We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Muhammad Darwish Asyraf bin Mohd Isa on the successful completion of his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) viva voce. His thesis, titled “Health Literacy Among Malaysian Stakeholders: A Multimethod Study in Developing Salt Reduction Policy”, addresses a pressing public health issue with methodological rigour and practical insight.
Summary of the Thesis
Darwish’s research tackles the intersection between health literacy and salt reduction policy development in Malaysia—an area underexplored despite its vital public health implications. With diet-related non-communicable diseases like hypertension on the rise, especially among middle-income households, his study is both timely and necessary.
Through a systematic review and a multiphase mixed-methods study, Darwish examined health literacy levels among stakeholders, including consumers, food handlers, and school communities, within the context of salt intake. His findings revealed that nearly half of the stakeholders had limited health literacy, which was significantly associated with their roles in the food environment. Barriers such as poor knowledge and the widespread availability of unhealthy food were highlighted, while supportive stakeholder networks and awareness initiatives emerged as critical facilitators.
Using secondary data from the MyHeART study, he also evaluated health literacy among adolescents, uncovering alarming gaps in nutritional understanding and behaviours. The evidence underscores the need for collaborative, multisectoral interventions in education, policy, and community health promotion.
Highlighting the Candidate’s Achievements
Darwish has demonstrated an exceptional ability to blend theoretical frameworks with applied research. His thesis not only contributes valuable evidence to the literature but also charts a pathway for evidence-based policymaking. His work is particularly commendable for bridging the policy-practice gap, engaging both national and international perspectives, and advancing the dialogue on adolescent health, stakeholder education, and non-communicable disease prevention.
Contribution to Public Health
This research contributes significantly to public health in Malaysia and beyond, particularly in the areas of health promotion, nutrition policy, and behavioural health literacy. By unpacking the nuanced relationship between knowledge, behaviour, and socio-environmental factors, Darwish’s study calls for a more holistic approach to health education and salt reduction strategies.
His work is poised to influence not only future research but also the design of public health campaigns and school-based interventions aimed at curbing excessive salt intake among Malaysians—ultimately reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Muhammad Darwish Asyraf bin Mohd Isa’s supervisors, Prof Dr Hazreen Abdul Majid, Prof Dr Suzana Shahar, and Assoc Prof Dr Farizah Mohd Hairi, whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of his thesis.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Trias Mahmudiono from Universitas Airlangga and Professor Dr. Hamid Jan bin Jan Mohamed from Universiti Sains Malaysia, who served as the external examiners, and Associate Prof. Dr. Sareena Hanim binti Hamzah, the internal examiner.
We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Prof Dr Azlina Binti Abdul Aziz, the Chairperson of the viva voce session; Assoc Prof Dr Anand A/L Sanmugam, Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; and Associate Prof. Dr. Azlina Binti Ahmad Annuar, Programme Coordinator.
Congratulations and Future Outlook
Darwish’s successful defence marks not only the culmination of a rigorous academic journey but also the beginning of what promises to be a meaningful career in public health research and policy. We are confident that his future endeavours will continue to shape healthier communities through research-driven solutions and collaborative leadership.
Congratulations once again, Dr Muhammad Darwish Asyraf. May your insights inspire future scholarship, inform public health policies, and contribute to a healthier, more informed Malaysia.
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