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The attachment to mobile devices during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the possibility of increased nomophobia, which is the intense fear of losing access to one's mobile device. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if nomophobia was independently associated with suicidality before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among university students in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study had two-time points in data collection: one year before and one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. N  = 806 university students aged ≥ 18 years completed an online questionnaire comprising the Nomophobia Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. A multiple logistic regression (controlling for gender, age, and social support) was conducted to determine the association between nomophobia and suicidality before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of severe nomophobia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was 15.7% and 35.6% respectively. The level of nomophobia was significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. Pre-pandemic, there were no significant associations. During the pandemic, participants with moderate (a OR 3.09, 95% CI [1.14-8.40], p  = .027) and severe (a OR 3.57, 95% CI [1.25-10.20], p  = .018) nomophobia had higher odds of suicide plan. During the pandemic, moderate and severe nomophobia were independently associated with more than three times higher odds for a lifetime suicide plan. Our study findings carry implications for the well-being of university students.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated many mental health problems worldwide. People living with HIV (henceforth known as PLHIV) bear a higher mental health burden in comparison with the general population. Therefore, their risk of mental health problems may be elevated during the pandemic., Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, psychological stress, insomnia and loneliness among PLHIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observational studies in four databases published from 1 January 2020 to 30 April 2021 investigating the prevalence of mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic were searched, and 197 articles were retrieved. After the processes of duplication removal, eligibility screening and full-text assessment, 10 articles were included in the systematic review and six articles for meta-analyses. A random-effects model was applied to derive the pooled prevalence of mental health conditions. The risk of bias was assessed using the STROBE checklist., Results: Overall, the pooled prevalence rates of (moderate-to-severe) depression and anxiety among PLHIV were 16.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.8%-30.0%] and 23.0% (95% CI: 12.0%-34.0%), respectively., Conclusions: More research is needed to investigate the mechanism by which the pandemic affects the mental health of PLHIV. Support and programmes are needed to ameliorate the mental health problems in this marginalized population., (© 2022 British HIV Association.)

The success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme to achieve herd immunity depends on the proportion of the population inoculated. COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy is a barrier to reaching a sufficient number of people to achieve herd immunity. This study aims to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and to identify the reasons contributing to vaccine hesitancy using the Theory of Planned Behavior. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between May 2021 to June 2021. Using exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling, participants were recruited via social media and telecommunication platforms. We used a questionnaire that obtained information on participant socio-demographics, vaccine hesitancy, pseudoscientific practices, conspiracy beliefs, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, main reasons for not intending to get the COVID-19 vaccine; influential leaders, gatekeepers and anti-or pro-vaccination lobbies; and global vaccine hesitancy. A total of 354 responses (mean age = 32.5 years old ±13.6; 70.3% females) were included for analysis. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 11.6%. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was significantly and positively associated with those who agreed with influential leaders, gatekeepers, and anti- or pro-vaccination lobbies (adjusted B coefficient = 1.355, p = 0.014), having a "wait and see" attitude to see if the COVID-19 vaccine is safe (adjusted B coefficient = 0. 822, p <0.001), perceiving that the vaccine will give them COVID-19 (adjusted B coefficient = 0.660, p <0.002), planned to use masks/others precautions instead (adjusted B coefficient = 0.345, p = 0.038) and having higher scores in conspiracy beliefs (adjusted B coefficient = 0.128, p <0.001). Concern about the costs associated with the vaccine (adjusted B coefficient = -0.518, p <0.001), subjective norms (adjusted B coefficient = -0.341, p <0.001), and perceived behavioural control (adjusted B coefficient = -0.202, p = 0.004) were negatively associated with vaccine hesitancy. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Malaysia is low. Several factors were identified as being associated with vaccine hesitancy. Factors associated with vaccine hesitancy would be useful in tailoring specific interventions involving positive messages by influential leaders, which address vaccine misinformation and the wait-and-see attitude which may delay the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global health emergency and lock-down measures to curb the uncontrolled transmission chain. Vaccination is an effective measure against COVID-19 infections. In Malaysia amidst the national immunisation programme (NIP) which started in February 2021, there were rising concerns regarding the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and refusal, and therefore, vaccine uptake among Malaysians. Although there are many quantitative studies on COVID-19 vaccination, the subjective experience of individuals was understudied. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of Malaysians regarding vaccine hesitancy and refusal, and facilitating factors that could enhance vaccine acceptance and uptake., Methods: This qualitative study employed the hermeneutic phenomenological study design. Purposive sampling strategies were used to recruit Malaysians that had direct experiences with friends, family members and their community who were hesitating or refusing to accept the COVID-19 vaccines. A semi-structured interview guide was developed based on the expert knowledge of the investigators and existing literature on the topic. A series of focus group interviews (FGIs) was conducted online facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of experts. The group interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed., Results: Fifty-nine participants took part in seven FGIs. We found that "incongruence" was the overall thematic meaning that connected all the 3 main themes. These themes comprise firstly, the incongruence between the aims and implementation of the National Immunization Program which highlighted the gap between realities and needs on the ground. Secondly, the incongruence between Trust and Mistrust revealed a trust deficit in the government, COVID-19 news, and younger people's preference to follow the examples of local vaccination "heroes". Thirdly, the incongruence in communication showed the populace's mixed views regarding official media and local social media., Conclusions: This study provided rich details on the complex picture of the COVID-19 immunization program in Malaysia and its impact on vaccine hesitancy and refusal. The inter-related and incongruent factors explained the operational difficulty and complexity of the NIP and the design of an effective health communication campaign. Identified gaps such as logistical implementation and communication strategies should be noted by policymakers in implementing mitigation plans., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating effect on the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare providers (HCPs) globally. This review is aimed at determining the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, fear, burnout and resilience and its associated factors among HCPs in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic., Material and Methods: We performed literature search using 4 databases from Medline, Cinahl, PubMed and Scopus from inception up to March 15, 2021 and selected relevant cross-sectional studies. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot. Random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence while risk factors were reported in odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI., Results: We included 148 studies with 159,194 HCPs and the pooled prevalence for depression was 37.5% (95%CI: 33.8-41.3), anxiety 39.7(95%CI: 34.3-45.1), stress 36.4% (95%CI: 23.2-49.7), fear 71.3% (95%CI: 54.6-88.0), burnout 68.3% (95%CI: 54.0-82.5), and low resilience was 16.1% (95%CI: 12.8-19.4), respectively. The heterogeneity was high (I2>99.4%). Meta-analysis reported that both females (OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.30-1.68) and nurses (OR = 1.21; 95%CI = 1.02-1.45) were at increased risk of having depression and anxiety [(Female: OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.49-1.85), (Nurse: OR = 1.36; 95%CI = 1.16-1.58)]. Females were at increased risk of getting stress (OR = 1.59; 95%CI = 1.28-1.97)., Conclusion: In conclusion, one third of HCPs suffered from depression, anxiety and stress and more than two third of HCPs suffered from fear and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Cyberbullying, which has been exacerbated by the widespread use of smartphones and the increasing stress associated with the pandemic, needs the promotion of positive online behaviour, cyberbullying awareness, and victim support. The PRISMA technique is used in this review to identify effective preventative tools and intervention options. Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria and were selected for review. A quality assessment was conducted. Upon thorough evaluation of the included studies, the intervention data was compiled in a narrative format. Using thematic analysis, we explored the effectiveness of technological interventions for preventing cyberbullying comprehensively. Technology-driven strategies for identifying and combating cyberbullying in educational settings, such as language-specific cyberbullying detection tools, IRCB programmes for empowering teenagers, and technologies such as CREEP Semantic Technology and CREEP Virtual Coach, have showed potential. TIPIP and the #WIIWY movement have also assisted to raise awareness and educate people about cyberbullying. However, more research is required to design targeted interventions that address varied demographics and circumstances, while including parents and taking the target audience's age into account remains critical for effective technology-driven educational interventions and digital advocacy.

After nearly three years of COVID-19 and multiple lockdowns, Malaysia entered the early endemic phase in April 2022. This transition brought new challenges and required continued adaptation, with mental health concerns rising due to the uncertainties of living with the virus. This study thus sought to examine, within the context of the early endemic phase, the quality of life among Malaysians, the mediating effect of fear arising from COVID-19, and how it results in anxiety and burnout. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 462 respondents (Mean age = 24.42; S.D.= 7.88), utilizing validated measures including the Malay versions of the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, COVID-19 Burnout Scale, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the abbreviated WHO Quality of Life Scale. Results showed that quality of life negatively predicted an individual’s fear and burnout, but not anxiety. Fear arising from COVID-19 mediated the relationship between anxiety and burnout. While co-existing with COVID-19, it is important to consider the psychological impacts of this co-existence in promoting good health and individual well-being. Governments can use this data to implement risk management programs and policies to improve individuals’ quality of life. Post-pandemic, recognizing and addressing fear is essential for effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of primary healthcare providers in Malaysia, focusing specifically on the role of depression, anxiety, and stress in mediating the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and burnout. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 1280 healthcare providers from 30 government primary care clinics. Participants completed several scales, including the COVID-19 Fear Scale, Copenhagen Burn Inventory Scale, and DASS-21 Scale, and mediation analysis was performed using Smart-PLS. Results: The majority of respondents were female (82.4%) and Malays (82.3%), with a mean age of 36 years and an average working experience of 11 years. Nurses (47.4%) were the largest group, followed by doctors (26%), medical assistants (11.9%), healthcare assistants (7.1%), medical laboratory technicians (6.4%), and drivers (1.3%). The findings revealed that fear of COVID-19 was positively associated with psychological distress, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as burnout. Additionally, psychological distress played a mediating role in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and three domains of burnout: personal burnout (β=0.154, p<0.001), work-related burnout (β=0.187, p<0.001), and client-related burnout (β=0.175, p<0.001). Conclusion: These results highlight the need for interventions to address the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare providers, particularly in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress, which were found to play a positive mediating role in the development of burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]