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PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge, attitude, and outlook toward dentistry: their affect on sealant use and other related variables.

The dentist's knowledge about sealants, his attitude about the efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of sealants, and his general outlook towards dentistry as a profession were examined in a recent nationwide study of sealant use. Thirty-five hundred general dentists and 500 pediatric dentists were surveyed by a mail questionnaire with a response rate of 37.6% for generalists and 61.2% for pediatric dentists. Numerous moderate correlations were found. Both groups' Knowledge and Attitude scale scores were moderately correlated with sealant use as measured by the respondents' estimation of the percentage of their patients, age 18 and under, receiving sealants. Moderate correlations for both dentist groups also surfaced between Attitude and Knowledge as well as Attitude and Outlook but not between Knowledge and Outlook. Attitude in both groups correlated moderately with respondent scales entitled Preventive Orientation, Patient Influence, and Auxiliary Factors. For generalists, knowledge also correlated moderately with Sealant Awareness and Patient Influence while, for pediatric dentists, knowledge correlated moderately with Patient Influence only. While there was no significant difference between generalist and pediatric dentist outlook scale scores, pediatric dentists showed a significantly more positive attitude and greater knowledge about sealants than did generalists. It was suggested, therefore, that improvement of practitioners attitude and knowledge about sealants might influence sealant use.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1995

HIV/AIDS knowledge among the U.S. population.

This analysis examines knowledge of HIV and AIDS among 71,370 persons interviewed in a national sample of the U.S. population. Factor analysis of 26 questions about HIV infection and AIDS identified four distinct dimensions of AIDS knowledge: 1) transmission mechanisms; 2) commonly known nontechnical information; 3) definitions of AIDS; and 4) technical information. Significant differences across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and demographic groups exist for each dimension of AIDS knowledge. In general, racial minorities and those with lower socioeconomic status are shown to have lower knowledge levels. Exposure to mass media about AIDS, and knowing a person with HIV or AIDS, are also strong predictors of increased knowledge. Multivariate analysis demonstrates 1) that socioeconomic status is a better predictor of knowledge of AIDS than race or ethnicity; and 2) exposure to AIDS mass media has the strongest effect on all dimensions of AIDS knowledge except for knowledge of technical issues about AIDS. Policy implications of these results are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

[The levels of knowledge about nonclinical areas which are characteristic of the new model of primary care].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the level of knowledge about the non-clinical areas which characterise the new model of primary care among doctors and nurses who work in primary care teams (PCT); and to identify the most deficient areas of knowledge and the variables associated with these lower levels of knowledge. DESIGN: An observation study of a crossover kind. SETTING: PCTs of Health Area 1 in Madrid. PARTICIPANTS: Doctors and nurses who were working in the 23 PCTs functioning when the study was carried out (321 people). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Knowledge was measured by a self-filled, anonymous questionnaire elaborated by a panel of experts. It contained 72 items with correct (C) or false (F) double reply, grouped in 12 basic areas of knowledge relating to the non-clinical aspects which characterise the new model of primary care (PC). A pilot test was done in a PCT in another Area. The data bases were performed on DBASEIII+ and the statistical analysis on SPSS v. 4.0. The required level of knowledge through the questionnaire as a whole was attained by 41.6% of the professionals. An association with the following was noted: Age (p < 0.0001), Profession (p < 0.005), Year that training ended (p < 0.01), Type of contract (p < 0.005), Nature of access to a permanent post (p < 0.0005), postgraduate academic training for doctors (p < 0.001) and Residency in Family and Community Medicine (p < 0.009). The most deficient areas of knowledge were: Evaluation of procedures and programmes (46%), Community Participation (51.6%), the filling-out and standardisation of records (55.2%), and the Evaluation of objectives and quality control mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of non-clinical areas is low.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Knowledge of risk factors and risk behaviors related to coronary heart disease among blue and white collar males.

In this report the data regarding coronary heart disease (CHD) from the 1990 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey are used to examine the relationship between risk factor knowledge and health related behaviors among currently employed white collar (N = 5,349) and blue collar (N = 4,158) men workers. Blue collar employees have less knowledge about CHD risk factors, less favorable risk factors status, and poorer health practices than their white collar workers. Despite these findings within each occupational group, the relationship of knowledge to either risk factor status or health practices is similar. Knowledge is generally related to the attempts to change behaviors. However, for the different risk factors, the associations vary. For example, knowledge of cigarette smoking as a risk factor of CHD is negatively associated with reported ever smoking or current smoking, but not with heavy smoking. In contrast, knowledge of overweight, high serum cholesterol, and high blood pressure as CHD risk factors is not associated with risk factor status. These results suggest that while difference in level of knowledge and risk profiles remain between blue collar and white collar employees, the associations between knowledge and risk profiles are similar. Programs located at worksites must continue to provide education opportunities about the risk factors, especially among blue collar workers.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The content and sources of maternal knowledge about the infant.

The author's purpose was to explore the knowledge that a primiparous mother acquires during the first 14 days postpartum about caretaking and personal characteristics of the infant. The study also examined the sources of this knowledge. The convenience sample consisted of 33 healthy, married, middle-class women. For caretaking knowledge, on postpartum days 1-6, mothers learned most about feeding, and on days 7-13 about administering daily care. For personal knowledge, on day 1 mothers learned most about infant physical characteristics and on days 2-13 about infant activity. Mothers acquired significantly more personal knowledge about their infant than caretaking knowledge, both daily and across the 2 weeks. Knowledge acquisition was highest during hospitalization. Maternal use of self was the dominant source for learning; however, nurses were the primary source for caretaking knowledge during hospitalization.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Nutrition knowledge and attitudes towards high-fat foods and low-fat alternatives in three generations of women.

OBJECTIVES: To assess family resemblance in food habits in three generations of maternally related family members. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Ninety-seven adult women, their mothers and grandmothers were asked about nutrition knowledge, attitudes and fat intake. Nutrition knowledge and attitudes were determined by means of a self-administered questionnaire. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess fat intake. RESULTS: Mean percentage energy derived from fat was 39% for the younger generation, and 40% for their mothers and grandmothers. Generations differed in their nutrition knowledge score (P <0.0001), the grandmothers having a lower nutrition knowledge than the other generations. Correlations of nutrition knowledge scores were 0.30 (95% confidence limits (c.l.) 0.10 and 0.48) between the younger and middle generations, 0.35 (95% c.l. 0.16 and 0.52) between the middle and older generations, and 0.14 (95% c.l. -0.06 and 0.34) between the younger generation and their grandmothers. For attitudes towards high-fat foods and their low-fat alternatives these figures were 0.27 (95% c.l. 0.07 and 0.45), 0.22 (95% c.l. 0.01 and 0.41), and 0.17 (95% c.l. - 0.03 and 0.36), respectively, while for energy percentage of fat intake the correlations were only 0.19 (95% c.l. -0.01 and 0.37), -0.02 (95% c.l. -0.22 and 0.18), and 0.12 (95% c.l. limits - 0.08 and 0.31), respectively. Within generations the correlations between attitudes and nutrition knowledge or percentage energy derived from fat were found to be higher in the middle generation than in other generations. No statistically significant correlations were found between nutrition knowledge and percentage energy derived from fat. CONCLUSIONS: From this study it can be concluded that mothers and their adult daughters resemble each other in nutrition knowledge and attitudes.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The 'Green Keyhole' nutritional campaign in Sweden: do women with more knowledge have better dietary practices?

INTRODUCTION: In 1989 the National Food Administration in Sweden introduced a food-marking symbol called the 'Green Keyhole'. The aim of the campaign is to help consumers make lowfat, high-fibre food choices. OBJECTIVE: To describe the knowledge of the Green Keyhole symbol in a general female population, and to examine whether knowledge is associated with reported intake of dietary fat and fibre. SUBJECTS: 616 randomly selected women were examined and interviewed. METHODS: Intakes of dietary fat and fibre were analysed in relation to knowledge of the Green Keyhole symbol. Knowledge was assessed by means of an open-ended question. RESULTS: 62% of the women adequately understood the meaning of the Green Keyhole. These women were significantly younger (P < 0.0001). Mean body mass index (kg/m2+/-s.e.m.) was significantly higher among the women with more knowledge of the Green Keyhole symbol than those with less knowledge: 26.4 +/- 0.2 vs 25.6 +/- 0.2, (P = 0.002). There were no major differences in total fat intake or total fibre intake between the women with less and more knowledge. However the ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids and fibre intake per 4200 kJ (1000 kcal) were higher (P = 0.05 and P = 0.03, respectively) and intake of saturated fatty acids was lower (P = 0.05) in the diet among women with better knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The female population described here understands the campaign but their dietary behaviours do not appear to conform to the low-fat message.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perceived competence and actual level of knowledge of diabetes mellitus among nurses.

Staff nurses were surveyed on their perceived and actual level of knowledge of diabetes mellitus. Staff nurses (n = 32) employed at a rural 62-bed acute care hospital in the southeastern United States constituted a convenience sample. The Diabetes Self-Report Tool was used to assess staff nurses' perceptions of knowledge of diabetes mellitus. Using a Likert-type scale a mean score of 88% was obtained concerning perceived knowledge. The Diabetes Basic Knowledge Test was used to measure the actual level of knowledge of diabetes mellitus. A mean score of 75% was obtained on the Diabetes Basic Knowledge Test. Nurses' perception of knowledge was not related to actual knowledge scores. Study findings raise questions for the nurse involved in staff development concerning the adequacy of nursing competency validation in the area of diabetes management.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2001

A Method for Comparing Knowledge Structures Concerning Their Adequacy.

A knowledge domain is represented in knowledge space theory by a finite set Q of problems. The knowledge of a subject in the domain is described by the subset of problems from Q that the subject is able to solve. The set of all possible knowledge states of subjects is called the knowledge structure on Q. A crucial problem is how a hypothetical knowledge structure, obtained for example by querying an expert, can be evaluated empirically. We describe a method for comparing two knowledge structures concerning their ability to describe a set of empirically observed response patterns. Our comparison method is tested in two simulation studies. The results of these studies show that the method is highly accurate in its evaluation of knowledge structures. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

A Knowledge-Based Systems Approach to Design of Spatial Decision Support Systems for Environmental Management

/ This paper describes a framework for designing spatial decision support systems for environmental management using a knowledge-based systems approach. An architecture for knowledge-based spatial decision supportsystems (KBSDSS) is presented that integrates knowledge-based systems with geographical information systems (GIS) and other problem-solving techniques. A method based on spatial influence diagrams is developed for representation of environmental problems. The spatial influence diagram provides an interface through which knowledge-based systems techniques can be applied to build capabilities for problem formulation, automated design, and execution of a solution process. In addition to the flexibility and developmental advantages of knowledge-based systems, the KBSDSS incorporates expert knowledge to provide assistance for structuring spatial influence diagrams and executing a solution process that automatically integrates the GIS, data base, knowledge base, and different types of models. The framework is illustrated with a system, known as the Islay Land Use Decision Support System (ILUDSS), designed to assist planners in strategic planning of land use for the development of the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland.KEY WORDS: Geographical information systems; Spatial decision support systems; Knowledge-based systems; Spatial influence diagrams; Environmental management

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Data supplementation: a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic knowledge creation approach for characterizing an unexplored region of the response surface.

PURPOSE: To develop a data supplementation [i.e., a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) knowledge creation] approach for generating supplemental data to be used in characterizing a targeted unexplored segment of the response surface. METHODS: The procedure for data supplementation can be summarized as follows: 1) statement of the objective of data supplementation for PK/PD knowledge creation, 2) performance of PK knowledge discovery, 3) PK data synthesis for target dose group(s), 4) covariate data synthesis for virtual subjects in the target dose group(s), 5) discovery of hidden knowledge from real data set to which supplemental data will be added, 6) implementation of a data supplementation methodology, and 7) discovery and communication of the created knowledge. A nonparametric approximate Bayesian multiple supplementation and its modification, structure-based multiple supplementation, which is an adaptation of the approximate Bayesian bootstrap, is proposed as a method of data supplementation for PK/PD knowledge creation. The structured-based multiple supplementation methodology was applied to characterize the effect of a target dose of 100 mg that was unexplored in a previously concluded study that investigated the effect of 200- and 600-mg doses on biomarker response. RESULTS: The target dose of 100 mg was found to produce a response comparable with that of the 200 mg and better than that obtained with the 600 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the PK/PD knowledge creation process through data supplementation resulted in gaining knowledge about a targeted region of a response surface (i.e., the effect of a target dose) that was not previously studied in a completed study without expending resources in conducting a new study.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

Heuristic determination of quantitative data for knowledge acquisition in medicine.

Knowledge acquisition for medical knowledge bases can be aided by programs that suggest possible values for portions of the data. The paper presents an experiment which was used in designing a heuristic to help the process of knowledge acquisition. The heuristic helps to determine numerical data from stylized literature excerpts in the context of knowledge acquisition for the QMR medical knowledge base. Quantitative suggestions from the heuristics are shown to agree substantially with the data incorporated in the final version of the knowledge base. The experiment shows the potential of knowledge base specific heuristics in simplifying the task of knowledge base creation.

Artificial Intelligence↗
PubMed1994

Medical data and knowledge management by integrated medical workstations: summary and recommendations.

The health care professional workstation will function as an interface between the user and the patient data as well as an interface pertinent medical knowledge. Appropriate knowledge focus will require the workstation to recognize the concepts and structure of patient data, and understand the scope and access methods of knowledge sources. Issues are organized around five major themes: (i) structure, (ii) reliability and validation, (iii) views, (iv) location, and (v) ethical and legal. Conventional database representations can effectively address data structure and format variations that will inevitably persist in local data stores. The reliability of data and the validation of knowledge are critical issues that may determine the ultimate utility of clinical workstations. Alternative views of patient information and knowledge sources represent the true power of an intelligent data portal, represented by a well-designed clinical workstation. Both data and knowledge are optimally represented in decentralized information networks, although the confidentiality and ownership of this information must be respected. Evolutionary progress toward consistent representations of knowledge and patient data will be facilitated by the establishment of self-documentation standards for the developers of data encoding systems and knowledge sources, perhaps extended from the preliminary model afforded by the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS).

Computer Security↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Case-based tutoring from a medical knowledge base.

The past decade has seen the emergence of programs that make use of large knowledge bases to assist physicians in diagnosis within the general field of internal medicine. One such program, Internist-I, contains knowledge about over 600 diseases, covering a significant proportion of internal medicine. This paper describes the process of converting a subset of this knowledge base--in the area of cardiovascular diseases--into a probabilistic format, and the use of this resulting knowledge base to teach medical diagnostic knowledge. The system (called KBSimulator--for Knowledge-Based patient Simulator) generates simulated patient cases and uses these cases as a focal point from which to teach medical knowledge. This project demonstrates the feasibility of building an intelligent, flexible instructional system that uses a knowledge base constructed primarily for medical diagnosis.

Artificial Intelligence↗
PubMed1985

Predictors of dentists' level of knowledge regarding the recommended prophylactic regimen for patients with rheumatic heart disease.

Maintaining knowledge of clinical practices, conforming to the latest scientific information, is a major challenge for health professionals. The study aims were to measure clinicians' knowledge and to determine what social factors could best explain and predict those dental clinicians who are most knowledgeable about current expert recommendations for the use of appropriate antibiotic regimens for patients at risk for bacterial endocarditis. Telephone interviews were conducted with 322 New York State dentists, assigned to the study by a computer-generated randomization procedure from lists of oral surgeons, urban general practitioners and rural general practitioners. Data demonstrated extraordinary differences in level of knowledge between oral surgeons and general practitioners, while the level of knowledge between urban and rural general practice groups was quite similar. General Linear Model (GLM)-based analyses indicated that practice size, rationalization of practice, and practice setting and affiliations contributed to the explanation of knowledge level among general practitioners, when adjusted for age. R2s for each of those variables and age, ranged from a low of 0.132 to a high of 0.334. Age made a significant contribution to the explanation of knowledge level in all of the models presented, while the explanatory power of the practice structure variables varied according to respondent's locale (urban vs rural) and age (younger vs older). In order to assess the impact of these structural variables, they were dichotomized (high-low) and entered into a GLM program which accounted for age and locale. Differences in excess of 20 points (on a 0-100 knowledge scale) were sometimes noted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Distribution of knowledge of AIDS: a national study.

Knowledge of, and attitudes toward, AIDS were assessed in a random sample of over 2600 individuals aged 16 and over in all states and territories of Australia. Those with lower knowledge of AIDS were more likely to be separated, divorced or widowed, older, and more personally concerned about AIDS. There were no differences in knowledge of AIDS across states, or between sexes. Individuals with lower knowledge of AIDS had greater fear of homosexuals, more unrealistic concerns about AIDS, blamed those infected more, were more afraid of the unknown aspects of AIDS, and were more conservative. Individuals who had used intravenous drugs ever and in the past year had significantly lower knowledge of AIDS; for other risk behaviours, there were no significant differences. Individuals who personally knew homosexual people had higher knowledge of AIDS. These data indicate that the determinants of knowledge of AIDS are related more strongly to attitudinal variables than to demographic ones, and that there are few differences in knowledge across those practising at risk behaviours, compared with the general population, with the exception of intravenous drug users.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Information technology factors in transferability of knowledge based systems in medicine.

The history of knowledge based systems in medicine has been that they are generally very localised, serving a special need in a single setting. Very few have proven to be capable of transfer to a distant environment. With the advent of tele-medical services and the associated transfer of data and knowledge in such services, the ability of medical KBS to transfer will be crucial to the success of tele-medical services. Differences in knowledge acquisition methods, knowledge representation techniques and in the epidemiological composition of training databases may influence viable transfer of knowledge based systems. Through experiments we demonstrate how rule-based systems may impose inflexible demands on data, how different knowledge acquisition techniques acquire different aspects of knowledge, though trained on a common training database, and how different knowledge acquisition techniques show varying degrees of robustness to slight changes in training databases.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Procedural and declarative knowledge of word recognition and letter decoding in reading an artificial script.

In a previous study [Cogn. Brain Res. 16 (2003) 325], we found that letter knowledge did not evolve from implicit training on whole-word recognition in an artificial Morse-like script, although the participants were adults, experienced in alphabetical reading. Here we show minimal conditions in which letter knowledge may evolve in some individuals from training on whole-word recognition. Participants received multi-session training in reading nonsense words, written in an artificial script, in which each phoneme was represented by two discrete symbols. Three training conditions were compared: alphabetical whole words with letter decoding instruction (Explicit), alphabetical whole words (Implicit), and non-alphabetical whole words (Arbitrary). Subjects were assigned to training either on the explicit and arbitrary or on the implicit and arbitrary conditions. Our results show that: (a) Letter-decoding knowledge evolved implicitly from training on alphabetical whole-word recognition, in some individuals. However, (b) a clear double dissociation was found between effectively applied implicit letter knowledge and declarative letter knowledge. (c) There was no advantage of the implicitly derived over the explicitly instructed letter knowledge. (d) Long-term retention was more effective in the explicit compared to the arbitrary condition. (e) Word-specific recognition contributed significantly to performance in all three training conditions, i.e. even under conditions that presumably afford advantage for word segmentation. Altogether, our results suggest that both declarative and procedural knowledge contributed to letter decoding as well as to word-specific recognition performance. Moreover, a greater dependency on declarative knowledge may not be an inherent characteristic of word-specific recognition, but rather that both letter decoding and word-recognition routines can become proceduralized given sufficient practice.

Adolescent↗