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Knowledge and attitudes towards contraception among undergraduate students: a multicentre, cross-sectional study in Vietnam

Por: Doan · D. A. · Pham · S. T. · Nguyen · T. T. X. · Luu · T. N. N. · Nguyen · T. T. P. · Le · G. B. · Dinh · D. X.
Objective

To investigate Vietnamese undergraduate students’ knowledge and attitudes towards contraception and their associated factors.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Six universities in Vietnam from April to May 2025.

Participants

1134 undergraduate students.

Primary outcome measures

Students’ knowledge and attitudes towards contraception were measured via an online survey, and a cut-off point of 50% was used to categorise their scores. Associations between students’ knowledge and attitude scores and their sociodemographic characteristics, academic background, sexual and relationship experiences, contraceptive education and information sources were evaluated using multivariable linear regression. Independent variables were selected through Bayesian Model Averaging.

Results

Students’ average knowledge and attitude scores were 10.93±2.86 (possible range: 0–22; actual range: 0–19) and 54.14±6.57 (possible range: 15–75; actual range: 35–74), respectively. 62.1% demonstrated good knowledge, and 91.4% showed positive attitudes towards contraception. Higher knowledge was observed among older students (per 1 year increase, β=0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.43), those from public universities (β=1.32, 95% CI 0.64 to 2.00), using mass media as a contraceptive information source (β=0.58, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.91) and having sexual experience (β=1.16, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.58). By contrast, students who were single and had never been in a romantic relationship (β=–0.88, 95% CI –1.23 to –0.52) and those enrolled in non-healthcare disciplines (β=–1.06, 95% CI –1.55 to –0.56) had significantly lower knowledge scores. Positive attitudes were more prevalent among female students (males vs females: β=–2.07, 95% CI –2.80 to –1.34), those using the Internet as a source of contraceptive information (β=5.65, 95% CI 4.29 to 7.01) and those with higher knowledge scores (per one-unit increase, β=0.67, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.79). All associations were statistically significant (p

Conclusions

In general, undergraduate students’ knowledge of contraception was relatively low, while their attitudes were positive. Implementing education programmes focusing on correct usage and storage of condoms and the safety of emergency contraceptive pills may help improve their understanding and promote safer sexual practices, thereby contributing to reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.

Redirecting patients from the pediatric emergency department to community locations for care: A qualitative study of healthcare professional and leader perspectives

by Erica Qureshi, Quynh Doan, Jessica Moe, Steven P. Miller, Garth Meckler, Brett Burstein, Jehannine (J9) Austin

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) to community (ED2C) programs, which redirect patients from the pediatric ED to community healthcare professionals represent a promising strategy to reduce the impact of non-urgent visits on the pediatric ED. Given an ED2C program’s potential impact on various care professionals, we completed a qualitative study to explore key informants’ attitudes and perceptions of pediatric ED2C programs.

Methods

We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with key informants in British Columbia, Canada. Participants included: pediatric ED staff – triage nurses and physicians; community professionals – pediatricians and family physicians; and health system leaders responsible for pediatric and emergency care in British Columbia. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, de-identified, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis within an interpretive description framework. A visual model was developed to depict key themes in attitudes and perceptions towards pediatric ED2C programs.

Results

We interviewed 24 participants: 6 community professionals, 11 pediatric ED professionals, and 7 healthcare leaders. Participants viewed the ED2C program as a valuable solution to address pediatric system strain provided that systemic barriers are addressed, and both emergency and community settings are equipped with adequate training and resources. Participants emphasized the need for clear guidelines on eligibility and operations to build confidence and enhance program effectiveness.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest there is support for ED2C programs as a means to reduce the impact of non-urgent pediatric ED visits and strengthen community-based care. Successful implementation will require coordinated planning, resource investment, and clear operational frameworks.

Antibiotic self-medication and home storage among university students in Vietnam: a cross-sectional study

Por: Doan · D. A. · Nguyen · V. X. · Le · G. B. · Nguyen · T. T. X. · Dinh · D. X.
Objectives

Antibiotic self-medication and home storage are two common behaviours that can result in inappropriate drug use. This study elucidated their prevalence and associated factors among university students in Vietnam.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Vietnam.

Participants

2230 university students.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Antibiotic storage was evaluated at the time of the survey, while self-medication was assessed for 1 year preceding this time. Associated factors were determined via multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Among 2230 participants, 418 (18.7%) reported self-medicating with antibiotics. The three main reasons for this behaviour included saving time (48.6%), mild diseases (45.0%) and the ease of purchasing antibiotics from community pharmacies (43.8%). Community pharmacies (88.3%) and home storage (36.4%) were the primary sources of antibiotics for self-treatment. Students mainly selected antibiotics based on community pharmacists’ consultation (59.8%) and their knowledge/experience (37.8%). They commonly read the patient information leaflet (64.6%) and asked for the community pharmacist’s advice to obtain information about antibiotic usage (52.9%). Besides, 296 students (13.3%) stored antibiotics at home. Over two-thirds had antibiotic leftovers from previous treatment and stored them for future use (69.3%), while 46.3% purchased antibiotics from community pharmacies without a prescription. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was the most commonly used antibiotic for self-medication (59.8%) and home storage (54.4%). Antibiotic self-medication was significantly associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.25; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.35), non-healthcare students (aOR=0.47; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.63), higher knowledge score (aOR=1.05; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.07) and storing antibiotics at home (aOR=7.12; 95% CI 5.34 to 9.51). Factors associated with home storage of antibiotics included non-healthcare students (aOR=2.77; 95% CI 2.01 to 3.83), region (north: aOR=6.50; 95% CI 3.49 to 13.54; south: aOR=5.92; 95% CI 3.06 to 12.65), having a family member working in the medical field (aOR=1.70; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.25), higher knowledge score (aOR=1.05; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.08) and antibiotic self-medication (aOR=7.58; 95% CI 5.69 to 10.14) (p values

Conclusions

The prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and home storage among students was relatively low but still raises public health concerns. Some interventions, such as integrating targeted health education programmes into university curricula, orientation sessions, extracurricular activities and campus campaigns, may help effectively promote rational antibiotic use.

Azithromycin as adjunctive treatment for uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (AMOUR): study protocol for a double-masked randomised controlled trial

Por: Bountogo · M. · Zakane · A. · Ouedraogo · T. A. · Ouermi · L. · Compaore · G. · Compaore · A. · Coulibaly · B. · Koueta · F. · Burroughs · H. R. · Fetterman · I. · La Mons · J. L. · Lebas · E. · Doan · T. · Hsiang · M. · OBrien · K. S. · Arnold · B. · Sie · A. · Oldenburg · C. E.
Introduction

Amoxicillin is recommended for children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM). However, some trials have shown no difference in amoxicillin for nutritional recovery in children with SAM compared with placebo. In addition, amoxicillin treatment requires two times per day dosing for 7 days, which may influence adherence. Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can be provided as a single dose and has reduced mortality in children aged 1–59 months when provided by mass drug administration. The AMOUR trial is designed to assess amoxicillin, azithromycin and placebo as part of outpatient treatment of uncomplicated SAM.

Methods and analysis

This double-masked randomised controlled trial will enrol 3000 children over 3 years in an individually randomised 1:1:1 allocation to azithromycin, amoxicillin or placebo arms and follow them for 12 months. Children eligible to enrol in the study will be aged 6–59 months and have uncomplicated non-oedematous SAM as defined by weight-for-height Z-score

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board at the University of California, San Francisco (Protocol 23–39411) and the Comité d’Ethique pour la Recherche en Santé in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Protocol 2024-01-08). The results of this study will be disseminated to the Ministry of Health, community stakeholders and via peer-reviewed publications and academic conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT06010719.

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