Prescription practices of physicians, quality of care, and patients' safety: A mixed methods comprehensive study.

Objectives: Amidst inconsistent prescribing patterns and potentially harmful medication errors in the field of medical practice, this study endeavored to explore the prescription practices of physicians in Rawalpindi metropolitan city in Pakistan. Methods: A mixed method study was conducted based on the analysis of 1232 prescriptions gathered from 16 pharmacies, along with in-depth interviews with 13 practicing physicians. The prescriptions were assessed for legibility, polypharmacy, patient details, history, diagnosis, and other relevant information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the prevalence of various aspects of prescription accuracy was calculated. Thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative data. Results: Almost half of the prescriptions were from the private general practitioners, and the rest were from hospital-based doctors and consultants. Only a small percentage of prescriptions were fully legible, and many had incomplete or missing patient information, medical history, and diagnosis. Polypharmacy was also found to be prevalent, with significant differences in prescription accuracy across different medical specialties. The absence of continuing medical education, influence of pharmaceutical industry, and overcrowded practice settings drive the doctors to prescription practices. On the user side, perception of polypharmacy, patient-physician communication, and availability and cost of medicines emerged as major themes. Conclusion: There is an obvious need to improve prescription accuracy regarding patient safety on the whole. Increased investment in health-care infrastructure, greater access to continuing medical education, and a commitment to promote evidence-based medicine could make a difference. Prescription practices must be safe, effective, and aligned with the latest advances in medical science.

Conventional to virtual poster presentation in scholars' day during coronavirus disease-19 lock down: Medical students' performance and perspective.

OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to assess the performance regarding presentation and communication skills of the undergraduate medical students and to explore the perceptions and challenges while adopting to virtual mode of presentation held during the 1st wave of coronavirus disease pandemic lock down in the first ever online scholars' day. METHODS: A mixed method research was designed, enrolling all presenters of scholars' day, data collection was done in 2 weeks in the month of May 2020. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS version 23.0. An interview guide was prepared to explore participants experience in the online e-poster competition, which took 20 min each conducted by the team of investigators, who were trained before interviews. Thematic analysis was done. RESULTS: The mean score for students' performance was 8.9 ± 2.1. Three main themes were generated following transcription of data. These include engaging in the tedium of lockdown era, assortment of imperative material in research, Pros and Cons. CONCLUSION: E-poster presentation is an innovative method of presenting the research work of undergraduate students. It helps students to communicate at a different forum with diversity using multitude of skills, thus enhances learning. Moreover, comments by the audience and judges can provide a platform to brainstorm on research projects before these get published.

Satisfaction of Female Patients with Health Care Services at the Peri-urban Community Health Centre in Islamabad.

Objective To evaluate the satisfaction levels of female patients with the availability and quality of health care services provided at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Nurpur Shahan, a deprived peri-urban locality in Islamabad. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out among 346 randomly selected female patients who attended the CHC in Nurpur Shahan from January to March, 2018. Data was collected by face to face interviews using a pre-tested self-designed questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Female patients were largely satisfied with the behaviour (96%) and competence (97.1%) of doctors, the attitude of the paramedical staff (93.6%), quality of medicines (93.6%) and basic facilities at the CHC including drinking water, bathrooms, and cleanliness. Patients had mixed satisfaction levels with various aspects of antenatal services, post-natal care, immunization services as well as the location of CHC (58.7%), availability of prescribed medicines (67.1%) and affordability of laboratory tests at the centre (63.3%). Major areas of discontent were health education regarding breastfeeding and immunization, the average waiting time to see a doctor, the waiting area, and family planning services. Conclusion Although patient satisfaction levels with certain health care services were good, there is considerable room for improvement in other aspects of provided services at the CHC.

Risk profile of coronary heart disease among the staff members of Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the risk profile of coronary heart disease (CHD) among the staff members of Qassim University and assess their knowledge in a screening campaign in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among male and female staff at Qassim University campus. All employees of Qassim University were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The study sample size was 233 staff and employees. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 18. The data analysis focused on providing point estimates for the risk factors. RESULTS: The study found that 30% of participants have one or more risk factors for CHD, namely obesity 20.6%, diabetes 10.3%, hypertension 12.4%, dyslipidemia 10.7%, and smokers (11.6%). About 54% of the participants have a family history of at least one chronic disease as a risk factor for CHD. CONCLUSION: The most common risk factor of CHD among the staff members is obesity by 20.6%. Risk factors for CHD are quite common among Qassim University staff. These findings need to increase the health education and disease promotion program as an important intervention to reduce the occurrence and severity of CHD risk factors and to improve the quality of the life of the staff members of Qassim University.

Prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity amongst Saudi school children, a study done by using three noninvasive methods.

UNLABELLED: Obesity has become a global epidemic. It's level in the Middle Eastern and Asian countries have reached to an alarming level. Rapid transition of life style and urbanization has not only affected adults but also the younger population. OBJECTIVE: This study records the trends of prevalence of obesity and over weight in the school children of both genders of Al Qassim region by employing three different non-invasive methods and recorded their differences. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on Saudi students of secondary and intermediate levels between 12-14 years of age. The total number of the students who participated in the study was 242, 129 males and 113 females. A self-administered pre-coded questionnaire was used. Body mass index, skin fold thickness and bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) readings were recorded. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 11. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Chi square test with a P value <0.05, was used to compare the prevalence rates. RESULTS: Prevalence of obesity and over-weight recorded were higher in the boys but the rates recorded by three methods have shown a wide variation. Several factors, such as change in dietary habits, socioeconomic status and the family history of obesity have shown association but physical inactivity and father's obesity were found significant contributory factors. There is an urgent need for intervention to prevent and control obesity and its consequences amongst children in Saudi Arabia.

Occupational health related concerns among surgeons.

The surgeon's daily workload renders him/her susceptible to a variety of the common work-related illness. They are exposed to a number of occupational hazards in their professional work. These hazards include sharp injuries, blood borne pathogens, latex allergy, laser plumes, hazardous chemicals, anesthetic gases, equipment hazards, static postures, and job related stressors. However, many pay little attention to their health, and neither do they seek the appropriate help when necessary. It is observed that occupational hazards pose a huge risk to the personal well-being of surgeons. As such, the importance of early awareness and education alongside prompt intervention is duly emphasized. Therefore, increased attention to the health, economic, personal, and social implications of these injuries is essential for appropriate management and future prevention. These risks are as great as any other occupational hazards affecting surgeons today. The time has come to recognize and address them.

Growth plate changes associated with Hypothyroidism amongst the pre and postnatal rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study is intended to examine the effect of hypothyroidism and thyroxin replacement on axial and appendicular skeletal growth, growth plate thickness and to observe associated microscopic changes within the growth plates. METHODOLOGY: Experimental albino rats were developed with carbimazole and carbimazole plus thyroxin. Animals were administered with these drugs throughout pregnancy (prenatally) and for a period of six weeks, postnatally. At the end of the experiment the animals were sacrificed, measured and processed to demonstrate the bony and cartilaginous parts. Ulna and tibia of both sides were removed and processed for light microscopy and growth plate measurement. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, reduction in the crown rump length was observed in the carbimazole treated animals. It was 8.77%, 13.26% and 7.25% in the prenatal, two weeks and six weeks age group animals respectively. In carbimazole plus thyroxin treated animals, this reduction was 3.22%, 2.94% and 3.42%, when compared to their age matched controls. Reduction in the thickness of the Epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) was 16.89% and 12.80% in the ulna of the two and six weeks age group and 18.06 % and 15.65% in the tibia of the these animals respectively. The carbimazole plus thyroxin treated animals showed an increase in the thickness of EGP as compared to their age-matched controls though the crown rump length of these animals was less than the controls. Prenatally treated hypothyroid rats showed disrupted growth plates without any well-formed microscopic zones. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the pre and postnatally, carbimazole induced hypothyroidism and its replacement therapy affected the axial and appendicular skeletal growth. Proximal limb bones of the prenatally induced hypothyroid animals showed the greatest skeletal change in this study.

Vitamin D status among population of Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess serum 25OHD level among healthy Saudi population of Qassim region, besides socio-demographic characters, dietary habits, sun exposure and common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency were also evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty healthy males and females subjects above the age of 18 years were randomly selected from five primary health care centers of Qassim region. A predesigned structured questionnaire was administered by the doctor working in Primary Health Care Center and blood sample was obtained for measuring vitamin D (serum 25 OHD) level. Vitamin D sufficiency was defined as serum level of 25 OHD 30ng/ml or above. A level ranging 20 to 29 ng/ml was considered as vitamin D insufficiency, whereas below 20ng/ml as vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: Out of 180 study participants, 51(28.3%) subjects were vitamin D deficient, 71 (39.4%) were vitamin insufficient and 58 (32.2%) had normal vitamin D level. Commonest symptom of vitamin D deficiency was bone pain (20%) and fatigue (11.1%). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D inadequacy is a major public health problem in Saudi population. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency among healthy Saudi population residing in Qassim region is 67.8%. If the issue is not urgently addressed it could lead to serious health consequences.

Knowledge and attitudes regarding AIDS among female commercial sex workers at Hyderabad City, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding AIDS among female commercial sex workers (FCSWs) in Hyderabad City, Sindh, Pakistan. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Red light area of Hyderabad City, Sindh, Pakistan, from March to July 2004. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to see the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding AIDs among FCSWs. In this regard, a total of 61 FCSWs were interviewed after getting informed consent. RESULTS: Mean age of the FCSWs was 27 years. Majority was uneducated and unmarried. All respondents had heard the word AIDS but no one knew about the word HIV as well as its meaning. All respondents believed that AIDS is a preventable disease and they knew some method of prevention. Television was most common source of knowledge. FCSWs had inadequate knowledge in terms of signs and symptoms and the treatment of disease. CONCLUSION: FCSWs of the Hyderabad city had insufficient knowledge and various misconceptions regarding AIDS. Therefore, there is a need for their education and improvement in socioeconomic status. There is also the need of further studies with substantial statistical work to generate more accurate data in this regard.