Background  The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a national institution (state corporation of the Kenyan government) that conducts human health research in Kenya. The institute is important in the East African region. During the COVID-19 pandemic, KEMRI played a major role in conducting half of the PCR testing in Kenya.  In response to the excessive burden on researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic, to improve support to researchers, KEMRI decided to conduct internal training to develop skills in research management and administration (RMA) for mainly administrative staff, to strengthen collaboration between researchers and administrative staff.Planning, implementation, and evaluation of the RMA Training  From July 2023 to January 2024, in cooperation with Kyoto University and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a series of internal RMA training courses on the basic knowledge required for RMA staff was planned and conducted for the first time at KEMRI. As part of the training, Kyoto University’s practices were learned, and the “KEMRI RMA Process Mapping” workshop was held to make these processes easier to visualize for researchers by having the training participants compile the organization’s rules and regulations of KEMRI that were difficult to understand for researchers.   This paper describes KEMRI’s first internal RMA training in planning, implementation, and evaluation through group discussions.Conclusion  KEMRI conducted its first internal RMA training, which incorporated a combination of lectures and workshops. The training evaluation revealed that participants developed a more comprehensive understanding of the RMA-related work and enhanced their comprehension of the researchers’ work. The training participants began to utilize the learning of RMA-related specialized knowledge and organizational management related to the work for research support. The communication between RMA-related departments and between RMA staff and researchers was enhanced, and behavioral changes towards cross-departmental collaboration were observed. KEMRI is planning to revise its personnel and organizational regulations and strengthen internal training, including the RMA training.

Introduction  Migrants are often more vulnerable to disasters than the native population. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that influence individual disaster preparedness among non-native residents in Japan.Methods  A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among non-native residents aged 18 and above who had resided in Japan for a minimum of three months and could answer questions in Chinese, English, Vietnamese, or simple Japanese. The survey collected data on socio-economic demographic characteristics, disaster preparedness (self-help and mutual help), and its factors (risk awareness, feasibility of disaster preparedness, awareness of disaster prevention, imperative norms, and social connectedness at the community level). Disaster preparedness for self-help included identifying evacuation shelters, checking local hazard maps, discussing disaster preparation with families and peers, having proper home equipment, and willingness to cooperate with disaster relief efforts as a form of mutual help. Factors associated with disaster preparedness were determined using a binary logistic regression analysis.Results  We received 207 valid responses. Respondents’ mean age was 33.8±10.4 years, and almost half were male (51.7%). For many respondents, the origin country/region was China (48.8%), with 27.1% respondents having been in Japan for less than 3-5 years and 37.7% being students. Regarding disaster preparedness, more than half of the respondents (67.6%) identified evacuation shelters, and a majority (93.3%) had a sense of mutual help. Multivariate analysis showed that being male, over 40 years old, living together, financial affordability, having never experienced a disaster, and having participated in community activities, are significantly associated with self-help. Meanwhile, having regular social contacts with native residents was associated with mutual help.Conclusion  It is suggested that connections with family and peers, interactions with the community, including Japanese people, and participation in local activities are important for promoting disaster preparedness among non-native residents in Japan.

Objectives  There are only a few quantitative studies focusing on religious and cultural barriers among non-Japanese-speaking patients and discussing the association in Japanese healthcare institutions. This study aims to clarify the association between the religious and cultural backgrounds of non-Japanese-speaking patients and their difficult experiences in the healthcare institutions.Methods  The Google Forms questionnaire survey was conducted in four languages (Plain Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese) among non-Japanese-speaking patients who had visited a Japanese healthcare institution. Of the 376 respondents (response rate: 19.7%), 350 were included in the analysis while excluding invalid responses. The association between their religions and difficulties were examined by logistic regression analysis with putting their gender, age, Japanese language proficiency, the purpose of visit and the way to communicate in examination rooms as adjustment variables. Results  237 (67.7%) had no religion, 29 (8.3%) were Christian, 12 (3.4%) were Muslim, 22 (6.3%) were Hindu and 50 (14.3%) were Buddhist of those analyzed. Odds ratios for experiencing difficulties were significantly higher for Hindu (odds ratio ［95% confidence interval］＝6.35［1.51-26.77］) and Christian (3.67［1.27-10.61］) compared with those who do not have religion. Regarding difficulties, it was found that the half of Hindu respondents identified “food” (50%) indicating a religious and cultural background, while various difficulties were identified for Christian respondents including “religion” (22%), “culture” (22%), and “medical costs” (22%).Conclusions  This study demonstrated an association between religion and difficulties in Japanese healthcare institutions among non-Japanese patients with a large proportion of outpatients. It was observed that Christian and Hindu respondents were more likely to have difficult experiences in the healthcare institutions. The results of this study suggest a need for religious and cultural consideration in outpatient settings such as the use of healthcare interpreters and the practice of transcultural nursing by medical professionals.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), prompting a need to assess its usage among healthcare workers following established guidelines and ensure its rational use. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of PPE use among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the predictors associated with good KAP.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2021. The study utilized an online, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire which was pretested and content-validated. The final questionnaire consisted of 28 items and was distributed among HCWs working directly with patients/specimens/close contacts in the MOH facilities. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 26.0.ResultsA total of 3132 respondents were included in the analysis after the exclusion criteria. 87.7% of HCWs possessed a good knowledge of PPE, 71.1% had a positive attitude, and 10.2% showed good practice. Formal training and having a good attitude and knowledge were significant predictors for good knowledge and positive attitude, respectively, while age, gender, state region and HCWs’ designation were the significant predictors of good practice.ConclusionsMost HCWs possessed good knowledge and positive attitude on PPE use but low magnitude on practice in terms of following guidelines, suggesting a gap between the level of knowledge and attitude and the actual practice. This necessitates additional education and training approaches to promote compliance with guidelines and ensure the rational use of PPE.

Tobacco uses and obesity are major global public health concerns, with adolescence being a critical period for the onset of these risk factors. In Malaysia, rising trends in adolescent smoking and obesity necessitate further investigation. This study examined gender-specific associations between different types of tobacco use and body mass index (BMI) among school-going adolescents. Data were derived from the NHMS 2017, a nationwide cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified random sampling design (N=27,497). Complex sample logistic regression was employed to assess the odds of past 30-day tobacco use by BMI category (underweight/normal weight, overweight, obese) stratified by gender. Confounders, including age, ethnicity, physical activity, fast food consumption, and mental health, were controlled for in the analysis. Adolescents classified as obese had a significant association with tobacco use, but this was not observed in overweight individuals. Male smokers were significantly less likely to be obese, whereas female smokers had a higher likelihood of obesity (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.25–2.02). Specifically, female users of e-cigarettes (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.36–2.56), smokeless tobacco (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.14–2.43), and other tobacco products (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.05–2.52) exhibited a higher risk of obesity. No significant association was found among male smokers. Female adolescent smokers showed a greater likelihood of obesity, emphasizing the need for gender-specific interventions. To mitigate these risks, public health efforts should incorporate education, policy measures, and lifestyle promotion. Further research is warranted to explore underlying biological mechanisms

Falls during pregnancy are a typical reason for minor injuries, and they can occasionally be dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child. This study is designed to identify the knowledge and practice in preventing falls among obstetrics patients in Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah. This cross-sectional study used a self-reported questionnaire involving women admitted and delivered at a state hospital between October to December 2022. The Pearson Chi-Square test in SPSS software was used to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and variables of interest. Overall, 350 postnatal women were selected as the subjects. The mean age of the women was 30.41 ± 5.4 (range: 19-44) years old. Most of the respondents were in parity 2 to 4 (56.3%). Fifty-seven women (16.3%) reported falling at least once during the index pregnancy. The mean score for knowledge was 12.30 ± 3.72, with 16.6% having good knowledge and the mean score for practice was 7.24 ± 4.23, 25.4% of them were having good practice. The women’s knowledge of preventing falls during pregnancy was predicted by their age (χ2 = 19.73, p = <0.05), education (χ2 = 21.582, p = <0.05) and parity (χ2 = 15.208, p = <0.05). The practice of the women about preventing falls was significantly poorer amongst the women who were younger (χ2 = 23.434, p = <0.05), less family income (χ2 = 17.95, p = <0.05), and had no more than a secondary education (χ2 = 14.88, p = <0.05). The findings of the study revealed that age, level of education and parity is associated with knowledge of women in preventing falls. While age, level of education and family income are associated with practice in preventing falls. Hence, awareness campaigns using effective risk communication models are advised to increase knowledge and good practice among pregnant women

This study investigates indoor environmental factors in several offices from one of the university at Malaysia's East Coast, focusing on enhancing occupational health and well-being among university staff by examining lighting quality and thermal comfort. Monitoring sampling were done based on hazard reports logged and data from three main offices or location were collected in this study. Utilizing Extech HD450 Heavy Duty Data Logging Light Meter to measure illuminance, the study found that most sampled points fell below the Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines' recommended range of 300-500 lux, indicating insufficient lighting that can cause visual discomfort and reduce productivity. Thermal comfort assessments, conducted with EVM-7 Indoor Air Quality 3M QUEST and AirPro Solution Models AP500, revealed acceptable temperature and humidity levels but often inadequate air velocity, particularly in the Science Officer's Office, leading to poor air circulation and potential health issues. The study highlights the necessity of improving lighting solutions by installing additional fixtures or upgrading existing ones for sufficient and evenly distributed illumination and enhancing ventilation systems to ensure adequate air movement. Addressing these deficiencies is crucial for creating a conducive working environment, promoting employee satisfaction and productivity. This research focuses solely on monitoring and analyzing the collected data. No qualitative evaluation has been conducted as part of this study. This research advocates for a holistic approach to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), involving regular assessment and targeted interventions to enhance the overall quality of university office environments, ultimately fostering a healthier and more productive workplace.

Malaria is a life-threatening, preventable, and curable vector borne disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles. The WHO Global Report 2010-2016 reported insecticide resistance in malaria. The main objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of new generation Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) compared to standard LLIN and untreated nets in terms of the mortality rate of adult female Anopheles gambiae. A comprehensive review of the literature was published in three databases (PubMed, Ovid, EBSCO Host) since 2010. Publications were searched with keywords including malaria, long-lasting treated bed net, long lasting insecticide-treated bed net, LLIN, and experimental hut. The search has identified 60 articles. Based on the PRISMA flowchart, 10 articles are qualified for data collection and analysis. The gathered data was analysed using Review Manager. Following meta-analysis between subgroups, a risk difference of 0.31 between standard LLINs versus untreated net (p<0.001, I²=100% 95% CI:0.01,0.60). A comparison of upgraded LLINs with the untreated net has shown a significant difference with a pooled risk difference of 0.54 favours upgraded LLINs (p<0.001, I²=100% 95% CI: 0.54,0.84). Comparison between upgraded LLINs versus standard gave an overall risk difference of 0.24 (p < 0.001, I² = 100%, 95% CI: 0.10–0.39). Upgraded LLINs significantly increase Anophelesmortality compared to standard LLINs and untreated nets, suggesting their potential for improved malaria control. Thus, using upgraded nets in the field and translating them into malaria preventive programs would help achieve the target and improve healthoutcomes for those living in endemic areas.

A series of comprehensive focus group discussions with active firefighters revealed that inconsistencies in incorporating a rigorous physical training program during work hours contributed significantly to the challenges of maintaining functional fitness, particularly strength. This article outlines a process for identifying the specific exercises required to enhance strength, drawing on the expertise and experience of physical trainers. Modified nominal group technique (mNGT) sessions were conducted to identify and rank exercises for five functional strengths (i.e., pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, and dragging). A total of six physical trainers from the firefighter academy were interviewed to 1) identify the skeletal muscles involved in the functional movements using a visual aid; 2) generate ideas for exercises via brainstorming; 3) privately rank the displayed list of exercises for each muscle group involved in each functional movement; and 4) design a physical training programme for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels by manipulating loads. Males dominated the expert group (66.7%) and had a mean of 11.50 (SD 5.20) years of experience in physical training. The mNGTs yielded three top-ranking exercises for each functional strength: 1) Pushing: the push-up, sit-up, and jumping jack; 2) pulling: the push-up, jumping jack, and sit-up; 3) lifting: the jumping jack, push-up, and jumping squat; 4) carrying: the push-up, plank, and sit -up; and 5) dragging: the jumping jack, sit-up, and jumping squat. Then each exercise was designed for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels by manipulating loads (i.e. additional weight or number of repetitions). This study demonstrated that mNGT is an effective tool for identifying the three top-ranking exercises that address firefighter recruits’ functional strength. The experts chose multi-joint exercises targeting agonist and antagonist skeletal muscle groups and mimicking movements of daily work life. The exercises, corroborated by previous empirical evidence, provide opportunities for common skeletal muscle groupings to be targeted simultaneously to increase cardiovascular adaptations over a shorter period. The physical exercise is now ready to be implemented for piloting purposes among firefighter recruits.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) carries a significant burden in most world regions. However, its screening uptake remains low. This study aimed to explore awareness and perspectives on CRC screening program in a multiethnic population and their preference for CRC screening decision aid. In-depth interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, translated to English and analysed thematically using hybrid inductive and deductive approaches. 17 informants from three main ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indian) with various levels of risk for developing CRC were recruited. Awareness on CRC screening program was found to be low. Majority of informants never heard of CRC screening program. Among 11 eligible informants, only five experienced CRC screening uptake. Thematic analysis of the transcripts yielded six major themes; knowledge on CRC, screening process, authority’s role, curability, willingness to screening and preference for decision aid, and theywere mapped onto the Health Belief Model. Specific multiethnic perspectives found included preference for traditional medicine coming from all ethnics, and reliance in God coming from Malay informants. Majority preferred short videos as CRC screening decision aid, in the form of animation and live-action screenplay. Exploration of perspective of CRC screening helps in producing impactful decision aids. Future efforts should focus on developing short videos that incorporate population’s perspectives and can be disseminated through electronic media.