Effect of Long COVID on Work Performance and Annual Monetary Loss Among Infected Health Care Workers at a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia.

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess and compare the work performance loss (absenteeism and presenteeism) and the estimated annual monetary loss among health care workers with and without long COVID.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between October 2022 and April 2024 using an online questionnaire. The shortened version of the Health and Work Performance Questionnaire was used to estimate the work performance effect among health care workers with a history of COVID-19 infection.

Determining direct, indirect healthcare and social costs for diabetic retinopathy management: a systematic review.

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a rapidly growing global public health threat; it affects 1 in 3 people with diabetes and is still the leading cause of blindness among the working-age population. The management of diabetic retinopathy is becoming more advanced and effective but is highly expensive compared to other ocular diseases.

Aim: To report direct medical, indirect medical, and nonmedical costs of diabetic retinopathy in developed and developing countries through a systematic review.

Development and Validation of a Malay Version Questionnaire to Evaluate Remote Health Monitoring of COVID-19 via Telehealth Applications: Navigating Telehealth Evolution.

Introduction The rapid adoption of telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity for effective tools to evaluate patient experiences. This study developed and validated the Telehealth Usability, Acceptability, and Satisfaction Questionnaire (TUASQ) for virtual COVID-19 Assessment Centres (CACs) in Malaysia, aiming to comprehensively measure usability, acceptability, and satisfaction. Methodology The TUASQ was developed in two phases.

Revisiting the Policy Implications of Medical Tourism in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic From a Malaysian Perspective: A Qualitative Study.

Background Malaysia has been one of the most prominent destination countries for medical tourism. The industry received significant government support to create a conducive environment for its growth, such as the provision of an investment tax allowance for the facilities participating in medical tourism and the establishment of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) to coordinate collaboration between various industry stakeholders to promote medical tourism activities at the international level and facilitate inbound medical tourists. The establishment of the MHTC facilitates collaboration between various industry stakeholders.

Prevalence and predictors of post-acute COVID syndrome among infected healthcare workers at University Malaya Medical Centre.

Background: Post Acute COVID Syndrome (PACS), a complex and poorly understood condition characterised by persistent symptoms following the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, has emerged as a significant global health concern. Healthcare workers who had been at the forefront of the pandemic response are at heightened risk of contracting the virus and subsequently developing PACS. Therefore, we aim to determine the prevalence and risk factors for PACS among healthcare workers infected with COVID-19.

Motivators and barriers to the acceptability of a human milk bank among Malaysians.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed, stating that donor milk is the next best alternative in the absence of the mother's own milk. Milk sharing takes many forms, namely wet nursing, co-feeding, cross-feeding, and a human milk bank (HMB). However, the establishment of a human milk bank is still not widely accepted and is a debatable topic because of religious concerns in Malaysia.

Breast conserving surgery versus mastectomy: the effect of surgery on quality of life in breast cancer survivors in Malaysia.

Background: In the competitive health care environment, patient satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) have become the subject of interest to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions as we experience improved breast cancer survival in modern times. The knowledge of the long-term effects of surgery on the QoL in breast cancer patients is currently limited in the Asian setting. The purpose of this longitudinal study is to evaluate the QoL of early-stage breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS).

Testing the validity of a new scale designed to assess beliefs and perceptions about colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia: a principal component analysis.

Objective: To conduct a cultural adaptation and validation of the Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (CHBMS-CRC-M) in order to assess and investigate perceptions and beliefs about CRC screening in Malaysia.

Designs And Participants: The results from an evidence synthesis and the outcomes from an expert panel discussion were used to shape CHBMS scale content into an assessment of beliefs about CRC screening (CHBMS-CRC). This questionnaire assessment was translated into the official language of Malaysia.

Integrating real-world data in cost-effectiveness analysis of universal HLA-B*15:02 screening in Malaysia.

Aims: Despite the availability of newer antiseizure medications, carbamazepine (CBZ) remains the gold standard. However, patients of Asian ancestry are susceptible to CBZ-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions. Universal HLA-B*15:02 screening is a promising intervention to address this.

Budget impact analysis of two treatment approaches for hepatitis C in Malaysia through the use of voluntary and compulsory licensing options.

Introduction: A scaled-up treatment cascade with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is necessary to achieve global WHO targets for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination in Malaysia. Recently, limited access to sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (SOF/DAC) is available through compulsory licensing, with access to sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) expected through voluntary licensing due to recent agreements. SOF/VEL has superior clinical outcomes but has higher drug acquisition costs compared to SOF/DAC.

Exploration of Malaysian Stakeholders View on Barriers to and Facilitators of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Older Population.

According to the Malaysian National Cancer Registry (MNCR), more than 70% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases in Malaysia are presented in the advanced stages of the disease, leading to poor survival rates while taxing the health care system. This study aims to explore the barriers to and facilitators of CRC screening uptake in the perspectives of the general population, health care providers, and policymakers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 purposively sampled respondents comprising general population above the age of 40, health care providers, and policymakers.

Economic Burden of SARS-CoV-2 Patients with Multi-Morbidity: A Systematic Review Protocol.

Economic burden issues in SARS-CoV-2 patients with underlying co-morbidities are enormous resources for patient treatment and management. The uncertainty costs for clinical management render the healthcare system catatonic and incurs deficits in national annual budgets. This article focuses on systematic steps towards selecting and evaluating literature to uncover gaps and ways to help healthcare stakeholders optimize resources in treating and managing COVID-19 patients with multi-morbidity.

The Burden of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure Related to Gynaecological Cancer in Malaysia.

This study aimed to estimate the economic burden on gynaecological cancer patients and their households, in terms of out-of-pocket expenditure, catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and poverty impact. A cross-sectional study was conducted at an academic tertiary-care health centre in an upper-middle-income country. Data were obtained via structured interviews of 120 gynaecological cancer patients alongside review of medical charts.

Factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviour among Muslims from Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia and Malaysia) living in Japan: an exploratory qualitative study.

Objectives: To identify factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviours and to explore issues with healthcare experiences of Muslims from Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia and Malaysia) living in Japan.

Design: Qualitative study.

Setting: Kansai area of Japan (Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Nara prefectures).

The Effectiveness of the Super Skills for Life (SSL) Programme in Promoting Mental Wellbeing among Institutionalised Adolescents in Malaysia: An Interventional Study.

Background: Mental health issues have become more prevalent among institutionalised adolescents. Therefore an effective intervention programme is needed to improve their mental health.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Super Skills for Life (SSL) programme in improving the mental wellbeing of institutionalised adolescents and determine the factors associated with their mental wellbeing.

Women's health beliefs and uptake of breast cancer screening in Malaysia.

Objectives: This study investigated women's health beliefs, the use of breast cancer (BC) screening services, and the factors that potentially influence uptake of screening.

Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a randomly selected community sample of 992 women (>40 years old) in Selangor State, Malaysia.

Results: Approximately 35% of women received a clinical breast examination (CBE) and 27% had a mammogram within the last 1 to 2 years.

Outcome Evaluation on Impact of the Nutrition Intervention among Adolescents: A Feasibility, Randomised Control Study from Myheart Beat (Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team-Behavioural Epidemiology and Trial).

A healthy eating environment in the school setting is crucial to nurture the healthy eating pattern for youth. Thus, it helps to combat the obesity issue. However, the impact of healthy school environment on healthy eating habits among Asian adolescents is scarce and less clear.

Reply to Shaikh et al. Comment on "Rochmah et al. Economic Burden of Stroke Disease: A Systematic Review. 2021, , 7552".

Thank you for being interested in making a review [...

Breast Cancer Care Timeliness Framework: A Quality Framework for Cancer Control.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the pathway that women follow for Breast Cancer Care (BCC) and the time intervals from symptom discovery to treatment initiation and to develop a quality matrix framework.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at six tertiary centers in Malaysia. All women with newly diagnosed breast cancer were interviewed, and a medical records review was conducted using a structured questionnaire.

Changing Health Beliefs about Breast Cancer Screening among Women in Multi-Ethnic Malaysia.

This study evaluated the impact of the 'Be Cancer Alert' mass media campaign for breast cancer (BCAC-BC) in terms of changes to women's health beliefs regarding BC susceptibility and the benefits and barriers of breast cancer screening in Malaysia. Pre- and post-campaign surveys evaluated changes in health beliefs among women aged 40 years and above ( = 676). The perceived susceptibility to breast cancer was significantly higher at follow-up (mean ± SD: 7.

Facilitators and Barriers to Implementing Healthy School Canteen Intervention among Malaysian Adolescents: A Qualitative Study.

This study evaluated implementing a school-based intervention to promote healthier dietary habits in the school environment among Malaysian adolescents using qualitative methods. This qualitative study was conducted in four secondary schools in Perak and Selangor (two urban and two rural schools) that received the intervention (either training or training and food subsidy). A total of eight focus groups (68 students aged 15 years old) and 16 in-depth interviews were conducted with canteen operators, school convenience shop operators, school teachers and school principals in each school.