Page 72 - 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
PH016
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.
HIV-­‐Related Stigma and Discrimination (S&D) Among Healthcare Workers (HCW) in Government
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N. N. , Kamaruddin, H. , Norshamsul, N. I. , Azizul, N. H.
Healthcare Facilities in Malaysia: Is It Real?
1 Centre for Health Communications and Informatics Research, Institute for Health Behaviour Research, National
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Mohamad Yadzir, Z. H. , Ramly, M. , Suleiman, A. 1
Institutes of Health
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1 Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of
HIV/STI/Hep C Sector, Disease Control Division
Health
Introduction
Introduction
Understanding of current stigmatizing attitudes among healthcare workers (HCW) towards people
Weight loss is a natural process of weight management in life but the process and effectiveness varies
living with HIV (PLHIV) from the perspective of Malaysia healthcare setting is crucial to plan for
from individual to individual. This study attempts to assess the effectiveness of an Islamic approach of
service delivery improvement that is non-­‐stigmatizing and non-­‐discriminatory. The objective of this
the sunnah fasting (Mondays and Thursday) combined with healthy plating as part of a weight loss
intervention through the views of the participants. of stigma and discrimination (S&D) towards PLHIV
study was to examine and measure the level
among HCW in selected government facilities.
Method
Method
This qualitative study takes on exploratory approach in obtaining feedback from selected participants
A cross-­‐sectional study was undertaken from July to August 2020 in five government hospitals and
of the intervention. Four groups of participants (two successful and two unsuccessful) were invited in
six government health clinics in Malaysia. Eight and seven questions from the HCW and PLHIV
separate Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to give their experiential feedback after completing the
questionnaires, respectively were used as indicators to assess HIV-­‐related S&D. This survey was
intervention. FGDs were recorded verbatim and transcribed. Data was blind and axial coded before
conducted via web-­‐based platform.
thematically analyzed.
Result
Result
In total 21 participants were interviewed. Four themes emerged -­‐ efficacy towards intervention,
In total, 3880 HCW and 1173 PLHIV participated in this study. This study found significant proportion
barriers and facilitators to success, support and sustainability. Participants who were success attributed
of HCW were having stigmatizing attitudes towards PLHIV. This includes fear of taking blood from
having a strong support system at home or at work and the sense of competitiveness as the main key
PLHIV (87%) and double gloving when attending PLHIV (64%) probably due to fear of contracting
to who were successful. Similarly, the same attributes are also the reason to those who did not
HIV. In addition, 45% of HCW agreed that women living with HIV (WLHIV) should be prohibited from
succeed in losing the prescribed weight. Most suffered difficulty of at least one month to adapt to the
having children. Although HCW have fears for contracting HIV, their consciences and integrity
intervention. Sporadically in both groups stated the intervention is sustainable for a long period.
allowed them to overcome their fear and display some positive attitudes towards PLHIV with the
Individual motivation plays a strong role in the success or failure in weight loss.
majority of HCW, 84% and 79% stated that they having observed others in their facility expressed
Discussion to care and providing good care to PLHIV. On PLHIV experience, only 12% of them
willingness
reported that they had ever experienced stigma when accessing health services.
Islamic fasting is perceived to be a viable intervention to weight loss and its success is driven both by
individual motivation and a strong support system to be sustainable.
Discussion
Keywords: weight loss, Islamic fasting, qualitative, effectiveness, sustainability
The findings of this study shared a worrying magnitude of stigma towards PLHIV among HCW in
Malaysia. Nevertheless, ethics and professionalism are upheld through giving good care and services
to PLHIV. However, stigma reduction intervention programmes are still needed for HCW to ensure
continuous excellent service delivery.

Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS),
stigma and discrimination (S&D), healthcare workers (HCW), people living with HIV (PLHIV), women
living with HIV (WLHIV)

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