Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: To assess levels and predictive factors of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among stroke patients. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional predictive correlational design. Levels of HRQOL were assessed using the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life (SS-QOL) scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was employed to assess psychological aspects among 209 Saudi stroke patients. The analysis included demographic and medical variables to comprehensively explore influencing factors. RESULTS: A two-step hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed. The overall SS-QOL summary score (49 items) showed a mean score of 94.4 (SD = 8.1), indicating poor functioning. Nine predictor variables were found to significantly predict HRQOL levels, including age (ß = -0.212, p ≤ .001), female (ß = -5.33, p ≤ .001), unmarried (ß = 2.48, p ≤ .001), low gross monthly income (GMI) (ß = -9.02, p ≤ .001), medium GMI (ß = -8.36, p ≤ .001), having a medical history of hypertension (ß = 2.7, p ≤ .01), time since stroke (ß = 3.26 p ≤ .001), and being a probable case of anxiety (ß = -4.29, p ≤ .001) and/or depression (ß = -2.75, p ≤ .001). These variables collectively explained ~76% of the variance in HRQOL scores (adjusted R2 = .762, F (16,192) = 42.6, p ≤ .001). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke patients exhibited poor HRQOL levels influenced by various factors. Clinicians should consider these predictors and intervene early to enhance HRQOL among patients at risk, emphasizing the importance of optimizing patient outcomes.

Assessing Anxiety and Depression Among Students Post-COVID-19: Exploring Associating Factors.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on global mental health including anxiety and depression rates, many factors affected the vulnerability to these psychological conditions amongst university students. Aim: To explore the level of anxiety and depression of university students living in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted in which an electronic survey was created and distributed, university students residing in Jordan participated in the study. Results: A total of 1241 students were enrolled in the study. The mean anxiety score among males and females was (9.68 (SD = 4.10)) and (10.46 (SD = 4.14)), respectively. 42.1% of males had "abnormal" anxiety score compared to 48.4% females. The mean depression score among males (7.77 (SD = 4.31)) was similar to that for the females (7.64 (SD = 4.14)), and 26.0% of the males had "abnormal" depression score compared to 22.6% of the females. Factors affecting anxiety scores included younger age, being a female, taking medication/s, or drinking two cups of coffee or more a day. Conclusion: With 46% and 24% of students suffering from abnormal anxiety and depression respectively, it is important for education policy makers to take immediate measures to allocate students in need of psychological assessment and help to deliver suitable interventions.

The battle against COVID-19 in Jordan: A cross-sectional study assessing the experience of Jordanians who have been infected with COVID-19.

Background: Patients infected with coronavirus have new experiences and hence needs from the healthcare sector. Pharmacists can play vital roles in adopting innovative strategies to meet such needs. Objectives: To assess the experience of people who have been infected with coronavirus, and to assess the roles played by pharmacists to meet their new needs. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional online survey was developed based on previous literature, validated, and conducted in Jordan (3-13 May 2021). Results: The mean age of the study participants (n=470) was 34.31 years (SD=11.75). About three-quarters were females. Out of the study participants, 24.0% reported to having been infected with the coronavirus previously, and 48.9% of them were infected after contacting an infected family member/friend. Only 36.0% ranked their commitment to the preventative measures as "very committed" before getting infected. The most reported symptom was fatigue (77.1%). The most used medicine/supplement was vitamin C (85.3%), followed by pain relievers (77.7%), and zinc tablets (75.3%). More than half of the participants (66.4%) documented that their anxiety and stress levels increased during their infection. More than half of the participants (53.7%) strongly agreed/agreed that pharmacists had an important and effective role during their infection. Conclusion: The experience of individuals who contracted the coronavirus indicated that few were very committed to preventative measures before getting infected. Fatigue was the main experienced symptom, while vitamin C was the supplement used the most. About half of the participants believed that pharmacists have an important role in managing their needs during their COVID-19 infection.

Assessing the Pharmacist's Role in Counseling Asthmatic Adults Using the Correct Inhaler Technique and Its Effect on Asthma Control, Adherence, and Quality of Life.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess inhaler technique skills, asthma control level, adherence, and quality of life scores amongst asthmatic patients living in Amman, Jordan, investigating the role of pharmacist's educational intervention. Patients and Methods: This single-blinded randomized parallel-group active-controlled study was conducted at the Jordan University Hospital (JUH) clinic in 2019. Patients were assessed at baseline and follow-up (after three months) on their inhaler technique (based on validated published checklists), asthma control based on the asthma control test (ACT) questionnaire, adherence to treatment, and quality of life (QoL). Patients in the active group were counseled on correct inhaler technique and administration skills, orally and using inhaler adhesive labels delivered by the clinical pharmacist. Results: Asthma patients (n = 157; active, n = 79, and control, n = 78) were recruited into the study and grouped based on the controller inhaler they were using (Turbohaler (TH) and Accuhaler (ACC). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups at baseline for inhaler technique, adherence, ACT, and QoL. At follow-up, 93.7% of the active group patients used their inhalers correctly, while only 16.7% of the control group used them correctly (P-value <0.001). Also, the ACT mean score was significantly higher for the active group (21.21±5.27) versus the control group (15.92±7.31; P-value <0.001). The QoL mean score was significantly improved for the active group compared with the control group (active = 63.85±24.78, Control = 38.746±3.23, P-value <0.001). Improvement in adherence for the active group was noticed compared with the control group but did not reach a significant level (P-value=0.691). Conclusion: Through a practical educational intervention, pharmacists were found to significantly improve patients' asthma inhaler technique, ACT scores, and QoL scores for patients with asthma.

Alteration of the Respiratory Microbiome in Hospitalized Patients with Asthma-COPD Overlap during and after an Exacerbation.

The immediate aim of this study was to comparatively examine the bacterial respiratory microbiome of patients in a stable state and during an exacerbation of asthma-COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) overlap (ACO). This prospective observational study took place in Jordan between 1 September 2021 and 30 April 2022. Sputum samples from patients with recognized ACO were acquired within 48 h of the exacerbation onset and again at 3 weeks following the exacerbation. The next-generation sequencing Illumina MiSeq was employed and uncovered significantly high bacterial diversity in the sputa. The results showed a significant decrease in the taxonomic richness in the sputum samples collected during the exacerbation episodes compared with those collected from patients in a stable state (p = 0.008), with an increase in the taxonomic evenness (p < 0.005). This change in the composition of the airway bacterial community suggests that the replacement of a significant portion of the airway microbiome with certain microorganisms may play a role in the decrease in microbial diversity observed during an ACO exacerbation. Greater knowledge of this link could allow for a more focused administration of antibiotics, especially during exacerbations, improving clinical efficacy and patient outcomes.

Effect of post-COVID-19 condition on sleep: A case report.

Post-COVID-19 condition affects patients on various aspects. This 41-year-old female presented to the outpatient clinic complaining of severe insomnia characterized by inconsistent 2 h of sleep per day despite taking sleep aid pills after being infected with COVID-19 and persisting for 6 months after recovery.

The Effects of Medications and the Roles of Pharmacists on the Recovery of Patients with COVID-19 Infection: An Epidemiological Study from the United Arab Emirates.

Patients infected with coronavirus have new experiences and hence new needs from the healthcare sector. Acknowledging patients' experiences can exhibit promising outcomes in coronavirus management. Pharmacists are considered a vital pillar in managing patients' experiences during their infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the experiences of COVID-19-infected individuals and the roles of pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates. The survey was face- and content-validated after being developed. Three sections were included in the survey (demographics, experiences of infected individuals, and the roles of pharmacists). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The study participants (n = 509) had a mean age of 34.50 (SD = 11.93). The most reported symptoms among participants were fatigue (81.5%), fever (76.8%), headache (76.6%), dry cough (74.1%), muscle or joint pain (70.7%), and sore throat (68.6%). Vitamin C was the most used supplement (88.6%), followed by pain relievers (78.2%). Female gender was the only factor associated with symptom severity. About 79.0% agreed that the pharmacist played an important and effective role during their infection. The most reported symptom was fatigue, with females reporting more severe symptoms. The role of the pharmacist proved to be vital during this pandemic.

Post-traumatic stress disorders among Syrian refugees residing in non-camp settings in Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence and severity of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) among Syrian refugees and explore its association with various factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among a convenience snowball sample of Syrian refugees residing in non-camp settings in Jordan in 2019. A 4-part self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Part one included socio-demographic data, part 2 included an Arabic version of Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) (part I: trauma event and part IV: trauma symptoms), part 3 was related to participants' physical symptoms, and part 4 to participants' satisfaction with the healthcare they received. RESULTS: Study participants (n=279; mean age 32 years (SD=10.45), 52% were males) reported high prevalence of traumatic symptoms (86.2%); of these, 68.5% were considered symptomatic for PTSD (HTQ-16 sub-scale or the entire symptom scale HTQ-45 mean item score of >2.5), regardless of the type of trauma. Those who were middle-aged, a female, unemployed, sexually abused or raped, had a family member who died in the conflict, witnessed catastrophic events like burning, or razing of residential areas, and have received the body of a family member while being prohibited from expressing grief and doing funeral rites, were more likely to be considered as a case of PTSD. CONCLUSION: Majority of the refugees residing in non-camp settings in Jordan suffer from PTSD. Refugees have low satisfaction with the healthcare services provided.

Prevalence of Asthma amongst Schoolchildren in Jordan and Staff Readiness to Help.

Assessing asthma prevalence and management in schools is crucial. Improving school policies may reduce asthma morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Amman, Jordan. Second, we evaluated Jordanian school staff on asthma first-aid knowledge and competence. This cross-sectional study was conducted over five months in 2019. The researcher visited primary schools (private and public), and the availability of proper first-aid tools and teachers' knowledge were assessed. The participated schools included ten public schools with 100 participating teachers and ten private schools with 100 participating teachers. Less than 25% of all schools reported having an asthma first-aid kit, and 65% reported having medical reports for chronic diseases, including asthma. The mean number of students in the schools involved in the study was 455.31 ± 212.92, out of whom 10.38 ± 7.26 were asthmatic children. The prevalence of asthma was 2.38% among schoolchildren in Amman, Jordan. Schools were found to have insufficient medical reports for the asthma children, in addition to a lack of first aid kits. The asthma knowledge of teachers in schools was weak. There is a need for educators to develop more awareness. These findings shed light on important concerns that require immediate attention.

Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of poststroke depression (PSD) in Saudi Arabia and its association with socio-demographic and clinical factors. DESIGN: A predictive correlational cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study adopted a non-probability convenience sampling method to recruit 211 stroke survivors between April and October 2021 from the neurology outpatient departments of two main governmental hospitals in Saudi Arabia. PSD was measured using a self-assessment reliable and valid scale (The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]). RESULTS: More than two-thirds (70.6%) of the study sample (Mean age = 53 years, SD = 8.5, 51.2% were males) experienced some degree of depression (Score ≥8); of these, approximately half (48.8%) were in severe depression. The final prediction model was statistically significant (χ2 [15] = 31.39, p Ë‚ .01). PSD is a statistically significant health issue and requires immediate attention by healthcare providers to improve the health outcomes of stroke survivors.

Effect of COVID-19 vaccine on menstrual experience among females in six Arab countries: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There have been varying reports on the potential occurrence and severity of changes to menstruation including the median cycle length, days of bleeding, bleeding heaviness, and menstrual pain, following receipt of COVID-19 vaccinations. We aimed to assess potential postvaccination menstrual changes in women residing in the Middle East. METHODS: We implemented a cross-sectional online survey-based study. Data about the participants' demographic characteristics, menstruation experience, and vaccination status were collected and analyzed among six Arab countries. RESULTS: Among 4942 menstruating females included in this study, females who had received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccination reported a higher frequency of back pain, nausea, tiredness, pelvic pain with periods, unprescribed analgesics use, and passage of loose stools. They also reported higher scores describing average and worst menstrual pain. Fully vaccinated females reported heavier flow and more days of bleeding. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that COVID-19 vaccine may have an effect on menstruation in terms of menstrual pain and bleeding heaviness. The evidence needs to be further investigated in longitudinal studies.

Bovine Colostrum Treatment of Specific Cancer Types: Current Evidence and Future Opportunities.

Worldwide, the incidence of cancer is on the rise. Current cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment are typically associated with severe adverse effects and a decline in patients' quality of life. Anti-cancer substances derived from plants and animals need to be evaluated therapeutically as it is cost-effective, have fewer side effects, and can improve cancer patients' quality of life. Recently, bovine colostrum (BC) has attracted the interest of numerous researchers investigating its anti-cancer potential in humans. Dressings loaded with BC are beneficial in treating chronic wounds and diabetic foot ulcers. Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial effects, is abundant in BC. The BC pills successfully promote the regression of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia when administered intravaginally. The biological, genetic, and molecular mechanisms driving BC remain to be determined. Oral BC supplements are generally well-tolerated, but some flatulence and nausea may happen. To evaluate the therapeutic effects, long-term safety, and appropriate dosages of BC drugs, well-designed clinical trials are necessary. The purpose of this article is to emphasize the anti-cancer potential of BC and its constituents.

Improving Syrian refugees' knowledge of medications and adherence following a randomized control trial assessing the effect of a medication management review service.

BACKGROUND: Syrian refugees living in Jordan have many chronic conditions and use many medications. Pharmacists delivering the Medication Management Review (MMR) service can have a role in improving this growing global refugees' problem. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of the MMR service on adherence to treatment therapy and knowledge of chronic medications for Syrian refugees residing in Jordan. METHODS: This randomized intervention control single-blinded study was conducted in Jordan. Syrian refugees were recruited and randomized into intervention and control groups. Two home visits were delivered to each participant, at baseline and three months later. All participants completed questionnaires regarding adherence and knowledge. As a part of the MMR service, treatment-related problems (TRPs) were recognized for all patients; recommendations to resolve these TRPs were only delivered to intervention group refugees' physicians; TRPs were corrected. At follow-up, TRPs assessment, adherence and medication knowledge were assessed for all refugee participants. RESULTS: Participants (n = 106; intervention n = 53, control n = 53) had a number of medications and diagnosed chronic diseases of 5.8 ± 2.1 and 2.97 ± 1.16 per participant respectively. A significant improvement in the adherence and knowledge scores were noted in the intervention (P < 0.001 for both) but not the control group (P = 0.229, P = 0.07 respectively). CONCLUSION: The MMR service can significantly improve refugees' TRPs, adherence to therapy and knowledge of chronic medications. If this approach was extended to the large scale, many refugees in need would be able to access a quality essential health-care service; a step towards achieving universal health coverage. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04554810.

Variations in the respiratory microbiota amongst asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects in Jordan.

In this work, variation in microbiota in the lower respiratory tract (LRT) among asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects is identified. All participants (27 asthmatic patients and 27 non-asthmatic subjects) were asked to expectorate a sputum sample in special sterile tubes after rinsing the mouth with a sterilizing solution. The expectorated sputum specimen was immediately homogenized and stored in the deep freezer for DNA extraction for microbial gene sequencing and sequence analyses. For sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using Illumina MiSeq, followed by an analysis of alpha and beta diversity. It was found that asthmatic patients had greater bacterial diversity than non-asthmatic subjects. Bacteria associated to the phyla (Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes) accounted for 90 % of all sequences. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the asthmatic patients was higher than that of non-asthmatic (30 % vs 17 %; P-value = 0.044), along with a high abundance of the pathogen Haemophilus influenza. In contrast, Firmicutes (41 %) and Bacteroidetes (31 %) showed higher relative abundances in the non-asthmatic subjects. No significant link was found between the type of asthma drug or the method of drug usage (orally or via inhalation) and the respiratory microbiota. Therefore, the variations in LRS microbiota are not caused by the drugs taken by the asthmatic patients, rather they might be connected to the etiology of asthma. Since the asthmatic patients had higher proportions of Haemophilus influenzae, these organisms could be a causative factor in the pathophysiology of asthma.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of educational medical informatics tutorial on improving pharmacy students' knowledge and skills about the clinical problem-solving process.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of an online tutorial and its impact on improving knowledge and skills of pharmacy students in the clinical problem-solving process that is necessary to implement pharmaceutical care. Methods: This is a prospective interventional study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions using four novel templates. The first two levels of Kirkpatrick's Model (Reaction and Learning) were used. Results: 129 participants completed all of the online training parts. The findings indicated a significant improvement in the students' knowledge and skills. The participants achieved higher score following the tutorial than the baseline, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in the number of detected treatment-related problems. The majority of students were satisfied with the overall training process and stated a high evaluation score out of 10 (mean = 7.93 ± 1.42, median = 8.00). Conclusion: The educational intervention achieved a substantial positive impact on decision-making skills of participating students and was considered effective in helping them attain basic skills such as teamwork, peer assessment, communication and critical evaluation. Healthcare providers must work together to ensure accurate medication use during care transitions. Pharmacists, as medication experts, play an important role in the implementation process. Pharmacy educators must prepare pharmacy student to use pharmaceutical care in their future practice.

Development and validation of the Adherence to Asthma Medication Questionnaire (AAMQ).

Background: Adherence to medication is the cornerstone to achieve the best treatment outcome. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals found in a pivotal position to assess asthmatic patients' adherence to medication. A brief, reliable, and valid measure of patients adherence to mediations is useful to enable the pharmacists to deliver that vital service. Objective: To develop a reliable and valid adherence assessment tool for asthmatic patients. Methods: The Adherence to Asthma Medication Questionnaire (AAMQ-13) was developed based on an extensive literature review, followed by applying the Delphi technique, and then it was pilot-tested by 55 patients. The final AAMQ-13 was completed by 213 patients. Psychometric evaluation was assessed including reliability, criterion validity, and construct validity. Results: The AAMQ-13 is a feasible 13-item questionnaire, as it can be completed within an average of two minutes. It has high reliability (Cronbach's alpha= 0.87). Criterion-concurrent validity was established by comparing the AAMQ-13 to the Test of the Adherence to Inhaler (TAI) and the pharmacy refill records. Criterion-convergent validity was established by comparing the AAMQ-13 to the Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire and the Positive Health Behaviors Scale (PHBS). Construct validity was established through AAMQ-13 factor analysis which revealed two factors explaining 51.76% of the total variance. Conclusion: The AAMQ-13 is a reliable and valid questionnaire with several desirable characteristics as it has high reliability, good criterion validity, and strong construct validity. The AAMQ-13 is a suitable questionnaire that can identify non-adherent patients and reveal the reasons behind their non-adherence : Asthma; Adherence to medication; Compliance; Questionnaire; Self-report; Scale; Survey.

Assessing health-related behaviors among Jordanian children during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The coronavirus disease identified in 2019 (COVID-19) led to extreme actions being taken by the governments to restrict the spread of this virus. Closure of schools, sport clubs and playgrounds were among these actions; children had to stay indoors and were not allowed to pursue their normal lifestyle activities. Objectives: To assess the differences in health-related behaviors among Jordanian school-aged children (6-16 years) before and during COVID-19 quarantine and to evaluate public's perception of the role of pharmacists regarding children's health-related behaviors management. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2020 to January 2021 using an anonymous web-based survey. The survey was developed based on previously published surveys. Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the survey were conducted by a professional committee of clinical pharmacists and a statistician. Results: A total of 230 children, aged 9.02± 2.977 participated in the study. Physical activity and healthy balanced meals decreased (less than 1 hr or 1-3 hrs/week vs 2 meals/day, p= <0.001), whereas daily screen time (1-3 hrs/week vs 4-6 hrs/week, p= <0.001), sleep hours (8-9 hrs/day vs 10-11 hrs/day, p= <0.001) and the ingestion of unhealthy snacks had increased (1-2 meals/day vs. 2-3 meals/day, p=<0.001). A positive perception of pharmacists' role during the pandemic was revealed. Conclusion: The present study showed that a significant change in children's health-related behavior happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such changes can lead to social, physical and mental health problems. The public perceived community pharmacists as trusted health care professionals during the pandemic.

Impact of Pharmacist-Directed Medication Reconciliation in Reducing Medication Discrepancies: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: In hospital surgical wards, patients are at higher risk for medication errors, in part because physicians may not consider themselves sufficiently trained to prescribe medications. Hence, collaborative teamwork involving the pharmacist is needed. Objectives: To assess the impact of medication reconciliation directed by pharmacists on decreasing medication discrepancies after discharge from the surgical ward. Methods: Patients admitted to the surgical unit at a tertiary teaching hospital in Amman, Jordan, between July 2017 and July 2018 were selected and randomly assigned to either the control or the intervention group. Upon admission, the number and kinds of unintentional medication discrepancies were determined for both groups. Medication reconciliation was then provided to patients in the intervention group. The number of unintentional discrepancies was re-evaluated upon discharge for both groups. To assess differences between the control and intervention groups, the χ2 or Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables and an independent-sample t test for continuous data. A paired t test was conducted to determine whether the number of medication discrepancies was reduced as a result of pharmacists' recommendations. Results: A total of 123 patients met the inclusion criteria, 61 in the intervention group and 62 in the control group. Discrepancies of omission and wrong dose constituted 41 (77%) of the 53 discrepancies in the intervention group and 25 (76%) of the 33 discrepancies in the control group. The number of unintentional discrepancies was significantly reduced from admission to discharge in both the intervention group (p = 0.002) and the control group (p = 0.007). Of 53 recommendations made by pharmacists, 20 (38%) were accepted by the treating physician, and all of these discrepancies were resolved. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the existence of unintentional medication discrepancies upon admission for surgical patients, which may expose the patients to potential harm upon discharge from hospital. Additional studies with a larger sample size are needed to gain further insights on pharmacists' role in implementing medication reconciliation for surgical patients.

Contexte: Dans les services chirurgicaux des hôpitaux, les patients sont exposés à un risque d'erreurs de médication plus élevé, en partie parce que les médecins ne se considèrent pas suffisamment formés pour prescrire des médicaments. Par conséquent, un travail d'équipe collaboratif impliquant le pharmacien est nécessaire. Objectifs: Évaluer l'impact du bilan comparatif des médicaments dirigé par les pharmaciens sur la diminution des écarts médicamenteux après la sortie du service de chirurgie. Méthodes: Les patients admis à l'unité chirurgicale d'un hôpital d'enseignement tertiaire à Amman, en Jordanie, entre juillet 2017 et juillet 2018 ont été sélectionnés et affectés au hasard au groupe témoin ou au groupe d'intervention. Lors de l'admission, le nombre et les types de divergences médicamenteuses non intentionnelles ont été définis pour les deux groupes. Le bilan comparatif des médicaments a ensuite été fourni aux patients du groupe d'intervention. Le nombre d'écarts non intentionnels a été réévalué à la sortie pour les deux groupes. Pour évaluer les différences entre le groupe témoin et le groupe d'intervention, le test χ2 ou le test exact de Fisher a été utilisé pour les variables catégorielles et un test t pour échantillon indépendant, pour les données continues. Un test t apparié a été effectué pour déterminer si le nombre d'écarts de médicaments a été réduit à la suite des recommandations des pharmaciens. Résultats: Au total, 123 patients répondaient aux critères d'inclusion : 61 dans le groupe d'intervention et 62 dans le groupe témoin. Les divergences d'omission et de mauvaise dose constituaient 41 (77 %) des 53 divergences dans le groupe d'intervention et 25 (76 %) des 33 divergences dans le groupe témoin. Le nombre d'écarts non intentionnels a été significativement réduit de l'admission à la sortie à la fois dans le groupe d'intervention (p = 0,002) et dans le groupe témoin (p = 0,007). Sur 53 recommandations émises par des pharmaciens, 20 (38 %) ont été acceptées par le médecin traitant et toutes ces divergences ont été résolues. Conclusions: Cette étude met en lumière l'existence d'écarts médicamenteux non intentionnels lors de l'admission des patients chirurgicaux, ce qui peut exposer les patients à des risques au moment de leur sortie de l'hôpital. D'autres études avec un échantillon plus important sont nécessaires pour mieux comprendre le rôle des pharmaciens dans la mise en œuvre du bilan comparatif des médicaments pour les patients chirurgicaux.

Short-term side effects of COVID-19 vaccines: A cross-sectional study in Jordan.

The rapid manufacturing of vaccines has increased hesitancy toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. Clarifying what to expect after vaccination and revealing the possible side effects will lower hesitancy toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and increase public awareness. This descriptive cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in Jordan (August 2021) to collect data on the short-term side effects following the COVID-19 vaccines. An extensive literature review was conducted by the research team to assist in developing the first draft of the survey. The survey was tested for face and content validity and piloted test to improve readability and clarity. The survey was organized into two sections (demographics and perceived COVID-19 vaccines' side effects). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). A total of 1,044 participants were enrolled in the study. The most received vaccine among the participants was Pfizer-BioNTech (51.1%). The most frequently reported side effects were sore arm at the injection site (84.65%), fatigue (84.48%), discomfort (65.43%), muscles/joint pain (61.38%), drowsiness (58.73%), and headache (58.38%). More side effects were significantly associated with being older (p = 0.046), having an allergy (p = 0.024) or rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.023), and participants who take NSAIDs regularly (p = 0.029). Short-term side effects of COVID-19 vaccines seem to be mostly local or transient in nature. Older age and certain comorbidities may increase susceptibility to side effects.

COVID-19 and role of pharmacists: Knowledge and perceptions of pharmacists from Iraq and Syria.

Objectives: To assess pharmacists from Syria and Iraq on their knowledge, readiness, and perspectives on their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to investigate pharmacists' perceived barriers towards delivering their emergency roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived policymakers' responsibilities. Methods: This cross-sectional study design was conducted in Iraq and Syria during COVID-19 outbreak over one month (April 2020). The study objectives were addressed through a validated online questionnaire. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS). Results: A total of 916 individuals participated in this study (447 from Iraq and 439 from Syria). Most of Iraqi participants were students while most of Syrian participants were graduates and technicians. The mean age for the Iraqi participants was 22.5 (SD= 4.1) while the mean age for the Syrian participants was 28.7 (SD= 9.1). A significant difference (p< 0.001) was found in following the latest coronavirus updates on management among pharmacy graduates and technicians and undergraduate students. Media was reported as the most used source for knowledge about epidemics/pandemics among the Iraqi and the Syrian participants. Around 72% strongly agreed/agreed that the faculties of pharmacy have a role in preparing them to deal with epidemics/pandemics. In addition, 64.3% strongly agreed/agreed that pharmacist associations and societies have a role in preparing them to deal with epidemics/pandemics such as the coronavirus. Moreover, 82.9% believed that pharmacists should receive training programs on how to provide mental health support for people during epidemic and pandemic outbreaks. Conclusion: Tertiary pharmacy education providers and pharmacy professional bodies have a strong role in preparing pharmacists to deal with pandemics. Therefore, the importance of providing beforehand training programs on epidemics/pandemics management, workshops, lectures, and online information resources for such circumstances is crucial for pharmacists.