Introduction: The increasing demand for efficient, accurate, and integrated health services in primary care underscores the essential role of Health Information Systems (HIS) in Puskesmas. Despite national policies encouraging digital transformation, many Puskesmas still face challenges, including limited infrastructure, inadequate digital literacy among health workers, and fragmented system integration. This study aims to analyze the implementation of HIS in Puskesmas, assess its contribution to service efficiency, and identify supporting and inhibiting factors that influence system adoption. Methods: The study employs a qualitative case-study approach involving several Puskesmas that have implemented HIS. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with health workers and administrative staff, direct observations of HIS use in daily operations, and document analysis related to system policies and operational procedures. The qualitative data were analysed through thematic coding and triangulation across sources to ensure validity and reliability. Results: The findings reveal that HIS significantly supports faster patient data processing, improves the accuracy of medical records, and reduces administrative burdens. However, system effectiveness varies across facilities depending on infrastructure readiness, staff competency, and leadership support. Barriers such as insufficient training, inconsistent internet connectivity, and inadequate system maintenance hinder optimal utilisation. Conversely, strong managerial commitment, user-friendly system design, and continuous government support emerge as key enablers. Conclusion: This study concludes that the implementation of HIS has the potential to substantially enhance service efficiency in Puskesmas when supported by adequate resources and policy alignment. Recommendations include strengthening digital literacy training, improving infrastructure, ensuring continuous technical support, and developing adaptive policies to sustain long-term HIS utilization.

Introduction: Hypertension remains one of the most prevalent public health issues globally, demanding not only curative but also preventive and promotive strategies. Community-based health promotion programs have emerged as a vital approach to increasing awareness, literacy, and behavioral change to prevent hypertension. Methods: This study employed a qualitative method through a systematic literature review of national and international publications from 2020 to 2025. The selected sources were analyzed thematically to identify social dynamics, intervention models, and determinants of program success. Data analysis involved reduction, display, and interpretation to construct a conceptual model explaining how community-based promotion enhances prevention literacy. Results: The findings indicate that the effectiveness of community-based programs depends on active participation, leadership, resource availability, and integration with primary health services. Empowerment-based education improved knowledge, modified risky behavior, and strengthened cooperation between communities and health workers. The use of digital technologies, such as mobile health applications and social media, expands educational outreach and engagement. Conclusion: Community-based health promotion is a transformative strategy for building awareness, empowerment, and self-reliance in hypertension prevention. Cross-sector collaboration and technology-driven innovation are essential to achieving sustainable outcomes. It is recommended that policymakers and health practitioners strengthen digital literacy, allocate continuous funding, and institutionalize participatory community programs to ensure long-term impact.

Introduction: Social media has become an essential communication platform influencing medical professionalism. For doctors, it serves as a tool for education, health promotion, and professional networking. However, unregulated use poses legal and ethical challenges, particularly concerning confidentiality and professionalism. This study explores the legal and ethical implications of doctors’ activities on social media in Indonesia. Methods: This research employs a normative legal and literature review approach. Sources were obtained from Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Garuda, and Sinta, using keywords such as doctor, social media, ethics, and health law. Articles published between 2020 and 2025 were selected based on relevance to legal and ethical aspects of medical social media use. Results: Findings indicate that while social media enhances accessibility to health information, education, and patient engagement, it also introduces risks of privacy breaches, misinformation, and blurred doctor–patient boundaries. Indonesian regulations, such as Law No. 11/2008 (ITE Law) and Law No. 17/2023 (Health Law), partially address these issues, but no specific regulation governs doctors’ digital conduct. A comparative analysis with international guidelines, such as those of the General Medical Council (UK), underscores the need for clearer national standards. Ethical principles in the Indonesian Medical Code of Ethics (KODEKI) must guide doctors’ online presence. Strengthened digital professionalism, legal clarity, and continuous education are crucial. Conclusion: Doctors’ responsible use of social media can enhance public health communication. However, comprehensive legal frameworks and ethical awareness are vital to safeguard patient rights and uphold medical professionalism in the digital era.

In March 2020, Australia experienced its first large COVID-19 outbreak in a healthcare setting when two persons who had returned from cruise ship travel were admitted to a hospital in North West Tasmania, leading to sustained severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission among healthcare workers (HCWs) in this hospital and another hospital co-located in the same health precinct. We examined factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in these hospitals to inform policies and practices that could reduce the risk of future outbreaks. Using the results of a survey and SARS-CoV-2 testing of HCWs who attended work at one or both hospitals during the exposure period (20 March to 13 April 2020), we assessed the association of demographic variables, work-related variables, and the average score for each of three infection prevention and control (IPC) measures (hand hygiene, personal protective equipment [PPE] donning and doffing, and personal distancing) with being a COVID-19 case using logistic regression. Of the 1779 HCWs invited to participate in the survey, 410 responded, of which 125 met the inclusion criteria for our analysis. On multivariable regression analysis, HCWs who were aged 31-50 years (odds ratio [OR] = 0.12 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03, 0.48]) or 51+ years (OR = 0.17 [95% CI: 0.04, 0.68]) had significantly lower odds of being a COVID-19 case when compared with HCWs who were aged 30 years or less, whereas those who worked part time (OR = 0.29 [95% CI: 0.08, 0.91]) had significantly lower odds of being a COVID-19 case when compared with HCWs who worked full time. HCWs having direct care of a COVID-19-positive patient (OR=5.42 [95% CI: 1.65, 20.8]) had significantly higher odds of being a COVID-19 case when compared with HCWs without direct care of a COVID-19-positive patient. The IPC measures showed no significant association with COVID-19 case status. Our study identified important associations between COVID-19 acquisition and age, work frequency, and direct contact with COVID-19 patients. However, the small sample size of IPC measures meant our study was inadequately powered to determine the significance of these associations with COVID-19 acquisition.

Prevalence and predictors of back pain among primary healthcare workers in Qatar in 2023

Rapidly dissolving microneedle patch embedded with long-acting microspheres for sustained release of goserelin.

To gather staff feedback from small-to-medium Australian community food retail outlets on a Healthy Retail Toolkit and provide recommendations to inform future resource development to better support retailers to implement healthy food retail policies. Co-design of a Healthy Retail Toolkit (the 'Toolkit') by a working group of food retailers, public health practitioners and researchers. The Toolkit consisted of six 'steps for success' for retailers implementing healthy changes to their food offerings and promotions, alongside troubleshooting tips and case studies of successful adoption of healthy food retail practices in similar food retail outlets. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with food outlet managers, owners, front-of-house and back-of-house staff within hospitals, tertiary education, and sport and recreation facilities in Victoria, Australia. Interviewees were asked to reflect on the Toolkit usability. A two-phase thematic analysis approach synthesised (i) responses according to the six Toolkit 'steps for success'; and (ii) general recommendations for the development of resources for retailers implementing healthy food and drink initiatives. Ten retailers participated in interviews or focus groups and provided feedback to improve the format and content of the Toolkit. Retailers valued the step-by-step approach of the 'steps for success'. Highlighting implementation support services was helpful for those retailers who required additional tailored support. The use of links and direction to further support allowed the Toolkit to remain succinct and avoided making implementation appear overwhelming. Participants reflected on the importance of accessible and lay language, as well as using formatting, infographics and diagrams to break up text-heavy sections. They requested increased focus on the 'business case' for change, such as aligning to healthy consumer trends, and further troubleshooting tips and case studies to make the Toolkit brief and practical. Recommendations to inform future resource development for retailers included (1) describe the 'business case' for retailers to shift to healthier food and drink options; (2) provide step-by-step guidance on implementation stages; (3) address common challenges; (4) provide case studies, practical support, tools and templates; and (5) get feedback on tool content and format from your target audience.

(1) To safely extract electronic medical record data to co-produce a population health informatics dashboard for obesity. (2) To explore how a population health informatics dashboard for obesity might be translated into routine public health practice. This mixed methods study was conducted in Queensland, Australia, with stakeholders (n=27) according to the Three Horizons Framework for Digital Health Transformation. Horizon 1 established the digital infrastructure necessary for accessing routine electronic medical record data from inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and community encounters. Horizon 2 co-produced user requirements for a population health informatics dashboard and developed a proof of concept. Horizon 3 conducted usability testing to explore the theoretical feasibility of integrating the dashboard into practice. The Queensland Healthy Weight Dashboard is an interactive visualisation platform for obesity surveillance capable of using near-real-time electronic medical record data. We developed a proof of concept using a synthetic sample of 726,561 patients. Once commissioned, the dashboard will display aggregate, non-identifiable data from a total sample of >1 million patients with a measured body mass index across 71 facilities in Queensland, including 19 health services and at least 71 individual facilities that use the integrated electronic Medical Record. The dashboard can display near real-time (quarterly) data via descriptive analytics to (1) identify total raw counts and normalised values, (2) longitudinally track data, and (3) geographically heatmap obesity, overweight, and healthy weight rates, and stratify by time (2016-2022), gender, age (2-99years), and location (geographical area, facility). Usability testing with public health practitioner end-users (n=4) revealed above-average overall usability but mixed task-based usability. Practitioners were optimistic about integrating the dashboard into routine practice. We co-produced a population health informatics tool for obesity that can display hospital electronic medical record data in near real-time. With further validation and usability improvements, this tool can be translated into public health practice to guide obesity interventions.

Child vaccination plays a great role in preventing infectious diseases in children. While Ethiopia has emphasized child vaccination, its effectiveness largely depends on efficient communication between health practitioners and mothers/caregivers. Thus, sufficient communication contributes to promoting child immunization and in turn improving child health. To examine child vaccine communication practices and strategies as well as their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics of respondents in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pretested Likert scale questionnaire and distributed to 123 health workers in primary healthcare centers between April 2024 and June 2024. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that the most common vaccine communication activities included education and communication (mean score = 24.1), vaccine data registration (mean score = 8.86), and information exchange (mean score = 8.3). A significant correlation was found between the implementation of interpersonal health communication principles and immunization communication training (F = 341.756, P = 0.000, P < 0.05). However, no significant correlations were observed between age, education, work experience, and vaccine communication practices. Additionally, the study found that the application of interpersonal communication principles was associated with the perceived relevance of immunization communication (F = 27.790, P = 0.000, P < 0.05). Based on the findings the study concluded that communication practice in promoting child immunization is insufficient. To enhance vaccine acceptance, continuous immunization communication training for health workers is recommended.

Lessons Learned From Treating 34 Million People With Hypertension: The Global HEARTS Initiative.

Background: Adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aged 10–19 years account for 1.7 million globally, with 82% residing in sub-Saharan Africa. Older adolescents (15-19 years) assume greater responsibility for their own care, often leading to reduced adherence, lower retention, and poorer health outcomes. Understanding the role of healthcare workers (HCWs), key stakeholders in the HIV care continuum, is essential to strengthening transition practices and health system responses. Aim: To describe HCWs’ perspectives on transition practices for adolescents living with HIV in the Cape Town Metropole, South Africa. Setting: Six public primary health facilities in the Cape Town Metropole, South Africa. Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 16 HCWs and analysed thematically. Results: Healthcare workers identified challenges to optimal transition (theme 1), including delayed disclosure, low adolescent readiness, and inconsistent transition processes. Health service responses (theme 2), such as youth clubs and provider-adolescent relationships, were supportive but unevenly applied. Gaps and recommendations (theme 3) included improving youth club management and ensuring system-wide support to enhance engagement and continuity of care. Conclusion: Successful transition to adult HIV care requires structural and psychosocial support mechanisms. Healthcare workers play a critical role and should be supported to consistently implement adolescent-friendly services during and post-transition. Contribution: This study offers system-level insights to inform policy, HCW training, and integrated models of care tailored to adolescents living with HIV in primary health settings in South Africa.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a public health concern in Africa despite prevention and treatment interventions being available. Aim: To gather stakeholders’ viewpoints on health system factors influencing the implementation of RHD interventions in African countries. Setting: Cameroon, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Methods: Thirty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals who work in or have received RHD services in any of the nine African countries to explore health system factors influencing RHD diagnosis and treatment, access to RHD surgery and policy decisions regarding RHD. The analysis followed an inductive thematic approach, coding segments of transcripts based on the research objectives and grouping codes with similar meanings into categories, which were subsequently consolidated into themes. Results: Inadequate health promotion, financial constraints, geographic distance, and limited knowledge and skills among healthcare workers hinder the diagnosis and treatment of RHD. Low health literacy, affordability, and geography reduce access to RHD surgery. The low prioritisation of RHD in health agendas, poor data collection, and the influence of international stakeholders and local politics affect health ministers’ decisions regarding RHD programs. Conclusion: Limited knowledge of RHD among healthcare workers hampers both service delivery and data collection for policymaking. Although advocacy has successfully raised RHD awareness in policy spaces, increased efforts are necessary to elevate RHD on national agendas. Contribution: These findings can support RHD programmes by providing insights into how individuals and groups at different health levels across various African countries might respond to interventions.

Purpose This paper introduces MedMaintBot, an AI chatbot designed to support biomedical technicians and non-expert users like nurses. The study explores the impact of integrating such an AI chatbot into Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) practices in healthcare, aligned with Industry 5.0 (I5.0) principles. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a multi-phase methodology, starting with a literature review on technology integration in TPM within healthcare settings. It presents the chatbot development pipeline and conducts a large-scale validation study across 250 queries covering five medical devices (MDs) to demonstrate the chatbot's real-time, context-aware guidance capabilities. Performance analysis further evaluates MedMaintBot's potential to optimize TPM practices and support sustainability goals in healthcare maintenance. Findings The study reveals that MedMaintBot enhances TPM within healthcare by delivering accurate, context-aware guidance (Accuracy = 0.713, Relevance = 0.810), supporting nurse autonomy in routine maintenance and reducing technician dependency. While clarity and completeness were slightly below ideal for complex tasks, over 80% of autonomy-related queries were validated, showing strong support for first-level interventions. Combined with dynamic Large Language Model (LLM) switching between GPT-4 and MedLLaMA2, MedMaintBot strikes a balance between performance, cost and privacy, positioning it as a scalable and sustainable tool for healthcare maintenance. Research limitations/implications This research provides valuable insights for practitioners and researchers on enhancing autonomous maintenance (AM) through AI–chatbot integration, offering a scalable framework for integrating AI into TPM practices. It also encourages further studies to address gaps in procedural completeness and contextual continuity and assess scalability across diverse maintenance environments. Practical implications By providing real-time, context-aware guidance, the chatbot helps reduce user-induced errors, allowing non-expert users, such as nurses, to perform maintenance tasks. This not only reduces the burden on specialized technicians but also ensures better equipment availability, contributing to more streamlined healthcare operations and improved patient care. Social implications MedMaintBot promotes a more inclusive and resilient healthcare environment by empowering non-expert users with AI-driven support. Its adaptability aligns with the human-centric principles of Industry 5.0, fostering collaboration between technology and healthcare personnel. Originality/value This research is among the first to examine the integration of innovative AI chatbot with TPM practices within the healthcare sector, particularly in the context of I5.0. It demonstrates how such a system can significantly enhance operational efficiency, empower non-expert users and support sustainability in healthcare, offering a roadmap extending AI-assisted maintenance to broader industrial and resource-constrained environments.

This study investigates the determinants of crash helmet use outside workplace among healthcare professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) in Ghana. Grounded in the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and Social Cognitive Theory, the study emphasizes the roles of personal attitudes, perceived risks, and social influences in promoting safety behavior. By integrating these theoretical frameworks, the study highlights how individual beliefs and societal factors can impact the adoption of safety measures. Employing a cross-sectional quantitative design, the study aimed to assess helmet usage among healthcare professionals. The target population consisted of approximately 4,000 staff members at TTH. Using the Krejcie and Morgan table, a sample size of 400 participants was determined. Stratified random sampling was implemented to ensure adequate representation across various job roles, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics. The dependent variable in this study was helmet usage, categorized as binary (uses/does not use), while the independent variables included job role, safety training (received/not received), years of experience, and attitudes towards safety. A structured questionnaire, incorporating closed and Likert-scale questions, was utilized to capture demographic data, helmet use habits, and safety attitudes. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 27, applying logistic regression, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis to assess the relationships between the variables. The findings indicated that safety training (β = 0.80, p < 0.001) and positive attitudes towards safety (β = 0.005, p = 0.005) significantly influenced helmet use. Medical doctors emerged as the most compliant group, demonstrating a higher likelihood of helmet usage (β = 0.43, p < 0.001). Years of experience exhibited varying effects on helmet compliance, with professionals at different career stages showing distinct usage patterns. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing safety training and cultivating positive safety attitudes to improve helmet compliance among healthcare professionals. The study emphasizes that, to bolster helmet usage, healthcare institutions should expand safety training programs, promote a culture of safety, and develop tailored strategies to address the unique needs of various job roles within the healthcare setting.

PurposeTo evaluate the utility of CataractBot, an LLM (Large Language Model)-powered chatbot that provides doctor-verified answers to patient questions about cataract surgery. We examine its use by both end-users (patients and attendants) and medical experts.MethodsA 24-week study was conducted to evaluate CataractBot among patients, their attendants, doctors, and patient coordinators. The bot responded instantly to questions by querying a knowledge base curated by medical professionals. Each response was asynchronously verified by an ophthalmologist (for medical questions) or a patient coordinator (for logistical questions), and their edits contributed to updating the knowledge base, thereby minimizing future expert intervention. A mixed-methods analysis was conducted on interaction logs, including patient and attendant questions, chatbot answers, and expert verifications.ResultsA total of 318 patients and attendants sent 1,992 messages, and LLM-generated answers were verified by five doctors and two coordinators. Questions asked pre-surgery were significantly more than post-surgery . Participants asked significantly more medical than logistical questions . Doctors rated 84.5% of CataractBot's answers to medical questions as accurate and complete. Their edits, which mainly involved adding information, increased the acceptance of the bot's answers by 19.0% over time.ConclusionCataractBot was predominantly used to address medical questions. It incorporated expert corrections to improve its answers and reduce the experts' bot-related workload over time. This study highlights the potential of LLM-powered chatbots to support patient-provider communication in ophthalmology.

The psychological significance of parental supervision, fear of missing out (FoMO), and perceived autonomy has increased due to the growing integration of digital technology in students' lives, especially among female students in collectivistic societies. During the crucial developmental phases of adolescence and early adulthood, identity formation, the search for autonomy, and social connection become important. Due to safety concerns, gendered expectations, and traditional family values, girls frequently suffer increased parental surveillance in many cultural situations, particularly in India. Even though this kind of management is often assumed as protective, it may inadvertently limit young women's autonomy and raise their level of FOMO as they rely on digital platforms to remain socially engaged. This conceptual paper examines the interconnected influence of parental control, FOMO, and perceived autonomy among female students. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, Parental Control Theory, and FoMO Theory, the paper argues that restrictive and psychologically controlling parenting practices undermine autonomy and belonging needs. Consequently, female students may experience increased FoMO, greater emotional dependence on online interactions, and reduced autonomy across academic, social, and personal domains. Although prior research has examined parenting and FoMO independently, little attention has been given to how these constructs jointly shape perceived autonomy within India's sociocultural landscape. The proposed conceptual model suggests that parental control indirectly influences perceived autonomy through the mediating role of FoMO, with gendered norms and collectivistic cultural expectations serving as potential moderators. This paper contributes to theoretical understanding and highlights implications for parents, educators, and mental health professionals in promoting healthy autonomy while preserving family cohesion.

Background:Despite recommendations that medical schools incorporate health literacy (HL) into curricula and identification of consensus areas of HL competence, high-quality data are needed for curricular characteristics and structured evaluation that foster sustained HL competency adoption.Objective:This study aimed to develop and evaluate a comprehensive longitudinal medical school HL curriculum using qualitative and quantitative assessments. We sought to ground this in existing theory and provide evidence for generalizable use and further theory refinement.Methods:Across three medical student cohorts, HL was integrated into a 14-month pre-clinical professional development course. The longitudinal curriculum was informed by consensus-derived HL competencies and Bloom's Taxonomy. Student self-assessment and reflection data were linked across three timepoints and analyzed using mixed methods: an inductive approach identified key qualitative themes; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified prevalent factors within self-assessments; and analysis of variance identified differences across timepoints.Key Results:Three qualitative themes emerged from student reflections: emotions associated with a backward reading exercise; shifts in awareness of HL as a patient challenge; and plans to continue using HL practices. Among 336 students with quantitative data across all timepoints, EFA identified three factors: foundations, shame-free environment, conveying information. Over the curriculum, students demonstrated significant (p < .05) improvements in each factor.Conclusions:Our longitudinal HL curriculum, grounded in existing competencies and conceptual framework, elicited positive changes related to medical student HL competencies. Qualitative data demonstrating motivation and intention to continue applying HL practices were augmented by quantitative data showing increased adoption of self-reported behaviors over curricular timepoints. This study fulfills multiple features of a conceptual framework for HL curricula in health professions education, including sequenced, interactive sessions, multiple instruction modes, reflection, integration of knowledge and skill education, and varied assessment methods. Our findings can be used by investigators, institutions, and professional accreditation organizations to broadly enhance HL education.

Introduction The DEW (Diabetes Education and Wellness) Clinic is an interprofessional, student-led initiative that provides diabetes care through both in-person and telehealth formats. This model offers a unique platform to explore the effectiveness of interdisciplinary collaboration while enhancing student learning and addressing patient care needs in a community-based setting. Methods This article synthesizes findings from three mixed-methods studies conducted between 2022 and 2024. Study 1 evaluated the effectiveness of hybrid (telehealth and in-person) care delivery in diabetes management. Study 2 assessed patient satisfaction, perceived care quality, and outcomes. Study 3 explored student and faculty experiences in the clinic through surveys and focus groups. Participants included adult patients with diabetes, student providers from medicine, pharmacy, etc., and interprofessional faculty mentors. Results The hybrid care model was found to improve access and continuity of care for patients with diabetes, with telehealth appointments providing flexibility and convenience. Patients reported high satisfaction, particularly noting the personalized education and supportive interprofessional approach. Students described enhanced confidence, communication skills, and understanding of interprofessional roles. Faculty mentors valued the opportunity to guide learners in real-time collaborative care. Across all studies, the interprofessional model was viewed as effective in promoting both high-quality patient care and meaningful educational experiences. Conclusion The DEW Clinic exemplifies a scalable, interprofessional approach to chronic disease management that benefits both learners and patients. Integrating telehealth with in-person services enhances accessibility and patient engagement while offering a dynamic educational environment for health professions students. These findings support the continued development and replication of similar interprofessional models in community-based chronic care settings.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease of global public health importance which accounts for 59,000 human deaths annually. In India, about 60million stray or free ranging dogs are found in the country posing a significant risk of increase in incidences of dog bite and transmission of rabies. The aim of this study was to assess the burden of dog bites and associated healthcare seeking behavior for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in North and South Shahdara municipal zones of Delhi, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted between the period of May 2023 to November 2024 in North and South Shahdara municipal zones of Delhi. Data was collected using a semi-structured, pretested and prevalidated interviewer administered schedule from family members of selected five types of residential settlements. Total of 800 families were interviewed. The overall annual incidence of dog bites was 25.5 per 1000 population and it ranged from 15.9 in Planned Colony to 32.1 in Jhuggi Jhopri Cluster. Around three fourth (75.5%) of the total dog bite cases reported in the last one year were by stray dogs. Category III dog bites were more common across all settlements, comprising 67/102 (65.7%) of the total cases. Category II dog bites had a higher odds of receiving rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as per national guidelines compared to those with Category III dog bites (OR: 5.54, 95% CI: 2.25, 13.66). Dog bite incidence in Delhi was high and varied across type of settlements. More emphasis should be placed on mass dog vaccination and animal birth control measures in areas with high incidence of dog bites. Despite good anti-rabies vaccine uptake, the shortfall in rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) administration for high risk Category III bites highlights the need for periodic training of health workers.

Radiographic and nuclear medicine (NM) examinations utilizing pharmaceutical administration including contrast media (CM) and radiopharmaceuticals, have become essential for diagnosing a variety of diseases but may increase infection risks if infection prevention and control (IPC) are inadequately followed. This study investigates IPC knowledge and education among radiographers and NM technologists regarding pharmaceutical administration in medical imaging settings. A cross-sectional online questionnaire was administered to newly graduated radiographers and NM technologists in Australia. The survey assessed demographics, IPC knowledge, and perceived effectiveness of IPC training resources in the context of pharmaceutical administration including CM and radiopharmaceuticals. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and content analysis. Forty-five participants, mostly with bachelor's degrees and 4-5 years of experience, demonstrated high knowledge scores, with 87% scoring 9 or above. Theoretical training was rated as the most helpful IPC resource in university education. Challenges included limited practical opportunities at university, inconsistent supervision, and environmental factors affecting IPC compliance. Many participants reported gaps between university training and workplace practice, citing a need for more practical experience and targeted IPC education. The findings highlight critical gaps in IPC training for medical imaging professionals, particularly concerning the handling of CM in CT imaging. Strengthening IPC education through targeted, hands-on training and regular refresher courses is essential to improve compliance and safeguard both healthcare workers and patients. Addressing these educational gaps is vital for ensuring that medical imaging professionals are adequately prepared to reduce infection transmission risks in clinical settings.