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Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting more than 334 million people of all age groups globally. Although there are innumerable evidence-based guidelines and effective treatments for this disease, many patients with asthma still have uncontrolled symptoms. The effective control measures of chronic diseases primarily depend on the proper patient care in collaboration with healthcare providers. Currently, healthcare facilities are using the manual asthma action plan to customise each asthmatic patient to understand and manage asthma safely on their own. Thus, this article introduces a preliminary study of a digital health application prototype design based on the asthma action plan among adult asthma patients. The findings regarding the accessibility of this prototype among asthma patients will give a promising alternative tool to empower asthma patients to manage their asthma safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension is the leading cardiovascular risk factor globally as well as in Malaysia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and the socio demographic determinants of hypertension among Malaysian adults.Method: The analytic sample consisted of 11,288 adults aged ≥ 30 years recruited at baseline in 2007-2011 from the REDISCOVER Study which is an ongoing, prospective cohort study involving 18 urban and 22 rural communities in Malaysia. Socio-demographics, anti-hypertensive treatment details and an average of at least two blood pressure measurements were obtained.Results: The age-adjusted prevalence was 42.0 % (CI: 40.9-43.2) and was higher in men [43.5 % (CI: 41.2-45.0)] than women [41.0 % (CI: 39.8-42.3)]. Participants from rural areas (APR: 1.12, CI: 1.04-1.20); aged at least 40-49 years (APR: 1.86, CI: 1.62-2.14); who were overweight (APR: 1.24, CI: 1.15-1.34) and obese (APR: 1.54, CI: 1.43-1.6) were more likely to have hypertension. The Indigenous ethnic group was less likely to be aware (APR: 0.81, CI: 0.69-0.92) and to be on treatment (APR: 0.66, CI: 0.55-0.79). Those in rural areas were less likely to have their hypertension controlled (APR: 0.61, CI: 0.49-0.75). On the other hand, control was more likely in females (APR: 1.25, CI: 1.01-1.54) and Indigenous group (APR: 1.64, CI: 1.19-2.25).Conclusion: Hypertension is common in the Malaysian adults. The control of hypertension has increased over the years but is still quite low. Public health measures, as well as individual interventions in primary care are crucial to reduce their risk of developing complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual history training during undergraduate education is essential for preparing future doctors to handle patients' sexual health concerns. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes and perceptions of final-year medical students in Malaysia toward sexual history taking and the training they receive from their medical schools. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional survey of 379 final-year medical students from three medical schools in Malaysia. Students were asked to rate their attitudes and perceptions regarding training on taking sexual histories using a newly developed questionnaire with good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73). Ethics approval was obtained from the relevant medical schools, and the statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, Version 20.0. Results: The mean age of participants was 23.58 ± 0.65 SD. Participants reported high interest in sexual health and felt it was important for doctors to know how to take a sexual history (95%). Among the participants, only half felt comfortable in taking sexual histories from patients. The participants identified cultural and religious differences between the doctor and the patient as a potential barrier for discussing sexual health. Participants were aware of their own practice and ability, as well as their limitations, in taking sexual histories. Less than half (46%) felt that the training they received adequately prepared them to take sexual histories. Conclusions: This study identified gaps in sexual health training among medical schools in Malaysia. The delivery of sexual health education program should incorporate confidence building and to make students feel comfortable to take sexual histories from patients. The barrier caused by differences in culture or religion between a doctor and a patient may be overcome through cross cultural and cultural competency training. This is important for multi-faith, multi cultural societies such as Malaysia and other similar countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:  This cross-sectional study among the employees of the National Defense University of Malaysia (NDUM) assessed the levels of depression, anxiety, and fear related to COVID-19 and its association with psychosocial factors. It was conducted during the strict lockdown period imposed by the Malaysian government due to the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods:  A stratified sampling method was used, and 277 employees were randomly selected to participate in the study. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) was used to measure anxiety symptoms. Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) was utilized to assess depression. The fear of COVID-19 (FOC) was calculated using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV), while the psychosocial factors affecting psychological impact were measured using a self-generated questionnaire., Results:  The study obtained a response rate of 46.2% (n=128). Most respondents were female, married, permanent employees, and from the non-academic group. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were reported by 47% (n=55) and 32.5% (n=38) of the respondents, respectively. Statistically, a higher level of fear related to COVID-19 was found among non-academic employees (p=0.015) and those with permanent employment status (p=0.030). Anxiety was significantly correlated with depression (r=0.70, p≤0.001), while no correlations were found between these factors and fear related to COVID-19. Taking over school lessons was the most troubling factor that affected the respondents' level of distress, followed by working from home and worrying about their family member's health., Conclusions:  This study identified significant psychological effects of the pandemic on university employees, with anxiety and depression being notably correlated. While the generalizability of the findings is limited due to a low response rate, several key psychosocial distress factors were identified. These findings emphasize the necessity of addressing psychosocial factors to mitigate the mental health impact of pandemics. Further research with a higher response rate is required to confirm these findings and to design targeted interventions to support affected employees., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional of Research Board, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Malaysia issued approval SF0108-UPNM/2021/SF/SKK/2. This study has ethical approval from the Institutional of Research Board, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), with the number series SF0108- UPNM/2021/SF/SKK/2 dated July 2021. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Mahmud et al.)