Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Perceived Preparedness Of Healthcare Workers To Cope With Covid-19 Pandemic In Hail Region Hospitals, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Farhan Alshammari, Evalynn Rondilla, Abdalkarem Asharari, Fahad Alshammari

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: All hospitals must have emergency plans because they play a crucial role in providing critical care. This study assesses the perceived hospital preparedness of healthcare workforces to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic regarding their demographic characteristics.

Methods: This study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional design to investigate the preparedness of hospital and healthcare workers in the city of Hail, Saudi Arabia. A convenience and snowball sampling method was used. A total of 330 healthcare workers participated in the study, which utilized a Google Form survey and was adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Descriptive …

Quality Of Life Of Pharmacy Students With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome In South India: A Cross-Sectional Study, Vinodkumar Mugada, Krishna Priya Mandarapu

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: One in five women in India suffers from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the quality of life of pharmacy students suffering from PCOS and provide awareness through counseling.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 students with PCOS for 6 months. The Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Quality of Life (PCOSQ) questionnaire was used to determine the quality of life.

Results: The prevalence of PCOS in our study was 39.5%. The mean age of the students was 21.1 (±1.8) years. The mean duration of the disorder was 17.8 (±13.0) months. More …

Parental Differences In Knowledge, Perception, And Safety Behaviors Regarding Home Injuries In An Urban Malaysian District, Munirah Mohd Basar, Mohd Fairuz Ali, Aznida Abdul Aziz

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Parents play an essential role in the prevention of home-related injuries among children. Traditionally, mothers provided direct overall care, whereas evidence on fathers' roles in children’s injuries is limited. This study assesses the differences between parents of children attending kindergarten regarding their knowledge and perception of home injuries and safety behaviors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2018 in 10 private kindergartens in the Selangor district in Malaysia. Self-administered questionnaires on sociodemographic data, knowledge of home injuries, perceptions toward home injuries, and safety behaviors at home were distributed. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were …

Trends And Determinants Of Family Planning Utilization Among Men In Indonesia, Haerawati Idris, Willyana Syafriyanti

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Population growth rate in the world is still increasing. To control population growth, governments issue family planning programs for married women and men. However, contraception use is still dominated by women. This study aims to analyze the trends and determinants of family planning utilization among men in Indonesia.

Methods: This study is quantitative in nature with a cross-sectional design, using secondary data from the Indonesian Health Demographic Survey (2007–2017). The sample comprised married men with a total of 27,859 respondents. For the final analysis, we conducted logistic regression statistical tests to determine family planning utilization among men. …

Association Between Cigarette Smoking And Breast Milk Levels Of Nesfatin-1, Irisin, And Oxidative Stress Markers, Nesibe Yildiz, Adnan Yilmaz, Hatice Iskender, Eda Dokumacioglu

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Breast milk is a very important functional food in the prevention of metabolic and chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of smoking during pregnancy on the concentrations of nesfatin-1, irisin, and oxidative stress markers in breast milk.

Methods: This study included two groups of 14 smoking and 14 nonsmoking mothers. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured according to the spectrophotometric method in breast milk samples. Nesfatin and irisin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Levels of nesfatin-1 and MDA of the smoking group were significantly higher than …

A Convergent Parallel Study On Knowledge, Perceptions, And Attitudes Of Mainstream Workers During Covid-19, Farhan Alshammari, Romeo Mostoles Jr, Eddieson Pasay-An, Sultan Alshammari

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study explores and assesses the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of mainstream workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Ha’il Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Using convergent parallel mixed-methods design, 502 frontline workers were enlisted via snowball and purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively.

Results: There is a well-prepared response to COVID-19, namely, a commendable knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) gap documented in reliable information concerning the virus, specifically, awareness that COVID-19 can be a potentially fatal disease (100%); that droplets from infected people …

Alveolar Bone Loss Analysis On Dental Digital Radiography Image, Aulia Karina Fitriananda, Bramma Kiswanjaya, Hanna H. Bachtiar-Iskandar

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Periodontal disease is the second most common tooth and mouth disease in Indonesia. Moreover, radiographic examination is the most useful tool to evaluate alveolar bone loss and diagnose periodontal diseases. This study aimed to analyze radiographically the relationship between alveolar bone loss and age among patients with chronic periodontitis.

Methods: A total of 192 digital periapical images of patients aged 25–40 years were collected. Four regions were selected, including the maxillary and mandibular central incisors and maxillary and mandibular first molars. Alveolar bone loss was measured in the mesial and distal surfaces.

Results: The mean and …

Determination Of The Nutritional Habits And Anxiety Levels In Individuals With Covid-19 In Turkey, Hatice Iskender, Eda Dokumacioglu, Osman Yalap

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has spread worldwide since December 2019, has infected and claimed the lives of millions of people. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety levels and nutritional habits of patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 1, 2021 and May 1, 2021. The study population included a total of 108 individuals with COVID-19 residing in Artvin, Turkey. This study used a self-administered online questionnaire, containing 40 questions from the State and Trait Anxiety Scale.

Results: The state anxiety score was 37.26, and the …

Preventive Behaviors, Barriers, And Drivers Of The Covid-19 Pandemic In Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Normaliza Ab Malik, Rusyda Helma Mohd, Nor Ba'yah Abdul Kadir

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health concern worldwide. This study aimed to assess the preventive behaviors, barriers, and drivers, including the knowledge and self-efficacy of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak by using a self-administered questionnaire. The instrument used was adopted from the World Health Organization resources. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the categorical data. Chi-square and independent t-test were performed to evaluate the associations between the variables and preventive behaviors.

Results: A total of 465 (97.3%) respondents were recorded. The mean age was 34.3 ± …

Loneliness And Health Outcomes Among Malaysian Older Adults, Siti Zuhaida Hussein, Azera Hasra Ismail, Suraya Hanim Abu Bakar

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Loneliness is a major social problem among the elderly all over the world.

Methods: A community-based survey was conducted among 380 community-dwelling older adults residing in Malaysia. A proportional stratified random sampling method was used to examine the relationship between health factors and loneliness. Data were collected using the short-form Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, and RAND SF-20. p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant, and data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Statistics 26.0 for Windows.

Results: Results revealed that 32.6% of the respondents had social loneliness, 39.9% had emotional loneliness, and 9.2% had family loneliness. Bivariate analyses showed that social and emotional loneliness are significantly related to …

Prevalence And Correlates Of Frequent And Infrequent Bullying Victimization Among School Adolescents From Five Southeast Asian Countries, Karl Peltzer, Supa Pengpid

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Little is known about the frequency of bullying victimization (BV) among adolescents in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. This study aims to assess the prevalence and correlates of frequent and infrequent BV among school-going adolescents in five ASEAN member states.

Methods: The cross-sectional sample of the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) of 2015 comprised 33,184 school adolescents (14.6 years mean age) from five ASEAN countries. Students completed a paper-based, self-administered questionnaire on BV in their own languages during classroom periods. Multinomial logistic regression was used to predict frequent and infrequent BV, with no …

A Cross-Sectional Study On Bullying And Psychological Disturbances Among Malaysian School Children, Muhammad Lokman Md Isa, Nurfatin Aina Mocktar, Wisam Nabeel Ibrahim, Mohd Said Nurumal, Muhammad Kamil Che Hasan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Bullying is a common violence in school and has become a major public health and global concern. Bullying influences mental health and is identified as a leading factor of depression. Therefore, this study aimed to identify bullying prevalence and its association toward psychological disturbances (stress, anxiety, and depression).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three secondary schools in Kuantan. After obtaining consent from parents/guardians, participants were asked to answer a self-administered questionnaire, including School Climate Bullying Survey, Depression Anxiety Stress Questionnaire-21, Patient Depression Questionnaire, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Demographic data were self-reported. Data were analyzed using …

Mothers’ Nutritional Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Practice Of Meal Preparation For School-Age Children In Yangon, Myanmar, Wut Yee Phyo, Ohn Khin Khin, Min Htike Aung

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Childhood malnutrition is a global public health concern. For Myanmar, mothers play a prominent role in improving the nutritional status of children as they prepare meals for children.

Methods: This community-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 367 mother-child pairs (6–10 years). Significantly, systematic random sampling and structured questionnaires were utilized in this study.

Results: The mean age of mothers was 35.73 ± 6.9 years, and a majority had fair nutritional knowledge (52.3%), good self-efficacy (79.8%), and good practice of meal preparation (59.4%). The prevalence of childhood malnutrition was categorized as stunting (18.2%), underweight (18.8%), wasting …

Effects Of Ectodermal Dysplasia On The Maxilla: A Study Of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Beyza Karadede Ünal

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of ectodermal dysplasia (ED) on the transverse width of the maxillary bone.

Methods: The ED group was composed of seven people, while the control group consisted of retrospective cone-beam computed tomography images of seven individuals with skeletal class 1 relationship. Images on the sagittal planes were taken, and cross-sections were taken from the longest point of the Anterior Nasal Spine-Posterior Nasal Spine line. The distance between the distal anterior canine teeth from the right buccal cortical bone to the left buccal cortical bone was measured. At the posterior region, the …

Prevalence And Impacts Of Musculoskeletal Pain Among The Elderly Living In The East Coast Region Of Peninsular Malaysia, Muhammad Kamil Che Hasan, Nur Nabila Izzati Asmera, Suliza Sulaiman, Mohd Said Nurumal, Nik Noor Kaussar Nik Mohd Hatta

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Musculoskeletal pain commonly affects the elderly, but the extent of this problem within the Malaysian community remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal pain among the elderly living in the community.

Methods: Elderly individuals aged 60 years and above with musculoskeletal pain and intact cognition were recruited for this study. Musculoskeletal pain was scored using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and functional ability was assessed via the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale. Mental wellbeing was evaluated using the Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale, and risk of falling was determined via …

Prevalence And Associated Factors Of Urinary Incontinence Among Elderly In Pekanbaru, Indonesia, Wulan Sari

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The proportion of the elderly in Riau Province was 4.8% higher than that (4.2%) in 2011. Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common health problem among the elderly. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors for UI among the elderly (≥60 years).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 public health centers in Pekanbaru City in 2018. A total of 351 elderly meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Gender, age, education, occupation, marital status, obesity, depression, cognitive impairment, smoking status, history of chronic cough, and history of lower abdominal surgery served as the independent …

Factors Affecting Health-Promoting Lifestyles Among Community Residents At East Gyogone Ward, Insein Township, Rita Meemee, Naw Ohn Khin Khin, Min Htike Aung

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming major challenges for health professionals. Health-promoting lifestyles (HPL) are one of the main criteria for determining health and recognized as the main factor affecting the development of chronic NCDs. This study aimed to determine factors affecting HPL practices among community residents.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Insein Township, Yangon, Myanmar. A total of 194 participants were recruited by using systematic sampling method, and self-administered questionnaires for sociodemographic characteristics and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II were used for data collection. Independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance were employed …

Determinants Of Postnatal Care Service Utilization In Indonesia: A Secondary Analysis Using The Indonesian Health And Demographics Survey, Haerawati Idris, Willyana Syafriyanti

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The postnatal complication that occurs in the first week after childbirth is one of the causes of maternal death in Indonesia. However, it can be prevented with postnatal care (PNC). This study aims to analyze the determinants of PNC service utilization in Indonesia.

Methods: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional study design and used secondary data from the Indonesian Health and Demographics Survey of 2017. The sample consisted of 14,724 women aged 15–49 years. We assessed the predictors of PNC service utilization using multivariate logistic regression models.

Results: About 78.4% of the respondents utilized PNC services. …

Soft Drink Consumption Patterns Of Middle School Students In North Okkalarpa, Moh Moh Thwe, Sein Yaw May, Min Htike Aung

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Urbanization and economic development in Myanmar have brought about culture and dietary transition from a traditional to a westernized diet. The health of the nation, especially the youth, may influence the changing dietary patterns: i.e., the higher the soft drink consumption, the higher the prevalence of soft drink-related diseases.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 middle school students in North Okkalarpa Township, Yangon Region. Data were collected using self-structured questionnaires, and respondents were selected by using simple random sampling method.

Results: In this study, 81.2% of the students consumed soft drink once a …

Controlling Dentistry-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders With Ergonomic Interventions In Lahore, Pakistan, Marriyam Nasar, Farwa Rubab, Hazik Bin Shahzad, Minam Qureshi, Maham Shahid, Pakiza Batool

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) usually result from a prolonged static position and repetitive movements. A comfortable environment, appropriate working position, and multiple short breaks could alleviate MSDs. While the occasional back or neck ache is not a cause for alarm, regularly occurring pain or discomfort, if ignored, may further develop into an injury or career-ending disability.

Methods: A total of 370 dentists were selected from two dental hospitals and multiple dental clinics in Lahore, Pakistan. Current MSDs were recorded with the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ). Information sheets containing dental ergonomics and back and tendon-gliding exercises were distributed among …