Pathways to Hypertension Control: Unfinished Journeys of Low-Income Individuals in Malaysia and the Philippines.

Background: Reducing inequities in hypertension control among those affected in low- and middle-income countries requires person-centred health system responses based on a contextualised understanding of the choices and care pathways taken by those who rely on the services provided, particularly those from poor and marginalised communities. We examine patterns of care seeking and pathways followed by individuals with hypertension from low-income households in the Philippines and Malaysia. This study aims to fill a significant gap in the literature by analysing the stages at which individuals make decisions that may affect the successful control of their blood pressure.

The Impact of Shiatsu Massage on Labour Pain and Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Labour pain experienced by women during childbirth can significantly affect the mother's psychological condition and birthing process. This study aimed to determine the effect of shiatsu massage on pain and anxiety during labour.

Method: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 80 nulliparous pregnant women who gave birth in four low-risk maternity clinics in Samarinda, Indonesia, from February to May 2022.

Presence of Arboviral Vector in Tourist Attractions and Public Places: Abundance, Associated Factors and Susceptibility to Temephos.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Aedes</i> mosquito is a competent vector of arboviruses, mainly dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever. The high incidence of arboviral infections among travelers indicated the vulnerability of tourist attractions and public places visitors to arboviral infections. This study aimed to determine the presence and population density of <i>Aedes</i> mosquitoes at the places, as well as the susceptibility to temephos larvicide.

Development and validation of a video-based intervention on self-care practices for patients with hypertension in Malaysian primary care settings.

Introduction: Self-care practices among patients with hypertension have been shown to improve blood pressure control. Video-based interventions (VBIs) are helpful in enhancing patients' selfcare practices. However, validated VBIs in the Malay language for patients in primary care settings are scarce.

The Perceived Benefits and Self-Efficacy of an Exercise Intervention on Tobacco Withdrawal Symptoms: A Qualitative Study Based on the Health Belief Model.

Background: This study examined the effectiveness of an exercise programme as an adjunct to smoking cessation treatments. The effects of exercise on smoking habits and tobacco withdrawal symptoms (TWS) were evaluated among smokers who were in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages.

Methods: This was a case study with convenience sampling techniques.

A systematic review of thromboembolic complications and outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Thromboembolic (TE) complications [myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE)] are common causes of mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Therefore, this review was undertaken to explore the incidence of TE complications and mortality associated with TE complications in hospitalised COVID-19 patients from different studies. A literature search was performed using ScienceDirect and PubMed databases using the MeSH term search strategy of "COVID-19", "thromboembolic complication", "venous thromboembolism", "arterial thromboembolism", "deep vein thrombosis", "pulmonary embolism", "myocardial infarction", "stroke", and "mortality".

Risk factors for tuberculosis-related death among adults with drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis in Selangor, Malaysia from 2013 to 2019: a retrospective cohort study using surveillance data.

Objectives: Due to the paucity of literature on risk factors for tuberculosis (TB)-related death, we determine the sociodemographic and clinical risk factors associated with TB-related deaths among adult pulmonary TB (PTB) patients on treatment in Selangor, Malaysia.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Routinely collected primary care data from all government TB clinics in Selangor.

The Impact of Heat Waves on Health Care Services in Low- or Middle-Income Countries: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

Background: Heat waves significantly impact ecosystems and human health, especially that of vulnerable populations, and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Besides being directly related to climate-sensitive health outcomes, heat waves have indirectly increased the burden on our health care systems. Although the existing literature examines the impact of heat waves and morbidity, past research has mostly been conducted in high-income countries (HICs), and studies on the impact of heat waves on morbidity in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) are still scarce.

Design, development, utility and usability testing of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-Management Mobile App among primary care physicians and patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: This study aimed to design, develop, assess and refine the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-Management Mobile App among primary care physicians (PCP) and patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in primary care.

Methodology: Using the software-development-life-cycle (SDLC) iterative model, storyboard and wireframe were drafted; and a mock prototype was designed to illustrate the content and function graphically. Subsequently, a working prototype was developed.

Development of the Malay Language of understanding, attitude, practice and health literacy questionnaire on COVID-19 (MUAPHQ C-19): content validity & face validity analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the content and face validity index of the development of the understanding, attitude, practice and health literacy questionnaire on COVID-19 (MUAPHQ C-19) in the Malay language.

Methods: The development of the MUAPHQ C-19 was conducted in two stages. Stage I resulted in the generation of the instrument's items (development), and stage II resulted in the performance of the instrument's items (judgement and quantification).

The Impacts of Supervised Exercise Intervention on Tobacco Withdrawal Symptoms.

This study examined a supervised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise programme's effectiveness in regulating the Tobacco Withdrawal Symptoms (TWS) during temporary abstinence. This was a single group, pre and post-quasi intervention study. Thirty daily smokers participated in an 8-week supervised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise programme.

Association of zinc level with DNA methylation and its consequences: A systematic review.

Background: DNA methylation is an effective epigenetic process that is frequently linked to changes in gene expression. Zinc is a vital micronutrient that plays a crucial role in DNA methylation. Therefore, abnormal zinc levels may cause aberrant DNA methylation and other diseases.

Prevalence, determinants and outcomes of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use for hypertension among low-income households in Malaysia and the Philippines.

Background: Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) is used to treat a broad range of conditions. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), TCAM use is particularly common among those with low socio-economic status. To better understand the patterns and impact of TCAM use on the management of non-communicable diseases in these populations, this study examines the prevalence and characteristics of TCAM use for hypertension, its determinants, and its association with hypertension management outcomes and wellbeing among low-income adults in two Southeast Asian countries at different levels of economic and health system development, Malaysia and the Philippines.

A Systematic Review on the Effect of Saffron Extract on Lipid Profile in Hyperlipidaemic Experimental Animal Models.

Saffron is widely used in traditional medicine to treat various medical disorders, including hyperlipidaemia. This study aims to systematically review the effects of saffron extract (SE) on lipid profile in in vivo studies. A strategic literature search was done following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

The association of ultrasound assessment of gallbladder wall thickness with dengue fever severity.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between ultrasound assessment of gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) among severe dengue patients and dengue patients with warning signs to their clinical outcomes.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study involving adult dengue patients presented to our emergency department between March until September 2018. The patients were classified based on WHO classification.

Adaptation, Translation and Validation of the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF): The Malay Version.

Food allergy has a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of children and can be measured using The Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF). This study aimed to adapt, translate the FAQLQ-PF into Malay and determine the validity and reliability of the translated version. This cross-sectional questionnaire validation study was conducted among parents of children (0 to 12 years old) with food allergies across five sites in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Quality of Life and Child's Autism-Specific Difficulties among Malaysian Main Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) negatively impacts quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the factors associated with perceived QoL and how problematic a child's autism-specific difficulties are among the main caregivers of children with ASD who attend specialized preschool programs at the National Autism Society of Malaysia and IDEAS Autism Centre located in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Utilizing the questions from Parts A and B of the Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire (QoLA), the data from 116 responders were analyzed using univariate and multivariate linear regression.

The Prevalence of Limited Health Literacy and Its Associated Factors among Elderly Patients Attending an Urban Academic Primary Care Clinic in Malaysia.

Limited health literacy (HL) is linked to many negative health outcomes, including poor self-management of chronic diseases and medication adherence among patients. There are a lack of data regarding HL in the elderly population in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of limited HL levels and its associated factors among elderly patients in an urban academic primary care clinic in Selangor, Malaysia.

Significantly higher atherosclerosis risks in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: There is limited data on the relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), each associated with increased cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to determine the relationships between severity of OSA, degree of steatosis in NAFLD and cardiovascular risk via CIMT and atherosclerosis markers ie intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) an Lipoprotein-a (Lp(a)) in a group of patients with OSA.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional, single center study.

Association between elevated carotid intima-media thickness and serum uric acid levels among patients with essential hypertension in primary care setting in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia.

Aims: Our study aimed to investigate the association between elevated carotid-intima media thickness (CIMT) and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in hypertensive patients attending primary care clinics in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 140 hypertensive patients attending outpatient follow-up in two primary care clinics in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, using a convenient sampling method. SUA levels were measured and divided into four quartiles.

Health Literacy, Knowledge on Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear and Its Influence on Pre-Marital Malay Muslim Women Attitude towards Pap Smear.

Background: Cervical cancer is preventable. In Malaysia, women are found to have good awareness of the disease and yet, the Pap smear uptake is still poor. Measuring health literacy level could explain this discrepancy.