Résumé
Aims: The study is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the perception of inpatients on the pharmaceutical care (PC) roles of the pharmacists. This is useful in assessing the quality of care provided by the pharmacist and in the design and implementation of improved PC program in Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Jos University teaching hospital” (JUTH), between June and October 2013. Methodology: The perception of the PC roles of pharmacists was assessed in consented in-patients, using 23 items self administered questionnaire. Factors of PC assessed included: knowledge of the pharmacy profession, Interpersonal relationship, Collaboration with other professionals, and managing therapy. Factors associated with the perception of respondents were analyzed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U Test as appropriate. Results: A total of 548 out of 551 questionnaires were completely filled and analyzed (response rate 99%). Majority (64%) of the respondents are in the age range 21-40 years. Females accounted for 53% (n=288). Overall perception of respondents was excellent with a mean percentage perception score of 86% [95% confidence interval: 84 to 88%]. Knowledge of the pharmacy profession had the highest positives perception score of 89% while Interpersonal relationship had the highest negative perception score of 16%. Sex, marital status and ward of admission were significantly associated with respondent’s perception, whereas age and occupation were not. Conclusion: In general, in-patients in JUTH have excellent perception about the PC role of the pharmacist. However, there is a need to develop strategies to improve on the therapeutic relationship which is critical to the attainment of PC goals.
Résumé
The effects of varying temperatures (12 - 44° C) on the specific activity of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase ((cMDH), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of some earthworms (Metaphire posthuma, Perionyx sansibaricus and Lampito mauritii) were studied. The effects of different temperatures on supernatant and mitochondrial protein contents were also investigated. The specific activities of cMDH, mMDH and LDH of the earthworms decreased gradually as a function of increasing temperature from 12 to 44°C. Higher metabolic energy was needed to maintain the activity at low temperatures. Hence, the earthworms showed increased enzyme specific activity at low temperatures. However, the protein content increased upto 28°C. Afterwards, with the increase in the temperature from 28 to 42°C, the proteins in the earthworms showed a significant decrease. The temperature-associated changes in the protein content could be explained by the fact that protein synthesizing capacity was hampered above and below the optimum temperature range. The most pronounced effects of varying temperatures were on P. sansibaricus. It might be due to the epigeic nature of the earthworm species. Then minimum effect was on the endogeic earthworm M. posthuma. Virtually, the differences in the enzymes physiology were associated with the differences in the ecological categories of the earthworms. This clearly demonstrate a possible link between the physiology and ecology at aerobic (cMDH, mMDH) and anaerobic (LDH) levels in the tropical earthworms.