Primary Healthcare Physicians' Insufficient Knowledge Is Associated with Antibiotic Overprescribing for Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Overuse of antibiotics in healthcare remains prevalent and requires urgent attention in China, particularly in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. This study aimed to describe the patterns of antibiotic prescriptions for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in PHC facilities in China and to investigate how PHC physicians' knowledge influences their antibiotic prescribing behavior.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey linking physician questionnaire responses and their prescription data was conducted in Shaanxi Province, China.

Impact of video-led educational intervention on uptake of influenza vaccine among the elderly in western China: a community-based randomized controlled trial.

Background: Influenza vaccination coverage rate among the elderly is low in China. We aimed to evaluate the impact of video-led educational intervention on influenza vaccine uptake among the Chinese elderly.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 8 communities of Xi'an, a representative city in western China.

Mechanistic insights expatiating the biological role and regulatory implications of estrogen and HER2 in breast cancer metastasis.

Breast cancer (BCa) has become the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Irrespective of advancement in cancer treatments, e.g.

A Simulated Client Exploration of Nonprescription Dispensing of Antibiotics at Drugstores for Pediatric Acute Diarrhea and Upper Respiratory Infection in Lahore, Pakistan.

Introduction: The excessive consumption of antibiotics is a significant contributor to antimicrobial resistance, especially in children. Children are often advised antibiotics for viral infections. In developing countries, drugstores are a prime source of easy access to nonprescription antibiotics.

Perspectives of community pharmacists in Pakistan about practice change and implementation of extended pharmacy services: a mixed method study.

Background Community pharmacists' role in the primary health care, patient-centered services, beyond traditional dispensing services is well established in the developed world. However, this role is not fully established in low-middle-income countries including Pakistan. Objective To explore community pharmacists' perspectives and preparedness about practice change and associated facilitators and barriers to extended services.

Impact of National Drug Pricing Policy 2018 on access to medicines in Lahore division, Pakistan: a pre-post survey study using WHO/HAI methodology.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of new National Drug Pricing Policy (NDPP) 2018 on access to medicines in terms of prices, availability and affordability.

Design: Two cross-sectional surveys were undertaken before and after the launch of NDPP 2018, using a modified WHO/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology.

Setting: Four districts of Lahore division, Pakistan.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Healthcare Professionals on COVID-19 and Risk Assessment to Prevent the Epidemic Spread: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study from Punjab, Pakistan.

In the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), healthcare professionals (HCPs) have a primary role in combating the epidemic threat. HCPs are at high risk of not only contracting the infection but also spreading it unknowingly. It is of utmost importance to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and the ability to assess the risks associated with the outbreak.

Prices, Availability and Affordability of Medicines with Value-Added Tax Exemption: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Philippines.

Background: Developing countries, such as the Philippines, started implementing policies to improve access to medicines, which is a vital step toward universal healthcare coverage. This study aimed to evaluate the prices, availability and affordability of prescribed medicines for diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension with the exemption of 12% value-added tax in the Philippines.

Methods: The prices and availability of 50 medicines were collected in August 2019 from 36 public and 42 private medicine outlets in six regions of the Philippines, following a modified methodology developed by the World Health Organization and Health Action International.

Knowledge, attitude and practices among consumers toward antibiotics use and antibiotic resistance in Swat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

: Inappropriate use of antibiotics is one of the main causes of antibiotic resistance around the globe. The present study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices toward antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among consumers. : A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2019 to September 2019.

Efficacy of Text Messaging and Personal Consultation by Pharmacy Students Among Adults With Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for ischemic heart diseases, and high rates of hypertension prevalence have either remained the same or increased in developing countries in recent years. Unfortunately, about 20% to 50% of patients with chronic diseases have been nonadherent to their drug therapy. SMS text messaging and pharmacy student-led consultations have the potential to help patients manage their blood pressure (BP).

Knowledge, attitude and antibiotic prescribing patterns of medical doctors providing free healthcare in the outpatient departments of public hospitals in Sierra Leone: a national cross-sectional study.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis and irrational prescribing behaviour has been identified as a contributing factor. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge of, attitudes towards and practices regarding antibiotic prescribing of medical doctors providing free healthcare services in the outpatient departments of public hospitals in Sierra Leone. In addition, we evaluated prescribing patterns of antibiotics.

Cost-effectiveness of quadrivalent versus trivalent influenza vaccine for elderly population in China.

Background: Influenza-associated excess death occurred most in the elderly. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) versus trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) for prevention of influenza infection among elderly population in China.

Methods: A decision-analytic model was developed to compare 1-year clinical and economic outcomes of three influenza vaccination options (no vaccination, TIV, and QIV) in a hypothetical cohort of Chinese elderly aged 69 years.

Patient Satisfaction with Community Pharmacies Services: A Cross-Sectional Survey from Punjab; Pakistan.

: Patient satisfaction can identify specific areas of improvement in community pharmacy services. Currently in Pakistan, no evidence exists in this regard. This study was conducted to determine the needs of patients and the current standards of pharmacies.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Diabetes in the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan.

: Low knowledge about diabetes risk factors coupled with high disease prevalence is common in low-resource countries. This study evaluated diabetes-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the general population in Punjab (Pakistan). : A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts in Punjab from January to March 2017.

Haemodynamic Preservation In Caesarean Sections By Low Dose 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine.

Background: Spinal anaesthesia is technique of choice for caesarean sections and hyperbaric bupivacaine is a recommended drug for this popular block. Although safe but few complications are haemodynamic changes, postdural puncture headache, cauda equina syndrome and radiculopathy. However, hypotension remains the common side effect which is believed to occur in 95% of patients resulting in reduction of uteroplacental perfusion causing foetal acid-base abnormalities.