1
Issue 4
Issue 4
December 2014
December 2014
4
Past Events
8
Publishing, Research
and Presentations
10
VOX POP
12
Announcements
14
Upcoming Events
2
Dear All,
Another year is coming to an end! 2014
has been a very fruitful year for the
Faculty, in that the first National
Symposium of Health Sciences was
successfully held, and the Malta
Journal of Health Sciences was launched, and all this
together with the many initiatives organised during the year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of
staff, both academic and administrative, for the incessant
hard work throughout the year.
May you all and your loved ones, have a holy Christmas and
the best New Year ever!
Angela Xuereb
Dean
3
A word from the Editor
Welcome again to another edition and the last one for 2014!
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas isn’t it!! I loved
preparing each edition but I must admit that this one was
the most fun and exciting with all the decorating and
preparations going on. We managed to snap a couple of
pictures which are being reproduced at the bottom of this
page.
Hopefully this edition will give you all a quick update of what
academics have been up to during the first semester. To get
into in the holiday spirit we have carried out a voxpop with
Ms Ramona Cuschieri
some members of staff that will give you a glimpse of what
Newsletter Editor, FHS they like about Christmas and what were their worst
presents!! A Big well done to Ms Carmen Farrugia for the editing...she did a brilliant
job!! Thanks also to Ms Christabel Vella for the photos :)
Since these days we comes across recipies wherever one looks, I thought it would
be interesting to include an original way to serve Christmas pudding and hopefully
inspire some of you to experiment and give your gastronomic skills a try!
That’s all from my side for now, I hope you will enjoy this issue filled
with Christmas cheer! Have safe and happy holidays with your family
and friends. I also wish to mention that sadly there are far too many
people who find Christmas time to be a real struggle. We all need to
be aware of their hardships, particularly at this time of year…so please
donate whatever you can spare and keep a look out for lonely
neighbours.
newsletter.healthsci@um.edu.mt
+35623401204
Past Events
4
Lunchtime Seminars
Dr Joseph Borg
Lecturer, Department
of Applied Biomedical
Science, FHS
The Faculty of Health Sciences organises brown bag
(lunchtime) research seminars, aimed to promote and sharing
of information on a variety of research topics that embrace
different disciplines yet related to Health Sciences in Malta.
The seminars also aim to establish a dialogue for local
academics between different Faculties and within our Faculty
(between departments) and strengthen the research
community of the University of Malta. The presenters for our
brown bag seminars are generally invited speakers who
present their Doctoral, Post-Doctoral or other research in
their respective field. Factually we also welcome external and
visiting Academics to the University of Malta, who are here on
visiting programs from foreign Universities.
The structure of these seminars consists of a 45-minute
presentation followed by a 15-minute question and answer session. The content of
the talks may consist of specific research data and results presentation, or may take
the form of a particular health-science related research methodology discussion.
We encourage all Faculty staff to attend these fora, since it will reveal to them
different research approaches and techniques, and provide fertile ground through
which they can integrate better with other research teams, and with the general
research environment at the University of Malta. A young post-doc researcher, Dr
Robert Formosa who spoke about the importance of human pituitary cancer and
research, progress in the field, genetics of the Maltese population, opened this
years’ seminar series. The second speaker was Mr Clint Mizzi, who is a
bioinformatician and specializes in Data Analysis emerging from Next-Generation
type of DNA sequencing and he presented various number crunching techniques
used in his field. Dr Gianluca Farrugia spoke about the importance of Yeast as cell
models for human and medical research, and the link between a commonly used
drug – Aspirin and its protective role in
combating cancer. The last speaker so far was
Professor Georgios N. Yannakakis, who
lectures at the Institute of Digital Games,
University of Malta. His mesmerizing talk
focused on the use of digital games and their
impact on disease, health and life science.
More of these exciting talks will follow
shortly in year 2015. The seminars are
organized co-jointly by Dr Joseph Borg, Dr
John Xerri de Caro and Ms Marjorie Bonello.
Past Events
5
Maternal Morbidity Measurement Stakeholders
Meeting, 2-3 October 2014, Istanbul - Turkey
The Millenium Developmental Goal 5 has called for a
reduction of the maternity mortality ration (MMR) by 75%
between 1990 and 2015. Significant progress has been
recorded with a decrease in the estimated number of
maternal deaths, yet the target will not be reached globally by
2015. Additionally for every woman who dies, 20 or 30
women more suffer from morbidity issues related to
pregnancy and childbirth. According to the centre for
Maternal and Newborn Health, 22% of the global disease
burden is attributed to maternal reproductive ill health among
childbearing women. The causes of maternal ill health
Dr Rita Borg Xuereb
however are highly complex and vary in duration and severity.
Head, Midwifery
Creanga et al, cited by Morton (2014) grouped maternal
Department, FHS
morbidities as disease-specific, as organ system dysfunction or
in terms of management criteria. There is no one clear definition of maternal
morbidity.
In 2012 a four year maternal morbidity project was set up, led by a technical
working group of experts in maternal and women’s health from all WHO regions.
The Maternal Morbidity Working Group (MMWG) is made up of epidemiologists,
obstetricians and gynaecologists, public health officers, researchers, clinicians,
programme managers, midwives and consumer representatives. Participants
represented WHO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank Special Programme of
Research, AFRICSante, UN Women, ICF Macro, BRAC, International Confederation
of Midwives, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, International
Confederation of Midwives, Maternal Health Task force, CCEMICAMP, USAID and
WHO regional focal point which includes EMRO, SEARO, AFRO, EURO, AMRO,
WPRO, WHO Turkey together with several universities’ representatives from all
over the world. This project is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation.
Dr Lale Say, Coordinator in the Department of Reproductive Health and Research
at the World Health Organization (WHO), provided an introduction, as well as the
historical context and steps leading up to the conceptualization of the Maternal
Morbidity Measurement Project.
The objectives of this meeting were: to share the results and progress so far;
xCont. pg. 6
Past Events
to achieve consensus of the definition of maternal morbidity; to gather feedback
and support for the next phase of the MMWG work, which will be included in 11th
revised ICD, piloting of the tool and its future use.
As a consequence there will be an increase in attention to end preventable
maternal deaths and to improve maternal health and child’s health. The 2 day
meeting was a very intellectually stimulating experience directly linked to midwifery
education and practice.
Morton, C.H. (2014) the problem of increasing maternal morbidity: integrating
normality and risk in maternity care in the United States. Birth, 41, 2, 119-121.
New Health and Safety Representative
Ms Ramona Cuschieri was entitled Health and Safety Representative at the Faculty
of Health and Sciences during the seminar entitled “The Role of the H&S
Representative” on Friday 5th December 2014, after having succesfully attended
courses in Basic Fire Awareness, Introduction to Health & Safety and First Aid
training all targeted to maximise safety in the work environment. Ms Georgia
Wilson was also awarded the certificate in Introduction to Health & Safety.
6
Past Events
7
Presidency of Horatio - European Psychiatric Nursing Association
At the Beginning of November Martin Ward assumed the
Presidency of Horatio:
European Psychiatric Nurses at the Horatio European festival
2014, held in Malta at the Intercontinental Hotel. He was
elected as the President Elect of the organisation in Istanbul
last November and will hold the Presidency for the next 3
years. Horatio represents 24 European countries through 26
national nursing associations. It's total membership is approx
350,000. Its main goals are to represent nurses working with
the mentally ill in Europe, academically, clinically and politically
with a strong emphasis research and practice development.
Mr Martin Ward
Assistant Lecturer
Click here to view the trailer from the 2014 event in Malta
Department of Nursing,
FHS
Click here to view the interview with German based Psych
TV about Martin's vision of his Presidency.
Publishing, Research and Presentations
Mangion, M. and Buttigieg, S., C.
‘Multi-type childhood maltreatment: associations with health risk
behaviours and mental health problems in adolescence’, published in
the Journal Children's Services. (2014) Vol 34(2) pp136–154.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether multi-type
child maltreatment is associated with health-risk behaviours and
mental ill-health in adolescence.
Prof. Sandra Buttigieg
Head, Department
of Health Services
Managment, FHS
In total, 406 15-16-year-old students from Maltese schools
answered the “Child maltreatment physical and mental health”
questionnaire (Nguyen et al., 2010).
This assessed
demographics, health risk behaviour, mental health and child
maltreatment.
Of the four categories of maltreatment measured (physical,
sexual, emotional and neglect), 27.4 per cent of the young
people experienced one type, 16.6 per cent two types, 11.1 per
cent three and 6.5 per cent four. For health-risk behaviours, there were positive
relationships between multi-type maltreatment and school fights (r ¼ 0.27, po0.01),
breaking school rules (r ¼ 0.19, po0.01), illicit drug use (r ¼ 0.14, po0.05) and
alcohol use (r ¼ 0.10, po0.05). As regards mental health, multi-type maltreatment
was positively associated with depression (r ¼ 0.38, po0.01) and anxiety (r ¼ 0.23,
po0.01), and negatively associated with self-esteem (r ¼ 0.26, po0.01).
Early recognition of multi-type maltreatment and its consequences enables providers
of children’s services to offer the required diverse range of services. Additionally,
policy makers should ensure the adoption of multi-sectoral and collaborative interagency approaches so as to effectively and holistically manage child maltreatment,
not only during the acute childhood phase but also during adolescence and
adulthood, when consequences are expected to emerge.
This study raises awareness
about the prevalence of multitype child maltreatment in
Malta. It also highlights the
negative association between
cumulative exposure to multitype child maltreatment and
mental health outcomes and
risky behaviours.
8
Publishing, Research and Presentations
Galea, M.
‘The Relationship of Personality, Spirituality and Posttraumatic
Growth to Subjective Wellbeing’, published in the Open Access Library
Journal, (2014) Vol 1:e1069 http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1101069
ABSTRACT
A growing number of studies are indicating that a number of
people report psychological growth after experiencing
trauma. This may be so because suffering stimulates the need
and search for meaning.
In this cross-sectional and
correlational study, we sought the relationship of subjective
wellbeing to posttraumatic growth in view of past trauma
experiences and perceived stress. In particular, we
investigated a sample of tertiary students’ perceived stress,
past traumas, subjective well-being, faith maturity, positive and
Dr Michael Galea
Lecturer- Mental Health negative affect, and personality, together with demographic
Department of Nursing, correlates. Past traumas included loss of a loved one, chronic
FHS
or acute illness, injury, divorce, violent crime, and job loss,
amongst others.
Only a quarter of respondents experienced their trauma/s 5 years or more prior
the study, thus indicating relatively recent trauma experiences. Post-traumatic
growth correlated with personality, faith maturity, wellbeing and positive affect. In
examining the patterns of correlations noted above, a hierarchical multiple
regression analysis was employed. Posttraumatic growth was found to have unique
variance even after partialling out key variables such as perceived stress, personality
and faith maturity.
Although situational factors and personality did play important roles, this study
clearly points at the relevance of faith maturity and posttraumatic growth for the
promotion of holistic wellbeing of those affected by trauma. Religious beliefs may
counter hopelessness and form an important buffer in this equation. The psychosocial implications of these results were discussed.
9
VOX POP
10
What do you like most about Christmas?
att:
Dr Alfred G
as
“the Christm
malt spirit”
Mr. Stephen Miz
zi:
“helping others
and
meeting friends
”
Naudi:
Prof. Rizzo
family
ass and the
m
t
h
ig
n
id
“the m
er”
gets togeth
:
rri De Caro
Dr John Xe
”
“happiness
a:
Dr Rosienne Farrugi
e lights”
“the weather and th
Prof. Angela X
uereb:
“Christmas g
ets families
together, soli
darity, charit
y
and the birth
of Jesus Chris
t”
Mr Nikolai Pap
agiorcopulo
“the spirit of frie
ndship
and family”
Dr Rita Borg Xuereb
“ forgetting our
differences and meeting
together as a family”
VOX POP
11
Formosa:
Dr Cynthia
lunch”
“the family
Ms. Therese Bug
eja:
“ the love of Chri
stmas
and the lights”
What’s the worst Christmas present you’ve ever got?
Dr Anna McElhatton:
“ gross costume
jewellery”
i : Mr Gerbert van D
Ms. Georgette Spiter
ijk:
“ socks”
“ a sausage in a
x”
watch box
Mr Tonio Agius:
“ nothing”
is:
Dr Vasilis Valdramid
y makes to
“ our selective memor
ents ;) ”
forget the worst pres
Announcments
12
Announcements
13
Promotions!!
At the Council meetings of 14 November 2014:
Dr Rosienne Farrugia – Department of Applied
Biomedical Science, FHS was promoted to Senior
Lecturer
Congratulations on your achievement!
New Babies :)
Upcoming Events
14
Talents - Recipie
...it kinda looks easy but I assure you it needs talent!!
15
Humour
16