Prevalence and pattern of intimate partner violence among men and women in Edo State, Southern Nigeria

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a growing concern in Nigeria and globally. Although women are at greater risk of IPV, men are also affected, but this is less reported. Aim: This study sought to determine the prevalence and pattern of IPV among the respondents and to compare the pattern of IPV among the male and female respondents. Setting: The study was conducted in six towns (local government headquarters) across the three senatorial districts in Edo State, Southern Nigeria. Methods: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based study. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 1227 respondents from Edo State, Southern Nigeria. A semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and the Extended Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream (E-HITS) tool were used to collect data, which were analysed with Epi Info version 7.1.2.0. Results: The study found an IPV prevalence of 37.7% among the respondents (confidence interval [CI]: 95%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.169­0.294). The mean age was 38 ± 12 and respondents were mostly female (725, 59.1%), married (770, 62.8%) and unemployed (406, S33.1%), with a tertiary level of education (766, 62.4%). Intimate partner violence was significantly higher among women compared with men (95% CI: 4.474, OR: 3.425­5.846). The pattern of IPV showed a lower OR between sexual and physical IPV (95% CI: 0.276, OR: 0.157­0.485). There was a higher likelihood of IPV among married women (95% CI: 1.737, OR: 1.279­2.358). Conclusion: There is a need to improve the socio-economic status of the Nigerian populace, especially women. Healthy, nonviolent and safe relationships should be promoted in communities by signalling what is socially unacceptable and strengthening sanctions against perpetrators.

Comparison of patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services of postal pharmacy and community pharmacy

Background: The growing drive in South Africa to contain medicine cost has seen the emergence of postal pharmacy as an alternative mechanism to dispense chronic medicines. Patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services has received limited attention in South Africa. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the level of patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services between postal and community pharmacies. Setting: The research was conducted in the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu- Natal Province, South Africa in July and August 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study using a randomised, telephonic questionnaire survey was conducted. Selected land telephone numbers were called until a sample size of 250 community pharmacy participants and 125 postal pharmacy participants was obtained. Results: Nine hundred and five telephone calls were made to obtain a sampling frame of 375 (41.44%) respondents, 250 for community and 125 for postal. After adjusting overall satisfaction by removing financial satisfaction, there was no significant difference between satisfaction in the two groups (p= 0.471). Postal pharmacy participants reported a higher level of financial satisfaction (p= 0.001). Community pharmacy participants reported a higher level of satisfaction with counselling or explanation (p= 0.028) and less medicine wastage (p< 0.001). Conclusions: Patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services provided by either community or postal pharmacy was not significantly different. However, community pharmacies tend to address patients' specific concerns more effectively. With the move to National Health Insurance, policymakers need to ensure that they provide high-quality pharmaceutical services and are more inclusive of community pharmacies to deliver quality care

Evaluation of Knowledge; Attitude and Practices of Pharmacy Professionals towards Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions in Sierra-Leone

Background: Knowledge of reporting adverse drug reactions by health professionals remains unresolved. Objectives: To determine the knowledge; attitude and practices (KAP) of practicing pharmacy professionals to the reporting of adverse drug reaction (ADR) as well as evaluate the factors that influence ADR reporting in Sierra-Leone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 practicing pharmacy professionals using a pretested questionnaire which elicited appropriate responses on the objectives of the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. The relationship between KAP of ADR reporting and demographic variables was analyzed with the chi-square statistics at P .05 level of significance. Results: The response rate was 90%. There was no significant difference between knowledge of ADR reporting and qualification of respondents (x2

Evaluation of Outpatient Prescriptions in a University-Based Healthcare Facility in Ibadan

Background: Appropriate drug utilization has a huge contribution to global reduction in morbidity and mortality. Periodic review of prescriptions at all levels of care is therefore essential. Objective: To evaluate drug prescription pattern and practice in a university-based healthcare facility using the WHO-core prescribing indicators.Method: A retrospective review of randomly selected outpatient prescriptions in the pharmacy unit of the University of Ibadan Health Services between 2012 and 2014 was done. Pre-piloted data collection form was used to retrieve data based on standard prescription specifications including socio-demographics; drug name and dosage regimen; and prescriber identity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Results: A total of 4;121 medicines were reviewed in 1200 encounters. Of these; 589 (49.1%) were prescribed for males and 611 (50.9%) for females. Patients' ages were indicated in 388 (32.3%) prescriptions (mean age =17.7years). Summary of WHO-core prescribing indicators showed the average number of medicines per encounter as 3.4; medicine prescribed by generic name (2;533; 61.5%); encounter with one or more antibiotics and injections (427; 35.6%) and (150; 12.5%); respectively. Conclusion: Polypharmacy; low generic prescribing and overuse of antibiotics is common underscoring the need for ongoing enlightment and training of healthcare providers on rational prescribing practice and drug use

A Profile of Current pharmacy Education in the Sudan

The first pharmacy college affiliated to University of Khartoum was established in (1963) with intake of only twenty students per year. This policy of admission continued with no substantial annual increase in the number of students enrolled in the college of pharmacy. However; after the revolution of higher education in the (1990) (s); the number of governmental and national pharmacy colleges has multiplied enormously. Today there are about thirteen pharmacy colleges with possibly more in the pipeline. It is true that expansion in higher education is a requirement for national development; albeit; a clear strategy should be envisaged whereby quality of the university graduate matters mare than number. Pharmacy graduates of the last ten years or so labored in an environment of severe shortages of qualified teaching staff and facilities. These graduates are understandably of low standards and consequently their contribution in health care will be poor

Essai de mise au point d'un code de la pharmacie au Mali : partie legislative

Du fait de la colonisation (1895-1960) le Mali a ete soumis au plan legislatif et reglementaire a un corpus de textes nombreux et epars se rapportant au secteur de la pharmacie. Il s'agit entre autre de la Loi An XI du 21 Germinal ou Loi du 11 avril 1803; du contenu du livre V du Code de la Sante Publique relatif a l'exercice de la pharmacie; dont certaines dispositions ont ete etendues aux territoires d'Outre-Mer; au Togo et au Cameroun en 1953 ; de l'Arrete de 1955 sur la repartition des officines en AOF ; de la Loi de 1960 portant creation de l'Ordre des pharmaciens dans la federation du Mali etc.. Apres l'accession a la souverainete internationale; le nouvel Etat Malien tout en reconduisant la legislation pharmaceutique issue de l'Etat anciennement tuteur qui n'etait pas contraire a la nouvelle loi fondamentale; a egalement mis en place; conformement aux orientations politiques de l'heure; de nouveaux textes. Dans le cadre de ce travail; nous avons recense l'ensemble des textes legislatifs et reglementaires qui ont ete pris au Mali dans le secteur pharmaceutique et celui des etudes en pharmacie. Nous avons fait l'examen critique de ces textes et procede a la codification de la partie legislative. Le present code est presente en 189 articles repartis en 5 titres disposes en chapitres et en sections

Obesity: a Preliminary Report of an Introductory Service- Learning Course on the Role of Pharmacy Sudents in Health Promotion

Lifestyle diseases such as obesity have been neglected in developing countries partly due to a more urgent focus on infectious diseases in these countries. The incidence of obesity is on the increase in developing countries; with a marked rise in childhood obesity. The present health-promotion activity employed service-learning principles by which final year pharmacy students prepared a piloted computer-based quiz using a pre- and post- test design along with other learning material; for participants who attended the 2007 Sasol National Festival of Science and Technology (SciFest). Interactive models; posters and information leaflets were used in explaining the prevention and control of obesity to learners. The results showed that the pre-existing knowledge of the participants was good. There was a further improvement after the educational intervention. Activities such as this are important in heightening awareness of obesity in learners as it is likely to reduce the incidence of obesity later in life. Furthermore; the activity also served to increase awareness of the role of pharmacists in the prevention of lifestyle diseases such as obesity

Pharmacy Students Perception of the Application of Learning Management System in Patient-oriented Pharmacy Education: University of Benin Experience

Objective: To evaluate pharmacy students' perception of the application of learning management system (LMS) in their education in a Doctor of Pharmacy program in Benin City.Method: In a special ICT class; 165 pharmacy students were introduced to LMS using an open source program; Docebo after which a questionnaire with core questions in five domains; namely; sociodemographic data; access to computer and internet; problems in applying ICT facilities; perception of e-learning and LMS was administered. Students' responses to the questionnaire were analysed. Results: Although most students (84) had access to internet; only 16.1owned computers and majority (82.1) use cybercafes for internet access. Frequent electric power failure; inadequate computer facilities; skilled personnel; and slow internet speed were identified by 64.8-82.5of the students as problems in using computer facilities in the University. While willingness to pay was not considered a problem; 80.4of the students were only willing to pay not more than US$ 7.96 per semester for internet access. Over 92of them felt that LMS will make teaching and learning more exciting and effective when combined with the traditional teaching approach. Conclusion: The use of LMS will improve the teaching and learning of pharmacy students

Pharmacy Students Perception of the Application of Learning Management System in Patient-oriented Pharmacy Education: University of Benin Experience

Objective: To evaluate pharmacy students' perception of the application of learning management system (LMS) in their education in a Doctor of Pharmacy program in Benin City. Method: In a special ICT class; 165 pharmacy students were introduced to LMS using an open source program; DoceboO after which a questionnaire with core questions in five domains; namely; sociodemographic data; access to computer and internet; problems in applying ICT facilities; perception of e-learning and LMS was administered. Students' responses to the questionnaire were analysed. Results: Although most students (84) had access to internet; only 16.1owned computers and majority (82.1) use cybercafes for internet access. Frequent electric power failure; inadequate computer facilities; skilled personnel; and slow internet speed were identified by 64.8-82.5of the students as problems in using computer facilities in the University. While willingness to pay was not considered a problem; 80.4of the students were only willing to pay not more than US$ 7.96 per semester for internet access. Over 92of them felt that LMS will make teaching and learning more exciting and effective when combined with the traditional teaching approach. Conclusion: The use of LMS will improve the teaching and learning of pharmacy students

Knowledge and Perceptions of Pharmacy Students towards Training in Complementary and Alternative Health Care

Complementary and Alternative Health Care (CAHC) is the primary source of health care for over 70 of the world's population. The aim was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of undergraduate pharmacy students towards CAHC; as well as to establish their training needs for CAHC. A questionnaire survey was conducted amongst undergraduate pharmacy students during October 2002 at a South African pharmacy school. A total of 160 questionnaires were analysed. Senior students more accurately defined CAHC than first-and second-year students. Twenty CAHC therapies were listed and participants were asked to firstly indicate their level of knowledge; and secondly; their usage of these therapies. They were most knowledgeable with respect to herbalism (95.0); massage (90.6); traditional African medicine (81.3) and diet therapy (81.3). Massage was the therapy most often used (58.1); followed by herbalism (45.0). Ayurveda; iridology; colonic irrigation and naturopathy were the least often used therapies. Participants indicated that CAHC should be included in the third and fourth year of the B Pharm degree. A need for undergraduate pharmacy students to be trained in the basic principles of CAHC; and for continuing education courses in CAHC; was identified. The current knowledge of pharmacy students regarding CAHC is inadequate

Factors contributing to shortage of essential drugs in health centres of the southern region; Malawi; 1989

Results of the study have shown that there is actually an overconsumption of tablets of chloroquine; mebendazole; sulphadimidine and ferrous sulphate but under supply of penicillin to health centres which clearly reject assumptions and claims that essential drugs are supplied in small quantities to health centres. If there are shortages in health centres in the southern region; the shortages could be due to irrational use of drugs

Malawi national drug policy

The overall goal of the National Drug Policy is to develop within the available resources the potential that drugs have to control common diseases and alleviate suffering. This is done by ensuring the ready and constant availability of high quality; acceptably safe and proven effective essential drugs; and to rationalize the use of essential drugs

Malawi Drug Action Programme; prescriber training: plan of action 1991-1993

This WHO supported mission was to facilitate development of the planning of prescriber training by assisting the Government of Malawi in the preparation of a detailed plan of action and budget; and review prescriber training material currently available and advise on the need for any additional material

Malawi drug action programme: situation analysis medical stores

A study into the decentralization of the drug distribution system at the Central Medical Stores