Recommendation for Improvement in COVID-19 Vaccine Program in Malaysia: An Online Nationwide Qualitative Survey

@#Introduction: Maintaining high levels of vaccinations is important for public health success in any vaccination planning. Success requires a better understanding of the public’s perceptions of diseases and consequent decisions about vaccinations. This study aims to gather exploratory qualitative data on public opinion on the Malaysian Government’s COVID-19 immunization campaigns. Methods: Open-ended question on Google Form was advertised online between 2 to 17 December 2020. The questionnaire form was deactivated when saturation has been reached. The free text questions were analysed by qualitative thematic analysis by all authors on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Results: Six hundred and sixty-one participants replied to the online questionnaire. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis on suggestions for future National COVID-19 Immunisation Program. First, COVID-19 vaccine administration policy; secondly, knowledge dissemination and plan to address obstacles of public acceptances towards the vaccine proactively; thirdly, better implementation programs by the government and fourthly, using local research expertise for vaccine development and alternative medicines. Participants believe all this are essential in increasing their trust and uptake for the government’s future national COVID-19 Immunisation Program. Conclusion: This study highlights the suggestions made by the public for the Malaysian Government. These findings will help develop education and intervention strategies for new vaccine introduction to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

Parental perception of children’s weight status and sociodemographic factors associated with childhood obesity

@#Introduction: The trend of childhood obesity is on the rise and hence leading towards the increase in obesity related complications. Early recognition of obesity in children and accurate parental perception of the status of the weight of their children is vital. Furthermore, identification of sociodemographic risk factors contributing to obesity is crucial in order to identify children who are in the risk group and thus prevent potential complications. This study is aimed to establish the parental perception of the status of the weight of their children. Secondly, the study also to identify the sociodemographic risk factors associated with obesity in children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 245 children from 5 to 12 years of age. Following informed consent, the children were classified into either normal (body mass index (BMI) >5th to <85th percentile), overweight (BMI >85th to <95th percentile) or obese (BMI >95th percentile) groups. Parents responded to questionnaires which assessed their perception and sociodemographic factors. Results: A total of 157 participants (64.1%) had normal BMI while 41(16.7%) were overweight and 47(19.2%) were obese. More parents of overweight and obese group had misperceptions of their children’s weight status (p=0.001). Families with higher household income, children with higher birth weight, higher education of mothers and family history of obesity and type 2 diabetes had increased risk of higher BMI among their children (p=0.029, p=0.013, p=0.041 and p=0.001 respectively). Conclusions: Most parents of either overweight or obese children had inaccurate perception of the status of weight of their children. Higher household income, birth weight and education level of the mothers as well as history of diabetes and obesity in the family are associated with increased risk of childhood obesity

Healthy Hands: Development and Evaluation of a Knowledge Transfer Program

Abstract@#Introduction: Children in pre-schools are at high risk of getting infections due to overcrowding, minimal awareness of basic hygiene and lack of immunity against microorganisms. Hand hygiene practice should be started at home where parents set good example, followed by formal education in pre- schools, primary and secondary school. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive program on hand hygiene practice in pre-schools. This paper presents the developmental aspects of the program material and the results of its evaluation process in a selected pre-school. Methods: Stage of development involved preparation of song, lyric, video clip, infographic and tablet application. The module was introduced during an intervention day called ‘Healthy Hands’ day. The acceptance of the module was evaluated before and after the intervention day. Evaluation was done by assessing pre-school children by faceto-face interview about knowledge on hand hygiene techniques and routine, such as before or after certain activities. Results: We managed to compose a song in three languages (Malay, English & Arabic), produced a video clip, an infographic and tablet application. A total of 227 children participated. Post intervention evaluation showed significant (p<0.001) increase of knowledge for eight out of eleven handwashing steps. The knowledge on hand hygiene routine i.e. after toilet, after playing outdoor, after sneezing and after playing with pet was also increased significantly. Conclusion: This comprehensive knowledge transfer program significantly improved the children’s hand hygiene techniques and routine and is recommended to be integrated into pre-school curriculum.