Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume:8 Issue: 10, Oct 2018

In communication process, feedback plays a major role. Usually, a formal/informal feedback is collected from students on their experience and understanding about the tasks given by the mentor to assess the learning process. Receiving high-quality feedback (positive or negative) is valuable from multiple perspectives. Students may or may not enjoy sessions on innovative teaching–learning methods; in that case, feedback helps to modify it into a more effective and acceptable method of teaching.

With an objective to understand the students' perception on a smartphone app in community-based research, a cross-sectional study was planned among undergraduate students posted for the re-orientation of medical education. Epicollect5, a mobile app, was used for data capture. Students were requested to submit their feedback by using the same app which they had used during the survey. The received feedback was analyzed and presented in proportions.

Students shared that the new tool was easy to install (97.5%), user friendly (100%), saved time in data collection and data entry (100%), and they also missed the usual practice of paper-based questionnaire survey (12.5%) and data entry in excel sheet (7.5%).

The students liked and enjoyed the paperless method of data collection and entry which saved time and improved the quality of the data. They were also interested to learn more on the designing or framing the questionnaire in app and planned to use the app in future research. The feedback conveyed the immense welcome for new technology by the students into medical curriculum.

Worldwide, the adoption of electronic patient recording system is increasing among many parts of the health sectors. Although paper-based recording of patients' information was a routine in many departments of dental schools, easy destruction of collected information and the costs of its conversion to electronic data, limited the availability of updated data at the department of dental public health. This paper aimed to explain the project of designing a system for Electronic Oral Health Recording (EOHR) in Isfahan dental school. The initial testing of system among dental students is reported too.

A situation analysis was conducted among the faculty members and dental students dealing with the Department of Oral Public Health. The content of EOHR was developed based on the WHO STEPwise model for chronic disease surveillance systems. The system was developed as an application for smartphone and a web-based database. The spiral model was applied in software development which was accomplished by the object-oriented programming method. After that, alpha and beta testing were done in target population. Data were compiled during the interview and oral examination by 40 dental students among 200 schoolchildren. It has been stored as a data bank following the network connection. The pitfalls of the system during its usage in dental public health course were evaluated as well.

The baseline analysis of situation generally revealed a perception of need to change the existing paper-based recording system among the dental students and the academic members; it was summarized in five areas as follows: benefits restrictions, structural barriers, perceived advantages and feasibility. The application was designed and completed as six pages interface including demographic and follow-up page, socioeconomic status of family, oral health-related behavior, dental and gingival status, and quality of life. Drawbacks, such as nonresponded items, common assumptions, student registration page on the mobile, and modification in the output Excel file for analysis variables, have been resolved.

A software application and web-based database were designed regarding the characteristics of Agile Unified Process development and educational dental setting. This system should be improved and established gradually.

Indian national law namely Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) exists since 2003 and aims at protecting all the people in our country, but smoking is still prevalent among people. This study was aimed to assess awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding prohibition of sale of tobacco products near educational institutions of Nellore city, India.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in degree colleges of Nellore city of Andhra Pradesh. The study population includes institutional personnel (student, teaching staff, nonteaching staff, and workers) of selected degree colleges of Nellore city. A structured questionnaire was designed for this study which was validated by Davis criteria; reliability was assessed by test–retest design. The questionnaire was divided into five parts consisting of demographic details (age and gender), smoking behavior, knowledge about tobacco control laws, attitudes toward the law and policies, and practices followed in the institution. Logistic regression analysis was used to find out the association between different independent variables to tobacco usage among institutional personnel.

Among the study population (n = 400 [100%]), 75.8% of the teaching staff do not know that there should be a board in the institution saying that “sale of tobacco product in an area within the radius of 100 m of educational institution is strictly prohibited,” 82.2% of the study population were not aware to whom should they report, 96.3% of the study population accepted that strict execution of COTPA law saves life, the participants who answered no to strict implementation of COTPA law, and to punish the person who is violating the COTPA law are susceptible to 0.28, and 0.14 times greater odds to be a smokeless tobacco user, respectively.

The study concluded that there was lack of knowledge about smoke-free legislation among the study population and a high support for strict implementation of COTPA.

CONTEXT:

Health system reform plan refers to conducting some fundamental, systematic, and sustainable changes.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate different required inputs of Iran Health Transformation Plan from experts' viewpoints.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The data of this qualitative study were collected using semi-structured interviews.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

The purposive sampling method led to 18 participant selection and then they were interviewed. Interviewees were assured about confidentiality of information.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The thematic analysis method and MAXQDA software were employed for analyzing the data.

There were 4 main themes and 35 subthemes extracted including management requirements for health development plan, human resources, information resources, and financial resources. Each theme had subthemes such as “resource allocation,” “development of required standards for human resources,” “human resources' motivation,” “failures in IT infrastructures,” “hospital information management software,” “guidelines and instructions,” “costs controlling,” and “financing the plan”.

Results of the present study put significant emphasis on the path of improving the effectiveness and efficacy of applying the discussed inputs, which can be a light for revising past policies and taking better future steps, it also can be a resource guide for policy-makers and managers of the health-care system.

Health literacy is a combination of reading and listening skills, data analysis, decision-making, and the ability to implement these skills during the necessary health situations. This study was conducted with the purpose of determining the effect of educational intervention on health literacy and its impact on health-promoting behaviors of the health ambassadors in the health and treatment centers of the health network in Kazeroon (Fars province, Iran).

The present study is a quasi-experimental study using before-after test procedure on 256 health ambassadors. Random systematic sampling method was used and to assess the health literacy, Montazeri's health questionnaire was used, also the standard questionnaire (health-promoting lifestyle profile-I) was applied to determine the status of the health-promoting behaviors. Two questionnaires were filled out by the health ambassadors before and following the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software 22, through t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation.

The mean health literacy scores of the ambassadors before educational intervention were 79.22 which increased to 95.49 after intervention. Moreover, the results of the study showed a direct significant correlation of health literacy with all the dimensions of health-promoting behavior questionnaire before and after the intervention (P < 0.001).

Educational interventions can be used to enhance the health literacy of health ambassadors and have a significant impact on improving health-promoting behaviors.

The successful application of the information systems in the health-care domain requires a reasonable recognition of the factors affecting the acceptance and use of such systems. The study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the acceptance and use of an integrated health system (IHS) in Isfahan primary health centers.

It was an applied and descriptive–analytical survey conducted in Isfahan, Iran. Research population included all IHS's users in the health centers no. 1 and 2 of Isfahan city from which a sample of 320 individuals were selected in total. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. Data were analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) method and SmartPLS software.

The users' behavioral intention to use the IHS system was influenced by performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence, but it was not significantly related to facilitating conditions. Behavioral intention to use the IHS also had a significant relationship with the use of system. Furthermore, performance expectancy was the most important predictor.

According to the findings, if the system users perceive the positive role of system in performance improvement, its convenience to use, and positive attitude of others toward it, their willingness to accept and use system will increase. Furthermore, it was important for the users that the system helps them in resolving their daily work-related problems and making rational decisions.

Immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases in adults is the need of the hour. The student nurses by virtue of training are the frontline health workers dealing with patient care. They are exposed to maximum risk of contracting the diseases. Vaccine awareness is not a part of their induction training program. It is necessary to plan preventive measure related to vaccination in their interest.

This study aims to assess awareness and practices of nursing students related to adult immunization.

It is a cross-sectional study, conducted on nursing students of School of Nursing in Mumbai, over a period of 4 months. Universal sampling technique was used. Sample size was 271. A semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel.

The awareness about the vaccines was as follows: hepatitis B (98.1%), hepatitis A (72.3%), rabies (90.4%), H1N1 (74.9%), dT (52%), meningococcal (33.6%), human papillomavirus (49.8%), vaccines during pregnancy (88.2%), varicella (76.4%), typhoid (54.6%), cholera (52.8%), rubella (79.7%), travel vaccines (63.5%), Japanese encephalitis (69%), haemophilus influenzae b (40.9%), and pneumococcal (43.5%). About 87.8% of students have received TT at 10 years of age and 83% have received TT at 16 years of age. Hepatitis B vaccine was taken by 64.5%, out of which only 35% students received complete three doses. Majority of them could not answer the correct doses, availability, and cost of these vaccines.

The awareness and practices about adult immunization are found to be inadequate. Nurses should be appraised about theory and practical aspect of immunization as an immediate solution. Furthermore, considering the importance of this topic, the induction training program of nursing students should include awareness on adult immunization and emphasize their own vaccination. The annual health checkup of students should ensure the compliance of vaccines such as hepatitis B.

As an integral and the most important part of medical education, clinical education provides the opportunity to prepare medical students as professionals. This study explores the standpoints of informants concerning the optimal conditions for clinical education and its components, including learning opportunities, clinical settings, and clinical tutors, with the aim to improve clinical teaching and standards.

The study design is built on qualitative content analysis with the directed approach. The participants were selected using purposive sampling with maximum variation, and the data were collected through online focus group discussion (FGD) and semi-structured individual interviews conducted either face-to-face or on the telephone.

Twenty vice-chancelleries of education and medical education planners from across the country participated in this study. Concepts resulted in four main categories: educational settings, tutors, creating learning opportunities, and learning situations. The concepts were sorted into 15 subcategories, also 21 subclass 1 and 14 subclass 2. The most extensive subcategories comprised variety of educational settings, teaching team conditions, and learning strategies.

Optimal conditions for clinical education are associated with the use of educational settings close to the real workplace of general practitioners such as general inpatient settings, outpatient settings, and emergency department. Moreover, optimal conditions require the provision of learning opportunities by organized team of tutors and team member empowerment along with policy-making and planning on the national scale by the Ministry of Health in consideration of local conditions.

Scholarly research experiences during student life can make pharmacy students capable of reaching the pinnacle of triumph with scientific skills.

The aim of this study is to assess the perception of pharmacy students and their inclination toward scholarly research publications.

A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among pharmacy students across India, Malaysia, and Pakistan. A 21-item questionnaire was distributed through different social networking sites between July and September 2016. Descriptive and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the findings. A value of P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Of 543 pharmacy students approached, 348 participants from India, Pakistan, and Malaysia were included giving a response rate of 64%. The study comprises 48.5% of males and 51.4% of females, studying a bachelor of pharmacy (44.5%), and from private institutions (94%). Nearly, three-fourths (76.4%) of the students had no publications but showed high interest toward original research (87.4%). Most of the participants cited the reasons to engage in the scholarly publication is too advanced research/share findings (74.1%), and to improve writing and research skills (73.6%). Further, a significant percentage of students agreed that contributing to the literature during student life as a valuable experience and publishing will provide them with personal fulfilment.

This study showed that most of the pharmacy students had positive perceptions toward scholarly research activities to advance research and improve their writing research skills. We recommend the pharmacy schools to incorporate scholarly activities in the curriculum to embark research-inclusive career.

Nursing is a scientific profession, based on theory and art of care. However, the theory-practice gap has become the biggest challenge of this profession and decreases the quality of service both in teaching and practice. Thus, it seems necessary to search for these reasons in situations such as emergency department – which has an effective role in patients' health.

The objectives of this study were to find the perceived reasons for the theory-practice gap in the process of emergency nursing education from the perspective of professors, nurses, and students, as well as doctors, since they cooperate with nurses and students in the training environment.

A qualitative study was carried out; this included 18 deep, semi-structured interviews in 7 months with the people involved in the process of emergency department apprenticeship alongside with observing the activities of stakeholders. The data analysis was done in accordance with content analysis method including three steps of preparation, organization, and reporting.

The perceived reasons for theory-practice gap were classified into 13 secondary categories. At the end of data analysis, five main categories of student, instructor, environment, culture, and the organizational process, and finally, two themes of “input” and “process” emerged.

Nursing students in emergency department face a number of challenges in implementing theory into practice which stems from the faculty as an academic environment and the hospital as an educational environment. These underpinning reasons for the theory-practice gap influence the quality of nursing education and care delivery in emergency department. Hence, decreasing the theory-practice gap lies in the amendment of any of these factors.

Many of the problems caused by aging can be delayed and the health of the elderly maintained by improving and applying a healthy lifestyle during old age. Therefore, the researcher has designed and implemented a study aimed “compare the impact of group motivational interviews with multimedia education on improving lifestyle in the elderly.”

This study is triple blind before and after clinical trial was performed on three groups of thirty (n = 90) of the elderly with mean age 63.41 ± 6.88 who were members of the elderly centers of Tehran city neighborhoods with average to unfavorable lifestyle score. The first test group was subjected to group motivational interviewing during five sessions. The second test group was subjected to distant multimedia training. No training was given to the third group as the control group. After 3 months, the lifestyle questionnaire was completed in three groups. The results were analyzed by these techniques as statistical tests such as mean, standard deviation, relative frequency, and absolute frequency were used. The inferential statistical tests such as paired t-test and one-way ANOVA were used, respectively, to compare the pre- and post-mean scores and in each group and compare the mean scores of lifestyle dimensions in three groups.

Both motivational interviewing and multimedia education have been effective in changing the lifestyle of the elderly, but according to the findings, motivational interviewing has a greater impact on elderly lifestyle. The total lifestyle score in four areas such as nutrition, self-care, mental health, and physical activity was significantly different in the three groups after the intervention (P < 0.001).

Each educational program can somehow improve behavioral skills in individuals. Effective teaching methods should address the learning difficulties and inability to learn during the aging period. The results of this study can be a step toward the elaboration of strategies for education and promotion of healthy lifestyle in the elderly.

Hypertension is an important treatable public health problem both globally and in India with an increasing prevalence significantly in both urban and rural population. It is one of the leading causes of adult mortality and morbidity, but poorly controlled hypertension remains a major health problem.

The objective of this study was to find out awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among study population and association of hypertension awareness with sociodemographic factors, if any.

This study was conducted from May 2013 to April 2014 in the rural community of Singur block, West Bengal. Data were collected with respect to sociodemographic characteristics as well as records related to hypertension such as awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension. Blood pressure (BP) measurement of individuals aged 20 years and above of both sexes was done. Pearson's Chi-square test was performed to find out the association between the categorical variables. SPSS 19.00 software was used for analysis.

Nearly 48.2% of the participants were aware of their elevated BP; 47.1% of the participants were taking pharmacological treatment, mostly allopathic and only 8.8% had their BP under control. A statistically significant association was found between age, education, and socioeconomic status (per capita income) with awareness of hypertension.

Lack of awareness of the disease and very low rate of control of hypertension among those who were treated became the major issues. These findings emphasize the need for dissemination of knowledge about the disease and counseling of the patients during treatment continuation.

This study was designed and implemented with the purpose of identify and analyze the stakeholders in Iran's Health Insurance System (HInS).

This study was a mixed method study. The study setting was in the field and consists of all organizations in the HInS. The study steps designed according to the Kammi Schmeer stakeholder analysis model. The information was collected through semi-structured and structured interviews with 16 stakeholder representatives. The data collection tool was checklist and matrixes that determined the characteristics of the stakeholders. Analysis of data was done by Maxqda10and Mactor software.

A total of 34 stakeholders were identified that were involved in nine main activities of HInS. Major stakeholders have governmental nature. The Government, the Planning and Budget Organization, the Ministry of Health, the Welfare Ministry, the Higher Health Insurance Council, and the Medical Council were stakeholders who have high financial, decision-making, and political power simultaneously. The Parliament and the Health Commission, the Government, the Planning and Budget Organization, and the Ministry of Health were stakeholders that had the most influence on other stakeholders. Most of stakeholders have same position to the objectives of the HInS. The insurer organizations had opposed position with the objective of integrity of the funds.

Stakeholders of Iran's HInS are multiple and involved in various activities that sometimes they are overlapping and parallel. Regarding the same position of the majority of stakeholders to the objectives, reforms are possible, provided that influential stakeholders participate in policies making.

In the Iranian Accreditation System, leadership and management standards have been almost ignored and not paid enough and necessary attention to the structural components and the infrastructures standards in management and leadership sections. Governing body, medical staff, chief executive officer (CEO), and nursing management standards are inadequate and lack accountability. These standards could lead to reform and finally provide the context for accomplishment of an appropriate accreditation program.

This is a descriptive, comparative, and qualitative study. It was done in two phases. The first phase included literature review of the standards of the selected countries followed by comparison of the standards of the board of trustees, medical staff, CEOs, and nursing management standards to develop the primary framework for Iranian hospitals. In phase two, the primary framework was validated true three rounds of Delphi technique.

Surveying the accreditation system standards in selected countries included the USA, Egypt, Malaysia, and Iran. It was found that the management and leadership standards were classify as governing body, medical staff, CEOs, and nursing management standards. The result of this study provides a framework for improvement of the Iranian national accreditation program.

In regarded to the importance of the leadership and management standards in reform and change and promotion of the health services quality, efficiency, and effectiveness, the results of this study showed that the present standards of the Iranian accreditation assessment system and guidelines lack the necessary infrastructures for implementing a successful national accreditation program.