Data Collection Form Research Articles

Human-Centered Design to Respond to Public Health Crises: Maintaining Canine Rabies Vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Peru.

In the early coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, limited understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission and fears of infection hindered mass dog vaccination efforts in dog rabies-affected areas. Interruption of dog rabies vaccination campaigns could lead to a rapid increase in the risk of human rabies. To address these challenges, we applied human-centered design (HCD) principles to develop a vaccination strategy that prioritizes safety while ensuring dog rabies vaccination continuity in Arequipa, Peru, a rabies-affected area. We describe the process of rapid prototyping and testing undertaken by our research team to adapt the vaccination process in response to a health crisis. A multidisciplinary team met twice a week to prototype a fixed-point vaccination campaign that ensured distancing and reduction of fomite transmission while allowing for the continuation of dog vaccination. Field notes and videos informed successive meetings. The final prototype was used in rabies hotspots. In 4 weeks, six prototypes of safe booths and supporting safety protocols were designed, and two copies of each prototype were field tested. During testing, additional innovations were identified and implemented, including virtual vaccine certificates and online data collection forms. The final prototype was implemented across 251 sites, and 17,876 dogs were vaccinated. Using HCD principles, we swiftly developed a mass vaccination strategy that provided safety and enabled the maintenance of rabies vaccination programs. This work highlights the importance of innovative and adaptive approaches to address public health challenges in times of crisis.

Role of social innovations in health in the prevention and control of infectious diseases: a scoping review.

The implementation of social innovations for addressing societal challenges, particularly in health, leverages community participation and technology to optimally meet social needs compared to traditional approaches. A key feature of these innovations is their ability to utilize existing capacities for contributing to resolving infectious disease outbreaks, which has attracted significant attention from health organizations. Given the potential of these innovations, this study has investigated social innovations in the prevention and control of infectious diseases as one of the major global challenges in the form of a comprehensive literature review. This review study examined the relevant literature from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2022. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 50 documents were retained and fully examined. The documents were analyzed by applying a thematic analysis, and important content related to the application of social innovations for the prevention and control of pandemic infectious diseases was extracted using a data collection form. Five major themes concerning social innovation in the prevention and control of epidemic diseases were discerned as follows: new products, novel processes and policies, empowerment, innovative practices and behaviors, and community engagement. New products include technological products for control and management of epidemics, preventive products, diagnostic and therapeutic products. Novel processes and policies are related to reorienting and reorganizing care methods, control and monitoring policies, participatory and creative strategies. Empowerment is focused on enhancing the capabilities of health workers, community leaders, and communities. Innovative practices and behaviors involve technology-based participation and support mechanisms. Community engagement is related to awareness, consultation, community mobilization, and participation in production and support. During the outbreak of infectious diseases, governments are faced with many challenges, including health, economic and social challenges. To answer these challenges, tools should be used that have the ability to answer the problem from several aspects. Social innovation as an appropriate process in response to health crises has led to new forms of relationships and empowered the communities. And to promote public health, it provides the opportunity for all members of the society to participate in crisis resolution and optimal use of resources.

Prevalence and management of anemia and impact of treatment burden on health-related quality of life in chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients.

Anemia management in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant challenge for healthcare professionals worldwide. The extensive management of CKD and its complications is directly linked with a substantial treatment burden, which impacts quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and management of anemia and to evaluate the treatment burden and its impact on the QoL of CKD and dialysis patients in Pakistan. A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in three hospitals. A total of 170 patients were enrolled, with 156 available for follow-up after six months. Their prior consent was obtained. Each participant was interviewed in person and received a data collection form. At baseline, the prevalence of anemia among CKD (stage 3-5) and dialysis patients was 78.7% and 94.7%, respectively. Patients on dialysis used more erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs), with 38.6% at baseline and 40.8% by month six, compared to non-dialysis CKD patients. Oral iron was used by 6.2% of stage 3, 25% of stage 4, 20% of stage 5 patients, and 6.6% of dialysis patients at baseline. At the six-month follow-up, 42.8% of CKD and 33.8% of dialysis patients achieved the target hemoglobin level. Dialysis patients had a higher treatment burden compared to CKD at baseline (77.4±10.6 vs 59.3±13.3) and at six-month visit (79.3±11.1 vs 59.1±14.5). The multiple regression analysis showed that treatment burden had a significant association with age, disease duration, and comorbidity at baseline. There was a significant negative correlation between overall treatment burden and QoL, indicating that QoL decreases as treatment burden increases. Anemia was prevalent, and its management was suboptimal in this study. The overall treatment burden score was high in dialysis patients, negatively affecting the QoL.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Urinary Incontinence in Sexually Active Women in Ecuador.

Background/Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) significantly affects women's health worldwide, but its specific prevalence in Ecuador is not well documented. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence among sexually active women in the Cuenca canton and the factors associated with its presence. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2023 to January 2024 involving 460 women aged 30 years or older attending public health centers in Cuenca, Ecuador. The ICIQ-SF questionnaire was used to assess the presence and severity of UI and its impact on quality of life, along with a data collection form. Results: The findings revealed that UI is prevalent in a population that often lacks timely diagnosis, further obscuring the true extent of the issue. The results demonstrated that sociodemographic, gyneco-obstetric, and urological factors significantly influenced the risk of developing this condition. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of UI among women in Cuenca, Ecuador, with a notable impact on quality of life. The aforementioned factors predispose to the development of this condition, highlighting the need for preventive and rehabilitative interventions, as well as appropriate policies to address UI as a public health issue.

The effect of acupressure on postpartum pain and comfort after cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effect of acupressure on pain and postpartum comfort following a cesarean section. The study was conducted with 60 women who underwent cesarean delivery. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. In the intervention group, acupressure was applied to the LI4, SP6, and P6 points for 15 minutes at the 2nd and 4th hours after the cesarean section. In the control group, acupressure was not applied and only routine nursing care was given. Data was collected using a personal information form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PCQ). Acupressure application was applied to the intervention group at the 2nd and 4th hour after cesarean section. All data collection forms were filled out by women in the intervention group before starting acupressure application at 2 hours after cesarean section. VAS was filled out again after acupressure application at 2 hours. VAS was filled out before and after acupressure application at 4 hours after cesarean section. PSQ was filled out in both groups before discharge. In the study, the intervention group’s 2nd (3.03 ± 1.24, p < .001) and 4th (4.06 ± 1.22, p < .001) hour posttest VAS scores were lower and PCQ posttest scores (140.6 ± 9.01, p < .001) were higher than the control group. The results indicate that acupressure intervention applied to points LI4, SP6, and P6 was a useful nonpharmacological treatment for postpartum pain and comfort for the study group.

Psychometric Properties of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) Among Students at Jeddah University, KSA

Objectives: The current study examines the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) to verify its adequacy for the Saudi environment. The study identifies gender differences in smartphone addiction at Jeddah University and highlights a variety of smartphone-based activities. Methods: The sample consists of (272) male and female students at Jeddah University, and it is divided into )152( female students and )120( male students, respectively representing 55.9% and 44.1%. Their ages range from 19 to 23 years old with an average age of 21.66 and a standard deviation of 1.732. The tools include a basic data collection form and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) by Kwon et al., 2013a. Results: The study shows that the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) has good psychometric properties, reflecting its validity and reliability in the Saudi environment. Moreover, the study reveals that there are significant differences between male and female university students in smartphone addiction at 0.001, favoring male students. That is, male students suffer more from smartphone addiction than female students. In addition, the study shows that there are diverse smartphone-based activities among students. Conclusion: Based on the results, the study recommends offering counseling programs, lectures, and seminars to raise awareness of the negative effects of using smartphones and to help university students (especially males) to get rid of this behavioral addiction.

Antepartum Cardiotocography and Feto-maternal Outcome Among Admitted Patients in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: Admission Cardiotocography (CTG) a noninvasive procedure, is used to indicate the state of oxygenation of the fetus on admission into the labor ward. This study is performed to assess the association of admission CTG findings with feto-maternal outcome at a tertiary health facility in Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A prospective, observational study of 50 pregnant women who were admitted into the labor ward with singleton live pregnancies in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Information on the demographic characteristics, obstetrics and medical history, admission CTG tracing and neonatal outcome was obtained using a structured data collection form. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 20.0 with the level of significance set at p&lt; 0.05. Results: The admission CTG findings were normal in 72% and abnormal in 28% of the women. The occurrence of low birth weight, asphyxiated neonates and Special Care Neonatal Unit (SCANU) admission was significantly more frequent among those with abnormal admission CTG results compared with normal results (p&lt;0.001 for each). The incidence of cesarean delivery was more common when the CTG findings were abnormal, whereas all women with normal CTG result had a vaginal delivery (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Admission CTG was effective in identifying fetuses with a higher incidence of perinatal asphyxia. Neonatal outcome such as low birth weight, APGAR score and SCANU admission was significantly associated with pathological CTG findings. In the absence of facilities for further investigations, prompt intervention for delivery should be ensured if admission CTG is pathological. IAHS Medical Journal Vol 7(1), June 2024; 50-53

Abstract 4125093: Association of Systemic Inflammatory Index and Systemic Inflammatory Response Index with Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Who Had Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Introduction: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Inflammatory indicators such as neutrophil count and monocyte count potentially may predict patients’ outcomes and prognosis in ACS. White blood cells count is an affordable and accessible way to assess the systemic immune response. Considering their multidirectional effect on atherosclerosis, new inflammatory biomarkers integrating various leukocyte subgroups have been proposed to calculate the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and systemic inflammatory index (SII). Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and Systemic inflammatory index (SII) at admission with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) 30-days after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) among patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) at one referral hospital in Jordan. Method: A Prospective design was used to assess and follow 150 adults presented with ACS and received PPCI at one referral hospital in Jordan. Data was collected from patients and their medical records during hospital stay using a structured data collection form. The MACE was assessed 30-days after PPCI through phone calls with patients and confirmed from medical records. Results: The study included 150 patients with ACS, 82.7% (n= 124) of them were males. The mean age of patients was 57.68 (SD= 11.19) years. Types of ACS include stable angina 5.3% (n=8), unstable angina 24% (n=36), NSTEMI 28.7% (n=43), and STEMI 24% (n=36). All patients had interventional PCI with balloon and stent insertion. The mean of SIRI was 24.45 (SD=25.49) and the mean of SII was 663.30 (SD= 403.75). Rate of MACE as composite outcome 30-days after PPCI as 24.7% (n=37). The most MACE was unplanned repeat revascularization (n=14, 38% of MACE). Significant association between SIRI and SII, and MACE was found SIRI:(Χ 2 (2)&gt; = 12.63, p = 0.001), SII:(Χ 2 (2)&gt; = 4.23, p = 0.03) . Conclusion: The SIRI and SII are inflammatory biomarkers that should be studied as potentially predictors of MACE among patients presented with ACS.

An audit to review compliance to cisplatin hydration guidelines within the royal Marsden NHS hospital

Abstract Introduction Cisplatin is a cytotoxic agent that forms the backbone of many cancer regimens.1 Cisplatin exhibits good anti-tumour activity however it can accumulate in the renal proximal tubules, leading to nephrotoxicity. It is therefore essential that adequate hydration with diuretics and fluids alongside is administered prior, during and after cisplatin infusion to promote renal perfusion.2 The local policy for intravenous hydration for cisplatin-based regimens states that adult patients are to be weighed prior to treatment and weighed again after treatment to ensure they have not developed fluid retention.3 This audit was necessary following the implementation of the new electronic prescribing system, where nurses no longer got prompted to weigh patients in the same way they did before. Aim To assess the level of compliance with current locally approved guidelines for cisplatin hydration administration since the launch of the new electronic prescribing system (EPIC). Methods Ethics approval was not required for this audit as retrospective use of anonymous data. Compiled records of 262 patients who were prescribed cisplatin-containing regimens from 17th March 2023 until 31st November 2023 were used to identify patients for inclusion in the audit. Data collection was performed retrospectively using a data collection form and a pilot study was carried out on 20 patients. A sample size of 144 patients was obtained using the Raosoft sample size calculator to achieve a 95% confidence interval with a 5% margin of error accepted.3 All data were collected by the auditor. Patients’ hospital numbers were then individually searched on EPIC to identify if weights were recorded pre- and post-administration of cisplatin. Treatment plans and medical notes on EPR were checked to identify if escalation was appropriately followed where patients gained &amp;gt;2 kg and, in this case to see if furosemide 20mg tablet was given. In addition, laboratory test results and structured notes were reviewed to ascertain if an increase in serum creatinine occurred and if patients were admitted to hospital as a consequence. Data was directly input into Microsoft excel for data analysis. Results The majority of cisplatin administration episodes (72%) did have the patient’s weight recorded before and after treatment. Of the remaining 28% where the weight was missing or incomplete, 4 episodes resulted in a documented AKI and 3 of these episodes were severe enough to warrant hospital admission. Discussion and conclusion The results demonstrate a lack of documentation of patient’s weights across RMH. Only 72% of patients who were administered IV cisplatin at RMH between 17th March 2023 and 31st November 2023 were recorded. This falls below the local guidance, which recommends all patients (100%) should be weighed pre- and post- cisplatin administration. Documentation is critical to ensure a clear audit trail and to enable identification pf patients who may be at higher risk of developing fluid retention. This therefore needs improvement. A limitation of the audit is the increased potential for human error due to the way data was collected. The requirement to search through all structured notes and observations flowsheet was time consuming and intensive, increasing the likelihood documentation may have been missed.

Drug-related problems among pediatric intensive care units: prevalence, risk factors, and clinical pharmacists’ interventions

BackgroundDrug-related problems (DRPs) are frequently observed in intensive care units, resulting in a higher occurrence of drug side effects and increased treatment expenses. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DRPs in pediatric patients admitted to the most prominent surgical and medical pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in southern Iran, given the susceptibility of children to the effects of DRPs.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted at Namazi Hospital, which is affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran, from June 2022 to March 2023. The research focused on identifying and detecting drug-related problems (DRPs) among pediatric patients during their hospital stays across three medical wards, two pediatric intensive care units, and a surgical intensive care unit. The identification process occurred concurrently with patient treatment and utilized the Pharmaceutical Care Network of Europe’s data collection form for DRPs version 8.01. Before any documentation, all cases were thoroughly reviewed and validated by a professional focus group. The data gathered were then statistically analyzed using SPSS to evaluate the study’s outcomes.ResultDuring the study, 323 pediatric patients were involved, of whom 57% experienced at least one DRP. The primary issues identified during the study were suboptimal drug treatment, accounting for 41.13% of cases, followed by concerns related to treatment safety, which constituted 38.53% of cases. Drug-drug interactions were found to be the leading cause of DRPs, accounting for 36.26% of cases. Two significant factors associated with DRP occurrence were the number of prescribed drugs and the number of prescribed anticonvulsants. Out of all clinical pharmacist interventions, 97% were accepted.ConclusionPatients admitted to the PICUs experience a high occurrence of DRPs. It is essential to consider optimal dosage adjustment, particularly for pediatric patients with impaired kidney function.

ASSESSMENT OF THYROID FUNCTION DISORDERS AMONG THE SUBJECTS ATTENDING CENTRAL LABORATORY OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: AN OBSERVATIONAL, CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: Thyroid disorders are the most common endocrine disorders worldwide and India is not an exception. Several factors may determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction including age, gender, geographical and ethnic background, and most importantly iodine intake. Therefore, data related to thyroid disorders from one population cannot be extrapolated to another. In this study, we aimed to assess the disorders of thyroid function among the subjects attending the central laboratory of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology and the Department of Biochemistry of the same institute over a period of 3 months. All subjects of either sex attending the central laboratory of the institute for estimating thyroid function on their outpatient visit during the study period were included. Subjects who were on any medications known to alter the thyroid hormone status or diagnosed with a thyroid disorder and/or on therapy were excluded. A pre-designed and pre-tested data collection form was used for taking interviews to collect relevant data including sociodemographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, thyroid illness, and investigational reports. Results: A total of 132 subjects were included in the study. The majority of them were female (72.27%) and residents of urban areas (52.27%). The most common comorbid conditions and presenting symptoms were hypertension (25.76%) and fatigue (46.97%), respectively. The majority of the subjects were found to be euthyroid (81.81%). About 18.19% of the study subjects were having thyroid disorders, most commonly subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) (13.64%), followed by primary hypothyroidism (2.27%), secondary hyperthyroidism (1.52%), and subclinical hyperthyroidism (0.76%). Thyroid disorders were mainly found in females, such as primary hypothyroidism (66.67%), SCH (66.67%), and subclinical hyperthyroidism (100%). The majority of the thyroid disorders were found in the age group of 26–50 years (20.27%), where females were found to have more primary hypothyroidism (3.17%), and SCH (12.70%). Conclusion: The findings of our study call for a review of current practices regarding thyroid disorders to include active screening of thyroid function among the subjects at greater risks and an emphasis on regular monitoring of the thyroid status.

Risk Factors Associated With Cholelithiasis in A Public Hospital in Peru

Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with cholelithiasis in a public hospital in Peru. Theoretical Framework: Cholelithiasis is currently the main risk factor for developing cholecystitis. Method: Descriptive, analytical, quantitative study with a sample of 83 postoperative patients with cholelithiasis and its complications, obtained retrospectively from December 2019 to June 2020. A data collection form was used, and the KR-20 Kuder-Richardson coefficient was applied to assess reliability. Information was collected from the patients' medical records. Results and Conclusions: The study revealed a significant association between the most frequent risk factors for cholelithiasis, such as age, weight loss &gt; 10 kg, and alcohol consumption. Originality/Value: Cholelithiasis is currently the leading reason for consultations related to biliary tract pathology. The results report non-modifiable risk factors (female sex), overweight (20 cases), and obesity (30 cases), according to BMI, which represents a high percentage of elevated BMI at 60.2%.

MOPOELA WAW MOPOOPATATO : BENTUK PENINGKATAN PEMAHAMAN HAK-HAK KESEHATAN BAGI MASYARAKAT SEBAGAI PEKERJA DI DESA MALEO

The people of Maleo village who work in several companies in Maleo village and its surroundings are less aware of the health rights that must be obtained while working in the company. Therefore, this community service is carried out in the form of Observation and Data Collection, legal counseling, focus group discussions and the preparation of SOPs for complaints regarding the fulfillment of workers' rights. The results of the community service carried out by this team The results of the community service carried out by the community service team after carrying out various community service programs are the existence of valid data on the number of people in Maleo village who work in several companies around Maleo village, the formation of community understanding and knowledge of the health rights that must be obtained by every worker, the knowledge of various problems of fulfillment of rights experienced by workers, and the formation of SOPs for complaints and follow-up handling of problems of fulfillment of rights that are specifically related to the health rights of workers.

Assessment of Internet and Social Media Addiction Levels in Adolescents Aged 12-18 Years by Nurses: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study to determine the social media and Internet addiction levels of adolescents. The data were collected between September and December 2023. A sociodemographic data collection form, The Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents, and The Internet Addiction Scale for Adolescents were used to collect data. An independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean differences between the two groups. A one-way ANOVA test was used to compare mean differences between multiple groups, and Pearson's correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between quantitative variables and scale scores. No significant relationship was found between adolescents' gender and age and addiction levels (p > 0.05). On the other hand, addiction levels differed significantly by school type and district (p < 0.05). Students in selective schools and secondary schools had lower addiction levels, and those in open-admission high schools had higher addiction levels (p < 0.05). The highest level of addiction was found in Çankaya district and the lowest in Altındağ district. Daily online time and social media time increased addiction (p < 0.05). Safe Internet use and receiving support from nurses affected addiction levels (p < 0.05). The results show that adolescents aged 12-18 years are at significant risk of social media and Internet addiction. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses support these young people, assess their risks, and identify specific tasks.

The Relationship of Emergency Contraception Knowledge of Young Individuals with Family Planning, Sexual and Reproductive Health Attitudes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: To investigate the relationship between emergency contraception (EC) knowledge and attitudes towards family planning and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among men and women aged 18-25 years living in Turkey and studying at university. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between August-October 2023 with 492 participants Turkey. The data of the study were obtained through "Data Collection Form" and "Reproductive Health and Family Planning Attitude Scale (RHFPAS)". Results: In women, there was a significant difference between those who had heard of EC, knew the time of use, access, and side effects and RHFPAS. In men, there was a statistically significant difference between those who had heard of EC, time of use, access and side effects and infertility and assisted reproductive treatments. There was a weak moderate positive correlation between SRH knowledge level and RHFPAS total mean score in women and men(p

Health care provider payment schemes in Central and Eastern European countries

Abstract Background Health care provider payment schemes are key elements of the health care system that influence providers behavior, quality of care, and efficient use of resources. In recent decades, Central and Eastern European (CEE) counties have implemented various reforms that have changed payments methods and other elements of the purchasing process. The aim of the study was to provide an overview of the current provider payment schemes within the public health system in selected CEE countries and identify the main directions of their reforming. Methods Based on existing literature, a theoretical framework and data collection form were first developed. Next, desk research was conducted to collect data on provider payment methods and other elements of the purchasing process in primary care, outpatient specialized care, hospital care, and long-term care. The collected information was verified and supplemented though consultations with national experts. Nine countries were included: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. The study was conducted in 2023. Results Capitation, fee-for-service, and case-based payments are the most commonly used methods in the analyzed countries. The countries are increasingly using blended payment methods. Primary and hospital care have the most diverse payment method mix and have experienced the most substantial changes in their payment schemes since 2010. The most common changes focused on modifying existing methods (detailing payment categories, changing the principles of tariff valuation), and introducing additional methods to pay for specific services or performance (fee-for-service, bonus payments). Conclusions CEE countries are following similar directions in reforming provider payment systems, with the goal of strengthening primary health care, shifting emphasis from inpatient to outpatient care and improving cooperation between health care providers. Key messages • CEE countries largely use output-based methods to pay for health care services. • Provider payment systems are becoming more blended as countries look for the most effective payment method mix to meet policy objectives.

Predictors of self-care behaviors in hypertensive patients based on the protection motivation theory

IntroductionGlobally, hypertension is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of premature death. Since this disease is incurable, it is necessary to promote patients’ self-care behaviors to control it. The goal of this research was to identify the elements that influence self-care actions in individuals with hypertension, utilizing the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) framework.MethodsA study was carried out in Omidiyeh, located in southern Iran, using a cross-sectional design, involving 397 adults with hypertension (198 females and 199 males) who were selected from comprehensive health centers using a stratified random sampling technique. Data was gathered through a demographic data collection form and a questionnaire created by the researcher, which was based on the PMT. Data were assessed utilizing SPSS 25 and AMOS 24 software, and various statistical tests including one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, independent t-test, and structural equation modeling were conducted.FindingsThe variables of intrinsic reward (r = 0.182), extrinsic reward (r = 0.288), and response cost (r = 0.126) showed a significant negative correlation with self-care behaviors. On the other hand, perceived susceptibility (r = 0.212), perceived severity (r = 0.110), self-efficacy (r = 0.555), and response efficacy (r = 0.424) demonstrated a significant positive correlation with self-care behaviors. Specifically, self-efficacy and response efficacy were the most powerful predictors of self-care behaviors, respectively.ConclusionThe results showed that several factors can forecast self-care behaviors in patients with hypertension. Researchers are recommended to incorporate PMT in educational interventions and concentrate on self-efficacy and response efficacy constructs.

Association of Dairy Foods in Acne Vulgaris

Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most commonly found skin problems affecting teenagers and adolescents. Dietary foods particularly dairy products consist of milk or any of its food made from milk are frequently regarded by patients and clinicians as a cause or aggravator of acne. As there are very limited studies found on this regard, this study was aimed to find the association of dairy foods in acne vulgaris. Methods: This wasa cross-sectional analytical study and was carried out in the Dermatology and Venereology department of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. Total 260 patients were selected by appropriate inclusion criteria equally into two groups: Group A (diagnosed with acne vulgaris, n=130) and group B (patients not having acne vulgaris, n=130). A thorough history of every patient and face to face interview was taken by a predesigned questionnaire after getting the written informed consent of the patient. Data were collected in predetermined data collection form. Result were subjected to standard statistical evaluation and were analyzed by SPSS-24. Results: According to the age group, majority of the acne patients were between 10-20 years (75.4% in group A and 63.8% in group B, p&lt;0.05), though mean age in both groups were statistically similar (18.53±5.78 and 17.29±4.59 years, respectively). Also, female respondents were predominant in both groups (80.8% and 72.3%). The risk was increased in those with a family history of acne in siblings (OR2.449, p=0.021;95% CI,1.145-5.238) and the risk was reduced in subjects doing physical exercise. Papules (35.4%) and comedones (27.7%) were most common lesion and mostly found in forehead (74.6%) and left (68.5%) and right (63.1%) cheeks. According to global acne severity grading, majority had mild form of acne (83.1%) and use of cosmetics (43.8% vs. 30%), topical steroid (34.6% vs. 16.9%), taking fastfood (24.6% vs. 14.6%) and less water intake (36.9% vs. 18.5%) also significantly higher among acne patients. Multivariate regression analysis showed, dairy products such as whole milk (OR 1.984, p=0.022), chocolate (2.490, p=0.004), chips (OR 3.207, p&lt;0.001), Pizza (OR 2.388, p=0.021) and red meat (OR 3.055, p=0.009) were significant risk for developing acne vulgaris. Also, whole milk (3.050, p=0.01), chocolate (3.817, p=0.004) and pizza (3.822, p=0.005) were independent risk factors for moderate to severe acne. Conclusion: This study found an association between high dairy product consumption and acne in adolescents, indicating that dairy consumption may be a contributing factor for developing acne vulgaris. J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2022; 14(2): 25-33

Health Literacy Levels of Vocational School of Health Services Students and Related Factors

Introduction: The concept of health literacy requires individuals to have basic health knowledge in order to use health services correctly and effectively, and this is very important. Considering that research in the field of health literacy in our country is not yet at a sufficient level, it was aimed to determine the level of the concept of health literacy, which is gaining importance, among students of vocational schools of health services and related factors. Methods: The research is a descriptive cross-sectional type, and the population of the research consists of students studying at vocational schools of health services at Izmir Tinaztepe University, Ege University, Pamukkale University and Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University. Individual Introduction Form and Health Literacy Scale were used as data collection forms. Results: 1370 students participated in the research. The average age of the students is 20.29±2.86 years, 78.5% are female and 21.5% are male. It was determined that 24.6% of the students smoked and 22.4% consumed alcohol. The proportion of students participating in the research who read books frequently is only 31.4%. It was determined that 46.7% of the students in the research group knew the concept of health literacy. It was determined that the average score of the students in the research group on the health literacy scale was 110.24±12.22. In addition, it was determined that the average of the subscales, the access to information dimension, was 21.93±2.96, the average of the information understanding dimension was 31.17±3.58, the average of the evaluation/evaluation dimension was 35.40±4.57, and the average of the application/use dimension was 21.74±3.13. According to the findings of the research, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the health literacy scale scores of the students according to their gender, family structure and literacy level, income level, smoking status, book reading frequency and general health status (p

A SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE TÜRKİYE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM: A PHYSICIANS' PERSPECTIVE

The aim of this study is to conduct a SWOT analysis of the Türkiye healthcare system from the viewpoint of physicians. The sample for this study consisted of 22 physicians who voluntarily participated. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured interview forms for data collection. Data were gathered both face-to-face and online. The obtained data were coded, and similar codes were categorized and themed. This study incorporated both SWOT analysis and content analysis methods. When examining the findings, physicians highlighted easy access and availability as the strong aspects of the Türkiye healthcare system. However, the system's weaknesses were predominantly identified as issues concerning healthcare professionals. On the other hand, medical tourism was pointed out as the most significant opportunity awaiting the health system, whereas the escalating violence towards healthcare workers was perceived as the biggest threat. The Türkiye Healthcare System stands out with strengths such as ease of access and advanced technological infrastructure, as well as opportunities like medical tourism. However, it also harbors pressing challenges, including violence against healthcare workers and medication shortages. It is anticipated that many of these issues will be addressed when the balance between demand and supply is achieved.