Cross-sectional Questionnaire-based Study Research Articles

Prevalence and Severity of Temporomandibular Disorders in A Group of Iranian Musicians

ObjectiveAllegedly playing a musical instrument is a contributing factor to developing TMD signs and symptoms, but the literature is incoherent. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of TMD among amateur musicians for the first time in the Iranian population. MethodsThis is a descriptive questionnaire-based cross-sectional study that includes 140 amateur musicians (35 international wind instrumentalists, 35 traditional wind instrumentalists, 35 international string instrumentalists, and 35 traditional string instrumentalists). Forty-eight violinists were studied separately from other study groups. The Fonseca questionnaire was used to evaluate TMD in this sample. A P-value of 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsThe Prevalence of the study sample was 72.8%. The prevalence of TMD and the mean severity score among musicians of international wind instruments, traditional wind instruments, international string instruments, and traditional string instruments were 77.1%, 67.6%, 82.8%, and 62.8%, and 30.00 ± 15.52, 32.42 ± 14.92, 30.71 ± 18.75, and 28.57 ± 19.87, respectively. The study groups did not show any significant differences regarding the TMD severity score. The prevalence of TMD was higher among women (P = 0.000017) and wind instrumentalists (P = 0.009). The prevalence of TMD and the mean severity score among violinists were 62.85% and 26.85 ± 20.68, respectively. ConclusionsRegardless of class or category, the prevalence of TMD is high among musicians compared to the available statistics reported previously on the Iranian population in the literature. Moreover, TMD prevalence is higher among wind instrumentalists than string instrumentalists.

Prevalence and characteristics of headache among medical students in Egypt: a multicentric cross-sectional study

BackgroundHeadaches are one of the most common neurological disorders, ranging in severity from mild discomfort to a severe, debilitating condition. Headaches are particularly prevalent among medical students, which can be...

Risk perceptions and preventive preparedness toward anthrax re-emergence within the lens of one health in Northcentral Nigeria.

Anthrax has re-emerged in domestic ruminants in Nigeria with public health concerns. This study assessed stakeholders' perceptions and preventive preparedness toward further resurgence and spread at the human-animal-environment interface. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Nigeria. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed at 95% confidence levels. All the 384 recruited stakeholders responded. The majority (96.2%) of animal health practitioners (AHPs) and 56.7% of pastoralists were aware of the recent anthrax re-emergence in Nigeria (p < 0.001). Noteworthy, 88.5% of the AHPs and 32.2% of pastoralists mentioned that anthrax has an environmental component in its transmission to humans and animals. From the environmental perspective, 87.7% of AHPs and 24.0% of pastoralists significantly perceived that soil and aerosol contamination with anthrax spores are highly plausible explanation routes for its re-emergence. Extreme weather events (high rainfall, flooding, winds, and drought) (p = 0.001); grazing of livestock on pastures grown on contaminated soil (p < 0.001), transboundary movement and trade of animals (p = 0.001); introduction of new animals into the herds without quarantine (p = 0.001); and bioterrorism (p < 0.001) were more likely to influence the re-emergence and spread of anthrax. To tackle gaps in knowledge and risk perceptions, and address the socio-economic and anthropogenic drivers, cooperation and collaborations through the lens of the One Health approach are needed. The partnership will promote an integrated disease surveillance system from planning to implementation for the realization of elimination or reduction of the burden of anthrax and other zoonoses in Nigeria and contribute to achieving food safety, food security, and public and ecosystem health.

Student perspectives on designing and implementing an interprofessional education module in chronic disease management at primary care level in Vietnam

PurposeThis study explored students' perspectives on designing and implementing the new clinical interprofessional education (IPE) module for chronic disease management at the primary care level in the Vietnamese context.Design/methodology/approachStudents from seven different university-level healthcare programmes participated in a cross-sectional survey Course Experience Questionnaire-based study. Additionally, two open-ended questions were presented to gather qualitative data, mapping student perspectives. Statistical analyses and thematic analyses were performed.FindingsThe results show that students agree with quality statements about IPE design features, such as good teaching, clear goals and standards, appropriate workload, appropriate assessment and a blended learning approach. Answers to the open-ended comments pointed out the strengths of the IPE module in providing opportunities for interprofessional learning, improving interprofessional collaboration competencies, real-life interprofessional collaboration practice and continuous feedback from tutors. Students also reported weaknesses in the IPE module, including a lack of feedback on the care plan and logistics of the IPE module.Originality/valueStudents positively recognise key design features of the IPE module, combining classroom activities with standardised patient simulations, clinical practice and home visits. Chronic disease management at the primary care level is a suitable context for training students to work interprofessionally. The strengths and weaknesses identified by students could help in the redesign and future implementation of the IPE module in the Vietnamese context. They could inspire practices in Southeast Asian medical education and beyond.

Impact of Public Health and Social Measures on Cosmetic Treatments in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Multi-Center Study Combined With a Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Public health and social measures (PHSMs) are considered the most effective approaches for controlling epidemic diseases. This study aimed to explore variations in the time-dependent characteristics of and public preferences for cosmetic treatments during and after the implementation of PHSMs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical records from six medical institutions were extracted retrospectively. Time-series analyses were conducted to reveal the variations in characteristics in volume and proportion of cosmetic treatments according to PHSMs. A cross-sectional study was conducted with online questionnaire designed for the general population during and after the implementation of PHSMs. A total of 141 033 records were included in this retrospective study. The implementation of PHSMs led to extremely low treatment volumes; compared with the increases in private hospitals, the treatment volumes in public hospitals exhibited earlier and more significant increases, even higher than pre-PHSM levels (p < 0.05), which mainly contributed to the increase in plastic surgery volumes during and after the implementation of PHSMs. The differences in the anxiety state, self-perceived appearance, and cosmetic treatment intentions of the participants were illustrated during and after PHSMs. We further demonstrated the participants' decisions on cosmetic treatments after the implementation of PHSMs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The immediate effects and aftereffects of PHSMs on cosmetic treatments were different in public and private hospitals. Furthermore, as PHSMs guided the adjustment of cosmetic treatments in the post-COVID-19 era, the intention to undergo cosmetic treatment during PHSMs was associated with the anxiety states and preferences of the population.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine use among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic: a point to ponder.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Pregnant women are vulnerable to adverse effects of medicines, especially during the first trimester. Though it is advised to avoid unnecessary intake of medicine during pregnancy, CAM use is widespread. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 120 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Udaipur district of Southern Rajasthan, India. Women of age 18 years and above were surveyed between July 2022 to December 2023 by convenient sampling strategy and data were entered in a pretested and pre-validated questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test was applied to compare CAM use among different demographic categories and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 120 participants, 58 (48.33 %) were using CAM therapy. Out of 58 users, 44 (75.86 %) were using herbal & traditional medicines. Twenty (34.48 %) were using CAM for a healthy baby, 18 (31.03 %) for easy delivery and 17 (29.31 %) for boosting immunity. Forty (68.96 %) participants started CAM on the advice of a relative/friend. Fifty six (46.67 %) participants believe that CAM therapy cannot cause adverse effects on the in utero child, while 32 (26.67 %) believe that CAM and modern medicines don't interact. CAM use among pregnant women is substantial. There is a need to raise awareness among the healthcare professionals and pregnant women regarding possible adverse effects and drug-drug interactions with CAM use.

Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among adult patients of primary open-angle glaucoma at the outpatient department of ophthalmology of a tertiary care center in Western India: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study

Abstract Background: This cross-sectional study, conducted at a tertiary eye care center between January 2016 and January 2018, aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) among patients aged 18 years and above. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Diagnosed cases of POAG were included. A well-structured questionnaire, validated by ophthalmologists, was administered to assess awareness and knowledge. Demographic data were collected initially, and subsequent questions determined awareness and knowledge scores. A total score of &lt;50% indicated poor awareness and knowledge, 50%–75% indicated fair, and more than 75% indicated good. Results: Out of 972 participants, 67.6% were males, and 32.4% were females. No significant correlation was found between awareness/knowledge and age or gender (P &gt; 0.05). However, a statistically significant correlation was observed between education status and both awareness and knowledge (P &lt; 0.05). Overall, the majority of patients demonstrated fair awareness (50%–75%) and knowledge of glaucoma. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the awareness and knowledge of POAG among a diverse patient population. The fair overall awareness and knowledge highlight the need for targeted educational interventions, particularly among individuals with lower education levels. The findings contribute to our understanding of glaucoma awareness in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of tailored education strategies to enhance public health outcomes in glaucoma management.

Factors associated with early-career GPs' retention as independent specialists in former training practices.

Retention of general practice registrars in their training practices is important for addressing the GP workforce deficit and maldistribution of GPs. Given that rural and remote general practices are disproportionately affected by low retention, identifying the factors that promote retention may be as important as developing recruitment strategies in these areas. Quantifying the impact of relevant factors on registrar retention will enable a better understanding of how to incentivise retention and attenuate the loss of the rural workforce to other areas. We sought to establish the prevalence and associations of retention of general practice registrars in their training practices. This analysis was a component of the New alumni Experience of Training and independent Unsupervised Practice (NEXT-UP) study: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of early-career GPs in conjunction with evaluation of data contemporaneously recorded as part of vocational training. Participants were former registrars of three regional training organisations delivering general practice training in New South Wales, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and Eastern Victoria, who had attained Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine between January 2016 and July 2018. The outcome measured was whether the registrar had previously worked at their current practice during vocational training. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between relevant explanatory variables and the outcome. A total of 354 alumni responded (response rate 28%), of whom 322 provided data regarding previous training practice retention, with 190 (59%) having previously worked at their current practice as registrars. Among respondents who reported currently working in a regional-rural practice location (n=100), 69% reported having previously worked at their current practice during training. GPs were more likely to be retained by a practice they had trained at if it was of lower socioeconomic status (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-0.91), p<0.001 for each decile of socioeconomic status) and if the practice provided two or more of home visits, nursing home visits or after-hours services (aOR 4.29 (95%CI 2.10-8.75), p<0.001). They were less likely to be retained by the practice if training was completed in a regional-rural area (aOR 0.35 (95%CI 0.17-0.72), p=0.004). Regional-rural training location is associated with reduced odds of subsequent retention of general practice registrars. This is occurring despite significant government investment in expansion of general practice training in regional and rural areas. The practice factor most strongly associated with GP retention was the provision of out-of-practice and after-hours care. There may be altruistic, rather than monetary, reasons that explain this finding. Such training opportunities, if provided to all trainees, especially in regional and rural areas, would be a learning opportunity, a way of promoting holistic community-based care and an incentive for subsequent retention within the practice and community as an established GP.

Knowledge, attitude and psychological impact of cyberbullying among adolescents. A cross-sectional study.

To identify the awareness, behaviour and psychological impact of cyberbullying among adolescent. A Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted on secondary school students from grades 9-12th. The study got approval from the Institutional Research Board. The Inclusion criterion was school students of all nationalities who were willing to participate. Signed informed consent signed was taken. We used a P value of < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Out of 513 enrolled, 450 completed the survey (response rate 87.7%). Age ranged between 13 to 20 years of them 303 (67.3%) were female. Awareness of cyberbullying was 96.2%. The prevalence of cyberbullying among adolescence was 22.2% (95% CI: 18.89-26.93). 42% of Victims reported cyberbully event leading to stoppage in 78.6% of cases. Most of the victims reported to their parents followed by friends then cyber helpline or Police. Characteristics of perpetrators were males, below-average academic performance and social relations, from same batch, and had emotionally unstable personalities. Association of being a victim does not relate to their Age, gender, grade, or parent's education but relate to their nationality (P < 0.001) and being younger siblings (P < 0.027). Association between event reporting and gender was not significant (P < 0.859). Association between worsening social relationships (teachers and parents) (P < 0.001), feeling neglected (P < 0.001), personality type (agreeableness and emotional instability) (P < 0.016) and being a Cyberbully victim was statistically significant. Association of depression and anxiety with being a cyberbully victim was statistically significant (P < 0.001) and directly proportional to the severity. High rate of awareness and Low prevalence of cyberbullying was found among adolescence. High risk of psychological problems was reported and a good social relationship (teachers and parents) was an important protective factor from it.

Stress levels amongst Turkish dental students, general dentists and paediatric dentists during performing paediatric dentistry: a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to evaluate stress levels and stressors amongst dental students, general dentists and paediatric dentists treating paediatric patients. This study was conducted on 664 dentistry students, general dentists and paediatric dentists in Turkey. Data were collected through an online questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and the Pedodontic Practice Stress Scale (PPSS). Stressors when treating paediatric patients were compared between the groups. The scores obtained from the questionnaire were analysed. Compliance with normal distribution was analysed according to Kurtosis-Skewness values. One-way analysis was used to compare the scale scores (p < 0.050). Of the participants, 74.54% were female and 25.46% were male. The females showed a significantly higher level of stress, compared to the males (p = 0.001).When compared according to the level of education, the mean total stress scores did not differ (p = 0.211), but the mean complication score was found to be statistically significantly higher in paediatric dentists (p = 0.001). In addition, the lowest mean stress score was found in dental students. Statistically significant differences were found in all sections of the PPSS scale in terms of the ability to manage a paediatric patient as an adult patient and the importance of knowing child psychology theories. Factors, such as the educational status, the number of patients treated, the behaviour of the patient's relatives and the potential to communicate with them, cause variable stress in dental students and general and specialist dentists working with children.

A study of knowledge, attitude and behavior of patients towards their illness and their relation to sociodemographic factors

Background: This study was conducted to assess basic knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients to their illness and find its correlation with various socio-demographic factors. Method: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based analytical study. All patients over 18 years of age who attended the OPD or were admitted to the medical ward and who agreed to participate in the study were included. A questionnaire regarding the demographic characteristics of the study participants as well as the patient’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding their disease was administered regularly by experienced physicians dealing with OPD and IPD both type of patients. Results: Out of total 100, only 38% patients came for regular follow up and only 57% brought old records. 36% were not taking medications regularly for various reasons (trying alternative medicine (22.2%), advice from others (11.1%), found medicines ineffective and stopped without reconsulting (8.3%), fear of adverse effects (8.3%), couldn’t afford (8.3%), worsening of symptoms (5.6%) etc. 19.4% had no reasons. 67% patients got medicines prescribed from a qualified clinician while other sources were pharmacist (9%), relatives/friends (5%) and self-medication (6%). Significantly more females, educated and employed were aware about their medical condition and medications. Significantly more educated and employed brought old records and came for regular follow up (p-0.0187), Significantly more educated seeked qualified doctor’s advice as compared to uneducated. (p=0.0002). Conclusion: There is a need to educate patients about the importance of medication awareness, adherence, regular follow up, disadvantages of unscientific and unreliable information to improve compliance to treatment.

Pharmaceutical Activities, Services, Medicines, and Products at Community Pharmacies in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia: Findings and Implications for the Future.

Introduction Community pharmacies are highly accessible and provide access to several services to patients and community members. Recently, several developments have been made in Saudi Arabia to enhance the roles and contributions of community pharmacists to the healthcare system, including expanding their scope of practice. This study aims to evaluate the current pharmaceutical activities, medicines, products, and services offered by community pharmacies. Methods This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based descriptive study. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section comprised the demographic characteristics of the participants. The second section explored the types of pharmaceuticals and products sold by community pharmacies, while the third section explored the current professional services and activities offered bypharmacies. This study was conducted among community pharmacists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Results Overall, 109/115 community pharmacies participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 94.78%. Most participants (97.25%) were men, and 42.20% were 31-40 years old. All pharmacies (100%) dispensed prescriptions and provided over-the-counter medicines, self-care therapeutics, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements. However, only a few pharmacies had controlled and narcotic medicine services (5.50%) and supplied vaccines (3.67%). Almost all pharmacies provided access to herbal products (97.25%), self-diagnostic test/home-test kits (97.25%), first-aid kits (95.41%), and medical equipment and devices and their accessories (89.91%). All pharmacies (100%) sold health-related products, including oral, skin, and hair care products. All pharmacists (100%) provided medication counseling. However, e-prescription services (Wasfaty) were provided in only 55.96% of the pharmacies. Most pharmacists provided health education and promotion (95.41%), management of minor ailments (88.99%), and patient training on the use of medical devices (92.66%). Other pharmaceutical activities included travel health advice (52.29%) and smoking cessation (31.19%). However, patient care services, including vaccination services (0.92%), patient assessment and monitoring services (0.92%), and point-of-care (POC) testing (0.92%), were limited. Additional services included online shopping (66.97%), home delivery of medicines (54.13%), and instant/live chat communication with pharmacies (70.64%). Conclusion Community pharmacies play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia's healthcare system. These include providing access to medicines, medical equipment, and various products related to health and wellness. Community pharmacies provide public health services. However, their clinical services are limited. Consequently, a holistic strategy involving all stakeholders is required to further enhance the role of community pharmacists and better utilize their skills and training to provide preventive healthcare services and optimize medication therapy in primary care settings.

Quality of Life Determinants in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Study.

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting men globally, with a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). With the recent therapeutic advancements and improvements in survival, there is a need to understand the determinants of HRQOL in metastatic prostate cancer patients to optimize treatment strategies for quality of life as the number of survivors increases. The aim of this study was to identify clinical variables that affect HRQOL and its domains in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in patients diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer at a tertiary cancer center in India. Baseline clinical features, treatment details, and completed Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), composed of FACT-general (FACT-G) and prostate cancer-specific concerns subscale (PCS) and FACT-P Trial Outcome Index (FACT-P TOI) questionnaires, were collected. The mean total, as well as individual domain scores, were calculated. Additionally, these were stratified by the current treatment being received by patients. Linear regression was used to identify independent factors affecting HRQOL in these patients. Of the 106 enrolled patients, 84 completed the FACT-P questionnaire and were included in the analysis. The median age was 66 years, and at the time of assessment, 3 patients (3.6%) were receiving androgen deprivation therapy only, 53 patients (63.1%) were on ADT + androgen receptor-targeted agents (ARTAs), and 18 patients (21.4%) patients received ADT + chemotherapy. The mean (±standard deviation) of the FACT-P TOI score was 70.33 (±15.16); the PCS subscale was the most affected, followed by functional well-being. Patients on chemotherapy scored significantly higher on PCS, but the composite scores were not significantly different. Univariable regression identified obesity (body mass index > 25 kg/m2) and duration of first-line treatment as significant predictors of better HRQOL; however, obesity was the only independent predictor in multivariable analysis (β = 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 15.0; p = 0.022). Obesity also independently predicted a better FACT-P and its physical well-being domain score and PCS. Prostate cancer patients experience impaired QoL, especially in the prostate cancer-specific and functional well-being domains. Lower BMI is an independent predictor of poor QoL, and this requires efforts to assess the impact of strategies to manage the nutritional status of patients with metastatic disease on QoL outcomes.

Severity of inattention symptoms, experiences of being bullied, and school anxiety as mediators in the association between excessive short-form video viewing and school refusal behaviors in adolescents.

Recent years have seen an increase in school refusal behavior among adolescents, potentially due to factors like excessive short-form video viewing, bullying, and school anxiety. Limited research has investigated how these factors contribute to school refusal behavior. This study used random forest regression, path analysis, and network analysis to identify key variables and pathways leading to school refusal behavior. In this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, 2,056 (996 male, 1,060 female, mean age: 14.79 ± 1.24 years) middle and senior high school students were asked to complete the School Refusal Behavior Assessment questionnaire to assess school refusal behavior features, the Excessive Short-Form Video Viewing Scale as well as self-reported viewing times during leisure days to assess excessive short-form video viewing, the SNAP-IV Rating Scale to assess the severity of inattention symptoms, and the self-administered questionnaires to assess experiences of being bullied and school anxiety. The prevalence of school refusal behavior in the surveyed adolescents was found to be 31.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 29.8-33.9%]. In terms of significance, the severity of inattention symptoms exhibited the greatest predictive power, while excessive short-form video viewing accounted for the most variance. Path analysis revealed that excessive short-form video viewing not only directly affects school refusal behavior features but also does so indirectly through severity of inattention symptoms and school anxiety. Key bridge factors in this pathway include intense fear and anxiety associated with school attendance, manifesting as somatic symptoms and avoidance behaviors. The findings indicate that not only does excessive short-form video viewing directly influence school refusal behavior features in adolescents, but it also indirectly impacts these features through mechanisms involving severity of inattention symptoms and school anxiety. The bridge factors highlight potential targets for interventions among the SRB features and predictors.

Distressed personality is associated with late adverse effects in long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma.

There are few studies of personality traits in long-term Hodgkin lymphoma survivors (HLSs) treated according to contemporary stage-and risk-adapted approaches. The Distressed Personality (DP) Scale covers negative affectivity and social inhibition. We examined differences in self-reported late adverse effects (LAEs) between HLSs with and without DP and other explanatory variables. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included a population-based cohort of HLSs treated from 1997 to 2006, aged 8-49 years at diagnosis, and alive in 2016. Among 518 eligible HLSs, 303 responded (58%), and 294 completed the DP scale. DP was defined by scores above cut-off on both the negative affectivity and social inhibition subscales. LAEs studied were major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep problems, obesity, neuropathy, fatigue, memory problems, and general health. DP and 10 other explanatory variables were tested against LAEs as dependent variables in multivariable regression analyses. The mean age at survey was 45.9 years (standard deviation [SD] 4.6), mean follow-up time 16.7 years (SD 3.0), and 48% were females. Eighty-two HLSs had DP (28%, 95% confidence interval 23% - 33%). All LAEs except obesity were significantly more common/had higher mean score in HLSs with DP. In multivariable analyses, presence of DP was significantly associated with all LAEs except obesity. The presence of DP is common among HLSs. The presence of DP was associated with most self-report LAEs examined. Including assessment of personality traits in the survivorship care plans of HLSs should be considered. Prospective studies assessing the influence of pretreatment DP on LAEs are warranted.

Factors influencing academic failure rate among first-year Indian medical students who experienced competency-based medical education curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The primary objective of the study was to assess the factors that influenced the increased failure rate among first-year Indian medical students who appeared for the Maharashtra University of Health Science (MUHS) summative university examination, having experienced the competency-based medical education (CBME) curriculum for the first time amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. A retrospective cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study was undertaken between July 2021 and November 2021, in which first-year Indian medical students who were enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in the year 2019 and appeared for the MUHS summative university examination in February 2021 were invited to participate. Analysis was done using JASP (v0.16.0.0), and the odds ratio for failure was calculated at a significance level of P < 0.05. Responses were obtained from 360 individuals, of whom 74.5% had passed and 25.5% had failed (n = 360). The odds of failure in first-year MBBS summative university examination was higher in students with irregular Internet access, irregular device access, an unsupportive peer environment in college, a National Entrance cum Eligibility Test score below 500, an unsupportive family environment during the lockdown, severe stress, severe depression, testing positive for COVID-19 before the exam, death in the family during the exam, and failing in terms and prelims and students of male gender ( P < 0.01). The total failure rate of 27% in the MUHS examination was mainly attributed to interplay between the student's mental health, lack of devices or Internet, and the changed assessment part of the CBME curriculum. Surprisingly, lecture frequencies, teaching patterns, and study resources did not influence the failure rate. These results can be used to formulate interventions that will help to improve academic performance and mental health students and thus help them adapt to the new curriculum.

Oral health-related knowledge, attitude and practices among nurses: a hospital-based questionnaire survey from a tertiary healthcare setting in Faridabad, India

BackgroundNurses play an integral part in the comprehensive delivery of healthcare services and contribute significantly to the success of public health initiatives. The knowledge, attitude and practices of nurses in...

Reporting of self-reported hand eczema as an occupational disease in hospital cleaners: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

Hand eczema (HE) is a prevalent disease among professional cleaners. To investigate how often cleaners have their self-reported HE, induced or worsened by cleaners' occupational activities, reported as an occupational disease to the authorities in Denmark and to identify reasons for underreporting. In addition, consultation by physicians and treatment for HE among cleaners were also investigated. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included hospital cleaners at three different hospitals in Region Zealand, Denmark. We included 224 out of 234 cleaners from three hospitals (response rate: 96%). The lifetime prevalence of self-reported HE with onset in adulthood was 18.3% (n = 41), with cleaners believing every case to be caused or exacerbated by their occupation. Only 9.7% (n = 4/41) of the cases were reported as an occupational disease to the authorities. The most common reasons for non-reporting were a lack of perceived seriousness of the disease (40.5%) and unawareness of the risk of self-reported HE being of occupational origin (32.4%). Remarkably, only 75.7% (n = 28/37) of workers with unreported cases had consulted a physician at some point. Additionally, among cleaners who self-reported HE attributed or aggravated by their occupation, but not officially reported as such, only 56.8% (n = 21/37) had ever used hand moisturisers, while less than 45% had ever used topical steroids or calcineurin inhibitors. Our findings reveal substantial underreporting of self-reported HE, perceived to be induced or worsened by the cleaner's occupational activities, as an occupational disease to the authorities.

Digital impression perception among dental students in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

The use of digital dentistry is rapidly increasing in prosthodontics. However, most dental students are not familiar with applying digital technologies in dental clinics. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess the perception of dental students at different educational years towards digital impressions in comparison to conventional impressions. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on various educational years of dental students in the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, between February and April 2023. The students had performed at least one intraoral scan (Trios 3shape) and another conventional polyether impression for phantom casts/patients. The questionnaire assessed students' perceptions of digital impressions using a 5-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare students' perceptions of digital impressions according to gender and educational year, respectively. The study included 122 students. About 55% were females with a mean (SD) age = 22.51 (3.36). Most students thought that digital impressions are faster and more user-friendly compared to conventional impressions. Significantly more female students thought that the handpiece was too big for intraoral use (p = 0.04) and that the process of the software was time-consuming and complicated. In general, higher educational year students were more satisfied with the digital impressions than lower educational year students. Digital impressions were perceived by most students as being faster and easier than conventional ones. However, male students and those with higher educational years showed better perception of digital impression.

Over-the-counter cosmeceuticals: Exploring usage patterns and attitudes among Indians

Objectives: The study’s objectives were to find the prevalence of over-the-counter (OTC) usage of skin, nail, and hair care products and to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of the Indian population presenting to a non-dermatology outpatient department (OPD) for various indications concerning this usage. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, conducted over a year, in which 668 consenting Indians aged 18–60 years, representing various socioeconomic backgrounds were surveyed through Google Forms regarding the OTC cosmeceutical usage in a non-dermatology OPD. Results: This KAP study was conducted on 668 participants, of whom the majority were middle-aged males (481 [72.01%]), with a diverse socioeconomic range, with the upper-middle class making up the largest segment (264 [39.52%]). Allopathy was the primary treatment choice for 347 (51.95%) of participants, with 566 (84.73%) preferring professional healthcare over self-medication. Social media was a significant source of skincare information, with Google Ads (279 [41.8%]) and Instagram (84 [12.6%]) being popular platforms. While doctors’ advice influenced 270 (40.4%) of participants in their skincare choices, word-of-mouth played a role, with 251 (37.57%) agreeing it was helpful. OTC usage was found to vary by socioeconomic class and treatment type. Oral OTC products were preferred for skin health, especially in the upper class, while fairness creams were more common among the lower class. Conclusion: Despite the growing reliance on social media for skincare information, traditional sources such as word-of-mouth and TV still hold sway, indicating a mix of modern and conventional influences. The frequency and type of OTC product usage varied across socioeconomic classes, with oral products like vitamin supplements leading in the upper class and fairness creams leading in the lower class, reflecting the societal pressure for a fair complexion in this subset.