Prevention Practices Research Articles

Assessment of the Level of Awareness and Knowledge of Covid-19 among rural population in Khulna, Bangladesh

Objective: The objective of the study was to find out level of Awareness and knowledge about covid-19 among rural population in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive type of study was carried out in Bathiaghata Upazilla, Khulna from 25.11.21 to 25.12.2021. Adult persons, 455 (male 181 and female 274) with mean age ± SD was 24 ±1.5 years, selected purposively from the households in the adjacent villages were included in the study as respondents. Results: Among the respondents, 97.4% heard about covid-19. Of them, 292 (71.6%) had knowledge that the disease is transmitted by cough, sneezing, direct contact and the proportion of the respondents who knew about symptoms like high fever, headache, cough, loss of taste and loss of smell were 50.1%, 16.7%,16% and 7.4%, respectively. Most of the respondents received health care services from MBBS doctors (87.3%). The majority of the respondent (76.5%) identified who heard about prevention of covid-19 by wearing mask, as a good preventive practice against covid-19 infection, followed by frequent hand washing (18.4%) which is eventually important for the prevention of covid-19. Conclusion: It was a unique study that describing adult heath related knowledge on covid-19 among adult population in a rural area. The study results suggest a further need to strengthen health education about covid-19 among rural population in Bangladesh. Mediscope 2024;11(2): 62-67

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE REGARDING EVIDENCE BASED GUIDELINES ON VAP PREVENTION AMONG NURSES

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious healthcare-associated infection that increases morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). In Pakistan, the high prevalence of VAP in ICUs underscores the importance of adherence to evidence-based preventive practices among nursing staff. However, knowledge gaps and inconsistencies in VAP preventive practices remain a challenge, largely due to limited training resources and high patient-to-nurse ratios. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of ICU nurses on evidence-based guidelines for VAP prevention at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized. Data were collected from 140 registered nurses working in the ICU of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, using a structured questionnaire consisting of 17 questions related to VAP prevention guidelines. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit participants who met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics applied to summarize findings and identify knowledge gaps. Results: The study revealed varied levels of knowledge among ICU nurses regarding VAP prevention. While the majority demonstrated awareness of core practices, such as semi-recumbent positioning and regular oral care, there were notable gaps in understanding related to the frequency of ventilator circuit changes and the optimal use of suction systems. Approximately 67.9% of nurses were aware of general VAP guidelines, but only 47.1% correctly identified all recommended practices. Additionally, knowledge disparities were observed based on educational background and years of ICU experience.Conclusion: This study highlights critical knowledge gaps among ICU nurses regarding evidence-based VAP prevention practices. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions and standardized training programs to improve adherence to VAP guidelines. Strengthening nurse education on VAP prevention can contribute to reduced infection rates, enhanced patient safety, and better utilization of healthcare resources in Pakistan’s ICUs.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients with hyperlipidemia towards stroke: a cross-sectional study

Objective With the rising incidence and mortality rates of stroke, understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients with hyperlipidemia towards stroke is crucial for improving their health management and preventing stroke. This study aimed to investigate the KAP of patients with hyperlipidemia towards stroke. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University between November 2, 2023, and December 31, 2023. Demographic information and KAP scores of the participants were collected via questionnaire administration. Results In this study, a total of 385 patients diagnosed with hyperlipidaemia were included. Among them, 211 (54.8%) were male, and 214 (55.6%) had been dealing with hyperlipidaemia for less than one year. Multivariate analyses showed that age greater than or equal to 55 years (OR = 4.016, 95% CI: [2.128,7.579], P < 0.001) and attitude score greater than or equal to 21 (OR = 5.673, 95% CI: [3.432,9.376], P < 0.001) were independently associated with proactive practice. Mediation analysis showed that knowledge directly affected the attitude (β = 0.637, P = 0.010) and attitude directly affected the practice (β = 0.721, P = 0.010). Meanwhile, the direct effect of knowledge on practice was not significant (β = -0.059, P = 0.438), however, knowledge was found to indirectly affected practice through attitude (β = 0.459, P = 0.010). Conclusion Our study reveals that patients with hyperlipidemia exhibit a concerning gap in their understanding of stroke, despite holding positive attitudes and displaying suboptimal preventive practices.

Nurse Perceptions of Barriers to Infection Prevention and Control in Labor and Delivery

ObjectiveTo identify nurse perceptions of barriers to performing recommended infection prevention and control practices in labor and delivery to inform future resources tailored to this setting. DesignQualitative focus groups. SettingThe 2023 annual convention of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, New Orleans, LA. ParticipantsA convenience sample of 16 labor and delivery nurses. MethodsStaff of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted two focus groups using a standardized script. Coding was performed by three reviewers using Krueger’s systematic analysis process. ResultsAmong the 16 participants, 94% were registered nurses, and 6% were advanced practice registered nurses. From our analysis of the data, five major themes emerged, including the following: Lack of Individual and Organizational Accountability in Implementing Recommended Infection Prevention and Control Practices; Inconsistent Application of Guidance Across State, Hospital, and Specialty; The Unpredictable Nature of the Labor and Delivery Setting; Labor and Delivery Is Not Prioritized in the Hospital for Infection Prevention and Control Resources; and Lack of Coordination Across Stages of Care From Prenatal to Postpartum. Conclusion(s)We identified barriers experienced by nurses to consistently implementing infection prevention and control practices in the labor and delivery setting. These barriers can be addressed through targeted interventions and the development of obstetric-specific infection prevention and control resources.

The effect of participatory action research on HPV primary preventive measures among in-school adolescents in Benue State, Nigeria

BackgroundIndividuals with a higher level of awareness and knowledge of HPV are more likely to dispel misconceptions about HPV and reduce their likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior. Behavioural change can be achieved through interventions such as participatory action research (PAR), which has been applied in various contexts. Few studies have reported on the use of PAR in Nigeria. This study aims to utilise PAR as an intervention to increase HPV awareness, improve knowledge of HPV infection, and promote behavioural change for HPV prevention among young adolescents in Benue State, Nigeria.MethodsThe study design uses a school-based, pre-post intervention approach with a cross-sectional component. Study participants are young adolescents aged 10–19 years in selected co-educational secondary schools in three local government areas (LGAs) spread across the three senatorial zones in Benue State, Nigeria. Two-stage sampling was used to select the LGAs and schools, and the sample size was computed using the before and after implementation with some prior information from a previous study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, HPV awareness and knowledge of infection and prevention, prevention practices, and willingness for HPV vaccination were obtained with a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Vaccination and HPV Knowledge (THinK) survey. The HPV Knowledge survey (New Zealand) was utilized to collect information from students at baseline and post-implementation after PAR intervention. The Wilcoxon Signed Test (WST) was used to investigate the significance of the median differences before and after the intervention. A p-value less than 0.05 or 0.001 was considered significant.ResultsA total of 548 adolescents were sampled before the intervention. After the intervention, the sample size decreased to 503, reflecting an 8% attrition rate. PAR effectively increased HPV awareness among the participants from 80.9% before the intervention to 99.8% afterward. The PAR led to a significant change in knowledge of HPV infection and primary prevention and an increase in perception of HPV primary prevention. decrease in misconceptions and risky sexual behaviours, increase in HIV screening tests, and increase in the willingness of participants to uptake the HPV vaccine. Among the measures of risky sexual behaviours was a decreased perception that having more than one sexual partner is not a risk factor for HPV after the PAR intervention. The number of participants in sexual relationships decreased from 84 (16.7%) at baseline to 37 (7.4%) post-implementation. The PAR also led to a decrease in the number of participants who reported having STDs. The Wilcoxon Signed test was further disaggregated based on sex (male and female), school funding type (public and private), and school class level (junior and senior).ConclusionsPAR led to a significant increase in awareness and knowledge of HPV, knowledge of different aspects of HPV infection, and willingness to uptake the HPV vaccine. Additionally, the study has provided evidence that PAR interventions can be a viable tool in delaying sexual initiation and reducing sexual behavioural tendencies, especially in high-risk groups.

From insight to action: Exploring knowledge and practices about periodic medical check-up among community dwelling older adults in Egypt

BackgroundPeriodic Medical Checkup (PMC) is a preventive practice that is a superior strategy to promote health and reduce community morbidity and mortality. AimIdentify the PMC knowledge and practice levels and determine the association between knowledge and practices about the PMC among community-dwelling older adults in Egypt. MethodsThe study is a cross-sectional survey adopting a descriptive correlation design. It was conducted over three months, from the beginning of December 2023 to the beginning of March 2024. A total of 250 older adults were allocated for this study. ResultsLow rates of knowledge and practice of PMC were found among the study participants, and there was a statistically significant association between the two variables. (r = 0.707, P < 0.001). ConclusionThis study supported our hypotheses by demonstrating a positive association between knowledge and practices about the PMC; the higher knowledge scores were associated with higher practices of PMC.

Experience of Hyperbaric Chamber Usage in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Practice for Recovery and Complication Prevention.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) increases oxygen concentration in affected tissues that enhance the cellular hypoxia recovery process, neovascularization, fibroblast proliferation, increased reactive oxygen species, suppression of proinflammatory states, and vascular compression. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the experience in the use of the hyperbaric chamber as an adjunctive management for the prompt recovery of patients who underwent aesthetic plastic surgery. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted between 2021 and 2023, involving 296 patients who received HBOT after aesthetic surgical procedures, to demonstrate the recuperation time rate and the complication incidence in postoperative patients using HBOT. Most participants were women, with a median age of 33.5 years. Surgical procedures were grouped in liposculpture, abdominoplasty, and breast interventions. Complications related to the surgical event were low (10.7%), with occurrences of hematomas (n = 14, 4.72%), anemias (n = 9, 3.04%), and wound dehiscence (n = 8, 2.70%). There were no reports of surgical site infections or necrosis. Recovery times to get back to work were 10 days for liposuction, 3 days for breast interventions, and 21 days for abdominoplasty. This study demonstrated the experience of using a postoperative hyperbaric chamber in aesthetic plastic surgery to promote recovery processes. The patient cohort in this study showed shortened recovery times than the data obtained from the major international plastic surgery organizations. Also, HBOT patients had a low complication rate, without infections, indicating the potential efficacy of this adjunctive therapy. Overall, this study underscores the promising role of hyperbaric chamber therapy in facilitating postoperative recovery and mitigating complications.

THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

The role of physiotherapists in professional football is critical for both the physical recovery of athletes and the implementation of strategies that promote injury prevention and enhance performance. With a comprehensive understanding of biomechanics and movement principles, physiotherapists can assess players’ performance and work closely with coaching staff to devise effective game tactics. Their expertise enables them to identify movement patterns and areas of stress that can lead to injuries, ultimately helping to minimize these risks. Education plays a vital part in the physiotherapist's responsibilities, as they teach athletes about health maintenance and the significance of injury prevention. This educational component is essential for ensuring that players can sustain a long and successful sports career. Despite progress in prevention and rehabilitation practices, studies reveal persistent gaps between clinical practice and scientific evidence. Increased regulation of the profession, coupled with a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates psychological support, emphasizes the growing importance of physiotherapy within football. Moreover, recognizing the psychological factors that influence recovery and utilizing evidence-based protocols are vital for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes. The physiotherapist’s influence extends beyond physical recovery; they are integral in fostering the overall health and well-being of athletes, which significantly impacts team performance. Moving forward, the field of physiotherapy in football must prioritize continuous professional development, the adoption of innovative practices, and the establishment of an environment that values both the physical and mental health of players.

Correlation between acute mountain sickness and body constitution of Tibetan medicine and other factors: a case-control study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the correlation between the incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the body constitution of Tibetan medicine and other relevant factors to provide a reference for the prediction and prevention of AMS. MethodsA case-control study was conducted to recruit participants who experienced or did not experience AMS after entering a plateau. The data was collected through online questionnaires for convenient sampling. Demographic characteristics, body constitution, and related states or behaviors were investigated before and after entering the plateau. The participants were divided into case and control groups based on the incidence of AMS. The distributions of relevant factors were compared. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to screen for risk and protective factors. ResultsThere were 167 participants who completed the questionnaire. A total of 54 cases were excluded, and 113 participants were included, including 52 in the case group and 61 in the control group. In the case group, 37, 13, and 2 patients had mild, moderate, and severe AMS, respectively. In terms of the Tibetan medicine constitution, the case group had the highest proportion of Bad-rlung (25.0%) and Rlung types (21.2%), whereas the control group had the highest proportion of Bad-rlung (29.5%) and Mkhris-bad types (24.6%). There was no significant difference in the distribution of the constitutional types between the two groups. Insomnia or insufficient sleep within the week prior to entering the plateau and fatigue after arrival were risk factors for AMS, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 5.012 (1.871 to 13.426) and 3.387 (1.393 to 8.236), respectively. A history of short-term plateau travel is a protective factor for AMS (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.129 to 0.792). ConclusionInsomnia or lack of sleep before ascending to a plateau and fatigue after arrival are risk factors for AMS. The Rlung constitution might be related to the incidence of AMS; however, this still needs to be verified in large-sample observational studies. The risk factors identified in this study can provide a reference for the prevention practice and research of AMS.

ESTRATÉGIAS DE PREVENÇÃO DE LESÃO POR PRESSÃO EM PACIENTES ACAMADOS: O PAPEL DA ENFERMAGEM

Pressure injuries (PPI) represent a serious public health problem that affects bedridden patients, especially in hospital environments, and can cause complications such as infections and tissue necrosis. This article aims to propose the implementation of PI prevention strategies in bedridden patients, focusing on the role of nursing. The research aims to identify effective prevention practices, such as position changes, risk assessment and use of pressure relief devices. The methodology adopted was a bibliographic review of articles published in the last ten years, using databases such as PubMed, Scielo and LILACS. Expected results include reducing the incidence of PPL, improving the quality of nursing care and promoting preventive protocols based on scientific evidence. It is concluded that the rigorous adoption of these strategies could significantly contribute to improving patient health and optimizing hospital resources. The main strategies identified include changing position, using pressure relief devices and risk assessment. It is concluded that this management significantly reduces the incidence of LPP, improving the quality of nursing care and promoting patient health.

Energy-saving Behavior and Households’ Practices in Prevention of Climate Change

The relevance of the problem of energy-saving behavior and the negative contribution of households to climate change is dictated by the need to reduce the burden on the environment. Based on a meta-analysis of scientific publications, an overview of modern behavioral approaches in this area is provided. Results of a survey of experts in the energy sector are presented. The conclusion is that the energy saving strategy is being implemented due to savings, with increasing dynamics of involvement, and the main barriers in this case are the technical limitations of households and economic investments in energy-efficient equipment. Waste management in households is associated with increased demands of citizens for comfortable infrastructure and the reluctance to create additional time costs. The same can be said about the use of personal transport, here the impediments are the desire to maintain mobility and save time. Key energy-saving strategies include reducing resource use, avoiding unsustainable practices and increasing environmental awareness. Institutional barriers to energy-saving behavior are identified: household infrastructure, which does not allow energy efficiency, lack of environmental culture and insufficient interaction between the authorities and the population. Knowledge about environmental problems and understanding the contribution of anthropogenic influence on climate change do not always guarantee the implementation of pro-environmental energy-saving practices. In-depth work to raise knowledge of environmental problems, introduce incentives, spread values and strengthen motivation is necessary.

Crisis prevention and response in Ryan white-funded HIV clinics

ABSTRACT The high prevalence of trauma among people with HIV (PWH) and its negative impact on HIV outcomes underscore the need for Ryan White-funded HIV clinics (RWCs) to implement trauma-informed care (TIC) inclusive of crisis prevention and response. As part of a mixed-methods study of TIC practices employed by RWCs, we conducted qualitative interviews with 36 administrators, providers, and staff from Southeastern RWCs exploring crisis prevention and response strategies. Interviews were guided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration TIC framework and analyzed using a framework-driven, qualitative thematic approach. Crisis prevention strategies included: using electronic medical records to identify patients at risk for experiencing crisis, peer navigators to help patients bypass clinic public spaces, protocols to ensure perpetrator-victim pairs were not concurrently scheduled, and social workers to help patients identify crisis triggers and develop safety plans, plus dedicating safe spaces for patients with extensive trauma histories. Crisis response included patient referral to onsite and community crisis intake, trauma support, and mental health services and having onsite security personnel and alarm systems. Several participants requested additional training in response protocols. Study findings highlight the need for RW network-wide TIC training and sharing of best practices in crisis prevention and response.

Monitoring stress-induced brittle rock mass damage for preventative support maintenance

Stress-induced brittle fracturing near an excavation boundary results in a volume increase, known as bulking. Excessive bulking places added demand on the rock support, which, if not detected and addressed through preventative support maintenance (i.e., proactively added reinforcement), can cause the support to fail, leading to a safety hazard and costly production delays for underground mining operations. For caving mines, these project risks are exacerbated during cave establishment due to the large abutment stress from undercutting that redistributes and concentrates stresses near excavations critical for production. This paper reports the findings from research conducted to develop and improve geotechnical monitoring practices to support preventative support maintenance in deep mining operations. This research uses a unique geotechnical monitoring database collected for the Deep Mill Level Zone panel cave mine. The data was collected across a large footprint during the mine's ramp-up period and represents an initial step toward best practices for data collection at cave mines operating in high-stress environments. Borehole camera surveys supplemented by multi-point borehole extensometers have been used to determine the depth of stress fracturing in pillar walls as a function of the distance away from the undercut. Convergence measurements and LiDAR scanning are used to characterize the corresponding rock mass bulking. The results show that the interpretation of monitoring data can be used to identify the long-term depth of stress fracturing and bulking trends in response to undercut advances. These show that direct measures of stress-induced fracturing damage provide an early indication of excavations vulnerable to bulking and that LiDAR scanning is an effective method for capturing the onset of bulking and anticipating local areas likely to experience greater deformation demand as bulking progresses. Proactive and strategic geotechnical monitoring based on the long-term depth of stress-induced fracturing trends is proposed to assist with preventative support maintenance practices.

Surgical site infection and antimicrobial use following caesarean section at QECH in Blantyre, Malawi: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundSurgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most common healthcare-associated infections and preventable complication of surgical procedure; continue to threaten public health with significant effects on the patients and health care human and financial resources. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the incidence of SSIs, risk factors and common microorganisms associated with SSI and assess the practice of antimicrobial use in women following Caesarean Section (CS) at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).MethodsThis was a hospital-based quantitative prospective study design involving pregnant women who underwent a CS between February, 2023 and July, 2023 at QECH with 30 day-follow-ups. Wound specimens (wound swabs) were collected from all infected CS wounds and processed at QECH main laboratory, and susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method with results reported only as susceptible, intermediate, or resistant and the collected data was analyzed using Stata.ResultsThe overall cumulative incidence of SSI recorded at QECH during the study period was 9.61% (20 cases out of 208). Of these, 19 (95%) of them reported superficial SSI following CS. The mean age was 26.1 years with a standard deviation of 6.2. All pregnant women who underwent for CS received antibiotic prophylaxis. This study revealed that 138 (66.35%) patients received both preoperative antibiotics (ceftriaxone) and post-CS antibiotics without knowing the specific bacterial organism isolated. This study revealed that ruptured membrane had twice the incidence of SSIs compared to intact membrane (χ2 = 2.0922), though not statistically significant. The majority of patients with SSIs (n = 12, 60%) were readmitted and 5 (25%) out of 20 with SSIs had antimicrobial resistance following susceptibility testing. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism (3, 60%) and other bacterial isolates included were Enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter baumanni.ConclusionThe incidence of SSIs and inappropriate antimicrobial use following CS remains a challenge at QECH. Therefore, due to increased number of SSIs following CS with relative emergence of AMR ensure intensive infection prevention and control practices, establishing AMS program and routine surveillance of SSIs at QECH.

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a best practice implementation project

IntroductionDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication observed in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients, which significantly increases the survival risks and reduces the patient’s quality of life. However, preventive clinical measures for DVT have not been standardized; therefore, the scientific basis and effectiveness of these measures require further validation.ObjectiveThis study aims to employ evidence-based practices to effectively prevent the occurrence of DVT in aSAH patients.MethodsThis study was performed from June 2023 to March 2024 in the neurosurgical intensive care unit of a Grade III Class A general hospital in Nanchang, China. Furthermore, it was based on the healthcare model published by the Joanna Briggs Institute Library (JBI) in 2016, which emphasizes the use of previous evidence-based practices while considering appropriateness, feasibility, clinical significance, and validity. In this research study, 15 review indicators were developed, and baseline assessments on 47 nurses and 49 patients were conducted. Furthermore, factors promoting and obstructing implementation were analyzed, and targeted strategies to address these obstacles were formulated. Moreover, a follow-up audit was performed to identify best practices.ResultsThe baseline review results indicated that the incidence of DVT in aSAH patients was 16.3%. Furthermore, the implementation rates of six review indicators (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 13) were all < 100.0%, with indicators 2, 5, and 8 indicating < 60.0% implementation rates. After the project implementation, a subsequent audit revealed that the best practice initiative yielded significant improvements compared to the baseline data. Moreover, the incidence of lower limb DVT in aSAH patients decreased from 16.3% before the evidence-based practices to 6.1% after their implementation. At the nursing level, the DVT prevention knowledge and practice questionnaire scores increased from 63.62 ± 11.48 to 74.77 ± 9.98 after the evidence-based practices (t = -5.03, p < .001). In addition, the implementation rates of the six review indicators improved to varying degrees after the implementation of evidence-based practices (p < .050).ConclusionsThis project implemented evidence-based practices and indicated a reduced incidence of lower limb DVT in patients with aSAH. Furthermore, this study improved the knowledge, provided evidence for DVT prevention for the neurosurgical ICU nurses, promoted the implementation rate of review indicators for DVT prevention, standardized the behavior of neurosurgical ICU nurses for preventing DVT in aSAH patients, and ensured the safety of patients.Trial registrationThis study has been registered at the EvidenceBased Nursing Center of Fudan University in China. Clinical trial number ER20230578.

EDUCAÇÃO EM SAÚDE E PREVENÇÃO DA DEPRESSÃO PÓS-PARTO: O papel da enfermagem obstétrica

The research addresses the importance of health education and prevention of postpartum depression in the context of obstetric care, highlighting the role of nursing in the care of pregnant and postpartum women. Postpartum depression is a condition that affects many women and can have serious consequences for the mother and the development of the baby. The general objective of the study was to investigate the impact of health education actionscarried out by obstetric nurses in the prevention and management of postpartum depression, focusing on detection strategies, emotional support and educational interventions. The methodology used was a literature review, covering scientific articles published between 2019 and 2024, resulting in 12 articles addressing the role of obstetric nursing in health education and prevention of postpartum depression, in which the inclusion criteria were articles published in Portuguese, and the Inclusion Criterion with the DeCS: Depression. Obstetric Nursing. Health Education. Studies in Portuguese that specifically addressed the role of these professionals in this context were included. The research was conducted through electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus and VHL, using descriptors related to mental health, childbirth and health education. The results indicate that obstetric nurses play an essential role in raising awareness and supporting women, promoting preventive practices that reduce the incidence of postpartum depression. The implementation of educational and welcoming strategies in the prenatal and postpartum period, associated with continuous emotional support, proved to be effective in improving the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women.

A Study of Measures that Can Be Taken in the Three Lines Model to Prevent Fraudulent Employee Tendencies

This study aims to determine the measures that can be taken to prevent fraudulent tendencies of employees using the three-line model that can be developed in businesses. In fulfilling this purpose, the five components of the fraud pentagon have been taken into account, which are pressure, opportunity, rationalisation, competence, and arrogance. This study is based on the pentagon theory of behaviour development and committing fraud within organisations. Employees’ tendency to commit fraud based on the five components of the fraud pentagon theory, can be reduced by following measures in efficient three-line processes. This study theoretically examines the fraud pentagon in the field of behavioural accounting. In this study, data were collected using qualitative research techniques. In addition, this study contributes to the integration of fraud prevention practices into the control processes of enterprises

PREVALÊNCIA E FATORES DE RISCO DA LOMBALGIA EM OPERADORES DE CALL CENTER

This study investigates the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among call center operators through an integrative literature review. The central problem is the identification of the main factors that contribute to the development of low back pain in this professional group and the impact of these factors on workers’ health. The objectives are to understand the relationship between working conditions and the incidence of low back pain, analyzing the risk factors and their consequences on the quality of life of call center operators. To achieve these objectives, an integrative review of the scientific literature was carried out. Data collection in the integrative review included searches in the Lilacs, Scielo, Pubmed, Medline and Pedro databases, considering studies published in the last 4 years, both in Portuguese and English. The results reveal a series of risk factors associated with low back pain, such as inadequate postures, long periods of sitting and lack of regular breaks, which significantly contribute to the high prevalence of this condition among call center operators. It is concluded that the adoption of ergonomic measures and preventive practices is crucial to reduce the incidence of low back pain and improve the quality of life of these workers.

Healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards cardiovascular disease prevention: a multi-national cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction Prior studies have shown that improved primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) may significantly delay its onset. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are well-placed to influence healthy lifestyle habits for CVD prevention. However, it is unclear how well HCWs fare in this role given the multiple demands on their time in clinical practice. Purpose We sought to understand the CVD prevention knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of HCWs across 25 nations. Insights gained could help inform efforts to optimise CVD prevention by HCWs. Methodology: Data was collected via an anonymous, online questionnaire which consisted of pre-validated CVD prevention and smoking cessation subscales adapted from the Preventive Medicine Attitudes and Activities Questionnaire (PMAAQ). The subscales have been previously validated in a study population of primary care residents in the US, demonstrating validity and reliability. Results 668 HCWs (60% doctors, 28% nurses, 12% medical students) from 25 nations responded to the survey. Overall, 74.86% of HCWs routinely assessed patients’ cardiovascular (CV) risk profiles in clinical practice. 65.65% of HCWs counselled patients who were asymptomatic for CVD on tangible lifestyle changes to improve their CV risk profiles, while 68.22% of HCWs did so when patients were overweight. Of note, only 51.26% of HCWs implemented comprehensive smoking cessation interventions for their patients. Practising HCWs demonstrated higher levels of CVD prevention promotion than medical students in all aspects (Fig 1b), except for self-reported importance of CVD risk factor counselling in primary prevention (Tukey HSD diff: 0.31, p-value: 0.051). Among practising HCWs, there were no significant differences in their promotion of CVD prevention across varying lengths of clinical practice. HCWs from higher income nations[1] tended to fare worse than their lower income counterparts in the promotion of CVD prevention (Fig 1a). Conclusion A large multi-national survey reveals significant gaps in the promotion of CVD prevention by HCWs, highlighting key differences in CVD prevention practices based on national income status. The results also demonstrate significant differences between medical students and practising HCWs’ CVD prevention behaviours, highlighting the role of continuing education for the promotion of long-term positive CVD prevention clinical practices amongst HCWs. Further efforts may target the medical education of early-career HCWs, especially in higher income nations. [1] National income level is defined as per the World Bank's classification, with the exception of Taiwan which is not classified as an independent nation under the World Bank. However, Taiwan is still labelled as a high income nation as her GNI (US$33,565) fits the criterion of the World Bank's definition of a high income nation (GNI per capita of &amp;gt;US$13,846).Table 1:Participant demographicsFigure 1a and 1b

Effect of diabetes mellitus type 2 and sulfonylurea on colorectal cancer development: a case-control study

Background and aimsColorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, with studies estimating a rise in new cases to 2.5 million by 2035. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is also a growing issue, with an estimated 642 million adults affected by 2040. However, the relationship between T2D, its medications, and CRC remains unclear.Materials and methodsThis case-control study includes 810 controls without CRC and 684 cases with CRC admitted to Rasoul-Akram and Firouzgar Hospitals from September 2019 to 2023. Adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated to investigate the effect of T2D and sulfonylurea consumption on the chance of CRC development, using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The relationship between T2D and the clinicopathological features of the tumor was investigated.ResultsThe results show that the effect of T2D on CRC is significant based on unadjusted OR (OR = 1.39, CI = 1.07, 1.81) and insignificant in adjusted OR (OR = 0.67, CI = 0.37, 1.20). The effect of sulfonylurea consumption on CRC was significant in both unadjusted (OR = 2.39, CI = 1.40, 4.09) and adjusted ORs (OR = 2.35, CI = 1.12, 4.91). All analyses related to the relationship between T2D and tumor clinicopathological characteristics were insignificant.ConclusionThis study found an insignificant association between type 2 diabetes and the chance of CRC development in an adjusted state. Sulfonylurea consumption was also associated with a higher chance of CRC development among patients with T2D. These findings have implications for clinical practice and public health strategies in CRC prevention for patients with T2D.