An Analysis of Leptospirosis Control in a Flood-Affected Region of Kerala and the Role of Accredited Social Health Activists – A Questionnaire Study

Author(s):  
M.K. Sreelakshmi ◽  
Suneesh Kuruvilla ◽  
Ramanarayanan Subramaniam ◽  
Pooja Latti ◽  
Ramanarayanan Venkitachalam

Abstract Background: Chengannur, a town in the south Indian state of Kerala, was 1 of the worst affected towns during the floods of 2018. Post-flood, Kerala state was under the threat of many infectious diseases including leptospirosis, but did not report any leptospirosis infections. Objectives: This study was conducted with the following objectives: (1) Assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the prevention of leptospirosis among the flood affected population and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) of Chengannur; and (2) Analyze the factors responsible for and contributing to leptospirosis control in the area post flood. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire based observational study was conducted among 2 groups: the flood affected population, and ASHA. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts. Part A contained the socio-demographic information. Part B contained questions on assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding the prevention, and control of leptospirosis. Part C was only for the ASHA involved. Results: The final sample size was 331 (244 from the general population and 87 ASHAs). With respect to knowledge, attitude, and practice, the responses were dichotomized into correct and wrong responses. The mean knowledge score was 9.01 ± 1.08 (maximum score of 10), mean attitude score was of 3.61 ± 0.55 (maximum score of 4) and the mean practice score was 4.12 ± 1.05 (maximum score of 5). Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude scores did not significantly differ between the general population and ASHA, but the practice score showed a higher score among the ASHA, all of which could have probably contributed to the prevention of a leptospirosis outbreak in the region.

Author(s):  
Bhawna Sayare ◽  
Vinay K. Bhardwaj ◽  
Shailee Fotedar ◽  
Shelja Vashisth ◽  
Arun S. Thakur ◽  
...  

Background: Facemasks are recommended to control the COVID-19 pandemic transmission. This study was conducted with a purpose to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices among general population regarding the usage of facemask during COVID-19 pandemic to limit the spread of the corona virus disease.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted through Google forms. Questionnaire consisted of 7, 3 and 5 questions on knowledge, attitude and practices respectively. Questionnaire was shared on social media. Score of 1 was assigned to correct response and score of 0 for incorrect response, thus making a maximum score of 7 for a subject. Accordingly, score was <3 depicts individual had poor knowledge. 3-5 and >5 had good and excellent knowledge respectively.Results: Out of total 500 participants, we had 242 (48.4%) males and 258 (51.6%) females. The age of participants ranged from 20 to 60 years. Majority of participants (25.2%) were from Kerala State. Almost 97.6% reported that it was necessary to wear mask in current situation. The overall mean knowledge score was 5. The mean knowledge score was higher among females (5.07%) as compared to males (4.93%) and the difference was statistically significant. When they were asked if they know the correct steps of wearing a mask, almost 82.5% reported “yes” but while asking for coverage of mask on face only 75% were aware of it correctly.Conclusions: The overall knowledge of our study population was good. The knowledge was excellent for the age group of 20–30 and post-graduates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
Dilli Bahadur Pun ◽  
Bobby Thapa ◽  
Prashanna Shrestha ◽  
Sonam Chaudhary ◽  
Nashib Pandey ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Survival after cardiopulmonary arrest depends on early and effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Demand for courses of basic life support (BLS)/CPR is increasing worldwide. Till date, there have been little reports regarding CPR knowledge and attitude among the Nepalese dental health personnel. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude towards CPR among undergraduate dental students, interns and postgraduate residents studying at Kantipur Dental College and Teaching Hospital (KDCH), Kathmandu, Nepal. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 243 dental students studying at KDCH. Data was collected through a self -administered semi-structured questionnaire. Collected data was organized, recorded, coded and then analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 16. Descriptive statistics was used to compute mean, percentile, standard deviation and one way ANOVA test was done to compare the mean knowledge score between different academic levels of the students at 95% level of significance. Results: The mean knowledge and attitude score towards CPR among the dental students was 8.05±2.85 and 4.63±0.51 respectively. Out of total students, only few (5.8%) had adequate knowledge whereas all (100%) had a positive attitude towards CPR. The mean score for the pre-clinical students (7.26 ±2.38) was significantly (p=0.001) lower than clinical students (8.44 ±3.23), interns and residents (8.85 ±2.54). Conclusion: The present study showed inadequate knowledge regarding CPR among dental students of different academic levels but they have a positive attitude towards it. The integration of CPR in the early year of the curriculum along with regular training of CPR in succeeding years will enhance their knowledge.


Author(s):  
Suresh Kumar ◽  
Kingston Rajiah ◽  
Sajesh Kalkandi Veettil ◽  
Ng Sze Wei

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge and attitude of adult Malaysians about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to understand the variation in the knowledge and attitude toward TCM among different demographic groups of adult Malaysian population and to determine the pattern of TCM use among adult Malaysians.: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey using the convenience sampling method. A total of 400 adult Malaysians were recruited for this study. An interview-administered questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics Mann-Whitney U Test and Kruskal–Wallis H test were used to analyze the data. The reliability of survey data in this study may affect since closed-ended questions are used.: The more commonly utilized therapy was herbal medicine (n=192, 82.1%), acupuncture (n=79, 33.8%) and oriental massage (n=58, 24.8%). The mean knowledge score and mean attitude score for the respondents were 5.00±1.71 and 7.17±2.10 respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean knowledge score between genders, among TCM users and non-TCM users, people of different education levels and ethnicity.: There were more TCM users than non-TCM users and the use of TCM was higher in females than males. The most popularly used TCM modalities were herbal medicines and acupuncture. Gender, education, ethnicity and use of TCM had a significant effect on adults’ knowledge toward TCM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha M. AlRasheed ◽  
Hatoon AlAli ◽  
Abdulrahman F. Alsuwaid ◽  
Suhail Khalaf ◽  
Sondus I. Ata ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and concerns toward gene therapy in Saudi Arabia. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey via convenience sampling during the period from December 2018 to March 2019. A total of 419 (358 pharmacists and 61 physicians) responded to our questionnaire. Three hundred and nine (73.7%) were male, and the mean (±SD) age of 32.0 ± 7.7 years. The mean knowledge scores of all participants, pharmacists, and physicians were 3.8 ± 1.9, 3.8 ± 1.9, and 3.7 ± 1.9, respectively (P = 0.73). Higher knowledge score was associated with younger age (Coefficient: −0.03; P = 0.02), male (Coefficient: 0.57; P = 0.01), master's degree (Coefficient: 0.93; P = 0.003) and Ph.D. holders (Coefficient: 1.10; P = 0.01), and participants graduated from Canada (Coefficient: 2.10; P = 0.01).Moreover, about half of the respondents (55%) were concerned about gene therapy, and genetics training at college was considered the best gene therapy education method by 69.4%. Attitude score was not significantly associated with the profession (P = 0.88) but positively correlated with the knowledge score (rho= 0.4; P &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, pharmacists and physicians showed limited knowledge with a positive attitude toward gene therapy. Therefore, educational programs on gene therapy need to be considered, focusing primarily on the safety, and social acceptance of such new therapeutic management.


Author(s):  
Zaitul Akmal AZ ◽  
Salmah N ◽  
ND Ismail ◽  
Muhammad Akmal MN ◽  
Khairatul Nainey K

Introduction: In Malaysia, the rate of adolescents involved in sexual activities has increased and starts at an earlier age. Data from NHMS 2017 showed that 7.3% among surveyed 13 to 17 years-old adolescents have already had sex. The rate of teenage pregnancies is also increasing at 3.7-3.9% between the years 2009 until 2011. Therefore, an effective SRH Programme should be conducted in schools to equip them with adequate knowledge regarding this subject.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 145 randomly selected secondary school students aged 13 to 15 years old, attending the SRH Programme in a secondary school in Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia. The objective of this programme is to deliver knowledge and promote awareness among adolescents regarding SRH. The programme consists of intervention using adolescent-friendly module and games. A pre- and post-test were given to the participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme using the validated SRH questionnaire (Malay version). The questionnaire consists of fourteen and six items for knowledge and attitude, respectively.Results: The result showed an increase in the mean knowledge score (±SD) after the SRH Programme at the school from 7.25 ± 2.44 for pre-test to 9.70 ± 3.17 for post-test. The mean difference in pre- and post-test was 2.45 (95% CI: 2.02, 2.87) and was statistically significant (p<0.001). In terms of attitudes, the majority of the students felt that they have enough knowledge to make a gooddecision regarding sexual reproductive health issues after the SRH programme. However, there was only a small increment with regards to their attitudes on assertiveness.Conclusion: This study demonstrated an increase in the level of knowledge among adolescents in Cheras after the SRH programme using the adolescent-friendly module and games. However, there is no significant change in attitude among adolescents regarding SRH.Future SRH programmes need to be done regularly to instil positive attitudes among adolescents in dealing withsexual reproductive dilemmas.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2021 Page: S20


Author(s):  
Lakshmi K

Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of primipara mothers regarding breast feeding. Methodology: quantitative non experimental - descriptive research design was adopted. The study was conducted in MES medical college hospital with the sample size of 50 primipara mothers by using non probability- purposive sampling technique. Results: The knowledge score of primipara mothers regarding breast feeding were 4 (8.0%) had inadequate knowledge, 35 (70%) had average knowledge, 11 (22%) had adequate knowledge. The attitude score of the primipara mothers regarding breast feeding reveals that 2 (4.0%) had neutral attitude, 48 (96%) had positive attitude towards breast feeding. Correlation of knowledge and attitude of primipara mothers regarding breast feeding represents that mean knowledge and attitude score of primipara mothers regarding breast feeding was 14.3 and 48.74 respectively. Correlation coefficient(r) value is 0.041, which indicates statistically non significant. find the association between the knowledge and attitude with selected demographic data illutrates that there is a significant association of knowledge score with their type of family (p <0.05) and there is no significant association of knowledge score with the age, education, occupation, religion, residence, age at marriage, sex of the baby, previous knowledge on breast feeding ( p > 0.05). there is no significant association of attitude score with the with demographic data ( p >0.10). conclusion: This study was identified that 70% of the primipara mothers had average knowledge and 96% had positive attitude towards breast feeding. It implies that majority of the primipara mothers was received previous information regarding breast feeding in this study had a major role to enhance the knowledge and attitude of primipara mothers regarding breast feeeding.


Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaur Sarfaraz ◽  
Juzer Shabbir ◽  
Muhammad Adeel Mudasser ◽  
Zohaib Khurshid ◽  
Ahmed Adel A. Al-Quraini ◽  
...  

The world is currently facing a pandemic crisis due to a novel coronavirus. For this purpose, acquiring updated knowledge regarding prevention and disinfection during the current pandemic is necessary for every dental practitioner. In our study, we aimed to evaluate globally the level of knowledge and the attitude of dental practitioners related to disinfection. A total of 385 participants out of 401 participants from 23 different countries across the world were included in the final analysis after the exclusion of incomplete responses. The majority of the dentists who responded were females (53.8%) and were practicing at private health institutes (36.4%). The mean knowledge score of the participants was estimated to be 4.19 ± 1.88 out of 12, reflecting insufficient knowledge, and the mean attitude score of the participants was estimated to be 12.24 ± 3.23 out of 15, which shows a positive attitude toward disinfection practices during coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, the current study indicated a lack of knowledge in fundamental aspects of disinfection protocols with a significant and positive attitude from dental health professionals toward disinfection regarding the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Al-Hashemi ◽  
Abdullatif Ashkanani ◽  
Haneen Al-Qattan ◽  
Asmaa Mahmoud ◽  
Majd Al-Kabbani ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives. Attitudes toward students with epilepsy and epilepsy-related knowledge of teachers are crucial for child’s safety in the school. The aim of this study was to evaluate teachers’ knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy.Methods. This cross-sectional study included 824 teachers from 24 randomly selected middle and high schools. Scale of Attitudes Toward Persons with Epilepsy (ATPE) was modified to assess teachers’ knowledge about epilepsy and attitudes toward students with epilepsy.Results. Median knowledge score about epilepsy was 5 (out of 13), while median attitude score was 10 (out of 15). Both knowledge and attitude median scores were significantly higher in senior teachers with longer teaching experience and in respondents who dealt with a person with epilepsy. There was significant association between knowledge score and attitude score (p<0.01). Logistic regression showed that significant variables, independently associated with poor knowledge after adjusting for possible confounders, were not having a family member with epilepsy (p=0.009), unawareness of life circumstances of persons with epilepsy (p=0.048), and a poor attitude score (p<0.001).Conclusion. School teachers in Kuwait have relatively poor knowledge about epilepsy but have positive attitudes toward students with epilepsy. A number of historical and stigmatizing ideas about epilepsy still exist. It is recommended to provide teachers with information about handling seizures in the educational setting through development and implementation of epilepsy education programs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marquitta C. Webb ◽  
Safiya E. Beckford

Purpose. To investigate the level of nutrition knowledge and attitude of adolescent male and female swimmers training competitively in Trinidad and Tobago.Methodology. A self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of 21 nutrition knowledge and 11 attitude statements, was utilized to assess the level of nutrition knowledge and attitude of adolescent swimmers. For the assessment of nutrition knowledge, correct answers were given a score of “1” and incorrect answers were given a score of “0.” For the evaluation of attitude towards nutrition, a score ranging from 1 to 5 was assigned to each response; “5” was given to the most positive response, and “1” was given to the most negative. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.Results. Two hundred and twenty swimmers with a mean age of14.56±2.544completed the questionnaire. The mean nutrition knowledge score was10.97±2.897and mean attitude score was41.69±6.215. Nutrition knowledge was positively and significantly related to the number of reported nutrition sources (r=0.172,P=0.005). Nutrition knowledge was positively and significantly related to the attitude (r=0.130,P=0.027).Conclusions and Implication. Athletes lack nutrition knowledge but have a positive attitude towards nutrition, which may indicate receptiveness to future nutrition education.


Author(s):  
Ghaida Aziz, Ghaida jabri, Ghaida Al-Ahmadi, Mona Ehab, Marw

Breast feeding (BF) is known to have many advantages but our Arab region has a pattern similar to western countries; where exclusive breastfeeding less than 35%. Knowledge given to women during her antenatal visits plays an important influential role in her attitude and practice of BF later on.  Objective: To explore knowledge and attitude of female medical students at Taibah University about breastfeeding.  Methods: A Cross sectional study was carried out from October to November 2012. It included female medical students. Stratified sampling allocation technique was used; with a total sample of 149 students. A specialty designed self-administrated questionnaire in Arabic form was used. It included socio-demographic data, obstetric history, data about the knowledge and attitude of female medical students towards breastfeeding value and guidelines. Mean percent knowledge score for value of BF, mean percent score for BF guidelines and mean percent score for attitude were calculated. Appropriate statistical tests for qualitative and quantitative data were used accordingly. Results: Majority (91.9%) (of the studied sample) was never married and 37.6% got their knowledge about BF via books. Regarding ever married women, 58.3% only were gravid (mean =2.2±1.94). Only 25.0% were family planning users; 66.7% of them used hormonal contraceptives. Only 20% breast fed their infants with a mean duration for exclusive BF of 3.8 ± 2.87 months and mean age of weaning of 2.3 ±0.63 months. The mean knowledge percent score for guidelines of BF was 64.7±8.45. The mean attitude percent score for concepts related to BF was 76.9±7.91. Conclusion: Media and internet have minor roles in getting knowledge about BF. The mean knowledge score about advantages of BF, guidelines of BF and attitude towards BF of all female medical students; especially academic years were unsatisfactory.


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