Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Coronavirus Disease-19: Population-Based Study in Iraq

INTRODUCTION: In March 2020, the world health organization declared Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19 a pandemic global communicable disease, there is neither a vaccine nor a treatment for this virus. The aim of the current study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Iraqi population toward COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 272 respondents from different states of Iraq using online administered questionnaires. The questions were adopted from the previous study and consist of three parts mainly socio-demographic, KAP. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents had good knowledge regarding COVID-19 (95.2%). A total of 97.8% of the respondents knew that COVID-19 caused by a virus. Regarding incubation period, 75% of them answer correctly that it is 2–15 days. Higher percept (39%) and 37.9% of participant people considered the disease as a very dangerous and seriously dangerous disease, respectively. The majority (85.3%) of the sample thought that no vaccination available for the disease. More than two-thirds of the sample (76.5%) were wearing face mask sometimes while only 19.5% wearing it all the time. The majority (265) out of 272 was ready to stay home if it required to prevent the spread of the disease. There was a significant association between gender, living state, and COVID-19 knowledge (p = 0.009, <0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge, practice of respondents was good regarding COVID-19. People need to stay at home to prevent the infection and reduce the number of cases

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to drugs among Pahang Matriculation students in Malaysia

Introduction Drug abuse has been a global threat not only in Malaysia but worldwide, especially among adolescents. This is alarming issue had been a serious public health problem worldwide. The aim of the study is to access the knowledge and attitude on drug abuse among Pahang Matriculation students in 2016. Methods A cross¬-sectional study was conducted involving 217 matriculation students. A self-determined questionnaire was distributed among the students regarding knowledge and attitude about drugs. Results The prevalence of good knowledge on drug abuse was (82.03%). The prevalence of students’ attitude on drug abuse has higher number of good attitude with the sum of 182 (83.9 %). Only gender showed a significant association with students’ knowledge (P= 0.046). Conclusion The knowledge, attitude, and practice of drug abuse among Pahang Matriculation students are good

Alcohol consumption practices among Nepali migrant workers in Shah Alam, Selangor

Malaysia has been considered an industrialized country and there is a demand for manpower in low-skilled jobs which usually filled by migrant workers. Therefore, this study focused to identify the level of alcohol consumption and its associated factors among Nepali migrant workers in Shah Alam, Selangor. A cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling method was conducted among 233 Nepali migrant workers in Shah Alam, Selangor using a self-administered questionnaire. A validated questionnaire (The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test) by WHO was used in the study. The results showed that 60.09% of Nepali workers consumed alcohol with most of them are in low (31.43%) and medium (29.28%) risk level for alcohol consumption. The empirical findings revealed a significant association between income, education level, and peer pressure with alcohol consumption (p value <0.001 respectively). However, the study found no association between age, marital status, years of working, and body mass index with alcohol consumption (p value= 0.44, 0.19, 0.42, 0.40 respectively). In conclusion, most Nepali migrant workers consumed alcohol but in low and medium risk severity. The results highlighted socio-demographic factors such as income and education as well as peer pressure among the important factors affecting alcohol consumption. Thus, it is important to address this issue by creating awareness by conducting health talk and campaign. This can give a clear idea to migrant workers on the health effect of alcohol consumption. More education and promotion are needed to address the health effect of excessive alcohol consumption and work productivity among migrant workers in their own language

HEALTH STATUS AND LIFESTYLE RELATED RISK FACTORS AMONG MIGRANT WORKERS IN SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA

Introduction: In Malaysia, it’s about 4-5 million of the migrant’s workers that involve in occupation that seriously give and effect to their health, which is in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, services, and domestic work. Thus, study is conducted to identify the non- communicable disease (NCDs) risk factor among the migrant workers in migrant workers in Shah Alam of both genders. Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted among 50 migrant workers in Shah Alam using convenience sampling method. Both questionnaires and measurement were used in data collection. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, behavioral and lifestyle data and medical history. Results: A total of 32% of migrant workers either oversight or obese. 56% of them are involve in vigorous activity. most of them are not a smoker person which is about 86%. 20(40%) of them have history of hypertension only 6(12%) of them have diabetes Conclusion: The main findings of our study that, 32% of the migrant workers either overweight or obese. More health promotion and regular screening are required especially, for people with high risk or having hypertension and diabetes history

THE FACTS ABOUT CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): THE CURRENT SCENARIO AND IMPORTANT LESSONS

This paper discusses the important review about the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) and main facts about it. Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristic of Patients With COVID-19:The Wuhan city in China, faced an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since December 2019, with extreme acute respiratory coronavirus syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) being the causative agent. The clinical characteristics and the epidemiological criteria for COVID-19 patients were described. Still, the risk factors for mortality and a clear course of the disease clinically, including viral shedding, have not been identified. Corona Virus and its Types: Coronaviruses are a group of viruses belonging to the Coronaviridae family which infect animals as well as humans. The name "coronavirus" was developed in 1968, which stemmed from the morphology similar to "corona" or crown-like. The Coronaviridae family (order Nidovirales) classifies into four genera of CoVs: Alphacoronavirus (alphaCoV), Betacoronavirus (betaCoV), Deltacoronavirus (deltaCoV), and Gammacoronavirus (gammaCoV). Furthermore, the betaCoV genus divides into five sub-genera or lineages. COVID-19 Strategic Prevention on different levels: In dealing with COVID-19 challenge, most countries are practicing a mix of inclusion and stopping crowds hoping to delay an increased number of affected individuals and minimizing the need for hospital facilities, as well as securing those at higher risk from being infected, especially old age population and people with long-standing illnes

KNOWLEDGE REGARDING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG) AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS AT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA

Introduction : Sustainable development goals are big challenge to the nation and they represent a critical encounter to be achieved  with the current unsustainable condition worldwide The aim of the current study was to find out the level of knowledge regarding sustainable development goals (SDG) among medical students at a private university in Shah Alam, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 medical students at a Private University in Selangor Malaysia using convince sampling method.  Results: Only (77.8%) of the respondents heard of Sustainable development goals (SDG) and the main source of information was internet (35.5%). Two-thirds of them knew that SDG should be achieved by year 2030. Only half of the respondents knew the correct numbers of SDG which is 17 goals and (45.3%) knew that SDG consist of 169 targets. Conclusion: as a conclusion, medical students have adequate knowledge regarding sustainable development goals, but more education and promotion are needed, especially for future medical doctors as they will be the frontlines in achieving those goals

Dietary habits, shopping behavior and weight gain during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown among students in a private university in Selangor, Malaysia

Background: Due to the global surge in COVID-19 cases, numerous countries have enforced lockdowns of varying stringency. Social isolation and stay-at-home orders have detrimental effects on one’s lifestyle and dietary habits. This study aimed to assess the dietary patterns, food preferences, shopping behavior and weight gain during the lockdown among students in a private university in Malaysia. Design and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 426 students using convenience sampling method onemonth after initiating the Conditional Movement Control Order (November 15-30, 2020), using a validated self-administered web-based survey. Chi-square test with post-hoc and planned comparison procedures were performed. Results: Of the 426 participants, more than half were females (55.9%). Over half of the surveyed students reported increased eating (51.2%), snacking (55.2%) and online food ordering (71.1%) during the lockdown. Meat products and sweet drinks (both >90%) were the most consumed food among individuals with higher BMI. 45.5% of the participants reported weight gain (mean 3.36, SD 1.61kg) one month after the lockdown. Female, youth (aged 19-24), working remotely, increased eating, snacking, cooking, and online food ordering were positively associated with weight gain. Conclusions: Findings suggested that unintended consequences of lockdown have negative impacts on dietary habits and food preferences among university students. Advocacy and public health measures for nutritional support amidst the pandemic are crucial, especially for at-risk groups such as overweight and obese individuals