Foot reflexology therapy for non-specific low back pain condition : a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Introduction Non-specific low back pain is one of the most common physical ailments affecting millions of people worldwide. This condition constitutes a significant public health problem and was listed as a prevalent health complaint in most societies. Even though there are many anecdotal claims for reflexology in the treatment of various conditions such as a migraine, arthritis and multiple sclerosis, but very little clinical evidence exists for reflexology on the management of low back pain per se. This study aims to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology therapy as an adjunctive treatment to the Malaysian low back pain standard care in relieving pain and promoting health-related quality of life among people with non-specific low back pain. Methods This is a parallel randomized controlled trial with pre and post-treatment study design. The study setting for the intervention located at Penawar Reflexology Center, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 100 participants with non-specific low back pain will be allocated to one of two groups, using a randomization computer program of Research Randomizer. The control group will receive low back pain standard care, while the intervention group will receive standard care plus eight sessions of foot reflexology therapy. The pain intensity and health-related quality of life scores will be measured using Visual Analogue Scale and Euro-quality of life scale respectively in both groups. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of University Sultan Zainal Abidin (UHREC/2016/2/011). The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, with the ID number of NCT02887430. Measurements Outcome measures will be undertaken at pre-intervention (week 1), post-intervention (week 6) and follow-up (week 10). Conclusions This will be the first trial to compare the foot reflexology therapy with control group among people who medically diagnosed with non-specific low back pain in Malaysia. The result of this study will contribute to better management of this population, especially for Malaysia healthcare setting

Analisis tren penyakit denggi di daerah Hulu Langat, Selangor

Perubahan iklim memberi impak kepada kehidupan dan mengancam kesihatan manusia. Antara faktornya ialah peningkatan penduduk, suhu dunia seperti pemanasan global serta darjah pergantungan ke atas bahan pembakar fossil yang semakin meningkat. Pemindahan gas rumah hijau ke atmosfera mengakibatkan gangguan ke atas lapisan ozon stratosfera dan meningkatkan radiasi ultraungu ke permukaan bumi. Perubahan persekitaran suhu dan kerpasan serta peningkatan aras laut mempunyai impak negatif ke atas kesihatan manusia. Kebanyakan kajian mengenai perubahan iklim dan kesihatan awam daripada perspektif sains dan bukannya sains sosial. Keakhiran kesihatan yang spesifik akibat perubahan iklim dikategori oleh Pertubuhan Kesihatan Dunia (WHO) seperti kesan langsung haba dan gelombang panas, pencemaran udara, bencana (banjir dan angin ribut), penyakit bawaan vektor, diarea bawaan air dan bawaan makanan, penipisan ozon stratosphera dan keselamatan makanan. Semua perubahan ini mengakibatkan berlakunya peningkatan kematian, kemorbidan serta peningkatan kes penyakit-penyakit seperti denggi, malaria, chikungunya, diarea, asma dan lain-lain. Kertas kerja ini bertujuan menganalisis impak sosio-ekonomi perubahan iklim ke atas kesihatan manusia fokus kepada senario penyakit bawaan vektor di Daerah Hulu Langat, iaitu Lembangan Sungai Langat. Data sekunder berkaitan dengan bilangan kes penyakit bawaan-vektor dikumpul dari Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah, laman sesawang Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, temubual dengan pakar serta penyelidik perubahan iklim dan kesihatan awam

Effect of Air Pollution and Hospital Admission: A Systematic Review

Introduction Many epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between air pollution levels and human health in terms of hospital admissions. The aim of this paper is to gather evidence concerning air pollution effects on the risk of hospital admission. We hypothesised that increase in: particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels would be associated with the increasing trend of hospital admission. Methods A systematic review of literature was carried out. Literature search was done in Sage, Ovid Medline, Science Direct, Wiley and ProQuest from 2010 to 2016 using keywords “hospital admission and air pollution”. Studies of any relevant design were included if they presented original data, included at least one analysis where hospital admission was the specific outcome, and one or more of the following exposures were investigated: PM, O3, CO, NO2 and SO2. Results A total of 175 potential studies were identified by the search. Twenty two studies qualified for the review. Air pollution was noted to have an excessive risk of 3.46 (95%CI, 1.67, 5.27) of total hospital admissions. Cardiovascular admission was noted to have an increased risk of hospitalization for PM2.5 of 1.5 to 2.0; PM10 (1.007 to 2.7); NO2 (1.04 to 1.17) and SO2 (1.007). For respiratory admission, PM2.5 can caused an increased risk of hospitalization by 1.1 to 1.8; PM10 (1.007 to 1.13); NO2 (1.08 to 1.94) and SO2 (1.02). While O3 have minimal effect on COPD and stroke, CO does not influence in the effect of these hospitalization. Conclusion The exposure to air pollutants confers an increased risk of admission of several disease. Our findings call for greater awareness of environmental protection and the implementation of effective measures to improve the quality of air, which may reduce the risks of adverse effects on the population’s health

Pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku komuniti Sungai Klang terhadap pencemaran sungai

Pencemaran sungai di Malaysia pada masa ini berada di tahap yang kritikal dan amat membimbangkan dengan pelbagai masalah pencemaran sungai berlaku hampir setiap hari. Tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku individu memberikan impak yang besar terhadap isu pencemaran sungai. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku komuniti yang tinggal berhampiran Sungai Klang. Kajian keratan rentas yang menggunakan persampelan rawak mudah telah dilakukan untuk mengkaji tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku komuniti Sungai Klang terhadap pencemaran sungai. Responden kajian terdiri daripada penduduk kawasan setinggan dan penduduk kawasan perumahan biasa yang menetap berhampiran Sungai Klang. Kajian ini telah menggunakan borang soal selidik. Analisis deskriptif dan ujian t telah digunakan untuk menganalisis data. Hasil deskriptif mendapati bahawa tahap pengetahuan (min=3.13, s.p.=0.40), sikap (min=3.28, s.p.=0.65) dan tingkah laku (min=2.96, s.p.=0.72) pencemaran sungai bagi penduduk setinggan adalah lebih rendah daripada penduduk perumahan biasa. Ujian t juga menunjukkan perbezaan yang signifikan (p<0.05) untuk tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku antara penduduk setinggan dan penduduk perumahan biasa. Kesimpulannya, tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku pencemaran sungai komuniti Sungai Klang berada di tahap yang tidak memuaskan. Oleh yang demikian, tindakan perlulah diambil oleh pihak yang berkaitan untuk memantapkan lagi tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku penduduk berkaitan pencemaran sungai agar isu pencemaran sungai ini dapat diatasi

Coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA) plus continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) versus CVVH alone as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of sepsis

To compare the efficacy of Coupled Plasma Filtration and Adsorption (CPFA) plus Continuous Veno-Venous Haemofiltration (CVVH) versus CVVH alone as an adjunct treatment of sepsis in terms of haemodynamic stability, inotropic requirement and inflammatory mediators. Design and Methods: Prospective randomized controlled trial involving septic patients with/without acute kidney injury (AKI) whom were randomized to receive CPFA + CVVH or CVVH alone. Haemodynamic parameters including inotropic requirements and inflammatory mediators [procalcitonin (PCT) and C reactive protein (CRP)] were measured. Results: Twenty-three patients [CPFA + CVVH (n = 11), CVVH (n = 12)] were enrolled. Haemodynamic stability occurred earlier and sustained in the CPFA + CVVH group with an increase in diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.001 vs. p = 0.226) and mean arterial pressure (p = 0.001 vs. p = 0.575) at the end of treatment with no increment in inotropic requirement. Both groups had a reduction in PCT and CRP (CPFA + CVVH: p = 0.003, p = 0.026 and CVVH: p = 0.008, p = 0.071 respectively). The length of intensive care unit stay, hospital stay and 30 day outcomes were similar between the groups. There was an inverse association between serum albumin and CRP (p = 0.018). Serum albumin positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (p = 0.012) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.009). We found a trend between CRP and length of hospital stay (p = 0.056). Patients with a lower PCT at 24 h had a better outcome (survival) than those with a higher PCT (p = 0.045). Conclusion: CPFA is a feasible, albeit expensive adjunctive extracorporeal treatment that may be superior to CVVH alone in the treatment of severe sepsis

Heatwave impact on mortality and morbidity and associated vulnerable factors : a systematic review protocol

Heatwave can increase the risk for heat-related illnesses and mortality. Many studies showed certain population are vulnerable to heatwave such as elderly, children and low-income households. However, the findings were inconsistent. This study aims to identify the effect of heatwave on the mortality and morbidity and associated vulnerability factors. Five electronic databases (Pubmed, Ebsco Host, WOS, OVID Medline and Scopus) will be the primary searching tools to retrieve relevant literatures. An additional searching tool (Google Scholar) will be used to seek for grey literatures. Selection of literature will be based on the inclusion criteria (empirical full-text article, English language and published between 2010-2021). Two authors will be assigned in each step of the process, starting from screening of the title, abstract and full text based on the inclusion criteria, data extraction and quality appraisal. Mixed-Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) will be utilized to assess the quality of selected articles. Meta-analysis, thematic analysis and narrative approach will be the option used to describe the findings. This study protocol is registered under PROSPERO (CRD42021232847). This study presents a reliable and valid systematic review process that identifies a comprehensive evidence-based information on impacts of heatwave on human health especially upon the vulnerable groups

A mini-review on the determinants and risk factors of adolescent pregnancy in developing countries

Pregnant adolescents have been shown to have a higher incidence of health and non-health-related complications that affect both mothers and infants. These include increased risk of pregnancy-related diseases such as anemia and pre-eclampsia, preterm and low-birth-weight babies, as well as other social consequences such as educational and financial difficulties. This mini review evaluates selected articles which explain the attitudes, knowledge, behavior and other risk factors associated with pregnancy among adolescents in developing countries. It also revealed that inadequate knowledge among adolescents about reproductive and sexual health, other social, cultural and peer influences, parenting values, and poor financial and educational status were factors that contribute to adolescent pregnancy. Likewise, a lack of support from parents, educators and healthcare workers had negative impacts on healthy sexual behavior among adolescents, which may ultimately lead to adolescent pregnancy. We conclude that the factors discussed in this review need to be evaluated and taken into consideration by policymakers and healthcare workers when formulating strategies to prevent pregnancies among adolescents

The influence of work environmental risk factors on fatigue in the construction industry: a review of literature

The construction workers are performing manual tasks in harsh conditions. Various environmental risk factors could have significant influence on work fatigue. This review article discussed the environmental causal factors which involved in work fatigue development in the occupational health perspective, with the aim in enhancing the body of knowledge specifically in the construction industry so that mitigation measures and interventions can be formulated and implemented for fatigue prevention and productivity enhancement. Data derived from a total of 11 relevant articles identified climatic heat, vibration and elevation change as the major risk factors that associated with work fatigue. The mechanism of the environmental factors’ influences on muscle, mental and visual fatigue were understood, pointedly the underlying physiological alteration. Additionally, appropriate preventive measures in accordance to the OSHA guides including work-break cycles, work management, cool-down arrangements with drinking water were discussed. The limitation of existing OSH requirements on work limits at heat exposure was recognized, including the lack of consideration on personal characteristics therefore might inaccurately estimate the personal heat tolerance time. The proper understanding of the environmental stressors and its impact on workers production and safety performance may help construction organisations and regulatory body to develop strategies for workers protection and fatigue-related accidents prevention