Norhafizah Karim

This study evaluated the effectiveness of interactive multimedia videos in enhancing and sustaining primary students’ knowledge of Aedes mosquitoes and related diseases. Traditional textbook-based methods may not fully support deep learning, whereas multimedia offers a more engaging and student-centered approach. A total of 171 Standard Three students from two schools (control and intervention groups) participated. Using G*Power software, the sample size was determined, and a validated questionnaire was administered at three intervals. Data were analysed using a two-way mixed ANOVA. Findings showed that multimedia significantly improved comprehension and long-term retention, supporting its integration into primary health education curricula.

Food safety is a major public health issue, especially to migrant workers, who account for a large percentage of the workforce that is involved in the food handling and preparation industries. This review discusses the impact of food safety training programs on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on food safety among migrant workers. Source data for 30 peer-reviewed articles (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar) were analyzed to define key trends and challenges. The findings indicate significant shortcomings in pre-training knowledge regarding proper hygiene protocols and contamination risks. It was found that training programs had a significant impact on compliance, particularly when modified to overcome cultural and language barriers. There was a positive attitude change following post-training, which was found to be a changing factor in commitment to serving safety standards. Nevertheless, systemic issues like the lack of availability of training, as well as economic vulnerability, remain to be addressed, hindering the sustained embedding of practices learned. The findings highlighted the need for targeted, inclusive capacity-building training approaches to improve food safety outcomes and public health.

Objectives: Climate change is a major global issue with significant consequences, including effects on air quality and human well-being. This review investigated the projection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) attributable to air pollution under different climate change scenarios. Design: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 flow checklist. A population-exposure-outcome framework was established. Population referred to the general global population of all ages, the exposure of interest was air pollution and its projection, and the outcome was the occurrence of NCDs attributable to air pollution and burden of disease (BoD) based on the health indices of mortality, morbidity, disability-adjusted life years, years of life lost and years lived with disability. Data sources: The Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE and EBSCOhost databases were searched for articles published from 2005 to 2023. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: The eligible articles were evaluated using the modified scale of a checklist for assessing the quality of ecological studies. Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers searched, screened and selected the included studies independently using standardised methods. The risk of bias was assessed using the modified scale of a checklist for ecological studies. The results were summarised based on the projection of the BoD of NCDs attributable to air pollution. Results: This review included 11 studies from various countries. Most studies specifically investigated various air pollutants, specifically particulate matter 2.5), nitrogen oxides and ozone. The studies used coupled-air quality and climate modelling approaches, and mainly projected health effects using the concentration–response function model. The NCDs attributable to air pollution included cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, stroke, ischaemic heart disease, coronary heart disease and lower respiratory infections. Notably, the BoD of NCDs attributable to air pollution was projected to decrease in a scenario that promotes reduced air pollution, carbon emissions and land use and sustainable socioeconomics. Contrastingly, the BoD of NCDs was projected to increase in a scenario involving increasing population numbers, social deprivation and an ageing population. Conclusion: The included studies widely reported increased premature mortality, CVD and respiratory disease attributable to PM_2.5. Future NCD projection studies should consider emission and population changes in projecting the BoD of NCDs attributable to air pollution in the climate change era. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023435288.

Objectives: To use a community-based participatory research (CBPR) design to explore local community behaviours and stakeholders’ challenges in engaging communities in dengue prevention behaviours in Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. Design: This CBPR design in implementation comprised in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Themes were identified from the data with inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Setting: FGDs were conducted in local community areas and IDIs were conducted in the local authority (LA) office and the Hulu Langat district health office. Participants: All FGD and IDI participants consented to the study, and included health authorities (n=4), LAs (n=7), community leader (n=1), faith leader (n=1), patients diagnosed with dengue (IDIs, n=2) and permanent residents of Hulu Langat who had been exposed to dengue infectious disease (FGDs, n=27). Results: The main themes were categorised into community behaviour and stakeholder challenges. The community behaviour-related themes were awareness of dengue disease and Aedes mosquitoes, perception of risk and severity, and involvement of authorities. The themes related to stakeholder challenges were resource constraints and capacity issues, jurisdictional constraints and coordination, and educational dissemination and vandalism. Conclusions: The actions of the authorities shape community and stakeholder behaviours. Effective communication, including clear and aesthetically pleasing messages, motivates individuals to take appropriate actions. It is crucial for the authorities to engage in inclusive communication and consider diverse perspectives, such as those of residents and individuals exposed to dengue infection. Authorities that provide accurate and unbiased information foster transparency and enable informed decision-making by all stakeholders.

This study investigated the depth of climate change and environmental education (CCEE) in the current syllabus implemented in Malaysia from the perspectives of teachers, which is an extension to a study entitled ‘Impact of Climate Change on Children: A Malaysian Perspective’. This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with a pool of teachers selected across Malaysia. Due to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the respondents were chosen purposively via advertisements posted on social media that targeted science teachers who taught Forms 4 or 5 CCEE-related subjects. The interview sessions were conducted online from June to July 2021. The recorded interviews were transcribed, coded, and categorized into themes deductively based on the UNESCO-Education for Sustainable Development for 2030 toolbox. The findings yielded five themes, namely, building the capacities of educators, empowering, and mobilizing youth, accelerating local-level actions, and advancing policy. Most of the teachers perceived that the Secondary School Standards-based Curriculum (KSSM) had improved but that the focus should be on a student-centered approach rather than exam orientation. There was a lack of awareness of climate change and environmental action in the science textbook. In conclusion, a comprehensive curriculum, as well as empowerment among teachers and students in a conducive environment for CCEE can spawn proactive action by Malaysian students.