Confidence in Dementia Management and Its Associated Factors among Primary Care Doctors in Malaysia.

Primary care doctors (PCDs) play an important role in the early diagnosis and management of dementia. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and confidence in managing dementia among PCDs in Malaysia. It also aimed to determine the factors associated with higher confidence levels in dementia management. An online-based cross-sectional study using Google FormsTM was performed. Sociodemographic and work-related data were collected, and Dementia Knowledge among General Practitioners & General Practitioners Attitude and Confidence Scale for Dementia questionnaires were utilized to assess the knowledge, attitude, and confidence scores. Multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the association between sociodemographic factors, knowledge, and attitude with the confidence in dementia management score. A total of 239 PCDs participated, with the majority being female (72.4%) and Malay (64.4%) and working in public primary care clinics (67.4%). The mean (±SD) score for confidence was 2.96 (±0.76). Among the factors associated with higher confidence levels in managing dementia were higher dementia knowledge scores, higher attitude towards dementia scores, prior dementia education, and the availability of nearby referral services for dementia. Malaysian PCDs' confidence in dementia management was comparable to the PCDs of other countries. Strategies addressing these factors should be implemented to improve the confidence of PCDs in managing dementia.

Rickets Due to Severe Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND Rickets is the deficiency in mineralization of the bone associated with lack of sunlight exposure and inadequate dietary calcium and/or vitamin D in children. Important efforts to eradicate rickets include appropriate sunlight exposure advice and fortification of food and milk with vitamin D. However, there is a growing concern that the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic will increase the incidence of rickets due to inadequate sunlight exposure resulting from movement restriction measures imposed by governments across the world. CASE REPORT A 22-month-old girl presented to our primary care clinic in Selangor, Malaysia with abnormal gait and bowing of the legs during the COVID-19 pandemic. She had a history of inadequate sun exposure as she lived in an apartment and there was a Movement Control Order in place because of the pandemic. Calcium intake was also poor as she could not tolerate formula milk and did not consume any other dairy products. Investigations revealed severe hypocalcemia and low vitamin D level. She was diagnosed with nutritional rickets and was referred for admission to correct the hypocalcemia. She was subsequently discharged with oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Her calcium and vitamin D levels improved and at her 6-month review, her bilateral bowed legs had improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of having a high degree of suspicion for vitamin D deficiency and rickets in young children growing up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health messages on preventing the spread of COVID-19 should also be interlaced with messages addressing the possible effects of our new norms such as inadequate sunlight exposure.