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Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
Timely publication of journal: Publication of manuscripts and bringing out the issue in time is one of the positive aspects of JCDR and is possible with strong support team in terms of peer reviewers, proof reading, language check, computer operators, etc. This is one of the great reasons for authors to submit their work with JCDR. Another best part of JCDR is "Online first Publications" facilities available for the authors. This facility not only provides the prompt publications of the manuscripts but at the same time also early availability of the manuscripts for the readers.
Indexation and online availability: Indexation transforms the journal in some sense from its local ownership to the worldwide professional community and to the public.JCDR is indexed with Embase & EMbiology, Google Scholar, Index Copernicus, Chemical Abstracts Service, Journal seek Database, Indian Science Abstracts, to name few of them. Manuscriptspublished in JCDR are available on major search engines ie; google, yahoo, msn.
In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
It is well said that "happy beginning is half done" and it fits perfectly with JCDR. It has grown considerably and I feel it has already grown up from its infancy to adolescence, achieving the status of standard online e-journal form Indian continent since its inception in Feb 2007. This had been made possible due to the efforts and the hard work put in it. The way the JCDR is improving with every new volume, with good quality original manuscripts, makes it a quality journal for readers. I must thank and congratulate Dr Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief JCDR and his team for their sincere efforts, dedication, and determination for making JCDR a fast growing journal.
Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."
Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011
Dr. Shankar P.R.
"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."
Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011 Anuradha
Dear team JCDR, I would like to thank you for the very professional and polite service provided by everyone at JCDR. While i have been in the field of writing and editing for sometime, this has been my first attempt in publishing a scientific paper.Thank you for hand-holding me through the process.
Dr. Anuradha
E-mail: anuradha2nittur@gmail.com
On Jan 2020
Research Protocol
Full Version
Impact of a Structured Educational Programme on the Knowledge of Antibiotic Usage and Resistance among Undergraduate Non Medical Students: A Research Protocol
Correspondence Address :
Lalhmachhuani Hmar,
Final Year MSc Nursing Student, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing (Oncology), Smt. Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha-442001, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: teihmar49@gmail.com
Introduction: One of the most widely used medications to treat infections in a variety of medical specialities is an antibiotic. While their names are well known and they are widely used, there is insufficient education in the community, especially in developing countries, regarding the appropriate administration of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and its effects. As the demand for antibiotics increases day by day, the need for awareness and education becomes increasingly crucial.
Need of the study: Global health is seriously threatened by bacteria resistant to the drugs used to treat them. We call this resistance to antibiotics. This can lead to infections that are difficult or impossible to treat, as well as an increased risk of death and morbidity. Research on antibiotic resistance and public and healthcare provider awareness of these issues is essential to prevent Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and guarantee that antibiotics are used appropriately.
Aim: To assess the efficacy of a structured educational intervention in raising undergraduate non medical students’ knowledge of antibiotics and their resistance.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study will be conducted at the Indian state of Maharashtra’s Indraprastha New Arts Commerce and Science College, Wardha from August 2024 through December 2024. A quantitative method will be used to assess how well the structured teaching programme has affected students’ knowledge of antibiotics and their resistance. A total of 65 students will participate and a structured questionnaire will be used for data collection. The tools will consist of- Section I: Demographic data like age, gender, types of family, resident and socioeconomic status. Section II: Structured knowledge questionnaire on the knowledge of antibiotics and their resistance. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be used to classify and analyse the participant data to meet the study’s objectives. Frequency, mean, standard deviation, mean percentage, and structured questionnaires will be used to explain demographic variables. A paired t-test will be applied to ascertain the significance of the variation in the knowledge score between the pre and post-test. The Chi-square test will be applied to determine the association between the knowledge level and demographic variables.
Antimicrobial resistance, Awareness, Bacteria, Drugs, Morbidity
The main source of antibiotic resistance is the transmission of genes and bacteria between humans, animals, and the environment, which poses a major threat to world health. Many barriers limit the movement of genes and bacteria, but pathogens are always acquiring new resistance factors from other species, which complicates the management and avoidance of bacterial infections (1). The ability to treat life-threatening infections is threatened by antibiotic resistance. It will be necessary to find strategies to preserve the efficacy of existing antibiotics if it is acknowledged that it will take several years if not decades, for the development of novel antibiotics to address the current antibiotic resistance issue (2). Still, infections remain the leading cause of death in developing countries. The causes of this include the emergence of new diseases, the return of diseases that were previously under control and most importantly the development of antibiotic resistance. In both community and hospital settings, AMR is acknowledged as a significant issue in the management of microbial infections, and it appears to accompany nearly every new medication (3).
It is imperative to address AMR as a major global threat to stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have highlighted several clinician-driven strategies for antibiotic stewardship, such as reporting and accurate documentation of antimicrobial usage and resistance (4).
The AMR is a serious threat to the world to stop the spread of pathogens resistant to antibiotics. Although more effort has been put into creating new antimicrobial agents, the number of new antibiotics produced has decreased as a result of manufacturers’ limited profit margins, which prevent them from investing in the development of novel antimicrobials for clinical use. To combat this, improvements must be made to the healthcare reimbursement systems as well as the process for discovering antimicrobial drugs (5). There is evidence that human-caused pollution broadens the range of bacterial pathogens that are present in the environment (6). Antibiotics are among the most effective drugs used to treat humans. However, because they may endanger microbial populations, they must also be considered important pollutants. In addition to being used for medical purposes, antibiotics are extensively employed in agriculture and animal husbandry. Antibiotics and genes linked to antibiotic resistance that are present in farm and human waste residues have the potential to contaminate natural environments. The most obvious result of antibiotic release in natural environments is the selection of resistant bacteria (7).
Therefore, this study aims to assess the efficacy of a structured educational intervention in raising undergraduate non medical students’ knowledge of antibiotics and their resistance.
Primary objectives: To assess the knowledge of undergraduate non medical students’ pre and post-educational intervention on antibiotic and their resistance.
Secondary objectives: To find the association of knowledge level with demographic variables.
Review Of Literature
Education constitutes a fundamental component of comprehensive strategies aimed at enhancing antibiotic utilisation within hospitals. Its effectiveness is significantly augmented when coupled with interventions and measurable outcome assessments. Case-based education is particularly effective; thus, prospective audits accompanied by feedback and preauthorisation requirements are sound methods for imparting knowledge regarding antibiotic use. Patients must be adequately informed about the antibiotics they are prescribed, including the justification for their use. Furthermore, patients should receive education concerning potential adverse effects and the signs and symptoms they must report to healthcare providers. Patients should also be alerted to side effects that may manifest after discharge or upon completion of their antibiotic regimen. Engaging patients in the development and evaluation of educational materials can enhance the efficacy of these resources (4).
A study conducted by Wun YT et al., in Hong Kong concluded that the general public possesses insufficient knowledge regarding the factors that contribute to antibiotic resistance and the ways to mitigate it. Health education initiatives and future campaigns should aim to equip individuals with the requisite tools to effectively combat antibiotic resistance (8). In a similar vein, a survey conducted by Tangcharoensathien V et al., identified that certain practices regarding antibiotic use are both inappropriate and inadequate (9). For instance, using antibiotics to treat flu symptoms and obtaining accurate information about antibiotic use and AMR remains prevalent issues. The findings from this study underscore the urgent need to enhance healthcare providers’ capacity to prescribe and administer antibiotics appropriately while also improving communication strategies with patients. Targeted information regarding antibiotic use and AMR must be disseminated to specific groups by governmental health authorities (9).
A cross-sectional study by Shrestha R focusing on 228 undergraduate medical students at a tertiary care hospital revealed that while 50% of students exhibited a favourable attitude towards antibiotic use, only 17.1% demonstrated a high level of knowledge and appropriate practices (10). Nearly all students (98.2%) acknowledged that antibiotics are effective for bacterial infections; however, 22.8% erroneously believed that antibiotics are universally safe for common use. These results indicate that a majority of students possess moderate knowledge and practices, thus indicating a critical need for enhanced education on antibiotic use and resistance (10).
According to a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Gualano MR et al., 24 out of 26 selected papers were incorporated into the review. The analysis illuminated significant deficiencies in antibiotic-related knowledge among participants. Specifically, 53.9% of participants were not aware that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, and 33.7% were unaware of their efficacy in treating bacterial infections. Although 59.4% recognised the seriousness of antibiotic resistance, 26.9% did not comprehend that misuse of antibiotics could contribute to this problem. Moreover, 47.1% of individuals reported discontinuing their antibiotic treatment as soon as they began to feel better (11).
A quasi-experimental study will be conducted at the Indraprastha New Arts Commerce and Science College, Wardha, Maharashtra from August 2024 to December 2024. Participants and students will be chosen per the inclusion criteria, and each student’s consent will be obtained before conducting the study. The Institutional Ethical Clearance (IEC) has been obtained [Ref. DHIMER(DU)/IEC/2024/205].
Inclusion criteria:
• Young adults who are willing to participate;
• Young adults who are in a specified age range 18 to 25 years;
• Young adults who are available during data collection;
• Young adults with English reading, writing, and comprehension skills;
• Young adults other than medical professionals.
Exclusion criteria:
• Young adults who attended a similar programme before six months;
• Young adults who do not understand English;
• Who are not college students.
Sample size calculation: By using the Cochran formula for the sample size estimation:
n=Z2 P (1-p)/d2
• When the population exceeds 10,000
Where,
• Z: a statistic representing a degree of confidence (Z=1.96 for the conventional 95% level of confidence).
• P stands for proportion or predicted prevalence.
• d: precision (a d of 0.05 is thought to yield good precision and a smaller estimate error).
Z=1.96
P=The percentage of participants who knew extremely well
=20.3%
=0.203 (12)
d=10% of the desired margin, or 0.10,
and
n=(1.962)2×0.203×(1-0.203)/0.10×0.10=62.15
=65 participants needed in the study.
The study’s data collection method will be through aquestionnaire. The questionnaire will be prepared by an MSc Nursing Final year student specialising in Medical-Surgical Nursing [Annexure-1]. The questionnaire is self-structured, but it incorporates modifications and ideas from the questionnaires used by Yashin AN et al., and Effah CY et al., (13),(14). The Content Validity Index (CVI) value for the questionnaire is 0.81 and the reliability, Cronbach’s alpha value is 0.79.
The tool consists of- Section I: Demographical data like age, gender, types of family, resident and socioeconomic status according to the BG Prasad classification (15). Section II: Structured knowledge questionnaire on the knowledge of antibiotics and their resistance. A pretest structured knowledge questionnaire will be administered, which will assess their knowledge regarding antibiotics and their resistance. Following this, a structured teaching session on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance will be provided.
The planned teaching programme is designed as a one-day intervention lasting for two hours. Instructional activities will include a combination of lectures and discussions. The programme will be delivered by a final year MSc Nursing student from the Medical-Surgical Nursing (Oncology) department. For the post intervention analysis, the same structured knowledge questionnaire will be utilised. This post-analysis phase will take place over one week.
Outcomes: Pre and post intervention knowledge assessment will be done via a self-structured questionnaire.
Scoring guide for the questionnaire used:
Correct answer: 1 point
Incorrect answer: 0 point
Total scoring:
• Maximum score: 1 point for each correct response.
Total possible points: 13 points (sum of all correct answers). In Section II, there are 10 questions; however, question 5 includes four sub-questions.
The association of the knowledge with demographic variables will be assessed.
Statistical Analysis
R software will be used to meet the study’s objectives, and the data gathered from the participants will be categorised and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. After being coded, the gathered data will be created into a Microsoft Excel sheet for statistical analysis. Demographic variables are explained using frequency, mean, standard deviation, and mean percentage. A paired t-test will be used to ascertain the significance of the variation in the knowledge score between the pre and post-test. The Chi-square test will be used to determine the association between knowledge level and demographic variables.
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2025/73646.20724
Date of Submission: Jun 18, 2024
Date of Peer Review: Aug 03, 2024
Date of Acceptance: Dec 02, 2024
Date of Publishing: Mar 01, 2025
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? Yes
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? Yes
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. Yes
PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Jun 19, 2024
• Manual Googling: Nov 26, 2024
• iThenticate Software: Nov 28, 2024 (6%)
ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
EMENDATIONS: 8
- Emerging Sources Citation Index (Web of Science, thomsonreuters)
- Index Copernicus ICV 2017: 134.54
- Academic Search Complete Database
- Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
- Embase
- EBSCOhost
- Google Scholar
- HINARI Access to Research in Health Programme
- Indian Science Abstracts (ISA)
- Journal seek Database
- Popline (reproductive health literature)
- www.omnimedicalsearch.com