USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
Not a member yet
2330 research outputs found
Sort by
Vaping Among Malaysian Students 2022–2024: A Systematic Review of Prevalence, Awareness and Influencing Factors
Get PDFThe increasing prevalence of e-cigarette use among students in Malaysia has raised significant public health concerns. Although various individual studies have explored this issue across different educational settings, a consolidated understanding of usage patterns, awareness, and influencing factors remains limited. This systematic review aims to synthesise the current evidence on the prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and determinants of e-cigarette use among students in Malaysian higher education institutions. We conducted a systematic search across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, to identify relevant cross-sectional studies published between January 2022 and December 2024. The inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed articles involving students from universities and colleges in Malaysia aged 17 to 40 years. Data extraction captured prevalence rates, participant demographics, knowledge and attitudes toward vaping, and key influencing factors. Nine studies, encompassing data from 2,828 students across diverse geographic and academic settings in Malaysia, met the inclusion criteria. The reported prevalence of e-cigarette use ranged from 2.9% to 32%, with considerable variation across regions and academic disciplines. Peer influence emerged as the most frequently cited determinant of use, followed by social trends, media exposure, and stress relief. While general awareness of e-cigarettes and their risks was relatively high, gaps in knowledge and preventive behaviours were consistently observed. Institutions with a healthcare-focused curriculum demonstrated lower prevalence rates and higher knowledge scores. Although awareness of e-cigarette risks is widespread among students, inconsistent knowledge and insufficient behavioural interventions persist, highlighting the need for targeted health education initiatives and peer-led prevention strategies
Effectiveness of Hand Washing Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Orang Asli Kids in Gua Musang, Kelantan
Get PDFBackground: Handwashing is a crucial preventive measure against illnesses such as diarrhoea and respiratory infections, particularly in rural communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation. Orang Asli kids often experience high rates of preventable diseases due to poor handwashing practices. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of handwashing among Orang Asli kids in Gua Musang, Kelantan, and to assess the impact of a targeted handwashing education intervention.
Methods: An interventional study was conducted among 61 Orang Asli students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pasir Linggi, Gua Musang, Kelantan. The intervention consisted of a structured handwashing education programme, and KAP scores were measured before and after the intervention. A paired sample t-test was used to analyse the impact of the intervention on the participants’ KAP scores.
Results: The post-intervention scores for all KAP related questions were significantly higher than the pre-intervention scores (P < 0.05). Following the educational programme, there was a significant improvement in handwashing with soap, which had been poorly practised before the intervention. Year 1 students had lower baseline knowledge and attitude scores compared to older students, highlighting the need for greater focus on younger children in future programmes.
Conclusion: The handwashing education programme effectively improved the KAP of handwashing among Orang Asli kids. However, the lower baseline KAP scores among younger students suggested that future interventions should focus more on early education to foster better hygiene practices and prevent the spread of infectious diseases in this vulnerable community
Building Trust in Generics and Biosimilar: Strengthening Regulatory Confidence
Get PDFThis article discusses the crucial role of traditional small-molecule generic drugs and biosimilar medicines in enhancing healthcare accessibility, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries such as Malaysia. It highlights how Malaysia’s evolving regulatory science, supported by the Drug Control Authority (DCA) and the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), fosters an environment where quality, safety, efficacy, and affordability converge, aligning with national healthcare goals. Hanan Regulatory Services Sdn. Bhd. (HRS), the regulatory arm of the Hanan Group of Companies, upholds rigorous standards for product registration, bio?equivalence testing, manufacturing audits, pharmacovigilance and training. Malaysia’s regulatory framework requires the actual measured difference in bioavailability between the generic and innovator products to be on average, extremely small — approximately 3.5% only. These measures, along with post?marketing surveillance and good manufacturing practice, address misconceptions about generics, emphasising that their lower price does not equate to inferior quality.
On 4 March 2025, HRS registered Rapilin 30, Malaysia’s first premixed insulin aspart biosimilar, reflecting the growing industry maturity. In the United States, generics and biosimilars generated an estimated USD 467 billion in savings in 2024, demonstrating the economic potential of such medicines. Malaysia’s continued adherence to international regulatory standards and collaboration between public and private sectors will be key to sustaining confidence, achieving national pharmaceutical self?reliance and medicine security
Differences in HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B Virus Screening Coverage between Pregnant Women Presenting to Antenatal Care in Early and Late Pregnancy in Indonesia
Get PDFBackground: Timely initiation of antenatal care (ANC), defined as the first ANC visit during the first trimester, is critical for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, and hepatitis B virus (HBV). In Indonesia, service coverage for these infections remains uneven, and the sociodemographic and service-related determinants of complete screening are not well understood.
Methods: We analysed data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey in a cross-sectional study of pregnant women. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the effects of ANC initiation timing, maternal education, parity, and region on complete screening coverage, defined as receipt of all three recommended for HIV, syphilis, and HBV.
Results: Most respondents were aged 20 to 34 years, and over half initiated ANC in the first trimester. Screening coverage exceeded 75% in Java, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, and Papua, but was below 45% in parts of Sumatra and Eastern Indonesia. Late ANC initiation was associated with lower odds of complete screening (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]) = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.86; P < 0.05). Regional disparities persisted after adjustment: women in Sumatra (AOR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.42), Sulawesi (AOR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.79), and Maluku-Papua (AOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.69) had significantly lower uptake compared with Java-Bali. Lower educational attainment and high parity were also associated with reduced screening.
Conclusion: Timing ANC initiation, maternal education, parity, and region of residence are strong determinants of comprehensive screening coverage for HIV, syphilis, and HBV among pregnant women. Policy efforts should focus on promoting early ANC attendance and reducing regional inequities to accelerate EMTCT progress in Indonesia
A Modified Delphi Consensus on Optimal Pharmacological Management of Insomnia: Insights from a Malaysian Perspective
Get PDFInsomnia represents a significant risk factor for impaired daytime functioning and a range of chronic health conditions and has emerged as a growing public health concern in Malaysia. The absence of standardised local guidelines complicates treatment decision-making. This consensus aimed to develop pharmacological treatment recommendations for insomnia in Malaysia using a modified Delphi approach. An eight-member expert panel comprising specialists in sleep medicine, psychiatry, neurology, and pharmacology reviewed high-level evidence on the neurobiology, diagnosis, and treatment of insomnia. A 31-item consensus statement survey addressing the definition, diagnosis, and pharmacological management of insomnia was conducted, with agreement evaluated using a five-point Likert scale. The consensus recommendations were finalised after two Delphi rounds and a final vote, with at least 75% agreement required for each statement. Consensus statements highlighted the need for tailored treatment strategies in Malaysia that combine nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Insomnia was recognised as a chronic condition diagnosed primarily using subjective criteria, with sleep diaries and questionnaires recommended as assessment tools. Benzodiazepines, Z-class drugs, and dual orexin receptor agonists (DORAs) were found to be effective; however, concerns regarding long-term safety and dependency were noted. DORAs demonstrated promise in managing both sleep onset and maintenance, with lemborexant highlighted as a promising pharmacological option. The meeting emphasised the importance of individualised treatment plans and careful risk assessment, particularly for older adults, and provided practical recommendations for the management of insomnia. The integration of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia with pharmacotherapy was strongly advocated. These consensus statements offer a practical foundation for the development of future national guidelines to enhance insomnia care in Malaysia’s primary care settings
Rancangan Pembelajaran-Perkhidmatan: Satu Pembaharuan di Universiti Sains Malaysia
Get PDFBesides teaching and research, the service function of a University is becoming more and more important. This is primarily because the task of higher education is no longer the grooming of an elitist group. Indeed universities are being constantly challenged to meet the total development needs of the people. In this context, Malaysian university students have always been conscious of their service role. Unfortunately, well meaning as they may be, most of the service-oriented projects organized by the students suffer from the fact that they tend to be ad hoc efforts, often without thorough planning, and certainly lacking in continuity, review and assessment. Furthermore, most of these projects also do not make the best use of what students have to offer - their intelligence.
Validity and Practicality of Web-Based Self-Study Learning Platform to Improve Students’ English Proficiency
Get PDFThis article examines the validity and practicality of the web-based self study learning platform for English proficiency developed by the English Department of Universitas Negeri Padang. It explores the conversion of the platform into selected online booklets and the requirement for students to respond to exercise questions, receiving automated feedback within a short period to improve their English skills. A descriptive quantitative research design was employed to conduct this study, which involved administering questionnaires to 18 content and technical professionals and 177 students to assess the feasibility and value of the proposed platform. The results of the study indicate that the identified platform is a highly valid platform, not only from the perspective of content, pedagogy, and self-study, but also from the technical perspective. In addition, it is very practical in terms of usability, accessibility, adaptability, feedback, and cost. The current study demonstrates that the module can help university students engage in independent learning and enhance their English language skills when easily accessible, comprehensive, and versatile tools are utilised. These results ultimately demonstrate that the web-based learning platform can be effectively applied to self-regulating learning and cognitive development of the necessary language skills. Future research would need to explore the effects of performance and flexibility on university students in other areas more deeply. At the same time, the study reveals the direction of future development of the web-based learning environment as a means of intensifying possibilities for implementing conventional learning methods within an educational organisation
The “Silver Lining” of The Pandemic: The Development of English Teachers’ Technological Competency during The Emergency Remote Teaching in Indonesia
Get PDFAlong with turmoil in human life, COVID-19 brought opportunities for English teachers to develop their technological competence. English teachers’ technological competence is needed to bring more effective teaching and assessment. This qualitative study attempts to shed light on the development of English teachers’ technological competence in Banyumas as the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research questions are: (1) How is the teachers’ technological competence before the pandemic; (2) How is their technological competence during the pandemic? and (3) How is the comparison between the two conditions? Six English high school teachers participated in this study. They were selected through a purposive sampling technique to give the needed information for the purpose of the research. Data were collected through virtual interviews, observations, and documentation. The data were then analysed through Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition (SAMR) model developed by R. R. Puentedura in 2011. The results exposed that the teachers’ technological competence before the pandemic is in the stages of Substitution and Augmentation. When the pandemic struck and they had no way but to integrate technology, their competency increased into the Modification stage. However, activities belonging to the Redefinition stage were not shown. The development of teachers’ technological competence is seen as the “silver lining” of the pandemic. The limitation of this research lies in the small number of samples that the result could not represent generalisation. Also, this research focuses on the performance of the teachers without investigating the factors that influence their action such as age, gender, training, and school facility
Adaptations of Malaysian Private School Teachers in Brunei Darussalam: A Bourdieusian Framework
Get PDFThe number of teachers teaching overseas is on the rise. Globally, it is estimated that there will be 800,000 expatriate teachers in 2026. Teaching overseas offers an opportunity for self and professional development. Yet, expatriate teachers are confronted with several challenges in the new host country, leading to employer turnover. Previous studies have assumed that expatriate teachers who moved from the Eastern to Western countries or vice versa faced greater cultural shock and thus, needed to take more actions to adapt to the new teaching environment. The adaptation of teachers who teach within the ASEAN countries is under research. Using Bourdieu’s theoretical framework, this study investigated the differences experienced by Malaysian private school teachers teaching in Brunei Darussalam, their adaptation strategies and the types of resources that facilitated their adaptation process. This research involved 10 Malaysian teachers teaching at private schools in Brunei Darussalam. Data was collected through interviews, coded and categorised into themes based on the key concepts – field, habitus, and capital, in Bourdieu’s theory. The results showed that there were differences in teaching between the two countries in terms of the education system, school culture, and facilities. The teachers underwent intercultural, psychological, instructional, and language adaptations. Transitions into a new teaching environment could be facilitated by social and cultural capital. This study highlights the need to understand the challenges expatriate teachers experience during the transition period in the new host country and provide adequate support for a smooth adaptation process