Awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Population of Kazakhstan.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, an abundance of research has substantiated the escalating prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on a global scale. The aim to assess the level of awareness regarding ASD among the Kazakhstan population, as well as their readiness to offer help to individuals affected by ASD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted encompassing individuals aged 18 years and above, using both the Russian and Kazakh languages. The survey was administered through Google Forms during April to June 2023. The link to survey was disseminated through WhatsApp chats of different social groups, including primary care specialists (general practitioners and nurses), and educators from primary and secondary schools from all 17 regions of Kazakhstan, spanning urban and rural areas. 410 participants took part in the survey in total. Statistical significance will be defined as p-values < 0.05. RESULTS: Individuals aged 25 and above, who are both educated and employed, exhibit a greater awareness of ASD compared to other demographic groups. A low proportion of respondents (18.3%) demonstrated familiarity with the key symptoms of ASD as well as on its causes. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that the primary resource for acquiring information about ASD was the internet for both of these regions. CONCLUSION: Low awareness on ASD symptoms and treatment methods was identified in both areas. There is a need to develop activities to increase the public awareness on ASD, including knowledge on early symptoms of ASD and facilities that address the needs of people on the ASD and their families.

An online survey on public awareness of drug clinical trials in inland cities of northern China.

Objective: The aims of this survey were to investigate the public awareness of drug clinical trials (DCTs) and willingness to participate the DCTs, and provide references for propaganda and science popularization of DCTs. Methods: A self-designed questionnaire named "an online survey questionnaire on public awareness of DCTs" was used to conduct an online survey from January to March 2022. The demographic characteristics and the response of participants to the awareness and willingness to participate the DCTs were collected. The factors affecting the public awareness of DCTs were analyzed by single factor and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: One thousand three hundred eighty valid questionnaires were collected, and the respondents' awareness rate of DCTs was 61.1%. Thirteen demographic characteristics including age, gender, education, occupation, work fields, household type, marital status, city type, income, medical insurance, medical expenditure, pressure to seek medical care, financial pressure, both significantly affected the qualified rate of participants' awareness of DCTs (p < 0.001) by single factor analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that education level, work fields, city type, medical insurance, and medical expenditure affected independently the participants' awareness rate of DCTs (p < 0.001). 52.9% of the participants were willing to take part in DCTs. "to promote medical progress" (54.4%) or "believe doctors" (31.1%) were the most frequent reasons for subjects participating in DCTs. Conclusion: The public awareness rate of DCTs and the willingness to participate in drug clinical were significantly affected by the demographic characteristics of subjects. Thus, targeting the needs of the public, propaganda, and science popularization of DCTs should be carried out and served public health.

Understanding the Awareness of Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests Among Pregnant Women in India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Genetic disorders pose a significant health challenge in India, with chromosomal abnormalities ranking second only to congenital anomalies in terms of disease burden. Prenatal testing offers a crucial strategy for identifying and managing these disorders. However, the awareness and understanding of prenatal screening tests among pregnant women in India remain understudied. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the awareness quotient of prenatal screening tests for genetic disorders among pregnant women in India. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Genetics Unit, Department of Anatomy, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri. Ethical clearance was obtained, and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire covering demographic characteristics and awareness assessment. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis were employed for data analysis. Results Among the 200 pregnant women surveyed, the majority demonstrated inadequate awareness of prenatal screening tests for genetic disorders, with only 36.5% possessing adequate knowledge. Significant associations were found between awareness levels and factors such as age, trimester of pregnancy, and education level. Notably, awareness about non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) was notably low at 7%, indicating a need for targeted educational interventions. Comparison with international studies revealed varying levels of awareness across different populations, highlighting the influence of socio-cultural factors and healthcare systems. Conclusion This study underscores the need for improved awareness of prenatal screening tests among pregnant women in India. Addressing disparities in awareness, particularly among younger age groups and those with lower education levels, is crucial for informed decision-making in prenatal care. Targeted educational interventions can empower pregnant women to make informed choices, ultimately contributing to better maternal and child health outcomes. Further research should explore the effectiveness of such interventions in diverse settings to enhance prenatal care delivery.

Assessment of Women's Awareness of the Effects of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on the Mother and Fetus in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of glucose intolerance that arises during pregnancy, affecting a significant portion of women. It has immediate and long-term effects on both the mother and fetus, including complications like preeclampsia, premature delivery, and an increased risk of cesarean sections. A cross-sectional study among Saudi Arabia's general population, which included 979 women aged between 18 and 60, found varying levels of awareness of GDM, emphasizing the need for more research on awareness levels regarding GDM in Saudi Arabia and more educational campaigns to improve awareness. Objectives The study evaluates the knowledge of pregnant women about GDM and its implications for the mother and fetus. It investigates the relationship between knowledge levels and demographic factors like age, education, and socioeconomic status, aiming to identify knowledge gaps regarding this health issue and develop targeted educational initiatives. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study that included 979 women and was conducted using a Google Forms (Google Inc., Mountainview, CA) questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographics and explored the knowledge level of women about the impact of GDM on the mother and fetus. Statistical analysis was implemented by IBM SPSS software version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with a 5% significance level. Ethical approval was sought, emphasizing anonymous data collection. We did not collect any identifying or private information from participants, and all responses were kept confidential. Results A study of 979 women revealed that their knowledge of GDM was significantly influenced by their age, gestational age, and the number of prior deliveries (p-value < 0.05). The total mean knowledge score for women's correct responses stood at 7.62 (±4.49). The study found that a majority of women, exceeding 60%, accurately answered certain questions about GDM, such as its association with heightened risks, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, cesarean section likelihood, high birth weight, and preeclampsia. However, less than 30% could answer yes to questions that indicated that GDM could increase the risk of shoulder dystocia, hypoglycemia at birth, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage, and vacuum delivery. Conclusion There is a need for targeted educational initiatives, particularly focusing on knowledge gaps that women are lacking regarding GDM. Age and prior deliveries were identified as significant determinants of knowledge levels.

Awareness and Perception of Dental Undergraduates in Belagavi District Towards the Newly Proposed National Exit Test for India.

BACKGROUND:  The National Dental Commission Bill of 2023 introduced the National Exit Test (NExT) as a common final examination for all dental graduates in India, granting them the license to practice. This study evaluated dental undergraduates' awareness and perceptions of the newly proposed NExT. METHODS:  A self-administered questionnaire in English comprising 23 close-ended questions was used to assess the awareness and perception of the students. A pilot study was conducted to determine the sample size, and 510 students were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The survey was administered to students ranging from 1st to 4th-year undergraduates and interns from two dental colleges in the Belagavi District, India. The questionnaire demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.86) and a content validity ratio 0.82. RESULTS:  Interns had the highest mean awareness (39.56 ± 8.99) and perception (40.87 ± 5.56) scores, whereas first-year students had the lowest, with statistically significant differences among the groups (p ≤ 0.001). Although 81% of students were aware of NExT in India, only 17.3% found it student-friendly. A positive correlation was seen between the perception and awareness scores (r = + 0.242; p ≤ 0.001). The dependence of awareness and perception scores on predictors such as age, gender, and year of study were 16.7% and 15.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION:  Interns displayed a positive perception and higher awareness of NExT, whereas first and second-year dental students exhibited lower awareness and apprehensive perceptions. The introduction of NExT promises to enhance the overall quality of dental education on a national scale by providing high-quality care to patients.

Demographic disparities in the limited awareness of alcohol use as a breast cancer risk factor: empirical findings from a cross-sectional study of U.S. women.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use is an established yet modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. However, recent research indicates that the vast majority of U.S. women are unaware that alcohol use is a risk factor for breast cancer. There is limited information about the sociodemographic characteristics and alcohol use correlates of awareness of the alcohol use and breast cancer link, and this is critically important for health promotion and intervention efforts. In this study, we assessed prevalence of the awareness of alcohol use as a risk factor for breast cancer among U.S. women and examined sociodemographic and alcohol use correlates of awareness of this link. METHODS: We conducted a 20-minute online cross-sectional survey, called the ABLE (Alcohol and Breast Cancer Link Awareness) survey, among U.S. women aged 18 years and older (N = 5,027) in the fall of 2021. Survey questions assessed awareness that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk (yes, no, don't know/unsure); past-year alcohol use and harmful drinking via the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); and family, health, and sociodemographic characteristics. We conducted multivariate multinomial regression analysis to identify correlates of awareness that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk. RESULTS: Overall, 24.4% reported that alcohol use increased breast cancer risk, 40.2% reported they were unsure, and 35.4% reported that there was no link between alcohol use and breast cancer. In adjusted analysis, awareness of alcohol use as a breast cancer risk factor, compared to not being aware or unsure, was associated with being younger (18-25 years old), having a college degree, and having alcohol use disorder symptoms. Black women were less likely than white women to report awareness of the alcohol use and breast cancer link. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, only a quarter of U.S. women were aware that alcohol use increases breast cancer risk, although 40% expressed uncertainty. Differences in awareness by age, level of education, race and ethnicity and level of alcohol use offer opportunities for tailored prevention interventions, while the overall low level of awareness calls for widespread efforts to increase awareness of the breast cancer risk from alcohol use among U.S. women.

The mediating effect of attentional impulsivity between mindfulness and problematic smartphone use.

OBJECTIVE: Problematic smartphone use has been linked to lower levels of mindfulness, impaired attentional function, and higher impulsivity. This study aimed to identify the psychological mechanisms of problematic smartphone use by exploring the relationship between addictive smartphone use, mindfulness, attentional function and impulsivity. METHODS: Ninety participants were evaluated with the smartphone addiction proneness scale and classified into the problematic smartphone use group (n = 42; 24 women; mean age: 27.6 ± 7.2 years) or normal use group (n = 48; 22 women; mean age: 30.1 ± 5.7 years). All participants completed self-report questionnaires evaluating their trait impulsivity and mindfulness and attention tests that assessed selective, sustained and divided attention. We compared the variables between the groups and explored the relationship between mindfulness, attentional function, impulsivity and addictive smartphone use through mediation analysis. RESULTS: The problematic smartphone use group showed higher trait impulsivity and lower mindfulness than the normal use group. There were no significant group differences in performance on attention tests. Levels of addictive smartphone use were significantly correlated with higher levels of trait impulsivity and lower levels of mindfulness, but not with performance on attention tests. Mediation analysis showed that acting with awareness, an aspect of mindfulness, reduces the degree of addictive smartphone use through attentional impulsivity, one of the trait impulsivity. CONCLUSION: Acting without sufficient awareness could influence addictive smartphone use by mediating attentional impulsivity. This supports that executive control deficits, reflected in high attentional impulsivity, contribute to problematic smartphone use. Our findings imply that mindfulness-based interventions can enhance executive control over smartphone use by promoting awareness.

'Prediabetes' as a practical distinctive window for workable fruitful wonders: Prevention and progression alert as advanced professionalism.

Diabetes is a devastating public health problem. Prediabetes is an intermediate stage in the disease processes leading to diabetes, including types 1 and 2 diabetes. In the article "Prediabetes in children and adolescents: An updated review," the authors presented current evidence. We simplify and systematically clearly present the evidence and rationale for a conceptual framework we term the '3ASs': (1) Awareness Sensible; (2) Algorithm Simple; and (3) Appealing Strategies. Policy makers and the public need to be alerted. The prevalence of prediabetes should send alarm bells ringing for parents, individuals, clinicians, and policy makers. Prediabetes is defined by the following criteria: impaired fasting glucose (100-125 mg/dL); impaired glucose tolerance (2 h postprandial glucose 140-199 mg/dL); or hemoglobin A1c values of 5.7%-6.4%. Any of the above positive test alerts for intervention. Clinical guidelines do not recommend prioritizing one test over the others for evaluation. Decisions should be made on the strengths and shortfalls of each test. Patient preferences and test accessibility should be taken into consideration. An algorithm based on age, physiological stage, health status, and risk factors is provided. Primordial prevention targeting populations aims to eliminate risk factors through public education and encouraging practices through environmental modifications. Access to healthy foods is provided. Primary prevention is for individuals with a prediabetes diagnosis and involves a structured program to reduce body weight and increase physical activity along with a healthy diet. An overall methodical move to a healthy lifestyle for lifelong health is urgently needed. Early energetic prediabetes action is necessary.

The Impact of mHealth-Based Continuous Care on Disease Knowledge, Treatment Compliance, and Serum Uric Acid Levels in Chinese Patients With Gout: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: In patients with gout, suboptimal management refers to a lack of disease knowledge, low treatment compliance, and inadequate control of serum uric acid (SUA) levels. Several studies have shown that continuous care is recommended for disease management in patients with gout. However, in China, the continuous care model commonly used for patients with gout requires significant labor and time costs, and its efficiency and coverage remain low. Mobile health (mHealth) may be able to address these issues. Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of mHealth-based continuous care on improving gout knowledge and treatment compliance and reducing SUA levels. Methods: This study was a single-center, single-blind, and parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, between February 2021 and July 2021 and were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received continuous care via an mHealth app, which includes modules for health records, 24 weeks of gout-related health education materials, and interactive support. The control group received routine continuous care, including face-to-face health education, paper-based health education materials consistent with the content for the intervention group, and telephone consultations initiated by the patient. Follow-up was conducted at 6 months. Participants' gout knowledge levels and treatment compliance were measured at baseline and the 12th and 24th weeks, and participants' SUA levels were measured at baseline and the 24th week. The intention-to-treat principle and a generalized estimating equation model were used to test the effect of the intervention. Results: Overall, 258 potential participants underwent eligibility assessments, and 120 were recruited and randomized into the intervention (n=60, 50%) and control (n=60, 50%) groups. Of the 120 participants, 93 (77.5%) completed the 24-week study. The 2 groups had no significant differences in sociodemographic or clinical characteristics, and the baseline measurements were comparable (all P>.05). Compared with the control group, the intervention group exhibited a significant improvement in gout knowledge levels over time (ß=0.617, 95% CI 0.104-1.129; P=.02 and ß=1.300, 95% CI 0.669-1.931; P<.001 at the 12th and 24th weeks, respectively). There was no significant difference in treatment adherence between the 2 groups at the 12th week (ß=1.667, 95% CI -3.283 to 6.617; P=.51), while a statistical difference was observed at the 24th week (ß=6.287, 95% CI 1.357-11.216; P=.01). At the 24th week, SUA levels in both the intervention and control groups were below baseline, but there was no significant difference in SUA changes between the 2 groups (P=.43). Conclusions: Continuous care based on the mHealth app improved knowledge levels and treatment compliance among patients with gout. We suggest incorporating this intervention modality into standard continuous care for patients with gout.

Public Awareness of Common Age-Related Eye Diseases in Northern Saudi Arabia.

Background: Visual impairment and blindness pose substantial public health challenges in Saudi Arabia, especially among the elderly susceptible to blinding eye diseases. Assessing awareness of age-related eye diseases (AREDs) is vital for addressing vision loss in this demographic. However, there is a lack of research on ARED awareness in Northern Saudi Arabia, underscoring the need for evidence-based data from adult populations to craft effective health promotion strategies. METHODS: This population-based descriptive survey was conducted on 411 Saudi adults aged 18-70 residing in Arar City, Saudi Arabia, over six months from September 2023. Random sampling was employed, and awareness levels were assessed using a pre-designed questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 20.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). RESULTS:  Among the 411 participants, 225 (54.7%) were aged 18-29 years, 312 (76%) were females, and 299 (72.6%) held a bachelor's degree or diploma. Regarding awareness, 71.3% knew about cataracts, but nearly half erroneously believed it could be treated solely medically. For diabetic retinopathy (DR), 366 (89%) recognized lifestyle modifications, and 378 (92%) understood screening as preventive measures. Most participants understood prevention methods for all four diseases, but misconceptions about treatment options were observed. Awareness of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) was lower. No significant age-related differences were found in awareness, except for cataracts (P = 0.001). Education significantly influenced awareness of cataracts, DR, and glaucoma (P = 0.001, 0.013, and 0.008, respectively), but not ARMD (P = 0.606). The study found that the internet is the primary source of information on AREDs for most participants, except for cataracts, where friends and relatives are prominent. CONCLUSION: The study reveals varying awareness levels of AREDs among Saudi adults. Although most participants understood preventive measures, misconceptions about treatment underscore the need for accurate education channels. Healthcare professionals must ensure information reliability to effectively combat misinformation and enhance awareness of AREDs.

Current frailty knowledge, awareness, and practices among physicians following the 2022 European consensus document on Frailty in Cardiology.

Aims: Aging-related cardiovascular disease and frailty burdens are anticipated to rise with global aging. In response to directions from major cardiovascular societies, we investigated frailty knowledge, awareness, and practices among cardiologists as key stakeholders in this emerging paradigm a year after the European Frailty in Cardiology consensus document was published. Methods and results: We launched a prospective multinational web-based survey via social networks to broad cardiology communities representing multiple World Health Organization regions, including Western Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. Overall, 578 respondents [38.2% female; ages 35-49 years (55.2%) and 50-64 years (34.4%)] across subspecialties, including interventionists (43.3%), general cardiologists (30.6%), and heart failure specialists (HFSs) (10.9%), were surveyed. Nearly half had read the consensus document (38.9%). Non-interventionists had better perceived knowledge of frailty assessment instruments (fully or vaguely aware, 57.2% vs. 45%, adj. P = 0.0002), exercise programmes (well aware, 12.9% vs. 6.0%, adj. P = 0.001), and engaged more in multidisciplinary team care (frequently or occasionally, 52.6% vs. 41%, adj. P = 0.002) than interventionists. Heart failure specialists more often addressed pre-procedural frailty (frequently or occasionally, 43.5% vs. 28.2%, P = 0.004) and polypharmacy (frequently or occasionally, 85.5% vs. 71%, adj. P = 0.014) and had consistently better composite knowledge (39.3% vs. 21.6%, adj. P = 0.001) and practice responses (21% vs. 11.1%, adj. P = 0.018) than non-HFSs. Respondents with better knowledge responses also had better frailty practices (40.3% vs. 3.6%, adj. P < 0.001). Conclusion: Distinct response differences suggest that future strategies strengthening frailty principles should address practices peculiar to subspecialties, such as pre-procedural frailty strategies for interventionists and rehabilitation interventions for HFSs.

Reading comprehension differences between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and low cognitive abilities and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and intact cognitive skills: the roles of decoding, fluency and morphosyntax.

Introduction: Reading comprehension is one of the most important skills learned in school and it has an important contribution to the academic success of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Though previous studies have investigated reading comprehension difficulties in ASD and highlighted factors that contribute to these difficulties, this evidence has mainly stemmed from children with ASD and intact cognitive skills. Also, much emphasis has been placed on the relation between reading comprehension and word recognition skills, while the role of other skills, including fluency and morphosyntax, remains underexplored. This study addresses these gaps by investigating reading comprehension in two groups of school-aged children with ASD, one with intact and one with low cognitive abilities, also exploring the roles of word decoding, fluency and morphosyntax in each group's reading comprehension performance. Methods: The study recruited 16 children with ASD and low cognitive abilities, and 22 age-matched children with ASD and intact cognitive skills. The children were assessed on four reading subdomains, namely, decoding, fluency, morphosyntax, and reading comprehension. Results: The children with ASD and low cognitive abilities scored significantly lower than their peers with intact cognitive abilities in all reading subdomains, except for decoding, verb production and compound word formation. Regression analyses showed that reading comprehension in the group with ASD and intact cognitive abilities was independently driven by their decoding and fluency skills, and to a lesser extent, by morphosyntax. On the other hand, the children with ASD and low cognitive abilities mainly drew on their decoding, and to a lesser extent, their morphosyntactic skills to perform in reading comprehension. Discussion: The results suggest that reading comprehension was more strongly affected in the children with ASD and low cognitive abilities as compared to those with intact cognitive skills. About half of the children with ASD and intact cognitive skills also exhibited mild-to-moderate reading comprehension difficulties, further implying that ASD may influence reading comprehension regardless of cognitive functioning. Finally, strengths in decoding seemed to predominantly drive cognitively-impaired children's reading performance, while the group with ASD and intact cognitive skills mainly recruited fluency and metalinguistic lexical skills to cope with reading comprehension demands, further suggesting that metalinguistic awareness may be a viable way to enhance reading comprehension in ASD.

Chronic Visual Abnormality in an Elderly Patient With Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

A 79-year-old woman visited our department for chronic visual field abnormalities with a floating sensation for two months. Neurological and ophthalmologic examinations yielded normal results, except for brain MRI indicating left hippocampal atrophy. Cognitive function tests were normal. EEG revealed frequent spikes and slow waves in the left frontotemporal region, corroborated by reduced accumulation in 123I-iomazenil single photon emission computed tomography. A diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy was established, and treatment with lacosamide resulted in a remarkable improvement in symptoms and EEG findings. Mild focal seizures from the temporal region might cause mild impaired awareness, resulting in the patient's report as a sensation of uncertainty between the self and the outside world, mimicking ophthalmologic abnormalities. The repeated nature of the seizures contributed to the absence of the term "transient" in symptom description. Diagnosing epilepsy in the elderly proves challenging due to nonspecific complaints.

Concerns Regarding the Glorification of Mental Illness on Social Media.

In today's world, it is becoming increasingly important to address not only the need for awareness of mental illnesses but also the undue glorification of the same by certain segments of society. Social media has been a major influence on Generation Z in terms of self-diagnosing mental illnesses and romanticizing them. More and more individuals have started recognizing online trends of self-diagnosis of mental illness, and it is increasingly plausible in the process of normalizing the conversation around mental health through memes, TikTok videos, and viral tweets; this has had the paradoxical effect of romanticization of mental illness in certain segments of society.  Through this editorial, we would like to highlight this important issue and urge the mental health community to be cognizant of this phenomenon, lest it curtail society's recent advancements in mental health destigmatisation.

Evaluating knowledge, attitude, and physical activity levels related to cardiovascular disease in Egyptian adults with and without cardiovascular disease: a community-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a significant health challenge in Egypt, yet there exists limited understanding regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and physical activity levels associated with CVD. These factors play a pivotal role in developing effective prevention and management strategies. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate Egyptian adults' knowledge, attitudes, and physical activity (KAP) levels. METHODS: Data were collected using a previously validated questionnaire encompassing demographic characteristics, CVD knowledge (including risk factors and symptoms), attitudes toward CVD, and self-reported physical activity levels. The survey was distributed among social media channels, and trained researchers administered the questionnaire via face-to-face interviews with adult patients with and without CVD admitted to Cairo University Hospital clinics. RESULTS: The study involved 591 participants, of whom 21.7% had CVD. Overall, participants exhibited poor knowledge regarding CVD, with a mean score of 21 ± 7 out of 40, equivalent to 52.5%. Attitudes toward CVD were moderate, with a mean score of 66.38 ± 8.7 out of 85, approximately 78%. Physical activity levels per week were also moderate, averaging 1188 MET-min with a range of 1121-18,761. Subgroup analysis revealed that individuals with CVD had lower average knowledge, attitude, and physical activity levels than those without CVD. Working in the healthcare field was a predictor of higher knowledge score (standard error (SE) 5.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.61 to 7.17, P < 0.001), while those with CVD and smokers were predictors of lower attitude score (SE -4.08, 95% CI -6.43 to -1.73, P < 0.001) and (SE -2.54, 95% CI -4.69 to -0.40, P = 0.02), respectively. CONCLUSION: The study findings highlight a significant disparity in knowledge, attitudes, and physical activity levels related to CVD in Egypt. Targeted interventions aimed at improving awareness, fostering positive attitudes, and promoting physical activity among individuals at risk for CVD are crucial for effective prevention and management.

Interest in Rhinoplasty and Awareness of Postoperative Complications Among Female High School Students in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Background and objective There has been a significant increase in rhinoplasty procedures in Saudi Arabia recently. Cultural factors, societal pressure, and a desire for beauty and self-improvement contribute to the growing interest in cosmetic procedures among the Saudi population. However, limited research has been conducted specifically focusing on the interest in rhinoplasty and the awareness of postoperative complications among female high school students. This study aimed to investigate the interest in rhinoplasty and awareness of postoperative complications among female high school students in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among female high school students through January and February 2024 using a validated questionnaire comprising sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes toward rhinoplasty, and the females' familiarity with the postoperative complications of rhinoplasty. Results The study was conducted among 737 female high school students. About half of the females (N = 376, 51%) were 18 years old, and the other half were under 18 years old (N = 361, 49%). Out of the total females, only 19 (2.6%) underwent cosmetic surgery, with 6 (60%) opting for rhinoplasty. The study found that 152 (20.6%) females were interested in rhinoplasty, and about a quarter of them (N = 99, 13.4%) did not feel happy about their noses. The most common rhinoplasty complications reported by the respondents were a mismatch of the new nose with the rest of the face (N = 471, 63.9%), headache (N = 459, 62.3%), breathing disorders (N = 458, 62.1%), dissatisfaction with the new nose (N = 437, 59.3%), and nose blockage (N = 427, 57.9%). It was found that interest in rhinoplasty was significantly more common among participants having relatives or friends who underwent rhinoplasty than others (N = 51, 25.8% vs. N = 85, 17.2%, respectively; P = 0.010). Moreover, it was revealed that interest in rhinoplasty was significantly more common among participants who were not happy with their nose (N = 78, 78.8%) than those who were happy with their nose (N = 41, 8.3%) and those who did not care (N = 33, 22.9%) (P < 0.001). Conclusions The study revealed that a significant percentage of participants expressed interest in rhinoplasty, indicating a desire for nose reshaping. Counseling services should be available to support students in developing positive body image and self-acceptance. Furthermore, it is important to establish guidelines for media and advertising to guarantee accurate information from surgeons and psychiatrists, ensuring that the public receives balanced and reliable information.

Knowledge about Fertility in Croatia, Measured with the Croatian Version of the Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-Hr), in Relation to Attitudes toward Having a Child and Associated Factors in a Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Fertility is a crucial component of population maintenance and growth. A declining fertility trend has been observed over the past two decades, and it continues. The birth rate in the Republic of Croatia is continuously decreasing, which is insufficient to maintain its population. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to examine the level of fertility knowledge, factors influencing fertility knowledge, and the relationship between fertility knowledge and the decision to have a child. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of mothers in five hospitals on the Adriatic coast of the Republic of Croatia, involving 1541 mothers, 18 years and older, from September 2021 to December 2023. The Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS) was used for the research. The participants were divided into four groups according to age. The analysis was conducted using SPSS software (version 22.0). Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, t-tests, and Pearson's correlations were used for the data analysis. RESULTS: The average percent correct score on the CFKS was 51.8% (SD 22.6), with greater knowledge being significantly related to married status and higher education status (both p < 0.05). A total of 83% of mothers who have one child want to have more children. Fewer mothers who have two children want to have more children (42%), while only 11% of mothers who have three or more children want to have more children. There is no significant relationship between the CFKS and the importance of childbearing in the future (p = 0.12). Respondents indicated that they gained most of their knowledge from the internet (31%) and from the healthcare system (33%). CONCLUSIONS: The research results reveal a lack of fertility knowledge among participants, as well as an intention to have a child in the later stages of life. The lack of formal education on this topic leads to information gathering from friends, newspapers, television, and the internet. This study was not registered.

Influences of Social-Psychological Constructs in Predicting Taiwanese Pro-Environmental Behaviors.

A value-belief-norm (VBN) model for understanding the pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) of Taiwanese was developed. This formulated VBN model included personal values, openness to change, awareness of consequences, personal norms, social norms, and PEB. Ecological world view and ascription of responsibility were excluded to develop a tighter model. A total of 1079 completed questionnaires were collected and structural equation modelling was utilized, where standard estimates and coefficients of determination validated the formulated VBN model's effectiveness. Each construct served its role as the mediator between its distal variable and outcome variable, with a substantial level of predictive accuracy, and 74.3% of the variance in PEB was accounted for. Further findings found that mature individuals had a stronger tendency towards awareness of consequences due to personal values; the young had a stronger tendency towards personal norms due to awareness of consequences; men had a stronger tendency towards personal norms due to awareness of consequences; and women had a weaker tendency due to a greater emphasis on altruism. Future interventions, such as sharing of personal pro-environmental lifestyles verbally or through social media, periodically decluttering personal items and maintaining a minimalist lifestyle, where these personal norms are in line with collective social norms, could help to strengthen PEB.

An Empirical Study on Corporate ESG Behavior and Employee Satisfaction: A Moderating Mediation Model.

As the role of human capital in enhancing corporate value becomes increasingly prominent in the new economic era, employee satisfaction has garnered widespread attention in organizational behavior theory and business practices. However, constrained by the traditional governance model of "shareholder primacy", which tends to view employees instrumentally, adverse effects on employee satisfaction and organizational identification persist. Currently, corporate ESG behaviors are flourishing in China, bringing profound and extensive transformations to economic and social sustainability. Yet, the research on whether and how corporate ESG behaviors improve employee satisfaction remains unclear. This study, based on data from the "China's 100 Best Employers Award" and employing regression analysis on panel data from listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, reveals that corporate ESG behaviors have the potential to enhance employee satisfaction. Transparency in corporate environmental information and internal control mechanisms emerge as the primary means through which corporate ESG behaviors elevate employee satisfaction. Furthermore, heightened environmental awareness among executives and higher educational qualifications among employees strengthen the relationship between corporate ESG behaviors and employee satisfaction.

Social Media Campaigns: A Game Changer for the Prevention of Breast Cancer in Romania.

Social media can be used to raise awareness about health issues, especially concerning the importance of periodical screening. The present study aims to identify the role of social media awareness campaigns in the early detection of breast cancer, with a focus on Romania, a country with a high female mortality due to this disease. The research is performed using a survey, based on an online questionnaire, which was self-administered by the respondents included in two samples selected from a Facebook community of Romanian women. Sample A was composed of 1945 women who were not exposed to periodic campaigns regarding the importance of screening for the prevention and early detection of this type of disease, and Sample B was composed of 289 women who were exposed to such annual campaigns within the last 5 years. The results outline several differences among respondents from the two samples regarding their awareness of prevention necessity, as well as the frequency and chosen methods for breast cancer screening. The findings hold important implications for public authorities, which must intensify their efforts in raising women's awareness regarding the importance of screening for the early detection and prevention of breast cancer.