Development, Validation, and Reliability Analysis of the Household-Related Air Pollution on the Childhood Bronchial Asthma Onset Checklist (HAPBAC-Checklist).

Introduction Most studies on indoor air pollution for childhood bronchial asthma (BA) were focused on institutions such as schools. However, many asthma triggers are household sources such as consumer products, smoking, and pets. In Malaysia, there is no specific checklist to evaluate the risk of childhood BA onset from household factors.

Employers' Perception and Practice of Workplace Violence Prevention at Healthcare Facilities Questionnaire: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Background: Workplace violence prevention initiatives are undeniably lacking in healthcare facilities. The aim of this study was to validate a newly developed questionnaire and assess employers' perceptions and practices towards workplace violence prevention at healthcare facilities.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to November 2021 by recruiting 333 employers at healthcare facilities in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Development and Validation of the Observation Checklist Assessing the Hygiene and Sanitation of the Food Preparation Areas in Kota Bharu Kelantan Preschool.

Introduction: The current inspection checklist for the assessment of food preparation areas in preschools in Malaysia has not been revised since 2012. The checklist's content needs to be improved to ensure relevant parameters are covered during preschool inspections.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop and validate an observation checklist for assessing the hygiene and sanitation of food preparation areas in preschools.

Five Decades of Research Progress in Air Pollution, Children's Respiratory Health, and Emergency Department Visits: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Air pollution is a global environmental health concern. Our study aims to examine the collective scientific impact of air pollution, children's respiratory health, and emergency department visits during the last five decades. Original articles, review papers, and conference proceedings in the English language published from 1972 to 2022 were obtained after a comprehensive search of the Scopus database using the terms air pollution, children, respiratory health, and emergency department visit.

The Changing Trend of Paediatric Emergency Department Visits in Malaysia Following the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the emergency department (ED) due to the surge in medical demand and changes in the characteristics of paediatric visits. Additionally, the trend for paediatric ED visits has decreased globally, secondary to implementing lockdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19. We aim to study the trend and characteristics of paediatric ED visits following Malaysia's primary timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Split Tummy Exercise Program for Reducing Diastasis Recti in Postpartum Primigravidae: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) involves the separation of the midline abdominal muscles and linea alba and affects more than half of postpartum women. This study aimed to assess the effect of a split tummy exercise program (STEP) on DRA closure in postpartum mothers.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2008 to 2020 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre.

Perception and Practice of Workplace Violence Prevention and Its Associated Factors among Employers at Healthcare Facilities in Melaka, Malaysia.

Workplace violence (WPV) is a major public health concern, especially among healthcare workers. There is a negative perception and poor practice of healthcare employers towards WPV prevention. This study aims to determine the perception and practice towards WPV prevention and its associated factors among healthcare employers in Melaka, Malaysia.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing the Perception and Practice of Workplace Violence Prevention Among Employers at Healthcare Facilities in North-Eastern Malaysia.

Introduction Healthcare workers have been suffering from workplace violence in alarming numbers, showing the importance of its prevention initiative. This study aims to develop and validate a new questionnaire to assess the perception and practice scores of workplace violence prevention among employers at healthcare facilities. Methods Existing literature has been reviewed to establish the domains and refine the items.

Predictors of tuberculosis disease in smokers: a case-control study in northeastern Malaysia.

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading infectious disease. However, many TB cases remain undetected and only present symptoms at a late stage of the infection. Therefore, targeted TB screening in high-risk populations, including smokers, is crucial.

Development and Validation of the Tuberculosis Risk Score for Smokers (TBRSS).

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health issue worldwide. However, the effectiveness of TB screening programmes among smokers is still questionable. There is a need for a simple, reliable, and validated screening system for this risk population.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Delayed Sputum Smear Conversion in Malaysian Aborigines with Smear-Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health challenge despite enormous eradication efforts. Indigenous groups worldwide have a higher TB incidence and associated delayed sputum-smear conversion. The aim of this case-control study was to determine the epidemiology and factors associated with delayed sputum-smear conversion among Malaysian aborigines.

Trends and Spatial Pattern Analysis of Dengue Cases in Northeast Malaysia.

Objectives: Dengue remains hyperendemic in Malaysia despite extensive vector control activities. With dynamic changes in land use, urbanisation and population movement, periodic updates on dengue transmission patterns are crucial to ensure the implementation of effective control strategies. We sought to assess shifts in the trends and spatial patterns of dengue in Kelantan, a north-eastern state of Malaysia (5°15'N 102°0'E).

Prediction of Dengue Incidence in the Northeast Malaysia Based on Weather Data Using the Generalized Additive Model.

Introduction: Dengue, a vector-borne viral illness, shows worldwide widening spatial distribution beyond its point of origination, namely, the tropical belt. The persistent hyperendemicity in Malaysia has resulted in the formation of the dengue early warning system. However, weather variables are yet to be fully utilized for prevention and control activities, particularly in east-coast peninsular Malaysia where limited studies have been conducted.

Factors associated with vascular and neurological complications of hand-arm vibration syndrome among tire shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Objective: Prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) at the workplace is associated with hand-arm vascular syndrome (HAVS). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with the vascular and neurological complications of HAVS among tire shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 200 tire shop workers from two districts in Kelantan was conducted.

The Effectiveness of Tuberculosis Education Programme in Kelantan, Malaysia on Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Stigma Towards Tuberculosis among Adolescents.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is contagious and the transmission risk is high in congregate settings like school. Incidence of TB among adolescents is significantly high hence an education programme was developed to improve knowledge, attitude, practice and stigma (KAPS) among them.

Methods: This school-based, non-randomised controlled study was conducted among secondary school students with a total of 236 respondents.

Musculoskeletal complications of hand-arm vibration syndrome among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

. Exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) is associated with hand-arm vascular syndrome (HAVS), which is characterized by musculoskeletal complications. However, evidence on this matter has been inconclusive.

The Effects of Wet Cupping Therapy on Fasting Blood Sugar, Renal Function Parameters, and Endothelial Function: A Single-arm Intervention Study.

Objectives: Despite being recognized worldwide as an alternative therapy in treating various chronic diseases and pain, the mechanism of wet cupping is still not well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fasting blood sugar (FBS), renal function parameters, and endothelial function changes following wet cupping in healthy individuals.

Methods: We conducted a single-arm intervention study at the Clinical Lab of Community Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and included 31 healthy individuals aged between 30 and 60 years old.

Prevalence of hand-arm vibration syndrome among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Background: Prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration is associated with a disorder of the vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems of the upper limb known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Currently, the evidence of HAVS in tropical environments is limited.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and severity of HAVS among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Lifetime vibration dose correlates with severity of the neurological component of hand-arm vibration syndrome among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

. Cumulative lifetime exposure to vibration is believed to contribute to more severe complications of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). .

Pediatric Tuberculosis in a Northeast State of Peninsular Malaysia: Diagnostic Classifications and Determinants.

Objectives: We sought to determine the total proportion of pediatric tuberculosis cases, characterize tuberculosis by its anatomical location and pretreatment sputum smear status, and to determine the association of the sociodemographic and clinical factors with tuberculosis disease among pediatric patients in Kelantan from 2012 until 2015.

Methods: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study between tuberculosis cases and tuberculosis contacts among pediatric patients using the Tuberculosis Information System as a source population. All notified cases that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study.

The Effectiveness of a Voice Care Program Among Primary School Teachers in Northeastern Malaysia.

Objectives: We sought to determine the effectiveness of a voice care program among primary school teachers in a northeastern district in Malaysia.

Methods: We conducted a randomized community trial in eight primary schools in a northeastern district in Malaysia. The self-administered and validated Malay-Voice Handicap Index-10 (M-VHI-10) questionnaire was used to assess overall voice handicap scores pre-intervention and eight weeks post-intervention.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Education and Factors Associated with Implementation among Antenatal Women in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Background: Pelvic floor muscle exercise is effective for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Despite the high prevalence of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction in women in the community, pelvic floor muscle exercise recognition is low in Malaysian society; thus, this intervention is not frequently used . This study assessed the knowledge of, attitudes towards, and use of pelvic floor muscle exercise among antenatal women before and after educational classes.