Practice Of Health Professionals Research Articles

Knowledge, attitudes and practices toward female genital schistosomiasis among community women and healthcare professionals in Kimpese region, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chronic infection with Schistosoma haematobium causes female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), which leads to diverse lesions in the female genital tract and several complications, including infertility and a higher risk for HIV transmission. This study aims to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward FGS and associated factors among women and health professionals in the schistosomiasis endemic focus of Kimpese, western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In January 2022, two semi-quantitative questionnaires were administered to 201 randomly selected community women in Kifua II village, and to purposely selected health professionals (20 nurses and 41 doctors) from Kimpese Health Zone. KAP statements were coded using Likert scale, summarized as frequencies and percentages, and assessed for internal reliability using Cronbach's alpha. Associations between the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and the KAP variables were assessed using Pearson chi-square (χ2) test, Cramer's V (φ) and gamma (γ) coefficients. Overall, respondents had high knowledge of schistosomiasis in general but low FGS-specific knowledge (91% versus 45%). Misconceptions concerned the disease transmission, with 30.3% of women and 25% of the nurses believing that FGS is transmitted by drinking untreated water, while 26.8% of the doctors mentioned sexual contact as a mode of FGS transmission. Negative attitudes included considering FGS not a very serious disease (34.8%), feeling uncomfortable during gynaecological examination (35.3%), difficulties avoiding risky water contact (72.1%) and open defecation/urination (41.3%), not intending to share FGS status with their husbands (38.3%) and loved ones (63.6%), and believing that husbands would leave them if they were infertile (31.8%). Regarding practices, 77.6% of women engaged daily in activities involving contact with water. Practices of health professionals were hampered by the lack of equipment and specialized knowledge for FGS diagnosis with only 57% of healthcare workers having a microscope in their facilities. Women's KAPs varied by age, education, marital status, occupation and monthly income. This study highlights insufficient knowledge, existing negative attitudes, at risk practices towards FGS by women, and limitations of FGS management by health professionals. These findings can help for tailored health education and WASH strategies, and call for health professional's capacities reinforcement.

Evaluating the perceived impact and legacy of master’s degree level research in the allied health professions: a UK-wide cross-sectional survey

BackgroundPost graduate master’s degree qualifications are increasingly required to advance allied health profession careers in education, clinical practice, leadership, and research. Successful awards are dependent on completion of a research dissertation project. Despite the high volume of experience gained and research undertaken at this level, the benefits and impact are not well understood. Our study aimed to evaluate the perceived impact and legacy of master’s degree training and research on allied health profession practice and research activity.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey design was used to collect data from allied health professionals working in the United Kingdom who had completed a postgraduate master’s degree. Participants were recruited voluntarily using social media and clinical interest group advertisement. Data was collected between October and December 2022 and was analysed using descriptive statistics and narrative content analysis. Informed consent was gained, and the study was approved by the university research ethics committee.ResultsEighty-four responses were received from nine allied health professions with paramedics and physiotherapists forming the majority (57%) of respondents. Primary motivation for completion of the master’s degree was for clinical career progression (n = 44, 52.4%) and formation of the research dissertation question was predominantly sourced from individual ideas (n = 58, 69%). Formal research output was low with 27.4% (n = 23) of projects published in peer reviewed journal and a third of projects reporting no output or dissemination at all. Perceived impact was rated highest in individual learning outcomes, such as improving confidence and capability in clinical practice and research skills. Ongoing research engagement and activity was high with over two thirds (n = 57, 67.9%) involved in formal research projects.ConclusionThe focus of master's degree level research was largely self-generated with the highest perceived impact on individual outcomes rather than broader clinical service and organisation influence. Formal output from master’s research was low, but ongoing research engagement and activity was high suggesting master’s degree training is an under-recognised source for AHP research capacity building. Future research should investigate the potential benefits of better coordinated and prioritised research at master’s degree level on professional and organisational impact.

The Overview on Effectiveness of Quality Enhancement for Enhancing Health Care and Professional Practice

Reorganizing the structure and delivery of services has been a typical focus of initiatives to improve the standard, safety, and effectiveness of health care delivery. Continuous quality improvement (CQI), a technique commonly used in the manufacturing and industrial sectors, has been applied to the health sector. Given the complexity and diversity of health systems, questions about CQI's efficacy persist despite its increased focus. This review evaluates CQI's efficacy in various healthcare environments and looks into the significance of the approach's many elements. Twenty- eight RCTs assessed the effectiveness of different approaches to CQI in a variety of scenarios using a non- CQI comparison. The methodologies used, the duration of the meetings, the participants, and the type of training provided varied throughout the interventions. It was believed that bias might taint any RCT and affect the results. The benefits of CQI compared to a non-CQI comparison on clinical process, patient, and other outcomes were not great, as evidenced by the fact that less than half of RCTs showed any effect. Benefits were usually demonstrated in clinical process metrics; these were impacted by the frequency (weekly), the type of meeting (leaders discussing implementation), and the methodology (Plan-Do-Study-Act, improvement methodology). Studying health disparities caused by socioeconomic status.

Attitudes, Knowledge and Clinical Practice of Health Professionals towards Psychological Disorders in Cancer Patients: An Observational Study

Background: The suffering associated with a cancer diagnosis can find different channels to express itself: sleep disorders, psychiatric disorders, sexuality. These are not always analyzed by health professionals, but they have an impact on the patient’s quality of life and on the outcome of the disease. Methods: An observational study was conducted in order to investigate attitudes, knowledge and clinical practice towards psychological symptoms in cancer patients. Results: A total of 132 clinicians from all Italian regions responded. In total, 99.2% (n = 131) considered the figure of the psychologist useful in the oncology field and recommended him/her in clinical practice (n = 115; 87.7%), especially in the terminal phase of the illness (58.6%; n = 99). Despite the importance given to the figure of the psychologist, psychiatric disorders are not diagnosed. Only 20.0% (n = 26) identified depressive disorder as accurate and only 33.9% (n = 43) identified demoralization syndrome as accurate. Conclusions: Results prove the need for training on psychological disorders in oncology and the emotional repercussions of cancer illness.

Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Health Professionals in Togo

Background. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in behavior, social communication, and interaction. Objectives. To describe health staff's knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ASD in Lomé. Methods. From January to March 2020, we conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study on ASD in childhood. A survey was administered to a sample of healthcare professionals in 5 facilities in Lomé, Togo. A questionnaire assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ASD among 139 participants (pediatricians, neurologists, general practitioners, psychologists, speech therapists, and nurses). Results.The participation rate was 84.2 % (117 / 139). One hundred seven health workers (91.5 %) had heard of ASD. Inaccurate knowledge was observed: 65.4 % gave a good definition of autism, 73.2 % did not know the autistic triad, the early warning signs (64.6 %), or the age of onset (61.0 %). Only 22.0 % of staff were familiar with autism screening tools. The highest knowledge was significantly associated with being a speech therapist or pediatrician practicing in a tertiary health facility (p < 0,0001). Higher-graded staff also observed better knowledge levels (p = 0, 0128). Concerning attitudes or practices regarding autistic children, 26 of those surveyed (22,2 %) had already screened for ASD, of whom 23 (88,5 %) worked with other specialties in case management. Conclusion. This study highlights inappropriate knowledge, attitudes, and practices among health staff. These findings warrant the need for good initial training on ASD, awareness campaigns, and the setting up a specialized center in Togo.

Understanding the value of a doctorate for allied health professionals in practice in the UK: a survey

BackgroundThe need to transform the United Kingdom’s (UK) delivery of health and care services to better meet population needs and expectations is well-established, as is the critical importance of research and innovation to drive those transformations. Allied health professionals (AHPs) represent a significant proportion of the healthcare workforce. Developing and expanding their skills and capabilities is fundamental to delivering new ways of working. However, career opportunities combining research and practice remain limited. This study explored the perceived utility and value of a doctorate to post-doctoral AHPs and how they experience bringing their research-related capabilities into practice environments.MethodsWith a broadly interpretivist design, a qualitatively oriented cross-sectional survey, with closed and open questions, was developed to enable frequency reporting while focusing on the significance and meaning participants attributed to the topic. Participants were recruited via professional networks and communities of practice. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse closed question responses, while combined framework and thematic analysis was applied to open question responses.ResultsResponses were received from 71 post-doctoral AHPs located across all four UK nations. Findings are discussed under four primary themes of utilisation of the doctorate; value of the doctorate; impact on career, and impact on self and support. Reference is also made at appropriate points to descriptive statistics summarising closed question responses.ConclusionThe findings clearly articulate variability of experiences amongst post-doctoral AHPs. Some were able to influence team and organisational research cultures, support the development of others and drive service improvement. The challenges, barriers and obstacles encountered by others reflect those that have been acknowledged for many years. Acknowledging them is important, but the conversation must move forward and generate positive action to ensure greater consistency in harnessing the benefits and value-added these practitioners bring. If system-wide transformation is the aim, it is inefficient to leave navigating challenges to individual creativity and tenacity or forward-thinking leaders and organisations. There is an urgent need for system-wide responses to more effectively, consistently and equitably enable career pathways combining research and practice for what is a substantial proportion of the UK healthcare workforce.

Survey of the Barriers, Enablers, and Preferences to Swimming for People With Chronic Low Back Pain

Background and Purpose: It is common practice for health professionals to recommend swimming to people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) for rehabilitation and pain management and to improve levels of physical activity. Uptake and engagement in swimming involve a change in behavior, influenced by various factors including barriers, enablers, and preferences. The aim of this study was to identify the most common barriers, enablers, and preferences to swimming for people with CLBP and map them onto the Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model. Methods: People with CLBP were invited to complete a survey collecting data regarding the barriers, enablers, and preferences in relation to swimming. The questions were scored on a 5-point Likert scale and mapped onto the COM-B model. Results: Eighty-two people completed the survey. More than 50% of participants agreed with the following barriers: I am not sure which swimming stroke is best for my back pain and I lack motivation to go swimming. These barriers mapped to the psychological capability and reflective motivation dimensions on the COM-B model. At least 50% of participants agreed with the following enablers: I would like to use swimming to improve my strength, flexibility, weight, fitness, health, mood, and well-being; setting goals and making an action plan could help me swim regularly, I am more likely to go swimming if a health professional advised me and I believe that swimming is good for my back. These enablers were also mapped to the reflective motivation and physical and social opportunity dimensions on the COM-B model. Discussion and Conclusions: The findings from this survey suggest that when recommending swimming, health professionals should discuss the wider health benefits of swimming, discuss specific swimming strokes and why swimming could be beneficial for back pain, and consider using motivational tools to encourage reflective motivation such as goal setting and action planning.

How prepared are newly qualified allied health professionals for practice in the UK? A systematic review

ObjectivesIt is important that allied health professionals (AHPs) are prepared for clinical practice from the very start of their working lives to provide quality care for patients, for their personal...

Supporting interdisciplinary mental health professionals through online professional development: eleven years of the MHPN webinar program in Australia

ABSTRACT Objective The Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) has been delivering webinars for professionals working in primary mental health care in Australia since 2010. This study aimed to investigate changes in engagement in and outcomes of MHPN webinars over 11 years from 2010 to 2020. Method Over 11-years, 75 webinars were delivered by a multi-disciplinary panel of mental health professionals, using a case-study format to stimulate discussion of collaborative care. Attendees were invited to complete a post-webinar online questionnaire to assess webinar effectiveness and impacts on work practice. Change over time was assessed using chi-square tests and analysis of variance. Results From 53,468 webinar attendances, 30,617 (57.3%) questionnaires were collated and analysed. There was a steady and significant increase in webinar attendance over time. The degree to which learning needs were met increased significantly over time, as did the relevance of the webinars and their anticipated impacts on improving work practice. Discussion The findings indicate that practitioner engagement in MHPN webinars and the associated positive impacts on work practice have both increased over the past decade. By improving the knowledge, attitudes and practice of mental health professionals, MHPN plays an important role in improving mental health promotion, prevention, early detection and treatment in Australia.

Research ethics and artificial intelligence for global health: perspectives from the global forum on bioethics in research

BackgroundThe ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health care and public health continues to be an urgent issue for attention in policy, research, and practice. In this paper we report on central themes related to challenges and strategies for promoting ethics in research involving AI in global health, arising from the Global Forum on Bioethics in Research (GFBR), held in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2022.MethodsThe GFBR is an annual meeting organized by the World Health Organization and supported by the Wellcome Trust, the US National Institutes of Health, the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and the South African MRC. The forum aims to bring together ethicists, researchers, policymakers, research ethics committee members and other actors to engage with challenges and opportunities specifically related to research ethics. In 2022 the focus of the GFBR was “Ethics of AI in Global Health Research”. The forum consisted of 6 case study presentations, 16 governance presentations, and a series of small group and large group discussions. A total of 87 participants attended the forum from 31 countries around the world, representing disciplines of bioethics, AI, health policy, health professional practice, research funding, and bioinformatics. In this paper, we highlight central insights arising from GFBR 2022.ResultsWe describe the significance of four thematic insights arising from the forum: (1) Appropriateness of building AI, (2) Transferability of AI systems, (3) Accountability for AI decision-making and outcomes, and (4) Individual consent. We then describe eight recommendations for governance leaders to enhance the ethical governance of AI in global health research, addressing issues such as AI impact assessments, environmental values, and fair partnerships.ConclusionsThe 2022 Global Forum on Bioethics in Research illustrated several innovations in ethical governance of AI for global health research, as well as several areas in need of urgent attention internationally. This summary is intended to inform international and domestic efforts to strengthen research ethics and support the evolution of governance leadership to meet the demands of AI in global health research.

Health Professionals' knowledge and practice on basic life support and its predicting factors in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Basic Life Support (BLS) is a sequence of care provided to patients who are experiencing respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, or airway obstruction. Its main purpose is to maintain the airway, breathing, and circulation through CPR. This review aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of Health Professionals' knowledge and practice on basic life support in Ethiopia. Eligible primary studies were accessed from international database (PubMed, Google Scholar, Hinari databases) and grey literatures found in online repositories. The required data were extracted from those studies and exported to Stata 17 for analysis. A weighted inverse-variance random-effects model and Der Simonian-Laird estimation method were used to compute the overall pooled prevalence of Health Professional's knowledge, practice of basic life support and its predictors. Variations across the included studies were checked using forest plot, funnel plot, I2 statistics, and Egger's test. A total of 5,258 Health Professionals were included from 11 studies. The pooled prevalence of knowledge and practice outcomes on basic life support in Ethiopia were 47.6 (95% CI: 29.899, 65.300, I2: 99.21%) and 44.42 (95% CI: 16.42, 72.41, I2: 99.69) respectively. Educational status of the Professional's was significantly associated with knowledge outcome. Those who had degree and above were 1.9 times (AOR: 1.90 (1.24, 2.56)) more likely knowledgeable on basic life support than under degree. The overall pooled estimates of Health Professionals knowledge and practice on basic life support was considerably low. The educational status of the Health Professionals was significantly associated with knowledge outcome. The Health Professionals and responsible stakeholders should focus on the basic life support at Health Institutions. The professionals should advance their knowledge and skill on basic life support for the patients.

Exploring Perceptions and Practices of Interprofessional Shared Decision-Making Education in Palliative Care Settings.

Palliative care teams provide support to patients and their caregivers during terminal illness, which requires interprofessional collaboration. One of the foundational skills is to assist patients with decision-making. This can be facilitated through interprofessional shared decision-making (IP-SDM). So far, IP-SDM education frameworks have only been used to a limited extent in the area of palliative care. This study aims to explore perceptions and practices of faculty members, health professionals, and students toward IP-SDM education in palliative care and to indicate associated factors to implement an IP-SDM in undergraduate health professions education in palliative care settings. We used a cross-sectional study design in which the data was obtained via an online self-administered questionnaire adapted from existing validated tools. The questionnaire was distributed to faculty members and health professionals (n = 125) and students (n = 334) at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The sampling technique was a non-probability convenience sampling. Bivariate statistics, such as independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation coefficient, and linear multiple regression were conducted. The response rate was 54% (85 faculty members and health professionals and 164 students). Perceptions on IP-SDM did not differ between participants. From those who had previous experience with IP-SDM, the mean practices score was slightly higher for faculty members and health professionals (M = 83.1, SD = 15.9) than for students (M = 74.1, SD = 11.5), which was significant (p < 0.05). Factors such as gender, age, discipline, nationality, level of education, years of study, and previous experience that were associated with perceptions and practices were varied among participants. The findings show high levels of perception with low levels of practice of IP-SDM in palliative care. Other factors that could be associated with the topic should be addressed in further studies.

Enhancing the provision of cancer nutrition information to support care through experience-based co-design: a mixed-methods study.

Nutrition is essential within cancer care, yet patient and carer access to nutrition care and information is variable. This study aimed to (1) investigate patient and carer access and perceptions, and health professional views and practices, relating to cancer nutrition information and care; and (2) co-design interactive resources to support optimal nutrition care. Patients and carers completed a survey regarding access to nutrition care and information. Seven multidisciplinary health service teams were invited to participate in a survey and focus group to assess barriers and enablers in nutrition practices. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed and thematically analyzed. Eligible patients, carers, and health professionals were invited to four virtual workshops utilizing experience-based co-design methods to identify nutrition priority areas and design resources. Workshop participant acceptability of the resources was measured. Of 104 consumer survey respondents (n = 97 patients, n = 7 carers), 61% agreed that it "took too much time to find evidence-based nutrition and cancer information", and 46% had seen a dietitian. Thirty-four of 38 health professionals completed the survey and 30 participated in a focus group, and it was identified the greatest barriers to delivering nutrition care were lack of referral services, knowledge or skill gaps, and time. Twenty participants (n = 10 patients and carers, n = 10 health professionals) attended four workshops and co-designed a suite of 46 novel resources rated as highly acceptable. Improved communication, training, and availability of suitable resources could improve access to and support cancer nutrition information and care. New, co-designed cancer nutrition resources were created and deemed highly acceptable to patients, carers, and health professionals.

Validation study of the Amharic version Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, there is a growing concern about improving patients’ safety in healthcare facilities. However, the lack of a valid and reliable instrument sensitive to the Ethiopian culture for measuring health professional practice environment leads to difficulty in constructing evaluations of safety climate and further linking organizational research to outcomes research. This research study examined the psychometric properties of the Safety Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) in the Amharic language within an Ethiopian healthcare context.MethodA hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. The SAQ was meticulously translated into Amharic using forward and backward translation methods. Content validity was evaluated with input from seven patient safety and healthcare quality experts. Face validity was established through feedback from healthcare professionals. Then, the Amharic SAQ (SAQ-A) was distributed to 648 participants working in 11 public hospitals, and a total of 611 valid questionnaires were completed and returned (95.2% response rate). Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, composite reliability, correlation analysis, and average variance estimation were calculated, and confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe socio-demographic characteristics. A P-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Tables, figures, charts, and texts are used for data presentation.ResultThe overall internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) for the 31-item SAQ-A was 0.903, indicating excellent reliability. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated a good model fit for each dimension and the entire construct (χ2=1086.675, df=412, p<0.001, comparative fit index (CFI)=0.923, Tucker Lewis index (TLI)=0.913, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.052). The positive response rate of healthcare workers in hospitals was 32.1%. The positive response rates of the six dimensions were teamwork climate (59.7%), safety climate (41.9%), job satisfaction (57.1%), working conditions (37.5%), perception of management (37.6%), and stress recognition (46.2%).ConclusionThe Amharic translation of the SAQ showed good psychometric properties, making it a valuable tool for assessing safety attitudes among Amharic-speaking Ethiopian healthcare practitioners.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health professions students on mentorship: a cross-sectional study at a sub-Saharan African medical school

BackgroundMentoring involves the informal conveyance of knowledge, social capital, and support, as perceived by the recipient to be pertinent to aspects of work, career, and personal or professional development. Students pursuing health-related courses need access to mentorship and its benefits during their formative academic and career states. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, many institutions have not fully embraced this despite the benefits of mentorship.AimThe primary purpose of this study was to assess medical students’ knowledge about mentorship and explore their attitudes and practices toward mentorship.MethodologyWe held an online cross-sectional study utilizing a pre-tested self-reported questionnaire targeting health professional students in the faculty of medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). The collected data were coded and summarized using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsTwo hundred eighty-three (283) students participated in this study. Of this group, 79.9% were aware of mentorship, 61% were willing to commit 1–2 h a week for mentorship, and Zoom was the preferred mode of communication; 98.2% expressed the need for a structured student-led hybrid mentorship program.ConclusionMentorship at Mbarara University of Science and Technology was considered beneficial by health professions students in the Faculty of Medicine.RecommendationFuture studies should explore accessibility to mentorship and the effectiveness of existing mentorship processes.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental health professionals toward dental impression disinfection protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia– a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDespite the updated guidelines on dental impression disinfection protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to such procedures has not been studied among dental health professionals in Saudi Arabia. Understanding DHPs’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 is crucial in assessing a willingness to adhere to the recommendations provided by health authorities in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 via dental impressions impacting patient safety and infection control measures. Hence, this study aimed to assess dental health professionals’ (DHPs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward dental impression disinfection protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from 14 December 2022 to 21 March 2023 among practicing dentists, dental assistants (DA), dental laboratory technicians (DT), and dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia. A validated and reliable questionnaire that consisted of 38 items along with demographic variables was prepared to collect the data. Using Google Forms, a questionnaire link was prepared and shared on the social media platforms of DHPs in Saudi Arabia. A descriptive analysis was conducted to report the percentages and frequencies. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were analyzed using an Independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation tests.ResultsA total of 718 DHPs voluntarily participated in the survey. Most of the DHPs exhibited average knowledge 392 (54.6%), neutral attitudes 393(54.7%), and adequate 549 (76.5%) practice towards dental impression disinfection protocol. The mean knowledge score differed significantly across nationality (p = 0.013), type of DHPs (p < 0.001), qualification (p = 0.045), and experience (p = 0.028) of the study participants. Significant differences in attitude towards impression disinfection were observed in different age groups (p = 0.002), qualifications (p = 0.015), and experiences (p = 0.024) of the DHPs. Similarly, practice varied across different age groups (p = 0.010), nationality (p = 0.013), type of DHPs (p = 0.019), qualification (p = 0.044), experience (p = 0.041), and COVID-19 Infection (p = 0.006). Moreover, a significant positive correlation between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.258, p < 0.01), knowledge-practice (r = 0.283, p < 0.01), and attitude-practice (r = 0.196, p < 0.01) was observed.ConclusionDHPs considered in this study demonstrated average knowledge and attitudes toward impression disinfection, requiring improvement through continuous dental education and training. However, they displayed acceptable dental impression disinfection practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is highly recommended that continuing education programs should mainly reinforce the knowledge of sodium hypochlorite, iodophor, and phenolics and their concentrations to be used as an impression disinfectant. Additionally, it should focus on techniques of disinfecting elastomeric, hydrocolloid, zinc oxide and eugenol, and impression compound materials to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 based on Saudi ministry of health guidelines.

Association between sedentary behavior and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in children and adolescents: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is evidence in the literature suggesting that high time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) can reduce the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels, an important neurotrophin that plays a role in modulating cognition, learning and memory. Children and adolescents usually spend many hours a day on SB, either sitting for a long time and/or using screen equipment. The aim of this study is to describe a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol on the associations between SB and BDNF levels in children and adolescents. This protocol is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols and was published in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (PROSPERO: CRD42023392246). The databases that will be searched are EMBASE, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and PubMed. Cross-sectional and cohort studies conducted with children and adolescents (5 to 19 yr) that analyzed the association between SB and BDNF will be included in the systematic review. The characteristics of the studies, methodological aspects, and main results will be described. Then, the risk of bias (assessed by STROBE and Newcastle-Ottawa scales) and the level of evidence (assessed by the GRADE tool) from included studies will be evaluated. Sub-group analysis will also be performed. Two experienced reviewers will perform the studies selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. This systematic review and meta-analysis will analyze the association between SB and BDNF in children and adolescents. The results will provide subsidies to better understand this relationship and will strengthen evidence-based practice for both health professionals and future researches.

Health variables and professional practice profile of ballroom dance teachers in Brazil

The objective was to investigate fatigue, quality of life (QoL) and professional profile of ballroom dance teachers in Brazil compared by gender. A total of 272 professionals from the five regions of Brazil were evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire divided into professional profile, QoL and fatigue. It was observed that women showed better results compared to men in terms of education and BMI. The general QoL of both sexes showed regular scores, with higher values for the social relations domain and lower values for the physical domain. The data reflect the search for information on the profile of the ballroom dance teachers and health factors related to their professional practice profile, with possible distinctions between the sexes and highlight the importance of awareness for the maintenance of the health of dance professionals.

Alignment and specifics of Brazilian health agencies in relation to the international premises for the implementation of digital health in primary health care: a rhetorical analysis.

Digital health and sustainable development goals have had strong impacts with the COVID-19 pandemic. In Brazil, the health crisis scenario required changes in social welfare programs and policies, based on recommendations from international agencies, such as the UN and WHO. This study aims to analyze the alignment of the arguments of Brazilian and international organizations for the adoption of digital health in Primary Health Care based on the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a qualitative documentary study of the rhetorical analysis type, based on Perelman and Obrechts-Tyteca's Theory of Argumentation. The search for documents was carried out by two independent researchers, between December 2021 and June 2022, through the websites of the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and the Federal Councils of Medicine and Brazilian nursing, with the terms "digital health," "telehealth," "telemedicine," "e-health," "telehealth," "telenursing," "telemedicine," and "digital health." Twenty official documents were analyzed and identified in terms of context, authorship, authenticity, reliability, nature, and key concepts. The international and Brazilian arguments emphasize the applicability of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the health field. In logical arguments, based on the structure of reality, international agencies emphasize the overlap between health needs and the conditions for the applicability of ICTs. In Brazil, however, there was a need to regulate the digital practices of health professionals. In the international discourse, in the structuring of reality, there are illustrations of the relationship between the context of the health crisis caused by COVID-19 and the concrete conditions for the applicability of digital health; while in the Brazilian discourse, the need to strengthen an environment conducive to digital health is explicit. The Brazilian alignment in relation to the international premises is evident. Yet, there is a need, socially and economically sustainable, to strengthen the inclusion of digital health in PHC policy.

Why Do Hungarian Health Workers Migrate? A Micro-Level Analysis

The sustainability of healthcare systems is challenged by the international migration of health workers in many countries. Like other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, a great number of health professionals from Hungary have emigrated recently, increasing the shortage of health workers in the country. The aim of this study is to explore the migration attitudes of Hungarian health workers, applying a micro-level approach of push–pull factors. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with practicing and inactive Hungarian health professionals living in Hungary and abroad. The interviews were subjected to a thematic analysis, and the following groups of factors were revealed and discussed: wealth and income, workplace, human capital, quality of life, family, personal network, and personality. In addition, geography and life stage (life course) as two overarching, integrative categories are also discussed. The results point to the role of income, work environment, and family in migration decisions. As a new factor, the importance of geographical characteristics (local context, distance) is also explored, which has received less attention in previous studies. A novelty of our study is the CEE post-socialist point of view, mirrored by the life-path elements of the interviews. Another novelty is the qualitative and micro-level approach, forming the basis of policy recommendations presented at the end of our study.