Syed Mohamed Aljunid

Social and psychological factors affecting eating habits among university students in a Malaysian medical school: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundEating habits have been a major concern among university students as a determinant of health status. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of eating habits and its associated social and psychological factors among medical students.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted among 132 medical students of pre-clinical phase at a Malaysian university. A self-administered questionnaire was used which included questions on socio-demography, anthropometry, eating habits and psychosocial factors.ResultsMean (±SD) age of the respondents was 22.7 (±2.4) years and (the age) ranged from 18 to 30u2009years. More than half had regular meals and breakfast (57.6% &, 56.1% respectively). Majority (73.5%) consumed fruits less than three times per week, 51.5% had fried food twice or more a week and 59.8% drank water less than 2 liters daily. Eating habits score was significantly low among younger students (18–22u2009years), smokers, alcohol drinkers and those who did not exercise. (p<0.05). Four psychological factors out of six, were significantly associated with eating habits (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, age and ‘eating because of feeling happy’ were significantly associated with eating habits score (p<0.05).ConclusionMost of the students in this study had healthy eating habits. Social and psychological factors were important determinants of eating habits among medical students.

Health-Care Systems and Pharmacoeconomic Research in Asia-Pacific Region

Taipei Medical University,Taipei,Taiwan; Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Keio University,Tokyo, Japan; Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; University of Singapore, Singapore, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok,Thailand; The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Pharmaceutical Management India Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur, India

Noncommunicable diseases among urban refugees and asylum-seekers in developing countries: a neglected health care need

With the increasing trend in refugee urbanisation, growing numbers of refugees are diagnosed with chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). However, with few exceptions, the local and international communities prioritise communicable diseases. The aim of this study is to review the literature to determine the prevalence and distribution of chronic NCDs among urban refugees living in developing countries, to report refugee access to health care for NCDs and to compare the prevalence of NCDs among urban refugees with the prevalence in their home countries. Major search engines and refugee agency websites were systematically searched between June and July 2012 for articles and reports on NCD prevalence among urban refugees. Most studies were conducted in the Middle East and indicated a high prevalence of NCDs among urban refugees in this region, but in general, the prevalence varied by refugees’ region or country of origin. Hypertension, musculoskeletal disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease were the major diseases observed. In general, most urban refugees in developing countries have adequate access to primary health care services. Further investigations are needed to document the burden of NCDs among urban refugees and to identify their need for health care in developing countries.

Function and quality of life following stroke rehabilitation: have our stroke patients gained optimum recovery?

Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional study of 91 stroke patients; mean age 58.9±10.6 years, 79% male, median stroke duration 13 months who have completed intensive individual rehabilitation at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre in the years 2010 and 2011. Rehabilitation outcome was measured with the use of standardised tools; Rivermead Mobility Scale (RMI), Berg’s Balance Scale (BBS), Sit to Stand Test (STS) for lower limb strength and Timed 10 metre walk test for walking speed. Post-rehabilitation disability level and quality of life were also assessed on a Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Euro-Qol 5 Dimensions-Visual analogue Scale (EQ5D-VAS), respectively. All data were analysed descriptively using SPSS version 18.

Carbonated drinks, chips intake and their relation to Intelligence Quotient (IQ) among primary school children in Baghdad city, Iraq.

Background The revolution in children’s lifestyle and dietary habits which has occurred over the last thirty years can be largely attributed to changes in the family environment and in the social environment in general. Fast food is a diet high in processed foods and soft drinks. Children consuming more junk food are likely to have a lower intake of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between carbonated drinks, chips intake and intelligence quotient of primary school children.

Assessing mixed trace elements in groundwater and their health risk of residents living in the Mekong River basin of Cambodia

We investigated the potential contamination of trace elements in shallow Cambodian groundwater. Groundwater and hair samples were collected from three provinces in the Mekong River basin of Cambodia and analyzed by ICP-MS. Groundwater from Kandal (n = 46) and Kraite (n = 12) were enriched in As, Mn, Ba and Fe whereas none of tube wells in Kampong Cham (n = 18) had trace elements higher than Cambodian permissible limits. Risk computations indicated that 98.7% and 12.4% of residents in the study areas of Kandal (n = 297) and Kratie (n = 89) were at risk of non-carcinogenic effects from exposure to multiple elements, yet none were at risk in Kampong Cham (n = 184). Arsenic contributed 99.5%, 60.3% and 84.2% of the aggregate risk in Kandal, Kratie and Kampong Cham, respectively. Sustainable and appropriate treatment technologies must therefore be implemented in order for Cambodian groundwater to be used as potable water.

Health-Care Data Collecting, Sharing, and Using in Thailand, China Mainland, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Malaysia

n Abstractn n This article sought to describe the health-care data situation in six selected economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Authors from Thailand, China mainland, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Malaysia present their analyses in three parts. The first part of the article describes the data-collection process and the sources of data. The second part of the article presents issues around policies of data sharing with the stakeholders. The third and final part of the article focuses on the extent of health-care data use for policy reform in these different economies. Even though these economies differ in their economic structure and population size, they share some similarities on issues related to health-care data. There are two main institutions that collect and manage the health-care data in these economies. In Thailand, China mainland, Taiwan, and Malaysia, the Ministry of Health is responsible through its various agencies for collecting and managing the health-care data. On the other hand, health insurance is the main institution that collects and stores health-care data in South Korea and Japan. In all economies, sharing of and access to data is an issue. The reasons for limited access to some data are privacy protection, fragmented health-care system, poor quality of routinely collected data, unclear policies and procedures to access the data, and control on the freedom on publication. The primary objective of collecting health-care data in these economies is to aid the policymakers and researchers in policy decision making as well as create an awareness on health-care issues for the general public. The usage of data in monitoring the performance of the heath system is still in the process of development. In conclusion, for the region under discussion, health-care data collection is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and health insurance agencies. Data are collected from health-care providers mainly from the public sector. Routinely collected data are supplemented by national surveys. Accessibility to the data is a major issue in most of the economies under discussion. Accurate health-care data are required mainly to support policy making and evidence-based decisions.n n

Information needs as perceived by caregivers and patients following stroke: a qualitative systematic review

Materials and methods Literature search involved main databases namely EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Database (CINAHL), Psych INFO and British Nursing Index (BNI) through library online service.

Development of health biotechnology in developing countries: Can private-sector players be the prime movers?

Health biotechnology has rapidly become vital in helping healthcare systems meet the needs of the poor in developing countries. This key industry also generates revenue and creates employment opportunities in these countries. To successfully develop biotechnology industries in developing nations, it is critical to understand and improve the system of health innovation, as well as the role of each innovative sector and the linkages between the sectors. Countries science and technology capacities can be strengthened only if there are non-linear linkages and strong interrelations among players throughout the innovation process; these relationships generate and transfer knowledge related to commercialization of the innovative health products. The private sector is one of the main actors in healthcare innovation, contributing significantly to the development of health biotechnology via knowledge, expertise, resources and relationships to translate basic research and development into new commercial products and innovative processes. The role of the private sector has been increasingly recognized and emphasized by governments, agencies and international organizations. Many partnerships between the public and private sector have been established to leverage the potential of the private sector to produce more affordable healthcare products. Several developing countries that have been actively involved in health biotechnology are becoming the main players in this industry. The aim of this paper is to discuss the role of the private sector in health biotechnology development and to study its impact on health and economic growth through case studies in South Korea, India and Brazil. The paper also discussed the approaches by which the private sector can improve the health and economic status of the poor.

Job satisfaction and turnover intention among Iraqi doctors - a descriptive cross-sectional multicentre study

BackgroundDuring the last two decades, the Iraqi human resources for health was exposed to an unprecedented turnover of trained and experienced medical professionals. This study aimed to explore prominent factors affecting turnover intentions among Iraqi doctors.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional multicentre study was carried out among 576 doctors across 20 hospitals in Iraq using multistage sampling technique. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, which included socio-demographic information, work characteristics, the 10-item Warr-Cook-Wall job satisfaction scale, and one question on turnover intention. Descriptive and bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify significant factors affecting turnover intentions.ResultsMore than one half of Iraqi doctors (55.2%) were actively seeking alternative employment. Factors associated with turnover intentions among doctors were low job satisfaction score (odds ratio (OR)u2009=u20090.97; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95, 0.99), aged 40xa0years old or less (ORu2009=u20092.9; 95% CI: 1.74, 4.75), being male (ORu2009=u20094.2; 95% CI: 2.54, 7.03), being single (ORu2009=u20095.0; 95% CI: 2.61, 9.75), being threatened (ORu2009=u20093.5; 95% CI: 1.80, 6.69), internally displaced (ORu2009=u20093.1; 95% CI: 1.43, 6.57), having a perception of unsafe medical practice (ORu2009=u20094.1; 95% CI: 1.86, 9.21), working more than 40xa0h per week, (ORu2009=u20092.3; 95% CI: 1.27, 4.03), disagreement with the way manager handles staff (ORu2009=u20092.2; 95% CI: 1.19, 4.03), being non-specialist, (ORu2009=u20093.9, 95% CI: 2.08, 7.13), and being employed in the government sector only (ORu2009=u20092.0; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.82).ConclusionThe high-turnover intention among Iraqi doctors is significantly associated with working and security conditions. An urgent and effective strategy is required to prevent doctors’ exodus.