Project description:IntroductionEpilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by repetitive seizures which could occur in different forms depending on the site of brain disturbance. It has both psychological as well as social effects resulting in stigmatization and isolation of epileptic patients. Even though medical students are considered a role model of well-educated communities, previous studies showed that students lack the satisfactory knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy, so it is important to evaluate the concept of epilepsy and to measure awareness and attitudes toward epileptic patients among medical students of King Abdulaziz University. The aim of this study is to determine knowledge, perception and attitudes toward epilepsy among medical students at King Abdulaziz University.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 455 medical students from Faculty of medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Western region) through a web-based survey in July 2018. The survey is composed of many sections (demographic variables, knowledge, attitudes and practices toward epilepsy). The survey was applied as a Google form and the data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS for Windows, version 21.0. The chi-square test of independence was used for data analysis.ResultsFour hundred thirty-six out of 455 students (98.5%) were aware about epilepsy. However, the level of knowledge varies depending on the educational level of these students, because 88.5% of the students responded that brain injury is the most common cause and 57.3% said it is a genetic disease, while 3.7% stated that it was due to evil spirit. As a treatment method, medication and God's help were chosen by 95.8% and 57.8%, respectively. Objection to marry an epileptic patient was the most common negative attitude toward epileptics among the participants. Nonetheless, the overall attitude was found to be positive.ConclusionKing Abdulaziz University medical students have had some misunderstandings regarding causes, manifestations and treatment of epilepsy which could affect their attitudes toward epileptic individuals. Educational programs which include more clinical exposure to such common diseases are required to improve students' impressions of these diseases.

Project description:BackgroundGender is an important social determinant, that influences healthcare. The lack of awareness on how gender influences health might lead to gender bias and can contribute to substandard patient care. Our objectives were to assess gender sensitivity and the presence of gender stereotypes among swiss medical students.MethodsA validated scale (N-GAMS - Nijmegen Gender Awareness in Medicine Scale), with 3 subscores assessing gender sensitivity (GS) and gender stereotypes toward patients (GRIP) and doctors (GRID) (ranging from 1 to 5), was translated into French and was distributed to all medical students registered at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland in April-May 2017. Reliability of the three subscales was assessed calculating the alpha Cronbach coefficient. Mean subscales were calculated for male and female students and compared using two sample t-tests. A linear model was built with each subscale as a dependent variable and students' sex and age as covariables.ResultsIn total, 396 students answered the N-GAMS questionnaire, their mean age was 22 years old, 62.6% of them were women. GS and GRID sub-scores were not significantly different between female and male students (GS 3.62 for women, 3.70 for men, p = 0.27, GRID 2.10 for women, 2.13 for men, p = 0.76). A statistically significant difference was found in the GRIP subscale, with a mean score of 1.83 for women and 2.07 for men (p < 0.001), which suggests a more gender stereotyped opinion toward patients among male students. A trend was observed with age, gender sensibility increased (p < 0.001) and stereotypes decreased (GRIP p = 0.04, GRID p = 0.02) with students getting older.ConclusionMedical students' gender sensitivity seems to improve throughout the medical curriculum, and women students have less stereotypes towards patients than men do. The implementation of a gender-sensitive teaching in the medical curriculum could improve students' knowledge, limit gender bias and improve patients' care.

Project description:Background Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death from infectious diseases worldwide with numerous undiagnosed and untreated cases, emphasizing the need for TB awareness to minimize transmission and initiate early treatment. Data regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward TB among Jordanians is lacking but requires attention given the massive migration spells to Jordan from neighboring countries in the past decade. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2022. An online questionnaire was developed following World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for TB KAP surveys and was distributed to Jordanian university students. The questionnaire documented sociodemographic data and measured participants' KAP toward TB. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used to report KAP levels and highlight relevant sociodemographic factors associated with better KAP. Results 602 participants completed the survey; most were females (60.8%), in their first 3 years of school (84.4%), and from a healthcare field of study (57.0%). The knowledge section median score was 27 out of 51. Knowledge gaps in TB treatment, and to a lesser extent, TB transmission routes were identified. The attitudes section median score was 6 out of 9, attitudes were generally positive toward TB patients with no indication of a social stigma. The practice section median score was 6 out of 8, most participants would take the correct measures if they suspected being infected, yet around 41.0% were not confident that masks are important in preventing airborne diseases. Students in healthcare specialties had significantly better KAP scores and identifying as a smoker was associated with a lower practice score. Conclusion Although university students displayed satisfactory KAP scores, the focus should be aimed at informing students from non-healthcare fields on TB transmission routes, treatment options, and the role of masks in preventing disease transmission.

Project description:Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of malignancy in Syria. The aim of our study was to assess the awareness and knowledge of CRC and its screening methods among medical students at the University of Aleppo. Methods A cross-sectional study of medical students at the University of Aleppo was conducted using a self-administered 12-element questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographics, awareness of CRC, knowledge of CRC and its screening methods. Awareness of CRC included three questions asking students if they ever heard of CRC and its screening methods. Knowledge of CRC was evaluated through three sets of questions about CRC risk factors, signs and symptoms, and preventative methods. The students were selected randomly during academic lectures. A χ 2 or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables were used for statistical analysis, as appropriate. A two-sided p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We stratified students based on pre-clinical versus clinical years and average academic score. Results A total of 824 students completed the questionnaire. The majority of students were aware of CRC (98.9%) and CRC screening methods (79.8%). Students had poor knowledge of CRC risk factors (16.5% for non-modifiable factors and 11.7% for modifiable factors), signs and symptoms (52.6%), and protective factors (9.9%). Only 31.7% of students were able to identify the appropriate age to initiate screening for average-risk individuals. Clinical students had better awareness and knowledge of CRC and its screening methods. Clinical students with higher academic score showed better awareness and knowledge in some elements. Conclusion Our study reported high awareness and poor knowledge rates of CRC and its screening methods among medical students at the University of Aleppo. Although clinical students had higher awareness and knowledge of CRC compared to pre-clinical students, the impact of academic score revealed variable results.

Project description:BackgroundCultural factors influence attitudes toward death, and gender disparities are evident. Prior studies show that medical students have limited knowledge about death and are uncomfortable with it. Moreover, there is limited research that has examined factors that influence medical students' knowledge and attitudes toward death.ObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to compare cultural and gender differences in relation to knowledge and attitudes toward loss and grief and to screen for complicated grief among medical students at the Arabian Gulf University and the University of Toronto.MethodsA cross-sectional study was disseminated to medical students at both universities in 2022. The variables in the survey included four parts: demographic characteristics of the participants, religious observance, history of encountering loss of a loved one, grief following loss, attitude toward death, and learning about how to deal with grief and death during medical school. The brief grief questionnaire and the death attitude profile-revised scales were used.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 168 medical students, with 74.1% being female. Complicated grief scores were higher among Arabian Gulf University students (3.87 ± 2.39) than among University of Toronto students (2.00 ± 1.93) and were higher for participants with a higher degree of religious observance in both schools (p < 0.05). Death avoidance (p = 0.003), approach acceptance (p < 0.001), and escape acceptance (p = 0.038) domains were significantly higher among Arabian Gulf University students than among University of Toronto students. Almost three-quarters of University of Toronto students reported not being taught about grief, compared to 54% of Arabian Gulf University students.ConclusionsArabian Gulf University medical students scored higher on complicated grief, most likely due to cultural and religious factors. Females at both institutions as well as those who indicated a higher level of religious observance reported higher scores of complicated grief. The study highlights how cultural and religious beliefs influence medical students' attitudes toward death and bereavement. It provides valuable insight into the knowledge and attitudes of medical students toward loss.

Project description:ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to examine the association between fertility awareness knowledge, and contraceptive use among sexually active female university students (FUS) in Cameroon.MethodsThis study was designed as a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey that was conducted between July and August 2018. We extracted and analyzed relevant data (i.e., socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, fertility-related characteristics, and contraceptive use) using a modified Poisson regression with a robust variance estimator. Prevalence Ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated, and statistical significance was set at P≤0.05.ResultsThe median age of the sexually active FUS was 23 years (IQR = 21-25) and 99.3% indicated that they wanted to have children. Only 49.3% knew their fertile period and 62.5% of the sexually active FUS were current contraceptive users. We found a statistically significant association between fertility awareness knowledge and period abstinence (PR = 1.57;95%CI: 1.02-2.44, p = 0.049). In multivariate adjusted models, there was a statistically significant association between fertility awareness knowledge and male condom use (APR = 1.29; 95% CI:1.02-1.64, p-value = 0.032) and the withdrawal method (APR = 1.40;95% CI:1.02-1.93, p = 0.038). We found a statistically significant effect modification of "preferred timing to have children" on the association between fertility awareness knowledge and withdrawal method use. There was no association between fertility awareness knowledge and the use of oral contraceptive pills.ConclusionMost of the female students intend to have children in the future, but their fertility awareness knowledge was suboptimal. There was a statistically significant relationship between fertility awareness knowledge, and the use of male condoms and the withdrawal method. The study underscores the need for FUS to be targeted with interventions to help them gain knowledge of their menstrual cycle to better plan or avoid unwanted pregnancy.

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Knowledge and awareness toward surgical treatment of epilepsy among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University

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