Investigating Mental Health Among Malaysian University Students During Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown have led to an increasing number of mental health issues in Malaysia. The demands of living during the pandemic have caused a rising number of university students to be diagnosed with depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health problems. A survey done by National Health and Morbidity 2015 found that the prevalence of mental health problems among adults in Malaysia has increased from 10.7% in 1996, to 11.2% in 2006, to 29.2% in 2015. Moreover, one in 10 individuals in 2011 to one in five in 2016 cases reported are among Malaysian students. Thus, the study explores the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among university students in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study adopted the DASS-21 inventory to measure the mental health of the students during the pandemic COVID-19 that assesses the depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Data obtained from the 355 Malaysian university students showed that most of the respondents were sometimes feeling depressed by having negative feelings (44.2%)”, and unable to become enthusiastic (44.5%)”, feeling anxious where they were close to panic (33.8%)” and dryness of their mouth (31.5%)”, and feeling stressed where they found themselves getting agitated (40.3%)” and difficult to relax (40.8%)”. The findings may suggest that further research is proposed for the inclusion of successful coping strategies used by the students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research should also develop interventions and preventive strategies to address the mental health of university students.

Effectiveness of Structured Counseling and Preventive Strategies in Promoting Awareness and Expressed Habitual Practices Toward Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection Among Women of Reproductive Age Group: A Pilot Study

Objectives Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection that affects half of all women in their lifetime and one-fourth have recurrent infections. Health behaviors could prevent the recurrence of UTIs and therefore motivation and increasing awareness are necessary for healthy behavior change. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of structured counseling and preventive strategies (SCAPS) in promoting awareness and expressed habitual practices among the women of the reproductive age group to prevent UTI. Materials and Methods Block randomization with multiple interventions and follow-up were conducted among 60 women (30 in each group, randomly assigned using the SNOSE technique) attending the OBG and urology OPDs of a selected medical college hospital. Purposive sampling was used to select the subjects. Women who were positive for urine culture and experiencing typical symptoms of UTI, as assessed using the symptom score checklist, were recruited for the study. Pre-test awareness was assessed using a structured awareness questionnaire and a rating scale for expressed habitual practice. After the pre-test, on the same day, the experimental group received SCAPS intervention followed by a second session during the third month. At the third (before the second session) and the sixth-month post-tests were conducted by delivering the same tool to determine the post-test level of awareness and expressed habitual practice after the administration of SCAPS. Results The study shows there is a significant difference in the awareness and expressed habitual practice values in the experimental group (p < 0.005). The effectiveness of SCAPS showed that the mean ± standard deviation (SD) pre-test score of women (awareness - x̄1 ± SD = 9.47 ± 2.57, hygienic habitual practice - x̄1 ± SD = 20.93 ± 1.91, fluid and dietary practice - x̄1 ± SD = 7.73 ± 2.18 and sexual habits - x̄1 ± SD= 8.00 ± 3.33) was significantly lower than the mean ± SD post-test scores (awareness - x̄2 ± SD =11.37 ± 1.65, awareness - x̄3 ± SD = 12.00 ± 1.05), (hygienic habitual practice - x̄2 ± SD = 22.57 ± 2.16, x̄3 ± SD = 23.90 ± 1.99), (fluid and dietary practice - x̄2 ± SD = 10.07 ± 2.21, x̄3 ± SD =11.97 ± 1.79) and (sexual habits - x̄2 ± SD = 8.81 ± 2.51, x̄3 ± SD =9.81 ± 2.26). Conclusion SCAPS was found to be effective on awareness and preventive habitual practices with regard to UTI. SCAPS can be recommended for vulnerable groups such as females so that UTI could be prevented. Trial Registration CTRI/2018/10/016064 (Registration on 17/10/2018).

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Neuroprotectants for Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

BackgroundPaclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a disabling side effect of paclitaxel with few effective preventive strategies. We aim to determine the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological neuroprotective interventions in preventing PIPN incidence.MethodsBiomedical literature databases were searched from years 2000 to 2021 for trials comparing neuroprotective interventions and control. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. The primary outcome was the incidence of PIPN.ResultsOf 24 relevant controlled trials, 14 were eligible for meta-analysis. Pooled results from seven non-pharmacological trials were associated with a statistically significant 48% relative reduction of PIPN risk with low heterogeneity. Conversely, pooled results from six pharmacological trials were associated with a significant 20% relative reduction of PIPN risk with moderate heterogeneity. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches appear effective in reducing PIPN incidence in the treatment arm compared to control (pooled RR &lt; 1).ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that both interventions may reduce PIPN risk. Non-pharmacological interventions appear more effective than pharmacological interventions.

Dental Awareness and Barriers in Reducing the Risk of Medication-related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) Among Non-head and Neck Cancer Patients

Objectives. The objectives of this study are to assess the dental awareness in reducing the risk of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) among non-head and neck cancer patients and their barriers of attending pre-medication dental evaluation (PMDE). Methodology: This study was conducted in the Department of Oncology of the University of Malaya Medical Centre. Non-head and neck cancer patients who are currently or will be undergoing anti-resorptive and/or anti-angiogenic therapy were interviewed using a questionnaire that consist of questions on patient’s awareness, attitude, and barriers of receiving PMDE. Ethics approval was obtained. Results. In total, 17 patients were interviewed. Only 6 patients were informed by the medical doctors about the risk of MRONJ. Nine patients were advised by the medical doctors to have the PMDE prior to the therapy, and most of them in this group follow the instruction and already had their PMDE done prior to the therapy. The other 8 patients, who did not attend a PMDE, thought it was not important because their medical doctors neither inform them about MRONJ, nor refer them for PMDE. Conclusion. Patients’ awareness of MRONJ risks and preventive strategies are poor. The main barrier for PMDE is the lack of referral and information on MRONJ from the medical doctors. Patients’ attitudes were positive towards PMDE if they were referred by the medical doctors.

Global burden of gynecological cancers

Gynecological cancers include malignant tumours arising from reproductive organs in women including ovaries, uterus, vagina vulva, and cervix. Cervical cancer is reported to be the most common cancer while the vagina is reported to have the lowest incidence all around the world. According to the World Health Organization report Asia has the highest rate of gynecological cancers followed by Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the lowest rate is observed in Oceania. The rate was predicted to rise in the upcoming years. Thus appropriate strategies are needed to be adopted to control disease outcomes and adopt preventive strategies.

Vaccine-breakthrough infection by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant elicits broadly cross-reactive immune responses

Highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has posted a new crisis for COVID-19 pandemic control. Within a month, Omicron is dominating over Delta variant in several countries probably due to immune evasion. It remains unclear whether vaccine-induced memory responses can be recalled by Omicron infection. Here, we investigated host immune responses in the first vaccine-breakthrough case of Omicron infection in Hong Kong. We found that the breakthrough infection rapidly recruited potent cross-reactive broad neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against current VOCs, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron, from unmeasurable IC50 values to mean 1:2929 at around 9-12 days, which were higher than the mean peak IC50 values of BioNTech-vaccinees. Cross-reactive spike- and nucleocapsid-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses were detected. Similar results were also obtained in the second vaccine-breakthrough case of Omicron infection. Our preliminary findings may have timely implications to booster vaccine optimization and preventive strategies of pandemic control.

Smoking Prevalence among Physicians: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Smoking is a major public health problem. Although physicians have a key role in the fight against smoking, some of them are still smoking. Thus, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of smoking among physicians. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched. The prevalence of smoking among physicians was estimated and stratified, where possible, by specialties, continents, and periods of time. Then, meta-regressions were performed regarding putative influencing factors such as age and sex. Results: Among 246 studies and 497,081 physicians, the smoking prevalence among physicians was 21% (95CI 20 to 23%). Prevalence of smoking was 25% in medical students, 24% in family practitioners, 18% in surgical specialties, 17% in psychiatrists, 16% in medical specialties, 11% in anesthesiologists, 9% in radiologists, and 8% in pediatricians. Physicians in Europe and Asia had a higher smoking prevalence than in Oceania. The smoking prevalence among physicians has decreased over time. Male physicians had a higher smoking prevalence. Age did not influence smoking prevalence. Conclusion: Prevalence of smoking among physicians is high, around 21%. Family practitioners and medical students have the highest percentage of smokers. All physicians should benefit from targeted preventive strategies.