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PubMed1996

Trends in heterosexual tertiary students' knowledge of HIV and intentions to avoid people who might have HIV.

This study investigated trends in HIV knowledge and endorsement of social avoidance of people who might be infected with HIV. The respondents (n = 7387) were self-identified heterosexual students. Most of them (n = 6500) were first-year behavioural or biological sciences students from annual surveys (1988-1995) at Macquarie University. The others (n = 887) were from four biennial (1987-1993) random samples of all students below 30 years of age at the University of Sydney. Students at both campuses completed self-administered questionnaires. Nine items were used to compute Partner Distinction Scale scores which indicated whether students had accurate knowledge that HIV may be transmitted through specific sexual practices with either casual or regular partners. Eleven items contributed to a Social Avoidance Scale. At Macquarie, male students had more accurate knowledge than female students, [F(1, 6024) = 9.20, p < 0.003], but at Sydney there were no significant sex differences in knowledge. Male students endorsed greater social avoidance at both Macquarie, [F(1, 6421) = 195.57, p < 0.00005], and Sydney, [F(1, 881) = 32.41, p < 0.00005]. Multiple linear regression on social avoidance revealed a significant reduction in social avoidance over time, with more rapid decrease among male students. Whereas less social avoidance was partly attributable to better knowledge over time, it is concluded that the improved social climate towards those most affected by HIV is mainly due to a shift in cultural norms.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge and practice related to trachoma among children in Vietnam: a cross-sectional study.

A cross-sectional descriptive survey to determine the magnitude and determinants of knowledge and practice in relation to trachoma among children in Vietnam is presented. Interviews were conducted with 358 children ages 6 to 15 years in three districts of Northern Vietnam using a closed-ended questionnaire. Responses related to causes, prevention methods, consequences, and observed preventive practices were standardized. The knowledge of causes of trachoma and prevention methods was assessed as "excellent" in 61.1% and 69.45% of female and male children, respectively. Mode of transmission and consequences of trachoma were very well known to 68.70% and 57.74% of female and male children, respectively. Trachoma control practice was excellent in 54.72% of children. Females had better knowledge, and practice of trachoma control was better in female than male children. Ten- to 15-year-olds had better knowledge and practices than 6- to 10-year-old children. Trachoma knowledge and practice was better in children of Vinh Loc District of Thanh Hoa Province than in those in Tu Ky District of Hai Duong Province. The schools were the best source of the information. Mass media had a limited role. The outcome suggested a limited positive impact of the 6 months intense initiatives of a health education campaign. Based on the study results, the campaign could be reorganized to focus on high-risk groups and to improve the impact. The findings could be compared to the results of a similar study after 2 years of the campaign.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Childbirth and infant development knowledge gaps in interpersonal settings.

The knowledge gap hypothesis predicts that infusions of information into an environment will lead to knowledge gain by groups with higher socioeconomic status (SES) at rates that outpace the knowledge gain of lower SES groups, leading to a growing relative gap between them. Four information source variables were examined in the present study: education, baby care experience, friend and relative networks, and interpersonal communication in a parent education setting. Study subjects were mothers and fathers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and mothers in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In the sample, the classic pattern of widening gaps due to education was not supported by time trend data, although one-time data showed gaps. The interpersonal communication condition contributed most to knowledge levels and to widened knowledge gaps.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Investigating nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and skills patterns towards clinical management system: results of a cluster analysis.

To determine whether definable subtypes exist within a cohort of Hong Kong nurses as related to the clinical management system use in their clinical practices based on their knowledge, attitudes, skills, and background factors. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The sample of 242 registered nurses was recruited from three hospitals in Hong Kong. The study employs personal and demographic variables, knowledge, attitudes, and skills scale. A cluster analysis yielded two clusters. Each cluster represents a different profile of Hong Kong nurses on the clinical management system use in their clinical practices. The first group (Cluster 1) was labeled 'lower attitudes, less skilful and average knowledge' group, and represented 55.4% of the total respondents. The second group (Cluster 2) was labeled as 'positive attitudes, good knowledge but less skilful'. They comprised almost 44.6% of this nursing sample. Cluster 2 had more older nurses, the majority were educated to the baccalaureate or above level, with more than 10 years working experience, and they held a more senior ranking then Cluster 1. A clear profile of Hong Kong nurses may benefit healthcare professionals in making appropriate education or assistance to prompt the use of the clinical management system by nurses an officially recognized profession. The findings were useful in determining nurse-users' specific needs and their preferences for modification of the clinical management system. Such findings should be used to formulate strategies to encourage nurses to resolve actual problems following computer training and to increase the depth and breadth of nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and skills toward such system.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Characteristics and correlates of asthma knowledge among emergency department users in Harlem.

We constructed a questionnaire to assess asthma knowledge, assessed its psychometric properties, and examined its association with demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and disease severity and management in 375 adults following an asthma-related emergency department visit. Overall knowledge was poor but varied widely among respondents. Better knowledge was related to younger age, higher education, and less severe disease. Chance-orientated health locus of control and low self-esteem were associated with lower asthma knowledge. Better knowledge was associated with better disease management. We conclude that asthma education can lead to improved disease outcomes, and psychosocial factors need to be considered when designing interventions for asthma education.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Asthma knowledge and medication compliance among parents of asthmatic children in Nanjing, China.

Asthma knowledge and medication compliance among parents of 150 asthmatic children in Nanjing were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The results showed that 54.7% of parents had poor knowledge of asthma and its management. Parental compliance with medication was also suboptimal as only 43.3% of parents reported adherence with prescribed anti-asthmatic medication for their children. Reasons for non-compliance included fear of medication side-effects and tolerance, and forgetting to give the child's medication. Education and occupation were found to be associated with asthma knowledge, however there was no association between age or income with knowledge. Income was associated with compliance with asthma medication, however no association was found between parents' age, education, occupation, or asthma knowledge with compliance. This study has identified the need for accurate and up-to-date information on asthma for parents of asthmatic children as well as programs aimed at teaching parents skills in managing their child's asthma. There is also the need for strategies aimed at improving communication between the health provider and parents of asthmatic children.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Massachusetts registered dietitians' knowledge, attitudes, opinions, personal use, and recommendations to clients about herbal supplements.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, personal use and recommendations of herbal supplements among registered dietitians (RDs) in Massachusetts. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted by a self-administered survey. SUBJECTS: One hundred and fifty-eight RDs from active members of the Massachusetts Dietetic Association (MDA). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multivariate regression identified statistical significance and examined the association between the dietitians' test scores from eight herbal knowledge questions with their personal herbal use and recommendations to clients and their age, education, work experience, and work status. RESULTS: We obtained a 53% response rate. The dietitians scored an average of 5.4 of a possible 8 on the herbal knowledge questions. Seventy-three percent (73%) perceived themselves to have little or no knowledge of herbal supplements. Only 37% reported using herbs and 22% recommending herbs to clients in the past year. A significant positive association was observed between herbal supplement knowledge score and frequency of personal use (p = 0.004), and recommendation to clients (p = 0.001). Eighty-nine percent (89%) agreed that herbal supplement education should be incorporated into dietetic curricula. DISCUSSION: The majority of the dietitians may lack herbal supplement familiarity. Therefore, these dietitians may be reluctant to personally use or recommend herbs to clients, even though the majority believe herbs can be effective for specific illness and health maintenance. These results may indicate a need to include more extensive education in the dietetic curricula and to continue education regarding herbal supplements in response to the increasing consumer herbal supplement use.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Knowledge of structured treatment interruption and adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

We conducted a survey of 106 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy at a community hospital in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to determine the extent of patient knowledge and attitudes about structured treatment interruption (STI) and whether these were factors in adherence to antiretroviral regimens. Thirty-six percent of patients possessed knowledge of STI as a treatment option and four patients reported that they had stopped taking antiretroviral therapy without specific recommendation from their physician based on information they had heard or read about STI. There was no difference in median adherence based on whether a patient was aware of STI, however, in the group who had heard of STI, attitude that STI is very beneficial was correlated with greater adherence to medication. More than one third of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy possessed knowledge of STI, and this knowledge affected adherence to antiretroviral regimens. Providers caring for HIV-infected patients should routinely inquire about patient knowledge of STI as another factor in assessing adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The role of personal health concerns and knowledge of the health effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the ever use of HRT by menopausal women, aged 50-54 years.

UNLABELLED: Previous studies of factors important in a woman's decision to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) infrequently have simultaneously considered the effects of personal concern for chronic medical disorders that begin at the time of the menopause (such as osteoporosis and heart disease) and knowledge of the beneficial and adverse effects of HRT on these conditions (increased risk of uterine and breast cancers). Moreover, few studies have been performed in broad-based populations that have included black women. This study was undertaken to determine the cross-sectional association of concern for chronic medical disorders that begin at the time of the menopause and knowledge of the effects of HRT on these disorders on the ever use of HRT in a biracial cohort of postmenopausal women. Two hundred eight-eight women, aged 50-54 years, who were members of an HMO, who reported their last menstrual period to be more than 1 year ago, and who were aware of HRT, were examined by questionnaire. Of the cohort, 21.2% were black. Concern for chronic medical disorders that begin at the time of the menopause was modest (approximately 50%). Knowledge of the effects of HRT on breast cancer, uterine cancer, and heart disease was low (approximately 30%). Only for osteoporosis was knowledge high (approximately 65%). On adjusted analysis, concern for heart disease was weakly associated with ever use of HRT, but only for white women. The factors most strongly associated with initiating HRT were a doctor's recommendation to use HRT and satisfaction with a doctor's counseling. Having menopausal symptoms was associated with ever use of HRT in black women. Black women were only 30% as likely as white women to ever use HRT after adjustment for baseline differences. CONCLUSION: In this study, personal concerns for medical conditions that begin at the time of the menopause and knowledge of the effects of HRT on these conditions were low. Only personal concern for heart disease among white women was independently, but weakly, associated with ever use of HRT. Black women were less likely than white women to ever use HRT, even after adjustment for baseline differences between them.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2006

Healthy women with a family history of breast cancer: impact of a tailored genetic counseling intervention on risk perception, knowledge, and menopausal therapy decision making.

BACKGROUND: Women with a family history of breast cancer have several menopausal therapy options, including tamoxifen, hormone therapy (HT), alternative medications, or no treatment. This complex decision should be based on each woman's risk to develop breast cancer, menopausal symptoms, preferences, and risks for other conditions. The authors determined the effects of a personalized risk assessment and genetic counseling intervention on knowledge, risk perception, and decision making in a group of healthy women who had a first-degree relative with breast cancer. METHODS: Forty-eight cancer-free menopausal women age > or =40 years who had at least one first-degree relative with breast cancer were randomized to a genetic counseling intervention or control. Intervention participants were given a personalized risk assessment for breast cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and uterine cancer based on family history and personal health data. Knowledge, risk perception, and medication usage were measured at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months. RESULTS: Knowledge was higher in the intervention group at both follow-up time points postintervention. Perceived risk for developing breast cancer was significantly lower and more accurate in the intervention group at 1 and 6 months postintervention than at baseline, as was perceived risk of developing heart disease. Although the counseling intervention did affect both knowledge and risk perception, overall, both groups were reluctant to take any form of menopausal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: A personalized risk assessment and genetic counseling intervention improves patient knowledge and risk perception; however, it is unclear that the intervention influenced menopausal treatment decisions.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The effect of education on knowledge and management of elder abuse: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Abuse of older adults may occur to a disproportionate extent in institutions. Lack of familiarity with protocols when managing abuse once it occurs is one of the reasons why it persists. Educational interventions are one of the ways to improve knowledge and management in this area. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of attending an educational course (Group 1) to printed educational material (Group 2) in improving management of abuse of older people. To determine if positive attitude and low burnout scores are related to improvement. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: North London, UK. SUBJECTS: Nurses, care assistants and social workers working with older people. METHODS: Staff answered questionnaires pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: The study was completed by 64 (81%) of staff. Baseline scores on knowledge and management abusive scenarios were low. Those randomized to Group 1 improved after intervention and Group 2 deteriorated (Group 1=3.7 [standard deviation=8.1], ANOVA F=23.0; P=0.0001 and Group 2=-2.9 [standard deviation=10.0]). There was a ceiling effect with those who knew more learning less. The significant independent variables in regression analysis to predict learning were being randomized to Group 1 (P=0.003; odds ratio=6.8; 95% confidence interval=1.9-24.5) and low baseline knowledge and management score, (P=0.015, odds ratio=4.8, confidence interval=1.4-16.9). Most staff had a positive attitude towards people with dementia; positive attitude score correlated with baseline knowledge, but did not predict learning. CONCLUSION: Identifying, documenting and reporting abuse of older people is not carried out consistently. Whilst an educational course goes some way in improving this, it needs to be targeted to take into account the baseline knowledge.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

The functional neuroanatomy of comprehension and memory: the importance of prior knowledge.

Stories are a common way in which humans convey and acquire new information. Their effectiveness and memorability require that they be understood which, in turn, depends on two factors-whether the story makes sense and the prior knowledge that the listener brings to bear. Comprehension requires the linking of related pieces of information, some provided within the story and some by the listener, in a process establishing coherence. In this study, we examined brain activations associated with story processing. During PET scanning, passages of prose were read twice to subjects during successive scans with the requirement to remember them. These were either standard stories that were readily comprehensible, or unusual stories for which the global theme was very difficult to extract without prior knowledge of the mental framework. This was manipulated by the provision of relevant, irrelevant or no visual cues shortly before the story. Ratings of comprehension provided by the subjects just after each scan confirmed that standard stories were more comprehensible than the unusual stories, as were unusual stories with a mental framework compared with those without. PET results showed activation of anterior and ventral parts of the medial parietal/posterior cingulate cortex in association with hearing unusual stories when subjects were given prior knowledge of what it might be about. Medial ventral orbitofrontal cortex and left temporal pole activations were found to be associated with more general aspects of comprehension. Medial parietal cortex (precuneus) and left prefrontal cortex were associated with story repetition. We suggest that while the temporal pole is involved in the linking of propositions to build a narrative, the anterior medial parietal/posterior cingulate cortex is concerned with linking this information with prior knowledge. All of this occurs in the context of a general memory processing/retrieval system that includes the posterior parietal (precuneus) and prefrontal cortex. Knowledge of how distinct brain regions contribute differentially to aspects of comprehension and memory has implications for understanding how these processes break down in conditions of brain injury or disease.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2004

Thinking about actions: the neural substrates of person knowledge.

Despite an extensive literature on the neural substrates of semantic knowledge, how person-related information is represented in the brain has yet to be elucidated. Accordingly, in the present study we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural correlates of person knowledge. Focusing on the neural substrates of action knowledge, participants reported whether or not a common set of behaviors could be performed by people or dogs. While dogs and people are capable of performing many of the same actions (e.g. run, sit, bite), we surmised that the representation of this knowledge would be associated with distinct patterns of neural activity. Specifically, person judgments were expected to activate cortical areas associated with theory of mind (ToM) reasoning. The results supported this prediction. Whereas action-related judgments about dogs were associated with activity in various regions, including the occipital and parahippocampal gyri; identical judgments about people yielded activity in areas of prefrontal cortex, notably the right middle and medial frontal gyri. These findings suggest that person knowledge may be functionally dissociable from comparable information about other animals, with action-related judgments about people recruiting neural activity that is indicative of ToM reasoning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Survey of HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes of Kuwaiti family physicians.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore Kuwaiti family physicians' attitudes and knowledge about HIV/AIDS. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-two Kuwaiti family physicians (95 females and 67 males) from all four health catchment areas have completed a 30-item self-administered questionnaire to measure HIV/AIDS-related attitudes and knowledge. RESULTS: Knowledge was lacking in areas dealing with HIV-related neuropsychiatric complications and other issues concerning HIV/AIDS, special populations and range of normal sexuality. The majority of physicians expressed negative attitudes toward homosexuality and about AIDS patients in general. Eighty-three per cent of Kuwaiti family physicians would opt out of treating AIDS patients. More than half of the physicians would avoid coming into social contact with HIV-seropositive persons. No significant difference was found for the total knowledge and attitude scores for gender. CONCLUSION: The results of this survey revealed that even in the second decade of the AIDS epidemic, some Kuwaiti family physicians continue to have a lack of proper knowledge about HIV and harbour negative attitudes toward AIDS patients. There is a need to promote an AIDS education early in the medical internship training years which addresses many underlying socio-cultural factors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Continuity of care: general practitioners' knowledge about, and sense of responsibility toward their patients.

The aim of the present study was to examine the relations between continuity of care and the general practitioners' accumulated knowledge about their patients. A further objective was to evaluate the link between continuity of care and the doctors' sense of medical responsibility towards the patients. Emphasis was placed on the chronological, or longitudinal component of continuity of care. In a cross-sectional record study a representative sample of 133 Norwegian general practitioners each registered 30 consecutive consultations. Two aspects of longitudinal care were recorded: the duration of the patient-doctor relationship, measured as time from the first visit to the present, and the density, measured as the number of consultations (office or home visits) within the last 12 months. The physicians subjectively evaluated their accumulated knowledge about the patient's medical history, personality, and social network, on multinomic scales. Their sense of medical responsibility was indicated as one of three alternatives. Of 3990 possible recordings, 3918 (98%) were evaluated. In about one-third of all encounters the doctors reported extensive knowledge about their patients. It took at least one, and often 5 years, or at least 4-5 visits last year, to create such an extensive knowledge base. The physician's sense of responsibility increased more rapidly, and to a higher degree with the density of visits, than with duration of the relationship. The findings indicate firm links between longitudinal care and accumulated knowledge, and between longitudinal care and the doctors' sense of responsibility towards their patients.

Continuity of Patient Care↗
PubMed2004

Knowledge and perceptions of drug quality among drug sellers and consumers in Lao PDR.

In most developing countries, including the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), high prevalence of low quality drugs has been reported. The aim of this study was to explore knowledge and perceptions regarding drug quality among drug sellers and consumers, in Savannakhet province, Lao PDR. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Fifty-nine drug sellers and 278 exit customers were interviewed. Eight focus group discussions with drug sellers and community members were conducted. There was inadequate scientific drug knowledge among drug sellers. Only a few customers were aware of the existence of low quality drugs. Only one drug seller knew what constitutes a good quality drug according to the given criteria, and only two drug sellers knew the correct temperature for drug storage. Forty-four per cent had correct knowledge on drug labelling and 73% could read the expiry date. Fifty-eight per cent stated that they bought some drugs from unauthorized sources. Both drug sellers and consumers also elaborated on a local definition of drug quality. They determined drug quality by its perceived efficacy in the sense that a drug is good if it takes the disease away. They also trusted the responsible authorities not to provide them with low quality drugs. A majority of the consumers (73%) did not worry about the quality of the drugs, their greatest problem being financial constraints. People living in urban districts had significantly more knowledge on aspects of drug quality than those living in rural and remote areas. The limitations in scientific knowledge among drug sellers and the low awareness among consumers may contribute to the continued existence of low quality drugs. Government interventions through training of drug sellers and drug information for lay people are suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Promoting health knowledge through micro-credit programmes: experience of BRAC in Bangladesh.

This paper aims to assess the contribution of the micro-credit programme in raising health knowledge among poor women in rural Bangladesh. Data were collected from the 1998 sample survey of 500 mothers aged 15-49 years who had at least one child aged <5 years. Findings revealed that the socio-demographic factors such as the age of the woman, land ownership of the family and occupation of husband had no association with the prevalence of maternal knowledge. The knowledge was much greater among credit forum participants than non-participants, although exposure to the media and the education of women had also played a significant role in raising the level of knowledge. Multivariate analysis suggested that the duration of credit programme participation and exposure to the media were significantly more likely to raise the health knowledge among women when the influence of demographic and socio-economic factors were controlled. The paper concludes that the micro-credit programme can be an effective tool in promoting health among poor women in Bangladesh.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The Singaporean response to the SARS outbreak: knowledge sufficiency versus public trust.

During the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Singapore from 1 March to 11 May 2003, various national prevention and control measures were undertaken to control and eliminate the transmission of the infection. During the initial period of the epidemic, public communication was effected through press releases and media coverage of the epidemic. About a month into the epidemic, a public education campaign was mounted to educate Singaporeans on SARS and adoption of appropriate behaviours to prevent the spread of the disease. A survey was conducted in late April 2003 to assess Singaporeans' knowledge about SARS and infection control measures, and their concerns and anxiety in relation to the outbreak. The survey also sought to assess their confidence in the ability of various institutions to deal with SARS and their opinion on the seemingly tough measures enforced. The study involved 853 adults selected from a telephone-sampling frame. Stratified sampling was used to ensure adequate representation from major ethnic groups and age groups. The study showed that the overall knowledge about SARS and control measures undertaken was low (mean per cent score of 24.5 +/- 8.9%). While 82% of respondents expressed confidence in measures undertaken by Tan Tock Seng Hospital (the hospital designated to manage SARS), only 36% had confidence in nursing homes. However, >80% of the public agreed that the preventive and control measures instituted were appropriate. Despite the low knowledge score, the overall mean satisfaction score of the government's response to SARS was 4.47 (out of possible highest score of 5.00), with >93% of adult Singaporeans indicating that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the government's response to SARS. Generally, Singaporeans had a high level of public trust (satisfaction with government, confidence in institutions, deeming government measures appropriate), scoring 11.4 out of possible maximum of 14. The disparity between low knowledge on the one hand and high confidence and trust in the actions of the government on the other suggests that Singaporeans do not require high knowledge sufficiency to be confident in measures undertaken by the government to control the SARS crisis.

Adult↗