Attitude Scores Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Pediatricians for Eye Care of Children: A Personal Survey in Saudi Arabia.

To review the level, determinants, and sources of knowledge (K), attitude (A), and practice (P) of pediatricians regarding eye care of children in Saudi Arabia in 2024. In this cross-sectional survey, 120 pediatricians from central Saudi Arabia were invited to participate in a one-on-one study. A questionnaire included demographic and work profiles, 20 questions on knowledge, five on attitude, and five on practices. Responses were graded using a Likert scale. Median scores were associated with independent variables. We surveyed 113 pediatricians. The excellent knowledge, attitude, and practice grades were 78.8%, 30.1%, and 41.6% of participants, respectively. The knowledge score was not associated with any demographic variable. The attitude score was associated with the younger age group (P = 0.03), seniority (P = 0.001), and higher knowledge score (P = 0.01). The practice score was associated with females (P = 0.02) and hospitals with eye departments (P = 0.001), who underwent eye care training (P = 0.004), knowledge score (P < 0.001), and A score (P = 0.001). Reading journals, attending conferences, and eye care workshops were current sources of knowledge. However, the desired sources were eye care, which should be included in the curriculum, Google and PubMed searches, and interactions with ophthalmologists. Pediatricians' high level of knowledge of eye care is promising. However, based on the demography variations noted, their attitude and practices need strengthening. Policies for eye screening and referrals from pediatricians to ophthalmologists may be discussed in conferences, workshops, and policy documents. Knowledge should be disseminated using the modes preferred by pediatricians.

Effects of Simulated Patient Practice on attitudes towards communication skills training of medical students: An intervention study

Communication is a basic clinical skill that can be learned, taught, and evaluated. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of medical faculty sophomore students toward the communication skills training module consists theory courses and simulated patient interviews. This study was planned in a before-and-after intervention study and was carried out with 257 second-year medical students. The Communication Skills Attitude Scale (CSAS) was used for data collection. The scale was administered to the participants before the training (1), after the training (2), and after the simulated patient interviews (3). Positive attitude scores (PAS 1,2,3), and negative attitude scores (NAS 1,2,3) were evaluated. The mean age of the students was 20.13±2.13 years, and 133 (51.8%) were female. PAS 1 and PAS 3 scores were 55.38±6.58 and 58.05±7.39, respectively, while NAS 1 and 3 scores were 30.25±4.49 and 28.88±4.96, respectively. PAS 3 was considerably higher than PAS 1 and 2 scores (p=.03), at the same time NAS 3 was significantly lower than NAS 1 and 2 scores (p=.00). There was no difference between the positive and negative attitudes of females and males before the training (p&gt;.05). However, after the training, female's positive scores significantly increased compared to men (p=.03), and their negative scores decreased (p=.01).

Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers of oncology nurses in promoting physical activity in cancer survivors: a cross-sectional survey in China

PurposeTo explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Chinese nurses in promoting physical activity among cancer survivors and the relationships between these attributes and to identify the factors hindering nurses’ clinical practice.MethodsNurses from oncology-related departments of 10 public tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province completed self-administered questionnaires that included information about demographics; knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physical activity promotion; and barriers to clinical practice. The STROBE statement for observational studies was applied.ResultsA total of 502 valid questionnaires were obtained. The average standardized scores of knowledges, attitudes, and practice were 75.33%, 82.36%, and 62.60%, respectively. Oncology specialist nurses and nurses who had received relevant training had higher levels of knowledge, nurses from general hospitals reported higher levels of practice, and nurses who had learned the relevant guidelines were better in terms of knowledge, attitude, and level of practice. Attitude had a statistically significant mediating effect between knowledge and practice. Lack of time, lack of multidisciplinary clinical teams, and lack of clear guidelines were the most frequently reported barriers to practice.ConclusionIn China, nurses have a moderate level of knowledge and practice in promoting physical activity among cancer survivors, but a positive attitude. Numerous barrier factors present challenges in nurses’ clinical practice. Attitude plays a partial mediating role between knowledge and practice.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward nutrition support and management among hemodialysis patients

Nutrition support is an important care component for patients on hemodialysis. Also, patient self-management is important to maintaining proper nutritional intake during hemodialysis. This cross-sectional study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards nutrition support and management among hemodialysis patients treated at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January and March 2023. Among 445 (95.91%) valid questionnaires, 58.43% were filled out by male patients. The knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 11.44 ± 1.80 (possible range: 0–13), 30.29 ± 3.22 (possible range: 8–40), and 31.27 ± 5.67 (possible range: 8–40), respectively. Age > 60 years (OR = 0.487, 95%CI: 0.260–0.913, P = 0.025) and junior college or undergraduate or above (OR = 2.606, 95%CI: 1.621–4.189, P < 0.001) were independently associated with adequate knowledge. The knowledge (OR = 1.151, 95%CI: 1.024–1.294, P = 0.018) and female gender (OR = 0.632, 95%CI: 0.419–0.953, P = 0.029) were independently associated with positive attitude. The knowledge (OR = 1.404, 95%CI: 1.221–1.614, P < 0.001), attitude (OR = 1.146, 95%CI: 1.069–1.227, P < 0.001), age 51–60 years (OR = 1.879, 95%CI: 1.093–3.229, P = 0.022), and BMI of 24.0–27.9 kg/m2 (OR = 0.434, 95%CI: 0.269–0.700, P = 0.001) were independently associated with proactive practice. Hemodialysis patients showed adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practice; however, there were also several gaps in knowledge and misconceptions regarding proper nutritional self-management. Accordingly, addressing these gaps and misconceptions through carefully designed and effectively implemented education is crucial for providing comprehensive guidance on optimal nutrition and self-management strategies.

Knowledge and Attitude of General Dentists, Senior Dental Students, and Orthodontic Residents Toward Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The main objective of this study was to compare the knowledge and attitude of general dentists, senior dental students, and orthodontic residents toward obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A questionnaire was designed and administered among 73 senior dental students, 84 general dentists, and 50 orthodontic residents. The questionnaire asked for demographic information of the participants and assessed their knowledge and attitude toward OSA. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by experts. Data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni tests using SPSS (α = 0.05). The mean knowledge scores of general dentists and senior dental students were significantly lower than those of orthodontic residents (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the knowledge score of senior dental students and general dentists (p = 1). The mean knowledge score was significantly higher in dentists with 1-3 years of professional clinical experience (p = 0.02). The knowledge score was the highest in dentists working in private clinics followed by private offices and public clinics. The mean attitude score was the highest in orthodontic residents followed by general dentists and dental students. There was no significant difference in attitude based on the attended university, age, or time of graduation. According to the results, general dentists had insufficient knowledge about OSA, which could result in under-diagnosis or misdiagnosis of patients with OSA. This finding highlights the need for further education and training for dentists to properly identify and refer OSA patients to orthodontists or sleep specialists.

Knowledge, Aptitude, and Practice Study Regarding Modifiable Factors Among Females Diagnosed With PCOS

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a lifelong endocrine disorder affecting reproductive, metabolic, and psychological health. Despite its prevalence, especially in South Asian populations, awareness of lifestyle modifications for managing PCOS remains inadequate.Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding modifiable factors such as exercise among women diagnosed with PCOS in Pakistan.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months at the Divisional Head Quarter Hospital in Gujranwala, Pakistan, involving 255 women aged 18-45 years diagnosed with PCOS. Data were collected using a self-designed Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation were used for analysis.Results: The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 18.16 (SD = 3.56), 8.45 (SD = 2.66), and 6.57 (SD = 1.74), respectively. 44.31% of participants had poor practice habits, and only 2.7% had been referred to physiotherapists. Emotional distress was common, with 35.3% reporting anxiety.Conclusion: Despite moderate knowledge and favorable attitudes, the adoption of lifestyle modifications for PCOS management is low. A multidisciplinary approach integrating physiotherapy and psychological support is needed to improve health outcomes for women with PCOS.

Effectiveness of Interventions on Habits Among University Staff in Southeastern Iran

Background: Health-promoting environments are a key focus of the Ottawa Strategic Charter, which aims to enhance health in the workplace and reduce unhealthy behaviors among employees. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of health-promoting interventions on the habits of university staff in Southeastern Iran. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted from 2020 to 2021 in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran. A total of 254 administrative staff from the University of Medical Sciences and Sistan &amp; Balochistan University were selected using available randomized methods and divided into control and intervention groups. The study instrument was a researcher-designed questionnaire, which demonstrated a content validity ratio (CVR) of 0.8, a Content Validity Index (CVI) ranging from 0.83 to 0.97, and an internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.85. The questionnaire was distributed online via the Porsline platform. For the intervention, training sessions were conducted online, and the session files and training booklet were made available to intervention group staff through the university's education system. A post-test was administered one month after the pretest. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software, with pretest results adjusted using chi-square and ANCOVA statistical tests. Results: The study found that the mean age of participants was 40.5 ± 7.4 years. Scores for employee knowledge, attitude, and behavior were 80.0 ± 16.4, 86.6 ± 22.8, and 80.8 ± 17.6, respectively. The most significant factors influencing attitudes were education (P &lt; 0.001) and health status (P = 0.001). Type of employment (P = 0.025), work experience (P = 0.017), and health status (P = 0.037) were also significantly associated with behavior. After adjusting for pretest results, there were significant differences between the intervention and control groups in terms of scores for knowledge, attitude, and behavior (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The study concluded that employees with correct attitudes and healthy behaviors reported better health outcomes. Additionally, educational interventions effectively improved staff knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. To enhance health status, reduce employee disability, decrease absenteeism, and increase organizational productivity, it is recommended to plan and implement workplace health promotion programs focused on employees.

Use of the Omaha System nursing model on nutritional status outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients.

To construct and apply a risk screening and intervention system for malnutrition in peritoneal dialysis patients based on the Omaha System. A total of 75 peritoneal dialysis patients were randomly divided into control (38 cases) and intervention group (37 cases). The control group received routine operation training and health education, and the intervention group implemented a nutritional management plan based on the Omaha System. The modified quantitative subjective comprehensive nutritional scale (MQSGA) score, kidney disease dietary compliance attitude (RAAQ) and behavior (RABQ) score, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PA), and hemoglobin (Hb) were observed. Before intervention, there was no significant difference in these indicators between the two groups (p>0.05). After 6months, the MQSGA score in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). RAAQ score and RABQ score in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group and (p<0.05), and the nutritional indicators in the intervention group, such as BMI, ALB, PA, and Hb, were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). A nutritional management plan based on the Omaha System can help improve the nutrition condition of peritoneal dialysis patients, and improve the dietary compliance of chronic kidney disease patients.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients at Medical Palestinian Complex, Ramallah

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a worldwide growing burden. Diabetes and its complications constitute a major morbidity burden among the Palestinian population. The main aim of this study was to document the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of diabetic patients towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. This cross-sectional study was conducted over two months at a Medical Palestinian Complex (PMC) outpatient clinic in Ramallah. Fifty diabetic patients were included in the study, and the KAP of patients was assessed using a verbally administered questionnaire. Patients were placed in different categories, such as "good/poor" knowledge, "positive/negative" attitude, and "good/poor" practice. The study involved 50 participants, primarily male, with an average age of 54 years. Overall, knowledge and attitude scores regarding diabetes and diabetic retinopathy were found to be poor, while practice scores were suboptimal for diabetes and poor for diabetic retinopathy. The main barrier to regular follow-up was inadequate knowledge about the importance of eye check-ups. While there was no significant difference in knowledge or attitude towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, participants with higher education levels and income demonstrated better practice scores. Additionally, a positive attitude towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy was associated with better diabetes practice. KAP regarding DM and DR were generally poor among the patients. So, there is an urgent need to improve education and awareness of DM and DR among diabetics, as it is a powerful tool for controlling the disease and its complications by improving patient compliance with treatment and follow-up.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 prevention among indigenous population in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant challenge to humanity, especially marginalized groups such as indigenous people. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 prevention among the indigenous population in Lipis district, Pahang, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the indigenous population and the data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a validated questionnaire. The mean score of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 2.35 (SD 1.104), 32.84 (SD 4.756), and 9.64 (SD 3.227), respectively. In the bivariable analysis, the younger the age (p < 0.001), and the higher the education level (p = 0.001) of the participants, the higher the knowledge score on COVID-19. Meanwhile, the female participants (p = 0.043) and the higher the household income, the higher the attitude score of the participants (p = 0.006). Factors that contributed to a higher score of practice towards COVID-19 prevention were younger age (p = 0.013), female (p < 0.001), no religion (p = 0.026), unemployed (p < 0.001), and higher household income (p = 0.012). There was a positive correlation between knowledge score and practice score (p = 0.001) and a positive correlation between attitude score and practice score (p < 0.001), respectively. Multivariable regression analysis showed that the younger age (p < 0.001) was significantly associated with a higher knowledge score. Furthermore, female (p = 0.018), unemployed (p = 0.001), higher knowledge score (p < 0.001), and higher attitude score (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a higher score of practice towards COVID-19 prevention among the participants, respectively. Indigenous people in Malaysia have a good knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19. However, strategic planning and programmes related to preventive practices against infectious disease outbreaks need to be conducted continuously to reduce the outbreaks in the future.

Awareness of down syndrome screening among educated Muslim women is associated with a favorable attitude toward testing

ObjectiveThere is a general assumption that Muslim women refuse Down syndrome screening, and therefore, many health practitioners do not offer it or briefly discuss it with their participants. This study aims to objectively assess women’s awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward Down Syndrome screening (D.S.S) in a Muslim-majority population.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among attendees of antenatal clinics at a major university hospital in Saudi Arabia, aiming for a sample size of at least 385 Muslim women. A semi-structured questionnaire assessed awareness of different D.S.S. options and the source of that information (2 items), specific knowledge of D.S.S. (14 items), and attitudes (4 items). The knowledge and attitudes scores were calculated using a five-level agreement Likert-type scale.ResultsAmong 434 participants, with an even distribution among all age groups and a majority of a college degree holder or higher (71%), 178 (41.0%) reported awareness of D.S.S. Factors associated with increased awareness were maternal age above 40 or those under 30, nulliparity, and extended family history of fetal congenital anomalies (P-value = 0.03,0.015, and 0.017, respectively). Recognized tests were ultrasound measurement of nuchal translucency (71.9%) and first-trimester serum screening (58.4%). The sources of knowledge were obstetricians (53.9%), followed by family and friends (27.0%). The overall mean ± SD knowledge score was 53.9 ± 8.7 out of 70, and the mean attitude score was 17.4 ± 2.9 out of 20. Having 1 or 2 children is associated with a higher knowledge score, and most participants who reported awareness of D.S.S. (51.7%) had a favorable attitude toward screening.ConclusionAwareness of D.S.S. among Muslim women is associated with favorable attitudes towards testing, contradicting the general assumption and highlighting the need for systematic education to increase awareness and subsequent testing uptake.

Empowering precision medicine: Insights from a national survey on pharmacogenomics knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions among community pharmacists in the UAE

BackgroundCommunity pharmacists are essential to pharmacogenomics implementation because they can help trainers, clinical advisors, and other medical professionals understand the importance of pharmacogenomics and encourage them to use it in their practice. This study is to evaluate the community pharmacists' understanding, attitudes, and perceptions of pharmacogenomics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). MethodsProfessionals employed at community pharmacies in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates participated in a cross-sectional study design. From July 2023 to February 2024, five pharmacy students in their last year conducted the survey. The study team employed a structured questionnaire to collect data in addition to conducting in-person interviews. The study questionnaire comprised three distinct sections namely, demographic information, knowledge of pharmacogenomics concepts, and perceptions regarding pharmacogenomics. ResultsA total of 586 pharmacists enrolled in the study. The average knowledge score regarding pharmacogenomics was 75.1 % with a 95 % confidence interval (CI) of [72.4 %, 77.7 %]. The average attitude score toward pharmacogenomics was 67.5 % with a 95 % CI of [66.3 %, 68.7 %]. Better pharmacogenomics knowledge among several groups: independent pharmacies (OR 1.7; 95 % CI 1.2–2.4), Pharmacists in Charge (OR 1.4; 95 % CI 1.3–2.02), pharmacists with 11–15 years of experience (OR 2.1; 95 % CI 1.4–4.2), graduates from international universities (OR 4.6; 95 % CI 1.6–12.9), and those who received training on pharmacogenomics (OR 11.9; 95 % CI 3.3–14.5). Similarly, better attitude scores were observed among independent pharmacies (OR 1.5; 95 % CI 1.1–2.1), Pharmacists in Charge (OR 1.5; 95 % CI 1.07–2.1), pharmacists with 16–20 years of experience (OR 2.1; 95 % CI 1.16–3.7), graduates regional universities (OR 1.47; 95 % CI 1.05–2.1), and those who received training on pharmacogenomics (OR 4.8; 95 % CI 3.2–7.3). ConclusionThe positive attitudes toward pharmacogenomics that we found in our research indicate that community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates are beginning to realize the potential advantages of pharmacogenomics in terms of improving patient care. Policies ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of genetic information are also necessary in considering concerns about the availability of genetic test results to insurance companies and potential employers.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards tuberculosis: results of a community-based survey in the Karamoja subregion, North Eastern Uganda

BackgroundThe Karamoja subregion in north-eastern Uganda has very high Tuberculosis (TB)case notification rates and, until recently, had suboptimal treatment completion rates among patients diagnosed with TB. We evaluated community knowledge, attitudes and practices towards Tuberculosis in order to identify barriers to TB control in this region.MethodsFrom September to October 2022, we conducted a community-based survey in four districts in the Karamoja subregion. We collected data on TB knowledge, attitudes, and practices using a structured electronic questionnaire. We generated knowledge, attitude and practice scores. We used a survey-weighted zero-truncated modified Poisson model to assess the association between knowledge/attitude scores and respondents’ characteristics and a complementary log-log model to assess the association between practice scores and respondents’ characteristics. Data analysis was carried out using STATA version 14.ResultsA total of 1927 respondents were interviewed. Of these, 55.5% were female, and 1320 (68.6%) had no formal education. Overall, 68.5% 95% CI (59.6–76.7%) had knowledge scores of ≥ 60%. Higher TB knowledge scores were associated with being employed (adjusted prevalence ratio, aPR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.04–1.42, p = 0.01) while being a wife in a household was associated with lower TB knowledge (aPR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.99, p = 0.03). Being 25–34 years old was associated with a positive attitude towards TB (PR = 1.06, 1.01–1.11, p = 0.01). Over 85% of respondents would go to the health facility immediately if they had TB signs and symptoms. Almost all respondents (98.6%) would start TB treatment immediately if diagnosed with the disease.ConclusionMore than two thirds of patients had good knowledge and practices towards TB which can be leveraged to improve uptake of TB control interventions in the region. Additional interventions to improve TB knowledge and practice should focus on specific segments within the communities e.g., older women in the households.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Nursing Staff Toward Patients Who Attempted Suicide at Tertiary Care Hospital of Central Gujarat, India

Background: Looking at the alarming increase in the incidence of attempted suicide worldwide, having adequate expertise in managing people with attempted suicide is imperative. Therefore, healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, must be provided training exclusively on managing patients with attempted suicide and preventing suicide in the near and distant future. Nursing staff play a major role as a point of first contact for suicide survivors, and therefore, it is of utmost importance that they are adequately trained and knowledgeable in this area. To understand their knowledge, the authors decided to do this study to measure knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among nurses in suicide survivors. Aim: The aim of this article was to study the KAP of nursing staff toward patients with suicide attempts. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted among nursing staff. All nurses ( n = 300) were approached in small groups between July and November 2023 via a convenient sampling. Written informed consent from participants was taken. The semi-structured questionnaire included sociodemographic details, their professional experience, their training and experience in managing suicidal patients, and KAP questions. The KAP questions were on patients with suicide attempts and were derived from the suicide knowledge and skill questionnaire (SKSQ), suicide attitude questionnaire, and practice guidelines of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Data was analyzed by using MS Excel version 6.2.14. Result: In this study, a total of 200 nursing staff participated. The majority were female (80%), with a mean age of 37 years and a mean professional experience of 12 years. Out of all participants, 68% had experience managing patients with suicide attempts, but only 27% of them were trained in suicide prevention. The mean score of knowledge and attitude among study participants were 65.25/100 and 3.24/5, respectively. Nursing staff had higher scores in questions of suicide risk assessment and statements related to attitudes like “they deserve respect in society.” In practice assessment, more than 80 % of nurses were keenly observant, empathetic, and nonstigmatized for hospitalized patients of suicide attempts. The nurses took measures like restricting access to harmful objects (medicines, sharp objects) and giving medicines under supervision. Conclusion: The nursing staff had adequate knowledge, a nonstigmatized attitude, and appropriate clinical practices toward patients with suicide attempts, but they lacked formal training. So, hands-on training for suicide management at regular intervals is the need of the hour.

The effectiveness of a disaster preparedness educational intervention for wheelchair users: A pilot study

ObjectiveThis pilot study aimed to test the effectiveness of disaster preparedness education for wheelchair users and improve their self-management skills during emergencies. MethodsA pre-post self-controlled experimental study was conducted. The intervention included one educational session covering the following: (1) Knowledge about local frequent disasters,. (2) Development of a tailored disaster preparedness plan for wheelchair users. (3) Preparation of a disaster kit. The methods included lectures, discussions, and scenario responses to disasters. Disaster preparedness knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were assessed before, after and one month follw-up intervention. Results20 wheelchair users with average age of 41.2 ± 7.68. Most of them reported proficiency in wheelchair using. The educational intervention significantly improved knowledge and attitude scores post-intervention, with knowledge scores rising from 8.00 ± 2.25 to 13.85 ± 0.37 and attitude scores from 47.05 ± 6.45 to 52.30 ± 3.87. At the one-month follow-up, there was a slight regression in knowledge(11.00 ± 1.65) and attitude scores(50.70 ± 3.94) but still significantly higher than pre-intervention levels. Behavior scores were assessed only at pre and follow-up measurement points, with an increasing trend from 3.60 ± 1.93 to 8.60 ± 2.89, indicating sustained improvement in disaster preparedness behaviors. The study highlights the need for sustainable intervention methods due to the observed decline in knowledge retention and attitude over time. ConclusionThe tailored disaster preparedness education for wheelchair users significantly improved their knowledge, fostered positive attitudes, and encouraged proactive behaviors in response to disasters. To sustain these positive outcomes, ongoing educational reinforcement and periodic updates are essential, especially for vulnerable populations like wheelchair users.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Food Handlers Toward Food-Borne Infections; A Survey During War

Background: food safety knowledge attitude and practice among food handlers during war catastrophe are important measures in the prevention of food borne diseases outbreaks. Aim: to assess knowledge attitude and practice of food handlers toward food borne infections. Method: a cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted within one months. It involved 36 food handlers in different positions. Total sampling was done. Data were collected by interview-based questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS version 27.0. Results: the total score of the employee’s level of knowledge was (414 / 63.8%) points which indicate moderate level. The score of attitudes was (253 / 63.8%) points that reported moderate level of attitude also. (497 / 23%) points were scored for the practice, and poor level was showed. Conclusion: Ministry of health should consider these factors for enhancing food handlers’ knowledge and increase training and supervision on food safety practices to reduce foodborne diseases and outbreaks.

Jordanian Population's Perception and Understanding of Psoriasis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease with a 2-3% prevalence. As with other diseases with cutaneous manifestations, psoriasis patients suffer from psychological issues and social isolation. The general population's misconceptions and prejudicial attitudes toward those patients are highly implicated in ensuing psychological issues. Accordingly, this study is the first to investigate the Jordanian population's knowledge about and attitude toward psoriasis. Methods Our cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire that 1,306 participants from the Jordanian population completed. The questionnaire constituted four sections addressing the sociodemographic characteristics, previous exposure to psoriasis, knowledge about psoriasis, and attitudes toward psoriasis. The data analysis was conducted using R and RStudio packages. Results The averages and standard deviations of knowledge and attitude scores of the total sample were 7.54 ± 2.38 and 3.45 ± 9.22, respectively. When further classified into categories, 73.81% appeared in the moderate knowledge category. Moreover, 61.49% had a positive total attitude score. Among the common misconceptions identified were thinking that psoriasis is a hereditary disease (30.09%), denying that psoriasis increases the risk of diabetes (51.68%) and heart disease (67.69%), and not knowing that it affects the social life of patients (26.11%). Of the prominent negative attitudes observed were those related to the intimate relationship status and sharing a swimming pool with a psoriasis patient. Conclusions Although the Jordanian population's overall knowledge level appeared sufficient, some critical misconceptions were identified. Moreover, this research revealed a high prevalence of negative attitudes toward psoriasis among the Jordanian public. Future research could link every negative behavior to their exact triggering misconception. This may further assist in the institutional effort to combat discriminatory behaviors.

Academia's Role in Climate Action: Enhancing Awareness and Reducing Environmental Impact of Academic Events

A clean environment is vital for both population health and the well-being of our planet (Brusseau et al., 2019). In-person gatherings, like academic conferences, significantly contribute to carbon emissions that harm the environment, highlighting the importance of finding opportunities to reduce these emissions (Tao et al., 2021). Cognizant of the environmental cost of our annual national in-person research team gathering, our team sought to minimize the environmental impact of our 2023 gathering while raising awareness among team members. Our actions included using reusable tableware, composting food waste, and hosting an education session by the local environment office. Not only did our efforts increase awareness among gathering attendees about the importance of considering environmental impact reduction opportunities in their work, but they also catalyzed similar efforts at two national conferences. Our team took the lead in developing an evaluation of the environmental impact of each national conference and surveyed over 150 conference attendees. We collected demographic information, travel mode to the conference, and attitudes about environmental harms via a digital conference application. We also observed environmental actions implemented by event organizers and venue hosts. A carbon emission score and frequency distributions of attitudes surrounding the environment were calculated. Where possible, a food waste assessment was conducted. Findings showed that event organizers made efforts to minimize the environmental impact of their event by selecting a venue whose management was interested in collaborating; by encouraging attendees to carpool and use reusable water bottles; by serving plant-based meals, and by minimizing single-use products. Findings also revealed that most conference attendees consider it important to reduce the environmental impact of their professional lives. Given the value of face-to-face interaction in facilitating knowledge exchange (Chan et al., 2023), it is important that organizers continue to make efforts to reduce carbon emissions when planning events.

Exploring pharmacists' attitude, willingness and barriers to provide extended community pharmacy services: Implications for improved pharmacy services.

This study aimed to evaluate pharmacists' attitude and willingness to provide extended community pharmacy services (ECPS), the barriers to ECPS, and the factors associated with attitude and willingness to implement ECPS. In this cross-sectional study, a validated, self-administered questionnaire was distributed online to community pharmacists across the United Arab Emirates between September and November 2023. In addition to sociodemographic data, the questionnaire evaluated attitudes toward ECPS, willingness to provide ECPS, and barriers to its implementation. Binary logistic regression was conducted to explore the factors associated with attitude and willingness to implement ECPS. The study included 409 pharmacists. Over half of the participants reported below the median attitude (58.7%) and willingness (59.4%) scores. Female pharmacists had a lower attitude towards ECPS (OR = 0.425, 95%CI: 0.242-0.747). Higher number of daily prescriptions (OR = 1.066, 95%CI: 1.029-1.105) and being a Pharm D graduate (OR = 2.664, 95%CI: 1.439-4.932) were associated with higher willingness to provide ECPS, while an increased number of employed pharmacists (OR = 0.518, 95%CI: 0.397-0.676) was associated with a lower willingness (OR = 0.049, 95%CI: 0.004-0.660). Patients' preoccupation (76.5%), lack of specific training (76.3%), lack of clinical problem-solving skills (74.6%) and lack of a private consultation room (74.6%) were the most commonly reported barriers to ECPS. Community pharmacists demonstrated unsatisfactory levels of attitude and willingness towards ECPS provision. Therefore, providing training and education programs that enhance pharmacists' perception and willingness to implement ECPS and emphasize improving clinical problem-solving skills, as well as setting up specific private consultation rooms, is deemed necessary. Female pharmacy graduates, pharmacists dispensing fewer daily prescriptions, and those working with a higher number of employed pharmacists should be specifically targeted when implementing these strategies.

Latent Profile Analysis of Pressure Injury Knowledge Levels Among Nursing Staff in Tertiary General Hospitals.

Aims/Background The prevalence of pressure injuries (PIs) is a widely used clinical indicator of patient safety and quality of care. Nurses' understanding of pressure injury (PI) can significantly impact the treatment outcomes for patients. This study, based on latent profile analysis (LPA), reveals the characteristics associated with PI knowledge levels among clinical nurses in district and county tertiary medical institutions. We aim to help nursing managers formulate training plans accurately so that clinical nurses can provide high-level skin care services for patients. Method In June 2023, 1482 nurse staff from 4 tertiary general hospitals at the district and county level in Chengdu were chosen as research subjects using the convenience sampling method. Responses to the general information questionnaire, the Chinese Version of Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool (C-PUKAT), and the Chinese Version of Attitude towards Pressure ulcer Prevention (C-APuP) were used to compare the population's characteristics based on LPA. Results Three latent profiles of nurses' PI knowledge were identified: weak foundation type (46.3%), strengthening foundation type (42.7%), and special improvement type (11.0%). Subjects' departments, administrative positions, highest degrees and PI prevention attitude scores, as well as whether they have participated in the training, all differed significantly between latent profile groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion The PI knowledge level of nursing staff at the district and county tertiary general hospitals requires urgent improvement. Nursing managers should prioritize the management level and quality of PI training among clinical nursing staff. Precise training programs can be developed based on different categories of nursing staff to enhance their PI knowledge, thereby effectively improving the quality of healthcare for inpatients.