Behaviour and associated determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and advocacy: a nationwide survey of pharmacy professionals in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy poses a global challenge and is acknowledged to be a complex, multifactorial phenomenon. Of particular concern is hesitancy among health professionals, as this may also impact their advocacy roles. There is a lack of theory-based investigations of pharmacy professionals. AIM: The study aims to determine the behaviour and associated determinants influencing pharmacy professionals' attitude towards vaccine acceptance and advocacy. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 2400 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at government, semi-government, and private community pharmacies in Qatar. Questionnaire items captured perspectives on COVID vaccine acceptance, advocacy and associated determinants based on the domains and constructs of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Data were analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics, with TDF items subjected to principal components analysis (PCA). FINDINGS: The response rate was 38.6% (927/2400). Almost all (n = 825, 89.0%) were willing to receive the vaccine, which was higher for males (p < 0.001) and those in polyclinics (p < 0.05). PCA of acceptance items gave five components, with response to 'emotions' being most negative, associated with acceptance (p < 0.001) and more negative in females (p < 0.001). The majority (n = 799, 86.2%) agreed that it was their professional duty to advocate vaccines. PCA for advocacy items gave two components, with the most negative responses for 'professional role and identity', which were more negative for those working in hospitals (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Respondents were least positive regarding emotion-related behavioral determinants for acceptance and professional role and identity for advocacy. Behavior change technique interventions that target these issues have the potential to influence the vaccine hesitancy of pharmacy professionals and other individuals.

Management of life-threatening acute respiratory syndrome and severe pneumonia secondary to COVID-19 in pregnancy: A case report and literature review.

Evidence-based treatment involving multidisciplinary decision making is warranted to treat COVID-19 in pregnancy. This case presents the management of a critically ill pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes and pharmacological management of Covid-19 infection in pregnancy: a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Over 4.2 million confirmed cases and more than 285,000 deaths, COVID-19 pandemic continues to harm significant number of people worldwide. Several studies have reported the impact of COVID-19 in general population; however, there is scarcity of information related to pharmacological management and maternal and perinatal outcomes during the pandemic. Altered physiological, anatomical, and immunological response during pregnancy makes it more susceptible to infections. Furthermore, during pregnancy, a woman undergoes multiple interactions with the health care system that increases her chance of getting infected; therefore, managing pregnant population presents a unique challenge. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: This systematic review seeks to answer the following questions in relation to COVID-19: What are the different clinical characteristics presented in maternal and perinatal population? What are the different maternal and perinatal outcome measures reported? What are the distinct therapeutic interventions reported to treat COVID-19? Is it safe to use "medications" used in the treatment of COVID-19 during antenatal, perinatal, postnatal, and breastfeeding? METHOD: The search will follow a comprehensive, sequential three step search strategy. Several databases relevant to COVID-19 and its impact on pregnancy including Medline, CINAHL, and LitCovid will be searched from the inception of the disease until the completion of data collection. The quality of this search strategy will be assessed using Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies Evidence-Based Checklist (PRESS EBC). An eligibility form will be developed for a transparent screening and inclusion/exclusion of studies. All studies will be sent to RefWorks, and abstraction will be independently performed by two researchers. Risk of bias will be assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials, Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for non-randomized studies, and for case reports, Murad et al. tool will be used. Decision to conduct meta-analysis will be based on several factors including homogeneity and outcome measures reported; otherwise, a narrative synthesis will be deemed appropriate. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will summarize the existing data on effect of COVID-19 on maternal and perinatal population. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review addressing therapeutic management and safety of medicines to treat COVID-19 during pregnancy and breastfeeding. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This systematic review has been registered and published with Prospero ( CRD42020172773 ).

The diagnostic use of magnetic resonance imaging for acute abdominal and pelvic pain in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Acute abdomino-pelvic pain in pregnancy represents a diagnostic challenge. In many cases, radiological and laparoscopic diagnostic modalities are hazardous or contraindicated. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is not commonly used for this indication and the results are not widely published. DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-center retrospective observational study. POPULATION: 34 cases of pregnant women with abdomino-pelvic pain who underwent MRI as an additional modality when clinical, laboratory and ultrasound (USS) findings were indeterminate. METHODS: Case notes were reviewed where pregnant women underwent a MRI investigation for abdominal-pelvic pain. Primary Obstetric indications for an MRI eg placenta accreta were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The differential diagnosis after; 1) history and physical examination and 2) with the addition of USS and 3) with the further addition of an MRI were all individually compared to the eventual diagnosis. RESULTS: The diagnoses reached by MRI corresponded with the final diagnosis in 22 out of 23 cases. In the remaining 11 cases MRI accurately ruled out presence of pathology. MRI was inaccurate in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The additional use of MRI was more accurate than clinical assessment and USS combined. The accurate exclusion of pathology in 11 cases is particularly significant. MRI should be considered in cases of abdomino-pelvic pain in pregnant women.

Knowledge and practice characteristics of pharmacists in Qatar towards medication use in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Medication use during pregnancy is common. Pharmacists have an important role in improving medication use during pregnancy. There is a lack of empirical evidence on pharmacists' knowledge and practice characteristics towards medication use in pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice characteristics of pharmacists in Qatar about medicines use in pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted over a period of 6 months in 2010. Questionnaires were distributed to 400 of 800 licensed pharmacists employed in Qatar (in government and private sectors). Data were collected on: demographics and practice characteristics of the pharmacists; their knowledge and perception about medication use in pregnancy; their confidence in dealing with pregnant women and physicians; and their source of the drug information. RESULTS: Of the 400 questionnaires distributed, 207 were returned (52% response rate). Most pharmacists (71%) had not participated in any educational activities on medication use in pregnancy. About 50% reported that < 10% of their workload involved dispensing medications to pregnant women. A lack of available resources and unknown pregnancy status were the main concerns about dispensing medication to pregnant women. The majority of the respondents had average knowledge about medication use in pregnancy. There was a significant association between knowledge, and continuing education and years of experience (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists in Qatar had an average level of knowledge about medications use in pregnancy. Continuous educational programmes are needed for pharmacists in Qatar to enhance their knowledge and practice of medicine use during pregnancy.

Knowledge and practice characteristics of pharmacists in Qatar towards medication use in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey

Background: Medication use during pregnancy is common. Pharmacists have an important role in improving medication use during pregnancy. There is a lack of empirical evidence on pharmacists' knowledge and practice characteristics towards medication use in pregnancy. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice characteristics of pharmacists in Qatar about medicines use in pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted over a period of 6 months in 2010. Questionnaires were distributed to 400 of 800 licensed pharmacists employed in Qatar [in government and private sectors]. Data were collected on: demographics and practice characteristics of the pharmacists; their knowledge and perception about medication use in pregnancy; their confidence in dealing with pregnant women and physicians; and their source of the drug information. Results: Of the 400 questionnaires distributed, 207 were returned [52% response rate]. Most pharmacists [71%] had not participated in any educational activities on medication use in pregnancy. About 50% reported that < 10% of their workload involved dispensing medications to pregnant women. A lack of available resources and unknown pregnancy status were the main concerns about dispensing medication to pregnant women. The majority of the respondents had average knowledge about medication use in pregnancy. There was a significant association between knowledge, and continuing education and years of experience [P < 0.05]. Conclusions: Pharmacists in Qatar had an average level of knowledge about medications use in pregnancy. Continuous educational programmes are needed for pharmacists in Qatar to enhance their knowledge and practice of medicine use during pregnancy

Contexte : L'utilisation des médicaments durant la grossesse est courante. Les pharmaciens jouent un rôle important dans l'amélioration de l'utilisation des médicaments pendant cette période Les données empiriques manquent sur les connaissances des pharmaciens et leurs pratiques en la matière. Objectifs : La présente étude visait à déterminer les connaissances et les caractéristiques des pratiques des pharmaciens qataris en matière d'utilisation des médicaments pendant la grossesse. Méthodes : Une étude transversale, reposant sur un questionnaire, a été conduite sur une période de six mois en 2010. Des questionnaires ont été distribués à 400 des 800 pharmaciens agréés exerçant au Qatar [dans les secteurs public et privé]. Des données ont été recueillies sur les caractéristiques démographiques et concernant la pratique des pharmaciens, sur leurs connaissances et leur perception de l'utilisation des médicaments pendant la grossesse, sur leur confiance lorsqu'ils s'occupent de femmes enceintes et contactent les médecins prescripteurs, et sur les sources des informations qu'ils détenaient sur les médicaments. Résultats : Sur les 400 questionnaires distribués, 207 ont été renvoyés [taux de réponse de 52 %]. La plupart des pharmaciens [71 %] n'avaient jamais participé à aucune activité de formation sur l'utilisation des médicaments pendant la grossesse. Environ 50 % ont rapporté que moins de 10 % de leur charge de travail impliquait la délivrance de médicaments aux femmes enceintes. Un manque de ressources disponibles et l'ignorance de l'état de grossesse des clientes étaient les principales préoccupations liées à la délivrance de médicaments aux femmes enceintes. La majorité des répondants avaient une connaissance moyenne de l'utilisation des médicaments pendant la grossesse. Il existait une association significative entre les connaissances, la formation continue et les années d'expérience [p < 0,05]. Conclusions : Les pharmaciens qataris avaient un degré de connaissance moyen de l'utilisation des médicaments pendant la grossesse. Des programmes de formation continue sont requis pour les pharmaciens qataris de façon à améliorer leurs connaissances et leurs pratiques en matière d'utilisation des médicaments pendant la grossesse

المعلومات الأساسية: ينبغي لجميع السياسات والبرامج الحكومية المعنية بالأمن الغذائي والتغذوي أن تشمل توفير الغذاء الصحي وإتاحته لجميع الناس بأسعار معقولة. الخلفية: يشيع استخدام الأدوية أثناء الحمل. ويضطلع الصيادلة بدور مهم في تحسين استخدام الأدوية أثناء الحمل. ولا توجد براهين تجريبية على معلومات الصيادلة وممارساتهم وخبراتهم بشأن استخدام الأدوية أثناء الحمل في قطر. الأهداف: هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تحديد معلومات الصيادلة في قطر والسمات الخاصة بممارساتهم بشأن استخدام الأدوية أثناء الحملطرق البحث: أُجريت دراسة مقطعية على أساس استبيان خلال فترة 6 أشهر في عام 2010 . وتم توزيع الاستبيانات على 400 صيدلاني من أصل800 صيدلاني مصرح لهم بالعمل في قطر )في القطاعين الحكومي والخاص(. وجُعت بيانات حول: السمات السكانية للصيادلة وسمات ممارساتهم؛ومعلوماتهم وتصوراتهم بشأن استخدام الأدوية أثناء الحمل؛ وثقتهم في التعامل مع الحوامل والأطباء؛ ومصادر معلوماتهم عن العقاقير النتائج: من الاستبيانات الموزعة البالغ عددها 400 استبياناً، تم الرد على 207 منهم )بمعدل استجابة 52 %(. وتبيّ أن أغلب الصيادلة ) 71 %( لميشاركوا في أي أنشطة تعليمية بشأن استخدام الأدوية أثناء الحمل. وأفاد نحو 50 % منهم بأن أقل من 10 % من عبء عملهم يتضمن صرف أدويةللحوامل. وتمثلت المخاوف الرئيسية المتعلقة بصرف الأدوية للحوامل في عدم كفاية الموارد المتاحة وعدم المعرفة بوضع الحمل. كما تبين أن معظمالمستجيبين كانت لديهم معرفة متوسطة بشأن استخدام الأدوية أثناء الحمل. وسُجِّل ارتباط وثيق بين المعلومات والتعليم المستمر وسنوات الخبرة.)P >0.05(الاستنتاجات: يتمتع الصيادلة في قطر بمستوى معرفة متوسط بشأن استخدام الأدوية أثناء الحمل. ومن ثم، يلزم عقد برامج تعليم مستمر للصيادلة في قطر من أجل تحسين معلوماتهم وممارساتهم فيما يتعلق باستخدام الأدوية أثناء الحمل

Neonatal outcomes after oral administration of antenatal corticosteroid: A case report.

The use of antenatal corticosteroids is associated with reduction in morbidity and mortality rates in preterm delivery. A 34 year-old pregnant woman, gravida 2 para1, was planned for elective cesarean section at 36 weeks of gestation as ultrasound study showed intrauterine growth retardation. She has idiopathic thrombocytopenia and anemia, with suspected hypoplastic anemia. Due to mother's low platelet count, antenatal intramuscular corticosteroids injection was avoided. Instead, oral dexamethasone was given for fetal lung maturity. Baby's Apgar score at 1-min and 5-min was 9 and 10, respectively. The baby girl did not develop respiratory distress syndrome. She had mild transient tachypnea of newborn that needed only mild respiratory support with nasal cannula in room air.