The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an alarming increase in domestic violence against women owing to lockdown measures and limited access to support services. This article provides insights into the global prevalence of domestic violence, barriers to seeking help, its impact on women and children, and the best practices implemented worldwide. Domestic violence encompasses various forms of abuse; many young women experience partner violence. Barriers to seeking help include fear, financial constraints, lack of awareness of available services, and distrust among stakeholders. The consequences of domestic violence affect the mental health of both mothers and children. Countries have increased shelter funding and developed innovative protocols to reach survivors and address this issue. However, the healthcare sector’s involvement in addressing domestic violence has been limited. This review advocates collaboration among healthcare institutions and government bodies. Key recommendations include utilizing telehealth services, implementing comprehensive training programs, establishing effective referral systems, enhancing health education, developing a domestic violence registry, improving the responses of law enforcement and justice systems through healthcare integration, promoting data sharing, and conducting further research. Healthcare systems should recognize domestic violence as a public health concern and detect, prevent, and intervene in cases to support survivors.

This is a report of 8-months progression of circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants in Brunei Darussalam from November 2021. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on nearly 3,000 random local COVID-19 patients in samples with a cycle-threshold (CT) of less than 25. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Delta variant, particularly AY.24.1, was the predominant variant towards the end of 2021. The same variant was then completely superseded by the Omicron variants in mid-January 2022. During the early wave of Omicron variants, BA.2.3.19 and its paternal BA.2.3 were found to be the prominent sublineage until it was replaced by BA.5 lineages four months later, mainly BA.5.2 and BF.5. Further analysis revealed that AY.24.1 and BA.2.3.19 that was once a prevalent variant are predominantly observed in Brunei. Both variants can be differentiated by the presence of a particular mutation in the S gene that encodes the viral spike protein that is essential for host cell interaction. Brunei is continuously monitoring the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants as part of its genomic surveillance following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance for surveillance.

Introduction: The elderly population is highly vulnerable to malnutrition, including those in the community. The use of nutrition education as part of nutrition intervention is able to improve their nutritional status. Hence, provision of a nutrition resource kit addressing the needs of at-risk and malnourished elderly would be advantageous. This research aimed to develop, validate and evaluate the acceptance of a newly developed nutrition resource kit, which served as an educational material among at-risk and malnourished elderly in Malaysian health clinics. Methods: This study was conducted in three phases: Phase I comprised of qualitative needs assessment to identify the types of nutrition resource kit needed; Phase II was the development and validation of the nutrition resource kit; while Phase III was acceptance evaluation, which involved individual in-depth interview and triangulation. Results: An A5-sized booklet with incorporation of an educational video in a QR code was developed. Both printed material and educational video had excellent content and face validity. Suggestions by experts and elderly from validation were considered and revision was done accordingly. Acceptance evaluation revealed four themes: 1) positive acceptance, 2) elderly-friendly, 3) valuable, and 4) individual preference. Triangulation data revealed that all elderly positively evaluated both resources. Additional suggestions given by elderly were considered for improvement. Conclusion: This newly developed nutrition resource kit, both in the printed and electronic format, was well-accepted among the at-risk and malnourished elderly. It could be used as an important reference for the elderly, especially those attending health clinics, in treating and preventing malnutrition.

Introduction: Elderly population is at high-risk to suffer from malnutrition and nutritional inadequacy. The use of nutrition resource kit which provides nutritional guidance could be helpful to improve their dietary intake. There is no study performed previously on the type of nutrition resource kit that can be used to overcome and prevent malnutrition among Malaysian elderly. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the types of nutrition resource kit needed by community living elderly in Malaysian health clinic setting. Methods: Qualitative study was conducted to explore the types of nutrition resource kit needed by community living elderly in health clinics. Recruitment for in-depth individual interview targeted elderly aged ≥60 years old who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and received primary healthcare services in four health clinics in Kuantan, Pahang. Interview questions addressed the knowledge on existing nutrition educational materials, preference for types of nutrition resource kit and opinion on technology-based materials. Data were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using NVivo software version 12. Results: 21 participants involved in this study (mean age=67.24 ±6.98 years). Five key themes identified from the data: provision of nutrition resource kit; preference for printed version; eye-friendly; facilitate understanding with diagram; and support for technology-based materials. This study also found that majority of elderly preferred for A5-sized booklet for nutrition resource kit. Conclusion: Future development of nutrition resource kit tailored to the need of elderly is needed to deliver nutritional guidance effectively and served as an important reference for them to overcome malnutrition.