/library/oar/handle/123456789/130262 2026-05-24T18:05:14Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/129585 Title: Malta Journal of Health Sciences : volume 11 : issue 2 Authors: Spiteri, Georgette; Gatt, Daniela; Lungaro-Mifsud, Stephen; Scerri, Josianne; Couto, Jose Guilherme; Formosa, Melissa Marie; Trapani, Josef; Pavli, Foteini Abstract: Table of contents: 1/ Ritienne Grima - The Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders 2/ Sephora Galea, Foteini Pavli - An Overview of Chitosan and Chitosan Oligosaccharides Applications in the Health Sector and the Food Industry 3/ Mariam Ouesini, Sally Axiak - A Multicultural force: The socio-professional experiences of migrant nurses in western countries 4/ Gabriella Grima, Paul Bartolo - Maltese and Gozitan Parents Request more Professional Support during their Children’s Autism Diagnosis Process 5/ Francis Zarb, Dean Ciantar, Paul Bezzina - Patients’ perception of radiographers’ communication skills during planar X-ray imaging: a single centre study 6/ Amy Vella, Josanne Vassallo, Nikolai P Pace, Roberta Sammut - Identifying young adults at high risk of prediabetes and diabetes in Malta: a cross-sectional survey 7/ Maria Spiteri, Roberta Duncan, Anabel Sciriha, John Xerri de Caro, Tonio Agius - The reduction in breast cancer-related lymphoedema with kinesiotaping 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/129584 Title: The reduction in breast cancer-related lymphoedema with kinesiotaping Authors: Spiteri, Maria; Duncan, Roberta; Sciriha, Anabel; Xerri de Caro, John; Agius, Tonio Abstract: Breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is known to be one of the complications associated with the treatment of breast cancer. Kinesiotaping (KT) techniques are recommended in the management of lymphoedema, however, the current literature is ambiguous about its safety and benefits. To identify literature on efficacy of KT in reducing BCRL, adjunct to other conventional methods. The research question was formulated using the PICO framework: (P) females suffering from BCRL, (I) KT, (C) Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT), (O) reduction in BCRL. A systematic literature search was conducted through several electronic databases and reference hand-searching, through the use of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2009) framework by means of the PRISMA 27-item Checklist (2020). Limiters and inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to refine the search outcome. Study designs were restricted to systematic reviews (SRs), meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the English language. The studies included were those investigating the effects of KT on BCRL in female participants versus CDT. Five key studies were selected – one SR and four RCTs. The CASP tool was used as the tool for critical appraisal and evaluation of literature. Outcomes of KT (reduction in lymphoedema) are dependent on the phase when it is applied. In the intensive phase of CDT, three studies found that KT was less effective than bandaging in the reduction of limb volume and other lymphoedema- related changes. When applied during the maintenance phase, two studies reported that KT was more effective than compression garments (CGs). The number of SRs and RCTs are low, with small sample sizes and lack of diversity in the interventions used. These, together with the absence of follow-up periods, all hindered the rigour of the presented findings. The findings suggested that KT is more effective when replacing CGs in the maintenance phase of CDT; and less effective when used instead of bandaging in the intensive phase. KT in combination with bandaging then resulted in significant reductions in BCRL but was found to be less effective than bandaging only. A combination of KT with CDT and bandaging then led to the most persistent volume reduction in the follow-up period. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/129583 Title: Identifying young adults at high risk of prediabetes and diabetes in Malta : a cross-sectional survey Authors: Vella, Amy; Vassallo, Josanne; Pace, Nikolai P.; Sammut, Roberta Abstract: The aim of this study was to quantify prediabetes risk and associated risk factors amongst young adults. We also sought to assess the validity and reliability of the risk assessment tool used. Fasting plasma glucose was also collected to further assess risk. A cross-sectional, correlational, study was conducted. Convenience sampling was used with a target sample size of 374. Out of a total of 14,483 eligible participants, 176 (response rate = 1.22%) young adults aged 18-35 attending two higher education institutions had their data collected from the 22nd of December, 2020 up until the 30th of April, 2021. An online questionnaire was used, including fasting plasma glucose tests for 57 participants. Analysis was carried out using the IBM® SPSS® Statistics Version 27. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann- Whitney U test, Pearson and Spearman correlation, Fisher’s exact test, Univariate General Linear Model and the receiver operating characteristic analysis were all used to analyse the data. 5.3% (n=3) of participants, who were all male, obtained an abnormal FPG value (≥5.6 mmol/L), signifying prediabetes and one case of diabetes (8.57 mmol/L). Significant risk factors for prediabetes were sibling history of diabetes, high blood pressure, waist circumference and smoking. The area under the ROC curve of the German Diabetes Risk Score resulted in 0.787, with a sensitivity of 66.6% and a specificity of 78.0% when scoring 30 points. The German Diabetes Risk Score, while showing good performance, was not statistically significant in this population and not useful in identifying prediabetes/diabetes in local young adults. This may have been due to low response rate and small sample size, leading to a lack of representativeness of the larger population, which may affect the generalisability of the findings. The utilisation of fasting plasma glucose to identify such subjects appears to be superior and further diverse studies are needed to validate the findings and investigate the feasibility of wide-scale screening with refined prediabetes risk assessment tools. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/129582 Title: A multicultural force : the socio-professional experiences of migrant nurses in western countries Authors: Ouseini, Mariam; Axiak, Sally Abstract: Nurses' globalisation and migration are not new trends. However, the retainment of foreign-educated recruited nurses seems challenging, in part due to socio-cultural differences, values and adaptation processes. These challenges often cause foreign-educated nurses to seek alternative resettlements to find a more adaptable place of work, which is socially, emotionally, and professionally more accommodating. Maltese healthcare is currently experiencing challenges in retaining foreign-educated nurses. This research aimed to explore the lived professional experiences of foreign-educated nurses in their new country of settlement and employment. For instance, their day-to-day adaptation and integration. This research has employed a qualitative approach, with the design methodology of a scoping review. A road mapping approach was used to develop emergent themes comprehensively. Five themes emerged: Language and Communication, Nursing Knowledge and Experience, Visible Minority, The Transition and Improved Working Environment. The themes were the result of the analysis of the professional, social, cultural and environmental factors which contribute to the experience of foreign- educated nurses. Cultural differences, awareness, adaptability, social-cultural expectations, relationships with colleagues and management support were determinants which influenced the experiences of foreign-educated nurses and, moreover, impacted their intent to continue working in a country or decide to search further. Nursing implications such as low retention and higher resignation, burn-out and patient risk were identified. For prospective nursing inquiry, exploration is recommended in areas of cultural awareness, team building, and managerial support, which may enable resilience and the propagation of global nursing values. This research brings a fresh, broad and diverse perspective to the topic of multicultural nursing. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z