Health Education and Health Promotion

Abstract Aims: Malaysia is a low and middle-income country situated in the Western Pacific Region, a region with one of the highest recorded drowning statistics worldwide. As a maritime nation with a rich water landscape and an equatorial environment and climate, Malaysia ranks 12th in the world for the highest rate of flood disasters. The current study aimed to understand how lifesaving professionals perceive drowning prevention approaches in Malaysia through the lens of the quintuple helix model, which encompasses five subsystems: the educational system, the political system, the economic system, the natural environment, and civil society.
Participants & Methods: This qualitative study was done on 11 lifeguards and/or lifesaving professionals from three distinct lifesaving associations selected using purposive sampling. In-depth one-on-one interviews were conducted with participants, and the interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using deductive thematic analysis.
Findings: Five predetermined main themes, namely political system, economic system, education system, natural environment, and civil society along with six sub-themes were obtained, resulting in the construction of a thematic framework.
Conclusion: This research highlights how lifesaving professionals perceive drowning prevention approaches in Malaysia, emphasizing the need for collaboration among relevant stakeholders to enhance these strategies.

Abstract Aims: Leptospirosis constitutes a significant zoonotic disease with substantial global distribution, particularly affecting tropical and subtropical regions. Despite extensive documentation of its burden, significant knowledge deficits persist regarding localized transmission determinants, particularly concerning the relative contributions of individual versus environmental risk factors. This study aimed to examine the relationship between individual factors (gender, occupation, education) and biotic environmental parameters (flood history, drainage conditions, waste disposal conditions) with leptospirosis incidence in the working area of Kasihan II Bantul Public Health Center during 2022-2023.
Instrument & Methods: This observational analytical study with a retrospective case-control design was implemented on 34 participants, comprising 17 laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis cases and 17 community-matched controls from the same catchment area. Data collection employed structured questionnaires assessing sociodemographic parameters, occupational exposures, and environmental conditions. The analysis utilized chi-square tests to evaluate associations between independent parameters and leptospirosis status, with odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals calculated to quantify the magnitude of risk.
Findings: Significant associations were identified between leptospirosis and male gender (OR=5.760, 95% CI: 1.317-25.187) and high-risk occupations (OR=6.667, 95% CI: 1.377-32.278). Educational attainment and environmental parameters, including flood history, drainage conditions, and waste disposal infrastructure, demonstrated non-significant associations despite elevated risk estimates. Demographic analysis revealed a predominance of middle-aged and older adults (64.8% aged 46-65 years), with a balanced gender distribution and a high prevalence of lower educational attainment (91.2%).
Conclusion: In the Kasihan II Bantul catchment area, the significant determinants of leptospirosis transmission are male gender and high-risk occupational exposure, while educational status and environmental factors are non-significant determinants.

Abstract Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of healthcare providers in the Al-Karkh District of Baghdad regarding the prevention and management of waterborne diseases.
Instruments & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was done on 550 randomly chosen healthcare professionals from six hospitals and 25 healthcare institutions between January and March 2025. A standardized questionnaire for interviews, focusing on water safety procedures, was used to gather data. The significance level was established at p<0.05, and statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29.
Findings: Regarding the prevention of waterborne diseases, the survey found that 43.3% of participants had good practices, 44.4% had acceptable practices, and 12.4% had poor practices. Practice levels were significantly correlated with factors, such as age, education, years of experience, profession, length of training, and attitude ratings (p<0.05). However, practice levels were not substantially correlated with facility type or knowledge scores.
Conclusion: The majority of medical professionals in Al-Karkh, Baghdad, are well-versed in waterborne illnesses, particularly concerning prevention and symptoms

Abstract Aims: This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of the Jordanian population toward ophthalmology services, identified barriers, and explored opportunities to enhance access and care quality.
Instrument & Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Data were collected from 385 participants in Amman. The survey included Likert-scale items evaluating knowledge and attitudes, while open-ended responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the relationship between knowledge and attitudes.
Findings: Respondents demonstrated moderate knowledge of ophthalmology services, with the highest awareness regarding professional roles (3.24±1.36) and the lowest concerning service access (2.76±1.42). Knowledge of eye health was also moderate, with limited understanding of disease symptoms (2.74±1.38). While general attitudes were positive, confidence in seeking care was low (2.48±1.39). Statistically significant correlations were found between knowledge and attitudes toward seeking (r=0.42, p<0.05) and utilizing services (r=0.38, p<0.05). Financial constraints (42.3%) and logistical issues (27.8%) were the most frequently cited barriers. Suggested improvements included capacity building (44.7%), financial assistance (42.1%), and awareness campaigns (23.6%).
Conclusion: There are clear knowledge gaps and access barriers to ophthalmology care in Jordan.

Abstract Aims: The increased recognition of the significance of occupational safety and health in the workplace has attracted increasing attention in the field of public health. This study aimed to analyze recent trends in prioritizing worker safety, health, and well-being in the workplace, focusing on the connections between occupational safety and health and public health.
Information & Methods: This systematic review employed a combined approach using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses model along with an analysis tool, VOSviewer, for a systematic review of the literature. The research process involved identifying search topics and pertinent keywords (such as occupational safety, health, well-being, and public health) and conducting a systematic literature search in the Scopus and SciSpace databases
Findings: A shift in awareness regarding occupational risks and their impact on mental and physical health was indicated. Moreover, the study underscored the significance of integrating occupational health with public health.
Conclusion: The safety, health, and well-being of workers significantly influence not only individuals but also the overall welfare of society.

Abstract Aim: Considering the importance and effectiveness of disease prevention awareness campaigns in healthcare and their limited use in Iran and worldwide, more widespread implementation of these campaigns could have significant positive impacts on public health outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of disease prevention awareness campaigns.
Methods: For this literature review, we conducted a systematic search of papers published on disease prevention awareness campaigns between 2010 and 2022, in both Persian and English. We limited our search to papers with full text available and searched across multiple credible scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, SID and Magiran. We excluded papers that did not align with our research objectives.
Finding: Out of the 44 papers searched on disease prevention awareness campaigns, 18 relevant papers were selected and their results were investigated, of which two cases were in Persian and 16 in English. Most areas used in the awareness campaigns were related to diseases, such as acute coronary syndrome, diabetes, cancers, sexually transmitted diseases, and infectious diseases. The results of this study suggested the effectiveness of organizing awareness campaigns in preventing diseases.
Conclusion: The evidence suggests that awareness campaigns have had a positive impact on reducing the risk of disease and preventing its development. Therefore, it is important to make concerted efforts to develop effective and appropriate awareness campaigns for all individuals at risk.

Abstract Aims: Mass media are among the most important tools for enhancing health information and health promotion in any country. Among the different types of mass media, news agencies are the primary source of health information. The present study examines health coverage in news agencies and implements and evaluates an intervention to improve health promotion news coverage.
Methods: The explanatory sequential mixed-method study includes five phases, including quantitative content analysis of news agencies, semi-structured interviews, intervention, and evaluation of the intervention, and synthesis of the recommendations. Four news agencies utilizing the purposeful sampling method would be selected and divided into two cases and two control groups. Primary outcomes: awareness-raising and enhancing the knowledge, attitude, and performance of health journalists and improving the communication between the media and the health sectors. Secondary outcomes: increasing the quality and quantity of public health (health protection, prevention, education, and promotion) related news agencies coverage. In the Fifth phase, utilizing the results of the four phases, a practical recommendation will be proposed for creating health-promoting media.
Perspective: This result would provide a more holistic approach to understanding the current situation, generating more effective and comprehensive strategies to utilize the potential of news agencies for health promotion and creating health-promoting news agencies.