Growth Stunting Prevention in Children: Knowledge and Perception of Oral Health Practitioners at Baqai Dental College; Karachi

Objective Dentists in Indonesia as health workers have a role to play in improving the quality of life of others; thus, dentists' participation in growth stunting prevention is essential. It is also supported by the fact that growth stunting correlates with dental and oral health. Therefore, a dentist's knowledge and perception of growth stunting and its prevention affect the success of a dentist's role in the community.This study aimed to explore the knowledge and perceptions of growth stunting and its prevention in dentists in Bandung.Materials and Methods A descriptive study was conducted on general dental practitioners and dental specialists in Bandung. The number of participants gathered were 76 general dental practitioners and 30 dental specialists, which, if added all together, are 106 dentists as the study participants. Data was collected using a knowledge-based questionnaire containing three dimensions: knowledge about nutrition, growth and development, and health behavior. In addition, a perception questionnaire contains statements categorized into four dimensions: awareness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. The questionnaire was distributed online using Google Form. A descriptive analysis was then done on the collected data.Results Analysis of the findings showed that 80.19% of the participants have good knowledge of growth stunting and its prevention, 16.98% moderate, and 2.83% have poor knowledge. As for the perception category, the number of participants with positive perceptions is 53.77%, while the number of participants with negative perceptions is 46.23%.Conclusion Most dentists in the city of Bandung have an excellent knowledge of growth stunting and its prevention and positively perceive growth stunting and its prevention.

Research on the extent to which health practitioners in West Kalimantan understand the important role of pharmacogenomics have not been reported to date. West Kalimantan (Kalbar) is known as a province characterized by three main ethnicities, namely Chinese, Malay and Dayak. Therefore, the potential application of pharmacogenomics for the treatment of patients in health facilities across the province is very possible. This study aimed to measure the level of knowledge and perceptions of health practitioners (participants) about the role of pharmacogenomics in patient treatment plans. This research is descriptive with a questionnaire-based survey method. The data analyzed is primary data from the answers of participants to the online questionnaire. Based on the responses of 106 participants (involving doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, and others) from various cities and districts in West Kalimantan, it was found that the level of knowledge was very good (75.5%), good (17.0%), and not good. (7.5%). The level of participants' perceptions of the role of pharmacogenomics are those who have positive perceptions (97.2%) and negative perceptions (2.8%). It can be concluded that 75% of health practitioners in West Kalimantan have a very good level of knowledge and 97% of them own a positive perception of the importance of pharmacogenomics.

Medical emergency complications may occur during dermatological, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of dermatologists who experienced emergency complications as well as their level of knowledge regarding emergencies and basic life support. The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted online among 240 dermatologists to whom a questionnaire was sent via email and a closed social media group. The survey instrument asked about emergency complications during dermatological, surgical, or cosmetic procedures and the dermatologists' level of knowledge regarding emergencies and basic life support. Among the dermatologists, 53% reported emergency complications during dermatological and surgical procedures and 43.2% during cosmetic procedures. The most common complications were vasovagal syncope, hypotension/bleeding, and seizures. Emergency complications were more common among specialists, those with more than 15 years of professional experience, those working in their private clinics, and those performing an average of 10-50 dermatological/surgical procedures per week and fewer than 10 cosmetic procedures per week (p < 0.05). The knowledge level of dermatologists was highest among residents, dermatologists with 0-4 years of professional experience, those working in university hospitals, and those who had both theoretical and practical training in basic life support. This study shows a relatively high frequency of dermatologists who experienced emergency complications during dermatological, surgical, or cosmetic procedures. Although these complications seem to be common; most of them are mild, self-limiting, and not life-threatening. Nevertheless, dermatologists should be competent and prepared to intervene in medical emergencies in daily practice.

Starting the conversation on gene therapy for phenylketonuria: Current perspectives of patients, caregivers, and advocates

Background/Aim: Healthcare professionals need sufficient knowledge and practice regarding nutrition in terms of early diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition. This study aims to investigate and evaluate nurses' awareness and knowledge of nutrition among critical patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the knowledge levels of the nurses (n: 55) who have worked for at least two months in the intensive care or palliative service were measured using the Nurses' Nutrition Support Awareness Questionnaire for the Critical Patient, and the answers were statistically evaluated and interpreted. Results: Nurses’ average age was 27.7 and 21.8% of them were men and 78.2% were women. In terms of education status, 16% of them were high school graduates, 33% had associate degrees and 51% were university graduates. In addition, 76% of the nurses had more than two years of professional experience. According to the rate of correct answers in the questionnaire, the level of knowledge about starting nutritional support with the evaluation of the patient, the way and route of TPN administration, and the products and drugs that can be given together were evaluated as “good” with scores of 80-84%. The level of knowledge about the time to start support for the patient with insufficient oral intake, which products were preferred initially, the way to administer enteral products, and the duration of consumption were evaluated as "medium" with 60-65%. Nurses scored 40-50% on fluid support and feeding the patient without swallowing reflex, which was deemed “insufficient.” Conclusion: This study reveals that nurses have sufficient knowledge about the necessity of nutritional support and TPN. In addition, it indicates that the level of knowledge about enteral nutrition, fluid support, and nutrition of patients who do not have a swallowing reflex need to be supported by theoretical and practical training.

Kenya is undergoing rapid urbanization resulting in changing lifestyles. Childhood dietary habits are changing and might result in childhood obesity and related health risks. Dietary habits learnt in early life are likely to be carried to adulthood. Nutrition knowledge and positive attitude are known to influence dietary practices. There is paucity of information on nutrition knowledge, attitude and practices of school-children in cities. This study established nutrition knowledge, attitude and practices among urban school children in Nairobi. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 202 school-children aged 8–11 years, systematically sampled from four randomly selected schools. Structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. A nutrition knowledge score was determined (correct response: 1, incorrect: 0). Overall knowledge level was the total of correct responses in percentages. Scores of ≤40 %, 41–69 % and ≥70 % were categorized as low, moderate and high knowledge respectively. Dietary practices were determined from frequency of food consumption, habitual patterns and attitude on what they ate. Data were analyzed using SPSS. P-value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Pupils had moderate nutrition knowledge (mean score 5.16 ± 1.6, 51.6 %). 65 % did not care what they ate. About 82 % ate food in front of TV unsupervised. Over 70 % had consumed sweetened beverages and 73 % junk foods in previous 7 days. Only 9 % consumed fruits 4–7 times a week. Almost all study children carried money to school and made decision on foods to buy. Chips, candies, sausages and smokies, doughnuts and chocolate were preferred snacks. Nutrition knowledge had no significant relationship with dietary practices, but attitude had. Children had moderate nutrition knowledge and poor dietary practices, associated with negative dietary attitude. This study recommends activities to raise awareness on the effect of poor dietary practices on obesity and related health risks.

Background:Evidence-based practice is the cornerstone of dentistry and especially endodontics. Diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment with recent advancement based on evidence would be a great help for the patent satisfaction and treatment prognosis; hence, the aim of present study was to explore difference between perception, knowledge, and practice of endodontists and general dental practitioners (GDPs) towards evidence-based practice and factors associated with it.Materials and Methods:The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study conducted among specialists in the subject of conservative and endodontic dentistry and GDPs working in private clinics in Modinagar city, Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted in October 2019. In the present study, a close-ended questionnaire was prepared to determine the perception and practice of dental specialists.Results:The majority of endodontists (31 [35.22%]) belonged to the age group of 36–45 years of age while most of the GDPs (32 [36.36%]) belonged to 25–35 years of age group. The majority of endodontists were females (56[63.64%]) and most of the GDPs were males (50 (56.81]). More endodontists (47 [53.42]) had a positive perception of evidence-based practice than GDPs (15[16.42]). Practice toward evidence was fair among most of the endodontists (49 [55.68%]) and GDPs (54 [61.36%]).Conclusion:There was a more positive perception regarding evidence-based practice among endodontists than GDPs, knowledge was high among endodontists regarding evidence-based practice and practice was also good among endodontists. Factors associated with perception, knowledge, and practice among endodontists and GDPs were age in years, gender, year of practice, number of endodontic patients treating per month.

Objective: To understand the nutritional nursing knowledge, belief and practice of nurses in elderly care institutions in Yantai city, and to provide basis for formulating corresponding countermeasures. Methods: The nutritional knowledge, belief, behavior and needs of 82 nurses in 15 elderly care institutions of Yantai city were investigated, and their different educational background, age, working years, professional titles and different types of elderly care institutions were compared and analyzed. Results: The nurses’ nutritional knowledge in hospital grade, nutritional belief in age and working years, nutritional practice in working years、technical titles and hospital grade were statistically significant differences (<I>P > </I>0.05). The overall level of nutrition knowledge of nurses in elderly care institutions was low. The knowledge, belief and behavior scores of nurses in hospitals with combination of medical care and nursing were higher. Nurses aged 21-25 years and working for 1-5 years scored higher in nutritional knowledge and attitude. There was no significant difference in the average scores of nurses with different educational levels and professional titles. Conclusion: The overall level of nutritional knowledge of nurses in elderly care institutions is low, and the nutritional behavior needs to be further standardized. The nutritional knowledge, belief and behavior of nurses in hospitals combined with medical care are better than those in community care centers. Timely measures should be taken to improve the nutritional knowledge level of nurses in community care centers.

Background: Good nutrition is crucial for good immune system. Precautionary measures such as self-quarantine and the temporary closure of teaching institutions to contain the spread of COVID-19 may affect normal life style pattern and nutrition practices. Aim: The present study aim was to assess the BMI status and level of nutrition knowledge among nursing college students during covid19 lockdown Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out during covid19 lockdown period in Tamil Nadu among 247 nursing college students. Survey was conducted through online using valid structured questionnaire among willing participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Section A included height, weight, BMI and socio-demographic variables .Section B elicited 45 Nutrition knowledge questions with 3 sub sections. Collected data were tabulated and analyzed statistically. Results: The nutrition knowledge level results showed that majority of 54.8% had moderate knowledge, 35.7% had adequate knowledge and only 9.6% of students had inadequate knowledge. Body mass index (BMI) status revealed that 58.5% of the students were in obese II stage,36% were in obese I stage, 3.7% were overweight, 1.1% were normal and 0.7% were found to be under weight . No significant association was found between level of nutritional knowledge and body mass index at 5% level (p=0.079) High significant association was found between “programme (p = 0.000), year of study (p = 0.000) and the level of nutritional knowledge at 1% level. There was significant association between Age (p = 0.020) Family income (p = 0.021) and the level of nutritional knowledge at 5% level. Conclusion: Students had moderate level of nutritional knowledge and majority of them were found to be Obese. No significant association and correlation was found between level of nutritional knowledge and body mass index. Transformation of nutritional knowledge into practice and creating awareness about impact of obesity, healthy life style and dietary habits would enhance their knowledge and create positive attitude towards health challenges.

Aim: The present study aim was to assess the BMI status and level of nutrition knowledge among nursing college students during covid19 lockdown&#x0D; Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out during covid19 lockdown period in Tamil Nadu among 247 nursing college students .The tool used in the data collection comprised of a Google link form structured questionnaire with two sections. Section an included height, weight, socio-demographic variables and Section B elicited 45 Nutrition knowledge questions with 3 sub sections. Data were tabulated and analyzed statistically.&#x0D; Results: The nutrition knowledge level results showed that majority of 54.8% had moderate knowledge, 35.7% had adequate knowledge and only 9.6% of students had inadequate knowledge. Body mass index (BMI) status revealed that 58.5% of the students were in obese II stage,36% were in obese I stage, 3.7% were overweight, 1.1% were normal and 0.7% were found to be under weight .No significant association was found between level of nutritional knowledge and body mass index at 5% level (p=0.079). High significant association was found between “programme (p = 0.000), year of study (p = 0.000) and the level of nutritional knowledge at 1% level. There was significant association between Age (p = 0.020) Family income (p = 0.021) and the level of nutritional knowledge at 5% level.&#x0D; Conclusion: Students had moderate level of nutritional knowledge and majority of them were found to be Obese. No significant association and correlation was found between level of nutritional knowledge and body mass index. Transformation of nutritional knowledge into practice and creating awareness about impact of obesity, healthy life style and dietary habits would enhance their knowledge and create positive attitude towards health challenges

Background: This study aimed to describe adolescents’ positive and negative perceptions and reasons for enjoyment in physical education (PE) in four schools, and to identify adolescents’ opinions about possible improvements in PE classes. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, with a qualitative approach. The sample was composed of 240 girls and 230 boys, aged between 11 and 17 years according to exhaustion criteria, which is a requirement for the analyses of content. Perceptions and reasons for enjoyment in PE were evaluated according to three open questions. Analysis of content was applied. Results: There were different positive perceptions between schools related to sports enjoyment. Negative perceptions were mainly related to the teacher–student relationship, not having PE, and teachers’ work methodologies. Suggestions were focused on diversifying specific physical activities, exercises, and sports. Conclusions: Adolescents enjoy PE due to fun, learning, liking physical activity practice, exercise, and sports. Negative perceptions were related to the difficulty with the teacher and not having PE classes. Adolescents suggest that they would like to have a wide variety of types of physical activity, physical exercise, and sport modalities.

Nutrition care delivered in primary health care setting is an effective and necessary preventive health care measure. General practitioners (GPs) nutrition knowledge is related to their nutrition care practice. The aim of this study was to explore the nutrition knowledge of Croatian GPs, and to investigate its connection with the implementation of nutrition care in GPs’ offices. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 17.0% of randomly selected GPs, from May to July 2013, via an anonymous questionnaire. The study showed that only 35.8% of the Croatian GPs had an adequate level of nutrition knowledge (five or more correct answers to nutrition questions). The study further revealed that females, GPs with additional education in nutrition and GPs who had not suffered from chronic diseases with poor nutrition posing as a risk factor had better nutrition knowledge (p = 0.029, p < 0.001 and p = 0.041, respectively). The Spearman rank correlation between GPs’ nutrition knowledge and the implementation of nutrition care in their offices during daily work with patients was rs = −0.190 (p < 0.001). To provide nutrition care in GPs’ offices in Croatia, strategies for improving GPs’ nutrition knowledge are needed.

Digital social multitasking (DSMT) and digital stress among adolescents: A peer norm perspective

IntroductionBreach of confidentiality or invasion of privacy from the collection and use of medical records, particularly those of patients with HIV/AIDS or other diseases sensitive to stigmatization, should be prevented by all related stakeholders in healthcare settings. The main focus of this study was to assess practices regarding security and confidentiality of HIV-related information among staff at HIV outpatient clinics (HIV-OPCs) in Vietnam.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at all 312 HIV-OPCs across the country using an online survey technique.ResultsIn general, the staff practices for securing and protecting patient information were at acceptable levels. Most staff had proper measures and practices for maintaining data security; however, the protection of patient confidentiality, particularly for data access, sharing, and transfer still required improvement. Most HIV-OPC staff had good or moderate knowledge and positive perceptions towards security and confidentiality issues. Staff who were not trained in the practice of security measures differed significantly from those who were trained (OR: 3.74; 95%CI: 1.44–9.67); staff needing improved knowledge levels differed significantly from those with good (OR: 5.20; 95%CI: 2.39–11.32) and moderate knowledge levels (OR: 5.10; 95%CI: 2.36–11.00); and staff needing improved perception levels differed significantly from those with good (i.e., with 100% proper practices) and moderate perception levels (OR: 5.67; 95%CI: 2.93–10.95). Staff who were not trained in the protection of data confidentiality differed significantly from those who were trained (OR: 2.18; 95%CI: 1.29–3.65).ConclusionsTraining is an important factor to help raise the levels of proper practices regarding confidentiality and security, to improve knowledge and raise awareness about change among staff. The operation and management of HIV treatment and care in Vietnam are currently transitioning from separate healthcare clinics (HIV-OPC) into units integrated into general hospitals/healthcare facilities. The findings of this study highlight topics that could be used for improving management and operation of information system and revising guidelines and regulations on protection measures/strategies for data security and confidentiality of HIV/AIDS patients by Vietnam health authorities or other countries facing similar situations. Secure infrastructure and secure measures for data access and use are very important, worthwhile investments. The provision of continuous training and active enforcement and monitoring of the practices of healthcare personnel might lead to an improved understanding and acknowledegement of the importance of national policies/guidelines regarding HIV-related patient information.

The aim of this study is to analyse the changes in nutrition knowledge and attitudes of secondary school students depending on certain socio-demographic factors. The universe of the study is composed of 521 students, including 142 female and 379 male students studying in the secondary school and the sampling group in Konya province private and state central secondary education schools. The "Nutrition Knowledge and Attitude Scale", developed by Ertürk (2010), was used for nutrition attitude and knowledge and personal information form to acquire socio-demographic information. Descriptive statistics of the data were made, variance and homogeneity were tested, independent sample t test was used for binary comparisons, One Way Anowa was utilized for multiple comparisons, and Tukey test was benefitted to determine difference sources. Nutrition knowledge of students in state schools was found to be lower than that of students in private schools and this gap was identified to be statistically significant (P &lt;0.05). Nutritional knowledge and attitudes of female students were determined to be higher than males’ and this difference was found to be statistically significant (P &lt;0.05). Nutritional knowledge and attitudes of students who received elective nutrition classes were found to be higher than those who did not have nutrition classes and this change was again found to be statistically significant (P &lt;0.05). The number of siblings and education status of parents were found to be statistically significant variants (P &lt;0.05). As a result, the high level of nutrition knowledge and attitudes of female students compared to male students, the status and role of cultural transfer and social structure featured on male and female can be seen as the reason for that matter. It can be said that taking a nutrition class has a positive influence on nutrition knowledge and attitude, and that private school students have more nutrition knowledge yet similar nutrition attitudes with those in state schools.