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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness that was recently recognized in humans. Recently, the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia reported a substantial increase in MERS cases, primarily from the Riyadh region. The objective of the present study was to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices towards MERS among physicians, nurses, pharmacist and technicians individually. A cross sectional study conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia among individual healthcare workers. The survey questionnaire was self-administrated and consisted of five sections: Demographic; Source of MERS information; Knowledge; Attitude; and Practice of healthcare workers towards MERS. A total of 391 participants of which physicians (162; 41.4%), pharmacists (18; 4.6%), nurses (130; 33.3%) and technicians (81; 20.7%) were included with a response rate of 95.71%. The majority of the participants were female (53.70%) and mostly in the nurse's category (40.5%). The participants reported the highest main source of information was seminars and workshops (n = 191; 48%) followed by social media (n = 179; 45%). The overall score indicates good knowledge among physicians (95.7%), pharmacists (88.9%), nurses (86.2%) and technicians (91.4%) and showed statistically significant (p = 0.039). The study showed a positive attitude among physicians (96.3%), pharmacist (94.4%), nurses (94.6%) and technicians (90.1%) with no statistically significant (p = 0.273). However, the majority of the participants showed average practices towards MERS. However, the least practice among participants was the use of facemask in the crowds (24.2%). The demographic characteristic's age, gender and professions showed significantly associated with mean knowledge score. Similarly, statistical significance observed in gender and experience demographic variables with a mean attitude score. The study concludes that different health workers showed good knowledge and positive attitudes, but low to average practices towards MERS with low adherence to facemask practice. When comparing workers, physicians have a high degree of knowledge and attitude when compared to nurses, pharmacist and technicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Disaster management is critical, as its insight could diminish the impact of a disaster, and participation of emergency medical personnel is crucial. This study explores emergency medical personnel’s knowledge, attitude and practice towards disaster management. Methodology This study utilised a cross-sectional study design, and the data collected from 194 emergency nursing and medical personnel (staff nurses, doctors and assistant medical officers), using a questionnaire. Results Majority of the personnel had an adequate knowledge and practices, and portrayed a positive attitude towards disaster management. Amongst the sociodemographic factors studied, gender and education level were significantly associated with increased knowledge and practice scores. Working experience, involvement in disaster response and attended disaster training had a significant association with higher practice scores. None of the sociodemographic factors studied had an effect on attitude scores. Conclusion Despite the diversity of their backgrounds, respondents exhibited their adequate knowledge and practice, and had positive attitudes towards disaster management. It is substantial for emergency nursing and medical personnel, to inhibit the severity of the impacts of the disasters. Their knowledge, attitude and practice studies could assist in the implementation of programmes relevant to disaster management to ensure their preparedness to assist the affected communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core objective of the study was to explore behavior and practices of long haul truck drivers regarding adoption of preventive methods in order to minimize the risks of HIV infection. In this connection only 200 truck drivers were interviewed those were involved in physical encounters with commercial sex workers. The study has been theoretically linked with KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices) model. The findings of the study divulged that majority of the respondents had heard about HIV/AIDS but they were not incomplete knowledge about its routes of transmission. Moreover, no significant association was explored with regard to different variables namely marital status, ethnicity and age group in the context of condom use as a preventive strategy. It was also found that overwhelming majority of research subjects were not using condoms at all as well as did not consider it as effective preventive technique. Almost one third truckers were of the view that use of condom would minimize real sensual pleasure and majority of respondents considered the use of condom as a part of family planning strategy. Another perplexing findings were unearthed that majority of respondents did not cultivate any fear about lethal consequences to be infected with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, it was divulged that even a single research subjects did not bother to get tested for HIV and STDs (Sexually transmitted diseases).Finally, it was concluded that lack of knowledge and inappropriate consumptions of media were held responsible for not adopting universal principles of safe sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]