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Aim: There are a few studies about the populations' knowledge and perceptions on personalized medicine in Saudi Arabia until now. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness on personalized medicine amongst health care specialists and university students in health colleges in Saudi Arabia.Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study that include a survey targeting health care specialists. The survey translated to Arabic and after validation, it was converted to an online survey using google forms.Results: About 52.34% of the participants have heard about different terms regarding personalized medicine (personalized medicine, healthcare reform, individualized care and pharmacogenomics). Most of the health care specialists in the present study said that they have poor knowledge about personalized medicine (68.75%). Most of the participants in the present study were interested to learn about personalized medicine and showed a positive attitude about it.Conclusion: The present study found that health care specialists had a poor knowledge about personalized medicine but they are interested to learn more about this field. Therefore, more training and awareness programs about personalized medicine are needed to facilitate its introduction in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, more focus on this field should be introduced into the health colleges’ curricula
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Aim:There is a scarcity of data regarding gender and age related aspects of antiplatelet drugs utilizationin the outpatient setting. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the age-and gender-related differences in the outpatient use of antiplatelet drugs in Alkharj.Methodology:This is a retrospective study that include the assessment of electronic prescriptions in the outpatient setting that include an antiplatelet drug in 2018.Results:Ticagrelor was prescribed mainly for patients more than 60 years old (84.62%). Clopidogrel was prescribed mainly for patients more than 50 years old (79.76%) and aspirin also was prescribed mainly for patients more than 50 years old (71.67%). Generally, most of the patients who received antiplatelet agents were male (52.76%).Conclusion:The present study showed that there were differences in prescribing antiplatelet agents between different gender and different ages. So it is important to know the prescribing trends and to give the appropriate drugs based on several factors such as gender and age. It is expected that in the future, antiplatelet therapy may be based on age and on endogenous sex hormone level or genetic female/male differences
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Aim: There is evidence that health care providers have insufficient knowledge and poor practices regarding the use of surgical mask. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the knowledge, practices and attitudeof healthcare providers about using face mask in order to limit the spreading of the novel coronavirus disease.Methodology:This was a cross sectional pilot study included a questionnaire about the knowledge of health care workers regarding the use of surgical face mask to prevent the new COVID-19 spreading and about their practices and the attitude of them regarding the use of surgical face mask to limit the new COVID-19 exposure Results: About 86.21% of health care workers said that the correct way ofusing surgical face maskisWhite side facing in and about 65.52% of them said that N-95 mask is the mask type that actually protect against COVID-19. All of the respondents reported that they wear a mask in public places to protect themselves against COVID-19 and that they wear a mask in hospital premises to protect themselves against COVID-19 (100.00%).Conclusion: The Knowledge, attitude, and practice of health care providers regarding the use of surgical face masks were found to be good but still more knowledge is required about several aspects such as the types of masks, the duration of using masks and the disposal of the masks
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Background:Thromboembolic diseases are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications are important therapies in the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases.There is a limited data about the prescribing of these medications.Aim:This study aims to describe the pattern of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents use among outpatients in Alkharj. Methodology:This is a retrospective study that includes the electronic prescriptions among outpatients in a public hospital in AlkharjResults:Aspirin was the most commonly prescribed agent (61.73%) followed by clopidogrel (18.60%) and enoxaparin (69%). Aspirin and clopidogrel was the most commonly prescribed combination (77.27%). Antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants result in improve several benefits but also could result in severe adverse effects and several drug interactions. Conclusion:The prescribers should ensure that benefit of Antiplatelet and anticoagulant outweigh the bleeding risk before prescribing these medications. It is important also to implement educational interventions to improve their use
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Aims: This study aims to review the efficacy of chloroquineandhydroxychloroquine to treatcoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated pneumonia.Methodology: This review includes searching Google scholar for publications about the use of hydroxychloroquinein the treatment of COVID-19 using the words of (Covid-19) AND hydroxychloroquine.Results:Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have proven effective in treating coronavirus in China in vitro, but till now only few clinical trials are available and these trials were conducted on a small sample size of the patients.The efficacy of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine is mainly due to its effect on angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2).Conclusion:The use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could be verypromising but more trials are needed that include larger sample size and more data are required about the comparison between chloroquine and hydroxychloroquinewith other antivirals
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Aim:The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of bacterial pathogens isolated from patients in a military hospital in Alkharj.Methodology:This was a retrospective study conducted to describe the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in 2018. Clinical culture results were collected from laboratory in a military hospitalfrom 01-01-2018 to31-12-2018.Results:The most common bacteria were Escherichia colibacteria followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Gram negative bacteria were collected mainly by urine culture while gram positive bacteria were collected mainly from wound/pus/skin cultures.Conclusion:In general, from this study it can be concluded that the rate of bacterialinfections is high. It is important to follow the healthcare professional recommendations such as hand washing and other measures to prevent the occurrence of infections. Moreover,health care professional should know the causative bacteria to give the appropriate treatment
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Aim: The present study was undertaken to identify the most common infectious agents for Intensive Care Unit (ICU)patients in a military hospital in Alkharj –Saudi Arabia.Methodology: This study was conducted in a military hospital in Alkharj –Saudi Arabia. Identification of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was performed with standard microbiological methods.The isolates that are collected from ICU from blood, urine and other samples in the year 2019 are included.Results: Out of 992 bacterial isolates only 6.15% were collected from ICU. The majority of the bacteria that were found in the ICU were Gram-positive bacteria. The most common bacteria that were found in ICU were Staphylococcus aureusfollowed by Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Escherichia coli.Conclusion:We found differences in the prevalence of bacteria in the ICU compared to other studies. The predominant bacteria in ICU were Staphylococcus aureus. The present data could help physicians to know the causative organisms and to administer the most suitable antibiotics for treatment of nosocomial infections in Alkharj area after knowing the susceptibility rate of bacteria to different antibiotics.
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Aim:The aim of this study was to describe the seasonal variations in dispensing antibiotic prescriptions in the outpatient setting of a public hospital in Alkharj.Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. The outpatient prescriptions in 2017 and 2018 were collected from medical records in a public hospital in Alkharj. The data include the number of prescribed antibiotics in general, the number of prescribed antibiotics in different months and seasons in the outpatient setting.Results: In the outpatient setting in 2017 and 2018, antibiotics were prescribed excessively in most of the months. About 27.84%of the prescriptions in 2017 were in spring season and about 26.64%of the prescriptions in 2018 were in autumn. Total number of antibiotics prescriptions in 2017 and 2018 were 5348 in spring followed by 5097 in autumn.Conclusion:The results of the present study showed the widespread use of antibiotics bypractitioners that was associated with season of prescribing. In general, there are excess use of antibiotics in all months. It is important to understand how the prescribing of antibiotic varies throughout the year to design an appropriate intervention to decrease incorrect antibiotic use
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Equilibrium sorption of the Thermally Treated Rice Husk (TTRH) for Sulfamethazine (SMT) adsorption was studied. The Physico-chemical properties of the modified rice husk were determined. The equilibrium sorption data were fitted into Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. Of the three adsorption isotherm, the R2value of Langmuir isotherm model was the highest. Also compared to other isotherms the AARE coefficient for the Langmuir isotherm is low,which indicates favorable sorption. The maximum monolayer coverage (qm) from Langmuir isotherm model was determined to be 19.11 mg/g, the separation factor indicating a favorable sorption experiment is 0.446. Also from Freundlich Isotherm model, the sorption intensity (n) which indicates favorable sorption andthe correlation value are 1.84 and 3.79 respectively. The mean free energy was estimated from Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm model to be 9.18 KJ/mol which clearly proved that the adsorption experiment followed a physical process
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Introduction:Several previous studies reported a high prescribing rate of cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefuroxime. The inappropriate outpatients prescribing of cefuroximeleadsto the development of bacterial resistance.Aim: This study was conducted to demonstrate the prescribing pattern of cefuroxime in the outpatient setting in Alkharj.Methodology:This retrospective study was conducted to know the prescribing pattern of cefuroxime. The data were collected from electronic prescriptions in a public hospital in Alkharj in 2018. The data were collected and analyzed using Excel software and represented as frequencies and percentages.Results:In 2018, there were 316 prescriptions containing cefuroxime. The majority of the patient wasmales (56.01%). The majority of cefuroxime prescriptions include tablet dosage form (81.96%). About 62.03% of the outpatient prescriptions were prescribed by the emergency department.Conclusion:Cephalosporin group (including cefuroxime) was one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotic groups to treat several infections. A high percentage of antibiotic prescriptions were prescribed inappropriately. It is important to increase the awareness about the wise use of antibiotics and to start the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs.
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Aim:Antibiotics save lives, but the excess use of antibiotics leads to more side effects. Patients benefit from medications but also complain about their adverse effects. This study aims to explore the reports of the adverse effects for the most commonly usedantibiotics in Saudi Arabia.Methodology:The Data regarding the adverse events reports were collected from The National Pharmacovigilance Centerin Saudi Arabia. The data include the major allergic reactions and gastrointestinal side effects for the most commonly used antibiotic classes.Results:The total number of allergic and gastrointestinal adverse effects in 2017 and 2018 for the included antibiotic drugs is 583 reports. The majority of the reports were for penicillin antibiotics (39.96) particularly Amoxicillin/Clavunate Conclusion:The most common adverse effects of antibiotics are allergic and gastrointestinal effects. It is important to report any adverse drug reactions either by health care providers or patients to the Saudi Pharmacovigilance Center
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Aim: The present study aims to demonstrate the incidence ofCandidaspecies associated with infections in a Military hospital in Alkharj.Methodology: This is a retrospective study that was conducted to assessthe prevalence ofCandidaspecies in a Military hospital in Alkharj –Saudi Arabia. The isolates from various clinical specimens in 2018 and 2019 were studied.Results: The percentage of candida species in the 2 years was 6.21% of isolates. The Candidaalbicanswere 40.87% of the total Candidaisolates. The majority of Candidaspecies cultures were collected from wound/pus/skin or vagina and to lesser extent urine and lower respiratory tract.Conclusion:Candidaspeciesare now common pathogens that cause infections specially in the gastrointestinal tract, vagina and at surgical site. It sometimes may lead to high morbidity and mortality rate. It is important to know the resistance rate for the fungi and it is important to start the implementation of antifungal treatmentprograms
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Aims: This study aims to demonstrate the use of enoxaparin in obstetrics and gynecology department in Alkharj.Methodology:This is a retrospective study was conducted in a public hospital in Alkharjcity. The outpatient prescriptions were reviewed to evaluate the prescription patternsof enoxaparin. The data were collected and analyzed using Excel software, the descriptive data were represented by frequencies and percentages. Results:About 86.32% of the prescriptions contain enoxaparin syringe were prescribed for female patients. The majority of enoxaparin prescriptions were from obstetrics & gynecology department (79.48%).Moreover, the majority of enoxaparin prescriptions were prescribed by consultants (62.39%).Conclusion:The result of this study show that enoxaparin was prescribed commonly in the obstetrics and gynecology department for female patients because of its efficacy and safety profile. Enoxaparin is safer than other anticoagulants butstill could cause many adverse effects so it is important to increase the health care professional awareness about its use
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Aim:The prescribing pattern of furosemide helps the prescribers in the monitoring and evaluation of the drugs and helps them in recommending the necessary modifications. So the aimof the present study is to demonstrate the outpatient use of furosemide in a public hospital.Methodology:This is a retrospective study was conducted in a public hospital in Alkharj city. The outpatient prescriptions were reviewed to demonstrate the prescription patternsof furosemide. The study included all outpatient prescriptions that contains furosemide in 2018.Results:Furosemide was prescribed in 46.27% of diuretics prescriptions in the outpatient setting. The majority of the patients were female patients.Most of the patients were more than 39 years old. Most of the furosemide prescriptions were prescribed mainly by resident prescribers, mainly in the cardiology department.Conclusion:Furosemide is an important medication for treating cardiovascular diseases specially in the presence of edema. It is important to increase the awareness of health care professionals and patients regarding the use of furosemide. Moreover, it is important to increase the awareness of the public regarding the importanceof adherence to furosemide
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Introduction:Mood disorder is one of the most prevalent and the most disabling disorders that affect humankind health, so it is important to know its symptoms, how it is treated suitably and how it can be assessed. This study aims to assess the mood of the public.Methodology: This study includes an online questionnaire, the questionnaire questions were prepared using the mood self-assessment of NHS and after that converted to online google formResults: About 20.8% of the respondents reported that they have been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless in nearly every day. About 59% of them reported that they experienced an anxiety attack.Conclusion:The results of this study show a high percentage of anxiety and depression among the public. It is important to increase the public awareness about anxiety and depression and how to deal with these disorders.
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Aim: This study aims to assess the public anxiety and stress during the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID‐19).Methodology:The survey was prepared using CDC “Daily Life & Coping with Coronavirus Disease 2019” section. The data were collected and analyzed using Excel software. The descriptive data were represented by frequencies and percentages.Results:About 91% of the 304 respondents fear and worry about their own health and the health of their families and about 82.24% of them are worried about the effect of the disease spreading on work and study.The majority of the respondents think that people infected with the Coronavirus will experience social rejection and avoidance from others (61.51%) but only 12.5% think that people with the disease may be deprived of health care, education, housing and work.Conclusion:COVID-19 spreading increase the stress and worry of the public regarding their health, their family health and negative economic effect of the disease. It is important to increase the awareness regarding COVID-19 and to improve the communication of health care professionals and the public with infected patients
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Aim:Poor adherence to antibiotics is common and related to poorer clinical outcomes such as increasing the bacterial resistance.To explore the rate of adherence to antibiotics and to know the reasons that lead to antibiotic non-adherence among the public.Methodology:This is a retrospective study include an online questionnaire survey for the participantswho were prescribed oral antimicrobial drugs during the last year.The data was collected and analyzedusing Excel sheet software and the Descriptive data were presented by frequencies and percentages.Results:The majority of the respondents stated that they sometimes forget to take their antibiotics.Moreover, 78.3% of them said that sometimes they forget to carry their drugs when they go out. They reported many reasons for noncompliance but the major reasons were “they do not need to continue treatment once the condition improves” followed by “they are too busy in study or work”.Conclusion:Numerous factors lead to antibiotic noncompliance, but the main reasons were related to the public knowledge and attitude. Therefore, antimicrobial stewardship programs should focus on the patient education to solve the problem of non-compliance
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Introduction:Infections caused by Staphylococcusspecies can spread not only in hospitals but also in the community and in other healthcare institutions. These organisms were known for its capability to acquire resistance to various classes of antibiotics.Methods: The antibiotic susceptibilityand resistance rates ofS. aureusstrains isolated from numerous clinical samples at a public hospital in Al-kharj city were collected from the monthly antibiogram prepared by the laboratory department in the hospital. Results: The bacterial culture results foundthat there were 450 Staphylococcus species; the majority of bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus. Some medications such asVancomycin, Linezolid still very effective in treating Staphylococcusinfections.Conclusion:S.aureusinfections were common in Alkharj city and the resistance is widespread for staphylococcispecies, mainly MRSA. To reduce the resistance rate antimicrobial stewardship programs should be implemented and antibiotic susceptibility should be monitored continuously.
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Aim: The study was conducted to demonstrate the pattern of ciprofloxacin prescribing at outpatient Setting in Al-kharj.Methodology:A retrospective study was conducted to demonstrate the pattern of ciprofloxacin prescribing. The Information was collected from electronic prescriptions in a public hospital in Al-Kharj city. The data was processed using Microsoft Exceland the descriptive data was represented as frequencies and percentages.Results:There were 611 ciprofloxacin prescriptions in 2018. Ciprofloxacin is the 5thmost commonly prescribing antibiotics in the outpatient setting in 2018. The majority of the patients were in the age level between 20-39 (53.51%). Out of 773 prescriptions, 162 were excluded (eye or ear drops). There were 608 tablets (99.51%).Conclusion:Ciprofloxacin is one of the common prescribed antibiotics in the outpatient settings. If it is prescribed inappropriately it will lead to increase bacterial resistance rate, increase adverse effects and increase the cost of the treatment. It should be prescribed appropriately and the patients should be monitored frequently during its use
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Background: The main objective of this study was to determine and compare current drug-related knowledge and clinical skills in terms of medication error identification among future healthcare professionals. Methods: Study participantswere asked to identify errors in three different prescriptions. Around 15 minutes were given to complete the questionnaire without using any references in a classroom setting. The medication error identificationrate was calculated based on the number of students that have identified the errors correctly.Results: Among 225 respondents, significant differences were found between the three groups,i.e. Prescription 1 p=0.001, Prescription 2 p=0.023, Prescription 3 p=0.024. Pharmacy students had highermedication erroridentification rate compared to medical and nursing students.Conclusion: Final year pharmacy students were found to have the best drug-related knowledge and clinical skills in terms ofmedication error identification