Knowledge Of Chronic Disease Research Articles

Adolescents and parents' knowledge of chronic kidney disease: the potential of school-based education.

Preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), reducing the incidence of new dialysis patients, and increasing public awareness about CKD are pivotal in mitigating renal impairment. This study aimed to assess the relevance of kidney disease and CKD knowledge among junior high school students and their parents. A questionnaire survey on kidney function and CKD was conducted among students aged 14-15years and their parents (851 pairs). Parents were also asked about their age, sex, and participation in health checkups. The study achieved a collection rate of 49.1%, with a valid response rate of 79.7%. Both junior high school students and their parents exhibited limited knowledge about kidney functions, primarily understanding these functions only in terms of waste product excretion and lacking awareness of other functions. A significant positive correlation was observed in awareness of kidney functions between students and their parents. Regarding CKD awareness, only 2.4% of students and 16.5% of parents were knowledgeable about CKD itself, while 18.9% of students and 45.3% of parents were aware of its name only. Importantly, CKD knowledge among both students and parents was associated, with those aware of CKD also demonstrating better understanding of kidney functions. This study highlights inadequate knowledge among junior high school students and their parents regarding renal function and CKD. A significant correlation was observed in CKD awareness between students and their parents. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance public education and awareness about kidney health.

Physical activity interventions to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: a systematic review.

To review evidence regarding the impact of physical activity interventions for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. We searched for published reports of physical activity interventions for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes in Indigenous adults (18 years or older). There were no exclusion criteria regarding study type or duration, frequency, length, or intensity of physical activity, except that short term interventions were excluded. We assessed the quality of each study using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools and the ethical and methodological quality of studies from an Indigenous Australian perspective with the Centre of Research Excellence in Aboriginal Chronic Disease Knowledge Translation and Exchange (CREATE) Critical Appraisal Tool. MEDLINE; Scopus, Embase (Elsevier); Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Sports Discus, PsycINFO (EBSCO); Informit Complete; ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and ProQuest Health and Medicine; each from their inception to 30 October 2022. The database searches identified 703 potentially relevant records; after removing duplicates and initial screening, the full text of 27 articles was assessed for eligibility. Nine studies met our inclusion criteria: two randomised controlled trials, five cohort studies, one quasi-experimental study, and one repeated cross-sectional study. Eight studies were rated as being of low or medium quality (median JBI score, 54%; interquartile range [IQR], 36-64%); seven studies were rated as being of low to medium ethical and methodological quality from the Indigenous perspective (median CREATE score, 50%; IQR, 36-64%). Six studies reported changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, of which two (both cohort studies) reported significantly lower mean HbA1c levels after the intervention, but only one publication provided detailed results. No randomised controlled trials that investigated the effect of a combination of physical activity and dietary change for Indigenous Australians diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were identified. Differences in study design, outcome variables, and the small number of studies precluded meta-analysis. Quality research into the impact of physical activity interventions on type 2 diabetes in Indigenous people is sparse. To improve research translation, studies that involve Indigenous community members at all levels of the research process are needed. PROSPERO CRD42021247496 (prospective).

A scoping review of early childhood support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living with a disability in regional, rural and remote settings.

Many experts and communities have concerns about how National Disability Insurance Scheme services are provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait children. This study was undertaken at the request of the NPY Women's Council in partnership with the researchers, to explore supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living with a disability in their remote areas. This scoping review aims to (a) explore the barriers and enablers to accessing disability support services for families of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (0-8 years) living in regional, rural and remote settings, and (b) summarise best practice approaches for accessing support for young children in these settings. The search was run in three electronic databases, as well as grey literature sources. We assessed the quality of included publications using the Centre of Research Excellence in Aboriginal Chronic Disease Knowledge Translation and Exchange tool. A narrative synthesis was supported by thematic analysis. From an initial search (557 citations), we identified 13 eligible documents. Most documents were peer-reviewed articles of qualitative studies. Key themes identified included the following: (1) Holistic approach, (2) Understanding disability, (3) Consistent relationships, (4), Flexibility, (5) Simplify system and (6) Enhance communication. This scoping review has revealed gaps in the provision of quality, culturally responsive disability services for families of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. A family-centred, flexible approach will help address their needs. Future research is required to design and evaluate models of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Patients' Perspectives on the Acceptability and Effectiveness of a Community Health Worker-Led Intervention to Increase Chronic Kidney Disease Knowledge and Screening among Underserved Latine Adults: The CARE 2.0 Study.

In the United States, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects approximately 1 in 7 adults. Despite its significant impact, CKD awareness, education, and screening are often lacking among underserved Latine populations, leading to poorer health outcomes and higher mortality rates. Various studies highlight the crucial role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in improving health outcomes within minority communities both domestically and globally. However, there remains a gap in research on the acceptance and effectiveness of CHW-led interventions targeting CKD. This prospective intervention study employed a pre-post quasi-experimental design to evaluate a CHW-led educational program aimed at enhancing CKD knowledge, screening, and monitoring among Latines with low health literacy and English proficiency. CHWs utilized a culturally tailored CKD Flipchart, and 100 underserved patients received the intervention. Feedback from 85 participants who completed post-intervention surveys indicated high satisfaction with the program's relevance and the professionalism of the CHWs. Importantly, 85% expressed a positive intention to seek kidney care following the intervention. Preliminary analysis of medical records before and after the intervention showed improvements in glycemic control (median change = -18.0, p = 0.014) and triglyceride levels (median change = -29.0, p = 0.035), suggesting the program's effectiveness in managing CKD risk factors. These findings highlight the potential of CHW-led interventions to reduce kidney health disparities among underserved communities.

Effect of Implementing an Informatization Case Management Model on the Management of Chronic Respiratory Diseases in a General Hospital: Retrospective Controlled Study.

The use of chronic disease information systems in hospitals and communities plays a significant role in disease prevention, control, and monitoring. However, there are several limitations to these systems, including that the platforms are generally isolated, the patient health information and medical resources are not effectively integrated, and the "Internet Plus Healthcare" technology model is not implemented throughout the patient consultation process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the application of a hospital case management information system in a general hospital in the context of chronic respiratory diseases as a model case. A chronic disease management information system was developed for use in general hospitals based on internet technology, a chronic disease case management model, and an overall quality management model. Using this system, the case managers provided sophisticated inpatient, outpatient, and home medical services for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Chronic respiratory disease case management quality indicators (number of managed cases, number of patients accepting routine follow-up services, follow-up visit rate, pulmonary function test rate, admission rate for acute exacerbations, chronic respiratory diseases knowledge awareness rate, and patient satisfaction) were evaluated before (2019-2020) and after (2021-2022) implementation of the chronic disease management information system. Before implementation of the chronic disease management information system, 1808 cases were managed in the general hospital, and an average of 603 (SD 137) people were provided with routine follow-up services. After use of the information system, 5868 cases were managed and 2056 (SD 211) patients were routinely followed-up, representing a significant increase of 3.2 and 3.4 times the respective values before use (U=342.779; P<.001). With respect to the quality of case management, compared to the indicators measured before use, the achievement rate of follow-up examination increased by 50.2%, the achievement rate of the pulmonary function test increased by 26.2%, the awareness rate of chronic respiratory disease knowledge increased by 20.1%, the retention rate increased by 16.3%, and the patient satisfaction rate increased by 9.6% (all P<.001), while the admission rate of acute exacerbation decreased by 42.4% (P<.001) after use of the chronic disease management information system. Use of a chronic disease management information system improves the quality of chronic respiratory disease case management and reduces the admission rate of patients owing to acute exacerbations of their diseases.

Determination of microbiota awareness levels in women planning pregnancy.

It was recently discovered that the microbiota has a significant impact on pregnancy, gynecological, and neonatal health. However, studies indicate that people struggle to understand topics, such as microbiota, microbiome, probiotics, and prebiotics, or comprehend them inaccurately or incompletely. Understanding the human microbiota and probiotics that can regulate the microbiota helps women develop daily habits for both healthy nutrition and health protection. The aim of this study was to assess the microbiota awareness levels of women who are planning pregnancy. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 417 women who were planning pregnancy. Face-to-face interviews and questionnaires were used to collect research data. A microbiota awareness scale was used as a data collection tool. The study found a statistically significant difference in the subdimension scores related to microbiota awareness, general information, product knowledge, chronic disease, and probiotic and prebiotic knowledge based on the educational status of the participants. The study concluded that the participants had a confusion about microbiota awareness, general information, product information, chronic disease, and probiotic and prebiotic subdimensions. Furthermore, it was found that the participants had only a partial understanding of the relationship between microbiota and diseases. It is recommended that training programs focusing on the relationship between microbiota and health in women, such as "microbiota and its importance in women's health" and "microbiota and disease relationship," be organized and women would be encouraged to participate in these training programs.

The effect of health literacy on health investment intention: a cross-sectional study among petrochemical employees in China.

In the petrochemical industry, employees are exposed to various health hazards, which pose serious challenges to their health and hinder the sustainable development of the petrochemical industry. Investing in health has proved a potential strategy to enhance general health. However, global health investment is notably insufficient, mainly due to the public's limited intention to invest in their health. While past research has identified various determinants of health investment intentions, the relationship between health literacy and health investment intention remains somewhat controversial and needs more empirical validation. This study aims to assess the level of health literacy and health investment intention among employees in one of China's largest petrochemical companies and to explore the effect of health literacy on health investment intention. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a petrochemical company. The valid sample size for this study was 39,911 respondents. Data were collected using a designed questionnaire, including socio-demographic information, questions about health investment intention, and the "2020 National Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire." Several statistical analysis methods were employed, including descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and multiple linear regression. The study disclosed an average health literacy score of 56.11 (SD = 10.34) among employees, with 52.1% surpassing the qualification threshold. The "Chronic Disease" dimension exhibited the lowest qualification rate at 33.0%. Furthermore, 71.5% of the employees expressed an intention to invest in health, yet a significant portion (34.5%) opted for the minimal investment choice, less than 2,000 RMB. Logistic regression analysis indicated a positive correlation between health literacy and health investment intention (OR = 1.474; p < 0.001). This association's robustness was further indicated by multiple linear regression analyses (β = 0.086, p<0.001). The employees' health literacy significantly exceeds the national average for Chinese citizens, yet the qualified rate in the "Chronic Disease" dimension remains notably low. A majority of employees have the intention to invest in health, albeit modestly. Furthermore, while health literacy does positively influence health investment intention, this effect is somewhat limited. Accordingly, personalized Health education should be prioritized, with a focus on improving chronic disease knowledge and facilitating the internalization of health knowledge into health beliefs.

The effect of brief educational intervention on level of awareness about chronic kidney disease among type-2 diabetes mellitus patients in Prince Sultan Military Hospital, Taif.

Lack of awareness about chronic kidney disease is prevalent and disrupts glycaemic control. In Saudi Arabia many authors highlighted the problem and called for educational interventions to be designed. Our study is the first to address this issue in Saudi Arabia and evaluate a brief educator-led educational intervention in terms of boosting awareness about and knowledge of chronic kidney disease among type two diabetes patients. This was an educational interventional investigation of patients with type two attending diabetes clinic in Taif, Saudi Arabia. The effect of a brief educational intervention focused on awareness about chronic kidney disease was assessed using chronic kidney disease knowledge scale before and after the intervention. We included (n = 100) type two diabetes patients. We estimated good reliability and internal consistency for the knowledge score (Cronbach's alpha was 0.79). Following the educational session, awareness about chronic kidney disease rose from 77 to 100% and knowledge score increased form 7.6 points at baseline to a 15.2 points; paired t value = 15.984, p < 0.00001). Improvement in awareness of chronic kidney disease was associated with being in employment, female sex, and shorter diabetes duration. Brief educational intervention among patients with type two diabetes in Saudi Arabia leads to substantial improvement in awareness of and knowledge about chronic kidney disease. All items related to knowledge about chronic kidney disease improved substantially following educational intervention. It is recommended that all patients attending diabetes clinics receive focused education about chronic kidney disease. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01366-3.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease in Pakistan

Purpose: Chronic kidney disease has been recognized as a leading public health problem worldwide. The global estimated prevalence of CKD is 13.4%, whereas in Pakistan it is 21.2%. It is a growing health threat therefore understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with kidney diseases are vital for forming optimal policy and public health responses in the region.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted nationwide. A total of 922 participants were enrolled in this study using convenience sampling technique. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire in both English and Urdu languages. The questionnaire was designed in four sections, collecting information for demographic data, knowledge assessment, attitudes and practices related to kidney diseases. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic characteristics, mean and standard deviation were used for continuous variables. Scores more than 50 percent were classified as satisfactory knowledge about CKD.&#x0D; FINDINGS: Based on the findings of this study majority of the participants (87%) had adequate knowledge regarding the risk factors and common causes of kidney diseases like hypertension, diabetes and excessive use of pain killers. However, knowledge about the proper diagnosis of Kidney diseases was lacking and more than half of the participants (58%) were of the opinion that urine’s color, smell and quality is enough to detect kidney disease and lab test for detection is not exclusively needed for the diagnosis.&#x0D; The thought of developing kidney disease was a concern for most of the participants, and even the participants in the well-earned subgroup of working professionals were concerned about the cost of treating kidney disease. A larger proportion of participants (41%) were worried about revealing their diagnosis of kidney disease within the community and up to 89.2% of the participants considered kidney diseases diagnosis as a risk factor for losing their jobs. Regarding the practices, 95.7 % of the participants were willing to visit medical doctor if they were diagnosed with kidney disease and were prepared to prefer medical treatment over Hakeem, homeopathy and home remedies. Overall, participants who are males, middle aged, postgraduate and those with no known co-morbidities and a professional job showed most adequate knowledge related to CKD&#x0D; Implications to Theory Practice and Policy: Our study draws upon the Health Belief Model, a health behavior theory, and its validation is evident in the results obtained. The findings highlight a discernible disparity in chronic kidney disease (CKD) knowledge across diverse demographic groups. Notably, a substantial level of ignorance was identified among participants concerning the diagnosis of kidney diseases. Addressing this knowledge gap is imperative for enhancing the overall health of our general population.

Hubungan Profil Status Vitamin D dengan Keparahan Merokok pada Perokok Aktif Dewasa

Cigarettes are one of the addictive substances in the form of nicotine, which can cause dependence for the wearer. In Indonesia, the number of smokers continues to increase every year. The prevalence of adult smokers consisted of men (67.4%), women (4.5%) from 36.1% of the population. The mortality rate due to smoking is expected to continue to increase because there is a significant relationship between the degree of smoking and the severity of COPD. COPD is a disease that attacks the lungs, one of the causes of which is cigarette smoke. The higher the level of knowledge of active smokers, the lower the risk of a person getting COPD. Therefore, research is needed regarding the level of knowledge of chronic respiratory diseases related to active smokers. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge of chronic respiratory disease in active smokers in Pungging Mojokerto District. The method used is a quantitative cross-sectional design with purposive sampling and analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the level of knowledge of active smokers in the District of Pungging Mojokerto on chronic respiratory disease there are 3 levels of categories. Of the three categories, the highest level of knowledge was obtained in the moderate category (50.82%), high category (44.26%), and low category (3.28%).

Participatory training evaluation: Steps from the Center for Native American Health Native-CHART symposium

This paper presents a case example of the Native-CHART Training Evaluation and describes the process of planning and administering a paper evaluation during the Native-CHART symposium in November 2019 led by the Center for Native American Health (CNAH) and an external evaluator. Training evaluation methodologies and the data collection instrument were grounded in the Health Belief Model (HBM) where health-related chronic disease and risk factor knowledge translates to perceived susceptibility, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy. Kirkpatrick's Four-level Training Evaluation Model explored learning, reaction, behaviors, and results. The evaluation aims centered around the following questions: 1)Who attended the symposium, and why did they attend? 2)What knowledge did participants gain at the symposium? 3)Will attendees change their behaviors as a result of attending the symposium? 4) What parts of the symposium were most valuable? And 5) How can the symposium be improved? Data collected at the symposium answered these questions. After the Native-CHART symposium, CNAH staff and the external evaluator met to reflect on the steps necessary to plan and implement a participatory training evaluation. From these discussions, eight steps emerged. This paper presents these steps along with recommendations for future work. Participatory and collaborative approaches in training evaluation and the steps included in this case example may be useful to evaluators, communities, and programs working on designing and evaluating various trainings with Tribal populations.

Awareness of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors in the former Soviet Union countries

&lt;b&gt;Purpose:&lt;/b&gt; Assessment of public knowledge of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an essential step in&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;development of CKD prevention and screening programs. Our aim was to estimate the level of public CKD knowledge and its predictors in the former Soviet Union countries using a validated questionnaire.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Materials and methods: &lt;/b&gt;This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 10 countries using an adapted validated online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe participants’ characteristics and assess public CKD knowledge level. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of CKD knowledge.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results: &lt;/b&gt;2,715 participants satisfied the inclusion criteria. Respondents having higher level of education, living in countries belonging to the lower middle-income countries, having a personal history of diabetes and hypertension, and having a family history of kidney disease showed significantly better CKD knowledge.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; The level of CKD knowledge among the population of post-Soviet states was found to be low, although some personal characteristics were associated with better CKD knowledge.

Pengetahuan Penyakit Pernapasan Kronik pada Perokok Aktif

Cigarettes are one of the addictive substances in the form of nicotine, which can cause dependence for the wearer.In Indonesia, the number of smokers continues to increase every year. The prevalence of adult smokers consistedof men (67.4%), women (4.5%) from 36.1% of the population. The mortality rate due to smoking is expected tocontinue to increase because there is a significant relationship between the degree of smoking and the severity ofCOPD. COPD is a disease that attacks the lungs, one of the causes of which is cigarette smoke. The higher the levelof knowledge of active smokers, the lower the risk of a person getting COPD. Therefore, research is neededregarding the level of knowledge of chronic respiratory diseases related to active smokers. This study aims todetermine the level of knowledge of chronic respiratory disease in active smokers in Pungging Mojokerto District.The method used is a quantitative cross-sectional design with purposive sampling and analyzed descriptively. Theresults showed that the level of knowledge of active smokers in the District of Pungging Mojokerto on chronicrespiratory disease there are 3 levels of categories. Of the three categories, the highest level of knowledge wasobtained in the moderate category (50.82%), high category (44.26%), and low category (3.28%).

CKD Knowledge and Its Associated Factors Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Attending Follow-up in a Penang Primary Health Clinic

Objective: Information regarding the level of chronic kidney disease (CKD) knowledge and its associated factors among high-risk patients is crucial for the planning of CKD prevention strategies. This study aimed to determine the level of CKD knowledge and its associated factors among patients with a recent diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) attending follow-ups at a primary healthcare clinic in Penang. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved the consecutive sampling of 100 recently diagnosed DM patients (within 5 years) attending diabetic follow-up at the Kepala Batas Health Clinic. The level of CKD knowledge was assessed using a self-administered validated questionnaire. Demographic characteristics were described using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Associated factors of CKD knowledge were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at p-value&lt;0.05. Results: As high as 81.0% of the participants scored less than four out of seven marks for CKD knowledge. The mean score was 2.61, while the median score was 3.0. Educational level was identified as the single determinant of CKD knowledge among the study participants.Conclusion: In this study, patients with a recent diagnosis of DM attending follow-up in primary healthcare showed a poor level of CKD knowledge. To ensure the success of the CKD prevention programme among high-risk groups, healthcare providers must provide relevant and effective education to all diabetic patients in the early phase after DM diagnosis; particularly among those with a lower education background.

Effects of multimorbidity patterns and socioeconomic status on catastrophic health expenditure of widowed older adults in China.

The high multimorbidity and lower socioeconomic status (SES) of older adults, can lead to catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) for older adults' households. However, whether widowed older adults will bear such a financial burden has yet to be explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of multimorbidity patterns and SES on CHE in Chinese widowed older adults. Data was obtained from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 1,721 widowed participants aged 60 years and older were enrolled in the study. Latent class analysis was performed based on 14 self-reported chronic diseases to identify multimorbidity patterns. The logistic model and Tobit model were used to analyze the influence of multimorbidity patterns and SES on the incidence and intensity of CHE, respectively. About 36.72% of widowed older adults generated CHE. The incidence and intensity of CHE were significantly higher in the cardiovascular class and multisystem class than in the minimal disease class in multimorbidity patterns (cardiovascular class, multisystem class, and minimal disease class). Among SES-related indicators (education, occupation and household per capita income), respondents with a middle school and above education level were more likely to generate CHE compared to those who were illiterate. Respondents who were in the unemployed group were more likely to generate CHE compared to agricultural workers. In addition, respondents aged 70-79 years old, geographically located in the east, having other medical insurance, or having fewer family members are more likely to generate CHE and have higher CHE intensity. Widowed older adults are at high risk for CHE, especially those in the cardiovascular and multisystem disease classes, and those with low SES. Several mainstream health insurances do not provide significant relief. In addition, attention should be paid to the high-risk characteristics associated with CHE. It is necessary to carry out the popularization of chronic disease knowledge, improve the medical insurance system and medical service level, and provide more policy preferences and social support to widowed older adults.

Changes in Kidney Function Among Malaysian Adolescents and Its Determinants

The health and wellbeing of adolescents are often neglected, including the knowledge of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in its early stages. A total of 607 adolescents were recruited from the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHeART) study, a prospective cohort study conducted from March 2012 to May 2016 that explored the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors among 13 to 17 years old students in 3 states of Peninsular Malaysia. Students who participated in all 3 data collection periods in 2012, 2014, and 2016 with kidney function assessment across all 3-time points were included in the current study. The students' estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from isotope-dilution mass spectrometry-traceable Schwartz's equation and categorized based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification. Changes in kidney function were examined, and the longitudinal relationship between eGFR and multiple NCD risk factors was analyzed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE). The prevalence of decreased eGFR (60-89 ml/min per 1.73 m2) among the students increased from 6.1% (2012) to 30.0% (2014) and 40.2% (2016). Based on the GEE, the student's eGFR decreased over time, with a steeper decline during early to midadolescence. Males and rural students had lower eGFR compared to their counterparts. Students who are morbidly obese had lower eGFR than those with normal body mass index (BMI). Protein consumption also has a potential moderating effect on eGFR in adolescents. Kidney function changes can be detected as early as adolescence and are likely attributable to multiple NCD risk factors. Therefore, more comprehensive prevention efforts from various stakeholders are needed to identify health issues like CKD.

Disability workforce and the NDIS planning process in regional, rural and remote regions of Australia: Scoping review.

The Australian geographically rural and remote disability workforce has historically demonstrated difficulties to keep up with the demand for quality services and supports for people with disability. In 2013, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was launched to provide individualised disability support packages to meet people's needs. To receive funding, people with disability are required to develop a NDIS plan. That plan is then funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the government agency responsible for managing the NDIS. Although the NDIS has been operating for almost 10 years, there is limited research into the planning experiences of the workforce in regional, rural and remote regions of Australia. This review aims to ascertain the level of scholarly investigation into workers' experiences of NDIS planning. Research publication databases were searched using a specific search string to identify publications that included reference to the workforce's experiences of the NDIS planning process in regional, rural and remote regions of Australia. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was adopted to appraise the quality of the research publications. Research publications that focused on those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were also appraised using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool developed by the Centre for Excellence in Aboriginal Chronic Disease Knowledge Translation and Exchange. A thematic synthesis of the publications was undertaken to ascertain disability and health workforce experiences of the NDIS planning process. Seven papers met the selection criteria. Two papers were policy reviews and reported the improvements of the NDIS planning process since its inception. These studies reported four reoccurring themes: (1) cultural/socioeconomic and geographical factors; (2) administrative burden and bureaucracy; (3) values, culture and geography; and (4) burden on allied health workers. The NDIS planning process has developed and progressed since its rollout in 2013. There are limited research papers available that describe the workforce's experience of the planning process in regional, rural and remote regions. More research in this area is needed to identify the experiences of the disability workforce in relation to the NDIS planning process.

Smoking and COPD Knowledge in the General Spanish Population: A CONOCEPOC Study

Background: The objective of this analysis is to evaluate tobacco use and the level of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) knowledge among the general adult population in Spain and to compare these results to those obtained in the 2011 survey. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, epidemiological study was conducted by telephone interviews and stratified by sex, age, and setting. The study design was identical to that of the study conducted in 2011. Results: Of a total of 89,601 phone contacts, there were 6534 respondents. The average age was 61.5 years. With respect to smoking, 30.9% reported being former smokers and 14.7% were current smokers, 63.6% of whom reported having attempted to quit. Among the current smokers, 19.7% claimed to use electronic cigarettes, although 88% believe these pose a health risk. No significant differences were found in smoking prevalence or frequency of attempts to quit according to residential setting (rural/urban). The highest prevalence of current smoking in men was recorded in the 55–64 years age range (31.6%), while in women it was from 45 to 54 years (34.6%). Smoking has decreased with respect to 2011, from 21.1% to 16.1% in men and from 17.9% to 13.2% in women, with a clear variability according to region. Of the population surveyed, 32.5% had spontaneous knowledge about COPD, with significant geographic variability. The most frequent sources of information about the disease were social media and the Internet (39.6%), followed by the media (35.2%). Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco use in adults has considerably decreased and there is greater knowledge about COPD in Spain, although there is significant variability according to region, which could explain the geographic variability in the prevalence of COPD. Strategies are needed to increase COPD education and awareness and to reinforce smoking prevention measures among women.

Knowledge and Perceived Susceptibility to Chronic Kidney Disease among Auto-Mechanics and Allied Professionals in Bodija Community of Ibadan North Local Government Area, Nigeria

In Nigeria, the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is not known, but several studies, mostly hospital-based, suggest a range of 1.6 to 12.4%. Automobile materials, which contain heavy metals are being utilized by mechanics and people in allied professions daily without awareness of the health implications of the exposure. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the knowledge and perceived susceptibility to chronic kidney disease among auto-mechanics and allied professionals in the Bodija Community of Ibadan North Local Government Area, Nigeria.&#x0D; This study was a descriptive cross-sectional. Pretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered to 209 respondents. Knowledge of chronic kidney diseases, perceived susceptibility towards chronic kidney diseases, and preventive practices were measured on 32-, 14-, and 24-point scales respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test at a 5% level of significance.&#x0D; Few (32.1%) respondents age ranged from 40 to 49 years old with a mean age of 38±9.5 years, 50.7% were Christians and 96.7% were Yoruba. Knowledge score was 12.9±6.4, and 71.3% had a poor knowledge. Most (82.3%) of the respondents stated that herbal supplements could be effective in treating CKD, and 34.4% mentioned high blood pressure as a cause of CKD. The perceived susceptibility score was 5.2±3.1 and 73.2% had negative perceived susceptibility to CKD. Most (89.0%) agreed that consumption of local herbs cannot predispose them to CKD. Practice score was 6.8±2.6 and 98.1% had a poor practice.&#x0D; Most of the respondents had poor knowledge of chronic kidney disease, negative perceived susceptibility, and poor preventive practices toward chronic kidney disease. A concerted effort should be made to improve the knowledge of chronic kidney disease and its preventive practices. This could lead to a change in attitude and behavior, thereby reducing the risk factors of chronic kidney disease.

Investigating Knowledge Level, Awareness, Risk Factors and Preventive practices of Patients Regarding Ckd in Northern Ghana

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major global health problem. CKD is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and carries a risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and usually progress to end-stage kidney disease. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, awareness and prevalence of chronic kidney disease among patients seeking healthcare at the Tamale Central Hospital Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out and a total of 260 respondents were selected by a systematic random sampling method and structured questionnaire were used to collect data from the respondent. Consent was sought from each selected participant, privacy and confidentiality was observed during the data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: Findings from this study discovered that, 96 (36.9%) of the respondents were between 25-30 years of age. Majority, 165 (63.5%) of the respondents were females, whiles 217 (83.5%) of the respondents have heard about chronic kidney disease. Regarding the source of information, majority 92 (35.4%) of the respondents heard about chronic kidney disease from healthcare workers. Majority, 212 (81.5%) of the respondents admitted it’s true that chronic kidney disease is a reduction in its ability to remove waste, 240 (92.3%) said its true chronic kidney disease means an infection of the kidney, 229 (88.1%) said its true chronic kidney disease means damage to the kidney. About 198 (76.2%) of the respondents believed drinking too little water can results in chronic kidney disease, almost all, 247 (95.0%) of the respondnets believe smoking can result into chronic kidney disease, also, majority 209 (80.4%) of the respondents believe untreated hypertension can result in CKD. Conclusion: The research question what is the knowledge level, awareness, risk factors and preventive practices of patients regarding CKD, was answered as the findings above speak to these questions. The burden of CKD remains serious and unacceptably high, appropriate preventive measures should be implemented to reduce kidney disease in Ghana and it is suggested that future research should look at a qualitative research method in order to spell out a lot of the information that respondents in this study were not able to give in detail due to the restrictions on the questionnaire used. A future study could seek to include more than one healthcare facility and increase the sample size.