Among several vector control methods commonly used, environmental management is one of the control measures to mitigate dengue in such vulnerable communities. Since there is no curative treatment for dengue yet, targeted environmental and ecosystem management is increasingly relevant. Hence, this review was conducted to identify the effectiveness of environmental management intervention strategy to reduce dengue cases. We searched PUBMED, CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CIJE, WHO ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to January 2021. A total of 521 articles were screened. Only 16 studies were included in this review. There were 6 studies that applied all three types of environmental management interventions (manipulation, modification and behavior), 8 studies applied two types of interventions (manipulation and behavior) and 2 studies applied one type of intervention (manipulation or behavior). All included studies reported reduction of Aedes entomological indices. The studies showed reduction in dengue cases and density of Aedes population through environmental interventions. It is recommended for the health authority to incorporate environmental management intervention in dengue control activities and enhanced the community involvement to ensure sustainability with high impact on dengue reduction.

Malaria remains a public health problem in Malaysia despite a decline in the number of cases in recent years. Public knowledge of malaria is essential to achieving and maintaining malaria elimination. Therefore, this survey assessed the prevalence of people who had ever heard of malaria, had correct knowledge of malaria transmission, symptoms, risk activities, and prevention measures in the Malaysian population, and identified the associated factors involved. The data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) which was conducted from September to October 2020. A cross-sectional survey with five structured questionnaires using the method of computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) was used to collect data. The socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, educational level, and occupation were recorded. Data were analysed using STATA SE Version 16. Associations between variables were tested using chi-square and logistic regression, with the level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Out of 3085 respondents who participated in this survey, 2491 had ever heard of malaria with a prevalence of 76.1% (95% CI 70.5, 80.9). The prevalence of correct knowledge of malaria transmission was 53.9% (95% CI 50.2, 57.7), symptoms 24.1% (95% CI 21.2, 27.2), risk activities 34.0% (95% CI 29.3, 39.1) and prevention measures 59.7% (95% CI 55.5, 63.7). Multivariate analysis showed that age, ethnicity, and educational level were significantly associated with correct malaria transmission and risk activities. In addition, age and educational level were significantly associated with correct malaria symptoms. Subsequently, only the variable ethnicity showed a significant association with the correct malaria prevention measures. In general, the prevalence of ever heard of malaria was considered high since the survey was performed based on a non-specific malaria population. However, the prevalence of correct knowledge of malaria symptoms and risk activities were considered low. It is concluded that educational level is one of the major factors associated with correct malaria knowledge, along with age and ethnicity. Therefore, based on these findings, targeted intervention and innovation should be planned by malaria programme managers to sustain malaria elimination in Malaysia.

Background: Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Despite considerable progress through biomedical interventions, persistent transmission underscores the need to examine additional influencing factors. This scoping review maps existing evidence on community knowledge in malaria prevention and control strategies, aiming to inform more targeted and culturally adapted interventions. Methods: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed, English-language studies published between 2000 and 2024. Eligible studies focused on community knowledge related to malaria prevention, control, and elimination among non-specific populations. Two independent reviewers screened the literature, while a third reviewer resolved any discrepancies. Data were extracted using a standardised framework and analysed systematically in Microsoft Excel. Results: The review included 63 studies from 27 countries, predominantly from Africa (68.3%) and Asia (28.6%), with a notable increase in publications in 2021. The findings revealed significant regional variations in community knowledge of malaria transmission, symptoms, and prevention. Higher levels of awareness were consistently linked with better preventive practices and earlier treatment-seeking behaviour. However, critical knowledge gaps persisted, particularly concerning environmental risk factors and vector control, highlighting the need for context-specific health education programmes. Conclusion: Community knowledge is a pivotal determinant of malaria prevention success, yet disparities persist across endemic regions. To optimise control efforts, it is essential to prioritise locally tailored, evidence-based education that addresses knowledge gaps and strengthens community engagement. Integrating local perspectives into intervention design will be essential for achieving sustainable malaria elimination.

Background: Despite significant reductions in recent malaria cases and deaths globally, the persistence of this health concern necessitates a shift from traditional top-down approaches. Consequently, malaria control initiatives increasingly focus on empowering local communities through community-centred strategies. Therefore, this scoping review protocol systematically explores diverse community knowledge approaches adopted in malaria programmes worldwide and their associated outcomes. Methods: Adhering rigorously to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, a comprehensive scoping review protocol was developed. Collaborating with a research librarian, a systematic search strategy targeted peer-reviewed literature from databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, complemented by a thorough grey literature search. Titles and abstracts will be screened, followed by extracting bibliographic details and outcome information using a standardized framework. Subsequently, the results will be systematically summarized and presented in a structured tabular format (S1 Checklist). Discussion: This scoping review promises an in-depth understanding of current research regarding the impact of community knowledge in malaria programmes. The identification of knowledge gaps and intervention needs serves as a valuable resource for malaria-affected countries. The profound implications of community knowledge underscore its pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of prevention, control, and elimination efforts. Insights from this review will assist policymakers, empowering implementers and community leaders in designing effective interventions. This concerted effort aims to adeptly leverage community knowledge, thereby propelling progress toward the achievement of malaria elimination goals.

Adolescents frequently face emotional and social challenges that make them particularly vulnerable to feelings of loneliness. This study aimed to determine the national prevalence of loneliness among Malaysian secondary school students and to identify the psychosocial and familial factors associated with it. A cross‐sectional study was conducted using a multi‐stage stratified cluster sampling design to ensure the representativeness of all secondary school students from Form 1 to Form 5 in Malaysia. A total of 239 secondary schools were chosen, and 33,523 students participated. The Malaysia Global School‐based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2012 self‐administered questionnaire was used. The students who responded “most of the time” or “always” to feeling lonely during the past 12 months were categorized as lonely. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors. The prevalence of loneliness among secondary school students in Malaysia was 16.2%, with females having the highest prevalence at 20.8%. Multiple logistic regression revealed that students with depression symptoms had a ninefold higher likelihood of feeling lonely. Poor parental or guardian connectedness and bonding were significantly associated with feeling lonely. Furthermore, students whose parents are separated had a 40% higher risk of experiencing loneliness. Loneliness among secondary school students was more evident in those with depression symptoms. Addressing loneliness among secondary school students in Malaysia necessitates a concerted effort to prevent the occurrence of all modifiable factors contributing to this issue.