1.Feasibility and Acceptability of MyWarung©: A Food Poisoning Prevention Smartphone-Apps During Dining Out
Nur Afifah Mursyida Zaujan ; Asma' ; Ali ; Norashiqin Misni ; Malina Osman ; Hui Yee Chee ; Nur Raihana Ithnin ; Surianti Sukeri ; Christie Pei-Yee Chin
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.3):170-176
Introduction: Eating out has always been associated with increasing cases of food poisoning. These problems can
be minimized through mobile applications and technology development. A mobile application called MyWarung©
was developed to provide an alternative, improved tool for improving food poisoning knowledge and preventive
behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the MyWarung©
application for consumers in Terengganu. The 50 consumers were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion
criteria using convenience non-probability sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire that included
three components: socio-demographic, feasible (6 components) and acceptable (7 components). The scoring above
80.0% indicates an acceptable, while lower than 80.0% show unacceptable for both feasibility and acceptability
sections. SPSS 22.0 has analyzed the data. Results: The results showed excellent feasibility with a median score
of 27.5 (IQR 6.0) out of 30.0, and acceptance with 32.0 (IQR 7.0) out of 35.0. Majority of the respondents agreed
that the app is easy to use (94.0%), easy to understand (88.0%), attractive (84.0%), catchy (88.0%), provides more
information (96.0%), efficient (96.0%), knowledge improvement (96.0%), beneficial (100.0%), useful application
(88.0%), and recommend to the other people (84.0%). The overall result showed that most respondents agreed that
MyWarung© application was feasible and acceptable with 90.0% and 86.0% feasibility and acceptability rate. Conclusion: The MyWarung© application among consumers can be highly feasible and acceptable in preventing food
poisoning during dining out.
2.Households’ Health Expenditures On Acute Gastroenteritis In Malaysia
Nur Nabila Jusoh ; Surianti Sukeri ; Hui Yee Chee ; Malina Osman ; Norashiqin Misni ; Nur Raihana Ithnin ; Asma Ali ; Christie Pei-Yee Chin
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2021;21(2):285-293
Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) causes significant health and economic burden on society. The aim of this study is to estimate households’ direct and indirect expenditures on AGE and its predicted factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020 using a bilingual proforma distributed using Survey Monkey among individuals with self-reported AGE in all 14 states of Malaysia. The finding revealed the average expenditure for a single episode of AGE was RM395.58 (± SD 798.02). The mean indirect expenditure was higher at RM259.14 (± SD 379.92) vs. direct expenditure of RM136.44 (± SD 596.47). The highest expenditure was seen among those who obtained inpatient care. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that household income (RM0.13; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.27; p=0.043) and type of healthcare facility (private vs government) (RM1842.05; 95% CI: 395.13, 3288.98; p=0.014) had a significant association with households’ total health expenditure on AGE. Acute gastroenteritis incurred substantial costs on all affected households regardless of care-seeking modalities. Interestingly, the main economic burden of AGE was the indirect cost of productivity loss; interpreted in terms of days away from work. In conclusion, AGE instigated an economic burden on both households and employers. The household income and type of facility were found to be significant factors associated with the households’ health expenditures due to AGE. This study recommends food safety awareness among the public and enforcement of safe food handling practices among food vendors and industries.


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