Good Level Of Knowledge Research Articles

Effect of an Educational Training Program for Nurses Regarding Triage System Working Competency

Background: The term "triage" means sorting out. Medically, it's a process used to prioritize who needs emergency medical attention first, whether injured or sick people or disaster survivors. Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational training program for nurses regarding Triage System working competency. Design: Quasi experimental research design was used in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at Ain-Shams Specialized Hospital. Subject: Consist of a convenience sample (50) of emergency nurses. Data collection: three tools were used in this study as 1st tool: Self-administered Questionnaire that consisted of two parts, part 1: nurses' demographic data, part 2: Self administrated sheet for nurses' knowledge about triage system. 2nd tool: Nurse's Observational checklist.3rd tool: Nurse's communication and interpersonal relationships Observation Checklist. Results: The majority of nursing personnel had good level of knowledge regarding triage system in post program and slightly decline at follow up as compared with preprogram phase and there were statistical significant differences between pre- training program implementation and immediately, as well 2 months post training program implementation among the studied nurses regarding total level of practice at P-value ≤ 0.05 also the majority of them had satisfactory level of communication skills practice post educational training program implementation. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was highly statistically significant positive correlation between total knowledge among the studied nurses and total nurse’s performance regarding triage system. Recommendations: Continuous training programs or sessions must emphasize on all aspects of triage system for nurses, increasing and applying for the triage training program, information and research findings should be disseminated online

Knowledge and attitudes regarding sexually transmitted infections among healthcare workers.

Healthcare workers have a fundamental role in providing care and education on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, their knowledge is often worryingly limited. This study aimed to assess the real knowledge and attitude regarding STIs among healthcare workers of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy. The recruited subjects were asked to complete a 31-item questionnaire, divided into 3 sections: socio-demographic context, knowledge about STIs, and personal sexual behavior. We enrolled 140 subjects, employed as nurses (52.9%), physicians (12.9%), laboratory technicians (7.1%), or other workers (27.1%). Despite the generalized erroneous belief of having a good level of knowledge on the matter, only one-third of the subjects could correctly identify STIs among a list of diseases, and less than one-third correctly recognize all possible ways of transmission. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was the most frequently recognized STI (97%), but only 39.2% of healthcare workers were correctly informed about the body fluids that can transmit the virus. Most participants (93.5%) correctly identified condoms as effective in preventing STIs but did not indicate complete abstinence as the only way to guarantee protection against STIs. Most participants were informed on the oncogenic potential of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections (82%), the usefulness of the Pap test (85.7%), and the existence of vaccines against some STIs (63.5%). Overall, healthcare workers have limited knowledge about STIs. Creating specific educational programs aimed at healthcare providers should become a priority.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards poultry handling and Salmonella risk among households in Beirut, Lebanon

Food-Borne Disease (FBD) is defined as an illness resulting from consuming foods contaminated with bacteria, their toxins, viruses, or parasites. Food poisoning due to improper food handling is a major global public health problem. In Lebanon, numerous challenges affect safe food consumption, with poultry being a common vehicle for many pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. This bacterium can cause serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis, characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. This study aimed to examine the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAPs) towards poultry handling among households in Beirut, Lebanon, and identify factors influencing KAP levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 125 households in different areas of Beirut. The interview was divided into four main parts: sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The results showed that consumers’ knowledge and practices were inadequate, though their attitude was positive. Participants aged 43-55 had higher odds of having a good knowledge level than those aged 18-29 (OR = 3.889, p = 0.02). Additionally, those with a college education were 7.442 times more likely to have a positive attitude towards food safety compared to those with no formal education (p = 0.005). Most participants (91.2%) do not regularly check their refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Furthermore, significant associations (p < 0.001) existed between the different KAP levels. This study aimed to raise public awareness regarding the handling of chicken to minimize food-borne illnesses by evaluating food handlers’ knowledge and behaviors. Insights from this study can used in campaigns to raise awareness about Salmonella and transmission risks among households. Moreover, findings may guide policymakers to create regulations for safe handling of poultry.

Relationship between knowledge and adherence to use of TB drugs in adults in Idaman Banjarbaru Hospital

Background: Worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is the disease that causes the highest mortality rate. One of the causes is the bacteria Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Knowledge and adherence are very important in TB treatment to achieve therapeutic success. Objectives: This study aims to see the relationship between the level of knowledge and adherence to taking medication for adult TB patients at Idaman Banjarbaru Hospital. Methods: This type of research is descriptive research with a cross-sectional research design prospectively taken in March - June 2023. The number of patients was 42 people using the total sampling technique. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and then analyzed using the SPSS Fisher Exact test with a 95% confidence level. Results: The results showed that patients had a good level of knowledge of as many as 32 people (76.2%) and had less knowledge of as many as 10 people (23.8%). The value of patient compliance in taking medication was 29 people (69%), and disobedient as many as 13 people (31%). Conclusion: The results of the statistical analysis concluded that there was a relationship between knowledge and compliance with taking medication in TB patients at Idaman Banjarbaru Hospital (p &lt; 0.05).

Early Mobilization Training Education for Sectio Caesarea Patients

Background: The global rise in caesarean section (C-section) rates, particularly in Asia where the incidence stands at 19.5%, underscores the need for effective post-operative care strategies. Early mobilization is critical for post-C-section recovery, as it enhances patient mobility, reduces complications, and promotes overall health. Purpose: This study aims to assess the impact of early mobilization education on post-C-section patients' knowledge. Methods: This community service initiative, conducted at the Albarokah Room of Purwokerto Islamic Hospital, targeted 30 post-C-section maternal patients. The educational intervention was delivered using audiovisual media and the caramah method. Knowledge levels were assessed using a pre- and post-intervention questionnaire, which evaluated understanding of early mobilization, its benefits, contraindications, and procedural stages. Findings: Prior to the educational intervention, participants' knowledge was predominantly categorized as poor, with 40% (12 participants) scoring in this range. Post-education assessment revealed a significant improvement, with 100% (30 participants) achieving a good knowledge level regarding early mobilization. Conclusions: The implementation of early mobilization education through audiovisual media markedly improved participants' knowledge about early mobilization post-C-section. This study demonstrates that structured educational interventions can effectively enhance patient understanding and potentially improve post-operative outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects on recovery and health

ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS FOR DELAYED DIAGNOSIS IN PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS CASES IN BENGKULU CITY

This study aims to analyse the factors associated with delayed diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and the frequency distribution of TB patients. The research method was analytic-observational with cross sectional approach. The research sample was patients in Bengkulu City total of 64 respondents. The results of the analysis showed that the majority of TB patients were male, age group 16-25 years, people who had jobs, and secondary education, had initial symptoms of cough, lived in the central area of the city, the distance from home to the nearest health facility was 1 &lt; 2 km, had a good level of knowledge, the majority had low stigma towards TB disease. There was no significant association between delay in diagnosis and gender, age, education, income, occupation, distance from home to health centre, location of residence, initial symptoms, first action of health centre, first health service visited. There was a significant association between the time between initial symptoms and seeking treatment and the incidence of delayed diagnosis. However, there was no significant association between delayed diagnosis, patient stigma about TB disease and knowledge.

Pain Perception, Knowledge, Attitude, and Diet Diversity in Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Treatment: A Pilot Study.

This study aimed to determine the correlation between pain perception and knowledge, attitude, and diet diversity in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. A total of 103 patients (15-40 yrs.; 67 females, 36 males) undergoing orthodontic treatment with a 0.022-inch slot (MBT prescription) in both arches were recruited. Information on pain perception, knowledge, attitude, and diet diversity scores was collected through validated questionnaires using visual analogue scale and close-ended questions at one time point. The correlation between variables was analyzed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Of the patients, 48.5% were aged 15 to 19 years old, with 65% females and 73.8% of Chinese ethnicity. Approximately 90% of the orthodontic patients perceived low levels of pain from orthodontic treatment, and 98% had a positive attitude toward orthodontic treatment. The patients had a good level of knowledge (Mean: 6±0.65). Approximately 49.5% of patients reported having moderate diet diversity. No significant correlation was found between pain perception and knowledge, or pain perception and diet diversity (r=0.062, p=0.534). However, a significant weak negative correlation (r=-0.289, p<0.05) between pain perception and attitude was observed. Patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment presented with overall low pain perception, a positive attitude, and good knowledge about their treatment with moderate diet diversity. Informing the patient in advance about different orthodontic procedures encourages a positive attitude and facilitates patient cooperation. An interprofessional approach involving nutritionists can provide a holistic patient approach during orthodontic treatment.

ANALYSIS BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF PARENTS REGARDING PROVIDING DOUBLE IMMUNIZATION AT THE MINASA UPA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

Immunization is the act of providing immunity against a disease by introducing specific substances into the body. The completeness of immunization can be influenced by several factors such as knowledge, attitudes, number of children, health worker attitudes, family support, distance from home, education, socio-cultural factors, and community trust. This study aims to determine the relationship between parental knowledge and attitudes toward administering double immunization in infants conducted at the Minasa Upa Community Health Center. The research method used was quantitative research with an observational analytic design with a cross-sectional approach and a non-probability sampling method with a purposive sampling technique, resulting in 85 samples. The study results found that most respondents had good levels of knowledge, with 46 respondents or 54.1%, and exhibited positive attitudes, with 43 respondents or 50.6%. The highest number of respondents who administered double immunization to infants were found to have good knowledge, accounting for 67.4%, with a P-value of 0.003. Meanwhile, the number of respondents who administered double immunization and had positive attitudes was 69.8%, with a P-value of 0.001. Based on this research, it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between parental knowledge and attitudes towards the administration of double immunization in infants.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards physical activity among healthcare students at a public university in Saudi Arabia.

This research aimed to study the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward physical activity (PA) of healthcare students at King Khalid University in Abha, Saudi Arabia. A prospective web-based cross-sectional study was carried out among healthcare students of King Khalid University from March to May 2024. The questionnaire contained questions on sociodemographic details, five questions about knowledge, eight questions about attitudes, and seven practice-related questions. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Out of the 383 participants, 175 (45.7%) were men and 208 (54.3%) were women. Most of the students, 292 (76.2%), had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-24.9. Among the 383, 264 (68.9%) showed good knowledge, 288 (75.2%) had positive attitudes, and 242 (63.2%) had satisfactory PA practice. Most of them, 310 (80.9%), were aware that "regular exercise helps promote strong bones and muscles." Three hundred and fifty-two (91.9%) students believed that individuals who frequently engaged in PA had longer lifespans. More than half of the students (n = 239, 62.4%) engaged in the recommended level of PA. Of the students, 179 (46.8%) agreed that they planned to begin increasing their physical activity during the next 6 months. One hundred and fifty-six (40.7%) stated that they did sports with a high level of intensity for 20 min, three to five times a week, and 175 (45.7%) stated that they did moderate-intensity sports for 30 min, more than five times a week. None of the independent variables had a significant effect on good knowledge levels (p > 0.05). The regression results show being male OR = 0.473 (CI 0.285-0.783 p = 0.004), and being a first-or third-year student OR = 0.329 (CI 0.130-0.832 p = 0.013), OR = 0.276 (CI 0.100-0.762 p = 0.019) has a significant effect on positive attitude levels, while being male OR = 1.945 (CI 1.207-3.135 p = 0.006) and having a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 OR = 10.101 (CI 2.104-48.49 p = 0.004) has a significant effect on satisfactory practice levels. The majority of participants in our study showed good knowledge and positive attitudes toward PA. A lower number of participants, though still the majority, had satisfactory levels of PA. Health education and health promotion initiatives should maintain and enhance knowledge of the positive effects of PA on health.

Assessment of knowledge regarding prediabetes among a sample of family physicians in (Baghdad city).

To assess the level of knowledge among family physicians regarding prediabetes. The cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to June 30, 2020, at primary healthcare centers in Al-Karkh and Al-Rusafa health directorates of Baghdad, Iraq, after approval from the ethics review committee of the College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad. The sample comprised family physicians of either gender. Data was collected using an pre-designed, structured questionnaire that was disseminated online. Data was collected using SPSS 25. Of the 145 questionnaires distributed, 113(78%) were returned duly filled; 99(87.6%) females and 14(12.4%) males. The overall mean age was 34.21±5.8 years (range: 26-49 years), The knowledge level was good in 60(53.1%) cases, and 59(52.2%) suggested screening programmes as a preventive measure. Good level of knowledge was significantly associated with having diabetes or family member with diabetes 44(51.7%), attending training courses 37(44.1%) and professional experience >10 years 15(25%). More than half the respondents had a good level of knowledge about prediabetes. There is a need to improve the knowledge of physicians further about prediabetes.

Nivel de Conocimiento de los Estudiantes de Enfermería acerca del Riesgo de Tromboembolismo Venoso en Pacientes Quirúrgicos

Deep vein thrombosis is defined as the formation of blood clots that originate in the lower extremities. In Ecuador it ranks third in morbidity due to cardiovascular causes and constitutes 10-15% of preventable in-hospital morbidity. The objective of the research was to determine the level of knowledge of nursing students at the Technical University of Ambato about the risk of venous thromboembolism in surgical patients. The research presented a descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional cohort study, the instrument was applied physically explaining the informed consent and the categories contained in the instrument, it was established between 10 to 15 minutes for the students to answer the questionnaire, once obtained The responses were entered into an Excel database and the data was subsequently transferred to SPSS to make descriptive tables. The population for the study was estimated at 87 students. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we worked with a total population of 82. students. Of the total population of 82 respondents, 26.8% have a good level of knowledge, while 65.9% are average and 7.3% are poor. In conclusion, it was determined that students have a regular level of knowledge that corresponds to 65.9% about the risk of venous thromboembolism in surgical patients, this could have a negative impact on the development of students in the hospital environment.

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Health Education Program on Knowledge Regarding CLABSI on B.SC. Nursing Students Studying in Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) When a central artery is infected with pathogens or viruses, it can be quite serious. Healthcare providers may put a central line into one of the larger veins to give medicines, fluids, or blood products, or draw blood for lab tests that people need over a long period. A CLABSI is a laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection not found to be present or incubating on admission and the patient has had a central line in place for &gt; =2 calendar days by the day of the event, with that same organism also being RECOGNIZED from one other sterile site. Aim: The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the health education program or knowledge regarding CLABSI. Methodology: A quasi-experimental pretest one-group and post-test design was adopted. In this situation, the population of the study, and the inclusion, and exclusion criteria were applied. Use of sample size, sampling techniques, validation, and data collection participants Population of the study included all B.Sc. Nursing undergraduate students at Sharda University School of Nursing. Research incurred from May to June 2024. A purposive sampling strategy was used in the selection and determination of the sample size of the study which was 60 students using the independent t-test formula. Result: The study shows that 68.3% of the participants must have a poor level of knowledge. 23.3% had an average level of knowledge 8.3% had a good level of knowledge regarding the pretest, a maximum of 63.3% they were having a good level of knowledge, about 26.7% of them are having an average level of knowledge, 10% of them had a poor level of knowledge regarding it. From the pre-test to the post-test the mean knowledge score has significantly increased, in the pre-test was 9.83 S. D= 4.00 and in the post-test, it iwas 15.65 and S. D= 3.99. The Paired T-test value is -8.85 and the p-value is less than 0.01. Conclusion: According to the findings, nursing students need to have a comprehensive grasp of CLABSI to build an understanding of the illness state and to receive proper treatment to prevent the development of other life-threatening disorders and sepsis.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Covid-19 Prevention of Vietnamese Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant global impact, and although it has been controlled at the moment, the possibility of a resurgence is remains high if appropriate preventive measures are taken. Da Nang was one of the largest cities where the epidemic broke out and spread intensively in Vietnam. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 play an important role in controlling and preventing the disease. Objectives: To evaluate the KAP toward COVID-19 prevention among patients who visit to Da Nang Hospital for examinations and identify some related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 patients who visited the Department of Medical Examination of DaNang Hospital from November 2022 to April 2023. The questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 prevention of patients with 30 items was used and revised with the permission of the original author. Chi-square tests and odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to identify factors related to patient characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and practices of COVID-19 prevention. The results were considered statistically significant when p &lt; 0.05. Results: The percentage of participants with good knowledge, positive attitude, and successful practice on COVID-19 prevention accounted for 86.6%, 89.1%, and 56.3% respectively. Factors related to knowledge include sex (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 0.99-3.52, p-value &lt; 0.05), age, education level, and family economy; attitudes include education level, place of residence (OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.20-0.84, p-value &lt; 0.05), occupation; and COVID-19 infection status (OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.23-0.95, p &lt;0.05); and practices include sex (OR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.37-0.88, p-value &lt;0.05), age, education level , place of residence (OR= 0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-0.95, p-value &lt;0.05) and occupation . Conclusion: Research results showed that patients who visit to Da Nang Hospital for examinations have a high level of good knowledge and a positive attitude, while successful practices in COVID-19 prevention were not high. Thus, it is still necessary to promote and improve patients' knowledge about disease prevention vaccines, as well as enhance the practice of washing hands and covering mouths when coughing and sneezing for better disease prevention.

Knowledge and Attitude of Dentists towards Teething and Essential Treatment for Teething Toddlers: A Questionnaire Study

Introduction Tooth eruption is the physiological process of movement of teeth from inside the jaw to their position in functional occlusion in the oral cavity. This process starts on average at 6 months of age and can cause local inflammatory symptoms, as well as signs and symptoms in the general health of babies and children.  Methodology The purpose of the cross-sectional questionnaire study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of dentists toward teething and essential treatment for toddlers. Validated questionnaire on google forms was circulated among the participants via social media. Data from Google forms was entered into excel sheets and SPSS 23 software was used for inferential analysis.  Results Of the 301 dentists assessed, the study included 54.5% females and 45.5% males, mostly general practitioners aged 26-30 years. Of the participants, 99% were aware of teething, with 89.7% encountering patients. Common symptoms were chewing objects (80.4%) and swollen gums (77.1%). Teething occurs at 4- 7 months for 7-8 days. 84.7% recognized eruption problems. 73.4% considered hematoma self-limiting. 82.1% knew pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Advice included teething rings (80.7%) and distraction (77.1%). 96% recommended regular dental check-ups. 97.7% felt CDE was needed, and 99.3% wanted better parental guidance on teething management.  Conclusion The results of the present study help conclude that included dentists had good level of knowledge and attitude toward teething of toddlers.

An Observational Study on the Management of Medico-Legal Maxillofacial Trauma Cases by General Practitioners.

This study included 113 general practitioners from St. Spiridon Hospital in Iasi, Romania. Participants completed a self-administered structured questionnaire assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general practitioners regarding the handling of medico-legal cases. The scores obtained for the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices indicate a good level of knowledge on the part of the responding doctors, with the average value being 38, in a range from 0 to 49 (min. value 28-max wave. 47). The score regarding the attitudes of doctors related to the management of medico-legal cases is modest, with the average value being 37 points out of a maximum of 60 points (min. 14-max. 51). The same situation is recorded in the case of practices regarding the management of medico-legal cases, with the average value being 68 out of a maximum value of 90 (min. 38-max. 84). This study's results revealed the absence of a well-defined protocol for the recognition and handling of medico-legal cases among general practitioners from Iasi and the need to improve the level of attitudes and practices regarding the management of medico-legal cases. The limitations of this study included the relatively small sample from a single hospital and the use of a methodology based on self-administered questionnaires, which may be subjective. Accordingly, future studies should involve larger and more diverse samples to monitor changes in knowledge and practices over time and qualitative methodologies to gain deeper physician-related insights into medical case management.

Evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment Usage Among Construction Workers in Erbil City, Iraq.

Background and aim The construction industry is a high-risk environment where the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for worker safety. Despite the clear benefits of PPE, compliance rates among construction workers are often suboptimal. In response to these concerns, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding PPE usage among construction workers in Erbil City, Iraq. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 15, 2022, to June 15, 2023, among construction workers in Erbil. Convenience sampling was used to collect data through a self-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire collected demographic information, as well as responses to a 15-item Knowledge Questionnaire and an 8-item Attitude Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28 (Released 2021; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York). Frequency and percentage were used to describe qualitative variables, while mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables. Parametric tests such as the independent sample t-test and ANOVA were used, along with multinomial logistic regression, to assess the relationships between knowledge, attitude, and various demographic factors. Results A total of 280 workers participated in the study. The mean knowledge score was 13.56 ± 1.17, indicating a good level of knowledge, while the mean attitude score was 6.86 ± 1.11, reflecting a fair attitude towardPPE usage. A significant majority of the participants, 97.9% (274), were categorized as having good knowledge, while 68.2% (191) exhibited a fair attitude towards PPE usage. The analysis showed that demographic factors such as age, marital status, working hours, work experience, and employment type did not significantly affect knowledge or attitude, with all odds ratios (ORs) near 1 and P-values above 0.05. Conclusion The findings indicate that construction workers in Erbil generally have good knowledge but only a fair attitude toward PPE usage. These results suggest that healthcare providers and policymakers should implement targeted educational interventions to improve workers' attitudes towardPPE, aiming to boost compliance and enhance workplace safety. Additionally, these interventions should address practical barriers to PPE usage, such as discomfort or lack of accessibility. By fostering more positive attitudes and ensuring the availability of necessary resources, overall safety in the construction industry can be significantly improved.

Perception and knowledge of general practitioners on COPD management according to the GOLD23 document and reimbursement criteria for drugs prescription: an e-Delphi study

Background COPD management and therapy have been periodically revised to support a more patient-specific approach. Several concerns remain in primary care, such as the proper choice of initial treatment, medication adherence, and missing values for spirometry investigations. These concerns may be exacerbated by inconsistencies between the GOLD23 report and reimbursement criteria, as per the Italian NOTA99, especially for what concerns the assessment of disease severity and related treatment choice. We therefore examined the perception and knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) on COPD management and treatment. Methods We conducted an exploratory e-Delphi study among 600 GPs. The study examined the COPD-related GP's access to spirometry evaluations in primary care clinics; knowledge on early recognition of COPD and related clinical concerns; perception of the clinical application of the NOTA99; the place in therapy of the triple LABA/LAMA/ICS combination. Results Among 466 participating GPs (response rate: 70.3%; mean age 52, SD: 14.2; mean years of experience: 21.3, SD: 15) had a good level of knowledge about the GOLD 2023 document and the reimbursement criteria for COPD medications. Nevertheless, a low (34%) direct access to spirometry was reported, along with absence of consensus on the proper choice of initial treatment (especially of use of LABA/LAMA combination), and the re-evaluation of free-triple therapy LABA/LAMA/ICS through specialist’s referral. Conclusions This study captured the domains on which further training for GPs might be implemented to improve the management and treatment of COPD. An extension of this e-Delphi to a larger GPs’ panel might further confirm these findings.

Awareness of Current Surgical Practice for Congenital Scoliosis and Optimal Timing of Treatment Among Physicians and Patients' Families in Saudi Arabia.

Congenital scoliosis (CS) is a developmental spinal deformity characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, affecting one in 1,000 births. The mainstay of treatment involves either observation or surgery in significant curve progression. The optimal timing of surgical intervention is debated, with early intervention preferred. Therefore, understanding physicians' and patients' families' perspectives is crucial for optimizing surgical outcomes in CS. To assess the awareness and knowledge of physicians and patients' families regarding current, as well as new surgical practices and the optimal timing of treatment for CS. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia using an online self-administered questionnaire distributed through social media platforms and neurosurgery clinics. Levels of awareness were assessed by a knowledge-scoring system. The study involved 403 participants, primarily patients' families (85.1%, N = 343) and physicians (14.9%, N = 60). The results show that physicians had a significantly higher correct response than patients' families regarding the ideal age for surgical correction of CS, the timing of surgical intervention whether before or after maturity, and the role of conservative management, as evident from statistically significant p-values of <0.001, 0.031, and <0.001, respectively. On the contrary, patients' families excelled in understanding interventions irrespective of symptomatic status if Cobb's angle is 40 degrees or above, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.031. Both groups exhibited a good level of overall knowledge, as evidenced by mean awareness scores of 12.18 and 11.64, respectively. Additionally, physicians had a statistically significanthigher level of awareness compared to patients' families, with a p-value of (0.014). However, both groups demonstrated poor knowledge of the latest techniques, including distraction-based magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs), growth-guided modern Luque trolleys, and posterior dynamic deformity correction (ApiFix). The mean awareness score of both physicians and patients' families indicates a good level of knowledge. However, both groups exhibited poor knowledge in relation to the optimal timing of treatment and new surgical techniques.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice among kindergarten teachers regarding vision and eye screening of preschool children

Abstract: PURPOSE: To estimate the level and determinants of knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of kindergarten teachers regarding vision and eye screening of preschool children of Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: As a part of a study to evaluate the KAP of stakeholders in the Qassim region, we surveyed kindergarten teachers from July to September 2023. The responses to ten knowledge-related and five attitudes and practices of teachers about eye and vision screening were collected using a graded Likert scale. The KAP score was associated with teacher-related variables. Teachers’ current and desired sources of knowledge were also reviewed. RESULTS: We surveyed 60 KG teachers. All were female. The good level of knowledge was in 85% of teachers. The positive attitude and good practices were in 90% of teachers. Teachers’ education levels were not associated with teachers’ knowledge (Kolmogorov–Smirnov [KS] P = 0.456), attitudes (KS P = 0.71), and practice (KS P = 0.06). Social media and computer-based sources provided knowledge on eye and vision screening of children in nearly half of the teachers. More interaction between ophthalmologists and optometrists was desired to learn about the topic. CONCLUSIONS: The high awareness, positive attitude, and practices noted among KG teachers in this study are promising and favor their involvement in universal vision and eye screening initiatives in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia.

Perception and Attitude towards Electronic Cigarettes among Rural Thai Young Adults

Objective: This study examined perceptions and attitudes toward electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among young adults aged 15-20 years in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand, and their relationship. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between July and October 2023. The study included 328 young adults aged 15-20 selected from an educational institution in Samut Songkhram Province using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The participants had a good level of knowledge about e-cigarettes. They exhibited a positive attitude towards electronic cigarettes regarding health aspects (M=3.05, SD=0.97) and a positive attitude towards the legal dimensions of e-cigarettes (M=3.12, SD=0.80). However, no statistically significant correlation was found between the perception of e-cigarettes and health-related attitudes toward them (r=0.013, p=0.820). On the other hand, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the perception of e-cigarettes and legally oriented attitudes (r=0.192, p&lt;0.001). Furthermore, a borderline positive correlation emerged between the perception of electronic cigarettes and the general attitudes toward them (r=0.102, p=0.065). Conclusion: Young adults in rural Thailand have a good knowledge of e-cigarettes. However, they exhibit positive attitudes towards the health aspects and legal dimensions of e-cigarettes. Moreover, no significant relationship exists between perceptions and health-related attitudes. These insights emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address misperceptions and raise awareness about the health risks of e-cigarette use among rural youth.