Awareness of the Standard of Care for Snakebite Management Among Physicians in Kerala: A Cross-sectional Study

Author(s):  
Roshni Pillay ◽  
Balram Rathish ◽  
V. V. Pillay ◽  
Faiz Mukthar

Snakebite remains a largely neglected yet important cause of morbidity as well as mortality in Kerala. This study aimed to assess the knowledge about the standard of care for snakebite management among physicians in Kerala. This was a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire-based survey among 110 physicians from Kerala. The overall knowledge levels were assessed using a questionnaire with answers being scored as 0 for wrong answers and as 1 for correct answers. The total knowledge scores for all respondents were calculated, with a maximum possible score of 14 and a minimum possible score of 0. Comparisons were made between subsets of respondents. The questionnaire was administered to 110 physicians who fulfilled the predetermined criteria. The overall mean knowledge score during the study was 10.7 (standard deviation ± 2.9). However, there were certain pitfalls associated with the management of snakebite. In particular, questions about tourniquet use, bringing a dead snake to the physician, and the anti-snake venom test dose had high proportions of incorrect answers. Significantly higher knowledge levels were also observed in certain subgroups. There seems to be varying knowledge gaps associated with various aspects of snakebite management for certain subsets of respondents who are likely to benefit from specific training.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background The third Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 development agenda aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as ‘good’ (≥80%), ‘satisfactory’ (60–79%) and ‘poor’ (< 60%). Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics was tested using t-tests (and Kruskal-Wallis test) for numeric variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the level of knowledge ('good’ versus ‘satisfactory’ and ‘poor’ combined) were assessed with odds ratios using a log-binomial regression model. All results with p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had ‘good’ knowledge, 245 (58.1%) had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge and 157 (37.2%) had ‘poor’ knowledge. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 women (20.3%) could not recall any danger signs. Most women were knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) while very few women were knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled had significant correlation with the period of gestation. Women with previous surgery on the reproductive tract had higher odds of having ‘good’ level of knowledge. Conclusions Most pregnant women had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge score with poor explicit recall of danger signs. However, women recognized obstetric emergencies and identified the appropriate action warranted.


Author(s):  
Hashim A. Mahdi ◽  
Hamza M. Assaggaf ◽  
Mohammad Alfelali ◽  
Omar B. Ahmed ◽  
Radi Alsafi ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices of visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Using a self-administered electronic questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among domestic residents, who visited the mosque between 31 July and 3 August 2020. Participants’ demographic data, hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices were collected. Four hundred participants aged 18–65 (median 36) years completed the survey, of which 215 (53.8%) were female. The visitors’ mean knowledge score about hand hygiene was 6.4 (± standard deviation (SD) 1.35) of total 12. Most participants (392, 98%) were aware of the role of hand hygiene in preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); nevertheless, 384 (96%) said hand hygiene lowers body immunity and 316 (79%) thought <60% alcohol is sufficient for hand disinfection. Males had a higher knowledge score than females (6.46 (±1.41) vs. 6.14 (±1.27), p = 0.02) and, visitors who had no formal education scored higher than those with post-graduate education (6.88 (±1.45) vs 5.73 (±1.12), p = 0.01). Washing hands with soap and water was the predominant method practiced after a meal (365, 91.7%), after toilet visit (354, 88.5%), after touching a surface (262, 65.7%), after waste disposal (332, 83.2%), and when hands were visibly dirty (357, 89.5%). Al Madinah visitors had moderate knowledge about hand hygiene, but demonstrated some knowledge gaps and negligence in practice that are crucial to curb the spread of COVID-19.


Author(s):  
Matheus dos Santos Fernandez ◽  
Andreia Morales Cascaes ◽  
Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz ◽  
Nathalia Ribeiro Jorge da Silva ◽  
Camilla Hubner Bielavski ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of Brazilian dental students about biosafety measures that should be adopted in the clinical setting during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 1,050 dental students was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire was shared with students. Mean knowledge score on biosafety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic was the outcome, with a maximum of 8 scores. Explanatory variables included sociodemographic and educational characteristics, aspects related to biosafety education, actions adopted by the dental schools during the pandemic, and sources of biosafety information. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Mean knowledge score was 5.19 (1.28). Female students (β=0.346; 95%CI:0.154–0.539), those enrolled in the intermediate (β=0.525; 95%CI:0.167–0.883) or final (β=0.569; 95%CI:0.200–0.937) stage of course, and those who had already received theoretical-practical training in biosafety (β=0.464; 95%CI:0.063–0.866) presented higher mean knowledge scores. Students who did not receive guidance on aerosol control measures before the pandemic (β=-0.324; 95%CI:-0.519–-0.130) had the lowest score. Conclusion: Students presented a medium level of knowledge about dental biosafety measures in the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics and those related to the institutional profile of the participants, and access to orientation and training in biosafety may influence their knowledge.


Author(s):  
Hope Inegbenosun ◽  
Clement Chinedu Azodo ◽  
John Chukudi Anionye ◽  
Collins Usunobun Inegbenosun ◽  
Obinna Chukwunwike Njoku

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection rate and mortality among Nigerian health care workers appear to be on the increase. Aside from health workers, it has caused millions of infections and deaths worldwide.  This study determined the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of nursing and midwifery students towards COVID-19 in a North-Eastern Nigerian state.Methods: A total of 156 respondents were involved in this institutional-based cross-sectional study, conducted after the lockdown period. A total of 17 questions were used to assess the KAP with knowledge appraised with 12 questions, attitudes with 2 questions, and practices with 3 questions.Results: The majority of the students (53.80%) possessed a good level of knowledge regarding COVID-19, while 40.4% had fair knowledge regarding COVID-19 with only 5.80% having poor knowledge of COVID-19. The mean knowledge of COVID-19 in this study was 9.40±1.353 with an overall 78% correct answer rate. A vast majority of the respondent (82.7% and 98.1%) had strong confidence in Nigeria and believed that the pandemic will soon be over, respectively. Only a few avoided large gatherings of people (30.8%) with the vast majority reporting to have worn a mask when going out (84.6%) and washing their hands with running water and soap frequently as recommended (73.1%). In multiple logistic regression analyses, the COVID-19 knowledge score (OR: 0.39-0.40, 95%CI: 0.26 – 0.62, P<0.05) was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of negative preventive practices towards COVID-19.Conclusions: The participants in this study showed good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices toward COVID-19. There is still a need to strategize and implement periodic educational interventions and training on infection control practices among healthcare workers including students. 


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e031725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alaa O Oteir ◽  
Khader A Almhdawi ◽  
Saddam F Kanaan ◽  
Mahmoud T Alwidyan ◽  
Brett Williams

ObjectiveTo explore the level of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge among allied health professions (AHPs) students and its associated factors.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study assessing CPR knowledge among AHP students. A multidisciplinary expert panel designed a survey, which then was piloted to 20 potential participants. The survey had two sections, including demographics and knowledge questions. Knowledge questions scores ranged from 0 to 10, where 10 indicates all questions were answered correctly.ResultsA total of 883 students completed the surveys and were included in the study. The mean age was 21 years (±1.6) and the majority were females (73.1%). A total of 693 (78.5%) students did not receive previous CPR training and the top barriers to receiving CPR training were unawareness of training opportunities and a lack of time. Participants had a mean CPR knowledge score of 3.9 (±1.7) out of 10 maximum potential points. Trained participants had a higher mean score compared with the untrained (4.6 (±1.6) vs 3.8 (±1.6), p<0.001). Previous training (adjusted β=0.6; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9; p<0.001) and being in the physical therapy programme (adjusted β=0.5; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.8; p=0.01) were associated with higher knowledge.ConclusionThere is poor knowledge of CPR among AHP students including trained individuals. Efforts to increase the awareness of CPR should target students and professionals who are highly likely to encounter patients requiring CPR. Compulsory training courses, shorter training periods as well as recurrent and regular refreshing courses and use of various media devices are recommended.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e032487
Author(s):  
Amer Alshengeti ◽  
Amjad Alharbi ◽  
Shahad Alraddadi ◽  
Abdulsalam Alawfi ◽  
Bushra Aljohani

AimsGroup B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most frequent bacterial pathogens causing invasive infections in neonates. It can be transmitted from colonised mother to neonates around delivery. Screening strategies for GBS during pregnancy include either universal culture-based or risk-based screening. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and current practices of pregnant women towards GBS screening in Al-Madinah City, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Madinah Maternity and Children Hospital, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from May to July 2018. Participants were recruited from postnatal wards. Participants were interviewed using a previously published validated survey that was divided into the following domains: demographic data, knowledge, experience and attitude towards different GBS screening strategies.ResultsA total of 377 out of 450 women (response rate 83.7%) were enrolled. The results showed that the overall mean knowledge score of the pregnant women towards GBS screening was 59.8%. Majority of the women (66.8%) were not aware of the GBS bacterium, while 86.5% of them had never been informed of GBS risk assessment during their pregnancies. The mean knowledge score among women who were aware of GBS (62.8%) was significantly higher than that among women who were not (58.4%) (p=0.015). However, majority of the pregnant women (61.8%) showed preference for universal culture-based GBS screening strategy over risk-based strategy.ConclusionThe study results have concluded that the level of awareness and knowledge about GBS among pregnant women were relatively poor; however, majority of the pregnant women prefer universal culture-based screening.


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1457
Author(s):  
Aline Do Nascimento Silva ◽  
Eduardo Tavares Gomes ◽  
Renata Livia Alves de Souza Melo ◽  
Rutheanne Melo de Siqueira ◽  
Lucileide Silva Fonteles

ABSTRACTObjective: to elucidate the situation of the notification of cases of violence in a university in a university hospital in Recife at the beginning of training actions and professional awareness of this issue. Method: an observational cross-sectional study as conducted. Data collection was done through referrals made to the Social Service of Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco (HC/UFPE), by reports of professional by itself, a recording instrument from the hospital and copies of the notification form of cases. The project was approved by the Ethics Research Center of Health Sciences of the Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE with protocol number 13/10. All cases were considered of September 2006, when began using the Notification Form from the Ministry of Health until December 2008. Results: the most notification was cases against the child (n=20, 46,51%), while there isn’t registration of cases against the elderly. Professionals who often made the notification were doctors (n=22, 51.16%) and psychologists (n=12, 27,91%). The Notification Form was used in only 41,86% of cases. Conclusion: the data underscore the under-reporting. Further research should verify the cause of poor service (lack of commitment, lack of specific training, among others) so that they can perform actions to make better situation. Descriptors: violence; epidemiology; public health; mandatory reporting.RESUMOObjetivo: elucidar a situação da notificação dos casos de violência em um hospital universitário do Recife no inicio das ações de capacitação e sensibilização dos profissionais para essa questão. Método: foi realizado um estudo observacional do tipo corte transversal. A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir dos encaminhamentos realizados para o Serviço Social do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco/HC/UFPE por meio de relatórios dos profissionais, instrumento de registro próprio do hospital e cópias das Fichas de Notificação dos casos. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Centro de Ciências da Saúde/UFPE com número de protocolo 13/10. Foram considerados todos os casos de setembro de 2006, quando iniciou o uso da Ficha de Notificação do Ministério da Saúde até dezembro 2008. Resultados: a maior notificação foi de casos contra à criança (n=20, 46,51%), ao passo que não consta registro de casos contra idosos. Os profissionais que mais notificaram foram os médicos (n=22, 51,16%) e os psicólogos (n=12, 27,91%). A Ficha de Notificação foi usada em apenas 41,86% dos casos. Conclusão: os dados ressaltam a sub-notificação. Pesquisas posteriores devem verificar a causa da pouca notificação (falta de compromisso, falta de formação específica, entre outras), para que se possam realizar medidas para melhorar o quadro. Descritores: violência; epidemiologia; saúde pública; notificação de abuso.RESUMENObjetivo: conocer la situación de la notificación de casos de violencia en un hospital universitario en Recife al inicio de las acciones de formación y sensibilización del profesional de esta cuestión. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional, transversal. Recolección de datos se realiza através de consultas que el Servicio Social del Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad Federal de Pernambuco/HC/UFPE por los informes de profesionales de por sí, un instrumento de registro del hospital y copia del Formulario de Notificación de los casos. El proyecto fue aprobado por el Centro de Ética de la Investigación de las Ciencias de la Salud/UFPE com el número de protocolo 13/10.  Se consideraron todos los casos de septiembre de 2006, cuando comenzó a usar el Formulario de Notificación del Ministerio de Salud hasta diciembre de 2008. Resultados: la mayoría de los casos de notificación fue contra el niño (n=20, 46,51%), mientras que no hay registro de casos en contra de los ancianos. Los profesionales que a menudo hace la notificación eran médicos (n=22, 51,16%) y los psicólogos (n=12, 27,91%).  El Formulario de Notificación se utilizó en sólo 41,86% de los casos. Conclusión: los datos ponen de relieve la subnotificación. Las investigations futuras deberían verificar la causa de la notificación de baja (falta de compromiso, la falta de formación específica, entre otros) de modo que puedan llevar a cabo acciones para mejorar la situación. Descriptores: violencia; epidemiología; salud pública; notificatión obligatoria. 


Author(s):  
Maya Ramesh ◽  
Ramesh Krishnan ◽  
Sabarinathan Jaganathan

Introduction: Medical as well as dental professionals are always at an increased risk of contracting infections in pandemics. The novel Coronavirus (nCoV), the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic is more contagious than other known members of Coronaviridae family. Aim: This research aims to evaluate the knowledge, psychological, social, and economic aspects of COVID-19 pandemic among dental professionals using a closed-ended questionnaire study. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with close ended questionnaire was planned. The questionnaire form was prepared in the Google platform after receiving ethical clearance, with 39 questions under the headings of General Information, Knowledge, Psychological aspects, and Social and Economic aspects. The questionnaire link was circulated among dental professionals known to the research team through Email, WhatsApp, and Messenger. A total of 504 dental professionals participated in this study in five days. Knowledge score was calculated, and psychological stress was calculated using Likert scale. Economic aspect was measured using yes/no answers. Data were entered in an excel sheet and the data obtained were statistically analysed using the SPSS software, version 11.5. Chi-square test was done to evaluate whether there is an association between knowledge score and demographic factors and p-value was obtained. Results: There was almost equal gender distribution of respondents in the study. p-value obtained from chi-square test results correlating knowledge score with various demographic factors was not significant. A 59.9% of study participants were poorly informed on methods used to diagnose COVID-19 infection. A 44.4% of the respondents were psychologically stressed about infecting their family members and 72.22% were economically affected because of their profession. A 98.61% of the participants reported that they will wash their hands frequently, avoid crowded places and cancel travel plans in the near future. Conclusion: The present study evaluated the knowledge, psychological, social and economic aspects of COVID-19 pandemic among dental professionals. We identified that there is an urgent need to intensify the knowledge on COVID-19 and also to give psychological, social and economic support to dental professionals


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