Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding self-medication for acne among medical students in Beni-Suef University.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and self-medication practices for acne vulgaris. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Beni-Suef University's Faculty of Medicine from January 2023 to June 2023. A pre-structured questionnaire was used for the study. RESULTS: A total of 297 students (85.1 %) used self-medications for acne without a prescription. The total knowledge score of self-medication among the study participants was 3.81 ± 2.23. About 71.4 % knew about precautions, and 72.7 % of the participants reported that self-medication is part of self-care. There was a statistical significance between the total mean knowledge score and age (p=0.007), gender (p=0.013), and academic year (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A significant portion of students self-medicate about acne. The total knowledge score of self-medication was to some extent not relatively high. Educational programs can be developed to increase medical students' awareness of the risks and benefits of self-medication, information on appropriate use of medications, and when to seek medical attention.

Screening for Latent Tuberculosis among Healthcare Workers in an Egyptian Hospital Using Tuberculin Skin Test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) might prevent active TB development in healthcare workers (HCWs). The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of LTBI among HCWs exposed to active TB, compare QFT-GIT and TST in the diagnosis of LTBI, and explore possible risk factors of LTBI. SETTING AND DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study for a period of 6 months among 153 HCWs in high-risk departments dealing with TB infection - Beni-Suef University Hospital, Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HCWs were asked to fill a questionnaire for possible LTBI risk factors, and tuberculin skin test (TST) and serum QuantiFERON test were used for LTBI screening. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS-18) was used for data analysis; qualitative data were compared using Chi-square test, while associations between risk factors for TB and positive QFT or TST were analyzed by a logistic regression model. RESULTS: LTBI detected by QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test (QFT-GIT) and by TST was 9.1% and 34.6%, respectively (kappa = 0.028). Logistic regression showed that departments, duration of work, the use of N95 masks, and training in infection control practices were significant predictors for positive QFT-GIT among participants (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Work duration of >10 years, nurse profession, diabetics, and smokers were at increased risk of having LTBI. Increased training programs and implementation of infection control measures TB to reduce the risk of LTBI are recommended.