Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practice of Leptospirosis Among Healthy Malaysian and Non-Malaysian Wet Market Workers in Selected Urban Areas in Selangor, Malaysia

Leptospirosis has been reported as an endemic in most tropical countries. Among high risk occupations, leptospirosis includes workers in agriculture and domestic animal industries. Environmental hygiene in the wet market has established a link between the presence of rodents with probability of leptospirosis infection. This study was aimed to compare the level of knowledge, attitude and preventive practice against leptospirosis between healthy Malaysian and non-Malaysian wet market workers in selected wet markets in urban areas of Selangor. A cross-sectional study in the determined area was conducted with the participation of 147 respondents. The respondents were randomly chosen from the list provided by the state agency that regulates these markets. A self-administered bilingual validated questionnaire (English and Bahasa Melayu) was distributed to the selected respondents. There were 68 (48.3%) Malaysian respondents and 79 (53.7%) non-Malaysian respondents. The majority of them were males, who attained formal education and were less than 40 years old. Meanwhile, the respondents earned less than RM3000. Among the Malaysian respondents, 80.9% were aware of leptospirosis as compared to 17.7% of the non-Malaysian colleagues (p < 0.05). All items of knowledge showed that the Malaysian respondents scored higher as compared to non-Malaysian respondents. On attitude towards infection prevention, most Malaysian respondents had a positive attitude, while most non-Malaysian respondents had undecided perception on the majority of crucial attitude items. In practicing preventive measures, there was a marked significant difference in proportion between Malaysian and non-Malaysian respondents for items on “Specific Protection and Isolation at Source.” There was a significant gap on knowledge, attitude and preventive practice among Malaysian workers as compared to non-Malaysian workers. Therefore, it was highly recommended the health promotion implementation should also provide specific focus on non-Malaysian workers.

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AWARENESS OF DIABETES MELLITUS AMONG GENERAL PUBLIC IN SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i9.17747 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 192

Author(s):

Muhammad Qamar ◽

Raiz Rashid ◽

Sohail Ahmad ◽

Faiz Ahmad Shaikh ◽

Nahlah Elkudssiah Ismail

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Urban Areas ◽

General Public ◽

Standard Deviation Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Significant Difference

Objective: Despite the improved healthcare and frequent community-ridden educational awareness campaigns, the prevalence of diabetes is enormously increasing and 50% of the Malaysian adults with diabetes are still unaware of their disease status. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the awareness of diabetes mellitus (DM) among the general public of Shah Alam, Malaysia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in five urban areas of Shah Alam. A total of 350 participants were conveniently recruited using a pre-validated questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised two main parts, including the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents and a 24-item Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Science® using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The overall mean (±standard deviation) score of DM knowledge of participants was 11.11±6.09. Among 350 respondents, more than half claimed that medication is more important than lifestyle modification in DM management. 81.7% did not know about the frequent urination and thirst are signs of DM. 82.3% had a misconception that diabetes is caused by failure of the kidneys to keep sugar out of the urine. The knowledge score was statistically significant difference across the categories of level of education, monthly income, occupations, and family history of diabetes.Conclusion: Majority of enrolled respondents possessed moderate level of awareness and misconceptions regarding diabetes and its management. Hence, there is a need for collective efforts toward improving the level of awareness through community awareness campaigns, to improve the self-management of DM.

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Assessment of Antibiotic Knowledge Among Final Year Pharmacy Students at Baghdad University

The Open Public Health Journal ◽

10.2174/1874944501912010379 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 379-383

Author(s):

Ehab Mudher Mikhael ◽

Mohammed Khudhair Hasan ◽

Sama Zaid Abdulridha

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Legal Issues ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Life Saving ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Antibiotics are life-saving drugs that if misused lead to antibiotic resistance and consequently to a substantial public health issue. Pharmacists have a major role in ensuring the rational use of antibiotics to prevent antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess antibiotic knowledge among final year pharmacy students at Baghdad University. Methods: A cross sectional study using a newly developed and validated questionnaire was given for 148 final year (5th stage) students at Baghdad University – College of Pharmacy during November 2016. Only 140 students (response rate 93%) completed the questionnaire. The 10 items-questionnaire consisted of 5 major domains: Antibiotic effectiveness, side effects, resistance, use in specific cases (e.g., during pregnancy and septicemia), and the legal issues of antibiotic dispensing. Results: Only 20% of students have good overall antibiotic knowledge. The least knowledge for pharmacy student was in regard to antibiotic side effects and antibiotic resistance at which only 22% and 19% of pharmacists possessed good antibiotic knowledge respectively. Knowledge of student was the best in legal issues of antibiotic dispensing. There was a non-significant difference in antibiotic knowledge between male and female pharmacy students. Conclusion: Antibiotic knowledge among pharmacy students at Baghdad University was very poor and less than expected.

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Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminthic Infections among Adolescent Girls in a Residential School of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare ◽

10.18410/jebmh/2021/186 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (15) ◽

pp. 963-967

Author(s):

Siva Priya Jalakam Venkata ◽

Devi Madhavi Bhimarasetty ◽

Phani Madhavi Kajana

Keyword(s):

School Children ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Stool Examination ◽

Residential School ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Nail Biting ◽

Helminthic Infections ◽

Significant Difference

BACKGROUND Intestinal helminthic infections are endemic worldwide. In developing countries like India these contribute to a major morbidity among children. Factors like poverty, lack of proper sanitation, hygiene, illiteracy, hot and humid tropical climate play a role in the transmission of these infections. Under RMNCH + A (child health) school children were receiving biannual albendazole in the months of February and August. We wanted to assess the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthic infections (STHI) among adolescent school children in a residential welfare school. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the month of October 2018 in rural field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. The study was done in a residential welfare school for girls in peri urban areas of Visakhapatnam. The study was done among 96 girls who were present in the school during the days of survey by using systematic random sampling after obtaining informed consent. A pretested interview schedule was used to collect data. Microscopic stool examination for ova / cyst and haemoglobin estimation was done for all the study subjects. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysis was done by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). RESULTS The mean age of the subjects was 13.41 ± 1.07 years, with age ranging from 12 to 15 years. About 19 % (19.8 %) of the study subjects were found to have STHI on microscopic stool examination. Among them about 68 % of the study subjects were found to have Ascaris lumbricoides followed by Trichuris trichiura (32 %). Mean haemoglobin level was 9.73 + 1.06 (g / dl). On statistical analysis, no significant difference was found between presence of infection and variables like anaemia (P = 1), open air defecation (P = 0.51), nail biting (P = 1), presence of symptoms (P = 1) and pica (P = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS Helminthic infections burden is still high in the school children KEYWORDS Adolescent School Girls, Anaemia, Soil Transmitted Helminthic Infections (STHI’s), Residential School, Visakhapatnam

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Knowledge and Attitudes Towards First Aid Measures Among Medical Students at Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ] ◽

10.18295/squmj.2018.18.04.013 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 507

Author(s):

Abdulrahman Alshuwayrikh ◽

Abdulrahman Aljethaily ◽

Faris Alosaimi ◽

Osama Alshaya ◽

Abdullah Alasmari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Medical Students ◽

Response Rate ◽

First Aid ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Attitude Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Significant Difference

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate knowledge and attitudes towards first aid (FA) measures among medical students at the Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2016 among 600 medical students in different academic years at Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Knowledge and attitudes towards FA measures were evaluated using a modified version of a previously validated questionnaire. Data were compared between students with previous FA training and those without previous FA training. Results: A total of 259 medical students were included (response rate: 43%). Of these, 43% had previously received FA training and 63% had witnessed an emergency first-hand. Mean theoretical (5.93 ± 2.50 versus 4.49 ± 2.08; P <0.001) and practical (4.29 ± 2.62 versus 2.90 ± 2.17; P <0.001) knowledge scores were significantly higher among students with previous FA training compared to those without training; however, there was no significant difference in mean attitude score (5.60 ± 1.66 versus 5.39 ± 1.66; P = 0.329). Conclusion: The medical students, particularly those without previous FA training, demonstrated weak levels of FA knowledge. Such findings necessitate the inclusion of FA training in medical curricula in Saudi Arabia.Keywords: First Aid; Emergency Treatment; Medical Education; Knowledge; Attitudes; Saudi Arabia.

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Dementia Literacy and Willingness to Dementia Screening

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17218134 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 8134

Author(s):

Yoko Aihara ◽

Kiyoshi Maeda

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dementia Screening ◽

Inadequate Knowledge ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Pros And Cons ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Missed Diagnoses

The increasing prevalence of delayed and missed diagnoses for dementia constitutes major public concern. In this regard, inadequate knowledge and poor understanding of the condition may create a barrier to timely dementia screening. This cross-sectional study assessed dementia literacy, then identified the association between dementia literacy and willingness to undergo routine dementia screening among community-dwelling older adults in two urban areas of Japan. More specifically, structured questionnaires were distributed to a total of 854 individuals aged ≥ 65 years. A multivariate logistic regression was then used to explore the factors associated with dementia literacy and willingness to undergo routine dementia screening. Results showed that younger respondents and respondents who received dementia information from television/radio and/or paper-based sources were more likely to have high dementia literacy. While less than half of participants were willing to undergo routine dementia screening, those with higher dementia literacy were more willing to do so (albeit, not a statistically significant difference). Although there are pros and cons to routine dementia screening, it is necessary to implement such a system to detect dementia and cognitive impairment. Further, assessments should also attempt to gain information about individual beliefs and understandings related to dementia information.

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Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mozambique in 2005 and 2015

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019002325 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (17) ◽

pp. 3118-3126 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Filipa Fontes ◽

Albertino Damasceno ◽

Neusa Jessen ◽

António Prista ◽

Carla Silva-Matos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Urban Women ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference

AbstractObjective:The ongoing demographic, nutritional and epidemiological transitions in sub-Saharan Africa highlight the importance of monitoring overweight and obesity. We aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mozambique in 2014/2015 and compare the estimates with those obtained in 2005.Design:Cross-sectional study conducted in 2014/2015, following the WHO Stepwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS). Prevalence estimates with 95 % CI were computed for different categories of BMI and abdominal obesity, along with age-, education- and income-adjusted OR. The age-standardized prevalence in the age group 25–64 years was compared with results from a STEPS survey conducted in 2005.Setting:Mozambique.Participants:Representative sample of the population aged 18–64 years (n 2595).Results:Between 2005 and 2014/2015, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 18·3 to 30·5 % (P < 0·001) in women and from 11·7 to 18·2 % (P < 0·001) in men. Abdominal obesity increased among women (from 9·4 to 20·4 %, P < 0·001), but there was no significant difference among men (1·5 v. 2·1 %, P = 0·395). In 2014/2015, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was more than twofold higher in urban areas and in women; in the age group 18–24 years, it was highest in urban women and lowest in rural men.Conclusions:In Mozambique, there was a steep increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults between 2005 and 2014/2015. Overweight and obesity are more prevalent in urban areas and among women, already affecting one in five urban women aged 18–24 years.

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Menstrual hygiene awareness, management and challenges among adolescent girls in rural areas in Ambala, India

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211994 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 2916

Author(s):

Varidhi Thaman ◽

Anjana Mittal ◽

Ishika Chitkara ◽

Prerna Chahal

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Menstrual Hygiene ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Animated Film ◽

School Girls ◽

Sanitary Pads ◽

Girl Students

Background: The present study was undertaken to encourage articulation of needs and problems of adolescent school girls in rural areas in Ambala district, India, advancing good menstrual hygiene and generating evidence on menstrual hygiene awareness, management and challenges.Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional study, conducted from July to September 2018, in two rural schools (school 1 and school 2) in Ambala, Haryana, India. A structured pre validated questionnaire was administered to the group of participating girl subjects of 11- 17 years; the questionnaire was explained to them, followed by a short animated film ‘Mythri’ in Hindi of 20 minutes imparting knowledge on MHM. The data was analyzed and the report was presented to the schools with recommendations.Results: We observed better MHM facilities in school 2 than school 1. Provision of good infrastructure and MHM facilities in schools, reduces the absenteeism of girls during menstruation. A statistically significant difference in girl students absenteeism for an average of 2.15 (66.66%) days/ month in school 1, and an average of 1.44 (21.05%) days/month in school 2 is reported. Sanitary pads usage of 50%-83% girls is reported; this may probably be because of percolation of information and knowledge about good hygienic ways. Disposal of absorbent material still poses a big issue. Social taboos were reported by 84.44% girls in school 1 and by only 32.89% girls in school 2.Conclusions: The insights from our study suggests a better MHM education in schools to create more awareness, judicious allocation of resources in schools, providing better infrastructure and basic support to manage menses effectively and with dignity.

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Knowledge, attitude and practice of cigarette smoking among university students in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

International Journal of Scientific Reports ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-2156.intjscirep20174089 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (9) ◽

pp. 240 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zahid Latif ◽

Junaid Jamshed ◽

Muhammad Mushtaq Khan

Keyword(s):

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Peer Pressure ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Smoking Prevention ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Jammu And Kashmir ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Smoking is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Smoking killed more than 6 million people, about 80% in the developing countries such as Pakistan in 2011. Now it has become major public health issue in the world.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 542 students at University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan from July to December 2015. The data were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered, validated questionnaire requiring information about socio-demographic characteristics, practice and patterns of cigarette smoking, knowledge about its harmful effects and attitude towards smoking control and prevention measures. Results: The prevalence of cigarette smoking among students was 49.5%. The mean age for starting cigarette smoking was 19.2±2.73 years. Cigarette smoking constituted 61.3% and shisha constituted 18.4%. The main reason for cigarette smoking was peer pressure (35.0%) followed by family influencing (24.5%). About 79.5% of the smokers had intension to quit smoking. There was no significant difference (p value=0.484) between prevalence of cigarette smoking in different faculties of University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The majority of the students (84.3%) knew that smoking is harmful for their health. However, rates of non-smoking students who knew the adverse effects of smoking were significantly higher than that of students who smoke. A high rate of students showed positive attitude towards smoking prevention and control measures.Conclusions: High prevalence of cigarette smoking was reported among students. There is a need to implement an anti-smoking program among students at University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

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Prevalence of Typhoid Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Specialist Hospital Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Journal of Applied Life Sciences International ◽

10.9734/jalsi/2020/v23i1230210 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 93-101

Author(s):

Kefas Hellamada Kwala ◽

Aminu Innocent Asika

Keyword(s):

Typhoid Fever ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Educational Level ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Formal Education ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Age Groups ◽

Stool Culture ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference

Typhoid fever is one of the major and common health problem worldwide. Typhoid fever caused by Salmonella typhi may be a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in both the mother and fetus in developing countries, where sanitation facilities, personal and food hygiene are inadequate. Thus, the present research was a cross-sectional study of Salmonella infection among pregnant women in Specialist Hospital Yola, Nigeria. The objectives of this study is to determine the prevalence of typhoid infection among pregnant women in Adamawa state in relation to age, educational level, occupation and location, explore factors associated with the infection and to provide information on its prevention and control strategies. Serological analyses (Widal test) and bacteriological analyses (stool culture) were carried out and compared among 313 participants. The results obtained showed that 209 (66.77%) of the participants were seropositive for typhoid fever, whereas 188 (60.06%) were positive based on bacteriological technique. Participants between age groups; 26-35 years old had the highest prevalence of 64.10%.There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of typhoid fever among the various age groups of the pregnant women examined. In relation to Educational level, participants with Non-formal education had the highest prevalence of typhoid infection 75.00%. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of typhoid fever based on the educational level of the pregnant women examined. Based on occupation of the participants, women who were involved in farming recorded the highest prevalence rate of 88.37%.There was statistically significant difference (P< 0.05) between the prevalence of typhoid fever and the occupation of the pregnant women examined. With respect to the location of the participants, subjects belonging to Semi-urban areas recorded the highest prevalence of 80.98%. There was statistically significant difference (P< 0.05) between the prevalence of typhoid fever and the location of the pregnant women examined. Pregnancy state makes the women more vulnerable to typhoid fever by affecting the physiology of pivotal organs, as such causing complications in pregnant women therefore early and prompt diagnosis of the infection is essential.

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Association between Smoking and Dental Caries among People of Kolhapur District, Maharashtra, India

International Healthcare Research Journal ◽

10.26440/ihrj/02_05/191 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (5) ◽

pp. 121-125

Author(s):

Yojana B Patil ◽

Sachin V Shinde ◽

Afshan Qureshi

Keyword(s):

Dental Caries ◽

Age Groups ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Present Cross Sectional Study ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Dmft Index

INTRODUCTION: Smoking as a public health problem, harms one’s general and oral well-being leading to increased morbidity and mortality.AIM: To find out the association between dental caries and smokers (current and past) with non-smokers among people of Kolhapur District, Maharashtra, India.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 1366 (449 smokers, 440 past smokers and 447 non-smokers), and the patients were divided among three age groups (35-44, 45-60 and >60 years). Data was recorded using a pre-tested, pre-validated questionnaire recording the demographic details and modified DMFT index. The data was analyzed using t- test, calculation of Odd’s Ratio (OR) and logistic regression was applied to find out association, if any using a licensed SPSS version 22.0.RESULTS: It was revealed that the highest mean DMFT was seen among smokers (3.66±5.78) followed by past smokers(3.01±2.66) and non-smokers (3.01±2.66). Also, the maximum DMFT was seen among 35-44 years (3.82±2.4), which was found out to be significant as compared to past -smokers and non-smokers. Odd’s ratio analysis revealed that as compared to non-smokers, current smokers and past smokers were 1.6 and 1.1 respectively. The multiple regression analysis revealed that significant difference was seen between smoking(.01) and age (0.02) with respect to DMFT.CONCLUSION: Efforts are required by clinicians to educate people about the ill-effects of tobacco and provide tobacco cessation counselling to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality caused by tobacco.

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