Serving an Indigenous community: Exploring the cultural competence of medical students in a rural setting

Since 2013, medical students from the International Medical University (IMU) in Malaysia have been providing primary healthcare services, under the supervision of faculty members, to the indigenous people living in Kampung Sebir. The project has allowed the students to learn experientially within a rural setting. This study aims to examine the cultural competence of IMU medical students through an examination of their perspective of the indigenous people who they serve and the role of this community service in their personal and professional development. Students who participated in the project were required to complete a questionnaire after each community engagement activity to help them reflect on the above areas. We analysed the responses of students from January to December 2015 using a thematic analysis approach to identify overarching themes in the students’ responses. Students had differing perceptions of culture and worldviews when compared to the indigenous people. However, they lacked the self-reflection skills necessary to understand how such differences can affect their relationship with the indigenous people. Because of this, the basis of their engagement with the indigenous community (as demonstrated by their views of community service) is focused on their agenda of promoting health from a student’s perspective rather than connecting and building relationships first. Students also lacked the appreciation that building cultural competency is a continuous process. The results show that the medical students have a developing cultural competence. The project in Kampung Sebir is an experiential learning platform of great value to provide insights into and develop the cultural competency of participating students. This study also reflects on the project itself, and how the relationship with stakeholders, the competence and diversity of academic staff, and the support of the university can contribute toward training in cultural competence

Dark fingernails

Madam S, a 40-year-old woman of South Asian origin was diagnosed with HIV infection through spousal contact tracing. Her husband, who had a history of intravenous drug use, was diagnosed with HIV infection while incarcerated in a prison. She was asymptomatic and had no clinical evidence of opportunistic infections. Her CD4 cell count was 180 cells/mm3 . Based on the Malaysian national guidelines for the treatment of adults with HIV-infection, Madam S was commenced on cotrimoxazole (Bactrim) tablets for prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci infection and a combination of antiretroviral (ARV) agents consisting of zidovudine (AZT), lamivudine (3TC) and efavirenz (EFV) to treat her HIV infection. After 3 months, Madam S returned for the follow-up at the infectious diseases clinic. She was tolerating her ARV regime well with minimal side effects. She complained of fingernail colour changes (Figures 1 and 2), which were aesthetically distressing to her. Almost all her fingernails were noted to have longitudinal bands of hyperpigmentation. However, her toenails were spared and there was no hyperpigmentation of mucosa membranes and palmar creases

The man with bilateral nipple pain

Figure 1 is a picture of a 48-year-old male patient who presents with progressive painful enlargement of the areolae of 10 months’ duration. There was no bleeding or nipple discharge. He was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection 16 months ago and was initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ARV), which consisted of zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz. As his CD4 cell count at diagnosis was less than 200 cells/mm3, he was prescribed trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (Bactrim) for prophylaxis against pneumonia due to pneumocystis jirovecii. Physical examination was unremarkable except for bilateral breast enlargement and right-sided old shingles scar in the T4 dermatome distribution

HIV Risk Perception, Sexual Behavior, and HIV Prevalence among Men-Who-Have-Sex-with-Men at a Community-Based Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We describe the HIV risk perception, sexual behavior, and HIV prevalence among 423 men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) clients who received voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services at a community-based center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mean age was 29 years old. One hundred one (23.9%) clients rated themselves as low risk, 118 (27.9%) as medium risk, 36 (8.5%) as high risk, and 168 (39.7%) were unsure of their risk. Twenty-four (9.4%) clients tested HIV positive (4 (4%) low risk, 9 (7.6%) medium risk, 11 (30.6%) high risk, and 13 (7.7%) unsure risk). We found a positive correlation between risk perception and HIV infection in this study. Clients with high HIV risk perception have 17x the odds of testing HIV positive compared to low risk clients. High HIV risk perception was significantly associated with multiple sex partners, multiple types of sex partners, alcohol use before intercourse, unprotected sex beyond 6 months, and inconsistent condom use during anal sex compared to low risk clients. There were no statistically significant differences between medium risk and unsure risk clients compared to low risk clients. Strategies should be targeted towards change in sexual practices among those who are perceived to be at high risk

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a HIV-infected patient with disseminated tuberculosis

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is the paradoxical worsening of pre-existing infectious processes after commencement of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected patients. Its manifestations are dependent on the underlying opportunistic infections. We report a case of an HIV-infected patient with disseminated tuberculosis, who responded

Neurocysticercosis

A 19-year-old Chinese man presented with progressive ascending weakness of his left lower limb for 1 week. There was no loss of sensation. His other limbs were unaffected. He also complained of progressive, painless blurring of vision in his left eye for the past 1 month. He has an affinity for wild boar meat from local Chinese restaurants, which he has been consuming on a daily basis for the last 2 years. He denied any fever, headache, high risk behaviour for acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or recent travels. He had bronchial asthma in childhood, but the symptoms are minimal now and there was no recent acute exacerbations. Physical examination was unremarkable except for the left lower limb power of 3/5 and bilateral papilloedema on direct ophthalmoscopy. A Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the brain (Image 1) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain (Images 2 and 3) were performed. The total leucocyte count was 9.2x109 /L, C-reactive protein was 1.2 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 6 mm/h. Human immunodeficiency virus screening was negative, anti-toxoplasma antibodies were not detected and serological testing for anti-cysticercal antibodies via enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) did not produce a positive yield. He was treated with oral albendazole for 28 days and corticosteroids, which led to rapid and total resolution of his neurological deficits and CT findings within 6 weeks

Prevalence Of Depressive Disorder And Its Association With Perceived Social Support Among Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) In Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban (HTJS), Malaysia

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive disorder and its association with perceived social support among patients with HIV attending the Infectious Disease Clinic in HTJS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and systematic random sampling method was employed for the selection of participants. Socio-demographic and clinical details were obtained through a self-rated questionnaire and participants’ medical records. Depressive disorder was screened and diagnosed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) and perceived social support was determined using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Appropriate statistical analyses were used to determine the prevalence of depressive disorder and its association with perceived social support.Results: A total of 99 patients participated in this study. The mean age of participants was 38.16 ± 1.01 years, and the majority of participants were male (69.7%). Most of the participants were Malay (58.6%), followed by Indians (20.2%), Chinese (17.2%) and others (4.0%). The majority had completed secondary education (54%), and most were employed (79.8%). Most of the participants were single (45.5%) or married (45.5%). The lifetime and point prevalence of depressive disorder was 24.2% and 17.2%, respectively. About 64.7% of patients with depressive disorder were undiagnosed. Out of the 3 sources of perceived social support, perceived social support from a significant other (OR=0.53, p=0.042, Cl=0.29, 0.98) and perceived social support from friends (OR=0.49, p=0.015, Cl=0.27, 0.87) were found to be negative predictors for depressive disorder. Conclusion: This study reports that the prevalence disorder among patients with HIV in HTJS is higher than that of the general population. Patients without depressive disorder reported significantly higher perceived social support scores. Perceived social supports from significant others and friends were found to be important associated factors for lower depressive disorder vulnerability. Hence, physicians should routinely screen for depressive disorder in this vulnerable group and explore and mobilize their social support to reduce patients’ vulnerability to develop depressive disorder.Please click PDF below to download the full paper...Â

test in HIV-infected patients on Highly Active Anti- Retroviral Therapy

does not cause false-positive urine cannabi

Nutritional monitoring of patients post-bariatric surgery: Implications for smartphone applications

Background: Optimal results from bariatric surgery are contingent on patient commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes and follow-up care. The present study aimed to investigate the attitudes and use of mobile health (mHealth) smartphone applications (apps) as a potential tool for maintaining connectivity between dietitians and patients post-bariatric surgery. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was developed and distributed to a purposeful sample of bariatric dietitians and bariatric patients in Australia. The survey questions explored technology penetration (smartphone and app use), communication preferences, nutrition monitoring methods, professional relationship expectations and reasons for loss to follow-up. Results: Survey completion rate was 85% (n = 50/59) for dietitians and 80% (n = 39/49) for patients. Smartphone ownership was 98% and 95% for dietitians and patients, respectively. Common reasons given for losing patients to follow-up suggest that a traditional in-clinic practice setting could be a barrier for some. Most dietitians (n = 48; 91%) prefer to see patients face-to-face in their clinic, whereas patient preferences extended to e-mail and mobile messaging. Sixty-eight percent of bariatric patients were receptive to two-way communication with dietitians via an app between clinic visits. Both cohorts recognised the potential for emerging technologies to be used in practice, although there was no single routinely recommended mHealth app. Conclusions; The present study provides the first insight into the use of mobile devices and apps by post-bariatric patients and the dietitians who support them. A mixture of traditional methods and smartphone technology is desirable to both dietitians and patients. The utility and effectiveness of such technologies should be confirmed in future intervention studies