Batu Buruk beach has been gazetted as a non-smoking zone by the Minister of Health under the initiative of Terengganu state government via their program known as ‘Terengganu Bebas Asap Rokok’ (TBAR). The smoking bans at Batu Buruk was enforced in order to preserve and protect the public from the dangers of cigarette smoke as well as to keep the city's environment clean and healthy. The objectives of this study were to assess the status of compliance to legislation and identify the potential aspects of violations in Batu Buruk, Terengganu, a gazetted smoke-free area. A cross-sectional study using direct observation was conducted includes all indoor and outdoor public areas in Batu Buruk Beach. Data were collected using a standard checklist which was constructed based on the provisions of the law governing exposure to tobacco smoke as stated in Control for Tobacco Products Regulation (CTPR) 2004. The study revealed that the average overall compliance with smoke-free policy was low (66.2%). The average compliance for indoor (67.4%) was higher as compared with outdoor (58.9%). Thirteen smokers were discovered smoking outdoor in the area during the study. None of the owners provides smoking aid at their premises. Although the beach has been gazetted as a non-smoking zone for more than two years, it is disappointing that overall compliance was still minimal and smoking activities are still happening in the area. Along with intense health promotion activities, continuous enforcement, close monitoring and periodic evaluation would improve and ensure the successfulness of the programme.    

Resilience among the medical interns is essential and is protective against the state of burnout. However, it is not thoroughly investigated among medical interns. Is there any behavioural and modifiable factors influencing resilience? The objective of this study is to determine the level of resilience among medical interns in Malaysia and its associated factors. This nationwide cross-sectional study recruited medical interns from 17 randomly selected Malaysian hospitals accredited for medical intern training. All medical interns who reported to the selected hospitals from January to April 2020 were invited to answer an online questionnaire. The questionnaire incorporated Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC-10) for resilience, USMEQ-i to measure emotional quotient, Brief-Cope to assess coping styles, Preparedness for Hospital Practice Questionnaire (PHPQ test) to assess internship preparedness and questions related to sociodemographic, undergraduate training and interest to become a doctor.<strong> </strong>524 from 870 medical interns (60.2%) responded. Mean resilience score was 28.6 (SD = 6.33). Significant factors associated with resilience include active involvement in sports (p = 0.002), high EQ (p&lt;0.001), interest to become a doctor (p&lt;0.001), coping using humour (p&lt;0.001), less coping by venting (p&lt;0.001) and no failures in any clinical posting (p = 0.012). The regression model was substantiated by adjusted R2 of 62.8%. Factors affecting resilience among medical interns include modifiable factors such as coping styles and involvement in sports. The findings could guide targeted intervention to promote during medical schools or internship preparation programmes to increase resilience among medical interns.

In higher education setting throughout the world, the practise of handwashing among staff is essential, particularly in the period of COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the overwhelming evidence on the effectiveness of proper handwashing, the knowledge, attitude and practice of handwashing among the staff of higher education have not been well investigated. Consequently, a cross-sectional study among staff in a university in Malaysia was conducted to identify the prevalence of proper handwashing and its associated factors. The data was collected using questionnaires in Google form from 18th June to 21st June 2020. Statistical analyses involved simple and multiple logistic regression with backward likelihood ratio method. Out of 349 participants, 31.8% (95% CI:  26.9,36.7) had proper handwashing practice. The results of the multivariable analysis revealed that the total knowledge scores (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.071) and the total attitude scores (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.152, 1.321) were found to be significantly associated with proper handwashing practice among staff. Our study suggests that having the right knowledge and favourable attitudes are crucial towards achieving the proper handwashing practise. Additional supports for promoting a conducive ecosystem may also likely be needed to sustain a long-term practice of proper handwashing.

AimsEmotional intelligence is crucial for medical professionals. Medical interns are expected to have a high degree of emotional intelligence to face their professional career challenges. Emotional intelligence, often measured as an emotional quotient (EQ), is the capacity to recognize and regulate emotion in oneself. It enables one to monitor own feelings and emotions and others; and guide decisions and actions, and is crucial to ensure a successful work-related outcome or good performance. A higher EQ enhances physician and patient well-being, increases patient safety and augments healthcare teamwork. However, studies about EQ among medical interns are lacking. Therefore, this study intended to determine the level of EQ among medical interns in Malaysia and its associated factors.MethodsThis nationwide cross-sectional study recruited new medical interns reporting to 17 randomly selected Malaysian hospitals accredited for medical intern training from January to April 2020. They were invited to answer an online questionnaire incorporating USMEQ-i to measure EQ, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 items (CD-RISC-10) for resilience, Brief-Cope to assess coping styles, PHPQ to assess internship preparedness, DUREL for religiosity, and questions related to sociodemographic and undergraduate training.ResultsA total of 524 from 619 medical interns responded. Mean (SD) EQ score was 3.08(0.58). Significant factors positively associated with EQ include resilience score (adjusted b = 0.65, 95% CI 0.58, 0.72, p <0.001), preparedness for internship (adjusted b = 0.11, 95% CI 0.09, 0.13, p < 0.001), approach-style coping (adjusted b = 0.17, 95% CI 0.11, 0.24, p <0.001), and religiosity (adjusted b = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01, 0.17, p <0.001). In contrast, avoidant-style coping (adjusted b=−0.19, 95% CI –0.28, 0.11, p <0.001) is negatively associated with EQ. Adjusted R2 of 67.6% substantiated the goodness of fit of the regression model.ConclusionThis study showed that there are a few modifiable factors that significantly influence EQ among medical interns; namely resilience, coping style, preparedness for internship, and religiosity. There is a positive association between EQ and approach coping style, and a negative relationship with avoidant coping. Approach coping encapsulates constructive responses to stress such as positive reframing, acceptance, seeking helpful information, and reaching for emotional support, while avoidant coping includes self-distraction, denial, venting, substance abuse, behavioural disengagement, and self-blame. These significant factors in this study such as coping and resilience can be learned and taught as a skill. These findings will aid medical schools to design programmes and improve the medical education to increase EQ among medical students who will become better medical interns and doctors in the future.

style coping (adjusted b=0.17; 95% CI 0.11-0.24; p<0.001), and religiosity (adjusted b=0.09; 95% CI 0.01-0.17; p<0.001). In contrast, avoidant-style coping (adjusted b=-0.19; 95% CI -0.28-0.11; p<0.001) is negatively associated with EQ. Adjusted R 2 of 67.6% substantiated the goodness of fit of the regression model. This study showed that a few significant modifiable factors influenced EQ among medical graduates; namely resilience, coping style, preparedness for internship, and religiosity. It showed a positive association between emotional intelligence and approach coping style, and a negative relationship with avoidant coping. Approach coping encapsulates constructive responses to stress such as positive reframing, acceptance, seeking helpful information, and reaching for emotional support, while avoidant coping includes self-distraction, denial, venting, substance abuse, behavioural disengagement, and self-blame. 4