Dengue remains a public health threat that consumes a significant number of resources for its prevention and control. This systematic review aimed to solidify recent costing evidence in dengue management among South East Asian (SEA) countries. All studies conducted between 2010 and 2020 were retrieved using four international databases i.e. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Emerald Insight. The review was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Quality assessments were done independently by two reviewers using a checklist adapted for the cost of illness studies. We identified 13 original articles representing several SEA countries. Among the common reported costing measure include total cost/ health expenditure; direct medical cost; direct non-medical cost; and indirect cost. The estimated total cost for dengue management varied between countries largely due to the difference in the total incidence of dengue cases. The estimated cost spent on dengue per capita GDP ranges from less than 0.001% to 0.1%, depending on the recorded number of dengue cases of the year. The majority of the articles focused on the economic burden from the perspective of treatment such as hospitalization and ambulatory care. In a nutshell, the economic burden of managing dengue infection is costly and the evidence suggests a steady increase in health expenditure with the growing number of dengue cases

Pregnant adolescents have been shown to have a higher incidence of health and non-health-related complications that affect both mothers and infants. These include increased risk of pregnancy-related diseases such as anemia and pre-eclampsia, preterm and low-birth-weight babies, as well as other social consequences such as educational and financial difficulties. This mini review evaluates selected articles which explain the attitudes, knowledge, behavior and other risk factors associated with pregnancy among adolescents in developing countries. It also revealed that inadequate knowledge among adolescents about reproductive and sexual health, other social, cultural and peer influences, parenting values, and poor financial and educational status were factors that contribute to adolescent pregnancy. Likewise, a lack of support from parents, educators and healthcare workers had negative impacts on healthy sexual behavior among adolescents, which may ultimately lead to adolescent pregnancy. We conclude that the factors discussed in this review need to be evaluated and taken into consideration by policymakers and healthcare workers when formulating strategies to prevent pregnancies among adolescents.

Introduction: The term "urban heat island" refers to a phenomenon that occurs when temperatures in urban areas are higher than those in the areas that surround them (suburban area). Methods: The urban heat island phenomenon can result in increase of energy consumption, increase of air pollution, decrease of water quality, and increase of greenhouse gas emissions, all of which have the potential to negatively impact people in a variety of ways. Results: In this review we identified certain groups such as elderly, children, woman, pregnant woman, single person, and minority communities, who are living in dense area or in high rise building, low education level, low income, work in outdoor environment and had pre-existing illnesses may face health issues or insufficient resources to cope with the heat in urban area. There were more susceptible to heat-related illnesses and mortality, particularly during extreme heat events. Conclusions Recognising these vulnerable populations is crucial to develop effective strategies to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands and protect them. This can aid policy makers and urban planners to implement targeted interventions to address these issues. Keywords Urban heat island – UHI – Vulnerable population – Heat exposure

Pengenalan : Pencemaran sungai di Malaysia pada masa ini berada di tahap yang kritikal dan amat membimbangkan dengan pelbagai masalah pencemaran sungai berlaku hampir setiap hari. Tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku individu memberikan impak yang besar terhadap isu pencemaran sungai. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku komuniti yang tinggal berhampiran Sungai Klang. Metodologi : Kajian keratan rentas yang menggunakan persampelan rawak mudah telah dilakukan untuk mengkaji tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku komuniti Sungai Klang terhadap pencemaran sungai. Responden kajian terdiri daripada penduduk kawasan setinggan dan penduduk kawasan perumahan biasa yang menetap berhampiran Sungai Klang. Kajian ini telah menggunakan borang soal selidik. Analisis deskriptif dan ujian t telah digunakan untuk menganalisis data. Hasil Kajian : Hasil deskriptif mendapati bahawa tahap pengetahuan (min=3.13, s.p.=0.40), sikap (min=3.28, s.p.=0.65) dan tingkah laku (min=2.96, s.p.=0.72) pencemaran sungai bagi penduduk setinggan adalah lebih rendah daripada penduduk perumahan biasa. Ujian t juga menunjukkan perbezaan yang signifikan (p<0.05) untuk tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku antara penduduk setinggan dan penduduk perumahan biasa. Rumusan Kesimpulannya, tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku pencemaran sungai komuniti Sungai Klang berada di tahap yang tidak memuaskan. Oleh yang demikian, tindakan perlulah diambil oleh pihak yang berkaitan untuk memantapkan lagi tahap pengetahuan, sikap dan tingkah laku penduduk berkaitan pencemaran sungai agar isu pencemaran sungai ini dapat diatasi.

Introduction: The construction workers are performing manual tasks in harsh conditions. Various environmental risk factors could have significant influence on work fatigue. Methods: This review article discussed the environmental causal factors which involved in work fatigue development in the occupational health perspective, with the aim in enhancing the body of knowledge specifically in the construction industry so that mitigation measures and interventions can be formulated and implemented for fatigue prevention and productivity enhancement. Results: Data derived from a total of 11 relevant articles identified climatic heat, vibration and elevation change as the major risk factors that associated with work fatigue. The mechanism of the environmental factors’ influences on muscle, mental and visual fatigue were understood, pointedly the underlying physiological alteration. Additionally, appropriate preventive measures in accordance to the OSHA guides including work-break cycles, work management, cool-down arrangements with drinking water were discussed. The limitation of existing OSH requirements on work limits at heat exposure was recognized, including the lack of consideration on personal characteristics therefore might inaccurately estimate the personal heat tolerance time. Conclusions The proper understanding of the environmental stressors and its impact on workers production and safety performance may help construction organisations and regulatory body to develop strategies for workers protection and fatigue-related accidents prevention.

Background and aims: Forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku is a practice of being mindful of nature and it offers multiple health benefits in both physiological and psychological factors. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) medical students towards forest bathing and its relationship with the sociodemographic factors. Materials and methods: A total of 165 UKM medical students were recruited using proportionate random sampling. The subjects were then categorized based on the academic year (Year 1 - Year 5). Exclusion criteria includes those who deferred their academic year and/or who were hospitalized. A questionnaire was given via a google form consisting of sociodemographic data details and 15 questions for each knowledge and attitude on forest bathing. Results: The prevalence of good knowledge and good attitude of UKM medical students towards forest bathing were 64.2% (n=106) and 50.9% (n=84) respectively. Female medical students had a good knowledge (n=63, 73.3%) and good attitude (n=52, 60.5%) compared to male medical students' knowledge (n=43, 54.4%) and attitude (n=32, 10.5%) leading to a p-value of 0.012 and p-value of 0.010. Otherwise, other sociodemographic factors including race, level of medical year and level of lifestyle did not affect participants' knowledge and attitude on forest bathing. Conclusion Majority of UKM medical students have a higher prevalence of good knowledge compared to good attitude on forest bathing. Therefore, intervention is recommended especially towards male medical students as forest bathing has enough evidence as preventive medicine.

Introduction: Heatwave can increase the risk for heat-related illnesses and mortality. Many studies showed certain population are vulnerable to heatwave such as elderly, children and low-income households. However, the findings were inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review provides a comprehensive review on heatwave impact and vulnerability factors on the mortality and morbidity impacts. Methodology: Five electronic databases (Pubmed, Ebsco Host, WOS, OVID Medline and Scopus) were primary searching tools to retrieve relevant literatures. This systematic review used the Medical Subject Heading (MESH) terms and keywords. An additional searching tool (Google Scholar) was used to seek further information and minimize missed evidence. We selected the literature based on the inclusion criteria (empirical full-text article, English language and published between 2010-2021). Two authors were assigned in each step of the process, starting from screening of the title, abstract and full text based on the inclusion criteria, data extraction and quality appraisal. Mixed-Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was utilized to assess the quality of selected articles. Thematic analysis and narrative approach were used to describe the findings. Conclusion This review presents the comprehensive evidence-based regarding heatwave impact and associated vulnerable groups for better understanding and effective preventive measure planning to reduce the impact of heatwave on population health.

Introduction: Influenza outbreak causes high economic burden to Malaysia and other countries in South East Asia. Scientists have found a relatively new way to detect influenza outbreaks early thus reducing the burden of disease by early intervention. This new technology is a social network information system which uses Facebook or Twitter data to detect potential influenza cases. Such system is good to be developed by the Malaysian government as it can detect influenza outbreaks three weeks earlier than the normal pathway. However, to implement this we require good evidence that the development will be accepted by potential users. Objective: This study was looking at the acceptance towards using social network information system among public health workers. Materials and Method: This study was done on 205 Malaysian One Health University Network (MyOHUN) members through email and physical survey. Results: Results show that 62.4% public health workers accepted the use technology. The acceptance was shown to be associated with performance expectancy (p<0.05). However, unlike the very famous Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, the acceptance of social network information system was not associated with effort expectancy, social factors, facilitating conditions and socio-demographic factors. Therefore, it is suggested that social network information system be developed by the authorities in Malaysia, and be developed in a way that the system could strongly increase performance in detection of outbreak earlier than the current normal pathways. As such the system to be accepted and used, it must be sensitive, specific and be able to detect influenza outbreak early Conclusion: The development of social network information system is feasible as it is highly accepted and it’s potential to improve early detection of influenza outbreak.

Background: Non-specific low back pain is one of the most common physical ailments affecting millions of people worldwide. This condition constitutes a significant public health problem and was listed as a prevalent health complaint in most societies. Even though there are many anecdotal claims for reflexology in the treatment of various conditions such as a migraine, arthritis and multiple sclerosis, but very little clinical evidence exist for reflexology on the management of low back pain per se.Objectives: This study aim to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology therapy as an adjunctive treatment to the Malaysian low back pain standard care in relieving pain and promoting health-related quality of life among people with non-specific low back pain. Methods and analysis: This is parallel randomized controlled trial with pre and post-treatment study design. The study setting for the intervention located at Penawar Reflexology Center, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Total of 100 people with non-specific low back pain will be allocated into one of two groups, using a randomization computer program of Research Randomizer. The control group will receive low back pain standard care, while the intervention group will receive standard care plus eight sessions of foot reflexology therapy. The pain intensity and health-related quality of life scores will be measured using visual analog scale and Euro-quality of life scale respectively in both groups.Measurements: Outcome measures will be undertaken at pre-intervention (week 1), post-intervention (week 6) and follow-up (week 10).Conclusion: This will be the first trial to compare the foot reflexology therapy with control group among people who medically diagnosed with non-specific low back pain in Malaysia. The result of this study will contribute to better management of this population especially for Malaysia healthcare setting.Trial registration: The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of University Sultan Zainal Abidin (UHREC/2016/2/011). The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, with the ID number of NCT02887430

Introduction: The transboundary smoke haze has become a major concern as it had a wide ranging impact in Southeast Asia from the aspect of public health to national economics. This review aims to synthesize available literature in epidemiology, economics and haze related studies to provide essential information for the valuation of health costs associated with haze in Malaysia. Methods: Evidence on health economic impact of haze was gathered by conducting a literature review and collecting information on the health effects of haze and the cost of it as well as the hospitalization cost from medical illnesses and hospital admissions due to haze. Articles were taken from those that were published from 1999 to 2016.Results: The 1997 Asian Haze episode has caused increasing trend of prematurity of mortality and respiratory problems and several series of haze later had caused increased number of hospitalization. The cost impact on hospital admission ranges from MYR1.8 million in 2005 to MYR118.9 million in 2013. During the 1997 haze, the incremental cost of illness (COI) was noted to be MYR 21million and it shot up to MYR 410 million during the 2013 haze. Conclusion: The haze gives a serious health effect to our country and our neighbours. These health effect has caused a significant health economy impact which include rise in hospital admission cost and medication, incremental cost of illness and extend to cost of medical-related leaves taken and lead to loss of income opportunities.