ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This article examines the trends in morbidities and healthcare utilisation in Malaysian older people aged 60 years and above. STUDY DESIGN: This is a repeated cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data from three nation-wide community-based surveys, which were conducted in 1996, 2006, and 2015 were analysed. Multivariate analysis was performed for 2015 data to identify factors associated with healthcare utilisation. RESULTS: Analysis noted increasing trends in the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and obesity from 1996 to 2015. Decreasing trends were noted in the prevalence of current smokers and drinkers over this 20-year period, whereas health service utilisation increased with age in all surveys. In 2015, both inpatient and outpatient care are significantly associated with increasing age and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing trends of health problems and healthcare utilisation were observed among older people in Malaysia. Policymakers should plan for appropriate resources to meet the challenges of an ageing population in Malaysia.
Subject(s)
Morbidity/trends , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Malaysia/epidemiology , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Hands of Health Care Personnel (HCP) are one of the most common vehicles for the transmission of infection. Microorganisms can survive well on the hands of HCP for a certain duration. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to bring awareness to HCP that their hands can actually be contaminated with many microorganisms. These microbes on the hands of HCP can potentially infect their patients if they do not comply with the proper hand hygiene practice. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a randomly selected Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and general ward in a hospital. Twenty five HCP from each ward were randomly selected and their hands were imprinted on blood culture plates. Microorganism growth were quantified and identified. Data were analyzed and presented as descriptive analysis. One hundred blood agar plates were processed and analyzed. Majority (71%) of the samples had more than 50 colony-forming units (CFU) and only 17% of the samples had less than 25 CFU. Microorganisms identified include Staphylococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., Moraxella, Delftiaacidovorans and fungi. All isolated microorganisms were antibiotic sensitive strain. This study showed that the hands of HCP were contaminated with many microorganisms. Therefore, it is imperative that HCP must practice proper hand hygiene when taking care of their patients in the wards.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/isolation & purification , Fungi/isolation & purification , Hand/microbiology , Health Personnel , Bacteria/classification , Colony Count, Microbial , Cross-Sectional Studies , Fungi/classification , Hospitals, Teaching , Humans , Malaysia , Microbiological Techniques , Random Allocation , Tertiary Care CentersABSTRACT
Chylothorax is a rarely recognised post-operative complication following repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. We report here a newborn infant with this condition which resolved with percutaneous chest drainage, total parenteral nutrition and enteral feeding of a formula high in medium-chain triglycerides.
