Primary Source Of Information Research Articles

Exploring Travel Medicine Perspectives among Primary Care Physicians in Kurnool District: A Comprehensive Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

Background and Aim: The study’s purpose is to improve the quality of care for both local residents and travelers in the Kurnool district by identifying and addressing gaps and barriers. The main objective of the research was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practical implementation of travel medicine among primary health-care physicians working in the Kurnool district. Materials and Methods: The research utilized a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A total of 397 primary care doctors in the Kurnool area participated. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, which covered sociodemographic factors, travel medicine knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results: The study revealed that a significant portion (around 79.5%) of the participants reported providing travel health advice at some point. The primary source of information on travel medicine for most participants (66%) was the Ministry of Health’s travel guides. However, the study identified a knowledge gap, as 11.4% of individuals were unaware of the origin of typhoid infection. The most common health issues reported during posttrip consultations were diarrhea and respiratory infections. Conclusion: The study’s findings suggested that the general practitioners in the Kurnool district had insufficient knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning travel medicine. This underscores the need for additional education and training in travel medicine to improve traveler health care and reduce the risk of preventable diseases.

Parents and Provider Perspectives on the Return of Genomic Findings for Cleft Families in Africa

Background Inadequate knowledge among health care providers (HCPs) and parents of affected children limits the understanding and utility of secondary genetic findings (SFs) in under-represented populations in genomics research. SFs arise from deep DNA sequencing done for research or diagnostic purposes and may burden patients and their families despite their potential health importance. This study aims to evaluate the perspective of both groups regarding SFs and their choices in the return of results from genetic testing in the context of orofacial clefts. Methods Using an online survey, we evaluated the experiences of 252 HCPs and 197 parents across participating cleft clinics in Ghana and Nigeria toward the return of SFs across several domains. Results Only 1.6% of the HCPs felt they had an expert understanding of when and how to incorporate genomic medicine into practice, while 50.0% agreed that all SFs should be returned to patients. About 95.4% of parents were willing to receive all the information from genetic testing (including SFs), while the majority cited physicians as their primary information source (64%). Conclusions Overall, parents and providers were aware that genetic testing could help in the clinical management of diseases. However, they cited a lack of knowledge about genomic medicine, uncertain clinical utility, and lack of available learning resources as barriers. The knowledge gained from this study will assist with developing guidelines and policies to guide providers on the return of SFs in sub-Saharan Africa and across the continent.

A Tale of Two Hazards: Studying Broadcast Meteorologist Communication of Simultaneous Tornado and Flash Flood (TORFF) Events

Broadcast meteorologists are the primary source of weather information for the public, and thus are key to messaging the multiple weather hazards that can occur during simultaneous tornado and flash flood, or TORFF, events. Due in part to the challenge and cost needed to study broadcast coverage, there has been limited study into how broadcasters present these hazards to their viewers during TORFF events. To begin to address this knowledge gap, we developed the Coding Algorithm for Storm coverage Transcripts, or CAST. Bot, a simple algorithm that can efficiently and inexpensively compare the mentions of tornado and flash flood hazards made by meteorologists during on-air coverage. For this study, we used CAST.Bot to quickly analyze 39 segments of coverage from eight TORFF events. Findings suggest that broadcasters generally favor mentions of tornadoes more than flash flooding during TORFF events with many tornado warnings, with more balanced coverage identified during events with similar numbers of tornado and flash flood warnings. Additional study of two cases, 1) the El Reno/Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, tornado and flash flood on 31 May 2013, and 2) Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, on 26 August 2017, suggests that TORFF event coverage on television is subject to differences across stations and the way that the tornado and flash flood hazards in a TORFF unfold. Future work should seek to better understand how changes in the focus of messaging for TORFF events can impact viewers decisions and identify how context can influence TORFF message content. Options for use of the CAST.Bot algorithm to aid broadcasters during multi-hazard event coverage are also discussed.

Addressing The Improvement Of Mental Health Education And Its Impacts On Academic Achievement Among Werabe University Undergraduate First Year Students.

The aim of the study was to identify the level of Addressing the Improvement of Mental Health Education and its impacts on Academic Achievement among Werabe University undergraduate first year students. The objectives of the study were to explore the relationship between mental health improvement and academic achievement among werabe university students and to identify the differences in mental health improvement score for students who have encountered with academic achievements. The study employed cross-sectional quantitative study design. Mental Health improvements and General academic achievements Questionnaire are used in this study. Three hundred sixty eight (368) participants took part in the survey to measure multiple dimensions of mental health literacy and help seeking intention. The level of mental health improvement of undergraduate students was measured through the mean score of their academic achievement. The findings showed that more than half of the participants were unaware of available to mental health improvements services at the student counsel service, and a significant number had no information about academic achievement. Friends (76.7%) were the primary source of information about low academic achievement, followed by university courses. Most participants believed that life stressors (63%) alone could cause different factors. The Mental health improvement training) mean score on the scale indicated a relatively favorable attitude towards academic success. Statistically, there was no significant difference in intentions between genders (p> 0.05). A mean score of the training obtained from the sample is (M=77.08, SD=14.6213.0). The Pearson’s correlation between mental health improvement training and academic success showed a negative, strong correlation (r= -.139). In summary, higher levels of mental health improvement training were observed among more female students and those who had a previous history of a low achievement. Therefore, implementing interventions that aim to improve the mental health and academic success of students should be a key priority.

Assessment of Factors Influencing Utilization of Contraceptives among Women of Child Bearing Age in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

The desire to control fertility has existed since ancient times, with contraceptives being used in various forms for thousands of years. In the 20th century, modern family planning became widely accessible to all segments of the population. This study aimed to assess factors influencing contraceptive use among women of childbearing age in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using multi-stage sampling technique to select five communities within the Ilorin metropolis. Data were collected through a pretested, validated questionnaire, and subjected to analysis employing fundamental statistical methods, including frequencies, percentages and chi-square analysis. A significance level of p=<0.05 was selected. Contraceptive usage was widespread, with almost 65% having practiced contraceptive use, and 48.3% favoring temporary methods. The usage of contraceptive use by respondents predominantly occurred between the ages of 15-49, and majority over 60% were current users. Media served as the primary source of information on modern contraceptives, while 87% of respondents demonstrated correct knowledge of the term. Factors affecting utilization of contraceptives among respondents includes lack of sufficient knowledge (31.9%), while 28.6% find health providers unfriendly. Additionally, 23.8% reported spousal disapproval as barrier and 21.2% have faced difficulties with birth control. Furthermore, 19.4% lack access to family planning services, 16.8% fear side effects, 12.8% face financial barriers, 11.4% are restricted by cultural beliefs and 8.8% have religious objections. The study also revealed significant socio-demographic influences on contraceptive use. Age (p = 0.0206), religion (p = 0.0065), tribe (p = 0.0007), marital status (p = 0.0001), education (p = 0.0004), and occupation (p = 0.0317) were all significantly associated with contraceptive use.

Agenda Setting in Media and its Influence on Students’ Choice of Study

This research paper investigates the impact of media agenda-setting on students’ academic preferences, exploring the mechanisms through which media influences decision-making processes. The paper investigates the potential consequences of these influences and provides a comprehensive understanding of how media shapes the academic preferences of students. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative case studies with a quantitative survey of students. The findings reveal that media agenda-setting plays a significant role in shaping students’ academic preferences, with students often relying on media as a primary source of information about academic opportunities. Overall, the study provides insights that can inform educational policies and media literacy initiatives designed to address the influence of media agenda-setting on students’ academic preferences.

Digital health in perinatal care: Exploring usage, attitudes, and needs among Swiss women in urban and rural settings

Background Switzerland's healthcare system is known for its quality but faces challenges such as slow digitalization and fragmentation, especially in perinatal care. This study investigates Swiss women's use, needs, and attitudes in respect of digital health tools during pregnancy and postpartum, focusing on any differences between rural and urban populations. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey targeted pregnant women and those who had given birth in the last 12 months. Participants were recruited through social media, and the data were analyzed using principal component analysis and multivariable regressions to explore factors affecting the use of digital tools and attitudes toward eHealth. Results A total of 1160 participants completed the survey. Healthcare professionals (92%) and private networks (77%) were the primary sources of information. Women expressed a strong preference for app features such as data access (73%), prescription management (73%), and scheduling appointments with healthcare professionals (71%). However, they also raised concerns about the impersonal nature of digital healthcare interactions (71%). Overall, rural women had more negative attitudes toward online health information seeking, which can be attributed to differences in education levels. Conclusion The findings indicate that while Swiss women in the perinatal period do utilize digital tools, they focus more on nonmedical topics such as tracking physiological development. The study underscores the importance of adapting digital health solutions to the specific needs of women in the perinatal period. Emphasis should be placed on developing applications that are not only informative but also empower women on their healthcare journey while ensuring data privacy and supporting personal interactions with healthcare providers.

ПОДАТКОВИЙ І БУХГАЛТЕРСЬКИЙ ОБЛІК: СПІЛЬНІ РИСИ І ВІДМІННОСТІ

In the current economic environment, both in Ukraine and in foreign countries, the issue of tax accounting is becoming increasingly acute. This is primarily due to the growing requirements of tax administrations both to the quality of tax reporting and to the growing requirements for real-time control and business operations of enterprises. At the legislative level, the concept of tax accounting and its principles are not clearly defined. On the other hand, the requirements for the preparation of tax reporting are clearly regulated. At the moment, there is a debate and controversy among scientists regarding tax accounting, some scientists consider tax accounting as a part of bookkeeping, while others argue that tax accounting has enough characteristics and features to be independent and go hand in hand with bookkeeping. The article analyses approaches and interpretations to the concept of "tax accounting" by various scholars, summarises and offers an interpretation of tax accounting. The paper conducts a comparative analysis of tax accounting and bookkeeping, identifies common and distinctive features. In particular, the primary source of information in both accounting is primary documents, which are the main information base on which certain transactions are recorded and which underlies the preparation of both tax and financial statements. To record business transactions, double entry is used in bookkeeping and tax accounting, and appropriate accounts are allocated for tax payments in the chart of accounts. The result of bookkeeping and tax accounting is reporting, in the first case financial and in the second case tax. The requirements for financial and tax reporting are regulated by different regulatory documents, and there is a difference between bookkeeping and tax accounting in the treatment of certain business transactions, in particular, the date of the VAT liability. The main users of tax reporting as a result of tax accounting are the state tax administration authorities, but there is a tendency that company officials use tax reporting along with financial reporting for the purpose of effective tax planning as one of the elements of the overall planning of the company's development. The publication examines the basic principles of bookkeeping in the context of their applicability to tax accounting, where they are more applicable, except for the accrual basis. It summarises the importance of tax accounting as a subject that requires more detailed research.

ACCOUNTING AND INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT FOR FINANCING AND MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES OF ENTERPRISES

Introduction. The development, financing, and implementation of innovative projects require the organization of effective innovation management, with the primary source of information being the accounting of innovative activities. The purpose of the article is to optimize theoretical principles and enhance the methodology of preparing and using accounting information for managing innovative activities, as well as financing innovative projects. Results. The interconnection of operational, investment, and financial activities of enterprises within the innovation environment has been substantiated, encompassing the creation, implementation, and realization of innovations. The positioning of accounting information about the operational, investment, and financial activities of enterprises in the management and financing of innovative processes has been investigated. In order to ascertain the substantive content of accounting information about the innovative activities of enterprises, a classification of its objects from the perspective of management, accounting, and financing has been carried out. For the effective accounting of diverse and variable innovative objects, the utilization of universal principles for the preparation and application of accounting information has been proposed. It has been demonstrated that adhering to fundamental provisions ensures an efficient integrated interaction between accounting, management, and financing of enterprises' innovative activities. The distinctive features of forming and using accounting information within an integrated system of accounting and management of innovative processes have been identified. Conclusions. The effective preparation and utilization of accounting information, utilizing the provided suggestions and recommendations, in the management and financing of innovative activities ensures the realization of its goals and the attainment of positive financial outcomes. Further research is needed for the methodology of accounting for variable innovative objects with the preparation of reporting for internal and external stakeholders.

SPATIAL AND REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF PROVISION OF COMMERCIAL LEGAL SERVICES IN RUSSIAN CITIES

The article examines the relationship between the number of employees at law firms, or lawyers, and the provision of legal services in Russian cities. It aims to identify whether the increase in the number of lawyers leads to an enhanced level of legal services provision. In addition, it attempts to discern geographical patterns in the provision of legal services in Russia. To achieve these objectives, open data from the Federal Tax Service of Russia is utilized as the primary source of information. Linear regression is employed to estimate the hypothesized relationship, and data plotting and mapping are used to visualize it. The study demonstrates an overall positive square root relationship between the number of lawyers and the provision of legal services in cities, as well as a linear relationship between these variables in distinct city population size groups. It supports a widely held proposition about the pivotal role of the largest cities in the provision of services and also offers partial confirmation of the commonly accepted view about the positive impact of service concentration on their delivery. However, the study argues that there are multiple approaches to achieving a high level of legal services provision, with an increase in the number of lawyers being only one of the potential options. The findings of this research may serve to inform data-driven policymaking decisions of governmental bodies.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Nursing Students on COVID–19 In North Cotabato

COVID – 19 infection is still widespread. State colleges and universities were gradually opened. This study was designed to assess nursing student’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices about COVID-19. A correlational research design was used in this study. From July 1 to August 31, 2021, a snowball sample of 76 student nurses in North Cotabato were surveyed using an online survey tool with a Cronbach’s alpha results: 0.772 for knowledge, 0.774 for attitude, and 0.898 for practices. Results revealed that majority of the respondents were second year female nursing students ages 21 – 23 who reside in rural areas of north Cotabato with a monthly family income of Php 15,000 and below. Primary source of information was through social media followed by school lectures, Internet/website, and television. They have excellent knowledge and very high attitude and practices on COVID-19. In addition, there was a significant relationship between the respondent’s attitude and practices (p-value= .000) but has no significant relationship between knowledge and practices (p-value= .543). Moreover, there was no significant correlation between the respondent’s socio-demographic profile and practices. It was concluded that regardless of the respondent’s demographics, respondents could still have good knowledge. Good attitude and practices on the other hand were prominent to female second year nursing students with the aid of social media, school lectures and internet/website as source of information. The findings established a baseline for the current state of nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices in North Cotabato. Furthermore, with the assistance of health agencies, areas on sources of information must be considered to ensure the reliability and validity of the information being acquired by everyone. This could help in structuring policies and procedures of each institution that enables the safe application of face-to-face system.

Uncovering the Knowledge Gap: Sexual and Reproductive Health Education and Knowledge Among Unmarried Sri Lankan Youth

Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is crucial to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. However, in Sri Lanka, little is known about the level of access to SRH education and knowledge among unmarried youth. This study aimed to assess perceptions of SRH education at school and the level of knowledge on selected aspects of SRH among unmarried youth aged 15–24 years in Sri Lanka. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1057 unmarried male and female youth aged 15–24 years in three selected districts of Sri Lanka. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was operationalized after receiving informed consent. Twelve focus group discussions were also conducted with the youth. Results: A sizable proportion of youth demonstrated low access to SRH education and a low level of knowledge on pregnancy, contraception, and STIs. Although it is limited, respondents felt that the SRH education received in school is useful for their life. Friends and the Internet were identified as the primary sources of information among boys, whereas the mother was the primary source for the majority of girls. Boys demonstrated better SRH knowledge compared to girls for most of the aspects. SRH knowledge was increased among both boys and girls significantly with maturity. Conclusion: Results conclude that there is a significant knowledge gap on SRH among unmarried youth. Introduction of age-specific and gender-sensitive SRH education is important to address the current gap in SRH knowledge.

The Pulse of Long COVID on Twitter: A Social Network Analysis.

Long coronavirus disease (COVID) is a complex and multifaceted health condition with a range of severe symptoms that can last for weeks or even months after the acute phase of the illness has passed. Employing social network analysis (SNA) can rapidly provide significant health information to communities related to long COVID. This study aimed to identify the key themes, most influential users, and overall sentiments in the Twitter discourse on long COVID. Data were collected from a Twitter search with the specific keywords "long COVID" from December 1, 2022, to February 22, 2023, using NodeXL Pro. Visualizations, including network graphs and key influencers, were created using Gephi, and sentiment analysis was conducted with Azure Machine. In total, 119,185 tweets from 94325 users were related to long COVID. Top influencers include medical professionals, researchers, journalists, and public figures, with news media platforms as primary information sources; the most common hashtag was #longCOVID, indicating that it is a significant issue of concern among the Twitter community. In the sentiment analysis, most tweets were negative. The study highlights the importance of critically evaluating information shared by influential users and seeking out multiple sources of information when making health-related decisions. In addition, it emphasizes the value of examining social media conversations to understand public discourse on long COVID and suggests that future researchers could explore the role of social media in shaping public perceptions and behaviors related to health issues. Strategies for enhancing scientific journal engagement and influence in online discussions are discussed as well.

Knowledge of primary health care visitors in Qassim region regarding HPV vaccine: a cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to assess the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination knowledge and attitudes among the Qasim region's population in Saudi Arabia to improve vaccine uptake and reduce HPV-related disease burden. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary healthcare visitors in the Qassim region. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed participants' demographic information, and knowledge about HPV disease, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine. Results: The mean age of participants was 32 years whereas 75% were females and 25% were males. The majority of participants had bachelor's degrees (58%) and high school diplomas (36%). Most of the participants were married (59%) while 31% were divorced. Knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer was low, with only 32.7% being aware of HPV and 37.2% knowing its link to genital warts. Furthermore, 38.4% were aware of the HPV vaccine, with females more informed than males (41.9% vs. 28.1%). Social media was the primary information source. Only 2.3% reported of participants getting vaccinated. The reasons for low vaccination included a lack of interest and concerns about side effects. Conclusion: Efforts to improve awareness and vaccine uptake should target specific groups like males and younger individuals through tailored educational interventions. Integrating the vaccine into the national schedule and school-based programs can enhance acceptance. Collaboration between stakeholders is vital in promoting vaccine safety and dispelling misconceptions.

The role of social media marketing and marketing management promoting and developing brand sustainability strategy

Given the widespread adoption of social media as a primary information source, organizations can no longer do without it. The importance of social media in creating sustainable company strategies has increased in tandem with the public's growing knowledge of sustainability issues. This study examines how marketing and social media can create brand sustainability plans. To create a practical framework for creating sustainability strategies, the relevant literature was evaluated. Market managers and digital marketers were surveyed using an online questionnaire. To extract conclusions from the data and model variables, a structural equation model was used. Findings from the survey indicate that businesses are increasingly turning to social media to share information with stakeholders, solicit opinions, and collect information for use in developing sustainability plans. Market managers play a vital role in ensuring the sustainability of their businesses. The research has theoretical and managerial implications.

Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

This study aims to scrutinize prevalent sources of health information utilized by individuals for informed decision-making regarding protective and preventive health behaviors amidst an infectious epidemic. The acquisition of comprehensible and reliable information relevant to individual needs is deemed imperative in this context. This scoping review encompasses investigations into the sources of information employed during infectious epidemics, conducted in both Persian and English languages, spanning the timeframe from 2003 to 2019. The search for pertinent studies was executed across diverse databases, including PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database. This review incorporated a total of 13 relevant studies. Findings indicate that traditional media, comprising television, radio, and newspapers, emerged as the predominant information sources during epidemics. Conversely, government resources and official government websites were identified as the least utilized channels. Additionally, the most reliable sources were identified as television, newspapers, and healthcare personnel. Given the historical prevalence of traditional media as a primary information source during past infectious epidemics, health officials and policymakers must consider enhancing public education through these channels during epidemic dissemination. However, due attention should also be directed towards the provision of pertinent and credible content on online social media platforms, particularly catering to the informational needs of young adults and the emerging generation. The identified limitations in the extant studies, namely their contextual dependence on sociocultural factors, the trajectory of lifestyle modifications, technological advancements, and the recent advent of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the necessity for additional and comprehensive investigations in this domain.

Navigating Pregnancy: Information Sources and Lifestyle Behavior Choices-A Narrative Review.

Background: Accessible health information during pregnancy is important to positively affect maternal and fetal health. However, the quality and accuracy of health information can greatly vary across numerous sources. This narrative review is aimed at summarizing the literature on pregnant individuals' information sources and how these sources influence their habits toward GWG, PA, and nutrition. Such data will highlight preferences and needs, reveal challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement. Methods: We searched PubMed for studies published in the last decade. Out of 299 studies initially identified, 20 (16 quantitative and four qualitative) met the eligibility criteria (investigating information sources and their influence on health habits toward GWG, PA, nutrition, pregnant participants, adequate data reporting, and being available in full text). Results: Primary sources of health information varied. The Internet (26%-97%) and healthcare providers (HCPs) (14%-74%) predominated, followed by family/friends (12%71%), books/magazines (49%-65%), and guidelines/brochures (25%-53%). Despite the widespread use of the Internet, HCPs were considered the most reliable source. The use of the Internet to retrieve health information was reported to be 2-4 h a week, and < 50% discussed the online information with their HCP. The Internet was also used as a supplementary resource on topics raised by HCPs. Regarding the influence on health habits, the Internet, HCPs, media, and family positively influenced GWG and promoted adherence to recommended guidelines (OR = 0.55-15.5). Only one study showed a positive association between Internet use and PA level. The Internet, media, HCPs, and information brochures were associated with better adherence to nutritional recommendations. Conclusions: Pregnant individuals relied on the Internet and HCP, with a preference for the Internet despite trust in midwives. Several sources of health information were positively associated with adherence to GWG and nutrition recommendations. Improving the quality of online information should be a priority for policymakers and health authorities.

Pharmaceutical Drug Promotion and Rational Drug Use: Assessment of Healthcare Workers Perspective.

Pharmaceutical drug promotion has the potential to improve rational drug use by creating awareness among healthcare workers and patients as well as increasing access to life-saving medicines. This study aimed to determine whether pharmaceutical drug promotion can improve rational drug use among healthcare workers. Semi-structured questionnaires were filled by selected dispensers and prescribers in central Uganda. Forms of pharmaceutical drug promotion, sources of drug information, and views on the influence of drug promotion on rational drug use were investigated. Associations amongst selected variables were tested at bivariate and multivariate levels. Of the 383 participants enrolled in the study, 49.6% were dispensers. More dispensers (49.0%, 92/188) favored 1 on 1 discussion whereas prescribers (32.0%, 61/191) preferred continuous medical education. Most dispensers (85.6%, 161/188) and prescribers (68.6%, 131/191) reported that drug promotion influences their choice of drug use, with most (dispensers: 85.1%, 160/188 vs prescribers: 72.3%, 1/191) admittedly relying on drug promotion as their primary source of drug information. Pharmaceutical drug promotion influences prescription and dispensing practices among health workers, and it should be strictly regulated to ensure accurate and essential information for health workers while prioritizing rational use of medicines.

Percepcija roditeljske podrške u karijernom razvoju učenika sa intelektualnom ometenošću

Introduction. Parents are the primary source of advice, information, and mediation in children's career development. For persons with intellectual disabilities, parental support is necessary during all stages of career development, and it is especially important in the period of vocational education. Objectives. The main goal of the paper was to determine how students with intellectual disabilities perceived their parents' support during education for a chosen occupation, with special attention to some factors of the family and school environments. Methodes. The sample consisted of 155 participants with mild intellectual disability undergoing professional training in schools for students with developmental disabilities. The Career-Related Parental Support Scale was used in the research. It was designed to assess adolescent perceptions of parental support across the domains of instrumental assistance, emotional support, verbal encouragement, and career-related modeling. Results. In the sample as a whole, the participants perceived the greatest parental support in the domain of verbal encouragement and the least in career-related modeling. Greater support from their parents in career development was perceived by those who lived in a family environment with both parents, as well as those whose parents were more educated, compared to students of senior classes and those who achieved excellent results, while no differences were found in relation to the gender. Conclusion. The analysis of the obtained results indicated certain deficiencies in the field of career guidance and counseling of students with intellectual disabilities. The obtained findings point to the need to improve cooperation with students' families in this field and empower them in relation to the ways in which they can contribute to the career success of children. Also, the necessity of expanding knowledge in the field of career development for a deeper understanding of the key problems in this field was highlighted.

Web-based Survey on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated College Students in Puducherry, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Coronaviruses (CoVs) encompass a large group of viruses known to infect the upper respiratory tract in humans. The devastating impact of the virus has led to widespread infections among millions of individuals. Widespread disregard for ‘Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Appropriate Behaviour’ (CAB) by the public has significantly strained the Indian healthcare system. Despite efforts to educate the public on CAB through social media since 2020, only a minority have incorporated these practices into their daily lives. Notably, some vaccinated individuals have been hesitant to adhere to CAB despite repeated awareness efforts. This study aims to understand adherence to CAB among vaccinated and unvaccinated students not associated with the healthcare system. Aim: To evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of CAB among vaccinated and unvaccinated college students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, India among various engineering and arts college students of Puducherry, India from December 2021 to February 2022. A web-based data collection tool was designed using Google Forms. Data was collected through invitation letters and questionnaires distributed via WhatsApp groups and Instagram. The study included a total of 360 responses, with the questionnaire comprising 40 questions related to KAP, consisting of 17, 7, and 16 questions, respectively. The results were expressed in percentages. Results: Among the vaccinated participants, 263 (89.7%) identified social media as the primary source of COVID-19 related information. Knowledge and attitude towards COVID19 vaccination revealed that over 50% were aware of the safety and efficacy of vaccines and the necessity of receiving two doses as advised by the government. While knowledge and attitude were similar across vaccinated and unvaccinated college students, there was a slightly higher percentage among the vaccinated group. However, there was an increased percentage of practice among unvaccinated students, indicating greater awareness of infection prevention. Conclusion: The study found that the knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of college students, particularly those not in medical fields, were satisfactory, likely due to the widespread availability of information on social media. These findings can be valuable for public health departments to adopt a peoplecentered approach to raise awareness among the public and reduce vaccine hesitancy.