Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia

Background: Perceived severity and susceptibility refers to one's belief of the seriousness and the risk of contracting a specific disease. It is an essential study in public health as it assists in the understanding of the motivating factors towards disease prevention. This qualitative study a...

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Main Authors: Sukeri, Surianti, Wan Mohammad, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin, Shafei, Mohd Nazri, Awang Hamat, Rukman, Osman, Malina, Tengku Jamaluddin, Tengku Zetty Maztura, Daud, Aziah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2020
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87105/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87105/1/Perceived%20severity%20and%20susceptibility%20towards%20leptospirosis%20infection%20in%20Malaysia.pdf
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author Sukeri, Surianti
Wan Mohammad, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin
Shafei, Mohd Nazri
Awang Hamat, Rukman
Osman, Malina
Tengku Jamaluddin, Tengku Zetty Maztura
Daud, Aziah
author_facet Sukeri, Surianti
Wan Mohammad, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin
Shafei, Mohd Nazri
Awang Hamat, Rukman
Osman, Malina
Tengku Jamaluddin, Tengku Zetty Maztura
Daud, Aziah
author_sort Sukeri, Surianti
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Perceived severity and susceptibility refers to one's belief of the seriousness and the risk of contracting a specific disease. It is an essential study in public health as it assists in the understanding of the motivating factors towards disease prevention. This qualitative study aimed to explore perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection among respondents in two states of Malaysia. Methods: Focus group discussions using the phenomenology approach was conducted involving 72 respondents in Selangor and Kelantan. Data were examined using content analysis. Results: Respondents perceived leptospirosis infection as severe due to its poor disease prognosis and complications. However, some rated it less severe when compared with other chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Their perceptions were influenced by their knowledge about the disease, media portrayal and frequency of health campaigns by the government. All respondents believed they were not susceptible to the disease. Conclusion: The low perceived susceptibility of leptospirosis infection is a matter of concern as it may contribute to respondents' lack of motivation towards preventing the disease. The study findings may provide the basis for health promotional activities designed to heighten public perceived threat towards leptospirosis infection and thereby improving preventive health behaviors for avoiding leptospirosis.
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spelling upm-871052022-01-13T07:34:53Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87105/ Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia Sukeri, Surianti Wan Mohammad, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin Shafei, Mohd Nazri Awang Hamat, Rukman Osman, Malina Tengku Jamaluddin, Tengku Zetty Maztura Daud, Aziah Background: Perceived severity and susceptibility refers to one's belief of the seriousness and the risk of contracting a specific disease. It is an essential study in public health as it assists in the understanding of the motivating factors towards disease prevention. This qualitative study aimed to explore perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection among respondents in two states of Malaysia. Methods: Focus group discussions using the phenomenology approach was conducted involving 72 respondents in Selangor and Kelantan. Data were examined using content analysis. Results: Respondents perceived leptospirosis infection as severe due to its poor disease prognosis and complications. However, some rated it less severe when compared with other chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Their perceptions were influenced by their knowledge about the disease, media portrayal and frequency of health campaigns by the government. All respondents believed they were not susceptible to the disease. Conclusion: The low perceived susceptibility of leptospirosis infection is a matter of concern as it may contribute to respondents' lack of motivation towards preventing the disease. The study findings may provide the basis for health promotional activities designed to heighten public perceived threat towards leptospirosis infection and thereby improving preventive health behaviors for avoiding leptospirosis. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2020-09-01 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87105/1/Perceived%20severity%20and%20susceptibility%20towards%20leptospirosis%20infection%20in%20Malaysia.pdf Sukeri, Surianti and Wan Mohammad, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin and Shafei, Mohd Nazri and Awang Hamat, Rukman and Osman, Malina and Tengku Jamaluddin, Tengku Zetty Maztura and Daud, Aziah (2020) Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (17). art. no. 6362. pp. 2-10. ISSN 1660-4601 https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6362 10.3390/ijerph17176362
spellingShingle Sukeri, Surianti
Wan Mohammad, Wan Mohd Zahiruddin
Shafei, Mohd Nazri
Awang Hamat, Rukman
Osman, Malina
Tengku Jamaluddin, Tengku Zetty Maztura
Daud, Aziah
Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia
title Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia
title_full Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia
title_fullStr Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia
title_short Perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in Malaysia
title_sort perceived severity and susceptibility towards leptospirosis infection in malaysia
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87105/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87105/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87105/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87105/1/Perceived%20severity%20and%20susceptibility%20towards%20leptospirosis%20infection%20in%20Malaysia.pdf