The The Level of Climate Change Science Literacy among Teachers in Seychelles

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Raymond Ndubisi Anyanwu

Climate change poses a serious threat to the ocean on which the Seychelles economy depends for resources and services. To address this concern, the Seychelles National Climate Change Response Strategy recommends education about climate change in all levels of the education system to nurture young people with the capacity to address climate change impacts. This quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey measures the level of climate change science literacy among teachers in Seychelles on a five-point summated scale (Extremely Low, Low, Medium, High, and Extremely High). Data was collected with a 15-item Climate Change Science Literacy Questionnaire (CCSLQ) from 572 participants representing 42.62% of the population of teachers in public schools at the time of the survey. Ethical considerations relating to access, informed consent, anonymity, and confidentiality were fulfilled. Collected data was analysed statistically with descriptive techniques (percentage, means, standard error of measurement and confidence interval) and inferential technique with the Fisher’s Exact Chi-Square test. Statistical operation was performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). Results indicate that the majority of the participants (37.4%, n=214) have medium literacy regarding climate change science with misconceptions on all three domains of climate change science: causes, impacts, and solutions. Educational interventions to enhance teachers’ knowledge and understanding of climate change are recommended; otherwise the teachers will transfer inaccurate concepts to the learners. Without young Seychellois with the capacity to take action on climate change, it may be wearisome for Seychelles to achieve a smooth transition to a blue economy.

Author(s):  
Gülçin Yılmaz ◽  
Abanoub Riad ◽  
Martin Krsek ◽  
Hanefı Kurt ◽  
Sameh Attia

Background: elementary schoolteachers play a central role in shaping their students’ beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours related to health and oral hygiene. This study was designed to evaluate Turkish schoolteachers’ levels of oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among elementary schoolteachers in Istanbul using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of 36 multiple-choice items categorised into six sections, and the participants were recruited using convenience sampling. (3) Results: A total of 385 elementary schoolteachers participated in this study. The majority were female (62.2%), qualified with a licensure degree (81.3%) and working in public schools (86.5%). Female gender and greater work experience were found to be promoters for oral health knowledge and positive attitudes. The correlation between their perceived knowledge and actual knowledge was very weak, thus suggesting that the teachers are inclined to overestimate their knowledge. Conclusions: The Turkish elementary schoolteachers showed satisfactory oral health knowledge and attitudes toward oral health education. The teachers’ knowledge about dental trauma management was inadequate, necessitating urgent educational interventions, especially for physical education teachers, who are at the greatest risk of encountering such events during their work. The oral hygiene behaviours were not associated with teachers’ oral health knowledge, attitudes, or practice, thus requiring further investigation.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengistu Asmamaw ◽  
Argaw Ambelu ◽  
Seid Tiku Mereta

AbstractThis study assessed households’ resilience to climate change-induced shocks in Dinki watershed, northcentral highlands of Ethiopia. The data were collected through cross-sectional survey conducted on 288 households, six focus group discussions and 15 key informant interviews. The Climate Resilience Index (CRI) and the Livelihood Resilience Index (LRI) based on the three-resilience capacities (3Ds) frame, using absorptive, adaptive and transformative, were used to measure households’ resilience to climate change-induced shocks on agro-ecological unit of analysis. Findings indicate that the CRI and the resilience capacities based on the indexed scores of major components clearly differentiated the study communities in terms of their agro-ecological zones. Specifically, the LRI score showed that absorptive capacity (0.495) was the leading contributing factor to resilience followed by adaptive (0.449) and transformative (0.387) capacities. Likewise, the midland was relatively more resilient with a mean index value of 0.461. The study showed that access to and use of livelihood resources, such as farmlands and livestock holdings, diversity of income sources, infrastructure and social capital were determinants of households’ resilience. In general, it might be due to their exposure to recurrent shocks coupled with limited adaptive capacities including underdeveloped public services, poor livelihood diversification practices, among others, the study communities showed minimal resilience capacity with a mean score of 0.44. Thus, in addition to short-term buffering strategies, intervention priority focusing on both adaptive and transformative capacities, particularly focusing on most vulnerable localities and constrained livelihood strategies, would contribute to ensure long-term resilience in the study communities.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Sisira Donsamak ◽  
Marjorie C. Weiss ◽  
Dai N. John

In Thailand, antibiotics are available lawfully from community pharmacies without a prescription. Inappropriate supply of antibiotics from Thai community pharmacies to the public for common, self-limiting diseases has been reported. The study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of antibiotics selected by community pharmacists in Thailand in response to vignettes. A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists across Thailand was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire including nine case vignettes with three conditions, namely upper respiratory infections (URIs), acute diarrhoea and simple wounds. A total of 208 questionnaires were completed and analysed (20.8% response rate). In response to vignettes relating to URIs, 50.8% of pharmacist recommendations were not in accordance with antibiotic guidelines. Inappropriate recommendations for diarrhoea and wound cases were 20.8% and 16.7%, respectively. A higher proportion of younger pharmacists, those with less experience, Pharm. D. graduate pharmacists, employee pharmacists and those pharmacists who worked in a chain pharmacy were more likely to recommend appropriate antibiotic treatment in response to the vignettes (p < 0.05). These findings will be useful to promote educational interventions for community pharmacists regarding common infectious disease management in order to improve appropriate antibiotic use.


2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 809-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer C Kesselheim ◽  
Julie Najita ◽  
Debra Morley ◽  
Elizabeth Bair ◽  
Steven Joffe

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between recently trained paediatricians' ethics knowledge and exposure to a formal ethics or professionalism curriculum during residency.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of recently trained paediatricians which included a validated 23-item instrument called the Test of Residents' Ethics Knowledge for Pediatrics. The sample included paediatricians who completed medical school in 2006–2008, whose primary specialty was paediatrics or a paediatric subspecialty, and who completed paediatric residency training in 2010–2011. This sample was stratified based on residency programme variables: presence of a formal curriculum in ethics or professionalism, programme size and American Board of Pediatrics certifying exam passage rate. Paediatricians were randomly selected from each stratum for survey participation.ResultsAmong the 370 responding paediatricians (55%), the mean knowledge score was 17.3 (SD 2.2) out of a possible 23. Presence of a formal curriculum in ethics and/or professionalism was not significantly associated with knowledge. Knowledge was lowest on items about parental requests for a child to undergo genetic testing (2 items, 44% and 85% incorrect), preserving patient confidentiality over email (55% incorrect), decision-making regarding life-sustaining technologies (61% incorrect), and decision-making principles such as assent and parental permission (2 items, 47% and 49% incorrect).ConclusionsThis study highlights several areas in which paediatricians' knowledge may be low and that are amenable to targeted educational interventions. These findings should prompt discussion and research among ethicists and educators about how ethics and professionalism curricula can more consistently influence paediatricians' knowledge.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-199
Author(s):  
Danice Otieno Awinda; Raphael Kapiyo; Jackson John Kitetu

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of local institutions in climate change adaptation by smallholder farmers in Homabay County, Kenya. The study employed cross-sectional survey design in which data was collected from smallholder farmers in one survey round. Quantitative data was collected from 398 smallholder farmers, while 48 key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data to buttress information from farmers. Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations and chi-square at 0.05 significance level. The study established that local institutions and social networks had a positive influence on climate change adaptation by smallholder farmers. Local institutions and social groups enable smallholder farmers to deploy specific climate change adaptation practices. Local institutions pursue adoption of effective adaptation strategies relevant to local needs of the smallholder farmers. They also provide information on climate change adaptation options and give some external support to enable farmers cope with climate change. The study recommended the need to promote institutional partnership to enhance climate change adaptation at local level. Partnerships among local institutions are associated with area specific adaptation practices and communal pooling. The study also recommended the need to enhance the capacity of local institutions as the impacts of climate change are likely to intensify with time. Support in the form of new information and technology aimed at improving effective coping mechanisms and financial support will be necessary.


2018 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 215-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay Kumar Chattu ◽  
Soosanna Kumary ◽  
Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula

Abstract Background: In Oman, a higher proportion of patients presented with breast cancer are relatively young age and with an advanced stage. This could be due to lack of awareness and knowledge about breast cancer among young women. Aim: To assess the breast cancer knowledge, awareness and factors associated with the practice of breast self-examination (BSE) among females in Buraimi, Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among females attending the two days health exhibition event at a polyclinc, in Al-Buraimi, governorate. A pretested questionnaire to assess their knowledge, awareness and practices concerned to breast cancer was used. The collected data was categorized, analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression model. All the statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 version. Results: Out of the total of one hundred and eighty nine (189) participants, 80% had information of breast cancer. Participants had better knowledge of symptoms but less knowledge about risk factors. When probed about BSE, only 43% performed it and only 21% of them do it monthly on regular basis. The main reasons for regular monthly BSE is mainly because of fear of breast cancer (9%), doctor's advice (6%) and awareness through media (5%). Conclusion: Our study participants showed insufficient knowledge in some areas related to sign and symptoms and risk factors of breast cancer and identified a negative influence of low knowledge on the practice of BSE. Thus, educational interventions need to be emphasized to provide comprehensive information of breast cancer.


Author(s):  
Wabusya Moses Wetiba ◽  
Mugatsia Tsingalia ◽  
Njira Njira Pili ◽  
Vincent Kakembo

Aims: This study assessed the level of climate change awareness among the forest-adjacent communities in the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem complex. Four locations were chosen for the study, Buyangu and Isecheno in the Kakamega forest, Kaptumo in Nandi South and Kipsamoite in Nandi North forest ecosystems. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from primary sources. Structured questionnaires were administered to the residents aged 25years and older within the study area. Place and Duration of Study: The Kakamega, north and south Nandi forest ecosystems in western Kenya between June -December 2019. Methodology: A total of 280 questionnaires were randomly administered to the forest-adjacent respondents with, Kakamega forest 163 respondents, South Nandi forest 60, while North Nandi had 57respondents. A total of 217 questionnaires were filled and returned and the information wherein used in data analysis. Focused Group Discussion and key informants were used to supplement data collects by the questionnaires. Results: Majority of the residents (54%) were less concerned about climate change. In addition, 85% of the respondents had very little knowledge on coping and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change. Some 40 % and 45% of the respondents got information about climate through televisions and radios, respectively. Further analysis of the results revealed that climate change was responsible for fourteen key impacts. These included an increase in rainfall, prolonged drought, decrease in the quality and quantity of fresh water, decrease in food security, an increase in temperature, a decrease in agricultural resources, an increase in sickness and disease, a decrease in quality of life, flooding, decrease in forest cover, loss of homes, reduction in biodiversity, and rise in storm surge. A Chi test revealed a significant relationship between forest cover decline and changes in rainfall patterns (X2 = 111.86, df =12, p<0.001), increasing temperature (X2 = 80.492, df =12, p<0.001);, drought( (X2 = 204.84, df =16, p<0.001) and storm surges (X2 = 74.34, df =8, p<0.001)]. The respondents' level of education was significantly different from their level of climate change awareness (X2=44.88, df=4, p<0.001). Conclusion: Forest-adjacent communities in the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem complex are vulnerable to climate change as a result of insufficient knowledge about climate change and its impacts. The Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem is already experiencing climate change effects such as erratic rainfall and increasing food insecurity.


2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cori L. Ofstead ◽  
Sharon J. Tucker ◽  
Timothy J. Beebe ◽  
Gregory A. Poland

Objective.To evaluate the receipt of information and knowledge about influenza and vaccination, as well as influenza vaccination status and reasons for declining vaccination, among registered nurses.Design.Cross-sectional survey of registered nurses (RNs).Setting.A large tertiary medical center with a long-standing, multifaceted influenza vaccination program and relatively high vaccination rates among employees overall (76.5%).Participants.Randomly selected group of 990 RNs employed as inpatient staff nurses at the institution.Results.The survey was completed by 513 (51.8%) of 990 RNs. Most RNs (86.7%) had received an influenza vaccination in the past, and 331 (64.5%) intended to receive vaccination during the 2005-2006 influenza season. More than 90% of RNs acknowledged exposure to educational bulletins, and most had received information about influenza severity (383 [74.7%]), transmission (398 [77.6%]), vaccine safety (416 [81.1%]), and the time and location of free vaccination (460 [89.7%]). A majority (436 [85.0%]) felt they had received all the information they needed to make good decisions about vaccination. However, only 49 RNs (9.6%) gave correct answers to more than 85% of the knowledge questions on the survey. The reasons most frequently reported for declining vaccination were doubts about the risk of influenza and the need for vaccination, concerns about vaccine effectiveness and side effects, and dislike of injections.Conclusions.RNs exposed to a longstanding, multifaceted educational program had received information about influenza vaccination, but misconceptions were common and only 331 (64.5%) intended to receive vaccination. Strategies other than educational interventions are needed to increase influenza vaccination rates and thereby to ensure healthcare worker and patient safety.


Author(s):  
Della Maneze ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Naysan Rowhani-Farid ◽  
Vilas Kovai ◽  
Amin Gadalla ◽  
...  

Abstract This cross-sectional survey study conducted between May and August 2017 on Arabic-speaking refugees resettled in Australia examined factors associated with willingness to donate organs. Of the 239 respondents, those who expressed greater willingness to donate organs and tissues were more likely to: (a) be Christians; (b) have obtained information from healthcare professionals (HCPs); (c) have higher organ and tissue donation (OTD) knowledge; (d) have a positive attitude towards OTD; and (e) have high English language acculturation levels. Nevertheless, after controlling for English language usage and religion, having a positive attitude towards OTD and receiving information from HCPs emerged as independent predictors of willingness to donate, underscoring the importance of educational interventions by HCPs


2013 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 284-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kruti Acharya ◽  
Abigail Schindler

Abstract Developmental and behavioral pediatricians (DBP) diagnose and care for children with fragile X syndrome. Their attitudes toward FMR1 newborn screening (NBS) and FMR1 carrier testing in childhood could highlight potential pitfalls with FMR1 NBS. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with an adjusted response rate of 61%. Among DBP, 74% supported universal FMR1 NBS, preferring to identify both full mutations and premutations. DBP also support FMR1 testing of asymptomatic siblings. Although DBP support testing for premutations at various points in the lifespan, DBP are not familiar with the array of fragile X–associated disorders (FXAD). Targeted educational interventions are needed to ensure that all health care providers have the knowledge and competence to consent and to counsel families on FXAD.


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