BACKGROUND:Children in remote areas often have minimal oral health awareness. Incorporating health education into community significantly improves oral health, practices, and beliefs. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based oral health education model among 10 to 15-year-old children at Adivasi Ashram school.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This interventional study took place in a tribal school of Central India. Two hundered and fifty children viewed a 3-min AI-generated video daily for 7 days in their local language. We focused on emphasizing the brushing technique during the intervention. We recorded the plaque and the gingival indexes at the beginning and then again on the 7th and 14th days to track progress. To gauge participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to dental hygiene, we distributed a questionnaire before and after the intervention. The data analysis used ANOVA, the paired t-test, and the Chi-square test.RESULTS:Significant progress was observed in knowledge (mean difference = 0.64 ± 1.46, P < 0.001), attitude (mean difference = 0.68 ± 1.51, P < 0.001), and practice (mean difference = 1.00 ± 1.33, P < 0.001). The gingival index decreased from 1.30 ± 0.37 to 0.55 ± 0.18, whereas the plaque index dropped from 1.41 ± 0.32 to 0.51 ± 0.22 (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates an AI-based oral health education approach that significantly improves clinical outcomes, behavior, and knowledge among tribal children. It is the first time a tribal school has used a language-specific AI-generated video to increase awareness about oral hygiene. Schools can incorporate this portable, low-cost technique into health initiatives to help reduce disparities in oral health.

BACKGROUND:Heart failure can lead to various problems such as worsening of symptoms, rehospitalisation, and even death. To overcome these problems, self-care is an effective strategy. Self-care has been shown to reduce worsening of symptoms, rehospitalisation, and death. Factors that influence self-care include knowledge, health literacy, and social support. The importance of understanding these factors is to improve patient health outcomes and prevent exacerbation of heart failure conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the factors that may influence self-care of heart failure patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS:This study used a cross-sectional design. The sample in this study included 200 heart failure patients receiving treatment at the outpatient centre, selected by purposive sampling technique. The instruments used include Self-Care Heart Failure Instrument (SCHFI), The Dutch Heart Failure a Scale (DHFKS), Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES), Heart Failure-Specific Health Literacy Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The statistical test used in this study was multiple linear regression analysis.RESULTS:The results of the analysis showed a good level of fit with an adjusted R² value of 0.726 (P value = 0.000), indicating that the model was able to explain most of the variability in Self-care.CONCLUSIONS:Self-care among heart failure patients is profoundly affected by health literacy, knowledge, self-efficacy, and social support, with health literacy making the most important impact. Multilevel interventions combining these factors are essential to improve chronic disease outcomes and reduce healthcare burdens.

BACKGROUND:Health camps are an effective measure to bring health care services within the reach of the population who are devoid of such services. To assess the socio-clinical and morbidity profile of beneficiaries attending the health camp with a focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and to evaluate the perception of all stakeholders towards the health camp.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted in the peri-urban area of East Singhbhum District, Jharkhand, among 196 beneficiaries attending a multi-specialty health camp, with documentation of their health profiles and in-depth interviews (10) with stakeholders involved in the health camp.RESULTS:The majority of beneficiaries were females (63.3%), with 40% being illiterate. The mean age was 33.3 ± 21.8 years, mean body mass index was 19.9 ± 4.01 kg/m2. Around 19.89% were identified with one or other forms of NCDs. Among those, 66% were aware of their status, 60% were on treatment, and 65% were compliant with the treatment. Likewise, 80% of participants were not aware of the National Program for Prevention and Control of NCD. The themes generated from in-depth interviews were presented as themes under categories of strengths and weaknesses.CONCLUSIONS:The socio-demographic profile shows a poor trend of health-seeking behavior among the general population. Various morbidities identified were related to lifestyle diseases. The clinical profile seems inclined towards NCDs, which need to be diagnosed early through routine health camps in the community setting, along with health awareness and follow-up camps, as perceived by the stakeholders involved in the camp.

A semi-quantitative evaluation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among office workers and their impact on job tasks has not been performed in Iran. We aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of office ergonomics, the frequency of WRMSDs, and their association. 214 staff members from an organization (134 men and 80 women) were randomly selected to complete a questionnaire, incorporating baseline characteristics and the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort questionnaire (CMDQ). Workplace ergonomic conditions were assessed using Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA). Low back pain had the highest frequency (21.9%), followed by the knee (21.0%) and the neck (19.1%) before employment, shifting to the lower back (64.9%), neck (63.1%), and knee (58.9%) after employment. Severe pain was observed in the neck and back (16.8%) with neck (15.9%) and lower back (11.2%) impacting occupational activities. The mean total ROSA exceeded the average (2.34 ± 0.37). ROSA score was correlated with pain in the upper extremities (R = 0.845, R2 = 0.71, P = 0.001), neck and back (R = 0.845, R2 = 0.70, P = 0.001), and lower extremities (R = 0.850, R2 = 0.72, P = 0.001). The results of the present study highlighted the anatomical sites rarely addressed in prior research. The heightened occurrence of WRMSDs, compared to pre-employment status, emphasizes the substantial role of occupational conditions mainly ergonomic factors in their development. Given that WRMSDs can disrupt occupational activities, managers and policymakers need to prioritize workplace ergonomics.

BACKGROUND: There is no definitive cure for multiple sclerosis, and symptom control is a crucial part of treatment. This study aimed to determine the effect of distance empowerment programs on the sense of coherence in patients with multiple sclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study conducted on 64 multiple sclerosis patients from the Saveh MS Association in 2020. Participants were randomly divided into control (32) and intervention groups (32). The intervention group participated in a distance empowerment program with weekly telephone follow-ups for 2 months. Patients’ sense of coherence was evaluated before and after the program using Antonovsky’s Multiple Sclerosis sense of coherence scale and analyzed with SPSS software version 23. RESULTS: The mean score of sense of coherence in the intervention group after the implementation of the empowerment program was 68.93 ± 9.99, which showed a statistically significant difference compared to before the intervention ( P &lt; .001). CONCLUSIONS: Distance empowerment affects the sense of coherence of patients with multiple sclerosis and has led to an increase in sense of coherence scores after the empowerment program.

Parents are required to provide reproductive health education to adolescents. Parents' ignorance of reproductive health material causes the need for the media to increase knowledge. Webcasts allow parents to access information. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of webcasts on parental knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes about adolescent reproductive health education. This study was a randomized controlled trial, two-arm, parallel, and single-blind study. The participants included parents of adolescents aged 10-14 years residing in the Pajang Primary Health Care area, with 43 in the experimental group and 49 in the control group. The intervention group received seven health education webcasts over 7 days. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires on the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of parents regarding adolescent reproductive health education, which was distributed online via Google Forms. The statistical tests used were the Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests. Data were analyzed using SPSS free version with a significance level of 5%. Intervention with webcasts resulted in a difference in the average knowledge of parents regarding adolescent reproductive health between the intervention and control group (P value = 0.006). There was no difference in the average perception (P value = 0.626) and attitude (P value = 0.215) of parents regarding adolescent reproductive health education in the two groups. Webcasts can improve parents' knowledge about adolescent reproductive health education. Therefore, it is expected that health institutions can design interesting educational materials through audiovisual media with webcasts.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the impact of social media usage on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) and cognitive abilities of elderly individuals in Kerman, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 313 participants aged 60 and above. Demographic information was collected, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) and cognitive ability were assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). Participants were also surveyed regarding common chronic illnesses. Data were analyzed using regression analysis, T -tests, and ANOVA. RESULTS: The mean score for Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) was 43.38, and the average cognitive function score was 10.77. Participants reported an average daily mobile phone usage of 2.78 hours. Higher rates of adverse cognitive changes were observed among those without retirement benefits and independent income. Elderly individuals with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or depression had significantly lower Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) scores. Increasing cognitive changes, TV watching, and advancing age significantly affected the quality of life related to oral health. CONCLUSIONS: Social media usage significantly impacts the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) and cognitive function in the elderly. Chronic illnesses and socioeconomic factors are associated with lower quality of life and adverse cognitive changes. Targeted interventions are essential to improve these health outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of social media on elderly health.

BACKGROUND: The quality of learning is influenced by students’ ability to adopt effective learning strategies, which are essential in nursing education. This study aims to segment nursing students’ learning strategies into distinct profiles to inform targeted pedagogical interventions. The study combines hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering methods to explore cognitive, metacognitive, and affective tools used by nursing students in Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from December 2022 to February 2023 in the three Higher Institutes of Nursing and Health Techniques (ISPITS) in the Marrakech-Safi region, Morocco. An exhaustive sampling method included 625 newly enrolled first-year Moroccan students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from “Mes Outils de Travail Intellectuel” (MOTI), previously validated for the target population through exploratory factor analysis (Cronbach’s alpha &gt; 0.7). The questionnaire assessed cognitive, metacognitive, and affective learning strategies. Data analysis employed hierarchical clustering (Ward’s method) and non-hierarchical clustering (K-Means algorithm) using SPSS software (version 27). Differences between clusters were confirmed by ANOVA tests. RESULTS: Four distinct clusters emerged: limited strategic profile, surface strategic profile, depth strategic profile, and low engagement strategic profile. Significant differences were observed among these profiles ( P &lt; 0.001). The depth strategic profile demonstrated advanced cognitive and metacognitive approaches, whereas the surface strategic profile predominantly involved rote memorization. CONCLUSION: Nursing students exhibit diverse learning strategies, underscoring the necessity for tailored pedagogical approaches. The combined clustering methodology effectively identified distinct learning profiles, providing a solid foundation for enhancing educational outcomes in nursing education.

Telemedicine has emerged as a revolutionary method for delivering healthcare, especially in response to the growing need for accessible and efficient medical services. This study examines the causal relationships between several factors contributing to the development of telemedicine and ranks them to inform effective decision-making. Initially, 26 key factors influencing the development of telemedicine were identified through a scoping review, which were then analyzed based on the STEEPLE framework. Subsequently, the DEMATEL method was employed to assess the interrelationships among these factors, with a questionnaire presented to 92 experts. The degree of impact of each factor on others was incorporated into an impact matrix. Once the matrix was normalized and the total relation matrix calculated, we examined the causal relationships, intensity of impact and dependence, and the significance of each factor. The DEMATEL-based findings revealed the "environmental issues and associated health impacts" as the primary driver in the system, exerting the highest impact on other factors. "Workforce-related factors" emerged as the most dependent factor in the system. Moreover, the (D + R) value indicated that the "formulation of policies and business standards, funding, and workforce" constituted the most significant factor with the highest level of interaction with other system variables in advancing telemedicine. Given the complexity of healthcare systems, administrators are unable to consider every possible factor. Instead, they should focus their efforts and resources on the most influential and problematic elements to develop a sustainable and efficient health system.

BACKGROUND: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a part of diabetes management. Numerous investigations have demonstrated inadequate adherence to SMBG. We investigated the level of adherence to SMBG in diabetic type 2 patients treated with insulin or sulfonylureas/meglitinide and the population attributable fraction of associated factors to SMBG in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the population-based study on diabetes care in Iran (DiaCare). Overall, 13392 diabetic persons aged 35–75 years were recruited from urban/rural areas of all 31 provinces of Iran in the DiaCare study. Our samples in the current study consisted of 7,481 individuals who were administered insulin or oral medications required to undertake SMBG. The patients were divided into two groups: the adherence group was those who used insulin and were required to perform SMBG at least twice per day or those who relied on oral medications (sulfonylureas/meglitinides) who were expected to engage in SMBG at least twice a week. Patients who did not meet these requirements were categorized as the nonadherence group. Univariate comparisons and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the relationships between SMBG adherence and related factors and to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF); the complex survey design was taken into consideration. RESULTS: A total of 17.8% (1096/7481) of patients were seen to adhere to the SMBG. However, the rate of SMBG adherence was 38.8 percent in patients who used sulfonylureas/meglitinides; only 3.26% of patients on insulin were SMBG adherent. The adherence rates for men and women and also age groups were not statistically significant. The adherence rate in urban regions was 19.31%, while in rural areas, it was 11.51%. The multivariable analysis revealed that the probability of performing SMBG is much higher among married patients (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.05,3.21). In addition, the factors of urbanization (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.15-2.78), university education (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.55), and no smoking (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.11,2.86) were also positively associated with the possibility of doing SMBG. Being married showed the highest PAF (PAF = 42.74%), followed by not smoking (PAF = 39.41%) and living in urban areas (PAF = 38.46%). Having an education higher than high school demonstrated the lowest PAF (PAF = 8.78%). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients did not adhere to the suggested practice of SMBG. Factors such as marriage, urbanization, university education, and no smoking were shown to be associated with adherence to SMBG with high PAF. We advocate further qualitative and exploratory research to examine the underlying causes of nonadherence to SMBG in Iran.