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Context: Adverse drug interactions increase the risk of hospitalization, treatment costs, unfavorable treatment outcomes, and prolonged hospital stays. However, there are a limited number of studies conducted in city-affiliated healthcare settings in Vietnam. Aims: To identify drug interactions in outpatient treatment prescriptions at a city-based healthcare center in the southern region of Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on outpatient treatment prescriptions stored in the outpatient department of a city-affiliated healthcare center from January to June, 2023. The study used two databases for drug interaction checking: the Drug Interactions Checker and Medscape Interactions Checker. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify predictors of clinically significant drug interactions. Results: Among 1203 surveyed prescriptions, 36.7% contained at least one clinically-significant drug interaction, with 3% of prescriptions having severe interactions. The highest frequency of drug interactions involved amlodipine and metformin (9.9%). Patients with five or more prescribed medications (OR = 3.305; 95% CI: 2.320-4.708), hypertension (OR = 7.142; 95% CI: 4.658-10.950), dyslipidemia (OR = 2.242; 95% CI: 1.665-3.020), and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (OR = 2.447; 95% CI: 1.817-3.295) had a higher likelihood of experiencing clinically significant drug interactions. Conclusions: This study revealed that over one-third of outpatient prescriptions were associated with clinically-significant drug interactions. This study highlights the importance of clinical pharmacists screening prescriptions to detect and reduce interactions, as well as the application of computerized alert systems with intelligent screening software to minimize drug interactions.

Background: Among pharmacy workers, low workplace wellbeing can lead to reduced effectiveness. However, to date, studies on this issue are limited within the community pharmacy setting in Vietnam. Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the component aspects of workplace wellbeing and their associations with demographic characteristics. Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Can Tho, Vietnam. Self-administered questionnaires were hand-delivered to all pharmacy workers working at selected community pharmacies. The workplace wellbeing scale comprised 18 items. Results: In total, 382 pharmacy workers participated in this study. Factor analysis revealed three fundamental aspects to workplace wellbeing: Factor 1 – perceived self-worth and job satisfaction, Factor 2 – positive emotions with work, and Factor 3 – negative emotions with work. Factor 1 showed a positive correlation with Factor 2, with a correlation coefficient (ρ) of 0.509, while both Factor 1 (ρ = −0.399) and Factor 2 (ρ = −0.416) demonstrated negative correlations with Factor 3. Higher income was associated with higher positive emotions with work (P = 0.008), higher perceived self-worth and job satisfaction (P = 0.013), and lower negative emotions with work (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Workplace wellbeing of pharmacy workers in their professional environments was associated with financial aspects. These findings suggest that policies aimed at improving income for pharmacy workers could bring benefits to enhancing job satisfaction and workplace wellbeing.

Abstract Intimate partner Violence (IPV) can affect any woman, irrespective of their economic status, religion, or culture. This is a human-rights issue and due to its prevalence and adverse effects on pregnancy and birth, it must be given greater attention. Further, there is a lack of data in the Tigray region about adverse birth outcomes due to intimate partner violence during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess intimate partner violence during pregnancy and its association with low birth weight and preterm birth in Tigray region. Across-sectional study design was used. 647 women were involved in the study. Simple random sampling techniques were employed to select health facilities and systematic sampling was used to select study participants. Data were entered using Epi info version 3.5.1 and was analyzed using SPSSversion 20. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy and preterm birth and low birth weight while adjusting for possible confounders. The prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 7.3% and the prevalence of low birth weight and preterm birth were 18.5% and 10.8% respectively. There was a statistically significant association between exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy and low birth weight. After adjustment for socioeconomic status, women’s habits and obstetric factors, the pregnant women who were exposed to intimate partner violence during pregnancy were two times more likely to have a child with a low birth weight (2.39 (95% CI: 1.26–4.55)). The prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy, low birth weight, and preterm birth in this study was high. Women who experienced intimate partner violence during pregnancy had an increased risk of low birth weight. These findings justify a call to the federal minster of health to take measures aimed at avoiding intimate partner violence during pregnancy to reduce adverse birth outcomes.

Establishing and maintaining a highly-trained pharmaceutical workforce is crucial for serving the healthcare needs of the population. Globally, various factors have been associated with the decision of students leaving high school to pursue an undergraduate degree in pharmacy, however, this topic has not yet been explored in Vietnam. To explore the motivations of first-year undergraduate pharmacy students to study pharmacy at university. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 428 first-year pharmacy students enrolled in undergraduate pharmacy programs from across all universities in Can Tho, Vietnam, including one public university (193 students) and two private universities (235 students), from November 2022 to February 2023. Exploratory factor analysis identified five underlying factors associated with the choice of students to study pharmacy, with internal consistency assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha (α): personal factors (α = .86), career (α = .88), advice (α = .74), reputation (α = .84), and promotion (α = .76). Of these factors, personal factors had the greatest impact (mean = 4.13), while the least influential factor was promotion (mean = 2.92). Compared to public university students, private university students were more influenced by career ( p = .019), advice ( p = .002), and promotion ( p

The present study aimed to develop a Public-Private Partnership framework for managing the Adverse Health Effects of Environmental Disasters using the drying lake Urmia case study in Iran. This is a qualitative study with grounded theoretical approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. To formulate the initial framework, an expert panel was formed. Delphi methodology was used to determine the validity of framework. The most critical infrastructure for private sector participation was designing a legal framework and providing adequate resources and facilities. Pollutant assessment and public education are among the essential areas in which the private sector can participate. To evaluate the performance of the private sector, periodic and short-term reports, and documentation should be used. Payments to the private sector should be for periodic objectives based on performance. Reimbursement should combine service fees, allocation per capita, and performance quality. One of the significant difficulties and challenges in the managing of AHEEDs is lack of resources, poor management and inter-departmental coordination. Policymakers can consider PPP as an effective policy for reducing the AHEEDs. To this end, the framework presented in this study can be used as a guide by national and local authorities and policymakers. HIGHLIGHTS Decades climate change have caused to different environmental disasters.; We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with experts and came up with a proper insight on understanding different stakeholders in terms of private sector partnership management of adverse health effects of environmental disasters.;

Gender disparity and gender imbalance are globally pervasive in academia. Research into gender disparity characterizing gender differences uses metrics such as publication rates, author contributions, citation rates and research impact. Previous studies are contradictory in their findings and are limited in scope. As such, the current study examines the research contribution of both men and women in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. A Scopus search was used to identify all articles published over a 20-year period (1999-2018). For each article in the final sample of 2,881 publications, the gender the first author was identified. Both the number and the growth rate of publications by women were lower than those by men. Conversely, the growth in citation rate was higher for women in 2009 and 2016. Gender disparity was found to be highest at the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research and less severe at the HP Govt. Dental College.

Abstract On August 21, 2022, healthcare authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in North Kivu Province, bringing the total to 15 outbreaks nationwide. On September 20, 2022, Uganda's authorities declared an outbreak of the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus following a confirmed a case in Mubende district. As of October 6, 2022, the reported numbers of cases were 63, with 29 deaths in Uganda and 1 case with 1 death in DRC, respectively. Ebola virus causes an acute and severely fatal illness, resulting in death within a very short time if left untreated. In addition, these outbreaks in DRC and Uganda pose a major threat to the health and socioeconomic well‐being of the people of East Africa due to multiple cross‐border activities. Adequate preparations need to be made by the healthcare authorities of the nations concerned; the government, healthcare workers, and the East‐African community as a whole have important roles to play in the effective prevention and control of the spread of Ebola virus within and across their borders.

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are undesired, unintended responses to drugs, and are significantly underreported. Pharmacists are drug experts recognized as custodians of drug safety, who are expected to be prepared for and knowledgeable about ADR reporting. Objectives: To identify Egyptian community pharmacists’ preparedness for and perceived barriers to spontaneous ADR reporting. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited a sample of community pharmacists across Egypt, who were invited to complete a self-administrated questionnaire during April 2020. Results: A total of 923 pharmacists across Egypt responded to the questionnaire. Most pharmacists were knowledgeable about the definition of ADRs (93.9 %) and indicated they felt reporting ADRs benefits the patients (82.2%). Despite recognizing their public health value, only a small percentage of participants conveyed familiarity with the reporting process for both paper (19.2%) and electronic (30.4%) forms, indeed 56.6% of participants did not remember what the ADR report form looked like. Moreover, 75.4% of respondents said they felt that community pharmacies are not the right place for reporting, with 49% suggesting that reporting was the responsibility of physicians. However, only 32.1% reported having insufficient time being a barrier to ADR reporting. Conclusions: Community pharmacists in Egypt are not well prepared for spontaneous ADR reporting due to a lack of knowledge about the formal process and not acknowledging their responsibility, although time was not a major barrier. Therefore, this highlights a clear opportunity for improvement likely involving targeted education.

BackgroundJob satisfaction is an important factor affecting job performance and turnover of healthcare workers, especially hospital pharmacists. Nevertheless, limited studies have reported this issue in the context of Vietnam.ObjectivesTo help maintain the quality and size of the limited hospital pharmacy workforce in Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta area, this study investigated the job satisfaction of hospital pharmacists, and the associated factors, in Vinh Long province, a representative province in the central Mekong Delta.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted, recruiting hospital pharmacists working in all 17 province/district-affiliated healthcare facilities across Vinh Long province, Vietnam, between August and September 2022.ResultsAmong the 235 survey participants (representing a response rate of 97.1%), 189 pharmacists (80.4%) reported that they were satisfied with their job. Working conditions, leadership styles, and benefits were factors found to significantly influence job satisfaction. Pharmacists who had worked in the field for 3-5 years (OR = 3.752, 95% CI = 1.036-13.595), more than 5 years (OR = 6.361, 95% CI = 2.264-17.875), did not have additional duties besides their primary responsibilities (OR = 2.046, 95% CI = 1.005-4.163), and worked in a private healthcare facility (OR = 12.021, 95% CI = 1.470-98.316), were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their job.ConclusionsMost hospital pharmacists were satisfied with their current job. To further improve job satisfaction in this population, further improvements to working conditions are necessary.

The neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 are wide-ranging from simple headache to severe demyelinating brain disease. This is a review of collected case reports of patients with SARS-CoV-2 with neurological manifestations presenting to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). Neurological manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 such as encephalitis, acute cerebrovascular disease, encephalitis with chorea, post-COVID myositis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) are of great concern but are often overlooked in the presence of life-threatening abnormal vital signs in severely ill SARS-CoV-2 patients. There is a need to diagnose these manifestations at the earliest opportunity to limit long-term consequences and complications. Much research is needed to explore the role of SARS-CoV-2 in causing these neurological manifestations by isolating it either from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or the brain tissue of the deceased on autopsy. We also recommend exploring the risk factors that lead to the development of these neurological manifestations.

BackgroundTinnitus is defined as the subjective perception of sound in the absence of an external stimulus, and tinnitus disorder becomes relevant when it is associated with emotional distress, cognitive dysfunction, and/or autonomic arousal. Hearing loss is recognized as the main risk factor for the pathogenesis of tinnitus. However, clinical guidelines for tinnitus disorder provide little direction for those who have severe-to-profound hearing loss including those who are pre-lingually Deaf. The aim of this scoping review was to catalogue what is known from the existing literature regarding the experience and management of tinnitus in adults who have a severe-to-profound hearing loss.SummaryA scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping Reviews. Records were included if they reported an evaluation of tinnitus in adults who had severe-to-profound hearing loss. The online databases Ovid (MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO), CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using the search terms ‘tinnitus’ (as a MESH term) and ‘deaf’ OR ‘profound hearing loss. Thirty-five records met the inclusion criteria for this review and were cataloged according to three major themes: Impact of tinnitus in deaf adults; Primary treatment of tinnitus in deaf adults; and Cochlear implant studies where tinnitus was a secondary outcome. Tinnitus symptom severity was assessed before and after intervention using tinnitus validated questionnaires in 29 records, with six further records using other assessment tools to measure tinnitus severity. Participants using cochlear implants were included in 30 studies. Medication, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), electrical promontory stimulation, and behavioral self-control therapy were each reported in single records.Key messagesThis scoping review cataloged the experience, assessment, and treatment of tinnitus in adults who have severe-to-profound hearing loss. It is shown that there is very limited research reported in this field. Although this review included many records, most focused on the provision of cochlear implants for severe-to-profound hearing loss, with assessment and measurement of tinnitus as a baseline or secondary outcome. Largely missing in the literature are empirical studies that seek firstly to understand the nature of the experience of tinnitus by people with no or little residual access to external sound.

Background: The significance of self-care in heart failure is yet to be demonstrated empirically; however, it's commonly believed that effective self-care delays the development of heart failure. This study aimed to assess the level of self-care among patients with heart failure attending a cardiac hospice center in Peshawar, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used to examine self-care maintenance, self-care management, and self-care confidence in heart failure patients at Heart Hospice Center, Hayat Abad Medical Complex. A total of 195 heart failure patients were recruited using a convenient sampling method. Data were collected using the Self Care Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) version 6.2. Results: The mean SCHFI score (comprising 22 items) across n=195 participants was 50 ± 28.9. A very low percentage (31.28%, n=61) scored an accepted level (≥70) of self-care. On the subscales of self-management, self-confidence, and self-maintenance, the mean scores were 50.0 ± 28.8, 46±26.6, and 50.0 ± 28.7, respectively. One hundred eighty symptomatic patients completed the self-care management subscale who was experiencing shortness of breath and ankle swelling. Conclusion: Heart failure patients attending the Heart Hospice Center in Peshawar, Pakistan, did not portray a satisfactory level of self-care behavior. More effective nursing interventions are needed to manage heart failure patients in this center.

Background Through designing a surveillance system, steps to policy making and designing measures needed to reduce the potential risks of environmental disasters on human health could be taken. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a model for Environmental Disasters Diseases Surveillance System (EDDS) to monitor Adverse Health Effects (AHEs) of Environmental Disasters (AHEEDs). Methods As the first step, the literature review was conducted to identify the AHEEDs. Then, using the results of the first step and analyzing the existing documents, the AHEEDs were identified, and, based on the experts’ opinions, high-priority effects were included in the EDDS. Then, using semi-structured interviews, 20 experts’ views on the appropriate model of EDDS were investigated. To design the initial model, a panel of experts was formed with six participants. Finally, the Delphi technique was used for expert opinion and model finalization. Results As a result of the literature review and document analysis, 41 hazards/diseases were identified. Finally, ten diseases were suggested to enter the EDDS. In the experts’ view, it is better that communicable diseases be reported actively and urgently and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) actively and non-urgently. From the participants’ point of view, the most significant achievements of the EDDS can be organizational and managerial, health promotion, and economic achievements. Conclusion Developing a dedicated EDDS for AHEEDs can be very helpful for better management of these effects. To this end, the model proposed in this study can serve as a guide for national and local policymakers to implement surveillance systems for AHEEDs.

Abstract Background Institutions, government departments, and healthcare professionals engage in social media because it facilitates reaching a large number of people simultaneously. YouTube provides a platform whereby anyone can upload videos and gain feedback on their content from other users. Many YouTube videos are related to health and science, and many people search YouTube for health-related information. YouTube has been acknowledged as a key public information source in recent crises caused by Zika, H1N1, swine flu, and most recently, COVID-19. Methods YouTube videos were collected from the YouTube Application Programming Interface (API) using the search terms COVID-19, coronavirus, COVID19, and corona. The search was conducted on April 4 and 5, 2020. The initial investigation found a total of 1084 videos. The second step involved identifying and verifying the videos for their relationship to COVID-19 information and excluding videos that did not relate to COVID-19 or were in a language other than English and Hindi. Results An analysis of YouTube videos covering COVID-19, uploaded in early 2020, in English and Hindi. The sample comprised 349 videos (n = 334 English). Videos were characterized by contributor, duration, content, and reception (views/likes/dislikes/comments). The majority contained general information, with only 4.01% focusing on symptoms and 11.17% on treatment and outcomes. Further, the majority (n = 229) were short videos of under 10 min duration. Videos provided by government and health care professionals comprised 6.87% and 5.74% % of the sample, respectively. News channels uploaded 71.63% of videos. Conclusions YouTube may provide a significant resource for disseminating of information on public health issues like outbreaks of viral infections and should be utilized by healthcare agencies for this purpose. However, there is currently no way to determine whether a video has been produced or verified by authorized healthcare professionals. This limitation needs to be addressed so that the vital distribution services offered by platforms like YouTube can be fully utilized for increasing public understanding of healthcare science, particularly during a crisis such as a pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging health problem around the world. At time of this study, the pandemic is still underway, so prevention and control are of great importance. This review provides a comprehensive examination and analysis of the literature related to the challenges of controlling COVID-19. Methods: In this narrative review study, the search was performed on international databases including PubMed, Scopus and Embase, using relevant keywords. The resulting articles and texts were reviewed and screened, and then the relevant information was extracted. Results: The number of patients who are thought to have contracted COVID-19 is much higher than that in the SARS and MERS epidemics. Despite a lower mortality rate, COVID-19 has caused more deaths. One of the challenges that have made the control of the disease more difficult include the emergence of multiple viral mutations. In this review, it was found that the best course of action comprises continuous monitoring of disease-related indicators as part of a series of measures taken together to ensure their effectiveness. Conclusion: It is recommended that governments should form international partnerships in their efforts to overcome the pandemic, and that preventive and control measures should be taken simultaneously.

Vaccination is an essential way to prevent the transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Various studies have been published on the cost-effectiveness of HBV vaccination, but since the results vary according to the target population and related health outcomes, this study examined the cost-effectiveness of the universal HBV vaccination in Iran. In this economic evaluation study, a decision tree with the Markov model was used to compare the universal HBV vaccination with a strategy of non-vaccination. Health states used in the model included healthy, chronic hepatitis B, compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. Analyses were performed from a payer’s perspective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per life-year gained, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained were calculated at a 5% annual discount rate. The sensitivity analysis was conducted using Monte Carlo simulation. Analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel and TreeAge Pro 2011 software. In 2017, the estimated cost per dose for any HBV vaccine was $3.20 USD. The universal HBV vaccination was economically advantageous compared to non-vaccination, and the estimated cost of this program per life-year and QALY gained were $6,319 and negative (-) $1,183.85 USD, respectively. Given the uncertainty of all parameters, the model remained robust and reliable. In Iran, the universal HBV vaccination strategy for both health outcomes of QALY and life-years gained was cost-effective and advantageous. The vaccination strategy saved money, increased life years and improved quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended that this program continues to be provided.

Background: Telemedicine involves the innovative application of technology to provide remote patient healthcare services especially those relating to emergency care and contagious disease spread. Telemedicine is less developed in low-and-middle-income countries like Pakistan and there is little published literature on its function and efficiency. Our institution was established to triage patients with COVID-19 symptoms to ease the load on emergency departments. Objective: To conduct an analysis of the first month of function of a telemedicine/tele-triage center in Pakistan. To determine in which ways it was beneficial to hospital management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study was carried out at the newly established telemedicine/tele-triage center at the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) in Islamabad Pakistan between the 26th March and the 25th April 2020. Data were collected over telephone interview using a proforma to provide each caller with a C-Score (a C-score of >3 indicated observe at home 3–5-indicated home isolation with confirmatory testing and >5 indicated testing and transfer to hospital) representing their COVID-19 risk and informing the nature of the advice given to them. Data were presented using descriptive statistics. Results: The center received total of 857 calls. Fever cough dyspnea and flu were present in 327(38.2%) 268(31.3%) 107(12.5%) and 124(14.5%) callers respectively. Based on the completion of the proforma 774(90.3%) callers had a C-Score of > 75(8.8%) callers had a C-Score of 3–5 and 8 (0.9%) callers had a C-Score of >5. We recommended COVID-19 testing in 83 patients (9.68%) based on C-score. Out of these 83 patients 64 underwent testing and only 1 tested positive for COVID-19. Conclusion: In a one-month period the center was able to support patients by providing a triage service thereby preventing numerous unnecessary hospital visits and helping to protect healthcare professionals during a global pandemic. Telemedicine has great potential to help patient populations in low-and-middle-income countries.