Safety Habits of Malaysian Drivers: A study in a Semi-Urban Community in Kedah, Malaysia, April 2019.

Background: Road traffic accidents contribute to a significant proportion of burden of disease in Malaysia. Despite the number of campaigns and initiatives, the trend seems to be increasing. In 2016, 80.6% of road accidents in Malaysia were caused by human error. The number of vehicles increases annually. Our objectives are to assess the safety habits of drivers in a local community in the state of Kedah.  Methodology: A cross-sectional study, using face-to-face questionnaire on randomly selected residents in two semi-urban housing estates located side by side. Sample size was calculated to be 108, based on 200 households, confidence interval 95% and margin of error 5%. The domains covered knowledge and safety habits including usage of seat belts and helmets, conforming to speed limits, and breaking the law. Data was analysed using SPSSv22.0.  Results: There were 112 households visited. Residents who always: use seatbelts (80.4%), wear helmets(87.5%), obey speed limits (75.9%) and check condition of vehicle before use(83.9%). Four respondents have not had their vehicle insured. Beating traffic lights regularly (39.3%), not using headlights when required (19.8%) and not using fluorescent vest when riding in the dark (55.4%). Another 18.8% admitted to using mobile phones when driving. Totally 59.8% have been compounded or received summons for traffic offences.  Reasons include speeding, double parking, and unsafe car modifications. Conclusion: Safety habits in this community are mostly limited to wearing seat belts and helmets. There appears to a lax attitude on road safety. When they think they would not be caught, they take chances and commit traffic offences. Campaigns need to focus in rural areas and not solely in urban

Knowledge, Perception and Practice of Malaysian Residents on Covid-19 during the Period of the Conditional Movement Control Order

Introduction: Since Malaysia’s first case of Covid-19 was detected early February 2020, cases slowly increased. A Movement Control Order (MCO) was imposed on 18th March 2020 to control spread of the disease. Information on the MCO, the required social behaviour was disseminated through the media. From 4th May 2020 the MCO restrictions were relaxed - thence referred to as the Conditional Movement Order (CMCO). This lasted till 9th June. This study was to determine knowledge, perception, and practice of residents during the CMCO to see if they adhered to the new norms.  Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria was residents of Malaysia aged 20 to 70 years. A pretested questionnaire with internal validity of 0.751 was used via Google forms. Data converted into categorical variables and analysed using SPSSv23. Statistically significant was p<0.05. Spearman’s co-relation used to determine linear relationship between knowledge and practice and between perception and practice. Results:  We had a total of 420 respondents. Significant association of knowledge with age group, marital status, employment, and education level. Good practice was significantly associated with marital status, employment, and education level. A weak but significant relationship between knowledge and practice and between perception and practice. From all, 8.1% feel that Covid-19 is not a dangerous disease Conclusion: Residents in Malaysia had good knowledge on the new social norms during the CMCO. Overall perceptions and practice scored lower. Focus should be on Health education to ensure residents do not revert to old lifestyle so soon