Background: Stem cell research has been extensively explored worldwide to enhance human health in medical setting. Nevertheless, there is currently no full understanding of the stem cell knowledge and attitude levels among student nurses in Malaysia. This study aimed to assess the level of stem cell knowledge, attitude toward stem cell application in medicine, and its association with years of education, among Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A cross-sectional study (n = 88) was conducted using self-administered questionnaire consisted of demographic information, stem cells knowledge and attitude statements. Data was analysed using Statistical Package Social Software 20.0. Results: The majority of participants (92%) had moderate knowledge score about stem cells. Many students (33%) worried that stem cell application might cause a harm to humanity yet had a positive (76.1%) attitude towards its therapeutic potential (45.5%). Poor correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.08) indicated that acceptance towards stem cell is not solely based on the knowledge level but also on other factors including religion and culture. Conclusion: Therefore, this study suggests that various educational programs on stem cell should be implemented considering the religion, cultural, social, and behavioural determinants in the population to improve stem cell knowledge and encourage a more positive attitude towards stem cells in medicine among these nursing students.

Objectives: Sarcopenia has emerged as a significant aging-related disease that affects many facets of societal-level and patient-level public health. This study analysed knowledge of sarcopenia and associated socio-demographic factors among the general public of Malaysia in order to effectively improve its prevention and countermeasures. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Selangor, Malaysia, using Google Forms among 202 Malaysian adults from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge scores. The continuous variables were evaluated using the independent t-test, Mann–Whitney test, and one-way analysis of variance test. The Spearman correlation coefficient was employed to determine the correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge score levels. Results: The final analysis included 202 participants. The mean±standard deviation age was 49.03±12.65. Only 6.9% of participants had good knowledge of sarcopenia and were aware of sarcopenia’s characteristics, consequences, and treatments. Post-hoc comparisons using the Dunnett T3 test showed statistical significance in mean knowledge score and age group (p=0.011) and education level (p≤0.001). The Mann–Whitney test revealed that gender (p=0.026) and current smoking status (p=0.023) significantly influenced knowledge scores. Conclusions The general public’s knowledge of sarcopenia was found to be poor to moderate and associated with age and education status. Therefore, education and interventions by policymakers and healthcare professionals to improve public knowledge of sarcopenia in Malaysia are needed.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancer incidents among women and is estimated at around 24.2% worldwide and 32.1% in Malaysia. Accessibility to current breast promotion is limited to those who seek the information, suggesting consideration of an alternative approach using a mobile app. This study aimed to identify existing breast awareness mobile apps based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) components with a descriptive observation review. Fifty-two apps fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed. Eligible apps (N=52) which are standalone (n=41) and non-standalone (n=11). The categories of the eligible apps are health & fitness (n=31), lifestyle (n=6), medical (n=11), entertainment (n=2), book & reference (n=1), education (n=3). The apps focused on perceived susceptibility (n=33/52, 63.5%), perceived severity (n=30/52, 57.7%), perceived threat (n=48/52, 92.3%), perceived benefit (n=46/52, 88.5%), perceived barriers (n=23/52, 44.2%), self-efficacy (n=25/52, 48.1%) and cues to action (n=27/52, 51.9%). Most of the apps focused on perceived threat and benefit but lacking on a perceived barrier. This review could provide information to develop appropriately tailored content supported by health theories to promote breast cancer awareness.

Introduction: Nursing education and training is known to be an inherently stressful experience and poses challenging demands for students. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stress levels among nursing students from different ethnic groups in Malaysia. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited the January to February 2020 nursing students from a private university in Malaysia with a self-administered questionnaire. Participants’ level of stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) developed by Sheu and colleague in 2002. Data collected were analyzed with, One-way ANOVA and Spearman analysis to determine the significant factors associated with stress. Results: Two hundred nursing students across years one to three enrolled. The mean monthly household (family) income was MYR4686.25 ± 4660.38. Stress was significantly associated with ethnicity and monthly household (family) income (p< 0.05). Bonferroni post-hoc test demonstrated that the mean stress level of Malay students is statistically significant compared to Chinese and Indian students (p< 0.001). The PSS determined the nursing students’ stress level to be moderate. Conclusion: The association of stress levels with ethnicity, and monthly household (family) income suggested the need for suitable cultural and sufficient financial support for nursing students to reduce their stress levels.