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  1. Immunisation coverage and its determinants among Rohingya refugee children in Malaysia
    Al-Haroni H, Muthanna A, Nasir Mohd Desa M, Azzani M
    Aust J Gen Pract, 2023 Oct;52(10):712-719.
    PMID: 37788693 DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-01-23-6676
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The displacement of populations due to humanitarian emergencies has an adverse impact on the global elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases. However, the level of immunisation coverage among Rohingya refugee children remains unknown. Therefore, this study investigated immunisation coverage and its determinants among Rohingya refugee children in Malaysia.

    METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2020 among the guardians of 243 Rohingya refugee children studying under the sponsorship of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Malaysia.

    RESULTS: Among the 243 children, 90 (37%) were unimmunised, 147 (60.5%) were partially immunised and only 6 (2.5%) were fully immunised. The country of child's birth, the child's age and access to healthcare services were significantly associated with unimmunisation (all P<0.05).

    DISCUSSION: This study found low immunisation coverage among Rohingya refugee children in Malaysia. Given the low level of coverage, a public health intervention, such as a vaccination program, for this refugee population is necessary.

  2. Fulltext Effectiveness of education intervention, with regards to physical activity level and a healthy diet, among Middle Eastern adolescents in Malaysia: A study protocol for a randomized control trial, based on a health belief model
    Al-Haroni H, Nik Farid ND, Azanan MS
    PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0289937.
    PMID: 38232100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289937
    BACKGROUND: Among the most urgent public health challenges, of the twenty-first century, is obesity. This can be attributed to its relationship with several non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as well as premature mortality. Being overweight or obese is a major concern not only in high-income countries, but also in low-income and middle-income countries, particularly in urban areas. Several studies have highlighted the prevalence of obesity, among Middle Eastern-descent adolescents, studying in Arabic secondary schools, located in Malaysia. Intervention studies, directed at Middle Eastern adolescents in Malaysia, are limited. This paper, describes the protocol, for an integrated health education intervention process. Titled 'Healthy lifestyle', it is a primary prevention process, aimed at curbing obesity and disordered eating, among Middle Eastern secondary school adolescents, aged 13-14 years old, residing in Malaysia.

    METHODS AND ANTICIPATED RESULTS: A cluster randomized controlled study will be conducted, involving 250 Middle Eastern adolescents, in Arabic schools in Malaysia. The participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. While the intervention group participates in six weeks of fortnightly six sessions (45 minutes per session), the control group will carry on with their regular curriculums, and normal physical activity routines. The variables which will be evaluated include anthropometric measurements, knowledge, attitude, daily routines, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, food assessment, eating attitudes test-26, and a structured questionnaire based on the HBM. Data will be collected from the intervention and control groups at baseline, post-intervention, and two months following the intervention. Data analysis will be performed by way of the SPSS Statistics software version 26. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) will be used, to test the effect of the intervention program, with regards to the selected variables (outcomes), between and within-group at baseline, as well as six weeks and two months following intervention, after adjusting for clustering. Outcomes will be assessed at each time point, along with a derived average over all three-time points; thus, ensuring that both the cumulative and overall effects are determined.

    CONCLUSIONS: This trial will provide useful information for improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices of Middle Eastern adolescents, with regards to body weight status, physical activity level, nutrition status (BMI and dietary intake), and disordered eating. This will go a long way, towards ensuring their adherence to appropriate physical activities, and a healthy diet, to keep non-communicable diseases at bay.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at NCT: NCT05694143.

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