Common Source Of Information Research Articles

Assessment of Self-Medication Practices and its AssociatedFactors among First-Year Medical Students at Kampala International UniversityWestern Campus

Self-medication in Uganda is becoming alarming and 7 out of every 10 Ugandan students practice self-medication to assess self-medication practices and its associated factors among first-year medical students of KIU₋WC Bushenyi district western Uganda. This was a crosssectional study conducted among 196 registered first-year medical students of KIU-WC who consented to participate anonymously in the study. Data was collected from them with the help of questionnaires which were coded and entered in SPSS version 25 for analysis. Data was then presented in form tables. The majority 90(45.9%) were between the ages of 21 and 24, the majority 72 (36.5%) were Catholics, and the majority 96(56.5%) were males. The prevalence of self-medication was 98.5%. Many 95 (49.2%) got information about self-medication from family and friends, that the majority 86 (44.6%) used strong pain relievers to self-medicate, and that pharmacies/drug stores were the most common source of drugs used in selfmedication, as suggested by 143 (74.1%). The majority of 134 (69.4%) asked someone before self-medicating, with pharmacists being the most frequently questioned 60 (31.1%). Finally, many 99 (51.3%) of those respondents had no idea whether the drugs they purchased could treat their condition. Many 129 (65.8%) self-medicate only for minor medical conditions, the majority 129 (65.8%) say they get better when they self-medicate, many 72 (36.7%) say it is cheap, and the majority 85 (43.4%) say it is convenient. Of the 193 participants who have ever self-medicated, 62 (32.1%) experienced side effects from the drugs they self-medicated with, and the most common side effect was an allergic reaction, as reported by 26/62 (41.9%). The drugs that caused the most side effects were strong pain relievers and antimalarials, as indicated by 20/62 (32.3%) for each category of drugs. The prevalence of self-medication among first-year medical students at KIUWC Bushenyi in western Uganda is high. The common source of information were friends and family,analgesics or painkillers were commonly used drugs and they commonly asked pharmacists before self-medication. The factors associated with self-medication include being 21-24 years, being male, having easy access to drugs or cheap drugs, prior experience with the illness, medical knowledge as well as self-belief in drugs used. Keywords: Self-medication, First-year medical students, Pharmacists, Drugs, pain relievers and antimalarials.

Knowledge and awareness of stroke in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study of the general population

Background: The study aimed to assess stroke knowledge among the general population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and determine the factors associated with stroke awareness among people. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the UAE between September and November 2021. The general population has self-administered an online bilingual survey (Arabic and English) distributed via social media platforms. The questionnaire covered general knowledge about stroke risk factors, consequences of stroke, and responding to somebody with acute stroke attack. Results: A total of 545 surveys were completed, with more than half of the participants being female (58.5%), married (55.4%) and employed (59.4%). The majority were less than 50 years old (90.5%) and had a university degree (71.0%). Many of the participants (70.8%) had a good general knowledge of stroke; however, around 20% of the participants were able to recognize all symptoms and risk factors of stroke. The most common sources of stroke-related information were the internet/social media (53.6%). Females were better able to correctly identify at least one stroke symptom and outcome than males (p=0.008). University education has significantly affected participants' ability to identify early stroke symptoms (p=0.001) correctly. In addition, diabetic people were more likely to recognize at least one stroke outcome than non-diabetic people (p=0.039). Conclusions: The knowledge of stroke was good among highly educated people and females. However, the awareness of all stroke risk factors, symptoms, consequences and risk factors was inadequate among the general population of the UAE. Thus, there is still a gap between recognition of the relevant stroke and taking action among people.

The BRCA1/2 Previvor Information Journey: Understanding What Helps or Hinders

ABSTRACT BRCA1/2 previvors – individuals who have a genetic mutation that increases their lifetime risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer – have unique information needs. Previvors can experience distress and uncertainty when these needs are not met, which can have negative consequences on their physical and psychological health. Previous research suggests meeting previvors’ information needs is one way to combat these potential harmful effects. However, limited past research has examined previvors’ perceptions of the helpfulness of information. Therefore, through surveying 101 previvors, this study explored previvors’ perceptions of the (un)helpfulness of information, what (lack of) barriers previvors face to finding desired information, and the information sources they utilized. A thematic analysis revealed that previvors generally viewed information as helpful (through empowerment, coping, camaraderie, and action) but not always (evident in information overload). Previvors also reported several barriers (such as “the healthcare system in general”, exclusivity, and uncertainty), while others reported a lack of resistance to finding desired information. Additionally, frequencies were calculated to find that various healthcare providers, support groups, and friends and family were common information sources. Taken together, these results offer a psychosocial model for understanding the previvor information journey, displaying how the themes are interconnected and unique for each previvor.

Complementary and alternative medicine use by pregnant women in Japan: a pilot survey

BackgroundComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are popular among women, and are used during their pregnancy in Japan. This study aimed to survey the prevalence of CAM use by healthy pregnant women as a health-care prescribed therapy or self-care and to investigate the factors associated with CAM use in Japan.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, pregnant women after 34 weeks of gestation were asked to respond to a questionnaire at the clinic or online. The questionnaire comprised questions on the participants’ characteristics and their use of CAM for therapy and self-care. Descriptive statistics were calculated in the analyses, and bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between factors and CAM use.ResultsA total of 394 women responded from three hospitals, two clinics, and two midwifery birth centers. CAM was received as treatment by practitioners during pregnancy by 75 women (19.0%). The following therapies were used: traditional Chinese medicine (7.9%), chiropractic (6.9%), moxibustion (6.4%), and acupuncture (5.3%). One or more types of therapy were used as self-care by 348 women (88.3%). Highly used CAM for self-care were: folic acid supplementation (75.4%), other supplements (51.5%), herbs (20.8%), and yoga (19.0%). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the factors associated with CAM use as a therapy were midwifery birth centers for planned childbirth settings (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.69–7.83]) and pregnancy complications diagnosed (AOR 2.46, 95%CI [1.38–4.39]). The factors associated with CAM use for self-care were age 30–39 years (AOR 4.48, 95%CI [2.14–9.73]) and over 40 years (AOR 3.92, 95%CI [1.10–13.91]), junior college education or above (AOR 2.30, 95%CI [1.18–4.51]), and primiparas (AOR 3.82, 95%CI [1.86–7.86]). The most common source of information was the “Internet” (43.8%).ConclusionsApproximately 20% of Japanese pregnant women received CAM as therapy by practitioners, and the related factors were: tended to have baby at midwifery birth center and pregnancy complications. Almost 90% of respondents used CAM as self-care and the related factors were: older, had a higher educational level and tended to be primiparas. They used the Internet as their main source of information about CAM. Health care providers need to provide evidenced-based information on CAM and to help decision making to ensure safe and effective CAM utilization by pregnant women.

An Observational Study of Indian Medical Students: Are We Truly Aware of Monkeypox?

Introduction Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus from the Poxviridae family. As the future front-liners of healthcare, it is crucial to equip medical students with adequate knowledge of diseases like monkeypox that pose a potential pandemic threat. Aim This study was planned to evaluate the level of awareness of monkeypox among Indian medical students. Methodology This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based research conducted using a web-based platform. The study population consisted of medical (MBBS) students from India studying in their first, second, third, final, and internship years. Data collection was done using a self-designed, semi-structured questionnaire. Results Out of the 511 students who filled out the form, 280 (54.79%) were males and 230 (45.01%) were females. Of the study respondents, 459 (89.82%) had heard about monkeypox. The internet (60.5%) and social media (55.3%) were the most common sources of information about monkeypox. The study participants were found to be fairly aware of the different modes of monkeypox transmission. A significant majority (about three-fourths) of internship-year students demonstrated knowledge about preventive measures for monkeypox, with only a minimal 5% reporting a lack of awareness. In contrast, a substantial percentage of first-year students (38%) and second-year students (37.6%) admitted to being unaware of prevention methods, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Conclusion The overall knowledge levels were generally satisfactory, with respondents demonstrating awareness of different modes of monkeypox transmission. However, a concerning proportion of first-year (38%) and second-year (37.6%) students reported being unaware of prevention methods.

The effect of paracetamol on the parasitological diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Objectives: Up until the present time, malaria represents an immense public health problem worldwide with a significant morbidity and mortality rate in many developing countries including Sudan. The use of antipyretics and analgesics in the settings of malaria has been a matter of contention over a vast period of time. Now, it is widely believed among the public and some health professionals in Sudan that the antipyretic and analgesic paracetamol disturbs the accuracy of the parasitological diagnosis of malaria. This study investigates the magnitude and effects of that belief through a descriptive study and examines the actual effect of paracetamol on the parasitological diagnosis of falciparum malaria through a clinical trial. Material and Methods: This is a conjoined study that includes a prospective and descriptive study and a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, and parallel-group clinical trial. The descriptive study included 846 participants from various states in Sudan. The targeted study subjects were the public and health professionals and the study was conducted utilizing an online-based questionnaire. The clinical trial included 325 patients with uncomplicated falciparum attending two primary healthcare outpatient clinics in Gezira state, Sudan. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either placebo tablets or 500 mg of oral paracetamol after the first blood smear sample was taken. The second blood smear samples were taken 2 h after taking treatment. Parasite density estimation and other parasitological data were obtained from each sample before and after treatment. Results: The majority of the public thinks that paracetamol affects the parasitological diagnosis of malaria (76.21%, n = 330/433). Personal experience and family and friends were the most dominant information sources for the public (31.20% and 28.01% respectively), while scholarly articles were the most common source of information for the health professional group (45.03%, n = 186/413). No significant differences between the parasitological findings acquired before and after taking the treatments among both the paracetamol group (P = 0.22) and the placebo group (P = 0.12). The parasite density mean for the paracetamol group differed by 16.31 P/μL after taking paracetamol, while the placebo group parasite density mean differed by 15.34 P/μL. The treatments did not inflict impacts on the advanced microscopic features of Plasmodium falciparum blood smears. Conclusion: Paracetamol does not affect the parasitological diagnosis of falciparum malaria.

Sources of Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Its Associations with Parental Motivation to Have Their Children Vaccinated in Taiwan.

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines have been developed to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and subsequent hospitalization in children. Few studies have examined whether different sources of information regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines and parents' trust in the information have different effects on parental motivation to have their child vaccinated. No study has examined parental demographic factors related to the sources of information and the trust of parents in these sources. Understanding the sources of information on pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, parents' trust in the information, and related factors can contribute to the development of strategies for promoting the knowledge and acceptance of pediatric vaccination among parents. This study examined the sources of information regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines used by parents, their level of trust in these information sources, the demographic factors that influence this trust, and the associations of such information sources with parental motivation to get their child vaccinated against COVID-19. In total, 550 parents (123 men and 427 women) completed a questionnaire that was used to collect information regarding the information sources and to measure the parents' trust in these information sources. Parental motivation to get their child vaccinated was measured using the Motors of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Scale for Parents. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to examine two associations, namely the associations of the parents' sources of information and their trust in these sources with their motivation to have their child vaccinated and the associations of the parents' demographic factors with their sources of information and their trust in these sources. For the parents, traditional mass media and medical staff in healthcare settings were the most common sources of information regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines. The parents rated medical staff in healthcare settings as the most trustworthy source of information. Obtaining information from acquaintances through social media and obtaining information from medical staff in healthcare settings were significantly associated with parental motivation to get their child vaccinated against COVID-19. Trust in the information provided by medical staff in healthcare settings and coworkers was significantly associated with the motivation of parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Compared with fathers, mothers were more likely to obtain information from medical staff in healthcare settings and from acquaintances through social media. Parents with a higher education level were more likely to obtain information from medical staff in healthcare settings. Compared with the fathers, the mothers were more trusting of information obtained from coworkers. Health professionals should consider the sources of information used by parents and related factors when establishing strategies to increase parental motivation to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19.

Portrayal of autism in mainstream media – a scoping review about representation, stigmatisation and effects on consumers in non-fiction and fiction media

Mainstream media is a common source of information on mental health, and its portrayal of mental disorders can influence public perceptions and stigmatisation. Recently, autism has received increased attention in mainstream media. This scoping review aims to contribute to the existing literature on the portrayal of autism and its stigmatising effect by mapping the characteristics and range of records that describe the representation of autism in mainstream media with a focus on non-fiction media (newspapers and social media) and fiction media (movies & TV, and literature). We extracted 31 articles from PubMed and PsychInfo, as well as conducting secondary searches, covering articles published between 2010 and 2022, with a time frame of media from 1988 to 2022. Most of the articles focused on newspapers and movies & TV. Our findings suggest that while the portrayal of autism in media varies, stigmatisation is most prominent in newspapers and movies & TV, often with a negative tone and stereotypical portrayal such as savantism. One possible reason for this could be the lack of representation of experts by experience in these media outlets. In contrast, our review found that literature often has a more diverse and positive representation, and social media tends to have a more supportive tone. Our recommendation is that autistic individuals should be included in the content creation process. Furthermore, future research should focus on newer forms of media, particularly social media, where self-representation is more common, and investigate how this affects the portrayal and stigmatisation of autism.

Sedative drug self-medication practice, attitude, and knowledge among medical students at the University of Dongola during 2022

Background: Self-medication with sedatives is a common problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. Medical students experience significant psychological stress and are therefore at higher risk of using sedatives. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and knowledge of sedative drug self-medication practice among medical students at the University of Dongola. Methods: A university-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at the University of Dongola. Data was collected using pretested, self-administered questionnaires developed by the researchers after intensive searching and expert consultation. A total of 248 students were selected by the nonprobability-convenient sampling technique. Results: Sedative drug self-medication prevalence was 41.1% among medical students. The main reasons for practicing sedative drug self-medication were sleep disorders, allergies, saving time, and stress. Moreover, 54.8% of participants have knowledge about sedative drugs. The most common sources of information about sedative drugs were pharmacists (38.23%), doctors (36.27%), friends (10.78%), and family (8.82%). The most commonly utilized sedative drugs were anti-allergic (19.8%), antitussives (18.1%), diazepam (7.2%), thiopental (3.6%), and alprazolam (2.4%). Furthermore, 68.5% of participants accept that sedative drugs could be harmful and are associated with adverse effects. Conclusion: Our study revealed that self-medication with sedative drugs was less prevalent among medical students at the University of Dongola, Sudan. Furthermore, the medical students showed more knowledge and attitude toward self-medication with sedative drugs.

Safety behavior in pesticide use among farmers of northern Greece: the role of information sources.

Farmers' compliance with common safety practices in pesticide use (i.e., keeping records of pesticide applications, reading the information of pesticide labels, and taking protective measures during pesticide handling) and the use of information sources about pesticides were studied in a simple random sample of farmers in Evros Province, northern Greece. According to the three common safety practices considered in the study, most farmers (56.9%) complied with safety practices. Nevertheless, a noticeable proportion of the farmers never kept records of pesticide applications (33.9%), never read the information of pesticide labels (20.2%), and never took protective measures during pesticide handling (24.8%). Farmers reported using up to six different sources of information about pesticides, but the majority (51.4%) reported using up to one source and almost one-third (33.9%) relied on own sources. The most common information source about pesticides was the staff of the agricultural supply stores, used by 88.1% of the farmers. Safety behavior was positively correlated with total sources of information (P < 0.01) and information by the agricultural supply stores (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that safety behavior was reduced in females, whereas it was increased in farmers with high education, high number of plots, and high level of information sources. Despite good levels of safety behavior by most farmers, keeping records of sprayings should be improved. Using multiple information sources about pesticides is crucial to improve safety behavior of farmers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A Brief Overview of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness of Adolescents in Kerala

Background: Adolescence is a critical and challenging period of life. Many adolescents today have patchy knowledge on SRH issues, which may lead to risky decision making concerning their health. Kerala, though one of the most literate states in India, is yet to implement comprehensive sex education. Objectives: To list the sources of information and to study the awareness of adolescents on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) issues among high school students in Kerala. Materials &amp; Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 8th, 9th, 10th class students. Multistage random sampling was conducted and a sample size of 338 was achieved. Data was collected via a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS Version-23. Results were explained in terms of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Results: Mean age of the study population was 14.2 ±0.88 years; most of them were females (58%) and followed Christian religion (49%); belonged to urban areas. The major sources of information for adolescents regarding SRH matters like private parts, type of touch, response to sexual assault and menstruation was their mother. When it comes to puberty changes, both mother and teachers were the major sources. Media was the most common source of information regarding Masturbation, sexual contact, pregnancy, contraception, STDs, and sexual abuse. There is wide disparity in the awareness of adolescents on major SRH issues. Conclusions: India has the largest adolescent population, and it is a country known to have strict traditional values and age-old cultures and customs. Adequate information through parents may improve the knowledge on these issues. Age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education must be incorporated into their curriculum effectively to improve their SRH.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance among people living with HIV (PLHIV) worldwide. We searched MEDLINE, PSYINFO, CINHAL, Scopus and EMBASE databases and other sources including free Google search and subject-specific journals from January 2020 to September 2021. The study population included adults (aged 18+ years) living with HIV and evaluated for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. A random effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate. Subgroup analyses were performed, and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy underwent narrative analysis. Of 558 initial records, 14 studies were eligible for review. The overall pooled COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among adult PLHIV was 62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56%-69%). In subgroup analysis, the estimated pooled COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was higher in high-income countries: 63% (95% CI, 55%-70%) versus 62% (95% CI, 54%-71%) in low- and middle-income countries, and in studies conducted in 2022 (66% [95% CI, 58%-75%]) than in studies conducted in 2021 (57% [95% CI, 47%-68%]). Reasons for lower COVID-19 vaccine acceptance included higher monthly income, being non-homosexual, history of chronic disease, COVID-19-related medical mistrust, not knowing anyone who died of COVID-19, believing oneself to be immune to COVID-19, general vaccine refusal, negative attitude to the vaccine, concerns about efficacy, safety and side effects, distrust in common sources of vaccine-related information and using social media as a source of information on COVID-19. Among PLHIV, acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine is generally low. A greater emphasis on collaborative efforts between all concerned bodies is needed to boost vaccine acceptance in this population.

Self-medication practice among residents of Madhyapur Thimi-4, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Background: Self-medication is the treatment of self-diagnosed symptoms or conditions with medicines taken on own initiative without professional supervision .Though self-medication reduces the burden to the health care facilities, save time etc. it increases the risk if utilized inappropriately. Objectives: This study was done with the aim to determine self-medication practices among residents of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality ward number 4, Bhaktapur, Nepal. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was used and non-probability purposive sampling technique was adopted. Study was conducted in Madhyapur Thimi-4 in Bhaktapur district with sample size of total 309 community people of age 20 to 60 years. Data was collected by interview with the help of semi structured questionnaire and was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Out of 309 participants, 215(69.6%) community people practiced self-medication with one’s past experience 88(40.7%) as the most common source of information. Most commonly used medicine was NSAID 63(29.3%) followed by decongestant 30(13.9%). Medicines were self-prescribed for headache 49 (22.7%), fever 37(17.2%), cold and flu 30(13.9%) with the aim to save the time and for quick relief 50(23.6%). Practice of self-medication was statistically significant with age of respondents (p=0.000), level of education (p=0.004) and type of family (p=0.009). Conclusion: The practice of self-medication was common for different illness like headache, fever, diarrhea etc and most commonly self medicated medicine was NSAID.

Content Quality of YouTube Videos About Pain Management After Cesarean Birth: Content Analysis.

YouTube is an increasingly common source of health information; however, the reliability and quality of the information are inadequately understood. Several studies have evaluated YouTube as a resource during pregnancy and found the available information to be of poor quality. Given the increasing attention to postpartum health and the importance of promoting safe opioid use after birth, YouTube may be a source of information for birthing individuals. However, little is known about the available information on YouTube regarding postpartum pain. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the quality of YouTube videos as an educational resource for postpartum cesarean pain management. A systematic search of YouTube videos was conducted on June 25, 2021, using 36 postpartum cesarean pain management-related keywords, which were identified by clinical experts. The search replicated a default YouTube search via a public account. The first 60 results from each keyword search were reviewed, and unique videos were analyzed. An overall content score was developed based on prior literature and expert opinion to evaluate the video's relevance and comprehensiveness. The DISCERN instrument, a validated metric to assess consumer health information, was used to evaluate the reliability of video information. Videos with an overall content score of ≥5 and a DISCERN score of ≥39 were classified as high-quality health education resources. Descriptive analysis and intergroup comparisons by video source and quality were conducted. Of 73 unique videos, video sources included medical videos (n=36, 49%), followed by personal video blogs (vlogs; n=32, 44%), advertisements (n=3, 4%), and media (n=2, 3%). The average overall content score was 3.6 (SD 2.0) out of 9, and the average DISCERN score was 39.2 (SD 8.1) out of 75, indicating low comprehensiveness and fair information reliability, respectively. High-quality videos (n=22, 30%) most frequently addressed overall content regarding pain duration (22/22, 100%), pain types (20/22, 91%), return-to-activity instructions (19/22, 86%), and nonpharmacologic methods for pain control (19/22, 86%). There were differences in the overall content score (P=.02) by video source but not DISCERN score (P=.45). Personal vlogs had the highest overall content score at 4.0 (SD 2.1), followed by medical videos at 3.3 (SD 2.0). Longer video duration and a greater number of comments and likes were significantly correlated with the overall content score, whereas the number of video comments was inversely correlated with the DISCERN score. Individuals seeking information from YouTube regarding postpartum cesarean pain management are likely to encounter videos that lack adequate comprehensiveness and reliability. Clinicians should counsel patients to exercise caution when using YouTube as a health information resource.

Vaccine Hesitancy Among Parents and Its Determinants During the Era of COVID-19 in Taif City, Saudi Arabia.

Background Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern worldwide, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to investigate vaccine hesitancy and its determinants among parents in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among parents using a validated and reliable questionnaire, the parentattitudes about childhood vaccines (PACV). Parents of children aged (two months to seven years) attending primary health care centers (PHCC) outpatient clinics were selected using a stratified sampling technique and interviewed to fill out the pre-structured questionnaire. Result The study included 301 parents, with 41.2% between the ages of 30-39 years and 25.2%% between 40-49 years. Mothers constituted 69.1% of the respondents. The most common sources of information regarding vaccinations were the doctor (34.9%), the internet (27.9%), and social media (16.6%). COVID-19 influenced the beliefs of more than half (52.5%) of parents regarding the importance of vaccinations. The median PACV score for vaccination hesitancy was 23.3/100, interquartile range (IQR) (13.3-33.3). The highest hesitation was among the age group of 30-39 years old (21.6%) and those whose beliefs were not influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic (16.1% vs. 5.7%) (p-value=0.003). The study found a significant difference in vaccine hesitancy rates between the different sources of information (p-value <0.001); parents who got their information about vaccinations from social media were more likely to be hesitant about vaccinations (40%). Concerns about side effects (93.8%), thinking that vaccines are not safe (84.4%), and thinking that fewer vaccines are needed (78.1%) were the top three factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion This study urges promoting vaccine uptake through healthcare providers and combating vaccine misinformation on social media. Additionally, addressing safety concerns and misconceptions about vaccine necessity, and focusing on first-time parents, younger parents, and those with lower socioeconomic status are recommended strategies to improve vaccine uptake rates.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Investigate the Prevalence of Self-Medication of Non-Opioid Analgesics Among Medical Students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.

Self-medication (SM) using non-opioid analgesics (NOA) is contentious and increasingly recognized as a major public health concern with severe consequences, including masking of malignant and fatal diseases, risk of misdiagnosis, problems relating to over- and under-dosing, drug interactions, incorrect dosage, and choice of therapy. Herein, we aim to determine the prevalence of SM with NOA among pharmacy and medical students at Unaizah College, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study using a validated self-administered questionnaire was conducted on 709 pharmacy and medicine students belonging to an age group of 21-24 years from Unaizah Colleges. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21. Of 709 participants, 635 responded to the questionnaire. Our results showed a prevalence percentage of 89.6% using self-medicated NOA for pain management. The most common factor leading to SM in NOA was the mild nature of the illness (50.6%), and headache/migraine (66.8%) was the dominant health problem. Paracetamol (acetaminophen, 73.7%) was the most commonly used analgesic, followed by ibuprofen (16.5%). The most common and reliable sources of drug information were pharmacists (51.5%). We observed a high rate of SM for NOA among undergraduate students. We believe that the adverse consequences of SM could be controlled through educational, regulatory, and administrative strategies by providing appropriate awareness sessions, and the role of pharmacists should be highlighted in preventing SM from NOA.

PERCEPTION OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG TAIBA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, SAUDI ARABIA

Self-medication refers to the practice of treating oneself with medication without consulting a healthcare professional. This practice can be dangerous to health. This study aimed to assess the practice of self-medications and associated factors among students in Taiba University, Saudi Arabia. Across sectional study was employed to investigate the practice of self-medications among 210 students in Taiba University by using a self-administered questionnaire.Among all respondents, 87.1% practiced self-medication at least one medication in the last year. The most common self-medication was pain killers (80%) and the most common indication of use was headache (75%). Reasons of self-medication practices were previous experience (52.9%) and no serious health symptoms (51.0%). The most common source of information was personal knowledge (51.0%). The prevalence of elf-medication practice was 87.1%. The most common self-medication was pain killers while, the most common indication of self-medication was headache. The most common reason for self-medication practices was previous experience, and the most common source of information was personal knowledge. Males practiced self-medications more than females.

English

There are few studies on the awareness and uptake of cervical cancer (Ca Cervix) screening services among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in Nigeria despite the increased risk of Ca Cervix among FSWs and the potential benefit of early screening. The study aimed to assess the awareness, uptake, barriers to and predictors of uptake of Ca Cervix screening services among FSWs. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 165 female sex workers (FSWs) recruited via snowball sampling in Sokoto State, Nigeria. awareness, uptake, barriers to and predictors of uptake of Ca Cervix screening services The study aimed to assess the among FSWs. Participants were eligible for inclusion if they were brothel-based, had spent at least one year in the profession, and were at least 21 years old or had debuted in sexual intercourse not later than three years from when the study was conducted. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and a liquid-based cytology (LBC) test were used to obtain information. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the Sokoto State Ministry of Health. Twenty (12.1%) and 11 (6.7%) of the respondents were aware of Ca Cervix and its screening services respectively. The commonest source of information was hospital/health workers 10 (50.0%). One (0.6%) of the respondents reported ever having been screened for cervical cancer in the past, while the highest proportion, 119 (72.1%), utilised the LBC test offered in this study. The commonest barriers to current uptake were lack of interest (93.5%) and invasion of privacy (73.9%).&nbsp; Consistent use of condoms with current partners was found to be a predictor of the uptake of LBC among the study participants, highlighting the need for health education and promotion interventions among FSWs by researchers, health workers, and non-governmental organizations to increase awareness of the disease and its screening tests. Key words: Awareness, barriers, cervical cancer, female sex workers, uptake.

The Impact of Marketing Information on the Decisions of Nautical Tourists Visiting Eastern Adriatic Regio

The information-seeking process of nautical tourists is essential for their decision-making when choosing a specific destination. Modern destination marketing is constantly changing due to the development of new technologies that are meant to attract and retain nautical tourists. Nautical destination managers use modern communication to build and maintain a better image and develop destinations as brands which can function sustainably even in the times of crisis. This paper examines modern and traditional marketing sources of information about Montenegro and Croatia as nautical tourist destinations. It was revealed that the largest share of the informed tourists had previous experience with a destination or were informed through internet sources. The results confirmed that the internet is increasingly used by the surveyed tourists, i.e., there is an increase in promotion through digital marketing tools in both destinations. The comparison of the trends between 2012 and 2021 indicated three common sources of information in both destinations: previous experience, the internet and the recommendations of friends and relatives. The study is based on cross-tabulation analysis which detects the differences in the method of obtaining information by the tourists whose age, gender and education level varied. The practical implication of this paper is the development of destination marketing in the Eastern Adriatic region. More precisely, the study might help the creators of developmental policies and destination operators to choose appropriate marketing strategies in order to adequately position a destination in the market.

Knowledge of Adverse Events Following Immunization and Awareness of its Reporting System among Primary Healthcare Workers in Jigawa State

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have an essential and pivotal role to play in gaining and maintaining public confidence in the safety of vaccines through operational Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance. For primary healthcare workers to be able to do this work effectively they should have the knowledge to detect an AEFI and at the same time be conversant with the reporting system. Objective: This study determined the knowledge of Adverse Events Following Immunization and the awareness of its reporting system among HCWs in primary health care centers of Jigawa State. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 HCWs working in immunization units, selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested self-administered structured questionnaire. The data collected was sorted, checked for completeness, and entered into computer analysis software (IBM SPSS version 20) for analysis. The results obtained were presented in tables and charts. All statistical tests were two-tailed with a p-value of &lt; 0.05 used as the statistical significance level. Results: About 167 (57.6%) of the respondents were aged between 21-30 years with a mean age of 31.3±7.4 years. The majority 278 (95.9%) of the primary HCWs were aware of AEFI, and seminars/workshops or training were the common sources of information on AEFI (216 (77.7%). Of the 278 primary HCWs that are aware of AEFI, only 120 (43.2%) could define AEFI correctly, and 142 (51.1%) and 87 (31.3%) could identify serious AEFI and non-serious (minor) as a type of AEFI respectively. Up to 213 (76.6%) of healthcare workers know the correct AEFI reporting flow, and only 44 (15.8%) know that only serious AEFI are reported. Conclusion: The majority of the primary healthcare workers were aware of AEFI and how to report it, but few had good knowledge of reporting it. The Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with Local government authorities should provide on the-job training on AEFI surveillance for the primary healthcare workers especially those that provide immunization services.