Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward responsible self-medication among students of pharmacy colleges located in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

INTRODUCTION: Responsible self-medication plays a vital role in appropriate use of nonprescription drugs which will improve safety and reduces unwanted effects of drugs. AIM: This study is designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward responsible self-medication among pharmacy students. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in pharmacy students of various colleges located in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 403 pharmacy students were enrolled and subjected for interview using prevalidated KAP questionnaire on responsible self-medication. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were used to represent the sociodemographic characteristics and KAP levels. Association of socio-demographic variables with KAP levels are determined using the Chi-square test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 403 pharmacy students are recruited in the study, in these 19 (4.7%) diploma in pharmacy, 260 (64.5%) bachelor in pharmacy, 27 (6.7%) master in pharmacy, and 97 (24.1%) are doctor of pharmacy. Among 403 respondents, 150 (37.2%) good knowledge, 397 (98.5%) positive attitude, and 170 (42.2%) practice toward responsible self-medication. Respondent's age, pharmacy division, residence, and their parents' profession were significantly associated with good knowledge and rational practice toward responsible self-medication with a P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that pharmacy students are shown more positive attitude toward responsible self-medication. However, students are lack of knowledge and practice of responsible self-medication.

Evaluation of Antiulcer Activity of Peltophorum Pterocarpum.

INTRODUCTION: Peltophorum pterocarpum is a rich source for phenols and the wood, leaves, and flowers of the plant are used as medicinal agents in traditional medicine. Peptic ulcer is a major disease of gastrointestinal tract, affecting nearly 40 lac people each year worldwide and affects 10% of world population with different aetiologies. Peltophorum pterocarpum consists of phenols and flavonoids, tannins which have potential antioxidant and cytoprotective activity. AIM: To evaluate the antiulcer activity of methanolic extract of the leaves of Peltophorum pterocarpum (MEPP) on albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups as control, standard, test 1 (extract: 100 mg/kg) and test 2 (extract: 200 mg/kg) with six rats in each group. Gastric lesions were induced by oral administration of indomethacin (20 mg/kg) followed by pylorus ligation. Standard group of animals were treated with misoprostol and test group of animals were treated with MEPP at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. To determine the antiulcer activity of extract, mean ulcer index, free acidity and total acidity were evaluated. RESULTS: Ulcer index was significantly decreased at p<0.01 in MEPP treated groups as compared to control group. Total and free acidity was significantly decreased at p<0.01 in MEPP treated groups as compared to control group. Histological analysis also supported the gastro protective effect of MEPP treated groups when compared with control groups. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that MEPP exhibited potential antiulcer activity and showed dose dependent antiulcer effect.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward cervical cancer among women attending Obstetrics and Gynecology Department: A cross-sectional, hospital-based survey in South India.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer-related deaths among women in India are often due to late diagnosis of disease. Knowledge about disease and early screening is the most effective measure for cervical cancer prevention. Lack of awareness, negative attitude, and poor practice about cervical cancer and screening are the major causes to increase the incidence of disease. AIM: The study is designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward cervical cancer, screening, and prevention. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional, hospital-based survey was conducted in women attending Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a secondary care referral hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 403 subjects were enrolled and subjected for interview using prevalidated KAP questionnaire on cervical cancer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were used to represent the sociodemographic characteristics and KAP levels. Association of sociodemographic variables with KAP levels is determined using Chi-square test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Most of (301; 74.6%) the respondents had heard about cervical cancer and majority of them are heard from media (168; 41.6%) and friends (83; 20.5%). Most women knew symptoms (259; 64.2%), risk factors (253; 62.7%), screening methods (310; 76.9%), and preventive measures (249; 61.7%) for cervical cancer. More than half of the women (252; 62.5%) having positive attitude toward screening. More than three-fourth of women (349; 86.6%) are not having practice toward cervical cancer screening. Sociodemographic characteristics are strongly associated with KAP levels. CONCLUSION: Although women are having good knowledge, positive attitude toward cervical cancer screening and prevention still there is a gap to transform it into practice. There is a need for more educational programs to connect identified knowledge slits and uplift of regular practice of cervical cancer screening.