Structured Questionnaires Research Articles

Awareness of ocular hazards among welders in Bindura, Zimbabwe

Occupational health issues are the highest among workers in developing nations. This study aimed to assess the awareness of ocular hazards among welders in Bindura. An observational cross-sectional design with a validated structured self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the awareness of ocular hazards among 400 welders. Among the 400 welders, 397(99.3%) were males and their ages ranged from 19 – 56 with a mean age of 36 ± 8 years. Most (35%) of them, 140 had been involved in welding for 6-10 years. The most common type of welding among the participants was arc welding (87.8%). Majority (99.3%) of the welders were aware that welding without the use of protective equipment is a potential source of ocular hazards. Many welders had access to protective face shields and used them all the time (84.5%). The most common condition was ocular foreign bodies (17.7%), followed by Arc eye (4.8%). Awareness about welding as a source of ocular hazard depends on the type of welding used (p < 0.05). The awareness of ocular hazards among welders in Bindura is high. Although, protective devices are provided, regular utilization needs to be encouraged and enforced.

Tuberculosis patients’ satisfaction with directly observed treatment short course strategy and associated factors in Southern Ethiopia: a mixed method study

AabstractBackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is a second major global public health problem and the leading infectious cause of death in Ethiopia. Patients under directly observed treatment short-courses (DOTs) have a higher treatment success rate and reduced drug resistance. A successful treatment outcome and adherence to the treatment are related to patient satisfaction with the DOT strategy. Client satisfaction is one of the indicators of the quality of care. In this perspective, there were limited studies in Ethiopia related to patient satisfaction with the DOTs strategy in the prevention and control of TB to achieve the ‘’END TB Strategy.’’ Therefore, this study was aimed at identifying the TB patients’ satisfaction with the DOTs strategy and associated factors in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study design for quantitative data and a phenomenological approach were employed for qualitative data. The calculated sample size was 374. A systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants. A pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire for quantitative data and focus group discussions (FGDs) for qualitative data were used for data collection. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were used. The determinants with a p-value < 0.05 were declared to have a significant association with the outcome variable, and an adjusted odd ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used.ResultsA total of 358 patients participated in the study, with a response rate of 95.72%. The majority of study participants’ ages ranged between 25 and 34 years. The tuberculosis DOT satisfaction rate was 61.17% [56.10-66.25%, 95%CI]. The TB patients who took treatment for 20 weeks or more were 3.97 times [AOR = 3.97; 95% CI (1.55–10.16)] more likely to be satisfied with the DOTs service provided. However, the participants who perceived transport costs as high were 79% [AOR = 0.21; 95% CI (0.06–0.71)] less likely to be satisfied with DOTs. Qualitatively, the participants reported that there was a major problem with laboratory services, which resulted in delays and long appointments to get the results in addition to lack of clean toilets and safe water to swallow medications.ConclusionThe satisfaction rate for tuberculosis DOTs observed in this study appears to be relatively lower in comparison to other studies. Availing DOTs service nearby patients to enhance the accessibility of the service is crucial to improving patients’ satisfaction with DOTs service. Reducing laboratory result delays by improving laboratory service is essential to enhancing patients’ satisfaction with DOTs. Moreover, improving toilet services, and availing safe water to swallow medications is recommended to enhancing patients’ satisfaction with DOTs service.

Prevalence and risk factors of binge eating disorder among medical students: evidence from a cross-sectional study in Vietnam

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a significant public health problem worldwide. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of BED and its association among 411 medical students at a medical university in northern Vietnam. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured paper-based questionnaires in a classroom setting. The prevalence of BED symptoms among medical students was 9.5%. Among those with BED symptoms, 7.3% had moderate symptoms, and 2.2% had severe symptoms of BED. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being female (AOR = 3.71; 95%CI: 1.48–9.34), being overweight/obese (AOR = 4.14; 95%CI: 1.39–12.32), and being depressed (AOR = 4.05; 95%CI: 1.97–8.33) were associated with an increased risk of BED. This is the first study to provide new insights into the prevalence of BED symptoms and contributing factors among Vietnamese medical students. The findings from this study may assist public health professionals in developing strategies to reduce the risks associated with BED.

Entrepreneurial Marketing and Business Sustainability in Bayelsa State

This study investigated entrepreneurial marketing and business sustainability in Bayelsa State. The study formulated three specific objectives, three research questions and three hypotheses. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of this study consists of 900 entrepreneurs and employees of the fifteen selected small scale businesses under investigation in Yenagoa Bayelsa State. Taro Yamane formula was used to arrive at the sample size of 200. A purposive sampling method was adopted. A structural questionnaire consisting of 15-item questions on a 4-point rating scale titled “Entrepreneurial Marketing and Business Sustainability Questionnaire (EMBSQ) was used for data collection. The research instrument was validated by three experts in the Department of Business Education of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Port Harcourt for face validation. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using the Cronbach Alpha Reliability method. After the analysis, a reliability coefficient index of 0.78 was obtained which deemed the instrument highly reliable. To analyse the data collected, the mean and standard deviation was used while the hypotheses was tested using the t-test at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Findings revealed that entrepreneurial proactiveness, innovativeness and calculated risk-taking to a high extent relate to business sustainability in Bayelsa State. Hence, entrepreneurial marketing dimensions adopted for entrepreneurial ventures are very important and indispensable for the sustainability of the business. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that entrepreneurial proactiveness should be propagated and encouraged as it seeks novel ways in creating value for the customers. Entrepreneurs should continue to invest in innovation that yields positive and significant influences toward the sustainability of business in Bayelsa State of Nigeria.

Electronic Marketing and Customer Retention in the Fast Foods Industry in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Fast food businesses are known to be affected by some existential problems. This economic sector faces problems ranging from insufficient capital, lack of efficient manpower, inefficient management, fraud, and inability to analyse and capture market opportunities. Other problems also include marketing problems, research inefficiencies and production problems such as poor standardisation and low-quality products to mention but a few. In a quest to find lasting solutions to these problems, governments in Bayelsa State both at the state and local levels have been embarking on programs geared towards the development of businesses in the state especially the fast food sector which is very popular in the state. Authors have argued that the adoption of e-marketing has been found to improve firm performance. E-marketing is gradually gaining prominence as a tool for gaining competitive advantage and this has implications for marketing practice in Nigeria. The primary objective of this paper, therefore, is to review the current situation of e-marketing in Fast food restaurants in Nigeria and will also digress to understand its effect on customer retention, given that there are different levels of development of e-marketing in all countries. In line with the foregoing, the study used a cross-sectional survey design method based on an array of information collected from the population. The study target Sample size for the study was 138 customers drawn from the five selected fast food restaurants in Yenegoa. After an extensive analysis of the data gathered from administering structured questionnaires, the study revealed, among others, that Social media marketing has a significant influence on customer retention among customers of fast foods in Yenegoa, Bayelsa state. From the analysis of the hypothesised variables, the study concluded that there is a positive relationship between the independent variables (social media marketing, email marketing and online advertising) and the dependent variable (customer retention). Thus, on the basis of the findings and conclusion of the study, the researcher recommended, among others, that Fast food restaurants should pay strong attention to social media tools like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp etc to reach both potential and current customers to enhance retention.

Perception, use of social media, and its impact on the mental health of Indian adolescents: A qualitative study.

Mental illness is a health challenge faced by adolescents that has grown worse after the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Research on social media and young people's mental health has recently increased, and numerous studies have examined whether frequent use of social media is linked to issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, eating disorders, insomnia, frustration, feeling alone, and externalizing problems among adolescents. This influence of social media on adolescents' lives is clear, with many platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube playing an important role in daily interactions and self-expression. Even though social media offers numerous benefits, such as connectivity and information sharing, excessive usage can have detrimental effects on mental health, particularly among adolescents. To study the impact of social media on the mental wellbeing of adolescents, and the associated potential dangers in India. A total of 204 adolescents aged 14 years to 23 years were included in the study. This study explored the intricate relationship between social media usage and adolescent mental health in India. The study employs a cross-sectional survey design to capture a snapshot of adolescent mental health and social media usage patterns. Data collection involved administering structured questionnaires and the analysis utilized quantitative methods, including descriptive statistics. Excessive use of social media is correlated with increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Adolescents engage in compulsive behaviors such as scrolling in the middle of the night, which negatively impacts their mental and physical health, and leads to significant sleep disruption. Findings from the study aim to provide insights into the current state of adolescent mental health and inform strategies to promote positive wellbeing in the Indian population. The study underscores the need for further research to better understand the complex interplay between social media and adolescent mental health, and need for effective strategies to combat online harassment.

A Study to Assess Knowledge Regarding Fire Safety and Their Practices among Third Year B.Sc. Nursing Students with a view to Develop on Hand Training Module

Background: Fire safety is the set of practices intended to prevent the destruction caused by Fire. Fire safety is the set of practices intended to reduce destruction caused by fire. Fire safety measures include those that are intended to prevent the ignition of an uncontrolled fire and those that are used to limit the spread and impact of a fire.[4] Fire related accidents have, on average, killed 35 people every day over the five years between 2016 and 2020, according to a report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Aims and Objectives: To Assess the knowledge regarding Fire Safety and their practices among the students of 3rd year B.Sc. Nursing, Ambaji Nursing College, Ganeshpura, and to find out Association between selected demographic variable and to develop on hand training module. Materials and Method: The study was conducted among 60 students of Ambaji Nursing College, Ganeshpura and using simple random sampling technique. Data were obtained using structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding Fire safety and their practices. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were use to analyze the Demographic data and used structured questionnaire. Karl person formula is used to determine Correlation whereas the Association is determined by using Chi -Square formula. Results and Conclusion: The study revealed that majority of students level of knowledge are 36.70% poor knowledge, 61.70% students are average knowledge and 1.70% students are good knowledge regarding fire safety and their practices. There exist positive moderate correlation (r = 0.75) between knowledge and their practices. Study also revealed there is no significant Association between the knowledge and their demographic variables such as Age, Gender, Annual household income, Religion and attending any training of fire safety practices at p ≤ 0.05 level.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching Programme on Awareness and Attitude regarding Early Identification and Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among Adolescent Girls in selected Colleges, Bangalore

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The disease affecting as many as 7 to 10 out of 100 women of child bearing age (15-45 years).To assess the level of awareness regarding early identification and management of polycystic ovarian syndrome in experimental and control group.To evaluate the effectiveness of the video assisted teaching programme on awareness and attitude regarding early identification and management of polycystic ovarian syndrome in experimental group.To find out the association between the pretest level of awareness and attitude regarding polycystic ovarian syndrome with their selected demographic variable in experimental and control group.Quasi- experimental pretest-posttest control group design was used to collect the data. A total of 60 students in were selected as control group (n=30) and experimental group (n=30) through non-probability convenience sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and modified attitude scale regarding early identification and management of PCOS were used as the tool. Video teaching was telecasted to the experimental group. After seven days, posttest was done by using structured questionnaire and modified attitude scale. The obtained data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. In control group, pretest mean score of awareness was 11.43±3.07 the posttest mean score was 12.27±SD 2.65, the mean difference was 0.84. The obtained “t” value was 1.85, which was not statistically significant. In experimental group, pretest mean score of awareness was 11.70±2.48 the posttest mean score was 21.03±SD 1.42, the mean difference was 9.33. The obtained “t” value was 29.90, which was statistically highly significant at p&lt;0.001***level. In control group posttest mean score of awareness was 12.26±2.65. In experimental group posttest mean score was 21.03±1.42, the mean difference was8.77. The obtained “t” value was 15.95, which was statistically highly significant at p&lt;0.001***level. In control group, pretest mean score of attitudes was 52.00±5.87 the posttest mean score was 53.27±SD 5.48, the mean difference was 1.26. The obtained “t” value was 1.92, which was not statistically significant. In experimental group, pretest mean score of attitude was 52.83±6.93 the posttest mean score was 73.77±SD 4.94, the mean difference was 20.93. The obtained “t” value was 15.35 which was statistically highly significant at p&lt;0.001***level. In control group posttest mean score of attitude was 53.27±5.48. In experimental group posttest mean score was 73.77±4.94, the mean difference was 20.50. The obtained “t” value was 15.20, which was statistically highly significant at p&lt;0.001***level. The present study findings concluded that, video teaching is effective by improving the awareness and attitude among adolescent girls.

Effectiveness of Power Point Presentation on Knowledge regarding impact of social networking on lifestyle among Adolescence of selected college

Introduction: The present study was aimed to assess the “Effectiveness of PowerPoint presentation on knowledge regarding impact of social networking on lifestyle among adolescence of selected college”. Objectives: In view of the nature of the problem under study and to accomplish the objectives of the study, A quasi experimental one group pre-test post-test research design is used. The main objective of the study was evaluating the effectiveness of power point presentation on impact of social networking on lifestyle among adolescence. Material and Methods: Total 100 adolescence were selected as sample for study by using simple random sampling technique. The data was collected by using structured knowledge questionnaires. The Power point presentation was also administered on the same day following the pre-test. Findings: The comparisons of the pretest and post-test means of the knowledge regarding impact of social networking on lifestyle among adolescence of selected college in selected area were done by the paired t-‘test. The test was conducted at 5% level of significance. The pretest average score was 10.64 with standard deviation of 3.37 The post-test average score was 17.14 with standard deviation of 2.98. The chi square test was used to see the association between pre-test and post-test knowledge score of adolescence regarding impact of social networking on lifestyle at selected college. Conclusion: The study concludes that the Power point presentation was effective in imparting knowledge of Impact of Social Networking on Lifestyle. And as seen adolescence was not fully aware about impact social networking so it is important to guide them by providing knowledge on social networking.

Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge regarding Blood Donation among Degree students

A study to evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge regarding blood donation among students studying in Selected Degree Colleges, Aurangabad. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: To assess the knowledge regarding blood donation among students before planned teaching programme. To prepare and administer planned teaching programme regarding blood donation among students. To assess the knowledge regarding blood donation among students after planned teaching programme. To evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching programme regarding blood donation among students. To find out the association between post test knowledge scores with selected demographic variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This pre experimental one group pre test post test study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge regarding blood donation among the students studying in selected degree colleges. Non – probability convenient sampling technique was used for the sample collection of 50 students studying in Maharashtra Institute of Technology college, Aurangabad. Structured knowledge questionnaire was used to evaluate effectiveness of planned teaching programme. The present study was evaluative in nature. The conceptual framework used for the study was based on ‘MODIFIED VON BERTTLANFFY’S’ theory. RESULT: In the comparison between pre test and post test the knowledge score of students was more in post test than pre test. In pre test 3[6%] subjects had good knowledge regarding blood donation, 5[10%] subjects had poor knowledge and 42[84%] subjects had average knowledge regarding blood donation. Whereas in post test, 49[98%] subject had good knowledge and only 01[2%] subject had average knowledge regarding blood donation. The mean difference of pre test and post test was 10.22 and paired t value was 55.72. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that planned teaching program was helpful to increase knowledge regarding blood donation among degree students.

A Study to Assess the Knowledge regarding Hospice Care among the Caregivers with Terminally Ill Clients in selected Hospitals, at Bangalore with a view to develop an Information Booklet

Hospice care designed to give supportive care to people in the final phase of a terminal illness and focus on comfort and quality of life, rather than cure. To assess the knowledge regarding hospice care among the caregivers with terminally ill clients. To find out association between level of knowledge regarding hospice care among the care givers with terminally ill clients and selected demographic variables. To develop an information booklet. A descriptive research design and quantitative survey approach was used in the study. Reliability of the tool was tested and validity was ensured in consultation with Guides and Experts in the field of medicine and nursing. The investigator has utilized purposive sampling for the selection of the subjects. A structured knowledge questionnaire was prepared for collection of data. The study was conducted on 100 subjects in Apollo Hospital, Bangalore 15.09.2013 to 12.10.2013 after obtaining permission from the Medical Director of Apollo Hospital, Bangalore. The overall mean knowledge score was 47.71% with SD of 14.0.Out of 100 caregivers, 57.0% had inadequate knowledge, 43.0% had moderately adequate knowledge and none of them have adequate knowledge regarding hospice care. Findings of the study revealed that there is no significant association between the knowledge and the variables such as age, caregiver’s relationship, religion, type of family and family history of cancer. This study shows that among 100 respondents, 57.0% had inadequate knowledge and 43.0% had moderately adequate knowledge. The majority of the respondents were having inadequate knowledge regarding hospice care. There is no significant association between knowledge and the variables such as age, caregiver’s relationship, religion, type of family and family history of cancer.

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Ill Effect of Smoking Among Hospital Attendants at PIMS Hospital Puducherry-14

Descriptive research design was used in this study to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding ill effects of smoking among hospital attendants. This study was conducted in Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences. After obtaining the informed consent, data were collected from 48 hospital attendants using structured knowledge questionnaire. Convenience sampling technique was used. Information booklet was administered to study samples after data collection. Study results revealed that majority of (48%) hospital attendants have moderately adequate knowledge regarding ill effects of smoking. And there is no significant association between knowledge and attitude regarding ill effects of smoking with sociodemographic variables such age, education, locality, source of information received, family habits of smoking.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge regarding Preventive Measures of Postpartum Haemorrhage during Intranatal Period among Staff Nurses working in selected Hospital Jaipur, Rajasthan

A quantitative research approach and pre-experimental research design was used to conduct this study. The study was used to assess the effectiveness of STP on knowledge regarding preventive measures for PPH during intranatal period among staff nurses. The sample consist of 60 staff nurses working in Mahila Chikitsalay, Jaipur and Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used to select the samples. Pre and Post test was conducted to assess the effectiveness of STP and structured knowledge questionnaire was used to collect the data. The result of pre test revealed that 71.67% staff nurses had moderate knowledge while 28.33% had adequate knowledge. The mean of knowledge was 17.87, mean % was 68.72 and SD was 3.17. The result of post test revealed that 83.33% staff nurses had adequate knowledge while 16.67% had moderate knowledge. The mean of knowledge was 23.12, mean% was 88.91 and SD was 2.29. Paired t test was used to assess the effectiveness of STP and the t test value was 16.43 at 0.05 level of significance. The association between post test knowledge score and selected demographic variable revealed that there was no significant association between knowledge and demographic variables.

A Study to Assess the Knowledge regarding Complications of Early Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy among Parents of Teenage Girls at selected Community

BACKGROUND: Early marriage refers to any marriage happens under the age of 18 years, where the girl is not ready for the marriage and childbirth. Teenage pregnancy is defined as pregnancy in a female adolescent as the period between the age of 13 to 19 years. Over 700 million women were married before being 18 years old in the World. This research study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding complications of early marriage and teenage pregnancy among parents of teenage girls at selected community, Srikakulam, Andhra pradesh. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding complications early marriage and teenage pregnancy among parents of teenage girls at selected community, Srikakulam, Andhra pradesh. METHOD: A descriptive research design was used and a total of 30 parents of teenage girls in selected community at Srikakulam were selected by using non-probability convenience sampling techniques. Data was collected by using structured interview questionnaires by using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. RESULTS: The study revealed that among 30 parents, 0(0%) had inadequate knowledge, 23(76.6%) had moderate knowledge and 7(23.3%) had adequate knowledge regarding complications of early marriage and teenage pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Findings of the current study revealed that the knowledge regarding the complications of early marriage and teenage pregnancy among parents of teenage girls was not satisfactory and had to improve significantly.

Ценностно-смысловые факторы ожидаемого профессионального долголетия магистрантов программы «Психология профессий особого риска»

&lt;p&gt;The work aims to study the connection between value-semantic indicators and characteristics of age and planned professional longevity among undergraduates. Subjects: Master's students in the educational program "Psychology of Special Risk Professions" - 35 people (27 of them women, average age 37.4 + 7.39 years. Methods: "Hierarchy of Personality", assessment of personal attitude "egoism - altruism", real structure questionnaire on value orientations of the individual, &amp;ldquo;expected retirement age&amp;rdquo; scale, diagnostics of biological age, self-assessment of psychological age, regression analysis. Results: Three age indicators have been identified that characterize expected professional longevity and associated complexes of value-semantic characteristics 1) Expected retirement age characterizes. the duration of the planned working period. It is increased by the set of values: &amp;ldquo;rest and respect,&amp;rdquo; which includes the values of rest, interesting pastime, respect, and recognition from others. 2) Index of biological aging is reduced by the set of values &amp;ldquo;healthy altruism,&amp;rdquo; which includes the values of health, altruism, and material well-being. 3) The index of psychological aging is lowered by the complex of values &amp;ldquo;free time&amp;rdquo;, which includes the values ​​of communication, free time, and, in the opposite direction, the value of the family sphere and social activity. Conclusion: the expected professional longevity of master's students studying in the educational program "Psychology of special risk professions" is associated with their value-semantic orientations.&lt;/p&gt;

Tourism Development in Lumbini Region: A Perspective of Domestic Tourists

Globally, domestic tourism has been emerging as an alternative to international tourism both in the normal and the hard times. This also has momentum in Nepal, where the Lumbini region is considered one of the ever-visited destinations among Nepali tourists. The paper is a typical case study of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, the birthplace of God Buddha. This paper assesses how domestic tourists perceive tourism development in Lumbini, why they visit the site, what potentials and challenges they feel, and from which region of Nepal they belong and why. Following a quantitative dominant mixed method approach, the researcher has employed a structured questionnaire survey tool among 174 domestic tourists. Besides, semi-structured interviews among the five key informants were also taken. The paper argues that the travel and tourism of visitors from different regions of Nepal increased in recent years despite the fact that the region is known as a worldwide hub of international tourism. Domestic tourists are also attracted to Lumbini for various reasons, but the religious attachment is the fundamental one where respect for Buddha and Buddhism as a national pride is manifested. Despite having different opportunities and explorations the study also reveals some hurdles and challenges in terms of policy intervention and infrastructure development for the proportion of domestic tourism in Lumbini.

Knowledge, Perception and Awareness of Dog Related Zoonosis in Uyo Metropolis, Nigeria

Introduction: The interaction of humans and animals especially dogs, has made zoonotic diseases remain a genuine threat to the health and survival of humans. Aim: The study was aimed at assessing the level of knowledge and risk perception of dog owners regarding canine and their zoonotic potential in Uyo, Akwa, Ibom. Methodology: Structured questionnaires were employed for the cross sectional study. Result: A total of 200 respondents were employed for the study and all (100%) were aware that some animal diseases (zoonoses) are transmissible to humans, including those of dogs. A high level of awareness of 100% (200) was recorded for rabies and its route of transmission (bite) and 75% (157) for dermatophytosis while 96.5% (193) were ignorant on dog helminthic zoonosis. Some of the encountered factors that predisposed infectivity included: compromised sanitary conditions of the kennel (50%), inappropriate disposal of dog feces (51.5%), poor veterinary attention (58%), and feeding of dogs with both raw animal products and household leftovers (53%). Conclusion: This revealed a high potential of zoonotic infectivity among the human population in the area, mostly on zoonotic helminth infections, as they were misperceived. Therefore, there is a need for increased awareness, strategy formulation, and implementation toward the control and eradication of zoonotic diseases.

Decoding stakeholder priorities of safety culture preferences in the oil and gas industry

Safety culture is a critical determinant of organisational performance, particularly in high-risk industries especially in oil and gas. Understanding stakeholder preferences is essential for developing effective strategies that enhance safety culture. This study utilised the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritise stakeholder preferences, identifying key elements of safety culture in Malaysia's oil and gas sector. This study employed a structured methodology to evaluate safety culture within the oil and gas industry, focusing on 18 sub-elements across three key domains: psychological, behavioural, and situational factors. A diverse sample of industry experts was recruited using purposeful and snowball sampling to ensure a comprehensive representation of stakeholder views. The AHP framework was applied to analyse the data, utilizing structured questionnaires and multicriteria decision-making techniques to prioritize the identified safety culture elements. The AHP analysis identified distinct priorities among different professional groups within the oil and gas sector. Safety and Health Practitioners emphasized practical elements such as safety rules and management commitment, while academicians prioritized knowledge and training. Management personnel highlighted the importance of safety ownership and communication, whereas policymakers focused on broader, policy-oriented aspects. The findings suggest that safety culture improvement initiatives should be tailored to address the specific needs and priorities of each professional group. A nuanced understanding of stakeholder preferences is crucial for developing comprehensive strategies that integrate observable behaviours, situational conditions, and psychological factors, ultimately fostering a robust safety culture in the oil and gas industry.

Person-centered abortion care in public health facilities across four regions of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional quantitative study of client experiences.

Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in expanding access to and provision of comprehensive abortion care. However, complications due to unsafe abortion persist. As efforts to increase quality of comprehensive abortion care continue, evaluating service quality is critical. Although "women-centered" abortion care is a central component of Ethiopia's technical guidelines for safe abortion, research has mostly focused on access to care, availability of services, and meeting clinical criteria, rather than examining service quality from abortion clients' perspectives. This study assesses the quality of comprehensive abortion care (CAC) in public health facilities, from clients' perspectives, in four regions of Ethiopia to examine how person-centered care differs based on facility and service characteristics. We conducted 1,870 client exit surveys in 2018 using structured questionnaires with women who received induced abortion or postabortion care services from 76 public health facilities across four regions: Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's. We operationalized person-centered care by mapping 30 indicators of quality to five of the six domains in the Person-Centered Care Framework for Reproductive Health Equity developed by Sudhinaraset and colleagues (2017): dignity & respect; autonomy; communication & supportive care; trust, privacy, and confidentiality; and health facility environment. We calculated descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable statistics to examine associations between service characteristics and person-centered care. CAC clients reported high levels of person-centered care, with exceptionally positive experiences for outcomes in the dignity and respect and trust, privacy, and confidentiality domains. However, there was notable room for improving client experiences across three domains: autonomy, communication and supportive care, and health facility environment. Client-reported quality outcomes differed significantly by diagnosis (induced or postabortion care), region, health facility type, and procedure type. Clients in Amhara, clients at tertiary and primary hospitals, and clients who received postabortion care reported lower levels of person-centered care. The positive experiences reported by comprehensive abortion care clients bolster evidence of the impact of the Ethiopian government's strategy to increase abortion access in the public health sector. However, notable disparities exist for key subgroups, particularly those seeking postabortion care and people visiting tertiary and primary hospitals. Quality improvement efforts should concentrate on improving abortion clients' autonomy, communication and supportive care, and the health facility environment. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health and its partners must dedicate resources to improve postabortion care quality, integration of reproductive health services within CAC, and pain management for MA clients as vital interventions.

Use of Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test for Detection of COVID-19 Cases in University Settings in Cameroon.

Robust testing strategies are an essential aspect of COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response. In 2022, most regions of Cameroon were still below the WHO's recommended level of 10 COVID-19 tests per 10,000 population. This study aimed to detect SARS-CoV-2 cases in university settings in Cameroon using antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) to increase national testing capacity and assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of this population regarding COVID-19 infection. Six universities in Buea, Douala, Dschang, Maroua, Ngaoundere, and Yaounde participated in this study from June to October 2022. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from participants and tested for COVID-19 using Ag-RDTs. For all positive cases, high-risk contacts were also tested by Ag-RDT. Participants were administered a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19. A total of 7,006 participants were recruited, and 54 (0.8%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among close contacts, three of 62 (4.8%) tested positive. The University of Maroua was the only site to consistently report satisfactory testing capacity, achieving the study target of 30 tests/10,000 in 94.1% of cases. Participants' knowledge of COVID-19 was moderate to good (≥50%). However, 28% were unsure about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Two main factors were identified that could facilitate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in university settings, namely the lack of restrictions on entering campus without a mask (36%) and the non-respect of social distancing on campus (42.7%). The results of this study will guide future policies to better control diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential by targeting educational institutions.