scholarly journals Knowledge and self-reported confidence in antimicrobial stewardship programme among final year pharmacy undergraduate students in Malaysia and Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 298-305
Author(s):  
Usman Abubakar ◽  
Abubakar Sha’aban ◽  
Mustapha Mohammed ◽  
Haseeb Tariq Muhammad ◽  
Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman ◽  
...  

Objective: This study evaluated the knowledge and self-reported confidence of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) among pharmacy students in Malaysia and Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among final year undergraduate pharmacy students in a university from both Nigeria and Malaysia using a 59-item online questionnaire. Results: A total of 150 final year undergraduate pharmacy students completed the questionnaire. Exposure to infectious diseases clerkship was higher among the Malaysian students (78.2% versus 25.4%; p < 0.001). Overall, the knowledge score for antibiotic resistance and AMS were comparable (6.2 ± 1.5 and 3.6 ± 1.2, respectively versus 5.9 ± 1.6 and 3.3 ± 1.3). The knowledge of antibiotic therapy was higher among the Malaysian students (5.4 ± 1.8 versus 4.2 ± 1.8; p < 0.001) while self-reported confidence to participate in AMS was higher among the Nigerian students (median 48.0, IQR 26 – 75 versus median 36.5, IQR 15 – 75; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pharmacy students in Malaysia and Nigeria have appreciable knowledge of antibiotic resistance, antibiotic therapy and AMS. More training on topics is recommended to improve the skills and competency of future pharmacists to participate in AMS.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Samir Hamza ◽  
Osama Ahmed Badary ◽  
Mohamed Mohey Elmazar

Abstract Extraordinary actions have been implemented in an effort to control the rapid spread of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic in Egypt. People’s adherence to control measures is influenced by their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the disease. Therefore, in the present study we assessed pharmacy senior students’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was created and it consisted of 12 questions testing their knowledge about COVID-19nclinical characteristics, transmission routes and prevention and control steps. Among senior pharmacy students (n=238), 70% were females and 63% were living in greater Cairo. Their main source of information included social media (70%), published articles (48%) and television (48%). The overall correct knowledge score was 83%. Most of the students displayed a good COVID-19 knowledge level (72.5% of the students). The students were least informed when trying to answer questions about hyper-coagulation, as a major cause for death in patients with severe COVID-19, and about the timings on the necessity to wear masks practice. Assessment of students’ attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 reflected that 87% of them were confident that health care teams and scientists could win the fight against the virus. In addition, 72% of students agreed that COVID-19 will be controlled successfully. The greater the students’ knowledge, the more confident they felt that COVID-19 will be controlled successfully (OR = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-4.72). Good behavioral practice towards COVID-19 control was confirmed when 87% of students answered that they didn’t go out to any crowded place. Females were 3.6 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–3.11) more likely to avoid going out than males. Bad behavioral practice became evident when approximately 50% of students admitted that they did not wear masks when they left their house. Therefore, more efforts should be taken to protect future pharmacists from this pandemic.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 858
Author(s):  
Reema A. Karasneh ◽  
Sayer I. Al-Azzam ◽  
Mera Ababneh ◽  
Ola Al-Azzeh ◽  
Ola B. Al-Batayneh ◽  
...  

More research is needed on the drivers of irrational antibiotic prescribing among healthcare professionals and to ensure effective prescribing and an adequate understanding of the issue of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed at evaluating prescribers’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online questionnaire and included physicians and dentists from all sectors in Jordan. A total of 613 prescribers were included (physicians n = 409, dentists n = 204). Respondents’ knowledge on effective use, unnecessary use or associated side effects of antibiotics was high (>90%), compared with their knowledge on the spread of antibiotic resistance (62.2%). For ease of access to the required guidelines on managing infections, and to materials that advise on prudent antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance, prescribers agreed in 62% and 46.1% of cases, respectively. 28.4% of respondents had prescribed antibiotics when they would have preferred not to do so more than once a day or more than once a week. Among respondents who prescribed antibiotics, 63.4% would never or rarely give out resources on prudent use of antibiotics for infections. The findings are of importance to inform antibiotic stewardships about relevant interventions aimed at changing prescribers’ behaviors and improving antibiotic prescribing practices.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-102
Author(s):  
Leshi Oluwatosin ◽  
Anuoluwa F Ogundero

Beyond having a good degree, graduates are expected to have relevant skills and attributes required to compete and collaborate in a rapidly changing work environment. In recent times, the employability of Nutrition and Dietetics graduates in Nigeria has been of considerable concern. This study was designed to assess the readiness of trainees in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics from Nigerian Universities for career and work engagements. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 109 final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students from twelve universities offering Nutrition and Dietetics programme across Nigeria. Data was collected using a semi-structured online questionnaire. Data obtained were background information on the students, their experiences and challenges in their academic pursuits, willingness and readiness to pursue and engage in Nutrition and Dietetics related jobs, as well as their perception of skills and competences for future career and work engagements. The data were analysed using the IBM SPSS version 20.0. About 73% of the respondents were females, mainly between ages 21 and 25 years (62.4%) and undergraduates (70%). Among the undergraduate students, 83.4% had chosen to study Nutrition and Dietetics as a result of personal interest and choice while the postgraduate trainees indicated acquisition of in-depth knowledge of nutrition (60.6%) and quest to enhance career profile for competitive advantage in job pursuits (39.4%) as the core reasons for their choice for the programme. Nearly all the respondents (96.3%) reported having enjoyed their training programs. Only half (50.5%) perceived themselves to be “very ready” and well-prepared for work and career engagement. The top three areas of interest by trainees in Nutrition and Dietetics were Clinical Nutrition and Diet Therapy (60.6%), Community and Public Health Nutrition (43.1%), and Sports Nutrition (11.0%). Three out of every ten trainees had no specific desired skills and competences. While less than half declared that they had no knowledge of the skills and competences desired by employers of nutrition graduates, two-thirds of the trainees perceived themselves as eligible for their choice of work and career. This study shows that most Nutrition and Dietetics trainees in Nigerian universities are ready and willing to start a career in the field. However, many lack the knowledge of expected skills and competences needed for career engagement.


Author(s):  
Asifa Ashraf ◽  
Ipseeta Menon ◽  
Ritu Gupta ◽  
Vikram Arora ◽  
Dipshikha Das ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Covid-19 is highly contagious disease and has today become a major public health concern in the developing countries worldwide. This study attempted to assess the knowledge, attitude, anxiety experience, perceived mental healthcare, and oral health among adult Kashmiri population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was developed using Google forms to avoid person-to-person contact. The structured questionnaire consisted of questions covering several areas: sociodemographic data, knowledge, awareness, attitude about the COVID-19 , the anxiety level, oral hygiene habits during confinement, care and disinfection control behaviours in the dental environment. Results: Due to continuing conflict in Kashmir during the last 18 years there has been a phenomenal increase in psychiatric morbidity. The results reveal that the prevalence of depression was high 46.3% among Kashmiri residents who were anxious with the thought of  COVID-19 virus. In our study it was also found that 66.2% of the responders had a moderate level of knowledge about being getting quarantined and 97.7% of the participants had an adequate knowledge about its preventive aspects. The anxiety levels identified in the study were high i.e. more than 70% of the participants were preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past months. Approximately, 42.6% of the participants have been angered and distressed due to being worried about the ongoing pandemic. Oral hygiene and last visit to the dentist were found highly significant in our study i.e. approximately  36.6% of the participants had visited a dentist among which 35.2% had visited only due to consultation advise. Conclusion: Population of Kashmir had a better mean knowledge score regarding this virus but yet mental health is an integral part of overall health and quality of life. Substantial and sustainable improvements can be achieved only when a comprehensive strategy for mental health which incorporates both prevention and care elements is adopted. There is a need to intensify the awareness and address the mental health issues, and importance of oral hygiene of people during this COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Abdul Nazer Ali ◽  
Pushpaa Asokan ◽  
Chew Jia Hui ◽  
Chuah Hui Ying ◽  
Nazer Zulfikar Ahmed

Aim: The aim and objectives of the study were: 1) To assess the knowledge regarding dengue viral infection among undergraduate healthcare professional (HCP) students. 2) To investigate the association of socio-demographic factors towards dengue knowledge among the study participants. 3) To compare the dengue knowledge among the three HCP (Dental, Medical and Pharmacy) students. Study Design: A cross sectional study design was used in the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in AIMST University campus, Kedah state, Malaysia between January, 2017 and June, 2017. Methods: The study was conducted among HCP students using pre-validated questionnaire with knowledge as a single dependent variable. The questionnaire was distributed in class room setting after obtaining informed consent forms signed by participants. The summary statistics for categorical variables was used with chi-square test to see if there was any association between the variables. Inferential statistics was done using Spearmans correlation. Results: Among the 636 participants, an overall good knowledge (≈90%) was observed regarding the cause, breeding sites and common clinical symptoms of dengue fever. However, poor knowledge was observed regarding the time of dengue mosquitoes bite (51%, P = .58) and transmission through blood transfusion (59%, P <.001). Very poor knowledge was observed regarding transmission through person to person contact (25%, P <.001). The median knowledge score was 12(3) ranging from 0 to 15. There was a statistically significant differences (P < .001) in response to 14/15 knowledge based items. Further, a statistically significant association between dengue knowledge score was observed among field of study (P < .05) and year of study (P < .006) variables. The Spearman's correlation test showed a weak positive correlation [rs(2) = 8.6, P < .01] and [rs(10) = 108, P < .001] between year of study and age categories for dengue knowledge scores. Conclusion: Overall, the HCP students in AIMST University showed good knowledge score towards dengue however, educational intervention programmes can further enrich their knowledge in the prevention, treatment and management of this deadly disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinta Antin Kumalasari ◽  
Sri Suparti ◽  
Kala Raani

Background: Early Clinical Exposure is a learning approach that integrates classroom learning with the clinical practice at the students' academic stage. Based on an interview with 3rd-semester Nursing Students, the results showed that they had low self-efficacy and readiness towards early clinical exposure. Objective: This study aims to evaluate self-efficacy and readiness towards early clinical exposure among nursing students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto (UMP). The study design was a cross-sectional study involving 218 undergraduate students at a private Islamic university in their third semester. Methods: Data were collected using an online questionnaire of Google Form developed by the researcher, and the questions were valid and reliable based on a reliability test. The sampling method in this study was the total sampling technique. There were 50 questions of the item in the questionnaire and 6 items for demographic data. Result: The majority of pupils showed strong self-efficacy (98.2%) according to the findings of this study and moderate self-efficacy (1.8%). The majority of students presented high readiness (97.7%) and moderate readiness (2.3%). According to the correlation test results, a correlation (r = 0.545, p0.05) was found between self-efficacy and readiness for early clinical exposure. Conclusion: The higher the student's self-efficacy is, the more the readiness will be to face the practice of early clinical exposure.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 379-383
Author(s):  
Ehab Mudher Mikhael ◽  
Mohammed Khudhair Hasan ◽  
Sama Zaid Abdulridha

Background: Antibiotics are life-saving drugs that if misused lead to antibiotic resistance and consequently to a substantial public health issue. Pharmacists have a major role in ensuring the rational use of antibiotics to prevent antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess antibiotic knowledge among final year pharmacy students at Baghdad University. Methods: A cross sectional study using a newly developed and validated questionnaire was given for 148 final year (5th stage) students at Baghdad University – College of Pharmacy during November 2016. Only 140 students (response rate 93%) completed the questionnaire. The 10 items-questionnaire consisted of 5 major domains: Antibiotic effectiveness, side effects, resistance, use in specific cases (e.g., during pregnancy and septicemia), and the legal issues of antibiotic dispensing. Results: Only 20% of students have good overall antibiotic knowledge. The least knowledge for pharmacy student was in regard to antibiotic side effects and antibiotic resistance at which only 22% and 19% of pharmacists possessed good antibiotic knowledge respectively. Knowledge of student was the best in legal issues of antibiotic dispensing. There was a non-significant difference in antibiotic knowledge between male and female pharmacy students. Conclusion: Antibiotic knowledge among pharmacy students at Baghdad University was very poor and less than expected.


2021 ◽  
pp. 276-282
Author(s):  
Noon Abubakr Abdelrahman Kamil ◽  
Salma Elmukashfi Eltahir Mohammed ◽  
Yasir Ahmed Mohammed Elhadi ◽  
Mohamed Babiker Musa ◽  
Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi ◽  
...  

Background: The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has impacted many aspects of life. Several studies have investigated the effect of this pandemic on academic activities. Yet, no studies addressed the impact of COVID-19 on students in Sudan. This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on Sudanese undergraduate pharmacy students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire delivered to undergraduate pharmacy students. Results: A total of 137 students responded to the survey. The majority were female (74.5%) and were students in private colleges (60.6%). Majority of the students (95.0%) were affected by COVID-19 crisis and about half of the respondents (54.0%) were depressed and 85.4% reported a decreased level of concentration. In spite of these challenges, majority of our respondents were still motivated (85.3%) to continue their education on campus. Conclusion: Despite unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy students in Sudan are motivated to continue their studies, and they want the traditional teaching model to resume. It is time to invest more in education and rethink delivery of pharmacy education in Sudan during public health emergencies. There is no better time than now.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Usman Abubakar ◽  
Amni Izzati Zulkarnain ◽  
Fatihah Samri ◽  
Sabrina Ros Hisham ◽  
Anis Alias ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Dysmenorrhea is a common problem that affects female students’ quality of life and academic activities. Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. This study investigated the practices and perceptions of female undergraduate students with dysmenorrhea towards CATs. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students in a public university in Malaysia using a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted in November and December 2019. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results Of the 318 female undergraduate students invited, 219 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 68.9%) with 52% aged between 21 and 23 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 72.1%, and the prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs was 70.3 and 54.4%, respectively. Bed rest (71.5%), hot compress/heating pad (47.5%) and massage (43.0%) were the most common CATs used by the respondents. The most common reasons for using CAT were to reduce the need for analgesics (61.4%), efficacy (37.3%) and recommendation by others (32.9%). About 23 and 9% of the respondents believed that CATs were equally “effective” and “more effective” than analgesics, respectively. Reducing the need for analgesics (AOR: 4.066, 95% CI: 2.136–7.739) and those who agreed that CATs are effective (AOR: 2.701, 95% CI: 1.337–5.457) were independently associated with the current use CATs for the treatment of menstrual pain. Conclusion The prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs is high among female undergraduate pharmacy students. Bed rest and heat applications are the most common CATs used. Reducing the need for analgesics and efficacy are the factors associated with the current use of CATs. Students should be educated about the safe and effective use of CATs to reduce adverse effects and improve their quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Rawan A. Ababneh ◽  
Karem H. Alzoubi ◽  
Mera A. Ababneh

Scientific integrity, proper research conduct and avoiding research misconduct including plagiarism, fabrication and falsification, are all essential to all disciplines. Since research experience is a recommended skill to gain during undergraduate education, undergraduate students need to be aware of research misconduct in order to avoid it. This study was carried out to determine the level of knowledge and awareness regarding research misconduct, and the independent factors that might contribute to attitudes towards research misconduct. In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was self-filled by pharmacy undergraduate students about their knowledge of practices in research misconduct. Among the respondents (n=800), 79.12% had poor knowledge, whereas 20.88% had good knowledge about research misconduct and research ethics. Furthermore, only 9% indicated having previous training in research conduct/misconduct, whereas 36.5% had previous training in research ethics. In conclusion, this study reflects insufficient knowledge and awareness about research misconduct concepts and their main terminologies among undergraduate pharmacy students, which emphasizes the importance of implanting proper training programs/courses on research ethics during students’ academic years.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document