Literature reported drug poisoning as a major cause for visiting emergency departments, with various rates of occurrences across countries, regions, socioeconomic status, and cultures. Therefore, this study was conducted in Qassim to describe the sociodemographic patterns of acute drug poisoning as well as the most common drugs involved. A retrospective method of data collection was used employing medical record review for drug poisoning cases that occurred in the Qassim region during the 8 years from January 2008 to December 2015. Data was collected using a standardized, validated data collection sheet. The study failed to reveal any pattern (either decreasing or increasing) in the number of poisoning cases over time. Most cases (56.2%) of drug poisoning were accidental, caused by analgesics (35%), affected children younger than 5 years of age (41.4%), and occurred via ingestion (99.2%). It can be concluded that as most poisoning cases affected children, this highlights the importance of increasing awareness and educating families about the safe handling and storage of drugs out of reach of children.
Background: The global burden of colorectal cancer remains a major public health issue and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, it continues to be a health concern. Any delays in diagnosis for any reason may contribute to advanced complications; therefore, pharmacists' knowledge and awareness of colorectal cancer are crucial for the welfare of society. Studies of colon cancer-related knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among community pharmacists have not previously been conducted in the Al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. In the present study, therefore, we sought to investigate the KAP on colon cancer among pharmacists in Al-Qassim. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. A sample of 150 community pharmacists was recruited using a convenience sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate levels of knowledge and practice. Results: Out of a total of 150 pharmacists, the majority of respondents (60.7%) possessed an adequate level of knowledge. About 50% of participants had heard of the early screening test, and 68.7% knew that colonoscopy is necessary in such scenarios. On the basis of their attitudes, 41.3% of study participants were aware of colon cancer symptoms and risk factors. In practice, however, the majority of pharmacists (81%) did not perform early cancer screenings, while 19% did screen when advised to do so by a physician. Conclusions: Our results indicate that pharmacists in Qassim have an adequate level of knowledge of colon cancer in terms of awareness, assessment, and screening. Since community pharmacists are among the most reliable members of the medical community, a greater awareness of colon cancer among pharmacists may improve public knowledge of the disease.
BACKGROUND: Electronic learning refers to the use of assistive tools in offline and distance learning environments. It allows students to access learning tools and materials anytime and anywhere. However, distance learning courses depend on several factors that affect the quality of learning, which consequently affect students' preferences in the settings and tools used to deliver educational materials. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate students' preferences for continuing distance learning after the pandemic and to assess the distance educational environment after the pandemic. It also aimed to identify the factors affecting distance learning and evaluate students' preferences regarding modes of communication with instructors. METHODS: A web-based survey was used to conduct this cross-sectional study. The target participants of this study were students in the doctor of pharmacy program at Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. All students enrolled from December 2022 to January 2023 received an invitation with a link to the web-based survey. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 141 students (58 female students and 83 male students). The research results showed that most students (102/141, 72.3%) did not wish to continue distance education for laboratory courses, and 60.3% (85/141) did not wish to continue taking distance team-based learning after the pandemic. Additionally, 83.7% (118/141) of the students indicated that distance courses were simple. More than half of the participants (79/141, 56%) stated that having a camera on during class negatively impacted their learning, and only 29.1% (41/141) of the students stated that nonvisual communication with their fellow students impacted their learning. A large proportion of students (83/141, 58.9%) reported impairment of social engagement on campus, 44% (62/141) in-person interactions during classes, and 73.7% (104/141) were relieved that their classes were not disrupted. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to all types of education, distance learning is characterized by advantages and disadvantages, as reported by students. Students felt that the course material was intelligible, and the distance course was uncomplicated. Moreover, they expressed relief that their studies were not disrupted. However, they also reported the loss of face-to-face contact during courses as the most significant drawback of distance learning versus face-to-face learning, followed by a lack of social connection on campus.
BACKGROUND: Electronic prescribing systems (e-prescription) for medications have many benefits, including patient safety, increase in patient satisfaction, efficiency of pharmacy work, and quality of patient care. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the national e-prescription system "Wasfaty" service in Saudi Arabia, which was recently adopted. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore the benefits observed through the use of the system and most frequent challenges experienced by community pharmacists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This study was conducted using a descriptive survey on a web-based platform. The target population of the study included community pharmacists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia who worked in pharmacy chains utilizing the e-prescription service between September 2022 and November 2022. Descriptive statistics along with multiple ordinal regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 124 pharmacists, of which 62.9% (78/124) were males and 37.1% (46/124) were females. Most of the participants had a positive perception of the e-prescription system with regard to medication safety, with 68.6% (85/124) indicating that e-prescriptions reduce the risk of dispensing errors. However, 81.5% (101/124) did not agree that the e-prescription system resulted in a reduction in workload, and 70.2% (87/124) disagreed that the service increased patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that the national e-prescription system has many benefits to healthcare employees and improves their work, particularly for patient safety, reducing medication errors, and improving the management of patient medications. The participants believe that there is a need to improve communication with prescribers, showing concern about the unavailability of some medications; thus, it is important for policymakers to encourage other pharmacy chains and suppliers to join the service to increase patient access to medications.
Days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that COVID-19 was a pandemic, Saudi Arabia took preventative and precautionary measures to avoid its spread and to safeguard its citizens. In this study, we investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of both men and women toward COVID-19 as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online, self-report questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The overall percentage of correct answers for the knowledge statements was 80.2%, with a higher rate among the female respondents (82.4% vs. 78.5%, p = 0.005). Slightly more than half (i.e., 165: 51.6%) of the participants showed that they did not go to crowded places during the pandemic; however, more female respondents recorded that they avoided crowded places than male respondents (57.7% vs. 46.2%, p = 0.04). Most participants (i.e., 272: 85.0%) reported that they had worn a mask in recent days, and more than two-thirds (84.4%) said that they still follow the strategies recommended by government authorities to prevent the spread of the virus. Again, more female respondents reported this than males (89.9% vs. 79.5%; p = 0.01). Significant correlations (p < 001) were noted between knowledge and practices (r = 0.31), knowledge and attitudes (r = 0.37), and attitudes and practices (r = 0.29). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, occupation and education were independently associated with knowledge among both the male and female respondents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-7.2; aOR: 5.9; 95% CI: 2.2-15.9). Residence was independently associated with attitudes, but only among the male respondents (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.9), and COVID-19 was independently associated with practices among both the male and female respondents (aOR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.4-14.2; aOR: 9.8; 95% CI: 1.2-81.2). There were significant gender differences in both knowledge and practices toward COVID-19, with the female respondents achieving better scores than the male respondents. Thus, we recommend that health education campaigns are tailored to specifically target males.
Background: To authors' knowledge, in Saudi Arabia, information regarding patients' knowledge about their medications is lacking. Objectives: This study aimed to fill this literature gap by assessing patients' knowledge and perceptions about their medications. Design: To achieve the objective of the study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted outside community pharmacies in Qassim region through an exit interview with patients after getting their prescriptions filled or refilled. Methods: A convenient sample of patients was chosen based on acceptance to participate. A form was prepared based on the core and complementary medicines use indicators for evaluation of medicines use in healthcare settings developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: Four hundred forty-three forms were completed. A total of 70% of the indicators of patients' knowledge about their medications were found to be satisfactory, and a total of 89% of the patients were found to have positive perceptions about safety and effectiveness of their medications. Conclusion: Overall, patients' knowledge about their medications was found to be reasonable with exception of the area "information about precautions and possible side effects" which had shown poor patients' knowledge.
Appropriate drug information is vital for the correct use of drugs in pharmaceutical practice. Providing patients with educational advice on prescribed medication and on proper medication administration has become an essential part of the pharmaceutical care process. The objectives of this study were to identify patients' knowledge of prescribed medications, their desire for more information, and the sources of medication information in a population from Qassim, Saudi Arabia, using a cross-sectional descriptive study. Our target population consisted of adult patients with chronic illnesses receiving drugs at outpatient pharmacies. Nineteen pharmacies were selected based on convenience. After collecting their prescriptions, patients were asked to take part in the study by interviewers as they were leaving the pharmacies. The questionnaire used was pretested on 18 patients and then modified accordingly. questions investigated participants' knowledge of drug information, their wish for more information, and their sources of drug information, other than clinicians. Descriptive analysis was used to describe patients' physical details. The effect of sex, education, diagnosis, number of drugs, and age on knowledge of the purpose of drugs and the need for additional information were tested using Chi-square test. A total of 270 patients were interviewed, of whom 29.7% reported not knowing the purpose of at least one of their medications, and only reading a portion of the PILs. Of the patients sampled, 56.7% said they read the side effects section of the PIL, 43.3% reported reading the uses, while 27% read the contraindications. The drug -interactions section was the least read, with only 18.9% reporting reading it. A total of 57% of the patients reported that they needed more information about their medications. Highly educated patients reported using the PIL, social media, family and friends, TV, and newspapers as sources of drug information at significantly higher rates than patients with lower levels of education. Healthcare professionals should assess patient comprehension and the need for additional drug information, especially among patients with low levels of education. Additionally, healthcare professionals should consider other information sources used by their patients.
Tuberculosis (TB) recurrence following successful treatment is a significant challenge in TB control programs. However, the rate of TB recurrence varies among studies. It depends on several factors, including the country/region where the investigation occurs, the study design, sample characteristics, and the anti-TB regimen used. In Yemen, a few previous studies examined the rate of TB recurrence and reported high recurrence rates, with a 5-year recurrence rate of approximately 9.5%. However, they were conducted before 2010 using the previous anti-TB regimen which was phased out and replaced with the World Health Organization's (WHO) standard 6-month TB regimen. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the rate of TB recurrence after the implementation of the WHO standard 6-month regimen in Yemen. A prospective observational study was conducted with patients diagnosed with drug-susceptible pulmonary TB. The patients were recruited from five health centers with TB units in five governorates from January to December 2011. All the patients were followed up for five years after treatment completion. A total of 439 patients who completed the anti-TB regimen met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. During the 5-year follow-up period, 8 patients (1.8%) died, and 13 patients (2.96%) were lost to follow-up, resulting in a final cohort of 418 patients. Of the cohort, 50.5% (n = 211) were male, while 49.5% (n = 207) were female patients. Of the patients, 129 patients (30.9%) were illiterate, 56 (13.4%) had cavitary pulmonary disease, and 6.2% (n = 26) had diabetes. The overall 5-year rate of TB recurrence in this study for the patients receiving the standard 6-month regimen was 2.9% (12/418). Moreover, almost half of the recurrent cases (41.7%; n = 5) were seen during the first year of the follow-up period. Some patient groups with risk factors recorded a higher recurrence rate, including patients with diabetes (15.4%), non-compliant patients (14.3%), pre-treatment lung cavitation patients (8.9%), illiterate patients (7.8%), and underweight patients (5.1%). In conclusion, the overall TB recurrence rate with the standard 6-month regimen was lower than that with the previous TB regimens. However, more efforts are needed to decrease TB recurrence rates further and achieve a durable cure for TB. In addition, healthcare professionals and TB control programs should consider potential risk factors of recurrence and address them to provide optimal care.
BACKGROUND: Following the World Health Organization declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, Yemen has taken preventive and precautionary measures against COVID-19 to control its spread. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the Yemeni public regarding COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted during the period from September 2021 to October 2021. RESULTS: The mean total knowledge score was 9.50 ± 2.12. The majority of the participants (93.4%) were aware that to prevent infection by the COVID-19 virus, going to crowded places and gatherings should be avoided. Approximately two thirds of the participants (69.4%) believed COVID-19 is a health threat to their community. However, in terms of actual behavior, only 23.1% of the participants reported that they did not go to any crowded places during the pandemic, and only 23.8% had worn a mask in recent days. Moreover, only about half (49.9%) reported that they were following the strategies recommended by the authorities to prevent the spread of the virus. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the general public has good knowledge and positive attitudes regarding COVID-19, but that their practices are poor.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the preparedness of pharmacy students to actively participate in public health services by examining their attitude towards and knowledge about the national public health programmes (NPHPs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire survey of the students in Unaizah College of Pharmacy (UCP) and College of Pharmacy Main Campus (CPMC), Qassim University, between October 2019 and February 2020. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 100 out of 125 students responded to the questionnaire at a response rate of 80%. While the majority (77%) of the participants agreed on the necessity for pharmacists to know about the NPHPs, 71% reported they did not learn about National Health Policy in their pharmacy curriculum. Also, a small number of pharmacy students, at 16%, believed that their current knowledge about the NPHPs was sufficient or very sufficient. Lastly, 81% of the participants felt that they had an important or very important role to play in the NPHPs. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the participants expressed interest in more education on public health during their pharmacy education. Their interest supports the advancement of public health education to facilitate greater involvement of pharmacists in public health services.
Education, Pharmacy , Pharmaceutical Services , Students, Pharmacy , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Saudi Arabia , Surveys and Questionnaires
Background: Tuberculosis is a major public health concern in Yemen. Recurrence of tuberculosis complicates the situation further, and has severe negative economic and health consequences. This study estimated the tuberculosis recurrence rate during a 5-year follow-up period, and identified risk factors associated with recurrence.Methods: This was a prospective study with a 5-year follow-up period conducted at health centres with tuberculosis units in ten governorates. Participants were prospectively enrolled in the study from July 2007 to June 2008, with the last patient completing treatment on March 15, 2009.Results: A cohort of 814 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis completed treatment and was followed-up for five years. During the follow-up, 3.4% (n = 28) died and 4.3% (n = 35) were lost to the study, giving a final cohort of 751 patients. The mean age ± standard deviation was 32 ± 13 years. Males represented 57.6% of the subjects. The overall recurrence rate of tuberculosis was 9.5% (71/751), with significant variation between subgroups of patients (range = 7-25.8%). The highest recurrence rates were found in patients with diabetes (25.8%, p < .001), non-adherent patients (22%, p < .001), smokers (16.1%, p = .010), patients with cavitary lung disease (14.4%, p = .004), patients with weight gain ≤5% during the intensive phase (13.3%, p < .001) and unemployed patients (11.9%, p = .017). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, these risk factors were independently associated with recurrent tuberculosis: diabetes (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 3.78, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.84-7.80), non-adherence (aOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.76-5.87), weight gain ≤5% (aOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.39-4.55), smoking (aOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.07-4.47), presence of lung cavitation (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.16-3.46), and unemployment (aOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.16-4.01).Conclusion: The recurrence rate of tuberculosis in Yemen was high. The presence of risk factors in newly diagnosed patients should alert healthcare professionals. As most of risk factors were modifiable, the World Health Organisation model of patient-centered care in tuberculosis treatment should be promoted in all tuberculosis centres in the country.
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/epidemiology , Adult , Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Medication Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Recurrence , Risk Factors , Smoking/epidemiology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy , Unemployment/statistics & numerical data , Weight Gain , Yemen/epidemiology , Young Adult
Background: Dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription (DAwP) has been widely practised among community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia despite being illegal. However, in May 2018, the law and regulations were enforced alongside fines. Consequently, we wanted to evaluate the impact of these changes.Methods: A study was conducted among 116 community pharmacies in two phases. A pre-law enforcement phase between December 2017 and March 2018 and a post-law enforcement phase one year later. Each phase consisted of a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey and a simulated client method (SCM) approach. In the SCM, clients presented with either pharyngitis or urinary tract infections (UTI). In SCM, for each phase, all 116 pharmacies were visited with one of the scenarios.Results: Before the law enforcement, 70.7% of community pharmacists reported that DAwP was common with 96.6% and 87.7% of participating pharmacies dispensed antibiotics without a prescription for pharyngitis and UTI respectively. After the law enforcement, only 12.9% reported that DAwP is still a common practice, with only 12.1% and 5.2% dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions for pharyngitis and UTI respectively.Conclusion: law enforcement was effective. However, there is still further scope for improvement. This could include further educational activities with pharmacists, physicians and the public.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Community Pharmacy Services/legislation & jurisprudence , Law Enforcement , Prescription Drugs/administration & dosage , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Legislation, Pharmacy , Pharyngitis/drug therapy , Saudi Arabia , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urinary Tract Infections/drug therapy
