Community empowerment for malaria control and prevention in Kampung Tong Nibong, Sarawak: an intervention study

Introduction Tong Nibong is a Bidayuh village located at Sarawak Kalimantan border. Since the year 2004 to 2009, a total of 537 cases of malaria were recorded in Serian District of which 14 cases were reported from Kampung Tong Nibong. Community empowerment programme for malaria infection prevention showed tremendous improvement in implementation. This intervention study aims to gauge the effectiveness of community empowerment approach in malaria elimination programme in Kampung Tong Nibong Serian. Methods An intervention study was conducted with pre and post data collection. Data was collected using validated questionnaire by face to face interview. Universal sampling method was used to select respondents from head of household and post data was collected after intervention activities were carried out within a year of study period. Results The study showed significant difference on level of knowledge of respondents on vector of malaria between pre and post data with a P < 0.05. There was significant difference between pre and post data on practices on control and prevention of malaria with a P < 0.05. The same goes to level of positive attitude of respondents towards malaria control. Conclusions In conclusion, the study can be considered successful because there is significant difference in knowledge, attitude and practice among the respondents between pre and post data. This indicates that community empowerment (voluntary participation) measures can be implemented in high risk or endemic areas where malaria is a persistent problem to the community and health institutions faces many limiting factors

Contributing Factors to Decline in Physical Activity Among Adolescents: A Scoping Review

It is presumed that the level of physical activity (PA) declines during a person’s lifespan, particularly during adolescence. The main objective of this scoping review is to summarize and identify the current literature that addresses contributing factors related to adolescent physical inactivity. This scoping review was carried out using the framework suggested by Arskey and O'Malley. The literature review was undertaken using the reference period between 2008 and 2014, based primarily on the PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases. Additional studies have been identified by a manual bibliography search. Search term included adolescent / youth / teenage, factors / determinants /correlations, and physical inactivity/decline exercise. A total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria. This scoping review found some evidence of the association between physical inactivity and the following variables: Age, sex, socio-economic status, lack of social support from parents, family and friends have had an impact on their motivation to perform PA on a continuous basis. Also, the lack of awareness, attitudes, and practices of individuals themselves for not doing PA has affected their interest in maintaining PA. It is noted that the environment also plays an important role, such as inadequate facilities and facilities, as well as an unsuitable place or setting that is unconducive and a neighbourhood that does not take care of or is aware of a healthy lifestyle, is also a contributing factor to physical inactivity. The decline in PA during adolescence is a consistent finding in the literature. However, PA interventions should be developed through education, family programs, behavioural or environmental and policy changes