Knowledge Related Questions Research Articles

Self-medication, self-assessment and knowledge of dental medicine students about analgesics.

The objective of this study was to investigate the rate of self-medication among dental students and any differences and/or associations between self-medication, self-assessment and knowledge among students in later years of the same study. The study was conducted between April and July 2020 at the School of Dental medicine, University of Zagreb. All students were given access to an online survey to learn more about their self-medication habits, pharmacological knowledge and analgesic self-assessment. The experimental research group consisted of 120 third- to sixth-year students (n = 120), while the control group consisted of 30 first- and second-year students who had not taken any pharmacology courses. Even 110 students (91.67%) reported self-medication, with ibuprofen being the most prevalent analgesic (70%). Fifth-year students showed a statistically significant difference in all knowledge-related questions compared to third- and fourth-year students (p=0.0015 and p=0.002, respectively). In addition, in the self-assessment statements across all study years, a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was also noticed. The feeling of willingness to prescribe analgesics behaved according to the increasing pattern over the years of study. A statistically significant difference in self-medication, self-assessment and knowledge among dental students over the years, with the alarmingly high prevalence of self-medication among them, was observed. Because effective dental practice requires a thorough knowledge of pharmaceuticals, it is vital to continually expand and refine students' understanding of the use of analgesics in dentistry throughout their undergraduate studies. Key words:Analgesics, Self Medication, Self-Assessment, Knowledge, Dentistry, Students.

Comprehensive Analysis of Knowledge, Perception, and Preparedness of Ghanaian Pharmacists Towards a Pandemic or Another Wave of COVID-19

Despite the decline in infection and death rates, COVID-19 remains a significant global health concern. This study delves into Ghanaian pharmacists' knowledge, perception, and preparedness towards a pandemic or another wave of COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pharmacists across all 16 regions of Ghana between May and July of 2023, with a total of 1199 responses recorded. The data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS). Of the respondents, 629 (52.5%) were males, while 570 (47.5%) were females. Our study reveals that 98% of the participants provided positive feedback about knowledge-related questions. The study also found an adequate understanding of pharmacists' attitudes toward coronavirus symptoms, transmission, disease severity, and preventive measures. Ghanaian pharmacists' responses toward the perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 were analyzed using questions related to disease contamination, contracting, and fear level due to the disease. The optimistic behaviour and perception of Ghanaian pharmacists were commendable. However, only 45% of the pharmacists were confident about their level of preparedness, underlining the urgent need for updated information and infection control policies. Infection control policies with updated information should be available for all healthcare professionals. Moreover, Ghana needs a blueprint for pandemic management.

Knowledge and Perception of Community Based Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses among Medical Students at a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Community-Based Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (CBIMNCI) is the integrated approach for the management of children's common health concerns in outpatient primary health care settings and interventions at the family and community level. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception regarding CB-IMNCI in medical students studying in the clinical phase of a medical college. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2023 among 218 clinical-year medical students after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: IRC-LMC-04/M-022). A self-administered questionnaire with CB-IMNCI-related multiple-choice questions was used for data collection and the responses to knowledge-related questions were evaluated using a predefined answer key. The results were expressed in terms of the number and percentage of the participants who answered each questions correctly. Of the 218 students, 111 (50.92%) were male and 107 (49.08%) were female. Among the participants, 164 (75.23%) (70-80% at 95% Confidence Interval) demonstrated basic knowledge of CB-IMNCI, successfully answering 50% or more of the questions. Among the males, 81 (72.97%), and among the females, 83 (77.57%) had basic knowledge of CBIMNCI. In terms of semester-wise distribution, 33(53.22%) in the 5th semester, 43 (82.69%) in the 7th semester, 41 (80.39%) in the 9th semester and 47 (88.67%) were able to answer 50% or more of the questions correctly. This study showed that one fourth of the students lack the basic knowledge about CB-IMNCI. It suggests the need for further work to enhance effectiveness of pre-service CB-IMNCI training.

Assessment of Chest Tube Management Knowledge among Critical Care Nurses in a Tertiary Care Cardiac Hospital: A Descriptive Study

Objectives: Chest tubes play a critical role in managing intra-pleural pressure imbalances and preventing potentially fatal outcomes such as pulmonary collapse. The management of chest tubes is primarily the responsibility of nursing care in patients reliant on this intervention. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge regarding chest tube management among critical care nurses at a tertiary care cardiac hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study utilized a convenient sampling method, involving a sample size of n=120 participants. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire comprising demographic parameters followed by an 18-item questionnaire assessing knowledge of chest tube management. Knowledge scores were calculated as the percentage of correct responses to the 18 knowledge-related questions. Results: Among the 120 nurses surveyed, 59.2% (71) were male, 55% (66) were under 36 years of age, and 66.7% (80) had up to 10 years of work experience. Only 20% (24) had participated in training courses regarding thoracic diseases. The mean knowledge score was 57.3 ± 17.2, with 30% (36) categorized as having low knowledge (&lt;50%), 65% (78) as moderate knowledge (50% to 80%), and 5% (6) as high knowledge (&gt;80%). Conclusion: The study revealed a moderate level of knowledge concerning chest tube management among critical care nurses in a tertiary care cardiac center. There is a need for structured and comprehensive training programs focusing specifically on chest tube management to enhance nurses proficiency in this critical area of patient care.

Awareness of First Aid Management of Epistaxis in Children Among Parents in Arar, Saudi Arabia.

Epistaxis is a relatively common condition, particularly among children, necessitating that parents be well informed about its effective management. This study aims to explore the current level of awareness among parents in the Arar region, Saudi Arabia, regarding the first aid management of epistaxis and to highlight the importance of education in empowering parents to handle such situations. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey distributed among the Arar population (aged >18 years) who had at least one child and were willing to participate. Data were collected between mid-July and the end of September 2023 using a self-administered questionnaire, which included a consent form, sociodemographic and background items, and epistaxis knowledge-related questions. A total of 342 participants (27.8% males) completed the questionnaire. It was observed that 47.4% of the participants' children had experienced epistaxis. Only around half of them (n=84; 51.9%) had received first aid management for epistaxis, and only 40.4% of the parents correctly identified all the necessary steps for managing it through first aid. There was inadequate knowledge regarding the causes/risk factors and appropriate first aid techniques for epistaxis. Certain sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with better knowledge of first aid management of epistaxis, such as female gender (p = 0.003), older participants (p = 0.002), and a higher educational level (p = 0.001). The study found low awareness of first aid management of epistaxis among parents residing in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Factors related to the demographic characteristics of the study participants were associated with this level of knowledge. These findings emphasize the need to improve awareness about first aid management of epistaxis, particularly among younger individuals, males, and those with limited education. Effective interventions should be developed to enhance first aid training, considering the specific risk factors associated with epistaxis.

INTENSIVE CARE NURSES' KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND ATTITUDE IN PREVENTION OF CENTRAL LINE-ASSOCIATED BLOODSTREAM INFECTION (CLABSI)

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are mainly preventable with evidence-based guidelines. However, it needs to be made clear how well these guidelines are followed in critical care units in Malaysia. Therefore, this study evaluates critical care nurses’ knowledge, practices, and attitude toward evidence-based guidelines for preventing CLABSIs issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Malaysia Ministry of Health. This study aims to identify the level of knowledge, practice, and attitudes regarding preventing CLABSI among critical care nurses in a teaching hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 203 nurses working in seven units consisting of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Intermediate Dependency care Unit (IDCU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit (Neuro ICU), Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in University Malaya Medical Center in Kuala Lumpur. Nurses completed online questionnaires regarding their demographic characteristics, knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward evidence-based guidelines for preventing CLABSIs from December 2022 to January 2023. The data was analyzed using T-Test, ANOVA, and Fisher’s Exact Test. 203 ICU nurses completed the questionnaire, and none correctly answered all the knowledge-related questions. The response rate of the correct answer regarding the knowledge question was only 49.7%. Mean scores for 11 questions regarding knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for preventing CLABSI were low, 5.85 (± 1.29). Meanwhile, individual total scores were significantly associated with time spent as a nurse in the ICU (2–4 years). The mean score for eight questions related to CLABSI prevention was 4.19 (± 0.50), which was acceptable for the compliance score. There was an association between nurses’ gender (p-value: 0.01) and their duration of working experiences in the ICU (p-value: 0.04) with the practice regarding the prevention of CLABSI. The overall mean score for nurses’ attitudes toward the guidelines was high; 8.63 (± 1.37). However, there was no association between the demographic characteristic and attitude regarding preventing CLABSI. The knowledge and practice of ICU nurses need to be improved. Regular training with the implementation of available guidelines and protocols was essential to improve the knowledge and compliance on preventing CLABSIs in ICUs.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.

Vaccination against COVID-19 has been promoted as a way to protect oneself and others from infection. To ensure the comprehensive acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, the factors that affect COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy should be examined. This study aimed to identify the factors that affect COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among Korean adults, focusing on COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 2286 Korean adults aged 20-64 years. Demographic characteristics, knowledge regarding COVID-19, and attitudes toward vaccination were assessed. A generalized linear model with Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy. Approximately 67% of the COVID-19 knowledge-related questions were correctly answered. A neutral attitude toward vaccination and relatively low vaccination hesitancy were found. COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy was affected by individuals' attitudes toward vaccination, as well as their gender and age, but not by their knowledge. Interventions or policies considering gender and age could be helpful in reducing COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy. Strategies to disseminate more accurate and novel information related to the COVID-19 vaccines should be implemented.

Knowledge about Emergency Management of Orofacial Injuries among School Teachers at Alkharj Saudi Arabia.

Children suffer from orofacial injuries during sport activities in schools. School teacher's knowledge about managing emergency during orofacial injuries will help in treatment prognosis. To assess and compare school teacher's knowledge about management of orofacial injuries at alkharj Saudi Arabia. Cross-sectional study was planned among school teacher working in various schools at alkharj. Questionnaire consisted of Demographic details such as age and year of experience and knowledge-related questions about management of orofacial injuries. Questionnaire was distributed and collected on the same day. All participants were aware that sport activities results in injuries to head, orofacial structures, or teeth. 15.6% participants have undergone training. 84.4% of study participants have told they don't know to manage avulsed tooth. 92.8% of study participants are interested to get training on orofacial injury management. Knowledge of school teachers about management of orofacial injury is insufficient. Teachers are primary level of contact in schools during sports injuries, measures should be taken to improve their knowledge about orofacial injuries.

557-P: Effect of MyPlate Nutrition and Diabetes Education Delivered by Promotoras de Salud in Low-Income Latinx Adults Living in Rural Communities

Background: Latinx individuals have over a 50% chance of developing type II diabetes within their lifetime compared to 40% of the general population1,2. Further, a lack of diabetes education significantly contributes to poor health literacy surrounding diabetes treatment and management among ethnic minorities3. Methods: The study utilized a pre and posttest design using the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire-Revised to assess changes in the nutrition knowledge of individuals 18 years or older, after receiving a tailored nutrition education presentation based on U.S. Department of Agriculture MyPlate's dietary guidelines. The difference between pre and posttest nutrition knowledge scores was measured using paired samples t-test for the overall survey and separately for three questions that assessed the diet-diabetes relationship. Results: Most participants were Spanish-speaking Latinx/Hispanic females between the ages of 40-49, where 66% reported middle school education or lower, 26.4% reported being diagnosed with diabetes, and 56% had a family history of diabetes. The paired t-test of the pre and posttests (n=82) resulted in one and two-sided p-values &amp;lt; 0.001. The comparative pre versus posttest analysis for the diabetes knowledge-related questions showed that the diabetes-related questions one, two, and three resulted in p-values &amp;lt;0.227, &amp;lt;0.02, and &amp;lt;0.03, respectively. Conclusion: Latinx individuals in rural communities face systemic barriers, including poor medical coverage, low health literacy rates, language and immigration barriers4. Our study brought together promotoras to create and deliver culturally-conscious, evidence-based nutrition education material through platicas. Increased access to nutrition and diabetes education contributes to improved patient health knowledge and addresses negatively impactful social determinants of health among rural Latinx American populations. Disclosure S.C.Marin: None. I.Marquez: None. R.R.Flores: None. D.Lee: None. D.Wraich: None. H.Duran: None. A.M.Cheney: None. Funding University of California, Riverside School of Medicine

Virtual and In-person Electroencephalography (EEG) Training Among Pediatric and Adult Neurology Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, educational programs have increasingly relied on virtual methods. Objectives: In this study, we compared the effects of in-person and virtual electroencephalography (EEG) training on the knowledge of pediatric and adult neurology residents. Methods: The study participants consisted of 30 pediatric and adult neurology residents who were recruited nationwide via a virtual network. They were randomly divided into two groups for in-person and virtual education, respectively. Prior to the first workshop session, participants completed a pre-test comprising 19 knowledge-related questions. Two interactive training sessions focusing on benign variants in EEG were conducted, including two in-person workshops for eight residents and two online workshops for 22 residents. Each session lasted one hour, with one held every two weeks. After the second session, participants were asked to complete a post-test consisting of 24 questions (identical to the pre-test) and five workshop satisfaction-related questions. Results: Overall, the mean exam score after both the in-person and virtual workshops was significantly higher than the pretest score across all educational levels. The mean score differences in knowledge between the in-person and virtual groups after the workshop were similar, with no statistically significant difference. Approximately 90% of the participants believed that the workshop would be beneficial for their daily practice. Conclusions: Given the absence of a significant difference between in-person and virtual training methods in improving participants' knowledge and satisfaction with both approaches, we recommend integrating virtual EEG training into the educational protocol for pediatric and adult neurology residents. Nonetheless, larger sample size studies are required to further validate these findings.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES TOWARD MALARIA AND ANTIMALARIAL MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION AMONG HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN VILLAGES ON GRANDE COMORE ISLAND, THE COMOROS.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys on malaria and antimalarial mass drug administration (MDA) have not received much attention in the Union of the Comoros. This study is a household-based cross-sectional survey using a multi-stage sampling technique aiming at investigating KAP toward malaria and antimalarial MDA with artemisinin-piperaquine among heads of households on Grande Comore Island, the largest island of the Comoros. A predefined structured questionnaire containing socio-demographic characteristics and questions about malaria and antimalarial MDA was administered to 1,368 randomly selected heads of households from 10 malaria-endemic villages on Grande Comore Island. The results showed that 81.4% of the heads of households knew that malaria is a transmissible disease, 77.6% recognized mosquitoes as the vectors of malaria, and 70.8% recognized fever as one of the frequent symptoms of malaria; 40.8% of respondents remembered the name of the antimalarial drug used for MDA, and 62.1% remembered the color of the antimalarial tablets; and 65.1% chose to go to a public health center to seek treatment as their first option within 24 hr of the onset of initial malaria symptoms. This study found that most heads of households had a reasonable level of knowledge about malaria and antimalarial MDA. However, only 7.3% obtained full points on all knowledge-related questions. Misconceptions about malaria cause, transmission, diagnostic method, and antimalarial MDA exist in the community of Grande Comore Island. As the Comoros continues to put great efforts to go toward malaria elimination, the community's KAP on malaria and antimalarial MDA is crucial to guarantee the community's long-term adherence to malaria elimination interventions and could become key to guaranteeing malarial elimination in the Comoros. Therefore, there is a great need to improve malaria prevention awareness through strengthening malaria education and promoting behavioral change. Heads of households should be the core target of malaria education and behavioral change for malaria elimination.

Exploring Australian emergency department clinicians' knowledge, attitudes and adherence to the national peripheral intravenous catheter clinical care standard: A cross-sectional national survey.

This study aimed to (i) capture clinicians' knowledge, attitude and adherence to the first Australian national peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) Clinical Care Standard, (ii) examine the instrument performance of the knowledge related questions and (iii) explore the educational needs for, and barriers to, Standard adherence among Australian ED clinicians. A cross-sectional national online survey was conducted from March to June 2022, using a snowball sampling method. The survey used 5-point Likert scales and multiple-choice questions to capture respondents' knowledge, attitude and adherence to the Standard as well as the educational needs for, and barriers to, Standard adherence. In total, 433 ED nurses and doctors responded. Although nearly half (n = 206, 47.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 55.5-65.8) of respondents claimed that they were unfamiliar with the Standard, questions on PIVC knowledge yielded that most respondents had adequate knowledge of most of the key standards. Respondents' attitudes towards multiple intravenous insertion attempts and ongoing PIVC competency monitoring are not in agreement with the Standard. Self-reported practices regarding routine insertion of idle catheters (55%; 95% CI 49.9-59.9), using antecubital fossa as the first insertion site (84%; 95% CI 80-87), insertion without confidence (46%; 95% CI 41.2-51.1) and lack of routine reviewing the ongoing needs of PIVC (40%; 95% CI 35.3-45.1) were not aligned with the Standard. Unawareness of the Standard and non-practical recommendations were rated as the top barriers to Standard adherence. The findings of the survey suggest that the Standard may need modification to align with the needs of ED clinicians. Future studies need to explore the applicability and relevancy of some recommendations in the ED settings as they may cause low adherence to the Standard.

Health literacy affected the residents’ knowledge, attitude, practice for prevention and control of COVID-19 in Shanxi Province, China

Multistage stratified random sampling was used to explore the relationship of health literacy with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention and control knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in residents aged 15–69 years old in Shanxi Province. The questionnaire, which was issued by the Chinese Center for Health Education, consisted of a health literacy questionnaire and a COVID-19 prevention and control KAP questionnaire. According to the national unified scoring method, the participants were divided into two groups: those who with adequate health literacy and those who with inadequate health literacy. The results of the answer to each KAP question were compared between the two groups by Chi-square test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. Binary logistic regression was used to control confounding effects of socio-demographic characteristics to draw relatively reliable conclusions. A total of 2700 questionnaires were distributed, and 2686 valid questionnaires were returned, with an efficiency rate of 99.5%. Health literacy qualified was identified for 18.32% (492/2686) in Shanxi Province. Compared with the inadequate health literacy group, people with adequate health literacy had a higher corrected answer rate in 11 knowledge-related questions (all P < 0.001); showed more positive answer to each attitude-related question in the three aspects, namely, responsibility for the prevention and control of infectious disease transmission, evaluation for COVID-19-related information release and reporting, and evaluation for the government’s COVID-19 prevention and control results (all P < 0.001); and acted more actively in the practice concerning appropriate self-prevention and control behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak (all P < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses confirmed that with adequate health literacy played a positive role in each of the contents of COVID-19 prevention and control KAP (ORs were between 1.475 and 4.862, all P < 0.001). Health literacy is closely related to COVID-19 prevention and control KAP in the general population of Shanxi Province. People with high score of health literacy were generally better able to grasp COVID-19 prevention and control knowledge, have more positive attitudes toward prevention and control, and perform better prevention and control behaviors. Promoting residents’ health literacy by targeted health education can play an important and positive role in dealing with the threat of major infectious diseases outbreaks.

Can primary care physician recommendation improve influenza vaccine uptake among older adults? A community health centre-based experimental study in China

BackgroundTo promote influenza vaccination coverage, a Chinese megacity, Shenzhen provides free influenza vaccination to its residents aged 60 years and above through community health centres (CHCs) since October 2016. A community health centre-based experiment was conducted by asking primary care physicians (PCPs) working in the intervention health centres to proactively recommend influenza vaccination to their patients aged 60 and above during their patients’ visits.MethodsThis study used an experimental design and a survey design. The experimental design evaluated the effect of PCP recommendation on influenza vaccination. A total of 24 CHCs were randomly selected as the intervention (involving 3814 participants) and control (3072 participants) group evenly. The intervention study period was during the 2017–2018 flu season. The 2016–2017 flu season was considered as the baseline comparison. The survey design examined changes in knowledge, attitude, and practice of influenza vaccination among older participants before and after the free influenza vaccination implementation. We randomly invited 1200 participants aged 60 and above during their visits to CHCs in October 2016 and followed them up until October 2017; among them, 958 participants completed the follow-up survey using the same questionnaire.ResultsIn the 2017–2018 flu season, 1,100 more patients got vaccinated in the intervention group under PCP recommendation compared with the 2016–2017 flu season. Among the 958 older adults in the post-implementation period, 77.5% had heard about the influenza vaccine, which was 24.7% higher than in the pre-implementation period; 84.8% of participants were aware where to take influenza vaccines, with the most improvement of 37.2% among all knowledge related questions; 62.5% of them agreed that patients with chronic diseases should have influenza vaccine, which was 19.1% higher than those being surveyed before the implementation period. About 83.6% of participants agreed older adults should have influenza vaccine, but there were still 58.4% who considered themselves too healthy to get vaccinated.ConclusionPCP recommendation improved influenza vaccine uptake and knowledge, attitude, and practice levels regarding influenza vaccination among older adults. More health policies and health education should be made to raise vaccination willingness and improve vaccination coverage among older adults.

Knowledge and attitude of adverse drug reaction reporting process among Indian medical undergraduates in a tertiary care teaching hospital - a questionnaire based study

Introduction: The primary objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and awareness of adverse drug reaction reporting process among Indian medical undergraduates in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Material and Methods: This is a cross sectional questionnaire based study on 250 Indian medical graduates. Phase III – Part 1 and Part 2 Medical Undergraduates at Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre for next 3 months were included. The students were informed in person with participant information sheet during PHASE 3 clinical posting. Those students who did not gave informed consent for participation in the study were excluded. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 20.12±1.3 years. There was male preponderance with 52% male medical graduates and 48% female medical graduates. Majority of the included subjects were in Phase III Part 1. Table 1 describe the distribution of knowledge related questions. Around 70% correctly answered the definition of pharmacovigilance, 40% answered about important purpose of pharmacovigilance, 48% on healthcare professionals are responsible for reporting ADRs, 61% on organization conducting National Pharmacovigilance Program in India, 40% on regulatory body responsible for monitoring pharmaceuticals and medical devices, 42% answered correctly on location of international centre for adverse drug reaction monitoring.Conclusion: There is requirement for continuous medical education in these students on regulations of Pharmacovigilance. This study provides baseline data of the knowledge and attitude for providing educational intervention.

EMPOWERING FUTURE FINANCIAL LEADERS: AN EXAMINATION OF PEER-LED FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS AND THEIR IMPACT ON FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING AMONG NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Developing financial literacy in the early years of secondary education is essential for forming responsible financial decisions as an adult. Financial literacy is an essential life skill. This study examines how peer-led financial workshops affect secondary school students in Nigeria’s ability to make financial decisions. It focuses on how these workshops affect students’ knowledge, attitudes, and financial behaviors. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to assess the outcomes of these workshops. The quantitative analysis revealed a significant improvement in students’ financial knowledge, with an approximate 25% increase in their scores on financial knowledge-related questions. Furthermore, students exhibited more positive financial attitudes, showing increased confidence in managing money and recognizing the importance of financial planning. Most notably, students displayed changes in financial behaviors, with heightened inclinations to save, reduced impulsive spending, and more prudent debt management practices. Qualitative interviews provided deeper insights into students’ experiences, emphasizing that the workshops increased financial knowledge and empowered students to make meaningful changes in their financial decision-making. Peer influence and relatability played a pivotal role in this transformation, underscoring the effectiveness of peer-led financial workshops. The implications of these findings are profound for financial education in Nigerian secondary schools. The study underscores the promise of peer-led workshops, the importance of cultural sensitivity, the cultivation of positive financial mindsets, and the need for sustainability in financial education programs. While the study acknowledges its limitations, including sample size and the short-term focus, it provides a robust foundation for future research in longitudinal studies, comparative analysis, cultural influences, teacher preparedness, resource-efficient models, and specific financial outcomes. In conclusion, this research contributes to the broader discourse on financial education by demonstrating the significant impact of peer-led financial workshops in Nigerian secondary schools. It highlights the potential for equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed and responsible financial decisions, ultimately fostering financial well-being and success in their futures.

Hygiene Predictors among COVID-19 Screened Individuals during the First Wave In Mumbai: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction:The most important lesson COVID-19 pandemic thought is basic hygiene practices. It is important to understand hygiene practices among patients during first wave, when meager knowledge about the management of COVID-19 was available. Objective: To assess the adopted behavioral practices and predictors for COVID-19 infection among screened individuals during the 1st wave. Method: A cross-sectional study included COVID-19 screened individuals attending COVID -19 screening OPD at Mumbai. Total 950 participants were interviewed telephonically using convenient sampling method. Logistic regression nanalysis was performed. Results: A total 950 respondents participated, with median age of36 years (range:18yrs to 83 years). Respondents,RTPCR positive or quarantined were 36%. Analysis concludes that practices of having seen or read about hand hygiene, face hygiene, maintaining social distancing, cough etiquettes and enforcement ofstrict lockdown were significantly associated with lower risk of COVID-19 infection (p value &lt;0.05). Conclusion: Hygiene Practices were followed correctly by more than 50% of this cohort however few individuals were able to answer knowledge related questions correctly. Simple hygiene practices like face hygiene, cough etiquettes, social distancing, strict following of lockdown and having seen or read information on hand washing were predictors of COVID-19 infection. The study highlights the need for quick and rigorous attempts to educate people during a state of a health emergency.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Among Parents of Strabismic Children in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Strabismus is a reversible condition that must be identified and treated during the critical period of childhood. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the degree of knowledge, attitude, and practice among parents of strabismic children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method To this end, a cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2021 to November 2021 with a sample size of 424 parents of children with strabismus seeking ophthalmologic consultants in private and governmental ophthalmology clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire contains knowledge-related questions about strabismus, beliefs-related questions, questions addressing the barriers parents face regarding strabismus in a child, and sources of information about cross-eye and its management. Data were analysed using the SPSS database version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). P-values <0.5 was used for clinical significance. Result We found that most parents know there is a relationship between strabismus and refractive errors (69%) and cross eye can be corrected (55%). Moreover, strabismus causes psychosocial difficulties (55%), low self-esteem, and low school performance. Parents of strabismic children believed that their love for their children is not affected due to crossed eyes (53%) and that strabismic children should not be taken to traditional healers (59%). Barriers faced during the management of strabismus are parents' negligence (76%), fear of surgery (34%), and high cost (29%). Doctors are the most used and preferred source of information among parents of strabismic children. Conclusion This study identifies gaps in knowledge, wrong beliefs in society, and the barriers faced by parents of strabismic children. Thus, raising awareness of the importance of detecting and treating strabismus early, avoiding psychosocial complications, and improving children's quality of life.

Effectiveness of structured Behavior Change Communication methods in control of mosquito-borne diseases: A quasi-experimental study

BackgroundBehavior Change Communication (BCC) is evidence-based, theoretically supported and utilizes all opportunities for communication. Evidence reports BCC as a relevant tool for averting and controlling many forms of public health challenges. Through schools, many countries have shown health improvements via students and the community's exposure to behavior change messages. The study was planned with an aim of evaluating the effectiveness of mosquito-borne disease control measures implementation through BCC to adolescent school students in a Cantonment area, in North India. MethodsThe present study was undertaken as a quasi-experimental study from April 2019 to March 2020. Of the 334 students enrolled in the school as per eligibility criteria, 315 were available during the initial assessment, and 288 were available throughout the study. For the evaluation of effectiveness of the BCC at household level, 200 households (100 intervention and 100 control) were selected. Students' knowledge about mosquito-borne diseases was the primary outcome measure. The difference in proportions was tested using the chi-square test. The difference in proportions for paired samples was tested using Mc Nemar's test. ResultsProportion of students who gave correct responses significantly increased after intervention in post-test as compared to pre-test for most of the knowledge-related questions. The proportion of households with the availability of mosquito nets and self-reported use of mosquito nets was significantly high in intervention group as compared to control group post-intervention. ConclusionBCC in the form of different intervention programs to adolescent school children was effective in improving the knowledge and attitude toward mosquito-borne diseases and also ensured less mosquito-genic environment in households.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of Saudi dental hygiene students towards novel corona virus disease (COVID-19): A nation-wide study.

Healthcare workers involved in procedures that generate aerosol or handling patient specimens are associated with a high possibility of COVID-19 infection. Thus, it is very important for the health workers to understand the knowledge related to transmission, prevention and protocols of COVID-19. Cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted on dental hygiene students in Saudi Arabia. An online version of pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to test the KAP for COVID 19. The mean score for knowledge-related questions was found to be 2.91 ± 1.59, attitude-related questions to be 2.84 ± 1.41 and for practice-related questions to be 4.20 ± 1.36. After converting the scores into percentages, any score <60% was categorized as poor score, 60%-80% as average score and >80% as good score. Students showed poor knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19. But the practice of dental hygiene students towards COVID-19 was found to be good with the score of 83.4%. The outcome of this cross-sectional study shows that most of dental hygiene students studying in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are following good practices towards COVID-19 inspite of having poor knowledge and attitude.