scholarly journals WeChat-based health education to improve health knowledge in three major infectious diseases among residents: a multicentre case-controlled protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e037046
Author(s):  
Yan Qiu ◽  
Hongli Qin ◽  
Meike Ying ◽  
Kaijin Xu ◽  
Jingjing Ren

IntroductionHealth literacy (HL) in infectious diseases is inadequate in China. Since the first nationwide survey of HL conducted in China, great efforts have been made. However, the rate of HL in infectious diseases was 16.06% in 2017. In contrast, with an HL rate of 15.85% in 2008, no significant effect was observed over 10 years. With an increasing number of internet users, we aim to assess the effects of WeChat-based health education for the promotion of partial HL-health knowledge in infectious diseases.Methods and analysisA total of 2160 residents aged 15–69 years old will be enrolled in this study. The primary outcome measures will be the rate of health knowledge in infectious disease. The follow-up period is 3 years.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University. The findings of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Beda

The dynamic nature of new information and/or knowledge is a big challenge for information systems. Early knowledge management systems focused entirely on technologies for storing, searching and retrieving data; these systems have proved a failure. Juirsica and Mylopoulos1 suggested that in order to build effective technologies for knowledge management, we need to further our understanding of how individuals, groups and organisations use knowledge. As the focus on knowledge management for organisations and consortia alike is moving towards a keen appreciation of how deeply knowledge is embedded in people’s experiences, there is a general realisation that knowledge cannot be stored or captured digitally. This puts more emphasis in creating enabling environments for interactions that stimulate knowledge sharing.Our work aims at developing an un-obtrusive intelligent system that glues together effective contemporary and traditional technologies to aid these interactions and manage the information captured. In addition this system will include tools to aid propagating a repository of scientific information relevant to surveillance of infectious diseases to complement knowledge shared and/or acts as a point of reference.This work is ongoing and based on experiences in developing a knowledge network management system for the Southern African Centre of Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS), A One Health consortium of southern African academic and research institutions involved with infectious diseases of humans and animals in partnership with world-renowned centres of research in industrialised countries.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 231-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek R MacFadden ◽  
Wayne L Gold ◽  
Ibrahim Al-Busaidi ◽  
Jeffrey D Craig ◽  
Dan Petrescu ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Rising costs present a major threat to the sustainability of health care delivery. Resource stewardship is increasingly becoming an expected competency of physicians. The Choosing Wisely framework was used to introduce resource stewardship at a national educational retreat for infectious disease and microbiology residents.METHODS: During the 2014 Annual Canadian Infectious Disease and Microbiology Resident Retreat in Toronto, Ontario, infectious disease (n=50) and microbiology (n=17) residents representing 11 Canadian universities from six provinces, were invited to participate in a modified Delphi panel. Participants were asked, in advance of the retreat, to submit up to five practices that infectious disease and microbiology specialists should not routinely perform due to lack of proven benefit(s) and/or potential harm to patients. Submissions were discussed in small and large group forums using an iterative approach involving electronic polling until consensus was reached for five practices. A finalized list was created for both educational purposes and for residents to consider enacting; however, it was not intended to replace formal society-endorsed statements. A follow-up survey at two-months was conducted.RESULTS: Consensus was reached by the residents regarding five low-value practices within the purview of infectious diseases and microbiology physicians. After the retreat, 20 participants (32%) completed the follow-up survey. The majority of respondents (75%) believed that the session was at least as relevant as other sessions they attended at the retreat, including 95% indicating that at least some of the material discussed was new to them. Since returning to their home institutions, nine (45%) respondents have incorporated what they learned into their daily practice; four (20%) reported that they have considered initiating a project related to the session; and one (5%) reported having initiated a project.CONCLUSIONS: The present educational forum demonstrated that trainees can become actively engaged in the identification and discussion of low-value practices. Embedding residence training programs with resource stewardship education will be necessary to improve the value of care offered by the future members of our profession.


2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Vijayapushpam ◽  
Grace Maria Antony ◽  
GM Subba Rao ◽  
D Raghunatha Rao

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of a classroom-based nutrition and health education intervention among student community volunteers in improving their knowledge on individual topics.DesignProspective follow-up study. Topic-wise knowledge change among student volunteers on individual topics (twenty-one questions related to nutrition and health, eight questions related to infectious diseases and two questions related to obesity and hypertension) pertaining to nutrition and health was evaluated at baseline and after intervention, using the McNemar test.SettingSix different colleges affiliated to Osmania University, Andhra Pradesh, India.SubjectsSix hundred and eighty-seven student volunteers under the National Service Scheme, of both genders, average age 19 years.ResultsA significant mean improvement of 11·36 (sd 8·49, P < 0·001) was observed in the overall nutrition and health knowledge scores of the student volunteers after the education intervention. The McNemar test showed that knowledge on individual topics related to energy, proteins, fats, adolescent phase, obesity, some lifestyle diseases and infectious diseases improved significantly (P < 0·01). No significant (P > 0·05) improvement was observed in knowledge on the nutritional content of milk and sprouted grams, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, ELISA and malaria.ConclusionsTopics on which our educational intervention could not bring about significant knowledge improvement have been identified and suitable modifications can be carried out to strengthen them.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manli Wang ◽  
Xuemei Han ◽  
Haiqing Fang ◽  
Chang Xu ◽  
Xiaojun Lin ◽  
...  

Objectives. Infectious disease knowledge and behaviors are key elements that ensure student health and safety. This study explores the impact of health education on student knowledge and behaviors toward infectious diseases and determines the factors affecting infectious diseases knowledge and behaviors among students in Gansu, China. Methods. A cross-sectional study and three sampling methods were used in two counties, 12 schools, and 32 classes in Gansu, China, from 2012 to 2013. Collected data included the following: (1) sociodemographic characteristics of 2002 students (1001 participants in the intervention group and 1001 in the control group); (2) accuracy of student knowledge and behaviors toward infectious diseases based on comparison of intervention and control groups through X2 test; and (3) mean scores on knowledge and behavior of students with different characteristics toward infectious diseases, as analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multiple linear regression was conducted to analyze factors affecting student knowledge and behaviors toward infectious diseases. Results. Statistically significant differences were observed among eight items of infectious disease transmission and treatment knowledge between intervention and control groups (P<0.001). Average accuracies of knowledge and behaviors toward infectious diseases reached 72.23% and 60.03%. Significant differences were observed in six items on student behavior in rural and urban areas (P<0.001). Health education, household register, and county affected scores of student knowledge and behaviors toward infectious diseases (P<0.05). Gender and education level also affected scores of student behaviors toward infectious diseases (P<0.001). Conclusions. Health education contributes to student knowledge and behaviors toward infectious diseases. Students in the control group need intensified health education on infectious diseases. Health education needs to pay particular attention to rural students, all male students, and students at senior high school level living on campus.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S596-S596
Author(s):  
Joy J Juskowich ◽  
Clinton G Cooper ◽  
Ruchi Bhandari ◽  
Stephanie S Boyd ◽  
Neil Reece ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Injection drug use is associated with infectious diseases such as endocarditis and osteomyelitis requiring prolonged intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapy. Few programs offer simultaneous inpatient infectious disease and addiction treatment. WVU Medicine implemented a multidisciplinary Infusion Service (IS) to provide IV antimicrobial therapy while treating substance use disorder. From 2017 through 2019, IS cared for over 840 patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate IS by assessing patients’ perspectives of overall experience, interactions with healthcare providers, and preparation for continued recovery from substance use. Methods Adults ≥ 18 and &lt; 90 years-old with substance use disorder on IS between November 2019 and May 2020 were eligible. Demographic, substance use, and infectious diseases data were obtained by chart review. Confidential surveys with questions about overall experience, interactions with healthcare providers, and preparation for continued recovery were administered during the first week after transfer to IS and again the week of discharge. Results Forty-two patients completed 39 initial and 12 follow up surveys. All used injection drugs, 85.7% (36/42) used opioids and 66.7% (28/42) used methamphetamine. Endocarditis was most common infection (61.9% (26/42)), with Staphylococcus aureus most often isolated (59.5% (25/42)). IS experience and care for infection were excellent or good in 97.4% (38/39) initial and 100% (12/12) follow up surveys. During IS, patients did not perceive being treated differently due to substance use in 94.9% (37/39) initial and 83.3% (10/12) follow up surveys. Before IS, patients perceived being treated differently in 84.6% (33/39) initial and 100% (12/12) follow up surveys. Patients felt IS would help with continued recovery in 84.6% (33/39) initial and 100% (12/12) follow up surveys. Conclusion According to patients’ perspectives, IS is effective in creating a positive overall healthcare experience, reducing stigma associated with substance use, and preparing patients for continued recovery after discharge. This study supports combining inpatient infectious disease and addiction therapy. Infectious diseases providers should be educated about this multidisciplinary approach. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-161
Author(s):  
Tyler G. James ◽  
Catherine A. Lippi

Infectious diseases, including zoonotic infectious diseases, are some of the leading causes of the global burden of diseases. Public health education/promotion specialists are specifically trained in methods and theory to deliver risk communication that can help decrease the transmissibility, morbidity, and mortality of infectious diseases. However, the limited training of health educators in infectious disease dynamics represents a critical barrier for health educators wishing to engage in this work. In this commentary, we describe the importance of health education/promotion specialists being trained on infectious disease dynamics to engage in effective science and health communication locally and globally.


Author(s):  
Ta-Chien Chan ◽  
Yung-Chu Teng ◽  
Chiao-ling Kuo ◽  
Yao-Hsien Yeh ◽  
Bo-Cheng Lin

ObjectiveTo visualize the incidence of notifiable infectious diseasesspatially and interactively, we aimed to provide a friendly interfaceto access local epidemic information based on open data for healthprofessionals and the public.IntroductionTransparency of information on infectious disease epidemicsis crucial for not only public health workers but also the residentsin the communities. Traditionally, disease control departmentscreated official websites for displaying disease maps or epi-curveswith the confirmed case counts. The websites were usually veryformal and static, without interaction, animation, or even the aid ofspatial statistics. Therefore, we tried to take advantage of open dataand use a lightweight programming language, JavaScript, to createan interactive website, named “Taiwan Infectious Disease Map(http://ide.geohealth.tw/)“. With the website, we expect to providereal-time incidence information and related epidemiological featuresusing interactive maps and charts.MethodsThis study used infectious-disease-related open data from Taiwan’sopen data platform (http://data.gov.tw) maintained by the TaiwanCDC. It covers 70 types of infectious diseases starting from 2004, andthe latest status is updated every day. We then automatically bridgethis data into our database and calculate the age-adjusted incidencerate by annual census data and 2000 WH0 standard population.The spatial resolution is mostly at the township level, except thatresolution for sexually-transmitted infectious diseases is at the citylevel. The temporal resolution is month and year, except for denguefever, which is by week.We used R software to automatically compute incidence everyday, and also used its package named “spdep” to compute the spatialclusters of the selected infectious diseases online. In addition, weused JavaScript language, PHP, OpenLayers 3 and Highcharts toimplement interactive maps and charts. All the data and graphicalfigures from the charts viewed in this website can be downloadedfreely. The temporal animation slider can be played and paused atany time point. The health education button can directly link to anintroduction to the selected infectious disease maintained by theTaiwan CDC.ResultsThe website of the Taiwan Infectious Disease Map is displayedin Figure 1. The users can select the temporal precision, types ofinfectious diseases, spatial precision and the gender at the beginning.In this case, the left map is the spatial distribution of the cumulativeincidence of tuberculosis (TB) in 2016. The darker red color representshigher incidence. The right top panel is the ranking of TB incidenceamong 368 townships. The right middle panel is the ranking of TBincidence among 22 cities or counties. The right bottom panel is theannual TB incidence from 2004 to the current date. The highest TBincidence was 67.47 per 100,000 in 2004, and this declined sharply to15.92 per 100,000 in 2015.ConclusionsWith this user-friendly web application, the public and localpublic health workers can easily understand the current risk for theirtownships. The application can provide relevant health education forthe public to understand diseases and how to protect themselves. Thespatial clusters, gender distribution, age distribution, epi-curve andtop ten infectious diseases are all practical and important informationprovided from this website to assist in preventing and mitigating nextepidemic.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Herman Herman ◽  
Gufran Darma Dirawan ◽  
Muhammad Yahya ◽  
Mushawwir Taiyeb

<p class="apa">The community diseases prevention behaviors assumed influenced by knowledge of infectious disease, hygiene and health knowledge, motivation and of behaviors aof disese prevention than influence by attitude prevention of infectious diseases. This study aimed to examine the effect of variable knowledge infectious disease, hygiene and health knowledge, motivation prevention of infectious diseases, an attitude towards the behavior of infectious disease prevention. The research was conducted in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi Province with a quantitative approach survey method, which uses the quesioner that measure all variables mentioned above. The population in this study is the district's communities sampled from the Turikale, Mandai and Bantimurung sub-District of 200 respondents. The Structural Equational Modeling (SEM) is used to assess significant relation between all variable. The results showed that infectious disease prevention knowledge, attitudes prevention of infectious diseases affect the community behavior of infectious disease prevention, while knowledge of hygiene and health, communicable disease prevention motivation does not affect the behavior of infectious disease prevention. These results, suggest that knowledge of hygiene and health and prevention of infectious diseases motivation of concern that the incidence of infectious diseases, especially pulmonary tuberculosis, dengue fever, and diarrhea in Maros is not increased.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajime Sueki ◽  
Asumi Takahashi ◽  
Jiro Ito

Background: Recently, the practice of “online gatekeeping” related to suicide prevention—placing online advertisements directed at users who search the web for suicide-related terms and leading them to email-based consultations—has been implemented. However, the effectiveness of this practice has not been examined. Aim: To quantitatively examine the effectiveness of suicide-related online gatekeeping. Methods: This was a non-randomized, single-arm study of online gatekeeping among Japanese Internet users. Outcomes were measured at the beginning of the use of the consultation service (T1) and approximately four weeks later (T2). The primary outcome measured was suicidal ideation. Results: In total, 167 participants completed two assessment surveys; approximately 80% were women, and 59.3% were young people (in their twenties or younger). Data analysis of 167 online gatekeeping service users showed that the mean suicidal ideation at T2 was statistically significantly lower than that at T1, and its effect size was small to medium (d = 0.38). Limitations: This study used a single-arm design with no control group. Additionally, the study did not include a second follow-up period. Conclusions: Online gatekeeping is a promising suicide-prevention tool, although further research is warranted to examine its effectiveness using a randomized controlled trial.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 182-189
Author(s):  
Tae-Jin Song ◽  
Seung-Hun Oh ◽  
Jinkwon Kim

OBJECTIVECerebral aneurysms represent the most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. Statins are lipid-lowering agents that may expert multiple pleiotropic vascular protective effects. The authors hypothesized that statin therapy after coil embolization or surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms might improve clinical outcomes.METHODSThis was a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort Database in Korea. Patients who underwent coil embolization or surgical clipping for cerebral aneurysm between 2002 and 2013 were included. Based on prescription claims, the authors calculated the proportion of days covered (PDC) by statins during follow-up as a marker of statin therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of the development of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause death. Multivariate time-dependent Cox regression analyses were performed.RESULTSA total of 1381 patients who underwent coil embolization (n = 542) or surgical clipping (n = 839) of cerebral aneurysms were included in this study. During the mean (± SD) follow-up period of 3.83 ± 3.35 years, 335 (24.3%) patients experienced the primary outcome. Adjustments were performed for sex, age (as a continuous variable), treatment modality, aneurysm rupture status (ruptured or unruptured aneurysm), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, household income level, and prior history of ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage as time-independent variables and statin therapy during follow-up as a time-dependent variable. Consistent statin therapy (PDC > 80%) was significantly associated with a lower risk of the primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio 0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.85).CONCLUSIONSConsistent statin therapy was significantly associated with better prognosis after coil embolization or surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms.


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