1.Impact of a Health Education “Intervention” Program towards Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Nurses in Kuala Krai Hospital, Kelantan
Azlina Abdul Aziz ; Mohamed Zabri Johari ; Hawa Ismail
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2012;10(1):23-27
The National Health Morbidity Survey in 2006 showed Breast Self Examination (BSE) is still low in Malaysian women even though many awareness programs have been carried out. This study was conducted from May to December 2000 to observe the changes on the level of knowledge, practice and attitude amongst nurses at the Kuala Krai Hospital, Kelantan on the practice of BSE after a health education intervention program was conducted. The objective of the study is to increase the practice of BSE among nurses in that hospital. The study was performed by pre and post intervention without comparison. Respondents consist of 43 nurses selected by random sampling. The instrument used in this study was by questionnaires through direct interview with the respondent. The health education intervention program includes talks, BSE demonstration, counseling and exhibition, was conducted to educate the nurses on the proper time, frequency and correct technique of BSE. The results of the study showed a significant change in the level of knowledge (p < 0.001) before and after intervention. Meanwhile, analysis on practice showed no significant change towards correct BSE practice (p = 0.083). Analysis on attitude showed that all 43 or 100% respondents had changed from negative to positive towards perceived susceptibility, perceived barrier and perceived benefit. No relationship between the socio-demographic factors and the BSE practice (p = 0.63) was observed. Even though practice changes before and after intervention is still low and not significant, but the introduction of the health intervention program caused some changes among the nurses from Hospital Kuala Krai, even though there was no overall change.
2.Bilateral microtia, canal atresia and aplasia of cochleovestibular nerve
Asma binti Abdullah ; Roslenda Abdul Rahman ; Fadzilah Ismail ; Mazita Ami ; Marina Mat Baki ; Aini Ab Aziz
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(2):135-137
A six-month-old baby with congenital patent ductus
arteriosus (PDA), bilateral microtia and canal atresia was
referred for hearing assessment. The audiology assessment
revealed bilateral profound hearing loss, which is atypical
for a case of pure canal atresia. Imaging was performed
much earlier than usual and, as suspected, the patient also
had bilateral severe inner ear anomaly. It is extremely rare
for a person to have both external and inner ear anomaly
because of the different embryological origin. The only
suitable hearing rehabilitation option for this kind of patients
is brainstem implant. However, the parents had opted for
sign language as a form of communication.
KEY WORDS:
Microtia; canal atresia; cochleovestibular nerve aplasia; inner ear anomaly
Congenital Microtia
3.Genotoxicity assessment of locally produced dental nanocomposite using Comet assay
Siti Robayah Mohd Zakri ; Thirumulu Ponnuraj Kannan * ; Nora Aziz ; Siti Fadilah Abdullah ; Dasmawati Mohamad ; Ismail Ab Rahman ; Abdul Rashid Ismail
Archives of Orofacial Sciences 2011;6(1):15-20
The aim of this study was to determine the
genotoxicity of a locally produced nanocomposite by Universiti
Sains Malaysia, Malaysia using Comet assay. Stem cells from
human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) were treated with
the nanocomposite at five different concentrations (0.006,
0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/ml) along with concurrent
negative (medium alone) and positive control (zinc sulfate
heptahydrate) and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in an
incubator at 5% CO2. The tail moment was used to assess the
extent of DNA damage. The tail moment for the group of SHED
treated with nanocomposite (for all the five different
concentrations) was not statistically significant as compared to
the negative control, suggesting that the locally produced
dental nanocomposite did not induce any DNA damage.
Hence, it can be concluded that the locally produced
nanocomposite is non-genotoxic on stem cells from human
exfoliated deciduous teeth.
4.A Study of Psychological Distress in Two Cohorts of First-Year Medical Students that Underwent Different Admission Selection Processes
Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff ; Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahim ; Abdul Aziz Baba ; Shaiful Bahari Ismail ; Ab Rahman Esa
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2012;19(3):29-35
Background: Medical training is often regarded as a stressful period. Studies have previously found that 21.6%–50% of medical students experience significant psychological distress. The present study compared the prevalence and levels of psychological distress between 2 cohorts of first-year medical students that underwent different admission selection processes.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted by comparing 2 cohorts of first-year medical students; 1 group (cohort 1) was selected based purely on academic merit (2008/2009 cohort) and the other group (cohort 2) was selected based on academic merit, psychometric assessment, and interview performance (2009/2010 cohort). Their distress levels were measured by the General Health Questionnaire, and scores higher than 3 were considered indicative of significant psychological distress.
Results: The prevalence (P = 0.003) and levels (P = 0.001) of psychological distress were significantly different between the 2 cohorts. Cohort 1 had 1.2–3.3 times higher risk of developing psychological distress compared to cohort 2 (P = 0.007).
Conclusion: Cohort 2 had better psychological health than cohort 1 and was less likely to develop psychological distress. This study provided evidence of a potential benefit of multimodal student selection based on academic merit, psychometric assessment, and interview performance. This selection process might identify medical students who will maintain better psychological health.
5.Effect of seedling age and water depth on morphological and physiological aspects of transplanted rice under high temperature.
Abdul Aziz KHAKWANI ; Masaaki SHIRAISHI ; Muhammad ZUBAIR ; Mohammad Safdar BALOCH ; Khalid NAVEED ; Inayatullah AWAN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2005;6(5):389-395
To study the effect of high temperature, rice seedlings 20, 30, 40 and 50 d were kept at 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm water depth in a water pool. Meteorological findings indicated that water temperature varied up to 10 cm but became stable below this depth. Deep water inflicted higher tiller mortality, minimal increase in dry weight of aerial parts and leaf area, decrease in root length, and decrease in root dry weight especially at 20 cm water depth and produced an unbalanced T/R ratio (top versus root dry weight). However, deep water tended to increase plant length. These parameters, however, excel in shallow water. Older seedlings, with the exception of root dry weight, could not perform well compared to young seedlings in all physiological and morphological aspects. The study revealed that seedlings, particularly young ones, stand well in shallow water and can cope with high temperature.
Desiccation
;
Organ Size
;
Oryza
;
anatomy & histology
;
cytology
;
growth & development
;
physiology
;
Plant Components, Aerial
;
anatomy & histology
;
growth & development
;
Plant Leaves
;
anatomy & histology
;
growth & development
;
Plant Roots
;
anatomy & histology
;
growth & development
;
Seedlings
;
cytology
;
growth & development
;
Temperature
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Time Factors
;
Water
;
analysis
6.Evaluation of Visual Acuity, Macular Thickness, and Level of Proteinuria in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome
Lam MUN-WEI ; Mohd Yazid AIMAN-MARDHIYYAH ; Abdul Aziz HAYATI ; Ilias Mohamad IKRAM ; Evelyn Li Min TAI ; Ismail SHATRIAH
Korean Journal of Ophthalmology 2023;37(1):42-48
Purpose:
Macular edema, serous retinal detachment, and retinal pigment epithelial detachment have been reported in patients with nephrotic syndrome. However, there is limited data about macular thickness in children with nephrotic syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare the mean macular thickness in children with nephrotic syndrome and in a control group and to correlate it with visual acuity and level of proteinuria.
Methods:
The comparative cross-sectional study included 66 children aged 6 to 17 years with nephrotic syndrome and healthy control seen in two tertiary centers in Malaysia. We recorded demographic data, as well as visual acuity, level of proteinuria, and the mean macular thicknesses in both groups. The mean macular thickness was measured using Stratus optical coherence tomography according to nine areas of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study map.
Results:
The mean foveal thickness was 238.15 ± 22.98 µm for children with nephrotic syndrome and 237.01 ± 22.60 µm for the control group. There was no significant difference in the mean macular thickness between the groups (p = 0.843). A significant correlation with visual acuity was observed in the superior outer macula (r = –0.41, p = 0.019), the nasal outer macula (r = –0.41, p = 0.019), and the inferior outer macula (r = –0.40, p = 0.021). There was no significant correlation between the mean macular thickness and level of proteinuria (p = 0.338), although those with higher levels of proteinuria demonstrated a trend towards increased macular thickness.
Conclusions
The mean macular thickness in children with nephrotic syndrome was similar to that of healthy children. A significant correlation between the mean thickness of the outer macular layer and the presenting visual acuity was observed. There was no correlation between the mean macular thickness and the level of proteinuria.
7.Development Of Clinical Pathway For Non-Surgical Management Of Chronic Periodontitis
Wisam Kamil ; Ooi Yow Hian ; Shahida Mohd-Said ; Siti Lailatul Akmar Zainuddin ; Haslinda Ramli ; Erni Noor ; Rasidah Ayob ; Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz ; Aniza Ismail ; Saperi Sulong ; Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2018;18(Special Volume (1)):26-32
The vast range of treatment protocols available for non-surgical management of chronic periodontitis can affect the consistency of clinical decision-making for dentists. This is further compounded by the different case definitions for periodontitis used in various clinical studies. The aim of this paper is to describe the steps taken leading to an expert consensus of periodontitis case definition followed by the development of a clinical pathway for managing chronic periodontitis. To assist reaching a consensus on a standard case definition of periodontitis for clinical research, a roundtable discussion was held involving 13 dental specialists and researchers from universities and the Ministry of Health. Participants discussed clinical experiences in identifying periodontitis and related issues based on scientific evidence. A further expert panel discussion consisting of 8 periodontists was conducted at another session to review current management practices and evidence-based practices available from the literature and generated a clinical pathway for non-surgical management of periodontitis. The case definition derived from the roundtable discussion recognises differentiation of selected clinical parameters and their thresholds as well as the extent and severity of the periodontitis. As for the newly developed clinical pathway, experts collectively defined the appropriate goals to satisfy the multidimensional needs of the patients which are translated into detailed elements of care, including the sequence of events of patients at each dental visit over time. The agreed case definition will facilitate selection and recruitment of cases for clinical studies while the clinical pathway can be used to reduce variations between clinicians.
Case definitions
;
clinical pathway
;
periodontitis
8.Development and validation of the Salt Intake-Related Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire for Malaysian adults
Zainorain Natasha Zainal Arifen ; Ngoh Wan Hwah ; Hng Jie Wei ; Siti Aishah Ismail ; Maryam Hanis Fairuzam ; Hasnah Haron
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2024;30(No.1):73-86
Introduction: Malaysian adults consume excessive amounts of salt daily, which
could lead to hypertension. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices
(KAP) surrounding salt intake is crucial for designing effective interventions to
reduce excessive consumption and its associated health risks. Therefore, this study
aimed to adapt an existing salt intake-related KAP questionnaire that was previously
employed in a local population-based survey and to validate and test its reliability.
Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised two phases: (1) adaptation, content
validation (CV), and face validation (FV); (2) pilot testing and reliability testing. CV
and FV involved a total of seven experts and ten Malaysian adults from the Klang
Valley, respectively. Pilot testing involved 139 Malaysian adults to determine the
questionnaire’s reliability. Content validity index (CVI) and Face validity index
(FVI) values were calculated to analyse CV and FV. Reliability of each domain was
analysed by obtaining Cronbach’s alpha (α) values. Results: A self-administered
questionnaire comprising six items each for knowledge, attitude, and practice was
developed. The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable item-level CVI (I-CVI) and
item-level FVI (I-FVI) values of at least 0.83, indicating that the items were relevant,
clear, non-ambiguous, and simple. Reliability test showed acceptable α values
of at least 0.70 for each domain, suggesting that the questionnaire was reliable.
Conclusion: This tool could be considered valid and reliable for assessing the level
of KAP towards salt intake among adults in Malaysia.
9.Potentials of Immunonutrition in Wound Healing: A Review (Potensi Imunonutrisi dalam Penyembuhan Luka: Tinjauan)
WEI BOON YAP ; NUR FARHANA AZIZAN ; ELYNNA AZURA HSNOL ; KAVIPRIYA KRISHNAN ; SIVANESAN RAJESWARAN ; JIA YIN CHOW ; NORAIHAN IRWAN ; PAVITRA INDRAJOTH ; PRAMILA MANI MARAN ; MUNIRAH ISMAIL
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2022;20(No.2):23-33
A delayed wound healing process can lead to detrimental complications in chronic wound patients such as tissue
necrosis and systemic infections. Application of immunonutrition (IN) in experimental animal models and chronic
wound patients has shown promising and improved wound healing processes. IN restores the supply of essential nutrients
that are critical for cell growth and tissue repair in the wounded subjects. Several commonly found nutrients in IN
formulations include polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), essential amino acids, trace elements such as zinc and
vitamins. Recently, some studies suggested the use of traditionally used herbs like curcumin in IN recipes due to its
efficient wound healing properties. The roles and functions of IN in wound healing encompass recruitment of white
blood cells, platelets and fibroblasts into the wounded area during the coagulation and inflammation phases, enhancement
of fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and neovascularization in the proliferation phase; and lastly, regulation
of tissue re-epithelization for wound closure and recovery. In this review, the roles and functions of individual nutrients
were deliberately discussed alongside their mechanisms of action in wound healing. This aims to provide a more holistic
insight into the potentials of those nutrients when used as part of IN for major wound patients. Despite its remarkable
effects in wound healing, several criteria should be considered in an IN formulation: the type and severity of wounds,
administration timing and mode of administration, and concoction of immune-boosting nutrients in order to ensure the
optimal wound healing effects.
10.The Effects of 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Identified from Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) Shoots on Kv1.4 Channel
Jingli ZHANG ; Fatin H. MOHAMAD ; Jia Hui WONG ; Habsah MOHAMAD ; Abdul Hadi ISMAIL ; Abdul Aziz Mohamed Yusoff ; Hasnah OSMAN ; Kok Tong WONG ; Zamzuri IDRIS ; Jafri Malin ABDULLAH
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2018;25(1):101-113
Background: Bamboo shoot has been used as a treatment for epilepsy in traditional Chinese medicine for generations to treat neuronal disorders such as convulsive, dizziness and headaches. 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-hba) is a non-flavonoid phenol found abundantly in Dendrocalamus asper shoots (bamboo), fruits (strawberries and apples) and flowers. Kv1.4 is a rapidly inactivating Shaker-related member of the voltage-gated potassium channels with two inactivation mechanisms; the fast N-type and slow C-type. It plays vital roles in repolarisation, hyperpolarisation and signaling the restoration of resting membrane potential through the regulation of the movement of K+ across the cellular membrane. Methods: Chemical compounds from Dendrocalamus asper bamboo shoots were purified and identified as major palmitic acids mixed with other minor fatty acids, palmitic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, lauric acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and cholest-4-ene-3-one. The response of synthetic 4-hydroxybenzoic acid was tested on Kv1.4 potassium channel which was injected into viable oocytes that was extracted from Xenopus laevis. The current were detected by the two-microelectrode voltage clamp, holding potential starting from −80 mV with 20 mV stepup until +80 mV. Readings of treatments with 0.1% DMSO, 4-hba concentrations and K channel blockers were taken at +60 mV. The ratio of tail/peak amplitude is the index of the activity of the Kv1.4 channels with n ≥ 6 (number of oocytes tested). The decreases of the ratios of five different concentrations (1 μM, 10 μM, 100 μM, 1 mM and 2.5 mM) were compared with 0.1% DMSO as the control. Results: All concentration showed statistically significant results with P < 0.05 except for 100 μM. The normalised current of the 4-hba concentrations were compared with potassium channel blockers (TEA and 4-AP) and all groups showed statistically significant results. This study also showed that time taken for each concentration to affect Kv1.4 does not play any significant roles. Conclusion: 4-hydroxybenzoic acid was found to be able to enhance the inactivation of Kv1.4 by lowering the membrane potential so that the abnormal neuronal firing can be inhibited. With IC50 slightly higher than 10 μM, increasing concentrations (100 μM, 1 mM and 2.5 mM) had shown to exhibit toxicity effects. The best concentration from this study is 10 μM with Hill slope of 0.1799.