Applying health belief model for the assessment of community knowledge, attitude and prevention practices following a dengue epidemic in a township in Selangor, Malaysia

Background: Dengue fever is endemic in Malaysia and continues to be a public health concern. Selangor was the top hit and there is a paucity of information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Bandar Baru Bangi residents regarding dengue infection. Therefore, the objective of this study is to describe dengue related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of residents of Bandar Baru Bangi.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 152 residents from Section 3 and Section 8, Bandar Baru Bangi attending the dengue awareness events was conducted. The information on socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and their knowledge, attitude and practice on dengue fever was collected using a structured questionnaire.Results: The results showed that the residents only 52% had sufficient knowledge about the dengue vectors, signs, symptoms, and modes of transmission. However, approximately all the respondents considered dengue as serious but preventable disease to which they are vulnerable to. Television/radio was the predominant sources of information about dengue fever. Knowledge on dengue is associated with prevention practice. But the self-efficacy has a significant impact between the owner and tenant house (p=0.010, p<0.05). Female has higher self-efficacy compare to male.Conclusions: As conclusion, findings suggest that despite the residents of Bandar Baru Bangi have moderate knowledge level about dengue fever nevertheless; they still adopted the preventive measures suggested by the guidelines from Ministry of Health. Therefore, health program planners and practitioners need to identify why the dengue fever still rampant among the population.

Microbiological Assessment of Food Contact Surfaces in Residential College Cafeterias at a Local University in Malaysia / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

A food premise’s sanitation level can be reflected by the cleanliness of its food contact surfaces. Contaminated foodcontact surfaces along with poor handling methods by food handlers may increase the risk of foodborne diseasesthrough cross-contamination events. This study aimed to assess the microbiological contamination levels on food contactsurfaces of 12 residential college cafeterias in a local university and its correlation with the cafeteria’s premise grade.The presence of selected indicator and pathogenic microorganisms (total viable count (TVC), total coliform, Escherichiacoli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp.) on food contact surfaces were also determined. Cuttingboards, knives and utensils (cutleries, bowls and plates) that were used for ready-to-eat food were sampled for this study.The cafeteria’s premise grade was obtained based on the food premise inspection report by the university Health Centre.Three cafeterias have significantly higher (p 0.01). This study demonstrated that the sanitation level of food contact surfaces in the residentialcollege cafeterias was only average. Improvements need to be done to increase the sanitation level of the cafeterias, thusassuring the safety of the food for consumers.

Musculoskeletal Discomfort And Its Associated Risk Factors Among Train Drivers

@#Musculoskeletal Discomfort And Its Associated Risk Factors Among Train Drivers This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among train drivers in Kuala Lumpur. In this cross-sectional study, 44 train drivers were interviewed using a self-administered questionnaire consists of socio-demographic information and occupational exposure; and a modified Nordic Standardised Questionnaire for questions related to musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms. Results showed that lower back (18.6%) are the most reported discomfort among train drivers, followed by neck (16.7%), knee (13.7%), and upper back (13.7%). Statistical analysis using Chi-square showed there is a significant association between discomfort in the neck with age (p<0.05), length of service (p<0.05), and the perception of driver’s seat comfort and suitability (P<0.001). Previous working experience, driving duration, and shift work were associated with shoulder, wrist and thigh discomfort. This study suggested that further investigation and early control measure need to be done to prevent the risk of the musculoskeletal problem among train drivers.

The Impact of Air Pollution and Haze on Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases

Air pollution has been widely known to have an influence on health of the general population. Air pollution can result from natural causes, human activities and transboundary air pollution. Weather and climate play crucial role in determining the pattern of air quality. In recent years, air pollution and recurrent episodes of haze has become a major concern in Malaysia. Surveillance data on concentrations of main air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, (CO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM10) were found to be higher during the haze days and this may have an impact on health of the community as reflected by an increase in hospital admissions particularly the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Physical Activity And Low Back Pain Among Automotive Industry Workers In Selangor

Substantial studies reported musculoskeletal disorders among the working population in the developed country, however, a limited number of studies were conducted in Malaysia. The objective of this cross sectional study was to determine the physical activity risk factors for low back pain among automotive workers in Selangor. Modified Risk Factors Questionnaire (RFQ) was used to assess physical activity with the occurrence of low back pain. The significant physical activities associated with the 12 months point prevalence are lifting weight (<5 kg and 11-23 kg) and climbing stairs, not using any mechanical lifting aid, and postures (extreme bending, pushing and pulling, standing, kneeling, and bending and twisting). These findings indicate that the occupational risk factors mainly the physical demands were significant risk for low back pain among manual material handling (MMH) workers. Work task and workstation design should be regularly evaluated and corrective measures need to be taken. In addition, proper lifting technique and occupational safety and health promotion program should be emphasized among MMH workers.

Personal and Psychosocial Risk Factor for Low Back Pain among Automotive Manual Handling Workers in Selangor, Malaysia

It is well known that low back pain among working population is a global problem throughout the world. However, the current situation of occupational low back pain in Malaysia is still vague due to limited number of studies conducted locally. A cross sectional study was conducted among three automotive industry workers in Selangor, Malaysia from October 2010 to April 2011. This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among automotive industry workers performing manual material handling tasks using self-administered questionnaire survey. A modified Standardised Nordic Questionnaire was used to assess low back pain problem, to obtain personal and psychosocial risk factors information. The prevalence of low back pain showed increment in the point prevalence of 57.9%, 49.5%, and 35.1 % for 12 months, one month, and of 7 days respectively. Working hour, frequency of overtime, stress at work, work pace, and faster movement were found to be significantly associated with the 12 months prevalence for low back pain. This finding indicates that psychosocial risk factors are associated to the occurrence of low back pain.

The COMBI Approach in Managing Dengue Cases in an Urban Residential Area, Nilai, Malaysia

Dengue is a disease propagated by vectors namely Aedes spp. mosquitoes. One of the effective approaches to control dengue is through integrated vector management and intervention programs. COMBI or Communication for Behavioral Impact is a strategic approach to control the Aedes population as well as dengue cases. This study was conducted at Taman Desa Kolej, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, an suburban residential area to determine the effectiveness of COMBI, by using questionnaire and entomological survey as well as implementation of an intervention program. We carried out activities such as the establishment of COMBI promoter team, clean up events, talk shows with the residential community and distributed pamphlets containing information about dengue. Results indicated significant difference (p<0.05) on the knowledge, opinion and practices about dengue among the residents, for the pre and post intervention program. The entomological survey showed that, the primary mosquito species in this area was Aedes albopictus which comprised of 78 (31%) of the total mosquitoes examined, followed by Culex gelidus of 58 (23%), Culex quinquefasciatus of 37 (14.7%) and Aedes aegypti of 21 (8.3%). The density of Aedes population did not show any significant difference. In conclusion, COMBI intervention was effective in controlling dengue cases in Taman Desa Kolej.

Neurobehavioral performance of estate residents with privately-treated water supply

Neurotoxicants present in water supply may affect human functions in terms of attention, response speed and perceptual motor speed. Neurobehavioural performance can be influenced by gender, age and education levels. This study aims to assess the neurobehavioral performance of palm oil estate residents with private water supply in southern Peninsular of Malaysia. A total of 287 and 246 participants from estates with private [PWS] and public water supply [PUB] were recruited to complete a demographic and subjective symptom questionnaire followed by the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery [NCTB]. PWS participants who consumed privately-treated water performed poorly in all NCTB tests compared to PUB participants except for Santa Ana test. Significant group differences in neurobehavioral performance were found for Digit Span Backward [P=0.047], Benton Visual Retention [P=0.006] and Trail Making B tests [P<0.05]; which measures the function of memory, attention and visual perception-conceptual. Gender, age and years of education influenced the NCTB scores [P<0.05]. Female participants performed poorly in tests measuring latency but excellently tackled those tests that determined association. Younger participants from both PWS and PUB performed better on NCTB tests when compared to other age groups [P<0.05]. PWS and PUB participants in this study who received a longer duration of education excelled in the NCTB tests [P=0.000]. Poor neurobehavioral performance is associated with low water supply quality which affects neurofunctions in terms of attention, memory, response and perceptual motor speed

A Preliminary Study of Blastocystis hominis in Some Development Areas in Alor Gajah District Melaka / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

A descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis in children aged between 1-12 years old from randomly selected villages in Alor Gajah district Melaka. The sampling was carried out from 1st to 7th of July of 2006. A total of 48 faecal samples were obtained from the children in those studied villages. The faecal specimens were examined by direct saline wet moun, formalin ethyl acetate concentration and trichrome staining method. It was found that 45.8% (22 out of 48) of the examined children were infected with Blastocystis hominis . Based on the results, the cumulative prevalence of three methods used showed that Blastocystis hominis infection in female children higher compared to male children. Whilst the schooling children aged of 6 to 12 years had a higher prevalence than pre school children at the age of 1-5 years. In term of diagnosis, formalin ethyl acetate concentration method showed prevalence of detection at 60.9%. It was followed by direct saline wet mount (43.5%) and trichrome staining at 34.8%.