Differences in perception of online anesthesiology between Thai medical students and teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: Traditional anesthesiology learning was disrupted by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and replaced by online learning. Students and teachers did not prepare well for this change. Determining the differences in perceptions can close the gap and develop more effective curricula. Our study aims to compare students' and teachers' perceptions of online anesthesiology learning. METHODS: We conducted a prospective descriptive study, a cross-sectional survey between July 2020 and January 2021 in the Anesthesiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Our participants were fifth-year medical students and teachers participating in online anesthesiology. We compared the perception of the teaching process, support system, learning outcomes, satisfaction, and preference. Using an online structured questionnaire survey with a 4-point Likert scale to measure the degree of agreement with each item. We analyzed the difference between students' and teachers' perceptions by topic. RESULTS: We received responses from 174 students and 24 teachers. Students had a significantly higher proportion of positive perceptions than teachers on the teaching process (theoretical teaching, problem-based learning, feedback, and response system), on a support system (technological support, connectivity, and learning materials), on learning outcomes (clinical practice readiness, critical thinking, long-term memory, and enthusiasm), satisfaction score, and online learning preference (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Differences in perception were high in many aspects of online anesthesiology learning. This perception gap was particularly evident in the teaching process, support system, and learning outcomes. And Thai students had more preference for online learning than teachers. Strategies to reduce the gap should focus on teachers' training and supporting online learning should be concerned.

Differences in perception of the importance of process safety indicators between experts in Iran and the West.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of safety in high-risk industries such as oil and gas facilities has been reported previously. Process safety performance indicators can provide insight into improving the safety of process industries. This paper aims to rank the process safety indicators (metrics) by Fuzzy Best-Worst Method (FBWM) using the data gathered through a survey. METHOD: The study uses a structured approach considering the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), and the IOGP (International Association of Oil and Gas Producers) recommendations and guidelines to generate an aggregate set of indicators. It calculates the level of importance of each indicator based on the opinions of experts from Iran and some Western countries. RESULTS: The findings of the study demonstrate that some lagging indicators such as the number of times processes do not proceed as planned due to insufficient staff competence and the number of unexpected disruptions of the process due to failure in instrumentation and alarms are important in process industries in both Iran and Western countries. Western experts identified process safety incident severity rate as an important lagging indicator, whereas Iranian experts considered this as relatively unimportant. In addition, leading indicators such as sufficient process safety training and competency, the desired function of instrumentation and alarms, and proper management of fatigue risk play an important role in enhancing the safety performance of process industries. Experts in Iran viewed permit to work as an important leading indicator, while experts in the West focused on fatigue risk management. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The methodology used in the current study gives a good view to managers and safety professionals in regard to the most important indicators of process safety and allows them to focus more on important process safety indicators.

Comparison of management and workers' perception, attitudes and beliefs toward health and safety in the Ontario manufacturing sector.

INTRODUCTION: The Ontario manufacturing sector is over-represented when it comes to workers' compensation claims in the province. A previous study suggested that this may be the result of compliance gaps with respect to the province's occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation. These gaps may be, in part, due to differences in perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs toward OHS between workers and management. This is noteworthy as these two cohorts, when working well together, can foster a healthy and safe work environment. Therefore, this study sought to ascertain the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of workers and management with respect to OHS in the Ontario manufacturing sector and to identify differences between the groups, if any. METHODS: A survey was created and disseminated online to get the widest reach across the province as possible. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data and chi-square analyses were performed to determine if there were any statistically significant differences in responses between workers and managers. RESULTS: In total, 3,963 surveys were included in the analysis, which consisted of 2,401 (60.6%) workers and 1,562 (39.4%) managers. Overall, workers were more likely to state that their workplace was 'a bit unsafe' relative to managers and this difference was statistically significant. There were also statistically significant differences between the two cohorts with respect to health and safety communication matters, the perception of safety as a high priority, whether people work safely when unsupervised, and whether control measures are adequate. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, there were differences in perception, attitudes, and beliefs toward OHS between workers and managers in Ontario manufacturing and these differences must be addressed in order to improve the sector's health and safety performance. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Manufacturing workplaces can improve their health and safety performance by strengthening labor-management relationships, including having routine health and safety communication.

Effectiveness of a Mobile App to Increase Risk Perception of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use in Mexican High School Students: Quantitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Young people have the highest rate of drug use worldwide. Recent data from Mexico in this population show that the prevalence of illicit drug use doubled between 2011 and 2016 (2.9%-6.2%), with marijuana being the one with the highest increase (2.4%-5.3%), but also point out that alcohol and tobacco use have remained steady or decreased. Mexican adolescents are at high risk for drug use owing to a low perception of risk and the availability of drugs. Adolescence is an ideal period to reduce or prevent risky behaviors using evidence-based strategies. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to test the short-term effectiveness of a mobile intervention app ("What Happens if you Go Too Far?" ["¿Qué pasa si te pasas?"]) that seeks to increase risk perception of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use in a sample of Mexican high school students. METHODS: A nonexperimental evaluation based on pretest-posttest design was used to measure the effectiveness of a preventive intervention using a mobile app, "What Happens If You Go Too Far?" The dimensions analyzed were knowledge of drugs and their effects, life skills, self-esteem, and risk perception. The intervention was conducted on a high school campus with 356 first-year students. RESULTS: The sample included 359 first-year high school students (mean 15, SD 0.588 years; women: 224/359, 62.4% men: 135/359, 37.6%). The intervention increased the overall risk perception of tobacco (χ24=21.6; P<.001) and alcohol use (χ24=15.3; P<.001). There was no significant difference in the perception that it is dangerous to smoke 5 cigarettes, and there was a marginal difference in the perception that it is very dangerous to smoke 1 cigarette or to use alcohol or marijuana. We used a generalized estimating equation method to determine the impact of the variables on risk perception. The results showed that knowledge about smoking increased the risk perception of smoking 1 cigarette (odds ratio [OR] 1.1065, 95% CI 1.013-1.120; P=.01), and that knowledge about marijuana use (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.138-1.185; P=.002) and self-esteem (OR 1.102, 95% CI 1.007-1.206; P=.04) produced significant increases in the risk perception of consuming 5 cigarettes. Resistance to peer pressure and assertiveness also increased the perceived risk of using tobacco and alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention has the potential to increase the perception of risk toward drug use in high school students by providing knowledge about the effects and psychosocial risks of drug use and by strengthening life skills that are associated with increased risk perception. The use of mobile technologies in intervention processes may broaden the scope of preventive work for adolescents.

How information processing and risk/benefit perception affect COVID-19 vaccination intention of users in online health communities.

Objective: To investigate the relationship among information processing, risk/benefit perception and the COVID-19 vaccination intention of OHCs users with the heuristic-systematic model (HSM). Methods: This study conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire via an online survey among Chinese adults. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the research hypotheses. Results: Systematic information processing positively influenced benefit perception, and heuristic information processing positively influenced risk perception. Benefit perception had a significant positive effect on users' vaccination intention. Risk perception had a negative impact on vaccination intention. Findings revealed that differences in information processing methods affect users' perceptions of risk and benefit, which decide their vaccination intention. Conclusion: Online health communities can provide more systematic cues and users should process information systematically to increase their perceived benefits, consequently increase their willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

Evaluation of burnout and stress perception levels of Turkish dental laboratory technicians according to affecting factors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused healthcare professionals to face unequal acute workplace stress and burnout. This study aimed to analyze the potential impact of COVID-19 on the burnout and associated emotional stress conditions of Turkish dental technicians. METHODS: A 20-question demographic scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Sense of Coherence-13 (SoC-13), and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) were used to obtain data. A total of 152 participants answered these surveys directly and reported their stress burnout levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Of all participants who agreed to participate in the survey, 39.5% were females and 60.5% were males. Regardless of demographic variables, the MBI-total (37.2 ± 11.71), SoC-13 total (53.81 ± 10.29), and PSS-10 total (21.25 ± 5.5) scores indicated moderate burnout, SoC, and perceived stress levels. According to sub-scores of the MBI; mean emotional exhaustion and depersonalization indicate low-level burnout, and mean personal accomplishment indicates moderate burnout. Long working hours increase burnout. No significant differences were observed according to demographic variables, except for work experience. A positive correlation was found between perceived stress and burnout. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that dental technicians working during the COVID-19 pandemic are influenced by emotional stress due to the outcomes of the pandemic. One reason for this situation might be the long working hours. Working arrangements, under-controlled disease risk factors, and lifestyle changes may improve stress levels.Key MessagesCOVID-19 outbreak exposed psychological returns to the general population, and especially to healthcare workers.Questionnaire method was applied to evaluate the burnout and stress levels among dental laboratory technicians during COVID-19 outbreak.Moderate levels of burnout and stress perception were detected. Long working time was one of the effective factors.

Effects of negative emotions and information perceived value on residents' risk perception during the COVID-19 pandemic: An empirical survey from China.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly and heavily hit the globe, and the mutation and transmission speed of the coronavirus have accelerated so that the world is still in danger. Thus, this study aims to investigate the participants' risk perception and explore the associations of risk perception of COVID-19 with negative emotions, information value perception and other related dimensions. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based online survey was conducted from April 4 to 15, 2020, in China. A total of 3,552 participants were included in this study. A descriptive measure of demographic information was used in this study. Multiple regression models and moderating effect analysis were used to estimate the effect of potential associations of risk perceptions. Results: Those who showed negative emotions (depressed, helplessness, loneliness) and perceived video information in social media to be useful were positively correlated with risk perception, whereas individuals who perceived experts' advice to be useful, shared risk information with friends and thought that their community made adequate emergency preparation reported lower risk perception. The moderating effect of information perceived value (ß = 0.020, p < 0.001) on the relationship between negative emotion and perception of risk was significant. Conclusions: Individual differences in risk cognition during the COVID-19 pandemic were observed in subgroups of age level. Furthermore, the role of negative emotional states, the perceived usefulness of risk information and the sense of security also contributed to improving the public's risk perception. It is crucial for authorities to focus on residents' negative emotions and to clarify misinformation in accessible and effective ways in a timely manner.

Cross-sectional survey and Bayesian network model analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in Austria: investigating public awareness, usage determinants and perception of scientific support.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the paucity of evidence verifying its efficacy and safety, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is expanding in popularity and political support. Decisions to include TCM diagnoses in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision and campaigns to integrate TCM into national healthcare systems have occurred while public perception and usage of TCM, especially in Europe, remains undetermined. Accordingly, this study investigates TCM's popularity, usage and perceived scientific support, as well as its relationship to homeopathy and vaccinations. DESIGN/SETTING: We performed a cross-sectional survey of the Austrian population. Participants were either recruited on the street (in-person) or online (web-link) via a popular Austrian newspaper. PARTICIPANTS: 1382 individuals completed our survey. The sample was poststratified according to data derived from Austria's Federal Statistical Office. OUTCOME MEASURES: Associations between sociodemographic factors, opinion towards TCM and usage of complementary medicine (CAM) were investigated using a Bayesian graphical model. RESULTS: Within our poststratified sample, TCM was broadly known (89.9% of women, 90.6% of men), with 58.9% of women and 39.5% of men using TCM between 2016 and 2019. Moreover, 66.4% of women and 49.7% of men agreed with TCM being supported by science. We found a positive relationship between perceived scientific support for TCM and trust in TCM-certified medical doctors (ρ=0.59, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.73). Moreover, perceived scientific support for TCM was negatively correlated with proclivity to get vaccinated (ρ=-0.26, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.08). Additionally, our network model yielded associations between TCM-related, homeopathy-related and vaccination-related variables. CONCLUSIONS: TCM is widely known within the Austrian general population and used by a substantial proportion. However, a disparity exists between the commonly held public perception that TCM is scientific and findings from evidence-based studies. Emphasis should be placed on supporting the distribution of unbiased, science-driven information.

Medical students' perception of resilience and of an innovative curriculum-based resilience skills building course: A participant-focused qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Medicine is one of the most demanding academic fields with an extensive curriculum that entails plenty of potential stressors. There is sufficient evidence that medical students are more prone to psychological distress when compared to their peer group of other disciplines. Despite the established need to prioritize resilience skills building within the medical curriculum, very few medical programmes in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) proactively empower the students to help themselves in sustaining their mental health. The purpose of the current study is to explore the perception of medical students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding their understanding of, and personal experience with building resilience, and their engagement with the content of an innovative curriculum-based resilience skills building course, designed in alignment with the constructivism theory of education. METHOD: The current study utilized a qualitative phenomenological research design. The curriculum-based resilience skills building course, that was investigated as part of this study, is offered at a medical school in Dubai, UAE. A total of 37 students submitted reflective essays about resilience building, in general, and the respective course, in specific. The collected data was inductively analysed following a six-step framework. FINDINGS: The qualitative analysis generated three interlinked themes, namely: Awareness, Application, and Appraisal. CONCLUSION: This study showed that integrating a resilience skills building course into medical curricula is likely to be positively appraised by the students, where it raises their level of awareness and likelihood of proactively applying the learned concepts in their daily lives. This is especially true when the course is anchored in constructivism experiential learning theory and designed to foster self-directed learning.

"He is normal": phenomenological considerations of child/adolescent's perception of the disabled sibling.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the child/adolescent's perception of the disabled sibling. METHOD: Qualitative research, with a phenomenological approach, conducted between 2018 and 2019, in a municipality in the south of Brazil, with 20 children/adolescents who are siblings of people with disabilities, through a phenomenological interview. Respecting ethical precepts, hermeneutics was used for interpretation. RESULTS: The child/adolescent perceives his/her disabled sibling as a normal person, given his/her behavior, way of being and intellectual capacity. Still, it understands him as a special being, who has limitations regarding learning, but does not see him as different, thus, unlinks the idea of disability associated with the disease/abnormality. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The perception of the disabled sibling occurs within the perception of normality. The child identifies his sibling's lower learning capacitor a way that is unique to him, a fact that does not condition him to be seen as abnormal, defining his being-in-the-world as a special way of existing.

No evidence for a benefit from masker harmonicity in the perception of speech in noise.

When assessing the intelligibility of speech embedded in background noise, maskers with a harmonic spectral structure have been found to be much less detrimental to performance than noise-based interferers. While spectral "glimpsing" in between the resolved masker harmonics and reduced envelope modulations of harmonic maskers have been shown to contribute, this effect has primarily been attributed to the proposed ability of the auditory system to cancel harmonic maskers from the signal mixture. Here, speech intelligibility in the presence of harmonic and inharmonic maskers with similar spectral glimpsing opportunities and envelope modulation spectra was assessed to test the theory of harmonic cancellation. Speech reception thresholds obtained from normal-hearing listeners revealed no effect of masker harmonicity, neither for maskers with static nor dynamic pitch contours. The results show that harmonicity, or time-domain periodicity, as such, does not aid the segregation of speech and masker. Contrary to what might be assumed, this also implies that the saliency of the masker pitch did not affect auditory grouping. Instead, the current data suggest that the reduced masking effectiveness of harmonic sounds is due to the regular spacing of their spectral components.

The perception of nasal coarticulatory variation in face-masked speech.

This study investigates the impact of wearing a face mask on the production and perception of coarticulatory vowel nasalization. Speakers produced monosyllabic American English words with oral and nasal codas (i.e., CVC and CVN) in face-masked and un-face-masked conditions to a real human interlocutor. The vowel was either tense or lax. Acoustic analyses indicate that speakers produced greater coarticulatory vowel nasality in CVN items when wearing a face mask, particularly, when the vowel is lax, suggesting targeted enhancement of the oral-nasalized contrast in this condition. This enhancement is not observed for tense vowels. In a perception study, participants heard CV syllables excised from the recorded words and performed coda identifications. For lax vowels, listeners were more accurate at identifying the coda in the face-masked condition, indicating that they benefited from the speakers' production adjustments. Overall, the results indicate that speakers adapt their speech in specific contexts when wearing a face mask, and these speaker adjustments have an influence on listeners' abilities to identify words in the speech signal.

Advancing textural heterogeneity: Effect of manipulating multi-component model foods on the perception of textural complexity.

The aim of this study was to identify the individual and interacting effects of varying the mechanical properties of two inserts (к-carrageenan beads; 1, 2 and 4% w/w and/or agar-based disks; 0.3, 1.2 and 3% w/w) in pectin-based gels on the perception of textural complexity. A full factorial design was utilised, 16 samples were characterised with sensory and instrumental tests. Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) was performed by 50 untrained participants. RATA selection frequency provided different information to attribute intensity regarding the detection of low yield stress inserts. In the two-component samples, the perception of textural complexity (n = 89) increased with insert yield stress for both к-carrageenan beads and agar disks. However, with the addition of medium and high yield stress к-carrageenan beads to three-component samples, the increases in perceived textural complexity caused by increased agar yield stress were eliminated. The definition of textural complexity, the number and intensity of texture sensations, as well as their interactions and contrasts, was in line with the results, and the hypothesis that not only mechanical properties but also the interaction of components play a key role in the perception of textural complexity.

Texture statistics involved in specular highlight exclusion for object lightness perception.

The human visual system estimates the physical properties of objects, such as their lightness. Previous studies on the lightness perception of glossy three-dimensional objects have suggested that specular highlights are detected and excluded in lightness perception. However, only a few studies have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this exclusion. This study aimed to elucidate the image features that contribute to the highlight exclusion of lightness perception. We used Portilla-Simoncelli texture statistics (PS statistics), an image feature set similar to the representation in the early visual cortex, to explore their relationships with highlight exclusion for lightness perception. In experiment 1, computer graphics images of bumpy plastic plates with various physical parameters were used as stimuli, and the lightness perception on them was measured using a lightness matching task. We then calculated the highlight exclusion index, which represented the degree of highlight exclusion. Finally, we evaluated the correlation between the highlight exclusion index and the four PS statistic subsets. In experiment 2, an image synthesis algorithm was used to create images in which either the PS statistic subset was manipulated. The highlight exclusion indexes of the synthesized images were then measured. The results revealed that the PS statistic subset consisting of lowest-order image features, such as moment statistics of luminance, acts as a necessary condition for highlight exclusion, whereas the other three subsets consisting of higher order features are not crucial. These results suggest that the low-order image features are the most important among the features in PS statistics for highlight exclusion, even though image features higher order than those in PS statistics must be directly involved.

Evaluating Sentiment, Engagement, and Perception of Biologics Among Patients with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis on Reddit.

BACKGROUND: Limited analyses of social media content among psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients exist. These patients may turn to social media to gain insight into treatments such as biologics. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the content, sentiment, and engagement of social media posts regarding biologics for PsO and PsA. METHODS: Posts and comments discussing biologics were extracted from publicly accessible PsO and PsA Reddit groups. Posts were assigned higher (HOT) and lower order (LOT) themes, sentiments, and engagement scores. RESULTS: Of 1141 posts extracted, 705 posts were classified under the HOT general/efficacy. Twelve lower order themes (LOTs) were identified: general advice/experience (10.2%), symptoms improved (36.6%), switching biologics (10.5%), and time to results (13.4%). 61.3% of content was of positive sentiment, 24.0% was neutral, and 14.7% was of negative sentiment. The mean sentiment score, defined as the average of all posts' sentiment scores (where negative=-1, neutral=0, and positive=1), was overall positive at 0.47, 95% CI [.41-.52]. Mean sentiment scores between LOTs were significantly different (P<0.001). Information regarding biologics on Reddit is mostly positive; however, there remains a significant number of users expressing dissatisfaction with their efficacy or with biologics in general. Many users sought anecdotal advice. CONCLUSION: These findings can help guide educational efforts to anticipate concerns and appease hesitancy regarding biologics and their efficacy. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(3):306-309. doi:10.36849/JDD.7124.

[Differences Between Visiting Nurses and Patients/Families in the Perception of the Difficulties in Intervening Immediately After Hospital Discharge].

The implementation of medical home care requires the fulfillment of discharge coordination and planning, but some hospital nurses face difficulties due to differences in perception between nurses and patients/families. Visiting nurses involved immediately after hospital discharge also have difficulties in providing at-home care and struggle with differences in perception. This study clarifies the differences between visiting nurses and patients/families in their perception of discharge immediately after hospital discharge and suggests a way to resolve those differences. We also examine an ideal approach to discharge coordination and planning. We conducted a survey of 100 visiting nurses, and the results from 81 responses (validity rate: 81.0%) showed that the differences in perception were "different for all: visiting nurses, patients, and family members," with "need for care content" and "perception of prognosis" being the most frequent responses. Methods of resolving differences were categorized as "respect for intentions," "explanation," "intervention during hospitalization," "coordination with patients/families," and "service coordination". To resolve the differences in perception among nurses, it is important to start interventions by visiting nurses during hospitalization through collaboration between hospital and visiting nurses. Seamless support until after discharge, respecting the wishes of patients/families, careful explanation of the patient's condition, including prognosis, and the step-by-step planning of discharge coordination by the team are also important.

Leveraging the vantage point - exploring nurses' perception of residents' communication skills: a mixed-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: Effective communication is key to a successful patient-doctor interaction and improved healthcare outcomes. However, communication skills training in residency is often subpar, leading to inadequate patient-physician communication. There is a dearth of studies exploring the observations of nurses - key members of healthcare teams with a special vantage point to observe the impact of residents' communication with patients. Thus, we aimed to gauge the perceptions of nurses regarding residents' communication skills expertise. METHODS: This study employed a sequential mixed-methods design, and was conducted at an academic medical center in South Asia. Quantitative data was collected via a REDCap survey using a structured validated questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was applied. For qualitative data, In-depth interviews were conducted with nurses using a semi-structured interview guide. RESULTS: A total of 193 survey responses were obtained from nurses hailing from various specialties including Family Medicine (n = 16), Surgery (n = 27), Internal Medicine (n = 22), Pediatrics (n = 27), and Obstetrics/Gynecology (n = 93). Nurses rated long working hours, infrastructural deficits, and human failings as the main barriers to effective patient-resident communication. Residents working in in-patient settings were more likely to have inadequate communication skills (P-value = 0.160). Qualitative data analysis of nine in-depth interviews revealed two major themes: existing status-quo of residents' communication skills (including deficient verbal and non-verbal communication, bias in patient counselling and challenging patients) and recommendations for improving patient-resident communication. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study highlight significant gaps in patient-resident communication from the perception of nurses and identify the need for creating a holistic curriculum for residents to improve patient-physician interaction.

Perception of extreme hot weather and the corresponding adaptations among older adults and service providers-A qualitative study in Hong Kong.

Background: Extreme hot weather events are happening with increasing frequency, intensity and duration in Hong Kong. Heat stress is related to higher risk of mortality and morbidity, with older adults being particularly vulnerable. It is not clear whether and how the older adults perceive the increasingly hot weather as a health threat, and whether community service providers are aware and prepared for such future climate scenario. Methods: We conducted semi-structure interviews with 46 older adults, 18 staff members of community service providers and two district councilors of Tai Po, a north-eastern residential district of Hong Kong. Transcribed data were analyzed using thematic analysis until data saturation was reached. Results: It was agreed upon among the older adult participants that the weather in recent years has become increasingly hot and this led to some health and social problems for them, although some participants perceived that hot weather did not have any impact in their daily lives and they were not vulnerable. The community service providers and district councilors reported that there is a lack of relevant services in the community to support the older adults in hot weather; and there is generally a lack of public education regarding the heat-health issue. Conclusions: Heatwaves are affecting older adults' health in Hong Kong. Yet, discussions and education effort regarding the heat-health issue in the public domain remain scarce. Multilateral efforts are urgently needed to co-create a heat action plan to improve community awareness and resilience.

Quantitative and qualitative assessment on individual perception and self-care practice of refractive error in a rural community in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

Background: Globally, uncorrected refractive errors have been identified as the most common cause of visual impairment and the second leading cause of treatable blindness. Aim: This study quantitatively and qualitatively assessed individual perception and self-care practice of refractive error (RE) in a rural community in Enugu State. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, population-based survey was done in Amorji community, Enugu State. A pretested, researcher-administered questionnaire was used to interview the respondents on knowledge of causes, features and treatment of RE, their self-care practices, and attitudes toward RE. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were also carried out to qualitatively assess these parameters. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 522 adults, 307 (58.8%) males, and 215 (41.2%) females aged 43 ± 31.6 (range 18-83) years participated in the study. Of the participants, 235 (45.0%) had good knowledge of RE; 272 (52.1%) had positive attitude toward RE, while only 51 (9.8%) had good self-care practice. Educational status was significantly (p = 0.02) associated with participants' knowledge, attitude, and self-care practices. Good knowledge significantly (p = 0.001) influenced attitude and self-care practices among the participants. Results from FGDs and IDIs were in agreement with those obtained from the questionnaire-based part of the study. Conclusion: The participants from Amorji community had good knowledge of the features of RE but poor knowledge of its causes and treatment. They also exhibited positive attitude, but poor self-care practices toward refractive errors.