Page 78 - JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT SUPPLEMENT: SEPTEMBER 2021

SEPTEMBER 2021, SUPPLEMENT, JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMEN
SEPTEMBER 2021, SUPPLEMENT, JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT T
e-­‐poster
BM108 e-­‐poster
PH022
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 Use of Digital Technologies During the Movement Control Order in Malaysia
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N. N. , Kamaruddin, H. , Norshamsul, N. I. , Azizul, N. H.
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Tay, Y. L. , Abdullah, Z. , Chelladorai, K. , Lee, L. L. 1
1 Centre for Health Communications and Informatics Research, Institute for Health Behaviour Research, National
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Institutes of Health
Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health
2 Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of
Introduction
Health
The COVID-­‐19 pandemic has inevitably resulted in a surge in the usage of digital technologies
Introduction
globally due to the physical distancing measures and lockdowns. In Malaysia, people were confined
Weight loss is a natural process of weight management in life but the process and effectiveness varies
at home following the implementation of the first nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) in
from individual to individual. This study attempts to assess the effectiveness of an Islamic approach of
March 2020. We aim to highlight the potential usage of digital technologies in daily activities among
the sunnah fasting (Mondays and Thursday) combined with healthy plating as part of a weight loss
individuals during the MCO period in Malaysia.
intervention through the views of the participants.
Method
Method
This qualitative study involved in-­‐depth interviews among 23 Malaysian adults with various
This qualitative study takes on exploratory approach in obtaining feedback from selected participants
demographic backgrounds and experiences. Interviews were conducted through phone or face-­‐to-­‐
of the intervention. Four groups of participants (two successful and two unsuccessful) were invited in
face approaches from March till July 2020. A thematic analysis was performed using Nvivo 12.
separate Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to give their experiential feedback after completing the
intervention. FGDs were recorded verbatim and transcribed. Data was blind and axial coded before
Result
thematically analyzed.
MCO had caused changes in the daily routine of the participants. They had to seek alternative work
arrangements and bear the loneliness due to physical separation from the loved ones. Although they
Result
were allowed to leave home for essential or emergency services, the participants attempted new
In total 21 participants were interviewed. Four themes emerged -­‐ efficacy towards intervention,
ways to adapt to the new norms of safe physical distancing by using digital technologies. Four
barriers and facilitators to success, support and sustainability. Participants who were success attributed
themes were identified on the usage of digital technologies during the MCO period: (1) teleworking
having a strong support system at home or at work and the sense of competitiveness as the main key
– participants who had to work remotely from home relied on online meeting platforms to virtually
to who were successful. Similarly, the same attributes are also the reason to those who did not
communicate with colleagues, (2) virtual social networking – participants used social media to
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.
connect with their family or friends who were apart due to MCO, (3) telemedicine – participants
accessed to healthcare services through mobile applications without physically present in the
Individual motivation plays a strong role in the success or failure in weight loss.
healthcare facilities, and (4) e-­‐commerce – participants switched their shopping experience from
Discussion
physical to online platforms to limit movement.
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
Individuals adapted to life under MCO by utilising digital technologies. As the increasing digitalisation
Keywords: weight loss, Islamic fasting, qualitative, effectiveness, sustainability
may likely persist post-­‐pandemic, it is important for the policymakers to take necessary steps
towards improving digital service delivery in the country, particularly in healthcare service delivery.

Keywords: Movement control order, lockdown, digital technology, COVID-­‐19

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