Health-Related Quality of Life in Pregnant Women With Gestational Hypertension: A Systematic Review.

This review seeks to evaluate the levels of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among pregnant women experiencing pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). It also aims to identify the specific aspects of HRQoL most impacted by PIH during pregnancy and determine the existence of effective interventions to enhance the HRQoL of these pregnant women. A systematic literature search was conducted in the following databases: PUBMED, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and EMBASE using the following keywords: Health-related quality of life; pregnancy; pregnancy-induced hypertension; quality of life; gestational hypertension. Among the 32 studies assessed, only eight met the criteria for inclusion, exhibiting a good quality based on assessment with both AXIS (Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies) and CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) checklists. The findings indicate a decline in HRQoL among pregnant women with gestational hypertension, notably affecting both physical and mental dimensions. Furthermore, some studies provided recommendations for interventions that healthcare professionals could employ to improve poor HRQoL levels. Limited research has focused on the HRQoL in pregnant women with PIH. Compared to their healthy counterparts, pregnant women experiencing PIH exhibit a decrease in their HRQoL. It's crucial for healthcare practitioners to proactively address the HRQoL of these pregnant women using effective strategies to mitigate this decline. This approach aims to safeguard both pregnant women and their fetuses from potential complications associated with lower HRQoL levels.

A national survey on assessment of knowledge, perceptions, practice, and barriers among hospital pharmacists towards medication reconciliation in United Arab Emirates.

Medication reconciliation (MedRec) helps prevent medication errors. This cross-sectional, nationwide study assessed the knowledge, perceptions, practice, and barriers toward MedRec amongst hospital pharmacy practitioners in the United Arab Emirates. A total of 342 conveniently chosen stratified hospital pharmacists responded to the online survey (88.6% response rate). Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied at alpha = 0.05 and post hoc analysis was performed using Bonferroni test. The overall median knowledge score was 9/12 with IQR (9-11) with higher levels among clinical pharmacists (p < 0.001) and previously trained pharmacists (p < 0.001). Of the respondents, 35.09% (n = 120) practiced MedRec for fewer than five patients per week despite having a strong perception of their role in this process. The overall median perception score was 32.5/35 IQR (28-35) with higher scores among clinical pharmacists (p < 0.001) and those who attended previous training or workshops (p < 0.001). The median barrier score was 24/30 with an IQR (21-25), where lack of training and knowledge were the most common barriers. Results showed that pharmacists who did not attend previous training or workshops on MedRec had higher barrier levels than those who attended (p = 0.012). This study emphasizes the significance of tackling knowledge gaps, aligning perceptions with practice, and suggesting educational interventions.

Evaluation of clinicians' knowledge and practice regarding pharmacotherapy of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A multi-center study in Yemen.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a hematological malignancy that requires effective pharmacotherapy for optimal management. There is limited information regarding Yemeni clinicians' knowledge and practice of NHL pharmacotherapy. This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of physicians and nurses in Yemen regarding pharmacotherapy of NHL. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sana'a, Yemen, from January 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. Two self-administrated and validated questionnaires were distributed to 99 physicians and 164 nurses involved in pharmacotherapy for NHL in different oncology centers and units across Yemen. Convenience samples were used to recruit participants. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with nurses' and physicians' knowledge and practice. The correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between knowledge and practice. A total of 77 physicians and 105 nurses completed the questionnaires. The results showed that 54.3% of nurses and 66.2% of physicians had poor knowledge of NHL pharmacotherapy. In terms of practice, 83.8% of nurses and 75.3% of physicians exhibited poor practice regarding NHL pharmacotherapy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified that nurses who received sufficient information about chemotherapy displayed a significant association with good knowledge, while nurses working in the chemotherapy administration department were significant predictors of good practice. Among physicians, those working in the National Oncology Center (NOC) in Sana'a demonstrated good practice. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between nurses' knowledge and their practice. The study's results confirm deficiencies in knowledge and practice of pharmacotherapy for NHL among physicians and nurses in Yemen. Efforts should be made to enhance their understanding of treatment guidelines and to improve patient care. Improvement in educational programs and training opportunities may contribute to improving patient outcomes in the management of NHL.

Knowledge, attitude and practices about pharmacovigilance activities among hospital nurses: a multicentre cross-sectional survey.

Background: The national pharmacovigilance (PV) system has been established in many countries worldwide following the thalidomide tragedy. Nurses have an important role in recognising and reporting any Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR); however, their role has not been widely explored, particularly in Southeast Asian countries. Aims: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) about PV activities, along with barriers and facilitators that affect ADR reporting among hospital nurses in Malaysia. The present study also explores the relationship between demographic characteristics and predictors of KAP among hospital nurses in Malaysia. Methods: A multicentre, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in March-May 2021, among nurses working at tertiary care hospitals in Malaysia. Results: The mean KAP score of study participants was 57 ± 11. Overall participants had poor ADR knowledge (37.4%), and poor reporting practices (48.9%). Age >30 years (AOR = 2.7 (1.13-6.8), p = 0.02), and working experience of greater than 10 years (AOR = 2.44 (1.08-5.52), p = 0.03), were significantly associated with good ADR knowledge and reporting practices among study participants. Conclusions: In summary, study findings offer valuable insight for developing targeted interventions and formal training to improve nurses' ADR knowledge and reporting practices. Addressing gaps in these areas can enhance patient safety and overall healthcare quality.

Evaluation of Antiemetic Consistency in Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting Among NHL Patients in Sana'a, Yemen.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a prevalent and distressing adverse effect that can negatively affect a patient's quality of life and treatment adherence. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the consistency of antiemetic use with standard guidelines and to examine the factors influencing it. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Oncology Center (NOC) of Al-Jomhouri Teaching Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen, from November 2022 to September 2023. Demographic data, chemotherapy and antiemetic regimens, dosages, and patient-related risk factors were collected via direct interviews, medical records, and treatment charts. This study evaluated the consistency of antiemetic practices among non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) patients using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. The chi-squared test and regression were used to determine the factors associated with guideline consistency. Results: A total of 251 patients with NHL were recruited for the study; 57.4% were male and 60.6% were aged between 18-49. Most of the patients received moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (81.3%). The overall consistency with the NCCN guidelines was only 23.9%, with antiemetic drug selection and dosage reported inconsistently in 62.9% and 16.7% of patients, respectively. Furthermore, 62.5% of the patients received an under-prescribed antiemetic prophylactic regimen. Treatment duration, number of chemotherapy cycles, emetogenic risk potential, and overall patient risk, as well as age, sex, and marital status, were significantly associated with guideline inconsistency (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed a notable gap in the consistency of antiemetic prescriptions among patients with NHL. Inappropriate drug selection, dosing, and under-prescription are common problems. Patient regimen risk factors significantly influenced the consistency of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Personalized approaches are essential to enhance adherence to guidelines and improve antiemetic strategies.

Genetic and clinical predictors of rifapentine and isoniazid pharmacokinetics in paediatrics with tuberculosis infection.

OBJECTIVES: Twelve weekly doses of rifapentine and isoniazid (3HP regimen) are recommended for TB preventive therapy in children with TB infection. However, they present with variability in the pharmacokinetic profiles. The current study aimed to develop a pharmacokinetic model of rifapentine and isoniazid in 12 children with TB infection using NONMEM. METHODS: Ninety plasma and 41 urine samples were collected at Week 4 of treatment. Drug concentrations were measured using a validated HPLC-UV method. MassARRAY® SNP genotyping was used to investigate genetic factors, including P-glycoprotein (ABCB1), solute carrier organic anion transporter B1 (SLCO1B1), arylacetamide deacetylase (AADAC) and N-acetyl transferase (NAT2). Clinically relevant covariates were also analysed. RESULTS: A two-compartment model for isoniazid and a one-compartment model for rifapentine with transit compartment absorption and first-order elimination were the best models for describing plasma and urine data. The estimated (relative standard error, RSE) of isoniazid non-renal clearance was 3.52 L·h-1 (23.1%), 2.91 L·h-1 (19.6%), and 2.58 L·h-1 (20.0%) in NAT2 rapid, intermediate and slow acetylators. A significant proportion of the unchanged isoniazid was cleared renally (2.7 L·h-1; 8.0%), while the unchanged rifapentine was cleared primarily through non-renal routes (0.681 L·h-1; 3.6%). Participants with the ABCB1 mutant allele had lower bioavailability of rifapentine, while food prolonged the mean transit time of isoniazid. CONCLUSIONS: ABCB1 mutant allele carriers may require higher rifapentine doses; however, this must be confirmed in larger trials. Food did not affect overall exposure to isoniazid and only delayed absorption time.

Development and validation of patient diabetes knowledge questionnaire (PDKQ).

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of diabetes knowledge plays a pivotal role in identifying and addressing patients' knowledge gaps. The implementation of a standardized diabetes knowledge assessment tool is important to ensure consistent scoring and facilitating the development of effective and standardized education programs. AIM: To develop and validate a patient diabetes knowledge questionnaire (PDKQ) to assess knowledge of diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: The development of the PDKQ questionnaire involved three phases: item development, content validation, and reliability testing. In the item development phase, the initial draft of the PDKQ, comprising a multiple-choice answer questionnaire was developed. The content validation phase comprised two stages. Firstly, ten experts participated in the expert validation process, followed by face validation involving six patients. In the final phase, test-retest analysis was performed among diabetes mellitus patients to assess reliability. RESULTS: The first draft of PDKQ consisted of 11 patient characteristics items and 37 items of multiple choices questions. During the expert validation, three items were eliminated due to low clarity, and an additional six items were removed as they were deemed irrelevant or unimportant. During the face validation, three patients' characteristic items and eight multiple-choice questions were excluded due to a content validity index of less than 0.83. In the test-retest phase, 36 subjects responded to 8 items pertaining to patients' characteristics and 20 multiple-choice questions. The test-retest analysis yielded an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88, indicating good reliability. CONCLUSION: The 20-item PDKQ is a reliable and robust tool in assessing the knowledge of diabetes mellitus patients in Malaysia. Its implementation allows standardized assessment of diabetic patients' knowledge levels, enabling targeted interventions to empower patients and optimize diabetes care practices.

A national survey of knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers towards pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting among hospital pharmacy practitioners in the United Arab Emirates.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacovigilance (PV) is an essential component of patient safety and pharmacists are expected to be aware of the PV processes and willing to report ADRs. This study assessed the hospital pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward PV, barriers faced by them in ADR reporting, and factors influencing ADR reporting. METHOD: A cross-sectional nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted among randomly chosen hospital pharmacists across UAE from March to July 2022. The filled questionnaires were assessed both descriptively [median (IQR scores), maximum 5 for Likert type and 1 for knowledge questions] and inferentially using the Mann-Whitney U test (for dichotomous variables) and the Kruskal-Wallis test (for variables with more than two responses) at alpha value = 0.05. Post hoc analyses and correlations were performed wherever applicable. RESULTS: Of the 342 respondents, the majority were knowledgeable about the concepts of PV (93.3%; n = 319) and ADRs (86.8%; n = 297). The overall median (IQR) knowledge score was 5 (3-7)/9. Knowledge levels within 'qualification groups' varied significantly (p-value < 0.001) and participants 'between 10 and 14 years of experience' had more knowledge than those 'with < 5 years of experience' (p-value < 0.001, Bonferroni test). The overall median (IQR) attitude score was 22 (20-24)/30. Most respondents (90.6%; n = 311) were willing to spare time to review patients' ADR reports. The overall median (IQR) practice score was 17.5 (11-21)/24. Although 71.1% (n = 243) noticed ADRs during the previous year, only 53.2% (n = 182) reported an ADR, the reasons for underreporting being mainly due to a lack of proper training [median IQR score 4(4-5)/5]. The 'clinical pharmacists' engaged themselves more in pharmacovigilance than 'pharmacists' (p-value = < 0.001), and 'inpatient pharmacists' reported more ADRs than 'pharmacists' (p-value = 0.018); Bonferroni test. The overall median (IQR) barrier score was 26 (23-29)/40 and the common barrier was 'lack of awareness about the national ADR reporting system 4 (4-5)'. The pharmacists in this study suggested incentives for reporting ADRs (69.3%; n = 237). CONCLUSION: The authors concluded professional training courses for practicing pharmacists and educational curriculums related to PV and ADR reporting processes are to be considered for future pharmacists in order to inculcate ADR reporting culture and practices.

Predictive model of recurrent ischemic stroke: model development from real-world data.

Background: There are established correlations between risk factors and ischemic stroke (IS) recurrence; however, does the hazard of recurrent IS change over time? What is the predicted baseline hazard of recurrent IS if there is no influence of variable predictors? This study aimed to quantify the hazard of recurrent IS when the variable predictors were set to zero and quantify the secondary prevention influence on the hazard of recurrent ischemic stroke. Methods: In the population cohort involved in this study, data were extracted from 7,697 patients with a history of first IS attack registered with the National Neurology Registry of Malaysia from 2009 to 2016. A time-to-recurrent IS model was developed using NONMEM version 7.5. Three baseline hazard models were fitted into the data. The best model was selected using maximum likelihood estimation, clinical plausibility, and visual predictive checks. Results: Within the maximum 7.37 years of follow-up, 333 (4.32%) patients had at least one incident of recurrent IS. The data were well described by the Gompertz hazard model. Within the first 6 months after the index IS, the hazard of recurrent IS was predicted to be 0.238, and 6 months after the index attack, it reduced to 0.001. The presence of typical risk factors such as hyperlipidemia [HR, 2.22 (95%CI: 1.81-2.72)], hypertension [HR, 2.03 (95%CI: 1.52-2.71)], and ischemic heart disease [HR, 2.10 (95%CI: 1.64-2.69)] accelerated the hazard of recurrent IS, but receiving antiplatelets (APLTs) upon stroke decreased this hazard [HR, 0.59 (95%CI: 0.79-0.44)]. Conclusion: The hazard of recurrent IS magnitude differs during different time intervals based on the concomitant risk factors and secondary prevention.

Patterns of dyslipidemia and its associated factors among prediabetic subjects. A cross-sectional study at a primary care clinic.

Introduction: Diabetes is closely linked to cardiovascular diseases, with diabetic dyslipidaemia serving as an established marker of the acceleration of complications, contributing to an increased cardiovascular risk among patients. Timely detection and early characterization of lipid abnormalities can help clinicians in implementing effective preventive measures. This study aimed to determine the patterns and associated factors of dyslipidaemia among Malaysian subjects with borderline diabetes. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among subjects with borderline diabetes aged ≥18 years who visited a primary healthcare centre at Universiti Sains Malaysia from January 2017 to December 2018. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained from electronic medical records. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 250 participants with borderline diabetes were included in the analysis. Of them, 93.6% (n=234) had lipid abnormalities. Isolated dyslipidaemia characterised by a high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level (38.8%, n=97) was the most common pattern found, followed by combined dyslipidaemia of high LDL-C and triglyceride (TG) levels (22.8%, n=57). The male sex was found to be significantly associated with hypertriglyceridemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.09-3.1)(P=0.02). Diastolic blood pressure ≥90mmHg was significantly associated with a low HDL-C level (A0R=2.09, 95% CI=1.0-4.1) (P=0.03). Conclusion: The majority of subjects with borderline diabetes have lipid abnormalities. Specifically, isolated dyslipidaemia characterised by a high LDL-C level is alarmingly prevalent. Further large-scale robust studies are needed to confirm the present findings.

A Parametric Time-to-Event Modelling of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke After Index Stroke Among Patients With and Without Diabetes Mellitus: Implementation of Temporal Validation of the Model.

Objectives Compared with the first stroke, neurological impairment caused by stroke recurrence is more serious, more difficult to treat, and has a higher mortality rate, especially among ischemic stroke (IS) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Although there are established correlations between factors and IS recurrence, there were some issues regarding the naive hazard of IS recurrence with no risk factor influence, and how does the baseline hazard differ among patients with DM and non-DM? To answer all these questions, two time-to-event (TTE) models of recurrent IS after the index IS were developed among IS patients with DM and non-DM. Method A total of 7697 patients with an index IS attack were extracted from the Malaysian Registry of Neurology and stratified according to DM status. Several parametric survival models were evaluated using nonlinear mixed-effect modeling software (NONMEM 7.5). The final model was determined according to the lowest objective function value, graphical evaluation, numerical diagnostics, and clinical plausibility. Additionally, the final model was validated internally and temporally using Kaplan-Meier visual predictive checks (KM-VPCs). Results One hundred ninety-five (5.82%) of 3493 DM patients and 138 (3.28%) of 4204 non-DM patients developed a recurrent IS with a maximum follow-up of 7.37 years. Gompertz's model best fitted the data. With no influence on risk factors, the index IS attack was predicted to contribute to the hazard of recurrent IS by 0.356 and 0.253 within the first six months after the index IS among patients with and without DM, respectively. Even after six months of index IS, the recurrent IS baseline hazard was not equal to zero among both groups (0.0023, 0.0018). Moreover, after incorporating the time and risk factors, the recurrent hazards increased exponentially during the first three years after the index IS followed by an exponential reduction afterward. The recurrent IS predictors among DM patients were ischemic heart disease (IHD) and hyperlipidemia (HPLD). IHD and HPLD increased the hazard of recurrent IS by 2.40 and 1.88 times, respectively, compared to those without IHD and HPLD before index IS (HR, 2.40 (1.79-3.20)), and (HR, 1.88 (1.44-2.45)) respectively. Conclusion The baseline hazard was the highest during the first six months after the index IS. Moreover, receiving medications for secondary prevention failed to demonstrate a significant association with reducing IS recurrence among IS patients with DM, suggesting a need for more intensive patient screening and new strategies for secondary prevention among IS patients with DM.

Prediction of Low-Dose Aspirin-Induced Gastric Toxicity Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy-Based Pharmacometabolomics in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Low-dose aspirin (LDA) is the backbone for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, although limited by gastric toxicity. This study aimed to identify novel metabolites that could predict LDA-induced gastric toxicity using pharmacometabolomics. METHODS: Pre-dosed urine samples were collected from male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were treated with either LDA (10 mg/kg) or 1% methylcellulose (10 mL/kg) per oral for 28 days. The rats' stomachs were examined for gastric toxicity using a stereomicroscope. The urine samples were analyzed using a proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Metabolites were systematically identified by exploring established databases and multivariate analyses to determine the spectral pattern of metabolites related to LDA-induced gastric toxicity. RESULTS: Treatment with LDA resulted in gastric toxicity in 20/32 rats (62.5%). The orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model displayed a goodness-of-fit (R2Y) value of 0.947, suggesting near-perfect reproducibility and a goodness-of-prediction (Q2Y) of -0.185 with perfect sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (100%). Furthermore, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) displayed was 1. The final OPLS-DA model had an R2Y value of 0.726 and Q2Y of 0.142 with sensitivity (100%), specificity (95.0%) and accuracy (96.9%). Citrate, hippurate, methylamine, trimethylamine N-oxide and alpha-keto-glutarate were identified as the possible metabolites implicated in the LDA-induced gastric toxicity. CONCLUSION: The study identified metabolic signatures that correlated with the development of a low-dose Aspirin-induced gastric toxicity in rats. This pharmacometabolomic approach could further be validated to predict LDA-induced gastric toxicity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Assessment of COVID-19 Information Overload Among the General Public.

BACKGROUND: A relentless flood of information accompanied the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. False news, conspiracy theories, and magical cures were shared with the general public at an alarming rate, which may lead to increased anxiety and stress levels and associated debilitating consequences. OBJECTIVES: To measure the level of COVID-19 information overload (COVIO) and assess the association between COVIO and sociodemographic characteristics among the general public. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between April and May 2020 using a modified Cancer Information Overload scale. The survey was developed and posted on four social media platforms. The data were only collected from those who consented to participate. COVIO score was classified into high vs. low using the asymmetrical distribution as a guide and conducted a binary logistic regression to examine the factors associated with COVIO. RESULTS: A total number of 584 respondents participated in this study. The mean COVIO score of the respondents was 19.4 (± 4.0). Sources and frequency of receiving COVID-19 information were found to be significant predictors of COVIO. Participants who received information via the broadcast media were more likely to have high COVIO than those who received information via the social media (adjusted odds ratio ([aOR],14.599; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.608-132.559; p = 0.017). Also, participants who received COVID-19 information every minute (aOR, 3.892; 95% CI, 1.124-13.480; p = 0.032) were more likely to have high COVIO than those who received information every week. CONCLUSION: The source of information and the frequency of receiving COVID-19 information were significantly associated with COVIO. The COVID-19 information is often conflicting, leading to confusion and overload of information in the general population. This can have unfavorable effects on the measures taken to control the transmission and management of COVID-19 infection.

A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Urinary Tract Infections Among Geriatric Patients: Prevalence, Medication Regimen Complexity, and Factors Associated With Treatment Outcomes.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most prevalent infection among the elderly population. Hence, the current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of UTIs among older adults, medication regimen complexity, and the factors associated with the treatment outcomes of elderly patients infected with UTIs. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Urology, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The patients ≥65 years of age were included in the present study with a confirmed diagnosis of UTIs from 2014 to 2018 (5 years). Results: A total of 460 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present study. Cystitis (37.6%) was the most prevalent UTI among the study population followed by asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) (31.9%), pyelonephritis (13.9%), urosepsis (10.2%), and prostatitis (6.4%). Unasyn (ampicillin and sulbactam) was used to treat the UTIs followed by Bactrim (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole), and ciprofloxacin. The factors associated with the treatment outcomes of UTIs were gender (odd ratio [OR] = 1.628; p = 0.018), polypharmacy (OR = 0.647; p = 0.033), and presence of other comorbidities (OR = 2.004; p = 0.002) among the study population. Conclusion: Cystitis is the most common UTI observed in older adults. Gender, the burden of polypharmacy, and the presence of comorbidities are the factors that directly affect the treatment outcomes of UTIs among the study population.

How confident are pharmacists in providing pharmaceutical care on anticoagulants? A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire study in Borneo, Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulants are the cornerstone therapy for the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Pharmacists should be confident and equipped with the skill and updated knowledge in managing anticoagulation therapy. OBJECTIVE: To explore self-reported confidence level of pharmacists, perceived reasons influencing their confidence and socio-demographic associated with high confidence level in the area of anticoagulation. METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire survey was carried out among fully registered pharmacists who work in selected government hospitals and clinics in Borneo, Malaysia, from January 2019 to February 2020. RESULTS: Overall, responses from 542 fully registered pharmacists were obtained. Proportion of respondents who claimed confident in providing necessary information to patient receiving warfarin (n = 479, 88.3%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared to low molecular weight heparins (n = 317, 58.5%) and direct oral anticoagulants (n = 211, 38.9%). Respondents' perceived reasons that may influence their confidence level include experience in dealing with anticoagulants' cases (n = 469, 86.5%), knowledge on anticoagulants (n = 394, 72.7%) and knowledge on diseases needing anticoagulation therapy (n = 311, 57.4%). Practising as ward pharmacist and "always" dealing with anticoagulants during their practice were the socio-demographic that significantly associated with high confidence level of pharmacist in providing pharmaceutical care on all types of anticoagulants (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pharmacists were found more confident in providing pharmaceutical care on warfarin compared to low molecular weight heparins and direct oral anticoagulants. Continuous educational and training programmes on the use of anticoagulants should be carried out to enhance pharmacists' confidence in supporting patients' care.

Factors associated with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among University health sciences students in Northwest Nigeria.

Students of the health sciences are the future frontliners to fight pandemics. The students' participation in COVID-19 response varies across countries and are mostly for educational purposes. Understanding the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability is necessary for a successful vaccination program. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health sciences students in Northwest Nigeria. The study was an online self-administered cross-sectional study involving a survey among students of health sciences in some selected universities in Northwest Nigeria. The survey collected pertinent data from the students, including socio-demographic characteristics, risk perception for COVID-19, and willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. A total of 440 responses with a median (interquartile range) age of 23 (4.0) years were included in the study. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 40.0%. Factors that independently predict acceptance of the vaccine were age of 25 years and above (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.44-5.16; p = 0.002), instructions from heads of institutions (aOR, 11.71; 95% CI, 5.91-23.20; p<0.001), trust in the government (aOR, 20.52; 95% CI, 8.18-51.51; p<0.001) and willingness to pay for the vaccine (aOR, 7.92; 95% CI, 2.63-23.85; p<0.001). The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among students of health sciences was low. Older age, mandate by heads of the institution, trust in the government and readiness to pay for the vaccine were associated with acceptance of the vaccine. Therefore, stakeholders should prioritize strategies that would maximize the vaccination uptake.

Pharmacists' Interventions on Electronic Prescriptions from Various Specialty Wards in a Malaysian Public Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The emergence of new technologies in the area of health information and communication helps pharmacists to check the safety of medications used via electronic prescribing. Objectives: The study aimed to identify the rate and types of problems with electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions) that required pharmacist intervention at an inpatient pharmacy, and to evaluate prescribers' acceptance of these interventions. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study on the interventions of e-prescriptions documented by pharmacists was conducted in a public hospital inpatient pharmacy. Data were collected for descriptive analysis using a collection form, including the e-prescription interventions, types of wards, drugs involved, and acceptance of intervention by prescribers. A chi-square test was used to evaluate the association between ward pharmacist availability and the rate of interventions. Results: A total number of 11,922 (3.3%) pharmacist interventions were proposed for 357,760 e-prescriptions ordered in the 12 month study period. Of the total number of proposed interventions, 11,381 (95.5%) were accepted by prescribers. The interventions on e-prescriptions were from surgical wards (11.7%) followed by intensive care (5.6%), paediatric (3.5%) and medical specialty wards (2.9%). Anti-infective agents (33.8%) and cardiovascular medicines (27.0%) were among the drugs with the highest rate of interventions. The most common type of intervention was revising the drug regimen (58.4%), especially with anti-infective agents (33.8%). Prescribers in surgical wards showed the highest level of acceptance of pharmacist interventions, which was 97.37%. The presence of ward pharmacists showed a higher number of interventions (6.2 vs. 1.0%, p < 0.001) than wards without pharmacists, as well as a higher percentage of acceptance (96.4 vs. 91.1%, p < 0.001) towards e-prescription intervention. Conclusion: In e-prescribing, errors can be prevented by pharmacists' interventions on e-prescriptions. This helps to prevent medication errors and thus optimise rational pharmacotherapy in patients. The role of ward pharmacists in pharmaceutical care is highly accepted by prescribers.

Population-based Study Comparing Predictors of Ischemic Stroke Recurrence After Index Ischemic Stroke in Non-elderly Adults with or without Diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Factors associated with ischemic stroke (IS) recurrence and the contribution of pharmacological treatment as secondary preventions among nondiabetics especially in the non-elderly population are unclear and not widely investigated. This was a population-based study that aimed to identify recurrent IS predictors and to determine the possible impact of secondary preventive medications on the IS recurrence in non-elderly adults with or without diabetes. METHODS: Data of 3386 patients <60 years old who had a history of index IS were extracted from the Malaysian National Neurology Registry (NNEUR) from 2009 to 2016. Recurrent IS was defined as any IS event recorded after the index IS in the NNEUR database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed by using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was the significant predictor of IS recurrence in non-elderly adults both with or without diabetes (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 3.210; 95%CI: 1.909-5.398 and 2.989; 95%CI: 1.515-5.894) respectively). Receiving antiplatelet as secondary stroke prevention (AOR: 0.194; 95%CI: 0.046-0.817) and continuation of antidiabetic medication after the index IS event (AOR: 0.510; 95%CI: 0.298-0.872) reduced the odds of IS recurrence only in non-elderly diabetic adults. Among non-elderly adults without diabetes, hyperlipidemia and every increased in 1 mmHg of systolic blood pressure significantly increased the odds of IS recurrence following the indexing event (AOR: 1.796; 95%CI: 1.058-3.051 and 1.009; 95%CI: 1.002-1.016 respectively). CONCLUSION: IHD was found as the main predictor of IS recurrence regardless of diabetes status in non-elderly adults after the index IS event. Receiving antidiabetic and antiplatelet medications upon discharge after index IS were significant predictors of recurrent IS in non-elderly diabetic adults. A proper randomized clinical trial may be required to determine the impact of secondary preventive medication on IS recurrence, especially in non-elderly adults.

Respiratory-tract infections among geriatrics: prevalence and factors associated with the treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric individuals are more susceptible to different infections, especially respiratory-tract infections (RTIs) due to their compromised immune system. Hence, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence, medication regimen complexity and factors associated with the treatment outcomes of different RTIs among geriatrics. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study (5 years) was conducted at the respiratory department, Hospital Pulau Pinang. Patients aged ⩾65 years with confirmed diagnosis of RTI were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 474 patients were included, and the most prevalent RTIs were community-acquired pneumonia (65.6%) followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (20.7%), bronchitis (8.2%) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (5.5%). Amoxicillin/clavulanate (69.8%), ampicillin/sulbactam (9.1%) and cefuroxime (6.5%) are the most common antibiotics prescribed to treat RTIs among geriatrics. Smoking, alcohol consumption, polypharmacy and presence of other co-morbidities are statistically significant factors associated with treatment outcomes of RTIs among geriatrics. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of community-acquired pneumonia (65.6%) among older patients aged 65 years and older higher than other RTIs. Smoking, alcohol use, presence of polypharmacy and other co-morbidities are important factors associated with the treatment outcomes of RTIs.The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Risk Factors Associated with Mortality Among Patients with Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Africa.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in China and later spread rapidly to other parts of the world, including Africa. Africa was projected to be devastated by COVID-19. There is currently limited data regarding regional predictors of mortality among patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the independent risk factors associated with mortality among patients with COVID-19 in Africa. METHODS: A total of 1028 confirmed cases of COVID-19 from Africa with definite survival outcomes were identified retrospectively from an open-access individual-level worldwide COVID-19 database. The live version of the dataset is available at https://github.com/beoutbreakprepared/nCoV2019 . Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the risk factors that independently predict mortality among patients with COVID-19 in Africa. RESULTS: Of the 1028 cases included in study, 432 (42.0%) were females with a median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 50 (24) years. Older age (adjusted odds ratio {aOR} 1.06; [95% confidence intervals {95% CI}, 1.04-1.08]), presence of chronic disease (aOR 9.63; [95% CI, 3.84-24.15]), travel history (aOR 2.44; [95% CI, 1.26-4.72]), as well as locations of Central Africa (aOR 0.14; [95% CI, 0.03-0.72]) and West Africa (aOR 0.12; [95% CI, 0.04-0.32]) were identified as the independent risk factors significantly associated with increased mortality among the patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving gradually in Africa. Among patients with COVID-19 in Africa, older age, presence of chronic disease, travel history, and the locations of Central Africa and West Africa were associated with increased mortality. A regional response should prioritize strategies that will protect these populations. Also, conducting a further in-depth study could provide more insights into additional factors predictive of mortality in COVID-19 patients.