Theses (Master Of Pharmacy Practice)

Introduction: Zika, infection, which is a mosquito-borne virus of which unknown to many until this present day and now the focus of serious warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention which declare the virus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Zika virus does not limit only through vector-borne transmission. It can also be through sexual and feto-maternal transmission. Currently, there is no antiviral treatment or vaccine available for Zika virus infection. Preventive strategies were an option. This study aimed to assess awareness, attitudes and perception of women towards Zika virus and their acceptance of Zika vaccine once it will be made available. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 516 women aged 18 to over 35 years old in Cebu City Philippines. A validated and pre-tested questionnaire was utilized in this study self-administered to the respondents. Data collected and SPSS was utilized for simple qualitative analysis. Results: Most respondents were 18-24 years old who never had pregnancy before. Awareness about Zika is low, have heard ofit, but don’t know much about Zika virus infection and only know a little about it. Subjects were not sure if they were living in or been travelling to places with Zika. However, knowledge about the transmission of Zika is quite high. Seventy six percent thought transmission through a bite of a mosquito. Attitudes of women were significantly associated with Zika virus and precautionary measures were thought out as well as preventive strategies considered as not at all hard. Respondents express that development of Zika vaccine is vital and substantially associated with the willingness to get vaccinated. Conclusion: Regardless of socioeconomic status, there were gaps on the level of awareness and knowledge towards Zika virus infection. Respondents had a low level of awareness how the Zika virus can be transmitted other than through mosquito bites. Consider preventive measures to prevent the infection and their willingness to accept Zika vaccine once a safe and effective be available. Keywords: Zika virus infection, Awareness, Attitudes, Perception, Vaccination

Introduction The incidence of diabetes has risen dramatically in almost every part of the world in recent decades, with 415 million people living with the disease worldwide. In many Asian countries, the rate of medication non-adherence was reported to be around 40-80%, while in Malaysia non-adherence rate averages 50%. The diabetes patients' adherence to prescription medication is 67.5%, which is lower than that of patients with any other medical conditions. Patients with low medication adherence are more likely to experience clinical complications, repeated hospitalizations, increased mortality, and increased healthcare costs, hence, education on disease and medication adherence is vital now. In Malaysia, there has not been any significant research on the use of online educational materials in improving diabetes medication adherence. Objectives This study was conducted to assess the level of medication adherence among the diabetic population, to analyse the medicine and information-seeking behaviour, and to determine the effectiveness of online educational intervention in improving medication adherence and medicine and information-seeking behaviour among the diabetic population residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Methodology Individuals aged 12 years and above with a prior diagnosis of diabetes were identified and randomly distributed (control group n=183, intervention group n =206) from survey form distributed via various platforms online. Data about their medication adherence and information-seeking behaviour were obtained. As part of the intervention, a month of daily general reminders to take their medications and educational materials about diabetes were provided via WhatsApp groups. After a month, the groups were reassessed and the data were compared. Results In this study, an online educational intervention was provided to the intervention group participants using freely available online electronic educational materials on diabetes, and daily reminders to take their medication on time, for one month. The findings showed that most of the respondents in this study had a low level of medication adherence and poor information-seeking behaviour at baseline. However, after being given the online educational intervention for one month, there was a significant improvement in the level of medication adherence and information seeking behaviour among the intervention group. Conclusion Medication adherence is important in risk reduction strategies since the patients’ quality of life can be improved. The resources available online can provide necessary information that supplements a physicians’ counselling. In this study, the participants initially reported having low medication adherence levels and poor medicine and health-seeking behaviour. But when the intervention was introduced, there was a significant increase in the number of people who reported having better medication adherence level and medication information-seeking behaviour. Keywords: Diabetes, education; awareness, hyperglycaemia, medication adherence, information-seeking behaviour.

Introduction Telehealth services have grown in popularity since the outbreak of COVID-19 due to the need for physical distancing and are expected to continue expanding even after the pandemic has subsided. Studies in other countries have indicated that the views and awareness towards telehealth have shifted since the pre-pandemic era. It is vital to understand the current levels of knowledge, attitude, and perception of the public on the readiness for telehealth services in Malaysia to ensure that the country’s healthcare system adapts to the changing environment effectively. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among public members of Malaysia from September 2022 to February 2023. The survey form was distributed online via social media applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. In addition, physical survey forms were also distributed in public areas such as shopping malls and business centers. Participants were selected using convenience sampling technique. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptively and analytically using SPSS software. Results A total of 384 (100%) complete responses were collected. Findings suggest that the public has good knowledge and a positive attitude towards telehealth services in Malaysia. The public also had a positive perception on readiness for telehealth services. Among the respondents, 52.6% of them agreed and 17.2% strongly agreed that they were ready to undertake a telehealth consultation. Factors that may significantly influence the perception on readiness for telehealth (p < 0.05) were the level of highest education with 95% CI [1.021, 1.904], individuals who own a computer or laptop [0.156, 0.827], and levels of knowledge [1.074, 1.314] and attitude [1.125, 1.254]. There were significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitude (r=0.260, p <0.001), knowledge and perception on readiness for telehealth services (r=0.308, p <0.001), and attitude and perception on readiness for telehealth services (r=0.511, p <0.001). Conclusion There is great potential for telehealth services in Malaysia, in view of good levels of knowledge and the positive attitude of the public towards it. There is a wider acceptability of telehealth services among the general public and hence, telehealth services need to be strengthened across the country. Keywords: Consultation, healthcare, patient services, awareness, health.