It is with great pleasure that we extend our sincere congratulations to Dr. Nor Fauziah binti Salaton on the successful defense of her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) dissertation at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. Her research represents a significant contribution to the field of public health, particularly in addressing HIV-related stigma in healthcare settings.

Summary of the Thesis

Dr. Nor Fauziah’s dissertation, titled “Establishing the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a HIV stigma reduction programme delivered in healthcare settings.” focuses on one of the critical challenges in healthcare—stigma and discrimination towards People Living with HIV (PLHIV). These issues are well-documented barriers to effective HIV prevention, treatment, and care. However, limited research has explored structured interventions aimed at reducing stigma among healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly in Malaysia.

This study sought to implement and evaluate the Health4All module, a globally recognized stigma-reduction training program, within the Malaysian healthcare system. Following the EPIS (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment) framework for implementation science, the research aimed to:

Identify barriers and facilitators to implementing the module.
Adapt the training content to the local healthcare setting and online delivery methods.
Assess the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the intervention.

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted across three districts in Selangor, involving 300 HCWs from 10 healthcare facilities. The results demonstrated significant reductions in fear, perceived risk, and discriminatory attitudes towards PLHIV, thereby confirming the module’s effectiveness in reducing HIV-related stigma in clinical practice.

Academic and Professional Achievements

Dr. Nor Fauziah’s work is distinguished by its methodological rigor and public health impact. Her key achievements include:

Successful adaptation and implementation of the Health4All module for Malaysian healthcare settings.
Execution of a large-scale randomized controlled trial to assess the module’s impact.
Statistically significant reductions in HIV-related stigma among healthcare workers.
Development of an intervention model that is both feasible and scalable for broader implementation.
Contribution to public health policy recommendations for stigma reduction in healthcare environments.

Her research has direct implications for strengthening the healthcare system’s capacity to provide non-discriminatory, patient-centered care for PLHIV.

Impact on Public Health

Dr. Nor Fauziah’s findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and public health advocates. By demonstrating that structured stigma-reduction training can lead to measurable improvements in attitudes and behaviors, her research supports Malaysia’s commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic in alignment with global public health goals.

Potential public health outcomes of this work include:

Enhanced quality of HIV care and treatment through stigma-free healthcare services.
Improved patient trust and engagement in HIV-related healthcare.
A scalable intervention that can be integrated into broader national HIV programs.

Her contributions lay the foundation for further policy development and training programs aimed at fostering more inclusive and supportive healthcare environments.

Acknowledgment

We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Nor Fauziah binti Salaton’s supervisors, Professor Dr. Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki and Dr. Lim Sin How, whose mentorship and expertise were invaluable throughout her research journey.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Dr. Adam Bourne (La Trobe University, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society) as the External Examiner and Professor Dr. Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi (Universiti Malaya) as the Internal Examiner.

We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including: Professor Dr. Tan Maw Pin, Chairperson; Professor Dr. Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; Datuk Dr. Anis Yusal Yusoff, Senate Representative, Executive Director, International Institute of Public Policy & Management (INPUMA), Universiti Malaya and Professor Dr. Victor Hoe, Head of Department, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.

Their dedication and expertise have played a pivotal role in refining this research and ensuring its academic rigor.

Future Contributions and Impact

As Dr. Nor Fauziah embarks on the next phase of her career, her research holds the potential for broader implementation and policy integration within Malaysia’s public health framework. The findings from her study provide a foundation for:

Expanding stigma-reduction training to other regions and healthcare facilities.
Integrating evidence-based interventions into national HIV prevention and treatment strategies.
Further research into the long-term sustainability of stigma-reduction programs.

Her work serves as a significant milestone in advancing equitable healthcare for PLHIV and contributes to Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to improve public health outcomes.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Nor Fauziah binti Salaton on this outstanding academic achievement. We look forward to witnessing the continued impact of her research in shaping a more inclusive and stigma-free healthcare system.

Best wishes for a future filled with continued success and meaningful contributions to public health.