Evaluation Of Diabetic Management Outcome And Pharmacist Intervention In Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

The objectives of the study were to evaluate clinical disease management outcome and patient responsiveness to treatment. The primary current study is classified as ‘mixedmethodology’ cross sectional interventional study, which includes four phases of evaluation with different methodologies. Phase I (retrospective evaluation), Phase II (prospective pharmaceutical care application), Phase III (prospective case-control cohort evaluation) and Phase IV (Psychometric population based survey). During the time period of January 2008 through December 2010, a total of 2174 diabetes patients were admitted; 2174 (100%) patients’ medical profiles were reviewed. This comprised of 1063 (48.9%) males and rest 1111 (51.1%) females. Mean and Standard Distribution (SD) should females have less mean age distribution (35.2 ±4.187 years) as compared to males (37.9±5.724 years). A total of 798 (36.7%) had infection exposure before and/or during hospital admission, statistical significance (p<0.001) found in association of diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) and infection exposure. Majority 384 (48.1%) infection type was relapsed cases within 3 months. There were 176 with presumed viral infection (18.2%), and 679 with bacterial infection (70.2%). Of those with bacterial infection, 453 had minor infection (66.7%), and 226 had major infection (33.3%). In prospective pharmaceutical care study, two hundred and fifty three patients from the Diabetes Outpatient clinic Hospital Pulau Pinang were recruited, comprising 127 cases and 126 controls. There were no significant differences between cases and controls for any of the demographic variables that were documented

Evaluation Of Treatment Outcomes Of Methadone Program And Knowledge Awareness Survey On Drug Abuse In Penang, Malaysia

A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, to provide the information regarding to the therapeutic effectiveness in the management and treatment of Addiction in three registered methadone clinics of Pinang state. Ada yang berpendapat bahawa pengetahuan boleh mempengaruhi penyalahgunaan dadah disamping faktor kedua seperti sosioekonomi yang rendah. Terdapat penyelidikan yang melaporkan pengetahuan yang rendah tentang penagihan walaupun dikalangan masyarakat yang mempunyai penagih yang rama

Public health care system, quasi-experimental study: Acceptance and attitude to implicate clinical services

A six-month longitudinal intervention arm study with a pre-post cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was performed. A 3-phase objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) design was utilized for evaluation of acceptance and attitude of pharmacy students towards clinical pharmacy services. The pre-OSCE survey showed increased disagreement with the role of clinical pharmacists, compared to a significant positive shift in attitude towards their services in the healthcare team after 6 months of the trial. Responses improved for awareness (the current healthcare system could be improved by involving pharmacists, p < 0.02) and positive attitude categories (doctors and nurses would be happy to welcome the services of competent clinical pharmacists as part of their team, p < 0.01) in addition to competency (pharmacists have sufficient clinical training to advise doctors and nurses, p < 0.01). The predictive model suggested a strong positive effect on patient interaction, medical information tasks, clinical decisions on drug-related problems (DRPs), and communication with healthcare professionals (R2 = 0.41, F = 1.51, p < 0.001)

Healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Malaysia – a mini systematic review

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Malaysia. Therefore, it is important for the public to be educated on breast cancer and to know the steps that need to be taken to detect it early. Healthcare providers are in a unique position to provide public health education due to their good knowledge of health issues and their roles in healthcare. A systematic review of studies conducted from 2008 till 2015 was undertaken to analyze the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of Malaysian healthcare providers regarding breast cancer, in an attempt to obtain an overall picture of how wellequipped the healthcare providers are to provide optimal breast cancer education, and to ascertain their perceptions and actual involvement in such education. The systematic review was conducted via a primary search of various databases and journal websites, and a secondary search of references cited in eligible studies. Criteria for eligibility include studies conducted in Malaysia and published from the year 2008 to 2015, and written in English language. A total of fifteen articles were identified and reviewed but only two studies were eligible for this review. The findings suggest that future and current Malaysian healthcare providers have moderate knowledge of breast cancer, showed a positive disposition towards involvement in breast cancer education, but displayed poor involvement.Keywords: Healthcare provider, Breast cancer, Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior, Systematic review, Malaysi

Retracted: Healthcare providers knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Malaysia – a mini systematic review

This article previously published in Volume 15 Issue 10 of this journal in September 2016 has been retracted in line with the guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE, http://publicationethics.org/resources/guidelines)Retracted: Azeem E, Gillani WS, Poh V, Sulaiman SAS. RETRACTED: Healthcare providers’ knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Malaysia – a mini systematic review. Trop J Pharm Res 2016; 15(9):2041-2045 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v15i9.32From the EditorOur attention was drawn to the earlier publication of similar data by the authors and some others in Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (doi 10.7314/APJCP.2015.16.13.5233) under the title, “Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Healthcare Providers towards Breast Cancer in Malaysia: a Systematic Review” which was confirmed. The corresponding author, Syed Wasif Gillani was contacted but failed to respond to communication in this respect.25 November 2018Keywords: Healthcare provider, Breast cancer, Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior, Systematic review, Malaysi

Barriers to colorectal cancer screening in Asia: A systematic review

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the top five cancers afflicting both men and women globally. Once predominantly a Western disease, it has begun to rise in Asian countries as well. This systematic review aims to compile and analyze the various barriers towards colorectal cancer screening in Asia, and to determine if the barriers are consistent throughout the continent.Methods: Article Inclusion criteria for based on year of publication from year 2008 till 2015, has been conducted in Asia, and written in English language. A total of 23 studies were included in this review, chosen via primary search of journal websites and databases, and a secondary search through the reference lists of eligible articles.Results: It was found that major barriers of colorectal cancer screening are; poor education/knowledge, negative perceptions towards screening, aversion to test results, financial constraints, time constraints, lack of physicians’ recommendation, limited/difficult access to screening locations, fatalistic beliefs, low perceived risks, language barriers, confidence in traditional medicine/distrust in Western medicine,ignorance and old age.Conclusion: Lack of knowledge/education is the most critical barrier that is linked to a majority of other barriers that can hinder a person from undergoing CRC screening for early prevention, detection and treatment. Majority of these barriers encountered regarding the poor rates of CRC screening are similar across countries in Asia.Keywords: Colorectal cancer screening, Barrier, Knowledge, Criteria for eligibilit

Evaluation of self-reported knowledge and understanding towards a blended research course among pharmacy students: Objective Search Literature Evaluation (OSLE) method validation

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of classroom versus online Modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment (MOODLE)-based teaching on objective search literature evaluation (OSLE) score, as well as to validate the OSLE method for the assessment of research skills in pharmacy students. Methods: The four-station OSLE method was used to assess the performance and self-reflection at the end of each delivery mode. The students were asked to voluntarily vote for the preference of delivery mode in research courses. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed for variables predicting the “preference” for class-based teaching and/or MOODLE-based learning. Internal face and content validation were performed with students and faculty members not involved in the course teaching. External validation was performed with three professors working in different colleges in United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Results: Thirty-five students completed the courses and showed significant improvement in self-reported reflection of pre-post knowledge and understanding. Findings suggested that 87.3% (110/126, 95%CI: 75.9 – 89.4, p < 0.001) achieved performance indicators and reported the OSLE method as an effective tool for the assessment of knowledge and understanding of research skills in pharmacy education. The predictive model suggested a strong positive effect associated with article appraisal, article application, self-reporting of knowledge and self-reporting of understating (R2 0.47, F-1.26, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggested the OSLE method as an effective tool of assessment in pharmacy education. A negative impact of MOODLE-based learning was found with self-reflection on knowledge

Management of diabetes and arthritis –A systematic review

Purpose: Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome with reported musculoskeletal  effects. This systemic review aimed to identify a relationship between  diabetes and arthritis; disease-related risk factors, the effect of diet in disease management and the effect of anti-arthritic drugs on diabetes  treatment.Methods: This study analysed 20 articles identified and selected according to the study criteria. PRISMA guidelines were used for identification and screening of literature. Data search covered several primary databases, including Pubmed, Wiley library, Scopus, Clinical Trial Registry, etc.Results: The study findings suggest a significant correlation between  diabetes and arthritis. Obesity, impaired glucose tolerance (MS  components), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) hypertension and dyslipidemia are the most common risk factors leading to disease progression. Omega -3-fatty acid showed no protective effect on disease condition.Conclusion: The findings indicate that anti-tumor necrosis factor (Tnf)-α, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, and Interleukin receptors  antagonist improved the efficacy of diabetic medication and maintained blood sugar levels. However, Tnf-α reduced glucose intolerance, and therefore, its therapeutic use in conjunction with diabetic medications should be limited.Keywords: Diabetes, Arthritis, Risk factors, Diet, Pathogenesis, Disease progression, Medicatio

Assessment of hospital pharmacists' clinical knowledge and practical skill levels for pharmaceutical care in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To evaluate hospital pharmacists’ clinical knowledge and practical skill levels for pharmaceutical care.Methods: A quasi-experimental prospective longitudinal study design was used to evaluate the level of clinical skills with problem-based learning (PBL) sessions. Pharmacists’ in three different government hospitals in Madinah, Saudi Arabia recorded their responses or assessments in their work manuals for preparing reports. Instructors encouraged interactive learning by presenting case studies, in which pharmacists had to interpret medical history and clinical assessments of various body systems. Course learning design also focused on drug use evaluation, monitoring plans, and reaching clinical evidencebased decision-making.Results: A total of two hundred and fifty-five (255) hospital pharmacists participated in the study. The study sample was comprised of 128 (50.9 %) males and 127 (49.1 %) females. A significant (p &lt; 0.01) difference was noticed between genders (male: 47.91 ± 7.15, female: 50.31 ± 4.88) for total mean scores of clinical skills. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for case data recitation was 0.91, while clinical assessment skills coefficient was 0.89. Overall, pharmacists reported that they “agree” (4.01 ± 0.67) that they acquired the ability to use case data recitation taught in the PBL; they also reported a positive evaluation (4.48 ± 0.58) of their ability to perform clinical data assessment.Conclusion: The findings indicate that pharmacist’s self-confidence to perform clinical assessment activities is low. Lack of confidence remains a critical education issue among pharmacists in the study setting.Keywords: Clinical pharmacy, Problem-based learning, Clinical skills, Pharmacist focus group, Therapeutics, Pharmaceutical car

Clinical Presentation of “Rove Beetle Dermatitis”

Objectives: This case series describes new clinical features of Rove beetle dermatitis Methods: Interviews were conducted with four students at University Sains Malaysia with current or past Rove beetle skin infections. Information on the onset of symptoms, complication, treatment and duration of symptoms were recorded. A physician at a local clinic was also interview to describe the challenges in diagnosis and therapy for this condition. Results: This case series describes new features of Rove beetle dermatitis. Redness, swelling, fatigue and localised stretching of the skin were the commonly reported symptoms. However, vibrations, twitching of the skin and difficulty in breathing were new features observed in this study. Three of the four patients were not aware of the aetiology of the condition, antibiotics and topical steroids were prescribed for the management and prevention of secondary infection. Conclusion: Rove beetle dermatitis is a common seasonal endemic in Malaysia, with a higher incidence in the month of September and March. This case series highlights the need for a health literacy program, aimed at informing the public and medical practitioners about the aetiology, symptoms and complications of this infection.