The COVID-19 pandemic has created anxiety among hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and its associated factors among stable inpatient COVID-19 patients in Malaysia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based online survey involving 401 patients from Malaysia’s leading COVID-19 hospitals from 15th April until 30th June 2020, who were chosen using quota sampling. The General Anxiety Disorders 7 items (GAD-7) scale, the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief COPE) and a socio-demographic profile questionnaire were used. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed using SPSS v23 to determine the prevalence of anxiety and its associated factors. Result: The results showed that the prevalence of anxiety was 7.0%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender (p < 0.05), a fear of infection (p < 0.05), a lack of information (p < 0.05), a maladaptive coping mechanism of behavioral disengagement (p < 0.001) and self-blame (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with anxiety. Meanwhile, adaptive coping mechanisms via instrumental support (p < 0.001) were a significant protective predictor of anxiety. Conclusions: COVID-19 infection has had a significant influence on the mental health of patients. Findings in our study provide baseline data on the prevalence of anxiety among stabilized COVID-19 inpatients in Malaysia. Despite the relatively low prevalence, the data have the potential to improve the present mental health monitoring system and the deployment of suitable treatments in dealing with similar circumstances.

Background: Visual impairment and blindness are common problems in older adult of Malaysian and the number of people affected is likely to increase as the population age increased. Visual impairment can be described as any chronic visual deficit that impairs everyday functioning. This study aims to determine the association of visual impairment with diabetes mellitus among adults in Malaysia. Method: Data was analyzed on adults aged ≥ 50 years from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015, a cross-sectional, nationwide population-based survey covering information on socio-demographic profile, diabetes mellitus and visual domain from the locally validated Washington Group Short Questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of diabetes patients had difficulty in seeing was 26.1% (95% CI: 24.2, 28.0). Elderly Malaysians was noted to have higher proportion of visual impairment 27.8% (95% CI: 25.6-30.1) compared to other age group. From that, we selected the respondents aged 50 and above and the result showed 32.5% (95% CI: 30.76, 34.37) of them having visual impairment. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with visual impairment and showed it was significantly associated with diabetes mellitus [aOR = 1.8, 95%- CI: 1.7-1.9], more female visually impaired [aOR = 1.1, 95%-CI: 1.0- 1.2] and most among elderly [aOR = 5.3, 95% CI: 4.4-6.4], other bumiputra [aOR = 1.9, 95%-CI: 1.6-2.1], widow/widower/divorcee [aOR = 1.4, 95%-CI: 1.1-1.7] and rural [aOR = 1.0,95%-CI: 1.0-1.1]. Conclusion: National screening and educational programs were needed to reduce visual impairment and risk of blindness among diabetes patient. The findings may help increase the awareness of visual impairment by general public and policy makers as well.