Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of heat strain score index (HSSI) into the Malay language.

Concerns about the health and safety of working populations as well as preventive actions to reduce heat-related illnesses and fatalities have intensified as global warming and heatwaves continue to rise as a result of climate change. This study aimed to translate and culturally-adapted the translated Malay version of the Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI) questionnaire so that it can be utilized as a screening tool for heat stress among the Malay-speaking outdoor workers. The original English version of HSSI underwent forward-backward translation and was cross-culturally adapted into the Malay language by bilingual translators based on established guidelines. The content validation was reviewed by a six-member expert committee including the representative of outdoor workers. Face validation was carried out among 10 outdoor workers involved with various work tasks. Psychometric analysis was conducted based on a cross-sectional study among 188 workers who were eligible. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used for construct validity while internal consistency reliability was performed using Cronbach's alpha. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to calculate the test-retest reliability. Both content and face validity were acceptable with the overall content validity index being 1.00, while the universal face validity index was 0.83. The factor analysis using varimax rotation extracted four factors which explained 56.32% of the cumulative percentage of variance and factor loading ranging from 0.415 to 0.804. The internal consistency reliability was acceptable with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.705 to 0.758 for all the factors. The overall ICC value was 0.792 (95% CI; 0.764-0.801) which signifies good reliability. The findings from this study indicate that the Malay version of HSSI is a reliable and culturally-adapted instrument. Further validation is needed so that it can be used extensively assess the heat stress among susceptible Malay-speaking outdoor workers in Malaysia who are exposed to hot humid environments.

Prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-24 months under poverty alleviation policy in Shanxi province, China: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Child malnutrition continues to be a major public health issue, accounting for 54% of all child mortality globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of childhood malnutrition and its associated risk factors as well as to explore the best developmental strategy among infants and young children (IYC). Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted six months after the distribution of nutritious YingYangBao (YYB). It involved children aged 6-24 months in Shaanxi Province, China. Data were collected via interviews with parents of IYC, followed by measurements of the children's height and weight. Data were analyzed using EpiInfo software and SPSSv.26, which encompassed descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Ethics approval and parents' informed consent were attained prior to the study. Result: A total of 3431 data were analyzed in the study. The prevalence of stunting was highest among IYC between 12 and 18 months (3.9%). Prevalence of underweight (0.5%) and wasting (1.5%) were highest among IYC aged 18-24 months while the prevalence of overweight was highest among IYC aged 6-12months (9.0%). Significant associating risk factors of malnutrition were IYC from Northern Shaanxi (aOR = 2.24; 95%CI:1.68-2.98) and mothers with parity ≥3 (aOR = 1.52; 95%CI:1.10-2.10). IYC with a higher educated father (aOR = 0.79; 95%CI:0.66-0.95), YYB intervention (aOR = 0.77; 95%CI:0.65-0.90), correct supplementary food time (aOR = 0.84; 95%CI:0.71-1.00) and separate supplementary food preparation (aOR = 0.79; 95%CI:0.66-0.95) were significantly associated with lower risk of malnutrition. Conclusion: Even though the prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting were relatively low (<5%), there is still a need to strengthen existing policies on child nutrition.

Workplace violence in healthcare settings: The risk factors, implications and collaborative preventive measures.

Violence at work refers to acts or threats of violence directed against employees, either inside or outside the workplace, from verbal abuse, bullying, harassment, and physical assaults to homicide. Even though workplace violence has become a worrying trend worldwide, the true magnitude of the problem is uncertain, owing to limited surveillance and lack of awareness of the issue. As a result, if workplace violence, particularly in healthcare settings, is not adequately addressed, it will become a global phenomenon, undermining the peace and stability among the active communities while also posing a risk to the population's health and well-being. Hence, this review intends to identify the risk factors and the implications of workplace violence in healthcare settings and highlight the collaborative efforts needed in sustaining control and prevention measures against workplace violence.

Prevalence of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders and its associated risk factors among janitorial workers: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Janitorial workers are considered a high-risk group to develop WRMSDs based on their numerous hazardous job tasks and frequent non-fatal injuries being reported. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (ULMSDs) and its associated risk factors among janitorial workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved janitorial workers in a university in Sabah, Malaysia. The participants, who included supervisors, cleaners, and landscape workers, were recruited via universal sampling. Those with at least 12-months of experience in their present employment were included, while those with prior musculoskeletal injuries were excluded. Data were collected through interviews using the Malay version of Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ), and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), followed by Ergonomic Risk Assessment (ERA). Data were analyzed and produced using SPSSv.26, encompassing descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-Square, and Multiple Logistic Regression analysis. Ethical approval and respondents' informed consents were obtained prior to the study. RESULTS: Among 142 respondents, ULMSDs were found to be prevalent in 76.8% of janitorial workers, with the highest prevalence (71.6%) reported in the shoulder regions. None was at negligible risk, with 95.1% in the medium or high-risk categories for RULA assessment. The significant associated factors were landscape workers [aOR = 3.07,95% CI = 1.04, 9.91], more than three years of employment [aOR = 2.47,95% CI = 1.06, 5.79], and low job control [aOR = 2.69,95% CI = 1.16, 6.23]. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence of ULMSDs, risky awkward postures, and low job control, amendments in working apparatuses and improvements in administrative procedures, are highly recommended to prevent the occurrence of ULMSDs.

Relationships between Psychopathology, Psychological Process Variables, and Sociodemographic Variables and Comparison of Quarantined and Non-Quarantined Groups of Malaysian University Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable psychological health impacts across the globe. This study aimed to establish the psychological process variables underlying psychopathology in Malaysian public university students during the national Movement Control Order (MCO). The aim was to craft structured and sustainable psychological support programs with these students. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving Malaysian university students subjected to the Malaysian MCO. Structured questionnaires measuring sociodemographic factors, measures of depression, anxiety, stress, psychological mindedness, psychological flexibility and state mindfulness were employed. A total of 515 students participated in this study with 12 students (2.3%) being quarantined at the time. Many of them scored 'moderate' or above on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) with 20.2%, 25.0% and 14.2%, respectively. Quarantined students had higher depressive symptoms, with female students scoring significantly higher for depression, anxiety, and stress. Multiple regressions suggested gender and quarantine status predicted depression scores. However, only gender significantly predicted anxiety and stress. Psychological flexibility and psychological mindedness (Insight subscale) are significantly correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress, with psychological mindedness predicting all three psychopathologies. This study demonstrates that gender, psychological flexibility, and psychological mindedness are key demographic and psychological factors impacting students. Targeting psychological flexibility and psychological mindedness may enable timely prevention and intervention programs for our students to support their mental and physical health as we move through, and out of, the pandemic.

Landscaping Work: Work-related Musculoskeletal Problems and Ergonomic Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are considered one of the foremost reason of disability globally with significant economic impact due to loss of productivity. Landscaping work is considered a high-risk industry in the service sector. Landscape workers are susceptible to WRMSDs as they are exposed to high physical demands at work, and exert significant physical effort to complete daily repetitive tasks during long working hours. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of WRMSDs and to identify the ergonomic risk factors among landscape workers in a university setting. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among landscape workers at a public university in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Interviews were conducted due to low literacy of the participants, using structured questionnaires which consist of personal characteristics, work descriptions, ergonomic risk factors, as well as self-reported WRMSD symptoms using NORDIC questionnaire. Ergonomic risk assessment (ERA) using rapid entire body assessment (REBA) was then conducted. RESULTS: Fifty-five of 60 landscape workers agreed to participate (92% response rate). The overall prevalence of WRMSDs among landscape workers was 85.5%. The highest prevalence involving the shoulder (65.5%), followed by neck (23.6%), wrist/hand (23.6%), and lower back (20.0%) regions based on their self-reported WRMSD symptoms over the past 12 months. Awkward posture was the risk factor identified through ergonomic risk assessment (ERA) conducted by ERA trained personnel. None of the working postures during assessment was noted to be appropriate. Although no significant difference was associated with self-reported WRMSDs, majority of the landscape workers (71%) were classified as medium ergonomic risk group using REBA, with the remaining 29% considered to be high ergonomic risk group. CONCLUSION: Improvement in awareness campaigns, modification of working tools, and enhanced administrative approaches are among the control and prevention measures recommended to delay or prevent the occurrence of WRMSDs.