Predictors of Job and Workplace Satisfaction among Community Pharmacists

Aims: This study aimed to assess the current levels of job and workplace satisfactionamong community pharmacists (CPs) and to explore the factors that can affect their job and workplace satisfaction. Methods: A self-administered research tool (questionnaire) was developed based on previously published literature. After its reliability and validity measurements, the questionnaire was distributed to the target population and data was collected. Data wereentered into Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) ver. 22.0 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square,and multiple regression analysis. The level of significance (α) was set at 0.05.Results: CPs reported high satisfaction (76.7%) concerning their jobs. Only 23.3% of them were not satisfied with their current job. Univariate analysis showed that job and workplace satisfactionamong CPs was not significantly associated with gender, age, length of service, position and salary. However, the univariate analysis demonstrated a significant difference between practice settings and job and workplace satisfactionwith p= 0.013. Among the respondents, those who worked in the chain pharmacies (83.7%) expressed greater job and workplace satisfaction, which is 16% higher than those working in independent pharmacies (67.6%). Therefore, practice setting was shown as the predictor of job and workplace satisfactionamong CPs by using multiple regression analysis. Conclusion: Overall, CPswere relatively satisfied with their current job. Our results had reinforced previous studies that reported that practice settings can affect pharmacists’ job and workplace satisfaction.

Implementation of a mentored professional development programme in laboratory leadership and management in the Middle East and North Africa

Laboratories need leaders who can effectively utilize the laboratories' resources, maximize the laboratories'capacity to detect disease, and advocate for laboratories in a fluctuating health care environment. To address this need, the University of Washington, USA, created the Certificate Program in Laboratory Leadership and Management in partnership with WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, and implemented it with 17 participants and 11 mentors from clinical and public health laboratories in 10 countries [Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen] in 2014. Designed to teach leadership and management skills to laboratory supervisors, the programme enabled participants to improve laboratory testing quality and operations. The programme was successful overall, with 80% of participants completing it and making impactful changes in their laboratories. This success is encouraging and could serve as a model to further strengthen laboratory capacity in the Region

Prevalence of and factors associated with obesity among Pakistani schoolchildren: a school-based, cross-sectional study

Childhood obesity is nowadays a concern in the developing world. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 501 randomly selected students from 10 high schools in an urban setting in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Children who were underweight were excluded. Interviews were conducted to determine demographic data, dietary intake, physical activity and other variables that may be associated with obesity. Overall 58 students [12%] had body mass index [BMI] >/= 95th percentile, 40 [8%] BMI >/= 85th percentile and 403 [80%] had BMI < 85th percentile [WHO age- and sex-specific cut-offs]. The prevalence of obesity was higher in boys than girls [15% than 8% respectively]. In multivariate regression analysis significant risk factors for obesity/overweight were male sex, middle socioeconomic status, poor self-rated athletic ability, trying to lose weight and eating fruit < 4 times per week. Childhood obesity is determined by factors in the home, school and society and a multidisciplinary approach is needed to prevention

state of affairs at primary health care facilities in Pakistan: where is the State's stewardship?

Primary health care [PHC] services in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas, are in a dismal state. Inadequacies, unfairness and ignorance about the importance of the basic health care provided by these facilitates have led to a disorganized and poorly performing system. This paper reviews the situation in certain PHC facilities in Sindh province. Inadequate medicines and supplies, underutilized family planning services, lack of human resources, faulty equipment, and absence of a proper referral mechanism were some of the key findings. There is therefore an urgent need for radical improvement in the PHC system in order to maximize the appropriate use of PHC facilities. In order to do this, the paper argues that the stewardship role of the State must be strengthened

many faces of supplier induced demand in health care

Health economists look towards health care sector as a market whereby there is a distinct demand and supply phenomenon exists. Dearth of regulation of the doctors' practices lead to inappropriate and unjustifiable demand for health care among the patients. In developing and under-developed countries, this adverse practice may push a poor family into a vicious circle of poverty and illness, especially where out of pocket expenditure on health is too high. Unnecessary prescriptions, prolonged treatments and unjustified user fee grossly deprive the patient's family financially. In developed countries, the flourishing health care technology and sophisticated laboratory diagnostics could incur significant expenditure which is sometimes even not covered under the insurance. State is the custodian of health care in any country; therefore, vigilant regulation of the health care providers may curb the supplier induced demand through strict laws and policies

Public health problems in low and high socio economic areas of Karachi, Pakistan

Despite many media campaigns by government and private sectors highlighting, water and sanitation treatment plans and policies, the public health problems are still common in different socioeconomic areas. The objective of our study was to explore the major public health problems prevailing in two different socioeconomic areas. The objective of our study was to explore the major public health problems prevailing in two different socio economic areas in Karachi, Pakistan. A cross sectional survey was conducted from January 1, 2008, to June 15, 2008. Convenience sampling was used to select the EVACUE housing situated and model village. From each house selected, interviews were conducted based on one participant per house. The main outcome variables were measure of different qualities of drinking water safety, taste, etc. Problems of waste and sanitation included disposal of solid waste and leakage of drainage system in the area. The results found water quality to be good with safe drinking water and less residents complained in EVACUEE as compared to Model. Health problems of drinking water and sanitation were more prevalent in low socio economic areas as compared to higher socio economic area

Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome [RLS] is a very common medical condition that is under recognized and often misdiagnosed and maltreated in general practice in Pakistan. It is a very distressing condition for patients and often attributed to nutritional deficiencies or labeled as simple cramps. Its cure is rarely possible. In this article the authors intend to discuss the diagnosis and management of this condition

Effect of supari chikni [areca catechu], mochras [salmah malabarica], chhal molsari [mimusops elen.], barg-e-kasni [cichorium intybus] and gul-e-dhawa [woodfordia floribunda] on sailan-ur-reham taffuni [infected vaginal discharge] a clinical study

According to Unani System of Medicine, Sailan-ur-Reham [vaginal discharge] means a discharge which passes through the vagina, it may be blood stained or otherwise. The vaginal discharge can be of physiological or pathological type. Pathological discharge is further divided into leucorrhoea and inflammatory discharge [due to infections of vagina-cervix-uterus]. In our study cases of Sailan-ur-Reham Zltihabi [due to certain specific infections] were put on a compound formulation [in form of vaginal tablet of 1 gm] for clinical trial on single blind technique. Vaginal pessary was given to patients for vaginal insertion daily at night for about two weeks. The study was carried out in 45 patients aged 21-50 yrs. Patients were divided into two groups. The control group was treated with placebo. The test group was treated with the test drug in form of vaginal tablet for fifteen days at bedtime, the outcome was assessed by symptoms, clinical examination and investigation. The drug combination produced significant improvement in the disease

study of Khar-e-Khasak Khurd [tribulus terrestris linn., fruits] on sexual behaviour

Khar-e-Khasak Khurd [Tribulus terrestris Linn, fruit] is used for treating sexual dysfunctions in the Unani System of Medicine. The effects of aqueous extract of drug were studied on sexual behaviour of male rats. In this study copulatory behaviour, penile erection, licking, grooming of genitals and copulatory movement in absence of female rats were observed. Androgenic and anabolic activities were also assessed by recording the weight of ventral prostate and levator ani muscle. The results show that test drug 500 mg/kg orally produced a significant increase in mounting frequency by 54%, Intromission frequency by 87%, mounting latency by 92%, Intromission latency by 107%, ejaculatory latency by 52% and post-ejaculatory interval by 24%. The drug produced significant increase in penile erection index, weight of prostate and levator ani muscles by 73% and 51.6%. This study supports the use of this drug in treatment of impotence, premature ejaculation and depressed libido

Space closure with composite resin restoration

Space closure with composite resin is a viable treatment option for those reluctant to undergo conventional orthodontic treatment. The paper discuss a case in which space closure is undertaken with composite elaborating on the key concepts of shade matching, maintaining harmony in size and form and in the finishing of the restorations. It is important to note that case selection is critical for the esthetic success of such a procedure

Risk factors for increased mortality in children with complications of measles

Measles is a common infectious disease of children, which may be associated with complications. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors that predispose children suffering from complications of measles to increased mortality. This was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Mayo Hospital, Lahore from 1st January 1998 to 31st August 1998. Eighty-four children having various complications of measles were included. Thirteen children left against medical advice leaving 71 evaluable cases. Fifty-eight cases improved and were discharged and 13 died. Mortality was proportionate in all age groups. Mortality in the girls as compared to the boys was 9 vs 4 which was not statistically significant. Mortality rate was higher in those with weight < 5th centile [P=0.12]. Measles vaccination was received by 32 percent cases but it had no impact on the case fatality. Fifty-three children had a positive history of contact with a measles patient out of which 60.36 percent had a close contact at home. This also did not have any prognostic significance. Pneumonia was the most common [67.86 percent] complication followed by encephalitis [38.1 percent], diarrhoea, febrile fits, meningitis and tuberculosis. Case fatality of measles was 18.31 percent, however all cases who expired had pneumonia either alone or with another complication. Hence severe malnutrition [weight < 5[th] centile] and pneumonia were two risk factors for increased mortality in this series of patients

Evaluation of serum calcium in Mosul laboratories

Serum calcium has been estimated among 16 controls and compared with that from patients, using three methods, Cresophthalin complex method and Trender method and Permanganate titration method, Cresophthalin complex method is considered to be the best method for the determination of serum calcium, because of it's specificity and accuracy. The evaluation of serum calcium among patients showed, that 15 are normocalcemic, 20 patients are hypocalcemia and 15 patients are with hyperalcemia. From cases of hypercalcemia, 8 patients had malignancy, [5 with metastasis to bones, 3 were without metastasis to bones]. 3 patients had Multiple Myeloma. Where as the other 3 patients had primary hyperparathyroidism and another patient had hypercalcemia due to over use of vitamin D

Pott's paraplegia: early recovery after radical anterior surgery shaikh zayed hospital experience

The aim in the treatment of Pott's Paraplegia is eradication of the disease producing the paraplegia, recovery of neurological function, early mobilization and rehabilitation. To achieve this aim we followed the radical anterior surgical approach. Twelve patients with Pott's Paraplegia underwent radical anterior debridement and fusion with autogenous bone grafts. These patients were reviewed as to the effect of this radical approach on return of distal neurological function and time independent ambulation. Benefits of this radical surgery are discussed and recommendations made

Malaria in Sheikh-Quarah epidemiological study using problem-solving approach

Problem- Solving technique, is widly used as a learning method. An attempt is made here to use the same methodology for the first one in an epidemioiogical field study Five hypotheses for the continuous presence of malaria in Sheik- Quarah, a village 60 kilometer north of mosul, are formulated. These are: [1] Low level of case detection: [2] Incomplete drug taking by patterns; [3] New cases due to continuous transmission; [4] Drug resistance, [5] Failure of vector control measures. Field testing showed that hypothese 2 and 3 are instrumental in malaria endemicity. Hypothesis 1, plays a comparatively secondary role. Further epidemiological investigations are needed to determine the size of contribution of hypotheses 4 and 5