Assessment of Vitamin D Level as a Risk Factor and Illness Severity Indicator in COVID 19 Cases

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2) viruses using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, to enter human cells, these receptors are highly expressed in the lung alveolar cells, vascular endothelium, cardiac myocytes, and other cells. Inadequate vitamin D levels in the blood have been linked to a higher risk of COVID-19 severity. Objective: To determine the association between Vitamin D level and severity of COVID-19 infection. Materials and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at Thumbay Hospital, Ajman, UAE. Enrolled 70 COVID-19 positive hospitalized patients with age group ≥ 18 years old of both genders. Patients taking vitamin D supplements were excluded from the study. The biochemical analysis for the collected blood samples was performed on the automated analyzer and assessed for significance analysis. Result: There is a statistically significant correlation between Vitamin D levels and disease severity (p < 0.05) as determined by Pearson's Chi-square test. Independent t-test shown that there is a statistically significant difference with regards to gender, age groups, and co morbidity (p < 0.05). Pearson's correlation revealed a moderate, positive correlation between Vitamin D levels and the severity of COVID-19 infection, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Vitamin D levels affect COVID-19 severity, with more severe cases showing vitamin D levels lower than normal when compared to severe cases with sufficient vitamin D levels. Furthermore, blood vitamin D levels are linked to age groups in COVID-19 patients. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, on the other hand, was not linked to a higher risk of death prognosis, and co morbidities. © Sabir SM, Ismail MK, Ibrahim EH, Khan ZA.

Covid-19: Analysis on financial wellbeing during the implementation of Movement Control Order in Malaysia

The Malaysian people's well-being has suffered as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. The welfare of Malaysians has also been impacted by the pandemic, as the Malaysian government has decided to implement Movement Control Orders (MCO) to prevent the virus from spreading throughout the country. Many Malaysian households' financial well-being has suffered as well due to the crisis consequences. Therefore, this study concentrated on the subjective financial well-being analysis of Malaysians during the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO). This is a quantitative study with 293 respondents, 163 of whom were from the B40 group and 130 from the M40 group. The descriptive analysis and Structure Equation Modelling (SEM) technique were used in the data analysis (SEM). The study found that the impact of expenses on financial well-being is greater in the "B40 income group" than in the "M40 income group." To support the financial well-being of B40 and M40 income groups, the government should implement an effective targeted policies, programmes, and incentives. Following the implementation of MCO in Malaysia, future research should focus on Malaysian households' financial well-being aspect.

Mental Health Disorder among Malaysian Universities Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

In Malaysia, the prevalence of mental diseases has risen dramatically over the last decade. University students tend to be particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of quarantine when compared to the general population. Indeed, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, young adults' mental health was already a global concern. Young adults (aged 16-24 years) have been demonstrated to be especially vulnerable to mental health difficulties during prior lockdowns. Furthermore, increased public and clinician knowledge of mental health issues has likely resulted in improved reporting and identification of mental disorders. The study aims to evaluate Malaysian students' mental health, particularly from private universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a quantitative research approach. Descriptive analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were used to analyze the data collected among university students in Malaysia. The results show that Malaysian university students were facing mental health issues due to high anxiety and depression. Furthermore, results of this study show that high level of depression, anxiety, and stress among Malaysian universities students incurred due to a drastic change in the education system especially in teaching delivery. Overall, this study will contribute to the advancement of research on the mental health and well-being of tertiary education students, particularly in Malaysia for their future growth and further development of the education system. © 2022. All Rights Reserved.

An Exploratory Factor Analysis on the Open and Distance Learning among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

Numerous educational institutions worldwide have halted face-to-face teaching and learning sessions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In Malaysia, the suspension began in March 2020, pushing educational institutions to transition to online classrooms and reshape their academic calendars for consecutive semesters. The reality of online classes necessitates a discussion about a new pedagogical work in which students and educators must understand how to manage online learning and make the most of online technologies. To do so, students must first gain an understanding of the difficulties inherent in open and distance learning (ODL). From the perspective of students, this article examines the difficulties associated with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a sample, 495 students from UiTM Terengganu who were actively engaged in online learning activities were included in this study. In this study, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to analyse the data in order to determine which factors contributed to ODL challenges faced by UiTM Terengganu students. Findings showed, the most significant challenges for the majority of students are technology and the internet. Additional concerns raised included interaction between students and lecturers, psychological issues, difficult assessments, and self-management. The significance of the study is that the university can take the initiative to address the primary challenges faced by students thereby increasing the effectiveness of ODL in the future. © 2022. All Rights Reserved.

Covid-19: B40 household's financial and consumption during the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO)

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused the Malaysian Government to take steps to implement the Movement Control Order (MCO). According to Bank Negara Malaysia, the implementation of MCO will have an impact on national incomes, with Malaysia's estimated economic growth in 2020. The effect of MCO not only affects the macro level, but also at the micro level, particularly those groups of households with the lowest income of 40%. (B40). The B40 income group is a group of households that are expected to face high economic risk and directly affect their patterns of consumption during the implementation of the MCO. This study contributes to the empiric study related to COVID-19 and the implementation of MCO in the B40 group. This study analysed the pattern of financial and consumption of B40 households in Malaysia during the implementation of MCO. The findings show that the financial situation of the B40 household has changed the patterns of daily consumption following the implementation of the MCO. © 2021 Malaysian Institute Of Planners. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Outbreak: An Analysis of Malaysian Household Income Class during Movement Control Order (MCO)

The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused the Malaysian Government to take several steps towards the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO). According to Bank Negara Malaysia, the implementation of MCO affects the national income with the estimated economic growth of Malaysia in 2020 which is expected to be around -2% to 0.5%. The effects of MCO due to COVID-19 not only affects the macro level but at micro level as well, especially those group of households. The group of households were expected to face high economic risk and directly affect their consumption patterns during the implementation of MCO. This study will analyze the pattern of households’ consumption in Malaysia based on different income groups which is B40 and M40 during the implementation of MCO due to the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show that the groups of household experienced changes in daily consumption patterns after the implementation of MCO. In addition, due to insufficient savings, this has caused the households stay anxious of their consumption especially if the MCO is further extended for longer period. © 2021 Ascociacion Internacional de Economia Aplicada. All rights reserved.