Quality of life of dermatology outpatients and its associated factors in Halibet National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea.

Skin diseases are prevalent globally and can have detrimental effects on the individual's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The treatment of dermatological patients typically focuses on clinical signs and symptoms and a subjective view of the impact of the disease on the patient's life. Assessing quality of life can help provide patients with better service, by acknowledging their real needs and interfering with treatment decisions. The aim of the study was therefore to assess quality of life of dermatology outpatients and its associated factors. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the dermatology clinic of Halibet National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea. HRQoL data were collected between May 6 and August 18, 2022 using a validated standard tool (Skindex-29). Descriptive statistics, logistic regression and paired t-test were employed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version-26.0). A total of 375 dermatology clinic out-patients with a median age of 29 (Interquartile range: 25) were included in the study. The most commonly seen skin diseases were eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis and tinea pedis. Emotion, symptom, and functioning domains of HRQoL were severely impaired in 75.7%, 50.4% and 57.6% of all dermatology outpatients, respectively. More than half of the respondents (57.9%) had a severely impaired overall HRQoL. In the overall HRQoL, being a rural resident [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.98, 95% CI 1.18, 3.33] and presence of chronic illness (AOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.22, 3.82) were significantly associated with severely impaired overall quality of life. A significantly higher mean score (p < 0.001) was observed in emotion [Mean (M) = 55.60, Standard Deviation (SD) = 21.0] as compared to functioning (M = 46.89, SD = 21.2). On the other hand, significantly higher mean score (p < 0.001) was observed on symptom (M = 54.08, SD = 20.5) as compared to functioning (M = 46.89, SD = 21.2). Skin diseases severely affected the emotion, functioning, and symptom domains of health-related quality of life. This highlights the importance of providing physical and psychosocial support to patients with dermatologic problems.

Omeprazole and Risk of Hypertension: Analysis of Existing Literature and the WHO Global Pharmacovigilance Database.

INTRODUCTION: The association between omeprazole and hypertension is poorly documented. The summary of product characteristics of omeprazole approved by major regulators did not mention hypertension as an adverse drug event. Triggered by a locally reported case, this study was conducted to assess the possible causal relationship between omeprazole and hypertension. METHODS: Globally reported cases of hypertension following use of omeprazole submitted to the World Health Organization global database, VigiBase, were retrieved on 5 March 2024 and analyzed descriptively. Besides this, a literature search was made to identify preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological information on the association between omeprazole and hypertension or increased blood pressure using different data sources. Relevant information, gathered from different data sources, was finally systematically organized into an Austin Bradford-Hill causality assessment framework to assess the causal relationship between omeprazole and hypertension. RESULTS: VigiBase indicated a total of 1043 cases of hypertension related to omeprazole from 36 different countries. In the global database, a statistical signal was triggered (IC025: 0.12) on association of omeprazole and hypertension. From the 1043 cases, 65.0% and 10.6% were reported as 'serious' and 'fatal', respectively. Hypertension resolved following withdrawal of omeprazole in 85 cases and recurred after re-introduction of the suspect drug in 14 cases. In 225 cases, omeprazole was the only suspected drug, while in 122 cases, omeprazole was the sole drug administered. When only these 122 cases were considered, 29 cases had positive dechallenge, four cases were with positive rechallenge and the median time-to-onset was 2 days. Literature search identified a possible biological mechanism and some experimental evidence that indicates omeprazole could possibly cause hypertension. CONCLUSION: Currently available totality of evidence suggests there is a possible causal relationship between omeprazole and hypertension. Hence, it is recommended to monitor and report any incidence of hypertension related to omeprazole, and further epidemiological studies are recommended to corroborate the suggested causal association.

Understanding, readiness, and response of healthcare professionals in combating falsified medical products in Eritrea: a population-based survey.

Background: The circulation of falsified medical products is a global threat and is expected to be higher in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the understanding, readiness, and response of Eritrea's healthcare professionals (HCPs), and identify potential areas of intervention to combat circulation of falsified medical products. Design: This was a nationwide population-based cross-sectional survey, conducted in December 2021. Methods: This study enrolled representative samples of HCPs working in public and private health facilities. Two-stage stratified cluster sampling was used to select study participants and data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test along with their post hoc tests, Jonckheere-Terpstra, and logistic regression analyses were performed as appropriate. Results: The study enrolled 707 HCPs, and 96.6% were successfully surveyed. The majority of the participants (62.5%) encountered products with suspected quality defects and 63.8% claimed that they had reported the incident(s) at least once. About 85% reported that complaints should be submitted to the Eritrean Pharmacovigilance Centre and 74.0% indicated that it should be reported at the earliest time possible even if the reporter lacks details. The standard reporting form for suspected product quality issues was correctly recognized by 13.8%. Overall, the median knowledge and attitude scores were found to be 9 out of 17 (interquartile range, IQR: 4.0) and 30 out of 35 (IQR: 4.0), respectively. Not knowing how to report (55.6%) and what to report (34.9%), no/delayed feedback from the regulatory authority (30.0%), and unavailability of reporting forms (29.0%) were the frequently reported barriers to reporting. In addition, profession (p = 0.027), no/delayed feedback (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.70; 95% CI: 2.17-10.18; p < 0.001), and not knowing how to report (AOR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.05-0.28; p < 0.001) were found to be determinants of reporting suspected product quality defects. Conclusion: The readiness and response of Eritrea's HCPs in detecting and reporting falsified medical products seems promising, although a significant knowledge gap was observed.

What is the knowledge, attitude and practice of Eritrean healthcare professionals and their barriers to reporting? Background: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a key role in the fight against circulation of falsified medical products, a global threat. Therefore, they are expected to be knowledgeable, vigilant, and responsive enough toward early detection and reporting of suspected falsified medical products. This study was conducted to assess the understanding, readiness and response of Eritrea's HCPs in combating falsified medical products and identify potential areas of intervention. Methods: This was a nationwide population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in December 2021, and it enrolled representative samples of HCPs working in public and private health facilities. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews. Results: In this study, it is observed: that there is a significant association of knowledge and attitude with the level of education; those with low level of education had low knowledge and poor attitude.reporting a suspected product quality problem and hindering factors of reporting were found to be significantly associated with profession.three-fourth of the study participants indicated that cases should be reported at the earliest possible time even if the reporter lacks details.that the majority of the respondents could not recognize the standard reporting form for suspected product quality issues. Conclusions: The readiness and response of Eritrea's HCPs in detecting and reporting of falsified medical products seem promising even though a significant knowledge gap was observed. To enhance the ongoing efforts, in which essence massive sensitization is presumed to have paramount importance.