ABSTRACT
Background: Premarital Screening (PMS) program in Saudi Arabia aims at limiting the spread of hereditary diseases like Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) and Thalassemia and infectious diseases like Hepatitis B&C and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although the PMS program is reducing the percentage of incompatible marriages, the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies is still remaining high. With the changing perception of the general population towards the PMS program, an examination of community awareness and attitude toward PM S is needed to find ways for reducing the prevalence of diseases. Objective : T o assess the present knowledge and attitude of the adult Saudi community from Riyadh Province to the premarital screening (PMS) program for hemoglobinopathies. Methods: This cros s - sectional study was conducted on 676 participants from the general population in June - September 2022. The electronic questionnaire was used to assess the sociodemographic data, knowledge, and attitude toward the PMS program. Results: Out of the 676 participants, 58% were females, and 42% were males. 54% had consanguineous marriages and 5.6% hemoglobinopathies in the family. 96.3% agreed on suggesting PMS to others, 83.2% considered PMS incompatible marriage is wrong, and 78.6% considered associated g enetic counselling is important. 22.7% preferred consanguineous marriage over non - consanguineous. For raising awareness, 97.6%, 85.9%, 84.6%, and 81.2% of respondents felt the need for community participation through the internet, social media, and medical education in schools respectively. Conclusion: Most participants have a positive attitude but only superficial knowledge of the PMS program and one - third are still unaware of its use for the prevention of hemoglobinopathies, especially thalassemia. Increa sing the knowledge about the importance of the PMS program and associated genetic counselling should be done with multiple information sources in a well - organized way that suits the community’s requirements.
ABSTRACT
This study involves mathematical simulation model such as in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) development for various extended release formulations of nimesulide loaded hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) microparticles (M1, M2 and M3 containing 1, 2, and 3 g HPMC, respectively and 1 g drug in each) having variable release characteristics. In vitro dissolution data of these formulations were correlated to their relevant in vivo absorption profiles followed by predictability worth analysis of these Level A IVIVC. Nimaran was used as control formulation to validate developed formulations and their respective models. The regression coefficients of IVIVC plots for M1, M2, M3 and Nimaran were 0.834 9, 0.831 2, 0.927 2 and 0.898 1, respectively. The internal prediction error for all formulations was within limits, i.e., < 10%. A good IVIVC was found for controlled release nimesulide loaded HPMC floating M3 microparticles. In other words, this mathematical simulation model is best fit for biowaiver studies which involves study parameters as those adopted for M3 because the value of its IVIVC regression coefficient is the closest to 1 as compared to M1 and M2.