“Because of we are immigrants”: A focus group discussion on barriers related to maternal healthcare access among immigrant women in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Compromised access to maternal health facilities among immigrants contribute to the increased prevalence of maternal mortality and morbidity. By understanding barriers to healthcare access among this group can create culturally appropriate interventions for improved health outcomes to the mother and newborn baby. Despite this, the research on these areas is very limited. Focus group discussions can be used to identify key barriers among this group. This study addresses this gap by exploring the key factors on barriers related to maternal healthcare access among immigrant women in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in order to inform future recommendations. A qualitative study was conducted in September 2021 in selected areas in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Focus group discussion was carried out for collecting data. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed according to the themes that emerged. A total of 10 immigrant women in the reproductive age group were included in this focus group discussion. This study found that respondents in this study often felt that pregnancy related problems were important to address. Three major themes emerged from the qualitative analysis. Important themes include 1) no legal documents, 2) economic and financial factors and 3) cultural beliefs. In addition, this study found that the population was more likely to access private care than public facilities. This study has identified immigrant women as a vulnerable population subgroup in terms of maternal health utilization. This study suggests that simple, culturally appropriate health programs should be provided to women and communities to generate awareness about maternal health

Assessing carpal tunnel syndrome among administrative staff of a higher learning institution: a preliminary study

Repeated hand and wrist movements increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The administrative staff is one of the high-risk classes that repeatedly involve the execution of identical tasks. Objective: This preliminary study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CTS among administrative staff and identify the socio-demographic and occupational risk factors for this syndrome. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted amongst administrative staff at one of the higher learning institutions in Pahang, Malaysia. A total of 61 respondents were conveniently sampled according to the inclusion criteria. Respondents were required to undergo three tests (Phallen’s test, Thinel’s test, Durkan’s test) to identify probable CTS and answer questionnaires (socio-demographic background, occupational risk factors, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire). Data were analyzed using SPSS, and a Chi-square test was used to identify risk factors for CTS. Results: The average age for respondents was 31.72 (+5.38). The majority of respondents were female (70.5%), with a bachelor’s degree background and below (91.2%), and never used ergonomic tools (68.9%). The prevalence of probable CTS was 16.5% (n=10). There is no statistically significant finding between socio-demographic and occupational risk factors with probable CTS (p >.05). Conclusion: The data from this preliminary study revealed no association between the use of computers at work and probable CTS in a higher learning institution. Although the findings are not significant, this study can be used as a baseline for a future longitudinal study for nurses and other healthcare professionals to encourage good occupational and environmental health

Factors of food premises not attaining "A" grading in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo

Introduction: Up to 70% of the food-water related illness is related to food services hygiene and safety standard. An important and crucial enforcement operation conducted by this division is the inspection of premises and food sampling. This is of paramount importance as food premise grading is directly related to consumers’ health and safety which is in line with the third United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goal of good health and wellbeing. Aim: This study aims to identify the components and factors that are commonly related with food premises that do not obtain an “A” grading. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 among 315 food premises in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah that were under the jurisdiction of The Kota Kinabalu City Hall. Data from the food premise inspection forms were reviewed and analysed via multivariate analysis. Results: Premises that were non-compliant with health checks on all food handlers (OR 36.72, 95% CI 10.00-135.44), poor condition of the toilets (OR 6.96, 95% CL 2.35-20.63), ineffective fly control (OR 10.35, 95% CI 1.91-56.02), no availability of garbage cans (OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.01-9.01) and no separate storage for food items and chemical (OR 3.11, 95% 1.06-9.07) were significantly associated with not obtaining “A” grading. Conclusion: More focus and attention need to be paid to these factors not only for premises to attain “A” grading but also to improve the safety and hygiene of food that is consumed by the public

Luminescencja jonów chromu w naturalnych krzemianach

This work presented here results of electron absorption and luminescence investigations of 14 natural silicates, which have contained chromium Cr3 + ion. The contents of it was from 0,02% and less (kunzite) to 11,2% (uvarovite). Many of minerals had also manganese, vanadium and iron admixture. Luminescence measurement as well as decay time were taken at room temperature and 77 K—4 K. The luminescence dependence on ligand crystal-field was analysed. Examples of strong and weak ligand crystal fields were demonstrated. Kammererite, pyrope, Cr-grossular, tsavorite, tanzanite, spodumene, emerald, Cr-idocrase, kotchubeite and two crystal sites in kyanite were include to the first group. Weak crystal-field was found for uwarowite, one crystal site in kyanite, fuchsite diopsyde and Cr-amphibole. The dependence of the 2E level splitting on ligand crystal field symmetry was mentioned. The smallest splitting (65 cm"1) was found for trigonal crystal field C3j in grossulars and emerald. For comparison in Cr-doped corundum the R-lines splitting is 29 cm"1. For tetragonal C4v crystal field in idocrase the splitting is 132 cm1 and the biggest are for triclinic and monoclinic symmetry in tanzanite and kyanite up to 335 cm *. The influence of the first and next-neighbour coordination on crystal field parameters was discussed for fuchsite and kotchubeite, diopside and spodumene and grossular and idocrase. The influence of other transition elements on chromium luminescence was found, too. In kyanite the chromium ions were presented in different crystal sites and among them the energy transfer was very probable. Vanadium ions were presented in tsavorite and tanzanite and the energy from chromium ions was passed on to them. It was the cause of unexpected short decay time. Because of manganese ions in spodumene the several different chromium sites were created and their decay time were short, either. For pyrope and Cr-amphibole the chromium luminescence were completely quenched for reason of iron high content. For two chromium chlorites-kammererite and kotchubeite — the clusters and Cr-Cr pairs were found. It was because of low luminescence intensity and short decay time of them. The influence of other transition ions presented in studied crystals and the high chromium content on luminescence properties was detected only qualitatively. Author had not enough examples of each kind of minerals with different contents of doped ions to discusse this problem quantitatively. The electronic and vibronic energy levels — strong and weak — were discussed. In this work for the first time the luminescence of Cr3 + ions in Cr-grossular, tsavorite, uvarovite, tanzanite, idocrase, diopside, fuchsite, kotchubeite and kammererite were presented and discussed. For the first time for chromium ions in minerals the energies of excited levels and crystal-field parameters were calculated for Cr-grossular, kyanite, tanzanite and idocrase

Associations between sociodemographic and level of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among nursing students of University Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, it has spread to 215 countries, and 42 million people around the globe are affected. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward COVID-19 play a role in determining the acceptance of behavioral change measures from health authorities to suppress this pandemic status. The KAP on COVID-19 is also important among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19. Hence, this study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 and its association with sociodemographic factors among nursing students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among the Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 nursing students. The questionnaire consists of four parts: 1) demographics, which surveys participants’ sociodemographic information; 2) knowledge about COVID-19; 3) attitude towards COVID-19; and 4) practices relevant to COVID-19. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0 was used for data entry and analysis. Result: A total of 113 Nursing Students participated in the study. More than half of the respondents have good general knowledge and practices of COVID-19. However, only one in three respondents have positive attitudes towards COVID-19. Older age was associated with good knowledge about COVID-19 (p=0.02). Female (P=0.02) and high household income (P=0.02) has a better attitude towards COVID-19. However, no significant association between sociodemographic and practices towards COVID-19. Conclusion: Most of the respondents demonstrate a good level of knowledge and practices towards COVID-19 but not for attitudes. Sociodemographic characteristics such as younger, male respondents and those with lower-income families have inadequate knowledge and practices towards COVID-19. Hence, health education programs such as campaigns need to be conducted to increase the knowledge and encourage adequate preventive practice towards COVID-19 should be targeted towards this group

Bariatric surgery and its impact on fertility, pregnancy and its outcome: a narrative review

Bariatric procedures are on the rise as a surgical treatment for morbid obesity. In reproductive age of women, bariatric surgeries will improve factors related to anovulation and lead to spontaneous fertility. Spontaneous pregnancy can happen within a year after bariatric surgery due to higher level of sex hormone binding globulin and follicular stimulating hormone and reduction in androgens level. Reduction of length of follicular phase of menstrual cycle was reported and contribute to improved ovulatory status. The major impact to pregnant women is development of small for gestational age babies due to persistent weight loss but this can be minimized by avoiding pregnancies too soon after bariatric surgery and good nutrition supplement. Risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia reduced among post bariatric surgery compared to no surgery. Another benefit observed are reduction in the risk of caesarean section and admission to neonatal intensive care unit. There are no significant changes in composition of breast milk in postpartum women without bariatric surgery and with women whom undergone surgery although more study needed to evaluate this effect. Good prenatal care, micronutrient supplement during antenatal follow up and close supervision from expert managing this pregnancy are essential component to ensure good outcome to mothers and their newborn

Impact of social distancing on covid-19 and other related infectious disease transmission: A systematic review

Similar to other coronaviruses, COVID-19 is transmitted mainly by droplets and is highly transmissible through close proximity or physical contact with an infected person. Countries across the globe have implemented public health control measures to prevent onward transmission and reduce burden on health care settings. Social or physical distancing was found to be one of appropriate measure based on previous experience with epidemic and pandemic contagious diseases. AIM: This study aims to review the latest evidence of the impact of social or physical distancing implemented during COVID-19 pandemic toward COVID-19 and other related infectious disease transmission. The study uses PRISMA review protocol and formulation of research question was based on PICO. The selected databases include Ovid MEDLINE and Scopus. Thorough identification, screening and eligibility process were done, revealed selected 8 articles. The articles then ranked in quality through Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. A total of eight papers included in this analysis. Five studies (USA, Canada, South Korea and the United Kingdom) showed physical distancing had resulted in a reduction in Covid-19 transmission. In comparison, three other studies (Australia, South Korea and Finland) showed a similar decline on other infectious diseases (Human Immunodeficiency Virus, other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and Vaccine-Preventive Disease. The degree of the distancing policy implemented differs between strict and lenient, with both result in effectiveness in reducing transmission of infectious disease. Physical or social distancing may come in the form of extreme or lenient measure in effectively containing contagious disease such as COVID-19, however the stricter the measure will give more proportionate impact toward the economy, education, mental health issues, morbidity and mortality of non-COVID-19 diseases. Since we need this measure to ensure the reduction of infectious diseases transmission to help flattening the curve which allow much needed time for healthcare system to prepare adequately to response, “Precision physical distancing” can be implemented which will have more benefit toward the survival of the community as a whole

Knowledge, attitude and practice on COVID-19 among students during the early phase of pandemic in a university in Borneo, Malaysia

Background: COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude and practice plays a major role in determining the readiness of the community to adopt the behavioural change towards recommended preventive measures outlined by public health officials. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 among university students as well as its associated factors. Method: This is a cross sectional study that was conducted among students in a public university during the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. An online validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis test was used to determine the association between independent variables with knowledge, attitude, and practice score.Results: Overall response rate of this study was 92.9 (n=524). Median score of knowledge domain was 78.0 (IQR= ±12.0), median attitude score of 49.0 (IQR= ±5.0), and median practice score of 80.0 (IQR= ±11.0). The mean knowledge, attitude and practice score were significantly higher among diploma holder (vs degree holder, p<0.05), residing in main Kota Kinabalu campus (vs non-KK campus, p<0.001), studying in medical faculty (vs non-medical faculty, p<0.001), and attended COVID-19 education (vs non-attendance; p<0.05).Conclusion: COVID-19 related knowledge and attitude were below satisfactory level during earlier phase of the pandemic. However, majority of respondents have positive behaviour towards COVID-19 prevention. This highlights the importance of accurate and tailored health education to improve the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of recommended measures to prevent COVID-19 spread

Colorectal cancer and potential predictors of never screened for faecal occult blood test: A narrative review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health threat. Therefore, CRC screening uptake has been a focus with the established precancerous lesion and the strong association of early detection with staging and survival of the disease. However, CRC screening is relatively low in many countries. This article briefly discussed the current situation of CRC, recommendations, and current uptake of CRC screening in various countries. Besides that, this article also highlights the potential factors that help to predict the CRC screening uptake worldwide. Identification of those factors could guide policymakers to develop an effective strategy to improve the CRC screening uptake and ultimately improve the health outcome of the population