1.The Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence among the Elderly in a Rural Community in Selangor
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2010;17(2):18-23
Background: Urinary incontinence is a common but poorly understood problem in the
elderly population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence
and its associated factors among the elderly in a community setting.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Stratified cluster sampling was used
in this study. All elderly residents aged 60 years old and above who fulfilled the selection criteria
were included as respondents. The translated Malay version of the Barthel’s Index (BI) was used to
identify the presence of urinary incontinence.
Results: The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 9.9% among the elderly respondents.
Urinary incontinence among the elderly was significantly associated with age, gender, depression,
functional dependence, and diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05).
2.Prevalence and Predictors of Suicidality Among Medical Students in A Public University
Tan Siew Tin ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Normala Ibrahim
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(1):1-5
Background: Undergraduate medical students have been
the most distressed group among the student population.
Depression and anxiety have been found to be more
prevalent in this group of students compared to others.
Objective: This study was conducted to determine the
prevalence and predictors of suicidality among
undergraduate medical students in a public university.
Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study,
conducted in a public university in Selangor, Malaysia. Data
were collected using self-administered questionnaires from
January to February 2013, and analysed using the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences Software (version 21).
Results: Out of 625 undergraduate medical students, 537
(85.9%) participated in the study. The prevalence of the
suicidality among undergraduate medical students was
7.0%. The significant predictors of suicidality based on
multiple logistic regression were the respondent’s lifetime
suicide attempts (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 10.4, 95% CI 2.7
to 40.9); depression (AOR 5.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 23.0); breaking
off a steady love relationship (AOR 5.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 22.4);
hopelessness (AOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 21.6); and something
valued being lost or stolen (AOR 4.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 15.9).
Conclusion: These findings indicate that mental health care
services should be strengthened at university level. The
results show a need for an intervention programme to
reduce suicidality among the undergraduate medical
students.
Students, Medical
;
Depression
3.Outcome of chemotherapy counseling by pharmacists on psychological effects and self esteem among oncology patients in a Government Hospital in Malaysia
Ummavathy Periasamy ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Siti Irma Fadhilah Ismail
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(3):131-141
SUMMARY
Introduction: Chemotherapy is the most common form of
treatment among cancer patients. It is also known to cause
many physical and psychological side-effects.
Objective: This study developed, implemented and
evaluated the outcome of a chemotherapy counseling
module among oncology patients by pharmacists based on
their psychological effects (depression, anxiety) and selfesteem.
Methods: A randomized, single blind, placebo controlled
study was conducted among 162 patients undergoing
chemotherapy in a government hospital in Malaysia.
Intervention: Counseling sessions were conducted using
the 'Managing Patients on Chemotherapy' module for
oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy at each
treatment cycle.
Outcome: The outcome of repetitive chemotherapy
counseling using the module was determined at baseline,
first follow-up, second follow-up and third follow-up.
Results: The findings revealed that there was significant
improvement in the intervention group as compared to the
control group with large effect size on depression (p = 0.001,
partial Ƞ 2 = 0.394), anxiety (p = 0.001, partial Ƞ 2 = 0.232) and
self-esteem (p = 0.001, partial Ƞ 2 = 0.541).
Conclusion: Repetitive counseling using the ‘Managing
Patients on Chemotherapy’ module was found to be
effective in improving psychological effects and self-esteem
among patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Drug Therapy
;
Neoplasms
4.Prevalence and Predictors of Water Pipe (Shisha) use among Iranian High School Children
Mahtab Mohammadi ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Normala Ibrahim ; Hejar Abd. Rahman ; Ali Ghaleiha
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2017;13(1):45-53
Introduction: Water pipe use is becoming increasingly common among Iranian adolescents. This study examined
the prevalence and predictors of water pipe use among public high schoolchildren aged 14-17 in Iran. Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade public high schoolchildren in Sanadaj City,
capital of Kurdistan province of Iran during the academic year 2012-2013. Cluster sampling was used to select
a sample from 8 public high schools. The data were collected using validated self-administrated questionnaire
that included questions on water pipe use, socio-demographic characteristics, smoking-related knowledge, attitude
toward smoking, normative believes regards perceived prevalence water pipe use among peer and adults, perception
of harm, self-esteem and refusal skill. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess predictors
of water pipe use. Results: A total of 1837 students participated in this study. Students’ ages ranged from 14 to 17
years (mean age±15.09; SD±0.82 years). The overall prevalence of ever water pipe use was 36.2% (43.1% in male
and 29.2% in female, (p<0.001). Age, gender, living arrangement, pocket money, academic grade, parental history
of smoking, attitude, and normative believes regards perceived prevalence water pipe use among peer and adults
were predictors of water pipe use among study participants. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of water pipe
is high among high school children in Sanandaj. Age, gender, pocket money, academic grade, parents smoking,
attitude toward smoking and normative believes were identified as the most important predictors increasing the risk
of water pipe use in the studied students.
Smoking
5.Prevalence of obesity and associated factors among secondary school students in Slemani City Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Muhammed Saeed Qadir ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Salmiah Md Said ; Zhian Salah Ramzi
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2014;10(2):27-38
Introduction: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The objective of
the study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and factors associated among secondary school
students aged between 13 to 17 years at Slemani City Centre, Iraq. Methodology: A cross sectional
study design was used. The calculated sample size was 1656. Probability proportional to size sampling
technique was used to select the sample. A validated pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data.
Weight and height were also taken. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square test was used
to determine an association between two categorical variables. Independent t-test was used to compare
two means. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors for obesity. Results: The
response rate was 92.54% and the overall mean age of the 1588 respondents was 15.42 (95% CI = 15.35,
15.49) years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 20.6% and 11.3% respectively. Variables
significantly associated with overweight and obesity (age, monthly family income, education level of
parents, body part satisfaction and body size perception) were entered into the logistic regression model.
Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the predictors for overweight and obesity were age,
monthly family income, body part dissatisfaction and body size perception. Conclusion: The prevalence
of overweight and obesity is high (20.6% and 11.3% respectively). The predictors of obesity among
secondary school students aged between 13 to 17 years old at Slemani City Centre Kurdistan Region,
Iraq were age, family income and body image dissatisfaction.
Obesity
6.Prevalence of depression among women attending a primary urban care clinic in Malaysia.
Sherina Mohd SIDIK ; Bruce ARROLL ; Felicity GOODYEAR-SMITH ; Rozali AHMAD
Singapore medical journal 2012;53(7):468-473
INTRODUCTIONDepression affects more women than men in Malaysia. The objective of this paper was to determine the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among women attending a government primary care clinic.
METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in a government-funded primary care clinic in Malaysia. Consecutive adult female patients attending the clinic during the data collection period were invited to participate. The participants completed self-administered questionnaires (including the validated Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9], which was translated into the Malay language).
RESULTSA total of 895 female patients participated in the study (response rate 87.5%). The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 scores ≥ 10) was 12.1%. Based on multiple logistic regression analysis, certain stressful life events were found to be associated with depression (p < 0.05). These factors, arranged from highest to lowest risk, were financial problems (odds ratio [OR] 3.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-6.2), unhappiness in the parent-child relationship (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2-7.5), history of serious illness (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.2), unhappiness in family relationships (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.7) and unhappiness at work (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.3) (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of depression among participants in this study was clinically significant and corresponded with the findings of other international studies. Factors associated with depression need to be highlighted and addressed accordingly. Clinicians in Malaysia should be aware of this prevalence when making diagnoses in primary care.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Malaysia ; Middle Aged ; Parent-Child Relations ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; organization & administration ; Regression Analysis ; Risk ; Sex Factors ; Social Class ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Health Services ; Urban Population
7.Knowledge and attitudes of adult HIV positive patients to HIV/AIDS in Selected ART Clinics in Yola, Nigeria
Olutayo Folashade Martins ; Lekhraj Rampal ; Lye Munn-Sann ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Norlijah Othman ; Zubairu Iliyasu ; Fatai Kunle Salawu
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2015;11(2):35-44
Though cases of AIDS are visible in Nigeria and awareness of HIV is high, correct knowledge on HIV
transmission and prevention has remained low with significant numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS
having low attitudes towards life and the disease itself. This study determined the baseline knowledge
on HIV transmission and prevention, and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS of adult HIV positive patient
enrolled into care at all four comprehensive antiretroviral therapy (ART) sites in Yola, Nigeria.
Baseline reports on the knowledge and attitudes of adult HIV positive patients were obtained from a
three arm randomized single blind clinical trial involving 386 randomly selected adult HIV patients who
were enrolled into ART care at all four comprehensive ART sites in Yola. An administered, validated
structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Outcome measures were sound knowledge on HIV
transmission and prevention, and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version
22. Test of significance was at α level 0.05.
Overall 237 (61.4%) had sound knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention, while 346 (89.6%) of
respondents had high attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.
Though majority of respondents had sound knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention as well as
high attitudes towards HIV/AIDS, interventions to improve knowledge and attitudes among this group
of individuals would improve positive preventive strategies.
HIV
8.From the MJM Editors’ Desk: Common errors authors make in submission to the Medical Journal of Malaysia
Lekhraj Rampal ; Liew Boon Seng ; Pakeer Oothuman ; Philip Rajan ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Victor Chee Wai ; Baharudin Abdullah
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(4):324-
Proper understanding the ‘Instructions to authors’ for a
particular journal is the key towards successful submission of a
manuscript which will lead to it being published. Common
errors that are frequently made by authors in their submission
to the Malaysia Journal of Malaysia (MJM) that lead to
rejection of their submission or requiring major revisions or
minor revisions are listed and discussed in this article. Outright
rejection prior to even a peer review process may be made for
an article due to: it is poorly written or when there is suspicion
on the authenticity of the submission, which contains elements
that are suspected to be plagiarised, it is a duplicate submission
or not in the format required by the MJM. The editor in
charge of the issue makes a recommendation to the Editor in
Chief for the final decision.
9.Prevalence and predictors of depression and suicidal ideation among adolescents attending government secondary schools in Malaysia
Normala Ibrahim ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Phang Cheng Kar ; Firdaus Mukhtar ; Hamidin Awang ; Ang Jin Kiat ; Zubaidah Jamil Osman ; Siti Fatimah Ab Ghaffar
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(4):221-227
10.Prevalence of overweight among secondary school students in Klang district, Selangor.
G.R. Lekhraj Rampal ; Sherina Mohd Sidik ; Sanjay Rampal *** ; Daniel Wong Yi Jie ** ; Chow Poh Lee ; Liew Jer Shya ; Shum Yong Shun
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2007;13(1):1-8
Overweight and obesity place children and adolescents at increased risk of significant health problems, both during their early life and adult life. A crosssectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of overweight among secondary school students aged 13-17 years in the Klang district and to determine the association between overweight and age, sex, ethnicity, religion and blood pressure. Random cluster proportionate to size sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Weight was recorded using TANITA model HD-309 and height was measured using SECA Body meter Model 208. A mercury sphygmomanometer was used to measure blood pressure manually. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 13. Out of the 3,333 respondents, 11.4% were found to be at risk of overweight and 8.2% were overweight. The prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in the males (10.6%) as compared to females (6.0%). Prevalence of overweight was highest in Malays (10.7%) followed by the Indians (7.1%) and the Chinese (5.9%). Prevalence of ‘risk of overweight’ was highest in the Indians (13.7%) followed by Chinese (12.0%) and Malays (9.8%). There was a moderate direct significant relationship between overweight and systolic blood pressure (r=0.5, r2=0.25, p<0.001) and also diastolic blood pressure (r=0.42, r2=0.18, p<0.001). The relationship between BMI and overweight was very weak (r=0.11, r2=0.01 and df=3331, p<0.001). In conclusion the prevalence of overweight among the secondary school students is high and there is a need for a comprehensive integrated population-based intervention program.
Obesity
;
secondary school student
;
seconds
;
Statistical Prevalence
;
Blood Pressure