Adoption Of Precautionary Measures Research Articles

The Effect of COVID-19 on Dental Education in Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to comprehensively explore and evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental educationas perceived by dental students in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire from dental students at three universities. Demographic variables and students' experiences with online learning were examined. Statistical analysis involved one-way ANOVA and descriptive statistics. A total of 681 dental students participated, with a predominant male representation (76.8%). Statistically significant differences were found in the overall dental education experience, quality of education, and satisfaction with online dental education (p < 0.01). Group disparities were identified in specific aspects of online learning and concerns about losing clinical skills due to the pandemic lockdown. Variations were observed in satisfaction with compensatory measures for suspended clinics and perceived clinical skills acquired during COVID-19. The adoption of precautionary measures, such as N95 masks (36.1%) and face shields (42%), varied among students. Notably, only 36.9% reported seeing one patient per session. This study reveals the many challenges faced by dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. While overall satisfaction was low, specific aspects like evening lectures received positive feedback. Concerns about clinical skills and varied responses to compensatory measures indicate the need for targeted interventions. Continuous monitoring of student experiences is crucial, and future research should delve into factors influencing satisfaction and long-term implications on clinical skills development.

Public awareness and practices towards health impacts of PM2.5 in the Kingdom of Bahrain: identifying areas for intervention

Air quality has critical public health impacts as several diseases have been attributed to exposure to high PM2.5 concentrations. In the Kingdom of Bahrain context, while the sources of PM2.5 and prevailing trends have been studied, its social and health dimensions remain a gap in the literature. This study explores public perceptions of PM2.5 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, focusing especially on public awareness of PM2.5, its sources, and its health impacts. It further highlights actions taken by individuals to mitigate associated health impacts. This cross sectional study was based on the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response framework. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the public, a total sample size of 263 responses. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages of participants’ responses, were calculated. The Independent Samples t-test and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied along with the Chi-Square test to identify factors associated with the public’s knowledge and practices relating to PM2.5 in Bahrain. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. A significant proportion of the participants were unaware of PM2.5, its concentration in Bahrain, and whether it is being measured. However, the majority of respondents had respiratory problems and took self-protective measures when the air quality was bad. There were statistically significant differences in the adoption of precautionary measures, which was prevalent among participants suffering from respiratory problems. Around 32% of the respondents were willing to pay monthly contributions to improve air quality and indicated their interest in receiving information on Bahrain’s air quality via social and mass media. The findings suggest that there is a need to raise public awareness towards air pollution and its health effects. Moreover, epidemiological studies should be conducted to advance understanding on how air pollution is linked to morbidity and mortality in Bahrain.

Exploring the effectiveness of persuasive games for disease prevention and awareness and the impact of tailoring to the stages of change

ABSTRACT Persuasive games are widely implemented in the healthcare domain to promote behaviour change among individuals. Previous research shows that using persuasive games increases motivation and awareness, leading to a positive change in behaviour. However, there is little knowledge on which persuasive strategies will motivate people at different Stages of Behaviour Change and whether tailoring persuasive games to match users’ stages of change will increase their effectiveness with respect to their motivational appeal towards promoting disease awareness and prevention using the ARCS motivation scales and their intention to adopt the precautionary measures. To address this gap, using COVID-19 as a case study, we designed two different versions of a persuasive game, called COVID Pacman, using different persuasive strategies. The two versions of the game target the same goal of motivating the adoption of precautionary measures. We conducted a quantitative study (N=127) followed by semi-structured interviews of 18 participants. The results of conducting an ANOVA on the quantitative data and thematic analysis on the qualitative study show that tailoring the persuasive games to individual’s stages of change by using appropriate persuasive strategies increased their effectiveness with respect to their ability to motivate people to adopt the precautionary measures towards disease prevention compared to the non-tailored version.

Common Myths About Coronavirus Disease-19 ( COVID-19) Among Adults

Objective. People adopted different attitudes and behaviors during the outbreak of COVID19pandemic. It results in development of various myths among the peoplewhichalso effect adoption ofprecautionary measures. The present study thus attempted to assess common myths related toCOVID-19 in Pakistan among general population of adults.Method. A list of 33 myths was generated based on literature, opinion of subject matter experts, andgeneral observation of myths prevailing in Pakistan. It was used to assess myths about COVID-19 forthe sample (N=220) of adults (Mage=27.9; SDage=10.2).Results. Results suggested that the most prevalent myths are:(a)older people are more vulnerable to getinfected of COVID-19 (82%) and (b) thermal scanners can detect if the person is infected of virus(75%). Participants also mention some associated indigenous myths e.g., COVID-19 doesn’t prevail,deaths are misreported as caused by Corona virus, and Corona recovered people can’t get infected againetc. Results of t-test suggested that men are stronger myths believers as compared to women.Differences with respect to education demonstrated that undergraduates and graduates are significantlyhigher believers of myth than postgraduates.Implications. Findings could help to develop a clear awareness of the false beliefs about COVID-19.Addressing the false beliefs would assist in ensuring the adoption of necessary precautionsas beliefsclosely associate with preventive measures adopted.

Modeling a flexible staff scheduling problem in the Era of Covid-19

In this paper, we propose optimization models to address flexible staff scheduling problems and some main issues arising from efficient workforce management during the Covid-19 pandemic. The adoption of precautionary measures to prevent the pandemic from spreading has raised the need to rethink quickly and effectively the way in which the workforce is scheduled, to ensure that all the activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner. The emphasis is on novel optimization models that take into account demand requirements, employees’ personal and family responsibilities, and anti-Covid-19 measures at the same time. It is precisely considering the anti-Covid-19 measures that the models allow to define the working mode to be assigned to the employees: working remotely or on-site. The last optimization model, which can be viewed as the most general and the most flexible formulation, has been developed to capture the specificity of a real case study of an Italian University. In order to improve employees’ satisfaction and ensure the best work/life balance possible, an alternative partition of a workday into shifts to the usual two shifts, morning and afternoon, is proposed. The model has been tested on real data provided by the Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Italy. The computational experiments show good performance and underline the potentiality of the model to handle worker safety requirements and practicalities and to ensure work activities continuity. In addition, the non-cyclic workforce policy, based on the proposed workday organization, is preferred by employees, since it allows them to better meet their needs.

Attachment, Personality and Locus of Control: Psychological Determinants of Risk Perception and Preventive Behaviors for COVID-19.

Background: The understanding of factors that shape risk perception is crucial to modulate the perceived threat and, in turn, to promote optimal engagement in preventive actions.Methods: An on-line, cross-sectional, survey was conducted in Italy between May and July 2020 to investigate risk perception for COVID-19 and the adoption of preventive measures. A total of 964 volunteers participated in the study. Possible predictors of risk perception were identified through a hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, including sociodemographic, epidemiological and, most of all, psychological factors. A path analysis was adopted to probe the possible mediating role of risk perception on the relationship between the independent variables considered and the adoption of preventive measures.Results: Focusing on the psychological predictors of risk perception, high levels of anxiety, an anxious attachment, and an external locus of control predicted higher perceived risk. Conversely, high levels of openness personality and of avoidant attachment predicted a lower perception of risk. In turn, the higher was the perceived risk the higher was the adoption of precautionary measures. Furthermore, psychological factors influenced the adoption of preventive behaviors both directly and indirectly through their effect on risk perception.Conclusions: Our findings might be taken into high consideration by stakeholders, who are responsible for promoting a truthful perception of risk and proper compliance with precautionary measures.

Behavior Responses and Attitude of the Public to COVID-19 Pandemic During Movement Restrictions in Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundThe behavior of the general public and the adoption of precautionary measures during a pandemic determine the fate of the country in the absence of any specific cure. This study aimed to determine the public attitude and behavior responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia during movement restrictions, and the predictors of behavioral responses.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study of 2470 adult individuals in Saudi Arabia, 17–29 April 2020 was conducted via Survey Monkey, using an anonymous validated e-questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related attitudes, and behavioral responses in terms of; precautionary measures, preparedness, and self-quarantine activities, to be responded to by 4-point Likert scales. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify the significant predictors of compliance with different behaviors. Significance was considered at p<0.05.ResultsParticipants reported positive attitudes towards governmental actions (95%), self-hygiene (93.2%), social distancing (97.1%) and choice of healthy food (89.6%), and negative attitudes towards the current worldwide situation of the pandemic (81.0%) and hearing someone tested positive (77.8%) or died from COVID-19 (83.7%). High rates of compliance to behavior were reported by only 55.8% of participants in terms of precautionary measures (71.3%), preparedness (38.4%), and self-quarantine activities (46.1%). After adjusting for all possible confounders, the total attitude score was a significant predictor of the total scores of precautionary measures (t=12.01, p<0.001), preparedness (t=9.29, p<0.001), self-quarantine activities (t=12.05, p<0.001), and overall behavior response (t=14.09, p<0.001). Other significant predictors of higher overall behavior response scores were female gender (t=7.22, p<0.001) and non-Saudi nationality (t=3.40, p<0.001).ConclusionThis study provides baseline data on the behavioral response to the national COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. The levels of compliance to behavior response and attitude to COVID-19 pandemic were less than satisfactory. Socio-demographics influence public behavior and protective health measures. COVID-19 awareness programs are recommended.

Rethinking Elective Cataract Surgery Diagnostics, Assessments, and Tools after the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience and Beyond: Insights from the EUROCOVCAT Group.

The progressive deterioration of the visual function in patients on waiting lists for cataract surgery has a negative impact on their quality of life, especially in the elderly population. Patient waiting times for cataract surgeries in many healthcare settings have increased recently due to the prolonged stop or slowdown of elective cataract surgery as a result of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The aim of this review is to highlight the impact of such a “de-prioritization” of cataract surgery and to summarize some critical issues and useful hints on how to reorganize cataract pathways, with a special focus on perioperative diagnostic tools during the recovery phase and beyond. The experiences of a group of surgeons originating from nine different countries, named the European COVID-19 Cataract Group (EUROCOVCAT), have been combined with the literature and recommendations from scientific ophthalmic societies and healthcare institutions. Key considerations for elective cataract surgery should include the reduction of the number of unnecessary visits and examinations, adoption of precautionary measures, and implementation of telemedicine instruments. New strategies should be adopted to provide an adequate level of assistance and to guarantee safety conditions. Flexibility will be the watchword and regular updates would be necessary following scientific insights and the development of the pandemic.

A rapid review investigating the potential impact of a pandemic on the mental health of young people aged 12-25 years.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Adolescence and early adulthood are peak times for the onset of mental health difficulties. Exposure to a pandemic during this vulnerable developmental period places young people at significant risk of negative psychological experiences. The objective of this research was to summarise existing evidence on the potential impact of a pandemic on the mental health of 12-25 year olds. A rapid review of the published peer-reviewed literature, published between 1985 and 2020, using PsycINFO (Proquest) and Medline (Proquest) was conducted. Narrative synthesis was used across studies to identify key themes and concepts. This review found 3,359 papers, which was reduced to 12 papers for data extraction. Results regarding the prevalence of psychological difficulties in youth were mixed, with some studies finding this group experience heightened distress during an infectious disease outbreak, and others finding no age differences or higher distress among adults. Gender, coping, self-reported physical health and adoption of precautionary measures appear to play a role in moderating the psychological impact of an infectious disease outbreak. Most studies were conducted after the peak of an epidemic/pandemic or in the recovery period. More longitudinal research with young people, particularly adolescents in the general population, before and during the early stages of an infectious disease outbreak is needed to obtain a clear understanding of how best to support young people during these events.

Residual effects of pesticides on human health as perceived by farmers in Tehsil Faisalabad Sadar, Punjab, Pakistan.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to check the farmer’s perception regarding use of chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides) in vegetables and its effects on human health in peri urban areas of tehsil Faisalabad Saddar. Instead of using organic matter, there is highly preference of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and rodenticides in order to achieve the high yield and green revolution. Study Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Setting: Institute of Agricultural Extension &amp; Rural Development, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Period: September 2017 to August 2019. Material &amp; Methods: Sample size comprises 128 respondents. From two peri-urban union councils (4 villages, vegetables growing) were selected purposively. While 32 farmers were selected from each village. A pre-tested and well-structured interview schedule was developed for data collection. Result: The results indicated that various diseases were present among farmers due to use of chemicals and residual effects. The diseases were chest pain, damage of liver, diarrhea, dizziness, eye irritation, sleeplessness, dryness of throat, shortness of breath, swelling of skin, fever, hypertension, tiredness and stomach disturbance. Pearson correlation coefficient shows significant and positive relation between age of the respondents and diseases they had P&lt;0.05. More than half 56.3% of the respondents knew that ground water becomes contaminated by the use of chemicals. A vast majority 90.6% of the respondents used to avoid storing of pesticides, fungicides and weedicides. Results also indicated that diseases and adoption of precautionary measures were directly related with lack of awareness. Conclusion: There is dire need to start campaigns through media regarding awareness about harmful effects of residues on human health and organic farming should be preferred over chemicals.

INTERIM MEASURES REQUESTED BEFORE INTERNATIONAL COURTS AND INTERNATIONAL QUASI-JUDICIAL BODIES IN THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: DO THEY ALSO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS?

The adoption of precautionary measures by international courts and the indications regarding their adoption by quasi-judicial bodies in the protection of human rights have been a fundamental element in guaranteeing effective judicial protection of individual rights recognized in International Human Rights Treaties. However, the exceptional and urgent character of these measures, the indeterminacy of the requirements for their adoption, and the discussions on their legal nature have raised a number of problems in practice. These issues are being resolved on the basis of the case law originating from these courts and bodies, which will inevitably lead to the existence of certain particularities with respect to the solutions offered according to the given system of human rights protection. In fact, one of these particularities concerns the material scope of protection. The present contribution focuses on the adoption of precautionary measures in the protection of political rights, particularly with regard to the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, on which the various international human rights protection systems have unique positions.

LAS MEDIDAS CAUTELARES ANTICIPATORIAS E INNOMINADAS EN EL PROCESO ARBITRAL EN COLOMBIA

&lt;p&gt;Con la adopción del Estatuto Nacional de Arbitraje Nacional e Internacional, Colombia dio un gran paso en materia de arbitraje. Los aportes de la Ley 1563 de 2012 son novedosos frente a lo que había antes en el país, en especial en materia de medidas cautelares de diferentes tipos, es decir, nominadas e innominadas. Sin embargo, es necesario hacer referencia a que la solicitud, el decreto y la práctica de estas medidas se pueden dar en dos momentos: antes y después de ser notificado el demandado en un proceso arbitral. Sin embargo, la Ley 1563 de 2012 presenta un vacío en cuanto a la adopción de las denominadas medidas cautelares anticipadas, por lo que, de acuerdo a lo que se puede conocer como las implicaciones del Código General del Proceso en el proceso arbitral en Colombia, esta investigación se desarrolla con base en el arbitraje internacional, para que en el país, se regule esta figura y así garantizar que en el proceso arbitral se tutelen de forma efectiva los derechos reconocidos por la ley sustancial, tal como se concibe en el Código General del Proceso y en la Constitución Política de Colombia. Esta investigación hace referencia a figuras como los árbitros de urgencia, el proceso prearbitral y la teoría del apoyo judicial a los árbitros como un catálogo abierto de posibilidades que se presentarán frente a expertos en el tema que adopten la mejor opción para que el arbitraje nacional se adecúe a la implementación de las medidas cautelares anticipatorias (nominadas e innominadas) en el proceso arbitral en Colombia.&lt;/p&gt;

First report of the land planarian Diversibipalium multilineatum (Makino & Shirasawa, 1983) (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Continenticola) in Europe.

First report of the land planarian Diversibipalium multilineatum (Makino & Shirasawa, 1983) (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Continenticola) in Europe.

La reforma al mecanismo de medidas cautelares de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos: Repercusiones en el marco de protección de derechos humanos del sistema interamericano

Más de 50 años han transcurrido desde la creación de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH), órgano encargado de la promoción y protección de los derechos humanos reconocidos en varios instrumentos del sistema regional. Para lograr este propósito, la Comisión realiza tareas que incluyen la recepción de quejas individuales, compilación de informes sobre el cumplimiento de las obligaciones estatales en virtud de los documentos regionales de derechos humanos, investigación y monitoreo de situaciones específicas, y adopción de medidas cautelares en casos de gravedad y urgencia. En relación a este último, en razón de varias medidas cautelares adoptadas en países como Brasil, Ecuador y Venezuela, desde el año 2010 se comenzó una campaña de desacreditación de este mecanismo de la CIDH seguida por el llamamiento a la implementación de reformas al sistema. Las propuestas de reforma incluyen el desarrollo de criterios para el otorgamiento, conservación y levantamiento de las medidas, la elaboración de parámetros objetivos para determinar qué situaciones reúnen la “gravedad” y “urgencia” requeridas para el otorgamiento de medidas, entre otras. Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar el impacto que dichas propuestas de reforma podrían tener en el mecanismo de medidas cautelares y, consecuentemente, en la protección de los derechos humanos consagrados en diversos documentos del Sistema Interamericano de Derechos Humanos.

Mediation and Precautionary Measures

Article 10.2, second paragraph, of Act 5/2012 of July 6, on mediation in civil and commercial matters provides for the adoption of precautionary measures while mediation proceedings are pending. In this paper, I analyze the relationship between precautionary measures and mediation. In particular, I consider the possibility of precautionary measures before the beginning of judicial proceedings and the effects of the start of mediation proceedings. After this, I develop the adoption of precautionary measures while the mediation proceedings are pending. Finally, I study the effects of the termination of the mediation process on any precautionary measures adopted and as regards a new request.

The precautionary principle within European Union public health policy: The implementation of the principle under conditions of supranationality and citizenship

The present study examines the precautionary principle within the parameters of public health policy in the European Union, regarding both its meaning, as it has been shaped by revelant EU institutions and their counterparts within the Member States, and its implementation in practice. In the initial section I concentrate on the methodological question of “scientific uncertainty” concerning the calculation of risk and possible damage. Calculation of risk in many cases justifies the adopting of preventive measures, but, as it is argued, the principle of precaution and its implementation cannot be wholly captured by a logic of calculation; such a principle does not only contain scientific uncertainty—as the preventive principle does—but it itself is generated as a principle by this scientific uncertainty, recognising the need for a society to act. Thus, the implementation of the precautionary principle is also a simultaneous search for justification of its status as a principle. This justification would result in the adoption of precautionary measures against risk although no proof of this principle has been produced based on the “cause-effect” model. The main part of the study is occupied with an examination of three cases from which the stance of the official bodies of the European Union towards the precautionary principle and its implementation emerges: the case of the “mad cows” disease, the case of production and commercialization of genetically modified foodstuffs. The study concludes with the assessment that the effective implementation of the precautionary principle on a European level depends on the emergence of a concerned Europe-wide citzenship and its acting as a mechanism to counteract the material and social conditions that pose risks for human health.