In higher education setting throughout the world, the practise of handwashing among staff is essential, particularly in the period of COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the overwhelming evidence on the effectiveness of proper handwashing, the knowledge, attitude and practice of handwashing among the staff of higher education have not been well investigated. Consequently, a cross-sectional study among staff in a university in Malaysia was conducted to identify the prevalence of proper handwashing and its associated factors. The data was collected using questionnaires in Google form from 18th June to 21st June 2020. Statistical analyses involved simple and multiple logistic regression with backward likelihood ratio method. Out of 349 participants, 31.8% (95% CI: 26.9,36.7) had proper handwashing practice. The results of the multivariable analysis revealed that the total knowledge scores (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.071) and the total attitude scores (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.152, 1.321) were found to be significantly associated with proper handwashing practice among staff. Our study suggests that having the right knowledge and favourable attitudes are crucial towards achieving the proper handwashing practise. Additional supports for promoting a conducive ecosystem may also likely be needed to sustain a long-term practice of proper handwashing.

Awareness of the dietary fibre intake (DF) and its importance in prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among rural people is seldom reported in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of DF intake and their association with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among rural people in Terengganu, Malaysia. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among the households in Kampung Jati, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia from 29th December 2019 until 20th February 2020. The village has 524 houses, the data was collected from all available and eligible subjects in each household by completed socio-demographic, validated KAP on DF intake questionnaire, as well as a 24-hour dietary recall using a self-administered questionnaire. In our study of 396 respondents, 208 (52.5%) were men. The mean age of participants was 37.85 (15.13). Most of the subjects were Malay 384 (97.0%), employed 207 (52.3%) and 274 (69.2%) attained high level of education (from tertiary school level). However, only 170 (42.9%) had a high family income which was of >RM 3860 per month. Out of 396 respondents, 157 (39.6%) of them had family history of diabetes mellitus. Respondents had moderate knowledge (39.1%), positive attitude (88.1%) and good practice (59.3%) scores towards DF intake. Among the respondents, only 39.1% of total respondents knew the nationally recommended amount of daily fibre intake which is of 20-30 grams per day. With multivariable analysis using multiple logistic regression, the analysis results revealed that age (adjusted OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.15; p <0.001), having family history of T2DM (adjusted OR: 6.81, 95% CI: 2.75, 16.84; p <0.001) and having total attitude scores (adjusted OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.93; p <0.001) were found to be adjusted significant associated factors of T2DM among the respondents after controlling confounders. Public health authorities should raise awareness on health benefit of consuming dietary fibre to promote an increase in consumption which can help in prevention and management of chronic diseases among rural population of Malaysia.

Batu Buruk beach has been gazetted as a non-smoking zone by the Minister of Health under the initiative of Terengganu state government via their program known as ‘Terengganu Bebas Asap Rokok’ (TBAR). The smoking bans at Batu Buruk was enforced in order to preserve and protect the public from the dangers of cigarette smoke as well as to keep the city's environment clean and healthy. The objectives of this study were to assess the status of compliance to legislation and identify the potential aspects of violations in Batu Buruk, Terengganu, a gazetted smoke-free area. A cross-sectional study using direct observation was conducted includes all indoor and outdoor public areas in Batu Buruk Beach. Data were collected using a standard checklist which was constructed based on the provisions of the law governing exposure to tobacco smoke as stated in Control for Tobacco Products Regulation (CTPR) 2004. The study revealed that the average overall compliance with smoke-free policy was low (66.2%). The average compliance for indoor (67.4%) was higher as compared with outdoor (58.9%). Thirteen smokers were discovered smoking outdoor in the area during the study. None of the owners provides smoking aid at their premises. Although the beach has been gazetted as a non-smoking zone for more than two years, it is disappointing that overall compliance was still minimal and smoking activities are still happening in the area. Along with intense health promotion activities, continuous enforcement, close monitoring and periodic evaluation would improve and ensure the successfulness of the programme.