Predictors of preventive practices towards Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) among children’s caregivers in Petaling District, Selangor, Malaysia

• Published in: Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Main Author: Hamirudin S.N.S.M.; Shafie F.A.; Zaki M.A.; Talib O.; Ariffin A.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2021
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85120825525&partnerID=40&md5=96cc9b1b4336b194afd5e43abb7cad9a

Introduction: In Malaysia, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) has become an endemic childhood disease and it has become a major public health concern. Hygiene, age, gender, and knowledge, social contacts are all risk factors for HFMD and might contribute to the increased prevalence of HFMD cases. This study aims to determine the predictive factors of preventive practices towards HFMD among children’s caregivers in Petaling district, Selangor. Methods: A total of 440 caregivers from selected day cares and preschools were self-administered with a questionnaire to explore the behaviour and preventive actions with regards to HFMD. Analysis of collected data includes descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: Most of the respondents were female, married, self-employed or working in private sector and obtained tertiary education. Insufficient knowledge score (13.60 ± 5.77) was demonstrated, with health belief highlighted on relatively low mean score for perceived severity and perceived barrier, which was (14.69 ± 3.89) and (14.11 ± 3.04) respectively. There is association between health belief, relationship factor and community factor between preventive practices behaviour towards HFMD among caregivers in Petaling with moderate positive correlation. The regression model revealed that societal factor was the most dominant factor predicted and associated with preventive practices. Conclusion: Thus, the predictors derived from this study could be given closer further attention in managing HFMD outbreaks. © 2021 UPM Press. All rights reserved.