If Agnosticism, Then What?

Agnosticism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 81-106
Author(s):  
Francis Fallon

This chapter will proceed from, rather than argue towards, agnostic convictions. It will outline those convictions, characterizing agnosticism as the rational position. Given this, what attitudes and practices may we rationally adopt? This chapter will reject that indifference necessarily follows from agnosticism. This chapter will also argue that agnosticism, as it has been characterized, is not rationally consistent with sustained religious belief. We have another option, whose source we can find in religious ambivalence (as opposed to indifference). Agnosticism finds the case for God’s existence unconvincing, but remains unconvinced of God’s non-existence. The latter suggests openness towards religious views and even experiences. Citing precedent in metaphor, history, and everyday epistemological attitudes, this chapter will show how one can refrain from accepting a belief in general while entertaining it in particular instances, discuss the constraints of such ambivalence, and justify as rational certain forms of religious attitude and practice.

Author(s):  
Stephen O. Olorunfemi ◽  
Lilian Dudley

Background: The balance between the risks of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through breastfeeding and its life-saving benefits complicates decisions about infant feeding among HIV-positive mothers in the first 6 months.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of infant feeding among HIV-positive mothers attending the prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in Maseru, Lesotho.Method and setting: This observational cross-sectional study was done by collecting data from HIV-positive mothers attending the filter clinics of Queen Mamohato Memorial hospital in Maseru, Lesotho. HIV-positive mothers with infants below the age of 6 months attending the clinics at the time of the study were interviewed using a standardised questionnaire. We described the sociodemographic profile of the mothers, the information and education received on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) infant feeding options, the mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of infant feeding, and assessed risk factors for improved knowledge, attitudes and practices. Results: The majority (96%) of the 191 HIV-positive mothers who participated in the survey knew about the PMTCT programme and related breastfeeding services. Most of the participants chose to breastfeed (89%), while only 8% formula-fed their infants. Knowledge received during the PMTCT programme was significantly associated with the decision to exclusively breastfeed their infants. Earlier infant feeding counselling and education was associated with more exclusively breastfeeding as compared to late infant feeding counselling (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study found that HIV-positive mothers attending health clinics in Maseru, Lesotho, had high knowledge, and appropriate attitudes and practices with respect to infant feeding; and that early counselling and education improved infant feeding methods among these mothers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 132-144
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Emaeldin ◽  
Fatima Fadul Ali ◽  
Mohamed Osman Elamin ◽  
Elfatih Aburass

The use of insecticide leads to considerable health hazards for people, due to direct contact during application, contamination of food or drinking water. The effects of the dispersal and negligent handling of insecticide are a significant global health problem. WHO, estimated that one million unintentional acute insecticide poisonings occurred worldwide annually. It was expected that 735,000 cases of specific chronic effects and 37,000 unspecific health effects such as forms of cancer would occur annually. This emphasizes the role of awareness as a core element in protection of handlers. The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental design in BahrI locality among Malaria Control workers  to assess the effect of health education on knowledge attitude and practice among Malaria Control Workers towards Chemical Insecticide Handling during the period of 2014- 2016 . A sample size of 80-targeted workers was taken by total Coverage due to the limited number of workers. Data was collected by questionnaire, observation, interviews and Reports and records. The methods used in intervention includes; training of trainers, lectures on insecticides hazard for human being and environment safe insecticides handling,   posters to explain the lectures , pamphlets about safe handling of insecticides and about insecticides poisoning and first aid of insecticides Poisoning  and videos to reinforce  the lectures. In addition use a comprehensive questionnaire pre and post to evaluate the effect of health education. Data collected was analyzed manually and by computer using SPSS program. The results revealed that knowledge of workers about the hazards of insecticides to human health increased from 80% in pre-test to 100% after the intervention. The results also showed there is an improvement of the positive attitude towards the prevention of insecticides hazards from 92% to 100% after intervention due to health education intervention. Health education intervention increases the positive behavior of workers regards eat, drinking and smoking while handling insecticides to 100% of Malaria Control Workers in post- test believe that insecticides enter to body through inhalation while in the pre- test percentage was85%, 90% of Workers in post- test believes that insecticides enter to body through eating and drinking during work, while in the pre- test percentage was 70% and 100% of Workers in post-test  believe that the insecticides enter to body through Skin while in the pre- test the percentage was 65 %.that was due to health education intervention The study concluded that health education had a remarkable improvement in knowledge attitude and practice among Malaria Control Workers and all those who were handling insecticides. The study recommended that extensive health education programs, training, required to improve the knowledge, attitudes and practices of all workers about Chemical Insecticide Handling in Bahri Locality. Further studies are needed to determine protective measures.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Fen Wu ◽  
Li-Fang Chang ◽  
Yu-Chun Hung ◽  
Chin Lin ◽  
Shiow-Jyu Tzou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) is signed to prevent patients from receiving invalid treatment at the end of life or near death. Nurses play an important role to discuss the DNR with patients or the patients’ family members. However, research focusing on the relationship between the knowledge, attitude and practice of a DNR using path modeling in nursing staff is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the effect of path modeling on the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward DNR among the Taiwanese nursing staff.Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive design using a simple random sampling. Data on demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice as measured by the DNR inventory (KAP-DNR), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Dispositional Resilience Scale was collected. Participants were 194 nursing staff from a medical center in northern Taiwan in 2019. We performed descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and path modeling using SPSS 22.0 and set p <0.05 as the statistical significance threshold. Results: The results showed that participation in DNR signature and education related to palliative care were positive significant predictors of knowledge towards DNR. The DNR predictors toward attitude included DNR knowledge, mindfulness, self-efficacy, dispositional resilience, and religious belief of nurses. Generally, the key predictors of DNR practice were DNR attitude, dispositional resilience, and male nurses. In path modeling, we identified that self-efficacy, dispositional resilience, master’s degree, and religious belief directly influenced practices constituting DNR. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is proposed that nurses should improve their self-efficacy and dispositional resilience. Encouraging staff to undertake further education and have religious beliefs can improve the practice of DNR and provide better end of life care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahmatollah Moradzadeh ◽  
Javad Nazari ◽  
Mohsen Shamsi ◽  
Saeed Amini

Background: The spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed high threats on global health, life and work style, and social and economic development. The current study aimed to extract knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19 among the general population in the central area of Iran.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Arak City between April and May 2020. Stratified random sampling was applied to select the study participants. Phone interview was applied to collect the data. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was constructed and validated in this study. The questionnaire included demographic variables and items about knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted in STATA software.Results: In total, 544 participants completed the questionnaire; 76% of the participants accounted COVID-19 as a high threat 1 month from the onset of COVID-19. From the maximum attainable scores of 1, 6, and 6, for COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices, means of 0.77 (0.13), 4.97 (0.63), and 5.35 (0.70) were obtained, respectively. Females had a higher practice score (5.4 ± 0.6). The participants with a family history of heart and respiratory diseases had significantly higher attitude and practice scores. SMS from the Ministry of Health had a significant impact on knowledge, attitude, and practice scores (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Higher attention should be given to increase the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of men and the housewife group. COVID-19 preventive messaging from the Ministry of Health was among the most influential methods of increasing knowledge that attracted public attention.


1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-156
Author(s):  
Airifin Lodhi

The subject Workshop, “Islamization of Attitude and Practice in Scienceand Technology”, was held in the new IIIT Building, 555 Grove Street, Hemdon,VA. The theme of the Workshop was discussed under four sub themes:Attitude and Practice in:a) Research, Education and Profession in a Hostile Environmentb) Research and Research Administration in the Muslim Worldc) Particular Fields in Science and Technologyd) Future Science and Technology: What Should Be Done?They were twelve papers presented in six workshops of 1 1/2 hour each.The titles and authors of the papers are as follows:Dr. Essam Ismail - Profiles of Muslim Students in USA: PopulationDr. M. Yameen Zubairi - The Principle of Intrinsic OpportunityDr. Syed M. Amir - Scientgc Research in Muslim Countriesand OrientationDr. Sajjad H. Durani - Incorporation of Islamic Values in the Administrationof a Science Research InstituteDr. S. Imtiaz Ahmad - Perspectives on Knowledge EngineeringDr. Muhammad Ishaq Zahid - Use of Islamic Beliefs in Mathematicsand Computer Science Education Dr. Adel A. Bakr - A Blue Print for the Islamization of Attitudesand Practices in Earth Sciences with Special Emphasis on Groundwater Hydrology Dr. Mazhar Hussaini - Islamic Attitudes and Practices in Food andNutritional SciencesDr. M. A. K. Lodhi - The Making of a Scientist or The Islamizing of aMuslim Scientist ...


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Azagoh-Kouadio Richard ◽  
Yeboua Kossonou Roland ◽  
Yao Kouassi Christian ◽  
Kouassi-Kouadio Amenan Cécile ◽  
Aholi Jean Michel ◽  
...  

Introduction. In sub-Saharan Africa, many adolescents living with HIV adopt behaviors and practices at risk of transmitting this infection. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HIV-positive adolescents regarding the transmission of HIV for the prevention of this disease. Methods. Knowledge Attitude Practical Survey (KAP) conducted from June 20 to August 22, 2018 in pediatrics at the University Hospital of Treichville. It included consenting HIV-positive adolescents followed up in the voluntary testing counseling unit. The variables studied related to sociodemographic aspects, knowledge, attitude, and practice relating to the transmission of HIV. The analysis was descriptive. Results. The active queue was 349 children, including 210 adolescents. Fifty adolescents (22 boys and 28 girls) participated in the study, a participation rate of 24%. The average age of the participants was 16 years (extreme 10 and 19 years). The respondent was an orphan (38%), a secondary school (58%), and separated living parents in 42%. He stated that he did not know he was infected in 62%, and that he had sex with at least one partner in 54%. He knew the modes of transmission and the means of prevention in 72% of the cases. He knew that an HIV-positive adolescent could transmit the disease in 68%, and that HIV/AIDS was incurable in 40%. 42% of respondents said that an infected person on ARVs was contagious. Twenty-nine respondents who had a partner said they had unprotected sex in 58%. All of the adolescents surveyed said that they did not talk to friends and family about HIV. Conclusion. The level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of HIV-positive adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS transmission is insufficient. We suggest setting up a therapeutic HIV/AIDS education program for these adolescents.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
Akhiyat Akhiyat

Abstract: Religious style of Indonesia or Islam Nusantara has its own peculiarities. The form that can be found from the different shades of Islamic Archipelago with other countries in the Middle East, especially the Islamic origins of Saudi Arabia, namely in terms of uniqueness of the treasures of the experience and the practice of the Indonesian people as their adherents. It can be said that Islam Nusantara is Islam as moral and moral teachings for its adherents, and not Islam as "ideology" that does not appreciate the understanding of others. Departing from the different shades between Islam Nusantara and Islam with other countries, not separated from the historical background of the existence of cultural experiences of experience and religious belief of its predecessors. Islam Nusantara which has become an important part of adherents in Indonesia, viewed from the aspect of propriety of its adherents, can be categorized as "Islam of humanistic orthodoxy." They in carrying out Islam always maintain its normative religious values, hold to Al-Qur'an and al- Hadith. In addition they also carry out historical teachings, in which the role of spiritual values, inner values (esoteric) in religion, especially the values of human morality has become a very urgent principle in his life. As the rites are at the level of the reality of the life of the people, in every moment of his life rite can not be separated by the name of holding a religious attitude (rite of life)), pleading for a supernatural (unseen) outside, in religious language begging for help The Almighty, the God of nature.Abstrak: Corak keberagamaan masyarakat Indonesia atau Islam Nusantara telah memiliki kekhasan tersendiri. Bentuk yang dapat ditemukan dari perbedaan corak Islam Nusantara dengan negara-negara lain di Timur Tengah, terutama negara asal Islam, Arab Saudi, yaitu dari segi kekhasan khasanah pengalaman dan pengamalan batin masyarakat Indonesia sebagai pemeluknya. Dapat dikatakan bahwa Islam Nusantara adalah Islam sebagai ajaran akhlak dan moral bagi pemeluknya, dan bukan Islam sebagai ideologi yang tidak menghargai pemahaman kelompok lain. Berangkat dari perbedaan corak antara Islam Nusantara dengan Islam dengan negara lain, tidak lepas dari latar belakang historis keberadaan tradisi pengalaman budaya dan kepercayaan religiusitas para pendahulunya. Islam Nusantara yang telah menjadi bagian penting pemeluknya di Indonesia, dilihat dari segi kepatutan masyarakat penganutnya, dapat dikategorikan sebagai “Islam ortodoksi humanis.” Mereka dalam menjalankan Islam senantiasa masih mempertahankan nilai-nilai normatif keberagamaannya, berpegang kepada al-Qur’an dan al-Hadis. Di samping itu, mereka juga menjalankan ajaran historis, yang mana peran nilai-nilai spiritualitas, nilai-nilai batiniah (esoteris) dalam agama, terutama nilai-nilai moralitas kemanusiaan telah menjadi prinsip yang sangat urgen dalam kehidupannya. Sebagaimana ritus-ritus yang pada tataran realita kehidupan masyarakatnya, dalam setiap momen ritus kehidupannya tidak lepas dengan yang namanya mengadakan suatu sikap religiusitas (upacara ritus kehidupan)), memohon pertolongan kepada sesuatu kekuatan (ghaib) di luar dirinya, dalam bahasa agama memohon pertolongan kepada Sang Maha Kuasa, Tuhan pencipta alam.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Special1) ◽  
pp. 348-356
Author(s):  
Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo ◽  
Omer Mohamed Danfour ◽  
Masud Zerzah ◽  
Mouna Abdelrahman Abujazia ◽  
Perihan Torun ◽  
...  

Background: Successful plans in disaster and epidemics management depend on the feedback response and the assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the target population. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 among Libyan people.  Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 among the Libyan people from 13-20 October 2020. A self-administered questionnaire was recruited to collect the data of 287 participants. SPSS version 16.0 was used to analyze the data using univariate and multivariable regression data analyses. Results: More than half of respondents were males (53.7%), married (61.3%), aged less than 45 years old, highly educated (46.3%), employed (44.6%), urban resident(79.8%), experience good or very good health (71.1%) and earned more than USD 200 monthly (84.3.%). The participants showed a high rate of good knowledge (81.0%), attitude (71.1%), and practice (83.7%) towards COVID-19, respectively. Regression analysis showed that married (P=0.056), female (P=0.037), living in the urban regions (P<0.001) with good income of more than USD 2020 (P=0.001) were significantly associated with upper knowledge score. Females (P=0.040) were more significantly associated with positive attitude scores than males. Regarding practice score, married (P=0.001), females (P=0.059) had better practice, but poor-rated health status (P=0.018) was significantly associated with the weak practice. Conclusion: The distinction of urban regions with good knowledge, optimistic attitudes, and acceptable practices towards COVID-19 determines the government's action compass towards more interest in supporting males, unhealthy, and those living in the rural areas with accurate and timely knowledge.


Author(s):  
Alak Paul ◽  
Dwaipayan Sikdar ◽  
Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain ◽  
Md Robed Amin ◽  
Farah Deeba ◽  
...  

AbstractThe current novel coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak, COVID-19, was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China has spread all over the world causing startling loss of lives, stalling the global economy and disrupting the social life. One of the challenges to contain the COVID-19 is making people adopt personal hygiene, social distancing and self-quarantine practices which are all related to knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the people in respective countries. Bangladesh, the most densely populated countries with a fast-growing economy and moderate literacy rate, has shown many hiccups in its efforts to implement COVID-19 policies. Understanding KAP may give the policy makers to make informed decisions. Hence, this study aimed to make a quick assessment of KAP of people in relation to COVID-19 in Bangladesh. An online survey using a pre-tested questionnaire conducted in late March 2020 attained 1837 responses across Bangladesh. However, 1589 completed responses were included in statistical analysis to calculate KAP scores, their interrelations with socio-demographic variables. The overall KAP is poor with only 10% of the respondents showed good knowledge with parallel attitudes and practices. Socio-demographic factors have strong bearings on the KAP scores. Significantly higher KAP score is evident in female over male respondents, among aged (45 years and above) over younger respondents and among retired and homemakers above students and public service holders. The study indicated a panic fuelled by poor understanding of COVID-19 associated facts and the need for the government to ensure more granular and targeted awareness campaigns in a transparent and factual manner to gain public confidence and arrest more meaningful public participation in mitigation measures. The study provides a baseline of KAP among people in Bangladesh on COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabina Ghimire ◽  
Samriddh Dhungel ◽  
Anil Pokhrel

Background: The emergence of SARS-CoV 2 pandemic is the greatest public health concern of the century. Healthcare workers are the front liners of pandemic management. Their knowledge, attitudes and practices can influence the outcome of pandemic. The study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices among healthcare workers.Methods: Knowledge, attitude and practice related questionnaire based online survey through Google forms was conducted from Healthcare workers, following ethical approval from NHRC (ERB protocol registration number: 297/2020 P). Online forms were disseminated via Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Viber and personal messaging. Responses containing anonymized data was collected analyzed in using SPSS-version 26, (Year: 2019). The results were interpreted in terms of percentage response, knowledge score, and practice and discussed on the possible solutions in improving the infection prevention and control practice.Results: 473 HCWs responded to the questionnaire, out of which 426 responses met inclusion criteria which is 90% of the total responses. The mean score for knowledge was 3.20 + 1.15 out of maximum seven; with 45.7% correct answers. 70.4 % (300) participants felt that Nepal will be unable to contain the pandemic, 64 % of the total employed participants felt that there was inadequate institutional preparedness to protect HCWs from exposure. 91% participants reported practicing hand hygiene after every patient encounter; whereas 31.7% (77) and 22.1% (59) participants did not know how to check sealing of the N95 masks and use personal protective equipment’s respectively.Conclusions: The survey findings showed deficiencies in knowledge and appropriate practice among the HCWs, in prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Attitudes towards COVID19 were a mix of both positive and negative viewpoints. Even in health care workers with access to internet, there is significant gap in universal infection prevention and control practices required for self-protection and limiting untoward transmission. Keywords: Attitude and practice; COVID-19; healthcare workers; infection prevention and control; knowledge, Nepal; SARS CoV 2


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