Knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners and paediatricians towards Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis: A cross-sectional study from Türkiye

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

General practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians are very important in the management of sore throat in terms of providing correct diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of GPs and paediatricians towards Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillopharyngitis.

METHOD

Three vignettes/case studies, in which the causative agents were GABHS, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and non-EBV viral infection, were presented as part of a questionnaire sent to paediatricians and GPs to elicit information regarding their diagnosis and treatment of tonsillopharyngitis.

RESULTS

In all, 236 physicians responded to the questionnaire (126 paediatricians, 106 GPs). GPs registered more accurate diagnoses of GABHS tonsillopharyngitis and tended to administer more symptomatic treatment in the case of non-EBV tonsillopharyngitis than paediatricians. Paediatricians requested more tests in the diagnosis of GABHS tonsillopharyngitis than GPs.

DISCUSSION

Most GPs and paediatricians possess adequate knowledge regarding GABHS diagnosis and the differential diagnosis of patients. Differences between the hospital and general practice settings may have affected the approach to symptomatic treatment and requesting tests.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children with Scabies

INTRODUCTION

Scabies is a highly contagious infestation that is becoming increasingly resistant to treatment. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gradually increased for numerous diseases, and the aim of this study is to investigate the parental use of CAM in the treatment of scabies.

METHODS

The study was planned as a cross-sectional study involving children who came to the departments of child health and diseases and dermatology departments for any reason and were diagnosed with scabies. Questionnaires were given to parents by physicians during face-to-face interviews, and responses were recorded.

RESULTS

75.9% of the 162 parents participating in the study were mothers, and 40% of the parents reported that their income was below expenses. The mean number of people living in the household was 4 (min 3-max 13), and the proportion of extended family was 34%. The mean duration of symptoms in patients with scabies was 4.8 ± 3.92 weeks (min. 1-max. 27), and scabies was diagnosed on average at the second visit to the doctor. CAM was used by 80.9% of parents for children with scabies. They most commonly used tea tree oil for itching and ice for the rash. Parents working in education and health care were less likely to use CAM (p < 0.001), while more than 90% of housewives used at least one CAM method on their children. Analysis showed that 61.7% of female users had benefited from CAM. Significant differences between parents who used CAM and those who did not were found in education (p = 0.003), monthly income (p = 0.023), number of children (p = 0.022), and living in large families (p = 0.001). The use of CAM was six times higher in parents in large families (OR: 6.143, 95% CI 0.776-21.252).

CONCLUSIONS

With regard to the treatment of scabies, it is important to strengthen the education of health professionals at all levels, put the treatment of patients on a regular basis, explain the conditions that require special attention, and monitor patients closely. New treatment protocols must also be developed for refractory scabies, including alternative therapies.

Turkish mothers' knowledge and attitude about HPV vaccine

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of Turkish mothers about cervix cancer,HPV infection and vaccination.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted the mothers with children aged under 18 years who applied pediatric outpatient clinic.Research data were collected using a face-to-face survey includes sociodemographic characteristics of patients and mothers' knowledge level and attitude about the vaccination for HPV and cervical cancer.

RESULTS

The rate of mothers who stated that they knew the causes of cervical cancer was 30.3%. Of the 71.5% mothers did not know whether there was a vaccine that protects against cervical cancer.Of the mothers who stated to have heard about the HPV vaccine, 39.2% said that the HPV vaccine is received at 9 years and above, 35.7% said that it could be given to both genders, and 75% knew that the vaccine is not reimbursed. Educational status (p < 0.001), working as a healthcare worker (p < 0.001) and the level of income (p < 0.001), were significantly correlated with the awareness of the causes of cervical cancer in a positive direction. None of the participants vaccinated their child, 91.5% ask for information about HPV and 67.3% stated that they might consider vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of vaccines against HPV has significantly changed the approach used in the treatment of cervical cancer. Healthcare professionals have a great responsibility to inform the public about the HPV vaccine.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare providers can use the results of this study to identify parents at risk for vaccine hesitancy and initiate individualized education to promote on-time childhood vaccination.

Students' unchanging smoking habits in urban and rural areas in the last 15 years

BACKGROUND

Smoking is the main preventable public health problem particularly for youth worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of smoking habits among students at secondary and high schools, and to compare the findings with those of a study conducted 15 years ago in the same area.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study 6212 students (51.2% female; 48.8% male) were selected randomly from rural and urban areas in Samsun. All students completed a face-to-face questionnaire.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of smoking was 13.0% (male students, 18.1%; female students, 8.2%). The mean starting age of smoking was 14.1 ± 1.5 years. Prevalence of smoking was 15.7% in urban areas and 8.1% in rural areas. The most important factors for starting smoking were social group and families. Compared with a study conducted 15 years previously in the same area for male students, smoking prevalence was increased in rural, but decreased in urban areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking prevalence in students in Samsun was similar to that in a study conducted 15 years previously. It is important to use anti-smoking campaigns directly targeted at teenager and they should be fully informed of the harmful effects of smoking.