scholarly journals Physicians’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards Zika virus infection in Jordan

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (07) ◽  
pp. 584-590
Author(s):  
Eman Y Abu-rish ◽  
Eman R Elayeh ◽  
Michael J Browning

Introduction: Zika virus (ZIKAV) disease is a public health problem of international concern. Recent evidence has documented imported ZIKAV cases into the Middle East and the existence of ZIKAV-transmitting mosquitoes in Jordan. However, limited data exist on the role of physicians in public awareness in this regard. This study aimed to assess ZIKAV knowledge, attitudes and counseling practices (KAP) of general physicians and gynecologists in Amman, Jordan. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, a structured paper-based questionnaire was completed by 119 participants during 2016-2017. Results: Only 4.2% of the physicians correctly addressed ZIKAV-complication questions. A misconception of considering direct contact between individuals and breastfeeding as modes of ZIKAV transmission was observed. Only one participant correctly recognized that isolation of infected or exposed persons is not recommended. Having at least five years of experience in medical practice was the only factor that was significantly associated with a high knowledge score (P-value=0.011). Although prevention measures are the sole method to control ZIKAV spread, only 50% of participants believed in the efficacy of such measures. Despite a quarter of participants perceiving ZIKAV as a threat to their patients, none of them have counseled a patient in this regard before. The presence of an evidence of ZIKAV in Jordan and health authorities' recommendations were the most important predictors for adoption of counseling practice. Conclusions: General physicians and gynecologists in Jordan had several gaps in knowledge of key aspects of ZIKAV disease, and there is a need for specific training programs of physicians and gynecologists.

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ummi Mohlisi Mohd Asmawi ◽  
Alissa Azureen Norehan ◽  
Khasnoorsani Salikin ◽  
Nur Ain Syafiqah Rosdi ◽  
Nur Amira Thaqifah Abdul Munir ◽  
...  

The aim of this paperis to evaluate the aspects of knowledge, attitude, and practices about food hygiene and safety issues among food handlers who are working in food courts. A cross-sectional study was conducted at four randomly food courts in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia during June and July 2017. It involves 108 respondents that match the inclusion criteria among food handlers. The guided self-administered questionnaire; were divided into three sections which are knowledge, practices, and attitudes. After the complete questionnaireswere collected, data were entered and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 23.0. Positive correlations were seen between mean knowledge score and mean attitudes score (p-value=0.0240, r=0.217), between attitude score and practices score (p < 0.001, r=0.559) and between knowledge score and practices score (p value=0.049, r=0.190). The strongest correlation being between mean attitudes score and mean practices score. Respondents with low knowledge score also had the higher practices score. This paper serves as an eye-opener for policy makersas they can review and improve the knowledge, attitude and practices in food safety among food handlers in food courts and they can also help raise food safety awareness campaign and organize more targeted training in related fields of concern.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257609
Author(s):  
Yilma Markos Larebo ◽  
Desta Erkalo Abame

Introduction The widespread use of face masks by the general public may help to prevent the spread of viruses. Face masks are thought to be a good strategy to protect against respiratory diseases such as the Coronavirus. Identifying student knowledge, attitude, and practice about the use of face masks is crucial to detect vulnerabilities and respond rapidly to avoid the spread of the infection. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of face mask utilization and associated factors in the COVID-19 pandemic among college students. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from February to March 2021 among 764 students from Wachemo University, Southern Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was used in the study. The sample size for each department was allocated in proportion to the number of students in that department, and each respondent was chosen using a simple random sampling procedure. Data were collected using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. To predict the relationship between the predictor and outcome variables, a logistic regression model was used. At a p-value of 0.05, statistical significance was declared. Results The study showed that the overall knowledge of the students was 223 (29.2%), their attitude was 673 (88.1%), and their practice was 684 (89.5%). The students from the college natural and computational sciences (AOR: 0.23; 95%CI: 0.13, 0.40) and students having good knowledge (AOR = 4.40; 95%CI; 2.13, 9.14) were found to be independently associated with face mask utilization. Conclusion When compared to other researches, the knowledge about the usage of face masks in this study was low, but the attitudes and practices were high. Authorities in areas that are in danger of a COVID-19 pandemic should plan and implement public awareness and education initiatives.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-451
Author(s):  
Awirut Singkun ◽  
Kraiwuth Kallawicha ◽  
Khemika Yamarat

Background: The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases is an important public health problem, especially in people who are sexually active, such as the army conscript group. However, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices may be influenced by certain cultures and beliefs. This study explored the factors associated with the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the Muslim army conscript in three deep southern provinces of Thailand. Methods: The cross-sectional study design was conducted among 360 Muslim army conscripts. A researcher made questionnaire on knowledge of HIV/STI transmission, attitude toward condom use, and sexual behavior was distributed to the participants in a camp base. The association between the potential predictor variables and the risk of HIV/STI was analyzed using the multiple logistic regression. Statistically significant of the association considered a P value ≤ 0.05. Results: The results suggest that most Muslim army conscripts had a poor knowledge level of HIV/STI transmission (78.7%) and that their attitude toward condom use was at a moderate level (60.0%). The predicted factors were marital status [aOR=0.078, 95% CI=0.035-0.172], substance use before having sex [aOR=8.044, 95% CI=1.288-50.230], stimulant use before having sex [aOR=3.632, 95% CI=1.080-12.211], vaginal sexual intercourse [aOR=26.228, 95% CI=8.370-82.189], and oral sexual intercourse [aOR=2.256, 95% CI=1.106-4.601]. Conclusion: A proper sexual health education program should be developed and delivered to enhance knowledge on HIV/STI transmission among Muslim army conscripts.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5339
Author(s):  
Daiane Santos ◽  
Mariana Alves Pimenta ◽  
Flavio Bittencourt ◽  
Murilo Cesar Nascimento ◽  
Silvana Maria Coelho Leite Fava ◽  
...  

RESUMOObjetivo: avaliar as competências dos ACS no desenvolvimento das atribuições esperadas e definidas pelo Ministério da Saúde nas ações de pré-natal de risco habitual, desenvolvidas no âmbito da ESF, em relação à prevenção da infecção pelo zika vírus na gestação. Método: estudo quantitativo, descritivo, transversal, com coleta de dados em 14 equipes da Estratégia de Saúde da Família, mediante um questionário com três partes: A (enfrentamento ao Aedes aegypti); B (pré-natal de baixo risco) e C (medidas de prevenção pessoal contra o Zika vírus), analisadas por agrupamentos e pelo Teste Exato de Fisher. Resultados: melhor desempenho foi observado em B, seguido de A. As maiores dificuldades estavam relacionadas com a atividade C. Conclusão: há um panorama favorável de atuação desses profissionais, embora com dificuldades quanto à alimentação dos sistemas de informação, à baixa participação comunitária e à pouca integração com o trabalho das equipes. Descritores: Enfermagem; Agente Comunitário de Saúde; Zika Vírus.ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the competences of the ACS in the development of the attributions expected and defined by the Ministry of Health in the habitual, risk prenatal actions, developed within the scope of the FHS, in relation to the prevention of infection by the zika virus during pregnancy. Method: quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study with data collection in 14 teams of the Family Health Strategy, through a questionnaire with three parts: A (coping with Aedes aegypti); B (low risk prenatal) and C (personal prevention measures against Zika virus), analyzed by clusters and Fisher's Exact Test. Results: better performance was observed in B, followed by A. The greatest difficulties were related to activity C. Conclusion: there is a favorable panorama of these professionals, although with difficulties in feeding information systems, low community participation and little integration with the work of the teams. Descritores: Nursing; Community Health Workers; Zika Virus.RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar las competencias de los ACS en el desarrollo de las atribuciones esperadas y definidas por el Ministerio de Salud en las acciones de prenatal de riesgo habitual, desarrolladas en el marco de la ESF, en relación a la prevención de la infección por el zika virus en la gestación. Método: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, transversal, con recolección de datos en 14 equipos de la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia, mediante un cuestionario con tres partes: A (enfrentamiento al Aedes aegypti); B (prenatal de bajo riesgo) y C (medidas de prevención personal contra el Zika virus), analizadas por agrupaciones y por la prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados: mejor desempeño fue observado en B, seguido de A. Las mayores dificultades estaban relacionadas con la actividad C. Conclusión: hay un panorama favorable de actuación de estos profesionales, aunque con dificultades en cuanto a la alimentación de los sistemas de información, a la baja participación comunitaria y a la poca integración con el trabajo de los equipos. Descritores: Enfermería; Agentes Comunitarios de Salud; Vírus Zika.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
OBA Owoeye ◽  
SRA Akinbo ◽  
OA Olawale ◽  
BA Tella ◽  
NM Ibeabuchi

Background. Exposure to competitive football is increasing among male youth football players in Nigeria. However, medical support to abate the impact of injuries appears inadequate and there is limited literature to show whether youth football players are knowledgeable about, and practise effective measures for injury prevention in football (IPF).Objective. To assess the knowledge and behaviour of male youth football players regarding IPF and the availability of medical care for players.Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study among all registered first-division players of a male youth football league in Lagos, Nigeria. Using a self-administered questionnaire, we assessed players’ knowledge regarding IPF, awareness of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ injury-prevention programme, injury-prevention behaviour and availability of medical attendants during training and competitive matches.Results. The mean age of the players was 18.5 years (standard deviation (SD) ±1.7; range 12 - 19). Their overall mean knowledge score regarding IPF was 4.40 (SD ±1.92) from a total score of 9, with the majority falling into the poor (39.1%) and fair (43.9%) knowledge categories. Most (79.3%) players were not aware of the FIFA 11+ programme. Less than half (40.5%) wore shin guards during training sessions, while 52.5% reported wearing shin guards during matches. Less than two-thirds always warmed up or cooled down at training or matches. About three-quarters (73.1%) and over half (52.1%) reported not having medical attendants working with their teams during matches and training, respectively.Conclusion. There is a clear deficiency in the knowledge and behaviour of injury-prevention measures among Nigerian male youth football players, and adequate medical care is lacking. There is a need for injury-prevention advocacy and implementation of effective interventions to bridge the identified deficiencies in youth football in Nigeria.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assaye Belay Gelaw ◽  
Solomon Abebaw Andargie

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and it is the most important of public health problem worldwide. A critical element in tackling the COVID-19 crisis is personal behavioral change; however, there is a paucity of evidence about peoples’ awareness towards COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the aim of this was to assess the community’s awareness status towards COVID-19 in Sheka, Southwestern Ethiopia.Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted 10th to 21th April 2020. Four hundred-nineteen individuals participated during the study. Both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant factors of awareness status, and variables with p-value<0.05 indicated it significantly influences the awareness status of the individuals towards COVID-19.Results: According to the study’s results, nearly half (49.4 %) of the participants had awareness about COVID-19 pandemic. Factors such being female equal (AOR: 0.476, 95%CI: 0.293, 0.772),education being secondary and above(AOR:2.178,95%CI:1.323,3.586),and prevention methods being fully used (AOR,8.127,95%CI: 1.273, 51.871)were significantly influencing the awareness status of the community towards COVID-19 pandemic than their counterparts.Conclusion: The study showed that there is a low awareness status among people towards COVID-19.Hence, programs to improve awareness towards COVID-19 pandemic is essential to prevent and control the pandemic.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Prerna Bansal ◽  
Dipendra Khatiwada ◽  
Hari Prasad Upadhyay

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and sixth leading cause of death in Nepal. Preventing new infections of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is crucial to reduce TB burden and death. The source of infection is an open (sputum positive) case of pulmonary tuberculosis. Poor management of TB-related waste like disposal of sputum by patients has been reported as a risk factor for increasing susceptibility to active TB infection. The present study was undertaken to assess preventive measures practiced by TB patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 82 tuberculosis patients who visited the five different DOTs centres of Bharatpur Municipality of Chitwan district, Nepal during December 2016 to February 2017. To find the association between variables, chi-square test was used. P-value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.  Results: The Mean ± SD of age of patients was 37.02±18.90 years. 67.10% of the patients received health education on preventive measures. 59.8% of the respondents had good practice on prevention measures of TB. Only 3.70% used burning method for the sputum disposal after diagnosis of TB. None of the respondents used boiling method for the disposal of sputum. Among all only 6% practiced safe method of sputum disposal. The statistically significant variables with health education were preventive measures like self isolation (ᵪ2 = 7.54, p = 0.006), covering face while coughing and sneezing (ᵪ2 = 4.113, p = 0.043) and keeping surrounding clean (ᵪ2= 7.880, p = 0.005).  Conclusions: Patients and family members should be well educated on practicing different preventive measures by further strengthening the preventive measures strategy in the transmission of tuberculosis if we envisioned to end TB by 2035.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora A. AlFaris ◽  
Nora M. AlKehayez ◽  
Fatema I. AlMushawah ◽  
AbdulRhman N. AlNaeem ◽  
Nadia D. AlAmri ◽  
...  

AbstractVitamin D deficiency is an epidemic public health problem worldwide. It is common in the Middle East and is more severe in women. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess vitamin D deficiency and associated risk factors in women living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in 166 women aged 30–65 years. Socio-demographic, lifestyle and health status characteristics, as well as intake of selected dietary supplements, were collected. Weight and height were measured. Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) was reported in 60.2% of participants. Mean of serum 25(OH)D was 20.7 ng/mL. Older age and taking the supplements of vitamin D, multi-vitamins or calcium were identified as factors that associated with a lower risk of hypovitaminosis D. A national strategy is needed to control a hypovitaminosis D crisis in Saudi Arabia. This could be accomplished by raising public awareness regarding vitamin D, regulating and enhancing vitamin D fortification and supplementation and screening vitamin D status among women at high risk.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamideh Mahdaviazad ◽  
Gholamreza Abdolahifar

AbstractObjectivePublic education and training that focus on appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and practices have had a crucial role in preparedness. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of households regarding natural disasters in Shiraz, Iran.MethodsIn this cross-sectional descriptive study, we used a stratified random sampling technique. The data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire, which was completed in through face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed with the SPSS statistical software package (version 16).ResultsThe overall mean scores were 7.3±2.0 for knowledge, 26.3±6.5 for attitudes, and 5.2±2.2 for practices. Mean scores for all 3 factors were higher in women and married participants. In other comparisons, the differences were statistically significant only for the associations between gender and the score for practices. The mean knowledge score was lower in illiterate participants than in other categories of educational status.ConclusionOur findings showed that the knowledge of households regarding disaster preparedness was encouraging, but that of attitudes and practices might be improved through a greater focus on motivational educational programs and cooperation among the organizations involved in public awareness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–4)


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merhawit Gebremeskel Hagos ◽  
Teferi Gebru Gebremeskel ◽  
Selam Shushay Kassahun ◽  
Birhane Hailu Gebrezgi ◽  
Manay Kifle Woldegebriel

Abstract Background: Delay in receiving immunization is a major public health problem that has been associated with vaccine-preventable disease epidemics. In Ethiopia, many children have not received the benefits of age-appropriate immunization; thus more than 90% of child deaths are largely due to preventable communicable diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study to assess the magnitude and factors associated with delayed immunization among 12 -23 months old children’s in Edagahamus Town, Tigray, Ethiopia, and 2018 G.C. Methods: A community-based Cross-Sectional study was carried out on July1-30, 2018. A simple random sampling method was used to select study participants. Information was collected using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Vaccination dates were obtained from children’s immunization cards and timeliness assessed based on the recommended age ranges. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Variable with P-value < 0.2 in bivariate was exported to multivariate. The strength of association was identified using the odds ratio with a 95 % confidence interval (CI) and the P-value of <0.05 in multivariate was taken statistically significant. Results: In this study, the overall magnitude of delayed immunization was 29.5% (95%CI 26.7-45). Private firm work of mothers (AOR=0.205 95% CI 0.068-0.617) and Mothers who attend tertiary education (AOR 0.169, 95% CI 0.032-0.882) and secondary education (AOR 0.269, 95% CI 0.114-0.636) had the protective effect of delayed immunization. But the sickness of the child (AOR= 11.8, 95% CI 6.16-22.65) was a risk for delayed immunization. Conclusions: From the study, it is concluded that the magnitude of delayed immunization for children aged 12-23 months is high (29.5%) in Edagahamus. Delayed immunizations of children were predicted by the Mother's occupation, education, and the mother considered the child was too ill to undertake vaccination when it was due. Keywords: Child immunization, Delay to be immunized, Vaccine-preventable diseases


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