UNRAVELLING TUBERCULOSIS PERCEPTIONS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY IN HIGH TUBERCULOSIS ENDEMIC COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN SABAH Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern globally. A wider conceptual comprehension of people’s health beliefs and concerns about TB can contribute to achieving the aimed reduction in disease burden, through informed interventions tailored according to the local context. This study explores the notion of TB among community members in high TB endemic localities in Northern Sabah, Malaysia. Grounded-theory study design was utilized to gather data from 42 individuals through in-depth interviews using semi-structured questions, selected purposively by age. Individual interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and translated into English. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. A majority of the respondents have heard of TB, but do not know what TB is. Most participants agreed that TB is a serious disease that could be fatal, and are worried about getting TB, but showed apprehension about the risk of getting the disease. Their knowledge and risk perception towards TB may affect their response to seeking diagnosis through disease screening. This study revealed persistent misconceptions about TB, which could potentially impact people’s willingness to undergo disease screening and seek appropriate treatment. Promoting health education on TB through a tailored approach according to the local context is crucial.

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.