Prescription pattern of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in a family practice clinic at Jordan university hospital

To study the pattern of prescribing of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs [NSAIDs] in a family practice clinic at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Review of files for prescribed drugs in the "Family Practice Clinic at Jordan University Hospital" during the period 28/03/2008- 18/07/2008. Files at the end of the clinic session were collected and reviewed for prescriptions. A total of 2027 patient files were reviewed, 343 [16.9%] of which contained NSAIDs. The number of drugs per prescription ranged from 1-12 [mean +/- SD, 3.1 +/- 1.9], with 67% of prescriptions containing 3 or less drugs. Proprietary drug names were used in 89.5% of prescriptions. Diclofenac was the most frequently prescribed NSAID [44.9%], followed by aspirin [30.3%] and proprionic acid derivative [15.2%]. One fourth [90] of the files containing NSAIDs prescriptions belonged to females in chilf-bearing age. In most cases, diclofenac and proprionic acid derivatives were prescribed for musculoskeletal disorders followed by infections, while aspirin was prescribed mostly for cardiovascular disorders. With some exceptions, the pattern of prescriptions of NSAIDs is fairly appropriate. Diclofenac was irrationally and overused as it was prescribed for infections, and inappropriately used in patients with bronchial asthma. These drugs were prescribed for women in child-bearing age. Proprietary drug names were used in the majority of prescriptions. The strength of medications, frequency of administration and duration of therapy were missing in some of the prescriptions. Continued medical education on rational prescribing seems necessary

Early detection of cardiovascular diseases risk factors among Jordan university students

Understanding the extent of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among university youth students is essential for early detection and prevention. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among the university students. This quantitative exploratory study has been carried out with a convenience sample of 403 undergraduate students at the University of Jordan. The results showed that male students were overweight and more obese than females [22% and 10.6%, respectively], students consume more tea and coffee, smoke, exercised irregularly, had stress and 17% of females had irregular sleep. The study concluded that the majority of university students are exposed to risk factors contributing to the disease

prediction of diabetes and hypertension by anthropometric indices based on family medicine clinic data at Jordan university hospital

Epidemiological studies find that obesity is associated with hypertension and diabetes. Therefore it is essential to identify simple and practical anthropometric indices which can predict these diseases. Study the association and the predictability of diabetes and hypertension by the four different anthropometric indices [BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip and waist/height ratios] in a group of patients attending family medicine clinic at Jordan University Hospital. A cross-sectional clinic based survey was carried out over an eight- month period. Data for 936 Jordanian patients [573 females and 363 males] aged 25-74 years were collected for the study. Status regarding diabetes and hypertension was recorded beside anthropometric measurements. Multiple logistic regression showed that there were gender differences in the association between obesity indices and cardiovascular risk factors. In male patients, body mass index had a significant association with hypertension and it was the most predictive factor of hypertension among all anthropometric indices, while waist/hip ratio was the most predictive factor of diabetes. In females, waist/height ratio exhibited the highest degree of association with diabetes and hypertension and was the most predictive factor of both diseases. Anthropometric indices are simple and easy to apply. Since they have a strong predictor value for hypertension and diabetes, they should be used in routine health screening in primary care. Our results represent a small group of patients; we need to conduct larger studies on a national scale to develop local and regional figures which could be different from international standards

Familiarity, knowledge, and attitudes towards epilepsy among attendees of a family clinic in Amman, Jordan

To investigate the present familiarity, knowledge, and attitudes of Jordanians towards epilepsy. This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted over a 6-month period, from April 2006 to October 2006 at the family clinic of Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. A face-to-face questionnaire interview was conducted with 600 non-epileptic adults who visited the clinic during the study period. The sample matched the overall Jordanian population for literacy rate, however, included a higher proportion of females, and consequently findings may be taken as being only moderately representative of the Jordanian population. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents had heard about epilepsy, 47.3% knew someone with epilepsy, and 39.7% had witnessed a seizure. The major source of knowledge was word of mouth; knowledge about causes and treatment were far below the results reported in western countries. In addition, negative attitudes were present with regard to marriage and employment of epileptic patients [86.8% objected to marriage and 50.8% objected to employment]. Eighty-three percent of respondents admitted that their knowledge of epilepsy was not satisfactory and were willing to learn more about epilepsy. The television was believed to be the most efficient and preferred way to disseminate knowledge about epilepsy. Although this study does not represent the whole Jordanian population, however, it demonstrated lack of knowledge and emphasized the extent of negative as well as positive attitudes towards epilepsy in Jordan