Friday 12 April 2013

Penang and the Hajj

This is a bit about an upcoming lecture and workshop. Details will be announced later. I will update if I get more information.

1. Email

Dr Lubis and wife Salma Khoo Nasution (of Areca Books, Penang) are organising a workshop on the Hajj in Penang this August 2013. The date will be determined.

2. Announcement

Penang Story Lecture and Workshop: ‘Penang and the Hajj’

From as early as the 18th century, Penang was the departure point for aspiring pilgrims to the ‘holy lands’. The activity was centered at the port, Acheen Street and adjoining areas, which only ended in the 1970s. Thousands of pilgrims from Sumatra, northern Malaysia and southern Thailand went through Penang to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam. Their reminiscence and collective memories deserve to be celebrated, consolidated and documented for posterity.


3. Both talk and workshop are by invitation to the academe and the public interested in the subject.

4. Keynote:  

Eric Tagliacozzo from Cornell http://history.arts.cornell.edu/faculty-department-tagliacozzo.php is giving the keynote address. 

5. Speakers: TBA

6. Organisers:

The event is being organised jointly by Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) http://www.pht.org.my/ and Think City http://www.thinkcity.com.my/

7. Contact for further details:

Dr Abdur-Razzaq Lubis
Email: namorasende [at] gmail.com
Areca Books www.arecabooks.com
Our new catalogue can be accessed at:
http://issuu.com/arecabooks/docs/areca_books_catalogue_april_2013

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


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.researcherid.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




References from USM 2007 Hajj Research paper:


1.      Moore PS, Reeves MW, Schwartz B, et al. Intercontinental spread of an epidemic group A Neisseria meningitides strain. Lancet 1989; 334:260–263.


2.      CDC Serogroup. W-135 meningococcal disease among travellers returning from Saudi Arabia—United States. 2000. MMWR 2000; 49:345–346.

3.      Alzeer A, Mashlah A, Fakim N, et al. Tuberculosis is the commonest cause of pneumonia requiring hospitalization during Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah). J Infect 1998;36:303–306.

4.      Rafiq SM, Rashid H, Haworth E, Booy R. Hazards of hepatitis at the Hajj. Travel Med Infect Dis 2009;7:239–246.

5.      Ahmed QA, Arabi YM, Memish ZA. Health risks at the Hajj. Lancet 2006; 367:1008–1015.

6.      Alzeer AH. Respiratory tract infection during Hajj. Ann Thorac Med 2009; 4:50–53.

7.      Al-Ghamdi SM, Akbar HO, Qari YA, et al. Pattern of admission to hospitals during Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj). Saudi Med J 2003; 24:1073–1076.

8.      Madani TA, Ghabrah TM, Al-Hedaithy MA, et al. Causes of hospitalization of pilgrims in the Hajj season of the Islamic year 1423 (2003). Ann Saudi Med 2006;26:346–351.

9.      Madani TA, Ghabrah TM, Albarrak AM, et al. Causes of admission to intensive care units in the Hajj period of the Islamic year 1424 (2004). Ann Saudi Med 2007;27:101–105.

10.  Mustafa AN, Gessner BD, Ismail R, et al. A case-control study of influenza vaccine effectiveness among Malaysian pilgrims attending the Haj in Saudi Arabia. Int J Infect Dis 2003; 7:210–214.

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16.  El-Sheikh SM, El-Assouli SM, Mohammed KA, Albar M. Bacteria and viruses that cause respiratory tract infections during the pilgrimage (Haj) season in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Trop Med Int Health 1998; 3:205–209.

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21.  Qureshi H, Gessner BD, Leboulleux D, et al. The incidence of vaccine preventable influenza-like illness and medication use among Pakistani pilgrims to the Haj in Saudi Arabia. Vaccine 2000; 18:2956–2962.

22.  Thursky K, Cordova SP, Smith D, Kelly H. Working towards a simple case definition for influenza surveillance. J Clin Virol 2003; 27:170–179.

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24.  Meysamie A, Ardakani HZ, Razavi SM, Doroodi T. Comparison of mortality and morbidity rates among Iranian pilgrims in Hajj 2004 and 2005. Saudi Med J 2006; 27:1049–1053.

25.  Gautret P, Yong W, Soula G, et al. Incidence of Hajjassociated febrile cough episodes among French pilgrims: a prospective cohort study on the influence of statin use and risk factors. Clin Microbiol Infect 2009; 15:335–340.

26.  Khamis NK. Epidemiological pattern of diseases and risk behaviors of pilgrims attending mina hospitals, hajj 1427 h (2007 g). J Egypt Public Health Assoc 2008; 83:15–33.

27.  CDC What you should know about using facemasks and respirators during a flu pandemic. 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/features/masksrespirators/. (Accessed 2009 Jan 15).

28.  Gautret P, Gaillard C, Soula G, et al. Pilgrims from Marseille, France, to Mecca: demographics and vaccination status. J Travel Med 2007; 14:132–133.

29.  Rashid H, Shafi S, Booy R, et al. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections in British Hajj pilgrims. Emerg Health Threats J 2008; 1:e2.

30.  Deris ZZ, Hasan H, Sulaiman SA, et al. Preference of treatment facilities among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims for acute respiratory symptoms. Saudi Med J 2009;30:1103–1104.

31.  Balkhy HH, Memish ZA, Bafaqeer S, Almuneef MA. Influenza a common viral infection among Hajj pilgrims: time for routine surveillance and vaccination. J Travel Med 2004; 11:82–86.

32.  Rashid H, Shafi S, Haworth E, et al. Value of rapid testing for influenza among Hajj pilgrims. Travel Med Infect Dis 2007; 5:310–313.

33.  Razavy S, Dabiran S, Ardekani HZ. The incidence of influenza like illness and determination of the efficacy of flu vaccine in Iranian pilgrims during hajj pilgrimage. Act Med Iran 2004; 42:397–401.

34.  Rashid H, Shafi S, Haworth E, et al. Influenza vaccine in Hajj pilgrims: policy issues from field studies. Vaccine 2008; 26:4809–4812.

35.  CDC. Surveillance for the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus and seasonal influenza viruses—New Zealand, 2009. MMWR 2009; 58:918–921.

36.  Kelly H, Grant K. Interim analysis of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 in Australia: surveillance trends, age of infection and effectiveness of seasonal vaccination. Euro Surveill 2009; 14:19288.

37.  Gallaher W. Towards a sane and rational approach to management of Influenza H1N1 2009. Virol J 2009;6:51.

38.  H1N1 prompts hajj restrictions Aljazeera English News 2009. Available at: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/07/200972311236123448.html. (Accessed 2009 Aug 31).