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Topical Use of Herbal and Home Remedies for Skin Care Among Saudi Women: Are They Aware of their Hazards?
Journal ID : AMJ-23-10-2023-11665; Author : Amirah M M Alatawi, Mohamed Ihab Eldin Mostafa, Abeer Mohammed M Alanazi, Yousef Hussain J Alharthi, Raghad Saud A Albalawi, Jomanah Khalid M Aljohani, Lena Defallah G Alzahrani, Khaled Abdullah S Alasmari, Atheer Hamad s Alatawi, Muath Sulaiman G Alhamdi, Raghad Hamdan A Albalawi,
Abstract : Saudi populations use herbal remedies in considerable proportions. Herbal and home remedies are perceived to be safe compared with conventional medicines because they are natural and pure. To address the knowledge gap regarding the usage patterns of herbal remedies and the hazards connected with them, more study is required. We aimed to assess the awareness of Saudi women about the hazards of topical use of herbal and home remedies for skin care, to explore the most used herbal and home remedies and their pattern of use, and to identify reasons beyond preferring the use of herbal and home remedies rather than medicated products. The study's participants included all adult female population from around Saudi Arabia. A self-administered online survey was used to collect the data. A well-structured questionnaire that contains the items that meet the research objectives was used to collect the data. Google Forms was used to produce the electronic survey, which was then distributed through social media to the population. This study comprised 424 Saudi women. All Saudi areas including eastern, western, northern, southern, and middle were incorporated. A total of 306 (72.2%) participants have used topical herbal and home remedies for skin care. More than half (54.3%) used these products for more than 6 months. The most used types were almond (75.23 %), coconut oil (67.68 %), aloe and bitter (67.45 %), butter (68.39%), yogurt (66.98%), and honey (58.01%). The participants used herbal and home remedies because they are safer than cosmeceutical agents (40.6%) or they were encouraged by users’ reviews (32.6%). Approximately one-fourth (22.9%) incorrectly thought that herbal and home remedies are safe without any ill effects on health, and 34.7% did not know. Knowledge of Saudi women about the hazards of topical use of herbal and home remedies is generally poor. Efficient herbal medicine health education programmes must be developed in order to inform Saudi women about the advantages along with risks of using herbal remedies, to impart correct information, and to promote healthy behaviors. Appropriate herbal medicine policies, legislation, and control are also warranted.
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PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY OF USING NSAID IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS
Journal ID : AMJ-22-10-2023-11664; Author : Ermekova Dinara, Ismailov Isabek2, Sabirova Tamara, Muratalieva Anara, Kelgenbaeva Zhazgul,
Abstract : This work presents the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) consumption in healthcare settings of the Kyrgyz Republic. The purpose of the study was to assess the NSAIDs use rationality in actual clinical practices. The analysis carried out in a comparative retrospective pharmacoepidemiology design, and 270 medical records of inpatients admitted for treatment during 2018-2020, were analyzed. According to results, the most frequently prescribed drugs are Acetylsalicylic acid (59.2%), Ketorolac (57.1%) and Diclofenac (52.7%). Majority of them, except Ketorolac, found in the current “Essential Medicines’ List” of the Kyrgyz Republic. 61% of NSAIDs used in the treatment of patients with inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue were prescribed under brand names, which significantly increases the treatment cost. 50% of patients simultaneously received 3 or more NSAIDs in various combinations, which is polypharmacy. An analysis of the NSAID quality prescriptions showed that their use was generally consistent with existing international clinical recommendations. The average duration of treatment with NSAIDs is mostly did not exceed 4 days. An analysis of the drugs using rationality in patients with comorbid pathology showed that the prescription of NSAIDs was carried out without taking into account the risk of complications in patients with diseases of the cardiovascular, urinary and gastrointestinal systems.
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Use of Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation to Identify Spatio-temporal Clustering of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
Journal ID : AMJ-21-10-2023-11663; Author : Thi-Quynh Nguyen, Thi-Bich-Thuy Luong,
Abstract : Dengue is one of the most common tropical diseases affecting humans. The incidence of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DF/DHF) has increased significantly over the last decades. The aim of this study is to detect the spatio-temporal clustering of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the period of from June to July 2023, in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, based on Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation (LISA). Descriptive statistics were first used to study the data distribution. The global Moran’s I statistic, Moran’s I scatterplot and LISA were then employed to investigate the spatio-temporal clustering of dengue hemorrhagic fever in these four months. More specifically, spatial clusters (high-high and low-low) and spatial outliers (low-high and high-low) of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Ho Chi Minh city were detected based on the local Moran’s I statistic. It was found that DHF infection rates tends to increase steadily during the period of from June to July in 2023 in Ho Chi Minh city. Although spatial clustering of DHF infection rates, has changed quickly, high-high spatial clustering of DFH infection rates were mainly detected in urban districts and in the city center. Findings in this study revealed that an evidence of statistically significant spatial clusters of DHF was found in Ho Chi Minh City. The results of this study also demonstrate the confirmation of LISA in the study of spatial clustering of infectious diseases in general and DHF in particular. Findings in this study provide an insight into the understanding of the spread of DHF.
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Exploration of Drug Resident Experience in Conducting Virtual Reality Spiritual Freedom Technique (VR-SEFT) Therapy at Makassar Class 1 State Prison
Journal ID : AMJ-20-10-2023-11661; Author : Saharullah, Ariyanti Saleh, Saidah Syamsudin, Kadek Ayu Erika, Nursalam, Agussalim Bukhari, Rosyidah Arafat, Sonny T. Lisal, Firmansyah,
Abstract : Drug resident who experiences anxiety problems and mental unrest as a result of signs and symptoms arising from drug abuse. This condition is the background of drug residents seeking calm and social and spiritual support. And one form of therapy that includes this to help residents is to do Virtual Reality Spiritual Freedom Technique (VR-SEFT) therapy. Explore the experience of drug residents before rehabilitation and after receiving Virtual Reality Spiritual Freedom Technique (VR-SEFT) therapy. Qualitative research with a descriptive interpretive approach with 2 steps, namely Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on officers of Makassar State Detention Center Class 1 with a total of 6 people and semi-structured in-depth interviews on drug residents totaling 8 people. This research was conducted in Makassar City, precisely at the Makassar Class 1 State Detention Center in July-August 2023 This research uses instruments in the form of recording devices and field notes. There are 6 themes obtained in this study, namely: 1) Factors that influence drug use in patients in Narcotics Correctional Institutions; 2) The impact of drug use on patients in Narcotics Penitentiary; 3) Lack of awareness and information related to drug abuse; 4) The form of implementation of Makassar Class 1 Detention Center Health Officers and the National Police and its benefits for the prevention or handling of anxiety due to the effects of drug use; 5) Impact of Virtual Reality (VR)-based SEFT therapy on drug user patients; and 6) Effectiveness and continued intervention in the development of Virtual Reality (VR)-based SEFT therapy applications in patients with drug cases. VR has great potential as a therapeutic tool by offering participants a safe rehabilitation space so as to build self-efficacy through role-playing in a realistic environment that allows the transfer of skills learned in VR into real life and represents a promising intervention strategy to address the course of prevention and treatment of drug patients.
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The differences of growth and development in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease beforeand after transcatheter closure
Journal ID : AMJ-19-10-2023-11660; Author : wulan meilani, Tina C L Tobing, Yunnie Trisnawati,
Abstract : The survival of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) has increased drastically in the last few decades. However, in children with the acyanotic type of CHD, it is often accompanied by symptoms of failure to thrive. This condition is also associated with impaired psychomotor and cognitive development, with negative effects on psychosocial and academic performance and quality of life. This study aims to assess the differences in growth and development of acyanotic CHD children before and after transcatheter closure. This cohort prospective analytic study were conducted on children who had undergone defect closure procedures at H. Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan. Growth and development measurement results were assessed before and after transcatheter closure. The growth assessment using the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) growth charts. The development assessment using Denver II. Differences in growth and development before and after transcatheter closure were tested using the Wilcoxon and McNemar method. There were 30 samples have analyzed, the majority aged 1-3 years (46,7%) followed by ages 1 years (30%). Patent ductus arteriosus is the most common acyanotic disease with closure defect (56,7%). There was significant differences in weight, height and nutritional status in children with congenital heart disease between before and after transcatheter procedure (p < 0.05), but there was no difference in developmental status between before and after defect closure (p = 1,000). There is a significant difference between weight, height and nutritional status in children suffering from congenital heart disease before and after transcatheter procedure. But there is no difference in the development of children with congenital heart disease between before and after the transcatheter procedure.
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