Knowledge, attitude and practice of physiotherapists about lymphedema: A Turkish perspective.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists are important members of the healthcare team in the management of lymphedema. Therefore, the level of knowledge and awareness of physiotherapists on this disease is substantial. This study was planned to investigate knowledge, attitude, and practice of physiotherapists about lymphedema in Turkey. METHOD: This study was a qualitative, prospective, and cross-sectional research. Data were collected with the web-survey which consisted of the demographical characteristics information, evaluation of their own knowledge and practice in lymphedema management, and current knowledge of physiotherapists about lymphedema based on the current literature. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-four physiotherapists (174 Female: 100 Male; mean age: 29.87 ± 6.9 years) completed the web-survey. From 274 physiotherapists, 52.60% of them had no education about lymphedema, 13.90% of them had never seen any patient with lymphedema, and 57.70% of them had not taken part in the management of a patient with lymphedema. 71.90% of the physiotherapists did not think they have enough knowledge about lymphedema. It was identified that physiotherapists' general and risk factors knowledge about lymphedema was sufficient. However, physiotherapists showed a lack of knowledge on the evaluation, treatment, and recommendations for lymphedema. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapists' education and experience in lymphedema management are crucial as they are important members of the multidisciplinary team. To raise qualified physiotherapists in this field, from undergraduate education, special training programs about lymphedema should be added to their lifelong learning process.

Evaluation of nurses' and midwives' knowledge and attitudes towards recognizing violence against women.

The study was cross-sectional research that surveyed 410 nurses and midwives from March 2020 to March 2021 in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of nurses and midwives towards recognizing violence against women. The "Scale for Nurses' and Midwives' Recognition of the Symptoms of Violence against Women" were used. The average total scale score was 20.3 ± 3.2. The score of participants who are receiving postgraduate education, working in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics, and considering intervention as a professional responsibility when encountering a woman who has experienced violence was found to be significantly higher than the other groups (p<.05). It is important for midwives and nurses to be aware of signs of violence to identify violence against women. Providing education to midwives and nurses regarding signs of violence against women will contribute to the recognition, prevention, and awareness of violence.

L'étude était une recherche transversale qui a enquêté sur 410 infirmières et sages-femmes de mars 2020 à mars 2021 en Turquie. L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer les connaissances et les attitudes des infirmières et des sages-femmes envers la reconnaissance de la violence contre les femmes. L'échelle de reconnaissance des symptômes de la violence contre les femmes des infirmières et des sages-femmes a été utilisée. Le score moyen total de l'échelle était de 20,3 ± 3,2. Le score des participants qui suivent une formation de troisième cycle, travaillant dans le domaine de la gynécologie et de l'obstétrique, et considérant l'intervention comme une responsabilité professionnelle lorsqu'ils rencontrent une femme victime de violence s'est avéré significativement plus élevé que les autres groupes (p<.001). Il est important que les sages-femmes et les infirmières soient conscientes des signes de violence pour identifier la violence contre les femmes. Fournir une éducation aux sages-femmes et aux infirmières concernant les signes de violence contre les femmes contribuera à la reconnaissance, à la prévention et à la sensibilisation à la violence.

A Study of the Use of Medicinal Plants by Persons With Type 2 Diabetes in Iran.

Medicinal plants are used by many people with Type 2 diabetes in Iran. The aim of this study was to explore why this is so, from their perspective. Sixteen persons with Type 2 diabetes in Yazd City, Iran, were interviewed in April and May 2020 for this study. A thematic analysis of the transcripts of those interviews was done using MAXQDA 10 software. Six themes were identified: beliefs about medicinal plants, psychological factors, accessibility and economic barriers, patients' knowledge and awareness, social pressure, and the role of family culture. The recommendation of the study is that health counselors and specialists should provide needed information and skills for the proper use of medicinal plants, and the pharmaceutical infrastructures need to be expanded to provide enough drugs to facilitate better access to needed medication and reduce reliance on medicinal plants for persons with Type 2 diabetes.

Impact of the ´Alforja Educativa' on Ecuadorian schoolchildren's knowledge of bacteria, antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance, a pretest-posttest study.

BACKGROUND: Widespread use of antibiotics disrupts the balance in the microbial world and promotes development and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Educational initiatives are important as part of strategies to mitigate antibiotic resistance. The Alforja Educativa is an innovative educational program developed in Ecuador with the aim to teach schoolchildren about antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. The program places antibiotic resistance within a broader frame of health, well-being, and ecological awareness, highlighting the importance to maintain balance in the microbial world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Alforja Educativa on knowledge about bacteria, antibiotics and antibiotic resistance amongst fifth and sixth grade Ecuadorian schoolchildren. METHODS: This pretest-posttest intervention study was conducted between April and June 2017 and comprised fifth and sixth grade schoolchildren from 20 schools in Cuenca, Ecuador, recruited by purposeful sampling. The Alforja Educativa was implemented over twelve 80-minute sessions by trained university students. Schoolchildren's knowledge was assessed before and after participation in the educational program using a structured questionnaire. A mean total score, the proportion of correct responses for each individual knowledge-based question, as well as correct responses for each of the multiple-choice options of the knowledge-based questions were calculated for the pretest and posttest. RESULTS: A total of 1,257 schoolchildren participated in the Alforja Educativa program, of which 980 (78%) completed both the pretest and posttest. Overall, the mean total knowledge score increased from pretest to posttest (2.58/7.00 vs. 3.85/7.00; CI = 0.5, p < 0.001). After participation in the program, the proportion of schoolchildren that correctly identified that bacteria can be both good and bad increased from 35.0 to 84.3%. In addition, scores increased for correctly identifying the meaning of antibiotic resistance (37.4-72.0%); how to prevent antibiotic resistance (63.2-74.6%); and for identifying the meaning of self-medication (46.3-54.3%). CONCLUSION: The Alforja Educativa was effective in improving the knowledge of participating schoolchildren about concepts related to bacteria, antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. The holistic perspective taken to explain the complex relationship between humans and bacteria, as well as the effect of antibiotics on the microbial world, may help provide a foundation for more sustainable antibiotic use.

Supplement usage and doping attitudes in elite youth sports: The mediating role of dietary supplement acceptance.

This study investigated whether dietary supplement acceptance mediated the relationship between supplement use and doping attitudes in youth sports. To this end, we employed a two-wave half-longitudinal design during a sports season (time point one [T1] to time point two [T2]). The sample consisted of 217 elite youth athletes (47% male; mean age = 16.98 years, standard deviation = 0.88) who competed in team sports (43%; N = 93; basketball, floorball, handball, and ice hockey) and individual sports (57%; N = 124; alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, swimming, and tennis). The participants were recruited from eight Norwegian sports academy high schools that provide extracurricular, higher-level training and specialization for youth athletes. Results from structural equation modeling analysis indicated that dietary supplement acceptance (T2) mediated the positive relationship between supplement use (T1) and doping attitudes (T2) when accounting for prior levels of the mediator and the outcome variable. These findings suggest that when young athletes used dietary supplements at the start of the season to improve their performance, they were more likely to view the use of supplements as acceptable and to report more favorable attitudes toward doping at the end of the season six months later. For those seeking to prevent doping in youth sports, targeting athletes' views on the acceptable use of dietary supplements may be important.

A Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research-based process to develop theoretically-informed human papillomavirus vaccination educational materials for young adults.

OBJECTIVE: To develop theory-informed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine education materials that appeal to 18-26-year-olds. METHODS: First, draft materials informed by Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Health Belief Model (HBM) were developed. Next, an initial set of Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)-guided interviews were conducted with 18-26-year-old participants to receive feedback about content, format, appeal, implementation facilitators and barriers, and potential delivery modalities. Then, interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Next, materials were modified based upon feedback. Finally, another set of interviews was conducted. RESULTS: Most participants (n = 15) were female (93%), White (60%), and non-Hispanic (93%). All (100%) had heard of HPV and the HPV vaccine, and 80% reported having received the vaccine. Participant feedback on materials included emphasizing vaccine benefits and efficacy, rewording to enhance comprehension, and adding images represent diversity beyond race/ethnicity and sexual orientation. Suggested delivery methods included social media, print materials, and posters. CONCLUSION: Qualitative interviews with young adults suggest that HPV education materials targeted to 18-26-year-olds should include health behavior theory-aligned messaging, inclusive imagery, and be disseminated through multiple modalities. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Providers should consider utilizing theory-based education materials that are relevant and appealing to young adults.

Beyond pillbox: a national cross-sectional study on the attitudes, practices, and knowledge of community pharmacists regarding complementary and alternative medicine.

BACKGROUND: While community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to promote the safe and effective use of complementary and alternative medicine, their potential role remains largely untapped. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to complementary and alternative medicine products among community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates and explore the correlates of knowledge in the study sample. METHODS: Using a stratified random sampling frame, a national survey of community pharmacists was conducted in the United Arab Emirates. In a face-to-face interaction, participants completed a multi-component questionnaire consisting of four sections: sociodemographic and general characteristics; knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine products and usage; attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine and practices related to complementary and alternative medicine. Based on participants' answers, scores were calculated with higher scores indicating more positive knowledge, attitudes, and practices. RESULTS: 373 community pharmacists participated in the study (response rate: 83%). For the knowledge questions, more than 50% of community pharmacists correctly answered the functions of complementary and alternative medicine, however lower percentages were noted for the side effects and drug interactions questions. Most community pharmacists had positive attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine, except for particular aspects such as efficacy, where 40% agreed that complementary and alternative medicine is only effective in treating minor complaints. As for practices, while more than 70% of participants counseled patients on complementary and alternative medicine use, only 47% reported the toxic effects when encountered. Multiple linear regressions showed that community pharmacists working in independent pharmacies, those with fewer years of experience, and those who did not receive complementary and alternative medicine education during their academic degree had lower knowledge scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed that community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates have good knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine functions and generally positive attitudes and practices, with few gaps identified in each. Together, these findings provide critical evidence for the development of targeted interventions to promote the role of community pharmacists towards safe and effective complementary and alternative medicine use in the country.

Laid-back breastfeeding: knowledge, attitudes and practices of midwives and student midwives in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Despite concerted efforts by policy developers, health professionals and lay groups, breastfeeding rates in Ireland remain one of the lowest in world, with 63.6% of mothers initiating breastfeeding at birth, dropping to 37.6% of mothers breastfeeding exclusively on hospital discharge. Nipple trauma and difficulties with baby latching are major contributors to the introduction of formula and discontinuation of breastfeeding. Research shows laid-back breastfeeding (LBBF) significantly reduces breast problems such as sore and cracked nipples, engorgement, and mastitis as well as facilitating a better latch. Although the benefits of LBBF are well documented, this position does not seem to be routinely suggested to mothers as an option when establishing breastfeeding. This study aims to determine midwives' and student midwives' knowledge, attitudes, and practices of using laid-back breastfeeding in Ireland. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive survey distributed to midwives and student midwives in three maternity hospitals in Ireland and two online midwifery groups based in the Republic of Ireland, during June, July, and August 2021. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-three valid responses were received from nine maternity units. Most participants (81.4%) were aware of laid-back breastfeeding. However, only 6.8% of respondents cited it as the position they most frequently use. Over one-third (38.34%) had never used this position with mothers. Those more likely to suggest LBBF had personal experience of it, were lactation consultants or working towards qualification, or had participated in specific education about LBBF. Barriers included lack of education, confidence, time, and experience. Further issues related to work culture, a tendency to continue using more familiar positions and concerns about mothers' anatomy and mothers' unfamiliarity with LBBF. CONCLUSION: Although there was a high level of awareness of laid-back breastfeeding among midwives and student midwives, there are challenges preventing its use in practice. Education specifically related to using LBBF in practice is required to overcome the barriers identified. A greater understanding of mothers' and babies' intrinsic feeding capacities may give midwives more confidence to recommend this method as a first choice, potentially leading to more successful breastfeeding establishment and maintenance.

Attitudes of Future Nurses and Midwives On Organ Donation and Transplantation and Affecting Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the attitudes of undergraduate nursing and midwifery students toward organ donation and identify the factors that influence these attitudes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Bucak School of Health, in Turkey. A total of 700 students participated in the study, representing 88.49% of the population. Online forms were used for data collection, and the Organ Donation Attitude Scale was used as a data collection tool. RESULTS: Our results showed that 47.9% of the students had not expressed a desire to donate their organs, and only 0.1% reported having donated organs. Additionally, 41.4% of the participants did not share their thoughts on organ donation with their families. Our study also found that 87.4% of the participants had not participated in any training program on organ donation. Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors such as students' sex, progress toward completion of curriculum (ie, class year), presence of a family member with organ transplant experience, organ donation status, and knowledge of organ donation influenced the participants' attitudes toward organ donation. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need for health care professionals, including nursing students, to be educated and prepared to promote and support organ donation. By understanding the factors that influence attitudes, interventions and educational programs can be developed to improve organ donation rates and address misconceptions or concerns among nursing students.

Somali immigrant women's knowledge of and experiences with folic acid supplement use before and during pregnancy: A qualitative study from Norway.

INTRODUCTION: Health authorities in many countries recommend that women should take folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy to prevent having babies with neural tube defects. Somali immigrant women in Norway use less folic acid supplements than the recommended amount and subsequently, less than Norwegian-born women. OBJECTIVES: To explore Somali immigrant women's knowledge of and experiences with using folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy. METHODS: Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews with ten Somali immigrant women in Norway. The participants were recruited and interviewed between September and November 2019. Graneheim and Lundmans qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Two main themes were developed through the process of analysing the data: 1) Attitudes to life and pregnancy affect how health care advice is met; 2) Understanding the benefits of folic acid is crucial. CONCLUSIONS: The women in this study had varied knowledge about, and experiences with the use of folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy. The findings suggest that the healthcare system needs to adapt the information it provides on folic acid supplementation to target the needs of Somali immigrant women. In line with suggestions from the study participants, information needs to be given in a timely manner, by someone they trust, in their first language, include visual aids, and be offered to all women of childbearing age before their first pregnancy.

Knowledge, attitude, and utilization of traditional medicine within the plural medical system in West Java, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: The concept of 'medical pluralism' has become more popular among scholars in applied health science and prevalent in societies where one medical system alone cannot adequately meet the health care needs of the entire population. METHODS: The data collection is focused on the knowledge-belief-practice and the utilization of three medical systems in Kabupaten Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Participants were purposively selected from households with at least one member experienced one of the listed diseases in the questionnaire. The extensive survey using a structured questionnaire has been undertaken to collect data on people's health care utilization behaviour. The dataset is further analyzed using multivariate analysis through non-canonical correlation, with the analytical data provided by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). RESULTS: With regards to the total utilization by patients, the traditional medical system presents as the dominant medical system in the research area, accounting for 59.3% (n = 419) of total utilization, followed by the modern medical system (33.0%, n = 233), and transitional medical system (7.7%, n = 54). This study identified that village category, illness, illness duration, occupation, belief in traditional medicine, knowledge of modern medicine, accessibility, cost, proximity to the medical service, and insurance have significant (χ2 = 0.000) relationship with the utilization of medical systems. The results of the multivariate analysis show that the block of the predisposing socio-demographic factors and the block of the predisposing psycho-social factors correlate strongly with the utilization of medical systems. CONCLUSIONS: In general, people in Kabupaten Bandung, West Java, Indonesia seeks treatment from various sources, which in the context of the medical system, consists of the traditional, transitional, and modern medical system; therefore, it adopts the patterns of transcultural health care utilization. In terms of the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of traditional medicine in West Java, the inhabitants of the five research villages were commonly familiar with medicinal plants and speak profoundly about their knowledge of traditional medicine, which in the research area is perceived as accessible, efficacious, affordable and culturally appropriate with Sundanese community.

Evaluating the long-term impact of large-scale trainings: an exposure based cross-sectional study on female genital mutilation-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among Sudanese midwives in Khartoum State.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the long-term impact of large-scale training targeting midwives in a setting where they are the main female genital mutilation (FGM) practitioners. We hypothesised that trained midwives would have significantly higher knowledge, greater opposition to midwives' involvement in this practice, and improved clinical practice in FGM prevention and care compared with non-trained midwives. DESIGN: We conducted an exposure based cross-sectional study, using closed-ended and open-ended questions during phone interviews. SETTING: Khartoum State in Sudan has a high prevalence of FGM (88%) mainly performed by midwives. PARTICIPANTS: Midwives who received (n=127) and did not receive FGM training (n=55). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We developed primary outcomes aligned to the three levels (reaction, learning and behaviour) of Kirkpatrick's training evaluation model for descriptive and multivariable analyses in Stata. RESULTS: All the midwives interviewed were female, mostly village midwives (92%) and worked in health centres (89%). The mean age and midwifery experience was 51 years (SD=10) and 23 years (SD=12), respectively. Overall, most midwives (>90%) reported being supportive of FGM discontinuation. Midwives who had FGM training were more aware that performing FGM violates code of conduct (p=0.001) and reported to always counsel patients to abandon FGM (p<0.001) compared with midwives who did not report training. However, these associations were not statistically significant in multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for age. Exploratory analysis of training curricula showed higher knowledge, correct attitude and practices among those who reported in-service training before 2016. CONCLUSION: Though past trainings were associated with higher knowledge and greater opposition to midwives' involvement in FGM, this was not translated into appropriate corrective clinical procedures among affected women during labour. The Sudan Ministry of Health invested heavily in training midwives and it would be important to investigate why trained midwives do not implement recommended FGM-related clinical management.

Blood purification practices: Some ethnopharmacological insight from a rural community in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Blood purification practices, also referred to as blood cleansing or detoxification, is an ancient concept which is widespread within African traditional medicine. There is, however, limited consolidated information about the selection of plant species, the purpose of use and how the preparation is made. An in-depth examination of how regional communities use medicinal plants for blood purification is needed to better understand this ethnopharmacological practice. AIM OF THE STUDY: To gather knowledge on the traditional use of medicinal plants used for the purpose of blood purification by laypersons in northern Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on medicinal plants used in the rural areas of northern Maputaland for blood purification. Interviews were conducted in 55 homesteads, where the most knowledgeable participant per household was interviewed using structured questionnaires. Information collected included knowledge of the concept of blood purification, purpose for medicating, plant selection, and mode of preparation. The most important species and families were identified through indices. RESULTS: Sixty-four plant species from 35 families were recorded as blood purifiers for the treatment of ailments linked to the need for blood purification. Terminalia sericea Burch. ex DC. was the most used plant species (mentioned by 39% of the people interviewed). The conditions that were mostly associated with blood purification were skin complaints, gastro-intestinal disorders, and overall improvement of general health. Blood purification is also commonly used for non-medical purposes such as granting good luck or as a love charm. Six new plant species and five new Zulu vernacular names had not previously been documented for blood purification. CONCLUSION: The frequently mentioned use of medicinal plants for blood purification by the rural community of northern Maputaland clearly emphasises the importance of this cultural practice. There is no doubt that when examining African traditional medicine, holistic terms such as "blood cleansing" cannot be ignored. Future studies may provide a better understanding of this often misunderstood and undocumented practice.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants in Melit area (North Darfur), Western Sudan.

BACKGROUND: The documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge in Sudan is restricted to specific regions, and there is a far-reaching lack of written information on the traditional use of medicinal plants in other places like Darfur State, in western Sudan. The present study was designed to document the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine of Melit area in North Darfur State. METHOD: Ethnomedicinal information was collected from 135 local informants through semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analysed for use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level. RESULTS: A total of 59 medicinal plants, belonging to 32 families and 55 genera, were recorded for their traditional uses in Melit area. Fabaceae were represented by highest number of species (13) followed by Asteraceae and Malvaceae (4 each) and Poaceae (3). Herbs comprise the main sources (50.8%) of traditional remedies. Fruits and stem bark (17.9% each) were the major plant parts used. Decoction (36.5%) is the most mode of preparation used. Geigeria alata was most commonly used species with UV of 2.37. The highest ICF values were recorded for swellings (ICF = 1.00) and respiratory system (ICF = 0.95) categories. Ten plants, namely Carica papaya, Corchorus trilocularis, Eragrostis cilianensis, Heliotropium sudanicum, Mollugo cerviana, Psiadia punctulate, Rhynchosia minima, Solanum coagulans, Solanum forskalii and Tephrosia purpurea, were cited for the first time as medicinal plants used in Sudan traditional medicine. Resins of Boswellia papyrifera, seeds of Nigella sativa, pods of Vachellia nilotica (syn. Acacia nilotica) and clove of Syzygium aromticum were used to make different preparations for the treatment of the corona virus. CONCLUSION: This is the first ethnobotanical survey conducted in this region which is always suffering from security issues, and results indicated that Melit area harbours high diversity of plants used traditionally to cure different health conditions. The present study aids in conserving such rich heritage, and it is recommended that the newly reported species worth further studying over their phytochemical and biological properties.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the indigenous community of the western region of Mizoram, India.

BACKGROUND: Plants have long been utilized as traditional medicines by the inhabitants. However, until recently, the traditional knowledge had not been extensively documented from the hilly state of Mizoram, India. The present study was designed to perform a quantitative analysis of ethnomedicinal plants used by Mizo tribes using quantitative ethnobotanical indices. The study attempts to find new ethnomedicinal plant species that could be a source for the discovery of new drug formulations. METHODS: The information was obtained through extensive and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative indices such as informant consensus factor (ICF), use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), relative frequency of citation (RFC), and relative importance index (RI) were used to quantify the advantages, significance, and coverage of ethnomedicine. All the collected data were analyzed using the ethnobotanyR package in R. RESULTS: A total of 124 ethnomedicinal plant species, distributed in 112 genera under 60 families, were documented from 206 informants. Herbs (49.19%) were the most dominant growth form, and leaves (49.19%) were the most common plant parts used for the preparation of herbal medicine while decoction (61.21%) was the most popular formulation. Asteraceae (11) were the most common families among the documented species. Digestive disease, burns, cuts, and wounds had the highest ICF value (0.94), and Lepionurus sylvestris had the highest FL (91%). Oroxylum indicum (6.25) was the most commonly utilized ethnomedicinal plant based on UV, RI had the highest value in Blumea lanceolaria (1.12), and O. indicum (0.29) had the highest RFC value. According to the findings, the traditional medicinal plant treatment is still widely used in the research area. CONCLUSION: Documentation of new ethnomedicinal species and their therapeutic usage will encourage further phytochemical and pharmacological research, potentially leading to the discovery of new drug formulations.

The knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of pregnant women regarding seafood consumption during the antenatal period: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal nutrition impacts fetal growth and development. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) guidelines recommend pregnant women consume 2-3 servings (224-336 g) of fish/seafood per week to support intake of long chain omega 3 fatty acids, given adequate consumption supports numerous health benefits including reduced risk of preterm and early preterm birth. Evidence indicates that pregnant women purposely lower their fish/seafood intake, largely due to fears of methylmercury exposure. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding their fish/seafood consumption during the antenatal period. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 2018 and December 2020 among a purposive sample of 12 pregnant women from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Themes were developed on the women's lived experience related to fish/seafood knowledge, attitudes, and consumption behaviour. RESULTS: The most prominent finding was widespread non-adherence to fish/seafood consumption guidelines. This was largely owing to a lack of proactive health promotion related to the health benefits of fish/seafood throughout pregnancy, including the health promoting roles of long chain omega 3 fatty acids for fetal growth and development. Three themes were identified: nutrition knowledge; sources of health promotion; and barriers and enablers to fish/seafood consumption. CONCLUSIONS: To support adequate maternal consumption of fish/seafood throughout pregnancy, emphasis should be placed on the benefits of consuming this food group regularly. Additionally, pregnant women should receive education about the health promoting role of long chain omega 3 fatty acids. Dietitians are well placed to provide this information.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, Yunnan Province, SW China.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Yi people in the Xiaoliangshan region in southwest China have a unique practice of combining ritual treatment and traditional medicine to care for patients. Despite increasing urbanization in the area, they have managed to preserve their distinctive lifestyle and extensive knowledge of traditional medicinal plants, setting them apart from other regions. However, there is a lack of systematic documentation on the knowledge of traditional medicinal plants used by the Yi people in Xiaoliangshan. AIM OF THE STUDY: This research aims to achieve the following objectives: 1. Document the diversity of medicinal plants used by the Yi people and explore their therapeutic usages. 2. Evaluate and analyze the main types of diseases with a high incidence in the local area and identify the types of medicinal plants used to treat these diseases. 3. Explore the underlying geographical and human factors influencing both disease prevalence and medicinal plant usage. METHODS: Ethnobotanical research methods were used to record and analyze the medicinal plants used by the Yi in Xiaoliangshan. Experts identified all plant specimens collected during ethnobotanical field surveys. The types of diseases treated by medicinal plants were classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care -2nd. RESULTS: A total of 125 medicinal plants were recorded after interviewing 193 participants. Of the medicinal plants identified, those with over 100 use reports were Paris polyphylla (202 use reports), Taxillus sutchuenensis (183), Artemisia indica (149), and Papaver somniferum (113). A total of 14 disease categories were recorded, with those related to the following categories having higher Informant Consensus factor values (ICF ≥0.85): Pregnancy, Childbearing, Family Planning, General and Unspecified, Urological, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Skin. The highest quantity of medicinal plants is utilized to improve specific diseases and health problems, namely those related to Digestion, Skin, and Musculoskeletal. Fewer plant species were utilized for diseases or health issues associated with Eyes, Psychological, or Pregnancy, Childbearing, and Family Planning. The use reports from the informants also revealed how some medicinal plants are used to treat a variety of diseases or health issues. For instance, Malva pusilla is used for inducing abortion, treating postpartum hemorrhage, and joint sprains; Artemisia indica is used for treating malaria; Argentina lineata is used to remedy tuberculosis and malaria. Taxillus sutchuenensis is used for dealing with cold, pneumonia, and other ailments. CONCLUSIONS: The Yi people in Xiaoliangshan have a rich knowledge of traditional medicinal plants. Decoction and wine brewing are the most common processing methods used for these plants, which are utilized to treat a wide range of diseases. The characteristics of the medicinal use of the Yi people reflects the alpine mountainous environment in which they live, and their medical practices are closely related to traditional healing culture. This study enhances our understanding of the Yi traditional medicine via documentation and offers a valuable reference for future research and the development of new drugs.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards community-acquired pneumonia and COVID-19 among general population: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the general population to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2022 and February 2023, involving the general population from Ningbo Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a self-developed questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 637 valid questionnaires were collected, with the majority of participants being female (62.48%). The mean score for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 7.60 ± 2.39 (possible range: 0-12), 43.20 ± 4.57 (possible range: 11-55), and 34.57 ± 4.95 (possible range: 10-50), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that master's degree or above (OR = 6.04, 95% CI: 1.80-20.31, P = 0.004) and occupation in business or service careers (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.17-0.48, P < 0.001) were independent associated with knowledge. The knowledge (OR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.20-1.44, P < 0.001) and female gender (OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.03-2.14, P = 0.036) were independently associated with positive attitudes. Attitudes (OR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.26-1.43, P < 0.001) and a monthly household income greater than 20,000 RMB (OR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.15-0.64, P = 0.001) were independent associated with practices. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that knowledge positively correlated with attitude scores (r = 0.348, P < 0.001) and practice scores (r = 0.259, P < 0.001), and attitude and practice scores were also positively correlated (r = 0.563, P < 0.001). Structural equation modeling showed that knowledge predicted attitudes (ß = 0.67, P < 0.001) and practices (ß = 0.17, P = 0.017), while attitudes predicted practices (ß = 0.58, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: General population had moderate knowledge, positive attitudes and average practices towards CAP and COVID-19.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Ticks, Tick-Borne Diseases, and Ethnomedicine Among an at-Risk Population in Kerala.

Tick and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasing annually, and the study of ticks has gained importance after the outbreak of Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) in the South Western Ghats of India. Wayanad district of Kerala, with the highest tribal population in South India, is a KFD endemic state, owing to the lack of knowledge, attitude, and practice studies on TBDs and ethnomedicines against ticks. This study was carried out to assess their baseline knowledge, attitude, and ethnomedicinal practice against ticks. A structured questionnaire was used to conduct a survey of 499 tribal members living in forest fringe areas. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors that influence the knowledge, attitude, and practice of tribes on TBDs. More than 70% of the population visit the forests on a regular basis, with 65.7% of the population regularly exposed to tick bites; however, only 47.7% were aware of TBDs. About 47.4% of the respondents took precautions like therapeutics and natural remedies to avoid tick bites. Ten species of medicinal plant belonging to eight different families have been identified from the survey. The tribal population use these plants to repel ticks as well as treat tick bites. From the study, we concluded that the limited in-depth knowledge displayed by the tribes can be strengthened by conducting community programs such as awareness classes on TBD and its control measures. The ethnobotanicals identified can be used to formulate novel tick repellents in the future.

The potential of Ethiopian medicinal plants to treat emergent viral diseases.

Ethiopians have deep-rooted traditions of using plants to treat ailments affecting humans and domesticated animals. Approximately 80% of the population continues to rely on traditional medicine, including for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Many antiviral plants are available to and widely used by communities in areas where access to conventional healthcare systems is limited. In some cases, pharmacological studies also confirm the potent antiviral properties of Ethiopian plants. Building on traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and testing their antiviral properties may help to expand options to address the global pandemic of COVID-19 including its recently isolated virulent variants and prepare for similar outbreaks in the future. Here, we provide an ethnobotanical and pharmacological inventory of Ethiopian medicinal plants that might contribute to the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. We identified 387 species, about 6% of Ethiopia's known flora, for which records of use by local communities and traditional herbalists have been documented for the treatment of viral diseases. We provide a framework for further investigation and development of this vital resource much anticipated to help combat emergent viral diseases along with existing ones in Ethiopia and elsewhere.