Moderate Positive Attitudes Research Articles

Examining Prospective Teachers' Attitudes Towards the Teaching Profession: A Comparative Analysis of Relevant Variables

This research explores how various factors, such as subject stream, gender, and socio-economic background, shape the attitudes of prospective teachers towards the teaching profession. The research provides a detailed understanding of how these variables impact the attitudes of future educators and offers insights into the implications for teacher training programs. The research utilized a quantitative approach, gathering data via a structured questionnaire distributed to a sample of 80 prospective teachers from BGSB University, Rajouri. The results indicate that while there are moderate positive attitudes towards the teaching profession overall, significant differences exist based on subject stream and socio-economic background, though gender does not significantly influence attitudes. The findings have critical implications for educational policy and teacher training programs, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to enhance positive attitudes among prospective teachers.

A study of nutraceutical prescription pattern among patients in an out-patient setting at Birat medical college teaching Hospital

The demand for nutraceutical has been increasingly rapidly which can be due to increasing awareness regarding health benefit of nutraceutical product. This study aims to understand the prescription pattern and find out knowledge, attitude of patients regarding nutraceutical product. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Budiganga, Nepal to assess the demographic characteristic as well as level of knowledge and attitude towards nutraceutical product and further total cost patients spent on nutraceutical alone was also assessed. Pearson Chi-square test (x2) was used to investigate the association between demographic variables and patients’ knowledge and attitude towards nutraceuticals. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare the cost of nutraceutical among the different outpatient departments. Nearly half of the patients (49.25%) had inadequate knowledge whereas more than half of the patients (67.75%) had moderate positive attitude. The mostly prescribed nutraceuticals were minerals (45%) followed by multivitamins (23%). More than two-third patient believed nutraceutical can be used when person feel tired and rundown. The average amount that a patient spent on nutraceutical product was found out to be NPR. 746.88 per prescription. No significant association was found in the cost of nutraceutical among the various Out Patient Department (OPD) wise. (P=0.281, P>0.05). Moderate positive attitude and inadequate knowledge regarding nutraceutical product among the patient's addresses the need to develop regulation, educational strategy regarding nutraceutical use and further increase general public awareness on rational use of these products.

Oncology nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviours towards advance care planning: A nationwide cross-sectional study

BackgroundWith the increasing cancer prevalence in China, discussions surrounding end-of-life care have become more frequent within the purview of oncology nursing. Nonetheless, limited research has explored the current state of Advance Care Planning (ACP) among oncology nurses in China. Hence, it is essential to comprehensively assesses oncology nurses' ACP knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviours, addressing existing literature gaps and revealing China's oncology nursing ACP status. ObjectivesTo explore oncology nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviours regarding ACP and identify factors impacting ACP practice behaviours. DesignA multi-centre, observational, cross-sectional study. SettingsThe research is conducted in oncology hospitals across 22 provinces, 4 municipalities, and 5 autonomous regions across China. ParticipantsConvenience sampling was used to recruit 1800 registered oncology nurses. MethodsData were collected via an electronic questionnaire between December 2021 and January 2022. Univariate and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used for data prediction (P < 0.05). ResultsIn the knowledge section, respondents achieved an average accuracy rate of 51.94 % and demonstrated moderate positive attitudes towards ACP. Their practice behaviour scores were moderately graded. Sociodemographic characteristics and attitude were included as predictors of practice behaviour in the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, explaining 12.2 % and 31.1 % of the variance, respectively. The final model accounted for 43.3 % of the variance. The results indicated that attitudes had a significant and positive impact on practice behaviours, indicating that nurses with more positive attitudes were more likely to engage in ACP practice. ConclusionsChinese oncology nurses seem to have more positive attitudes towards ACP, but they do not prepare adequately in practice. By enhancing workplace values, beliefs, and policies, it is feasible to enhance the attitudes of oncology nurses towards ACP and, consequently, promote practice behaviours. Furthermore, this study underscores the need for targeted interventions to bridge the gap between positive attitudes and actual ACP implementation among oncology nurses in China.

The Cultural Aspect of Learning Environment in Foreign Languages as a Means of Empowering Social and Integrative Attitudes

Due to a rising demand for social and integrative interaction among nations, the cultural and educative role of foreign language learning compatible to a sustainable pedagogy learning environment is a priority to be investigated, especially in countries which are heading toward European integration, like Albania is. This paper addresses the enhancement of formal education curriculum with focus at foreign language in order to meet the needs of learning environment by employing an interactive pedagogy methodology. The instrument used in this research is the Socio-Educative Model, Gardner R.C. (2001) which measures the intensity of the impact that cultural and educative constructs have in students` social and integrative attitudes. On national basis, by a random selection technique the Socio-educative Model presented by Attitude Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) was conducted on a sample size of N=1500. The Likert scale of assessment at a range from (1-6) with code (1) indicating absolute disagreement and (6) absolute agreement to the test statements, was used for the instrument and the results of the data gathered indicated that: English learners have moderate positive attitudes toward foreigners speaking English; the language is marked as a high priority when integration is concerned, and they expressed a very strong interest to learn the English language. Overall, the cultural aspect of learning environment reflects the students` social and integrative attitudes to learning English as a foreign language.

The attitude of Ethiopian secondary school teachers towards the teaching profession

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude of Ethiopian teachers towards the teaching profession in secondary schools. We used a questionnaire to collect data from 404 teachers, the results of which indicate that 62.6% of the teachers had a moderate positive attitude towards their profession. The cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses had a positive correlation with each other. The findings also indicate that gender, age, qualifications, and teaching experience did not affect the attitude of teachers. We suggest further study to examine whether the teachers have a different attitude elsewhere and the impact of policy initiatives on teachers' attitudes towards their profession.

Household food security, child nutrition and food safety among vegetable producers and non-producers in Dugda woreda, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Household vegetable production is believed to contribute to household food security. This prompted the study to evaluate household food security status, household knowledge and practices in child nutrition, food safety and water sanitation among vegetable-producing and non-vegetable-producing households in two kebeles found around Meki town, Dugda woreda. For comparison, 147 households who produced vegetables and 147 other households who did not produce vegetatbles were randomly selected. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Vegetable producing households (49%) generated higher monthly income (ETB 3000 - &gt; 4000) than non-producing ones (ETB 500 to 2000). More vegetable-producing households (61%) were food secured than non-vegetable-producers (16%). Based on Bloom’s cut off point, knowledge, positive attitude and appropriate practice in child feeding practices in all households was poor (&lt; 60%). Vegetable producers and non-producers had good (87%) and moderate (77%) knowledge, and moderate positive attitude towards safe food handling (61%, 64%, respectively). Appropriate food handling practices were poor (&lt; 60%) in both cases. Personal hygiene knowledge and practice were also poor in both types of households although positive attitude towards personal hygiene was moderate in both cases (61%-64%). Knowledge, attitude and practice in water sanitation was poor in both types of households. This study showed that, although vegetable producers earned more income and were in a better food security status, adequate training in child nutrition and food safety, which are important components of food security, is needed.

Evaluation of nutritional supplements prescribed, its associated cost and patients knowledge, attitude and practice towards nutraceuticals: A hospital based cross-sectional study in Kavrepalanchok, Nepal.

There is substantial increment in nutraceutical consumption in Nepal, although the data on its efficacy and safety is scarce. The practices of nutraceutical supplements users in Nepal remain undocumented. Therefore, this study was conducted to study the prescription pattern, cost, knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the patient towards nutraceutical. Descriptive cross-sectional study with stratified purposive sampling (n = 400) (patients from the out-patient departments of Scheer Memorial Adventist Hospital, Kavre, Nepal) was performed using a validated structured questionnaire assessing the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, practice of nutraceutical and total cost patients spent on nutraceutical alone. Pearson Chi-square test (x2) was used to investigate the association between socio-demographic variables and patients' KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) towards nutraceutical. One way ANOVA was performed to compare the cost of nutraceutical among the different outpatient departments. More than 80% of patients were found to be consuming nutraceutical on their own. The mostly prescribed nutraceutical were vitamins (40.7%), minerals (23.7%), enzymes (21.1%), proteins (8.8%), probiotics (4.2%) and herbals (2.0%). With the most common reasons for consuming nutraceutical were to maintain good health (70.0%) and healthcare professionals (57.85%) were the most approached source of information for nutraceutical. Nearly half of the patients (46.5%) had an inadequate level of knowledge whereas more than two-third (71.5%) showed a moderate positive attitude towards nutraceutical use. The average amount patients spent was NRs.575.78 [equivalent to USD 4.85] per prescription on nutraceutical alone. The maximum cost amounted to NRs 757.18 [equivalent to USD 6.43] in Orthopedics, and the minimum cost was NRs 399.03 [equivalent to USD 3.36] in Obstetrics and gynecology, respectively. There was a significant difference (p <0.001) in cost of nutraceutical prescribed between the OPD clinics. The higher prevalence of inadequate knowledge despite moderate positive attitude towards nutraceutical among patients regarding some significant issues such as safety and interactions of nutraceutical consumption and its' substitution for meals reflects the need to develop an educational strategy to increase general public awareness on the rational use of nutraceutical.

A study of knowledge and attitudes towards plagiarism among medical faculty &amp; postgraduate students

Introduction: Plagiarism is misappropriation of another person’s ideas. But, surprisingly there seems to be significant underreporting. An informal discussion on plagiarism with faculties and Post Graduate students revealed that most of them were not sensitized for it. Hence, Study attempts to explore the status of their knowledge and attitude about plagiarism to build awareness and improve their attitudes to minimize plagiarism. Materials and Methods: Present cross sectional study was conducted at GMC, Bhavnagar (Gujarat) by convenient sampling of Study group in to faculty (Group A) and Post graduate medical students (group B) while using two (1.To analyze knowledge regarding plagiarism 2.To analyze Attitude toward plagiarism) set of structured, validated instruments. Results of responses collected anonymously from both the groups were appropriately analyzed by statistical methods to yield scientific inferences. Results: Analysis of knowledge of both faculty and students exhibits prevailing disbeliefs about plagiarism (Direct word to word copy-paste is considered as plagiarism by faculty (65%) and P.G. students (70%) although 35% faculty and 38% P.G. students believe plagiarism can be avoided by replacing the words). Their knowledge is deficient about forms & ways of plagiarism as well about secondary citations. Responses revealed that only direct copying of phrases is regarded as dishonest deed. Faculty & P.G students on one hand showed moderate attitude toward plagiarism which mean they perceive plagiarism in the community is fraud. But on other hand both faculty (scored 32.48±6.62) & P.G students (scored 36.21±8.58) showed acceptance for act of plagiarism through moderate positive attitude. Negative attitude of both groups was moderate displaying their tolerance for plagiarism in the community. Conclusions: Present Study revealed that Medical faculty and P.G. students have misunderstandings about plagiarism while their increasing active flaw towards suc

Attitude, practice orientation, benefits and barriers towards health research and publications among medical practitioners in Abia State, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.

Health research is an essential component of medical training, education, and practice and is fundamental in establishing the scientific basis of health care. Aim: The study was aimed at describing the attitude, practice, benefits, and barriers towards health research and publications in a cross-section of medical practitioners in Abia State, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out on 210 medical practitioners in Abia State. Data collection was done using pretested, self-administered questionnaire that elicited information on attitude, practice, benefits, and barriers toward health research. Awareness of research misconduct, types of published research articles, and factors considered in selection of journals for publication of research were also studied. The age of the participants ranged from 26 to 77 years. There were 173 (82.4%) men. The overall attitude toward research was moderate (x = 5.02 ± 0.96). All the respondents (100%) were involved in undergraduate research projects while 72 (34.3%) had at least one journal publication with the most commonly published articles being descriptive studies. The commonest barriers to research were financial and time constraints while the greatest benefits of research were advancement of medical knowledge and keeping practitioners abreast with evidence-based medicine. The commonest research misconduct was plagiarism while the most common factor considered in selection of journals for publication was article publication charges. Middle age group and years of practice more than 10 years were significantly associated with publication of journal articles (P < 0.05). This study has shown that the study participants had moderate positive attitude toward research with all the participants previously involved in undergraduate research and only one third had at least one journal publications. The commonest barriers were financial and time constraints and greatest benefits of health research was advancement of medical knowledge and keeping practitioners abreast with evidence-based medicine. Choice of journal for publications is preeminently determined by article publication charges. The most common article published and research misconduct was descriptive studies and plagiarism, respectively.

University Students’ Attitude towards Affective Domain of Academic Writing: Gender Differences and Association with Achievement

Language is the very basic source of transferring ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings to others, and, therefore, plays highly important role in academic life of a student. Among the four basic language skills, the role of writing skill is considered the strongest for the development of the learners. Of the writing skills, students’ academic writing skills is highly focused area, as it is a mean of written communication and, therefore, essential for the academic and professional achievement of learners. Research demonstrates that students’ academic writing skills are also linked with their attitude towards writing in all domains of Bloom’s taxonomy i.e., cognitive, affective, and the behavioral. Considering the importance of the affective domain of students’ academic writing, this research is especially focused on examining university students’ attitude towards affective domain of academic writing. Furthermore, current research study would also examine students’ attitude towards affective domain of academic writing from the perspectives of gender differences, discipline-wise differences, undergraduate and postgraduate differences, and its association with students’ achievement. The current study is descriptive in nature and uses survey research design. For sampling, multistage cluster method was adopted. Total sample size of the current study comprised 972 university students. Tool of the study was a questionnaire, which comprised two sections. The first section of questionnaire focused on collecting demographic data from the participants, while the second section comprised five-point Likert scale, with a set of ten statements regarding students’ attitude towards affective domain of academic writing. First comprised arithmetic mean and SD, while t-test was used from inferential statistics. The results showed that although university students from Multan City have low moderate positive attitude towards Blooms’ affective domain of academic writing, but some gender and discipline-wise differences exist.

CAREER MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS IN TERMS OF AGE

Business career enables human resources to increase qualification opportunities and become recognizable at the same time. In the course of the research, we got interested what kind of attitude towards career issues was in different age groups. What the manner was by which the career of different generation respondents was managed, what the respondents’ attitude is to the career, how they perceive the career management policies implemented by the executives of the organization. The research was conducted in the «Human Potential Management» laboratory at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. 560 respondents participated in the survey. The questionnaire included 32 questions and 125 options for an answer. SPSS statistical software package was used for statistical processing and data analysis. As a result of the research we have developed the hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Age Q3 affects how people are accepted at work Q5. We used Pearson’s Correlation Analysis to determine the strength of the connection between the variables of this hypothesis. We got the correlation coefficient 0.415. By means of the correlation, it was shown that between these variables there is a moderate positive attitude. To test the reliability of hypothesis we used Chi-square test that indicates that the statistical significance level P (Sig.) does not exceed 0.001. Accordingly, the first hypothesis is reliable. According to both indicators, hypothesis 1: Age Q3 affects how people are accepted at work Q5 has been confirmed. Hypothesis 2: Age Q3 affects working experience Q4. We used Pearson’s Correlation Analysis to determine the strength of the connection between the variables of this hypothesis. We got the correlation coefficient 0.122. By means of the correlation, it was shown that between these variables there is a weak positive attitude. To test the reliability of hypothesis we used Chi-square test that indicates that the statistical significance level P (Sig.) does not exceed 0.001. Accordingly, the first hypothesis is reliable. Consequently, the hypothesis 4 Age Q3 affects whether you were promoted in a career over the last 5 years has been confirmed Hypothesis 5: Age Q3 affects whether a person is searching for a job in a parallel mode Q34. We used Pearson’s Correlation Analysis to determine the strength of the connection between the variables of this hypothesis. We got the correlation coefficient 0.131. By means of the correlation, it was shown that between these variables there is a weak positive attitude. To test the reliability of hypothesis we used Chi-square test that indicates that the statistical significance level P (Sig.) equal to 0.082. Which means that hypothesis 5 is not reliable. Consequently, the hypothesis 5 Q3 Age affects whether a person is searching for a job in a parallel mode Q34 has not been confirmed. Some recommendations were worked out based on the research

SMALLHOLDER FARMERS' ATTITUDE TOWARD QUALITY SEED OF IMPROVED COMMON BEAN VARIETIES IN TANZANIA

The importance of quality seed of improved varieties is well recognized and widely documented. However, smallholder farmers’ demand for quality seed of improved varieties has remained low for years. Previous studies have broadly identified technological, economic, institutional and human specific factors as major determinants of adoption. However, these studies tended to pay little attention on the influence of smallholder farmers’ attitude on decision to use quality seed of improved common bean varieties. Therefore, using cross-sectional research design, a survey was conducted in major regions producing common beans to determine smallholder farmers’ attitude towards quality seed of improved common bean varieties. Generally, smallholder farmers considered quality seed of improved common bean varieties to be beneficial (2.0616). However, they had moderate positive attitude towards qualities (1.4705) and accessibility (1.4598) of quality seed of improved common bean varieties. Nevertheless, they had very weak positive attitude toward availability (0.3068), promotion (0.3432) and marketability (0.3326) of their produce. Furthermore, findings indicated that benefits, qualities and marketability significantly influenced their attitude. These findings suggest that efforts to promote quality seed use have to concentrate on ensuring quality of claimed to be quality seeds and market outlets for produce from quality seed of improved common bean varieties.

Attitude of Medical Sciences Students toward Older Adults in Iran, 2017

Background:Studies show as people age, demand for health care services rises. One of the most important factors that significantly affect the quality of elderly care is the attitude towards older adults.Objective:The current study aimed to assess the attitude of medical sciences students towards older adults in Iran.Methods:A cross-sectional design study using a multistage proportional random sampling method was employed to obtain a sample of 583 Iranian medical sciences students in 2017. The data were measured using the Kogan's Attitudes Towards Older People Scale (KAOPS). The SPSS 23.0 for Windows (IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0) was used to analyze the data.Results:Out of the 583 respondents, around 44% were female and a little more than one-fourth was medical students. The mean age was 21.98 (SD=3.63) years. The mean score of the attitude towards the elderly was found to be 56.90 (SD=8.04). Aging health students scored a more positive attitude towards elderly people than other medical sciences students. Results of the bivariate analyses revealed that field of study (F(7, 575) = 2.66,P&lt;0.01), participating in gerontology and geriatrics research (t(581) =2.80,p&lt;0.01), and attending in gerontology and geriatrics congress (t(581) =1.96,p&lt;0.05) significantly associated with attitude toward older adults.Conclusions:The findings from the current study show that Iranian medical sciences students have moderate positive attitudes towards older adults and vary by students’ field of study and their research activity in gerontology and geriatrics field. Therefore, effective interventions for enhancing the attitudes of medical sciences students towards older adults should be developed and implemented.

Understanding communication skills learning, behavior and attitude among students in three nursing colleges in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Effective communication is one of the many skills that nursing students should master to be good at their job. Nursing students have to understand different kinds of communication styles to know how to deal with different situations as an aspect of nursing professional education. Poor communication is a barrier to effective nursing practice and this leaves the nurse to be isolated, feeling more stress and dissatisfied.Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the communication skills learning, behavior and attitude among nursing students and their thoughts about the role of communication in three colleges in Qassim, KSA.Methods: A descriptive study was applied using a convenience sample of 116 female students from three nursing colleges in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Attitude toward the learning of communication skills was evaluated by Communication Skills Attitudes Scale (CSAS).Results: All participants were female and most of them 3rd year students. The majority of nursing students at Qassim University (95.1%) had hospital training for three semesters and more compared to 61.8% from Al-Ghad College and 42.9% from Buraydah Colleges. Statistically significant differences were detected among the three colleges regarding most of the items of communication skills behavior. Communication Skills Attitudes Scale revealed a moderate score in the positive attitudes and the average score for negative attitudinal score.Conclusions: Moderate positive attitudes toward communication skills learning among nursing students of the three colleges. The results provide an important base for improving the content of the current communication curriculum in nursing study programs.

Attitude of Hausa ESL Secondary School Students Towards Spelling and Writing in English

Writing skill is described as an essential language tool for students. Studies have shown that Hausa ESL secondary school students commit various errors in their writing in English. Various factors have been identified as responsible for the problems. However, the students’ attitude towards spelling and writing has not been investigated. It is believed that students’ attitude plays an important role in motivating and influencing their second-language learning. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the attitude and perception of Hausa ESL secondary school students towards English spelling and writing. The study adopts a survey research design where an intact class of 75 students from a secondary school in north-eastern Nigeria was selected. To collect the data for the study, a questionnaire was employed. The questionnaire comprises two sections: (i) attitudes toward English spelling and (ii) attitudes toward writing in English which include four writing purposes: (a) School Use, (b) Social Use, (c) Official Use, and (d) Creativity. Findings of the study revealed that the participants have a moderate positive attitude and perception towards English spelling and writing. The findings also indicated that the students’ attitude toward the School Use of English is the highest, whereas their Creativity in writing has the lowest means among the four purposes. In addition, the study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between the participants’ attitude towards spelling and writing. To enhance students’ creative writing and thinking skills, the study suggests that literature in English should be made compulsory to all secondary school students. Story-reading and creative writing should be incorporated into the curriculum. Other extracurricular activities such as spelling completion should be organised to help the students.

Fashion opinion leadership, innovativeness and attitude toward advertising among Portuguese consumers

In the context of the fashion market, this study aims to analyze opinion leadership and, specifically, to verify the correlation that may exist between opinion leadership, fashion innovativeness and attitude towards fashion advertising. It is also intended to identify two different consumer groups: opinion leaders and fashion followers based on “opinion leadership” construct. Data collection was done through a self-administered questionnaire with a convenience sample of 203 graduate and postgraduate students of two universities of Porto, the second major city of Portugal. Results show a positive correlation between fashion innovativeness, fashion opinion leadership, and attitude towards fashion advertising. It was possible to identify two groups of consumers: fashion influencers, who exhibit a moderate sense of innovativeness and a positive attitude towards fashion advertising; and fashion followers who don’t consider themselves neither innovators nor opinion leaders, but have a moderate positive attitude towards fashion advertising.

Electric vehicle attitudes and purchase intention: a Flemish case study

Why are electric vehicles not yet visible in our streets? Several studies focus on the consumer and his perception. It is only recently researchers are taking into account whether the consumer actually drove an EV. A living lab forms the ideal environment to question test users about their perception after a 10 weeks EV testing trial. Overall, the respondents had a moderate positive attitude towards electric mobility. They confirm that the low cost per kilometre, environmental friendliness and home charging are important advantages. Consumers with a more positive attitude experience the environmental character as a bigger advantage. The limited electric range still remains the main disadvantage, followed by the high purchase price. Surprisingly, consumers with a more positive attitude attached more importance to the higher purchase price. The willingness to purchase an EV is in some way related to someone's attitude: the more positive, the sooner one is willing to purchase an EV.

Influence of children's formed beliefs about characheristic of autism on acceptance of peers with autism spectrum disorder

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of formed beliefs about autism of students in fourth and seventh grade of primary school on acceptance of peers with autism. Belief about autism was formed using the vignettes which were constructed with the aim to explain autism as a disorder in communication, socialization and restrictive/repetitive interests. After the students read a vignette they were expected to fill out The Shared Activities Questionnaire. The mean scores indicate moderate positive behavioral intentions within three domains (Social, Academic and Recreational). The students rather participated in activities within the social domain than in academic and recreational domains. The girls expressed more positive behavioral intention within all three domains towards a peer with autism than the boys. The boys were more willing to participate in activities with a peer with autism when they were told that autism is a disorder in socialization. Although our sample on the whole reported moderate positive attitude towards peers with autism, when isolated items are observed, it is clear that one third of the students would not participate in certain activities with a peer with autism, which indicates the necessity for intervention in order to create a more positive attitude.

Knowledge and attitude of dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences about substance abuse in 2013

The increase in substance abuse among youths and its complications form one of the most pressing health problems among students as an important and vulnerable group in society. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences regarding substance abuse in 2013. This is a descriptive-analytic cross sectional study carried out on dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences regarding substance abuse in 2013. 604 male and female students living in the dormitories were selected via random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher based on the questionnaire used by Dehghan, and on a review of relevant literature and expert opinion obtained from professors of the field. Data were analyzed by SPSS16 using descriptive and analytical tests (Pearson correlation, T-test and chi-square). The mean score of knowledge of dormitory students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences was 9.86±2.13. Most students (65.6%) had moderate knowledge about drugs. The subjects' mean score on attitude was 61.99±10.10. Most students (58.3%) had moderate positive attitudes towards drugs. Students are considered as major assets of a country. Therefore, planning and developing intervention strategies to prevent and reduce substance abuse among university students is essential and plays a major role in improving their health.

Awareness and attitudes related to dental erosive wear among 18‐yr‐old adolescents in Oslo, Norway

The aim of the present study was to describe awareness and attitudes related to dental erosive wear among 18-yr-old adolescents in Oslo and to explore attitudinal differences between participants with and without the condition. All 18-yr-old subjects scheduled for their routine examination at the Public Dental Service clinics during 2008 (n = 3,206) were invited, and 1,456 agreed to participate (a response rate of 45%). The data were collected using structured questionnaires and by clinical examination of the participants. Dental erosive wear was assessed using a pictorial manual - the Visual Erosion Dental Examination scoring system - as a guide. Overall, 88% of participants had heard about dental erosive wear; however, of participants with erosive lesions only 56% were aware of, and only 47% could recall their dentist mentioning, the condition. Participants with erosive wear were more likely to have low or moderate positive attitudes towards acidic drink consumption and to be reluctant to change. In multivariate analyses controlling for gender and behavioural variables, weak or moderate positive awareness of acidic drinks remained significantly associated with higher erosion risk. This study emphasizes the importance of assessment and understanding of awareness and attitudinal aspects in relation to dental erosive wear.