International Journal of Allied Health Sciences

COVER PAGE

Editorial Team IJAHS — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800

REGULAR ISSUE VOLUME 10, NUMBER 1 (2026)

Editorial Team IJAHS — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Association Between Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Menstruation-Related Symptoms (MRS), and Physical Activity Participation Among Young Adult Women

Naim Faiz Ahmad Imran, Saidatul Atiqah Syahlan — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual-related symptoms (MRS) can have an unpleasant effect on women that negatively influence their ability to carry out regular activities including physical activity, exercise, and sport participation. Therefore, this article aims to investigate the prevalence and association of PMS and MRS toward young adult women’s physical activity participation. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that surveyed 131 young female adults aged 18-30 years old using a web-based online questionnaire made up of the sociodemographic section, and items from the Premenstrual Syndrome Questionnaire (PMS-Q), Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQSF). Results: Majority of the participants experienced mild degree of PMS severity (85.5%) and moderate degree of MRS frequency (66.4%). Higher severity of PMS was found, significant but weakly associated with higher physical activity participation (r = 0.184, p<0.05). However, frequency of MRS was not associated with levels of physical activity participation (r =-0.093, p>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings show association between both PMS and MRS toward the young female adults’ physical activity participation levels. Further investigation with bigger sampling and wider age groups should be conducted to ascertain the findings.

Parental Experiences in Speech and Language Intervention for Late Talkers: A Qualitative Study

Nur Hanisah Tukiran, Nor Azrita Mohamed Zain, Nurlin Ali Hanafiah — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: Late talking is a common reason for referral to speech and language services, yet little is known about parents’ lived experiences within intervention contexts. This study explored parental perspectives on speech and language interventions for late talkers (LTs), with a focus on their roles in conjunction with those of speech–language therapists (SLTs). Methods: This study employed a qualitative exploratory design. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with six parents of LTs aged 24–48 months, all of whom had attended at least three intervention sessions with SLTs. Interviews were then transcribed verbatim, and data were examined using qualitative content analysis. Results: Two overarching themes were identified: (1) SLTs’ practices during language intervention and (2) parents’ practices during language intervention. Under the first theme, parents reported that SLTs conducted assessments, developed tailored intervention plans, implemented varied approaches, and provided feedback alongside home assignments. It was evident, however, that SLTs were usually the main figures in planning, with parents positioned primarily as recipients of these plans rather than active collaborators in setting goals. Under the second theme, parents described their own practices, which included discussing their child’s needs with SLTs, assisting during therapy sessions in flexible ways, learning through both direct coaching and external sources such as workshops, and adapting strategies to daily routines at home. Parents also reported variations in their level of involvement during sessions, ranging from active participation to passive observation or absence, depending on the child’s cooperation and the SLT’s guidance. Conclusion: Findings highlight the dual roles of SLTs and parents in supporting LTs, with parents extending intervention beyond sessions and actively seeking learning opportunities. However, their involvement was uneven, reflecting diverse roles within therapy and varied opportunities for collaboration. These insights underscore the importance of strengthening family-centred practices to optimise engagement and outcomes.

Development of a Malaysian Web-based Application to Support Caregivers of Children with Amino Acid Metabolism Disorders (AAMDs)

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Individualised dietary intervention is paramount in the treatment of disorders of amino acid metabolism (AAMDs). However, dietary monitoring was perceived as tedious as it required minute weighting of the food items and a complex calculation process. The present study aims to elaborate on the development and validation of MyProteinGuide™ a web-based application among caregivers of children with AAMDs. Methods: The overall content of the MyProteinGuide^TM was shaped by the results obtained during needs assessment and supported by an evidence-based approach which consists of self-monitoring features and informative educational content. Content validation was then carried out among 9 healthcare professionals. Results: The overall CVI of the module was 0.983, which was deemed validated for content. Suggestions for improvements of the MyProteinGuide^TM in terms of content features include having a wide variety of menu and recipes, using different household measurements as units in food dairy and specific labelled growth chart. In term of language and GUI, using a uniform colour scheme and standardization of language were suggested. Conclusion: Improvements to the application according to healthcare experts’ comments should be addressed to optimize the usage of MyProteinGuide^TM among caregivers of AAMDs patients.

The Prevalence of Knee Pain and Associated Risk Factors in Malaysian Long-Distance Runners

Nurul Amirah Mustapa, Nur Atikah Mohamad Ikhwan — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: Running is one of the most popular and accessible sports worldwide. Despite its accessibility, running may increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders such as knee pain. There is a paucity of evidence regarding knee pain long-distance runners in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of knee pain and its associated risk factors among long-distance runners in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Running-related Injury (RRI), the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) Overuse Injury, and the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed to Malaysian runners through social media platforms using Google Forms. Data were analysed using the Chi-square test and independent t-test. Results: A total of 66 runners completed the study. Approximately 69.7% of runners experienced knee pain, with half-marathon runners being the most common group to report such discomfort. No significant association was observed between any potential risk factors - such as gender, body mass index (BMI), and running experience - and the occurrence of knee pain (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Although no significant association was found between gender, BMI, running experience, and knee pain, a high prevalence of knee pain was observed among long-distance runners. This suggests that knee pain among these runners may be influenced by multifactorial elements beyond the examined demographic and training variables. Therefore, it is crucial to establish greater awareness and implement preventive strategies to reduce the risk of knee injury and enhance runners’ performance without causing harm to their knees.

Challenges and Attitudes to Practising Primary Eye Care Among Malaysian Private Optometrists: Findings from the CAPEC Questionnaire

Nurul Ain Yahaya, Noor Azlina A. Rahman — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: Primary Eye Care (PEC) is an essential component of preventive eye health, yet its implementation in Malaysia’s private optometry sector remains limited. Building upon a previously validated instrument (CAPEC questionnaire), this study aimed to assess the current challenges and attitudes of private optometrists towards practising PEC, and to identify factors associated with these domains. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among optometrists practising in Malaysian private settings from May to October 2021. Respondents completed the validated Challenges and Attitudes to Practice Primary Eye Care (CAPEC) questionnaire, consisting of 34 items across six domains: four domains of challenges (working environment, support and recognition, self-sufficiency, and customer influence) and two domains of attitudes (motivation and sense of responsibility). Descriptive statistics, MANOVA, and multiple linear regression were used to explore domain differences and associations between challenges and attitudes. Results: A total of 291 optometrists participated. Among the challenge domains, support and recognition recorded the highest mean score (M = 3.57, SD = 0.53), indicating substantial barriers due to limited institutional acknowledgement and professional recognition. Attitudes toward PEC were generally high, particularly for sense of responsibility (M = 4.58, SD = 0.42). Factorial MANOVA revealed that practice ownership significantly influenced perceived challenges (p = 0.027), where practice owners reported higher barriers in support and recognition. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that support and recognition, self-sufficiency, and customer influence significantly predicted the overall attitudes toward implementing PEC (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Despite facing considerable challenges, Malaysian private-sector optometrists exhibit strong motivation and a high sense of responsibility towards PEC. Strengthening institutional support, recognition frameworks, and continuing professional development opportunities could accelerate PEC adoption in private practices, ultimately enhancing nationwide eye care accessibility.

The Effects of Stretching, Strengthening and Combined Interventions on Lower-Limb Spasticity in Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

Rozlin Abd Rahman, Halimah Baharom — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood neurological condition that results in abnormal muscle tone, motor dysfunction, and gait impairments. While stretching is widely used to reduce muscle stiffness, strengthening exercises are increasingly incorporated to improve functional mobility. Concerns remain, however, regarding whether strengthening may increase spasticity. Method: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search of studies published between 2004 and 2024 was conducted across major databases. Eligible studies included those evaluating stretching, strengthening, or combined interventions targeting lower-limb spasticity in individuals with spastic CP. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (ROB-2). Results Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that stretching alone and strengthening alone do not consistently reduce lower-limb spasticity, although both may help preserve muscle and joint properties. Combined exercise programmes demonstrated mixed outcomes: some studies reported improvements in tendon stiffness, fascicle length, and clinical spasticity scores, while others showed no significant effects. Despite inconsistent spasticity outcomes, several studies noted functional gains, including better gait performance, enhanced muscle morphology, and improved movement efficiency. Conclusion: Overall, the evidence suggests that while combined interventions may offer selective benefits, reductions in spasticity are not uniformly observed. Current evidence does not support stretching, strengthening, or combined exercise programmes as consistently effective in reducing lower-limb spasticity in spastic CP, although functional improvements are frequently reported. Future research should prioritise spasticity as a primary outcome, standardise intervention parameters, and incorporate larger, methodologically robust samples to inform clinical practice

Chronotype and Its Association With Body Mass Index and Binge Eating Behaviour among Undergraduate Students

Juliana Shamsudin, Le Xuan Khoo — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: An individual's sleep-wake patterns are much influenced by their inclination for morning or evening activities, known as chronotype. According to recent studies, chronotype could affect eating behaviours and body mass index (BMI) among other facets of health. This aim of this study is to investigate the association among undergraduate students between the chronotypes and their correlation with body mass index (BMI) and binge eating behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 166 undergraduate students from USM Health Campus, with 86.1% females and a mean age of 21.1 ± 1.4 years. The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and the 7-Item Binge-Eating Disorder Screener (BEDS-7) were used to assess chronotype and binge eating behaviour respectively. Meanwhile, BMI was calculated by measuring weight and height. Results: The chronotype distribution among university students indicated that 16.3% were categorised as morning types, 68.1% as intermediate types, and 15.7% as evening types. The mean chronotype score was 20.26 ± 8.37, signifying a moderate general preference with considerable individual variability. Binge eating behaviours are prevalent in 22.3% of university students, with a mean score of 3.04 ± 3.00. The incidence of overweight and obese students rose from 21.7% to 31.3% when assessed based on the new CPG Obesity guidelines. Conclusion: There were no associations between binge eating behaviour (p=0.431) and BMI (p=0.422) with the chronotypes discovered. More research is needed to shed light on the relationships between chronotype, BMI, and binge eating behaviour, as well as to identify other factors that may play a more important role in influencing BMI among university students.

Dietary Patterns and Nutritional Status of School-Aged Children in Osogbo Local Government

Taiwo Jacob, Samuel Hannah, Jumoke Ilo, Philip Aworinde — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: Despite the increase in the vulnerability of school aged children especially those in public schools due to socio-economic challenges, national focus has been on under-five children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and dietary patterns of 393 public primary school pupils aged (5-10 years), comprising 175 male and 218 females in Osogbo local government of Osun State. The specific objectives of this study were to evaluate the dietary habit of the respondents, assess the anthropometry measurements of the respondents, and assess the correlation between the dietary patterns and nutritional status of respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the food consumption patterns of the pupils, while a weighing scale and a stadiometer was used to collect information to obtain their weights and heights. Results: The study revealed that 55.5% of the female and 44.5% of the male ate three meals daily. This study also shows that 48.3% were underweight, 43.0% normal weight and 8.7% were overweight. A significant association was found between dietary patterns and nutritional status of school-aged children. Conclusion: The study highlights a high rate of undernutrition among school-aged children in Osogbo, driven by poor dietary diversity and excessive carbohydrate intake. Urgent, multifaceted interventions are needed to combat malnutrition among school-aged children, including reinstating the school feeding programme, integrating nutrition education, promoting dietary diversity, and addressing socio-economic and cultural barriers.

Advancements in Polymeric Biomaterials For In Vitro Expansion of Hematopoietic Stem Cells: A Scoping Review

Mohd Fuad Rahmat Sam, Muhammad Azamuddin Ismail — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: A thorough source of HSPCs with a reduced risk of graft host disease (GVHD) is umbilical cord blood (UCB). Nevertheless, compared to peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) isolated from single cord blood are less common and require longer to settle in the bone marrow before they may begin generating blood cells. Earlier clinical trials were conducted to ensure bone marrow (BM) sustainability through the application of various natural and synthetic polymeric techniques. Usage of polymeric biomaterials can be seen as alternative to stabilise stem cell-based therapies currently. Therefore, this article aims to evaluate the data progress and compile the evidence of current advances of polymeric biomaterial for in vitro expansion of HSCs. Methods: Articles were found through four electronic search engines using five keywords. The article selection followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles were included if they met the following criteria: (1) full text articles between 2019 until 2023; (2) specific keywords must have in the research articles; (3) published in English; (4) qualitative or quantitative study. Studies were excluded if they were review articles, chapter books, systematic review, discussion papers and did not match with study objectives. Results: A total of 5194 articles were screened, and 52 full-text articles were evaluated. There were 37 articles that did not match with the inclusion and exclusion criteria and had been excluded because the paper involved review paper and did not discuss the usage of biomaterials for expansion of HSCs. Lastly, only 15 articles were selected for scoping review analysis. Conclusion: The findings reveal that cultured polymeric biomaterials have had a significant impact on the stability and integrity of HSCs. Besides, the selected polymeric biomaterials can improve crosstalk or cell-cell interaction through laboratory settings. From this review, it can be concluded that the approach used by researchers truly aids the clinical institution to overcome the deficiency in stem cell therapies.

The Current Provision of Post-Stroke Vision Care in Malaysia: A Qualitative Interview Among Stroke-Care Professionals

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Background: The inequality in care provision for stroke survivors who have visual problems has been reported globally. It revealed that many stroke survivors continue to experience unmet needs concerning their visual problems. Qualitative interviews were conducted with stroke care professionals to explore gaps and loopholes in vision care provisions. Methods: A semi-structured interview study using purposive sampling and inductive qualitative content analysis was conducted. A total of 8 stroke-care professionals with more than 10 years of experience from university teaching Hospitals in Malaysia were recruited for the interview from January 2021 to January 2022. A criterion-based sample of healthcare professionals involved in post-stroke care was recruited. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached. Ethical approval has been obtained from the IIUM Research Ethics Committee following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The central theme is current provision, and there are five main themes identified: indefinite vision care pathways, incomplete eye examination, insufficient referrals, absence of visual rehabilitation, and lack of eye care professionals. All respondents reported that the most common visual impairments seen in their practice were homonymous visual field loss and visual neglect. However, the care pathway for assessing visual impairment remained unclear and varied among professionals. In outpatient services, rehabilitation mainly focuses on improving bodily function and activities of daily living. There is also a need to include optometrists and ophthalmologists specializing in neuro-vision care in the rehabilitation team. Conclusion: This study shows that there are gaps and loopholes in the current provision of post-stroke vision care in Malaysia. A standardized protocol in the country should be developed to give a clear pathway for managing vision after a stroke.

Beyond Food Pyramids: Global Evidence, Local Plates

Wan Azdie Mohd Abu Bakar — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800