ABSTRACT
@#A novel strain of coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It is the causative agent of a respiratory disease known as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). On 12th March 2020, it was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The aim of the study was to study the impact of MCO in terms of the academic performance and finance on the student population and to measure the level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards prevention of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) among a private university students in Malaysia. On 22nd April until 30th April 2020, a cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling method was conducted among 401 students using a self-administered online questionnaire survey. It was found that 272 (67.8%) of the respondents had a less negative impact of MCO while 129 (32.3%) of the respondent had a more negative impact of MCO. The findings show also 229 respondents (57.1%) have adequate knowledge. As for the attitude, about 237 respondents (59.1%) have an adequate attitude and only 191 respondents (47.6%) have adequate practice towards the prevention of COVID-19. There was a significant relationship between knowledge, attitude, and practice with family income, a significant relationship between knowledge and practice, a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude, a sig. relationship between knowledge, attitude, practice with university faculties, the relationship between knowledge and source of information. The MCO showed significant association with knowledge level and with practice, also MCO was less negatively impact on the medical faculty students with p-value 0.004. The MCO was more negatively impacting those with less family income. The study findings concluded that the majority of the participants had a fair level of knowledge, attitude, and a lesser level of good practice towards the prevention of COVID-19. However, the COVID-19 is still considered a global pandemic and has not resolved yet. Therefore, to minimize the risk of future COVID-19 cases current efforts to educate the public towards knowledge, attitude, and practice towards prevention of COVID-19 in public health should be done.
ABSTRACT
@#Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among women. The aim of the current study was to assess the factors affecting awareness and beliefs regarding breast cancer, among women living in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among women living in Selangor aged 18 to 65 years old, with a total of 483 participants. A validated questionnaire regarding awareness and belief was used. The questionnaires consist of 25 questions comprising of socio-demographic, history of other diseases, awareness and belief. The prevalence of poor awareness among women was 63.4%. while the poor level of belief was 84.7%. There was a significant association between awareness and educational background, family history of breast cancer (P=0.001, P=0.032) respectively. The association between awareness and belief was significant (P=0.02). As a conclusion: There is a high level of poor belief and poor awareness among women in Selangor, Malaysia regarding breast cancer. Source of information such as the internet plays a major role in breast cancer prevention, and the majority of them do not know the technique of breast self-examination. More health promotion is needed to target general population through big campaign of awareness.
ABSTRACT
The unstable living situation in Iraq in the last 10 years after 2003 war affected the daily life of most Iraqis, and especially the children. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of an unstable living environment on children’s health. A community-based qualitative study was done to collect data from 20 mothers of children (age 7 to 8years old) through in-depth interview (IDI). Data was recorded using tape recorders and was later transcribed and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis techniques. The majority of mothers interviewed said the past nine years of unstable security in the capital had affected their daily life; some mothers also expressed concern about their child’s nutritional status, their eating habits during the school day, and the unhealthy food being sold at school canteens. As a conclusion, the unstable living situations in Baghdad city after the last war had affected the cognitive and nutritional development of children. More precautions should be taken by parents to ensure their children safety in the future.
Subject(s)
Child , Economics , Social Conditions , Health , IraqABSTRACT
Great importance has been attributed to birth weight all over the world because it is considered as one of the best predictors of prenatal survival and a good indicator of quality life. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of low birth weight babies (LBW) and factors related to it in Baghdad city. A cross sectional study was carried out in four general hospitals in Baghdad city, Iraq. A total of 225 newborn babies, alive, singleton and without congenital malformation were selected randomly from these four general hospitals.The result of the study showed the prevalence rate of low birth weights was 21.3%. Mothers’ educational level, monthly family income, mothers with chronic hypertension, mothers with history of previous low birth weight infants and anemic mothers were significantly associated with low birth weight babies (P= 0.03, 0.01, 0.02,<0.01, 0.02) respectively. It is clearly evidenced the lack of equity in populations and disparity in socioeconomic status are common related factors for the low birth weight babies as can be seen as a public and global health problem.