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Background: Coronavirus-19 has raised concerns as it causes post-acute symptoms among individuals. Appropriate knowledge, attitude, and practice with regards to COVID-19, and its post-acute complications among pharmacists is required for optimum management. Identifying the barriers, and facilitators encountered by pharmacists in providing care to these patients is also vital. The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge, attitude, practice of COVID-19 and post-acute COVID-19, barriers, and facilitators among pharmacists. Materials & method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pharmacists registered and practicing in Malaysia with consent. An online survey was used to distribute the questionnaire using Google Form through convenient sampling. A questionnaire consisting of four sections was used in the study based on previous work. Data obtained in this study was interpreted using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) (version 28; IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). A p-value of <0.05 demonstrated statistically significant findings. Results: From a total of 405 pharmacists, the knowledge, attitude and practice score of the pharmacists was an average of 5.69 (±0.78) (maximum score 7), 3.56 (±0.63) (maximum score 4) and 3.38 (±0.61) (maximum score 4) respectively. A significant negative correlation was seen between COVID-19 knowledge, and attitude (r=- 0.16; p=0.001), while a positive correlation was seen between knowledge, and practice (r=0.11; p=0.025). The score for knowledge on post-acute COVID-19 was an average of 12.93 (±2.44) (maximum 20). 82.2% (n=333) respondents agreed that difficulty in accessing patient's clinical data was a barrier, whilst 95.6% (n=387) agreed support of healthcare system was regarded as the most common facilitator. Conclusion: There is a need for continuous education of COVID-19 as well as post-acute COVID-19 to ensure optimal management of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identifying knowledge gaps regarding antibiotic use and resistance is important for future interventional strategies. There is limited information on Malaysia's general public's knowledge and expectations on antibiotic use. Purpose: To assess the knowledge of antibiotic use and resistance, expectations from antibiotic prescription, and identify inappropriate practices related to antibiotic use among Malaysia's general public. Materials and Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among Malaysians aged 18 years and above from each state, from May to November 2019. Participants were recruited via quota sampling, followed by convenient sampling. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Of the 1971 respondents recruited, 56.6% had engaged in at least one inappropriate practice; particularly, not completing the antibiotic course (48.8%). The mean total knowledge score was 8.57± 4.24 (total 20). The majority incorrectly believed that antibiotics work on viral infections (79.1%) and colds and coughs (77.0%). Less than half of them believed that antibiotics could be stopped when symptoms improved (42.8%). Most respondents incorrectly perceived that antibiotic resistance occurs when the body becomes resistant to antibiotics (90.2%) and antibiotic resistance is not an issue in the country (62.9%). More than half the participants expected antibiotics to be prescribed for self-limiting symptoms (fever: 62.9%, sore throat: 57.2%, cold or flu: 50.9%). Respondents with better knowledge were less likely to engage in inappropriate antibiotic use (never engaged: 9.26± 4.40 versus had engaged: 8.11± 4.00, p< 0.001), and expect doctors to discuss with them the need for antibiotics (agree/strongly agree: 9.03± 4.25 versus neutral: 6.62± 3.91 versus disagree/strongly disagree: 8.29± 4.00, p< 0.001). Conclusion: Knowledge gaps in the role of antibiotics and understanding of antibiotic resistance should be considered whtpen designing future educational strategies for the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garlic has gained popularity worldwide as a non-pharmacological treatment for hypertension but its use in Malaysia is still moderate. This study was undertaken among Malaysian urban population to assess their knowledge, awareness and attitude towards garlic supplement. This study is a cross sectional study and was carried out from February to May 2015. A total of 202 respondents took part in the study with 45% (n=91) taking garlic supplement. The result demonstrated that there was a significant negative correlation with age and knowledge score (r=-0.15, p=0.03). Majority of the respondents were unaware (n=61/202, 69.8%) that garlic has blood pressure lowering properties. Most preferred conventional medicines (n=119/202, 58.9%) over garlic supplement (n=83/202, 41.1%). However, most of the respondents (n=176/202, 87.1%) were interested to know more about the use of garlic for hypertension. There is no significant correlation between knowledge, awareness and attitude of respondents towards garlic supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to establish baseline information on the current level of knowledge about, attitude toward, and experience with antibiotic usage, and preferences for shared decision making among adolescents in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, involving 1,105 respondents who were aged between 13 and 17 years and who lived in Malaysia, was conducted using a validated questionnaire. The survey assessed knowledge, attitude, and experience with regard to antibiotic usage, and adolescents' preferences for the style of shared decision-making process. Results: The majority (n=786 [71.13%]) of the respondents had a low level of knowledge, 296 (26.79%) had a moderate level of knowledge, and 23 (2.08%) had a high level of knowledge. Further, they demonstrated a slightly negative attitude mean score of 3.30±0.05 (range: 0-8 points) but a positive experience mean score of 2.90±0.029 (range: 0-4 points). There was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores, with a higher knowledge level associated with a more positive attitude toward antibiotic usage (r=0.257, P?0.001). Higher knowledge scores were associated with a more negative experience with antibiotic usage (r=-0.83, P=0.006). When assessing preference in shared decision making, more adolescents preferred an active role (n=408 [37%]) compared with collaborative (n=360 [32.6%]) or passive (n=337 [30.5%]) (P=0.028) roles. Conclusion: Current health care settings should involve adolescents in the decision-making process. Education packages can be introduced to improve adolescents' knowledge of and practice of taking antibiotics, as well as to encourage their participation in decision making, in an attempt to reduce misuse of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the association between religiosity, perceptions, and knowledge of breast cancer and its treatment among women in Malaysia. Methods: Knowledge and perceptions of breast cancer and its treatment were determined via a questionnaire adapted from previous studies. The Duke Religion Index was used to measure participants' religiosity. The questionnaires were distributed among women in public areas in Kuala Lumpur. Results: A total of 384 women participated in this study. Non-organisational religious activity (NORA; r = -0.113, p < 0.05) and intrinsic religiosity (IR; r = -0.183, p < 0.01) were significantly negatively correlated with knowledge of breast cancer. NORA (r = 0.115, p < 0.05) and IR (r = 0.229, p < 0.01) were positively, significantly correlated with the perception that patients who underwent treatment for breast cancer can enjoy good quality of life. There was also a significant positive correlation between NORA (r = 0.175, p < 0.05) and IR (r = 0.249, p < 0.01) on the statement that spiritual support improves treatment for breast cancer. IR was the only subscale positively, significantly associated with the perception of choosing breast-conserving surgery as a primary treatment choice (r = -0.111, p < 0.05) and dietary therapies (r = 0.126, p < 0.05) or acupuncture (r = 0.120, p < 0.05) as alternative treatments for breast cancer. Conclusion: Religiosity should be considered in improving women's knowledge and perceptions of breast cancer and its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]