Perceptions and Knowledge of Storing Medications at Home in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Objective: Globally people store medications at home, which is also common among the residents of Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. They should be stored safely to prevent the accidental ingestion or unintended use. However, the method of storing medications at homes in Al-Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the perception and knowledge of medications stored at Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional survey which was conducted through the random distribution of a pre-validated structured questionnaire with the public and private sector employees and with general population from all walks of life above the age of 18 years in Al-Qassim region. The survey was designed electronically through the Survey Monkey system and was distributed through social media. Results: A total of 708 participants responded to this survey. Most of the responders (485 (68.10%)) were females. About half of the responders were in the age group of 18–29 years (393 (58.31%)) with a significantly dominant female population compared to males (p<0.05). Most of the responders checked or almost checked the instructions of storing medications (192 (28.24%) and 273 (40.15%), respectively) without any significant difference between education level (p>0.05). Most of the responders checked the expiry date of stored medications (496 (70.06%)). Most of the responders did not receive instructions on storage of medications from pharmacist or physician (597 (84.32%)). Most of the resources regarding storage of medications were obtained from the physician (388 (54.8%)), drug leaflet (320 (45.2%)) followed by pharmacist (318 (44.92%)) and self-learned (154 (21.75%)). Therapeutic classes of stored medication were analgesics and antipyretics (322 (41.87%)) followed by cardiovascular drugs (64 (8.32%)) and oral anti-diabetic drugs (58 (7.54%)). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that people at Al-Qassim region tend to store medication at home not just over the counter medications but also medications of chronic illnesses. They should be educated on the need of medications, safety of medications and requirements of storing medications at home. Educational activities should be conducted through all possible channels to increase the awareness and to educate people on the proper method of storing medications.

Poisoning Due to Stored Medications at Home in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Objective: Storing medications at home is a global practice. By storing medications in an appropriate and safe environment, we can prevent accidental poisoning. Information is scarce regarding the storage of different types of medications at homes in Al-Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the cases of poisoning due to stored medications at home in Al-Qassim region. Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional survey conducted through the random distribution of a pre-validated structured questionnaire among the public and private sector employees and people from all walks of life above the age of 18 years in Al-Qassim region. The survey was designed electronically through the Survey Monkey system and was distributed through social media. Results: A total of 708 subjects responded to the survey. Most of the responders (485 (68.10%)) were females. About half of the responders were in the age group of 18–29 years (393 (58.31%)) with females being significantly dominant than males (p<0.05). Majority of the responders stored their medications separated from households’ chemicals (524 (77.06%)). Most of the responders did not store multiple medications in the same container without any significant difference related to gender or educational level (p>0.05). The total number of poisonous cases were 41 (5.79%) without any significant difference related to gender or educational level (p>0.05). Poisoning due to medications were mostly caused due to the medications stored in refrigerator (15 (40.54%)) and bedroom (10 (27.03%)). Most of the stored medications were disposed into the trash after their expiry dates (463 (65.4%)) while 189 items remained at home (26.69%). A total of 33 different types of stored medications caused poisoning in 44 cases. Paracetamol caused 6 cases of poisoning (18.18%), followed by ibuprofen 3 (9.09%) and multivitamins 3 (9.09%). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed an alarming setting of poisoning cases due to stored medications in Al-Qassim region. Awareness campaigns and more educational sessions should be conducted through social media. By doing so, people can be educated regarding the proper storage of medications to prevent poisoning. Thus, public awareness programs stressing on the safe storage and identification of the right ways to dispose of medication are highly recommended.

Medication Storage at Home among People in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Objective: Storing medications at home is a global practice. By storing medications in an appropriate and safe environment, we can prevent accidental poisoning. Information is scarce regarding the storage of different types of medications at homes in Al-Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the types of medications stored at homes among people residing in Al-Qassim region. Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional survey conducted through the random distribution of a pre-validated structured questionnaire among the public and private sector employees and people from all walks of life above the age of 18 years in Al-Qassim region. The survey was designed electronically through Survey Monkey system and was distributed through social media. Results: A total of 708 subjects responded to the survey. Most of the responders were females (485 (68.10%)). About half of the responders were in the age group of 18–29 years (393 (58.31%)) with a significantly dominant female population as compared to males (p<0.05). The most frequently stored medications were related to headache (462 (65.25%)) and pain (445 (62.85%)). Most of the responders stored their medications in the refrigerator (467 (65.96%)) or in their bedroom (324 (45.76%)). A total of 633 medications were found to be stored at homes during this survey. The top 20 most frequently stored medications were paracetamol (266 (42.02%)) and ibuprofen (42 (6.64%)). Conclusion: The results of this study show an alarming situation about the methods of storing medication and types of medicines stored among the residents of Al-Qassim region. More and more campaigns and awareness programs should be conducted through different types of social media to educate the people regarding the appropriate methods of storing medications at home. Such awareness programs should stress more regarding safe methods of storage and spread awareness regarding how to identify the appropriate method of disposal to prevent harmful impact on the environment.

Ovarian dermoid causing pilimiction

Ovarian dermoid cyst is one of the common problems seen in gynaecology, they make upto 10 - 25% of all ovarian neoplasms and are usually seen in younger age group. Mature cystic teratomas are usually an incidental finding during a clinical examinations, radiographic studies or during abdominal operations performed for other indications. Other presentations include abdominal symptoms from complications of the cyst such as torsion, rupture, infection and malignant transformation. Dermoid cyst in urinary bladder is a very rare condition. Here we are presenting a case report of a female who presented with lower abdominal pain and passage of hair in urine [pilimiction]. Upon investigations it was found that patient had right sided dermoid which had penetrated the wall of bladder and expelled its contents in the bladder. This was a very rare presentation and no such case has been reported in Pakistani literature

Frequency of overactive urinary bladder in females and assessment of gynaecological and obstetrical risk factors for its worsening

To estimate frequency of overactive urinary bladder in females and to assess gynaecological and obstetrical risk factors worsening the overactive bladder compromising quality of life. Cross- sectional survey. Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College Karachi, from August to November 2009. Females visiting different outpatient departments for medical and non-medical reasons were interviewed after informed verbal consent. They filled-up pre-designed questionnaire V-8 validated by ICS for primary screening of overactive bladder [OAB] in population. Any related obstetrical and gynaecological condition were also recorded. Five hundred and ten women were interviewed. The estimated frequency of OAB was 23.28% [n=144]. Age related changes were significant as high scores of OAB found in multiparous women and with advancing age. It was also related to history of vaginal prolapse, sexual activity and obesity. Overactive bladder adversely affected quality of life, but very few women sought treatment for it. A quarter of women interviewed reported OAB which affected their daily routines but no treatment was taken

effect of mechanical and chemical polishing techniques on the surface roughness of heat-polymerized and visible light-polymerized acrylic denture base resins

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mechanical polishing [MP] and chemical polishing [CP] on the average surface roughness [Ra] of heat-cured [HC] and light-cured [LC] denture base acrylic resins. A total of 120 specimens [30 x 15 x 3 mm] were prepared from one HC and one LC acrylic resin. To remove nodules and gross surface irregularities, all specimens were finished with a lathe-mounted small acrylic bur and 360-grit sandpaper. Ten finished specimens of each acrylic resin were randomly assigned to each of six polishing techniques: Resilit High-luster Polishing Liquid [RHPL], Universal Polishing Paste, Abraso-star K50, pumice, Jet Seal Liquid, or Acrypoint. MP was performed with an automatic polishing machine for 2 min, under 50 rpm and 500 g of load. CP was performed by immersing the HC and LC specimens in preheated methyl methacrylate at 75 +/- 1 [degree]C for 10 s. The surface roughness of the acrylic resin specimens was measured with a contact profilometer. The Ra values were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance, post hoc Scheffe's test, and paired t-test [p

Frequency of urinary incontinence and the associated obstetric and gynaecological risk factors

To find out the frequency and associated obstetrical and gynaecological risk factors of urinary incontinence in women Cross-sectional study.Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Liaquat National Hospital Karachi, from August to November 2009. Women from various out-patient departments and waiting areas of the hospital were interviewed after taking an informed consent. The questionnaire covered demographic data, physical characteristics, gynaecological and obstetrical risk factors associated with symptoms of urinary incontinence. To find out the frequency and associated obstetrical and gynaecological risk factors of urinary incontinence in women. A total of 510 women [mean age of 35.4 year and parity 2.6] were studied. Out of the total women interviewed 234[45.9%] reported episodes of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence was found related to traumatic and operative vaginal births, pelvic organ prolapse, abdominal mass, smoking, obesity, old age and menopause. Urinary incontinence was the common complaint of women attending hospital out- patient clinics and those accompanying the patients. It was under-reported by the women although it affected their daily life. Only small proportion of women sought medical advice.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy; can alpha blocker improves stone clearance?

To determine the efficacy of Alpha blocker as adjunctive medical therapy, which increases the stone clearance after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL] to treat renal stones. Quasi Experimental study. Department of Urology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. September 2010 to March 2011. Ultrasound guided Dornier Alpha Impact lithotripter was used for shock wave lithotripsy. Study was carried out on 60 patients who underwent single session of ESWL for renal calculus. Patients were divided in two groups, Group A [n=30] received conventional treatment and Group B [n=30] received Alpha-1 Blocker in addition to conventional treatment. All patients were evaluated with X-ray and Ultrasound [KUB] after 2 weeks and repeated at the end of month. Failure is defined as unsuccessful expulsion after 4 weeks and patient desire to remove the stone before day 30. Out of 60 patients, 45[75%] were males and 15[257%] were females with male to female ratio was 3:1. The average age of the patients was found 36.32 +/- 14.8 [Ranging from 15 to 75] years. Complete clearance was achieved in 76.7% of those receiving Alpha-1 Blocker and in 46.7% of controls at 1 month [P = 0.001]. This difference was statistically significant. The results of my study demonstrate that Alpha-1 Blocker therapy, as an adjunctive medical therapy after ESWL is more effective than lithotripsy alone for the treatment of patients with large renal stones and is equally safe

Interferon - ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C: Efficacy in Saudi patients

Hepatitis C affects 2% of Saudi population. Previous local trails showed low response to interferon monotherapy for six- months. Aim: To evaluate biochemical and virological response of interferon- ribavirin combination on naive Saudi patients infected with HCV. A prospective single armed study was conducted at Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital from July 1999 to July 2002 for fifty patients who have hepatitis C virus [HCV-PCR] positive and chronic hepatitis on liver biopsy were started on the combination therapy for one year. All hads HCV-PCR at the end of therapy and at six months follow- up. Thirty-one patients [62%] normalized their ALT levels, and 25 patients [50%] became HCV- PCR negative achieving end- of-treatment response [ETR]. The sustained virological response [SR] was achieving in 19 patients [38%] at six months follow- up after stopping the treatment. Side effects were mainly flu like syndrome in 36 patients [72%]. Combination therapy of interferon afla-2b plus ribavirin is an effective treatment modality for HCV infected Saudi patients, with tolerable side effects. Our virological response rates are compatible with international published literatures