1.Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Regarding Non-Surgical Intervention Among Osteoarthritis Patients: A Review
Ying Qian Ong ; Sakinah Harith ; Mohd Razif Shahril ; Norshazila Shahidan
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.3, September):285-294
Treatment effectiveness depends on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of osteoarthritis (OA) patients towards their assigned treatment. This study aimed to explore the KAP towards non-surgical intervention among OA patients. A methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) was implemented. An electronic database search of English-language academic articles was conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect databases encompassing 1998 to 2018 period of time, resulting in a total of 26 studies. OA patients were knowledgeable about the disease and exercise management. However, they were lack of knowledge on drug therapy and complementary strategies. The attitude towards non-surgical interventions was ambivalence. Lastly, the practice section mainly focused on patients’ compliance and behaviour towards different conservative managements, namely physiotherapy, medications, and complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) which influenced by both knowledge level and attitudes. In conclusion, a higher knowledge level and positive attitude will result in good practice.
2.Socio-demographic Characteristics and Nutritional Status of Adults at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Ying Qian Ong ; Sakinah Harith ; Mohd Razif Shahril ; Norshazila Shahidan ; Hermizi Hapidin
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.2):86-94
Introduction: In Malaysia, the undiagnosed diabetes prevalence has increased. Socio-demographic characteristics
and nutritional status play a crucial role in prediabetes development. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to identify the socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status of adults at risk of T2DM in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu. Methods: A total of 30 participants at risk of T2DM aged 18 to 59 years old were recruited from Kuala Nerus
using a convenience sampling method. Information on socio-demographic, anthropometric, fasting plasma glucose
(FPG) level, clinical profile, Finnish Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (FINDRISC) score, dietary intake, and
physical activity level were obtained. Results: The participants (mean age: 36.1 ± 8.7 years) were mostly female
(76.7%), Malay (96.7%), married (43.3%), had a tertiary degree (60.0%), and were working (83.3%) with a monthly
salary of less than RM 1000. Half of the participants were from the obese class I category. Their FPG level was 5.6
± 0.5 mmol/L and half of them were classified as having optimal blood pressure. Also, they had a mean FINDRISC
score of 6.3 ± 1.8. The participants consumed 2073 ± 247 kcal/day, which was comprised of 50.8% carbohydrate,
16.1% protein, and 33.1% fat. Most of them (63.3%) were minimally active. Conclusion: The participants had moderate T2DM risk with normal FPG level, blood pressure, and heart rate. They had excessive energy and fat intake with
insufficient dietary fibre intake. It is vital to examine the socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status,
which can provide important information for planning future cost-effective T2DM preventive strategies.
3.Epilepsy in Southeast Asia, how much have we closed the management gap in past two decades?
Kheng-Seang Lim ; Zhi-Jien Chia ; Moe-Zaw Myint ; Kazi Jannat Ara ; Yong-Chuan Chee ; Woon-Theng Heng ; Thanmidraaj-Kaur Balraj Singh ; Janice-Ying-Qian Ong ; Slocahnah SreeKumar ; Minh-An Thuy Lee ; Si-Lei Fong ; Chong-Tin Tan
Neurology Asia 2020;25(4):425-438
The last review on epilepsy in Southeast Asian (SEA) countries was reported in 1997. This review
aimed to update the understanding of epilepsy management in this region over the past 23 years. There
has been significant increase in the epidemiological studies which reported a prevalence of 4.3-7.7 per
1,000 populations in this region. Reversible aetiologies of epilepsy such as head injury, birth trauma,
cerebrovascular disease, and intracranial infections (neurocysticercosis or meningoencephalitis) are
still prevalent, with a surge in autoimmune encephalitis. There was a surge in genetic studies which
suggest ethnic variation. Treatment gap is still high especially in the rural and less developed areas,
and the availability and affordability of newer anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) is still a major challenge
in SEA. Alternative medicine is a common practice but varies among different ethnic groups. AEDs
hypersensitivity especially on the association between HLA-B*1502 and carbamazepine-related severe
cutaneous reaction had been extensively studied and proven in nearly all SEA countries. However,
HLA-B*1502 screening is not widely available in SEA and the cost-effectiveness of the screening is
questionable. Stigma and its psychosocial consequences are still a major concern despite enormous
efforts to study the public attitudes towards epilepsy and change of epilepsy naming in a few countries.
The number and complexity of epilepsy surgery are progressing, but it is still under-utilized in many
SEA countries, related to cost, cultural perception and lack of facilities. More resources should also
be channelled in training adequate number of epileptologists who can spearhead epilepsy care around
the region, as well as public education and research in epilepsy. In conclusion, there is an increase in
epilepsy research in this region, gradual increase in trained neurologists and facilities, and efforts to
reduce the knowledge and treatment gap, but the epilepsy management gap is still a battle to fight.