scholarly journals A Questionnaire-Based Survey to Assess the Level of Knowledge and Awareness about Drug–Food Interactions among General Public in Western Saudi Arabia

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Syed Faisal Zaidi ◽  
Rayan Mgarry ◽  
Abdullah Alsanea ◽  
Sakar Khalid Almutairi ◽  
Yaser Alsinnari ◽  
...  

Introduction: Various drug–food interactions exist that may hinder treatment and can sometimes be lethal. Our aim was to assess the level of public knowledge and awareness in Jeddah city, Western Saudi Arabia, about drug–food interactions, along with the effects of demographics on their knowledge. Methods: A survey questionnaire was administered in this cross-sectional study to participants spread across multiple locations in Jeddah, including in malls and public gatherings. Participants included both males and females. Sample size was calculated through Raosoft® software. Data analysis was executed using IBM Statistic SPSS and the level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 410 people participated in the study and only 92.68% (380) of responses were enrolled in the study; 7.32% (30) were not enrolled due to the exclusion criteria. Surprisingly, only six out of eighteen questions regarding drug–food interactions in the administered questionnaire were correctly answered by 380 participants. Data indicated that the participants had a poor to intermediate level of both knowledge and awareness with respect to drug–food interactions. Furthermore, participants showed moderate to strong awareness of the effects of alcohol and tea generally, and their interaction with medication. Conclusion: Participants in our study showed inadequate knowledge of basic and fundamental information about drug–food interactions, which highlights the dire need to increase awareness.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-311
Author(s):  
Hafiz A. Makeen ◽  
Saad S. Alqahtani ◽  
Nawazish Alam ◽  
Santhosh J. Menachery ◽  
Rabea M. Ageeli ◽  
...  

Natural and artificial food colors are widely used in a variety of food products. This study was designed to assess the awareness and perception of coloring agents present in food and beverages on children's behavior among people of Jazan, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on representative samples of 387 married people from different places in Jazan region of Saudi Arabia from August to December 2019. The study utilized a validated questionnaire consisting of 12 questions to gather the information from 387 participants (52.9% males and 47.03% females). Approximately 77% were young adults; belong to age group of 26-45 years (P = 0.000). Majority (40.5%) of them had four or more children (P = 0.000). While significant level of knowledge about the use of foods and beverages containing coloring agent was found in the participants (P = 0.001), they were not aware that it may affect the child's health. Only 24.7% were able to tell the name of a coloring agent (P = 0.001). Significant percentage (88.9%) of parents reported about child hyperactivity after consumption of specific type of food and beverages, particularly fizzy drinks (35.61%), chocolates (31.82%), and sweets and candy (30.3%). Target populations were considered to be aware of presence of coloring agent in food and beverages used by their children regularly but they are not much aware of its harmful effect on long-term use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 440-449
Author(s):  
Khaled Alzahrani ◽  
Abdulrahman Mohammed Alnafisah ◽  
Khalid Gohormallah Alzahrani ◽  
Khalid Ghalib Alharbi

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of dental implants among dental interns in Saudi Arabia Materials and Methods: A self-designed, close-ended questionnaire was distributed among 205 interns chosen by stratified random sampling technique. The questionnaire consisted of 28 items pertaining to demographic characteristics, knowledge and practices of dental implants. Responses were coded and entered into spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel 16.0.) and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Version 22.0) and contingency tables and chi-square test (χ2). Results: The majority of the participants were males (64.4%), between 24-26 years of age (64%) and had a GPA between 4-5 (63.4%). The majority of the participants gained knowledge of dental implants through theoretical lectures (98.5%), and most of them (80%) knew, what material, an implant was made up of. Almost all participants (91.7%) knew that dental implants had surface modifications. Most (64.4%) believed that case selection is the most important criteria for the success of dental implant therapy, and this differed significantly among participants with respect to GPA (p=0.03). Many participants (60%) believed that the most important advantage of dental implants over fixed prosthesis is that reduction of adjacent tooth is not needed, and this differed significantly between males and females (p=0.026). There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between males and females when it came to confidence in independently restoring teeth using dental implants. 63% of the participants were confident to use dental implants in their future practice. Conclusion: Knowledge of dental implants among dental interns is satisfactory, but this study reveals that participants lack practical experience and would like to acquire more clinical skills. Limitations: The response rate of participants from each university was low, which made comparisons between different universities difficult because sample size from some universities was very small, which could not produce statistically accurate results.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shatha Alharazy ◽  
Eman Alissa ◽  
Adeel Chaudhary ◽  
Susan Lanham-New ◽  
M. Denise Robertson

AbstractVitamin D (vitD) deficiency is highly prevalent in the Middle East (including Saudi Arabia) despite the abundance of sunlight. Older individuals in particular are at high risk of being vitD deficient. VitD binding protein (DBP), which acts as a carrier of vitD and its metabolites, has been reported to influence vitD status. In our study we aimed to investigate vitD status among postmenopausal women and its relation to DBP. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Seventy six postmenopausal females (age ≥ 50 years) who were not taking vitD supplementation and who were resident in Jeddah city, were randomly recruited from internal medicine clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, lifestyle history, dietary vitD intake and fasting blood samples were obtained from all study participants. Serum total 25 hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D), DBP, albumin, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and metabolic bone parameters were analysed. VitD deficiency was defined as serum total 25(OH)D level below 30 nmol/L. The mean (± SD) serum level of total 25(OH)D was 46.9 ± 28.9 nmol/L with 36 % of the study population being vitD deficient. Although non-significant, the vitD deficient group had lower DBP and higher dietary vitD intake levels when compared with those with serum vitD > 30nmol/L. In addition, DBP was inversely correlated with vitD dietary intake (r = -0.233, P = 0.046). In conclusion, vitD deficiency is highly prevalent among postmenopausal women living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Intake of a vitD rich food seems to be associated with low DBP levels. Genetic polymorphisms in DBP will be studied in the future to find out a possible explanation for the differences in vitD status and DBP between individuals as well as the concomitant relationship between dietary vitD intake, DBP and serum 25(OH)D levels.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
Ahlam A. Alzahrani ◽  
Nebras AlGhanaim ◽  
Samia Abdulmageed

To examine the awareness and perception of Saudi community towards Human Papillomavirus Vaccination. A cross-sectional study has examined the perception and awareness of Saudi individuals towards Human Papillomavirus HPV vaccination. A sample of 278 Saudi individuals were included. A close-ended survey questionnaire was employed to collect the data of Papillomavirus HPV vaccination. Around, 78.30% female and male participants were unaware of the availability of HPV vaccination against cervical cancer. 90.06% of females supported cervical cancer screening Pap smear by gynecologist after enduring vaccination. Only, 40.66% visited the gynecologist for screening. Results demonstrated 85.77% female agreed on receiving expensive vaccination. Conversely, 97.48% supported on HPV vaccination free of charge. A lack of knowledge about HPV, Pap smear, and cervical cancer. The data obtained can be used as a standard to devise effective awareness programs. Data was collected particularly from Saudi Arabia for evaluating Saudi community perception. Both males and females were observed to be interested in taking vaccination and prevention initiatives against the cervical cancer, whereas, there is a lack of awareness observed among the males and females included in the study.


Author(s):  
Nader M. Elsayed Marei ◽  
Mohamed Tharwat Salama ◽  
Mohammed Ali Habibullah

Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of hand washing among dentists in Al Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by use of a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on WHO`s “Five Moments of Hand Hygiene Questionnaire” with a few notable changes. Statistical Analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 was used to analyze data. Results were displayed as counts and percentages. Results: The level of knowledge of Hand Hygiene (HH) was found high in 52% and moderate in 37% of the participants, when in the attitude levels the majority of the participants i.e. 88% had high level of attitude and was moderate in 7% of respondents. Level of practices of Hand Hygiene was high in 61%, moderate in 37% and almost none (1.4%) of our participants were found with a low level of practices. Conclusion: The population under study scored high on attitude when compared to practices and knowledge scores were the least. These points to the need for interventions for improving knowledge through regular workshops and continuing education. Since knowledge does not automatically translate into practices, emphasis on HH compliance must be laid.  Planned interventions to improve compliance must be multidimensional which considers and includes administrative support, clinic ergonomics and design, timely HH supplies, periodic educational programs, reminders, process surveillance and employee feedback to achieve sustained improvements. Keywords: COVID-19, Dentist, Hand hygiene, Knowledge, Practices.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Deepti Shrivastava ◽  
Abdulrahman A. Alduraywish ◽  
Kumar Chandan Srivastava ◽  
Abdalkarem F. Alsharari ◽  
Khalid Al-Johani ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has shown a catastrophic effect on mankind. The allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) play a pivotal role against COVID-19. OBJECTIVES: To appraise the knowledge and attitude about COVID-19 of AHPs working across Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using Qualtrics software to gather data from all five regions of Saudi Arabia during the nationwide lockdown in April 2020. Complete responses of 195 AHPs were considered for analysis. The questionnaire consisted of 15 and 14 questions on knowledge and attitude, respectively. The overall scores of each domain were calculated and modified Bloom’s criterion was applied to categorize them into a three-point ordinal scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test along with multivariate logistic regression for significant parameters. RESULTS: The AHPs displayed a moderate level of knowledge (58.2%) and a good level of attitude (80%). The AHPs were found to have a non-significant (P >  0.05) difference in the level of knowledge within age, gender, region, occupation, educational level, organizational setup and years of experience. The attitude of AHPs working in a private setup has shown a 2.8 times (P = 0.020) higher risk for having moderate/poor attitude compared to the AHPs working in a government organization. CONCLUSIONS: AHPs displayed a moderate level of knowledge and good attitude towards COVID-19. Emphasis should be given to continuous professional development in order to enhance their knowledge. Furthermore, strategies should be developed in the private sector to positively reinforce the attitude of AHPs.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1017
Author(s):  
Maria. G. Detsika ◽  
Chara Giatra ◽  
Vasiliki Kitsiou ◽  
Edison Jahaj ◽  
Theofilos Athanassiades ◽  
...  

The present cross-sectional study consists of a comprehensive analysis of epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in relation to their immunogenetic profiles. We studied 125 COVID-19 patients comprising different stages of disease severity; non-hospitalized (mild n = 69) and hospitalized (n = 56). Analysis of disease characteristics revealed no major differences between males and females of each group of patients while hospitalized patients were older and presented with comorbidities. A positive allele association was observed for HLA-DRB1*01 in total COVID-19 patients versus healthy controls. Subgrouping of COVID-19 patients in mild and hospitalized further identified a statistically significant increase in HLA-DRB1*01 in mild COVID-19 patients versus controls. The frequency of A*11, A*23, and DRB1*09 alleles was higher, while the frequency of C*12 was lower, in hospitalized patients versus healthy controls albeit with uncorrected statistical significance. The identification of specific allele associations may provide useful future markers for disease susceptibility in order to allow successful clinical management of COVID-19 patients.


Author(s):  
Yasser Almogbel ◽  
Jouza H. Al-Qussair ◽  
Abdulrahman M. Alamri ◽  
Ahmad Alhowail ◽  
Mugahid A. Mobark

Background: Parent’s misconception of fever, result in increased anxiety and antipyretics are commonly used in this situation. So any lack of parent’s knowledge regarding strategies of using them raises the possibility of drug-related problems. Objective: This study evaluated the parents’ knowledge, attitude and beliefs in dealing with the children’s fever. Methods: An ethically approved cross-sectional study was conducted in Qassim region -Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 490 parents were participated in this study, 83.7% of them were mothers. Half of parents use the armpit site for measuring temperature. The majority of parents considered the temperature ≤37°C as normal and more than half of them considered ≥38°C as fever temperature. Convulsion was believed to be a complication of fever in 71% of parents and there was a significant association between the number of children and the practice of giving antipyretics. A wrong practice of assessing fever was using hand touch, and this study revealed that this behavioral was presented in a nearly third of parents. Acetaminophen was the commonly used antipyretics beside ice packs as a common non pharmacological therapy. The study also showed the majority of parents didn’t know the importance of weight in considering antipyretic. Conclusion: Over all, parents participated in this study have inadequate knowledge about fever, its assessment and decision of giving a medication. However, past experiences and the number of sibling highly influence their practice and knowledge. Therefore, there is a need of effort to maximize parents’ information and awareness about fever.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gassem Gohal

Background: Food allergy topic has become more widely discussed in developed countries, but with less interest in Middle Eastern Arabian Countries. Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to assess the knowledge and perception of schoolteachers about food allergy. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among a sample of 360 school teachers between May 2013 and February 2014 in province of Jazan in Saudi Arabia, using a validated web-based self-administered survey. Results: The results revealed that almost (59.7%) of the schoolteachers had a medium insufficient knowledge about food allergy; only 17.3% had good knowledge about food allergy. Female teachers had higher knowledge scores (58.5 ± 17.2) as compared to male (51.8 ± 16.0) with statistically significant difference (p = 0.017). The majority of schoolteachers have a significantly poor knowledge in most of food allergy domains. More than half of responders either do not know or they disagree that the food allergy is a serious problem and can lead to death. Regression analysis revealed that participant’s level of knowledge is significantly associated with school teacher’s attitudes towards food allergy (OR = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.39 - 0.92, p = 0.01), practice (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.11 - 2.56, p = 0.01), and years of experiences (OR = 1.8, 95% CI; 1.15 - 2.98, p = 0.011). Conclusion: Knowledge of food allergy among schoolteachers is not adequate, failing to recognize and treat fatal food allergy reactions necessitate an urgent need to set a school policy to improve the food allergy situation.


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