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Introduction: HIV/AIDS is a global public health issue affecting 40.4 million lives. Barbershops and beauty salons pose health risks due to the use of sharp tools, which can transmit blood-borne diseases like HIV. Somalia Over 45% of HIV-positive. Training and capacity building can enhance service quality and prevent disease transmission. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention among barbing and beauty salon operators in Somalia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 barbers and beauty salon operators in Districts Mogadishu selected using multistage sampling techniques from September 2023 to June 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice about HIV/AIDs transmission and prevention. The factors associated with the knowledge, attitude and practice of the barbers and beauty salon operators about HIV/AIDs were explored using multiple logistic regression. Data was analyzed using Stata Version 15. Results: The mean age of the participants was 27±6.6 years. Regarding sex, the vast majority of the participants (65.3%) were males Only 23.0% (92/400) had good knowledge, and 19.0% (76/400) had a good attitude, in addition, 6.5% (26/400) had good practice towards HIV transmission and prevention. Participants with secondary education showed higher odds of having a good attitude than those with primary and non-formal education though the difference was not significant (AOR = 2.3 (0.87-5.95), p = 0.094 Conclusion: Barbers' awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and age-related factors contributing to infection spread are poor, and local health authorities could significantly reduce the spread of these pathogens through occupational hazards training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enormous amounts of biomedical waste is generated in our country daily, contains hazardous and infectious materials. It is vital that healthcare professionals has correct knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding biomedical waste management. Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices among doctors, interns, nurses and laboratory technicians regarding bio medical waste management in a tertiary care hospital in south India. Materials and methods: A questionnaire-based cross sectional study was conducted among 150 doctors, 60 interns, 50 nurses and 50 laboratory technicians in government general Hospital in kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, South India. Results: Good Knowledge was observed among 135 (90.0%) Doctors, 30 (60.0%) laboratory technicians, 29 (58.0%) nurses followed by 35(58.3%) interns, which is statistically significant. Good attitude was shown by 133 (88.7%) doctors, 33 (66.0%) nurses, 26 (52.0%) laboratory technicians, followed by 30 (50.0%) interns and the difference is statistically significant. Good Practices were followed among 134(89.3%) doctors, 30(60%) nurses, 30 (60%) laboratory technicians and 35 (58.3%) interns, which is statistically significant. Conclusions: Overall, knowledge, attitudes and practices were better among the doctors and nurses than among the interns and laboratory technicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Emergency contraception is an essential method for preventing unintended pregnancies, especially after unprotected sexual intercourse. However, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to emergency contraception among university students remain underexplored, particularly in low-resource settings such as Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants influencing the use of emergency contraception among female students in Goma. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 677 female students from two universities in Goma who were selected via a cluster sampling method. Data were collected via a preestablished questionnaire, and participants were interviewed after providing consent. The data were analysed via STATA 16, with chi-square tests to compare variables, considering a significance threshold of 5%. Results A total of 625 (92.32%) students reported being aware of emergency contraception, and 80.32% demonstrated good knowledge of it. In terms of attitudes, 533 (85.28%) students had positive attitudes towards emergency contraception. Among the 625 students who were familiar with emergency contraception, 416 had engaged in sexual intercourse, with 294 (70.67%) having utilized emergency contraception. Factors significantly linked to emergency contraception use included being single (adjusted OR = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1–3.2]), possessing good knowledge (adjusted OR = 3.0 [95% CI: 1.6–5.8]), and having a positive attitude (adjusted OR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.1–4.9]). Conclusion Although the students demonstrated good awareness of emergency contraception and its utilization, the high frequency of emergency contraception use underscores the importance of promoting knowledge about conventional contraceptive methods. It is crucial to enhance educational campaigns within universities to mitigate the elevated risk of unsafe abortions.

Severe irregularities and implementation challenges in Mvomero District, Tanzania, marred the implementation of the Fertiliser Indicative Pricing Approach (FIPA). However, the questions on the levels of farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices, knowledge categories that farmers have the least knowledge of, reasons informing attitudes and dominant ineffective FIPA practices are yet to be adequately addressed. This study assessed farmers' awareness, attitudes, and practices; knowledge categories that farmers have the least knowledge; reasons for informing attitudes; and dominant ineffective FIPA practices. Interview schedules and in-depth interviews were conducted during data collection. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Farmers' attitude was gauged using a five-point Likert scale, and farmers' knowledge, knowledge categories farmers had the least knowledge, reasons informing attitudes and dominant ineffective FIPA practices were described using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that most respondents had low levels of knowledge, unfavourable attitudes and ineffective practices towards FIPA. Also, knowledge categories that farmers had the least knowledge of comprised fertiliser indicative prices, FIPA rules and regulations, and key FIPA actors. Results further indicate that high fertiliser prices, weak FIPA monitoring and low-quality fertiliser were the reasons for unfavourable attitudes. In addition, non-adherence to indicative prices, rules and regulations, and the presence of lowquality fertiliser were the dominant ineffective practices of FIPA. The study generally indicates that farmers' low awareness concerning FIPA is a major threat to FIPA implementation. The findings imply that a lack of farmers' awareness of FIPA contributes to irregularities and underperformance manifested in individualistic opportunistic behaviours. Rogue actors abuse farmers' ignorance of program key result areas by maximising their utility at the expense of the majority of farmers. Concerted efforts should be directed at training and awareness building, effective monitoring and contract enforcement on indicative price and quality standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant global health issue, particularly affecting deciduous teeth in young children. ECC is prevalent in Romania, where nearly half of children experience dental caries. This study aimed to assess the influence of gender, age, and living environment on parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding ECC in Bihor County, Romania, using a KAP-type questionnaire. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2024, utilizing an online KAP questionnaire distributed via social networks. The sample comprised 419 parents of children under six years old. Respondents provided socio-demographic data and answered questions regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning ECC prevention, treatment, and oral health. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square tests to assess associations between demographic factors and parental KAP. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 419 respondents, 83.1% were female, and 62.5% were between the ages of 31 and 40. Significant gender-based differences were found in knowledge about pain from caries (93.7% of female participants vs. 81.7% of male participants, p = 0.004) and the importance of brushing twice daily (93.7% of female respondents vs. 80.3% of male respondents, p = 0.010). Younger parents (aged 18–30) were more likely to affirm the effectiveness of fluoride (65.4%) compared to those aged 31–40 (53.1%, p = 0.02). Urban parents were more likely to correctly identify the timing of tooth eruption (59.1% vs. 52.6% of rural parents, p = 0.021). Conclusions: The study highlights gender, age, and urban–rural disparities in parental knowledge and attitudes towards ECC. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to improve oral health outcomes and reduce ECC prevalence in the Bihor region. Tailored public health strategies addressing demographic factors could enhance preventive oral health behaviors and reduce the healthcare burden associated with untreated dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Foodborne illnesses have shaken mothers' defense worldwide because poor knowledge and unsafe food handling practices can jeopardize their children. In Jordan, there are no reliable data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of mothers regarding food safety when the COVID-19 pandemic occurs. Therefore, this study evaluated Jordanian mothers' understanding, beliefs, and behaviors by examining their KAPs during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on food safety KAPs of mothers living in Jordan following the COVID-19 pandemic. A reliable and accurate survey with 55 questions was distributed among mothers through social media. A total of 376 mothers completed the questionnaire. Results: The results showed a remarkable awareness among the participants of how to keep food safe. However, there is still a significant gap in the implementation of this information in everyday life. This research emphasizes the need for focused interventions in the context of COVID-19 to bridge the gap between Jordanian mothers' KAPs on food safety and personal cleanliness. Conclusion: Efforts should be made, such as public health campaigns and educational programs, to empower mothers, guaranteeing a consistent and comprehensive approach to food safety and personal hygiene in families. These results provide important insights for policymakers and health professionals who want to improve public health initiatives and community resilience during public health crises.

Aims: The study is aimed to identify parent›s knowledge, attitudes and practices towards antibiotics use without a prescription among children under five years old in Marib City, Yemen and the factors affecting it. Methodology: The researcher uses the descriptive analytical method, and a questionnaire applied to a sample of parents of children under the age of five years. The researcher analyzes the data with both the Excel program and SPSS program. Results: The sample consists of (150) parents. The highest percentage was for males, as (60%), while (40%) were females. The study showed a high prevalence of self-medication behavior and giving children antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, where more than half of the sample (52.0%) that responded to the questionnaire practiced this behavior. While (33.3%) had incorrect information about the ability of antibiotics to treat diseases caused by bacteria, and viruses in (38%) of cases respectively. Also the study showed that about a third of the sample (30.7%), of the research participants are ignorant, and have no information about bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Conclusion and recommendation: There is a high prevalence of selfmedication behavior, and giving children antibiotics, without a doctor›s prescription in the city of Marib, Yemen. And there was a lack of knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents towards this problem, in addition to parents› ignorance about the possibility of the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the study recommends increasing the level of awareness in the society in general and among the parents, in particular, about the seriousness of this behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In Morocco, medical research ethics training was integrated into the medical curriculum during the 2015 reform. In the same year, a law on medical research ethics was enacted to protect individuals participating in medical research. These improvements, whether in the reform or in the enactment of the law, could positively impact the knowledge of these researchers and, consequently, their attitudes and practices regarding medical research ethics. The main objective of this work is to assess Moroccan physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices at the beginning of their careers (interns and residents) in medical research ethics. Patients and methods This is a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 2021 among Moroccan physicians. Three scores were created and validated to assess physicians’ level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding research ethics. A descriptive analysis was carried out, followed by a univariate analysis and a multivariate analysis using multivariate binary logistic regression to study the factors associated with the different calculated scores. Results A total of 924 physicians were included in the study, with an average age of 27.8 ± 2.2 years. 40.7% had a high medical research ethics knowledge score, and 68.8% had good attitudes. These two scores were positively associated with age and were statistically higher in residents and in physicians who had received training in medical research ethics during their medical curriculum. Only 29,9% of physicians who had participated in research studies had adequate practices with medical research ethics. This score was statistically higher in residents and in physicians who had heard about research ethics. Conclusion A genuine introduction to ethics in the medical curriculum is essential to enhance researchers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in both the quantity and quality of research conducted in Morocco.

Abstract Objective: Identifying factors that may influence aflatoxin exposure in children under 5 years of age living in farming households in western Kenya. Design: We used a mixed methods design. The quantitative component entailed serial cross-sectional interviews in 250 farming households to examine crop processing and conservation practices, household food storage and consumption and local understandings of aflatoxins. Qualitative data collection included focus group discussions (N 7) and key informant interviews (N 13) to explore explanations of harvesting and post-harvesting techniques and perceptions of crop spoilage. Setting: The study was carried out in Asembo, a rural community where high rates of child stunting exist. Participants: A total of 250 female primary caregivers of children under 5 years of age and thirteen experts in farming and food management participated. Results: Study results showed that from a young age, children routinely ate maize-based dishes. Economic constraints and changing environmental patterns guided the application of sub-optimal crop practices involving early harvest, poor drying, mixing spoiled with good cereals and storing cereals in polypropylene bags in confined quarters occupied by humans and livestock and raising risks of aflatoxin contamination. Most (80 %) smallholder farmers were unaware of aflatoxins and their harmful economic and health consequences. Conclusions: Young children living in subsistence farming households may be at risk of exposure to aflatoxins and consequent ill health and stunting. Sustained efforts to increase awareness of the risks of aflatoxins and control measures among subsistence farmers could help to mitigate practices that raise exposure.

IntroductionGlobally, air pollution is the leading environmental cause of disease and premature death. Raising awareness through environmental education and adequate communication on air quality could reduce the adverse effects. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding air pollution and health and determine the factors associated with these KAP in children and adolescents.MethodsIn 2019–2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 6th–11th grade high school students in five municipalities in Colombia. Variables collected included: age, sex, private or public school, any medical history, emergency room visits due to respiratory symptoms in the last year, and whether students played sports. The main exposure was the School Environmental Project. The outcomes were the KAP scale [0% (the lowest score) to 100% (the highest score)]. The factors associated with KAP levels were evaluated with independent mixed regressions due to the multilevel structure of the study (level 1: student; level 2: school), and the exponential coefficients (95% confidence interval-CI) were reported.ResultsAmong 1,676 students included, 53.8% were females. The median knowledge score about air pollution and its health effects was 33.8% (IQR: 24.0–44.9), 38.6% knew the air quality index, 30.9% knew the air quality alerts that occurred twice a year in these municipalities and 5.3% had high self-perceived knowledge. Positive attitudes, pro-environmental practices, being female, grade level, attending a private school, having respiratory diseases, and the school environmental project importance were associated with higher knowledge scores. The median attitudes score was 78.6% (IQR: 71.4–92.9). Pro-environmental attitudes were associated with knowledge-increasing, being female, attending a private school, and the school environmental project. The median pro-environmental practices score was 28.6% (IQR: 28.6–42.9). During air quality alerts, 11.6% had worn masks, 19% had reduced the opening time of windows and 15.9% avoided leaving home. Pro-environmental practices were associated with knowledge-increasing and attitudes-increasing, and lower practices with higher grade levels, visiting a doctor in the last year, and practicing sports.DiscussionChildren and adolescents have low knowledge scores and inadequate pro-environmental practices scores regarding air pollution. However, they demonstrate positive attitudes towards alternative solutions and express important concerns about the planet’s future.

Background: The number of Lyme disease risk areas in Canada is growing. In regions with emerging tick populations, it is important to emphasize peridomestic risk and the importance of protective behaviours in local public health communication. This study aims to identify characteristics associated with high levels of Lyme disease knowledge and adoption of protective behaviours among residents in the Ottawa, Ontario region. Methods: A geographically stratified web survey was conducted in November 2020 (n = 2018) to determine knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Lyme disease among adult residents. Responses were used to calculate: (i) composite scores for knowledge and adoption of protective practices; and (ii) an exposure risk index based on reported activity in woodlands during the spring-to-fall tick exposure risk period. Results: 60% of respondents had a high knowledge of Lyme disease, yet only 14% indicated they often use five or more measures to protect themselves. Factors strongly associated with a high level of Lyme disease knowledge included being 55 or older (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.04), living on a property with a yard (OR = 3.22), having a high exposure index (OR = 1.59), and knowing someone previously infected with Lyme disease (OR = 2.05). Strong associations with the adoption of a high number of protective behaviours were observed with membership in a non-Indigenous racialized group (OR = 1.70), living on a property with a yard (OR = 2.37), previous infection with Lyme disease (OR = 2.13), prior tick bite exposure (OR = 1.62), and primarily occupational activity in wooded areas (OR = 2.31). Conclusions: This study highlights the dynamics between Lyme disease knowledge, patterns of exposure risk awareness, and vigilance of personal protection in a Canadian region with emerging Lyme disease risk. Notably, this study identified gaps between perceived local risk and protective behaviours, presenting opportunities for targeted enhanced communication efforts in areas of Lyme disease emergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Morocco, medical research ethics training was integrated into the medical curriculum during the 2015 reform. In the same year, a law on medical research ethics was enacted to protect individuals participating in medical research. These improvements, whether in the reform or in the enactment of the law, could positively impact the knowledge of these researchers and, consequently, their attitudes and practices regarding medical research ethics. The main objective of this work is to assess Moroccan physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices at the beginning of their careers (interns and residents) in medical research ethics. Patients and methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 2021 among Moroccan physicians. Three scores were created and validated to assess physicians' level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding research ethics. A descriptive analysis was carried out, followed by a univariate analysis and a multivariate analysis using multivariate binary logistic regression to study the factors associated with the different calculated scores. Results: A total of 924 physicians were included in the study, with an average age of 27.8 ± 2.2 years. 40.7% had a high medical research ethics knowledge score, and 68.8% had good attitudes. These two scores were positively associated with age and were statistically higher in residents and in physicians who had received training in medical research ethics during their medical curriculum. Only 29,9% of physicians who had participated in research studies had adequate practices with medical research ethics. This score was statistically higher in residents and in physicians who had heard about research ethics. Conclusion: A genuine introduction to ethics in the medical curriculum is essential to enhance researchers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in both the quantity and quality of research conducted in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Routine immunization is a key strategy in the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of mothers regarding the practice of vaccination in rural and urban areas. Methods: This is a comparative descriptive cross-sectional study that took place in two health areas (urban and rural) over a period of three (3) months from October to December 2022. It involved mothers or guardians of children who came for routine vaccination. Results: The mean age of the women was 28.76±6.85 years in urban areas and 26.51±7.37 years in rural areas. About 72.00% and 43.00% of the women in urban and rural areas, respectively, had given a good definition of vaccination. 88.00% of women in urban areas knew at least one EPI target disease, compared to 55.00% in rural areas. Only 31.00% of women in urban areas knew the vaccination schedule, compared to 12.00% in urban areas. Majority of women in urban (97.00%) and rural (67.00%) areas found it necessary to make up for missed immunization appointments in next sessions. Majority of them considered it necessary to send their children to the health center in the event of postimmunization symptoms (urban: 80.00%, rural: 53.00%). Conclusion: A good knowledge and practice of vaccination would allow to protect children against vaccine preventable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Foodborne illnesses have shaken mothers' defense worldwide because poor knowledge and unsafe food handling practices can jeopardize their children. In Jordan, there are no reliable data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of mothers regarding food safety when the COVID-19 pandemic occurs. Therefore, this study evaluated Jordanian mothers' understanding, beliefs, and behaviors by examining their KAPs during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on food safety KAPs of mothers living in Jordan following the COVID-19 pandemic. A reliable and accurate survey with 55 questions was distributed among mothers through social media. A total of 376 mothers completed the questionnaire. Results: The results showed a remarkable awareness among the participants of how to keep food safe. However, there is still a significant gap in the implementation of this information in everyday life. This research emphasizes the need for focused interventions in the context of COVID-19 to bridge the gap between Jordanian mothers' KAPs on food safety and personal cleanliness. Conclusion: Efforts should be made, such as public health campaigns and educational programs, to empower mothers, guaranteeing a consistent and comprehensive approach to food safety and personal hygiene in families. These results provide important insights for policymakers and health professionals who want to improve public health initiatives and community resilience during public health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe rapid spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC) is an urgent global health threat. We examined child caretaker knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards proper antimicrobial agent use and whether certain KAP were associated with ESBL-EC colonization of their children.MethodsChild caretakers living in semi-rural neighborhoods in peri-urban Quito, Ecuador were visited and surveyed about their KAP towards antibiotics. Fecal samples from one child (less than 5 years of age) per household were collected at two time points between July 2018 and May 2019 and screened for ESBL-EC. A repeated measures analysis with logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between KAP levels and child colonization with ESBL-EC.ResultsWe analyzed 740 stool samples from 444 children living in households representing a range of environmental conditions. Of 374 children who provided fecal samples at the first household visit, 44 children were colonized with ESBL-EC (11.8%) and 161 were colonized with multidrug-resistant E. coli (43%). The prevalences of ESBL-EC and multidrug-resistant E. coli were similar at the second visit (11.2% and 41.3%, respectively; N = 366). Only 8% of caretakers knew that antibiotics killed bacteria but not viruses, and over a third reported that they "always" give their children antibiotics when the child's throat hurts (35%). Few associations were observed between KAP variables and ESBL-EC carriage among children. The odds of ESBL-EC carriage were 2.17 times greater (95% CI: 1.18-3.99) among children whose caregivers incorrectly stated that antibiotics do not kill bacteria compared to children whose caregivers correctly stated that antibiotics kill bacteria. Children from households where the caretaker answered the question "When your child's throat hurts, do you give them antibiotics?" with "sometimes" had lower odds of ESBL-EC carriage than those with a caretaker response of "never" (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27-0.87).ConclusionCaregivers in our study population generally demonstrated low knowledge regarding appropriate use of antibiotics. Our findings suggest that misinformation about the types of infections (i.e. bacterial or viral) antibiotics should be used for may be associated with elevated odds of carriage of ESBL-EC. Understanding that using antibiotics is appropriate to treat infections some of the time may reduce the odds of ESBL-EC carriage. Overall, however, KAP measures of appropriate use of antibiotics were not strongly associated with ESBL-EC carriage. Other individual- and community-level environmental factors may overshadow the effect of KAP on ESBL-EC colonization. Intervention studies are needed to assess the true effect of improving KAP on laboratory-confirmed carriage of antimicrobial resistant bacteria, and should consider community-level studies for more effective management.

Background/Objectives: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant global health issue, particularly affecting deciduous teeth in young children. ECC is prevalent in Romania, where nearly half of children experience dental caries. This study aimed to assess the influence of gender, age, and living environment on parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding ECC in Bihor County, Romania, using a KAP-type questionnaire. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2024, utilizing an online KAP questionnaire distributed via social networks. The sample comprised 419 parents of children under six years old. Respondents provided socio-demographic data and answered questions regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning ECC prevention, treatment, and oral health. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square tests to assess associations between demographic factors and parental KAP. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 419 respondents, 83.1% were female, and 62.5% were between the ages of 31 and 40. Significant gender-based differences were found in knowledge about pain from caries (93.7% of female participants vs. 81.7% of male participants, p = 0.004) and the importance of brushing twice daily (93.7% of female respondents vs. 80.3% of male respondents, p = 0.010). Younger parents (aged 18–30) were more likely to affirm the effectiveness of fluoride (65.4%) compared to those aged 31–40 (53.1%, p = 0.02). Urban parents were more likely to correctly identify the timing of tooth eruption (59.1% vs. 52.6% of rural parents, p = 0.021). Conclusions: The study highlights gender, age, and urban–rural disparities in parental knowledge and attitudes towards ECC. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to improve oral health outcomes and reduce ECC prevalence in the Bihor region. Tailored public health strategies addressing demographic factors could enhance preventive oral health behaviors and reduce the healthcare burden associated with untreated dental caries.

Objective: Identifying factors that may influence aflatoxin exposure in children under 5 years of age living in farming households in western Kenya. Design: We used a mixed methods design. The quantitative component entailed serial cross-sectional interviews in 250 farming households to examine crop processing and conservation practices, household food storage and consumption and local understandings of aflatoxins. Qualitative data collection included focus group discussions (N 7) and key informant interviews (N 13) to explore explanations of harvesting and post-harvesting techniques and perceptions of crop spoilage. Setting: The study was carried out in Asembo, a rural community where high rates of child stunting exist. Participants: A total of 250 female primary caregivers of children under 5 years of age and thirteen experts in farming and food management participated. Results: Study results showed that from a young age, children routinely ate maize-based dishes. Economic constraints and changing environmental patterns guided the application of sub-optimal crop practices involving early harvest, poor drying, mixing spoiled with good cereals and storing cereals in polypropylene bags in confined quarters occupied by humans and livestock and raising risks of aflatoxin contamination. Most (80 %) smallholder farmers were unaware of aflatoxins and their harmful economic and health consequences. Conclusions: Young children living in subsistence farming households may be at risk of exposure to aflatoxins and consequent ill health and stunting. Sustained efforts to increase awareness of the risks of aflatoxins and control measures among subsistence farmers could help to mitigate practices that raise exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundWomen in low- and middle-income countries are at the highest risk of cervical cancer yet have limited access to and participation in cervical cancer screening programs. Integrating self-collected, community-based screening offers a potential primary screening method in areas of limited resources. In this paper, we present a study evaluating knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cervical cancer and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in rural Zimbabwe.MethodsWe performed a community-based cross-sectional knowledge, attitudes and practices of HPV and cervical cancer study in rural Zimbabwe from January 2017-May 2017. Women were selected for the study via random number generation from complete lists of inhabitants in the study area if they satisfied the inclusion criteria (≥30-years-old, ≤65-years-old, not pregnant, intact uterus). If selected, they participated in a 19-question structured knowledge, attitudes and practices survey. The questionnaire included questions on demographics, education, knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and risk factors. Chi-squared tests were evaluated comparing knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to HPV and cervical cancer screening with actual infection with HPV. Women were also offered a voluntary HIV and self-collected HPV screening.ResultsSix hundred seventy-nine women were included in the knowledge, attitudes and practices survey. Most women (81%) had heard of cervical cancer while the majority had not heard of HPV (12%). The number of women that had been screened previously for cervical cancer was low (5%). There were no significant differences between and within groups regarding knowledge of cervical cancer and actual overall infection with HR-HPV, HPV 16, and HPV 18/45 test results.ConclusionsMost women in rural Zimbabwe have heard of cervical cancer, but the number that had been screened was low. Extending existing outreach services to include cervical cancer screening, potentially including HPV screening, should include cervical cancer/HPV education and screening triage. This approach would serve to bridge the gap between knowledge and screening availability to address some of the barriers to cervical cancer care still affecting women in many regions of the world.

Background: Nurses and midwives play important role in managing neonatal jaundice and provide nursing health education to mothers on preventive and remedial measures to neonatal jaundice. However, the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of nurses and midwives towards neonatal jaundice is not well understood in the Northern Region of Ghana. Aim of the study: The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses and midwives towards the management of neonatal jaundice. Design and Method: This is a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted between the periods of January 2021 to August 2021 in the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Northern Region, Ghana. Descriptive analysis such as mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages were performed to give general description of the variables. Simple Pearson Chi-square test and logistic regression models were performed to test the level of associations between the outcome and independent variables and predictors for neonatal jaundice. A p -value of <.05 was considered statistically significant for the test of association. Results: Among the 202 nurses and midwives, the mean age was 30.6 ± 3.8 years and majority were females (71.3%). The overall good knowledge, attitudes, and practices score towards neonatal jaundice was 69.30%, 64.90%, and 62.90%, respectively. After adjusting for other variables, good knowledge (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 22.41(10.21–49.18) p <.001) and good attitude (AOR = 25(11.86–55.07) p <.001) were positively associated with practices towards neonatal jaundice. Conclusion/Interpretation: The participants demonstrated substantial knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards neonatal jaundice. However, there still exist some gaps in their knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards neonatal jaundice that need to be addressed to improve neonatal health outcomes in the study setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between exposure to gender-responsive agricultural communication channels and sweet potato knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs). Our data, collected from men and women farmers in 300 households, showed that a higher proportion of farmers applied good agricultural practices after participating in a demonstration (and also seeing a video or otherwise). The ratio of men and women farmers who used sand storage and sprouting technology was lowest among unexposed farmers and highest among farmers exposed to both video and demonstration. Our findings suggest that multi-channel communication is more effective in influencing the KAPs of farmers than individual channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The higher education was significantly influenced by the COVID pandemic within many developing countries, including Sri Lanka, necessitating to adopt more E-Learning opportunities. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize the perceptions of Sri Lankan undergraduates to accept E-Learning in higher education, during the COVID crisis. Method A total of 657 randomly selected undergraduates of three state universities in Sri Lanka, were recruited as the study population. Information on Socio-demographic factors, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on E-Learning methods were acquired using an interviewer administered questionnaire. A Probit regression model was fitted to identify the driving factors for the willingness of undergraduates to engage in E-Learning. Results Around, 80.2% of the respondents were females. Majority were residing in semi-urban areas (44.7%), followed by rural areas (39.9%). More than two third of the respondents were familiar with E-Learning and different Learning Management Systems (LMS) that facilitate E-Learning (68.9%). Majority of the respondents (73.7%) were using different E-Learning platforms, mostly 2 to 3 days per week (25.7%). Only around one third (36.4%) had received any formal training in using LMS or other E-Learning platforms. Smart phones (77.8%) were found to be the most preferred device used for E-Learning activities, followed by computers and laptops (21.3%). Meanwhile, LMS/MOODLE (45.4%), WhatsApp/Viber (33.0%) and Zoom (32.7%), were the most commonly used E-Learning platforms. The average acceptance of E-Learning methods was found to be 70.7% among Sri Lankan undergraduates during the COVID epidemic. Based on the Probit regression, nature of the residing locality (P=0.009), family income (P=0.048), academic field (P

Vaccination is one of the main advancements in public health in the prophylaxis of infectious diseases. We intend to describe the general knowledge about vaccines/vaccination among Brazilian immigrants in Portugal, characterize their attitudes toward vaccination, and describe their knowledge of the yellow fever (YF) vaccine. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-completion questionnaire (face-to-face or remote). A total of 542 people participated in the study; the mean age was 36.81 years; 40.1% were male; 44.8% had their 12th year of schooling; and 27.0% had resided for ≥10 years in Portugal. Regarding general knowledge about vaccination, 53.8% answered at least 6/8 questions correctly. A total of 37.1% tended to have a favorable attitude toward vaccination. Concerning traveling, 76.7% attributed the risk of disease at the destination as the main reason for accepting vaccines. A total of 89.3% knew that there was a risk of YF in Brazil. A total of 40% answered correctly only one question about the YF vaccine; 21.6% did not answer any questions correctly. Thus, most of the Brazilian immigrants in this study have high general knowledge about vaccines/vaccination, few have a favorable attitude, and their knowledge about the YF vaccine is scarce. This could limit vaccination adherence when visiting Brazil, making health education actions necessary to increase knowledge and prevent YF risks.

Objective: Report the knowledge and perception of nurses and physicians about the morality of induced abortion and its legislation. Methods: Quantitative study, involving 39 nurses and physicians at two maternity hospitals in southern Brazil. For data collection the "Mosaic of Opinions on Induced Abortion" and a complementary questionnaire were used. For descriptive analysis and associations, the Data Analysis and Statistical Software statistical package was used. Results: It was found that the professionals have adequate knowledge about the legislation, insufficient knowledge about the documents necessary for legal abortion and about the right to conscientious objection, the latter occurred mainly among nurses. Professionals defend other possibilities of abortion in the legislation, and regarding the Mosaic, liberal standards prevail in comparison to conservatives. Conclusion: It is necessary to discuss the topic, expanding knowledge about women's sexual and reproductive rights and about conduct during abortion care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The current study explores the impact of Prophetic medicine's knowledge, attitudes, and practices on the Saudi population during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study used a web-based cross-sectional design. A self-selected nonprobability sampling technique was utilized to recruit social media users in Saudi Arabia aged ≥18. RESULTS: Four statements were used to evaluate participants' knowledge of the role of prophetic medicine in preventing and treating COVID-19. The participants had significant levels of knowledge, with an average of 90.3% correct answers. They strongly agreed with prophetic advice, including quarantine, travel bans and hand washing to prevent COVID-19 infection, with a mean of 4.3. In addition, the participants followed prophetic advice, including walking for half an hour, keeping social distance, wearing masks, and taking vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection, with a mean of 4.2. CONCLUSIONS: The current study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Muslim residents of Saudi Arabia concerning prophetic medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed that participants had good knowledge of prophetic medicine, including the use of natural products such as honey, ginger, garlic, and olive oil, as well as herbal products such as black seeds, and practices such as cupping. The study also showed that participants strongly believed that COVID-19 preventative measures -- including quarantine, travel bans, and handwashing -- were introduced by prophetic medicine. Practices including self-isolation, hand washing, and travel bans help prevent, treat and control diseases. They assist in maintaining good health and developing resistance to diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guoping Du,1,&ast; Chao Li,2,&ast; Yangyang Liu,3,&ast; Fulai Tu,3 Ruizhe Yang,4 Rui Li,3 Hongbing Shen,2 Wei Li5 1Department of General Practice, Southeast University Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Prevention and Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Quality Management, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wei Li, Department of Quality Management, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 025 52862911, Email weili126@126.com Hongbing Shen, Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 025 86868409, Email hbshen@njmu.edu.cnBackground: Adolescents aged from 19 to 22 are the main high-risk population of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). This study aimed to understand the current status of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about TB among freshmen from Jiangsu colleges and universities. Analyze its influencing factors and explore the interrelationships of KAP. This provides a basis for building a reversing mechanism for health education on tuberculosis prevention and treatment in middle and high schools.Methods: A multistage randomly was used to select freshmen to conduct this online survey. The χ2 test was used to compare the rates. Construct linear regression model, logistic regression model, decision tree model and random forest model, use grid search to adjust the parameters of the model, and use multiple models to explore the influencing factors of the overall awareness rate of students’ core knowledge of tuberculosis.Results: A total of 6980 freshmen in colleges and universities were investigated. The total awareness rate was 89.02%, and the awareness rate of all core knowledge about TB was 58.94%. It is characterized by general demographic data, and all core knowledge is known as a label to establish a model, based on the f1- of the four models The score believes that the random forest model has the best fitting effect, and the ranking of the influencing factors included in the model is school type (0.72) >father’s education (0.15) >family monthly income (0.03) >mother’s education, gender, region (0.02); a structural equation model is established, and the modified knowledge and attitude path coefficient is 0.29 (P< 0.05); the attitude and behavior path coefficient is 0.64 (P< 0.05).Conclusion: The total awareness rate of core knowledge of Jiangsu college freshmen reaches the national requirements, but the overall awareness rate is low. It is necessary to strengthen the health education of tuberculosis for those with identified risk factors.Keywords: knowledge, attitudes and practices, tuberculosis, freshmen

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world leading to major disruptions globally. Due to its highly contagious nature and associated mortality, a wide array of emotional and behavioral reactions were seen which indirectly reflected the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of individuals. Understanding the KAP of individuals is fundamental when it comes to decreasing future COVID cases. Aim: The study aimed to develop a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire regarding COVID-19 (COVID-KAPQ) among patients attending screening outpatient department (OPD) in a tertiary care hospital in North India and evaluate its psychometric properties. Materials and Methods: The study procedure consisted of step-wise procedure starting with item generation, expert evaluation for categorization of items into domains of KAP and testing for psychometric properties. The items were generated and evaluated by the Delphi method based on 8 experts. Reliability and validity were assessed using data from 200 patients attending COVID screening OPD. Content validity was evaluated using content validity index (CVI); construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was computed for internal consistency. Results: The final COVID-KAPQ consisted of three domains and 29 items. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the entire questionnaire was 0.734, 0.710 for knowledge domain, 0.614 for attitudes domain, and 0.759 for practice domain. CVI ranged from 0.86 to 1. Five factors each for knowledge and attitudes domain and two factors for practice domain were extracted by principal factor analysis and varimax rotation, with a cumulative contribution of 70.19%, 71.54%, and 66.77% variance in KAP domain. Conclusions: A questionnaire COVID-KAPQ (KAP regarding COVID-19) was developed. Psychometric testing indicated that it had adequate validity and reliability for use in COVID research in the general population. This questionnaire might help the public health researchers to map the level of KAP in the population and plan awareness and prevention strategies accordingly.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health issue. Physicians should play a key role to fight AMR, and medical education is a fundamental issue to combat it. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of physicians regarding antibiotic prescription and antibiotic resistance is fundamental for controlling the irrational antibiotic use. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and the practices of physicians in Iran with respect to antibiotic resistance and usage. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from June to October 2021 among physicians at primary care centers and academic hospitals in the region of Isfahan, Iran. A total of 182 physicians were surveyed. Participants were invited to complete a self-reported questionnaire (paper based or online questionnaire). The questions were based on knowledge, attitude, and practice toward antibiotic usage and AMR. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 software following the objective of the study. Results: Out of 182 study participants, 100, 50 and 32 responders were medical doctors (MD), internist and other specialists, respectively. Regarding the knowledge section of the questionnaire, almost less than 10% of participants declared to know the antibiotics of Iran's antimicrobial stewardship program. Also, the percentage of participants who correctly responded to clinical quizzes was 23% for treatment of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers, 59.3% about the treatment of severe sepsis, 22% about the intrinsic resistance of Proteus mirabilis and 43.4% for experimental treatment with vancomycin in community-acquired pneumonia. Regarding attitude, most participants (97.2%) were aware of the antimicrobial resistance problem in Iran, and 95.6% agreed that prescribing antimicrobials was not the appropriate in our country. Regarding practice, only 65.9% of participants said that before prescribing antibiotics they use of local and international antimicrobial therapy guidelines and less than 50% of physicians were in contact with a microbiology laboratory. Conclusion: This data revealed that our physicians' level of knowledge about AMR and antimicrobial stewardship is poor, so there is the need to increase training on antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to analyze providers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding access to and use of contraception by urban adolescents and youth.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study of 1,707 health care providers in 173 selected private and public health facilities in the capital city of Conakry and the seven administrative regions of Guinea. Factors associated with health care providers' attitudes and practices were then analyzed using logistic regression.ResultsAmong the 1,707 health providers, 71% had a good level of Knowledge about modern contraceptive use among adolescents and youth. In addition, 62% had positive attitudes, and 41% had good prescribing practices toward using modern contraceptive methods by adolescents and youth. Being a midwife (aOR: 1.39, 95%CI: 1.02–1.89), Being aged 25–34 years (aOR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.2–2.3), 35–44 years (aOR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.4–3.0), and 45 years, and older (aOR: 2.4, 95%CI: 1.3–4.2), an increase of years in professional experience (aOR:1.05; 95%CI: 1.02–1.08) were factors significantly associated with provider positive attitudes. However, being a medical doctor (aOR: 2.37, 95%CI: 1.04–4.42), an increase of years in professional experience (aOR: 1.07; 95%CI: 1.04–1.10) and a positive attitude (aOR: 3.16. 95%CI: 2.48–4.01) were factors associated with good practice in delivering modern contraceptive methods to adolescents and youth.ConclusionPositive attitudes and good practices toward the use of contraceptive services by adolescents and youth were found among providers. However, many health care providers still have unfavorable attitudes and practices toward delivering FP services to urban adolescents and youth. Therefore, future intervention programs should focus on training health care providers in youth- and adolescent-friendly reproductive health services and promoting contraception among adolescents.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding antibiotics, use of antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance in students and health care professionals of the district of Barranquilla, Colombia. Study design: Descriptive, cross-sectional. Methods: A sample of 399 respondents was selected, that included health professionals and medical students from 12 health institutions in the district of Barranquilla (Colombia), using an established stratified sampling method. Each of the respondent professionals completed a survey that included 43 items in the Likert scale. A descriptive analysis of the study variables was performed using the software SPSS version 25. Results: Most of the respondents were women (64.4%), aged between 26 and 35 years (47.6%); 28.8% were nurses and 26.1% general practitioners, with ≤10 years of professional experience (63.4%). Overall, the survey revealed that the participants had considerable knowledge about antibiotic use (89.5%–98% correct answers) and the spread of antibiotic resistance (67.4%–89% correct answers). Approximately 74% of the respondents agreed or fully agreed with the questions related to the management of infections and the provision of advice. Conclusions: The present study revealed that most of the health care professionals surveyed had a good knowledge about antibiotic use, although strategies must be developed to strengthen knowledge regarding the spread of antibiotic resistance. Likewise, it is important to identify opportunities for improvement related with access to the guidelines and/or materials necessary to treat infections and to provide advice on antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.

Abstract A Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire was designed to collect information on farmers’ knowledge of ASF and their practices surrounding that could impact the spread of the disease. The questionnaire was distributed, and data collected, from 233 backyard farmers from five selected Oblasts (Rivne, Kharkiv, Odessa, Zakarpattia and Kiev). Kruskal‐Wallis tests were conducted to identify factors that could influence knowledge, and Dunn tests were performed to determine differences between groups when the Kruskal‐Wallis tests were significant. Spearman tests were carried out to explore the association between knowledge and risky practices. Results show that comprehensive knowledge on ASF is not common in backyard farmers and that risky practices that influence the spread of ASF are regularly performed. Of the respondents, 47% felt well‐informed about how ASF can be transmitted and 31.8% felt confident about recognizing clinical signs of ASF. The independent variable “Oblast” was identified as a significant factor (p = 0.0015) associated with differences in knowledge on clinical signs. We demonstrated statistically significant differences of knowledge between backyard farmers from different Oblasts. Knowledge of preventive measures was positively correlated with risky handling practices related to edible pork products (p = 0.0053) and non‐edible pork products (p = 0.0417). In conclusion, our results show that backyard farmers have knowledge gaps on ASF and practice various risky behaviours that might favour the spread of the disease in Ukraine. There are regional differences in ASF knowledge and risky practices that should be taken into consideration in future evidence‐based ASF prevention and control programs, including public awareness activities.

Background: The higher education was significantly influenced by the COVID pandemic within many developing countries, including Sri Lanka, necessitating to adopt more E-Learning opportunities. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize the perceptions of Sri Lankan undergraduates to accept E-Learning in higher education, during the COVID crisis. Method: A total of 657 randomly selected undergraduates of three state universities in Sri Lanka, were recruited as the study population. Information on Socio-demographic factors, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on E-Learning methods were acquired using an interviewer administered questionnaire. A Probit regression model was fitted to identify the driving factors for the willingness of undergraduates to engage in E-Learning. Results: Around, 80.2% of the respondents were females. Majority were residing in semi-urban areas (44.7%), followed by rural areas (39.9%). More than two third of the respondents were familiar with E-Learning and different Learning Management Systems (LMS) that facilitate E-Learning (68.9%). Majority of the respondents (73.7%) were using different E-Learning platforms, mostly 2 to 3 days per week (25.7%). Only around one third (36.4%) had received any formal training in using LMS or other E-Learning platforms. Smart phones (77.8%) were found to be the most preferred device used for E-Learning activities, followed by computers and laptops (21.3%). Meanwhile, LMS/MOODLE (45.4%), WhatsApp/Viber (33.0%) and Zoom (32.7%), were the most commonly used E-Learning platforms. The average acceptance of E-Learning methods was found to be 70.7% among Sri Lankan undergraduates during the COVID epidemic. Based on the Probit regression, nature of the residing locality (P=0.009), family income (P=0.048), academic field (P<0.001) and year (P=0.028), knowledge on Information and Communications Technology [ICT] (P=0.012), and previous training experiences on E-Learning (P<0.001) were found as significant drivers that influence the acceptance of E-Learning practices of the Sri Lankan undergraduates. Conclusion: Adopting E-learning into higher education sector could be recognized as a viable solution to facilitate the higher education during a crisis like COVID. However, relevant authorities in Sri Lanka should take immediate actions to empower the physical resources for E-Learning, improve the basic telecommunication infrastructure and conduct appropriate training programmes to promote E-Learning among Sri Lankan undergraduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world leading to major disruptions globally. Due to its highly contagious nature and associated mortality, a wide array of emotional and behavioral reactions were seen which indirectly reflected the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of individuals. Understanding the KAP of individuals is fundamental when it comes to decreasing future COVID cases. Aim: The study aimed to develop a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire regarding COVID-19 (COVID-KAPQ) among patients attending screening outpatient department (OPD) in a tertiary care hospital in North India and evaluate its psychometric properties. Materials and Methods: The study procedure consisted of step-wise procedure starting with item generation, expert evaluation for categorization of items into domains of KAP and testing for psychometric properties. The items were generated and evaluated by the Delphi method based on 8 experts. Reliability and validity were assessed using data from 200 patients attending COVID screening OPD. Content validity was evaluated using content validity index (CVI); construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was computed for internal consistency. Results: The final COVID-KAPQ consisted of three domains and 29 items. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the entire questionnaire was 0.734, 0.710 for knowledge domain, 0.614 for attitudes domain, and 0.759 for practice domain. CVI ranged from 0.86 to 1. Five factors each for knowledge and attitudes domain and two factors for practice domain were extracted by principal factor analysis and varimax rotation, with a cumulative contribution of 70.19%, 71.54%, and 66.77% variance in KAP domain. Conclusions: A questionnaire COVID-KAPQ (KAP regarding COVID-19) was developed. Psychometric testing indicated that it had adequate validity and reliability for use in COVID research in the general population. This questionnaire might help the public health researchers to map the level of KAP in the population and plan awareness and prevention strategies accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Malaria remains a global health concern and is endemic in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal Provinces of South Africa, which aims to eliminate malaria by 2025. Community engagement plays a significant role in improving the acceptability and effectiveness of programmes aimed at reducing malaria transmission. The success of such intervention efforts depends on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the community, and understanding the KAP of community residents may support malaria control efforts in the locality. In this context, a cross-sectional household survey to assess community KAP on malaria transmission and prevention in the Ha-Lambani village, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province was conducted. Methods Data were collected between November 2018 and May 2019 by questionnaire of 261 consenting adults (213 females and 48 males, aged between 18 and 95 years) selected from different households. Also, a focus group discussion among 13 randomly selected participants was conducted. Pearson’s Chi Square test was used to determine statistical differences by village. Results Study participants (100%, 261/261) were aware of the presence of malaria in their community and 95% associated it with mosquito bites. The local health clinic was the most prominent source of malaria information (85%). Only 22% correctly identified headache, chills and fever as the three most common symptoms of malaria. The majority of participants (98%) knew that effective medication for malaria is available and had a positive treatment-seeking behaviour. Knowledge of malaria prevention measures was high (82%); contrarily, 97% of respondents did not sleep under a bed net the previous night. The focus group data concurred with these results and also revealed that poor bed net use resulted from lack of access to bed nets because community residents could not afford them. Conclusions The study demonstrates that participants have appropriate knowledge about malaria transmission and a positive treatment-seeking behaviour. However, economic barriers are responsible for the inadequate use of bed nets. Therefore, distribution of bed nets to the community should be considered to improve practice of malaria prevention measures. Furthermore, knowledge of signs and symptoms and appropriate malaria treatment was limited, and initiatives to improve awareness on these topics should be continued.

Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major health issues worldwide. Clinicians should play a central role to fight AMR, and medical training is a pivotal issue to combat it; therefore, assessing levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices among young doctors is essential for future antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes. Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional, multicentre survey was conducted in Italy. A descriptive analysis of knowledge and attitudes was performed, along with a univariate and multivariate analysis of their determinants. Results: Overall, 1179 young doctors accessed the survey and 1055 (89.5%) completed all sections. Regarding the knowledge section of the questionnaire, almost all participants declared to know the different species of bacteria proposed, however the percentage of participants who correctly responded to clinical quizzes was 23% for the question on vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), 42% on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), 32% on extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing enterobacteria (ESBL) and 27% on methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Similarly, 81% of participants disagreed in stating that AMR was adequately addressed during their medical training and 71% disagreed that they received the right example from their tutors. Finally, a high rate of agreement with the proposed actions to combat AMR was documented; in particular, the percentage agreement was 76% for respondents who agreed to be part of an active surveillance system or AMS programme. Conclusions: Tackling AMR should be a priority for politicians and for all health workers. Inclusion of competencies in antibiotic use in all specialty curricula is urgently needed.

A number of countries have implemented vaccination in pregnancy as a strategy to reduce the burden of influenza and pertussis. The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of Canadian maternity care providers in administration of vaccines to their pregnant patients. A cross-sectional web-based survey was sent to family physicians, obstetricians-gynecologists, midwives, pharmacists, and nurses. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine variables independently associated with offering vaccination services in pregnancy in providers’ practice. A total of 1,135 participants participated. Overall, 64% (n = 724) of the participants reported offering vaccines in their practice and 56% (n = 632) reported offering vaccines to pregnant patients. The main reasons reported for not offering vaccination services in pregnancy were the belief that vaccination was outside of the scope of practice; logistical issues around access to vaccines; or lack of staff to administer vaccines. In multivariable analysis, the main factors associated with vaccination of pregnant patients in practices where vaccination services were offered were: providers’ confidence in counseling pregnant patients about vaccines, seeing fewer than 11 pregnant patients on average each week, and being a nurse or a family physician. Although the majority of participants expressed strong support for vaccination during pregnancy, half were not offering vaccination services in their practice. Many were not equipped to offer vaccines in their practice or felt that it was not their role to do so. To enhance vaccine acceptance and uptake in pregnancy, it will be important to address the logistical barriers identified in this study.

Abstract Objectives In the 2016 Peace Accord with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), Colombia promised to reincorporate 14,000 ex‐combatants into the healthcare system. However, FARC ex‐combatants have faced significant challenges in receiving healthcare, and little is known about physicians’ abilities to address this population's healthcare needs. Methods An electronic questionnaire sent to the Colombian Emergency Medicine professional society and teaching hospitals assessed physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and experiences with the FARC ex‐combatant reincorporation process. Results Among 53 participants, most were male (60.4%), and ∼25% were affected by the FARC conflict (22.6%). Overall knowledge of FARC reincorporation was low, with nearly two‐thirds of participants (61.6%) scoring in the lowest category. Attitudes around ex‐combatants showed low bias. Few physicians received training about reincorporation (7.5%), but 83% indicated they would like such training. Twenty‐two participants (41.5%) had identified a patient as an ex‐combatant in the healthcare setting. Higher knowledge scores were significantly correlated with training about reincorporation (r = 0.354, n = 53, P = 0.015), and experience identifying patients as ex‐combatants (r = 0.356, n = 47, P = 0.014). Conclusion Findings suggested high interest in training and low knowledge of the reincorporation process. Most physicians had low bias, frequent experiences with ex‐combatants, and cared for these patients when they self‐identify. The emergency department (ED) serves as an entrance into healthcare for this population and a potential setting for interventions to improve care delivery, especially those related to mental healthcare. Future studies could evaluate effects of care delivery following training on ex‐combatant healthcare reintegration.

Newborn Screening (NBS) saves babies from mental retardation and death. In the Philippines, it was formally established by law in 2004. Program success requires physicians, nurses, and midwives to educate and motivate parents. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced NBS coverage from 91.6% to 80% between December 2019 and December 2020. This study aimed to (1) determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of residents and nurses relative to NBS during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) identify possible factors that may have affected NBS services at the Philippine General Hospital during the pandemic. Participants’ demographics were also compared with NBS practices. The study enrolled 189 participants employed during 2020. The results of a self-administered online questionnaire were evaluated. Only 31% of participants scored above a mean passing level for NBS knowledge set by experts. Most participants expressed a favorable attitude towards NBS. Knowledge scores were a significant factor in favorable attitude. Obstetrics-gynecology residents had lower attitude scores than Pediatric residents and NBS Nurses. Prenatal parent education was only practiced by 1/3 of participants. Despite the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic, participants appreciated the value of the NBS and were willing to perform specimen collection using safety precautions. Participants identified the need for additional NBS training. The challenges identified provide an avenue for further research with the goal of strengthening NBS, especially during a public health emergency.

Background: Chronic pain is a common clinical symptom and has a high socio-economic and health burden on patients, clinicians and the healthcare sector. Globally, clinicians continue to exhibit limited knowledge, negative attitudes and misconceptions about chronic pain, raising public health concerns. Objective: Our study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of clinicians towards assessment and management of patients with chronic pain in a tertiary hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study at a tertiary care hospital in Kenya adopted a census method to recruit participants (n = 240). A questionnaire containing 77 items derived from the Revised Pain Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire (RPKAQ) and the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey regarding Pain (KASRP) was used to collect data. The questionnaire had three parts. Part A had six items to determine information on demographic characteristics. Part B and C had 54 and 23 items, respectively, that determined information on knowledge, attitudes and practice of clinicians managing chronic pain. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 24. Results: Response rate was 83.3% (n = 153). Only 9% (n = 14) of the respondents were believed to have adequate knowledge and positive attitudes; 62% (n = 95) used best practice for cognitive/behavioural management of chronic pain. Few (9% n = 14) used best practice in the assessment and measurement of chronic pain. Conclusion: There is inadequate knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst clinicians regarding assessment and management of chronic pain. Future research is needed in a wider population to compare these results. Clinical implication: It may motivate clinicians to improve their level of knowledge, attitudes and practices for pain management, hence improving poor chronic pain outcome.

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Family medical history may help prevent, diagnose and treat inherited non-communicable diseases. Many people are unaware of family medical history, and medical practitioners may not realise its value when dealing with hereditary diseases. The study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding family medical history of hereditary diseases amongst undergraduate students at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a KAP survey was conducted. Questionnaires were distributed electronically to students for voluntary and anonymous completion. Results: There were 651 respondents (response rate 3.1%). Most respondents had good knowledge about their family history of hereditary diseases. Significantly more Health Sciences students reported knowing their family medical history. The majority knew that knowledge of hereditary diseases could improve quality of life, that they had a greater chance of being diagnosed if a family member already had the disease, and that lifestyle changes could improve health. Health Sciences students' level of knowledge was higher than that of students from other faculties. At least 95% of students indicated that they would change lifestyle habits to prevent early onset of hereditary disease, but their practices regarding good healthcare were poor. Health Sciences students' practices were significantly better, but less than half of all students had made lifestyle changes or had done screenings based on their family medical history. Conclusion: Although undergraduate respondents had good knowledge of family medical history and positive attitudes about screening, they did not adapt their practises. Health Sciences students' KAPs reflected the acquisition of core competencies. Institutions could educate students on the importance of early screenings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire was designed to collect information on farmers' knowledge of ASF and their practices surrounding that could impact the spread of the disease. The questionnaire was distributed, and data collected, from 233 backyard farmers from five selected Oblasts (Rivne, Kharkiv, Odessa, Zakarpattia and Kiev). Kruskal‐Wallis tests were conducted to identify factors that could influence knowledge, and Dunn tests were performed to determine differences between groups when the Kruskal‐Wallis tests were significant. Spearman tests were carried out to explore the association between knowledge and risky practices. Results show that comprehensive knowledge on ASF is not common in backyard farmers and that risky practices that influence the spread of ASF are regularly performed. Of the respondents, 47% felt well‐informed about how ASF can be transmitted and 31.8% felt confident about recognizing clinical signs of ASF. The independent variable "Oblast" was identified as a significant factor (p = 0.0015) associated with differences in knowledge on clinical signs. We demonstrated statistically significant differences of knowledge between backyard farmers from different Oblasts. Knowledge of preventive measures was positively correlated with risky handling practices related to edible pork products (p = 0.0053) and non‐edible pork products (p = 0.0417). In conclusion, our results show that backyard farmers have knowledge gaps on ASF and practice various risky behaviours that might favour the spread of the disease in Ukraine. There are regional differences in ASF knowledge and risky practices that should be taken into consideration in future evidence‐based ASF prevention and control programs, including public awareness activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women of reproductive age in Peru. Screening and early identification of pre-cancerous lesions are a cornerstone of the cervical cancer prevention strategy. Yet, there is limited literature on barriers to screening among Peruvian women. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to examine Peruvian women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer screening and identify possible reasons for the gap between knowledge and screening.Methods: The study was conducted in metropolitan Lima from June-August 2019. We purposefully recruited 12 women who had previously been screened, and 12 who had never been screened for cervical cancer. The women completed a 40-question knowledge and attitude survey and an in-depth interview about barriers to screening. Descriptive analysis was used to calculate a knowledge and attitude score and qualitative analysis was guided by the Health Belief Model constructs.Results: Previously screened participants had greater knowledge of cervical cancer symptoms, risk factors, and prevention (mean score = 28.08, S.D. = 4.18) compared to participants who had never been screened (mean score = 21.25, S.D. = 6.35). Both groups described lack of priority and embarrassment as barriers to cervical cancer screening. For participants who had never been screened before, major barriers included the fear of a cancer diagnosis and lack of information about screening services. Pregnancy, unusual gynecological symptoms and encouragement from friends and family were cues to action for participants seeking screening. Most participants in both groups recognized the benefits of getting screened for cervical cancer. Being previously screened increased participants' self-efficacy for engaging in screening behaviors again. Misconceptions regarding screening procedures and cervical cancer were also noted as barriers for participants accessing screening services.Conclusions: Improving knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and screening programs may improve screening behaviors among women. Targeting women who have never been screened before and addressing their fears and concerns around embarrassment may be other areas for intervention. Misconceptions that deter women from screening services are an important issue that should be addressed in order to increase the number of women who get timely screenings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to acts of physical/sexual violence, emotional/psychological abuse and controlling behaviour by a current or former intimate partner. Understanding the attitudes and perspectives of adolescents towards IPV can help in its prevention. The study aimed to assess the knowledge about various domains of IPV and self-reported prediction of perpetrating IPV among adolescents in Madurai city, South India.Methods: Students pursuing engineering, medicine and humanities were recruited conveniently. A structured self-administered questionnaire developed to cater to the objectives was used. After descriptive analysis, a modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimation was used to identify factors associated with one's self-reported prediction of becoming an IPV perpetrator and adjusted relative risks [0.95 confidence interval (CI)] were calculated. The project was approved by the Institute's Ethics Committee.Results: Of the 369 students, 40% were aware of IPV prevalence among women in India. About 85% agreed with societally prescribed gender roles. More males than females found gender roles manifesting as IPV acceptable (p = 0.003). Only 6.8%, more females than males (p = 0.01), believed that no violence is permissible in intimate relationships. About 55% definitely did not foresee themselves becoming IPV perpetrators. Belief in gender roles [odds ratio (OR) = 3.85; 95% CI: 1.26, 11.74] and being a professional course student (2.48; 1.25, 4.91) were significantly associated with foreseeing oneself as an IPV perpetrator.Conclusion: Knowledge about IPV and its redressal mechanisms among adolescents is poor. A significant proportion of them believe in gender roles and perceive violence within an intimate relationship as acceptable. Positively influencing adolescents' beliefs in gender roles may help to control IPV and nurture healthier relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the widespread use of digital technology, many EFL students access various types of technologies that help them acquire English vocabulary beyond formal classroom learning. This paper aims to explore Saudi EFL learners' attitudes towards informal digital learning of English vocabulary (IDLEV) outside the academic requirements as well as their practices of IDLEV beyond the classroom. To answer the research questions of the study, the researchers recruited 80 Saudi EFL students from the University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia, to respond to a self-reported questionnaire. The study found that Saudi EFL students have positive attitudes towards informal digital learning of English in improving their vocabulary. Results also reveal that the participants tend to use different technologies to learn English vocabulary in informal settings. The study found that receptive activities are more commonly used than the productive activities. The study found a significant correlation between learners' attitudes and practices. The implications of the study and recommendations were presented accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria remains a global health concern and is endemic in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal Provinces of South Africa, which aims to eliminate malaria by 2025. Community engagement plays a significant role in improving the acceptability and effectiveness of programmes aimed at reducing malaria transmission. The success of such intervention efforts depends on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the community, and understanding the KAP of community residents may support malaria control efforts in the locality. In this context, a cross-sectional household survey to assess community KAP on malaria transmission and prevention in the Ha-Lambani village, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province was conducted. Methods: Data were collected between November 2018 and May 2019 by questionnaire of 261 consenting adults (213 females and 48 males, aged between 18 and 95 years) selected from different households. Also, a focus group discussion among 13 randomly selected participants was conducted. Pearson's Chi Square test was used to determine statistical differences by village. Results: Study participants (100%, 261/261) were aware of the presence of malaria in their community and 95% associated it with mosquito bites. The local health clinic was the most prominent source of malaria information (85%). Only 22% correctly identified headache, chills and fever as the three most common symptoms of malaria. The majority of participants (98%) knew that effective medication for malaria is available and had a positive treatment-seeking behaviour. Knowledge of malaria prevention measures was high (82%); contrarily, 97% of respondents did not sleep under a bed net the previous night. The focus group data concurred with these results and also revealed that poor bed net use resulted from lack of access to bed nets because community residents could not afford them. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that participants have appropriate knowledge about malaria transmission and a positive treatment-seeking behaviour. However, economic barriers are responsible for the inadequate use of bed nets. Therefore, distribution of bed nets to the community should be considered to improve practice of malaria prevention measures. Furthermore, knowledge of signs and symptoms and appropriate malaria treatment was limited, and initiatives to improve awareness on these topics should be continued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to compare the knowledge and attitudes of nursing professionals working in public and private hospitals on oral hygiene in critically ill patients. Method: a cross-sectional study carried out in two adult Intensive Care Units, one public and the other one private, between the period of December 2018 and January 2019, using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Results: the knowledge rate of professionals in the public hospital was 76.6% and the attitude was 62.7%, while in the private hospital, these rates were 81.8% and 67.1%, respectively. There were significant differences regarding the existence of a protocol (p <0.006), participation in training (p <0.004), and the use of a toothbrush with soft bristles and suction (p <0.001) in the private hospital. Conclusion: the knowledge level was higher, and the attitudes toward oral hygiene were more positive among nursing professionals at the private hospital compared to the professionals at the public hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]