The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Down Syndrome children attending the Child Development Centre in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre.

Introduction: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Down Syndrome (DS) children attending the DS clinic at Child Development Centre Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (CDC-UKMMC) and to assess the appropriateness of using an M-CHAT as an ASD screener in this population. We traced the karyotype results of our study population from their medical record and compared this to study participant with a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome- Autism Spectrum Disorder (DS-ASD). Lastly, we assessed the awareness among parents attending our DS follow up clinic regarding the possibility of an ASD diagnosis in DS children.

Effect of vitamin D3-fortified fruit juice supplementation of 4000 IU daily on the recovery of iron status in childbearing-aged women with marginally low iron stores: Protocol for an 8-week, parallel group, double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: In recent years, emerging evidence has highlighted the role of vitamin D as an iron absorption enhancer by suppressing hepcidin concentration, albeit with an unclear underlying mechanism. Dietary-based approach in improving iron status has been widely practised, however, there is a scarcity in randomized controlled trials (RCT) to elucidate the effect of vitamin D-fortified juice on iron status recovery. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of an 8-week vitamin D3-fortified fruit juice supplementation on iron status indicators in childbearing-aged women with marginally low iron stores.

Impact of an Educational Training Program on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Barriers of Community Pharmacists Towards Obesity and Overweight Management in Malaysia.

To evaluate the impact of an educational training program on the knowledge, attitude and perceived barriers of community pharmacists (CPs) towards obesity and overweight management. This interventional study, which consisted of an educational training program, was conducted on a single cohort of Malaysian CPs. Thirty CPs attended the educational training program.

A Qualitative Study Exploring Community Pharmacists' Experiences and Views About Weight Management Interventions and Services in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

To qualitatively explore the perspectives of community pharmacists in Malaysia on their roles in weight management, and the barriers and facilitators in the expansion of these roles. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit community pharmacists in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with community pharmacists, with an interview guide, from May 2018 to January 2019.

Task shifting in primary care to tackle healthcare worker shortages: An umbrella review.

Background: Task shifting is an approach to help address the shortage of healthcare workers through reallocating human resources but its impact on primary care is unclear.

Objectives: To provide an overview of reviews describing task shifts from physicians to allied healthcare workers in primary care and its impact on clinical outcomes.

Methods: Six electronic databases were searched up to 15 December 2020, to identify reviews describing task shifting in primary care.

Development and Relative Validity of a Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire to Estimate Dietary Intake among a Multi-Ethnic Population in the Malaysian Cohort Project.

Measuring dietary intakes in a multi-ethnic and multicultural setting, such as Malaysia, remains a challenge due to its diversity. This study aims to develop and evaluate the relative validity of an interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in assessing the habitual dietary exposure of The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) participants. We developed a nutrient database (with 203 items) based on various food consumption tables, and 803 participants were involved in this study.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire on Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Towards Allergic Reactions of Paracetamol.

Introduction: National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, Ministry of Health Malaysia has received 1018 adverse drug reaction reports related to paracetamol with 1972 adverse events from the year 2000 to February 2015. Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis may develop as a result of allergic reactions of paracetamol. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire regarding Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception towards Allergic Reactions of Paracetamol (KAP-ARP) among the general population.

Recruitment and participation of a survey in a public-private primary care setting: experience from the QUALICOPC Malaysia.

Aim: The purpose of this paper is to describe the recruitment strategies, the response rates and the reasons for non-response of Malaysian public and private primary care doctors in an international survey on the quality, cost and equity in primary care.

Background: Low research participation by primary care doctors, especially those working in the private sector, is a challenge to quality benchmarking.

Methods: Primary care doctors were sampled through multi-stage sampling.

A cross sectional study on assessing the knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol in Malaysia.

Recent years, the prevalence of paracetamol allergy becomes great concerns. However, data on knowledge, attitude and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol are lacking. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitude, and perception towards allergic reactions of paracetamol (KAP-ARP).

Fluid intake, hydration status and its association with cognitive function among adolescents in Petaling Perdana, Selangor, Malaysia.

Background/objectives: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate fluid intake and hydration status in association with cognitive function among 230 adolescents (10-14 years of age) in Petaling Perdana, Selangor, Malaysia.

Subjects/methods: Urine color was used to measure hydration status, while fluid intake was assessed using the 15-item beverage intake questionnaire. Cognitive function was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition.

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Malaysia.

Hypertension continues to be the top global killer, contributing to over 10 million deaths annually. As prevalence and unawareness of hypertension remain high in Malaysia, this study was aimed to screen more individuals to identify those with undiagnosed hypertension. Respondents aged ≥18 years were recruited through opportunistic sampling at various screening sites including health clinics, hospitals, student health centres, universities, community halls, shopping malls, as well as through other health screening campaigns.

Effectiveness of Health-Led Cognitive Behavioral-Based Group Therapy on Pain, Functional Disability and Psychological Outcomes among Knee Osteoarthritis Patients in Malaysia.

Background: Psychosocial interventions for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee to reduce pain and improve physical and psychological functioning are still lacking in Malaysia.

Methods: A parallel-group unblinded randomized controlled trial involving 300 patients was conducted in two hospital orthopedics clinics in Malaysia. Patients were randomly assigned to receive cognitive behavioral-based group therapy ( = 150) or no further intervention ( = 150).

Assessing quality of life using WHOQOL-BREF: A cross-sectional insight among patients on warfarin in Malaysia.

Background And Aim: The effect of anticoagulation control on overall Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients taking warfarin in Malaysia has not been explored yet. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate HRQoL among patients on warfarin in Malaysia.

Methods: HRQoL among patients on warfarin was measured using WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of life Assessment: Brief Version).

Priorities for primary health care policy implementation: recommendations from the combined experience of six countries in the Asia-Pacific.

Primary health care is essential for equitable, cost-effective and sustainable health care. It is the cornerstone to achieving universal health coverage against a backdrop of rising health expenditure and aging populations. Implementing strong primary health care requires grassroots understanding of health system performance.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes among multi-ethnic systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Malaysia.

Background: Despite the improvement in the live birth rate among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), they are still at an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with APOs in the multi-ethnic SLE populations in Malaysia. This was a retrospective review of the consecutive SLE patients who attended the outpatient clinic in two major rheumatology centres from January 2016 until December 2019 with complete pre-pregnancy, antenatal and intra-partum records.

Determinants of health-related quality of life among warfarin patients in Pakistan.

Introduction: The effect of anticoagulation control on overall Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients taking warfarin in Pakistan has not been explored yet. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate HRQoL among warfarin patients in Pakistan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients on warfarin in Pakistan.

Public Perception About the Zika Virus in Working Professionals: A Qualitative Inquiry.

Aims: The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network recently warned that the Zika virus-containing mosquitoes are being found in Pakistan and the health sector is on high alert. It is thus significant to understand public beliefs and perceptions of the Zika virus and vaccination in the current scenario of Pakistan.

Methods: Twenty semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed through an inductive approach to analysis.

Dietary Polyphenol Intake Associated with Adiposity Indices among Adults from Low to Medium Socioeconomic Status in a Suburban Area of Kuala Lumpur: A Preliminary Findings.

Background: Researches on polyphenols have been the interest of few parties due to its possible roles in the prevention of obesity. However, studies regarding this topic are still limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between the intake of polyphenols with adiposity indices among middle-aged adults.

Development of biodegradable sustained-release damnacanthal nanocapsules for potential application in in-vitro breast cancer studies.

The "noni" species of Morinda citrifolia L., is using in traditional medicine in the tropical country for over 2000 years. Noni fruit has come from the Morinda citrifolia tree which is called Rubiaceae, and it is from the coffee family.

Job satisfaction of public and private primary care physicians in Malaysia: analysis of findings from QUALICO-PC.

Background: Job satisfaction of doctors is an important factor determining quality and performance of a health system. The aim of this study was to assess job satisfaction among doctors of the public and private primary care clinics in Malaysia and evaluate factors that could influence the job satisfaction rating.

Methods: This study was part of the Quality and Costs of Primary Care (QUALICOPC) Malaysia, a cross-sectional survey conducted between August 2015 and June 2016 in Malaysia.

A Case Study on Chronic Hepatitis-C Viral infection Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Tertiary Hospital of Bangladesh.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important reason of liver-related death globally. HCC is the fifth most common cancer, the third most common cause for cancer related death in the world and responsible for approximately one million deaths each year. The incidence of HCC is expected to increase in the next two decades, largely due to hepatitis C infection and secondary cirrhosis.

Levofloxacin: Insights Into Antibiotic Resistance and Product Quality.

Counterfeit and substandard medicines are recognized as one of serious threats to public health. The product quality of antibacterial medicine will compromise patients' recovery and increase the chance of antibacterial resistance. The review aims to provide a summary of low quality levofloxacin issues and the risk factors as well as suggesting the aspects of product quality that need to be regulated strictly.

The Use of Medicines with Anti-cholinergic Properties and Their Health Impacts among Hospitalised Malaysian Geriatric Patients.

Background: Studies have shown that the use of medicines with anti-cholinergic (Ach) properties can increase elderly patients' risk of experiencing falls, confusion, and longer hospital stays (LOS). These adverse effects are preventable with appropriate intervention. Little is known about the use of medicines with Ach properties and their impact on Malaysian elderly patients.

Prevalence of Poor Mental Health and Cognitive Status among Middle-Aged Adults and Its Predictors in Relation to Polyphenols Intake.

Background: Decline in mental health and cognitive status starts to show its sign during middle-age and is affected by dietary factors, namely the polyphenols intake. Polyphenols have received attention in improving health issues related to aging, including decline in mental health and cognitive. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of poor mental health and cognitive status among middle-aged adults and its predictors in relation to polyphenols intake.