scholarly journals Visual impairment and its associated factors among medical and health sciences students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255369
Author(s):  
Mihret Getnet ◽  
Yonas Akalu ◽  
Baye Dagnew ◽  
Yibeltal Yismaw Gela ◽  
Yitayeh Belsti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Study Participant ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Health Science Students ◽  
The University ◽  
Significant Factors ◽  
Current Alcohol

Background Visual impairment (VI) is a decreased ability to see things which is critical problem for health professionals and students to whom normal vision is essential for their daily activity. If it is not timely managed, visual impairment leads to physical, psychological, and socio-economic malfunctions to the victims and nation. Despite the above impacts, currently there is no study in Ethiopia on this topic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among Medical and Health Science students at the University of Gondar. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2020 among Medical and Health Science students. After recruiting study participants using systematic random sampling technique, we applied pre-tested self-administered questionnaire for sociodemographic variables and also visual acuity measurement was performed using Snellen chart placed at a distance of 6 meters. Visual acuity tested separately for each eye and for both eyes in a well- illuminated area. Pinhole was used for those participants with a visual acuity of < 6/9. Participants with a presenting visual acuity of < 6/12 in the better eye were diagnosed as having visual impairment. Epi data version 3.1 and stata version 14 were used for data entry and statistical analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used, and the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association between VI and independent variables. Results A total of 654 students were screened for visual acuity. The prevalence of visual impairment was 12.5% (95% CI: 10.21, 15.31). Age above 25 years (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.26) and current alcohol drinking (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.7, 5.00), were statistically significant factors of visual impairment. Conclusion The prevalence of visual impairment among medical and health science students was high. Age of study participant and current alcohol consumption were statically significant factors. This study warrants the routine screening of Medical and Health science students for visual impairment.

scholarly journals Self-Reported Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disturbance and Its Associated Factors among Medicine and Health Science Students at the University of Gondar

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Baye Dagnew ◽  
Henok Dagne ◽  
Zewudu Andualem
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep ◽  
Sleep Behavior ◽  
Health Science Students ◽  
The University

Introduction. Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by dream-enacting behavior (shouting, punching, and falling out of bed) related to unpleasant dreams and loss of normal rapid eye movement (REM) sleep muscle atonia. Rapid eye movement sleep enhances learning and memory by regulating neuronal synapses, and if it is undesirable, it can lead to cognitive impairment and poor academic performance and may end up with death. To the best of our searching databases, there is no such study conducted in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining self-reported symptoms of RBD and its associated factors among the University of Gondar medicine and health science students (2019). Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study from June 1 to July 2019, among medicine and health science students at the University of Gondar using a simple random sampling technique. A self-reported RBD screening questionnaire was used to collect the data. We used Epi Info™ 7.0.8.3 and Stata 14 for data entry and statistical analyses, respectively. Descriptive statistics (frequency with percent and mean with standard deviation) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% uncertainty interval (UI) were computed. In a multivariable binary logistic regression, variables with a p<0.05 were declared as significant. Results. Three hundred and eighty-seven students took part in the study. The mean age of participants was 20.81 (±1.83) years. The prevalence of self-reported RBD was 46.25% [95% UI (41.26%-51.24)]. Physical exercise immediately before sleep (AOR=2.50, 95% UI (1.24-5.02)), using Facebook immediately before sleep (AOR=1.93, 95% UI (1.18-3.15)), having daytime sleepiness (AOR=1.92, 95% UI (1.16-3.19)), and self-reported depressive symptoms (AOR=2.40, 95% UI (1.45-3.99)) were significantly associated with self-reported RBD. Conclusion. The current study revealed a high prevalence of self-reported RBD. This remarkable problem suggested a need to design strategies to prevent RBD symptoms among university students through targeting screening of depression, daytime sleepiness, and adjusting bedtime routines such as physical exercise and internet use immediately before going to bed.

scholarly journals Assessment of Knowledge and Practice on Hepatitis B Infection Prevention and Associated Factors among Health Science Students in Woldia University, Northeast Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Teshome Gebremeskel ◽  
Tirfe Beshah ◽  
Mulugeta Tesfaye ◽  
Biruk Beletew ◽  
Ayelign Mengesha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Hepatitis B Infection ◽  
Health Science Students ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

Background. Hepatitis B virus is a global problem, with 66% of all the world population living in areas where there are high levels of infection. HBV is the leading risk factor for HCC globally and accounts for at least 50% of cases of HCC. Medical and health science students, being part of the health-care system, are exposed to the infection as a risk as other health-care workers when they come in contact with patients and contaminated instruments. Objective. The main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of hepatitis B virus infection prevention and its associated factors among health science students in Woldia University. Methods. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 30 to May 30, 2019, among health science students of Woldia University who had previous clinical attachments. Two hundred students were selected by the systematic random sampling method. Association of dependent and independent variables was computed using a bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model. P<0.05 was considered as significantly associated. Result. The study revealed that, out of 200 participants, 96 (48%) have poor knowledge, whereas 104 (52%) showed good knowledge about HBV. Regarding the practice of participants, 79 (39.5%) of the students have good practice to prevent HBV, whereas 121 (59.5%) had poor practice towards HBV infection prevention. Conclusion. Based on the current study, greater than half of the students who participated in the study have good knowledge of hepatitis B infection prevention and most of the students have poor practice about infection prevention of hepatitis B virus.

scholarly journals Exploring student awareness on critical factors which shape community engagement in the health science disciplines at a South African higher education institution

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeni Bheekie ◽  
Mea van Huyssteen ◽  
Hester Julie
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Health Science Students ◽  
The University

Abstract Background Community Engagement (CE) is cornerstone to South Africa’s higher education transformative agenda. Teaching disciplines across faculties have adopted varied CE implementation strategies, due to different theoretical interpretations. Undergraduate health science students are traditionally exposed to CE experiential learning programs, preparing them for professional practice. This study investigated final year students’ awareness of the critical factors which shape CE in the health science disciplines at a South African university.Method An exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted at an engaged university located in the Western Cape. Five discipline- specific focus group discussions were conducted with twenty seven final year students, purposively selected from five health sciences faculties, using an adaption of Furco’s self-assessment rubric. Thematic analysis was conducted on the transcribed data to identify the factors deemed critical for CE using Furco’s self-assessment tool as the coding framework. Trustworthiness of the data and findings were ensured. Ethics approval was obtained indicating that the research satisfied the ethics principles related to informed consent, respect for the participants ‘rights in terms of privacy, autonomy, beneficence and confidentiality.Results The a priori t hemes identified were the university’s philosophy and mission related to CE, student involvement, faculty involvement, community participation and partnerships and institutional support for CE. The cross-cutting themes that emerged across these critical factors of Furco’ included: siloism in the university, interprofessional education and monitoring and evaluation for impact. These health science students indicated that CE awareness was limited to discipline-based programs, indicative of a siloed approach. In addition, varied theoretical interpretations of CE emerged. Interprofessional education was lacking across the disciplines, even though it underpins professional practice. Participants reiterated that a central CE unit is required to co-ordinate and evaluate CE programs. Occupational therapy participants, however, reflected a critical consciousness that is congruent with an assets-based approach to CE.Conclusion The University of the Western Cape should facilitate stewardship in implementing Boyer’s 'scholarship of engagement' to ensure consistency in CE approach in the health science curriculum. Such an approach would deepen students understanding and application of CE.

scholarly journals Awareness and Knowledge of Final Year Health Science Students on Occupational Therapy in a Public University in Ghana.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-195
Author(s):  
Eric N Opoku ◽  
Peter O Ndaa
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Science Students ◽  
The University ◽  
University Of Ghana

Background: Occupational therapists play a major role in the healthcare team in the provision of holistic care to patients. Successful healthcare depends on collaboration and understanding among health professionals and recognition of each health professional’s role in a team. Objective: The study aimed to determine the awareness and knowledge of final-year health sciences students of the University of Ghana on occupational therapy(OT). Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed by means of a questionnaire with final year students in the Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health Professional programmes (physiotherapy, dietetics, radiography, and medical laboratory sciences) of the University of Ghana. Participants were randomly selected and requested to complete a questionnaire. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 23.0. Results: The results showed anoverall OT awareness of 94.66% (n = 195/206). About 35.0% (n = 69/206)of participant learned about OT as a health profession through other means rather than their academic curriculum. Collectively, participants demonstrated an average actual knowledge on OT services of 14.43 ± 3.17. The results also showed that, the importance participants accorded OT profession in the healthcare team did not depend on their knowledge on OT scope of practice (rs=0.162, p>0.05). Conclusion: Actions should be channelled towards enabling health science students to learn about OT and other health professions through their university curriculum. Furthermore, OT students should endeavour to sensitise fellow health science students on the unique roles and responsibilities of the OT profession in the healthcare team

scholarly journals Nasal Carriage and Associated Factors of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Among Medicine and Health Science Students of Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermiyas Mekuriya ◽  
Aseer Manilal ◽  
Addis Aklilu ◽  
Melat Woldemariam ◽  
Tadios Hailu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Methicillin Resistance ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Nasal Carriage ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Health Science Students ◽  
Microbiological Methods

Abstract Individuals with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonized nasal cavities were at greater risk of developing the infection and can serve as potential reservoirs of transmission. Aim of this study is to determine the extent of nasal carriage and associated factors linked to MRSA in medical and health science students of Arba Minch University (AMU), Ethiopia. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at AMU from 01st August through 30th November, 2020. A systematic sampling technique was used to recruit the participants. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Nasal swabs were collected and S. aureus were identified following standard microbiological methods. Methicillin resistance was tested using cefoxitin disk and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. Biofilm forming ability was phenotypically detected by micro-titer plate assay. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done by Statistical Package for Social Service (SPSS) version 25. Overall prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA were 27.1% (70/258) and 7.4% (19/258) respectively. Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus carriage was higher among medical interns, 16.9% (11/65); isolates were co-resistant to antibiotics, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (63.2%) and tetracycline (48.4%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed among 52.6% (10/19) of the isolates. Besides, 31.4% (6/19) of MRSA were biofilm producers and all of them were MDR. Multivariable analysis showed that students having >2 years of mean exposure to hospital [p= 0.048, AOR: 4.99, 95% CI: 1.01-24.66] and those who share clothing and sports equipment [p=0.017, AOR: 5.43, 95% CI: 1.35-21.83] were statistically significant. The overall prevalence of nasal MRSA among students were comparatively lower than that observed in other studies done in Ethiopia itself. An alarming factor is that, 60% of MDR-MRSA were biofilm producers.

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