RISK FACTORS FOR PLASMODIUM KNOWLESI IN SOUTHEAST ASIA:A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction: Plasmodium knowlesi zoonotic malaria has been identified in Borneo Malaysia in 2004, and has led to an increase in the number of cases throughout Southeast Asia. Many factors have contributed to increasing pattern. Therefore, this systematic review aims to identify risk factors for Plasmodium knowlesi infection that can aid in predicting and controlling the infection. Methods:Systematic search on articles related to risk factors of Plasmodium knowlesi infection was conducted using three databases namely PubMed, Scopus and Science direct. All the articles from year 2015 till May 2019 were selected. Results: A total of three articles were included in this review based on the study protocol. Three common risk factors for Plasmodium knowlesi infection was in identify mainly involved sociodemographic, work-related and behavioural factors. Conclusion: Risk factors for P. Knowlesi ranges not only from individual and community socidemographic background but also by environmental and geographical determinants. The inconsistency of the result was due to the variability and limitations of the studies itself. The research on P. Knowlesi, should be conducted with larger participants and longer length of follow up

Smartphone apps as a technological innovation for weight reduction: a systematic review & meta-analysis

Purpose - The new technological innovation can have a vast potential for interventions to help weight loss and combat obesity. The current meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of smartphone applications (apps) with other methods for promoting weight loss. Design/methodology - PubMed, Ovid and Science Direct were searched from 2014 all-inclusive up to May 2019 for relevant studies that assessed any smartphone/mobile phone app intervention with anthropometric measurement. Statistical analysis performed to examine mean difference (95% CI) of body weight, body mass index and waist circumference. Six articles were included for meta-analysis. Findings - According to the results, compared with conventional or other interventions, smartphone app interventions showed statistically non-significant decreases in body weight, body mass index and waist circumference. Intervention through smartphone apps alone does not produce substantial evidence of weight loss, even though they might be useful for specific groups. There remain prospects to explore regarding the use of smartphone apps in combination with other approaches to aid and promote weight loss, as smartphone use has been proven to influence health-related behavioral modification