Cyber Warfare Impact to National Security - Malaysia Experiences

This study analyzed the cyber warfare impact on national security and focusing on Malaysia experiences. The issues regarding cyber warfare have become a serious concern since it was a risk of national security in Malaysia. The objectives of the study are to analyze issues related to cyber warfare that affected Malaysian system security, to determine causes that caused to cyber warfare. This study used a qualitative research approach to evaluate the current defense approaches related to cyber warfare in Malaysia. The interviews were conducted with the respective respondents: the Senior Manager, Research Management Centre, Strategic Research, and Advisory Department of Cyber Security Malaysia Department. This study can contribute to expanding the security of national security by demanding the government to adopt a broad acquisition risk management strategy. It can assist in the development of highly effective aggressive and defensive methods to any company dealing with future cyber warfare challenges and risk.   Keywords: cyber warfare, national security, experiences

Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders’ perspectives using causal loop mapping

Background It is known from previous studies that university students in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) engage in sexual risk-taking behaviour (SRTB). However, there is paucity of data on factors contributing to SRTB among university students (emerging adults) at the Kenyan Coast thus hindering intervention planning. This study seeks to provide an in-depth qualitative understanding of the factors contributing to SRTB and their interconnectedness among university students at the Kenyan Coast combining qualitative research with a systems thinking approach. Methods Using the ecological model, and employing in-depth interviews, we explored the perceptions of twenty-six key informants (twenty-one emerging adults and five other stakeholders) on what constitutes and influences SRTB among emerging adults at a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach. A causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to map the interconnectedness of the correlates of SRTB. Results Our findings show that unprotected sex, transactional sex, cross-generational sex, multiple sex partnerships, gender-based violence, sex under influence of alcohol/drugs, early sex debut, and sharing sex toys were common SRTBs. Based on the ecological model and CLD, most of the reported risk factors were interconnected and operated at the individual level. Conclusion Our study shows that emerging adults are frequently engaging in unprotected sex. Enhancing sexuality education programs for students in Kenyan universities and strengthening support systems including counselling for those using alcohol/drugs may help reduce SRTB among emerging adults in Kenyan universities

Enhanced chaotic image encryption algorithm based on Baker's map

Performances in computer speed, media storage and network bandwidth. Along with this advancement, the fundamental issue of image security has become a major concern and because of this reason, research in image confidentiality has gained popularity amongst security experts. This paper discusses an alternative chaotic image encryption based on Baker’s map. This enhanced symmetric-key algorithm can support a variable-size image as opposed to the algorithm which is mainly based on Baker’s map that requires only square image for encryption. In addition, the algorithm also includes other functions such as password binding and pixel shifting to further strengthen the security of the cipher image. The algorithm also supports two modes of operation namely EBC and CBC. The number of iterations to be performed can vary depending on the security level required by the user. The paper also includes an example of image encryption. From the analysis done, it shows that the security level is high even though keys that are found to be weak keys for Baker’s map algorithm are being used in the algorithm

A study of quality of life among elderly and its relationship with physical and mental activity

Background: Aging will cause loss of physical and mental function, loss of family and also loss of spouse. These type of loses gradually affect quality of life among elderly. Therefore, it is important to increase awareness among people in the community to understand about the benefits of doing physical activities regularly.Materials and Methods: The aim of study is to assess whether physical and mental activity may improve the quality of life among elderly. A cross sectional study using a convenience sampling was conducted on 380 elderly aged 60 years and above in Kuantan, Pahang. The instruments used in this study were WHOQOL-BREF and GPAQ. The descriptive analysis and MannWhitney test were carried out.Result: There is zero number of respondents classified under high level of physical activity. A total number of 23 respondents were group among medium level and the rest were having low level of physical activity. There was no association between psychological healths; social relationship and environment domain as p-value for the test were ≥0.05 while the p-value for physical domain was ≤0.05. There was also no association between the mental activity and quality of life. It also identified no association between physical activity or mental activity and quality of life.Conclusion: Majority of the elderly had low level of physical activity, however those engaged in medium level of physical activity has a significantly higher level of quality of life. We identify the findings benefits to inform health care providers in emphasizing their health advice towards keeping the elderly physically active to maintain an optimal quality of life and healthy aging

“I wish to remain HIV negative”: Pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence and persistence in transgender women and men who have sex with men in coastal Kenya

Background Transgender women (TGW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa have high HIV acquisition risks and can benefit from daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We assessed PrEP adherence by measuring tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) levels and explore motives for PrEP persistence in TGW and MSM. Methods Participants were enrolled in a one-year PrEP programme and made quarterly visits irrespective of whether they were still using PrEP. At their month 6 visit, participants provided a dried blood spot to test for TFV-DP levels; protective levels were defined as those compatible with ≥4 pills per week (700–1249 fmol/punch). Before TFV-DP levels were available, a sub-set of these participants were invited for an in-depth interview (IDI). Semi-structured IDI topic guides were used to explore motives to uptake, adhere to, and discontinue PrEP. IDI data were analyzed thematically. Results Fifty-three participants (42 MSM and 11 TGW) were enrolled. At month 6, 11 (20.7%) participants (8 MSM and 3 TGW) were lost to follow up or stopped taking PrEP. Any TFV-DP was detected in 62.5% (5/8) of TGW vs. 14.7% of MSM (5/34, p = 0.01). Protective levels were detected in 37.5% of TGW (3/8), but not in any MSM. Nineteen IDI were conducted with 7 TGW and 9 MSM on PrEP, and 1 TGW and 2 MSM off PrEP. Unplanned or frequent risky sexual risk behaviour were the main motives for PrEP uptake. Among participants on PrEP, TGW had a more complete understanding of the benefits of PrEP. Inconsistent PrEP use was attributed to situational factors. Motives to discontinue PrEP included negative reactions from partners and stigmatizing healthcare services. Conclusion While MSM evinced greater adherence challenges in this PrEP programme, almost 40% of TGW were protected by PrEP. Given high HIV incidences in TGW these findings hold promise for TGW PrEP programming in the region

SRTB data for <b>Disordered eating behaviour is not associated with sexual risk taking behaviour amongst emerging adults attending a tertiary education institution in Coastal Kenya: a latent class analysis approach</b>

BackgroundSexual risk-taking behavior is a well-documented pathway to HIV acquisition in emerging adults and remains common amongst African emerging adults. We aimed to describe the relationship between disordered eating behavior and sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults attending a tertiary educational institution at the Kenyan Coast.MethodsWe applied a cross-sectional design nested in a young adults’ cohort study. Eligibility included sexually active emerging adults aged 18-24 years. Three disordered eating behaviors (emotional, restrained and external eating) were assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire and analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. Seven sexual risk-taking behavior indicators were assessed: non-condom use, casual sex, multiple sex partners, transactional sex, group sex, age-disparate relationship and anal sex, and grouped into low vs. high sexual risk-taking behavior using latent class analysis. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between disordered eating behavior and sexual risk-taking behavior.ResultsOf 273 eligible participants (female, n =110 [40.3%]), the mean [SD] of emotional, restrained and external eating was 1.9 [0.6], 2.0 [0.6] and 3.0 [0.5] respectively. Overall, 57 (20.9%) were grouped into the latent high sexual risk-taking behavior class. Emotional (Adjusted odds ratio {AOR [95% confidence interval, CI]: 1.0 [0.9 – 1.0], p = 0.398), restrained (AOR, 1.0 [CI: 0.9 – 1.1], p = 0.301) and External (AOR, 1.0 [CI: 0.8 – 1.2], p = 0.523) eating were not independently associated with latent high sexual risk-taking behavior.ConclusionThere was no significant association between disordered eating behavior and sexual risk-taking behavior. More studies in different African settings are needed to assess this association in order to lay a strong evidence base for public health interventions on sexual risk-taking behavior and to prevent disordered eating behavior in this and similar settings.</p

Common forms of SRTB.

BackgroundIt is known from previous studies that university students in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) engage in sexual risk-taking behaviour (SRTB). However, there is paucity of data on factors contributing to SRTB among university students (emerging adults) at the Kenyan Coast thus hindering intervention planning. This study seeks to provide an in-depth qualitative understanding of the factors contributing to SRTB and their interconnectedness among university students at the Kenyan Coast combining qualitative research with a systems thinking approach.MethodsUsing the ecological model, and employing in-depth interviews, we explored the perceptions of twenty-six key informants (twenty-one emerging adults and five other stakeholders) on what constitutes and influences SRTB among emerging adults at a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach. A causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to map the interconnectedness of the correlates of SRTB.ResultsOur findings show that unprotected sex, transactional sex, cross-generational sex, multiple sex partnerships, gender-based violence, sex under influence of alcohol/drugs, early sex debut, and sharing sex toys were common SRTBs. Based on the ecological model and CLD, most of the reported risk factors were interconnected and operated at the individual level.ConclusionOur study shows that emerging adults are frequently engaging in unprotected sex. Enhancing sexuality education programs for students in Kenyan universities and strengthening support systems including counselling for those using alcohol/drugs may help reduce SRTB among emerging adults in Kenyan universities.</div

Characteristics of emerging adults at a tertiary education institution in Coastal Kenya.

Characteristics of emerging adults at a tertiary education institution in Coastal Kenya.</p

STROBE statement—checklist of items that should be included in reports of observational studies.

STROBE statement—checklist of items that should be included in reports of observational studies.</p