Browsing by Author "Faizul Akmal Abdul Rahim"
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- PublicationAssessing the population’s correct knowledge of malaria in Malaysia: a vital component for malaria elimination certification(2023)
;Faizul Akmal Abdul Rahim ;Mohd Farihan Md Yatim ;Mohd Hatta Abdul MutalipMohd Amierul Fikri MahmudBackground: Malaria remains a public health problem in Malaysia despite a decline in the number of cases in recent years. Public knowledge of malaria is essential to achieving and maintaining malaria elimination. Therefore, this survey assessed the prevalence of people who had ever heard of malaria, had correct knowledge of malaria transmission, symptoms, risk activities, and prevention measures in the Malaysian population, and identified the associated factors involved. Methods: The data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) which was conducted from September to October 2020. A cross-sectional survey with five structured questionnaires using the method of computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) was used to collect data. The socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, educational level, and occupation were recorded. Data were analysed using STATA SE Version 16. Associations between variables were tested using chi-square and logistic regression, with the level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Out of 3085 respondents who participated in this survey, 2491 had ever heard of malaria with a prevalence of 76.1% (95% CI 70.5, 80.9). The prevalence of correct knowledge of malaria transmission was 53.9% (95% CI 50.2, 57.7), symptoms 24.1% (95% CI 21.2, 27.2), risk activities 34.0% (95% CI 29.3, 39.1) and prevention measures 59.7% (95% CI 55.5, 63.7). Multivariate analysis showed that age, ethnicity, and educational level were significantly associated with correct malaria transmission and risk activities. In addition, age and educational level were significantly associated with correct malaria symptoms. Subsequently, only the variable ethnicity showed a significant association with the correct malaria prevention measures. Conclusion: In general, the prevalence of ever heard of malaria was considered high since the survey was performed based on a non-specific malaria population. However, the prevalence of correct knowledge of malaria symptoms and risk activities were considered low. It is concluded that educational level is one of the major factors associated with correct malaria knowledge, along with age and ethnicity. Therefore, based on these findings, targeted intervention and innovation should be planned by malaria programme managers to sustain malaria elimination in Malaysia. - PublicationContainment and Mitigation Measures of COVID-19-A Scoping Review(2020)
;Faizul Akmal Abdul RahimMuhd Hafizuddin Taufik RamliThe epidemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) in China and a number of countries had led to the Covid-19 pandemic declaration by WHO. The aim of this study is to assess the evidence and to report the effectiveness of Covid-19 containment and mitigation measures among the affected countries. A comprehensive search strategy was performed using the MESH terms of “Novel coronavirus,” “Novel coronavirus 2019”, “2019 nCoV”, “Covid-19”, “Wuhan coronavirus”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “Containment”, “Mitigation” and “Control”. After completion of the initial screening, 922 articles were excluded for the following reasons: the article did not meet the inclusion criteria (N = 862), the article was a duplicate (N = 60). The remaining 72 articles were screened at the full-text level. After full review for relevancy, 41 articles were excluded and a total of 31 articles were selected for scoping review. The two most successful countries that managed to control this pandemic were Hong Kong and South Korea. While, the United States of America (USA) and Brazil are the countries yet unable to significantly reduce the Covid-19 cases. The aggressiveness of government efforts and the compliance among the population are the main factors contributing to the effectiveness of the containment and mitigation measures implemented. - PublicationKey Breeding Containers of Dengue Vectors in Outbreak Localities in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur(2021)
;Faizul Akmal Abdul Rahim ;Mohd Amierul Fikri MahmudMohd Farihan Md YatimDengue is a mosquito-borne disease that rapidly spreads throughout tropical and subtropical regions. An estimated 2.5 billion people live in dengue-endemic countries and millions of cases occurring each year. Identifying key breeding containers are important to prevent dengue epidemics. This study aims to identify key breeding containers and to evaluate the risks of dengue transmission in the dengue outbreak localities in Kepong District, Kuala Lumpur. Entomological surveillance was done between January 2016 to December 2017 in 38 different outbreak localities. Both indoors and outdoors water-holding containers were inspected for the presence of mosquito larvae. All collected larvae have identified the species, types of breeding containers were recorded, and three larval indices, House Index (HI), Container Index (CI), and Breteau Index (BI), were calculated. Of the 2,067 containers inspected, 227 (10.98%) containers were positive for Aedes larvae. The four main breeding container types in this study were plastic containers (31.72%), water drums (22.47%), drains (18.06%), and flowerpots (14.98%). The HI, CI, and BI varied from 0 to 52.94, from 1.72 to 32.76, and from 2.33 to 75.00, respectively. Key breeding containers of Aedes larvae found in this study provide guidance for health service providers to educate residents to eliminate the common indoors and outdoors Aedes mosquito breeding containers in the study area. - PublicationQuality of life and its associated factors among older persons in Malaysia(John Wiley & Sons, 2020)
;Mohd Hatta Abdul Mutalip ;Faizul Akmal Abdul Rahim ;Hasmah Mohamed Haris ;Norzawati Yoep ;Amierul Fikri Mahmud ;Ruhaya Salleh ;Noor Aliza Lodz ;Rajini Sooryanarayana ;Tan Maw PinNoor Ani AhmadAim: Quality of life (QoL) among the older persons provides valuable insights into the potential modifiable risk factors that affect well‐being in later life. This study aimed to describe the QoL and psychosocial factors of QoL of older persons in Malaysia. Methods: We used the 19‐item Control, Autonomy, Self‐realization and Pleasure scale, a validated instrument that measures psychological well‐being related to QoL in older persons. Scores range from 0 to 57, and higher scores indicate better QoL. We included several factors as covariates. Analysis of complex samples was carried out using Stata 15. Descriptive analysis was carried out to determine QoL by sociodemographic characteristics and other factors. Linear regression analysis was used to identify psychosocial factors that influence QoL. Results: A total of 3444 individuals aged ≥60 years completed all 19‐item Control, Autonomy, Self‐realization and Pleasure items. The estimated mean QoL score was 47.01 (95% CI 46.30–47.72). Adjusted for confounders, QoL was lower among individuals with no formal education (−2.554, 95% CI −3.684, −1.424), probable depression (−1.042, 95% CI −1.212, −0.871) and food insecurity (−0.815, 95% CI −1.083, −0.548). QoL continued to improve with improved ADL score (0.302, 95% CI 0.052, 0.552), IADL score (0.646, 95% CI 0.382, 0.909) and better social support (0.308, 95% CI 0.187, 0.429). Conclusions: Lower education, depression, food insecurity, presence of limited functional status and poor social support negatively influenced QoL in older Malaysians. This study identified potentially modifiable factors that could be targeted for interventions to enhance QoL of older persons in Malaysia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 92–97. - PublicationThe application of environmental management methods in combating dengue: a systematic review(Taylor & Francis LTD, 2022-06-01)
;Mohd Amierul Fikri Mahmud ;Mohd Hatta Abdul Mutalip ;Noor Aliza Lodz ;Eida Nurhadzira Muhammad ;Norzawati Yoep ;Mohd Hazrin Hasim ;Faizul Akmal Abdul Rahim ;Joel Aik ;Jayanthi RajarethinamNor Asiah MuhamadAmong several vector control methods commonly used, environmental management is one of the control measures to mitigate dengue in such vulnerable communities. Since there is no curative treatment for dengue yet, targeted environmental and ecosystem management is increasingly relevant. Hence, this review was conducted to identify the effectiveness of environmental management intervention strategy to reduce dengue cases. We searched PUBMED, CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CIJE, WHO ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to January 2021. A total of 521 articles were screened. Only 16 studies were included in this review. There were 6 studies that applied all three types of environmental management interventions (manipulation, modification and behavior), 8 studies applied two types of interventions (manipulation and behavior) and 2 studies applied one type of intervention (manipulation or behavior). All included studies reported reduction of Aedes entomological indices. The studies showed reduction in dengue cases and density of Aedes population through environmental interventions. It is recommended for the health authority to incorporate environmental management intervention in dengue control activities and enhanced the community involvement to ensure sustainability with high impact on dengue reduction. - PublicationThe Construction Site Provides a Suitable Environment for Vector Mosquitoes in The Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia(2022)
;Faizul Akmal Abdul Rahim ;Mohd Amierul Fikri Mahmud ;Mohd Farihan Md Yatim ;Mohd Hatta Abdul MutalipHanipah ShaharConstruction sites are often blamed for dengue outbreaks in surrounding localities. The environment is suitable for immature mosquitoes to develop without predators and the convenience of female mosquitoes to feed on the exposed construction workers. The purposes of this study were to identify the species of mosquitoes present at construction sites and the types of their preferred breeding habitats, and also to determine the vertical distribution of the mosquitoes. Nineteen construction sites in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur were cross-sectionally surveyed for the presence of immature mosquitoes in 2018. All waterholding containers were inspected for the presence of immature mosquitoes. Types of water-holding containers were recorded and counted. The number of immature mosquitoes was counted from each positive container and then transferred to the laboratory for species identification. A total of 1,643 immature mosquitoes were collected, comprising 1,287 larvae and 356 pupae. Aedes aegypti immature was the most abundant mosquito species (76%), followed by Culex quinquefasciatus (19%), and the Aedes albopictus (5%). The most productive breeding sites were flooded floors, drains, plastic containers, elevator shafts, water drums, and pails. We discovered that the immature mosquitoes were most abundant from the ground floor to the second floor, with Ae. aegypti immature could disperse up to the thirteenth floor. This study has provided useful information to the health department regarding the preferred breeding habitats of vector mosquitoes at construction sites. Consequently, it contributes to effective and efficient vector prevention and control measures, thus saving time and manpower.