Prevention Practices Research Articles

Nurses' Clinical Decision-Making About Pressure Injury Prevention in Hospital Settings: A Scoping Review.

To systematically explore research on nurses' clinical decision-making and factors influencing pressure injury prevention in hospitalised patients. Scoping review. Medline full text, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus with full text, and Scopus. Arksey and O'Malley's five-step framework guided this scoping review. Studies published prior to 11 July 2024 were included. Thirty-eight studies were included. The factors influencing nurses' decision-making in pressure injury prevention included: 'support systems', 'knowledge and attitudes', 'barriers to implementing prevention practices' and 'risk assessment tools and clinical judgement'. Limited research was conducted on nurses' clinical decision-making about implementation of pressure injury prevention interventions. More research on nurses' clinical decision-making related to pressure injury prevention is needed to enhance education, support effective care and reduce the incidence of pressure injuries. Nurses recognise the importance of preventing pressure injuries, however implementation of pressure injury prevention interventions are inconsistent, and pressure injuries remain common in hospitals. Limited research exists on the processes nurses use to make clinical decisions about pressure injury prevention for hospitalised adults at risk of pressure injury. This scoping review adhered to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. No patient or public contribution.

Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among Students of Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria, an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted through infected Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant public health challenge. Nigeria has a high malaria burden, particularly among vulnerable populations. We aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria among students at Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology (FCVMLT) in Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria, and assess their knowledge and prevention practices. Materials: The study involved 134 students from three academic departments at FCVMLT between Apr and Jun 2022. Venous blood samples were collected, and malaria infection was assessed using microscopy with Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. A questionnaire was also administered to gather information on malaria awareness and preventive behaviors. Results: The overall malaria prevalence among students was 35.07%, with a higher infection rate observed among females (42.35%) compared to males (22.45%), a difference that was statistically significant (χ² = 47.38, P<0.001). Malaria prevalence varied slightly across departments, with the Medical Laboratory Science department recording the highest prevalence at 39.13%, followed by Environmental Science and Management (25.00%) and Environmental Health Technology (26.92%), though this variation was not statistically significant (χ² =2.14, P=0.344). Students residing off-campus had a slightly higher prevalence (35.78%) than those living on-campus (32.94%), with no statistically significant difference (χ² = 0.24, P=0.622). Conclusion: The high prevalence of malaria among students, despite good awareness, highlights the need for improved malaria control measures within educational settings. Asymptomatic infections among students could contribute to sustained malaria transmission within the community. Implementing regular malaria screenings, distributing insecticide-treated bed nets, and conducting educational campaigns on effective preventive practices are recommended.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare workers towards COVID-19 in three states of Nigeria in 2022

BackgroundKnowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 can directly impact healthcare workers’ (HCWs) services and efforts to contain the spread of the disease. This study assessed KAP towards COVID-19 among...

Flies as carriers of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in Nigerian hospitals: A workflow for surveillance of AMR bacteria carried by arthropod pests in hospital settings.

The dissemination of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria by flies in hospitals is concerning as nosocomial AMR infections pose a significant threat to public health. This threat is compounded in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by several factors, including limited resources for sufficient infection prevention and control (IPC) practices and high numbers of flies in tropical climates. In this pilot study, 1,396 flies were collected between August and September 2022 from eight tertiary care hospitals in six cities (Abuja, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos and Sokoto) in Nigeria. Flies were screened via microbiological culture and bacterial isolates were phenotypically and genetically characterised to determine carriage of clinically important antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Several clinically relevant ARGs were found in bacteria isolated from flies across all hospitals. blaNDM was detected in 8% of flies and was predominantly carried by Providencia spp. alongside clinically relevant Enterobacter spp, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, which all exhibited a multidrug resistant phenotype. mecA was detected at a prevalence of 6.4%, mostly in coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) as well as some Staphylococcus aureus, of which 86.8% were multidrug resistant. 40% of flies carried bacteria with at least one of the two ESBL genes tested (blaOXA-1 and blaCTX-M-15). This multi-site study emphasised that flies in hospital settings carry bacteria that are resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics, including both routinely used and reserve antibiotics. A greater understanding of the global clinical significance and burden of AMR attributable to insect pests is required.

Readiness to deliver quality curative care for under-five children at health posts in Ethiopia

BackgroundThe institutionalization of village health services with salaried community health workers has been established in Ethiopia for over a decade. However, there are serious concerns about the capacity of health posts to provide quality curative care for children under-five.Understanding the readiness of health posts is crucial for improving the care given to sick children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the readiness of health posts to deliver quality curative care for children under-five in four regional states in Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted at selected health posts across 10 zones in the Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, and Tigray regions. Study participants, including health posts and health extension workers, were selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling strategy. The readiness of health post was assessed in terms of infrastructure, human resources, medicines, medical equipment and supplies and job aids. The variations in health post readiness were analyzed using a One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).ResultsA survey was conducted on 169 health posts and 276 health extension workers. The majority of health posts had a toilet facility (83%) and water supply (62%). However, less than a quarter had electricity connection (22%) and communication equipment (18%). Over three-fourths of health extension workers were trained (83%) and supervised (78%) on clinical management of sick children. Less than half (44%) had received clinical mentorship. Availability of essential medicines ranged from 81% for zinc tablets to 28% for cotrimoxazole. Similarly, availability of essential medical equipment varied from 57% for blood pressure apparatus to 86% for thermometer and 99% for Mid-Upper Arm Circumference tape. Only a small portion of health posts (8%) had all critical items for infection prevention practices, which are essential for quality care. Overall, the average percentage availability of items to provide quality curative care to children was 66%, with health post preparedness significantly varying across regions (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe readiness for delivering quality curative care was below standard and significantly varied among health posts across regions. Serious attention is needed to ensure the sustained availability of critical inputs such as trained health extension workers, medicines, medical equipment, and supplies, which is paramount for delivering quality care.

Rabies knowledge and prevention practices in Gombe state, Nigeria: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study of rabies hotspot and non-hotspot areas

BackgroundRabies remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas with limited awareness and resources. Gombe State is recognized as a rabies hotspot, facing challenges in controlling the spread of the disease. This study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and prevention practices related to rabies among community members in hotspot and non-hotspot areas of Gombe State.MethodsA community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Gombe State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 816 eligible respondents from selected households with pet dogs or cats (408 each from hotspot and non-hotspot areas). A semi-structured, pre-tested digital interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, rabies knowledge, and prevention practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The univariate and bivariate analysis compared rabies knowledge and prevention practices at p value < 0.05. Logistic regression identified predictors of good practice.ResultsRespondents from hotspot areas demonstrated better overall knowledge of rabies compared to those from non-hotspot areas. However, a higher proportion of respondents from non-hotspot areas exhibited better rabies prevention practices, particularly in terms of vaccinating their dogs within the previous year. Factors such as older age (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27– 0.84), farming occupation (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27 – 0.84), and good overall rabies knowledge (AOR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.37 – 6.73) were significant predictors of rabies prevention practices in the hotspot area.ConclusionTargeted educational interventions and tailored prevention strategies are needed to improve rabies awareness and practices, especially among specific demographic groups like older individuals and farmers. Enhancing overall knowledge of rabies and promoting consistent vaccination practices for pets are crucial steps towards reducing the incidence of rabies in both hotspot and non-hotspot areas.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Infection Prevention and Control Nurses in Public Hospitals in the Limpopo Province: A Qualitative Study.

A crucial aspect of delivering healthcare is infection prevention and control (IPC), especially in public hospitals where the high volume of patients and limited resources can heighten the risk of healthcare-associated infections. This qualitative study explores IPC nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in public hospitals within the Limpopo province of South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative descriptive design. This qualitative study utilized self-developed validated semi-structured interviews with IPC nurses from 12 public hospitals (4 tertiary, 4 regional, and 4 district). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to knowledge, attitudes, and practices in IPC. Each interview lasted approximately 15 to 20 min. Themes and subthemes that emerged provided a structured overview of the key aspects discussed. Each theme captures a different facet of the experiences, perceptions, and challenges faced by IPC nurses in their role. The subthemes further break down these views into specific areas of focus, offering deeper insights into the nurses' experiences of their professional responsibilities. This study shows that, although IPC nurses have a good understanding of infection control and a positive attitude toward it, systemic problems and resource constraints make it difficult to consistently implement optimal practices. Affective mood, opportunity cost, coherence of the intervention, burden, perceived efficacy, self-efficacy, and ethics are among the major themes that were found. To improve IPC efforts, there is a clear need for more focused training, resources, and managerial support.

A cross-sectional study of parental perspectives on children about COVID-19 and classification using machine learning models.

This study delves into the parenting cognition perspectives on COVID-19 in children, exploring symptoms, transmission modes, and protective measures. It aims to correlate these perspectives with sociodemographic factors and employ advanced machine-learning techniques for comprehensive analysis. Data collection involved a semi-structured questionnaire covering parental knowledge and attitude on COVID-19 symptoms, transmission, protective measures, and government satisfaction. The analysis utilised the Generalised Linear Regression Model (GLM), K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Naive Bayes (NB), and AdaBoost (AB). The study revealed an average knowledge score of 18.02 ± 2.9, with 43.2 and 52.9% of parents demonstrating excellent and good knowledge, respectively. News channels (85%) emerged as the primary information source. Commonly reported symptoms included cough (96.47%) and fever (95.6%). GLM analysis indicated lower awareness in rural areas (β = -0.137, p < 0.001), lower attitude scores in males compared to females (β = -0.64, p = 0.025), and a correlation between lower socioeconomic status and attitude scores (β = -0.048, p = 0.009). The SVM classifier achieved the highest performance (66.70%) in classification tasks. This study offers valuable insights into parental attitudes towards COVID-19 in children, highlighting symptom recognition, transmission awareness, and preventive practices. Correlating these insights with sociodemographic factors underscores the need for tailored educational initiatives, particularly in rural areas, and for addressing gender and socioeconomic disparities. The efficacy of advanced analytics, exemplified by the SVM classifier, underscores the potential for informed decision-making in public health communication and targeted interventions, ultimately empowering parents to safeguard their children's well-being amidst the ongoing pandemic.

Gender differences in awareness and practices of cancer prevention recommendations in Korea: a cross-sectional survey.

Gender is a major determinant of health behaviors that influences cancer prevention awareness and practices. This study investigated the relationship of the awareness and practice rates of cancer prevention recommendations with gender and socioeconomic status. We used data from the Korean National Cancer Prevention Awareness and Practice Survey (2023). The sample included 4,000 men and women aged 20-74 years. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses to evaluate associations with the awareness and practices of cancer prevention, and a joinpoint regression analysis using age-standardized rates to analyze trends in awareness and practice rates from 2007 to 2023. The awareness rates were 79.4% and 81.2% for men and women, respectively. The overall practice rates were substantially lower (43.1% for men and 48.9% for women). For men, awareness rates did not differ significantly by socio-demographic characteristics, but practice rates increased with age (20-29: 15.9%; 60-74: 53.8%). For women, both awareness (20-29: 73.0%; 60-74: 85.7%) and practice (20-29: 16.8%; 60-74: 67.5%) rates increased with age. The easiest recommendations to follow were "reducing salt intake and avoiding burnt or charred foods" (men: 29.9%; women: 28.4%), whereas the most difficult recommendation was "engaging in regular physical activity" (men: 32.5%; women: 34.4%). While awareness of cancer prevention recommendations was high, the practice of these recommendations was low. Gender influenced changes in awareness and practice rates over time, reflecting a large gap in practice. Future research should explore appropriate intervention points for cancer prevention practices and the development of more effective cancer prevention policies.

Assessment of Mothers' Knowledge of Childhood Malnutrition Prevention Practices at Ugbor Primary Health Centre in Benin City, Nigeria

Assessment of Mothers' Knowledge of Childhood Malnutrition Prevention Practices at Ugbor Primary Health Centre in Benin City, Nigeria

SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS: A FOCUSED STUDY ON THE INCIDENCE, CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS IN A RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED ENVIRONMENT

Background: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are a significant concern in healthcare, particularly in low-resource settings, where they contribute disproportionately to postoperative morbidity and mortality. These infections arise from systemic, procedural, and patient-related factors, with limited access to infection prevention resources exacerbating the issue. Addressing these challenges is essential to improving surgical outcomes and ensuring safer care in resource-constrained environments. This study aimed to explore the incidence, contributing factors, and prevention strategies for SSIs in a low-resource setting. Objective: To assess the incidence, contributing factors, and prevention strategies for surgical site infections in a resource-constrained environment. Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted at Bolan Medical College, Quetta, from August to October 2024. Data were collected from 138 patients undergoing surgical procedures, excluding those with pre-existing infections or minor outpatient procedures. Patient demographics, comorbidities, nutritional status, surgical details, and infection control practices were recorded. SSIs were classified based on the CDC criteria and monitored for 30 days postoperatively through in-person evaluations and telephone follow-ups. Statistical analysis using SPSS v26 included descriptive statistics and logistic regression to identify associations between risk factors and SSI incidence. Results: The average patient age was 45.3 ± 12.7 years, with 75 males and 63 females. Comorbidities included diabetes (29%) and malnutrition (25%). SSIs occurred in 21.7% of patients, with superficial infections being most common (53.3%), followed by deep (33.3%) and organ/space infections (13.3%). Malnutrition had the highest SSI rate (40%), followed by diabetes (35%) and age over 50 years (30%). Procedure-related factors, such as surgery duration over 3 hours and emergency procedures, showed SSI rates of 35% and 28%, respectively. Contaminated and dirty wounds had SSI rates of 40% and 50%, respectively. Proper wound care and prophylactic antibiotics reduced SSI rates to 12% and 15%, respectively. Conclusion: SSIs pose a significant burden in low-resource settings due to systemic, procedural, and patient-related factors. Targeted interventions, such as improving infection prevention practices, healthcare infrastructure, and patient education, are critical to reducing SSI rates and enhancing surgical outcomes in resource-constrained environments.

Awareness and Implementation of Sports Injury Prevention Programs Among Physical Therapists in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: Sports injury prevention programs (SIPPs) are crucial for mitigating sports injuries and enhancing athletes' performance. In Saudi Arabia, the sports sector is growing, and the awareness and implementation of sports injury prevention programs (SIPPs) among physical therapists require examination. This study aims to evaluate physiotherapists' awareness of and the implementation of sports injury prevention programs (SIPPs) in the Saudi Arabian region with findings that could enhance rehabilitation and sports injury prevention practices. Materials and Methods: A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to licensed physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. Three hundred sixty-six participants responded to the questionnaire, of whom 55.5% were male and 44.5% were female physiotherapists. Results: Licensed physical therapists show a high awareness of sports injury prevention, with 83.9% agreeing or strongly agreeing. However, only 53.8% were aware of sports injury prevention programs, and 37.7% reported actively implementing them. Sports physical therapists scored significantly higher in awareness and implementation than other specialties (p < 0.001) with no significant regional differences. Educational qualification was also significant, with those holding a master's degree or higher reporting greater awareness and implementation than those with a bachelor's degree (p = 0.007). There was a strong positive correlation between awareness and implementation (r = 0.723, p < 0.01), along with weak correlations between awareness and perceived barriers (r = 0.270, p < 0.01) and implementation and barriers (r = 0.280, p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study finds that physical therapists in Saudi Arabia have moderate-to-low awareness and implementation of sports injury prevention programs (SIPPs), especially outside of sports-specific fields. Sports physical therapists and those with higher education have significant awareness. There are minimal regional differences but a strong positive correlation between awareness and implementation. Enhanced training, resources, and institutional support are needed to improve SIPP implementation in rehabilitation.

Zoonotic diseases awareness and food safety practices among livestock farmers in Nepal.

Interactions between humans and livestock could increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. In addition, limited knowledge of zoonoses and foodborne diseases among livestock farmers could heighten the risks of foodborne illness and outbreaks of zoonotic diseases. This study evaluated the awareness of zoonotic diseases and preventive practices for zoonotic and foodborne diseases among livestock farmers of the Chitwan, Rupandehi, and Tanahun districts of Nepal by conducting a cross-sectional survey of 280 livestock farmers. They were recruited using the purposive sampling method from October to December 2022. Descriptive statistics revealed that most (72.1%; n = 202/280) livestock farmers were aware of zoonosis. None of the farmers knew about the zoonotic nature of leptospirosis. Two-thirds of pig farmers (67%; n = 12/18) were aware of zoonotic transmission of swine flu, and more than half of the poultry (58%; 50/86) farmers knew about zoonotic avian influenza. The majority of the farmers who had dogs (83%) and cats (89.4%) in their homes or farms knew that rabies can be transmitted to humans from dogs or cats. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that farmers from the Rupandehi district (aOR: 5.56; 95% CI: 2.18-14.22) and Chitwan (aOR: 6.52; 95% CI: 2.46-17.25) had a higher odds of having good preventive practices than those from Tanahun. Also, farmers who had no sickness in the past 6 months after consumption of animal products were three times (aOR: 2.98; 95% CI: 1.48-6.01) more likely to have better practices. Furthermore, secondary education (aOR: 3.64; 95% CI: 1.41-9.44) was a significant positive predictor of good zoonotic diseases and food safety preventive practices. Our study underscores the necessity to enhance Nepalese livestock farmers' awareness and practices regarding zoonotic and foodborne diseases. It emphasizes the importance of understanding risks, effective behavioral change strategies, and engaging farmers in developing zoonotic disease and foodborne illness prevention programs.

Extended spectrum betalactamase and Carbapenemase producing gram negative bacteria from healthcare workers gowns at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing (CP) gram-negative bacteria are the major public health concerns. Gowns used by healthcare workers (HCWs) in daily practice are a source of hospital-acquired infections in hospital settings. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacteria from gowns of healthcare workers at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2022. A total of 226 swab samples were collected from gowns of HCWs and cultured on MacConkey agar. Bacterial identifications were done by standard biochemical tests. Screening for ESBL and carbapenemase production was done using CHROME agar. Confirmation of ESBL and carbapenemase production was done by the combination disk method and modified carbapenem inactivation method, respectively. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 25. The overall contamination rate of gowns was 46.9% (106/226). Among 226 swab samples, a total of 117 (51.7%) gram-negative bacteria were isolated. Among these, the most frequent isolates were E. coli, accounted 36 (30.8%) followed by K. pneumoniae, 26(22.2%). The overall multi-drug resistance (MDR) rate was 65 (55.6%). Of the 117 isolates, 17(14.5%) and 12(10.3%) were ESBL and carbapenemase producers respectively. Gown type (p = 0.041), laundering practice (p = 0.045), number of gowns (p = 0.002), and gown washing frequency per week (p = 0.017).were significantly associated with bacterial contamination of gowns. In this study, the prevalence of ESBL and CP Gram-negative bacteria from gowns of healthcare workers was found to be alarming. Therefore, strict infection prevention and control practices, as well as good hygienic practices, should be implemented to reduce and prevent cross-contamination and the spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains in hospital settings.

Exploring Preventive Dentistry Awareness among Patients at Karary University Dental Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Study of 2022

Background: Preventive dentistry plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal oral health and preventing dental diseases such as caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Knowledge and awareness of preventive measures significantly influence patient behavior, improving oral health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the awareness of preventive dentistry practices among patients attending Karary University Dental Clinic in 2022. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 151 patients attending the dental clinics at Karary University. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate participants' knowledge and attitudes regarding preventive dentistry practices. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed for data analysis. Results: The majority of participants (54.7%) exhibited fair awareness of preventive dentistry, with 39.3% showing good awareness, 4.7% demonstrating poor awareness, and only 1.3% displaying excellent awareness. Awareness was significantly higher among females, individuals aged 19-40 years, and those with a university education. While most patients (90.4%) recognized the preventability of dental diseases, gaps in knowledge were evident regarding the use of preventive tools such as dental floss and the importance of regular dental checkups. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant variation in preventive dentistry awareness among patients at Karary University Dental Clinic. Despite general awareness of dental disease prevention, specific areas, such as the use of dental floss and understanding advanced preventive measures, require further attention. Targeted educational interventions, particularly for high-risk groups, are essential to improve preventive dental practices and ultimately enhance oral health outcomes.

Development and validation of an interprofessional collaborative educational module on the self-management of foot for individuals with type II diabetes mellitus in India

Background Insufficient awareness of foot self-care among diabetic individuals results in diabetic foot ulcers especially in the Indian population considering its varied ethnicity and lifestyle practices. The management of diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers therefore demands a well-coordinated approach that involves multiple healthcare providers (HCPs). The present study aims to develop and validate an interprofessional collaborative (IPC) educational program involving HCPs to efficiently oversee and instruct the public on appropriate strategies for self-managing diabetic foot health in the Indian population. Methods The research group worked on creating an educational module titled ‘An Interprofessional Collaborative Educational Module on Self-Management of Foot for Individuals with Type II Diabetes Mellitus.’ The objective of this module was to promote the adoption of proper practices in self-managing foot health for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A panel of 13 experts participated in a two-stage validation process using the Delphi method to assess the module and its educational resources. Subsequently, the module was tested on a group of 30 participants, i.e., individuals with diabetes, with its efficacy evaluated through conversation analysis and in-depth interviews. Results The three-month-long module included three sessions • 1: Diabetes and its health implications • 2: Diabetic foot and self-management • 3: Interprofessional education in diabetic foot care The mode of content delivery was via Whatsapp, and the educational resources, in the form of pamphlets, flowcharts, handouts, case-based cartoons, and videos on diabetes, including diabetic foot, its risks, and self-management, were shared regularly. All participating experts consensually validated the module and educational resources. Analysis of in-depth interviews revealed that the module immensely benefitted the participants and helped them improve their knowledge and practices of foot care in diabetes. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of developing and validating IPC educational modules tailored to diabetic foot care. It can aid in enhancing adherence to proper diabetic foot care practices. By promoting collaborative care approaches, these educational resources can contribute to better preventive practices, potentially reducing the risk of complications like foot ulcers and amputations in individuals with diabetes.

RITU HARITAKI: ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS FOR DISEASE PREVENTION

Ritu Haritaki, a classical Ayurvedic formulation, presents considerable potential in disease prevention due to its diverse therapeutic qualities. Composed of a variety of herbs and plant extracts, Ritu Haritaki is celebrated in Ayurveda for its immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This article investigates the scientific foundation and historical background of Ritu Haritaki, showcasing its possible uses in contemporary healthcare. Reviewing current research alongside traditional knowledge clarifies how Ritu Haritaki may alleviate numerous health issues, including inflammatory conditions, digestive problems, and respiratory illnesses. Additionally, the article examines the challenges and opportunities of incorporating Ritu Haritaki into modern preventive healthcare practices, stressing the necessity for thorough clinical trials to confirm its effectiveness and safety. Ultimately, this investigation highlights Ritu Haritaki's potential as a valuable supplement in the quest for holistic disease prevention and management.

Knowledge, attitude and practices associated with COVID-19 among undergraduate students from Malaysian public universities during the endemic phase: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAfter two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia began the transition to the endemic phase. students at higher education institutes are among those who were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and deserve further attention. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) associated with COVID-19 among public university undergraduate students in Malaysia during the endemic phase. This study would be able to provide valuable insights that can enhance public health strategies, improve educational efforts, and prepare better for future health challenges.MethodsAn online cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at public universities in Malaysia. KAP towards COVID-19 were measured using a structured Malay and English version questionnaire consisting of (i) sociodemographic characteristics, (ii) knowledge of COVID-19 (10 items), attitudes associated with COVID-19 (five items) and practice on COVID-19 preventive measures (six items). Validity and reliability tests were conducted to assess the level of consistency of KAP content with Cronbach alpha values of 0.617, 0.616 and 0.722 for each section, respectively. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal Wallis test and Pearson correlation were conducted.ResultsAround 73% of the respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19, 58.6% possessed positive attitudes, and 54.6% were classified as having good practices in COVID-19 prevention. There was no significant difference in knowledge scores among sociodemographic data. A significant difference in attitude scores was observed among race, zones of the public university and household incomes. Besides that, a significant difference in practice scores was also observed among gender, race and student accommodation. A weak positive and significant correlation existed between knowledge and practices (r = 0.220 and p = 0.001). Meanwhile, there was no correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.039 and p = 0.517).ConclusionUndergraduate students from Malaysian public universities had good KAP associated with COVID-19. Still, appropriate health promotion activities are needed to provide the students with adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and good practice of COVID-19 prevention measures in the future.

Scoping Review of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Related to NCD Risk Factors Among Medical Undergraduates, India

India is witnessing an epidemiologic transition from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Prevention of the NCD risk factors is an effective way, and future doctors play a vital role in preventing the disease epidemics. Undergraduate medical education forms the basis of knowledge development, including NCD risk factors. With this backdrop, the scoping review aimed to map available evidence on the knowledge, attitude, perception and practices related to NCD risk factors amongst medical undergraduates in India. A systematic search was conducted using key terms from five electronic databases of peer-reviewed articles. Two reviewers independently screened all articles for eligibility and assessed the quality of included studies. Studies were included if they reported on the medical students’ knowledge, attitude, perception and practice related to NCD risk factors. Thirteen studies on undergraduate medical students in India were included in the systematic review. Twelve of these reported on students’ knowledge about NCD risk factors, nine explored their attitude towards NCD risk factor prevention, and eleven studies were on the practice of NCD prevention. The studies revealed a high level of knowledge about NCD risk factors. Still, their attitude and practices about NCD reduction were deficient. An overall rise in health-risking behaviour and a fall in health-promoting behaviour was observed by various studies. The level of physical activity among girls was significantly lower compared to the boys. Studies show many few students take patient history or counsel their patients to quit unhealthy lifestyle habits. Various studies found a rise in health-risking behaviour and a fall in health-promoting behaviour among medical students, which suggest creating an enabling environment and conducive climate for promoting healthy behaviour that can then be taught to their patients.

Characteristics, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Prevention

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that most often attacks the lungs and is caused by bacteria. Indonesia itself is in second place with the highest number of TB sufferers in the world after India, followed by China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively. Study. The existence of societal stigma that creates feelings of shame and fear of being diagnosed with pulmonary TB causes some pulmonary TB sufferers to try several other methods of treatment, such as buying medicine at a shop or consulting with traditional medicine before finally going to the health center if they are not cured. Research in the context of mapping the characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of preventing pulmonary tuberculosis in high school students was conducted at a private school in Bekasi, West Java. This type of research is descriptive with a survey method with a sample size of 72 people who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis uses univariate analysis. From the research results it was found that: the highest age group of high school students was 16-17 years old, namely 59.7%; The gender of high school students is almost equal between men and women, where the percentage of men is 44.4% and women is 55.6%; in terms of knowledge, 58.3% of high school students had insufficient knowledge regarding efforts to prevent pulmonary tuberculosis; 80.5% of high school students have a negative attitude towards efforts to prevent pulmonary tuberculosis; 62.5% of high school students practice adequate efforts to prevent pulmonary tuberculosis. The conclusion obtained from the results of this research is that there is still a lack of knowledge among students regarding tuberculosis prevention and there is still a high level of negative attitudes towards preventing tuberculosis. Thus, providing more intensive outreach and education about Tuberculosis and the importance of preventative practices is still deemed necessary. Keywords: tuberculosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, knowledge. attitude, prevention