Continuing Education Programs Research Articles

Development of agricultural competences as a priority factor of the sustainable development of Ukraine’s economy

Statement of the problem and its relevance. The intensification of crisis phenomena in the modern labor market in Ukraine is characterized by the insufficient level and number of specialists in the agricultural sector trained by the higher education system, the strengthening of the imbalance between the demand and supply of labor in Ukraine and abroad, large-scale destruction and risks, low labor efficiency and an insufficient and unstable level its payments in the agricultural sector. The current state, problems, and prospects of strengthening agro-economic competencies are studied. The purpose of providing modern educational services is to train future personnel capable of managing a modern enterprise based on environmental friendliness and circularity, to carry out the production and sale of environmentally safe food products that meet the needs of consumers, considering force majeure circumstances, changes in the culture of consumption and projected needs for strengthening the sustainability of business processes for future generations. Education for sustainable development requires the immediate development and implementation of a comprehensive program of continuous training and education of students in ecology, environmental protection, and rational nature management. Recently, as a result of the war, Ukraine has suffered significant losses of economic, ecological, social, and educational potential. This hurt the socio-economic indicators of the country's development, living standards, and population size. Changes to the legislation on several educational measures for adapting young people to new conditions and post-war reconstruction are proposed, and the main elements and competencies adapted to the modern risk conditions of economic development in the agrarian sphere are substantiated. Ukrainian agriculture can realize significant potential only by training young people with a high moral and ethical level who share the world values of sustainable development and care for the environment, an environment important for full entry into the global food market. Knowledge is of excellent importance for recovery and further sustainable socio-economic development in the information society's formation conditions. Their formation takes place as a result of the educational sector fulfilling its mission of socio-economic upliftment. Keywords: sustainable development, agrarian education, competitiveness, sustainable development strategies, post-war competences of the growth of the agro-industrial sector, efficiency of agricultural enterprises, modernization of institutions of higher agrarian education, agrarian economy.

Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Gene Regulation in Brazil

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the role of non-coding RNAs in gene regulation in Brazil Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study found that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play diverse and pivotal roles in gene regulation across various biological processes. From microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to circular RNAs (circRNAs) and transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs), ncRNAs participate in fine-tuning gene expression at multiple levels, including transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. These molecules act as crucial regulators of cellular homeostasis, development and disease pathogenesis. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Central dogma of molecular biology & competitive endogenous rna (cerna) hypothesis may be used to anchor future studies on role of non-coding RNAs in gene regulation in Brazil. Leveraging the dysregulated expression of non-coding RNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers will facilitate the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. By targeting specific non-coding RNAs associated with disease states, clinicians can tailor treatment regimens to individual patients, improving efficacy and minimizing adverse effects. Policymakers should prioritize funding for non-coding RNA research, recognizing its significance in advancing biomedical knowledge and improving healthcare outcomes. Educational institutions and professional organizations should incorporate non-coding RNA biology into undergraduate and graduate curricula, as well as continuing education programs for healthcare professionals.

The Role of Continuing Education in Lifelong Learning: A Quantitative Study in Two Universities in China

This quantitative study explores the role of continuing education (CE) in fostering lifelong learning among students in two universities in China: Hunan University of Science and Technology and Changsha University of Science and Technology. The research investigates students' attitudes, perceptions, and engagement levels towards continuing education, aiming to provide insights into the effectiveness of existing CE programs and identify areas for improvement. A structured questionnaire was administered to 300 undergraduate and graduate students, utilizing Likert scale responses. Results indicate a balanced representation across gender identities, with varying levels of engagement across academic years and fields of study. The majority of respondents report prior experience with CE, indicating proactive engagement in lifelong learning activities. Findings also reveal a generally positive outlook towards lifelong learning, with high levels of agreement on the importance of self-directed learning, adaptability, and openness to new ideas. Engagement with CE activities is predominantly positive, with strong participation in industry conferences, online courses, and additional certifications. Participants perceive CE as positively influencing academic performance, career prospects, and personal growth. The study underscores the significance of integrating CE initiatives into educational frameworks to support holistic student development and promote lifelong learning. It emphasizes the importance of addressing barriers to access and enhancing skills development within CE programs to empower students for success in today's dynamic job market.

The Continuing Training of Nurses and their Impact on their Organizational Commitment

Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect exerted by nurses' participation in lifelong nursing education programs on their levels of organizational commitment. Theoretical Framework: Discusses the importance of lifelong learning in the nursing profession, highlighting how continuous development of knowledge and skills is essential due to rapid advances in medicine and healthcare. It stresses that continuing education is a critical part of lifelong learning, necessary for the improvement of patient care and adaptation to socio-economic, technological and demographic changes. Method: This is primary quantitative research. The sample consists of 121 Greek nurses, employed in Attica. The response rate was 48%. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire sent via e-mails. SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis. In descriptive statistics, means and standard deviations were presented, and in inductive statistics, Pearson's correlation test and regression analysis were performed. Results and Discussion: The results showed a positive and statistically significant correlation between four of the five categories of nurses' participation motivations: "Professional Service", "Collegial Learning and Interaction", "Personal Benefits and Job Security" and "Personal Commitment and Reflection". Well-targeted programmes can strengthen organisational loyalty, suggesting that continuing education is fundamental to personal and professional development, as well as benefiting the quality of patient care and job satisfaction. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of nursing and continuing education programmes. These implications could encompass the professional performance and post-graduate training and work attitudes of staff working in the public health sector. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by exploring how nurses' continuing education impacts their organisational commitment in Greece. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced because it shows how continuing nursing education improves the quality of patient care and the overall functioning of health care organisations.

Understanding antibiotic knowledge, attitudes, and practices: a cross-sectional study in physicians from a Colombian region, 2023.

Antibiotic resistance has been identified as a global health threat. Knowledge, attitudes, and inappropriate prescription practices of antibiotics by physicians play a crucial role in this problem. In Colombia, research addressing this issue is scarce. A cross-sectional study involving 258 physicians was conducted. A scale with questions on sociodemographic aspects, level of education, satisfaction with antibiotic education received, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices was administered. The scale was designed for each item to be analyzed individually or as a total score ranging from 0 to 100 (0 being the lowest and 100 the highest). 31.5% of physicians rated the education received on antibiotics as fair to poor. The knowledge score was 80.1 (IQR 70.5-87.5); however, 25.2% agreed to some extent that amoxicillin is useful in treating most respiratory infections, and 15% agreed that antibiotics are effective in treating upper respiratory infections. Attitudes scored 80.2 (IQR 75.0-86.5), with 99% stating that bacterial resistance is a public health problem in Colombia, but only 56.9% considering it a problem affecting their daily practice. Practices scored 75.5 (IQR 68.8-81.2), and 71.7% affirmed that if they refuse to prescribe antibiotics to a patient who does not need them, the patient can easily obtain them from another physician. General practitioners were found to have lower scores in all three indices evaluated. The study reveals enduring misconceptions and concerning practices in antibiotic prescription, particularly among general practitioners. Enhancing knowledge necessitates the implementation of continuous medical education programs that focus on updated antibiotic guidelines, and resistance patterns. Fostering positive attitudes requires a culture of trust and collaboration among healthcare professionals. Practical enhancements can be realized through the establishment of evidence-based prescribing guidelines and the integration of regular feedback mechanisms. Moreover, advocating for the inclusion of antimicrobial stewardship principles in medical curricula is crucial, emphasizing the significance of responsible antibiotic use early in medical education.

Science-informed Policy Making for Protecting People and the Environment from Radiation.

The process to arrive at the radiation protection practices of today to protect workers, patients, and the public, including sensitive populations, has been a long and deliberative one. This paper presents an overview of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (US EPA) responsibility in protecting human health and the environment from unnecessary exposure to radiation. The origins of this responsibility can be traced back to early efforts, a century ago, to protect workers from x rays and radium. The system of radiation protection we employ today is robust and informed by the latest scientific consensus. It has helped reduce or eliminate unnecessary exposures to workers, patients, and the public while enabling the safe and beneficial uses of radiation and radioactive material in diverse areas such as energy, medicine, research, and space exploration. Periodic reviews and analyses of research on health effects of radiation by scientific bodies such as the National Academy of Sciences, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, and the International Commission on Radiological Protection continue to inform radiation protection practices while new scientific information is gathered. As a public health agency, US EPA is keenly interested in research findings that can better elucidate the effects of exposure to low doses and low dose rates of radiation as applicable to protection of diverse populations from various sources of exposure. Professional organizations such as the Health Physics Society can provide radiation protection practitioners with continuing education programs on the state of the science and describe the key underpinnings of the system of radiological protection. Such efforts will help equip and prepare radiation protection professionals to more effectively communicate radiation health information with their stakeholders.

Preschool children's asthma medication: parental knowledge, attitudes, practices, and adherence.

Introduction: As parents or legal guardians primarily care for children with asthma, understanding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) barriers to treatment and medication adherence is of essential importance. This study aimed to analyze the KAP toward asthma medication and adherence among preschool-aged asthmatic children's parents and explore the factors influencing adherence. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2023 and April 2023. Parents of preschool children with asthma were asked to complete the questionnaire containing knowledge, attitude, practice dimensions, and demographic characteristics. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) was used to investigate adherence. Results: A total of 632 valid questionnaires (154 male and 478 female) were included. Parents showed moderate knowledge (9.49 ± 2.86, 63.27%, possible range: 0-15) and moderate attitudes (26.18 ± 2.51, 74.80%, possible range: 7-35) towards asthma medication, while their practices (27.46 ± 5.26, 91.53%, possible range: 6-30) were proactive; however, medication adherence was low (4.84 ± 1.78, total score: 8). The attitude scores (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19, P=0.020), practice scores (OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.12-1.21, p < 0.001), and smoking (OR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.14-2.37, p = 0.008) were associated with medication adherence. Discussion: Preschool-aged asthmatic children's parents showed moderate knowledge, attitudes, and proactive practice toward asthma medication. Continuous training and education programs should be provided for parents to improve asthma medication management in preschool children.

125 Insights from a Process Improvement Co-op in the Development of an Informed Consent Professional Certificate (ICPC) Course

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The objectives of the ICPC Course were 1) to define elements needed to 'build' a solid framework for the creation of an effective informed consent document; 2) to examine various regulatory references and their importance in the context of the informed consent process; and 3) to review helpful tips and best practices of the informed consent process. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This 7-week course was a multi-disciplinary effort by the Miami CTSI, the Regulatory and Monitoring Support Office and the Human Subjects Research Office (HSRO), as part of their co-op partnership. The CTSI’s Network of Clinical Research Professionals (NCRP) (over 1995 members and established to offer and enhance education, training, and overall career development and networking for the U’s diverse research workforce) served as the target audience. The lead HSRO official was the course content developer and served as instructor. The Director of the HSRO served as the certificate &amp; program coordinator. Additionally, this course indirectly fulfilled part of the requirements of the Institution’s AAHRPP re-accreditation. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: 70 persons attended all sessions and received their certificate. A post-course survey was deployed (n=70). 69 respondents were extremely satisfied with course content; 67 were likely to recommend the course to a colleague. Feedback highlights include: appreciation for time taken to organize/offer the course; presenter knowledge and preparation; and that case studies/examples were up-to-date and applicable. As an added incentive to participate in the course, both the School of Nursing and the Medical School provided CEU credits and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) accepted documentation of candidate participation in continuing education programs for recertification. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Based on a need identified through a multi-disciplinary process, a successful Informed Consent Professional Certificate Course was created and implemented. Respondents indicate extremely high satisfaction with the course and felt it was very relevant and applicable to their practice.

To assess knowledge and awareness regarding treatment of dry socket among interns

Objectives: A painful dental condition known as a dry socket (also known as alveolar osteitis) can occasionally develop after the extraction of a tooth. A dry socket occurs when the blood clot at the site of the tooth extraction dislodges before it has healed. The idea of treating dry sockets with medication-related combined treatment is relatively new. Many drugs have the ability to treat dry sockets. The study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding the combined treatment of dry socket among interns. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out at a dental college to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of dental students regarding treatment of dry socket. Results: The statistical analysis showed significance in knowledge about the combined treatment of dry socket. The participants had basic knowledge regarding various aspects of dry socket except recent advances.. Female interns showed more knowledge than male counterparts however, due to the unequal number of male and female participants the difference is not statistically significant. Basic knowledge regarding dry socket management was satisfactory however, awareness regarding newer advances needs to be improved. Conclusion: It is strongly recommended that the students should update their knowledge using continuing education programmes, journal articles so that they can manage this clinical condition effectively.

Impacts of a continued Mathematics Education program on teaching practice in public schools of Jaguariaíva, Paraná

This article investigates the effects of a continuing education program in Mathematical Education for early elementary school teachers in Jaguariaíva, Paraná. The research, carried out within the Postgraduate Program in Science and Mathematics Teaching at Lutheran University of Brazil, adopted a qualitative approach, using questionnaires, reports, and observations. The training program, grounded in the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC) and school demands, emphasized playfulness and the use of digital technologies. The results showed positive impacts on teaching practices, including the acquisition of skills for remote teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic. The importance of the BNCC and continuous education to enhance pedagogical practice and the curricular of initial education courses is highlighted.

Knowledge regarding biomedical waste management among nursing staffs of Teaching Hospital at Birgunj, Parsa, Nepal.

Biomedical waste poses significant environmental and public health risks, necessitating proper handling and disposal. Nursing staff, as frontline healthcare providers, play a crucial role in ensuring safe biomedical waste management practices. The objective of this study is to identify the knowledge on biomedical waste management among nurses in a hospital at Birgunj. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working in National Medical College and Teaching Hospital. The nonprobability purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 169 nurses using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23 facilitated data entry and analysis. Descriptive analysis, employing mean and standard deviation, was conducted, while inferential analysis utilized the chi-square test to explore associations between knowledge levels and selected demographic variables. Results indicated that among the 169 respondents, the majority (67.45%) possessed adequate level of knowledge. Notably, no significant associations were observed between the nurse's knowledge level on biomedical waste management and the selected demographic variables. To enhance knowledge among nurses regarding biomedical waste management, it is recommended that hospital authorities organize continuous education programs and periodic training sessions. These initiatives can contribute to an increased understanding of proper biomedical waste management practices among nursing staff.

Assessment of the Institute for Research Design in Librarianship, Phase 2: Impact on the Research Productivity and Careers of Academic Librarians

Objective – This article reports on the qualitative phase of a two-phase sequential mixed-methods study to assess the first six years of the Institute for Research Design in Librarianship (IRDL), a continuing education program for academic and research librarians. The study is designed to assess the effectiveness of IRDL in meeting short-term and long-term programmatic objectives related to the research productivity, job performance, and professional identities of the participants in the program. Methods – In this second part of a two-phase study, the authors conducted focus group and individual interviews with 37 IRDL participants (hereafter called Scholars) and coded the resulting transcripts. The first phase of the study surveyed all 124 program participants; the results were reported in an earlier article in this journal. The second-phase interviews were conducted and then coded using a deductive process. The researchers identified transcript excerpts that explored the concepts of research productivity, job performance, and identity as a researcher. Each of these concepts was further sub-coded to explore the four sources of self-efficacy, as described in Albert Bandura’s theory: mastery experiences; verbal or social persuasion; vicarious experiences; and physiological and affective states. Results – The majority of the conversations in both the in-depth individual interviews and the focus group interviews centered around research productivity; approximately 70% of the transcript excerpts from focus groups and 55% of the individual interviews addressed issues related to productivity. Participants also discussed the impact of IRDL on their job performance and their identify as researchers. Gaining research confidence had a notable positive impact on job performance related to classroom teaching and supporting researchers. Within these areas of conversation, all sources of self-efficacy were evident, but the most frequently noted were influences related to mastery learning and social persuasion, through mentorship and becoming part of a peer research community. Conclusion – The findings from the focus groups and in-depth interviews deepen the meaning of the results from the quantitative phase of our IRDL assessment research. The participants in the study reported both frustration and satisfaction with conducting their research. A supportive environment focused on helping librarians gain needed research skills, practice those skills, and become part of a research community contributes to research confidence and productivity, improved job performance, and identity as a researcher. The findings of this study have implications for developing librarians as researchers, including the importance of a supportive work environment, research mentoring, and the positive influence of becoming part of a research community.

Development and effectiveness of a BOPPPS teaching model-based workshop for community pharmacists training.

With the pharmaceutical innovation and clinical knowledge updating, the continuing education and on-the-job training are extremely important for improving community pharmacists' professional competence. Previous training often adopted traditional lecture-based teaching, and the efficacy was limited. The aim of this study is to develop a new strategy for community pharmacist training. Based on the BOPPPS (Bridge-in, Objective, Pre-assessment, Participatory Learning, Post-assessment and Summary) teaching model and workshop method, a continuing on-the-job training program was constructed. Participates were randomly and evenly divided into two groups by random number table method. Twenty-four community pharmacists in total completed all training contents and evaluation components in this study. Twelve pharmacists in experimental group were trained via this new BOPPPS-based workshop, while others still adopted traditional didactic lecture-based approaches. After training, quantitative examination combined with clinical pharmacy practice tests were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of two training groups. For written exam, the total scores from the BOPPPS-based workshop group (82.67 ± 4.70) was higher than that of traditional lectured-base group (73.75 ± 6.15) (P < 0.001). Encouragingly, compared with the results of practical ability assessment from traditional training group (71.75 ± 4.75), the pharmacists receiving BOPPPS-based workshop training presented more excellent performance (78.25 ± 5.03), which displayed statistically significant differences (P < 0.01). In addition, an anonymous questionnaire was used to survey trainees' feelings after completing this continuing education program. The results revealed that the BOPPPS-based workshop can bring a better learning experience than traditional lecture-based training, and the percentages of positive response to each item were more than 91.7%. Through multi-dimensional evaluation, it was suggested that our BOPPPS-based workshop achieved desired training effects. Moreover, our research also demonstrated that this strategy had advantages of stimulating inspiration, autonomous learning, team-work spirit and pharmacy practice improvement. It may provide a reference of innovative training method for community pharmacists.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental health professionals toward dental impression disinfection protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia– a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDespite the updated guidelines on dental impression disinfection protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to such procedures has not been studied among dental health professionals in Saudi Arabia. Understanding DHPs’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 is crucial in assessing a willingness to adhere to the recommendations provided by health authorities in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 via dental impressions impacting patient safety and infection control measures. Hence, this study aimed to assess dental health professionals’ (DHPs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward dental impression disinfection protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from 14 December 2022 to 21 March 2023 among practicing dentists, dental assistants (DA), dental laboratory technicians (DT), and dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia. A validated and reliable questionnaire that consisted of 38 items along with demographic variables was prepared to collect the data. Using Google Forms, a questionnaire link was prepared and shared on the social media platforms of DHPs in Saudi Arabia. A descriptive analysis was conducted to report the percentages and frequencies. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were analyzed using an Independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation tests.ResultsA total of 718 DHPs voluntarily participated in the survey. Most of the DHPs exhibited average knowledge 392 (54.6%), neutral attitudes 393(54.7%), and adequate 549 (76.5%) practice towards dental impression disinfection protocol. The mean knowledge score differed significantly across nationality (p = 0.013), type of DHPs (p < 0.001), qualification (p = 0.045), and experience (p = 0.028) of the study participants. Significant differences in attitude towards impression disinfection were observed in different age groups (p = 0.002), qualifications (p = 0.015), and experiences (p = 0.024) of the DHPs. Similarly, practice varied across different age groups (p = 0.010), nationality (p = 0.013), type of DHPs (p = 0.019), qualification (p = 0.044), experience (p = 0.041), and COVID-19 Infection (p = 0.006). Moreover, a significant positive correlation between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.258, p < 0.01), knowledge-practice (r = 0.283, p < 0.01), and attitude-practice (r = 0.196, p < 0.01) was observed.ConclusionDHPs considered in this study demonstrated average knowledge and attitudes toward impression disinfection, requiring improvement through continuous dental education and training. However, they displayed acceptable dental impression disinfection practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is highly recommended that continuing education programs should mainly reinforce the knowledge of sodium hypochlorite, iodophor, and phenolics and their concentrations to be used as an impression disinfectant. Additionally, it should focus on techniques of disinfecting elastomeric, hydrocolloid, zinc oxide and eugenol, and impression compound materials to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 based on Saudi ministry of health guidelines.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Phenotyping: An Unmet Educational Need of Healthcare Providers.

Diagnosing alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1ATD) involves two-step laboratory testing, determination of serum alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) level and phenotyping if A1AT < 100 mg/dL. Whether these guidelines are effectuated in clinical practice is uncertain. To begin to address this issue, we determined whether A1AT phenotyping is performed in patients with serum A1AT 57 - 99 mg/dL at our institution. We reviewed the medical records of patients seen at Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center from January 2019 to October 2022 with serum A1AT between 57 and 99 mg/dL. In each case, pertinent demographic, clinical, and pulmonary function tests data were extracted. Data were presented as means and standard deviation (SD) where appropriate. The Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Thirty patients (90% males; 60 ± 18 years) with serum A1ATD < 100 mg/mL were identified. Fourteen were African Americans, four Hispanics, and 12 non-Hispanic Whites. The majority were current or ex-smokers. Fourteen (47%) patients had lung disease, 14 (47%) liver disease and one had concomitant lung and liver diseases. Mean ± SD forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and lung diffusing capacity were 2.57 ± 1.41 L (67±19% predicated) and 18.7 ± 10 mL/min/mm Hg (64±28% predicted), respectively. Only 13 patients (43%) underwent phenotype testing (seven African Americans, five Whites, and one Hispanic). Six patients had MZ phenotype, four MS, and three SZ. One patient died from acute respiratory failure during the study period. Phenotyping of patients with serum A1AT 57 - 99 mg/dL at our institution is inadequate. Accordingly, regular continuous medical educational programs on A1AT phenotyping targeting healthcare providers are warranted.

Current trends in placing posterior composite restorations: Perspectives from Palestinian general dentists: A questionnair study.

The success of composite restorations relies on material selection and practitioner-related factors that shape the overall outcome. This study explores the practices of Palestinian general dental practitioners in placing posterior composites, examining the impact of work sector, experience, and gender on their choices. The study was conducted as an online cross-sectional questionnaire and involved 351 participants, with a response rate of 69.8%. The survey comprised 18 closed-ended questions covering demographics, material selection, and composite placement in special cases, techniques, and factors influencing the choices. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and Fisher's exact tests. Composite was the predominant choice for small-size (83.7%) and large-size posterior cavities (60.4%). Practitioners commonly opted for composite restorations in cases involving occlusal parafunctional activity (60%), poor oral hygiene (78%), and subgingival cavities (72.2%). Only 19.6% and 5.3% reported occlusal and gingival beveling, respectively. Rubber dams for isolation stood at 30%, one-step self-etch adhesives at 44.9%, and the oblique layering technique at 51%. Light-emitting diode curing units were popular (97.55%), but monitoring output with a radiometer was infrequent (93.5%). Tofflemire metal matrix usage was 46.1%, whereas a sectional matrix system was employed by 29.8%. A 2 mm layer exposure to light curing for 20 s was reported by 62%, and 27.75% utilized additional light-curing postmatrix band removal. The study highlights the need for Palestinian dental professionals to update their clinical approaches in placing composite restorations in posterior teeth. Gender, work sector, and experience influence practitioners' choices, emphasizing the importance of tailored continuing education programs for improving clinical practices.

What Does a KAP Survey Reveal about the Awareness Regarding Leishmaniasis among the Community of an Endemic Area in Sri Lanka?

Leishmaniasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases. Studies show that the poor knowledge about epidemiological aspects of leishmaniasis within communities causes the collapse of existing disease control programs. Therefore, the present study focuses on a detailed survey of the existing awareness among the threatened population in the Medawachchiya Public Health Inspector's (PHI) Area in the Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka, aiming to assist the health staff to organize community-based vector control programs effectively in the future. Assessment of the awareness of residents of two hundred and seventy households (n = 270) from 10 Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) was carried out by using a structured questionnaire. Among 143 females and 134 males, only 75.1% had knowledge about the disease, 5.8% (n = 16) of the participants knew only about the vector, and 28.9% (n = 80) knew about control methods. The study showed a considerable lack of awareness about the disease among the studied population. The study found that age and education levels had significant impacts on knowledge, attitudes, and practices. However, factors like gender, marital status, occupation, income, and expenses did not show significant correlations. The present study suggests huge scope for greater achievements in community-related vector control methods by implementing a continuous educational program.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, perception towards pharmacy practice regulations 2015 among community pharmacists in Mangalore

The Pharmacy Practice Regulations of 2015 were formulated to standardize and enhance pharmacy practices in India. Community pharmacy professionals globally are taking on expanded roles in patient care and health promotion. However, some lack awareness of recommended pharmaceutical care services in new regulations. This knowledge gap poses risks of medication errors and serious consequences, even patient fatalities. To address this, it's crucial to provide ongoing education, enhance communication, integrate technology, ensure regulatory compliance, and establish effective feedback mechanisms within pharmacies. These measures aim to improve knowledge, compliance, and, ultimately, patient safety. This study, conducted in Mangalore over a period of approximately 2.5 months, is a community-based cross-sectional study with a sample size of 100 participants. It included community pharmacists working in Mangalore. Knowledge of community pharmacists were analysed and it was found that out of 100 participants only 18% were aware, 60% were not aware and 22% were not sure about the PPR,2015. In this study, 42% of participants were not aware of the duties outlined in PPR,2015. Among the surveyed pharmacists, 55% believed that adhering to Pharmacy Practice Regulations was essential for improving patient healthcare. In contrast, 20% held the opinion that following these regulations was unnecessary, while 28% expressed uncertainty on the matter. Mandating minimum education level for working in community pharmacies should be implemented. Practicing pharmacists should be encouraged to update their knowledge by attending continuous education programmes. The morals and responsibilities of community pharmacists should be continuously reminded to the pharmacists.

Learning program to develop digital skills in high school teachers

The present study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a learning program aimed at strengthening the digital skills of high school teachers, given the current lack of these skills in the educational environment. A quantitative approach was adopted through a quasi-experimental design, with a population of 73 teachers. A 21-item questionnaire was implemented, validated through expert judgment and the V-Aiken coefficient, with a reliability of 0.826. After the application of the designed program, significant improvements were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group, which shows the positive impact of the program on the development of digital skills. These findings highlight the need to integrate training and continuing education programs to enhance digital skills in the educational field.

Effect of a Nurse-Led Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Sleep disorders are one of the most common complications in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-I) is used as a way to improve sleep quality. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of a nurse-led CBT-I on sleep quality among patients undergoing open-heart surgery. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients undergoing open-heart surgery in both intervention and control groups (N = 45). The control group received routine care. The intervention group received 10-12 sessions of nurse-led CBT-I. The demographic questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to collect data. The data was analyzed in SPSS v. 22 software using X2, independent sample t -test, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and paired t-test. Results: The majority of samples were in the age range of 31 - 40 years (33.33%) and male (53.33%). The results of the independent t-test showed that the mean total PSQI score in the 2 groups before the intervention was not significantly different (P = 0.245). Also, the results of ANCOVA showed that the mean total PSQI score after the intervention has a significant difference in the 2 groups (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Nurse-led CBT-I intervention helps to improve the sleep quality of patients after open-heart surgery by reducing their automatic thoughts that affect behavior. Thus, it is recommended that training in nurse-led CBT-I be included in the nurses' academic training program, as well as in continuing education programs for nurses working in heart surgery wards.