A pilot study on development and feasibility of the 'MyEducation: CABG application' for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery tend to have persistent symptoms of anxiety and depression. Course of hospital stay post-CABG procedure has become increasingly shorter over the last few decades. This pilot study was conducted to develop and test feasibility of MyEducation: CABG application as a learning tool to reduce anxiety and depression levels among patients undergoing CABG Surgery. METHODS: This study was quasi-experimental in design. Forty-five patients scheduled for CABG surgery were recruited via consecutive sampling from a Tertiary Referral Centre at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. MyEducation:CABG application (Web-based education application) was administered among the intervention group (N = 23); while the control group (N = 22) underwent standard care. Web-based education application were implemented by nurses at admission and prior to discharge. Patients were assisted in terms of queries and concerns, upon which corresponding information and support was provided. Sociodemographic data were obtained from patients, prior to administration of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale which was used to measure levels of anxiety and depression. The educational application was used to obtain satisfaction rating among intervention group. These measures were administered upon admission, on discharge and one-month post-discharge. RESULTS: Mean anxiety and depression scores among the intervention group were lower compared to the control. This was significant for anxiety upon admission, on discharge and one-month post-discharge (p < 0.05). Reduced mean depression scores was only significant at one month post-discharge (p < 0.05). Intervention group were generally satisfied with design, content and usability of the application. CONCLUSIONS: Utilisation of MyEducation: CABG application as an educational platform were associated with reduced anxiety and depression among CABG patients, which probably explains positive user satisfaction levels reported. Hence, the study recommends implementation of this application among larger sample as a way to support patient scheduled for CABG aside, with further possibility of preventing complications.

The oral microbiome community variations associated with normal, potentially malignant disorders and malignant lesions of the oral cavity.

The human oral microbiome has been known to show strong association with various oral diseases including oral cancer. This study attempts to characterize the community variations between normal, oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and cancer associated microbiota using 16S rDNA sequencing. Swab samples were collected from three groups (normal, OPMD and oral cancer) with nine subjects from each group. Bacteria genomic DNA was isolated in which full length 16S rDNA were amplified and used for cloned library sequencing. 16S rDNA sequences were processed and analysed with MOTHUR. A core oral microbiome was identified consisting of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria at the phylum level while Streptococcus, Veillonella, Gemella, Granulicatella, Neisseria, Haemophilus, Selenomonas, Fusobacterium, Leptotrichia, Prevotella, Porphyromonas and Lachnoanaerobaculum were detected at the genus level. Firmicutes and Streptococcus were the predominant phylum and genus respectively. Potential oral microbiome memberships unique to normal, OPMD and oral cancer oral cavities were also identified. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) showed a significant difference between the normal and the cancer associated oral microbiota but not between the OPMD and the other two groups. However, 2D NMDS showed an overlapping of the OPMD associated oral microbiome between the normal and cancer groups. These findings indicated that oral microbes could be potential biomarkers to distinguish between normal, OPMD and cancer subjects.

Psychometric properties and validation of the Reasons for Living Inventory in an outpatient clinical population in Malaysia.

The Reasons For Living Inventory has been shown to have good psychometric properties in Western populations for the past three decades. The present study examined the psychometric properties and factor structure of English and Malay version of the Reasons For Living (RFL) Inventory in a sample of clinical outpatients in Malaysia. The RFL is designed to assess an individual's various reasons for not committing suicide. A total of 483 participants (283 with psychiatric illnesses and 200 with non-psychiatric medical illnesses) completed the RFL and other self-report instruments. Results of the EFA (exploratory factor analysis) and CFA (confirmatory factor analysis) supported the fit for the six-factor oblique model as the best-fitting model. The internal consistency of the RFL was α=.94 and it was found to be high with good concurrent, criterion and discriminative validities. Thus, the RFL is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the various reasons for not committing suicide among psychiatry and medical outpatients in Malaysia.

Lowering dietary glycaemic index through nutrition education among Malaysian women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Low glycaemic index (GI) diets improve cardio-metabolic outcomes in insulin-resistant individuals. We examined the feasibility of lowering GI through GI-based-education among Asian post-GDM women. METHODS: A 3-month investigation was carried out on 60 Malaysian women with a mean age of 31.0 +/- 4.5 years and a history of GDM. Subjects were randomised into two groups: LGIE and CHDR. The CHDR group received conventional healthy dietary recommendations only. The LGIE group received GI based-education in addition to conventional healthy dietary recommendations. At baseline and after 3-months, dietary intake of energy and macronutrient intakes including GI diet and glycaemic load was assessed using 3-day food records. Diabetes-Diet and GI-concept scores and physical activity levels were assessed using a questionnaire. Adherence to dietary instructions was measured at the end of 3 months. RESULTS: At the end of 3 months, the LGIE group had significant reductions in energy intake (241.7 +/- 522.4Kcal, P = 0.037, ES=0.463), total carbohydrate (48.7 +/- 83.5g, P = 0.010, ES = 0.583), GI (3.9 +/- 7.1, P = 0.017, ES = 0.549) and GL (39.0 +/- 55.3, P = 0.003, ES = 0.705) and significant increases in protein (3.7 +/- 5.4g, 0.003, ES = 0.685) and diet fibre (4.6 +/- 7.3g, P = 0.06). The CHDR group had a significant reduction in fat only (5.7 +/- 9.4g, P = 0.006, ES = 0.606). There was a 30% increase in GI-concept scores in the LGIE group (p < 0.001). Changes in GI-concept scores correlated significantly to the reduction in dietary GI (r = -0.642, P = 0.045). Dietary adherence was comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: GI-education improves GI-concept knowledge and helps lower dietary glycaemic index among women with a history of GDM.

Lowering Dietary Glycaemic Index through NutritionEducation among Malaysian Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Low glycaemic index (GI) diets improve cardio-metabolic outcomes in insulin-resistant individuals. We examined the feasibility of lowering GI through GI-based-education among Asian post-GDM women. Methods: A 3-month investigation was carried out on 60 Malaysian women with a mean age of 31.0±4.5 years and a history of GDM. Subjects were randomised into two groups: LGIE and CHDR. The CHDR group received conventional healthy dietary recommendations only. The LGIE group received GI based-education in addition to conventional healthy dietary recommendations. At baseline and after 3-months, dietary intake of energy and macronutrient intakes including GI diet and glycaemic load was assessed using 3-day food records. Diabetes-Diet and GI-concept scores and physical activity levels were assessed using a questionnaire. Adherence to dietary instructions was measured at the end of 3 months. Results: At the end of 3 months, the LGIE group had significant reductions in energy intake (241.7±522.4Kcal, P=0.037, ES=0.463), total carbohydrate (48.7±83.5g, P=0.010, ES=0.583), GI (3.9±7.1, P=0.017, ES=0.549) and GL (39.0±55.3, P=0.003, ES=0.705) and significant increases in protein (3.7±5.4g, 0.003, ES=0.685) and diet fibre (4.6±7.3g, P=0.06). The CHDR group had a significant reduction in fat only (5.7±9.4g, P=0.006, ES=0.606). There was a 30% increase in GI-concept scores in the LGIE group (p< 0.001). Changes in GI-concept scores correlated significantly to the reduction in dietary GI (r = -0.642, P=0.045). Dietary adherence was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: GI-education improves GI-concept knowledge and helps lower dietary glycaemic index among women with a history of GDM.

Prevalence and predictors of recent illness and injury among the Malaysian population.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that injury will be the second leading cause of morbidity of disease burden worldwide by the year 2020. We conducted a community-based survey to determine the prevalence of recent illness and injury, in Malaysia. The survey was a cross sectional population-based household survey conducted using face to face interviews. The information was on self-reported recent illness and injury (SRRII) over the previous 2 weeks. This study was conducted during April - August 2006 and as a part of the third National Health and Morbidity Survey of Malaysia. A total of 56,710 respondents were interviewed with a response rate of 98.2% (55,660/56,710). The overall prevalence of combined SRRII was 23.6%; for injuries the prevalence was 3.1%. The groups with the highest SRRII were children 0-5 years old (31.2%), males (24.3%), Indians (26.9%), those with secondary education level (22.9%), those earning RM 1,000/ month (25.0%) and rural dwellers (25.5%). Age, sex, ethnicity, and locality were significantly associated with SRRII while monthly household income and educational level were marginally associated. On multivariate analysis, age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, income and locality were significantly associated with SRRII. The most common reported recent illness was related to the respiratory system (42.0%). The information obtained from this survey is useful to policy makers in the Ministry of Health to review and strengthen existing health programs.

Incidence and determinants of acute diarrhoea in Malaysia: a population-based study.

Acute diarrhoea is a major health problem in many parts of the world, contributing to about 1.8 million deaths globally. The objectives of the study were to assess the incidence, determinants, and severity of acute diarrhoea in the population. A nation-wide cross-sectional survey involving about 57,000 respondents was conducted via face-to-face interview among eligible respondents of all ages. An acute diarrhoeal episode was defined as having three or more episodes of loose stools in any 24-hour period within the past four weeks before the interview. The severity was measured by duration of acute diarrhoea and associated symptoms. The variables tested as determinants were age, sex, ethnicity, the highest educational level, total monthly household income, and locality. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate procedures meant for complex study design were used in the analyses. The four-week incidence of acute diarrhoea was 5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.8-5.2]. The incidence of acute diarrhoea among the estimated population was the highest among young adults aged 20-29 years, Other Bumiputras (the pre-dominant ethnic group in East Malaysia), those with tertiary-level of education, those earning a monthly household income of less than RM 400, and rural dwellers. Only age, ethnicity, the highest level of education attained, and locality were significantly associated with acute diarrhoea in bivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, these four variables were found to be the determinants of acute diarrhoea. Sex and monthly household income were excluded from the model. The mean duration of acute diarrhoea was 2.0 days (standard deviation 1.3). Forty-six percent of the respondents reported stomach cramps as an associated symptom. The findings revealed that acute diarrhoea is still a major public-health concern in Malaysia and grossly under-notified. There is a need for intensification of public-health intervention efforts to reduce the incidence of acute diarrhoea while improving surveillance and notification of the disease.

Prevalence of Chronic Illness and Health Seeking Behaviour in Malaysian Population: Results from the Third National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS III) 2006.

The third National Health Morbidity Survey was conducted in 2006 on a nationally representative sample of population in Malaysia in order to obtain community-based data and information on the prevalence of chronic illness. Of 57,500 eligible respondents 56710 (98.6%) participated in the study. Estimated overall prevalence of chronic illness in the Malaysian population within a recall period of one year was 15.5% (95% CI 15.1% - 15.9%). Chronic illness was reported significantly higher among the females, 16.8% (16.3 - 17.3). The most common chronic illness was hypertension (7.9%, 7.6 - 8.2), followed by diabetes mellitus (4.0%, 3.8 - 4.2) and highest reported by the Indians (19.7%, 18.4 - 21.0). Among the respondents who had sought treatment for chronic illness from government health facilities, Malays (65.8%) and those with monthly household income of less than RM400 (76.6%) were the highest. Chinese (44.5%) and those with household income of RM5000 and above (54.3%) were the highest groups who sought treatment from the private health facilities. Most of the respondents reported mild illness was the main reason for not seeking treatment for their chronic illness. It is hoped that the results of this survey will help the Ministry of Health Malaysia to enhance health programmes and planning resource allocation in order to improve health status of the population.

Evaluation of the accuracy of the Omron HEM-907 blood pressure device.

A study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of the Omron HEM-907 blood pressure measuring device for use in community studies. A modified version of the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and American Association for the Advancement Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) protocol for measuring the accuracy of a blood pressure measuring device was used. A total of 104 subjects were recruited from two clinics. Observer-observer agreement for readings within the 5 mmHg was good; 80.8% and 84.6% of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) agreement respectively. Of the two, the better observer-device agreement readings within the 5 mmHg were 66.4% and 50.0% for SBP and DBP respectively, giving an overall grade B. The mean differences and standard deviation of the differences were within < or =5 mmHg with a standard deviation (SD) of < or =8 mmHg. The Omron HEM-907 satisfied both the AAMI and BHS protocols for accuracy for a non-invasive blood pressure monitoring device using single observer readings.

A follow-up study on the effects of a milk supplement on bone mineral density of postmenopausal Chinese women in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: A previous study on a randomized controlled trial in 173 postmenopausal Chinese women in Kuala Lumpur showed that milk supplementation was effective to reduce bone loss at the total body, lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip compared to the control group on a usual diet (Chee et al. 2003). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether the results were sustained after the conclusion of the study. DESIGN: A follow-up study, 18 months after a randomized controlled trial of milk supplementation was concluded. A total of 139 participants were followed up 21 months after the study ended. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the total body, lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and anthropometric measurements as well as changes in dietary habits were measured. RESULTS: At the follow-up, the milk supplement group did not show significant bone loss from baseline at most sites (mean differences +/- SE) (total body 0.42 +/- 0.25%, femoral neck 0.44 +/- 0.58%, total hip -0.06 +/- 0.46%), unlike the control group (total body -1.07 +/- 0.28% p < 0.005, femoral neck -1.49 +/- 0.56% p < 0.05, total hip -0.89 +/- 0.57% p < 0.05). However, both the milk and control groups showed bone loss from baseline at the lumbar spine (milk -2.01%, control -3.29%, p superior 0.05). The calcium intake of the milk group remained significantly higher than the control group (milk 710 mg/day, control 466 mg/day, p < 0.005) despite discontinuation of the milk supplement. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that some of the beneficial effects of a milk supplement were still evident at follow-up and it was possible to motivate subjects to adopt a positive change in dietary calcium intake after intervention.

Pilot study on depression among secondary school students in Selangor.

A cross sectional descriptive study of 2048 subjects was conducted to determine the prevalence of depression and factors influencing depression among students in secondary school from urban and rural areas in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The children's depression inventory (CDI) developed by Maria Kovacs was used in this study. Students who participated in this study come from two urban schools and three rural schools. It was found that in the yield for scores for five factors were 9.2% have negative mood, 5% have interpersonal problems, 8.3% have ineffectiveness, 9.8% have anhedonia and 10.6% have negative self esteem. Following the interpretive guidelines for the T-scores, it was found that 10.3% of the students were much above average in the depression scale. This study also found that: 1% of students were smoking, 1.6% of students were gum sniffling, 0.9% took drugs, 4.1% took alcohol and 9.9% took things from other people. Females were more depressed than males. The Chinese students were more depressed compared to Indian students. Students whose parents had no formal education or had only primary education were more depressed than students whose parents had secondary, college or university education. Depression increased with increasing number of siblings. Depression contributed to the habit of drug abuse, gum sniffing and stealing but not to smoking and alcohol abuse. Suicidal tendencies were more likely among the depressed students. It is imperative that not only caregivers but also teachers have to be equipped with the knowledge, attitude and skills to assist secondary school children cope with their emotions, handle conflicts and manage stress early so that a more productive society will develop in the future.

Quality of life--how do Malaysian asthmatics fare?

Asthma can place considerable restrictions on the physical, emotional and social aspects of the lives of patients. The assessment of quality of life aims to provide a means of measuring the impact of this disease on patients' lives, from the patients' perspective. A cross sectional multi-centre study was conducted in six government hospitals throughout the country. Self-administered SF-36 was used, and clinical information obtained through interviews and examination. 1612 asthmatics responded. Females constituted 63% of the respondents; mean age was 40.9 years; Malays were the majority ethnic group, while 70.8% had secondary level education and 53.7% were employed. Half had suffered from asthma for at least 13 years, while 46.8% and 23.6% have moderate and severe disease respectively. Quality of life was affected by severity of disease. Asthmatics, had a significantly poorer quality of life than the general US population. Severe asthma disease was associated with a compromised quality of life, similar to that of COPD.