RESUMEN
Background: Menopause is the estimated end of reproductive life. Having a positive attitude towards it has been shown to outcome in a positive experience, whereas a negative attitude is connected with negative experiences and symptoms. Conventionally, women regularly abstain from sex after menopause
Purpose: The study aimed to determine the level of awareness and perceptions about the menopause and sex in perimenopausal women attending a general outpatient clinic
Methods: Women over 40 years were enlisted from the Family Medicine Department of King Abdulaziz Hospital, excluding those who were menopausal. Data analyses were done with chi-square test [P<0.05]. The study was done according to the ethical board of Umm Al Qura university
Results: Most [151; 85.8%] of the 176 surveyed participants were aware of the menopause. Only 36.1% anticipated associated symptoms. About half [55.68%] were indifferent to menopause onset, while 23.3% had a positive attitude and 21.11% had a negative attitude, respectively. Younger women were less likely to have a positive attitude to the menopause [P=0.04]. There were negative cultural beliefs towards sex. Sexual activity was low and declined with age [P<0.001]. Many women would like treatment to improve their sexual activity
Conclusion: Most participants had a favourable disposition towards the menopause, though sexual relationships suffer. Counselling and treatment should be offered
RESUMEN
Background: Drug prescription studies provide a pharmacoeconomic basis for making evidence-based health-care decisions. In ophthalmology practice, rational prescribing shows a vital role in decreasing the ocular disease burden
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to inspect the drug consumption pattern in ophthalmology department of King Abdulaziz hospital in KSA
Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 3 months. The prescriptions for all consecutive patients attending the ophthalmology outpatient department for the first time [first time encounter] were incorporated and reviewed using a pre-designed form to record information from the ophthalmology outpatient department prescription cards of each patient. Data analysis was carried out using the descriptive statistical methods: frequencies, mean, percentage, and standard deviation
Results: A total of 500 prescriptions were considered with the average number of drugs per prescription being 2.2 [0.8]. The most common disorders diagnosed were eyelid diseases [31.6%] followed by foreign body in the eye [23,2%], conjunctivitis [20,8%], glaucoma, conrneal ulcer, squint, and others. Drugs were prescribed in different dosage forms with eye drops being the most common [62.9%] followed by ointment [20.5%], capsule [8.6%], and tablets [8.0%] of all dosage forms. The frequency of drug management and period of treatment was recorded in 94% and 76% of all prescriptions respectively. Drugs were predominantly prescribed in brand name rather than generic name
Conclusion: The current study showed certain lacunae in the prescribing practices of the ophthalmologists of the institute as showed by low generic prescribing, insufficient information about frequency of management and period of treatment in many prescriptions. This can be addressed over appropriate sensitization of clinicians in the art of rational prescribing