1.Beliefs about the Benefits and Barriers to Physical Activity Promotion for Cancer Patients among Nurses in Malaysia
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.4):128-134
Introduction: Physical activity (PA) can improve survival and quality of life in chronic diseases including cancer.
Given the scarcity of research on nurses’ beliefs that used a psychology perspective, the purpose of this study was
to determine nurses’ beliefs about the benefits and barriers to physical activity promotion for cancer patients at a
tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on nurses (n=104) at one
Malaysian tertiary teaching hospital, using a simple random sampling method. A self-administered online questionnaire was surveyed from January until March 2021. The data was analysed using Pearson correlation analysis and
an independent T-test with a significant level of p ≤.0.05. Results: 80.8% of nurses perceived the benefits of physical
activity promotion for improving mental health in cancer patients. Lack of time (30.8%), patients appearing tired or
unwilling to cooperate (20.2%), and a lack of knowledge (16.3%) were the barriers to physical activity. There was no
correlation between beliefs about the benefits of physical activity promotion and age (p=0.908), working experience
(p=0.982), ward type (p=0.666) or the average number of cancer patients cared (p=0.144). Conclusion: Nurses’
perspectives on the benefits of physical activity promotion for cancer patients support the use of planned behaviour
theory for evidence-based nursing practice. There were, however, barriers to encouraging cancer patients to engage
in physical activity. As a result, as a setting for health promotion, the tertiary teaching hospital must raise awareness,
facilitate, and encourage nurses to engage in physical activity promotion behaviours.
2.Knowledge of Breast Cancer Among Urban Women in the South of Peninsular Malaysia
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.6):27-34
Introduction: : Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally and it is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Malaysian women. Increasing women knowledge of BC and breast self-examination (BSE) leads to increased compliance in early diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge on BC and
its association with socio-demographic characteristics among urban women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was
conducted among 270 urban women in the South of Peninsular Malaysia using the adapted Breast Cancer Awareness
Measure. Data were analyzed through SPSS software version 26.0. Results: Of the participants, 53.7% (n=145) had
poor knowledge of BC warning signs, 50.7% (n=137) of BSE and 55.6% (n=150) of risk factors. High education was
associated with better BC knowledge on warning signs (p=0.006) and risk factors (p=0.048). Chinese women have
poor BC knowledge on warning signs (p=0.005) and BSE (p<0.001) than other ethnicities. Age (p=0.024) and marital
status (p=0.028) were statistically significant with BC knowledge on breast self-examination (BSE) while family history of BC (p=0.019) and duration of seeking medical advice (p=0.041) were associated with BC knowledge on the
risk factor. Conclusion: The findings of this study may give insight into effective health education strategies for urban
women concerning breast cancer awareness.
3.Hand Hygiene Compliance during COVID-19 Pandemic among Neonatal Nurses in a Federal University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria
Constance Oko ; Azlina Yusuf ; Fahisham Taib
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.4):119-127
Introduction: Compliance with Hand hygiene (HH) has been considered as a simple and the most efficient strategy
to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Compliance with this practice is not often assessed in Nigeria and thus
posed a significant risk to the quality of care and patient safety and especially in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study aimed to assess neonatal nurses’ compliance to “my five moments for HH”. Method: A cross-sectional
observational study was carried out in a Nigerian federal hospital, using an adapted version of a standardized observational WHO tool of ‘’my five moments of HH’’. A Chi-square test was employed to examine the relationship
of HH compliance across units, shifts, and “my five moments for HH” opportunities. Results: The observer recorded
425 HH opportunities and the total HH compliance rate was (62.8%). There was no association between the units,
working shifts, and nurses’ HH compliance. Compliance to HH was dependent on the five moments of HH (p <
0.000), better compliance was seen after body fluid exposure (100%), followed by after newborn contact (86.3%),
and after contact with newborn surroundings (63.4%), while compliance before newborn contact (28.5%), and before an aseptic procedure (9.1%) were poor. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed a significant gap with the
HH compliance among neonatal nurses, suggesting multiple opportunities for neonatal infections despite the current
awareness of HH in the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, there is a need to intensify infection control practices in Nigeria,
especially on HH practice.
4.Mobile Health Application Applying the Health Belief Model for Breast Cancer Awareness: What Is Missing?
Arryana Nasution ; Azlina Yusuf ; Yulita Hanum P Iskandar ; Lean Keng Soon ; Imi Sairi Ab Hadi
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.4):384-398
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancer incidents among women and is estimated at around 24.2%
worldwide and 32.1% in Malaysia. Accessibility to current breast promotion is limited to those who seek the information, suggesting consideration of an alternative approach using a mobile app. This study aimed to identify existing
breast awareness mobile apps based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) components with a descriptive observation
review. Fifty-two apps fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed. Eligible apps (N=52) which
are standalone (n=41) and non-standalone (n=11). The categories of the eligible apps are health & fitness (n=31),
lifestyle (n=6), medical (n=11), entertainment (n=2), book & reference (n=1), education (n=3). The apps focused on
perceived susceptibility (n=33/52, 63.5%), perceived severity (n=30/52, 57.7%), perceived threat (n=48/52, 92.3%),
perceived benefit (n=46/52, 88.5%), perceived barriers (n=23/52, 44.2%), self-efficacy (n=25/52, 48.1%) and cues
to action (n=27/52, 51.9%). Most of the apps focused on perceived threat and benefit but lacking on a perceived
barrier. This review could provide information to develop appropriately tailored content supported by health theories
to promote breast cancer awareness.
5.Modulation Agents of Wound Healing in Ocular Surgeries
Yaakub Azhany ; Mohd-Yusof Siti-Fairuz ; Azlina Ahmad ; Wan Nazirah Wan Yusuf ; Low Jen Hou ; Ahmad-Tajudin Liza-Sharmini ; Jemaima Che Hamzah
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2024;20(No.1):293-303
Wound healing is a complex process that includes haemostasis and inflammation, followed by a proliferation period and repair and finally remodelling. Ocular surgeries, particularly in glaucoma cases, aim at minimal fibrosis to preserve the function of trabeculectomy as an alternative pathway for aqueous drainage. Hence, it is important to find an agent to modulate the wound healing process. This review presents compilation of wound modulation agents that have been tested in vitro, in vivo, or clinically on patients undergoing ocular surgeries, particularly for glaucoma. We identified agents into four groups, mostly for glaucoma filtration operations: anti-metabolites, anti-growth factors, mechanical barriers and rho kinases. The effect of these agents is highlighted in this review. In conclusion,
despite recognized drawbacks of antimetabolites, they are still regarded as the gold standard and the most efficient treatment as anti-scarring agents use in ocular surgeries. More studies are needed to inquire agents that efficient yet has minimal adverse effects both in short and long term.