Ayob, Nor Ainun and Zainul Azlan, Nurhazirah and Ahmad, Azmir and Jainlabdin, Mohd Hanif and Ibrahim, Wisam Nabeel and Othman, Noratikah (2026) Knowledge, attitude and preparedness towards Nipah virus infection among undergraduate students at a university on the East Coast of Malaysia. International Journal of Care Scholars (IJCS), 9 (3). pp. 45-52. ISSN 2600-898X
|
PDF
- Published Version
Download (402kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background: Nipah virus infection (NVI) is a zoonotic disease caused by Nipah virus, a Henipavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. The virus was first identified in Malaysia and remains a public health concern because of its high fatality rate, limited specific treatment options and the absence of licensed vaccines. Evidence on students’ knowledge, attitudes and preparedness towards NVI in Malaysia remains limited, particularly among future health professionals. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 391 undergraduate students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan Campus, Pahang, Malaysia. Data were collected using an English self-administered questionnaire adapted from a previous study and distributed via Google Forms. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Version 27. Results: Overall, 40.4% respondents had good knowledge, 77.5% respondents had good attitudes and 76.0% respondents had good preparedness towards NVI. Kulliyyah was significantly associated with knowledge level (p = 0.021), attitude level (p = 0.022) and preparedness level (p = 0.028). Gender was significantly associated with attitude level (p = 0.008), while year of study was not significantly associated with knowledge, attitude or preparedness levels. Conclusion: The respondents generally demonstrated good knowledge, attitudes and preparedness towards NVI. However, misconceptions were identified, particularly regarding vaccine availability, antibiotic treatment and possible transmission routes. Targeted educational interventions are recommended to strengthen outbreak preparedness and improve accurate understanding of NVI among undergraduate students, especially those who may become future healthcare providers.
| Item Type: | Article (Journal) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Nipah virus; Zoonotic infection; Knowledge; Attitude; Preparedness; Undergraduate students |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QR Microbiology |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | Institute of Planetary Survival for Sustainable Well-Being (PLANETIIUM) Kulliyyah of Nursing Kulliyyah of Nursing > Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Nursing |
| Depositing User: | Dr Mohd Hanif Jainlabdin |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Sep 2026 16:31 |
| Last Update: | 23 Sep 2026 16:31 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-09-Q5242 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131472 |
| Indexed In: | Google Scholar, MyCite |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |