1.Qualitative Insights on the Caregiving of Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients with Low Quality of Life Scores
Nik Nairan Abdullah ; Hamidah Yamat ; Idayu Badilla Idris ; Nik Muhd. Aslan Abdullah
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.1):140-148
Introduction: Caring for gastrointestinal cancer patients can be demanding and to some, caregivers, burdensome;
resulting in them having low quality of life (QOL) and thus they may become the next potential patients. Hence, true
heartfelt experiences need to be captured to highlight issues and preventive measures that are not voiced out as most
often caregiving is done in silence and out of responsibility. Therefore, this study aimed to explore on the caregivers’
insights on how caregiving experience has resulted in their low QOL. Methods: Seven family caregivers were purposively selected from two oncology centres in the Klang Valley, Malaysia for this qualitative case study. The selection
was based on the low scores obtained from Malay Caregiver Quality of Life Cancer (MCQOL) questionnaire during
an initial cross-sectional study. Following that, in-depth interviews were performed on those selected caregivers.
Interview data were triangulated with the questionnaire and observations for validity. Member and expert checking
were conducted to ensure credibility and trustworthiness. A thematic content analysis was later performed. Results:
Thematic analysis revealed four distinct contributors to the caregivers’ QOL; namely, patients’ financial and stress
management; impact towards physical, psychological, social (including relationship) wellbeing, communication;
and support from families, organisation and community. Conclusion: The qualitative study discovered evidence for
collaborative support needed to ensure better QOL for the caregivers.
2.A Mini-review on the Determinants and Risk Factors of Adolescent Pregnancy in Developing Countries
Shameer Khan Sulaiman ; Idayu Badilla Idris ; Rozita Hod ; Nik Nairan Abdullah ; Rafidah Hod ; Nadia Aqilla Shamsusah
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.3):341-348
Pregnant adolescents have been shown to have a higher incidence of health and non-health-related complications
that affect both mothers and infants. These include increased risk of pregnancy-related diseases such as anemia and
pre-eclampsia, preterm and low-birth-weight babies, as well as other social consequences such as educational and
financial difficulties. This mini review evaluates selected articles which explain the attitudes, knowledge, behavior
and other risk factors associated with pregnancy among adolescents in developing countries. It also revealed that
inadequate knowledge among adolescents about reproductive and sexual health, other social, cultural and peer
influences, parenting values, and poor financial and educational status were factors that contribute to adolescent
pregnancy. Likewise, a lack of support from parents, educators and healthcare workers had negative impacts on
healthy sexual behavior among adolescents, which may ultimately lead to adolescent pregnancy. We conclude that
the factors discussed in this review need to be evaluated and taken into consideration by policymakers and healthcare workers when formulating strategies to prevent pregnancies among adolescents.