Protection Practices Research Articles

Reducing UVR Exposure in Pregnant Women and Infants: A Pilot Study.

Sun protection during pregnancy is critical for both maternal and infant skin cancer prevention, yet gaps remain in addressing this behavior in pre and postnatal settings. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-led intervention for expectant mothers' sun protection behaviors for themselves and their newborns and examine the preliminary effects on mothers' skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and sun protection behaviors for themselves and their infants. Expectant mothers were recruited from medical clinics and community settings and were asked to complete surveys and interviews. The intervention, informed by the Cognitive-Social Health Information Processing model, consisted of two peer coach-led remote sessions. The majority of mothers (81%) attended both intervention sessions and reported increased understanding of (88%) and improved sun protection practices for themselves (79%; such as wearing sunscreen and reapplying sunscreen while outside). Additionally, 89% agreed that SUNRISE content is beneficial for new mothers. Moreover, maternal self-efficacy for implementing sun protection, intention to implement sun-safe behaviors for their infants, and knowledge of infant skin cancer prevention also increased with large effect sizes (d = 0.8-1.3). Mothers reported significantly decreased barriers to sun safety pre- to post-intervention. Feasibility of recruitment and delivery of a peer-led intervention focused on sun safety in women and their infants was high, and the intervention was acceptable to participating women. Mothers improved their sun protection behaviors over time, and implementation of sun protection behaviors for their infants was high. Intervention efficacy with a larger and more diverse sample is warranted, with longer follow-up.

The power and potential of space and place in family group conferencing: Reimagining the role of the venue in child protection practice

Family Group Conferencing is a family-led decision-making process used in children’s social care in the UK. Unlike traditional meetings between families and professionals when there is a safeguarding concern, Family Group Conferences are often held outside children’s services’ premises in a ‘neutral’ venue. In this article, we critique the idea that a meeting location can be neutral as spaces may be experienced differently, and hold multiple meanings, for the family, their network and professionals who take part. Starting from the premise that relationships with and in space have the potential to disrupt power imbalances and affect families’ and professionals’ experiences, we propose the meeting location for the Family Group Conference is instead viewed as a core component of the intervention. This bespoke approach begins with the question, how could the meeting venue improve the experiences of Family Group Conferencing for families and professionals? To answer this question, we use two fictional vignettes written from the perspectives of a young woman and her social worker. The vignettes were created based on the combined practice and research experience of the co-authors and are used in the article as a tool to theorise the possible benefits and limitations of considering the meeting venue as an intervention component. By reimagining how meeting somewhere meaningful to the family could influence families’ and professionals’ experiences of Family Group Conferencing this paper contributes to social work research and practice in the UK and beyond.

Big Data Analytics And Predictive Analysis In Enhancing Customer Relationship Management (CRM): A Systematic Review Of Techniques And Tools

This systematic review examines the transformative role of big data analytics and predictive techniques in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), focusing on how these advancements enhance customer engagement, satisfaction, and retention strategies. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this review analyzed a final selection of 100 articles, exploring CRM applications such as predictive modeling, real-time data processing, data integration, and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Findings indicate that predictive analytics enables CRM systems to anticipate customer behaviors and personalize interactions, while real-time data processing supports immediate responses to customer needs, essential in high-demand sectors. Data integration helps overcome silos, creating a cohesive customer view that enhances personalized engagement across all touchpoints. NLP applications, including sentiment analysis and chatbots, further improve CRM by fostering empathy and responsiveness in customer interactions. Despite these advancements, challenges related to data privacy and regulatory compliance remain central, necessitating strict data protection and ethical handling practices. This review underscores that while CRM technology is evolving to meet modern demands, effective implementation depends on a balance between technical innovation and adherence to ethical standards in data management, ultimately fostering meaningful and sustainable customer relationships.

Comparative Analysis of Multiple Comparison Tests for Radiation Exposure Subgroups Among Dental Workers At Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria

Post-hoc analysis is a crucial statistical technique employed to identify specific group differences following a significant ANOVA result. This study delves into the comparative analysis of three commonly used post-hoc tests - Tukey's HSD, LSD, and Scheffe's method - to determine significant differences in radiation exposure levels among dental workers at Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Dental professionals are routinely exposed to ionizing radiation, primarily from X-ray machines. Excessive exposure can lead to various health risks, including cancer. Hence, accurate assessment and comparison of radiation exposure levels among different categories of dental workers are essential for effective radiation protection measures. In this study, the researchers calculated the critical values for each post-hoc test at a significance level of 0.05. The results indicated that the LSD method had the smallest critical value (0.674), followed by Tukey's HSD (1.304) and Scheffe's method (1.566). A lower critical value generally implies a higher sensitivity in detecting significant differences between groups. By conducting pairwise comparisons, the study found that the LSD method was the most effective in identifying statistically significant differences in radiation exposure levels among the dental workers. This suggests that the LSD method is a suitable choice for post-hoc analysis in this specific context. The findings of this study have significant implications for radiation protection practices in dental settings. By employing appropriate post-hoc analysis methods, healthcare institutions can accurately assess radiation exposure risks and implement targeted interventions to minimize exposure and protect the health of dental workers.

‘Coping in practice’: a qualitative exploration of psychological resilience among paediatric physiotherapists

Purpose The importance of improving psychological resilience among healthcare workers to protect individuals, support the delivery of quality patient care, and safeguard health system functioning is well documented. While research has explored many aspects of psychological wellbeing across various healthcare worker populations, it is unclear how physiotherapists view and experience psychological resilience and stress in the workplace. This study aimed to explore how paediatric physiotherapists described resilience, how stress in the workplace affected their ability to provide services, and the methods used to cope with pressures and stress. Methods A cross-sectional, qualitative approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 paediatric physiotherapists working in the Republic of Ireland. The transcripts were analysed using a deductive content analysis approach. Results Five themes arose from the interviews. These were ‘The Nature of Resilience’(summarised many physiotherapist’s perceptions that resilience was ‘coping’ with difficulties in the workplace), ‘Challenges of the Profession’ (described parts of their roles as physiotherapists that contributed to stress)’, Job-Related Gratification’(described the aspects of the role that strengthens resilience), ‘Resilience Strategies (Protective Practices)’(described the actions and activities used by physiotherapists to cope with stressors in the workplace), and ‘Resilience Strategies (Attitudes)’(summarised the attitudes used to safeguard against workplace stress). Conclusions This study evaluated paediatric physiotherapists’ experiences of resilience from a personal and organisational perspective. This study suggests this population shares its understanding of resilience with other healthcare professions. The findings of this research highlights the necessity for additional investigation into methods used by paediatric physiotherapists to cope with workplace stressors.

Skin cancer prevention: a systematic review of the efficacy of clinical trial-based interventions

Skin cancer is one of the most common malignancies and its incidence continues to increase worldwide, especially in areas of high ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This systematic review highlights that an effective preventive approach combines sun protection, education, and workplace policies. Advanced sunscreens with DNA repair complexes are useful in reducing precursor lesions such as actinic keratosis. The implementation of workplace policies that provide protective equipment and create shaded areas is especially effective for outdoor workers. Educational programs in schools and on-the-job training encourage sun protection practices from childhood and in work settings, although their effectiveness depends on demographic and cultural factors. It is recommended to tailor interventions to each population and explore their long-term sustainability, as well as to evaluate the economic impact of these policies to achieve effective skin cancer prevention.

Development and validation of a questionnaire on radiation protection knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Moroccan dentists.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of dentists' radiation protection knowledge, attitudes, and practices (DRP-KAPs) questionnaire. This study was conducted using a stepwise approach. In the first step, items were generated to determine the relevant content and domains after a thorough literature review. In the second step, the content validity of the questionnaire was assessed by seven experts using face and content validity. The content validity index for relevance and clarity (I-CVI, S-CVI/Av, and S-CVI/UA) and the content validity ratio (CVR) were performed. Then, the questionnaire was pre-tested with 10 dentists for face validation. In the third step, reliability was assessed using internal consistency (Kuder-Richardson-20 (KR-20) and Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest (Kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) methods by filling out the questionnaire by 100 dentists practicing in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, in Morocco. The finalized DRP-KAPs questionnaire contains 41 items covering knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs). The I-CVIs, S-CVI/UA and S-CVI/AV and CVR values of the 41 items were ≥0.86 for each item, ≥0.82, ≥0.97, and ≥0.71, respectively. With regard to internal consistency reliability, the KR-20 coefficients for the knowledge and practice domains were 0.70 and 0.68, respectively, and the Cronbach alpha for the attitude domain was 0.73. The DRP-KAPs questionnaire has good reliability with the ICC coefficients for attitude items ranging from 0.57 to 0.95 and Kappa coefficients for knowledge and practice items ranging from 0.64 to 1 and 0.77 to 1, respectively. The developed DRP-KAPs questionnaire was found to be a noteworthy tool for assessing radiation protection among dentists, with acceptable internal consistency, good ICC and Kappa coefficients, and good content validity indices.

The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility Characteristics on Employee Green Behavior: A Moral Emotions Perspective

Shaping green employees is a source of sustainable competitive advantage for enterprises. However, previous studies have lacked consideration of the moral aspects of employee green behavior (EGB), thus ignoring the mechanism of employee moral psychology, especially the important impact of moral emotions on EGB. Based on the affective events theory, we built a moderated mediation model to test how corporate social responsibility characteristics (CSRCs) affect EGB and to explore the role of organizational pride (OP) and the environmental passion climate (EPC) in this process. SPSS25.0 and Mplus8.0 were used to analyze data from 267 valid questionnaires. The results show that CSRCs' positive effect required EGB and OP to play a mediating role in the relationship between them. In addition, EPC had a negative moderating effect on the effect of OP on required EGB. These results expand the theoretical territory of EGB from the perspective of moral emotions. In practice, the results provide a moral motivation for cultivating employees’ ecological literacy and stimulating EGB as well as management strategies for organizational environmental protection practice and green sustainable development.

Innovations in Phytoremediation: Application of Artificial Wetlands for the Contaminated Water Treatment and Heavy Metals Removal

Objective: The objective of this study was a review to compile research on phytoremediation methods—including phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilisation, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilisation—using primary sources to address heavy metal contamination in water. Theoretical Framework: The study is a basic investigation that includes a contextualization regarding the water issue, as well as the treatment of wastewater. A description of the characteristics and quality indicators of water was carried out, along with the importance of the removal of contaminants such as heavy metals using different technologies like phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilization. This led to a detailed description of artificial wetland techniques as a viable and sustainable alternative. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes data collection and compilation of existing information; regarding the different techniques related to wastewater treatment with artificial wetlands, these systems utilize natural processes involving vegetation, soil, and microbial activity to remove contaminants from water. More than 100 articles have been legally downloaded, and systematised in the database to paraphrase sentences and cite appropriately. Results and Discussion: Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly technical choice because of its low cost to remediate water and soil contamination through methods of phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilisation, phytodegradation and phytovolatilisation for organic contaminants, pesticides, oil waste, heavy metals, antibiotics, etc. It is relevant to choose transgenic plant methods to insert DNA genes and conduct molecular mechanisms through experimental optimisation studies for lightened growth and hyperaccumulation of heavy metals, generating space for metal and biomass storage, and prior knowledge of the physiology and biochemical processes of the plants. Research Implications: The results can be applied or influence practices in environmental protection using Phytoremediation, which is based on a natural technique of plants and their microbiota associated with roots and tissues, endophytic bacteria as Aeromonas sp, Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp, Sinorhizobium meliloti, Chryseomonas sp, Curtobacterium sp, Sphingomonas sp, Erwinia sp, Flavimonas sp retain contaminants. On the other hand, aquatic macrophytes such as Lemna spp, Typha spp, Potamogeton spp, Azolla filiculoides, Ceratophyllum demersm, Eichhornia crassipes, and Phragmites australis constitute an effective and feasible complementary alternative for the treatment of contaminated waters. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature There are different phytoremediation methods such as phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilisation, phytodegradation, and hytovolatilisation for organic contaminants, pesticides, petroleum waste, heavy metals, pharmaceutical antibiotics, etc. Each of the elements has specific applications depending on the conditions of the place and the type of contaminants in an ecosystem.

The practice of protecting agricultural land in Jiangsu Province of China

The safeguarding of agricultural land is rooted in national land surveys and remote sensing data, which are enhanced by contemporary information technology. This framework facilitates the monitoring and regulation of unauthorized alterations in cultivated land usage. This paper aims to analyze land policies at the national, provincial, and local levels, investigate the cultivated land protection strategies implemented within the research region, where the policies have gained societal acceptance, and propose recommendations and countermeasures to enhance the development and utilization of land resources. The central issue of this study is to identify the challenges in achieving a balance between human activities and natural ecosystems. To address this issue, the research employs a combination of literature review, semi-structured interviews, text analysis, and content analysis, emphasizing the integration of empirical fieldwork and theoretical frameworks. Key areas of focus include: (a) the current state of the farmland protection system, (b) the legal foundations for local enforcement, (c) the systematic mechanisms for implementing arable land protection, and (d) the coordinated oversight system involving both the Party and government. Notably, the practice of cultivated land protection faces several challenges, primarily stemming from two factors. Firstly, there exists a disconnect between the economic interests of certain illegal land users and the objectives of land management, which hinders effective enforcement. Secondly, environmental repercussions arise from misinterpretations of land policy or non-compliant land development practices aimed at profit, which contradict the goals of ecological sustainability. The study examines two approaches to address the issue: the distribution and effective use of land resources, and the capacity for monitoring and early warning systems. Findings indicate that Dongtai City in Jiangsu Province has rigorously implemented all national land management policies, while also preserving the adaptability of local townships in practical applications, thereby ensuring the consistency of both the quality and quantity of arable land.

Understanding services provided to children in DFV shelters: Exposing the ‘invisible’ work

Abstract This study examines practice responses for children who reside in the context of domestic and family violence (DFV) shelters in Australia. DFV is a recognized form of child abuse and identified as such in child protection legislations, policies, and practice guidelines. The prevalence of children who experience DFV is unknown and underestimated. DFV shelters that provide crisis accommodation and case management services were traditionally established to respond to the needs of women and are therefore adult centred. Increasingly, practitioners employed in DFV shelters are also responding to the needs of children and young people; however, they are not resourced to do so. This qualitative study conducted in South Australia explores practice responses provided for children and young people while they are residing in a DFV shelter with their mothers. Data were extracted and analysed from the DFV shelter case files of seventeen women and their children using a co-designed data collection instrument. The findings provide insight into children’s experiences due to DFV. Practitioners in DFV shelters were found to be providing an array of services to children exposing this ‘invisible’ work. Understanding the complex needs and service provided to children have practice implications for the DFV sector.

Legal Aspects of Intellectual Property Protection in Web Development: Analysis of Contractual Obligations and Parties' Liability

This study examines the intricate legal landscape surrounding intellectual property (IP) protection in web development, focusing on contractual obligations and liability issues among involved parties. The research explores the various forms of IP relevant to web development, including copyrights, trademarks, and patents, while analyzing common contractual provisions used to safeguard IP rights, such as ownership clauses, confidentiality agreements, and licensing terms. Additionally, the study investigates the allocation of liability between developers, clients, and third-party service providers in cases of IP infringement. Through an examination of case studies and legal precedents, this research aims to provide insights into best practices for IP protection in web development projects and highlight potential legal pitfalls. The findings emphasize the importance of clear contractual language, due diligence in IP clearance, and proactive risk management strategies to mitigate liability concerns in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The impact of ISO security standards on enhancing cybersecurity posture in organizations

The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats have made organizations need to adopt robust cybersecurity frameworks. ISO security standards, particularly the ISO/IEC 27000 series, play a critical role in enhancing organizations' cybersecurity posture worldwide. These standards provide a systematic approach to managing sensitive information, ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. ISO/IEC 27001, which focuses on establishing an Information Security Management System (ISMS), is widely recognized for its ability to help organizations identify, manage, and mitigate cybersecurity risks. By adopting ISO standards, organizations benefit from improved risk management, enhanced incident response capabilities, and stronger alignment with regulatory compliance requirements, such as GDPR and HIPAA. In addition, ISO security standards promote a security-first culture within organizations, fostering greater employee awareness and encouraging the consistent implementation of best practices across departments and regions. The adoption of standards like ISO/IEC 27001 (Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection), ISO/IEC 27018 (Code of practice for protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds acting as PII processors), ISO/IEC 27017 (code of practice for information security controls based on ISO/IEC 27002 for Cloud services), ISO/IEC 27015 (Information security management guidelines for financial services) ISO/IEC 27002 (Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection - Information security controls), and ISO/IEC 27701 (Security techniques- Extension to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 for privacy information management – requirements and guidelines) has demonstrated significant improvements in data protection, especially in industries handling sensitive personal or financial data. Despite their benefits, implementing ISO standards poses challenges, such as resource constraints, scalability, and the need for continuous updates. As the threat landscape evolves, ISO security standards will remain integral to developing a proactive cybersecurity strategy, integrating with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and IoT. The global adoption of these standards reflects their pivotal role in securing the digital infrastructure of modern organizations.

Protocol for a systematic search and critical discourse analysis of research on national HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programmes among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that prevents the acquisition of HIV, most commonly taken in the form of a pill. PrEP is an efficacious tool for HIV prevention, including among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). PrEP is often provided through formal PrEP programmes. Research on these programmes may employ discourses shaped by heteronormativity and homophobia. Given that expert language influences how HIV prevention is understood and delivered, problematic discourses in research likely extend into PrEP implementation. This study will use critical discourse analysis (CDA) to explore research on PrEP programme implementation for gbMSM. Within this literature, we will identify interpretive repertoires used to discuss gbMSM; the subject positions afforded to gbMSM; and the implications of these interpretive repertoires and subject positions for gbMSM engaging with HIV PrEP programmes. Systematic search methods identified relevant articles through timebound searching (2012-2023) in ProQuest ASSIA, EBSCOhost PsycInfo, OVID Medline, OVID Embase, and EBSCOhost CINAHL, with forward and backward citation searching of included studies. Grey literature will be identified through ProQuest and Google Scholar. Screening will be conducted by two independent reviewers, who will conduct random partial double screening for titles and abstracts and for all full text articles. Data will be analysed and synthesised using CDA informed by critical realism (CR). CDA focuses on relationships between language and power, including how language enables inequality. The analytic process will explore the background of included studies, identify themes, and analyse external and internal relations in included studies. Highlighting issues with discourses in PrEP implementation may enhance reflective engagement with assumptions underlying this research, preventing further stigmatisation of gbMSM's sexual and protective practices. As PrEP programmes become more common, diverse and inclusive perspectives in PrEP programme research may inform interventions that enhance their acceptability and implementation.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Kangwei Paintings: Literature Review and Outlook

In recent years, many countries around the world have been implementing their own protective practices for intangible cultural heritage under the impetus of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention. This study will conduct an in-depth investigation into the intangible cultural heritage of Kangwei paintings in Yuanping City, Shanxi Province, China, exploring the process of cultural identity formation and the role of commercialization in the context of intangible cultural heritage revitalization, an area that has not been deeply researched before.Using the systematic literature review method, a review was conducted on 102 relevant documents and journal articles sourced from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Conduct a literature review from the perspectives of overall research characteristics, highly cited literature, theoretical foundations, and research methods.The results of the literature analysis are systematically elaborated from the aspects of the connotation and extension of Kangwei paintings, the practical mechanisms for the revitalization of Kangwei paintings as intangible cultural heritage, and related suggestions. The study found that the practical mechanisms for the revitalization of Kangwei paintings as intangible cultural heritage include institutional support mechanisms, theoretical consolidation mechanisms, collaborative mechanisms, social education mechanisms, application innovation mechanisms, and efficiency evaluation mechanisms, with no related research proposed.Therefore, based on the framework for the revitalization of Yuanping Kangwei paintings, the prospects of cultural identity and commercialization concepts are proposed: solidifying the theoretical foundation for the revitalization of Kangwei paintings as intangible cultural heritage, scientifically defining the connotations and extensions of Kangwei paintings, refining the cultural identity mechanism for the revitalization of Kangwei paintings as intangible cultural heritage, and enriching the theoretical foundation for the study of the commercialization of Kangwei paintings.

Impacts of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Non-Point Source Pollution in the Nyabarongo River Catchment, Rwanda

The Nyabarongo river catchment in Rwanda has experienced significant changes in its land use and land cover (LULC) in recent decades, with profound implications for non-point source pollution. However, there are limited studies on non-point pollution caused by nutrient loss associated with land use and land cover changes in the catchment. This study investigates the spatiotemporal impacts of these changes on water quality considering nitrogen and phosphorus within the catchment from 2000 to 2020 and 2030 as a projection. The SWAT model was used in analysis of hydrological simulations, while the CA–Markov model was used for the future projection of LULC in 2030. The results revealed (1) the important changes in LULC in the study area, where a decrease in forestland was observed with a considerable increase in built-up land, grassland, and cropland; (2) that the R2 and NSE of the TN and TP in the runoff simulation in the catchment were all above 0.70, showing good applicability during calibration and validation periods; (3) that from 2000 to 2020 and looking to the projection in 2030, the simulated monthly average TN and TP levels have progressively increased from 15.36 to 145.71 kg/ha, 2.46 to 15.47 kg/ha, 67.2 to 158.8 kg/ha, and 9.3 to 17.43 kg/ha, respectively; and (4) that the most polluted land use types are agriculture and urban areas, due to increases in human activities as a consequence of population growth in the catchment. Understanding the patterns and drivers of these changes is critical for developing effective policies and practices for sustainable land management and protection of water resources.

Evaluation of radiation protection knowledge and practices among Moroccan operating room nurses

Evaluation of radiation protection knowledge and practices among Moroccan operating room nurses

Comprehensive biodiversity assessment of flora and fauna along the Kedah coastline: Implications for conservation and sustainable management

Preserving the unique ecosystems of specific coastal areas is crucial for environmental health and the welfare of local communities. This study explores the rich biodiversity of flora and fauna along the Kedah state coastline, a 440 km stretch along the Strait of Malacca. Through meticulous site surveys and comprehensive data collection across multiple locations, followed by laboratory analyses, this research reveals a vibrant tapestry of life. The Kedah coastal area boasts a remarkable diversity, with 60 fish species identified, predominantly from the Carangidae (12 %) and Mugilidae (10 %) families. Additionally, five marine mammal species were documented, though turtles and terrapins were notably absent. The condition of coral reefs varied, with "fair" conditions observed at stations St-1 and St-2 (31.67 % and 35.67 % live coral, respectively), and "poor" conditions at St-3 (10.67 % live coral). High densities of phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrobenthos, and seaweed were recorded, whereas seagrass vegetation was absent. The study on Kedah’s coastal flora and fauna revealed a diverse range of species, including fish, marine mammals, corals, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrobenthos, and seaweed. Coral reefs were found to be in varying conditions, with some needing restoration. The study recommends long-term monitoring, seasonal surveys, and focused research on key species. Habitat protection, community awareness, and sustainable practices are also emphasized to preserve the ecological balance of these marine environments. Moreover, the findings of this study provide a critical understanding of the Kedah coastal ecosystem and offer valuable insights for local authorities to develop effective conservation strategies. This research underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity to maintain ecological balance and support sustainable development in coastal regions.

Knowledge and practices of interventional radiology staff regarding radiation protection

Interventional radiology (IR) has become a widespread medical imaging technique, offering minimally invasive treatment options. However, IR procedures can expose patients and staff to substantial radiation risks, necessitating enhanced radiation protection practices. This study aimed to survey the knowledge and practices of interventional radiology staff regarding radiation protection. A cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim, based on a questionnaire was done. The study subjects were all healthcare personnel of all specialties having practiced in interventional radiology between 2019 and 2022 at the University Hospital Center of Rabat. The statistical processing was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2013® and the IBM SPSS Statistical program version 20 (IBM Inc. NY, USA). The results indicated that 59.4% of participants had not received any specific training in radiation protection, and 45% were unaware of the radiation-induced risks associated with interventional radiology procedures. Regarding safety practices, 75% of participants maintained a distance of at least 1 meter from the x-ray source, while only 6% used the lowest possible exposure settings. Concerning the use of radiation protection devices, 87.5% of participants wore a lead apron, 75% used a thyroid shield, 6.3% wore lead glasses, and 37.5% utilized suspended mobile screens, whereas 12.5% did not use any radiation protection devices. Additionally, 84% of participants wore their personal dosimeter, though not consistently. The knowledge and practices of most interventional radiology personnel are inadequate for effective radiation protection. Regular, ongoing training in radiation safety is essential to improve adherence to protection standards and enhance overall safety in clinical practice.

Doing with or doing to? A realist case study of factors affecting the implementation of guidance on child sexual exploitation in Wales

There is currently limited research which considers the implementation of new policies in child protection practice. In this article, we explore policy implementation in children’s social care using recent Welsh policy on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) as a case study. We conducted a realist evaluation of the implementation of the new CSE guidance in a two-phased study. The development of an initial programme theory was done during phase 1 of the study and is discussed in a previous article. In this article we focus on the programme theory refinement, presenting our hypotheses and findings from semi-structured interviews, observation of practice and a Wales-wide survey, which illustrate how aspects of the context and the organisation have an impact on policy implementation. Our findings highlight the importance of clear implementation plans which engage key stakeholders and are appropriately resourced. We suggest recommendations for developing implementation plans, including appropriate training materials, access to formal and informal collaborative spaces for knowledge exchange, and the importance of a supportive organisational structure. These findings illustrate how child protection policies are implemented in practice by local authorities in Wales and shed light on how policies can be more effectively implemented in practice.