Antibiotics are considered to be among the most commonly sold drug classes in Palestine. Resistance to antibiotics has increased for reasons relating to the use and misuse of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, and attitudes regarding antibiotic use and awareness about resistance among adults visiting the emergency departments at hospitals in North Palestine. A self-administered cross-sectional questionnaire survey involving participants aged 18 or over was conducted from June 2012 to February 2013. Adults who visited the emergency departments at hospitals in North Palestine were included. Demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic use were included in the questionnaire. Poor and good knowledge were defined as a total knowledge score of 0–7 and 8–15 of 15 questions, respectively. Attitude scores of 0–3 and 4–7 of 7 questions were considered poor and good, respectively. A total of 375 questionnaires were included in the study. A response rate of 83.3% was attained. About 55.0% of the participants had a good knowledge and 56.5% had a good attitude towards rational antibiotic use. A significant positive correlation was shown between participants’ knowledge scores and participants’ attitude scores towards antibiotic use (R = 0.344, P = 0.001. Participants with a high family income were more likely to be aware of appropriate antibiotic use than participants with a low family income (P-value <0.001). Participants with a higher educational level (university) had a good attitude towards rational antibiotic use than those with a lower education level (P-value <0.001). This study has documented important knowledge and attitude gaps in antibiotic use. These findings will help health policymakers in Palestine to implement intervention programmes to rationalize antibiotic use. Continuing medical education, professional development and training workshops for healthcare professionals regarding rational use of antibiotics and health risks associated with the spread of antibiotic resistance are needed. In addition, minimizing non-prescription use of antibiotics and increasing the public awareness about the health and economic hazards of antibiotic resistance are also required.
Background Pressure ulcer remains a
significant problem in the healthcare system. In addition to the suffering it
causes patients, it bears a growing financial burden. Although pressure ulcer
prevention and care have improved in recent years, pressure ulcer still exists
and occurs in both hospital and community settings. In Jordan, there are a
handful of studies on pressure ulcer. This study aims to explore levels of
knowledge and knowledge sources about pressure ulcer prevention, as well as
barriers to implementing pressure ulcer prevention guidelines among Jordanian
nurses.
Methods Using a cross-sectional study design and a self-administered
questionnaire, data was collected from 194 baccalaureate and master’s level
staff nurses working in eight Jordanian hospitals. From September to October of
2011, their knowledge levels about pressure ulcer prevention and the sources of
this knowledge were assessed, along with the barriers which reduce successful
pressure ulcer care and prevention. ANOVA
and t-test analysis were used to test the differences in nurses’
knowledge according to participants’ characteristics. Means, standard
deviation, and frequencies were used to describe nurses’ knowledge levels,
knowledge sources, and barriers to pressure ulcer prevention.
Results The majority (73%, n = 141) of nurses had inadequate knowledge
about pressure ulcer prevention. The mean scores of the test for all
participants was 10.84 out of 26 (SD = 2.3, range = 5–17), with the lowest
score in themes related to PU etiology, preventive measures to reduce amount of
pressure/shear, and risk assessment. In-service training was the second source
of education on pressure ulcer, coming after university training. Shortage of
staff and lack of time were the most frequently cited barriers to carrying out
pressure ulcer risk assessment, documentation, and prevention.
Conclusions This study highlights concerns about Jordanian nurses’
knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention. The results of the current study showed
inadequate knowledge among Jordanian nurses about pressure ulcer prevention
based on National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel guidelines. Also, the low level
of nurses’ pressure ulcer knowledge suggests poor dissemination of pressure
ulcer knowledge in Jordan, a suggestion supported by the lack of relationship
between years of experience and pressure ulcer knowledge.
BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers (PUs) are health problems that resulted in human suffering, pain, disfigurement, loss of productive time, and financial burden. Despite the fact that PU is largely preventable (Elliott, McKinley & Fox, 2008) and recent advances in health care, PU rates are significantly increased in health care facilities (EPUAP, 2009). PURPOSE: The current study examined the effects of pressure ulcer education program on nurses’ knowledge, practices, attitudes and intentions towards PU prevention and treatment. METHODS: Interventional approach using before-after test design was used. Two hundred and twenty nurses were randomly selected from eight hospitals in Jordan. Nurses’ knowledge and practice about PU was measured by PU knowledge and practice test based on EPUAP guidelines and Beeckman et al. (2011), while attitudes and intentions were measured using scales. RESULTS: The study revealed that nurses’ knowledge, practices, attitudes and intentions were improved towards PU prevention and treatment. Demographic variables such as gender and years of experience were influential in relation to nurses’ knowledge, practices, attitudes and intentions towards PU prevention and treatment. Results also showed lack of accurate information about PU management among nurses and positive nurses’ attitudes toward PU prevention and treatment. CONCLUSION: A PU education program is a powerful tool for nurses. It provides an opportunity to improve understanding of PU, keep abreast of current knowledge on PU, and eliminate patient's suffering. Additionally, PU education programs can help nurses to acquire professional attitudes that will enable them to improve quality of nursing care.
Objectives The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge and practices associated with pesticide use in an agricultural community in Palestine, and to determine the prevalence of self-reported health symptoms related to pesticide exposure. Methods In this cross-sectional questionnaire study, agricultural farm workers in Nablus district, Palestine, were interviewed on their knowledge and practices of pesticide use. Comparisons of knowledge and practices of pesticide use between various groups were performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test or the Kruskal–Wallis rank test of variance. The program of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15 was used for data analysis. Results The questionnaire was completed by 381 farm workers. The mean age ± SD of the participants was 38.8 ± 11.8 years. The majority (97.9%) of the participants were male. The mean participant scores for knowledge and safety procedures were 2.8 ± 3.2 out of 8 and 9.8 ± 2.4 out of 15, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.323; P < 0.001) between the knowledge and safety procedure scores. Unsafe behaviors were identified as the storage of pesticide products at home, the preparation of pesticides in the kitchen, inadequate disposal of empty pesticide containers, eating and drinking during pesticide application, and using inadequate protective clothing. The most frequent self-reported toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use were skin rash (37.5%), headache (37%), excessive sweating (24.9%), and diarrhea (21.3%). There was a strong significant negative correlation (r = −0.83; P < 0.001) between self-reported toxicity symptoms and scores for protective measures. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that most farm workers in this district need more educational programs regarding the safety and use of pesticides. Legislation promoting the use of safer pesticides is also needed.
see the full file here
Objectives The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge and practices associated with pesticide use in an agricultural community in Palestine, and to determine the prevalence of self-reported health symptoms related to pesticide exposure.
Methods In this cross-sectional questionnaire study, agricultural farm workers in Nablus district, Palestine, were interviewed on their knowledge and practices of pesticide use. Comparisons of knowledge and practices of pesticide use between various groups were performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test or the Kruskal–Wallis rank test of variance. The program of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15 was used for data analysis.
Results The questionnaire was completed by 381 farm workers. The mean age ± SD of the participants was 38.8 ± 11.8 years. The majority (97.9%) of the participants were male. The mean participant scores for knowledge and safety procedures were 2.8 ± 3.2 out of 8 and 9.8 ± 2.4 out of 15, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.323; P < 0.001) between the knowledge and safety procedure scores. Unsafe behaviors were identified as the storage of pesticide products at home, the preparation of pesticides in the kitchen, inadequate disposal of empty pesticide containers, eating and drinking during pesticide application, and using inadequate protective clothing. The most frequent self-reported toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use were skin rash (37.5%), headache (37%), excessive sweating (24.9%), and diarrhea (21.3%). There was a strong significant negative correlation (r = −0.83; P < 0.001) between self-reported toxicity symptoms and scores for protective measures.
Conclusion The results of this study indicate that most farm workers in this district need more educational programs regarding the safety and use of pesticides. Legislation promoting the use of safer pesticides is also needed.
see the full file here
Objectives The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge and practices associated with pesticide use in an agricultural community in Palestine, and to determine the prevalence of self-reported health symptoms related to pesticide exposure.
Methods:In this cross-sectional questionnaire study, agricultural farm workers in Nablus district, Palestine, were interviewed on their knowledge and practices of pesticide use. Comparisons of knowledge and practices of pesticide use between various groups were performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test or the Kruskal–Wallis rank test of variance. The program of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15 was used for data analysis.
Results: The questionnaire was completed by 381 farm workers. The mean age ± SD of the participants was 38.8 ± 11.8 years. The majority (97.9%) of the participants were male. The mean participant scores for knowledge and safety procedures were 2.8 ± 3.2 out of 8 and 9.8 ± 2.4 out of 15, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.323; P < 0.001) between the knowledge and safety procedure scores. Unsafe behaviors were identified as the storage of pesticide products at home, the preparation of pesticides in the kitchen, inadequate disposal of empty pesticide containers, eating and drinking during pesticide application, and using inadequate protective clothing. The most frequent self-reported toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use were skin rash (37.5%), headache (37%), excessive sweating (24.9%), and diarrhea (21.3%). There was a strong significant negative correlation (r = −0.83; P < 0.001) between self-reported toxicity symptoms and scores for protective measures.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that most farm workers in this district need more educational programs regarding the safety and use of pesticides. Legislation promoting the use of safer pesticides is also needed.
Objectives The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge and practices associated with pesticide use in an agricultural community in Palestine, and to determine the prevalence of self-reported health symptoms related to pesticide exposure.
Methods In this cross-sectional questionnaire study, agricultural farm workers in Nablus district, Palestine, were interviewed on their knowledge and practices of pesticide use. Comparisons of knowledge and practices of pesticide use between various groups were performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test or the Kruskal–Wallis rank test of variance. The program of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15 was used for data analysis.
Results The questionnaire was completed by 381 farm workers. The mean age ± SD of the participants was 38.8 ± 11.8 years. The majority (97.9%) of the participants were male. The mean participant scores for knowledge and safety procedures were 2.8 ± 3.2 out of 8 and 9.8 ± 2.4 out of 15, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.323; P < 0.001) between the knowledge and safety procedure scores. Unsafe behaviors were identified as the storage of pesticide products at home, the preparation of pesticides in the kitchen, inadequate disposal of empty pesticide containers, eating and drinking during pesticide application, and using inadequate protective clothing. The most frequent self-reported toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use were skin rash (37.5%), headache (37%), excessive sweating (24.9%), and diarrhea (21.3%). There was a strong significant negative correlation (r = −0.83; P < 0.001) between self-reported toxicity symptoms and scores for protective measures.
Conclusion The results of this study indicate that most farm workers in this district need more educational programs regarding the safety and use of pesticides. Legislation promoting the use of safer pesticides is also needed.