USM Hajj Research Cluster

Introduction

The USM Hajj Research Cluster was created in 2006. It involves 11 researchers (principal investigators) at 4 locations – the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT) in Bertam, School of Biology (PPSB) and School of Pharmacy (PPSF) at the main campus in Penang and the School of Medical Sciences (PPSP) in Kelantan.

RESEARCH AIM AND FOCUS

There are 6 major research focus areas in the Hajj Research Cluster. They aim to touch on various aspects of the health of the mass of the annual Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. These include knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of respiratory tract infections (RTI), nutritional status, medication status, air quality and microbial contamination of selected living quarters, incidence of acute respiratory syndrome (ARS), and economic analysis involving health policy and healthcare intervention and implications. The 6 research projects are:

(1)    Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTI) among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims,

(2)    Assessment of nutritional status of Malaysian Hajj pilgrims,

(3)    Assessment of medication status among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims,

(4)    Monitoring of microbial contaminants and (suggestions for) improvement of indoor air quality in buildings in Makkah, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, hostels and other strategic places used by Malaysian Hajj pilgrims,  

(5)    Incidence of acute respiratory syndrome (ARS) among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims, and

(6)    Economic analysis and policy implications of health care interventions carried out on Malaysian Hajj pilgrims.

MEDICAL RESEARCH

The School of Medical Sciences is involved with Project (5) above: Incidence of acute respiratory syndrome (ARS) among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. This is further divided into 5 research projects (studies), each under a Principal Investigator (PI). The specific medical research projects (studies) are:

(1)    A study to determine the prevalence of acute respiratory infection among Hajj pilgrims.

(2)    A study to evaluate the effectiveness of influenza Fluvax®; 3 specific flu virus strains in reducing symptoms of Acute Respiratory Syndrome among Hajj pilgrims.

(3)    A study to evaluate the effect of two types of face mask in reducing symptoms of Acute Respiratory Syndrome among Hajj pilgrims.

(4)    A study to evaluate the effectiveness of “Natural Tualang Honey” in reducing symptoms of Acute Respiratory Syndrome among Hajj pilgrims.

(5)    A nonrandomized open label trial to compare the effectiveness of preventive measures against respiratory symptoms among Hajj pilgrims.

Research Projects

Project	Research Title	Principal Investigator
1	Knowledge, Attitude and Practice [KAP] on the Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections among Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims	Prof. Noorizan Abdul Aziz [PPSF] Moved to UiTM
2	Assessment of the Nutritional Status of Malaysian Pilgrims	Assoc. Prof. Dr Narazah bt Mohd Yusoff [IPPT] HAEMATOLOGY / TRANSFUSION MEDICINE / CLINICAL GENETICS Email : narazah [at] amdi.usm.edu.my
3	Assessment of the Medication Status among Malaysian Pilgrims	Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim [PPSF]
4	Monitoring of Microbial Contaminants and Improvement of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings in Makkah, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina, Hostels and Other Strategic Places	Prof. Baharuddin bin Salleh [PPSB] BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES => MICROBIOLOGY => MYCOLOGY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES => BOTANY => PLANT PATHOLOGY AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES => FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION => FOOD TOXICOLOGY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES => BIODIVERSITY AND CONVERSION => FUNGAL BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES => ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT AND BIOREMEDIATION => OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND BIOREMEDIATION Email : sallehb [at] usm.my
5	Acute Respiratory Syndrome among Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims	Prof. Nor Hayati bt Othman [PPSP] CYTOPATHOLOGY, HISTOPATHOLOGY, MEDICAL EDUCATION (PBL & STANDARDIZED PATIENTS) Email: hayati [at] kb.usm.my Scopus ID: 7003582354 Google Scholar ID : 14R3Q8oAAAAJ
6	Economic Analysis and Policy Implications of Health Care Interventions Carried Out on the Malaysian Hajj Pilgrim	Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim [PPSF]

PPSB = Pusat Pengajian Sains Biologi (School of Biology);

PPSF = Pusat Pengajian Sains Farmasi (School of Pharmacy);

PPSP = Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan (School of Medical Sciences);

IPPT = Institut Perubatan dan Pergigian Termaju (Advanced Medical and Dental Institute).

Under Project 5, sub-projects are:

Project	Research Title	Principal Investigator
5.1	A study to determine the prevalence of acute respiratory infection among Hajj Pilgrims.	Assoc. Prof. Dr Zakuan Zainy Deris CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY Email : zakuan [at] kb.usm.my
5.2	A study to evaluate the effectiveness of influenza Fluvax®; 3 specific flu virus strains in reducing symptoms of Acute Respiratory Syndrome among Hajj Pilgrims.	Assoc. Prof. Dr Habsah Hasan MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES => MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY => MYCOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY; OTHER MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY N.E.C HEALTH => CLINICAL (ORGANS, DISEASES AND CONDITIONS) => INFECTIOUS DISEASES;  RESPIRATORY DISEASES MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES => CLINICAL MEDICINE => INFECTIOUS/COMMUNICABLE DISEASES E-mail : habsah [at] kb.usm.my Researcher ID: E-4561-2012 Scopus ID : 24469994500
5.3	A study to evaluate the effect of two types of face mask in reducing symptoms of Acute Respiratory Syndrome among Hajj Pilgrims.	Dr. Mohd Suhaimi Ab Wahab CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, GENERAL PAEDIATRICS Email : msuhaimi [at] kb.usm.my
5.4	A Study to evaluate the effectiveness of “Natural Tualang Honey” in reducing symptoms of Acute Respiratory Syndrome among Hajj Pilgrims.	Prof. Siti Amrah Sulaiman PHARMACOLOGY, TRADITIONAL & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE Email : sbsamrah [at] kb.usm.my
5.5	A nonrandomized open label trial to compare the effectiveness of preventive measures against respiratory symptoms among Hajj Pilgrims.	Prof. Syed Hatim Noor MEDICAL STATISTICS E-mail : nyi [at] kb.usm.my

Publications:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1708-8305.2009.00384.x/pdf

http://www.academia.edu/1380599/The_Prevalence_of_Acute_Respiratory_Symptoms_and_Role_of_Protective_Measures_among_Malaysian_Hajj_Pilgrims

Apitherapy:
http://apitherapy.blogspot.com/2010/02/honey-potential-treatment-for-lupus.html


Contact Us:

Dean (Clinical Science Research)

Prof. Dr Nor Hayati Othman

email: hayati [at] kb.usm.my

direct line: 609-767 2353

fax: 609 - 767 2351

Science Officer (Clinical Sciences)

Mazlita Zainal Abidin

email: mazlita [at] kck.usm.my

direct line: 609-767 2355 or ext:2355

fax: 609 - 767 2351

Science Officer (Biomedical & Health Sciences)

Tengku Ahmad Damitri Al-Astani Tengku Din

email: damitri [at] kck.usm.my

direct line: 609-767 2364 or ext:2364

fax: 609 - 764 8064

Sources:

http://www.research.kk.usm.my/

http://www.research.kk.usm.my/pages/intro.htm

http://www.research.kk.usm.my/pages/link.htm

http://www.research.kk.usm.my/pages/hajj.htm

http://experts.usm.my/

http://www.researcherid.com/

http://www.scopus.com/

Prepared by Prof. Faridah Abdul Rashid

Friday, 12 April 2013 at 10:24:29 PM
Updated: Wednesday, 29 May 2013 at 4:59 PM & 9:22 PM

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