Knowledge, attitude, perception, and factors associated with the risk perception of COVID-19 among nursing college students in Japanese universities: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aim: The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the world has brought different attitudes and perceptions among social strata. Nursing students being future first-line healthcare workers are more at risk of being infected and exposed to various stressors from shared information. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perception of COVID-19 among nursing students and to estimate predictors of their risk perception. Methods: We conducted an online survey among undergraduate nursing students at three selected Japanese Universities. Data on knowledge, attitude, and perception toward COVID-19 were collected using a structured questionnaire. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with the risk perception toward COVID-19 infection. Results: Of the 414 nursing students who participated in the study, 368 (90.4%) reported that the media including radio, television, internet, and/or social media were the main source of knowledge. Fever (96.1%) and dry cough (89.6%) were reported as the main symptoms. Regarding the attitude toward the treatment and preventive measures, almost 92.8% of participants recommended the use of vaccines. Being female appeared to be three times associated with the fear of getting infected (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-7.58). Students who took part in extracurricular activities reported that they feared being infected with COVID-19 (aOR:2.62; 95% CI:1.33-5.16). Other factors did not show an association. Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude of nursing students toward COVID-19 were accurate for the majority of them, with the main source of information being the media. Practicing extracurricular activities and being female were associated with the fear of the disease. Efficient and controlled communication is needed during widespread disease outbreaks.

Biomass energy, particulate matter (PM2.5), and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Congolese women living near of a cement plant, in Kongo Central Province.

This study investigated whether the individual and combined effects of using biomass energy and living in the neighborhood of a cement plant were associated with the risk of COPD and respiratory symptoms among Congolese women. A total of 235 women from two neighborhood communities of a cement plant participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were classified into the more exposed group (MEG = 137) and a less exposed group (LEG = 98), as well as into biomass users (wood = 85, charcoal = 49) or electricity users (101 participants). Participants completed a questionnaire including respiratory symptoms, sociodemographic factors, medical history, lifestyle, and household characteristics. In addition to spirometry performance, outdoor PM2.5 (µg/m3) was measured. Afternoon outdoor PM2.5 concentration was significantly higher in MEG than LEG (48.8 (2.5) µg/m3 vs 42.5 (1.5) µg/m3). Compared to electricity users, wood users (aOR: 2.6, 95%CI 1.7; 5.9) and charcoal users (aOR: 2.9, 95%CI 1.4; 10.7) were at risk of developing airflow obstruction. Combined effects of biomass use and living in the neighborhood of a cement plant increased the risk of COPD in both wood users (aOR: 4, 95%CI 1.3; 12.2) and charcoal users (aOR: 3.1, 95%CI 1.7; 11.4). Exposure to biomass energy is associated with an increased risk of COPD. In addition, combined exposure to biomass and living near a cement plant had additive effects on COPD.

Comparative evaluation of anthropometric measurements and prevalence of hypertension: community based cross-sectional study in rural male and female Cambodians.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a major and preventable risk factor that can lead to cardiovascular disease. The extent that obesity impacts hypertension differs when using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) or waist to height ratio (WHtR). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and to compare several anthropometric measurements in the prediction of hypertension between males and females from Chet Borey district of Kratie province, in Cambodia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 276 healthy adults aged 18 years or older, including 94 males and 182 females who visited the local health post of Kaoh chraeng in Kratie province from November 21 to 27, 2015. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. Anthropometric measures: Body mass index (BMI), as well as waist circumference (WC) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were assessed to analyze adiposity indices. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the association between anthropometric measures and hypertension among males and females after adjustment for confounders. RESULTS: Hypertension was more prevalent in males (38.3%) compared to females (26.4%). When considering adiposity indices, WC was higher in females than males (35.7% vs 10.6% females vs males), the same for WHtR (55.0% vs 30.9% females vs males). In the multivariate analysis, for males, in addition to high BMI [aOR 4.37 (1.01-18.81)], high WC [aOR 7.55 (1.42-39.99)] was associated with the risk of developing hypertension. Whereas for females, only WC [aOR 3.24 (1.54-6.83)] was associated with the concerned risk. CONCLUSION: Prediction of hypertension using anthropometric measurements differs by sex and by the index used. In our population, BMI and WC appeared more appropriate for men while only WC was applicable to women. These results afford alternatives to hypertensive screening that may be useful tools for the majority of rural Cambodians since accessibility to health facilities is limited.