Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels Among Diabetic Men: Exploring Patients Attending Outpatient Clinic in Yemen

Introduction: It has been reported that patients with diabetes have a decreased risk for developing prostate cancer. The study aimed to measure Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels among diabetic men who had not previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in public hospitals among diabetic men in Aden, Yemen. A predesigned structured questionnaire, including the personal data as well as physical and clinical characteristics of the study population, such as height, weight, smoking status, the duration of diabetes, and the type of treatment, was included. Blood samples were collected from the respondents, and the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and PSA were measured. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 145 diabetic male patients were included in this study. The mean PSA level of the respondents was 2.56 ng/ml. There were significant differences in PSA levels according to patient age (p=0.000). The elderly patients exhibited significantly higher PSA levels than the younger groups. The PSA levels of smokers (2.60±0.48 ng/ml) were significantly higher (p=0.035) than those of nonsmokers (2.45±0.65 ng/ml). However, no significant difference was found in PSA levels according to body mass index (BMI) category, the type of treatment, or the duration of diabetes. Additionally, our results showed that PSA levels were not significantly correlated with FBG levels. Conclusion: PSA levels were associated with age and smoking status, but not with BMI, the type of diabetic treatment, the duration of diabetes, or with FBG levels

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self Medication: A Cross-sectional Study among Yemeni Health Profession Students

Self-medications practice is increasing widely. It is expected to be higher in health students due to their awareness and knowledge of diseases and medicines. The Aim of the study to assess the self-medications among the first year students of health science facilities in Aden University, Yemen. Cross sectional study was conducted using Questionnaire from previous study served as the data collection instrument among first year students who were available during study period. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the frequency of variable A total of 231 out of 250 questionnaires were completed and returned, which gives the response rate of 92.4%. 119 (51.5 %) of respondents were male and 112(48.5%) of them were female. Approximately 69 (29.9 %) of respondents had no Knowledge on definition of Self-medication at all, only 25 (10.8 %) had very much knowledge about it , majority of respondents 82 (68.9 %)  stated that they did so because the illness were minor  were among the most reasons for self-medication, followed by prior experiences with  the previous episode and treatment 72 (60.5 %),  emergency use 54(45.4 %), quick relief 46 (38.7%) , cost effectiveness 42 (35.3 %)  and 39 (32.8 %) of respondents reported that lack of time to go for consultation . The most common sources of information used by the respondent were text books and pharmacists. The attitude was positive towards self-medication and favored self-medication saying that it was acceptable. Self-medication habits were common among first year students of faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Aden University in Yemen. An urgent and rapid intervention should be made to promote health awareness of the self-medication among students because the percentages of using antibiotics and other classes of medicines are alarming. Students must be educated about the potential hazard of using medicines without physician advices and their serious adverse reactions. The Ministry of Health and Population must enact laws regulating the dispensing of medicines from pharmacie

Current Pharmaceutical Situation (Services) in Yemen and Future Challenges

This article deals with Yemen’s current pharmaceutical scenario and possible future challenges that it may face. The manuscript provides an overview of health services particularly pharmaceutical services and the critical health challenges facing the people of the country. Details included are statistical data with regard to the health of the Yemeni population and their demographic backgrounds following administrative issues, policy for the medicinal trade and production, the regulation and financing. The manuscript also deals with the government’s action about medicines, their procurement, and distribution in the public sector, and the public perception of medicines. Rational use of medicines is determined by the knowledge and attitude of the consumers. Future challenges are also anticipated. World health systems have been facing an incredible transformation to address new challenges with regard to the demographics, disease trends, the emergence and the re-emergence of diseases along with higher costs of health care delivery. This has led to a comprehensive review of health systems and how they function to serve the masses. Some health systems do not seem to adequately provide services that really matter to the people and some deteriorate, following governments’ lack of efficiency in supporting and extending the services. Other issues can also affect the ability of the health systems to deliver including health administration, healthcare financing, the lack of balance of the human resources, inaccessible and poor quality services and the impact of modifications and reform prevalent in other economic areas

Study of Saponins in Methanol Extract of the Leaves of Acacia etbaica subspecies etbaica

ABSTRACT The present research was aimed to phytochemical study of saponins present in the leaves extracts of Acacia etbaica Schweinf. subspecies etbaica, family: (Leguminosae) Fabaceae. Methanol extract of the leaves, its water residue, ethyl acetate and n butanol soluble fractions were tested for phytochemical investigation, the result showed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes and sterols in ethyl acetate; n-butanol fractions and water residue. Tannins were found in ethyl acetate fraction only. The presence of saponins in the studied fractions was confirmed by performing TLC. TLC in n-butanol-acetic acid-water (4:1:5), ethyl acetate fraction reveals 4 spots; n-butanol fraction reveals 5; water residue reveals 3 spots. TLC in ethyl acetate-acetic acid-water (7:2:2), ethyl acetate fraction reveals 3 spots; n-butanol fraction reveals 6 spots; water residue reveals 5 spots. Saponin content of the sample was determined by double solvent extraction gravimetric method. The total saponin content of plant drug was 13.0 ±0.03%. In future this plant can be subjected to isolation of the major constituents and to further pharmacological evaluation

Teaching pharmacovigilance to undergraduate students: Our experience in poor-resource setting

Using medicines associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) might cause serious health complications. The pharmacist plays a unique role in monitoring ADRs, either by themselves or with the assistance of other health-care professionals, to diminish the hazards of ADRs by distinguishing, reporting, and evaluating any proposed ADRs. To train future pharmacists who have adequate knowledge of ADRs and related aspects, it is highly recommended to introduce the WHO-ISoP pharmacovigilance (PV) in the core curriculum. In this article, we shared the suggested curriculum in Aden University. It is based on comprehensive outlines and reference books that offer a broad view of all aspects related to PV. A brief student course evaluation was carried out. Fifty students participated in the survey. Students expressed the importance of the course and indicated that they wanted to know more about the types of ADRs and common medication errors. Some of them lacked an understanding of the causal relationship between ADRs and risk assessment and not familiar with the reporting forms. They suggested for PV awareness programs for health-care staff and public. The curriculum should be tailored according to the country's needs because each country has its own medication safety issues and PV program. To reach the ultimate objective, this article reports the initiative to develop PV proficiencies in a university setting

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward antibiotic use among the general public in a resource-poor setting: A case of Aden-Yemen

Introduction: Antibiotic overuse and misuse can cause serious health issues. These problems have contributed to a rise in bacterial resistance. Hence, our study aims to highlight the existing knowledge and attitudes toward antibiotic usage among the general public in Aden-Yemen. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study of knowledge, attitude, and practice of the general public was conducted in different areas of Aden city–Yemen. The study conveniently selected a sample of 400 general public working in different areas in Aden. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 400 participants were involved in the study. Nearly 88.8% administered antibiotics in all cases of fever, 58.3% thought that antibiotics could cure infections caused by the virus, and 65.5% disagree that antibiotics should be stopped as soon as the complaint disappears. More than 77.5% thought that antibiotics in cases of the common cold are not necessary. However, 46.5% incorrectly thought that "early use of antibiotics in patients with cough, running nose, and sore throat would be cured quickly". Concerning knowledge of antibiotic resistance, 81.5% correctly answered that "overuse of antibiotics increases the risk of resistance. Most respondents reported that physicians were their primary source of information regarding antibiotic use. The most noted among respondents was that 62.7% had antibiotics for treatment without prescription in the last six months. Conclusions: Respondents have adequate knowledge and moderate attitude toward antibiotic use. However, self-medication was common practice among the general public of Aden. Therefore, they had a misunderstanding, misconception, and irrational use of antibiotics

Problems and challenges faced in consumer reporting of adverse drug reactions in developing countries – A case study of Yemen, Nepal and Malaysia

Background: Pharmacovigilance is the “science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug related problems”. The most commonly used adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting system worldwide is spontaneous and voluntary reporting, which forms the backbone of reporting systems. Aims: To explore the current status of consumer involvement in the pharmacovigilance program in three developing countries, Yemen, Nepal and Malaysia. Method: An analysis was carried out for these three countries based on the current status of pharmacovigilance and involvement of consumers in their pharmacovigilance programs. Results: Malaysia has a good system for involving consumers in their national pharmacovigilance system, whereas Yemen still lacks the well-formed national drug policy. Lack of legislation and regulation which govern the import and distribution of drugs in Yemen is a limiting factor for development of consumer pharmacovigilance. Despite establishment of a pharmacovigilance centre, no reports have been released by the centre. The status of pharmacovigilance in Nepal is still in infancy. The regulatory body is assigned to be a national pharmacovigilance center, and coordinates with seven regional centers for pharmacovigilance activities. Nepal also lacks the involvement of consumers in the national pharmacovigilance program. Conclusion: Consumer reporting may be important for developing countries to implement a proper and effective pharmacovigilance program that can reduce morbidity and mortality rates, as well as reducing the economic burden of ADRs

The need of pharmacovigilance activities in Yemen

Adverse drug reactions, medication errors and other drug-related problems are the leading causes of hospitallisation and are associated with a huge economic burden and significant human suffering. This serious issue of medication therapy also contributes to morbidity and mortality. At present, the monitoring of adverse drug reactions was started in Yemen by establishing a pharmacovigilance centre in 2011. Till now there is no published information about its work , number of reports and how they process it. The country and public are facing with many safety problems related to drug smuggling, counterfeit drugs, improper and irrational use of drugs, importation of unnecessary drugs and medical errors. Therefore, it is necessary to make serious steps and active regulations in Yemen to ensure patients and public safety in relation to medicines use

Pharmacovigilance system in Saudi Arabia

Pharmacovigilance plays an important role in ensuring that patients are receiving safe drugs. In Saudi Arabia, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, health institutions, marketing authorization holders and healthcare professional are involved in pharmacovigilance activities regardless of the level of the involvement. Although pharmacovigilance is well established in developed nations and it is considered a new concept in Saudi Arabia. It is a collective effort from various stakeholders to make pharmacovigilance successful toward promoting safe and effective use of medicines among the population. However, the practice of pharmacovigilance still needs more attention especially from marketing authorization holders and healthcare professionals. The aim of this review was to describe the current situation of pharmacovigilance in Saudi Arabia and the activities that have been conducted by the stakeholders

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles for Different Isolates in Aden, Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Resource-Poor Setting

Background. There is a rapid deterioration in the effectiveness of antibiotics due to the global prevalence of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR can cause an increase in mortality and morbidity due to treatment failures and a lack of effective therapy. Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the AMR pattern of different bacterial isolates at hospitals and laboratories. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study from March 2019 to June 2019 was conducted at different governmental and private hospitals and laboratories in Aden, Yemen. Age, sex, specimen type, bacterial isolates, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern were collected using a data extraction sheet. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Result. Data were recorded for 412 patients from whom 20 clinical specimens were collected and analyzed. The most common bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus spp. (n=172, 41.74%), E. coli (n=164, 39.80%), Pseudomonas spp. (n=37, 8.98%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=18, 4.36%); other bacteria were less common. The overall bacterial resistance was highest against the combination of sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim (73.12%), followed by amoxicillin and clavulanate (65.19%). The cephalosporin antibiotics also showed high resistance rates. The study also showed moderate bacterial resistance to gentamycin (32.65%), azithromycin (29.92%), cefoxitin (62.65%), and ciprofloxacin (25.60%). Ertapenem (16.67%) and levofloxacin (15.56%) had the lowest resistance rates. Conclusion. There was a high percentage of bacteria resistant to several antibiotics. Antibiotic susceptibility testing is a prerequisite guide for the selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections