scholarly journals General public’s knowledge and practices on face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional exploratory survey from Dharan, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadir Alam ◽  
Subish Palaian ◽  
Pathiyil Ravi Shankar ◽  
Nisha Jha
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Postgraduate Education ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Hill Tribes ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Measures to prevent and control coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) include regular handwashing, physical distancing and covering mouth and nose using a face mask, thereby reducing spread of droplets. Use of facemask is considered as a cheap, effective and safe method with minimum disruption in day-to-day life. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of Nepalese general public on face mask use during lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional study using a self-developed, validated questionnaire (Cronbach alpha 0.556) was conducted in Dharan, eastern Nepal during May, 2020. Pharmacists from ten pharmacies, spread throughout Dharan city, after relevant training by the principal investigator, administered and recorded the responses from a selected sample stratified across age, gender, education and place of residence. Completed questionnaires were checked for consistency, coded and entered in IBM SPSS Version 26 and data was tested for normality using one-sample K-S test. Descriptive analyses were performed for demographic parameters and inferential statistics performed for outcome variables calculating median scores among different subgroups which were further compared using appropriate non-parametric tests at alpha=0.05. Results: Altogether 381 individuals, males [211 (55.4%)] and females [170 (44.6%)] participated. Ninety-three (24.5%) respondents were between 20-30 years of age and least number 3(0.8%) were above 70 years; 127 (33.3%) participants were housewives. Maximum 200 (52.5%) participants were educated between classes VIII to XII; seven (1.8%) were having postgraduate education; 129 (33.9%) participants were hill tribes. Knowledge scores were good (median score 16; maximum score 18). Around 20% of participant had never used face mask before the pandemic; majority of population (80%) were aware about the ongoing pandemic. Majority were aware about washing hands (92.6%) before using mask, covering mouth and nose (78.7%), and avoiding touching the mask while wearing (42.3%). Knowledge scores were significantly higher among men (p=0.038), among younger age groups (p=0.010), and among persons with greater education (p=0.048). Conclusion: The knowledge scores were good and public were aware about proper use of face masks. Educational interventions could be targeted to those with lesser knowledge, and steps to promote sustained face mask use can be beneficial.

scholarly journals General public’s knowledge and practices on face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional exploratory survey from Dharan, Nepal

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 376
Author(s):  
Kadir Alam ◽  
Subish Palaian ◽  
Pathiyil Ravi Shankar ◽  
Nisha Jha
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Postgraduate Education ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Inferential Statistics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Hill Tribes

Background:   Facemasks are considered a cheap, effective, and safe method to control the spread of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). This study assessed the knowledge and practice of face mask use amongst the Nepalese public during the COVID-19 lockdown.   Methods:   A cross-sectional study using a self-developed, validated questionnaire (Cronbach alpha 0.556) was conducted in Dharan, Nepal during May 2020. Pharmacists from ten pharmacies throughout Dharan city administered and recorded responses from a selected sample, stratified across age, gender, education, and place of residence. Completed questionnaires were entered in SPSS, coded, and normality tested using a one-sample K-S test. Demographic characteristics were described using descriptive statistics. Median scores among subgroups were compared using inferential statistics. Descriptive analyses were performed for demographic parameters and inferential statistics for outcome variables, calculating median scores among subgroups which were further compared using non-parametric tests at alpha=0.05.   Results:   381 individuals participated - 211 males (55.4%) and 170 females (44.6%) . 93 (24.5%) respondents were between 20-30 years of age and three (0.8%) were over 70. 200 (52.5%) participants were educated between classes VIII to XII; seven (1.8%) having postgraduate education. 129 (33.9%) participants were from hill tribes. Knowledge scores were high (median score 16; maximum score 18).  Around 20% of participants had never used a face mask before the pandemic; most knew about the ongoing pandemic (80%), about washing hands before using a mask (92.6%), and covering the mouth and nose (78.7%),  Under half knew to avoid touching the mask while wearing it (42.3%). Knowledge scores were higher among men (p=0.038), younger age groups (p=0.010), and those with greater education (p=0.048).  Conclusion:   Knowledge was good, and the public were aware of the proper use of face masks. Educational interventions could be targeted to those with lesser knowledge, and steps to promote sustained face mask use could be beneficial.

scholarly journals Religion: Interrelationships and Opinions in Children and Adolescents. Interaction between Age and Beliefs

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 357
Author(s):  
Rafael López Cordero ◽  
Francisca Ruiz Garzón ◽  
Lourdes Medina Martínez ◽  
María del Carmen Olmos-Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Experimental Methodology ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Religious Issue ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive

The current trend of secularization seems to be leading to a gradual withdrawal of religion from public spaces. However, in an increasingly internationalized world, it is becoming more and more important to study the roles of religion and religiosity and their potential in relation to dialogue and social conflicts and tensions. Education is a vital field within which to address this religious issue and create an educational dialogue in order to promote coexistence. By following a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, based on a quasi-experimental methodology with a social–analytical character, our aim is to assess the existing connections between religion, interrelation and opinion in Spanish children and adolescents. Special attention is paid to the interaction between age and beliefs. We carried out our study with the use of a questionnaire distributed to eleven secondary schools, with students aged between 11 and 16 years old, in three regions of southern Spain (Andalusia, Ceuta, and Melilla) characterized by high religious diversity and multiculturalism. The multivariate analysis carried out in this study identifies the effects of variance on the influence of age and religion, highlighting the interaction between the two. It is observed that the youngest students are those who express their opinions about religion the least, while those belonging to younger age groups and majority religions are those who express a greater religious coexistence, with Muslims externalizing their religious condition the most.

scholarly journals Comparison of Prevalence of Periodontitis with Different Indices in Population of District Ghaziabad

2016 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 023-030
Author(s):  
Vimal Kumar ◽  
Pallak Arora ◽  
Manish Khatri ◽  
Shivani Sharma ◽  
Sumit Malhotra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Periodontal Disease ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Study Population

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of periodontal disease with different indices. Methods & materials: The study population consisted of multistage stratified random sample of 1300 subjects from total population of district Ghaziabad. A cross-sectional study was conducted with multi stage stratified random sampling techniques to select the sample population. The subjects were divided into different age groups and the periodontal assessment was made on the basis of CPITN index and ESI Index. Results: The CPITN has shown to estimate incorrect periodontal disease prevalence because of its underestimation of the disease severity. A huge difference was noticed in the prevalence rate of periodontitis when subjects were examined with ESI index. Conclusion Periodontal disease was found to be highly prevalent in the study population and severity of disease increased with age. More number of subjects in younger age group were found to be healthy.

scholarly journals Knowledge, adherence and control among patients with hypertension attending a peri-urban primary health care clinic, KwaZulu-Natal

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olumuyiwa A. Olowe ◽  
Andrew J. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Study Population ◽  
And Control

Background: Despite hypertension being a common condition among patients attending primary health care (PHC) clinics, blood pressure (BP) control is often poor. Greater insight into patient-related factors that influence the control of hypertension will assist in the development of an intervention to address the issues identified.Aim: The aim of the study was to assess patient-related variables associated with hypertension control among patients attending a peri-urban PHC clinic.Setting: The setting for this study was a peri-urban PHC clinic in KwaZulu-Natal.Method: This was an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study with 348 patients selected over a 1-month period. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on patients’ hypertension knowledge and self-reported adherence, and BP recordings from their medical record were recorded to ascertain control.Results: Of the 348 participants, only 49% had good BP control and 44% (152/348) had concurrent diabetes mellitus. The majority of patients had moderate levels of knowledge on hypertension and exhibited moderate adherence. There was a significant relationship between knowledge and reported adherence, between reported adherence and control, but not between reported knowledge and control.Conclusion: Despite over 90% of the study population having moderate knowledge, and 62% with moderate reported adherence, BP was well controlled in only less than 50% of the study population. These findings suggest a need to emphasise adherence and explore new ways of approaching adherence.

scholarly journals Cataract among elderly in Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Nilanga Nishad ◽  
S.A. Hewage ◽  
K. Arulmoly ◽  
M.S. Amaratunge ◽  
J de Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
National Level ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Younger Age

AbstractOut of 39 billion people who are blind around the world, 20 billion (51.3%) is due to cataract, which is preventable. This study intended to assess the prevalence and factors associated with cataract among elderly in a divisional secretariat area in Sri Lanka. This community based cross sectional study assessed randomly selected470 adults over 60 years of age. Diagnosis of cataract was made by a slit lamp examination by medical officers, and classified according to Oxford Lens Opacity Classification system (LOCS III). Majority was between 60-69 age groups and 71% was females. The prevalence of cataract was estimated to be 80.6% including operated eye and 73.6% excluding the operated eye, with a female preponderance in lower age categories. Commonest type of cataract was the nuclear type (n=422; 44.9%), with a majority in grade 2 (218; 23.2%). The prevalence of cataract surgery in the diseased population was as low as 7%. Cataract leading to blindness is very prevalent among adults over 60 years of age in the studied area. Females tend to develop the disease at an early age than males. These findings warrant screening programme for elderly at community level, targeting females at a younger age than males. Future studies are recommended to assess the coverage and barriers for cataract surgeries at national level, which would be immensely useful in planning and improving health services.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception about Biostatistics among Health Researchers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (31) ◽  
pp. 2439-2445
Author(s):  
Prathibha Anand Nayak ◽  
Esraa Hamdan Aljohani ◽  
Maram Abdulhabib Ali ◽  
Badriah Khalid Fatihi ◽  
Norah Abdullah Alzubedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Postgraduate Education ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Statistical Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

BACKGROUND The principles and methods of biostatistics have gained importance in various fields including dentistry and medicine. The health researchers must have adequate knowledge and understanding of biostatistics to overcome the associated dilemmas in concluding the statistical data. The present study was planned to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perception of biostatistics among health researchers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS The present cross-sectional study was questionnaire based and was conducted among 251 health researchers in Saudi Arabia. A convenience method of sampling was followed during the 2 months study period from 15. 08. 2020 to 15. 10. 2020. A pre-validated questionnaire was used that consisted of questions related to the knowledge, attitude and perception of biostatistics. A chi-square test was used to find the significance of study parameters and the level of significance chosen was 5 %. RESULTS Gender, nationality, or qualification of participants did not show any statistically significant differences with regards to their knowledge, attitude, or perception about biostatistics. The years of experience of the faculty showed statistically significant differences in their ability to interpret the results using statistical methods [P = 0.002], ability to choose a particular test to answer research question [P = 0.024], ability to design their projects [P = 0.02], and forming opinions / making decisions in health care using statistical information [P = 0.001]. Nursing and dental faculty were able to design their research projects significantly better when compared to other groups. Faculty of Pharmacy, nursing, and dentistry more frequently used statistical information to form opinions or make decisions in health care when compared to those from the Medical program. CONCLUSIONS The study showed a medium level of knowledge as well as awareness about the importance of statistics in research and indicated a great motivation for further training with an emphasis on teaching and learning biostatistics during undergraduate / postgraduate education. KEY WORDS Biostatistics, Interpret Results, Health Researchers

scholarly journals Parental Awareness and Attitude about Childhood Immunization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8455
Author(s):  
Shuaa Z. Alshammari ◽  
Isamme AlFayyad ◽  
Youssef Altannir ◽  
Mohamad Al-Tannir
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Parental beliefs about vaccination are one of the main factors in reaching high vaccination rates. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the awareness and attitudes regarding routine childhood immunization among Saudi parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This survey, with a pretested 18-item questionnaire, was conducted on parents having at least one child from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 1 May 2019 and 1 November 2019. The validated questionnaire consisted of three sections; participants’ demographics, awareness, and attitude regarding the immunization of their children. In total, 1200 parents participated in the study, 883 (73.3%) of the parents scored a good knowledge of childhood immunization, and 93% knew that routine vaccination protects children from infectious diseases and their complications. Around 10% stated that immunization can cause autism. Only parents in age groups 30–39 and 40–49 were 1.76 (p < 0.05) times and 1.92 (p < 0.05) times, respectively, more likely to exhibit good knowledge. About 522 (43.6) of the parents attained a positive attitude toward immunization. Adherence to the immunization schedule was confirmed important by 93%, while 91% presumed that immunization keeps their children healthy. Additionally, immunization was perceived as important by 94% of parents and only 8% agreed that immunization is prohibited by religion. Females were 1.45 (p < 0.05) times more likely to exhibit positive attitudes than males. Parents have good knowledge and a positive attitude towards child immunization. However, parental education should be focused on the fact that religion supports immunization, and more awareness should be focused on the lack of correlation between autism and vaccination.

Does metabolic health status affect the optimal starting age for colorectal cancer screening? A Korean nationwide cross-sectional study.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 573-573
Author(s):  
Yoon Jin Choi ◽  
Dong Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Crc Screening ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome Components

573 Background: The association between metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer (CRC) has been suggested as one of causes for the increasing incidence of CRC, particularly in younger age groups. The present study examined whether the current age threshold (50 years) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Korea requires modification when considering metabolic syndrome. Methods: We examined data from the National Health Insurance Corporation database, which covers ~97% of the population in Korea. CRC risk was analyzed with stratification based on age and the presence/absence of relevant metabolic syndrome components (diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension). The incidence of CRC was determined for four, 2-year time periods. Results: A total of 51,612,316 subjects enrolled during 2014-2015 were analyzed. Among them, 19.3% had diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or some combination thereof. This population had a higher incidence of CRC than did those without these conditions and this was more prominent in subjects < 40 years of age. The optimal cut-off age for detecting CRC, based on the highest Youden index, was 45 years among individuals without diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, and 62 years among individuals with at least one of these components of metabolic syndrome. Resetting the cut-off age from 50 years to 45 years achieved a 6% increment in sensitivity for CRC detection among the total population. Conclusions: An earlier start of CRC screening, namely at 45 rather than at 50 years of age, may improve secondary prevention of CRC in Korea.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of COVID-19 in Al Qassim Province -Saudi Arabia: A Sociodemographic Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Wafa Ali ◽  
Amal Alqufly ◽  
Ibrahim Aljabr ◽  
Sharafaldeen Bin Nafisah
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Probable Case ◽  
Sociodemographic Risk ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND: The resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia, despite ongoing control measures, warrants further analysis. AIM: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic risk factors of COVID-19 in Al Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia. We explored perceptions toward vaccination, social isolation and community adherence to social distancing measures. METHODS: We collected data reported by the Weqaya, Saudi Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and conducted a cross-sectional study within the province. RESULTS: Up to 9 May 2021, 15 497 positive cases were detected, comprising a prevalence of 1.46%. Uyun Al-Jiwa and Riyadh Al-Khabra had the highest infection rate. Our sample of 511 participants revealed an exposure rate of 52.1% (n=266) with no specific sociodemographic risk factor. Self-isolation following exposure to a confirmed or probable case occurred less among older age groups and married participants, and was not influenced by the presence of underlying chronic diseases. The majority of participants perceived community compliance with social distancing measures to fall within the ‘sometimes’ category. Finally, the vaccination acceptance rate was 72.6% (n=371). CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study emphasise the need to adopt further measures to encourage adherence to social distancing and self-isolation, especially among vulnerable groups.

scholarly journals The Fear of COVID-19, Demographic Factors, and Substance use in a Multinational Sample Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (22) ◽  
pp. 43-54
Author(s):  
Ifeanyichukwu Anthony Ogueji ◽  
Rachel Bolaji Asagba ◽  
Delroy Constantine-Simms
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Age Range

Abstract The global pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had mental health consequences such as fear. Scholars have argued that when people are fearful, they may use substances to escape from fear, and demographic variables can have implications on how to target interventions to people. To date, little is known about how the fear of COVID-19 and demographic factors may contribute to substance use amid the COVID-19 pandemic. From 3 June to 10 June 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 residents (Mean age = 41.77 ± 11.85; age range = 18-70 years) in 14 countries. A standardized questionnaire was utilized for data collection, SPSS (version 22.0) was utilized for data analysis, and p < .05 implied statistical significance. Descriptive statistics revealed that residents in Canada scored the highest mean score in the fear of COVID-19 scale, while residents in Australia scored highest in the substance use scale. Further, fear of COVID-19 had a negative nonsignificant relationship with substance use (r = −.07; df = 200; p > .05). Males (Mean = 18.21) scored significantly higher than females (Mean = 14.06) in substance use [t (200) = 1.9; p < .05]. The younger age group (18-28 years) scored the highest mean score in substance use compared to older age groups (29-39 years, 40-50 years, 51-61 years, and 62-72 years); however, it was not significant [F (4, 197) = 2.04; p > .05]. These data contribute to informing future studies that add more questions regarding how different variables may contribute to substance use during subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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