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Fulltext Tobacco usage among rural Bajaus in Sabah, Malaysia

Gan CY

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1998 Sep;29(3):643-8.
PMID: 10437972

As part of a larger study to bring attention to smoking and smokeless tobacco use among the indigenous people of Sabah State in Malaysia, the Bajaus were interviewed in a cross-sectional survey. 74.4% of the men smoked compared to 3.3% of the women and 77% of women used smokeless tobacco compared to 4.3% of men. Local handrolled cigarettes called kirais were popular and smokeless tobacco was used as an ingredient in the ritual of betel-quid chewing. Tobacco was also used because it was thought to have medicinal effects. The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use was significantly lower among the better educated women but for smoking, education had no relation with prevalence. Both habits could be easily maintained as they were cheap practices which were socially and culturally accepted. Awareness of the adverse effects of such tobacco habits was poor and intervention programs to curb tobacco use is required.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Fulltext Tobacco control environment: cross-sectional survey of policy implementation, social unacceptability, knowledge of tobacco health harms and relationship to quit ratio in 17 low-income, middle-income and high-income countries

Chow CK, Corsi DJ, Gilmore AB, Kruger A, Igumbor E, Chifamba J, et al.

BMJ Open, 2017 03 31;7(3):e013817.
PMID: 28363924 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013817

OBJECTIVES: This study examines in a cross-sectional study 'the tobacco control environment' including tobacco policy implementation and its association with quit ratio.
SETTING: 545 communities from 17 high-income, upper-middle, low-middle and low-income countries (HIC, UMIC, LMIC, LIC) involved in the Environmental Profile of a Community's Health (EPOCH) study from 2009 to 2014.
PARTICIPANTS: Community audits and surveys of adults (35-70 years, n=12 953).
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Summary scores of tobacco policy implementation (cost and availability of cigarettes, tobacco advertising, antismoking signage), social unacceptability and knowledge were associated with quit ratios (former vs ever smokers) using multilevel logistic regression models.
RESULTS: Average tobacco control policy score was greater in communities from HIC. Overall 56.1% (306/545) of communities had >2 outlets selling cigarettes and in 28.6% (154/539) there was access to cheap cigarettes (<5cents/cigarette) (3.2% (3/93) in HIC, 0% UMIC, 52.6% (90/171) LMIC and 40.4% (61/151) in LIC). Effective bans (no tobacco advertisements) were in 63.0% (341/541) of communities (81.7% HIC, 52.8% UMIC, 65.1% LMIC and 57.6% LIC). In 70.4% (379/538) of communities, >80% of participants disapproved youth smoking (95.7% HIC, 57.6% UMIC, 76.3% LMIC and 58.9% LIC). The average knowledge score was >80% in 48.4% of communities (94.6% HIC, 53.6% UMIC, 31.8% LMIC and 35.1% LIC). Summary scores of policy implementation, social unacceptability and knowledge were positively and significantly associated with quit ratio and the associations varied by gender, for example, communities in the highest quintile of the combined scores had 5.0 times the quit ratio in men (Odds ratio (OR) 5·0, 95% CI 3.4 to 7.4) and 4.1 times the quit ratio in women (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.4 to 7.1).
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that more focus is needed on ensuring the tobacco control policy is actually implemented, particularly in LMICs. The gender-related differences in associations of policy, social unacceptability and knowledge suggest that different strategies to promoting quitting may need to be implemented in men compared to women.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext Theory-Based Intervention Module on Occupational Safety and Health (TRIMOSH) in improving knowledge, attitude, and practice among food industry workers: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Dapari R, Mahfot MH, Ahmad Zamzuri M'I, Md Isa Z, Hassan MR, Che Dom N, et al.

PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0295771.
PMID: 38165964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295771

INTRODUCTION: The significant contribution of the food and beverage industry to Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product is projected to increase in the upcoming years. With the industry's expansion, the demand for workers on food premises would also continuously increase. The food industry workers are exposed to risks arising from physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards while performing their duties. Thus, it is essential for these workers to be equipped with proper knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) in safety and health.
AIMS: This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the safety and health programme TRIMOSH (Theory-Based Intervention Module on Occupational Safety and Health) in improving the knowledge, attitude, and practice among food industry workers.
METHODS: TRIMOSH intervention study is a two-arm randomised, single-blinded, controlled, parallel trial that will be conducted among food industry workers in Selangor, Malaysia. In a partnership with Food Handler Training Schools in Selangor, 10 pairs of Food Handler Training Schools with 12 participants per group (n = 240) will be recruited for balanced randomisation intervention and control conditions. Furthermore, data collection of all participants was conducted at four time points: baseline (T0), immediately (T1), one month (T2), and three months (T3) post-intervention. Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) will be conducted to determine the effects of intervention within and between study groups. Subsequently, the primary outcomes increase the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of safety and health at food premises. Clinical Trial Registry registration was approved by the ClinicalTrials.gov committee on October 2022 with the ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05571995. This study has also been approved by the Ethics Committee for Research Involving Human Subjects of Universiti Putra Malaysia (JKEUPM-2022-346). All participants are required to provide consent prior to participation.
CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of the respondents are expected to show no difference between the groups. It is hypothesised that TRIMOSH is effective in improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices of food industry workers in Selangor. The results will be reported and presented in international peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and other platforms. In addition, the TRIMOSH programme will be offered at the national level by the relevant authorities for the benefit of food industry workers.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Fulltext The view of gastroenterologists on non-cardiac chest pain in Asia

Cheung TK, Lim PW, Wong BC

Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2007 Aug 15;26(4):597-603.
PMID: 17661763 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03403.x

BACKGROUND: Non-cardiac chest pain is an important disorder in Asia. The practice and views of gastroenterologists on non-cardiac chest pain in this region are not known.
AIMS: To determine the current understanding, diagnostic practice and treatment strategies among gastroenterologists on the management of non-cardiac chest pain in Asia.
METHODS: A 24-item questionnaire was sent to gastroenterologists in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
RESULTS: 186 gastroenterologists participated with a response rate of 74%. 98% of gastroenterologists managed patients with non-cardiac chest pain over the last 6 months. 64% felt that the number of non-cardiac chest pain patients was increasing and 85% believed that the most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain was GERD. 94% of the gastroenterologists believed that they should manage non-cardiac chest pain patients, but only 41% were comfortable in diagnosing non-cardiac chest pain. The average number of investigations performed was four in non-cardiac chest pain patients, and oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy was the most commonly used initial test. A proton pump inhibitor was considered the first-line treatment in non-cardiac chest pain and was reported as the most effective treatment by the gastroenterologists.
CONCLUSION: Most gastroenterologists were practicing evidence-based medicine, but frequent use of investigations and a lack of awareness of the role of visceral hypersensitivity in non-cardiac chest pain patients were noted.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
The validity and reliability of the Malaysian Osteoporosis Knowledge Tool in postmenopausal women

Lai PS, Chua SS, Chan SP, Low WY

Maturitas, 2008 Jun 20;60(2):122-30.
PMID: 18508210 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2008.04.006

OBJECTIVES: To design a valid and reliable questionnaire, the Malaysian Osteoporosis Knowledge Tool (MOKT), to assess the knowledge of postmenopausal osteoporotic women in Malaysia, on osteoporosis and its treatment.
METHODS: A 40-item instrument was designed and tested in this study. The scores ranged from 1 to 40, which were then converted into percentage. This was administered to 88 postmenopausal osteoporotic women who were taking alendronate (patient group) and 43 pharmacists (professional group). The MOKT was administered again to the patient group after 1 month.
RESULTS: Flesch reading ease was 57, which is satisfactory, while the mean difficulty factor+/-S.D. was 0.73+/-0.25, indicating that the MOKT is moderately easy. Internal consistency of the instrument was good with Cronbach's alpha=0.82. The test and retest scores showed no significant difference for 38 out of the 40 items, indicating that the questionnaire has achieved a stable reliability. Level of knowledge on osteoporosis and its treatment was good with a mean score+/-S.D. of 69.0+/-13.9 and 81.6+/-9.5 in the patient and professional group, respectively. The difference in knowledge scores between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the 40-item questionnaire (MOKT) is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring knowledge on osteoporosis in the Malaysian setting. Therefore, it can be used to identify individuals in need of educational interventions and to assess the effectiveness of education efforts as part of osteoporosis management.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
The use of sunscreen products among final year medicine and pharmacy students: A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitude, practice, and perception

Awadh AI, Jamshed S, Elkalmi RM, Hadi H

J Res Pharm Pract, 2016 Jul-Sep;5(3):193-9.
PMID: 27512711 DOI: 10.4103/2279-042X.185731

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, perception, and practice of medical and pharmacy students toward the usage of sunscreen as protection for the skin against ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among final year medical and pharmacy undergraduates at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Validated questionnaires were distributed to 134 medical students and 100 pharmacy students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used where appropriate.
FINDINGS: One hundred and sixty-one out of 234 participants completed the questionnaires. The participants comprised 101 medical students (75.4%) and sixty pharmacy students (60.0%). The majority of the respondents were females (102; 63.4%), and 59 (36.6%) were males. The median of the knowledge scores of the final year medical students was significantly lower than that of the final year pharmacy students (P < 0.001). The female students showed significantly higher knowledge scores than the male students (P = 0.027). This study reported that 24 (39.3%) pharmacy students were influenced by the media to use sunscreen, whereas 35 (34.7%) medical students were influenced the most by friends to use sunscreen. The final year pharmacy students had a better perception compared to the medical students, with the total perception score of the final year pharmacy students being significantly higher than that of the final year medical students (P = 0.020). Most of the participants were also aware of the harmful effects of UV radiation and had a positive reaction toward the usage of sunscreen to prevent those harmful effects.
CONCLUSION: The knowledge and perception of final year pharmacy students were significantly higher than the knowledge and perception of final year medical students with regard to the usage of sunscreen.
KEYWORDS: Attitude; knowledge; perception; practice; sunscreen

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext The usage and knowledge of mammography among women in sub-urban area in Terengganu, Malaysia

Rosmawati NH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2010;11(3):767-71.
PMID: 21039051

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women today and the major challenge is late presentation then later contributes to poor outcome and high fatality rate. Mammography is effective in early detection of breast cancer and consequently significantly improves the breast cancer survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was used to study the knowledge and awareness towards mammogram amongst women aged 15 years old and above. A systemic random sampling was applied and information gathered through guided interview by using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS: Eighty-six respondents were recruited. The mean age of respondents was 40.5 years (SD: 15.51) and more than 80% had secondary and tertiary level of education. The percentage of respondents ever performed mammogram was 10.5% (95% CI: 4.0%-17.0%). The rate of correct answers was between 8.1% and 48.8%. Most of the respondents do not sure the answer (45.3%-61.6%) rather than wrongly answer (4.7%-43.0%). Only about 8% truly answer that mammogram should be done once in a life. There are 10.5% of women claimed that mammogram had no serious side effect and not a painful procedure. Nearly half of respondents (48.8%) correctly mentioned that Mammogram can detect breast cancer in early stage.

CONCLUSION: Only a small percentage of women ever performed mammogram and there are seriously unaware and poor knowledge pertaining to mammography screening for breast cancer among women in sub urban area. A massive health education campaign through multiple methods and agencies are needed to enhance the knowledge and awareness on mammogram.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Fulltext The systematic cultural adaptation of a UK public health cancer awareness raising programme for Malaysia: the Be Cancer Alert Campaign

Schliemann D, Su TT, Paramasivam D, Somasundaram S, Ibrahim Tamin NSB, Dahlui M, et al.

Transl Behav Med, 2019 11 25;9(6):1087-1099.
PMID: 31583402 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz134

Increasingly, policy and research attention is being directed toward improving global health in low- and middle-income countries. This study investigated the cultural adaptation of a UK-designed and developed evidence-based mass media campaign with the aim of improving colorectal cancer and breast cancer awareness in Malaysia. Guided by the heuristic framework of cultural adaptation, a multidisciplinary team adapted the UK Be Cancer Aware programme for implementation in the Malaysian context. The approach included five steps: (a) information gathering and needs assessment; (b) preliminary design; (c) preliminary testing; (d) refinement; and (e) final trial. Key findings from the information gathering stage related to the need to take into account differences in ethnicity, religion, and beliefs about cancer. Discussions with experts indicated that particular words were not acceptable in Malay culture and that specific aspects were "taboo" (e.g., showing pictures of breasts in relation to breast cancer on TV). Stage 3 of the analysis revealed that the presentation of cancer survivors rather than health professionals on programme materials was preferred by Malaysians and that there was a poor level of awareness about colorectal cancer. The results were used systematically to adapt two culturally suitable cancer awareness mass media campaigns for implementation in Malaysia. The developed materials were in line with government priorities and took into account the local health care system structure. The establishment of a partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., the Ministry of Health and the lead patient advocacy organization) and the application of a systematic approach to address cultural factors and resource constraints contribute to the successful implementation of public health programmes in global health settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/ethnology*
The role of complementary indigenous Malay therapies: perspectives from palliative care patients

Lua PL

J Complement Integr Med, 2011 Jan;8.
PMID: 22754943 DOI: 10.2202/1553-3840.1369

Although the popularity of complementary indigenous Malay therapies (CIMT) in general healthcare is undeniable in the Malaysian context today, their usage within the palliative care scenarios remains unexplored. Our study was specifically embarked to determine CIMT’s usage pattern, reasons, attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) differences (users vs. non-users) in a sample of hospice-based palliative patients in Selangor, Malaysia. From the 39 consenting patients (mean age = 56 years; female = 56.4 percent; Malay = 53.8 percent), 38.5 percent were users of CIMT. Dried medicinal roots, herbs and sea cucumber products were the most preferred types of CIMT (53.3 percent). The most common reason cited for usage was because these were "easier and simpler to be administered" (46.7 percent). Although users' attitudes, beliefs and perceptions were more favourable than the non-users, between 30.0-73.3 percent of users remained unsure or had no knowledge regarding CIMT. They also exhibited significantly poorer Physical Symptoms than the non-users (p=0.006), a probable motive for seeking CIMT in the first place. Despite the small sample size, the findings provided some insight into the role of CIMT especially with regard to usage trends and overall well-being among the terminally-ill, of which healthcare professionals should constantly be vigilant of amidst their routine care responsibilities.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
The relevance of educating doctors, pharmacists and older patients about potentially inappropriate medications

Abd Wahab MS

Int J Clin Pharm, 2015 Dec;37(6):971-4.
PMID: 26415737 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-015-0203-3

Providing appropriate pharmacotherapy to older people can be difficult since older people are more at risk of developing adverse drug reactions due to age-related physiological changes. The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among older people is common throughout the globe, and is a cause for concern due to their clinical, humanistic and economic implications. Nevertheless, it appears that doctors and pharmacists have limited knowledge regarding PIMs. Moreover, uninformed older patients may use PIMs without considering their potential negative consequences. There is a need, therefore, to educate doctors, pharmacists and older patients about PIMs. Geriatric pharmacotherapy education with an emphasis on appropriate prescribing, and PIMs, should be included in the medical and pharmacy teachings at the undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education levels. Moreover, older patients should be informed about PIMs and the possible risks that they may pose.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
The relation between knowledge and attitudes with behavior of nurse in providing spiritual care

Syamsiah N, Rahma M, Hassan HC

Enferm Clin, 2020 06;30 Suppl 5:196-201.
PMID: 32713568 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.11.053

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the relationship of nurses' knowledge and attitudes with nurses' behavior in providing spiritual nursing care in the inpatient room at Citra Sari Husada Hospital, Karawang.
METHOD: This study used an analytic descriptive design with a cross-sectional approach with a population of 115 and the sample used was 85 people. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires. Questionnaires were used assess about nurses' knowledge, nurses' attitudes, and nurses' behavior in providing spiritual nursing care.
RESULTS: The results of bivariate analysis found a relationship between knowledge and behavior of nurses in the provision of spiritual nursing care with p value 0.010 (α=0.05). But there is no relationship between attitudes with nurses' behavior in providing spiritual nursing care with p value 1.000 (α=0.05).
CONCLUSION: Nurses' knowledge of nursing care can influence nurses' behavior in providing spiritual nursing care to patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
The process of evidence-based medicine and the search for meaning

Biswas R, Umakanth S, Strumberg J, Martin CM, Hande M, Nagra JS

J Eval Clin Pract, 2007 Aug;13(4):529-32.
PMID: 17683292 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2007.00837.x

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Evidence based medicine is the present backbone of rational and objective, modern medical problem solving and is a meeting ground for quantitative and qualitative researchers alike as it culminates into applying the fruits of clinical research to the individual patient. A systematic enquiry into the evolving paradigms in EBM is a need of the hour.
AIMS AND METHODS: A qualitative enquiry examining the impact of different methodologies in EBM and their role in generating meaning interpretable at individual levels.
RESULTS: Present day outcome based research deals less with patients as individuals than as populations. Evidence based medicine struggles to apply the fruits of population based research to individuals who are often not as predictable as linear quantitative research would like them to be. The present EBM literature neglects a lot of events it doesn't believe to be statistically significant and perhaps here is an area that needs to be improved on - it assumes that because associations are demonstrated between interventions and outcomes in RCTs/meta-analysis, these associations are linear and causal in the real world. While they may be demonstrated repeatedly in highly controlled environments, in the real 'uncontrolled' world of clinical practice with real people, their validity breaks down.
CONCLUSIONS: One needs to make the EBM standard model patient-individual (a projection of collective patient event data) resemble the real human individual patient so that optimal EBM individual data that matches our query can be easily and quickly spotted from the dense jungle of information that has grown over the years. This hints at rethinking our entire research methodology and modifying it to suit the needs of the individual patient.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Fulltext The prevalence of, and factors related to, compliance with glove utilization among nurses in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Naing L, Nordin R, Musa R

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2001 Sep;32(3):636-42.
PMID: 11944730

Increasing risk of HIV infections among health care workers has been a continuing concern. The study was designed to identify the compliance of glove utilization, and factors related to non-compliance. A sample of 150 staff nurses were recruited from the study population of 550 nurses in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Data were collected by using a structured self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 98.4%. The study revealed a low compliance (13.5%) of glove utilization (for all 9 procedures), which varied among different procedures (27-97%). Younger nurses and those with shorter duration of working experience had better knowledge of Universal Precautions. Nurses in intensive care unit and operation theatre were better in both knowledge and compliance of glove utilization. The three commonest misconceptions were identified as "selective use of gloves for high risk groups and suspected cases", and "tendency to depend on HIV prevalence". Nurses reported practical problems including administrative and personal related such as "stock irregularity" (46%), "glove not available at the emergency sites" (44%), and "reduction of tactile sensation" (39%). It was concluded that poor knowledge and practical problems were possible responsible factors for the low compliance. A good training for nurses comprising principle and practice of Universal Precautions, updated knowledge of blood and body fluid borne infections and risk and its management, will probably improve the compliance.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
The perspective of healthcare providers and patients on health literacy: a systematic review of the quantitative and qualitative studies

Rajah R, Ahmad Hassali MA, Jou LC, Murugiah MK

Perspect Public Health, 2018 Mar;138(2):122-132.
PMID: 28980881 DOI: 10.1177/1757913917733775

AIM: Health literacy (HL) is a multifaceted concept, thus understanding the perspective of healthcare providers, patients, and the system is vital. This systematic review examines and synthesises the available studies on HL-related knowledge, attitude, practice, and perceived barriers.
METHODS: CINAHL and Medline (via EBSCOhost), Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, Sage Journals, and Science Direct were searched. Both quantitative and/or qualitative studies in the English language were included. Intervention studies and studies focusing on HL assessment tools and prevalence of low HL were excluded. The risk of biasness reduced with the involvement of two reviewers independently assessing study eligibility and quality.
RESULTS: A total of 30 studies were included, which consist of 19 quantitative, 9 qualitative, and 2 mixed-method studies. Out of 17 studies, 13 reported deficiency of HL-related knowledge among healthcare providers and 1 among patients. Three studies showed a positive attitude of healthcare providers towards learning about HL. Another three studies demonstrated patients feel shame exposing their literacy and undergoing HL assessment. Common HL communication techniques reported practiced by healthcare providers were the use of everyday language, teach-back method, and providing patients with reading materials and aids, while time constraint was the most reported HL perceived barriers by both healthcare providers and patients.
CONCLUSION: Significant gaps exists in HL knowledge among healthcare providers and patients that needs immediate intervention. Such as, greater effort placed in creating a health system that provides an opportunity for healthcare providers to learn about HL and patients to access health information with taking consideration of their perceived barriers.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
The needs of the deaf and hard of hearing when seeking pharmaceutical care

Jacob SA, Chin JR, Ying Qi T, Palanisamy UD

Res Social Adm Pharm, 2016 03 04;12(4):664-5.
PMID: 27012972 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.02.009
Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
The need for first aid education for adolescents

Mohd Sharif NA, Che Hasan MK, Che Jamaludin FI, Zul Hasymi Firdaus MK

Enferm Clin, 2018 Feb;28 Suppl 1:13-18.
PMID: 29650169 DOI: 10.1016/S1130-8621(18)30028-7

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify the need for basic first aid knowledge and skills among adolescents.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study using multistage sampling was conducted among 375 secondary school students in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. The survey was adapted from a Hong Kong Red Cross survey. A back to back translation of this instrument was carried out by two bilingual medical experts with Cronbach's alpha 0.8. The data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) in terms of descriptive analysis, and an independent t-test and chi-square test were carried out.
RESULTS: There were 149 respondents from the lower form (grade level) and 226 respondents from the upper form. The majority of respondents (81.6%) were Malay. An independent t-test revealed a significant association between knowledge and attitude, as students who scored higher on first aid questions showed a more positive attitude towards first aid (1.475%). There were also significant associations between race and experience learning first aid.
CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents receive minimal first aid education. Thus, there is an urgent need to educate adolescents more in first aid to promote a safer community and to prevent any further injuries.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
The need for educating healthcare professionals regarding good musculoskeletal health practice

Mohd Yusoff NS, Firdaus MKZH, Jamaludin FIC, Che Hasan MK

Enferm Clin, 2019 09;29 Suppl 2:579-584.
PMID: 31281003 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.04.089

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and practice of body mechanics towards preserving musculoskeletal health in daily routine activities of HCPs (medical officers, staff nurses, community health nurses, assistant medical officers, physiotherapists, and assistant nurses) from Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Pahang.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with convenience sampling employed across five different departments. The departments were a department of medical, surgical, orthopedics, emergency and rehabilitation. The samples were selected according to a minimum of two years of clinical experience without any history of low back surgery. An instrument consists of socio-demographic background, knowledge on body mechanics and Owestry Low Back Pain Disability Index Questionnaire was used in this study.
RESULTS: A total of 139 HCPs were recruited including medical officers, staff nurses, community health nurses, assistant medical officers, physiotherapists, and assistant nurses. A self-administered questionnaire pertaining to knowledge revealed that 73.4% of HCPs had inadequate knowledge of musculoskeletal body mechanics. Among all, 90.6% (minimal: 9.4%, moderate: 43.2%, severe: 42.4%, crippled: 5.0%) of HCPs showed moderate to crippled disability using Oswestry Disability Index classifications indicating the poor practice of body mechanics while working.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that a lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals lead to the inadequate practice of preserving musculoskeletal health while carrying out duty in caring patients. It is suggested that enforcing and emphasizing health education for healthcare professionals is urgently needed towards reducing the risk of the musculoskeletal problem among healthcare professionals.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
The m-Health revolution: Exploring perceived benefits of WhatsApp use in clinical practice

Ganasegeran K, Renganathan P, Rashid A, Al-Dubai SA

Int J Med Inform, 2017 01;97:145-151.
PMID: 27919374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2016.10.013

BACKGROUND: The dawn of m-Health facilitates new horizons of professional communication through WhatsApp, allowing health professionals to interact fast and efficiently for effective patient management. This preliminary study aimed to investigate perceived benefits, if any, of WhatsApp use across general medical and emergency teams during clinical practice in Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a universal sample of 307 health professionals comprising of nurses, medical assistants, medical residents, medical officers and physicians across medical and casualty departments in a Malaysian public hospital. The self-administered questionnaire consisted of items on socio-demographics, WhatsApp usage characteristics and the type of communication events during clinical practice.
RESULTS: The majority of respondents (68.4%) perceived WhatsApp as beneficial during clinical practice. In multivariate analysis, perceived benefits was significantly higher amongst the clinical management group (aOR=2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.6, p=0.001), those using WhatsApp for >12months (aOR=1.7, 95% CI 1.0-3.0, p=0.047), those receiving response ≤15min to a new communication (aOR=1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2, p=0.017), and frequent information giving events (aOR=2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.8, p=0.016).
CONCLUSION: Perceived benefits of WhatsApp use in clinical practice was significantly associated with usage characteristics and type of communication events. This study lays the foundation for quality improvement innovations in patient management delivered through m-Health technology.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
The lower effectiveness of text-only health warnings in China compared to pictorial health warnings in Malaysia

Elton-Marshall T, Xu SS, Meng G, Quah AC, Sansone GC, Feng G, et al.

Tob Control, 2015 Nov;24 Suppl 4:iv6-13.
PMID: 26420242 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052616

In 2009, China changed its health warnings on cigarette packs from side-only text warnings to two text-only warnings on 30% of the bottom of the front and back of the pack. Also in 2009, Malaysia changed from similar text warnings to pictorial health warnings consistent with Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 11 Guidelines.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Fulltext The level of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS among young mothers. [Tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan amalan terhadap pencegahan HIV/AID dalam kalangan ibu muda.]

Norfazilah Ahmad, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Incham Manggat, Mohd Rizam Abdul Rahman, Hazlina Mohd Miskam, Sazman Wahab, et al.

Int J Public Health Res, 2018;8(1):913-923.
MyJurnal

Introduction The Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and a disease with high morbidity and mortality.Young mothers are sub-populations that are at high risk for HIV through sexual activity. In addition, information on the level of knowledge, attitude and practice among young mothers in Malaysia regarding HIV/AIDS prevention is still limited.Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS among young mothers and the factors that influence them.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in a city center among 147 young mothers aged 18-30 years old at the Post Natal and Obstetrics and Gynecology Ward (O & G). Data collection was conducted in April-November 2014 and the respondents' selection was based on simple random sampling. A questionnaire containing validated instruments was used in this study. Approval for conducting research has been obtained from the UKM Research Ethics Committee before the data collection procedure is implemented.
Results Majority of the young mothers have good knowledge (78.8%) and practice (71.2%) towards HIV/AIDS prevention. While more than half of them (56.7%) have positive attitude towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Living in the urban area and being married are significantly associated with having good knowledge and positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS prevention. While, mothers who are 5 years older compared to the younger ones and being married are significantly associated with having good practice towards HIV/AIDS prevention.
Conclusions The level of knowledge, attitudes and practices as well as the associated factors could be the baseline to formulate health intervention to prevent HIV/AIDS among this vulnerable group.

Matched MeSH terms: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

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