Descriptive Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Spiritual Well-Being, Disease Perception, and Disease Adaptation in Diabetic Patients in Southern Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated the relationship between spiritual well-being, disease perception, and disease adaptation in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods The sample consisted of 340 patients admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinics of a city hospital in southern Turkeybetween January 2022 and January 2023. Data were collected using patient information, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), and the Adaptation to Chronic Illness Scale (ACIS). The data were analyzed at a significance level of 0.05. Results Most participants were familiar with integrative interventions (84.1%). Less than half of the participants learned about integrative interventions from friends (46%). Less than a quarter of the participants had turned to integrative interventions (23.5%), such as cupping therapy (7.6%) and cinnamon therapy (7.1%). Participants had mean SWBS and ACIS scores of 118.40±11.46 and 84.46±9.18, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the ACIS and SWBS scores. There was also a positive correlation between total SWBS scores and scores on the IPQ "perceptions about the illness" subscale "timeline (acute/chronic)". Additionally, there was a positive correlation between the total ACIS score and the scores on the IPQ subscales "perceptions about the illness", "personal control", "treatment control", and "illness identification". Conclusion DM patients with greater spiritual well-being tend to adhere more to their treatment and management regimens. Moreover, DM patients with more positive perceptions of their illness tend to have greater levels of spiritual well-being, which correlates with improved adaptation to their disease management and treatment protocols.

A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study on Clinical Epidemiology of Different Types of Cancer in a Tertiary Care Centre: Insights From Eastern India.

Background and aim Cancer poses a significant burden in India, with a considerable number of people living with the disease and a substantial increase in new cases every year. Hence, considering the unique challenges faced by developing nations regarding the disease burden, this study has been designed. The aim of this work was to carry out a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study on various types of cancer conducted in a tertiary care centre in India. Methods One thousand cancer patients who attended the outpatientdepartment (OPD) from tertiary care cancer hospitals from July 2019 to December 2023 in Eastern India were enrolled. Patients included were of either gender, with their demographic details and the disease duration, who visited the OPD of hospitals meeting the eligibility criteria. Exclusion criteria were terminally ill cancer patientsand patients who did not visit the outpatient department of the studied site.Descriptive analysis and chi-square test were carried out using the SPSS statistical software, version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) for data analysis. Ethics committee approval was taken. Results Gastrointestinal tract cancer (31.3%, n=313) and breast cancer (19.8%, n=198) were found to be the most common types of cancer among all. Out of the total patients studied, 41.1% were males and 58.9% were females. Among regions, North Chotanagpur had the highest (40.5%) prevalence, followed by South Chotanagpur (26.0%). The majority of individuals belonged to 41 to 60 years (49.0%, n=490), followed by 21-40 years (28.9%, n=289). Gastrointestinal cancer was more prevalent among males (35.5%, n=146), while breast cancer was predominant among females (31.4%, n=185). Conclusion Cancer is more prevalent among rural females (58.9%), providing valuable insights into the prevalence of various cancers and highlighting differences between regions, age groups, and genders.

Knowledge of Health Students Regarding Nutritional Deficiencies in Patients With Celiac Disease in Jazan Region: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of celiac disease (CeD) was 2.7% greater than the global pooled prevalence of 1.4%. Patients who strictly adhere to a lifetime gluten-free diet (GFD) may develop nutritional deficiencies potentially contributing to obesity, increased cardiovascular risk, and lower bone density. Therefore, this study aims to assess the knowledge of health students in the Jazan region regarding nutritional deficiencies in patients with CeD who are on a GFD and to determine the associated socio-demographic factors. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among health college students of Jazan University, including students from the College of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, Public Health and Health Informatics, and Allied Health Sciences, aged 18 and above, excluding internship students, students who did not complete the survey, and those who refused to participate. The minimum calculated sample size was 368. The questionnaire was adopted from the literature and translated into Arabic.It contained a socio-demographic section and a knowledge section that included 12 questions focusing on the content of macro- and micronutrients in a GFD and the impact of the diet on the health of patients with CeD. The study included 369 participants, with 235 (64%) aged 17-22, 280 (76%) being females, and 341 (92%) being single. The College of Medicine and the College of Applied Medical Sciences had the highest representation, and the College of Dentistry was the lowest. Most participants were in the fourth year (30%) and sixth year (24%). The grade point average (GPA)had a median of 4.3. Approximately 59.1% were aware of nutritional deficiencies among CeD patients. None of the sociodemographic factors were associated with health students' knowledge regarding CeD. Participants from the College of Pharmacy had a lower knowledge of CeD nutrient deficiencies than those from the College of Medicine. (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.90). Most students stated that CeD patients should be advised to take multivitamin drugs and vitamin D supplements. Most acknowledged vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiencies in CeD patients. Similarly, most were aware of iron and calcium deficiencies, with a small percentage aware of zinc and copper. Approximately 59.1% had an acceptable level of knowledge, which is considered a low knowledge level among students who will be future physicians and healthcare workers to whom CeD will represent the first-line disease exposed to. Rising knowledge and awareness among those students will guarantee correct diagnosis, treatment, and better outcomes among CeD patients, thus decreasing the disease burden and increasing the quality of those patients.

Potential Risk Factors for Predicting Fetal Shoulder Dystocia

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess maternal, obstetric, and fetal risk factors, as well as shoulder dystocia (SD) maneuvers and perinatal outcomes, in the management of SD. Materials and Methods: This descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 66 documented patient cases of SD from a pool of 36 390 singleton vaginal deliveries. This review was based on hospital deliveries that occurred between 2017 and 2022. In addition, 201 control cases were selected from a computer-assisted randomization program, which were based pregnancy, delivery, fetal, and newborn outcome data. Regression analysis was used to elucidate the relationship between SD and associated risk factors. Results: The SD group exhibited a significantly higher mean age ( P < .05) compared with control group. Notably, the abdominal circumference (AC) measurement (sensitivity = 81.8% and specificity = 91.0%) and birth weight (sensitivity = 62.4% and specificity = 91.5%) emerged as the most significant risk factors for SD. Conclusion: These retrospective findings may suggest that aside from birth weight and AC measurements, other risk factors for SD demonstrate low sensitivity. This work also underscored the unpredictable nature of this obstetric complication.

The Assessment of Knowledge Regarding Anemia in Primigravida In Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Anemia remains the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, particularly among pregnant women. It significantly impacts maternal and fetal health, contributing to both morbidity and mortality. The problem is exacerbated by a general lack of awareness about the condition, its prevention, and management. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge regarding anemia among primigravida women attending a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, aiming to identify key educational gaps that could be addressed to improve health outcomes. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Gyne Out-Patient Department of a Public Hospital in Lahore. A total of 150 primigravida women were purposively sampled. Participants were excluded if they were visiting the labor room only or had a medical background. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, which included sections on demographic information and knowledge about anemia. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review boards, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests for categorical data. Results: Out of the 150 participants, 41.3% demonstrated poor knowledge regarding anemia, 30% had moderate knowledge, and 28.7% exhibited good knowledge. Awareness of dietary sources of iron and the impact of dietary habits on iron absorption was notably low among the respondents. Conclusion: The study revealed a significant lack of knowledge about anemia among primigravida women at the surveyed hospital, highlighting an urgent need for targeted educational interventions. Improving anemia awareness can potentially enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes.

Knowledge Level and Beliefs of Mothers of Children Under 5 Years of Age About Childhood Vaccinations

Vaccination prevents infectious diseases and mother’s consent is key to increasing childhood vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to assess mothers' knowledge, and beliefs about childhood vaccinations, as well as the impact of these factors on their vaccination behaviors. A descriptive cross-sectional study of 320 mothers was conducted. The data were collected using a questionnaire form. Most of mothers (98.4%) have their children fully vaccinated through the Extended Immunization Program (EIP), 96.6% of cases support vaccines necessity. Vaccine hesitancy was 7.8%, vaccine refusal was 1.6%. The majority of mothers believe that the most common side effects of vaccines are fever (53.4%). Mothers were not adequately informed about EIP were 42.2%, and 57.5% of them had not received non-EIP vaccines, and 33.1% cited lack of knowledge as the reason. The majority of cases (73.7%) received information about EIP from a doctor. Parents' educational status, higher family income, and having more than three children significantly increased non-EIP vaccination rates but had no significant effect on EIP vaccination (p<0.05). Mothers still support EIP, but vaccine hesitancy is growing due to a lack of information. It is critical to assess mothers' knowledge and beliefs about vaccination, and social awareness is also required.

A five years malaria surveillance data analysis of North Shewa zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia: July 2018 to June 2023

BackgroundMalaria is a critical public health concern in Ethiopia, with significant socioeconomic consequences. Malaria data trend analysis is essential for understanding transmission patterns and adopting evidence-based malaria control measures. The purpose of this study was to determine the 5 year distribution of malaria in North Shewa zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia, in 2023.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to analyse the 5 year trend of malaria surveillance data in the North Shewa zone of the Amhara regional, Ethiopia, spanning from July 2018 to June 2023. The malaria indicator data were gathered from the zone’s public health emergency management database. Malaria data from the previous 5 years was collected, compiled, processed, and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2019.ResultsAmong a total of 434,110 suspected cases 47,889 (11.03%) cases were confirmed as malaria, with an average annual malaria incidence rate of 4.4 per 1000 population in the Zone. Malaria cases exhibited an increase from Epidemiological Week (Epi week) 37 to Epi week 49 (September to November) and again from Epi week 22 to week 30 (May to July). Individuals aged 15 and above, and all districts in the Zone except Angolela were notably affected by malaria.ConclusionDespite implementing various measures to reduce malaria incidence, the disease continues to persist in the zone. Therefore, the Zone Health Department should intensify its preventive and control efforts.

The experiences of women diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy at selected Health facilities in Lusaka district, Zambia: a descriptive cross-sectional study

The experiences of women diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy at selected Health facilities in Lusaka district, Zambia: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Characteristics and motivational factors of candidates applying to the Master in Health Professions Education (MHPE) program

ObjectiveTo determine characteristics and motivational factors of applicants applying for MHPE program at a Public-sector University, Karachi. MethodsThis cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted from September till October 2022, included all 60 applicants of MHPE program at Jinnah Sindh Medical University. The survey questionnaire was administered (google form) and comprised questions seeking demographic information, few questions with options to select and 34 statements to be responded on 5-point scale. One open-ended question asking motivational factor/s. Data was analyzed using SPSS and independent sample t-test was used to determine the differences between groups of applicants based on demographic factors. Results48 participants responded, mean age was 35.8 ± 7.3 years, with predominantly males (81.3%), graduates of medical and dental programs (n = 29), and employed in medical education departments (n = 36). Most of the applicants wanted to join the program to improve their teaching skills, especially psychomotor skills teaching (96%) and educational research [90%]. Majority (64.6%) learned about the program through peers, whereas 29.9% independently chose to pursue the program. Their primary motivation stemmed from their inability to secure admission elsewhere and the belief that minimal effort was needed to acquire the degree (mean score 4.58 ± 0.87 and 4.42 ± 0.94), respectively. For medical and dental graduates, comparable responses emerged, displaying a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05). However, there was mutual disagreement regarding the program's structure and faculty as motivating factors. ConclusionPrimary motivations to earn an MHPE degree were to improve teaching skills. Motivations to apply to this particular program was the failure to be accepted elsewhere and the perception that minimal efforts were needed to complete this program. The program goals and purpose need to be better propagated along with changes in the admission processes in order to encourage those individuals to apply who are motivated to pursue medical education as a career.

Prevalence and correlates of complementary and alternative medicine utilization among infertile women attending selected fertility clinics in Khartoum state

Infertility poses multifaceted challenges, prompting many women to explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This study investigated CAM prevalence and types among infertile women in Khartoum. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 253 women. Data was collected through structured interviews, and descriptive and inferential statistics, with a significance level set at p&gt;0.05. The mean age of the participants was 31.59±6.9 years, with 53.8% being graduates, 54.5% diagnosed with primary infertility, and 45.5% with secondary infertility. CAM usage was reported by 52.2% of participants, with herbal treatments being the most prevalent (e.g., fenugreek 26.9%, argell 20.2%). Spiritual healing (11.4%) and folkloric methods (9.5%) were also noted. Most users (76.5%) did not disclose CAM usage to healthcare providers, citing beliefs in safety (56.8%) and effectiveness (39.4%). Family (72%) and friends (46%) significantly influenced CAM use. Infertility duration and rural residence were associated with CAM usage (p=0.002). The study underscores a high prevalence of CAM usage among Sudanese infertile women, primarily herbal remedies, and emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers engaging patients in CAM utilization.

Pattern of Clinical Presentation in Patients With Lymphoma.

Introduction Lymphomas take place when cells of the lymphatic system divide and re-divide in an uncontrolled fashion, and lymphomas have been termed as a "diverse group" of cancer, playing a major role in the area of oncology. The clinical behavior and manifestations of lymphomas in the head and neck region usually lack specific characteristics that would enable attribution to a specific lymphoma entity without biopsy and histological evidence. This study aimed to determine the frequency of common clinical features among patients with lymphoma. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of General Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from October 28, 2021 to April 28, 2022. The inclusion criteria consisted of individuals who were recently diagnosed with lymphoma and were between the ages of 10 and 50, regardless of their gender. This study enrolled a total of 186 patients diagnosed with lymphoma and assessed for common signs and symptoms. The data-gathering process included in-depth interviews, evaluations of medical history, physical exams, and initial investigations. The data analysis was done using IBMSPSSStatistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (Released 2011; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results The mean age of the patients was 34.5±9.6 years. Out of the total, 115 (61.8%) were men and 71 (38.2%) were women. With regard to symptoms, 134 (72%) had a fever, 80 (43%) had abdominal pain, 102 (54.8%) had vomiting, 49 (26.3%) had a headache, 111 (59.7%) had weight loss, and 17 (9.1%) had a cough. With regardto signs, 33 (17.7%) had painless lymphadenopathy, 58 (31.2%) had jaundice, 157 (84.4%) had anemia, 147 (79%) had hepatomegaly, 160 (86%) had splenomegaly, 24 (12.9%) had ascites, and 16 (8.6%) had abdominal tenderness. Conclusion The varied clinical appearance of lymphoma makes treatment difficult. In severe cases of lymphoma, early and timely diagnosis is crucial for proper and prompt treatment. The signs and symptoms, along with demographic information of patients, thorough medical history, imaging testing, andclinical examination,may indicate lymphoma.

Prevalence of Salmonella Typhi in Bile of the Patients Undergoing Cholecystectomy at a Tertiary Care Hospital Karachi

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of salmonella typhi in bile specimens collected from patients undergoing cholecystectomy at a tertiary care Hospital Karachi. Methodology: The descriptive cross-sectional study, was conducted at Department of Surgical Unit 21, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, from January 2021 to June 2021. Patients with symptomatic Cholelithiasis like sudden pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen which radiate towards right shoulder, nausea, vomiting, undergo cholecystectomy of either gender male or female with age 14 to 60 years were included. After open cholecystectomy, bile was aspirated from the gallbladder at fundus in five ml syringe and long spinal needles was used in case of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to collect bile under vision of telescope. Specimens were sent to laboratory according to protocol for culture sensitivity. Results: A total of 171 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Mean age of the patients was 49.39±8.78 years. 83 (48.5%) were male and 88 (51.5%) were female. Prevalence of salmonella typhi in bile specimens collected from patients undergoing cholecystectomy, was found 17.54%. Furthermore, the frequency of salmonella isolate was statically insignificant according to the patient’s gender, diabetes and obesity (p=&gt;0.05), while it was statically significant according to age up to 40 years and residence in rural areas (p-&lt;0.05. Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients were found to have Salmonella in bile from patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Therefore, close monitoring of patients must be done in all patients with regular follow-up.

Ocular Surface in Bangle Makers of Firozabad

Purpose: The bangle-making industry in Firozabad, India, is a significant source of employment for thousands of workers. However, the occupational hazards associated with this industry, particularly the exposure to glass dust and chemical fumes, calcide powder, etc. have raised concerns regarding the ocular health of bangle makers. This study is aimed to evaluate and describe the status of ocular surface among the bangle makers in Firozabad. Method: This was an OSDI questionnaire based cross sectional descriptive study, consisting a series of 12 questions about symptoms as itching, redness, blurred vision, grittiness, watering etc. Torch light examination of each subject was performed to look for any ocular abnormalities. An unstructured survey regarding the work hours in the factory, working experience in the bangle making industry, ocular complaints, history of hospital visits and prior eye-check-ups was also done. The responses were represented with the help of tables and chart. Results: 74 participants were enrolled in this study, OSDI score ranging from 23-33 that comes in moderate value. Maximum workers reported with normal eye health but there were ocular morbidities and surface abnormalities prevailing in this population, i.e. pterygium (8%), cataract (5.3%), pinguecula (2.7%), itching (6.7%), redness (4%). Conclusion: There is a need to improve occupational safety measures amongst the industry workers, including the provision of proper eye protection and mandatory eye check-ups to minimize the adverse effects on the ocular health of bangle makers, also need to increase awareness to motivate the workers for regular eye check-ups. Keywords: Ocular Surface, Infrared radiation, Occupational hazards, Ocular morbidities, Bangle makers.

Characteristic of fall in sarcopenic patients at the National Geriatric Hospital

Objective: to describe the characteristic of falls in sarcopenic patients at National Geriatric Hospital. Method: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Inpatients and outpatients at National Geriatric Hospital excepted for Emergency and Stroke departments, Intensive care unit. The research was conducted from July to October 2022. Results: Mean age 75.68±8.20, 78.2% female. 64 (21.8%) participants reported at least 1 fall in the previous 12 months and 42.9% of participants had a high risk of fall. The majority of falls occurred at home and in the house or bedroom (40%). Conclusion: Patients with sarcopenia have a high prevalence of falls and a high risk of falls. Fall risk assessment and implementation of fall prevention should be carried out in everyday practice.

Associated factors with health-related quality of life in osteoporosis patients

Objective: To assess the association between health- related quality of life and related factors in osteoporosis patients at the National Geriatric Hospital. Method: The study is cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 141 osteoporosis patients aged from 60 years was recruited. Data were collected using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, general information and geriatric syndromes. Results: The mean of quality of life were more likely to be higher in the patients who: lower age patient (p&lt;0.001), good marital status (p&lt;0.05), good sleep quality (p&lt;0.001) , minimal depression (p&lt;0.001), independence in function status (p&lt;0.001), normal nutrition status (p&lt;0.001) and low risk fall (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The proportion of patients with osteoporosis who have decreased quality of life is still increasing. Appropriate care aims to help patients develop effective strategies for accepting the disease and coping with it.

Epidemioclinical Profile of Inflammatory Ringworm in Children at the Koulikoro Reference Health Centre (Csref)

Introduction: Inflammatory or suppurative ringworm is a rare form of dermatophyte damage to the hair scalp. The aim is to describe the epidemioclinical profile of inflammatory ringworm in children at the Koulikoro Reference Health Centre (Csref). Methodology: This was a 12-month descriptive cross-sectional study of all cases of Kerions diagnosed in children at the Koulikoro Csref. Results: Over 12 months, 25 cases were recorded among 1,200 consulting patients, representing a hospital frequency of 2%. Males were 22 and females three, with a sex ratio of 7.33. The mean age was 7 years, ranging from 2 to 13 years. Conclusion: Celse kerions appear to be common in school-age boys, and contact with domestic animals is described in the majority of cases. Further work is needed to describe the fungi responsible and the risk factors.

Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards Pediatric Ear Infections in the Makkah Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Pediatric ear infections constitute a significant public health concern worldwide, adversely impacting children's health and well-being. Parents play a crucial role in prevention, ensuring timely healthcare access, and therefore minimizing potential complications. This study aims to assess parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards pediatric ear infections in Makkah region. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi parents who were ≥18 years old and lived in Makkah region. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 319 participants through social media platforms; data were collected from June to September 2023 via an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, along with knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to pediatric ear infections. A total of 319 parents were included in the study. The majority of the participants were female 228 (71.5%), and 208 (65.2%) had a university education level. The most common age groups were 18-30 years and 31-40 years. More than half of the participants (167, 52.4%) demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding pediatric ear infections. Positive attitudes and practices were reported by 183 (57.4%) and 285 (89.3%) of participants, respectively. Adequate knowledge was significantly higher among participants with younger ages (p<0.05). It was found that having a younger age (18-30 years) was an independent predictor of good knowledge (OR: 1.26 (1.96-3.65), p=0.009) and positive practice (OR: 1.53 (1.01-2.33), p=0.045). We found that the majority of parents in Makkah region had a good level of knowledge regarding childhood ear infections, with an overall positive attitude and practice. The study revealed that younger parents had superior knowledge and younger age was an independent predictor for good knowledge and positive attitude.

Factors Affecting the Performance of Health Workers in Nsiika Health Center IV, Buhweju District

Health systems can only function with health workers improving health service coverage and realizing that the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is dependent on their availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality. This study assessed the factors affecting the performance of health workers in Nsiika Health Center IV in Buhweju district. A descriptive cross-sectional study employing the quantitative method of data collection was employed with a sample size of 36 health workers working at different departments of Niika Health Center IV. They were chosen by a convenient sampling technique. Collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Service Solutions (SPSS) version 22.0. Data were analyzed and presented as frequency and percentage in the form of tables, figures, and charts. Out of 36 participants, 18 (50.0%) were within the age bracket of 29-34 years, 22 (61.1%) were females, and 16 (44.5 %) of the participants reported good skills in assessing patients. 22 (61.1%) indicated that they are motivated working as a team, 17 (47.2%) of the participants said their workload is high, 19 (52.8%) of the participants said they have a moderate relationship with their fellow workers, 27 (75.0 %) said equipment can sometimes be missing. In conclusion, health workers’ performance was greatly affected by both individual-related factors, health facility-related factors, and environmental factors which include; inadequate allowances, poor salary increments, and poor staff development programs, crushing workload as well as receiving inadequate feedback from supervisors. Keywords: Performance, Health Workers, Buhweju District, Health Centre

Factors Influencing the Uptake of HIV Testing Services among Youths living at Lake Katwe Landing Site, Kasese District

HIV remains one of the most serious global health threats. Globally, 38 million people are living with HIV, 68% of these in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective was to assess the factors influencing the uptake of HIV testing services among youths living at the Lake Katwe landing site, Kasese district. A health facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study design among 50 youths living at Lake Katwe landing site, Kasese district. Participants were chosen using a snowball sampling method. The data was collected by using a pretested interviewer semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed at two levels (univariate and bivariate) using SPSS version 22.0. Out of 50 participants, it was found that; 40 (80.0%) of the participants had ever tested for HIV, 10(20.0%) had never tested for HIV 34(68.0%) had less than twice tests, 6(12.0%) tested more than twice in a year. Several factors were significantly associated with the uptake of HIV testing services and these include; the participant’s age (Pvalue=0.001*), marital status (P-value=0.003*), participant’s occupation (0.009*), Participant’s preferred site for HIV testing (P-value=0.013*), Participants’ trust towards health workers (P-value=0.000*), Types of services wanted by the participants and Waiting hours when getting the HIV testing services (P-value=0.043*) respectively and Quality of the services provided (P-value=0.033*).Conclusively, the uptake of HIV testing services was low at 20.0% among youth and this low uptake was among youths who were singles and unemployed, however, participants who preferred private clinics and self-testing, lack of trust towards health workers and the quality of the services provided by health facilities were significantly associated with the uptake of HIV testing services. Keywords: Influencing Factors, HIV Testing Services, Youths, Health Care Services

Nonmotor Symptoms and Impulse Control Disorders in Parkinson's Disease Patients in India: A Cross-sectional Study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder with significant nonmotor symptom (NMS) burden, including impulse control disorders. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate NMS and impulse control disorders in PD patients under primary care. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 32 PD patients and evaluated using standardized assessment tools. Demographics, comorbidities, and symptom burdens were recorded. Evaluation tools included the Hoehn and Yahr Scale, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder assessment, Geriatric Depression Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale for cognitive impairment, NMS scale, and identification of impulse control disorders. In PD, comorbidities were prevalent (84%), and most were at Hoehn and Yahr Stages 2 and 3. REM Sleep Behavior Disorder was present in 28.12%, with 5 receiving clonazepam treatment. Depression affected 28.12%, with 5 receiving pharmacological treatment. Cognitive impairment was notable in 9 patients. NMS burden was high, with varying severity. Impulse control disorders were limited, whereas one case of dopamine dysregulation syndrome was identified. This primary care-based study in India assessed NMS and impulse control disorders in PD patients, highlighting comorbidities and management opportunities. The study's strength lies in evaluating an unselected primary care population, whereas limitations include small sample size. This study emphasizes the importance of primary care physicians in monitoring and managing NMS in PD patients. Impulse control disorders and cognitive impairment are critical aspects that need attention. The findings support an integrated approach involving health-care professionals across various disciplines to provide holistic care for PD patients.