The Prevalence, Pattern, and Factors Affecting Cigarette Smoking among Undergraduate Students in a Tertiary Institution in Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Cigarette smoking is a modern health hazard, and it is preventable. It starts in adolescence for 90% of adults with an average age of onset ranging between 13 - 15 years and is commoner among males. This study is aimed at the prevalence, pattern, and factors affecting Cigarette smoking among undergraduate students in a tertiary institution in Plateau State. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study involving 290 undergraduate students of the University of Jos was selected using the multistage sampling method. Results: The prevalence of cigarette use was 5.3%. Seven (70.0%) of students smoke daily, 6 (60.0%), smoke cigarettes before Lecture Hours, and 90.0% are unwilling to stop smoking. Smoking was done to experience the highness feeling, 8 (80.0%), peer smoking 8 (80.0%), to reduce stress and tension 5 (50.0%), and Smoking for Fun 7 (70.0%). Most students first smoked a cigarette when with friends 6 (60.0%). Factors significantly associated with the current use of cigarettes among the respondents were religion (χ2 = 4.167, p = 0.041) Level/year of study (χ2 = 32.266, p ≤ 0.001), and type of family (χ2 = 6.271, p = 0.043). Conclusion: Most students smoke daily, smoke before lectures start, and are unwilling to stop smoking. Health-promotion program to help smoking cessation and prevent initiation of smoking is recommended.

Progression of myopia among undergraduate students in central China

AIM:To investigate the progression of myopia and risk factors among university students in central China.METHODS:A total of 7359 first-year undergraduate students at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in central China were recruited to the study and invited to a centralized clinic for medical examination,including optometry,and re-examined after one year.Correlation analyses were performed to assess the associations between one-year myopia progression and various parameters.RESULTS:The spherical equivalent refraction for the overall population was-3.14±2.28 D at baseline.The rate of myopia progression over 0.50 D after one year was 41.9%,and the 1-year progression of myopia was-0.47±0.58 D.There was no difference of mean 1-year myopia progression between male and female or difference among age group.The myopia progression of original myopia was severer than progression of new-onset myopia.There was also difference of mean myopia progression among different degrees of myopia at baseline.The under corrected eyes had a higher percentage of myopia progression than well corrected eyes(χ^(2)=7.90,P<0.01).There was no correlation between myopia progression and height,weight,body mass index,hemoglobin(Spearman correlation,ρ=-0.078,-0.152,-0.170,-0.096,respectively,all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Myopes still progress in undergraduate students,especially in high myopes.

How to Effectively Apply ChatGPT in Software Engineering Education?——A Perspective from Undergraduate Students

As a highly advanced conversational AI chatbot trained on extensive datasets,ChatGPT has garnered significant attention across various domains,including academia,industry,and education.In the field of education,existing studies primarily focus on 2 areas:Assessing the potential utility of ChatGPT in education by examining its capabilities and limitations;exploring the educational scenarios that could benefit from the integration of ChatGPT.In contrast to these studies,we conduct a user survey targeting undergraduate students specializing in Software Engineering,aiming to gain insights into their perceptions,challenges,and expectations regarding the utilization of ChatGPT.Based on the results of the survey,we provide valuable guidance on the effective incorporation of ChatGPT in the realm of software engineering education.

Exploration of Scientific Research Mentorship on the Cultivation of Undergraduate Students Innovation Ability

In order to improve the quality of undergraduate training and cultivate students innovation ability,more and more colleges and universities are implementing the research mentorship system among undergraduates.The study summarizes the main role of mentorship on the cultivation of innovation ability,analyzes the problems in the implementation of mentorship,and proposes corresponding solutions.

The Impact of Simulation Education on Self-Efficacy in Pre-Registration Nursing Students

This literature review primarily aims to explore and synthesise the previous studies in simulation education research conducted over the past five years related to the effects of simulation training on the self-efficacy of undergraduate pre-registration nursing students. The second aim of this study is to explore additional outcome variables that were examined in the previous studies. Five electronic databases were searched systematically. These databases were MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, Embase and PsycINFO. The PICO model was employed to identify the search terms, with a thesaurus being used to provide synonyms. Reference lists of relevant articles were examined and hand searches of journals were also undertaken. The quality of each study was assessed using the Simulation Research Rubric (SRR). A total of 11 studies were included. All studies explored the impact of simulation education on undergraduate pre-registration nursing. Six studies explored nursing students’ competence and performance and two papers examined their critical thinking. Problem solving, learning motivation, communication skills and knowledge acquisition were examined once. The majority of studies indicated that simulation training has a positive impact on pre-registration nursing students’ self-efficacy and other outcome variables. Furthermore, the study results indicate that simulation training is more dependable than traditional training, and students were extremely satisfied with the simulation training. However, most of the studies included in this review had several gaps, including study design, sample size and dissimilarities between the scales used. Further research with large samples, reliable and valid instruments, and outcomes measures (such as critical thinking and transferability of skills) is required to provide better insight into the effectiveness of simulation in undergraduate nursing education. .

Progress in the Application of Reflective Education on Undergraduate Nursing Interns

Objective:To explore the implementation methods and effects of reflective education,and to provide references for the development of reflective education in Chinese nursing schools.Methods:Relevant literature was searched from China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Database,Wipro Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database,and PubMed Database,and the included studies were analyzed descriptively.Results:The implementation of reflective education included work-site education,group discussion,video teaching,self-reflection,and expert lectures;the interventions mainly included study groups,role-playing,individual instruction,peer cooperation,demonstration and observation,field simulation,and video presentations.The implementation of reflective education can improve the sense of professional identity and professional competence of nursing interns,and reduce nursing errors and adverse events.Conclusion:Currently,nurses in China lack self-awareness and critical thinking skills,it is recommended that reflective education be incorporated into the teaching content of undergraduate nursing students during their internship in order to promote the development of professionalism and humanistic caring skills of nursing students.

Impact of clinical posting in psychiatry on the attitudes towards psychiatry and mental illness in undergraduate medical students

Background A major public health problem around the world today is mental illness. Although there are several studies on the topic, it is rarely conducted in the context like the current study. Aims This study aims to find out the attitudes of medical students towards psychiatry and mental illness as a clinical medicine major and evaluate the effects of clinical posting on their attitudes towards psychiatry and mental illness. Methods This is a longitudinal study of 6 months* duration conducted with students in their fifth semester of medical college in Western India during the academic year of 2016-2017. The participants were assessed by pro forma containing demographic details, and the questionnaires—Attitude Towards Psychiatry-30 items (ATP-30) scale and Mental Illness Clinician's Attitude (MICA) scale, which were presented to the students at the beginning and at the end of their psychiatry clinical posting. The statistical analysis was done with GraphPad, InStat V.3.06. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The students' attitudes towards psychiatry were neutral at the beginning of the psychiatry clinical posting, and improved significantly at the end of the posting on both scales: ATP-30 (p=0.002) and MICA (p=0.048). The students became more positive towards the subject and mental illness in general, negative attitudes also reduced but the change was not statistically significant (p=0.058). We found significant improvement in students' thinking towards being a psychiatrist in the future post-term (p=0.0002). The changes in attitude in terms of gender were equivocal, with an increase in positive attitude and reduction in negative attitude post-term in both sexes. Conclusion Psychiatry clinical posting aids in cultivating positive attitude towards psychiatry and mental illness and reduces the stigma associated with the students of this major and psychiatric patients.

Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Eyes of Undergraduate Nursing Students

Despite the fact that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established safe and effective procedure, its use has continued to attract controversy with considerable stigma associated with it. This often overshadows the established effectiveness. Poor knowledge, negative attitude and bias towards ECT by the nurses may translate to poor education and support to patients from whom they are expected to obtain informed consent before an ECT procedure. This study assessed the perception of undergraduate nursing students of a Nigerian university about ECT. A total of 81 students who had completed all relevant lectures and practical/clinical exposures in psychiatry as prescribed in their academic curricular participated in the study. All the consenting students were administered the socio-demographic questionnaire and modified questionnaire on attitude and knowledge of electroconvulsive therapy (QuAKE). Majority of the students responded appropriately to the principal uses of ECT. Few believed that ECT was an out-moded form of treatment, that the procedure was cruel and barbaric, that psychiatrists who still administered ECT were wicked and not responsible physicians, and that it caused permanent brain damage. The total mean score of the students was 7.53 ± 2.65. Fifty eight (71.6%) students observed an ECT procedure and followed up the patients during the posting. They scored 7.17 ± 2.55 while 23 (28.4%) students who had not observed the procedure scored 6.98 ± 1.92 on the QuAKE (t =?-0.36, p = 0.72). Thirty one (38.3%) students who would accept the procedure if indicated scored 7.14 ± 2.21 while 50 (61.7%) of them who would not allow ECT carried out on them scored 6.88 ± 1.96 (t = 0.56, p = 0.58). The mean score of 29 (35.8%) students who might pursue psychiatry as a career was 8.10 ± 1.90 while 52 (64.2%) of them who would not specialise in psychiatry scored 6.05 ± 1.79 (t = 5.00, p < 0.001). The total mean score on the QuAKE was low among the student nurses. Therefore, there is a need to improve undergraduate nursing education on ECT.

Attitudes of undergraduate nursing students toward Objective Structure Practical Examination: An Exploratory study

Background: Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) is a method of assessment of clinical competence.The examination is conducted at multiple stations.Besides practical and problem-solving skills,theoretical knowledge is also tested.OSPE can be traced back more than 40 years.OSPE has been included more than two decades,as a part of assessment in the College of Nursing,All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS),New Delhi.Objectives: This study was carried out to determine nursing students' attitudes towards OSPE as an assessment tool.Participants: The responses of all the 252 Undergraduate nursing students studying at the College of Nursing,AIIMS were obtained for this study (77 from B.Sc.(H) Nursing first year,61 from the second year,69 from the third year and 45 from the fourth year).Methods: The students attitudes towards OSPE were assessed by using a validated questionnaire containing 28 item statements on Likert's 5-point scale (LS) and 11 bipolar adjectives on Osgood's 7-point Semantic'Differential Scale (OSDS).Result: Most of the students approved of OSPE and felt that it was fair,useful,good,effective,exciting,interesting,practical,skill oriented but also taxing.The study also revealed that amongst the second years' students there was a strong correlation between Overall Rank in the Class and Assessment of OSPE.Conclusion: The study supports the introduction of OSPE as one of the methods of assessment of B.Sc.(Hons.) Nursing students.

Frequency of Musculoskeletal Pain and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students

Objective: To study and compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in Medical and non-medical students and find out the specific factors associated with the occurrence of this pain. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study from March-May 2017 where a total of 400 medical and 350 non-medical students were registered using a structured questionnaire made by modification of Nordic questionnaire. Characteristics of musculoskeletal pain were determined Pain was also graded by using a grading scale. Results: Mean age for medical and non-medical students was 21.36 and 20.97 respectively. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was higher among females. More data were collected from 2nd and 5th year of medical and 1st and 2nd year of non-medical students. High incidence was found in medical students with occurrence mostly in Neck. This frequency of musculoskeletal pain was quiet high during the last 7 days. The long study hours and use of computer/laptop were found to be greater among medical undergraduates but no significant association was found in medical unlike non-medical students. Majority of undergraduate students reported a normal BMI. Our study has found no co-relation of BMI with prevalence of pain. It was also observed that medical students with musculoskeletal pain spent more time on travelling when compared to non-medical. Association was found with the use of back packs. The study observed the level of many daily activities like exercise and outdoor sports etc. but no significant relation was found. Conclusion: Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among undergraduate students is truly high, more so in medical students. Medical students have shown no association of studying for long hours and use of computer/laptop with musculoskeletal pain when compared to non-medical students. More studies should be done to know contributing factors of musculoskeletal pain among undergraduate students.

Facilitators and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Undergraduate Students of Makerere University

There is a higher Human Papilloma Virus peak prevalence in younger women (18 - 25 years) of university age. The undergraduate university students are more at a risk of acquiring cervical cancer because they are at the stage of exploring which predisposes them to risky behavior like early sexual intercourse and multiple sexual partners among others. This creates a need for cervical cancer screening in the population. The facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening have been studied in the Ugandan general population but little is known among University students which this study is taking interest. Objective: This study is aimed at determining the facilitators, barriers and background factors associated to cervical cancer screening among female undergraduate students in Makerere University. Methods: Four hundred twenty-two (422) female undergraduate students of Makerere University who fit the eligibility criteria were recruited in this descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study. A self-administered semi structured questionnaire was administered to these participants chosen by convenient sampling. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 23 software and logistic regression models was used. Results: Less than a half of (21.1%) of the participants had ever screened for cervical cancer. At multivariate analysis, only year of study and married status were associated to cervical cancer screening with a P-values were of (0.015) and (0.001) with a (1.173 - 4.261) and (1.594 - 6.130) 95% CI respectively. The facilitators agreed upon by participants included: Access to free cervical cancer screening services, adequate knowledge about cervical cancer screening and advice from a friend, family or physician among others. The reported barriers to screening were fear of bad result, low risk perception and fear of embarrassment among others. Conclusions and Recommendations: Among the female undergraduate students of Makerere University, only 21.1% had screened for cervical cancer. Therefore, there is a critical need for university based cancer education campaign on cervical cancer and the benefits of screening. Screening services should be integrated into the existing university medical services.

Mediating effect of undergraduate nursing students’ professional commitment on positive psychological capital and learning burnout

Objective:The objective of this study is to explore the mediating role of professional commitment of undergraduate nursing students between positive psychological capital(PsyCap)and learning burnout.Materials and Methods:A cluster sampling method was used to survey 442 students of a bachelor’s degree in freshman to the junior in a medical college in Shaanxi Province.Results:Professional commitment was positively related to positive PsyCap(=0.487,P<0.01),while positive PsyCap and professional commitment were negatively related to learning burnout(r=−0.456,r=−0.411,P all<0.01).There are certain mediating effects of professional commitment in the relationship between positive PsyCap and learning burnout.The mediating effect value of professional commitment is−0.065,accounting for 16.08%of the total effect.Conclusion:Nursing educators in medical colleges and universities should focus on developing and training the positive PsyCap of undergraduate nursing students,thereby enhancing and stabilizing their professional commitment level and reducing the risk of learning burnout.

Impact of self-directed learning readiness and learning attitude on problem-solving ability among Chinese undergraduate nursing students

Objective: To explore the effects of self-directed learning readiness and learning attitude on problem-solving ability among Chinese undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A convenience sampling of 460 undergraduate nursing students was surveyed in Tianjin, China. Students who participated in the study completed a questionnaire that included social demographic questionnaire, Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale, Attitude to Learning Scale, and Social Problem-Solving Inventory. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to test the correlations among problem-solving ability, self-directed learning readiness, and learning attitude. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed to explore the mediating role of learning attitude. Results: The results showed that learning attitude (r=0.338, P<0.01) and self-directed learning readiness (r=0.493, P<0.01) were positively correlated with problem-solving ability. Learning attitude played a partial intermediary role between self-directed learning readiness and problem-solving ability (F=74.227, P<0.01). Conclusions: It is concluded that nursing educators should pay attention on students’ individual differences and take proper actions to inspire students’ self-directed learning readiness and learning attitude.

Unsatisfactory COVID-19-Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Undergraduate University Students in Uganda: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: This study examined the COVID-19-related knowledge, attitude and practices among undergraduate students in Uganda. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from 12th-19th June 2020 among undergraduate students using a standard questionnaire designed using Google Forms sent via WhatsApp Messenger. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to test the differences and odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were used for quantifying the association between independent and dependent variables. p < 0.05 was considered significant. A cut-off score of ≥80% was used to denote sufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and good practices. Results: Of the 161 respondents, 102 (63.4%) were males with a mean age of 24.2 (5.0) years. The majority 121 (75.2%) were pursuing health-related programs and overall, 110 (68.3%) had sufficient knowledge while 76 (47.2%) had a positive attitude and good practice each. Knowledge and attitude were significantly associated with health-related programs (AOR 4.78, 95% CI 2.06 - 11.07;p < 0.001) and (AOR 3.18, 95% CI 1.33 - 7.62;p = 0.010) respectively. The practice was associated with the male gender (AOR 2.37, 95% CI 1.19 - 4.73;p = 0.014). The most commonly cited sources of COVID-19 information were news media 147 (91.3%), Ministry of Health 134 (83.2%), and social media 125 (77.6%). The ministry of health was considered the most trustworthy source 139 (86.3%) and social media the least 21 (13.0%). Conclusions: COVID-19-related knowledge, attitude and practices among undergraduates in Uganda were low overall. Therefore, concerted efforts to provide tailored health education and behaviour change communication are needed.

Effectiveness of Mind-Body Exercise on Burnout and Stress in Female Undergraduate Students

This study was to investigate the effects of mind-body exercise on burnout and perceived stress among female undergraduate students.A sample of 146 female undergraduate students took part in this study.They were assigned to mind-body exercise group(n=91)and control group(n=55).Mind-body exercise group received three 90-min sessions of Baduanjin exercise per week lasting for 12-weeks.There was no intervention in the control group.The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey was used to assess burnout level,and the 10-item perceived stress scale was used to assess stress level.Significant decreases in emotional exhaustion(p<0.001),cynicism(p<0.001)and perceived stress(p<0.001)were found in the mind-body exercise group compared with control group.Furthermore after 12-week mind-body exercise,emotional exhaustion,cynicism and perceived stress had greater reduction.Mind-body exercise(Baduanjin)may be considered an alternative strategy to reduce burnout and perceived stress in female undergraduate students.

The Prevalence and Pattern of Use of Alcohol among Undergraduate Students in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria

Introduction: Alcohol abuse is a recognized phenomenon among university students in Nigeria and harms the education and performance of students. This may include disruption of interpersonal relationships, especially within the family, criminal behaviour, academic failure, vocational failure, and a lack of commensurate achievement. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at assessing the Prevalence and Pattern of Use of Alcohol Among Undergraduate Students In Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. It involved 290 Undergraduates selected using the Multistage sampling method. Results: The prevalence of current use of alcohol was 33.7% while two-thirds were not taking alcohol. There was a statistically significant association between current use of alcohol and sex (χ2 = 12.168, p ≤ 0.001), where more males than females use alcohol. Most (44.4%) undergraduates use alcohol weekly, 11.1% use it daily, and 14.3% Two times weekly. A majority (52.4%) take it after lectures and 27.0% take whenever they like. There was a statistically significant association between alcohol use and the level/year of study (χ2 = 27.258, p ≤ 0.001). More students in higher classes (5th year and 4th year) are taking alcohol when compared with new students and lower classes (1st year and 2nd year). A significant association was also found between alcohol use and respondent's Cumulative Grade Point Average-CGPA (χ2 = 22.809, p ≤ 0.001), as the majority of students using alcohol had a low CGPA (1.1 to 2.0) when compared to those with higher. Conclusion: The University and government should collaborate with students to establish peer support groups and programs that discourage the use of alcohol during school hours and while studying.

The Influence of Gender on Saudi Students Performance in the Undergraduate Surgical Examination

The relationship between student gender and examination of medical knowledge and clinical competence has been assessed by a number of studies from western countries with controversial results. The aim of this study was to investigate if gender would make a difference on the performance of Arab medical students in the final certifying examination in surgery. Methods: This a cross-sectional study which was carried out at Department of Surgery, University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia over 3 years. The scores in each section and the total score of the final certifying examination of surgery were recorded for all sixth year students between 2008 and 2011. Differences between the scores of the female and male students in the written test and subjective examinations were assessed. Results: Six hundred and twenty students were involved in this study. Three hundred and fifty were male and 270 were female. Overall scores revealed that female medical students scored significantly better with lower failure rate compared to their male colleagues. Female students received significantly better scores than male in subjective tests. However, there was no significant difference between groups in written examination. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between male and female students in the written examination scores. However, female students performed better in subjective evaluations. Further studies are warranted to reveal the reasons behind this difference.

Family Health History and Behavioral Change among Undergraduate Students: A Mixed Methods Study

Background: We examined family health history (FHH) as a public health intervention tool in undergraduate students. We hypothesized that the FHH assignment would positively relate to students’ FHH knowledge and health and healthcare-seeking behavioral change. Methods: Health professional students’ (n = 103) pre/post-test surveys and research papers were collected in 2011-2012, from a mid-western and southern university in the United States of America, using mixed methods research. Results: The majority of students were aged 18 - 30, women, White, had healthcare access and health insurance, and awareness of the term FHH. Significant logistic regression relationships existed between: 1) helping students understand important strengths and weaknesses in their health and quality of life and outcomes of talking with family and doctors about FHH;and 2) improving students’ understanding of what they needed to do to maintain their health and the outcome statement “FHH tells you about inherited genes.” Key themes from the research papers included actions and FHH and proposed behavioral changes. Conclusions: Quantitative findings supported the relationship between students’ assignment evaluation and knowledge change, while qualitative findings supported relationships between assignment evaluation and knowledge and behavioral change. This study highlights regional differences in students’ FHH and the need to address family support barriers to behavioral change.

Correlation between interaction anxiousness and sleep deprivation among undergraduate students

Sleep deprivation is a common problem among university students,it causes lowered cognitive skills,higher tend of suicide,risk-taking behavior and interaction anxiety.By using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)and Interaction Anxiousness Scale(IAS),the survey on the sleep quality and interaction anxiousness was carried out among 124 undergraduate students,in order to found the correlation between sleep deprivation and interaction anxiousness.The results showed a strong positive correlation between them.This study also investigates the difference of PSQI and IAS among students with varied disciplines and grades,and findings illustrated a poor sleep quality as well as poor interpersonal communication situation among university students.

Psychological Support for Public-Funded Normal Students Engaged in Teaching Profession

Among primary and secondary school teachers in China, 70% of teachers believe facing more significant occupationalpressure. 63.8% of teachers clearly stated that occupational stress had caused a tremendous impact on them.And this has had adverse effects on them, such as mental, physical, and personal development. This paper studiesthe group of public-funded regular students from the perspective of psychological support. This paper uses theSCL-90 form to investigate the professional psychology of teachers for the psychological support of public-fundedregular students engaged in the teaching profession. And it conducts a survey on the curriculum setting and satisfactionof the public-funded regular students during their study stage. The experimental results of this paper showthat only 11.9% of public-funded regular students are very willing to take root and serve township education.Moreover, the psychological pressure of teachers at different educational stages is quite different.