Noman ul Haq

A cross sectional assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards Hepatitis B among healthy population of Quetta, Pakistan

BackgroundHepatitis B (HB) is a serious global public health problem. This study aims to evaluate Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) towards Hepatitis B (HB) among healthy population of Quetta city, Pakistan.MethodsA cross sectional, descriptive study was undertaken. One thousand healthy individuals (aged 18 years and above) were approached for the study. KAP towards HB was assessed by using a pre validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for elaborating patients’ demographic characteristics. Inferential statistics (Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test) were used for comparison while Spearman’s rho correlation was used to identify association between the study variables. All analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0.ResultsOut of 1000 distributed questionnaires, 780 were returned with a response rate of 78.0%. Four hundred and twenty (53.8%) respondents were male with mean age of 32.76u2009±u20099.40 year. Two hundred and eight (26.7%) had intermediate level of education and 354 (45.4%) were unemployed. Mean scores for knowledge, attitude and practice were 8.74u2009±u20092.7, 3.72u2009±u20091.2 and 2.76u2009±u20091.1 respectively. Significant and positive linear correlations between knowledge-attitude (ru2009=u20090.296, pu2009<u20090.01) knowledge-practice (ru2009=u20090.324, pu2009<u20090.01) and attitude-practice (ru2009=u20090.331, pu2009<u20090.01) were observed. Area of residence (locality) was the only variables significantly associated with mean KAP of the study respondents.ConclusionResults from the current study heighted poor KAP of healthy population towards HB. The positive linear correlations reaffirms that better knowledge can lead to positive attitude and subsequently in good practices. This will further help in prevention and management of HB. Therefore, extensive health educational campaign should be provided to general population and especially to the residents of rural areas.

Does treatment adherence correlates with health related quality of life? findings from a cross sectional study

BackgroundAlthough medication adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are two different outcome measures, it is believed that adherence to medication leads to an improvement in overall HRQoL. The study aimed to evaluate the association between medication adherence and HRQoL.MethodsA questionnaire-based cross-sectional study design was undertaken with hypertension patients attending public hospitals in Quetta city, Pakistan. HRQoL was measured by Euroqol EQ-5D. Medication adherence was assessed by the Drug Attitude Inventory. Descriptive statistics was used to tabulate demographic and disease-related information. Spearmans correlation was used to assess the association between the study variables. All analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0.ResultsAmong 385 study patients, the mean age (SD) was 39.02 (6.59), with 68.8% of males dominating the entire cohort. The mean (SD) duration of hypertension was 3.010.939years. Forty percent (n=154) had a bachelors degree level of education with 34.8% (n=134) working in the private sector. A negative and weak correlation (0.77) between medication adherence and EQ-5D was reported. In addition, a negative weak correlation (0.120) was observed among medication adherence and EQ-VAS.ConclusionsCorrelations among the study variables were negligible and negative. Hence, there is no apparent relationship between the variables.

Pharmacist intervention in improving hypertension‐related knowledge, treatment medication adherence and health‐related quality of life: a non‐clinical randomized controlled trial

The study evaluated whether a pharmaceutical care intervention can result in better understanding about hypertension, increase medication adherence to antihypertensive therapy and improve overall health‐related quality of life.

A cross sectional assessment of health related quality of life among patients with Hepatitis-B in Pakistan

ObjectiveThe study aims to assess Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among Hepatitis B (HB) patients and to identify significant predictors of the HRQoL in HB patients of Quetta, Pakistan.MethodsA cross sectional study by adopting European Quality of Life scale (EQ-5D) for the assessment of HRQoL was conducted. All registered HB patients attending two public hospitals in Quetta, Pakistan were approached for study. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic and disease related characteristics of the patients. HRQoL was scored using values adapted from the United Kingdom general population survey. EQ-5D scale scores were compared with Mann–Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test. Standard multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of HRQoL. All analyses were performed using SPSS v 16.0.ResultsThree hundred and ninety HB patients were enrolled in the study. Majority of the participants (nu2009=u2009126, 32.3%) were categorized in the age group of 18-27u2009years (36.07u2009±u20099.23). HRQoL was measured as poor in the current study patients (0.3498u2009±u20090.31785). The multivariate analysis revealed a significant model (F10, 380u2009=u200940.04, Pu2009<u20090.001, adjusted r2u2009=u20090.401). Educational level (βu2009=u20090.399, pu2009=u20090.025) emerged as a positive predictor of HRQoL. Age, gender, occupation, income and locality were not predictive of better quality of life in HB patients.ConclusionsHepatitis B has an adverse affect on patients’ well-being and over all HRQoL. The study findings implicate the need of health promotion among HB patients. Improving the educational status and imparting disease related information for the local population can results in better control and management of HB.

A cross-sectional assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice among Hepatitis-B patients in Quetta, Pakistan.

BackgroundHepatitis-B is a life threatening infection resulting in 0.6 million deaths annually. The prevalence of Hepatitis-B is rising in Pakistan and furthermore, there is paucity of information about Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Hepatitis-B patients. Better disease related knowledge is important to have positive attitude and that will bring the good practices which will prevent the further spread of infection. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of Hepatitis-B Patients in Quetta city, Pakistan.MethodsA cross-sectional, descriptive study was undertaken with 390 Hepatitis-B patients attending two public hospitals in Quetta city, Pakistan. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding Hepatitis-B were assessed using a pre-validated questionnaire containing 20, 7 and 8 questions for knowledge, attitude and practice, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used for elaborating patients’ demographic characteristics and mean scores for knowledge, attitude and practice of Hepatitis-B patients. Inferential statistics (Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis tests, pu2009<u20090.05) were used to establish association between study variables. Spearman’s rho correlation was used to identify the association between the knowledge, attitude and practice scores.ResultsOut of 390 patients, 223 (57.2%) were males, with the majority (136, 34.9%) in the age group of 38–47 years. Mean age of the study cohort was 32.6u2009±u20099.5 years. One hundred and four (26.7%) had primary level education, with 110 (28.2%) working in the private sector. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude and practice were 8.48u2009±u20092.7, 3.87u2009±u20091.2 and 2.37u2009±u20091.0, respectively. Education, locality and occupation were significantly associated with knowledge, attitude and practice scores. Significant positive linear correlations between knowledge-attitude (ru2009=u20090.466, pu2009<u20090.01) knowledge-practice (ru2009=u20090.221, pu2009<u20090.01) and attitude-practice (ru2009=u20090.224, pu2009<u20090.01) were also observed from the study results.ConclusionThe findings of this study indicate that Hepatitis-B patients lack a basic understanding of infection control and management. This can result in the further spread of Hepatitis-B infection. Extensive health education campaigns should be provided to the patients in the hospital as well as in community settings for rational control and management of the disease.

Cross Sectional Assessment of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among Patients with Cancer in Malaysia

BACKGROUNDnHealth Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important aspect in identifying cancer patients perceptions of being diagnosed with cancer and the assessment of treatment outcomes. The present study aimedto assess the profile and predicators of HRQoL of Malaysian oncology patients.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA cross sectional study adopting the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was conducted. All cancer patients attending Penang General Hospital between August-November 2011 were approached. Descriptive statistics were used to assess demographic and disease related characteristics of the patients. All analyses were performed using SPSS v 16.0.nnnRESULTSnThree hundred and ninety three cancer patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 53.9 (SD±13) years. The cohort was dominated by females (n=260, 66.2%). Nearly half (n=190, 48.3%) of the participants were of Malay ethnicity, practicing Islam as their religion (n=194, 49.4%). Two hundred and ninety six (n=296, 75.3%) had beene diagnosed with cancer within six months to 3 years previously. The most common primary cancer site was breast (n=143, 36.4%). The mean Global Health Status (GHS) score was 60.7 (SD=21.3). Females (mean GHS score of 62.3, p=0.035) with Malay ethnicity (mean GHS score of 63.8, p=0.047), practicing Islam as their religion (mean GHS score of 63.0, p=0.011) had better GHS scores. Patients having medical insurance had good scores (mean 65.6, p=0.021). Marital status was significantly associated with GHS scores (p=0.022). Bone cancer patientshad the lowest mean GHS score of 49.2 (p=0.044). Patients at very advanced stages of cancer featured a low GHS mean score of 52.2 (p<0.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe present study identified many demographic and disease related factors which may contribute to the HRQoL of cancer patients, pointing to the necessity for improved management of disease symptoms and provision of psychological and financial support.

‘Why I do not want to take insulin shots’: Findings from a qualitative study among diabetic patients in Malaysia

AimTo gain insight into type-2 diabetic patients’ perceptions and beliefs about the use of insulin, to explore barriers to initiation of insulin and to evaluate the impact of a short educational intervention regarding patients’ resistance to using insulin injections.Subjects and methodsThis is an exploratory qualitative study. One-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of type-2 diabetic patients. Then, a short educational intervention was conducted with the participants. After the intervention, the participants were interviewed to evaluate their acceptance of insulin initiation. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was conducted and the analysis was reviewed independently by two researchers.ResultsA total of 13 diabetic patients were included in the study. Before the intervention, 11 subjects refused initiation of insulin. Resistance to initiation of insulin was influenced by misconceptions about insulin therapy, psychological barriers and fear, lack of self-efficacy and fear of adverse effects. All subjects perceived that insulin should only be initiated in very severe diabetes. Some participants demonstrated lack of belief in insulin efficacy. Psychological barriers and fears such as fear of self-injection and personal phobia about blood, needle and pain as well as perceived side effects also hindered insulin acceptance.ConclusionThe study findings revealed that misconceptions about insulin use and psychological barriers played a major role in patients’ resistance to initiation of insulin therapy. The study demonstrated, however, that a short educational intervention could dispel patients’ fears and erroneous beliefs and help them to start insulin therapy.

Profile and predictors of health related quality of life among type II diabetes mellitus patients in Quetta city, Pakistan

BackgroundThis study aims to assess the profile and predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients in Quetta, Pakistan.MethodsThe study was designed as a questionnaire based, cross sectional analysis. 300 Type II diabetic patients attending public and private hospitals were targeted for data collection. In addition to demographic and disease related information, Euroqol Quality of Life was used to measure HRQoL. Moreover, Drug Attitude Inventory and Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Test were used to assess medication adherence and diabetes related knowledge respectively. Treatment satisfaction was assessed by patient’s experience towards health care professionals and available facilities. Descriptive statistics were used to elaborate patients’ demographic and disease related characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to predict factors independently associated with HRQoL. SPSS v. 20 was used for data analysis and pxa0<xa00.05 was taken as significant.ResultsPatients in the current study reported poor HRQoL with a mean score of 0.48xa0±xa00.36. Age, duration of disease, number of prescribed drugs, medication adherence and treatment satisfaction were significantly associated (pxa0<xa00.05) with HRQoL in the cross tabulation analysis. The significant variables were entered into the model that showed significant goodness of fit with highly significant Omnibus Test of Model Coefficient (Chi-squarexa0=xa012.983, pxa0=xa00.030, dfxa0=xa04). Medication adherence was reported as a significant predictor of HRQoL with an increase of one adherence score was associated with improvement of HRQoL by a factor of 1.75 provided other variables remain constant.ConclusionThe study presents a model that is associated with HRQoL with patient with T2DM, where medication adherence shaped as a predictor of HRQoL. Healthcare professionals should pay special attention on patients’ medication taking behavior and should put their efforts in explaining the benefits of the medication adherence to the patients.

Sci-Hub & ethical issues

To the Editor: Our hypothetical case revolves around Mr. A, a postgraduate scholar from a developing nation. He is about to finalize his dissertation but has a series of serious activities to follow d conducting an incessant literature review, congregation of critical facts and compilation of updated information to significantly secure his arguments and suggestions during his defence. However, his sources are scrubby; the available data bank is outdated; there is no institutional access to scientific literature nor there is any funding to cover the cost of the subscriptions. Additionally, Mr. A has an additional concern; time is running out and he is left with few months to finalize his research and to submit his dissertation. Therefore, Mr. A is faced with a dilemma; shall he start using SciHub; a pirate repository of scientific papers? Is it ethical for him to utilize the venue and access the information required to finalize his research? A question that is very difficult to answer. In recent years, there has been an increase in open access journals (OAJs). In fact there were approximately 4800 OAJs that published 190,000 articles in year 2009 alone. Even though, the number was increased to over 10,000 OAJs in 2015, Fuchs and Sandoval reported that 88% of all available journals were still closed in nature and only 12% were classified as OAJs. In the current context, it is almost impossible to subscribe to close access journals; as even institutes like

Use of Medicinal Flora Enlisted IN Quran And Ahadith by Malaysian Oncology Patients

Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Bertam Campus, Kepala Batas, 13200, Penang, Malaysia; Discipline of Social & Administrative Pharmacy, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia; Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, 13200, Penang, Malaysia; Department of Medicine, Allianze University College of Medical Sciences, 13200, Penang, Malaysia; Faculty of Pharmacy,Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300, Bandar Puncak Alam; E-mail: maryam089@ppinang.uitm.edu.my