Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) during the malaria elimination phase: A household-based cross-sectional survey.

Malaria is a major health problem in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to measure the level of community understanding of malaria transmission, protection, and treatment. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study enrolled 1070 participants from 2 districts with different malaria prevalence rates in Jazan Province. The response rate was 97.27%. Of the 1070 total; 754 (70.5%) had heard about malaria. Sixty-seven percentage know that fever was the main symptom. Approximately 59.8% did not know that stagnant water is one of the most important locations for mosquito breeding. Nevertheless, we found that 50% of the participants knew that mosquitoes bite at night and 96.9% confirmed that mosquitoes did not bite during the day. The most effective sources of information were distributed leaflets (41.8%) and video awareness (31.9%). The most significant factors affecting participants knowledge were gender, residence, family members, income, and education (P < .05). Knowledge levels were satisfactory in this study, and the majority of participants exhibited adequate attitudes and practices related to malaria prevention. However, knowledge differences were observed with regard to the place of residence. Greater emphasis should be directed towards education programs in malaria-endemic areas to ensure complete eradication of malaria.

Virtual Behavioral Intervention to Promote Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: A Feasibility RCT during COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on human health, affecting many lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity, sedentary behavior, dietary habits and sleep. PURPOSE: to assess the feasibility of six sessions of a virtual behavioral intervention to promote healthy lifestyle practices during a stay-at-home advisory phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A participant-blinded randomized controlled trial was performed through a virtual platform setting. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. They were assigned to a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention or attention group, with pre- and postintervention assessments. The MI treatment consisted of six sessions (twice each week). The same number of virtual structured sessions were provided for the attention group, and they provided brief advice to promote healthy lifestyles. The study was conducted from April to June 2020. RESULTS: The feasibility outcomes indicated that 39 of the 50 participants (78%) completed the trial. The dropout rate was 21.7% for the attention group and 22.2% for the intervention group. Participating in MI had a significant positive interventional effect on physical activity level, distress and fear of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to deliver behavioral change interventions virtually. Further, MI can be used as a useful strategy for the favorable promotion of a healthy lifestyle. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05392218 (26/05/2022).

A novel perspective approach to explore pros and cons of face mask in prevention the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has become a severe community health threat across the world. Covid-19 is a major illness, presently there is no as such any medicine and vaccine those can claim for complete treatment. It is spreading particularly in a feeble immune people and casualties are expanding abruptly and put the health system under strain. Among the strategic measures face mask is one of the most used measures to prevent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Wearing a face mask possibly create a false sense of security lead to decline others measures. Face mask could be risk for the people of under lying medical conditions, old age group, outdoor exercise, acute and chronic respiratory disorders and feeble innate immune. Restrictive airflow due to face mask is the main cause of retention of CO2 called hypercapnia that can lead to respiratory failure with symptoms of tachycardia, flushed skin, dizziness, papilledema, seizure and depression. According to latest updates face shield and social distancing could be better substitute of face mask.