Descriptive Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Hepatitis B and C viral infections and correlates among pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Hepatitis B and C are significant viral infections in pregnancy with high risk of maternal and neonatal complications. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections and correlates among pregnant women who attended antenatal care (ANC) unit of General and Civil Service Hospitals, Ilorin, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 282 consented pregnant women randomly selected from the ANC units of two hospitals in Ilorin. Blood samples were collected from the pregnant women and tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Socio-demographic and obstetrics information of the pregnant women and potential risk factors for HBV and HCV infections were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0 Results: Majority of the women were married (78.4%), from monogamous families (57.8%), do not share sharp objects (65.6%), have not received blood transfusion (65.3%), have no history of organ transplantation (91.1%), and multigravida (61.4%,) in their first (36.9%), second (37.2%) and third (25.9%) trimesters of pregnancy. Overall, 22.3% and 1.4% tested positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV respectively. Family background of the study participants showed significant (p˂0.05) association with HBsAg positivity. None of the other analysed variables showed any significant association with both HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity. Conclusion: This result showed high prevalence of HBV but low prevalence of HCV infections among pregnant women in the study setting. Improved surveillance and routine screening for HBV and HCV for women attending ANC is recommended to reduce disease burden and help achieve WHO goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030.

Missed Appointments and the Potential Correlation between Personal Characteristics, Personality, and Familial Characteristics and Missed Appointments for Adults with Diabetes Mellitus at the Primary Care Unit of Khon Kaen Province.

Regular follow-up treatment is important for the management of diabetes and to reduce the risk of complications. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the proportion of adult diabetic patients who miss appointments, in addition to the potential correlation between personal characteristics, personality, and the context of family structure and characteristics and missed appointments by adult patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The data were gathered through self-administered questionnaires and the patient medical records of 106 individuals who received healthcare services at the Khon Kaen Province primary care unit. Data were gathered from 1 November 2023 to 28 December 2023. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and Chi-Square statistics were used to evaluate the relationships with multivariate analyses via multinomial logistic regression and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The majority of patients in the sample, 39.62%, regularly missed appointments. There was a significant association between occasionally missed appointments and middle adulthood (p-value 0.013) and regular exercise (p-value 0.025). A moderate level of the agreeableness personality trait showed a significant association with missed appointments (p-value 0.042). It is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the patient's personality and family characteristics to effectively plan their healthcare and provide optimal support for diabetes treatment.

Assessment of Knowledge and Practices Related to Non-Surgical Management of Osteoarthritis Among Patients in the Rural Community of Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that represents a major public health challenge, especially in rural communities where access to advanced healthcare is limited. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to the non-surgical management of osteoarthritis among patients in the rural district of Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 234 adult OA patients aged 45 and above, residing in selected rural areas of Sri Ganganagar. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from local health centers and community clinics. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and correlation analyses to explore associations between demographic variables and KAP levels. Results: The study revealed that 29.9% of participants had adequate knowledge about OA, while 18.8% had inadequate knowledge. Regarding practices, 21.4% of participants demonstrated good practices in managing their OA symptoms, whereas 20.9% exhibited poor practices. Significant associations were found between age and education level with both knowledge and practice levels (p < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was observed between age and knowledge score (r = 0.45, p = 0.002), and a strong positive correlation was found between knowledge and practice scores (ρ = 0.60, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for targeted health education programs in rural communities like Sri Ganganagar to bridge knowledge gaps and improve adherence to non-surgical OA management practices. Enhancing patient education and integrating healthcare providers in the patient education process could significantly improve OA management and patient outcomes in rural settings.

Correlation between Glycosylated Hemoglobin level with Angiographic findings of Coronary Artery Disease in different ages.

Objective: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of major macro vascular complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The object of study is to analyze the correlation of angiographic findings of CAD with changes of glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in CAD Patients, T2DM Patients and Patients having both CAD and T2DM as compared to normal in different age groups.Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC) during 1st December 2020 to 28th February 2021. The study included 1540 (385 subjects in each group) from Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology hospital presenting with symptoms of CAD. A Complete demographic data was taken. They were assessed according to HbA1c level and type of CAD based on angiographic findings. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to HBA1C ranging from <5 % to > 8.0% and 4 age groups ranging from 40 to 79 years.Result: A statistical positive correlation between HBA1c with advancing age. Most vulnerable age group was 50-59 years in all groups of altered HBA1c. A statistical correlation between Angiography findings of CAD with HBA1c was significantly positive. (p<0.001).Conclusion: HbA1c can be used as a predictor of severity of coronary artery disease measured by Angiographic findings as patients with a higher level of HbA1c had significant severe lesions on Angiography. Keywords: Coronary heart disease, type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, HbA1c, Angiographic findings in CAD.

Vaginal microbiome of women with premature ovarian insufficiency: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Objective This study aimed to describe the vaginal microbiome of women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) receiving systemic hormone therapy (HT). Methods Forty women with POI receiving systemic HT for at least 6 months, who were sexually active, were included in the descriptive cross-sectional study. Vaginal secretion was collected for DNA extraction followed by pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA. The samples were pooled into phylogenetic groups (Ravel groups I–V). Results Women had mean age of 37.13 (± 7.27) years and POI diagnosis at age 27.90 (± 8.68) years, and a mean HT duration of 8.20 (± 8.73) years. It was observed that 33.4% of the women presented group I flora, with a predominance of Lactobacillus crispatus; 9% group II flora, with a predominance of Lactobacillus gasseri; 33.4% group III flora, with a predominance of Lactobacillus iners; 15.2% group IV flora, with a predominance of anaerobic bacteria; and 9% group V flora, with a predominance of Lactobacillus jensenii. Conclusion Women with POI receiving HT presented a vaginal microbiome with a predominance of lactobacilli in the composition of the vaginal flora, specifically L. crispatus and L. iners when evaluated by molecular biology through pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA.

ICardioMonitor Digital Monitoring System for People with Heart Failure: Development and Evaluation of Its Accessibility and Usability

Background/Objectives: The use of eHealth as a monitoring system in people with heart failure (HF) has been shown to be effective in promoting self-care and reducing re-admissions and mortality. The present study develops and evaluates the accessibility and usability of the web app iCardioMonitor HF monitoring system. Methods: This study consisted of two stages. The first stage (co-design) comprised two phases: (1) analysis of the scientific literature and expert opinions and (2) co-design of the iCardioMonitor (web app plus a knowledge-base algorithm) and definition of alert criteria. The second stage (cross-sectional descriptive study) analyzed system accessibility (% of people using the iCardioMonitor and % of parameters recorded) and usability, employing the Spanish version of the System Usability Scale for the Assessment of Electronic Tools. Results: The iCardioMonitor was configured by a web app and an algorithm with the capacity to detect decompensated HF automatically. A total of 45 patients with an average age of 55.8 years (standard deviation [SD] = 10.582) and an average time since diagnosis of 7.1 years (SD = 7.471) participated in the second stage. The percentage of iCardioMonitor use was 83.2%. The average usability score was 77.2 points (SD = 21.828), higher in women than men (89.2; SD = 1.443–76.0; SD = 1.443) (p = 0.004). The usability score was higher the shorter the time since diagnosis (r = 0.402; p = 0.025) and the higher the number of responses (r = 0.377; p = 0.031). Conclusions: The results obtained show that iCardioMonitor is a tool accepted by patients and has obtained a remarkable score on the usability scale. iCardioMonitor was configured by a web app and an algorithm with the capacity to detect decompensated HF automatically.

Safety and efficacy of thermo-expandable metallic stent in ureteral stricture following gynecological malignancy surgery and radiotherapy: a single center experience with 33 cases.

The effectiveness of metallic stents in treating ureteral strictures following surgery and radiotherapy for gynecological tumors is currently uncertain. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of thermo-expandable metallic stent (Memokath) in the treatment of ureteral stricture after radiotherapy for gynecological tumors. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 27 patients with ureteral stricture were treated with Memokath stent after gynecological tumor radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy that was admitted to our hospital from August 2021 to August 2023. Clinical data on efficacy, safety, and complications during stent insertion and indwelling were analyzed. The successful insertion of thirty-three stents in twenty-seven patients studied. The stenosis length was 10.14 ± 6.76cm, and the hospitalization was 4.43 ± 1.83 days. One patient has died from the primary disease carrying a patency stent. The Kaplan-Meier graph showed that the cumilative patency rate of patients with thermo-expandable metallic stent were 92.4% (SD = 5.2%) in eight months, 77.4% (9.1%) in 12 months and 67.7% (SD = 12%) in 29 months, while the cumilative survival rate was 87.5% (SD = 11.5%) in 29 months. The stent patency was 81.48% and later complications of stent indwelling were 5/27, including refractory urinary tract infection (UTI) in three cases, stent migration, and stent intolerance respectively. The creatinine levels, hydronephrosis degree, and glomerular filtration rate improved after the operation, and the first two indicators were statistically significant. Memokath stent is a safe and effective treatment for ureteral stricture after surgery and radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for gynecological tumors.

8417 Knowledge Of PCOS and Its Complications In A Population Of Hispanic Women

Abstract Disclosure: Y.G. Rivera-Rodriguez: None. B. Diaz Rios: None. C.M. Casas Loyola: None. B. Marin Rodriguez: None. P.A. Alicea Reyes: None. J. Romaguera: None. L.A. Gonzalez-Rodriguez: Research Investigator; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. Purpose: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women across their lifespan, with metabolic complications that are often overlooked. Studies have revealed an inadequate understanding of PCOS, its complications, and management. There is also limited information about this condition in Hispanic women. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge about PCOS and its complications among a sample of Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of Hispanic women aged 21-45 years recruited from the General Endocrinology and Gynecology Clinics at the UPR-RCM Clinics. A self-administered questionnaire assessing their knowledge about PCOS, and its complications was given. Patients were classified according to PCOS diagnosis. Results were compared between the groups. Results: A total of 47 women were included in this study. Approximately 45% of participants had a diagnosis of PCOS. Most participants agreed that PCOS involves a set of symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances (94%) and irregular menses (91%). Only 40% of participants considered PCOS a chronic condition without a cure and only 34% acknowledge weight loss as one of the treatments of this condition. Two-thirds of participants didn’t know that PCOS can be diagnosed with blood tests. When assessing their knowledge about complications related to PCOS, we found that only 36% associated PCOS with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, 56% with obesity and 62% with abnormal blood glucose levels. When comparing the knowledge about their condition in patients with a diagnosis of PCOS, we found increased knowledge about signs and symptoms such as hirsutism, hair loss and weight gain when compared to controls. However, when assessing their knowledge about complications related to PCOS, neither group recognized PCOS as a chronic condition, or associated PCOS with cardiovascular, metabolic complications and/or increased risk of cancer. Conclusion: Our study suggests that there is a lack of general knowledge about PCOS and its long-term complications among a sample of Hispanic women in reproductive years. Most importantly, our data showed that even patients with a diagnosis of PCOS do not understand their condition or comprehend the associated complications. Our study emphasizes the need to develop educational tools and strategies to improve the general population knowledge about this condition and raise awareness about preventable complications and the importance of early treatment. Presentation: 6/3/2024

8417 Knowledge Of PCOS and Its Complications In A Population Of Hispanic Women

Abstract Disclosure: Y.G. Rivera-Rodriguez: None. B. Diaz Rios: None. C.M. Casas Loyola: None. B. Marin Rodriguez: None. P.A. Alicea Reyes: None. J. Romaguera: None. L.A. Gonzalez-Rodriguez: Research Investigator; Self; Eli Lilly & Company. Purpose: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women across their lifespan, with metabolic complications that are often overlooked. Studies have revealed an inadequate understanding of PCOS, its complications, and management. There is also limited information about this condition in Hispanic women. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge about PCOS and its complications among a sample of Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of Hispanic women aged 21-45 years recruited from the General Endocrinology and Gynecology Clinics at the UPR-RCM Clinics. A self-administered questionnaire assessing their knowledge about PCOS, and its complications was given. Patients were classified according to PCOS diagnosis. Results were compared between the groups. Results: A total of 47 women were included in this study. Approximately 45% of participants had a diagnosis of PCOS. Most participants agreed that PCOS involves a set of symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances (94%) and irregular menses (91%). Only 40% of participants considered PCOS a chronic condition without a cure and only 34% acknowledge weight loss as one of the treatments of this condition. Two-thirds of participants didn’t know that PCOS can be diagnosed with blood tests. When assessing their knowledge about complications related to PCOS, we found that only 36% associated PCOS with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, 56% with obesity and 62% with abnormal blood glucose levels. When comparing the knowledge about their condition in patients with a diagnosis of PCOS, we found increased knowledge about signs and symptoms such as hirsutism, hair loss and weight gain when compared to controls. However, when assessing their knowledge about complications related to PCOS, neither group recognized PCOS as a chronic condition, or associated PCOS with cardiovascular, metabolic complications and/or increased risk of cancer. Conclusion: Our study suggests that there is a lack of general knowledge about PCOS and its long-term complications among a sample of Hispanic women in reproductive years. Most importantly, our data showed that even patients with a diagnosis of PCOS do not understand their condition or comprehend the associated complications. Our study emphasizes the need to develop educational tools and strategies to improve the general population knowledge about this condition and raise awareness about preventable complications and the importance of early treatment. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Prevalence of Postpartum Depression and Its Sociodemographic and Obstetric Determinants among Mothers Attending a Maternity Hospital in Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant global public health concern affecting 17.7% and 18.7% of mothers globally and in Kenya respectively. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of postpartum depression and to explore its sociodemographic and obstetric determinants among mothers attending the postnatal and maternal and child health clinics at Eldoret West Maternity Hospital in Kenya. Unfortunately, postpartum depression and its determinants often go undiagnosed or untreated, leading to inadequate documentation of its impacts. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 257 women aged 18-49 years with infants aged 6-14 weeks postpartum. Participants were randomly selected using a simple random sampling method. Data was collected using a modified version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) translated to Swahili. Descriptive analysis, Chi-squared analysis, and odds ratios were used to assess associations between sociodemographic factors, obstetric variables, and postpartum depression. The study found a prevalence of postpartum depression among participants to be 17.5%, with a higher likelihood of postpartum depression among mothers who were; older (aged 31-49 years) (68.9%), married (77.8%), with higher education levels (80%), lower income (82.2%), and those not formally employed (82.2%). Obstetric factors such as parity of greater than two (53.3%), unplanned pregnancy (53.3%) preference for male infants (62.2%) with having had unresolved issues (p-value < 0.01) in the past month and a parity of greater than two (p-value<0.05) were found to be significantly associated with higher odds of PPD. The prevalence of maternal postpartum depression among mothers 6-14 weeks postpartum at Eldoret West maternity Hospital, Uasin Gishu County was found to be 17.5%. Several sociodemographic and obstetric factors are linked and predispose women to PPD. Based on the conclusions, we recommend early intervention and support for young mothers, prenatal and postnatal complication screening, mental health education, and awareness.

Assessment of Motor Imagery and Its Relationship to Functional Impairment in Post-Stroke Patients: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Motor and cognitive sequelae are common in patients who have experienced a stroke. Recent advances in neuroscience have enabled the development of novel therapeutic approaches, such as motor imagery, which facilitate motor learning. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between implicit and explicit motor imagery abilities and their correlation with functional impairment in post-stroke patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 patients who had experienced a stroke between March 2008 and March 2023. The capacity to generate both implicit and explicit motor imagery and to perform physical functions was evaluated. The relationship between implicit and explicit motor imagery measures was investigated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The factorial structure, which encompasses the capacity to generate motor imagery, whether implicit or explicit, and physical function, was subjected to analysis. Results: A correlation was identified between the time taken to identify images and the accuracy of this process, with the right hand (R = 0.474), the left hand (R = 0.568), and the left foot (R = 0.344) all demonstrating significant associations. Additionally, a notable correlation was observed between the two subscales of the KVIQ-10 scale (R = 0.749). No association was identified between the capacity to generate implicit and explicit motor imagery. Two- and three-factor solutions were obtained for the right and left hemibodies, respectively. On both sides, accuracy in identifying images and physical function constituted a single factor, while time to generate images for both hands and feet constituted a second factor. Conclusions: In conclusion, no significant data were reported regarding the association between the capacity to generate implicit and explicit motor imagery in the studied sample. However, the ability to generate implicit motor imagery was related to physical function, suggesting that it may serve as a screening criterion for implementing specific therapeutic approaches in post-stroke patients.

Exploring medical ethics: moral reasoning among new pediatric resident physicians in a tertiary hospital.

Physicians are frequently faced with ethical dilemmas that require answers based in moral reasoning, which develops and evolves during their lives and their medical education. According to Kohlberg, there are three levels of moral reasoning development: pre-conventional (in which decisions are guided by oneself convenience), conventional (focused on obeying society's rules), and post-conventional (decisions are based in universal ethical principles). The aim of this study was to describe the level of moral reasoning among new pediatric resident physicians in a tertiary hospital. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from 2020 to 2023. The Defining Issues Test was used to assess the level of moral reasoning among 195 new pediatric resident physicians in a tertiary hospital. Most resident physicians considered the fourth stage affirmations to be the most important. The median P-index (PI) was 40, and 49% of participants were on the post-conventional level of moral reasoning. The year with the lowest number of new resident physicians on the post-conventional level was 2021. The moral reasoning level among pediatric resident physicians was higher than the average found in general population. This suggests that the education received during the medical formation may influence the individuals' moral development.

Construction and psychometric validation in Spanish schoolchildren of a knowledge questionnaire on basic life support and Automated External Defibrillator (ConocES-BLS/AED) in Spain

The 60 % of cardiac arrests happen in the out-of-hospital setting. In 2023, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation issued a statement entitled “Children save lives”, recommending the teaching of basic life support to children from the age of 12. However, we have not identified validated instruments that assess the level of knowledge of schoolchildren about BLS and AED. Objective: Construction and psychometric validation of a questionnaire to assess knowledge on Basic Life Support (BLS) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in primary to secondary school children. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study of validation of the questionnaire consisting of several phases: construction of the questionnaire on knowledge on BLS and AED (ConocES-BLS/AED), content validation, pilot test and psychometric validation. Results: The ConocES-SVB/AED questionnaire was constructed, content validation was carried out by 14 experts, the pilot test carried out on 105 students reported good reliability (0.84), and finally with the psychometric validation a questionnaire composed of 12 items was obtained and psychometrically validated using the Item Response Theory in a final sample of 182 participants. Adequate fit values and acceptable reliability (0.65) were obtained, demonstrating its usefulness to accurately measure the level of knowledge about SVB/AED maneuvers in schoolchildren. Conclusions: The created and validated questionnaire provides educators with a fundamental resource to identify areas of lack of knowledge, improve and design effective educational interventions for schoolchildren on SVB/AED maneuvers.

Fusional Vergence amplitude measurement among students of ISRA School of optometry, Isra University, Karachi campus

Purpose: To determine mean fusional vergence amplitudes FVA and the effect age and gender on FVA. Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among Isra School of optometry, Isra University, Karachi campus students from August 2023 to December 2023. A total of 120 students consisting of 43 males (35.8%) and 77 females (64.1%) were recruited using a convenient sampling technique. Inclusion criteria included subjects with 6/6 vision, no any ocular disease, strabismus and subjects with exophoria or esophoria. The age ranged from 18-27 years. Patients underwent ophthalmic procedure i.e. visual acuity for both distance and near and ophthalmoscopy was performed to check the clarity of the patient’s media. After assessing the ocular media, cover test was used to check the type of phoria. By using horizontal prism bars, Positive Fusion Vergence (PFV) and Negative Fusion Vergence (NFV) were recorded as break, and recovery points at near and distance. All the information was recorded in self-made Performa. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Result: Students were categorized into three age groups: Group 1 (18-21 years), Group 2 (22-24 years), and Group 3 (25-27 years). The data showed negative fusional divergence break-up and recovery points at distance and near, with mean values of 10.06±4.8 Δ and 7.3±4.7 Δ, respectively. Positive fusional convergence break-up and recovery points at distance and near had mean values of 10.95±6.11 Δ and 8.1±5.57 Δ, respectively. The result for negative divergence break and recovery point at distance were significant with p-value of 0.021 and 0.026, respectively Conclusion: This study concluded that the mean fusional vergence amplitudes FVA at near and distance are reduced while distance and near FV revealed no effects of age and gender. However, negative fusional break point and positive fusional recovery point were significantly affected by age.

Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral treatment among people living with HIV aged 15 – 60 years at Cité des Palmiers District Hospital, Cameroon

Antiretroviral therapy (ART), essential for halting the progression of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection and restoring immunity, should be taken regularly to be effective. This study aimed to assess the factors that may affect adherence to ART among people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged between 15 and 60 years at the Cité des Palmiers District Hospital. Thus, we conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study using a non-probabilistic, convenience survey. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to PLHIV aged between 15 and 65 years (n = 309). These factors affecting adherence were established by determining relative and absolute frequencies, and associations were estimated by calculating the odds ratios, confidence intervals, and P-values. Subsequently, 48.5% of participants were found to comply with ART and 51.5% were not. The independent predictors of poor adherence to ART were missed appointments at the HIV unit, occasional use of excitants/cigarettes, fear of disclosing HIV status, perceived limited opening hours of HIV-related services, discomfort with medication, recent initiation of treatment, and use of therapy reminders. Our study results are essential to orient public health policies and measures toward PLHIV non-adherents to ART treatment and mitigate the social, economic, and health impact of HIV threats on developing countries by focusing on good adherence.

Assessing the frontline competency gap: Emergency care perceptions among nurses in Yemen's conflict zone.

Nursing competencies in armed conflict situations are critical for effective response and recovery. This study explores nurses' perceptions regarding their competencies in armed conflict zones to identify areas of proficiency and those requiring further emphasis in training. This cross-sectional descriptive study adhered to the STROBE reporting guidelines. It used a validated questionnaire examining 47 different competencies for nursing in armed conflict zones, which were subsequently ranked to identify those that were valued most and least. In total, 102 questionnaires were returned (85% response rate). The highest-ranked competencies focused on immediate life-saving interventions and personal safety. In contrast, competencies involving broader disaster management, such as understanding organizational disaster plans, post-death care, and risk identification, ranked lower. This observation may indicate a tendency to prioritize direct clinical care over strategic planning and long-term recovery in disaster nursing education. This study highlights the critical need to strengthen emergency care competencies among nurses working in armed conflict zones in Yemen. Its findings underscore the importance of targeted training programs, particularly in complex trauma management and psychological first aid, to address nurses' self-identified competency gaps. Policy implications include prioritizing resource allocation for emergency care infrastructure, implementing competency-based deployment strategies, and ensuring access to mental health support for nurses in working conflict zones. These actions are essential for building a resilient nursing workforce capable of providing quality care amidst the unique challenges of armed conflict.

Effect of evidence-based nursing practices on individualised care: A cross-sectional descriptive study.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of nurses' attitudes towards evidence-based practices on individualised nursing care. This study is a cross-sectional descriptive trial. The descriptive analysis included 200 clinical nurses working in a private hospital between April and September 2022. Data were collected with a personal information form, Individualised Care Scale (A-Nurse Version), and Evidence-Based Nursing Attitude Questionnaire. The relationship between the scales and effect was examined by Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses. T-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post hoc (Tukey, LSD) analysis were used in the statistical analysis of nurses according to their descriptive characteristics. This study has adhered to the STROBE checklist for reporting. They had high mean scores on Individualised Care Scale total (3.68 ± 1.25) and from Clinical Situation (3.78 ± 1.30) and Decisional Control (3.82 ± 1.35) subscales and average score from the Personal Life (3.32 ± 1.29) subscale. Their mean score from the Evidence-Based Nursing Attitude Questionnaire was average (47.64 ± 10.99). There was a positive moderate (r = 0.50, p = 0.000 < 0.05) significant correlation between the scales. Positive attitude towards evidence-based nursing practices positively affects individualised care. Variables such as professional experience positively affect nurses' attitudes towards evidence-based nursing. A positive and significant relationship was found between nurses' attitudes towards evidence-based practice and their attitudes towards individualised care.

Genotypes and Mutations Associated with Macrolide Resistance of Chlamydia trachomatis in Urine Samples in School-Going, Urban Adolescents 14–19 Years from Panama: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is a bacterium that causes one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. In Panama, the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among adolescents is 15.8%. However, no data describing circulating CT genotypes or evaluating molecular resistance are available. This study aims to determine the genotypes of genital CT infections and explore the macrolide resistance-associated mutations in this population to contribute to baseline information about CT circulating strains and antimicrobial resistance. Genomic analysis was performed on CT-positive, first-void urine specimens from school-going adolescents (14–19 years) in urban regions in Panama. The ompA gene was used for genotype and phylogenetic analysis, and the rplD, rplV, and 23S rRNA genes were used for molecular resistance analysis. Five genotypes were found: D, 15 (47%); F, 9 (28%); E, 4 (13%); Ia, 2 (6%); and Ja, 2 (6%) genotype Ja. A triple mutation (G52S, R65C, and V77A) was found in the rplV gene, though no mutations of interest were found for the rplD and 23S rRNA genes. The present study indicated CT genotype D had increased circulation within the population; mutations indicative of macrolide resistance were not found. Follow-up studies and implementation of active surveillance are necessary to understand the circulation of CT in Panama.

Ethical Considerations of Establishing Social Restrictions in the Prevention and Control of the Corona Epidemic from the Point of View of Medical Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Background: Covid-19 (coronavirus), with its different dimensions, has created a serious international crisis in the world and has presented mankind with a new challenge. Among these, it can be claimed that the most difficult challenge in the Corona crisis is the moral challenge. Objectives: Considering the significance of ethical considerations and the crucial role students play in conveying these concepts to society, we decided to examine their perspectives. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional descriptive study, and the statistical population was medical students in the basic sciences of Kermanshah Medical School. The sample size was 205 people based on Cochran's formula (d = 0.05), and the sampling method was random sampling. To collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed based on current issues and approved by several professors (25 questions with a 5-point Likert scale from "very much" to "very little"). The reliability coefficient (0.83 Cronbach's Alpha) was satisfactory for the questionnaire. After completion and collection, the data was entered into SPSS-21 software. Then, it was subjected to statistical analysis with descriptive statistics (prevalence, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (due to the non-normality of the data distribution, non-parametric tests were used to analyze and compare the answers). Results: The average age was 20.58 ± 2.41 years, 115 people (56.1%) were male, and 198 people (96.6%) were single. Natives accounted for 63.2%. The effective factors in interventions were, in order: Use of different media for information, appropriate, accurate, and timely information, appropriate and sufficient training, preparation and provision of conditions before the above interventions, presentation of decisions and programs in simple and practical language, and fair distribution of protective equipment. Conclusions: According to our results, it was found that the role of using different media for informing, training, preparing, and providing conditions before interventions is very important. Therefore, policymakers and health planners should have the necessary preparation in these matters to control future epidemics.

ChatGPT and Its Role in Outpatient Departments

Background: ChatGPT is a language-based model built with a ‘super brain' containing a database with adequate medical knowledge used in diagnosis, investigations and management of diseases. Objectives: This study aims to explore the possibility of using ChatGPT as an assistive tool in outpatient clinics. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Our study targeted a population of 259 post graduate residents and consultants from reputable institutions of Punjab using convenient sampling techniques. The data collection tool was a structured questionnaire shared via google forms and distributed manually. It assessed physicians use of ChatGPT, perceived usefulness in management of patients and its role in prevention of disease and improvement of the healthcare system. Results: The responses were taken on a 5-point scale, and consisted of a greater population of female physicians 138(53.3%) as compared to males 121 (46.7%). A whopping majority of physicians found ChatGPT to be efficacious in outpatient settings (59.1%).A significant percentage of people highlighted a decrease in burn out (61%), aid in correct diagnosis (62.5%) and adequate treatment plans laid out by ChatGPT (46.7%). The responses indicated 78.4% of the participants believed that ChatGPT has a positive impact in outpatient departments Conclusion: ChatGPT shows significant potential in serving as a cognitive assistant to physicians as we inculcate it into our healthcare system. It is set to make the outpatient experience much improved for both the physicians and the patients.