Good Prevention Practices Research Articles

P-359. Healthcare Practitioners' Infection Prevention Strategies and Associated Factors in Primary Healthcare Facilities of Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose significant challenges to both patients and healthcare providers. Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh are the most densely populated in the world. In the primary healthcare facilities of Rohingya refugee camps, healthcare-associated infections pose major barriers to safe and high-quality healthcare delivery among Rohingya refugees. The study's goal was to evaluate infection prevention strategies and associated factors among primary healthcare practitioners in Rohingya refugee camps. Methods In 2023, we conducted a qualitative study among primary healthcare practitioners identified from 15 primary healthcare facilities in 15 Rohingya refugee camps. We conducted 60 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions with community healthcare providers. We reviewed the collected data, developed a coding system, analyzed the data, and summarized findings according to the study objectives and themes. Results Respondents were 60 % men and 40 % women, with a median age of 30 years, and 85% had higher secondary education. All respondents were employed for a median of 3 months (range,1-36 months). Only 42.5% of primary healthcare practitioners were knowledgeable about infection prevention strategies, and 37.2% practiced good infection prevention. Primary healthcare providers who had higher education and formal training in IPC were significantly more likely to have good infection prevention practices. Effective infection prevention practices were linked to the availability and accessibility of hand washing facilities and soap, proper use of personal protective equipment, appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols, adherence to infection prevention guidelines, surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, and adequate knowledge of infection prevention measures of primary healthcare providers. Conclusion Effective infection prevention and control practices are crucial for minimizing the risk of HAIs. This study assessed the infection prevention knowledge and practices, and their associated factors among primary healthcare practitioners in Rohingya refugee camps which would help develop and implement effective interventions to reduce HAIs within Rohingya refugee camps. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Female healthcare undergraduates' scientific readiness for raising breast cancer awareness in Syrian conservative community

IntroductionBreast cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer in Syria, and early detection is crucial in managing it. This study aims to compare the knowledge levels of breast cancer risk factors, signs, and symptoms among female students in healthcare faculties (medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy) at Damascus University to identify existing disparities. The goal is to enhance breast cancer education and awareness across Syria by empowering healthcare students with insights.MethodsAn online self-administered questionnaire was shared on social media for female students of healthcare faculties to respond to. A total of 589 participants were included after applying the inclusion criteria. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic characteristics and evaluated the knowledge of breast cancer (BC) using breast cancer awareness measure (BCAM). The scale evaluates three sections: general knowledge, symptoms, and risk factors. Comparisons were conducted among the three faculties to gauge variations in knowledge levels.ResultsThe majority of participants were aged between 21–23, the average of breast cancer knowledge among the whole sample was 24.7 ± 6.33 out of 40, with the internet and social media being the primary sources of information. Medical students had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to pharmacy and dentistry students. Higher faculty average grades were associated with higher knowledge scores, and there was a positive correlation between study years and breast cancer knowledge for medical and pharmacy students. There was no significant difference in breast cancer knowledge between participants with and without a medical relative or family history of breast cancer.ConclusionBreast cancer knowledge among female healthcare students in Damascus University is perfectible, which may not be enough to raise awareness. Awareness programs should be created to encourage leadership and accurate information dissemination, and professors should model good prevention practices.

Zoonotic diseases awareness and food safety practices among livestock farmers in Nepal.

Interactions between humans and livestock could increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. In addition, limited knowledge of zoonoses and foodborne diseases among livestock farmers could heighten the risks of foodborne illness and outbreaks of zoonotic diseases. This study evaluated the awareness of zoonotic diseases and preventive practices for zoonotic and foodborne diseases among livestock farmers of the Chitwan, Rupandehi, and Tanahun districts of Nepal by conducting a cross-sectional survey of 280 livestock farmers. They were recruited using the purposive sampling method from October to December 2022. Descriptive statistics revealed that most (72.1%; n = 202/280) livestock farmers were aware of zoonosis. None of the farmers knew about the zoonotic nature of leptospirosis. Two-thirds of pig farmers (67%; n = 12/18) were aware of zoonotic transmission of swine flu, and more than half of the poultry (58%; 50/86) farmers knew about zoonotic avian influenza. The majority of the farmers who had dogs (83%) and cats (89.4%) in their homes or farms knew that rabies can be transmitted to humans from dogs or cats. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that farmers from the Rupandehi district (aOR: 5.56; 95% CI: 2.18-14.22) and Chitwan (aOR: 6.52; 95% CI: 2.46-17.25) had a higher odds of having good preventive practices than those from Tanahun. Also, farmers who had no sickness in the past 6 months after consumption of animal products were three times (aOR: 2.98; 95% CI: 1.48-6.01) more likely to have better practices. Furthermore, secondary education (aOR: 3.64; 95% CI: 1.41-9.44) was a significant positive predictor of good zoonotic diseases and food safety preventive practices. Our study underscores the necessity to enhance Nepalese livestock farmers' awareness and practices regarding zoonotic and foodborne diseases. It emphasizes the importance of understanding risks, effective behavioral change strategies, and engaging farmers in developing zoonotic disease and foodborne illness prevention programs.

Knowledge, attitude and practices associated with COVID-19 among undergraduate students from Malaysian public universities during the endemic phase: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAfter two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia began the transition to the endemic phase. students at higher education institutes are among those who were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and deserve further attention. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) associated with COVID-19 among public university undergraduate students in Malaysia during the endemic phase. This study would be able to provide valuable insights that can enhance public health strategies, improve educational efforts, and prepare better for future health challenges.MethodsAn online cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at public universities in Malaysia. KAP towards COVID-19 were measured using a structured Malay and English version questionnaire consisting of (i) sociodemographic characteristics, (ii) knowledge of COVID-19 (10 items), attitudes associated with COVID-19 (five items) and practice on COVID-19 preventive measures (six items). Validity and reliability tests were conducted to assess the level of consistency of KAP content with Cronbach alpha values of 0.617, 0.616 and 0.722 for each section, respectively. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal Wallis test and Pearson correlation were conducted.ResultsAround 73% of the respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19, 58.6% possessed positive attitudes, and 54.6% were classified as having good practices in COVID-19 prevention. There was no significant difference in knowledge scores among sociodemographic data. A significant difference in attitude scores was observed among race, zones of the public university and household incomes. Besides that, a significant difference in practice scores was also observed among gender, race and student accommodation. A weak positive and significant correlation existed between knowledge and practices (r = 0.220 and p = 0.001). Meanwhile, there was no correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.039 and p = 0.517).ConclusionUndergraduate students from Malaysian public universities had good KAP associated with COVID-19. Still, appropriate health promotion activities are needed to provide the students with adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and good practice of COVID-19 prevention measures in the future.

Factors associated with chronic kidney disease knowledge and preventive practices: An analytical cross-sectional study among patients with hypertension at Amana Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Globally, Chronic kidney Disease (CKD) has become a significant public health concern, with sub-Saharan Africa being among the populations experiencing the highest rates. Managing CKD poses a significant challenge due to its health complications and associated high cost of care. Hypertension is one of the leading causes of CKD, responsible for the decline in kidney function in patients. Knowledge and lifestyle modifications are pivotal to the prevention and progression of CKD. In Tanzania, little is known regarding CKD knowledge and preventive practices among patients with hypertension. Therefore, this study aimed to assess context-specific factors associated with CKD knowledge and preventive practices among patients with hypertension at Amana Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam. An analytical cross-sectional study involving 184 patients was conducted at Amana Regional Referral Hospital. Patient were recruited at the outpatient hypertension clinic using simple random sampling in June and July 2022. Data analysis was conducted using IBM-SPSS Statistics version 25. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with knowledge and preventive practices related to CKD, with statistical significance set at a p-value < 0.05. The median CKD knowledge score was 13 (IQR: 9-16). Of the 184 respondents, 104 (56.5%) demonstrated high CKD knowledge. None of the sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with CKD knowledge. The median score for CKD preventive practices was 9 (IQR: 8-9), and 111 respondents (60.3%) had good practices. High CKD knowledge was significantly associated with good CKD preventive practices (AOR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.62; p = 0.027). A significant proportion of hypertensive patients in this study exhibited both high CKD knowledge and good preventive practices. The positive correlation between CKD knowledge and improved preventive practices highlights the importance of educational interventions to further enhance CKD knowledge among patients with hypertension.

Chronic Kidney Disease Preventive Attitude, Practice, and Associated Factors among Type 2 DM Patients in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Globally, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as one of the leading causes of mortality and it is one of a small number of noncommunicable diseases that have shown an increase in associated deaths over the past two decades. Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 50% of patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus (DM). To determine CKD preventive attitude, practices, and associated factors among type 2 DM (T2DM) patients attending follow-up in a diabetic clinic at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital among T2DM patients from December 23, 2021, to January 23, 2022. Data were entered into EpiData 4.2.00 and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0. A total of 216 study participants were included in to this study. The level of good preventive attitude and practice toward CKD among T2DM patients were 61.6% (n = 133, 95% CI: 55.6-68.0) and 54.6% (n = 118, 95% CI: 47.7-60.6), respectively. Age (50-59 years) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.351, 95% CI: 0.125-0.988, p = .047), married (AOR = 4.423, 95% CI: 1.366-14.314, p = .013), urban residents (AOR = 0.321, 95% CI: 0.152-0.680, p = .003), and governmental employed (AOR = 0.269, 95% CI: 0.076-0.954, p = .042) were significantly associated with CKD preventive attitude. Formal education (AOR = 1.686, 95% CI: 1.416-5.502, p = .043), an average monthly income of ≥8000 ETB (AOR = 4.048, 95% CI: 1.129-14.520, p = .032), family history of CKD (AOR = 1.417, 95% CI: 1.231-7.136, p = .045) were significantly associated with CKD preventive practice. The level of good preventive attitude and practice toward CKD among T2DM patients was 61.6% and 54.6%, respectively. Age, marital status, residence, and occupation were significantly associated with good preventive attitude of T2DM patients. Whereas educational status, average monthly income, and duration since diagnosed with T2DM were significantly associated with good CKD preventive practice. Health educational program needs to occur to improve the preventive attitude and practice toward CKD among T2DM patients.

KNOWLEDGE, CONCEPTION AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS HBV AND HCV AMONG DENTISTS IN DUHOK PROVINCE; KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

ABSTRACT Background: Healthcare workers including physicians, dentists, nurses and laboratory workers are considered to be among the groups at the risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and conception of Duhok province dentists toward bloodborne viruses HBV and HCV regarding transmission, treatment, and prevention; furthermore, to know their attitude in dealing with HCV or HBV positive patients Method: It’s a cross sectional that had performed by asking dentists from Duhok province to fulfill a standardized online based questionnaire. There were four main parts in the questionnaire; demographic data collection, general HBV and HCV information, attitude questions and prevention questions. Result: One hundred eighty-seven dentists had participated in the study, 54% were males. The mean age of the participants was 28.48 ± SD 7.53. The mean experience years of study population was 5.87 ± SD 6.39. Eighty-one (43.3%), 122 (65.2%), and 101 (54%) dentists out of 187 had good knowledge, favorable attitude, and good preventive practices toward HBV &amp; HCV, respectively. Good knowledge frequency was more common among dentists whose ages were above 40 years, and among those with MSc or PhD degree, p=0.016 and 0.03, respectively. Whilst good preventive practices against HBV &amp; HCV was more common among more experience dentists p= 0.001, 0.008 respectively. HBV vaccine coverage is 98.8% Conclusion: Duhok dentists at under and post- graduate levels necessitates improving educational programs and regular dental auditing. The HBV vaccine coverage is highly satisfactory.

Knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices towards soil-transmitted helminthiases among teachers in schools implementing the home-grown school feeding program in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs) are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, impacting school-aged children significantly. Teachers, integral to STH control through the Home-Grown School Feeding Program (HGSFP), need adequate knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) for successful STH prevention. However, there is limited research on teacher KAP regarding STH in Enugu State, particularly concerning its endemic nature. This study assessed the KAP of primary school teachers involved in the HGSFP in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria, aiming to inform targeted interventions for STH control.MethodsThis analytical cross-sectional study, conducted from September 2023 to January 2024, involved 108 primary school teachers from nine randomly selected schools in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which had undergone rigorous validation and reliability testing. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsWhile 69.4% of the teachers demonstrated good knowledge and 77.8% had good attitudes towards STH, only 27.8% reported good preventive practices. Younger teachers (25–34 years) exhibited better knowledge (94.1% vs. 56.4%, p = 0.018) and practices (52.9% vs. 30.8%, p = 0.015) compared to their older colleagues (≥ 45 years). Years of teaching experience significantly influenced attitudes, with teachers having 11–20 years of experience exhibiting the most favorable attitudes (95.8%, p = 0.030). Age was a significant predictor of good practice with teachers aged 35–44 years being 7.72 times more likely to report good practices than those ≥ 45 years (AOR: 7.72, 95% CI: 5.66–35.9).ConclusionsThe study reveals a critical disconnect between high levels of knowledge and positive attitudes towards STH among teachers and their lower levels of good preventive practices. This highlights that positive attitudes alone may not be sufficient for effective implementation of preventive measures. This underscores the need for targeted interventions, particularly tailored training for older and more experienced teachers. Incorporating evidence-based behavior change strategies, addressing potential barriers to practice implementation, and improving access to resources are crucial for enhancing STH prevention efforts within the HGSFP and safeguarding the health of teachers and students.

Validation of a Nepali version of the questionnaire to assess preventive practices against the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population

BackgroundThe new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a virus in the coronavirus family called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to lack of effective treatment, the major way to breakdown the disease transmission is by application of preventive measures. For this, a preventive practice questionnaire was used to assess the preventive practice during COVID-19. A definite advantage of this questionnaire is its ability to identify individual level preventive practices. The objective of the study was to validate the Nepali version of Questionnaire to assess preventive practices against the COVID-19 pandemic in the General population.MethodsA web-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to April 2023 using preventive practices against the COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire and was conducted among 351 respondents. The sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire were calculated for validation. The best cutoff point for the Nepalese version of the questionnaire was identified and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated.ResultsThe overall prevalence of good preventive practices was 90.6%. The best cutoff points for the Nepali version of the questionnaire were 93% sensitivity and 67% specificity, respectively at a cutoff level of 47/48. The area under the curve was 0.859. Thus, the Nepalese version of the questionnaire concerning preventive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population had an accuracy of 85.9% (95% CI 0.757–0.961, p = 0.001).ConclusionThe Nepalese version of the questionnaire on preventive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population can be successfully used as a survey tool. These findings might help to detect appropriate adherence to preventive practices can be achieved in busy outpatient departments. Detecting adherence to preventive practices may help local health authorities and policymakers in identifying specific populations for future awareness campaigns during infectious disease outbreaks.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 and associated factors among students in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not confirmed the eradication of the COVID-19 pandemic or the development of a cure. Ongoing research is necessary to update public understanding, attitudes, and behaviors. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19 among students in Ethiopia. To estimate the pooled proportions and associated factors of knowledge, positive attitude, and prevention practice toward COVID-19 among students in Ethiopia. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered on the PROSPERO database. Data extraction was done using an Excel spreadsheet, and analysis was conducted using STATA. The quality of the articles was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) grading approach. A narrative summary and random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval were used. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. The results were presented using a forest plot and tables. Out of 2089 studies reviewed, only 16 met the inclusion criteria. The pooled proportions of COVID-19 good knowledge, positive attitude, and good prevention practice among students in Ethiopia were found to be 62.68% [95% CI 50.96-74.40, I2 = 98.93%], 60.22% [95% CI 51.64-68.80, I2 = 97.68%], 48.47% [95% CI, 44.16-52.78, I2 = 91.45%] respectively. Factors that affected knowledge included marital status, family size, sex, study year, and residency. Knowledge and residency were identified as predictors of attitude. Determinants of practice included knowledge, attitude, sex, study program, and residency. The pooled proportion of students in Ethiopia with good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices regarding COVID-19 was low. Policymakers, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Institutions, and other stakeholders should intensify their efforts on COVID-19 and develop interventions aimed at females, rural residents, and extension students. The protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database with ID = CRD42023478234.

Understanding the future of dengue in Malaysia: Assessing knowledge, attitude, and homeowner practices in mitigating climate-driven risks

Introduction Dengue fever poses a significant public health threat, particularly in tropical regions like Malaysia. The rising incidence of dengue outbreaks challenges healthcare systems and highlights the urgent need for effective preventive measures. Climate change, with rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, is expected to worsen the dengue situation in the coming years. Methods . This is a cross-sectional study conducted among adult residents of low-cost housing apartments in an urban poor community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia involving approximately 16,000 residents. A representative sample of 1,636 residents was calculated using the Krejcie and Morgan formula, and stratified random sampling was used to ensure proportional representation across the various floors of each PPR community apartment block. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from a validated Malay version. The questionnaire assessed respondents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to dengue prevention, categorising KAP scores as “Good” (≥80%) or “Poor” (&lt;80%). Descriptive statistics summarized population characteristics and KAP scores, while logistic regression identified predictors of KAP levels, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results In this community, 76.7% of participants exhibited poor knowledge and 83.1% had a negative attitude towards dengue, despite 66.7% demonstrating good preventive practices. The PPR location significantly predicts dengue knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices, with p-values of less than 0.001 for all domains. Marital status also predicts dengue knowledge (p = 0.007) and preventive practices (p = 0.023), while prior infection with dengue is a predictor of preventive practices (p = 0.047). Conclusion Despite the community’s good dengue prevention practices, likely influenced by environmental expectations, there remains a critical need for education to sustain and strengthen these efforts, as climate change continues to worsen in the coming years. It is crucial to help residents grasp the relevance of these practices, so they can apply them more effectively as climate-driven risks intensify. Targeted interventions should de designed differently for each of the four PPR communities as their levels of knowledge, attitude and practices vary significantly, taking into account independent factors like marital status and prior dengue infection, which shape preventive behaviors.

Assessment of the Level of Awareness and Knowledge of Covid-19 among rural population in Khulna, Bangladesh

Objective: The objective of the study was to find out level of Awareness and knowledge about covid-19 among rural population in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive type of study was carried out in Bathiaghata Upazilla, Khulna from 25.11.21 to 25.12.2021. Adult persons, 455 (male 181 and female 274) with mean age ± SD was 24 ±1.5 years, selected purposively from the households in the adjacent villages were included in the study as respondents. Results: Among the respondents, 97.4% heard about covid-19. Of them, 292 (71.6%) had knowledge that the disease is transmitted by cough, sneezing, direct contact and the proportion of the respondents who knew about symptoms like high fever, headache, cough, loss of taste and loss of smell were 50.1%, 16.7%,16% and 7.4%, respectively. Most of the respondents received health care services from MBBS doctors (87.3%). The majority of the respondent (76.5%) identified who heard about prevention of covid-19 by wearing mask, as a good preventive practice against covid-19 infection, followed by frequent hand washing (18.4%) which is eventually important for the prevention of covid-19. Conclusion: It was a unique study that describing adult heath related knowledge on covid-19 among adult population in a rural area. The study results suggest a further need to strengthen health education about covid-19 among rural population in Bangladesh. Mediscope 2024;11(2): 62-67

Empowering Communities through Citizen Science: Dengue Prevention in Córdoba.

Traditional mosquito vector control methods have proved ineffective in controlling the spread of dengue fever. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of community engagement through student-led science in promoting dengue prevention and socioecological factors in the temperate urban city of Córdoba, Argentina. It assesses community perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding dengue fever and its vector. Results showed a significant increase in knowledge about the vector and the disease and respondents' adoption of good preventive practices. Student-led science was identified as a valuable tool for reaching households and leading to behavior changes at home. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the need for school programs to address vector biology and vector-borne disease prevention all year round. This study provides invaluable insights into the effectiveness of community engagement through student-led science to promote dengue prevention and socioecological factors. The findings suggest that this approach could be used to control the spread in other regions affected by the disease.

Strategies for older people living in care homes to prevent urinary tract infection: the StOP UTI realist synthesis.

Urinary tract infection is the most diagnosed infection in older people. It accounts for more than 50% of antibiotic prescriptions in care homes and is a frequent reason for care home residents being hospitalised. This realist review developed and refined programme theories for preventing and recognising urinary tract infection, exploring what works, for whom and in what circumstances. The review used realist synthesis to explore existing literature on the detection and prevention of urinary tract infection, complemented by stakeholder consultation. It applies to the UK context, although other healthcare systems may identify synergies in our findings. Bibliographic databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection (including the Social Sciences Citation Index), Sociological Abstracts, Bibliomap and National Institute for Health and Care Research Journals Library. Title and abstract screening were undertaken by two researchers independently of each other. Selection and assessment were based on relevance and rigour and cross-checked by a second researcher. Data extracted from the included studies were explored for explanations about how the interventions were considered to work (or not). Evidence tables were constructed to enable identification of patterns across studies that offered insight about the features of successful interventions. Programme theories were constructed through a four-stage process involving scoping workshops, examination of relevant extant theory, analysis and synthesis of primary research, teacher-learner interviews and a cross-system stakeholder event. A process of abductive and retroductive reasoning was used to construct context-mechanism-outcome configurations to inform programme theory. The scoping review and stakeholder engagement identified three theory areas that address the prevention and recognition of urinary tract infection and show what is needed to implement best practice. Nine context-mechanism-outcome configurations provided an explanation of how interventions to prevent and recognise urinary tract infection might work in care homes. These were (1) recognition of urinary tract infection is informed by skills in clinical reasoning, (2) decision-support tools enable a whole care team approach to communication, (3) active monitoring is recognised as a legitimate care routine, (4) hydration is recognised as a care priority for all residents, (5) systems are in place to drive action that helps residents to drink more, (6) good infection prevention practice is applied to indwelling urinary catheters, (7) proactive strategies are in place to prevent recurrent urinary tract infection, (8) care home leadership and culture fosters safe fundamental care and (9) developing knowledgeable care teams. We adapted our approach and work to online interactions with stakeholders and as a research team because of COVID-19. This also had an impact on bringing stakeholders together at a face-to-face event at the end of the project. Studies focusing on the prevention of urinary tract infection in care home settings were predominantly from the USA and Europe where the regulatory and funding systems for the long-term care of the elderly have some differences, particularly in the USA where national reporting plays a significant role in driving improvements in care. Care home staff have a vital role in the prevention and recognition of urinary tract infection, which can be enabled through integration and prioritisation within the systems and routines of care homes and delivery of person-centred care. Promoting fundamental care as a means of facilitating a holistic approach to prevention and recognition of urinary tract infection helps staff to recognise how they can contribute to antimicrobial stewardship and recognition of sepsis. Challenging assumptions made by staff about the presentation of urinary tract infection is complex and requires education that facilitates 'unlearning' and questioning of low-value practices. Programmes to prevent urinary tract infection need to be co-designed and supported through active and visible leadership by care home managers with support from specialist practitioners. We will focus on co-designing tools that facilitate implementation of our findings to ensure they fit with the care home context and address some of the challenges faced by care home leaders. This will underpin action at care home and system levels. Further research is needed to better understand the perspectives of residents and family carers, the effectiveness of non-pharmacological, pharmacological and specialist practitioner interventions and non-traditional approaches to training and educating the workforce in care home settings. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42020201782. This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: NIHR130396) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 68. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Malaria prevention practices among forest goers in four highland provinces of Vietnam and some related factors in 2023

Objectives: Malaria prevention still faces many difficulties in the mountainous and highland areas, especially the provinces in the Central region and the Central Highlands, Vietnam. This study aims to describe the practice of malaria prevention of forest goers in four high-risk provinces of Vietnam in 2023 and some related factors. Methods: Cross-sectional in 696 foresters in 4 provinces: Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Vietnam from January 2023 to December 2023. The study used a validated questionnaire and convenience sampling method to select research subjects. Health station staff were trained as data collectors and supervised during data collection. Results: The study subjects with good malaria prevention practices accounted for 54.6%. In addition to sleeping under mosquito nets, subjects also applied other preventive measures such as wearing long-sleeved clothes and mosquito repellant cream, 83.1% and 67.8%, respectively. Gender, ethnicity, religion, education, health insurance, occupation, frequency of work in the forest, and good knowledge about malaria control as it relates to malaria prevention practices. Conclusion: The current status of malaria prevention practices among forest goers in four high-risk provinces is still limited. It is necessary to promote communication measures to improve people's knowledge, attitudes, and practices on malaria prevention

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of COVID-19 Prevention among Medical Undergraduates of a Higher Institution in Enugu Metropolis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has posed a global health crisis since its emergence in late 2019. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19 prevention among medical undergraduates in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, involving undergraduate medical students from the University of Nigeria, Enugu, and Ituku-Ozalla campuses. A total of 450 participants were recruited through convenience sampling, and a structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic information, COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices. Data were analyzed using the Social Package for Social Science version 28, with statistical significance set at P &lt; 0.05. Results: The majority of participants demonstrated good knowledge of COVID-19 prevention (89.6%), with significant associations observed between knowledge and the level of study (P = 0.001). A significant relationship was also noted between knowledge and attitude (P = 0.000). In terms of practice, 24.2% of medical students reported good COVID-19 prevention practices. Additionally, a majority of participants (n = 405; 90%) had not been vaccinated against COVID-19, largely influenced by vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: Efforts should focus on transforming knowledge into positive attitudes and encouraging better COVID-19 preventive practices among medical undergraduates. Addressing vaccine hesitancy through targeted education and awareness campaigns is imperative to mitigate the risks associated with the pandemic and potential future waves.

Knowledge, attitude, prevention practice and lived experience towards cutaneous leishmaniasis and associated factors among residents of Kutaber district, Northeast Ethiopia, 2022: A mixed method study.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic infection in Ethiopia. Few studies have been conducted on knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practice related to cutaneous leishmaniasis, and the existing studies have been mainly without qualitative support. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, prevention practice and lived experience towards cutaneous leishmaniasis and associated factors among residents of the Kutaber district, Northeast Ethiopia. A convergent parallel mixed method was conducted among 636 residents (for quantitative) and 20 in-depth interview participants (for qualitative) of the Kutaber district from July 1 to August 15, 2022. Quantitative data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for cleaning and analysis. ATLAS.ti software version 8.0 was used for the analysis of qualitative data. The survey respondents in Kutaber district showed good knowledge (47.5%), a positive attitude towards (54.1%) and a good prevention practice (35.3%) regarding cutaneous leishmaniasis. Residents who were unable to read and write [AOR = 0.15] had lower odds to have good knowledge about cutaneous leishmaniasis. Residents aged >54.5 years [AOR = 0.33] had lower odds to have a positive attitude towards cutaneous leishmaniasis. Males [AOR = 1.76] had a good prevention practice towards cutaneous leishmaniasis. Five main study themes were formed following the qualitative analysis of the data. Residents of Kutaber district have a poor overall knowledge and prevention practice towards cutaneous leishmaniasis, despite having a positive attitude. The educational status of residents and years of residence were factors significantly associated with knowledge about cutaneous leishmaniasis. Age and years of residence were factors significantly associated with attitude towards cutaneous leishmaniasis. Gender, age, and household wealth were factors significantly associated with prevention practice towards cutaneous leishmaniasis. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kutaber is a true health problem.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards dengue fever among medical students in Sudan: A cross-sectional study.

Dengue fever, a neglected tropical disease, exhibits a total seroprevalence of 27% in Sudan. During the recent outbreak, medical students actively participated in health education and community outreach programs. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of medical students regarding Dengue Fever (DF) during its current outbreak in Sudan. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving medical students from more than 15 Sudanese universities, encompassing 11 states. Data collection took place between October 23 and November 10, 2023, utilizing a Google Form questionnaire. A convenient sampling technique was employed to reach students due to its accessibility and feasibility during the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify predictors of KAP and establish associations between KAP domains and socio-demographic factors. Of 694 medical students, 11% reported a previous infection with DF. Among the participants, 58% demonstrated good knowledge, 74.1% exhibited a positive attitude, and less than half (46.7%) demonstrated good preventive practices. There was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude levels with the practice level (p < 0.001). Gender, age, and previous DF infection emerged as significant predictors (p < 0.05) of the overall KAP level in multiple logistic regression. Our study revealed a commendable level of knowledge and attitude but a suboptimal level of practice regarding DF among medical students. This inadequacy in practice, particularly among medical students who are expected to set an example, is concerning and warrants further investigation.

Knowledge, attitude, practices and treatment-seeking behaviour concerning cutaneous leishmaniasis among rural hyperendemic communities in western Yemen

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a neglected tropical disease (NTD), is a major public health problem in Yemen with widespread distribution in rural areas. Evaluating the knowledge and understanding of people’s beliefs towards the disease is essential to the implementation of effective control measures. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and treatment-seeking behaviour concerning CL among rural populations in the western highlands of Yemen. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 289 household heads in four rural areas of the Utmah District. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. All the participants had heard about the disease; however, only 9.3% attributed it to sandflies. Nearly half (48.1%) of the participants could not mention any preventive measures for CL, and nearly two-thirds (65.4%) could not do so for sandflies. The overall ‘good’ knowledge about CL was found to be 51.2%, and it was 33.9% for sandflies. The participants’ attitude and prevention practices towards CL were not satisfactory, as only 38.1% and 16.3% had a positive attitude and good CL-related prevention practices, respectively. Moreover, 45.7% believed CL to be a stigmatising disease, and 50% had used traditional remedies to treat suspected CL lesions. Multivariate analyses showed that age, sex, presence of CL-confirmed cases in the same household, residency, occupation and monthly household income were the significant predictors associated with KAP concerning CL among the participants. The findings support an urgent need for integrated health education and community mobilisation interventions to improve awareness of these vulnerable populations about this devastating disease.

Implications of COVID-19 prevention on the occurrence of childhood diarrhea in the Semen Bench district, Bench Sheko zone, southwestern Ethiopia.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that occurred in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has spread to several countries. Although interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for COVID-19 are likely a pre-existing response to childhood diarrhea, evidence of the effects of COVID-19 preventative strategies on childhood diarrhea has been lacking. This study aimed to assess the implications of COVID-19 prevention for the occurrence of childhood diarrhea in rural communities of Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 10 May 2020 to 30 July 2020 involving selected households in the Semen Bench district, Bench Sheko zone, southwestern Ethiopia. A single population proportion formula was used to obtain a total of 768 sample sizes. Data were collected from selected households using a simple random sampling technique. Epidata 3.1 was used to enter the data and then exported to Stata 14 for analysis. Descriptive statistics along with binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors of COVID-19 knowledge and practices related to childhood diarrhea. The chi-squared test was used to check the association between COVID-19 prevention and childhood diarrhea reduction. A total of 720 (93.75%) households participated in the study to achieve the study objectives. Approximately 55% of the participants had a good understanding of COVID-19 prevention, while only 48.5% had good COVID-19 prevention practices. The prevalence of childhood diarrhea was 19.3% which was more common among households with poor practices of COVID-19 prevention. The respondents with poor COVID-19 prevention knowledge were 42% (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.398, 0.847, P = 0.005) less likely to develop childhood diarrhea than those who had good COVID-19 prevention knowledge. Households with poor practices for COVID-19 prevention were 75.1% more likely to develop childhood diarrhea than those who had good preventive practices for COVID-19 prevention (AOR = 1.751, 95% CI: 1.193, 2.571, P = 0.004). The lower risk of childhood diarrhea is significantly related to good COVID-19 prevention practices. However, households with no formal education and a lack of WASH facilities have a higher likelihood of having childhood diarrhea in the household. COVID-19 preventative strategies help reduce the prevalence of diarrhea in children. More research using prospective study designs and advanced statistical models is needed to better understand the implication of COVID-19 preventative efforts in reducing childhood diarrhea.