9 research outputs found
Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and antidiabetic drug utilization in the Eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina: A pilot study
There are no national estimates for the prevalence of DM in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), available data is extrapolated from neighboring countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DM, as well as utilization of antidiabetic drugs (ADs) and exposure rates of DM patients to ADs in the eastern region of the Republic of Srpska (RS), BiH. For external reference, data were compared to that from Serbia, Hungary and Norway. Data on the number of all adult patients with DM type 1 and 2 in the three municipalities in the eastern region of RS were obtained from medical records. The use of ADs in the RS, Serbia, Hungary and Norway for the year of 2013 was analysed by ATC/Defined Daily Dose methodology. The exposure of DM patients to ADs was expressed in percentage. The recorded DM prevalence in the three observed municipalities was 6.65%, with high proportion of type 1 compared to type 2 DM (25.32% to 74.68%). The total consumption of ADs recorded in our study was similar to those in Norway, but lower than in Serbia and Hungary. The percentage of theoretical exposure of each patient to ADs was only 78,24%, similar to that in Serbia (80.6%), whereas Norway and especially Hungary had exceptionally good exposure rates (103,8 and 126.5%). High proportion of type 1 DM patients recorded in our study indicates the insufficient detection of DM, especially type 2, whereas the low exposure rate of patients with DM to ADs indicates that even the registered patients with DM are undertreated. There is an urgent need for interventions in prevention and treatment of DM in BiH
Pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding cannabis for medical purposes
Introduction: With the growing trend for legalization of cannabis and its derivatives in Serbia, pharmacists are likely to be consulted on the safety, efficacy, and drug-drug or drug-disease interactions of medical cannabis. Thus, the aim of our study was to assess pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitude toward medical cannabis use in Serbia to determine if additional education is needed. Subjects and methods: In the study students from the final year of the study program of integrated academic studies of pharmacy at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire regarding their knowledge and attitudes on the use of cannabis and its derivatives in medical purposes. After giving their written informed consent, they were instructed by the researchers on how to complete the questionnaire. All questionnaires were administered between August 1, 2017 and August 15, 2017. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad; a total of 80 questionnaires were distributed. The questionnaire consisted of 3 groups of statements on which they should mark level of their agreement related to students’ knowledge about the use of cannabis and its derivatives in therapeutical purposes, potential negative effects, dispensing in a pharmacy and legalization of cannabis and its derivatives in medical purposes. Results: Although 91.2% of the respondents agreed that cannabis and its derivatives could potentially have therapeutical effects, much lower percentage of respondents (51.3%) were familiar with possible therapeutical effects of cannabis. The same percentage of respondents learned about therapeutical effects of cannabis from sources other than school. About third (31.3%) of our respondents thought that the use of cannabis and its derivatives in therapeutical purposes could cause their abuse and the similar percentage of respondents (33.8%) thought that issuing cannabis and its derivatives in the pharmacy could expose a pharmacist to the certain dangers such as insisting on the issuing without the prescription or robbery. About 90% of the respondents agreed it is necessary to create clear guidelines for the use of cannabis and its derivatives in therapeutical purposes and 76.3% of the respondents thought that doctor’s prescription is necessary for their dispensing in a pharmacy. Most of the respondents (75%) agreed that, based on the experiences of the countries which have approved the use of cannabis and its derivatives in therapeutical purposes, its use in those purposes should be approved in Serbia. Conclusion: The majority of pharmacy students supported medical cannabis legalization but only with strict legal regulations and clear guidelines for their use implemented. Further education of the pharmacist about therapeutical effect of cannabis is necessary
Is the level of knowledge a predictor of rational antibiotic use in Serbia?
<div><p>Introduction</p><p>The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding antibiotics of the general population.</p><p>Methods</p><p>The study sample consisted of adult subjects who consulted general practitioners at health centers in Serbia and agreed to complete the questionnaire. A total of 668 questionnaires were distributed; 500 respondents completed the entire questionnaire (response rate 74.85%).</p><p>Results</p><p>The average age was 51.65 ± 16.56 years, 60.80% of the respondents were women. The median antibiotic knowledge score was 9. Predictors of adequate antibiotic knowledge were higher education level and a family member whose ocuppation was related to health-care. Overall, 58.4% of respondents believed that antibiotics could be used to treat common cold. Around a half of the respondents (47.2%) self-medicated with antibiotics at least once during their life-time, and around a quarter (24.2%) during the last treatment of infection. Patients with inadequate knowledge had 3 times higher chances of self-medicating with antibiotics compared to those with adequate knowledge. Although 98.20% of respondents claimed that antibiotic treatment should be started after a visit to a doctor and receiving a prescription, only 65.8% obtained antibiotics with prescription from a doctor during the last infection.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Although these results demonstrate that respondents had a relatively adequate level of knowledge regarding antibiotics use, some areas of misconceptions and improper behavior were identified. Therefore, further rationalization should be focused on educational campaigns targeting the behavior of patients with regard to antibiotic use.</p></div
Multivariate logistic regression with adequate antibiotic knowledge as the dependent variable.
<p>Multivariate logistic regression with adequate antibiotic knowledge as the dependent variable.</p
Comparison of the respondents with inadequate and adequate knowledge in relation to socio-demographic characteristics.
<p>Comparison of the respondents with inadequate and adequate knowledge in relation to socio-demographic characteristics.</p
Attitudes and behavior of respondents about antibiotic use.
<p>Attitudes and behavior of respondents about antibiotic use.</p
Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents.
<p>Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents.</p
Reasons for self-medication with antibiotics.
<p>Reasons for self-medication with antibiotics.</p