Abstract Introduction: Not only does flood affects the household community, but it also has an impact on business entities, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in flood-prone areas. In order to assist SMEs to prepare for a flood disaster effectively, the set-up of a disaster preparedness plan is essential. The purpose of this study is to develop a validated instrument for identifying the different levels of disaster preparedness among SMEs in their readiness to face a flood disaster. Methods: In this preliminary study, 26 items of flood disaster preparedness activities (FDPA) reviewed from works of literature were adopted and adapted to be randomly administered to 30 respondents (SME business owners) located in the Temerloh province, Malaysia, which is identified as a flood-prone area. A Rasch analysis technique was used to identify the psychometric properties of the instrument. Results: Using the Rasch measurement analysis technique, the instrument used was able to categorise the SMEs into two level of preparedness: low and moderate. About 25 items were found to possess good psychometric features in determining the flood preparedness level of SMEs despite the lack of items on measuring high-level preparedness activities. Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study have served to highlight the strength of the instrument and gaps identified for further improvement in the near future.

Abstract Introduction: Children spend most of the time indoors and make them easily exposed to indoor air contaminants. Exposure to poor indoor air quality has led to various health problem especially, respiratory-related illness. This study is intended to determine the relationship between indoor air pollutants exposure and the airway inflammation among children aged 5 to 6 years old in selected preschools from mid-2015 until mid-2016. Methods: Four hours of indoor air quality assessment had been conducted at six preschools in Puchong district (urban area) and six preschools in Hulu Langat district (suburban area) of Selangor. The respiratory inflammation among 120 healthy preschool children had been assessed using non-invasive biomarker of Fractional Exhale Nitric Oxide (FeNO). Meanwhile, respiratory symptoms and information on possible residential air pollutant exposures were obtained from a standardized questionnaire. Results: The indoor air quality measurement demonstrated significant high concentration air pollutants (PM0.1, PM2.5, PM10, VOCs) at the preschools in the urban as compared to preschools in the suburban area(p < 0.05). Besides, PM2.5 was found to be significantly associated with respiratory inflammation (FeNO value) measured (p<0.05). Conclusion: The exposure of PM0.1, PM2.5, and PM10 had increased occurrences of respiratory inflammation and respiratory symptoms among susceptible populations like children.

Abstract Introduction: Accumulation of heavy metals through seafood consumption constitutes a significant potential threat to human health. Biomonitoring of whole blood heavy metals level gave an insight into the internal body burden to the exposure of heavy metals. The aims of this study were to assess the blood heavy metals (arsenic and lead) level among the coastal community of Melaka and to determine their association with sociodemographic background and potential sources of heavy metals accumulation. Methods: Respondents were recruited through purposive sampling technique based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The questionnaires were distributed to obtain sociodemographic information, the frequency of seafood intake and smoking habit. Blood samples were obtained on a voluntary basis. A total of 63 respondents completed all the information required. The heavy metals concentration in blood was determined by inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: The blood arsenic (BAs) concentration of respondents was 0.076 (0.059 – 0.107) µg/L and the blood lead (BPb) concentration of respondents was 1.204 (0.670 – 2.094) µg/L respectively. A significant association was observed between seafood-based product frequency intake and BPb concentration (p < 0.05). Other seafood frequency intake and background factors were not significantly associated with the BAs and BPb concentration of respondents. Conclusion: The findings showed that arsenic and lead levels in the blood of respondents along the coastal area of Melaka did not exceed the blood heavy metals reference levels and there was also lack of associations between blood heavy metals concentration and the potential factors of heavy metals accumulation studied.

Abstract Introduction: Pineapple harvesting work contributes to the reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and ergonomic risks. Pineapples are harvested manually in some parts of Malaysia using rattan baskets and workers are exposed to excessive bending, pain and discomfort. This intervention study developed and tested a prototype of an ergonomic harvesting basket to potentially reduce discomfort and physiological workload during a simulation of harvesting activity. Methods: The development and testing of improved harvesting basket was performed in laboratory and workshop. The improved basket had adjustable cushion straps, foam back pad and an opening for unloading of fruits. Harvesting was simulated using improved and existing basket by human subjects and questionnaires were used to assess discomfort. Physiological workload was assessed by heart rate and energy expenditure. Results: A total of 12 male respondents with average age of 22.4 (2.2) years participated in harvesting simulation. Discomfort as measured in Likert scale (mean (standard deviation) for improved basket 4.13 (6.1) vs existing basket 12.26 (11.2); p<0.05) was significantly reduced. Average heart rate (94.13 beats/min vs 89.05 beats/min) and energy expenditure (6 kJ/min vs 5 kJ/min) improved. Conclusion: The use of improved basket was linked to reduction of discomfort and overall workload. Improving design of agricultural manual tools may be able to improve health of workers and prevent MSS. Future fabrication of the improved basket using lightweight materials has potential to be expanded into plantation sectors not limited to pineapples in Malaysia and across Asia.

Abstract Introduction: An experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of synthetic chemical artificial toxic sugar bait (ATSB) on adult Aedes albopictus population in a controlled environment. The method uses an “attract and kill” concept and makes use of mosquito’s sugar-feeding behaviour. Formulations of ATSB consists of natural scents as an attractant, a sugar solution as a feeding stimulant and an oral toxin such as boric acid to eliminate mosquito population. Methods: The experiment was conducted in two phases; (i) the first phase aimed to determine the optimum sucrose concentration (10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) that will elicit the highest biting and fecundity rates in female mosquitoes and (ii) the second phase aimed to identify the ATSB, optimum sucrose from phase one incorporated with boric acid (0.1%,0.5% and 1%), that cause the highest mortality rates of adult female Aedes albopictus in a laboratory environment. Results: Seventy percent sucrose concentration was selected as the optimum sucrose concentration because the ingestion of the solution cause the highest biting and fecundity rates in mosquito compare to other sucrose concentrations. Meanwhile, 1% boric acid resulted in the highest mortality rate within two days of the experiment period. Conclusion: This study has identified the optimum sucrose concentration required to attract adult mosquitoes and highlighted the efficacy of 1% boric acid as an effective mosquito adulticide. The findings highlight the potential of ATSB as a valuable vector control method which could be further developed for future use.

Abstract Introduction: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is reported as endemic and rank in the third place among other communicable diseases in Malaysia. HFMD outbreak is often found in nurseries and playgroups where children have lots of close contacts with other children. The objective of study is to study the knowledge, attitude and practice of HFMD among nursery governesses of nurseries at public universities and residential areas. Methods: A total of 102 nursery governesses were selected as respondents which include 83 respondents from public university while 26 respondents from residential areas in Klang Valley. Questionnaires were administered to determine socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude and practice on HFMD among the study population. Results: The result indicated that no significance different between knowledge, attitude and practice between two groups (Z = -0.321, p > 0.005; Z = -1.196, p > 0.005; Z = -1.155, p > 0.005) respectively. Furthermore, there was no association between knowledge with practice (p = 0.581, p > 0.005) and attitude with practice (p = 0.298, p > 0.005). Thus, nursery governesses in this study perceived moderate knowledge and attitude level. However for practice, public universities showed better application of practice if compared to residential areas. Conclusion: Hence, it is recommended for the nursery governesses to attend program such as health talk on HFMD occasionally, as it can be efficiently induce positive outcome.

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of artificial light exposures on the survivals and life traits of adult Aedes aegypti. Methods: This is an experimental research where triplication of each cage filled with a ratio of 20 male : 20 female mosquitoes were exposed under three different light artificial light which are; yellow light, white light and blue light along with three different photoperiod regimes (light:dark) – (14h:10h, 12h:12h and 8h:16h). During this study, life traits data observed were duration of the females to complete a gonotrophic cycle, mean number of days was calculated as well as fecundity rate each cycle was also observed by calculating its number of eggs. Results: In general, gonotrophic cycle of this species is significantly affected by the exposure of the artificial lights where the white light has allowed this species to complete a gonotrophic cycle faster than yellow and blue light with post hoc Tukey’s HSD p = 0.026, however the gonotrophic cycle is found not affected by the different photoperiod regimes. The fecundity of this species is found not to be affected by the artificial light exposure but is affected by the different photoperiod regimes with p = 0.049. Conclusion: In conclusion, artificial light can significantly affect the gonotrophic cycle of Aedes aegypti species while on the other hand, the fecundity of this species is affected by the different photoperiod instead of different artificial light exposure.

Abstract Introduction: The electronic cigarette (EC) usage has raised public health concerns; whether its advantages to smokers as a potential smoking cessation aid have outweighed its negative health impacts among EC users. This study aims to estimate health risks associated with chemical exposures to nicotine, propylene glycol (PG) and selected Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs) namely 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N’-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in e-liquids locally-manufactured in Malaysia. Methods: The health risk assessment (HRA) was performed using established guideline by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The average daily dose (ADD) and lifetime average daily dose (LADD) were calculated using previously published data on chemical concentration of selected compounds and local EC usage topography data. Next, the non-carcinogenic risk (nicotine and PG) and carcinogenic risk (NNK and NNN) were calculated and denoted as total hazard quotient (HQT) and total lifetime cancer risk (LCRT) value, respectively. Results: For non-carcinogenic risk, the mean of HQT was 78.9 which falls under “unacceptable” risk as demonstrated by HQT value of more than 1. While for carcinogenic risk, the mean of total LCRT value was 1.54E-04 which may place EC users at risk of developing cancer resulted from exposure to selected TSNAs. Conclusion: Comprehensive HRA using currently available data of local EC usage topography and chemical evaluation of Malaysian-made e-liquids have revealed that the exposure to nicotine, PG and selected TSNAs are expected to be a significant health concern for local EC users. This finding supports the local health authority to issue a stringent health policy in considering EC as a tool for smoking cessation among heavy smokers.

Abstract Introduction: Female workers have different abilities and physiology to male workers. Thus, female workers are very sensitive to some hazards in workplace environment. The existing hazards in work environment can cause various effects towards pregnancy among female workers. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of work factors including shift work, work attitude, and work duration on reproductive health. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study. The number of research sample was 109 female workers selected by simple random sampling. The respondents were female workers in plastic and soft drink industry in Sidoarjo. Primary data was collected by using questionnaires. The dependent variable was the reproductive health of female workers. Reproductive health status of female workers includes menstrual disorders and pregnancy disorders. The independent variables included work pattern, work duration, and shift work. Results: The percentage of respondents who were married was 81.7%. The percentage of respondents experiencing reproductive disorders was 63.3% in which 60.6% cases were menstrual disorders and 20.2% cases were pregnancy disorders. The results of logistic regression test showed that reproductive health during pregnancy was affected by shift work (p=0.007). Conclusion: Female workers who worked in the evening and at night shift had high risks of pregnancy disorders and miscarriage than female workers who worked at normal working hours. Working in shifts and the irregular working hours also associated with the miscarriage occurence. Companies need to provide protection for pregnant workers in order to avoid irregular shift work and evening or night shift.

Abstract Introduction: Eating seafood has become a major health concern for many people due to the present of heavy metal especially cadmium (Cd). Cd can accumulate in the body and disrupt the normal cellular processes which will eventually lead to organ damage. This study aims to determine the seafood consumption pattern and blood cadmium (BCd) as well as the association between these two variables among respondents living along the coastal area of Melaka. Methods: Pretested questionnaires were used to collect background and food frequency intake from coastal villagers through convenient sampling method. Venous blood samples were analysed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for BCd determination. Results: A total of 63 respondents who 54% were female with median age of 34 years old provided complete data in this study. The most frequently consumed seafood and its product were shrimp paste (31.5%) followed by mackerel (13.6%), hardtail-scad (6.2%), flatfish (4.5%) and fish ball (4.0). All blood samples showed the present of Cd with median (IQR) = 0.076 (0.1) μg/L and ranged between 0.007 to 1.284 μg/L. The finding showed no association between frequently consumed seafood and low BCd of the respondents. On the other hand, gender was found to be significantly associated with the BCd. Conclusion: Seafood consumption pattern was not significantly associated with BCd which suggests that frequent seafood consumption may not contribute much to BCd level among the respondents as well as it may indicates safe consumption of these seafood available in the study location.