Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 169 in total

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  1. A single centre study on birth of children with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia in Malaysia and reasons for ineffective prevention
    Ngim CF, Ibrahim H, Lai NM, Ng CS
    Prenat Diagn, 2015 Jan;35(1):51-9.
    PMID: 25156332 DOI: 10.1002/pd.4484
    We aimed to identify factors contributing to ineffective prevention of thalassaemia in Malaysia by studying events leading to the births of children with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT) including their parents' reproductive choices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  2. Fulltext Result of randomized control trial to increase breast health awareness among young females in Malaysia
    Akhtari-Zavare M, Juni MH, Said SM, Ismail IZ, Latiff LA, Ataollahi Eshkoor S
    BMC Public Health, 2016 08 08;16:738.
    PMID: 27502284 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3414-1
    BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide as well as in Malaysia. Breast self-examination (BSE) has a role in raising breast cancer awareness among women and educational programs play an important role in breast cancer preventive behavior. The aim of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of Breast Health Awareness program based on health belief model on knowledge of breast cancer and breast-selfexamination and BSE practice among female students in Malaysia.

    METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out among 370 female undergraduate students from January 2011 to April 2012 in two selected public universities in Malaysia. Participants were randomized to either the intervention group or the control group. The educational program was delivered to the intervention group. The outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months after implementing the health educational program. Chi-square, independent samples t-test and two-way repeated measures ANOVA (GLM) were conducted in the course of the data analyses.

    RESULTS: Mean scores of knowledge on breast cancer (p<0.003), knowledge on breast self examination (p<0.001), benefits of BSE (p<0.00), barrier of BSE (0.01) and confidence of BSE practice (p<0.00) in the intervention group had significant differences in comparison with those of the control group 6 and 12 months after the intervention. Also, among those who never practiced BSE at baseline, frequency of BSE practice increased 6 and 12 months after the intervention (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: The Breast Health Awareness program based on health the belief model had a positive effect on knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination and practice of BSE among females in Malaysia.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: The ANZCTR clinical trial registry ( ACTRN12616000831482 ), retrospectively registered on Jun 23, 2016 in ANZCTR.org.au.

    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  3. Fulltext Hypoglycemia awareness among insulin-treated patients with diabetes in Malaysia: A cohort subanalysis of the HAT study
    Hussein Z, Kamaruddin NA, Chan SP, Jain A, Uppal S, Bebakar WMW, et al.
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2017 Nov;133:40-49.
    PMID: 28888148 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2017.08.007
    AIMS: The present Malaysian cohort analysis determined the prevalence of hypoglycemia among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending primary care- or hospital-based diabetes clinics in Malaysia and their awareness of the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

    METHODS: The Hypoglycemia Assessment Tool (HAT) study was a non-interventional, 6-month retrospective and 4-week prospective analysis of hypoglycemic events in 24 countries, using self-assessment questionnaires and diaries among patients with T1DM/T2DM aged ≥18years, using insulin for >12months. This report focuses on prospective data, as they are less prone to recall bias.

    RESULTS: There were 1153 participants in the Malaysian cohort (114 T1DM; 1039 T2DM). In the prospective period, 50.4% and 33.4% of patients reported ≥1 hypoglycemic events, with estimated rates of 20.3 and 13.1 events per patient-year of exposure in patients with T1DM and T2DM, respectively. 24.8% and 16.1% of patients with T1DM or T2DM, respectively, reported ≥1 nocturnal hypoglycemic event. The majority of patients (96.5%, T1DM; 91.8%, T2DM) knew what hypoglycemia was prior to the study. Impaired awareness was present in 48.0% (T1DM) and 36.9% (T2DM) of patients. In the prospective period, 50% of patients with T1DM or T2DM consulted a doctor or nurse following a hypoglycemia episode.

    CONCLUSIONS: Half of patients with T1DM and a third of patients with T2DM reported ≥1 hypoglycemic event during the prospective period. Although the majority of patients knew the typical features of hypoglycemia, many reported impaired ability to recognize symptoms in real life. The present findings highlight the importance of patient education and physician awareness in dealing with hypoglycemia, in particular the burden of hypoglycemic unawareness.

    CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01696266 on 26 September 2012.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  4. Wealth and cardiovascular health: a cross-sectional study of wealth-related inequalities in the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in high-, middle- and low-income countries
    Palafox B, McKee M, Balabanova D, AlHabib KF, Avezum AJ, Bahonar A, et al.
    Int J Equity Health, 2016 12 08;15(1):199.
    PMID: 27931255
    BACKGROUND: Effective policies to control hypertension require an understanding of its distribution in the population and the barriers people face along the pathway from detection through to treatment and control. One key factor is household wealth, which may enable or limit a household's ability to access health care services and adequately control such a chronic condition. This study aims to describe the scale and patterns of wealth-related inequalities in the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in 21 countries using baseline data from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study.

    METHODS: A cross-section of 163,397 adults aged 35 to 70 years were recruited from 661 urban and rural communities in selected low-, middle- and high-income countries (complete data for this analysis from 151,619 participants). Using blood pressure measurements, self-reported health and household data, concentration indices adjusted for age, sex and urban-rural location, we estimate the magnitude of wealth-related inequalities in the levels of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in each of the 21 country samples.

    RESULTS: Overall, the magnitude of wealth-related inequalities in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control was observed to be higher in poorer than in richer countries. In poorer countries, levels of hypertension awareness and treatment tended to be higher among wealthier households; while a similar pro-rich distribution was observed for hypertension control in countries at all levels of economic development. In some countries, hypertension awareness was greater among the poor (Sweden, Argentina, Poland), as was treatment (Sweden, Poland) and control (Sweden).

    CONCLUSION: Inequality in hypertension management outcomes decreased as countries became richer, but the considerable variation in patterns of wealth-related inequality - even among countries at similar levels of economic development - underscores the importance of health systems in improving hypertension management for all. These findings show that some, but not all, countries, including those with limited resources, have been able to achieve more equitable management of hypertension; and strategies must be tailored to national contexts to achieve optimal impact at population level.

    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  5. Fulltext HIV Testing and awareness of HIV status among people who inject drugs in greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Bazazi AR, Vijay A, Crawford FW, Heimer R, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL
    AIDS Care, 2018 Jan;30(1):59-64.
    PMID: 28803503 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1363852
    HIV testing services are the gateway into HIV treatment and are critical for monitoring the epidemic. HIV testing is recommended at least annually in high-risk populations, including people who inject drugs (PWID). In Malaysia, the HIV epidemic is concentrated among PWID, but their adherence to testing recommendations and the proportion of HIV-positive PWID who are aware of their status remain unknown. We recruited 460 PWID in Greater Kuala Lumpur using respondent-driven sampling and conducted HIV testing. We examined past testing behaviors, estimating testing frequency, correlates of testing in the past 12 months, and the proportion of those living with HIV who were aware of their status. Results showed that most PWID living with HIV (90.4%, 95% CI: 83.6%-95.9%) were aware of their status. Among those never previously diagnosed with HIV, few had accessed HIV testing in the past 12 months (14.3%, 95% CI: 11.1%-18.0%). Prison (57.0%) and compulsory drug detention centers (36.1%) were the primary locations where PWID reported ever being HIV tested, and the main correlate of recent testing in regression was recent criminal justice involvement. Although awareness of HIV status may be high among PWID living with HIV in Kuala Lumpur, testing occurs primarily in prisons and compulsory drug detention centers, where it is involuntary and linkage to care is limited. A shift in HIV testing policy is needed to align health and human rights objectives, replacing mandatory testing with voluntary testing in settings where individuals can be rapidly linked to HIV care.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  6. Using a contingent valuation approach for improved solid waste management facility: evidence from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Afroz R, Masud MM
    Waste Manag, 2011 Apr;31(4):800-8.
    PMID: 21169007 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2010.10.028
    This study employed contingent valuation method to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) of the households to improve the waste collection system in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The objective of this study is to evaluate how household WTP changes when recycling and waste separation at source is made mandatory. The methodology consisted of asking people directly about their WTP for an additional waste collection service charge to cover the costs of a new waste management project. The new waste management project consisted of two versions: version A (recycling and waste separation is mandatory) and version B (recycling and waste separation is not mandatory). The households declined their WTP for version A when they were asked to separate the waste at source although all the facilities would be given to them for waste separation. The result of this study indicates that the households were not conscious about the benefits of recycling and waste separation. Concerted efforts should be taken to raise environmental consciousness of the households through education and more publicity regarding waste separation, reducing and recycling.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  7. Fulltext Evaluation of breast cancer awareness among female university students in Malaysia
    Hadi MA, Hassali MA, Shafie AA, Awaisu A
    Pharm Pract (Granada), 2010 Jan;8(1):29-34.
    PMID: 25152790
    Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women of all ethnic and age groups in Malaysia.

    OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and methods of screening among female university students and their perception towards the disease treatment outcomes.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to March 2008 at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Two hundred participants from 10 randomly selected faculties were interviewed face to face by a trained pharmacist using a validated questionnaire. In addition to their demographic characteristics, participants were required to answer 22 questions concerning knowledge of breast cancer and five questions related to their perception of breast cancer management and treatment outcomes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.

    RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 26.7 (SD=1.9) years. The results showed that the vast majority of the female university students had inadequate knowledge of breast cancer. The mean total knowledge score of the students was 60.7%. Indian students had significantly less knowledge of breast cancer compared to their Chinese and Malay counterparts (p<0.05). However, more than two third of the students were aware of breast self examination (BSE) and clinical breast examination (CBE) recommendations. Furthermore, the students had positive perceptions towards the treatment outcomes of breast cancer.

    CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted the need of a breast cancer awareness campaign, which should also stress the importance of early detection and reporting of breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  8. A randomised controlled trial of an SMS-based mobile epilepsy education system
    Lua PL, Neni WS
    J Telemed Telecare, 2013 Jan;19(1):23-8.
    PMID: 23390210 DOI: 10.1177/1357633X12473920
    We evaluated an epilepsy education programme based on text messaging (SMS). Epilepsy outpatients from three hospitals in Malaysia were randomised into two groups: intervention and control. Patients in the control group were supplied with printed epilepsy educational material while those in the intervention group also received text messages from the Mobile Epilepsy Educational System (MEES). A total of 136 patients completed the study (mean age 31 years; 91% Malay; 51% with an illness duration of more than 5 years). A between-group analysis showed that the awareness, knowledge and attitudes (AKA) about epilepsy did not significantly differ between the groups at baseline (P > 0.05). The intervention patients reported better AKA levels during follow-up compared to the control patients (P < 0.05). A within-group analysis showed that in intervention patients, there were significant improvements in all AKA domains with larger effect sizes (P < 0.01) while control patients also exhibited significant improvement in most domains except for Awareness but with smaller effect sizes. After controlling for possible confounding variables (age, gender, educational qualification, monthly income and baseline mean for each domain), the intervention group still reported significantly higher AKA than the control group particularly in Awareness (P < 0.001) and Total AKA (P = 0.003). There was also significantly better medication adherence and clinic attendance in the intervention group (P < 0.05). The results suggest that the addition of the MEES to conventional epilepsy education is effective in improving AKA.
    Study site: Neurology clinics, public hospitals, Terengganu, Pahang, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  9. Understanding of elder abuse and neglect among health care professionals in Malaysia: An exploratory survey
    Ahmed A, Choo WY, Othman S, Hairi NN, Hairi FM, Mohd Mydin FH, et al.
    J Elder Abuse Negl, 2016 Jun-Jul;28(3):163-77.
    PMID: 27149412 DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2016.1185985
    Elder abuse and neglect (EAN) is a hidden public health challenge for Malaysia. This cross-sectional survey studied the awareness of EAN among 148 doctors and nurses from two neighboring states in Malaysia using a self-administered questionnaire exploring their knowledge, perceptions, practices, and experience concerning EAN. Both doctors and nurses demonstrated poor understanding of signs of EAN and exhibited misperceptions on reporting requirements. Both groups perceived EAN as a national burden and reporting it as their responsibility; but most felt they had not been trained to diagnose it. Many were unsure of procedures and whether their own intervention could be effective. Only four (nurses) of 41 participants who suspected abuse during the past year reported the cases. Targeted education and uniform protocols are mandatory to ensure best practice with regards to EAN. Further research is crucial to extend this inquiry into the broader health care workforce.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  10. Fulltext Risk perception for developing diabetes among gestational diabetes mellitus patients in Johor Bahru
    Tengku Alina Tengku Ismail, Suhaily Mohd Hairon, Siti Suhaila Mohd Yusoff, Fatin Aina Abu Bakar
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):16-16.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus is one of the most common complications during pregnancy which affects 15% of pregnant women globally. Gestational diabetes mellitus patients have seven times lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to women with normal pregnancies. Despite these facts, gestational diabetes mellitus patients may not perceive themselves to be at risk for future diabetes. Thus, this study aimed to determine the perception of risk for developing diabetes and factors associated with high risk perception among gestational di-abetes mellitus patients in Johor Bahru. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted between April to May 2019 among 200 gestational diabetes mellitus patients attending primary health clinics in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Data was collected using Malay translated and validated Risk Perception Survey on Developing Diabetes questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: There were 200 cases which fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria in this study. The mean (SD) age of gestational diabetes mellitus patients in this study was 32.2 (4.8) years. Majority of them were from Malay ethnicity (74.5%) and 42.5% obtained higher education. Of these, 77.0% perceived themselves as high risk for developing diabetes. Higher knowledge scores and greater personal control were significantly associated with high perceived risk for developing diabetes (Adj. OR 2.08; 95% CI: 1.02,4.25; p=0.045 and Adj. OR 2.32; 95% CI: 1.16,4.63; p=0.017 respectively). Conclusion: Majority of gestational diabetes mellitus patients in this study accurately perceived themselves as having a high risk to develop diabetes in the future. Nevertheless, health education needs to be individualized and strengthened to ensure more patients are aware of the risk. In addition, further studies are needed to translate perceived risk into preventive health behaviours.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  11. Fulltext Attitude Toward Protective Behavior Engagement During COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia: The Role of E-government and Social Media
    Mat Dawi N, Namazi H, Hwang HJ, Ismail S, Maresova P, Krejcar O
    Front Public Health, 2021;9:609716.
    PMID: 33732677 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.609716
    The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still evolving and affecting millions of lives. E-government and social media have been used widely during this unprecedented time to spread awareness and educate the public on preventive measures. However, the extent to which the 2 digital platforms bring to improve public health awareness and prevention during a health crisis is unknown. In this study, we examined the influence of e-government and social media on the public's attitude to adopt protective behavior. For this purpose, a Web survey was conducted among 404 Malaysian residents during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period in the country. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS software. Social media was chosen by most of the respondents (n = 331 or 81.9%) as the source to get information related to COVID-19. Multiple regression analysis suggests the roles of e-government and social media to be significantly related to people's attitudes to engage in protective behavior. In conclusion, during the COVID-19 outbreak, public health decision makers may use e-government and social media platforms as effective tools to improve public engagement on protective behavior. This, in turn, will help the country to contain the transmission of the virus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  12. Fulltext Knowledge, awareness and attitude of first aid among health sciences university students
    Jamaludin TSS, Zakaria MA, Saidi S, Chong MC
    International Journal of Care Scholars, 2018;1(1):29-33.
    MyJurnal
    Objective: As the incidence of emergencies has steadily increased in recent years, it is important to en-sure that individuals, including university students, are adequately trained to deal with such events. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of, and attitudes towards, first aid among IIUM Kuantan campus students.

    Method: A quantitative cross-sectional survey with stratified random sam-pling study was conducted among 348 students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire which was adapted from Hong Kong Red Cross. The questionnaire was available in both English and the Malay language.

    Results: A total of 42.8% participants had a moderate level of first aid knowledge. However, 90.8% participants had aware-ness of and a positive attitude towards first aid knowledge. On the other hand, 55.4% of study participants had not experienced taking first aid courses and they had little knowledge of this. There were significant associations between gender, Kulliyyah or faculty, year of study, and first aid training experience, and the level of first aid knowledge based on a one-way ANOVA test with p-values of < 0.05 representing statistical significance.

    Conclusion: The findings indicate that most health sciences university students have good awareness and attitudes towards first aid. Nevertheless, implementation of regular educational programs with structured modules may be able to improve their knowledge of first aid practices and skills.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  13. The Impact of the Security Competency on "Self-Efficacy in Information Security" for Effective Health Information Security in Iran
    Shahri AB, Ismail Z, Mohanna S
    J Med Syst, 2016 Nov;40(11):241.
    PMID: 27681101
    The security effectiveness based on users' behaviors is becoming a top priority of Health Information System (HIS). In the first step of this study, through the review of previous studies 'Self-efficacy in Information Security' (SEIS) and 'Security Competency' (SCMP) were identified as the important factors to transforming HIS users to the first line of defense in the security. Subsequently, a conceptual model was proposed taking into mentioned factors for HIS security effectiveness. Then, this quantitative study used the structural equation modeling to examine the proposed model based on survey data collected from a sample of 263 HIS users from eight hospitals in Iran. The result shows that SEIS is one of the important factors to cultivate of good end users' behaviors toward HIS security effectiveness. However SCMP appears a feasible alternative to providing SEIS. This study also confirms the mediation effects of SEIS on the relationship between SCMP and HIS security effectiveness. The results of this research paper can be used by HIS and IT managers to implement their information security process more effectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  14. Fulltext Knowledge, attitude and practices of the risk for chronic kidney disease among patients in a tertiary teaching hospital
    Dariah Mohd Yusoff, Junaiti Yusof, Kueh, Yee Cheng
    The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 2016;8(2):3-11.
    MyJurnal
    Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are known as
    high-risk groups for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Adequate related knowledge among them
    helps to increase their awareness towards CKD and adapt healthy attitude and practices for CKD
    prevention, which will result in better health outcomes. This study aimed to identify the patients'
    knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards the risks for CKD. This cross-sectional study used a selfadministered
    survey questionnaire on 103 adult male and female patients at four general surgical and
    medical wards in a teaching hospital using convenient sampling method. The data were computed using
    STATA version 12. Data on KAP were obtained through the Chronic Kidney Disease Screening Index
    questionnaire. The majority of respondents had poor knowledge (69.9%, n=72), but most of them had good
    attitude (68.9%, n=71) and good practices (88.3%, n=91) towards the risk of CKD. Significant associations
    were indicated between education level, occupation and monthly family income with knowledge (p-value <
    0.05). Significant associations were also indicated between age, sex, marital status and occupation with
    their attitude (p-value < 0.05). Meanwhile, marital status was found to be significantly associated with the
    practices towards the risk for CKD (p-value=0.008).
    Poor knowledge on the risk of getting CKD among hospitalized adults in this study implied the need for
    improvement in the public understanding towards the risk for CKD.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  15. Fulltext Perception of adult patient towards the importance of prevention of coronary artery disease in a private hospital in Malaysia
    Leela Chellamuthu, Ho, Siew Eng, Joel Hoashea Munjan, Susanna Emmanuel Vijayan
    The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 2016;8(1):49-55.
    MyJurnal
    Aim: This study aims to determine the perception of adult patients towards the importance of prevention of coronary artery diseases (CAD) in order to raise awareness on the risk of CAD.
    Method: 80 adults between 18-40 years old were enrolled in the out-patient department at a private hospital. The awareness and perception of the importance of preventing CAD were assessed using a questionnaire.
    Result: The level of perception on the importance of prevention of CAD was quite good. 75% of the subjects (n = 60) recorded good level of perception meaning they are aware of the importance of prevention of CAD. 22.5% of the subjects (n = 18) recorded a satisfactory level of perception while only 2.5% of the subjects (n = 2) recorded a poor level of perception towards the importance of prevention of CAD. Majority of the subjects had good perception on importance of a balanced diet, exercise and active lifestyle.
    Conclusion: In conclusion it can be said that although people are aware of the risk posed by CAD, recommendations such as proper health teachings and guide lines are still required to ensure that the community is able to understand the risk and take preventive measure in order to reduce the risk of obtaining the risk of heart disease.
    Study site: Outpatient clinic, private hospital, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  16. Fulltext Healthcare Professionals' Awareness, Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions and Beliefs about Ebola at Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study
    Abebe TB, Bhagavathula AS, Tefera YG, Ahmad A, Khan MU, Belachew SA, et al.
    J Public Health Afr, 2016 Dec 31;7(2):570.
    PMID: 28299161 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2016.570
    A poor understanding of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) among Health Care Professionals (HCPs) may put our lives at risk. We aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, beliefs of HCPs towards Ebola at Gondar University Hospital (GUH) in Northwest Ethiopia. We conducted a hospital based, cross-sectional survey among 245 randomly selected HCPs working at GUH from August-October, 2015. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. We calculated descriptive statistics with P<0.05 being statistically significant. Of the 245 participants, 211 (86.1%) completed the study. The majority had heard about EVD and used news media (62%) as a source of information. Still, many were afraid of getting EVD (56.4%; P=0.001). A significant number of HCPs thought EVD can cause paralysis like polio (45%) and can be treated with antibiotics (28.4%). In addition, 46.4% of the HCPs felt anger or fear towards Ebola infected patients (P=0.006). We identified poor knowledge and negative incorrect beliefs among doctors and allied health professionals. There is a need for intensive training for all HCPs reduce EVD risk.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  17. Awareness, perception and experience on child restraint system (CRS) and its legislation among Malaysian parents with newborns
    Ang JY, Lai JM, Hss AS, Ramalingam P, Ramasamy M, Zainuddin NS, et al.
    Traffic Inj Prev, 2020;21(4):278-282.
    PMID: 32297815 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2020.1746773
    Objective: The aim of this study was to explore parents' awareness and usage of CRS, incentives and challenges in CRS use, as well as their perception about potential CRS legislation in Malaysia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a public tertiary care center in Northern Malaysia. A self-developed researcher-assisted questionnaire was developed in English and translated into Malay language, to explore parents' awareness ad CRS usage, as well as the incentives and barriers in CRS use. Parents of a newborn were conveniently sampled, excluding parents with pre-term newborn or those without a car. Upon obtaining written informed consent, the parents were allowed to answer the questionnaire within 20 minutes, assisted by the researchers. Parents who were found not using CRS for their newborn were given a digital pamphlet with CRS-related information via mobile devices.Results: A total of 200 parents were approached and 193 of them consented to participate in this study. The majority of the parents (87.6%) were aware of CRS, but only half of them (57.0%) provided a CRS for their current newborn. From 100 CRS users, most of them used a CRS for "child's safety" purposes (84.5%). Among 83 CRS nonuser, nearly half of them (45.8%) perceived that it is adequate to carry their child during traveling without using a CRS. When exploring previous experience in using CRS among all parents (n = 193), more than half of them (63.9%) faced difficulty as their child refused to use the CRS. More than half (54.9%) of all parents were not aware about the possible CRS legislation in Malaysia. However, the majority of them (90.7%) agreed with the implementation of CRS law.Conclusions: Although majority of the parents were aware about CRS, but only half had a CRS for their current newborn. Most of the parents supported CRS legislation in Malaysia, but assistance will be required to help them through challenges related to CRS use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  18. Fulltext Utilization and Impact of Electronic and Print Media on the Patients' Health Status: Physicians' Perspectives
    Shakeel S, Nesar S, Rahim N, Iffat W, Ahmed HF, Rizvi M, et al.
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2017 Oct-Dec;9(4):266-271.
    PMID: 29456378 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_327_16
    Aims: Despite an increased popularity of print and electronic media applications, there is a paucity of data reflecting doctors' opinions regarding efficient utilization of these resources for the betterment of public health. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the perception of physicians toward the effect of electronic and print media on the health status of patients.
    Setting and Design: The current research is a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2015 to July 2015. The study population comprised physicians rendering their services in different hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan, selected by the nonprobability convenience sampling technique. In this study, 500 questionnaires were distributed through email or direct correspondence.
    Methods and Materials: Physicians' perception toward the impact of electronic and print media on the health status of patients was assessed with a 20-item questionnaire. Different demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, institution, position, and experience of respondents, were recorded. Quantitative data were analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 20.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). The association of the demographic characteristics of the responses of physicians was determined by one-way ANOVA using 0.05 level of significance.
    Results: In this study, 254 physicians provided consent to show their responses for research purposes. A response rate of 50.8% was obtained. Nearly one-third of the respondents negated that patients get health benefit using electronic and print media. The majority did not consider electronic and print media as lifestyle-modifying factors. Physicians thought that patients particularly do not rely on mass media for acquiring health information and consider healthcare professionals as unswerving information resource.
    Conclusions: Mass media can be productive resources to augment awareness among patients, although physicians seem unconvinced about the extended usage of print/electronic media.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  19. Fulltext Leptospirosis Health Intervention Module Effect on Knowledge, Attitude, Belief, and Practice among Wet Market Workers in Northeastern Malaysia: An Intervention Study
    Rahman MHAA, Hairon SM, Hamat RA, Jamaluddin TZMT, Shafei MN, Idris N, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2018 07 03;15(7).
    PMID: 29970799 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071396
    Leptospirosis is an infectious disease which can be prevented by increasing awareness and promoting preventive health behaviours among high risk groups including wet market workers. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Leptospirosis Health Intervention Program (LHIP) in improving knowledge, attitude, belief and practice towards leptospirosis among wet market workers in Kelantan. This intervention study was conducted in two main wet markets in Kelantan involving 116 participants in each control and intervention groups. The health education intervention was based on Leptospirosis Health Intervention Module. The knowledge, attitude, belief and practice scores were measured before and six weeks after the intervention to examine the effect of the program. The results showed that knowledge (p < 0.001), attitude (p = 0.001), belief (p < 0.001) and practice (p < 0.001) scores changes were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. The adjusted mean differences were 12.93 (95% CI: 8.47, 17.39) for knowledge, 5.55 (95% CI: 2.28, 8.81) for attitude, 7.21 (95% CI: 3.43, 10.99) for belief and 7.35 (95% CI: 3.64, 11.05) for practice scores. Leptospirosis Health Intervention Program was an effective health educational tools to improve awareness and preventive behaviours among risk groups such as wet market workers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
  20. Fulltext Patterns of pre-pregnancy care usage among reproductive age women in Kedah, Malaysia
    Abu Talib R, Idris IB, Sutan R, Ahmad N, Abu Bakar N
    Iran J Public Health, 2018 Nov;47(11):1694-1702.
    PMID: 30581786
    Background: This cross-sectional was aimed to assess the prevalence of pre-pregnancy care services usage and its determinant factors among women of reproductive age in Kedah, Malaysia.

    Methods: Overall, 1347 respondents who attended 24 government health clinics, were chosen using systematic multistage random sampling. A validated self-administered questionnaire which consisted of sections including socio-demographic characteristics, social support, knowledge on pre-pregnancy care, perception on risk of pregnancy, health status, as well as intention and awareness on pre-pregnancy care services were distributed.

    Results: The prevalence of utilization of pre-pregnancy care services was still low i.e. 44.0%. Bivariate and multivariate analysis showed consistent significant level between all factors and pre-pregnancy care usage except for family planning practice. The factors that showed significant difference with the usage of pre-pregnancy care services were age of more than 35 (P<0.001), high education level (P<0.001), non-working mothers (P<0.001), multipara (P=0.001), awareness on the existence of pre-pregnancy care services in government health facilities (P<0.001), intention to use the services (P=0.0030), having medical illness (P=0.005), having social support (P=0.001), high knowledge (P<0.001), and positive perception (P<0.001).

    Conclusion: Low usage of pre-pregnancy care services can be improved through health screening on reproductive-aged women with positive determinant factors at the triage level in integrated clinics. Information and knowledge on pre-pregnancy services should be disseminated among community members through various means including roadshows and pre-wedding workshops.
    Matched MeSH terms: Awareness
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