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

Yeong Kin Teoh; Suzanawati Abu Hasan; Nor Azriani Mohamad Nor; Anas Fathul Ariffin; Joo Ann Lee; Nur Afifah Zabidi

doi:10.24191/jcrinn.v9i2.454

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

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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