scholarly journals Knowledge and Awareness of Masks and N95 Respirators Used for COVID-19 Prevention Among Chemical Engineering Students at Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banan Hudaib ◽  
Ali F. Al-shawabkeh ◽  
Fadia Hudaib

Background and Objectives: On March 11, the World Health Organization stated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a global pandemic; the rapid and extended spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant cause of concern for face-to-face university study. This study investigated the knowledge and awareness of chemical engineering students in Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU) in Jordan about respiratory protective measures against COVID-19.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed using a multi-stage random sampling technique conducted from April 21–28, 2020. The data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to BAU's chemical engineering students, with 179 responders completed the survey correctly. The data were analyzed statistically using the SPSS program. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: the first measured the student's general knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second focused on the respiratory protection methods against COVID-19; it was structured to assess the student's knowledge about the suitable types of masks and respirators used in COVID-19 prevention, their detailed mechanism of action and filtration process type, their production materials, and finally how the student's knowledge affects choosing a proper preventive method.Results: The study found moderate awareness among engineering students about COVID-19 causative agent, effective preventive masks/respirators used, and the mask's viral blockage mechanisms. A total of 89 respondents (49.7%) pointed to the correct best protective mask, i.e., N95 mask. On the other hand, 119 respondents (66.5%) believed that a surgical mask is the best protective mask. The study also showed differences in knowledge between different academic years; the knowledge about respirators, masks, and their action mechanism among senior students in the last three academic years was better than the younger students with a P-value of 0.047 for knowledge about respirator used for protection against coronavirus disease and the P-value of 0.028 for knowledge of the comparisons between the N95 and surgical mask. On the other hand, the study showed a lack of awareness of the most suitable mask types used in pandemics and the appropriate use method.Conclusions: The study found that chemical engineering students in Al-Balqa university were moderately knowledgeable regarding COVID-19 respiratory preventive methods; these results provided an overview of each student's community's knowledge level. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve public awareness through comprehensive educational campaigns to increase students' knowledge, attitude, and practice.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 356-363
Author(s):  
Fatmah Alsharif

Background: In the battle against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, medical care staff, especially nurses, are at a higher risk of encountering psychological health issues and distress, such as stress, tension, burdensome indications, and, most importantly, fear. They are also at higher risk of becoming infected and transmitting this virus. In Saudi Arabia, it was noticed that the healthcare workforce suffered from anxiety, and that this more evident in women than men. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of nurses regarding COVID-19 and the level of anxiety toward the COVID-19 outbreak in the current pandemic situation. Design: A cross-sectional design was used and a validated self-administered online questionnaire with a set of questions related to COVID-19 was distributed to 87 participating nurses. Results: The results showed that more than half of the nurses (71.90%) had an adequate and good knowledge about the causes, transmission, symptoms, treatment, and death rate of COVID-19. The main sources of information for the nurses were social media (51.7%) and the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health (36.8%). Conclusions: The results allowed the conclusion that, though the nurses had satisfactory knowledge about COVID-19, more than 50% of them experienced mental health issues such as anxiety. To address this, along with providing more knowledge about COVID-19, nurses should be supported in managing their anxiety.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Marco Trabucco Aurilio ◽  
Francesco Saverio Mennini ◽  
Simone Gazzillo ◽  
Laura Massini ◽  
Matteo Bolcato ◽  
...  

Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, health systems are overwhelmed by both direct and indirect mortality from other treatable conditions. COVID-19 vaccination was crucial to preventing and eliminating the disease, so vaccine development for COVID-19 was fast-tracked worldwide. Despite the fact that vaccination is commonly recognized as the most effective approach, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccine hesitancy is a global health issue. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of nurses in four different regions in Italy between 20 and 28 December 2020 to obtain data on the acceptance of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccination in order to plan specific interventions to increase the rate of vaccine coverage. Results: A total of 531 out of the 5000 nurses invited completed the online questionnaire. Most of the nurses enrolled in the study (73.4%) were female. Among the nurses, 91.5% intended to accept vaccination, whereas 2.3% were opposed and 6.2% were undecided. Female sex and confidence in vaccine efficacy represent the main predictors of vaccine intention among the study population using a logistic regression model, while other factors including vaccine safety concerns (side effects) were non-significant. Conclusions: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, intention to be vaccinated was suboptimal among nurses in our sample. We also found a significant number of people undecided as to whether to accept the vaccine. Contrary to expectations, concerns about the safety of the vaccine were not found to affect the acceptance rate; nurses’ perception of vaccine efficacy and female sex were the main influencing factors on attitudes toward vaccination in our sample. Since the success of the COVID-19 immunization plan depends on the uptake rate, these findings are of great interest for public health policies. Interventions aimed at increasing employee awareness of vaccination efficacy should be promoted among nurses in order to increase the number of vaccinated people.


2019 ◽  
Vol 168 ◽  
pp. 615-629
Author(s):  
Snežana Božić

The motif of death in teaching literatureThis paper includes a survey of the affective and cognitive limitations in the students’ perception of the motif of death, particularly when it appears as the main theme in literary works analyzed in class. The author explores the frequency of such texts in the curriculum and provides specific psychological-pedagogical findings, which should be considered and applied. Furthermore, the paper contains certain methodological solutions applicable in some stages of interpretation that refer to the analysis of the motif of death. The solutions, on the one hand, take into consideration the values and the significance of the work itself, and on the other hand, the age of students and their individual characteristics such as personality, sensibility, the experience of the death of their loved ones or its lack. The insights and suggestions are related to the results of an online questionnaire conducted among teachers of literature about their approach to the motif of death in teaching, which is presented in this paper.  Aнализ мотивa смерти на уроках литературы в школеВ статье рассматриваются аффективные и когнитивные ограничения в восприятии мотивa смерти школьниками, особенно в том случае, когда этот мотив является одним из ведущих в литературном произведении, анализируемом на уроке литературы. Исследуется количество таких текстов в учебной программе, анализируются определенные психолого-педагогические знания, которые надо учитывать в учебном процессе. Предлагаются методические рекомендации по интерпретации мотива смерти. С одной стороны, эти рекомендации учитывают ценность и значение самого литературного текста, а с другой — возраст и другие индивидуальные характеристики учащихся характер, чувствительность, опыт/отсутствие опыта. Выводы и предложения в статье сопоставляются с результатами проведенного среди преподавателей литературы онлайн-опроса, касающегося методики интерпретации мотива смерти на уроках литературы. В статье представлены результаты проведенного опроса.


Author(s):  
Hatem Al-Saadi ◽  
Haya Malallah ◽  
Jameela Al-Saadi ◽  
Narjis ALsheala ◽  
Abdullah Al- Balushi ◽  
...  

As in the rest of the world, obesity in Oman has increased and according to World Health Organization (WHO) data, prevalence of obesity in 2008 and 2016 were 20.9% and 27% respectively. This study explores primary care physicians’ current strategies and management of obesity, attitude and perceptions towards obesity, educational needs, and their views on long-term follow up. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted where practicing family medicine physicians from different governorates were invited to participate in an online questionnaire-based survey. Participant were invited via email and responses were kept anonymous. Responses were collected over three weeks in April 2019 and only responses that met inclusion criteria were analyzed with SPSS v22. Results: 77 complete responses met inclusion criteria and female were the majority (67.5%). Half of participants had less than 10 years of experience. Weight and BMI were recorded routinely by two-thirds of participants whereas waist- hip ratio was recorded by only 12%. Weight reduction medications were prescribed by 5.2% and 24% would refer an obese patient to Bariatric center. Main barrier to obesity management and referral was inadequate obesity specialist centers followed by short consultation times. The pathophysiology mechanism of obesity and related hormones was only known by 40.8%. Almost all participants agreed that formal obesity management training should be integrated as part of residency training. Conclusion: Despite the significant number of comorbidities related to obesity and its complications, weight, BMI and other anthropometric measures were not routinely performed. Nationally, the rate of referral to bariatric centers for evaluation is low. Boundaries and challenges do exist and need to be addressed. Obesity and weight management need to be integrated as part of Family Physicians Training Program.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arumuganainar Suresh ◽  
Rocktotpal Konwarh ◽  
Anand Pratap Singh ◽  
Anand Krishna Tiwari

Abstract The context-specific, complex issue of ‘vaccine hesitancy’ is explicated in terms of delay or refusal of vaccination despite the availability of vaccine services. Although eleven million beneficiaries were administered the COVID-19 vaccine in India from 16th January 2021 till 20th February 2021, however, proportionately a low turnout has been registered in various parts of the country, possibly attributable to hesitance/apprehension towards the current vaccination. In this backdrop, we report the response (collected between Feb 1, 2021 and Feb 15, 2021) of 358 voluntary respondents who participated in an online questionnaire-based pan-India survey, executed to assess their knowledge and acceptance towards the current COVID-19 vaccination program in its first phase. The survey questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics of the respondents and queries pertaining to knowledge (7 items) and acceptance (3 items). The overall correct rate and the average knowledge score of the participants were 78 % and 5.46 ± 1.4/7 respectively. The acceptance score was 3.50 ± 1.6/5 while 70 % of participants agreed against the 20 % of respondents who neither agreed nor disagreed to take the vaccine. Around 66 % believed that the vaccines, currently being administered in India are safe. Fear about possible side effects (44 %) and inadequacy of comprehensive clinical trial data (29 %), seemed to be the major players in fortifying the vaccine hesitancy among the respondents, exhibiting negative acceptance. Although maximum respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge (82%) and acceptance (88%), significant differences were observed among some demographic variables. In general, a positive correlation was observed between knowledge and acceptance against a negative correlation, observed in specific provinces. Despite the good acceptance and knowledge, a considerable fraction of the participants (30%) expressed hesitancy. Counselling, mobilization, and feedback from vaccinated individuals about safety should be encouraged. However, due to the limited sample size, we must be cautious when generalizing these findings. Nevertheless, the major elucidations of this study may be utilized in planning vaccination campaigns in further phases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
Diajeng Puspa Arum Maharani ◽  
Firda Nadia Roshandi

Background: The Orthopaedic and Traumatology Hospital had an increase in employee turnover of 1.39% from January to June 2012. It occurred due to high resignation and employee unsatisfaction. Thus, an organizational culture that consists of clan, hierarchy, market, and adhocracy becomes one of the determinant factors for employee turnover.Aims: This study aims to analyze the correlation between organizational culture and the employees’ job satisfaction.Method: This study used descriptive quantitative with a cross-sectional design, and the data were analyzed with a correlation test. There were 52 employees as the data of this study. The instruments utilized were OCAI and JSS questionnaires.Results: Market-type organization correlated significantly with job satisfaction. Organizational culture type, such as clan-type organization, adhocracy-type organization, and the hierarchy-type organization did not correlate significantly with job satisfaction. The majority of employees perceived that the Orthopedic and Traumatology Hospital adopts a hierarchy-type organization orienting to regulation and leadership. On the other hand, they expected the hospital to apply clan-type organizations that concerned about teamwork and ownership.Conclusion: There is a correlation between the market-type organization and job satisfaction. Meanwhile, there is no correlation between the clan-type organization, adhocracy-type organization, hierarchy-type organization, and job satisfaction. The hospital should increase internal strength, such as teamwork, training, facilities, and policies that support work procedures and staff.Keywords: market, adhocracy, clan, hierarchy, employees’ job satisfaction.


Author(s):  
Luis Enrique Valdez

The study focuses on a sample of 663 socially responsible online consumers from the Sonora, Baja California, and Sinaloa regions in Mexico. For the data collection, it was carried out during the months of April to August 2020, and an online questionnaire was used addressed to each of the residents of these regions between the ages of 20 and 55 and who are economically active. The objective of this manuscript is 1) to identify the effect that the website has on socially responsible buyers and their level of satisfaction; 2) to identify if socially responsible buyers have an effect on customer satisfaction; 3) on the other hand, to demonstrate if the buyer experience has a moderating effect between website security and socially responsible buyers; and 4) verify if the buyer experience has a moderating effect between socially responsible buyers and the level of customer satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 2788-2805
Author(s):  
Wahidah Hashim ◽  
Amira Nabila ◽  
Marini Othman ◽  
Andino Maseleno

This paper presents awareness of safe computing in Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia. Research methodology approached by a quantitative survey that conducted through online questionnaire to justify problem on the safe computer and internet usage awareness among students in UNITEN Putrajaya. From this research, we get that majority number of Uniten Putrajaya students with total of 76.1% answered that they do aware of the meaning of safe computing which is a very good sign for a university level. On the other hand, 23.9% respondents answered that they do not understand about the meaning of safe computer.


Author(s):  
Cynthia Francisca Xavier Costa de Assis Silva ◽  
Maria do Carmo Barros de Melo ◽  
Roberto Gomes Chaves ◽  
Maria Cândida Ferrarez Bouzada

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.


Author(s):  
George Koshy ◽  
Vandana Gangadharan ◽  
Anullekha Naidu

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women with an average of 468,000 new cases per year. Out of these 80% occur in developing and underdeveloped countries. World Health Organisation statistics show that Indian carries one fifths of world burden of the disease with 72,600 deaths annually. Key to the success of cervical cancer screening and prevention is the knowledge and awareness possessed by women in general. This requires the honing of knowledge at an impressionable and younger age group.Methods: It is a questionnaire based cross sectional study and was conducted amongst 4 study groups comprising Medical students, engineering students, nursing students and general graduate students between the age group 18 and 25 years.Results: According to present study, 93% of medical, 75% of nursing and only 29% of engineering students and 9 % of other students were actually even aware of the term cervical cancer. Assessment of knowledge regarding the risk factors of cervical cancer revealed that 13 medical, 9 nursing, 75 of engineering and 85 of Other Graduates weren’t aware of any risk factor that causes cervical cancer. As regards to attitude of the students towards cancer, present study revealed 4 medical, 23 nursing, 10 engineering and 9 general public women think that it is incurable and leads to death.Conclusions: This study highlights unawareness of various aspects of cervical cancer among young women and the burning need for continuing educational intervention at institute level to emphasise the importance and increase the awareness regarding cervical cancer.


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