Lower Attitude Scores Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards antibiotic resistance among general practitioners in Armenia

Abstract Background Antibiotic resistance is an important public health issue. This study sought to measure general practitioners' (GPs) knowledge, attitude, and practice on antibiotic resistance; explore the adjusted associations between their antibiotics prescribing practice score and knowledge and attitude scores, and identify barriers for rational prescription of antibiotics by GPs. Methods A cross-sectional self-administered survey was conducted among GPs. Multivariable linear regression was applied to analyze the data. Results Overall, 291 GPs participated in the study. Knowledge, attitude, and practice mean percent scores were 58.3%, 67.5%, and 63.0%, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, the practice percent score was significantly associated with the attitude percent score (β = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.75; p < 0.001), though the relation between the practice and knowledge scores was insignificant. The main barriers reported by GPs: lack of rapid diagnostic tests, high costs of laboratory tests, high costs of some antibiotics, and lack of guidelines. Conclusions Identified low knowledge, attitude, and practice mean percent scores suggest a need for improvements in these areas. Availability of rapid and inexpensive diagnostic tests, enforcement of prescriptions could potentially prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. Key messages Availability of rapid and inexpensive diagnostic tests, enforcement of prescriptions, and regulation of antibiotics’ prices could help to improve antibiotics prescribing practices of GPs. Low knowledge, attitude and practice levels regarding antibiotic resistance among GPs in polyclinics suggests a need for improvement in these areas.

Assessing Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Risk Perception towards COVID-19, among Dental Students in Southern Iran

Aims: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), affecting a large number of people worldwide, has been declared as a public health emergency. The goal of this study was to assess the Knowledge, Attitude, Practice (KAP), and risk perception of dental care during the covid-19 among dental students. Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to 4th-6th-year dental students. The questionnaire was divided into 5 sections. The first part contained questions regarding demographic information, whereas the other sections each assessed knowledge (18 questions), attitudes (5 questions), practices (7 questions), and risk perception (2 questions) of dental students. Findings: Among 314 participants, 69.43% were female. The mean scores for Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Risk Perception were 70.06 ± 8.95 (range: 0-100), 8.86 ± 1.70 (range: 5-15), 5.59 ± 1.86 (range: 0-7) and 4.72 ± 1.92 (range: 2-6), respectively. The mean knowledge score was not significantly different across gender (P≥ 0.05), females had a lower attitude score (P= 0.017) while their practice score was significantly higher (P=0.009). Based on the linear regression results, higher scores of risk perception were associated with gender (female vs. male: B=0.653, P=0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between practice and risk perception (r=0.215, p=0.007). Moreover a negative correlation between attitude and risk perception (r=-0.192, p=0.016). Conclusions: This study revealed that the overall scores of KAP among the dental students were good, however, their knowledge about the extra precautionary measures requires further educations.

Pets as family and pigs in crates: Public attitudes towards farrowing crates

Restricting farm animals’ movement is a highly contentious practice, and yet farrowing crates are widely used to house lactating sows and piglets. Socially sustainable changes on farrowing systems may be compromised due to the lack of information on societal attitudes towards farrowing crates. Attitudes are shaped by an individual’s experiences and beliefs; having a pet may influence belief in animal sentience and empathy towards animals, and thus public concern towards animal welfare. Therefore, understanding peoples’ attitudes towards farrowing crates can contribute to future decisions on that matter. This study aimed at investigating the influence of sociodemographic characteristics, including having a pet and perceived relationship with pet, on Brazilian citizens’ attitudes towards farrowing crates. People who had pets or not (Sv1) and people who had a dog or cat (Sv2) were recruited online to participate in two surveys. We provided a brief text and two short videos illustrating conventional farrowing crates and asked participants to rate, in 5-point Likert scales, their attitudes towards farrowing crates and to justify their answer. In Sv2 we also asked people to indicate whether they regarded their pet as a child, a family member, a friend or an animal. Seventy five percent of the participants (Sv1, n = 891; Sv2, n = 1048) were opposed to housing pigs in farrowing crates. Attitudes towards farrowing crates were positively correlated with the perceived quality of life of the sows (Sv1: r = 0.77, p < 0.001; Sv2: r = 0.76, p < 0.001) and piglets (Sv1: r = 0.75, p < 0.001; Sv2: r = 0.7, p < 0.001). Lower attitude scores were associated with participants’ being females, urbanites, with no involvement in livestock, no previous awareness of the practice, as well as with attributing higher sentience to pigs, having a pet, and regarding it as a child or member of the family (p < 0.001). Having a pet (Sv1, Ch-Sq = 9.1, 1 df, p = 0.002) and regarding the pet a child or member of the family (Sv2, Ch-Sq = 49.3, 3 df, p < 0.001) led to greater agreement with the statement “I feel bad for the sow”. Opposition to farrowing crates was underpinned by belief in animal sentience, empathy towards animals, and animal welfare concerns. Throughout the world, urban citizens are becoming increasingly detached from livestock production; pets are the main reference animals for many and, in some cases, part of the family. Thus, our findings suggest that restrictive housing systems for farm animals may become increasingly irreconcilable with societal values.

Awareness among patients taking oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as analgesics: a cross-sectional study

Aim: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the most used drugs for pain management, are among the most commonly prescribed drugs both in the world and in Turkey. NSAIDs have a serious side effect profile, and their inappropriate use can result in adverse outcomes, including mortality. This study aimed to determine awareness among patients who presented to a family medicine outpatient clinic who used oral NSAIDs for pain relief.&#x0D; Material and Method: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The universe of the study consisted of patients aged ≥18 years who presented to the Ankara City Hospital Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic at the end of 2019 for any reason who used at least one type of oral NSAID for pain relief. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Awareness was measured via a survey concerning knowledge and attitude, and knowledge and attitude scores were calculated for each participant. Significance was determined at a p &lt; 0.05 level.&#x0D; Results: There were 210 participants. The most used NSAID was diclofenac. The most common reasons for painkiller use were headache and musculoskeletal pain. Participants had poor knowledge of the diseases associated with NSAID use, and the most well-known diseases were stomach ulcer and bleeding and kidney failure. Participants' average knowledge scores were low, and average attitude scores were relatively higher. Women had significantly higher knowledge scores than men. Knowledge and attitude scores were positively associated with education and income status. Painkiller use was positively correlated with age and negatively correlated with attitude scores. Participants with chronic diseases had lower attitude scores than those without chronic diseases. Knowledge and attitude scores were positively correlated.&#x0D; Conclusion: We conclude that participants lacked knowledge about the general characteristics of and risks associated with NSAIDs, widely used, over-the-counter drugs that are found in almost every home. A more cost-effective, knowledgeable, and rational approach is required for NSAID use.

Knowledge, attitudes, and decision making towards prenatal testing among antenatal clinic attendees in Lagos University Teaching Hospital: an institution-based cross-sectional study.

Introductionin Africa, genetic diseases and congenital anomalies remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Existing data suggests a gap in the use of prenatal tests among pregnant women to better inform decision making. We examined relationships of socio-demographic factors with willingness to terminate affected pregnancies, and the use of, knowledge of, and attitudes towards prenatal screening/diagnostic tests.Methodsthis was a cross-sectional descriptive study of pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (N = 422) selected by convenience sampling. Responses were obtained with assisted self-administered structured questionnaires.Resultsmean ± S.D. age of the respondents was 32.5 ± 5.3 years. The majority of the participants (92.2%) had at least a secondary education. Ultrasound scans in the second trimester were the most frequently used test (39.1%). Only 77 (18.2%) of the respondents indicated willingness to terminate affected pregnancies. The majority of the respondents had fair knowledge and good attitude scores. Knowledge and attitude scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Compared to married women, being single was associated with a 2.62-point lower knowledge score (95% CI: -4.63, -0.62, p = 0.01). Compared to women who responded “no” when asked if they were willing to terminate an affected pregnancy, women who responded “maybe” had a 0.81-point lower attitude score (95% CI: -1.45, -0.17, p = 0.01).Conclusionour results suggest important socio-demographic differences in women´s knowledge/ behaviours towards prenatal diagnostic tests. Further research is needed to explore these relationships and broader pregnancy-related ethical beliefs among pregnant women in Lagos.

Racial disparities in knowledge, attitudes and practices related to COVID-19 in the USA

BackgroundRecent reports indicate racial disparities in the rates of infection and mortality from the 2019 novel coronavirus (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]). The aim of this study was to determine whether disparities exist in the levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) related to COVID-19.MethodsWe analyzed data from 1216 adults in the March 2020 Kaiser Family Foundation ‘Coronavirus Poll’, to determine levels of KAPs across different groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to identify predictors of KAPs.ResultsIn contrast to White respondents, Non-White respondents were more likely to have low knowledge (58% versus 30%; P < 0.001) and low attitude scores (52% versus 27%; P < 0.001), but high practice scores (81% versus 59%; P < 0.001). By multivariate regression, White race (odds ratio [OR] 3.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.70–5.50), higher level of education (OR 1.80; 95% CI: 1.46–2.23) and higher income (OR 2.06; 95% CI: 1.58–2.70) were associated with high knowledge of COVID-19. Race, sex, education, income, health insurance status and political views were all associated with KAPs.ConclusionsRacial and socioeconomic disparity exists in the levels of KAPs related to COVID-19. More work is needed to identify educational tools that tailor to specific racial and socioeconomic groups.

Gender response to Einsteinian physics interventions in school

There is growing interest in the introduction of Einsteinian concepts of space, time, light and gravity across the entire school curriculum. We have developed an educational programme named ‘Einstein-First’, which focuses on teaching Einsteinian concepts by using simple models and analogies. To test the effectiveness of these models and analogies in terms of student attitudes to physics and ability to understand the concepts, various short and long interventions were conducted. These interventions were run with Years 6–10 academically talented and average IQ students. In all cases, we observe significant levels of conceptual understanding and improvement in student attitudes, although the magnitude of the improvement depends on age group and programme duration. This paper reports an unexpected outcome with regards to gender effects. We have compared male and female outcomes. In most cases, independent of age group, academic stream and culture (including one intervention in Indonesia), we find that female students enter our programmes with substantially lower attitude scores than males, while upon the completion of the programme, their attitudes are comparable to the boys. We discuss possible reasons for this effect. The overall results of students’ conceptual understanding and attitudes from different interventions provide evidence that Einsteinian physics can be taught to high school students.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Propensity towards HPV Vaccine of Young Adult Students in Italy.

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), representing the main cause of genital warts and cervical cancer. This cross-sectional study evaluated knowledge and attitudes about HPV infection, related diseases, and prevention and propensity towards HPV vaccine among undergraduate students. Methods: An online and written survey about HPV and its prevention, targeted to young adults of both genders, was addressed to students attending health sciences and other schools at Universities of Genoa and Bari. Results: The overall median knowledge and attitude scores were 56.3% (25–75 p = 40–68.8%) and four out of five (25–75 p = 4–5), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, attending a health sciences university, using social networks ≤2 h a day, a history of STI, having heard about HPV and HPV vaccine previously resulted as predictors of higher knowledge scores. Having heard about HPV previously also predicted a high attitude score, together with a perceived economic status as good. Having Italian and healthcare worker parents, being employed, and following a specific diet, instead, predicted lower attitude score. Conclusions: Poor knowledge and good attitudes were found among undergraduates about HPV. In order to increase HPV vaccine compliance and the counselling skills of future healthcare workers, the improvement of training on HPV is needed.

초등학생의 관광 영향 인식이 관광객에 대한 정서와 태도에 미치는 영향

This study examined the influence of elementary school children’s perception of tourism impact on affect and attitudes toward tourists. The research was conducted under the assumption that there will be differences in the 107perception of tourism impacts as well as affect and attitudes of tourists depending on the frequency level of contact with tourists. It was found that the high contact frequency group had lower perception scores of positive tourism impact than the low contact frequency group. In contrast, the high contact frequency group showed higher perception scores of negative tourism impact. Similarly, the high contact frequency group had lower positive affect scores and higher negative affect scores toward tourists than the low contact frequency group. The attitude toward tourists also showed similar results which the high contact frequency group with visitors had lower attitude scores than the low contact frequency group. These results suggest that schools, community and tourists need to work together for preventing emotional hurts by tourists. Second, it is suggested that efforts should be made to minimize the damage to the real life of the local residents.

Determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice in patients with both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease in Fiji.

Background: In Fiji, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Chronic kidney disease (CKD) are amongst the top four causes of premature mortality, disability and death. This study aims to identify the determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in T2DM patients with CKD in Fiji in 2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sigatoka Sub-divisional Hospital (SSH) in Fiji in July-August, 2018 using a self-structured questionnaire to test KAP of 225 patients. The inclusion criteria were confirmed T2DM patients (Fijian citizens) with CKD, aged 30 years or above and attending Special Out-Patient's Department (SOPD) at SSH. Independent t-test and ANOVA was used to test differences between demographic variable and practice score while non-parametric tests were used for knowledge and attitude. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regressions were conducted. All tests were set at 5% level of significance. Results:From 249 questionnaires distributed, 225 responded thus response rate was 95%. The mean KAP level was high: knowledge, 23.3/30 (SD±3.25); attitude, 23.1/30 (SD±2.73) and practice, 7.1/10 (SD±2.04). A high level of knowledge was seen in those with university-level education (p<0.001), unemployed (p=0.05) and high average monthly income (p=0.03). Those aged 61-70 years had a 0.53-point lower attitude score (p=0.05) than other age categories, while those >70 years had a 1.78-point lower attitude score (p=0.01) than other age categories. Fijians of Indian descent (FID) had lower attitude (p=0.002) and higher practice (p=0.001) scores. Conclusion: Patients with both T2DM and CKD at SSH have high levels of KAP. The determinants of KAP have been shown and thus, this study identified high-risk groups for low KAP, which can become the focus of future public health intervention.

Determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice in patients with both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease in Fiji

Background:In Fiji, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Chronic kidney disease (CKD) are amongst the top four causes of premature mortality, disability and death. This study aims to identify the determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in T2DM patients with CKD in Fiji in 2018.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sigatoka Sub-divisional Hospital (SSH) in Fiji in July-August, 2018 using a self-structured questionnaire to test KAP of 225 patients. The inclusion criteria were confirmed T2DM patients (Fijian citizens) with CKD, aged 30 years or above and attending Special Out-Patient's Department (SOPD) at SSH. Independent t-test and ANOVA was used to test differences between demographic variable and practice score while non-parametric tests were used for knowledge and attitude. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regressions were also done. All the tests were set at 5% level of significance.Results: From 249 questionnaires distributed, 225 responded thus response rate was 95%. The mean KAP level was high: knowledge, 23.3/30 (SD±3.25); attitude, 23.1/30 (SD±2.73) and practice, 7.1/10 (SD±2.04). A high level of knowledge was seen in those with university-level education (p&lt;0.001), unemployed (p=0.05) and high average monthly income (p=0.03). Those aged 61-70 years had a 0.53-point lower attitude score (p=0.05) than other age categories, while those &gt;70 years had a 1.78-point lower attitude score (p=0.01) than other age categories. Fijians of Indian descent (FID) had lower attitude (p=0.002) and higher practice (p=0.001) scores.Conclusion:Patients with both T2DM and CKD at SSH have high levels of KAP. The determinants of KAP have been shown and thus, this study identified high-risk groups for low KAP, which can become the focus of future public health intervention.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with avian influenza along the live chicken market chains in Eastern China: A cross-sectional survey in Shanghai, Anhui, and Jiangsu.

The avian influenza (AI) virus of the H7N9 subtype emerged in China in 2013. Live bird markets (LBMs) selling live meat chickens were indicated to present a high-risk of the virus dissemination. This study aimed to quantify the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on AI and to measure the associated risk factors among different actors along the live chicken market chain within H7N9-affected Eastern provinces in China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in these provinces from June to July 2014. Structured questionnaires about KAP on AI were delivered to chicken farmers, chicken vendors, and consumers in LBMs. Multivariable generalized least squares regression models were developed to identify predictors of KAP scores among different actors. Our results indicate that KAP scores of chicken farmers were generally higher than those of chicken vendors. Chicken farmers who worked for more than 15years had significantly lower total KAP scores than those who worked for less than 6 years. Chicken farmers who worked more than 15hrs in a day had significantly lower attitude scores than those who worked less than 6hrs. For chicken vendors, females and individuals>35 years old had significantly lower knowledge scores compared to the reference categories. Practice scores were significantly higher in female vendors and those vendors who also conducted slaughter compared to males and vendors who did not conduct slaughter. Consumers who bought chicken at least once every month had better risk awareness compared to those who bought chicken at least once every week. In addition, female consumers had significantly better practice scores than male consumers. In conclusion, risk-based health promotion interventions should be developed and implemented by animal health agencies (targeting farmers and vendors) and public health agencies (targeting frequent and male consumers) to prevent transmission of H7N9 along the market chain in China.

Determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice in patients with both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease in Fiji

Background: In Fiji, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Chronic kidney disease (CKD) are amongst the top four causes of premature mortality, disability and death. This study aims to identify the determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in T2DM patients with CKD in Fiji in 2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sigatoka Sub-divisional Hospital (SSH) in Fiji in July-August, 2018 using a self-structured questionnaire to test KAP of 225 patients. The inclusion criteria were confirmed T2DM patients (Fijian citizens) with CKD, aged 30 years or above and attending Special Out-Patient's Department (SOPD) at SSH. Independent t-test and ANOVA was used to test differences between demographic variable and practice score while non-parametric tests were used for knowledge and attitude. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regressions were conducted. All tests were set at 5% level of significance. Results: From 249 questionnaires distributed, 225 responded thus response rate was 95%. The mean KAP level was high: knowledge, 23.3/30 (SD±3.25); attitude, 23.1/30 (SD±2.73) and practice, 7.1/10 (SD±2.04). A high level of knowledge was seen in those with university-level education (p<0.001), unemployed (p=0.05) and high average monthly income (p=0.03). Those aged 61-70 years had a 0.53-point lower attitude score (p=0.05) than other age categories, while those >70 years had a 1.78-point lower attitude score (p=0.01) than other age categories. Fijians of Indian descent (FID) had lower attitude (p=0.002) and higher practice (p=0.001) scores. Conclusion: Patients with both T2DM and CKD at SSH have high levels of KAP. The determinants of KAP have been shown and thus, this study identified high-risk groups for low KAP, which can become the focus of future public health intervention.

Determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice in patients with both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease in Fiji

Background:In Fiji, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Chronic kidney disease (CKD) are amongst the top four causes of premature mortality, disability and death. This study aims to identify the determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in T2DM patients with CKD in Fiji in 2018.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sigatoka Sub-divisional Hospital (SSH) in Fiji in July-August, 2018 using a self-structured questionnaire to test KAP of 225 patients. The inclusion criteria were confirmed T2DM patients (Fijian citizens) with CKD, aged 30 years or above and attending Special Out-Patient's Department (SOPD) at SSH. Independent t-test and ANOVA was used to test differences between demographic variable and practice score while non-parametric tests were used for knowledge and attitude. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regressions were also done. All the tests were set at 5% level of significance.Results:The mean KAP level was high: knowledge, 23.3 (SD±3.25); attitude, 23.1 (SD±2.73) and practice, 7.1 (SD±2.04). A high level of knowledge was seen in those with university-level education (p&lt;0.001), unemployed (p=0.05) and high average monthly income (p=0.03). Those aged 61-70 years had a 0.53-point lower attitude score (p=0.05) than other age categories, while those &gt;70 years had a 1.78-point lower attitude score (p=0.01) than other age categories. Fijians of Indian descent (FID) had lower attitude (p=0.002) and higher practice (p=0.001) scores.Conclusion:Patients with both T2DM and CKD at SSH have high levels of KAP. Those with higher levels of education, the unemployed and those with high monthly income had higher knowledge, FID had low attitude but high practice scores, and the higher age category had lower attitude scores. The study identified high-risk groups for low KAP, which can become the focus of future public health intervention.

Variations in Primary Teachers’ Responses and Development during Three Major Science In- Service Programmes

This paper reports on how different types of teachers responded to in-service aimed at developing investigative-based science education (IBSE) in primary schools, and the extent to which they applied their new skills in the classroom. Common items from evaluation questionnaires allowed data to be combined from three major in-service programmes. Using complete data sets from 120 teachers, cluster analysis enabled three teacher types to be identified: a small group of ‘science unsures’, with low attitude scores and little confidence, who showed no response to the innovation; ‘holistic improvers’, who showed the largest improvement in science teaching confidence; and ‘high level, positive progressives’, who were very positive to science teaching throughout and showed gains in confidence in teachingphysics and chemistry, as well as in demonstrating the relevance of science to their pupils. Taking account of these teacher types alongside interviews and observations, nine developmental stages in how teachers apply their new expertise in the classroom and the whole school are suggested. Major factors influencing application in the classroom are the teachers’ initial science knowledge and pedagogical expertise, and motivating feedback to teachers when pupils responded positively to the innovation. Assessing teachers’ initial level of subject knowledge and science pedagogical expertise to inform the approach and amount of in-service provision is important. Subsequent mentoring as well as support from the school principal when teachers first try IBSE with pupils promotes successful implementationin the classroom.

Survey of Knowledge and Attitudes about Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Among Italian Anaesthetists.

As the care of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) patients remains heterogeneous, we hypothesized that it may reflect insufficient OSA knowledge/awareness among clinicians. OSA Knowledge/Attitude Questionnaire (OSAKA) was translated into Italian and distributed to anaesthetists attending SIAARTI National Congress and Airways courses and Hands-on Workshops from October 2012 to June 2013. In total, 370 anaesthetists returned the questionnaires (response rate, 62%); the median (interquartile range [IQR]) knowledge score was 12 (10-14), and the range was 1-17 with no difference by gender, age, professional title or years of practice. The knowledge items achieved a mean rate of corrected response of 66%±0.14%. With regard to attitude items, median (IQR) score was 15 (13-17) and range was 0-20. Females and anaesthetists with >15 years of practice reached higher scores, while anaesthesia residents showed a lower attitude score. Gender and professional title were statistically associated with the attitude score (gender: F=14.6, p=0.0002; professional title: F=4.72, p=0.0099), whereas a weak association was observed within years in practice and attitude score (F=2.6, p=0.0519). Knowledge score correlated positively with attitude score (r=0.4, p<0.0001). For knowledge domains, there was a positive correlation between pathophysiology (mid-grade: r=0.3, p<0.0001), symptoms (low grade: r=0.2, p<0.0001), diagnosis (mid grade: r=0.3, p<0.0001) and the attitude score. Correlation close to zero was observed for epidemiology and treatment domains (r=0.09, p=0.06; r=-0.01, p=0.78, respectively). The results of our survey demonstrate lack of knowledge about OSA and its treatment, revealing the need to update the syllabus of teaching in medical practice and in national health care policies to improve perioperative care.

A cross sectional study assessing the knowledge and attitudes towards lumbar puncture among the staff of a public university in Malaysia

Problem consideredLumbar puncture (LP) refusal rates of as high as 30% have been reported in developing countries. Without LP, the patients may suffer suboptimal treatment or unnecessary complications from their disease. Due to a lack of studies exploring the reasons behind this LP refusal, no solution has been suggested to address this problem. Therefore, we carried out this study with the aim of determining knowledge of and attitude towards LP among the public. MethodsA cross-sectional survey study among staff in a public university in Malaysia was conducted using stratified random sampling. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to 500 staff members from April to August 2015. The questionnaire, which included questions on demography, knowledge and attitude towards LP, was pre-tested and validated (Cronbach’s alpha=0.701). ResultsA total of 316 of 500 (63%) responded, of which 294 were complete and analysed. The median (IQR) age was 34 and 65% were female. 80% had tertiary education. The mean knowledge score was 6±3; 74% were categorised into poorly informed, 23% moderately informed, and 3% well-informed. The mean attitude score was 35±4; 3% were categorised as having poor attitude, 72% moderate attitude, and 27% good attitude. Respondents with higher education had a higher knowledge and attitude score (p=0.001), while respondents afraid of needles had a lower attitude score (p=0.019). Total knowledge scores and total attitude scores showed a positive correlation (r=0.272, p=0.001). ConclusionThe public are not adequately informed about LP, leading to the unreceptive attitudes towards LP consent. Therefore, the public should be educated about LP to create better awareness.

Study on attitudes of students of Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Branch toward food safety, 2016.

BackgroundGiven the importance of high-quality healthy food for humans, contamination control is the most important concern for healthy staff.AimTo determine the attitudes of students at Islamic Azad University (Tehran Medical Branch) toward food safety.MethodsThis cross-sectional and analytic-descriptive study was conducted on 326 students of Azad University of Medical Sciences in 2016. A self-made questionnaire consisting of 40 questions was used. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using internal consistency method (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.80). After collecting data, we use descriptive statistical indexes (mean and standard deviation) among demographic variables and the level of knowledge to describe and analyze the data. The participants’ attitudes and operation are measured by Spearman tests, and the analytical results are given using SPSS version 20.ResultsAccording to the findings, 55.3, 30 and 14.7 percent of students had high, moderate and low attitude scores toward food safety, respectively. In addition, male and female students had equal attitudes toward food safety, and no significant relationship between sex and attitude was observed a significant difference (p>0.05), but between educational levels (p=0.008) and ages (p=0.001) of students significance was a positive correlation.ConclusionsDue to the low attitudes score of about half of the students of Islamic Azad University Tehran Medical Branch toward food safety, it can be claimed, food safety training in this community is required.

Are the Saudi parents aware of antibiotic role in upper respiratory tract infections in children?

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is considered to be the most common reason for children's visits to emergency departments or outpatient clinics. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics are currently major public health problems worldwide. This study aimed to assess Saudi parents' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding the use of antibiotics in URTIs in children. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia using a previously validated questionnaire, which was distributed using Twitter. A total of 385 individuals completed the questionnaire. For the majority of the participants (77%), physicians were the primary source of information regarding the use of antibiotics. Forty-four percent of parents agreed that most URTIs are caused by viruses, and 81% were aware that inappropriate use of antibiotics leads to the development of antibiotic resistance. Fever was the primary symptom (27%) that led parents to ask for prescriptions for antibiotics. Although women had a higher attitude score (p=0.01), there was no difference between genders regarding knowledge and practice. Older participants (41 years or more) had a lower attitude score (p=0.02). Furthermore, participants with five children or more had lower attitude and practice scores (p=0.006, 0.04, respectively). Participants who lived in large cities had greater knowledge compared to the inhabitants of small cities (p=0.01). In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrated that most of the participants were educated but lacked knowledge regarding antibiotic use in URTIs in children. This lack of knowledge led to inappropriate attitude and practice. Thus, launching public educational campaigns and encouraging physicians to educate parents regarding the proper use of antibiotics are recommended.

Gender Differences in Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Cardiovascular Disease and its Treatment among Asian Patients

Introduction: Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) impact on cardiac disease outcomes, with noted cultural and gender differences. In this Asian cohort, we aimed to analyse the KAP of patients towards cardiac diseases and pertinent factors that influence such behaviour, focusing on gender differences. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed among consecutive outpatients from a cardiac clinic over 2 months in 2014. Results: Of 1406 patients approached, 1000 (71.1%) responded (mean age 57.0 ± 12.7 years, 713 [71.3%] males). There was significant correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (r = 0.224, P <0.001), and knowledge and practice scores (r = 0.114, P <0.001). There was no correlation between attitude and practice scores. Multivariate predictors of higher knowledge scores included female sex, higher education, higher attitude and practice scores and prior coronary artery disease. Multivariate predictors of higher attitude scores included higher education, higher knowledge scores and non-Indian ethnicity. Multivariate predictors of higher practice scores included male sex, Indian ethnicity, older age, higher knowledge score and hypertension. Males had lower knowledge scores (85.8 ± 8.0% vs 88.0 ± 8.2%, P <0.001), lower attitude scores (91.4 ± 9.4% vs 93.2 ± 8.3%, P = 0.005) and higher practice scores (58.4 ± 18.7% vs 55.1 ± 19.3%, P = 0.013) than females. Conclusion: In our Asian cohort, knowledge of cardiovascular health plays a significant role in influencing attitudes and practices. There exists significant gender differences in KAP. Adopting gender-specific strategies for future public health campaigns could address the above gender differences.