Assessment of attitudes and practices of young Malaysian adults about antibiotics use: a cross-sectional study

Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the practices and attitudes of young Malaysian adults towards the use of antibiotics, and to determine the socioeconomic factors associated with the antibiotic use. Methods: A survey was carried in Cheras community by approaching a conveniently selected sample of 480 participants. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Result: Of 480 participants approached, 400 agreed to participate in this study, giving a response rate of 83.3%. The study results showed that 42.75% of the participants exhibited poor attitudes towards antibiotic usage. Chinese race and high income were significantly associated with the positive attitudes towards antibiotic usage. It is shown that the practice of the participants towards antibiotics was relatively poor. The majority of participants agreed that they do not consult a doctor for minor illnesses (64%). The main reason for not consulting a doctor was the high fees of consultation (34.25%) and the inconvenience of visit (29.25%). However, a large proportion of respondents (77.5%) agreed that there is a need to enhance antibiotic education among public. Conclusion: The study results identified some crucial gaps in the attitudes and practices of Cheras community about the use of antibiotics. Thus, improving the public knowledge and changing their attitude towards antibiotic use along with proper interventions to regulate the ease of their availability would play a significant role for the effective use of antibiotics in the community (AU)

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Formulation and evaluation of polyelectrolyte complex-based matrix tablet of Isosorbide Mononitrate.

INTRODUCTION: The polyelectrolyte Complexes (PECs) are based on ionic cross-linking. They have been employed to prepare a sustained release matrix tablets. These systems are based upon the fact that their structure can entrap the drug within them. Isosorbide Mononitrate (ISMN) is an anti-anginal organic nitrate vasodilator used in the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders and prophylaxis of angina Pectoris, which is poorly absorbed from the upper GIT, hence CR formulation is desirable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chitosan (CH)/Sodium alginate (SA), Guar gum (GG), and Xanthan gum (XG) were used as PECs, and were prepared using different proportions i.e., in 1:1 and 1:2 ratio. The optimum ratio of CH: SA, CH: GG and CH: XG was in the ratio was 1:2; these are formed due to electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged poly ions. These normally employ a hydrophilic matrix system. Matrix tablet of ISMN was formulated by using PECs as matrix forming agent by wet granulation technique. RESULTS: The tablets were evaluated for hardness, wt variation, drug content, and in-vitro dissolution studies and found to be within limits. Release kinetics data indicated that ISMN released from the PECs-based matrix tablets of CH-SA, CH-GG and CH-XG CP in 1:1 and 1:2 ratio, followed Fickian and non-Fickian diffusion mechanism respectively. Thus, the drug release rate was extended for over a period of more than 12 h stability studies. There is no significant difference in the mean % drug released from formulation CH-X2 after storing for 3 months at 40°C/75% RH. The FT-IR spectra revealed that there was no interaction between polymers and drug, Statistical analysis showed a significant differences (P < 0.05) for the amount of ISMN released from the formulations (MXG) and formulations (CH-X2). CONCLUSION: Formulation CH-XG2 (1:2) showed better sustained release of highly water-soluble ISMN with the desired release rate. Thus, the formulated PECs-based matrix tablets seems to be a potential candidate for sustained drug delivery of highly soluble drug ISMN in the symptomatic therapy of angina pectoris.