scholarly journals Assessment of Knowledge and Competencies of Community Pharmacists for Differentiated HIV Care and Services in Jos, Nigeria

Author(s):  
M. L. P. Dapar ◽  
B. N. Joseph ◽  
P. A. Damun ◽  
C. R. Okunlola ◽  
P. N. Alphonsus ◽  
...  

Background: Knowledge and competence of community pharmacists in HIV care, are essential for translating the goals of differentiated care into improved outcomes. Aims: To assess the knowledge and competence of community pharmacists in Jos, for differentiated HIV care and services. Study Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Place and Duration of Study: Community pharmacies in Jos North and Jos South local government areas of Plateau state, North-Central Nigeria, between September to November, 2018. Methodology: We included community pharmacists who responded to six items on knowledge of HIV therapeutics with each correct answer recording a score of 1 and zero for wrong answers. Respondents with a correct score of 5 or 6 represent good knowledge. We examined competence on a 36 item scale graded 1 for weak competence and 5 for strong competence. Factor analysis; reduce the 36 scale items down to competency domains. Frequencies and percentages for reported competencies were presented. In addition, aggregated scores for each of the competency domains were used to compare respondents based on years of experience, educational level and employment status in community pharmacy. All levels of significance were set at p≤ 0.05. Results: 73 out of 110 community pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Of these, only 25% reported good level of knowledge in HIV therapeutics. 69% reported strong competency in identifying drug therapy problems, 31% inter-professional and patient communication. There was statistically significant difference in competency domains based on years of practice experience and employment status p<0.05. Respondents with 10 years or less of practice experience recorded higher mean ranked scores compared to those with 11 or more years. Similarly, employed pharmacists recorded higher mean ranked scores than those who owned their business. Conclusion: Overall, respondents reported low knowledge and weak competency in HIV care emphasizing the need for specialized training before implementation of differentiated care model.

Author(s):  
Mgbahurike A. Amaka ◽  
Amadi Nwadiuto Cecilia

Background: The long- recognized challenges to HIV care remained relevant as newer challenges emerge. Pharmacists’ role has evolved and expanded to help patients and other healthcare providers to achieve the core goals of HIV management. Objectives: this study assessed the role/services community pharmacists play/offer in the management of HIV patients in Rivers State, Southern region of Nigeria, and evaluated the perception of community pharmacists towards management of HIV infected patients. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among three hundred and seventy- four community pharmacist- owned pharmacies spread across Rivers State. Data were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire. The structure comprises (1) demographic information (2) services offered to HIV infected patients (3) perception towards community pharmacists’ involvement in management of HIV. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 16 and statistical significance taken at p<0.05. Results: Out of 374 (100%) community pharmacist-owned pharmacies only 30 (8%) were involved in the management of HIV patients. 22(73.3%) were male and 8(26.7%) were female. While 23(76.7%) had B.Pharm degree; 2(6.7%) had Pharm D. 18(70%) had 11 – 20yrs practice experience as 7(23%) had over 20 yrs experience. 23(76.6%) had special HIV training program while 3(10%) self-acquired information on HIV. The Likert scale to measure perception is biased towards agreement, Likert scale 3.89, that community pharmacists are knowledgeable and well positioned to play role in the management of HIV infected patients. Conclusion: Very few 30(8%) of registered community pharmacists are involved in the management of HIV patients. Although the services offered cut across the guidelines for management of HIV infected patients, there is still need for improvement and regular update on HIV training for community pharmacists. These steps would help to involve more community pharmacists, decongest hospitals and reduce workload on hospital pharmacists.                     Peer Review History: Received 23 January 2021; Revised 5 February; Accepted 26 February, Available online 15 March 2021 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency.  Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy,  Sana'a University, Yemen, [email protected] Dr. Bilge Ahsen KARA,  Ankara Gazi Mustafa Kemal Hospital, Turkey, [email protected] Similar Articles: AWARENESS OF PHARMACISTS TOWARDS ASPARTAME SIDE EFFECTS IN KHARTOUM CITY, SUDAN SUDANESE PHARMACY STUDENTS: CAREER INTENTIONS, EXPECTATIONS AND FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR CHOICES


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
A. A. Mustafa ◽  
H. A. Alassiry ◽  
A. Al-Turki ◽  
N. Alamri ◽  
N. A. Alhamdan ◽  
...  

The aim of this research is to provide some insights into the ability of the sixth year medical students and interns to recall theoretical knowledge of pharmacology. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students who graduated from three different medical schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was distributed to male and female students in 3 different colleges of medicine. The questionnaire included demographic information and ten multiple choice questions (MCQs) on basic pharmacology. Out of the 161 students, there were 39 females (24%) and 122 males (76%). A total of 36 (22%) students studied at a traditional learning school whereas 125 (78%) students studied at problem based learning (PBL) schools. The students were recruited from three universities: KSU, KSAU-HS, and KFMC-COM. In general, 31 students (19%) of the participants scored ≥ 7 out of 10, 77 students (48%) of them obtained a correct score of (4–6) out of 10, and 53 students (33%) scored less than 4. The study showed no statistically significant difference in recalling pharmacology between traditional school and problem based learning school except for those who prepared for exams. Results suggest that pharmacology is a difficult subject. Reevaluations are needed in the way of teaching pharmacology.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
P.D. Kaze ◽  
K.P. Gam

A cross – sectional study of bovine, porcine and dog cysticercosis was carried out in Bukuru Plateau State Nigeria,in 2010 using Gyel Bukuru abattoir, Fwagul and Kuru trade centre slaughtering abattoir, as study areas. Two hundred and twenty-five samples were collected at random comprising of seventy-five samples each from cattle, dog and pig respectively, where twenty-five samples were taking for raw meat, cooked meat and feaces in relation to the sex of the animals examined. The overall prevalence rate of 28 (12.44%) was recorded out of the total sample of 225. Raw meat records 10 (4.44%), cooked meat record 7 (3.11%) and feaces records 11 (4.98%) infection rate. X2 analysis show no significant difference in the prevalence rate of cysticercus in meat and cyst in feaces of the examined animals (p > 0.05). There was no record of infection in cattle, both in beef and feaces in different sexes of the cattle examined, sex specific incidence rate obtained in both studies did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The female animal studied had the highest infection rate of 17 (60.71%).There was significant difference in tapeworms encountered with the meat and feaces examined (p < 0.05) Taenia solium had the highest infection rate of 14 (6.22 %), Dipylidium caninum had 12 (5.33%) with the least infestatioin recorded in T. hydatigena 2 (0.89%). Hence no record of T. saginata infection was encountered in the present study. However mixed infection was recorded in Dog with T. hydatigena & D. caninum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
Maryam Amirchaghmaghi ◽  
Hooman Keshavarz ◽  
Farid Haghdadi

Background: Dentists are at higher risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens including HBV (hepatitis B virus), HCV (hepatitis C virus), and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against HBV/HCV/HIV among the general dentists working in Mashhad in 2016. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample (141 persons) of the general dentists working in Mashhad. The data gathering tool in this study was a self-administered questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by a group of relevant specialists. The reliability of the questionnaire was also tested by a test-retest method with a two-week interval. The agreement between the two steps (test and retest) was at least 70%, and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.74. The total score of each person’s knowledge ranged from -20 to +20. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t test were used for statistical analyses. Results: Out of 141 dentists selected randomly, 101 subjects (69.3% male) participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 42.3 years, And the mean duration of dental practice experience was 16.3 years. Regarding the mean age (P = 0.11), and the mean duration of dental practice experience (P = 0.12), there was no statistically significant difference between the two genders. The mean score of knowledge among the participants was -2.8, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two genders in this regard (P = 0.72). Conclusions: This study indicated that the level of knowledge about PEP against HBV/HCV/HIV was very low among the general dentists working in Mashhad. Therefore, improving knowledge of general dentists working in Mashhad through appropriate educational interventions seems necessary.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malu Mohan ◽  
T K Sundari Ravindran

Objective: This study aims to examine the current employment characteristics and financial situation of recent dental graduates of Kerala, India, in the context of a drastic rise in the number of dental graduates in the state over the past two decades, following a policy change in dental education at the dawn of the 21st century. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 recent dental graduates selected using circular systematic random sampling from a sampling frame of all dental graduates who graduated in any dental college in Kerala between April 2014 and February 2018 and who have registered at the Kerala State Dental Council. Results: More than two-thirds of the participants were females. Graduates trained from private dental colleges formed the majority. A significant proportion was currently unemployed (27%). The private sector was the predominant employment avenue for the dental graduates (90.9%). A notable proportion of the study participants did not have a regular income (32.1%). The current employment status of the graduates showed a statistically significant difference in proportions according to gender, type of educational institution, and the employment status of the graduates’ male parents. There were significant differences in the current financial situation according to gender, caste, and training background. Conclusion: The study reveals the existence of a high rate of unemployment among the recent dental graduates of Kerala. Their financial situation is indicative of vulnerability and dependent status. These findings have major policy implications for dental training and regulation of dental profession in the country.


Author(s):  
M. L. P. Dapar ◽  
B. N. Joseph ◽  
P. A. Damun ◽  
C. R. Okunlola ◽  
E. Ahmadu ◽  
...  

Background: Differentiated care is an innovative multi-dimensional strategy for improving access to HIV care and treatment outcomes. However, its successful implementation depends on attitudes and perceptions of practitioners. Objectives: This study assessed the attitudes and perception of community pharmacists on HIV differentiated care and services. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria. The portion of the study reported in this paper consisted of a 10 items Likert questions to assess attitudes and perceptions of community pharmacists on differentiated HIV care and services. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was used to manage data. The reliability of the instrument was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics were presented as tables and figures. Results: Seventy-three 73 community pharmacists completed our questionnaire out of 110 distributed, giving a response rate of 66.4%. Mean age of respondents was 37.7+7.8 years. Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency of the perception scale was 0.9 indicating good reliability of the instrument. Overall, respondents had a positive perception regarding suitability and benefits of differentiated HIV care and services in community pharmacies. Highest agreement was to the perception that differentiated care would encourage collaboration between community pharmacies and the rest of the health system. Conclusion: Willingness and positive perceptions of community pharmacists about the suitability and benefits of providing HIV differentiated care and services were identified. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 2016-2026
Author(s):  
Tamara R. Almeida ◽  
Clayton H. Rocha ◽  
Camila M. Rabelo ◽  
Raquel F. Gomes ◽  
Ivone F. Neves-Lobo ◽  
...  

Purpose The aims of this study were to characterize hearing symptoms, habits, and sound pressure levels (SPLs) of personal audio system (PAS) used by young adults; estimate the risk of developing hearing loss and assess whether instructions given to users led to behavioral changes; and propose recommendations for PAS users. Method A cross-sectional study was performed in 50 subjects with normal hearing. Procedures included questionnaire and measurement of PAS SPLs (real ear and manikin) through the users' own headphones and devices while they listened to four songs. After 1 year, 30 subjects answered questions about their usage habits. For the statistical analysis, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's post hoc test, Lin and Spearman coefficients, the chi-square test, and logistic regression were used. Results Most subjects listened to music every day, usually in noisy environments. Sixty percent of the subjects reported hearing symptoms after using a PAS. Substantial variability in the equivalent music listening level (Leq) was noted ( M = 84.7 dBA; min = 65.1 dBA, max = 97.5 dBA). A significant difference was found only in the 4-kHz band when comparing the real-ear and manikin techniques. Based on the Leq, 38% of the individuals exceeded the maximum daily time allowance. Comparison of the subjects according to the maximum allowed daily exposure time revealed a higher number of hearing complaints from people with greater exposure. After 1 year, 43% of the subjects reduced their usage time, and 70% reduced the volume. A volume not exceeding 80% was recommended, and at this volume, the maximum usage time should be 160 min. Conclusions The habit of listening to music at high intensities on a daily basis seems to cause hearing symptoms, even in individuals with normal hearing. The real-ear and manikin techniques produced similar results. Providing instructions on this topic combined with measuring PAS SPLs may be an appropriate strategy for raising the awareness of people who are at risk. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12431435


Author(s):  
M. Trajchevska ◽  
A. Lleshi ◽  
S. Gjoshev ◽  
A. Trajchevski

Background: The respect of the needs and wishes of the patients is in the focus of the human health system. The experience of the parents in terms of child’s health care may be used as an indicator of quality of the health care. Material and methods: The research is a quantitative analytical cross-sectional study. In accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, simple random sample of 207 parents / guardians is covered, whose children in the period of three months, had been hospitalized in the hospital department JZUU Pediatric Surgery Clinic in Skopje.It was used a two parted questionnaire. The first part is a standardized questionnaire (Parent Experience of Pediatric Care - PECP), and the second part concerns the general socio-demographic data of the parent/guardian. Statistical evaluation was performed using appropriate statistical programs (Statistics for Windows 7,0 and SPSS 17.0). Results: In accordance with the age of the parents, the survey respondents were divided into two groups: a) age ≤ 33 years - 107 (51.69%) and b) age> 33 years - 100 (48.31%).Significant independent predictor of parental satisfaction from the receipt of their child to the clinic research confirms the age of the parent under / over 33 years due to 4.1% of the change in satisfaction (R2 = 0,041). Parents generally believe that their children's room of the clinic is "good", without significant difference between parental satisfaction from both age groups (Mann-Whitney U Test Z = -0,9613 p = 0,3364). Significant independent predictor of parental satisfaction from the room of their child improves the health status after treatment due to 6% of the change in satisfaction (R2 = 0,060). Parents generally believe that testing and treatment of their children in the clinic was "very good" and an independent significant predictor is to improve the health status after the treatment - 7,8% (R2 = 0,078). Conclusions: Regardless of the generally good parental satisfaction about health care for their children, it is necessary to continuously monitor the status of the clinic in order to consider the possible deficiencies and needs of intervention.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Nadia Tariq ◽  
Tamkeen Jaffry ◽  
Rahma Fiaz ◽  
Abdul Majid Rajput ◽  
Sadaf Khalid

Background: Indoor air pollutants are increasingly being associated with respiratory illnesses leading to high degree of morbidity and mortality. There are not sufficient epidemiological studies from Pakistan which assess level of awareness of indoor air pollution resulting in respiratory diseases in population. Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out on general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Sample size was 223 study subjects selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Knowledge of the study subjects was determined with regard to indoor air pollution, its effects on health and different sources of indoor air pollution with the help of a questionnaire. The influence of age, gender, educational status and socio economic status on the level of awareness was also analyzed. Results: Out of total 223 participants, 115 were males and108 females. Participants aware of indoor air pollution were 91.5% and adequate awareness about its sources was 80.7%. Those who knew indoor air pollution is detrimental to health were 95.1%. Awareness about building construction dust as source of indoor air pollution was maximum (84.8%). There was significant difference in awareness among participants with different monthly incomes and educational status and also between males and females. Conclusion: This study concludes that general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad has fairly good awareness about sources of indoor air pollution. Use of harmful material causing indoor air pollution should be limited or substituted with better ones where possible.


Author(s):  
Bhagavathami Meenaksh ◽  
Chitraa R. Chandran ◽  
Aravindhan Thathchari Ranganathan ◽  
Kavindapadi Venkateswaran Rama ◽  
Valarmathy Srinivasan

Background: This study aims to determine and compare the levels of trace elements copper, zinc, selenium and chromium in GCF and serum of patients with periodontitis and healthy individuals. Methods: This cross sectional study includes 24 study subjects recruited from the patients reporting to the Department of Periodontics , Tagore Dental College Chennai. All the selected patients were subjected to a clinical examination done by a single examiner. The estimation of trace elements Copper, Zinc, Selenium and Chromium in GCF and serum is performed using Perkin Elmer optima 5300 Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer (ICPOES). Results: GCF and serum copper levels showed no significant difference in both periodontitis and healthy groups . Selenium levels tend to be the same in both groups. Serum zinc levels are more in periodontitis patients than healthy subjects (p less than 0.01). GCF chromium levels are found to be more in patients with periodontitis than healthy. Conclusions : More research is therefore needed to monitor the role of these trace elements C with an increased sample size to ascertain whether they are associated with a reduced risk of periodontitis.


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