Postgraduate Degree Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Patients Opting for a Single Implant Over a 3-Unit Bridge Amongst Practicing Dental Surgeons

This study determines the knowledge, attitude, and practice of patients opting for a single implant over a 3-unit Bridge amongst practicing dental surgeons. Using a Google questionnaire, a descriptive cross-sectional study was executed amongst dental surgeons practicing with undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. Data obtained from the study were recorded in Microsoft Excel 2007 version, and SPSS version 18.0 was used. Most of the dental surgeons who participated in the study have been practicing prosthodontic restoration with the help of implants. The calculation of statistical analysis, such as mean and standard deviation and analysis between variations, was done using student t-tests, and the association between variables was determined using Chi-square. A value was found significant when the p-value was less than 0.05. The treatment options available for restoring an edentulous site vary and depend on several factors, among which economic factors and patient awareness stand high in the pyramid. This study has brought forward many aspects that need to be considered in replacing the edentulous site that dominates the current scenario in dental practice.

Blood borne infections and Hepatitis B virus immunization levels among medical students in India

BackgroundMedical students are actively involved in direct patient care during their training and subsequent medical practice, making them susceptible to acquiring blood-borne pathogens, including HBV. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of blood-borne infections and the Hepatitis B immunization status among medical students. Furthermore, it sought to identify gaps in risk assessment for blood-borne pathogens among medical students at a Medical College in New Delhi. MethodsThe study included 108 medical students who participated in a blood donation camp. Blood samples collected from these individuals underwent testing for blood-borne pathogens in accordance with standard screening protocols at the blood bank. The quantitative estimation was performed for anti-HBs IgG using ELISA. ResultsAll 108 participants were pursuing their undergraduate or postgraduate medical degrees. All students tested negative for HBsAg and HIV markers and showed no reactivity to Syphilis and Malaria. However, one student tested positive for HCV. Two postgraduate students had a history of needlestick injuries. Eighty-one (75%) students had received Hepatitis B vaccination. Among the vaccinated students, 34 (41.97%) were immunized before the age of five years, 22 (27.16%) after the age of five years, while 25 (30.86%) couldn't recall the exact age of their Hepatitis B vaccination. Protective anti-HBs titer of anti-Hepatitis B antibodies (>10 mIU/ml) were detected in 48.15% (52/108) of students. ConclusionsOver 50% of medical students did not possess sufficient immunity against HBV infection, putting them at a heightened risk of acquiring HBV during their active participation in patient care in the near future. It is imperative to establish a policy for routine anti-HBs titer assessment and ensure easy access to Hepatitis B immunization for medical students, thereby enhancing their protection against this infectious agent.

General education and training of NDT personnel, including NDT Education at Universities. in South Africa

Following the 16th World Conference in Durban, South Africa, The South African Institute for NDT (SAINT) was mandated to invest the monies made from the WCNDT to establish a professional qualification for NDT personnel. In South Africa, a professional qualification must comply with the national qualification framework (NQF) requirements, which stipulate the rules to assure that qualifications for different occupations are at the same level. For NDT this meant, that the qualifications to ISO 9712 (ISO TC 25107 syllabus) would not suffice to serve as a qualification. There exists a requirement that classroom training, classroom practical training and work integrated practical training should each make up at least 30 % of the work. Anybody who had a look at ISO 9712 will realise that 160 hours of classroom training and 180 days (1080 hours) practical training would not cut it, as the training content for the 1080 hours is not defined in any standard. This state of affairs required the definition (curriculum development) of what has to be taught and how. The paper will elucidate this outcome. Concerning university education in South Africa one has to mention the NDT diploma and advanced diploma in NDT offered by the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). These courses focus on teaching NDT theory across a broad spectrum. Students have to undergo work integrated learning (WIL) and then successfully pass the practical examination at NDT Level II in order to be certificated to perform NDT in line with codes and standards. The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) offer a subject in NDT as part of the applied physics diploma, where the emphasis is on Nuclear Technology and Photonics. At the University of Cape Town (UCT) in the department of mechanical engineering, digital shearography is offered as a research field for master degree studies. They have a well-equipped optical laboratory for this purpose and have manufactured a shearography system which they support and improve on an ongoing basis. At the University Pretoria (UP) the subject Non-destructive Testing was offered at the post graduate degree level, as part of the course work for Asset Integrity Management. Most practical NDT technology development in South Africa is performed in industry at the company’s own costs. Some examples will be mentioned.

Awareness of Indications and Complications of Sleeve Gastrectomy among Obese and Overweight People in Saudi Arabia

Background and Aims: Obesity is a significant worldwide health issue hindering individuals’ daily activities and raising the risk of numerous illnesses that can lead to serious complications. However, research studies have shown that sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can have a considerable impact on improving comorbidities and is the most effective treatment for obesity. Therefore, our current study targeted obese and overweight people in Saudi Arabia to assess their awareness of the indications and complications of SG. Methods: A digital cross-sectional survey was distributed in December 2022 among a general population in Saudi Arabia via social media channels. Results: A total of 902 eligible participants were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 31.5 years, and the majority of participants were female 505 (56%). Meanwhile, 557 (61.8%) participants had a university degree. Regarding body mass index, 505 (56%) were obese, while the remaining were over¬weight. Of the participants, 882 (97.8%) have heard about SG. Moreover, 60.6% believed that they understood the indications of SG, while 573 (63.5%) believed that they understood the complications of SG. A total of 420 (46.6%) participants had overall good awareness levels, while 482 (53.4%) had poor awareness levels regarding SG. Conclusions: Our study findings showed that almost half of the participants were well informed regarding the indications and complications of SG. Moreover, participants with post-graduate degrees exhibited good levels of awareness compared to those with only a secondary level of education. Nevertheless, the establishment of health-related educational activities to promote general awareness of SG is recommended.

International Educational Consultancies and Students Migration from Nepal

An increasing number of Nepali students are going abroad each year for further studies. The recent trend is more of going for further studies at the undergraduate level rather than the previous patterns of going for graduate and postgraduate research degrees. These students often take the support of educational consultancies to facilitate their recruitment for international education. Along with this, there is a parallel increment of international educational consultancies in motivating and facilitating students to go abroad for further studies. In essence, these students who take the help of such brokering agencies often go on a “student visa”. Ethnographic information acquired from the field study conducted in Kathmandu Valley is the fundamental basis of the development of this article. Interviews and observations were the main techniques through which information was collated which were later on thematically analyzed to reach the conclusions of this study. These agencies have devised various strategies to recruit and convince students about the value and significance of international education. This article also highlights that these educational consulting firms are thriving in Nepal in a liberal economic context vis-à[1]vis the unhindered power of the globalization process.

Specialized texts translation. Correlational analysis of instrumental and extralinguistic subcompetence in Postgraduate degree students

Este reporte de investigación, de tipo empírico-experimental, posee dos objetivos: el primero consiste en identificar el nivel de relación entre la subcom-petencia instrumental (SI) y la subcompetencia extralingüística (SE), ambas del modelo holístico de competencia traductora (CT) de PACTE (2017), durante una serie de ejercicios de traducción de textos de carácter especializado, realizado por estudiantes de posgrado. El segundo objetivo se centra en registrar y analizar el proceso de documentación que persigue una agrupación de 15 estudiantes del programa de Especialidad en Traducción e Interpretación de la Universidad Autó-noma de Baja California. Dicha medición se realizó a través de cuatro ejercicios de traducción de diversos tópicos como la traducción jurídica y la técnico-científica. Lo anterior conduce al planteamiento de dos interrogantes que dirigen esta inves-tigación: 1) ¿Qué tipo de correlación existe entre las SI y la SE al traducir textos de índole especializada? y 2) ¿cómo es el proceso traductológico de los discentes del programa de posgrado? Del mismo modo, la correlación de variables se efec-túa mediante la aplicación del coeficiente de Pearson y el análisis procesual y la descripción del uso de herramientas para documentación y traducción asistida por computadora por medio de Translog II. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes con deficiencias en el desarrollo de la SE subsanan dicha subcompetencia a través del manejo de herramientas de documentación (donde se sitúa la SI).

Phytotherapy: knowledge, experience and prescription in oral healthcare. A cross-sectional survey of dental practitioners.

This exploratory survey assessed Brazilian dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding phytotherapy. This study used a consecutive sample of registered dentists who were active in clinical practice and attending advanced training for complex oral rehabilitation at a leading dental school in Latin America. Participants responded to a semi-structured 38-item instrument designed to collect data on sociodemographic, professional and health variables, and on their knowledge, use, prescription and opinions of phytotherapy. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were described and analyzed with a thematic approach. A total 53 dentists responded the survey (88.3% response rate). Six dentists reported formal education in phytotherapy and 33 had informal knowledge. Twenty-one dentists (39.6%) reported using herbal medicine, and 17 (32.1%) prescribed phytotherapy to their patients, mostly traditional medicinal plants. A logistic regression model showed that post-graduate degree and personal use of phytotherapy were associated with phytotherapy prescription. Opinions on how to improve the rational use of phytotherapy included the need for research evidence, specific academic education, and knowledge dissemination to clinicians. As a clinical recommendation, it was proposed that questions on herbal medicine should be asked during the dental patient's anamnesis. Dentists with post-graduate degrees and personal use of phytotherapy prescribe herbal medicines for their patients in real-world clinics, regardless of formal education on the subject. Qualitative findings indicate the need to implement scientific initiatives.

The Persistence of the University Dream: Class and Social Mobility as Projected by Students at a Chilean University

Higher education is considered an important dimension for building more egalitarian societies. However, despite the social value assigned to it, international evidence indicates that the social status of students’ families continues to prevent significant mobility in the social structure. In Chile, despite policies to increase access to higher education, the university system continues to reproduce inequalities of origin through selection, separating elite students from low-income students. In this context, little is known about the perception that university students have of the role that these institutions play in social mobility, especially for those of more disadvantaged social origins. This article explores and describes the persistence of the university dream among Chilean’s students at the Catholic University of Temuco, the Chilean educational institution with the highest percentage of poor students in the country, analyzing it on the understanding that aspirations represent idealist targets of the desired social class, while expectations represent realistic goals regarding the expected social class. Based on a statistical analysis of survey data from 209 students, results show that students’ family origin does not prevent them from projecting themselves as part of a higher class, with the university acting as an agent that dynamizes positions to favor greater homogeneity in the future social structure. In addition, postgraduate degrees are defined as a catalyst for future social mobility. Finally, the future tensions between the still-hegemonic meritocratic discourse and the reality of the social space that these students will occupy are discussed.

Current situation and influence factors of scientific integrity in China: A multicenter survey

ObjectiveCases of scientific misconduct have occurred frequently, especially in the field of medical research. We collected electronic questionnaires from 1257 medical staff in 43 cities and obtained a cross-sectional data set of their understanding of scientific integrity in research. This study aims to propose recommendations for establishing a mature oversight system for research integrity. MethodsThe study employed multiple regression analysis to explore the effect of different factors on the perception of four types of research integrity. ResultsFemale participants had a higher understanding of project application integrity than men (P < ​ 0.001). Participants in clinical departments had a lower understanding of project application integrity than those in nursing departments (clinical vs. nursing, P ​= 0.046). Participants with a junior college degree or below had a lower understanding than those who had a postgraduate degree and doctoral degree (junior college or below vs. postgraduate degree, P ​< ​0.001; junior college or below vs. doctoral degree, P ​< ​0.001). ConclusionsWe found that female, medical technology department, advanced education background, and advanced professional titles were significantly associated with a higher understanding of scientific integrity in research in China.

Postpartum care: Discussions and counseling for the peripartum period.

Traditionally, postpartum care is confined to inpatient care immediately post birth and one appointment approximately six weeks postpartum. Data supports a continuum of care model as best for the health of mother and baby. Despite most women having significant concerns about the postpartum period, these concerns are frequently incompletely addressed by providers. We surveyed prenatal and postpartum patients to understand their concerns and experiences discussing postpartum care with providers. Cross sectional surveys were administered between June 2019 and May 2021. Principal component analysis was used to show higher than average (positive) or lower than average (negative) conversations with providers about postpartum care examined by race, education, and parity. Chi squared tests were conducted to examine the significance of specific postpartum concerns. 421/450 patient surveys were analyzed, based on completion. Most patients were White (193), had post graduate degrees (188), privately insured (236), married (248), first time pregnant (152), and used doctors as their primary provider (267). Patients with lower education, higher parity and Black patients without postgraduate degrees reported higher than average postpartum counseling. Additionally, most patients expressed significant concerns about postpartum exhaustion (65.8%), breastfeeding (62.3%), pain (61.2%), physical activity (54.9%) and the baby blues (50.4%). Postpartum concerns are incompletely and inconsistently addressed amongst patients based on race, parity, and education. A continuum of care approach, beginning in the third trimester, through the postpartum period, may provide better counseling to address all patients' concerns.

Research themes of family and community physicians in Brazil

Introduction: Research capacity in primary care varies worldwide, and bibliographic databases such as MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science do not index most primary care research coming from Latin America. Our objective was to investigate the research themes of family and community physicians in Brazil, and to correlate the articles’ research themes with their authors’ trajectories in postgraduate education. Methods: we compiled a national list of family and community physicians, retrieved their curricula from the Lattes Platform, compiled a list of journal articles, and obtained their keywords from LILACS and MEDLINE. Treating journal articles and their keywords as the two node types in a bipartite network, we derived research themes using the dual-projection algorithm, combining the Leiden algorithm with hierarchical clustering. Results: We found two research themes to be the largest, most developed, and most central ones: human health and primary care. Authors with a master’s or PhD in collective health (public health, epidemiology, and social sciences and humanities in health) were as likely as those with no postgraduate degree to publish articles on primary care. On the other hand, authors with a postgraduate degree in medicine were more likely to publish articles on human health. Conclusions: After discussing the findings in light of previous research and methodological aspects, we conclude there’s a relative divide between primary care and clinical research, and the highlight policy implications.

A Survey of Knowledge and Attitude of College Students Toward Hearing Loss Prevention.

College students risk hearing loss due to loud sound exposure during leisure activities. Hearing loss prevention is possible by reducing the noise from the source, using hearing protection devices and increasing their knowledge and awareness on the effects of loud sound exposure. The study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude of college students regarding hearing loss and its prevention. A cross-sectional study design with a survey method was adopted. A total of 94 college students (mean age: 22 years; range: 18 to 26) who were pursuing an undergraduate and postgraduate degree (50 males and 44 females) formed the part of the study. The researcher administered a standardized self-reported Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour questionnaire. The knowledge score in percentage and absolute scores for attitude were estimated. The mean knowledge score was 35.8 (SD ± 12.18; range: 12.5-75), and the attitude score was + 9.8 (SD ± 7.1; range: - 4 to + 30). Chi square test revealed no significant association between knowledge and attitude to sociodemographic characteristics. The study indicated that though college students lack knowledge, they had a positive attitude regarding hearing health and its protection. These findings implicate the importance of creating awareness and encouraging hearing protection strategies for college students.

#24 : The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Levels of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Among Infertile Couples. A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aims: Many infertile couples require assisted conception and success rate depends on patient’s age. Hence, time is a huge factor. Therefore, due to postponement of fertility services and fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic, we hypothesized that these couple would experience a heightened level of stress, anxiety and depression. Method: This cross-sectional study was done in the reproductive unit, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, between July 16, 2021, and December 17, 2021. 165 patients were included in the final analysis. Couples who were planned for fertility treatment were recruited and asked to answer an anonymous electronic survey that contained depression, anxiety, and stress scales (DASS-21). Results: From univariate analysis, stress was found to be significant in 20–30-year-old, Chinese patients, degree and postgraduate degree holders, patients with endometriosis, and those that have had infertility for 5 years. Anxiety was significant in 20–30-year-old, males, Chinese and Indian patients, diploma, degree, and postgraduate degree holders, and couples with infertility for at least 5 years and between 5–10 years. Depression was also prevalent among males, Chinese and Indian patients, degree holders, and patients with endometriosis. Multivariate logistic regression was subsequently performed, taking into account potential confounders in the prediction of clinically significant psychological distress. Mild 1.3E7 (2.2E6-8.0E7), p = 0.001 and moderate 2.7E7 (4.9E6-1.4E8), p = 0.001 stress levels were found to be significant among the 20–30-year-old age group. Other background variables, however, did not contribute significantly to the psychological distress. Conclusion: Disruption of fertility treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant psychological impact on patients’ mental health, especially among the younger age group. Psychological assessment and counselling should be mandatory if there are prolonged unscheduled disruption in provision of fertility treatment to infertile couples.

Abstract C066: The SC AMEN Program for Black men: Providing education and navigation to prostate cancer screening with informed decision-making

Abstract Purpose: Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer and the second highest cause of cancer death in the United States (U.S). The prostate cancer incidence and death rates in the U.S. are twice as high among Black men vs White men. To address this issue, the Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center (MUSC HCC) developed the South Carolina Prostate Cancer Education and Navigation to Screening Program for African American Men (SC AMEN Program). This new program provides prostate cancer information and includes patient navigators who help to overcome the social determinants of health barriers (e.g., lack of transportation, lack of a primary care provider, co-pays) that could prevent Black men from receiving prostate cancer screening. The navigators guide the participants to a physician for an informed decision-making discussion related to prostate cancer screening. Methods: The SC AMEN Program includes a one-hour evidence-based prostate cancer educational session that is delivered to each enrolled participant. The pre-test survey assesses prostate cancer knowledge using the validated PROCASE scale. The survey is administered again at post-test, following the educational session. Each participant is then navigated to a physician to discuss prostate cancer screening over the next three months. The navigation intervention is modeled after the National Cancer Institute’s patient navigation training modules, which integrate adult learning theory, social cognitive theory, and social support theory into the intervention. Results: Among the 122 study participants, 2.8% reported having Hispanic/American Indian ethnicity. The age range of the 122 participants was 40-69 years old; 5.7% had less than a high school education, 26.2% stopped education after high school, 18.9% completed high school and some college, and 49.2% were college graduates/had completed a postgraduate degree. In terms of health insurance coverage, only 45.1% of participants had current or former employer or labor union insurance coverage. The other participants had a mix of Medicare, military, and private insurance coverage. Eighty-seven percent of the participants had an identified primary care physician, while 9.8% did not. 87.7% of participants have primary care and 9.8% of participants did not. The total average pretest score was 6.5/10 with a standard deviation of 1.7. The total average post-test score was 7.2/10 with a standard deviation of 1.5. The total point increase from pretest to post-test was 0.7. Across all study sites, the change in prostate cancer knowledge results from pre-test to post-test was statistically significant (p&amp;lt;0.001). Ninety-three percent of the participants in this ongoing study have received prostate cancer screening or have made a screening appointment. Conclusion: The SC AMEN Program appears to be successful in increasing the study participants’ knowledge of prostate cancer and informed decision making for prostate cancer screening. Citation Format: Marvella E. Ford, Melanie Slan, Angel M. Malek, Claudia Lawton, Lee Moultrie, Adam Pressley, Ellen Gomez, Jessica Zserai, Joan McLauren, Mina Platt, Nhi Phuong Le, Chloe Keeve, Joie Zabec, Marla Sagatelian, Nicholas Shungu. The SC AMEN Program for Black men: Providing education and navigation to prostate cancer screening with informed decision-making [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C066.

UNDERSTANDING VACCINATION KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PERCEPTION AMONG WOMEN REGARDING IMMUNIZATION DURING PREGNANCY IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Introduction:Infectious diseases pose significant risks to pregnant women and their fetuses, often leading to increased hospital admissions. In Saudi Arabia, a substantial portion of females lacks awareness of crucial vaccines like pertussis and influenza during pregnancy. This study aims to assess womens knowledge of vaccination and investigate the factors influencing their immunization status. Methodology:A cross-sectional study was conducted using Google Forms, enrolling 386 women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who were selected through various social media platforms. Structured interviews and questionnaires were utilized to collect data on participants sociodemographic backgrounds and knowledge. The questionnaire was designed to assess the participants Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) regarding pregnancy vaccination. Results:Most participants were aged 25-33, married (76.7%), employed (60.1%), and highly educated, with 77.7% having at least a bachelors or postgraduate degree. Over half had good knowledge of pregnancy vaccination, but gaps were observed, especially in understanding whooping cough vaccine benefits for children. Among sociodemographic factors, only education and employment significantly impacted KAP. Women with higher education and employment showed greater knowledge. Conclusion:Our study highlights sociodemographic factors impact on womens knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding pregnancy immunization. There is increased awareness, resulting in a positive overall stance on immunization during pregnancy. Tailored interventions and awareness campaigns addressing sociodemographic variations in Saudi women are recommended to bridge knowledge gaps and foster positive attitudes toward pregnancy immunization.

Critical approaches to English language teacher education: A narrative inquiry into trainee teachers’ experiences as speakers of English

Working within the framework of critical language teacher education, this article concerns itself with the disenfranchising experiences of a group of trainee English language teachers as speakers of English in the world. It presents the results of a mixed-method narrative inquiry carried out with 198 trainee teachers studying undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in the South of Spain. Both a questionnaire and structured interviews were used to collect participants’ narratives of the disenfranchising experiences they have had as English speakers, their reflections on the factors that played a role in those experiences and their tools to manage them. The ATLAS.ti program was used to carry out the content analysis of the narratives, using both deductive and inductive categories. Results point to the need to address the interrelation of language, power and identity as part of teacher training programs and adopt a critical perspective in English language teacher education in order to equip future teachers to better understand communication and the factors that play a role in it, balance power inequalities in communicative interactions and deal with disenfranchising experiences as English speakers in the world.

Master’s degree in sexual and reproductive health: enhancing career development opportunities for midwives in Mali

BackgroundMidwives’ contribution to improving outcomes for women and newborns depends on factors such as quality of pre-service training, access to continuing professional development, and the presence of an enabling work environment. The absence of opportunities for career development increases the likelihood that health professionals, including midwives, will consider leaving the profession due to a lack of incentives to sustain and increase motivation to remain in the field. It also limits the opportunities to better contribute to policy, training, and research. This study aimed to assess the influence of a Master in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) at the INFSS on midwives’ career progression in Mali.MethodsThis mixed methods study was conducted using an online questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and a document review. The study participants included graduates from two cohorts (N = 22) as well as employers, managers, and teachers of the graduates (N = 20). Data were analysed according to research questions, comparing, and contrasting answers between different groups of respondents.ResultsThe study revealed that graduates enrolled in the programme primarily to improve their knowledge and skills in management and public health. The graduates’ expected roles are those of programme and health project manager and participation in planning and monitoring activities at national or sub-national level. The managers expected the programme to reflect the needs of the health system and equip midwives with skills in management and planning. The Master enhanced opportunities for graduates to advance their career in fields they are not usually working in such as management, research, and supervision. However, the recognition of the master’s degree and of the graduates’ profile is not yet fully effective.ConclusionThe master’s degree in SRH is a capacity building programme. Graduates developed skills and acquired advanced knowledge in research and management, as well as a postgraduate degree. However, the master programme needs to be better aligned with health system needs to increase the recognition of graduates’ skills and have a more positive impact on graduates’ careers.

Educational Disparities in Gender Stereotypes and Beliefs: Examining Gender Interaction among Respondents in Ghana

Within various societies, individuals harbor gender stereotypes and beliefs that frequently shape perceptions and behaviors within intimate relationships. However, the extent to which individuals endorse or reject these stereotypes remains insufficiently explored. This study, utilizing a convenience sample of 303 respondents in Ghana, examined the interaction effects of gender on the relationship between educational background and gender stereotypes and beliefs—specifically focusing on the sexual submissiveness of women, emotional stereotypes about women, and sexual stereotypes about men. The results indicate an effect of gender in the relationships. Notably, ratings regarding emotional stereotypes about women were significantly higher among male respondents with a bachelor's degree, while being lowest among female respondents with a post-graduate degree. Similarly, ratings for sexual stereotypes about men were notably highest among female respondents with a bachelor's degree and lowest among female respondents with a post-graduate degree. Concerning beliefs about the sexual submissiveness of women, respondents with less than a bachelor's degree (i.e., high school/diploma) were more prone to endorse sexual submissiveness compared to those with a bachelor's or post-graduate degree. Additionally, men were more likely to endorse sexual submissiveness of women compared to women. The implications of these findings for theory, research, and policy are discussed.

Parents' Awareness, Knowledge, and Perception of Amblyopia in Children: A Study in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Amblyopia is a vision disorder that results from a development problem in the brain rather than a neurological disease in the eye. The condition causes reduced visual acuity in one or both eyes due to the brain's inability to process inputs, rather than a structural abnormality. This study aims to assess parents' awareness, knowledge, and perception of amblyopia in their children in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that used an electronic questionnaire consisting of five main sections to assess the level of awareness of amblyopia among parents in the Jazan region. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.25, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized to input the data. The degree to which participants' level of awareness was related to variables such as age, gender, and educational level was assessed through the chi-square test (χ2), and any values that scored p-values under 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results The analysis included 572 participants, 395 mothers (69.0%) and 177 fathers (31.0%). The age groups of the participants were divided into 36-45 years (38.0%), 26-35 years (36.0%), and above 46 years (17.0%). Out of the total, 36 participants (6.0%) had a history of amblyopia, and 73 (13.0%) had a child who suffered from amblyopia. The findings showed that only 18 participants (3.1%) had a good awareness of amblyopia, while 242 (42.3%) had a fair level of awareness. Most participants, 312 (54.5%), were classified as having a poor awareness level of amblyopia.Parents with postgraduate degrees, those with prior awareness, and parents whose children had eye diseases demonstrated higher levels of good awareness. However, gender, age, and residency did not have significant associations with awareness levels. Conclusion While parents must be involved in managing amblyopia, our research found that more than half of the parents surveyed had a limited understanding of various aspects of the disease, which can cause permanent damage to their child's vision. Therefore, we recommend implementing health education programs to increase awareness and knowledge about amblyopia in Jazan.

Community pharmacists’ knowledge and awareness about isotretinoin therapy and its dispensing practice in Jordan

A validated self-reported questionnaire was used to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge about isotretinoin and their awareness of isotretinoin dispensing practice. The majority were not able to recognize the initial dose of isotretinoin, the potential side effects such as dyslipidemia and liver toxicity, the potential interaction with tetracycline and Vitamin A and the contraindications of isotretinoin. Around 41.3 % of the pharmacists dispensed isotretinoin without a prescription, and the majority did not recognize that isotretinoin should be dispensed for only 30 days, should not be dispensed without an emphasis on the appropriate indication, and did not know the appropriate duration of isotretinoin therapy. Male gender and postgraduate degree were associated with better awareness, while increased work experience and postgraduate degree were associated with better knowledge about isotretinoin therapy. Nevertheless, both male and female pharmacists demonstrated equivalent knowledge levels. The current study demonstrates the need to implement educational programs to improve pharmacists' knowledge and awareness about isotretinoin and its dispensing practice.