Good Prevention Practices Research Articles

Mothers' knowledge, attitude and home management of diarrhoea among children under five years old in Lagos, Nigeria.

BackgroundDiarrhoea is a leading cause of death among children under five years old globally. It remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among this age group in Nigeria. Using simple home management, mothers play important roles in the prevention and control of diarrhoea among these children.AimThis study aimed to assess mothers’ knowledge, attitude and practice in the prevention and home management of diarrhoeal diseases among children under five years old in Lagos, Nigeria.SettingThis study was conducted within the communities of Kosofe local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using EPI info version 7.2.1. Chi-square statistic was used to test the association between variable at the level of significance of 5%.ResultsA total of 360 respondents participated in this study. The mean age of the respondents was 32.5 ± 5.5 years. About 59.2% of respondents had good knowledge, 59.2% of them had positive attitude, and 53.1% of them had good practice towards prevention and home management of diarrhoea. Age (p = 0.007), occupation (p = 0.008) and level of education (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with practice of home management of diarrhoea among children under five years old.ConclusionEducated, employed, and married mothers were more likely to have good prevention and home management practices towards diarrhoea in their children under five years old.

Cancers preventive practice and the determinants in Amhara regional state, Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundCancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. In Ethiopia, 5.8% of deaths are attributed to cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the cancers preventive practice and associated factors in North West Ethiopia, 2019.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Bahir Dar city residents. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 845 study participants. Data were collected through a validated interviewer administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was adapted from the American cancer association cancer prevention toolkit. Descriptive statistics were computed and presented in charts and texts. The model fitness was checked using Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit (P > 0.05). Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with cancer preventive practice. A p-value < 0.2 at bivariate analysis was candidate variables for multivariable logistic regression analysis. Finally, p-value of < 0.05 was considered as a statistically significant predictor for cancer preventive practice at the 95% confidence interval.ResultA total of 845 study participants took part in the study. Nearly 63% of the respondents were females. About 28% (95%CI: 24, 30) of the study participants had good preventive practice. Age ≥ 45 years (AOR = 0.31; 95%CI: 0.15, 0.62), female (AOR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.35, 0.71) family member with cancer (AOR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.62) and had good knowledge (AOR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.14, 2.42) were the identified determinants of cancer preventive practices.ConclusionThis study revealed that the level of cancer preventive practices was low. Family member with cancer, knowledge about cancer, older age, and being female were significantly associated with cancer preventive practices. This finding underscores the importance of interventions to enhance cancer preventive practices.

Factors associated with prevention practices against COVID-19 in the Peruvian population: Disparities between rural and urban areas.

ObjectiveTo determine the factors associated with prevention practices against COVID-19 in the Peruvian population according to rural vs. urban locations.MethodsAnalytical cross-sectional study, secondary analysis based on a previously collected database. A sample of individuals over 18 years of age, residing in Peru and with no history of COVID-19was evaluated. Factors associated with prevention practices were evaluated using Poisson regressions with variance adjustment by region cluster and stratified by rurality.ResultsOf 3231 participants included, 2741 (84.8%) were from urban areas and 490 (15.2%) from rural areas. The frequency of good prevention practices against COVID-19 was 27.8% in our total sample. In urban areas the frequency of good prevention practices was 28.8% and in rural areas it was 22.5%. Factors associated with prevention practices against COVID-19 in both urban and rural areas were male sex (urban: aPR 0.64, 95%CI 0.55–0.75; rural: aPR 0.66, 95%CI 0.54–0.80) and self-considering adequately carrying out prevention practices (urban: aPR 2.48, 95%CI 2.13–2.89; rural: aPR 2.70, 95%CI 2.27–3.19).ConclusionThe frequency of good prevention practices against COVID-19 was less than 30% in both urban and rural areas. There are differences in the factors associated with good preventive practice against COVID-19. Only sex and considering that preventive measures were adequately carried out were associated with good prevention practices in both areas. In view of this, prevention measures should be promoted taking into account cultural principles and considering geographical location in the face of present and future outbreaks or pandemics.

Rabies prevention practices and associated factors among household heads in Bure Zuria district, North West Ethiopia.

Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that can occur in all warm blooded animals including humans. Vaccinating dogs can protect people from contracting rabies. Despite the availability of effective human and animal rabies vaccines, rabies prevention and control efforts are inadequate. The aim of the study was to determine the level of rabies prevention practices and associated factors among household heads in Bure Zuria district, North-west Ethiopia. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted at Bure Zuria from June 1 to 30, 2020. A total of 609 participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. Simple and multiple binary logistic regressions were applied to identify associated factors of rabies prevention practices. Of 609 participants, 413 (67.8%) were male and 289 (47.5%) were 30–45 years old. The level of good prevention practices of rabies at Bure Zuria district was 43.3%. Being males (AOR = 2.69 (1.72–4.22)), age group 18–29 years (AOR = 2.70 (1.20–6.10)), ever bitten by dog, (AOR = 2.40 (1.56–3.68)), got training (AOR = 1.70 (1.08–2.68)), had dog (AOR = 2.92 (1.62–5.26)), with good knowledge AOR (95% CI) = 3.42 (2.19–5.32), with good attitude AOR (95% CI) = 1.78 (1.16–2.73) and have 1001–2000 AOR (95% CI) = 2.29 (1.39–3.79) and > 2000 AOR (95% CI) = 2.02 (1.28–3.18)) monthly income were more likely to have good prevention practices of rabies. In this study, we found that the level of good prevention practices of rabies was low in Bure Zuria district. Therefore; awareness creation trainings and multi-sectoral collaborations to prevent rabies are needed in the district, zone and at large region level.

Level of dengue preventive practices and associated factors in a Malaysian residential area during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundDengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is endemic in more than 100 countries and has the highest incidence among infectious diseases in Malaysia. The increase of dengue fever cases during the COVID-19 pandemic and the movement control order (MCO) highlighted the necessity to assess the dengue preventive practices among the population. Thus, this study aimed to determine the level of dengue preventive practices and its associated factors among residents in a residential area in Johor, Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 respondents from a Johor residential area between May and June 2021. A validated self-administered questionnaire was created using google forms and distributed to the respondents via WhatsApp. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: (i) Sociodemographic characteristics and history of dengue fever, (ii) dengue preventive practices, and (iii) six constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM). The association between the dependent and independent variables were examined using multiple logistic regression with a significant level set at less than 0.05.ResultAbout half of the respondents have a good level of dengue preventive practices. Respondents with a history of dengue fever (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1–4.2, p = 0.033), low perceived susceptibility (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0, p = 0.018), high self-efficacy (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.8, p = 0.045), and high cues to take action (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5–4.2, p < 0.001) had higher odds of practicing good dengue preventive measures.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a moderate level of dengue preventive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, a stronger dengue control programme is recommended by focusing on cues to take action, self-efficacy, and recruiting those with a history of dengue fever to assist health authorities in promoting good dengue preventive practices in the community.

Stroke Related Knowledge, Prevention Practices and Associated Factors Among Hypertensive Patients at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.

IntroductionStroke is a global health problem, causing significant morbidities and mortalities in both developing and developed countries. Patients living with chronic diseases like hypertension are at a high risk of stroke. Approximately 80% of strokes could be prevented with necessary preventive practices. There is scarce evidence in the preventive practices in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge and prevention practices related to stroke among hypertensive patients at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 hypertensive patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 1st to June 30th, 2021. The study participants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. A semi-structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was entered into EPI Info version 7.2.1 and analyzed with SPSS version 23.0. Binary logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify associated factors. The level of significance was determined using the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% CI at a p-value of 0.05.ResultsParticipants in this study had adequate knowledge of stroke and good prevention practices in 40.7% (95% CI: 35.9, 45.5) and 51.7% (95 CI: 46.8, 56.5) of cases, respectively. Attending secondary education and above 4.6 (95% CI: 2.08, 10.17), knowing someone who has had a stroke 13.17 (95% CI: 7.3, 23.77), and physical activity 4.05 (95% CI: 2.23, 7.36) were all significantly associated with adequate stroke knowledge. Furthermore, educational status (attending primary education 2.61 (95% CI: 1.44, 4.73) and secondary education and above 3.75 (95% CI: 1.99, 7.05), being an urban dweller 9.65 (95% CI: 5.04, 18.44), duration of hypertension 1.9 (95% CI: 1.15, 3.14), knowing someone with a stroke 2.27 (95% CI: 1.30, 3.93), and physical activity 1.76 (95% CI: 1.03, 3.01) were associated with good stroke prevention practices.ConclusionThe proportion of participants with good-related knowledge and prevention practice is relatively good.

Knowledge, attitude, practice, and factors associated with prevention practice towards COVID-19 among healthcare providers in Amhara region, northern Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Healthcare providers (HCPs) are at an increased risk of getting COVID-19 as a result of their front-line works. Health behaviors of HCPs can influence prevention and control actions implemented in response to the pandemic. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) and factors associated with prevention practice towards COVID-19 among healthcare providers in Amhara region, northern Ethiopia. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 HCPs in selected public health facilities of Amhara region, between 20th September and 20th October 2020. Data related to HCP's KAP and socio-demographic characteristics were collected using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Bloom's cut-off ≥ 80%, ≥90%, and ≥75% was used to determine adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and good prevention practice, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSSS version 25.0. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors significantly associated with COVID-19 prevention practice. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value of < 0.05 and the presence of association was described using odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). Overall, 368 (89.8%), 387 (94.4%), and 326 (79.5%) HCPs had adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and good prevention practice towards COVID-19, respectively. Factors significantly associated with good COVID-19 prevention practice were being a Nurse in profession (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.13-3.99), having < 5 years of working experience (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.24-0.86), using social media (AOR = 6.20, 95% CI = 2.33-16.51) and television and or radio (AOR = 4.03, 95% CI = 1.56-10.38) as sources of COVID-19 information. HCPs had adequate knowledge, positive attitude and good prevention practice towards COVID-19. Being a Nurse, having < 5 years of working experiences, using social media and television and or radio were factors associated with good prevention practice. Thus, developing HCP's professional carrier through training opportunities, sharing experiences and using verified information sources are crucial to better improve COVID-19 prevention practice.

Are ninth-grade students aware and prepared when disaster strikes?

Awareness and preparedness are good preventive practices that can lessen the impacts of natural and man-made hazards. This descriptive cross-sectional study ascertained the extent of awareness and preparedness of ninth-grade students in terms of natural hazards and man-made disasters. The study involved 103 respondents in two public secondary schools in Zambales, Philippines. The study found out that the students have a high self-reported awareness of the different disasters, and they assessed themselves to be often prepared for the occurrences of the different disasters. The students’ disaster awareness had a significant moderate correlation with disaster preparedness. The study recommends that the students be exposed to several disaster awareness and preparedness programs to develop their understanding and preventive practices. The students' awareness of several disasters may be sustained and enhanced through various media like audio-visual presentations, posters, and IEC (information, education, and communication) materials. As students become more aware of disasters, they become more prepared for disasters. Hence, the environmental education curriculum can accentuate disaster science and management teaching to young learners as they are crucial actors in disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation

COVID-19 and Adolescents of Chengalpattu District: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: COVID-19 is a potential public health concern which was identified and declared as public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation. Objective: To assess the knowledge and standard COVID-19 preventive practicing methods followed during pandemic among adolescents in the urban areas of Chengalpattu district. Methods: A Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among the adolescents (10 years to 19 years) in urban field practising areas of a tertiary care private hospital during the second COVID wave. Data were collected through simple random sampling technique from 170 adolescents in the sampled households through face-to-face interview of respondents. Statistical analysis done using institutional licensed IBM-SPSS version 21.0 software. Results: Majority of the study participants 53.5% were between the ages of 15 and 19. Of the participants, 52.4% were perusing their higher/higher secondary education. Female respondents were 51.8% in the present study. 67% had good knowledge regarding the corona virus and 82% had good COVID-19 preventive practice during the pandemic. Conclusion: Lack of equivalent knowledge emphasises the need of educating the younger community about the novel virus. Appropriate measures to improve COVID-19 knowledge should be taken by relevant stakeholders in view of yielding equilibrium between preventive practice and knowledge so that the disease will be eradicated in near future.

COVID-19 Prevention Practices Among Prisoners, in Southern Ethiopia.

BackgroundCoronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease with high attack and case fatality rate. Since WHO’s declaration of disease as pandemic in March 2020, the unprecedented global crises have been happening. To curb and reduce such crises, multi-dimensional international efforts have been made, particularly, infection prevention measures has been developed. However, there was a wide gap of implementing COVID-19 prevention measures from rural to urban, from institution to institution and from person to person. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the level of prevention practice towards COVID 19 and associated factors in prison, in Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study using quantitative method of data collection was conducted in November, 2020 among 422 prisoners in two prisons. Data were collected by trained nurses using structured questionnaires. We analyzed data using SPSS version 24 software. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with prevention practices of COVID-19.ResultsMore than one-fifth (22%; 95% CI: 19%, 26%) of respondents had good preventive practice. Participants who had a history of alcohol intake were 1.79 times less likely to implement good preventive practice for COVID-19 (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI; 1.09, 2.93). The respondents who had negative attitude towards COVID-19 infection were 1.69 times more likely to have poor prevention practice (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.81).Conclusion and RecommendationIn this study, COVID-19 prevention practice among prisoners was very low. Negative attitude and previous alcohol taking history were factors associated with poor prevention practice. Accordingly, the researchers recommends to the concerned body to design educational intervention to change the attitude towards COVID-19 and other infectious diseases and behaviors of the prisoners.

Pressure injury prevention practice and associated factors among nurses at Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital, South Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThe prevention of pressure injury is of great importance in providing quality care to patients, as it has been reported that approximately 95% of all pressure injury are preventable. Nurses...

Variation Across Hospitals in In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Incidence Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Although survival for in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) has improved substantially over the last 2 decades, survival rates have plateaued in recent years. A better understanding of hospital differences in IHCA incidence may provide important insights regarding best practices for prevention of IHCA. To determine the incidence of IHCA among Medicare beneficiaries, and evaluate hospital variation in incidence of IHCA. This observational cohort study analyzes 2014 to 2017 data from 170 hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation registry, linked to Medicare files. Participants were adults aged 65 years and older. Statistical analysis was performed from January to December 2021. Case-mix index, teaching status, and nurse-staffing. Hospital incidence of IHCA among Medicare beneficiaries was estimated as the number of IHCA patients divided by the total number of hospital admissions. Multivariable hierarchical regression models were used to calculate hospital incidence rates adjusted for differences in patient case-mix and evaluate the association of hospital variables with IHCA incidence. Among a total of 4.5 million admissions at 170 hospitals, 38 630 patients experienced an IHCA during 2014 to 2017. Among the 38 630 patients with IHCAs, 7571 (19.6%) were non-Hispanic Black, 26 715 (69.2%) were non-Hispanic White, and 16 732 (43.3%) were female; the mean (SD) age at admission was 76.3 (7.8) years. The median risk-adjusted IHCA incidence was 8.5 per 1000 admissions (95% CI, 8.2-9.0 per 1000 admissions). After adjusting for differences in case-mix index, IHCA incidence varied markedly across hospitals ranging from 2.4 per 1000 admissions to 25.5 per 1000 admissions (IQR, 6.6-11.4; median odds ratio, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.44-1.58]). Among hospital variables, a higher case-mix index, higher nurse staffing, and teaching status were associated with a lower hospital incidence of IHCA. This cohort study found that the incidence of IHCA varies markedly across hospitals, and hospitals with higher nurse staffing and teaching status had lower IHCA incidence rates. Future studies are needed to better understand processes of care at hospitals with exceptionally low IHCA incidence to identify best practices for cardiac arrest prevention.

Cross-sectional community-based assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices on tuberculosis in Osun State, South-west, Nigeria.

Tuberculosis (TB) has continued to be a global public health issue, especially in developing countries, where Nigeria accounts for 4% of the global TB burden. However, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals targets for 2030, there is a need for adequate and robust awareness campaigns to ensure that individuals in the communities are aware of the total TB program package. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards TB of the residents of two communities affected by the TB scourge in Osun State, Nigeria. An interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the WHO-KAP study guide was employed, and the data generated were analysed using the SPSS statistical package. A total of 280 respondents participated in the study comprising 162 (57.9%) males and 118 (42.1%) females, a large percentage of the respondents (273/97.5%) know about TB and know that anybody can be infected (63.6%). However, in this study, we obtained the following KAP scores: overall good knowledge of TB: 60% (Iwo- 54.7% and Ikire-65.2%), overall good attitude towards TB: 50% (Iwo- 53.3% and Ikire- 46.7%) and overall good TB preventive practices 65.2% (Iwo- 66.6% and Ikire- 63.8%). Ikire respondents were significantly more knowledgeable than Iwo respondents (p=.002), while Iwo respondents had better TB attitudes than Ikire respondents (p=.03). Predictors of good KAP scores were accommodation type, education, age and main source of income of respondents. This study assessed the level of community TB-KAP and reinforced the need for a more robust awareness campaign for better TB health service utilisation.

COVID-19 infection prevention practices among a sample of food handlers of food and drink establishments in Ethiopia.

Cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world, including Ethiopia. Food handlers in food and drink establishments are at high risk of exposure to the virus due to their many daily contacts with customers. Since there is a paucity of evidence about infection prevention practices and associated factors among this high-risk group in Ethiopia including in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town, this study was designed to address this gap. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 food handlers in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town food and drink establishments in July and August 2020. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected by trained data collectors using a pretested structured questionnaire and an on-the-spot observational checklist. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to STATA version 14.0 for data cleaning and analysis. Data were analyzed using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model at 95% confidence interval (CI). From the bivariable analysis, variables with a p-value <0.25 were retained into multivariable analysis. Finally, variables that had a p-value <0.05 were declared as factors significantly associated with good infection prevention practices of COVID-19 among food handlers. The overall rate of good practice in infection prevention among food handlers was 43.9% (95% CI: 39.2-48.4%). Among the total 401 food handlers, 79.8% had good knowledge and 58.4% had a favorable attitude about COVID-19 infection prevention. Factors significantly associated with good COVID-19 infection prevention practices were: educational status of college or above (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.32-3.75), food handling work experience greater than five years (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.43-5.77), availability of written guidelines within the food and drink establishment (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.52-4.75), and taking training about infection prevention (AOR = 3.26; 95% CI: 1.61-6.61). Our findings showed that around one-third of food handlers had good infection prevention practices. Thus, to reduce COVID-19 transmission, integrated work is urgently needed to further improve food handlers' good practices, knowledge and attitude about infection prevention through providing health education, training and by making written infection prevention guidelines available in food and drink establishments.

Assessing and addressing COVID-19 information needs via a weather application.

We describe implementation and usage of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) digital information hub delivered through the widely adopted The Weather Company (TWC) application and explore COVID-19 knowledge, behaviors, and information needs of users. TWC deployed the tool, which displayed local case counts and trends, in March 2020. Unique users, visits, and interactions with tool features were measured. In August 2020, a cross-sectional survey assessed respondent characteristics, COVID-19 knowledge, behaviors, and preferences. TWC COVID-19 hub averaged 1.97 million unique users with over 2.6 million visits daily and an average interaction time of 1.63 min. Respondents reported being knowledgeable about COVID-19 (92.3%) and knowing relevant safety precautions (90.9%). However, an average of 35.3% of respondents reported not increasing preventive practices across behaviors surveyed due to information about COVID-19. In conclusion, we find a free weather application delivered COVID-19 data to millions of Americans. Despite confidence in knowledge and best practices for prevention, over one-third of survey respondents did not increase practice of preventive behaviors due to information about COVID-19.

Knowledge and preventive practices against malaria among pregnant women in urban and rural public healthcare facilities in nigeria’s federal capital territory

Background: Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease, and pregnant women are at risk of its adverse consequences. Objectives: The study aimed to determine knowledge and preventive practices against malaria among pregnant women at urban and rural public health facilities in Abuja, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The two-stage sampling method was used to select 520 pregnant women in 16 health facilities. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software version 22.0, and the level of statistical significance was determined at P-value of less than 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 29.6±4.6 and 27.9±4.9 years in urban and rural areas, respectively (P≤0.001). A significantly higher proportion of women in the urban area (44.2%) had good knowledge of malaria than those in the rural area (26.2%) (P < 0.001). Comparable proportions of respondents in urban (13.1%) and rural (23.1%) areas had good preventive practices against malaria (P = 0.218). The predictor of good knowledge of malaria in the urban area was using secondary health facilities for antenatal care [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–4.4], whereas tertiary education (95% CI=1.1–2.3) and utilizing secondary health facilities (95% CI=1.2–2.8) were predictors in the rural area. Predictors of good preventive practice included being self-employed (95% CI=1.5–11.6) and having good knowledge of malaria (95% CI=1.3–6.4) in the urban area. Conclusion: Minor proportions of respondents in the study area had good knowledge of, and good preventive practices against, malaria. There is a need for relevant authorities to enlighten women on malaria and its preventive practices and to motivate them to practice malaria prevention throughout pregnancies.

Perception and attitude of clinical medical students to COVID-19 containment measures

Background: The strain put on the health systems by the COVID-19 pandemic is very significant. Measures of containment includes closure of schools, wearing of face mask, use of hand sanitizers, etc. Objectives: To determine the perception and attitude of clinical medical students to COVID-19 containment measures. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study which utilized an online survey protocol. A self-selecting sampling method was used to select students. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 20, Chicago (Ill., USA). Results: Medical students hazarded wearing of face mask 154(87.0%) and the use of hand sanitizers 59(89.8%) as the most useful containment measures against COVID-19 pandemic. Sixty six participants (37.3%) had good preventive practices. The age range of 20–25 years and male gender “disagreed” that government stoppage of medical education is an appropriate measure against COVID 19 pandemic. (p = 0.01, and 0.02, respectively). Only 10.2% of participants believed that the government is also affected by this containment measure. Age range of 20–25 years and being a catholic are predictors of good preventive practices (P = 0.05, and 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: A little proportion of medical students had good preventive practices against COVID-19. And a good proportion repudiated the policy of closure of schools during the pandemic. Factors such as male gender, and being within the 20–25 years age bracket were predictors of students’ rejection of the government’s policy on closure of schools as a containment measure for COVID pandemic.

Correlation between Preventive Practices Towards COVID-19 and its Knowledge Among Nursing Students

Background: Preventive practices towards COVID-19 and its knowledge among nursing students should be considered in the planning of effective educational interventions for COVID-19 pandemic and to increase awareness about the health risks brought about by the disease.Methods: A descriptive survey with quantitative approach was conducted among 330 B.Sc. Nursing students, by convenience sampling. An online data collection was carried out by sending the questionnaires through Google forms. The instruments were; Tool I- Section A – Socio-demographic data. Section B includes the Rating scale on Preventive practices towards COVID-19. Tool II- includes the questionnaire on Knowledge on preventive practices towards COVID-19. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0.Results: The study report shows that most of the 321(97%) nursing students were having good preventive practices towards COVID-19. Also, majority 310(94%) of them were having good knowledge on Preventive practices towards COVID-19. There was significant correlation between the preventive practices towards COVID-19 and its knowledge among B.Sc. Nursing students and the correlation coefficient is 0.287.Conclusion: The findings of this study have provided baseline information on the current status of preventive practices towards COVID-19 and its knowledge among B.Sc. Nursing students.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards Lightning in Bangladesh

Despite the significant number of fatalities and injuries, there is currently a lack of data on public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding lightning in Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards lightning in the country. A total of 1641 individuals participated in an online KAP survey. Where appropriate, the Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation, and logistic regression models were performed. About 65% of the survey population reported frequent lightning; most (72.64%) did not receive any warning messages, and small proportions (22.12%) had lightning safety precautions. Individuals with numerous lightning experiences perceived considerably unsafe places against lightning compared to infrequent lightning experiences (p &lt; 0.05). Respondents reported good knowledge (56.06%), positive attitudes (82.27%), and good preventive practices (72.33%). The logistic regression demonstrated that having good knowledge and positive attitudes can help people practice lightning safety. Females demonstrated better lightning attitudes and practices compared to males. In comparison to urban residents, rural residents had poor practices. In addition, individuals’ educational levels might also play a crucial role in preparing them for lightning. Overall, extensive lightning campaign activities combined with effective education are required for the behavioral changes in this lightning-vulnerable society.

Determinants of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards preventive measures of COVID-19 among adult residencies in Silte zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Introductioncoronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) is currently a global health threat and an international public health emergency. There is a strong need to reinforce community knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) to control the spread of the virus. The study aimed to identify the determinants of KAP towards preventive measures of COVID-19 among adult residencies.Methodsa community-based cross-sectional study design was employed in the communities of Silte zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 853 participants were selected using multistage stratified sampling technique. We used structured interview administered questionnaire. The KAP level was presented in descriptive and the associated variables conducted in binary logistic regression model.Resultsoverall, 81.7% had good knowledge, 78.4% had a positive attitude, and 43.9% had good practices. Being a female (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR): 2.3; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.6-3.3), age between “31-40” (AOR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1-3.8) and able to read and write (AOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.7-3.7) were significantly associated factors of good knowledge towards COVID-19. Being urban resident (AOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.6) was significantly associated variable with positive attitude towards COVID-19. Being a government employee (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.7), able to read and write (AOR: 4.5; 95% CI: 3-6.7) and having good knowledge regarding COVID-19 (AOR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.6-3.7) were significantly associated factors with good preventive practice towards COVID-19.Conclusionalarmingly low preventive practice towards COVID-19 pandemic was indicated. Therefore, health education and promotion programs aimed at mobilizing and improving COVID-19-related practice are urgently needed, especially for those who are illiterate, having rural residency, or generally among underprivileged populations.