scholarly journals Physician’s knowledge and opinions on human papillomavirus vaccination: a cross-sectional study, Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisreen M. Anfinan

Abstract Background In a transition period of prevention strategy against HPV infection and cervical cancer in Saudi Arabia, it becomes necessary to appraise physicians’ preparedness to undertake the inherent actions and responsibilities, by evaluating their knowledge and opinions regarding HPV infection and vaccine. Methods A cross-sectional study carried out between Jan 2017 and Nov 2018, included 2000 physicians working in 21 public centers from the five regions of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess physicians’ perception about HPV infection prevalence (1 item), knowledge about HPV infection and vaccine (9 items), and opinions and attitudes toward vaccine (4 items). A knowledge score (range 0–9) was calculated and adequate knowledge was assumed for a score ≥ median. Factors associated with opinions and attitudes were explored and multivariate regression was used to analyze independent factors of inadequate knowledge (score < median). Results Majority of the participants replied correctly to all knowledge questions, and 63.0% perceived HPV infection as a frequently encountered infection. Median knowledge score was 8 and 62.0% had adequate knowledge (score ≥ 8). Inadequate knowledge was independently associated with Saudi nationality (OR = 1.51, p = 0.003), practice level (resident: OR = 3.53, p < 0.001; junior OR = 1.67, p = 0.002), and non Ob-Gyne specialty (OR = 5.40, p < 0.001); in addition to disparities across region and age. Among the participants, 7.6% were immunized and 41.2% accepted to receive the vaccine, while majority were favorable to have their children vaccinated (77.6%) and to include HPV vaccine in the local immunization program (69.6%). Self-perceived underexposure to HPV infection (58.5%), lack of knowledge about the vaccine (21.1%) and being sexually inactive (14.7%) were the most frequently reported reasons for refusing the vaccine. Overall negative attitude regarding vaccine was typically associated with male, older, Saudi, senior consultant in other than Ob/Gyn specialty. Inadequate knowledge level as well as lowly perceived prevalence of HPV infection were associated with less favorable attitude to vaccination. Conclusions More specific educational interventions are warranted to trigger physicians’ active engagement in the fight against HPV infection and cervical cancer. Such interventions should demystify the HPV vaccine by exposing its efficacy, availability and safety, along with providing practical information about the vaccination procedure and goals to achieve successful prevention strategy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (04) ◽  
pp. 464-469
Author(s):  
Zahra Safdar ◽  
Faisal Ashraf ◽  
Alia Bashir

Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the awareness about various aspects of HPV infection and vaccine among female doctors working in tertiary care centres. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: 3 Tertiary Care Hospitals Lahore. Period: Jan 2018 Jan 2019. Material & Methods: 478 female doctors from 03 tertiary care hospitals (Lady Atchison hospital, Lahore General Hospital and Services Institute of Medical Sciences) in Lahore who voluntarily filled 18-point self-administered questionnaire assessing their knowledge about HPV infection (8) HPV vaccine (5) and opinions about it (5). Knowledge score (range 0-8), assuming adequate knowledge > median. Factors associated with opinions were explored and analysed. Results: Most replied knowledge questions correctly 67.2%, 39.5% perceived it as frequently occurring infection. Median knowledge was 6 out of 8 questions; lack of knowledge was associated with non ob-gynae speciality or junior level. None of the participants were immunized but 46.3% were willing to get vaccinated themselves 78.1% were willing to get their daughters vaccinated. Self-perceived under exposure of HPV infection was 67.9%. Lack of feeling it as important in our social setting (28.6%), and expensiveness (19.4%) were most common causes of not counselling the patient about HPV vaccine and counselling to get vaccinated was most commonly done as it saves patients from cervical cancer (86.8%). Conclusions: Despite adequate knowledge of HPV infection and effectiveness of its vaccination, female doctors working in tertiary care hospitals of Lahore’s are not efficiently spreading awareness to the society and prescription of the vaccination is also deficient.


Author(s):  
Anaswara S. Asok ◽  
Pooja Akoijam ◽  
Avantika Gupta ◽  
Brogen Singh Akoijam

Background: Learning problems significantly interfere with academic activities that require reading, mathematical or writing skills. In India 10-14% of children have specific learning disability. The teacher with adequate knowledge of learning disabilities and skills or competencies can do better justice to the children than teacher with general pedagogy backgrounds. The study aimed to assess the teacher’s knowledge and attitude towards learning disabilities and to determine the association between knowledge and attitude with their background characteristics.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 181 teachers of both government and private schools of Bishnupur. Data collected using self-administered questionnaires assessing the knowledge and attitude. Data entered in IBM SPSS 21. Data was expressed using descriptive statistics like frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test   was used to check significance between proportions.Results: Data was collected from 181 teachers. Mean age of participants was 42.7±1 and 59.1% of them worked in govt. schools and 40.9% in private. 48.1% of them had adequate knowledge on learning disabilities. Majority (93.9%) had favourable attitude. Association between type of school the teachers taught and knowledge was found to be significant (p<0.05). There was no significant association between attitude with any of the socio-demographic variables.Conclusions: More than half of the teachers had inadequate knowledge on learning disabilities while majority of them had favourable attitude. Teachers belonging to govt. schools had better knowledge on learning disabilities.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e032487
Author(s):  
Amer Alshengeti ◽  
Amjad Alharbi ◽  
Shahad Alraddadi ◽  
Abdulsalam Alawfi ◽  
Bushra Aljohani

AimsGroup B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most frequent bacterial pathogens causing invasive infections in neonates. It can be transmitted from colonised mother to neonates around delivery. Screening strategies for GBS during pregnancy include either universal culture-based or risk-based screening. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and current practices of pregnant women towards GBS screening in Al-Madinah City, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Madinah Maternity and Children Hospital, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from May to July 2018. Participants were recruited from postnatal wards. Participants were interviewed using a previously published validated survey that was divided into the following domains: demographic data, knowledge, experience and attitude towards different GBS screening strategies.ResultsA total of 377 out of 450 women (response rate 83.7%) were enrolled. The results showed that the overall mean knowledge score of the pregnant women towards GBS screening was 59.8%. Majority of the women (66.8%) were not aware of the GBS bacterium, while 86.5% of them had never been informed of GBS risk assessment during their pregnancies. The mean knowledge score among women who were aware of GBS (62.8%) was significantly higher than that among women who were not (58.4%) (p=0.015). However, majority of the pregnant women (61.8%) showed preference for universal culture-based GBS screening strategy over risk-based strategy.ConclusionThe study results have concluded that the level of awareness and knowledge about GBS among pregnant women were relatively poor; however, majority of the pregnant women prefer universal culture-based screening.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Alnemer ◽  
Raed Aljohani ◽  
Abdulrahman Alajlan ◽  
Mohammad Aljohani ◽  
Ibrahim Alozaib ◽  
...  

The use of topical olive oil (OO) for skin health is common among Saudis and worldwide. Therefore, this cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing the use of topical OO for skin health among Saudis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was administered to Saudis at four different malls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 401 participants were enrolled in the study. The results showed that the average knowledge score of the participants was 3.4±0.3 (out of 5) and 87% had fair knowledge. The top source of knowledge among the participants was friends/relatives. In the attitude section, the average score was 4.1±0.5 (out of 5). Females had a higher attitude score 4.2±0.5 as compared to males 4±0.5 (P=0.03). The most common reason for using topical OO among the participants was skin moisturizing (73%). Female gender was the only significant factor associated with the use of topical OO (P < 0.001). The use of topical OO for skin health is highly prevalent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, more awareness of the benefits and adverse effects of topical OO use is required especially from health educational organizations. The preliminary results of this study suggest further research with a larger sample in an academic setting across the nation.


Author(s):  
Krutarth R. Brahmbhatt ◽  
Amul B. Patel

Background: Antimicrobial-resistant organisms are spreading worldwide, and the pipeline for new antimicrobials remains meager. The next generation of doctors must be better prepared to use antimicrobials more sparingly and appropriately.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students of GMERS Medical College Junagadh from January to May 2017. Self-administered structured close ended questionnaire in English was used. Pearson’s correlation co-efficient, t test and ANOVA were used as tests of significance.Results: Total 130 students participated in the study. Participation of females (48.5%) and males (51.5%) was almost equal. Almost 60% participants had adequate knowledge about antimicrobial resistance. The mean antimicrobial resistance knowledge score of participants was 22.7 (SD: ±5.27, min: 8, max: 37).Conclusions:Important finding of the study was that just one forth of the participants agreed that information they have received so far in medical course regarding antimicrobial resistance is adequate. The budding doctors should receive correct, adequate information regarding antimicrobial resistance.  


Author(s):  
S. Deepa ◽  
Twinkle Agrawal ◽  
Teny Attokaran ◽  
Farah Naaz Fathima ◽  
Avita Rose Johnson

Background: Millions of women face significant barriers in menstrual hygiene management due to inadequate awareness, misconceptions and erroneous practices. The objectives of the study were to assess the awareness, perceptions and practices regarding menstruation and their associated factors among youth of a peri-urban college in Bangalore Urban district.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among both male and female students studying in a degree college. A pre-designed, face-validated structured questionnaire was administered to all students present on the day of the study.Results: Of the 758 students, 372 (49.1%) were male and 386 (50.9%) were female. The mean age was 19.35±1.40 years. A consolidated score above 50% i.e. 07/14 was considered adequate for knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 7.51±2.52. Overall 389 (51.3%) students had adequate knowledge. Awareness levels were significantly better among females (72.3%) than males (29.6%). Among the female students, 384 (99.5%) were aware of sanitary napkins, 165 (42.7%) of menstrual cup, 12 (3.1%) of tampon and 254 (65.8%) of reusable cloth, however majority (96.9%) preferred use of sanitary napkins. Among the female students, 42.6% were expected to follow some social and cultural restrictions during menstruation. Main source of information regarding menstruation and various menstrual products was internet. Misconceptions documented regarding menstruation included the belief that menstrual blood is poisonous (75.2%). Positive attitude towards menstruation was low both among male students (21.5%) and female students (48.4%).Conclusions: Awareness levels were poor among males than females. Practices regarding menstrual hygiene were adequate. However, misconceptions were widely prevalent among both genders indicating the need for health education among college-going childhood.


Author(s):  
Ljiljana Markovic-Denic ◽  
Srboljub Milicevic ◽  
Jovana Todorovic ◽  
Vladimir Nikolic ◽  
Olivera Djuric ◽  
...  

We aimed to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of healthy pregnant women towards human papillomavirus (HPV), to estimate factors associated with a positive attitude towards HPV immunization and to assess the uptake of the vaccine among their children. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Belgrade, Serbia among pregnant women attending their regular gynecological check-ups at the 12th gestational week. Knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine was assessed using a specifically designed 12-item and 5-item questionnaires. Out of total 265 included women, 79.3% had heard of HPV, and 37.5% knew that HPV vaccine exists. HPV vaccine knowledge score was associated with higher odds for a positive attitude towards vaccination of both female (OR = 4.10, 95% CI 1.50-11.29) and male (OR = 3.71, 95% CI 1.52-9.01) child. The number of children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.67) and high vaccine knowledge score (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.13-2.39) were independent predictors associated with willingness to vaccinate child against HPV. The gynecologist was the preferable point of reference for information seeking about the HPV vaccine. Despite relatively high HPV awareness and knowledge among pregnant women in Serbia, about one-third of them are HPV vaccine aware, and are willing to vaccinate their children against HPV.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 727
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Markovic-Denic ◽  
Srboljub Milicevic ◽  
Jovana Todorovic ◽  
Vladimir Nikolic ◽  
Olivera Djuric ◽  
...  

We aimed to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of healthy pregnant women towards human papillomavirus (HPV), to estimate factors associated with a positive attitude towards HPV immunization and to assess the uptake of the vaccine among their children. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Belgrade, Serbia among pregnant women attending their regular gynecological check-ups at the 12th gestational week. Knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine was assessed using a specifically designed 12-item and 5-item questionnaires. Out of total 265 included women, 79.3% had heard of HPV, and 37.5% knew that HPV vaccine exists. HPV vaccine knowledge score was associated with higher odds for a positive attitude towards vaccination of both female (OR = 4.10, 95% CI 1.50–11.29) and male (OR = 3.71, 95% CI 1.52–9.01) child. The number of children (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04–1.67) and high vaccine knowledge score (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.13–2.39) were independent predictors associated with willingness to vaccinate child against HPV. The gynecologist was the preferable point of reference for information seeking about the HPV vaccine. Despite relatively high HPV awareness and knowledge among pregnant women in Serbia, about one-third of them are HPV vaccine aware, and are willing to vaccinate their children against HPV.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahd Aljarbou ◽  
Sundus Bukhary ◽  
Abdullah Althemery ◽  
Abdullah Alqedairi

Objectives: To investigate the clinical dental students’ knowledge on the proper dental setting during COVID-19. Methods: Using multicenter cross-sectional study, a 10-items questionnaire was distributed in April 2020 among senior dental students from two dental schools. It comprised three main domains: demographic questions, questions investigating student’s access to the proper recommendations of dental settings during COVID-19 and the specific recommendations questions. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 654 clinical dental students and the total number of respondents were 267 representing a response rate of 40.83%. The overall knowledge mean was low (1±0.92). Gender was not a statistically significant factor affecting the knowledge score (P > 0.05). Most of the participants never visited the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Saudi CDC) website and received no guidance or advice regarding proper dental practices during COVID-19. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the mean knowledge score and access to knowledge variables (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It was noted that clinical dental students have low knowledge on the proper dental settings during COVID-19 pandemic that was recommended by the Saudi CDC guidelines and they must be equipped with adequate knowledge from reliable sources to overcome their insufficiencies such as a well-structured and dynamic curriculum. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3768 How to cite this:Aljarbou FA, Bukhary SM, Althemery AU, Alqedairi AS. Clinical dental students’ knowledge regarding proper dental settings for treating patient during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3768 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


Author(s):  
Yasser Almogbel ◽  
Jouza H. Al-Qussair ◽  
Abdulrahman M. Alamri ◽  
Ahmad Alhowail ◽  
Mugahid A. Mobark

Background: Parent’s misconception of fever, result in increased anxiety and antipyretics are commonly used in this situation. So any lack of parent’s knowledge regarding strategies of using them raises the possibility of drug-related problems. Objective: This study evaluated the parents’ knowledge, attitude and beliefs in dealing with the children’s fever. Methods: An ethically approved cross-sectional study was conducted in Qassim region -Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 490 parents were participated in this study, 83.7% of them were mothers. Half of parents use the armpit site for measuring temperature. The majority of parents considered the temperature ≤37°C as normal and more than half of them considered ≥38°C as fever temperature. Convulsion was believed to be a complication of fever in 71% of parents and there was a significant association between the number of children and the practice of giving antipyretics. A wrong practice of assessing fever was using hand touch, and this study revealed that this behavioral was presented in a nearly third of parents. Acetaminophen was the commonly used antipyretics beside ice packs as a common non pharmacological therapy. The study also showed the majority of parents didn’t know the importance of weight in considering antipyretic. Conclusion: Over all, parents participated in this study have inadequate knowledge about fever, its assessment and decision of giving a medication. However, past experiences and the number of sibling highly influence their practice and knowledge. Therefore, there is a need of effort to maximize parents’ information and awareness about fever.


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