BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The demographic background, level of knowledge, and attitude of caregivers are pillars of care in dementia. Family and non-family members take on this role. Studies have been done on their knowledge and attitude, but none have focused on them during hospitalization, wherein greater stress is imposed on both the caregiver and the patient. This study aims to determine the profiles, and its association with knowledge, and attitudes of caregivers of hospitalized patients with dementia in a tertiary hospital in Metro Manila.

A single-center descriptive cross-sectional design using Demographic profile Questionnaire, Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS), and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) were used on Filipino caregivers of inpatients with dementia in Metro Manila. Simple and multivariable linear regression were used to assess demographic factors in relation to the attitude and knowledge of the caregivers.

Eighteen females with a mean age of 49 (SD=8) years old participated. Ten participants completed college. Six (33.3%) of the respondents were family members, five (27.8%) were occupational caregivers, four (22.2%) were house-helps, and two (11.1%) were nurses. Majority (66%) had 3-10-year duration of caregiving. Mean score of knowledge scale is 21.17 out of 30. Age, education, caregiver role, and attitude were positively associated with knowledge. The mean score for attitude level is 119.83 out of 140. Age, education, duration, caregiving role, patient’s age, and knowledge were positively associated with attitude; with education being statistically significant (p=0.046).

Caregivers exhibited reasonable knowledge for such caregivers to carry out their duties on inpatients with dementia at an adequate level, with several factors correlating positively, indicating areas for improvement. Their attitude scores revealed positive disposition; with education emerging as statistically significant. Continuing education and targeted interventions can further enhance quality of caregiving.

With the development and the application of intelligent acupuncture and moxibustion equipment such as moxibustion robot and acupuncture robot, intelligent technology is constantly involved in the innovation of education. Computer technology represented by knowledge graph is re-constructing, in a structured form, including the fragmented information of the knowledge of acupuncture and moxibustion at all times and in all countries. Its application in the education scene further promotes the optimization of the technology itself. The knowledge fusion for the vertical scene of acupuncture-moxibustion knowledge has impelled us to develop universal entity and relationship extraction techniques. With the help of knowledge graph, the four-diagnosis equipment and acupuncture and moxibustion treatment equipment can be deeply integrated, and the wise information technology be thoroughly applied in the whole process of acupuncture and moxibustion education, so as to give full play to the "emergence" effect of knowledge and thinking, and drive the development of the theories of acupuncture and moxibustion in traditional Chinese medicine.
Moxibustion/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Acupuncture/education* ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Knowledge

INTRODUCTION: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have informed guideline recommendations for the management of stable coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the real-world impact of contemporary guidelines and trials on practising physicians in the Asia-Pacific region remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices among cardiovascular physicians in the region regarding stable CAD management. METHOD: An anonymised cross-sectional electronic survey was administered to cardiovascular practitioners from the Asia Pacific, assessing 3 domains: 1) baseline knowledge on recent trials and society guideline, 2) attitudes towards stable CAD, and 3) case scenarios reflecting management preferences. Correlations among knowledge, attitudes and practice scores were assessed between physicians from developed and developing countries using Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Overall, 713 respondents from 21 countries completed the survey. The mean knowledge score was 2.90±1.18 (out of 4), with 37.3% of respondents answering all questions correctly, while 74.6% noted that guidelines have significant impact on their practice. Despite guidelines recommending optimal medical therapy, majority chose revascularisation (range 53.4- 90.6%) as the preferred strategy for the case scenarios. Practitioners from developed regions had higher knowledge scores and lower attitude scores compared to developing regions, while practice scores were similar in both groups. Weakly positive correlations were noted between knowledge, attitude and practice scores. CONCLUSION Variations exist in knowledge and attitudes towards guideline recommendations and correspondingly actual clinical practice in the Asia Pacific, with most practitioners choosing an upfront invasive strategy for the treatment of stable CAD. These differences reflect real-world disparities in guideline interpretation and clinical adoption.
Humans ; Coronary Artery Disease/therapy* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data* ; Asia ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Male ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Female ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Middle Aged ; Developing Countries

BACKGROUND

The Philippines has been significantly affected by the HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region, with a notable increase in new cases over the past decade. Despite efforts to promote HIV testing, access to treatment, and awareness campaigns, progress has been slow, particularly among youths. Tangere, a market research application, conducted surveys during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to assess HIV knowledge among Filipinos.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in HIV awareness among young Filipinos during and after the COVID-19 pandemic using data collected via Tangere’s surveys. Specifically, it sought to analyze demographic characteristics, sources of HIV information, and knowledge regarding HIV transmission, prevention, and stigma.

Tangere collaborated with the investigators to develop a questionnaire assessing HIV knowledge among young Filipinos. Surveys were conducted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, targeting subscribers aged 18-35 years, primarily from the National Capital Region and Luzon area. Data analysis involved calculating frequencies and percentages to summarize demographic characteristics and HIV knowledge. An Independent-Samples Proportions procedure was used to compare HIV knowledge during and after the pandemic.

The survey revealed that while respondents generally possessed reasonable knowledge about HIV, there were notable changes in the awareness during and after the pandemic. Social media and television were identified as primary sources of HIV information. Knowledge regarding HIV transmission and prevention increased postpandemic, particularly concerning preventive measures such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) and motherto-child transmission (MTCT). However, persistent misconceptions and stigma surrounding HIV remained, indicating the need for continued education and advocacy efforts.

The study underscores the importance of utilizing social media platforms for HIV awareness campaigns, especially among youths who are disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Despite improvements in knowledge, the Philippines has yet to achieve global HIV prevention goals. Continued efforts to enhance awareness, particularly regarding recent advancements in HIV prevention and treatment, are essential for curbing the epidemic and improving public health outcomes nationwide.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are adverse events brought about by non-compliance of the healthcare staff to set of infection prevention and control (IPC) standards. Consequently, additional medical costs, increased mortality and morbidity rates, and decreased quality of life among patients can happen. As valuable players in preventing and controlling HAIs, nurses must have good knowledge and strict compliance with infection control; however, recent evidence suggests that nurses may need more knowledge or better integration into practice. Nurses' degree of knowledge and practice in preventing and controlling HAIs and factors influencing them should be determined to provide solutions appropriately.

The study specifically sought answers to the following questions: (1) What is the level of knowledge of nurses in the prevention and control of HAIs? (2) What is the degree of practice of nurses in the prevention and control of HAIs? (3) Is there a significant relationship between nurses' knowledge level and degree of practice in the prevention and control of HAIs? (4) What are the facilitating and hindering factors that affect nurses' practice in the prevention and control of HAIs?

The study utilized a quantitative descriptive correlational design. The study was conducted from May to June 2023 at a private tertiary hospital in Baguio City. The study included 128 nurses who fit the inclusion criteria. The respondents were asked to answer three questionnaires, and the data were statistically treated using mean, Spearman Rank correlation, frequency, percentage, and rank distribution.

The study found that nurses possess good knowledge and a suboptimal degree of practice in preventing and controlling HAIs. The results showed that no significant relationship existed between nurses' knowledge level and degree of practice in preventing and controlling HAIs. Perceived personal benefits and organizational encouragement were seen to primarily facilitate the prevention and control practices of nurses. The primary hindrance identified was workload due to staff shortage, poor dissemination of guidelines, and personal discomfort associated with the use of PPE.

A good level of knowledge is a derivative of learnings obtained through various educational modalities and these strategies are considered effective means of knowledge formulation. However, created knowledge without actual application into practice results in overuse of unhelpful interventions. To avoid the unnecessary effects of ineffective knowledge translation, a multifactorial consideration is necessary to identify other factors that may influence the practices of nurses on HAI prevention and control because knowledge does not solely improve or worsen actual practices. Identified facilitating factors should be supported, and hindering factors should be addressed. Further recommendations based on the study results include strengthening existing programs and policies, and developing accessible materials to improve the present practices of nurses.

BACKGROUND

Acne patients often use medications, either over the counter or prescribed by dermatologists, to manage their condition. Dermatologists frequently include sunscreens as part of these treatment plans alongside acne medications. This research aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sunscreen use among respondents who are confirmed acne patients and have been prescribed sunscre-en as part of their treatment regimen.

This research examines the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices of acne patients regarding sunscreen use as part of their acne t reatment regimen, considering demographic factors. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the respondents will be compared across different age groups, genders, and employment statuses.

This study purposefully collected data from patients with active acne on the use of sunscreens alongside acne medications. The sample included males and females aged 18-27, 28-40, and 40+ residing in either the National Capital Region or the CALABARZON Region, with 105 respondents in each group. Data was gathered using a validated Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire, consisting of 30 questions that had undergone reliability testing via Cronbach's alpha. Responses were recorded on a 3-point Likert scale to model the interaction of KAP variables. The research material was distributed through Google Forms in June 2024. Data analysis was conducted using R, specifically the psych package, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to compare groups, determining if significant differences existed among them. This test was incorporated within RStudio.

Findings indicated that respondents generally demonstrated a high level of understanding regarding the importance of sunscreen when used alongside acne treatments, particularly acknowledging its role in preventing acne scarring and reducing skin sensitivity caused by treatment products. Additionally, attitudes toward sunscreen use were largely positive, with respondents rejecting common misconceptions about sunscreen. However, actual sunscreen application practices were moderate, with adherence levels varying across the sample. Significant differences in sunscreen use were observed based on employment status, gender, and age.

Acne patients in this study had a high level of knowledge and a positive attitude on the use of sunscreen together with their acne medications. consistency in sunscreen application was moderate. unemployed respondents were more receptive to external influences regarding sunscreen use. Female respondents were more informed and proactive than male respondents. Younger respondents were more influenced by social networks. This research highlights the need for continued education on the benefits of sunscreen use to be able to achieve an effective acne vulgaris management.

Occupational Therapy ; Knowledge

INTRODUCTION

Mental health plays a crucial role in overall well-being, yet stigma and misconceptions persist, even among future healthcare professionals. This study assessed medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) regarding mental health and explored their association with sociodemographic characteristics.

We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among 270 medical students at a private Philippine university from September to October 2023. Participants completed a validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and odds ratios were calculated.

Most respondents exhibited high knowledge (80.7%), positive attitudes (90.4%), and favorable perceptions (95.6%) toward mental health. Students who had not interacted with individuals with mental illness were 2.87 times more likely to display negative attitudes (OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.19–6.90, p = 0.015). Attitude and perception showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.409, p < 0.001), while knowledge and perception demonstrated a weak negative correlation (r = -0.129, p = 0.034).

These medical students generally possessed good knowledge, positive attitudes, and perceptions regarding mental health. Academic progression and real-life exposure positively influence attitudes, highlighting the need for experiential learning to reduce stigma and promote empathy in medical training.

INTRODUCTION

Needlestick injury is a major healthcare hazard. The burden of the problem is difficult to estimate due to underreporting by healthcare workers.

To gain insight into the level of knowledge and perception, attitude and practices of obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) residents and subspecialty fellows-in-training in a tertiary hospital on blood-borne diseases from needle stick injuries and postexposure prophylaxis.

A cross-sectional study among all residents and fellows in training of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary hospital was conducted in December 2017. The explanatory sequential mixed method approach of data collection was utilized using a self-administered original pilot-tested questionnaire and focused group discussion.

Eighty-four OB-GYN s in training took part in the study. The prevalence of needle stick injury was 80.95%, but only about half of the incidents were reported. There was no statistically significant difference in the knowledge and attitudes toward management and policies on needlestick injuries between fellows and residents. The fellows appeared to be more frequently compliant with practices to prevent and manage needle stick injuries compared to the residents. There is weak but statistically significant positive relationship between the respondents’ knowledge and practice scores.

Although the respondents have very good knowledge, adherence to the practices to prevent and manage needlestick injuries is low.

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is an increasingly prevalent chronic disease commonly treated with topical corticosteroids (TCS), although these agents are often misused. There is a need to explore the factors influencing nonadherence to TCS among patients with psoriasis in the Philippines. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding TCS among Filipino patients with psoriasis.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 76 Filipino patients with psoriasis at a tertiary hospital using a constructed validated questionnaire.

Patient scores clustered at the upper end of the distribution, indicating a generally good level of KAP regarding TCS. Increasing age was associated with a lower level of knowledge, while female respondents had a higher level of knowledge. Higher knowledge levels were associated with better patient attitude, and better patient attitude was associated with better practice.

Predictors of correct KAP regarding TCS are less likely influenced by sociodemographic and clinical factors; rather, these three domains significantly correlate with each other. Physicians can utilize these interrelationships by educating patients regarding their topical treatment to yield more positive attitudes regarding its efficacy and minimize their fear of side effects, which can motivate them to adhere to prescribed therapy.