Search

BackgroundMany children and adolescents are surrounded by smartphones, tablets, and computers and know how to search the internet for almost any information. However, very few of them know how to select proper information from reliable sources. This can become a problem when health issues are concerned, where it is vital to identify incorrect or misleading information. The competence to critically evaluate digital information on health issues is of increasing importance for adolescents. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess how children and adolescents rate their internet-based health literacy and how their actual literacy differs from their ratings. In addition, there was a question on how their search performance is related to their self-efficacy. To evaluate these questions, a criteria-based analysis of the quality of the websites they visited was performed. Finally, the possibility to increase their internet-based health literacy in a 3-day workshop was explored. MethodsA workshop with a focus on health literacy was attended by 14 children and adolescents in an Austrian secondary school. After prior assessments (Culture Fair Intelligence Test, revised German version; Reading Speed and Reading Comprehension Test for Grades 6 to 12, German; electronic health literacy scale [eHEALS]; and General Self-Efficacy Scale, Reversed Version, German), the students were asked to perform an internet-based search on a health-related issue. Browser histories and screenshots of all internet searches were gathered, clustered, and analyzed. After the workshop, the health literacy of the students was assessed again by using the eHEALS. ResultsThe 14 students opened a total of 85 homepages, but only eight of these homepages were rated as good or fair by two experts (independent rating) based on specific criteria. The analysis showed that the students judged their own internet-based health literacy much higher than the actual value, and students who had rated themselves better did not visit websites of high quality. Internet-based health literacy correlated significantly with the self-efficacy of the students (rs=0.794, P=.002). ConclusionsOur study showed that it is possible to draw the attention of students to critical aspects of internet search and to slightly improve their search competence in a workshop. Targeted improvement of health literacy is urgently required, and students need special instruction for this purpose. Further investigations in this area with larger sets of data, which could be feasible with the help of a computer program, are urgently needed.

This case report details the unusual occurrence of a live ant invading the middle ear cavity through a pre-existing perforation in the tympanic membrane of a 42-year-old female patient. She presented to an outpatient clinic with symptoms of sudden-onset tinnitus ("ringing") and a foreign body sensation in her left ear. Otomicroscopy revealed an oval-shaped perforation in the posterior part of the left tympanic membrane, through which a dark, moving foreign object was observed in the middle ear. The object was identified as a live ant. Initial attempts to remove the insect under local anesthesia were unsuccessful, necessitating the patient's admission for surgery. Under general anesthesia, an endoscopic tympanotomy was performed, and the ant was successfully removed without complications. The patient recovered and was discharged the following day. At her follow-up appointment, she remained symptom-free. This case highlights the rare yet possible occurrence of live foreign bodies entering the middle ear through tympanic perforations and the need for timely surgical intervention to prevent complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative‐pressure‐wound‐therapy is commonly used in clinical routine for wound management. Aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility and safety of using an additional container to collect wound fluid during ongoing negative‐pressure‐wound‐therapy. In this present prospective observational study, patients with negative‐pressure‐wound‐therapy were included. An additional container was inserted in the connecting tube between the wound and the vacuum generating device. The following 3 days, the container was changed daily and replaced by a new one. Further safety outcome parameters were assessed. A questionnaire was answered by the responsible surgeon. Twenty‐two patients with negative‐pressure‐wound‐therapy with a median (IQR) age of 58.5 (53.0‐70.0) years were included in the present study. In median, the duration of negative‐pressure‐wound‐therapy was 5.0 (4.6‐5.5) days. In mean ± SD the collected volume of the wound fluid in millilitres (mL) was on day one 7 ± 4 on day two 8 ± 7 and 10 ± 11 on day three. In one patient, there was <0.1 mL of clear water in the additional container. No safety concerns due to the additional container were observed. This study demonstrates that collecting wound fluid during ongoing negative‐pressure‐wound‐therapy over a time period of 3 days is feasible and safe. No safety concerns were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]