We are delighted to announce that Dr. Tengku Nuraihan Zafirah bt Tengku Zainal Abidin has successfully defended her Doctor of Public Health thesis titled “Effectiveness of an Improved Leprosy Lakar Training on Knowledge and Skills Among Healthcare Workers in Primary Healthcare in Pahang Malaysia.” This groundbreaking research addresses a critical gap in leprosy management and control in Malaysia.
He was supervised by Professor Dr. Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki and Dr. Lim Sin How (Howie). We would like to thank Professor Dr. Mohd Rohaizat Hassan from the Department of Community Health
Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Dr. Rama Krishna Supramaniam for examining the thesis and Professor Dr Mohd Zulkiflee bin Abu Bakar for chairing the Viva Voce session, Professor Dr. Noor Ismawati Jaafar, Senate Representative, Professor Dr. Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate) and Professor Dr. Victor CW Hoe the Head of Department.
Dr. Tengku Nuraihan’s study employed a comprehensive mixed-method approach to revise and evaluate the effectiveness of leprosy LaKAR training for healthcare workers. Her research not only identified gaps in current training practices but also developed and tested an improved training intervention based on the Information-Motivation-Behavior-Skills framework.
Key findings from her research include:
- Identification of training gaps and barriers at state and district levels
- Development of an enhanced leprosy LaKAR training program
- Significant improvements in knowledge and skills among healthcare workers who received the improved training
The intervention group demonstrated remarkable improvements, with a 90.8% increase in knowledge and a 97.1% increase in skills related to leprosy management compared to the control group.
Dr. Tengku Nuraihan’s work has important implications for leprosy control in Malaysia. Her recommendations for improving training implementation have been presented to key stakeholders, including policymakers in the Ministry of Health and the TB/Leprosy unit of the Pahang State Health Department.
This research contributes significantly to the goal of achieving zero leprosy cases in Malaysia by enhancing the capacity of healthcare workers to detect and manage leprosy effectively. Dr. Tengku Nuraihan’s work exemplifies the importance of evidence-based interventions in public health and sets a new standard for leprosy control programs.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Tengku Nuraihan Zafirah bt Tengku Zainal Abidin on this remarkable achievement. Her dedication to improving leprosy management and control will undoubtedly contribute to better health outcomes for affected individuals and communities in Malaysia.
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