Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 301 in total

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  1. Lachman JM, Juhari R, Stuer F, Zinser P, Han Q, Gardner F, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2023 Feb 04;23(1):241.
    PMID: 36737719 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15065-4
    BACKGROUND: Despite impressive strides in health, social protection, and education, children continue to experience high rates of child maltreatment in Malaysia. This mixed-methods study assessed the feasibility of a five-session, social learning-based parenting program delivered by government staff in a community setting to reduce violence against children.

    METHODS: Parents of children from birth to 17 years were recruited from two communities near Kuala Lumpur to participate in the government-run program called the Naungan Kasih Positive Parenting Program ("Protecting through Love" in Bahasa Melayu). Quantitative data from female caregivers (N = 74) and children ages 10-17 (N = 26) were collected along with qualitative interviews and focus groups with parents, children, and facilitators. The primary outcome was child maltreatment with secondary outcomes including neglect, positive parenting, acceptability of corporal punishment, harsh parenting, positive discipline, and child behavior problems. Multilevel Poisson regression and multilevel linear regression were conducted to compare baseline and post-test outcomes. Qualitative interviews and focus groups examined how participants experienced the program utilizing a thematic analysis approach.

    RESULTS: Quantitative analyses found pre-post reductions in overall child maltreatment, physical abuse, emotional abuse, attitudes supporting corporal punishment, parent sense of inefficacy, and child behavior problems. There were no reported changes on positive and harsh parenting, parental mental health, and marital satisfaction, nor were there any other significant changes reported by children. Qualitative findings suggested that the program had tangible benefits for female caregivers involved in the program, with the benefits extending to their family members.

    CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study is one of the few studies in Southeast Asia that examined the feasibility and initial program impact of a parenting program delivered by government staff to families with children across the developmental spectrum from birth to 17 years. Promising results suggest that the program may reduce child maltreatment across a range of child ages. Findings also indicate areas for program improvement prior to further delivery and testing, including additional training and content on sexual and reproductive health, parenting children with disabilities, and online child protection.

  2. Mohd Tariq MN, Shahar HK, Baharudin MR, Ismail SNS, Manaf RA, Salmiah MS, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2021 09 24;21(1):1735.
    PMID: 34560858 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11719-3
    BACKGROUND: Flood disaster preparedness among the community seldom received attention. Necessary intervention must be taken to prevent the problem. Health Education Based Intervention (HEBI) was developed following the Health Belief Model, particularly in improving flood disaster preparedness among the community. The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of HEBI on improving flood disaster preparedness among the community in Selangor. This study aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of health education-based intervention (HEBI) based on knowledge, skills, and preparedness to improve flood disaster preparedness among the community in Selangor.

    METHOD: A single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial will conduct at six districts in Selangor. Randomly selected respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in the study. Health education module based on Health Believed Theory will be delivered via health talks and videos coordinated by liaison officers. Data at three-time points at baseline, immediate, and 3 months post-intervention will be collected. A validated questionnaire will assess participants' background characteristics, knowledge, skill, and preparedness on disaster preparedness and perception towards disaster. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be applied for data analysis using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Longitudinal correlated data on knowledge, skills, preparedness, and perception score at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 6 months post-intervention will be analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE).

    DISCUSSION: It is expected that knowledge, skills, preparedness, and flood disaster perception score are more significant in the intervention group than the control group, indicating the Health Education Based Intervention (HEBI).

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trial TCTR20200202002 .

  3. Lim AH, Ab Rahman N, Nasarudin SNS, Velvanathan T, Fong MCC, Mohamad Yahaya AH, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2024 Jan 03;24(1):79.
    PMID: 38172715 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17579-3
    BACKGROUND: There are two parallel systems in Malaysian primary healthcare services: government funded public primary care and privately-owned practices. While there have been several studies evaluating antibiotic utilisation in Malaysian public healthcare, there is a lack of literature on the use of antibiotics in the private sector. There is a dire need to evaluate the more recent performance of public vs. private community healthcare in Malaysia. As such, this study aimed at measuring and comparing the utilisation of antibiotics in the public and private community healthcare sectors of Malaysia in 2018-2021.

    METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of antibiotic utilisation in Malaysian primary care for the period of 1 January 2018 until 31 December 2021 using the nationwide pharmaceutical procurement and sales data from public and private health sectors. Rates of antibiotic utilisation were reported as Defined Daily Doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID) and stratified by antibiotic classes. The secondary analysis included proportions of AWaRe antibiotic category use for each sector and proportion of antibiotic utilisation for both sectors.

    RESULTS: The overall national antibiotic utilisation for 2018 was 6.14 DID, increasing slightly to 6.56 DID in 2019, before decreasing to 4.54 DID in 2020 and 4.17 DID in 2021. Private primary care antibiotic utilisation was almost ten times higher than in public primary care in 2021. The public sector had fewer (four) antibiotic molecules constituting 90% of the total antibiotic utilisation as compared to the private sector (eight). Use of Access antibiotics in the public sector was consistently above 90%, while use of Access category antibiotics by the private sector ranged from 64.2 to 68.3%. Although use of Watch antibiotics in the private sector decreased over the years, the use of Reserve and 'Not Recommended' antibiotics increased slightly over the years.

    CONCLUSION: Antibiotic consumption in the private community healthcare sector in Malaysia is much higher than in the public sector. These findings highlight the need for more rigorous interventions targeting both private prescribers and the public with improvement strategies focusing on reducing inappropriate and unnecessary prescribing.

  4. Goni MD, Naing NN, Hasan H, Wan-Arfah N, Deris ZZ, Arifin WN, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2020 Nov 10;20(1):1684.
    PMID: 33172429 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09756-5
    BACKGROUND: Respiratory tract infections are one of the common infection associated with Hajj pilgrimage that is of great public health and global concern. This study is aimed at determining the factor structure of the knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire for the prevention of respiratory tract infections during Hajj by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

    METHODS: A multistage cluster sampling method was conducted on Malaysian Umrah pilgrims during the weekly Umrah orientation course. A total of 200 Umrah pilgrims participated in the study. The knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire was distributed to pilgrims at the beginning of the orientation and retrieved immediately at the end of the orientation. Data analysis was done using R version 3.5.0 after data entry into SPSS 24. The robust maximum likelihood was used for the estimation due to the multivariate normality assumption violation. A two-factor model was tested for measurement model validity and construct validity for each of the attitude and practice domains.

    RESULTS: CFA of a 25-item in total, the two-factor model yielded adequate goodness-of-fit values. The measurement model also showed good convergent and discriminant validity after model re-specification. A two-factor model was tested for measurement model validity and construct validity for each of the attitude and practice domains. The result also showed a statistically significant value (p 

  5. Hassan N, Ho WK, Mariapun S, Teo SH
    BMC Public Health, 2015;15:548.
    PMID: 26065413 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1892-1
    To date, because of limited budgets and lower incidence of breast cancer, the majority of Asian countries do not have population-based screening programmes, but instead offer opportunistic screening. However, there have been few studies which have assessed the motivators for women attending such programmes and the appropriateness of the programmes in terms of targeting women at risk.
  6. Kabir MA, Goh KL, Khan MH
    BMC Public Health, 2013;13:379.
    PMID: 23617464 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-379
    BACKGROUND:
    Tobacco consumption (TC) among youths poses significant public health problem in developing countries. This study utilized the data of Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), 2007 to examine and compare youth TC behavior in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

    METHODS:
    The GYTS covered a total of 2,242 Bangladeshi, 1,444 Nepalese and 1,377 Sri-Lankan youths aged 13-15 years. They represented response rates of 88.9%, 94.6%, and 85.0% for the three countries, respectively. Socioeconomic, environmental, motivating, and programmatic predictors of TC were examined using cross tabulations and logistic regressions.

    RESULTS:
    Prevalence of TC was 6.9% (9.1% in males, 5.1% in females) in Bangladesh, 9.4% (13.2% in males, 5.3% in females) in Nepal and 9.1% (12.4% in males, 5.8% in females) in Sri Lanka. The average tobacco initiation age was 9.6, 10.24 and 8.61 years, respectively. Cross tabulations showed that gender, smoking among parents and friends, exposure to smoking at home and public places, availability of free tobacco were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with TC in all three countries. The multivariable analysis [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)] indicated that the common significant predictors for TC in the three countries were TC among friends [1.9 (1.30-2.89) for Bangladesh, 4.10 (2.64-6.38) for Nepal, 2.34 (1.36-4.02) for Sri Lanka], exposure to smoking at home [1.7 (1.02-2.81) for Bangladesh, 1.81 (1.08-2.79) for Nepal, 3.96 (1.82-8.62) for Sri Lanka], exposure to smoking at other places [2.67 (1.59-4.47) for Bangladesh, 5.22 (2.76-9.85) for Nepal, 1.76 (1.05-2.88) for Sri Lanka], and the teaching of smoking hazards in schools [0.56 (0.38-0.84) for Bangladesh, 0.60 (0.41-0.89) for Nepal, 0.58 (0.35-0.94) for Sri Lanka].

    CONCLUSIONS:
    An understanding of the influencing factors of youth TC provides helpful insights for the formulation of tobacco control policies in the South-Asian region.
  7. ul Haq N, Hassali MA, Shafie AA, Saleem F, Farooqui M, Haseeb A, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2013;13:448.
    PMID: 23641704 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-448
    Hepatitis-B is a life threatening infection resulting in 0.6 million deaths annually. The prevalence of Hepatitis-B is rising in Pakistan and furthermore, there is paucity of information about Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Hepatitis-B patients. Better disease related knowledge is important to have positive attitude and that will bring the good practices which will prevent the further spread of infection. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of Hepatitis-B Patients in Quetta city, Pakistan.
  8. Lim JJ, Reginald K, Say YH, Liu MH, Chew FT
    BMC Public Health, 2023 Sep 19;23(1):1818.
    PMID: 37726698 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16736-y
    BACKGROUND: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been increasing in recent years, especially in Asia. There is growing evidence to suggest the importance of dietary patterns in the development and management of AD. Here, we seek to understand how certain dietary patterns in a Singapore/Malaysia population are associated with various risks of AD development and exacerbation.

    METHODS: A standardized questionnaire following the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) guidelines was investigator-administered to a clinically and epidemiology well-defined allergic cohort of 13,561 young Chinese adults aged 19-22. Information on their sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary habits, and personal and family medical atopic histories were obtained. Allergic sensitization was assessed by a skin prick test to mite allergens. Spearman's rank-order correlation was used to assess the correlation between the intake frequencies of 16 food types. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis. Four corresponding dietary scores were derived to examine the association of identified dietary patterns with allergic sensitization and AD exacerbations through a multivariable logistic regression that controlled for age, gender, parental eczema, BMI, and lifestyle factors.

    RESULTS: The correlation is the strongest between the intake of butter and margarine (R = 0.65). We identified four dietary patterns, "high-calorie foods", "plant-based foods", "meat and rice", and "probiotics, milk and eggs", and these accounted for 47.4% of the variance in the dietary habits among the subjects. Among these patterns, moderate-to-high intake of "plant-based foods" conferred a negative association for chronic (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.706; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.589-0.847; p 

  9. Mokhtar NM, Nawawi KNM, Verasingam J, Zhiqin W, Sagap I, Azman ZAM, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2019 Jun 13;19(Suppl 4):550.
    PMID: 31196184 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6858-2
    BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was once considered as a Western disease. However, recent epidemiological data showed an emerging trend of IBD cases in the Eastern Asia countries. Clinico-epidemiological data of IBD in Malaysia is scarce. This study aimed to address this issue.

    METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), diagnosed from January 1980 till June 2018 was conducted at our centre.

    RESULTS: A total of 413 IBD patients (281 UC, 132 CD) were identified. Mean crude incidence of IBD has increased steadily over the first three decades: 0.36 (1980-1989), 0.48 (1990-1999) and 0.63 per 100,000 person-years (2000-2009). In the 2010 to 2018 period, the mean crude incidence has doubled to 1.46 per 100,000 person-years. There was a significant rise in the incidence of CD, as depicted by reducing UC:CD ratio: 5:1 (1980-1989), 5:1 (1990-1999), 1.9:1 (2000-2009) and 1.7:1 (2010-2018). The prevalence rate of IBD, UC and CD, respectively were 23.0, 15.67 and 7.36 per 100,000 persons. Of all IBD patients, 61.5% (n = 254) were males. When stratified according to ethnic group, the highest prevalence of IBD was among the Indians: 73.4 per 100,000 persons, followed by Malays: 24.8 per 100,000 persons and Chinese: 14.6 per 100,000 persons. The mean age of diagnosis was 41.2 years for UC and 27.4 years for CD. Majority were non-smokers (UC: 76.9%, CD: 70.5%). The diseases were classified as follows: UC; proctitis (9.2%), left-sided colitis (50.2%) and extensive colitis (40.6%), CD; isolated ileal (22.7%), colonic (28.8%), ileocolonic (47.7%) and upper gastrointestinal (0.8%). 12.9% of CD patients had concurrent perianal disease. Extra intestinal manifestations were observed more in CD (53.8%) as compared to UC (12%). Dysplasia and malignancy, on the other hand, occurred more in UC (4.3%, n = 12) than in CD (0.8%, n = 1). Over one quarter (27.3%) of CD patients and 3.6% of UC patients received biologic therapy.

    CONCLUSION: The incidence of IBD is rising in Malaysia, especially in the last one decade. This might be associated with the urbanization and changing diets. Public and clinicians' awareness of this emerging disease in Malaysia is important for the timely detection and management.

  10. Farooqui M, Hassali MA, Knight A, Shafie AA, Farooqui MA, Saleem F, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2013;13:48.
    PMID: 23331785 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-48
    Despite the existence of different screening methods, the response to cancer screening is poor among Malaysians. The current study aims to examine cancer patients' perceptions of cancer screening and early diagnosis.
  11. Farooqui M, Hassali MA, Shatar AK, Shafie AA, Seang TB, Farooqui MA
    BMC Public Health, 2011;11:525.
    PMID: 21718547 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-525
    BACKGROUND: Cancer patients' knowledge about cancer and experiences with its treatment play an important role in long-term adherence in their disease management. This study aimed to explore cancer patients' knowledge about cancer, their perceptions of conventional therapies and the factors that contribute to medication adherence in the Malaysian population.
    METHODS: A qualitative research approach was adopted to gain a better understanding of the current perceptions and knowledge held by cancer patients. Twenty patients were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. A saturation point was reached after the 18th interview, and no new information emerged with the subsequent 2 interviews. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed by means of a standard content analysis framework.
    RESULTS: The majority of patients related the cause of their cancer to be God's will. Participants perceived conventional therapies as effective due to their scientific methods of preparations. A fear of side effects was main reasons given for delay in seeking treatment; however, perceptions were reported to change after receiving treatment when effective management to reduce the risk of side effects had been experienced.
    CONCLUSIONS: This study provides basic information about cancer patients' perceptions towards cancer and its treatment. These findings can help in the design of educational programs to enhance awareness and acceptances of cancer screening. Priorities for future research should focus on patients who refused the conventional therapies at any stage.
  12. Rani M, Nusrat S, Hawken LH
    BMC Public Health, 2012;12:877.
    PMID: 23067232 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-877
    Segmented service delivery with consequent inefficiencies in health systems was one of the main concerns raised during scaling up of disease-specific programs in the last two decades. The organized response to NCD is in infancy in most LMICs with little evidence on how the response is evolving in terms of institutional arrangements and policy development processes.
  13. Manaf RA, Mahmud A, Ntr A, Saad SR
    BMC Public Health, 2021 05 06;21(1):876.
    PMID: 33957870 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10917-3
    BACKGROUND: The challenges faced by healthcare personnel in relation to dengue prevention and control are perennial but noticeably unexplored. It is often difficult to translate policies and decision making by the elite into astute management in consonance with the needs of rank-and-file personnel. In this study, we assess the impact of governance on dengue prevention and control activities in Malaysia as narrated by the elite.

    METHODS: A qualitative study using a case-study approach was conducted between January 2019 and November 2019 in the districts of Gombak and Klang, where the relevant key informants were located. Nineteen interviews were conducted among elite healthcare personnel from different divisions: management, vector, laboratory, inspectorate, health promotion and entomology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The sample size was determined through saturation point criteria. Purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit the participants. The interviews were audio recorded, and the transcribed text was analysed with deductive thematic analysis.

    RESULTS: Data analysis led to the development of 5 themes and 13 categories. The major principles of governance were embodied in a milieu of predicament, linked to constraints but also opportunities. The constraints resulted from inherent determinants of dengue outbreaks, the serviceability of governing policies and the macro-economics of budget allocation. The opportunities to sustain governance at the local operating level stem from a prevalent supportive internal management system, collaborative efforts among corresponding external government agencies and willingness to innovate and embrace novel technology.

    CONCLUSION: Elites are influential, often well-informed personnel tasked with making decisions that can reverberate across an organisation, impacting future plans and strategic policies. Political arrangements at higher levels will reflect in advance the tone of how governance in dengue prevention and control is operationalised by entities and individuals at lower levels of the health system. The prevailing centralised structure in the Malaysian health system will continue to entrench the position of the elite and intertwine it with governance and its predicaments.

  14. Wright A, De Livera A, Lee KH, Higgs C, Nicholson M, Gibbs L, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2022 Dec 27;22(1):2434.
    PMID: 36575409 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14836-9
    BACKGROUND: Population surveys across the world have examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. However, few have simultaneously examined independent cross-sectional data with longitudinal data, each of which have different strengths and weaknesses and facilitate the investigation of distinct research questions. This study aimed to investigate psychological distress and life satisfaction during the first and second lockdowns in the state of Victoria, Australia, and the social factors that may be affected by lockdowns and could affect mental health.

    METHODS: The VicHealth Victorian Coronavirus Wellbeing Impact Study included two 20-min opt-in online panel surveys conducted in May and September 2020 in Victoria, each with a sample of 2000 adults aged 18 + . A two-part study design was used: a repeated cross-sectional study of respondents who participated in Survey One and Survey Two, followed by a longitudinal nested cohort study. The primary exposures were social solidarity, social connectedness and staying connected with family and friends. Using logistic regression modelling, we explored the associations between our exposures and primary outcomes of psychological distress and life satisfaction with and without adjustment for covariates, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The results from the multivariable models were summarised using adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR), 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).

    RESULTS: Cross-sectional results indicated that the percentage of participants with low life satisfaction was significantly higher in the second survey sample (53%) compared to the first (47%). The percentage of participants with high psychological distress was higher but not significantly different between the two survey samples (14% first survey vs 16% second survey). Longitudinal study results indicated that lower social connectedness was significantly associated with higher psychological distress (aOR:3.3; 95% CI: 1.3-8.4) and lower life satisfaction (aOR:0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.4). Younger adults had higher psychological distress compared to older adults (aOR:6.8; 95% CI:1.5-31.1). Unemployment at the time of the first survey was significantly associated with lower life satisfaction at the second survey (aOR:0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9).

    CONCLUSION: This study supports the findings of other international studies. It also highlights the need to promote increased social connection and maintain it at times of isolation and separation, particularly amongst younger adults.

  15. Abidin EZ, Semple S, Omar A, Rahman HA, Turner SW, Ayres JG
    BMC Public Health, 2011 Aug 08;11:634.
    PMID: 21824403 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-634
    BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data describing the exposure of Malaysian schoolchildren to Secondhand Smoke (SHS). The aim of this study is to identify factors influencing schoolchildren's exposures to SHS in Malaysia.

    METHOD: This cross-sectional study was carried out to measure salivary cotinine concentrations among 1064 schoolchildren (10-11 years) attending 24 schools in Malaysia following recent partial smoke-free restrictions. Parents completed questionnaires and schoolchildren provided saliva samples for cotinine assay.

    RESULTS: The geometric mean (GM) salivary cotinine concentrations for 947 non-smoking schoolchildren stratified by household residents' smoking behaviour were: for children living with non-smoking parents 0.32 ng/ml (95% CI 0.28-0.37) (n = 446); for children living with a smoker father 0.65 ng/ml (95% CI 0.57-0.72) (n = 432); for children living with two smoking parents 1.12 ng/ml (95% CI 0.29-4.40) (n = 3); for children who live with an extended family member who smokes 0.62 ng/ml (95% CI 0.42-0.89) (n = 33) and for children living with two smokers (father and extended family member) 0.71 ng/ml (95% CI 0.40-0.97) (n = 44). Parental-reported SHS exposures showed poor agreement with children's self-reported SHS exposures. Multiple linear regression demonstrated that cotinine levels were positively associated with living with one or more smokers, urban residence, occupation of father (Armed forces), parental-reported exposure to SHS and education of the father (Diploma/Technical certificate).

    CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to characterise exposures to SHS using salivary cotinine concentrations among schoolchildren in Malaysia and also the first study documenting SHS exposure using salivary cotinine as a biomarker in a South-East Asian population of schoolchildren. Compared to other populations of similarly aged schoolchildren, Malaysian children have higher salivary cotinine concentrations. The partial nature of smoke-free restrictions in Malaysia is likely to contribute to these findings. Enforcement of existing legislation to reduce exposure in public place settings and interventions to reduce exposure at home, especially to implement effective home smoking restriction practices are required.

  16. Syed Alwi SAR, Rafidah E, Zurraini A, Juslina O, Brohi IB, Lukas S
    BMC Public Health, 2021 06 12;21(1):1129.
    PMID: 34118897 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11071-6
    BACKGROUND: Vaccination is an effective way to curtail the burden of COVID-19 in which success depends on a high acceptance of the vaccine. However, addressing concerns among vaccine-hesitant individuals is essential to avoid failure of the immunisation programme. This study sought to assess the concerns and acceptance rates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine among Malaysians.

    METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to 1411 respondents via a snowball sampling method among Malaysians aged 18 years and above.

    RESULTS: The majority of the respondents were young adults (40.7%), female (62.8%), Malay (63.8%), Muslim (72.3%), married (52.9%), with tertiary education (86.8%) and without medical illness (85%). Social media (97.4%) was the primary source of information regarding COVID-19. The overall acceptance rate was high (83.3%), with the lowest rates among the elderly aged 60 years and above (63.4%) and pensioners (64.6%). Hesitance was caused by concerns regarding side effects (95.8%), safety (84.7%), lack of information (80.9%), effectiveness (63.6%) and religious (20.8%) and cultural factors related to the COVID-19 vaccine (6.8%). Respondents with diabetes mellitus (24.7%) and hypercholesterolemia (23%) were more hesitant to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, at 16.1 and 15.8%, respectively. Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitance were age, religion, and current residence.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a high rate of acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among Malaysians. Thus, the Malaysian government and other related agencies should increase their campaign and prepare to implement the COVID-19 mass immunisation programme among Malaysians. However, despite the high acceptance rate, it remains important to address concerns among hesitant individuals by building trust in vaccine safety and effectiveness through adequate information regarding the vaccine.

  17. Goldschmidt L, Mncina B, Langa M, Rebello S, Budaza T, Tshabalala J, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2023 Sep 30;23(1):1890.
    PMID: 37775803 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16775-5
    BACKGROUND: Unhealthy alcohol use is a leading contributor to premature death and disability worldwide. The World Health Organization's Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health ranked South Africa as having one of the riskiest patterns of alcohol consumption, which calls for intervention. Recognising the need for effective primary care interventions, particularly in the absence of appropriate alcohol-related harm reduction policies at national and local levels, this paper highlights the opportunities and challenges associated with a two-pronged, community-centred approach to the identification of unhealthy alcohol use and interventions.

    METHODS: This approach included the use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) as a means of screening to identify individuals at moderate (score of 5-7) to high risk (score of 8 +) alcohol use, raising awareness, and investigating the potential utility of brief advice and referrals as a means of reducing risk.

    RESULTS: Of the 54,187 participants, 43.0% reported engaging in moderate-risk alcohol consumption, with 22.1% reporting high-risk alcohol consumption. Resistance to brief advice was observed to increase with higher AUDIT-C scores. Similarly, participants engaging in high-risk alcohol consumption were resistant to accepting treatment referrals, with fewer than 10% open to receiving a referral.

    CONCLUSIONS: While men were most likely to report patterns of high-risk alcohol consumption, they were more resistant to accepting referrals. Additionally, participants who were willing to receive brief advice were often resistant to taking active steps to alter their alcohol use. This study highlights the need to consider how to prevent harmful patterns of alcohol use effectively and holistically, especially in low socioeconomic settings through primary health care and community services.

  18. BMC Public Health, 2012 Nov 27;12 Suppl 2:A1-40.
    PMID: 23211035
    A1. The post discharge stroke care services in Malaysia: a pilot analysis of self-reported practices of family medicine specialists at public health centres
    Authors: Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz, Nor Azah Aziz, Saperi Sulong and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A2. Home-based carer-assisted therapy for people with stroke: findings from a randomised controlled trial
    Authors: Nor Azlin Mohd Nordin, Noor Azah Aziz, Saperi Sulong and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A3. Disaster management: a study on knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency nurse and community health nurse
    Authors: Nurul’Ain Ahayalimudin, Aniza Ismail and Ismail Mohd Saiboon
    A4. Patient-reported outcomes after one year of periodontal treatment at public specialist dental clinics in Peninsular Malaysia
    Authors: Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom, Syed Mohamed Al Junid, Mohd Rizal Abd Manaf, Khairiyah Abd Muttalib, Ahmad Sharifuddin Mohd Asari, Rasidah Ayob, Yuhaniz Ahmad Yaziz, Noorlin Ishak, Hanizah Abdul Aziz and Noordin Kasan
    A5. Level of patients' satisfaction toward National Health Insurance in Istanbul City-Turkey
    Authors: Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo, Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, Zafar Ahmed and Ammar Jawdat
    A6. Epidemiological pattern of acute respiratory infection among under-fives in Almazar Aljanoubi District -South Jordan
    Authors: Ibrahim Al-nawaiseh, Ahmad Alkafajei, Jamal Hisham Hashim, Zaleha Md Isa, Nedal Awad Alnawaiseh and Samar Jameel Salahat
    A7. Function and quality of life following stroke rehabilitation: have our stroke patients gained optimum recovery?
    Authors: Nor Azlin Mohd Nordin, Noor Azah Aziz, Saperi Sulong and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A8. Health impact of intimate partner violence and implication on services in Malaysia
    Authors: Siti Hawa Ali, Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, Halim Salleh and Harmy Mohamed Yusoff
    A9. Human impact and financial loss of floods in Southeast Asia, from 2007 to 2011
    Authors: Isidore Koffi Kouadio, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A10. Factors affecting demand for individual health insurance in Malaysia
    Authors: Arpah Abu Bakar, Angappan Regupathi, Syed Mohamed Aljunid and Mohd Azahadi Omar
    A11. Case control study on risk factors associated with esophageal cancer in Yemen
    Authors: Al-abed Ali Ahmed Al-abed, Azmi Mohd Tamil and Sami Abdo Radman Al-Dubai
    A12. Obesity and the poor women living in urban slum areas: health system response
    Authors: Digna N Purwaningrum, Mubasysyir Hasanbasri and Laksono Trisnantoro
    A13. Potential of mobile technology in meeting the public health needs in developing countries
    Authors: Isidore Koffi Kouadio, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi, Namaitijiang Maimaiti, Azam Rahimi and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A14. Quality of life among Jordanian patients on haemodialysis and their caregivers
    Authors: Emad A Shdaifat and Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf
    A15. Patient satisfaction with services in physiotherapy clinics: a cross sectional study at teaching hospitals in Klang Valley
    Authors: Mohamad Nasaruddin Mahdzir and Aniza Ismail
    A16. How should the health system react to informal drug dispensaries? The case of self-medication in Yogyakarta Province
    Authors: Eunice Setiawan, Mubasysyir Hasanbasri and Laksono Trisnantoro
    A17. Cervical cancer in Malaysia: can we improve our screening and preventive practice?
    Authors: Shanthi Varatharajan, M Majdah, Syed Aljunid, Won-Sun Chen, A Mukarramah and Chee-Meng Yong
    A18. Burden of risk factors for non-communicable diseases: an epidemiological review of the evidence from INDEPTH Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Indonesia
    Authors: Dwidjo Susilo, Istiti Kandarina, Siwi Padmawati and Laksono Trisnantoro
    A19. Carbonated drinks, chips intake and their relation to Intelligence Quotient (IQ) among primary school children in Baghdad city, Iraq
    Authors: Hasanain Faisal Ghazi, Zaleha Md Isa, Mohammed A AbdalQader, Isidore Koffi Kouadio, Azam Rahimi, Namaitijiang Maimaiti and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A20. Outcomes of home health care and telephone home visit by pharmacist in type 2 diabetes patients on hospital readmission: a case study at Bangplama Hospital, Suphanburi Province, Thailand
    Authors: Nilawan Upakdee and Suwicha Mankongdee
    A21. Selection of HMG-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors using multiattribute scoring tool
    Authors: Azuana Ramli, Syed Mohamed Aljunid, Saperi Sulong and Faridah Aryani Mohd Yusof
    A22. Role of microRNAs in the pathophysiology of sporadic colorectal cancer
    Authors: Fung Lin Yong, Chee Wei Law and Chee Woon Wang
    A23. Health systems, policies and infant mortality in developing countries
    Authors:David Baguma, Jamal Hisham Hashim and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A24. Health system for maternal health – a case study from Papua, Indonesia
    Authors: Tiara Marthias and Laksono Trisnantoro
    A25. Main challenges in developing biotechnology industry in Malaysia: perspectives from the innovative biotechnology firms
    Authors: Gulifeiya Abuduxike, Syed Mohamed Aljunid and Saperi Sulong
    A26. Periodontal disease as an indicator of chronic non-communicable diseases: evidence from literatures
    Authors:Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom, Shahida Mohd Said, Aznida Firzah Abdul Aziz, Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A27. Alert Village: an awareness and health promotion programme on healthy behaviors
    Authors: Asmaripa Ainy, Misnaniarti Makky and Nur Alam Fajar
    A28. Burden of non-communicable diseases among the Orang Asli community and patient satisfaction on non-communicable diseases management at public health facilities
    Authors: Netty Darwina and Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh
    A29. Beta-thalassaemia major – a public health problem in Malaysia: impacts, coping strategies and needs of parents with affected children
    Authors: Nursalihah Muhammad, Jin Ai Mary Anne Tan, Elizabeth George and Wong Li Ping
    A30. Incidence of bacterial meningitis in South East Asia region
    Authors: Namaitijiang Maimaiti, Zaleha Md Isa, Azam Rahimi, Isidore Koffi Kouadio, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A31. Evidence-based budgeting policy in maternal and child health programme: do they work?
    Authors: M Faozi Kurniawan, Deni Harbianto, Digna Purwaningrum and Tiara Marthias
    A32. Improving mental health policy in the case of schizophrenia in Thailand: evidence-based information for efficient solutions
    Authors: Pudtan Phanthunane, Theo Vos, Harvey Whiteford and Melanie Bertram
    A33. A study on social determinants of infant mortality in Malaysia
    Authors: Amaluddin Ahmad
    A34. Expression of circulating micro-RNAs in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy
    Authors: Soh Zi Ling, Chee Kok Han, Wong Chew Ming and Wang Chee Woon
    A35. The influence of mother’s embrace on the level of infant pain during injection
    Authors:Arie Kusumaningrum and Regina Natalia
    A36. Information needs as perceived by caregivers and patients following stroke: a qualitative systematic review
    Authors: Nor Haty Hassan, Syed Mohamed Aljunid and Peter Davis
    A37. Factors influencing willingness to pay for healthcare
    Authors: Azimatun Noor Aizuddin, Saperi Sulong and Syed Mohamed Aljunid
    A38. Influence of antenatal care on birth weight: a cross sectional study in Baghdad City, Iraq
    Authors: Mohammed A Abdal Qader, Idayu Badilla, Rahmah Mohd Amin and Hasanain Faisal Ghazi
    A39. Asthma treatment adherence among asthmatic patients in Yazd
    Authors: Azam Rahimi, Saperi Sulong, Namaitijiang Maimaiti, Hasanain Faisal Ghazi, Koffi Isidore Kouadio and Hidayatulfathi Othman
    A40. Cost analysis of colorectal cancer (CRC) management in UKM Medical Centre using clinical pathway
    Authors: Natrah Mohd, Sharifa Ezat, Syed Mohamed Aljunid, Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf, Saperi Sulong, Ismail Sagap and Muhd Azrif
  19. Muhamad NA, Buang SN, Jaafar S, Jais R, Tan PS, Mustapha N, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2018 Dec 22;18(1):1402.
    PMID: 30577816 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6316-6
    BACKGROUND: In 2006, 4 years of planning was started by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (MOH), to implement the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination programme. An inter-agency and multi-sectoral collaborations were developed for Malaysia's HPV school-based immunisation programme. It was approved for nationwide school base implementation for 13-year-old girls or first year secondary students in 2010. This paper examines how the various strategies used in the implementation over the last 7 years (2010-2016) that unique to Malaysia were successful in achieving optimal coverage of the target population.

    METHODS: Free vaccination was offered to school girls in secondary school (year seven) in Malaysia, which is usually at the age of 13 in the index year. All recipients of the HPV vaccine were identified through school enrolments obtained from education departments from each district in Malaysia. A total of 242,638 girls aged between 12 to 13 years studying in year seven were approached during the launch of the program in 2010. Approximately 230,000 girls in secondary schools were offered HPV vaccine per year by 646 school health teams throughout the country from 2010 to 2016.

    RESULTS: Parental consent for their daughters to receive HPV vaccination at school was very high at 96-98% per year of the programme. Of those who provided consent, over 99% received the first dose each year and 98-99% completed the course per year. Estimated population coverage for the full vaccine course, considering also those not in school, is estimated at 83 to 91% per year. Rates of adverse events reports following HPV vaccination were low at around 2 per 100,000 and the majority was injection site reactions.

    CONCLUSION: A multisectoral and integrated collaborative structure and process ensured that the Malaysia school-based HPV immunisation programme was successful and sustained through the programme design, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. This is a critical factor contributing to the success and sustainability of the school-based HPV immunisation programme with very high coverage.

  20. Mustapha F, Omar Z, Mihat O, Md Noh K, Hassan N, Abu Bakar R, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2014;14 Suppl 2:S4.
    PMID: 25080846 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-S2-S4
    The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and NCD risk factors in Malaysia have risen substantially in the last two decades. The Malaysian Ministry of Health responded by implementing, "The National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (NSP-NCD) 2010-2014", and the "NCD Prevention 1Malaysia" (NCDP-1M) programme. This paper outlines the primary health system context in which the NCDP-1M is framed. We also discuss the role of community in facilitating the integration of this programme, and outline some of the key challenges in addressing the sustainability of the plan over the next few years. The paper thus provides an analysis of an integration of a programme that involved a multi-sectoral approach with the view to contributing to a broader discourse on the development of responsive health systems.
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