Palestine
Pattern of Parenteral Antimicrobial Prescription Among Pediatric Patients In Al-Watani Governmental Hospital In Palestine
Tue, 2014-08-05 09:35 — Rowa' Jamal Al-RamahiObjective:
No studies were carried out in Palestine to investigate the prescribed
antimicrobial agents in hospitalized pediatric patients. The objective
of this study was to evaluate and therapeutically analyze the pattern of
parenteral antimicrobial prescriptions among pediatric patients in
Al-Watani Government Hospital in Palestine. Such audit will be of great
value to clinicians and health policy makers.
Material and Methods: Data
on antimicrobial prescribing were collected for 30 consecutive days for
all pediatric patients admitted to Al-Watani government hospital. Data
on antimicrobial prescribing were entered and analyzed using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Analysis was done for age,
sex, diagnosis, site of infection, number of antimicrobial agents given,
how many times the drug regimen has been changed and the frequency of
individual drug use.
Results: Three hundred and forty pediatric patients
were admitted to Al-Watani government hospital during the study period.
Gastroenteritis was the most common cause of hospitalization, while
upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was the most common cause of
parenteral antimicrobial agent administration. Two hundred and ten
(61.8%) patients received parenteral antimicrobial agents while 16
(4.7%) received both parenteral and oral antimicrobial agents. Single
antimicrobial agent was prescribed for (50.6%) patients. Cefuroxime was
the main single antimicrobial agent used; it was administered to 70/226
(31%) patients. Conclusion: Treatment patterns used for most patients
were nearly according to current empiric therapeutic recommendations.
However, improving the availability of rapid diagnostic methods to
differentiate between viral and bacterial infections is suggested to
reduce empiric therapy numbers by antimicrobial agents so as to decrease
chance for drug resistance.
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TwitterAdherence to Medications and Associated Factors: a Cross-Sectional Study among Palestinian Hypertensive Patients
Tue, 2014-08-05 08:18 — Rowa' Jamal Al-RamahiObjective To assess adherence of
Palestinian hypertensive patients to therapy and to investigate the effect of a
range of demographic and psychosocial variables on medication adherence.
Methods
A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken at
a group of outpatient clinics of the Ministry of Health, in addition to a group
of private clinics and pharmacies in the West Bank. Social and demographic
variables and self-reported drug adherence (Morisky scale) were determined for
each patient.
Results Low adherence with medications was present in 244 (54.2%) of the
patients. The multivariate logistic regression showed that younger age
(<45 years), living in a village compared with a city, evaluating
health status as very good, good or poor compared with excellent,
forgetfulness, fear of getting used to medication, adverse effect, and dissatisfaction
with treatment had a statistically significant association with lower levels of
medication adherence (P < 0.05).
Conclusions Poor adherence to medications was very common. The findings
of this study may be used to identify the subset of population at risk of poor
adherence who should be targeted for interventions to achieve better blood
pressure control and hence prevent complications. This study should encourage
the health policy makers in Palestine to implement strategies to reduce
non-compliance, and thus contribute toward reducing national health care
expenditures. Better patient education and communication with healthcare
professionals could improve some factors that decrease adherence such as forgetfulness
and dissatisfaction with treatment.
Molecular Characterization of Watermelon Chlorotic Stunt Virus (WmCSV) from Palestine
Sun, 2014-07-06 10:09 — Mohammed Saleem Ali-ShtayehThe incidence of watermelon chlorotic stunt disease and molecular characterization of the Palestinian isolate of Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WmCSV-[PAL]) are described in this study. Symptomatic leaf samples obtained from watermelon Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants were tested for WmCSV-[PAL] infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA). Disease incidence ranged between 25%–98% in watermelon fields in the studied area, 77% of leaf samples collected from Jenin were found to be mixed infected with WmCSV-[PAL] and SLCV. The full-length DNA-A and DNA-B genomes of WmCSV-[PAL] were amplified and sequenced, and the sequences were deposited in the GenBank. Sequence analysis of virus genomes showed that DNA-A and DNA-B had 97.6%–99.42% and 93.16%–98.26% nucleotide identity with other virus isolates in the region, respectively. Sequence analysis also revealed that the Palestinian isolate of WmCSV shared the highest nucleotide identity with an isolate from Israel suggesting that the virus was introduced to Palestine from Israel.
Vulnerability of Cough Syrups Marketed In Palestine to Microbial Challenge Test
Tue, 2014-07-01 09:41 — Abdel Naser ZaidMicrobial contamination of cough syrups can bring clinical hazards as well as physical changes in the product. The objective of the current investigation was to assess and compare the ability of imported and locally manufactured cough syrups to maintain minimum or no microbial growth after being challenged with different types of microbes. The growth of five microorganisms of known quanta of S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans was compared among five different cough products designated A through E. Two of the products (A and E) were locally manufactured while three (B, C and D) were imported products which contained different preservatives. Both A and E did not indicate the type of preservative used. Normal saline was used as a positive growth control. Growth of microorganisms into syrups was compared by counting the colony forming units (CFUs) from a subculture of inoculated syrups at zero, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hr intervals. 1) at time zero, growth of S. aureus was seen in all products except product B; 2) little or no growth of C. albicans, P. aeroginosa and E. coli was observed at time zero; 3) no growth of any of the tested microbes was seen when subcultures were done after 6 hours of inoculation; and 4) imported products showed lesser or no microbial growth compared to locally manufactured ones. Normal saline showed heavy growth of all tested microbes while unchallenged syrupsof the tested products showed no signs of microbial growth at all tested times.Despite the noticeable growth of S. aureus at time zero, all tested cough syrups passed the pharmacopeal guidelines regarding microbial challenge. Good manufacturing and packaging practices need to be implemented and maintained by local pharmaceutical companies. The Palestinian general public needs to be educated on the proper handling and storage of oral liquid pharmaceuticals to eliminate or reduce microbial contamination.
Determinants and Frequency of Pharmaceutical Compounding in Pharmacy Practice in Palestine
Sun, 2014-06-29 11:27 — Abdel Naser ZaidThe aims of this study were to determine the frequency of prescription compounding by community pharmacists, identify factors that influence pharmacists' decisions to provide compounding services, and evaluate physicians' perspectives on prescribing medications that require compounding.
METHODS:
The study was a cross-sectional survey administered via face-to-face structured interviews with randomly selected community pharmacists and physicians from different areas of the West Bank.
KEY FINDINGS:
Of the 260 community pharmacists who were contacted, 212 agreed to participate in the survey, giving a response rate of 81.5%. Overall, 153 (72.2%) of respondent pharmacists provided compounding services. Compounded prescriptions accounted for 1973 (1.55%) of 126,840 prescriptions dispensed in a typical month. Among the compounders, 112 (73.2%) pharmacists reported that their goal in providing full pharmaceutical care to their patients was the most important motivator. The most frequently reported reason for not providing compounding was 'I do not receive prescriptions that require compounding' by 43 out of 59 (72.9%) pharmacists. A total of 179 out of 220 physicians consented to participate in this study giving a response rate of 81.4%. The majority of physicians (142, 79.3%) did not prescribe compounded medicines. The most important reason for their decision to prescribe compounded medicines was the unavailability of the required dosage forms. The most commonly cited reason for not prescribing them was a lack of trust in the quality of the compounded formulations.
CONCLUSION:
While most respondent pharmacists provide a compounding service this represents only a small percentage of the total volume of dispensed prescriptions. Most responding physicians do not prescribe medications that require compounding because they lack trust in the quality of the compounded formulations.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Plaestinain University Students Toward the Use of Sunscreens
Sun, 2014-06-29 10:40 — Abdel Naser ZaidFrequency and Attitudes of Using Hair Dyes among Palestinian Women
Wed, 2014-06-25 10:05 — Abdel Naser ZaidObjective : The objectives of the study were to identify the rate of using hair dyes among Palestinian women, preferences, motivations and attitudes towards their use.
Methods: A cross - sectional study was conducted between May and July 2011. A self - admi nistered questionnaire was used .
Results: Among 200 females interviewed , 149 (74.5%) said that they used hair dyes. Their reasons were to hide gray hair in 35 (23.5%), to improve the outlook in 36 (24.2%), and to change and to follow the new trends in 78 (52.3%). Natural dye s (henna) were the choice for 38.9% . The main reason behind the preference o f natural dyes was the belief they are safe r than chemical dyes. A small percentage used hair dyes during pregnancy, and 21.5% thought that hair dyes may cause cancer.
Conclusion: Use of hair dye is very common among females. The public should be informed about the risks associated with excessive hair dye use. Women should understand that natural dyes such as henna are not completely free from side effects. It is important to include information on the ingredients on hair coloring packs and mention possibl e side effects of both chemical and natural hair dyes .
Estimation of 10-year probability bone fracture in a selected sample of Palestinian people using fracture risk assessment tool
Tue, 2014-06-24 14:14 — Professor Waleed M. SweilehBackground
The Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool has been developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to calculate 10-year probability hip fracture (HP) or major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). The objective of this study was to assess the 10-year probability of MOF and HF among a selected sample of Palestinian people.
Methods
A sample of 100 subjects was studied. Dual energy X-ray absorpitometry was performed to measure bone mineral density (BMD) which was then inserted into FRAX Palestine online WHO tool to calculate the 10-year probability of MOF and HF.
Results
The median age of participants was 61.5 years and the majority (79%) were females. The median (interquartile range) of femoral hip BMD was 0.82 (0.76-0.92) g/cm2. The mean vertebral and hip T scores were -1.41 ± 0.13 SDs and -0.91 ± 0.10 SDs respectively. About one fifth of the sample (21%) had vertebral osteoporosis and 5% had hip osteoporosis. The median (interquartile range) 10-year probability of MOF and HF based on BMD were 3.7 (2.43-6.18)%, and 0.30 (0.10-0.68)% respectively.
Conclusion
Osteoporosis is common among Palestinian people above 50 years old. Bone fracture prevention strategies and research should be a priority in Palestine. Using FRAX might be a helpful screening tool in primary healthcare centres in Palestine.
Effect of IUD (Intrauterine Device) on Reproductive Tract Infection (Rti) In the Northern West Bank
Mon, 2014-06-16 10:12 — Samar MusmarBackground: Intra uterine device (IUD) is one of the most popular methods of contraception among Palestinian women. Reproductive Tract Infection (RTI) is one of the main problems associated with IUD use. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between RTI related symptoms & IUD use.
Methods: We interviewed two hundred women (134 IUD users and 66 non-IUD users) from Ministry of Health (MOH) family planning (FP) clinics in Northern West Bank/Palestine. A questionnaire about RTI related symptoms was filled, then cervical swab samples were collected & cultured for aerobic bacteria. A scoring system for vaginal discharge symptoms and overall RTI related symptoms was developed, all data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis & Its Risk Factors Among An-Najah University Students - Nablus/Palestin
Mon, 2014-06-16 09:56 — Samar MusmarBackground: Inhalant allergic
conditions such as seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis is becoming quite common. The effect of allergy on an individual’s quality of life and the extent to
which it may restrict daily activities is often overlooked. Controlling allergies
can significantly decrease health care costs.
The purpose of this study is to estimate
the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among young adults in Palestine represented
by An-Najah University students.
Methods: The study sample consisted of around 1,000 (52% females, & 48% males)
randomly selected stu- dents from all colleges of
the Uni-
versity.
Data were collected through structured interview including questionnaire filling. All data were analysed using SPSS program applying Chi-square test,
with 95 % level of significant (P value = 0.05).
Results: Allergic rhinitis prevalence rate was 3.1 and the percentage of
patients who reported to have allergic rhinitis
was 38.1%; there was no statistically significant association between allergic
rhinitis and gender, smoking, place of living, and other housing conditions. On
the other hand the relationship between allergic rhinitis and weight loss, deep sleeping,
chronic respiratory infections, nasal
polyps, anxiety, and sleep apnea was a statistically significant relationship (p value < 0.05). The
triggers that have large effects on the health of the population sample for allergic rhinitis were respiratory infections, tyre burning and war gases, house
dust, strong odours, auto exhaust, smoke and weather changes (49.7%, 49 .1 %,
46.7%, 40.6 %, 33.9%, 33.8%, 34.2%), respectively.
Conclusion:
Results
show relatively lower allergic rhinitis prevalence in Palestine compared to
some neighbouring countries, but were
consistent with studies done in Turkey.
The results confirmed the strong relationship
of Allergic Rhinitis and respiratory infections and Asthma.
