Anxiety and depression have been prevalent among Healthcare Workers (HCWs) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among HCWs amid the pandemic and their association with religious coping. A cross-sectional study design was applied. The scales utilized were Malay versions of the Brief Religious Coping Scale (Brief RCOPE M) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS M). In total, 200 HCWs were recruited. HCWs scored higher in positive religious coping (mean: 21.33) than negative religious coping (mean: 10.52). The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 36.5% and 29.5%. Both positive and negative religious coping were significantly associated with anxiety (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Positive coping predicted reduction in anxiety (adjusted b = −0.15, p = 0.001) and log-transformed depression score (adjusted b = −0.019, p = 0.025). Negative coping predicted increment of anxiety (adjusted b = 0.289, p < 0.001) and log-transformed depression score (adjusted b = 0.052, p < 0.001). Positive religious coping is vital in reducing anxiety and depression among HCWs amid the pandemic. Strategies which increase positive religious coping and reduce negative religious coping must be emphasized to boost mental health among HCWs.

Medical students are vulnerable to depression and anxiety due to the nature of their academic life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among medical students and the association between religious coping, religiosity and socio-demographic factors with anxiety and depressive symptoms. A cross sectional design was used for this study. Scales used were the Malay version of the Duke Religious Index (DUREL-M), the Malay version of the Brief Religious Coping Scale (Brief RCOPE) and the Malay version Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS-M). 622 students participated in this study. They scored moderately on the organized (mean: 3.51) and non-organized religious (mean: 3.85) subscales of the DUREL, but had high intrinsic religiosity (mean: 12.18). The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 4.7% and 17.4% respectively, which is lower than local as well as international data. Islam, negative religious coping and the presence of depressive symptoms were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Only the presence of anxiety symptoms was significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Negative religious coping, rather than positive religious coping, has significant association with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Redirecting focus towards negative religious coping is imperative to boost mental health outcomes among medical students.

COVID-19,occupations,income,social class,economic status

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality symptoms share features including impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and inte

Background: Teachers face substantial occupational stress from their demanding schedules and administrative burdens, increasing their risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although national CKD data are established in Malaysia, evidence on kidney health among teachers are scarce. This remains an important gap given that CKD is often asymptomatic at its early stages.Methods: This study involves two phases: a cross-sectional phase to assess the prevalence of abnormal renal health among teachers from the “Clustering of lifestyle risk factors and Understanding its association with Stress on health and wellbeing among school Teachers in Malaysia” study (CLUSTer), excluding those with baseline CKD, and a follow-up phase. Variables include sociodemographic, clinical, occupational, lifestyle, anthropometric, psychological, laboratory parameters, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and CKD events. The study aims to link occupational, lifestyles, and physiological well-being with CKD among teachers, offering a broader perspective than single-variable alone.Results: The CLUSTer study enrolled 14,144 teachers at baseline, predominantly female, Malay, and degree holders. Researchers will derive eGFR values from baseline serum creatinine to characterise renal status and investigate risk factors for abnormal eGFR status and determine new CKD events in the second study phase.Conclusions: The findings will inform the development of workplace wellness programmes tailored to the unique demands of the education sector, which essential to ultimately reduce the CKD risk among the educators.