Relationship of Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance among Medical Students: Systematic Review

Introduction: There is a number of research elaborating the role played by the emotional intelligence in educational performance at primary and high school level but seldom among medical students. Objective: The aim of this review paper is to ascertain the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic performance among the medical students. Materials and methods: All articles searched using relevant finalised MeSh (Medical Subject Headings: is the NLM controlled vocabulary thesaurus used for indexing articles for PubMed.) terms are of English language between the years 1980 and 2018 among the following electronic database Ovid - MedLine, ProQuest, Scopus, Science Direct, CINAHL. Articles are further filtered based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria set up by the reviewers with mutual consent. Knowledge about academic output based on the methods involved in measuring emotional intelligence and study design was extracted. Results: The literature review cited 511 relevant articles. These articles are further scrutinised by removing duplicates, considering full text articles, and abstract review availed 07 articles which were considered for final review. It was found that six out of seven showed women had higher EI than men and only one of the seven showed no difference between men and women. Conclusion: In line with literature review, one can safely conclude emotional intelligence (EI), in general, improves academic performance. However, in contrast it is also seen among medical students the EI decreasing over the time of study years. Further research is necessary to find out the cause for this decline in emotional intelligence during the course and whether timely intervention of structured training can improve or not

Medication Errors: A Review of Classifications

Medication errors (MEs) are preventable mistakes that occur when there is a failure in the treatment process of any disease that can cause potential harm to patients. Having an effect on patients, health outcomes and costs incurred, it does burden our economically-developing country. Database systems have been created worldwide for the reporting of MEs, but varying countries practise different classifications of MEs hence it poses a challenge to categorize them. This makes it next to impossible to fully curb this continual problem. There are a number of classifications of MEs, based on mistakes and errors based on skills, based on the mistakes itself, based on symptoms and based on the stages of drug delivery system. This review summarizes the pre-existing classifications of MEs

Alcohol-stress interaction: possible stress alleviating prpoerties of ethanol

Stress is an inevitable part of daily life to every individual. Stress may be eustress or distress. It depends on stress exposure and individual's perception to experience the extent to which one is vulnerable. Daily stressors are unavoidable but stress coping makes an individual to tolerate stress. Many becomes the victims of alcohol drinking for the simple belief of 'tension -reduction' by the use of alcohol. Though, initially alcohol may mask few of the stress effects, its long term effects are dangerous as it may indulge in addiction behaviour. There are inconclusive reports on the interaction of stress and alcohol. There are lacunae in literature on the stress alcohol interaction especially with reference to the multi-ethnic population of the State of Sabah. Hence the objectives of the study was, to elucidate and possible stress- alcohol relationship. Whether alcohol drinking alleviates stress? Increases stress? Alcohol drinking aggravates stress? Was there any demographic, cultural factors in drinking patterns etc., Based on the previous studies, stress inventory was designed and using the DASS21 questionnaire and on its reliability and validity tests, with a voluntary consent of participants study questionnaires were introduced. Subjects of both sex 18-45 years of age were included. Exclusion criteria were chronic drinkers and those on medications for chronic diseases. The data was analysed by Structural Equation Modelling (SPSS AMOS ver 23, 2015). Results of the study revealed that, there is an association between stress and alcohol drinking. Level of stress is a major factor that is associated with level of drinking, cause of drinking among the study group. Drinking also increased the level of stress and there is interdependency between stress - alcohol drinking - stresses. In conclusion, present study confirms that, alcohol drinking does not alleviate the stress experience; on the contrary drinking alcohol increases the stress experience. It is a vicious cycle; stress experience leads to alcohol drinking, in turn alcohol drinking further increases the stress. Family and cultural drinking is one of the factors that promote alcohol drinking

Predicting Plasma Leptin With Anthropometric & Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Measures Of Adiposity In A Multiethnic Young Adult Population In Malaysia

Background: Obesity bears multivariate causes and manifestations. Simple anthropometric and non-invasive physical markers are being proposed for easy and early detection of obesity-induced disrupted energy homeostasis and metabolic disorders. Adipose-tissuederived hormone, leptin is largely known for its role in energy homeostasis and paradoxically, higher serum leptin corresponds to higher degree of obesity. Thus, this study aims to investigate the association of plasma leptin with common physical measures of adiposity in a multiethnic, young adult Malaysian population. Methodology: Based on BMI, 185 volunteering participants were grouped as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Standardized anthropometric and bio-electrical impedance assessment (BIA) measure of adiposity was done using Karada Scanner while plasma leptin was measured using a sandwich ELISA assay technique. Results: A total of 61, 45, 56 and 23 Malaysian Malays, Chinese, Indian and other minor groups, respectively were included in this study. Out of this, 28 were underweight, 100 were normal weight, 29 were overweight and 27 were obese (n=27). One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference among all variables except height and waist-hip ratio. The multiple regression analysis predicted plasma leptin value based on age, weight, height, body age, resting metabolic rate, visceral fat, total body fat, and body mass index in both male (R2 =0.54) and females(R2 =0.23). The results show that weight, resting metabolic rate, visceral fat and body were reliable predictors for plasma leptin between all the groups. Conclusion: Anthropometric indices can be used as predictors of serum leptin in adults irrespective of their body weight. This observation thus emphasizes the clinical significance of simple non-invasive physical markers for detection of obesity-induced metabolic disorders

Factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension among hypertensive patients reported from different primary health clinics in Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia: a cross sectional study

Objective: Hypertension is a major global issue and in an increasing trend. A disproportional balance between blood pressure controls among treated hypertensive patients is a challenge in public health as uncontrolled hypertension is the main contributor to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and kidney diseases. Aims of the study are to determine the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and associated factors among hypertensive patients attending hypertension clinic at primary health clinics in Tuaran district. Justification of this study is uncontrolled hypertension causing high morbidity and mortality including premature death. Material and Methods: Study included 460 participants; is a cross-sectional study among hypertensive patient registered at three primary health clinics in Tuaran district, Sabah. Data were collected using structured modified questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: Prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 45.9%. The study found that male gender (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.442, 3.061), high BMI status (OR 1.975, 95% CI: 1.305, 2.990), presence of diabetes mellitus (OR 3.436, 95% CI: 2.104, 5.613) and lower medication adherence (OR 1.834, 95% CI: 1.256, 2.678) were significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension with p <0.05. Conclusion: The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in this study population was high with nearly half of the study population had uncontrolled hypertension. Combination of associated factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and lower hypertensive medication compliance had a higher impact on uncontrolled hypertension among the study group. This study further needed to address an attitudinal change, extra guidance, coaching and empowerment in the treatment of hypertensio

Factors Associated with Uncontrolled Hypertension among Hypertensive Patients in Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia: A Cross- Sectional Study

Hypertension prevalence is increasing globally and has become a major issue of disease as it is a major cause for cerebrovascular, kidney and cardiovascular diseases. Even among treated patients, there is a disproportional of blood pressure control causing a major public health challenge. This study is aimed to decide on the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and its associated factors among hypertensive patient attending hypertension clinic at primary health clinics in Tuaran district. This study is justified by the fact that uncontrolled hypertension leads to high mortality, morbidity and even premature death. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study among 460 hypertensive patients attending three primary health clinics in Tuaran district, Sabah. Data were collected using structured modified questionnaires through interviews, physical examinations and patient’s medical records. Types of data collected include socio-demography, lifestyle behavior, physical examination, co-morbidity status and medical adherence. Data analysis done using SPSS version 24.0. Results: Prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 45.9%. The study found that factors significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension with p<0.05 were lower medication adherence (OR 1.834, 95% CI: 1.256, 2.678), presence of diabetes mellitus (OR 3.436, 95% CI: 2.104, 5.613), high BMI status (OR 1.975, 95% CI: 1.305, 2.990) and male gender (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.442, 3.061). Conclusion: The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was found in nearly half of the study population. The present of other associated factors such as lower hypertensive medication compliance, diabetes mellitus and obesity had a higher impact on uncontrolled hypertension patients in the study group. Further study is needed to address attitude change, extra guidance, coaching and empowerment issues in the treatment of hypertensive patients

Hepatotoxic and Gonadotoxic effects of low dose of Insecticide Diazinon in male rats

OVer the decades, more than hundred thousands of synthetic pestlcldes have been invented as a helpful source to eradicate nuisance pests and to maintain adequate food supply. Diazinon [O,o-c.tiethyl-O-(2 -isopropyl-6-methyl-pyrimidine-4-yl) phosphoroth iote], an organophosphate insecticide has been widely used in agriculture and domestic scale. It is rapidly degraded by microbes in the environment and to a small extent by exposure to sun light. However, its ubiquitous and negligible amount in the environment presents a continuing health hazard to exposed farmers. Human beings can be potentially exposed to this semi-volatile insecticide through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contacts. Diazinon toxicity was propossj via oxidative stress by lipid peroxidation and relatiVely was less studied in male reproductive system. Hence the current work aimed to investigate the dose dependant adverse effects of diazinon on few physiological, biochemical and histopathological changes in liver and testis of adult male SpragueDawley rats based on LDso as a measure of the lowest possible exposure in agricultural environment The rats were gavaged with diazinon at 0.0, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.6% of LDso (>5000 mg/kg body weight) in 3 durations of 1, 2 and 8 weekes). Activity of liver aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lipid peroxidation exhibited an increase with consensus inhibition of reduced glutathione and catalase levels. Parallel with the biochemical changes, diazinon treatment Significantly enhanced the damage in testis. The levels d lipid peroxidation was significantly increased with 0.06% dose in 1 week treatment and all doses in 2 and 8 weeks treatment, following with the signifICant decrement in reduced glutathione levels in all doses of 2 and 8 week and catalase diminishing trend. Diazinon Significantly decreased serum testosterone levels in 8 week treatment and was accompanied with an increased incidence of sperm abnormality in testis. Increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase activity with a qualitative derangement in liver and testis histology possibly induces cytotoxic effects. The toxicity of diazinon with low dose exposure study revealed a dose and time dependant response in the parameters of this study. Different antioxidants and enzymes showed signifICant alterations with an increase in lipid peroxidation. Diazinon at low doses is cytotoxic to liver and germ cell lines