Practice Scores Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Anesthesia and Thoracic Surgery Medical Staff Toward Ai-PCA.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing various medical fields, including anesthesiology. The Introduction of artificial intelligent patient-controlled analgesia (Ai-PCA) has been seen as a significant advancement in pain management. However, the adoption and practical application of Ai-PCA by medical staff, particularly in anesthesia and thoracic surgery, have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among anesthesia and thoracic surgery medical staff toward artificial intelligent patient-controlled analgesia (Ai-PCA). This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted between November 1, 2023 and November 15, 2023 at Jiangsu Cancer Hospital. A self-designed questionnaire was developed to collect demographic information of anesthesia and thoracic surgery medical staff, and to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices toward Ai-PCA. A total of 519 valid questionnaires were collected. Among the participants, 278 (53.56%) were female, 497 (95.76%) were employed in the field of anesthesiology, and 188 (36.22%) had participated in Ai-PCA training. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 7.8±1.75 (possible range: 0-10), 37.43±4.16 (possible range: 9-45), and 28.38±9.27 (possible range: 9-45), respectively. The findings revealed that anesthesia and thoracic surgery medical staff have sufficient knowledge, active attitudes, but poor practices toward the Ai-PCA. Comprehensive training programs are needed to improve anesthesia and thoracic surgery medical staff's practices in this area.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses regarding airway clearance in neurocritical illness patients: A cross-sectional study.

We aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding airway clearance among nurses and explore the factors affecting the knowledge, attitudes and practices. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Airway clearance is an important method of eliminating excess secretions. In neuroscience nursing, nurses are important executors of airway management, and their knowledge, attitudes and practices can influence the effectiveness of airway clearance. This study was conducted from July to September 2023 in four hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China. A structured questionnaire about airway clearance was designed and used to collect the data. The nurses used this questionnaire to self-rate. The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was followed. The age, work experience, highest educational attainment and technical title of the nurses can significantly influence their knowledge. The age, highest educational attainment and technical title of the nurses can significantly impact their attitudes. Practice scores were significantly influenced by age, work experience, technical title, whether the nurses had received any training on airway clearance techniques, and whether the department developed procedures for implementing the airway clearance technology. Nurses' attitudes were significantly associated with knowledge and practice, and there was no significant correlation between knowledge and practice. This study showed that age, work experience, highest educational attainment and training were related to knowledge, attitudes and practices. These findings suggest that nursing managers can conduct airway clearance training according to age group, working experience and education level of the nurses. No patient or public contribution. The findings show that the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices related to airway clearance in neuroscience nursing among nurses were acceptable, which means that nurses can better perform airway management on patients. These findings serve as a significant reference for designing an airway clearance education for nurses and meet the needs of nurses in clinical nursing practice.

The Effect of Two Health Education Packages on Nutritional Knowledge, Practices, and Physical Activity Levels Among School-Going Adolescents in Rishikesh: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Introduction Adolescence is a critical period known for presenting specific challenges in disease treatment and health promotion. Studies have highlighted that increased nutritional awareness is associated with healthier eating habits, while regular physical activity aids in controlling and preventing non-communicable diseases. Equipping adolescents with health education in schools prepares them to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles throughout their lives. To assess and compare the efficacy of health education packages targeting nutrition knowledge, practices, and physical activity levels, a cluster-randomized trial was conducted among school-going adolescents. Methodology Two distinct health education packages were developed for the two intervention groups. In group 1, a health talk supported by a flip chart was delivered, followed by pamphlet distribution. In contrast, in group 2, only information pamphlets were distributed. The study was conducted in government schools in Rishikesh, with four schools selected. Two schools were randomly allocated to each intervention arm. In each school, a questionnaire was administered to assess the students' nutrition knowledge, practicesand physical activity levels. This was followed by the intervention, and the students were reassessed for the same parameters after two weeks. Result The pre-intervention and post-intervention comparisons within the same group- the mean scores for nutrition knowledge, food practice, sleep duration, and recreational screen time were comparable in the intervention group 1 (p>0.05). There was a decrease in the mean physical activity score and screen time for studies in intervention group 1, and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean scores for nutrition knowledge, physical activity, sleep duration, and screen time for studies were comparable in the intervention group 2 (p>0.05). There was an increase in the mean food practice score and a decrease in recreational screen time in intervention group 2, and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). On comparing the groups with each other, it was found thatGroup 2 exhibited a significantly higher mean food practice score compared to group 1 post-intervention. While there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean physical activity score in intervention group 1, this group still had higher physical activity levels than group 2.Post-intervention, group 2 exhibited a higher screen time for studies compared to group 1. Both groups had comparable sleep durations at baseline and post-intervention, with intervention group 1's mean sleep duration falling within the recommended range set by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Regression analysis provided valuable insights into the relationship between baseline values of various variables and their post-intervention values, aiding in understanding the impact of the health education packages. Conclusion The findings emphasize the significance of incorporating nutrition and physical activity education into the curriculum of students.

Personal protective equipment and health-care workers

Background and Objective: The study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice viz-a-viz to the use of Personnel protective equipment among the health-care staff of a government tertiary care teaching hospital. Methodology: The study was performed in a government tertiary care teaching hospital. The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive. The study was carried out in the Clinical areas of the hospital and included 407 health-care professionals (academic resident doctors, nursing officers, paramedical staff and housekeeping staff) who have consented to participate in the study. A structured and validated questionnaire was prepared based on the standard guidelines described in the Infection Prevention and Control Manual, MOHFW, GOI published in 2018. The parts of the study tool were divided into five parts. The results were statistically analyzed (MS Office spreadsheet version 2007 and IBM-SPSS Version 20). Results: The study included 407 participants; 91 (22.4%) academic resident doctors, 122 (30%) nursing officers, 23 (5.7%) paramedical staff, and 171 (42%) housekeeping staff, respectively. The overall knowledge, attitude, and practice aspect of the personal protective equipment (PPE) were comparatively low. The overall mean score of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding PPE was 0.73, 0.72, and 0.22 out of 1. Conclusion and Recommendations: The knowledge aspect of PPE of health-care professionals was good for nursing officers whereas with respect to the attitude and practice aspect, it was found that in the majority of areas, the housekeeping staff were performing better than the other cadres. The author recommends regular inspection by the clinicians and administrators to ensure compliance; and to provide training for the health-care professionals with regard to the types of PPE to be used and when all to be used as per the job undertaken as a reminder/continuous medical education.

Exploring Knowledge, Safety Practices, and Anxiety Level among Women of Reproductive Age During COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its consequences compromise the health of Women of Reproductive Age (WRA). The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, safety practices, and anxiety levels among WRA during COVID-19 outbreaks. A cross-sectional, correlational design was used to recruit a convenience sample of 453 WRA in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using an electronic self-administered questionnaire of Spielberger state-trait anxiety and an adapted authors-developed knowledge and practices scale using an extensive literature review. Data were collected between September and December 2020 targeting all women in the country. Pearson correlation coefficient has been used to test correlation utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 25. The mean score of anxiety was 46.0 (13.40). Women have a high mean score of knowledge (24.50, standard deviation (SD) = 3.40) while having a low mean score of practices (19.70, SD = 3.10) indicating inappropriate practices. A significant difference was found in anxiety (t479 = 2.52, p = .012) and knowledge (t479 = -1.98, p = .048) between pregnant and non-pregnant women, while no statistically significant difference was found in relation to practices. The mean score of anxiety was higher among pregnant women than non-pregnant women, while a slightly higher mean score of knowledge was observed for non-pregnant women compared to pregnant ones. Although women had good knowledge about safety precautions, their practices did not indicate that. There is a need to educate women about safety practices and interventions that buffer their anxiety levels.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Vitamin D among Medical and Dental Students of a Medical College in Kathmandu

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the very common nutritional deficiencies which usually go undiagnosed and untreated. The main objective of this study was to assess and compare the knowledge, attitude and practice of vitamin D among medical and dental students. The pre and post interventional study was conducted among first year students of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor in Dental Surgery from July to September 2023. All the participants were asked to fill a form using a pre-validated questionnaire based on relevant literature for assessing vitamin D. We divided questions into three categories: knowledge, attitude, and practices towards vitamin D. Pre-test and post-test (after giving educational training) vitamin D knowledge, attitude and practice score of each participant were compared. Finally, the post-test total knowledge, attitude scores of each participant were calculated. Out of 140 students approached, 9 students from MBBS and 4 students from BDS did not respond (did not completed the questionnaire form). So, 127 (90.7%) participants were considered for comparison analysis in this study. Overall, there was a 38.6% increment in knowledge after educational training. In medical and dental students, there was a 39.6% and 36.1% gain in knowledge respectively. The proportion of knowledge increment was statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). Also, overall, there was a 29.3% increment in their positive attitude. In Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery 22% positive attitude was developed after educational training and in Bachelor in Dental Surgery it was 47.2%. The proportion of attitude was statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). In the MBBS category, 15 (15.0%) students were found to have good practice whereas 85 (85.0%) were found to have poor practice. In the BDS category, 12 (30.0%) students were found to have good practice whereas 28 (70.0%) were found to have poor practice. We found that after educational training there was improvement in knowledge and attitude of medical students on vitamin D but still, they need to implement it in their daily life. Though they have an average knowledge on vitamin D, there is a gap between knowledge and practice among medical students.

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to Hepatitis Among the General Population Attending a COVID-19 Vaccination Center in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India.

Background and objective Hepatitis B and C are major public health issues in India, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the general population's perceptions, values, attitudes, and behaviors regarding these infections is essential for effective health interventions. In light of this, the present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice(KAP) related to hepatitis B and C among individuals attending a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination center at a tertiary care hospital in India. Methods A cross-sectional survey involving759participants was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Data on demographics and hepatitis-related KAP were collected via face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, multivariate logistic regression, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. Results The mean age of the participants was 33.4 years, with 445 (58.6%) of them being males. Most had at least a high school education, and 467 (61.53%) were employed. The mean knowledge score was 18.94 out of a possible total score of 45. While 529 (69.7%) knew that hepatitis affects the liver, only 317 (41.77%) were aware of the various types of viral hepatitis. The mean attitude score was 15.28 out of 21, with 78.73% willing to seek treatment if diagnosed. However, only 133 (17.55%) believed they were at risk of contracting hepatitis B. The mean practice score was 7.95 out of 15. About 256 (33.73%) had completed the hepatitis B vaccination course and 186 (24.5%) had been screened for hepatitis B or C. Conclusions The study indicates moderate knowledge but significant gaps in understanding about hepatitis transmission and prevention among the general public. Attitudes towards vaccination and treatment are generally positive, but practices related to prevention are inconsistent. Enhanced public health education and targeted interventions are needed to improve hepatitis-related KAP among the general population.

Analysis of the Current Status and Influencing Factors of Deep Vein Thrombosis Knowledge and Prevention Practices among Orthopedic Nurses in Western Guangxi

Objective: To investigate the current status of deep vein thrombosis knowledge and prevention practice of orthopedic nurses in western Guangxi, and to analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide reference strategies and empirical evidence for the training and VTE management of nurses in the future. Methods: From July to August 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 250 orthopedic nurses in western Guangxi using the Chinese version of the deep vein thrombosis risk knowledge and prevention practice evaluation questionnaire. Results: A total of 250 nurses were surveyed, and the total score of DVT knowledge and prevention practice was (92.31±6.33), which was at a medium level overall. The score of deep vein thrombosis knowledge was (28.96±2.17), which was at a good level, and the score of prevention practice was (63.35±4.76), which was at a medium level. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that nursing years, years of work in the current department, nurse professional title and grade, and whether or not they had received VTE specialist training were influencing factors for the knowledge dimension of deep vein thrombosis; nurse professional title, nurse grade, and whether or not they had received VTE specialist training were influencing factors for the practice dimension of deep vein thrombosis prevention. Conclusion: The total scores of DVT knowledge and prevention practice of orthopedic nurses in western Guangxi were at a medium level overall, with a good grasp of the DVT knowledge dimension score, and the prevention practice part needed to be improved. It is recommended that nursing managers pay attention to the nurses' knowledge of DVT, attach importance to the knowledge training of nurses with low seniority and low professional titles, provide more opportunities for learning and communication, and combine the training content with clinical work to ensure that nurses can apply theoretical knowledge to actual nursing work.

VALIDITY OF GUIDED INQUIRY-BASED WORKSHEETS ON VIII-GRADE SUBSTANCE PRESSURE MATERIALS

Abstract: The lack of use of teaching materials in the form of worksheets which can facilitate class VIII-A students Bahrul Ulum Middle School, who quickly understood science concepts through hands-on practice, made learning science boring. So it is necessary to develop worksheet guided inquiry-based learning models on substance pressure materials, which emphasize discovering concepts through direct practice with intensive teacher guidance. This study aims to describe (1) The process of developing guided inquiry-based worksheets on substance pressure materials, and (2) The product resulting from the developing worksheets after a valid, practical, and effective process. The development model used is ADDIE, with five stages: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The results showed (1) The process of developing worksheets is based on the stages of the ADDIE development procedure, and (2) The products resulting from the developing worksheets obtain a validity score of 95% with "Very Valid" criteria, a practical score based on the observation sheet 94% with "Very Practical" criteria and student response questionnaire of 96,5% with "Very Practical" criteria, and an effectiveness score of 93,3% with "Very Effective" criteria. The developing worksheets are suitable for use as teaching material for students in learning science.

Primary healthcare knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the personnel of a secondary hospital in Acapulco, Mexico

BackgroundThe Health Institute for Well-being (INSABI) in Mexico offers an online course on Primary Health Care (PHC) that contributes to the implementation of the Model of Health Care for Well-Being (MAS-Bienestar). This study, conducted in a general hospital in the highly populated area of Acapulco in the state of Guerrero on the southwestern coast of Mexico, provides a unique perspective on PHC implementation. ObjetiveTo determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding PHC in the healthcare personnel of a secondary hospital in Mexico. Materials and methodsA self-administered KAP questionnaire was used in a cross-sectional study involving 200 health-care workers at the Hospital General Renacimiento. ResultsThe mean knowledge score was 6.58 (SD = 1.7), and 59 % of participants (n = 117) had a score above the mean, while the mean practice score was 5.96 (SD = 1.38) and 34 % of the participants (n = 68) were above the mean. The final multiple linear regression model showed that time working in the hospital and having previously been trained in PHC were significant factors for knowledge. At the same time, gender was substantial for practices, with females scoring significantly lower on this dimension. After attitude was dichotomized into positive and negative, a binary logistic regression model showed that positive attitudes were associated with taking the PHC course. ConclusionsWhile most of the participants had positive KAP to PHC, there was a general notion that PHC only involved healthcare workers at the first level. Training in PHC is essential to improving the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare personnel.

Eating behavior and dietary practices are associated with age, sex, body mass index, and body fat in individuals with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension in Brazil

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, and obesity are major contributors to global mortality. This study aimed to evaluate eating behavior and dietary practices among individuals with T2DM and/or hypertension, examining their associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics. We hypothesized that these factors may contribute to body mass index (BMI) and body fat (BF) levels in these individuals. In a cross-sectional study, adults/older individuals diagnosed with T2DM and/or hypertension were included. Eating behavior was evaluated via Three-factor Eating Questionnaire-R21. Dietary practices were assessed using the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population (DGBP) questionnaire. Poisson regression examined associations between eating behaviors, dietary practices, and sociodemographic factors. Linear regressions were employed to analyze relationships between eating behavior, dietary practices, BMI, and BF. The study included 275 primarily female (70.5%) participants under 60 years old (54.2%). Male and older participants had a lower prevalence of high scores in the 'emotional eating' (EE; PR: 0.40 [0.25;0.63]) and 'uncontrolled eating' (UE; PR: 0.68 [0.50;0.92]) domains. In contrast, older patients had a higher prevalence of adherence to the DGBP recommendations (PR:1.53 [1.20;1.94]). A positive association was observed between high EE (β:3.71 [1.98;5.44]) and UE (β:2.85 [1.15;4.55]) scores and BMI, whereas higher dietary practice scores (β:-2.19 [-3.88;-0.50]) were negatively associated with BMI. High EE (β:2.20 [0.38;4.02]) and UE (β:1.92 [0.17;3.67]) scores were positively associated with BF regardless of the confounding factors included. Higher scores on the dietary practices were inversely associated with BF (β:-1.94 [-3.67;-0.21]). Understanding dietary behaviors and practices can facilitate a more comprehensive and effective treatment approach.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS REGARDING INFECTION PREVENTION AT THE TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF PESHAWAR KPK

Occupational health and safety is a crucial element in every organization, especially in a health care setting. Health care workers (HCWs) play a role as vectors and reservoirs for the spread of infection from patient to patient and staff as well. Infection control and prevention practices are essential elements of quality health care and patient safety in health facilities. Objectives: This study was aimed at assessing the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice scores of the HCWs towards infection control at three public sector hospitals in Peshawar KPK. The study will help policymakers in the design and development of appropriate infection prevention programs and strategic plans by identifying the gap in infection control practices. Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses regarding infection prevention and control by using a validated and structured questionnaire in three tertiary care hospitals in KPK. The sample size was calculated by using the Raosoft calculator, and the sample size was 318 nurses from these three hospitals, including those nurses who were willing to participate in the study and nurses who had more than one year of experience. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Result: The participants were 55% male and 45% female; 55% were married, 42% were unmarried, 2% were divorced, 51% were diploma holders, 49% were degree holders, and most of the participants were charge nurses, which is 89%, and 11% were working in different administrative positions. Most of the participants who completed the survey were working in intensive care units, which is 66%, and others working in general wards and OPDs. 61% of nurses got information about safety precautions from training, 61% and 29% from books, and 10% from other resources. Participants who got training were 52%, and 48% of participants did not get any training on infection control precautions. Nurses who had knowledge about safety precautions were 84%; only 16% had not enough knowledge about infection control precautions. In attitude and practice about infection control, 58% were in compliance with practice, and 88% showed a positive attitude regarding infection control practices. Conclusion: In the conclusion, we can say that there is enough knowledge among nurses regarding infection control practice, but implementation of this knowledge in practice should be ensured by doing strict supervision of infection control practices in every health care facility.

Brain Health Best Practice Score: How Do Organizations Measure Up?

Brain Health Best Practice Score: How Do Organizations Measure Up?

Exploring research engagement among nurses in a Magnet®-recognized cancer center: An analysis of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and influencing factors

ObjectiveDespite the significance of research in nursing practice and its role in enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients, nurses report limited opportunities to engage with research. Known barriers include limited organizational support, a lack of time, resources, and knowledgeable colleagues/mentors. The study aims to determine research knowledge, attitudes, and practices among cancer nurses and understand factors influencing nurses’ involvement in research. MethodsRegistered nurses responded to a cross-sectional questionnaire. Data were collected using a modified version of the Nursing Research Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices survey and the Barriers to Nurses’ Participation in Research Questionnaire. ResultsThree hundred and sixty-six nurses responded, of whom 15% had previously been involved in research. Nurses reported moderate to high research knowledge (μ= 1.72), attitudes (μ= 1.92), and practice (μ= 1.79) scores. The most common barriers to engagement with research included a lack of time (78.0%), lack of incentive or reward (61.4%), lack of knowledge or skills (54.2%), lack of training opportunities (51.4%), and lack of experienced nursing research mentors (44.8%). Holding a specialist, advanced practice, or administrative role, and a postgraduate qualification were associated with higher scores on the knowledge, attitudes and practice subscales. Previous experience of conducting research was associated with higher knowledge and attitudes scores. Previous experience of authoring a paper and submitting a grant were associated with higher knowledge scores. ConclusionsThe study reveals a moderate–to-high level of knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding research among nurses, but low engagement. Barriers include lack of time, incentive, knowledge, training, and mentorship. Nevertheless, attitude scores, reflecting nurses’ willingness to engage in research were high on average. The findings highlight the potentially modifiable nature of barriers to research engagement. Increasing capacity for nursing research may be achieved through investment in research support and training to overcome barriers to research, which may discourage nurses engagement.

Safe food handling knowledge and practices of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin cafeteria food handlers

Food safety has become a huge concern among health authorities in Malaysia due to the serious impact of foods being mishandled during preparation, processing, or storage, especially in food service environments. Therefore, this study was conducted to study knowledge and practices of safe food handling among Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) cafeteria food handlers. In this study, the questionnaires were modified from the previous study and distributed to fifty-five respondents who were selected using a convenience sampling method. The result was analysed and computed by using IBM SPSS version 21.0. This study found the average mean scores for all twenty items of knowledge towards safe food handling among food handlers involved in this study was 17.89±2.96. This indicates the majority of 87.3% (n = 48) respondents had ‘good’ knowledge while 7.3% (n = 4) respondents had ‘fair’ knowledge and another 5.5% (n = 3) had ‘poor’ knowledge score towards safe food handling. Besides, the majority of respondents had ‘good’ practices while none of the respondents had ‘poor’ and ‘fair’ score levels towards practices of safe food handling. The average mean score of practices toward safe food handling among food handlers involved in this study was 25.16±1.32. The results showed a positive correlation between the safe food handling knowledge and practices of UniSZA cafeteria’s food handler (p-value = 0.013). In conclusion, according to the score levels of safe food handling knowledge among food handlers of UniSZA cafeteria, the result revealed that the majority of the food handlers had a good level of knowledge and practices towards safe food handling. Good knowledge and the right practice among food handlers in their working premises would help to ensure that more harm to food can be avoided.

The knowledge and skills of emergency department registered nursing staff at an academic hospital in South Africa, on endotracheal tube cuff manometry, before and after a training session

IntroductionAccurate management of endotracheal tube cuff pressure is essential to prevent patient morbidity and mortality. Due to increased length of stay of critically ill patients in emergency departments, it has become an increasingly important skill among Emergency Department nurses. MethodsThis prospective longitudinal interventional study was performed among registered nurses at the emergency departments in a Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The study aimed to determine their current knowledge and practical skills on endotracheal tube cuff manometry and assess the effectiveness of a training program. The training program was provided once, in the form of a narrated PowerPoint presentation developed by the researchers and involved theoretical and practical components. The participants' theoretical knowledge and practical skills were measured by using questionnaires and skill assessments. The theoretical and practical scores were compared pre- and post-training. ResultsOf the 63 registered nurses employed in the emergency departments, 95 % (60) participated in this study. 86 % reported having never received any formal training on endotracheal tube cuff manometry. Only 38.9 % used cuff manometry as standard practice and only 12.8 % checked it at appropriate 12-hourly intervals. The pre-training median score on theory was 4.5 (IQR=3.0) and improved to 7.0 (IQR=3.0) post-training. The maximum achievable score was 11 with a pre-training average of 41.8 % and post-training of 64.5 % (p = 0.001).The practical pre-training median score was 1.0 (IQR=8.0) and improved to 12.0 (IQR=2.0) post-training. The maximum achievable score was 12 with a pre-training average of 29.1 % and a post-training average of 93.3 % (p = 0.001). ConclusionThis study showed inadequate knowledge and skills on endotracheal cuff pressure manometry among registered nurses in the emergency department. It also correlates with other evidence that supports the need for ongoing training programs. Our training program led to significant improvement among participants in both knowledge and practical skills. This training program was well received by participants and deemed to be practice changing. The recommendation after this study will be for South African emergency units to consider using this study and training material as a guide for annual in-service training.

Reliability of Students’ Teaching Practice Scores Using Generalizability Theory

Purpose: The aim was to demonstrate the potency of using Generalisability Theory (GT) over Classical Test Theory (CTT) in reliability estimation. The objectives are to find the major source of error in the Intern Teaching Evaluation Form (ITEF) scores and to identify the optimum number of occasions of rating of teaching practice that would give the most reliable scores. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: A random effects one-facet fully crossed design in which intern (p) was fully crossed with occasion (o) was adopted for the study. In all, 9,082 bachelor’s degree teaching practice triplicate scores for three academic years from 2015/2016 to 2017/2018 were analysed in this study. A univariate generalisability analysis with EduG was performed to analyse data. Findings: The finding for relative interpretation, the scores were strongly reliable. For absolute interpretation, the scores were moderate to strongly dependable. The major source of error in the ITEF scores was the p x o interaction combined with unidentified sources. Research Limitation/Implications: A firm conclusion on one major source of error being a single facet in the ITEF scores could not be made. Practical Implication: The level of reliability and the optimum scoring design of the ITEF established by this study will aid in selecting the ITEF by teacher training institutions in Ghana for evaluation of teaching practice to train pre-service teachers for effective curriculum implementation to achieve national educational aims. Social Implication: Reliable evaluation data can inform policy decisions related to teacher certification, professional development, and educational standards. Policymakers can use this data to develop evidence-based policies that support teacher quality and student achievement. Originality/ Value: It has unearthed the psychometric properties and the ideal scoring design of the ITEF which were hitherto unknown.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about air pollution and its health effects in 6th to 11th-grade students in Colombia: a cross-sectional study.

Globally, air pollution is the leading environmental cause of disease and premature death. Raising awareness through environmental education and adequate communication on air quality could reduce the adverse effects. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding air pollution and health and determine the factors associated with these KAP in children and adolescents. In 2019-2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 6th-11th grade high school students in five municipalities in Colombia. Variables collected included: age, sex, private or public school, any medical history, emergency room visits due to respiratory symptoms in the last year, and whether students played sports. The main exposure was the School Environmental Project. The outcomes were the KAP scale [0% (the lowest score) to 100% (the highest score)]. The factors associated with KAP levels were evaluated with independent mixed regressions due to the multilevel structure of the study (level 1: student; level 2: school), and the exponential coefficients (95% confidence interval-CI) were reported. Among 1,676 students included, 53.8% were females. The median knowledge score about air pollution and its health effects was 33.8% (IQR: 24.0-44.9), 38.6% knew the air quality index, 30.9% knew the air quality alerts that occurred twice a year in these municipalities and 5.3% had high self-perceived knowledge. Positive attitudes, pro-environmental practices, being female, grade level, attending a private school, having respiratory diseases, and the school environmental project importance were associated with higher knowledge scores. The median attitudes score was 78.6% (IQR: 71.4-92.9). Pro-environmental attitudes were associated with knowledge-increasing, being female, attending a private school, and the school environmental project. The median pro-environmental practices score was 28.6% (IQR: 28.6-42.9). During air quality alerts, 11.6% had worn masks, 19% had reduced the opening time of windows and 15.9% avoided leaving home. Pro-environmental practices were associated with knowledge-increasing and attitudes-increasing, and lower practices with higher grade levels, visiting a doctor in the last year, and practicing sports. Children and adolescents have low knowledge scores and inadequate pro-environmental practices scores regarding air pollution. However, they demonstrate positive attitudes towards alternative solutions and express important concerns about the planet's future.

Nursing Competence in Thrombolytic Therapy for Myocardial Infarction: A Public Teaching Hospital Study

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and proficiency of nurses in managing thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction. Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was adopted and conducted in a public teaching hospital from May 2020 to September 2020. Registered professional nurses (n=52) working in the emergency department (ED) and cardiac care unit (CCU) were invited to participate. A structured, pre-validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The study received approval from the institutional review board and ethics committee. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Fifty ED nurses participated in the study, predominantly male, aged ≤ 34 years, with ≤ 3 years of experience. The overall knowledge score of nurses regarding thrombolytic therapy was 71%, while the practice score was 79%. The lowest level of knowledge was related to contraindications (65%) and treatment protocols (66%), while the highest was for therapy considerations (85.2%). The lowest task performance (47.8%) was observed in the pre-administration phase. There was a negative correlation (r = -0.226) between knowledge and practice. Knowledge levels were higher among male nurses, while task performance was better among those with cardiac certification. Conclusion: The study revealed that while nurses had a favorable level of knowledge about thrombolytic therapy, their practical implementation was poor. This gap highlights the need for targeted educational programs and the establishment of efficient documentation systems to enhance clinical practice.

Implementation of School-Based Management of School Administrators and Teachers-Directed Instructional Practices in Selected Public Schools in Rizal

This study investigates the level of implementation of School-Based Management (SBM) practices among school administrators and evaluates the instructional practices of teachers. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from surveys and qualitative insights from interviews. The respondents included school administrators and teachers from various educational institutions. The study's findings reveal that the implementation of SBM practices is highly effective, with curriculum and instructional management, human resource management, financial planning and budgeting, facilities management, and community engagement all being rated as highly implemented. The overall mean score for SBM implementation was 3.688, indicating a strong adherence to SBM principles across the board. The highest-rated individual practices included the provision of professional development opportunities, efficient financial resource allocation, and the establishment of clear safety protocols. In assessing instructional practices, teachers reported a high level of practice in areas such as dissemination of content, procedural instruction, practice and repetition, teacher monitoring and assistance, and focus on procedural fluency. The overall mean score for instructional practices was 3.608, highlighting a generally effective teaching environment. However, performance orientation was identified as an area needing improvement, with a mean score of 3.380. The study also explored differences in SBM implementation and instructional practices based on demographic variables such as sex, age, years in service, and highest educational attainment. The results indicated no significant differences in SBM implementation across these variables, suggesting consistent application of SBM practices. However, there were notable differences in instructional practices based on years in service and highest educational attainment, with less experienced teachers and those with bachelor's degrees placing greater emphasis on procedural fluency. The study concludes with a comprehensive SBM Educational Model designed to enhance school management and instructional practices. The model integrates the highest-ranked indicators from the study, emphasizing continuous improvement, professional development, community engagement, and effective resource management. This model provides a structured framework for schools to implement SBM practices more effectively, ultimately leading to improved educational outcomes for students.