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Introduction: The world has been badly affected by the spread of a novel virus known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was first reported in Wuhan, China back in December 2019. As the virus is transmitted through aerosol, respiratory droplets and close contact, hand hygiene and wearing mask are the most important preventive measures for COVID-19. Studies showed hand hygiene intervention improved compliances. This paper discussed the development of a hand hygiene intervention module, validation, usability and effectiveness reports. Methods: This study involved 5 stages; need analysis, module development, validation, usability and effectiveness studies. Need analysis and module development were carried out through brainstorming and literature search. The content was evaluated by three experts, whereas the usability was screened by four preschool teachers. The effectiveness of knowledge transfer was evaluated via pre and post intervention surveys. Results: The hand hygiene educational module received valuable comments from the content expert and the end-users (teachers). Knowledge score related to COVID-19 transmission, prevention and hand hygiene moments among pre-school children were significantly increased after the intervention. Conclusion: This module can be used to improve teaching method related to COVID-19 and hand hygiene. The 'learn and play' approach may increase excitement, thus make learning process enjoyable and memorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hand hygiene is regarded as the most important measure to prevent spread of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a prototype application in an electronic device in educating, stimulating and monitoring hand hygiene quality in young children. Method: A pre-school was provided with an interactive hand hygiene application for two months. The device features an online administrator dashboard for data collection and for monitoring the children's hand washing steps and duration. A good hand washing is defined as hand washing which comprise all of the steps outlined in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Results: The prototype managed to capture 6882 hand wash performed with an average of 20.85 seconds per hand wash. Washing hands palm to palm was the most frequent (79.9%) step performed, whereas scrubbing fingernails and wrists were the least (56%) steps performed. Conclusions: The device is a good prototype to educate, stimulate and monitor good hand hygiene practices. However, other measures should be undertaken to ensure sustainability of the practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019, or better known as the COVID-19, has caused a global pandemic and high death rate worldwide. Following the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the government had enforced Movement Control Order (MCO) started from 18 March 2020 and the restrictions were conducted and reviewed in several phases. The MCO also involved schools closure and commencement of online learning. This study aimed to identify the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding COVID-19 among students in selected boarding schools in Malaysia. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was done in July to September 2020 using a set of questionnaire that was distributed via Google form. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data, knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science 22. Results: A total of 365 students participated in this study. The respondents comprised of 54.2% female and 45.8% male students. The study found that they have moderate knowledge on COVID-19 while their attitude and practice were high. The study found a significant association between the knowledge and practice scores and between the attitude and practice scores of the respondents. [r = 0.389, p < 0.05] regarding COVID-19 However, there was no significant association between the knowledge and attitude scores. Conclusions: This study concluded that students' practice regarding COVID-19 was influenced by their attitude on health care to prevent COVID-19 infection. Therefore, changing their attitude and increasing the students knowledge are necessary to improve their practices regarding COVID-19 preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The world has been badly affected by the spread of a novel virus known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was first reported in Wuhan, China back in December 2019. As the virus is transmitted through aerosol, respiratory droplets and close contact, hand hygiene and wearing mask are the most important preventive measures for COVID-19. Studies showed hand hygiene intervention improved compliances. This paper discussed the development of a hand hygiene intervention module, validation, usability and effectiveness reports. Methods: This study involved 5 stages; need analysis, module development, validation, usability and effectiveness studies. Need analysis and module development were carried out through brainstorming and literature search. The content was evaluated by three experts, whereas the usability was screened by four preschool teachers. The effectiveness of knowledge transfer was evaluated via pre and post intervention surveys. Results: The hand hygiene educational module received valuable comments from the content expert and the end-users (teachers). Knowledge score related to COVID-19 transmission, prevention and hand hygiene moments among pre-school children were significantly increased after the intervention. Conclusion: This module can be used to improve teaching method related to COVID-19 and hand hygiene. The 'learn and play' approach may increase excitement, thus make learning process enjoyable and memorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is part of the normal human flora that can commonly be found on the skin and mucous membranes of the nasal area. However, in immunosuppressed patients such as those with kidney failures, colonization can potentially lead to infection. There is a concern of increasing antibiotic resistance in S. aureus. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization and its antimicrobial susceptibility among haemodialysis-dependent populations. Methods: A cross-sectional study at the Nephrology Unit, Hospital Canselori Tuanku Mukhriz (HCTM) was conducted among haemodialysis-dependent patients between February 2017 to February 2018. Nasal swabs were obtained and cultured on mannitol salt agar. S. aureus isolates were identified by gram staining, tube coagulase and Deoxyribonuclease (DNase). Cefoxitin disc (30 µg) were used to identified the presence of MRSA (methicillin-resistance S. aureus). The S. aureus colonies were further tested against six antibiotics using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion. Result: A total of 134 patients were recruited. S. aureus isolates were detected from 27 patients (20.1%). All S. aureus were phenotypically identified as methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) based on the cefoxitin disc. Teicoplanin and linezolid were the most effective with 100% susceptibility. S. aureus exhibited a high resistance rate towards erythromycin (29.6%). No MRSA was isolated in this study. Conclusion: This study highlighted the high prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization in haemodialysis patients. Teicoplanin and linezolid were found to be the most effective antibiotics against isolated S. aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]