Background: 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. Method: 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<0.05), residing in main Kota Kinabalu campus (vs non-KK campus, p<0.001), studying in medical faculty (vs non-medical faculty, p<0.001), and attended COVID-19 education (vs non-attendance; p<0.05).Conclusion: COVID-19 related knowledge and attitude were below satisfactory level during earlier phase of the pandemic. However, majority of respondents have positive behaviour towards COVID-19 prevention. This highlights the importance of accurate and tailored health education to improve the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of recommended measures to prevent COVID-19 spread.

Smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (SPPTB) is the major contributor to the spread of tuberculosis (TB) infection, and it creates high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of delayed sputum smear conversion at the end of the intensive phase of TB treatment in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.This retrospective study was conducted utilising data of SPPTB patients treated in 5 TB treatment centres located in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia from 2013 to 2018. Pulmonary TB (PTB) patients included in the study were those who had at least completed the intensive phase of anti-TB treatment with sputum smear results at the end of the 2nd month of treatment. The factors associated with delayed sputum smear conversion were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Predictors of sputum smear conversion at the end of intensive phase were evaluated.A total of 2641 patients from the 2013 to 2018 periods were included in this study. One hundred eighty nine (7.2%) patients were identified as having delayed sputum smear conversion at the end of the intensive phase treatment. Factors of moderate (advanced odd ratio [aOR]: 1.7) and advanced (aOR: 2.7) chest X-ray findings at diagnosis, age range of >60 (aOR: 2.1), year of enrolment 2016 (aOR: 2.8), 2017 (aOR: 3.9), and 2018 (aOR: 2.8), smokers (aOR: 1.5), no directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) supervisor (aOR: 6.9), non-Malaysian citizens (aOR: 1.5), and suburban home locations (aOR: 1.6) were associated with delayed sputum smear conversion at the end of the intensive phase of the treatment.To improve sputum smear conversion success rate, the early detection of PTB cases has to be fine-tuned so as to reduce late or severe case presentation during diagnosis. Efforts must also be in place to encourage PTB patients to quit smoking. The percentage of patients assigned with DOTS supervisors should be increased while at the same time ensuring that vulnerable groups such as those residing in suburban localities, the elderly and migrant TB patients are provided with proper follow-up treatment and management. Abbreviations: 95% CI = 95% confidence interval, AFB = acid fast bacilli, aOR = advanced odd ratio, DOTS = directly observed treatment short-course, EPTB = extrapulmonary tuberculosis, Mtb = Mycobacterium tuberculosis, PTB = pulmonary tuberculosis, SPPTB = smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, TB = tuberculosis, TBTC = tuberculosis treatment centres.

ABS TRACT Undernutrition and tuberculosis (TB) are a vital issue in most developing countries of the world. Both of these medical problems tend to have interacted with each other and bidirectional. The undernutrition creates a more significant problem in patients with active TB rather than among healthy individuals. Despite that, there is no protocol available on nutritional support in Malaysia to tackle on this issue. The objective of this review is to explore the nutrition burden of TB disease and the management available in Malaysia. The treatment for TB lasts for six months and above. Hence, it causes a financial burden not only for the healthcare provider but for the patient and the family members. If treatment is not successful and extends to a few months, it will increase the cost of the treatment. Malnutrition in TB patients will cause a problem in the outcome of TB treatment. It includes worsening of the disease, delayed sputum conversion, and increased risk of mortality. Other problems include malabsorption of Rifampicin, drug-induced hepatotoxicity, increased rate of relapse, and persistent of positive cultures in MDR-TB. Benefits of nutritional support for tuberculosis patients include improved body weight, increase in adherence/compliance to the tuberculosis treatment and increase in the success of the treatment. Implementation of nutritional support protocol by the government and Non-profit organization (NGO) will be beneficial and improve the quality of life of tuberculosis patients.ÖZET Beslenme yetersizliği ve tüberküloz (TB) dünyanın gelişmekte olan birçok ülkesinde hayati bir konudur. Bu tıbbi sorunların her ikisi de birbirleriyle etkileşime girme ve çift yönlü olma eğilimindedir. Beslenme yetersizliği, sağlıklı bireylerden ziyade aktif TB'li hastalarda daha önemli bir problem yaratır. Buna rağmen, Malezya'da bu konuda mücadele edecek beslenme desteği konusunda protokol bulunmamaktadır. Bu derlemenin amacı TB hastalığının beslenme yükünü ve Malezya'da bulunan yönetimi araştırmaktır. TB tedavisi altı ay ve daha uzun sürer. Dolayısıyla, sadece sağlık hizmeti sağlayıcısı için değil, hasta ve aile üyeleri için finansal bir yüke neden olmaktadır. Eğer tedavi başarılı olmaz ve birkaç aya kadar uzarsa, tedavinin maliyetini yükseltir. TB hastalarındaki yetersiz beslenme, TB tedavisinin sonucunda bir soruna neden olacaktır. Hastalığın kötüleşmesini, balgam dönüşümünü geciktirmeyi ve ölüm riskini arttırmayı içerir. Diğer problemler arasında Rifampisin salgılanması, ilaca bağlı hepatotoksisite, artmış nüks oranı ve MDR-TB'de pozitif kültürlerin kalıcılığı bulunur. Tüberküloz hastaları için beslenme desteğinin faydaları arasında vücut ağırlığının iyileştirilmesi, tüberküloz tedavisine uyumun artması ve tedavinin başarısının artması yer alır. Devlet ve sivil toplum kuruluşları (STK) tarafından beslenme destek protokolünün uygulanması yararlı olacak ve tüberküloz hastalarının yaşam kalitesini artıracaktır.Anah tar Ke li me ler: Kötü beslenme; beslenme durumu; tüberküloz; Malezya ndernutrition and tuberculosi...

Background: Hypertension is one of the leading health concerns that can be intervened, especially in rural areas. Thus, this study determined the prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension among rural dwellers in Kudat's village, Malaysia. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design carried out from 5th October 2019 until 17th October 2019. Universal sampling was used for sample size calculation. There are 111 respondents who are above 18 years old involved in this research. Association between hypertension and risk factors outcomes were analyzed by using logistic regression. The relationship between continuous variables was analyzed using correlation analysis. Results: The prevalence of hypertension among Kudat's villagers was 30% (n=33). There is a significant association between age and BMI with Hypertension. Also, there is a significant correlation between age, BMI, physical activity, with blood pressure. While other risk factors, including sociodemographic and lifestyles, do not significantly correlate with hypertension. Conclusion: Hypertension is highly prevalent in the village and is significantly associated with BMI and age group. Physical activity also correlates with blood pressure. Hence, an effective intervention that includes lifestyle and dietary behavior changes, health promotion, and health screening should be implemented to tackle this problem.

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.

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.

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.