scholarly journals Effectiveness of smart phone application use as continuing medical education method in pediatric oral health care: a randomized trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bonabi ◽  
S. Z. Mohebbi ◽  
E. A. Martinez-Mier ◽  
T. P. Thyvalikakath ◽  
M. R. Khami

Abstract Background Continuing education aims at assisting physicians to maintain competency and expose them to emerging issues in their field. Over the last decade, approaches to the delivery of educational content have changed dramatically as medical education at all levels is now benefitting from the use of web-based content and applications for mobile devices. The aim of the present study is to investigate through a randomized trial the effectiveness of a smart phone application to increase public health service physicians’ (PHS physicians) knowledge regarding pediatric oral health care. Method Five of all seven DHCs (District Health Center) in Tehran, which were under the supervision of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Iran University of Medical Sciences, were selected for our study. Physicians of one DHC had participated in a pilot study. All PHS physicians in the other four centers were invited to the current study on a voluntary basis (n = 107). They completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitudes, practice in pediatric dentistry, and background. PHS physicians were assigned randomly to intervention and control groups; those in the intervention group, received a newly designed evidence-based smartphone application, and those in the control group received a booklet, a CME seminar, and a pamphlet. A post-intervention survey was administered 4 months later and t-test and repeated measures ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance) were performed to measure the difference in the PHS physicians’ knowledge, attitude and practice. Results In both groups, the mean knowledge scores were significantly higher (p-Value < 0.001) in post-intervention data compared to those at baseline. Similar results existed in attitude and practice scores. Although the scores in knowledge in the intervention group indicating potentially greater improvement when compared to those of the control group, the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (dif: 0.84, 95% CI − 0.35 to 2.02). Conclusion In the light of the limitations of the present study, smart phone applications could improve knowledge, attitude and practice in physicians although this method was not superior to the conventional method of CME. Trial registration Our clinical trial had been registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (registration code: IRCT2016091029765N1).

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agus Riyanto ◽  
Retno Murwani ◽  
Sulistiyani Sulistiyani ◽  
M Rahfiludin

The aim of this study was to assess food safety education using school book covers and videos to Public Elementary School PES students in Cimahi City, West Java, Indonesia to order to improve knowledge, attitude, and practice of street food safety. We used quasy experiment with pretest−posttest control group design. We selected the intervention group from four public elementary schools in South Cimahi City where food poisoning had occurred, and the control group from four public elementary schools in North Cimahi City by simple random sampling. Samples consisted of 224 students; 112 as control and 112 as intervention group. This study was conducted for six months, in which the food safety education regarding street food safety used diffferent book covers for ten subject note books and videos. The book covers which consisted of materials on bacteriological and chemical food safety were explained once a week within 50−60 minutes duration. The videos regarding street food safety were given for 3 (three) times within 6 months. Before food safety education, there was no significant difference in knowledge, attitude, and practice (p>0.05) between the control and intervention groups. After six month food safety education, knowledge, attitude, and practice significantly improved (p<0.05) in intervention group compared to control group. Within intervention group, knowledge was improved from 5.4% (pre intervention) to 91.1% (post intervention), attitude from 69.6% (pre intervention) to 97.3% (post intervention), and practice from 21.4% (pre intervention) to 59.8% (post intervention). This study provides evidence that food safety education using book covers and videos to the elementary students for six months improved their knowledge, attitude, and practice of street food safety.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-119
Author(s):  
Adeola A. Ekundayo ◽  
Olaonipekun K. Alausa ◽  
Olorunfemi E. Amoran ◽  
Motunrayo O. Adekunle

Background: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) pandemic is a major challenge that health care workers are faced with because of increased risk of infection. Despite the high risk of HIV infection among nursing assistants, less attention is currently paid to training this cadre of hospital staff to reduce the risk of infection. Objective:  To assess the effect of educational intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice about HIV/AIDS among hospital orderlies in two tertiary facilities in Ogun State, South-west, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, controlled group design which was conducted in three phases; a pre-intervention evaluation, immediate post-intervention evaluation and another evaluation three months post-intervention. Hospital orderlies were recruited (108 from the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu (OOUTH) as intervention group and 112 orderlies from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta as controls). Results: Significant increase in the knowledge, attitude and practice of the intervention group determined by percentage score was recorded immediately after the training. In the control group, there was a decline in the attitudinal score but an insignificant increase in the knowledge and practice of HIV prevention. Three months post-intervention, further increase in the knowledge score and attitudinal score in the intervention group respectively compared to the pre-test scores ( 83.3% vs. 99.1% and 94.4% vs. 96.3%) were recorded. Conclusion: The study showed good knowledge of HIV and AIDS which further improved after the educational intervention. Therefore, the need for continuous training for the hospital orderlies is germane.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 341-349
Author(s):  
Suwadee Puntpanich ◽  
Surasak Taneepanichskul

Background: Non-communicable disease has become a public health concern and is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and aging. Objective: This study aimed to explore the effect of M-Health Application: “CHICKEN LOF” on lipid profile and body composition in healthcare workers with dyslipidemia. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 80 full-time healthcare workers having dyslipidemia from Phuket City Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned by a computer generator into an intervention group and control group. The intervention group received “CHICKEN LOF”: M-Health Application and usual care, and the control group received only usual care. Outcomes were measured on days 30, 60, 90 and compared to baseline. Results: The mean age was 33.9 years in the intervention group and 33.2 years in the control group. The baseline characteristics were not statistically or significantly different. However, significant changes were observed in intervention group regarding total knowledge (p<0.001), total attitude (p=0.001), total practice (p<0.001), HDL-C (p=0.002), weight (p<0.001), BMI (p=0.001), body fat percentage (p=0.029), bone mass (p=0.030), BMR (p=0.032) and total body water (p=0.027). In pairwise comparison, a significant increase in knowledge, attitude and practice was found from the baseline to day 30, 60 and 90, respectively. Conclusion: In the present study, CHICKEN-LOF mobile application was found to be effective in terms of knowledge, attitude and practice, and contributed to improving lipid and body composition. This study suggests a longer term implementation to evaluate sustainability not only in the healthcare setting but also in the community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Saraswathy ◽  
S. Nalliah ◽  
A. M Rosliza ◽  
S Ramasamy ◽  
K. Jalina ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study aimed at determining the effectiveness of an innovative approach using interprofessional simulation scenarios (IPSS) in improving knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of hospital-acquired infection control (HAIC) among health professionals. Methods The interventional study was conducted in a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from surgical, intensive care, and other units. Thirty-six health professionals in the experimental and forty in the control group completed the study. All subjects participated in an interactive lecture and demonstrated four IPSS on HAIC i.e. (i) taking blood specimen (ii) bedsore dressing (iii) collecting sputum for acid-fast bacilli and (iv) intermittent bladder catheterization. Each team consisted of a doctor and a nurse. A self-administered questionnaire on KAP on HAIC was completed by respondents during the pre-, immediately and, post-intervention. An independent t-test was conducted to measure the significance between the experimental and control group. Results The mean scores for KAP among the experimental group increased following the intervention. Significant differences in scores were seen between the two groups post-intervention (p < 0.05). Overall, using the four procedures as surrogates, the interprofessional learning approach in HAIC intervention showed improvement among the participants in the experimental group following structured instructions. The IPSS approach in HAIC clearly shows its relevance in improving learning outcomes. Conclusions Well-designed interprofessional simulated scenarios can be effective in skills training in improving KAP in HAIC among health professionals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Hashemzaei ◽  
Mahdi Afshari ◽  
Zahra Koohkan ◽  
Ali Bazi ◽  
Ramin Rezaee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Self-medication is defined as using medicinal products to treat the disorders or symptoms diagnosed by oneself. Although informed self-medication is one of the ways to reduce health care costs, inappropriate self-treatment can pose various risks including drug side effects, recurrence of symptoms, drug resistance, etc. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy and medical students toward self-medication. Methods This study was conducted in Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Overall, 170 pharmacy and medical students were included. A three-part researcher-made questionnaire was designed to address the students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 25 software. Results According to the results, 97 (57.1%) students had carried out self-medication within the past 6 months. Overall, the students self-medicated on average 4.2 ± 2.9 times per year. Self-medication was more common in male students (65.4%, P = 0.043). Cold was the most common ailment treated with self-medication (93.2%), and antibiotics (74.4%) were the most commonly used drugs. The primary information sources used by the students were their previous prescriptions (47.4%). Pharmacy students had a higher level of drug information (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant association between the level of drug information and the tendency for self-medication (P = 0.005). Disease recurrence was the most common negative complication of self-medication. Conclusion There is a need to educate pharmacy and medical students regarding self-medication and its side effects. The high prevalence of self-medication and the overuse of antibiotics can pose a significant risk of drug resistance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Younes Lotfi ◽  
Mahdieh Hasanalifard ◽  
Abdollah Moossavi ◽  
Enayatollah Bakhshi ◽  
Mohammad Ajalloueyan

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of “Spatially separated speech in noise” auditory training on the ability of speech perception in noise among bimodal fitting users. The assumption was that the rehabilitation can enhance spatial hearing and hence speech in noise perception. This study was an interventional study, with a pre/post-design. Speech recognition ability was assessed with the specific tests. After performing the rehabilitation stages in the intervention group, the speech tests were again implemented, and by comparing the pre- and post-intervention data, the effect of auditory training on the speech abilities was assessed. Twenty-four children of 8–12 years who had undergone cochlear implantation and continuously used bimodal fitting were investigated in two groups of control and intervention. Results The results showed a significant difference between the groups in different speech tests after the intervention, which indicated that the intervention group have improved more than the control group. Conclusion It can be concluded that “Spatially separated speech in noise” auditory training can improve the speech perception in noise in bimodal fitting users. In general, this rehabilitation method is useful for enhancing the speech in noise perception ability.


Author(s):  
Leticia Borfe ◽  
Caroline Brand ◽  
Letícia Schneiders ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Claudia Cavaglieri ◽  
...  

Physical exercise reduces the biochemical markers of obesity, but the effects of multicomponent interventions on these markers should be explored. The present study aimed to elucidate how overweight/obese adolescents respond to a multicomponent program approach on body composition, physical fitness, and inflammatory markers, using a quasi-experimental study with 33 overweight/obesity adolescents (control group (CG) = 16; intervention group (IG) = 17). The intervention consisted of 24 weeks with physical exercises and nutritional and psychological guidance. Both groups were evaluated at the pre/post-intervention moments on body mass index (BMI); body fat (%Fat); waist circumference (WC); waist/hip ratio (WHR); waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF); abdominal strength, flexibility; leptin; interleukin 6; interleukin 10; and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Mixed-analysis of variance and generalized estimation equations were used for statistical analysis. There was an interaction effect between groups and time on %Fat (p = 0.002), WC (p = 0.023), WHR (p < 0.001), WHtR (p = 0.035), CRF (p = 0.050), and leptin (p = 0.026). Adolescents were classified as 82.4% responders for %Fat, 70.6% for WC, 88.2% for WHR, and 70.6% for CRF. Further, there was an association between changes in %Fat (p = 0.033), WC (p = 0.032), and WHR (p = 0.033) between responders and non-responders with CRF in the IG. There was a positive effect on body composition, physical fitness, and leptin. In addition, reductions in body composition parameters were explained by CRF improvements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (8) ◽  
pp. 1229-1234

Background: Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is an infectious disease that mainly occurs in children under five years old. Vietnam is a developing country with high prevalence of the disease outbreak every year. Can Tho City, Co Do District had the highest incidence of children under five years old acquired HFMD. Objective: 1) To determine the factors correlating with knowledge, attitude, and practice in HFMD prevention of mothers having children under five years old, and 2) to evaluate the alteration in knowledge, attitude, and practice in prevention HFMD of mothers having children under five years old after intervention with health educational communication. Materials and Methods: Community intervention study was done in 420 subjects. At first, all the participants would do the questionnaire and practicing assessment. Then, the participants were divided into two groups, the intervened group for educational communication, and the control group with no intervention. The intervention included three steps, 1) training knowledge and skills for medical staffs and collaborators, 2) providing information about HFMD for the mothers, 3) broadcasting information leaflets to the subjects’ house every month. The assessment in awareness, attitude, and practice would be performed again after one month. The present study staff achieved approval from the Science and Educating Council of Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. In addition, the present study also received the agreement from The People’s Committee of Co Do District. Results: The present study results shows that 23.3% of mothers had the right knowledge, 50.5% of mothers had the right attitude, and 17.4% of mothers with children under five years of age had the right disease prevention practice. There was an association between education level of mothers with children under five years of age with knowledge, attitude, and practice in disease prevention. After intervention, knowledge of the mothers in the intervened group improved more than 2.79 times, right attitude more than 2.84 times, and practice improvement more than 1.83 times in compared with the control group. Conclusion: Educational communication plays an important role in HFMD disease prevention through increasing the awareness, opinion, and disease prevention of the mothers who directly take care of the under five years old children. Keywords: Hand-foot-mouth disease; Knowledge; Attitudes; Practices; Effective intervention


Author(s):  
Shanmuga Sundaram Rajagopal ◽  
Krishnaveni Kandasamy ◽  
Agilan Natarajan ◽  
Joyal Sebastian ◽  
Manikanta Konakalla ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjective: Hypertension (HTN) expends a consequential public health concern on cardiovascular health status and health-care systems in India. Theeffectuation of the pharmaceutical care program in the health care is an extremely important need to achieve the optimum therapeutic effect. Theobjective of the study was to assess the impact of pharmacist intervention on patient’s blood pressure (BP) level, quality of life (QOL), and knowledge,attitude, and practice (KAP) of hypertensive patients.Methods: A randomized controlled pilot study was carried out for 6 months. The hypertensive patients were randomized into control and interventiongroup based on age, and both the groups were interviewed using KAP and WHO QOL-BREF questionnaires, screened BP, respectively, at baseline andeach follow-up after post counseling section to the intervention group. The effect of pharmacist intervention on QOL and KAP among control andintervention was statistically analyzed by paired t-test using SPSS version 16.Results: The total sample studied was 60, of which 20 (33.33%) were males and 40 (66.67%) were females. In our study, the QOL score for eachdomain of both intervention and control groups were almost poor (p˃0.05) at baseline and for the intervention group, a highly significant improvement(p<0.001) was observed for all domains in final follow-up. KAP score of intervention group also showed a significant improvement (p<0.001) frombaseline to final follow-up. In this study, intervention group showed a significant mean reduction of systolic BP from baseline 150.13±25.670 to finalfollow-up 145.33±12.914.Conclusion: The results of the study showed a significant improvement in the patient’s KAP toward different aspects of HTN and QOL followingpharmacist mediated counseling. Involvement of pharmacy practitioners in the management of HTN significantly improves QOL and KAPs.Keywords: Hypertension, Quality of life, Knowledge, Attitude and practice, Pharmacist intervention, Patient counseling.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oktavina Permatasari ◽  
Retno Murwani ◽  
M. Zen Rahfiludin

Tempe is a well known fermented soybean food, inexpensive, and a good source of dietary protein and energy. To improve fresh Tempe as an attractive food to children, Tempe is processed into nugget. A study using pre and post control group design was conducted to determine the effect of the Tempe nugget provision on energy and protein intake, and body weight/age (W/A) of 24-59 months old children. Forty six subjects were selected according to inclusion criteria from local Community Health Center (Puskesmas) and grouped into intervention (provision of Tempe nugget) and control group (no provision). Data of energy and protein intake of subjects before intervention were obtained by 2x24 food recall to determine deficiency in intake for the respective age. The amount of the nugget given to each underweight child in intervention group was calculated on the basis of deficiency in energy and protein intake of each child (W/A) per day. Body weight was recorded pre and post intervention. The deep-fried nuggets contained 276.53 calories per 100 g, 8.60% protein, 28.41% carbohydrate, 13.28% lipid, and 44.28% fiber. The mean age of the subjects in intervention and control group were homogeneous i.e. 40.52±10.88 months and 42.39±12.35 months respectively. Tempe nugget provision for 30 days improved significantly energy intake (p 0.001) in intervention compared to control group. Protein intake and W/A in intervention group were higher compared to control although not significant and further study with higher amount of Tempe nugget provision is needed. This study provides evidence that deep fried Tempe nugget can be used as inexpensive and nutritious food to improve protein and energy intake for underweight underfive children.


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