Development and Validation of Nutrition and Food Safety Educational Material for Fish Processors in Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

fish can be an affordable and accessible animal-source food in many Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).

BACKGROUND

Traditional fish processing methods pose a risk of exposing fish to various contaminants that may reduce their nutritional benefit. In addition, a lack of literacy may increase women fish processors' vulnerability to malnutrition and foodborne diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The overall aim of the project was to educate women and youth fish processors in Delta State, Nigeria about the benefit of fish in the human diet and to develop low literacy tools to help them better market their products. The objective of this study was to describe the development and validation of a low-literacy flipbook designed to teach women fish processors about nutrition and food safety.

METHOD

developing and validating instructional material requires understanding the population, high-quality and relevant graphics, and the involvement of relevant experts to conduct the content validation using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and the index value translated with the Modified Kappa Index (k).

RESULT

The Item-level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) value of all domains evaluated at the initial stage was 0.83 and the Scale-level Content Validity Index (S-CVI) was 0.90. At the final stage, the material was validated with CVI 0.983 by four experts and satisfied the expected minimum CVI value for this study (CVI ≥ 0.83, p-value = 0.05). The overall evaluation of the newly developed and validated flipbook was "excellent".

CONCLUSIONS

the developed material was found to be appropriate for training fish processors in Nigeria in nutrition and food safety and could be modified for a population of fish processors in other LMICs.

Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and barriers regarding health promotion of breast cancer among community pharmacists

Aim

This study aimed to identify the perspective knowledge, attitudes, and barriers of community pharmacists in promoting breast cancer health.

Methods

An internet-based self-administrated questionnaire was distributed using social media groups to the community pharmacists in Jordan.

Results

A 76.7% of the pharmacists had insufficient knowledge score of breast cancer and 92.7% had positive attitude. Access to breast cancer educational materials was the major barrier to pharmacists. A significant association was found between pharmacists' knowledge and breast cancer educational materials being given to patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Despite the low breast cancer knowledge score and stated barriers that could prevent actualizing community pharmacists' role, they had positive attitude toward educating patients about breast cancer health.

Racial/ethnic health disparities in dermatology in the United States, part 1: Overview of contributing factors and management strategies

Racial or ethnic disparities are prevalent in the field of dermatology. Part 1 of this continuing medical education series aims to elucidate contributors to racial and ethnic disparities within dermatology and highlight potential actionable steps to combat these disparities. We review access to care, workforce diversity, cultural competency, implicit bias, dermatologic education material, patient education, and clinical research. Part 2 of the continuing medical education series will address disease-specific inequities that influence the clinical practice of dermatology.

Educational Strategies to Promote Adherence to Treatment in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

INTRODUCTION

Educational material is a key strategy for primary health care promotion.

PURPOSE

To design and validate educational material adapted to the population and aimed to increase knowledge about adherence to the treatment of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

METHODOLOGY

Methodological study for the design of educational material for people with diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. For the design, content validity tests were carried out, with the participation of six experts in health education and six patients with chronic diseases. Validation was performed pursuant to the attraction, understanding, engagement, and acceptance criteria.

RESULTS

The validation confirmed that all items and criteria were above the minimal expected range.

CONCLUSION

The design and validation of educational material provide elements that improve the education of patients about their pathologies and their adherence to treatment.

Patient Preferences for Rituximab Additional Risk Minimization Measures: Results From an International Online Survey

OBJECTIVE

Patients' opinions are essential in optimizing risk minimization measures (RMMs) because they bring their real-life experience of disease management and medicines' use into the regulatory assessments. The aim of the survey launched in 2018 by the European Medicines Agency, in collaboration with the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee, was to consult targeted patient groups treated with rituximab for nononcology indications to evaluate their preferences on how to receive information on progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and (serious) infections. Additional RMMs such as educational materials for physicians and patients including a patient alert card (PAC) and a patient brochure (PB) are in place to minimize these risks.

METHODS

A question-based online survey in English created on the EU-Survey platform and disseminated primarily via relevant European patient organizations.

RESULTS

Most patients (47 of 61) had knowledge of these potential adverse effects. Mostly, they were informed by a healthcare professional. Both a PAC and a PB were supported as useful tools to raise awareness of these adverse effects and thus minimize the potential risks among patients. Where the participants had to choose only 1 of these educational materials, 43 of them preferred a PAC, a shorted description that is always held by the patient and reaches the relevant healthcare professional when needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Collecting patients' preferences supports periodic assessment of additional RMMs and increase transparency of regulatory processes. Considering the limitations of this initial survey, further investigation is needed to generalize the results into patients' safety outcomes.

Pharmacists' perception of educational material to improve patient safety: A cross-sectional study on practices and awareness in Germany

ABSTRACT

Educational material (EM) addresses particular safety information of medicinal products to healthcare professionals and patients. Since 2016, German national competent authorities label approved EM with a Blue Hand symbol. However, data is scarce regarding its usability as a safety communication tool in pharmacies to improve patient safety. The purpose of this study is to investigate for the first time pharmacists' awareness and perception of EM in the setting of community and hospital pharmacies in Germany.The Drug Commission of German Pharmacists surveyed its nationwide network of 677 community and 51 hospital reference pharmacies, to investigate their awareness and perception of EM. The survey was conducted between January 16 and February 10, 2020 using SurveyMonkey. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel.A total of 373 community and 32 hospital pharmacists participated; response rates were 55.1% and 62.8%, respectively. Overall, 320 (85.8%) community and all hospital pharmacists confirmed awareness of EM. Community and hospital pharmacists fully (n = 172, 46.9% and n = 9, 28.1%) or rather (n = 109, 29.7% and n = 10, 31.3%) agreed that EM for healthcare professionals is suitable to reduce risks of medicinal products. Moreover, 237 (64.7%) community and 17 (53.1%) hospital pharmacists confirmed to inform patients or care facilities about EM. Asking pharmacists on their personal perception of EM, the refinement of readability and accessibility was indicated.Pharmacists confirm awareness of EM and its suitability as a safety communication tool. However, from a pharmacists' perspective, the applicability and readability of EM still needs further adjustment to improve patient safety.

Development and Verification of Educational Material for Plain Radiographic Diagnosis of Bone Metastasis: A Preliminary Report

Our previous studies showed that early diagnosis of painful bone metastasis is difficult and requires improvement in the diagnostic accuracy of plain radiography during an initial patient consultation. In this preliminary study, we evaluate the usefulness of educational material used to improve diagnosis of bone metastasis with plain radiography. This study included imaging data from 129 consecutive patients who visited our orthopedic clinic during the period January 2011 through December 2014. First, we prepared a test to measure the reading ability of orthopedic practitioners, after which the educational material was created. Then, the effectiveness of the educational material was verified by having orthopedic trainees take a pre-test and post-test. The test contained plain radiographic data from 12 patients with lesions and 6 without lesions. The educational material included plain radiographic data from 30 patients with typical findings of bone metastasis, as well as diagnostic magnetic resonance images or computed tomography scans, accompanied by a lecture. The accuracy and sensitivity of diagnosis significantly improved after the lecture; however, specificity decreased. Although the educational material was effective for improving the ability of orthopedic trainees to read plain radiographs of bone metastasis, some aspects of the program need to be improved and revised.

Educational Material about Influenza Viruses

To supplement a special edition of the journal Viruses, entitled "What's New with Flu?", influenza virus researchers have worked together to generate simple educational material to communicate their science to school students. Educational materials suitable for a range of ages are included, from coloring exercises for younger students through to explanations of cutting-edge science in straightforward language for older students. This article contains a handout with influenza facts, a coloring page, a glossary and word find and a connect-the-dots exercise explaining the ideas behind recently published scientific papers. Together, these materials are intended to make research on influenza viruses more accessible to students and teachers.

Development and evaluation of brochures for fall prevention education created to empower nursing home residents and family members

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

In this study, we describe the development of evidence- and theory-based fall prevention educational material and its evaluation from the users' perspectives.

BACKGROUND

To reduce risk factors for falling in nursing homes, nursing staff must enact multifactorial fall prevention intervention programmes. A core component of these programmes is to educate residents and their family members, both verbally and in a written form. However, users can only benefit from educational material if it is based on current scientific evidence, easy to understand and process and customised.

DESIGN

We followed a structured procedure during the development process, while considering various aspect of quality. To assess the understandability and usefulness of the resulting educational materials, we conducted a qualitative content analysis study.

METHODS

The educational materials development process incorporated several iterative steps including a systematic literature search and the application of frameworks for designing and writing the materials. To evaluate the material, we performed six focus group discussions separately with residents, family members and nursing staff from two nursing homes (total of 32 participants).

RESULTS

Residents' brochures included clear information on avoiding external risks as well as coping strategies after a fall event. Family members' brochures were more comprehensive, including both concrete tips and outlining the advantages and disadvantages of interventions. Residents and family members had no difficulties understanding the material and tried to apply the content to their individual situations. Nursing staff commented on some ambiguities and incongruities relating to current nursing care practice.

CONCLUSIONS

By involving users in the development of evidence-based educational materials, nursing staff can achieve a high acceptance rate for the materials and motivate users to address the topic.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The involvement of users is essential for developing educational material that meets users' needs. Educational material should be used as part of an overall strategy to educate residents and family members in nursing homes.

Assessing the effect of culturally specific audiovisual educational interventions on attaining self-management skills for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking patients: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patient education is a key component in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Delivering effective education to ethnic groups with COPD is a challenge. The objective of this study was to develop and assess the effectiveness of culturally and linguistically specific audiovisual educational materials in supporting self-management practices in Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking patients.

METHODS

Educational materials were developed using participatory approach (patients involved in the development and pilot test of educational materials), followed by a randomized controlled trial that assigned 91 patients to three intervention groups with audiovisual educational interventions and one control group (pamphlet). The patients were recruited from outpatient clinics. The primary outcomes were improved inhaler technique and perceived self-efficacy to manage COPD. The secondary outcome was improved patient understanding of pulmonary rehabilitation procedures.

RESULTS

Subjects in all three intervention groups, compared with control subjects, demonstrated postintervention improvements in inhaler technique (P<0.001), preparedness to manage a COPD exacerbation (P<0.01), ability to achieve goals in managing COPD (P<0.01), and understanding pulmonary rehabilitation procedures (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Culturally appropriate educational interventions designed specifically to meet the needs of Mandarin and Cantonese COPD patients are associated with significantly better understanding of self-management practices. Self-management education led to improved proper use of medications, ability to manage COPD exacerbations, and ability to achieve goals in managing COPD.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION

A relatively simple culturally appropriate disease management education intervention improved inhaler techniques and self-management practices. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of self-management education on behavioral change and patient empowerment strategies.

Getting started in research: research questions, supervisors and literature reviews

OBJECTIVES

Research can seem daunting, especially for trainees and early career researchers. This paper focuses on how to formulate and begin a research project such as the RANZCP Scholarly Project.

METHODS

We outline an approach to framing a research question, developing theses and hypotheses, choosing a supervisor and conducting a literature review.

CONCLUSIONS

Through systematic planning early career researchers and other clinicians can plan and conduct research suitable for the Scholarly Project or other research activity.

Culturally appropriate photonovel development and process evaluation for hepatitis B prevention in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese American communities

Asian Americans have disproportionately high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the United States and yet have low hepatitis B screening and vaccination rates. We developed three photonovels specifically designed for Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans and evaluated their cultural relevance and effectiveness in increasing self-efficacy and intention to have a hepatitis B screening. Photonovels' storylines were drawn from focus group themes, and lay people from each community played actors/actresses in community settings. Photonovels were pilot tested, revised, and distributed in a hepatitis B intervention. A two-page process evaluation questionnaire was mailed to 441 participants after one month. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to assess the overall evaluation of the photonovel and to assess factors associated with self-efficacy and intention to have hepatitis B screening. Eighty-four percent of participants responded to the process evaluation. The majority of participants either strongly agreed or agreed that the cancer information in the photonovel was helpful, the story was written by someone who knows the community, and the information was easy to understand. Overall, more than 80% of them thought this photonovel was a good teaching tool. Favorable evaluation of the photonovel was associated with both having intention and self-efficacy to have a hepatitis B screening in the next 5 months. When stratified by level of education and income, the associations were stronger among the lower income and education groups. Culturally appropriate photonovels are useful tools to promote hepatitis B screening among Asian Americans, especially among those of lower socioeconomic status.