Reported Adverse Drug Reactions in Infants: A Nationwide Analysis in Malaysia

Spontaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reporting is a useful source of drug safety information in infants as only adult patients are routinely tested in clinical trials. This study was aimed to evaluate the spontaneously reported ADRs using WHO Adverse Reaction Terminology and to identify the common drugs associated with ADRs in children under 2 years of age. A retrospective analysis of ADR data for children below 2 years old from 2000 to 2013 was conducted using the data extracted from Malaysia's national pharmacovigilance database, QUEST2 System. From 2000 to 2013, Malaysia's National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau received a total of 11,932 reports for children from various healthcare facilities in Malaysia. 14.0% (n = 1667) of the ADRs reported for those children were related to children under 2 years old. The data retrieved was analyzed in terms of age, gender, source of reporting, type of reporters, suspected medicines and characteristics of ADRs (category, onset, severity, and outcomes). A total of 1312 ADRs reported in 907 ADR reports were analyzed. The most common ADRs reported were skin appendage disorders (60.1%), and the most frequently reported symptoms were rash (n = 215), maculopapular rash (n = 206), urticaria (n = 169), erythematous rash (n = 76), and pruritus (n = 58). In general, drugs from antibacterials for systemic use (58.8%) appeared to be the most common contributors to ADRs in children below 2 years old. Penicillins and other β-Lactam Antibacterials accounted for more than 40% of all drugs implicated in ADRs. The majority of ADRs were subacute reactions that occurred within 24 h of exposure to the drug. A high proportion of ADRs was classified as mild, and most victims had no sequela. Only one fatality was seen. There were 10 cases for each symptom, namely erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, observed in this study. A large proportion of ADRs in children under 2 years old were mainly caused by drugs from antibacterial for systemic use, with most of the ADRs manifesting in skin reactions. This study also reveals rare cutaneous ADRs experienced by Malaysian children under the age of 2, which constitutes a crucial cause of harm among children

Self‐perceived preparedness of undergraduate dental students in dental public universities in Malaysia: A national study

Aims: To evaluate the self-perceived preparedness of final-year dental undergraduate students in dental public universities in Malaysia. Methods: Final-year dental undergraduate students from six dental public universities in Malaysia were invited to participate in an online study using a validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale DU-PAS. Results: In total, about 245 students responded to the online questionnaire yielding a response rate of 83.05%. The age range of the respondents was 23-29 years with a mean age of 24.36 (SD 0.797). The total score obtained by the respondents was ranged from 48 to 100 with a mean score of 79.56 (SD 13.495). Weaknesses were reported in several clinical skills, cognitive and behavioural attributes. Conclusions: The preparedness of undergraduate students at six dental institutions in Malaysia was comparable to students from developed countries. The dental undergraduate preparedness assessment scale is a useful tool, and dental institutions may be used for self-assessment as well as to obtain feedback from the supervisors

Digital mental health and covid-19: mental health literacy among general population in Selangor

Introduction: Mental health increased in prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused changes in health-seeking behaviour among the general population. Having adequate knowledge helps to improve community attitudes on mental health. Thus, measuring mental health literacy is essential in developing policies, prevention strategies and formulating interventions. Therefore, this study aims to measure mental health literacy among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Selangor. Methods: A validated Malay version of the self-administered Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) was used in this cross-sectional study among all Selangor citizens through SELANGKAH Apps from 13th September 2021 until 7th March 2022. This app was initially used as a contact tracing during the pandemic. Later features of the mental health module (SEHAT) were added, consisting of screening questionnaires, literacy questionnaires, and psychoeducation videos. This app was promoted to all Selangor citizens and can be downloaded for free. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 26. Result: There are a total of 42072 SEHAT app users, while 1222 users completed the MHLS questionnaires. Most respondents were female (52.8%), Muslims (79.3%), had formal education up to secondary level (51.1%), had a monthly income below RM 5000 (90.5%), and age group of 21-40 years old (58.5%), and lived in the district of Petaling, Selangor (29.5%). The overall mean (sd) MHLS was low, which is 101.3 (17.03) and was significantly associated with all determinants (p<0.05). Those with higher mean MHLS include females, Muslims, aged 21-40 years old, university graduates, had a monthly income of RM 5001 to RM 10000 and living in the district of Petaling, which is an urban centre in Selangor. Discussion: This is one of the most extensive state-wide level studies during the pandemic. Higher mean MHLS among females could be due to more sensitive recognition and perception of symptoms in females than males. Access to mental health information is now at one 's fingertip with the luxury of the internet and devices. A surge in internet usage among Malaysians was seen during the pandemic, mainly during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. Subsequently, those in the younger age group, with higher monthly income, and living in urban areas have greater access to the mental health information on media, hence having higher MHLS. Furthermore, the higher the formal education level, the higher the mental health literacy as more information is known via greater exposure in higher institutions. Conclusion: The mental health literacy scores were low among the general population in Selangor during the pandemic. Hence, more mental health advocacy and awareness programs should be carried out

The factors that influence the reading habit among Malaysian: a systematic literature review

Reading is an action that a person does to obtain a wider knowledge through his or her experience and this process may lead that person into a very eye-opening self-discovery. In Malaysia, reading habits rate is still at a lower level, Malaysian on average read only two books per year. About 80% of Malaysian university students are reluctant readers. They can read but choose not to read. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the factors affecting the reading habit among Malaysia. To answer the research question of this study we performed a systematic literature review (SLR). We defined a mapping study process adapted from existing guidelines to categorize and to structure the research evidence that has been published in the area of reading habits among Malaysian and world-wide. Twenty-Four papers were used in our synthesis of evidence, and five factors were identified. The results of this SLR showed the five factors that can affect the reading habits among Malaysian: (1) Internet (2) Environmental influence (3) Lack of motivation (4) Peer pressure (5) Entertainment. The findings of this SLR would be beneficial for understanding the needs of Malaysian towards the reading habit by looking at the factors, that might be a measurement of reading habit environment in other specific scopes

Clitoria ternatea L.Fabaceae

Clitoria albiflora Mattei; Clitoria bracteata Poir.; Clitoria mearnsii De Wild.; Clitoria philippensis Perr.; Clitoria spectabilis Salisb.; Clitoria tanganicensis Micheli; Clitoria ternatea f. fasciculata Fantz; Clitoria ternatea var. major Paxton; Clitoria ternatea var. pleniflora Fantz; Clitoria ternatensium Crantz; Clitoria zanzibarensis Vatke; Deguelia javanica (Miq.) Taub.; Derris javanica Miq.; Lathyrus spectabilis Forssk.; Nauchea bracteata Dupuis ex Descourt.; Nauchea ternatea (L.) Descourt.; Phaseolus clitorius Noronha; Pterocarpus javanicus (Miq.) Kuntze; Ternatea indica J.St.-Hil.; Ternatea ternatea (L.) Kuntze; Ternatea vulgaris Kunth (POWO 2019