Blended Learning: The Student Viewpoint

Background: Blended learning (BL) is defined as “a way of meeting the challenges of tailoring learning and development to the needs of individuals by integrating the innovative and technological advances offered by online learning with the interaction and participation offered in the best of traditional learning.” The Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, UAE, offers a number of courses which incorporate BL with contact classes and online component on an E‑learning platform. Insufficient learning satisfaction has been stated as an obstacle to its implementation and efficacy.Aim: To determine the students’ perceptions toward BL which in turn will determine their satisfaction and the efficacy of the courses offered.Subjects and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study conducted at the GMU, Ajman between January and December 2013. Perceptions of BL process, content, and ease of use were collected from 75 students enrolled in the certificate courses offered by the university using a questionnaire. Student perceptions were assessed using Mann–Whitney U‑test and Kruskal–Wallis test on the basis of gender, age, and course enrollment.Results: The median scores of all the questions in the three domains were above three suggesting positive perceptions on BL. The distribution of perceptions was similar between gender and age. However, significant differences were observed in the course enrollment (P = 0.02).Conclusion: Students hold a positive perception of the BL courses being offered in this university. The difference in perceptions among students of different courses suggest that the BL format offered needs modification according to course content to improve its perception.Keywords: Blended learning, Online learning, Students’ perception

Estimation of target hazard quotients and potential health risks for metals by consumption of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in Selangor, Malaysia

The concentrations of the heavy metal in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) purchased from the local wet markets throughout the state of Selangor were investigated using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The order of the heavy metal concentrations were Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd, whereby the metal concentrations in most samples exceeded the limits of the Malaysian Food Regulation, 1985 and the guidelines set by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (1983). A health risk analysis based on the mean target hazard quotient (THQ) yielded values <1 for all metals for average and maximal consumers. The total THQ (tTHQ) which measures the aggregated risk due to heavy metal uptake via the ingestion of L. vannamei was 0.124 and 0.372 for average and maximal consumers, respectively. This suggests that although the metal concentrations are exceeding the limit, there is no calculated significant risk from metal toxicity by the consumption of shrimp

Cutting Board Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Food Handlers at Home during Covid19 Pandemic in Selangor

The microbial quality of cutting boards used in the home kitchen indicates hygiene conditions and a potential source of public health risk. This study aimed to assess the hygiene knowledge, attitudes and practices on cutting boards among food handlers at home during the Covid19 pandemic in Selangor. One hundred home food handlers participated in the online survey using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Overall, findings indicate sufficient hygiene knowledge, attitudes and practices on cutting boards. These findings emphasize the need for educating home food handlers on food hygiene to improve their knowledge, behaviour and practices. Keywords: Cutting board; hygiene; knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP); food handlers eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning &amp; Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i20.343

Improving management of type 2 diabetes in South Asian patients: A systematic review of intervention studies

OBJECTIVES: Optimal control of type 2 diabetes is challenging in many patient populations including in South Asian patients. We systematically reviewed studies on the effect of diabetes management interventions targeted at South Asian patients with type 2 diabetes on glycaemic control. DESIGN: Systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and pre-post-test studies (January 1990 to February 2014). Studies were stratified by where interventions were conducted (South Asia vs Western countries). PARTICIPANTS: Patients originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh or India with type 2 diabetes. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary end points included change in blood pressure, lipid levels, anthropomorphics and knowledge. RESULTS: 23 studies (15 RCTs) met criteria for analysis with 7 from Western countries (n=2532) and 16 from South Asia (n=1081). Interventions in Western countries included translated diabetes education, additional clinical care, written materials, visual aids, and bilingual community-based peers and/or health professionals. Interventions conducted in South Asia included yoga, meditation or exercise, community-based peers, health professionals and dietary education (cooking exercises). Among RCTs in India (5 trials; n=390), 4 demonstrated significant reductions in HbA1c in the intervention group compared with usual care (yoga and exercise interventions). Among the 4 RCTs conducted in Europe (n=2161), only 1 study, an education intervention of 113 patients, reported a significant reduction in HbA1c with the intervention. Lipids, blood pressure and knowledge improved in both groups with studies from India more often reporting reductions in body mass index and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there was little improvement in HbA1c level in diabetes management interventions targeted at South Asians living in Europe compared with usual care, although other outcomes did improve. The smaller studies in India demonstrated significant improvements in glycaemic and other end points. Novel strategies are needed to improve glycaemic control in South Asians living outside of India

The effects of the sheath and the driving field on Tonks-Dattner resonance frequencies

The results of a numerical experiment to study the effects of the sheath and the driving field on Tonks-Dattner resonance frequencies are presented. A one-dimensional, spatially-inhomogeneous plasma bounded by a sheath is numerically stimulated and driven by an external oscillating electric field. The resulting currents are studied as a function of frequency. The results are compared with the previous investigations. Even though there is general agreement of the present results with that of the previous investigators, other significant observations are made. For example, oscillations can occur within the sheath depending on the strength of the driving field and several additional resonances are observed in the high frequency region

Herbal Medicines Use During Pregnancy: A Review from the Middle East

The prevalence of the herbal medicines use is on the rise across the world, especially amongst pregnant women. The scenario in the Middle Eastern region was reviewed to explore the prevalence, usage pattern, motivation, and attitude towards use of herbal medicine by pregnant women. Literature published up to December 2012 showed the prevalence of herbal medicine use varied between 22.3–82.3%, implying a rising trend in the utilization of herbal medicine during pregnancy. The most common herbs used were peppermint, ginger, thyme, chamomile, sage, aniseed, fenugreek, and green tea. The most common reasons for use included the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and cold and flu symptoms. The majority of women used these products during their first trimester, and did not reveal this information to their physician. Most women were advised by family and friends to use herbal medicines and believed they were more effective and had fewer side effects than modern medicine especially during pregnancy. In conclusion, the use of herbal medicine is prevalent among pregnant women in the Middle Eastern region and healthcare providers need to seek information pertaining to their use

Undernutrition in ART-na&iuml;ve Nigerian children

Nisha Shantakumari,1 Lisha Jenny John,2 Jayadevan Sreedharan31Department of Physiology, 2Department of Pharmacology, 3Statistical Support Facility, Centre for Advanced Biomedical Research and Innovation, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab EmiratesThis letter is a response to the recent paper by Anigilaje and Olutola entitled &quot;Prevalence and risk factors of undernutrition among antiretroviral-therapy-na&iuml;ve subjects aged under 5 years old in Makurdi, Nigeria: a retrospective study&quot;, published in the International Journal of General Medicine.1 The relevance and importance of any sound research on undernutrition in HIV-infected children is high, and we strongly support publication of papers on this topic. However, while we appreciate the health awareness that could be generated by this paper, we have some concerns regarding this study.View the original paper by Anigilaje and Olutola

Effects of a yoga intervention on lipid profiles of diabetes patients with dyslipidemia

Objective: The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of yoga in the management of dyslipidemia in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This randomized parallel study was carried out in Medical College Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Hundred type 2 diabetics with dyslipidemia were randomized into control and yoga groups. The control group was prescribed oral hypoglycemic drugs. The yoga group practiced yoga daily for 1 h duration along with oral hypoglycemic drugs for 3 months. The lipid profiles of both the groups were compared at the start and at the end of 3 months. Results: After intervention with yoga for a period of 3 months the study group showed a decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL, with an improvement in HDL. Conclusion: Yoga, being a lifestyle incorporating exercise and stress management training, targets the elevated lipid levels in patients with diabetes through integrated approaches