The ethical and medico-legal challenges of telemedicine in the coronavirus disease 2019 era: A comparison between Egypt and India

2021 ◽  
pp. 147775092110635
Author(s):  
Sara A Ghitani ◽  
Maha A Ghanem ◽  
Hanaa S Alhoshy ◽  
Jaskran Singh ◽  
Supriya Awasthi ◽  
...  

Background In the coronavirus disease 2019 era, doctors have tried to decrease hospital visits and admissions. To this end, telemedicine was implemented in a non-systematic manner according. The objective of this study was to assess the current knowledge and attitudes of physicians in Alexandria, Egypt, and Punjab, India, toward telemedicine and its ethical and medico-legal issues. Method A cross-sectional study was implemented using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire carried out over two months (July and August 2020). A four-point Likert scale was used to collect data about background knowledge, training in telemedicine and ethical and medico-legal issues in telemedicine practice. Results The questionnaire was completed by 175 Egyptian and 51 Indian physicians from different specialties. A significantly higher percentage of Indian physicians practiced telemedicine than Egyptian physicians during the coronavirus disease 2019 era. Although most physicians had no specific training or licensing to practice telemedicine, most of them practiced telemedicine through their social media accounts. Ethical violations involving waiving patient consent were detected. Significant ethical violations to doctors, for example, blackmail, defamation, hate speech, accusations in a court and violations of privacy, were observed. Indian physicians (39.2%) and Egyptian physicians (24%) thought the penalties should be lower in telemedicine than in traditional practice. Finally, most participants would like to continue using telemedicine after the coronavirus disease 2019 era but with improvements. Conclusions Coronavirus disease 2019 changed the acceptance of telemedicine by physicians. Many ethical and legal issues need to be addressed and clarified using formal training before implementation and standardization of telemedicine services.

Author(s):  
Semra Akkoz Cevik ◽  
Emine Karacan ◽  
Aysegul Kılıçlı

Background: Superstition and traditional practices regarding pregnancy exist in various cultures around the world and are passed down from generation to generation. As a result of the literature review, it was observed that there weren't prospective and cross-sectional studies involving traditional practices and dietary preferences of pregnant women before and after determining the gender according to the gender of the baby they want. The purpose of this study was to determine dietary preferences, superstitions and traditional practices before and after determining the gender of the baby according to the desired gender of the baby among pregnant women.Methods: The research was a descriptive cross-sectional study and adopted the pretest-posttest research design. As the data collection tool, both investigators-designed questionnaire forms and the non-functional beliefs and practices scale (NFBPS) related to pregnancy to the same pregnant women were applied before and after the determination of baby gender in the first and second trimesters respectively.Results: The study found that 85% of the pregnant women thought that dietary preferences during pregnancy have an impact on the gender of the true baby. The results showed that superstitions and traditional practices were known and practiced by pregnant women at a young age, uneducated, living in the province and having a large family type (p<0.05).Conclusions: Health professionals, should pay attention to less educated, younger pregnant women to reinforce positive cultural health practices, discourage to them from using harmful ones superstition and traditional practice by providing non-critical scientific explanations. 


Author(s):  
Sajid Ali ◽  
Ikram Ahmed Tunio ◽  
Rukia Farzana ◽  
Muhammad Siddique Rajput ◽  
Qararo Shah ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate frequency of Hepatitis C virus Genotypes in Hepatitis C patients reported at Civil Hospital Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 223 hepatitis C patients who fulfilled the criteria at hepatitis OPD of Civil Hospital Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. After taken Patient consent, blood sample were collected for HCV genotyping, which were performed by a qualified pathologist. The collected data statistically analyzed by using SPSS version 22 software. Result: Out of 223 patients, male patients were 167 and females patients were 56, rural patients were 130 where as 93 patients were from urban area, 30 patients were of age from 20-25 years, 41 were of age from 26-30 years, 60 were of 31-35 years, 54 were of 36-40 years, 16 were of 41-45 years, 13 were of 46-50 years, 7 were of 51-55 years, 2 were of 56-60 years, out of total n=11 patients have genotype1, n=4 have genotype2, n=204 have genotype3, n=3 have genotype4, n=1 have genotype5, whereas no any patient have genotype 6.     Conclusion: This study concluded that genotype 3 is most dominant among other genotypes in reported patients of hepatitis c virus infection at civil hospital Khairpur.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-440
Author(s):  
Nuhad Mohammed Kassim ◽  
◽  
Ali Fadhil Obaid ◽  
Zainab Abdulameer Abdulrasol ◽  
◽  
...  

Objectives: The current study aimed to identify the mothers’ traditional practice in caring for newborns with jaundice; we want to determine the association between mothers’ practices and their demographic characteristics. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 mothers from inpatient pediatric wards of Babylon Teaching Hospital for maternal and pediatric care. They were selected by non-probability, purposive sampling method. The study data were collected by a three-part tool: demographic data sheet related to mothers and children, mothers’ knowledge concerning neonatal jaundice, and the mother’s knowledge and home practices concerning neonatal jaundice. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS version 22. Results: Most mothers (67%) were younger than 30 years, and 10% had college or institute educational level. Also, 87% of mothers knew that jaundice is a common problem for neonates; 25% did not know that jaundice is abnormal if it occurs within the first 36 hours. About 17% of mothers did not agree that maternal and fetal blood group differences lead to jaundice. Besides, 47% of mothers were uncertain that severe jaundice could lead to deafness, and 78% knew that phototherapy is the treatment for jaundice. Discussion: The majority of respondents in the study were aged 29 years or less. Most of them adopted breast and formula as the type of feeding. The most recognizable outcome of this study was the adequate knowledge and practices of mothers concerning traditional caring for neonates with jaundice.


2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 03-08
Author(s):  
Makhan Lal Paul ◽  
Rezaul Karim Khan ◽  
Md. Zulfiqar Hossain Khan ◽  
Md. Mahabubur Rahman ◽  
Monoj Sinha ◽  
...  

A cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbag, Dhaka to explore the different clinical pattern of polyneuropathy. A total of 60 subjects were included in this study and mean age of the entire patient was 42.25 year and male and female ratio was 3:1. Out of all patients 26.7% were service holder, 20.0% were student, 20.0% were housewife, 11.7% were unemployed and 33.3% were engaged in some other professions. Maximum 41.7% patients were educated up to graduate and above level followed by 20.0% secondary, 18.3% primary, 16.7% higher secondary and 3.3% were illiterate. Out of all patients 31.7% were smoker, 48.3% were non smoker and 20.0% past smoker. About 35.0% patients had history of betel leaf; nut chewing and no patient had history of alcohol intake. Out of all patients of polyneuropathy 33.3% had diabetic neuropathy, 11.7% had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), 10.0% had chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, similar number had unknown etiology, 6.7% had renal failure, 5.0% had leprosy, Vitamin B 12 deficiency and chronic liver disease(CLD) of each, 3.3% had history of INH drug intake and similar had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Regarding clinical presentation, out of all respondents 83.3% had muscle weakness, similar number had problems with object handling, 66.3% had muscle cramp, 63.3% had impaired standing or gait, 55.0% had distal paresthesia, 41.7% had burning feet, 8.3% had restless legs and 5.0% had stiffness. In the light of this study we conclude that polyneuropathy has wide variety of clinical pattern. The study will enrich our current knowledge and will improve the quality of management of polyneuropathy among the Bangladeshi population.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v15i1.19851 J Medicine 2014; 15: 3-8


Author(s):  
Davide Petri ◽  
Gaetano Licitra ◽  
Maria Angela Vigotti ◽  
Luca Fredianelli

Noise is one of the most diffused environmental stressors affecting modern life. As such, the scientific community is committed to studying the main emission and transmission mechanisms aiming at reducing citizens’ exposure, but is also actively studying the effects that noise has on health. However, scientific literature lacks data on multiple sources of noise and cardiovascular outcomes. The present cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the impact that different types of noise source (road, railway, airport and recreational) in an urban context have on blood pressure variations and hypertension. 517 citizens of Pisa, Italy, were subjected to a structured questionnaire and five measures of blood pressure in one day. Participants were living in the same building for at least 5 years, were aged from 37 to 72 years old and were exposed to one or more noise sources among air traffic, road traffic, railway and recreational noise. Logistic and multivariate linear regression models have been applied in order to assess the association between exposures and health outcomes. The analyses showed that prevalence of high levels of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is consistent with an increase of 5 dB (A) of night-time noise (β = 0.50 95% CI: 0.18–0.81). Furthermore, increased DBP is also positively associated with more noise sensitive subjects, older than 65 years old, without domestic noise protection, or who never close windows. Among the various noise sources, railway noise was found to be the most associated with DBP (β = 0.68; 95% CI: −1.36, 2.72). The obtained relation between DBP and night-time noise levels reinforces current knowledge.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 379-383
Author(s):  
Ehab Mudher Mikhael ◽  
Mohammed Khudhair Hasan ◽  
Sama Zaid Abdulridha

Background: Antibiotics are life-saving drugs that if misused lead to antibiotic resistance and consequently to a substantial public health issue. Pharmacists have a major role in ensuring the rational use of antibiotics to prevent antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess antibiotic knowledge among final year pharmacy students at Baghdad University. Methods: A cross sectional study using a newly developed and validated questionnaire was given for 148 final year (5th stage) students at Baghdad University – College of Pharmacy during November 2016. Only 140 students (response rate 93%) completed the questionnaire. The 10 items-questionnaire consisted of 5 major domains: Antibiotic effectiveness, side effects, resistance, use in specific cases (e.g., during pregnancy and septicemia), and the legal issues of antibiotic dispensing. Results: Only 20% of students have good overall antibiotic knowledge. The least knowledge for pharmacy student was in regard to antibiotic side effects and antibiotic resistance at which only 22% and 19% of pharmacists possessed good antibiotic knowledge respectively. Knowledge of student was the best in legal issues of antibiotic dispensing. There was a non-significant difference in antibiotic knowledge between male and female pharmacy students. Conclusion: Antibiotic knowledge among pharmacy students at Baghdad University was very poor and less than expected.


Author(s):  
Corey H Basch ◽  
Grace C Hillyer ◽  
Zoe C Meleo-Erwin ◽  
Christie Jaime ◽  
Jan Mohlman ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Accurate information and guidance about personal behaviors that can reduce exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are among the most important elements in mitigating the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With over 2 billion users, YouTube is a media channel that millions turn to when seeking information. OBJECTIVE At the time of this study, there were no published studies investigating the content of YouTube videos related to COVID-19. This study aims to address this gap in the current knowledge. METHODS The 100 most widely viewed YouTube videos uploaded throughout the month of January 2020 were reviewed and the content covered was described. Collectively, these videos were viewed over 125 million times. RESULTS Fewer than one-third of the videos covered any of the seven key prevention behaviors listed on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. CONCLUSIONS These results represent an important missed opportunity for disease prevention.


BIBECHANA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 228-235
Author(s):  
Surya B Parajuli ◽  
Heera KC ◽  
A Mishra ◽  
P Bhattarai ◽  
M Shrestha ◽  
...  

Introduction: Menstruation, a normal physiological process in reproductive life of female still has many misconceptions. Knowledge of menstrual hygiene and menstrual sanitation practices affects the health of female. Lack of awareness on menstrual care practice is a challenge for community health. Objective: The objective of this study was to find knowledge and practice on menstrual hygiene; and perspective of Chaupadi (menstrual shed) among the reproductive age group female. Methodology: A community based mixed method study having cross sectional study as quantitative domain and phenomenological study as qualitative domain was conducted in Maranthana community of Pyuthan district of mid-western Nepal from April 2016-September 2016. Using convenient sampling techniques, 109 participants were included for cross sectional study and five of them who experienced Chaupadi were enrolled for phenomenological study. One eligible participant form each household was taken after getting informed voluntary consent. Collected data was entered in Microsoft excel and analysed by SPSS and NVivo software. Results: Regarding knowledge, 73.7% were aware on the right age of menarche. Almost 93% were aware on possible pregnancy after initiation of menstruation. Many of them (34.9%) were informed on menstruation by friends. Almost half (45.9%) had negative belief of use of old clean cloth during menstrual flow. Regarding practice, only 40.4% used sanitary pad during their menstrual flow. Most (65.1%) of them did not dispose,16.5% bury in nearby ground and 18.4% burn. More than half (60.6%) used soap-water to clean genitalia. Remedial measures adopted during menstruation were taking adequate rest (44%), seeking medical advice (22.9%) and drinking plenty of fluid (13.8%). Different traditional practice followed were use of separate utensils (64.2%), not allowed to see sun (75.8%), restriction to- go outside (71.6%), cook food (56%), usual food intake (56.9%), worship (74.3%), eat with others (27.5%), sleep in usual bedroom (27.5%) and  touch male members (28.4%). Most (94.5%) of them experienced Chaupadi (Menstrual Shed) during their menarche. The phenomenological approach found that Chaupadi was common. They had various infections and ill health. Mother groups were advocating to eliminate Chaupadi in their locality. Conclusion: The know-do gap on menstruation was evident. Despite increasing awareness, people were still following traditional cultural practices. BIBECHANA 16 (2019) 228-235


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-5
Author(s):  
Enjeline Hanafi ◽  
Kristiana Siste ◽  
Andreas Kurniawan ◽  
Martina Wiwie Setiawan Nasrun ◽  
Irmia Kusumadewi

BACKGROUND In the last two years, many suspected cases of internet addiction have been reported by the media. However, many physicians do not have comprehensive knowledge of internet addiction. Currently, there has been no study conducted among psychiatric residents. This study was aimed to determine the perception of internet addiction among psychiatric residents. METHODS This cross-sectional study was done from April to May 2018. Subjects were recruited by a total sampling method consisting of all psychiatric residents of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. Perceptions of internet addiction were measured using the illness perception questionnaire revised version for addiction. The calculation of subscales was based on the algorithms available for this instrument. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to determine the association of different years of psychiatric education and the perception of internet addiction. RESULTS Fifty-two subjects completed the survey, and 85% of them reported feeling that they did not have adequate knowledge of internet addiction. They believed that their current knowledge was not sufficient to make diagnosis and management decisions. Junior residents had significantly lower consequence scale scores, with mean (standard deviation) scores of 4.1 (0.54) for juniors and 4.4 (0.48) for seniors (p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS Psychiatric residents perceived internet addiction as emotionally stressful, understandable, and cyclical, but difficult to control. Senior psychiatric residents had a better perception internet addiction consequences compared with their juniors, who have received only basic knowledge about addiction without clinical exposure, but the perceptions could still be improved.


Author(s):  
Priya Sharma ◽  
Vartika Tripathi ◽  
Uma Gupta

Background: The WHO in 2009 published the surgical safety checklist (SSC) for reducing the surgical complications. For its successful implementation it is imperative to identify the current knowledge, attitude and practices of the involved personnel and explore the anticipated barriers. Objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the participants about the SSC and determine the possible challenges in its implementation.Methods: This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving the use of a pre-tested questionnaire carried out in a teaching hospital. All personnel involved in the operation theater who gave their written consent were enrolled.Results: Awareness regarding the SSC is high and existing practices are favorable towards patient safety amongst Hospital personnel. Attempts should be made to educate all personnel to gain complete knowledge regarding the checklist. The anticipated barriers, of which lack of knowledge was found to be the most prominent, should be dealt with.Conclusions: A strategy aimed at proper education, stepwise implementation, alleviating the hindrances and regular feedbacks can result in decreasing the surgery related complications and morbidities through implementation of the surgical safety checklist.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document