ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Malaysian Paediatricians suffer from psychological challenges and stresses, but unfortunately, their quality of work life (QWL) has yet to be studied. This study aims to explore the QWL score and its predictors among the qualified paediatricians of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Methods: A cross-sectional study using a validated QWL questionnaire was performed from June to December 2022. The graduates of Master of Medicine in Paediatrics (USM) were invited to participate in the study, through an online built QWL questionnaire. Reminders were sent a few times to increase the response rate. The QWL was used due to a good internal consistency with Cronbach alpha of 0.95. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the sociodemographic characteristics. The variables for QWL were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: The study included the participation of 123 paediatricians. Majority of the participants were Malay (87.8%), Muslim (90%) and married (78%). Among all participants, 53.6% has good QWL score. Factors that associated with good QWL were married status (p= 0.02) and higher salary (p=0.012). Individuals whose are married and having higher income are 3.2 and 5.2 times respectively more likely to have good QWL. Conclusion: More than half of qualified paediatricians had good QWL and necessary steps should be strived at improving these factors for a better work-life balance.
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Background: Essential health services including immunization were significantly impacted due to COVID-19 with devastating outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The disruption in immunization services due to global pandemic and measures undertaken at regional levels to overcome need to be studied as pandemic preparedness strategy. Objective: To document the contextual narratives related to immunization services during the Covid-19 disease outbreakby interviewing qualified paediatricians in the field practice area of private tertiary care teaching medical college Methodology: In-depth phone-based interviews were conducted with paediatricians in diverse settings during November 2020 to March 2021. Reflexive thematic analysis was performed, major themes identi-fied, and case studies documented. Results: Paediatricians shared rich experiences related to immunization services impacted due to COVID-19 especially during the earlier months due to imposition of lockdowns leading to discontinua-tion, disruption of services, decrease in volume of immunizations, modest transition to telehealth ser-vice delivery, facility-level changes brought in to ensure immunization services and capacity building measures for upskilling. Conclusions: Contextual narratives revealed in this study provide rich narrative about the disruption of immunization services due to COVID-19. These findings need to be understood and leveraged to be fu-ture ready and prevent further disruptions by identifying and scaling up key solutions piloted in this study.
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Resumen Introducción: Entre todas las dificultades sensoriales, la hipoacusia es la más prevalente a nivel mundial. Algunas de sus consecuencias incluyen dificultades de lenguaje, aprendizaje, conducta, peor desempeño académico y baja autoestima. La participación de médicos pediatras es clave en el seguimiento del desarrollo auditivo, lingüístico y comunicativo infantil. Objetivo: Conocer y describir el conocimiento sobre hipoacusia de pediatras del Servicio de Salud Viña del Mar-Quillota, Chile. Materiales y Método: Investigación transversal-descriptiva. Treinta y tres médicos de los servicios de Neonatología y Pediatría del Servicio de Salud Viña del Mar-Quillota completaron un cuestionario de evaluación de conocimientos generales y manejo de hipoacusia. Resultados: Los participantes reconocieron la importancia de su rol con respecto al seguimiento comunicativo infantil. Sin embargo, el 72% de los participantes reportó recibir formación sobre audiología e hipoacusia únicamente durante su formación de pregrado. Más del 50% de los participantes identificó correctamente todos los factores de riesgo de hipoacusia, demostrando así sus conocimientos sobre detección temprana. Se reportó la necesidad de mayores conocimientos sobre tipos y clasificaciones de hipoacusia, pruebas de evaluación y marco legal de la hipoacusia en Chile. Conclusión: La entrega de mayor información sobre hipoacusia a médicos pediatras, junto con oportunidades de formación continua al cursar la especialidad de pediatría y durante el ejercicio profesional es fundamental para la identificación y seguimiento adecuados de la hipoacusia. Estas medidas favorecerían la detección e intervención temprana de hipoacusia y reducirían potencialmente el impacto y las consecuencias en el desarrollo de niños y niñas con hipoacusia.
Abstract Introduction: Of all diagnosable sensory impairments, hearing loss (HL) has the highest prevalence worldwide. Consequences of HL include but are not limited to communication disability, language and learning disorders, behavioural difficulties, academic underachievement, and low self-esteem. Therefore, paediatrician involvement in ongoing care of paediatric HL is crucial for auditory, linguistic, and communicative aspects of childhood development. Aim: To understand and describe the knowledge about paediatric HL of paediatricians from the Viña del Mar-Quillota Health Service, Chile. Material and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. Thirty-three doctors from Neonatology and Paediatric Units from the Viña del Mar-Quillota Health Service completed a questionnaire exploring knowledge and behaviours regarding paediatric HL. Results: Participants acknowledged the importance of their role in the continuous care of paediatric HL. However, 72% of participants were provided with knowledge on paediatric HL only throughout their post-secondary education. Over 50% of participants identified all HL risk factors, demonstrating the acquisition of foundational knowledge of early HL detection. Gaps in knowledge identified by participants included types and classification of HL, types of assessments, and policies and procedures to guide treatment of paediatric HL in Chile. Conclusion: Provision of HL information to paediatricians, and ongoing professional development is vital to the decisions regarding ongoing care of paediatric HL. Potential outcomes of knowledge provision and ongoing professional development for paediatric residents and paediatricians may result in early HL detection and intervention of paediatric HL, potentially reducing the impact of associated developmental consequences for children with HL.
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Background: Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) causes significant morbidity and mortality among young children in India. Hib vaccines are safe and efficacious; nevertheless, their introduction to India’s national immunization programme has been hindered by resistance from certain sectors of academia and civil society. We aimed to ascertain the attitudes and perceptions of Indian paediatricians towards Hib disease and vaccination. Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional survey of knowledge, attitude and practices on Hib and vaccines was undertaken among 1000 Indian paediatricians who attended 49th National Conference of Indian Academy of Pediatrics in 2012 through use of a 21‑point questionnaire. Results: 927 (93%) paediatricians completed the survey. 643 (69%) responded that Hib is a common disease in India. 788 (85%) reported prescribing Hib vaccine to their patients and 453 (49%) had done so for the past 5–15 years. Hib vaccine was used in combination with other vaccines by 814 (88%) of the participants. 764 (82%) respondents thought Hib vaccine effective while 750 (81%) thought it to be safe. Fever, pain and redness were the most frequently reported post vaccination side‑effects. 445 (48%) paediatricians ranked universal use of Hib vaccine in the national immunization programme as the most important strategy to prevent and control Hib disease in India. Conclusion: The excellent profile as reported by a large number of paediatricians from throughout India further strengthens evidence to support expanded use of currently available Hib vaccines. These findings should encourage the Government of India to initiate mass use of this vaccine nationwide.