Implementation Of Health Education Programs Research Articles

Human rights health care measures reporting physical fitness test for ages 6 to 17 with 10-year follow-up

Purpose This study aims to compare the physical fitness test results of Japanese children in 2008 and 2018 to narrow the gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy and extend healthy life expectancy. In addition, this paper sought to explore the potential of implementing health education programs as a new social context to promote race equality and human rights in health and social care. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted in 2008 and 2018 in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Physical fitness tests related to growth and development were administered to participants aged 6–17 years. Findings Physical fitness measurements in 2018, specifically those for walking ability and endurance, were significantly inferior to those in 2008. In a gender-specific analysis, boys outperformed girls in muscle strength, muscle endurance, walking ability and endurance tests, while girls outperformed boys in the balance test. Research limitations/implications Most of the junior and senior high school students who participated in the EO test exceeded the upper limit of 120 s, suggesting that the load of the measurement method is low and improvement is necessary. In 2018, a large variation in 6M results was observed among participants, possibly due to the differences in the level of seriousness during the 6M test. Therefore, to ensure that junior and senior high school students properly perform the EO and 6M tests, it is necessary to devise an effective method of implementation, such as changing the physical fitness test load. Originality/value Mere health education is ineffective to address health inequalities. Addressing structural factors is essential to avoid unintended consequences such as increasing the gap between groups of people. However, one way to extend healthy life expectancy is to improve overall health, including differences in the health status of groups due to differences in region and socioeconomic status.

Perception on health and exercise among indonesian older adults: a sequential exploratory study in javanese rural communities

This study aims to investigate the perceptions of health and exercise among older adults in rural Javanese communities in Indonesia. Through a sequential exploratory approach, the research uncovers diverse levels of knowledge regarding health and exercise among the rural population. There are 40 older adults from three different regency in Central Java Province participated in filling out the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Further qualitative analysis used 25 samples out of 40 through convenient method. Semi-structured interview is conducted to confirm results of questionnaire and explore their perception on health and exercise. Despite variations, a predominant belief emerges among participants regarding the significant health benefits associated with exercise. Analysis reveals that a considerable majority (87.5%) of participants meet the World Health Organization's recommended standards of >600 METs/week, primarily through work-related physical activities. However, there remains a notable disparity in the prevalence of physical activity during leisure time, particularly in engaging in sport-related physical activities. The accumulated METs score dominantly comes from work and travel-related activities. Qualitative study reveals that there are still few initiatives among older adults to adopt a healthy living through sports and exercise. Some believe that sports were never part of their culture. To address these findings, we urge for strategic interventions from stakeholders to enhance awareness among rural older adults about the importance of sports and exercise to enhance the overall well-being. This entails the implementation of health education programs and the facilitation of collective exercise activities at the village level. Keywords: health, exercise, older adults, rural communities, GPAQ

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INVOLUNTARY ABSENTEEISM AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ALEBTONG DISTRICT. A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY .

Background Involuntary student absenteeism in secondary schools is when students have to miss school due to unavoidable circumstances and cannot attend school regularly, despite there being hardship associated with it. The study aims to assess the relationship between involuntary absenteeism and the academic performance of students in secondary schools in the Alebtong district. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted where quantitative data was collected.A sample size of 115 respondents which included 87 students in candidate class (s.4), 24 teachers, and 4 members of the Board of Governors. Results There was also a negative correlation between involuntary absenteeism and academic performance (-0.323**)., there is a decrease of 0.390 units in academic performance. This coefficient is also statistically significant (p < 0.001), indicating that involuntary absenteeism has a negative association with academic performance. The R-squared value of 0.630 suggests that 63% of the variation in academic performance can be accounted for by involuntary absenteeism. On student illnesses, this factor was perceived to have a high impact on involuntary absenteeism and academic performance. The mean response was 4.2 suggesting that respondents disagreed that students often fall ill and get hospitalized, resulting in missed lessons, exams, and assignments. This indicates that respondents believed student illnesses significantly affect academic performance. Conclusion Student illnesses, family emergencies, and inadequate resources have a high impact on involuntary absenteeism and academic performance in secondary schools in the Alebtong district. Heavy rainfall and flooding, teacher strikes, and natural disasters were perceived to have a lower impact. Recommendation Efforts should be made to address and mitigate student illnesses and chronic health conditions. This can include implementing health education programs in schools, providing access to healthcare facilities, and creating a supportive environment for students with health challenges.

SÍFILIS NA POPULAÇÃO VULNERÁVEL: ESTRATÉGIAS DE INTERVENÇÃO E INCLUSÃO

This article explores intervention and inclusion strategies for syphilis control in vulnerable populations, employing a bibliographic and quantitative methodological approach. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection of significant global concern, disproportionately affects marginalized groups due to socioeconomic factors and barriers to accessing healthcare services. Studies indicate that implementing health education programs and promoting regular testing are crucial to reducing syphilis incidence in these populations (Smith, 2020). Additionally, community initiatives focused on increasing awareness and access to treatment have proven effective in addressing this public health issue (Johnson & Miller, 2019). Quantitative data reinforce the need for an integrated and inclusive approach involving healthcare professionals, community organizations, and public policies, as essential for syphilis control in vulnerable populations.

Lifestyle in students from a private university: A descriptive study

Introduction: the lifestyles of university students are essential, as they impact their physical and mental well-being, as well as academic success.Objective: to analyze the lifestyles of students majoring in Administration, Accounting, and Law at a private university in the Peruvian Amazon.Methods: a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A total of 285 students participated and were administered the Lifestyle Profile (PEPS-I), an instrument with adequate metric properties. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to categorize the variable and dimensions according to cut-off points. Similarly, the non-parametric Chi-Square test was used to determine whether lifestyles were significantly associated with the proposed sociodemographic and employment-related variables.Results: it was found that 40,7 % of the students had a less healthy lifestyle, 32,3 % had a healthy lifestyle, and 27 % had an unhealthy lifestyle. Likewise, the dimensions of nutrition, exercise, and health responsibility were also rated as unhealthy, while the dimensions of stress management, interpersonal support, and self-actualization were rated as healthy. Furthermore, it was found that lifestyles were associated with some sociodemographic variables, such as gender and socioeconomic level.Conclusions: the students were characterized by having a less healthy lifestyle. Based on the results found, it is imperative that universities implement health education programs focused on promoting healthy lifestyle habits

Parents' Awareness, Knowledge, and Perception of Amblyopia in Children: A Study in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Amblyopia is a vision disorder that results from a development problem in the brain rather than a neurological disease in the eye. The condition causes reduced visual acuity in one or both eyes due to the brain's inability to process inputs, rather than a structural abnormality. This study aims to assess parents' awareness, knowledge, and perception of amblyopia in their children in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that used an electronic questionnaire consisting of five main sections to assess the level of awareness of amblyopia among parents in the Jazan region. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.25, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized to input the data. The degree to which participants' level of awareness was related to variables such as age, gender, and educational level was assessed through the chi-square test (χ2), and any values that scored p-values under 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results The analysis included 572 participants, 395 mothers (69.0%) and 177 fathers (31.0%). The age groups of the participants were divided into 36-45 years (38.0%), 26-35 years (36.0%), and above 46 years (17.0%). Out of the total, 36 participants (6.0%) had a history of amblyopia, and 73 (13.0%) had a child who suffered from amblyopia. The findings showed that only 18 participants (3.1%) had a good awareness of amblyopia, while 242 (42.3%) had a fair level of awareness. Most participants, 312 (54.5%), were classified as having a poor awareness level of amblyopia.Parents with postgraduate degrees, those with prior awareness, and parents whose children had eye diseases demonstrated higher levels of good awareness. However, gender, age, and residency did not have significant associations with awareness levels. Conclusion While parents must be involved in managing amblyopia, our research found that more than half of the parents surveyed had a limited understanding of various aspects of the disease, which can cause permanent damage to their child's vision. Therefore, we recommend implementing health education programs to increase awareness and knowledge about amblyopia in Jazan.

Nigerian parents and caregivers knowledge, attitude and willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.

In order to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, a significant proportion of the population will need to be vaccinated. Experts have recommended that African children be allowed to get vaccinated to protect them from emerging variants of COVID-19 infection. This study investigated Nigerian parents and caregivers' knowledge, attitude, and willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once the vaccines are made available to them. A cross-sectional online survey of 500 parents/caregivers was conducted in Nigeria. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of and attitude toward COVID-19 infection and vaccination, willingness to vaccinate their child and factors that could influence their decision to vaccinate their child. A scoring system was used to classify the level of knowledge and attitude of participants into 2 categories, namely poor, and good. We analyzed data obtained using SPSS Version 22. Majority of the participants were females (63.6%). Analysis of responses revealed good knowledge and attitude in 265 (53.0%) and 266 (53.2%) respondents, respectively. Overall, less than half of the parents/caregivers (48.4%) expressed intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Factors associated with willingness to vaccinate children against COVID-19 included age greater than 40 years, male gender, residing in Southern Nigeria, having good knowledge, knowing an infected person or a vaccinated person, feeling they or their child is at risk of contracting COVID-19 infection, willingness to vaccinate self against COVID-19 and good attitude. Significant predictors of willingness to vaccinate their child include age greater than 40 years [AOR: 2.56; 95% CI = (1.14-5.76)], willingness to vaccinate self [AOR: 1016.81; 95% CI = (128.51-8045.60)] and good attitude [AOR: 6.21; 95% CI = (2.83-13.64)]. This study revealed that parental willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 is low and identified factors influencing it. It is important to develop and implement health education programs iterating the risk of children getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants to ensure optimal uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in Nigerian children.

Knowledge, Perception and Attitude on Otitis Media Among Parents With Children 5 Years and Below

Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear mucosa presenting with symptoms of otalgia, fever, ear tugging, frequent crying at night and ear discharge through a tympanic membrane perforation. Globally, otitis media is a common health problem among children and causes an unpleasant feeling and complications to children. The purpose of this study is to determine knowledge, perception and attitude on otitis media among parents of children five years and below who seek health care at Abuakwa Polyclinic. This study used a quantitative cross-sectional design and 114 parents of children 5 years and below were recruited using non-probability method of convenient sampling. The findings suggest that the surveyed parents had a reasonable level of knowledge regarding otitis media. They generally understood that it is an infection and inflammation of the middle ear, recognized common risk factors, and can identify the typical clinical manifestations. The findings reveal varied perceptions and knowledge among parents regarding otitis media. While there is generally a good understanding of certain aspects such as causative organisms, clinical manifestations, and complications, there are also areas where misconceptions or uncertainty exist, such as the need for antibiotics and the long-term prognosis of the condition. The findings highlight the diverse attitudes of parents towards otitis media. A significant number of parents demonstrate a proactive approach by seeking prompt treatment and opting for hospital care, there are also variations in treatment preferences, with a minority favoring traditional or alternative methods. Factors such as accessibility, waiting times, previous experience, financial constraints, treatment effectiveness were socio-economic factors influencing parents attitude and their choice of where to seek care. The study recommends that ENT professionals in collaboration with the district public health team are to initiate and implement health education programs on otitis media to create more awareness among parents with children 5 years and below

Buffering against exposure to mental health misinformation in online communities on Facebook: the interplay of depression literacy and expert moderation

BackgroundThe proliferation of health misinformation on social media is a growing public health concern. Online communities for mental health (OCMHs) are also considered an outlet for exposure to misinformation. This study explored the impact of the self-reported volume of exposure to mental health misinformation in misinformation agreement and the moderating effects of depression literacy and type of OCMHs participation (expert vs. peer-led).MethodsParticipants (n = 403) were recruited in Italian-speaking OCMHs on Facebook. We conducted regression analyses using PROCESS macro (moderated moderation, Model 3). Measures included: the Depression Literacy Questionnaire (Griffiths et al., 2004), the self-reported misinformation exposure in the OCMHs (3 items), and misinformation agreement with the exposure items (3 items). Whether participants were members of expert or peer-led OCMHs was also investigated.ResultsThe final model explained the 12% variance in the agreement. There was a positive and significant relationship between misinformation exposure and misinformation agreement (β = 0.3221, p < .001), a significant two-way interaction between misinformation exposure and depression literacy (β = − 0.2179, p = .0014 ), and between self-reported misinformation exposure and type of OCMH (β = − 0.2322, p = .0254), such that at higher levels of depression literacy and in case of participation to expert-led OCMHs, the relationship misinformation exposure-misinformation agreement was weaker. Finally, a three-way interaction was found (β = 0.2497, p = .0144) that showed that depression literacy moderated the positive relationship between misinformation exposure and misinformation agreement such that the more misinformation participants were exposed to, the more they agreed with it unless they had higher levels of depression literacy; this, however, occurred only if they participated in peer-led groups.ConclusionsResults provide evidence that the more members reported being exposed to mental health misinformation, the more they tended to agree with it, however this was only visible when participants had lower depression literacy and were participating in peer-led OCMHs. Results of this study suggest that both internal factors (i.e., high depression literacy) and external factors (the type of online community individuals were participating in) can buffer the negative effects of misinformation exposure. It also suggests that increasing depression literacy and expert community moderation could curb the negative consequences of misinformation exposure related to mental health. Results will guide interventions to mitigate the effects of misinformation in OCMHs, including encouraging health professionals in their administration and implementing health education programs.

Physical Inactivity is Associated with Job Burnout in Health Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The pandemic has drastically impacted lifestyles, including the frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity, which, in turn, leads to negative effects on job burnout among healthcare workers. This study evaluated the association between the level of physical activity and job burnout in a sample of health professionals during health emergency. In this cross-sectional study, 300 workers working in a public hospital, located in the city of Rioja, Department of San Martin, Peru, were considered. Data were collected through an online and face-to-face survey. Job burnout was assessed using a validated questionnaire adapted to the Peruvian population and physical activity was assessed based on a single item. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were created to assess the association between the frequency of physical activity performed weekly and the level of job burnout. In the crude models, it was observed that participants who performed physical activity 1-2 times, 3-4 times, or more than 4 times per week had, respectively, 6.29 (95% CI, 11.00-1.59), 14.28 (95% CI, 21.70-6.85), and 14.95 (95% CI, 25.17-4.72) lower job burnout points compared to those who never performed physical activity. In the model adjusted for confounding variables, the association of this result was maintained, showing a dose-response effect. These findings suggest the need for the implementation of health education programs that include physical activity to minimize the negative effects of job burnout and ensure better medical care by health professionals for the benefit of patients.

Level of knowledge on the effect of fast foods on health among young hypertensive patients in Bangladesh

Young people make up a sizable share of the global population, and most of them reside in developing nations. They consume too much fast food and obesity at a young age is becoming a worldwide epidemic, putting them at risk for nutritional issues from a physiological as well as psychological perspective. Eating fast food has several negative effects on health. Bangladesh's circumstance is not any different. Thus, this study was conducted to identify the level of knowledge on the effect of fast foods on health among young hypertensive patients in Bangladesh. In a tertiary-level cardiology hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 150 young (20 to 35 years old) hypertension patients participated in a descriptive-type cross-sectional study from November to December 2022. Every stage of the study protected the respondents' anonymity, and participants were made aware that they could withdraw from the program at any point while data was being collected. In total, 25.3 percent of respondents had a good knowledge of the impact of fast food on health, compared to 46.0 percent who had moderate knowledge. It was also found that respondents' knowledge level was substantially correlated with their level of education, occupation, and monthly household income. Given this, various measures should be implemented, such as the implementation of health education programs in communities, schools, and universities, to increase the level of public awareness of the effects of fast food on health.

Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and its associated factors toward COVID-19 pandemic among Bangladeshi older adults.

The newly emerged COVID-19 has an unprecedented impact on all classes of people, particularly the elderly. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of older adults toward COVID-19 are currently unknown. This study aimed to investigate the KAP and its associated factors toward COVID-19 among older adults in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to May 2021 among Bangladeshi older adults. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data from five selected divisions in Bangladesh using simple random sampling. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic characteristics, disease conditions, and KAP toward COVID-19. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression analyses were performed. Out of 900 respondents, the majority of older adults (82.9%) indicated that COVID-19 is a viral disease and the major clinical symptom of COVID-19 (86.5%). Only 22.1% of participants always washed their hands with soap or hand sanitizer, and 27.6% wore a mask to protect against the virus when going outside the home. Overall, 55.2% had adequate knowledge, 50.2% had positive attitudes toward COVID-19 and only 22.7% had good practices. Out of 30 scores, mean score values were 20.8±6.7 in the knowledge section, 21.2±4.3 in the attitude section, and 11.3±6.7 in the practice section out of 30. In binary logistic regression analysis, factors associated with poor knowledge, and practices were being male, aged >70 years, having a primary education, less income <5000BDT, and multimorbidity (p < 0.05). Participants having poor knowledge of COVID-19 had higher likelihood of negative attitudes (OR: 6.79, 95% CI = 4.87-9.47, p < 0.001) and poor practices (OR: 9.15, 95% CI = 6.94-13.16, p < 0.001). The findings highlight the need for immediate implementation of health education programs and adequate intervention programs for COVID-19 which integrates consideration of associated factors to improve the level of older adults' knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Awareness of Palestinian Women About Breast Cancer Risk Factors: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to assess awareness of Palestinian women about breast cancer (BC) age-related and lifetime risks and its risk factors and to identify factors associated with good awareness. Adult women were recruited from government hospitals, primary health care centers, and public spaces in 11 governorates in Palestine. Recognition of 14 BC risk factors was assessed using a translated-into-Arabic version of the validated BC awareness measure. The level of BC risk factor awareness was determined on the basis of the number of risk factors recognized: poor (0-4), fair (5-9), and good (10-14). Of 6,269 potential participants approached, 5,434 agreed and completed the questionnaire (response rate = 86.7%). A total of 5,257 questionnaires were included: 2,706 from the West Bank and Jerusalem and 2,551 from the Gaza Strip. Only 173 participants (3.3%) recognized the age-related risk of BC. More than one quarter (n = 1,465; 27.9%) recognized the lifetime risk of BC. The most recognized modifiable risk factor was not breastfeeding (n = 4,937; 93.9%), whereas the least recognized was having children later on in life or not at all (n = 1,755; 33.4%). The most recognized nonmodifiable risk factor was radiation exposure (n = 4,579; 87.1%), whereas the least recognized was starting the periods at an early age (n = 1,030; 19.6%). In total, 2,024 participants (38.4%) demonstrated good BC risk factor awareness. Participants from the Gaza Strip had a higher likelihood than participants from the West Bank and Jerusalem to have good awareness (42.0% v 35.2%). Age ≥ 40 years, postsecondary education, and visiting hospitals and primary health care centers were all associated with an increase in the likelihood of having good BC risk factor awareness. The awareness of BC risk factors was suboptimal. These findings highlight the need for implementing health education programs combined with consistent use of ad hoc opportunities to raise awareness by health care providers.

Explaining the experiences of health care providers regarding organizational factors affecting health education: a qualitative study

BackgroundHealth education is considered the most important component of primary health care. Paying attention to organizational factors can help to improve the quality of health education. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explain organizational factors affecting health education among health care providers.MethodThis is a qualitative, descriptive, and phenomenological study that was conducted between 2020 -2022 on 50 health care workers who had been selected by purposeful sampling method in different settings including hospitals, GP office, behavioral disease counseling center, universities, and comprehensive health centers in the south and the center region of Iran. Data were collected by in-depth, semi-structured, and individual interviews, as well as focus group discussion, and continued until data saturation. Data were analyzed by MAXQDA software using qualitative content analysis in three stages: preparation, organization, and reporting. To evaluate the scientific accuracy of the findings in this study, 4 criteria of Lincoln & Guba were used.ResultsThe results revealed that every practice and policy in a health care organization from assessing needs, setting goals, planning activities, implementations and measurement outcome could affect health education practice and subsequently the health of population; nevertheless, the crucial role of health education practice is being neglected in health organizations. Organizational factors affecting health education were classified into three categories of planning, organizing, and also monitoring and evaluating. The category of planning had three subcategories of infrastructure planning, manpower planning, and design and planning for implementation of health education programs. The categories of organizing had two subcategories of coordination between different units of the Minister of Health and coordination between the health sector and other sectors of society. The categories of monitoring and evaluation had three subcategories of proper feedback, bureaucracy system, reward or reinforcement, failure to define health education as part of the job description, and the impact of electronic health records on the quality of evaluation.ConclusionThe results offer expertise and preliminary tools to help with evidence-based health education program planning and evaluation. The Support of managers, like providing manpower in accordance with the target population and infrastructure, can improve health education in the health system. In addition, intra- and inter-sectoral coordination at different levels of the health system to implement tailored programs according to the needs of clients by health education professionals, and the use of health education theories seem necessary. It is also recommended to review the monitoring system with appropriate feedback, define health education as a healthy activity, and develop appropriate criteria for better implementation of health education.

Medication Adherence Among Hypertensive Patients Attending Different Primary Health Centers in Abha, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and ObjectivesOptimal blood pressure control is achieved by medication adherence. This will reduce the risk of associated morbidities and mortalities. The present study aimed to determine medication adherence and its associated factors among hypertensive patients attending different primary health centers (PHC) in Abha, Saudi Arabia (KSA).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among ten different PHCs in Abha, KSA. Simple random sampling procedure was utilized to choose 400 participants. A structured anonymous questionnaire was used in the present study. Analysis of the data was done using the SPSS program, version 23. A logistic regression statistical test was applied to identify the independent associated factors of medication adherence. Furthermore, we have applied Spearman’s test to find the correlation between overall B-IPQ score and medication adherence score.ResultsA total of 400 hypertensive patients responded in the present survey. More than one-third of the participants (36.3%) were in the high adherence category group, while the remaining participants (63.7%) were either low or medium adherence category. The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that low and medium adherence category is significantly associated with age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.96, 95% CI =0.93–0.99, p = 0.021), married participants (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI =0.33–0.58, p = 0.001), residing at village (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI =1.14–1.73, p = 0.038), and participants with monthly family income of 5000 to 7000 SAR (AOR = 3.06, 95% CI =1.62–5.79, p = 0.001). A negligible positive correlation was revealed between illness perception and medication adherence.ConclusionThe present study revealed that hypertensive patients poorly adhere to their antihypertensive medications. This low adherence is significantly associated with the age, monthly income, people living in rural areas, and married participants. The present study results recommend sustained efforts to implement health education programs and awareness-raising interventions targeted at hypertensive patients.

Factors Affecting Anxiety in Older Adults in South Korea

The older adult population is rapidly increasing in South Korea. Because older adults experience more loss, their anxiety related to aging may be more serious than that of other age groups. The present study analyzed the demographic, health, economic, and psychological factors that affect anxiety in older adults. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze data on 1,055 individuals over 65 years of age from the Survey on Social and Psychological Anxiety of the Korean Society in 2015. Marital status, education, health status, drinking status, degree of preparation for old age, and depression had significant effects on anxiety in older adults. This study suggests practical and policy measures for older adults to alleviate their concerns and anxiety about aging. Suggestions are made for successful aging in contemporary society, which include strengthening the care system, revitalizing health promotion projects, and implementing health education programs. Future studies should examine several measures to reduce or prevent anxiety in older adults.

Caregivers burnout of their children with thalassemia

Background: Thalassemia has a negative influence on emotional and social life of caregivers as it is associated with significant social disruption, emotional or psychological stress and highly involved with children's psychological problems. Aim: The study aimed to assess caregivers` burnout of their children with thalassemia. Design: Descriptive research design was applied in this study. Sample: Purposive sample was equal 116 caregivers. Setting: The outpatient clinics at Mustafa Hassan university hospital for pediatric (Al-fayoum, Egypt). Tools: Two tools were used, first tool: includes structure interviewing questionnaire of demographic characteristics of caregivers and their children, past and present medical history and caregivers` knowledge regarding thalassemia. Second tool: caregivers` burnout tool for thalassemia Result: The study showed that, 60% of studied caregivers had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding thalassemia while, 40% of them had satisfactory knowledge regarding thalassemia. 70% of studied caregivers had high burnout while, 30% of them had low burnout regarding thalassemia. Conclusion: there were significant positive correlation between studied caregivers’ total knowledge scores and total burnout scores of their children with thalassemia. Recommendation: implementation of health education program for caregivers for management of thalassemia at out-patient clinics.

Surgical Site Infections after Cesarean Delivery: Incidence and Assessment of Associated Risk Factors

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) after C-section is one of the major concerns of health care providers because it not only increases the overall hospital cost, length of patients’ hospital stay but it largely contributes to the mortality and associated morbidity. In this present study, we aimed to expose the associated risk factors of SSI. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MMC Kathua, w.e.f September 2019 to August 2020. A total of 394 women patients were included in the study on the basis of laid down inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was under taken after approval by the institutional Ethical committee. Results: The incidence of surgical site infection was observed as (11.4%) and average age of studied patients was (31.6±9.38) with most of the patients, accounting for 86.5% were falling in the age interval of (25-35) years followed by 10.7% patients ageing less than 25 years We found that surgical site infection was significantly associated with type of surgery, type of incision and type of suturing. Conclusion: The present study revealed that surgical site infection is significantly associated with emergency surgery, vertical skin type incision and interrupted suturing. We recommend regular screening and implementation of health education programs to impart knowledge of associated risk factors of SSI that will eventually help the patients to attain optimal health benefits. Keywords: Caesarean section, surgical site infection, vertical incision, suturing.

Factors Associated with the Extent of Coronary Artery Disease and the Attained Outcome of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention at Gesund Cardiac and Medical Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, objective evidences showing pathologic features and clinical characteristics predicting the extent of coronary artery disease are scanty. The present study is aimed at assessing factors associated with the extent of coronary artery disease and the attained outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. A retrospective observational study of 197 patients that have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention was undertaken. Data were entered using Epi data version 4.2 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the findings. Logistic regression was carried out to test the association between dependent and independent variables. The mean age of the study participants was 58.6 with standard deviation (SD) of 11.5 and male to female ratio of 4.2. The majority, [110 (55.8%)], had ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Nearly two-third of the study participants had documented heart failure. Dyslipidemia [AOR 4.2(95%; CI:1.29-14.00)] and left ventricular hypertrophy [AOR 4.1(95%; CI:1.38-12.40)] were associated with extent of coronary artery disease on adjusted analysis. In the large majority, 169 patients (85.8%), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow grade was achieved. Dyslipidemia and left ventricular hypertrophy predicted multi-vessel coronary artery disease. There is a high frequency of post myocardial infarction heart failure, underscoring the need for centers of excellence and implementation of health education programs targeting the importance of primary prevention and timely revascularization. The success rate of percutasneous coronary intervention at Gesund Cardiac and Medical Center is praiseworthy.

Willingness, beliefs, and barriers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia: a multiregional cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide, and the vaccine remains the ultimate cornerstone to overcoming its long-term impact. Vaccine hesitancy might obstruct the effort to achieve herd immunity and eradicate the virus. We assessed Saudi Arabian individuals’ willingness, beliefs, and barriers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and their adherence to preventive measures during and after the pandemic.MethodsA self-administered electronic validated questionnaire was distributed among the five major regions in Saudi Arabia between November and December 2020. The questionnaire addressed the sociodemographic data, beliefs, potential barriers, parents’ acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination for their children, and adherence to protective measures during and after the pandemic.ResultsOf 8,056 participants, 4,218 (52.4%) of a non-representative sample were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Being a young adult, male, having less than a high school degree, being a smoker, having a chronic disease, and having a history of seasonal influenza vaccine uptake were positive predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Hesitant participants reported concerns about vaccine side effects and safety as the main barriers to accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. Some refusers (26.1%) declared that they would reconsider vaccination only if the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine were reported by more studies.ConclusionsOur study revealed a promising willingness to accept the vaccine among the population, with positive beliefs and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. However, a considerable proportion of the population was reluctant to accept the vaccine. Thus, publicly providing information about vaccine safety and implementing health education programs is crucial for increasing the public’s confidence in the vaccine.