Access to Information and Degree of Community Awareness of Preventive Health Measures in the Face of COVID-19 in Spain

The COVID-19 pandemic is posing a major health crisis. Spanish legislation establishes the mandatory use of masks and the implementation of hygienic measures such as hand washing and physical distancing. The aim of this study is to describe access to information and the level of community knowledge/adoption about the preventive measures proposed by the Spanish health authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the influence of socio-demographic factors in compliance among people over 18 years of age resident in Spain. An observational, descriptive and transversal study was conducted. Data was collected on sociodemographic variables, access to information and the degree of knowledge/adoption about the preventive measures: use of masks, hand hygiene and physical distancing. A total of 1811 people participated. The average age was 45.1 ± 15.1 years, predominantly female (69.3%), from an urban geographical area (74%), with a higher education level of 53.2%. Most of the respondents (57.5%) are or live with people at risk. The main access to information on preventive measures was from secondary sources (49.2%), with television being the main medium; 72.3% think that there are some difficulties in accessing information, while 8.7% of the participants do not consider the use of masks to be useful. As regards the choice of type of mask, the majority of people (44.8%) opt for the surgical variety; 88.5% of respondents believe that the physical distancing established is at least 1.5 m. This study confirmed that socio-demographic factors influence compliance with or the degree of knowledge/adoption of the preventive measures proposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and has made it possible to ascertain the sectors of the population with the greatest deficiencies in this respect. It shows the importance of implementing health information and education systems in the community, and it is advisable to promote specific programs aimed at men, people living in rural areas and people with a low level of education.

Pharmacogenomics Based Practice in Malaysia: The Attitude, Knowledge and Adoption by the Healthcare Professionals

Introduction: Knowledge, attitude as well as adoption of pharmacogenomics in clinical practice among the pharmacists and physicians in Malaysia have not been reported. This cross-sectional study explores various facets of the two professions as related to pharmacogenomics to determine the need and preferred method to improve education among them. This study also aims to identify the current state of pharmacogenomics practice in Malaysia to help identify barrier and solution to reap advantages from pharmacogenomics practices. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 38 questions in five parts was adopted and validated. It explores the respondents’ characteristics, attitude, knowledge, adoption and education. It was distributed online to 1500 pharmacists and physicians over five months. Results: Pharmacists differed from the physicians in terms of attitude, knowledge, adoption and education. Overall, adoption rate of pharmacogenomics was found to be low but its anticipation for future adoption is high, and benefits were reported by healthcare professionals who have used the test in a clinical setting. Majority of respondents had poor to fair knowledge and nearly half have had no prior formal teaching on pharmacogenomics. Interest in the education is very high, and most of them preferred to learn pharmacogenomics via continuous professional education programs. Conclusion: Pharmacogenomics is a field that promises many benefits, but to reap these benefits require its implementation in clinical setting. Pharmacists and physicians need to be equipped with adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards pharmacogenomics.

Finding Useful Solutions in Online Knowledge Communities: A Theory-Driven Design and Multilevel Analysis

In this study, we utilize a kernel theory of knowledge adoption model and propose a novel text analytic framework to classify the usefulness of solutions in online knowledge communities. The study combines multiple disciplines (behavioral, empirical, design science, and technical) to tackle an important and relevant business problem: how to effectively manage an online knowledge repository and identify useful solutions. Our framework can be implemented in online knowledge communities to improve users’ experience of searching for useful knowledge. The proposed framework has the potential to guide the development of customer-facing chatbots, which understand human-language questions and return helpful answers immediately.

Impact of Knowledge Adoption and Cognitive Learning in the Knowledge Transfer Process

This study aims to investigate the influence of knowledge adoption (intention to adopt knowledge) and cognitive learning in the knowledge transfer process. The moderating impact of cognitive learning strategy is also explored. Building on cognitive learning theories, a model was developed to examine the knowledge recipient's intention to adopt knowledge and his/her cognitive learning. As this study follows quantitative approach, the model was tested empirically using a survey of 615 white-collar workers in Thailand. The results show that higher knowledge recipient's intention to adopt knowledge can enhance his/her cognitive learning. The results also show that utilizing cognitive learning strategy may only be suitable for some groups of knowledge recipients. Based on the study's findings, management teams can understand the importance of employees' intention to adopt knowledge in their learning of the transferred knowledge. Moreover, management teams can understand how to utilize the cognitive learning strategy for employees with different intentions to adopt knowledge.

The epistemological shift from palace chronicles to scholarly Khmer historiography under French colonial rule

Identifying the role of colonial-sponsored institutions and written texts produced by local scholars, this article argues that, although Cambodian scholars’ intellectual orientation was not necessarily restricted to French scholarship, French colonial rule had played the key role in introducing modern historiography and creating the platforms for the epistemological transition in Cambodia which underwent different categories of knowledge adoption and various projects of translation of local individuals. Capturing the dynamic of the epistemological transition allows us to highlight a broader picture of the interplay between a long-existing body of knowledge and more contemporary scholarship under Western colonisation.

Promising practice for maintaining identities in First Nation adoption

The purpose of this article is to explore the importance of identity in First Nation adoption. It is adapted from a PhD study completed by the author in 2005. The objectives of this study were: (1) describe how connectedness relates to health for First Nation adoptees, and (2) explore legislative, policy and program implications in the adoption of First Nation children. The findings suggest that, for First Nation adoptees, there is a causal relationship between connection to birth family, community and ancestral knowledge, adoption and health. The major finding is that loss of identity may contribute to impaired physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health for First Nation adoptees. This article provides suggestions on how identity can be preserved in First Nation adoption through programs, policies and practice.