1.Prevalence Of Strongyloidiasis in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review
International Journal of Public Health Research 2018;8(2):1015-1024
Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal helminth that infects humans
through contact with soil containing the larvae.
Methods A systematic search was performed for relevant titles, abstract and keywords
in database from Cochrane Library, PLOS One, PubMed and several other
sources in October 2017 based on PICO strategy. Out of 511 papers that were
evaluated for possible inclusion, final assessment for eligibility has yielded a
total of 17 papers to be included which were found suitable for analysis
covering period from 2012 till 2016.
Results A major challenge of giving an overview of prevalence data for S. stercoralis
lies in the low sensitivity of diagnostic method used which resulted in very
low prevalence in certain countries. Cambodia and Laos presented with high
prevalence ranging from 17.4% to 45.9% by using high sensitivity of
diagnostic methods. The current prevalence situation of S. stercoralis in
Southeast Asia still have wide gaps remains due to several reasons.
Conclusions The information we have today only scratches the surface which cannot truly
reflect the true burden of S. stercoralis in Southeast Asia The main risk factor
is personal hygiene practices especially amongst males.
2.Undang-Undang Jagaan Kesihatan Ibu Di Malaysia: Hak Pesakit Wanita di Hospital Kerajaan
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(1):1025-1042
Introduction Women as patients is a normal situation. However, women patients of the
obstetric and gynaecology category are of a different category. This is because
obstetric and gynaecology patients will be warded in the maternity ward and
labour room according to the needs of their care and treatment. The care and
treatments in the maternity ward and labour room involving the care and
treatments by a special team of trained medical doctors, midwives and nurses
in obstetrics and gynaecology areas of expertise. Hence, the importance of
scutinising the relevant laws and legislations pertaining to the protection of
female patients’ rights when they are utilising the maternity ward and labour
room are fundamental in determining whether such rights existing in our
healthcare services pertaining to pregnant women. Healthcare laws relating to
women’s healthcare and government health policy on pregnant women are
scrutinised to ascertained whether the laws and policy give impact or effect to
the healthcare services rendered, including scrutinising the qualification,
capability and the quantity of obstetric and gynaecology doctors on whether it
fulfils the requirement of the government hospitals’ maternity ward and labour
room.
Methods Doctrinal research method is adopted with applying the empirical approach
whereby interviews and a focus group discussion were held with the O&G
specialist doctors and selected medical officer and staff nurses of Maternity
Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Results The finding shows that there are already in placed a policy of the Ministry of
Health Malaysia outlining the women patients’ rights in maternity ward and
labour room. However, there are deficiencies from the aspect of law and
government policy wherein there is no specific laws in relation to pregnant
patient rights nor is there a clear policy on women health.
Conclusions The writing concludes that there is a need for a new policy to re-establish
governance in maternity ward and to further enhance health care quality for
women patients hence, to appropriately define the position of women patients’
rights in the government hospital’s maternity ward.
3.Appropriateness of Proton Pump Inhibitors Prescription in Patients Admitted to a Malaysian Tertiary Hospital
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(1):1043-1050
Introduction Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the commonest drug prescribed,
however it is not without risk of adverse effects especially if the usage is
inappropriate. We aimed to evaluate the frequency, indications and
appropriateness of PPIs prescription among the medical inpatients, Serdang
Hospital, which is a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.
Methods This is a cross sectional study consisting of 1184 patients admitted to medical
ward and received PPI from 1st July 2016 to 31st March 2017, and their
database were further analysed by SPSS Statistics 17.0. Unpaired t-test was
performed to analyze the data collected. P < 0.05 (two-tailed) is considered
significant. Their indications were cross-referenced against the indications
adapted from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Results About 23.9% (1184/4953) of inpatients were using PPIs, and 63.0%
(746/1184) of them recently started on PPI in the ward, with mean age of 59.7
years. More male patients were commenced on PPIs during hospitalization (P
value < 0.05). Based on the FDA guideline, only 21.8% patients were
indicated, 32.2% were borderline indicated, and 46.0% patients were not
indicated in prescribing PPIs. Stress ulcer prophylaxis was the commonest
indication, while anaemia with no evidence of gastrointestinal bleed was the
main non-indication in starting PPIs. Only 11% of patients had performed the
oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGDS) during the hospital stay.
Conclusions 46.0% of inpatients were inappropriately prescribed PPIs according to FDA
guideline. More efforts should be initiated to improve the current situation of
PPIs overutilization in Malaysia.
4.Overweight and Obesity among School-Aged Adolescents in Yaounde (Cameroon)
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(1):1059-1072
Introduction Overweight and obesity are a major public health problem due to its
association with serious chronic diseases. Concerning childhood
overweight/obesity, its rise in developing countries is so that there is a need
to provide more evidence on its burden and associated factors in order to set
preventive measures.
Methods This study was designed to know the prevalence and related factors of
overweight and obesity amongst adolescents in Yaoundé- Cameroon, and to
draw their epidemiological profile.
Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 13.6% and 4.3% respectively.
Results revealed that practices associated with overweight and obesity are
increase in age (R = 0.42, p < 0.001), female gender (p < 0.001). In addition,
the use of bikes, cars or buses to go to school compared to walking (OR:
0.26; CI: 0.14 – 0.64; p = 0.0026) increase the risk of being overweight or
obese. After adjusting the multivariable logistic model for age and sex with
our study variables, it reveals that the odds of being obese for those who
consume alcohol once a week were nine fold higher than that of those who
consumed 2-5 times a week (OR: 9.37; CI: 1.34 to 193.41).
Conclusions This results show that there is a need for health education in schools so as to
help in health promotion and prevention, therefore avoid chronic disease
conditions at older ages.
5.Measuring Aedes & Breteau Indices in Determining Dengue Outbreak; A Study in Kota Tinggi
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(1):1081-1089
Introduction Dengue fever, the most known vector-borne disease in the tropical and
subtropical regions has become major public health concern worldwide.
Rapid urbanization, increased population movement and poor public hygienic
lifestyle contributed to the proliferated of high incidence of dengue fever in
urban and semi urban areas. With the increasing trend of dengue cases and
deaths, methods of dengue surveillance should be reevaluated in predicting
dengue outbreak.
Methods This study aimed to determine association between Aedes Index and Breteau
Index with dengue outbreak in the district of Kota Tinggi, Johor.
Results Total of 593 dengue cases in 2015 collected from Kota Tinggi Health Office.
The study found that there were significant association between Aedes Index
and Breteau Index with localities (p< 0.01) significant association between
dengue outbreak incidence and low transmission of aedes indices (p<0.01).
However these indices reported low sensitivity and specificity in predicting
dengue outbreak in this area.
Conclusions As dengue disease remains a major endemic in Malaysia, better surveillance
index should be reconsider as the main surveillance for dengue disease.
6.Faktor-faktor yang Mempengaruhi Psikososial Pesakit Kanakkanak Talasemia
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(1):1090-1099
Introduction Thalassemia disease is a serious health problem as it gives psychosocial
burden not only to the patients but also to the patients’ ecosystem. Among the
difficulties faced by patients are psychosocial problems, especially in the
process patients’ growth and development. Therefore, this study examines
what factors can influenced the psychosocial of Thalassemic patients..
Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 161 of Thalasemia Major
children at Women and Children Hospital, Likas and Keningau District
Hospital, Sabah from February to April 2013. The validated PedsQL 4.0
Generic Core Scale and Social Support questionnaire has been used.
Results The results showed that the overall psychosocial score was 68.50 (SP 15.18)
with the lowest average school psychosocial score of 58.38 (SP 17.82). Only
gender factor showed a significant relationship with psychosocial score of
emotional function. There is no significant relationship noted between other
sociodemographic factors with overall psychosocial scores or with the
psychosocial scores of each function. In relation to subscale social support
factors, there was a significant relationship between the psychosocial scores
of each function and overall with social support factors of parents, close
friends, classmates and teachers. The results of linear regression multivariate
analysis suggest that social support factors from classmates is a significant
factor in the psychosocial impact of Thalassemia Major pediatric patients.
Conclusions In conclusion, social support factors primarily from peers are very important
in influencing the psychosocial of Thalassemia Major children in overcoming
their life's functionality like other normal children
7.Diet as a Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer: A Literature Review
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(1):1051-1058
Introduction Prostate cancer is indeed a raising health problem in the world. As our life
expectancy improves, the prevalence of prostate cancer may also increase. Diet
is believed to be one of the common major risk factors contributing to the
development of prostate cancer.
Objective This review aims to i) understand the effect of dietary habit towards risk of
developing prostate cancer, ii) to summarize the published articles on risk of
developing prostate cancer and iii) to provide information in designing the
optimal diet for primary and secondary prostate cancer prevention.
Methods A search was conducted to review published studies on prostate cancer and
diet through PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Science Direct.
Results High intake of red meat, processed meat and dairy products were commonly
linked to the prostate cancer while consumption of antioxidants and certain
vitamins may give protective mechanism towards prostate cancer.
Conclusions Diet of low carbohydrates, n-3 PUFAs, colorful fruits and vegetables are still
the best advice to counsel the patient while lifestyle of smoking and heavy
alcohol intake should be avoided in preventing prostate cancer.
8.Disease and Economic Burden of Prostate Cancer in Malaysia: A Review
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(1):1073-1080
Introduction In Malaysia prostate cancer is ranked as fifth type of cancer among male.
Unlike other cancers, prostate cancer is slow growth type of cancer; hence
most patients may be asymptomatic despite having the disease. The burden
associated with prostate cancer disease started from the diagnosis, the
progress of disease and the varying impact of the available treatment options
till the quality of life. The review focused on the disease and economic
burden of prostate cancer disease towards country and patient personally.
Methods A search was conducted to review related published studies on economic
burden of the prostate cancer through PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Schorlar
and Science Direct searching engines databases using keywords: Prostate
cancer, economic burden and disease burden, treatment burden and treatment
cost. For exploration on the burden itself, the keywords used were economic
cost, mortality, morbidity, quality of life, treatment burden, palliative care. A
review on the morbidity and mortality comparing global, Asian and Malaysia
situation reviewed from previous review paper and online data.
Conclusions Economic burden of prostate cancer include quality of life, treatment cost and
palliative cost and palliative support care system. Development and
improvise of the treatment facilities and equipment, strong knowledge and
clinical training of staff in the treatment of cancer should be well planned in
order to reduce the increasing burden of prostate cancer in Malaysia
9.Assessing Barriers for Delayed Antenatal Care Services among Tribal Women of Bangladesh
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(2):1100-1107
Introduction The time to start Antenatal Care (ANC) check-up is very significant because
it determines the way to resolve complications and remedies during
pregnancy. Different parameters play important roles in participating ANC in
a society. A global consensus gives us the idea that most tribal people living
in remote areas are far from basic needs related to education, employment,
and affordable healthcare. The study aimed to delve into delayed ANC
practices and the factors affecting the decision to receive ANC among tribal
women dwelling in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh.
Methods This paper is a quantitative study. Interview schedule or questionnaire was
mainly used as an instrument for data collection from 556 married women
having babies for less than one year. Multinomial logistic regression was
performed to determine significant factors related to the time of the
introduction of ANC.
Results Only 16.4% of the women had started to receive ANC in the early stage of
pregnancy (≤3 months) and 13.5%, after three months (delayed ANC) of their
pregnancies. 70% did not seek ANC. The result found that one-third (29.9%)
of the pregnant women wanted ANC from a trained doctor, but only 16.4%
initiated attendance within three months of the pregnancy.
Conclusions The study results suggest that specific efforts are needed to advance the
socio-economic status of the tribal people; they need to increase the
educational level of women and their husbands, build their nearest health
centers, and strengthen family planning programs.
10.Premature Mortality among Elderly in Malaysia, 2014
International Journal of Public Health Research 2019;9(2):1110-1118
Introduction Substantial advances on the life expectancy have been achieved in Malaysia
over the past few decades. It is essential that elderly lead a healthier old age
which leans towards successful aging. Thus, this study describes the major
causes of premature mortality among the elderly population in Malaysia,
2014.
Methods The calculation of premature mortality in terms of Years of Life Lost (YLL)
was based on the method used in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study.
YLL is the mortality component determined by the age-sex specific number
of deaths and life expectancy at the age of death. Mortality data was obtained
from the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Elderly aged 60 years and above
were included in this study.
Results The major causes of premature mortality among elderly in Malaysia were
Cardiovascular and Circulatory Diseases (39.0%); followed by Malignant
Neoplasms (16.6%), Respiratory Diseases (9.8%), Respiratory Infections
(9.2%) and Diabetes Mellitus (6.8%).
Conclusions Awareness programme, early screening and help seeking among elderly
should be a priority in planning health services to reduce the burden of Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) among elderly.