A preliminary studies to assess public knowledge of beach safety in east coast Malaysia

Rip currents are one of the coastal hazards that put Malaysian beachgoers in a risky position.Most of the drowning accidents that occur at beaches worldwide are closely associated with this phenomenon. Research on rip currents is needed to build an effective measuring tool to overcome these issues. However, to date, research on rip currents is mainly focused on its physical aspects, commonly concentrating on the processes that influence and relate to the rips’ generation. As an effort to minimize the negative consequences exerted by the rips, there is an urgent need to enhance the rip-related research in the social sciences field. Comprehensive research that includes all fields might produce more beneficial and reliable information. Therefore, this study intends to examine the level of public understanding of rip currents and beach safety knowledge of the Teluk Cempedak Beach. A questionnaire comprising 5 sections and 31 questions was developed as the primary tool in this study. A total of 60 beachgoers have been surveyed for this preliminary study through a questionnaire to investigate their demographic profile, frequency of visiting the beach, swimming ability, and their knowledge of rip currents and beach safety. The results show that the beachgoers have poor knowledge of rip currents. Conversely, they are observed to have higher beach safety knowledge. Also, the findings help in filling the research gaps of this study in terms of the instrument used for the data collection procedure. Above all, an extension of this study may contribute to the development of beneficial tools in assessing public knowledge on beach safety and rip currents throughout Malaysian beaches

Prevalence of depressive symptoms among elderly and its predictors: a cross sectional study in community felda Bukit Goh, Kuantan Pahang

Introduction: The world’s population is ageing rapidly. Older people are at risk of having mental illnesses particularly depression but it is often misdiagnosed and undertreated. It affects general wellbeing and daily functions of the patients. Objectives: To measure the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among elderly living in FELDA Bukit Goh, Kuantan, Pahang. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted from June to September 2018. The participants aged more than 60 years were recruited in this study. A total of 259 participants were randomly selected to complete the interviewed-base questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four sections which included the sociodemographic, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Descriptive statistics was used to measure the prevalence and logistic regression to explore the association of depression with the background variables. Results: Out of 259, the majority were female. It was found that 19.3% of them were having depression. The associated factors were elderly without formal education (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR):2.38, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.07-5.31), cognitive impairment (aOR: 3.68, 95% CI 1.29-10.5), and marked dependence (aOR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.47-6.86). Conclusions: The prevalence of depression among elderly was considerably alarming. Health personnel whose managing elderly patients should take initiative at any given chances to screen for depression especially among those without formal education, cognitive impairment and marked dependent in their activities of daily living

Determining the association between oral health status and self-perceived oral health satisfaction among residents in the largest care home in East Coast Malaysia

Introduction: Little is known about the association between actual and selfperceived oral health status among residents living in a care home. This study aimed to assess their oral health status and to determine its association with their selfperceived oral health satisfaction. Materials and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2018 among 75 residents of Rumah Ehsan, Terengganu (the largest care home in east coast Malaysia). The oral health status and oral hygiene of the participants were examined. Their sociodemographic profile and self-perceived oral health status were collected through structured interviews. Chi-square, Man-Whitney, and multiple logistic regression tests were used to test the factors associated with the self-perceived oral health satisfaction of the participants. Results: Unsurprisingly, the majority of the participants had poor oral health with high median DMF-T score of 29.0 (IQR =12) and majority (86.7%) had poor oral hygiene. It was intriguing to know that the majority of them (64%) perceived they have good oral health status with 68% satisfied with their current oral health status. There was no significant association between their actual oral health status and their perceived satisfaction. However, increasing age, Malay and those eating dependently were less likely to satisfy with their oral health status. Meanwhile, those who were dependent on the staff to brush their teeth were more likely satisfied with their oral health status. Conclusion: There was a wide discrepancy between the actual and self-perceived oral health status among residents in care homes. Hence, it is crucial to improving awareness and knowledge among them in order to improve their oral health. Factors contributed to their oral health satisfaction should be acknowledged by all dental practitioners

Workplace violence: exploring the experience of workplace violence among healthcare practitioners in Klang Valley

Background: It is well known that the workplace violence among healthcare practitioners is higher than other profession, therefore every healthcare practitioner may experience workplace violence by becoming a victim from assault or interact with other coworkers who have been attacked. Training and education are crucial to minimize the possibility of becoming a victim of workplace attacks. However, there is a limited fundamental knowledge that could support the establishment of such the training and education within Malaysian healthcare setting. Aims: This study aimed to explore the experience of workplace violence among healthcare practitioners working in the major hospitals in Klang valley. Materials and Methods: Using a generic qualitative design, data were collected using face to face semi-structured interviews among 18 nurses, seven (7) medical assistants, and two (2) medical doctors. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using framework analysis. Results: Three themes were developed from the interview data, namely tolerating with violence culture, understanding multifaceted triggers and causes, and achieving positive organizational change. Most of the incidents recounted by the participants involved verbal violence, only a few responses described physical violence. They described that the most common reasons for workplace violence were congested clinical areas, shortage of staff, long waiting time, and failure in communication. Conclusion: Reinforcement of the existing standard guidelines, effective communication courses are recommended as strategies to prevent workplace violence in the hospital setting

A qualitative systematic review of healthcare practitioners’ experience of workplace violence

Healthcare practitioners face significant risks of workplace violence due to various reasons such as hospital congestion, miscommunication, and aggressive behaviours of patients and relatives. Exposure to workplace violence may disrupt the workflow process and compromise patient care in healthcare facilities, ultimately affecting job performance, reducing job satisfaction, and negatively affecting the physical and mental health of healthcare practitioners. This study aimed to review all the published studies conducted on the experiences of workplace violence among healthcare practitioners. This study is a systematic review of qualitative studies. Data were collected through online databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE and JSTOR were searched from the year 2015–2021. The inclusion criteria were: qualitative methods and mixed methods of data collection and analysis; studies that were carried out among healthcare practitioners who have been experience on workplace violence; scope of the primary studies included experience of workplace violence; and published in English/Malay in academic journal between 2015 and 2021. A total of 15 papers were included in the final analysis. The overall quality of the included papers was high. Of the 15 papers, 12 studies fully met the CASP criteria. The results of the 15 included studies were organized into the thematic groups of: i) verbal violence as the common workplace violence; ii) perceived causes of workplace violence and iii) seeking help. Across different countries, verbal violence was the most common type of workplace violence reported by healthcare practitioners. This review also identified that a lack of information, failure to meet patient expectations, and delayed treatment were the main contributing factors to workplace violence

Prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among healthcare providers in government health clinic in Kuantan, Pahang during Covid 19 pandemic

Burnout is defined as psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work with other people in some capacity, especially in demanding job like healthcare profesionals1 . • High level of burnout among healthcare providers has been associated with decreased work efficiency2 . • The aim of this study was to identify the extent of burnout among them and to identify its associated factors

Mental health status and psychosocial job determinant among employees in a Malaysian higher institution during the Covid-19 pandemic

Introduction: Workplace mental health is becoming significant in higher education. Employment is one of the factors that can impair an employee's mental health, restricting their capacity to function well. This study aimed to assess mental health status among employees in a higher institution in Kuantan and its association with sociodemographic and job characteristics. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted using a random email list. The employees were given the validated Malay versions of the DASS-21 and the Job Content Questionnaire. Results: Depression, anxiety, and stress were prevalent in 26.5%, 36.2% and 21.3% of these workers, respectively. Individuals who lived alone during the Covid-19 movement control order reported having stress symptoms (57.1%, p=0.04). Job insecurity was associated with anxiety (95% CI = 1.4, 11.71, p = 0.01) while lack of supervisor support showed higher risk of depression (AOR=7.4, 95% CI = 1.99, 27.5, p=0.003), anxiety (AOR=4.7, 95% CI = 1.15, 13.69, p=0.03), and stress (AOR=9.3, 95% CI = 2.09, 41.84, p=0.003). Conclusion: Our research concluded that this group of employees frequently reported depression, anxiety, and stress. The results also highlight the need for better support and job security from higher authoritie

Practice of Tahajjud among Undergraduate Medical Students in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and its relationship with poor sleep quality.

Tahajjud prayer is one of the highly-rated spiritual practices among Muslims. It is a prayer performs in the last third of the night after Isha’ prayer which requires a person to wake up from his/her sleep. Some may think that this practice may interfere with their sleep and may lead to poor sleep quality. Hence, it is very important to investigate and determine if there is any relationship between the practice of Tahajjud prayer and poor sleep quality. Furthermore, to date, there was no study done to assess this relationship ye

Practice of Tahajjud among Undergraduate Medical Students in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and its Relationship with Poor Sleep Quality

Tahajjud prayer is one of the highly rated spiritual practises among Muslims. It is a prayer performs in the last third of the night after Isha’ prayer, which requires a person to wake up from his sleep. This practice may interfere with their sleep and leads to poor sleep quality. This study aimed to assess the association between Tahajjud practice and poor sleep quality among medical students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 medical students in IIUM Kuantan using purposive and quota sampling. A validated self-reported questionnaire including Tahajjud practice and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were distributed from 17th May to 19th July 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to measure the practice of Tahajjud and the preva�lence of poor sleep quality. Logistic regression was used to measure the relationship between poor sleep quality and Tahajjud as well as other factors. The response rate was 91.2%. The median number of Tahajjud performed was 1 night per week. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 59.6%. Very interestingly, simple logistic regression anal�ysis revealed that those performing Tahajjud were 13% less likely to have poor sleep quality compared to those who did not perform it. However, multiple logistic regression failed to find any significant relationship between Tahajjud and poor sleep quality. It is crucial to highlight that Tahajjud prayer did not lead to poor sleep quality among medical students. Since it is a highly rated practice in Islam, they should be encouraged to perform it