Introduction: The Faculty of Medicine & health sciences, UMS has implemented a co-curricular programme which is aimed to be improving rural health and reducing inequalities of health in Sabah. Groups of medical students are formed and distributed in various areas of rural remote areas in Sabah. Based on the observation and interview find-ings, each student group conducted health promotion activities with the limited resources. Various health problems were explored in different areas and different ethnic groups of Sabah and students conducted their health promotion activities .There are some questions “Are they effective, how it works in implementation?” Poor implementation can lead to errors in outcome of the programmes. In this paper we focus on process evaluation for measuring the degree to which Health promotion programmes were implemented as designed by using determinant framework (active implementation framework) and process evaluation tools in yearly health promotion programmes from 2009-2018.Methods: The study measures the implementation of programmes with active implementation framework (Explo-ration, Installation, Initial implementation, Full implementation) and process evaluation tools such as validation of implementation integrity using specification of intervention areas, making guidelines and manual for intervention protocol, competency of students and supervisors and fidelity monitoring. We used 7 components of process eval-uation particularly in context( Environmental influences), reach (Target participation), dose delivered (Lectures), dose received (learned by students with assessment methods), fidelity (Adherence to intervention delivery protocol), implementation (rating of execution and receipt of intervention) and recruitment (participant engagement). Results:It was found that fidelity, implementation strategies and some lessons learned after outreach programmes are impor-tantly influence in implementing the programmes. Conclusion: The study shows process evaluation strategies is ideal tool for conducting the rural outreach health promotion programme to reduce the errors and obstacles in implement-ing the programmes to maintain the better quality of the projects.
MeSH terms: Ethnic Groups; Faculty; Health Promotion; Humans; Malaysia; Rural Health; Socioeconomic Factors; Students, Medical
ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS
New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected
Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Obesity is a global epidemic with major healthcare implications and costs. The availability of Smart-phone app as a new technological innovation developed is increasing rapidly. This new technological innovation can have a huge potential for interventions to help weight loss and combat obesity. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to compare the effectiveness of Smartphone apps compared with other methods to promote weight loss and obesity. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies identified by a search of independently screened studies for inclusion criteria and extracted data. We included arti-cles that assessed any (Smartphone/Mobile phone app intervention with anthropometric measurement like weight/BMI, waist circumference), adult or children population then exclude articles in which the primary outcome is not weight/BMI/Waist circumference, non-original articles (Reviews, Editorials, Non-research letters), case reports or case series, non RCT study design, participant with co-morbidities or condition like pregnancy and Intervention using SMS or any text messaging. Results: We included 7 articles in this systematic review and meta-analysis. This me-ta-analysis shows that smartphone app interventions compared with conventional or other interventions is non-sig-nificant decreases in body weight, with the pooled estimates of the net change in body weight being -1.62 kg (95% CI –3.61 to 0.36; I2 = 93%). Pooled results indicated a non-significant net difference in BMI between smart phone app and control intervention groups (WMD 0.26 kg/m2, 95% CI -0.83 to 1.34; I2 = 68%). For waist circumference, there is non-significant net difference in BMI between smart phone app and control intervention groups (WMD -5.2 cm 95% CI --0.15 to 4.60; I2 = 93%). Conclusion: Smartphone apps intervention alone is not producing substantial evidence of weight loss despite there might be effective for certain groups. However, there are still explorable pros-pect on the use of smartphone app in combination of other approach to assist and promote weight loss as the use of smartphone are proven to influence health related behavioural modification.
MeSH terms: Smartphone; Adult; Body Weight; Child; Humans; Obesity; Pregnancy; Weight Loss; Body Mass Index; Control Groups; Waist Circumference; Text Messaging; Inventions
Introduction: Global health awareness is sorely lacking in medical curricula and the general public, leading to increasing apathy and decreased levels of volunteerism. Much knowledge about pertinent global health issues is sequestered with academicians and researchers, with little public trickle down. The aim of the study was to increase awareness among Sabahan public about global health issues and promote discussion. Methods: A global health film club was established at community level and discussions about issues and potential individual action points was conducted. Films were screened every month in both UMS and Palliative Care Center Sabah. Global health issues ranging from First World manipulation of HIV/AIDS medication prices, deregulation of medical devices industries, heroin addiction, ADHD drug abuse, and stigma in psychiatry were covered. Public participants’ responses were collected qualitatively. Results: The films largely were well received by participants, with most participants prefer-ring the expose-type films over the more narrative approaches. Films spurred discussion about how foreign or global issues were related to local level, for example unscrupulous sale of medical devices in Malaysian populations and abuse of sleeping medications from local health providers. Also each film screening vastly increased participants’ awareness of pertinent issues, and spurred them to evangelise about said issues to others and take small actions. Conclusion: Global health is a somewhat neglected part of medical and community curricula. Lack of awareness about global health issues reduces the public’s capacity for collective action in exerting pressure on stakeholders, governments, and civil society in taking action. It is hoped such regular global health film screenings at local level brings literacy on urgent public health issues to the people for whom it matters most – the communities where ad-verse global health consequences eventually arise.
MeSH terms: Literacy; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Curriculum; Government; Heroin Dependence; Humans; Malaysia; Palliative Care; Psychiatry; Public Health; Societies; Volunteers; Global Health; Apathy
Introduction: Dengue is caused by dengue virus (DENV) which is a member of the genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae. The prevalence of dengue has been increasing all over the world especially in Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. In 2016 - 2017 dengue outbreaks were reported in Sandakan and Kudat of Sabah, Malay-sia. The aim of this study was to determine the serotypes of dengue viruses circulating in these two sites during the outbreaks. Methods: A total of 200 dengue patients’ sera tested positive with NS1 and IgM & IgG rapid test (PanBio) were collected from Hospital Duchess of Kent Sandakan and Hospital Kudat between June 2016 and December 2017. PCR was done at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. One-Step Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and nested PCR was performed using C-prM amplimers designed by Lanciotti et al and later redesigned by Chien et al, followed by sequencing some of the PCR products. Results: Out of 200 sera tested 128 were PCR positive. All the four dengue serotypes were detected with PCR products with specific sizes in gel electrophoresis. However, in four samples, no serotype-specific band was amplified by the nested PCR, while they were dengue-positive in RT-PCR showing 511 base pair amplicon. Sequencing results revealed all four samples were found to belong to DENV4. The sequences of these samples were aligned with that of DENV 4 reverse primer rTS4. The DENV4 specific primer rTS4 was found to have four mismatched nucleotides to the DENV4 sequences. Conclusion: There was a co-circulation of DENV1 to 4 in Sandakan and Kudat in the study period. DENV1 was the predominant serotype. DENV4 specific C-prM primer rTS4 should be redesigned for the local DENV4 strain in Sabah in future research.
Introduction: The impact of irrational use of drug is reduction in the quality of drug therapy leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The main objective was to obtain baseline information regarding the prescribing pattern for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by physicians in the outpatient departments (OPDs) of two selected polyclinics in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Methods: Four hundred (200 from each polyclinic) prescriptions containing NSAIDs were collected, photocopied and later analyzed. Two hundred selected patients (100 from each polyclinic) attending the OPDs were interviewed using a questionnaire. Results: Educated and higher income group of patients mostly attended in private polyclinic (PPC) whereas comparatively less educated and lower income group of patients generally attended government UMS polyclinic (UPC). Analgesics with no or minimal anti-inflammatory effects were the most commonly prescribed NSAIDs in the OPD of UPC. On the contrary, analgesics with potent anti-inflam-matory effects were the most commonly prescribed NSAIDs in PPC. Due to the nature of potent drugs, socioeco-nomically advantaged patients attending PPC is more likely to develop adverse effects. Therefore, the prescribers in PPC had to prescribe additional drugs to counter the adverse effects of NSAIDs, hence increasing the cost of drugs prescribed compared to UPC. The patients taking NSAIDs before coming to hospital were influenced by pharmacists, friends and doctor’s advice given previously. Conclusions: The overall prescribing pattern of NSAIDs among two polyclinics is satisfactory, although there may be scopes for improvement. Educational intervention can be designed for rational prescribing to improve the quality of health care.
MeSH terms: Analgesics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Government; Humans; Income; Malaysia; Outpatients; Pharmacists; Quality of Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; Friends; Prescriptions
Introduction: Aerobic power reflects the physical fitness of the individual. Evidences support differences in phys-iological responses to exercise. There is less data on VO2 max among common ethnic population of Sabah. Ob-jective of this study was to investigate VO2 max among Kadazan, Dusun, Brunei Melayu, Bugis, Murut and others of Sabah in male and female young adult population. Methods: A total of 385 participants were randomly selected. Monark 894 E leg bicycle ergo meter was used to measure aerobic power VO2 max. Based on the heart rate male and female respectively 450 & 300 kilogram-force meter/minute was chosen. Based on Astrand rhyming nomogram (age correction factor included-VO2 Max multiplied by 1.05) calculations Vo2Max was calculated in l/min. The age correction done VO2 Max (l/min) was multiplied by 1000 and later divided by the body weight to derive the actual VO2Max in ml/kg/min. The recovery heart rate after 1 minute was taken and the difference were calculated for the further analysis. Data was tabulated and analysed by one way ANOVA test - Hocherberg’s GT2. Results: There was no significant difference in VO2 max between the common ethnic young adult population both in males and fe-males. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in VO2 max among the common ethnic adult but have a similar aerobic capacity in the study group.
MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Bicycling; Body Weight; Brunei; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Leg; Malaysia; Male; Oxygen Consumption; Physical Fitness; Exercise; Exercise Tolerance; Nomograms; Young Adult
Introduction: Regular physical activity and VO2 max are correlated directly. Physical anthropometry physical ac-tivity, lung function and cardiac parameters such as systolic, diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate are the important baseline parameters in relation to the a healthy life. In this study, a comprehensive determination of these parameters were planned among the common ethnicities of Sabah. This study in turn aims at making the sedentary people to make physically active and implicate a possible relationship between cardio-respiratory parameters with the physical activity levels. Methods: A total of 385 young adult Sabah, Malaysia college students with n=148 males and n= 237 females were randomly selected from the different colleges in Kota Kinabalu. Ethical clearance was received from Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences UMS, and the participants were briefed on the procedures with their voluntary consent. IPAQ-Score/Met-Min/Week, BMI, resting heart rate, blood pressure, lung function parameters – forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow rate etc were estimated by standard techniques. Data was analyzed, a regression analysis and ANOVA was performed to assess the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Results: Physical activity level has a significant correlation with the dependent variables of this study. VO2max is significantly and inversely related to body weight, BMI, blood pressure and pulse rate, whereas physical activity level is directly correlated. A weak positive correlation for VO2 max with lung function parameters.Conclusion: Physical activity, VO2 max and cardio-respiratory parameters; interdependently correlated and regular activity contributed to the rate of oxygen consumption.
MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination; Body Weight; Faculty; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Informed Consent; Malaysia; Male; Oxygen Consumption; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Students; Vital Capacity; Exercise; Body Mass Index; Young Adult
Introduction: Most of the recent publications on malaria in Malaysia were conducted in Sabah focusing on the emer-gence of Plasmodium knowlesi. This analysis aims to look into the incidence, mortality, and case fatality rate (CFR) of malaria caused by all Plasmodium species in the whole of Malaysia and to compare the different malaria char-acteristics and trends between Peninsular Malaysia (PM) and Sabah & Sarawak. Methods: This is a secondary data review of all malaria confirmed cases notified to the Ministry of Health, Malaysia from January 2013 to December 2017. Results: From 2013 to 2017, a total of 16,500 malaria cases were notified in Malaysia. The cases were mainly contributed from Sabah (7,150; 43.3%) and Sarawak (5,684; 34.4%). Plasmodium knowlesi was the commonest species in Sabah and Sarawak (9,902; 77.1%), while there were more Plasmodium vivax cases (1,548; 42.2%) in PM. The overall average incidence rates (IR), mortality rate (MR) and CFR for malaria in Malaysia were 0.106/1,000, 0.030/100,000 and 0.27%, respectively. Sarawak reported the highest average IR of 0.420/1,000 followed by Sabah (0.383/1,000). Other states in PM reported below the national average IR with
Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria or germ which many people carry in their nose or on their skin and it is resistant to a range of antibiotics including methicillin. The primary mode of transmission of S. aureus is by direct contact usually, skin-to-skin contact, although contact with contaminated objects and surfaces or might also play a role. The risk of infection by antibiotic-resistant organisms is a common problem in a hospital setting. When it comes to caring for the patient with an infectious disease such as MRSA, most nursing students tried to avoid caring for the patient because they fear of getting infected. So, in this regards that it is important to find out the perception of nursing students towards MRSA patients. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study design and a structured questionnaire used to evaluate the perception among student nurses regarding care for a patient with MRSA. The population of this study consists only of the nursing student of year 2 and year 3, which is 118 students. A minimum of 60 respondents selected by convenient sampling from this population. Results: Findings showed the respondent’s perception towards MRSA patients that 83.55% (n=55) of the respondent has the feeling of avoiding getting close to MRSA patients. While 16.7% (n=11) did not have the feeling to avoid them. 47% (n=31%) respondents felt refused to do any procedure on MRSA patients. While 53% (n=35) did not feel refuse to do any procedure on MRSA patient. 92.4% (n=61) respondents wear full PPE before caring for patients with MRSA. The other 7.6% (n=5) did not wear full PPE before caring for patients with MRSA. 98.5% (n=65) respondents always follow 5 moments of hand hygiene. While the other 1.5% (n=1) did not always follow 5 moments of hand hygiene. Conclusion: To conclude, even though most of the respondents know about MRSA but some of them did not know that MRSA is curable or not, some confusion about the mode of transmission of MRSA and did not know that they should wear full PPE in caring for the patient with MRSA. Lack of knowledge about MRSA might influence them to ask their friends to do procedures for the patient instead of doing it by themselves. Without good knowledge and skills about how to handle infectious patients, it is difficult for the nursing students to approach the patient with an infectious disease such as MRSA.
Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined as pneumonia that occurs 48-72 hours or there-after following endotracheal intubation. VAP increased health care costs due to hospital length of stay. Since VAP can be prevented, this study underscores the importance of identifying the current knowledge and practice on the prevention of VAP among the ICU nurses in Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 (QEH2). The objective of this study is to determine the nurse’s knowledge and practice towards VAP prevention. Methods: The methodology used for this study is a cross-sectional study to evaluate nurses’ knowledge and practice in the ICU, QEH2. 82 ICU QEH2 nurs-es participated. Data were collected using a modified structured questionnaire based on the checklist of VAP data elements. The elements covered in the questionnaire consist of three parts, which are Part A on socio-demographic information, Part B on knowledge ventilator-associated pneumonia events and Part C on nurse’s prevention practice on ventilator-associated events. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The overall results of this study are 45.1% of the nurses were less knowledgeable on VAP prevention and this could lead to a prevalence of VAP in the unit. VAP is a new concept implemented in 2013, meaning that 48.53% (n=33) nurses who trained 2-5 years ago may have not covered VAP in their infection prevention and control training. Most of the ICU nurses did not profoundly practices on subglottic suction (35/82), hand hygiene prior suctioning (40/82), hand hygiene after ETT suction (16/82) and delirium risk assessment (1/82). As a discussion, this could mean the ICU nurses do not have adequate knowledge and practice awareness on VAP prevention. Conclusion: For the conclusion of this study, the nurses working in ICU, QEH2 practiced most of the recommended VAP prevention but not all. Continuous training on prevention for VAP in ICU needs to be review. The hospital management to ensure the availability of the facilities needed and the adoption of guidelines based on evidence-based practice.
MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Delirium; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Intubation, Intratracheal; Length of Stay; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ventilators, Mechanical; Suction; Prevalence; Health Care Costs; Risk Assessment; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated; Evidence-Based Practice; Checklist; Hand Hygiene
Introduction: Violence Against Women has increasingly been recognized in the international areas as an obstacle to women’s development and it may have a myriad of devastating consequences on women’s long or short- term health and wellbeing. The study explored the highlight the prevalence and health effects of Violence Against Women which might reflect the probable causes, the types of injuries, leading factors and consequences of the violence. Methods:Hospital based case study, which was referred to forensic department, Mandalay General Hospital from 1st Jan 2000 to 30th Sept 2000. Personal interview and medical examination of 50-100 victims, girls & women, who were phys-ically and sexually violated was done. Results: Total 92 patients were interviewed and examined, prevalence of dif-ferent age ranging from 5 to 56, were physically and sexually violated during the study period, 62 patients were phys-ically assaulted, and 30 victims were sexually violated. 20-40 age group is more commonly conflicted by physical violence 69.3%) while 10-20 age group were commonly conflicted by sexual violence (56.6%). Pattern of different types of injury and locations are also recorded as a consequence of physical assault and commonest injury is bruise (47%). Commonest location is injury over head & neck (61.8%). Relationship to perpetrator were recorded, physical assaults were commonly by spouse (39%) while sexual assaults were acquaintance (58%). Events leading to violence at home are recorded as nuclear family and alcohol consumption is more common, fights were most common events in community setting. Conclusion: Violence Against Women is neither prevalent nor uncommon in Myanmar. In this study, all forms of injuries were recorded and among them the commonest injuries were bruises, the event leading to violence recorded as fights, alcohol consumption, nuclear family was most common. Violence has a psychological impact on other members of the family, particularly children. However, a multi-sectoral approach has become a necessity to create a happy family, society and nation. It could be achieved by uplifting the socio-economic status of the family, practising the religious teachings and abiding within the framework of the laws. The Trans-National Committed should be formed to effectively minimize trafficking in women and children in the Region.
Introduction: Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a condition seen in severe dengue that can be potentially fatal. Timely management using HLH-directed treatment such as steroids or etoposide have been seen to improve the outcome of patients however there is no protocol on how to manage the disease. Two criteria commonly used to guide the direction of treatment are namely the HLH-2004 criteria and the Hscore; with the latter being used more often. The best cut-off H score is 169 corresponding to a sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 86% and accurate classification of 90% of the patients. We described of five patients diagnosed with severe dengue compli-cated with HLH. Methods: 5 cases that were diagnosed with severe dengue with secondary HLH and received dexa-methasone were reviewed retrospectively and clinical data extracted. Results: All patients had fever beyond critical or leaking phase. Four out of five cases had Hscore higher than 169 and had a mean score of 181 with only one bone marrow performed. Three patients had concurrent leaking and bleeding and three patients had fast progression of se-vere transaminitis during the critical phase. The mean peak ferritin level was 21077 micro/L. The only bone marrow aspiration done revealed increased macrophages and hemophagocytic activity. All patients received a short course of dexamethasone and discharged well. Conclusion: Short course dexamethasone is effective in treatment of HLH in dengue despite the concerns of administration of steroids in bleeding dengue patient. Secondary HLH in dengue remains a clinical diagnosis with no conclusive diagnostic criteria. It should be suspected in a severe dengue patient with hyperferritinemia and persistent fever. Technical difficulty of performing bone marrow during severe dengue makes conclusive diagnosis remains elusive.
MeSH terms: Bone Marrow; Dexamethasone; Etoposide; Ferritins; Fever; Hemorrhage; Humans; Macrophages; Patient Discharge; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Severe Dengue; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic
An interactive teaching tool that utilizes a game board strategy to facilitate the learning of statistics has been developed and employed. This study aims to determine the impact of the board game on the motivation of diploma students towards learning statistics. Data are collected from 7 respondents using a face to face interview. Responses are qualitatively analysed. Results show that respondents are generally positive about the effectiveness of the board game as a teaching tool to enhance le arning and understanding. More importantly, respondents have shown a change in attitude towards statistics and are more motivated to learn statistics under this innovative learning environment. Some suggestions for future research are outlined.
Internationalization procedure of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is part of the increasing economy. The study aims to identify relationships between the factors influencing the SMEs to internationalize and identifying the most impactful factor that affects the internationalization of SMEs. The factors affecting internationalization of SMEs identified were external, internal, networking as well as barriers and challenges. The study focusses on SMEs in the service sector in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The methods used to conduct the survey is by distributing the questionnaire through email. There are 100 selected SMEs in the service sector which are listed in SME Corp Malaysia website and MATRADE website. Regardless of whether the SME’s are practising international business or not, they will still be one of the potential respondents. The data were examined and obtained using the statistical software SPSS. The analysis used is reliability analysis, correlation analysis and regression analysis to meet the research objectives. The expected outcome from this research is to analyze the factors that will impact the internationalization of SMEs. The results of the analysis show that all the variables have a low positive correlation. The most influential factors that effects SMEs decision to go international are barriers and challenges.
MeSH terms: Biometry; Commerce; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Regression Analysis; Software; Reproducibility of Results; Electronic Mail
Sports tourism is an essential part of world tourism and is trendy in Malaysia. Malaysia recorded about 2 5 83 million tourist arrivals in 201 8 . Efficient delivery of hospitality services to the sports tourists will contribute to the multi billion dollar sports tourism business. In a competitive sports tourism market, offering sporting event requires being de e ply acknowledged with the reasons that attracts tourists’ choice of specific sporting event and the degree of satisfaction that these sports tourists perceived from the service provided. As so, this present study discusses on the sports event’s quality to w ards attendance of tourists at sports event hosted at northern zone of Malaysia. The objectives of this study are answered based on survey research conducted among 351 sports tourists at the sports event organized at northern zone of Malaysia . The study r e veals that the intangible aspect of sports event’s quality highly affects tourists’ attendance at sports event hosted in Northern Zone of Malaysia, compared to the tangible aspect. Growing economy plays an important role in ensuring the quality of sports e vent. Findings reveal dissimilarities on perception of quality towards sports event between the gender groups, with the male tourists displaying higher sensitivity. Further study on sports events hosted in other region of Malaysia could contribute to deve l opment of quality sports events in promoting Malaysia as an international sports tourism destination.
MeSH terms: Red Meat; Animals; Cattle; Malaysia; Male; Personal Satisfaction; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sports; Economic Development
When a hotel firm loses their existing customers, the organization needs to draw new customers. This is to maintain their market share in the industries. However, in order to attract and capture new customers, it may need higher cost on advertising and promotional activities. Brand preference is generally used to quantify the effect of brand equity that will lead to brand awareness and customers brand loyalty. Therefore, this research is conducted to examine how co-creation corporate social responsibility (CSR) influence brand preference sustaining strategy in the hospitality industry. The study involved three main variables to distinguish the effect of environment, society and stakeholders (CSR) base program on consumer brand preferences. This research is conducted at one of the hotels in Kuala Lumpur City. The scope of the research focusing on the impact of co-creation (CSR) programs towards consumer brand preference. The respondents are among the walk-in consumer the hotel. Result of the study found that there is significant impact of the three base (CSR) programs on consumer brand preference in the hotel industries. This study also built up a useful insight to the industry players and (CSR) research to gain knowledge on the future development of co-creation CSR programs which promotes low cost and high impact result.
MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior; Industry; Organizations; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Responsibility; Societies
Auditors play a key role in contributing to the credibility of the financial statements on which they are reporting. High quality audits s upport financial stability. The responsibility for performing quality audits of financial statements rests with the auditors. However, audit quality is best achieved in an environment where there is support from and appropriate interactions among partici pa nts in the financial reporting supply chain. Most prior studies look into audit quality from the perspective of private sector however this study focus on the quality of public sector auditing in Malaysia. There are three independent variables being inve st igated in this study that are the auditor’s independence, auditor’s competency and auditor’s workload. Data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires to 114 samples of auditors involved in public sector audit in Malaysia. The data were an al ysed using correlation test and regression test. The findings of this study show that there are positively significant relationship between auditor’s independence and auditor’s competency on audit quality. The results revealed that auditor’s competency i s the most significant factor affecting the audit quality in public sector audit. However, results show that auditor’s workload has a negative and insignificant impact on audit quality. Hence, this study recommends that the audit departments to strengthen th e audit quality and could improve the quality of the financial reporting in the public sector. In addition, auditor’s competency should be enhanced among the auditors in public sector to ensure high quality of audit work performed. Future studies should ex plore other variables such as client satisfaction, auditor switching and auditor’s turnover in public sector auditing
MeSH terms: Financial Statements; Financial Audit; Malaysia; Personal Satisfaction; Personnel Turnover; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rest; Workload; Patient Satisfaction; Private Sector; Public Sector
The purpose of this study is to assess the determinants of psychological traits towards users’ technology experience specifically on Online Travel Agencies (OTA) via exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Working on these issues and after sequences of analyses to verify reliability and factor structure, the final 16 items of Technology Readiness 2.0 (TR2.0) with 4 items for each dimension (Optimism, Innovativeness, Discomfort, and Insecurity) have been congregated. Through an online survey, the technology readiness determinants were administered to 100 travelers at KLIA2 who have experienced on OTA. EFA using Principal Component Analysis with Varimax Rotation indicated 14 items, with 4 factors final solution with the following subscales: Innovativeness (4 items); Optimism (4 items); Discomfort (3 items); and Insecurities (3 items). All in all, only two items were removed from the original total of 16 items by the factor analysis based on the factor loading matrix for this final solution. This study basically plays an important role in contributing to the existing literature on the OTA users’ standpoint by using an approach which is very powerful to redefine the factors within Technology Readiness. This enhancement has reorganized the items according to their importance specifically towards new perspective which are OTA users in Malaysia setting.
MeSH terms: Optimism; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Malaysia; Publications; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rotation; Technology; Reproducibility of Results; Principal Component Analysis
Television (TV) advertisements have become one of the most powerful marketing tools in attracting their audience to become potential customers. They are widely used among food industry locally and also internationally. This study is conducted to identify the factors that contribute to an effective TV advertisement in food industry among centennials using predictive analysis. The aims of this study are to; 1) Identify significant factors; Attractive Visual, Persuasive Message and Repetition of Advertisement to the Effectiveness of TV advertisements in food industry. 2) Identify the most contribute significant factors; Attractive Visual, Persuasive Message and Repetition of Advertisement to the Effectiveness of TV advertisements in food industry. Thus, it was tested to 300 respondents in Shah Alam area using convenient sampling technique. Preliminary analysis included reliability analysis, checking for the correlation, multiple linear regression requirement and R-Square score. Correlation analysis shows that there was a significant positive linear relationship between attractive visuals, persuasive message and repetition of advertisements towards Effectiveness of TV advertisements in food industry. Among independent variables entered into the model, persuasive message (t=7.474, p-value=0.000
MeSH terms: Persuasive Communication; Surveys and Questionnaires; Television; Reproducibility of Results; Linear Models; Food Industry; Marketing
This paper aims to explore the readi n ess of takaful operators to integrate waqf as part of their product feature by assessing on the components of as proposed in the New Product Development Model: marketing supports; formalized development process and top management supports. Questionnaire w a s employed in this survey and takaful operators’ employees who involved in product development were selected such as actuaries, business development managers and their executives. Unexpectedly, several takaful operators withdrew from participating in the s urvey (it was last minute) which is limitation in this study. Accordingly, it caused the use of non parametric tests in this study since the data is not normally distributed. Spearman rank correlation shows that formalized development process is the sig n ificant factor that influenced the readiness of the takaful operators to integrate waqf in their products. However, the other two independent variables which are marketing supports and top management supports depicted insignificant result. Nevertheless, t h e findings were still able to provide insights on the integration of waqf by takaful operators as their latest products’ feature.
MeSH terms: Employment; Problem Solving; Surveys and Questionnaires; Marketing