ABSTRACT
Purpose Hip fractures are common and serious injuries as they lead to high mortality and morbidity and have a significant effect on patients' lives. Additionally, these injuries have substantial socioeconomic consequences for patients' quality of life, their families, and healthcare systems. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients after hip fracture surgery. Methods This study involved a cross-sectional survey between February 2016 and December 2019, with a sample of 199 patients who suffered a hip fracture and were treated at a tertiary care teaching hospital. The participants completed the EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Pearson's chi-squared test, independent sample t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) were used in the analysis. Results We found that there is a statistically significant association between age and having problems with mobility (p=0.023), self-care (p<0.001), and usual activity (p=0.029). In addition, increased age was significantly associated with decreased EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) scores (r=-0.213, p=0.003). We also found a statistically significant association between gender and self-care, as males were more likely to report having problems with self-care when compared to females (OR: 3.63; CI 95%: 1.77-7.44; p<0.001). Conclusion Mobility, self-care, and usual activity were the most significantly affected quality of life measures and were more apparent in older age groups. Patients should be educated about the possibility of a decline in their QoL and the role of postoperative rehabilitation in improving patients' mobility. Periodic QoL screening should be done as early as possible to detect any further decrease. Future research should standardize postoperative interview intervals to improve QoL evaluation and include a control group.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Oral cancer is frequently characterized with an aggressive behavior and an unfavorable prognosis; however, it is generally associated with promising prognosis if detected early. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward oral cancer prevention among dental students and interns; and to investigate the factors that influence their practices of oral cancer screening or prevention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted between March and April of 2022 on the fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate dental students and interns in the College of Dentistry at Arab American University in Palestine. A 48-item questionnaire which has 4 sections: demographics, knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward oral cancer prevention and early detection was sent to all eligible participants (N = 570). RESULTS: The response rate was 68.7% (N = 351). About 66.8% of the respondents had poor knowledge about oral cancer and its risk factors, and 85.5% had a poor practice of oral cancer early detection and prevention; however, the majority of the respondents (81.1%) had shown favorable attitudes toward oral cancer prevention. Interns had significantly better knowledge and attitude scores compared to the undergraduate dental students (P < 0.05). Lack of training, time, confidence, and effectiveness were stated among the barriers to oral cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the participants surveyed in this study appeared to lack adequate knowledge and skills in oral cancer prevention and early detection; however, they seemed to have good motivation and a good attitude toward oral cancer prevention training.
