Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards antibiotic use and its resistance among the general public in Klang Valley

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives and changed the history of infectious diseases. However, in recent years, antibiotic resistance has become a major global public health problem. Likewise, an increasing trend of antibiotic resistance (ABR) is observed in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards antibiotics use and its resistance among the general public in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Our hypothesis is the general public has a low level of KAP towards antibiotic use and its resistance. A cross-sectional study was distributed through a pre-validated questionnaire to all Klang Valley residents who are ≥18 years old through email and social media. Vulnerable residents and those from non-English speaking backgrounds were excluded. All data were analysed by SPSS software version 27.0. A total of 408 participants were recruited. Based on the scoring system of the study it was found that 47.0% had moderate knowledge, 41.7% had good attitude and 59.6% had good practice towards antibiotic use and its resistance. Overall, 53.4% recruited participants had moderate KAP towards antibiotic use and its resistance. Chi-Square test of independence was used to determine the association of socio-demographic variables and KAP towards antibiotic use and its resistance. The results indicated that only one categorical variable “area” was statistically significant with a p value of 0.041. The mean± SD values indicated that those individuals living in Selangor have a comparatively higher KAP towards antibiotic use and its resistance as compared to those living in Kuala Lumpur (KL) most probably due to higher educational levels. This study provided us with baseline evidence about the KAP regarding antibiotic use among the general public in Malaysia. Hence, it will be useful in guiding further interventions to improve awareness about antibiotics use and enhance antimicrobial stewardship in our community.

Giving a voice to “the silent killer”: a knowledge, attitude and practice study of diabetes among French Guiana’s Parikweneh people

BackgroundThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the French overseas department of French Guiana, South America, nearly doubles that in its European counterpart, Metropolitan France. This region is demographically diverse and includes several populations of Indigenous Peoples. Although such populations are at particular risk of developing T2D across the Americas, very little is known about their health status in French Guiana, and accurate numbers of diabetic patients do not exist.MethodsIn light of a potential public health crisis, an ethnomedicinal study of diabetes experienced by Indigenous Parikweneh was conducted to provide better insight into the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to this quickly emerging disease in French Guiana. Altogether, 75 interviews were conducted with community members and Elders, as well as healthcare professionals and administrators providing services to the Parikweneh population of Macouria and Saint-Georges de l’Oyapock.ResultsInterviews suggest a high incidence of T2D in this population, with cases that have risen quickly since the mid-twentieth century. Parikweneh participants linked the development of the illness to dietary changes, notably through the introduction of new and sweet foods. Recognizing the complexity of diabetes and its symptoms, diabetic patients highlighted the importance of biomedical treatments and follow-ups, though they frequently alternated or used them concomitantly with Parikweneh medicines. With the help of biomedical tools (i.e. glucometer), local medicinal practices mirrored biomedical approaches through dietary adaptation and the use of medicinal animals and plants for glycaemic control and the treatment of complications from the disease.ConclusionParikweneh are appropriating T2D into their knowledge system and adapting their health system in response to this relatively new health concern. A greater understanding of local practices and perceptions relating to T2D among medical staff may therefore be beneficial for meeting patients’ needs, providing greater autonomy in their health path, and improving treatment outcomes.

Food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of street vendors: a cross-sectional study in Jordan

PurposeThis study examined the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding food safety and hygiene among street food vendors (SFVs) in Jordan, along with associated factors.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilized a cross-sectional design and targeted a sample of 405 SFVs in Jordan's two most densely populated cities. Data were collected through in-person interviews using a validated and reliable structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and linear regression were conducted using SPSS v.25 software to examine associations and predict outcomes.FindingsThe findings reveal that SFVs possess a moderate level of knowledge but exhibit negative attitudes and inadequate practices regarding food safety. Significant associations were identified between age, education level, work experience, marital status, gender and the vendors' KAP. Older SFVs tend to exhibit lower knowledge and attitudes, whereas those with more experience and higher education levels demonstrate better KAP. Marital status and gender also influence knowledge and attitudes.Originality/valueThis study fills a critical gap in the research landscape by comprehensively examining the knowledge, attitudes and practices of street food vendors regarding food safety, with a focus on Jordan. Its findings shed light on the challenges facing the street food vending industry and offer actionable recommendations for enhancing food safety practices. As such, the study's originality and significance lie in its potential to drive positive change within this vital culinary tradition, safeguarding public health and economic livelihoods.Highlights -The study's novelty lies in its exploration of street food vendors' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to food safety, a facet critical to understanding and addressing the challenges facing this industry. It offers an in-depth examination of factors such as education, experience, age, and marital status that influence vendors' adherence to food safety measures. By focusing on the two most populous cities in Jordan, the study not only provides a comprehensive picture of the situation but also sets the groundwork for policy recommendations and interventions.-The research highlights a series of concerning findings. Street food vendors exhibit a moderate level of knowledge regarding food safety, with substantial gaps in understanding specific pathogens and transmission routes. Negative attitudes towards food safety are prevalent, translating into suboptimal hygiene practices. The study's results underscore the urgent need for tailored interventions to address these challenges and improve overall food safety practices within the street food vending sector.-The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, public health authorities, and local governments. They suggest targeted educational initiatives to enhance vendors' understanding of food safety principles and their significance in preventing foodborne illnesses. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for improved infrastructure, access to clean water, and proper sanitation facilities to support vendors in implementing safer practices. By highlighting the associations between socio-demographic factors and food safety KAP, the study offers a blueprint for crafting interventions that address the unique needs of different subgroups of street food vendors.

Enhancing privacy protections in national identification systems: an examination of stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices of privacy by design

Privacy by Design (PbD) is a well-known concept that aims to provide a high level of protection for privacy throughout the entire life cycle of systems development. Despite the considerable attention from stakeholders such as researchers, government agencies, and system suppliers, the widespread adoption of PbD faces obstacles due to a lack of knowledge, insufficient awareness of PbD benefits, and the absence of specific implementation guidelines. In this study, stakeholders are identified primarily as diverse participants from government agencies and system suppliers engaged in National Identification Systems (NIDS). Specifically, government agencies representing regulatory bodies and administrators of NIDS, setting the legal framework that governs the NIDS’s privacy aspects. The NIDS system suppliers includes private companies playing a crucial role in the development and implementation of NIDS with a focus on privacy considerations. Through the perspectives of NIDS stakeholders, this study aimed to examine the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) of PbD principles and its integration in NIDS. A survey involving 203 participants from government agencies and NIDS system suppliers engaged in NIDS development was conducted. Subsequently, a focus group discussion was held with 11 members to provide qualitative insights into the KAP of PbD. The survey results revealed a significant correlation between attitudes and practices but a weak correlation between knowledge and attitudes or practices. The focus group discussion assured these findings, emphasizing the role of positive attitudes in facilitating PbD practices and highlighting knowledge-practice gaps. In conclusion, this study offers tailored recommendations for improving the integration of PbD in NIDS development. The recommendations includes strategies such as developing training programs, establishing clear guidelines and standards and creating awareness campaigns.

Seroprevalence of small ruminant brucellosis and owners knowledge, attitude and practices in Chiro and Burka Dhintu Districts, West Hararghe, Ethiopia

Brucellosis is one of zoonotic bacterial diseases with significant veterinary and public health consequences in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was conducted with the objective of estimating the seroprevalence of small ruminant brucellosis and assessing owners' knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) on brucellosis in Chiro and Burka Dhintu Districts in Eastern Ethiopia. A total sample of 444 animals were taken using a cluster based multistage sampling technique. Screening for Brucella antibodies and confirmation of positive test results were conducted using Modified Rose Bengal Plate Test (MRBPT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) respectively. For the questionnaire survey, 444 randomly selected sheep and goat owners were interviewed using a pretested structured questionnaire. The overall seroprevalence of small ruminant brucellosis was found to be 6.5 % (95 % CI: 4.6–9.3). The multivariable logistic regression analysis identified sex and age as potential risk factors (P < 0.05). More specifically, females were 3.4 times (AOR = 3.4, 95 % CI: 1.2–9.2) more likely to become seropositive than their counterparts, and the odds of seropositivity in adult sheep and goats was 5.6 times (AOR = 5.6, 95 % CI: 1.3–24.7) higher than that of young animals. The knowledge, attitude and practices of animal owners with regard to brucellosis were low, and the level of education was independently associated with the owners’ knowledge and attitude. Moderate seroprevalence, combined with inadequate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of animal owners, makes small ruminant brucellosis a threat to animals and the entire community. Hence, strengthening veterinary services and raising community awareness about the disease is essential to reduce the impact on small ruminant productivity and minimize the risks to public health.

Investigation of the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding nutrition in older adults with tuberculosis and diabetes: a cross-sectional study in Eastern China

ObjectivesOlder adults with tuberculosis and diabetes have special needs regarding dietary nutrition. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding dietary nutrition among older adults with...

Dairy Farmers' Awareness of Vector-Borne Zoonotic Diseases: A Pilot Study.

Background: A quantitative cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to determine dairy farmers' general awareness of vector-borne zoonotic diseases, i.e., dengue fever and chikungunya fever caused by alphavirus and mosquito-borne flavivirus, as well as the relationship between these and other demographic variables such as gender and education level. Materials and Methods: A total of 42 farmers from the Wayanad district of Kerala were surveyed using a well-structured KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that farmers have inadequate knowledge and attitudes regarding chikungunya, as well as inadequate practices regarding dengue fever. Similarly, there is a significant correlation between gender and chikungunya fever awareness. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need to increase awareness of these diseases among dairy farmers and emphasizes the significance of conducting additional research on the area and population.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Among Rural Women in Gujarat, India: A Mixed Methods Study on Risk Factors and KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice).

Cervical cancer causes significant morbidity and mortality among women in India. Despite national screening guidelines, uptake of these tools remains poor, especially in rural areas where complex sociocultural factors are at play. Integrated mixed-methods designs can provide better insights into multilevel barriers influencing screening behaviours. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and sociocultural factors associated with cervical cancer prevention among marginalized rural women. A mixed-method study of 400 women aged older than 18 years was conducted using a pretested questionnaire on cervical cancer knowledge, attitudes, self-reported screening practices, and sociodemographic variables. An exploratory qualitative study also interviewed 30 women to explore perspectives on screening using semi-structured guides. The survey data were analyzed via logistic regression, and thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative data. The results were triangulated to enable nuanced interpretation. Only 27% (108/400) of participants had heard of cervical cancer, and 61% (244/400) were illiterate. Poor knowledge was observed in 83% (332/400) of participants, predicted by early marriage, high parity, low education, and socioeconomic status. Despite 64% (254/400) expressing positive attitudes, only 9% (36/400) reported undergoing cervical cancer screening. None of the participants were vaccinated against humanpapillomaviruses (HPV). Stigma, gender roles, spousal communication gaps, and access barriers emerged as key qualitative themes. The integrated results highlighted the intersections between villagers' worldviews and sociocultural norms and between access issues and prevention. Multifaceted sociocultural challenges underpin the cervical cancer prevention gap among marginalized rural women. Grassroots educational efforts respectfully addressing fears and stigma, along with increased male engagement, community health worker training, and integrated screening services, can promote informed screening decisions among underserved groups.

Exploring medical and dental practitioner perspectives and developing a knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) evaluation tool for the common risk factor approach in managing non-communicable and periodontal diseases

BackgroundThe Common Risk Factor Approach (CRFA) is one of the methods to achieve medical-dental integration. CRFA addresses shared risk factors among major Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to explore the perspectives of dental and medical practitioners concerning CRFA for managing NCDs and periodontal diseases and to create and validate a tool to evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of medical and dental practitioners in relation to utilization of CRFA for management of NCDs and Periodontal diseases.MethodsThis research employed a concurrent mixed-method model and was carried out from January 2021 to February 2022, focusing on medical and dental practitioners in South India. In the qualitative phase, online interviews were conducted with dental and medical practitioners, recorded, and transcribed. Thematic analysis was applied after achieving data saturation. In the quantitative phase, a KAP questionnaire was developed. The sample size was determined by using the G power statistical power analysis program. A sample size of 220 in each group (dentists and medical practitioners) was estimated. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit the potential participants. The data obtained through the online dissemination of KAP tool was analysed and scores were standardized to categorize the KAP.ResultsQualitative thematic analysis identified four major themes: understanding of common risk factors, risk factor reduction and disease burden, integrating CRFA into clinical practice, and barriers to CRFA. In addition, thematic analysis revealed seventeen subthemes. For the quantitative phase, standardization was applied to a 14-item KAP questionnaire for medical practitioners and a 19-item KAP questionnaire for dental practitioners. The total KAP score for medical practitioners in the study was 21.84 ± 2.87, while dental practitioners scored 22.82 ± 3.21, which indicated a high level of KAP regarding CRFA. Meta integration of qualitative and quantitative data identified eight overarching themes: four were concordant, three were discordant, and one theme provided the explanatory component.ConclusionThe study’s structured, validated questionnaire showed that both medical and dental professionals had a high knowledge of CRFA. However, they were not appreciably aware of the risk factors that are shared between NCDs and periodontal disease. Both groups were interested in the idea of using CRFA in integrated medical and dental care.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Oncology Nurses in the Maintenance of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) in Selected Hospitals in Shandong Province China

Background: Standardized catheter maintenance by nurses can reduce complications. Understanding the knowledge, attitude and practice status of clinical nurses in PICC maintenance is of great practical significance for medical and health development. Objective: To describe the current knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of nurses on peripheral central catheterization (PICC) maintenance. Methods: The knowledge, attitude and behavior of PICC maintenance of 317 oncology nurses in Shandong Province were analyzed by questionnaires. The counting data were described by frequency and percentage. The influence factors of PICC maintenance knowledge, attitude and behavior were determined by independent sample t test and one-way analysis of variance. Results Gender, age, professional title, education level, work experience, PICC training experience and PICC certificate are all significant factors affecting PICC maintenance knowledge, attitude and behavior. In the dimension of PICC maintenance knowledge, 212 nurses (mean = 10.00, SD=1.26) were proficient in PICC maintenance knowledge, while 105 nurses (mean = 16.60, SD=1.34) were obviously lacking in PICC maintenance knowledge. In the dimension of PICC maintenance attitude, the average score of nurses' PICC maintenance attitude was 52.92+10.34 points, and 228 nurses (mean = 58.86, SD=4.67) had a positive attitude towards PICC maintenance. The average score of nurses' PICC maintenance practice was 62.03+13.00, 64% of nurses had good PICC maintenance practice ability, and 203 nurses (mean =71.33, SD=4.76) had good PICC maintenance practice ability. Discussion In conclusion, the knowledge, attitude and practice of PICC maintenance of oncology nurses in Shandong Province were all at a moderate level. The role of demographic factors on PICC maintenance was paid attention to, and the training on PICC maintenance was emphasized, and the knowledge level, attitude cognition and practical ability of nurses on PICC maintenance were improved through diversified training methods.

Socio-Economic, Health and Ecological Sustainability of Vegetable Supplies in West African Cities: Assessment of Stakeholders’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Accra and Greater Lomé

In West Africa, vegetable supply chain development projects in Accra and Greater Lomé focus scarcely on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of vegetable producers, traders and processors. Thus, the research aims to assess the level of sanitary, socio-economic and environmental sustainability of vegetable production, trade and processing in these cities, based on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of stakeholders. A quantitative multi-criteria evaluation approach was adopted, with reference to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard 13 and Codex Alimentarius (CXC 1-1969 then CXC 53-2003). A sample of 303 people (156 in Accra and 147 in Greater Lomé) was formed using purposive sampling based on the assertion of E.R. Babbie (2016) and L. Kish (1965) combined with the comparison of S. Sudman (1976). Kobocollect and MS Excel respectively served to collect data and calculate KAP scores and percentages. Arcgis and Google Earth facilitated geographic representation of the data. The results reveal low rates of ecological (27.2%), health (26.9%), socio-economic (39.9%), technological and innovative (18.6%) KAP, evaluated at 28.6%. These results are unfavorable to the achievement of the SDGs. Hence the importance of an integrated, ongoing eco-nutritional education program for all stakeholders.

Assessing the Impact of Clinical Pharmacist Led Education Modality Towards Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among Gestational Hypothyroid Patients

Assessing the Impact of Clinical Pharmacist Led Education Modality Towards Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among Gestational Hypothyroid Patients

Awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practice of adverse drug reaction reporting among health workers in primary health centres participating in seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign in Nigeria in 2022: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundEvaluating health workers’ knowledge and practice of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting is an important step in identifying gaps in quality ADR reporting during public health interventions like the seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) campaign. Pharmacovigilance (PV) monitoring is vital in SMC due to the number of children exposed to malaria medicines for a period of 4 or 5 months during the campaign. In Nigeria more than 10 million children are exposed to SMC medicines every year. The scale of this intervention emphasised the need for efficient and effective safety monitoring during the campaign. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate healthcare workers’ (HCW) awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of ADR reporting in health facilities participating in SMC campaign to identify pharmacovigilance gaps which may suggest possible ways to ensure safety during the campaign.MethodsWorld Health Organization’s service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) recommendations were used to sample 2,598 out of 5,195 used as supervising health facilities (HFs) during the 2022 SMC campaign across nine states of the country. Out of the sampled HFs, 2,144 eligible and consented health facility workers (HFWs) were assessed for awareness, and KAP of ADR using the validated 45-item self-administered questionnaire. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis at p < 0.05.ResultsThe majority of the respondents are males (n = 1,333, 62.2%). The HFWs showed good awareness (n = 2,037, 95.0%) of pharmacovigilance (PV). However, only 809 (37.7%) of them had good knowledge scores. The mean ADR reporting attitude score (85.0 ± 15.3%) was good with many of the respondents (n = 1,548, 72.2%) having a good score. However, the respondents’ ADR practice was suboptimal, only 1,356 (63.2%) of them had encounters with ADR, and a lot of negative perceived barriers to ADR reporting were identified in the study. For example, 493 (23%) believed that ADRs were not reported because they were not serious and life-threatening while 248 (11.6%) reported a fear of liability. Correlation analysis revealed female gender (r = 0.163, p < 0.001), older age (r = 0.207, p < 0.001) and years of practice (r = 0.050, p = 0.021) as factors significantly associated with ADR knowledge and attitude scores.ConclusionThe study indicated that HCWs across health facilities participating in SMC campaigns have ADR reporting knowledge and practice gaps. The study suggest training alone may not be effective in addressing gaps in ADR reporting. In addition to PV training, implementers can include continuous mentoring of health care workers or other similar interventions as part of strategy to improve ADR reporting. Also, context specific strategies to improve ADR reporting among health care worker needs to be implemented to address under-reporting of ADRs during SMC campaigns and other malaria public health interventions.

The COVID-19 infodemic as a major driver for vaccine hesitancy in conflict settings: a mixed-method study

Since COVID-19 emerged in China, social media has spread fake news and conspiracy theories faster than the virus, causing the population to take false actions and follow misleading information, which leads to hospitalization, and even deaths, especially in conflict settings. Therefore, efforts to address health misinformation on social media have become urgent. For these reasons, we monitored social media following the vaccine rollout in Yemen and assessed the impact of the infodemic on the population's vaccine hesitancy in Yemen. To triangulate our data, we executed a mixed method approach in which qualitative data via online social listening was gathered using the WHO Early AI-supported Response with Social Listening (EARS) platform, and then complemented and verified with a Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) survey. Our results showed that social media in Yemen were exhibited contradictory facts and information gaps about the COVID-19 vaccine. The unaddressed questions and concerns on Facebook and Twitter have been filled with all types of misinformation, including rumors and conspiracy theories about the vaccine. Furthermore, the government's weak Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) have caused an enormous mistrust in its public health actions and stimulated negative behaviours towards the COVID-19 vaccine. The online social listening results were complemented with the survey findings as one third (38%) of the respondents admitted that COVID-19 vaccine misinformation affected their health decisions and almost two-third (61%) showed unwillingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine which clearly demonstrate the Yemenis hesitation in making health decisions including vaccine uptake. Our study highlights the importance of strengthening health communication and infodemic management to mitigate vaccine hesitancy and increase public confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine.

A study on immunization practices of mothers with children under five years of age in government district hospital Kalaburagi

Background: Vaccines are the most powerful, safe and cost-effective interventions to prevent major illnesses that contribute to child mortality in the country. Negative parental perceptions of vaccination are also an important barrier to childhood vaccination.so this study was taken up to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of mothers with children under five years of age, which will help the policy makers in implementing the immunization programme in a better way, to achieve &gt;85% coverage. Methods: A semi structured pre-validated questionnaire designed to assess the KAP about vaccination was administered to 360 mothers fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The KAP data between fully immunized and partially immunized/unimmunized children was compared. Results: In our study, out of 360 children, 183 (50.8%) children were fully immunized, 155 (43.1%) children were partially immunized and 22 (6.1%) children were seen unimmunized. Mothers were the main decision makers regarding vaccination of their children. Majority, 183 (50.3%) mothers identified vaccine preventable disease as polio. On comparing the KAP data between mothers of fully immunized children and mothers of partially immunized/unimmunized children, mothers of fully immunized children found to have favourable knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices towards vaccination. Conclusions: We found significant lacunae in the KAP of mothers towards childhood vaccination, especially among mothers of partially immunized and unimmunized children.so, health education is also an essential component that can go a long way in improving the prevailing scenario of immunization in our country.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of adult vaccine among the staff of vaccination units in Shandong Province

In order to understand the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of vaccination against influenza, pneumonia, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes zoster (HZ), COVID-19, and hepatitis B among staff of vaccination units in Shandong Province, a sample survey was conducted among 797 staffs of adult vaccination units in 12 counties (cities and districts) of Shandong Province from August to September 2022. The results showed that the respondents had the highest total score of knowledge and attitude for the COVID-19 vaccine, with the M (Q1, Q3) of 23 (20, 25) and 10 (10, 10), respectively, and had the lowest score of knowledge and attitude for the herpes zoster vaccine, with the M (Q1, Q3) of 19 (15, 22) and 8 (8, 10), respectively. The vaccine-related knowledge point"vaccine applicable population"had the highest score, with the M (Q1,Q3) of 26 (23, 30). The "contraindications/adverse reactions" and "adverse reaction management" had the lowest score, with the M (Q1, Q3) of 24 (20, 29) and 24 (20, 28), respectively. About 89.71% of respondents received one adult vaccine within two years at least. The principal driver for vaccination of 53.58% of recipients was their understanding of vaccines, which was"it was necessary to receive the vaccine". About 66.00% of respondents who had not received any adult vaccine in the past two years had insufficient awareness of the necessity of vaccination and believed that they were in good health and did not need to receive it. In summary, the staff of adult vaccination units in Shandong Province have a poor understanding of the herpes zoster vaccine in terms of vaccines and a relatively poor understanding of"contraindications/adverse reaction and management"in adult vaccination knowledge points.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of medical university students towards vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Vitamin D deficiency is a serious health problem that is associated with many health consequences. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, regarding vitamin D deficiency. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among students of Unaizah Colleges of Pharmacy (UCP) and Medicine (UCM) at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, over a period of 3 months. A well-structured self-administered questionnaire was used for the data collection. Statistical analysis was applied by using SPSS version 22. A 0/1 scoring process was employed to assess the KAP of the participants. The midpoint is considered the cutoff point. A total of 337 complete responses were received. The majority of participants (62.3%) were female. 291 (86.3%) were considered to have good knowledge, with a mean score of 6.326 out of 9. Moreover, 220 (65.2%) of participants had positive attitudes, with a mean score of 4.077 out of 7. Unfortunately, only 9 (2.6%) participants demonstrated satisfactory practices, with a mean score a 0.911 out of 6. Female participants were significantly better than male participants in terms of knowledge and attitudes, but worse in terms of practices. Sun exposure during safe daytime hours is considered the main cause of vitamin D deficiency. Nearly 60% confirmed that KSA indoor activities and the COVID-19 lockdown might maximise vitamin D deficiency. The study reveals a gap in vitamin D knowledge among participants influenced by gender and study year. It suggests educational initiatives for male students to enhance their knowledge regarding vitamin D, while female students are encouraged to prioritise safe sun exposure, minimising the use of umbrellas and sunscreen. It also highlights the role of educational institutions as reliable sources of information and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on participants' attitudes and practices towards vitamin D.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) on Zakat Management in Higher Education

Zakat is a type of assistance designed to lessen the burden experienced by people in need. The zakat fund given to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) students has been managed by the Zakat, Sedekah, and Waqf Unit (ZAWAF). ZAWAF has shared crucial information about zakat via a web-based zakat application. However, some students were not well-informed about zakat distribution. The researchers were asked to look into it more deeply. A framework based on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) will be used to understand people's awareness of zakat management and further help to improve the existing ZAWAF delivery service at UiTM.

Integrated Eco-Health approach significantly reduces helminth infections in endemic Khong islands with emphasis on Schistosoma mekongi

BackgroundHelminth infections, including Opisthorchis viverrini, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura, are prevalent in Khong district, Champasack province, southern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). Schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mekongi is of public health concern on the islands of the Khong district. This study aimed to assess the impact of an Eco-Health/One-Health approach in combination with mass drug administration (MDA) to reduce these helminth infections.MethodsWe conducted a community intervention using a stepped-wedge trial approach on two endemic islands (Donsom and Donkhone) of the Khong district, Champasack province, Lao PDR, between April 2012 and March 2013. In each study village, 30–40 households were randomly selected. All members of selected households, who were at home during the study period were invited to participate in the study. A baseline study was conducted to assess helminth infections, knowledge attitudes and practices toward Schistosoma mekongi infection, behavior of open defecation and availability of latrine at home. After the baseline (T0), the Eco-Health/One-Health approach was implemented on Donsom (intervention) and Donkhone island (control). An assessment was conducted in 2014 (T1), one year after the completion of intervention implementation, to assess the short-term impact of the Eco-Health/One-Health approach on helminth infections and compare intervention and control islands. Later in 2015, the Eco-Health/One-Health approach was implemented on control island (Donkhone). After the implementation of intervention, the parasitological assessments were conducted annually in humans in 2015 (T2), in 2016 (T3) and in 2017 (T4), and in dogs in 2017 (T4) to evaluate the long-term impact of the intervention on helminth infections. Frequency was used to describe the prevalence of helminth infections. Logistic regression was applied to associate the KAP (knowledge, attitudes, and practices and open defecation behavior) and the reduction of helminth infections between intervention and control islands. The reduction in prevalence pre- and post-intervention was associated using a McNemar test. A two-independent sample t-test was applied to compare the mean eggs per gram (EPG) of helminth infections between control and intervention islands. A paired t-test test was used to compare the mean EPG of stool samples before (baseline) and after (follow-up) interventions for the two islands separately. A P-value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsEco-Health/One-Health approach appears to be associated with reduction in prevalence of S. mekongi by 9.0% [odds ratio (OR) = 0.49, P = 0.003] compared to the use of mass drug administration alone (control island). Additionally, this intervention package significantly reduced O. viverrini infection by 20.3% (OR = 1.92, P < 0.001) and hookworm by 17.9% (OR = 0.71, P = 0.045), respectively. Annual parasitological assessments between 2012 and 2017 showed that the Eco-Health/One-Health approach, coupled with MDA, steadily reduced the prevalence of S. mekongi on the intervention island from 29.1% to 1.8% and on the control island from 28.4% to 3.1%, respectively.ConclusionsThe study findings suggest that the Eco-Health/One-Health approach appears to be associated with a significant reduction in prevalence of S. mekongi and helminth co-infections, particularly hookworm and T. trichiura. Therefore, implementing the Eco-Health/One-Health approach in schistosomiasis-endemic areas could accelerate the achievement of national goals for transmission interruption by 2025 and elimination by 2030.

Evaluation of the knowledge, attitude and practice towards ischaemic stroke among healthcare workers in neurology and neurosurgery department: a cross-sectional study in Shaanxi province, China

ObjectivesHealthcare workers play an important role in the timely recognition and treatment of patients who had an ischaemic stroke. However, their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards ischaemic stroke have...