ABSTRACT
The study aimed to determine the utilization pattern of Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM] by parents for their children in Ajman, UAE. This cross sectional study was carried out among parents attending Parent-Teachers meeting at schools in Ajman, UAE. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among the parents after obtaining consent. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics of parent [Age, gender, educational qualification, nationality] and child [age, gender] and details of utilization pattern [type of CAM, route of therapy, indication]. Descriptive and inferential statistics performed using SPSS-20; p value < 0.05 considered significant. Total of 136 parents participated [Fathers 32.6%; Mothers 67.6%]. Their age ranged between 20-55 years. Asians constituted 30.4% and Arab ethnicity 53.6% of total. About 57.2% of the parents were graduates. About 31.2% parents had one child, 30.4%- two children and 38.4% had three or more children. CAM use among their children was reported by 73[53.6%] parents. It was noted that parent who used CAM for the first child 73[53.6%], also reported to use CAM in their subsequent children [2nd, 311 child-7 1[52.2%] each]. Indications for use were gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, fever, and dermatological conditions. CAM therapies used in descending frequency were herbal medicine, dietary supplements, prayer, homeopathy and massage therapy. Based on ethnic groups, utilization frequency was similar among Asians, Arabs and other groups [50%, 53%, and 59% respectively]. Similarly, utilization frequency was similar among parents with school education, graduation and post- graduation [50%, 54.4%, and 53.8% respectively]. CAM was recommended by family members in 48% of the responders. About 47% parents reported good 30% excellent results with CAM in their children. In accordance to previous reports from the Middle East, herbal medicine was the common CAM therapies in the study. Utilization of CAM by parents for their children was similar in different ethnic groups and parents with different levels of education
ABSTRACT
The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM] has increased over recent years. Little is known about the parent opinion regarding the use of CAM for children. This study aimed to identify the parent opinion about the use of CAM for their children and the most important source of information on CAM. A cross sectional study was carried out over a period of 12 months, including parents attending Parent-Teachers meeting in the schools in Ajman, UAE. A self- administered validated, pilot tested questionnaire was used as a tool. Informed consent was taken from participants before enrolment in the study. Analysis was performed using the SPSS-20. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics performed [Z test] and p values < 0.05 was considered significant. The study includs 136 parents who are most frequently females [67%], less than 40 years age [54%], Non-Arabs [65%], holding Diploma/ Bachelor or higher degree [76%], and having 2 children [61%]. Although about 79% of the parents reported that it is safe/very safe to use CAM for children [89% of CAM user vs. 28.5% of CAM non-user, z=5.1, P < 0.001], however, about 46% of them are not using CAM, and the most common reason stated was that the modern medicine is more effective [42%]. Family is the most frequent source of information for CAM [57%]. The use of CAM for other children is recommended either alone by 49% [n=66] or to be used in combination with other conventional medicine by25% [n=34] of the parents. Most of the parents reported that the use of CAM for children is safe/ very safe. However, the opinion differed significantly among the parents who used CAM for their children as compared to those who did not
ABSTRACT
Optimal reduction in blood pressure with antihypertensive agents helps to prevent diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. The objective of the study was to evaluate the current utilization pattern of antihypertensive medications among patients with diabetes and co-existent hypertension as per the JNC 7th Report guidelines. A cross sectional survey was carried out among patients with diabetes attending the Outpatient Department of Internal Medicine at a tertiary care hospital in Ajman. Medical records of the patients were used to obtain diagnostic, demographic and drug use information. Unvariate analysis was performed using Chi square and t-test followed by logistic regression to compute independent predictors. Of 132 patients with diabetes, uncomplicated hypertension [HTN] was coexistent in 107 [81%] patients. Males constituted 49.5% of the total. The mean age of patients with HTN was [55.1 +/- 10.1], which was higher than that in those without HTN [49.6 +/- 9.9] [p<0.05]. 51.4% of patients with HTN were between 45-60 years of age. A higher number of patients with HTN had duration of diabetes < 5 years than those >5 years [p<0.05]. While adjusting the significant factors, only the duration of diabetes [adjusted OR 1.06; CI [1.003-1.116]] was statistically significant among patient with HTN. 68 [62.6%] prescriptions contained one antihypertensive drug, 29 [30%] two drugs and 8 [7.4%] no anti-hypertensive drug. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/ angiotensin receptor blockers [ACEI/ ARBs] followed by diuretics were commonly prescribed. ARBs with diuretics were the most frequent two drug combination. The antihypertensive utilization pattern was similar in both gender and age groups. The results represent the current prescribing trend for anti-hypertensive agents among patients with diabetes, which is in accordance with JNC-7 recommendations
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Use of tobacco begins early in childhood and builds up to lifelong habit. The present study determined the knowledge of school students regarding the effects of tobacco and attitude towards anti-tobacco activities
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at four schools [Grades IX to XII] in Ajman. A self-administered questionnaire was used focusing on the knowledge regarding tobacco use among adolescents, reasons for initiation, associated health risk, and social problems; previous participation and willingness to participate in anti-tobacco activities. Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed using SPSS 19
Results: 229 male and 182 female students [mean age: 15.6+1.1 years] participated. Grade XII, XI, X, IX students constituted 31.4%, 29.4%, 29.7%, and 9.5% respectively. 328 [79.8%] were aware of the use of cigarettes, shisha, midwakh, chewing and sniffing tobacco among adolescents. About 75% indicated the possible reasons for initiation: to blend with friends, elevate mood, and to deal with family problems [Females more than males p<0.05]. More than 80% were aware of associated health risk and social problems [Females more than males p<0.05]. The social problems stated were problems with family, peer and teachers. As regards the level of health risk, 66.9%, 52.8%, 48.7%, felt that severe risk is associated with cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco, and smoking midwakh respectively. The source of their knowledge included television, internet and newspaper
About 66.2% had advised individuals to quit tobacco; 21.2% participated in anti-tobacco activities. Suggested measures to increase awareness were through media, seminars, workshops and student groups in schools. More than 75% were willing to participate in anti-tobacco activities, and 63.5% interested to give talks on the effects of tobacco
Conclusion: The students possessed positive attitude towards anti-tobacco activities and had knowledge of the health and social effects of tobacco. Active participation of adolescents in anti-tobacco activities can help to root out the problem of tobacco use among adolescents
ABSTRACT
A two-month old infant was admitted to our hospital with history of fever and cough. He was active and playful with normal systemic examination. He was started on antibiotics because the C-reactive protein [CRP] was high. Over the next few days he deteriorated with persisting fever, altered sensorium and hepatomegaly. Inspite of using third line antibiotics, the CRP kept increasing and the child showed no signs of improvement. A possibility of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis [HLH] was considered. Ferritin was high and so the child was referred to a tertiary centre for further treatment. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of HLH. HLH is a clinical syndrome of hyper inflammation, and uncontrolled and ineffective immune response. It could be primary where genetic mutations have been demonstrated or secondary to infection, malignancy or metabolic condition. Criteria have been laid done for the diagnosis of HLH. This condition should be considered when there is continued deterioration in spite of maximal supportive care
ABSTRACT
Adverse drug reactions [ADRs] are an important public health problem. Serious ADRs lead to morbidity and mortality and considerable economic burden on the society and healthcare systems. Only 6-10% of all ADRs are reported. Spontaneous reporting of ADRs enhances detection of serious, unexpected and unusual ADRs. Health care professionals play an integral role in the success of the safety surveillance of drugs. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, practice and factors affecting ADR reporting among clinicians. A cross sectional study was carried out among all the clinicians of Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Centre [GMCHRC] irrespective of their gender, specialization and experience. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, practice and factors influencing ADR reporting. The questionnaire was distributed among clinicians during their duty hours, who were given adequate time to fill in the forms. The filled in self-administered questionnaire was returned by only 42 clinicians. The 42 clinicians included in the study comprised more than 50% males, had a mean age 36 +/- 8 years and represented a multi-ethnic population of varying clinical experience. The most frequent ADR the clinicians had come across was rashes. The commonly implicated drugs were antibiotics and analgesics. With regard to ADR reporting, the majority of the clinicians correctly identified which of the ADRs had to be reported and the individuals who can report ADRs. Very few clinicians had reported ADRs to the Pharmacovigilance Centre. The common factor discouraging reporting of ADR was that most clinicians did not know how to report ADRs [71%]. A majority of the clinicians were willing to undergo training on this aspect. The study revealed the existence of under-reporting of ADRs, but also the willingness of clinicians to be trained in ADR reporting and thus contributing to the Pharmacovigilance program
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Surveys and Questionnaires , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Personnel , PhysiciansABSTRACT
Hairy polyp of the oronasopharynx is an uncommon developmental malformation that is most frequently seen as a pedunculated tumor in the neonate. Derived from the ectoderm and mesoderm, this benign tumor generally has been classified as dermoid. We describe a neonate with a hairy polyp originating from the right lateral pharyngeal wall causing significant respiratory distress with cyanosis and stridor immediately after birth. Symptoms in the neonate disappeared following autoamputation of the mass. To our knowledge, this is the third case described in literature, with full following autoamputation of a hairy polyp