Adolescent to Adolescent Transformation Program- Nurturing, Enhancing and Promoting Adolescents’ Healthy Habit (ATAP-NEPAH): Curbing Social Problems Among Adolescents in Kelantan Through Peer-To-Peer Health Education

The objectives of ATAP-NEPAH are to enhance and nurture healthy habits among adolescents as well as to empower adolescents in inculcating these healthy habits among them. Health education through peer-to-peer approach is used to instill the knowledge on important areas such as sexual and reproductive health, smoking, substance abuse, illegal street racing (rempit) and mental health. Specific modules were developed by experts (lecturers) in multidisciplinary fields in collaboration with Malaysian Association for Adolescent Health (MAAH), National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB), Reproductive Health Association of Kelantan (REHAK) and Rhaudatus Sakinah Kelantan. The trained Medical Students Facilitator Team (MSFT) of USM became trainers to secondary one school students. The selected school students were trained by the medical students to become peer educators to their juniors and peers. There was improvement in the readiness level of peer educators, knowledge and attitude towards healthy habits and risky behaviors of other school students after the intervention

Factors influencing instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability among elderly attending health clinics in Kelantan

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is a construct that describes the functional ability to perform complex activities, requiring physical and mental capability that allows an elderly to live independently. Studies on IADL in Malaysia are still lacking. Thus, this study aimed to determine the factors influencing IADL disability among the elderly attending health clinics in Kelantan. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a guided questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics, health-related conditions, Lawton IADL scale, Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Duke Social Support Index (DSSI). Multiple logistic regression (MLR) was performed to assess factors influencing IADL disability. Disabled IADL status was defined as having difficulty performing at least one out of eight activities on the Lawton IADL scale. A sample of 248 elderly from 12 health clinics in Kelantan was included, 36.3% of them had disabled IADL status. In the final MLR model, factors influencing IADL disability were, age group 70 years old and above (Adj. OR 3.52; 95% CI: 1.85, 6.69, p-value<0.001), being unmarried/single (Adj. OR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.25, 4.49, p-value=0.008), no formal education (Adj. OR 4.03; 95% CI: 1.64, 9.88, p-value=0.002), low level of income (Adj. OR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.11, 5.07, p-value=0.026) and those who reported fair or poor self-rated health status (Adj. OR 2.53; 95% CI: 1.31, 4.89, p-value=0.006). Therefore, recognition of these factors is critical to promote a better health policy and to provide appropriate care for the elderly in the country

The Malay Literacy of Suicide Scale: A Rasch Model Validation and Its Correlation with Mental Health Literacy among Malaysian Parents, Caregivers and Teachers

The 27-item Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS) is a test designed to measure the respondent&rsquo;s suicide knowledge. The purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Malay-translated version of the LOSS (M-LOSS) and its association to sociodemographic factors and mental health literacy. The 27-item LOSS was forward&ndash;backward translated into Malay, and the content and face validities were assessed. The version was distributed to 750 respondents across West Malaysia. Rasch model analysis was then conducted to assess the scale&rsquo;s psychometric properties. The validated M-LOSS and the Malay version of the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS-M) were then distributed to 867 respondents to evaluate their level of suicide literacy, mental health literacy, and their correlation. Upon Rasch analysis, 26 items were retained. The scale was found to be unidimensional, with generally satisfying separation and reliability indexes. Sex, socio-economic status, and experience in mental health were found to significantly impact the mean score for mental health literacy. This study also found a significant mean difference for suicide literacy across school types. Furthermore, while this study observed a weak but significant negative correlation between age and suicide literacy, no correlation was found between mental health and suicide literacy

Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Channa striatus Extract on Measurement of the Uterus, Pulsatility Index, Resistive Index of Uterine Artery and Superficial Skin Wound Artery in Post Lower Segment Caesarean Section Women.

To compare the mean of anteroposterior (AP) measurements of the uterus in longitudinal and oblique transverse planes, and the pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of the uterine artery and superficial skin wound artery between patients taking Channa striatus and placebo.Channa striatus, also known as haruan, is a fresh water snakehead fish consumed in many parts of Southeast Asia. Channa striatus is also normally consumed by women postpartum to promote wound healing as well as to reduce post-operative pain.This study is a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in women after Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS). Subjects were randomised to either a Channa striatus or a placebo group and were given a daily dosage of 500 mg of Channa striatus extract or 500 mg maltodextrin, respectively, for six weeks post LSCS. The anteroposterior measurements of the uterus in the longitudinal and oblique transverse planes, and the pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of the uterine and superficial skin wound arteries were assessed using pelvic Gray-scale ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound at baseline (Day 3) and at two weeks, four weeks and six weeks post-operatively.Sixty-six subjects were randomised into the study with 33 in the Channa striatus group and 33 in the placebo group. No significant differences were detected in terms of the pulsatility index (PI) and the resistive index (RI) of the uterine and superficial skin wound arteries between the Channa striatus and placebo groups. However, in the Channa striatus group, the AP measurements of the uterus on the longitudinal and oblique transverse planes were significantly lower compared to the placebo group (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively).Daily intake of Channa striatus extract results in marked differences compared to placebo in terms of uterine involution and recovery in women post LSCS.www.isrctn.com 11960786

Flowchart of the study.

<p>Flowchart of the study.</p

The Effect of Channa striatus (Haruan) Extract on Pain and Wound Healing of Post-Lower Segment Caesarean Section Women

Channa striatus has been consumed for decades as a remedy to promote wound healing by women during postpartum period. The objectives of this study were to compare postoperative pain, wound healing based on wound evaluation scale (WES), wound cosmetic appearance based on visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and patient satisfaction score (PSS), and safety profiles between C. striatus group and placebo group after six weeks of lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) delivery. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted. Subjects were randomised in a ratio of 1 : 1 into either the C. striatus group (500 mg daily) or placebo group (500 mg of maltodextrin daily). 76 subjects were successfully randomised, with 38 in the C. striatus group and 35 in the placebo group. There were no significant differences in postoperative pain p=0.814 and WES p=0.160 between the C. striatus and placebo groups. However, VAS and PSS in the C. striatus group were significantly better compared with the placebo group (p=0.014 and p<0.001, resp.). The safety profiles showed no significant differences between the groups. In conclusion, six-week supplementation of 500 mg of C. striatus extract showed marked differences in wound cosmetic appearance and patient’s satisfaction and is safe for human consumption

Between group differences based on time for longitudinal, oblique transverse planes of uterine AP measurements or RI and PI measurements of the uterine and superficial arteries (ITT analysis, N = 63).

<p>Between group differences based on time for longitudinal, oblique transverse planes of uterine AP measurements or RI and PI measurements of the uterine and superficial arteries (ITT analysis, N = 63).</p

Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of <i>Channa striatus</i> Extract on Measurement of the Uterus, Pulsatility Index, Resistive Index of Uterine Artery and Superficial Skin Wound Artery in Post Lower Segment Caesarean Section Women

<div><p>Aim</p><p>To compare the mean of anteroposterior (AP) measurements of the uterus in longitudinal and oblique transverse planes, and the pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of the uterine artery and superficial skin wound artery between patients taking <i>Channa striatus</i> and placebo.</p><p>Background</p><p><i>Channa striatus</i>, also known as haruan, is a fresh water snakehead fish consumed in many parts of Southeast Asia. <i>Channa striatus</i> is also normally consumed by women postpartum to promote wound healing as well as to reduce post-operative pain.</p><p>Methodology</p><p>This study is a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in women after Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS). Subjects were randomised to either a <i>Channa striatus</i> or a placebo group and were given a daily dosage of 500 mg of <i>Channa striatus</i> extract or 500 mg maltodextrin, respectively, for six weeks post LSCS. The anteroposterior measurements of the uterus in the longitudinal and oblique transverse planes, and the pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of the uterine and superficial skin wound arteries were assessed using pelvic Gray-scale ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound at baseline (Day 3) and at two weeks, four weeks and six weeks post-operatively.</p><p>Results</p><p>Sixty-six subjects were randomised into the study with 33 in the <i>Channa striatus</i> group and 33 in the placebo group. No significant differences were detected in terms of the pulsatility index (PI) and the resistive index (RI) of the uterine and superficial skin wound arteries between the <i>Channa striatus</i> and placebo groups. However, in the <i>Channa striatus</i> group, the AP measurements of the uterus on the longitudinal and oblique transverse planes were significantly lower compared to the placebo group (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Daily intake of <i>Channa striatus</i> extract results in marked differences compared to placebo in terms of uterine involution and recovery in women post LSCS.</p><p>Trial Registration</p><p><a href="http://www.isrctn.com" target="_blank">www.isrctn.com</a><a href="http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11960786?q=11960786&filters=&sort=&offset=1&totalResults=1&page=1&pageSize=10&searchType=basic-search" target="_blank">11960786</a></p></div

Baseline characteristics of the subjects.

<p>Baseline characteristics of the subjects.</p