Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS)

Factors Influencing Occupational Health Practices and Hypertension Among Security Personnel in a Public University

Noor Fatimah Mutahar — 2025-02-17

Introduction: The noncommunicable disease has emerged as a major epidemic for decades and hypertension has been reported as a disease that has a high association with the occupational factors of security personnel. The duty routines of security personnel such as doing patrols, post-guards and the need to stay alert have made them vulnerable to occupational health and safety hazards. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors influencing occupational health practices and hypertension among security personnel in a public university in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the security personnel of a public university in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, using a convenient sampling technique. Questionnaires adapted from NHMS 2019 have been distributed among the security personnel of the selected public university. Data analysis was conducted by using the SPSS version 28. Descriptive analysis and cross-tabulations were conducted. Pearson Chi-square/Fisher exact test was used to find the association. Statistical significance was considered at p<.05. Results: Of the total respondents, 77.7% were male and 22.3% of them were female. The mean age of the respondents was 35.5 years with a standard deviation of 8.5. The proportion of annual cardiovascular screenings was 68%, and type of residence (p=.013) and previous employment factors (p=.013) were found to be statistically significant. Alternately, the proportion of recent cancer screenings was 16.5%, and gender (p=<.001), marital status (p=.004) and year of services (p=.034) were found to be statistically significant. The prevalence of hypertension was 21.4%, and age (p=.001) and year of services (p=.010), were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Early detection of underlying disease will contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Subsequently, annual health screening activities are essential in guaranteeing the quality of health and a life sustenance fundamental practice among security personnel.

Designing a PCR-Based Genotyping Technique for the LEP A19G Polymorphism: Method Development and Optimization

Hartini Yusof — 2025-02-17

The LEP gene is a protein-encoding gene for the satiety hormone called leptin, which stimulates appetite, impeding food intake and anorexigenic peptide upregulation. This research aims to develop a genotyping method to detect the LEP gene variant A19G, known for its association with appetite and eating preference. Convenience random sampling was performed by disseminating the subject’s recruitment on social media among the students of Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA. A total of 51 undergraduates (mean age, 23.20 (Standard Deviation, SD 1.56) years old; 41 females, 10 males) from the faculty were recruited. Questionnaires have been provided to assess the subjects’ meal preferences and food intake frequency. A19G genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE). The analysis confirmed the successful development of the A19G genotyping method. The variant allele frequency (VAF) for A19G was 0.13. This approach provides a reliable genotyping tool for LEP A19G in future investigations despite data suggesting that A19G may not be a marker for appetite differences in this subject group. Further research with a larger, more diverse population is warranted to confirm these results and explore the influence of other LEP gene variants on appetite and eating preferences.

Educational Experiences and Career Aspirations of Final-Year Nursing Students at International Islamic University Malaysia

Siti Azuna Abu Bakar — 2025-02-17

Recognizing the career aspirations of nursing students is essential for designing educational programs that develop skilled healthcare practitioners. Personal choices in career fields, development opportunities, and education all influence these aspirations. This study explores final-year nursing students’ educational experiences and career aspirations at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). A qualitative descriptive approach was employed to conduct personal interviews with purposefully selected participants from the Kulliyyah of Nursing. The findings reveal that while students are keen to specialise in paediatrics and critical care, they encounter challenges such as academic pressure and a lack of clinical practice hours. Mentorship and clinical placements play a vital role in shaping their professional aspirations. Participants stressed the necessity for enhanced clinical practice and academic support to better equip them for their future roles. These findings underscore the importance of aligning nursing education with students’ career goals and addressing their challenges to improve their readiness for specialised healthcare positions. This study enhances the literature on nursing education by emphasising the importance of robust mentorship programmes that support students in their academic and professional growth. By focusing on these elements, nursing curricula can be refined to facilitate specialisation, thereby advancing the field of nursing education.