1.Quality evaluation of child feeding related websites on complementary feeding in Malaysia
Zi Jie Lim ; Kanimolli Arasu ; Seong Ting Chen
International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education 2023;17(2):27-33
Introduction:
The internet is widely used by parents to access child feeding related information. The accuracy and reliability of information available online remain uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of child feeding related websites on complementary feeding for children aged 6-24 months in Malaysia.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 to April 2022 to evaluate complementary feeding-related websites in the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) language. The key terms were entered into Google Chrome and the first 30 websites were screened. Websites that could not be accessed due to broken links, duplicated websites and not freely accessible websites were excluded from the study. The quality was evaluated using Health-Related Websites Evaluation Form to appraise content, accuracy, author, currency, audience, navigation, external links, and structure of the web-based information. The website was rated as excellent (at least 90% of the total possible score), adequate (75 90%) and poor content (<75%).
Results:
Twenty-one websites out of 1006 websites screened were selected for evaluation. 81% of the websites were rated as excellent while 19% were with adequate quality. Websites with excellent quality ratings had higher scores for currency (p=0.039) and navigation (p=0.039) as compared to adequate quality websites.
Conclusions
This study highlighted that complementary feeding practices websites in the BM language were generally of good quality. The accuracy, currency and content of these websites can be further improved by including the resources developed by dietitians to optimise child feeding practices for optimal growth and development of children between 6–24 months.
Internet
2.Prevalence of malnutrition among patients with breast cancer and colorectal cancer in Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban
Wei Xiang Wong ; Ting Xuan Wong ; Shu Hwa Ong ; Sangeetha Shyam ; Seong Ting Chen ; Winnie Siew Swee Chee
International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education 2022;16(1):16-29
Background:
Malnutrition is common among cancer patients, and it can impact the surgical outcomes of the patients undergoing elective surgery. Addressing malnutrition at the early stage of treatment will enhance the recovery process of the patients after anti-cancer treatments. Our study aimed to assess the nutritional status among breast and colorectal cancer patients who were scheduled for elective surgery and treatment.
Methods:
A total of 89 patients, 46 breast cancer patients and 43 colorectal cancer patients participated in the study. Sociodemographic information and medical history were collected using a questionnaire. Body weight and height were measured using a weighing scale and stadiometer. Body composition data were collected using an 8-point bioimpedance analysis machine. Dietary intake was collected using a 7-day diet history. Handgrip strength was evaluated using a dynamometer. The prevalence of malnutrition was determined based on the AND/ASPEN malnutrition clinical characteristics. The differences between groups were analysed using independent sample t-test, Mann Whitney U test and chi-square test.
Results:
Out of 89 patients, 51.7% were diagnosed as being malnourished based on the AND/ASPEN characteristics. The most common malnutrition characteristic observed among the breast and colorectal cancer patients was reduced handgrip strength (56.2%), followed by experience of muscle loss (43.8%) and reduced food intake (42.7%).
Conclusion
There was a high prevalence of patients at risk of malnutrition among breast and colon cancer patients undergoing surgery. Early detection of malnutrition in cancer patients allows healthcare professionals to provide prompt intervention and improve their prognosis.
Malnutrition
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nutrition assessment
;
hospitals
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Breast Neoplasms
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Colorectal Neoplasms