Awareness, Practice and Intention to Practice Testicular Self-Examination among Professional Working Males in Ghana

Background: The aetiology of Testicular Cancer (TC) is still unknown to researchers but many of the associated risk factors have been identified. These include family history, age, racial origin, cryptorchidism, urogenital malformations, testicular atrophy, and infertility. Given the lack of scientific data on the causes of the disease, it has been asserted in previous studies that the promotion of awareness and early detection are prerequisites to mitigating risks of metastasis as well as improving survival. This study is to assess the awareness, practice, and intention to practice testicular self-examination among professional working males in Accra. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design with a structured research instrument was used to collect data from respondants. The purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to collect data from 300 men at Accra in Ghana. The study was conducted at two (2) Universities and a Senior High school at Accra in Ghana. The data was then analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling. Results: From the study findings, 37% of male participants rated their knowledge of testicular self-examination and related symptoms as good, 28% of participants practised testicular self-examination monthly, while 65% of respondents expressed their intention to practice monthly testicular self-examination. The findings from logistic regression demonstrated that level of education, age, and marital status of participants had a significant influence on testicular self-examination. Additionally, the multiple linear regression results revealed knowledge and self-efficacy significantly predict testicular self-examination intention. The path coefficient results from the structural equation model are consistent with results from the regression models. Conclusion: This research is the first to investigate testicular self-examination among men in Ghana. The findings revealed awareness and practice of TSE are low among participants. Therefore, the research findings would improve the expertise of physicians and nurses in providing counsel, intervention, and support for patients at risk of testicular cancer.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Self-Examination amongst Women in Two Communities of Cameroon

Breast cancer is a major health problem in the world. It is the most common cancer in women and is equally the leading cause of cancer death in women. Though in controversy Breast self-examination (BSE) remains a useful tool in early diagnosis of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE amongst women in Yaoundé and Monatele. We carried out a cross sectional study in two communities of Cameron over a period of eight months, targeting females older than 15 years. After obtaining authorization, we randomly interviewed 402 consenting participants, using a pretested questionnaire. Data were entered using CS Pro 7.3 and analysed using SPSS 23. Of a total of 402 participants, 256 (63.7%) in Monatele and 146 (36.3%) in Yaoundé VI, the mean age was 26.55 ± 9.57 years. Exactly 50% (201) had earlier heard of BSE. Health personnel and media represented the main sources of information on BSE. Of the total, 46 (11.4%) knew BSE should be done monthly. Fifty-three percent had poor knowledge and 51.0% had a generally low attitude towards BSE. Out of 402 participants, 65.2% reported not practicing BSE. For those practicing, 71.6% had poor practices. The main reason for not practicing was lack of knowledge. Poor knowledge increased poor practice. In conclusion half of the women had heard about BSE even though the majority had a poor knowledge on BSE and very low overall attitude and practice. Health personnel and media played a key role in passing of information. Increasing the number of health campaigns, multiplying TV shows and health talks about breast self-examination will improve knowledge and hence attitude and practice.

Application effect of safety hazard self-examination mode in nursing risk management in hepatobiliary surgery

Objective:To explore the application effect of safety hazard self-examination mode in nursing risk management in hepatobiliary surgery.Methods:Sixty patients underwent hepatobiliary surgery in two tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province from May 2021 to October 2021.According to the different implementation time,they were divided into 30 cases in the observation group and 30 cases in the control group.The control group adopts routine risk assessment,and the observation group adopts the self-examination mode of potential safety hazards on the basis of routine risk assessment to compare the incidence of nursing risk between the two groups.Results:The observation group had a significantly lower incidence of safety hazards in terms of missing surgical instruments,lack of aseptic operation,and postoperative pressure injuries than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The appropriate hazard self-examination mode in the hepatobiliary operation room is of positive significance to improve the safety awareness of operating staff and the comprehensive ability of operating room nurses.

Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Female Undergraduates in South-Eastern Nigeria

Breast disease often presents as palpable masses (lumps), inflammatory lesions, nipple secretion, or mammography abnormalities;and this can be easily treated when discovered early. Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is the quickest and cheapest means of early breast cancer detection. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female undergraduates in Owerri, south eastern Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling design was used to select participants. Interview using structured questionnaire was conducted on randomly selected respondents in six faculties from each tertiary institution. Questionnaire was prepared in English and was self-administered. Permission to conduct the survey was requested and obtained from the university ethical review board. Informed verbal and written consent was obtained from participants. Confidentiality of information was maintained throughout the study. Knowledge and practice of BSE was examined among 720 randomly selected female undergraduates aged 16 to 28 years. It was found that 98.9 percent have heard of BSE but only 32.5 percent of them performed this examination accurately and monthly as required. There is a statistically significant relationship between knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer and practice of BSE (χ2 = 31.17, P χ2 = 86.75, P χ2 = 75.94, P < 0.001). These female undergraduates had a poor knowledge of the right procedure and practice of BSE;therefore there is need for awareness creation on the risks of breast cancer and benefits of early detection among female undergraduates through breast self-examination.

Relationships between Demographic Variables and Breast Self-Examination among Women in a Rural Community South East of Nigeria

This study examined the relationships between demographic variables of women in a rural community, South East of Nigeria and their practice of Breast Self-Examination (BSE). A descriptive survey design was adopted. The study population of 349 was drawn using system atichousehold sampling technique. Two research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The instruments used for data collection were validated structured questionnaire which was interview administered. Demographic information of the women such was also obtained for the study. The result indicated significant correlation between respondents’ educational level and BSE. There was however no significance difference between age, parity and BSE. There was need for community health nurses to reinforce home visits in order to enhance the awareness of breast cancer and needed skill for BSE among the rural populace while liberal education irrespective of age should be instituted by the Government.

Women’s Performance of Breast Cancer Screening (Breast Self-Examination, Clinical Breast Exam and Mammography)

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Saudi Arabia. Despite the availability of early detection methods to diagnose breast cancer, a huge number of women are still unaware about these methods. This study was conducted to identify the attitude of women in Medina toward breast cancer screening methods, including breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional survey has been conducted on 124 women aged from 39 and older, who attended Taibah Medical Center for cancer screening either by doctor’s recommendation, family or friends advice, or by herself. Face to face questionnaire was used to collect data. All data were analyzed by statistical analysis system software. Results: The results showed only 35.5%, 27.4% and 37.8% of participants reported that they practiced BSE, CBE and annual mammography, respectively. Only 27.3% of women practiced BSE once per month, and 8.8% visited doctor annually for CBE. Both educational level (p = 0.004) and family history (p = 0.01) were significantly related to BSE. 57.7% of the participants who had positive family history practiced BSE, and 56.0% of the participants who practiced BSE were highly educated. Lacking awareness about BSE is the most important barrier in not practicing BSE, while not having a breast lump was the reason for not undergoing either clinical breast examination (38.7%) or periodic mammography (54.9%). Conclusion: This study emphasized the need for massive health education program to increase awareness, and improve the attitude of women toward breast cancer screening methods.

Breast Self-Examination (BSE): Association between “Belief in BSE” and “Awareness of BSE” among University Female Students in Uganda

Background: Regular breast self-examination (BSE) has been known to effectively detect breast cancer occurrence early. Are Women who consider BSE effective in detecting breast cancer more likely to be aware of BSE, or vice versa? The present study was an attempt to answer this question. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed for 259 female University students in Kampala, Uganda. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out. Results: The majority (64.1%) were aware of the BSE technique. Women considering BSE to be effective for early cancer detection were significantly more likely to be aware of the BSE technique. Conclusions: University students who believed in the benefits of BSE were more likely to be aware of BSE than those who did not. More emphasis should be placed on health education for women of younger ages to increase the knowledge of the practice of BSE.

Research and Practice of the “Independence + Integration” Moral and Self-cultivation Teaching Method for Online Specialized Courses

In the context of the COVID-19 outbreak,online teaching has spread rapidly.However,the existing research on moral and self-cultivation teaching methods for online courses remains inadequate.This paper proposes an“independence+integration”moral and self-cultivation teaching method for online courses.The method divides the targets of moral and self-cultivation teaching into independent and integrated ones,and fits them both explicitly and implicitly into the online teaching of specialized courses in higher education.When this method was employed to teach engineering mechanics to industrial design students at a college in China,it effectively increased the students’acceptance of online courses as well as their understanding of moral and self-cultivation knowledge and the course itself,and improved the quality of online teaching.The method provides a new way of thinking about online moral and self-cultivation teaching.

Moderating Effect of Perceived Threat of Breast Cancer on Relation between Knowledge and Breast Self Examination

Estimated at more than 2.2 million cases worldwide,most breast cancer cases and deaths from breast cancer occur in low and middle-income countries.In Cameroon,many studies have underlined the effect of knowledge of breast cancer on screening measures such as self-examination and,to a lesser extent,the perception of the threat of this disease.This research aims to assess according to the Health Belief Model(HBM),the moderating effect of perceived threat of breast cancer on the relation between knowledge and breast self-examination.A questionnaire survey was conducted among 517 Cameroonian women to assess their general knowledge about breast cancer(risk factors and screening measures),their level of the perceived threat of breast cancer through Perceived susceptibility and severity,and the prevalence of breast self-examination amongst them.A regression analysis using the Macro Process for moderation indicates the main effect of Perceived threat(b=0,29;t(517)=2,36;p=0,02)of breast cancer and knowledge(b=0,02;t(517)=4,29;p<0,001)on breast self-examination.Results also confirm that the perceived threat of breast cancer moderates the effect of knowledge on breast self-examination.While the low level of perceived threat highlights the effect of knowledge on breast self-examination(b=0,02;t(517)=3,49;p<0,001),the high level of perceived threat cancels that effect(b=0,01;t(517)=1,97;p=0,01).A woman who perceives severity and susceptibility to breast cancer is more inclined to perform breast self-examination.This result suggests the importance of taking into account,in a context where knowledge of breast cancer is limited,relevant factors of the health belief model in preventive measures against breast cancer in general and the practice of breast self-examination in particular.

UbD Framework in Teaching Confucian Filial Piety and Its Relevance in Modern Society

This study explores the lasting relevance of Confucian filial piety in Chinese culture that promotes individual self-cultivation, family harmony, and social stability. The Understanding by Design (UbD) framework is proposed as an effective approach for teaching Confucius’ wisdom and the reinforcement of the cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning outcomes. This approach emphasizes “backward design” which prioritizes meaningful understanding over memorization. Integrating filial piety into the UbD framework enhances students’ understanding of its philosophical foundations and modern significance, while also strengthening their intercultural communication skills. The study concludes that UbD approach develops language skills and cultural sensitivity, encouraging insights into the dynamic nature of cultural values. The meaningful outcomes through integrating the approach into filial piety curriculum design can support students’ development of self-awareness, empathy, and ethical maturity, which foster values essential for ethical leadership and community-oriented responsibilities.

Practice of breast self-examination among high risk Chinese women in Hong Kong

Background The incidence of breast cancer in Hong Kong is increasing and breast serf-examination (BSE)as a screening tool is becoming mere popular,especially among first-dsgree relatives (FDR) of breast cancer victims. BSE may be mere applicable to Chinese women as their breast size is smaller. This study explores the BSE practice in this group of women.Methods A cross sectional study was conducted by sending questionnaires to 330 FDR of breast cancer patients treated in the Department of Surgeory,Univeisity of Hong Kong. BSE behavior was studied with respect to its frequency,awareness,completeness and confidence of practice.Results 110 subjects returned the questionnaires with a response rate of 33%.The mean age of the respondent was 37 years. Only 57 women (52%)were practicers. The practicers have a stronger BSE awareness (p＜0.01) and a lower mean score on thought barriers (P=0.002) than the non-practicers.40% of the practicers gain their BSE knowledge through clinicians and their mean period of practica was 3.2 yeara. 68% of the practicers performed BSE completely.The overall confidence rate was 35%, but the rate was 43% among those who performled complete BSE.Thirteen factors possibly related to the completeness and rate of confidence of BSF examination were studied.The only factor that significantly deternined completenass was the time spent for each examination (P=0.002).The complete practicers required a longer time than the incomplete practicers(6.60 and 2.96 min,respectively).Women with a stronger BSE intention (P=0.001)and a lower mean score on thought barrers(P=0.001)performed the examination confidently.Conclusions Slightly over half of the FDR practice BSE.The majority perform a complete BSE but they are not confident in finding abnormalities. Women spending more time on BSE are associated with a higher rate of completeness. However,only those with a stronger DSE: intention and lesser thought barriers are more confident in their practice.

Knowledge and Awareness of Breast Cancer among Young Women in the United Arab Emirates

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It carries poor prognosis when detected late. Patients usually present at late stages due to lack of awareness of various aspects of breast cancer. Aim: The objective of this study is to gain insight into the level of knowledge of breast cancer among young adult females in UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among females aged 25 to 45. A total of 492 females were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected through an interview-based questionnaire. Frequency distributions and percentages were used to describe the knowledge tested within the questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.5 years. Almost 27% of our participants received a high school degree. The average total knowledge of our population was 51%. The majority (89%) knew that breast cancer is common and 45% knew that it affects ages above forty. The knowledge of signs and symptoms was 53%, and more than half (57%) knew that the most common presenting sign is a breast lump. The knowledge of risk factors was 43%. Almost 94% knew that cancer can be detected early, and 93% knew that early diagnosis improves outcome. The total knowledge of screening methods was 67%. Conclusion: The study revealed that respondents’ knowledge of breast cancer is less than expected. The increased burden of the disease should be accompanied by powerful means of spreading awareness by implementing campaigns that would improve knowledge deficits.

Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Breast Cancer Risk: Perception of Northern Saudi Civic

Background: The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in Saudi Arabia, chiefly in distant provinces with cases assigning advanced stages of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge towards external exposure related to breast cancer risk factors in Qurayyat, Northern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This descriptive study included 724 Saudi volunteers living in the city of Qurayyat, Northern Saudi Arabia. For females, only those agreeing to participate in the breast self-examination workshop were included and were further investigated for the presence of breast lumps. Results: In comparison of females vs. males, as for the point “Do you know food increases or decreases the risk of BC”, 92 (15%) women stated “Yes (Some prevented BC)” vs. 24 (24%) of the men;78 (12.5%) women stated “Yes (Some caused BC)” vs. 25 (25%) of the men. Referring to the socket “Overweight or obesity increases the risk of BC”, 290 (46.5%) women stated “Yes” vs. 53 (53%) of the men. As for the inquiry “Viruses can increase the risk of BC”, 370 (60%) women stated “Yes” vs. 49 (49%) of the men. Conclusion: There is a lack of breast cancer awareness in Northern Saudi Arabia with the existence of many women with undetected breast lumps. BSE is cost-effective, and it can be implemented in such inaccessible areas.

Ezra Pound's Zhi Ren and Confucian Self-cultivation

Ezra Pound quoted the Chinese characters zhi ren知人seven times in his stimulating book Guide to Kulchur.However,such frequently-recurring characters haven’t received enough attention from Pound scholars at home and abroad.The paper first illustrates the copious meanings of zhi ren and then explores Pound’s self-cultivation so as to reach the ideal state of human being—Ren仁.It proves that the seemingly insignificant Chinese characters zhi ren知人start Pound’s real exploration of the humanist ideology and deep contemplation of human nature.

Somaesthetics and Chinese Philosophy： Between Unity and Pragmatist Pluralism

Responding to three articles in a symposium dedicated to my research in somaesthetics, this paper explores a variety of themes connecting my theories with classical Chinese philosophy. The symposium topics discussed here range from the ontology of body-mind and world to the ethics of somaesthetic self-cultivation, and then to the somaesthetic meanings of our practices of erotics and of eating. The paper shows how the pragmatist orientation of somaesthetics reconciles values of unity with those of difference and how key ideas of somaesthetics intersect, in different ways, with both Confucian and Daoist thought.

Water, Plant, Light, and Mirror： On the Root Metaphors of the Heart-Mind in Wang Yangming＇s Thought

Clarifying Wang Yangming＇s thought through a study of his root metaphors of heart-mind is an important step toward explaining his further concepts of the human world. Along with the root metaphors of water and mirror, the metaphors of plant and light work together for Wang to form a coherent theoretical and practical system of xin （heart-mind）. This method is also a good way to unravel the various theories of the ＂three teachings＂ that are intermingled in his thinking. By using this methodology Wang＇s attempts to harmonize several ancient traditions of heart-mind that appear as possibly polarized to modem readers, are illuminated （though they did not appear contradictory to the Neo-Confucians）.

The Integration of Psychology and Linguistics from the Perspective of Cognitive Science—The Example of the Psychological Reality of Language

In the traditional debate centered on the nature of language,the question of“the psychological reality of language”occupies a pivotal position.The key lies in the recognition of language(competence)as a natural entity that exists in the brain in some physical way.The empirical research perspectives supporting the psychological reality of language fall into four main categories:(a)linguistic perspectives based on introspective linguistic intuitions;(b)developmental psychology perspectives;(c)psycholinguistic perspectives;(d)neurolinguistic perspectives.In analyzing the four areas of research,it is clear that psychological realism does indeed reveal the physiological basis of language ability,but it does not fully explain how“reality”is expressed,i.e.,at what level the operation and representation of language can be linked to human neurobiological mechanisms,and how the psychological reality of language is related to the semantic“material”reality of language.In essence,the ontological foundation of psychological realism is the logocentric tradition of“In the beginning was the Word,”while Chinese thought,which espouses“In the beginning was the Deed,”provides a transcendental framework for solving the dilemma of psychological realism by virtue of its self-cultivation theory of“heaven,in its motion,shows strength.”The focus is not on how language precisely maps reality,but how to mobilize the energy of language through the cultivation of the body and mind.This implies that human language and even its physiological basis develop according to how one learns to change the natural world,and that the most essential basis of language is the change in the world caused by its“doing”(self-cultivation),thus providing an adequate explanation for the problem of the psychological reality of language.

On Developing Chinese Didactics:A Perspective from the German Didaktik Tradition

Over the last century,the development of didactics(教学论)in China has been profoundly influenced by Kairov’s theory of pedagogics.The German Didaktik tradition,which can date back to Comenius and Herbart,remains largely unknown to educational scholars in China while they possess basic knowledge of Comenius and Herbart.This article expounds three basic tenets of the German Didaktik tradition-(1)the concept of Bildung,(2)a theory of educational content,and(3)the idea of teaching as a learner-content encounter-and discusses the implications for developing Chinese didactics.It argues for a rethinking of the purposes,content,and practice of teaching with respect to the subjectification aim of education(i.e.,the becoming of unique individuals,with autonomy,critical thinking,and creativity).

Developing Ethical Leadership in China:The Value of Confucian Virtue Ethics

Most research into ethical leadership depends on Western corporate experience,however current research findings may not fit the Chinese context.As a result,it is necessary to appeal to indigenous and traditional Chinese sources of wisdom when defining and evaluating ethical leadership in China.Both rule-following ethics and instrumental approaches,which are mainly used in recent empirical studies about ethical leadership,cannot enable people to have inner motivation to behave ethically.Accordingly,this article intends to establish an ethical leadership model in China by appealing to Conflician virtue ethics.A Confucian ethical leader possesses benevolence(ren仁)inside and treats others in a proper way according to ritual and rites(li禮).He/she makes self-cultivation as the first priority and is a virtuous role model,influencing others in a natural way by of his/her moral charisma.For such a person,economic profitableness is not a primary concern,where instead the goals,strategies and practices of his/her organization are defined by the principle of righteousness(yi義).

The Introversive Political Meritocracy:A Political Possibility Beyond"The End of History"

The criticisms of the falsity of universal recognition carried| out by leftists, led by Karl Max, and the queries of its desirability proposed by rightists, represented by Friedrich Nietzsche, raise challenges to Francis Fukuyama’s theory of “the end of history” from two opposite directions. At present, Chinese-style political meritoc­racy based on the party state is a political form that combines these left-wing and right-wing challenges and has the potential to move beyond “the end of history”. However, whether it can truly surpass “the end of history” depends on whether it can form a desirable and stable alternative political form under modern condi­tions. To this end, Chinese-style political meritocracy must respond positively to the three challenges it faces under modern conditions: the tension between “debicheng- wei” (one’s virtue must have a matching position, 德必称位) and moral universal- ism, the corrosion of social justice from the hierarchical social structure caused by “weibichenglu” (one’s position must have a matching salary, 位必称禄), and the threat of social indoctrination to individual autonomy. The “introversive political meritocracy” jointly shaped by “advocating morals for the public,” “arete based on altruism,” and “introversive self-cultivation” is a desirable political form that can successfully respond to these three challenges.