Health Awareness Campaigns Research Articles

Bacteriological Assessment of Smoked-Dried White Shrimp (Nematopalaemon hastatus Aurivillius, 1898) Sold in Calabar, Nigeria

Aim: Enumeration of bacterial counts is an important index of assessing the safety and quality of food products. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of pathogenic bacteria in white shrimp samples obtained from major markets serving consumers in Calabar.
 Study Design: This study was a cross sectional study conducted between April 2017 and April 2018.
 Methodology: One hundred and twenty (120) samples of smoked dried Nematopalaemon hastatus (white shrimp) were analyzed for the presence of bacterial pathogens. Bacterial loads and identification of isolated organisms was determined using standard microbiological methods.
 Results: The results showed that 66.7% of the analyzed shrimps had aerobic bacterial counts exceeding the upper permissible limit (<1.0x106Cfu/g) and 56.7% had unsatisfactory (˃20Cfu/g) Vibrio counts. The study revealed the presence of different bacteria genera namely Klebsiella, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Vibrio, Citrobacter, Proteus, Aeromonas, Streptococcus, Escherichia, Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS), Enterobacter and Bacillus. Predominant organism was Salmonella spp (26.7%), followed by Vibrio spp (21.7%) while the least isolated organisms were Bacillus spp and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (1.7%) each. The occurrence of high counts of pathogens in seafood may cause food poisoning; especially in individuals who consume this seafood raw, or lightly or insufficiently cooked.
 Conclusion: Hence, seafood should be processed and packaged under standard hygienic conditions to reduce the risk of microbial contamination. In addition, public health awareness campaign targeted at consumers and vendors should be optimized with frequent monitoring by regulatory agencies.

Assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice measures against tuberculosis in patients in ambulatory department facilities in Pakistan: a cross-sectional analysis.

Tuberculosis (TB), at present, is the leading infectious etiology of death globally. In Pakistan, there are approximately 510,000 new cases annually, with more than 15,000 of them developing into drug-resistant TB, making the nation the fifth-leading country in TB prevalence in the world. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the focus has drifted away from TB screening, diagnostic and health awareness campaigns, and therapeutic measures endangering knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards TB in our population. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in Pakistan to assess the KAP of Pakistani residents attending the adult outpatient departments of public hospitals for any health-related concerns. Our sample size was 856 participants, with a median age of 22 years. Occupation-wise, those who were employed had better knowledge of TB than those who were unemployed [odds ratio (OR): 1.011; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005-1.8005]. No differences were observed in TB knowledge between those adherents to common preventive practices versus those not adherent (OR: 0.875; 95% CI: 0.757-1.403). More than 90% of participants agreed that TB is dangerous for the community, and the majority opted against stigmatizing TB patients (79.1%). People who could read and write were 3.5 times more likely to have a good attitude towards TB compared to those who could not (OR: 3.596; 95% CI: 1.821-70.230; p=0.037). Similarly, employed subjects had better attitudes compared to unemployed ones (OR: 1.125; 95% CI: 0.498-1.852; p=0.024) and those with better knowledge of TB had a better attitude grade (OR: 1.749; 95% CI: 0.832-12.350; p=0.020). Age, occupation, and educational status were statistically significant among the two groups (p=0.038, p=0.023, p=0.000). Literate subjects had three times better practice towards TB than illiterate subjects (OR: 3.081; 95% CI: 1.869-4.164; p=0.000). Future education and awareness programs should target specific groups, such as the unemployed and illiterate, with practice-focused approaches. Our study outcomes can enable the concerned officials and authorities to take appropriate evidence-based steps to direct the efforts efficiently to curtail the burden of TB in Pakistan and to limit its progression, which could potentially lead our nation to become a multi drug-resistant TB endemic territory.

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing health concern in Pakistan, with a significant impact on the country's population and economy. NCDs are chronic conditions that are not caused by infectious agents and are generally linked to lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and tobacco and alcohol use.
 The prevalence of NCDs in Pakistan has increased rapidly over the past few decades, with estimates suggesting that more than 60% of deaths in the country are now attributed to NCDs. The most common NCDs in Pakistan are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. These conditions not only have a devastating impact on individuals and families, but also place a significant burden on the healthcare system and the economy.
 There are several reasons why NCDs are on the rise in Pakistan. One of the key factors is the changing lifestyle patterns in the country, with increasing urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy diets. Poverty, lack of education, and poor healthcare infrastructure are also contributing factors, as they limit access to healthy foods, physical activity, and medical care.
 To address the growing prevalence of NCDs in Pakistan, there is an urgent need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach. This should involve a range of stakeholders, including the government, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
 One of the key interventions that can be implemented is to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent risk factors for NCDs. This includes initiatives to improve access to healthy foods, promote physical activity, and reduce tobacco and alcohol use. Health education and awareness campaigns can also play a critical role in raising awareness of the risks associated with NCDs and promoting healthy behaviors.
 Another critical intervention is to strengthen healthcare systems to ensure that NCDs are diagnosed and treated early. This requires investments in healthcare infrastructure, including training healthcare professionals and improving access to medical equipment and supplies. It also involves developing effective referral systems to ensure that patients receive appropriate care and treatment.
 Finally, there is a need for research and innovation to better understand the causes and mechanisms of NCDs in Pakistan. This includes developing locally relevant research studies and using the findings to inform policy and practice.
 In conclusion, the prevalence of NCDs in Pakistan is a significant public health concern that requires urgent attention. By adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses both prevention and treatment, and by engaging a range of stakeholders, it is possible to mitigate the impact of NCDs and improve the health and wellbeing of the Pakistani population

Prevalence of Human and Animal Fasciolosis in Butajira and Gilgel Gibe Health Demographic Surveillance System Sites in Ethiopia.

Fasciolosis is regarded as a major challenge to livestock productivity worldwide, but the burden of disease in humans has only started to receive some attention in the past three decades. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of human and animal fasciolosis and its determinant factors in the Gilgel Gibe and Butajira Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) sites in Ethiopia. A study was undertaken among 389 households across the two sites. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of households with regard to fasciolosis. Stools from 377 children aged 7-15 years, and 775 animals (cattle, goats and sheep) were analyzed using a proprietary Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) coproantigen ELISA kit. The prevalence of fasciolosis in children was 0.5% and 1% in Butajira and Gilgel Gibe HDSS sites, respectively. The overall prevalence of animal fasciolosis was 29%, 29.2%, and 6% among cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. More than half of the respondents from Gilgel Gibe (59%, n = 115) did not know that humans can be infected with F. hepatica. The majority of respondents in Gilgel Gibe (n = 124, 64%) and Butajira (n = 95, 50%) did not know the transmission route for fasciolosis. Grazing animals were 7 times more likely to be infected with fasciolosis than animals in cut-and-carry production systems (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.91-13.17). The findings indicated a lack of knowledge amongst local populations about fasciolosis. Thus, there is a need for public health awareness campaigns about fasciolosis in the study areas.

Use of a participatory learning appraisal tool in AIDS awareness programme

The Participatory Learning Appraisal (PLA) is an effective tool for engaging audiences in health awareness campaigns, as it can provide insight into the community's existing knowledge and misconceptions, as well as provide opportunities to conduct health activities with active community participation. We celebrated "World AIDS Day" at UHTC (Urban Health Training Centre) with health education using the PLA tool "Rating and Ranking." The use of the PLA tool turned a basic awareness session into an interesting learning process. Positive feedback from this activity motivates the facilitator to conduct health education programmes on various topics by using different innovative tools in an interesting way to enhance the active participation of the audience.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of the rural community about cutaneous leishmaniasis in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that is caused by a Leishmania parasite and transmitted by the bite of infected female sandflies. Community awareness is an essential component of disease control and prevention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the community's knowledge, attitude, and practice toward CL in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed to include 422 study subjects selected using a systematic sampling technique from two districts, Kindo Didaye and Sodo Zuria. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the household heads. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between the participants' knowledge about CL and socio-demographic characteristics. Out of the 422 study participants, only 19% had good knowledge of CL in general. Most (67.1%) of the respondents knew CL by its local name ("bolbo" or "moora") though this knowledge varied highly over the study districts. The majority (86.3%) of respondents did not know how CL is acquired, though they considered CL a health problem. Most (62.8%) respondents believed that CL was an untreatable disease. Most (77%) participants responded that CL patients preferred to go to traditional healers for treatment. Herbal treatment was the most (50.2%) used to treat CL. Knowledge about CL was significantly associated with sex, age, and study districts. The overall knowledge, attitude, and practice about CL and its prevention in the study area were low. This emphasizes the need to implement health education and awareness campaign to reduce the risk of CL infection. Policymakers and stakeholders should also give due attention to the prevention and treatment of CL in the study area.

The Impact of Covid-19 Towards Education Expenditure: Evidence from China

Purpose This paper aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the study and life of graduate students, understand the current practical problems faced by effective graduate students, and explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the life of graduate students in universities. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the graduate students of Guizhou University are targeted, and the specific impacts of COVID-19 on their personal safety, extra costs, self-control ability and employment are expounded. Findings The study founds that to support university graduate students during the prevention and control period, focus on establishing effective psychological support mechanisms and self-discipline development programs. Provide accessible counseling services and mental health awareness campaigns while enhancing resources to boost self-control and time management skills, especially for remote studying. Additionally, reinforce employment services with improved career guidance and job placement support, and address enrollment pressure through better communication and mentorship initiatives Research limitations/implications In this context, it is necessary to study the obstacles and problems brought by the COVID-19 epidemic to the study of graduate students in universities and try to resolve the adverse effects caused by the epidemic. Originality/value It points out various difficulties facing graduate students in universities under the background of epidemic prevention and control, and puts forward some appropriate suggestions based on the actual situation, so as to provide some insights for graduate students to understand how to deal with the negative effects of COVID-19

Overcoming Challenges of Deceased Organ Donation in Indian Private Hospitals.

Overcoming Challenges of Deceased Organ Donation in Indian Private Hospitals.

Public Health Awareness Campaigns in Otolaryngology: Are We Making an Impact?

To determine if public awareness campaigns in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery are influencing public interest, as measured by internet searches. Database Query. Internet. Six awareness campaigns were analyzed over 5years (2016-2020). Each campaign was assigned one or more relevant Google search terms/topics. Weekly data on United States internet search queries for these topics/terms were collected from Google Trends. "Campaign" dates were defined as 1week before and 2weeks after any awareness "day" or "week," and 2weeks prior and 2weeks after any awareness "month." "Non-campaign" weeks were considered any data outside the "campaign" window. A Welch's unpaired t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences between "campaign" dates and "non-campaign" dates. Of the awareness campaigns studied, only "Kids ENT Health Month" (search topic "adenoidectomy," P = < .001) and "Cochlear Implant Day" (search topic "cochlear implant," P = .004615) demonstrated a significant increase in internet search activity during the time frame of interest between 2016 and 2020. Although there were some individual years with significant increases for select search terms/topics corresponding to their campaign of interest, none of the campaigns showed increases over the 5-year period studied. Public health advocacy and outreach has long been recognized as an important component of optimizing otolaryngologic care. However, such efforts to increase public awareness may have varying or even minimal impact. Though an imperfect tool, data from Google Trends suggests that with few exceptions, awareness campaigns in otolaryngology do not necessarily translate to increased internet searches.

Vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Lack of knowledge, resources and community feedback could play a great role in developing vaccine hesitancy among populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and to assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine during the ongoing MERS-CoV-2 pandemic in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during March 2020 on the local population (n=262) of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. A pre-tested electronic questionnaire was used to obtain participants’ demographic data, knowledge base and attitudes. Results: Of 262 participants, 76% were adults (18 to 60-years-old), and 24% were parents. Around 62% of participants were keen to take the flu vaccine. Regarding vaccine knowledge and the source of the knowledge, 92% had heard of the influenza vaccine from their health care provider, health awareness campaign, social media, relatives or friends, at 45%, 29%, 16%, and 11%, respectively. A significant interaction was found between participant’s age group and willingness to accept the introduction of a new vaccine against novel corona virus (P = 0.00). Conclusion: Currently, vaccine hesitancy in Makkah is high (38%) compared to previous findings. It is recommended that improved measures should be taken to create more awareness through increased communal educational campaigns. Moreover, continuing education about the importance of vaccinations should be conducted by health care providers. Additional studies are needed in Makkah to assess the vaccine hesitancy movement. Keywords: Vaccine hesitancy, Influenza, prevalence, Saudi Arabia, MERS-CoV2, COVID-19

Addressing one health in Nigeria; challenges and recommendations

Nigeria has much popularity for several undesirable statistics, like the degree of endemicity of several illnesses and the prevalence of disease predisposing factors such as poverty. The increased incidence and prevalence of zoonotic diseases, coupled with the ongoing issue of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), has demanded a new approach to addressing disease conditions. One Health speculates that disease needs to be managed with a balanced view of how it connects humans, animals and the environment. It will mean application of skills from different professionals in managing, treating and preventing diseases. Nigeria has already begun implementing One Health; this process needs to be addressed as it faces a number of challenges. These can be surmounted by creating and implementing effective policies, national One Health Awareness Campaigns and increasing the unity and development in its health care delivery system.

How effective are health awareness campaigns in India among young citizens?

Background: COVID-resurgence has been seen of late in 2022. A country’s success against pandemics like COVID-19 depends largely on the health behavior of public, which is a function of health education. Aims and Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of such health campaigns that raises this vital awareness among undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire was circulated among non-medical students and student groups of colleges based in Kolkata city (India), to assess their preparedness through their awareness and preventive practice adopted against COVID-19. Results: Mass media (85.3%) and social media (83.2%) were important sources of vital information. Fever (96.0%) was the most common symptom known, 95.9% aware about human-to-human transmission. 59.4% knew face masks were protective, while 40.2% held a 6-feet social distancing was effective. 82.2% said handwashing for 20 s or more with soap and 86.2% held that hand-rubs with 70% alcohol were helpful in disease prevention. 23.9% resorted to over-the-counter medications to prevent the disease, 43.2% used the Government’s “Aarogya Setu” mobile application. Participants from urban areas, higher socio-economic class, with elderly family member and who personally knew COVID-19 patient(s), tended to have adequate knowledge about the disease. However, many were not practicing adequate preventive measures. Conclusion: Although most were aware about COVID-19, knowledge about the correct application of preventive measures was lacking. Grassroots healthcare workers may be used in the sensitization process, along with mass awareness campaigns. Using the goodwill of political and religious leaders to inculcate protective habits in the general people should also be considered.

Got Pink? The Effectiveness of Health Awareness Campaigns on Breast Cancer (BC) Screening in Bahrain

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common type of cancer in the world and is the most common kind of cancer in women both globally and in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (WHO 2020). This study focuses on the effectiveness of health awareness campaigns on breast cancer (BC) screening in Bahrain. Data was collected from a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews. The survey was conducted following a purposive sampling procedure with 136 women (75 Bahraini and 61 non-Bahraini). Seven media communicators who worked for the BC campaigns were interviewed following semi-structured interviews. The results showed that although there is a high level of BC awareness between the study sample of the Bahraini and non-Bahraini women, there are still many barriers regarding regular mammograms. These barriers are mostly related to some misconceptions about BC screening such as anxiety, shyness, and cancer fatalism. At the same time, although the study sample was convinced by the BC campaigns of October 2020, a high percentage had not taken the appropriate action represented by BC screening. The messages of these campaigns did not take into account any cultural beliefs of non-Arabic women and focused on encouraging and persuading women of the importance of BC screening rather than dealing with the cultural misconceptions about BC and screening. Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening; Health Awareness Campaigns; The Reasoned Action Theory; Bahrain. DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/104-04 Publication date: January 31 st 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 risk assessment of adults and geospatial mapping in selected communities of Southwest Nigeria.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remained a worldwide public health problem. Risk assessment and mapping can be deployed to assist in the control and management of disease outbreaks. The aim of this study was to conduct COVID-19 risk assessment and mapping in selected communities of Southwest Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study of adults, 18 years and above, involving the use of multi-stage sampling. Data collection was done with a pre-tested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23 and Environmental Systems Research Institute ArcGIS desktop version 10.5 were used for data analysis and spatial mapping, respectively. The threshold for statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The respondents' mean age was 40.6 ± 14.5 years. Self-reported vulnerability factors identified included hypertension, diabetes mellitus, working in hospital facility, cigarette smoking and age ≥60 years amongst others. About a quarter (20.2%) had a high risk of COVID-19 following risk quantification. The risk cuts across geographical locations and socio-economic status. Education was significantly associated with COVID-19 risk. The spatial interpolation map revealed that the farther a community was from the high-burden area, the lower the risk of COVID-19. There was a high prevalence of self-reported COVID-19 risk. Identified communities with COVID-19 high-risk burden in the risk mapping and those with stratified proximity to these areas need to be targeted by the government for a public health awareness campaign.

Prostate biopsy and its outcome in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria

Background: Diagnosis of prostatic diseases is via a prostate biopsy and subsequent histology. So, a prostate biopsy should be carried out to get a histological diagnosis when indicated. Materials and Methods: This is a five-year retrospective study conducted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Ethical approval for the study was sought and gotten from the hospital’s ethical committee. The information gotten included history, duration of symptoms, examination findings, age of the patient, Gleason grade and histological diagnosis. The data from the folders were collected and evaluated. Frequencies, percentages, the mean and standard deviation were used to summarize the data as appropriate. Results: The age range was from 45 to 96 years with a mean age of 68.10 ± 9.11 years. A hundred and fifty patients had prostate cancer. The commonest grade of cancer was the Gleason grade 5 (46.67%). No statistically significant relationship between Gleason grade and age. Conclusion: The mean age of patients in this study was 68.10 ± 9.11. Over 50% of patients biopsied had prostate cancer, and 46.67% had a high-grade disease. Health awareness campaigns and screening programs in Africa to make people aware of prostatic diseases. Earlier presentation to the hospital when symptomatic will lead to better treatment.

Outcomes of the V-Healthy education and awareness program that empowers high school students to understand and diagnose vascular disease risk factors

IntroductionV-Healthy (Center for Vascular Awareness Inc, Latham NY) is a grassroots vascular health education and awareness campaign that educates high school students about the importance of the vascular disease risks they face today and its impact decades later, and empowers health care professionals and schoolteachers to lead vascular health education in their communities. This study evaluates the impact of the V-Healthy initiative in empowering and educating adolescents about the implications of vascular disease risk factors and in creating a blueprint for a community outreach program that focuses on vascular health and disease education and awareness. MethodsThe V-Healthy program is an initiative that connects community vascular health care professionals and educators with high school students, for a day of vascular health education. The V-Healthy program curriculum is provided in two distinct stages. Stage I consists of didactic vascular health education and takes place in the classroom for the duration of one class period (40-50 minutes). The class period is divided into four sessions including a PowerPoint presentation to teach the impact of vascular disease risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking/vaping, and genetics) on the development of peripheral arterial disease, venous disease, aortic disease, and stroke, and three hands-on sessions that introduce students to vascular innovation and technology, vascular patients, and the diagnosis of a vascular disease risk factor such as hypertension. Stage I concludes with a student questionnaire aimed to gauge students’ retention of the material and attitude toward the program. Stage II offers students (with parental consent) the opportunity to participate in the “Diagnosing Hypertension” study. Students were provided automated blood pressure monitors and taught to measure blood pressure in their parents daily for 1 week. Findings are recorded in designated blood pressure logs, which are then categorized using the 2018 American Heart Association blood pressure categorization system: normal (<120/<80), elevated (120-129/<80), stage I (130-139/80-89), or stage II (≥140/≥90). No identifiable student or guardian information is collected. ResultsOver 3 years, more than 12,000 students participated in the V-Healthy program and 5120 students completed student surveys, which indicated that 97% improved their understanding of vascular health, >93% could identify vascular disease risk factors, 84% wanted to educate their families, and 76% wanted more vascular health education. A total of 1064 students participated in the “Diagnosing Hypertension” study and diagnosed hypertension in 73% of their parents: 34% for stage I hypertension and 39% for stage II hypertension. Over a 3-year period of this study, the number of schools participating increased 20-fold (from 1 to 20), the number of volunteer vascular health professionals and schoolteachers increased 13-fold (from 16 to 210), and our ability to connect with and impact high school students grew 15-fold (from 800 to over 12,000). ConclusionsV-Healthy is the first program to connect over 12,000 students to vascular health professionals in their communities to empower them to diagnose and understand vascular disease risk factors and their implications on the development of vascular disease. Furthermore, the V-Healthy program has displayed substantial growth over a 3-year period in impacting high school students and vascular health care professionals, and has the potential to be used as a blueprint for community-based vascular health education and awareness initiatives.

Parental Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Children's Dental Health

Parent-targeted oral health awareness campaigns should place a strong emphasis on issues like the value of deciduous teeth and how to treat them, frequent dental checkups, and dietary habits. The current study's objective is to evaluate parents' knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes regarding their children's oral health and how those factors affect the prevalence of dental caries in 5- to 10-year-old children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Parents of school-aged children aged 5 to 10 who came to our hospital were the subjects of a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. The study included 209 children in all, together with their parents. Utilizing DMFT and the deft index, clinical examinations of children were conducted. Parents were given a self-designed questionnaire to evaluate their understanding, attitudes, and practices about their children's dental health. SPSS version 24 was used for the statistical analysis. A p-value of 0.05 or less was regarded as statistically significant when using the ANOVA test to examine the relationship between dental caries status and KAP. The mean deft and DMFT were 6.46 ± 1.6 and 1.56 ± 2.8, respectively. Most parents (72.2%) demonstrated adequate knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes. Parental KAP and mean DMFT/DEFT did not differ significantly. The study's participants had reasonable KAP for the oral health of their children. The significance of deciduous teeth and their treatment, frequent dental appointments, and dietary behaviors are among the knowledge gaps in oral health.

Impact of a Public Health Awareness Campaign on Patients' Perceptions of Expanded Pharmacy Services in South Dakota Using the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Background: Pharmacists can offer medication expertise to help better control diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and improve patient outcomes, particularly in rural communities. This project evaluated the impact of an awareness campaign on perceptions of expanded pharmacy services. Methods: The “Your Pharmacists Knows” campaign included a 30-s commercial, print material, and media announcements. A non-randomized pre-post study was completed using a modified theory of planned behavior (mTPB) to assess knowledge, attitude, perceived benefits and norms, and perceived control. A 73-item survey was administered to a convenience sample (n = 172) across South Dakota. Regression models to assess intent and utilization were conducted using age, gender, race, education, population, and insurance status as predictors for mTPB constructs. Results: Most common predictors were female gender and higher education level (p < 0.001). All mTPB constructs were significant predictors of intent to use services (p < 0.001). Knowledge and perceived control had the largest influence on intent. Additionally, there was significant improvement in post-campaign service utilization (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This campaign positively influenced intent to seek and utilize services in rural communities where pharmacies may be the only healthcare option for miles. Through targeted campaigns, patients with diabetes or CVD may find access to services to better manage their conditions.

Public Knowledge, Awareness, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Seizure Attacks Among People of Makkah City.

Seizures can occur as a result of a variety of health issues. Epilepsy is a common neurological disease and it is the most prevalent cause of seizures. Epileptic patients might experience a seizure attack at any moment. The aim of this study is to assess public knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices toward seizure attacks among residents of Makkah city. A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online questionnaire, which was distributed through various social media platforms. The questionnaire consisted of five parts, taking sociodemographic characteristics into consideration, and evaluating knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices among the general population of Makkah city. A total of 401 participants completed the study questionnaire: 280 (69.8%) participants were females and 121 (30.2%) were males. Overall knowledge regarding epilepsy among the study participants was evaluated. A total of 132 (32.9%) participants had a good level of knowledge, while 269 (67.1%) exhibited poor knowledge. In addition, students had significantly better knowledge (44.7%) than individuals who were employed, retired, or unemployed (27.7%), (P=.004). Furthermore, participants who had previously heard about epilepsy were more knowledgeable (34.3%) than those who had not (P =.041). Additionally, participants who attended a course on seizure control (46.7%) had significantly better knowledge than those who did not (31.2%), (P=.037). This study revealed that most of our sample of Makkah city residents had poor overall knowledge of epilepsy and seizure attacks. A health education program and awareness campaigns could help improve this lack of knowledge in Makkah city.

Coverage and usage of insecticidal treated bed-nets for preventing malaria in four peri-urban communities of Ijebu-North, Southwest Nigeria

Sleeping under insecticidal treated bed-nets has been proven as an effective tool towards preventing mosquito bites and malaria but the burden of malaria cases seems to be on the increase. This study therefore assessed the limiting factors associated with ownership and usage of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in four periurban communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 499 residents above age 15, were recruited and interviewed at the healthcare facilities in the selected communities using a well-structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 version for descriptive and chisquare statistics, with significance set at 95%. Of the 499 residents, 72.1% (360/499) owned at least one LLIN, while only 56.7% (204/360) affirmed to sleeping under the bed net. Heat was a major reason for non-usage, 70/135 (51.9%) followed by harboring dust 40/135 (29.6%), skin irritation 16/135 (11.9%) and problem of hanging nets 2/135 (1.5%). There were significance differences between the challenges in the use of LLIN by the respondents and the peri-urban communities (p= 0.000). Majority of the respondents also reported LLIN abuse; 59/93 (63.4%) used them as window or door nets, 13/93 (13.9%) and 13/93 (13.9%) used them as fishing nets and as sieves and sponges respectively. Other uses included using it as a means of protection against rodents on the farm and as football goal nets. There was no significance difference between the abuse of LLINs by the respondents and the peri-urban communities (p= 0.209). The non-usage and abuse of LLIN will dampen the efforts targeted at controlling malaria in the southwestern region of Nigeria. It is therefore important that malaria control programmes incorporate health awareness campaigns targeted at promoting usage and disapproving the abuse of LLINs