Epidemiology Commons^™

Psychosocial Impacts Of Fixed Orthodontic Treatment In Lahore, Pakistan, Hazik Bin Shahzad, Dalia Iftikhar, Noor Ul Huda, Nayha Enver, Faiza Awais, Shabbir Hussain

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The aim of this study is to assess psychosocial impacts on oral health-related quality of life between individuals currently undergoing orthodontic treatment and those who have completed treatment.

Methods: A total of 135 individuals were selected from the Orthodontic Department at Rashid Latif Dental Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Current and previous orthodontic treatments were recorded. A questionnaire on oral impacts on daily performance was used to assess functional, psychological, and social limitations.

Results: The most prevalent psychosocial impact was difficulty in smiling/laughing (26.6%). Logistic regression analysis showed that individuals currently undergoing orthodontic treatment are 2.9 times more …

Pterygium Recurrence And Corneal Stabilization Point After Pterygium Excision Using The Controlled Partial Avulsion Fibrin Glue Technique, Mohd Radzi Hilmi, Khairidzan Mohd Kamal, Mohd Zulfaezal Che Azemin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the pterygium recurrence rate and corneal stabilization point after pterygium excision via the controlled partial avulsion fibrin glue technique using multiple corneal parameters.

Methods: One hundred eyes of 100 patients who had undergone primary pterygium excision surgery via the controlled partial avulsion fibrin glue technique were retrospectively reviewed. Corneal stabilization points were determined over four follow-up sessions (i.e., the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after surgery) based on changes in Simulated-K, corneal irregularity measurement, shape factor, and toric mean keratometry. Post-operative courses were followed for 12 months after surgery. Recurrence was …

Effects Of L-Fucose Supplementation On The Viability Of Cancer Cell Lines, Muhammad Alif Mazlan, Afzan Mat Yusof, Muhammad Lokman Md Isa

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Fucose is a deoxyhexose sugar. While the biological roles of L-fucose remain unclear, the sugar is known to accelerate the malignant potential of cancer cells. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the viability pattern of human cancer and normal cell lines treated with fucose.

Methods: The human gingival fibroblast (HGF-1), colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and skin malignant melanoma (A375) cell lines were cultured and treated with fucose at three concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 mg/ml. Cell viability was then measured using (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social …

Health-Related Quality Of Life And Work Ability Of Smallholder Rice Farm Workers In San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines, Artemio Morado Gonzales Jr, Ryan Mark Aloro Ambong, Leoniel Salibio Bais, Lendon Perez Macaspac

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Health is an integral form of human capital that can positively influence agricultural worker productivity in the physical, mental, and social domains. Poor health usually represents a burden to farm workers because a failure to meet scheduled tasks on the farm can later affect the dependents who rely on it for food nourishment and sustained livelihood. This study aims to determine the association between health and the work capabilities of smallholder rice farm workers in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 farm workers. The SF-36 (HRQoL) and Work Ability …

Perceived Need And Utilization Of Dental Health Care Services In Indonesia: A Secondary Analysis Using The National Socioeconomic Data, Normaliza Ab Malik, Robbykha Rosalien, Nadine Khalissya, Iwany Amalliah Badruddin, Diah Ayu Maharani

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Perceived needs and utilization of oral health services are important to ensure improvements in oral health outcomes and to allocate resources for the continuous provision of the services. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the perceived needs and utilization of oral health services in Indonesia.

Methods: Secondary data from the 2013 Indonesian National Socioeconomic Survey (n = 260,925) was used. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were employed to describe the relationship between perceived needs and utilization of oral health services.

Results: The proportions of Indonesians who had a perceived need for oral health services and …

Organizational Empowerment Among Nursing Faculty In The Northwestern Region Of Saudi Arabia, Salman Hamdan Alsaqri, Eddieson Pasay-An, Liza Villacorte, Fredezwinda Madjid, Carmencita Pacis, Ahmad Khalil Ahmad Al-Sadi

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to determine the differences in the workplace empowerment of nursing faculty as it relates to their demographic information.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 65 nurse educators at the College of Nursing, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected through a survey questionnaire between January and March 2019.

Results: Significant differences were found regarding gender and opportunity (p < 0.017), support (p < 0.020), resources (p < 0.022), job activities scale (JAS; p < 0.005), organizational relationship scale (ORS; p < 0.011), and marital status on resources (p < 0.031). In comparison, gender to information and all of the other demographic variables such as marital status (except resources), years of experience, age, nationality, educational qualifications, and specialization were found insignificant to opportunity, support, resources, information, JAS, and ORS, where all of their p-values were more than 0.05.

Conclusion: Male nursing faculty were found to be more empowered in terms of opportunity, support, resources, JAS, and …

Effect Of The Sims Program On Oral Hygiene Levels Of 5–6-Year-Old Children In The Kampar District, Malaysia: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial, Nurul Hayati Anwar, Nor Azlida Mohd Nor, Zamros Yuzadi Mohd Yusof

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study evaluated the effect of the “Senyuman Indah Milik Semua” program (SIMSP) versus the existing preschool oral healthcare program (POHP) on children’s oral health and parents’ oral health literacy (OHL) in Kampar district, Malaysia.

Methods: This was a cluster-randomized, matched pair, examiner-blind, controlled trial. Using computer-generated random tables, 14 preschools were allocated to the SIMSP intervention over 6 months and another 14 were allocated to the POHP, which was concealed at the cluster level. Healthy 5–6-year-old children and parents who understood the Malay language were recruited. The SIMSP was comprised of preschool visits by dental …

Association Between Sociodemographic Factors And Estrogen Receptor-Positive, Progesterone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Subtypes: A Cross-Sectional Study, Vinodkumar Mugada, Raj Kiran Kolakota, Varsha Mahato

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The presence of risk factors have a high risk of developing breast cancer. Our study aimed to find an association between sociodemographic factors and the risk of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, progesterone receptor (PR)-positive breast cancer among women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 women with breast cancer. Association between sociodemographic factors and hormone receptor subtypes of breast cancer was found using the Chi-square test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to know the strong predictors of hormone receptor subtypes.

Results: The mean age was 50.08 (10.67) years. Comorbidities had a statistically significant association with …

Obesity Is Associated With Depression In Malaysian Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study, Mohd Said Nurumal, Rohulizzat Zainal Abidin, Wisam Nabeel Ibrahim, Muhammad Lokman Md Isa, Muhammad Kamil Che Hasan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Overweight and obesity, which may lead to depression, have become prevalent among children worldwide. Hence, this study aimed to measure obesity and depression among schoolchildren in Kuantan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three different primary schools in Kuantan by purposive sampling. With consent from their parents/guardians, participants were given a self-administered questionnaire. Demographics and anthropometric measurement data were self-reported on the basis of the school records. Furthermore, body mass index was calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0, and chi-square and correlation tests were conducted for the variables.

Results: Among the 300 schoolchildren …

Oral Health Related Quality Of Life In Stroke Survivors At Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre: A Pilot Study, In Meei Tew, Chui Ling Goo, Shahida Mohd Said, Hafizul Izwan Zahari, Noor Amalina Ali, Fatin Athirah Masawi, Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz, Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Despite being a common problem, long-term disability following stroke often improves after survivors receive regular rehabilitative therapy. This study aimed to assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of stroke survivors who had access to a community-based rehabilitation centre after hospital discharge.

Methods: Dentate post-stroke patients receiving regular rehabilitative care with slight to moderate dependency (Barthel Index >70) and without severe cognitive impairment were involved in this study. The OHRQoL parameters were measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and EuroQol five dimensions (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires.

Results: Thirty one patients were recruited in this study. …

Meaning Of Life Among Elderly Individuals With Chronic Diseases Living With Family: A Qualitative Study, Bahtiar Bahtiar, Junaiti Sahar, Wiwin Wiarsih

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Many elderly individuals receive lifelong treatment caused by chronic diseases with symptoms that affecting them physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. Spirituality plays an essential role in health conditions and social relationships given that it provides meaning to the elderly individuals life by allowing them to see the wisdom of life events experienced. This research aimed to explore the meaning of life among elderly individuals with chronic diseases.

Methods: This research applied descriptive phenomenology using Colaizzi’s method of thematic analysis among 13 elderly patients with chronic diseases.

Results: Elderly individuals with chronic diseases found meaning through the …

Trace Elements In Maternal Serum And Their Relationships With Preterm Birth And Fetal Growth Restriction, Rima Irwinda, Ali Sungkar, Raymond Surya, Valerie Tiempo Guinto

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) contribute to high hospital costs. An imbalance in the concentration of the four trace elements (i.e., copper, zinc, iron, and calcium) was shown to be associated with complications during pregnancy. This study aimed to analyze the role of these trace elements in the occurrence of PTB and FGR.

Methods: A search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Ovid. The articles were filtered based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and further screening was based on the association of articles with the clinical question. The risk of bias in …

Cervical Cancer Vaccination Awareness And Acceptance Among The Females Of Punjab, Pakistan, Sadia Minhas, Aneequa Sajjad, Muhammad Kashif, Zobaria Rehman, Muhammad Idrees, Farheen Ansari

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: In developing countries like Pakistan, it is essential for health care professionals to have comprehensive knowledge regarding cervical cancer.

Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered paper-based questionnaire was administered to patients from 2016 to 2018. This study included 200 females who attended the gynecological OPD of Lady Willingdon Hospital Lahore, Punjab. We evaluated cervical cancer knowledge, screening, prevention, and acceptance towards the vaccination. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS version 20.

Results: The perception and knowledge related to cervical cancer (28%), screening (3%), prevention (3%), and vaccination (1%) among the females were poor, but a positive …

Chronic Constipation Among Community-Dwelling Older People In The East Coast Region Of Peninsular Malaysia, Patimah Abdul Wahab, Azidah Abdul Kadir, Yeong Yeh Lee, Siti Hawa Ali, Dariah Mohd Yusoff

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, symptoms, and factors associated with chronic constipation among community-dwelling older people in the East Coast region of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected health clinics using stratified cluster sampling. A face-to-face interview was carried out among the elderly outpatients, in order to complete a structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 400 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 68.7 ± 6.4 years, and 55% of the cohort were women. The prevalence of chronic constipation was 32.3% among the sample population. The …

Factors Influencing Consumers’ Choices Of Oral Hygiene Products: A Cross-Sectional Study, Faiza Awais, Hazik Bin Shahzad, Kiran Naheed, Ayyaz Ali Khan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Environment, peer-groups, and salespersons influence consumers’ purchasing decisions regarding oral hygiene products. Other influences include various cultural, social, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. This study was designed to determine factors motivating and influencing consumers while choosing oral hygiene aids. Methods: 410 patients (age, 10–70 years), who visited the outpatient department of Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan, were subjected to a close-ended questionnaire survey. Factors investigated included cost, packaging, media advertisement, perceptions, and previous experiences. Results: The cost of oral-hygiene products (82%) were the biggest influence. Advertisements influenced 55% of consumers in their purchase decisions regarding oral …

Correlation Between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness And Serum Tnf-Alpha Levels In Female With Rheumatoid Arthritis Of Different Ethnicities: A Single-Centre Experience In Malaysia, Kek Xin Yi, Asrul A. Wahab, Mohamad Norazrin Mohd Abas, Siti Amira Kamarul Abdul Wahid, Faridah Hanun Othman, Mohd. Shahrir Mohamed Said

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive chronic inflammatory disease with intra- and extra-articular manifestations. It is associated with accelerated formation of arteriosclerosis. The aim of this study was to ascertain the correlation between endothelial dysfunction using carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels among the three main ethnic groups in Malaysia: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 23 females with RA belonging to three different ethnic groups who were free from cardiovascular risk factors. Blood sample was taken from each patient to measure serum TNF-α level, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte …

Dimensions Of Stress In Parents Of Children With Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Amirah Hazwani Binti Bakri, Noor Aishah Binti Rosli, Zarinah Binti Mohd Kasirun, Mohd Hairul Nizam Bin Md Nasir, Fazidah Binti Othman, Tengku Sarina Aini Binti Tengku Kasim

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Parents of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at an increased risk for stress and other mental health problems. While treatment is mainly focused on the child, somehow parents’ stress is exacerbated. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to identify the sources of stress in the parents of children with ASD. Methods: The 52 parents of children with ASD who participated in the study completed the child domain (CD) and parent domain (PD) subscales of the Parenting Stress Index Fourth Edition (PSI-4). Subsequently, the scores of the PSI-4 subscales were analyzed and compared. Results: …

Factors Influencing Pre-Marital Sexual Intercourse Among Unmarried Young Individuals In Cambodia, Vanthy Mai, Sirinan Kittisuksathit

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Sexual behavior of young individual are recognized as one of the main health priority in society. In Cambodia, young individual who hasten to involve in sexual intercourse, contributes to their high risk of various health issues, particularly those related to sexual reproductive health. This research will identify specific characteristics that have strong relationships with pre-marital sexual intercourse among unmarried young individuals in Cambodia. Methods: A binary logistic regression in a multivariate analysis of secondary data was applied from the 2014 cambodian demographic and health survey. the data about pre-marital sexual intercourse were assessed with the CDHS questionnaire …

Does Healthy Lifestyle Contribute To Physical And Mental Health Among University Students?, Dian Caesaria Widyasari, Sherly Saragih Turnip

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Little is known of how a healthy lifestyle and its health outcomes are related in university students in Indonesia. This study examined the association between healthy lifestyle markers (diet, sleeping hours, physical exercise, smoking, alcohol intake) and health outcomes (perceived physical fitness, psychological distress) among undergraduate students at university in Indonesia. We also examined gender-related patterns. Methods: A total of 616 undergraduate students participated in two cross-sectional studies carried out between 2011 and 2013. Six close-ended questions were used to measure health behaviors and perceived physical fitness. The Hopkin Symptoms Checklist-25 was used to measure psychological distress. …

An Experimental Model Of Chemically-Induced Ulceration Of The Buccal Mucosa Of Mus Musculus, Erik Idrus, Pratiwi Dwi Hartanti, Dewi Fatma Suniarti, Sri Redjeki Prasetyo, Yuniardini Septorini Wimardhani, Ajiravudh Subarnbhesaj

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Ulceration caused by chemical agents used in dental practice for in-office or home-used is a common event, resulting in discomfort and pain. Treatments for such conditions are still being developed, requiring extensive experiments both in vitro and in vivo studies. At present, a standardized experimental mouse model for mucosal ulceration caused by a chemical inducer to study the pathogenesis of ulceration and to develop medications for treatment of ulceration is still not available. The aim of this study was to create a chemically induced model of ulceration of the buccal mucosa of mice. Methods: An in vivo …

The Roles Of Intra-Household Gendered Dominance In Unmet Need For Family Planning Across Myanmar, Win Ei Phyu, Chalermpol Chamchan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Unmet need for family planning in Myanmar (estimated 15.8% by the UN in 2017) is relatively high compared to other South East Asia countries. Moreover, Social Institutions and Gender Index in Myanmar is very high and cultural norms promote childbearing. Thus, this paper was conducted to examine role of intra-household gendered dominance (IHGD) in unmet need for family planning across Myanmar to set more effective intervention for family planning. Methods: The study utilized secondary data from 2015–2016 MDHS. Total 7,652 married women in reproductive age (MWRA) were included and 16% of them had unmet need for family …