ABSTRACT
Since the first declaration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, massive number of efforts have been taken to develop and deploy the COVID-19 vaccines. However, there might be hesitation towards the vaccines as there were reports of side effects. This study evaluates the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance of the Malaysian public via an online survey hosted in a COVID-19 vaccination acceptance roadshow event. This study gives an insight to the level of vaccination acceptance of the Malaysian public, while at the same time highlights the possible reasons that vaccination rejection may occur in perspectives that are specific to Malaysians. The overall vaccination acceptance of the Malaysian public is high, as most of them either prefer to get vaccinated or already been vaccinated. Most of them have good knowledge on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and the importance of vaccination. However, the respondents may have differing opinions on their confidence level towards vaccines by specific manufacturers. These findings give an insight into the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance level of the Malaysian public and may possibly aid in effort for vaccination acceptance should there be any form of pandemic as severe as the COVID-19 pandemic occurring in the future. © 2023, Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Since the first declaration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in December 2019, the pandemic has brought some significant lifestyle changes among the people across the globe. There might be some underestimation in the severity level of COVID-19 among younger people, specifically around the age group of undergraduates. This study evaluated the awareness level of Malaysian undergraduates towards COVID-19 in Malaysia via an online survey hosted in a COVID-19 awareness roadshow event. This study highlighted the importance of high awareness level of the pandemic among undergraduates and their impact towards managing the spread of the pandemic to the vulnerable population. The respondents were information technology (IT) undergraduates from Multimedia University Melaka Campus, Malaysia. The overall awareness level of the undergraduates is high. Most respondents had a clear understanding on the effects of personal hygiene and personal protective equipment to avoid getting infected with COVID-19, as well as where to go if they got infected with the coronavirus. Most respondents also showed decent knowledge in identifying the basic symptoms of COVID-19. These findings give an insight into the COVID-19 awareness level among undergraduates and may help the policymakers and university managements to control the spread of COVID-19 and other emerging infections. © 2022, Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated use of technology like videoconferencing (VC) in healthcare settings to maintain clinical teaching and continuous professional development (CPD) activities. Sociomaterial theory highlights the relationship of humans with sociomaterial forces, including technology. We used sociomaterial framing to review effect on CPD learning outcomes of morbidity and mortality meetings (M&M) when changed from face-to-face (FTF) to VC. Methods: All surgical department staff were invited to participate in a survey about their experience of VC M&M compared to FTF M&M. Survey questions focused on technological impact of the learning environment and CPD outcomes. Respondents used 5-point Likert scale and free text for qualitative responses. De-identified data was analysed using Chi-squared comparative analysis with p<0.05 significance, and qualitative responses categorised. Results: Of 42 invited, 30 (71.4%) responded. There was no significant difference in self-reported perception of CPD learning outcomes between FTF and VC M&M. Participants reported that VC offered more convenient meeting access, improved ease of presentation and viewing but reduced engagement. VC technology allowed alternative communication channels that improved understanding and increased junior participation. Participants requested more technological support, better connectivity and guidance on VC etiquette. Conclusion: VC technology had predictable effects of improved access, learning curve problems and reduced interpersonal connection. Sociomaterial perspective revealed additional unexpected VC behaviours of chat box use that augmented CPD learning. Recognising the sociocultural and emotional impact of technology improves planning and learner support when converting FTF to VC M&M. © 2021 TAPS. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
This paper proposed an Interactive Online Roadshow Model that comprises three components which are Roadshow Core, Delivery Agent and Digital Interface. The model is developed in action to the impact of physical engagement difficulties during COVID-19, the global pandemic that forced individuals to keep social distance between each other. Thus, it aims to lower the business impact from movement control order that significantly reduces the level of engagement towards the public physically while enhancing stability, flexibility and usability by using digital devices. The proposed model complies essential criteria of physical roadshow in the Roadshow Core component as the fundamental elements of a roadshow. By leveraging the VARK Learning Model, the proposed framework urges a higher degree of engagement for better understanding and deeper impression to overcome the inefficient of non-face-to-face interaction in an Online Roadshow with dynamic advertising and interactive content delivered by Delivery Agent. The Digital Interface in the proposed model allows participants without physical contact, eliminating them from constraints of specific geographical location and time, alternatively lays the foundation for any Online Roadshow implementations. This launches the next generation marketing era that leverages the rising capability of the Internet and big data waves. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.