Unsatisfactory Knowledge Research Articles

13. KNOWLEDGE OF NURSING STUDENTS REGARDING ANAPHYLAXIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Background: Anaphylaxis is a rapidly occurring allergic reaction that is recognition of the early life-threatening signs if not treated promptly. However, little is known about the level of knowledge of nursing students caring for patients with this condition in hospitals. Nursing research synthesizes the evidence to improve their knowledge and provide a reference for optimizing teaching methodologies used to implement undergraduate teaching in nursing curricula. Objective: This study aimed to explore the knowledge of anaphylaxis and related factors of nursing students at Nguyen Tat Thanh University in Ho Chi Minh City. Method: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 407 nursing students participated. Data collection was started in December 2023 and completed by March 2024. Results: Among the nursing students, 40.3% of them experienced a good level of knowledge regarding anaphylaxis, while 59.7% were at a poor level. The Chi-square test shows that there is a relationship between the current academic year (p < 0.05) and students’ knowledge of managing anaphylaxis. In addition, the number of patients in nursing care per day was a predictor of knowledge in nursing students (r=0.571, p < 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, students have unsatisfactory knowledge regarding anaphylaxis. Specifically, there is still a knowledge gap that can positively affect practice. It is recommended that universities focus on nursing students’ knowledge of managing anaphylaxis and modify the curriculum to enhance their practices in this field.

Factors influencing job performance of nurses in COVID-19 care: a study in Egypt.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an illness that has critical effects on public health and overall circumstances across the world. The performance of nurses represents the vital actions in providing care for COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to assess job performance and associated nurses, patients, and environmental-related factors among nurses providing care to COVID-19 patients in Egypt through the following: assessing the nurses' knowledge regarding care of COVID-19 patients; assessing the nurses' practice regarding care of COVID-19 patients; assessing different factors that affect different types of nurses' job performance; and assessing the factors associated with the job performance of nurses providing care to COVID-19 patients.Design A descriptive exploratory study was used to meet the aim of the study.Setting The study was conducted at Ain Shams University COVID-19 Hospital.Study subjects A convenient sample of all 52 available nurses working at Ain Shams University COVID-19 Hospital. Data collection tools: The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. It consisted of the following: A. Self-administered nurses' questionnaire: Part I: Demographic characteristics of nurses. Part II: Nurses knowledge assessment. Part III: Factors associated with nurses' job performance. B. Narses's practice observational checklist. Results: The mean age (mean ± SD) of the study population was 40.59 ± 6.90. As regards their years of experience working as nurses, only 32.7% of them have more than ten years of experience. In relation to the total satisfactory level of knowledge about coronavirus, the study reveals that 55.8% of the nurses have unsatisfactory knowledge regarding coronavirus, There is a highly significant relationship between level of practice and years of experience (p-value < 0.001**), while there is a significant relationship between level of practice and educational level and attending the training courses about caring for COVID-19 patients (P-value 0.033*, P-value 0.025*), respectively.Conclusion The study concluded that most of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge, and more than half had incompetent practice scores about nursing care practices for patients with COVID-19. There was a positive linear correlation between the nurses' knowledge and practice. The factors affecting their performance in caring for patients with COVID-19, lack of cooperation between nurses and patients, lack of supplies and equipment during care were the most frequently reported factors, as were an unequal nurse-patient ratio, many nursing tasks, and a lack of patients' knowledge.Recommendation The study recommends the importance of promoting the nursing care guidelines as a standard procedure in ICUs, and the nursing care guideline educational program for patients with COVID-19 should be scheduled regularly for nurses. Providing the hospitals with supplies to avoid the shortage's effect on nurses' performance.

Combined HIV prevention: knowledge and attitudes among higher education students in Portugal

Abstract Introduction Combined Prevention is a strategy that combines different methods of HIV prevention that can be used simultaneously or sequentially, depending on the characteristics and life stage of everyone. Among the methods are condom use, regular HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Combined prevention is particularly important for more vulnerable groups, such as adolescents and young adults. Objectives To investigate the knowledge and attitudes related to combined HIV prevention among college students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with college students from two institutions in a Portuguese city in the year 2022. Sampling was non-probabilistic, by convenience. Students aged 18 to 29 who had initiated sexual activity were included. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire sent to students online. Data were analyzed descriptively. Ethical aspects were respected. Results A total of 424 students participated in the study; majority were female (79.2%), white (92.9%), single (96.7%), Catholic (67.2%), with a mean age of 20.8 years (SD = 2.3). The number of sexual partners in the last semester ranged from none to 19, with an average of two partners (SD = 1.9). Nearly all students (94.3%) agreed that condoms are the main form of HIV prevention, however, 45.2% did not use condoms in their last casual sexual encounter. Only 15.5% and 13.9% of participants reported knowing about pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, respectively. The majority had never been tested for HIV (81.8%) and did not know where tests could be done for free (70.9%). Conclusions Despite higher education, students are vulnerable to HIV and have unsatisfactory knowledge about combined prevention measures. Key messages • College students are young individuals with high vulnerability to contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. • Universities should assume their role as promoters of health and develop strategies that contribute to students’ knowledge and reflection on HIV and its prevention methods.

Knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers on breast self-examination of female college students: Experience from a local higher education institution

BACKGROUND: Breast self-examination (BSE) is an inexpensive, harmless screening tool for finding breast cancer. This study examines the knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers of female college students from a local higher education institution (HEI) regarding BSE, focusing on those in the reproductive age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred sixty (360) female college students, including 226 health sciences majors and 134 non-health sciences majors, were selected through criteria sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers. RESULTS: Key findings reveal that despite excellent BSE practices (52.5%), a significant proportion of respondents (51.7%) demonstrated insufficient knowledge about BSE. The main barriers to BSE execution were fear of discovering concerning findings and fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Health science majors exhibited significantly higher knowledge and practices than non-health science students, perceiving lower barriers. Age was found to have no significant impact on the variables examined. Majors and perceived barriers were not associated with BSE, but knowledge showed a significant association. Despite their excellent practices, participants’ unsatisfactory knowledge regarding BSE suggests the need for effective interventions. Barriers primarily stemmed from fear, including the fear of a breast cancer diagnosis and the fear of learning about potential issues. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the association between knowledge and BSE practices, emphasizing the importance of knowledge development and overcoming perceived barriers to improve BSE practices and encourage greater engagement.

Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of PMTCT among Healthcare Providers at the University of Ghana Legon

One of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among communicable diseases is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A vulnerable group in this setting is HIV exposed infants, (born to women living with HIV). The magnitude of the pandemic of HIV infection in developing countries is such that multiple approaches are required to show its spread and alleviate the burden on the health sector and society in general. Every woman of childbearing age needs to be aware of HIV infection, the risks of Mother-to-Child Transmission and the services available to reduce such risks. Considering these, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) among healthcare providers at the University of Ghana Legon. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study. The minimum sample size for this study was calculated using the single proportion population formula by Fisher (1978): The study area was the University of Ghana Hospital Legon. The collected data was exported into STATA version 16.0 for cleaning and analysis. Descriptive analysis, such as simple frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize the data. Findings were presented in tables and graphs. Generally, the data accumulated from the research on the knowledge, attitude and practice of PMTCT among healthcare workers indicate that there is unsatisfactory knowledge and practice. In this study, no participants had a total good score above 85%. The relationship between gender, ward and knowledge was investigated using a chi-square. The p-value was higher than the alpha-value, indicating acceptance of the null hypothesis (p-value = 0.79 and 0.053, alpha value = 0.05). Sixteen (16) of the respondents, representing 17.6%, said HIV positive pregnant women should be managed like any other pregnant woman in Labour. The majority of the respondents (56) said at the first week of pregnancy, while only (2) said at week 28. However, their attitude was satisfactory. It must be noted that without further training and an increase in staffing levels, the quality and accessibility of PMTCT will be severely affected. It is therefore recommended that there should be continuous and pre-service training on PMTCT. All new medical officers, midwives and nurses should undergo PMTCT training, and those who are already in service should take refresher courses on new and updated guidelines.

Assessment of the public knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Nigerians regarding preparedness for future pandemics

IntroductionPandemics are global health crises that have caused millions of deaths, enormous socio-economic disruptions, and considerable public and global health security consequences. This study assessed Nigerians’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding preparedness for the next pandemics.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire-based national survey was conducted among 1276 respondents in Nigeria to determine public knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of preparedness for future pandemics. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analyses.ResultsOf the 1276 respondents to this survey, > 50% had not heard of the Spanish flu and Zika disease. Approximately half (594) of the respondents did not consider antimicrobial resistance a possible cause of future pandemics. Over an average proportion of respondents reported unsatisfactory knowledge (655, 51.3%) and poor perceptions (695, 54.5%) about pandemic preparedness. The respondents’ good knowledge and satisfactory attitudes toward pandemic preparedness decreased with age. The respondents' education, age, and state of residence were significantly associated with good knowledge, satisfactory attitudes, and positive perceptions of pandemic preparedness with respondents with tertiary education levels being at least two times more likely to have these positive outcomes.ConclusionThis study revealed serious gaps in Nigerians’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of their readiness for upcoming pandemics. To protect Nigerians’ health, emphasis should be placed on these issues by all stakeholders, including the government.

Prevalence of Dehydration in Egyptian Primary School Children and its Impact on their Cognitive performance

Abstract Background More than 75% of children do not meet the water intake recommendations by the Institute of medicine. In addition, more than 80% of children in many European countries do not achieve the water intake recommended by the guidelines of the European food safety authority. Studies have revealed a correlation between hydration status and cognitive achievements in visual attention, immediate memory span, semantic flexibility, and automatic application of arithmetic operations in school children living in hot climates. Aim of the Work Assessment of the hydration status in Egyptian primary school children and determining the relationship between hydration status and cognitive function. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 200 children, the age group was from 9 to 13 years old. Data collection included the governmental, private and international schools in Cairo. The questionnaire was fulfilled during school time. A child-friendly “fluids and liquid food” diary was designed to prospectively record the volume of total fluid intake including water, sugar sweetened beverages and fruit juices in the previous day and during school day. Hydration status was assessed by self-reported urine colour using eight-point colour scale. The students were asked to answer four cognitive function tests that were designed to test the cognitive skills which were known to be affected by dehydration (Visual attention, Visual memory, Visual search, Visuomotor performance). Results 54 children (27%) had “Satisfactory knowledge” i.e. the children who met the criteria in the self- answered questionnaire and 146 children (73%) of them had “Unsatisfactory knowledge of proper total fluid intake. 166 children (83%) reported low total fluid intake and 34 children (17%) had adequate total fluid intake (according to the guidelines of the European food safety authority), 118 children (59%) were dehydrated, and 34 children (17%) were severely dehydrated. There was a statistically significant higher total fluid intake in international school regarding the amount of total fluid intake during school time and the amount of total fluid intake per day. In our study, the most consumed fluids after water were sugar sweetened beverages and fruit juices. There was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between total fluid intake and cognitive function regarding visual attention, visual memory, visual search, visuomotor performance and total score of cognitive functions, with p-value (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Conclusion We concluded that there was a significant correlation between school students’ hydration status and total fluid intake and their cognitive functions regarding their Visual attention, Visual memory, Visual search, Visuomotor performance. That calls for the importance of corroboration of our study results with studies that further explore students’ awareness and perception about their daily need of water and benefits of proper hydration.

Analysis of the prevalence and structure of dental morbidity among applicants to the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov

AIM: To determine the qualitative structure of dental diseases and pathological conditions of the maxillofacial region and the level of their prevalence among young individuals entering higher military educational institutions in Russia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data obtained during the dental examination of applicants to the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov as part of a military medical examination to provide admission to a higher educational institution was comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed a moderately high level of prevalence of diseases and pathological conditions of the oral cavity in the surveyed population. Among 589 applicants aged 16–25 years who arrived from different regions in Russia, the percentage of those in need of oral sanitation was 51.95%. The most common nosological form among the examined young people was dental caries, including recurrent and secondary forms, which ranged from 19 to 44% in various groups of examined people. Additionally, a low level of oral hygiene was identified, noted in more than 45% of applicants. CONCLUSION: The peculiarities of the obtained research results should be explained by unsatisfactory knowledge and skills in matters of individual oral hygiene (hereinafter referred to as IHPR), insufficient medical education, low level of compliance, and readiness to carry out activities to maintain dental health among young people.

Level of competence of rural physicians in primary health care in the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms of main localizations

Objective. To analize the level of rural PHC doctors` competence on the issues of diagnosis and routing patients with suspected cancer. Materials and methods. The study was conducted using a survey of medical workers involved in the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms of four main localizations (specialist doctors and paramedics of examination rooms) of the Central District Hospital of five rural municipal districts of the Magnitogorsk oncological cluster of Chelyabinsk region. 35 physicians took part in the study. Results. The results of the survey were quite negative: the minority of respondents are aware of the exact duration of the mandatory initial diagnostic examination, the period of informing the oncologist about the patient diagnosed with cancer, and the scheme for assigning municipal medical organizations to outpatient oncology centers. Conclusions. The surveyed contingent is characterized by: low oncological alertness and unsatisfactory competence concerning the initial manifestations of malignancies; inclusion of symptoms of the formed cancer in the number of early manifestations of malignancies, which means that a doctor, unsure of the diagnosis, as if waiting for the appearance of an obvious, from his point of view, symptom of a tumor, and as a result, the patient has an advanced stage of cancer; 3) flawed ideas about the full list of necessary methods for diagnosing malignant neoplasms of leading localizations; unsatisfactory knowledge of regulatory documentation on the routing of patients with suspected cancer.

An observational study to assess awareness of cervical cancer among the adult women of field practice area of urban health training center in Kolkata

Background: Cervical cancer is a major public health problem, especially worldwide. Lack of awareness about the risk factors, signs and symptoms, and danger signs has led to a rise in the prevalence of the disease in countries like India. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the awareness of cervical cancer and its risk factors among the adult female population residing in the urban slum of Kolkata Municipal Corporation area and their attitude toward the disease. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 720 adult female residents of the field practice area of the urban health training center of NRS Medical College using a predesigned pretested questionnaire. Results: In the current study, 58.3% of subjects were married at &lt;18 years of age and 38.3% with &gt;2 children. A significant association was found among inter-menstrual bleeding and persistent low back pain with a family history of cancer, persistent vaginal discharge, and postmenopausal bleeding with education, dyspareunia showed significant association with age, education, and family type, heavy menstruation with religion. Furthermore, the association between postcoital bleeding with education and blood in the urine or stool with marital status was found to be significant. A significant association was found between confidences about noticing a symptom with marital status (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Unsatisfactory knowledge about cervical cancer among adult women in an urban slum poses the risk of the disease. Awareness of risk factors of cervical cancer, along with early diagnosis and treatment, can decline the burden of the disease.

Assessment of the public knowledge, perception and attitude in Indonesia toward spondyloarthritis: a national survey

ABSTRACT Lack of public awareness of spondyloarthritis (SpA) leads to diagnosis delay and high disease activity. This study aimed to assess the public knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards SpA in Indonesia. This research was a cross-sectional study with an online questionnaire. A total of 1084 participants’ demographics, knowledge, attitude, and perception of SpA were obtained using convenience sampling. Respondents’ knowledge, attitude, and perception levels were scored numerically and categorized (satisfactory and unsatisfactory). Associations were assessed using a logistic regression analysis. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) knowledge score was 5.21 ± 1.89 (45.11% of respondents had satisfactory knowledge). Living on Java Island was associated with the participants’ unsatisfactory knowledge (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 to 1.71; p = 0.027). The mean ± SD perception score was 3.14 ± 1.21 (35.98% of respondents had a satisfactory perception). Education (bachelor AOR: 1.46; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.98; p = 0.014) and occupation (employed AOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.20; p = 0.020) were significantly associated with poor perception. The mean ± SD score of attitudes was 2.52 ± 1.54, while only 54.24% of participants preferred went to the doctor if they had symptoms of SpA. Employed respondents (AOR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.01; p = 0.046) and living inside Java Island (AOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.87; p = 0.004) were associated with attitudes towards SpA. In conclusion, more than half of the subjects had a poor knowledge, perception, or attitude towards SpA. Therefore, programs that empower the knowledge, attitude, and perception towards SpA in community need to be developed to close this gap.

Prevalence of tobacco smoking and the knowledge and attitudes on prevention of tobacco smoking among schooling adolescents in the age group of 13 &amp;ndash; 15 years in the Kandy district in 2018

Introduction: The early age of tobacco smoking initiation among adolescents reported in Sri Lanka highlights the need to initiate tobacco prevention at a very young age.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking, the knowledge, and attitudes on prevention of tobacco smoking among schooling adolescents in government schools in the age group of 13-15 years in the Kandy district in 2018.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1395 students in selected government schools in the Kandy district. The subjects were selected using a stratified multi-stage cluster sampling method. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used.Results: The response rate was 97.1%. The Prevalence of ever tobacco smoking in the age group of 13 to 15 years, was 6.02% (95% CI, 4.83% - 7.40%). The prevalence of current smokers was 4.16% (3.23% - 5.24%). Satisfactory knowledge of the harmful effects of tobacco smoking was shown by 49.6% (n=692) of ever smokers. The majority (71.5%, n=997) showed favourable attitudes towards the prevention of smoking. There was a higher likelihood of smoking among students who had unsatisfactory knowledge (OR = 8.203; 95% CI = 4.142 – 16.247) and attitudes (OR=1.172; 95% CI=1.112 – 1.225) compared to students who had satisfactory knowledge and attitudes.Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco smoking in the selected age group was high in the Kandy district compared to the national rates. School interventions should target more students who already smoke to improve their knowledge and attitudes.

“A cross-sectional study to assess stigma associated with tuberculosis in patients, family members, and health care staff in central India.”

BackgroundStigma poses significant challenges to tuberculosis control efforts worldwide. India, bearing a substantial burden of tuberculosis cases, grapples with pervasive stigmatizing attitudes towards the disease, hindering timely diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to assess the prevalence and manifestations of tuberculosis-related stigma, shedding light on a critical yet overlooked aspect of tuberculosis management. MethodsAfter obtaining informed consent, 314 participants were taken and stratified equally into three groups: patients, family members, and healthcare workers. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to calculate prevalence and assess tuberculosis stigma across various domains. Data were compiled in MS-Excel and analyzed using EPI-Info 7 by the CDC. ResultsAmong all 314 participants, the prevalence of stigma in this study was 26.75%. A statistically significant correlation was found between stigma experienced and marital status (p = 0.013) and level of knowledge regarding tuberculosis (p < 0.001). Among the patients of tuberculosis, the odds of facing stigma are 13.25 (C.I. 95% 4.14, 42.41) times higher in females and 3 (C.I. 95% 1.005, 8.95) times higher in patients with unsatisfactory knowledge about tuberculosis compared to males and patients with satisfactory knowledge, respectively. ConclusionTuberculosis is stigmatized due to its deviation from societal norms. Societal norms dictate what is deemed acceptable or unacceptable. Females with tuberculosis encounter more stigma than males, and knowledge about tuberculosis affects stigma significantly. Patients mostly experience enacted and perceived stigma, while family members face perceived and secondary stigma. Healthcare workers tend to exhibit secondary stigma.

Perceptions towards cervical cancer and readiness for HPV vaccination among women in India

Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy among women. However, it is preventable to the extent of 90%. The acceptability of HPV vaccination is very low in the rural settings. The Health Belief Model can effectively address problem behaviours that evoke health concerns. The study was done to find out the factors that shape the perceptions towards cervical cancer and readiness for HPV vaccination among reproductive age group women. A cross-sectional study was conducted for 3 months in a rural area of Hooghly district. A total of 119 study participants were selected using two-stage Sampling and their knowledge and perceptions regarding cervical cancer and HPV vaccination were assessed using a validated interview schedule based on the constructs of Health Belief Model. The factors that drive the perceptions were determined using Multiple Logistic Regression analysis. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16 version. The results showed that the median age of the study participants was 30 years and 15.1% had family history of cancer. Majority of them (71.4%) had unsatisfactory knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. Among the HBM constructs, perceived susceptibility and self- efficacy had 26.9% and 18.5% unsatisfactory responses respectively. Age (AOR=8.29, 95% CI=1.01–68.25), Education (AOR=4.30, 95% CI=1.22–15.17) and knowledge (AOR=3.06, 95% CI=1.63–10.60) were significant predictors of satisfactory perceptions. Education, adequate knowledge and younger age were the factors that shaped the perceptions and readiness for HPV vaccination. The HBM can be used to devise robust interventions to improve readiness.

Knowledge and practice of community pharmacists regarding the safety of drugs during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study from a developing country

BackgroundDrug use during pregnancy can cause unfavorable fetal and maternal outcomes. Information sharing is essential for pharmacists’ role within intricate, modern healthcare systems. Community pharmacists (CPs) have demonstrated unsatisfactory knowledge across various pharmacological domains in most developing countries. This study aimed to explore the knowledge and practices of CPs regarding medications and herb safety during pregnancy.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in a developing country using a self-administered questionnaire. A sample of CPs working in the northern governorates of the West Bank was selected by convenience sampling. The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, practices and knowledge. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 207 questionnaires were completed. Most respondents had only a bachelor’s degree (89.9%) but did not participate in continuous professional development (CPD) (71.0%). Almost one-third of the CP workload involved dispensing drugs to pregnant women. The majority of the participants reported that they inquire about pregnancy status (59.9%), refer to scientific sources (82.6%), and contact a prescribing physician (51.2%) in cases of uncertainty. A higher knowledge score was associated with receiving a master’s degree and CPD programs. Most CPs identified folic acid, paracetamol and amoxicillin as safe, while tetracycline, isotretinoin, enalapril, pseudoephedrine and ibuprofen were among the drugs mostly reported as unsafe. Castor oil, Senna, St. John’s wort and ginseng were the most frequently reported herbs as unsafe.ConclusionsDespite the gaps in knowledge about herb pharmacology, CPs demonstrated acceptable knowledge and practice regarding drug safety during pregnancy. CPD is recommended for addressing gaps in knowledge and practice. Future research evaluating knowledge and practice may benefit from developing a specific, accurate, validated instrument.

Knowledge of eye self-care among secondary school students with myopia attending Nam Dinh Eye Hospital in 2023

Objective: To describe the knowledge of eye self-care among secondary school students with myopia undergoing examination at Nam Dinh Eye Hospital in 2023. Methods: The participants were 286 secondary school students (11-14 years old) with myopia examined and treated at Nam Dinh Eye Hospital. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted. The research team developed a survey questionnaire on participants’s knowledge of self-care for myopic eyes, drawing references from various studies on myopia. The total knowledge score is 24 points, the participants had satisfactory knowledge defined as providing at least 70% of the correct answers (≥ 17 points), then the average score of students’ general knowledge of myopic eye self-care would be evaluated. Results: The average score of the students’ general knowledge of eye self-care was 17.52 ± 2.71 out of 24 points, with 73.1% of the students demonstrating satisfactory general knowledge while 26.9% of the students had unsatisfactory knowledge of eye care. Conclusion: The participants’ knowledge of self-care for myopic eyes was relatively good. It is necessary to evaluate students’ nearsighted eye self-care practices to have a basis for providing appropriate interventions

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Cervical Cancer Prevention among Female University Students in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Cervical Cancer (CC) is the fourth most frequent malignancy worldwide among females with significant death rates. It ranks as the 8th most frequent cancer in Saudi female. CC is preventable, with likelihood of full treatment by early detection, because of its long pre-invasive period. Lack of awareness and practice on CC prevention and screening increase the risk of disease. to examine knowledge, attitude, and practice on CC prevention among Saudi female university students. A facility-based cross-sectional study with a convenience sample included 594 female university students studying at health and non-health colleges of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Al-Kharj City, Saudi Arabia. All female students were asked to complete an online questionnaire on knowledge, attitude, and practice on CC prevention. A total of 594 respondents to the questionnaire, 88.7% of them had unsatisfactory knowledge about CC. Out of a total of 27 points, students' knowledge mean score was 9.3 ± 6.4. Conversely the majority of students (94.4%) had positive attitude toward CC; the mean attitude score was 34.52 ± 5.04 out of 45. Regarding students practice, less than 7% of students were vaccinated against HPV and only 3.7% were screened for cancer cervix. Married females, health colleges students, and high attitude score were significant predictors for the students' knowledge about cancer cervix (P < 0.05). Majority of the respondents displayed lack of knowledge; however, they had a positive attitude toward CC. Very alarmingly, almost all of students had inadequate practice regarding CC prevention. So, the study recommends developing and implementing educational programs and strategies for female university students to improve their knowledge and practice related to cervix cancer. Results of this study provide evidence that can help in formulating effective awareness strategies and educational programs for women that would help in CC prevention.

A comparative study of the knowledge and practices related to menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in urban and rural areas of Sindh, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study.

Menstrual hygiene management plays a significant role in the achievement of sustainable development goals, including good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, women's empowerment, and sanitation. Even though the United Nations emphasizes menstrual hygiene management as a global public health and human rights issue, studies from different parts of the world have shown there is a lack of policies in this area that affects adolescent girls. The study aimed to assess the menstrual-related knowledge and practices of adolescent girls (10-18 years) attending urban and rural public schools of district Khairpur of province Sindh of Pakistan. This research is an analytical cross-sectional study design. Adolescent girls (n = 310), 159 girls from urban and 159 girls from rural schools, were enrolled. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Knowledge was considered satisfactory if the participant scored ⩾12/20, and <12/20 was considered unsatisfactory knowledge. Practice scores were considered good for >10 and poor for <10. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were calculated. The chi-square test was used to assess and compare the differences between practices and knowledge of menstrual hygiene management between urban and rural adolescent school girls. We found significant differences in menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls between urban and rural areas. Approximately two-thirds of the total school girls thought that school management had inadequate resources and toilet facilities (rural: 76% versus urban: 62%). The major source of knowledge in adolescent rural and urban girls for menstrual-related matters was mothers. More girls from the urban school (81%) were aware of using sanitary pads during menstruation. The majority of the girls from urban areas showed satisfactory knowledge whereas only 38% of rural girls were shown to have satisfactory results. Nearly 71% of urban girls were found to have good practices when compared with rural girls (12%). With further importance by the United Nations on female education in less developed regions, where the health of women is usually given less importance, policies are required on the inclusion of reproductive health of female adolescents in the curriculum.

Awareness of Mental Health, Attitudes about Mental Illness, and Utilization Barriers of Mental Health Services by Adults in Najran Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Lack of awareness and negative perceptions regarding mental well-being and mental diseases among high-risk population prevents them from seeking help. Purpose: The aim of the current study is to assess awareness of mental health, attitudes towards mental illness, and utilization barriers of mental health services among adults in Najran region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: To meet the study's objectives, a crosssectional design was employed, utilizing a convenience sample of 400 participants. The research involved a validated survey tool that featured structured questions covering demographic information, the Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MHKQ), the Community Attitudes Toward Mental Illness Inventory (CAMI), which includes 40 Likertscale items, and the Barriers to Mental Health Services Questionnaire. Results: The results of the current study revealed that most of the participants had unsatisfactory knowledge: 245 (61.3%). A significant majority showed negative attitudes toward mental illness: 290 (72.5%). The main barriers to accessing mental health services were; stigma: 135 participants (33.7%), unwanted intervention concerns: 82 (20.5%), financial problems: 78 (19.5%), access difficulties: 45 (11.3%), and confidentiality concerns: 60 participants (15%). Furthermore, a significant positive connection existed between knowledge scores - 1 - Awareness of Mental Health and positive attitudes (r=0.598, p= 0.0001). Conclusion: The current study shed light on the concerning lack of knowledge and the prevalent negative attitudes among the studied sample. The main barriers to accessing mental health services were stigma, unwanted intervention concerns, and financial issues. Implications for Nursing: The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these issues, such as organizing workshops and seminars to educate the public about mental health, as well as about mental illness, and promote positive mental health practices. Keywords: Awareness of mental health, Attitudes regarding mental illness, Utilization barriers of mental health services, Najran region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Breast cancer knowledge and attitude among Jazan Women, Saudi Arabia

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitudes toward breast cancer among women in the Jazan region in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive community-based study with women aged 20 and over was conducted in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. We used structured interviews in Arabic conducted by authors. The questionnaire consisted of questions related to women's knowledge and attitudes toward breast cancer and demographic information. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of 567 women,68.8% were Saudi. Most had age 20–30 years. Among the 567 respondents, 9.5% had a family history of breast cancer. Media and news sources were the most common source of information (79.5%). Study showed that 57.3% had an unsatisfactory overall knowledge of breast cancer. However, a large proportion of respondents had a positive attitude toward breast cancer. Conclusion: Women in Jazan had lower knowledge related to breast cancer than expected. They had a relatively positive attitude toward breast cancer. This study highlights the need for comprehensive and well-planned educational programs for women.