Higher Knowledge Scores Research Articles

Knowledge and practice towards status epilepticus among emergency room physicians in the Gaza Strip: a cross-sectional study (P9-1.006)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To determine the level of knowledge and practice of Palestinian ER physicians towards status epilepticus (SE). <h3>Background:</h3> SE is a medical and neurologic emergency with many serious complications. Management is both time and knowledge-dependent. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> This cross-sectional study recruited all ER physicians working in the six main governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip during June 2022. A questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practice toward SE. <h3>Results:</h3> Overall, 137 physicians participated (response rate 81%), including 100 males and 37 females. Mean age was 28.36 years (SD 3.4). Most participants were fresh graduates (107 had graduated in 2018 or later). The mean number of status epilepticus cases per participant during the past 12 months was 4.42 (SD 6.33). Out of 22 knowledge questions, the mean score was 13.24 (SD 3.13). A weak negative correlation (−0.20) existed between age and knowledge. Also, graduates of local medical schools scored significantly higher compared to graduates of foreign medical schools (mean score 14.3 vs. 12.17, p=0.000). Only 63.5% of participants recognized the correct, updated definition of status epilepticus. On the other hand, 85.4 and 83.9% recognized that it might cause permanent brain damage or death, respectively. In terms of practice, only 51 (37.2%) participants correctly answered whether an EEG monitoring device was available at their facility or not, while 17 (12.4%) did not correctly answer if their hospital had a neurologist among the staff. Self-revision of Status epilepticus guidelines was associated significantly with higher knowledge scores. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Palestinian ER physicians in this survey demonstrated low levels of knowledge and practice towards SE. This should be addressed by the local health authorities to avoid potentially preventable SE-related mortality and morbidity. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Aldabbour has nothing to disclose. Dr. AbuNemer has nothing to disclose. Mr. Alfarra has nothing to disclose. Dr. Aldabbour has nothing to disclose. Dr. Abu Zaydah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Abuzaid has nothing to disclose.

Public knowledge of and attitudes toward genetics and genetic testing in Brunei Darussalam.

The world has been experiencing encouraging research in genetics, but current public knowledge, awareness, and perception of this area remain unknown for Brunei Darussalam. This study aimed to investigate the Brunei population's genetics and genetic testing literacy, and their attitude toward them. A cross-sectional study was carried out targeting public population in Brunei Darussalam. Questionnaires on knowledge and attitudes were randomly distributed in frequented venues in the Brunei-Muara district and uploaded online for distribution through social media. Responses were scored and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Overall, the sample population (n = 474) comprised 75.7% female, 64.3% aged 18-29 years old, 39.7% with a bachelor's degree, and 2.3% and 5.3% with a personal history and family history of genetic disease(s), respectively. Younger participants scored higher for disease-related questions and showed more concern on the impact of testing on employment but were more fearful of testing. Higher educational qualifications were associated with a higher knowledge score, a more optimistic view on DNA research, and less reluctance to take a genetic test for an untreatable disease. Participants with a personal history of genetic disease(s) were more knowledgeable and displayed higher curiosity. Participants with a family history of genetic disease(s) were also more knowledgeable and would want testing even for an untreatable disease. Significantly less was known about the social consequences of testing compared to the medical possibilities. Investigating the knowledge and attitudes of the population is vital preceding efforts toward national adaptation of genetic testing, keeping in mind the various obstacles and issues surrounding the subject.

General Public's knowledge, awareness, and perception of Cardiometabolic diseases: data from a Singapore study population.

Health literacy and illness perception play crucial roles in tackling the cardiometabolic disease epidemic. We aim to compare the attitudes, knowledge, self-perceived risks and actions taken, between individuals with and without metabolic risk factors (MFs). From 5 June to 5 October 2022, participants of the general public were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. MF status was defined as the presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and/or current/previous smoking. Participants were assessed based on four categories (knowledge-based, attitude-based, perceived risk, and action-based) of questions pertaining to four cardiometabolic diseases - diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A total of 345 participants were enrolled, of whom 34.5% had at least one MF. Compared to those without MFs, participants with MFs had lower knowledge scores, but higher perceived risk scores across all cardiometabolic diseases. The largest knowledge gap pertained to hypertension-related questions. After adjustment, linear regression demonstrated that the presence of MFs (β:2.752, 95%CI: 0.772-4.733, p = 0.007) and higher knowledge scores (β:0.418, 95%CI: 0.236-0.600, p < 0.001) were associated with higher perceived risk. Despite increased perceived risk in those with MFs, this translated to only few increased self-reported preventive actions, when compared to those without MFs, namely the reduction in red meat/processed food consumption (p = 0.045) and increase in fruits/vegetables consumption (p = 0.009). This study identified a vulnerable subpopulation living with MFs, with high perceived risks, and discordant levels of knowledge and preventive actions taken. Nationwide efforts should be channeled into addressing the knowledge-to-action gap.

Status of nutrition labeling knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of residents in the community and structural equation modeling analysis.

Unhealthy foods were a major contributor to the occurrence of chronic non-communicable diseases. The promotion of nutrition labeling in the community can effectively help residents to choose healthy foods, which plays an important role in the prevention of chronic diseases. However, the public awareness of this measure is not clear. Our study used a structural equation model based on the KAP theory to analyze the interaction mechanisms among knowledge, attitude, and practice and aimed to evaluate the relationships among nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice of residents, which can provide the basis of policy formulation for nutrition education and behavior intervention. We carried out a cross-sectional study from May 2022 to July 2022 in the "Community Health Service Center", and each "Community Service Station" in Yinchuan use a self-designed questionnaire and convenience sampling to evaluate resident nutrition labeling KAP status. This study adopted the structural equation modeling approach to analyze a survey of Chinese individuals through the cognitive processing model, interrelated nutrition knowledge, nutrition label knowledge, attitude, and practice. According to the principle of sample size estimation, a total of 636 individuals were investigated, with the ratio of male to female being 1:1.2. The average score of community residents' nutrition knowledge was 7.48 ± 3.24, and the passing rate was 19.4%. Most residents had a positive attitude toward nutrition labeling, but the awareness rate was only 32.7% and the utilization rate was 38.5%. Univariate analysis showed that women had higher knowledge scores than men (p < 0.05), and young people had higher scores than older adults (p < 0.05), and the difference was significant. Based on the KAP structural equation model (SEM), residents' nutrition knowledge will directly affect their attitude toward nutrition labeling. Attitude played a greater role as an indirect effect between knowledge and behavior, while trust limits residents' practice of nutrition labeling and then affects their practice. It could be explained that nutrition knowledge was the prerequisite for label reading behavior, and attitude was the intermediary effect. The nutrition knowledge and nutrition labeling knowledge of respondents hardly directly support the practice of nutrition labeling, but it can influence the use behavior by forming a positive attitude. The KAP model is suitable for explaining residents' use of nutrition labeling in the region. Future research should focus on better understanding the motivations of residents to use nutrition labeling and the opportunity to use nutrition labeling in real-life shopping settings.

Assessment of Public Knowledge of Hypertension Among the Saudi Population.

Background Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular illness and premature death and is becoming more prevalent worldwide. To promote better educational strategies regarding hypertension, it is crucial to identify the most significant knowledge gaps among the general public. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of hypertension among the general public in Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in Saudi Arabia. The target population was the general public aged ≥18 in Saudi Arabia. Statistical analysis was conducted using RStudio (R version 4.1.1). Numerical data were described as mean ± standard deviation or median and interquartile range (IQR) whenever applicable. P-values <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results A total of 1,404 respondents were collected. After exclusion, 1,399 records were analyzed in this study. More than half of the respondents were females (59.5%) aged 18-39 years (52.7%) and had a university degree (64.8%). Additionally, 46.0% were employed. Approximately one-quarter of the sample had hypertension (26.3%), while 73.3% had a family history of hypertension The median score was 16.0 (IQR = 12.0-18.0) with a minimum and a maximum of 0.0 and 22.0, respectively. Reliability testing revealed that knowledge items had a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.859 based on 22 knowledge items). There was no significant association between knowledge and gender and having a personal history of hypertension. However, the knowledge score differed significantly by age, educational level, employment status, and having a family history of hypertension. On the multivariate analysis, knowledge scores were independently higher among participants in the higher age categories. Moreover, having a university degree, a postgraduate degree, and a family history of hypertension were independently associated with higher knowledge scores. Conclusions This study found that the general public in Saudi Arabia had good levels of knowledge about hypertension. Being knowledgeable about hypertension not only improves adherence to treatment plans among antihypertensive patients but also aids in avoiding its occurrence and consequences among non-hypertensive patients by adopting self-care. Serial and frequent studies on this issue are recommended to gather more evidence on this topic. Ongoing hypertension education is essential to enhance knowledge to minimize the burden of this prevalent issue.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Concussion Reporting Behavior Intentions in Parents of Youth Recreational Football Players

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study: (1) Described the knowledge, attitudes, and reported behavior intentions of young recreational football players’ parents toward concussion. (2) Investigated associations of the previous variables with parent demographics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design utilized an online platform to survey parents of children (8–14 yrs.) in three youth football leagues in the southern United States. Demographics collected included items such as sex or concussion history. Knowledge was assessed via true/false items, with higher scores (0–20) representing greater concussion understanding. 4-point Likert scales were used to describe parents attitudes (1 = not at all, 4 = very much), confidence in intended recognition/reporting (1 = not-confident, 4 = extremely confident), and agreement with intended reporting behaviors (1 = strong- disagreement, 4 = strong-agreement). Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics. Mann–Whitney U test or Kruskal–Wallis Tests examined survey responses across demographics. Results: Respondents (n = 101) were primarily female (64.4%), white (81.2%), and participated in contact sport (83.2%). Parents averaged 15.9 ± 1.4 on concussion knowledge, with only 34.7% (n = 35) of parents scoring > 17/20. Statements that received the lowest average agreement (3.29/4) regarding reporting intent were related to emotional symptoms. Some parents (n = 42, 41.6%) reported low confidence in recognizing symptoms of a concussion in their child. Parent demographics did not have clinically significant associations with survey responses, with 6/7 demographic variables resulting in no statistical significance (p > .05). Conclusions: Although one-third of parents attained high knowledge scores, several reported low confidence in recognizing concussion symptoms in their children. Parents scored lower in agreement with removing their child from play when concussion symptoms were subjective. Youth sports organizations providing concussion education to parents should consider these results when revising their materials.

Adequacy of knowledge of new medical graduates about diagnosis and management of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in a developing country

BackgroundKnowledge of diabetes by the graduate physicians had been reported to be deficient in many aspects of diagnosis and management of type 1 diabetes (T1D). This will reflect on patient care and quality of health services especially in limited-resources countries. Our aim was to assess knowledge of basic management of T1D in new medical graduates in Jordan.MethodsA questionnaire was developed to collect information concerning demographics and knowledge and was distributed in paper form and online using google forms. The knowledge was assessed using 28 questions on different aspects of the disease.ResultsA total of 358 new medicine graduates responded to the survey and female respondents were significantly higher than male respondents. Average number of lectures concerning diabetes during the medical school years was 3.92 ± 1.37. High knowledge scores were on pathophysiology of T1D, hypoglycemia, and certain aspects of diabetic ketoacidosis. Female gender, higher number of persons with T1D the participant had encountered during medical school, and good or excellent expected degree of self-knowledge of diabetes were associated with high knowledge score, p values = 0.01, 0.009, and < 0.001, respectively. Female gender and good or excellent expected degree of knowledge of diabetes predicted high knowledge score, p value = 0.008, and < 0.001, respectively.ConclusionGaps in knowledge of new medical graduates in certain T1D subjects exist. This can be corrected by many strategies including changes in curricula, elective courses, more clinical exposure, and interprofessional education. These measures must be evaluated for their short and long-term benefits.

Misconceptions about multiple sclerosis and pregnancy in the Qassim region in 2021-2022: a cross-sectional study.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease with higher female prevalence, and the majority of patients are of childbearing age. Thus, pregnancy concerns are important for patients with MS and their families. Improving the understanding of the effects of pregnancy on the progress of MS could improve the knowledge about pregnancy-related issues in MS patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the general knowledge of Saudi adults living in the Qassim region regarding pregnancy-related relapses in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and to identify misconceptions regarding pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the use of oral hormonal contraceptives among female MS patients. A representative random cluster sample of 337 participants was used in this cross-sectional study. All participants were living in one of the following cities in the Qassim region: Buraydah, Unaizah, and Alrrass. Data collection was done between February 2022 and March 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire. The overall mean knowledge score was 7.42 (SD 4.21), with poor, moderate, and good knowledge representing 77.2%, 187%, and 4.2% of the sample, respectively. Higher knowledge scores were associated with age less than 40 years, being a student, knowing about MS, and knowing someone with MS. Other variables such as gender, educational level, and residence location did not show significant differences regarding the knowledge score. Our results demonstrate that knowledge and attitude are suboptimal among the Qassim population regarding the effects of MS on pregnant patients, pregnancy outcomes, breastfeeding, and usage of contraceptive methods, with 77.2% showing poor total knowledge scores.

The role of nutrition knowledge in dietary adjustments during COVID-19 pandemic

Knowledge/awareness significantly influences people's dietary choices, lifestyle, and inadvertently their health outcomes; hence it is imperative that people have correct information with regards to food and health. This study was undertaken to establish the role of nutrition knowledge on dietary choices and habits of people in Calabar, especially after the hard COVID-19 lockdown, and to ascertain if there was any positive or negative effect on the lifestyle of the people. It consisted of a cross-sectional survey in Calabar, Cross River State – Nigeria. An online questionnaire was prepared after sample size determination and its content validated. The questionnaire was designed to obtain data on the socio-economic status, participants' lifestyle, and changes in dietary intake/health before and during the COVID-19 lockdown, while the questionnaire link was in circulation for 6 weeks (April/May 2021). Descriptive statistics was used to define the proportion of responses for each question and Pearson's correlation was used to check for association between variables. Most participants were undergraduates depending on parents/sponsors. Financial decline appeared to have contributed to a post lockdown decrease in food consumption. Many (82.6%) respondents recorded high nutrition knowledge scores (NKS) and 83.1% of the respondents had high health scores. The results show that NKS influenced the kind of foods the respondents consumed frequently and there was a positive correlation between NKS consumption of fruits/vegetables. NKS had effect on their access to healthy foods and it varied significantly with respondent's total health score. No association existed between NKS and the reason for skipping meal - ‘lack of time to prepare meals’. Nutrition knowledge and proper awareness, contributed significantly in dietary choices (regardless of limited resources), thus ensuring adequate nutrition and reduced health problems (most respondents recorded high health scores) during a pandemic. This study affirms the effectiveness of adequate nutrition education and awareness in ensuring healthy dietary choices, promoting optimal health, and reducing risks of diseases.

Palestinian physicians' self-reported practice regarding antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections in primary healthcare.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial therapy knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary care physicians in the West Bank and Gaza. Between January and April 2021, this cross-sectional survey was conducted. A link to the online survey was sent via confidential email lists to 336 primary care physicians who treated patients in Ministry of Health clinics. The survey questions scoring system was devised in order to evaluate the physicians' practice, knowledge, and attitudes. Our scoring system identified favorable (good) and unfavorable (average and poor) antibiotic practices. In addition to independent t-test, the Chi-square test was used to compare the two groups of physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices with their background characteristics. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify potential confounding variables having significant relationships. Of the 336 distributed questionnaires, 316 were completed, with a response rate of 94%. More than half (54.7%) were males, half (51.6%) were between 30 and 45 years of age, and most were general practitioners (74.1%). The overall good knowledge and attitude scores were 125 (39.6%) and 194 (61.4%), respectively. More than half (58.2%) had good antibiotic prescription practices. Females reported significantly more favorable practices than males, as did family medicine specialists compared with general practitioners. Finally, knowledge about antibiotic prescriptions had a substantial impact on changing their practices. However, physicians' attitudes toward antibiotic prescriptions did not have a significant role in shaping their practices. Overuse of antibiotics is a significant health issue in Palestine and worldwide. Most physicians know that improper antibiotic usage can cause antimicrobial resistance. More than two-thirds avoided needless antimicrobial prescriptions. In practicing antimicrobial stewardship, most prescribed fewer antibiotics and did not prescribe because of patient pressure. Family medicine specialists, female doctors, and those with high knowledge scores regardless of caseload were more likely to have good practices.

Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice with regards to nutritional management of diabetes mellitus

BackgroundThe prevalence of diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide. Nurses work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to improve diabetes management. Yet, little is known about nurses’ role in nutritional management of diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) toward nutritional management of diabetes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 nurses, who were recruited between July 4 and July 18, 2021 from two referral tertiary teaching hospitals in Iran. A validated paper-based self-reported questionnaire was used to assess nurses’ KAP. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsThe mean knowledge score of nurses about nutritional management of diabetes was 12.16 ± 2.83, and 61.2% showing a moderate knowledge level on nutritional management of diabetes. The mean attitudes score was 60.68 ± 6.11, with 86.92% of participants demonstrating positive attitudes. The mean practice score of study participants was 44.74 ± 7.81, with 51.9% having a moderate level of practice. Higher knowledge scores were observed among male nurses (B = -7.55, p = 0.009) and those with blended learning as a preferred learning method (B = 7.28, p = 0.029). Having an opportunity to provide education to patients with diabetes during shifts affected nurses’ attitudes positively (B = -7.59, p = 0.017). Practice scores were higher among nurses who perceived themselves competent in the nutritional management of diabetes (B = -18.05, p = 0.008).ConclusionNurses’ knowledge and practice in the nutritional management of diabetes should be increased to help improve the quality of the dietary care and patient education they provide these patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the results of this study both in Iran and internationally.

Factors Associated with Psychotropic Medications Literacy among Community Pharmacists.

Background and objectives: Community pharmacists play an important role in ensuring the patient's adherence to medications, thus achieving therapeutic outcomes. The present study had two aims: to measure the extent of knowledge that community pharmacists had about psychotropic medications and to determine the factors associated with higher knowledge scores. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, using a structured online questionnaire. The study instrument assessed demographics, general practice characteristics related to psychotropics and a battery of factual questions that assessed the knowledge of pharmacists about psychotropic medications using closed-ended responses. A total knowledge score consisting of the sum of correct responses was calculated; the passing score was 75%. A total of 676 pharmacists completed the survey. Results: Only 20% passed the threshold score (75%) for the factual knowledge questions, and only (11.0%) were very comfortable with their knowledge of psychotropic agents. A total of 49.0% of the respondents felt that they had been adequately trained to counsel patients on psychotropic agents. According to the regression model, pharmacists who reported higher knowledge were more experienced (0.63, (0.26-1.0), p < 0.001), reported studying the topic in the pharmacy school (0.77 (0.27-1.26), p = 0.002) holding a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree (0.24 (0.05-0.43), p = 0.01), and reported a higher perceived knowledge (0.29 (0.01-0.38), p = 0.038). Conclusion: Community pharmacists reported poor knowledge of psychotropic medications, and continuous medical and professional education programs are mandatory.

The relationship between diabetes-related knowledge and kidney disease knowledge, attitudes, and practices: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the main noncommunicable diseases encountered in primary health care clinics. DM is considered one of the most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients with DM on the early detection and prevention of CKD, determine its relationship with other variables, and examine the relationship between KAP scores for the prevention and early detection of CKD and the Michigan Diabetic Knowledge Test.MethodsWe collected data from 2 Nablus primary healthcare centers using a questionnaire that contains three sections: sociodemographic section, questions related to DM, and CKD screening index, which is formed of three scales. We used the Michigan Diabetic Knowledge Test (MDKT) to assess the knowledge of diabetic patients.ResultsThe study was carried out among 386 diabetic patients with a mean age of 57.62 ± 12.4 years (ranging from 28 to 90). The median (interquartile range) was 11 (8–14) for the knowledge scale, 56 (52–59) for the attitude scale, and 30 (26–33) for the practice scale. In the multiple linear regression, only patients under 55 years old (p = 0.012), with normal BMI (p = 0.030), high educational level (p < 0.001), high monthly income (p = 0.020), and MDKT test score (p = 0.007) were significantly associated with higher knowledge score. Furthermore, patients who were over or equal to 55 years old (p = 0.007), had a high monthly income (p = 0.016), used a single oral diabetic drug (p = 0.003), had a total number of medications less than 4 (p = 0.010), and had a high knowledge and MDKT test were significantly associated with a higher attitude score. Finally, a patient with normal BMI (p = 0.002), city residency (p = 0.034), high educational level (p = 0.003), less frequent tobacco use (p < 0.001), last HbA1c (p = 0.023) and greater knowledge, attitude, and MDKT score were significantly associated with better practices toward CKD prevention and early detection.ConclusionRegarding KAP analysis, higher practice scores for the prevention and early detection of CKD were significantly associated with patients with normal BMI, being city residents, high educational level, less tobacco use, last HbA1c below 7, and higher knowledge, attitude, and MDKT score.

Factors Affecting the Breastfeeding Duration of Infants and Young Children in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

To investigate the factors affecting the duration of continuous breastfeeding of infants within 2 years of age, and to explore intervention strategies that may promote breastfeeding duration in China. A self-made electronic questionnaire was used to investigate the breastfeeding duration of infants, and the influencing factors were collected from three levels of individual, family, and social support. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and the multivariable ordinal logistic regression model were used for data analysis. Subgroup analysis was carried out according to region and parity. A total of 1001 valid samples from 26 provinces across the country were obtained. Among them, 9.9% breastfed for less than 6 months, 38.6% for 6 to 12 months, 31.8% for 12 to 18 months, 6.7% for 18 to 24 months, and 13.1% for more than 24 months. Barriers to sustained breastfeeding included the mother's age at birth being over 31, education level below junior high, cesarean delivery, and the baby's first nipple sucking at 2 to 24 h after birth. Factors that promote continued breastfeeding included freelancer or full-time mother, high breastfeeding knowledge score, supporting breastfeeding, baby with low birth weight, first bottle feeding at 4 months and later, first supplementary food at over 6 months old, high family income, the mother's family and friends supporting breastfeeding, breastfeeding support conditions after returning to work, etc. Conclusion: The breastfeeding duration in China is generally short, and the proportion of mothers breastfeeding until the age of 2 years and above, recommended by WHO, is very low. Multiple factors at the individual, family, and social support levels influence the duration of breastfeeding. It is suggested to improve the current situation by strengthening health education, improving system security, and enhancing social support.

Acceptance and hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccine among university students in Egypt: a nationwide survey

BackgroundThe public's willingness to be vaccinated will determine the success of the COVID-19 vaccination program. The aim of this study was to identify acceptance and hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccine among university students in Egypt, assess their level of knowledge about COVID-19 vaccine and identify factors that influence their intention towards COVID-19 vaccination.MethodsA standardized and self-administered questionnaire was distributed among university students allover Egypt. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine, knowledge and beliefs about it and status of COVID-19 vaccination. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptancy.ResultsA total of 1071 of university students were involved, with a mean age of 20.51 years (SD = 1.66) and 68.2% were females. COVID-19 vaccination acceptability rate was 69.0% while hesitancy was 20.8% and resistancy was 10.2%. Median knowledge score of 4 out of 8 (IQR = 8). The main motivation for vaccine acceptance was fear of being infected (53.6%) and desire to get back to normal life (51.0%) while the main barriers against getting vaccinated were being afraid of serious side effects. Univariate regression analysis revealed an increasing likelihood of vaccine acceptancy associated with an active lifestyle (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04–1.75, p = 0.025), a high knowledge score (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.42–1.66, p < 0.001), and positive vaccine beliefs.ConclusionThere is a high rate of acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination among university students. Vaccine acceptability is associated with an active lifestyle, a high knowledge score and positive vaccine beliefs. Educational campaigns and efforts aiming to raise awareness about safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines need to be directed to this important population.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Saudi Women: Knowledge and Misconceptions.

The rate of sexually transmitted diseases is increasing globally. Thus, this study aimed to examine the Al akami female community's knowledge about the nature of sexually transmitted diseases and their associated factors. The STDs-Knowledge Questionnaire (STDs-KQ) was utilized to collect data from the female community (355) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The data were analyzed using JMP Statistics for Windows, version 15. The significance level was set at 0.05. The study reported that participants had a relatively low understanding of STDs in acquisition, protection, prevention, and clinical signs and symptoms; only 33 (9%) had high knowledge scores (10-18), while 70% thought one virus caused all forms of STDs. Also, only 15% of the respondents knew the clinical features of the Chlamydia infection, and 18% identified the correct mode of its transmission. Also, older participants with clinical exposure had a higher knowledge score than young and single females, p < 0.05. A positive correlation between age and knowledge score was reported, r (354) = 0.339, p < 0.0001. The low knowledge scores were associated with marital status, age, and clinical exposure. Practical strategies to minimize literacy toward sexual education and increase the quality of sexual life must be promoted by educators and the academic curriculum.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Small Animal Veterinarians on Antimicrobial Use Practices Impacting the Selection of Antimicrobial Resistance in Dogs and Cats in Illinois, United States: A Spatial Epidemiological Approach

Inappropriate antimicrobial use in animals and humans has been associated with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, which has become a global public health concern. Veterinarians' practice locations and their knowledge and opinions on antimicrobial resistance may influence their antimicrobial prescription practices, which could impact the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study used a spatial modeling approach to identify areas where veterinarians are knowledgeable about factors that impact the selection of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, we sought to identify regions with higher- and lower-than-expected response rates to our survey to aid future antimicrobial stewardship efforts. A total of 83 veterinarians who treated dogs and/or cats across 34 different Illinois counties responded to our online survey. Most of the responders (90.9%) considered that insufficient doses or duration of antibiotic treatments contribute the most to the selection of antimicrobial resistance. A high proportion of veterinarians (78.7%) attended educational programs on antimicrobial use and resistance; however, only 46.2% were knowledgeable about the current antimicrobial resistance profiles of prevalent bacteria in their area. A mean knowledge score for each county was calculated based on the responses of veterinarians to the survey questions. Local Moran's I statistic was used to identify counties with high and low knowledge scores. A high knowledge score area in the northeast region and a low knowledge score area in the southeast of Illinois were identified. Using scan statistics with a Poisson model that accounted for the estimated number of veterinarians in a county, a higher-than-expected response rate area was identified in central-east Illinois and a lower-than-expected area in the northeast. This study showed the effectiveness of using geographic analysis and spatial statistics to identify locations where future antimicrobial stewardship programs should focus.

Dental and oral health students’ preparedness for the management of deaf patients: A cross-sectional survey

Background/purposeThe communication barrier that deaf people face when seeking dental care can impact their experience and may potentially lead to exacerbated dental fear or anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the current attitudes and levels of knowledge and confidence of Australian oral and dental health students in treating a deaf patient. Materials and methodsA 33-item cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed to Australian dental, oral health therapy and dental hygiene students across 13 tertiary institutions. The online questionnaire was distributed to students via their respective course coordinators. Results271 viable survey responses were received. While 55.7% of participants reported previous exposure to deaf or hard-of-hearing people, 90.8% had never completed or attempted an Auslan class. These participants who answered ‘Yes’ to having taken a prior Auslan class were reported to have significantly higher mean knowledge scores and confidence self-efficacy ratings than those who had answered ‘No’ (p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant association between higher knowledge scores and higher confidence self-efficacy ratings. Most of these participants that answered ‘Yes’ to having taken a prior Auslan class implied or stated that the party responsible for changing their communication behaviour was the dentist rather than the patient, in contrast to the inconsistent responses from the ‘No’ group. ConclusionInadequate knowledge and cultural competency regarding the Deaf population was reported by Australian dental, oral health therapy and hygiene students. Incorporating more training pertinent to dental curricula is warranted to minimise oral health inequalities.

Evaluation of the Lebanese Adults' Knowledge Regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The daily functioning and overall well-being of people with ASD depends largely on understanding how the wider public views ASD. Indeed, an increased level of ASD knowledge in the general population may result in earlier diagnosis, earlier intervention, and better overall outcomes. The present study aimed to examine the current state of ASD knowledge, beliefs, and sources of information in a Lebanese general population sample, to identify the factors that could influence this knowledge. A total of 500 participants were involved in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted in Lebanon between May 2022 and August 2022 using the Autism Spectrum Knowledge scale, General Population version (ASKSG). Overall, the participants' understanding of autism spectrum disorder was low, with a mean score of 13.8 (6.69) out of 32, or 43.1%. The highest knowledge score was found for items related to knowledge of the symptoms and associated behaviors (52%). However, the level of knowledge regarding the etiology and prevalence, assessment and diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and prognosis of the disease was low (29%, 39.2%, 46%, and 43.4%, respectively). Moreover, age, gender, place of residence, sources of information, and ASD case were all statistically significant predictors of ASD knowledge (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.012, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The general public in Lebanon perceive a lack of awareness and insufficient knowledge regarding ASD. This results in delayed identification and intervention, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes in patients. Raising awareness about autism among parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals should be a top priority.

An assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding organ donation among students and physicians.

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of students and physicians regarding tissue and organ donation at a teaching hospital. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, in 2019, and comprised physicians and students of ether gender. Data was collected using a 43-item self-administered questionnaire. Dichotomous questions were scored as 1 or 0, while multiple-option questions were scored as 2, 1 or 0. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. Of the 859 subjects, 761(88.6%) were students with a mean age of 20.3±1.5 years and 98(11.4%) were physicians with a mean age of 30.6±9.4. Among the students, 630(82.8%) were medical students, while 131(17.2%) were dental. The largest group among the students was of those in the second year of their studies 271(35.6%). Besides, 531(69.8%) and 64(65.3%) physicians were females. Compared to males, female students reported better mean scores in terms of attitude, while higher practice scores were obtained by both male students and physicians (p=0.021). Muslim subjects scored comparatively lower in knowledge, attitude and practice terms than non-Muslims (p<0.05). There were high knowledge and attitude scores, while scores reflecting practice were low. Effective measures should be taken to encourage medical professionals to donate organs and promote organ donation.