Ranking the Effective Non-pharmaceutical Prevention Strategies against COVID-19 using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Method

Authors

  • Yeong Kin Teoh College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, Arau Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia Author
  • Suzanawati Abu Hasan College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, Arau Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3588-1464 (unauthenticated)
  • Nor Azriani Mohamad Nor College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, Arau Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6264-0662 (unauthenticated)
  • Anas Fathul Ariffin College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, Arau Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7318-2656 (unauthenticated)
  • Joo Ann Lee Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sabah Women and Children Hospital, 88996 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5983-3929 (unauthenticated)
  • Nur Afifah Zabidi College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, Arau Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/jcrinn.v9i2.454

Keywords:

COVID-19, Decision-making, FAHP, Prevention Measure

Abstract

As COVID-19 enters the endemic phase, public reluctance towards getting COVID-19 booster vaccinations presents a challenge for personal and public health. This hesitation increases the personal vulnerability to the virus and makes it more difficult to control the spread of COVID-19 across the community. Thus, this challenge underlines the need for alternate non-pharmaceutical preventive strategies. This study addresses the need by identifying and ranking the non-pharmaceutical preventive measures using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method. The FAHP approach utilises fuzzy logic to prioritise criteria and alternatives, offering a comprehensive assessment of preventative measures. We presented a case study where three experts were invited to rate three criteria and four alternatives using a nine-point scale with fuzzy numbers. The results indicate that alternative A2 (social distancing) emerges as the most effective measure, while surprisingly, alternative A3 (mask-wearing) is the least preferred. These rankings highlight the importance of effective non-pharmaceutical interventions to raise awareness and encourage people to take precautions in their daily lives during the endemic phase. Additionally, these findings provide the authorities with a valuable benchmark against future pandemics.

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Author Biography

  • Joo Ann Lee, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sabah Women and Children Hospital, 88996 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

    Lee Joo Ann holds a Medical Degree from the I.M. Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy, Russia, in 2009. Currently, she is a pediatric surgeon at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sabah Women and Children Hospital, Malaysia. She can be reached by email at jooann9299@gmail.com.

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Published

2024-09-01

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2024)

Section

General Computing

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Copyright (c) 2024 Yeong Kin Teoh, Suzanawati Abu Hasan, Nor Azriani Mohamad Nor, Anas Fathul Ariffin, Joo Ann Lee, Nur Afifah Zabidi (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ranking the Effective Non-pharmaceutical Prevention Strategies against COVID-19 using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Method. (2024). Journal of Computing Research and Innovation, 9(2), 201-215. https://doi.org/10.24191/jcrinn.v9i2.454