RESUMO
Organ transplant programs are increasing in Saudi Arabia with the major barrier to transplantation being a shortage of organs. The majority of Saudi Nationals are reluctant and unwilling to donate or consent for donation. This study was undertaken to determine the knowledge and attitude towards organ donation among males in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was distributed to 223 men attending the out-patient department of the National Guard Hospital, Riyadh. A total of 205 (92%) individuals answered the questionnaire. Of them, 187 (91%) were Saudis and 18 (9%) were non-Saudis. A total of 187 (88%) had heard about organ donation of whom 80 (43%) each, had acquired this knowledge through television or radio, 16 (8%) through newspaper and magazines, seven (4%) through friends and relatives, and four (2%) through health-care workers. Of the 205 study subjects, 88 (43%) claimed they understood the concept of brain-death, 96 (47%) did not, and 19 (10%) did not respond to this question. One hundred and thirty-eight (67%) were willing to donate, and 156 (76%) were willing to receive an organ. One hundred and fifteen (56%) believed that Islam permits people to donate organs, five (2%) thought Islam does not permit organ donation, 64 (31%) gave a "don't know" answer and 21 (11%) did not attempt to answer the question. In addition, 41 (20%) thought organ donation disfigures the body. In conclusion although 67% of the respondents in this survey were willing to donate, there was a significant lack of knowledge and misconception with regard to Islamic support to, and the mutilating effects of, organ donation. Public educational programs and other measures addressing these issues may help in increasing the rate of organ donation among Saudis.
RESUMO
Malaria remains to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in most African countries. Chloroquine resistance is one of the major contributing factors in many parts of the continent. Besides plasmodia parasite mutation, improper management of malaria cases and the absence of standardised management guidelines for the treatment of malaria may play a role in increasing the existing drug resistance. In this retrospective study which involved 400 patients at the Mnazimmoja Hospital, Zanzibar, chloroquine was found to be the most popular anti-malarial drug prescribed to 369 (92.25%) of the patients. A full standard chloroquine regimen (25 mg-base/Kg) was provided to about 88.15% (238 out of 270) of all admitted patients treated with chloroquine alone or in combination with other drugs. Prescriptions of multiple antimalarials at a time were found in 97 (24.25%) of the cases. The duration of a prescribed chloroquine course was 3 days (WHO recommendation) in 289 (78.32%), less than 3 days in 49 (13.28%) and more than 3 days in 31 (8.40%) of the patients. The possible roles of under-dosage and incomplete courses of physician and self-prescribed chloroquine regimens in increasing chloroquine resistance are discussed.
