Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Pharmacy Staff About Rational Drug Use

Introduction: Irrational drug use is a severe problem affecting public health, increasing morbidity, mortality rates, and treatment costs. Healthcare personnel has important responsibilities in this regard. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of pharmacists, assistant pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.Materials and Methods: Pharmacists, assistant pharmacists, and technicians working in pharmacies registered in an urban area were reached. Volunteers with the support extended to literature Turkey Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Department of Rational Drug Use ‘Survey of Hospital Pharmacists were required to be filled out online.Results: 156 pharmacy personnel voluntarily participated in the study. Of the volunteers, 48.1% were pharmacists, 4.5% pharmacy assistants, and 47.4% pharmacy technicians. 59% of the participants declared that they did not receive training on rational drug use. Among pharmacy technicians, this rate is 73%. All pharmacies monitor the drug monitoring with electronic devices or instant measurements by the responsible persons; 99.4% of the participants stated that they informed the patient about the storage conditions of the drug, and 84% informed the health personnel about the drug with a special preparation condition. 18.6% of the participants reported one or more adverse events in the last two years. It has been determined that there is no complete standardization in the disposal of residual/waste drugs for drugs from patients.Conclusion: In order to organize rational drug use training for pharmacy technicians, implement a standard method for waste residual medicine management, and increase feedback on pharmacovigilance practices, it is necessary to encourage the staff

Investigation of the Relationship between Spontaneous Abortion, Serum Pesticides, and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Levels

Occupational and environmental chemical exposure have been associated with adverse reproductive consequences. This study investigates the relationship between spontaneous abortion and blood pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels. A survey was conducted, and blood samples were collected from 200 patients, consisting of 100 cases with spontaneous abortion and 100 cases with normal deliveries. A total of 150 different pesticides, including organophosphates, organochlorines, carbamates, and pyrethroids, were screened in the collected blood samples and analyzed quantitatively using Tandem mass spectrometry—specifically in combination with liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methods. Eight types of PCBs were analyzed with the gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The groups were compared based on these analyses. The mean age of the participants was 28.09 ± 4.94 years. In 59% of the spontaneous abortion group, 5.05 ± 1.97 chemicals were detected in different amounts. (p p < 0.05). Women included in the study had high pesticide and PCB exposure rates. Many of the blood samples contained multiple pesticides with endocrine-disrupting effects. Higher exposure to organochlorine compounds in the serum was identified in the group with spontaneous abortions

Determining Knowledge Level, Attitude, Behaviors Regarding Vocal Hygiene and Use of Medical Drugs and Herbal Medicinal Products for Vocal Health in Second Level Professional Voice Users

© 2022 The Voice FoundationObjectives: This study aims to determine the knowledge level, attitude, and behaviors regarding vocal hygiene and use of medical drugs and herbal medicinal products for vocal health in second level professional voice users. Methods: The study examined second level professional voice users comprised of amateur singers, religious officials, voice instructors and vocal coaches consisting of academicians working in conservatories and education faculties, music teachers, conservatory students majoring in opera or choir, students majoring in music education, and amateur actors who were reached via online platforms and were administered a 32-item questionnaire. Results: A total of 406 participants consisting of conservatory students (26.8%), religious officials (23.2%), academicians (9.1%), amateur or self-taught musicians (14.8%), conservatory graduates (8.6%), and music teachers affiliated with the Ministry of National Education were recruited for the study. It was determined that 78.8% of the participants knew the definition of vocal hygiene, and 60.6% made an effort to maintain vocal hygiene. 57.9% of the participants declared that they had at least one disease affecting their vocal health. According to our research data, 8.9% of the participants were using one or more prescription drugs or over-the-counter products daily to protect their vocal health. Lozenges, vitamins, and allergy medications constituted a large portion of these medicinal products. In total, 62.3% of participants used herbal products for vocal health in their daily life. Participants mostly consumed products containing linden, sage, ginger, chamomile, and turmeric. It was determined that more than 20 different herbal products containing plants in different mixtures and contents were used. Furthermore, 40% of the participants using herbal medicinal products consulted a health care professional. It was found that these products were mostly obtained from herbalists (79.5%), and the source of information regarding these products was quite diverse. The rate of experiencing side effects due to the use of herbal products was 2%. Conclusions: There is a lack of knowledge regarding vocal hygiene and its application on real-life behavior among second-level sound professionals. In particular, the awareness of vocal hygiene should be increased among religious officials. It was observed that the rate of use of herbal products to protect vocal health or to treat hoarseness was quite high. Further studies are needed to prove the benefits of these herbal and medicinal products on vocal health