Level Of Basic Knowledge Research Articles

Анализ состояния охраны труда и промышленной безопасности на АО «Разрез Колыванский»

A risk-oriented approach at hazardous production facilities is a part of critical measures to maintain the safety of the production environment affecting both human health and performance during the working process and to minimize accidents and production hazards. The objective assessment of all stages of the production process is an important aspect of the enterprise's activities. Enterprises should immediately introduce and implement comprehensive measures of production safety that must simultaneously minimize threats to human health (occupational risk assessment — the development and implementation of unified criteria of accident risk assessment) and prevention of potential hazards at each workplace in particular and at the enterprise in general (establishing the industrial safety culture and awareness of personal responsibility for the workflow safety, compliance with industrial safety requirements). The latter is the key principle as it concerns cross-industry integration, i.e., the basic level of knowledge and skills obtained during the learning process and the practical experience of working with industrial equipment, and specifics of the enterprise’s operation. The article provides the analysis of outcomes of work in the sphere of occupational and industrial safety at Razrez Kolavansky JSC with the application of a risk-oriented approach. At the same time, the impact of education (qualification) on injuries of the employees of Razrez has been considered.

Gambaran Pengetahuan Dasar Tentang Kriteria Seleksi Donor Pada Mahasiswa Kampus Megarezky, Makassar

Selection criteria for donors are important to know before conducting blood donation activities. The purpose of this research is to describe the level of basic knowledge of donor selection criteria among students at Megarezky Makassar campus. This research is a descriptive study aimed at describing the percentage of basic knowledge of blood donor selection criteria among students at Megarezky campus. Data were obtained through a questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The research was conducted in June 2024. The sample size in this research was 65 students from Megarezky Health Polytechnic and Megarezky University. The data were analyzed using SPSS data processing application. Descriptive analysis results from the 65 student respondents in this research show that the majority were female, 46 (70.8%), while the males were 19 (29.2%). The donor selection criteria include age, blood type, and knowledge level. Regarding the distribution of students' knowledge levels related to donor selection criteria, all respondents had good knowledge. Knowledge can be influenced by two factors: internal factors such as education level, occupation, and age, and external factors such as environment and culture. Future research should conduct further studies to understand the knowledge about blood donation and the interest in donating among students.

The Role of Differentiated Learning at English Language Classes to Develop Key Competencies of Students

Discusses the role of differentiated learning in English lessons for the development of key competencies of students, namely informative, social-communicative, as well as self-awareness and problem solving. The author defines the need for diagnostics at the beginning of the lesson in order to determine the level of basic knowledge and adjust the further learning process. Differentiation is gives opportunity to each child, motivates students to learn the language, allows them to achieve the goal of the lesson and make the learning process more effective. Differentiation can be achieved through the content of learning, the process and demonstration of results. Differentiated learning can contribute to the organization of learning at the reproductive, productive and creative levels, taking into account the individual characteristics to develop key competencies of students.

An overview of chemical fertilizers and their use in crops!

Chemical fertilizers are the essential ingredients in raising crops and increasing food production. Due to environmental changes and increasing food grains demand, chemical fertilizers are becoming one of the critical and scarce factors for assured crop production. The basic level of knowledge about chemical fertilizers needed by agricultural graduates, farmers and other concerned people has not been fulfilled so far although there have been many forays in this direction. The author hopes that this article succeeds in its mission of illustrating the basic information on chemical fertilizers to agriculture students, teachers, researchers, extension workers, farmers and all those related to agriculture.

Performance of ChatGPT on Factual Knowledge Questions Regarding Clinical Pharmacy.

ChatGPT is a language model that was trained on a large dataset including medical literature. Several studies have described the performance of ChatGPT on medical exams. In this study, we examine its performance in answering factual knowledge questions regarding clinical pharmacy. Questions were obtained from a Dutch application that features multiple-choice questions to maintain a basic knowledge level for clinical pharmacists. In total, 264 clinical pharmacy-related questions were presented to ChatGPT and responses were evaluated for accuracy, concordance, quality of the substantiation, and reproducibility. Accuracy was defined as the correctness of the answer, and results were compared to the overall score by pharmacists over 2022. Responses were marked concordant if no contradictions were present. The quality of the substantiation was graded by two independent pharmacists using a 4-point scale. Reproducibility was established by presenting questions multiple times and on various days. ChatGPT yielded accurate responses for 79% of the questions, surpassing pharmacists' accuracy of 66%. Concordance was 95%, and the quality of the substantiation was deemed good or excellent for 73% of the questions. Reproducibility was consistently high, both within day and between days (>92%), as well as across different users. ChatGPT demonstrated a higher accuracy and reproducibility to factual knowledge questions related to clinical pharmacy practice than pharmacists. Consequently, we posit that ChatGPT could serve as a valuable resource to pharmacists. We hope the technology will further improve, which may lead to enhanced future performance.

The Role of Legal Psychology in the Formation of Legal Culture in the Conditions of Military Operations

The article aims to determine the possibilities of improving students' legal culture formation by integrating legal psychology knowledge in times of war. Through testing and a formative experiment, the study confirms the hypothesis that integrating legal psychology positively impacts the formation of students' legal culture in war conditions. Students showed average indicators of legal culture criteria, which proves that young people as subjects of the law may deliberately violate the law and be prone to illegal behaviour, discrimination, etc. Such data indicate that the students under the study may be prone to criminal behaviour under unfavourable conditions, as they have a basic level of knowledge about the legal system, unstable motivation for legal behaviour, fragmented legal competencies, a predominant orientation towards stereotyped, patriarchal values of gender culture, and different types of personal self-determination in the system of patriarchal and egalitarian coordinates. It can be argued that the legal culture formation programme significantly impacts the formation of respect for human rights in the educational environment and reduces the propensity for illegal and non-violent behaviour.

State of physical education in urban and rural institutions of general secondary education

The quality of training of higher education students in specialty 014 «Secondary Education (Physical Education)» was and remains an important task of the state. The role of a highly qualified physical education teacher in general secondary education institutions is extremely important today. His professional formation begins even before entering a higher educational institution, namely in the walls of a gymnasium, a lyceum, when the motivation to choose a future profession is formed. However, experience shows that the school stage of training entrants to institutes (faculties) of physical culture is not used enough. First-year students have low physical preparedness, which, in turn, makes it difficult to acquire motor skills in various sports. The purpose of the research: studying the state of physical education in urban and rural institutions of general secondary education and determining its role in the training of future teachers. Research methods: analysis and generalization of educational and scientific literature, questionnaires, surveys. Results of the research. In the course of the study, it was found that the physical preparedness and motor skills of 36,4% of students who entered the first year of a higher educational institution in 2022 are insufficient for quality mastery of educational programs. The students did not possess the level of basic knowledge and skills in physical education that needed to be consolidated and improved within the walls of the lyceum, school, and on their basis to acquire new theoretical and methodical knowledge and form more complex skills in various sports. An anonymous questionnaire, in which 66 students took part (36 persons studied in the city, 24 - in the village, 6 - in urban-type settlements), made it possible to identify a number of reasons for insufficient professional preparation of the entrants to the Faculty of Physical Culture, Sports and Health. Conclusions. Among the reasons that slow down the process of obtaining programmatic learning outcomes by students in the specialty 014 «Secondary Education (Physical Education)» are violations in the system of organizing the educational process and methods of teaching sections of the physical education program in general secondary education institutions.

Determining knowledge of antimicrobial therapy in senior medical students (results of the KANT-IV project)

Objective. To determine the level of basic knowledge of 5–6-year medical students in the issues of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Materials and Methods. A multicenter questionnaire survey with analysis of results – stage of KANT project (full name of the project – «Physicians’ (Students’) knowledge in antimicrobials usage») conducted in 2020-2023. Results. A total of 277 students in 6 regions of Russia were surveyed. The average level of correct answers for the whole questionnaire amounted to 42.2%, taking into account the extended analysis of sub-items questions #8,9 – 42.6%. The respondents were best able to answer the questionnaire questions about the choice of time interval during which the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy is assessed (average level of completeness of the answer – 90.6%); the choice of the most rational action when diagnosing acute tonsillitis or pharyngitis at the appointment (average level of completeness of the answer – 57.8%); indication of the regimen of different AMD (average level of completeness of the answer – 55.2%). The worst results were recorded when answering the following questions: justification of the situation of prolongation of antimicrobial therapy (AMT) for more than 5-7 days in a patient with positive clinical dynamics in the treatment of outpatient pneumonia (average level of completeness of the answer – 19.5%), indication of AMD of choice in the therapy of various infections (average level of completeness of the answer – 22.9%), prescription of auxiliary drugs to the justified prescription of AMD in the treatment of respiratory tract infections (average level of completeness of the answer – 21.3%). Conclusions. Having researched the results of this study, we can conclude that the level of knowledge of senior medical students in rational antibiotic therapy is quite low. In this regard, according to the authors, it is necessary to allocate an additional number of academic hours in the disciplines of «Pharmacology», «Clinical Pharmacology», specialized therapeutic disciplines, to optimize the educational program, as well as to provide students with modern sources of information that relate to the topic of rational antimicrobial therapy.

Нерешённые вопросы в пиротехнической деятельности как объективная причина чрезвычайных происшествий

Purpose. Analysis of pyrotechnic activities various types, both licensed and unlicensed, supposes the need to assess modern requirements of regulatory documents governing the turnover of pyrotechnics in the country. How fully do they meet the requirements for the safe implementation of such activity for personnel, spectators, the surrounding infrastructure and exclude the causes of emergency incidents? Methods. The author has analyzed legal acts and regulatory documents governing the licensing of the production, storage and use of technical pyrotechnics, as well as the turnover of pyrotechnic products permitted for retail sale to the public. The causes of fires and explosions have been studied and summarized according to the sources of EMERCOM and mass media. Information from scientific sources on the basics of pyrotechnics has been analyzed. Findings. The imperfection of regulatory documents specific requirements for the conditions for carrying out pyrotechnic activities, training personnel and chiefs has been established. The main objective reasons for tragic incidents that have occurred over the past decades were identified: 1) legalized control loss over the turnover of pyrotechnics in the country; 2) lack of a unified set of rules for working with pyrotechnic materials for technical (professional) purposes; 3) the insufficient level of basic knowledge about pyrotechnic compositions and products based on them among personnel and chiefs of fireworks shows, as well as lack of licensing requirements for the education of the latter. The dangerous nature of the household pyrotechnics Internet sales through marketplace trading platforms is substantiated. Their specific violations of the Fire Regulations in the Russian Federation are indicated. Research application field. Measures are proposed in the field of pyrotechnic activities regulatory documents, state control in this area and retail trade in pyrotechnics. Conclusions. Pyrotechnic activity is a field of entrepreneurship where the conditions for licensing should not be weakened and there should not be chances for free wholesale and retail trade for anyone without any restrictions. Real state control should not be absent here, even for a temporary period.

Impact of therapeutic education on the choice of renal replacement therapy. Moroccan monocentric experience

Therapeutic patient education (TPE) is gaining importance in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this study is to assess the interest of TPE in the acquisition of knowledge concerning CKD and renal replacement therapy, as well as the orientation of the patients towards a personalized choice of treatment. Patients with a minimum stage 4 CKD were prospectively included between November 2016 and February 2020. We proposed TPE sessions on CKD and its treatment to all patients. We explained the theoretical part through a slideshow about the definition of end-stage renal disease, its symptoms and the various methods of renal replacement therapy. A “basket” of essential material to illustrate a session of hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) was used to achieve the practical part of the study. Data was collected using two questionnaires: the first one, at the start of the session, included the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients and evaluated their level of basic knowledge, and the second one, at the end of the session, assessed the evolution of knowledge after TPE, leading to a therapeutic choice. The mean age of the 211 included patients was 55.59 years old (SD=15.47). Male to female ratio was 0.73. The level of education was low in 69% of the cases of whom 23.7% were employees. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was between 15 and 30mL/min in 56.8% of the cases. Initial nephropathy was known in 60% of patients while the stage of CKD was unknown in 66.4%. Before TPE, patients with a good level of overall knowledge were around 29%, rising to 73% after TPE. A significant correlation was found between the level of education of the patients and their knowledge score before and after TPE. The choice of renal replacement therapy was taken for PD, TR and HD respectively in 36%, 19% and 11.8% of the cases, while 33.2% asked for time to think. Elderly and/or low educated patients most often remained undecided; moreover those who are young and/or educated prefer TR. During the follow-up period, 46% of patients started renal replacement therapy (36.5% started HD, 8.1% PD and 1.4% KT). The choice made by our patients was respected in 42% of the cases: in all the patients who chose HD; in 36% of those who chose PD, and 19% of those who chose kidney transplantation (KT). The final therapeutic modality was strongly linked to the following parameters: age, GFR and level of education. This study highlighted the insufficient level of patients’ information about CKD and its treatment and allowed the patients to express their choice of their replacement therapy, which is a complicated process that must ­integrate the opinion of the nephrologist and the patient’s preference to lead to an ­optimal organization of the therapeutic modality.

Sustainable development goal four (SDG 4) in Ghana: Can second cycle school libraries play a role?

School libraries have a strong commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) four. The United Nations SDG four aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Librarians are in the right position to foster the attainment of the SDGs. Therefore, this study sought to investigate how school libraries in high schools attain SDG four at the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, Benkum Senior High School, and Kwabenya Senior High School. This study was guided by the Partnership Relationships Model. This study adopted a quantitative approach and survey research design to select 257 out of the total population of 2574 using a stratified sampling method. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The study found that most respondents had a basic level of knowledge of what constitutes SDG four. The Chi-square test showed that there is a relationship between school libraries and SDG four in Kwabenya Senior High School, unlike in Presbyterian and Benkum Senior High Schools. The findings can be explained by the fact that in Kwabenya, the school library plays a critical role by supporting teaching and learning in schools, but in Presbyterian and Benkum, school libraries only provide training for teachers and learners. The study concluded that it is important for school management to assist the school library through the provision of training and supporting teaching and learning to learners in attaining SDG four with available resources. The study recommended the following, awareness creation of SDG four through workshops, provision of training, and enhancement of collection to support the teaching and learning of learners.

Teachers’ basic knowledge level of STEM education

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a transdisciplinary approach. It aims to bring 21st-century skills to students. It is important whether teachers, who have an important place in the development of students, have knowledge that will affect students' STEM teaching. This study aims to examine the basic knowledge level of the teachers on STEM education. The descriptive method was used in the research. The study was conducted with 319 science, mathematics and information technologies teachers in the public middle schools in Turkey. “The STEM Basic Knowledge Test” was used to collect data. The first seven items of the STEM Basic Knowledge Test consist of demographic information and twenty-eight items. These items measure the basic knowledge level of STEM education. The statistical package program was used to analyze the collected data. In the study, it was determined that the STEM basic knowledge level of the teachers was 66%. Moreover, the basic knowledge level of the teachers in STEM showed a significant difference in terms of gender, teaching experience, technology use, and participation in a program such as a STEM seminar. However, there was no significant difference in terms of discipline and highest qualification of the teachers. Recommendations include encouraging teachers to participate in STEM training programs and giving courses on STEM education at the postgraduate level.

SECONDARY EDUCATION TEACHERS' VIEWS ON ISSUES RELATED TO WASTEWATER AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

This research investigated the views of secondary education teachers in Greece regarding waste management. A questionnaire was administered to 332 in-service secondary education teachers from various specialties to collect data on their views related to their ability and willingness to implement waste management topics, knowledge of waste management terms, and prioritization of waste management actions. The findings revealed that secondary education teachers expressed a moderate to low level of ability to implement educational activities related to waste management, with a wide distribution of views. They express that they felt more confident in implementing Environmental Education Programs (EEP) related to solid waste management than wastewater management. Teachers showed interest in participating in and organizing environmental programs, particularly for solid waste management. While teachers demonstrated a moderate level of basic knowledge of waste management, their understanding varied across different topics. Some terms were well-known, while others were less familiar. Teachers had a limited understanding of waste management principles and struggled to correctly prioritize waste management actions, with a significant percentage prioritizing recycling over waste minimization. These findings highlight the need for further education and training for secondary education teachers in Greece regarding waste management and environmental education. Improvements are necessary to bridge the gap between teachers' knowledge and understanding of waste management principles. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating waste management topics into teacher education programs and providing ongoing professional development opportunities. This research contributes to the literature by identifying areas for improvement in environmental education practices among secondary education teachers in Greece. The findings provide insights for curriculum development and teacher training programs. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of environmental education initiatives aimed at enhancing teachers' knowledge and understanding of waste management principles.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0015/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Acceptance and Refusal Rates for Stem Cell Transplantation and Donation among Saudi Females

Background: The major obstacle to stem cell transplantation (SCT) therapy is finding a matching family donor. In Saudi Arabia, 60% of pediatrics and 30% of adult patients cannot find a matching donor in their family. Little evidence has been published worldwide to assess women’s acceptance of SCT, and so this research analyzed awareness of SCT and the acceptance and refusal rates for stem cell donation among Saudi females.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with females living in Saudi Arabia. Voluntary questionnaires of 20 multiple-choice questions consisting of demographics, knowledge, and acceptance and refusal rates for SCT and donation were randomly distributed across social media platforms.
 Results: A total of 474 ‎participants completed the questionnaire. Participants showed low levels of basic knowledge regarding SCT: 20.9% gave the correct answer for stem cell sources, 27.6% were aware of SCT centers, and 36.9% were aware of the possible factors affecting the success of SCT. A low percentage (1.3%) of respondents were registered at the Saudi Stem Cell Donor Registry (SSCDR). The internet and social media, in particular, were the major sources of knowledge for half the participants. Interestingly, even though some participants expressed concerns, three-quarters stated their acceptance of SCT and donation, especially if there is a need.
 Conclusion: The females’ lack of knowledge about SCT and concerns about stem cell donation may contribute to the shortage of donor availability, suggesting a need to increase the level of awareness and motivation, particularly via health professionals.

HOTS-based language assessment literacy: Challenges and prospects in English language teaching

The issues of inaccurate and invalid language assessment were mainly due to teachers’ lower level of assessment literacy and teachers' inadequate skills to design higher-order thinking skills (henceforth HOTS) based language assessments. Thus, this paper aims to mainly portray teachers’ HOTS-based language assessment literacy in English language teaching (ELT) classrooms after they participated in training on HOTS-based language assessment. A case study was employed, and forty-three ELT teachers from secondary schools voluntarily participated in the current study. Some of them were interviewed, and the test items they constructed were analyzed to examine if their HOTS-based language assessment literacy was reflected in the quality of the test items. The findings showed that ELT teachers who engaged in training gained the basic level of knowledge and comprehension of HOTS-based language assessment. However, their knowledge and comprehension are not parallel with their skills in constructing HOTS-based test items. The paper ends with recommendations for the stakeholders (school principals, educational authorities, and training providers) responsible for designing future training programs to enhance ELT teachers' language assessment literacy.

Sustainable wine tourism as a diversification strategy: a different approach in a rural cooperative

Research methodology Strategic management is the focus area in this case study, so it is important to consider different sources of information to make strategic decisions. Considering the different options of Wine Cooperative of Vidigueira Cuba & Alvito (ACVCA), it is necessary to know the strengths and weaknesses of each option and identify respective opportunities and threats. Additionally, it is important to know the case study object (such as operating specific characteristics, products and management model); the competition; the evolution of the wine sector in Portugal and worldwide; the evolution of the tourism sector in Portugal and worldwide; and new trends in wine and tourism. Case overview/synopsis In January 2018, Mr Jose, leader of the Board of Directors (BD) of the ACVCA, one of Portugal’s oldest wine cooperatives, located in the south of the country, in the Alentejo region, is preparing the first meeting with the newly elected BD. Addressing the strategy and sustainability for the next term of the BD is mandatory! Mr Jose will have to open the game and lift the veil. Should all their eggs be put in one basket? Or could diversification be the way? Sustainability, in its three pillars (economic, environmental and social), is mandatory, never forgetting that the cooperators want respective income guaranteed. “We can’t risk everything”, thinks Mr Jose! But ACVCA’s affirmation undoubtedly depends on its ability to take risks, to innovate and seek new answers for new audiences! The BD will have to make decisions that lead not only to the affirmation of the brand but also to its renown and to the ACVCA’s sustainable growth. There are several possible options. However, it is necessary to define a path that guarantees the stability achieved, but that allows new markets to be reached and new challenges embraced: increase production capacity, invest in internationalisation, focus on segmentation through innovation, diversification of product or diversification of business area. Wine tourism is a possible way, but how can it be done sustainably and differently? We will have to use creativity and take advantage of our strengths, traditions and customs, intangible and tangible capital and our material and immaterial heritage. It can be done through Amphora wine, produced from its exclusive centuries-old grape varieties. These issues will have to be discussed with all the BD members in the next meeting. Considering the crucial role of cooperatives in the development of the regions where they are located, the success of the strategy is extremely important not only for ACVCA, but also for all its stakeholders. Strategic management decisions in a cooperative always have a double objective: on the one hand, to satisfy the interests of the cooperators and, at the same time, to meet the interests of the market and assert its positioning in an increasingly competitive sector. Complexity academic level This case study is intended for:▪ undergraduate students in management, agricultural economy and tourism;▪ executive management course students;▪ Master’s students in strategy, marketing, tourism and agricultural economy; and▪ PhD students in social economy and tourism.This case can have different levels of difficulty depending on the scientific area of the students and whether the cycle of studies is more or less advanced. Resolution of the case may require the following pre-requisites:▪ basic-level knowledge on statistics;▪ medium-level knowledge on managerial accounting, economics and finance; and▪ good level of knowledge on strategic management and on cooperativism theories.

ПАВЛОДАР ҚАЛАСЫНЫҢ ДАРЫНДЫ БАЛАЛАРҒА АРНАЛҒАН МУЗЫКАЛЫҚ МЕКТЕП-ИНТЕРНАТЫНЫҢ БІЛІМ АЛУШЫЛАРЫНДА «ТӨҢКЕРІЛГЕН СЫНЫП» ОҚЫТУ МОДЕЛІН ПАЙДАЛАНУДЫҢ ТИІМДІЛІГІН БАҒАЛАУ

This article presents the results of a study to assess the use of modern technology of mixed learning – the "Inverted Classroom" model, which was used in teaching the subject of biology to students of a boarding music school for gifted children in Pavlodar. The study involved 31 students of two ninth grades. During the experiment, two groups were formed: experimental and control. The "Inverted Class" model has proven to be a very successful experience of gaining knowledge on the subject being studied and consolidating the acquired skills. The analysis of the experiment showed that the students 100% cope with the tasks of the basic level of knowledge, understanding and application. However, the children who studied in the experimental class cope much better with high-order skills. 88.2% of students were able to complete tasks requiring analysis in the experimental class, and 64.2% in the control class. 76.4% of students completed synthesis tasks in the experimental class, and 57.1% of students completed the control class. According to the results of the research work, inverted learning allowed students not only to learn new material at a pace convenient for them and exercise self-control before the lesson, but also improved student academic performance and increased the quality of knowledge by 17%.

DIFFICULTIES FACED BY EFL TEACHERS IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO THE STUDENTS IN RURAL SCHOOLS

Teaching English in rural schools has been a complicated process for EFL teachers. Therefore, this article devoted to investigating the challenges faced by the teachers in teaching English to the students in rural schools. Most of the teachers encounter challenges in teaching English to the students in rural schools since many students show their dislike in learning English. Moreover, various factors such as poor parental support, lack of students’ and parents’ support, lack of learning or teaching materials at schools, both students’ and parents’ negative attitude towards learning English, lack of motivation and proper guidance, lack of interest in learning English, poor learning environment, poor family background and lower level of basic knowledge in English which contribute to the challenges faced by the teachers in teaching English at rural schools.

Development and validation of an instrument for measuring junior nurses’ recognition and response abilities to clinical deterioration (RRCD)

BackgroundNurses of all levels are expected to be competent in managing clinical deterioration. Given their limited experience and basic-level knowledge, there is a concern about junior nurses' clinical and patient management skills. However, junior nurses’ abilities to recognise and respond to clinical deterioration have not been adequately explored because of the absence of a comprehensive tool. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop a new self-assessment scale to assess the junior nurses’ recognition and response abilities to clinical deterioration and to examine its reliability and validity. MethodsScale items were based on literature reviews and interviews. The preliminary scale was generated through two rounds of expert review. A panel of five experts evaluated content validity. After a pilot study, the questionnaire was distributed to 168 junior nurses via convenience sampling. Subsequent statistical analysis of results included construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability. ResultsSix factors were included, and 69.310% of the total variance was explained by the 25 items comprising the scale. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.905 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.812–0.979) for the overall scale and 0.655–0.838 for its subscales. The Guttman split-half reliability was 0.856 (95% CI: 0.806–0.894). The test–retest reliability of the scale was 0.878 (95% CI: 0.836–0.911). ConclusionWe developed a scale for measuring the abilities of junior nurses to recognise and respond to clinical deterioration and confirmed its reliability and validity. More experimental studies are needed to further evaluate this instrument.

Basic COVID-19 knowledge according to education level and country of residence: Analysis of twelve countries in Latin America.

IntroductionKnowing a disease is crucial for being able to fight it, especially in a region in which COVID-19 caused so many deaths, such as Latin America.ObjectiveTo determine the association between basic knowledge of COVID-19 and education level according to country of residence in Latin America.MethodologyThis is an analytical cross-sectional study. Basic level of knowledge was measured through nine close-ended questions (scale validated in Peru). The score obtained was analyzed through performing a crosstab vs. gender, age, education level, and country of residence.ResultsOf a total of 9,222 respondents, almost all of them knew the common symptoms (99%), modes of transmission (93%), and knew how to recognize which was not a specific symptom (93%). Through the multivariate model, we found that there was no association with gender (p = 0.716) or age (p = 0.059), in comparison with those who had primary or a lower education level. All the other higher education levels had statistically significant scores (all p-values p < 0.001). When comparing knowledge according to countries, and using Peru as reference for comparison, Chile, Paraguay, Mexico, Bolivia, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Colombia had a better level of knowledge (all p-values < 0.001); however, only El Salvador had a lower level (p < 0.001).DiscussionThere was lack of knowledge of some topics, difference according to academic degree and country. As Peru was one of countries that obtained the lowest level of knowledge, it could have influenced the fact that it was the most affected country in the world.