BMC Research Notes最新文献

Objective: Stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings remain significant barriers to achieving the global goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Despite progress, interventions to address these issues are limited in Malaysia, where Health4All module being one of the few implemented in healthcare settings to reduce HIV-related stigma. This study explores the barriers and facilitators to its implementation, aiming to enhance its effectiveness in addressing stigma within these environments.

Results: Using the Delphi method, expert opinions from public health and primary care sectors were collected over three iterative rounds to identify and prioritize barriers and facilitators to implementing the Health4All module. Data were obtained via email, with each round refining the previous findings. The implementation was facilitated by strong leadership, adequate funding, clinic champions, established HIV teams, and active staff engagement. Key barriers included workforce shortages, high turnover, recruitment challenges among key populations, language and content limitations, and online training constraints such as technical issues and limited interaction. Despite these challenges, cost-effective online delivery and targeted incentives improved uptake, emphasizing the critical influence of organizational, individual, and systemic factors on successful implementation. The findings provide a valuable foundation for future efforts to enhance healthcare practices and outcomes.

Objective: This study used the Knowledge and Access Power (KAP) mobile platform to assess the awareness and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among adolescents in the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions of Ghana.

Methods: A mobile application, referred to as the KAP app was designed to assess SRH awareness and knowledge. To evaluate SRH awareness and knowledge among adolescents, an invitation to download and access the mobile application was sent via social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp. A total of 386 adolescents downloaded the app and attempted the pre- and post-module quizzes.

Results: From the quiz participation snapshot data, users attempted 1,040 quizzes. Descriptive statistics revealed that the overall average score received on SRH before completing the learning modules was 67.98 (SD = 26.597), while the overall average score gained on SRH after completing the learning modules was 73.66 (SD = 25.142). The pre- and post-module SRH scores were compared using a paired samples t-test, and the results showed a statistically significant difference between the two sets of scores [t(182) = -2.58, p = 0.010]. Based on these findings, using the KAP app can help increase SRH knowledge among teenagers.

Objectives: The significance of performing tongue brushing is uncertain and lacks sufficient clinical evidence. This study was conducted to assess the existing practices on tongue brushing among school children and their parents and its effect on optimal levels of salt and sugar concentration, the development of dental caries and body mass index among children.

Results: Of 191 students (52.9% male), 178 responded; 134 (57.3%) reported tongue brushing. Among 313 parents, 54.5% were female and 283 (91.6%) brushed. Initiation was mainly maternal (68.4%) or paternal (12.0%); only 3.3% of parents cited professional advice. Salt taste thresholds were identical between groups (median 1.5 g/200 mL); means were slightly higher in brushers (3.14 vs. 3.00; p = 0.389). Sugar thresholds were also equivalent (means 3.25 vs. 3.09; NS). BMI correlated weakly with brushing score (r = 0.143, p > 0.05). Sugar taste concentration showed a negative, non-significant correlation (r = - 0.112, p = 0.150). CPITN scores were higher in non-brushers, without significance.

Conclusion: Tongue brushing is a widely practiced habit, primarily adopted through parental influence rather than clinical advice. However, no significant associations were observed with sugar/salt taste thresholds, BMI, dental caries, or periodontal health. While tongue brushing may reduce halitosis and contribute to oral comfort. It should be promoted as an adjunctive, not primary, oral hygiene practice. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted.

Objective: To examine perceived and objective knowledge of advance directives (AD), attitudes toward end-of-life care, and factors associated with intention to prepare AD among Thai gynecologic cancer patients and their family members attending a tertiary hospital in Bangkok.​ RESULTS DESCRIPTION: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 101 patients and 105 accompanying family members recruited between August 2017 and January 2018. Over 60% of both groups had never heard of AD and mean objective knowledge scores were low (3.4/8 for patients and 3.7/8 for family members), with common misconceptions including equating AD with euthanasia. Most participants preferred a natural death without life-prolonging measures. Yet only 6% of patients and 1% of family members had completed an AD, while 22% and 27%, respectively, reported an intention to prepare one. Multiple regression showed that perceived knowledge was the only significant predictor of intention to prepare an AD for both patients (B = 0.339, p < 0.001) and family members (B = 0.246, p < 0.001), suggesting that interventions that enhance perceived understanding may strengthen engagement in advance care planning.