Malaysian Journal of Medical Research (MJMR)

Readiness of Final-Year Nursing Students Towards Giving Health Education to Caregivers of Critically Ill Clients After Transfer Out of ICU

Nur Umairah Mohd Safreja — 2026-01-03

Introduction: Critically ill patients often require complex care even after discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and caregivers become crucial in providing continuous care at home. Preparing nursing students to educate these caregivers is essential to ensuring quality patient outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the readiness of final-year nursing students in providing health education to caregivers of critically ill patients following ICU discharge, focusing on their knowledge, skills and awareness, and confidence. The study also examined whether gender had a significant association with these competencies. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, targeting 102 final-year nursing students at IIUM Kuantan. Participants were recruited using census sampling. Data collection was conducted from March to April 2025 through a self-administered online survey consisting of the Health Education Competency Instrument (I-Cepse) and the Casey-Fink Readiness for Practice Survey. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 27 for descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests. Results: Most students demonstrated high levels of knowledge (78.4%) and confidence (73.5%). However, a lower proportion (39.2%) reported high levels of skills and awareness. Gender showed no significant association with any of the readiness variables. Notably, knowledge was significantly associated with confidence (p < 0.05) and showed a borderline association with skills and awareness (p = 0.051). Conclusion: While final year nursing students are well-prepared theoretically, practical and communication skills related to caregiver education require further strengthening. The curriculum should incorporate simulation, interprofessional training, and caregiver engagement strategies to ensure holistic readiness.

Disease Trends and Reassessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Stakeholders in Trypanosomiasis-Prone Areas of Malawi: A One Health Perspective

James Majamanda — 2026-01-03

Background: Trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma parasites, transmitted primarily by the tests fly vector and, in some instances, by other biting insects. In Sub-Saharan Africa, both the human and animal forms of the disease pose serious challenges, as they hinder agricultural productivity, affect human health, and impede national development. In Malawi, the three pillars of Vision 2063—agricultural productivity and commercialization, industrialization, and urbanization—may be significantly affected by the continued presence of trypanosomiasis, compromising the nation’s long-term developmental goals. Objectives: To review disease trends by comparing prevalence data and assessing stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in trypanosomiasis-prone areas of Malawi, in order to inform prevention and control efforts. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles written in English were retrieved from various databases using targeted search phrases related to trypanosomiasis, disease prevalence, and KAP in Malawi. Retrieved studies were examined to map disease hotspots and characterize each focus area based on stakeholders’ KAP. Results: This review has revealed that knowledge gaps regarding trypanosomiasis significantly influence stakeholders’ attitudes and practices toward its prevention and control. These gaps contribute to sustained disease prevalence across trypanosomiasis-prone areas of Malawi. Conclusion: Strengthening community awareness and education campaigns could reduce knowledge gaps, improve attitudes and practices, and ultimately enhance the effectiveness of trypanosomiasis prevention and control efforts in Malawi and other endemic regions.

Cardioprotective Activity of Propionic Acid in High-Fat Diet/ Streptozotocin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Diabetic Rats Model

Oluwatosin Okunlola — 2026-01-03

Background: The healthcare sector is increasingly focusing on the discovery of toxic-free natural medicines to treat diabetes-related complications. The current study investigated the cardioprotective efficacy of propionic acid (PA) in a type 2 diabetic rat model. Methods: Twenty-five Wistar rats (200–300 g) were used. The rats were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, and streptozotocin (30 mg/kg b.wt) was injected intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. The animals were divided into 5 groups (n = 5) and treated for 4 weeks. Group 1: normal control; Group 2: normal control + PA (60 mg/kg b.wt); Group 3: diabetic; Group 4: diabetic + PA (60 mg/kg b.wt); Group 5: diabetic + metformin (200 mg/kg b.wt). Serum and supernatant plasma retrieved from blood samples, along with heart tissue homogenate after centrifugation, were used to determine biochemical parameters. Results: Propionic acid administration significantly (p < 0.05) reduced serum insulin, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, cardiac creatine kinase-myoglobin, troponin-I, Lactate dehydrogenase, brain natriuretic peptide, caspase-3, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, oxidative malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, heart rate, blood pressure, QT and QTc intervals, QRS interval, PR interval, and food and water intake. It also significantly increased cardiac B-cell lymphoma-2, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, P-wave, and body and heart weight in diabetic rats. Conclusion: Propionic acid lowered hyperglycemia and prevented cardiac injury by suppressing elevated cardiac injury markers, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Propionic acid may be useful as a natural medication for treating cardiac ailments in diabetes.

Evaluating Lead, Nickel and Copper Levels in Selected Pharmaceutical Products Available in Iraqi Local Market: Analytical and Toxicological Assessment

Noor Ahmed M. Waheed — 2026-01-03

Introduction: Lead, Nickel and Copper are widely spread heavy metals that are linked to many harmful effects to human body, they enter the body via food, water environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Exposure to these heavy metals could cause various organ damage including cardiovascular, neurological, immunosuppression and cancer. The harmful effect could take years or decades to appear. According to the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) it’s important to adhere with the permitted daily exposure (PDE) doses of these hazardous elements to avoid the potential health risks. Methods: In this study, we investigate the presence of Lead, Nickel and Copper in selected pharmaceutical products collected from local pharmacies in Mosul/ Iraq including four eye drops and six intravenous infusions which considered critical products due to their invasive effect and any contamination will lead to devastating outcomes. According to the maximum daily recommended dose of each product, the maximum ingested amount of Lead, Nickel and Copper were calculated and compared to the permitted daily exposure (PDE) of each metal. Results: The results showed that from the ten samples, three IV infusions (M1, M2, M3) contained high levels of Lead ranging from (0.1-0.15) ppm, while one IV infusion (M1) contained high levels of Nickel (5) ppm, Copper levels were within the safe limits in all investigated products. Conclusion: 30% of the samples investigated were found to be contaminated with unsafe levels of heavy metals, more research and screening studies should be done to confirm this finding, also such products should have more restricted quality control measures.