scholarly journals Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes and Experience of off-label Drug Prescribing Practice among Physicians in Baghdad City Hospitals

Author(s):  
Aysha M. Shanshal ◽  
Ahmed H. Ataimish

Abstract The present study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and experience of off-label prescribing practice among physicians in Baghdad city hospitals. This cross-sectional study was performed through the period from November 1st 2018 to March 2019 at 17 hospitals, a self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect data from the physicians, and the targeted hospitals were randomly selected at different regions in Baghdad City area. Out of the 400 distributed questionnaires to the physicians, 383 of them were returned completed, 57.2% indicated that they were reasonably familiar with the term “off label drug”, 57.7% mentioned that the most common medical reasons for the prescribing off-label drugs were unavailability of alternatives, 67.6%, 65.5% had concerns regarding its safety and efficacy respectively, 62.7% agreed that the (MOH) authority should provide an incentive to stimulate pharmaceutical companies to perform clinical trials in Iraqi patients, 49.1% believed that clinical trials that recruit volunteers involve ethical issues. Extensive efforts are required to implant programs, regulations and guidelines to control the off-label prescribing practice among the Iraqi healthcare providers who are authorized to prescribe medications at different healthcare settings.    

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e050812
Author(s):  
Binyam Tariku Seboka ◽  
Tesfahun Melese Yilma ◽  
Abraham Yeneneh Birhanu

ObjectivesThis survey aimed to assess the awareness and readiness of healthcare providers to use telemonitoring (TM) technologies for managing diabetes patients as well as to identify associated factors in Ethiopia.DesignAn institution-based cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted by using a pretested self-administered questionnaire from February to March 2020. Data analysis used a binary logistic regression and partial proportional odds model for factor identification.ParticipantsRandomly selected 423 study physicians and nurses.SettingThis study was conducted at the University of Gondar and Tibebe Ghion specialised teaching referral hospitals.Outcome measuresAwareness and readiness towards TM in diabetes care.ResultOut of 406 healthcare providers (69.7%, n=283 nurses and 30.3%, n=123 physicians) who completed the survey, 345 (38.7%) heard about TM, when it came to readiness, 321 (25.1%) and 121 (65.5%) of respondents had average and low readiness towards TM, respectively. The result of regression analysis shows that awareness towards TM was higher among respondents who had access to a computer (adjusted OR (AOR): 2.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 7.1)), computer-related training (AOR: 4.6 (95% CI 1.63 to 12.95)) and those who had the experience of supporting patients through digital tools (AOR: 1.7 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.8)). Self-perceived innovators and those who had access to a computer, computer-related training and favourable attitude towards TM had significantly higher readiness to use TM.ConclusionThe findings of this survey revealed low awareness and readiness of participant’s towards TM. However, this study suggests the need of improving participant’s attitudes, access to smartphones and computers and technical skills to fill this gap.


Author(s):  
Hanine Abbas ◽  
Layal Yehya ◽  
Mazen Kurdi ◽  
Rita Karam

Abstract Objective Patient Support Programs (PSPs) have become a trend among pharmaceutical companies and a standard service offering to patients. The objective of the present study is to describe the status of PSPs in Lebanon and to assess the extent of knowledge and awareness among Lebanese patients about the PSPs. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and July 2017. A convenient sample of patients was randomly selected from outpatient clinics at four hospitals within the Greater Beirut Area. A questionnaire was used to address the study objective. Bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 23. Results Out of 385 patients who participated in the study, 45.45 percent were aged between 46 and 66 years. None of them indicated that they were enrolled in a PSP, and only 13 percent of the respondents were aware of the existence of such a program. In terms of adherence habits, 55.6 percent of the patients self-reported that they do not skip any dose of their medication and consume their medication as prescribed by their healthcare providers. The main reason for nonadherence reported by the majority of nonadherent participants 144 (84.2%) was simple forgetfulness. Conclusions There is a severe lack of awareness of PSPs in Lebanon. Given the important role that PSPs play in creating value for patients—in terms of healthcare follow-up practices, improved adherence habits, and cost savings—there should be a more substantial effort by pharmaceutical companies to expand and promote their PSPs in the Lebanese market.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Dr. Kenneth Ogar Inaku ◽  
Dr. Ifeyinwa Dorothy Nnakenyi ◽  
Dr. Lucius Chidebere Imohc ◽  
Dr. Akeem Oyeyemi Lawal ◽  
Dr. Emin Johnson Emine ◽  
...  

Introduction: An estimated 6.3 million Nigerians were reported to have prediabetes in 2015 placing Nigeria in the 9th position in world ranking. This number is projected to become 12.9 million by 2040. One way of reversing this trend is early identification of individuals at risk. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of health care providers toward prediabetes diagnosis and management. Methods: This was an observational-based cross-sectional study involving the use of self administered questionnaire to doctors from the departments of internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, family medicine and others. Results: In all, 358 questionnaires out of 410 were selected. All 10 risk factors for prediabetes were correctly identified by 82/358 (22.9%) participants with 300/358 (83.8%) able to identify at least 5 risk factors. Laboratory reference interval of 5.6 – 6.9 mmol/L for diagnosing prediabetes using fasting plasma glucose were correctly identified by 70/358 (19.6%) (lower value) and 14.5% (upper value) respectively. American Diabetes Association guidelines for prediabetes screening was the most familiar to 272(76.0%) respondents even though 144/358(40.2%) do not consider prediabetes as a condition that requires specific management. Over half 186/358(52%) of respondents agreed that metformin use can reduce the risk of diabetes in individuals with prediabetes but only 6/358(1.7%) have ever discussed starting metformin with their patients. Conclusion: There is need to educate medical doctors about risk factors for prediabetes and its management to curb the rising diabetes epidemic in Nigeria.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-122
Author(s):  
T.T. Muhammed Anwar ◽  
G.R. Rajalakshmi

Drugs are the prime member of any disease prevention plans and ailment treatment programmes. Pharmacists are the health professionals appointed by relevant authorities for safe and efficacious use of drugs, since they are the specially upskilled and trained personnel for controlling, organizing and distribution of medicines. Medicine alone does not provide desired treatment output. In order to achieve the optimal treatment goals pharmacist must provide enhanced drug related needs and ensure the services are of proper quality. This study aims to assess the Good Pharmacy Practice among community pharmacist, determine the frequency of ethical dilemma at community pharmacy settings and to assess the reasons why community pharmacists may compromise ethical values.It was a descriptive cross - sectional study carried out in different community pharmacies in Kozhikode district of Kerala. The study was executed in 6 months time period. The sample size was 115 community pharmacists working in Kozhikode district. Total of 120 subjects were enrolled and data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The result shows that most of the pharmacists were providing quality services to the patients and they are facing various ethical dilemma situations in their day today life. They were facing ethical dilemma situation at least once in three months. Community pharmacists compromise on ethical values and ethical issues mainly for protecting their job. The physicians request and employer’s invasion into their activities has a great role in ethical dilemma situations and thus violating the rules. Keywords: GPP, community pharmacy, ethical dilemma, pharmacy services.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Auwal Umar Gajida ◽  
Usman Muhammad Ibrahim ◽  
Rabiu Ibrahim Jalo ◽  
Musa Muhammad Bello ◽  
Amole Taiwo Gboluwaga ◽  
...  

Compliance with recommended hand hygiene among healthcare providers is important in the prevention of morbidity and mortality associated with hospitalacquired infections including drug resistant microorganisms. This study aimed to determine the reported knowledge and hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers in Specialist Hospitals in Kano, Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to study 302 healthcare workers in the specialist hospitals in Kano. Data was collected using semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels using IBM SPSS version 22. The age of the respondents ranged from 18 to 59 years with a mean of 31.4±9 years. Up to onethird (36.1%) of the respondents had poor knowledge despite the reported hand hygiene practice of 78%. Use of Alcohol Based Hand Rub and soap and water constituted 26.7% and 15.7% respectively. There was statistically significant association between working in MMSH, working in Pediatrics wards, CHEW cadre, and attendance of hand hygiene training in the last 3 years and having good knowledge of hand hygiene. Hand hygiene training was found to improve hand hygiene knowledge [AOR=1.58, 95% CI= (1.01-2.5)] and practice [AOR=1.12 95%CI= (0.64-1.99)]. Reported knowledge of hand hygiene was poor but the practices were encouraging and associated with formal training of healthcare workers on hand hygiene. Therefore, Hospital management should ensure regular hand hygiene training and re-training among healthcare workers.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252603
Author(s):  
Mohd Noor Norhayati ◽  
Ruhana Che Yusof ◽  
Mohd Yacob Azman

Background In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline healthcare providers who are engaged in the direct diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients face a high risk of infection yet receive inadequate protection from contamination and minimal support to cope with overwork, frustration, and exhaustion. These problems have created significant psychological and mental health concerns for frontline healthcare providers. This study aimed to compare the levels of vicarious traumatization between frontline and non-frontline healthcare providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology All the subjects who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this comparative cross-sectional study, which was conducted from May to July 2020 in two hospitals in Kelantan, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire, namely, the Malay-version Vicarious Traumatization Questionnaire and the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey were utilized. A descriptive analysis, independent t-test, and analysis of covariance were performed using SPSS Statistics version 26. Results A total of 160 frontline and 146 non-frontline healthcare providers were recruited. Vicarious traumatization was significantly higher among the non-frontline healthcare providers (estimated marginal mean [95% CI]: 79.7 [75.12, 84.30]) compared to the frontline healthcare providers (estimated marginal mean [95% CI]: 74.3 [68.26, 80.37]) after adjusting for sex, duration of employment, and social support. Conclusion The level of vicarious traumatization was higher among non-frontline compared to frontline healthcare providers. However, the level of severity may differ from person to person, depending on how they handle their physical, psychological, and mental health. Hence, support from various resources, such as colleagues, family, the general public, and the government, may play an essential role in the mental health of healthcare providers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Aborajooh ◽  
Mohammed Qussay Al-Sabbagh ◽  
Baraa Mafrachi ◽  
Muhammad Yassin ◽  
Rami Dwairi ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED We aimed to measure levels of knowledge, awareness, and stress about COVID-19 among health care providers (HCP) in Jordan. This was a cross-sectional study on 397 HCPs that utilized an internet-based questionnaire to evaluate knowledge about COVID-19, availability of personal protective equipment (PEE), future perception, and psychological distress. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with knowledge and psychological stress. Overall, 24.4% and 21.2% of the participants showed excellent knowledge and poor knowledge, respectively. Social media (61.7%) was the most commonly used source of information. Being female (β= 0.521, 95% CI 0.049 to 0.992), physician (β=1.421, 95% CI 0.849 to 1.992), or using literature to gain knowledge (β= 1.161, 95% CI 0.657 to 1.664) were positive predictors of higher knowledge. While having higher stress (β= -0.854, 95% CI -1.488 to -0.221) and using social media (β= -0.434, 95% CI -0.865 to -0.003) or conventional media (β= -0.884, 95% CI -1.358 to -0.409) for information were negative predictors of knowledge levels. HCPs are advised to use the literature as a source of information about the virus, its transmission, and the best practice. PPEs should be secured for HCPs to the psychological stress associated with treating COVID-19 patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-330
Author(s):  
Utako Sawada ◽  
Akihito Shimazu ◽  
Norito Kawakami ◽  
Yuki Miyamoto ◽  
Lisa Speigel ◽  
...  

Background: Good social climate and high work engagement are important factors affecting outcomes in healthcare settings. This study observed the effects of a program called Civility, Respect, and Engagement in the Workplace (CREW) on social climate and staff work engagement in a psychiatric ward of a Japanese hospital. Methods: The program comprised 18 sessions installed over six months, with each session lasting 30-min. Participation in the program was recommended to all staff members at the ward, including nurses, medical doctors, and others, but it was not mandatory. A serial cross-sectional study collected data at four time-points. Nurses (n = 17 to 22), medical doctors (n = 9 to 13), and others (n = 6 to 10) participated in each survey. The analysis of variance was used to evaluate the changes in the following dependent variables, the Essen climate evaluation schema (EssenCES), the CREW civility scale, and the Utrecht work engagement scale (UWES) over time. Result: We found no significant effects. The effect size (Cohen’s d) for EssenCES was 0.35 from baseline to post-installation for all staff members. Effect sizes for EssenCES for medical doctors and UWES for nurses were 0.79 and 0.56, respectively, from baseline to post-program. Conclusions: Differences in social climate and work engagement among Japanese healthcare workers between the baseline and post-installation of the CREW program were non-significant.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 866
Author(s):  
Iltaf Hussain ◽  
Nisa Yousaf ◽  
Sana Haider ◽  
Pervisha Jalil ◽  
Muhammad Usman Saleem ◽  
...  

The irrational use of antimicrobials has enormously contributed to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally and especially in the developing world. To assess the knowledge and perception regarding AMR and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in university students enrolled in pharmacy, veterinary, and biology programs by using an online self-administered questionnaire. The Chi-square and Fisher exact tests (where applicable) were performed to assess the association of the demographics with the students’ knowledge and perception regarding AMR and AMS. A total of 496 students completed the questionnaire, among which, 85.7% of the participants were familiar with the term AMR and 79.4% of the participants correctly identified a poorly designed dosing regimen as a contributing factor towards AMR. The majority of participants (57.9%) were familiar with the term AMS and 86.5% were aware of the aim of AMS. The participants showed good knowledge regarding AMR and AMS, but to further improve student knowledge and perception of AMS and AMR, it is suggested that dedicated modules on antibiotic use and AMS should be incorporated into the curricula of these undergraduate and postgraduate programs.


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