Qatar Community Research Articles

‘Panda diplomacy’ and the subtle rise of a Chinese language ecology in Qatar

ABSTRACT Over the past two decades, the Chinese language has emerged as a global language. Gulf Cooperation Council countries, such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, have integrated Chinese language into their educational systems and established Confucius Institutes to promote Chinese language and culture. In Qatar, interest in Chinese language education has risen, though not as pronounced as its neighbouring countries. This article, grounded in a Critical Cultural Political Economy of Education (CCPEE) approach, provides a comprehensive overview of Chinese language and education policy in Qatar, utilising a mix of primary and secondary sources, and insights from the second author’s role as a Chinese language coordinator in Qatar. The article examines cultural, political, and economic aspects related to Qatar-China ties and the Chinese community in Qatar, the role of China during the World Cup, Chinese language in the linguistic landscape, Chinese language education policies, and the state of a Confucious Institute in Qatar. Finally, it offers some implications in terms of the future of Chinese language education in the country and some fruitful directions for further research.

Reduced CO2 footprint of buildings in agro-industrial communities in Qatar with improved insulation standards and solar cooling

Food production in arid countries like Qatar is strongly linked to water and energy resources to grow plants or rear cattle in a protected and controlled environment. The high energy demand for air conditioning in agro-industrial communities leads to significant CO2 emissions. In a case-study on buildings that are typical in the agro-industrial sector, the reduction potential for these emissions is investigated. Therefore, greenhouses and community buildings with an insulation according to the Passivhaus standard and solar cooling with photovoltaic driven compression chillers are compared to conventional buildings.An innovative solar cooling system is developed: Power is generated in hybrid photovoltaic / thermal collectors to enhance the electric efficiency of the photovoltaic cells and to deliver heat for food processing or other purposes at a high temperature level. A compression chiller model is designed, that is based on the experimentally determined performance of the refrigeration cycle for the harsh operating conditions in Qatar. Different refrigerants are compared regarding their cycle performance and Global Warming Potential.A result of the study at hand is that greenhouses are very well suited for solar cooling since their cooling load is nearly congruent to photovoltaic power generation due to their low thermal inertia and radiative cooling during the night.The case study reveals that an insulation according to the Passivhaus standard combined with the proposed solar cooling system reduces the CO2 emissions caused by the air conditioning of greenhouses by 98% and of residential buildings by 94.7% compared to conventional buildings and air conditioning systems.

Outside: The Story of Qatari Women’s Cycling

Qatar has used sport to portray itself as a modern progressive society for over 50 years. But the country’s sportswomen have been conspicuous by their absence throughout this period. The widely held belief that has emerged as a result is that Qatari women simply don’t do sport. However, a report published by the Josoor Institute in 2021 shows not only the opposite to be the case, but that the number of Qatari women taking part in various sports is growing annually. Cycling is one such sport that has experienced an increase in the number of women participants. Was there a specific effort to promote Qatari women’s cycling in the country by the Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation (QCTF), the sport’s governing body, and how did these riders adapt to an explicitly Eurocentric environment dominated almost singularly by competitive racing? This study tells the story of Qatari women’s cycling, from the unfulfilled aspirations of the Ladies Tour of Qatar to the short-lived Qatar women’s national team, to ultimately how dissatisfaction with the QCTF’s Eurocentric bias led to these riders creating their own cycling community in Qatar, one specifically tailored to their cultural requirements.

Evaluation of Community Pharmacists’ Awareness towards Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: A Simulated Client Method

Introduction: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus variant in the Arabian Peninsula. There is a lack of information regarding awareness and practices of community pharmacists in Qatar for this contagious disease. Aim: To determine the quality of the MERS-related information, recommendations, and counseling practices provided by Qatar’s community pharmacists by using Simulated Client Method (SCM). Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study using a non traditional SCM was conducted in community pharmacies of Qatar from February 2017 to April 2017. A total of 30 community pharmacies were visited twice by two independent simulated clients and data regarding, provision of evidence-based information, recommendations and counseling practices were collected to assess the competency of pharmacists in managing MERS as a primary care problem. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used for data analysis. Results: In present study, majority of pharmacists encountered were male and younger than 45-year-old with 44 (73.3%) each. The average number of pharmacists who did not ask about the patient’s current medical conditions 56 (93.3), medications 58 (97.5%), allergies, and smoking status in both scenarios were not asked by any of the pharmacist. Most of the pharmacists gave an incorrect explanation of MERS 43 (71.7%). The overall quality counselling score for the pharmacists (mean±SD; median (IQR)) was {27.5±4.5; 28.5 (25.3-30.0)}. Quality counselling was significantly related to the type of pharmacy (p=0.0478). Conclusion: Qatar community pharmacist’s MERS related information, recommendations, and counseling practices were below expectations and inconsistent, thus urging the need for continuous professional development.

Community pharmacists' participation in adult vaccination: A cross-sectional survey based on the theoretical domains framework.

ObjectivesThis study aims to assess Qatar community pharmacists' practices in advocating and promoting adult vaccination and to characterize and quantify potential determinants of participation in adult vaccination as vaccine administrators, based on the theoretical domains framework (TDF).MethodsA cross‐sectional survey of a randomly selected sample of community pharmacists in Qatar was conducted using a self‐administered validated questionnaire. Items in the questionnaire on potential determinants of participation in adult vaccination were based on TDF. TDF items were subjected to principal components analysis.ResultsIn total, 271 respondents completed the questionnaire (67.7%). Most respondents (83.5%) did not have any previous training in vaccination administration and were not involved in any vaccine‐related advocacy activities (78.9%). Principal components analysis of TDF items gave eight components: pharmacists' perceived knowledge and skills (median score of 22, interquartile range [IQR] 17–26, possible range: 7–35); perceived confidence (16; IQR 12–20, possible range: 5–25); perceived external support (9; IQR 7–11, possible range: 3–15); professional role identity (38; IQR 33–42, possible range: 11–55); emotions (10; IQR 9–12, possible range: 3–15); perceived consequences (22; IQR 18–24, possible range: 6–30); perceived usefulness (16; IQR 14–18, possible range: 4–20); and behaviour control (6; IQR 4–8, possible range: 2–10).ConclusionPharmacists' perceived knowledge, skills, confidence and behavioural control are potentially important factors to address to facilitate participation in vaccination administration in Qatar. Along with providing vaccination training to community pharmacists, there is a need to change the current pharmacy practice structure to improve managerial and government support for and to equip pharmacies with resources for this role.

EFFECT OF ONLINE MESSAGING INTERVENTION TO ENGAGE ADULTS FROM THE QATAR COMMUNITY IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

In Qatar, physical inactivity amongst 18-64 years old adults is at risk of NCD diseases (obesity (41.4%), high cholesterol level (21.9%), diabetes (6.7%), low participation in physical activity (63.3%), with annual mortality due to physical inactivity of 9. 3% and 36.8%. not meeting current national physical activity recommendations. This study evaluates the effect of online messaging intervention and walking program to engage adults from Qatar community in PA. The concept of online messaging intervention as motivation and awareness of PA in Qatar is explored. Randomized pretest-posttest experimental study method with a follow-up period of 16 weeks was applied to a total of 299 healthy adults (18 to 64 years) in SIH community settings (143 adults control group, 156 adults experiment group, 68 (22.7%) adults IPAQ participants). Evaluation of PA levels and daily steps from pedometers and mob app classified into categories. Evaluation of IPAQ results calculated as MET minutes per week. The walking program combined with online messaging motivated a percentage of 22.7% of adults to continue an active lifestyle, at 16 weeks of follow-up. Self-rated PA level similar to data reported by pedometers demonstrates that adults in the IPAQ group (68 (22.7%)) have a good PA awareness. The statistical findings demonstrate that walking in combination with online messaging programs implemented among adults in the Qatari community can increase awareness of the health benefits of physical activity by forming the basis of an active lifestyle.

Assessment of Qatar community pharmacists’ competence and practices related to renal and gastrointestinal adverse effects of nonprescription NSAIDs

IntroductionNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently dispensed nonprescription drugs in community pharmacies. However, inappropriate use of NSAIDs by consumers has been associated with development of gastrointestinal (GI) injuries and renal injuries. Community pharmacists’ education of consumers on proper use of NSAIDs and their associated adverse effects has been shown to reduce the GI and renal injuries. In Qatar, no studies have been done to assess the community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude, and practices related to renal and GI adverse effects of NSAIDs. Therefore, this study aimed to assess Qatar community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on the safe use of nonprescription NSAIDs to reduce the risk of kidney and GI injuries. MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among community pharmacists in Qatar. A pre-tested 28-item questionnaire that was developed through a multi-phase iterative process was administered to a convenient sample of community pharmacists in Qatar. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. ResultsOverall, 114 community pharmacists responded to the online questionnaire (response rate 15.2%). Approximately 90% of the community pharmacists demonstrated from good to excellent knowledge on the renal and GI adverse effects of NSAIDs, with none of their sociodemographic and professional characteristics having a significant effect on their knowledge scores. More than half of the pharmacists reported that they always or usually educated patients on the dosage (98.6%), administration (95.8%), side effects and precautions (78%), and contraindications (71.2%) of NSAIDs during their routine practices. The majority of the pharmacists had positive attitude towards educating patients about adverse effects of NSAIDs, as well as identifying high-risk patients who should avoid nonprescription NSAIDs. However, 45.7% of the pharmacists strongly agreed or agreed that educating patients about NSAIDs can be time consuming. ConclusionCommunity pharmacists in Qatar demonstrated good knowledge of the renal and GI adverse effects of NSAIDs with some obvious areas of improvement, and this can be reinforced through continuing professional development. They also showed positive attitudes towards protecting patients against the renal and GI adverse effects of NSAID. However, a significant proportion of the pharmacists admitted that educating patients on NSAIDs was time consuming, which is a cause of concern warranting further investigation. Community pharmacy managers should provide community pharmacists adequate time and support to educate individuals at risk of renal and GI injuries who obtain NSAIDs from their pharmacies. Also, the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar should consider making counseling on high-risk medications (e.g., NSAIDs and insulin) by community pharmacists mandatory so that measures can be put in place in the pharmacies to free the pharmacist for education and counseling.

Assessment of an intensive education program for pharmacists on treatment of tobacco use disorder using an objective structured clinical examination: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundTobacco use is one of the major public health threats globally. Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to offer tobacco cessation services owing to their easy accessibility by the public. To prepare Qatar community pharmacists to develop the competencies and skills required to offer smoking cessation services, an intensive tobacco control education program was designed and implemented. The study aimed to assess the impact of the tobacco education program on the pharmacists’ skills and competence.MethodsA random sample of community pharmacists in Qatar was chosen for participation in the program. Consenting participants were randomly assigned to either intervention or control groups. The intervention group received an intensive education program on treatment of tobacco-use disorder, while a short didactic session on a non-tobacco-related topic was delivered to the control group. The pharmacists’ tobacco cessation skills and competencies were assessed using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).ResultsA total of 54 and 32 community pharmacists in the intervention group and the control group, respectively, completed the OSCE. The intensive tobacco education group achieved significantly higher total scores than the control group in all the OSCE cases. Specifically, the mean total scores for the intervention group were 15.2, 15.3, 14.2, 14.6, 16.3, and 15.2 compared to 8.8, 6.2, 7.7, 9.2, 8.3, and 11.3 for the control group (p < 0.001) for cases one to six respectively.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that an intensive tobacco cessation education program can improve pharmacists’ tobacco cessation skills and increase their tobacco cessation counseling abilities.Trial registrationClinical Trials NCT03518476 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03518476) Registration date: May 8, 2018.

Pre-procedural SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing in the pulmonary function laboratory at a tertiary government hospital in Qatar: A clinical audit.

Background: Prior to pulmonary function testing (PFT), local and international recommendations advise pre-procedural screening. Pulmonary function tests generate aerosol droplets containing millions of viruses, significantly increasing the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission not only to the individuals in and around the PFT office, but also to subsequent patients who undergo the test later in the same room.Methods: This clinical audit was carried out to establish the rate of positive pre-procedural SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing before a PFT. The data were obtained over a 6-week period from our ATS accredited pulmonary function laboratory at the Hamad General Hospital, Qatar (December 01, 2021, to January 10, 2022). The PFT laboratory was closed from January 10, 2022, till the date of this report (January 27, 2022) owing to an increase in COVID cases in the community in Qatar during the fourth wave.Results: All the patients scheduled for PFT were asymptomatic of COVID-19. A total of 331 individuals were scheduled for PFT, and 221 PFTs were performed. There were 109 no-shows for both the PCR and the PFT. Between weeks 1 and 4, all the pre-procedural SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests were negative. The weekly average number of COVID-19 cases in Qatar increased from 157 per 100,000 population in week 1 to 2,918 in week 6.2 There was a similar trend in the pre-procedural SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests that increased and resulted in identifying 9 cases with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test over weeks 5 and 6 (Figure 1).Conclusion: As the number of documented positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests in the community grew, so did the pre-procedural COVID-19 PCR positivity and the number of no-shows. The large number of no-shows may indicate greater worry or concern about contracting COVID-19 when visiting the hospital amid peak community cases. Our findings further call into question the utility of routinely performing pre-procedural PCR screening in asymptomatic cases when the prevalence of COVID-19 is low in the local population. Perhaps, it is time to consider replacing this with on-the-spot quick antigen testing for more effective use of resources.

Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and its chemical drivers across dryland habitats.

Qatar is largely characterized by a hyper-arid climate and low soil fertility which create a stressful soil environment for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. In a study of AM fungal communities and their relationship with soil chemical characteristics, we used a high-throughput sequencing technique to explore AM fungal diversity and community composition in different habitats across Qatar. We identified a total of 79 AM fungal taxa, over 77% of which were species from the Glomeraceae family. The lowest AM fungal diversity was observed in saltmarsh and in one rawdha site, while the highest richness, effective number of species, and diversity were observed in rawdha and sabkha communities. NMDS and multiple regression analyses showed that AM fungi were negatively correlated with soil pH and TC, but positively correlated with K and NO3-. AM fungi also were positively correlated with Cd, with the latter suggesting that very low levels of heavy metals may not always be harmful to AM fungi. These findings provide baseline information on AM fungal assemblages and the chemical drivers of diversity across communities in Qatar. This work partly compensates for the current lack of broad-scale studies in the Arabian Peninsula by providing understanding of overall patterns of AM fungi and their drivers in the region.

Qatar Community Mental Health Care: Achievements and Challenges

Guided by international best practice and evidence-based medicine, the Qatar mental health service has undergone a major transformation in the last two decades, replacing the institution-based service with an accessible multidisciplinary community-based service. In this paper, we provide a brief historical background to mental health services in Qatar, and the progress and development towards community-based mental health-care provision. We also explore the challenges facing this new model of care in Qatar including social and cultural sensitivities, and the various solutions adopted to overcome these challenges. We outline the comprehensive plans envisaged to further develop Qatar community mental health services, including the provision of accessible, integrated and multimodal mental health care within primary care settings.

Qatar Community Mental Health Care: Achievements and Challenges.

Guided by international best practice and evidence-based medicine, the Qatar mental health service has undergone a major transformation in the last two decades, replacing the institution-based service with an accessible multidisciplinary community-based service. In this paper, we provide a brief historical background to mental health services in Qatar, and the progress and development towards community-based mental health-care provision. We also explore the challenges facing this new model of care in Qatar including social and cultural sensitivities, and the various solutions adopted to overcome these challenges. We outline the comprehensive plans envisaged to further develop Qatar community mental health services, including the provision of accessible, integrated and multimodal mental health care within primary care settings.

Herd Immunity against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in 10 Communities, Qatar.

We investigated what proportion of the population acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and whether the herd immunity threshold has been reached in 10 communities in Qatar. The study included 4,970 participants during June 21–September 9, 2020. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected by using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Seropositivity ranged from 54.9% (95% CI 50.2%–59.4%) to 83.8% (95% CI 79.1%–87.7%) across communities and showed a pooled mean of 66.1% (95% CI 61.5%–70.6%). A range of other epidemiologic measures indicated that active infection is rare, with limited if any sustainable infection transmission for clusters to occur. Only 5 infections were ever severe and 1 was critical in these young communities; infection severity rate of 0.2% (95% CI 0.1%–0.4%). Specific communities in Qatar have or nearly reached herd immunity for SARS-CoV-2 infection: 65%–70% of the population has been infected.

The Diaspora of Nations: The Culture Journey of Foreign Students in Philippine School Doha

Background. The present study discusses the adaptation skills of foreign students in Philippine School Doha. Its focus is to shed light to the lived experiences of non-Filipinos full-blooded foreign students who are enrolled in a school that mainly caters to the Filipino community in Qatar. Method. A phenomenological research design was utilized to understand the lived experiences and perceptions of the non-Filipino students, focusing on the central question: “How do foreign students perceive the culture of Filipino Students in PSD?” A semi-structured interview was conducted to gather data. The data gathered were analyzed using an inductive approach in theme development. Findings: The findings extrapolate the degree of influence the Filipino culture has on these foreign students. It underscores four themes from the respondents’ verbalization of their experiences which serve as signposts in their journey namely: Immersion which includes observations and discoveries; Alienation which comprises estrangement and conflict; Pliancy which includes conformity and deviance; and finally, Acculturation which highlights adaptation and convergence. Conclusion. The Filipino culture is permeating. It has enriched the lives of the non-Filipino students and has made them appreciate and lived the Filipino way of life. Hence, these students showcase different adaptation skills in order to make sense of the foreign culture they are immersed in. Recommendation. The paper suggests that future researchers consider a more diverse selection of nationalities to elicit a much wider verbalization of their lived experiences.

Definitions of educational leadership – Arab educators’ perspectives

ABSTRACTThis study aims to provide a general overview of how educational leadership is defined by Arab educators and education specialists in the Arab region, concentrating on the State of Qatar. The study builds on insights from socio-cultural theory and critical discourse analysis, viewing language as a social practice and thus treats leadership as a form of discursive practice. The study draws on grounded theory and adopts a socio-cultural perspective employing semi-structured interviews conducted with school principals, teachers, educators, educational leaders, educational researchers, and members of the community in Qatar. The results concluded from this study disclose discording views of educational leadership and how it is defined, owing to borrowing the concept from Western educational system models, either by using these terms verbatim or as they are lost in translation. This discord reflects a lack of clarity in using the relevant educational leadership concepts and has arguably led to differences in educational practices and educators’ dispositions and perspectives. Finally, the study concludes with valuable recommendations for educational policy and decision-making and some suggestions for future research.

Implementation of surveillance systems to determine the burden of communicable diseases in a facility in Qatar.

Hospital-based surveillance has proved useful in determining the incidence of infectious diseases. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of reported cases and specific performance indicators of the surveillance system. A descriptive study of reported communicable diseases was carried out in The Cuban Hospital (Qatar) during January 2012 to December 2013. A multidimensional communicable diseases surveillance approach was used. Information of epidemiological variables, laboratory confirmation and notification date were collected. We calculated the proportion of cases with laboratory confirmation and time between the report by the physician and notification to the Supreme Council of Health. A total of 1065 patients were reported; 802 (75.3%) male with a mean age of 33.2 (standard deviation 15.4) years. There was a predominance of cases from Southeast Asia (41.5%) and Eastern Mediterranean Region (16.7%). There were 539 cases of influenza-like illness, 186 of skin infectious diseases, 66 of scabies, 48 with multidrug-resistant organisms, and 39 cases of diarrhoea of presumed infectious etiology. A steady increase in laboratory confirmation was observed (mean 59.3%). Timing for notification to the Supreme Council of Health was 1.88 (2.9) days. The implemented hospital-based surveillance system was feasible and delivered important insights into the epidemiological characteristic of communicable diseases in a western community in Qatar.

Diversity of benthic macrofauna and physical parameters of sediments in natural mangroves and in afforested mangroves three decades after compensatory planting

Mangroves in the Arabian Gulf are under pressure from land use change, leading to compensatory planting at sites without natural mangroves. In this study, we examine the potential long-term success of this form of afforestation of mangroves as a conservation measure supporting biodiversity. We compared the community of benthic macrofauna (in total 13,522 individuals from 75 species) and physical parameters at 15 sampling points in five afforested mangrove communities and 19 stations in four natural mangrove communities in Qatar. Three decades after afforestation, there were no significant differences between the benthic macrofauna in natural and afforested mangroves as regards total abundance, species richness, Shannon’s diversity, effective number of species, or evenness. Only species richness of Crustacea was significantly higher in natural mangroves. Total organic carbon (TOC), sand, and clay content did not differ. This contradicts findings at the same locations 10 years after afforestation, when benthic macrofauna diversity, TOC, and clay content were lower at afforested sites than at natural mangrove sites. Our results suggest that compensatory planting of mangroves in areas without previous natural occurrence can potentially compensate for loss of biodiversity due to coastal development and that physical parameters may become more similar in afforested mangroves and natural mangroves over time. Furthermore, the increase in TOC in sediments in afforested mangroves over time can help mitigation of climate change. Importantly, the results highlight the need for long-term studies and perspectives when evaluating conservation practices.

Social Marketing Plays As a Donation Box When It Comes to Fundraising

Amount raised in 2017 Financial donation 628,111.61 USD Other donations 117,601.73 USD March 2018 Financial donation 109,844.00 USD Background and context: Qatar Cancer Society Marketing Department work hand in hand with the society when it comes to fundraising. Aim: Our aim is to bring cancer awareness into the Qatar community as well as provide cancer patients and the organization with the needed fund to either cover cancer cases who needs financial support inside Qatar. And to financial support the organization to continue its awareness activities. Strategy/Tactics: Our campaigns are based on the World Health Organization calendar, where every month we have a marketing awareness campaign for a type of cancer as per the below: January: cervical health awareness July: skin cancer awareness February: World Cancer Day (February 4) August: blood cancer March: colorectal cancer awareness September: childhood cancer awareness April: thyroid cancer awareness October: breast cancer awareness May: no tobacco and cancer November: prostate cancer June: cancer survivors December: cancer awareness We mainly use these tactics to promote each campaign: e-mail marketing, direct marketing, engaging events, social media campaign, cinema advertising, TV ads, SMS marketing, partnerships, sponsorships, and cancer patients visit. Program process: Costs and returns 2017 Marketing costs 98,096.46 USD Agreements: 18 Financial donation 628,111.61 USD Other donations 117,601.73 USD What was learned: In Qatar donation was limited to boxes only for a long time. Now marketing has proved that creative messages and inbound marketing can encourage people to donate and not only donate, it happens in a real time and remotely by donating via a link, SMS or bank transfer. Each and every sponsor support as part of their Social Corporate Responsibility which is a win-win situation for both the sponsor and the nonprofit organization. Social marketing works the same way as marketing, it is a systematic and planned process. However, the aim is to either change/enhance a behavior or to spread awareness. And for cancer, we work hardly to spread awareness and to tell people the importance of donation, early detection and how to live if you or one of your beloved one has the cause. Donation shouldn't be limited to cover cancer cases, it should also consider the importance of spreading awareness. As you can see in the statistics above, we were able to raise a fund of a huge amount this year comparing it to the previous year, and the only reason was social marketing.

Evaluating community pharmacy practice in Qatar using simulated patient method:acute gastroenteritis management.

Objective:To evaluate Qatari pharmacists’ prescribing, labeling, dispensing and counseling practices in response to acute community-acquired gastroenteritis.Methods:The simulated patient method was used in this study. Thirty pharmacies in Doha were randomly selected and further randomized into two groups: Face-to-Face (n=15) vs. Telephone-call (n=15) per simulated patient; 2 simulated patients were involved. Prescribing, labeling, dispensing and counseling practices were assessed. Data analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and chi square tests at alpha=0.05.Results:Most pharmacists prescribed and dispensed medicines (96%), including antimicrobials (43.9%), antidiarrheals (36%), antiemetics (5.1%) and antipyretics (3%). Counseling practices were poor (62.1% in the face-to-face group vs 70% in the telephone-call group did not counsel simulated patients about the dispensed medicines; p-value=0.50). In more than one-third of the encounters, at least one labeling parameter was missing. The duration of each interaction in minutes was not significantly different between the groups [median (IQR); 3(4.25) in the face-to-face group versus 2(0.25) in the telephone-call group; p-value=0.77]. No significant differences in prescribing or dispensing behaviors were present between groups (p-value>0.05).Conclusion:Qatar community pharmacists’ labeling, dispensing, and counseling practices were below expectation, thus urging the need for continuous professional development.

Determination of inter- and intra-specific genetic variations among Qatari date palm cultivars using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

The separated offshoots from individual trees are mainly used for date palms propagation, which maintains the genetic integrity of date palm cultivars such as the fruit morphology and quality, however, some variations are observed. The objectives of the current study were to determine the genetic similarity or diversity among and within the well-known Qatari date palm cultivars using different 18 primers of inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR). Five common and the most cultivated date palm cultivars in Qatar were selected including Khalas, Sheshy, Rezezy, Barhee and Khanezy from three different locations (Al-Shamal, Al-Khour and Al-Rayan). All primers had amplified polymorphic bands in the studied cultivars either among the cultivars or within each cultivar in different cultivated areas. These results reveal the existence of genetic variations among the studied cultivars as well as within each cultivar, supporting the observed variation in some morphological and quality characters for different trees that are grown in different environments and derived from the same cultivar. Results reported from this study will help date palm community in Qatar for intera- and inter- fingerprinting different cultivars leading to identification of new lines or cultivars that are of a high quality and thus may be patented as unique Qatari cultivars. Key words: Date palm, inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR), genetic variations.