Focus Group Discussion Sessions Research Articles

Conceptualisation and validating benefidonors model in Waqf

Waqf movement in Malaysia has a long history since the colonization era with plenty of innovations being practiced by waqf managers. The literatures have highlighted on the performance of waqf as a social finance instrument with transformational impacts to the economic wellbeing of the beneficiaries. There is a considerable gap between the cyclic impact on the transformation of waqf beneficiaries into donors that needs to be highlighted. The main aim of the study is to conceptualize and validate the beneficiaries-donors model which evolved from the perspective of mutual assistance (ta’awun) prosumers, consumerchant, and volunteer. The study adopts a three-phase qualitative approach. The proposed model on Benefidonors is the result of the first stage, which involved content analysis of literature data. Data was also obtained via Focus Group Discussions (FGD) in the second step of creating and confirming the model. Three different groups of participants, namely donors, beneficiaries, and mutawalli, participated in three different sessions of FGD using MS Teams. The third stage is model validation where the participants have validated the model through a few series of FGD. The participants were given a conceptual model to see whether the new term introduced, "Benefidonors," could be accepted or require further refinement. The new term coined, Benefidonors concept, suggests for a transformational cyclic impact of the major players in the waqf activism. The major output of this paper is the validated term “Benefidonors” which is a hybrid word, derived from the word, “Beneficiaries” and “Donors”. The “Benefidonors” promotes towards “share more”, “use more” and “donate more” for waqf ecosystem using the concept of mutual assistance (ta’awun) prosumers, consumerchant and volunteer. The finding of this research shows that the new term "Benefidonors," even though it is still emerging and requiring efforts for exposure and branding, is inherently practiced, being aware of and known in the community, but it needs a systematic design and strategic arrangement for further expansion.

Students' perception on flipped classroom in contrast to live demonstration for teaching orthodontic wire-bending skills: A focus group study.

This study aimed to explore students' perceptions of flipped classroom (FC) compared to live demonstration (LD) in transferring skills of fabricating orthodontic wire components for orthodontic removable appliances. Forty third-year undergraduate dental students were randomly assigned to two groups: FC (n=20) and LD (n=20). Students in group FC attended FC, while students in group LD attended LD. Both groups underwent a series of standardized teaching sessions to acquire skills in fabricating six types of orthodontic wire components. Eight students (four high achievers and four low achievers) from each group were randomly selected to attend separate focus group discussion (FGD) sessions. Students' perceptions on the strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improvement on each teaching method were explored. Audio and video recordings of FGD were transcribed and thematically analyzed using NVivo version 12 software. Promoting personalized learning, improvement in teaching efficacy, inaccuracy of three-dimensional demonstration from online video, and lack of standardization among instructors and video demonstration were among the themes identified. Similarly, lack of standardization among instructors was one of the themes identified for LD, in addition to other themes such as enabling immediate clarification and vantage point affected by seating arrangement and class size. In conclusion, FC outperformed LD in fostering personalized learning and improving the efficacy of physical class time. LD was more advantageous than FC in allowing immediate question and answer. However, seating arrangement and class size affected LD in contrast to FC.

Significance Of Student's Feedback In The Development Of Dental Curriculum: A Qualitative Study

Objective:
 The objective of this study is to understand the significance of student’s feedback as a stakeholder so that we can incorporate their feedback in the development of Dental Curriculum.
 Methods:
 A qualitative explorative study was done a; duration was 6 months i.e. from 6th Feb to 18th Aug 2017. We conducted a two session focus group discussion (FGD) with likewise graded students as per their exam scores i.e. high achieving (75-85%) and low achieving groups (55-66%) in Oral Biology. A total of 14 students took part in the Focus Group Discussion FGD sessions.
 Results:
 Six common themes on which students expressed their reservations are as follows;
 
 i) Teaching approach, ii) Issues regarding 1st year BDS education, iii) Teachers/Students collaboration, iv) Faculty qualification/experience status, v) Impact of student’s input in curriculum development and vi) Absence of collaborative sessions.
 
 All these points that were emphasized by the student’s feedback about curriculum, teachers and assessment modes are critical for better learning.
 Conclusion:
 As per our study findings, integrating multiple teaching approaches and emphasizing on students feedback is significant for dental curriculum development.

Co-designing a pedagogical framework and principles for a hybrid STEM learning environment design

The importance of engaging and effective learning environments for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has been internationally recognised. However, no comprehensive pedagogical frameworks exist that support STEM learning environment design. In this study, a pedagogical framework and principles for STEM learning environment design were created based on participatory focus groups involving 10–18-year-old students, teachers, school directors, parents, university students and STEM professionals. Representatives of key stakeholder groups in Belarus, Finland, Germany, Greece and Spain (total n = 132) were invited to focus group discussions in which their wishes related to the pedagogical framework were collected. A second focus group discussion session, engaging the same stakeholder groups (total n = 137), was implemented to validate the framework. A final review for the framework and its design principles was conducted in online focus group sessions, involving 20 experts in curriculum, STEM, educational policy and/or educational technology from all participant countries. The co-designed framework, which is strengthened by the research literature, entails the following design principle categories: (1) General principles, (2) Cross-curricular skills, (3) Ways of teaching and learning, (4) Socio-emotional aspects and (5) Educational compatibility. The design principles created in this study have been employed in developing a hybrid (virtual, physical, formal, non-formal and informal) STEM environment, but they can be employed in any (STEM) learning environment design. Instead of focusing on singular design principles, we recommend considering a wide range of different design principles in order to support multiple ways of teaching and learning and to develop both subject-related and cross-curricular competencies.

Realist Evaluation of the "Abiye" Safe Motherhood Initiative in Nigeria: Unveiling the Black-Box of Program Implementation and Health System Strengthening.

Realist evaluation studies have spanned different aspects of medicine, especially in the field of public health. However, very few of these studies explicitly detailed how program implementation triggered outcomes that could strengthen understanding of its effect on Health System Strengthening in specific settings. In low- and middle-income countries, like Nigeria, there is a paucity of realist evaluation studies, despite the implementation of multiple intervention programs and projects in these countries. This article is aimed at unveiling the black-box of program implementation and Health System Strengthening of the "Abiye" Safe Motherhood Program in Ondo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it identified the role of contextual factors in the "Abiye" program in Ondo State, determined the mechanisms that facilitated or constrained outcomes of the "Abiye" program, and developed a Context Mechanism Outcome (CMO) Configuration from which a Middle Range Theory (MRT) can be framed. This was qualitative research structured along with the realist domains (Context, Mechanism, and Outcome). The Initial Program Theory was validated by the qualitative study, after which a new MRT was developed. The study population comprised key stakeholders, secondary stakeholders, and primary stakeholders in the Abiye safe motherhood program. Data was collected through 10 key informant interviews, 28 in-depth interviews, and six focus group discussions sessions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze all the qualitative data collected, and seven themes with 19 subthemes emerged in the study. We identified 13 contextual factors under five principal areas, with most of the factors playing enabling roles, some playing inhibitory roles, while very few played both roles. We elicited eight mechanisms, and some of these facilitated the outcomes, while some constrained the outcomes of the program. Health system strengthening was a key feature of the outcome of the program. We developed a middle-range theory based on the 6 CMO configurations we elicited from the study. Realist evaluation is an iterative process that looks beyond the surface to generate evidence. By applying the realist approach, we generated pieces of evidence that can be adapted for policymaking in public health interventions in LMIC.

The development of empathy in the healthcare setting: a qualitative approach

BackgroundHealthcare professionals’ empathetic behaviors have been known to lead to higher satisfaction levels and produce better health outcomes for patients. However, empathy could decrease over time especially during training and clinical practice. This study explored factors that contributed to the development of empathy in the healthcare setting. Findings could be used to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of empathy training.MethodA qualitative approach, informed by aspects of grounded theory, was utilized to identify factors that enabled the development of empathy from the perspectives of doctors, nurses, allied healthcare workers and students. Twelve sessions of focus group discussions were conducted with 60 participants from two hospitals, a medical school, and a nursing school. Data was analyzed independently by three investigators who later corroborated to refine the codes, subthemes, and themes. Factors which influence the development of empathy were identified and categorized. This formed the basis of the creation of a tentative theory of empathy development for the healthcare setting.ResultsThe authors identified various personal (e.g. inherent characteristics, physiological and mental states, professional identity) and external (e.g. work environment, life experience, situational stressors) factors that affected the development of empathy. These could be further categorized into three groups based on the stability of their impact on the individuals’ empathy state, contributed by high, medium, or low stability factors. Findings suggest empathy is more trait-like and stable in nature but is also susceptible to fluctuation depending on the circumstances faced by healthcare professionals. Interventions targeting medium and low stability factors could potentially promote the development of empathy in the clinical setting.ConclusionsUnderstanding factors that impact the development of empathy allows us to develop measures that could be implemented during training or at the workplace leading to improve the quality of care and higher clinical work satisfaction.

Factors affecting family planning literacy among women of childbearing age in the rural Lake zone, Tanzania

BackgroundLow uptake of various recommended modern family planning methods is associated with inadequate family planning literacy among potential beneficiaries of the methods. As such, understanding factors affecting family planning literacy is key to addressing this problem. This study, therefore, explored factors affecting family planning literacy among women of childbearing age in the rural Lake Zone of Tanzania.MethodsThe study utilized an exploratory descriptive qualitative research approach using focus group discussions to collect data. A total of eight focus group discussion sessions were held to solicit information from childbearing age women involved in the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected from the study participants.ResultsSeveral factors were found to negatively affect the family planning literacy of women of childbearing age in the communities under review. These factors were low levels of education, religious affiliation, and low family income. Other factors that were also found to negatively affect women’s family planning literacy include fertility preference, negative perceptions of family planning, preference of unproven family planning methods, limited access to reliable sources of family planning information, household responsibilities, and poor male partner support on family planning matters.ConclusionThis study has identified a multitude of factors affecting the family planning literacy of women of childbearing age. These factors can limit the women’s capacity to make informed decisions on the utilization of modern family planning methods. Thus, addressing these factors is pivotal in increasing the women’s overall uptake of various recommended family planning methods and enhancing their reproductive health outcomes.

‘Children eat all things here’: a qualitative study of mothers’ perceptions and cultural beliefs about underweight and overweight children and adolescents in selected communities in two Nigerian states

IntroductionThe perception of mothers about causes of underweight and overweight among children or adolescents and associated cultural beliefs may influence nutritional status. However, data from qualitative studies on this subject...

Mapping Linkages between Actors in Cattle Marketing Innovation System of Northeastern Nigeria

The focus of this study was to analyze and map linkages among actors in the innovation system of cattle marketing in northeastern Nigeria. Specifically, linkages/interactions between actors and those of the innovation system network were determined. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 48 respondents and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) session involving sixteen (16) participants each was conducted in three out of the four Adamawa Agricultural Development Project (AADP) zones of Adamawa State. Analytical tools used were descriptive statistics such as means, tables, and charts while the inferential statistical tool used was the Social Network Analysis (SNA). The results of the FGD interaction sessions revealed that the sixteen (16) actors had ninety-nine (99) ties in the network; these were classified into nine (9) key and seven (7) non-key actors with each group performing specific roles in the system. Furthermore, the result of the social network analysis revealed a network density of 0.83, indicating that 83% of all direct linkages were present. However, the network cohesion was 0.40, showing that only 40.0% of the connections were reciprocated, which implied that about 40% of the actors are not well connected. The result further revealed that both extension agents/Village Based Agents and the cattle dealers association had the highest degree and closeness centrality (73% and 6 links each), implying that they are the actors with more connections, closest to others and thus directly able to influence the decisions of other actors in the network; they can also be considered as the most important channels/agents for the diffusion of innovations in the system. The result of the network diagram revealed that there were strong, weak, unidirectional and reciprocal links among actors in the system. A strong link signifies high/dense interaction while a weak link signifies low/loose interaction among actors. Furthermore, unidirectional links indicate a one-way interaction/communication process while a reciprocal link signifies a feedback communication process.

Active news audience in COVID-19 pandemic season: Online news sharing motives and secondary gatekeeping decisions by social media users in Nigeria

Despite its prevalence among Nigerian online readers, the motives for, and implications of, online secondary gatekeeping – a practice where online media audiences select further fragments from published news, aggregate them and share with fellow social media users – have remained unexplored particularly as regards possible sharing of news about the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study examined the motives for online news sharing, the newsworthiness criteria applied by Nigerian social media users while selecting and sharing COVID-19-related news and implications of this practice for users’ general knowledge about the virus. Online survey with 349 social media users and five Focus Group Discussion sessions with purposively selected social media users provided data for the study. Findings show that 94.8 per cent of the respondents shared news items about confirmed cases (48.7 per cent) and recoveries (46.1 per cent), while only 5.2 per cent of the respondents shared information about COVID-19 fatalities. Apart from fact-checking stories to confirm their veracity, users applied various newsworthiness criteria such as intensity (25.2 per cent), proximity (14.0 per cent), consequence (12.3 per cent), bizarre (11.2 per cent) and personality (10.9 per cent). Findings further show that the respondents applied 44.076 times the messages they were exposed to through social media to protect themselves against COVID-19. Nigerian social media users are active online secondary gatekeepers, and exposure to COVID-19 stories through social media during the pandemic enhanced their general knowledge about the virus.

Promoting Employee Ecological Behavior Through Green Initiatives

This qualitative study looked into the initiative and practices of employee ecological behavior (EEB) among academicians. This study examined the design and deployment of green practices that unraveled entrenched, peripheral, and intermediate ecological practices. The field of inquiry involved public universities established in Malaysia. In total, 23 academicians from selected public universities across Malaysia were interviewed. Data pertaining to EEB were gathered via in-depth interviews and focus group discussion sessions. Study participants pointed out several initiatives and practices reflecting their campuses' ecological practices. Green initiatives emerged as a powerful tool that generated EEB among the participants. Exemplars and suggestions for good ecological practices were delineated, such as banking plastics at the cafeterias, adopting green cafeterias, a Car-Free Day, sustainability campaigns, and recycling. The observed practices and initiatives substantially contributed to the green campus, and the outcomes add knowledge regarding how EEB can be encouraged in HEIs.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding schistosomiasis infection and prevention: A mixed-methods study among endemic communities of western Uganda.

IntroductionIn Uganda, schistosomiasis (re)infections have continued to remain high despite the implementation of mass drug administration and sensitization campaigns aimed at controlling the disease. This could imply that there are some barriers to the implemented preventive measures. We conducted a mixed-methods study in Kagadi and Ntoroko districts around Lake Albert to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding schistosomiasis and to explore and understand perspectives regarding the disease.Materials and methodsSemi-structured survey questionnaires were administered to 337 household adults selected through systematic random sampling. We also interviewed 12 participants and held 28 focus-group discussion sessions with 251 individuals respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests for associations, while themes and sub-themes were used to analyse qualitative data respectively.FindingsA total of 98.5%, 81.3%, and 78.5% had heard about schistosomiasis, and knew the main transmission modes and symptoms, respectively. The majority (75.8%) said avoiding contact with water was a preventative way, while 67.5% said observing signs and symptoms was a form of diagnosis. Furthermore, 98.4% and 73.4% said it was important to defecate in latrines and to avoid contact with contaminated water respectively. However, it is difficult to avoid contact with lake water because it is the only source of livelihood, especially for fisher communities. Open defecation is commonly practiced along the lake due to insufficient space and difficulties in the construction of latrines. Myths and misconceptions reported include; lake water is safe, gassing in water causes transmission, fetching water early in the morning and from deep water is safe, and feces in the lake water act as a bait for catching fish.Conclusions and recommendationsDespite adequate knowledge of schistosomiasis and a positive attitude towards its prevention, existing myths and misconceptions, coupled with persistent risky water, sanitation, and hygiene practices still pose a challenge. A more robust community-based awareness intervention using bottom-up participatory approaches, accompanied by the provision of clean and safe water sources and increasing latrine coverage, could provide lasting solutions to these barriers.

CLIL implemented and scaffolded in an EFL higher education context: Engineering research methodology course

The increasing global and local demands to improve English proficiency have been a burgeoning challenge across the entire paradigm and domains. Specifically, in academia, the ability to read English research articles is of paramount importance. Meanwhile, Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) implementation has been recognized to be a successful teaching approach. This study aims to estimate the CLIL impact on enhancing the students’ English research article reading skills, enlarging their vocabulary repertoire, and boosting the students’ and instructors’ satisfaction. The focus of the study is on a “research methodology” course for engineering students in Thailand. Throughout CLIL, the language teachers and engineering teachers closely collaborated, designing course materials and developing language activities. To assess research article reading skills and vocabulary knowledge, two sets of similar pretests/posttests were administered. Then, to assess the students’ level of CLIL satisfaction, questionnaires were completed, and two separate focus group discussion sessions were conducted with the students and teachers. Test score analysis yielded a significantly enhanced output in both the content subject and English vocabulary knowledge. Additionally, questionnaire and focus group discussion data analysis indicated that both the students and teachers had positive attitudes toward CLIL instruction. Taken together, this study demonstrates that to achieve full optimization of CLIL benefits, scaffolding needs to be supplemented to accommodate individual learning contexts.

COVID-19 related perception among some community members and frontline healthcare providers for NTD control in Ghana

IntroductionThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a major breakdown of health service provision in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). COVID-19 may impact NTDs service delivery in varied ways. As the Ghana NTD programme planned to resume MDA activities, we examined the COVID-19 related perceptions and practices among some community members and frontline health workers for NTD control activities in the country.MethodsThe study was conducted in seven communities in the Ahanta West district of Ghana. This was a qualitative study using in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGDs) for data collection. Participants were purposively selected from varied backgrounds to represent both beneficiaries and service providers directly involved in NTD programme implementation. Trained and experienced qualitative data collectors conducted the FGD and IDI sessions in the local Twi language, while health worker sessions were conducted in English. Discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed directly into English. Data was analysed using an iterative process. The transcripts were pre-coded using the broad themes, entered into a computer using Microsoft Word, and then imported into the MAXQDA software for thematic content analysis to select relevant representative narratives for presentation.ResultsParticipants were aware of the COVID-19 pandemic and referred to it appropriately as ‘coronavirus’, COVID-19, and often as ‘the new disease’. Though many respondents could not describe the route of transmission, most of them reported that it is transmitted through touch or sharing of common items. They reported some signs/symptoms like fever, headache and difficulty breathing, and prevention methods like the use of hand sanitiser, washing of hands and sneezing appropriately. Respondents have reported that COVID-19 has negatively affected their daily lives by limiting their movements and therefore work. It also came to light that COVID-19 has also negatively affected the NTD programme implementation, especially mass drug administration (MDA) activities, leading to the postponement of the yearly MDA. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected clinic attendance; people are afraid that they may be tested for COVID-19 at the clinic.ConclusionCOVID-19 has negatively affected the NTD programme. Education and the provision of personal protective equipment will be required to build the confidence of frontline care providers including community drug distributors and community members in order to enhance quality service and participation in future MDA activities.

Problems, Expectations, and Recommendation in Guidelines for Implementation of COVID-19 Prevention Health Protocols in the Workplace in Bali Province; a Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Formal and informal sector worker is encouraged as the agent of change in the new normal era. They are demanded to perform adequate health measures, stay productive, and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Health protocol guidance has been issued and introduced to guide the initiative of COVID-19 prevention and control. AIM: This study aimed to describe the issues encountered during the implementation of the health protocol, the expectation, and recommendations for the current health protocol guidance in the workplaces setting. METHODS: This qualitative study enrolled a descriptive-exploratory design. We explored that the issues and hindrances had encountered during the execution of the guidance, the expectation, and recommendation. Eligible study participants recruited by the purposive sampling technique. Data were collected on June 2021 by directing sessions of focus group discussion. The collected data then analyzed by the thematic approach employing QSR Nvivo 12. RESULTS: Several issues identified were the vagueness of the parties responsible for the oversight and enforcement function on several issues or fields, lack of intensive dissemination of the importance of health measures in preventing COVID-19 transmission by the authorized officers, and inadequate health measures implementation. Participants yearned for more comprehensive and clear technical guidance. Health promotion education also suggested being included in the guidance. CONCLUSION: This study proposed the establishment of a more comprehensive, clear, and brief guidance to induce its adequate execution of health measures or protocols.

Factors affecting test anxiety: a qualitative analysis of medical students\u2019 views

BackgroundMedical students are vulnerable to test anxiety (TA), which impacts their professional lives and jeopardizes the optimal health care of their patients. The qualitative exploration of TA among medical students is crucial to understanding the problem. Hence, this study examined medical students’ insights into TA and their suggestions on how to reduce it.MethodsWe conducted a phenomenological study on medical students at a public university. We utilized focus group discussions (FGDs) to investigate their experiences of TA. The FGDs were transcribed verbatim, and these transcripts were analyzed using Atlas.ti software. The thematic analysis followed the recommended guidelines.ResultsSeven FGD sessions were conducted with 45 students. Three major themes emerged: the students, their academic resources, and the examiner. Each theme comprised mutually exclusive subthemes. The “students” theme was divided into negative vs. positive thoughts and self-negligence vs. self-care, “academic recources” into heavy curriculum vs. facilitative curricular aids, and “examiner” into criticism vs. feedback and strict vs. kind approaches.ConclusionThis study provides a solid foundation for policymakers and decision makers in medical education to improve current assessment practices and student well-being. Medical students will be able to significantly alter and reduce TA if they are provided with additional psychological support and their examiners are trained on how to deal with examinees.

Exploring challenges of teenage pregnancy and motherhood from beneficiaries and providers' perspectives: A qualitative study in a rural area of Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal.

Teenage pregnancy and motherhood are globally important public health concerns. In India, 6.8% women between 15 and 19 years were already mothers or pregnant, whereas in Purba-Bardhaman district of West Bengal it was 21.9% (National-Family-Health-Survey-5). Challenges of teenage pregnancy and motherhood needs to be understood from beneficiaries' and providers' perspectives. This study aimed at exploring the various challenges faced by teenagers during their pregnancies and motherhood and understanding the barriers of service delivery to them in a block of West Bengal. A qualitative study with phenomenological approach was conducted between January and June 2021 in Bhatar community development block of Purba-Bardhaman district, West Bengal. In-depth interview (IDI) of 12 purposively selected teenage mothers and two sessions of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among 17 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) were conducted. Data was collected by audio recording the IDI and FGD sessions as well as by taking notes. Inductive thematic analysis was done by using NVIVO software (Release 1.0, QSR International). Throughout teenage pregnancy and motherhood, subjects were found to face various types of medical problems, lack of awareness, and non-supportive family environment. Various social constraints and psychosocial stressors emerged as significant challenges. Communication gaps, behavioural barriers, socio-cultural issues, and administrative issues were major themes emerged as barriers of service delivery. Lack of awareness and medical problems were important challenges faced by the teenage mothers whereas behavioural barriers were the most important service level barriers perceived by the grass root level service providers.

Awareness, Perception and Use of Instagram’s Anti-Bullying Restrict Feature among University Undergraduates in South-East Nigeria

Blocking a social media platform account that is posting abusive content may simply drive the bully to create a new account after the first one is blocked. Therefore, blocking is not always the ideal way to prevent problematic comments and messages from being directed at an account. The Instagram’s anti bullying restrict feature is a solid alternative that enables users to instead limit an unwanted account in a way that doesn't alert the bully. This study investigated the awareness, perception and use of Instagram’s anti-bullying restrict feature among university undergraduates in south-east Nigeria. The study was anchored on the Protection Motivation Theory and the Uses and Gratifications Theory and likewise adopted the mixed methods approach involving Survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). A total of 500 respondents were chosen using the multi-stage approach while 18 respondents were purposively selected for three FGD sessions; six discussants per session. Findings showed that there was low awareness of Instagram’s anti-bullying restrict feature among university undergraduates in the South-East Nigeria. Similarly, it was found that there was generally poor use of Instagram’s anti-bullying feature among the undergraduates. The findings also revealed that awareness and previous experiences are major factors influencing the use of Instagram’s anti-bullying restrict feature. The study thererefore recommended that effort should be made to create awareness and provide information on the use of Instagram’s anti bullying restrict feature to young people where they can easily see or read them. Keywords: Awareness, Perception, Use, Instagram, Cyberbullying, Restrict, Feature, Undergraduates DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/100-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Perception Among the Sufferers of Recalcitrant Dermatophytosis Regarding its Causation, Prevention, Care-Seeking Behaviour and their Personal Hygiene: A Qualitative Research.

Background:Recalcitrant dermatophytosis has become a menace in recent times. The perception of the hosts or patients regarding the disease gives a real-life picture of the deep-rooted host-factors and the way to overcome the socio-economic and cultural milieu that becomes a hindrance in preventing the relapse and recurrence of this infection.Aims:This qualitative study was conducted to assess the perception regarding the patients’ understanding of causation and prevention of dermatophytosis, role of personal hygiene, and healthcare seeking behavior, and consequently, exploring the socio-economic and cultural milieu that contributes to the menace of recalcitrant dermatophytosis.Materials and Methods:Two focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting 12 patients with recalcitrant dermatophytosis, who speak the vernacular, were conducted with the help of a predetermined FGD-guide. Both FGD sessions were recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. These verbatims were thematically analyzed and emerging themes were identified with illustrative quotations. Free listing and pile sorted data obtained were analyzed by Visual Anthropac version 1.0 software for Smith's salience value, cognitive mapping with two-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis.Results:Washing of clothes with soap antiseptics and drying the clothes under the sun prevents diseases, whereas, not changing undergarments for prolonged periods of time, bathing in ponds using mustard oil spreads the disease, furthermore, staying in wet clothes, working for more than five hours under sun, playing outdoors, household jobs cause tinea, etc. were the most common reported perceptions. Overall, five themes emerged after pile sorting the data, namely, ignorance about the disease, understanding of the predisposing factors of the disease, prevention, role of personal and traditional belief, and care-seeking behavior.Conclusions:There is a dire need to address the myths or traditional beliefs, which are not supported by scientific evidence. Expense of the treatment of dermatophytosis calls for price control of the commonly prescribed antifungals. Poor socio-economic conditions and professional responsibilities hinder people from implementing the preventive measures in spite of their knowledge.

The second strategic plan of medical ethics: a national report.

Medical ethics faces several challenges in different aspects of education, research, and treatment in medicine and healthcare practice. Design and implementation of a national strategic plan can pave the way for the development of a roadmap in various countries to strengthen ethics and address these challenges. To create a comprehensive plan compatible with the Iranian healthcare system, a multidisciplinary team of main stakeholders compiled a national strategic plan of medical ethics following several focus group discussion sessions and two workshops (2014-2017). Ultimately, the plan was confirmed by the Supreme Council for the Medical Ethics of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The current paper is a national report of the process and the medical ethics strategic plan in Iran. We have also tracked signs of progress and achievements in the country.In conclusion, this valuable effort has led to significant success in the implementation of medical ethics in clinical medicine, medical research, and education by using all the resources in our country. The participation of all the stakeholders, especially healthcare professionals in this way is required.