RESUMO
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own healthy tissue. It can affect many organs such as skin, joints, brain, kidneys and other organs
Objectives: to evaluate the knowledge toward Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [SLE] among citizens in Al-Dammam city
Methods: a questionnaire-based quantitative cross-sectional study which focuses on determining the knowledge of Systemic lupus erythematosus in Al-Dammam city
Results: 240 participants filled the surveys, 130 participants [54%] have no idea about SLE. The majority of respondents had no clear idea regarding treatment and complications of the disease. 32% respondents had idea that SLE is more prevalent among females. In fact, this disorder is reported more prevalent in women
Conclusion: this study indicated that the public have low awareness with some misconception regarding the SLE. The awareness campaigns are needed to increase the awareness about SLE which will be helpful to educate the public about its symptoms and methods of treatments
RESUMO
To examine the variability in accepting different types of gifts by clinical specialty as well as job rank among physicians working in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was carried out between March and July of 2012 in different regions of Saudi Arabia. A self-administrated questionnaire was developed and administered to all participants, both in paper and electronic formats. A total of 281 participants answered the question "do you accept pharmaceutical gifts and/or promotions?" Most of the participants [80.1%] admitted acceptance of pharmaceutical gifts of any type. The most common gifts accepted were free drug samples [58.2%], stationary items such as pens and notepads [52.9%], free meals [37.8%], financial support to attend educational activities [33.3%], prepaid promotion cards/codes [7.1%], and funding research [5.8%]. While there were no significant differences in the overall gift acceptance by job rank or specialty, there were significant differences in type-specific gift acceptance by job rank and specialty. There were some differences in the reasons behind gift acceptance by specialty and job rank. The results of this study indicate that gift acceptance among physicians working in Saudi Arabia is common; however, there was no significant differences in the overall gift acceptance by job rank or specialty. Nevertheless, there were significant differences in type-specific gift acceptance by job rank and specialty