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Introduction: People of different cultures perceive health and disease differently. A culturally competent healthcare team is needed to provide quality healthcare. In Asian medical schools, less emphasis is laid on cultural competency training. In this context, the study aims to assess the cultural competency of medical students in Malaysia and to fathom the demographic factors influencing it. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted on students from all five years of a Malaysian medical school using an adapted version of Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire (CCCQ) to tap the self-perceived knowledge, skills, comfort level in cross-cultural encounters and attitude towards cultural competency. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse the data. Results: Among the 291 respondents, the cultural competency was found to be significantly different among medical students of different year of study, age, and ethnicity. However, with regards to gender, country of birth or the number of languages spoken, the difference was insignificant. The clinical year students had significantly higher scores on the knowledge, skills, comfort level and attitude domains of cultural competency when compared to the preclinical students. Chinese students' perception on cultural competence was significantly distinct from Indian and Malay students. Conclusion: Exposure to cross cultural encounters in clinical settings and personal experiences seem to influence cultural competency of the medical students. It provides valuable data to plan for interventions, training and self-development strategies aimed at providing culturally attuned patient centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In medical education one of the main goal is to facilitate the development of professional identity of medical students. It is influenced by sociocultural factors whose influence has been examined by the empirical scholarship on professional identity research in a robust way. The current research studied the influence of gender, ethnicity and year of study on the professional identity of medical students using a validated instrument. Methods: The quantitative research approach using the cross sectional survey design is adopted in the present study. The instrument for the measurement of professional identity was developed using the items adapted from previous research. Stratified random sampling was used to collect the data from 318 participants. The reliability and construct validity of the instrument was evaluated using Smart PLS 3. Data was analysed, for descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 26. Result: Ethnicity, gender and year of study had an impact on the professional identity of medical students. Indian ethnicity had significantly higher positive influence. The female students had higher professional identity than male medical students. As the students' progressed to higher level of their training their professional identity progressively decreased. Conclusion: The medical students trained with similar curricular activities and the learning experiences develop different levels of professional identity. The level of professional identity developed by the medical students in deferent gender, ethnicity, and year of study differes. The sociocultural factors need to be considered when designing activities aimed at development of medical students' professional identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Increasing unemployment among youth is a cause for concern that has led to an increase in entrepreneurial studies among university students. Unfortunately, medical students' entrepreneurialism has been widely ignored. To fill this gap, the current study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial personality traits on medical students' nascent entrepreneurial behavior. Method: The research utilized quantitative methodology and a cross-sectional design. Using an adapted questionnaire and the traits model of entrepreneurship on a sample of 318 Malaysian medical students selected by disproportionate stratified random sampling, we examined three entrepreneurial traits and nascent entrepreneurial behavior. The influence of entrepreneurial traits on nascent entrepreneurial behavior was investigated using multivariate analysis and structural equation modeling. Findings: Medical students demonstrated high levels of need for achievement, locus of control, and self-efficacy, according to the results. Nevertheless, they exhibited a moderately low level of nascent entrepreneurial behavior. A significant positive relation between entrepreneurial traits and developing entrepreneurial behavior was observed among the study population (β=0.451, t=9.998, p<0.01) with a predictive accuracy (R²) of 0.283. Implications: This study provides unique insights into the entrepreneurial characteristics of Malaysian medical students. Moreover, despite the positive impact of entrepreneurial traits, the study population exhibited bad nascent entrepreneurial behavior. This draws the attention of policymakers to the need for entrepreneurial education in medical curricula incorporating digital technology to promote self-employment among Malaysia's future physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic cigarette (EC) gaining recognition as a smoking cessation device among consumers. But it creates disputes among tobacco experts and smoking cessation practitioners. This study aims to identify the smoking cessation provider views towards EC safety and effectiveness as a smoking cessation aid. Besides EC prescribing or preventing factors as a smoking cessation aid been reported too. A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was designed to include physicians and pharmacists who were practising as smoking cessation practitioner in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Data were collected by in-depth interview and open-ended questions. The data were then transcribed, and content analysis was carried out. All the study participants were aged between 25 to 55, having smoking cessation practice experience of one to twenty- five years. A total of ten themes were developed from interview conversations as follows 1) EC cannot be considered as a quit smoking aid. 2) EC may not help in complete stop smoking. 3) No benefits from the use of EC. 4) Side effects and physical injuries by EC; 5) EC may lead to addiction to nicotine. 6) No regulations for EC in Malaysia; 7) EC without nicotine will not help to stop smoking; 8) EC less smelly than traditional tobacco cigarettes; 9) Improper knowledge about the contents of EC; 10) EC as a "fashion device". The study showed a negative perception towards the safety and effectiveness of EC among smoking cessation practitioners in Malaysia. Lack of EC effectiveness for quit smoking, safety studies, nicotine addiction, non-regulation by the government of Malaysia and the FDA are the primary preventing factors for prescribing EC as a smoking cessation aid. Future EC related trials are needed to aware the smoking cessation physicians to appropriately guide the tobacco quitters based on scientific evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Health care involves team work. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and social workers need to work in collaboration to deliver quality health care. It is therefore vital that team work and collaboration are integrated into the training of medical students. In a medical school where interprofessional education has not been introduced, the preclinical students are trained in silos whereas the clinical students have interprofessional experiences in hospital and community centers. This study was conducted to explore medical student's receptiveness for interprofessional education and to identify any differences in attitude among the preclinical and clinical year students. Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional study design using purposive sampling technique at a private medical school in Malaysia. Participants completedthe standardized Readiness for inter-professional learning Scale and the data was analyzed. Results: 436 students witha mean age of 22 years participated in this study. Among them, 170 were from preclinical and 266 were from clinical years Both the groups scored high on team work while clinical students scored better than preclinical students in understanding professional identity and recognizing their roles. Conclusion: This study shows a readiness among medical students for IPE. Clinical year medical student's attitude was similar to preclinical students [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a global health problem. It is a symptomatic disorder of the nose after allergen exposure due to IgE mediated inflammation of membrane lining the nose with clinical manifestation of rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching and nasal congestion. It is the sixth most prevalent chronic disease in the world with approximately 1 million people affected each year including up to 40% of the student population. This study aims to explore the social and psychological impact of allergic rhinitis among university students. Methodology: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 1000 students of a private university in Malaysia who were willing to participate. Convenient sampling technique was used. The study tool used was a well structural questionnaire. Inferential statistical analysis was done. Results: In our study group,800 students were found to have allergic rhinitis (AR). They were in the age group of 18-26 years. Among them, 55% were females and 45% were males. Most of them, 495 (61.87%) were symptomatic for <3 years. Rhinorrhea was the most annoying symptom of AR stated by 37.5% of the study population. Sinusitis was the commonest cited comorbidity (29%). Communication and socialization problems were reported by 79% of our study group, while 50% were affected psychologically. Sleep, mood and concentration were the most affected. Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis can adversely affect the social and psychological life of students. These effects though not life threatening need to be borne in mind while dealing with students with allergic rhinitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Upper respiratory infection (URTI) is a contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract which includes the nose, pharynx and larynx. Most of these infections are viral in origin yet treated often with antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics is a worldwide problem. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prescribing pattern of antibiotics in management of URTI among doctors in Shah Alam and to determine the antibiotics most often prescribed for URTI. Material & Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at two private hospitals and seven clinics in Shah Alam. A total number of 128 doctors participated in this study. The data was collected through well–structured questionnaires. Analysis of data was done by using descriptive statistics. Result: This study showed few prescriptions for antibiotics in treatment of URTI as most of doctors (89%) did not recommended it. Although the number of cases of URTI diagnosed weekly was high, yet most of them were non-bacterial and did not require any drugs. However, most of the doctors interviewed had not attended clinical antibiotic training though they were well aware of the latest Malaysian Antibiotics Guidelines. Amoxycillin was the most prescribed antibiotic in certain cases of URTI which needed antibiotic prescription. Conclusion: Most of URTI cases do not require antibiotics for treatment. The prescription pattern of antibiotics in Upper Respiratory Tract Infection showed no difference between the doctors involved in hospitals and clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)is a sleep disorder which causes intermittent stoppage of breathing. This sleep disorder can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring and interferes with day to day work. In Malaysia obesity is prevalent in younger generation and lack of awareness of this disorder may contribute to increase in number of obstructive sleep apnea cases in future. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness of obstructive sleep apnea among the student community of a private Malaysian university. Materials and Method: A cross sectional study design was employed and the subjects were selected by convenience sampling. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires The questionnaire consisted of part A which focused on the socio-demographic profile and part B for awareness and knowledge of OSA. An informed consent was taken from all the participants. Result: 133 of participants (38%) could correctly elaborate the abbreviation OSA. 91(26%)were able to correctly list at least one risk factor of OSA. 101 (29%)were able to correctly list out at least one symptom while 63 (18%)could correctly list out at least one complication of this condition. 63 (18%)could correctly select at least one method of diagnosing OSA and 56 (16%) could correctly list out at least one treatment option for OSA. Conclusion: The knowledge and awareness of OSA is poor among the student community. Awareness of this condition should be raised through social media and campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Though there are abundant studies on entrepreneurial intention among students pursuing higher education, there is a lacuna in understanding the entrepreneurial intention of medical students. In the present scenario of increasing unemployment among young medical graduates, this quantitative study was conducted with an aim to examine the level of entrepreneurial intention among medical students and the socio-demographic factors influencing it. Methods: The participants were 318 medical students of a private university in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study design with a validated adapted questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A moderately high level of entrepreneurial intention was found among the study population. Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant impact of gender and marital status on their entrepreneurial intention while ethnicity, year of study, household income or educational loan did not have a significant influence. Conclusion: Medical students in Malaysia showed a moderately high inclination towards an entrepreneurial career. Non-economic factors like gender and marital status proved to be stronger influencers of entrepreneurial intention than economic factors. This may help policy makers plan strategies to sustain their entrepreneurial intentions and facilitate for more entrepreneurial activities among young doctors in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer has been reported to be the 4th most common causes of mortality in Malaysia, in year 2018. Although there are various cancer treatments available, side effects are always be the limitation of these treatments. Various medicinal plants have been studied extensively for their anti-angiogenic activity. Moreover, natural sources are safer and produce lesser side effects. This study aimed to search for alternative cancer treatment from medicinal plant, by examining anti-angiogenic activity of ethanolic extract and its phenolic rich fraction of Filicium decipiens (FD)in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The plant extract was prepared by maceration in 70%ethanol andits fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous) were prepared from dry ethanolic extract. Total phenolic content (TPC) of the fraction was assayed by using Folin-Ciocalteu method. CAM in-ovo method was used to evaluate the antiangiogenic activity of ethanolic extract of FD bark (250 µg, 500 µg) and its phenolic rich fraction (50 µg, 100 µg). Prednisone (250 µg) was used as positive control. Qualitative observation of reduction in the thickness of blood vessels and quantitative analysis in the reduction of the number of total blood vessels and percentage of blood vessels inhibition were measured to determine the anti-angiogenic activity of the extract and fraction. Ethyl acetate fraction contained the highest total phenolic content (349.59 mg ± 0.29) than aqueous (123.17 mg ± 0.25), hexane (175.31mg ± 0.18) fractions. Ethanolic extract (250µg, 500µg) and ethyl acetate fraction (50µg, 100µg) showed significant reduction (P<0.05) in the total number of blood vessels (43, 14, 46 and 33) compared with negative control (62). Ethanolic extract (250µg and 500µg) and ethyl acetate fraction (50µg and 100µg) showed percentage of blood vessels inhibition of 30.6%, 76.4%, 25.8% and 46.5% respectively. Reduction in the thickness of blood vessels were observed in ethanolic extract (250µg and 500µg) and ethyl acetate fraction (50µg and 100µg).Ethanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of FD bark showed antiangiogenic activity that may have chemotherapeutic potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dengue fever is rapidly becoming Malaysia's most pressing health concern, as the reported cases have nearly doubled over the past decade. Without efficacious antiviral medications, vector control remains the primary strategy for battling dengue, while the recently introduced tetravalent immunization is being evaluated. The most significant and dangerous risk increasing recently is vector-borne illnesses. These illnesses induce significant human sickness and are transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods such as fleas, parasites, and mosquitos. A thorough grasp of various factors is necessary to improve prediction accuracy and typically generate inaccurate and unstable predictions, as well as machine learning (ML) models, weather-driven mechanisms, and numerical time series., Objective: In this research, we propose a novel method for forecasting vector-borne disease risk using Radial Basis Function Networks (RBFNs) and the Darts Game Optimizer (DGO) algorithm., Methods: The proposed approach entails training the RBFNs with historical disease data and enhancing their parameters with the DGO algorithm. To prepare the RBFNs, we used a massive dataset of vector-borne disease incidences, climate variables, and geographical data. The DGO algorithm proficiently searches the RBFN parameter space, fine-tuning the model's architecture to increase forecast accuracy., Results: RBFN-DGO provides a potential method for predicting vector-borne disease risk. This study advances predictive demonstrating in public health by shedding light on effectively controlling vector-borne diseases to protect human populations. We conducted extensive testing to evaluate the performance of the proposed method to standard optimization methods and alternative forecasting methods., Conclusion: According to the findings, the RBFN-DGO model beats others in terms of accuracy and robustness in predicting the likelihood of vector-borne illness occurrences.