Conectar
To assess HIV knowledge, stigma and perceived adequacy of HIV curricular coverage among medical students in Egypt and to identify factors associated with HIV stigma.
An online-based cross-sectional study.
Medical schools across Egypt. Data were collected in August 2025 using a bilingual (Arabic/English) online questionnaire using convenience sampling.
First- through fifth-year students enrolled in Egyptian medical schools.
HIV knowledge was assessed using the Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18); HIV-related stigma was assessed using the Healthcare Providers HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale (HPASS) and perceived adequacy of HIV curricular coverage.
A total of 1503 students participated (mean age 20.6 years; 57.4% female), half of whom (48.9%) rated curricular coverage of stigma and psychosocial aspects of HIV as inadequate. The mean HIV-KQ-18 score was 8.96/18 (SD 4.26). Only 39.9% recognised that HIV cannot be transmitted through kissing, 47% believed washing after sex is protective and just 41.3% knew that not all infants born to mothers with HIV will have AIDS. The mean HPASS score was 60.1/108 (SD 17.6). Most students (76.8%) worried about contracting HIV from patients, 52% believed patients acquired HIV through risky behaviours and 43.6% endorsed a right to refuse providing care. Knowledge and stigma were inversely but weakly correlated (r = –0.17, p<0.001), and higher knowledge was independently associated with lower stigma on multivariable regression (B=–0.16, p<0.001). Despite higher knowledge, males reported significantly higher stigma (B=0.25, p<0.001) compared with their female counterparts. Similarly, participants who completed the Arabic form had significantly lower knowledge and higher stigma (B=0.24, p<0.001).
HIV stigma is prevalent among medical students in Egypt, with significant variations observed across gender, survey language and levels of HIV knowledge. These findings call for multifaceted interventions and curriculum reform to reduce stigma among future clinicians.
by Sobia Siddiq, Saryia Adra, Kamel A. Samara, Batool Aldaher, Mohamad Emad Aldeen Mahfouz, Nour Sakan, Fathima Musfira, Roomiyah Riyaz Assadi, Ahlam Mohamed Almarzooqi, Hiba Jawdat Barqawi, Eman Abu-Gharbieh
BackgroundYoung-onset stroke represents a growing public health concern, yet data from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remain limited. This study aimed to examine the risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with young-onset stroke in the UAE.
MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted on 419 patients aged below 50 years who were admitted at Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah, UAE, with a diagnosis of stroke between 2016 and 2022. Data on demographics, comorbidities, stroke subtype, management, and outcomes were collected and analyzed using Python-based statistical libraries.
ResultsThe study population comprised predominantly of male individuals (78.28%), with most patients originating from South Asia (63.96%) and the Middle East and North Africa region (19.33%). Ischemic stroke was the most common subtype (50.12%), followed by intracerebral hemorrhage (27.21%) and non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (22.67%). Hypertension (45.45%) and diabetes mellitus (24.42%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. Only 0.24% of patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy, and 9.41% received intravenous thrombolysis. The overall mortality rate was 12.68%, with coronary artery disease significantly associated with death (p Conclusions
Young-onset stroke in the UAE is characterized by a high burden of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, particularly hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Targeted preventive strategies and region-specific research are essential to reduce disease burden and improve patient outcomes.
by Ibrahim Naif Alenezi, Fathia Ahmed Mersal, Amal Ahmed Elbilgahy
BackgroundGenerative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly used in academic research, yet evidence on postgraduate students’ perceptions remains limited in non-Western and health-professional contexts. Understanding how students perceive AI’s benefits, risks, and ethical implications is essential for informing institutional research policies.
MethodsThis cross-sectional case study surveyed 267 master’s students enrolled in nursing and health profession programs at Northern Border University in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between October 1 and November 15, 2025, using a validated 54-item questionnaire that assessed perceived benefits, perceived risks, privacy concerns, mistrust in AI, performance anxiety, social bias, regulatory matters, liability issues, and intention to adopt AI tools. Multiple linear regression with heteroscedasticity-robust (HC3) standard errors was used to identify predictors of AI adoption intention.
ResultsMost participants (85.0%) reported prior use of AI tools, predominantly ChatGPT. Perceived benefits were the strongest predictor of intention to adopt AI for research purposes (β = 0.588, p 2 = 0.560).
ConclusionsAmong nursing and health profession master’s students at a regional Saudi university, findings indicate pragmatic optimism toward AI integration in academic research, driven primarily by perceived benefits alongside heightened ethical and privacy awareness. Privacy concerns appear to reflect critical literacy rather than barriers to adoption.
To translate, cross-culturally adapt, validate and psychometrically test the MISSCARE Survey–Patient for assessing patients' perspectives on missed nursing care (MNC) in a Danish hospital setting.
A two-phase cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric validation study.
The study was conducted in two phases. First, the MISSCARE Survey–Patient was cross-culturally adapted to ensure its relevance in a Danish hospital context. This phase involved translation and back-translation, expert committee reviews and cognitive interviews with 18 inpatients to establish content validity. Second, a convenience sample of 284 patients from surgical and medical departments completed the adapted survey. Psychometric properties were evaluated using structural equation modelling to test a second-order formative model.
The cross-cultural adaptation phase led to minor and substantial revisions, including the addition of six new items to enhance content validity. These items addressed aspects of nursing care relevant to patients in the contemporary hospital setting that were not captured by the original survey. Structural equation modelling confirmed the second-order formative model and demonstrated robust psychometric properties.
The MISSCARE Survey–Patient was successfully adapted and validated for use in Danish hospitals, ensuring strong content validity and psychometric robustness.
The Danish version of the survey provides a valuable tool for assessing MNC from patients' perspectives in hospital settings. Its use can help identify specific areas where nursing care falls short, guiding targeted initiatives to enhance care quality and patient safety. By integrating patients' experiences into quality improvement initiatives, the survey supports the development of more person-centred care practices.
The study adhered to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments reporting guideline for studies on measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures.
Patients were not involved in the study's design, conduct, or reporting.
The Danish version of the survey facilitates data collection on patients' perspectives of MNC in contemporary hospital settings, providing valuable insights into care quality. By offering a validated tool to assess MNC from patients' perspectives, the survey helps hospitals identify care gaps, prioritise improvement efforts and enhance person-centred care.
FreshRSS 