Minor Ailments Research Articles

Geospatial analysis of distribution of community pharmacies and other health care facilities providing minor ailments services in Malaysia

BackgroundMinor ailments are defined as common, self-limiting, or uncomplicated conditions that may be diagnosed and managed without a medical intervention. Previous studies reported that pharmacists were able to help patients self-manage minor ailments that led to a reduction of health care burden in other facilities. Nevertheless, public access to community pharmacy and other health care facilities offering services for minor ailments has not yet been explored in Malaysia. Hence, this study aims to determine population access to the above-mentioned services.MethodAccording to the reported practice address in 2018, the spatial distribution of health care facilities was mapped and explored using the GIS mapping techniques. The density of health care facilities was analyzed using thematic maps with hot spot analysis. Population to facility ratio was calculated using the projection of the population growth based on 2010 census data, which was the latest available in the year of analysis.ResultsThe study included geographical mapping of 7051 general practitioner clinics (GPC), 3084 community pharmacies (CP), 139 public general hospitals (GHs) and 990 public primary health clinics (PHC). The health care facilities were found to be highly dense in urban areas than in the rural ones. There were six districts that had no CP, 2 had no GPC, and 11 did not have both. The overall ratio of GPC, CP, GH, and PHC to the population was 1:4228, 1:10,200, 1:223,619 and 1:31,397, respectively. Should the coverage for minor ailment services in public health care clinics be extended to community pharmacies, the ratio of facilities to population for each district would be better with 1:4000–8000.ConclusionsThe distribution of health care facilities for minor ailment management in Malaysia is relatively good. However, if the scheme for minor ailments were available to community pharmacies, then the patients’ access to minor ailments services would be further improved.

SINOM FRESH HERBAL DRINK MINUMAN SEHAT BAGI MASYARAKAT TERDAMPAK PANDEMIC COVID 19

The number of patients who died being infected the Covid-19 virus increases significantly. The data shows that currently in Ponorogo there are: 19739 ODR; 198 OTG; 424 ODP; and 24 CONFIRMED. One of the efforts to prevent spread of the Covid-19 virus is by maintaining people health or maintaining body immunity. Sinom is a traditional herbal drink that has been widely known and used by the community to cure minor ailments, prevent disease, and maintain endurance and body health. This Community Service Program (PKM) is to help the government in efforts to prevent spread of the Covid-19 Virus by improving public health through consumption of Sinom Fresh Herbal Drink which is distributed to people affected by Covid-19 in the Ponorogo Region. The method used in this program is through sinom distribution, independent empowerment of sinom production through video tutorials and empowerment of youth organizations in the sinom distribution process. The PKM outputs include: (1) 200 bottles (@ 350ml) Sinom Herbal Drink and (2) Distribution of Sinom Herbal Drink, Video Tutorials and PIRT Handbooks to people affected Covid-19 by empowering Karang Taruna Desa Poko, Jambon District, Ponorogo region

Establishing consensus for the education, training and assessment requirements of community pharmacy staff to deliver minor ailments services: A modified Delphi study

IntroductionMinor ailments services (MASs) are pharmacy-based and support individuals to manage minor conditions. MASs are delivered by community pharmacists and non-pharmacist staff. Limited information exists regarding education, training, assessment requirements, and suitability of existing processes to support MAS delivery. The purpose of this study was to determine consensus amongst multiple stakeholder participants regarding these processes. MethodsA modified Delphi process was utilized. Phase 1 consisted of stakeholder participants completing two rounds of an online questionnaire responding to Likert-items (Round 1 [R1] [n = 46]; Round 2 [R2] [n = 34]). Phase 2 consisted of three teleconference rounds discussing items that did not achieve consensus in the previous two rounds. Consensus was defined as ≥80% panel agreement. ResultsForty MASs stakeholders participated in the study. MASs stakeholder participants included community pharmacists (n = 7), pharmacy student graduate pharmacist (n = 4), non-pharmacist staff (n = 13), faculty staff/academics (n = 5), general practitioners (n = 5), and individuals affiliated with pharmacy professional organizations (n = 6). Consensus was achieved on 22 of 46 statements in R1, 8 of 34 statements in R2, and 21 of 27 statements in Phase 2. ConclusionsIt may be useful for MAS education and training to consider the clinical and non-clinical elements of service delivery. Training should be available to all community pharmacy staff. The results of this study may be useful to policymakers and professional organizations to enhance existing curricula or inform training guidelines for MAS delivery.

Co-design and feasibility of a pharmacist-led minor ailment service

BackgroundCommunity pharmacies provide an appropriate setting to deliver minor ailment services (MASs). Many community pharmacy services have been developed previously without stakeholder involvement. As a result, implementation of services may fail to produce the expected impact. The aim of this research was to co-design and test the feasibility of an Australian MAS for minor ailment presentations.MethodsThis study used co-design methodology which included two phases: (1) a focus group with stakeholders to allow the conceptualization of the service and agreement on service elements; (2) a literature review of clinical guidelines and three working meetings with a team of editors and general practitioners for the development of treatment pathways. Following this, a study evaluating the feasibility of the co-designed service was undertaken. The qualitative part of the methodology associated with the feasibility study comprised semi-structured interviews with MAS pharmacists, observation and completion of a tool by change facilitators identifying barriers and facilitators to service delivery. Qualitative data obtained for all phases were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe developed service included the following components: (i) an in-pharmacy consultation between the patient and pharmacist, (ii) treatment pathways accessible to pharmacists on the internet to guide consultations, (iii) existing digital communication systems used by general practice to exchange patient information, (iv) training, and (v) change facilitation. As a result of feasibility testing, twenty-six implementation factors were identified for practice change, with the main change being the simplification of the pharmacist-patient consultation and data collection processes.ConclusionsAn Australian MAS was generated as a result of co-design, while testing revealed that the co-designed service was feasible. As a result of integrating the views of multiple stakeholders, the designed MAS has been adapted to suit healthcare practices, which may increase the acceptance and impact of MAS when implemented into practice.

Evaluation of Self-medication Practice along with Prescribed Medicines among the Local Population of Karachi, Pakistan

The main theme of the study was to evaluate the usage of medicine other than their use. This is actually a problem, which was observed worldwide. It is direct associated with the patients that were using medicine to cure themselves from minor ailment without discussing with any health care professional as selection of proper medicine for any disease is the prime responsibility of health care providers. The significance of the research was to evaluate the self-medication pattern over the prescribed medicines among the local population of Karachi. So the descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for the period of six months and participants were guided for the completion of questionnaire. Specified sample technique was used for the proper selection of participants. The average age of participants was 38.5±11.8 with minimum age of 16 and 53 was the maximum age of participant of the study. The frequent habit was taking medicines was observed mostly with age group of 24 to 36 years and mostly arts related person and businessman were taking self medication without knowing any accurate knowledge of medicines. From the prescribed medicines Steroids, antibiotics and Cetrizine were very common taken by the participants. Females participants were taking more medicines for minor ailments as compare to males. Education level and marital status were most common factors that prejudiced the risk factors awareness along with self medication among the participants. Frequency of self-medication with or without prescription was very common among the females than males. Females were using oral corticosteroids and cyprohepadine without any therapeutic need. Professional life along with marital status was considered as main pillar for the attentiveness of significant side effects associated with mal practice of taking medicine without any medical advice.

Central obesity and dyslipidemia in pediatric patients with psoriasis: An observational study from India

To the Editor: Several studies have highlighted the link between psoriasis and systemic comorbidities. However, there is a relative paucity of data on childhood psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (MS). In this single-center, cross-sectional study we assessed the frequency of MS and its individual components in children (6-17 years of age) with psoriasis compared with apparently healthy control subjects with minor dermatologic ailments like molluscum contagiosum, warts, pityriasis alba, and milia. Adipose tissue in our body is the source of leptin, a proinflammatory adipokine that induces the production of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor and CXCL8 which are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Self Medication Practices among Youngsters: A Global Health Concern

Self medication is considered as key aspect of primary health care to treat minor symptoms. However,inappropriate practice of self medication and related potential dangers has become public health concernworldwide.Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and frequency of practicing self medication.Common self diagnosed Disorders and prime reasons for engaging in self medication were explored by theresearchers. Also, association between self medication and various sociodemographic variables was alsodiscovered.Method: The study employed exploratory design. A self structured questionnaire was administered to 500students of selected University. The data were summarized and analyzed using descriptive and inferentialstatistics.Results: Overall 442 (88.4%) students practiced self medication and approximately 77% of study subjectsconsume self medications occasionally. Headache (84.4%), common cold (83.8%), cough (82.6%) andgastric acidity (81.8%) were the most common minor ailments for which self medication is being taken.Major driving factors behind self medication are considering minor ailments non- seriously (83%), easyavailability of medicines (82%) and lack of trust in institute dispensaries (79%). Further, no significantassociation was found between self medication practices and age, gender, year of study, academic disciplines,parents’ education level, place of residence. Conclusion: Prevalence of self medication is remarkably highamong scholars which constitutes health concern that requires conduction of awareness programs on riskand benefit of self medication at university level and stringent laws on sale of medicines without currentprescription needs to be enforced to control malpractice.

The Pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ scopes of practice in the management of minor ailments at community pharmacies in Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Background:Managing minor ailments in community pharmacy is an evolving pharmacy service in developing countries. Defined scopes of practice for pharmacy staff are essential for the safe management of minor ailments. Limited research exists regarding the perceptions of Indonesian pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ scopes of practice in providing minor ailments management services.Objective:To evaluate pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ understanding of their scopes of practice, perceived competency and factors influencing the delivery of minor ailments services in Indonesian community pharmacies.Methods:Cross-sectional surveys were conducted during January-February 2020 of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians attending seminars conducted by relevant Indonesian Associations in Central Java, Indonesia. Percentage of common responses (PCR) described similarity of perceived scopes of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified associations of scopes of practice with pharmacy characteristics.Results:A total of 185 pharmacists and 142 pharmacy technicians participated. Pharmacy technicians performed minor ailment consultations, however, if considered beyond their scope of practice, they referred the patient to the pharmacist (T=120/142, 84.5%). Vaginal thrush, bacterial conjunctivitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and acute pain were minor ailments perceived only within a pharmacist’s scope (PCR above 60%). Of 34 minor ailments, 11 showed PCR values between 40-60% overlapping pharmacists and pharmacy technicians perceived scopes of practice (allergy/rash, back pain, cold sores, dermatitis, diarrhoea, eczema, hayfever, haemorrhoids, rheumatism, sore throat, and superficial wounds). Back pain, cold sores, dermatitis, and sore throat associated pharmacists’ scope of practice with years of practice experience (p-value<0.05). Pharmacy technicians perceived their scopes of practice to be wider than perceived by pharmacists.Conclusions:Discordance between pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ perceived scopes of minor ailments management highlights the need for clearly defined scopes of practice for each professional group. Each professional group must practise within their competence to ensure safe pharmacy practices.

Public perceptions and experiences of the minor ailment service in community pharmacy in Scotland.

Background:The Minor Ailment Service (MAS) in Scottish community pharmacy allows eligible people to gain improved access to care by providing free treatment for self-limiting conditions.Objective:To determine the perceptions and experiences of individuals using MAS and to quantify the potential impact on usage of other healthcare services.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted of patients accessing MAS across Scotland during June and July 2018. Questionnaire items included reasons for choosing treatment through MAS, which other services they may have accessed had MAS not been available, experiences of consultation, overall satisfaction, and perceived effectiveness of treatment. Those accessing MAS were given a study pack including an information sheet, pre-piloted questionnaire, and pre-paid return envelope. Participants had the option to consent to an optional one-week follow up questionnaire that focused on perceived effectiveness of treatment after seven days and any further access to healthcare services such as general practice, emergency departments or repeat pharmacy visits.Results:There were 1,121 respondents to the initial questionnaire. Most reported ‘convenient Location’ as the main reason for their access to community pharmacy (n=748; 67.1%). If MAS had not been available, 59% (n=655) of participants reported that they would have accessed general practice for treatment of their minor ailment. Experience of consultations was also rated highly with all ten outcome measures scoring ‘Excellent’ overall. Satisfaction was reported positively with most participants reporting full satisfaction with the overall experience (n=960; 87.2%). At one-week follow up, 327 participants responded, over 85% (n=281) did not require further access to care to treat their minor ailment and 99.7% (n=326) said they would use MAS again.Conclusions:Positive perceptions and experiences of those using MAS demonstrate a highly regarded service in terms of satisfaction and experience of consultation. The capacity for MAS to impact on the use of higher-cost healthcare services is evidenced through the number of participants who reported these services as a point of access to care should community pharmacy not be available. This national evaluation demonstrates MAS to be a positively experienced service and outlines the factors determining access for treatment of minor ailments.

Effectiveness of Four-Square Breathing Exercise on After-Labour Pain among Post-Natal Mothers

Post-natal period is a joyous yet a challenging period for all mothers. Minor ailments which are physiologically rooted may cause some disruption in the normal routines of motherhood. After-labour pain is one such ailment which often goes unrecognised. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of after-labour pain in post-natal mothers and evaluate the effectiveness of four-square breathing exercise on reducing this pain. This study was conducted on 80 multiparous women recruited from four different maternity hospitals and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Experimental group mothers were taught and performed four-square breathing exercise and the control group had standard care. Pre assessment was done at baseline and post-assessment was done on each of the 2 days the exercise or standard care was provided in both control and experimental groups. A visual analogue numerical pain rating scale was used to measure pain. The findings of the study revealed that both control and experimental groups reported significant reduction in pain on post-assessment on 2nd day. The difference in median pain score between control and experimental groups was significant in the post-assessment on the 2nd day. It is concluded that after-labour pain reduces naturally overtime. However, four-square breathing exercise can help in reducing the pain further.

Smartphone App to Deliver Virtual Follow-up Care for Children with Type 1 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience in a Resource-Limited Setup

COVID-19 pandemic has forced the medical fraternity to quickly adopt telemedicine for patient care. However, the feasibility and utility of smartphone app-based telecare for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in resource-limited settings is scarcely reported. A web-based survey, developed with “Google forms”, was sent to parents via the smartphone app WhatsApp, and the responses to the 12 coded questionnaire items were analyzed. The multiple-choice questions were related to the experiences, satisfaction, and expectations regarding the follow-up care delivered to children with T1D between April and November 2020. A total of 578 queries were resolved through WhatsApp during the study period. These were mostly related to reviewing reports, insulin titration, or other minor ailments. From 332 participants in the two WhatsApp groups, 183 responses (55.1%) were collected. The majority of respondents found the WhatsApp telecare model as easy to learn (69.4), simple to use (68.3%) and were overall satisfied (64.5%). None of the families reported that they would recommend against the use of telecare through WhatsApp. Most of them (45.9%) felt that this model could be used in addition to their physical follow-up visits. However, only 15.3% felt that this model could replace all clinic visits in the future. Only 12% of the respondents reported technical difficulties. In conclusion, virtual follow-up care delivered through WhatsApp is feasible and acceptable to families of children with T1D. The minor challenges related to internet access and low literacy levels were easily overcome. WhatsApp-based virtual visits may complement physical visits to the clinic, especially for patients from remote areas.

Spirometry in the prophylaxis of respiratory system diseases – a retrospective study

Introduction: Diseases of the respiratory system are the third cause of mortality worldwide in terms of incidence. A spirometry test enables early detection of changes in the respiratory tract of persons with minor ailments, as well as the diagnosis of a fairly advanced illness whose symptoms have been neglected by the patient. Aim: The aim of this study has been to identify any irregularities in spirometry tests in the population of the province of Warmia and Mazury. Material and methods: The study covered 1061 persons living in the province of Warmia and Mazury, of which 637 patients (188 women and 249 men) were included in the analysis. The participants provided their basic demographic and medical data through a survey. Each participant underwent a spirometry test according to the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society 2005 guidelines. Statistical analysis was carried out in a Statistica software package. Results and Discussion: The study showed that women smoke significantly less than men – the average pack years for women and men were 4.02 (SD 9.33) and 8.11 (SD 17.19) (P &lt; 0.001), respectively. A higher number of pack years contributed to a higher incidence of the respiratory tract symptoms (cough, wheeze, breathlessness) (P &lt; 0.05). Compared to men, women were more often observed to suffer from grade 1 or 2 degree dyspnoea on the mMRC scale. Conclusions: Pulmonary function tests play an important role in the diagnosis of respiratory system diseases. Promotion of prophylactic measures in streets of cities helps to improve patients’ awareness of the condition of their health.

Beneficiary perspectives toward medical health camps in the Himalayan Regions: A new education strategy for medical undergraduates

Backgrounds: National Health Mission emphasizes the delivery of health-care services to the doorstep of the population. The geographical terrain of villages in the Himalayan region necessitates medical health camps’ needs to deliver affordable and accessible healthcare to the people. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the profile of camp beneficiaries and determines their perception and satisfaction toward medical health camps conducted in the Himalayan regions. Materials and Methods: The study was employed in remote villages, Uttarakhand, India. A self-structured and pre-tested questionnaire were used to collect information on the profile, satisfaction, and camp beneficiaries’ perception. Data are presented using descriptive statistics, frequency, and percentages. Results: 3200 population attended camps, 478 patients consented to participate in the survey (14.93%). The average distance traveled by the patients to attend camps was (2.32 ± 1.10) km. The mean distance of the nearest health-care facility was located at 17.05 ± 5.90 km. About 67.57% population was satisfied with health camps services in areas. Overall, minor medical ailments were common (37%), followed by musculoskeletal (16%) and skin (12%). Further, 78.87% of the population would like to attend medical camps in the future and become more health-conscious after attending health camps (81.38%). About 99.73% of the patients expressed a need for the availability of drugs in the camps. Conclusions: Health camp beneficiaries appreciated the event and expressed the need to organize such camps in the future. Organizing camp is a novel approach to deliver essential health-care services at the doorstep in remote areas. It can be used as a new tactic to teach medical undergraduates.

Prevalence of self-medication in children under-five years by their mothers in Yogyakarta city Indonesia.

Background:The trend of combating minor ailments at home in children is a common practice in Indonesia. When it comes to very smaller children like those of age under-five.Aims:Consequences can be worse if not managed well. Self-medication among these children is not well studied in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.Materials and Methodology:In this study a questionnaire-based random survey among different areas of Yogyakarta city from the mothers bearing children if age under five. Questionnaire were validated by three experts, for reliability test a pilot study conducted on 10 mothers, after that questionnaire used for data collection. Data were analyzed by using SPSS Descriptive analysis to get frequency and percentage.Results:The overall prevalence reported is 58.82% (50/85). An increasing trend of self-medication was seen among high-higher secondary schools education mothers with 35.3%. In income factor 2600K-3000K mostly found in the self-medication. The residential area also seems influential upon this practice, i.e., 58.8% rural people depends on self-medication while urban people only 39.2% involved in self-medications.Conclusion:As a large population of very small children is under this practice so, proper education of mothers especially in rural areas is needed for the appropriate use of medicines.

SiGoba - Learning Media Based on Android Applications for Introducing Medicine’s Classes and Functions

In this covid-19 era pandemic, people are required to use computer technology to run the wheel of life, including learning something. Internet users, including smartphone users in Indonesia, are more than half of the population. Meanwhile, the body must be protected so that the body’s immunity is not susceptible to disease. If you are already sick, you must immediately be treated with the right medicine. If the use of drugs is not proper, surely the pain will get worse. But there are still many people who do not understand the class and function of drugs as they should. Therefore, this research develops an android-based application called SiGoba, an information system as a learning medium to recognize the class and function of drugs according to the Indonesian Drug Specialist Information (ISO). Drug data used are drugs commonly consumed by Indonesian people to treat minor ailments. This system was built using the waterfall model, with black-box testing. The system test results show that SiGoba has a function as a learning medium for recognizing drug classes and functions. We hope that SiGoba can be a learning media for the community so they can learn about how to use drugs according to their groups and functions, so it does not cause medication wrong. If this happens, it will have an impact on the recovery of the illness.

Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching on Knowledge among ASHA Workers Regarding HPV Infection in a Selected Rural Community of Mangaluru, India

Introduction: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a major aetiological agent for cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in the world. The main role of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) includes, motivating women to give birth in hospitals, bringing children to immunisation clinics, encouraging family planning, treating minor ailments, keeping demographic records, and improving village sanitation. In the community, ASHA create awareness on health and its social determinants and mobilise the community towards local health planning and increased utilisation and accountability of the existing health services. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of video-assisted teaching on knowledge regarding HPV infection among ASHA workers. Materials and Methods: A pre-test post-test design was adapted for this study. Fifty-eight ASHA workers were selected using a convenience sampling method. A pre-test was conducted to assess the existing knowledge on HPV infection with the help of structured knowledge questionnaire, followed by Video-Assisted Teaching on HPV infection and seven days later a post-test was done. Interpretation of score of knowledge questionnaire between 1-5 was considered as poor knowledge, 6-10 an average knowledge, 11-15 good knowledge and 16-20 excellent knowledge. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The p-value less than 0.05 were considered to be significant by Z-test. Results: The knowledge of HPV infection was improved noticeably after the video-assisted teaching program as the pre-test mean knowledge score was 7.19±2.55, and the post-test score was 13.10±1.95 at p&lt;0.05. Statistically significant effectiveness of the video-assisted teaching program was established using Willcoxon signed-rank test (Z-value=-6.56 with p&lt;0.05); however, no significant association was found between the pre-test level knowledge and demographic variables. Conclusion: Knowledge of HPV infection among peripheral community workers is vital as it can influence the broader population and avoid this preventable disease condition at the grass root level. The current study revealed that a video-assisted teaching program on HPV infection effectively improved the knowledge level of ASHA workers.

Mohsin's schoolchildren eye screening program - Analysis of the results

Aim of the Study: To determine the prevalence of ocular morbidity among government schoolchildren from Mohsin's Schoolchildren Eye Screening Program. Design: A school-based, observational study design. Participants: Schoolchildren between 1st and 10th standards across various government schools. Materials and Methods: Students of 429 government schools of Visakhapatnam were covered under this eye screening program. It was a three-staged program. In the first stage, 84,727 students were screened for visual impairment and the presence of any abnormality by trained teachers or optometrists. In the second stage, those who were identified were subjected to a detailed ocular examination and refraction in the school premises by trained optometrists. Glasses were dispensed for those who improved to normal visual acuity and treatment was given for minor ailments by optometrists, residents and ophthalmologists requiring further evaluation were referred to the base hospital for examination and appropriate management by an ophthalmologist in the third stage. Results: 84,727 children from 429 schools were screened. Ocular morbidity was 6.07%. Refractive error was the most common ocular disorder identified in 3.74% with a significantly high rate among secondary schoolchildren (P

Evaluation of a community pharmacy service for uncomplicated urinary tract infection

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common conditions seen in female patients in general practice. Community pharmacy can supply antibiotics under minor ailment service patient group directions (PGDs) for a variety of indications, including uncomplicated UTI in women. The NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) funds such a locally commissioned minor […]

Assessing the need for native language in pharmacy education and practice: a survey in the UAE.

To evaluate pharmacists' opinions on the need for Arabic in pharmacy education and practice in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A questionnaire was developed to address the study objectives and hand delivered to a stratified sample of community pharmacists and a convenience sample of pharmacists in other areas of practice in the UAE. Pharmacists' responses were measured on a 5-point Likert-type scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree) towards teaching of the following topics in Arabic: management of chronic diseases and minor ailments, screening for diseases and counselling on smoking cessation, exercise, weight management, diet and nutrition and complementary/alternative medicine. Topics related to communication skills were also assessed. Descriptive statistics on participant responses were calculated and chi-square test of independence examined inter-relationships among pharmacist and pharmacy variables. A total of 351 pharmacists completed the questionnaire. Almost 50% of pharmacists considered Arabic in health sciences education a cultural and/or practice necessity. In pharmacy undergraduate curricula, preferred topics to be taught in Arabic included counselling on complementary/alternative medicine (67.4%), management of cold/flu (65.5%), counselling on weight management (64.2%), communication in special situations (63.2%), vocabulary (63.2%) and listening and empathic responding (62.6%). For continuing education, topics included management of cold/flu (69.8%) and skin conditions (69.2%), counselling on smoking cessation (68.9%), communicating with physicians and other professionals (54.8%), communication in special situations (54.7%) and vocabulary (50.9%). For all assessed topics and communication skills, more than half of the pharmacists agreed that they needed to be included in pharmacy education. A blended learning approach that combines integrated content for native language within an English curriculum could be explored.

Effect of oral health initiatives on reduction in oral morbidities in Ashram schools of Wardha district– A cluster randomized trial

Ashram schools are residential schools developed for underprivileged groups of society who are weak in organizations and economically poor. In general, in all the states, the major obstacle is lack of provision of capacity building and teachers training in serving of the Ashram schools. 8 ashram schools were then randomly divided into control group and intervention group. In the control group, end line oral health assessment using the WHO assessment form 2013 was carried out without any health promotion program. In the intervention group, the oral health care module specifically designed for ashram schools, were implemented. In this group, end line oral health assessments were carried out. Treatments of the minor ailment, oral health program, behaviour change communication model for the schools were implemented. The need-based oral health module was developed for tribal students. The effect size for the intervention was 17.3% indicating 17.3% reduction in dental caries due to intervention (95%CI: -12.3% to-21.62%). The effect was statistically significant. The effect size for the intervention was -43.2 %. Indicating 43.2 % reduction in periodontal diseases due to intervention(95%CI: (-50.7% to -34.1%). The effect was statistically significant. The magnitude of fluorosis in the control group increased by 4.8 % from 28.85% to 33.64 %. During the same time, the magnitude in intervention arm decreases by 3.5% from 47.71 % to 44.20 %. The success of the school-based oral health program depends on the repetition and reinforcement of the program, independent of the dentists, peer leaders and the teachers. It was concluded from this study that the presence of teachers and peers, can influence the study majorly.