Knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices (KAP) towards hand hygiene in medical students versus the public

Background The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated morbidity, mortality, and economic disruption has reignited interest in simple protective and preventive measures. Aims The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of hand hygiene in a sample of medical students in Ireland and members of the public to evaluate these within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also explored any differences between the two groups. Methods A 35-question survey was formulated and circulated to potential participants comprising Irish medical students and members of the public. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel with P-values being calculated using chi-squared goodness-of-fit analysis. Results There were 356 responses to the survey, categorised into medical students and general public populations. Incomplete surveys were removed leaving 303 responses. There was no statistical difference between the groups for attitudes and self-reported practices towards hand hygiene. Statistical differences were found between the two groups in terms of knowledge. Conclusions The study showed that medical students and the public had a good knowledge base and positive attitude in regards to hand hygiene. Both groups displayed consensus that the practices are essential, especially within the current pandemic context. However, larger studies, involving multiple universities and a larger portion of the public, may be useful to ascertain whether there is a true difference in the KAP between healthcare students and the general public.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Tick-Borne Diseases within Professionally Tick-Exposed Persons, Health Care Workers, and General Population in Serbia: A Questionnaire-Based Study

This study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) among different groups of people in Serbia. Professionally tick-exposed persons (PTEPs), health care workers (HCWs), and the general population (GP) were subjected to an anonymous, voluntary, online questionnaire using Microsoft Forms. A total of 663 questionnaire responses were collected (February–March 2021), while 642 were included in the analysis. The significant difference in knowledge in TBDs existed between GP and PTEPs, and HCWs (p < 0.001). The perception of risk-to-tick exposure and TBDs was generally high (42.4 (95% CI: 33.6–51.2) within GP, 44.9 (95% CI: 35.8–53.9) within PTEPs and 46.2 (95% CI: 38.0–54.5) within HCWs), while fear was low (13.7 (95% CI: 7.9–19.5) within GP, 12.6 (95% CI: 7.3–19.9) within PTEPs, and 13.5 (95% CI: 7.4–19.5) within HCWs). Protective practices differed across groups (F (2639) = 12.920, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.039), with both PTEPs (t = 3.621, Cohen d = 0.332, p < 0.001) and HCWs (t = 4.644, Cohen d = 0.468, p < 0.001) adhering to more protective practices than the GP, without differences between PTEPs and HCWs (t = 1.256, Cohen d = 0.137, p = 0.421). Further education about TBDs in Serbia is required and critical points were identified in this study.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation among physiotherapists in Lebanon

Background Insufficient physical activity is one of the leading mortality risks worldwide for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Physiotherapists (PT) are core healthcare professionals who play a major role in the prevention of disease complications and in inspiring a healthy lifestyle. To identify challenges in the promotion of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) in Lebanon, a survey was conducted among PT and physiotherapy students. The aim was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of CR in Lebanon. Results The response rate was 46.1% (N = 322). Results show that 24.5% of respondents have good to excellent knowledge about CR. More than 60% of the respondents indicate possible barriers to starting a CR program, and one of two respondents identify the absence of skills as a main barrier. Findings highlight the importance of the role of PT as a mediator to increase a healthy lifestyle among patients and to promote the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary diseases in the country. Conclusions and recommendations Our results support the evidence and clinical guidelines that PT play a major role by increasing the participation of patients in CR. A cost-effective CR program needs to be covered by the private and public system in Lebanon.

The role of veterinarians in the One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance perspectives in Jordan (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED This study aims to evaluate the role of Jordanian veterinarians in terms of their knowledge, attitudes and common practices in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and summarize the registered veterinary drugs between 2017 2020. Descriptive study data were collected using a standardized questionnaire that focused on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Jordanian veterinarians. The findings were analyzed descriptively; 84% of the participants agreed with the statement on the definition of AMR. The majority (95.65%) of participants agreed that AMR is a challenge for the veterinary sector in Jordan and that it should be prioritized over other zoonotic diseases. Approximately 69% of the participants believed that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials by unqualified, fraudulent, or unauthorized practitioners is the primary reason for the rise of cases associated with AMR and the challenges that accompany these. The most common practice among the respondents in this study was to recommend clients (e.g., farmers and owners) to practice good animal husbandry (80.00%). The study also revealed that there was a significant difference (p = 0.015) between attendance at AMR training sessions and the professional sector (private, public, and academic) of the veterinarians. This study underscores the importance of implementing a continuous education program on AMR so as to enhance the all-round knowledge of veterinarians and improve their advisory skills. In addition, laws should be enacted to ensure that veterinarians prescribe the correct antimicrobials and to improve surveillance systems for monitoring the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-https://doi.org/10.1186/s44149-021-00033-5

Impact of a Novel, Low-Cost and Sustainable Health Education Program on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Intestinal Schistosomiasis in School Children in a Hard-to-Reach District of Madagascar

Schistosomiasis control requires multisectoral approaches including praziquantel treatment, access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and health education. Community input can help ensure health education programs are culturally appropriate to effectively direct protective behavior change. This study reports on the three-stage development of an education program for Malagasy children, with an impact evaluation on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to intestinal schistosomiasis. A cross-sectional study took place in 2017 with follow-up in 2018 in the hard-to-reach Marolambo district, Madagascar. A novel schistosomiasis education program (SEP) was designed in collaboration with researchers, stakeholders, and local community and included cartoon books, games, songs, puzzles, and blackboard lessons, costing $10 USD per school. KAP questionnaires were completed by 286 children pre-SEP and 273 children post-SEP in 2017, and by 385 and 337 children pre-SEP and post-SEP, respectively, in 2018. Improvements were observed in responses to all questions between pre- and post-education answers in 2017 (53–77%, P < 0.0001) and 2018 (72–98%, P < 0.0001) and in the pre-education answers between years (53–72%, P < 0.0001). Praziquantel mass drug administration attendance improved, rising from 64% to 91% (P < 0.0001), alongside improved latrine use, from 89% to 96% (P = 0.005). This community-consulted and -engaged SEP resulted in substantial improvements in children’s understanding of schistosomiasis, with improvements in praziquantel uptake and latrine use. Socioculturally tailored education programs can help gain schistosomiasis control. Continued investment in SEP will help promote the future well-being of children through increased participation in control and treatment activities.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Common Practices of Livestock and Poultry Veterinary Practitioners Regarding the AMU and AMR in Bangladesh

Current evidence indicates that more than half of all antimicrobials are used in the animal food-producing sector, which is considered a significant risk factor for the development, spread, and existence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens in animals, humans, and the environment. Among other factors, clinical etiology and the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of veterinarians are thought to be responsible for inappropriate prescriptions in the animal-source protein production sector in lower-resource settings like Bangladesh. We performed this cross-sectional study to assess factors associated with veterinarians’ antimicrobial prescription behavior and their KAP on antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR in Bangladesh. Exploratory and multivariate logistic models were used to describe an association between knowledge, attitudes, and practices of AMU and AMR and demographic characteristics of veterinarians. The results demonstrated that when selecting an antimicrobial, there was no to minimal influence of culture and susceptibility tests and patients’ AMU history but moderate to high influence of the farmer’s economic condition and drug instructions among the veterinarians. The results also demonstrated that more than half of the veterinarians had correct KAP regarding AMU and AMR, while the rest had moderate or lower levels of KAP. The factor score analysis revealed that age, level of education, years of experience, gender, and previous training on AMU and AMR were the key influencing factors in their level of KAP. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that respondents’ age, current workplace, and previous training on AMU and AMR had a positive association with increased KAP. Considering the results, it is imperative to include AMR issues on vet curricula, and to provide post-education training, awareness campaigns, easy access to, and dissemination of AMR resources. Increasing the veterinary services to the outreach areas of the country and motivating veterinarians to follow the national AMR guidelines could be some other potential solutions to tackle the over-prescriptions of antimicrobials.

Effectiveness of Positive Deviance, an Asset-Based Behavior Change Approach, to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Dengue in Low-Income Communities (Slums) of Islamabad, Pakistan: A Mixed-Method Study

Dengue is a mosquito-borne, viral disease that has emerged as a global health concern in recent years. In the absence of specific antiviral treatment and vaccines, prevention remains the key strategy for dengue control. Therefore, innovative and community-driven approaches are required to improve the vector control practices. This study applied and evaluated the positive deviance (PD) approach on dengue prevention and control in selected slums of Islamabad during June–October 2020. The two most dengue-affected slums, the Faisal colony and France colony, were purposively selected as intervention and control groups, respectively. A total of 112 participants (56 for the intervention and 56 for the control group) participated in the study. The intervention group was exposed for two months to locally identified role model behaviors through weekly interactive sessions, dengue sketch competitions, and role plays. Another two months enabled the community to practice these behaviors without any external support in order to explore the intervention’s sustainability. Three surveys were conducted: before the intervention, after two months, and after four months, to assess any changes in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of participating communities. Results found that the PD intervention had a significant positive impact on dengue knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the intervention group. PD could offer an empowering and efficient community engagement tool for future dengue prevention and control, both in Pakistan and more globally.

The role of veterinarians in the One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance perspectives in Jordan

This study aims to evaluate the role of Jordanian veterinarians in terms of their knowledge, attitudes and common practices in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and summarize the registered veterinary drugs between 2017 2020. Descriptive study data were collected using a standardized questionnaire that focused on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Jordanian veterinarians. The findings were analyzed descriptively; 84% of the participants agreed with the statement on the definition of AMR. The majority (95.65%) of participants agreed that AMR is a challenge for the veterinary sector in Jordan and that it should be prioritized over other zoonotic diseases. Approximately 69% of the participants believed that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials by unqualified, fraudulent, or unauthorized practitioners is the primary reason for the rise of cases associated with AMR and the challenges that accompany these. The most common practice among the respondents in this study was to recommend clients (e.g., farmers and owners) to practice good animal husbandry (80.00%). The study also revealed that there was a significant difference (p = 0.015) between attendance at AMR training sessions and the professional sector (private, public, and academic) of the veterinarians. This study underscores the importance of implementing a continuous education program on AMR so as to enhance the all-round knowledge of veterinarians and improve their advisory skills. In addition, laws should be enacted to ensure that veterinarians prescribe the correct antimicrobials and to improve surveillance systems for monitoring the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine.