2.Prevalen Anemia Semasa Mengandung dan Factor-Factor Mempengaruhinya di Johor Bahru
Siti Khatijah AR. ; Rosnah S. ; Rahmah M.A.
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2010;10(1):70-83
Introduction: Anemia in pregnancy is still a public health problem in developing countries including Malaysia. Early screening of pregnant mothers who have risk factors of anemia could help identifying these potential anemic mothers and hence targeted for intervention.
Methodology: A cross sectional study IN 2008 was conducted among pregnant women who attended government health clinics in Johor Bahru district to assess the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy and factors associated with it using a structured questionnaire.
Result: Prevalence of anemia in pregnancy (Hb<11.0 g/dl) was 36.6% and majority in mild category (Hb 9-<11 g/dl). The associated factors of anemia in pregnancy were birth spacing, dietary intake with high iron content and iron pill consumption. Multivariate analyses revealed that iron pill intake was the most important factor influencing anemia in pregnancy.
Discussion and conclusion: Even though Johor Bahru is a big town with good health facilities, the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy was quite high. Results were compared with previous studies. Emphasis on compliance to iron pills is very important in prevention and treating anemia in pregnancy
3.Knowledge, attitude and practice of antibiotics prescribing among medical officers of public health care facilities in the state of Kedah, Malaysia
Tan Wei Leong ; Siti Rahmah@Noor Syahireen Mohammed ; Shahfini Ishak ; Zuraidah Ali
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(5):307-311
Background: Antibiotic resistance is a rising problem in
Malaysia. For instance, high antibiotic prescribing rate for
upper respiratory tract infection and inappropriate choice of
antibiotic is a significant healthcare concern in Malaysia.
Our main objective was to study knowledge, attitude and
practice of antibiotic prescribing among medical officers in
Kedah, Malaysia.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in
outpatient departments of health clinics and hospitals in
Kedah from June 2013 until December 2013. Sample size
was 118 and systematic sampling was conducted. Research
tool used was a validated questionnaire from studies
conducted in Congo and Peru.
Results: Response rate was 84.8%. Majority of our
respondents were female doctors (71.0%), local graduates
(63.0%), and practiced for 4 years or less (61.0%). 52.0% of
the respondents prescribed antibiotics more than once
daily. Mean knowledge score on antibiotics was 5.31 ±1.19
(95% CI: 5.06; 5.54). More than half (62.0%) of our
respondents were confident in antibiotic prescribing and
there were merely 18.0% of them consulted any colleagues
prior to prescription. There was a significant difference in
frequency of antibiotic prescribing between junior doctors
and senior doctors (P-value: 0.036). In addition, there was
also a significant association between frequency of
antibiotic prescribing and awareness of antibiotic resistance
in their daily practice. (P-value: 0.002).
Conclusion: Knowledge on antibiotic was moderate among
our medical officers and antibiotic prescribing was frequent.
Training and courses on appropriate antibiotic prescribing
should be emphasized to ensure the best practice in
antibiotic prescription.
Drug Prescriptions
;
Drug Resistance, Microbial
5.Incidence of Suicide by Hanging in Klang Valley from 2007 to 2016
Siti Rahmah Abd Karim ; Sri Pawita Albakri Amir Hamzah ; Noor Hazfalinda HAMZAH
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2018;16(2):77-84
Malaysia was ranked at 148 by World Health Organization (WHO) in suicide statistic for 2012, where males had a highertendency to commit suicide, recording a 4.7 per 100,000 in comparison to female (1.5 per 100,000). As hanging is one ofthe most common methods to commit suicide, this retrospective study was conducted to observe the incidence of suicideby hanging in Klang Valley from four different hospitals. The current study is conducted to provide local database ofsuicide occurrence by hanging in Klang Valley. A total of 893 suicide cases by hanging from 2007 to 2016 were recordedfrom post mortem records and analysed. Suicide rates in Klang Valley showed a rising trend from 2007 to 2016. Malesfrom age group 30 to 34 years old and females from 20 to 24 years old have the highest number of suicide fatalitiescompared to other age groups. Meanwhile, fatalities from the age group of 10 to 14 years old and 80 years old and aboveshowed similar result which is only 7%. 78% of the fatalities were recognized as Malaysian and half of them were Indian.Majority of the victims/cases (45%) who committed suicide by hanging are of Hindu religious denomination. Non-citizenin Malaysia that have the highest suicide rates were from Nepal, Indonesia and Myanmar. Victims also committed suicidemore during the day and the peak hours being at 12.00 pm to 5.59 pm.
6.Incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer in Malaysia.
Muhammad Radzi ABU HASSAN ; Ibtisam ISMAIL ; Mohd Azri MOHD SUAN ; Faizah AHMAD ; Wan Khamizar WAN KHAZIM ; Zabedah OTHMAN ; Rosaida MAT SAID ; Wei Leong TAN ; Siti RAHMAH ; Noor Syahireen MOHAMMED ; Shahrul Aiman SOELAR ; Nik Raihan NIK MUSTAPHA
Epidemiology and Health 2016;38(1):e2016007-
OBJECTIVES: This is the first study that estimates the incidence and mortality rate for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Malaysia by sex and ethnicity. METHODS: The 4,501 patients were selected from National Cancer Patient Registry-Colorectal Cancer data. Patient survival status was cross-checked with the National Registration Department. The age-standardised rate (ASR) was calculated as the proportion of CRC cases (incidence) and deaths (mortality) from 2008 to 2013, weighted by the age structure of the population, as determined by the Department of Statistics Malaysia and the World Health Organization world standard population distribution. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate for CRC was 21.32 cases per 100,000. Those of Chinese ethnicity had the highest CRC incidence (27.35), followed by the Malay (18.95), and Indian (17.55) ethnicities. The ASR incidence rate of CRC was 1.33 times higher among males than females (24.16 and 18.14 per 100,000, respectively). The 2011 (44.7%) CRC deaths were recorded. The overall ASR of mortality was 9.79 cases, with 11.85 among the Chinese, followed by 9.56 among the Malays and 7.08 among the Indians. The ASR of mortality was 1.42 times higher among males (11.46) than females (8.05). CONCLUSIONS: CRC incidence and mortality is higher in males than females. Individuals of Chinese ethnicity have the highest incidence of CRC, followed by the Malay and Indian ethnicities. The same trends were observed for the age-standardised mortality rate.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
;
Colorectal Neoplasms*
;
Demography
;
Ethnic Groups
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Incidence*
;
Malaysia*
;
Male
;
Mortality*
;
World Health Organization
7.Conversion rate and risk factors of conversion to open in laparoscopic appendicectomy
Nelson Rao PUSHPANATHAN ; Mohd Nizam Md HASHIM ; Zalina ZAHARI ; Syed Hassan Syed Abd. AZIZ ; Wan Zainira Wan ZAIN ; Rosnelifaizur RAMELY ; Michael Pak-Kai WONG ; Ikhwan Sani MOHAMAD ; Wan Mokhzani Wan MOKHTER ; Maya Mazuwin YAHYA ; Siti Rahmah Hashim Isa MERICAN ; Zaidi ZAKARIA ; Andee Dzulkarnaen ZAKARIA
Annals of Coloproctology 2022;38(6):409-414
Purpose:
Laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) has several advantages over conventional open appendicectomy (OA). However, about 5% to 10% of LA patients still need to be converted to open surgery. Identifying risk factors that contribute to conversion to OA allows for early identification of patients who may benefit from primary OA. This study aimed to determine the conversion rate of LA to OA and to identify its associated risk factors among patients with acute or perforated appendicitis.
Methods:
A retrospective review of medical records was performed among patients with acute or perforated appendicitis who underwent LA between December 2015 and January 2017. With the use of multivariable logistic regression analyses, the predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to OA were investigated.
Results:
Out of 120 patients, 33 cases were converted to OA which gives a conversion rate of 27.5%. Among 33 patients who were converted to OA, 27 patients (81.8%) had perforated appendix, while in the LA group, perforated appendix cases consisted of 34.5% (P<0.001). Histopathology of the appendix was the predictor of conversion from LA to OA (adjusted odds ratio, 8.82; 95% confidence interval, 3.13–24.91; P<0.001).
Conclusion
The result from our study shows that the overall conversion rate for the study period was high. Patients with perforated appendicitis had a higher risk of conversion to OA. Therefore, preoperative diagnosis of perforated appendicitis may be paramount in predicting conversion to OA.
8. Epidemiology and immunodiagnostics of Strongyloides stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia
Norhidayu SAHIMIN ; Yvonne LIM ; Rahmah NOORDIN ; Muhammad YUNUS ; Norsyahida ARIFIN ; Jerzy BEHNKE ; Siti MOHD ZAIN
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2019;12(6):250-257
To investigate the status of Strongyloides(S.) stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia for the first time and identify risk factors. Methods: Four diagnostic methods were employed for the detection of S. stercoralis including microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercial kit, ELISA using the rSs1a antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Low and semi-skilled workers from five working sectors (i.e. manufacturing, food service, agriculture and plantation, construction and domestic service) were tested on a voluntary basis. Results: The overall seroprevalence of S. stercoralis from 483 workers employing the ELISA commercial kit for IgG was 35.8% (n=173; 95% CI: 31.5%-40.1%) whereas seroprevalence using the rSs1a-ELISA was 13.0% (n=63; 95% CI: 10.0%-16.0%). Cross tabulation between the ELISA commercial kit and rSs1a-ELISA showed that only 6.4% (n=31; 95% CI: 4.2%-8.6%) of the samples were positive in both tests. Microscopic examination of all 388 fecal samples were negative; however subsequent testing by a nested PCR against DNA from the same samples successfully amplified DNA from three male subjects (0.8%; 3/388). Male workers, India and Myanmar nationality, food service occupation and those living in the hostel were statistically significant with seroprevalence (P<0.005). Conclusion: This is the first report on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis infections among the migrant workers in Malaysia. Our results highlight the importance of using appropriate diagnostic tools for detection. The presence of anti-S. stercoralis antibodies in the study population calls for improvements in personal hygiene and sanitation standards among migrant workers in Malaysia through control strategies including health education campaigns and programs aimed at increasing awareness and healthy behaviors.
9. Entamoeba histolytica acetyl-CoA synthetase: Biomarker of acute amoebic liver abscess
Lim Boon HUAT ; Wong Weng KIN ; Siti Shafiqah Anaqi AZHAM ; Lee Zhi JIE ; Guee Cher CHING ; Foo Phiaw CHONG ; Pim Chau DAM ; Alfonso Olivos GARCIA ; Tan Zi NING ; Rahmah NOORDIN
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2014;4(6):446-450
Objective: To characterize the Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) antigen(s) recognized by moribound amoebic liver abscess hamsters. Methods: Crude soluble antigen of E. histolytica was probed with sera of moribund hamsters in 1D- and 2D-Western blot analyses. The antigenic protein was then sent for tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The corresponding gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21-AI to produce the recombinant E. histolytica ADP-forming acetyl-CoA synthetase (EhACS) protein. A customised ELISA was developed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the recombinant protein. Results: A ~75 kDa protein band with a pI value of 5.91-6.5 was found to be antigenic; and not detected by sera of hamsters in the control group. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed the protein to be the 77 kDa E. histolytica ADP-forming acetyl-CoA synthetase (EhACS). The customised ELISA results revealed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity when tested against infected (n=31) and control group hamsters (n=5) serum samples, respectively. Conclusions: This finding suggested the significant role of EhACS as a biomarker for moribund hamsters with acute amoebic liver abscess (ALA) infection. It is deemed pertinent that future studies explore the potential roles of EhACS in better understanding the pathogenesis of ALA; and in the development of vaccine and diagnostic tests to control ALA in human populations.
10.Entamoeba histolytica acetyl-CoA synthetase: biomarker of acute amoebic liver abscess.
Lim Boon HUAT ; Alfonso Olivos GARCIA ; Tan Zi NING ; Wong Weng KIN ; Rahmah NOORDIN ; Siti Shafiqah Anaqi AZHAM ; Lee Zhi JIE ; Guee Cher CHING ; Foo Phiaw CHONG ; Pim Chau DAM
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2014;4(6):446-450
OBJECTIVETo characterize the Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) antigen(s) recognized by moribound amoebic liver abscess hamsters.
METHODSCrude soluble antigen of E. histolytica was probed with sera of moribund hamsters in 1D- and 2D-Western blot analyses. The antigenic protein was then sent for tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The corresponding gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21-AI to produce the recombinant E. histolytica ADP-forming acetyl-CoA synthetase (EhACS) protein. A customised ELISA was developed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the recombinant protein.
RESULTSA ∼75 kDa protein band with a pI value of 5.91-6.5 was found to be antigenic; and not detected by sera of hamsters in the control group. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed the protein to be the 77 kDa E. histolytica ADP-forming acetyl-CoA synthetase (EhACS). The customised ELISA results revealed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity when tested against infected (n=31) and control group hamsters (n=5) serum samples, respectively.
CONCLUSIONSThis finding suggested the significant role of EhACS as a biomarker for moribund hamsters with acute amoebic liver abscess (ALA) infection. It is deemed pertinent that future studies explore the potential roles of EhACS in better understanding the pathogenesis of ALA; and in the development of vaccine and diagnostic tests to control ALA in human populations.