The influence of online trust as moderator between online satisfaction and online loyalty among the internet banking users / Norhidayah Ali...[et al.]

The aim of this study was to observe the influence of online trust (OT) as moderator towards the relationship between online satisfaction (OS) and online loyalty (OL). The study was conducted among the internet banking users in Malaysia. Online trust has a pertinent impact on consumers’ attitudes especially when they are doing transactions or purchasing online. Concerns on online trust has resulted in customers churning away from one provider to another. The data collection procedure used in this study was probability sampling and survey questionnaire was adopted. The survey design selected was intercept study considering the nature of the industry as well as the respondents. Analysis was conducted through SPSS and Partial Least Squares (PLS) using SmartPLS software. There is a total of 160 completed and useable questionnaires for further analysis. Descriptive analysis, structural and measurement analyses were performed to investigate users’ profiles, the direct effect and the moderation effect of online trust. The study has concluded that online satisfaction and online loyalty has a positive direct effect relationship. On the contrary, online trust does not act as the moderator between online satisfaction and online loyalty

Comparison of access to medicines between Klang Valley and East Coast of peninsular Malaysia for children living in poor households

Purpose: To compare access to medicines in children living in poor households (income of USD1/person/day) between urbanised Klang Valley and rural East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with caregivers to determine demographics, access to medicines, knowledge, attitude and practice of parents in obtaining medicines for children.Results: There was no significant difference socio-demographically between poor households in Klang Valley (N = 58) and East Coast (N = 40). The study found that access to medicine for children (N = 325) in the households was adequate, where all households that reported illness in the children over the last 1 month and the last 6 month periods, obtained medicines and 99 % of the children were fully immunized. Qualitative analysis showed that poor households face several barriers in accessing medicines for their children such as financial, transportation, physical and attitudinal.Conclusion: Access to medicines for children living in poor households in both areas were similar and adequate. However, barriers to access remain and further studies are required.Keywords: Aaccess to medicine, Poor populations, Children, Klang Valley, Peninsular Malaysi

Short-acting β2-agonist prescription patterns and clinical outcomes in Malaysia: A nationwide cohort of the SABINA III study

Introduction: SABINA III assessed short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) prescription patterns and their association with asthma-related outcomes globally. Herein, we examined SABA prescription and clinical outcomes in the Malaysian cohort of SABINA III. Methods: In this observational, cross-sectional study, patients (≥12 years) were recruited between July and December 2019 from 15 primary and specialty care centres in Malaysia. Prescribed asthma treatments and severe exacerbation history within 12 months prior and asthma symptom control during the study visit were evaluated. Associations of SABA prescription with asthma control and severe exacerbation were analysed using multivariable regression models. Results: Seven hundred thirty-one patients (primary care, n=265 [36.3%]; specialty care, n=466 [63.7%]) were evaluated. The prevalence of SABA over-prescription (≥3 SABA prescriptions/year) was 47.4% (primary care, 47.1%; specialty care, 47.6%), 51.8% and 44.5% among all patients and patients with mild and moderate-to-severe asthma, respectively. Altogether 9.0% (n=66) purchased SABA without a prescription; among them, 43.9% (n=29) purchased ≥3 inhalers. The mean (standard deviation) number of severe asthma exacerbations was 1.38 (2.76), and 19.7% (n=144) and 25.7% (n=188) had uncontrolled and partly controlled symptoms, respectively. Prescriptions of ≥3 SABA inhalers (vs 1–2) were associated with lower odds of at least partly controlled asthma (odds ratio=0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.27–0.67) and higher odds of having severe exacerbation(s) (odds ratio=2.04; 95% CI=1.44–2.89). Conclusion: The prevalence of SABA over-prescription in Malaysia is high, regardless of the prescriber type, emphasising the need for healthcare providers and policymakers to adopt latest evidence-based recommendations to address this public health concern

Entrepreneurs in rural areas: Challenges and opportunities

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia play an important role in supporting new economic model that focuses on innovation and creative industry. A review of the relevant small business literature, however, revealed that there are limited studies attempting to investigate the issue of entrepreneurs in rural areas. This article attempts to study the role, contribution problems, and constraints related to the rural entrepreneurs, which may affect their operations, survival, growth, stability, and profitability. Using questionnaire and structured interview, the data for this study was collected from 700 rural entrepreneurs who had attended training and development programs conducted by Cooperative and Entrepreneur Development Institute(CEDI) UUM from 2006 until 2008. Findings of the study indicate that rural entrepreneurs are motivated by necessity-driven factors and not opportunity-driven factor when starting up their business. Nevertheless, the common problems and constraints that are faced by rural entrepreneurs ranging from lack of access to capital support scheme up to the outdated business vision and value. The results of the study would help authority to improve rural entrepreneurs program conducted by government agencies and policy related to entrepreneurs

Social and Environmental Sustainability, Workers’ Well-Being, and Affective Organizational Commitment in Palm Oil Industries

This paper examines the relationship between social and environmental sustainability and workers’ well-being as well as the mediation role of affective organizational commitment for those relationships through social exchange and stakeholder theories. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 112 workers employed in palm oil plantations in Malaysia. Structural equation modeling was then applied to examine the hypotheses. Findings show that social and environmental sustainability positively relates to workers’ well-being. We also found that affective commitment positively mediates social and environmental sustainability relationships with workers’ well-being. Our research findings have practical implications for various stakeholders, such as investors, policymakers, and managers in the palm oil industry. Our results highlight the importance of addressing the well-being of workers and the sustainability factors in palm oil plantations. This study suggests a widened perspective on sustainability factors and well-being which allows professionals to evaluate and enhance sustainability across their operations in a more comprehensive manner

SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in Malaysia: displacement of B.1.617.2 with AY lineages as the dominant Delta variants and the introduction of Omicron during the fourth epidemic wave

Objectives: This study reported SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing results from June 2021 to January 2022 from seven genome sequencing centers in Malaysia as part of the national surveillance program. Methods: COVID-19 samples that tested positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and with cycle threshold values <30 were obtained throughout Malaysia. Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 complete genomes was performed using Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, or Ion Torrent platforms. A total of 6163 SARS-CoV-2 complete genome sequences were generated over the surveillance period. All sequences were submitted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database. Results: From June 2021 to January 2022, Malaysia experienced the fourth wave of COVID-19 dominated by the Delta variant of concern, including the original B.1.617.2 lineage and descendant AY lineages. The B.1.617.2 lineage was identified as the early dominant circulating strain throughout the country but over time, was displaced by AY.59 and AY.79 lineages in Peninsular (west) Malaysia, and the AY.23 lineage in east Malaysia. In December 2021, pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia facilitated the introduction and spread of the BA.1 lineage (Omicron variant of concern) in the country. Conclusion: The changing trends of circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages were identified, with differences observed between west and east Malaysia. This initiative highlighted the importance of leveraging research expertise in the country to facilitate pandemic response and preparedness

SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in Malaysia: displacement of B.1.617.2 with AY lineages as the dominant Delta variants and the introduction of Omicron during the fourth epidemic wave

Objectives This study reported SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing results from June 2021 to January 2022 from seven genome sequencing centers in Malaysia as part of the national surveillance program. Methods COVID-19 samples that tested positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and with cycle threshold values <30 were obtained throughout Malaysia. Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 complete genomes was performed using Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, or Ion Torrent platforms. A total of 6163 SARS-CoV-2 complete genome sequences were generated over the surveillance period. All sequences were submitted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database. Results From June 2021 to January 2022, Malaysia experienced the fourth wave of COVID-19 dominated by the Delta variant of concern, including the original B.1.617.2 lineage and descendant AY lineages. The B.1.617.2 lineage was identified as the early dominant circulating strain throughout the country but over time, was displaced by AY.59 and AY.79 lineages in Peninsular (west) Malaysia, and the AY.23 lineage in east Malaysia. In December 2021, pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia facilitated the introduction and spread of the BA.1 lineage (Omicron variant of concern) in the country. Conclusion The changing trends of circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages were identified, with differences observed between west and east Malaysia. This initiative highlighted the importance of leveraging research expertise in the country to facilitate pandemic response and preparedness