46 years of age. A significant decline in the prevalence of HBV infection has been observed, from 5.6% in 2004 to 2.3% in 2009 (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The present study showed that the prevalence of HBV and HCV was in a significant decline from 2004 to 2009, and the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV significantly increased with age.
10.Interesting Asian Plants: Their Compounds and Effects on Electrophysiology and Behaviour
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2011;18(4):1-4
There have been numerous non-scientific reports on the behavioural effects of Asian plants
in humans who consumed these plants wholly or part thereof. Knowledge passed from generation
to generation informs us of plants that increase effort and stamina, such as during paddy planting
after the ingestion of Mitragyna speciosa Korth (ketum) as a tea supplement. Centella asiatica and
Myristica fragrans are used as herbs to improve memory and to treat epilepsy, respectively. Zizyphus
mauritiana is used to treat headache and burn pain, acts as an antitussive, and reduces rigor mortis
immediately after death. These plants, which have been identified to exhibit analgaesic, musclerelaxing,
and nootropic effects, may contain important bio-compounds for medicinal chemistry and
pharmaceutical research in Malaysia. The electrophysiology properties of these plants and their
effects on epilepsy, behaviour, and pain will lead Malaysia to future new drug discoveries.