scholarly journals Knowledge of chikungunya and mosquito avoidance and control practices among newly admitted students at an offshore medical University in the Caribbean

Author(s):  
Hari P Nepal

Objective To assess knowledge of chikungunya and the pattern of implementation of mosquito avoidance and control practices among new students admitted to Trinity Medical Sciences University (TMSU), St. Vincent and the Grenadines Methods A cross sectional study was conducted, where a pilot tested questionnaire was surveyed among all newly admitted students for a period of one year. The participants who were aware of the disease were included in the knowledge score analysis. Knowledge level of each participant was determined to be good (score ≥ 70%), fair (score 50.1–69.9%) or poor (score ≤ 50%). The study also evaluated the participants’ implementation of WHO-recommended mosquito avoidance and control practices. Results Among the 129 students surveyed, 102 participants responded (response rate: 79.06%). Of 102 participants, only 39 (38.2%) were aware of the disease with 30.77% having good knowledge, 28.21% fair knowledge and 41.03% poor knowledge of the disease. Of the eight mosquito avoidance and control practices evaluated, none were implemented by 2 (1.96%) of the participants while one or more, but not all, were used by the remaining 100 (98.04%) participants. The association of these practices with awareness of the disease as well as levels of knowledge was statistically non-significant (P>0.05). Conclusion A large percentage of newly admitted students at TMSU did not have adequate knowledge of chikungunya. However, implementation pattern of mosquito avoidance and control practices varied among them. The new students need early education about the disease and should be encouraged to practice as many recommended strategies as possible to avoid mosquito bites and control of mosquito vectors.

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S63-S69
Author(s):  
Khalid Almas ◽  
Abdul Samad Khan ◽  
Afsheen Tabassum ◽  
Muhammad Ashraf Nazir ◽  
Ashar Afaq ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices of dental professionals regarding the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Pakistan. Materials and Methods General dentists and dental specialists working in public and private dental practices, hospitals, and academic institutions participated in this cross-sectional study. A pilot-tested questionnaire was sent to dental professionals through an online link in Pakistan and data collection was completed in April-May 2020. The knowledge score was calculated from 22 variables about the COVID-19. Results The study included data of 343 dental professionals with 47.2% of males and 52.8% of females. The mean knowledge score was 16.78 ± 2.25, and it significantly differed between general dentists (16.55 ± 2.36) and dental specialists (17.15 ± 2.04) (p = 0.020), and those with up to 10 years of experience (16.58 ± 2.28) and those with more than 10 years of experience (17.05 ± 2.2) (p = 0.026). Only 15.5% of the participants were comfortable in treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A workshop/seminar on the COVID-19 was attended by 23% of the participants. In multivariate analysis, being comfortable in treating patients (odds ratio = 3.31, 95% confidence interval = 1.63, 6.73) was associated with the attendance of workshop/seminar on COVID-19. Conclusions Dental professionals had adequate knowledge about COVID-19, but a few of them were comfortable in treating patients during the pandemic. A minority of dental professionals attended a workshop/seminar on the COVID-19. Continuous education activities should be provided to dental professionals to enhance their role in the prevention of COVID-19 spread and promotion of oral health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahd Aljarbou ◽  
Sundus Bukhary ◽  
Abdullah Althemery ◽  
Abdullah Alqedairi

Objectives: To investigate the clinical dental students’ knowledge on the proper dental setting during COVID-19. Methods: Using multicenter cross-sectional study, a 10-items questionnaire was distributed in April 2020 among senior dental students from two dental schools. It comprised three main domains: demographic questions, questions investigating student’s access to the proper recommendations of dental settings during COVID-19 and the specific recommendations questions. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 654 clinical dental students and the total number of respondents were 267 representing a response rate of 40.83%. The overall knowledge mean was low (1±0.92). Gender was not a statistically significant factor affecting the knowledge score (P > 0.05). Most of the participants never visited the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Saudi CDC) website and received no guidance or advice regarding proper dental practices during COVID-19. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the mean knowledge score and access to knowledge variables (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It was noted that clinical dental students have low knowledge on the proper dental settings during COVID-19 pandemic that was recommended by the Saudi CDC guidelines and they must be equipped with adequate knowledge from reliable sources to overcome their insufficiencies such as a well-structured and dynamic curriculum. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3768 How to cite this:Aljarbou FA, Bukhary SM, Althemery AU, Alqedairi AS. Clinical dental students’ knowledge regarding proper dental settings for treating patient during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3768 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


Author(s):  
Angeline Grace G. ◽  
Gopalakrishnan S. ◽  
Shanthi Edward

Background: Out of ten people who die due to rabies, four of them are children. Awareness regarding the disease is important to bring down the rabies mortality among children. This study was planned to assess the knowledge regarding rabies among high school students in an urban area of Kancheepuram district.Methods: This study was a school based cross sectional study done in chrompet, an urban area in Kancheepuram district. All students studying in IX and X standards in a school chosen by simple random sampling method were included in the study. Sample size of 335 was calculated using the formula 4pq/l2 and adjusting for 10% non-response. Data was collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Knowledge score of >50% was taken as “adequate knowledge”.Results: Out of the total 340 respondents, 189 (55.6%) were girls and 151 (44.4%) were boys. Around 23.5% reported having pets at home. Though 97.6% of children were aware that dog is an important reservoir of rabies, only 46% knew that the disease is caused by a virus. About 25.6% had knowledge about other reservoirs of rabies. About 72% knew about prevention through anti-rabies vaccine but only 31.5% were aware of the vaccine availability in government hospitals. Overall adequate knowledge on rabies was noted in 46.2% of respondents.Conclusions: Children’s understanding on the cause of rabies, prevention and control of rabies was inadequate. Health education activities need to be promoted for the school students to improve their level of awareness on rabies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 436-441
Author(s):  
Saba Haider ◽  
Noman Ul Haq ◽  
Sohail Riaz ◽  
Aqeel Nasim ◽  
Muhammad Saood ◽  
...  

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding cervical cancer and its prevention among nurses working in different hospitals of Quetta, Pakistan. Methodology: The cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted by using structured questionnaire in different hospitals of Quetta from January to September 2016. Convenient sampling technique was applied by targeting all the nurses working in different hospitals of Quetta city. Study questionnaire was developed and tested for validity and reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis tests, p<0.05) were used to assess the significance among study variables and were performed by using IBM SPSS v.20. Results: Out of 415 distributed questionnaires 324 were returned (response rate of 78%). The mean Age of respondents was 28.18 ±9.5 years. Majority (n=127, 43.3%) of participants were interns and had no or less than one year of experience (n=128, 43.7%) with negative family history of any cancer (n=275, 93.9%). Mean knowledge score was 18.52±4.84with majority (n=258, 88.1%) had adequate knowledge regarding cervical cancer. Respondent sage, current area of practice, qualification, Institute of degree and past family history were contributing factors (p > 0.05) in adequate knowledge in this study. The results also reviled that not only 68.3% (n=200) and 65.5% (n=192) respondents knew that cervical cancer is vaccine preventable and availability of the vaccine for it. Conclusions: Nurses working in different hospitals of Quetta city had better understanding of the disease cervical cancer and its prevention. Yet many of the respondent are not aware of it vaccine and its availability.


Author(s):  
Hossein Hashemzadeh Farhang ◽  
Seyed Razi Bahavarnia ◽  
Mohamad Javad Esmailzadeh ◽  
Navid Mahmoudi Kamalabad

Background: Dirofilaria immitis is one of the most important parasites of the circulatory system of dogs that causes severe cardiovascular events in the animal and it is reported to be the most common nematode in humans and dogs from many parts of Iran. Methods: In order to investigate the presence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in Tabriz, Iran, a cross-sectional study was performed on 200 owned and stray dogs. The blood samples were analyzed using Knott method. The prevalence of D. immitis infection was reported to be 15% in owned dogs. Results: The highest levels of infection were reported in dogs less than one year of age and the lowest in dogs aged over 9 years. In a statistical survey, there was a significant relationship between infection and gender. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, due to the presence of D. immitis infection in this region, the need for a more comprehensive examination and control of the infection in this region is emphasized.


Author(s):  
Ravi Ranjan ◽  
Munmee Das ◽  
Shubhabrata Das

Background: The anganwadi worker (AWW) is the backbone of integrated child development services (ICDS) for delivering the services of the program. Being a key functionary, her level of knowledge regarding various components of ICDS is linked to the ultimate outcome of the ICDS program. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the level of knowledge among AWW regarding services of ICDS.Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which level of knowledge regarding ICDS among anganwadi worker was assessed using structured questionnaire. The primary outcome of the study is the knowledge of AWW about ICDS component services. Descriptive statistics was presented as frequency and percentage for categorical variable. The knowledge of AWW was assessed by knowledge score made under all the themes of the questionnaire and was presented as mean and median score. Analysis was done in STATA version 14.2.Results: Nearly 55% of the respondents were not aware about ICDS services. Whereas majority had knowledge on growth monitoring and immunization respectively, above the median score, only 39% of AWW had knowledge on nutritional supplementation above median score. The variables such as education level and training of AWW showed significant association with the knowledge of ICDS components.Conclusions: There is need for improving knowledge and awareness about various ICDS components and the training quality provided to AWWs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
MR Haque ◽  
K Ghosh ◽  
H Sultana ◽  
E Saha ◽  
A Kafi ◽  
...  

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the level of awareness on prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases among 120 sex workers.Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted for one year. Data were collected through face to face interview using Bengali questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS 17.0 software.Place and Period of Study: The study was conducted from January 1st to December 31st of 2014 among 120 sex workersliving in brothel of Daulodia,Rajbariin Bangladesh.Results: More than half (58.7%) of the respondents had children in the brothels. All the respondents (100%) heard about the sexually transmitted diseases. Majority (86.7%) of the respondents had knowledge on AIDS. Only a few (4.2%) respondents had knowledge on AIDS and Gonorrhea. Majority (91.7 %) of the respondents had knowledge on STD transmission from pregnant women. Almost all (97.5%, 98.3%)) of the respondents had the knowledge about STD transmissionnot from toilet or shaking hands respectively.Almost all of the (95.8%, 94.2%, 94.2%, 85.8% )respondents had the knowledge on STD transmission through sexual intercourse,injection,through mosquito,sharing same razor respectively. Most of them (81.7%) had good level of knowledge on STD transmission. Only above one tenth (11.7%) had moderate and poor level of knowledge.Almost all of them (96.7%, 95.9%, 95.9%) were found touse condom, agreed to keep one partner at a time,to reduce the number of sex partner respectively.Most of them (89.3%)did not knowthe HIV status of partner before sex,almost all (97.5%, 94.2% and 97.5%) agreed to avoid risky sex,to screen blood during transfusion, to avoid sharing needles & blade respectively. All (100%)of the respondents agreed for need of sexuality education for preventing STD.Almost all (98.30%)of the respondents had good awareness on Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. There was no association between level of education and level of awareness (P> 0.005), between age and level of awareness (P> 0.005) and between duration of work and level of awareness (P> 0.005).Conclusion: Education is the most consistent and important determinant for prevention of STDs among all classes of people.TAJ 2016; 29(2): 47-56


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda A. Fondjo ◽  
Vivian E. Boamah ◽  
Adelaide Fierti ◽  
Dorcas Gyesi ◽  
Eddie-Williams Owiredu

Abstract Background Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. Adequate knowledge about a disorder contributes greatly to its prevention, control and management. This study assessed the level of knowledge of PE and evaluated the factors associated with knowledge adequacy among pregnant women attending antenatal care at a University Hospital in Kumasi-Ghana. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. A validated closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and history of PE. Knowledge of PE was assessed based on a series of questions regarding the awareness, signs/symptoms, risk factors and complications of PE. Responses were scored percentage-wise and grouped into low (< 60%), moderate (60–80%) and high (80–100%). Knowledge score was then re-stratified into adequate (% score of ≥60%) and inadequate knowledge of PE (% score of < 60%). Results The prevalence of inadequate and adequate knowledge of PE was 88.6% (mean score = 55.5 ± 4.3%) and 11.4% (mean score = 76.3 ± 5.9%), respectively. For participants with adequate knowledge of PE, 9.1% (mean score = 67.4 ± 6.9%) and 2.3% (mean score = 85.2 ± 5.1%) had moderate and high knowledge, respectively. Using univariate logistic regression models, being older (> 35 years old) [cOR = 3.09, 95%CI (0.88–10.88), p = 0.049] and having a higher level of education (> SHS education) [cOR = 4.45, 95%CI (2.18–9.10), p < 0.0001] were significantly associated with greater odds of having adequate knowledge of PE. After controlling for potential confounders in multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found higher level of education to be independently associated with adequate knowledge of PE [aOR = 2.87, 95%CI (1.31–6.30), p = 0.008]. Conclusion The knowledge of PE among pregnant women in Ghana is low. The prominent factor that facilitates adequacy of knowledge of PE is higher level of education.


Author(s):  
Krutarth R. Brahmbhatt ◽  
Amul B. Patel

Background: Antimicrobial-resistant organisms are spreading worldwide, and the pipeline for new antimicrobials remains meager. The next generation of doctors must be better prepared to use antimicrobials more sparingly and appropriately.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students of GMERS Medical College Junagadh from January to May 2017. Self-administered structured close ended questionnaire in English was used. Pearson’s correlation co-efficient, t test and ANOVA were used as tests of significance.Results: Total 130 students participated in the study. Participation of females (48.5%) and males (51.5%) was almost equal. Almost 60% participants had adequate knowledge about antimicrobial resistance. The mean antimicrobial resistance knowledge score of participants was 22.7 (SD: ±5.27, min: 8, max: 37).Conclusions:Important finding of the study was that just one forth of the participants agreed that information they have received so far in medical course regarding antimicrobial resistance is adequate. The budding doctors should receive correct, adequate information regarding antimicrobial resistance.  


Author(s):  
Asifa Ashraf ◽  
Ipseeta Menon ◽  
Ritu Gupta ◽  
Vikram Arora ◽  
Dipshikha Das ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Covid-19 is highly contagious disease and has today become a major public health concern in the developing countries worldwide. This study attempted to assess the knowledge, attitude, anxiety experience, perceived mental healthcare, and oral health among adult Kashmiri population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was developed using Google forms to avoid person-to-person contact. The structured questionnaire consisted of questions covering several areas: sociodemographic data, knowledge, awareness, attitude about the COVID-19 , the anxiety level, oral hygiene habits during confinement, care and disinfection control behaviours in the dental environment. Results: Due to continuing conflict in Kashmir during the last 18 years there has been a phenomenal increase in psychiatric morbidity. The results reveal that the prevalence of depression was high 46.3% among Kashmiri residents who were anxious with the thought of  COVID-19 virus. In our study it was also found that 66.2% of the responders had a moderate level of knowledge about being getting quarantined and 97.7% of the participants had an adequate knowledge about its preventive aspects. The anxiety levels identified in the study were high i.e. more than 70% of the participants were preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past months. Approximately, 42.6% of the participants have been angered and distressed due to being worried about the ongoing pandemic. Oral hygiene and last visit to the dentist were found highly significant in our study i.e. approximately  36.6% of the participants had visited a dentist among which 35.2% had visited only due to consultation advise. Conclusion: Population of Kashmir had a better mean knowledge score regarding this virus but yet mental health is an integral part of overall health and quality of life. Substantial and sustainable improvements can be achieved only when a comprehensive strategy for mental health which incorporates both prevention and care elements is adopted. There is a need to intensify the awareness and address the mental health issues, and importance of oral hygiene of people during this COVID-19 pandemic.


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