Impak program fit, eat, active, training (F.E.A.T) terhadap status pemakanan dan aktiviti fizikal dalam kalangan dewasa berlebihan berat badan

Intervensi perubahan tingkah laku bagi penurunan berat badan didapati efektif dalam jangka masa yang pendek, namun keberkesanannya dalam jangka masa panjang masih menjadi persoalan. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menilai keberkesanan program F.E.A.T iaitu intervensi perubahan tingkah laku pemakanan sihat dan aktiviti fizikal bagi penurunan berat badan selama 36 minggu. Kajian quasi-ekperimental dalam kalangan dewasa berlebihan berat badan ini dijalankan di Melaka. Seramai 53 subjek (min umur 47.4±7.2 tahun) telah berjaya melengkapkan program yang dijalankan dalam tiga peringkat. Pada peringkat pertama (T1: minggu 1-12), kumpulan intervensi (n=28) telah mengikuti aktiviti program F.E.A.T, manakala kumpulan kawalan (n=25) tidak menerima intervensi tersebut. Peringkat kedua (T2: minggu 13-24), aktiviti diteruskan dan dipantau oleh kumpulan sokongan rakan sebaya. Kemampanan aktiviti pula diukur pada peringkat ketiga (T3: minggu 25-36). Keberkesanan program diukur berdasarkan perubahan pada pengambilan makanan, skor aktiviti fizikal, berat badan, indeks jisim tubuh (IJT), ukur lilit pinggang (ULP) dan peratus lemak tubuh pada T0 (pra-intervensi), T1, T2 dan T3. Semua parameter menunjukkan kesan interaksi (masa*kumpulan) yang signifikan kecuali bagi pengambilan tenaga. Kumpulan intervensi menunjukkan penurunan yang signifikan dari T0 hingga T3 bagi pengambilan tenaga (-14.3%), berat badan (-4.3%), IJT (-4.2%), ULP (-10.5%) dan peratus lemak tubuh (-3.6%). Manakala tahap aktiviti fizikal meningkat sebanyak 109.6% bagi kumpulan intervensi. Tiada perbezaan yang signifikan bagi semua parameter tersebut dalam kumpulan kawalan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan keberkesanan program F.E.A.T terhadap perubahan status pemakanan dan aktviti fizikal yang efektif bagi tempoh 36 minggu intervensi

Using Project Performance to Measure Effectiveness of Quality Management System Maintenance and Practices in Construction Industry

This paper proposed seven existing and new performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of quality management system (QMS) maintenance and practices in construction industry. This research is carried out with a questionnaire based on QMS variables which are extracted from literature review and project performance indicators which are established from project management's theory. Data collected was analyzed using correlation and regression analysis. The findings indicate that client satisfaction and time variance have positive and significant relationship with QMS while other project performance indicators do not show significant results. Further studies can use the same project performance indicators to study the effectiveness of QMS in different sampling area to improve the generalizability of the findings

Postpartum depression in the Occupied Palestinian Territory:a longitudinal study in Bethlehem

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects women from different cultures around the world. No previous studies have investigated PPD among women in Palestine. Fertility rates in Palestine are among the highest in the world, hence even low rates of PPD could have considerable national impact. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, PPD among Palestinian mothers. METHODS: 101 mothers were recruited during the registration of their child’s birth (within 1 week) at the Bethlehem branch of the Ministry of Interior. Participants were assessed via a face to face interview, and were followed up 1 week, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months later by telephone interview. Interviews included the Arabic Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with PPD indicated by depressive symptoms (EPDS score ≥11) at ≥2 follow-up time points. Pearson’s correlation was calculated between repeated EPDS scores, and multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors for PPD. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was fairly constant (14–19%) over the follow-up period. Most depressive symptoms developed within 1 month of delivery; mothers with depressive symptoms at 3 months postpartum were highly likely to still have symptoms at 6 months. 27.7% (28/101) of women met our criteria for PPD. High parity (odds ratio (OR) 4.52 (95% CI 0.90, 22.8) parity 3+ versus primiparous), unplanned pregnancy (OR 2.44 (0.99, 6.01)) and sex of child not being the one desired (OR 5.07 (1.12, 22.9)) were associated with PPD, but these associations were attenuated in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PPD in Palestine appears to be higher than in high income countries, but similar to the prevalence in other Middle Eastern countries. High parity and unplanned pregnancy were identified as risk factors for PPD, suggesting that fully meeting the need for family planning could reduce the incidence of PPD in the Palestinian population

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasitism in Rural and Remote West Malaysia

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are among the most prevalent human afflictions; these infections still have major impact on the socioeconomic and public health of the bottom billion of the world's poorest people. Although Malaysia has a thriving economy, IPIs are still very much prevalent and causing major health problems among the poor and in deprived communities especially in rural and remote areas. A comprehensive study is paramount to determine the current prevalent and factors closely linked to IPIs so that effective control measures can be instituted. In view of this, we conducted this study to provide detailed data of the existing status of IPIs among 716 participants living in rural and remote areas in Peninsular Malaysia. The establishment of such data is beneficial for the public health service to justify and facilitate the reassessment of control strategies and policies in terms of reducing intestinal parasitism. With effective control measures in place, these communities (especially children) will have a greater opportunity for a better future in terms of health and educational achievement and eventually will be at par socially and economically with urban communities in Malaysia

Reactions to symptoms of mental disorder and help seeking in Sabah, Malaysia.

Abstract Background: A better understanding is needed about how people make decisions about help seeking. Materials: Focus group and individual interviews with patients, carers, healthcare staff, religious authorities, traditional healers and community members. Discussion: Four stages of help seeking were identified: (1) noticing symptoms and initial labelling, (2) collective decision-making, (3) spiritual diagnoses and treatment and (4) psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: Spiritual diagnoses have the advantage of being less stigmatising, giving meaning to symptoms, and were seen to offer hope of cure rather than just symptom control. Patients and carers need help to integrate different explanatory models into a meaningful whole.N/

Postpartum psychiatric disorders

Pregnancy is a complex and vulnerable period that presents a number of challenges to women, including the development of postpartum psychiatric disorders (PPDs). These disorders can include postpartum depression and anxiety, which are relatively common, and the rare but more severe postpartum psychosis. In addition, other PPDs can include obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders. The aetiology of PPDs is a complex interaction of psychological, social and biological factors, in addition to genetic and environmental factors. The goals of treating postpartum mental illness are reducing maternal symptoms and supporting maternal–child and family functioning. Women and their families should receive psychoeducation about the illness, including evidence-based discussions about the risks and benefits of each treatment option. Developing effective strategies in global settings that allow the delivery of targeted therapies to women with different clinical phenotypes and severities of PPDs is essential