Correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 among older people with psychiatric illness - a mixed methods study.

Objective: COVID-19 may lead to a range of clinical outcomes among older people with psychiatric and medical conditions. Evidence guiding management of future outbreaks among this vulnerable population in psychiatric hospital settings are sparse. In this study, we examined the correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 and explored the perspectives of COVID-19 survivors hospitalized in psychiatry settings.

Malaria Parasite Density as a Predictor of Hematological Parameter Changes among HIV Infected Adults Attending Two Antiretroviral Treatment Clinics in Kano, Northwest Nigeria.

Background: Despite public health significance of dual infections of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria in developing countries like Nigeria, information on the association between malaria parasite density count (MPDC) and hematological parameter changes among HIV-infected individuals is rarely available.

Objectives: To evaluate burden of HIV and malaria dual infections and assess the predictive association of MPDC with hematological parameter changes among HIV infected adults attending two antiretroviral treatment clinics in Kano, Nigeria. .

An online survey of Malaysian long-term e-cigarette user perceptions.

Introduction: The use of e-cigarettes (EC) has reached alarming proportions among Malaysians. On a national level, little is known about the profile and perceptions of Malaysian EC users. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of long-term EC usage and its associated factors among EC users in Malaysia.

Prevalence and factors associated with prediabetes and diabetes in fishing communities in penang, Malaysia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, characterized by hyperglycemic state of the body. A silent killer, which can take the lives of victims if undiagnosed at the earliest stage. Prediabetes has become an important health concern across countries due to its huge potential for the development of diabetes and other complications.

A Comparative Study of Respiratory Quality of Life among Firefighters, Traffic Police and Other Occupations in Malaysia.

Background: Despite its excellent psychometric properties, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) has not been previously used in measuring respiratory quality of life (RQoL) among traffic police and firefighters who are at risk of poor respiratory health by virtue of their occupations.

Objective: To assess and compare the RQoL of the occupationally exposed (firefighters and traffic police) and the occupationally unexposed populations in Penang, Malaysia.

Methods: We recruited male traffic police and firefighters from 5 districts of Penang by convenient sampling during June to September 2018.

Conceptual Framework for Investigating and Influencing Adherence Behavior among HIV-Positive Populations: An Applied Social Cognition Model.

Non-adherence remains a significant barrier to achieving successful HIV treatment outcomes. This review aimed to holistically examine the concept of adherence in the light of current research evidence and to provide a basic and adaptable conceptual framework for investigating and influencing adherence behavior among various HIV populations. We reviewed published journal articles and gray literature within the period from 2000 to 2017.

The Relationship between Levels of Physical Activity and Academic Achievement among Medical and Health Sciences Students at Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences.

Background: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of physical activity among medical and health sciences students at Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS) and to determine the relationship of their physical activity level with their academic achievement and self-determination level.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 244 Medical and Health Sciences undergraduate students at CUCMS from January to April 2017 using self-administered short-form version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and the third version of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3). Multiple regression models were fitted using SPSS version 20 to examine the relationships between study variables.

HIV Treatment Adherence - A Shared Burden for Patients, Health-Care Providers, and Other Stakeholders.

Successful HIV treatment is contingent on sustained high levels of treatment adherence. Several barriers to optimal adherence have been documented. In this article, we first review the global burden of non-adherence among HIV/AIDS positive individuals on a public health scale.

Evaluation of standard diagnostic rapid test kits for malaria diagnosis among HIV patients in Kano, Nigeria.

Background: Malaria diagnosis among HIV-positive patients is uncommon in Nigeria despite the high burden of both diseases.

Objectives: We evaluated the performance of a malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT) against blood smear microscopy (BSM) among HIV-positive patients in relation to anti-retroviral treatment (ART) status, CD4+ count, fever, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and malaria density count.

Method: A cross-sectional study involving 1521 consenting randomly selected HIV-positive adults attending two ART clinics in Kano, Nigeria, between June 2015 and May 2016.

Spirituality Needs in Chronic Pain Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in a General Hospital in Malaysia.

Evidence-based practices that rely upon pain relieving medications and interventional strategies for symptom alleviation in chronic pain survivors have shown modest benefits. The recent emphasis of spiritual care as a new dimension of treatment strategy incorporated within the biopsychosocial model has inspired new hopes to mediate mental and physical health for illness coping. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with spirituality needs among chronic pain patients in a general hospital in Malaysia.

Assessment of oral health status and associated lifestyle factors among Malaysian Fishermen in Teluk Bahang, Penang: An analytical cross-sectional study.

Background: Given background sparsity of country-specific literature evidence, and the pervasive unhealthy lifestyle habits such as tobacco, alcohol use, and high sugar consumption among fishermen, the aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and associated lifestyle factors among Malaysian fishermen in Teluk Bahang, Penang.

Subjects And Methods: In an analytical cross-sectional design, we used simple random sampling technique to select 242 multiracial Malaysian male fishermen aged between 18 and 75 years from five fishing villages located at Gurney Drive, Tanjong Tokong, Tanjong Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, and Teluk Bahang to participate in this study. During four consecutive weekends in January 2017, we conducted face-to-face interviews with participants using a pre-validated, interviewer-administered WHO oral health questionnaire.

Sociodemographic profile and predictors of outpatient clinic attendance among HIV-positive patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in Selangor, Malaysia.

Background: Inconsistent literature evidence suggests that sociodemographic, economic, and system- and patient-related factors are associated with clinic attendance among the HIV-positive population receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) around the world. We examined the factors that predict outpatient clinic attendance among a cohort of HIV-positive patients initiating ART in Selangor, Malaysia.

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data on outpatient clinic attendance and sociodemographic, economic, psychosocial, and patient-related factors among 242 adult Malaysian patients initiating ART in Selangor, Malaysia.

Mobile phone reminders and peer counseling improve adherence and treatment outcomes of patients on ART in Malaysia: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Adherence to treatment remains the cornerstone of long term viral suppression and successful treatment outcomes among patients receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).

Objective(s): Evaluate the effectiveness of mobile phone reminders and peer counseling in improving adherence and treatment outcomes among HIV positive patients on ART in Malaysia.

Methods: A single-blind, parallel group RCT conducted in Hospital Sungai Buloh, Malaysia in which 242 adult Malaysian patients were randomized to intervention or control groups.

Socioeconomic Predictors of Adherence Behavior Among HIV-Positive Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Selangor, Malaysia.

Medication adherence remains a critical link between the prescribed ART regimen and treatment outcome. Several factors may influence adherence behavior. This cross-sectional study aimed to highlight socioeconomic predictors of adherence behavior among a cohort of 242 adult Malaysian patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Hospital Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, where they were enrolled in a parent study (single-blinded randomized controlled trial) between January and December 2014.

Effect of HIV and malaria parasites co-infection on immune-hematological profiles among patients attending anti-retroviral treatment (ART) clinic in Infectious Disease Hospital Kano, Nigeria.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria co-infection may present worse health outcomes in the tropics. Information on HIV/malaria co-infection effect on immune-hematological profiles is critical for patient care and there is a paucity of such data in Nigeria.

Objective: To evaluate immune-hematological profiles among HIV infected patients compared to HIV/malaria co-infected for ART management improvement.

Evaluating laboratory request forms submitted to haematology and blood transfusion departments at a hospital in Northwest Nigeria.

Background: The laboratory request form (LRF) is a communication link between laboratories, requesting physicians and users of laboratory services. Inadequate information or errors arising from the process of filling out LRFs can significantly impact the quality of laboratory results and, ultimately, patient outcomes.

Objective: We assessed routinely-submitted LRFs to determine the degree of correctness, completeness and consistency.