Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Health Care

Mohammed Abu Aish ¹, Miral Talal Fadhl ², Khadijah Ahmad Alzhrani ², Abdullah Aburiziza ¹

Affiliations
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Makkah, SA
2 College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Makkah, SA

Abstract

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood leading to an ongoing burden on the emergency departments all around the world. The present study was conducted with the aim to assess the awareness and misconceptions related to the terminology, triggers and management among the caregivers of asthmatic children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among the asthmatic children above 6 months of age at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia during the period between March 2018 and July 2018. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire that includes demographic data, knowledge and awareness of the terminology, severity, triggers, follow-up and management of the disease with a focus on Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs), nebulizer therapy and Inhaled Cortico-Steroids (ICS). A total 242 children were included in the study 64.5% were males, 35.5% were females. A majority (71.5%) of caregivers believed that nebulizers are more effective than MDIs to treat their children. Among the 242 children, 47.1% use spacer devices regularly and only 40.5% of them have used ICS. The main reason for not using steroid inhalers and spacer devices as stated by most caregivers (68% and 49.3% respectively). was “never recommended by physicians”. 73.1% of the children had no Asthma follow up outside the ED. 73.7% of caregivers who reported having a smoker in their homes did not know the harmful effects of smoking on their children. Many misconceptions about the terminologies, triggers, the nature of the ED medications and outpatient treatment were found among the caregivers of the children included in the study. Physicians poor adherence to current asthma treatment guidelines and the lack of well structured follow up and educational programs may be contributing to the caregivers inconsistencies with outpatient treatment and follow up.

Keywords

Asthma Therapy, Bronchial Asthma, Inhalers, Misconception, Triggers.

Full Text

   

Ohoud Ahmad Basuliman ¹, Ghaydaa Faris Filimban ¹, Ommamah Sami Alsabbah ¹, Khadijah Ahmad Alzhrani ¹, Miral Talal Fadhl ², Ibrahim Abdulhafeez Mahbub ¹, Ahmad Hasan Mufti ¹

Affiliations
1 Umm Al-Qura University, Alabdiya - 24222, Makkah, SA
2 Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Alabdiya - 24222, Makkah, SA

Abstract

Consanguineous marriage is common in Saudi Arabia. It is responsible for high prevalence of genetic disorders in the Saudi population. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the level of awareness around the genetic diseases resulting from consanguinity in Saudi Arabia. A randomised cross-sectional study was conducted among the Saudi society. A questionnaire was designed for demographics, the history of genetic diseases, awareness of genetic diseases and premarital screening. These were distributed through social media (Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp), targeting different education levels and specialties, from different regions of the country. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and p-value calculated using a chi-square test. The majority of the participants were female, (83.4%), versus (16.6%) males. The participants were from different Saudi regions: the western (66.5%), middle (11.5%), southern (8.9%), eastern (7.8%) and northern (5.3%) regions. 86% of the participants were undergraduates, 20.5% were educated to high-school level and 11.1% were postgraduate level. 28% were from a medical field while 72% were non-medical. The most common genetic diseases in the Saudi population are Down syndrome, sickle cell anemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and thalassemia. Participants with a medical education and those with higher educational levels demonstrate significantly higher levels of awareness about the connection between consanguinity and the resultant genetic diseases. Most of the participants believe that culture and tradition play the most important roles in the spread of the genetic diseases due to consanguinity, followed by a lack of awareness about their association. Public awareness of the association between consanguinity and the development of genetic diseases is relatively low. culture and tradition were reported to be most associated factor in the spread of consanguinity and thus genetic diseases.

Keywords

Awareness, Consanguinity, Genetic diseases, Saudi Arabia

Full Text