Preparedness and Attributes of COVID-19 among Malaysian Public during the Movement Control Order

Sharifah Najwa Syed Mohamad; Sharifah Fairuz Syed Mohamad; Shahrina Ismail; Fathima Begum Syed Mohideen; Fatin Ahza Rosli; Nur Faraheen Abdul Rahman

doi:10.33102/mjosht.v7i2.170

Authors

Sharifah Najwa Syed Mohamad Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
Sharifah Fairuz Syed Mohamad Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Shahrina Ismail Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Fathima Begum Syed Mohideen Department of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
Fatin Ahza Rosli Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43400, Sri Kembangan, Selangor.
Nur Faraheen Abdul Rahman Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, Upper 3rd Floor, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Street London NW3 2 PF United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/mjosht.v7i2.170

Keywords:

attributes, preparedness, movement control order, covid-19, relationships

Abstract

The emergence of COVID-19 has affected people worldwide from all angles, from the aspects of health, wealth, emotional and also human interactions. This study aimed to look at the attributes such as positive behaviour, awareness, preparedness and relationships among Malaysians during the implementation of movement control order (MCO), and the predictors of preparedness in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted online involving 317 respondents above the age of 18 years old. A self-administered questionnaire was developed in both Malay and English languages to assess the level of positive behaviour, awareness, preparedness and relationships, as well as their main source of information retrieval regarding COVID-19. Overall, the measured attributes in this study showed the highest level in behaviour (84.2%), followed by awareness (73.5%), preparedness (62.5%) and relationships (60.6%). Multiple regression on preparedness revealed that all variables (behaviour, awareness, and relationships) are significant (p<0.05), while gender is not. The top two sources of information the respondents refer to during the MCO are social and broadcast media. This marks the influence of social and broadcast media in an Industrial Revolution 4.0 era. Despite having good awareness and positive behaviour, the MCO may also have caused relationship issues as well as lower preparation levels in facing a deadly pandemic. It is suggested that future research to look into whether this would have any association with the mental health of Malaysians facing the pandemic. By understanding the attributes related to the MCO during the COVID-19 pandemic, it would help the government in the implementation of policies and procedures in any future pandemic.

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