scholarly journals Perception of and Anxiety About COVID-19 Infection and Risk Behaviors for Spreading Infection: An International Comparison

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiro Shiina ◽  
Tomihisa Niitsu ◽  
Osamu Kobori ◽  
Keita Idemoto ◽  
Tasuku Hashimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Sources ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Precautionary Behavior ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Official Information

Abstract Background: To control the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 infection's disease (COVID-19), appropriate precautionary behaviors by the public should be promoted. We have been concerned about the differences among countries regarding the populations' cognitional and behavioral patterns as well as attitudes toward information sources in relation to the anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic because knowing these differences will contribute to our understanding of the patterns of epidemic-related anxiety and behaviors, and it will help optimize future policies for preventing the second wave of the epidemic.Methods: To examine the differences among countries in their residents' perception, attitude, and precautionary behaviors toward COVID-19, we conducted a cross-sectional study through an online questionnaire survey. Adults who had been registered in Cross Marketing Inc. and living in the UK, Spain, or Japan were subjected. A total of 8,000 people stratified by age were recruited on a first-come, first-served method. Knowledge of and anxiety about COVID-19, the frequency and credibility of several information sources, and the magnitude of each precautionary behavior were examined in the questionnaire on March 27–28, 2020 in Japan and April 17–21 in the UK and Spain.Results: Compared to Japan, the knowledge and anxiety level and the frequency of precautionary behaviors were higher in the UK and Spain. Participants with infected acquaintances were more concerned about COVID-19. However, participants in the UK rarely wore a medical mask. Participants in the UK and Spain were eager to get information about COVID-19 compared to those in Japan. The participants in Spain tended not to trust official information and to believe specialists' comments instead.Conclusion: The urgency of the spread of COVID-19, cultural backgrounds, and recent political situations appear to contribute to the differences among countries revealed herein.

scholarly journals Perception of and anxiety about COVID-19 infection and risk behaviors for spreading infection: an international comparison

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihiro Shiina ◽  
Tomihisa Niitsu ◽  
Osamu Kobori ◽  
Keita Idemoto ◽  
Tasuku Hashimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Sources ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Behavioral Pattern ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
International Differences ◽  
Precautionary Behavior ◽  
First Come First Serve ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Background To control the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 infection's disease (COVID-19), appropriate precautionary behaviors by the public should be promoted. There are international differences in public cognitive and behavioral pattern, attitudes toward information sources, and anxiety about COVID-19. Information about these differences could increase understanding of the patterns of epidemic-related anxiety and behavior, and would help optimize future policies for preventing the next wave of the epidemic. Methods To examine between-country differences in perception, attitude, and precautionary behaviors toward COVID-19, we conducted a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire survey. Participants were adults who had been registered in Cross Marketing Group Inc. and living in the UK, Spain, or Japan. A total of 8,000 people stratified by age were recruited on a first-come, first-serve basis. Knowledge of and anxiety about COVID-19, the frequency of access and perceived credibility of several information sources, and the frequency of each precautionary behavior were examined on March 27–28, 2020, in Japan and April 17–21, 2020, in the UK and Spain. Results Knowledge, anxiety, and the frequency of precautionary behaviors were higher in the UK and Spain than in Japan. Participants with infected acquaintances were more concerned about COVID-19. However, participants in the UK rarely wore a medical mask. Participants in the UK and Spain were more eager to obtain information about COVID-19 than those in Japan. Participants in Spain tended not to trust official information and to believe specialists’ comments instead. Conclusion The rapidity of the spread of COVID-19, cultural background, and recent political situations seemed to contribute to the international differences here.

scholarly journals Proficiency, Attitudes, and Practices in Breastfeeding of Participants in a Pediatric Congress

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Cynthia Francisca Xavier Costa de Assis Silva ◽  
Maria do Carmo Barros de Melo ◽  
Roberto Gomes Chaves ◽  
Maria Cândida Ferrarez Bouzada
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Study Participant ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health Organization

Objective: To investigate the proficiency, practices, and attitudes about breastfeeding of participants in a Pediatrics Congress. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which an online questionnaire was applied, using a specific QRcode, for each study participant, in June 2018. The questions were formulated according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Among the 39 questions, 13 identified the profile of the participants, 19 questions assessed the proficiency in breastfeeding and 7 questions the practices and attitudes. Results: Responses to 296 questionnaires were evaluated, 62.5% of which were health professionals and 37.5% were undergraduate health students. In assessing proficiency, the global average did not reach the expected minimum of 70%. But the highest proficiency averages were found among health professionals (p: 0.0136), among professionals with more recent degrees (p <0.0001), and those who performed most of their activity in the public sector (p: 0.018). 77% of health professionals and 73% of students assessed attitudes and practices about breastfeeding as appropriate. Conclusion: The low proficiency in the population studied points to the need for periodic training of professionals in breastfeeding and greater emphasis on undergraduate curricula in the health area on the subject.

scholarly journals The Impact of Information Sources on COVID-19-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) among University Students: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12462
Author(s):  
Israa Baker ◽  
Nizar Marzouqa ◽  
Bashar Nafe’ Yaghi ◽  
Samer Osama Adawi ◽  
Shahd Yousef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

COVID-19 is an emerging respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus accompanied by a tsunami of misinformation and fake news. This can weaken the public health responses by affecting the COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the public. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was designed during the early stage of the pandemic to evaluate the KAP of Palestinian university students and their commonly used information sources. We found that the most trusted information source among students was the World Health Organization (WHO), followed by the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) briefings and healthcare workers, whereas social media was the most frequently used source of information. The participants exhibited a high level of COVID-19-related knowledge, having an average score of 8.65 (range: 0–10). In total, 76% avoided going to crowded places, and only 33% wore a mask while being outdoors. The vast majority (93%) checked the accuracy of COVID-19-related information before publishing it, 56% used the WHO and MoH briefings for fact-checking, and only 8% relied on healthcare workers. This was particularly the case for those who lived in refugee camps. This study provides an insight into the information sources used by Palestinian university students, the sources they trust, and the information formats they prefer. These results may help public health authorities to locate the information sources through which university students should be targeted. Efforts should be made to recommend healthcare workers as credible information sources. In this way, they will be able to prevent the spread of misleading information and provide high-quality information, especially within unconventional settings such as refugee camps.

scholarly journals A WEB-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AMONG INDIANS REVEALS A WILLINGNESS SHIFT REGARDING COVID-19 VACCINE UPTAKE AFTER THE SECOND WAVE

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 647-656
Author(s):  
Sakshi Kamboj ◽  
◽  
Siya Srivastava ◽  
Sana Siddiqui ◽  
Rohit Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Effective Policy ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Gender Groups ◽  
Second Wave

This study aimed to determine the shift in willingness regarding the COVID-19 vaccine after the second wave. The study attempts to understand the willingness towards COVID-19 vaccination by assessing the public's knowledge, concerns, and attitude regarding the vaccine. Between May 16 to May 28, 2021, the individuals of the general population were invited to fill the online questionnaire. Total 711 participants had given their informed consent and completed the questionnaire on their background and vaccination behavior-related variables such as knowledge, practices, and their concerns regarding the vaccine. Before the launching of the vaccine, people were less likely to get vaccinated (63.6%); however, once the second wave hit India, attitudes towards vaccines shifted dramatically, and the figure increased to 84.4%. A significant proportion of the population is now willing to take the vaccine. There are several socio-demographic differences regarding knowledge and concerns related to vaccines, especially in age and gender groups. The success of a COVID-19 vaccination program is determined not just by the vaccine's efficacy, but also by its uptake. To ensure optimum vaccination uptake, there is an immediate need for the most effective policy and communication.

scholarly journals SELF-PERCEIVED COMPETENCE OF NEW DENTAL GRADUATES IN PAKISTAN – A MULTIINSTITUTION STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 739-43
Author(s):  
Haroon Shahid Qazi ◽  
Kamran Ali ◽  
Josephine Cockerill ◽  
Daniel Zahra ◽  
Ulfat Bashir Raja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Perceived Competence ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
New Graduates ◽  
Dental Hospital ◽  
The Uk

Objective: To investigate the self-perceived competence of house-officers from three dental institutions in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Islamabad Dental Hospital, Fatima Memorial Dental Hospital and Islamic International Dental Hospital, from Jan to Dec 2018. Methodology: House-officers from three dental institutions were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study. A previously validated preparedness assessment scale was used to gauge the perceptions and experiences of the participants on a range of clinical, cognitive and affective skills. The results were compared to data from Dental Foundation Trainees in the UK. Results: In total 128 house-officers responded to the online questionnaire (18 participants were excluded due to missing data). All but four participants were in the 20-25 years age group (96.4%). The mean overall score of participants was 70/100 (SD ± 11.71). Self-perceived competence was reported to be low for clinical skills in radiography, crowns, cast-partial dentures and endodontics on multi-rooted teeth. Conclusions: This study investigated self-perceived competence amongst new graduates and provides information for comparison with data from Foundation Dentists in the UK. Pakistani House-Officers felt less prepared than Dental Foundation Trainees in 49/50 attributes. Several areas were identified where graduates from both countries may benefit from further education, training and consolidation. The findings may be of interest to dental educators and other stakeholders.Keywords: , , ,

scholarly journals KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PEDIATRIC DROWNING FIRST AID AMONG PARENTS IN HAIL POPULATION, SAUDI ARABIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (02) ◽  
pp. 727-731
Author(s):  
Ghadah N. Alsdairi ◽  
Alreem M. Almarshadi ◽  
Raghad A. Alsdairi ◽  
Amal A. Alsadun ◽  
Mona M. Shahin
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Unintentional Injury ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Background: Around the world, drowning is one of the top three causes of death from unintentional injury, and children at the highest risk. Aim: Our study aims to assess the parents knowledge, attitude and practice towards pediatric drowning risks, causes and first aid. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study was conducted on males and females parents at any age in Hail, Saudi Arabia, Through a self-administrated online questionnaire which divided into two sections: demographic information (age, gender, marital state and education level) and information about pediatric drowning (risk factors, causes, the riskiest place that could cause drowning, previous drowning accidents, swimming supervision, Pediatric drowning First Aid steps) Result: Our study included 406 male and female parents. The majority were females (81.7%). The level of knowledge about drowning first aid among the participants was moderate (with a mean of 8.14±2.57). (76.1%) of participants chose lack of supervision as a risk factor of drowning. The majority of the participants (77.8%) chose children not knowing how to swim as the cause of drowning. (87.7%) of the participants agreed that the public swimming pool is the riskiest place that could cause drowning. Most of the participants (74.9%) havent had any previous drownings.

scholarly journals Face Mask Usage among Young Polish People during the COVID-19 Epidemic—An Evolving Scenario

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 638
Author(s):  
Radomir Reszke ◽  
Marta Szepietowska ◽  
Piotr K. Krajewski ◽  
Łukasz Matusiak ◽  
Rafał Białynicki-Birula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Face Mask ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Sensitive Skin ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Polish People ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Second Wave

The usage of face masks has been mandated in many countries in an attempt to diminish the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine face mask-wearing behaviors and practices in 1173 young Polish people during the second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in October 2020. The majority of respondents (97.4%) declared that they wore face masks in areas/situations where it is mandatory. The most common types of utilized face masks were cloth masks (47.7%) and surgical masks (47%), followed by respirators (N95/FFP3) (3.2%) and half-face elastomeric respirators (0.9%). Over 38% reported frequently disinfecting their face masks, especially females. Respondents reporting personal atopic predisposition (64.5% vs. 72.1%; p = 0.02) or sensitive skin (65.5% vs. 74.3%; p = 0.005) declared multiple use of face masks less commonly than other individuals. Individuals suffering from facial skin lesions declared disinfecting face masks more commonly (40.8% vs. 34.9%; p = 0.04). Overall, the self-declared utilization of face masks among young people in Poland has improved since the beginning of the epidemic as compared with our previous study. Until the mass vaccination of the public is achieved and government policy is changed, face mask use remains a valuable tool to decrease the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Citizens’ Expectations from Government in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Zarei ◽  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Ahmad Kalateh Sadati ◽  
Reza Tabrizi ◽  
Seyed Taghi Heydari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background: The government is the main body in charge of controlling epidemics; hence, expectations from government’s intention and capacity would affect citizens’ behavior and flexibility. Given the severity of COVID-19 pandemic and an urgent need for people's cooperation in the prevention and combat processes, understanding the public perspectives would be crucial and instructive. This study aimed to explore such perspectives towards the current pandemic among the Iranian. Indeed, we sought to provide a favorable platform for effective policies in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic by recognizing public expectations.Methods: This cross sectional study used an open-ended online questionnaire to investigate the common perspectives of the Iranian towards government’s response to COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were selected using snowball and convenient sampling techniques across the country. The collected data were analyzed and described using thematic content analysis. Results: In general, 2547 participants agreed to participate in this study and completed the online questionnaire. According to the findings, the Iranian exhibited several expectations regarding the government's response to COVID-19 pandemic, based on which three main themes were extracted: (1) health-related expectations, (2) policy-related expectations, and (3) mass media-related expectations. In this study, a majority of the participants highlighted the need to consider and follow-up the patients and their families, provide financial and hygiene support during the pandemic, apply strict restrictions, and have close monitoring and controlling procedures. Furthermore, they mentioned that authorities and news agencies should observe honesty and transparency principals. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that people expect the government and other responsible institutions to minimize the burden of this pandemic on them through adopting effective policies. The study findings could help policy-makers become aware of people's expectations and develop better strategies.

scholarly journals Exploring Two Pandemics in Academic Arena: Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Profile of University Students in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 358-371
Author(s):  
Khalidur Rahman ◽  
Matteo Vandoni ◽  
Boris Cheval ◽  
Md Asaduzzaman ◽  
Mohammad Nayeem Hasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
The Public ◽  
Second Tier

The overlay of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pandemic of physical inactivity has become a great concern. Both types of pandemics can decrease the health protection capacity and consequently increase complexity in human lives. This cross-sectional study intended to examine changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among university students in a second-tier city of Bangladesh. Two hundred and nine students responded to an online questionnaire administered via Google Survey. In addition to descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric tests for comparing means, medians and distributions were used to assess differences in activity traits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that the occurrence of COVID-19 has significantly reduced the practice of walking and physical activities among the students. They are commonly motivated by introjected regulation. Father’s occupation and the type of family of a student have significant influences on the total physical activity in either situation. Bangladeshi university students have, particularly, been perceived as not generally used to vigorous physical activities. They are inactive compared to students from other countries. Thus, the public health policymakers and the corresponding authority should inspire the students to be more physically active by implementing different strategies such as increasing bicycling and walking facilities on the campus.

scholarly journals Adolescents’ experiences of the information they received about the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Norway: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Kaiser ◽  
Henriette Kyrrestad ◽  
Monica Martinussen
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Online Newspapers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
The Media ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Upper Secondary Schools

Abstract Background In the first months of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, many countries took radical prevention measures. Authorities had to communicate with the public regularly to explain and ensure compliance with these measures and promote safety. The information given by authorities was mainly developed for adults, but children and adolescents may have different needs when it comes to information. This study examined how adolescents perceived information about Covid-19 provided by the media and other sources, and about what topics adolescents reported they lacked information during the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods Three hundred seventy-seven adolescents in 11th, 12th, and 13th grade in Norwegian upper secondary schools (67% girls) completed an online questionnaire. Analyses included descriptive statistics, in addition to Generalized Linear Mixed Models analyses to examine gender differences in adolescents’ satisfaction with the information provided about Covid-19, to what extent the pandemic affected their everyday life, and to what extent they were concerned about becoming infected with Covid-19. Results The results showed that the majority of adolescents used the internet as the main source of information about Covid-19, followed by (online) newspapers. About half (49%) reported that they were satisfied with the information available, while 39% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 12% were dissatisfied. Adolescents wanted more information about the school situation, as well as virus- and future-related topics. A total of 21% reported that they were concerned about becoming infected with Covid-19. There was no significant gender difference in overall satisfaction with the information provided about Covid-19. Girls reported being significantly more affected by the pandemic than boys, and that they were significantly more concerned than boys about becoming infected with Covid-19. Conclusions This survey provides important knowledge to professionals working with adolescents, as well as to authorities, about what information channels can be used to reach adolescents, and what information they lacked about the Covid-19 pandemic.

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