BACKGROUND: Politicization and misinformation or disinformation of unproven COVID-19 therapies have resulted in communication challenges in presenting science to the public, especially in times of heightened public trepidation and uncertainty.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine how scientific evidence and uncertainty were portrayed in US news on 3 unproven COVID-19 therapeutics, prior to the development of proven therapeutics and vaccines.
METHODS: We conducted a media analysis of unproven COVID-19 therapeutics in early 2020. A total of 479 discussions of unproven COVID-19 therapeutics (hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, and convalescent plasma) in traditional and online US news reports from January 1, 2020, to July 30, 2020, were systematically analyzed for theme, scientific evidence, evidence details and limitations, safety, efficacy, and sources of authority.
RESULTS: The majority of discussions included scientific evidence (n=322, 67%) although only 24% (n=116) of them mentioned publications. \"Government\" was the most frequently named source of authority for safety and efficacy claims on remdesivir (n=43, 35%) while \"expert\" claims were mostly mentioned for convalescent plasma (n=22, 38%). Most claims on hydroxychloroquine (n=236, 79%) were offered by a \"prominent person,\" of which 97% (n=230) were from former US President Trump. Despite the inclusion of scientific evidence, many claims of the safety and efficacy were made by nonexperts. Few news reports expressed scientific uncertainty in discussions of unproven COVID-19 therapeutics as limitations of evidence were infrequently included in the body of news reports (n=125, 26%) and rarely found in headlines (n=2, 2%) or lead paragraphs (n=9, 9%; P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight that while scientific evidence is discussed relatively frequently in news reports, scientific uncertainty is infrequently reported and rarely found in prominent headlines and lead paragraphs.

BACKGROUND: There is growing scientific and policy recognition that optimising health before a potential pregnancy (preconception health) improves reproductive outcomes and the lifelong health of future children. However, public awareness on this topic is low. We conducted a public consultation to develop language recommendations and identify and prioritise approaches to inform research and improve public awareness of preconception health.
METHODS: A public consultation was undertaken with people of any gender aged 18-50 years living in the United Kingdom who were not currently expecting a child. Public contributors were recruited through patient and public involvement, community and support groups, an existing cohort study, and an LGBTQ+ charity. An initial round of online group discussions (February/March 2021) explored public contributors\' knowledge of preconception health, their recommendations for appropriate language, and ideas about public health approaches. In a subsequent discussion round (May 2021), language recommendations were refined and suggested approaches prioritised. Discussions were summarised based on notes taken by two researchers.
RESULTS: Fifty-four people joined the initial discussion round (66% women, 21% men, 13% nonbinary or transgender; 55% aged 18-30 years, 30% 31-40 years, 15% 41-50 years). Of these, 36 people (67%) participated in the subsequent round. Very few had heard the term \'preconception health\', understood what it means, or why and for whom it is important. They recommended avoiding unfamiliar terms without further explanation (e.g., preconception health, medical terms), using language that is positive, encouraging and gender-sensitive where possible, and using messages that are specific, nonjudgmental and realistic. The phrases \'health and well-being during the childbearing years\', \'health and well-being before pregnancy and parenthood\' and \'planning for parenthood\' resonated with most public contributors. School-based education, social media campaigns and the National Health Service emerged as priority approaches/settings for raising awareness.
CONCLUSIONS: This public consultation produced recommendations from a diverse group of people of reproductive age in the United Kingdom to improve language and prioritise approaches that increase public understanding of preconception health in ways that are relevant and appropriate to them. This should begin in schools and will require adaptation of curricula, alongside co-development of public awareness campaigns and guidance for healthcare professionals.
UNASSIGNED: This public consultation included a diverse group of members of the public. They were not involved in the original design of the project, but following the initial round of online group discussions, they contributed to the interpretation and refinement of the emerging concepts in a subsequent round of group meetings. After the consultation activity, public contributors formed a Public Advisory Group and have subsequently been involved in other studies on the same topic. Two public contributors (E.R. and F.F.) provided critical input in the preparation and revision of this manuscript and are co-authors of the paper.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), offering a superior quality of life and extended survival compared to other renal replacement therapies. As the number of ESRD patients grows, so does the demand for organ transplants. The prevalence of ESRD is anticipated to escalate further due to the rising rates of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and obesity. Organ donation, particularly from living donors, remains the main source of transplants in the region, despite the notable underutilization of potential deceased donors\' organs. The objective of this research is to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to donate kidneys among the general population, a pivotal step in addressing the organ shortage crisis.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia using a previously validated questionnaire. The questionnaire collected demographic data and insights into general attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs about organ donation. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of knowledge and willingness to donate.
RESULTS: The study involved 705 participants, predominantly young adults with a high level of education. Awareness of kidney donation was high, and knowledge about donation was broad, especially regarding religious permissibility and awareness of the donor registry. However, only 25% expressed willingness to donate their kidneys, and a 4% were already registered as donors. Furthermore, higher educational level was not associated with higher odds of knowledge or willingness to donate.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the considerable awareness, actual donor registration rates were low, highlighting the necessity for targeted educational interventions and a deeper understanding of the cultural and socioeconomic barriers that exist.

UNASSIGNED: This survey-based study explored public awareness of the speech-language pathology profession in Aotearoa New Zealand. The study also aimed to understand participants\' knowledge and experiences of individuals with speech, language, and communication impairments.
UNASSIGNED: An online survey was designed and distributed via the Qualtrics survey platform. The survey included three sections, which focused on participant demographics, awareness about speech-language pathology, and knowledge and experiences of communication impairments.
UNASSIGNED: The responses from 800 fully completed surveys were analysed. A majority of participants indicated that they had never heard or read anything about speech-language pathology and had never met a speech-language pathologist. The participants\' responses reflected low or moderate levels of understanding about the roles of speech-language pathologists and their scope of practice.
UNASSIGNED: Findings indicated low levels of awareness among the general public about speech-language pathology and individuals with communication impairments. These findings were consistent with similar international research conducted over the past 4 decades. Further research is needed to support the development of initiatives designed to increase awareness of the speech-language pathology profession and the needs of individuals with communication impairments.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer remains a pervasive threat to women worldwide, with increasing incidence rates necessitating effective screening strategies. Timely detection with mammography has emerged as the primary tool for mass screening. This retrospective study, which is part of the Chiraiya Project, aimed to evaluate breast lesion patients identified during opportunistic mammography screening camps in Jammu Province, India.
METHODS: A total of 1505 women aged 40 years and older were screened using a mobile mammographic unit over a five-year period, excluding 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion criterion was women in the specified age group, while the exclusion criterion was women with open breast wounds, history of breast cancer or a history of breast surgery. The screening process involved comprehensive data collection using a detailed Proforma, followed by mammographic assessments conducted within strategically stationed mobile units. Radiological interpretations utilizing the BI-RADS system were performed, accompanied by meticulous documentation of patient demographics, habits, literacy, medical history, and breastfeeding practices. Participants were recruited through collaborations with NGOs, army camps, village panchayats, and urban cooperatives. Screening camps were scheduled periodically, with each camp accommodating 90 patients or fewer.
RESULTS: Among the 1505 patients, most were aged 45-50 years. The number of screenings increased yearly, peaking at 441 in 2022. The BI-RADS II was the most common finding (48.77%), indicating the presence of benign lesions, while the BI-RADS 0 (32.96%) required further evaluation. Higher-risk categories (BI-RADS III, IV, V) were less common, with BI-RADS V being the rarest. Follow-up adherence was highest in the BI-RADS III, IV, and V categories, with BI-RADS V achieving 100% follow-up. However, only 320 of 496 BI-RADS 0 patients were followed up, indicating a gap in continuity of care. The overall follow-up rate was 66.89%. Compared to urban areas, rural areas demonstrated greater screening uptake but lower follow-up rates, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to improve follow-up care access, especially in rural contexts.
CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the efficacy of a mobile mammographic unit in reaching marginalized populations. Adherence to screening protocols has emerged as a linchpin for early detection, improved prognosis, and holistic public health enhancement. Addressing misconceptions surrounding mammographic screenings, especially in rural settings, is crucial. These findings call for intensified efforts in advocacy and education to promote the benefits of breast cancer screening initiatives. Future interventions should prioritize improving access to follow-up care and addressing screening to enhance breast cancer management in Jammu Province.

UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to assess the awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors among adults in Poland and to identify factors associated with public awareness of risk factors for genitourinary cancers.
UNASSIGNED: This cross-sectional survey was carried out between 1 and 4 March 2024 in a nationwide sample of 2,165 adults in Poland. Quota sampling was used. Data were collected using computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method.
UNASSIGNED: Regardless of the type of cancer (kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer), a family history of cancer was the most recognized risk factor indicated by over half of respondents. Over one-third were aware that chemical exposure increases the risk for bladder cancer (39.4%) or prostate cancer (34.2%). Smoking was recognized as a risk factor for kidney cancer by 40.6% of respondents. Female gender, having higher education, being occupationally active and the presence of chronic diseases were the most important factors (p < 0.05) associated with a higher level of awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors.
UNASSIGNED: This study revealed gaps in public awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors among adults in Poland, especially lifestyle-related and workplace-related risk factors.

Introduction As of 2008, the United States had 41,000 people living with upper extremity amputation. This number is projected to reach 300,000 by 2050. Human upper extremity transplantation (HUET) may become a more common treatment option with the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for certain amputees. Awareness and opinions regarding HUET among Americans, particularly in Veterans/Service Members (VSM) affiliates, are largely unknown. Materials and methods We administered a survey on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers. Eligible participants were US citizens aged ≥18 years; MTurk worker selection targeted workers who self-reported being a VSM. We used descriptive statistics to summarize study findings and Fisher\'s exact and Wilcoxon\'s rank-sum tests for between-group comparisons. Results The survey was completed by 764 individuals, 604 (79.1%) of whom reported being aware of HUET. Among those familiar versus unfamiliar, a significantly higher proportion were aged ≤35 years (n=385, 64.0% vs. n=86, 53.7%; p=0.017), employed (n=523, 86.6% vs. n=114, 71.3%; p<0.001), and aware of their religion\'s stance on organ/tissue donation (n=341, 54.5% vs. n=62, 38.8%; p<0.001). Amputees and/or respondents related to an amputee were more likely to be aware of HUET than individuals who were amputation naive (n=211, 90.6% vs. n=393, 74.0%, respectively; p<0.001), as were individuals with a personal or familial military affiliation (n=286, 85.4% with vs. n=318, 74.1% with no affiliation; p<0.001). The most reported HUET information sources were digital media (n=157, 31.2%) and internet (n=137, 27.2%). Conclusions Our survey of MTurk workers found greater awareness of HUET among individuals with a VSM or amputee connection. Our additional findings that the internet and academic sources, such as journals or reputable medical publications, were respondents\' preferred sources of HUET information emphasize the importance of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) centers\' involvement in creating accurate and accessible content to help educate the public about this treatment.

Despite the application of food irradiation for enhancing food safety, many consumers lack an understanding of its fundamental principles, often misinterpreting the information and exhibiting negative perceptions toward foods treated with ionizing radiation. This study focuses on evaluating public awareness regarding the consumption of irradiated food within Saudi Arabia, utilizing the Awareness Scale on Consumption of Irradiated Foods (ASCIF), a developed and validated tool. The ASCIF encompasses four constructs: concepts, awareness, labeling, and safety concerning irradiated foods. The average scores for each subscale and the aggregate ASCIF score were determined, with the analysis incorporating both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study\'s sample of 712 individuals predominantly consisted of females (53.37%), individuals aged 18-30 years (55.62%), those holding a bachelor\'s degree or higher (70.79%), participants earning less than SAR 5000 (42.70%), students (37.08%), and singles (66.85%). The overall mean scores for each category were as follows: safety (2.87 ± 0.92), concept (3.18 ± 0.79), label (3.44 ± 1.15), and awareness (2.68 ± 1.03). The overall mean score for the ASCIF was 3.02 ± 0.81, a diverse spectrum of awareness, with the majority of participants (62.92%) exhibiting intermediate awareness, while 17.98% displayed poor awareness, and 19.10% demonstrated high awareness. Logistic regression analysis identified age and educational attainment as significant predictors of awareness levels (p < 0.001). These results highlight a moderate understanding of irradiated foods among the Saudi population, with significant variations based on demographic factors. The study\'s conclusion emphasizes the necessity for tailored educational initiatives that cater to specific demographic groups to enhance understanding and awareness of irradiated food technologies in Saudi Arabia. This study thereby provides valuable insights for policymakers and health educators in designing effective communication strategies about irradiated foods.

Introduction To date, upper extremity transplantation (UET) is the most frequently performed vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). Perceptions regarding upper extremity donation among Americans, particularly in veterans and service members (VSMs), are largely unknown. Materials and methods We administered a one-time survey to United States (US)-resident Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers aged ≥18 years. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize study data; frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables analyzed by Fischer\'s exact test and using a two-tailed test assessing the statistical significance of p<0.05. Results A total of 860 respondents completed the study survey. Among these, 529 (61.5%) reported willingness to donate an upper extremity, 152 (17.7%) were undecided, and 179 (20.8%) were unwilling. A significantly higher proportion of those willing to donate were female (66.7%, p=0.009), non-Hispanic (63.9%, p=0.000), White (64.0%, p=0.004), non-religious (71.3%, p=0.001), not a VSM (62.8%, p=0.000), or non-amputees (62.9%, p=0.000). Conclusions Our survey found that being female, non-Hispanic, White, non-religious, non-VSM, or non-amputee was significantly associated with donation willingness. These findings may help guide VCA programs, organ procurement organizations, and researchers in efforts to develop targeted educational materials to broaden the public\'s knowledge and awareness of VCA donation to further benefit all patients in need of or desiring transplantation.

Introduction Delirium is a common and serious neuropsychiatric disorder, of acute onset, present at any age, but more common in older adults, and very common in clinical practice. It combines mental and behavioral symptoms with a fluctuating course, with worsening of the condition in the afternoon and at night, with important repercussions on increased mortality, greater risk of cognitive impairment, and hospitalization costs. Delirium\'s impact extends to patients, families, and healthcare systems, emphasizing the need for public awareness and education in Saudi Arabia. Methodology It is a cross-sectional conducted in Saudi Arabia that aims to assess knowledge, risk factors, and attitudes regarding delirium among all Saudi and non-Saudi residents aged 18 and older. A 36 self-administered questionnaire, standardized Nordic, was used. Data were cleaned in Microsft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, USA) and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). This study was conducted in Saudi Arabia from May 2023 till March 2024. Results Our study involved 1,470 participants from Saudi Arabia, primarily females (79.1%), Saudi nationals (89.9%), and unmarried individuals (65.4%). Most participants were aged 18-24 (59.5%) and held bachelor\'s degrees (57.3%). Commonly recognized delirium risk factors included increasing age (63.3%), dementia (58.2%), and longer ICU stays (48.7%). The participants showed moderate knowledge of delirium symptoms and consequences. Attitudes varied, with many agreeing that delirium requires intervention (30.7%) but fewer considering it preventable (17.1%). Sociodemographic factors, including gender and age, significantly influenced knowledge and attitudes, while education levels did not. Conclusion Our study found that gender and age influenced knowledge and attitudes, highlighting the importance of targeted education. Future research should further investigate the effectiveness of such interventions in enhancing knowledge and awareness and promoting preventive actions.