Health education module based on information–motivation–behavioural skills (imb) for reducing depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in boarding schools: a clustered randomised controlled trial

Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among adolescents have become a public health concern. The aim of this study was to develop, implement, and measure an IMB-based health education intervention module for reducing DAS among adolescents in boarding schools in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A single-blinded cluster randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted among students with abnormal DASS-21 scores. They were divided into an intervention group (three schools, 62 participants) and a control group (three schools, 57 participants). Participants in the intervention group received IMB-based health education, while participants in the control group underwent the standard care session. To determine the effectiveness of the intervention, the Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) analysis was conducted. A total of 119 students participated in this study, and no loss to follow-up was reported. Both intervention and control groups showed significantly reduced DAS scores (p < 0.005). However, the reduction of these scores was greater in the intervention group. The GLMM analysis revealed that the intervention was effective in reducing depression (ß = −2.400, t = −3.102, SE = 0.7735, p = 0.002, 95% CI = −3.921, −0.878), anxiety (ß = −2.129, t = −2.824, SE = 0.7541, p = 0.005, 95% CI = −3.612, −0.646), and stress (ß = −1.335, t = −2.457, SE = 0.536, p = 0.015, 95% CI = −2.045, −0.266) among adolescents. The IMB-based health education module was effective in reducing DAS among adolescents in boarding schools

Acceptance towards decriminalization of medical marijuana among adults in Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction: The issue of decriminalization of medical marijuana has gained public attention globally due to the decisions of various governments in developed and developing countries who have decriminalized marijuana for medical purposes. The action was the result of the change in perception towards medical marijuana use, which is now believed to be safe, acceptable, and should be decriminalized. Due to the progress of modernization and the wide access to information, the change in perception towards medical marijuana seems to be inevitable and might have already permeated among the public in Malaysia. However, at the moment there is no baseline data to determine any of this claim. Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with acceptance towards decriminalization of medical marijuana among adults in Selangor, Malaysia. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional study conducted in year 2021 among 462 adults aged 18 years old and above in Selangor, Malaysia. The respondents were sampled using a multistage random sampling. The data was collected via self-administered questionnaires and has been analyzed using SPSS version 25. Result: More than half of the respondents in this study (64.7%) show acceptance towards the decriminalization of medical marijuana in Malaysia. The results of statistical tests indicate that there are significant associations between age (p < 0.001), gender (p = 0.005), ethnicity (p < 0.012), level of education (p < 0.011), employment status (p = 0.001), ever smoked (p < 0.001), given up smoking (p = 0.002), ever used substance (p < 0.001), current substance use (p < 0.001), given up substance (p < 0.001), exposure to medical marijuana-related content (p < 0.001), perceived risk associated with medical marijuana use (p < 0.001), perceived risk of harm of medical marijuana use (p < 0.001), and perceived approval of medical marijuana use (p < 0.001) with acceptance towards decriminalization of medical marijuana. The predictors for acceptance towards decriminalization of medical marijuana are perceived high approval of medical marijuana use (aOR = 7.023, p < 0.001, 95%CI = 3.534,13.955), perceived low risk of medical marijuana (aOR = 5.716, p < 0.001, 95%CI = 2.828,11.554), perceived low risk of harm from medical marijuana use (aOR = 3.480, p = 0.001, 95%CI = 1.702,7.114), current substance use (aOR = 2.264, p = 0.050, 95%CI = 1.001,5.118), and ever used substance (aOR = 2.005, p = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.054,0.576). Conclusion: The results of the survey show that the current acceptance level towards decriminalization of medical marijuana is considerably high. However, the acceptance is mainly among those who are exposed to the substance and those who perceive low risk of medical marijuana. Thus, a further exploration of this phenomenon is needed, especially by increasing the sample size and expanding the study location to other states

“Best of Both World”: the amalgamation of fuzzy delphi method with nominal group technique for dengue risk prioritisation decision-making

Introduction. Dengue remains a public health threat. Clarifying the characteristics of future threats and prioritizing intervention towards the highest risk potential can help to control and prevent dengue outbreaks. However, obtaining a consensus from panels of experts is certainly challenging due to the relative subjectivity of experience. Therefore, this article incorporates the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) within a nominal group technique (NGT) as a multicriteria decision-making tool for (1) describing the characteristics of socioecological attributes (SEAs) with a high risk of causing dengue outbreak and (2) ranking those SEAs as priorities for intervention. Material and Methods. Experts were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Informed consent was obtained before the start of the study. The NGT process began with an introductory presentation of dengue SEA by the moderator, followed by “silent generation.” Next, each participant provided information in a round-robin fashion. Ideas were collected by the moderator and displayed publicly. All experts were given ample time and space to contribute and justify their ideas without interruption during the discussion step to yield agreeable SEA characteristics. Ultimately, FDM was incorporated in the voting step to ensure rigorous analysis. The study was approved by an ethical committee before its commencement. Results. A total of 10 field experts participated in the study, with a median experience of 7.5 years working on a dengue team. The common characteristics of SEA prone to cause dengue outbreaks were the presence of human-made containers, in high quantities, left unattended, and covered from direct sunlight. Apart from that, all eight SEAs passed the triangulation of fuzzy numbers and defuzzification processes. The average fuzzy numbers ranged between 0.500 and 0.780, and the threshold value () ranged from 0.055 to 0.196. Of the potential risk factors identified, experts ranked illegal dumping sites as the most important, followed by old and unused items and construction sites. Conclusion. The NGT process successfully helped to obtain a consensus among the expert panels in describing SEA characteristics. Nevertheless, the integration of FDM offered a robust analysis that validated their ranking in dengue risk prioritization. Therefore, we strongly recommend the application of FDM to be incorporated in any public health decision-making process

Narrative Review of the Control and Prevention of Knowlesi Malaria

Despite the reduction in the number of cases of human malaria throughout the world, the incidence rate of knowlesi malaria is continuing to rise, especially in Southeast Asia. The conventional strategies for the prevention and control of human malaria can provide some protection against knowlesi malaria. Despite the numerous studies on the risk factors and the innovative methods that may be used to prevent and control the vectors of Plasmodium knowlesi, the incidence rate remains high. An integrated approach that includes environmental intervention should be adopted in order to ensure the successful control of zoonotic malaria. A combination of personal-level protection, vector control and environmental control may mitigate the risk of Plasmodium knowlesi transmission from macaques to humans and, ultimately, reduce the incidence rate of knowlesi malaria

Improving Tuberculosis Medication Adherence: The Potential of Integrating Digital Technology and Health Belief Model

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health concern. Globally, TB is among the top 10 and the leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent. Providing standard anti-TB therapy for at least 6 months is recommended as one of the crucial strategies to control the TB epidemic. However, the long duration of TB treatment raised the issue of non-adherence. Non-adherence to TB therapy could negatively affect clinical and public health outcomes. Thus, directly observed therapy (DOT) has been introduced as a standard strategy to improve anti-TB medication adherence. Nonetheless, the DOT approach has been criticized due to inconvenience, stigma, reduced economic productivity, and reduced quality of life, which ultimately could complicate adherence issues. Apart from that, its effectiveness in improving anti-TB adherence is debatable. Therefore, digital technology could be an essential tool to enhance the implementation of DOT. Incorporating the health belief model (HBM) into digital technology can further increase its effectiveness in changing behavior and improving medication adherence. This article aimed to review the latest evidence regarding TB medication non-adherence, its associated factors, DOT’s efficacy and its alternatives, and the use of digital technology and HBM in improving medication adherence. This paper used the narrative review methodology to analyze related articles to address the study objectives. Conventional DOT has several disadvantages in TB management. Integrating HBM in digital technology development is potentially effective in improving medication adherence. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve medication adherence to overcome various issues related to DOT implementation

Targeted outdoor residual spraying, autodissemination devices and their combination against Aedes mosquitoes: field implementation in a Malaysian urban setting

Currently, dengue control relies largely on reactive vector control programmes. Proactive vector-control using a rational, well-balanced integrated vector management approach may prove more successful for dengue control. As part of the development of a cluster randomized controlled epidemiological trial, a study was conducted in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The study included one control site (three buildings) and three intervention sites which were treated as follows: targeted outdoor residual spraying only (TORS site, two buildings); deployment of autodissemination devices only (ADD site, four buildings); and the previous two treatments combined (TORS + ADD site, three buildings). The primary entomological measurement was per cent of positive ovitraps—ovitrap index (OI). The effect of each intervention on OI was analyzed by a modified ordinary least squares regression model. Relative to the control site, the TORS and ADD sites showed a reduction in the Aedes OI (−6.5%, P = 0.04 and −8.3%, P = 0.10, respectively). Analysis by species showed that, relative to control, the Ae. aegypti OI was lower in ADD (−8.9%, P = 0.03) and in TORS (−10.4%, P = 0.02). No such effect was evident in the TORS + ADD site. The present study provides insights into the methods to be used for the main trial. The combination of multiple insecticides with different modes of action in one package is innovative, although we could not demonstrate the additive effect of TORS + ADD. Further work is required to strengthen our understanding of how these interventions impact dengue vector populations and dengue transmission

Effect of 'Kuat' a theory- and web-based health education intervention on mental health literacy among university students: A study protocol.

BackgroundMental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety disorders are the leading causes of disease burden. Despite the effectiveness of mental healthcare services and the impairing effects of untreated mental health problems, the rate of help-seeking is low among young people. In addition, the mental health burden gap is high in low- and middle-income countries. Good mental health literacy has been associated with better help-seeking.AimsThis study aims to evaluate the effect of theory- and web-based health education intervention on mental health literacy among foundation students at a public university in Malaysia.MethodsA randomised controlled trial study will be conducted among foundation students. Participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention will be conducted for two weeks with a one-month follow-up. The health education intervention will be developed according to the Information, Motivation, and Behavioural Skill Theory, and will be delivered via a website. The outcome will be measured using validated, self-administered questionnaires. at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow up. The data will be analysed using Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE). This study is registered to the Thai Clinical Trial Registry (TCTR) (reference number: TCTR20210705006), dated 4th July 2021.ConclusionsThe results from this study will be useful for relevant authorities to take further efforts in mental health promotion among young people

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-Ncov) Cases in Selangor, Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak devastation on public health systems worldwide, particularly in Selangor, Malaysia, COVID-19 was reported from October 2020 to October 2021 at prevalent rate. In order to control and prevent the spread of this pandemic, which is already underway, there is need to comprehend the spatial dimension of this disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the patterns of COVID-19 virus transmission in the state of Selangor. Methods: Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), and the Moran’s Index (MI), spatial distribution of COVID-19 across the entire mukim was mapped and spatial statistical analysis was carried out with indications of local spatial correlations. Results: The finding revealed that the clusters were concentrated in the western and southern regions (Global Moran's I = 0.468, p = 0.05, Z = 7.01) of the state of Selangor, thus, this research provides important information on the regional distribution and temporal dynamics of COVID-19. Conclusion: An assessment of COVID-19's geographic spread can help enhance health care programs and resource allocation in Malaysia, specifically Selangor where the COVID-19 is pandemic

Spatial-temporal pattern of mosquito-borne disease occurrence based on epidemiological data: a case study from Terengganu

Introduction: The trend of several mosquito-borne diseases in Malaysia has shown an increasing pattern over the past few years despite close monitoring and continuous control initiatives by public health authority. The objective of this study is to determine the spatial and temporal epidemiology of mosquito-borne disease in Terengganu from the year 2009 to 2018. Terengganu has been selected because it is geographically unique and experiences two monsoon seasons per year. Methods: Weekly surveillance data of mosquito-borne diseases which include dengue fever, malaria, filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and chikungunya from 2009 to 2018 were collected from the Terengganu State Health Department. The variables included in the dataset mainly comprises of disease onset, diagnosis, case category, area (district) and site of onset. The data has been monitored spatial and temporal in which to explore the distribution pattern of the disease. The annual average for each type of mosquito-borne disease was determined using time-series and is further analysed by using geographical information system (GIS) tools to form spatial statistical analysis. Results: Results indicate that the temporal distribution of the mosquito-borne disease in Terengganu increases slightly despite a fluctuating pattern from the year 2009 to 2018 and there are between each type of mosquito-borne disease. Spatial analysis showed different stratification between seasons as well as the areas that are more susceptible to each disease. Conclusion: The results obtained in this present study through spatial and temporal analysis revealed that mosquito-borne diseases show a dynamic pattern in distribution. It can be concluded that the occurrence of the diseases depends on the geographical area and the weather within the region. This study provides public health authorities with a comprehensive assessment that will be useful for surveillance and monitoring, as well as for predicting and managing mosquito-borne disease outbreaks effectively

World Health Organization trial registration data set.

World Health Organization trial registration data set.</p