The Use of Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a common phenomenon among women with breast cancer in Malaysia. This study examines the prevalence, types, influencing factors and source of information regarding CAM among women with breast cancer, using a cross sectional research design. A purposive sampling was used to recruit 103 women with breast cancer who were attending follow up care at the Radiotherapy and Oncology unit of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Data was gathered through the use of self–administered questionnaires. Ninety one women identified themselves as CAM users while twelve were non users. Among the CAM users, 57(62.6%) were Malays, 27(29.7%) Chinese and 7(7.7%) Indians. The common types of CAM used were vitamins, nutritional supplements and traditional medicines (TM). CAM was used more frequently upon diagnosis (63.7%) and after completion of conventional treatment (97.8%). With regard to decision-making, most of the women (62.6%) did not make the decision to use CAM and were mostly influenced by their husband and mother (67%). Mother (71.4%), husband (67%), and relatives (56%) were the main sources of information and all values showed significant association with CAM use (p<0.05). Prevalence of CAM use, especially TM, was high among the Malay and Chinese ethnic groups. The lack of autonomy in decision-making by the women was the major reason for the use of CAM. The effectiveness and safety of using TM upon diagnosis and in combination with conventional cancer treatment are of concern to the breast surgeons, oncologist and the health care team.

Parenting stress is the stress level experienced within the role of a parent (HoekstraWeebers et al. 1998). The source of stressors is variable and dependent on the phase of disease and chemotherapy (Sawyer et al. 2000). Failure to cope with these stressors may in turn affect the child’s emotional and social adjustment towards the diagnosis of cancer in addition to poor medical treatment adherence behaviour(Sawyer et al. 1993). The objectives of this study are to determine the level of parenting stress, the risk factors contributing to high parenting stress, and the coping mechanisms used to handle the stress. This single centred, cross-sectional study was done amongst 117 parents at the Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Unit, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) over two years duration. Self-administered questionnaires comprising the Parenting Stress Index/Short Form (PSI/SF) and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS) were distributed to parents of children who were 12 years old and below. The mean total parenting stress score amongst parents of children diagnosed with acute leukaemia was 91.5±21.1(95%CI). A total of 27.3% of parents experienced a high total parenting stress score(defined as total PSI score ≥ 75th centile, ie ≥ 103). Task-oriented coping mechanism was used by the majority of parents. Emotion-oriented coping mechanism was the only identifiable risk factor for high parenting stress score following multiple logistic regression analysis. A parent who used emotion-oriented coping mechanism was 7.1 times (95% Confidence Interval 1.2 to 41.4) more likely to have a high parenting stress score compared to a parent who used other coping mechanisms. By identifying these at-risk parents, appropriate counselling and psychological support may be offered early to alleviate the stress as well as assist in the coping and adjustment mechanisms of these parents.

Drug administration is an integral part of nurses role in nursing practice. In relation to their diverse roles, nurses are required to have adequate knowledge and good practice. The purpose of this study is to examine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses in the medical wards administering oral medication and to assess whether nurse’s knowledge, attitude and practice is associated with working experience and professional education (post basic training). A cross-sectional study was conducted on forty (40) nurses working in the Medical wards in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). Questionnaires were used to measure the level of knowledge and attitude of nurses and a direct observation technique with checklist to record the practice of nurses. The mean score for knowledge (13.8), attitude (16.4) and practice (10.7) were all within average distribution. No significant difference was found between knowledge and practice of nurses with working experience and post basic training. However, the influence of working experience on attitude of nurses in serving oral medication was found to be significant (p= 0.045). Nurses in medical ward, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, were found to possess an average level of knowledge and attitude in administering oral medication. In addition, this study suggest that work experience of nurses has no influence on knowledge gain and good practice in administering oral medication.

Breast self-examination (BSE) is recommended globally as one of the methods in early detection of breast cancer. Little is known about nurses screening behavior related to BSE. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the knowledge, attitude and practice of Breast Self Examination (BSE) among nurses. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to a total of 114 nurses working in Obstetrics & Gynaecology wards and clinics of two tertiary hospitals. Among the 114 participants, 111(97.4%) practiced BSE. The mean age of the participants was 34.97(±9.104) years. The mean score of knowledge was 11.07(±1.020) and 81.1% had high knowledge of BSE. Majority (98.2%) of respondents showed good attitude towards BSE. Barriers was found to be a significant predictor and self confidence proved to be an influencing factor on BSE performance. Despite practicing BSE, the number of nurses that examined their breast monthly was only 35.1%. Age, working experience and marital status showed no significant relationship with knowledge and practice of BSE. However, BSE taught during their undergraduate programme was found to have a significant relationship with practice of BSE. Majority of nurses in this study were not complying with MOH recommendation for BSE in terms of frequency. Thus, intervention strategies should focus on educating nurses on performing BSE monthly, in accordance with the Ministry of Health guidelines. This is important as nurses play a primary role in promoting health behaviors in BSE practice and breast cancer awareness among women in this country.

Pregnancy is perceived by many pregnant mothers as a period of happiness in anticipation of motherhood. Not all pregnant mothers experience cheerfulness as some may experience a high anxiety and depression level for unknown reasons. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of anxiety and depression among high risk pregnant women and the factors that contribute to their level of anxiety and depression. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 high risk mothers whose stay in hospital exceeded more than three days in the obstetric ward of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. A self assessment questionaire "Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale"was used to measure the level of anxiety and depression among high risk pregnant women. Of the 38 participants, 16 (42.1%) women experienced a mild level of anxiety and 22 (57.9%) experienced a severe level of anxiety. Seventeen (44.7%) women was classified as having mild depression and 21 (55.3%) severe depression. The factors contributing to the level of anxiety and depression, include those related with "lack of information on disease", "family matters" and "finance". High risk pregnant women in this study experienced a significant level of anxiety and depression during their stay in hospital. It is therefore important for nurses and doctors to be aware and sensitive to the influencing factors that cause anxiety and depression as to enable high risk pregnant mothers to enjoy their pregnancy and childbirth.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) reduces choroidal thickness by choroidal hypoperfusion in diabetic macula oedema (DME) patients. Indirect effect of anti-VEGF towards outer retinal layers (ORL) which supplied by choroidal circulation has not been well described. We evaluate the ORL thickness between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with inner-segment-outer-segment photoreceptor junction (IS/OS) and RPE with external limiting membrane (ELM) in pre- and post-intravitreal Ranibizumab (IVR) treated eyes with central foveal diabetic macula edema. A total of 60 eyes (40 patients) were analysed. ORL thickness measured with optical coherence tomography at pre- and post-injection day 1, week 4 and week 6. Mean thickness of RPE-IS/OS was statistically significant over time (p=0.023) but not for RPE-ELM (p=0.216). Thickness ratio between RPE-IS/OS and RPE-ELM and central subfoveal thickness (CST) both showed statistically significant result over time with p=0.038 and p=0.000, respectively. We observed an initial reduction of ORL thickness at day 1 followed by increased in thickness at week 4 with subsequent reduction at week 6 was observed. ORL is an aspect that can be explore and emphasized further in patients considered for IVR injections. The long-term effects of IVR to the ORL however could not be concluded due to short follow up period.