Major Source Of Information Research Articles

Knowledge and Awareness on Swine Origin Influenza A(H1N1) Among Health Care Providers and Civil Employees in a Tertiary Level Hospital, Dhaka Bangladesh

Background: Swine Origin Influenza A(H1N1) viruses create yearly epidemics and rarely pandemics that cost millions of lives worldwide. Health care providers and civil employees at hospital can help in prevention of transmission of influenza by acquiring knowledge and awareness. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital Dhaka from July to December 2023. Total 213 participants were interviewed that comprises doctors, nurses, medical assistants and civil employees. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. Face to face interview was done through a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Informed consent were obtained from the respondents addressing proper ethical issues. Results: In this study out of total participants 70.4% had previously heard about H1N1 influenza A. Total 38% participants said that internet was found as major source of information. Among the participants 64.3% told fever was common symptom and use of facemask at duty hour was consented by 33.8% as an important means for prevention. Maximum (66.3%) civil employees do not know about washing hand after contact as a preventive procedure leading to spread of infection. Maintaining distance as preventive measures observed by 13.6% participants. Moreover, all participants were aware of transmission through droplet infection except civil employees. In the present study, 50% doctors and 38.1% nurses had knowledge that drug Oseltamivir is very effective against swine Influenza A(H1N1). Remarkable differences were identified among doctors, nurses, medical assistants and civil employees regarding knowledge of quarantine and availability of vaccine. RT-PCR laboratory test is the confirmatory method to defect swine influenza A(H1N1) were exactly known by 9.9% participants, while 70.9% participants don't know the confirm diagnostic method. Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness regarding swine influenza A(H1N1) was low among study participants. For controlling epidemic or even pandemic, awareness by mass media is important. Remarkable gap observed regarding knowledge and awareness about swine influenza A(H1N1) among the health care providers and civil employees, needs to be addressed by proper training and motivation. Bangladesh Armed Forces Med J Vol 57 No (1) June 2024, pp 1-7

Association of the belief in conspiracy narratives with vaccination status and recommendation behaviours of German physicians

Vaccine hesitancy has been identified as one of the top ten threats to global health by the World Health Organization (WHO). The belief in conspiracy narratives is repeatedly discussed as a major driver of vaccine hesitancy among the general population. However, there is a lack of research investigating the role of the belief in conspiracy narratives in vaccination decisions and recommendation behaviours of physicians. This is particularly relevant as physicians are one of the major and trusted sources of information for patients’ vaccination decisions. This study therefore investigated the association between believing in COVID-19-related conspiracy narratives and physicians’ own COVID-19 vaccination status and their recommendation behavior for COVID-19 and other vaccines (e.g., HPV or flu). In a cross-sectional survey among German physicians (N = 602, April 2022) two conspiracy narratives were assessed, stating that the coronavirus is a hoax or that it is human-made. Additional control variables included trust in health institutions, the rejection of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), the 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility) and demographic variables. Hierarchical regressions indicated that greater belief in the conspiracy narrative claiming that the coronavirus is a hoax was associated with lower COVID-19 vaccination uptake and fewer COVID-19 vaccination recommendations among physicians. The results for recommendation behavior remain robust even when controlling for other variables. Contrary to our assumption, believing that the coronavirus is human-made was not related to vaccination status nor vaccine recommendation behavior. In conclusion, believing in conspiracy narratives that question the existence and thus also the danger of the virus is an important independent predictor of vaccine hesitancy among physicians that should be addressed in future public health interventions.

Landmark knowledge overrides optic flow in honeybee waggle dance distance estimation.

Honeybees encode in their waggle dances the vector (distance and direction) of an outbound flight to a food source or a new nest site. Optic flow has been identified as the major source of information in the distance estimation. Additional components of distance estimation were also identified, e.g. the sequence of experienced landmarks. Here we address the question of whether bees also use the landscape memory developed during exploratory orientation flights to estimate distance. We took advantage of the fact that flights in a narrow tunnel lead to further distance measures due to higher optic flow. We find that this effect is lost when bees had explored the area in which the tunnel is located and when they have somewhat restricted visual access to the surrounding environment through the mesh on top of the tunnel. These data are interpreted in the context of other findings about the structure of navigational memory in bees that develops during exploratory orientation flights. In particular, the data suggest that bees embed distance measures into a representation of navigational space that stores previously experienced landscape features.

The Role of Print Media in Shaping Public Health Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review

This theoretical study investigates how health-related material in print media affects public health by synthesising current data to grasp its influence in determining public health results. Even with the digital revolution, print media including newspapers, periodicals, and pamphlets remains a major source of information. Key topics include the spread of health information, the way health concerns are framed, and the impact on public perspective and behaviour are underlined in the review. Research show that print media may influence health policy debate, increase knowledge of health concerns, and encourage good practices. Still, these results are much influenced by the accuracy, bias, and depth of the material. Print media's health-related material reflects more general social, economic, and political settings, therefore impacting its presentation and reception. Moreover, the different degrees of media literacy among the people help to control the influence of such material. The evaluation also covers ethical obligations of print media in health communication as well as the possibility of false information. This study offers a complete framework for comprehending the intricate interaction between print media and public health by combining theoretical viewpoints from psychology, public health, and communication studies. The results underline the importance of planned, evidence-based health communication in print media to improve its favourable influence on public health outcomes.

Relationship Between Waiting Time and Patient Satisfaction at the Surgery Polyclinic of Bekasi District Hospital

Aims : the study aimed to determine the correlation between waiting time and patient satisfaction at the Surgical Polyclinic of the Outpatient Installation at Bekasi District Hospital. Methods : Time spent waiting serves as the independent variable in this cross-sectional study, with patient satisfaction serving as the dependent variable. Forty participants were surveyed using questionnaires as the major source of information in July 2022. Results : The analysis reveals that P =.000 (P Value.05) is derived from a Chi Square test of association between waiting time factors and patient satisfaction. Patient happiness seems to correlate with how long they have to wait before being seen. Strengthen time management skills to ensure that medical care is delivered on time and with the highest possible quality. Conclusions : The research find a significant correlation between patient satisfaction and waiting time in the Surgical Polyclinic at Bekasi District Hospital, suggesting the need for improved time discipline and more responsive medical personnel.

A study on awareness of household waste management in a rural area of northern Kerala

Background: Proper waste management is a major concern of public health. It is necessary to create positive behavioural changes towards waste management among public in order to control diseases. Objective was to assess the awareness of waste management among the households of Cheruthazham Panchayat in northern Kerala. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in Cheruthazham Panchayat, under Kalliasseri block, located in Kannur district of Kerala state from June 2017 to July 2018. A total of 400 households were studied. Multistage sampling was done. Data was collected by direct interview using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The participants responsible for the waste management in household were women. Out of the 400 participants, 83%, 11% and 6% were Hindus, Muslims and Christians respectively. Majority of them (82%) had an educational qualification of high school and above. Most of them (82.5%) were housewives. About 47% of the study population belongs to upper middle class. Their major sources of information about solid waste management were Kudumbasree class, gramasabha meetings and media. In the study, 19.2% had good knowledge, 79.2% had average knowledge and 1.5% had poor knowledge on waste management. Conclusions: Majority of the participants had above average attitude towards household waste management. Continuous awareness programmes have to be conducted on safe waste disposal and efforts should be made to sustain the supervision of household waste management.

Agro-input dealers' perspectives on the design of a certification scheme for pesticide risk reduction.

While pesticides are essential for crop protection and food security, they pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Agro-input dealers can play an important role in mitigating pesticide risks, given that they are a major source of pesticides and plant health information for many developing-country farmers. In this article, we assess the willingness of agro-input dealers to offer integrated pest management-based advisory services and promote pesticide risk reduction through a voluntary certification scheme. Using survey data from 557 agro-input dealers in Uganda and a discrete choice experiment, we find that the proposed certification scheme is significantly valued by agro-input dealers, particularly for its potential to provide training opportunities and ensure safety to human health and the environment. Agro-input dealers have a positive attitude towards a certification scheme that restricts the sale of high-risk pesticide products, especially if it stimulates additional income-generating opportunities. Further analysis shows that preferences for voluntary certification attributes are influenced by certification experience, agro-dealership experience, business ownership status and incidence of acute pesticide poisoning. The study findings demonstrate that agro-input dealers are conscious of pesticide risks to human and environmental health and are keen to participate in a certification scheme promoting safer plant protection products. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Perceptions of prostate cancer patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy on the impact of prostate cancer and radiation therapy on male sexuality.

Male sexual function is an important aspect of the life of prostate cancer patients and plays a significant role in the long-term quality of life of prostate cancer survivors. However, there is a paucity of published literature on the perceived impact of prostate cancer and its treatment on the sexual function of patients in Ghana and West Africa in general. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of prostate cancer patients on the effects of the disease and radiation therapy on male sexual function. The study also examined the changes in sexuality experienced by men with prostate cancer. This research was a descriptive longitudinal study conducted at the third largest hospital in Africa. The study included Ghanaian prostate cancer patients of all ages who were treated with definitive radiotherapy at the study site between October 2021 and May 2022. Quantitative data were collected and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0 and Microsoft Excel 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to determine frequencies and percentages of the demographic characteristics. The mean age of the participants was 65.7 years (SD 6.7) ranging from 50 to 81 years. Patients had different ideas about the potential adverse effects of prostate cancer (86%) and radiotherapy (70%) on male sexual function. A decrease in sexual desire (54%) was the commonest perceived effect of prostate cancer on male sexual function followed by premature ejaculation (49%) and a decrease in sexual activity (48%). On the other hand, erectile dysfunction (49%) was the commonest perceived effect of radiotherapy for prostate cancer on male sexual function followed by a decrease in sexual desire (38%) and premature ejaculation (37%). Health professionals were the major source of information regarding the perceptions of the patients on the effects of both prostate cancer (46%) and radiation therapy (43%) on male sexual function. There should be enhancement of awareness measures to educate Ghanaian cancer patients on the side effects and implications of treatment on their sexuality. Comprehensive sexual health assessment should be incorporated in the routine care of patients with cancers that have the potential to impact the sexual function of patients.

Compliance Among Healthcare Workers on Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, recommended chemoprophylaxis with Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for asymptomatic healthcare workers treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 disease during the initial period of the pandemic. Compliance remains a major determining factor behind the success of any Community prophylaxis program. Objective: The study aimed to assess the extent of compliance with the Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prophylaxis schedule as per ICMR guidelines among healthcare workers and to find out the factors associated with compliance. Methods: Informed consent was obtained from the study participants, and a questionnaire on parameters and associated factors affecting compliance were filled out by every study participant upon completion of their HCQ prophylaxis. Results: A total of 160 participants were enrolled in the study. The majority of the staff enrolled was the nursing staff (34%). 66% of the total participants were involved in the care of the suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. The major source of information about HCQ prophylaxis for COVID- 19 infection among all the participants was from the Institutional circular (56%). 10% of healthcare workers believed that HCQ could give them 100% prevention against COVID-19 infection. 56% of the enrolled healthcare workers consumed the medicine on the same day of collection throughout the schedule. 24% of enrolled healthcare workers completed the full course as per ICMR guidelines. The most motivating factor for compliance was the presence of cases of COVID-19 in the hospital. The most common factor for lack of compliance among enrolled healthcare workers was cited to be no contact with COVID-19-positive patients. Conclusion: In our study, 24% of healthcare workers enrolled for HCQ prophylaxis completed the full course of the prescribed regimen as per ICMR guidelines. The main reason for the lack of compliance was the absence of direct contact with COVID-19-positive patients, followed by fear of ADRs.

The impact of sustainable development goals in lending-based prosocial crowdfunding: A topic modeling analysis on the kiva platform

In lending-based prosocial crowdfunding, where campaigns are specifically focused on entrepreneurial proposals that address significant social and environmental challenges, it is still not clear what factors are more likely to favor a campaign's success. The literature recognizes that project descriptions constitute a major source of information for funders and can influence their choice of whether to lend financial resources. Given the nature of lending-based prosocial crowdfunding, we focus on the presence of different sustainable development goal (SDG) themes in project descriptions, identified through topic modeling analysis, and we measure their impact on the success of a campaign. Using data collected from the Kiva platform, we show that some SDG themes have a negative effect, while others have a positive impact on the success of a campaign. The outcomes of this research contribute to overall scientific understanding of the phenomenon and provide useful insights for entrepreneurs and policymakers to increase the success of their campaigns and further spread lending-based prosocial crowdfunding.

POULTRY FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated poultry farmers’ knowledge level of climate change adaptation strategies in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives identified the various sources of agricultural information available to the farmers on climate change in the study area, examined the knowledge level of the poultry farmers on climate change adaptation strategies; ascertained various climate change adaptation strategies employed by poultry farmers in the area. A multi-staged sampling technique was employed in sampling 120 poultry farmers that took part in the survey. A set of questionnaires was used to get responses from farmers. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings from the study showed that fellow farmers were the major source of information on agriculture for 90% of the poultry farmers. while good housing system (100%), adequate extensive poultry management system (100%) and immediate vaccination of birds (100%) ranked high on the table of climate change adaptation strategies that poultry farmers utilize. Also, with a grand mean of 2.52, above the benchmark mean of 2.00, the poultry producers demonstrated a high level of knowledge regarding measures for adapting to climate change. The hypothesis result indicated a strong relationship between the farmers' sources of information on strategies for adapting to climate change and their level of knowledge with these tactics. The study came to the conclusion that poultry farmers had a high level of knowledge about different climate change adaptation strategies, primarily from other farmers. As a result, it was recommended that the government increase the availability of extension services to poultry farmers so that they can obtain scientifically verified and tried-and-true information on adaptation strategies for increased and sustainable knowledge in the study area.

Knowledge and Practice of Primary School Teachers Regarding Pediculosis Capitis in Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract Background: Pediculosis is a disease which is caused by the ectoparasite Pediculus humanus capitis. There is an estimated 19% global prevalence of head lice infestation among schoolchildren. Health education programs have a beneficial impact on the prevention and control of the disease. Increasing knowledge, changing attitudes and behaviors, and improving personal hygiene practices reduce the morbidity and prevalence of pediculosis capitis. Aim of Study: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of primary school teachers about pediculosis capitis and to find the association of studied variables with knowledge and practice scores. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 primary schools in Baghdad, Iraq, from November 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. It included 351 primary school teachers who had worked for at least 1 year. A questionnaire was distributed to teachers at selected schools for assessment of knowledge and practice. Results: In this study, 20.5% of studied cases had poor knowledge, 58% had fair and 21.5% had good knowledge. Regarding practice level, 43% of studied cases had poor, 37% had fair and 20% had good practice about pediculosis capitis. Poor knowledge and poor practice are significantly higher among participants with an institute level of education and lower duration of work, among singles, those who did not have children who had arts or sports specialties, and those who did not have pediculosis capitis cases. A strong positive correlation was noticed between knowledge and practice scores. Conclusion: The knowledge scores were fair, while the practice scores were poor. Multiple sources are considered a major source of information. There is no association between the gender of the participant and the level of knowledge and practice parameters.

CLIMATE CHANGE INDIGENOUS COPING STRATEGIES AMONG CASSAVA FARMERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed the climate change indigenous coping strategies among cassava farmers in Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers; examined the awareness of climate change coping strategies; assessed cassava farmers' sources of information on climate change; identified the climate change coping strategies adopted by cassava farmers; and examined the factors influencing the adoption of indigenous coping strategies in the study area. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 180 respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics and logit regression were used to analyze data. The result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 43 years, 53.3% were female and the majority of the respondents were married (63.9%), and most of the farmers had secondary education (56.7%). The mean farm income was N13,200.76. The major sources of information were friends and fellow farmers (x̅ = 3.0), radio (x̅ = 2.9) mobile phones (x̅ = 2.9), while the use of leaflets (x̅ = 2.3) internet (x̅ = 2.3) and social media (x̅ = 2.2) were least utilized. The farmers took mulching (98.8%), organic manuring (97.2%) and mixed cropping (96.6%) as their major coping strategy to climate change, while terracing/ land location (27.8%), planting of trees (22.8%) and construction of dams (15.0%) were least utilized. Therefore, the study recommended that there should be an incorporation of indigenous knowledge of farm management into climate change policies which can lead to the development of effective adaptation/coping strategies that are cost-effective, participatory and sustainable.

Awareness and Knowledge of Congenital Cytomegalovirus as an Agent of Hearing Loss: A Descriptive Evidence from Nigeria

Background Neonatal hearing loss has become a serious public health concern over the last two decades, largely because of the increasing number of reported cases associated with prelingual causes. Objective This study provided a descriptive report on the awareness and knowledge of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) as a causative agent of hearing loss in the Nigerian population. Methods The study adopted a multistage sampling procedure. Data generation for analysis was achieved using a structured research questionnaire. A questionnaire on the issue of cCMV and hearing disability was sent to a total of 324 relevant stakeholders, and 324 completed questionnaires were received in return. The data was carefully coded and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical procedures. Results Experience sharing among professional colleagues, particularly those in the healthcare sector, remains the major source of information about cCMV in Nigeria. A significant association was found between the respondents’ professional work experience, organizational type, highest educational qualifications, and awareness and knowledge of cCMV. No predictive likelihood could be established between gender differences (male or female), organizational type (private or public), and awareness or knowledge of cCMV. Conclusion Information from and experience sharing among professional colleagues, family and friends and through the internet were major sources of information about cCMV in Nigeria. Work experience, organizational type, and educational qualifications determine the level of awareness and knowledge about cCMV in Nigeria.

The Association Between the Location of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and the Occurrence of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a syndrome characterized by transient regional cardiac dysfunction of the left ventricle. The goal of this review is to better understand the relationship between the anatomic locations of subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs) and the development of TCM as identified through a review of cohort studies. From inception to December 2023, we systematically explored major electronic medical information sources to identify cases of TCM that developed after SAHs. The six selected studies included in the meta-analysis suggest a modest but statistically significant increase in the odds of the events in the posterior circulation group compared to the anterior circulation group, with a combined odds ratio (OR) estimate of around 1.45-1.46. The fixed effect model gives an overall OR of 1.45 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.01 to 2.10, z = 2.01, p = 0.0442, while the random effects model yields a slightly higher OR of 1.46 with the same 95% CI, z = 2.03, p = 0.0425. There is a tendency for SAH occurrence in the posterior cerebral circulation to cause SAH-related TCM more frequently than in the anterior cerebral circulation.

Use of artificial intelligence chatbots in clinical management of immune-related adverse events

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have become a major source of general and medical information, though their accuracy and completeness are still being assessed. Their utility to answer questions surrounding immune-related...

Public Opinion Formation in the Digital Age : A Review of Literature

The digital age has brought significant changes in the way people access and process information. Social media and other online platforms have become a major source of information and public opinion. This study aims to review the literature on public opinion formation in the digital age. This study uses the literature review method to analyze literature relevant to the research topic. A literature review shows that the digital age has had a significant impact on the formation of public opinion. Social media and other online platforms have become the primary means for individuals to access information, share ideas, and exchange opinions. This has led to changes in the way public opinion is formed and disseminated. The formation of public opinion in the digital age is a complex and dynamic phenomenon. Social media and other online platforms have an important role to play in shaping public opinion. A better understanding of the process of forming public opinion in the digital age is needed to develop effective communication strategies and build a more democratic society.

Papyrus PM 49.11.1, Dating the Great Tomb Robberies, and the Chronology of the Late 20th Dynasty

Summary The Great Tomb Robbery papyri are a major source of information on the end of the 20th Dynasty. Questioned in year 1 of the Renaissance thieves mention the taking of Medinet Habu by foreign troops, an attack of Hardai in Middle Egypt by the Viceroy of Kush Panehsi, and a temporary destitution of the High Priest of Amun (HPA), that are unfortunately not dated. The way forward to resolve this uncertainty is to date the thefts themselves since they were contemporaneous. For this we systematically reviewed what we know of the prosopography of the people involved in the thefts and their investigation. The result shows that tombs and temples robberies mostly occurred between the end of the reign of Ramesses IX and the early years of Ramesses XI. In addition, P. PM 49.11.1 mentions an otherwise unattested HPA Nesmut. The consequences of these results on the history of this period are discussed.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Female Adolescents on the Causes, Effects and Prevention of Vaginal Candidiasis in the Adenta Municipality of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Introduction: Among every four women, at least, three of them experience vaginal candidiasis caused by Candida albicans. People with dysfunctional immune system such as the aged, very young children, altered pH and sugar content in vaginal secretions as a result of pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, hormonal fluctuations, smoking, black race, oral-contraceptives, obesity and use of broad-spectrum antibiotics increases the frequency to acquiring infection and are therefore vulnerable to fungal infections. Poor hygiene, chemical irritants and the presence of foreign body in the vagina can also cause vaginal candidiasis Objective: This study sought to access the knowledge and attitudes regarding causes, effects and prevention of vaginal candidiasis among female adolescent in the Adenta Municipality. Methods: A cross-sectional design and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 403 female adolescents within the Adenta Municipality using a structured questionnaire. The data collected from respondents were collected and entered into Epi Data Entry Client v4.0.2.4.9 and was exported into Stata 14.0 for analysis. All numerical data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square, p-values were used to establish the associations between variables. Logistic regression of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval. Results were presented in tables and graphs. Result: The study revealed that the overall knowledge of respondents was good (54.7%). Majority (57.7%) of the respondents knew poor hygiene to be the major cause of vaginal candidiasis and it can easily be transmitted through sexual intercourse (67.8%). About 97% of the respondents most agreed that sugar intake was a major risk factor of vaginal candidiasis with (39.9%) of them knowing infertility as a major effect of vaginal candidiasis if not treated. Friends (47.5%) and school (41.1%) were seen to be the major source of information regarding vaginal candidiasis. The attitude towards the prevention of candidiasis among female adolescents was good (58.9%). Though, more than 50% of the respondents agreed that candidiasis infection was dangerous, majority (82.7%) of them were unsure of symptoms and therefore (87.6%) agreed that people infected with candidiasis must seek for treatment from the hospital. Having a good knowledge on vaginal candidiasis [AOR=2.56 (95% Cl: 1.57– 4.15), p<0.001] and a good attitude towards it prevention [AOR=1.83 (95% Cl: 1.12–2.99), p<0.015] were positively associated with the effects of vaginal candidiasis. These participants were 3 and 2 times respectively more likely to have good attitudes towards the effects of vaginal candidiasis respectively. Also, the participants who were in a relationship with the opposite sex was statistically significant such that those who were in a relationship were 3 times more likely to be knowledgeable about candidiasis [AOR=2.96 (95% Cl: 1.14 – 7.84), p<0.025] as compared with those who were not in a relationship. In conclusion, female adolescents in the Adenta Municipality had good knowledge on the causes and effects of vaginal candidiasis. Those aged 10-15 years exhibited poor knowledge and attitudes regarding the causes, effects and prevention of vaginal candidiasis. Programs aimed at increasing the knowledge, attitudes of female adolescents on vaginal candidiasis should be implemented and more attention should be given to the adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15 years. The responses given by respondents was seen to be influenced by the socio-demographic characteristics such as age, level of education, religion and ethnic group.

Forging the medieval on Wikipedia

AbstractWikipedia is a major source for public information. Wikipedia materials are proliferated across the Internet of Things, are reused in journalism and social media, and power search engines and digital assistants (Ribeiro et al. 2021; Miz et al. 2020). Yet Wikipedia’s impact on public understanding of the past, particularly our medieval pasts, is under-researched. This article argues for the significance of Wikipedia for medievalists in terms of how it may shape research, pedagogy, and public-facing work. We examine three case studies—articles for the ‘Black Death,’ the ‘Viking Age,’ and ‘Old English literature’—to explore how the medieval is forged, defined by us as crafted and created, ‘on-Wiki.’ We discuss what these forgings suggest about public understanding, desires, and interests, and the ideas about the past that emerge as a result. Our case studies demonstrate varied approaches to Wiki content, including citation review, readings of version histories, and pageview analysis. It is intended that this article provokes further discussion of Wikipedia as a site of medieval public history and inspires our colleagues to engage as critics, editors, teachers, or activists.