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Background Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of preventable and treatable diseases, in which soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common infections worldwide. Most affected are the children and this review aims to identify the prevalence, risk factors and impact of STH in an urban area. Methodology This review was guiding using PRISMA review protocol incorporating the research question of “What is the prevalence, risk factors and impact of helminth infection among urban children in tropical countries?". The databases used in this review include SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, OVID MEDLINE and PUBMED. The articles used include observational and interventional studies conducted among children aged 18 years and less from 2010 to 2020. The main outcome measure was risk factors of STH infection seen in urban children includes social backgrounds, sanitation and policy. Results From the initial 973 articles found in the database searching, only 13 articles selected for qualitative synthesis after exclusion and screening for eligibility done. The overall prevalence of helminth infection among urban children ranges from 4.8-48.9%. The associated factor that influences helminth infection among children living in an urban area are age, male more common than female, low socioeconomic status, low parents’ education level, living in an urban slum or crowded area, low water quality and sanitation practice and poor hygiene practice. The deworming tablets consumption acts as protective factors for helminth infections. The medium haemoglobin value was significantly lower in helminth-infected children compared to uninfected children and the stunting, underweight as well as moderate acute malnutrition were attributable to helminth infections. Conclusion The prevalence and intensity of helminthiasis were heterogeneous among urban areas of developing countries, however, the endemicity is still high. Further efforts including healthy policies, continuous national deworming programmes and multi-sectoral partnership are required to reduce the prevalence of helminthiasis in the urban area.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the burden of tropical diseases among migrants into non-endemic countries. AIM: This study aimed to systematically review the existing data of the prevalence of tropical diseases globally, including neglected tropical diseases globally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic review reporting prevalence (including seroprevalence) of tropical diseases following the PRISMA guidelines and based on the database from PUBMED, WoS, and PROQUEST. All the identified records were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected articles’ quality was appraised using the mixed methods appraisal tool to ensure its quality. RESULTS: Overall, 19 studies conducted in 13 countries published between the year 2017–2020 were included in the study. Based on the thematic analysis, two themes (type of organism) and 11 sub-themes (disease) were used. The prevalence of tropical diseases among migrants ranged from 0.2 to 31% for malaria; 3–20% for Chagas Disease; 3.2–3.5% for Giardiasis; 31.7–57.4% for Toxoplasmosis; 0.1–51%, for Schistosomiasis; 0.1–15.8%, for Strongyloidiasis; 0.3–3.8% for Trichuriasis; 0.2–0.9% for Ascariasis; 6.4–9.7% for Toxocariasis; 0.3% for Loiasis; and 0.5% for Filariasis. All migrants warrant thorough screening and testing, based on the country of origin of their last visit. Routine screening and follow-up may reduce the re-emergence of tropical disease in non-endemic countries. CONCLUSION: Multiple approaches in managing social and health issues among migrants are vital to secure healthy labor forces for the country’s economy and development. Public health sectors should implement strategic promotive, preventive, and curative programs targeted to this group.

Introduction: Stress in nursing students has been documented in many studies and this will lead to various health problems. However, there is scanty research assessing the level of stress among nursing students during Covid-19 in Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of stress and its association with social and environmental factors amongst nursing students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by random sampling among nursing students in Universiti Malaysia Sabah between March and May 2021. The primary outcome was stress symptoms, derived from the validated Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS) questionnaire. Socio-demographic, social, and environmental factors were also assessed. T-test was used to assess the associations between level of stress and social and environmental factors. Results: A total of 115 responses were received with the mean (SD) age of the students being 20.5 (1.3) years old. Of all the students, 84.9% were female, 54.6% received financial support from National Higher Education Fund Corporation and 46.2% were in nursing Year 2 followed by the nursing year 1 (28.6%) and nursing year 3 (25.2%). The students in this study reported a higher level of stress. The students who reported most or all the time being trapped in a hostel (p

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, it has spread to 215 countries, and 42 million people around the globe are affected. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward COVID-19 play a role in determining the acceptance of behavioral change measures from health authorities to suppress this pandemic status. The KAP on COVID-19 is also important among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19. Hence, this study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 and its association with sociodemographic factors among nursing students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among the Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 nursing students. The questionnaire consists of four parts: 1) demographics, which surveys participants' sociodemographic information; 2) knowledge about COVID-19; 3) attitude towards COVID-19; and 4) practices relevant to COVID-19. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0 was used for data entry and analysis Result: A total of 113 Nursing Students participated in the study. More than half of the respondents have good general knowledge and practices of COVID-19. However, only one in three respondents have positive attitudes towards COVID-19. Older age was associated with good knowledge about COVID-19 (p=0.02). Female (P=0.02) and high household income (P=0.02) has a better attitude towards COVID-19. However, no significant association between sociodemographic and practices towards COVID-19. Conclusion: Most of the respondents demonstrate a good level of knowledge and practices towards COVID-19 but not for attitudes. Sociodemographic characteristics such as younger, male respondents and those with lower-income families have inadequate knowledge and practices towards COVID-19. Hence, health education programs such as campaigns need to be conducted to increase the knowledge and encourage adequate preventive practice towards COVID-19 should be targeted towards this group.

Background Similar to other coronaviruses, COVID-19 is transmitted mainly by droplets and is highly transmissible through close proximity or physical contact with an infected person. Countries across the globe have implemented public health control measures to prevent onwards transmission and reduce burden on health care settings. Social or physical distancing was found to be one of appropriate measure based on previous experience with epidemic and pandemic contagious diseases. This study aims to review the latest evidence of the impact of social or physical distancing implemented during COVID-19 pandemic towards COVID-19 and other related infectious disease transmission. Methodology The study uses PRISMA review protocol and formulation of research question was based on PICO. The selected databases include Ovid MEDLINE and Scopus. Thorough identification, screening and eligibility process were done, revealed selected 8 articles. The articles then ranked in quality through MMAT. Results A total of eight papers included in this analysis. Five studies (USA, Canada, South Korea and the United Kingdom) showed physical distancing had resulted in a reduction in Covid-19 transmission. In comparison, three other studies (Australia, South Korea and Finland) showed a similar decline on other infectious diseases (Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), other sexually transmitted infections (STI), Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Vaccine-Preventive Disease (VPD). The degree of the distancing policy implemented differ between strict and lenient, with both result in effectiveness in reducing transmission of infectious disease. Conclusion Physical or social distancing may come in the form of extreme or lenient measure in effectively containing contagious disease like COVID-19, however the stricter the measure will give more proportionate impact towards the economy, education, mental health issues, morbidity and mortality of non-COVID-19 diseases. Since we need this measure to ensure the reduction of infectious diseases transmission in order to help flattening the curve which allow much needed time for healthcare system to prepare adequately to response, ‘Precision physical distancing” can be implemented which will have more benefit towards the survival of the community as a whole.

The elderly population in Malaysia are multiplying, and older people's reliance on social services such as elderly institutions has increased. Mental health problems especially depression is one of the main problems with institutionalized elderly. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of depression among the elderly in all three state-run institutions in Sabah. A multi-centred, cross-sectional study was conducted on residents of all three state-run elderly institutions in Sabah (N=110). All residents that fulfil the criteria were included in the study through a self-administered set of validated questionnaires that measure perceived social support, loneliness, and depression. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences by IBM (IBM SPSS) v25 was used and Chi-Square and logistic regression for analysis. The prevalence of depressive symptoms is at 60.9%. The independent risk factors for depression in residents were male gender (OR=4.09, 95%CI=1.55, 10.79), perceived poor health status (OR=6.63, 95%CI=2.49, 17.65), and loneliness (OR=6.12, 95%CI=2.02, 18.53). Depression is prevalent among the elderly in the state-run institutions in Sabah, Malaysia. A comprehensive mental health screening program needs to be implemented for the elderly institutions along with adequate training for staff to handle mental health issues in the elderly.

The objective of this study is to assess the level of knowledge and practice of burn first aid management among parents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of under-age children in the Taman Desa Darul Naim area of Pasir Tumbuh, in Kelantan, Malaysia, using an adapted survey from Davies et al. Out of 80 respondents, 46.3% showed minimal knowledge of burn first aid, 47.5% had moderate knowledge, and 6.3% extensive knowledge. There was a significant relationship between the demographic data and the knowledge of burn first aid for gender (p = 0.02), but no significant relationship between the level of knowledge and level of education (p = 0.29) or age (p = 0.09). The findings indicate that the level of knowledge of burn first aid is limited. Education for parents of under-age children, including demonstrations of burn first aid, is needed to promote safe action and prevent further injury in the community.

Introduction: Cancer is the leading cause of death for children and adolescents globally with 300,000 children aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer every year, mainly leukaemia, lymphomas and brain cancers. Like other causes of cancer, the difficulty arises because of multi-factorial aetiologies involving the interaction between genetic factors as well as environmental exposures. Aims: This study aimed to analyse published studies on the relationship between childhood leukaemia and exposures to pesticides. Methods: The search on the literature database Ovid-MEDLINE search strategy was conducted for the period from 1995 to 2014. The quality of non-randomised studies was assessed by using Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: Six studies investigated the relationship related to parental residential exposure and one study, showed an association between childhood leukaemia and maternal exposure. Two studies investigated the relationship to maternal residential exposure. Two studies reported an association between childhood leukaemia and parental occupational exposure. One study showed a positive association out of two studies that evaluated the association related to parental occupational and residential exposure. This review provides evidence of weak to modest association between childhood leukaemia and pesticides exposure in most of the studies. Conclusion: Most studies showed an association; however, the causation remains unexplained because of limitations such as potential bias, faulty study design and sample frame, lack of statistical power and also ascertainment of exposure.

In nearly six years of armed conflict, more than 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives and there were over 1 million Syrian refugees who had been registered in Lebanon in 2016. It has been reported that exposure to war causes injury, illness and breakdown in the health care structures especially to children. This paper attempts to evaluate the impact of war on health in children and to explore their experience living with health problems. A qualitative data from semi structured interview was conducted among mothers in refugee camp in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon Participants were purposefully sampled and asked to share their impact on war to health of their children. All interviews were written manually and analysed thematically. Ten participants were involved in this study. There were three main themes were identified, each of which led to health risks for the children; antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum. There was variety of health problems reported ranging from neurological, musculoskeletal disorder to ocular problems. The experience living with health problems were understood through construction of three thematic categories emerged; psychological burden, disruption of daily living and economic effect. In additional, the participants also highlighted the intergenerational impact of war on health predominantly mental disorder, congenital abnormalities, infectious disease and complication in pregnancy. In general, this paper provides an important understanding of impact of wars on health among vulnerable group which is children. The effects of wars on health and health care services are substantial. All these issues should be explored more to ensure the children received adequate health care. The results generated form this study can inspire new collaboration with many authorities in the design and implementation intervention to improve health status in war zone

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health threat. Therefore, CRC screening uptake has been a focus with the established precancerous lesion and the strong association of early detection with staging and survival of the disease. However, CRC screening is relatively low in many countries. This article briefly discussed the current situation of CRC, recommendations, and current uptake of CRC screening in various countries. Besides that, this article also highlights the potential factors that help to predict the CRC screening uptake worldwide. Identification of those factors could guide policymakers to develop an effective strategy to improve the CRC screening uptake and ultimately improve the health outcome of the population.

Introduction: COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude and practice plays a major role in determining the readiness of the community to adopt the behavioural change towards recommended preventive measures outlined by public health officials. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 among university students as well as its associated factors. Design and methods: This is a cross sectional study that was conducted among students in a public university during the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. An online validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis test was used to determine the association between independent variables with knowledge, attitude, and practice score. Results: Overall response rate of this study was 92.9 (n=524). Median score of knowledge domain was 78.0 (IQR= ±12.0), median attitude score of 49.0 (IQR= ±5.0), and median practice score of 80.0 (IQR= ±11.0). The mean knowledge, attitude and practice score were significantly higher among diploma holder (vs degree holder, p

Travelers are at higher risk of developing health-related problems, especially travel-related diseases, and this remains a major public health burden.To assess pretravel health behavior-seeking factors, knowledge of vaccine, and travel health attitudes. A cross-sectional design among Malaysian travelers.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. IndependentAmong 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 (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.