Health Literacy: Addressing Well-Being: A Review

Literacy forms an important input in overall development of individual enabling them to comprehend their social, political and cultural environment better and respond to it. Health literacy requires knowledge of health topics. People with limited health literacy often lack knowledge or have misinformation about the body as well as the nature and causes of disease. Without this knowledge, they may not understand the relationship between lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise and various health outcomes. Health literacy plays a key role on the overall health and wellbeing and is now recognized as a determinant of health and has been made a priority of public health agendas, as there is existence of clear scientific evidence regarding its association with health outcomes such as use of health care services, hospitalizations, mortality rates, and adherence to treatment regimens. Therefore, responsive health system that eliminates barriers to clear communication and provides usable and actionable health information and services is important to uplift the current situation

Post-Operative Complications of Surgery for Chronic Subdural Hematoma (SDH) and Prevention

Objective:  The study aimed to determine the rate and type of complications during surgery for treatment of chronic subdural hematoma and assess ways for their prevention. Material and Methods:  A total of 50 patients of chronic SDH were selected from the Neurosurgery Department of Bahawal Victoria Hospital. Patients were treated surgically with a single burr hole evacuation under local anesthesia, introduced a subdural drain, nursed in a head-down position for 24 hours, and given plenty of fluids orally and intravenous route. The surgical technique involved a formation of a single burr hole at the point of maximum density. Results:  Out of 50, 43 patients recovered smoothly postoperatively and discharged on the 7th postoperative day. Two patients were re-operated due to inadequate evacuation or reaccumulation. One patient developed subdural empyema post-operatively and expired in spite of good antibiotic cover. In one patient subdural drain penetrated the brain parenchyma resulting in dysphasia. Another patient formed an intracerebral hematoma due to irrigation of the cavity with pressure. One patient with GCS 4/15 developed seizures postoperatively and expired after one hour. One patient developed gross subdural tension pneumocephalus after removing the subdural drain was re-operated and recovered. Conclusion:  Single burr hole evacuation of chronic SDH under local anesthesia is the most accepted surgical treatment. Using proper aseptic surgical techniques, the introduction of the minimum necessary length of the subdural catheter to avoid penetration into the brain parenchyma, followed by careful irrigation of the subdural cavity can help prevent complications

Penerokaan pengetahuan, persepsi, dan kesan penyebaran berita palsu di ‘N.E.W.S.E.E.D’ dalam kalangan mahasiswa Universiti Utara Malaysia

Fenomena berita palsu menjadi persekitaran negatif dalam perkongsian fakta atau perkara sebaliknya. Perkembangan platform komunikasi iaitu media sosial menjadi medium bagi pencipta berita palsu atau penyampai berita palsu bergiat aktif dalam kegiatan ini. Masyarakat lazimya terdedah dengan penyebaran berita palsu di dalam penggunaan media sosial sama ada ia berkaitan dalam dan luar negara. Audien seperti mahasiswa tidak terlepas dari kesan penyebaran berita palsu ini. Oleh itu kajian ini dijalankan untuk menerokai pengetahuan, dan persepsi mahasiswa berkaitan penyebaran berita palsu di N.E.W.S.E.E.D, dan juga menerokai kesan penyebaran berita palsu di N.E.W.S.E.E.D kepada mahasiswa. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif melalui temubual mendalam menggunakan protokol temubual secara berstruktur. Seramai lapan orang informan dikenalpasti melalui persampelan bertujuan dari pelbagai latar program pengajian. Maklumbalas direkodkan secara elektronik dan ditranskripsi semula oleh penyelidik. Data kajian telah dianalisis menggunakan analisis tematik melalui perisian NVIVO. Daripada analisis transkripsi data kajian, ia menunjukkan persepsi mahasiswa terhadap penyebaran berita palsu di N.E.W.S.E.E.D menunjukkan pandangan negatif dan tidak baik terhadap penyebaran berita palsu. Seterusnya, bagi kesan penyebaran berita palsu di N.E.W.S.E.E.D ialah, perubahan pola pemikiran mahasiswa. Perubahan pola pemikiran adalah menjurus kepada mudah percaya dan terpengaruh dengan berita palsu. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa berita palsu membawa kesan yang tidak baik kepada mahasiswa Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

Series solution to fractional contact problem using Caputo's derivative

Abstract In this article, contact problem with fractional derivatives is studied. We use fractional derivative in the sense of Caputo. We deploy penalty function method to degenerate the obstacle problem into a system of fractional boundary value problems (FBVPs). The series solution of this system of FBVPs is acquired by using the variational iteration method (VIM). The performance as well as precision of the applied method is gauged by means of significant numerical tests. We further study the convergence and residual errors of the solutions by giving variation to the fractional parameter, and graphically present the solutions and residual errors accordingly. The outcomes thus obtained witness the high effectiveness of VIM for solving FBVPs

Tuberculosis contact tracing in low and middle income countries: a systematic review

Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health challenge especially in low- and middle-income countries reflects improper, delayed or missed diagnosis. Contact screening should be utilized both as an efficient and effective targeted approach to intensify TB case finding. Methods Through a comprehensive systematic literature review of online database, this paper aims at providing an insight into the current practice of TB contact screening and to provide evidence based practice for formulation of appropriate policies in low- and middle-income countries. There are 24 articles included in this review from studies published from 2005 to 2014. Results Findings in literature varies substantially. Generally, contact screening is better intensified with clear operational guidelines, adequate training, include close contact outside household as appropriate and follow up at least for 1 year. Prioritizing high risk close contacts is helpful in resource limited setting. Tuberculin skin test is still of value as screening tool and intensified case finding must be accompanied with effective management protocol. Prophylaxis treatment is recommended especially for children especially less than 5 years old, unvaccinated, malnourished, living with person having HIV and close contact with MDR-TB. Conclusions Policy recommendations in improving TB management must incorporate complementary strategies to enhance case finding, effective management protocol for follow up or prophylaxis treatment, training for public health capacity and concerted dedication from various stakeholders

Tuberculosis Contact Tracing in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health challenge especially in low- and middle-income countries reflects improper, delayed or missed diagnosis. Contact screening should be utilized both as an efficient and effective targeted approach to intensify TB case finding. Methods Through a comprehensive systematic literature review of online database, this paper aims at providing an insight into the current practice of TB contact screening and to provide evidence based practice for formulation of appropriate policies in low- and middle-income countries. There are 24 articles included in this review from studies published from 2005 to 2014. Results Findings in literature varies substantially. Generally, contact screening is better intensified with clear operational guidelines, adequate training, include close contact outside household as appropriate and follow up at least for 1 year. Prioritizing high risk close contacts is helpful in resource limited setting. Tuberculin skin test is still of value as screening tool and intensified case finding must be accompanied with effective management protocol. Prophylaxis treatment is recommended especially for children especially less than 5 years old, unvaccinated, malnourished, living with person having HIV and close contact with MDR-TB. Conclusions Policy recommendations in improving TB management must incorporate complementary strategies to enhance case finding, effective management protocol for follow up or prophylaxis treatment, training for public health capacity and concerted dedication from various stakeholders

Cyber entrepreneurship: a note on indigenous perspective from a developing country

This research study is aimed at providing some insight into an emerging concept of cyber entrepreneurship with special reference to a development country like Pakistan. A detailed literature review is done in order to understand the concept and grasp the recent development in the emerging area. The main focus of this study was connecting and synchronizing available literature through practice with a special focus on Pakistani context. The present study will provide a useful implications in the area of entrepreneurship to the academic researchers and practitioners

Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has become a global pandemic with an increasing burden on healthcare. Early recognition of the trend and pattern of the chain of transmission is necessary to slow down the spread. AIM: Therefore, the study aimed to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 at a local setting. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was done to all COVID-19 cases registered in Seremban Health District. Statistical analysis, using Chi-square test, was employed to compare the sociodemographic characteristic of COVID-19 patients between the red zone area and the non-red zone area in Seremban. RESULTS: As of April, a total of 214 number of COVID-19 cases reported in Seremban district alone. The trend of cases registered has changed as more asymptomatic infection outnumbered patients with clinical symptoms from the aggressive active case detection (ACD) activity. Majority of the cases affecting Malay ethnicity were due to a large religious gathering event held 1 month earlier than subsequently spread the infection within the community. CONCLUSION: The first wave of COVID-19 cases in Seremban was sudden and unexpected, with a skewed distribution affecting a particular race group regardless red zone area and non-red zone area. Therefore, identifying the pattern of infection in the local community is important for a focused intervention strategy. ACD strategy, isolation of patients, quarantine the exposed, tracking down the close contact, and continuous health promotion and education will ultimately break the chain of transmission

Morphological Identification and Resistance Profile of Antibiotic and Heavy Metals-Resistant Bacteria in Hospital Sewage of Peshawar

Background: Increased resistance of microorganisms to commonly prescribed antibiotics has emerged as a significant hurdle in contemporary medical practice. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared antibiotic resistance as a " major threat to public health.". In the present study, bacterial isolates were selected based on high antibiotic and heavy metal tolerance from a water sample taken from hospital sewage.Methods: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were isolated through the disk diffusion method. Gram staining was done for morphological identification. For molecular identification, the 16s rDNA PCR amplification was done with universal primers. Results: The strain BC1 was found resistant to ampicillin (10μg/ml), and cefixime (5μg/ml). While, susceptible to kanamycin (30μg/ml), azithromycin (15μg/ml) and intermediate in response to amoxicillin (30μg/ml). The strain BC2 was resistant to ampicillin (10μg/ml), cefixime (5μg/ml) and kanamycin (30μg/ml). While, Susceptible to amoxicillin (30μg/ml), and intermediate in response to azithromycin (15μg/ml). The strains were also found resistant to heavy metals.Conclusion: The recent investigation on bacterial strains from hospital effluent found interesting candidates for understanding the AMR bacteria and developing novel active biomolecules to combat the antibiotics problem. The isolated strains could be a source of novel resistant genes however; a comprehensive molecular analysis is needed for advanced studies

Meaningful hybrid e-training model for web-based computer education

The main purpose of this study was to develop a model for meaningful hybrid e-training. Data collected from 213 ICT trainers were tested with confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS 7.0 to obtain two best-fit measurement models for the two latent variables. Overall reliability using Alpha-Cronbach test, items and persons reliability using the Rasch Model and content validation by experts suggested that the questionnaire is reliable and valid to measure a meaningful hybrid e-training program. The results showed that there is a positive strong relationship between hybrid e-training and meaningful e training. In brief the study showed a substantial effect of hybrid e-training towards achieving meaningful learning. In conclusion, the study suggested that, future training regarding the use of hybrid e-training should include all five components of a meaningful hybrid e-training instead of merely focusing on content