The knowledge, attitude and practice level of dental auxiliaries regarding oral health care for pregnant patients in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]

Background:The purpose of this research was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental auxiliaries related to oral health care for pregnant patientsin the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire survey was conducted. The knowledge, attitude, and practice were rated using the Likert scale out of 5. Knowledge and practice were categorized using bloom’s cut off point methods (80% and above isgood, and less than 80% is bad).Concerningattitude, (80% and above is positive, and less than 80% is negative) The questionnaires were sent to all  dental hygienists and assistants (N=358), and responses were collected from 218. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was utilised to conduct statistical analysis. Results: Out of the 358, 218 responded (response rate = 61%). More than half of the respondents showed relatively good knowledge (57.3%). Most respondents had a positive attitude (89.4%). Regarding practice, approximately two-thirds had a good practice (67.4%). The knowledge score of hygienists was significantly higher than dental assistants, and respondents with experience in treating pregnant patients had significantly higher knowledge scores than others who did not have experience in treating pregnant patients. There is a statistically significant positive correlation between practice scores and education. Conclusions: The findings suggest the need to establish continuous education programs and for dental hygienists and dental assistants to adopt the best practice guidelines on perinatal oral health

Drug utilization patterns in the global context: A systematic review

Objectives Standard drug use indicators have been developed by the World Health Organization/International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (WHO/INRUD). The purpose of this systematic review was to examine and report the current status of health facilities in different regions of the world in terms of drug use based on WHO/INRUD core drug use indicators. Design Systematic review of the literature following PRISMA guidelines. Methods The INRUD bibliography, WHO archives, Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect and Management Sciences for Health (MSH) resource databases were searched between 1985 and 2015 for studies -containing 12 WHO/INRUD core drug use indicators. Secondary data sources were also searched. Results Four hundred and sixty three studies were retrieved and 398 were excluded as they did not provide relevant information or fulfill the selection criteria. Sixty articles met the criteria and were selected for final review. With respect to prescribing indicators, studies of “drug use” showed mixed patterns across geographic regions. Overall trends in “patient-care” and “facility-specific” indicators were similar across most of the World Bank regions. However, based on the Index of Rational Drug Use (IRDU) values, East Asia and the Pacific region demonstrated relatively better drug use practices compared with other regions. Conclusions This systematic review revealed that the drug use practices in all regions of the world are suboptimal. A regulated, multi-disciplinary, national body with adequate funding provided by governments throughout the world are a basic requirement for coordination of activities and services, to improve the rational use of drugs at a local level

Estudio técnico económico de la instalación de una central generadora fotovoltaica aislada, situada en Benidorm provincia de Alicante

[ES] El proyecto trata sobre el abastecimiento eléctrico de una vivienda rural, por medio de una pequeña instalación solar fotovoltaica aislada de red, que se situara en un terreno adosado propiedad de la misma. La casa está situada en una zona en las afueras de la localidad de Benidorm. Y que va tener uso continuo durante todo el año, dicha casa dispone de dos plantas y una buhardilla, y su superficie total es de 200 m2.[EN] The project is about the electrical supply of rural housing, using a small solar photovoltaic installation isolated network, which would stand on land owned by the same townhouse. The house is located in an area on the outskirts of the town Benidorm. And it will have continuous use all year, this house has two floors and an attic, and its total area is 200 m2.Erraibi El Mahalli, A. (2014). Estudio técnico económico de la instalación de una central generadora fotovoltaica aislada, situada en Benidorm provincia de Alicante. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/46249.Archivo delegad

‫املتوسط‬ ‫لرشق‬ ‫الصحية‬ ‫املجلة‬ ‫عرش‬ ‫الثامن‬ ‫املجلد‬ ‫عرش‬ ‫احلادي‬ ‫العدد‬ WHO/INRUD drug prescribing indicators at primary health care centres in Eastern province, Saudi Arabia ‫األولية‬ ‫الصحية‬ ‫الرعاية‬ ‫مراكز‬ ‫يف‬ ‫العاملية‬ ‫الصحة‬ ‫لألدوية/

ABSTRACT Appropriate use of drugs is an essential element in achieving quality of health and medical care for patients and the community as a whole. This study aimed to measure the drug prescribing performance of primary health care centres in Eastern province, Saudi Arabia, using the WHO/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs core drug prescribing indicators. In a retrospective cohort study 10 health centres were selected using systematic random sampling. A total of 1000 prescribing encounters were investigated from January to December 2010. Mean values were: number of drugs per encounter 2.4 (optimal ≤ 3), drugs prescribed by generic name 61.2% (optimal 100%), encounters with antibiotic prescribed 32.2% (optimal ≤ 30%), encounters with injection prescribed 2% (optimal ≤ 10%) and drugs prescribed from the national essential drugs list or facility formulary 99.2% (optimal 100%). An overall index of rational drug prescribing was calculated and applied to rank the health centres for benchmarking. RÉSUMÉ Une utilisation appropriée des médicaments est un élément essentiel pour atteindre une qualité des soins médicaux pour les patients et la communauté dans son ensemble. La présente étude visait à mesurer les pratiques de prescription médicamenteuse des centres de soins de santé primaires dans la province orientale de l'Arabie saoudite, à l'aide des indicateurs fondamentaux de prescription médicamenteuse mis au point par l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé et le Réseau international pour l'usage rationnel des médicaments (INRUD). Dans une étude de cohorte rétrospective, dix centres de soins de santé ont été sélectionnés par échantillonnage aléatoire systématique. Au total, 1000 consultations ayant donné lieu à des prescriptions entre janvier et décembre 2010 ont été examinées. Les valeurs moyennes étaient les suivantes : nombre de médicaments prescrits par consultation 2,4 (valeur optimale inférieure ou égale à 3), médicaments prescrits par nom générique 61,2 % (valeur optimale 100 %), consultations ayant donné lieu à la prescription d'antibiotiques 32,2 % (valeur optimale inférieure ou égale à 30 %), consultations ayant donné lieu à la prescription d'une injection 2 % (valeur optimale inférieure ou égale à 10 %) et prescriptions médicamenteuses à partir de la liste nationale des médicaments essentiels ou de la liste des médicaments utilisés par l'établissement 99,2 % (valeur optimale 100 %). Un indice global de prescription rationnelle des médicaments a été calculé puis appliqué pour le classement des centres de soins de santé à des fins de comparaison

Effect of adopting integrated management of childhood illness guidelines on drug use at a primary health care center: A case study from Egypt

Background: Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) is a cost- effective strategy that improves the quality of care through the use of evidence- based management protocols for the most common causes of childhood death and illness. Evidence- based clinical guidelines are critical to promoting rational use of medicines. Despite the large number of studies that assessed process and outcome of care delivered to children utilizing IMCI protocol, there is a scarcity of studies that assessed the effect of adopting IMCI on the drug use. Aims: To examine the impact of adopting IMCI guidelines on drug use at one of the primary health care (PHC) centers, Alexandria, Egypt. Settings and Design: Retrospective cohort study, conducted in clinic "A" not adopting IMCI guidelines and clinic "B" adopting IMCI guidelines at one of the PHC centers in Alexandria, Egypt for the period from January-- end of June 2010. Materials and Methods: A data collection sheet was designed to collect the required variables (based on WHO/ INRUD selected drug use indicators) from the medical records of children under five years. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS version 16 was used. Percentages, means, and standard deviations were measured. Chi square, t, and Fisher′s exact tests were applied. Results: Correct drug choice, dose, dosage form, route of administration were significantly higher in the clinic adopting IMCI {clinic B} (89.3%, 87.3%, 91.3%, and 91.3%, respectively) than in the clinic not adopting it {clinic A} (78% each). Non pharmacological remedies prescribed were significantly higher in clinic B than A (64.7% vs 4.6%). Average no of drugs/ encounter was lower in clinic B than A (0.93± 0.2 vs 1.37 ± 0.6) and the difference between clinics was statistically significant. Difference between clinics regarding percentages of drugs prescribed by generic name, antibiotics prescribed, drugs prescribed from essential drug list, and drugs prescribed out of stock was significant. Conclusion: Adopting IMCI strategy improved prescribing performance and treatment regimen