Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan - Tesis
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- PublicationAssessment of nursing informatics competency level among bedside nurses in Prince Mohammed bin Abdul-Aziz Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia(2025-01)Melhem, Sofyan Ibrahim Hussein BaniAdvanced clinical technology is widely used by nurses in today's healthcare settings, requiring the possession of sufficient informatics knowledge and skills. Nursing competency in this field is now essential, considering the increasing focus on patient safety and care quality through informatics. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the level of Nursing Informatics (NI) competency and determine the factors influencing this competency among bedside nurses in Prince Mohammed bin Abdul-Aziz Hospital (PMAH). The study adopts a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional approach involving 196 nurses at PMAH. Utilizing the Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool (NICAT), developed by Alphonsa Rahman in 2015, the research assesses bedside nurses' informatics competency. Additionally, the questionnaire gathers demographic data. The data was entered into SPSS 25 software, and correlation analysis was carried out. The average level of competency across all categories was significantly tilted toward 'Competent, Very Competent, and Expert' (74%), with a substantially lower percent in 'Novice or Advanced Beginner' (26%). Educational level was identified as significantly correlated with the level of nursing informatics competency (NIC) (P = 0.047). However, age, gender, years of nursing experience, and use of the health information system showed no significant correlation with NIC level. These findings underscore the significance of nursing informatics competency within healthcare organizations, as it determines nurses’ ability to effectively utilize available health information systems, thereby enhancing healthcare quality and improve patient safety.
- PublicationErgonomic risk and its association with musculoskeletal disorders among computer users at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus(2024-06)Amer, Shadi Shaddad AbdellatifComputers are widely used in every field of modern society. It was the greatest invention of science that changed the lifestyle in the last two decade. In Malaysia, computer users have increased up to 85%. Furthermore, the range of computer use has been reported to be from 6 to 12 hours per day which can contribute to the development of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). This have been recognised as a threat to the health of the workers. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSDs and their association with ergonomic risk factors among computer users at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Health Campus, Kelantan. A cross-sectional study was conducted among three hundred and forty-six computer staff with 92% response rate. Participants were selected through random sampling method among those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires using Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires and researcher direct observation by Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) to determine the ergonomic risk level for each workstation. The data were analysed using SPSS "Statistical Package for the Social Sciences" version 26 for descriptive, simple and multipl logistic regrision analyses. The mean of ROSA was 3.81(1.058). The prevalence of self-reported Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMSDs) was 86.3%, 81% of the participants experiencing discomfort in the lower back (62.8%), right shoulder (53.4%), hip buttock (46.6%) and left shoulder (45.3%). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that left wrist MSDs (r = -0.018, p = 0.034), hip buttock MSDs (r = -0.116, p = 0.038), and left thigh MSDs (r = -0.124, p = 0.030), were significantly correlated with scores related to the use of mouse and keyboard, as well as the final ROSA score were significantly correlated with hip buttock MSDs (r = -0.114, p = 0.041) and left shoulder MSDs (r = 0.124, p = 0.027). Based on multiple logistic regression modelling, age was significantly associated with WRMSDs (Adjusted OR = 6.944, CI: 1.238-39.017, p = 0.028). Age and gender were significantly associated with neck MSDs (Adjusted OR = 3.908, 95% CI 1.342, 11.377, p = 0.012), (Adjusted OR = 2.042, 95% CI 1.199, 3.475, p = 0.009), respectively. Gender, age (51 - 60 years) , healthty and overweight (BMI) were significantly associated with right upper arm MSDs (Adjusted OR = 1.795, 95% CI 1.091, 2.950, p = 0.021), (Adjusted OR = 3.303, 95% CI 1.006, 10.849, p = 0.049), (Adjusted OR = 0.092, 95% CI 0.010, 0.814, p = 0.046), (Adjusted OR = 0.127, 95% CI 0.014, 1.123, p = 0.032), respectively. Only computer use (7 - 8 hours) was significantly associated with lower back MSDs (Adjusted OR = 2.045, 95% CI 1.149, 3.638, p = 0.015). In conclusion, computer users in USM Health Campus experienced high occurrence of MSDs in various parts of the body. Therefore, appropriate ergonomic and personal preventive control needs to be implemented to improve the health and wellbeing of the computer users on USM Health Campus.
- PublicationEvaluation of novel nano zirconia and nano graphene modified calcium silico phosphate biomaterial(2024-12)Batul, RumesaThe aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of nano graphene calcium silico phosphate and nano zirconia calcium silico phosphate with commercially available Biodentine and analyze their chemistry using FTIR and SEM. Four groups were made, they are as follows: group 1: Biodentine (control group), group 2: nano graphene calcium silico phosphate (70% Biodentine+20% nano graphene+10% calcium phosphate), group 3: nano zirconia calcium silico phosphate (70% Biodentine+20% nano zirconia+10% calcium phosphate) and group 4: nano zirconia modified Biodentine (80% Biodentine+20% nano zirconia). Twenty samples were prepared, which consist of five samples of each group. All the powder contents of dental material were weighted on a digital weight machine and transferred to an airtight container for centrifugation and ultrasonication. Liquid was then added to powder content as per the manufacturer’s instruction and amalgamator was used to mix the powder and liquid. The mixture was then transferred to disk shaped acrylic molds and allowed to set at room temperature overnight followed by placing the samples in an incubator for 24 hours at 37⁰C and 100% humidity. After the initial set of all the groups, samples were demoulded and crushed with pestle and mortar into fine powder. Crushed samples were used for FTIR and SEM EDX analysis. The Vickers microhardness tester was used to measure the microhardness and universal Instron testing machine was used to check the compressive strength of samples. Data analysis was done using One-way ANOVA test and Games-Howell post-hoc test. Significance level was p<0.05. It was noted in the spectra of Biodentin and its modified groups 2,3, and 4 that the stretching vibration shifted from 3461.10 cm-1 to 470.84 cm- 1.SEM EDX analysis shows even distribution of splintered particles (1 - 10 μm) in conjunction with round (1 - 10 μm) and with particles smaller than 0.1 μm were observed. Group 3 (nano zirconia calcium silico phosphate) and group 4 (nano zirconia modified Biodentine) had higher microhardness than group 1 (Biodentine). Least microhardness value was recorded by group 2 (nano graphene calcium silico phosphate). Highest compressive strength was noticed by group 3 (nano zirconia calcium silico phosphate) followed by group 1 (Biodentine) and group 2 (nano graphene calcium silico phosphate) and the least value was recorded by group 4. Biodentine is an innovative biomimetic material applied in various fields of dentistry due to its suitable biological properties and higher physical and mechanical characteristics like natural dentine. Nano zirconia calcium silico phosphate group in this study showed favorable results. There was a noticeable increase in microhardness and compressive strength with the addition of nanozirconia and tricalcium phosphate to Biodentine. Further research is required to evaluate the toxicity, biocompatibility and osteoconductive nature of novel material.
- PublicationBioassay-guided profiling of quercus infectoria gall extracts using HPLC and their antimalarial activity(2025-01)Hamidon, Nurul HammizahMalaria is a public health concern as the emergence of drug-resistant malaria parasites causes significant morbidity and mortality annually. The discovery of potent antimalarial drugs derived from medicinal plants is believed to be a crucial strategy for addressing the antimalarial drug resistance crisis. Therefore, the antimalarial properties of crude extracts from Quercus infectoria (QI) galls were investigated through bioassay-guided fractionation. Acetone (QIA) and methanol (QIM) crude extracts have been reported to exhibit promising antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 strain) with IC50 values of 5.85 ± 1.64 μg/mL and 10.31 ± 1.90 μg/mL, respectively. These extracts were subjected to fractionation using automated preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) to identify the most active fractions. Nine fractions were separated from each extract, of which the fractions QIA6 and QIM6 showed potent antimalarial activity, with IC50 values of 17.65 ± 1.82 μg/mL and 24.21 ± 1.88 μg/mL, respectively. In comparison, the standard antimalarial drug artemisinin had an IC50 value of 0.004 ± 0.001 μg/mL. The fractions of the Quercus infectoria galls exhibited antimalarial activity, which could be attributed to the presence of various secondary metabolites, particularly phenolic compounds such as ellagic acid. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analytical method was established for the quantification of ellagic acid as a marker in the Quercus infectoria gall crude extract. All parameters including specificity, precision, accuracy, linearity, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ), were found to be in the acceptable criteria of the ICH guideline. Targeted phenolic compound analysis of the most active fraction was performed by high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HR-LCMS). HR-LCMS analysis was conducted on the active fractions, QIA6 and QIM6, and revealed that kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, and syringic acid were among the major compounds identified in QIA6, while syringic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were predominant in QIM6. The correlation between antimalarial activity and phenolic compounds in fractions QIA6 and QIM6 led to the quantitation of four targeted phenolic compounds. Thus, this study showed promising antimalarial activity of Quercus infectoria (QI) galls when fractionation was performed, which can be used as a guideline for future investigations on the molecular mechanism underlying the antimalarial action and further reflect the importance of an in-depth antimalarial investigation.
- PublicationPrevalence of anemia and its associated factors among geriatric patients admitted to Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, from january 2023 to june 2023(2025-01)Ahamed, EsbaAnemia is a common health condition characterized by a reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBCs), leading to an insufficient ability of the body to transport oxygen effectively. Anaemia is more prevalent in the geriatric population and is frequently disregarded as a factor in older adults' illnesses. The geriatric populations of many developing countries suffer significantly from anemia, with Southeast Asia and Africa having the highest prevalences. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among geriatric patients (age ≥ 65 years) admitted to Hospital Pakar USM. A cross-sectional, retrospective study involving 131 patients 65 or older. Laboratory results and sociodemographic information were documented using a validated proforma format. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Most of the anemic patients were 65-69 years (31.0%), and most were male (60%). Most of the patients (74.0%) had normocytic anemia. A significant association was found between the severity of anemia and malignancy (p=0.041), gastrointestinal bleeding (p=0.050), and chronic illness (p<0.001). Anaemia was frequently diagnosed in the studied geriatric population. The most frequent cause of anemia in the geriatric population was anemia of chronic illness. Future geriatric research might examine how anemia affects functional abilities, quality of life, and recovery from illness