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Background: Hepatitis B and C viral (HBV and HCV) infections are endemic in Ghana. Also, the National Policy on Viral Hepatitis stipulates that there is unreliable data, limited knowledge, and a deficiency in research on viral hepatitis, especially among some high-risk workers in the eastern part of the country. This study therefore assessed the knowledge level and occupational practices of street beauticians and barbers in the transmission of HBV and HCV in the Volta Region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted in Volta Ghana from April to June 2021. An in-depth interview was used to collect data from five environmental health officers who were selected as key informants in the qualitative stage. Structured questionnaires/checklists and direct observations were employed to collect data from 340 street beauticians and barbers in the quantitative stage. During the qualitative stage, the process of coding, and mind mapping via thematic analysis was carried out. Furthermore, descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Stata version 17.0 at a 95% significance level in the quantitative stage. Results: Most street beauticians and barbers reported poor knowledge levels about HBV and HCV (67.0%), although the awareness of this viral hepatitis was high (88.2%). While almost one-third of the participants observed safe occupational practices (31.5%), about 29.0%, 49.4%, and 55.3% of them also followed hand hygiene protocols, wore protective clothes/gloves, and sterilized or disinfected tools after use respectively. Street beauticians and barbers with higher (tertiary) education (AOR = 6.15; 95%CI = 1.26–29.9; p = 0.024), those who had heavy workload of more than 20 customers per day (AOR = 3.93; 95%CI = 1.26–12.3; p = 0.019), and those who had work experience of at least four years (AOR = 1.65; 95%CI = 1.02–2.69; p = 0.040) were more likely to have good knowledge level about viral hepatitis. Additionally, beauticians were more likely to adhere to safe occupational practices as compared to barbers (AOR = 11.2; 95%CI = 3.46–36.3; p<0.001). The key informant interviews revealed that there was a lack of licensing, monitoring, and planned training for street beauticians and barbers, although their services are rampant in the Volta Region. Conclusion: Participants showed high awareness but limited knowledge about HBV and HCV infections. The general safety practices among the participants were poor. Our study results suggest possible viral transmission through the activities of street beauticians and barbers which could be attributed to the lack of regulatory systems and training of these cosmetologists. Policy-makers and regulatory bodies should institute and enforce rigorous policies and guidelines on job-related safety measures and health practices including regular training, monitoring, screening, and vaccination programs for these high-risk community workers in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite their biocompatibility, metal implants are susceptible to infections, leading to implant failure and patient complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial potential of antibiotic-coated titanium and stainless steel implants. Methods: The study was designed as an experimental in vitro study, and it was conducted at the Department of Immunology of the University of Health Sciences, Istanbul/ Turkiye in January and February 2024. Pieces of titanium and stainless steel were coated with gentamicin, teicoplanin, rifampicin and a combination of rifampicin and gentamicin using a dipping method. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus was assessed using zone of inhibition (ZOI) measurements. Results: Both titanium and stainless steel implants displayed significant ZOI values for all antibiotic treatments, indicating effective inhibition of bacterial growth. The combination of gentamicin and rifampicin exhibited the largest ZOI for both implants. Conclusions: Antibiotic-coated titanium and stainless steel implants demonstrate promising potential for reducing implant-associated infections. Further research is needed to optimise the coating method, explore combination therapies and evaluate the long-term efficacy of this approach in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Peer-to-peer lending has emerged as a promising alternative investment avenue globally. This study explores the variables influencing investors' intention in peer-to-peer lending. Studying these factors is crucial for inspiring investor motivation, which leads to the growth of peer-to-peer lending platforms in India. Design/methodology/approach: The research utilizes information gathered from 293 investors of the Rang de platform through a questionnaire. It employs ordinal logistic regression to assess how demographic characteristics, investor experience, social projects and investment factors influence the study's outcomes. Findings: The research indicates that the education qualification and income level of the investors are significant demographic variables in their investment decisions. Moreover, social projects, the experience of the investors and investment factors affect their intent to invest more in peer-to-peer lending projects. Research limitations/implications: It helps stakeholders and borrowers of crowdfunding platforms think about these aspects when creating plans to bring in and keep investors. This approach also enhances the openness and dependability of lending processes. Originality/value: This research sheds light on Indian investors' behavior toward peer-to-peer lending platforms and includes new investment factors like project categories and impact partners that other researchers did not identify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to supporting patients and their loved ones at critical times, chaplains have long understood that caring for their health care colleagues is an important part of their practice. The Covid-19 pandemic prompted conversations among chaplains about how best to address the stress they were observing in health care workers. Our team conducted a scoping review in PubMed and CINAHL of peer reviewed literature describing chaplaincy care for health care workers. We started with 364 unique articles and found 59 that met criteria for the review. Five themes surfaced in analysis of these articles, with two themes emerging as most important: (1) descriptions of care for staff as part of the chaplain's role, especially when staff are making difficult decisions and (2) reports of the effects of chaplain care for staff, both indirect and direct. We discovered that research was limited, and more research is needed regarding chaplain care for health care colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]