MyMedR

Displaying all 4 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Physical inactivity and its associated factors among pre-retirement government healthcare workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dapari R, Wahab MRA, Zamzuri M'IA, Hassan MR, Dom NC, Rahim SSSA

BMC Public Health, 2024 Jul 18;24(1):1926.
PMID: 39026188 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19411-y

INTRODUCTION: The rising worldwide concern of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) is alarming as it is associated with 80% of annual global mortality. NCD threat is rising due to, among others, the increasing ageing population, thus putting the efforts to promote health ageing at the forefront of many countries' health agenda. Physical activity has been recognised as one of the significant factors in the pursuit of healthy ageing. Nevertheless, approximately one third of individuals in Malaysia are physically inactive. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and its associated factors among pre-retirement government healthcare workers.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2023 among pre-retirement government healthcare workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The sample size required was 233 and proportionate random sampling was used to recruit potential respondents who answered self-administered online questionnaires. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to measure the level of physical activity and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.
RESULTS: A total of 214 complete responses were received from the 233 questionnaires distributed, giving a response rate of 91.8%. The prevalence of physical inactivity among pre-retirement healthcare workers was 39.7% as compare only 29.9% in general population. Significant predictors for physical inactivity included higher education levels (SPM, STPM, or certificate holders) (AOR = 13.4, 95% CI: 2.47-72.65), non-Malay ethinicity (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.23-18.38), personal barriers (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI:1.35-1.79), social barriers (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06-1.39), and physical environment barriers (AOR = 1.468, 95% CI: 1.221-1.765).
CONCLUSION: This study shows a worrying prevalence of physical inactivity among pre-retirement healthcare workers that is even higher than the general population in Malaysia. The findings highlight the importance of focusing the preventive strategies among non-Malay workers and those with lower education levels. It is also vital to address all the physical, social, and environmental barriers towards physical inactivity. By prioritising these factors, employers and stakeholders will be able to establish better workplace health promotion and address the issue of physical inactivity more efficiently.
Fulltext Post-Exposure Prophylactic Vaccination against Rabies: A Systematic Review

Ahmad N, Nawi AM, Jamhari MN, Nurumal SR, Mansor J, Zamzuri M'IA, et al.

Iran J Public Health, 2022 May;51(5):967-977.
PMID: 36407746 DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v51i5.9412

BACKGROUND: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an effective method for preventing rabies, a highly fatal infection in exposed persons. Malaysia is currently using the purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV). Nonetheless, there are other commercially available vaccine types and regimens. This systematic review aimed at comparing the effectiveness of the different PEP vaccines, regimens and routes of administration among Asian populations.
METHODS: We systematically reviewed the PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles reporting on the effectiveness of PEP vaccination against rabies among Asian populations between 2015 and 2019.
RESULTS: Our search identified 11 relevant studies. Majority of study either used PCECV or PVRV type of vaccine, with different regimes and method. All are non-inferior to the other. Most of the studies recorded adequate response by Day 14 of vaccination. Nonetheless, the intradermal (ID) vaccination used minimal volume of vaccine used in all settings, thus cost less and the concurrent administration of RIG to the wound(s) doesn't affect the RVNA GMT response.
CONCLUSION: PCECV, using either the Essen or Zagreb regimen, might be a useful alternative for the healthy population in the context of PVRV shortage, especially during an outbreak. Use of the Zagreb or Thai Red Cross (TRC) regimens can be considered (either PVRV or PCECV), as both demonstrate good immunogenic outcomes in Asian populations.
Fulltext A unique double tango: Construct validation and reliability analysis of risk perception, attitude and practice (RPAP) questionnaire on dengue infection

Zamzuri M'IA, Jamhari MN, Faisal Ghazi H, Muhamad Hasani MH, Mohd Ali NK, Abd Rashid MF, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(8):e0256636.
PMID: 34428257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256636

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Dengue fever remains a public health threat despite being preventable. A solution to the constant problem of dengue infection will require active intervention and a paradigm shift. Assessing perceived risk and correlating it with the attitude and practice of the community will help in designing appropriate measures. However, possible instruments for these assessments come with limitations.
OBJECTIVE: The aim is to develop and validate a new scoring-based questionnaire, using dual statistical approaches to measure risk perception, attitude, and practices (RPAP) related to dengue in the community.
METHODS: The RPAP questionnaire was developed bilingually using the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcome Research (ISPOR) guidelines. Content analysis was reviewed scrupulously by four expert panels. The initial 35-item scale was tested among 253 Malaysian respondents recruited non-probabilistically via multiple online platforms. Two statistical methods were employed to measure the construct validity: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) as part of the Classical Test Theory (CTT) measurement, while Rasch Measurement Analysis (Rasch) was performed for the Item Response Theory (IRT) measurement. All results were cross-validated with their counterpart to ensure stability. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to obtain a model fit index.
RESULTS: 29 questions were retained after the final analysis. Both EFA and Rasch analysis detect multidimensionality. Nine latent factors were extracted from EFA, while only eight factors remained in the final model following CFA: 1) perceived susceptibility; 2) perceived severity; 3) perceived barrier; 4) perceived benefit; 5) cues to action; 6) self-efficacy; 7) attitude; and 8) practice. All items had adequate factor loadings and showed good internal consistency. The final model after CFA achieved a good fit with an RMSEA value of 0.061, SRMR of 0.068, PNFI of 0.649, and GFI of 0.996.
CONCLUSION: The RPAP questionnaire contains 29 items and is a reliable and accurate psychometric instrument for measuring the risk perception of dengue fever, attitude, and practice of the community in dengue prevention. The Rasch measurement provides additional rigour to complement the CTT analysis. This RPAP questionnaire is suitable for use in studies related to dengue prevention in the community.
Fulltext Perception of integrating complementary and alternative medicine practice in patient's treatment among the healthcare practitioners: a systematic review

Aizuddin AN, Zamzuri M'IA, Mansor J, Nurumal SR, Yunus SZSA, Razak MAA, et al.

Pan Afr Med J, 2022;43:19.
PMID: 36451723 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.43.19.31133

There is a growing trend in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage among the population with medical conditions. However, there is hesitancy for medical practitioners to integrate its application with the current treatment modality, despite governance by the authority. Hence, our objective is to systematically evaluate the healthcare perception towards integrating CAM in their practices. We systematically searched three large and renowned databases i.e., Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed, regarding "Perception on Integrating CAM Usage in Patient's Treatment among Healthcare Practitioners" from 2016 until 2020. At least two independent reviewers comprehensively screened and extracted the data from the accepted articles. A total of 15 studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis following a strict and rigorous assessment checked using MMAT 2018 checklist. The studies included providing the richness of information due to the qualitative nature of the study design. There were three main domains extracted i.e. knowledge, attitude, and perspective of the healthcare practitioner towards CAM integration. Limited knowledge of CAM among healthcare providers may be the possible main reason for non-supportive attitude and negative perspective on CAM. However, those who showed an inclination towards CAM were found to be more open and ready to learn about CAM if it provides benefits to the patients. There is a heterogeneity of perception towards CAM integration from healthcare providers' point of view. A proactive and systematic CAM literacy awareness program may help to improve their understanding and possibly gain more trust in its application.