KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATION AMONG PARENTS IN KELANTAN, MALAYSIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY Introduction: Parents are key decision-makers in the immunisation practice and compliance of children. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice of immunisation among parents in Kelantan, Malaysia, and their associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated online questionnaire from May to June 2021. An invitation was distributed to parents attending a university hospital and extended families of staff through online platforms. A total of 311 parents participated in the study. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions each on knowledge and practice and three questions on vaccination status. Descriptive analysis was performed. The associations between the sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge and practice scores were determined using the chi-square test, and predictive factors were identified using logistic regression analysis. Results: Most respondents were Malay (94.2%), Muslim (94.5%), women (79.7%) and married (96.1%). The median score for immunisation knowledge and practice was 8 (interquartile range [IQR]=2) and 7 (IQR=3), respectively. Multiple logistic regression revealed that parents who were unmarried or single, less educated, and had lower incomes were predicted to have poor knowledge of childhood vaccination (P<0.05). Conversely, those living outside Kota Bharu, less educated, and younger parents were predicted to have poor vaccination practice of childhood vaccination (P<0.05). Most respondents (97.8%) indicated completing their children’s vaccination schedule. Conclusion: Parental education and household income are associated with immunisation knowledge and practice. Improving access to information about childhood vaccination among targeted groups may further boost immunization coverage.

Introduction: Malaysian Paediatricians suffer from psychological challenges and stresses, but unfortunately, their quality of work life (QWL) has yet to be studied. This study aims to explore the QWL score and its predictors among the qualified paediatricians of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Methods: A cross-sectional study using a validated QWL questionnaire was performed from June to December 2022. The graduates of Master of Medicine in Paediatrics (USM) were invited to participate in the study, through an online built QWL questionnaire. Reminders were sent a few times to increase the response rate. The QWL was used due to a good internal consistency with Cronbach alpha of 0.95. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the sociodemographic characteristics. The variables for QWL were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: The study included the participation of 123 paediatricians. Majority of the participants were Malay (87.8%), Muslim (90%) and married (78%). Among all participants, 53.6% has good QWL score. Factors that associated with good QWL were married status (p= 0.02) and higher salary (p=0.012). Individuals whose are married and having higher income are 3.2 and 5.2 times respectively more likely to have good QWL. Conclusion: More than half of qualified paediatricians had good QWL and necessary steps should be strived at improving these factors for a better work-life balance.