National Public Awareness Campaign Research Articles

Parental Knowledge of Appendicitis and Its Management Options Among Children of Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Despite decades of studies, appendicitis in children still presents several uncertainties regarding optimal treatment. To assess parental understanding of appendicitis, along with its risks and treatment, and to determine attitudes to operative and non-operative treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis. This is a cross-sectional study. The current study has targeted all parents who visited the pediatric outpatient departments or clinics at three different hospitals in Makkah and Jeddah City, including Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) in Makkah, King Fahad Armed Force Hospital (KFAFH), and Saudi German Private Hospital (SGH) in Jeddah. Data was collected via an online Google form and was analyzed by using SPSS. A total of 408 subjects were involved in this study. The majority of them were females (74.5%); 25.5% weremales. Most of the study participants aged between 25 and 34 years. Our results found that the average knowledge score of the study population was 4.1±1.81 out of 11. Only 23.5%of them had good knowledge about appendicitis. More than half of the respondents identified the appendix as a part of the digestive system and most of the study population were aware of the currenttreatment for appendicitis, which is surgery (80.9%). Female participants and respondents who knew someone that has been treated for appendicitis were significantly associated with a better level of knowledge about appendicitis (P-values: 0.011 and 0.033, respectively). Moreover, we found that educational level significantly influenced preference for treatment with antibiotics and surgeryif appendicitis happened again (P-value: 0.049). The study population had poor knowledge of appendicitis and its management options. The highlighted criteria of self-reported relevance to parents should be addressed in all appendicitis counseling and consent. We advocate for the establishment of national public awareness campaigns, as well as increased research and clinical trials. Understanding lay views of treatment alternatives and efficacy will influence future approaches to appendicitis therapy by analyzing the community's preference for emerging treatment modalities and identifying future directions for patient-centered clinical trials.

An ecological approach to understanding stroke experience and access to rehabilitation services in Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Despite a growing burden of stroke in low-middle-income countries, research on patient's experiences and access to rehabilitation services remains limited. This study explores the experiences of stroke patients in relation to access and use of stroke rehabilitation services, coping strategies and strategies to improve care in Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 136 adult stroke patients hospitalised and subsequently discharged in three major referral hospitals in Ghana participated in the study. A paper-based questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were inputted into STATA version 12, cleaned and analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests. Findings showed that stroke patients experience stroke differently. Early detection (awareness) of stroke symptoms at onset was low (29.4%). Hypertension was the major (58.1%) predisposing risk factor for stroke, followed by diabetes (14.7%). Multiple barriers impede access to outpatient rehabilitation services: high cost of medications (43.4%), transportation constraints (10.3%), long waiting time (6.6%), forgetfulness about appointment (4.4%), limited education on rehabilitation (20.6%), lack of community support (12.5%) and ineffective communication with healthcare providers (5.2%). Recommended strategies to improve access to rehabilitation care included public education on stroke and its associated risk, reduction in the cost of drugs and increased stroke rehabilitation funding by the NHIS, especially for physiotherapy consultation and training support to caregivers on patient care. Given the difference in stroke experience and barriers in accessing rehabilitation care, multi-level health policy and service delivery reforms are needed to improve access to rehabilitation care, including national public awareness campaigns on early signs of stroke and subsidised cost of stroke rehabilitation.

Stillbirth in Australia 4: Breaking the Silence: Amplifying Public Awareness of Stillbirth in Australia

Prevention of stillbirth remains one of the greatest challenges in modern maternity care. Despite this, public awareness is low and silence is common within families, the community and even healthcare professionals. Australian families and parent advocacy groups given a voice through the Senate Enquiry have made passionate and articulate calls for a national stillbirth awareness campaign. This fourth paper in the Stillbirth in Australia series outlines why stillbirth needs a national public awareness campaign; and provides an overview of good practice in the design, development and evaluation of public awareness campaigns. The cognitive and affective steps required to move from campaign awareness to action and eventually to stillbirth prevention are described. Using these best practice principles, learning from previous campaigns combined with close collaboration with aligned agencies and initiatives should assist a National Stillbirth Prevention Campaign to increase community awareness of stillbirth, help break the silence and contribute to stillbirth prevention across Australia.

The impact of a national public awareness campaign on dementia knowledge and help-seeking in Ireland

Abstract Background Dementia is a growing public health issue in Ireland primarily due to the ageing population. Increasing public knowledge of dementia has been identified as a key priority to reduce disease burden. This study evaluated the impact of a dementia communication campaign on dementia knowledge and help-seeking intention among the general public in Ireland. Methods In 2016, a nationally-representative sample of over 1,200 adults in Ireland was surveyed to inform a nationwide dementia awareness campaign entitled Understand Together. Multiple factors were examined including sociodemographic characteristics, dementia advertising awareness, dementia knowledge and help-seeking intention. A similar survey (N = 1,003) was conducted in 2018 to evaluate public awareness of the campaign and its association with dementia knowledge and help-seeking intention. Data from the 2016 and 2018 surveys were analysed using univariable analysis and logistic regression, adjusted for sociodemographics. Results Awareness of dementia advertising increased from 17% (2016) to 32% (2018) (p < 0.001). Women (OR 1.51, 95%CI 1.14-2.00), rural residents (OR 1.48, 95%CI 1.10-2.00), respondents aged 40-59 years (OR 1.96, 95%CI 1.40-2.74) or 60+ years (OR 2.18, 95%CI 1.47-3.22), and those who knew someone with dementia (OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.55-2.75) were more likely to be aware of the campaign. Very good or good dementia knowledge and awareness that dementia risk is modifiable increased from 24% to 33% (p < 0.05) and 46% to 52% (p < 0.05), respectively. There was a linear association between campaign awareness and both help-seeking (OR 1.81, 95%CI 1.36-2.40) and holding a positive view of the potential benefits of early diagnosis (OR 1.97, 95%CI 1.35-2.88). Conclusions The ongoing campaign, as well as future communication strategies, should continue to focus on increasing awareness of modifiable risk to support prevention. Campaign messaging/modalities should be targeted at harder to reach population groups. Key messages Public communication on dementia can improve knowledge and help-seeking. Health communication campaign evaluation can identify, and inform the targeting of, hard to reach population groups.

Causes of distraction leading to supervision lapses in cases of fatal drowning of children 0–4 years in Australia: A 15‐year review

Supervision is a strategy for preventing drowning among children. However, supervision lapses continue to be a contributory factor in child drowning. This study aims to identify, describe and analyse the causes of distraction leading to lapses in supervision in child drowning. A total population survey of all fatal unintentional drownings among children aged 0-4 years between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2017 was undertaken using data from the Australian National Coronial Information System. Among closed coronial cases, causes of distraction leading to lapses in supervision were collected as free text from closed case documentation and subsequently thematically grouped into categories. Univariate and χ2 analysis was undertaken (P < 0.01). A total of 447 children drowned during the study period (62.0% male; 66.9% aged 1-2 years; 53.3% swimming pools; 79.4% falls into water). Of the 426 (95.3%) closed cases, common supervision lapses were due to indoor household duties (27.6%), outdoor household duties (12.6%) and talking/socialising (11.9%). This study has identified common scenarios for distractions leading to supervision lapses including the link between indoor household duties and bathtub drowning deaths and talking/socialising for deaths in swimming pools and at rivers. Challenges include medical issues impacting sole carers. The 7% of cases where a supervision lapse occurred due to miscommunication are opportunities to further reinforce the need for a designated supervisor, particularly with two or more adults present. Study findings on distraction causes, and strategies to minimise them, should be incorporated into national public awareness campaigns aimed at parents and care givers of this at-risk group.

On the use of digital technologies to reduce the public health impacts of cannabis legalization in Canada

The imminent legalization of recreational cannabis represents a considerable public health challenge that requires proactive measures to ensure a responsible transition. The federal government recognizes the need for strict regulation to reduce cannabis-related health harms, notably among the youth. Additionally, the government plans to oversee a national public awareness campaign as part of a harm-reduction strategy. In light of the public health risks of cannabis legalization, this paper proposes the implementation of increasingly popular, evidence-based, preventive, and therapeutic digital interventions to minimize the harms of this policy among adolescents and young adults. These E-health interventions facilitate healthcare delivery, improve patient care, and overcome stigmatization, especially in the context of substance abuse. Therefore, we argue that a continuum of digital tools, including prevention programs, educational material, and therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing risky consumption of cannabis, should be embraced as part of a comprehensive public health strategy by the federal government in anticipation of legalization later this year.

43: The impact of a national public awareness campaign for cough as a lung cancer symptom

43: The impact of a national public awareness campaign for cough as a lung cancer symptom

Pharmacists asked to dispense advice as part of NHS campaign.

THE NHS has launched a national public awareness campaign to persuade people who are feeling unwell to seek advice from local pharmacists.

P5 Impact of national lung cancer awareness campaign on local referrals and outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

IntroductionIncreased awareness of lung cancer symptoms, largely due to the national ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign in 2012 targeting smokers with cough more than 3 weeks, contributed to 14% increased...

Regional systems of care after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK: premier league care saves lives

Regional systems of care after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK: premier league care saves lives

Capital Souffle : résultats d'une campagne de sensibilisation à la mesure du souffle menée en France en 2005

A national public awareness campaign (Capital Souffle, or Breath Matters) about prevention and detection of chronic obstructive respiratory diseases was carried out in seven large French cities. The principal objective was to collect demographic and respiratory-related characteristics and increase population awareness of breath measurements for detecting chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The secondary objective was to assess the immediate impact of lung function measurements on the subjects who participated in the campaign. This multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted in October and November 2005 in 7 large French cities. Subjects completed 2 questionnaires, one collecting demographic and medical, especially respiratory-related, data and the second assessing subjects' response to the campaign. Data collection was completed by measurement of their FEV1/FEV6 ratio with an electronic pocket spirometer (PiKo-6). Data from 8294 questionnaires could be analyzed: 14.4% of subjects reported having asthma and 4.1% COPD. Approximately 10% reported they were followed by a physician for a chronic respiratory disease. Half were current (28.5%) or former (21.9%) smokers, who began smoking at a median age of 17 years (10-50). The FEV1/FEV6 ratio was normal (>80%) in 79.4% of subjects, required further monitoring in 15.5% (70-80%) and abnormal (<70%) in 5.1%. In all 1416 subjects (17.1%) had a FEV1/FEV6 ratio that was either abnormal or required follow-up and were not followed by a physician for respiratory disease. This campaign produced a high level of public awareness: 85.8% of subjects reported they wanted to know more about respiratory health, 64% said they would discuss it with their physician and 62.7% that the campaign would encourage them to take their medication. This survey demonstrates the feasibility of a national public awareness campaign about chronic respiratory diseases in France, based on a simple lung function measurement. The immediate impact of the campaign was high. Additional studies are necessary to determine the number of chronic respiratory disease diagnosed and managed by physicians.

The Lung Cancer Alliance.

The Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) is the only national nonprofit organization providing patient support and advocacy exclusively to those living with or at risk for lung cancer. Its mission is to lead the movement to reverse decades of stigma and neglect by empowering those with or at risk for the disease, elevating awareness and changing health policy. Headquartered in Washington, DC, LCA is committed to making lung cancer a national public health priority and improving survival by 50% by 2015. LCA’s hallmark is its list of unique patient support programs. Figure 1 Laurie Fenton LCA’s programs include: Lung Cancer Hotline: 800-298-2436 Phone Buddy Program, a peer-to-peer support network LCA Survivors Community, an online community lungcancerallianceblog.org LCA Clinical Trials Matching Service, powered by Emerging Med Lung cancer–specific educational materials Through the Lung Cancer Hotline and Phone Buddy Program, LCA helps thousands of people affected by lung cancer. The Phone Buddy Program is a peer-to-peer support network made up of 150 survivors and caregivers who volunteer to share their experiences and serve as empathetic listeners. In addition to direct support, LCA recently expanded to online support through the LCA Survivors Community as well as the blog, lungcancerallianceblog.org. The LCA Survivors Community is a safe, trusted environment in which those at risk, those living with the disease, and those who love them can share and support one another through their individual journeys and experiences with lung cancer. The LCA blog keeps visitors current on LCA’s advocacy. As an extension of its commitment to empower those affected by lung cancer, LCA provides the LCA Clinical Trials Matching Service to ensure that patients diagnosed with lung cancer can include clinical trials in their treatment options. This special service helps patients and their loved ones navigate the challenging terrain of clinical trials through prescreening. LCA recommends that people conduct a clinical trial search each time they face a treatment decision. Now, with more than 490 clinical trials listed and trained staff answering each query, the LCA Clinical Trials Matching Service is working to become the one-stop shop for lung cancer clinical trials information. LCA not only supports patients, friends, and families, but also enables clinicians to offer supportive materials on where to turn for information and support. Through our quarterly Spirit and Breath newsletter, brochures, fact sheets, and other collaboratively produced materials, LCA reaches a quarter of a million people every year. Lungcanceralliance.org shares information on facing lung cancer, clinical trials, support groups around the United States, lung cancer news and events, and advocacy. The advocacy area is where LCA has advanced most aggressively. LCA engages federal and state health policymakers, newsmakers, regulators, and opinion leaders to reverse 35 years of stigma and neglect since the declaration of the “War against Cancer.” With its more than 20 state chapters, LCA is the movement representing lung cancer as a disease, not just a tobacco addiction, which deserves the same compassion and support as other diseases. Last year, LCA launched the first ever national public awareness campaign for lung cancer; attained the first bicameral, bipartisan resolution declaring lung cancer a public health priority, which gained passage in the Senate; produced the first national Report Card on Lung Cancer, an annual benchmark of progress in lung cancer; advocated strongly to retain full levels of funding for National Cancer Institute translational research programs; secured state Lung Cancer Awareness Month proclamations; and filed a landmark Amicus Brief in the federal case against the tobacco industry seeking funds for independent lung cancer research and early detection. Observing Lung Cancer Awareness Month 2006 and beyond, LCA will continue its innovative national public awareness efforts by adding national spokespeople such as Joe Buck, the “voice” of Major League Baseball; secure House of Representative champions for its congressional resolution; issue the 2006 Report Card on Lung Cancer and duplicate it at the state level; pursue every avenue for increased research and early detection support at both federal and state levels; and coordinate Lung Cancer Awareness Month activities around the country. For more information and to get involved: phone 800-298-2436, log onto lungcanceralliance.org, e-mailgro.ecnaillarecnacgnul@ofni.

Avian Influenza Risk Communication, Thailand

Avian Influenza Risk Communication, Thailand

A growing concern

Continence problems are widespread in the population, especially among older people. Incontinence can be caused by a multiplicity of medical, social, environmental and cultural factors and it is still a taboo subject in society today despite annual national public awareness campaigns. Sue Thomas (left) and Deborah Rigby describe how sensitive discussion and appropriate terminology is needed when broaching the subject with people who may have this problem

Wolf research and conservation in Italy

The development of research and conservation activities for the wolf Canis lupus in Italy from 1972 to 1989 is described. Initial studies indicated that the Italian population was fragmented into a number of ‘island’ populations on mountain ranges with little interchange between them. Radio-tracking studies showed that groups were small (usually 2–4, maximum 7) with a home range of 200–400 km 2. Wolves were nocturnal, obtained 60–70% of their food from garbage dumps and avoided contact with man. The main conflicts between man and wolves are: livestock killing; competition and interbreeding with feral dogs; and availability of habitat and food. The wolf has been strictly protected since 1976 and has increased its range in Italy. Changes in agricultural practice have increased the risks of successful attacks on livestock, but compensation is paid for damage done by wolves. Natural prey species are being reintroduced into key areas of the wolf's range to improve food availability. A national public awareness campaign has greatly improved the wolf's image. The greatest threat to long-term conservation of the wolf is interbreeding and, to a lesser extent, competition with Italy's population of 80 000 feral dogs. A captive breeding programme is being established with the goal of maintaining 90% of the Italian wolf's genetic variability for the next 200 years.

Breaking down taboos

March 13-19: The DoH runs its first national public awareness campaign on continence to encourage people to talk about their problems