Netizens’ Perceptions Regarding Muslim-Unfriendly Dress Code for Clinical Personnel in Malaysia

The employee’s right to freedom of religious expression at work and the institution’s right to implement a uniform dress code policy have created many conflicts, including in the context of healthcare. Healthcare institutions implement strict hygiene and infection control policy which may include the banning of long sleeves and headscarves. This practice may be problematic for female Muslim personnel who prefer to cover their forearms, hair and necks. In the Malaysian healthcare sector, two events involving the alleged headscarf ban (in 2013) and long sleeves ban (in 2015) made national headlines that attracted many netizens to comment on the issue. This qualitative study thematically analyses the netizens’ perceptions of the issue shared on various online platforms. Netizens expressed numerous opinions regarding the alleged bans, the clinical dress code policy, the Islamic dress code, the status of religion and Islam in Malaysia and the healthcare sector, the status of Malays and non-Malays in Malaysia, and the pro- and anti-Islamic trends. The findings demonstrate various conflicting opinions regarding the above issues in Malaysia which highlight the need for guidelines or frameworks for the harmonisation between employees’ personal convictions and the institutions’ interests.

Knowledge of, risk perception towards and reported preventive practices against Lassa fever among health workers in Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: Secondary transmission of Lassa fever has been recorded annually among healthcare workers who provided care. An outbreak of the disease in Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria in 2018, recorded high morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, risk perception, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever among healthcare workers. Methods: A health facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted involving senior members of staff randomly selected from the list of staff members. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 554 consenting respondents in 304 health facilities. Results: More than half of the respondents (317, 57.2%) are health workers in primary healthcare cadres. Although 444 (80.1%) knew the case definition for reporting, only 379 (68.4%) correctly indicated the reporting channel. Concerning risk perception, 174 (31.4%) rated their risk of contracting the disease in the workplace as high, and 309 (55.8%) indicated that hospitals' infection control policy is inadequate. Furthermore, only 76 (13.7%) of the respondents reported having modified their working habits for fear of being infected with Lassa fever three months before the study with 368 (66.4%) and 474 (85.6%) reported that they always use aprons and gloves respectively during treatment of patients. Conclusion: There is a need to strengthen the hospital infection control policy and train healthcare workers on reporting suspected cases.

Are Creches a Haven for Child Care or Cesspool for Infection?

The increasing number of Nigerian women in the labour force and disintegration of the extended family system, has led to demand for alternative means of caring for children. Crèche facilities serve as alternative sources of childcare. This study aimed at assessing the adequacy of crèches in a community in Nigeria to offer child care.The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design; a total of 14 out of 18 crèches in the town were assessed using a checklist (78% response rate), only 62% of parents of enrolled children accepted to be interviewed while all care givers were interviewed with a questionnaire. Swab samples for microbiological analysis were collected from floors, beddings and toys in the crèches and subjected to microbiological analysis.Less than two-fifth (38%) of caregivers had good knowledge about early childhood care. About two-thirds (65%) of the caregivers had some training in early childhood care. None of the creche had an infection control policy while a little over half (57%) had good environmental hygiene status, 93% had good safety practices and 71% had fair infection control practices. Organisms isolated are Staphylococcus aureus (59%), Aerobic spore bearer (13%) and Proteus vulgaris (5%) while 28% yielded no growth. Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to second line antibiotics and only 44% were sensitive to Gentamicin. Proteus vulgaris was resistant to most antibiotics but sensitive to Gentamicin.Knowledge of care givers about childcare practices was poor. Infection control practice was fair despite absence of infection control policy.

Awareness of Infection Control among Dental Students and Interns

Introduction: Disease transmission can occur through direct contact, blood, oral fluids, or other secretions and indirect contact with contaminated instruments, operatory equipment, or objects. Prevention of cross contamination helps in reducing the infection. The level of education of the students, and their knowledge about the infection control directly relates to the patient care. The current study aims to determine the level of knowledge and infection control procedures among dental students in a clihnical practice. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire comprised of 18 open and close-ended questions related to infection control and prevention. Answers of the questions were analysed by SPSS version 20. Results: Among the students included, 53 (36.8%) participants were intern, 31 (21.5%) from fifth year, 31 (21.5) from fourth year and 29 (20.1) were third year. Performance satisfaction shows that the students were fairly satisfied with their performance. When students were asked to rate the implementation of infection control policy in their clinical practice 1 (0.7%) were very good, 74 (51.4%) were fair, 44 (30.6%) were good are while 25 (17.4%) were poor to implement infection control policy in their practice. Conclusions: The level of knowledge and practice of infection control measures was poor among dental students. The attitude towards infections control measures was positive, but a greater compliance was needed. Formal class and examination may help improve knowledge and clinical practices.