Total Knowledge Score Research Articles

Impact of implementing virtual journal club on developing competencies for critical appraisal among post-graduate nursing students

BackgroundVirtual journal clubs (VJCs) are innovative technologies with the potential to foster collaboration, facilitate multilingual communication, improve cultural competencies, and expand global professional networks. This allowed participants to be exposed to critical appraisal of the articles. However, its long-term impact on competency development has been debated. This study aimed to investigate the impact of implementing VJCs on developing competencies for critical appraisal among postgraduate nursing students.MethodsA quasi-experimental (pretest/posttest one-group) research design was used with a convenience sample of 40 participants from the community health nursing department, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt who agreed to participate. The participants received an online self-administered knowledge and attitude data collection tool through Google Forms. However, critical appraisal skills were evaluated by an observational checklist with a rubric through synchronized mode. Eleven VJC sessions were conducted for each participant. Descriptive analysis served as the primary method for analyzing participants’ responses. Students’ t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to measure differences between the pretest and post-test. The study also used a correlation test to assess the relationship of variables.ResultsThe findings indicated a highly statistically significant difference among the participants regarding knowledge, critical appraisal skills, and attitudes toward VJC before, immediately, and six months after VJC session implementation. In addition, a positive significant correlation with a highly statistically significant difference between the participants’ total knowledge score levels, total practice score levels, and total attitude score levels in the immediate post and after six months of VJC session implementation (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe findings indicate this intervention has the potential to enhance critical appraisal competencies among postgraduate students. Therefore, VJCs should be included regularly to enhance critical appraisal competencies in academic settings for continued professional development.

Exploring knowledge, attitudes and practices towards sustainable food aid programmes across Europe

Abstract Background Food insecurity has increased following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. In some EU high-income countries, more than 70% of food aid users experience food insecurity, highlighting the need for food aid programmes to provide good quality and sustainable services and maximise the social inclusion of food aid users. The aim of this study was to identify areas that can promote sustainability in food aid programmes. Methods Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards sustainable food aid were assessed via a quantitative questionnaire. Socio-demographic data were also collected. The survey was translated and disseminated online across 5 EU countries (Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Portugal), targeting staff and volunteers involved in food aid programmes (20 per country, total N = 100). Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results Most participants were female (68%), 18-49 years old (87%) and occupied in a NGO (89%) as employee (55%). The mean total knowledge score was 11.8 out of 19 (SD 3.2) with low knowledge (% of correct answers) on household food waste (18%) and environmental impact of cooking appliances (29%). In all countries (except Austria) more than 70% of participants agreed that they can apply sustainability through their work; however, more than 50% agreed that sustainability is not always feasible in food aid programmes. Food loss/waste, access to local food and the economic crisis were the main parameters reported to impact sustainability in food aid (≥70% of N). The most frequently applied practices were storing food according to expiration date, monitoring quantities in food distribution, considering beneficiaries’ needs and reading food labels. The least frequently applied practices were composting food leftovers and using energy-efficient methods to distribute food. Conclusions Sustainability is considered important; however, more effort is needed to promote and embed sustainability parameters in food aid programmes. Key messages • Sustainability is considered important in food aid programmes; however, more effort is needed to promote and embed sustainability parameters in practice. • Identifying sustainability areas in food aid programmes can lead to successful educational and training initiatives.

Palliative care knowledge and self-efficacy: a comparative study between intensive care units and general units nurses

Background and objectivesThe growing number of terminally ill patients has underscored the importance of equipping healthcare workers with adequate palliative care knowledge and self-efficacy. This study aimed to compare the palliative care knowledge and self-efficacy of nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) with those in general wards at hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2023.MethodsThis descriptive-comparative cross-sectional study involved nurses from intensive care units and general wards of three hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences, for a total sample size of 300 nurses (150 in each group). The samples were selected using convenience sampling. The data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire, the Palliative Care Knowledge Test (PCKT), and the Palliative Care Self-Efficacy Scale (PCSES). Convenience Sampling method was used. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate stepwise regression) were employed. Statistical significance was determined by a p-value of ≤ 0.05.FindingsThe mean score for palliative care knowledge was 10.59 (± 2.10) for nurses in intensive care units and 10.43 (± 2.33) for nurses in general wards, with no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.53). Similarly, the mean score for palliative care self-efficacy was 28.01 (± 10.29) for nurses in intensive care units and 27.98 (± 10.33) for nurses in general wards, with no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.98). Variables such as the history of caring for dying patients in the hospital (P = 0.004) or at home (P = 0.01), workplace (P = 0.002), and work experience (P = 0.03) were identified as the main predictors of palliative care knowledge and palliative care self-efficacy was affected by age (P < 0.001), history of participation in palliative care training courses (P = 0.008), and palliative care knowledge score (P = 0.01).Discussion and conclusionThis study revealed no significant difference in total scores of palliative care knowledge or self-efficacy between nurses in intensive care units and general wards It is suggested that more efforts be made to increase the knowledge and self-efficacy of all nurses, especially nurses in ICU departments, till providing a standard palliative care setting.

Filipino Rehabilitation Practitioners’ COVID-19 knowledge, practice and attitude: A cross-sectional study

Background: The rehabilitation team, consisting of physiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, and speech pathologists, faces heightened risk of COVID-19 exposure because of treatment practices in rehabilitation settings.Aim: The study aimed to assess the knowledge, practices and attitudes of rehabilitation professionals in treating COVID-19 patients and to determine potential associations with respondents’ demographic factors (e.g., age, gender, type of profession).Setting: The study was conducted in the Philippines.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 to July 2021. Researchers employed snowballing and purposive homogenous convenient sampling methods. Participants completed a 31-item online questionnaire via Google Forms.Results: A total of 410 rehabilitation professionals participated in the study. The total mean scores for knowledge, practices and attitudes are 41.14 ± 3.16, 104.54 ± 33.65 and 37.13 ± 3.55, respectively which were considered adequate. However, only 9.8% (n = 40) professional was actively treating COVID-19 patients with analysis of variance indicated that age, type of profession and gender did not significantly impact COVID-19 knowledge. However, age (p = 0.005) and type of profession (p = 0.004) were found to influence COVID-19 practices, with physiatrists exhibiting higher adherence. There was a strong positive correlation between age and positive COVID-19 attitudes (p 0.000).Conclusion: Filipino rehabilitation professionals have positive attitude, adequate knowledge and skills about COVID-19.Contribution: The study provides information to modify training courses and curricula to further improve the knowledge and practices related to COVID-19.

Knowledge and perception of asthma among parents of children with asthma.

Parents' knowledge is an integral part of healthcare quality, impacting treatment adherence, patient loyalty and healthcare utilisation in pediatric asthma. Parental knowledge is particularly crucial as parents influence decision-making for their child's healthcare. To assess parents' knowledge and perceptions of their children's asthma and to identify areas for weakness in therapeutic education. This is transversal survey study based on validated and translated self-administered questionnaire (Arabic asthma knowledge questionnaire AAKQ). The study was conducted in 2 departments: pediatric primary care department at Elomrane and pediatric pneumology outpatient clinics at Bechir Hamza children's hospital of Tunis during 6 months (March2022- October2022). One hundred forty-four parents were involved in the study. Most of the participants were mothers. The mean age was 38 years. Only 27,0% had higher education and smoking in parents was observed in 58% of cases. Our results showed moderate knowledge in 67,9% of participants. The mean of the total knowledge score was 57,7/85. Forty-six per cent of parents had poor knowledge for the first category of the questionnaire. The second category was the most successful part where only 14% had poor knowledge. The mean score of the third category was 13,5/20 with 35,4% of parents having poor knowledge. The mean of total knowledge was found to be higher among participants with higher education (P=0,000), when the gender of the child is masculine (P=0,038), when the parents were asked in Hospital of children of Tunis (P=0,003) and when there is a history of asthma in the siblings (P=0,05). No difference in caregiver's knowledge was based on their age or gender or history of asthma, on the age of the child, his hospitalization for asthma, his asthma control level or his compliance with medication. Knowledge of parents and their children suffering from asthma is acceptable but insufficient. An approach focusing on improving patient education skills is needed to help families understand and accept the disease and achieve optimal control.

Building partnerships to improve clinical trial accrual in rural and Native American communities through community health educator interventions.

180 Background: Rural populations and racial minorities are often underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. The low representation is determined by multilevel factors, including lack of geographic access to facilities in rural locations and mistrust in the medical and scientific community. Presented here are partial results of an educational intervention to improve clinical trials-related knowledge among rural residents and racial minorities. Methods: The Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) developed the study materials, that were available in English or Spanish, to be utilized according to participants' preferences. The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center implemented this intervention in northern Wisconsin, which consisted of a baseline questionnaire, a recorded educational intervention, and a post-educational questionnaire. The chosen community is largely rural and Native. The questionnaires consisted of 11-knowledge- and 6-intention-related questions. After being screened by the rural Community Health Educator (CHE), subjects self-administered the intervention online or received the intervention from the CHE during tribal or other educational group events in rural communities. Results: Between January and May 2024, 62 participants started the intervention. Participants’ mean age was 45.1 (±15.36) years, 64.5% (40/62) were female, and 53.2% (33/62) self-identified as American Indian/ Alaska Native. All resided in rural community, defined as Rural-Urban Continuum Codes 7 or 8. Three participants did not respond to the post-educational questionnaire, and one skipped its intentions section. Although the two questions about informed consent presented the highest percent of correct answers post-intervention, the median total knowledge score pre and post-intervention remained the same (p&gt;0.05). Post-intervention, participants more often agreed it is important for minority groups to participate in clinical trials, reported being likely to search for a clinical trial they might be eligible for, join a clinical trial, and talk to family/friends about joining a clinical trial (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: The CHE successfully engaged rural community members to participate in the intervention. In addition, the intervention facilitated building trust and partnerships for future cancer-related community driven work.

Factors Influencing Management of Enteral Nutrition Among Nurses in Health Facilities of Kisumu County, Kenya

Context: Enteral Nutrition (EN) is a feeding method through the gastrointestinal tract used in patients whose oral intake is not possible. Over 3 million people receive EN globally annually. Nurses play a key role in EN, but despite the progress, studies have demonstrated approaches that are not in line with approved standards. Aim: To evaluate factors influencing management of enteral nutrition among nurses in health facilities of Kisumu County. Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in two government hospitals and two private hospitals in Kisumu County, namely, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu County Referral Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital, and Avenue Hospital. A total of 135 participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Twelve key informants were interviewed. Data collection tools included a structured self-administered questionnaire, a nurses' practice observation checklist, and an interview guide. Results: Most participants were females (68.2%) and 31.8% males, with a mean age of 34.2±8.4. The use of well-displayed guidelines influences EN (p-value 0.03). Nurses' level of knowledge influences EN, though with minimal significance. The average total knowledge score was 80.7%. Total nurses’ performance shows that 85.2% had a satisfactory performance level. Conclusion: EN is an essential intervention in the healing process and can be influenced by well-displayed guidelines. The findings indicated that nurses' knowledge can influence the management of enteral nutrition. The study recommends that nurses focus on adhering to the recommended guidelines on EN that are well displayed and be knowledgeable and well-informed about updates on EN.

Effect of a targeted health education program on nurses’ awareness about postpartum depression

BackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental health disorder that affects women after giving birth. It seriously harms the mother–child bond. As nurses' expertise can have a significant impact on women after childbirth, this study aimed to compare the knowledge of nurses at the Maternity Hospital of Ain Shams University (ASU) before and after the implementation of an educational program regarding PPD.MethodsA pre-and post-quasi-experimental study was conducted among 63 nurses at ASU Maternity Hospital. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate nurses' knowledge of PPD symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors, treatment, and consequences before and one month following an educational program that comprised PowerPoint, posters, and videos.ResultsThe mean age of nurses was 23.17 ± 1.45. About 76% had previously heard of PPD, and the most frequent sources of their information were nursing studies followed by conferences. After the intervention, there was a significant improvement in the knowledge score regarding PPD symptoms and diagnosis, with a mean score of 7.23 ± 1.32 compared to 6.13 ± 1.97 before the intervention. The knowledge score of PPD risk factors showed a considerable improvement, with a mean score of 11.52 ± 1.49 as compared to 9.69 ± 1.94 previously. There was a significant improvement in the knowledge scores regarding PPD treatment and consequences. Overall, the PPD total knowledge score of nurses improved significantly after the intervention, from 19.56 ± 3.49 to 23.2 ± 2.5 (p-value < 0.001).ConclusionThis study demonstrates the positive impact of a targeted health education program on enhancing nurses’ awareness about PPD. The program effectively increased knowledge levels among participating nurses, empowering them with essential skills to recognize, assess, and respond to PPD in their clinical practice. The improvement in awareness signifies the importance of implementing focused educational interventions to enhance nurses’ ability to identify this critical maternal mental health issue.ImplicationsBeyond the direct effect of this study on nurses' awareness, it has wider implications for patient care, healthcare policies, professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public health awareness related to PPD.Trial registrationIt was registered on clinicaltrials.gov with identifier number NCT06424496.

A Mobile Gaming App to Train Teenage Mothers on Appropriate Child Feeding Practices: Development and Validation Study.

Undernutrition is an underlying factor in nearly 50% of 1 million estimated annual deaths among Nigerian children aged <5 years. Inappropriate maternal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are basic contributors to child undernutrition. Teenage motherhood exacerbates the problem of inadequate child feeding. One possible intervention method to improve IYCF knowledge and practices of teenage mothers is the use of mobile gaming technologies. Despite extreme poverty in low- and middle-income countries, a ubiquity of mobile phone networks exists. This study aims to develop and validate a mobile gaming app, called BabyThrive, to train Nigerian teenage mothers on appropriate IYCF practices. To identify gaps in current IYCF practices in northern Nigeria, we conducted an extensive search of the literature and held 2 focus group interviews with 16 teenage mothers with low-income status. An initial app content design was then created, and content validity was established by 10 nutrition experts. Next, we developed an app prototype, which was assessed for quality by 7 nutrition and mobile gaming experts and evaluated for usability by 90 teenage mothers from rural areas in Abuja, the country's capital. The final app, BabyThrive, is a 2D mobile game that is fully functional offline and available in English as well as Hausa, which is commonly spoken in northern Nigeria. The efficacy of the BabyThrive app was assessed using IYCF knowledge scores obtained from the administration of the validated Teen Moms Child Feeding Questionnaire for Sub-Saharan Africa. Construct validity was established via crossover design by comparing the total IYCF knowledge scores of the teenage mothers obtained after a verbal training program and BabyThrive app use. Large proportions of the study participants were married (53/90, 59%) and had no personal income (63/90, 70%). The mean quality rating for the BabyThrive app was 4.3 (SD 0.39) out of 5.0. High levels (>80%) of usability and user satisfaction were documented. Knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (P<.001) and total knowledge scores (P=.002) were significantly higher in the BabyThrive group than in the verbal training group. The IYCF knowledge scores obtained from both groups showed coherence, with a statistically significant Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.50 (P<.001). This research developed and validated a novel, offline mobile gaming app. It will be an easy, effective, and acceptable method to disseminate critical knowledge on IYCF practices to teenage mothers in rural Nigeria.

Abstract B101: Knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy toward cancer genetic testing among Black women with and without breast cancer

Abstract Germline genetic testing for cancer risk offers opportunities for decision-making about screening and clinical risk management for individuals and their family members. Despite increasing availability of cancer genetic testing, Black individuals are still much less likely to receive or engage with testing compared to non-Hispanic white individuals. We sought to identify individual level factors influencing knowledge about and attitudes toward cancer genetic testing among Black women with and without breast cancer. Participants included 925 women from the Black Women’s Health Study who had previously provided a biospecimen for research and were invited to have their cancer genetic research findings confirmed via a CLIA-certified laboratory and learn their results as part of a randomized controlled trial. Prior to confirmation testing, all women completed a baseline questionnaire about personal and family history of cancer; prior genetic testing for hereditary cancer; and knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in one’s ability to use genetic information (genetics self-efficacy). We used linear regression to evaluate individual-level factors influencing cancer genetics knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy. Overall, mean knowledge score was 12.3 out of 16 (SD, 2.5); there were no differences in knowledge score between women who had a personal history of breast cancer and those who did not. While the majority of women answered most questions correctly, 20-30% of women were unable to correctly answer questions about validity of test results, clinical implications of a variant of uncertain significance, and legal protections against health insurance discrimination. Younger age, higher educational attainment, being married, and having had prior genetic testing were statistically significant predictors of higher total knowledge score. There were no differences in mean knowledge scores by first degree family history of breast cancer or personal history of breast or other cancer. Predictors of favorable attitudes and genetics self-efficacy included younger age, higher educational attainment, and being married. Women with a personal history of breast cancer had somewhat more favorable attitudes toward genetic testing compared to those with no prior history of breast cancer. In multivariable adjusted models, higher total knowledge was associated with more favorable attitudes and higher self-efficacy. In this cohort of highly educated Black women, overall cancer genetics knowledge was relatively high; however, evaluation of individual knowledge questions revealed opportunities for improvement in specific areas. Older women, those with lower educational attainment, and women who are not married or living as married may benefit from more targeted education about genetic cancer testing. Further, despite the role genetic testing currently plays in guiding cancer treatment, Black women who had breast cancer did not have higher knowledge scores than those without breast cancer and therefore may also benefit from targeted education. Citation Format: Kimberly A. Bertrand, Michelle Trevino-Talbot, Maggie Rudderman, Maureen Flynn, Howard J. Cabral, Julie R. Palmer, Catharine Wang. Knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy toward cancer genetic testing among Black women with and without breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B101.

Pediatrician Knowledge of Early Intervention Process as Contributor to Disparities in Management of Development Delay.

Lack of knowledge of Early Intervention (EI) is a barrier to developmental delay (DD) management. We aimed to examine the feasibility of measuring pediatricians' knowledge of EI, determine the distribution of EI knowledge, and determine factors associated with increased EI knowledge. We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study with a convenience sample from a local American Academy of Pediatrics chapter to administer a survey with 10 multiple-choice questions regarding the EI referral process, evaluation process, eligibility criteria and fee structure. Our outcome variable was a composite score of these 10 multiple-choice questions, Total Knowledge Score (TKS). Our predictor variables included physician characteristics (i.e., years of experience, percentage of patients seen with private insurance, receipt of EI training in the last 5years) and practice characteristics (i.e., medical home status). Our sample consisted of a total of 194 pediatric residents/attendings. Multivariable regression demonstrated seeing ≥ 50% patients who were privately insured, increased experience, and receiving training in the last 5years were associated with higher TKS. We were able to quantitatively evaluate physician's knowledge of EI and demonstrated that seeing a majority of privately insured patients, having more experience, and having received formal EI training in the last 5years were associated with higher EI knowledge. This disproportionate distribution of EI knowledge has the potential to contribute to disparities in the management of DD. This may indicate that medical institutions, where physicians see a small percent of privately insured patients, need to hire more experienced physicians, and provide routine EI training.

Functioning Management and Recovery, a psychoeducational intervention for psychiatric residential facilities: a multicenter follow-up study

AimFunctional Management and Recovery is a standardized Psychoeducational Intervention, derived from “Integro”, an effective salutogenic-psychoeducational intervention for people in recovery journey, designed to improve recovery and functioning of individuals with psychotic disorders in Psychiatric Residential Facilities (PRFs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the primary and secondary outcomes of this intervention elaborated specifically for PRFs where evidence based structured interventions seem rare and desirable.Methods66 individuals with psychotic disorders were recruited in 9 PRFs dislocated in the North, Center and South Italy and 63 underwent a multicenter follow-up study with a two time-point evaluation (t0, pre-treatment and t1, 6 months; ). At each time point, social functioning was assessed as primary outcome by the Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP); furthermore, psychopathological status was assessed by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Recovery by Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), Cognitive Functioning by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Stress management by Stress-Scale, Cognitive Flexibility by Modified Five-Point Test (M-FPT), Emotional Intelligence by Emotional Intelligence Index (EI-I), the PRF Atmosphere and the Opinion of users about the PFR by an ad hoc questionnaire. The Abilities Knowledge, the Utility and Pleasantness of sessions were measured by an ad hoc list of items.Results63 individuals out of 66, 52 (82,5%) affected by schizophrenia and 11 (17,5%) by bipolar I disorder with psychotic symptoms according to DSM-5-TR completed the study. At the end of the study, 43 (68,3%) were male, 57 (90.5%) were single, 5 (7.9%) engaged, 1 (1.6%) married; 45 (71.4%) unemployed. The total scores of PSP, RAS, BPRS, BANS, Stress management, Abilities Knowledge, Utility and Pleasantness of sessions showed a statistically significant improvement at t1 vs. t0. Two sub-scales out of 5 of M-FPT showed a statistically significant improvement. The Emotional Intelligence, the Unit Atmosphere and the Opinion of Users about PFR improved without statistical significance. Six months after the end of the follow-up study 22 individuals of the sample were dismissed with a very high turnover.ConclusionsAfter a six-month follow-up (a short period of time), these results showed improvement in functioning, the primary outcome, as well as in the following secondary outcome variables: RAS, BPRS, BANS, Stress management, Abilities Knowledge, two sub-scales out of 5 of M-FPT, Utility and Pleasantness of sessions. Overall, a remarkable impact of psychoeducational structured intervention on the key Recovery variables is observed. Further studies are needed to address extent and duration of these improvements.

Evaluating the Knowledge Levels and Attitudes Regarding Pressure Injuries among Nurses in Turkey.

To determine nurses' knowledge levels and attitudes regarding pressure injury (PI) in Turkey and to reveal the relationship between these two variables. This study was conducted with 604 nurses to obtain 98% power based on the G*Power analysis. The authors used the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool (PUKAT) 2.0 and Attitude toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention (APuP) instrument for data collection. Regression, correlation analysis, independent-sample t test, and analysis of variance were used in data analysis. Nurses' mean total PUKAT 2.0 score was 9.40 ± 2.47 (46.72% correct). Nurses' mean total score on the APuP instrument was 32.39 ± 2.752. The total knowledge score and total attitude score were positively correlated (ρ = 0.761; P = .007). According to the results of linear regression analysis, the demographic variables of sex, education, seniority, and unit significantly predicted PUKAT 2.0 scores and APuP scores. Nurses' knowledge of PI prevention was insufficient, and their attitudes were average. A significant and positive relationship was identified between nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding PI.

Oral Health Educational Intervention for Primary Healthcare Providers Using the Flipped Approach.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effect of a flipped oral health educational program for primary healthcare providers (PHCPs) on their knowledge, attitude, and practice. Materials and Methods: This field trial was conducted on PHCPs (N=118; 61 cases and 57 controls) in District Health Centers (DHCs) of Tehran, Iran in 2012. The participants filled out a self-report questionnaire with questions on knowledge (N=34), attitude (N=8), and oral health practice (N=14). The intervention included an educational booklet delivered to the staff followed by a brief educational session using the flipped approach and a reminder pamphlet after 1 month. After 4 months, the questionnaire was completed again by the participants. Statistical analysis included paired sample t-test, ANCOVA, and linear and logistic regression. Results: Most participants were females (N=114), and the mean age was 37±8 years. The scores of the three domains of knowledge and also the total knowledge score, the attitude score, and the practice score significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Knowledge about the oral health of children (P=0.001) and the total knowledge score (P<0.05) significantly increased in the control group, but the increase in other domains was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The oral health knowledge of PHCPs was insufficient, and their practice and attitude were not desirable. The oral health educational program with the flipped approach had a positive impact on the PHCPs' knowledge, attitude and practice, and may be utilized in the academic curriculum or continuing medical education (CME) courses.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of adult vaccine among the staff of vaccination units in Shandong Province

In order to understand the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of vaccination against influenza, pneumonia, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes zoster (HZ), COVID-19, and hepatitis B among staff of vaccination units in Shandong Province, a sample survey was conducted among 797 staffs of adult vaccination units in 12 counties (cities and districts) of Shandong Province from August to September 2022. The results showed that the respondents had the highest total score of knowledge and attitude for the COVID-19 vaccine, with the M (Q1, Q3) of 23 (20, 25) and 10 (10, 10), respectively, and had the lowest score of knowledge and attitude for the herpes zoster vaccine, with the M (Q1, Q3) of 19 (15, 22) and 8 (8, 10), respectively. The vaccine-related knowledge point"vaccine applicable population"had the highest score, with the M (Q1,Q3) of 26 (23, 30). The "contraindications/adverse reactions" and "adverse reaction management" had the lowest score, with the M (Q1, Q3) of 24 (20, 29) and 24 (20, 28), respectively. About 89.71% of respondents received one adult vaccine within two years at least. The principal driver for vaccination of 53.58% of recipients was their understanding of vaccines, which was"it was necessary to receive the vaccine". About 66.00% of respondents who had not received any adult vaccine in the past two years had insufficient awareness of the necessity of vaccination and believed that they were in good health and did not need to receive it. In summary, the staff of adult vaccination units in Shandong Province have a poor understanding of the herpes zoster vaccine in terms of vaccines and a relatively poor understanding of"contraindications/adverse reaction and management"in adult vaccination knowledge points.

Examination tolerance, pre-examination anxiety, knowledge needs and cooperation in gastroscopic examinees: A prospective, correlational analysis in a health screening population.

To explore the correlations between examination tolerance and anxiety, knowledge needs and examination cooperation in sedation-free gastroscopy examinees. Cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling. A total of 170 healthy adults who underwent sedation-free gastroenteroscopy were asked to complete a visual analogue scale (VAS) to rate their examination tolerance, the state anxiety questionnaire (S-AI), a newly designed knowledge needs questionnaire and a cooperation questionnaire. The VAS score was 4.47 ± 1.96, the state anxiety score was 39.46 ± 9.81, the total score for knowledge needs was 44.89 ± 11.02, and the average cooperation score was 2.47 ± 0.38. The VAS score during the examination positively correlated with the pretest state anxiety score and pretest knowledge needs score and negatively correlated with the examination cooperation score. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that after undergoing the examination for the first time, anxiety, body position and swallowing control were the main factors influencing the examination tolerance of sedation-free gastroscopy examinees. We would like to thank the staff and patients of the participating hospital for their assistance and cooperation in performing the current study.

Effectiveness of an Educational Program on Improving Nursing Care for Thalassemia Patients Undergoing Blood Transfusion

Background: Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that disrupts hemoglobin production, leading to severe anemia. Beta-thalassemia major patients often require lifelong blood transfusions. Nurses play a crucial role in managing these transfusions, but gaps in knowledge and practice can lead to complications. This study assessed the impact of an educational program on nurses' knowledge and skills regarding thalassemia and blood transfusion protocols. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Jin Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Center in Duhok City, Iraqi Kurdistan. The sample included 20 nurses. The program consisted of four sessions (two theoretical and two practical). Data collection instruments included a socio-demographic sheet, a knowledge questionnaire, and a skills checklist. Pre- and post-intervention knowledge and practice scores were analyzed using paired t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: The educational program significantly improved nurses' knowledge of thalassemia (P &lt; 0.00) and transfusion protocols, with the mean knowledge score increasing from 5.2 ± 2.09 to 8.05 ± 1.82. Practice scores also showed statistically significant improvements (P &lt; 0.002). Correlations between total knowledge and practice scores, as well as with nurses' experience and educational level, were statistically significant. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that an educational program can enhance nurses' knowledge and practices in managing thalassemia patients undergoing blood transfusions. Continued education and targeted interventions are essential to improving the quality of care for these patients.

Breast self-examination knowledge, attitude, and practice among Jazan women, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. It is a major cause of cancer death, and its incidence rate has been gradually increasing in the Arab world, Saudi Arabia has a higher proportion of young females getting breast cancer than other countries. This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding breast self-examination among females from 20 to 60 years old in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia. Using A Community-based descriptive cross-sectional approach, data were gathered from 567 Saudi and non-Saudi women using structured interviews and then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM) version 21.0 software program. Where the study indicated that around half of the participants (55.7%) had good total knowledge scores regarding breast self-examination, and most had positive attitudes. However, only 205 (36.2%) respondents practice it regularly. Moreover, the study reveals a significant association between respondents' knowledge and attitudes toward breast self-examination (P = 0.05). These findings indicate moderate knowledge, poor breast self-examination practices, and a significant association between knowledge and attitudes. Therefore, conducting health education programs is necessary to raise awareness about breast self-examination (BSE) among Jazan women.

Association between dyslipidaemia knowledge & lipid testing practice among adults, a community-based study.

Various factors have been described in the literature to explain the tendency of an individual to undergo medical screenings. This study aimed to assess the association between the level of knowledge about dyslipidaemia and the frequency of lipid testing, as well as the potential impact of predisposing, enabling, and need factors on the uptake of blood lipid screening. This study was a cross-sectional survey involving 314 participants who were Malaysian residents of Taman Selatan, Klang, aged 30 and above. The study utilized a 42-item paper-based bilingual questionnaire to evaluate the predisposing, enabling, and need factors that could potentially influence the practice of lipid testing. Out of the 314 residents approached, 271 responded to the questionnaire yielding a response rate of 86.31%. The median knowledge score was 5 out of 17. Lower monthly income (OR = 3.225, 95% CI = 0.255 to 2.141), higher number of comorbidities (OR = 2.724, 95% CI = 0.037 to 2.013), higher total knowledge score (OR = 1.334, 95% CI = 0.063 to 0.512) and respondent's belief and attitude (OR = 0.813, 95% CI = -2.033 to -0.539), were found to be significantly associated with the frequency of lipid testing. In conclusion, the knowledge level regarding dyslipidaemia was below average and associated with a lower tendency to undergo frequent lipid testing. There is a need for innovative health awareness such as active educational campaigns in various settings of the community. Further qualitative studies that explore the understanding of the publics', and antecedents of their, lipid screening behaviour are required. Appropriate communication by healthcare providers should be encouraged during patient consultations for higher impact.

The effect of educational animation compared to leaflets on patients’ knowledge regarding root canal treatment: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundIncorporating video as a tool for education offers a multitude of advantages. However, it is unknown what is the best educational tool to use for increasing public awareness, consequently reducing fear about root canal treatment. For this reason, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of educational animation and leaflets as delivery methods for providing information on root canal treatment to patients and to assess their ability to retain the information.MethodsOne hundred fifty adult volunteers were recruited via social media and Umm Al-Qura University Dental Hospital to participate in this randomized control trial study. The volunteers were divided into the study group (SG) and the control group (CG). The SG was provided with information through animations created by the research team, while the CG received the same information through a leaflet. Pre-intervention (T1), immediate post-intervention (T2), and one-month post-intervention (T3) validated questionnaires were completed by the participants to assess the changes in their knowledge. To evaluate the impact of the information delivery method, the knowledge scores of T2 and T3 were compared to T1 within each group using Paired T-tests. Additionally, the study compared the knowledge scores of the two groups using unpaired T-tests. The significance level was set at a P-value of less than 0.05.ResultsA significant improvement in endodontic therapy knowledge among the participants in both groups (T1 compared to T2 in the same group) was noted (P < 0.050). However, when comparing T2 between groups, no significant difference was found in delivering the information and improving the knowledge (P = 0.080). Still, the mean differences between T1 and T2, as well as T1 and T3, were greater (P < 0.050) in the SG than in the CG. Furthermore, the total knowledge score in the SG at T3 was significantly higher than the CG.ConclusionBoth educational animation and leaflets are practical tools to increase patients’ awareness about root canal treatment. However, educational videos are more effective than leaflets in delivering and retaining information about root canal treatment.Trial registrationThis study was retrospectively registered as a randomized control trial at the ISRCTN registry with the document number ISRCTN18413241, 15/05/2023.