Change in attitudes and knowledge of problem drug use and harm reduction among a community cohort in Kabul, Afghanistan.

This pre-post evaluation aimed to measure changes in knowledge and attitudes towards drug users among community representatives in Kabul, Afghanistan, over a period of expansion of harm reduction and drug dependence programming. A convenience sample of 160 professionals aged 18+ years completed interview questionnaires in 2007 and 2009. Views endorsing programme quality and the provision of condoms, infection counselling/testing and needle/syringe distribution increased significantly over the 2-year period. In 13 of 38 statements, there was a substantial (> 10%) change in agreement level, most commonly among men and medical professionals. Attitudes concerning support of drug users remained largely positive, with substantial attitude changes in some subgroups of the population. Further community education through the media and a more cohesive government drug policy may be needed to strengthen community support for harm reduction/drug treatment in Afghanistan.

Change in attitudes and knowledge of problem drug use and harm reduction among a community cohort in Kabul, Afghanistan

هذا التقييم لما قبل ومابعد تطبيق البرنامج يهدف الى قياس التغيرات التي طرأت على المعارف والاتجاهات تجاه متعاطي المخدرات لدي ممثلين عن المجتمع في كابول بافغانستان خلال فتره من فترات التوسع في تطبيق برنامج لمعالجه ادمان المخدرات والحد من اضرارها فقد قامت عينه ملائمه تضم 160 مهنيا اعمارهم 18 سنه فما فوق بملء استبيانات مقابله في عامي 2007 و 2009 فتبين ان الآراء المؤيدة لجودة البرنامج ولتوفير الواقي الذكري وتقديم المشورة والاختبارات الخاصة بالعدوي وتوزيع الابر والمحاقن قد ازدادت زيادة ملحوظة خلال هذين العامين وكان هناك تغير جوهري في مستوي القبول ( اكثر من 10%)في 13 بيانا من اصل 38 لاسيما لدي الرجال واصحاب المهن الطبيه المتعلقه بدعم متعاطي المخدرات ايجابيه الى حد كبير مع تغيرات كبيره في مواقف بعض المجموعات السكانيه الفرعيه ربما تكون هناك حاجة الى مزيد من تثقيف المجتمع عن طريق وسائل الاعلام والى سياسه حكوميه اكثر تماسكا بشأن المخدرات تعزز دعم المجتمع لمعالجة تعاطي المخدرات والحد من اضرارها في افغانستان

La presente evaluation pre-post visait a mesurer ['acquisition de connaissances et les changements d'attitudes a I'egard des toxicomanes parmi les representants d'une communaute a Kaboul [Afghanistan]au cours d'une periode d'elargissement des programmes de reduction des effets nocifs et de traitement de la clependance aux drogues.Un echantillon de commodite de 160 professionnels ages de plus de 18 ans a rempli des questionnaires dans le cadre d'entretiens en 2007 et en 2009.Les opinions au sujet de ['application de programmes de qualite et de la fourniture de preservatifs,du conseil et du depistage en matiere defections,ainsi que de la distribution d/aiguilles/de seringues se sont considerablement ameliorees au cours de ces deux annees.Dans 13 des 38 declarations,on a pu noter un changement notable [>10 %]dans le niveau d'acceptation,le plus souvent parmi les hommes et les professionnels de sante.Les attitudes concernant le soutien a apporter aux toxicomanes sont restees positives dans une large mesure,avec des changements d'attitude notables dans certains sous-groupes de la population.Une education plus poussee des communautes par le biais des medias et des politiques gouvernementales de lutte contre la drogue plus coherentes sont necessaires pour renforcer le soutien communautaire a la reduction des effets nocifs/au traitement des toxicomanies en Afghanistan

This pre-post evaluation aimed to measure changes in knowledge and attitudes towards drug users among community representatives in Kabul,Afghanistan,over a period of expansion of harm reduction and drug dependence programming.A convenience sample of 160 professionals aged 18+ years completed interview questionnaires in 2007 and 2009.Views endorsing programme quality and the provision of condoms,infection counselling/testing and needle/syringe distribution increased significantly over the 2-year period.In 13 of 38 statements,there was a substantial [>10%]change in agreement level,most commonly among men and medical professionals.Attitudes concerning support of drug users remained largely positive,with substantial attitude changes in some subgroups of the population.further community education through the media and a more cohesive government drug policy may be needed to strengthen community support for harm reduction/drug treatment in Afghanistan

Co-management of refractive eye surgery.

An onslaught of publicity about refractive surgery has led to considerable patient interest in this corrective procedure. Regardless of the optometrist's cautious view of refractive surgery, it is here to stay. We may not be providing appropriate care to our patients if we discuss only its disadvantages. It is imperative that we, as primary eye care providers, educate ourselves as to the advantages and disadvantages of refractive surgery so we can better educate our patients. It is our responsibility to help them decide if they are, indeed, candidates for refractive surgery. This paper provides basic knowledge to familiarize the practicing optometrist with radial keratotomy and excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy. Patient selection, preoperative evaluation and counseling, and postoperative care are discussed. Communication between the co-managing optometrist and refractive surgeon is imperative.