Page 67 - JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT SUPPLEMENT: SEPTEMBER 2021

SEPTEMBER 2021, SUPPLEMENT, JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT
SEPTEMBER 2021, SUPPLEMENT, JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT
e-­‐poster
BM108 e-­‐Poster
PH011
Abstract Category: Biomedical Science
Abstract Category: Public Health
Islamic Fasting Approach on Weight Loss Intervention – Experience Through the Lens of Participants
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Johari, M. Z. , Sulaiman, N. S. , Abdullah, S. R. , Khalil, M. K. N. , Wan Mohd Zin, R. M. , Mohd Yunus, S.
The Characteristics of COVID-­‐19 Interstate Clusters in Malaysia
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N. N. , Kamaruddin, H. , Norshamsul, N. I. , Azizul, N. H.
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Ang, Z. Y. , Jailani, A. S. , Cheah, K. Y. , Md Sharif, S. , Kong, Y. L. , Fun, W. H. , Ali, N. B. Z. , Tan, C.
1 Centre for Health Communications and Informatics Research, Institute for Health Behaviour Research, National
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L. , Sararaks, S.
Institutes of Health
2 1 Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of
Centre for Health Outcomes Research, Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health
Health
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Centre for Clinical Trial, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health
Introduction
Introduction
Weight loss is a natural process of weight management in life but the process and effectiveness varies
A COVID-­‐19 interstate cluster is defined as a COVID-­‐19 cluster that spreads beyond one state. To
from individual to individual. This study attempts to assess the effectiveness of an Islamic approach of
effectively execute public health surveillance for COVID-­‐19, it is critical to understand the
the sunnah fasting (Mondays and Thursday) combined with healthy plating as part of a weight loss
transmission and formation of COVID-­‐19 clusters. Therefore, this study aims to describe the
intervention through the views of the participants.
characteristics of COVID-­‐19 interstate clusters in Malaysia.
Method
Method
This qualitative study takes on exploratory approach in obtaining feedback from selected participants
Data on interstate clusters that were declared ended, such as number of cases, duration of cluster
of the intervention. Four groups of participants (two successful and two unsuccessful) were invited in
and states involved were sourced from government websites and social media (e.g. kpkesihatan.com
separate Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to give their experiential feedback after completing the
and Ministry of Health Facebook). Data was collected from 1-­‐1-­‐2020 to 28-­‐2-­‐2021. Descriptive
intervention. FGDs were recorded verbatim and transcribed. Data was blind and axial coded before
analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.
thematically analyzed.
Result
Result
There were 134 (20.7%) interstate clusters (with a total of 16,794 cases) from 647 clusters. 78
In total 21 participants were interviewed. Four themes emerged -­‐ efficacy towards intervention,
(58.2%) and 49 (36.6%) interstate clusters spread to 2 states and 3-­‐5 states, respectively. Most
barriers and facilitators to success, support and sustainability. Participants who were success attributed
clusters originated from Selangor (n=50, 37.3%), followed by Kuala Lumpur (n=28, 20.9%). Most of
having a strong support system at home or at work and the sense of competitiveness as the main key
the interstate clusters (n=107, 79.8%) were identified after October 2020. 92 (67.8%) had a duration
to who were successful. Similarly, the same attributes are also the reason to those who did not
of 31-­‐60 days (median = 44 days, IQR = 33-­‐55 days).
succeed in losing the prescribed weight. Most suffered difficulty of at least one month to adapt to the
intervention. Sporadically in both groups stated the intervention is sustainable for a long period.
Discussion
Individual motivation plays a strong role in the success or failure in weight loss.
Majority of the interstate clusters originated from states with major transportation, economic hubs,
Discussion
and with high population density, such as Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, the relaxation of
Islamic fasting is perceived to be a viable intervention to weight loss and its success is driven both by
interstate travel restriction might have contributed to the clusters after October 2020; this highlights
individual motivation and a strong support system to be sustainable.
a travel ban could reduce interstate transmission. It is worth investigating remedial factors affecting
interstate clusters so as to minimize it.
Keywords: weight loss, Islamic fasting, qualitative, effectiveness, sustainability

Keywords: characteristics, COVID-­‐19, interstate, clusters, surveillance

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