Search

Background: Travelers are at higher risk of developing health-related problems, especially travel-related diseases, and this remains a major public health burden. Aims: To assess pretravel health behavior-seeking factors, knowledge of vaccine, and travel health attitudes. A cross-sectional design among Malaysian travelers. Methods: An online survey was conducted from December 2017 till March 2018 among 226 participants. Demographic data, pretraveling health behaviors, knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases, and travel health were asked. Independent t-test and ANOVA were performed using SPSS version 20. Results: Among travelers, 51.3% and 63.7% used health-related information on their destination before departure and collected information on possible travel hazards at their destination. Participant age (P = 0.02), monthly income (P = 0.01), predeparture health information (P = 0.03), information on possible hazards (P = 0.04), and travel health advice from medical professionals (P = 0.03) have been reported as a major predictor of knowledge of vaccine-preventable disease. Travelers' gender (P = 0.01), household income (P = 0.01), and travel health advice from professionals (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with travel health attitude. Conclusions: Sociodemographic and pretravel health-seeking behavior influence knowledge of vaccine-preventable disease and attitudes towards travel health which requires a public health need for community outreach programs targeting this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bullying is a common violence in school and has become a major public health and global concern. Bullying influences mental health and is identified as a leading factor of depression. Therefore, this study aimed to identify bullying prevalence and its association toward psychological disturbances (stress, anxiety, and depression). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three secondary schools in Kuantan. After obtaining consent from parents/guardians, participants were asked to answer a self-administered questionnaire, including School Climate Bullying Survey, Depression Anxiety Stress Questionnaire-21, Patient Depression Questionnaire, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Demographic data were self-reported. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0, and chi-square and correlation tests were conducted for variables. Results: A total of 207 students were included in this study. Of respondents, 50.7% were boys and 49.3% girls, and the majority (92.8%) were Malays. Of students, 63.2% were involved in bullying problems through the school years, with verbal bullying as the highest (55.1%). Bullying is significantly associated with stress (p = 0.045), anxiety (p = 0.018), and depression (p = 0.012). Conclusions: School children in Kuantan continue to be involved in bullying. The current study supported that involvement with any bullying activity was associated with psychological disturbances including anxiety, stress, and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Musculoskeletal pain commonly affects the elderly, but the extent of this problem within the Malaysian community remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal pain among the elderly living in the community. Methods: Elderly individuals aged 60 years and above with musculoskeletal pain and intact cognition were recruited for this study. Musculoskeletal pain was scored using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and functional ability was assessed via the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale. Mental wellbeing was evaluated using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing scale, and risk of falling was determined via the Short Falls Efficacy Scale - International. Results: A total of 216 community-dwelling elderly individuals participated in this research. Knee pain was the most common pain type experienced by the participants in the past 12 months (58.8%) and 7 days (28.8%). This type of pain was also the most common reason cited by the elderly for their difficulty in working. Age, gender, and body mass index were not significant predictors of musculoskeletal pain in the elderly (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Musculoskeletal pain significantly impacts the functional ability and fear of falling of elderly individuals in the eastcoast region of Malaysia. Mental wellbeing scores indicated a decreasing trend, but no significant difference was noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Simulation is widely practiced as learning strategies in many disciplines including nursing. It is considered an updated technological approach towards providing safe and sound patients care. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge among nursing students using a simulated mannequin for cardiovascular assessment. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study design focusing Year 4 nursing students at Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). A simulation mannequin was used for students performing a cardiovascular assessment. Level of knowledge was tested using an adapted questionnaire. The study was approved by the Kulliyyah of Nursing Postgraduate Research Committee (Ref: IIUM/313/DDAA/20/4/10) and IIUM Research Ethics Committee (Ref: IREC 2018-024). Results: A total of 57 nursing students involved in this study revealing good cardiovascular assessment knowledge. Majority of them reported that simulation exercise is one of the good learning strategies to enhance their capabilities and increase their confidence level. Conclusions: The results from this study could indicate that using technological simulation approach could provide a similar effect in performing cardiovascular assessment among nursing student IIUM. Future larger scale is needed including for any other disciplines in nursing to facilitate students' preparation towards the real clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]