Poor Perception Research Articles

Dynamics of Amaranthus in Urban and Rural Value Chains in Communities of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa falls among the developing countries with poor standards of living contributing to the high prevalence of malnutrition. Interventions have been conducted, but malnutrition continues to linger, with devastating impacts on vulnerable groups. In Africa, 90% of its children cannot access the minimum balanced diet. Also, 60% of the people in this region do not access daily meals for dietary needs. Traditional vegetables like Amaranthus are identified to have great potential to combat malnutrition; however, Amaranthus is underutilized due to limited awareness of its potential and poor post-harvest practices along the value chain. This study evaluates the dynamics of Amaranthus along its value chain in the urban and rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa. Mixed-design research and a purposive convenient random sampling approach were explored. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data for the survey, and this was strengthened by a series of five n = (30) face-to-face interviews with six key informants from urban and rural formal and informal markets. The findings revealed that eleven species of Amaranthus have been identified in South Africa such as Amaranthus spinosus varieties, including A. dubius, and A. cruentus, which are the most sold and consumed, mostly being sold by street vendors. Thus, poor perception and attitudes along with limited access to Amaranthus in some upper-class markets contribute to underutilization. Promoting Amaranthus at all levels of markets might create better awareness of its utilization.

Assessment of patient knowledge and perceptions towards orthodontic treatment in the Aljouf Region, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Background In orthodontic treatment, it is most important to assess the patient’s perspective of malocclusion because these perceptions are fundamental to determining the patient’s demands and level of treatment satisfaction. This study was done to assess the knowledge and perception of residents of the Aljouf Region of Saudi Arabia seeking orthodontic treatment. Furthermore, we determined the factors associated with the patients’ knowledge and perception of orthodontic treatment. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested and validated questionnaire among patients seeking orthodontic treatment who were registered at King Abdulaziz Hospital, Sakaka, and primary health centers. We identified the associated factors using binomial logistic regression analysis. Finally, we applied Spearman’s correlation test to identify the correlation between knowledge and perception. Results A total of 282 individuals participated in the current study, of which 53.3% were female and 46.1% were male. About one-third (36.9%) of patients had a low level of knowledge, 35.5% had a medium level of knowledge, and 27.7% had a high level of knowledge regarding orthodontic treatment. A total of 20.6% had low perceptions, 42.9% had medium perceptions, and 36.5% had high perceptions of orthodontic care. A significant correlation was found between age and gender, knowledge (p = 0.001), and perception (p = 0.040). Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between knowledge and perception (Spearman’s rho = 0.297, p = 0.001). Conclusion People in Aljouf have poor knowledge and medium perception regarding orthodontic treatment. We recommend that the concerned authorities make a health educational plan for the patients seeking orthodontic treatment.

The Making of Confident Surgeons: Why and How?

Low self-confidence in surgical residents can be associated with poor self-efficacy and perceptions of sub-optimal preparedness for practice at graduation. The influence of social and biologic determinants of confidence deserves further study. Through a randomized controlled trial of procedure-specific didactic and low fidelity simulation training for vaginal surgery, we showed positive correlations between self-confidence and objective performance in the real operating room for three different surgical procedures and through validated scales. This demonstrates an accurate ability of novice surgeons to self-monitor in a high-stakes environment. Our trial results (described in full elsewhere), combined with our multiple one-on-one teaching interactions with surgical trainees through the trial, incentivized us to evaluate self-confidence in view of optimizing it through directed training and feedback. The current opinion piece summarizes our main findings for surgical educators and emphasizes their role engaging with trainees at extremes of confidence.

Cardiovascular disease risk perception among community-dwelling adults in southwest Nigeria: A mixed-method study.

The rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remains a global concern. In Nigeria, the current prevalence of CVD was 76.11% with its attendance burden. The CVD risk perception of individuals is a precursor to the desired lifestyle modification necessary for CVD prevention and management. This study assessed the CVD risk perception and sociodemographic determinants among rural and urban dwellers in southwest Nigeria. The study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design involving concurrent data collection. The participants' CVD risk perception was obtained using the Perception of Risk of Heart Disease Scale (quantitative data) and a validated focus group discussion (FGD) guide (qualitative data). Quantitative analysis was completed using descriptive statistics, Phi, Cramer's V, and multivariate linear regression, while the FGD was thematically analysed. The quantitative study involved 1,493 participants (62.4% women) with a mean age of 46.90±15.65 years, while the FGD involved 53 participants (52.8% women) with a mean age of 50.10±13.5 years. Over a quarter (28%) of the participants had a poor CVD risk perception; the mean score was 44.40±8.07. Rural residents had a significantly poorer CVD risk perception than their urban counterparts (Mean difference = -3.16, p<0.001). Having tertiary education (β = 0.100, p < 0.001), living in urban areas (β = 0.174, p<0.001), and living in Lagos (β = 0.074, p = 0.013) and in Oyo, other than Ogun state (β = -0.156, p<0.001) significantly predicted having a good perception of CVD risk. FGD produced three themes: knowledge about CVD, CVD risk factors, and CVD prevention. Participants had a fair understanding of the causes and prevention of CVD. Yet, a substantial portion underestimated their own risk of developing CVD, particularly rural dwellers and people with lower education. More public health education is required to improve the CVD risk perception in southwestern Nigeria.

Lassa fever in Nigeria: epidemiology and risk perception.

Annual outbreaks of Lassa fever have resulted in a public health threat in Nigeria and other endemic countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. While the Lassa Virus (LASV) is endemic in rodent populations, zoonotic spillover to humans causes annual outbreaks. This study reviewed the burden of Lassa fever (LF) in Nigeria between 2020 and 2023 and conducted a cross-sectional survey of Nigerians to evaluate their risk perceptions of LF. During the period under review, 28,780 suspected and 4,036 confirmed cases of LF were reported from 34 of the 37 states of Nigeria. These cases resulted in 762 deaths (a CFR of 18.9%). The overall case positivity rate was 14% (4,036/28,780), with more positive cases in 2020 (17.5%, n = 1,189/6,791). A total of 2,150 study participants were enrolled in the prospective cross-sectional study, with most of them (87.5%, n = 1,881/2,150) having previously heard of Lassa fever (LF). The numerical scoring system revealed that 35.43% (n = 762/1,881) of those aware of LF have poor knowledge of its preventive measures, route of transmission, and control measures. Approximately 6.84% (n = 147/2,150) of them were at a high risk of contracting LF, with 27.6% (n = 584/2,150) of study participants feeling concerned about contracting LF because of the presence of rodents in their immediate vicinity, occupational exposure to healthcare workers, and the probability of contamination of food by infected rodents without necessary food safety measures. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that tertiary education was associated with an increased likelihood of better LF knowledge (OR: 17.32; 95% CI: 10.62, 28.26; p < 0.01) and a lower risk of contracting LF when compared to respondents with no formal education. In addition, study participants who reside in low-burden states have lower LF perception than those residents in high-LF-burden states (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.38-0.91; p = 0.049). On the other hand, study participants with poor risk perception (knowledge) of LF had a higher likelihood (RR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.53; p < 0.01) of contracting LF when compared to those with good knowledge of LF. Similarly, those residents in low LF burden states were less likely (OR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.05,0.17; p < 0.01) to contract LF when compared to those residents in high burden states. There is a need to improve LF diagnostics capacity, infection prevention and control measures, and implementation of the One Health approach to controlling LASV from animal reservoirs. In addition, public enlightenment campaigns to address fundamental knowledge gaps are crucial to mitigating the ongoing and future impact of LF in Nigeria.

Public Perception Towards Insurance Companies in Malaysia

Nowadays, the insurance sector is regulated and driven by profit maximization, just like other providers of financial services. We have been taught that insurance is essential for peace of mind, yet customers generally have a poor perception of insurance providers, and this view is even more evident among younger clients who are so important to the industry's future. The objective of this study is to investigate factors that influence public perception of insurance companies in Malaysia, including fraud, claim settlement, and knowledge. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. This survey was conducted using questionnaires and 110 randomly selected insurance policyholders. The study's findings suggest that the public's perception of insurance companies is significantly influenced by knowledge. As a result, this outcome will assist insurance companies in developing new formulas that take the criteria mentioned above into account to serve the public interest.

Identifying Barriers to Implementing Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies in Rhode Island Health Care Systems: A Qualitative Approach.

Introduction: Complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies are widely used and make up billions of dollars in out-of-pocket expenditures. This quality improvement project aimed to identify stakeholders' perceptions of implementing CIH therapies in health care systems to examine the barriers and facilitators to CIH implementation in Rhode Island (RI). Methods: A qualitative approach guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to conduct interviews with key stakeholder groups: health care administrators, health insurance administrators, physicians, and CIH practitioners. Interviews were analyzed by directed content analysis of transcripts with CFIR as the a priori coding framework. Results: Eleven subconstructs within four major domains were most prominent in interviews across all stakeholder groups. Key barriers in the "innovation" domain include a perceived lack of evidence and credibility of CIH therapies, logistical and administrative complexity of implementation, high costs to patients, and little financial incentive for hospitals and insurance companies. The "outer setting" domain highlights the utility of market pressure in decision making to implement CIH and the role of health policy. The "inner setting" domain demonstrates the varied personal beliefs about CIH, credentialing challenges, and the dissonance between medical system priorities and patient needs. Positive facilitation of implementation is marked by personal exposure to CIH and provider satisfaction in the "implementation process" domain. Conclusion: CIH therapies offer the medical system low risk and effective interventions that meet patient needs not currently met by Western medicine. However, implementation is difficult due to poor perception of evidence and lack of financial gain for the medical system. Acupuncture and massage may be modalities better situated for implementation in the RI medical system. Further education, awareness, and advocacy for CIH therapies would help meet patients' needs for CIH availability.

Gabapentin for Seizures

What Is the Issue? Gabapentin is 1 of many antiseizure medications available for the treatment of epilepsy in adults; however, there are potential risks associated with its use. Therefore, it is important to determine the place of therapy of gabapentin in the treatment of epilepsy. What Did We Do? To help determine the potential place in therapy for gabapentin in the treatment of epilepsy in adults, we sought to identify and summarize studies of the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of gabapentin as well as recommendations from evidence-based guidelines. We searched key resources, including journal citation databases, and conducted a focused internet search for relevant evidence published since 2014. One reviewer screened articles for inclusion based on predefined criteria, critically appraised the included publications, and narratively summarized the findings. What Did We Find? We identified 1 systematic review and 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT) that evaluated the efficacy of gabapentin in adults with epilepsy. We identified 5 evidence-based guidelines that included recommendations on the use of gabapentin for epilepsy. We did not identify any studies that evaluated its cost-effectiveness. Seizure-free retention at 3 months may be better in adults with epilepsy who were treated with lamotrigine than gabapentin or carbamazepine. There were no differences in other seizure outcomes (such as time to seizure, seizure freedom, or seizure-free retention) for adults with epilepsy treated with gabapentin versus lamotrigine or carbamazepine. Adults with epilepsy treated with gabapentin were more likely to experience fair or poor health perception than those treated with oxcarbazepine. There were no differences in other quality of life outcomes (such as anxiety, depression, or worry about seizures) between those treated with gabapentin versus lamotrigine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, or topiramate. Withdrawals because of adverse events were similar between adults with epilepsy treated with gabapentin and lamotrigine. There were more systemic toxicities in adults treated with gabapentin than carbamazepine or lamotrigine but there were no differences in neurotoxicities between groups. One guideline recommends against the use of gabapentin in people with myoclonic seizures or people with epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures. One guideline states that there is insufficient evidence to consider gabapentin instead of carbamazepine in patients with new-onset focal epilepsy or unclassified generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Three guidelines recommend the use of gabapentin in older adults with epilepsy. One guideline recommends the use of gabapentin in people with intellectual disability and epilepsy, if the benefits outweigh the risks or as a second-line option. What Does It Mean? There were few differences in outcomes between adults with epilepsy treated with gabapentin versus other active comparators in the studies we identified. The included guidelines recommended for or against the use of gabapentin depending on patient factors such as age and type of epilepsy or seizures. Decision-makers may wish to consider individual patient factors such as age and type of epilepsy or seizures as well as the availability of other treatment options when making decisions on the use of gabapentin for the treatment of epilepsy.

Transport Safety and Quality of Life in Developing Cities: An Analytical Study of Amman's Urban Transport System

Transport safety is crucial for social sustainability, especially in rapidly urbanizing developing cities. This study evaluates the safety of Amman, Jordan's urban transport system, and its impact on residents' quality of life. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we identified and prioritized five key safety indicators: accident rates, fatalities and injuries, pedestrian safety, public perceptions of safety, and the presence of safety infrastructure. The findings revealed high accident rates, inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, and poor public perceptions of safety. These issues lead to high-stress levels, limited mobility, and increased reliance on private vehicles, exacerbating traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Recommendations include stricter road safety measures, upgraded pedestrian infrastructure, public awareness campaigns, and enhanced public transport services. This research highlights the need for coordinated efforts among government agencies, private sector partners, and the community to improve transport safety and quality of life in developing cities.

Implications of Traditional Cooking on Air Quality and Female Health: An In-Depth Analysis of Particulate Matter, Carbon Monoxide, and Carbon Dioxide Exposure in a Rural Community

Indoor air pollution, particularly in rural communities, is a significant health determinant, primarily due to the prevalence of traditional cooking practices. The WHO estimates 4.3 million annual deaths related to household air pollution. This study quantifies indoor pollutants and assesses health impacts and perceptions regarding traditional cooking. Using Extech air quality monitoring equipment, the study measured particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) in 48 rural homes. A survey of 39 women gathered insights on their use of wood for cooking and perceptions of air quality. This dual approach analyzed both environmental and social dimensions. Findings showed fine particulate matter (0.3, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 μm) exceeded safety limits by threefold, while coarser particulates (5.0 and 10 µm) were concerning but less immediate. CO levels were mostly acceptable, but high concentrations posed risks. CO2 levels indicated good ventilation. Survey responses highlighted reliance on wood and poor air quality perceptions demonstrating little awareness of health risks. Common symptoms included eye discomfort, respiratory issues, and headaches. The study emphasizes the need for interventions to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants and increase awareness of health risks to encourage cleaner cooking practices in rural communities.

Turkish EFL learners’ knowledge, perception, and production of suprafixes as part of lexical competence

Vocabulary and grammar are essential to language proficiency (Richards, 2015). Some word families and grammatical categories can only be distinguished by prosodic properties such as suprafixes. In English, specific noun/adjective-verb pairs, sometimes called disyllabic words, receive primary stress on different syllables. Typically, nouns receive trochaic stress, while verbs receive iambic stress. Research shows that suprafixes are difficult for language learners from diverse linguistic and prosodic backgrounds. Given the scarcity of research in specific contexts (e.g., Turkish EFL), this study explored Turkish EFL learners’ suprafixational knowledge, perception, and production. Participants were B1-level preparatory school students of a prominent state university. Data were collected through a test of knowledge (n=110), a test of perception (n=80), and a test of production (n=50). Results showed poor knowledge, perception, and production of suprafixes among Turkish EFL learners. Minor variations in suprafixational competence were observed in males and females. Additionally, different noun-verb pairs posed a challenge for both genders. The results were discussed, and recommendations for future research were made. The study concludes that Turkish EFL learners must receive suprasegmental training focusing on suprafixes.

Community perception towards mental illness and help-seeking intention in Southwest Ethiopian Peoples Regional State.

Community perception of mental illness is a collective belief system and attitude about mental disorders; it affects the availability of services, the level of stigma, and the help-seeking intention. This study assessed community perceptions towards mental illness and help-seeking intentions in Southwest Ethiopia. A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was done in Southwest Ethiopian People's Regional State (SWEPRS), from March 1st to June 30th, 2021. All adult individuals >18 years old living in the region were the source population, while all adult >18 years old living in the selected household were the study population. The calculated sample size was 1028. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A structured, interview-based questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered into Epidata Manager and exported to SPSS for analysis. The response rate for this study was 95.4%. The prevalence of poor perception and unfavorable help-seeking intention of mental illness were 45.8%, 95% CI (42.6, 48.9), and 49.5%, 95% CI (46.4, 52.7) respectively. Being rural [AOR = 1.94 (95% CI:(1.41, 2.66)]c, lack of information [AOR = 4.82(95% CI: (3.39,6.83)], exposure to mental illness [AOR = 4.11(95% CI:(2.64,6.38)] were significantly associated with poor perception of mental illness. Also, gating mental illness information [AOR = 0.40 (95% CI: (0.19, 0.83)], and being exposed to mental illness [AOR = 0.56 (95% CI: (0.41, 0.79)] were significantly associated with unfavorable help-seeking intentions for mental illness. The high prevalence of poor perceptions and unfavorable help-seeking intentions for mental illness can be minimized through providing tailored information regarding the cause, type, and severity of the problem, particularly in the rural areas.

Factors associated with the perception of university social responsibility among dental students from two universities in the Peruvian capital: a multivariable regression analysis

Students play a key role in university social responsibility (USR), as they are the protagonists of change and the fundamental axis in the teaching-learning process. This study aims to assess the factors associated with the perception of university social responsibility among dental students from two universities in the Peruvian capital. This analytical cross-sectional study assessed 754 students from two Peruvian universities between May and July 2023. The study utilized a validated 51-item questionnaire to assess sociodemographic factors and dental students’ perception of USR. A Poisson regression model with robust variance and prevalence ratio (PR) was used to assess the influence of variables such as age, sex, marital status, type of university, academic year, and awareness of taking subjects related to USR. The significance was set at p < 0.05. The perception of USR was rated as poor, fair, and good by 16%, 67%, and 17% of the participants, respectively. According to the study, dental students from public universities were 68% more likely to perceive their USR education as poor than those from private universities (APR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.06–2.66), and those who were aware of taking MSR-related courses were 37% less likely to perceive their USR education as poor (APR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.40–0.98). Similarly, dental students attending public universities were 2.28 times more likely to perceive poor organizational management in USR compared to their counterparts at private universities (APR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.51–3.44). Additionally, students in their first and second academic years were 62% and 57% less likely to perceive poor organizational management in USR compared to those in their sixth year (APR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19–0.79 and APR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.95; respectively). Furthermore, students from public universities were 2.31 times more likely to perceive social participation in USR poorly compared to their counterparts from private universities (APR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.63–3.26). Lastly, it was observed that students from public universities were 2.51 times more likely to have a poor overall perception of USR compared to students from private universities (APR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.67–3.78). Acknowledging the diverse contexts and challenges inherent in public and private institutions, it can be concluded that more than half of the dental students had a fair perception of USR. Additionally, attending a public university was found to be a risk factor for having a poor perception of USR. However, taking a course related to USR and being in the early years of the program were identified as protective factors against a poor perception of organizational training and management in USR. It is recommended that students be involved in USR activities, including the Sustainable Development Goals, from the first years of their university education, especially in public universities.

The perception of complex engineering problems among engineering teachers and students: A case study

The complex engineering problems (CEPs) are characterized by challenges such as: a) involving extensive or inconsistent, incompatible data from engineering and other offshoots, b) unable to be solved in the absence of in-depth engineering knowledge. The engineering teachers are not found successful in the design of a CEP because it does not touch the real issues from industry and / or environment. Therefore, the expertise of applicable skill cannot be evaluated and the reason behind this failure is the lack of or poor intellectual perception of the attributes of CEPs among the teachers. In order to help teachers, the relation between attributes, knowledge profiles and CEPs is elucidated in this work by giving examples. The main objective of this article is to establish an understanding of the student’s level of perceiving a complex engineering problem with respect to the learning domain. The Survey was conducted among 70 participants and the quantitative approach employed, utilizing a questionnaire survey and interviewing teachers to gather data from respondents selected through random probability sampling. It is concluded that Industrial training (like apprenticeships), laboratory practices and final year design project are good tools for the complex engineering activities/ exercises. The results obtained in the case study were found promising, therefore, it is recommended to extend this study by using various engineeringinstitutions to ascertain a framework on CEP solving. skills.

DISCREPANCY BETWEEN PATIENT VERSUS PROVIDER ASSESSMENT OF ERECTION QUALITY

ObjectiveTo characterize the discrepancy between patients’ and providers’ assessments of erection rigidity and its association with patient characteristics and penile ultrasound parameters. MethodsPatients presenting for penile doppler ultrasound between July 2022 and October 2023 were reviewed retrospectively. After intracavernosal injection, patients and providers independently rated erection rigidity from 1 to 10 prior to ultrasound. We defined discrepancy as a difference of 2 out of 10 or greater between the two assessments. Chi-squared and Mann Whitney U tests were used for hypothesis testing. Results65/297 (22%) of patients demonstrated a discrepancy in perceived erection quality. 58/65 (89%) of these patients rated their erections lower than their providers. There was a higher incidence of ED as the primary diagnosis in the discrepant group as compared to the concordant group (p=0.01). The discrepant group also showed a higher resistive index on penile ultrasound (p=0.04), with no difference in peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, or other clinical variables between the two groups. ConclusionDiscrepancy in perceived erection rigidity was mainly driven by lower patient perception, although these patients had noninferior penile hemodynamics to their peers. These findings underscore the influence of subjective perception of virility on sexual function. It is critical for clinicians to identify patients with poor perception of erectile function out of proportion to physiologic abnormalities. Thoughtful counseling about treatment goals and expectations, emphasizing functional outcomes, and adjunctive treatments such as sex therapy or psychotherapy are critical to therapeutic success in this population.

The Psychosocial Burden Of Psoriasis: Understanding The Impact On Mental Health And Well-Being

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory skin condition that is distinguished by scaly, red lesions that can be uncomfortable, itchy, and disfiguring. Psoriasis can influence aspects of one’s life beyond distressful physical symptoms, such as mood and quality of life. Patients diagnosed with psoriasis are 39% more likely to suffer from concomitant depression and 31% of patients are diagnosed with anxiety [1]. Due to physical manifestations, individuals with psoriasis are at increased risk of developing issues of poor social perception and body image stress [2]. Research states that psoriasis flare-ups are sometimes directly linked with bouts of anxiety and depression; conversely, physical symptoms of psoriasis may be attributed to psychosocial issues. For example, depression may cause a lack of proper adherence to treatment and lead to exacerbated inflammation. Understanding the psychosocial aspects of psoriasis may provide pertinent clinical information; thereby, allowing seamless integration of psychiatric treatments for the overall treatment protocol for psoriasis. This project delves into understanding how decreased emotional and social well-being can challenge the proper maintenance and treatment of psoriasis. Further, this paper highlights adaptive coping strategies and social support networks that are key in enhancing treatment viability. Oliver C, Robert PD, Daihung D, et al. The Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality in Patients With Psoriasis. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146(8) Hepat A, Chakole S, Rannaware A. Psychological Well-Being of Adult Psoriasis Patients: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2023

Islamic Perspective and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Pre-Marital Medical Test in Sokoto Metropolis

The foundation of an egalitarian society is rooted in the family system, and a healthy marital atmosphere is needed to achieve the objective of marriage. Pre-marital medical test plays a vital role that cannot be overemphasized, particularly in limiting the spread of some infectious diseases, such as sickle cell, HIV, thalassemia, etc. However, the fact that some resistance was relatively recorded on the pre-marital medical tests among people in the Sokoto metropolis does not mean it has no place in Islam. The study intends to assess the level and attitudes of Muslims of Sokoto State towards the pre-marital test. The paper specifically examines the extent to which the pre-marital medical test is observed in the metropolis and the societal perception of it from the Islamic perspective, bearing in mind that preserving human life is among the significant goals of Shari'ah in Islam. Hence, the paper discovers less patronage of pre-marital medical tests by people in the Sokoto metropolis, which many attributed to ignorance of their existence and poor perception of them. The paper underpins the importance of having these tests by would-be couples before marriage as well as the position of Islam on them so that people in the state can embrace them accordingly. The paper adopted a qualitative survey where interviews were conducted with individuals and the researchers purposively selected participants. In conclusion, the study highlighted some of the importance of pre-marital medical tests among the Muslim Ummah.

Knowledge and Perception of Prostate Cancer Screening among Male Employees of a Private University in Ogun State, Nigeria

Introduction: The burden of prostate cancer has steadily increased over the years. Patients in developed countries present with the disease early but contrastingly, men in developing countries present late leading to higher mortality in these countries. This variation in presentation is essentially because of differences in screening for the disease which usually depends on knowledge and perception of screening among men. This study assessed the knowledge and screening of prostate cancer screening among men in a tertiary institution in Nigeria. Methods: The study employs a descriptive cross-sectional study of 211 men who were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Knowledge of prostate cancer was graded as adequate or inadequate while perception was categorised as good or poor both using mean scores. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 22 and presented as tables. P&lt; 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 55.90±7.80 years and most of them (98.6%) had tertiary education as the highest level of education. About three-fifths (58.8%) of the respondents had adequate knowledge while 41.2% had inadequate knowledge about prostate cancer screening. More than half (53.1%) of the respondents had a good perception of prostate cancer screening while 46.9% had a poor perception. The occupation had statistically significant associations with the perception of participants of prostate cancer screening. Conclusion: Knowledge and perception were good among participants who were mostly educated. Occupation was also significantly associated with perception. Educated men may be deployed as peer educators for prostate cancer.

A visual measurement method for grinding surface roughness combining filter and branch convolution network

ABSTRACT The visual measurement method of grinding surface roughness is mainly predicted by designing image feature indicators. In contrast, the self-extraction method of grinding surface features based on deep learning has problems such as noise, low resolution and poor perception of details. This paper proposes a visual measurement method for grinding surface roughness to address these problems by combining filters and branching convolutional networks. The method adopts a two-branch convolutional neural network, inputs the images using filter denoising and the original grinding workpiece surface images simultaneously, self-extracts roughness correlation features and fuses them to achieve feature enhancement, effectively improves the recognition accuracy and generalisation ability of the model, and verifies the robustness of the model in the case of rusting on the workpiece surface. The experimental results show that the method can effectively solve the problem of the grinding process’s weak and difficult recognition of surface roughness feature information and provide a basis for automated visual online measurement of grinding surface roughness.

Assessment of the public knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Nigerians regarding preparedness for future pandemics

IntroductionPandemics are global health crises that have caused millions of deaths, enormous socio-economic disruptions, and considerable public and global health security consequences. This study assessed Nigerians’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding preparedness for the next pandemics.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire-based national survey was conducted among 1276 respondents in Nigeria to determine public knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of preparedness for future pandemics. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analyses.ResultsOf the 1276 respondents to this survey, > 50% had not heard of the Spanish flu and Zika disease. Approximately half (594) of the respondents did not consider antimicrobial resistance a possible cause of future pandemics. Over an average proportion of respondents reported unsatisfactory knowledge (655, 51.3%) and poor perceptions (695, 54.5%) about pandemic preparedness. The respondents’ good knowledge and satisfactory attitudes toward pandemic preparedness decreased with age. The respondents' education, age, and state of residence were significantly associated with good knowledge, satisfactory attitudes, and positive perceptions of pandemic preparedness with respondents with tertiary education levels being at least two times more likely to have these positive outcomes.ConclusionThis study revealed serious gaps in Nigerians’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of their readiness for upcoming pandemics. To protect Nigerians’ health, emphasis should be placed on these issues by all stakeholders, including the government.