scholarly journals Impacts of Community Pharmacists on Self-medication Management among Rural Dwellers, Kwara State Central, Nigeria

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shakirat I Bello ◽  
Ibrahim K Bello

The role of pharmacist has not only advanced from medication dispensing but also to direct patient care and pharmaceutical interventions aiming at enhancing the populace wellbeing. The objective of this research was to assess the impact of rural community pharmacist interventions on self-medications and disease prevalence among rural settings in the Kwara State Central, Nigeria. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in eight rural communities with a pre-piloted questionnaire. Data obtained from respondents were computed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16 using descriptive analysis procedures, and relationships between variables were tested using the chi square. Respondents between the age of 40 and 50 years dominated with 42.3% and majority (88.1%) of the rural residents were illiterates. Farming was the major occupation of the respondents and survived on less than ten thousand naira Nigeria money ($63) per month. Among the combinations of drugs abused by the respondents, the regimen containing combination of prednisolone, diclofenac and paracetamol had the highest users. The least used combination was ibuprofen, diclofenac plus prednisolone. These combinations were taken twice daily by the majority participants. The most common reasons given for self-medications were osteoarthritis (31.1%), poverty (17.4%), general body pain (14.3%), inadequate of health facilities (4.6%), ignorance (4.3%) among others. The intervention offered by the pharmacists had reduced the mean systolic blood pressure significantly (P < 0.05) from 161 mmHg to 129 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure from 104 mmHg at baseline to 86 mmHg. Postintervention evaluation revealed the impact of the pharmacists, as the respondents with dyspepsia at baseline significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 220 to 53 participants. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 12(1): 1-9, 2013 (June) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujps.v12i1.16294

Author(s):  
Ming Ming Wen ◽  
Heba Aref ◽  
Ahmad Abozaid ◽  
Nahla Hesham Kandil ◽  
Yasmin Hussein Elsobky

Objective: The first objective of this work was to examine the services provided by six drug information centers (DICs) in Alexandria, Egypt. The second objective was to evaluate the quality of the replies to the drug information query. The third objective was to assess the conceptual need of DICs from community pharmacists, other health care professionals and the general public.Methods: This study was conducted through three stages. Stage I was a field survey to assess predefined parameters in the current DICs in Alexandria. Stage II was a retrospective cross-sectional study to assess the quality of the drug information replies through an external expert review process. Stage III was a population survey and thematic analysis using questionnaires and interview recording.Results: Activities of DICs include: DIR answering service (100%), adverse drug reaction reporting (100%), issuing bulletins (83.3%), education (83.3%), drug use evaluation (50%) and participation in P and T committees (33.3%). The most frequent question categories asked were dosing, side effects, treatment guidelines and drug interactions. Half of the DICs were affiliated with hospitals; however, a general lacking confidence level of these DICs on the professionalism and the impact on patient care for the DIC services provided was identified. There was an obvious problem in formatting the ultimate question in a question format rather than a sentence format in all DICs. The most accurately answered request was adverse drug reactions. All surveyed groups considered that it is very important to have a DIC accessible to the community free of charge.Conclusion: It is necessary to establish an university-based DIC to incorporate training, education and research into the existing services. A DIC network with definitive standards of services in the future should provide safe and effective quality-assured pharmaceutical care to meet the needs and expectations of the community and improve its delivery to the public. The results and recommendations of this study can be inspired and generalized to other developing countries that have similar health systems as in Egypt. 


Author(s):  
Davide Petri ◽  
Gaetano Licitra ◽  
Maria Angela Vigotti ◽  
Luca Fredianelli

Noise is one of the most diffused environmental stressors affecting modern life. As such, the scientific community is committed to studying the main emission and transmission mechanisms aiming at reducing citizens’ exposure, but is also actively studying the effects that noise has on health. However, scientific literature lacks data on multiple sources of noise and cardiovascular outcomes. The present cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the impact that different types of noise source (road, railway, airport and recreational) in an urban context have on blood pressure variations and hypertension. 517 citizens of Pisa, Italy, were subjected to a structured questionnaire and five measures of blood pressure in one day. Participants were living in the same building for at least 5 years, were aged from 37 to 72 years old and were exposed to one or more noise sources among air traffic, road traffic, railway and recreational noise. Logistic and multivariate linear regression models have been applied in order to assess the association between exposures and health outcomes. The analyses showed that prevalence of high levels of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is consistent with an increase of 5 dB (A) of night-time noise (β = 0.50 95% CI: 0.18–0.81). Furthermore, increased DBP is also positively associated with more noise sensitive subjects, older than 65 years old, without domestic noise protection, or who never close windows. Among the various noise sources, railway noise was found to be the most associated with DBP (β = 0.68; 95% CI: −1.36, 2.72). The obtained relation between DBP and night-time noise levels reinforces current knowledge.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desta Markos Minamo

Abstract Introduction Contrary to the recommendation, children under the age of 6 months be exclusively breastfed, many infants are also fed with other liquids such as water, non-milk liquids, and other milks before 6 months. Because of level of education and proportion of employed women in Ethiopia has been increasing gradually. Consequently the practice of exclusive breastfeeding became very lower. The main objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and factors associated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among employed and unemployed mothers in Ethiopia, using dataset from EDHS 2016. METHOD Data was extracted from Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS-2016). A total of 1089 mothers with infants aged 0 to 6 months in the data set were included in the analysis. Descriptive analysis, chi-square and binary logistic regression models were used. RESULT This study has demonstrated a 64.7%, 95%CI(58.9-70.5) and 75.4%, 95%CI(72.378.2) prevalence of EBF practices among employed and unemployed mothers respectively in the 24h preceding the survey. Other factors associated with EBF practice included being unemployed mother, larger to normal birth weight; infant aged 0-3 month old, infant being male, have radio in the house, infant being wanted, delivery by non CS mode and presence of ANC follow up during pregnancy were found to be significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice. Conclusion the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding practice among employed mothers was significantly lower than that of unemployed mothers. Thus, Having in consideration the impact of appropriate infant and young children feeding practice on children’s nutritional status and mortality rate, policy makers still need to give more emphasis on promotion of exclusive breastfeeding through creating an enabling environment targeting the extension of postnatal maternity leave up to the first six month.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248649
Author(s):  
Marie Gerardin ◽  
Morgane Rousselet ◽  
Marie-Laure Couec ◽  
Agathe Masseau ◽  
Marylène Guerlais ◽  
...  

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) induces chronic haemolytic anaemia and intermittent vaso-occlusion that results in tissue ischaemia causing acute, severe pain episodes that can lead to frequent hospitalizations. These consequences can have repercussions on family, social, school and/or professional life. Here, we present some of the results of the PHEDRE study (Pharmacodépendance Et DREpanocytose—drug dependence and sickle-cell disease), which is the largest study of patients with SCD in France. This paper intends to describe characteristics of the French SCD population. We also aimed to assess the impact of the disease on the lives of patients using objective and subjective variables. Methods The PHEDRE study was a national multicentric observational study. Adults, adolescents and children with a confirmed SCD diagnosis were included in the study by their referring doctor. Then, they were interviewed by phone about their socioeconomic status, about the impact of the disease on their lives and about their analgesic and psychoactive drug use. Results The study population consisted of 872 patients (28% were minors). Seventy-two percent of adults were active, and all minors were in school. Many patients presented criteria of severe SCD. Seventy-five percent were homozygous SS, 15% were double heterozygotes SC and 8% were heterozygotes Sβthal, 87% received specific treatment, 58% were hospitalized at least once for vaso-occlusive crisis in the past 12 months, and the number of analgesic drugs taken averaged 3.8. Seventy-five percent of patients reported academic or professional consequences related to their SCD, and 52% reported social consequences. Conclusions The impact of SCD on patients’ lives can be significant, nevertheless their social integration seems to be maintained. We highlighted respect of recommendations regarding analgesic treatments and only a few patients used tobacco, alcohol or cannabis. Trial registration Clinical Trials, NCT02580565; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ Registered 16 October 2015.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1142.1-1142
Author(s):  
M. Arévalo ◽  
C. López-Medina ◽  
M. Moreno ◽  
A. Moltó ◽  
F. U. Pilar ◽  
...  

Background:Comorbidities have merged as an important field in Spondyloarthritis, however there is few data about its relationship to genetic factors such as HLA-B27.Objectives:To analyze the potential association between the presence of HLA-B27 and the different comorbidities observed in axSpA patients.Methods:A comparative cross-sectional study including axSpA patients from COMOSPA registry. COMOSPA is a worldwide registry that includes a wide set of anthropometric and clinical variables from 3984 patients with spondyloarthritis. The registry also includes the most frequent comorbidities observed in spondyloarthitis such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart ischemic disease, stroke, renal failure, neoplasms, peptic ulcer, diverticulitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the presence of osteoporosis. A descriptive analysis and a multiple logistic regression model was performed including all variables assessed.Results:2370 patients fulfilled ASAS criteria of axSpA patients and were included in the study. 1858 (78.4%) of them were HLA-B27 positive. HLA-B27 positive axSpA patients presented significantly higher percentage of male sex, longer disease duration, higher percentage of definite Ankylosing Spondylitis, higher CRP levels, and were also more frequent tobacco consumers and excessive alcohol intakers compared to the negatives. However, disease activity measured by BASDAI, BASFI and ASDAS-CRP were all significantly higher in the HLA-B27 negative patients compared to the positive ones.The only association observed between any comorbidity and presence of gen HLA-B27 was the presence of osteoporosis. This association was independently significant even after adjusting in the multivariate analysis for all variables assessed.Conclusion:The association observed between the gen HLA-B27 and the presence of osteoporosis in axSpA patients could be of great relevance given the impact of osteoporosis in the phenotypical frame of axSpA patients.Disclosure of Interests:Marta Arévalo: None declared, Clementina López-Medina: None declared, Mireia Moreno: None declared, Anna Moltó Grant/research support from: Pfizer, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Font Ugalde Pilar: None declared, Eduardo Collantes-Estévez Grant/research support from: ROCHE and Pfizer., Speakers bureau: ROCHE, Lilly, Bristol and Celgene., Jordi Gratacos-Masmitja Grant/research support from: a grant from Pfizzer to study implementation of multidisciplinary units to manage PSA in SPAIN, Consultant of: Pfizzer, MSD, ABBVIE, Janssen, Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Lilly, Speakers bureau: Pfizzer, MSD, ABBVIE, Janssen, Amgen, BMS, Novartis, Lilly


Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bai James ◽  
Jon Wardle ◽  
Amie Steel ◽  
Jon Adams

Background and objectives: In addition to conventional healthcare, Ebola survivors are known to seek traditional and complementary healthcare (T&CM) options to meet their healthcare needs. However, little is known about the general beliefs of Ebola survivors regarding T&CM and the impact of these beliefs in influencing their decisions around T&CM use. This study examines Ebola survivors’ attitudes towards T&CM use in Sierra Leone. Materials and Methods: We conducted a nationwide quantitative cross-sectional study of 358 Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone between January and August 2018. We used descriptive analysis, chi-square tests and backward stepwise binary logistic regression for data analysis. Results: Close to half of the survivors (n = 163, 45.5%) had used T&CM since their discharge from an Ebola treatment centre. Survivors who viewed T&CM as boosting their immune system/resistance were 3.89 times (95%CI: 1.57–9.63, p = 0.003) more likely to use T&CM than those who did not view T&CM as boosting their immune system/resistance. Additionally, survivors who viewed T&CM as having fewer side effects than conventional medicine were more likely to use T&CM [OR = 5.03 (95%CI: 1.92–13.19, p = 0.001)]. Ebola survivors were more influenced to use T&CM based on their personal experience of the effectiveness of T&CM than by clinical evidence [OR = 13.72 (95%CI: 6.10–30.84, P < 0.001)]. Ebola survivors who perceived T&CM as providing them with more control than conventional medicine over their health/body were more likely to use T&CM [OR = 4.15 (95%CI: 1.74–9.89, p = 0.001)] as opposed to those who did not perceive T&CM in this way. Conclusions: Considering the widespread use of T&CM, an understanding of Ebola survivors’ attitudes/beliefs towards T&CM is useful to healthcare providers and policymakers with regard to public education and practitioner–survivors communication, T&CM regulation and research in Sierra Leone. Ebola survivors appear to turn to T&CM not only for treatment, but also to fill gaps in conventional health care services.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Shahid Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Zahid Iqbal

Objective: This study's objective was to determine the level of career satisfaction among practicing Community Pharmacists (CPs) and the impact of various factors on career satisfaction. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered instrument to access the current level of career satisfaction among CPs. The survey instrument questions were adopted from previous studies and were contextualized to suit study objectives and revalidated using face and content validation. The study instrument was distributed and collected.  Results: A total of 172 responses from CPs were received, 112 (65.1%) from males and 60 (34.9%) from females. The difference in age categories was significantly profound in the less than 34 years old group being 113 (65.7%) compared with the more than 34 years old being 59 (34.3%). Around 98 (57%) were working in chain pharmacies and 74 (43%) in independent pharmacy stores. The study result showed126 (73.3%) were unsatisfied in their careers and 46 (26.7%) were satisfied. Conclusion: Age and working experience are both major contributing factors to career satisfaction levels. Only 36.5% reported having higher career satisfaction levels among total participated CPs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
S. Phadnis ◽  
S Sengupta ◽  
A Chakraborty

Introduction: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the economy and has resulted in changes to the working arrangements of employees who are based at home and may continue to work from home (WFH). Organizations are expected to develop an inclusive policy for their employees to promote mental health whilst working from home. The aim of this study was to document the impact of WFH on mental health and determine the expectations of employees from their organizations regarding occupational health policy. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the impact of work from home on mental health and to document the mental health support needs of employees. Google form was floated through social media platform to receive the responses. A total of 74 responses were received. Descriptive analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel, while qualitative answers were manually analysed. Results: About 67% employees (n=45) mentioned that their workload has increased significantly during work from home. Thirty five percent (n=26) felt lonely and lost and 47% (n= 34) felt disconnected from the real world, indicating the mental health impact of work from home. Fifty three percent employees (n=40) mentioned that there were no efforts made by their organization to reduce the mental health impact of work from home. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is an urgent need to create a comprehensive occupational health and safety policy inclusive of strategies to improve mental health by the organizations in light of “work from home” as a “new-normal”.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 19-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Maharjan ◽  
K Adhikari

Background: Over the counter medicines are drugs that are brought without a medical prescription. The use of many OTC medicines in children is usually initiated by parents. Self medication in developing countries from a biological point of view point the risks that are involved in developing countries are reportedly higher than in industrialized countries. This can be related to the fact that in many developing countries drugs are available over the counter. In a study conducted in Pokhara, western Nepal found that 59% had taken self medication including OTC medicines.Objective: To assess the practices on OTC drug among mothers of under five aged childrenMethodology: The descriptive cross sectional study design was used. All the mothers of under five aged children visiting the Friends of Shanta Bhawan at the child OPD and had taken OTC medicines during last 6 months for child and wished to participate in the study were included using non probability purposive sampling technique during four weeks of data collection. The data was collected from 100 samples by face to face interview technique using semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis such as mean, median, frequency, percentage, standard deviation was calculated according to the objectives.Results: Most of the respondents (92%) took OTC for fever, 75% took for cough and cold. 65% of respondents used OTC medicines because the pharmacy is near from their homes and 48% used it due too easy to get the medicine as compared to visit to doctors or hospital.Conclusion: This study concluded that mothers used OTC for the common problems of their children because OTC medications are near to reach and easy to get than to visit to doctors or hospitals.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hprospect.v10i0.5640Health Prospect Vol.10 2011, pp.19-21


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