Average Knowledge Score Research Articles

Evaluation of an obstetric and neonatal care upskilling program for community health workers in Papua New Guinea

Background60% of women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) give birth unsupervised and outside of a health facility, contributing to high national maternal and perinatal mortality rates. We evaluated a practical, hospital-based on-the-job training program implemented by local health authorities in PNG between 2013 and 2019 aimed at addressing this challenge by upskilling community health workers (CHWs) to provide quality maternal and newborn care in rural health facilities.MethodsTwo provinces, the Eastern Highlands and Simbu Provinces, were included in the study. In the Eastern Highlands Province, a baseline and end point skills assessment and post-training interviews 12 months after completion of the 2018 training were used to evaluate impacts on CHW knowledge, skills, and self-reported satisfaction with training. Quality and timeliness of referrals was assessed through data from the Eastern Highlands Province referral hospital registers. In Simbu Province, impacts of training on facility births, stillbirths and referrals were evaluated pre- and post-training retrospectively using routine health facility reporting data from 2012 to 2019, and negative binomial regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders and correlation of outcomes within facilities.ResultsThe average knowledge score increased significantly, from 69.8% (95% CI:66.3-73.2%) at baseline, to 87.8% (95% CI:82.9-92.6%) following training for the 8 CHWs participating in Eastern Highlands Province training. CHWs reported increased confidence in their skills and ability to use referral networks. There were significant increases in referrals to the Eastern Highlands provincial hospital arriving in the second stage of labour but no significant difference in the 5 min Apgar score for children, pre and post training. Data on 11,345 births in participating facilities in Simbu Province showed that the number of births in participating rural health facilities more than doubled compared to prior to training, with the impact increasing over time after training (0–12 months after training: IRR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.04–2.44, p-value 0.033, > 12 months after training: IRR 2.46, 95% CI:1.37–4.41, p-value 0.003). There was no significant change in stillbirth or referral rates.ConclusionsOur findings showed positive impacts of the upskilling program on CHW knowledge and practice of participants, facility births rates, and appropriateness of referrals, demonstrating its promise as a feasible intervention to improve uptake of maternal and newborn care services in rural and remote, low-resource settings within the resourcing available to local authorities. Larger-scale evaluations of a size adequately powered to ascertain impact of the intervention on stillbirth rates are warranted.

Attitudes towards snakebite health education and associated factors among residents in China: A national cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate attitudes towards health education on snakebites and to identify the influencing factors among Chinese residents. Additionally, we proposed effective health education strategies for snakebite management. Between May 2022 and February 2023, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey using a multistage sampling method with supplementary snowball sampling. We used descriptive analysis, χ2 tests, and univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models to analyse the data. We included 56 669 respondents in the analysis. The average score for snakebite knowledge was 12.13 ± 5.26 points, with a maximum score of 28. Among the respondents, 72.66 and 63.03% of the residents believed that it was necessary to disseminate knowledge about snakebites and expressed a willingness to receive snakebite training, respectively. Respondents from the northeast region, respondents with a higher education level, and respondents with higher scores for snakebite knowledge, health knowledge, health skills, and social-psychological adjustment skills exhibited more positive attitudes towards snakebite knowledge dissemination and training. Conversely, respondents from eastern or southern China, respondents older than 60, and respondents who lived in rudimentary housing conditions showed a lower perception of the need for snakebite knowledge dissemination and were less willing to participate in snakebite knowledge and skill training. Generally, Chinese residents have positive attitudes towards snakebite knowledge dissemination and training. However, the public lacks sufficient knowledge about snakebites. Therefore, we should pay close attention to areas south of the Yangtze River to strengthen snakebite health education using engaging formats that align with residents' interests, such as short videos or television programmes, in an attempt to and ultimately improve health literacy and prevention awareness.

Implementing a community-based antimicrobial stewardship intervention in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, the unregulated use of antibiotics and lack of awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among pharmacists pose significant challenges. Implementing community-based Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) initiatives is crucial to address the rising AMR. We developed a bespoke AMS intervention, aligned with the World Health Organization's AMS modules, as a 2-day online educational seminar for community pharmacists. The effectiveness of the workshop was evaluated using pre- and post-seminar questionnaires, focusing on AMS knowledge and attitudes towards antimicrobial usage. Among 528 participants, 489 completed both questionnaires. Pre-seminar, only 59% correctly understood the concept of antibiotic resistance reversibility, which improved to 85.9% post-seminar (p = .002). The average AMS knowledge score increased from 5/10 to 8/10 post-intervention (p < .05). A significant improvement was also noted in pharmacists' ability to select appropriate antibiotic therapies, particularly for urinary tract infections, with an increase from 78% to 90% correct responses. The AMS seminar was well-received and significantly improved the AMS knowledge of community pharmacists. The results underline the need for more AMS-focused interventions in this demographic in Malaysia, contributing to the development of formalized AMS programs. Such initiatives are expected to enhance antibiotic use awareness, encourage optimal antibiotic practices, and positively shift professional conduct in community settings.

Facebook Challenge: Integration of Breastfeeding for Sick Babies and E-Training to Enhance the Knowledge of Healthcare Workers

Background Although the Thailand Breastfeeding Center has supported breastfeeding for sick babies since 2014, it has been found that breastfeeding in infants is still 40% lower than national targets. Objective This research aimed to test the effectiveness of online breastfeeding training through social media to further the knowledge of healthcare workers. Methods A quasi-experimental research study of a sample group of 60 workers was conducted between the neonatal step-down unit and the postpartum care unit. Research instruments consisted of breastfeeding e-training through a Facebook platform, knowledge testing on the breastfeeding of sick newborns, an online training satisfaction assessment form, data analysis by frequency and percentage, averaging, and testing by t-test, chi-square, and the Fisher exact test. Results The mean and standard deviation of knowledge before training in the experiment and control group were 22.40±2.11and 23.43±3.32, respectively. After the intervention, the experimental group was 31.93±1.98, and the control group was 24.06±2.14. It was found that the average knowledge score pertaining to the breastfeeding of high-risk neonates in the group that had undergone online training was higher than the group that had undergone ordinary supervision (p&lt; 0.001). Conclusion It can be seen that asynchronous e-training may be one alternative for the knowledge development of healthcare workers in promoting breastfeeding for families with sick newborns.

Current Perspectives, Practices, and Barriers Faced by Community Pharmacists Regarding Pharmaceutical Care Services for Diabetes Mellitus in the United Arab Emirates.

Providing accurate and sufficient information is a crucial requirement for delivering effective diabetes care, making it essential for community pharmacists to possess adequate knowledge of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its management. To investigate community pharmacists' level of expertise and engagement in providing counseling and health promotion services for individuals with DM in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional study design was used. The community Pharmacies were chosen via random sampling and researchers then conducted face-to-face interviews with them using the structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic data, 14 questions on the knowledge and 9 questions about the practice concerning pharmaceutical care for Diabetes Mellitus. The average age ± SD was 31 ± 6.3. Of the total 516 community pharmacists recruited in the study, 37.2% (n=192) were male and 62.8% (n=324) were female. The average knowledge score about DM prevention and management was 9.7 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) [9.5, 9.9] and the average practice score about DM prevention and management was 7.1 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) [6.9, 7.2]. Better knowledge scores were observed in chief pharmacists (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.08-1.56), pharmacists with 6-10 Years of experience (OR 6.92; 95% CI 3.43-8.86), pharmacist with > 10 years of experience (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.67-2.36), when the number of patients the pharmacist serve is 5-10 (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.06-1.53) and being trained on DM prevention and management (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.92-2.47). Similarly, better practice scores were observed in older participants (OR1.02; 95% CI 1.001-1.03), chain pharmacies (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.20-1.68), chief pharmacists (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.18-2.06), when the number of patients the pharmacists serve was 5-10 (OR 12.26; 95% CI 7.26-16.19), when the number of patients the pharmacists serve was 11-20 (OR 4.23; 95% CI 3.54-5.06) and being trained on DM prevention and management (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.11-1.59). The most commonly reported barriers to providing counseling and health promotion services for diabetes mellitus (DM) in community pharmacies include a lack of coordination with other healthcare professionals (77%) and insufficient knowledge or clinical skills (68.7%). Our study revealed that community pharmacy staff members displayed a noteworthy level of involvement in providing pharmaceutical care services for patients with diabetes mellitus. Based on these findings, it is recommended to enhance pharmacy education by incorporating more advanced, evidence-based training and curricula focusing on disease management and appropriate therapies, particularly for diabetes.

Patient Understanding of Carrier Screening With an Educational Video Intervention [ID 2683583

INTRODUCTION: Carrier screening allows patients to understand their risk of passing on a recessive genetic disease. Clinical visits have limited time to explain concepts behind carrier screening and access to genetic counseling may not be available. We sought to understand patient's baseline knowledge of carrier screening and whether an educational video intervention can improve understanding of this test. METHODS: This was a pilot randomized controlled trial administered between July 1, 2023 and July 31, 2023, where participants were recruited at their first obstetrics visit. They were randomized in 1:1 ratio to watch a short video on carrier screening versus routine care. A 10-question true/false questionnaire on basic concepts of carrier screening was administered to all participants. Demographic data including race, age, ethnicity, gravity, and parity were collected. Two-tailed t-test and Fisher's exact test were used for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 40 participants were recruited and 20 were randomized to view an educational video. The cohort identified as 60% Black or African American; average age, 30.2; and 32.5% completed a graduate degree. There were no significant demographic differences between the groups. The average knowledge score in the video and nonvideo groups was similar (61% versus 63%; P=.69). However, most participants felt that an educational video was helpful (84.6%). CONCLUSION: This pilot study did not find a significance in knowledge score after the video intervention. Our results highlight the need for additional patient resources and face-to-face interventions to improve patient education on carrier screening.

Level of Knowledge of Post-Transplant Women About Breastfeeding During Immunosuppression

The number of women treated with immunosuppressants is increasing. Often, these women are of childbearing age. Consequently, they must face the decision of whether to breastfeed when they do have a child. Although available studies recommend breastfeeding during immunosuppression, patients appear to need more knowledge to enable the decision-making process. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of women after transplantation about breastfeeding during immunosuppression and their source of information. We performed a cross-sectional study from February 1 through August 31, 2022, with 45 female graft recipients (28 post-kidney and 17 post-liver transplantation) of childbearing age (15-49 years). The women were polled during their routine outpatient appointments and then divided into 2 groups: parous women (group 1, n = 26) and nulliparous women (group 2, n = 19). Most of the patients (84%) were administered tacrolimus-based regimens. Thirty-seven women voiced concerns about the possible harm to their babies through immunosuppressants in their breast milk (82%). The average score for knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding was 51%; 58% in group 1, and 41% in group 2. Among parous women, 5 breastfed on immunosuppression, 15 did not, and the remainder did not take immunosuppression during breastfeeding. The decision regarding breastfeeding was influenced mainly by counseling from gynecologists (75%) and transplantologists (56%). Women's knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding and the possibility of it during immunosuppression is not satisfactory.

To Study the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice about COVID-19 Pandemic among Health-care Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Northern India

Abstract Background: As the primary carers, the health-care workers (HCWs) are interacting directly with the patients and are consequently more susceptible to infection. By enhancing their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about COVID-19, the HCWs can prevent or significantly minimize their risk of contracting it. Objective: This research was carried out to assess KAP about various aspects of the COVID-19 infection among HCWs and their association vis-à-vis different sociodemographic variables. Methodology: The study used a prospective cross-sectional design and the participants were the HCWs working in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at a tertiary care referral and academic hospital. A pretested questionnaire comprised 35 items, with 14 items about knowledge, 13 about attitude, and 8 about practices adopted by HCWs. Statistical Analysis: For the analysis, we used descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson Chi-square tests. Results: The study involved a cohort of 209 HCWs. Based on the results of descriptive statistical analysis, the participants had an average knowledge score of 9.59 with a standard deviation (SD) of 2.07. The observed scores ranged from 2.00 to 14.00. On further subgroup analysis, the mean knowledge was highest among the 19–25-year age group (mean: 9.97, minimum: 4.00, and maximum: 14.00; SD: 2.13), MBBS students (mean: 10.69, minimum: 8.00, and maximum: 14.00; SD 1.74), male participants (mean: 9.97, minimum: 5.00, and maximum: 13.00; SD: 1.62), and unmarried respondents (mean: 9.77, minimum: 2.00, and maximum: 14.00; SD 2.24). Conclusions: It is vital to evaluate the present KAP of health-care professionals regarding COVID-19 in the global fight against the pandemic. The study identified a few gaps in the KAP of HCWs.

The Influence Of JASA TAMI (Healthy Adolescents Without Anemia) Booklet Media On Adolescent Girls In Islamic Boarding Schools Mizanul ‘Ulum Sanrobone In 2023

Background: Anemia is a health problem that often occurs in adolescent girls. Anemia is a condition in which the number and size of erythrocytes or hemoglobin concentration is below the threshold value and results in a decrease in the overall blood transport capacity of the body. The prevalence of adolescent anemia ranges from 40-80%. According to WHO, the incidence of anemia in adolescent girls in developing countries is about 53.7% of all adolescent girls. Objective: To determine the influence of the JASA TAMI (Healthy Adolescents Without Anemia) booklet media on the knowledge and attitudes of anemia prevention for adolescent girls at the Mizanul 'Ulum Sanrobone Islamic Boarding School in 2023. Method: The researcher used pre-experiment method with one group pretest-posttest design. The research time is on May 22-May 27, 2023 with 32 respondents. The sampling technique used total sampling. All respondents were given Jasa Tami's booklet media "Healthy Adolescents Without Anemia". Univariate analysis used frequency distribution to determine the characteristics of respondents, while bivariate analysis in order to determine the influence between two variables used the Wilcoxon test. Results: The results of statistical tests showed that there is a significant difference about knowledge of health education before and after using booklet media. Before the intervention, the average score of knowledge about anemia was 9.87 and then increased to 12.96 in the post-test. While the average score of the attitude pretest was 44.03 and the average score of the post-test increased by 47.87. Conclusion: there is an influence of health education using Jasa Tami (Healthy Adolescents Without Anemia) booklet media on the knowledge and attitudes of anemia prevention for adolescent girls of Mizalnun 'Ulum Sanrobone Islamic Boarding School in 2023 with the results of the Wilxocon test on the knowledge variable got 0.000 and on the attitude variable obtained a p-value score 0.033.

Opt-in or out? Public perspectives on forensic DNA kinship investigations within the Dutch-speaking community

Forensic DNA kinship investigation involves analyzing genetic relationships between individuals to offer new leads for solving (cold) cases. Familial DNA matching has become a valuable asset in criminal case investigations, especially when traditional DNA methods hit dead ends. However, concerns surrounding ethical and privacy implications raised questions about its implementation and acceptance among the general public. The present study investigated the public perspectives regarding forensic DNA kinship investigations among 1710 Dutch-speaking Belgians using an online cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire consisted of three categories, including personal information, DNA knowledge, and their opinion on several familial DNA searching and investigative genetic genealogy related questions. The participants' average DNA knowledge score was 71 %, indicating a relatively high level of understanding of DNA-related concepts. Remarkably, the study revealed that 92 % of the participants expressed willingness to cooperate as a volunteer in a forensic DNA kinship investigation, irrespective of their scientific background or educational level. Key factors influencing participation included assurance of painless sampling and robust privacy safeguards. Participants lacking familiarity with DNA hesitated more towards participating in forensic DNA analysis, referring to "the fear of the unknown". Despite ethical and privacy concerns, the highly positive attitude towards forensic DNA analysis reflects a level of empathy and willingness to contribute to the pursuit of justice. Nearly all participants (95 %) agreed to use online DNA databases for resolving violent crimes with forensic genetic genealogy, but half emphasized the need for prior informed consent, referring to the current “opt-in” system. The results underscore the need for stringent regulations and ethical oversight to ensure the responsible use of genetic data while striking a balance between public safety and the protection of individuals' privacy rights. These findings add to the growing body of evidence regarding the potential benefits of forensic DNA kinship matching as a tool in criminal investigations, suggesting its potential future utilization and legalization.

The Effectiveness of the "I Can Brush My Teeth" Movement and Song Program in Improving Tooth Brushing Knowledge in Children Aged 4-6

Children with good dental health can experience optimal physical, mental and social development, but in reality 9 out of 10 Indonesian children experience dental caries. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the "I Can Brush My Teeth" singing and dancing program to increase 4 – 6 years old children’s toothbruhing knowledge. This research uses quantitative research method with a within-subjects quasi experimental pre-post design to measure the effectiveness of intervention using movement and song methods delivered through music video clips as a medium for learning children's knowledge regarding the frequency, duration, schedule and benefits of good toothbrushing, as well as providing children with an understanding of the importance of parental involvement. Post test results showed a significant increase in the average children's knowledge score using the non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test comparison technique with a P value of 0.002 with a significance limit of &lt;0.05. One week after post-test1 another post-test was done (post-test 2), and the increase of toothbrushing knowledge persists significantly with a P value of 1.000 with a significance limit of &lt;0.05. Based on the results of the data analysis above, it can be concluded that "I Can Brush My Teeth" singing and dancing program is considered effective in increasing the knowledge of children aged 4 - 6 years about good tooth brushing. Further research evaluating the effect of parental involvement using singing and dancing programs on the level of knowledge about good toothbrushing behavior in children aged 4 - 6 years is considered necessary.

Evaluation of Yazd General Dentists’ Knowledge about Vital Pulp Therapy in Immature Permanent Teeth in 2022

Introduction: Vital pulp therapy includes is differnt methods that are used to preserve pulp vitality and root development in immature permanent teeth with thin dentin wall and open apical foramen which have been damaged or inflamed due to dental caries, trauma, or during the restoration. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of Yazd general dentists toward Vital pulp therapy in immature permanent teeth in 2022. Methods: In this descriptive-cross-sectional study, a valid and reliable questionnaire, including demographic information and 15 questions related to the knowledge of vital pulp therapy was distributed among 150 general dentists in Yazd City, Iran. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software, T-test and ANOVA. Results: The participants in this study, included 55.3% men and 44.7% women with an average age of 34.25 (±7.32) years old and an average years of job experience of 8.32 (±7.04). Among them, 35.3% had participated in dentistry retraining courses. The average knowledge score of the participants in this study was 9.2 out of 15. The average score in different groups did not show any significant difference in terms of age, sex, job experience, work place and participation in retraining courses. (P-value &gt;0.05) Conclusion: Yazd general dentists had intermediate level of knowledge about the vital pulp therapy of immature permanent teeth. It seems that the need for retraining courses to improve the level of knowledge about vital pulp therapy to help choosing the best treatment plan for young permanent teeth is evident.

Effect of Counseling on The Importance of Balanced Nutrition Through Poster Media on Breakfast Habits of Students at SDN 155 Gresik

Balanced Nutrition Message recommends getting used to breakfast. If you don't have breakfast, your concentration will be disturbed and your learning achievement will drop. Counseling is carried out to improve a person's behavior with messages conveyed through print media (posters) the aim is to change students' breakfast habits. In order to observe students' breakfast habits, this research used a pre-experimental study with a one group pretest posttest design. A total of 40 children participated in the study at SDN 155 Gresik in grades 4 and 5, using the proportional random sampling method. The average knowledge score before and after counseling was 61.35 78.50. Breakfast behaviors were graded on a scale from 75.58 to 81.55 before and after counseling. According to the study's findings utilizing the paired t-test, balanced nutrition counseling through poster media had an impact on understanding of balanced nutrition (p 0.05), but had no impact on breakfast behaviors (p &gt; 0.05). It is preferable to implement balanced nutrition advice, and one of them is establishing a breakfast routine because it can stimulate the brain and aid in concentration and focus while learning.

The comparison of spatial patterns and factors associated with healthcare provider knowledge in palliative care in various regions of China

As an integral part of the overall life cycle, it is crucial to ensure equity and accessibility to palliative care services at the end of life. The knowledge of healthcare providers has a significant beneficial impact on the quality of palliative care services. This study aimed to compare the nationwide geographic distribution of healthcare providers’ knowledge of palliative care at the provincial level in China and identify the possible factors associated with its geographic disparities. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in all provinces (n = 29) that implemented palliative care pilot programs in China. Data were collected online using a structured questionnaire. The possible factors associated with healthcare providers’ knowledge including economy, demographics, and health, were explored by using exploratory regression and ordinary least squares. In addition, spatial autocorrelation was also examined with Moran’s I, LISA, and Geographically Weighted Regression. A total of 18,272 participants from 903 health institutions in 87 palliative care pilot cities were included across 29 out of 31 provinces in China. The average knowledge score (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) was 8.61 ± 2.85. A positive spatial correlation was observed in healthcare providers’ palliative care knowledge level in China. The high level of knowledge was significantly associated with fewer hospitals per 10,000 population (β = −0.384, 95% CI: −0.601 to −0.168, p = 0.001), more primary healthcare institutions per 10,000 population (β = 0.220, 95% CI: 0.032–0.407, p = 0.024), and more community health center visits (β = 0.259, 95% CI: 0.054–0.465, p = 0.016), with higher coefficients being observed in the northwest and northeast regions. This study suggested that the knowledge level of palliative care among healthcare providers nationwide was relatively low, indicating the existence of a disparity between the supply and demand of palliative care services. There may be regional disparities in palliative care services based on the substantial geographical variation in healthcare provider knowledge, emphasizing the necessity of tailored interventions targeting areas with the greatest need.

Assessing Maternal Management of Childhood Illnesses in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State: A Study of Home-Based Practices and Strategies

Background: Children under 5 years are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases like malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, HIV, and tuberculosis which are also the major causes of death among this age group. In this study, the three most common under 5 illnesses will be studied which are malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea. Objectives: To ascertain the home management of childhood illness among mothers in Anaocha local government area of Anambra state. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women and data collected using pretested interviewer administered questionnaire among 320 respondents. Results were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Results: A total of 320 women were interviewed. Their mean age was 28.40±6.07 years, more than half of the respondents were within the age range of 20-29 years. Respondents who had heard about these illnesses before the study were 99.4%, 62.5% and 80.9% for malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea respectively. Majority of the respondents had good knowledge of symptoms of childhood illness, 222(69.4%) with an average knowledge score of about 56.4±21.0%. The relationship between educational level of mothers and preventive measure was statistically significant but there was no association between age and preventive measures. The prevalence of home management of the different childhood illnesses was 0.90, 0.81 and 0.36 for malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia respectively. More than two-third of the respondents visited the hospital to seek for external assistance. The factors identified to cause delays in seeking medical care include cost of health care, 178(55.6%); and transportation, 159(49.7%). With respect to age, highest educational level attained, occupation of mothers and their relationship to visiting the hospital within 24hours of onset of illness, there was significant association with a p-value &lt;0.05. Conclusion: It was found that mothers were able to recognise symptoms of childhood illnesses. Misconceptions about .............

Fertility Knowledge and Educational Experiences of Graduating Medical Students: A Multi-Institution Survey.

Objective: Our goal was to assess the fertility knowledge and educational experiences of graduating U.S. medical students to evaluate areas of improvement for future educational interventions. Design: Web-based cross-sectional survey. Subjects: Medical students graduating in 2023 from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (SOM), New York University (NYU) Grossman SOM, Wayne State University SOM, Perelman SOM at the University of Pennsylvania, and Mayo Clinic Alix SOM. Main Outcome Measures: Fertility-related knowledge and educational experiences of U.S. medical students in their final year of school. Results: In total, 117 students (14.4%) completed the survey. The average knowledge score was 78%. Twenty-three (22%) overestimated the age of most precipitous fertility decline, and 50 (52%) overestimated the chance of getting pregnant for a 40-year-old person with ovaries. One-third of students (30, 32%) incorrectly believe that physicians have equivalent infertility rates to the general population. Students were less cognizant of male fertility issues, incorrectly believing there was no negative impact on male fertility by age (43, 42%) among other factors. Seventy-five (81%) reported less than 5 hours of fertility-related education in medical school. Only one-third (32%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the fertility education they received. In an open-response question, students expressed interest in additional education on transgender and cancer patient care, fertility preservation, assisted reproductive technologies, and reproductive life planning in medicine. Conclusions: There is a need and an opportunity for medical education programs to enhance fertility education. Giving students and trainees the knowledge required to make informed decisions for their family-building purposes and improving their ability to counsel patients adequately should be a goal of future educational endeavors. The data collected in this study will serve as a guide for the development of fertility-related learning modules for medical students and trainees.

Organ Donation: Willingness, Attitude, and Knowledge among General Population of Western India – A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The issue of organ donation is complex and multifactorial involving ethical, legal, medical, organizational, and societal factors. There is a wide gap between the required number of donations and actual donations in India. There is a need to identify the reasons for this wide gap from the community perspective. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among relatives of patients attending the outpatient department at a tertiary care center. Data were collected using a pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire. For the assessment of knowledge, relevant questions were asked. Attitude toward organ donation was assessed using 22 items on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were entered into Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS software. Average knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were calculated and compared with religion, gender, and other sociodemographic variables. A Chi-square test of association was applied between sociodemographic variables and their willingness to sign the donor card. P &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Their suggestions for improving organ donation practices were also documented. Results: The average knowledge score among participants was 8.06. Good, average, and poor attitude toward organ donation were found among 3 (0.77%), 339 (87.37%), and 46 (11.86%) participants, respectively. Good, average, and poor practice toward organ donation were observed among 1 (0.26%), 65 (16.75%), and 322 (82.98%) participants, respectively. Discussion: When deciding whom to donate their organs, 156 (40.21%) said that the health status of the recipient and his/her chances of survival will be the most important factor. Age and poor health status were the major barriers toward organ donation among participants. Still, many participant’s motivation toward organ donation was that they want to help others and 190 (49.0%) participants were willing to be part of awareness group and promote organ donation activity in the society. Solving their barriers/reasons for refusing organ donation may help to improve organ donation in the society. Conclusion: Knowledge has an impact on changing person’s attitude and practice; even our study has shown significant results of association between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practice as well as attitude to their practice toward organ donation. Age and poor health status were the major barriers toward organ donation among participants.

Design, implementation, and evaluation of a virtual pulmonary rehabilitation training course for medical interns in COVID-19.

Pulmonary rehabilitation has an influential role in improving the symptoms, reducing subacute and chronic complications, and increasing the performance of patients with COVID-19. Medical interns can play an essential role in training patients. Since, at the time of the research, these concepts were not in the general medical curriculum in Iran, the interns were not trained in this field. This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate the virtual training course for pulmonary rehabilitation for medical interns in the COVID-19 crisis. A cross-sectional study (with an instructional design approach) was conducted at an academic center in 2021 on 25 medical interns. The newly designed educational content included multimedia files and educational videos offered to the participants. The data collection tools were pre- and post-test, attitude, and satisfaction evaluation questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS (one-sample and paired t-test). The average age of the participants was 26.24 ± 0.92, and most were women (14 (56%)). The average knowledge score after the course (18.52 ± 4.44) compared to before (11.12 ± 2.38) was significant (P < 0.001). The average score of attitudes (55.04 ± 6.49) and satisfaction (92.92 ± 10.69) had a significant difference (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001) and indicated the desirability of the course. Considering the results of this course in improving students' knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction, it is suggested to add this topic to the general medical curriculum (pulmonary or infectious diseases courses).

Impact of a nurse-led intervention in understanding menstrual health management among adolescent girls attending specific schools in Navi Mumbai, India

Abstract Background: Premenstrual symptoms are prevalent among menstruating individuals, affecting around 75% of those who report some level of discomfort during their cycles. However, approximately 10% of women endure premenstrual syndrome (PMS), marked by symptoms that significantly disrupt daily functioning. PMS remains poorly comprehended and difficult to diagnose. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an intervention and analyze the disparity in knowledge levels between the two groups. Materials and Methods: A genuine experimental design was employed using a pretest and post-test control group approach. A simple random sampling lottery method was used to select 40 adolescent girls for the study and control groups. These girls, aged 12–15 years, were chosen from specific schools in Navi Mumbai, adhering to predetermined inclusion criteria. A structured knowledge questionnaire was administered to both groups. At 1 week post-test, the study group received a nurse-led intervention through a planned teaching program. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In the control group, pretest knowledge scores averaged around 57.5%, suggesting a moderate level of knowledge. Conversely, the study group exhibited an average pretest knowledge score of 60%. Examining post-test knowledge scores, it is evident that in the control group, the majority (42.5%) demonstrated average knowledge, while in the study group, 67.5% exhibited excellent knowledge. Paired t test findings indicated a significant influence of the planned teaching program in the study group compared with the control group, with a P value of 0.001 at a significance level. Conclusion: Adolescent girls in the selected schools lacked knowledge about menstrual health management. Consequently, the nurse-led intervention on menstrual health management significantly improved knowledge among the control group of adolescent girls.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs of Clinical Physiotherapists Towards Chronic Back Pain

Background: Millions of people worldwide suffer from the common and severe ailment known as chronic low back pain. Effective management of this condition involves not only information but also positive attitudes and beliefs on the part of healthcare practitioners. Clinical physiotherapists play an important role in the treatment of individuals suffering from persistent low back pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical physiotherapists' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about chronic low back pain. Methods: The study included 98 clinical physiotherapists, representing a diverse population in terms of gender and age in Hayatabad Peshawar. The HC-PAIRS (healthcare providers pain and impairment ratio scale) were filled from the clinical physiotherapists for assessing their Attitudes and beliefs towards chronic low back pain. The NPQ were also filled for checking the knowledge of clinical physiotherapist about chronic low back pain. Results: The average knowledge score of the clinical physiotherapists in the study was 7.7959, showing a relatively good degree of understanding of chronic low back pain. A wide range of knowledge scores, ranging from 2.00 to 12.00, revealed significant heterogeneity. Surprisingly, the study found unfavorable attitudes and beliefs among clinical physiotherapists, with higher scores suggesting stronger agreement that persistent low back pain warrants disability and activity restriction. Conclusion: Presence of unfavorable attitudes highlights the importance of focused interventions and training programs to improve patient care in this environment. The study emphasizes the changing nature of healthcare practice, with personal experiences, exposure to diverse treatment techniques, and evolving viewpoints within the field of physiotherapy possibly influencing attitudes and beliefs.