Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan - Monograf

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The association between knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) on sodium and diet quality among hypertensive patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HPUSM)
(2026-06)
Azmi, Farah Nabila
One in three adults in Malaysia suffers from hypertension. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on sodium play a crucial role in determining diet quality, which in turn helps manage patients' blood pressure. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the relationship between Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) towards sodium intake and dietary quality among hypertensive patients at HPUSM. A total of 180 participants with median age 64 years (63.9% age more than 60). Majority were female (57.2%), Malay (42.8%), earning below RM2000 (58.4%), and unemployed (52.8%). The results showed that the majority of participants had poor knowledge (47.8%), positive attitude (53.3%), inadequate practice (88.9%). Meanwhile diet quality were moderate (70%) and requires improvement, as no participants achieved a good level of diet quality.There was a moderate significant correlation (r = 0.335, p < 0.001) between the knowledge and attitude domains, a weak significant correlation between knowledge and practice (r = 0.169, p = 0.012), and a moderate significant correlation between attitude and practice (r = 0.395, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found between the sodium KAP domains and overall diet quality or sodium intake (p > 0.05). Nonetheless, the median diet quality score among participants with good knowledge was significantly higher (56.100, IQR 31.3) compared to those in the moderate knowledge group (51.350, IQR 55.3) (p = 0.025). In conclusion, although the majority of participants exhibited a positive attitude, their level of knowledge and practice regarding sodium remains poor, thereby influencing their diet quality. Therefore, intervention programs focusing on enhancing knowledge and practice are essential to translate patients' positive attitudes into better diet quality.
The association between traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) use with sociodemographic factors and HBA1C level among type 2 diabetes mellitus outpatients in Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia
(2026)
Jainal, Danny Iskandar
Malaysia. This chronic nature, coupled with the fear of long-term complications, contributes significantly to the increased tendency among patients to seek Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) as an alternative or adjunct to conventional treatment. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia (HPUSM), Kelantan involving 141 adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) attending outpatient clinics. Participants were interviewed by using a validated questionnaire, while clinical data including the latest HbA1c results were obtained from medical records. A moderate prevalence of T&CM use (33.6%, n=47) was observed among the 140 respondents, approximately one in three T2DM outpatients in HPUSM, Kelantan were found to be using T&CM, with most users being female, aged 63 years and above, Malay, retirees, having secondary education, and from the B40 income group. However, no sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with T&CM use (p>0.05). Malay T&CM was the most commonly practiced modality (74.5%), mainly used as an additional treatment for diabetes and influenced by friends and advertisements. Although T&CM users recorded a slightly higher mean HbA1c level (8.41 ± 2.18%) compared to non-TCM users (8.12± 1.50%), no significant association was found between T&CM use and glycemic control or achievement of HbA1c targets (p>0.05). A key strength of this study was the use of objective laboratory-verified HbA1c data retrieved from medical records, reducing recall bias and improving the reliability of glycemic assessment. However, the use of convenience sampling and the single-centre study setting may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future studies are recommended to employ longitudinal or prospective study designs to better evaluate the longterm effects of T&CM use on glycemic outcomes and diabetes-related complications. Additionally, qualitative studies exploring patients’ beliefs, motivations, and perceptions regarding T&CM use may provide deeper insights into factors influencing healthcare decisions among individuals with T2DM.
Association of cariogenic food frequency intake, physical activity level with body mass index among undergraduate students in USMKK
(2026)
Azman, Ahmad Haikal
Frequent consumption of cariogenic foods and low levels of physical activity are associated with energy imbalance and unhealthy weight status among university students. However, evidence regarding the relationships between cariogenic food consumption, physical activity level and Body Mass Index among undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus remains limited. This study aimed to determine cariogenic food consumption, physical activity level and Body Mass Index status, and to examine the associations between these variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 209 undergraduate students from the School of Medical Sciences, School of Dental Sciences and School of Health Sciences. Cariogenic food consumption was assessed using the Malay Cariogenic Food Frequency Questionnaire, while physical activity level was measured using the Malay Version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body weight and height were measured to determine Body Mass Index. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the study variables, while Chi-square tests were used to examine associations at a significance level of p < 0.05. The findings showed that 72.2% of respondents had moderate cariogenic food consumption and 27.8% had low consumption, with no respondents classified in the high-consumption category. Regarding physical activity, 49.8% had a high level, 38.8% had a moderate level and 11.5% had a low level. For Body Mass Index status, 45.5% had normal weight, 23.4% were obese, 18.2% were underweight and 12.9% were overweight. Overall, 36.3% were overweight or obese. No significant association was found between cariogenic food consumption and Body Mass Index status, χ²(3) = 1.640, p = 0.650, or between physical activity level and Body Mass Index status, χ²(6) = 1.526, p = 0.958. Although no significant associations were identified, the high proportion of overweight and obesity indicates the need to strengthen healthy eating, physical activity and weight-management programmes among university students.
Detection of drug traces in post-developed fingermarks using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy
(2026-02)
Perkash, Kavisha T Siva
Fingermarks are commonly employed for human identification in forensic investigations; however, they can also serve as chemical reservoirs, retaining residues of foreign chemicals such as narcotics. Fingermarks are frequently subjected to development techniques before to examination in genuine forensic cases, but the impact of these activities on later chemical detection has received scant attention. This work assesses the feasibility of Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy as a non-destructive analytical method for detecting drug residues in post-developed fingermarks. Sebaceous fingermarks contaminated with paracetamol and caffeine were deposited on selected non-porous substrates namely glass, plastic, and aluminum foil surfaces. Fingermarks were developed using magnetic and non-magnetic fingerprint powders for visualisation and then analysed using ATRFTIR spectroscopy. A limit of detection (LOD) investigation was carried out to establish the lowest detectable levels of both medications, and several sampling procedures were investigated to optimise drug recovery from contaminated fingermarks. A persistence study was also conducted to determine the detectability of drug residues in contaminated fingermarks after one week of deposition. The findings showed that typical ATR-FTIR absorption bands of paracetamol and caffeine could still be successfully detected and recognised in post-developed fingermarks with minimal interference from fingerprint powders or lifting materials. Furthermore, drug residues were detectable during 7 days of intervals, demonstrating reasonable persistence within the fingermark matrix. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to preserve ridge detail while also providing chemical information from post-developed drug-contaminated fingermarks. The findings justify the incorporation of ATR-FTIR analysis into standard forensic fingermark examination, which increases the evidential value of fingermarks by allowing for simultaneous biometric and chemical intelligence.
Chinese gangsterism among Malaysians: A qualitative approach
(2026-02)
Rames, Samuel Peter
This study explores the lived experiences of Chinese gangsters in Malaysia, focusing in Kuantan, Pahang, highlighting the reasons to why most people remain in gangs for a long period before deciding to quit gangsterism. Perspectives from ex-gangsters and police officers were obtained and analysed. The research methodology employed a phenomenological approach (semi-structural interview) to delve into the essence of these individuals’ experiences. Thematic and summative analysis of interview transcripts using NVivo 15 software revealed six main themes and six emerged themes under three main sections: 1) Factors to join gangs, 2) Reasons to remain in gangs, and 3) Knowledge on gangsterism. This study is done due to the lack of studies on Chinese gangsterism. It provides valuable insights into the lived experiences of Chinese gangsterism in Malaysia. This study highlights the unspoken world of Chinese gangsterism in Kuantan and also provides a whole different ideology on gangsterism. Unlike usual gangsterism cases and ideology given by gangsters all around the world, the Chinese gangsters in Kuantan have a complete opposite perspective on gangsterism and gang activities. The ex-gangsters and police officers had provided their insights and perspectives regarding this matter.

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