PARACETAMOL DISPENSING PRACTICE OF GOVERNMENT HEALTH CLINICS POST INFANTS’ VACCINATION IN MALAYSIA

Objective: This study obtained information on Paracetamol (PCM) Dispensing Practice of Government Health Clinics (GHC) post infants’ vaccination in Malaysia as well as identify its possible factors. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study (with convenient sampling) using a data collection form (DCF) to collect data. The pharmacist who is the representative of the GHC filled the DCF. Potential risk factors were evaluated by Pearson chi-square tests (expected count<5 is<20%) for an independent sample. Results: A total number of 254 samples were collected all over Malaysia within the period of data collection, but only 248 that met inclusion criteria. The PCM dispensing practice of GHC in Malaysia for a total period of 3 y back (from 2015-2017), tend not to give PCM post immunization with respect to age of the upon vaccination and types of vaccination, conversely for gender. Trends of PCM dispensing practice were increasing for “Not Give PCM” with respect to gender, age of the baby upon vaccination, and types of vaccination from 2015 till 2017. The PCM dispensing practice had no association with no statistically significant value (p=0.804) on genders and a weak positive association with statistically significant value (p<0.05 each) on age of the baby (≤ 1year) upon vaccination and types of vaccination. Conclusion: Future research which may include the actual practice in which practices of prescribers or mother may be conducted in determining more accurate data on the giving PCM post infant’s vaccination

Sustainability in Road Construction: Using Bamboo Straw Ash to Improve the Index Properties of Lateritic Soil

In a bid to improve sustainability in road construction and reduce the cost of road construction, there is a need for a green alternative. This research improved the geotechnical properties of tropical lateritic soil using Bamboo Straw Ash (BSA). The lateritic soil was stabilized with increasing percentage of BSA at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12%. The index properties, Compaction (Maximum moisture content, Maximum dry Density), CBR, of the soil samples with BSA were evaluated. Response Surface Analysis was used to model the mathematical relationship between the atterberg limit and the CBR of the BSA stabilized soil sample. The plasticity index of the unstabilized soil sample was 14.01 upon the addition of 16% BSA, the plasticity index reduced to 10.73 which showed an improvement in the soil index properties. The CBR increased from 26.38% to 30.2% at 0% and 8% respectively which signifies an improved strength. From the Respons Surface Analysis, the highest plasticity index achievable with BSA stabilization is 27.18. The model equation showed that the plasticity index and plasticity limit have a positive relationship with the CBR. Ultimately, the use of BSA provides a cost-effective and green alternative to lateritic soil stabilization in road construction

The relevancy of paracetamol and breastfeeding post infant vaccination: A systematic review

Paracetamol may be used as an antipyretic agent for the treatment of fever, as well as an analgesic in the treatment of mild to moderate pain post-vaccination in infants. The use of paracetamol during fever may be or may not be recommended since it may alter the natural human body immune response, although it may reduce pain

Cross sectional retrospective study on paracetamol post infants’ vaccination

Introduction: Practice of dispensing Paracetamol (PCM) post infants’ vaccination remains doubtful in Malaysia, thus requiring appropriate regulation measures. Objectives: This research aims to investigate the prevalence of PCM prescribing groups and its associated factors (i.e. gender, age, types and stages of vaccination, concomitant vaccines and drugs and/ vitamins). Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was done for 2011–2017 where the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) was extracted from Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest 3+ System of National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA). The population of vaccinated babies was extracted from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia official website. The AEFI data was further categorized into (i)AEFI with possibility for PCM to be prescribed and (ii)AEFI with no possibility for PCM to be prescribed. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2013, Simple and Multiple Logistic Regression Tests, SPSS version 22. Results: 359 infants with various AEFI cases reported in 2011–2017. DTaP/Hib/IPV and MMR showed higher prevalence with value of (2.07 and 2.21 respectively) AEFI cases per 100, 000 population than other types of vaccinations meanwhile, the 2 months DTaP/Hib/IPV vaccination showed the highest (3.00) among other age groups. Simple analysis revealed that no factor associated with PCM prescribing groups. Backward Elimination LR Method presented that 3–4 months DTaP/Hib/IPV (95%CI; 0.231, 0.899%; p=0.023) was the associated factor of PCM prescribing groups. 1–5 months Hepatitis B (91.57%), 3–4 months DTaP/Hib/IPV (97.8%), 5–12 months DTaP/ Hib/IPV (95.64%), concomitant vaccines (10.43%) as well as concomitant drugs and/ vitamins (29.45%) were the identified potential cofounders. Conclusion: 2–4 months DTaP/Hib/IPV and 12 months MMR groups were found as the associated factors of PCM prescribing groups, thus PCM post infants’ vaccination may be confined to these groups. The population data for the potential cofounders identified may be collected and analysed for the next research