Primary Source Of Information Research Articles

Vaccination of teenagers in France over a 10-year period (2012–2021)

ObjectivesThe objectives were to assess trends over the past 10 years in vaccination coverage rates (VCR) among adolescents in France aged 14–15 years, factors influencing decisions to vaccinate, and mothers’ opinions on adolescent vaccination. Patients and MethodsThe ‘Vaccinoscopie’ internet survey is completed each year by mothers of adolescents, with questions about vaccinations received by their children, and their attitudes and barriers to vaccination. The 2012 to 2021 surveys were analyzed in this study, including data from 1500 adolescents in 2012 and 1000 adolescents each year from 2013 to 2021. ResultsNone of the adolescent VCR targets were met, despite significant increases since 2012 for vaccines with the lowest coverage rates and vaccines with high but insufficient coverage i.e., meningococcal C (28.7% to 60.8%), HPV in girls (14.2% to 40.8%), hepatitis B (31.6% to 47.3%) and pertussis (76.3% to 91.0%). Physicians remained the primary source of vaccination information for 90.4% of mothers, and their advice had a real impact on improving VCRs. Adolescents were increasingly involved (40.1%) in decisions about vaccination. Depending on the vaccine, over 80% of mothers currently consider adolescent vaccination as useful or essential. Since 2017, they also feel better informed. ConclusionsLow and under-target VCRs put adolescents at risk of severe disease, and do not enable herd immunity or reduced transmission to other vulnerable age groups to be accomplished. Healthcare professionals must take every opportunity to check adolescents’ vaccination status and recommend catch-up vaccines where applicable. Vaccination in schools should be considered.

Basics of the theory of formation of information systems

The article examines the processes of formation, transmission and use information in systems of various purposes. The theory is based only on existing ones facts of real life, which are experimentally confirmed by the research of biologists and microbiologists. Since only living systems can be the primary source of information for all artificial systems, much attention is paid to the description of the functioning of biological mechanisms. All living systems have a genome, which is the information that allows organisms to reproduce, without which life would be doomed. It is shown how information perceived by information systems appears. The issue of combining information systems in cybernetics and living nature is considered. It has been proven that information cannot arise without the participation of an information system in which the information must be embedded. This indicates the impossibility of information formation in the presence of only matter and energy.

SOCIO-PEDAGOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF FORMING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FOR NOWADAY STUDENTS

In the article essence of a healthy lifestyle, characterizes its components, discusses the theoretical aspects of the healthy lifestyle formation among students of the university, since the future of each state is possible only with the healthy generation to increase its population. The conditions, ways and methods for saving and reinforce the health as one of the most important life values of every person are described. The expediency of the post of a university social teacher is argued for the introduction of discipline and preventive measures aimed at expanding knowledge about a healthy lifestyle, to motivate care for one's own health and the health of others. The article also focuses on the family, since it is the parents are the primary source of information on the health care issues. Objective and subjective factors affecting to the process of forming a healthy lifestyle are characterized.

Shifts in Religious and Cultural Diversity Support Across ObGyn Residencies with a Focus on Abortion Training: A Two-Year Follow-Up

Introduction: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has recognized cultural competency as part of three out of six core competencies residency programs provide training in. Religion and culture are interwoven, and efforts to increase inclusivity by incorporating religious and culturally competent medical education has become a vital aspect of residency training. Inclusivity in healthcare has enhanced the recruitment of a racially, religiously, and culturally diverse workforce overall, thus enhancing the patient-provider experience through representation. Similarly, diversity among residency candidates has also improved. While current literature highlights the steps taken to ensure various forms of equity, there is little focus on religious or cultural support provided to OB/GYN residents. More recently, access to abortion training may impact which residency programs a candidate chooses to apply to, as ACGME requires such training opportunities to be provided without implications unless precluded by religious restrictions. However, minimal data exists on the training provided, institutional or alternative (outsourced services), and the methodology for abstention from abortion education. As program websites are often the primary source of information for residency applicants, this study aimed to identify shifts in cultural and religious support depicted on OB/GYN residency websites in the past two years while assessing the publicly-listed abortion training variations among such programs. Methods: During April 2022 and April 2023, websites of ACGME-accredited OB/GYN residency programs in the United States were evaluated using a novel 20-attribute collector tool that objectively benchmarks programs from religious/cultural diversity and incorporation of corresponding competency training into resident education. A religiously representative diverse focus group developed our tool. Items assessed included holistic reviews of applications, explicit interest in the recruitment of residents from diverse religious/cultural backgrounds, presence of religious/ethnic indicators depicted on the website, reported support for those with religious obligations, and if cultural/religious or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) competency were cited. Additionally, the 2023 data collection focused on abortion references with guided support per ACGME-required training while providing an overview of protections and restrictions using the Guttmacher Institute website. Results: A total of 576 websites were analyzed, with 285 websites accessible for review in 2022 and 291 in 2023. Due to the program count discrepancy across both years, percentages were used to compare the data (as a result of an increase in accredited programs and website accessibility). An increase of 2% was noted in referencing holistic reviews and ethnic/religious support. Additionally, a 12% increase in spiritual and cultural-focused research was noted on websites with an additional 8% verbalizing such support. A 9% reduction in overall inclusivity advocacy was listed on websites, while an additional 10% reduction was explicitly noted in cultural competency. A 1% reduction in referencing religious diversity and a 2% reduction in websites referencing time allocations for religious holidays were identified. Furthermore, 12% had fewer stated opt-out options for religious obligations. There was a 7% increase in the discussion of religious or ethnic support, with a 5% increase in the focus on race. However, there was a 5% decline in referencing either concept. Although ACGME specifically suggested having Opt-Out options for programs, 1% had the Opt-In option, 12% stated the Opt-Out, 19% vaguely referenced either, and 68% did not mention abortion abstinence options or support on their website. Only 2% of websites suggested alternative sites for residents’ training due to legislation, whereas 27% referenced fellowship and supplementary post-residency training opportunities. Regarding the concept of abortion, 14% stated support for abortion, 14% mentioned abortion but provided limited details, and 72% did not reference it on the website. Concerning current state-specific legislature, 41% are distinctly protective of abortion rights, 46% are restrictive, with the remaining having both protections and restrictions. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the overall focus on religious and cultural diversity across OB/GYN residencies websites has become slightly accentuated over the past two years. The investment or deference of abortion training has not been adequately referenced to permit making informed decisions by prospective trainees. Having cultural and religious congruency of residents with program offerings may potentiate resident success while training.

Multi-year evaluation of CloudSat, ERA5, and IMERG global snowfall products

Snowfall products derived from satellite-based radar observations, reanalysis products and phase-classified precipitation products are the three primary sources of information on surface snowfall. This study compares snowfall rate products from CloudSat, ERA5 and IMERG using the Triple Collocation (TC) method on a global scale covering almost the entire period of CloudSat cloud-profiling radar (CPR) 2C products from 2006 to 2019, especially considering the precipitation phase classification field of IMERG (probability of Liquid Precipitation, pLP). The main conclusions include but are not limited to the following: (1) The pLP threshold significantly impacts the ability of IMERG to identify snowfall from precipitation, with an optimal pLP threshold of 25 percent determined by matching IMERG with CloudSat and ERA5 snowfall events globally. (2) CloudSat presents the highest performance and stability on a global scale, with average TC-estimated CC and RMSE of 0.472 and 1.465, respectively. (3) The TC-estimated CC of IMERG exhibit significant spatiotemporal heterogeneities, but IMERG product with the optimal pLP threshold show comparable performance with CloudSat, with an average TC-estimated RMSE of ∼ 1.533. (4) ERA5 performed worse than the other two products, except in some high-latitude and high-altitude areas. This study provides novel insights into the performances of snowfall rate products from different sources at the global scales and provides a foundation for improving satellite- and model-based snowfall rate retrievals.

Parental knowledge on the respiratory syncytial virus before the nirsevimab immunization program: Attitudes toward immunization in an autonomous community of Spain

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children and associated with most bronchiolitis- and pneumonia-related hospitalizations. A new preventive monoclonal antibody (MAb), nirsevimab, has been launched in the United States, Luxembourg, and France, and was recently approved to be given in a population-based manner throughout Spain. This study aimed to have a first pre-immunization insight into the Spanish parental knowledge about bronchiolitis, RSV, and nirsevimab immunization. Parents in Murcia with children <2 years of age up to the date of September 1, 2023, were selected to complete a questionnaire. The primary endpoint was the parental knowledge about bronchiolitis, RSV, and nirsevimab. A total of 3,217 responses were analyzed. The majority (95.8%) were aware of bronchiolitis. Meanwhile, 46.6% of the respondents knew about RSV, most of them only after the first child’s birth. Information about RSV or bronchiolitis was mainly obtained from family members, with only 4.8% reporting having been informed by Health care Professionals (HCPs). Only 11.2% of respondents were aware of nirsevimab. Nonetheless, these were not entirely satisfied with the information received (score of 3.3 out of 5) and shared that HCPs should be the primary source of information. The present survey then highlights the need for better and more efficient educational strategies directed to all parents/legal guardians. It also sheds some light on the different factors that should be considered to improve awareness of RSV immunization to decrease its burden in Spain and beyond.

Safety Practices in Al-Baha: A Cross-Sectional Study on Parental Awareness of Child Choking Events.

Instances of choking continue to pose a concern for the health and safety of children. This study aims to assess parents' understanding, awareness, and perspectives on child choking. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia from September 13, 2023, to October 3, 2023. Data collection was done via an electronically validated questionnaire among parents aged 18 years and above, covering knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Any result below 0.05 (p < 0.05) was considered significant. Out of 819 participants, 705 individuals were included in the analysis. The results indicated that there was a good level of knowledge (55%) regarding handling child choking situations. Interestingly, females demonstrated higher levels of awareness compared to males (79.4% versus 20.6%). Attitudes toward managing child choking incidents were rated as overall moderate, with 66.5% showing poor practices, such as being hesitant to seek medical assistance if symptoms improved. A majority of choking cases occurred at home (85%), underscoring the importance of enhancing intervention strategies through increased knowledge dissemination. Notably, the internet and social media platforms (71.8%) emerged as primary sources of information on dealing with child choking incidents. There was significant interest in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes (69.2%), although many people found it hard to make time for them (45%). Parents in the Al-Baha area seem to have a good understanding but some concerning attitudes when it comes to child choking situations. It is important to spread awareness, correct misconceptions, and encourage CPR training.

Examining the role of knowledge and trust on vaccine confidence in North Dakota among university students, faculty, and staff

BackgroundVaccination is one of the greatest tools for individuals to stay healthy. Individuals are, however, often exposed to misinformation via digital and social media, and thus, may miss the opportunity to develop scientific knowledge about vaccines and trust in relevant stakeholders. This has a damaging impact on vaccine confidence. Understanding vaccine confidence is particularly important in North Dakota, where vaccination rates are lower than national averages.ObjectivesThe objectives of this research are to examine the association between vaccine confidence and three potential sources of it, namely, trust, vaccine knowledge, and vaccine information sources and to investigate the relative strength of three vaccine confidence sources, while accounting for covariates.MethodsStudents (n = 517, 56.6%) and staff and faculty (n = 397, 43.4%) at the University of North Dakota (n = 914) completed an online survey. Logistic regressions estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations among trust in doctors, family/friends, government health agencies, charitable organizations, and religious organizations, vaccine knowledge, vaccine information sources as well as vaccine confidence, accounting for gender, race, marital status, age, religion, political ideology, education, and health status.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 29.43 years (SD = 13.48). Most were females (71.6%) and white (91.5%). Great trust in doctors (OR = 3.29, p < 0.001, 95%CI 1.89, 5.73) government health agencies (OR = 2.95, p < 0.001, 95%CI 2.13, 4.08) and vaccine knowledge (OR = 1.28, p < 0.001, 95%CI 1.18, 1.38) had higher odds of vaccine confidence. Using Internet Government source as the primary source of vaccine information (OR = 1.73, p < 0.05, 95%CI 1.22, 2.44) showed higher odds of vaccine confidence before all independent variables were introduced, but it became non-significant after they were introduced. Trust in government health agencies showed strongest associations with vaccine confidence.ConclusionMultiple stakeholders are necessary to ensure verified, accessible, and accurate information in order to advance vaccine confidence in rural, conservative areas.

Awareness, Acceptability and Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among Pregnant Women in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Background: Cervical cancer is a significant global public health concern, particularly in developing countries. Antenatal care visits provide a unique opportunity to educate and screen women for cervical cancer. This study was undertaken to explore the awareness and acceptability of cervical cancer screening among antenatal attendees. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 422 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 software. Results: Of the 410 respondents who returned completed questionnaires, 61.7% had heard about cervical cancer, and only 40.3% reported awareness of the screening modalities. Healthcare providers were the primary source of information about screening methods in 59.0%. Approximately half agreed that information about cervical cancer screening during antenatal care would be beneficial. 90.5% had never undergone cervical cancer screening. Multivariate analysis shows that 32.4% of our clients who were aware of the cervical screening modalities before the current pregnancy had never been screened. OR 0.578, CI (0.036-9.321), p-value 0.699. 3.20% and 4.40.0% were aware and had done cervical cancer screening once and twice respectively before the current pregnancy. OR 1.444, CI(0.080-26.230); p-value 0.804 and OR 4.667, CI (0.223-97.497); p-value 0.321 respectively. Conclusion: The study highlights a concerning gap between awareness and practice of cervical cancer screening among pregnant women in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Detecting coordinated and bot-like behavior in Twitter: the Jürgen Conings case

Social media platforms can play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion during times of crisis and controversy. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a large amount of dubious information being shared online. In Belgium, a crisis emerged during the pandemic when a soldier (Jürgen Conings) went missing with stolen weaponry after threatening politicians and virologists. This case created further division and polarization in online discussions. In this paper, we develop a methodology to study the potential of coordinated spread of incorrect information online. We combine network science and content analysis to infer and study the social network of users discussing the case, the news websites shared by those users, and their narratives. Additionally, we examined indications of bots or coordinated behavior among the users. Our findings reveal the presence of distinct communities within the discourse. Major news outlets, conspiracy theory websites, and anti-vax platforms were identified as the primary sources of (dis)information sharing. We also detected potential coordinated behavior and bot activity, indicating possible attempts to manipulate the discourse. We used the rapid semantic similarity network for the analysis of text, but our approach can be extended to the analysis of images, videos, and other types of content. These results provide insights into the role of social media in shaping public opinion during times of crisis and underscore the need for improved strategies to detect and mitigate disinformation campaigns and online discourse manipulation. Our research can aid intelligence community members in identifying and disrupting networks that spread extremist ideologies and false information, thereby promoting a more informed and resilient society.

Evaluating the web as a source of information for patients with chest wall deformities: insights into engagement and disparities.

Recent data highlight the internet's pivotal role as the primary information source for patients. In this study, we emulate a patient's/caregiver's quest for online information concerning chest deformities and assess the quality of available information. We conducted an internet search using combination of the terms "pectus excavatum," "pectus excavatum surgery," "funnel chest," "pectus excavatum repair" and identified the first 100 relevant websites from the three most popular search engines: Google, Yahoo, and Bing. These websites were evaluated using the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) instrument. Of the 300 websites generated, 140 (46.7%) were included in our evaluation after elimination of duplicates, non-English websites, and those targeting medical professionals. The EQIP scores in the final sample ranged from 8 to 32/36, with a median score of 22. Most of the evaluated websites (32.8%) originated from hospitals, yet none met all 36 EQIP criteria. None of the evaluated websites pertaining to pectus excavatum achieved a flawless "content quality" score. The diverse array of websites potentially complicates patients' efforts to navigate toward high-quality resources. Barriers in accessing high-quality online patient information may contribute to disparities in referral, patient engagement, treatment satisfaction, and overall quality of life. IV.

Women’s insights on sexual health after breast cancer (WISH-BREAST).

12132 Background: Sexual health is a prevalent and distressing toxicity in women after cancer treatment. Sexual health needs and treatment require multidisciplinary management and despite the existence of guidelines on the management of sexual health, are often overlooked in the clinical setting. Methods: An anonymous online survey regarding sexual health for people with a current or prior breast cancer diagnosis was distributed through a social media platform (Instagram) and e-mail. Questions included demographics, breast cancer history and treatment, sexual health symptoms, and experience with medical care for sexual health symptoms. Results: Out of 1775 respondents, 1462 answered the question of whether or not sexual health changed after breast cancer diagnosis or treatment &amp; were included in this analysis. Mean age: 47.7 years. 87.3% of respondents identified as white and 1.6% as Black. Stage: 0 (8.5%), 1 (38.4%), 2 (34.2%), 3 (14.8%) &amp; 4 (2.9%). Estrogen receptor positive (81.5%), HER2 positive (27%), triple negative (12.9%). Breast cancer diagnosis or treatments caused a moderate to great deal of change to sexual health in 89.5% of respondents and a moderate to great deal of distress in 85%. The sexual health concerns are summarized in the table. 73% of participants did not receive information about sexual health from their healthcare team. Among participants who reported a change to sexual health, only 12% were satisfied with how their sexual health concerns were addressed. Treatment was not offered for sexual health concerns to 39% of respondents and 63% had not been referred to any specialists for sexual health concerns. 46% of participants had not been offered non-hormonal treatments for genitourinary concerns, 55% were told vaginal hormones were not an option, and 83% were not offered treatment for low libido despite lower sexual desire. 80% of respondents received information about sexual health from social media. Of those, 62% stated that their primary source of information on social media were health care professional accounts. Conclusions: In this online survey, sexual health concerns were highly prevalent and distressing after breast cancer diagnosis. There was a very low level of discussion with medical professionals and treatments were infrequently offered to patients, despite the existence of medical guidelines on sexual health care for women after cancer. Patients are turning to social media, &amp; specifically to medical professional accounts, for information. Future efforts to address sexual needs for breast cancer survivors and thrivers are warranted. [Table: see text]

Revolutionizing global hematology-oncology education: Assessing the two-year impact of a digital platform on socioeconomic equity and inclusivity against gender disparities.

e21000 Background: Social media has transformed the global exchange of knowledge, with 77.4% of cancer patients relying on it as a primary source of information especially in resource-limited areas. Given that a third of social media posts contain misinformation that can have negative ramifications, MedNews Week (MNW) was developed as a digital platform featuring presentations by global authorities to enhance global oncology education through its freely accessible programming. In light of the gender disparity in speakers at scientific symposia, where females represent &lt;30%, MNW strived to combat gender inequity by featuring them in equal proportion to males. The goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of MNW’s virtual oncology education platform to combat socioeconomic (SE) education inequity while promoting gender inclusivity. Methods: From January 2022 to 2024, MNW hosted 36 distinguished global oncology leaders as Keynote Speakers (Mean H-index=50.09). Data on viewership and outreach were collected from MNW's social media accounts. A mixed-method approach was employed to determine audience and speaker demographics, and engagement. Results: MNW achieved a Healthcare Social Score amongst the top 0.07 percentile of global healthcare influencers on Twitter. Over the past year, MNWoncology programming experienced a 10.5-fold increase in mean attendance, reaching 743,991 people in 95 countries globally, with 23 classified as low-to-middle SE status. In 2023, MNW followers exhibited a female predominance (48.8%), mainly from non-healthcare fields (60.0%). MNW showcased gender parity among oncology keynote speakers, with female lecturers drawing similar attendance as males (p=0.89, two-tailed unpaired t-test). Conclusions: MNW has established a growing digital platform, while removing financial barriers to effectively engage lay audiences, particularly in underserved regions. MNW's commitment to empowering female speakers exemplifies its dedication to inclusivity in a historically imbalanced field. This underscores MNW's success in fostering inclusivity, by driving engagement of those traditionally underserved, and positively impacting oncology education globally. [Table: see text]

Knowledge and Awareness of Mothers of Asthmatic Children and Its Impact on Asthma Control: A Cross-Sectional Study From Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Asthma, a common chronic airway disorder, presents challenges in diagnosis and management, particularly in children. Triggers include allergens and pollutants, necessitating lifestyle modifications and pharmacological treatments. Severe cases require tailored management. International guidelines provide stepwise approaches, while the Saudi Thoracic Society offers comprehensive recommendations, emphasizing gradual treatment phases and thorough clinical assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness levels among mothers of asthmatic children in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 mothers with asthmatic children at primary healthcare centers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Mothers' knowledge of asthma was assessed using an online questionnaire. Participants were selected via a convenient non-probability sampling technique. Data was cleaned in Excel and analyzed using IBMSPSSStatistics for Windows, Version 29 (Released 2023; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Participants were selected via a convenient non-probability sampling technique. Necessary statistical tests like Chi-square and Fisher'sexact test were applied. Results Our study involved 422 mothers of asthmatic children in Saudi Arabia. Most participants were aged 35-44 years (50.7%) and Saudi nationals (92.2%), with 88.2% having one asthmatic child. Regarding awareness, exposure to air pollution (97.9%) and cigarettes (93.4%) were well-recognized factors. Pediatricians (50.5%) and family physicians (42.2%) were primary information sources. Concerning attitudes, most mothers disagreed with the harmful effects of inhalers (82.5%-92.7%) and advocated for avoiding smoking near asthmatic children (94.8%). Our study revealed that 94.5%of mothers of asthmatic children possessed a good level of knowledge about asthma in their children, while 5.5%demonstrated a low level of knowledge. Notably, mothers with good knowledge levels reported fewer emergency room visits (p=0.011) and hospitalizations (p=0.001). Predictors of good-level knowledge included higher education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =4.080, p=0.007) and absence of smoking relatives (AOR =0.222, p=0.005), while pet ownership was associated with lower knowledge (AOR =0.257, p=0.030). Conclusion Our study underscores the importance of maternal knowledge in pediatric asthma management. Good awareness levels were observed regarding key risk factors and appropriate attitudes toward medication use. Higher education and absence of smoking relatives were significant predictors of mothers' knowledge of the disease.

Characteristics of youth's health keeping practices under the digitalization

The article discusses the problems of health keeping of modern Russian youth under the digitalization. Paying attention to the negative dynamics in the health of young Russians, the authors point out to form and promote a culture of health keeping among the younger generation. However, in order for the implemented measures to be effective, the authors propose to differentiate them taking into account the specifics of the perception of health and practices of caring for it among young people, which is associated with their distinction into two age groups within the framework of generational theory: zoomers and millennials. In this regard, the article presents the results of an empirical study conducted by the authors on the health conservation of Russian youth, which are depicted the characteristics of consumption and practices in the field of health among these age groups. As it states, both categories are quite conscious of their health status. The most common ways to stay healthy are proper nutrition, sleep patterns, and regular exercise. However, certain differences have been identified in the basic practices of caring for it as compared to the traditional model of a healthy lifestyle. Thus, self-tracking based on mobile applications, as well as digital consumption of health information in new media, is popular among zoomers. Millennials appear to be more committed to the primary source of health information, the medical community, which is also reflected in the need for regular health checkups. Based on the findings, a number of practical recommendations are proposed.

Knowledge about and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination of rural residents in Zambales, Philippines

Vaccines are among the most effective preventive measures developed to minimize the risks of COVID-19. This cross-sectional study employs an online survey to determine the knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination among the general population in rural Zambales, Philippines. A total of 690 residents responded to the knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination survey questionnaire (KAC19V-SQ) regarding the residents' knowledge about and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Television, Facebook and YouTube are the residents' primary sources of COVID-19 vaccine information. Almost all of them (98.0%) know about the COVID-19 vaccine, but only 81.3% of the residents know about its effectiveness. Most (69.7%) indicated they want to get vaccinated. Zambales residents' knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination was low. Despite having a low level of knowledge, respondents showed a favorable attitude (mean±SD:2.76±0.47) toward COVID-19 vaccination. Women had a less favorable attitude than men. Furthermore, a moderately positive correlation (r=0.511, p&amp;lt;0.01) was noted between knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. It is imperative that the government works in tandem with public health experts, local government officials, and academic institutions to develop and implement initiatives geared towards enhancing public awareness and fostering a positive outlook towards COVID-19 vaccination.

Results of the COMPARE-GPT study: Comparison of medication package inserts and GPT-4 cancer drug information.

e13646 Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has opened new avenues for information dissemination. GPT-4 (GPT) is a large language model developed by open AI. Concerns about its accuracy exist, especially in health communications. We conducted a study to evaluate the accuracy of GPT responses to questions about anti-neoplastic agents for solid tumor malignancies. Methods: We evaluated GPT responses to four questions (Table 1) for each solid tumor drug newly approved or approved for a new indication between 2020 and 2022. The responses from GPT were saved and then compared to the information provided in the medication package insert. For discordant results, a second search was run using a new GPT session. The study was performed by two physicians who ensured that the comparison was both rigorous and unbiased. Results: 53 unique antineoplastic agents were included. GPT responses regarding FDA approval &amp; mechanism of action were correct for each drug (100%). When asked about common adverse reactions, GPT provided incorrect responses for 47% (25/53) of the medications and correct responses for 53% (28/43). The inaccurate responses were either missing certain side effects (88%), provided inaccurate incidence rates (8%), and/or included side effects not listed on the package insert (20%). When a second search was conducted with the same question, GPT provided different responses in 76% (19/25), same responses in 16% (4/25) and now correct responses in 8% (2/25). When asked about drug warnings and precautions, GPT provided incorrect responses for 68% (36/53) of the medications and correct responses for 32% (17/53). The inaccurate responses were missing certain warnings and precautions (89%) and/or included warnings and precautions not listed on the package insert (25%). When a second search was conducted with the same question, GPT provided different responses in 53% (19/36), same responses in 39% (14/36) and now correct responses in 8% (3/36). Conclusions: Analysis of solid tumor drugs approved for use in 2020-2022 evaluated GPT's ability to provide drug information. GPT accurately identified FDA approved indications &amp; mechanisms of action but had significant limitations in accurately reporting a comprehensive list of adverse reactions, drug warnings and precautions. GPT occasionally included drug side effects that are not listed in the package insert. Significant variability in output was demonstrated in repeated searches. Given the inconsistencies in the data identified, GPT should not be used as a primary source of medical information and may potentially cause harm. [Table: see text]

Common misperceptions and public knowledge about intrauterine devices among US-based online respondents

ObjectivesMisperceptions about intrauterine devices (IUDs) may dissuade potential users and public beliefs are not well understood. We sought to describe public knowledge of mechanism of action, failure rate, and IUD health risks. Secondary objectives included identifying inaccurate information and information sources about IUDs. Study designWe conducted a convenience-based survey of participants living in the United States 18 years and older using Amazon Mechanical Turk and ResearchMatch. We collected information on demographics, reproductive history, and IUD knowledge. We asked about IUD mechanism of action, failure rate, potential health risks, and information sources. We used multivariable logistic regression to test the association between gender and perceived lower (vs. higher) risks of IUDs. ResultsWe included 1597 individuals with 726 (45.5%) self-reported men and 871 (54.5%) self-reported women. For both hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs, participants most often selected implantation prevention as the primary mechanism of action. In our sample, 55.5% of individuals believed the failure rate was greater than five percent. Weight gain, uterine perforation, and expulsion were cited as health risks likely to occur ≥5% of the time by 42.1%, 34.3%, and 38.4% of participants, respectively. Participants identified healthcare providers as their primary source of contraceptive information. Our multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed women had higher odds of perceiving IUDs as higher risk (aOR=1.35, 95% CI 1.09–1.68) compared to men. ConclusionsIndividuals underestimated IUD effectiveness while overestimating perceived health risks. Our results highlight areas to target education about IUDs to support informed contraceptive decision-making. ImplicationsParticipants misunderstood IUD mechanism of action, underestimated efficacy, and overestimated failure rates and health risks. Providers should begin clinical counseling by assessing baseline knowledge, since mechanism of action, side effect profiles, and concepts like female anatomy should not be assumed to be known.

Informal Economy and Poverty Reduction

The study investigated the role of informal economy and poverty reduction in selected business activities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. 140 structured questionnaires were distributed across various business types in the local government out of which 120 were retrieved. The informal sector or grey economy is a business activity that falls outside the formally recognized enterprise engagement not accounted for in the National Gross Domestic Product. As result of the nature of the businesses, it becomes difficult for authorities to hold them for taxation. The study employed the primary data source for information which was a subject of combined descriptive and Ordinary Least Square analytical econometric technique. It employed the SPSS Package for the Management Sciences and Business. The analysis revealed a positive correlation between multidimensional poverty index and family size and monthly consumption among other variables employed in the survey. The findings established the necessity for infrastructural development in the rural areas, educational improvement and adequate finding or accessibility to capital among others. It, therefore, recommended the deliberate policy of government to improve the provision of basic amenities in rural areas, enhance the education facilities to cater for the needs of those in the rural areas and promote access to credit facilities.

Factors influencing contact lenses uptake among school-going children and teenagers with myopia attending selected eye clinics in Kenya

ObjectiveContact lens (CL) use for myopia correction among children and teenagers has become a focal point of global interest. Yet, spectacles remain dominant for vision correction in this age group. This study investigated the factors affecting CL uptake among myopic school-going children and teenagers attending Kenyan eye clinics. Study DesignCross-sectional study. MethodsA survey conducted across 13 Kenyan eye clinics, involving myopic participants aged 8–19 years. Data collection employed a mixed-method using validated semi-structured questionnaires that also included a 3-level Likert scale to elicit responses regarding factors that influenced the uptake of CLs. Analysis techniques included descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Cramer's V. Results85 participants, with a mean age of 13.4 ± 2.1 years, who were more of females (54.1%) were included in the study. While CL uptake was low (17.6%), spectacles remained the preferred myopia correction method among the participants. Factors favoring CL preference were appropriate visual clarity with CL (59%), enhanced self-esteem and social acceptance (64%). Major barriers to CL uptake were fear of eye injuries (60%), limited CL knowledge (55%), and fewer CL professionals (48%). Eye care professionals were the primary CL information source. A weak association was observed between spectacles’ perceived bulkiness and CL uptake (Cramer's V: 0.223, p = 0.121). However, vision clarity (Cramer's V: 0.387, p = 0.002) and social acceptance (Cramer's V: 0.351, p = 0.005) showed stronger associations with CL uptake in children and teenagers in the study. ConclusionWhile information gaps and limited professional availability hinder CL uptake among Kenyan students, benefits like better vision clarity and improved social acceptance promote their use. Efforts to address information gaps and highlight CL advantages are recommended to foster broader acceptance.