Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Dengue Cases in Peninsular Malaysia: A five-year analysis from 2016 to 2020

Dengue fever is one of the most common vector-borne diseases spread by Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitos. The regional and temporal trends of dengue cases in East Malaysia are investigated in this study. The study aims to assess the prevalence of dengue cases across 91 districts in Peninsular Malaysia from 2016 to 2020 and, hence, to identify dengue disease's hotspot and cold spot regions. By using ArcGIS, summarised yearly data of dengue cases were analysed. The study results showed that dengue cases mainly occurred in the central part of Peninsular Malaysia. Keywords: GIS; Vector-borne diseases; Aedes; Spatial epidemiology eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i20.348

Fungal Assemblages on Indoor Surfaces with Visible Mold Growth in Homes after the 2016 Flood Disaster in Thailand

Southern Thailand suffers from floods due to heavy rainfalls every year. Post-flood increases in indoor fungi are a public health concern. Here, we investigated fungal assemblages on indoor surfaces with visible mold growth in homes after the 2016 flood disaster in Trang Province in Southern Thailand, using swab sampling followed by high-throughput DNA sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer 1 region. The most abundant phyla detected were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, with respective mean relative abundances of 87% and 13%. The dominant genera and their mean relative abundances were Leptospora (12.0%), Cystobasidium (7.7%), and Pyrenochaetopsis (6.5%). P-tests showed that indoor visible fungal assemblages in flooded homes in Thailand were significantly different from those in the non-flooded mold-laden homes observed in our previous study in South Korea. We detected 20 genera that contain species that can induce type I allergies, including Alternaria (3.8%) and Trichoderma (4.0%). Genera related to infectious, melanized, and toxigenic fungi were also detected. Indoor fungal measurements gathered using a DNA-based approach revealed fungal communities in homes in Thailand and provide important information about the potential health risks. Future research should examine the fungal infections and allergies that might be caused by flood disasters in less well studied tropical countries

A mapping review on safety culture in Malaysian industries: a research report from 2007 to 2022

Optimising a companys safety culture is a tool for reducing and preventing workplace accidents. However, the variables that affect safety culture across industries have not been thoroughly studied and are rarely discussed in previous research. The objective of this study is to identify the factors that affect a companys safety culture across industries in Malaysia over the past decade. In this systematic review study, the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) method was used. The Scopus and Web of Science databases were used for these qualitative studies, which identified seven industries engaged in safety culture research between 2007 and 2022. The research found that behavioural factors were the most important aspect of safety culture, followed by situational and psychological factors. Nineteen elements of safety culture and three main research objectives of safety culture in different industries were identified within the study period. In addition, a different preference of the elements of safety culture was found in different industries in Malaysia. In conclusion, a systematic review study provides researchers, companies, practitioners, and policy makers with a snapshot of the Malaysian safety culture landscape and the elements preferred by different industries to reduce occupational accidents in the future

Environmental factors influencing indoor airborne fungi in students dormitory – a case study in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Background: Indoor airborne fungi are a significant health concern that can cause respiratory symptoms and other health problems. Indoor fungi are influenced by various factors such as meteorological conditions and dwelling characteristics. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the association between indoor airborne fungi and environmental factors in a student dormitory in southern Thailand. Material and methods: The study was conducted at Walailak University in southern Thailand from September to December 2020. Air samples were collected from rooms in thirteen dormitories, and the fungal load was determined using the passive air sampling method. The study also measured meteorological parameters and gathered data on occupant behaviors and exposure-related symptoms through a self-administered questionnaire. Results: In a total of 135 student rooms, the average concentration (mean ± SD) of indoor airborne fungi was 409.72±176.22 CFU/m3, which showed the highest concentration on the first floor. For meteorological parameters, the averages of RH (%), temperature (°C), and CO2 (ppm) were 70.99±2.37, 31.11±0.56 and 413.29±76.72, respectively. The abundance of indoor airborne fungi was positively associated with an increase in RH (β=0.267, 95% CI: 5.288, 34.401) and building height (β=0.269, 95% CI: 16.283, 105.873), with values of 19.845 and 61.078, respectively. Conversely, temperature exhibited a negative effect on indoor airborne fungi (-92.224, β=-0.292, 95% CI: 150.052, -34.396). Conclusion: The findings highlight the influence of RH, temperature and building height on indoor airborne fungi in the student dormitory. Therefore, effective management strategies are necessary to improve indoor air quality and reduce associated health risks in student dormitories

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

Evaluation on the effects ofdifferent plant matter in water on Aedes aegypti development (Diptera: Culicidae)

Knowledge on the factors associated with the development of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) can provide a better understanding of vector surveillance and encourage prevention practices for Aedes control strategy. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of different plant materials contained in the water in artificial container towards the development of Ae. aegypti. This is an experimental research that involve triplication of artificial containers each filled with a total of 30 eggs exposed to different plant materials (twig, dry grasses and dry leaves) at different concentration (i.e., 1.7 g/l, 2.5 g/l and 3.3 g/l) respectively. Observation on the development day, number or larvae at each fourth instar, and pupation period were monitored daily until adult emergence under controlled environment in insectarium. The experiment indicated that the time period required for the development of larvae was positively influenced by the presence of plant materials found in water for a conducive larval growth environment. This study revealed that the presence of plant materials contained in the water of breeding habitat support the development of Ae. aegypti larvae until its adult emergence. In conclusion, organic matters present in plant materials were identified as responsible factors in response to the development time of Ae. aegypti larvae during their aquatic stage

Knowledge and practice of facemask disposal among university students in Thailand: A new normal post the COVID-19 pandemic.

The use of facemasks is essential to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. University students are a significant demographic that generates substantial infectious waste due to the new normal practice of using disposable facemasks. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the facemask disposal knowledge and practices among university students in Thailand between September and October 2022. We used a self-report questionnaire comprising 29 questions to determine the students' demographic characteristics and facemask disposal knowledge and practices. We then applied a logistic regression model to estimate the association between the students' facemask disposal knowledge and practices and their demographic characteristics. A total of 433 participants completed the questionnaire comprising health science (45.27%) and non-health science (54.73%) students. Surgical masks were the most popular masks (89.84%), followed by N95 (26.33%) and cloth masks (9.94%). While their levels of knowledge regarding facemask disposal were poor, the students' practices were good. The factors associated with proper facemask disposal were sex (AOR = 0.469, 95% CI: 0.267, 0.825), academic grade (AOR = 0.427, 95% CI: 0.193, 0.948), and knowledge level (AOR = 0.594, 95% CI: 0.399, 0.886). No demographic factors influenced knowledge. Our findings highlight the influence of facemask disposal knowledge on students' disposal practices. Information promoting the appropriate disposal practices should therefore be promoted extensively. Furthermore, continuous reinforcement by raising awareness and educating students on proper facemask disposal combined with the provision of adequate infectious waste disposal facilities could help reduce the environmental contamination of infectious waste and thus improve general waste management

Knowledge and practice of facemask disposal among university students in Thailand: A new normal post the COVID-19 pandemic

The use of facemasks is essential to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. University students are a significant demographic that generates substantial infectious waste due to the new normal practice of using disposable facemasks. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the facemask disposal knowledge and practices among university students in Thailand between September and October 2022. We used a self-report questionnaire comprising 29 questions to determine the students’ demographic characteristics and facemask disposal knowledge and practices. We then applied a logistic regression model to estimate the association between the students’ facemask disposal knowledge and practices and their demographic characteristics. A total of 433 participants completed the questionnaire comprising health science (45.27%) and non-health science (54.73%) students. Surgical masks were the most popular masks (89.84%), followed by N95 (26.33%) and cloth masks (9.94%). While their levels of knowledge regarding facemask disposal were poor, the students’ practices were good. The factors associated with proper facemask disposal were sex (AOR = 0.469, 95% CI: 0.267, 0.825), academic grade (AOR = 0.427, 95% CI: 0.193, 0.948), and knowledge level (AOR = 0.594, 95% CI: 0.399, 0.886). No demographic factors influenced knowledge. Our findings highlight the influence of facemask disposal knowledge on students’ disposal practices. Information promoting the appropriate disposal practices should therefore be promoted extensively. Furthermore, continuous reinforcement by raising awareness and educating students on proper facemask disposal combined with the provision of adequate infectious waste disposal facilities could help reduce the environmental contamination of infectious waste and thus improve general waste management

Evaluation of the effect of rainfall on COVID-19 transmission in Terengganu, Malaysia

One of the variables leading to the global spread of COVID-19 cases is the weather, which includes temperature and air quality. In this study, an investigation of the association between precipitation and COVID-19 cases was conducted to provide useful information on the possibility of this climate factor (precipitation) on the progression of COVID-19 cases for an appropriate management strategy. Secondary COVID-19 and rainfall data obtained from the Ministry of Health and the Meteorological Department in Malaysia were used for the study. The collected data were subjected to Pearson correlation analysis. The results of this study showed that both rainy days and rainfall amount were insignificant to COVID-19 cases, indicating that rainfall amount was not associated with COVID-19 transmission in Terengganu, Malaysia. Thus, this discovery could be used to inform individual and COVID-19 supervisors and the government as it prepares for the new weather season

An investigation of the spatial distribution of dengue cases in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

In recent decades, dengue fever has spread throughout developing countries, including Malaysia. Understanding the distribution pattern is thus important for the sustainability of urbanization. The goal of this study is to examine the trend of dengue cases reported in Johor Bahru District from 2015 to 2019, as well as the spatial pattern of dengue transmission in relation to weather parameters. The distribution pattern and spatial mean centre for dengue cases were found to be localized in the centre of Johor Bahru region, according to spatial statistical analysis. The extended polygon of dengue cluster spanned from the east to the west of Johor Bahru district, according to directional distribution. The least standard distance for dengue cases was 0.104 m in 2015, and the greatest was 0.120 m in 2018, whereas dengue cases in 2016, 2017, and 2019 were measured at 0.111 m and 0.116 m, 0.106 m respectively. Dengue cases in Johor Bahru district were likewise concentrated, according to the average nearest neighbour analysis. Temperature (r = 0.222) was found to be positively connected with dengue cases, although rainfall (r = −0.124) and relative humidity (r = −0.152) were in contrast with dengue cases throughout the five years of study period. The outcomes of the these spatial statistical analyses revealed that dengue cases concentrated in the east to west of the research region from 2015 to 2019. Temperature is determined to be a substantial positive factor correlated for most study years