Awareness Of Use Research Articles

Knowledge and Awareness of Use of Ozone Therapy in Dentistry

Knowledge and Awareness of Use of Ozone Therapy in Dentistry

Awareness of Use of Implant Coated with Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Properties

Nanoparticles are nowadays widely used in dentistry. They have an essential role in the prevention diagnosis and treatment of the patients. There are different types of novel approaches in the use of nanoparticles in dentistry. Introduction of nanorobots has wider benefits and has consequently led to other major uses of nanoparticles in different aspects of dentistry. Nanomaterials have further been used in delivering oral fluid or drugs, preventing and curing some oral disease and maintaining oral health care up to a great extent. The objective was to review their use in nanocomposites, implant coatings, its antimicrobial activity against cariogenic pathogens, periodontal biofilm, fungal pathogens and endodontic bacteria and other applications such as treatment of oral cancer and local anaesthesia. This survey consisted of 200 participants, and the structured questionnaire was circulated through online access. A set of 15 questions about the basic idea, knowledge and awareness about the implant coated with nanoparticles was prepared and circulated, and the results were analyzed. Development of modified nanoparticles is surely going to help in our practice. Therefore it is essential to create awareness about the implant coated with nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity. This article summarises the benefits of using implants coated with nanoparticles over the conventional implants and its awareness among the practitioners.

Colleges of Education Students’ Awareness of Use of Multiple Representations in Explaining Chemistry Concepts in Kwara State, Nigeria

Colleges of Education Students’ Awareness of Use of Multiple Representations in Explaining Chemistry Concepts in Kwara State, Nigeria

Cultural Rights Education between Use of Heritage and Alphabetical Skills

The contribution addresses the problem of the relationship between education for cultural rights, use of cultural heritage and the need for alphabetical skills, focusing on reflection on two elements, the processes of cultural democratization and literacy. The lack of cultural fruition by certain categories of individuals is interpreted in the contribution as a complex aspect of the multi-alphabetic processes, which does not end with the lack of “visit” to the sites and places of culture, but contains within itself the germs of the social and cultural exclusion. The article ends with the importance of activating concrete and incisive forms of education for cultural good based on awareness of use in order to stem the forms of “exclusion” at different levels, to strengthen the cultural profiles of the school population and not, to re-establish individual and social identity and to exercise active citizenship.

Corticosteroid Utilization Pattern: A Prospective Study at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the prescribing pattern of steroids among patients from different departments and study the most commonly prescribed corticosteroid medications and the assessment of patient knowledge about the use of corticosteroids. Method: We conducted a prospective observational study on 120 patients receiving corticosteroids in the department of General medicine, Respiratory and Orthopedic in a tertiary care teaching hospital for the period of 6 months. Inpatients between 18-60 years receiving corticosteroid therapy were included in the study, exclusion of those patients who were under critical condition, lactating and nursing mothers and those not willing to sign on inform consent form. Key Findings: The study involved 120 patients to evaluate the appropriate use of corticosteroids. The analysis of prescription was done and 24% of the prescriptions were found with drug interactions the majority of drug interactions were minor (72%), followed by moderate (26%) and no severe interaction was found and 76% were without interactions. Total 29(24.1%) side effects were found in the study due to corticosteroid use, hypertension was detected in 8 (28%), hyperglycemia in 7 (24%), sleep disturbance in 5 (17%), weight gain in 5 (17%) and gastrointestinal upset in 4 (14%). The use of inhaler was improved in patients from 55% to 83%. Conclusions: The study was found to be rational as the majority of interactions were minor, followed by moderate and no severe interaction was found. Greater awareness for use of corticosteroids is essential; therefore, strategies to improve drug safety and better patients outcome. Prevention of side effects and rational prescribing can be better achieved by clinical pharmacist’s intervention in patient care

Uptake of tuberculosis prevention therapy in people living with HIV/AIDS in northern Nigeria: a programme to increase use of isoniazid preventive therapy

BackgroundTuberculosis is a main cause of death in people living with HIV and results in around 39 000 deaths every year in Nigeria. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), the standard tuberculosis preventive therapy used in Nigeria, has been shown to significantly reduce mortality and prevent tuberculosis in people with HIV. Despite efforts and strategies to scale up this treatment in Nigeria, the process has remained very slow. Here we describe a programme to increase IPT uptake in health facilities in four states in northern Nigeria, while also monitoring trends in IPT use with the aim of increasing access for people with HIV. MethodsData were collected at 90 health facilities in Nasarawa, Kano, and Katsina states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria, between Oct 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019. A monitoring tool was used to track clinic attendance, IPT eligibility status, and percentage uptake of isoniazid (the proportion of people with HIV starting a 6 month course of isoniazid) in patients with HIV at these health facilities. Baseline data were collected between Oct 1, 2017, and Feb 28, 2018, and identified reasons for low IPT uptake included: stockout of isoniazid, documentation gaps, improper filling of the relevant source documents, and poor clinician awareness of use of IPT. In response to these barriers to uptake, interventions such as folder tagging and electronic prompts of eligible clients prior to clinic visits, clinician sensitisations through training and retraining to raise the awareness of IPT, and active tracking of eligible clients were implemented. We collected post-intervention data from March 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019. Analysis was done using Excel and STATA. FindingsDuring the 6 month pre-intervention period, 3659 (14%) patients were commenced on isoniazid out of 26 136 eligible patients. In the initial 6 months post-intervention, 18 367 (80%) patients were started on isoniazid out of 22 020 eligible patients. Uptake dropped suddenly in October, 2018, due to stockout of isoniazid. Remedial stock redistribution resulted in a steady increase of isoniazid uptake and a total number of 43 075 patients out of 50 050 patients (86%) commenced isoniazid within the 12 month review period. InterpretationCapacity building of health-care workers on isoniazid through training and retraining resulted in marked improvements in IPT uptake through: increased health-care worker knowledge about IPT; proper documentation on the relevant source documents and the electronic medical records; and availability, and use of, isoniazid electronic prompts to highlight clients who were eligible for IPT. However, there is a need to strengthen drug logistics, especially in guaranteeing a consistent and adequate supply of isoniazid in all facilities to avoid stockouts, thus ensuring optimum IPT uptake or access for people living with HIV in Nigeria. FundingInstitute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Corticosteroid utilization pattern: A prospective study at a tertiary care teaching Hospital

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the prescribing pattern of steroids among patients from different departments and study the most commonly prescribed corticosteroid medications and the assessment of patient knowledge about the use of corticosteroids. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study on 120 patients receiving corticosteroids in the department of General medicine, Respiratory and Orthopedic in a tertiary care teaching hospital for the period of 6 months. Inpatients between 18–60 years receiving corticosteroid therapy were included in the study, exclusion of those patients who were under critical condition, lactating and nursing mothers and those not willing to sign on inform consent form. Key findings: The study involved 120 patients to evaluate the appropriate use of corticosteroids. The analysis of prescription was done and 24% of the prescriptions were found with drug interactions, the majority of drug interactions were minor (72%), followed by moderate (26%) and no severe interaction was found, and 76% were without interactions. Total 29(24.1%) side effects were found in the study due to corticosteroid use, hypertension was detected in 8 (28%), hyperglycemia in 7 (24%), sleep disturbance in 5 (17%), weight gain in 5 (17%) and gastrointestinal upset in 4 (14%). The use of inhaler was improved in patients from 55% to 83%. Conclusions: The study was found to be rational as the majority of interactions were minor, followed by moderate and no severe interaction was found. Greater awareness for use of corticosteroids is essential; therefore, strategies to improve drug safety, and better patients outcome. Prevention of side effects and rational prescribing can be better achieved by clinical pharmacist's intervention in patient care.

Seasonal Variation and Malaria in Endemic Mangalore City in South India

Background: In the year 2017 India has contributed to 4% of global malaria cases and Mangalore is endemic to malaria. Malaria transmission also depends on the season of the year, i.e. the wet or dry season. Regardless of huge endemicity and massive health burden, at present limited data has been documented on malaria prevalence and factors contributing to prevalence of malaria and its association with seasonal factors in Mangalore region. Objective: To study the seasonal variations in malaria burden and species prevalence in Mangalore. Settings and Design: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at District hospital. Methods and Material: Patients with microscopically confirmed malaria attending the District hospital were included in the study. Demographic details were collected from participants. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics. Results: In this region malaria is present all around the year and Plasmodium vivax is more predominant than Plasmodium falciparum . The number of cases peaks during the rainy season suggesting that high rains provide an ideal environment for malaria transmission. Conclusions: A complex relationship exists between rainfall, temperature, occupation and malaria. Implementing malaria elimination interventions such as preventing water clogging, cleaning the water bodies and increasing awareness for use of prevention practices might help in reducing malaria burden in Mangalore.

Nursing Students' Knowledge and Awareness of Antibiotic Use, Resistance and Stewardship: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Antibiotic resistance is an emerging worldwide concern with serious repercussions in terms of morbi-mortality. Bearing in mind that the inadequate use of antibiotics, by healthcare staff as well as by the general population, is one of its main causes, a multidisciplinary approach is required to try to combat it. The aim of the present study was to determine nursing students’ knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use, resistance and stewardship. A cross-sectional design was used. A total of 578 nursing students from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), ≥18 years old of both sexes were invited to complete the Spanish version of the questionnaire “Knowledge and awareness of the use, resistance and administration of antibiotics” between February and April 2019. Students had a low level of knowledge about antibiotics, 4.1 (CI95% = 3.4–4.8), especially in relation to antibiotic resistance. As the students were aware of this deficiency, the majority affirmed (>90%) that the current curriculum of nursing degree should have more training on antibiotics and infection control. Nursing staff play an important role in the rational use of antibiotics and as teachers of patients, so their training could be key in fighting antibiotic resistance.

Analytic Study of Construction Delays

Construction is a commercial process which is very sensitive to changes and dependent on market parameters. It is because of these factors that changes are orders of the trade. Usually it is Time overrun that leads to Cost overrun because time is money; it is absolutely true in construction industry. The employer wants the construction to be completed as early as possible so that he can have the fruits of his investment and therefore he usually builds in a clause in contract suggesting time as essence of contract. In event of contractor failing to complete the work within the expected time, he would be liable to pay certain compensation which is designated as Liquidated damages. There is hardly a project which can be performed as planned and as envisaged. The projects are programmed to be performed. However due to number of Reasons, the project are confronted with unanticipated situations resulting in delay. The project requires changes to be resolved and time to be compensated. The one single cause of dispute in differences between the parties to a contract revolves around the issue of compensation arising out of and related to time. In other words, Delay Damage Analysis is at the center of search for efficient contract management. In fact the construction management to a large extent is How to Analyze Delay Damages. This study helps the construction manager to evaluate compensation for whatever the delays had occurred as also to evaluate the compensation to be recovered as and by way of liquidated damage. It is this study which provides the construction manager with data to grant extension of time as also to evaluate the extra amount payable by way of escalation. In short analysis of delay damages is at the core of estimation of compensation payable or recoverable from either of the parties to the contract. However by study of various projects of infrastructures, it is observed that hardly any project has achieved time and cost parameters. It is also revealed from the various case studies that majority of the projects landed in litigations and major cause was time over run and there by additional cost on the project. It is also observed that from study of cases and also by attending arbitration related to construction contracts that there is no systematic mechanism to monitor the delay caused on the project. Though project management system exists but is not scientifically developed to achieve the proper records of data and dates. During the research it is observed that in developed country they have scientific methodology to take care of Delay on completion of project and there by analyzing the same for the probable cost impact. This prompted to carry out research on this topic and develop or create awareness of use of any methodology which can reduce long and costly litigation.

Covert contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in Ibadan, Nigeria; Covert contraceptive in Ibadan, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of covert contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross sectional study among women attending a family planning clinic in a maternity teaching hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria was conducted. Data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, contraceptive use and partner awareness of use. The socio-demographic predictors of covert contraceptive use were explored using logistic regressions. RESULTS: Twenty-five (6.8%) of the 365 respondents were practicing covert contraception. Their mean age was 34.7+6.67 years, 98.6% were married and with modal parity of 3 (29.6%). A logistic regression analysis showed that participants' age (p = 0.555), occupation (p = 0.679), education (p = 0.642), parity (p = 0.385) and husbands' education (p = 0.926) were not statistically associated with covert contraceptive use while husbands' financial supports (p = 0.000) and approval for family planning use (p = 0.000) were associated with reduction in the likelihood covert contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS: Covert contraceptive use exist among our women. Poor financial support and disapproval by the husbands were the strongest predictors of the practice. Greater male involvement in contraceptive service provision will help address these negative factors promoting covert contraceptive practices.

Innocence Lost: From Child to Perpetrator of International Crimes

For quite some time, there have been debates on whether people who commit crimes do so because of dispositional reasons or situational factors. Society seems to create a distance between ordinary people and those who perpetrates international crimes. Currently at the International Criminal Court, Dominic Ongwen, a former child soldier has an ongoing case against him in which he is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the recruitment of child soldiers. This paper relates Ongwen’s situation to another former soldier, Ishmael Beah, who has written his memoir with the intention of spreading awareness of use of child soldiers in armed conflict.

A Gestalt Coaching Primer

A Gestalt Coaching Primer

Future of nanoindentation in archaeometry

Abstract

An across-scales analysis of the voice self-concept questionnaire (FESS)

The questionnaire for the assessment of the voice selfconcept (FESS) contains three sub-scales indicating the personal relation with the own voice. The scales address the relationship with one's own voice, the awareness of the use of one's own voice, and the perception of the connection between voice and emotional changes. A comprehensive approach across the three scales supporting a simplified interpretation of the results was still missing. The FESS questionnaire was used in a sample of 536 German teachers. With a discrimination analysis, commonalities in the scale characteristics were investigated. For a comparative validation with voice health and psychological and physiological wellbeing, the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), the questionnaire for Work-related Behavior and Experience Patterns (AVEM), and the questionnaire for Health-related Quality of Life (SF-12) were additionally collected. The analysis provided four different groups of voice self-concept: group 1 with healthy values in the voice self-concept and wellbeing scales, group 2 with a low voice self-concept and mean wellbeing values, group 3 with a high awareness of the voice use and mean wellbeing values and group 4 with low values in all scales. The results show that a combined approach across all scales of the questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept enables a more detailed interpretation of the characteristics in the voice self-concept. The presented groups provide an applicable use supporting medical diagnoses.

Awareness about the use, Ethics and Scope of Dental Photography among Undergraduate Dental Students Dentist Behind the lens

Aim: Evaluating the awareness of use, scope and ethics of dental photography in everyday practice among undergraduate dental students. Background: Photography often represents the best method to collect and preserve evidences. The attention towards the advanced photographic presentation in dentistry has increased significantly over the past several decades. Advancements in technology, computers, the internet and communication systems have greatly affected and shaped modern society. The main purpose of photography in dentistry is the registration of clinical information in the oral cavity. It also finds application for the purposes of dento legal documentation, to improve the learning process, communication and dental marketing. These applications improve the status of the dental practice as well as the quality of work and services. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional institution based study conducted among 176 undergraduate dental students. 176 undergraduate dental students of 3rd, 4th and 5th year of age group 21-25 years were included in the study. Each student was given a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a set of 11 questions. Both yes or no and multiple choice questions were present. The answers were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: All the students in the study were found to routinely use dental photography in their regular practice.82% of the students took some form of consent from the patient before taking the photograph and 93% maintained the confidentiality if the patient in social forums, Presentations and research publications. 62% of the participants are aware of a course called dental photography and 34% have already attended a course in dental photography. Conclusion: Combining a passion for photography with a dedication to dentistry will help us to successfully record patients cases and have a better proposition in teaching, motivation, treatment and follow up.

Awareness of use of artificial colourants in sweets preparation and their harmful effects

Background: Colour is the first notable feature of a food and often directly influences the choice of food by increasing the taste threshold, appeal and acceptability.There are natural and few traditional colours but many of the shop keepers, restaurant and processed food manufacturers prefer artificial colours. The sweet manufactures do not realize adverse health effects of colourants. The present study was undertaken to assess the awareness of use of colorants in sweets and its harmful effects among consumers and shopkeepers.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted. A sample of 96 consumers and 20 shopkeepers across the Kolar town were randomly selected and interviewed to collect information on awareness regarding artificial colourants, permissible limits and their harmful effects by using pre-tested semi structured proforma. Data analyzed by using SPSS statistical software version 22.Results: 16.8% of the consumers did not have the knowledge regarding the artificial colorants. 42.6% of the consumers were aware of the toxic metals in colourants and 46.5% knew the harmful effects. Among shopkeepers only 15% and 10% of them had the awareness regarding the toxic metal present and their harmful effects respectively. Majority (75%) of the shopkeepers knew the permissible limits for usage of colourants. Consumers and shop keepers knew that artificial colorants can cause damage to bladder, Kidney, thyroid, brain, immune system, nerve cell development, hyper activity and genotoxicity.Conclusions: The consumers were aware of artificial colorants, various toxic metals present and their harmful effects. There is a need to increase awareness among shopkeepers regarding presence of toxic metals and their harmful effects.

Development of a questionnaire to evaluate patients’ awareness of cardiovascular disease risk in England’s National Health Service Health Check preventive cardiovascular programme

BackgroundThe National Health Service (NHS) Health Check is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management programme in England aiming to increase CVD risk awareness among people at increased risk...

Vitamin D Mobile Healthcare Applications for Consumer Use - Are They Any Good?

Introduction: Members of the public interested in changing their health behaviour and comfortable with use of social media can download and purchase commercially developed lifestyle and or healthcare computer software. This is facilitated by the increase in technologically advanced, often elegantly designed, small screen portable in-built computerised systems on mobile smart-phones. Aims: With increasing awareness of use of Vitamin D for improved health outcomes, the aims for this study were to identify and evaluate any Vitamin D mobile smart-phone healthcare applications (apps) available for public or consumer use. Methods: Incorporating a multi-phase mixed study design, in phase one Vitamin D apps on mobile smart-phones were identified and categorised by consensus using the Delphi technique. In phase two a database search was undertaken to gain an understanding of research undertaken on use of healthcare apps and any evaluation of outcomes. In phase three a modified validated mobile applications rating scale (MARS) was utilised to evaluate the apps identified in phase one. Each app that provided some health information was assigned objective scores for information quality, and subjective quality and app specific rating scores. Discussion: No Vitamin D apps were identified where evaluation in research trial settings has shown significant beneficial health outcomes. However the literature search helped to identify criteria that form a potential checklist for any future development of a Vitamin D app for consumer use. Use of the modified MARS, with scores assigned for validated information quality criteria, identified two apps which were rated highly but with use restricted to medical teams, and seven apps focusing on dietary intake. Results: Nine apps were identified supporting some level of healthcare delivery and assigned MARS scores. Seven of these apps focused primarily on Vitamin D nutritional support. There were no high quality Vitamin D apps identified that could help consumers with decision on Vitamin D supplementation.

Current state of pharmacovigilance in the Arab and Eastern Mediterranean region: results of a 2015 survey.

This study describes the current state of pharmacovigilance systems in Arab and Eastern Mediterranean countries. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between May and September 2015. Data were gathered from a standardized online survey sent to pharmacovigilance leadership identified as the official national contact for the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring. In countries with no specified pharmacovigilance programme or leadership, Ministry of Health officers responsible for drug safety policies were invited to participate in the survey. The survey measured three domains of pharmacovigilance performance using indicators that were defined and assigned scores a priori: 10 structural, 10 process, and seven impact indicators. Total scores were assigned to each domain of indicators, and countries were compared depending on their total performance score. Complete responses were received from 20 countries (of 24 total), representing an 83% response rate. Approximately 20% (n=4) of respondents reported not having any pharmacovigilance programme in their country. In total, across the three primary pharmacovigilance performance domains, the mean score for the 20 countries in the survey was 28.9 [standard deviation(SD): 13.8] with a range from 4 to 48 (maximum possible score: 48). In the structural performance domain, which assessed the existence of key pharmacovigilance structures, systems and policies in each country, the mean score among respondents was 13.1 (SD: 5.7) and the scores ranged from 2 to 19 (maximum possible score: 19). In the process performance domain, which assessed the constellation of activities undertaken by pharmacovigilance programmes (including the collection, collation, analysis and evaluation of adverse drug event reports), the mean score among respondent countries was 9.1 (SD: 5.4) and the scores ranged from 0 to 17 (maximum possible score: 17). Finally, in the impact domain, which measured the scope of national efforts at promoting risk minimization and increasing awareness in use of potentially unsafe pharmaceutical products, the mean score was 6.8 (SD: 3.6) and scores ranged from 0 to 12 (maximum possible score: 12). The findings suggest wide disparities in pharmacovigilance systems in the region, underscoring the need for a multistakeholder effort in bolstering programme development and the necessity to build collaboration regionally and internationally to enhance capacity, improve public and healthcare provider awareness and assist in the development of pharmacovigilance systems still in their nascent stage.