1.Stages Of Smoking Cessation Among Adult Current Smokers In Malaysia: Findings From The National E-Cigarette Survey 2016
Kuang Hock Lim ; Sumarni Mohd Ghazali ; Hui Li Lim ; Pei Pei Heng ; Kee Chee Cheong ; Teh Chien Huey ; Cheah Yong Kang ; Lim Jia Hui
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2020;20(2):149-158
Identification of the stages of smoking cessation among smokers is essential to improve the rate of smoking cessation. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and factors associated with stages of smoking cessation across the demographic distribution of adult smokers in Malaysia. Data were derived from a population-based study among Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above. Face-to-face interviews were carried out by trained staff using a validated questionnaire to obtain data related to smoking from 4,288 selected respondents. Of 4,288, 438 respondents are current smokers. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with stage of smoking cessation. Approximately 60% (n=269/438) of the current smokers were in the pre-contemplation stage and 40% (n=169/438) were in the contemplation and preparation stages of smoking cessation. The proportion of pre-contemplators was higher among smokers with higher levels of nicotine addiction (71.3%), lower education attainment (71.4%), and those who were single/widowed/divorced (66.9%). Multivariable analysis showed that males, and those who reported low to high level of nicotine addiction were more likely to be in the pre-contemplation stage whilst those in the older age groups were more likely to be in the advanced stage of smoking cessation. The study revealed that the majority of current smokers in Malaysia had no intention to quit smoking within 6 months. Specific interventions targeting males, young adults and smokers with low to high nicotine addiction should be introduced to ensure the smokers proceed to the advanced stage of smoking cessation.
3.Beliefs about the Benefits and Barriers to Physical Activity Promotion for Cancer Patients among Nurses in Malaysia
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2022;18(No.4):128-134
Introduction: Physical activity (PA) can improve survival and quality of life in chronic diseases including cancer.
Given the scarcity of research on nurses’ beliefs that used a psychology perspective, the purpose of this study was
to determine nurses’ beliefs about the benefits and barriers to physical activity promotion for cancer patients at a
tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on nurses (n=104) at one
Malaysian tertiary teaching hospital, using a simple random sampling method. A self-administered online questionnaire was surveyed from January until March 2021. The data was analysed using Pearson correlation analysis and
an independent T-test with a significant level of p ≤.0.05. Results: 80.8% of nurses perceived the benefits of physical
activity promotion for improving mental health in cancer patients. Lack of time (30.8%), patients appearing tired or
unwilling to cooperate (20.2%), and a lack of knowledge (16.3%) were the barriers to physical activity. There was no
correlation between beliefs about the benefits of physical activity promotion and age (p=0.908), working experience
(p=0.982), ward type (p=0.666) or the average number of cancer patients cared (p=0.144). Conclusion: Nurses’
perspectives on the benefits of physical activity promotion for cancer patients support the use of planned behaviour
theory for evidence-based nursing practice. There were, however, barriers to encouraging cancer patients to engage
in physical activity. As a result, as a setting for health promotion, the tertiary teaching hospital must raise awareness,
facilitate, and encourage nurses to engage in physical activity promotion behaviours.
4.Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children in Singapore.
Karen Donceras NADUA ; Chia Yin CHONG ; Kai Qian KAM ; Yee Hui MOK ; Jonathan Tze Liang CHOO ; Joyce Ching Mei LAM ; Jiahui LI ; Natalie Woon Hui TAN ; Chee Fu YUNG ; Su Wan Bianca CHAN ; Kai Liang TEH ; Lena DAS ; Thaschawee ARKACHAISRI ; Koh Cheng THOON
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2022;51(11):669-676
INTRODUCTION:
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare inflammatory syndrome with multisystem involvement affecting children exposed to COVID-19. This condition is rarely reported in East Asia and was not detected in Singapore until 2021. We present 12 cases of MIS-C diagnosed in KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) from October 2021 to December 2021.
METHOD:
We conducted an observational study on cases fulfilling the Singapore Ministry of Health criteria for MIS-C from January 2020 to December 2021 in KKH. Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on clinical presentation, disease course, treatment received and outcomes.
RESULTS:
In the 12 cases detected, the median age was 7.50 years (interquartile range 4.00-9.25); 8 were male. All patients had mucocutaneous symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease. Other commonly involved systems were: haematological (coagulopathy 100%, lymphopaenia 91.70% and thrombocytopaenia 75.00%), gastrointestinal (75.00%) and cardiovascular (83.30%). Six patients (50.00%) had shock and were admitted to the intensive care unit. The majority of patients received treatment within 2 days of hospitalisation with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and steroids. All survived; the majority had normal echocardiograms and no long-term organ sequelae at 6 months post-discharge.
CONCLUSION
MIS-C emerged in Singapore as the incidence of COVID-19 in the community increased in 2021. The clinical presentation of our patients is similar to earlier reports, with some significant differences from Kawasaki disease. Multidisciplinary management, timely diagnosis, and early initiation of treatment with IVIg and steroids likely contributed to comparatively good outcomes. Our cases highlight the need for continued awareness of MIS-C among physicians, and surveillance of its incidence, short- and long-term outcomes.
Child
;
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
COVID-19/epidemiology*
;
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome
;
Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use*
;
Aftercare
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Patient Discharge
5.Displace of Smoking Into the Home and Second-hand Smoke Exposure at Home Among Malaysian Adults -findings From Two National Population-based Studies in Malaysia
Lim Kuag Hock ; Sumarni Mohd Ghazali ; Lim Hui Li ; Kee Chee Cheong ; Teh Chien Huey ; Lim Jia Hui
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.2):198-205
Introduction: Expansion of smoke-free areas in public domains is suspected to displace smoking into the home. However, the scarcity of such information in Malaysia warrants an investigation to determine SHS exposure at home among adults in Malaysia. Methods: This study studied 4,250 and 21,445 adults who participated in the 2011 Global Adult Tobacco Survey-Malaysia (GATS-M) and, the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to compare the odds of SHS exposure at home among adults in 2011 (GATS-M) to odds of SHS exposure at home among adults in 2015 (NHMS 2015). Results: Approximately one third of respondents were exposed to SHS at home in 2011 (38.4%) and 2015 (37.9%). MLR analysis revealed the odds of SHS exposure at home was not significantly different from 2011 [AOR 1.14, 95 % CI (0.99-1.31). 2015 exposure to SHS as reference]. This study also indicates no significant displacement of smoking into the home by socio-demographic and smoking status between 2011 and 2015. Conclusion: The findings suggest that smoking has not been displaced into the home in the past four years although the number of smoke-free public areas have increased. More public smoke free areas should be established.
6.Multimodal prerehabilitation for elderly patients with sarcopenia in colorectal surgery
Jingting WU ; Hannah CHI ; Shawn KOK ; Jason M.W. CHUA ; Xi-Xiao HUANG ; Shipin ZHANG ; Shimin MAH ; Li-Xin FOO ; Hui-Yee PEH ; Hui-Bing LEE ; Phoebe TAY ; Cherie TONG ; Jasmine LADLAD ; Cheryl H.M. TAN ; Nathanelle KHOO ; Darius AW ; Cheryl X.Z. CHONG ; Leonard M.L. HO ; Sharmini S. SIVARAJAH ; Jialin NG ; Winson J.H. TAN ; Fung-Joon FOO ; Bin-Tean TEH ; Frederick H. KOH
Annals of Coloproctology 2024;40(1):3-12
Sarcopenia, which is characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, has been well described to be associated with numerous poor postoperative outcomes, such as increased perioperative mortality, postoperative sepsis, prolonged length of stay, increased cost of care, decreased functional outcome, and poorer oncological outcomes in cancer surgery. Multimodal prehabilitation, as a concept that involves boosting and optimizing the preoperative condition of a patient prior to the upcoming stressors of a surgical procedure, has the purported benefits of reversing the effects of sarcopenia, shortening hospitalization, improving the rate of return to bowel activity, reducing the costs of hospitalization, and improving quality of life. This review aims to present the current literature surrounding the concept of sarcopenia, its implications pertaining to colorectal cancer and surgery, a summary of studied multimodal prehabilitation interventions, and potential future advances in the management of sarcopenia.