Search

This study sought to investigate the current status and faculty members' perceptions of oral care education in Bachelor of Nursing curriculums in Japan.Data were gathered through a questionnaire survey of 196 participants, who were faculty members in charge of oral care education in the basic, adult, gerontological, and home nursing fields, from 295 nursing schools that offered Bachelor degrees in nursing across Japan.The quantitative data showed that 38.5% of the participants worked for less than 5 years as oral care educators, only 15.5% taught oral care in perioperative wards, only 62.2% used an oral care training simulator, and less than 30% believed that training in the prevention of oral diseases should be enhanced. From the descriptive responses, this study identified such problems as the inability of students to perform student-on-student and patient-based oral care training owing to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and the lack of teaching materials, time, and human resources, and cooperation with other nursing fields and health professionals.This study revealed several problems in oral care education in the Bachelor of Nursing curriculums in Japan. To tackle these challenges, this study suggests the development of an interdisciplinary course that unifies oral care education in nursing fields, in order to promote collaborative oral care education and to improve nursing students' knowledge and skills of oral care.

This study aimed to investigate the performance of oral assessment and health care education at nursing schools across Japan to identify problems and the need for oral health professional support.The participants were the academic staff in charge of oral health care education in the basic, adult, gerontological, and home nursing fields of 295 schools in Japan that offered a bachelor's degree in nursing. A questionnaire was sent to 1180 heads of the nursing fields of these schools. They were requested to have oral health care educators complete the survey; data on the performance of oral assessment and health care education and human resources allocated were collected through a questionnaire.A total of 311 (26%) questionnaires were returned, 196 (63%) of which were completed by oral health care educators. Regarding the performance of oral assessment education, the majority (71%) of them spent less than 2 hours in teaching, and only 24.5% taught the usage of oral assessment tools. Regarding the performance of oral health care education, more than 90% spent less than 2 hours in lecture-based and practical oral health care education, respectively. Less than half taught the association of periodontal diseases with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and use of fluoride for caries prevention in the lectures, and only approximately 30% taught the usage of an interspace brush or dental floss. Moreover, less than 10% of oral health professionals taught oral health care in lectures or practical oral health care.This study revealed problems associated with oral assessment and health care education in Japanese nursing schools. To address these, support from oral health care professionals is required. Further studies are also required to reveal problems in oral assessment and health care education in other nursing schools that do not offer a bachelor's degree programme in Japan and other countries.

BackgroundOral healthcare education for health professional students is important to promote collaborative oral healthcare practice among health professionals. The purpose of this follow-up, cross-sectional study was to investigate attitudes, awareness, and perceptions regarding oral healthcare among dental and nursing students and to compare them both between baseline and the completion of the education programme and between dental and nursing students to identify problems with oral healthcare programmes in dental education.MethodThe subjects included 88 dental and 119 nursing students. The dental students participated in geriatric and preventive dentistry courses for oral healthcare education. The nursing students participated in independent oral healthcare courses comprising 45 h of training with case-based learning and were taught and instructed by multiple health professionals, including dentists. Questionnaires were distributed to the participants to compare attitudes, awareness, and perceptions regarding oral healthcare between baseline and the completion of the education programme and between dental and nursing students. A chi-square test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare the data.Result and ConclusionThe data of 48 (28 male and 20 female) dental students and 103 (9 male and 94 female) nursing students who completed the questionnaires both at baseline and after the education programme were used for the comparisons. After the education programme, more than 90% of the students were interested in oral healthcare practice; hoped to practise oral healthcare post-qualification; and perceived oral healthcare to be effective for preventing dental caries, periodontal diseases, and aspiration pneumonia. These attitudes and perceptions were statistically significantly improved after the education. However, the level of awareness of oral healthcare and the level of perception of the importance of collaboration with healthcare workers in oral healthcare practice after education were lower in the dental students than in the nursing students. Multi-professional oral healthcare education with case-based learning has the potential to improve awareness of oral healthcare and perceptions of the importance of collaborative oral healthcare practice.

Additional file 1. STROBE Statement—Checklist of items that should be included in reports of cross-sectional studies.

Objective This study investigates the effects of a study course in oral health care on the perceptions of nursing students. The course was designed and evaluated by a multi-professional team at a Japanese nursing school. Method The subjects were 119 nursing students. They participated in the oral health course that comprised 45h of training in 4 years. These were designed and taught by oral health professionals, a certified speech-hearing therapist, and nurses. Questionnaires were distributed to subjects to compare their perceptions and awareness about oral health care before, in between, and after the courses. A chi-square test was used to compare the data. Results After completing the courses, more than 95% of the participants were interested in the oral health care practice and expected to collaborate with oral health professionals after getting qualified. Additionally, they understood the effectiveness of oral health care for the prevention of aspiration pneumonia and perceived that oral health care should be provided to hospitalized patients and community-dwelling older adults. Their awareness of the need to learn techniques for tooth brushing support, salivary gland massage, oral management, swallowing training, removing tongue coating, and gargling, both in theory and practice, was significantly improved. Conclusion Multi-professional education has the potential to improve the awareness of nursing students of oral health care and promote collaborative oral health care in the future.

Aim To investigate nursing faculty members' perceptions of oral care and to identify the effects of an educational environment on their perceptions. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire regarding oral care was conducted at eight nursing schools in Japan. A total of 156 (71.6%) faculty members participated in this study. Their perceptions of oral care practice were compared by using a statistical analysis according to the length of work experience, teaching field, school, and facility setting (defined as whether the school had an affiliated hospital with a dental department). Results Almost all of the faculty members were nurses and most were female. Almost all perceived that oral care was effective in the prevention of aspiration pneumonia and frailty. There were significant differences by teaching field in the nurses' perceptions regarding with whom they should collaborate to conduct oral care and there were significant differences by school in the nurses' perceptions regarding who should provide oral care, where it should be provided, and what kinds of knowledge are important for practice. Perceptions of low involvement in oral care were significantly associated with the schools having an affiliated university hospital with a dental department. Conclusion There were different perceptions regarding oral care among nursing faculty members and their perceptions might have been affected by their educational environment. Therefore, it is suggested that oral care education should be standardized and nursing faculty members should standardize the curriculum regarding oral care for nursing students.

Background prenatal screening for fetal abnormality is being offered routinely in many countries. The need for informed consent demands that the nature of screening is understood by prospective parents, but the opportunities for providing information early in pregnancy before decision-making may be limited. Objective to assess the knowledge about, and attitudes to, prenatal screening in adults of reproductive age in two countries. Design two groups of adults were surveyed using a specifically designed tool to assess knowledge about fetal abnormalities and potential screening tests, attitudes to screening and termination of pregnancy, and information required by parents before making decisions. Setting and participants 90 participants were surveyed in Japan, 72% of whom were pregnant or had a partner who was pregnant; 93 participants were surveyed in the UK, none of whom were pregnant. All respondents were aged between 18 and 45 years. Measurements demographic data were collected and analysed. Frequencies were calculated for each questionnaire response. A series of t -tests and χ 2 tests were used to assess differences between the two groups. Free-text data were analysed using content analysis. Findings overall knowledge of prenatal tests and the conditions for which screening is offered was low in both groups. Significant differences exist between the perception of the conditions for which screening or testing can be offered and the types of conditions that can actually be detected prenatally. Most respondents in both countries would consider termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality. The information most frequently cited by respondents as important when deciding about testing were the chances of damage to the health of fetus, mother, or both. Key conclusions women and men of reproductive age in the groups studied are not well-prepared to make decisions about screening or testing in pregnancy. Implications for practice improvements in preconceptual education on prenatal screening and testing may be required to ensure prospective parents can make informed decisions in early pregnancy.

The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of genetic content included in Japanese language nursing textbooks. A total of 222 Japanese nursing textbooks for registered nurses, public health nurses, and nurse midwives published by five publishers in 2001 were evaluated for genetic content. The textbooks were reviewed for content in fundamental knowledge of genetics, genetic diseases, genetic counseling, and nursing care for patients with genetic problems. Results from the review indicated that although information about genetics was found in more than half of the textbooks, descriptions of the roles of nurses in genetic counseling and nursing interventions related mostly to single gene disorders.These findings suggest that not all Japanese nursing textbooks contain genetic content and that they do not include the latest knowledge concerning common diseases and genetic nursing interventions. Although the study did not review other educational methods, based on these findings, nursing educators in Japan should introduce textbooks with genetic information that will prepare registered nurses, public health nurses, and nurse midwives to remain current in genetic concepts and to apply these concepts to their nursing roles through genetic counseling and patient care.

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the amount and type of genetic content in basic nursing education programs in Japan baccalaureate degree (BSN) and associate degree (ADN), and to describe the qualifications of faculty members teaching the genetics content. A questionnaire was used to examine these. The sample was derived from 66 basic nursing preparatory programs. Faculty members from 34 out of 75 (44.7%) of the BSN programs and 32 out of 52 (61.5%) of the ADN programs returned completed surveys, providing a total response rate of 52%. As a result of the analysis of the survey data, the researchers recommend increasing the amount of genetic content, related to nursing practice, in the curriculum of Japanese baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs. In addition, the researchers recommend increasing the number of nursing faculty specialising in genetics. Japanese nursing education must incorporate genetic knowledge into the curricula to produce professionals who are prepared to practise in the current and future genetic health care arena.

We studied on the infection of domestic cat and dog fleas with Bartonella henselae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 62 fleas (36 Ctenocephalidis felis from cats, 24 C. felis from dogs and 2 Ctenocephalidis canis from dogs), stored in 70% ethanol, were analyzed by PCR for B. henselae specific DNA. Of the 62 fleas, C. felis from cats and dogs were positive for B. henselae specific DNA in 12 of the 36 (33.3%) and in 5 of the 24 (20.8%), respectively, and C. canis from dogs was positive in 2 of the 2 (100%). Our results demonstrated that pet fleas were infected with B. henselae, and suggest that flea transmission of B. henselae between cats or dogs may occur, and direct transmission of B. henselae from pet fleas to human may cause cat scratch disease.

Two patients were reported as having been infected with Bartonella henselae after having contact with a dog. Both of the patients owned a dog, but had no contact with cats. One patient was a 10-year-old boy who had experienced a fever of 38-39 degrees C for 11 days, as well as having bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. The boy's serum IgM antibodies to B. henselae were negative on the 6th and 16th day of his illness, whereas his IgG value, using indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) method, was found to be elevated from 1:256 to 1:1,024. B. henselae DNA was detected, by PCR method, in swabs from the gingiva and buccal membrane of the dog with which the boy had been in contact. The boy was first treated with cefdinir (300 mg daily) for 6 days without beneficial effect. He responded, however, to minocycline (100 mg daily) with symptom resolution in four days. The other patient was a 64-year-old man who had experienced a fever of 38-39 degrees C for 27 days, as well as having right inguinal lymphadenopathy. The man's serum IgM antibody to B. henselae was negative, although his IgG value, determined by IFA, was 1:1,024. In addition, B. henselae DNA was detected, by PCR method, in parafin-embedded tissue obtained from the biopsied inguinal lymph nodes. The man was treated with cefazolin (2 g daily). His fever resolved, but his lymph nodes remained swollen. After a regimen of erythromycin (1,200 mg daily), the swelling in his inguinal lymphnodes gradually disappeared. Careful review of suspected CSD victims' history of contact with animals is important in making a prompt diagnosis of B. henselae infection.

We evaluated the usefulness of a serological diagnostic kit (Bartonella IFA IgG, IgM; MRL Diagnostics) for Bartonella henselae infection. Of the 110 healthy individuals, 107 (97.3%) were with titers being less than 1:64 for IgG antibody to B. henselae, 2 were with titers being 1:64 and 1 with 1:128, IgM antibody to B. henselae was negative in all individuals. Serological diagnosis of cat scratch disease (CSD) using indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) methods (in-house and diagnostic kit) was made in either elevated titers of IgM (> or = 1:20) or IgG (> or = 1:256) antibodies, or a four-fold rise in IgG titer between acute and convalescent sera. Of the 18 individuals with serological diagnosis of CSD by in-house IFA method in 26 CSD clinical diagnosed patients, 15 (83%) were compatible with the results of the diagnostic kit, whereas 3 (17%) were not compatible. Of the 8 without serological diagnosis, 1 (13%) was serologically diagnosed as CSD, and the others were negative. Overall, the serological diagnosis was made in 16 of 26 (62%). The specificity and sensitivity of this kit were 100% and 62%, respectively. The cross-reaction between B. henselae and Bartonella quintana was observed in sera from controls and patients. Our results show that the diagnostic kit as well as in-house method is an useful tool for the serological diagnosis of cat scratch disease.

Three girls with systemic cat scratch disease, aged 10, 13 and 9 years, were reported. They presented a prolonged fever and back pain in the early stage of the disease, and had no regional lymphadenopathy. Two of them had hepatosplenic granulomas, one with multiple 5 mm hypoechoic lesions in the liver and spleen, and the other with a single 2.5 cm hypodense lesion in the left hepatic lobe. The latter patient underwent a partial left hepatic lobectomy. All patients had elevated titers of antibodies to Bartonella henselae. Polymerase chain reaction detected B. henselae DNA in tissue specimens of the patient who underwent a hepatic lobectomy. Cat scratch disease should be recognized as a cause of fever of unknown origin because the prevalence of B henselae infection might be higher in Japan.

To clarify the clinical manifestations of cat scratch disease (CSD), we evaluated a total of 130 seropositive patients with CSD. The patients' ages ranged from 1 to 68 years; 103 (79.2%) were under 18 years of age. CSD occurred predominantly in the fall and winter months. Regional lymphadenopathy was noted in 110 (84.6%) of the cases, and the most common sites were the neck (33%), axillary (27%), and inguinal (18%) regions. One hundred of the patients (77%) had general symptoms, such as fever, headache, and malaise. The clinical manifestations of CSD showed a wide spectrum from typical or classical CSD, with regional lymphadenopathy, to atypical or systemic CSD. Of the 130 cases, 103 (79.2%) were typical CSD and 27 (20.8%) were atypical CSD. Atypical cases of CSD were commonly reported as fever of unknown origin (37.0%), neuroretinitis (22.2%), encephalopathy (14.8%), hepatosplenic granuloma (11.1%), and Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome (7.4%). Fever of unknown origin or prolonged fever lasting more than 14 days was evident in 27 (20.8%) of the 130 cases in this study. Eleven of the 27 cases lacked lymphadenopathy. Our findings suggest that CSD is not a rare disease in Japan. The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test to detect Bartonella species may provide a prompt diagnosis of CSD and facilitate appropriate therapy.

We studied the serological cross-reactions among Bartonella henselae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Coxiella burnetii by indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) method, using sera from 8 patients with cat scratch disease (CSD), 13 patients with C. pneumoniae infection and 12 patients with acute Q fever. B. henselae IgG antibody was negative in 13 patients with C. pneumoniae infection, and was positive in 3 (titers being 1:64) of 12 patients with Q fever, whereas B. henselae IgM antibody was negative in all the patients with C. pneumoniae infection or Q fever. C. burnetii IgG antibody was removed by absorption of these 3 sera with C. burnetii antigens, whereas B. henselae IgG antibody did not change. C. pneumoniae IgG antibody was positive in 3 (titers being 1:125 in two, 1:32 in one) of 8 patients with CSD. Both C. pneumoniae and B. henselae IgG antibody titers were significantly reduced by absorption of these 3 sera with B. henselae antigens. C. burnetii IgG or IgM antibodies were negative in all patients with CSD. In conclusion, no serological cross-reaction between B. henselae and C. burnetii was observed. On the other hand. B. henselae IgG antibody cross-reacted to C. pneumoniae antigens, whereas C. pneumoniae IgG antibody did not cross-react to B. henselae antigens. Our findings suggest that determination of B. henselae IgG or IgM antibodies were not influenced by C. pneumoniae and C. burnetii antigens.

Fourteen of 41 patients (34%) with a serological diagnosis of Bartonella henselae infection were found to have prolonged fever or fever of unknown origin, suggesting that generalized systemic B. henselae infection is not rare in immunocompetent healthy individuals.

A 10-year-old boy was seen at hospital because he had been feverish for 2 days (38°C–39°C) and had bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. He also had a sore throat. His family had owned a puppy for 2 months, but he had not been bitten by the puppy or by a cat. Bilateral hen-egg-sized cervical lymphnodes were palpable. Haemoglobin was 13·2 g/dL; haematocrit 39·8%; red blood cell count 4·68 10/ L; platelet count 2·1 10/ L; leucocyte count 6·9 10/L; erythrocyte sedimentation rate 48 mm/h; lactic dehydrogenase 445 IU; and C-reactive protein 2·1 mg/dL. Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus were less than 1:40. Fever and lymphnode swelling persisted despite cefdinir. On the sixth day of his illness, antibiotic was changed to minocycline, 100 mg daily. On the eighth day, IgM antibody to Bartonella henselae was negative, whereas IgG was 1:256 by indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA). He gradually improved; fever fell on the tenth day, and lymphnode swellings disappeared on the 17th. On the 18th day, IgM antibody to B henselae was negative and IgG was 1:1024. Swabs from the gingiva and buccal membrane of the puppy were obtained, and DNA was extracted. The PCR with primers CAT1 and CAT2 and nested primers, designated as CAT1' and CAT2' (CAT1'; 5'AATGATGTCCGTGATCTAGC-3' CAT2'; 5'CATCAGAAGGAGCAACAATC-3') was positive for Bartonella DNA. These facts suggest that B henselae infection in the boy was caused by contact with the puppy. We studied the prevalence of B henselae in 52 dogs by IFA for antibodies to B henselae. Of these, four were seropositive for B henselae, with titres being 1:64 in three, and 1:128 in one. PCR with primers CAT1 and CAT2 and CAT1' and CAT2' from peripheral blood, oral swabs, and nail clipping from dogs were positive in three of 52, and five of nine, and five of nine. Dogs have been implicated as reservoirs of B henselae; but raised antibody titres to B henselae in dogs has been reported only once. Of 31 dogs in Oahu Island, Hawaii, two had a raised IFA titre of 1:64, and 1:128 with negative blood cultures. The name cat-scratch disease leads to misunderstanding that only cats carry B henselae. Our findings suggest that domestic dogs as well as cats can serve as a reservoir of B henselae, the owner of such a dog might be at risk of B henselae infections.