Assessments of Aphasia: Practices and Challenges faced by Malaysian SpeechLanguage Therapists (Penilaian Aphasia: Amalan dan Cabaran yang dihadapi oleh Jurupulih Pertuturan-Bahasa Malaysia) / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Aphasia assessment is crucial in diagnosing aphasia, determining the extent of language impairment, and identifying factors that may support or restrict aphasia recovery to design an appropriate plan of care for people with aphasia. Speech-language therapists (SLTs) play a major role in conducting aphasia assessments. Little is known about the practices of SLTs in assessing aphasia in low-resource regions. The present study aims to identify aphasia assessment practices among Malaysian SLTs and related challenges, as well as strategies for improving aphasia assessments from SLTs’ perspectives. A total of 32 SLT participants who have been practicing in Malaysia completed an online survey to gather their background information, data pertaining to practices and challenges in conducting aphasia assessments, and suggestions for improving aphasia assessments. Descriptive analyses were conducted for all numerical data. Suggestions for improving aphasia assessment practices were analysed qualitatively using the thematic content analysis approach. SLT practices in aphasia assessment were found to be consistent in certain aspects, but not all. Two major challenges were identified: (a) linguistic barriers between clinicians and clients/caregivers, and (b) a lack of standardized assessment tools for aphasia evaluations. Participants suggested “Internal Strategies” and “External Strategies” for improving aphasia assessment practices.

FEELINGS OF ABUSE AND ITS ROLE IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF SELF AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN INDIA

Approximately three billion female sex workers are working willingly and unwillingly in India. Research has shown that female sex workers have to face stereotypes and violence from society. Due to this, they feel more depressed, yet they are not able to report everything to police personnel because of the unequal treatment because society considers them taboo. Keeping in mind, the present research aims to investigate the role of feelings of abuse and acceptance of self among female sex workers in India. A sample of 300 women (100- female sex workers, 100-working women, and 100- homemaker women) belonging to the age group of 25-40 was randomly selected from the women living in the Delhi NCR region on an availability basis. Composite Abuse Scale (Revised) Short Form and Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire were used to collect the data. After applying the Composite Abuse Scale (revised) and Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire, unconditional self-acceptance found a significant association with all dimensions of CAS among female sex workers. In this sense, working women are found higher on self-acceptance than the other two groups. Also, obtained results showed a significant difference in abuse among female sex workers, working women, and homemaker females, and all variables, female sex workers have found a significantly higher mean than homemakers and working women which stated that female sex workers are mentally, physically and sexually harassed daily which led to bad health consequences.

Swing door technique for uncinectomy versus standard technique: a comparative study

INTRODUCTION@#Uncinectomy can be performed using various methods. The aim of the present study was to compare the results and complications of uncinectomy and middle meatus antrostomy using the standard and swing door techniques during functional endoscopic sinus surgery.@*METHODS@#In a prospective controlled study, 60 patients (aged 18-50 years) suffering from chronic maxillary sinusitis underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery from January 2007 to December 2008 at a tertiary care centre. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 30: Group A underwent uncinectomy using the standard technique, while Group B underwent uncinectomy using the swing door technique.@*RESULTS@#Group B showed more improvement in symptoms, with a mean visual analogue scale score of 80.58 ± 14.34 compared to 78.50 ± 16.63 in Group A. Both groups had no major complications. At the end of Week 2, minor complications were observed in 8 (26.7%) of the patients from Group A and 2 (6.7%) from Group B. By the sixth week, the minor complication rate was 1 (3.3%) and 0 (0%) in Group A and Group B, respectively. When compared statistically during the second week using chi-square test, the difference in the minor complication rate was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05, χ@*CONCLUSION@#The swing door technique for uncinectomy produces good postoperative results, with fewer complications, as compared to the standard technique.

Development of a Computer-Assisted Learning Courseware for Anatomy and Physiology of Swallowing / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Knowledge of normal anatomy and physiology of swallowing is fundamental in the identification of individuals with orat risk for swallowing disorders. Learning anatomy and physiology however, is not an easy task thus, computer-assistedlearning (CAL) approaches have been incorporated into the learning of the topics to enhance understanding. Althoughevidence exists on the benefits of using CAL in education, more studies are necessary in the field of swallowing. Whilecourseware for the learning of anatomy and physiology of swallowing exist, they are not comprehensive. Therefore, thisstudy aimed to develop a comprehensive CAL courseware for anatomy and physiology of swallowing. The current studyused a designed-based research following the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation)model to create a multimedia courseware, incorporating the use of text, still images, animations, audio narrations,and presented on a simple graphical user interface. The courseware was evaluated by 27 undergraduate students interms of its usefulness, ease of use, and users’ satisfaction. Results indicate that the participants were satisfied with thecourseware and that they perceived the courseware as useful, easy to learn and easy to use. The study represents aninitiative to investigate the use of CAL in the subject and to establish the basis for further work which includes assessmenton the learning outcomes from the usage of the CAL courseware. It is hoped that the use of this courseware in teachingand learning of anatomy and physiology of swallowing can enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the areaefficiently and effectively.

The Impact of Hanen More Than Words Programme on Parents of Children with ASD in Malaysia / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

This study aims to investigate the viability and effectiveness of the Hanen More Than Words (HMTW) programme amongst parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This quassi-experimental study involved 31 children (27 boys, 4 girls; M = 34.58 months, SD = 3.67) who met criteria for ASD and their parents. The measurement was conducted in three phases; Time 1 (prior to intervention), Time 2 and Time 3 (at three and five months after the intervention begins). The outcome measures were assessed based on: (1) changes in parental facilitative strategies; (2) the children’s growth in vocabulary and (3) the progress of communication and social skills. The paired t-test were used to analyze the pre and post findings within the intervention and control group with p-value <.01. Results showed that there was an increase in using the facilitative communication strategies by parents in the HMTW group during parent-child interaction. The children showed an increased in vocabulary, communication and social skills. The parents agreed that their mastery of facilitative communication strategies increased and they provided positive feedback about the HMTW approach. The results suggested that the HMTW program could be implemented well by Malaysian parents. The training was supported by Malaysian parents and had measurable effect on both parents and children.

The Introduction of a Secondary Reinforcer During Therapy Based on the ABA Model for Children with Autisme / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a technique used to teach children with autisme a variety of skills. In ABA, children with autisme often do not receive reinforcers because they have difficulty performing their targeted behaviors, which consequently leads to challenging behaviors. Objectives of this study are to increase spontaneous request and decrease challenging behavior among children with autisme by introducing a secondary reinforcer during therapy based on ABA model. Secondary reinforcer has lower reinforcing value than the primary reinforcer. When the children tried but were unable to produce their targeted behavior, they were given the secondary reinforcer. The children were divided into two groups, five children in the intervention group and four children in the control group, and they were taught specific target requesting behavior (TRB) to request for a preferred item. Three children in the intervention group recorded an increase in spontaneous request and a reduction in challenging behaviors. Only two children from the control group recorded an increase in spontaneous request and a decrease in challenging behaviors. However, only children from the intervention group were able to maintain their performance during the generalization sessions. The results suggest that children respond differently to specific prompts and interventions. Future studies should focus on how prompts affect children’s performance and also on reinforcer selection. Bigger scale studies are still needed to further determine the effectiveness of a secondary reinforcer in assisting the learning of requesting skill and in reducing challenging behaviors among children with autisme during therapy based on ABA model.

Antioxidant potential of various extracts of stem of thuja orientalis: in vitro study.

The antioxidant activity of different extracts of Thuja orientalis was evaluated by employing three in vitro experiments namely (1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) (DPPH), reducing power and chelating power assays. The stem powder of the plant was extracted with different solvents by maceration method in order of decreasing polarity and then partitioned (Flow Chart 1). The differential activities of the different extracts could be correlated with their respective phenolic and flavanoid contents and compared with standards L-ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). All the extracts exhibit a remarkable concentration dependant scavenging activity. Moreover, among the different extract, methanol extract exhibited good scavenging response of 74.3%, 59.51% and 0.997% in DPPH, chelating power and reducing power assay in decreasing order of solvent polarity at maximum concentration, respectively. Studies are in progress to isolate and identify the active principle components responsible for this activity.

Effect of insecticides on longevity of the whitefly, bemisia tabaci [gennadius] on cotton

The study was conducted during 2001 and 2002 for evaluating the hormoligosis of sub-lethal doses of commonly used insecticides on cotton in Punjab, India. Quinalphos [250, 375 and 500 g], carbaryl [625, 938 and 1250 g], acephate [750, 1125 and 1500 g], endosulfan [438, 656 and 875 g] and fenvalerate [25, 38 and 50 g ai/ha] were repeatedly sprayed on potted plants of American cotton [var. LH 1556]. The newly emerged ten females and ten males were released in separate micro-leaf cage for each replicate, which were attached to top fully opened cotton leaves after 72 hours of I, II. Ill, IV and V spray. The mortality of adults in each cage was counted daily. The results revealed that all insecticides caused significant reduction in longevity of both sexes except low dose of fenvalerate. Maximum reduction was recorded on all doses of endosulfan, followed by higher doses of other insecticides. In general, low doses of different insecticides caused minimum reduction in longevity, compared with higher doses. The results have clearly indicated that no hormoligosis has been induced in longevity of whitefly by the tested insecticides. Therefore, the resurgence of whitefly that reported to be associated with repeated spray of fenvalerate and acephate is not due to the hormoligosis in longevity of this pest, but may be due to other reasons