1.Perceptions of Receiving Bad News about Cancer among Bone Cancer Patients in Sarawak General Hospital - A Descriptive Study
Cheah Whye Lian ; Nurul Bahariah Dollah ; Chang Ching Thon
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2012;19(3):36-42
Background: This study aimed to determine the perceptions and expectations of bone cancer patients with respect to their doctors and the breaking of bad news as well as the environment in which the news was delivered.
Methods: A cross-sectional study using a pretested 41-item questionnaire was conducted using convenience sampling among bone cancer patients in Sarawak General Hospital. Face-to-face interviews were conducted after consent was obtained. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc., IL, US).
Results: A total of 30 patients were interviewed. The majority of the respondents were younger than 40-years-old, Malays, and female. All of the respondents perceived that they received news in a comfortable place, agreed that the doctor used simple language and appropriate words during the interaction, and believed that the way the doctor delivered the news might influence their life. The majority of the respondents reported that their news was received without interruption, that the doctor was sitting close but without making physical contact, and time was given for patient to ask questions and they were informed accordingly.
Conclusion: Delivering bad news regarding cancer is an important communication skill and a complex task that can be learned and acquired. Specially tailored training is proposed to improve medical practice in this area.
2.The Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Young and Middle-Aged Rural Population in Sarawak, Malaysia
Ching Thon Chang ; Ping Yein Lee ; Whye Lian Cheah
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2012;19(2):27-34
Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) was the second leading cause of death in Malaysia in 2006. CHD has known risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity.
Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among 260 participants aged 20 to 65 years in a rural community in Sarawak.
Results: The prevalences of overweight and obesity in this study were 39.6% and 11.9%, respectively. Approximately 13% of participants had hypertension, and 1.5% had a random blood sugar greater than 11.1 mmol/L. Chi-square tests showed significant associations between obesity and gender (P = 0.007), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and race (P = 0.05), high total cholesterol and age (P = 0.007), age and hypertension (P = 0.011), smoking and gender (P < 0.001), and smoking and income (P = 0.050). Age-adjusted logistic regression showed that women were 0.246 times more likely to be obese, that older participants (> 45 years) were 0.395 times more likely to have high cholesterol and that those with a higher monthly household income (> RM830) were 2.471 times more likely to smoke.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that we should be concerned about the high rates of overweight in this rural community to prevent obesity.
3.An intervention based on the stages of change, health profiles and physical activity levels of overweight and obese adults in Sarawak, Malaysia – a feasibility study
Cheah Whye Lian ; Chang Ching Thon ; Helmy Hazmi ; Wan Manan Wan Muda
Malaysian Family Physician 2019;14(3):46-54
Introduction: Physical inactivity is the one of the leading causes of major non-communicable
diseases in the world. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of an intervention program
based on the stages of change, physical activity levels and health profiles of selected overweight and
obese adults in Sarawak.
Methods: This intervention study was carried out using selected overweight and obese adults in
Sarawak. A total of 75 participants were placed in the intervention group, and 80 respondents were
placed in the control group participated. Respondent-determined weekly aerobic exercise sessions
were conducted for six months. The Malay version of the long-form International Physical Activity
Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Transtheoretical model of change (TTM) questionnaire were used,
together with anthropometric measurements and the collection of venous fasting blood profiles.
Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS Version 20.
Results: The intervention group had significant better stage transitions compared to the control
group (p<0.01). They also had significantly lower total cholesterol, although both groups showed
significant results (difference= 0.53, p<0.01; difference= 0.38, p=0.01). The respondent-determined
intervention program was effective in improving stage transition; however, an intervention of longer
duration could provide more conclusive health outcomes.
Conclusion: Physical activity plays a role in assisting overweight and obese adults to be more active
and healthier.
4.The Perception, Level of Safety Satisfaction and Safety Feedback on Occupational Safety and Health Management among Hospital Staff Nurses in Sabah State Health Department
Whye Lian Cheah ; Nelbon Giloi ; Ching Thon Chang ; Jac Fang Lim
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2012;19(3):57-63
Background: This study aimed to determine the perception and level of safety satisfaction of staff nurses with regards to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management practice in the Sabah Health Department, and to associate the OSH management dimensions, to Safety Satisfaction and Safety Feedback.
Methods: A cross-sectional study using a validated self-administered questionnaire was conducted among randomly respondents.
Results: 135 nurses responded the survey. Mean (SD) score for each dimension ranged from 1.70 ± 0.68–4.04 ± 0.65, with Training and Competence dimension (mean [SD], 4.04 ± 0.65) had the highest while Safety Incidence was the least score (mean [SD], 1.70 ± 0.68). Both mean (SD) scores for Safety Satisfaction and Safety Feedback was high, 3.28 ± 0.51 and 3.57 ± 0.73, respectively. Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that all OSH dimensions had significant correlation with Safety Satisfaction and Safety Feedback (r coefficient ranged from 0.176–0.512) except for Safety Incidence.
Conclusion: The overall perception of OSH management was rather low. Significant correlation between Safety Satisfaction and Safety Feedback and several dimensions, suggest that each organization to put in place the leaders who have appropriate leadership and supervisory skills and committed in providing staff training to improve staff’s competency in OSH practice. In addition, clear goals, rules, and reporting system will help the organization to implement proper OSH management practice.
5.Physical Activity And Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Malays In Selected Rural And Urban Communities In Sarawak
Cheah Whye Lian ; Helmy Hazmi ; Chang Ching Thon ; Wan Manan Wan Muda
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2015;15(3):104-111
The objective of this study was to describe the differences in physical activity with socio-demographic factors and its association with cardiovascular risk factors. It was a cross-sectional study among selected urban and rural Malays communities in Kuching and Samarahan. Physical activity data was obtained using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version. Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors was based on blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose and body mass index (BMI). Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. A total of 223 participated with higher response from rural areas (60.1%) and females (61.9%). More than half of the respondents (58.5%) were overweight and obese, with a mean BMI of 25.9 kg/m2 (SD=4.9). About 25% of the respondents were found to have blood pressure in the at-risk range. The prevalence of at-risk blood glucose was 52.3% with a mean value of 7.3mmol/L (SD=3.46). The prevalence of at-risk cholesterol were lower with 31.8%, mean value of 3.5 mmol/L (SD=2.94). There were more active respondents living in rural area (p=0.02). Logistics regression analysis showed that urban area (OR=1.988 95% CI 1.082 to 3.652), systolic blood pressure (OR1.020 95% CI 1.003 to 1.037) and blood cholesterol (OR0.884 95% CI 0.785 to 0.996) were associated with physical activity level. Change of physical activity due to urbanization can increase the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases. Efforts to include physical activity in intervention programme should be more intensified, with more provision of suitable built environment.
6.The Relationship between Media Use and Body Mass Index among Secondary Students in Kuching South City, Sarawak, Malaysia
Whye Lian Cheah ; Ching Thon Chang ; Saimon Rosalia ; Lai Dekun Charles ; Sze Lin Yii ; Pik Hoong Tiong ; Kim Pey Yeap
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2011;18(3):33-42
Background: Overweight and obesity rates among adolescents have increased substantially
over the years. This study aimed to determine the body mass index (BMI) of students and parents
and the relationship among media use, BMI, socio-demographic profiles, and snacking behaviour
during television watching of secondary school students in Kuching South City.
Methods: In accordance with the two-stage sampling method, a total of 316 adolescents aged
13–17 years from 7 secondary schools participated. Data were collected using questionnaire and
anthropometric measurement. Independent t test, one-way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, and chisquare
test were performed.
Results: The mean BMI was 20.56 kg/m2 (SD 4.33) for boys and 20.15 kg/m2 (SD 3.91) for
girls. No significant difference in terms of z score for BMI-for-age or socio-demographic factors was
found. The mean duration of time devoted to media use was 4.69 hours (SD 2.93) on weekdays and
5.69 hours (SD 2.87) on weekends. Boys were found to spend more hours on media use than did the
girls (t = 4.293, P < 0.01). Respondents were reported to consume more cereal compared with soft
drinks and junk foods. Respondents whose fathers worked in the private sector devoted the fewest
hours to media use, whereas those with self-employed fathers devoted the most time to media use.
Respondents with mothers who were employed spent more time on media use than did respondents
whose mothers were housewives (F = 4.067, P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between
BMI and media time or snacking habits.
Conclusion: This finding indicated that media time has no effect on body weight, because
respondents were found to have normal weight and to consume less unhealthy food.