Main Source Of Information Research Articles

Access to Information, and Concerns, Myths and Truths about Food Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Overview of the Portuguese Population.

The COVID-19 pandemic raised questions and concerns about the possibility of the virus being transmitted through food, as the virus was found in sewage, shrimps and packages of frozen food. During the first wave of COVID-19, concerns about the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through food arose. As the number of cases began to increase rapidly, so did the availability of information regarding the virus and ways to prevent infection. A significant portion of this information was disseminated by the media and the general public. Identifying and understanding the main doubts and concerns about food hygiene and safety raised by the Portuguese population during the first wave of COVID-19 is important in order to understand whether these issues have influenced their practices and what lessons can be learnt for food safety and hygiene education. The aims of this work were (1) to understand the doubts and concerns of the Portuguese population regarding food safety and hygiene during the first wave of COVID-19, and how these issues were clarified, (2) to analyze the population's opinion on food/hygiene myths and truths related to the transmission and prevention of the infection, and (3) to understand how the first wave of COVID-19 may have influenced the population's practices linked to food handling and consumption. The main doubts of the respondents were related to food handling (41.6%) and the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 through food (17%). Television was the main source of information used to clarify these doubts (32.9%), followed by a guideline issued by the Directorate-General of Health (30.7%). However, most respondents (50.9%) said that they had only found answers to some of their questions. Most respondents reported washing and disinfecting hands before (85% and 63.4%, respectively) and after (73.8% and 57.3%, respectively) the handling and organization of food purchases. Most respondents did not believe the myths about COVID-19 and food safety, but this depended on their level of education. Some practices may have changed as a result of the pandemic, particularly with regard to washing and disinfecting hands and food, as well as kitchen hygiene.

Knowledge and Attitudes towards Antibiotic Usage

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a global problem, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has made this problem one of its priorities for solving. Repeated and improper use of antibiotics is the main reason for the bacteria's resistance to the drugs.
 Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, and attitudes of Palestinians regarding antibiotic usage and awareness about resistance.
 Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that targeted Palestinians from different cities. We used an online questionnaire which distributed randomly for data collection. The questionnaire consists of 52 questions to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of antibiotic use and resistance. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze the data collected.
 Results: A total of 744 participated in the study and completed the questionnaire, and the majority of them (60.5 %; n= 450 out of 744) were from the Hebron Governorate. The major of the respondents also were females (n= 653, 87.8%) and their age between 20-35 years old (n= 498, 66.9%) with a bachelor degree (n= 502, 67.5%). The majority of them (75.5%, n= 560) think that antibiotics should be given only by prescription, and about half of the people (52%= n= 387) believe that antibiotics are not safe. Most participants relied on the physician for dispensing the antibiotic (60.1%, n= 455) but the same percentage of them use leftover antibiotics that have been used previously. Four hundred eighty-three (65%, n= 483) who completed the questionnaire heard about the antibiotic resistance term from medical staff, and their main primary sources of information about antibiotics and medicines were from health staff too (50%, n= 371), then internet (25%, n= 185). Some people (16%, n= 119) mentioned that pharmacists have a role in educating them and providing all the necessary information, or advice about the use of medicines and the dangers of medication misuse. Most of the participants obtained the antibiotics by prescription from a doctor (n= 339, 45.6%), then from the Pharmacist (n= 91, 12.2%), and 63 persons (8.5%) purchases them on their own. Quite a high number of participants (n= 348, 46.8%) stop taking antibiotics when they start feeling better. According to the results obtained, social media was the primary source of information regarding antibiotic resistance.
 Conclusions: Higher education, younger age, gender, profession, and a high monthly income were associated significantly with good knowledge and a positive attitude toward antibiotic use. Educational interventions for appropriate antibiotic use are needed all the time and enforcing antibiotics regulations should be also considered to reduce antibiotic resistance.

Improving Emergency Medicine Clinician Awareness of Prehospital-Administered Medications

Background/problem: Information transfer between emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency medicine (EM) is at high risk for omissions and errors. EM awareness of prehospital medication administration affects patient management and medication error. In April 2020, we surveyed emergency physicians and emergency department nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) regarding the EMS handoff process. Emergency physicians and NPs/PAs endorsed knowing what medications were given, or having received direct verbal handoff from EMS “Often” or “Always” only 20% of the time (n = 71), identifying a need to improve the written handoff process. To assess rates of medication error due to lack of awareness of prehospital administered medications, we measured glucocorticoid redosing in the emergency department (ED) following prehospital dexamethasone administration. In 2020, glucocorticoids were redosed 30% of the time, and our aim was to reduce glucocorticoid redosing to 10% by June 2022. Intervention: We developed and implemented a system innovation where prehospital-administered medications documented in a nursing flowsheet during verbal handoff are pulled directly into the triage note where they are more likely to be reviewed by receiving EM clinicians. Results: Shewhart p-charts were used to evaluate for statistical process change in the process measure of triage note documentation of prehospital medication administration and the outcome measure of glucocorticoid redosing. While the frequency of prehospital dexamethasone administration in the triage note increased, no statistical process change outcome measure of glucocorticoid redosing was observed. However, on repeat survey of EM clinicians in July 2022, 50% now indicated they were aware of prehospital medication administration “Often” or “Always” (n = 61, p = 0.003), 87% maintained they use the triage note as the main source of information regarding prehospital medication administration, and 81% “Always” review the triage note. Conclusions: Innovations that improve accessibility of written documentation of prehospital medication administration were associated with improved subjective assessment of EM clinician awareness of prehospital medications, but not the outcome measure of medication error. Effective error reduction likely requires better system integration between prehospital and EM records.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Concerns Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Among Unvaccinated Elderly People in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia.

Vaccination is the best weapon to prevent any disease, especially pandemics like COVID-19, and building herd immunity is the best way to control the disease's spread. On one side, vaccine availability is important, and on the other, its successful distribution is faced with difficulty in a wide geographical area. Availability and distribution go hand in hand, which is the public health challenge. Vaccines are taking over, clearing up concerns about vaccination and making the public ready. The high-risk public should receive vaccines without resistance, which is of utmost importance. Unvaccinated older adults are at higher risk for COVID-19 infection, morbidity, and mortality. The reasons why older people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 do not want to receive vaccines when they are available include a lack of knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination and listening to incorrect sources of information. With this background, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and concerns of unvaccinated older adults in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia. A community-based cross-sectional study was planned to find out the knowledge and attitudes of the elderly in the Assir Region, Saudi Arabia. A total of 434 unvaccinated elderly persons were recruited randomly from the list of elderly (>60 years) who were unvaccinated. The data was gathered using a structured interview schedule in Arabic. Out of 434 participants, more than half (54.8%) were male. Most of the participants were Saudi citizens (91.5%). Of the participants, nearly one-fifth (19.8%) of them had a previous history of COVID-19 infection. The participants' main sources of information about vaccination against COVID-19 were the mass media (41.9%), followed by word of mouth from friends, families, or neighbors (41.7%), and social media (16.4%). More than three-fourths of them (85.7%) had poor knowledge regarding the COVID-19 vaccination. The participants' poor knowledge grades were mainly among those aged >80 years, illiterate, unemployed participants, and current smokers. Those participants relying on social media had the highest number of concerns (6.663.21) regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Most participants have poor knowledge, and their knowledge of COVID-19 vaccination is limited. Participants whose main source of knowledge is the mass media need to intensify their education activities in the mass media. Social media, whose primary source of information is social media, has the greatest number of issues that require immediate attention. Social media content must be scanned, and misinformation needs to be addressed.

HAKIKAT MANUSIA DAN IMPLIKASI DALAM ISLAM PERSPEKTIF IMAM AL- GHOZALI

This study discusses human nature in an Islamic perspective according to Imam Al-Ghazali and the implications of this view in everyday life. The library research method is used in collecting data from various sources such as books, magazines, journals, and related literature available in the library. Google Scholar is the main source of information in collecting data. The collected data is analyzed and processed to produce conclusions. The results of this study are that according to Imam Al-Ghazali, humans consist of physical and spiritual aspects that are interrelated and influence one another. The implication of this view in everyday life is the importance of maintaining a healthy body through a healthy diet, exercise and adequate rest. In addition, avoiding behavior that damages the body and morals and strengthens faith and spirituality also helps to maintain a balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of human beings.

Building resilience in the cow herd with a systems approach


 Veterinarians involved with bovine practice are the main source of information to clients related to animal well-being. To remain relevant and bring value to clients, we must move from the pathogen/disease paradigm to one that encompasses systems thinking, particularly as it relates to building resil­ience in the system. Systems thinking is the ability to identify related forces that are a part of the business of cattle raising. Animal health can be measured with objective indices such as morbidity and mortality, and inputs spent on antibiotic use and preventive vaccines. When animal health issues occur in well-managed herds, resist the temptation to only search for pathogens related to disease; instead, ask the appropriate ques­tions and seek out information necessary to identify the system of the ranch and look for ways to return to balance. Aspects of the system that must be addressed include genetic selection pressure, nutrition, grazing systems and management, envi­ronment, handling facilities, people behavior, competing enter­prises, and labor resources. Trust with clients is critical to com­munication and to implement strategies to regain resilience and balance in the system.

Университетский медиадискурс: к проблеме патриотического воспитания молодежи

The article is devoted to the study of university media discourse as a means of attracting the attention of the younger generation in order to form an objective idea of patriotism as a significant state value. Social networks, channels and official websites of educational institutions serve as the main source of information about the university for students, and they can be used to strengthen the patriotic stance.

Better to Be Unpaid than COVID-19 Vaccinated! A Qualitative Study on Italian Nurses Suspended from Work without Salary.

In Italy, from April 2021, healthcare workers were required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; if they refused it, an immediate unpaid suspension was implemented until they received the vaccine. Although there are numerous quantitative studies on the factors that influenced vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, qualitative research on the causes of vaccine refusal is still missing. This research aimed to investigate the phenomenon of nurses who refused to receive COVID-19 vaccination despite being required to do so, as well as the reasons behind their refusal. Furthermore, the actions of those who abandoned this stance were explored. This was a qualitative study involving the methodological approach of grounded theory. Twenty-four nurses were interviewed virtually via Zoom from May to July 2022. Anti-vax behavior-as emerged from nurses' experiences-was based on seven themes: (1) job satisfaction, (2) the main sources of information on COVID-19, (3) the reasons for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, (4) the attitudes of family members toward the COVID-19 vaccine, (5) previous experience with other vaccines, (6) firm opposition to the vaccine (unvaccinated nurses), (7) reluctant acceptance (vaccinated nurses). It was shown that it is imperative for health authorities to adopt timely, documented, transparent, and consistent communication when carrying out public health campaigns, especially for vaccination.

Online Gaming Frequency and Student's Academic Performance in the Kathmandu Valley

Background: Digital technology has made a big difference in the lives of younger people, especially students. They socialize through mobile and internet interaction. College-level students spend too much time playing online games to interact with others. Objective: The study examines the relationship and impact of online gaming on students' academic performance in the Kathmandu Valley. Design/methodology/Approach: The study has adopted descriptive and causal research designs to deal with the various issues raised in this study. Respondents were BBA-level students in the Kathmandu Valley. We selected four hundred respondents through a purposive sampling technique. Primary data was the main source of information. It was quantitative. The study used a well-structured survey questionnaire to collect the data. We analyzed the data using mean, median, standard deviation, variance, correlation, and regression analysis. Findings: The analysis indicates that the frequency of online gaming has a certain impact on students' academic performances, although this impact is relatively minor. Moreover, the data reveal that online gaming does affect academic performance in terms of gender. Conclusion: Concerned institutions need to organize awareness programs to inform of the positive and negative impacts of online gaming frequency to students, parents, and teachers. Teachers can use only educational games to get students involved in the classroom because game apps related to course books are made to test a person's ability to think critically and analyze information so that students can solve more complicated problems. Future researchers can study other factors that affect students’ academic performance with a larger sample size and from a wide area using quantitative data to address the research problem.

Exclusive breastfeeding knowledge and practice among nursing mothers in selected healthcare facilities in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria.

Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) in the first six months of life is recognized as an indispensable component of survival, physical and mental development of children. Despite the enormous benefits of EBF, only 39% of infants less than 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed globally. This study assessed EBF knowledge, practice and associated factors among nursing mothers attending health facilities in Kaduna metropolis. Descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out with the aid of a structured questionnaire at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital and Gwamna Awwal General Hospital in Kaduna. The participants were recruited by simple random sampling technique with the assistance of trained research assistants for four consecutive weeks in each of the hospital. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Majority of the participants were in the age range of 21-30 years. Their main source of information on breastfeeding was from ante-natal clinics (78.3%). Most (86.6%) of the participants had a good knowledge and awareness about EBF, 69.1% of them initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth (within an hour) and 70% of the participants practiced EBF. Insufficient milk, belief that infants require extra fluid, fear of alteration in the breast figure, cultural practice and societal beliefs were identified as the most common barriers to the practice of EBF. Findings from this study showed that most of the participants had a very good knowledge of EBF and are practicing it.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Preference of Radiology as a Future Specialty Among Medical Students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare continues to spark interest and has been the subject of extensive discussion in recent years as well as its potential effects on future medical specialties, including radiology.In this study, we aimed to study the impact of AI on the preference of medical students at Jazan University in choosing radiology as a future specialty. Methodology An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested self-administered online questionnaire among medical students at Jazan University. Data were cleaned, coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS (SPSS Inc., USA) version 25. Statistical significance was defined as a P-value of less than 0.05. We examined the respondents' preference for radiologyrankings with the presence and absence of AI. Radiology's ranking as a preferred specialty with or without AI integration was statistically analyzed for associations with baseline characteristics, personal opinions, and previous exposures among those who had radiology as one of their top three options. Results Approximately 27.4% of males and 28.3% of females ranked radiology among their top three preferred choices. Almost 65.2% were exposed to radiology topics through pre-clinical lectures. The main sources of information about AI for the studied group were medical students (41%) and the Internet (27.5%). The preference of students for radiology was significantly affected when it is assessed by AI (P < 0.05). Around (16.1%) of those who chose radiology as one of their top three choices strongly agree that AI will decrease the job opportunities for radiologists. Logistic regression analysis showed that being a female is significantly associated with an increased chance to replace radiology with other specialty when it is integrated with AI (Crude odds ratio (COR) = 1.91). Conclusion Our results demonstrated that the students' choices were significantly affected by the presence of AI. Thereover, to raise medical students' knowledge and awareness of the potential positive effects of AI, it is necessary to organize an educational campaign, webinars, and conferences.

РАЗВИТИЕ МЕТОДИЧЕСКОГО ИНСТРУМЕНТАРИЯ ВНУТРЕННЕГО КОНТРОЛЯ БУХГАЛТЕРСКОЙ ФИНАНСОВОЙ ОТЧЕТНОСТИ

Providing the management of an economic entity with timely and reliable information about financial and economic activities is one of the conditions for its effective functioning. The main source of such information is the internal control of financial statements. The working documents of internal control developed in the course of the study contribute to the improvement of the methodological support of the audit. To improve the planning of internal control of financial statements, a working document is proposed that allows to increase the effectiveness of control measures and to systemize the results of control procedures in a timely manner. It is recommended to reflect the results of checking the completeness and correctness of reporting accounting data in the working document of internal control “Checking the completeness and correctness of reporting accounting data”, on the basis of which it is possible to draw conclusions about the correctness and completeness of the reflection of accounting data accounting in financial statements. The revealed differences between the data of financial reports and the data of accounting registers allow us to draw conclusions about the deviations that may occur when transferring indicators from accounting registers to the reporting form. Errors found during internal control of financial statements are proposed to be systematized in the working document of internal control "Classifier of identified errors and violations in the process of internal control of financial statements" in order to subsequently assess the impact of identified violations on the organization's performance indicators and on determining taxable base for separate types of taxes.

High-resolution CMIP6 climate projections for Ethiopia using the gridded statistical downscaling method

High-resolution climate model projections for a range of emission scenarios are needed for designing regional and local adaptation strategies and planning in the context of climate change. To this end, the future climate simulations of global circulation models (GCMs) are the main sources of critical information. However, these simulations are not only coarse in resolution but also associated with biases and high uncertainty. To make the simulations useful for impact modeling at regional and local level, we utilized the bias correction constructed analogues with quantile mapping reordering (BCCAQ) statistical downscaling technique to produce a 10 km spatial resolution climate change projections database based on 16 CMIP6 GCMs under three emission scenarios (SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5). The downscaling strategy was evaluated using a perfect sibling approach and detailed results are presented by taking two contrasting (the worst and best performing models) GCMs as a showcase. The evaluation results demonstrate that the downscaling approach substantially reduced model biases and generated higher resolution daily data compared to the original GCM outputs.

Prevalence of Sexuality and The Use of Contraceptives among Female Students: Specific Case of the Adventist University of Goma

Knowing that unwanted pregnancies can constitute an obstacle to the normal course of studies and that contraception is a means that can facilitate the avoidance of unplanned pregnancy, we initiated this study with the aim of determining the prevalence of sexuality and the contraceptives ‘use amongst female students. A self-administered questionnaire was submitted to 94 female students out of a total of 823. At the end of the survey, the following results were obtained: The average age of the students is 22.1 with the standard deviation of 4.1; 100% have information on contraceptive methods, the main source of information is the radio (37%) but the information received on campus about contraceptive methods represents 26%. 67% of female students have a favorable opinion of contraception; 53% female students are currently using contraceptive methods [reflecting an active sexuality] against 47% who do not use any and 31% have opted for modern contraceptive methods. 100% are self-supported regarding the acquisition of contraceptives. Therefore, the study recommends the integration of sexual and reproductive education programs, and provide spaces for exchange to improve knowledge in the field of sexuality and contraception.

La biblioteca médica digital: un recurso para la formación continua y la actualización profesional

This article describes the experience of using and subscribing to new electronic resources from the Digital Medical Library (BMD) of the Faculty of Medicine (FacMed). Its structure and function are explained, as well as the support received by the General Directorate of Libraries and Digital Services. The backgroundof BMD, created in 1998, is presented. In addition, the development and scope of remoteaccess is explained. In 2021, it becomes the main source of information for the FacMed community. It is made up of 5 sections: electronic resources; electronic book platforms; dictionaries, encyclopedias and reference works; bibliography, catalog and electronic books; electronic journals. Since 2020, the bibliography of all the undergraduate study plans in this entity has been updated and reviewed, thus making it possible for it to be used by the undergraduate community in an unprecedented number during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the resources most used by the entire community, the process of evaluation and integration of new resources are described. Keywords: Digital library; access; educational resources; digital collections; resource evaluation.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Adult Malaria Patients Co-Infected with Opportunistic Intestinal Coccidian Parasites in Fundong Health District, Northwest, Cameroon: A Cross Section Study Design

Introduction: Malaria and intestinal coccidian parasitic co-infections, are becoming a public health emergency affecting millions of people around the world. They are among the leading cause of socio-economic problems, long suffering and death especially in developing countries like Cameroon. Introducing new appropriate preventive and control measures to the population requires thorough assessment of community and patient-based knowledge, attitude and preventive practices towards malaria and pathogenic intestinal coccidian parasites is crucial. Our study aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices and the risk factors among adult malaria patients co-infected with intestinal parasitic infections in the Fundong Health District, a locality in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between February and December, 2022 involving sixteen (16) health facilities in Fundong Health district. A total number of 330 patients participated in the study. Normal saline wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques were employed in coccidian parasitic detection. Blood samples were subjected to Giemsa stained and viewed microscopically to detect the Plasmodium parasites. Pretested structured questionnaires were administered to collect information on patient’s socio-demographic factors and determine patients’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria and intestinal coccidian parasites, as well as their prevention and control. The Pearson’s Chi-Square (χ2) and Student T-test were performed a part of the statistical analysis to check for associations between malaria, infection and between malaria-coccidian co-infection and demographic factors. Statistical significance was set a P-value&lt;0.05. Results: Participants main sources of information on malaria were: Television (TV) and radio 111/330 (34%), community health workers 109/330 (33%), and Hospitals (37%). Participants had good knowledge of mosquito bite as the malaria transmission route, 296/330 (90%), night time is the frequent biting time for the mosquito 296/330(90%), dark corners 229 (69%) and dirty areas 175(53%) as mosquito resting places. Knowledge score was also good on cleaning of the house surroundings, 281/330(85%), clearing the bushes 180/330(55%), poor knowledge score on drainage of stagnant water113/330 (34%) as ways to prevent the mosquito from multiplying. Participants had good knowledge of insecticide treated bed nets 295/330 (89%) as the best way to prevent mosquito bites. However, participants also expressed poor knowledge on edges of the river or streams 7(20%), and animal shed 20/330 (6%) as mosquito hiding places, and Plasmodium specie as malaria causative agent 8/330 (2%) (P-value=0.011). Poor scores were recorded on knowledge of opportunistic intestinal coccidian parasites (19.4%) (P=0.427), and was significantly low on unsafe water (47.2%) (P-value=0.036) as possible transmission routes for coccidian parasites. The knowledge score was also low on the at-risk population for malaria and intestinal coccidian infection (31.9%) P-value=0.009. Participants who had poor knowledge about coccidian transmission routes were less likely to drink from protected water source with an odds of 0.713(95% CI: 0.297-1.711) P value=0.449, compared to those who were more knowledgeable and who were 2.981(95% CI: 1.367-6.115) P value=0.005, more likely to use protected source of drinking water. Participants who had hand washing facility in the household were 3.488 (1.760-6.912) value=0.001 times more likely have better knowledge of coccidian transmission routes compared to those who did not have 0.748 (95% CI: 0.406-1.376) P value=0.350. Poor knowledge score of poor hygiene as major cause of coccidian infection significantly associated with poor practice score of sometime or not at all disinfecting animal shed to prevent coccidian infection among study participants (P =0.039). Conclusion: The overall knowledge scores, attitude and practices level of participants towards malaria and opportunistic intestinal coccidian parasites were relatively good. A significant proportion of the participants still have misconceptions about cause, modes of transmission and practices towards malaria and coccidian prevention methods. A combined health education programmes for malaria and intestinal coccidian parasites aimed at raising community awareness needs to be evidence based and requires innovative approaches, to address the gaps identified in the study.

“Tales” of members of the Sovereign’s Court – natives of the Turkic nobility as a source of information from boyar lists about their readiness for regimental service (mid-17th century)

The article investigates the "tales" of the members of the Sovereign’s Court – natives of the Turkic nobility as a source of information from the boyar lists of the middle of the 17th century about their readiness for regimental service. All the documents studied in the article were deposited in the fund of the Razryadnyi Prikaz of the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RGADA). The personal composition of representatives of the Turkic elite in Moscow ranks is considered. The "tales" of 1653–1668 of the members of the Sovereign’s Court – natives of the Turkic nobility were identified and introduced into scientific circulation. It is established that the "tales" of military servicemen (including representatives of the Turkic nobility) were the main source of information of the boyar lists of the middle of the 17th century about their readiness for regimental service and could function in the office of the Razryadnyi Prikaz for a long time. The article is addressed to specialists in the history of the Sovereign's Court, social history, the history of public administration, and the source studies of clerical work documents. For citation: Belousov M.R. “Tales” of members of the Sovereign’s Court – natives of the Turkic nobility as a source of information from boyar lists about their readiness for regimental service (mid-17th century). From History and Culture of Peoples of the Middle Volga Region. 2023, vol.13, no.2, pp.95–116. https://doi.org/10.22378/2410-0765.2023-13-2.95-116 (In Russian)

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers regarding dengue fever in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran.

Dengue fever is a rapidly emerging infection worldwide with a high public health burden. Adequate training of healthcare workers is essential to warrant the timely provision of health services to improve the outcome of dengue management. This is an analytical cross-sectional study, conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of healthcare workers regarding dengue from April 2021 to March 2022 in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Data was collected using a researcher-made structured questionnaire, prepared as Google Forms, and sent to target groups through social media and email. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 22 software using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square) at a significant level of 5%. Most of the respondents had heard about dengue (83.8%); media (32.7%) and academic education (25%) were the main sources of information. Respondents had less knowledge associated with dengue symptoms (52%) than prevention and control (69%), transmission (72.2%) and clinical management (81%). Based on the 70% cut-off point, the majority of the participants had a good attitude (81%) and practice (73%). However, only 49.6% of the respondents showed good practice regarding dengue local transmission. A significant difference was observed between participants knowledge on clinical management with occupation; attitude with gender and occupation; and practice with gender (p < 0.05). The results of this study revealed gaps in some dimensions of KAP in healthcare workers, therefore, a greater focus should be placed on future training programs to raise knowledge and attitude leading to sound practice and behavior for adequate management of dengue.

Socioeconomic Effects of Oyo State Government COVID-19 Palliatives on Tomato Smallholder Farmers

This study interviewed 197 farmers that benefitted from the government palliative in the form of tomato farm inputs to help farmers contain the negative effects of COVID-19 of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. Demographic features show that the average family size was 6, average age of the beneficiaries was 43, gender of the household heads shows that the beneficiaries have 67% males and 33% females. Production features show that 28% of the tomato farmers intercropped their tomato with other crops, 40% of them went through government training, and 25% of them accessed credit to take of their farms. Farmer to farmer was the main source of information (77%). Using the Likert Scale characterization shows that 74.6% of the farmers believed that the palliative increased their yield, 81.2% agreed that the palliatives just reduced hunger in their household, while 86.3% agreed that there was an increase in their farm income as a result of the intervention. Logit regression results reveal that Farmer’s Age, Farm Income, Loan Access, and Tomato Yield are the factors that significantly increased perception of tomato farmers on hunger reduction. Farm Income and Loan Access factors have a positive coefficient which is significant at the 1% level, while Farmer’s Age and Tomato Yield have positive coefficients but is significant at the 5% level. Association Membership negatively and significantly reduced farmers’ perception of hunger reduction at the 5% level of probability while farmer-to-farmer information sources significantly reduced it at a 1% level of probability; meaning that only government extension agents and the media positively influenced information transfer on the government palliative efforts. The study recommends that government assistance should be extended to other resource-poor farmers and that getting access to loans should be made easier for farmers by the government.

Awareness, Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Women in Majengo Health Center, Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Currently, Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women. Despite being second and first leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women globally and in Tanzania respectively, breast cancer is detected by using potentially recommended breast self- examination (BSE) as cornerstone of breast cancer early detection method. Objective: To determine awareness, knowledge, practice and barriers of BSE among women attending clinics at Majengo Health center in Moshi municipality, Kilimanjaro region. Methodology: Hospital based Cross-sectional descriptive study was used. Systemic randomly sampling technique was used to select participants. Respondents interviewed by using semi- structured questionnaire. Data processed and analyzed by using SPSS Version 20. Results: A total 300 urban women from Majengo health center were studied. Their age ranged from 20-56 with mean age of 28.82 years (SD+6.628). Majority 142(47.3%) have primary level of education and about 197(65.7%) were Self – employed. 95% of women heard about BSE, among them only 26(27%) had adequate awareness in which Mass media like Radio (36%) and Television (25%) were main source of information. 94% knew performing BSE and among them, only 31(33%) had adequate knowledge on performing Breast Self-Examination (BSE). 31% respondents practiced BSE and among them, only 25(26.6%) had regular practice. Lack of knowledge on performing BSE 179(59.7%) was the major Barrier in practicing BSE among respondents. Conclusion: This work reveals low level and incomplete awareness, knowledge and practice of BSE among women in Moshi municipality. Recommendation: Effective improvement of health Education covering knowledge and practice of Breast SelfExamination (BSE).