ABSTRACT
Antibiotic (AB) consumption in UAE is rising with physicians prescribing these drugs for simple ailments like common cold and sore throat. The aim of this work is to identify the utilization pattern of AB in UAE to determine patient’s perspective and involvement in the use and abuse of AB and to estimate people awareness about AB abuse and its complication. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and chie-square test when applicable. This cross sectional study was carried out among subjects procuring AB from GMC pharmacy, GMC hospital and community pharmacies located in Ajman. Two hundred and thirty three subjects were participating in this study, 58.8% female and 41.2% male. Majority of participants were Asian and more than forty years old. 41% of participants have purchased AB without doctor’s prescription and 56% of the lot didn’t seek pharmacists advise. About 25% use AB that purchased previously and 19.7% switched over to another AB if symptoms not relieved. 44.2% use AB for cold or running nose and 26.6% for respiratory tract infection. There was a marked preference to the use of augmentin and amoxicillin followed by cefuzime and erythromycin. Participants’ adherence to AB therapy was poor. Results showed a significant association between participants occupation and subjects adherence to AB therapy (P<0.002) and participants awareness of AB abuse (P<0.001). In conclusion people awareness and knowledge towards AB utilization and complication associated with AB abuse in Ajman/ UAE is low. Antibiotic use regulation is recommended with mass education program by different health authorities to promote appropriate AB use and prevent AB resistance.
ABSTRACT
The present study aims to assess the level of knowledge of DM among non diabetic people from Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) regard to causes, complication, clinical manifestation, management, treatment, drug adherence and control, hypoglycemia associated with diabetic therapy, hypoglycemia management and other aspects related to diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among non diabetic people who were attending GMCH (Gulf Medical College Hospital) community pharmacy in Ajman and RAK hospitals during the period between July and December 2009. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The percentage of participants aware of diabetes causes, symptoms, complications, management, drug treatment, drug therapy adherence and diabetes monitoring were 60.4%, 78.7%, 54.8%, 68.9%, 89.8%, 50.6%, and 76.6% respectively. Awareness of hypoglycemic symptoms which can complicate diabetes therapy was only low 23.8%. For the management of hypoglycemia 45.1% of the participants recommended the use of sugar, 23% of them suggested the use of oral medicine and 32% of the participants recommended the use of insulin. The proportions of participants who had correct knowledge of the recommended frequency of follow-up of eye exam, urine test, blood sugar measurement and blood pressure test in diabetic patients were 33.6%, 39.6%, 87.2% and 23.8 respectively. The study showed low awareness of the population about various aspects of diabetes and the least knowledge was noticed on hypoglycemic symptoms, hypoglycemia management and diabetes complications. We recommend education program to improve population knowledge regards diabetes which can create enthusiasm to improve diabetes care and can go a long way in the prevention and management of diabetes in the Gulf region and UAE in particular.