Displaying publications 61 - 78 of 78 in total

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  1. Women's rights: eternal principles, changing forms
    Asiaweek, 1993 Nov 17.
    PMID: 12287494
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  2. Reintegration of chronic mental patients into the Malaysian community
    Krahl W
    Int J Soc Psychiatry, 1982;28(1):15-9.
    PMID: 7107135
    This paper describes a rehabilitation programme for male chronic mental patients, with the aim of reintegrating them into the community. Since in Malaysia about 50% of the work force are stilling earning their living in the agricultural sector, the programme concentrates on training in farming and animal rearing. Since the patients are very institutionalised, resocialisation training is also provided that involves learning to communicate, to mix with others, to know how to use money, to make one's own demands, and to cope with more personal freedom. When a patient is trained well enough to be employed outside, a job is found for him that provides food, lodging and payment. After discharge from the hospital, he is regularly followed up by the social worker.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  3. Risk Communication Strategies for Possible Health Risks From Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) Emission by Telecommunication Structures
    Fernandez PR, Ng KH, Kaur S
    Health Phys, 2019 06;116(6):835-839.
    PMID: 30844902 DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001037
    There is widespread anxiety and speculation about RF-EMF emissions by telecommunication base stations and structures, as it is perceived by some to be unsafe and a threat to public health. Scientists, medical experts, politicians, journalists, and mobile telecommunication company specialists are involved in an active debate on whether people are immune to RF or if we are gambling with our future. Interviews with 31 individuals from 7 stakeholder groups in Malaysia reveal that the residents' main concerns are that the telecommunication companies do not follow guidelines and as a result the telecommunication structures are constructed close to their homes, which they perceive as a threat to public health. Some residents also do not want these structures because of cultural reasons, while some are jealous over rental income received by the landlords. Meanwhile, the authorities entrusted with safe-guarding public health are involved in a blame game as there is no agency that is clearly in charge. The interviews also highlight that the current risk communication initiatives are more reactive rather than proactive, and that the authorities do not speak in one voice. Based on the outcome of the interviews, eleven recommendations are formulated to improve risk communication initiatives in Malaysia. The recommendations stress on repairing, building, and strengthening trust, because trust in agencies, along with credibility, determines risk communication initiatives' effectiveness. These strategies can also be effectively replicated across regions to deal with contestations over RF-EMF emissions and the impact on health.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  4. Fulltext Patients' perception of the ambulance services at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
    Anisah A, Chew KS, Mohd Shaharuddin Shah CH, Nik Hisamuddin NA
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Aug;49(8):631-5.
    PMID: 18756347
    Little is known regarding public opinion of prehospital care in Malaysia. This study was conducted to find out the public's perception and expectations of the ambulance services in one of the university hospitals in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  5. Fulltext Attitudes of the public towards halal food and associated animal welfare issues in two countries with predominantly Muslim and non-Muslim populations
    Jalil NSA, Tawde AV, Zito S, Sinclair M, Fryer C, Idrus Z, et al.
    PLoS One, 2018;13(10):e0204094.
    PMID: 30379818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204094
    Halal food is that which is permissible or lawful for Muslims to consume. Meat products must abide by a number of requirements in relation to their preparation, condition and content to be considered halal. We conducted a survey in order to assess the knowledge of, and attitudes towards, halal meat products in two contrasting countries, one with a majority non-Muslim population (Australia, respondent n = 565), where the most commonly followed religion is Christianity, and one with a majority Muslim population (Malaysia, n = 740). The most common reasons for avoiding halal food were animal welfare, religion and meat quality. Malaysians generally believed that halal processes led to improved meat quality, whereas Australians did not. The general consensus was in favour of legally controlling animal welfare during slaughter, supported by both Muslims and Christians. Malaysians were more aware of the main tenets of halal slaughter than Australians. However, some non-compulsory, incorrect practices were thought to be required practices by respondents in both countries, but especially in Australia. Muslims were more concerned about humane treatment of animals during halal slaughter. They generally believed that stunning is never allowed and that this view was acceptable, whereas people from other belief systems generally held the view that this was unacceptable. Religion and education were the most common factors associated with attitudes, beliefs and consumer habits concerning halal. Information from this study can help to improve understanding of attitudes to halal and provide insights to policy makers seeking to address animal welfare concerns.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  6. Fulltext Stakeholders' attitudes to outdoor residual spraying technique for dengue control in Malaysia: A PLS-SEM approach
    Arham AF, Amin L, Mustapa MAC, Mahadi Z, Yaacob M, Ibrahim M
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2021 Jun;15(6):e0009493.
    PMID: 34185785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009493
    Outdoor Residual Spraying (ORS) technique is a complementary preventive measure for dengue. The alarming number of dengue cases in Malaysia requires an alternative method to control dengue besides the traditional method such as fogging. However, the introduction of new technologies depends on social acceptance. Therefore, this study was important to determine the factors that influence stakeholders' attitudes towards the ORS and the moderating factor. A validated instrument was used to randomly interview 399 respondents representing two stakeholder groups which consist of scientists, and the public in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The findings revealed that the stakeholders claimed to have a high degree of religiosity, a high level of trust in the key players, perceived ORS as having high benefits, and displayed highly positive attitudes towards the ORS. The attitudes model towards the ORS model was developed using the SmartPLS software version. The perceived benefit was endorsed as the most important direct predictor of attitudes towards the ORS (ß = 0.618, P<0.001), followed by trust in the key players (ß = 0.151, P<0.001). It is also interesting to note that religiosity served as a moderator for the association between perceived benefit (ß = 0.075, P = 0.024) and perceived risk (ß = 0.114, P = 0.006) with attitudes towards the ORS. The identified predictor factors of stakeholders' attitudes toward the ORS and the moderating factor can serve as indicators for social acceptance of ORS in developing countries. These indicators can help the policymakers in decision making to implement this technique.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  7. Fulltext Public awareness of HIV/AIDS: how media play a role?
    Tham JS, Zanuddin H
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2015 Jul;46(4):669-79.
    PMID: 26867387
    Abstract. This paper examines the effectiveness of media in public awareness of the HIV/AIDS issue among the public in an area in central Selangor, comprising Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings and suburbs in Malaysia. Cross-sectional survey questionnaires were distributed to 384 respondents about accessing the public awareness of modes of HIV transmission, perceptions and attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as people's understanding about government policies to curb HIV/AIDS. Health care practitioners and newspapers were the preferred sources of information seeking on HIV/AIDS among the public. Most of the respondents were aware of the modes of HIV transmission. However, they were some respondents who still have misconceptions about the modes of transmission. Most of the respondents were not aware about the government's significant policies to address HIV/AIDS in the region. Overall, the respondents had certain knowledge about HIV transmission modes and moderate positive perceptions and attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Future studies should be conducted to examine about who sets the agenda in the media, and apart from gatekeepers, who are the real decision makers in deciding what is important to inform the public.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  8. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to control of Dengue haemorrhagic fever in an urban Malay kampung
    Dobbins JG, Else JG
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1975 Mar;6(1):120-6.
    PMID: 1170643
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  9. Development and validation of a public attitudes toward epilepsy (PATE) scale
    Lim KS, Wu C, Choo WY, Tan CT
    Epilepsy Behav, 2012 Jun;24(2):207-12.
    PMID: 22564888 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.03.038
    A quantitative scale of public attitudes toward epilepsy is essential to determine the magnitude of social stigma against epilepsy. This study aims to develop and validate a cross-culturally applicable scale of public attitudes toward epilepsy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  10. Ergonomics issues in national identity card for homeland security
    Yeow PH, Yuen YY, Loo WH
    Appl Ergon, 2013 Sep;44(5):719-29.
    PMID: 22841592 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2012.04.017
    Ever since the 9/11 terrorist attack, many countries are considering the use of smart national identity card (SNIC) which has the ability to identify terrorists due to its biometric verification function. However, there are many ergonomics issues in the use of SNIC, e.g. card credibility. This research presents a case study survey of Malaysian users. Although most citizens (>96%) own MyKad (Malaysia SNIC), many do not carry it around and use its applications. This defeats one of its main purposes, i.e. combating terrorism. Thus, the research investigates ergonomics issues affecting the citizens' Intention to Use (ITU) MyKad for homeland security by using an extended technology acceptance model. Five hundred questionnaires were collected and analysed using structural equation modelling. Results show that perceived credibility and performance expectancy are the key issues. The findings provide many countries with insights into methods of addressing ergonomics issues and increasing adoption of SNIC for homeland security.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  11. Fulltext Female genital cutting in Malaysia: a mixed-methods study
    Rashid A, Iguchi Y
    BMJ Open, 2019 04 01;9(4):e025078.
    PMID: 30940756 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025078
    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the reasons for the practice by the Muslim community, traditional practitioners and the views of religious scholars as well as the medicalisation trend of the practice of female genital cutting (FGC).

    DESIGN: This is a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) study. A questionnaire was created and used by three trained research assistants for the quantitative component of the study. The qualitative component of the study included in-depth interviews and focus group interviews.

    SETTING: This study was conducted in rural areas of two states in the Northern Peninsular Malaysia.

    PARTICIPANTS: Due to the sensitive nature of the study, the study sample was chosen using a snowball sampling method. Two of the three Northern states Mufti's approached consented to participate in the study.

    RESULTS: Quantitative: There were 605 participants, most had undergone FGC (99.3%), were in the opinion FGC is compulsory in Islam (87.6%) and wanted FGC to continue (99.3%). Older respondents had FGC conducted by traditional midwives (X2=59.13, p<0.001) and younger age groups preferred medical doctors (X2=32.96, p<0.001) and would permit doctors (X2=29.17, p<0.001) to conduct FGC on their children. These findings suggest a medicalisation trend. Regression analysis showed the odds of FGC conducted by traditional midwives and nurses and trained midwives compared with medical doctors was 1.07 (1.05; 1.09) and 1.04 (1.01; 1.06), respectively. For every 1-year decrease in age, the odds of participants deciding medical doctors should perform FGC as compared with traditional midwives increase by 1.61.Qualitative: Focus group discussions showed most believed that FGC is compulsory in Islam but most traditional practitioners and the Mufti's stated that FGC is not compulsory in Islam.

    CONCLUSION: Almost everyone in the community believed FGC is compulsory in Islam and wanted the practice to continue, whereas the traditional practitioners and more importantly the Mufti's, who are responsible in issuing religious edicts, say it is not a religious requirement.

    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  12. Fulltext Public perception and attitude towards dengue prevention activity and response to dengue early warning in Malaysia
    Zaki R, Roffeei SN, Hii YL, Yahya A, Appannan M, Said MA, et al.
    PLoS One, 2019;14(2):e0212497.
    PMID: 30818394 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212497
    An early warning system for dengue is meant to predict outbreaks and prevent dengue cases by aiding timely decision making and deployment of interventions. However, only a system which is accepted and utilised by the public would be sustainable in the long run. This study aimed to explore the perception and attitude of the Malaysian public towards a dengue early warning system. The sample consisted of 847 individuals who were 18 years and above and living/working in the Petaling District, an area adjacent to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A questionnaire consisting of personal information and three sub-measures of; i) perception, ii) attitude towards dengue early warning and iii) response towards early warning; was distributed to participants. We found that most of the respondents know about dengue fever (97.1%) and its association with climate factors (90.6%). Most of them wanted to help reduce the number of dengue cases in their area (91.5%). A small percentage of the respondents admitted that they were not willing to be involved in public activities, and 64% of them admitted that they did not check dengue situations or hotspots around their area regularly. Despite the high awareness on the relationship between climate and dengue, about 45% of respondents do not know or are not sure how this can be used to predict dengue. Respondents would like to know more about how climate data can be used to predict a dengue outbreak (92.7%). Providing more information on how climate can influence dengue cases would increase public acceptability and improve response towards climate-based warning system. The most preferred way of communicating early warning was through the television (66.4%). This study shows that the public in Petaling District considers it necessary to have a dengue warning system to be necessary, but more education is required.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  13. Fulltext Factors influencing inappropriate use of antibiotics: Findings from a nationwide survey of the general public in Malaysia
    Wong LP, Alias H, Husin SA, Ali ZB, Sim B, Ponnampalavanar SSS
    PLoS One, 2021;16(10):e0258698.
    PMID: 34669733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258698
    Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global public health. Misuse of antibiotics has never been investigated on a nationwide scale among the general public in Malaysia. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and knowledge factors associated with inappropriate use of antibiotics in the Malaysian context to inform the development of interventions to mitigate inappropriate antibiotic use. We conducted computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) between June 2019 and December 2019. The telephone numbers were randomly generated from the electronic residential telephone directory of all 13 states and 3 Federal Territories in Malaysia. The survey consisted of questions on demographics, knowledge about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance (53 items), and practices of antibiotic use (16 questions). A total of 864 complete responses were received. Pronounced erroneous beliefs that antibiotics are effective against infections caused by viruses and that antibiotics can speed up recovery from coughs and colds were evident. The proportions that were aware of the terms 'drug resistance', 'antimicrobial resistance', and 'superbugs' were low. The mean and standard deviation (SD) for the antibiotic knowledge score was 23.7 (SD ±9.25; range 0 to 50) out of a possible score of 52. Regarding antibiotic practices, a considerable proportion reported non-adherence to recommended doses. The mean and SD for the antibiotic practices score was 37.9 (SD ± 6.5; range 17 to 47) out of a possible score of 48. Participants who earned an average monthly household income of MYR1001-3000 (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.04-2.50) were more likely to report higher antibiotic practice scores than those with
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  14. Fulltext Impact of Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Bans in Thailand: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Southeast Asia Survey
    Li L, Borland R, Yong HH, Sirirassamee B, Hamann S, Omar M, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2015 Aug;12(8):9508-22.
    PMID: 26287219 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120809508
    In September 2005 Thailand became the first Asian country to implement a complete ban on the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products at point-of-sale (POS). This paper examined the impact of the POS tobacco display ban in Thailand, with Malaysia (which did not impose bans) serving as a comparison. The data came from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey (2005-2011), a prospective cohort survey designed to evaluate the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of tobacco control policies. Main measures included smokers' reported awareness of tobacco displays and advertising at POS. At the first post-ban survey wave over 90% of smokers in Thailand were aware of the display ban policy and supported it, and about three quarters thought the ban was effective. Noticing tobacco displays in stores was lowest (16.9%) at the first post-ban survey wave, but increased at later survey waves; however, the levels were consistently lower than those in Malaysia. Similarly, exposure to POS tobacco advertising was lower in Thailand. The display ban has reduced exposure to tobacco marketing at POS. The trend toward increased noticing is likely at least in part due to some increase in violations of the display bans and/or strategies to circumvent them.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  15. Challenges to health workers and their opinions about parents' refusal of oral polio vaccination in the Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa (KPK) province, Pakistan
    Khan TM, Sahibzada MU
    Vaccine, 2016 Apr 19;34(18):2074-81.
    PMID: 26993330 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.03.008
    A qualitative study design was adapted to explore the challenges faced by health workers (HWs) during the polio health campaign. In addition, HWs' opinions about the factors causing parents to refuse oral polio vaccination (OPV) were also explored. Four focus group discussions (FGDs) were held (from 1st January 2015-31st March 2015) with the HWs who participated in the OPV campaigns in the polio red zones of Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa (KPK) province of Pakistan, namely Kohat (FG 1), Domel and Bannu (FG 2), Hangoo (FG 3), and Peshawar (FG 4). A total of N=42 HWs (10-11 in each FG) agreed to participate in this study. Overall, HWs disclosed that public attitude and harsh behaviour towards the HWs and security threats are the two main challenges they face. Common issues hindering parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against OPV are: OPV is seen as haram and not permitted in Islam, it is said to contain the blood of pigs (Khinzir) and monkeys, and parents are afraid that it is done to induce sterility among their children. HWs also shared that parents have a strong belief in the conspiracies that are associated with OPV, i.e. the USA and CIA, are spying on us and our government is helping them to achieve their agenda. Furthermore, HWs revealed that frequent visits may further strengthen parents' perceptions and make them more resistant to OPV. The common side effects of OPV reported by parents were mainly gastro-intestinal problems and in some cases mild to moderate fever with some respiratory symptoms. There is a great need to improve the logistics and facilities for HWs assisting in vaccination programmes. Furthermore, it is necessary to improve education, so people understand the basic concept of revaccination and booster doses, thereby assisting in creating a basic understanding of vaccinations, which may trigger changes in attitudes and make people believe in the benefits of OPV rather than following the conspiracies that lead them to refuse it.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  16. Current status of organ transplant in Islamic countries
    Ghods AJ
    Exp Clin Transplant, 2015 Apr;13 Suppl 1:13-7.
    PMID: 25894121
    The Organization of Islamic Cooperation consists of 57 member states whose people are mainly followers of the Islamic religion. During the past several decades, organ transplants have been increasingly used for the treatment of end-stage organ failures worldwide. This study is to investigate the current status of organ transplant in Islamic countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  17. Grassroots women have their say. Programme
    Arrows Change, 1997 Aug;3(2):4-5.
    PMID: 12348425
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
  18. The transition to harm reduction: understanding the role of non-governmental organisations in Malaysia
    Narayanan S, Vicknasingam B, Robson NM
    Int J Drug Policy, 2011 Jul;22(4):311-7.
    PMID: 21300533 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2011.01.002
    The transition of drug policy from prohibition to harm reduction has never been easy. The deeply entrenched belief in prohibition shared by policy makers and religious leaders provided little room for alternatives, and change came only slowly. The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia played a pivotal role in effecting such a change. Understanding how they did so may be instructive for other similarly placed countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Opinion
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