The application of environmental management methods in combating dengue: a systematic review

Among several vector control methods commonly used, environmental management is one of the control measures to mitigate dengue in such vulnerable communities. Since there is no curative treatment for dengue yet, targeted environmental and ecosystem management is increasingly relevant. Hence, this review was conducted to identify the effectiveness of environmental management intervention strategy to reduce dengue cases. We searched PUBMED, CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CIJE, WHO ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to January 2021. A total of 521 articles were screened. Only 16 studies were included in this review. There were 6 studies that applied all three types of environmental management interventions (manipulation, modification and behavior), 8 studies applied two types of interventions (manipulation and behavior) and 2 studies applied one type of intervention (manipulation or behavior). All included studies reported reduction of Aedes entomological indices. The studies showed reduction in dengue cases and density of Aedes population through environmental interventions. It is recommended for the health authority to incorporate environmental management intervention in dengue control activities and enhanced the community involvement to ensure sustainability with high impact on dengue reduction.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infection in Malaysia : A scoping review protocol (Preprint)

Background

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection is 1 of the 20 notable neglected tropical diseases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. In 2010, it is estimated that 1.73 billion people are infected with STH globally, of which 70% of cases occur in Asia. To date, there is a dearth of published literature on the prevalence of STH infection throughout Malaysia.

Objective

The objectives of this study are to review research activity on STH infection in Malaysia, to estimate the prevalence of STH infection among Malaysians, and to identify significant risk factors associated with the infection. This review aims to provide the current state of evidence pertaining to STH infections, focusing on the main areas, limitations, and biases of research and mapping out the morbidity distribution of the diseases and their causative agents, and to identify significant risk factors for preventive measures.

Methods

We will conduct a scoping review based on the 6-stage structured framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. A comprehensive search strategy focusing on STH infection will be executed using electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase). A systematic approach for searching, screening, reviewing, and data extraction will be applied based on the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Mendeley software and Microsoft Excel will be used to manage the references and to remove duplicates. Relevant data from selected articles will be extracted using a standardized data extraction form.

Results

A total of 164 potential manuscripts were retrieved. Data extraction is currently in progress and completion is expected by the end of 2022.

Conclusions

Our scoping review will summarize the current state of research in this field and provide comprehensive information regarding STH infections in Malaysia for future reference.

Trial Registration

National Medical Research Register NMRR-20-2889-54348; https://nmrr.gov.my/research-directory/e52ea778-d31c-4eb4-9163-a45bb3680bbf

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/36077

Influence of social support on limitation in daily living among older persons in Malaysia

AIM

Studies on the influence of social support on activity limitation among older persons remain limited. A better understanding of this relationship will help with resource planning and policy making aimed to reduce burden of care. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of social support on limitation in daily living among older persons in Malaysia.

METHODS

Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018, a nation-wide, cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified sampling design, were analyzed. A representative sample of individuals aged ≥60 years identified through national sampling frames throughout Malaysia was included. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using validated questionnaires on activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL). Social support was measured using the Duke Social Support Index.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of the presence of any limitations in ADL and IADL was 17.0% and 42.9% respectively. Overall prevalence of the older persons with low to fair social support was 30.8% and high to very high social support was 69.2%. Logistic regression analysis identified the following factors as being associated with limitations in ADL and IADL: being female, of older age, having a monthly income <RM 1000 and reporting low to fair social support.

CONCLUSION

Low social support was associated with limitation in daily living among older persons in Malaysia. Future studies should consider evaluating the potential benefits of increasing social support on the activity limitation of our older population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 26-32.

Prevalence and factors associated with falls among older persons in Malaysia

AIM

Falls are a common problem among older people, leading to major morbidity and increased mortality. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls among older persons in Malaysia and its associated factors.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018 (NHMS 2018), a cross-sectional study using stratified cluster sampling design. Older persons were defined as aged ≥60 years in this study. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25.0.

RESULTS

Overall, 14.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.46, 15.84) of older persons reported having experienced at least one fall during the past 12 months. Univariate analyses revealed an association between the history of falls with not being employed (odds ratio [OR]: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.03, 1.77]), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.65 [95% CI: 1.33, 2.04]), limitation in activities of daily living (ADL) (OR: 1.90 [95% CI: 1.43, 2.54]) or instrumental ADL (OR: 1.47 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.84]). Multiple logistic regression revealed that falls were positively associated with those who had diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.55 [95% CI: 1.23, 1.94]) and limitation in ADL (OR: 1.56 [95% CI: 1.14, 2.15]); 43.9% of falls occurred outdoors.

CONCLUSION

One in six older Malaysian people experience at least one fall over a 12-month period. Diabetes mellitus and limitation in ADL were the factors associated with falls among older persons. A comprehensive and targeted program designed to reduce risk of falls is urgently needed. Future research should identify suitable programs for our setting to reduce the potential society burden of falls in older Malaysians. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 33-37.

The Association of Internet Addiction and Perceived Parental Protective Factors Among Malaysian Adolescents

Parental protective factors do play an important role in preventing Internet addiction. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure health risk behaviors among Malaysian adolescents. The prevalence of Internet addiction was significantly higher among adolescents with perceived lack of parental supervision (30.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 28.7-31.4]) and lack of parental connectedness (30.1% [95% CI = 28.5-31.7]), compared with their counterparts. Adolescents who perceived a lack of parental supervision, respect for privacy, connectedness, and bonding were more likely to have Internet addiction: (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.27-1.52), (aOR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.16-1.31), (aOR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.02-1.16), (aOR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.00-1.12), respectively. Among girls, Internet addiction was associated with those who perceived lack in all 4 parental factors, while among boys, those who perceived lack of parental supervision and respect for privacy were more prone to Internet addiction.

Prolonged dengue outbreak at a high-rise apartment in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia: A case study

There was an increasing trend in dengue infection in Malaysia with many outbreaks that occurred in Petaling District, Selangor in 2013 - 2014. A high rise apartment in Petaling Jaya reported ten episodes of dengue outbreaks from June 2013 to June 2014. We studied the prolonged dengue hotspot at this residential complex in Petaling Jaya, Selangor and made recommendations to prevent future prolonged dengue outbreaks. This was a retrospective exploratory study by analysing secondary data on dengue outbreaks from years 2013 to 2014. Small group discussions, interview sessions with staff and site visits were carried out to obtain necessary information. Two hundred and ninety-one cases were notified during the dengue outbreaks from Epid week (EW) 25 in 2013 to EW 26 in 2014 with no mortality reported. Information entered into dengue databases might be incomplete or mixed up. Active case detection and environmental risks assessment based on cases were not carry out due to the massive outbreak. Basic information on the population in the outbreak locality was unavailable. Various control activities were carried out with varying outcomes. Community participation was poor with little cooperation from residents during health education and community-based mosquito breeding prevention activities. To ensure better management of dengue outbreaks and to prevent prolonged dengue outbreaks in the future, integrated case findings, effective control activities, extensive environmental assessment on the outbreak locality and adopting innovative community outreach initiative with sufficient staff are required to curb dengue vector.

Environmental management for dengue control: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Dengue is among the most important mosquito-borne diseases, with more than half of the world's population at risk of infection in dengue endemic countries. Environmental management, which includes any activities that involve environmental modification, environmental manipulation and changes to human behaviour have been used to mitigate the risk of dengue transmission. In this protocol, we will integrate the data from various sources to assess the overall effect of environmental management on the incidence of dengue and other entomological indices.

METHODS AND ANALYSES

We will conduct a systematic review of intervention that assess the effect of environmental management on the incidence of dengue and/or entomological indices. We will include any studies that include intervention through environmental management for dengue control, involving environmental modification, environmental manipulation and changes to human behaviour. A comprehensive search will be performed in electronic databases PUBMED, CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Web of Science and relevant research websites such as PROPSERO, WHO ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify studies that meet our inclusion criteria. A systematic approach to searching, screening, reviewing and data extraction will be applied based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis. Titles, abstract, keywords for eligibility will be examined independently by researchers. The quality of the included studies will be assessed using quality assessment tool for studies with diverse design and Cochrane risk of bias tool. The characteristics of the selected articles will be described based on the study design, types of intervention and outcomes of the study in various countries. These include the types of environmental management intervention methods and the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing dengue cases or incidence and impact on entomological indices.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

We will register this systematic review with the National Medical Research Register, Ministry of Health Malaysia. This protocol also had been registered with the PROSPERO. No ethical approval is necessary, as there will be no collection of primary data. The results will be disseminated though a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018092189.

Environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban settings: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Leptospirosis is the most common zoonotic disease that causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease can cause sporadic epidemics and recent epidemics have become more apparent in urban localities. There is lack of documented evidence on the specific risk factors of leptospirosis infection among the urbanites, thereby impeding initiatives for prevention in urban settings. We aim to systematically search published articles and synthesise evidence on the risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection among the susceptible populations in urban localities, particularly to identify the risk factors of non-recreational leptospirosis infection.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will conduct a systematic review of observational studies that investigated environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban localities. The search will be performed for any eligible articles from selected electronic databases from 1970 until May 2018. The study will include any studies that investigated risk factors of confirmed leptospirosis cases who acquired the infection in urban locality, particularly exposures from the non-recreational and non-water-related activities. Study selection and reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline. All data will be extracted using a standardised data extraction form and quality of the studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale guideline. Descriptive and meta-analysis will be performed by calculating the standardised median ORs and risk ratios for types of the non-recreational risk factors stratified by social, living conditions and environmental exposures, types of reservoirs and transmissions and types of activities and employments associated with leptospirosis infection in urban locality.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No primary data will be collected thus no formal ethical approval is required. The results will be disseminated though a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018090820.