Staphylococcus aureus carriage in selected kindergartens in Klang Valley

Introduction: Nasal colonisation of S. aureus in healthy children was 18% to 30%. One to three percent of them were colonised by Methicillin-resistant Staphlycoccus aureus (MRSA). Although MRSA infection has become increasingly reported, population-based S. aureus and MRSA colonisation estimates are lacking. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus carriage among children. Methods: Nasal samples for S. aureus culture were obtained from 250 children from three kindergartens in the Klang Valley, after consent was obtained from the children and their parents. Swabs were transported in Stuart medium, and inoculated on mannitol-salt agar within four hours of collection. Identification and disk diffusion test were done according to guidelines. Polymerase chain reaction was done on MRSA isolates for the presence of mecA and lukS/FPV genes. Results: Overall prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage were 19.2% (48/250) and 1.6% (4/250) respectively. mecA gene was present in all isolates, 50% isolates carried Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) gene. Sccmec type I was found in 2 isolates and the remaining isolates has Sccmec type V. Conclusion: The prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage were similar to other studies. However, risk of contracting severe infection might be higher due to presence of PVL gene in half of the MRSA isolates

Prevalence and factors associated with intimate partner violence among postpartum women attending government primary health care clinics in Malaysia

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important gender-based, social, and public health problem that affects women worldwide, including women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Studies have shown that violence against women often increases during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This study aims to examine lifetime and past-year prevalence of IPVamong postpartum women in Malaysia, and to determine the socio-demographic as well as husband’s/partner’s behavioral factors associated with IPV exposure. This is a nationwide, cross-sectional and clinic-based study involving a total of 5727 women at 6 to 16 weeks postpartum, who attended randomly selected government health clinics between July to November 2016. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained female enumerators based on a pre-validated structured questionnaire, using mobile devices as data collection tools. Chisquared tests and multivariable logistic regressions were used to investigate selected factors associated with IPVexposure. The lifetime and past-year prevalence of any form of IPV among postpartum women were 4.94% (95% CI [3.81,6.39]) and 2.42% (95% CI [1.74,3.35]) respectively, with the highest prevalence being emotional violence, followed by physical and sexual violence. Multivariable analysis showed that husband’s/partner’s behaviors, such as frequent alcohol use, drug use, fighting habits and controlling behaviour were significantly associated with both lifetime and past-year IPV (all p < 0.001 for past-year IPV). These findings suggest that prevention and intervention strategies for IPV should consider the prevention of substance use and reducing controlling behaviors by husband/partner, as well as raising awareness to build healthy relationships through education

Electronic hand hygiene quality and duration monitoring in pre-school children: a feasibility study

Background: Hand hygiene is regarded as the most important measure to prevent spread of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a prototype application in an electronic device in educating, stimulating and monitoring hand hygiene quality in young children. Method: A pre-school was provided with an interactive hand hygiene application for two months. The device features an online administrator dashboard for data collection and for monitoring the children's hand washing steps and duration. A good hand washing is defined as hand washing which comprise all of the steps outlined in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Results: The prototype managed to capture 6882 hand wash performed with an average of 20.85 seconds per hand wash. Washing hands palm to palm was the most frequent (79.9%) step performed, whereas scrubbing fingernails and wrists were the least (56%) steps performed. Conclusions: The device is a good prototype to educate, stimulate and monitor good hand hygiene practices. However, other measures should be undertaken to ensure sustainability of the practices

Healthy hands: development and evaluation of a knowledge transfer program

Introduction: Children in pre-schools are at high risk of getting infections due to overcrowding, minimal awareness of basic hygiene and lack of immunity against microorganisms. Hand hygiene practice should be started at home where parents set good example, followed by formal education in pre-schools, primary and secondary school. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive program on hand hygiene practice in pre-schools. This paper presents the developmental aspects of the program material and the results of its evaluation process in a selected pre-school. Methods: Stage of development involved preparation of song, lyric, video clip, infographic and tablet application. The module was introduced during an intervention day called ‘Healthy Hands’ day. The acceptance of the module was evaluated before and after the intervention day. Evaluation was done by assessing pre-school children by face-to-face interview about knowledge on hand hygiene techniques and routine, such as before or after certain activities. Results: We managed to compose a song in three languages (Malay, English & Arabic), produced a video clip, an infographic and tablet application. A total of 227 children participated. Post intervention evaluation showed significant (p<0.001) increase of knowledge for eight out of eleven handwashing steps. The knowledge on hand hygiene routine i.e. after toilet, after playing outdoor, after sneezing and after playing with pet was also increased significantly. Conclusion: This comprehensive knowledge transfer program significantly improved the children’s hand hygiene techniques and routine and is recommended to be integrated into pre-school curriculum

Microstrip dipole antenna analysis with different width and length at 2.4 GHz

This paper discusses the design and simulation of microstrip dipole antenna at 2.4 GHz. In this antenna design, Agilent's Advanced Design System (ADS) software using momentum simulation is employed to analyze the entire structure. Different width (W = 3, 5, 7, 9 mm) of the arm of dipole antenna is analyzed to study on the performance of frequency resonance. From the simulation, the wider the width will lower the resonance frequency of the antenna. Different width makes the frequency resonance of the antenna shifting lower or higher than 2.4 GHz. In this case, the length (L) of the dipole arm needs changes. Optimization value of the length is needed to make the frequency resonance at 2.4 GHz. The simulation result gives the bandwidth achieved of this microstrip dipole antenna is between 11 and 13 %. Three different width of dipole antenna have been fabricated and presented here in this paper. The properties of antenna such as input return loss and bandwidth have been investigated and compared between simulations

Direct conversion receiver with active integrated antenna

This paper describes numerical simulation, fabrication and experimental measurement of a compact miniature integrated antenna using direct conversion detection at 2.4 GHz. In this receiver design, Agilent's ADS software using momentum simulation and circuit simulation is employed to analyze the entire structure. Microstrip dipole antenna is integrated with 90deg hybrid coupler, oscillator and diodes for direct conversion or zero-IF detection is presented here. Microstrip dipole antenna that is presented here has a wide bandwidth up to 23.85 % bandwidth. The 90deg hybrid coupler can act as a phase shifter to provide the necessary 90deg characteristics to operate with I and Q signal for direct conversions. Two Schottky diodes (HSMS 8101) are mounted onto each of two coupler's output port to act as a mixer. One pin of the diodes is connected to the edge of output port and the other pin is grounded via a small hole to ground plane. One kHz sinusoidal signal act as a baseband has been generated and modulated using signal generator. The demodulated signal is detected using direct conversion receiver circuit and the baseband signal at the output ports is successfully detected using oscilloscope