The goal of this cluster randomized trial is to develop and test a new method for preparing indigenous (locally termed as Orang Asli) households in Selangor, a state in Malaysia, for outbreaks and Disease X, a potential unknown infectious threat. It aims to determine if the new method, a health education package comprised of workshops, simulation exercises, and card game play sessions, can enhance the readiness of these families for such outbreaks.
The main questions it is looking to answer are:
1. Will the intervention package increase the level of preparedness for a Disease X and outbreaks among indigenous households in Selangor? 2. Will the intervention improve the awareness and attitudes of the indigenous people in Selangor towards outbreak preparedness? 3. Will it lead to more proactive preparedness actions by these households?
To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention package, researchers will compare outcomes between two groups: the intervention group receiving both the intervention package and educational brochures on communicable disease prevention, and the control group receiving only the brochures.
Participants will:
1. Participate in the activities in the newly developed intervention package, which would include workshops, simulation exercises, and card game play sessions. 2. Answer surveys four times: before, immediately after, 1 month after and 2 months after the intervention, to measure any changes in their preparedness levels for an outbreak.
Orang Asli ethnicity
Malaysian citizen
Age between 18 to 99 years old
The head of the household, or the person who contributes to, or influences health-related decisions for the household
Having physical or cognitive disabilities (e.g., blindness, deafness, schizophrenia and dementia)
Having severe health conditions (e.g., respiratory and cardiovascular disease requiring oxygen support such as severe asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/heart failure and congenital heart diseases)
Residing temporarily (less than 2 years)
Intending to relocate to a different residence within the next 2 years
Parallel
Outbreak Preparedness Intervention for the Orang Asli
BehavioralThe chosen villages will be given the intervention package, which includes a workshop, simulation exercises, and a card game, in addition to educational brochures on communicable disease prevention sourced from the Ministry of Health Malaysia "Info Sihat" website. This entire package will be delivered once, during the workshop, after they have answered the survey at T0.
Educational Brochures for the Orang Asli
BehavioralThe chosen villages will be given educational brochures on communicable disease prevention sourced from the Ministry of Health Malaysia "Info Sihat" website. This will be given once during the first encounter with the participant, after they have answered the survey at T0.
Household Preparedness Score
The combined scores of awareness/attitude and the preparedness actions of the participant in a specific area towards potential disasters. The preparedness level is measured on a 4-category scale: Fully prepared, Committed, Aware, and Least prepared or unprepared.
Household Preparedness Matrix
Based on the "Household Preparedness Score", the level of preparedness by assigning each respondent a position on the matrix based on their questionnaire responses.
Cognitive Preparedness score
Measures the knowledge and attitude of participant regarding outbreak and Disease X awareness Additionally, gathering insights about people's perception of possible risk hazard that may affect them including the consequences and how to mitigate. The score is derived from the total sum of marks gathered from each item within the Knowledge and Attitude domain and normalized into a scale of 0 to 1.
Preparedness Behaviour score
Measures the current level of preparedness actions that has been done by participants. The score is derived from the total sum of marks gathered from each item within the Practice domain and normalized into a scale of 0 to 1.
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MalaysiaMalaysiaClick on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Universiti Teknologi Mara
Lead sponsor
Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Collaborator
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Collaborator
Institute for Health Behavioural Research
Collaborator
Department of Orang Asli Development
Collaborator
