MyMedR

Displaying all 4 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Analyses of the effectiveness of Movement Control Order (MCO) in reducing the covid-19 confirmed cases in Malaysia

Ping, Nicholas Pang Tze, Kamu, Assis, Mohd Amiruddin Mohd Kassim, Mun, Ho Chong

JUMMEC, 2020;23(102):16-27.
MyJurnal

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 5 consecutive Movement Control Orders (MCOs) in Malaysia in an attempt to flatten the epidemiological curve, with a reduction of cases. This study aims to use statistical analysis to assess whether the decisive public health interventions in the MCO were efficacious. Three statistical tests were employed: Mann-Kendall trend analysis; one way between groups ANOVA; and Pearson correlation test. Results demonstrated significant differences between the second block, MCO 3-5, compared to MCO 1-2. Johor and Selangor states experienced significant increase in early MCO, whereas Sarawak and Selangor states experienced significant decrease by MCO 3-5. The northern border states of Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan, had caseloads stabilised to zero by MCO 4/MCO 5. This study demonstrates that the MCO was effective within the target of twice the two-week incubation period of COVID-19, with cases from community transmission and importation through the air and southern land borders. Selangor and Sarawak had higher cases in early MCO due to situational factors. In conclusion, MCO has been efficacious, with different states attaining different levels of case reduction due to individualised reasons.
Fulltext A pilot project to introduce the multiple mini interview (MMI) at a Borneo medical school: The universiti Malaysia Sabah experience- a cross-sectional study

Pang N, Kadir F, Kamu A, Mun HC, Loo JL, Ahmedy F, et al.

Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2021 Nov;71:103019.
PMID: 34840767 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103019

Introduction: The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) demonstrates efficacy and superiority over traditional medical interviews in assessing non-cognitive domains during the recruitment of medical undergraduates. At Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), a five-station MMI was piloted in 2019, featuring a mix of three examiner-driven stations (assessing professionalism, ethics, and motivation to study medicine), and two roleplayer-driven stations (assessing empathy and science communication specifically, and communication skills in general).
Methods: 260 candidates were grouped into two separate geographical groups - urban and suburban/rural. Descriptive analysis, skewness and kurtosis were performed for normality assessment, whereas Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and Greatest lower bound assessed internal consistency. For validity measures, correlations were calculated between scores for separate stations, overall scores, urban and suburban/rural status. Also, exploratory factor analysis was performed on the five stations as validity measures. Difficulty and discrimination indices were calculated as quality measures. Qualitative analysis was performed on "red flag" comments detailing grossly unsuitable candidates.
Results: Roleplayer-driven stations yielded more red flags than examiner-driven stations. The three examiner-driven stations were significantly and moderately correlated (rho between 0.602 and 0.609, p 0.530), whereas the stations were distributed equally in difficulty index.
Conclusion: The UMS MMI has identified specific skillsets that may be in short supply in our incoming medical students. Also, it illustrates the yawning gap between academic knowledge and 'translational' scientific knowledge and communication skills.
Fulltext Malay Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Validity and Reliability

Pang NTP, Kamu A, Hambali NLB, Mun HC, Kassim MA, Mohamed NH, et al.

Int J Ment Health Addict, 2022;20(1):263-272.
PMID: 32837437 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00355-4

The newly developed Persian Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) is a seven-item uni-dimensional scale that assesses the severity of fear of COVID-19. A translation and validation of the FCV-19S in the Malay language was expedited due to the severe psychological sequelae of COVID-19 in Malaysia. Formal WHO forward and backward translation sequences were employed in translating the English version into Malay. Malaysian university participants were recruited via convenience sampling online using snowball methods. The reliability and validity properties of the Malay FCV-19S were rigorously psychometrically evaluated (utilising both confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis) in relation to socio-demographic variables and response to the depression, anxiety and stress subscales of the Malay validation of the DASS-21. The sample comprised 228 Malaysian participants. The Cronbach α value for the Malay FCV-19S was 0.893 indicating very good internal reliability. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the uni-dimensional factor structure of the FCV19S fitted well with the data. The FCV-19S-M was significantly correlated with anxiety (r = 0.481, p
Fulltext Correction to: Malay Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Validity and Reliability

Pang NTP, Kamu A, Hambali NLB, Mun HC, Kassim MA, Mohamed NH, et al.

Int J Ment Health Addict, 2023;21(1):684.
PMID: 32840246 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00373-2

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00355-4.].