Issue: IeJSME 2025 19(1)

Author: Jun Ai Chong

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Dental caries is a preventable chronic disease whereby identification of risk factors will
facilitate preventive measures. This study aims to determine the level of oral health literacy (OHL), self-care practices (SCP), salivary parameters and ascertain its assocation with caries status amongst the
undergraduates in IMU University.

Methods: Levels of OHL (Knowledge-OHL, dental services utilisation, and label reading habit) and SCP were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. Chairside saliva kits were used to measure the salivary parameters whilst clinical examination was performed to assess caries status. Independent T-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare differences between sex and courses respectively for measures of interest (OHL, SCP, salivary parameters, and caries status) whereas bivariate correlation with Pearsons’s coefficient was performed to examine their association with caries status.

Results: The participants (n=132) had a mean Knowledge-OHL score of 23.75±8.09 with no significant difference between sex (females, 24.01±8.51; males, 23.48±7.69; p=0.15). Dentistry students had significantly higher Knowledge-OHL score than students of all other courses (p=0.01). The mean SCP score was 20.19±3.16 whereas mean DMFT was 2.32 ±3.14. All participants had healthy saliva parameters. Caries status was significantly correlated with Knowledge-OHL score (p=0.02, r=-0.18), dental services utilisation (p=0.04, r=-0.15) but not with label reading habit (p=0.78, r=0.03), SCP (p=0.30, r=-0.05) and all salivary parameters.

Conclusion: Knowledge-OHL and oral health services utilisation are significantly associated with oral health status.

Keywords: dental caries, health literacy, oral health, saliva, self-care

Citations: IeJSME 2025 Vol 19 (1): 09-16

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.19.1.9

Authors: Farah Nabila Lubis and Joshua Joo Hou Ng

ABSTRACT

Objective: One key factor found to be related to creativity is creative self-efficacy. Creative selfefficacy
(CSE) refers to one’s own conviction in their own ability to produce creative work effectively. The study aims to explore on the predictive values of time management and reading habit on CSE, as well as on
the significant difference between gender and CSE.

Method: This study (n = 313) is a cross-sectional survey design. The inclusion criteria for the participants are full-time university students studying in Malaysia and aged between 18-25 years old. Data collected was analysed by linear regression, multiple linear regression and independent sample t-Test.

Results: Reading habit is a significant positive predictor of CSE. Both daily planning and confidence
in long-range planning in time management are significant positive predictors of CSE. However, there
is no significant difference between gender in terms of male and female and CSE.

Conclusion: This study provided evidence on the role of reading habits and time management on
creative self-efficacy amongst undergraduate student in Malaysia.

Keywords: creative self-efficacy; gender; reading habit; time management; emerging adulthood stage; university students

Citations: IeJSME 2025 Vol 19 (1): 17-31

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.19.1.17

Authors: Yik Shen Teoh, Norsakinah Jazmin Abu Bakar, Sammi Ahmed Khan Javeed Khan, Muhammad Afif Najmi Mohamed Azhar, Siti Aisyah Zaidi, Yita Tang, Norfarizan Azmi, Ismail Abdul Sattar Burud, Kandasami Palayan

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on hospital resources and manpower. This study assesses the impact of Malaysia’s nationwide lockdown on the incidence, types, severity, and outcomes of emergency general surgery (EGS) cases at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analysed the data of patients who underwent EGS procedures for the period 2017 and 2021.

Results: During the pandemic period, there was a 48.3% reduction in EGS cases (n=889) compared to the pre-pandemic period (n=1720). Significant reductions were observed in surgeries for appendicitis, soft tissue infection, colorectal, urology, peptic ulcer, and vascular disorders in the COVID period. Conversely, procedures for biliary disorders and hernia complications increased by 7.4% and 5.5%, respectively. Length of hospital stay increased by 57.8% for patients with small bowel disorders, while ICU/HDU admissions rose by 43.5% for colorectal cases (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in mortality rates between the two periods.

Conclusions: The overall reduction in EGS procedures during the COVID-19 period was consistent with global trends. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the outcomes related to duration of stay, ICU/HDU utilisation, and mortality remained comparable to the pre-pandemic period. These findings highlight the adaptability of healthcare professionals in maintaining continuity and quality of emergency surgical care during a crisis.

Keywords: Emergency surgery, COVID-19, Pandemic, Outcomes, Tertiary care public hospital

Citations: IeJSME 2025 Vol 19 (1): 32-43

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.19.1.32

Authors: Carolina Santiago, Kavitha Nagandla, Sharifah Sulaiha Syed Aznal, Brinnell Annette Caszo, Malanashita Ganeson

ABSTRACT

Introduction: This paper explores the impact of a remediation programme on medical students’ overall performance. It also suggests a potential remediation framework encompassing planned learning sessions by subject experts, individualised coaching from an alumni group, professional counselling for
psychological support, and participants’ learning commitment.

Methods: Twenty-seven students were identified as academically weak students (AWS). This was done
based on two criteria: students who failed more than one mini test (out of six mini tests) during the
delivery of the first-year curriculum, and students who had to repeat the study after failing the end-of-year-1 (EOY-1) exam. A remediation strategy consisting of 1) planned learning sessions, 2) individualised alumni coaching sessions, and 3) counselling sessions were offered to these students. However, participation is optional (Group A (n=12) – participants and Group B (n=15) – non-participants). Evaluation of the remediation programme is performed using mixed-method analysis: 1) comparative analysis of the performance of Group A vs Group B, and 2) qualitative analysis using a semi-structured interview with openended questions to obtain students’ perceptions of the programme.

Results: Group A showed significantly higher pass rates (83% vs. 66%, p < .001) in the EOY-1 exam. Interviews revealed positive perceptions of personalised alumni coaching and its role in enhancing learning and confidence.

Conclusion: The study concludes that early identification and targeted remediation support improve academic outcomes, benefit the student’s educational journey, and contribute to quality education.

Keywords: Remediation programme, medical education, academic performance, peer coaching

Citations: IeJSME 2025 Vol 19 (1): 44-53

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.19.1.44