Sibu, 2 October 2025 – A PhD student from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has won first prize at the 14th Sarawak Research Day Conference, held on 1–2 October at the Kingwood Hotel, Sibu. The event was organised by the Sarawak State Health Department and Sibu Hospital.
Tan Beng Chin, a doctoral candidate at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), UNIMAS, received the top award in the Oral Presentation (Public Health) category.
His research, Effectiveness of a Community-Based Approach to Improving Maternal Nutrition KAP in Food-Insecure Households: Evidence from Simunjan, Sarawak, was supervised by Prof Dr Cheah Whye Lian, with co-supervision from Dr Law Leh Shii.
The intervention study involved 105 women aged 15–49 years from food-insecure households in Simunjan District, each with at least one child aged 2–12 years. Food insecurity was assessed using the Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity Instrument, while mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) were measured with a validated questionnaire at baseline, 3 months and 6 months.
In the intervention group, mothers with poor nutrition knowledge declined from 56.6% at baseline to 3.8% post-intervention, while the control group showed only a modest decrease. Attitudes toward healthy eating in the intervention group improved from 66.0% to 90.6%, while the control group saw a decline. Poor dietary practices in the intervention group fell from 86.8% to 73.6%, compared with a slight increase in the control group.
“These findings highlight the importance of community-based approaches in addressing nutritional gaps among vulnerable groups,” Tan said.
Prof Dr Cheah Whye Lian said: “I am extremely proud of my PhD student for winning the 1st Oral Presentation Award. Achieving this while pursuing his PhD part-time and working reflects his resilience and commitment. This recognition is not only about today’s success, but also about the hard work and growth he has shown throughout his journey. As his supervisor, I am proud to witness how each step has shaped him into an exemplary student.”
The recognition highlights the role of student-led research in tackling public health issues in Sarawak, particularly in underserved districts. By focusing on maternal nutrition and food insecurity, the study adds locally relevant evidence that may inform future health programmes in the state. HH
