Role In Health Education Research Articles

Digitization of healthcare post COVID-19: Reimagining the role of health education and promotion

The digitization of health promotion and communication has become a major discourse in healthcare. This paper synthesizes my understanding of the role of health literacy, promotion, education and communication in ensuring effective digitization of healthcare and presents four key findings from a mental health promotion project. First, the pandemic has shown us more than ever how fragile we all are – health-seeking behaviour will increasingly take centre stage over the next decade. Second, why do people refuse to wear masks even though it increases the risk of mortality? Why are individuals not motivated to exercise despite downloading free health apps? Why do people keep eating unhealthy food even when they can afford healthier options? Why? The numbers cannot tell the whole story. Similarly, the proliferation of digital health technology cannot convince people to modify their behaviours nor promote meaningful use of e/m-health apps. Third, deliberate digital health promotion and communication is needed to leverage opportunities in health technology. Fourth, the world needs researchers and experts who understand the broader determinants of health attitudes and are knowledgeable in synthesizing valid health information across various technological platforms, in support of health system needs. I address the implications of my findings and discuss future directions for policy and practitioners.

Good role models? Tooth brushing capabilities of parents: a video observation study

BackgroundResearch in adolescents reveals that they are not capable to remove dental plaque effectively. Inconsistent application of brushing techniques and neglect of certain areas while brushing are very common. As parents play a major role in the oral health education, the present study aimed to examine and describe the tooth brushing performance of the parents of adolescents.MethodsParents of adolescents (N = 66) were asked to perform oral hygiene to the best of their capabilities in front of a video camera and dental plaque was recorded before and afterwards. Papillary bleeding was also assessed.ResultsThe tooth contact time (i.e. net brushing duration) averaged 155 s ± 58 s. Gingival margins showed persistent plaque at 68% ± 14% of the sections assessed. Papillary bleeding was found at 52% ± 18% of the papillae. Parents brushed inner surfaces lesser than the outer surfaces (41 s ± 24 s vs. 73 s ± 33 s) and 29% of the parents completely missed the inner surfaces of at least one sextant. On the outer surfaces parents predominantly applied circular movements (66% ± 25% of brushing time). Vertical brushing prevailed on the inner surfaces (52% ± 30%). However, horizontal scrubbing was also very common (46% ± 31%).ConclusionsParents’ tooth brushing performance was neither effective in terms of plaque removal nor did they fully comply with tooth brushing recommendations such as considering all inner surfaces when brushing or application of other than horizontal movements to lateral surfaces. Regarding oral hygiene, parents should not only be a good role model in terms of timing, frequency and duration of tooth brushing but should also be able to demonstrate how to brush teeth completely and effectively. The current research indicates that they might lack the latter skill.

Health behaviours of teachers and other education professionals in France: can we do better?

Education professionals play a critical role in health education, both as knowledge providers and as role-models. Drawing on the CONSTANCES French cohort (baseline 2012-19) and adjusting for important confounders, we compared education professionals (n = 14 730) with a random sample of non-education sector employees (n = 34 244) on three indicators of high-risk behaviour (at-risk drinking, current smoking, past-year cannabis use) and three indicators of unhealthy lifestyle (low physical activity, poor adherence to nutritional guidelines, overweight/obesity). Among education professionals, we distinguished between teachers (n = 12 820), school principals (n = 372), senior education advisers (n = 189), school health professionals (n = 128) and school service staff (n = 1221). Compared with non-education sector employees with similar demographic and socioeconomic profiles, teachers were less likely to be at-risk drinkers, to smoke, to have used cannabis in the past year and to be overweight/obese. Other non-teaching education professionals were also less involved in high-risk behaviours than non-education employees, but results were more mixed concerning some lifestyle indicators, with certain non-teaching education professional groups showing a higher likelihood of being physically inactive or overweight/obese. In this nationwide French study, our results suggest a window of opportunity to promote school staff health but also indirectly, that of the youth with whom they interact daily. We suggest that school staff should be supported in health matters not only through the provision of health information but also most importantly, through the development of a favourable and supportive environment enabling them to put health knowledge into practice.

Study on the Role of Health Education in Elderly Hypertension Nursing

Study on the Role of Health Education in Elderly Hypertension Nursing

Use and perceptions of menthol versus non-menthol cigarettes among pregnant women

Background Menthol cigarette use among women who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy is high, but little is known about the factors that contribute to preference for menthol cigarette use during pregnancy. Objective This study investigated preferences, perceptions, and intentions to use menthol vs. non-menthol cigarettes in a sample of pregnant women. Methods Pregnant women (N = 124, M age = 26.2 years, 50% minorities) completed a study investigating the impact of maternal smoking on biobehavioral markers of fetal risk. During the third trimester, participants self-reported preferences (liking, attractiveness, smoothness, interest), perceptions of harm (general, pregnancy-specific), and intentions to use menthol and non-menthol cigarettes. We examined differences in responses based on whether participants endorsed (1) cigarette use during pregnancy (yes/no) and (2) lifetime cigarette use (yes/no). Results Sixty-two participants endorsed cigarette smoking during pregnancy (85.5% smoked menthol cigarettes), and 94 participants reported lifetime use. Overall, menthol cigarettes were perceived as more likeable and smoother vs. non-menthol (ps < .001) – even among participants who never smoked cigarettes (ps < .05). All participants rated both menthol and non-menthol cigarette use as harmful. Compared to participants who did not smoke during pregnancy, participants who smoked during pregnancy rated both menthol and non-menthol cigarettes as generally less harmful to health (ps < .01). Conclusions Menthol may increase cigarettes appeal for pregnant women. Implications for regulation of menthol cigarettes are discussed. Future studies may investigate the role of sensory perception, marketing, and health education in influencing these factors.

Contraceptive literacy among school-going adolescents in Botswana.

AimTo examine adolescent contraceptive literacy and condom knowledge in Botswana.BackgroundIn Botswana, adolescent HIV infection rates remain high and unintended pregnancies are the predominant reason girls drop out of school. Despite a national mandate for comprehensive sexuality education and youth‐friendly health services, access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information for adolescents remains limited.MethodsTwo hundred forty adolescents attending secondary schools in Maun, Botswana, completed cross‐sectional surveys in 2020. Bivariate and logistic regression examined factors associated with contraceptive literacy and self‐reported condom knowledge.FindingsAlthough 90% of students were aware of one or more forms of contraception, only 67% could name a method for which they knew a source and only half of sexually active respondents had used birth control during their last sexual experience. Respondents reported that teachers and family members were the most important sources of information; only 8.2% of respondents identified health professionals in that role. Adolescents who consulted nurses had eight times greater odds of reporting correct condom‐use knowledge than those who consulted teachers.Implications for Nursing PolicyThe positive association between adolescents’ condom‐use knowledge and nurses as information resources supports a call to expand nurses’ role in health education in secondary schools and clinics in Botswana. Education and training programs for health professionals that build communication skills for working with adolescents should be promoted as an essential step in youth‐friendly service provision.ConclusionContraceptive literacy among adolescents in Botswana is low and may contribute to risk behaviors that drive rates of HIV and pregnancies in this population. Interventions to reduce adolescent HIV risk behaviors and unintended pregnancy may prove more effective if they involve nurses as communicators and educators.

Perceptions of Surgical and Other Medical Specialties about Medical Oncologists: A Survey among Physicians in a Filipino Tertiary Hospital

Introduction There are unverified negative perceptions about medical oncologists. Identifying how they are perceived may provide guidance on how to strengthen the positive and correct the negative impressions. Methods Questionnaires were distributed to 528 physicians. They were asked to answer a Likert scale of opposing descriptors. Results Two hundred and fifty-nine of 528 physicians completed the questionnaire, yielding a 49% response rate. Medical oncologists were perceived to have a medical rather than social focus to their work, render holistic care, have a multifaceted role, communicate with many other professionals, work more effectively in a team, have deep relationships with patients, and care for their general well-being. They are considered to be the nonsporty, intellectual type, who do not consider themselves superior, but rather treat other physicians as colleagues. They are perceived to not only have the skills to deal with a psychiatric problem and a wide spectrum of patients, have a health education role, require a high level of intellectual skills, collaborate more with others, possess good interpersonal skills with an individual patient, but are also adept within a group. They are autonomous workers, but usually refer patients to other professionals as well. Lack of finances hinders referral to medical oncologists. Conclusion Perceptions were generally positive in terms of breadth of professional outlook, degree of patient interaction, projected professional image, perception of own professional status, possession of skills for a wide professional scope of responsibility, level of rapport with patient and colleagues, and degree of professional interdependence. Mainly financial factors are the barriers to referral to medical oncologists.

Knowledge and perception of treatment among tuberculosis patients attending primary care clinics in Malaysia.

Tuberculosis is a disease of public health concern. It can be treated effectively with good knowledge about the disease and complete adherence to the recommended treatment regime. This study is intended to assess the level of knowledge and perception of treatment among tuberculosis patients attending primary care clinics. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a validated self-administered questionnaire among tuberculosis patients attending primary care clinics in Johor Bahru district. A total of 208 tuberculosis patients were enrolled in this study through convenience sampling. We assessed the general knowledge, transmission, causes, and prevention of tuberculosis, where higher scores indicated better knowledge. For the perception of treatment, a higher mean score indicated a more negative perception. The mean score for knowledge on tuberculosis was 54.33 ± 12.78, ranging from 25 to 88.9%. The mean score for perception was 2.75±0.52, ranging from 2.15-3.39. We found that although 88.9% of respondents knew a person could be infected with TB through inhalation of tuberculosis bacilli, a majority believed that smoking (68.2%), sharing food (69.2%), and eating from the same plate (66.8%) are causes of tuberculosis. Moreover, there was still a negative perception regarding the treatment of tuberculosis with the highest mean score for the statement 'I am afraid if I am told I am tuberculosis positive'. We found that there were gaps in knowledge among tuberculosis patients. Intermittent counseling during the treatment re-enforces the knowledge of tuberculosis. An updated standardized counseling sheet of tuberculosis Health Education should be included along with staff training to update their knowledge as part of their important role in health education in tuberculosis prevention.

Stigma of postpartum depression: The role of lady health workers in health care—A qualitative study

The researchers explore the stigma of postpartum depression and role of lady health workers in bringing the women to the health facility and following up on their treatment. In-depth interviews were conducted from the registered patients (n = 22), Lady Health Visitors (n = 2) and Lady Health Workers (LHWs) (n = 2) in a public primary and tertiary healthcare facility in peri-urban areas of district Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Stigma of depression and lack of awareness was perceived as one of the major reasons for women to struggle with the label of postpartum depression and seeking medical treatment. Lady health workers played a significant role in health education and bringing them to the health facility. The services rendered by LHWs can be enhanced through comprehensive training as they can play an effective role in spreading awareness and educating the patients of postpartum depression in peri-urban areas and their families, consequently, ensuring their treatment and its follow-up.

Peran Ibu dalam Pendidikan Kesehatan Reproduksi, Peran Bidan, Personal Hygine Menstruasi terhadap Kejadian Keputihan pada Remaja Putri

Introduction: Flour albus is a symptom disorders of the reproductive organs often experienced by most women, according to WHO (World Health Organization) 75% of women in the world will experience vaginal discharge at least once in a lifetime and as many as 45% will have 2 or more. This study aims to determine the relations of mother's role in reproductive health education, role of midwife, personal hygine menstruation of the teenage girl flour albus event in class VIII and IX at SMP Muhammadiyah 35 Jakarta&#x0D; Method: This research method uses quantitative research with a cross sectional approach. The study sample used total sampling, namely all the teenage girl in class VIII and IX were 50 people&#x0D; Result: The results showed that there was a relationship between the mother's role in reproductive health education variable and the p-value of 0.003, the role of midwife variable with the result of p-value 0.001 and the variable personal hygine menstruation with a p-value of 0.015 for the teenage girl flour albus event.&#x0D; Discussion: 34 young women who experience vaginal discharge, 27 young women whose mothers do not play a role in health education, 27 young women who do not get the role of a midwife and 32 young women who are not good at performing menstrual personal hygiene. and there is a relationship between the role of mothers in reproductive health with the incidence of vaginal discharge in adolescent girls. In conclusion, it is expected the school to cooperate among parents and health officer, for the reproductive health education, to improve the degree of health and build good reproductive health behaviour, as well as to preventing and handling vaginal discharge in teenage girl.

Acceptability of mentor mother peer support for women living with HIV in North-Central Nigeria: a qualitative study

BackgroundMentor mothers provide psychosocial and other support to pregnant and post-partum women living with HIV (WLHIV), which has been shown to enhance maternal-infant outcomes in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). Our objective was to assess the acceptability of mentor mothers as a PMTCT intervention, and to explore opinions on mentor mother program composition and delivery among stakeholders in North-Central Nigeria.MethodsWe conducted nine focus group discussions and 31 in-depth interviews with 118 participants, including WLHIV, pregnant women, male partners, health workers, traditional birth attendants, community leaders, PMTCT program implementers, and policymakers. Participants were purposively recruited from health facilities and surrounding communities in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State. Transcripts were manually analysed using a Grounded Theory approach, where theory was derived from the data collected.ResultsMost participants were female (n = 78, 67%), and married (n = 110, 94%). All participant groups found mentor mothers acceptable as women providing care to pregnant and postpartum women, and as WLHIV supporting other WLHIV. Mentor mothers were uniquely relatable as role models for WLHIV because they were women, living with HIV, and had achieved an HIV-negative status for their HIV-exposed infants. Mentor mothers were recognized as playing major roles in maternal health education, HIV treatment initiation, adherence, and retention, HIV prevention for male partners and infants, and couple HIV disclosure. Most WLHIV preferred to receive mentor mothers’ services at health facilities rather than at home, due to concerns about HIV-related stigma and discrimination through association with mentor mothers. Key mentor mother needs were identified as training, remuneration, and validation as lay health workers.ConclusionsMentor mothers are an acceptable PMTCT intervention among stakeholders in North-Central Nigeria. However, stigma and discrimination for both mentor mothers and their clients remain a critical challenge, and mentor mother needs such as training, pay, and a sustainably supported niche in health systems require focused attention.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov registration number (NCT 01936753), registered on September 3, 2013 (retrospectively registered).

A POLÍTICA PÚBLICA DE SAÚDE E OS MIGRANTES: DESAFIOS DA EDUCAÇÃO EM SAÚDE

The article analyzes the role of Health Education in migratory contexts. Initially, there is a thought about health rights and migrants, which during their mobility process go through aggravated lack of this right. Then, it is presented an approach of the Brazilian Public Health Policy towards migrants, considering today as the new users of the health system and finally, the fundamental importance of Health Education within the Public Health Policy is analyzed as an instrument for the promotion and prevention of migrants' health. The method adopted presents a predominantly bibliographic analysis.

The Role of Health Education in the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Salmonella among Primary School Children in Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon

Mass drug administration is the cornerstone for the control of infection with intestinal parasites, but it does not prevent reinfection and is unlikely to interrupt transmission as a stand-alone intervention. The study, therefore, aimed to determine the role of health education in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) among primary school children in Douala, Cameroon. The study was intervention case-control, and prospective longitudinal, conducted in two primary schools in Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon. The study population consisted of 300 students for both sexes, enrolled from the 1st and 6th grade. For comparison, we used the independent sample t-test. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. The prevalence of IPI has increased significantly (t=-2.606; P=0.01) in GBPS Ndobo (Control) 6 months after the first phase. The prevalence of intestinal parasites decreased significantly (t =4.093; P<0.0001) in GS Nkonjibe (Experimental) after the intervention. A significant difference in the prevalence of salmonella was found in GS Nkonjibe (Experimental arm) after the intervention (t=2.787; P=0.006). Ascaris lumbricoides was found to be predominant parasites to cause parasitic infection in both schools. The decrease in the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was observed to be associated (P=0.021) with the intervention in GS Nkonjibe (Experimental). Health education intervention increased school children knowledge of IPI that resulted in the reduction of the prevalence of IPI.

"Crisis Within the Walls": Rise of Intimate Partner Violence During the Pandemic, Indian Perspectives.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has been a social “un-equalizer,” besides being a global health threat. Gender inequality has been globally prominent during the outbreak and the consequent lockdown. Although domestic abuse and intimate partner violence have increased due to chronic entrapment, overcrowding in families, enhanced substance use, distorted relationship dynamics, travel restrictions, and reduced healthcare access, coercive sexual practices have also been on the rise. In low- and middle-income countries, the lack of awareness, societal pressure, administrative apathy, fear of legal hassles, and inadequate knowledge–attitude–practice related to help-seeking lead to underreporting and mismanagement of domestic abuse, which can perpetuate its vicious cycle during the ongoing crisis. India, with its socio-culturally diverse population, has been one of the nations worst hit by the pandemic. With the rise in reports of gender-based violence on the premise of preexisting gender inequality and minority stress, concerns behind “closed doors” are as threatening as the infection itself. With this background, the authors highlight the backdrop of domestic violence as a “hidden pandemic” during the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis, drawing on perspectives from India and briefly reviewing the data from other nations. The role of mental health education and digital literacy as mitigating strategies is subsequently discussed.

Lessons learned from health education in Japanese schools.

A qualitative improvement in school health education is required to improve health for school-aged children in developing countries. This study aimed to clarify the factors that enable the provision of comprehensive and consistent health education in Japan. We reviewed health education in Japanese schools and the feature of curriculum revision, and clarified the factors that enable the provision of comprehensive and consistent health education. We identified nine points as enabling factors: (i) clear description of the purpose of health education; (ii) clear provision of teaching content and adequate time allocation; (iii) comprehensive school health framework and clarification of the position of the health education; (iv) systems for surveying and screening children's health problems; (v) regular revising of the Courses of Study; (vi) well trained teachers responsible for health education; (vii) health education specialists in higher education facilities; (viii) various materials related to health education; and (ix) collaboration with related health workers. We proposed measures to enhance health education in developing countries: (i) clarifying the role of health education toward achieving goals set out in laws and policies related to education; (ii) providing appropriate learning content and time allocation; (iii) establishing a comprehensive school health framework; (iv) establishing a system that continuously monitors children's health issues; (v) identifying the person responsible for health education in a school and establishing a training system; (vi) providing a teacher's guide and teaching materials to facilitate child participatory learning, and (vii) collaborating with guardians, community members, and local health workers.

Implications of Corona virus on dental practice and educations

New variant of the corona virus which is highly contagious version is called Novel Corona Virus 2019 and disease is called Covid 2019. Before dental procedure start all dental staff and patient above 18 years should be vaccinated&#x0D; for Covid 19 virus. Remove all the clutter and thing from practice that cannot be disinfected easily, like magazines, reading materials,toys in play area and other objects.&#x0D; &#x0D; Print and place signage in dental office for instructing patients on standard recommendations for respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and social distancing .Request patients to come alone and accompanied only if the patient is child/compromised/elderly patientswho cannot come alone.&#x0D; Instruct patients to brush their teeth just before they arrive for their appointments. Instruct patients to update their ArogyaSetu App at home prior to arrival for appointment. Appointments to be scheduled and spaced to avoid crowding the waiting area. All the staff should wear good quality mask, gloves and maintain a distance of at least two meters. Ensure hand sanitization and thermal scanning of all the staff and patients. Avoid all unnecessary visitors including medical representatives . Keepclinic well ventilated at all times . Ensure most frequent surface cleaning of waiting areas with sodium hypochlorite solution specially surfaces which are more often touched such as reception table top, door handles etc.&#x0D; Hand hygiene training should be part of staff induction. Apply the liquid soap to wet hands to reduce the risk of irritational and perform hand washing under running water. Ordinarily, the hand wash rubbing action should be for about 20 seconds.&#x0D; Effective drying of hands after washing is important because wet surfaces transfer microorganisms more easily than when they are dry, and inadequately dried hands are prone to skin damage. Always use clean single use towels. Reduce aerosol production by using rubber dam for all procedures. Use in practice 4 handed dentistry with high vacuum suction.&#x0D; &#x0D; Before covid-19 crisis we have underestimated the role of the e-oral health infrastructure, education and services, including teledentistry .Elecronic platforms, video conferencing network and social media are being used for theretical purposes. Virtual patient based learning may improve students skills in decision making and diagnosis e.g. herpes simplex infection, recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Virtual models and histopathology slides using whole slide image for oral pathology education may improve student knowledge .&#x0D; &#x0D; Preclinical and clinical learning activities, in online mode is extremely difficult. Preclinical and clinical learning students may be called offline in small groups as per local authority and national pandemic guideline.&#x0D; &#x0D; Due to covid-19 social distancing and isolation and uncertainties about the outcome of the pandemic can significantly affect students and faculty members mental health. Student delayed in completing graduation with incomplete practical clinical knowledge especially final year BDS and MDS students. This may cause anxiety, poor sleep and short sleep durations. Predisposing people to depression and post traumatic stress disorders. The monitoring of the staff members and student by college authority is important. Even in a period of uncertainty holding regular meeting can help in decreasing anxiety. Sudden inception of e-learning for students and staff can increase anxiety, the dental school administration must plan strategies to keep staff and students motivated.&#x0D;

Policing Is a Public Health Issue: The Important Role of Health Educators.

For decades, marginalized communities have been naming the harms of policing-and the systemic racism that undergirds it-for health and well-being. Only recently have policing practices and racism within policing gained more widespread attention in public health. Building on social justice and emancipatory traditions in health education, we argue that health educators are uniquely prepared to use the evidence base to reframe narratives that drive aggressive policing and their disproportionate impacts on communities of color, promote disinvestment in militarized policing, and build relationships with community-based organizations and community organizers developing community-centered approaches to safety. Using public health institutions and institutions of higher education as examples, we suggest specific strategic actions that health educators can take to address policing as a public health issue. Health educators are uniquely poised to work with diverse community and institutional partners to support social movements that create community-centered, equitable approaches to public safety and health.

The Utilization of Dental Hygienists in Oral Healthcare Exchanges between the South and North Korea

Background: This study aimed to identify the role of dental hygienists in exchanges between North and South Korea to lower gaps in the level of dental healthcare between the two countries by conducting a Delphi survey with specialists and identifying alternative policies regarding the utilization of dental hygienists in such exchanges. Methods: Two Delphi surveys were conducted with the participation of nine specialists, and descriptive statistical analyses including mean and standard deviation were performed on the collected data. Results: Among methods of exchange and cooperation regarding oral healthcare under the current North Korean medical system, the issue considered most urgent was the “establishment of oral healthcare infrastructure.” The most important short-term strategy was identified as the “selection and formation of partnerships in the field of inter-Korean oral health exchange and cooperation.” The mid-term strategy was identified as the “establishment of cooperation in the dental industry, centered on educational cooperation projects.” The long-term strategy included “joint R&D projects, oral health surveys, and business development.” In order to determine how best to use dental hygienists during inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, the respondents placed urgency on the “establishment of joint cooperation projects for oral health promotion and early examination and the treatment of dental diseases and planning of community research projects” and “the role of oral health education and media development for residents.” Conclusion: Cooperation is necessary regarding the preparation of oral healthcare exchanges that aim to encourage unity between North and South Korea and reduce the gaps between the North and South regarding oral health conditions. Therefore, continuous and reasonable discussions and research are needed regarding the utilization of dental hygienists in such exchanges.

Resumption of School amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preventive Practices among Final-Year Senior High Students at a Technical Institute in Ghana

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant challenges to Ghana’s education system, leading to the closure of schools for months. On 31 May 2020, the government of Ghana took a bold decision based on expert advice to reopen schools for final-year students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, data for students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 are limited. We sought to investigate students’ level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 at Tamale Technical Institute, Ghana. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 175 final-year students from June to August 2020. A validated questionnaire adapted from previous studies was distributed to the students in their various classes by the researchers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and multivariate logistic regression. All analyses were significant at a p value of less than 0.05. Results. The mean age of the study participants was 21.1 years (SD = 2.67), with more males (72.0%) than females participating in the study. The majority (69.7%) of the students trust traditional media sources, i.e., television and radio to receive COVID-19-related information. Awareness about COVID-19 was high (98.3%), and in total, 62.9% (n = 110) had good knowledge, 58.3% (n = 102) had positive attitudes, and 54.9% (n = 96) had good practices towards COVID-19. Factors associated with knowledge were receiving education on COVID-19 (AOR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.55) and mother level of education (AOR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.66). Positive attitudes towards COVID-19 were 63% less likely among students who did not receive education on COVID-19 (AOR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.90). Students who received education on COVID-19 exhibited good practice towards COVID-19 than students who did not receive education on COVID-19 (p = 0.014). Conclusion. Final-year students of Tamale Technical Institute possess good knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19. Our findings demonstrate the significant role of health education in improving students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19. We recommend continuous and targeted health education to mitigate the widespread misconceptions about COVID-19 through the use of traditional media such as television and radio.

COVID-19 and Pakistan: a survey assessing the awareness of patients presenting to the outpatient departments of health care centers.

ABSTRACT Background: The coronavirus pandemic is one of the most disastrous calamities of modern times. The outpatient departments of health centers have an important role in the appropriate health education of the patients and their attendants regarding disease prevention and control. Objective: The objective of this study was to help the health authorities in devising an effective strategy of educating the vulnerable population at their point of first contact with a health professional. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2 April 2020, to 17 July 2020, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Data was entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 238, 144 were males and 94 were females and the mean age was 34.53 years. Although television was the most common source of information (51.7%) a significant proportion of the people of Shorkot, i.e., 60.3% relied on word of mouth compared to that of other cities (p < 0.001). Almost 60% of the participants recognized all the symptoms correctly. The majority agreed that wearing a mask was effective in limiting transmission (96.6%) and about 80% of the participants considered the decision of the nation-wide lockdown to be a correct measure. In Shorkot, 32% of the people were against the decision of lockdown, which was significantly higher as compared to people from other cities (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated encouraging data regarding awareness of the included population in terms of COVID-19 symptoms and preventive measures.