Assessing medication adherence and their associated factors amongst type-2 diabetes mellitus patients of Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia: A single-center, cross-sectional study.

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) globally is reaching epidemic proportions. By 2035, it is projected to increase to 417 million, which is of significant concern as T2DM represents the most oversized budget item in many healthcare systems, primarily due to the high rates of morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. The worldwide cost burden of T2DM has been inexorably growing. A key contributor to the remarkably high morbidity and mortality rates is poor glycemic control potentially associated with medication non-adherence. Aim: The present research's main objective included assessing medication adherence among patients with T2DM in a single center in Jazan Province. Methods: Three hundred nine patients with T2DM participated in a cross-sectional survey over three months (September to November 2022). The study participants comprised 50.8 % (females) and 49.2 % (males), with a mean age of 44.12 years (SD ± 12.70). A 31-item self-report questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Sixty-six percent of the sample were found to be adherent to their T2DM therapy. A positive association was noticed between the GMAS score and the participant's age (r = 0.24; p < 0.01). The participants' medication adherence was significantly associated with having age above 50 years (χ2 = 13.62; p = 0.001), residing in urban localities (χ2 = 21.37; p < 0.001), being married (χ2 = 12.80; p = 0.002), having glycated hemoglobin level more than 8 % (χ2 = 6.99; p = 0.03) and taking between one to three medications per day (χ2 = 17.63; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The majority of T2DM patients in the present study were found adherent to their anti-diabetic medications, particularly older patients. Future studies should focus on exploring the reasons for the reported high adherence among older patients and non-adherence among younger patients, as this could facilitate the development of a strategy to enhance adherence.

Impact of COVID-19 related movement restrictions on the follow-up care visits of adults with chronic conditions: A Saudi arabian survey study.

Aims: Lockdown measures implemented during the initial phase of the pandemic resulted in the delay and disruption of healthcare utilization for individuals with chronic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 movement restrictions on the follow-up care visits of individuals with chronic illnesses. We also assessed the possible reasons patients missed their follow-ups and the potential barriers impeding follow-up during the pandemic. Methods: A total of 397 adults with pre-existing medical conditions participated in an online cross-sectional survey from October to December 2022. The study sample comprised 57 % females and 43 % males, with a mean age of 43 years. A 36-item online self-report survey was used for data collection.Results: Fifty-five percent of participants reported missing their follow-up during COVID-19 pandemic, and 14 % made emergency department visits due to their missed follow-up appointments. In addition, 24 % experienced complications due to their missed appointments. The mean score on the fear of COVID-19 scale was 17.8 ± 6.5 (SD). For the majority of participants (60 %), pandemic-related restrictions were the predominant barrier to their follow-up visits. Additionally, we found that as individuals' COVID-19 fear scores increased, the likelihood of missing a follow-up care visit also increased (AOR: 1.067; p-value = 0.001). However, participants who did not perceive COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions as a barrier were less likely to miss their follow-up visits (AOR: 0.581; p-value = 0.031). Furthermore, those who understood the significance of follow-up care were less likely to miss any of their follow-up visits (AOR: 0.224; p-value < 0.001) than those who had limited understanding of its importance. Conclusion: The results showed that pandemic-related movement restrictions negatively affected attendance at follow-up visits for people with pre-existing health conditions. Initiatives should therefore be undertaken during global public health emergencies to provide medical and psychological support to vulnerable and high-risk groups.

Suspected inappropriate use of prescription and non-prescription drugs among requesting customers: A Saudi community pharmacists' perspective.

Background: Inappropriate use of medications is a global health concern, and this is attributed to the increased accessibility to prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs at community pharmacies. We investigated the inappropriate use of prescription and non-prescription drugs in community pharmacies based on the perspectives of the community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey which employed convenient sampling (snowball technique) to recruit participants. Being a licensed practicing pharmacist in a retail chain or an independent community pharmacy was the inclusion criteria. Participants were asked to report the drugs they suspected of being inappropriately used along with the frequency, age and gender of the suspected customers. Pharmacists were also asked to mention the action taken to limit inappropriate use at their pharmacy. Results: A total of 397 community pharmacists completed the questionnaire (86.9 % response rate). 86.4% of the pharmacists suspected some level of abuse or misuse to have occurred. After receiving the questionnaire, the pharmacists reported suspected inappropriate use as encountered during the past three months. Cumulative inappropriate use was reported 1069 times (prescription drugs - 530; non-prescription drugs - 539). The top three inappropriately used prescription-drug categories were gabapentinoids (22.5%), antipsychotics (17.5%) and topical corticosteroids (12.1%). Among non-prescription drugs, cough products (33.2%) ranked first, followed by cold and flu products (29.5%) and first-generation antihistamines (10.8%). The cross tabulations revealed that being in the age range of 26-50 years and being a male was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with abuse/misuse of antipsychotics, antidepressants, gabapentinoids, cough products and first-generation antihistamines. Eye products (Bimatoprost) and skin products abuse/misuse had significant association with female gender (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of our study provide crucial information to the healthcare authorities regarding the medications that can be inappropriately used at the community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia which necessitates implementation of stringent dispensing regulations. Educational programs can be implemented to increase the awareness among public regarding the harmful effects of inappropriate use of drugs.

Healthcare professionals' awareness, attitudes and practices towards pharmacovigilance and spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia: A survey study.

Background: Globally, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the foremost cause of morbidity as well as mortality. This necessitates a system of surveillance that can effectively and efficiently monitor the effect of drugs on the general population. The role of pharmacovigilance (PV) is paramount in ensuring drug safety through spontaneous ADR reporting. Methods: Data collection in the current research was carried out by an anonymous, online 36-item self-report questionnaire amongst a sample of 351 working healthcare professionals (HCPs) across different regions of Jazan Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The current sample comprised 54.4% males and 45.6% females, having an age range of 26-57 years, and was conducted between August 21 and October 21, 2022. Participants were recruited using the convenience snowball sampling technique. Results: The participants' awareness of PV as well as spontaneous ADR reporting, had a significant association with having <40 years of age (χ2 = 27.40; p < 0.001), being pharmacists (χ2 = 212.20; p < 0.001), with more than five years of experience (χ2 = 40.80; p < 0.001), having Masters (or) Doctorate/Fellowship (χ2 = 171.94; p < 0.001), and having their practice located in an urban area (χ2 = 50.30; p < 0.001). It was also observed that most participants with excellent awareness of PV and spontaneous ADR reporting also demonstrated excellent attitudes (χ2 = 147.70; p < 0.001). Similarly, it was also seen that almost all (97%) of the study sample with excellent attitudes towards PV and spontaneous ADR reporting also demonstrated excellent practices (χ2 = 250.73; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a need for designing and conducting educational programs, providing training and conducting workshops for all the HCPs to improve their awareness towards PV and spontaneous ADR reporting while also highlighting the need and importance of having positive attitudes towards spontaneous ADR reporting. Cooperation between different HCPs should be encouraged to improve their practices towards spontaneous ADR reporting.