Correct Answer Rate Research Articles

Awareness of Ischemic Stroke among Physicians in Primary Care and Emergency Departments

Objective: In particular, ischemic stroke is the primary cause of disability and loss of work force. With intravenous thrombolytic therapy and/or mechanical thrombectomy, stroke is a curable disease. In this study, we evaluated the ischemic stroke awareness of physicians who had first contact with stroke patients. Material and Methods: An online questionnaire of 20 items was applied to collect data. Participation was voluntary, resulting in 66 family physicians and 87 general practitioners. Results: 92.4% of family physicians and 90.8% of general practitioners responded correctly to the item that deals with ischemic stroke symptoms. In the item related to the duration of thrombolytic therapy, the rate of correct response of general practitioners was significantly higher than that of family physicians (p< 0.05). Physicians who worked in the profession for less than 5 years had a significantly higher rate of correct answers than those who worked in the profession for more than 5 years. Conclusion: Today, awareness of family physicians working in primary care and physicians working in emergency services who are in first contact with paralyzed patients should be increased. In addition, patient diagnosis and referral should be focused on. For this purpose, primary care physicians' knowledge on ischemic stroke should be increased. Training should be expanded to raise the awareness of physicians about new developments in stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Olfactory dysfunction in Japanese children with moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis

ObjectiveDetailed quantitative studies on olfaction remain inadequate in patients with paediatric allergic rhinitis (AR). This study examined olfactory dysfunction in children with AR. MethodsFrom July 2016 to November 2018, children aged 6–9 years were recruited and grouped as AR (n = 30) or without AR (control group, n = 10). Odour identification was evaluated by the Universal Sniff (U-Sniff) test and the Open Essence (OE). The results were compared between the AR and control groups. Intranasal mucosa findings, nasal smear eosinophil counts, blood eosinophil counts, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, Japanese cedar-specific IgE and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific IgE were evaluated in all participants. Additionally, the presence of sinusitis and adenoid hypertrophy in patients with AR was also evaluated by sinus X-ray examinations. ResultsThe median U-Sniff test scores were not significantly different between the AR and control groups (9.0 vs. 10.0, respectively; p = 0.107). The OE score was significantly lower in the AR group than in the control group (4.0 vs. 8.0; p = 0.007, respectively), especially in the moderate-to-severe AR group versus the control group (4.0 vs. 8.0; p = 0.004). Furthermore, in the OE, the correct answer rates for ‘wood’, ‘cooking gas’ and ‘sweaty socks’ were significantly lower in the AR group than in the control group. ConclusionsPaediatric AR patients can reduce olfactory identification ability, and the degree may be associated with the severity of AR in nasal mucosal findings. Furthermore, olfactory dysfunction may slow down the response to ‘emergency situations’, such as gas leak.

Flipped classroom applied to Neurosurgery in undergraduate medical education

PurposeTo compare the academic achievement obtained in Neurosurgery in a class of undergraduate students according to the pedagogical methodology employed: flipped classroom (FC) versus traditional lecture. Students’ satisfaction with the FC model is also analyzed.MethodsA quasi-experimental study was designed. The traditional lecture was the pedagogical method employed in teaching units (TUs) 1, 2, and 3 (61, 60, and 66 enrolled students, respectively), whereas TU 4 (69 enrolled students) used the FC methodology.ResultsThe dropout rate was lower, whereas the academic achievement and the rate of correct answers were higher in TU 4 compared to the rest of the TUs, but these results were not statistically significant. However, the mean score obtained in Neurosurgery was significantly higher in TU 4 compared to the rest of the TUs (p = 0.042). Active learning activities based on clinical cases were positively emphasized. The main weakness was with the time consumed for video-recorded lecture viewing.ConclusionsThe FC approach showed better academic results than traditional lectures when comparing students in the same Medical School during the same academic year undergoing the same exam. The students rated the FC approach positively, considering it stimulating and useful for learning.

Fact-finding survey on the competencies and literacy of radiological technologists regarding radiation disasters.

Radiological technologists serve as risk communicators who aim to lessen patients' anxiety about radiation exposure, in addition to performing radiological examinations. We conducted a fact-finding survey on knowledge and awareness of radiation disasters among the radiological technologists to reveal their literacy and competencies regarding radiation disasters. A paper questionnaire was distributed to 1,835 radiological technologists at 166 National Hospital Organization facilities in Japan. The 28-item questionnaire covered knowledge and awareness of radiation protection and radiation disasters. Radiological technologists were divided into 2 groups by regionality: areas where a nuclear power station was present/nearby (NPS areas) and non-NPS areas. Completed questionnaires were returned from 148 facilities with a facility response rate of 89.2% and from 1,391 radiological technologists with a response rate of 75.8%. There were 1,290 valid responses with a valid response rate of 70.3%. The correct answer rate for knowledge of radiation protection and radiation disasters was high in the 24 NPS areas. There were no differences in awareness of radiation disasters between NPS and non-NPS areas. Establishing a nationwide, region-independent training system can be expected to improve literacy regarding radiation disasters among radiological technologists. Willingness to assist during disasters was high among radiological technologists irrespective of area, indicating that the competencies of radiological technologists represent a competency model for radiation disaster assistance.

Objective evaluation of tongue diagnosis ability using a tongue diagnosis e-learning/e-assessment system based on a standardized tongue image database.

In Kampo medicine, tongue examination is used to diagnose the pathological condition "Sho," but an objective evaluation method for its diagnostic ability has not been established. We constructed a tongue diagnosis electronic learning and evaluation system based on a standardized tongue image database. This study aims to verify the practicality of this assessment system by evaluating the tongue diagnosis ability of Kampo specialists (KSs), medical professionals, and students. In the first study, we analyzed the answer data of 15 KSs in an 80-question tongue diagnosis test that assesses eight aspects of tongue findings and evaluated the (i) test score, (ii) test difficulty and discrimination index, (iii) diagnostic consistency, and (iv) diagnostic match rate between KSs. In the second study, we administered a 20-question common Kampo test and analyzed the answer data of 107 medical professionals and 56 students that assessed the tongue color discrimination ability and evaluated the (v) correct answer rate, (vi) test difficulty, and (vii) factors related to the correct answer rate. In the first study, the average test score was 62.2 ± 10.7 points. Twenty-eight questions were difficult (correct answer rate, <50%), 34 were moderate (50%-85%), and 18 were easy (≥85%). Regarding intrarater reliability, the average diagnostic match rate of five KSs involved in database construction was 0.66 ± 0.08, and as for interrater reliability, the diagnostic match rate between the 15 KSs was 0.52 (95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.65) for Gwet's agreement coefficient 1, and the degree of the match rate was moderate. In the second study, the difficulty level of questions was moderate, with a correct rate of 81.3% for medical professionals and 82.1% for students. The discrimination index was good for medical professionals (0.35) and poor for students (0.06). Among medical professionals, the correct answer group of this question had a significantly higher total score on the Kampo common test than the incorrect answer group (85.3 ± 8.4 points vs. 75.8 ± 11.8 points, p < 0.01). This system can objectively evaluate tongue diagnosis ability and has high practicality. Utilizing this system can be expected to contribute to improving learners' tongue diagnosis ability and standardization of tongue diagnosis.

A Tablet-Based Aphasia Assessment System "STELA": Feasibility and Validation Study.

There is an extensive library of language tests, each with excellent psychometric properties; however, many of the tests available take considerable administration time, possibly bearing psychological strain on patients. The Short and Tailored Evaluation of Language Ability (STELA) is a simplified, tablet-based language ability assessment system developed to address this issue, with a reduced number of items and automated testing process. The aim of this paper is to assess the administration time, internal consistency, and validity of the STELA. The STELA consists of a tablet app, a microphone, and an input keypad for clinician's use. The system is designed to assess language ability with 52 questions grouped into 2 comprehension modalities (auditory comprehension and reading comprehension) and 3 expression modalities (naming and sentence formation, repetition, and reading aloud). Performance in each modality was scored as the correct answer rate (0-100), and overall performance expressed as the sum of modality scores (out of 500 points). The time taken to complete the STELA was significantly less than the time for the WAB (mean 16.2, SD 9.4 vs mean 149.3, SD 64.1 minutes; P<.001). The STELA's total score was strongly correlated with the WAB Aphasia Quotient (r=0.93, P<.001), supporting the former's concurrent validity concerning the WAB, which is a gold-standard aphasia assessment. Strong correlations were also observed at the subscale level; STELA auditory comprehension versus WAB auditory comprehension (r=0.75, P<.001), STELA repetition versus WAB repetition (r=0.96, P<.001), STELA naming and sentence formation versus WAB naming and word finding (r=0.81, P<.001), and the sum of STELA reading comprehension or reading aloud versus WAB reading (r=0.82, P<.001). Cronbach α obtained for each modality was .862 for auditory comprehension, .872 for reading comprehension, .902 for naming and sentence formation, .787 for repetition, and .892 for reading aloud. Global Cronbach α was .961. The average of the values of item-total correlation to each subscale was 0.61 (SD 0.17). Our study confirmed significant time reduction in the assessment of language ability and provided evidence for good internal consistency and validity of the STELA tablet-based aphasia assessment system.

Effective haptic feedback type for robot-mediated material discrimination depending on target properties

Haptic feedback enables material perception via remote robotics. Both force and vibration information are essential for haptic feedback, and it is important to understand their applicability in different situations. In this study, the relationship between the effective type of haptic feedback and target properties in robot-mediated material discrimination was investigated. A remote-control system including a force presentation device and a wearable vibrotactile display was constructed. In the first experiment, the discrimination performance of material hardness was compared between two types of feedback, force and hybrid (vibrotactile and force) conditions. The results show that both feedback systems allow statistically-significant discrimination of the stimuli, and a significant difference in correct-answer rates between the two feedback conditions was not observed. This indicates that the force system was effective for hardness discrimination, and that there was no superimposed effect of the hybrid system. In the second experiment, the discrimination performance of material roughness was compared between three types of feedback (force, vibrotactile, and hybrid). The results indicate that the rate of correct responses for hybrid feedback condition are significantly higher than those for the force condition. This suggests that hybrid feedback is effective for roughness discrimination. Therefore, the effective type of feedback depends on the properties of target materials, and the superimposed effect of hybrid feedback was only observed in roughness discrimination. These findings play an important role in selecting the best feedback method for a given situation or constructing multiple feedback methods that achieve high discrimination performance.

The Prevalence of Educational Neuromyths among Hungarian Pre-Service Teachers

Teachers with poor neuroliteracy fail to distinguish scientific evidence from neuromyths (NM), which might lead to the implementation of pseudoscientific educational methods. The prevalence of NM and general knowledge about the brain (GKAB) among in-service and pre-service teachers has been assessed in multiple countries, but no such study has been performed in Hungary. The aims of this study were to (1) assess the neuroliteracy of pre-service teachers, (2) compare the results with those of previous studies and (3) analyze the factors influencing neuroliteracy. Our sample included 822 pre-service teachers from 12 Hungarian universities. We developed a survey including 10 NM and 13 GKAB statements, adapted from a widely used questionnaire. The average rate of incorrect answers to NM was 56.9%, whereas the average rate of correct answers to GKAB was 70.9%. Male gender and frequency of using Facebook as the primary information source about neuroscience were the only predictors of NM acceptance. In comparison with other studies, the Hungarian pre-service teachers had the second highest endorsement of NM. The most prevalent NM were linked to motor functions, which might be related to the widespread use and promotion of motor therapies in Hungary.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 among undergraduate students and its psychological impact on their life: A cross-sectional study

Background: The association between widespread outbreaks, such as COVID-19, and psychological distress and symptoms of mental illness is common. This study aimed to assess undergraduate students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward COVID-19 and its psychological impact on their life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The findings revealed that 11.9% of the participants had COVID-19, and 27.7% of their relatives contracted the disease. The overall rate of correct answers for the knowledge statements was 81.6%. Only 16.5% declared that COVID-19 had an extreme effect on their studies. However, 34% reported rarely or never having felt nervous or anxious during the pandemic. Conclusion: The findings revealed that undergraduate students have good knowledge and a positive attitude towards COVID-19, while their practice was poor. Also, the pandemic had a negative psychological impact on some students, thus the need for proactive psychological and social support for students.

Are ChatGPT's knowledge and interpretation ability comparable to those of medical students in Korea for taking a parasitology examination?: a descriptive study.

This study aimed to compare the knowledge and interpretation ability of ChatGPT, a language model of artificial general intelligence, with those of medical students in Korea by administering a parasitology examination to both ChatGPT and medical students. The examination consisted of 79 items and was administered to ChatGPT on January 1, 2023. The examination results were analyzed in terms of ChatGPT's overall performance score, its correct answer rate by the items' knowledge level, and the acceptability of its explanations of the items. ChatGPT's performance was lower than that of the medical students, and ChatGPT's correct answer rate was not related to the items' knowledge level. However, there was a relationship between acceptable explanations and correct answers. In conclusion, ChatGPT's knowledge and interpretation ability for this parasitology examination were not yet comparable to those of medical students in Korea.

Are ChatGPT’s knowledge and interpretation ability comparable to those of medical students in Korea for taking a parasitology examination?: a descriptive study

This study aimed to compare the knowledge and interpretation ability of ChatGPT, a language model of artificial general intelligence, with those of medical students in Korea by administering a parasitology examination to both ChatGPT and medical students. The examination consisted of 79 items and was administered to ChatGPT on January 1, 2023. The examination results were analyzed in terms of ChatGPT’s overall performance score, its correct answer rate by the items’ knowledge level, and the acceptability of its explanations of the items. ChatGPT’s performance was lower than that of the medical students, and ChatGPT’s correct answer rate was not related to the items’ knowledge level. However, there was a relationship between acceptable explanations and correct answers. In conclusion, ChatGPT’s knowledge and interpretation ability for this parasitology examination were not yet comparable to those of medical students in Korea.

Saúde auditiva de adultos e idosos: efetividade de ações educativas na modalidade remota para agentes comunitários de saúde

ABSTRACT Purpose: to assess the evolution of educational actions on hearing health, in the remote format, for Community Health Agents from Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, and to identify if there is a relationship between the level of knowledge acquired and the variables age, length of service and education. Methods: a quantitative and interventional research, carried out with 44 Community Health Agents, who participated in three meetings, via Google Meet. In the first, data on the professionals' knowledge were collected and, in the second and third meetings, there was training on 1) hearing, 2) hearing health and disorders, 3) organization of the Hearing Health Service, 4) use/hygiene of hearing aids and 5) importance of users' follow-up at the service, and the collection of knowledge acquired on these topics. Such collection took place through Quizzes, elaborated in Google Forms. The statistical tests Chi-square and Two-sample Test of Proportions were used to statistically analyze the data, with a significance of 5%. Results: there was a difference in the rate of correct answers in the post-training Quiz and the acquisition of knowledge was more evident when compared to the performances "worse" and "mistake" in themes 1, 2, 3 and 4. No relationship was found between the level of knowledge acquired and the studied variables. Conclusion: the educational actions proved to be effective and the level of knowledge acquired on the topics is not related to the studied variables.

The utility of phonocardiograms in real-time remote cardiac auscultation using an internet-connected electronic stethoscope: Open-label randomized controlled pilot trial.

We have shown classical cardiac auscultation was superior to remote auscultation. We developed a phonocardiogram system to visualize sounds in remote auscultation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of phonocardiograms on the diagnostic accuracy in remote auscultation using a cardiology patient simulator. In this open-label randomized controlled pilot trial, we randomly assigned physicians to the real-time remote auscultation group (control group) or the real-time remote auscultation with the phonocardiogram group (intervention group). Participants attended a training session in which they auscultated 15 sounds with the correct classification. After that, participants attended a test session where they had to classify 10 sounds. The control group auscultated the sounds remotely using an electronic stethoscope, an online medical program and a 4-K TV speaker without watching the TV screen. The intervention group performed auscultation like the control group but watched the phonocardiogram on the TV screen. The primary and secondary outcomes were the total test scores and each sound score, respectively. A total of 24 participants were included. The total test score in the intervention group (80/120, 66.7%) was higher than that in the control group (66/120, 55.0%), although the difference was statistically insignificant (P = .06). The correct answer rates of each sound were not different. Valvular/irregular rhythm sounds were not misclassified as normal sounds in the intervention group. Using a phonocardiogram improved the total correct answer rate by more than 10% in remote auscultation, although statistically insignificant. The phonocardiogram could help physicians screen valvular/irregular rhythm sounds from normal sounds. UMIN-CTR UMIN000045271; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000051710.

COVID-19 vaccination knowledge, attitudes and practices among the general population of Romania during the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic

Romania began its COVID-19 immunization programme with approved vaccinations in three stages, as follows: The first step of vaccination is for health and social professionals, the second stage is for high-risk persons and the third stage is for the remainder of the general public. This study aims at assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 and vaccination against COVID-19 in the Romanian population during the third wave of the pandemic. This cross-sectional study was based on a Bosnian and Herzegovinian study on COVID-19 vaccination during the country's third wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Our study sample, dominantly female (629; 61.0%), with a bachelor's degree (734; 71.2%), either single (539; 52.3%) or in a relationship (363; 35.2%), engaged in intellectual labour (910; 88.3%) and living in an urban environment (874; 84.8%) with a mean age of 25.07 ± 8.21 years, 294 (28.5%) people with COVID-19 symptoms and 86 (8.3%) were tested COVID-19 positive, had a mean knowledge score of 16.38 ± 4.0 with correct answer rates on questions ranging from 30.1% to 88.2%. Being single (odds ratio = 3.92, p = 0.029) or in a relationship (odds ratio = 3.79, p = 0.034), having a bachelor's degree and higher (odds ratio = 1.61, p = 0.006) and being COVID-19 tested (odds ratio = 1.82, p < 0.001) were associated with higher knowledge test scores. Our sample had relatively optimistic attitudes towards final COVID-19 disease containment (712; 69.1%) and vaccination programmes (679; 65.9%). The majority of the sample followed socio-epidemiological measures and did not visit places of mass social gatherings (666; 64.1%) and wore masks (992; 95.7%) while being outside their home. In terms of vaccination rates, 382 (37.0%) of the individuals were presently immunized against COVID-19. Higher knowledge test scores (>15 points) (odds ratio = 1.66, p = 0.002) and positive attitudes of this study (odds ratio = 1.59, p = 0.001, odds ratio = 4.16, p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors for vaccinating against COVID-19. Romanian citizens have had good knowledge, optimistic attitudes and appropriate practices towards COVID-19 vaccination during the third wave of COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Higher knowledge regarding the disease and vaccination against it not only increased attitudes towards the end of the pandemic, but also increased the willingness to be vaccinated and to avoid infection risk factors.

非麻痺側上肢を用いた感覚弁別課題により右上肢の痛みが軽減した左脳出血の一症例

[Purpose] This paper reports a case in which sensory discrimination tasks performed using the nonparalyzed and paralyzed upper limbs, in this order, effectively reduced pain in the latter. [Participant and Methods] The patient was a 40-year-old female with a complaint of pain at rest in her right upper limb 6 months after left cerebral hemorrhage. As various symptoms such as allodynia were present, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 1 was determined to be the cause of the pain. The therapeutic approaches included: a tactile discrimination task using balls that varied in hardness, surface roughness, and size; and a hot-cold discrimination task using water of different temperatures. The patient performed these tasks for 30 minutes each day for a period of 1 week, with her non-paralyzed upper limb first, and then with her paralyzed upper limb. [Results] The patient’s correct answer rate was higher than when she used only her paralyzed upper limb. Within 1 week of intervention, her right upper limb pain at rest was reduced. [Conclusion] The results support the effectiveness of sensory discrimination tasks also using the non-paralyzed upper limb when it is difficult to perform these tasks with the paralyzed upper limb only.

PS-P14-5: THE LINK BETWEEN SALT KNOWLEDGE, SALT REDUCTION AWARENESS AND SALT REDUCTION BEHAVIOR

Objective: The effects of salt on health are well known. However, salt intake is still high in Japan and the number of hypertensive patients is increasing. Therefore, we investigated the association between knowledge, awareness, and behavior towards salt among university students. Design and Methods: 72 university students (11 males and 61 females) from the Department of Nutrition (group N) and 70 university students (10 males and 60 females) from other departments than nutrition (group O) was included in the study. Knowledge and awareness of salt and their behavior were investigated using questionnaires and a salt checklist. Results: In terms of knowledge of salt, the target amount of salt intake (g/day) was answered as 7.2 ± 0.6 in group N and 15.0 ± 13.9 in group O, with no significant difference. When the target amount of 7–8 g/day of the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes was used as the correct answer range, the percentage of correct answers was 86% in group N and 10% in group O (p &lt; 0.001). The correct answer rate for seasonings with high salt content was 86% in group N and 27% in group O (p &lt; 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the percentage of correct answers for low-salt condiments. The percentage of correct answers for diseases associated with salt intake was significantly higher in group N. The proportion with low-salt awareness was significantly higher in group N (p &lt; 0.0001). The total score on the salt checklist was 10.7 ± 3.0 in group N and 13.4 ± 4.7 in group O (p &lt; 0.0005). Conclusion: The students from the Department of Nutrition had a higher level of salt reduction awareness, more knowledge about salt and a lower total score on the salt checklist. Medical and food knowledge may be useful in linking salt reduction knowledge with awareness and behavior.

Assessment of Awareness and Opinion: Grape Seed Extract’s Health Benefits

Objective To determine pharmacy students’ opinion and knowledge of the role and overall health benefits of dietary and herbal supplements such as grape seed extract. Methods Forty-two pharmacy school students were asked to complete an online survey to assess their opinion and knowledge of the overall health benefits of grape seed extract using Likert-scale type questions. Results Respondents were given an optional survey which received a 100% response rate. The students were asked nine-demographic questions, four-general lifestyle opinion questions, and five-opinion questions on grape seed extract and its overall health benefits. When investigating students’ responses, there was a significant variation between those that agreed to feeling comfortable enough to recommend grape seed extract to a patient with high blood pressure and agreeing to not looking in research evidence to make themselves aware of the benefit of grape seed extract in lowering blood pressure (p value=0.021). The scores of the five knowledge questions asked to the participants averaged 63.3%, with most of the students scoring below average (n=22, 52.4%). The question that received the highest rate of correct answers was question #2 that states that grape seed extract can improve blood flow (n=29, 69%). When investigating significance in response to blood-related questions (Q# 1,2,5) vs other organ-related questions (Q# 3,4), the results were significant (p value&lt;0.001). Conclusion Our results indicated that pharmacy students have a split general lifestyle opinion (n=22, 50%) when believing that grape seed extract had many benefits in lowering blood pressure. This study also indicated that first-year pharmacy students have limited knowledge of the application of grape seed extract in hypertension with an average passing score of 63.3% and over half (52.4%) of the students scoring below average. Results from this study additionally showed that demographic factors such as age, residence prior to attending pharmacy school and number of years worked prior to pharmacy school were significant in predicting the knowledge and opinion of grape seed extract. This supports the need to integrate more herbal product education within our pharmacy school modules. As patients become more interested in natural product therapies, it is the job of pharmacy students and pharmacists to educate themselves so they can aid in optimal care of all patients.

A Study on the Perception of Learning Coaches about Dyslexia

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions about dyslexia of the learning coaches working at the basic education support center, and to identify what personal variables affected those perceptions. In K-Province, 122 learning coaches at 7 centers were surveyed about their perceptions of the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of dyslexia. Descriptive statistics and a regression analysis were used to examine the accuracy level of learning coaches' perceptions of dyslexia, and what individual variables affected those accuracy level. The results showed that learning coaches had an inaccurate perception of the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of dyslexia, except for the symptoms of dyslexia (correct answer rate of 58.2%). Second, among the individual variables of learning coaches, teaching experience, training experience, and course completion about dyslexia had a positive effect on their perceptions of dyslexia, while self-confidence in teaching students with dyslexia had a negative effect on their perceptions. The results of this study also indicated that training about dyslexia for learning coaches should be continuously provided because the training experience had the most positive effects on their accurate perceptions of dyslexia.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception of Mosquito Control in Different Citizenship Regimes within and Surrounding the Malakasa Open Accommodation Refugee Camp in Athens, Greece.

The study aims to evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude and Perception (KAP) of different societal groups concerning the implementation of targeted community-based mosquito surveillance and control interventions in different citizenship regimes. Targeted surveys were carried out within Malakasa camp for migrants and refugees, neighboring residential areas and urban areas in the wider Athens metropolitan area to investigate different knowledge levels and the role that both local and migrant communities can play in the implementation of community-based interventions based on their attitudes and perceptions. A scoring system was used to rate the collected responses. Results indicate different levels of KAP among the various groups of respondents and different priorities that should be considered in the design and execution of community interventions. Findings indicate a lower level of Knowledge Attitudes and Perceptions for the migrants, while the rate of correct answers for Perception significantly improved for migrants following a small-scale information session. The study highlights disparities in the levels of knowledge for certain public health issues and the feasibility of certain approaches for alleviating health-related challenges such as mosquito-borne diseases. Findings suggest that essential preparedness is needed by public authorities to respond to public health challenges related to migration and the spread of vector-borne diseases.

The importance of regular and ongoing training for congenital CMV in countries without routine screening: A survey among pediatricians

Objective: Although CMV is the most common congenital infection, studies on how its importance is understood by healthcare professionals are limited. This research aims to assess awareness and knowledge of pediatricians regarding congenital CMV infection (cCMVi). Material and Methods: The target group of the study was pediatricians in Turkey. A 26-item anonymous questionnaire was developed, and implemented online. Participants were grouped by their professional seniority: Group-I, pediatric residents; Group-II, pediatricians; Group-III, specialists in any sub-branches of pediatrics; Group-IV, associate professors/professors in pediatrics. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 434 respondents. The mean duration of practice was 11.95±7.3 (1-40) years for professionals, and 31.14±13.1 (1-60) months for pediatric residents. Of the participants, 85.9% knew that cCMVi screening is not applied in Turkey and 89.4% had previously followed a patient with suspected cCMVi. Incorrect answers regarding transmission routes and diagnosis methods were significantly more preferred by pediatricians other than residents. Correct answer rates about most common clinical presentation, imaging modalities, common disease-related sequelae, and treatment were generally quite low. Conclusion: The responses revealed a lack of knowledge and awareness about cCMVi in Turkey among pediatricians, especially in professionals rather than residents. It is important to provide regular and ongoing training about cCMVi in countries where screening is not implemented.