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BACKGROUND: Over the years, the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) has become widespread among athletes and bodybuilders. The prevalence of their use has been estimated at around 20 to 50% globally. Unfortunately, many athletes do not have the proper knowledge about the effects of these banned substances Thus, this study aims to qualitatively assess Jordanian gym users' AAS intentions, perceptions, and safety. METHODS: Twenty male Jordanian anabolic steroid users were interviewed using in-depth interviews as part of a qualitative study evaluating the motivations, perceptions, and safety of AAS among gym users. RESULTS: The findings of this study indicate that the desire to compete in bodybuilding contests was the primary motivation for participants to use AAS. The study participants mentioned using a combination of oral and injectable medications. Gym coaches and trainers were also identified as an essential source of information for AAS use. A very limited number of AAS users were getting their information from healthcare providers, and most of them have experienced some of these medications side effects but are still willing to continue the use of AAS to get what they need in terms of their physical appearance or for winning competitions. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for structured awareness campaigns targeting gyms and fitness clubs' members to increase their knowledge about the side effects and health risks associated with the use of AAS. In addition, sports governing bodies should have stricter measures to tackle this problem and discourage athletes from using such products.
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Anabolizantes , Motivação , Humanos , Masculino , Jordânia , Esteróides Androgênicos Anabolizantes , Anabolizantes/efeitos adversos , Congêneres da Testosterona/efeitos adversos , Exercício Físico , Esteroides/farmacologia , PercepçãoRESUMO
Background: Corticosteroids (CS) are essential drugs in the treatment of several medical conditions. Assuming different roles, physicians and pharmacists play a primary role in prescribing and dispensing these medications to optimize patients' clinical management. The data on assessing knowledge and experience of healthcare professionals toward CS is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and compare knowledge, experience, and fears towards CS among Egyptian physicians and pharmacists. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administrated, validated online questionnaire was used to collect the data from Egyptian healthcare professionals. The questionnaire consisted of four sections with multiple choice questions: sociodemographic (7 questions), knowledge about CS (13 questions), experience with CS prescription/dispensing (5 questions), and fears and preferences toward CS prescription/dispensing (13 questions). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 600 responses were analyzed in this study. The study sample was almost two-half of healthcare providers: 303 (50.5%) pharmacists and 297 (49.5%) physicians. Pharmacists had marginally higher knowledge scores as compared to those recorded for physicians (11.29 versus 10.16, respectively; P = 0.047). Physicians had more experience choosing corticosteroids in treatment plans based on their experience (51.8% vs 38.5%) and guideline recommendations (72.8% vs 50.9%) than pharmacists. However, pharmacists had more experience dealing with corticosteroid use based on patients' preferences (19.5% vs 4.9%) and showed a broader scope of experiencing side effects of corticosteroids with their patients. The two professions demonstrated high levels of fear, with pharmacists acknowledging significantly lower concerns about CS than physicians (3.72 versus 4.0, respectively; P = 0.003). Conclusion: Discrepancies exist among healthcare professionals in knowledge and experience, favoring better scientific knowledge of pharmacists related to corticosteroids. Based on these findings, the interprofessional collaborative efforts would provide comprehensive, patient-centered care that maximizes the benefits of CS while minimizing their risks.
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Worldwide, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, there was an increase in the tendency of misusing prescription drugs as well as self-medicating with over-the-counters. Additionally, an increase in the use of herbs and natural products was reported. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jordan from May 19th to July 29th, 2021, to assess the medications and natural products used in Jordan during the second wave of the pandemic. The survey was developed and validated, then distributed using Google Forms via social media platforms. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences-24. The study participants (n = 386) had a mean age of 29.35 (SD = 11.90) years. Most of participants were females (72.8%), not married (64.5%), non-smoker (69.2%), have a Jordanian nationality (80.6%), hold a bachelor's degree (73.1%), and living in the middle of Jordan (74.1%). More than 70% of the participants used vitamin C, D and pain relievers. The most used natural products were citrus fruits (78.8%), honey (63.0%) and ginger (53.1%). The participants reported that family and friends (55.4%) played a major role in advising them to use medications and dietary supplements. Pharmacists ranked second (54.1%), followed by social media platforms (43.3%). Multiple logistic regression analysis highlighted that only the age significantly affected the participants' use of medications and natural products (P < 0.001). The results of this study warrant the need of conducting awareness campaigns guided by trained healthcare providers to educate people and minimize the risk of side effects that may arise from unsupervised use of medications and natural products.
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BACKGROUND: Many people are used to administering their drugs with food, beverages or herbs. These substances may contain chemicals that interfere with the prescribed drugs and could potentially lead to changes in their efficacy or safety, and could result in alterations in their pharmacokinetic properties. OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent of the perception and consumption of food, beverages and herbs alongside conventional drugs, along with their potential interactions, specifically in Jordanian society. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jordan (20 April - 5 May 2020). The survey was developed using Google Forms, then validated and distributed via social media platforms. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences-24. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Use and perception of food, beverages, herbs and how they interact with drugs among Jordanians. RESULTS: Of all the participants (n = 789), 77.8% were females, 46.2% were 50-year-olds, 69.7% were married, 70.8% were medically insured, and 51.1% had bachelor's degrees. 70% of the study participants reported use of medicinal plants. About 66% of participants agreed that medicinal plants or herbs could treat diseases and 58.6% thought that medications could interact with drugs. In general, the participants' knowledge about food/beverage/herb-drug interactions was considered poor. However, a linear regression analysis showed that the level of knowledge was significantly affected (P < .05) by gender, marital status, social status, educational level and employment sector. CONCLUSION: Jordanians have a positive perception towards herbs and their ability to treat diseases. However, their knowledge about food/beverage-drug interactions was poor. There is therefore a need to enhance the community awareness of food/beverage/herb-drug interactions.
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Preparações Farmacêuticas , Bebidas , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Interações Ervas-Drogas , Humanos , Jordânia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , PercepçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared in January 2020 as a public health emergency of international concern. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) suffered from several pandemics previously. Pharmacists have vital roles to play to prevent the spread of this virus. OBJECTIVES: To assess the COVID-19 awareness amongst pharmacists from Arabic-speaking countries located in the MENA region, and to assess their perspectives of their role, barriers, and roles of the educational institutions/pharmaceutical associations. METHODS: An online survey was conducted to run a descriptive cross-sectional study in Jordan from 12th to 22nd April 2020. The questionnaire was validated (face validity) and put on Facebook and directed for pharmacists only (clarified in the introduction of the questionnaire). Assessment of pharmacists' awareness (20 questions) about pandemics and COVID-19, their perceived roles and barriers, and roles of the educational institutions (eg, universities) and pharmaceutical associations (eg, Pharmacists Syndicate) was performed. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). RESULTS: Study participants (n = 2589) had a mean age of 29.3 (8.2) years and 1329 (51.5%) were females. Most of the participants were from Egypt (n = 819, 40.8%), followed by Jordan, Algeria, and Syria. Regarding the sources of information about coronavirus management, 60.8% of participants got their information from social media. Fear of contracting the coronavirus while performing their duties was reported by the majority of pharmacists as the main barrier to delivering their roles (82.3%). The majority of pharmacists identified positive roles for the pharmaceutical institutions (74.8%) and pharmaceutical associations (63.6%). CONCLUSION: Pharmacists from the MENA countries believe they got enough education previously about pandemics, and the majority follow the latest coronavirus updates from social media. Fear was reported as the major barrier that requires resolution by the policymakers. Certain gaps in the awareness about COVID-19 were identified.
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COVID-19 , Farmacêuticos , Adulto , África do Norte , Estudos Transversais , Egito , Feminino , Humanos , Jordânia , Masculino , Oriente Médio , Percepção , SARS-CoV-2 , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
The process of wound healing is complicated. Antimicrobial silver has been one of the substances used for wounds since ancient times. Moreover, traditional medicine has long used Juglans regia L. to promote wound healing. Since eco-friendly nanotechnology has various uses in biomedical research, the aim of this study was to assess the wound-healing capacity of bio-reduced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). UV, DLS, TEM, and FTIR were used to characterize the prepared AgNPs. Pellicle's bioreduced AgNP (AgNP/P) has a better polydispersity index (PI) of 0.336 compared to its chemically synthesized peers, which have a PI of 0.67. Using incision and excision wound healing models, AgNPs and extracts were compared to Solcoseryl®. Skin-breaking strength, wound contraction, epithelialization time, histology, and cytokines were all assessed. Juglans regia L. pellicle extract (P) has shown significant effectiveness in both models, as well as their bio-reduced partner AgNP/P. The skin's tensile strength following AgNP/P therapy (871 g, p value < 0.05) is comparable to that after Solcoseryl® (928 g), both of which are significantly better than AgNP (592 g) in the incision wound model. Epithelialization time (16.0 and 16.5 days) did not substantially differ from Solcoseryl® (15.3 days) (P value < 0.05). There was an elevated collagen content. Low levels of IL1ß (189.0 pg/g) and high levels of TNF-α (1007.1 pg/g) in the case of AgNP/P suggest various cellular kinds of maturation and various wound healing structures that are evident in histopathology investigations. The bioreduced AgNP/P could find use as a pharmaceutical agent for wound healing dressings.
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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of blackseed oil (BSO) single dose on prednisolone pharmacokinetics via p-gp inhibition. METHODS: Three groups of rats (n = 5) were orally administered the vehicle, verapamil (50 mg/kg) or BSO (5 ml/kg) 15 min prior to prednisolone (5 mg/kg) administration. Blood samples were collected over 24 h and quantified. Non-compartmental analysis was employed to calculate maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), area under the curve (AUC0-last), time to reach Cmax (Tmax), apparent clearance (CL/F), and half-life (t1/2). Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. RESULTS: Prednisolone Cmax and AUC0-last decreased by 65% and 25% in the BSO group compared to the negative control (P < .0001, .0029, respectively) while they increased by 1.75-folds and 8-folds in verapamil group (P < .0001). Tmax was achieved at 0.16, 0.5, and 0.25 h in the negative control, verapamil, and BSO-treated groups, respectively. CL/F in the treatment group was 1.3-fold and 10-fold higher compared to the negative and positive control, respectively, whereas the t1/2 remained comparable. CONCLUSION: Administration of BSO decreased prednisolone Cmax and AUC0-last in rats indicating that there is a herb-drug interaction; however, p-gp inhibition cannot be concluded. Patients relying on folk medicine in chronic illnesses treatment might need to avoid combining BSO with prednisolone.
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Interações Ervas-Drogas , Prednisolona , Humanos , Ratos , Animais , Área Sob a Curva , Verapamil/farmacologia , Óleos de Plantas/farmacologia , Administração OralRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid-containing medications are widely accessible in various forms, including topical, injectable, and inhaled formulations. Due to uncertain safety profiles, healthcare providers, including pharmacists, often express apprehension when dispensing these drugs. This cross-sectional study assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and phobia of Jordanian pharmacists regarding corticosteroid-containing medications. METHODS: Conducted through a self-administered online questionnaire. RESULTS: the study reveals that dermatological conditions and respiratory disorders are the primary indications for prescribing corticosteroid-containing drugs. The most reported side effects among pharmacists' patients include increased appetite, diabetes, and skin thinning. Pharmacists generally exhibit acceptable knowledge, with a median score of 9.0 out of 11.0 (IQR = 3.0). Over two-thirds of pharmacists (69.9%) achieve a high knowledge score (Bloom's cut-off point ≥ 8.8). However, only 55.7% are aware that corticosteroids may induce mood changes. High phobia scores, particularly concerning increased blood pressure and osteoporosis risks, indicate pharmacist reservations in corticosteroid dispensing. Interestingly, pharmacists in rural areas display lower knowledge scores, while those working outside community pharmacies exhibit lower phobia scores compared to their counterparts in urban areas and community pharmacies, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite generally good knowledge levels, the study underscores high phobia scores among Jordanian pharmacists regarding corticosteroid dispensing, particularly due to concerns about blood pressure elevation and osteoporosis risks. This suggests a potential need for targeted educational interventions and support systems to enhance pharmacist confidence and optimize corticosteroid usage while minimizing associated risks.
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Background: Patients infected with coronavirus have new experiences and hence needs from the healthcare sector. Pharmacists can play vital roles in adopting innovative strategies to meet such needs. Objectives: To assess the experience of people who have been infected with coronavirus, and to assess the roles played by pharmacists to meet their new needs. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional online survey was developed based on previous literature, validated, and conducted in Jordan (3-13 May 2021). Results: The mean age of the study participants (n=470) was 34.31 years (SD=11.75). About three-quarters were females. Out of the study participants, 24.0% reported to having been infected with the coronavirus previously, and 48.9% of them were infected after contacting an infected family member/friend. Only 36.0% ranked their commitment to the preventative measures as "very committed" before getting infected. The most reported symptom was fatigue (77.1%). The most used medicine/supplement was vitamin C (85.3%), followed by pain relievers (77.7%), and zinc tablets (75.3%). More than half of the participants (66.4%) documented that their anxiety and stress levels increased during their infection. More than half of the participants (53.7%) strongly agreed/agreed that pharmacists had an important and effective role during their infection. Conclusion: The experience of individuals who contracted the coronavirus indicated that few were very committed to preventative measures before getting infected. Fatigue was the main experienced symptom, while vitamin C was the supplement used the most. About half of the participants believed that pharmacists have an important role in managing their needs during their COVID-19 infection.
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Objective: This study aimed to assess Jordanians' perception and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in Jordan. Another objective was to evaluate the population's confidence in vaccine efficacy, their fears of the vaccines, and their perceptions and attitudes after vaccination. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over four months (August 2021- December 2021) and included the general Jordanian population above 18 years old. Results: A total of 398 participants were included in the study, with the majority (around 81.0%) received at least one dose of any of COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Jordan. Most non-vaccinated participants (67.4%) were either unwilling to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or unsure. The main reasons for receiving the vaccine were: family protection, self-protection, global efforts to fight the virus and local restrictions, with some variability between vaccinated and non-vaccinated. The major reasons for fear of COVID-19 vaccines were limited research, vaccine effectiveness, and vaccine side effects. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the most trusted vaccine by vaccinated and non-vaccinated participants (47.8% and 57.9%, respectively), and Oxford-AstraZeneca was the most feared by them (42.2% and 57.9%, respectively). Internet websites (>85.0%), social media platforms (>70.0%), relatives and friends (>69.0%), and news applications (>60.0%) were the major sources of information about the COVID-19 vaccines among participants. Conclusion: Our results revealed that hesitation in receiving the vaccine remains a challenge in Jordan, as in other countries. The findings also show that participants, regardless of their vaccination status, had many concerns about the four types of vaccines approved for use in Jordan during the study conduction period. Moreover, the participants' perceptions and attitudes towards the vaccines were variable between vaccinated and non-vaccinated participants and were variable for the four types of vaccines.
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Hundreds of human mpox cases are spreading outside of Western and Central Africa, which could be considered a significant world health problem. In this study, we sought to assess public knowledge and perceptions of human mpox. The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Jordan in September-October 2022. All participants were approached through social media portals. A total of 1195 participants agreed to participate in this study. The participants showed a low median knowledge score about human mpox (4.0 out of 15.0, IQR = 5.0), with only 27.9% of the participants (n = 334) correctly identifying that human mpox is not a bacterial disease, and around half of them (n = 589, 49.3%) knowing that this disease affects both genders. Higher monthly income (≥400 JD/month) was significantly associated with better knowledge about the disease. Social media was the most comprehensive source of information about mpox (n = 1018, 85.2%). Finally, 57.3% of the participants (n = 685) believed that mpox would affect social and economic life, like the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the urgent need for systematic strategies that should be promoted to increase public knowledge of mpox, which will be critical in improving the capacity to respond to the disease.
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Patients infected with coronavirus have new experiences and hence new needs from the healthcare sector. Acknowledging patients' experiences can exhibit promising outcomes in coronavirus management. Pharmacists are considered a vital pillar in managing patients' experiences during their infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the experiences of COVID-19-infected individuals and the roles of pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates. The survey was face- and content-validated after being developed. Three sections were included in the survey (demographics, experiences of infected individuals, and the roles of pharmacists). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The study participants (n = 509) had a mean age of 34.50 (SD = 11.93). The most reported symptoms among participants were fatigue (81.5%), fever (76.8%), headache (76.6%), dry cough (74.1%), muscle or joint pain (70.7%), and sore throat (68.6%). Vitamin C was the most used supplement (88.6%), followed by pain relievers (78.2%). Female gender was the only factor associated with symptom severity. About 79.0% agreed that the pharmacist played an important and effective role during their infection. The most reported symptom was fatigue, with females reporting more severe symptoms. The role of the pharmacist proved to be vital during this pandemic.
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Energy drinks gained popularity after the launch of Red Bull in 1997. Different brands are now available and young adults mainly consume these drinks. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude, and perception of energy drink consumption among university students in Jordan. A validated online survey was used to collect the required data, extracted from Google Forms into an Excel spreadsheet and statistically analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24.0. A nationally representative sample of university students with a mean age of 22â 2 ± 3â 9 years (n 749) was obtained. The participating students demonstrated a neutral level of knowledge about energy drinks, as the mean score of knowledge = 7â 1 ± 2â 2 (out of 12), with 66 % (n 498) of them having consumed energy drinks and experienced their effects. Generally, the study's participants demonstrated a neutral attitude towards energy drinks and 70â 5 % (n 528) acknowledged that energy drinks increase activity, but more than 70 % of them believed that energy drinks have harmful side effects. It was found that there is a significant (P-value <0â 5) positive correlation between knowledge score and female gender, studying a medical major, and monthly income. The main reasons for consuming energy drinks were reported to be: to stay awake for longer, help study, and become more energetic. There is a need for more structured awareness campaigns to warn students about the possible side effects of these products in order to reduce the consumption and popularity of these drinks among students.
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Bebidas Energéticas , Feminino , Humanos , Bebidas Energéticas/efeitos adversos , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Jordânia , Percepção , Estudantes , Universidades , AdultoRESUMO
Background: The coronavirus disease identified in 2019 (COVID-19) led to extreme actions being taken by the governments to restrict the spread of this virus. Closure of schools, sport clubs and playgrounds were among these actions; children had to stay indoors and were not allowed to pursue their normal lifestyle activities. Objectives: To assess the differences in health-related behaviors among Jordanian school-aged children (6-16 years) before and during COVID-19 quarantine and to evaluate public's perception of the role of pharmacists regarding children's health-related behaviors management. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2020 to January 2021 using an anonymous web-based survey. The survey was developed based on previously published surveys. Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the survey were conducted by a professional committee of clinical pharmacists and a statistician. Results: A total of 230 children, aged 9.02± 2.977 participated in the study. Physical activity and healthy balanced meals decreased (less than 1 hr or 1-3 hrs/week vs 2 meals/day, p= <0.001), whereas daily screen time (1-3 hrs/week vs 4-6 hrs/week, p= <0.001), sleep hours (8-9 hrs/day vs 10-11 hrs/day, p= <0.001) and the ingestion of unhealthy snacks had increased (1-2 meals/day vs. 2-3 meals/day, p=<0.001). A positive perception of pharmacists' role during the pandemic was revealed. Conclusion: The present study showed that a significant change in children's health-related behavior happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such changes can lead to social, physical and mental health problems. The public perceived community pharmacists as trusted health care professionals during the pandemic.
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Background: Patients infected with coronavirus have new experiences and hence new needs from the healthcare sector. Acknowledging patients' experiences can exhibit promising outcomes in coronavirus management. Pharmacists are considered a vital pillar in managing patients' experiences during their infection. Objective: To assess the experience of individuals who have been infected with coronavirus and the roles played by pharmacists to meet their new needs. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was developed based on previous literature, validated, and conducted in Syria. The survey included items related to participants' COVID-19 experiences, and items concerning the roles played by pharmacists when participants were infected. Items were tested for face validity. Data collection was conducted in May and June 2021. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The study participants (n=576) had a mean age of 37.99 years. Fatigue was the most reported symptom by the participants. Vitamin C was the most used supplement (76.4%), and 66.5% of the participants used herbs during their infection. More than 60.0% of the participants stated that their anxiety and stress levels increased during their infection. Around 40.0% of the participants needed to visit a specialist doctor. Only 5.4% needed to use an artificial respiration apparatus. The mean of the participants' infection severity was 4.97 (SD=2.30) out of 10. The severity of the infection was significantly affected by being older, female, smoking, and having a chronic condition. Doctors followed by pharmacists were the healthcare providers who advised participants to take certain medications/herbs. More than one-third of the participants strongly agreed/agreed that the pharmacist played important and effective roles during their infection. Conclusion: Patients' experiences indicated that fatigue was the most reported symptom by the participants diagnosed with coronavirus infection, while vitamin C was the most used supplement. Pharmacists have a major role in helping participants manage their infection and are considered a vital pillar in patients' experiences since they provided patients with the needed medications.
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Developing a medication to cure and manage diabetes mellitus complications is of interest in medicinal chemistry. Toward this end, six bis-biphenyl-salicylaldehyde Schiff base derivatives have been evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibition, antiglycation and anti-inflammation potentials. Four compounds (compounds 2-5) showed an excellent α-glucosidase inhibitory effect superior to that produced by acarbose. Additionally, the docking study revealed that these compounds are anchored within the binding pocket of α-glucosidase via hydrogen bonding, π-stacking and hydrophobic interactions, comparable to a high number of hydrogen bonding involved in anchoring acarbose. Interestingly, all tested compounds showed varying degrees of antiglycation activity with superior activity for two of them (compound 1 and compound 6) compared to the standard rutin. Moreover, the results indicated an outstanding anti-inflammatory activity for two compounds (compounds 1 and 6) compared to ibuprofen.
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Acarbose , Diabetes Mellitus , Humanos , alfa-Glucosidases/metabolismo , Inibidores de Glicosídeo Hidrolases/farmacologia , Inibidores de Glicosídeo Hidrolases/química , Inibidores de Glicosídeo Hidrolases/metabolismo , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Bases de Schiff/farmacologia , Bases de Schiff/química , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
The rapid manufacturing of vaccines has increased hesitancy toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. Clarifying what to expect after vaccination and revealing the possible side effects will lower hesitancy toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and increase public awareness. This descriptive cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in Jordan (August 2021) to collect data on the short-term side effects following the COVID-19 vaccines. An extensive literature review was conducted by the research team to assist in developing the first draft of the survey. The survey was tested for face and content validity and piloted test to improve readability and clarity. The survey was organized into two sections (demographics and perceived COVID-19 vaccines' side effects). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). A total of 1,044 participants were enrolled in the study. The most received vaccine among the participants was Pfizer-BioNTech (51.1%). The most frequently reported side effects were sore arm at the injection site (84.65%), fatigue (84.48%), discomfort (65.43%), muscles/joint pain (61.38%), drowsiness (58.73%), and headache (58.38%). More side effects were significantly associated with being older (p = 0.046), having an allergy (p = 0.024) or rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.023), and participants who take NSAIDs regularly (p = 0.029). Short-term side effects of COVID-19 vaccines seem to be mostly local or transient in nature. Older age and certain comorbidities may increase susceptibility to side effects.
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COVID-19 , Efeitos Colaterais e Reações Adversas Relacionados a Medicamentos , Vacinas , Humanos , Vacinas contra COVID-19/efeitos adversos , Estudos Transversais , Jordânia/epidemiologia , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Vacinação/efeitos adversosRESUMO
Community pharmacists play a crucial role in providing comprehensive patient education regarding contraception methods. This study aims to investigate Jordanian pharmacists' knowledge and perceptions toward male oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). A mixed-explanatory sequential method was divided into two phases. The first was a self-administered electronic survey that was distributed to community pharmacists/trainees in Jordan. The second phase was carried out through online semi-structured in-depth interviews targeting the maximum variation purposive sample of community pharmacists. A total of 158 (response rate 98%) questionnaires were included in the analysis. The majority of the participants were female (n = 118, 74.2%). In terms of knowledge, only 25% of participants acknowledged the presence of male OCPs and almost half were uncertain about the mechanism of action and the possible uses. The findings of the interviews confirmed a relatively negative perception toward male OCPs and the identified barriers to male OCPs were cultural norms, side effects, and poor compliance. It is argued that there is a negative perception toward male OCPs due to the majority of pharmacists not believing such products will be successful in Jordan. Once these pills are approved for their effectiveness and safety, men may need further education and encouragement to take an active role in family planning along with their partners.
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Anticoncepcionais Masculinos , Farmacêuticos , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Anticoncepcionais Orais , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Percepção , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The perception of COVID-19 vaccines as being unsafe is a major barrier to receiving the vaccine. Providing the public with accurate data regarding the vaccines would reduce vaccine hesitancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data on the side effects experienced by the vaccinated population to assess the safety of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants (n = 386) were female (71.9%), and 38.6% of them were under 30 years old. Around half of the participants (52.8%) reported side effects after receiving the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Fatigue (85.1%), a sore arm at the site of the injection (82.1%), and discomfort (67.2%) were the most commonly reported side effects after the first dose. Reporting side effects was significantly associated with the female sex (p-value = 0.027). Significant associations between being female and experiencing chills, muscle or joint pain, anorexia, drowsiness, and hair loss were also found, as well as being above the age of 30 and experiencing a cough. Being a smoker was significantly associated with experiencing a cough, and a headache. Furthermore, chills, and a sore throat were significantly associated with individuals who had not been infected before. CONCLUSION: Mild side effects were reported after receiving the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Fatigue was the most commonly reported side effect. Females, older adults, smokers, and those who had never been infected with COVID-19 had a greater susceptibility to certain side effects.
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Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with almost 10 million cancer-related deaths worldwide in 2020, so any investigation to prevent or cure this disease is very important. Spices have been studied widely in several countries to treat different diseases. However, studies that summarize the potential anticancer effect of spices used in Mediterranean diet are very limited. This review highlighted chemo-therapeutic and chemo-preventive effect of ginger, pepper, rosemary, turmeric, black cumin and clove. Moreover, the mechanisms of action for each one of them were figured out such as anti-angiogenesis, antioxidant, altering signaling pathways, induction of cell apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, for several types of cancer. The most widely used spice in Mediterranean diet is black pepper (Piper nigrum L). Ginger and black cumin have the highest anticancer activity by targeting multiple cancer hallmarks. Apoptosis induction is the most common pathway activated by different spices in Mediterranean diet to inhibit cancer. Studies discussed in this review may help researchers to design and test new anticancer diets enriched with selected spices that have high activities.