Knowledge and Attitude of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Medical Students on Forest Bathing

Aaron Ignatius; Sze Lynn Teo; Wan Muhammad Aiman Hazimin; Fahninazirah Ahmad; Aeinaa Shida; Rafidah Hod; Hanizah Mohd Yusoff; Ahmad Fariz Mohamed; Rozita Hod

Aaron Ignatius Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Sze Lynn Teo Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Wan Muhammad Aiman Hazimin Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Fahninazirah Ahmad Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Aeinaa Shida Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Rafidah Hod Universiti Putra Malaysia
Hanizah Mohd Yusoff Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Ahmad Fariz Mohamed Institute of Environmental & Development, UKM,
Rozita Hod Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Keywords: Shinrin-yoku, Preventive medicine, Nature therapy, Malaysia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and aims: Forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku is a practice of being mindful of nature and it offers multiple health benefits in both physiological and psychological factors. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) medical students towards forest bathing and its relationship with the sociodemographic factors. Materials and methods: A total of 165 UKM medical students were recruited using proportionate random sampling. The subjects were then categorized based on the academic year (Year 1 - Year 5). Exclusion criteria includes those who deferred their academic year and/or who were hospitalized. A questionnaire was given via a google form consisting of sociodemographic data details and 15 questions for each knowledge and attitude on forest bathing. Results: The prevalence of good knowledge and good attitude of UKM medical students towards forest bathing were 64.2% (n=106) and 50.9% (n=84) respectively. Female medical students had a good knowledge (n=63, 73.3%) and good attitude (n=52, 60.5%) compared to male medical students’ knowledge (n=43, 54.4%) and attitude (n=32, 10.5%) leading to a p-value of 0.012 and p-value of 0.010. Otherwise, other sociodemographic factors including race, level of medical year and level of lifestyle did not affect participants’ knowledge and attitude on forest bathing. Conclusion: Majority of UKM medical students have a higher prevalence of good knowledge compared to good attitude on forest bathing. Therefore, intervention is recommended especially towards male medical students as forest bathing has enough evidence as preventive medicine. Keywords: Shinrin-yoku, Preventive medicine, Nature therapy, Malaysia.

Author Biography

Aaron Ignatius, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre

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