Table 1

Healthcare providers’ characteristics

VariableAll traineesNursesMedical assistantDoctorsPharmacists
n (%)n (%)n (%)n (%)n (%)
 Total trainees218 (100)34 (15.60)44 (20.2)98 (44.9)42 (19.3)
Age (years old)
Mean (SD)
32.59 (6.69)32.64 (8.03)29.47 (4.58)35.21 (7.09)29.67 (2.91)
Working experience
Mean (SD)
7.26 (5.80)8.56 (7.57)5.25 (3.90)8.83 96.29)4.64 (1.95)
Gender
 Male77 (35.3)2 (5.9)40 (90.9)27 (27.6)8 (19.0)
 Female141 (64.7)32 (94.1)4 (9.1)71 (72.4)34 (81.0)
Ethnicity
 Malay181 (83.0)33 (97.1)43 (97.7)77 (78.6)28 (66.7)
 Chinese16 (7.3)007 (7.1)9 (21.4)
 Indian21 (9.6)1 (2.9)1 (2.3)14 (14.3)5 (11.9)
Religion
 Muslim179 (82.1)33 (97.1)43 (97.7)76 (77.6)27 (64.3)
 Buddhist8 (3.7)002 (2.0)6 (14.3)
 Christian12 (5.5)007 (7.1)5 (11.9)
 Hindu19 (8.7)1 (2.9)1 (2.3)13 (13.3)4 (9.5)
Education
 Diploma73 (33.5)32 (94.1)40 (90.9)1 (1.0)0
 Bachelor100 (45.9)2 (5.9)4 (9.1)60 (61.2)34 (81.0)
 Master45 (20.6)0037 (37.8)8 (19.0)
Smoking status*
 Current smokers6 (2.8)06 (13.6)00
 Former smokers18 (8.4)1 (3.1)12 (27.3)5 (5.2)0
 Non-smokers191 (88.8)31 (96.9)26 (59.1)92 (94.8)42 (100.0)
  • Diploma: In the Malaysian context, diploma is a qualification obtained during tertiary education and minimum qualification to be employed as nurse or medical assistants in the government sector. It is of a level below the bachelor’s degree qualification.

  • *n, 215.

  • %, percentage; n, frequency.