5th Jack Westoby Lecture: Broad development strategies: making room for forestry

Annual lecture held in honor of Jack Westob

Sustainable Development Between Politics and Policies

[abstract not provided]https://fount.aucegypt.edu/faculty_book_chapters/1944/thumbnail.jp

An Integrated Approach to Teaching Laboratory Data and Pharmacology of Respiratory Diseases to Pharmacy Students

Laboratory data course has been designed in the Faculty of Pharmacy at Beirut Arab University to build and develop the basic skills needed in the analysis and interpretation of laboratory test results to ultimately ensure safety and effectiveness of the patient’s treatment regimen. The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary module integration, customized by pharmacology, laboratory data and pharmacotherapeutics disciplines, in teaching asthma and COPD pharmacotherapy on the third level Beirut Arab University pharmacy students’ knowledge acquisition and satisfaction. Following the completion of an integrated approach, third year pharmacy students (N= 92) were recruited to participate in filling close-ended questionnaire based on 5-point Likert scale. One-sample t-test was conducted in the statistical results of Likert scale. The strength of the relationship between the students\u27 performance (represented by grade point average, GPA) in laboratory data, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics was determined using Spearman\u27s Rho Correlation. Statistical analysis of students’ evaluation identified a positive feedback on the integrated module, which significantly contributed to their enhanced performance in the subsequent pharmacotherapeutics course. Spearman\u27s Rho coefficient analysis revealed a moderate positive and statistically significant correlation between laboratory data and pharmacotherapeutics GPAs (rs(86)=.38, pp\u3c.05). The integrated module was well-appreciated as an effective way of asthma and COPD pharmacotherapy learning by third year pharmacy students. Nevertheless, findings of the present study identified the insufficient allotted time for pharmacology I as a shortcoming of the multidisciplinary integrated module, underscoring an urgent need of fine-tuning of the curriculum.The integrated module was well-appreciated as an effective way of asthma and COPD pharmacotherapy learning by third year pharmacy students.The introduction of laboratory data as an integrative discipline greatly helped the students apply the integrated knowledge in the pharmacotherapeutics course

GENUS MICROMERIA: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Micromeria (Family Lamiaceae) is widespread across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, with a center of diversity in the Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands. More than 78 species of Micromeria have been known, famous examples is: M. fruticose.Genus Micromeria comprises plants of different chemical nature. Based on previous studies, Micromeria species is considered as a rich source of essential oils, mainly; monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. About ten species of Micromeria have been identified to grow widely in Lebanon, of which Micromeria fruticosa is the most common and abundant. Several pharmacological activities were reported including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidepressant effect. This is a review article where we thoroughly discuss the chemical nature and classes of all isolated metabolites from Micomeria plant especially Micromeria fruticosa and their reported biological activities in an attempt to inspire the researchers to isolate and structural elucidate the compounds that could have valuable use in drug discovery and medical application

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND EXPERIENCE OF LEBANESE FEMALES TOWARD ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE USE

Family planning is a key to slow unsustainable population growth and the resulting negative impacts on the national development efforts. Birth control pills or oral contraceptives are commonly used among childbearing-age women for family planning. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and experience of oral contraceptive use among Lebanese women. A descriptive, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in Beirut and suburbs in 2018. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information consisting of age, educational level, occupation, marital status, and past medical history. It also included four different sections describing the pattern of use of oral contraceptives, attitude, knowledge, and previous experience. Out of the 385 addressed, 367 participants completed the survey the age range from 20 to 44 years accounted for 77.11%. The most commonly used methods of contraception were withdrawal method (45%) and male condoms (20.7%) while the use of oral contraceptive pills accounted for 18.45%. The chief prescriber for pills was the physician (76.6%), whereas only 10% gave a role to the pharmacist. Side effects of oral contraceptives were a crucial cause that led two-thirds of pill users to stop them and use an alternative contraceptive method. Although the majority of women considered oral contraceptives effective and easy to use, only one-third preferred pills, and less than half thought that oral contraceptives were safe. Unfortunately, only 36% of the participants were aware that some medications could affect pill efficacy. Moreover, less than half of the women knew that missed doses should be retaken. Ineligibility for oral contraceptives was detected in a few participants. The results obtained revealed an inadequate level of knowledge of the Lebanese women regarding the use, safety, and efficacy of oral contraceptives, and this might have contributed to their negative attitude towards the use of pills

ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE TOWARDS EXPIRED DRUG DISPOSAL AMONG THE COMMUNITY IN BEIRUT CITY, LEBANON

The global increase in pharmaceutical spending has led to enhanced international awareness of the unused and expired drug issues due to improper drug disposal\u27s harmful economic, environmental, and health effects. Consequently, the study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward expired drug disposal among the community in Beirut City, Lebanon. A cross-sectional, observational, questionnaire-based study was conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. The fact that improper disposal of expired medicine affects the environment and health was acknowledged by 70.7% of the 450 participants. Even though 72.2% of the participants knew that the best method for drug disposal was medication disposal boxes, 50.4% did not know about the use of the drug take-back system. Expired drugs were present in 71.1% of the participants’ homes, and 78.9% of the participants discarded them in household garbage. In fact, 53.6% agreed that there is a lack of adequate information on the safe disposal of expired household medicines. This study revealed a lack of proper advice on the safe disposal of expired medicines. Consequently, the government should initiate feasible expired drug programs to educate the public. Improper disposal of expired drugs has a negative impact on the environment. The current study revealed that 78.9% of the participants discards expired drugs in an improper way. Accordingly, actions should be taken to save the planet