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Public sources of information and information needs for pandemic influenza A(H1N1)

Wong LP, Sam IC

J Community Health, 2010 Dec;35(6):676-82.
PMID: 20411411 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-010-9271-4

Providing health information during disease outbreaks is a fundamental component of outbreak control strategies. This study aimed to explore sources of influenza A(H1N1)-related information, specific information needs and preferences of the lay public during the peak of the outbreak. A cross-sectional, population-based, computer-assisted telephone interview of 1,050 respondents was conducted in Malaysia between July 11 and September 12, 2009. Newspaper, television and family were three main sources of information about A(H1N1). There were substantial ethnic differences; the Malays were significantly more likely to identify television as main source, while newspapers and family were identified as the main sources by the Chinese and Indians, respectively. Overall, the two main information needs identified were prevention and treatment. The Malays expressed lesser need for overall information than other ethnic groups. The three most preferred sources of information were television, newspapers and healthcare providers. There were significant positive correlations between amount of information received with knowledge (r = 0.149), perceived susceptibility to infection (r = 0.177), and other behavioral responses. Health information dissemination should be dedicated to meeting the information needs of diverse sociodemographic and ethnic groups. The findings highlight the importance of providing information that increases awareness and behavioral changes in disease prevention yet reduce fear.

Matched MeSH terms: Information Dissemination/methods*
Fulltext Strategies for radiology departments in handling the COVID-19 pandemic

Ashari MA, Zainal IA, Zaki FM

Diagn Interv Radiol, 2020 Jul;26(4):296-300.
PMID: 32352915 DOI: 10.5152/dir.2020.20232

The world is facing an unprecedented global pandemic in the form of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which has ravaged all aspects of life, especially health systems. Radiology services, in particular, are under threat of being overwhelmed by the sheer number of patients affected, unless drastic efforts are taken to contain and mitigate the spread of the virus. Proactive measures, therefore, must be taken to ensure the continuation of diagnostic and interventional support to clinicians, while minimizing the risk of nosocomial transmission among staff and other patients. This article aims to highlight several strategies to improve preparedness, readiness and response towards this pandemic, specific to the radiology department.

Matched MeSH terms: Information Dissemination/methods
Model for the implementation of the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS): lessons learned from Japan

Ta GC, Jonai H, Mokhtar MB, Peterson PJ

J Occup Health, 2009;51(6):526-30.
PMID: 19834280
Matched MeSH terms: Information Dissemination
Fulltext Community Needs Assessment in Relation to Urban Heat Effects: A Study in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wong LP, Alias H, Aghamohammadi N, Nik Sulaiman NM

Biomed Environ Sci, 2018 09;31(9):705-711.
PMID: 30369349 DOI: 10.3967/bes2018.095
Matched MeSH terms: Information Dissemination
Knowledge and characteristics of herbal supplement usage among community pharmacy customers in a Malaysian population

Yeong SW, Choong YC

Complement Ther Med, 2017 Dec;35:92-108.
PMID: 29154074 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.09.005

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the knowledge and characteristics of herbal supplement usage of the customers of community pharmacies in a Malaysian population.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Self-administered questionnaires (in English, Malay, or Chinese) were provided to customers at three community pharmacies in Malaysia (Ipoh, Perak). Questionnaire validation and translation validation were performed. A pilot study was conducted before actual questionnaire distribution. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.
RESULTS: Total number of participants was 270 (99 males and 171 females) with majority from the 31-50 age group (41.5%). Among the participants, 45.6% were herbal users. The most commonly used herbal supplements were evening primrose oil (17.9%), ginkgo biloba (13.0%), and milk thistle (8.5%). The participants seemed to have sufficient knowledge regarding herbal supplements including safety, quality, and indication of use from medical literature. Participants obtained information about herbal supplements from pharmacists (26.9%), package inserts (25.2%), friends (20.5%), and the Internet (13.3%) more often than from their doctors (9.8%). Most herbal users did not inform their doctors about their usage of herbal supplements (68.3%) or the side effects (61.5%). Herbal supplement users also tended to be women, >50-year-old, and those with higher monthly household incomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacists have a vital role in educating their customers about the safe use of herbal supplements. The participants had sufficient knowledge about herbal supplement usage; therefore, customers of these community pharmacies may have benefitted from the advice of the pharmacists. Further studies could be carried out in future on the knowledge, skills and roles of community pharmacists in the safe use of herbal supplements.

Matched MeSH terms: Information Dissemination