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Faisal, Ghasak G
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Stressors and Their Association with Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Dental Students Radeef, Ali S; Faisal, Ghasak G
Makara Journal of Health Research Vol. 22, No. 2
Publisher : UI Scholars Hub

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Background: Dental students are exposed to varying levels of stress that may affect their mental and physical health, academic performance and quality of life. This study aim was to determine the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress (DAS), and the relationships between DAS symptoms and stressors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 257 dental students at the International Islamic University Malaysia. The prevalence and severity of DAS symptoms was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). The stressors were self-reported by students from a list, and the relationships with the DAS symptoms were assessed. Results: The overall prevalence of DAS symptoms for depression, anxiety, and stress were 47.5%, 67.3% and 42.8%, respectively. Clinically significant depression was experienced by 9.3% of the students, anxiety by 28.8% and stress by 10.1%. Anxiety was significantly more frequent in women than in men, and anxiety scores were significantly increased in young students. The top five stressors were time management problems, fear of failing, examination and low grades; feeling of incompetence and study pressure. Conclusions: DAS symptoms occurred in dental students. Academic and personal factors produced stress that precipitated psychological distress.
Psychological Distress and Sources of Stressors amongst Medical and Science Undergraduate Students in Malaysia Radeef, Ali S; Faisal, Ghasak G
Makara Journal of Health Research Vol. 21, No. 2
Publisher : UI Scholars Hub

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Background: This study aims to compare the prevalence of psychological distress between medical and science undergraduate students and to assess the sources of stressors that are attributing to it. Methods: A sample of 697 undergraduate students participated in this study, in which 501 were medical students and the remaining 196 were Science students. Psychological distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The students were given a list of possible sources of stress which were chosen depending on previous studies. Results: The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 32.6%. Science students showed a significantly higher rate and mean score of psychological distress than medical students, and the mean score was significantly higher during the clinical phase rather than the pre-clinical phase in medical students. Overall, female students had a significantly higher mean score than males, however although the mean score was higher in females it was only significant in the pre-clinical phase. In addition to academic and psychological stressors, factors such as reduced holidays, lack of time for relaxation, and limitation of leisure/entertainment time were among the top ten stressors reported by the students. Conclusions: Psychological distress is common among university students, and it is higher among science students than medical students. Academic and psychological factors can be considered as sources of stressors which may precipitate psychological distress among college students.
The Cholesterol Lowering Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) Root Extract in Male Rats Faisal, Ghasak G; Najmuldeen, Ghazi F; Abllah, Zurainie; Radeef, Ali S
Makara Journal of Health Research Vol. 21, No. 1
Publisher : UI Scholars Hub

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Background: To investigate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract on serum lipids in rats. Methods: Twenty-six mature male albino Wistar rats were used in this study. A group of 18 rats were fed a high fat and high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks, after which their lipid profile was compared to the control group, who were kept on a normal diet. The rats were then further divided into three groups, the Cf group that continued to feed on a high fat and cholesterol diet only, and group A and group B who continued on a high fat diet with the addition of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract respectively for 4 weeks. After the 4 week period, the rat's lipid profiles were analysed again. Results: Group A and B showed significant total cholesterol reduction when compared to the Cf group, 140 ± 7.23, 139.63 ± 7.95, 192.14 ± 8.96 mg/dL respectively (p < 0.001). The total cholesterol/HDL ratio in group A was 5 however there was a sharp increase in group B to a high-risk level of 9.2 indicating a significant drop in HDL levels. The LDL level increased significantly in both group A and B compared to the Cf group. Conclusions: Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract is effective in lowering total cholesterol, however the dose needs to be adjusted to prevent an excessive decrease in HDL levels.
Placental Morphology of Pregnant Iraqi Women with Rheumatic Heart Disease Al-Assa, Anwar IS; Al-Rubai, Ragwa HI; Al-Ani, Imad M; Al-Ubeidie, Salim R; Al-Kaisy, Kawkab SN; Faisal, Ghasak G
Makara Journal of Health Research Vol. 20, No. 3
Publisher : UI Scholars Hub

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Background: Placental morphology and cellular arrangement can be altered in maternal diseases. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a chronic heart condition that can lead to death in pregnant women. The aim of this study is to determine the histological changes of the placenta in pregnant women suffering from RHD. Methods: Placentae were collected from 10 healthy pregnant women, and 31 pregnant women with heart conditions (26 with RHD and 5 with NRHD) who had been admitted to the Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Placental tissues were fixed in 10% formal-saline and were processed for light microscopy. Measurements including the placental weight and diameter of the chorionic villi capillaries were recorded. Results: The results indicate that there are many histological changes in pregnant women with RHD such as hyalinisation, fibrosis of the chorionic villi, proliferation of trophoblastic cells, and thickening of its membrane. Additionally, expectant mothers with RHD experience a reduction in capillary diameter and thickening of the capillary walls, and decreased size and weight of their placenta when compared with the control. Conclusions: Heart diseases, especially RHD, are associated with developmental damage of the placenta in pregnant women by injuring the endothelial cells of the placentas capillaries.
Co-Authors Abllah, Zurainie Al-Ani, Imad M Al-Assa, Anwar IS Al-Kaisy, Kawkab SN Al-Rubai, Ragwa HI Al-Ubeidie, Salim R Najmuldeen, Ghazi F Radeef, Ali S