1.Knowledge, Attitudes and Sources of Information on Breastfeeding among Pregnant Mothers
Ay Eeng Tan ; Wai Kwong Choong ; Pooi Yan Leong ; Wei Mui Ng ; Soon Leong Yong
Medicine and Health 2008;3(1):30-37
This is a cross-sectional study on 218 pregnant mothers in an urban government Hospital.
The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and sources of information on
breastfeeding. The results could be utilised to promote breastfeeding. Almost all the
respondents (96.8%) intended to breastfeed their newborns. Most of them (74.8%) were
knowledgeable about breastfeeding i.e. colostrum and breast milk was the best food, good
for resistance against disease and allergy, filling up stomach easily, helpful in teeth
development and maternal recovery after birth, increased bonding, was easy and
economical. The two main misconceptions were mothers would stop breastfeeding when
infant or mother was sick, and giving clear fluid to the exclusively breastfed infants to
prevent dehydration. Most mothers (83.9%) responded positively towards breastfeeding i.e. it was easier than infant formula, had no negative effect on marital relationship or
family care, would commence breastfeeding straight after delivery, agreeable to the
banning of bottles and teats in hospital and they would not stop breastfeeding even if
husband discouraged them. Only 56.9% of the mothers believed they could breastfeed
their babies with modesty anywhere. The main sources of information were attained from
the mass media (34.9%), antenatal class (32.1%) and other mothers with breastfeeding experiences.
2.Frequently asked questions in allergy practice
Xiang Xuan TAN ; Peiting XIE ; Jia Li KWEK ; Sock Yuen KWEK ; Zihui YANG ; Weiling SOON ; Jern Lin LEONG ; De Yun WANG
Asia Pacific Allergy 2014;4(1):48-53
BACKGROUND: Over the last 10-20 years, international guidelines and consensus statements for the management of common allergic diseases (e.g. allergic rhinitis and asthma) have been developed and disseminated worldwide. However, their impact on knowledge and standard of clinical practice among primary care physicians and specialists is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate need for an improvement in the dissemination of international guidelines for the diagnosis and management of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Seven medical students who attended 3-day 1st International Basic Allergy Course (2010) took down all questions raised during the entire course. A systemic analysis of these questions was performed to identify areas for improvement in diagnosis and management of allergic diseases mainly in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. RESULTS: 268 participants, 143 males and 125 females, comprising Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists (n = 106) and trainees (n = 34), general practitioners (n = 87), and other healthcare professionals (n = 41) attended the course. Of the 103 questions recorded, 59 were regarding treatment modalities in allergy practice such as immunotherapy (n = 38), pharmacologics (n = 15), nasal surgery (n = 2), and others (n = 4). 41 questions (39.8%) have answers based in the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma guidelines (2001 and 2008). Certain questions were selected for further analysis because they appeared to be (a) more commonly asked (e.g. immunotherapy) or (b) were deemed to be challenging or, even controversial (e.g. food allergy and differential diagnosis between vasovagal and anaphylaxis reaction), as the recommendations in current international guidelines were less well-defined. CONCLUSION: Our study identified several problems that, if tackled, could help minimize confusion and provide better care for patients suffering from allergic diseases especially in the ASEAN region.
Anaphylaxis
;
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
;
Asthma
;
Consensus
;
Delivery of Health Care
;
Diagnosis
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Ear
;
Female
;
Food Hypersensitivity
;
General Practitioners
;
Humans
;
Hypersensitivity
;
Immunotherapy
;
Male
;
Nasal Surgical Procedures
;
Nose
;
Pharynx
;
Physicians, Primary Care
;
Rhinitis, Allergic
;
Specialization
;
Students, Medical