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Public understanding of rip current and beach safety at Teluk Cempedak Recreational Beach in Pahang, Malaysia

Natural Hazards volume 115, pages 489–506 (2023)Cite this article

Abstract

Rip currents are known to be a global public health issue and have been extensively contributed to the coastguard rescues and drowning cases at recreational beaches. Most studies in Malaysia have focused on the physical control of rip currents, with little emphasis on social factors. This study aims to assess the public knowledge of rip currents and beach safety at Teluk Cempedak Recreational Beach (TCRB) in Pahang, Malaysia. A convenience sampling technique was used to conduct a cross-sectional study among 300 beachgoers in TCRB. All data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic analyses were computed to identify factors associated with satisfactory knowledge of rip current and beach safety. More than half of the respondents were females (51%) and residents of Kuantan (62%). Out of 300 respondents, 160 (53.3%) had a satisfactory knowledge of rip currents, while a higher number of respondents (n = 221, 73.7%) had an unsatisfactory knowledge of beach safety. Those aged 35 and up, females, and those who had never had difficulty with water activities at the beach were more likely to have satisfactory knowledge of rip currents. The only factor found to be significantly related to satisfactory beach safety knowledge was age (35 years old). In conclusion, the respondents were concerned about rip currents, but they had inadequate knowledge of beach safety. Therefore, the development of effective beach safety education programmes is needed in Malaysia.

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Acknowledgements

This publication is supported in part by UMP-IIUM-UiTM Sustainable Research Collaboration Grant 2020 (SRCG20-052-0052). We thank Department of Marine Science, Kulliyyah of Science and Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Studies (INOCEM) for their support and contributions to the study.

Funding

This research has been supported by UMP-IIUM-UiTM Sustainable Research Collaboration Grant 2020 (SRCG20-052-0052).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IIUM Health, Safety and Environment (IHSE) Kuliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Muhammad Zubir Yusof

  2. Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Studies (INOCEM), Kampung Cherok Paloh, International Islamic University Malaysia, 26060, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Muhammad Zahir Ramli

  3. Department of Biotechnology, Kuliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Siti Fairuz Che Othman

  4. Department of Marine Science, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 25200, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

    Yusairah Amani Mohd Aliziyad & Juliana Mohamed

  5. Environment and Climate Change Research Group (ECCG), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    Muhammad Faiz Pa’suya

  6. Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia

    Abdul Nasir Abdul Ghafar

  7. School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, West Midlands, B4 7XG, England, UK

    Waheb A. Jabbar

Authors
  1. Muhammad Zubir Yusof
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  2. Muhammad Zahir Ramli
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  4. Yusairah Amani Mohd Aliziyad
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  6. Muhammad Faiz Pa’suya
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  7. Abdul Nasir Abdul Ghafar
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  8. Waheb A. Jabbar
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Correspondence to Muhammad Zahir Ramli.

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Yusof, M.Z., Ramli, M.Z., Che Othman, S.F. et al. Public understanding of rip current and beach safety at Teluk Cempedak Recreational Beach in Pahang, Malaysia. Nat Hazards 115, 489–506 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-022-05563-w

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