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PubMed2000

[Health promotion and cardiovascular risk factors. The level of knowledge among 510 inpatients of an acute coronary care unit].

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 510 patients hospitalized on a cardiologic ward were questioned on cardiovascular disease risk factors using a questionnaire. The knowledge on these risk factors was assessed with a score system. RESULTS: Knowledge of patients on cardiovascular disease risk factors was generally low: One out of 5 did not know about the consequences of obesity, high blood cholesterol or smoking on the coronary vessels. Over 30% did not name hypertension. Only 1 out of 3 patients mentioned diabetes mellitus as a risk factor. There was no change in the knowledge during the hospital stay despite a standardized and intensive information program. The results of the second survey on the day of discharge were equal to the results of the admission day. Hospital stays in the past had no influence on the knowledge. Patients with a diagnosed coronary heart disease had the same results in the survey as patients with other diseases. The presence of risk factors had hardly any influence on the knowledge of these patients. CONCLUSION: The result of this study emphasizes the need for better health information for patients. The repetitive information on health related issues during inpatient treatment does not seem to have a positive effect on patients' knowledge. Therefore other ways of health education have to be introduced and evaluated in acute care.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Identifying the public's knowledge and intention to use human cloning in Greek urban areas.

PURPOSE: The understanding of the public's knowledge on human cloning (HC) and its acceptability are considered important for the development of evidence-based policy making. The aim of this research study was to investigate the demographic and socioeconomic variables that affect the public's knowledge and intention to use HC in urban areas of Greece. Additionally, the possible association of religiousness with the knowledge and the intention to use HC were also investigated. METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with 1020 men and women of urban areas in Greece. Stratified random sampling was performed to select the respondents. Several scientists, experts in HC, evaluated the content of the instrument initially developed. The final questionnaire was consequently the result of a pilot study. RESULTS: Almost half of the respondents (51.5%) believed that "HC is a sort of in vitro fertilization" and 42.9% that "it has already been applied to human being." They were not aware that "the cloned fetus grows in the woman's uterus" (41.5%) and that "HC could regenerate human organs" (41.7%). The acceptability of human cloning for the cure of terminal diseases and transplantation need is very high (70.7% and 58.6%, respectively). The public's intention to have recourse to cloning on the grounds of "bringing" back to life a loved person or because of reproductive disorders was reported as desire by 35% and 32.5%, respectively. The occupational category (scientists, self-employed, and artists), the Intention to use HC, and the number of children are highly significant predictors of valid knowledge about HC. Low rates of church attendance appeared to relate with high reported Intention to use HC, and increasing scores of valid knowledge about HC increased the public's Intention to use HC. CONCLUSIONS: A number of specific demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and high scores of knowledge provide a persuasive justification in demonstrating intention toward HC. The current study suggests that these findings should receive further attention by policymakers and scientists within the Greek context.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Physician knowledge of child sexual abuse.

This study was undertaken to describe the knowledge about child sexual abuse, and factors that affect the knowledge of a statewide sample of physicians. A survey of physicians (n = 113) participating in a statewide program for child abuse evaluations was made in Summer 1993, with 78% participation. Knowledge scores were derived from the survey based on comparison to the responses of a panel of five experts. Several areas of inadequate knowledge were found including assessment of chlamydia infection, Tanner staging, and documentation of historical and physical exam findings. Factors associated with better knowledge scores were physician participation in continuing medical education and specialization in pediatrics. In addition, variations in presentation of the data affected physician judgement. We conclude that knowledge of physicians about child sexual abuse shows some deficiencies, is generally better among pediatricians, and may be improved by continuing medical education.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Health beliefs and knowledge of patients and doctors in clinical practice and research.

This paper calls for a renewal of interest in monitoring and improving patients' knowledge about their condition and self-care. Such knowledge is essential for patients with chronic disorders such as diabetes. Small or non-existent relationships often observed between knowledge levels and metabolic outcomes in diabetes can be seen to result from inappropriate investigation of these relationships. Knowledge about different aspects of diabetes management needs to be related to relevant outcomes and metabolic control cannot be expected to be related to every aspect of knowledge about diabetes self-care. The importance of health beliefs and perceived control in determining treatment choice and efficacy of treatment is considered. The implications of patients' and doctors' varying knowledge and beliefs for their preferences for different treatment options are examined and the need to consider such preferences when designing, developing and evaluating new treatments is emphasised.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1996

Pain management knowledge, attitudes and clinical practice: the impact of nurses' characteristics and education.

This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice of registered nurses (N = 120) regarding pain management. Data were collected from nine varied clinical units in a large, university-affiliated, teaching hospital in an urban area of the Northeast. Demographic information was also collected to explore the relationship between nurses' characteristics, including previous pain education, clinical experience, area of clinical practice, and other variables, and knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice. Three instruments were used in the study: (a) the Pain Management: Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude Survey; (b) a 12-item demographic questionnaire; and (c) a Pain Audit Tool (PAT) to gather data regarding pain assessment, documentation, and treatment practices from charts. Mean scores from the nursing knowledge and attitudes survey on pain revealed knowledge deficits and inconsistent responses in many areas related to pain management (mean, 62%; range, 41%-90%). The top two nurse-ranked barriers to pain management were related to patient reluctance to report pain and to take opioids for pain relief. Demographic data revealed that education about pain was most inadequate in the following areas: nonpharmacological interventions to relieve pain, the difference between acute and chronic pain, and the anatomy and physiology of pain. Chart audits with the Pain Audit Tool revealed that 76% of the charts (N = 82) lacked documentation of the use of a patient self-rating tool by nurses to assess pain, despite a high reported use (76%) of such a self-rating tool. Adjunct medications were ordered with some consistency, but appeared to be underutilized. This was especially true of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (mean use, 1%). Ninety percent of the charts had no documentation of the use of nonpharmacological interventions to relieve pain. Although this clinical setting has policies and resources in place regarding the management of pain, it would appear that they are not optimal. Practical recommendations are presented for increasing nurses' knowledge about pain management; improving the quality and the consistency of the assessment, documentation and treatment of pain; and disseminating pain management information.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1993

Adolescent knowledge of bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if adolescents with congenital heart disease have adequate knowledge of bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis. DESIGN: Forty-eight adolescents attending a congenital heart disease summer camp were asked to complete an eight-question survey to assess their knowledge of heart disease, endocarditis, and endocarditis prophylaxis. RESULTS: Forty-five of 48 (94%) completed the questionnaire. Thirty-one (69%) knew the name of their heart disease. Two correctly defined endocarditis. None knew measures which could prevent endocarditis. Although 36 (80%) knew they needed to take "a medicine" prior to dental procedures, only 18 (40%) knew that an antibiotic was needed. There were significant gender differences for knowledge of antibiotics and for knowledge of current medications. However, patient gender and regular use of cardiac medications did not correlate significantly with knowledge of endocarditis or bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Whereas most adolescents know the names of their heart lesions and current medications, knowledge of endocarditis and bacterial endocarditis prevention and prophylaxis is inadequate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of contact precautions among Iranian nurses.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge, attitudes, and contact precaution practices were surveyed in nurses at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: Two hundred seventy nurses, midwives, and auxiliary nurses completed a questionnaire consisting of 8 knowledge items with corresponding attitudes and practices items. RESULTS: Compliance with precaution practices was low, 19.5%, and little more than half, 51.8%, held positive attitudes toward the guidelines, whereas 65.5% could correctly answered all precaution knowledge items. Nurses with correct knowledge were 11.3 times more likely (P < .0001) to hold positive attitudes toward the guidelines and 14.2 times more likely (P < .0001) to comply with all 8 precaution practices, and compliers were 6.3 times more likely (P < .0001) to hold positive attitudes than noncompliers. CONCLUSION: Although correct knowledge was associated with compliance and positive attitudes, the proportion of nurses who held positive attitudes also had good knowledge, and compliance with practices was not abundant. Better training coverage may result in compliance with precaution practices becoming the norm.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2005

Predictors of contraception knowledge and use among postpartum adolescents in El Salvador.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to describe demographics and contraceptive familiarity and use among postpartum adolescents in El Salvador. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaire-guided interviews were conducted in Spanish with 50 postpartum adolescents at an urban, public hospital in El Salvador. Open-ended questions included assessments of education, partnership status, and contraceptive knowledge and use patterns. RESULTS: The median age of subjects was 17 years, 84% were nulliparous, 80% had partners, and 6% were married. Eighty-four percent of the women reported contraception knowledge and 18% reported contraception use. Educational experience and literacy predicted contraceptive knowledge (P = .008 and .001, respectively), but not use. After delivery and postpartum contraception education, 58% of the subjects stated intention to use contraception. Having a partner and living with him were predictors of intent to use contraception (P = .001 and .002, respectively). Being single negatively predicted intention to use contraception (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Education and literacy predicted contraceptive knowledge; however, contraceptive knowledge did not predict contraceptive use. Adolescent contraception use depends on more than just contraceptive knowledge.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Ethnic differences in older americans: awareness, knowledge, and beliefs about hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is often uncontrolled and contributes to health disparities, especially among individuals >or=50 years old. Ethnic differences in awareness, knowledge, and beliefs about hypertension may contribute to these disparities, but information is limited. METHODS: To address this gap, data from a national telephone survey on 1503 Americans 50 years and older were used to assess ethnic differences in awareness, knowledge, and beliefs about hypertension and the relationship of the responses to self-reported blood pressure (BP) control. RESULTS: Overall there were no ethnic differences in knowledge and beliefs about hypertension; however, there were differences in responses to specific questions. African Americans were more knowledgeable about the definition of hypertension and were more aware that hypertension can cause kidney failure than Hispanics and whites (64.2% v 54.8% and 46.3%, P<.0001). African American and Hispanics were more likely to perceive medications as the only way to control BP (50.5% and 55.5% v 23.3%, P<.0001), whereas whites reported lifestyle changes as more important than African Americans in BP control. Comparing self-reported BP control between ethnic groups, belief that medications are not the only way to treat BP (odds ratio [OR] 2.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-3.95) and knowledge that moderation of alcohol use can lower BP (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.20-4.57) were significantly associated with higher BP control rates. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic differences in specific dimensions of knowledge and beliefs about hypertension exist and account for some of the disparities in BP control. Culturally appropriate educational programs that address these deficiencies may reduce disparities.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2004

Effects of a structured patient-centered discharge interview on patients' knowledge about their medications.

PURPOSE: Many recently hospitalized patients lack knowledge about important aspects of their medications. We evaluated whether a structured discharge interview could improve medication knowledge. METHODS: Patients discharged with at least one discharge medication were recruited from two general internal medicine services (one experimental and one control) of a teaching hospital. During a 3-month baseline period, usual care at discharge was provided in both services. During the ensuing 3-month period, observation was continued in the control service; residents in the experimental service implemented the intervention, which consisted of a structured patient-centered discharge interview during which a computer-generated individualized treatment card was discussed with and provided to patients. One week after discharge, patients' knowledge about their medications was assessed by telephone. RESULTS: We enrolled a total of 809 patients. After adjustment for patients' characteristics and for the effect of time, the intervention significantly increased the percentage of medications for which patients correctly knew the purposes (adjusted difference = 6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3% to 8%; P <0.001), possible side effects (adjusted difference = 19%; 95% CI: 9% to 29%; P <0.001), and precautions to observe (adjusted difference = 9%; 95% CI: 2% to 19%; P <0.001). However, the number of medications that patients discontinued after discharge was not modified. Patients with a better knowledge of side effects of their active treatment were less likely to discontinue their medications, but there were no associations with other types of knowledge. CONCLUSION: A structured patient-centered discharge interview, performed by residents using a standardized treatment card, significantly increased patients' knowledge about their medications. Its effects on compliance require further study.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2005

When the ordinary seems unexpected: evidence for incremental physical knowledge in young infants.

According to a recent account of infants' acquisition of their physical knowledge, the incremental-knowledge account, infants form distinct event categories, such as occlusion, containment, support, and collision events. In each category, infants identify one or more vectors which correspond to distinct problems that must be solved. For each vector, infants acquire a sequence of variables that enables them to predict outcomes within the vector more and more accurately over time. This account predicts that infants who have acquired only a few of the variables in a sequence should err in two ways in violation-of-expectation tasks: (1) they should view impossible events consistent with their incomplete knowledge as expected (errors of omission), and (2) they should view possible events inconsistent with their incomplete knowledge as unexpected (errors of commission). Many reports have shown that infants who have not yet identified a variable in an event category produce errors of omission: they fail to view impossible events involving the variable as unexpected. However, there has been no report revealing errors of commission in infants' responses to possible events. The present research examined whether 3- and 2.5-month-old infants, whose knowledge of occlusion events is very limited, would produce errors of commission as well as errors of omission when responding to these events. At 3 months of age, infants viewed as unexpected a possible event in which a tall cylinder became visible when passing behind a tall screen with a very large opening extending from its upper edge. At 2.5 months, infants viewed as unexpected a possible event in which a tall cylinder became visible when passing behind a tall screen with a very large opening extending from its lower edge. These findings provide a new kind of evidence for the incremental-knowledge account, and more generally for the notion that infants, like older children and adults, engage in rule-based reasoning about physical events.

Child Development↗
PubMed2004

Nursing students' opinions and knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine therapies.

The aim of this study was to determine the nursing students' opinions and knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in Turkey. A descriptive study was conducted via questionnaire to a convenience sample of 276 nursing students. Students expressed positive opinions about CAM therapies, but their personal knowledge about CAM therapies was limited. Many students (64.5%, n=178) indicated that they wanted CAM to be integrated into the nursing curriculum and used in clinical practice (62.3%, n=172). Although students expressed knowledge of massage, diet, vitamins, herbal products, and praying, they had limited knowledge of biofeedback. Nursing students knowledge and understanding about CAM therapies in general, was found to be limited. It is suggested that the inclusion of CAM within in the nursing curriculum would prepare nurses to respond to knowledgably to patient questions related to CAM therapies.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Knowledge and practice of foot care in people with diabetes.

AIM: To determine knowledge and practice of foot care in people with diabetes. METHODS: A questionnaire was completed by patients in Middlesbrough, South Tees, UK. A knowledge score was calculated and current practice determined. Practices that put patients at risk of developing foot ulcers and barriers to good practice were identified. Patients at high risk of ulceration were compared to those at low risk. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score was 6.5 (S.D. 2.1) out of a possible 11. There was a positive correlation between the score and having received advice on foot care (6.9 versus 5.4, P = 0.001). Deficiencies in knowledge included the inability to sense minor injury to the feet (47.3%), proneness to ulceration (52.4%) and effect of smoking on the circulation (44.5%). 24.6% (20.1-29.2) never visited a chiropodist, 18.5% (14.2-22.7) failed to inspect their feet and 83% (79.1-86.9) did not have their feet measured when they last purchased shoes. Practices that put patients at risk included use of direct forms of heat on the feet and walking barefoot. Barriers to practice of foot care were mainly due to co-morbidity. Those with high risk feet showed a higher (6.8) but not significant knowledge score compared to those at low risk (6.5) and their foot care practise was better. CONCLUSION: The results highlight areas where efforts to improve knowledge and practice may contribute to the prevention of foot ulcers and amputation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis at basic health care facilities in rural Vietnam: a survey of knowledge and reported practices among health staff.

One fundamental element needed for tuberculosis control programmes to succeed is that health staff should adequately manage persons with both suspected and confirmed tuberculosis. This study assesses the level of knowledge and reported practices regarding tuberculosis among health staff at basic health care facilities in a rural district in Vietnam. A questionnaire consisting of 17 multiple-choice questions, 6 open questions, and five case-studies was completed by 253 health staff. Nearly half of the respondents (47%) answered at least 17 out of 23 questions correctly. The mean knowledge score was 15.59 +/- 3.78 (range 5-23). The mean practice score was 2.03 +/- 1.28 (range 0-5). Health staff knowledge of theoretical aspects was better than knowledge related to patient management. Even staff members who had attended TB training courses had inadequate TB knowledge, particularly in the area of TB control. District hospital staff reported surprisingly lower knowledge scores than community health care staff. Practice competency related to the management of tuberculosis patients during treatment course was low. The importance of targeted education using multiple educational methods needs to be emphasized within the National Tuberculosis Programme.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Korean university students' knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding: a questionnaire survey.

Infant feeding decisions depend on knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding. The purpose of this study was to explore Korean university students' knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding by gender and major. This was a cross-sectional comparative study among 341 university students. The instrument was a modified self-administered breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes questionnaire. Female students were slightly more knowledgeable and had somewhat more positive attitudes compared to male students. Students in health-related fields showed more knowledge than students in other disciplines, but their attitudes did not differ in majority. A significant correlation was found between the students' knowledge and their attitudes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge and clinical expertise regarding oral cancer among Brazilian dentists.

The aim of the present work was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of Brazilian General Dental Practitioners with regard to aspects of the aetiology, early diagnosis and prevention of oral cancer relevant for general dental practice. A convenience sample of 129 dentists in Brazil was randomly selected and asked to complete a questionnaire. Results of bi-variated analysis revealed that a self-perceived good knowledge regarding relevant aspects of oral cancer was statistically significantly associated with male gender (Chi square=4.59, P<0.05). Simple logistic regression revealed that male professionals were 2.9 times more knowledgeable than their female colleagues (OR=2.9, 1.1-8.1 95% CI, P=0.037), although, this association was not statistically significant when adjusted for age using multiple regression analysis (OR=2.7, 0.9-7.5 95% CI, P=0.059). There were no significant differences in relevant knowledge and attitudes of private compared with public dentists. Importantly, General Dental Practitioners who spent more than half of time of a patient's initial consultation undertaking a clinical examination were the more likely to detect oral cancer (Chi square=4.245, P=0.039) than those who set aside little time examining their patients. It is concluded that the knowledge of dentists in Brazil regarding relevant aspects of oral cancer is suboptimal, and may not be associated with any examined social-demographic variables. Further research is required to clarify the role of continuing professional education in improving the knowledge and attitudes of dentists relevant to oral cancer in Brazil.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Knowledge about condoms among low-income pregnant Latina adolescents in relation to explicit maternal discussion of contraceptives.

PURPOSE: To examine pregnant adolescents' conceptual knowledge about condom use and its relation to maternal implicit and explicit communication about contraceptives. METHODS: Forty-five pregnant Latina adolescents (aged 14 to 18 years) were interviewed regarding their knowledge about how condoms prevent pregnancy. In addition, the adolescents were videotaped having a conversation with their mothers (23 English-speaking, 22 Spanish-speaking) about dating and sexuality, which was coded for maternal explicit and implicit messages about contraception. RESULTS: A more detailed, accurate understanding of how condoms work, and the ability to explicitly describe that knowledge, was associated with adolescents reporting higher levels of confidence about using condoms, and increased comfort talking to partners about condoms. Mothers' explicit mention of contraception was related to their adolescents having detailed, accurate information about condoms. Among Spanish-speaking dyads only, maternal explicit messages were associated with adolescents using more explicit terminology in describing their knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Study results have implications for intervention with a high-risk population of Latina mothers and adolescents. The study also highlights the importance of examining specific aspects of knowledge, namely conceptual, biological knowledge.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Undergraduate nursing students' acquisition and retention of CPR knowledge and skills.

The ability to respond quickly and effectively to a cardiac arrest situation rests on nurses being competent in the emergency life-saving procedure of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which Irish nursing students acquire and retain CPR cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills following CPR training. A quasi-experimental time series design was used. A pre-test, CPR training programme, post-test, and re-test were conducted. CPR knowledge was assessed by a multiple-choice assessment and psychomotor skills were assessed by observing CPR performance on a Resusci-Anne skill-meter manikin. The findings showed an acquisition in nurses' CPR knowledge and psychomotor performance following a 4h CPR training programme. Despite this, at no point in this study, did any nurse pass the CPR skills assessment. A deterioration in both CPR knowledge and skills was found 10 weeks following CPR training. However, students' knowledge and skills were improved over their pre-training scores, which clearly indicated a positive retention in CPR cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills. The study findings present strong evidence to support the critical role of CPR training in ensuring that nursing students progress to competent and confident responders in the event of a cardiac related emergency.

Adolescent↗