Utilization Habits Research Articles

E-cigarette usage, awareness and harmful effects among dental students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: This study examines the rising prevalence of e-cigarette usage among dental students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Initially designed for smoking cessation, e-cigarettes have become popular for their diverse flavors, believed health advantages compared to traditional smoking, and acceptance in social settings. Nonetheless, increasing worries surround their possible negative impacts, particularly on dental well-being. The research seeks to evaluate the understanding, utilization habits, and awareness of negative consequences among dental students, who will have a crucial role in guiding patients in the future. Methods: The online survey was conducted on 419 dental students and interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaires that included age, e-cigarette use, reasons for use, health risks knowledge, and perceptions of effects on dental health. For exploring the association among academic level, gender, and awareness of e-cigarettes, Chi-square and logistic regression statistical analysis were used. Results: Peer influence was the primary reason for using e-cigarettes, reported by 49% (n=206) of participants. The most common reason given-peer influence-was reported by 44% (206 of 419) participants who had tried e-cigarettes. The majority of respondents, 82% (343 of 419), believed that e-cigarettes could be damaging to oral health, although some, 10% (41 of 419), were not aware of this possibility. A significant association was found between the level of education and awareness of the harmful effects of e-cigarettes. Conclusions: Our study shows that e-cigarettes are highly consumed among dental students, and there is a great need for awareness campaigns. Despite the high consumption, many students are aware of the potential health hazards of e-cigarettes, especially to oral health. Academic institutions should use educational programs that eliminate false information about e-cigarettes being a safer product and help young adults make informed choices.

Juvenile Detention and Primary Care Utilization: Are They Related?

There is little information on the health care utilization habits of juvenile justice-involved youth. We evaluated whether health care utilization trends after discharge from a juvenile detention facility are associated with a decreased risk of future detention. A retrospective chart review was conducted for youth admitted to a juvenile detention facility from November 1, 2017, to October 31, 2018. Youth who accessed primary care (PC) appeared less likely to be readmitted to juvenile detention compared to those who did not access PC, with the greatest increase in readmissions occurring between days 30 and 60 and slowing after day 90. PC access and health care utilization may be associated with a decreased risk of future detention; however, additional research is needed to further explore this potential linkage.

Health Literacy Levels of Individuals Between 18-65 Years Old and Its Effect on Rational Drug Use

Aim: This study aims to determine a relationship between factors, such as the health literacy levels of individuals and their drug (medicine) utilization habits, and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used a questionnaire to ascertain the sociodemographic attributes of individuals and their drug utilization habits and the Turkish Health Literacy Scale to measure their health literacy levels. The Student T-Test was used to compare means in independent groups. The relationship between categorical variables was evaluated using the Chi-Square Test. Results: It was determined that the 402 participants had a mean age of 41.15±11.58 years, 52.2% of them were women, and 53.2% were university graduates. The mean overall index score of the Turkish Health Literacy Scale was 30.39±7.82. For 45.5% of the participants, the health literacy rate was problematic-limited. Comparing participants over 40.5 years old to those of age 40.5 years and younger and participants with a level of education up to high school graduate to those who were at least a university graduate, we found the first ones to have lower average scores. Individuals with irrational drug utilization habits had significantly lower overall index score means. Conclusion: Effective policies and regulations addressing the plunging health literacy levels need to be planned and implemented throughout the community. Increasing the level of health literacy will have a positive effect on the drug use habits of individuals. Keywords: health literacy, drug misuse, drug therapy

Knowledge and Utilization of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) among Health Professionals at Debretabor Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Incorporation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in health care system has gained a great momentum of acceptance globally. Thus, ICT adoption in the health system can significantly contribute to improve quality service and accessibility. However, most health care providers in Ethiopia just like other developing countries have underprivileged ICT utilization. The objective of this study is to investigateknowledge, and utilization of Information communication technologyamong health professionals at DebretaborReferralhospital.Methods: -A cross-sectional study was conducted. Study participants selected using simple random sampling. Data collected through self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regression techniques were deployed. SPSS20 was used to analysis. Result: -314 participants enrolled in the study giving an overall response rate of 94.9%. The proportion of those who have good utilization habits for ICT was 39.9% and about 87.2% were good ICT knowledge. Age with [AOR: 4.29, 95% CI (1.781-10.329)], educational status (AOR: 7.57, 95% CI 2.047-27.976), ICT training (AOR: 4.92, 95% CI 2.762-8.779), and ICT knowledge (AOR: 9.01, 95% CI 4.014-20.207) were found to be significantly associated with ICT utilization habits of health professionals.Conclusions: -The result suggests that health professional’s ICT utilization habit was relatively low. Age, educational status, ICT training and ICT knowledge were factors significantly associated to ICT utilization. Therefore the DebretaborreferralHospital put up ICT training for healthcare in order to accrued from efficient and effective utilization of ICT

Non-timber forest product utilization under community forest management in northern Thailand

Forest resources are a salient and critical issue requiring ongoing attention by the Thai government. Community forest management (CFM) is a practice used to, among other things, resolve land use issues and regulate the extraction and use of non-timber forest product (NTFPs). Managing as a community forest can not only enhance the livelihoods of the local people but also improve their socio-economic condition. This research was conducted at the Ban Mae Chiang Rai Lum Community Forest located in Pa Mae Phrik National Forest Reserve in Thailand’s northern province of Lampang. We collected species biodiversity data of the forest’s total area of 3,925 ha using a systematic sampling method, and twenty-five 40 × 40 m (0.16 ha) survey plots were established in the community forest. Interviews of 159 household heads and/or other household representatives were conducted using a designed questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on information regarding the households’ NTFP utilization habits and engagement in CFM processes. A forest survey was conducted which found that there were 197 plant species, 144 genera, and 62 families in the community forest. Of these, 160 plant species were classified as having medicinal uses, 89 were used as food, 37 as extractives, 32 for firewood, and 12 for fibers. This study also revealed that unmonitored over-exploitation of NTFPs may negatively impact forest biodiversity. As surveyed, 68.55% of households depended on NTFPs. The value of the harvested NTFPs was 6.35% of the total community income. A positive correlation between NTFP income and CFM suggests that utilization of NTFPs combined with CFM can create income opportunities and promote participation in CFM. In addition, income earned from NTFPs and participation in CFM were directly related to the socio-economics of identifiable groups in this community. Laborers, merchants, and low-income families utilized NTFPs to a lesser degree. Single people, household heads, those with a bachelor’s degree, and low income families were less likely to participate in CFM while land owners were more likely to do so. This study implies that the harvesting of NTFPs should not go unchecked, especially of species that are threatened or likely to be threatened if over-harvested. Efforts to enhance lower income household utilization, to more equitably distribute the benefits, and to incentivize community involvement should be prioritized as doing so is crucial to maintaining a healthy supply of NTFPs and safeguarding the community forest biodiversity.

Personal preference, experience, intuition and school of surgery dominate the use of wound drainage in dermatosurgery

HintergrundDie Verwendung von Drainagesystemen in der Dermatochirurgie erfolgt bislang ohne evidenzbasierte Daten. Indikationen, Komplikationen und Kontraindikationen werden traditionell von Operateur zu Operateur weitergegeben, sind jedoch bisher nicht definiert.MethodikEs wurde eine internetbasierte Umfrage erstellt und unter den Mitgliedern der DGDC e. V. (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Dermatochirurgie e. V.) ausgesandt. Abgefragt wurden das allgemeine Behandlungsverhalten im deutschsprachigen Raum in Bezug auf die Anwendung der Wunddrainage nach dermatologischen Operationen sowie die Nutzungsgewohnheiten und Erfahrungen der Kollegen mit Drainage-assoziierten Komplikationen.ErgebnisseEs haben 12,73 % der angeschriebenen DGDC-Mitglieder den Fragebogen beantwortet. Drainagen werden überwiegend im klinischen Umfeld eingesetzt, es werden alle abgefragten Drainagesysteme verwendet. Ausmaß und Komplexität des Eingriffs sind die wesentlichen Kriterien bei der Indikationsstellung. Der Einsatz von Drainagen ist abhängig vom Alter des Teilnehmers und erfolgt mehrheitlich bei Patienten, bei denen Komplikationen im postoperativen Verlauf erwartet werden (Adipositas, Nikotinabusus, Diabetiker).DiskussionZusammenfassend verwendet die Mehrzahl der Teilnehmer Wunddrainagen und dies mehrheitlich intuitiv. Einheitliche fixe evidenzbasierte Parameter rund um die Verwendung von Wunddrainagen fehlen. Bei der Beurteilung der Notwendigkeit einer Wunddrainage scheint ein individuell unterschiedlich ausgeprägtes Sicherheitsbedürfnis bei den einen und „eminenzbasiertes“ Handeln bei den anderen Dermatochirurgen eine große Rolle zu spielen.

Knowledge and utilization patterns of information technology among healthcare personnel in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos

Objective: The field of healthcare practice requires the use of computers for processing information, decision-making, record keeping and teaching. To ensure success of information and communication technology, adequate application of Information Technology is required by health care professionals. Current information on knowledge and utilization pattern of information technology among healthcare personnel in developing countries is scant. The objective is to assess the knowledge of Information technology among healthcare personnel in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba as well as the factors affecting its use.
 Method: Self-structured pretested questionnaires that probed into the knowledge and utilization of Information Technology were administered to a stratified randomly selected group of 300 male and female dentists, medical doctors, radiographers, nurses and pharmacists. Descriptive statistics on their knowledge and utilization patterns were calculated.
 Result: A total of 239 participants (79.6%) responded, with a mean age of 25.8±5.4 years. Majority (67.5%) respondents reportedly had received some form of formal computer training, while the remaining 76 (32.5%) had no training. Most of the respondents, 167 (69.9%) respondents demonstrated good knowledge of Information Technology, while 33 (13.8%) showed a fair knowledge. Only 39 (16.3%) respondents demonstrated poor knowledge of Information Technology. Most of the respondents (58.2%) never participated in video conferencing.
 Conclusion: Despite the fact that the respondents had generally good knowledge and utilization habits of Information Technology, most of the respondents had never participated in video conferencing, which is an important innovation in the modern day management of the patients. The medical personnel would benefit from the provision of adequate infrastructure, utilizing Information Technology.

Evaluation of the pregnant women's approaches regarding drug utilization.

OBJECTIVE:Drug utilization habits of the pregnant are a critical aspect of rational use of the medicine (RUM). This study aimed to analyze the RUM related attitudes and the behaviors of women during their pregnancies.METHODS:The data were collected between May 2016–October 2016 by conducting surveys to 71 pregnant women admitted to the private and governmental hospitals in five districts of Northern Cyprus. The sociodemographic characteristics of the pregnant as well as their attitudes and behaviors concerning drug use were evaluated.RESULTS:The mean age and the gestational week of the patients was 29.7±4.3 years and 25.7±11.2 weeks, respectively. Planned pregnancies constituted 71.8% of all. The percentage of patients with an unplanned pregnancies who were using drugs at the time of the survey (25.0%) was lower than that in those with planned pregnancies (49.0%, p<0.05). Almost two-thirds (66.2%) of the women were exposed to a drug during pregnancy, mostly for “vitamin/mineral prophylaxis” (38.3%) and agents controlling nausea/vomiting (19.1%). Two out of eleven women (18.2%) were using folic acid when they learned about their pregnancy. One of the drugs used for the chronic disorder in the third trimester was acetylsalicylic acid (11.1%), a category D drug in this setting. Most of the patients stated that they frequently read the instructions (60.9%), “often” paying attention to side effects (56.5%). Considering some of the habits related to drug use, 8.7% and 10.9% of pregnant women declared that they sometimes “did not follow the instructions” and “dosage/duration of the drug usage”, respectively. Seven patients (15.2%) declared that they did not consider side effects on the medication guide while more than half (56.5%) did it “often”. Near one in five (19.6%) of the pregnant women stated that they hesitated about the drug usage due to teratogenicity risks.CONCLUSION:Our study highlights the drug utilization attitudes and behaviors of pregnant women during pregnancy in Northern Cyprus, indicating several shortcomings, including insufficient prenatal folic acid use, occasional use of risky drugs, and unsatisfactory medication guide handling. Available findings underline the necessity of education not only for patients but also for healthcare providers to disseminate RUM in pregnancy.

Outpatient benzodiazepine utilization in Croatia: drug use or misuse.

Background Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed medications, especially among elderly, despite known risks and guidelines focused on short term usage. There is an increased trend of benzodiazepine consumption in Croatia. Consumption of anxiolytics in 2015 and 2016 in Croatia can almost entirely be ascribed to benzodiazepines, with diazepam being the most commonly prescribed drug, followed by alprazolam. Objective The aim of this study was to examine benzodiazepine utilization habits among the Croatian population. Setting This study was conducted on the national level, based on digital prescribing data. Method Data regarding the prescription of anxiolytics in Croatia was sourced and analyzed from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund database for the years 2015 and 2016. Drugs included in the study were classified according to The Anatomical and Therapeutic Classification of Medicines System, and consist of several chemical therapeutic subgroups (N05BA, N05BC,N05CD, N05CF). Main outcome measures The prescribing frequency of the most often prescribed benzodiazepines in Croatia. Results The total number of benzodiazepine prescriptions was 5,085,695 in 2015, and 5,294,075 in 2016; this represents a 208,380 increase in prescriptions, or 4.1% more than the previous year. The number of patients who utilized benzodiazepines showed an increase from 860,664 (8.67%) in 2015 to 876,046 (8.76%) in 2016. In relation to gender, benzodiazepine consumption was higher among female patients in all age groups, with the number of utilized benzodiazepine prescriptions per patient being highest in the oldest age group (80 +), comprising 7 prescriptions per patient in a 12months period. Conclusion Increased utilization and long-term treatment with benzodiazepines remains a serious challenge for the health care system in Croatia. National prescription guidelines, improved control of benzodiazepine usage and prescriptions, along with restricted release drug lists, should all be considered as potential measures to rationalize benzodiazepine prescription, control unnecessary expenditure in the country and improve the well-being of the patients.

Locating Optimization of an Integrated Energy Supply Centre in a Typical New District Based on the Load Density

In view of the obvious distinctions among energy utilization characteristics in various functional districts, a method for optimizing the location of an integrated energy system for a typical new district is proposed. This method integrates the spatial location and energy load density of each functional district. Based on the timing characteristics and seasonal division of electric/thermal/cold load fluctuations, the improved fuzzy C means (FCM) algorithm combined with the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) is applied to build different multi-scenarios in various functional districts, and a more representative ‘typical maximum load value’ is obtained. The architectural characteristics and the different energy utilization habits are combed on the weight of the electric/thermal/cold load for each functional district. By taking the minimum improved integrated load moment of the system and the minimum partition inner interval ratio as the objective functions, the location optimization model of an integrated energy supply centre in a typical new district is established, and the improved adaptive evolutionary immune algorithm is applied to the nested model. Finally, a typical new district in Northern China is taking as an example to verify the correctness and feasibility of the planning method proposed in this paper.

The Relationships Between the Financial Literacy Levels of Individuals and Their Financial Innovation Utilization Habits: The Case of Kayseri Province

The Relationships Between the Financial Literacy Levels of Individuals and Their Financial Innovation Utilization Habits: The Case of Kayseri Province

Awareness of home drug storage and utilization habits: Saudi study

The aim of the study was to investigate the awareness of residents in Saudi Arabia toward in-home drug storage and the using habits of their medications. This is a descriptive study that involved an electronic survey about drug storage and utilization habits. It was developed, pretested, and distributed via the social media among the population in Saudi-Arabia. About 1400 persons participated in this study. Around 84.4%, 96.6% and 58.3% of participants stored their insulin syringes, antibiotic or cough-syrup after opening in there frigerator, respectively. Moreover, most of them avoided use or discard their products upon exposure to the sun or forgetting them in the car for the whole day. 87.5% disclosed that they usually check the expiration date on drug products before using and 49.7% added they always follow the instructions regarding duration-of-use compared with 45.85% who said sometimes they follow it. 99.7% of them reported that they avoid using products upon change in color or formulation. Finally, variable-correlation was found between the age distribution of participants and their responses. The results revealed that the participants exhibited promising awareness toward the in-home drug storage in Saudi Arabia

Concentrations of monoaromatic hydrocarbons in the air of the underground car park and individual garages attached to residential buildings

The paper describes the characteristics of a two-level underground car park and three individual garages attached to residential buildings, differing by the resident utilization habits, located in North Poland (Tri-City agglomeration area). The strategy of collecting the analyte samples from air in mentioned enclosed areas, concerning the determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene and p,m-xylenes (BTEX) concentrations was performed using passive sampling technique – Radiello® diffusive passive samplers with graphitised charcoal cartridge as a sorption medium. The stage of liberation and final determination of collected analytes was conducted with the use of thermal desorption-gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (TD-GC-FID) system. As a result of the performed measurements in two-level underground car park, it was observed that the time-weighted average concentrations of BTEX in air were as follows: Level-1 – benzene – 5.2±1.1μg/m3, toluene – 12.3±2.4μg/m3, ethylbenzene 2.85±0.80μg/m3, o-xylene – 4.6±1.4μg/m3, p, m-xylenes – 8.8±2,4μg/m3; Level-2 – benzene - 5.2±1.1μg/m3, toluene – 12.9±3.6μg/m3, ethylbenzene – 2.73±0.79μg/m3, o-xylene – 4.2±1.1μg/m3, p, m-xylenes – 8.5±2.3μg/m3. As for residential garages, the time-weighted average concentrations of BTEX in air were in the following ranges: from 5.9 to 53μg/m3 (benzene), from 7.1 to 195μg/m3 (toluene), from 3.0 to 39μg/m3 (ethylbenzene), from 5.6 to 44μg/m3 (o-xylene) and from 6.3 to 99μg/m3 (p,m-xylenes). Also, BTEX concentration ratios such as: tol/benz ratio and (m, p)-xyl/et.benz coefficient, were calculated based on the obtained results to assess the “freshness” of air mass and the influence exerted by vehicle movement on the concentration of BTEX in air in studied enclosed areas.

Feasibility and acceptability of smartphone applications for seizure self-management in China: Questionnaire study among people with epilepsy.

The aim of this report was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using smartphone apps for seizure self-management in China. All patients with epilepsy were consecutively recruited from the Neurology Epilepsy Prevention and Cure Center of West China Hospital from January 2015 to June 2015. Data on patients' clinical characteristics, mobile phone utilization habits, preferences for contents of apps for seizure self-management, medication adherence, and attitudes toward the use of smartphone apps were collected from 502 patients with epilepsy by questionnaire. Among 502 participants, 96.8% had their own mobile phones, and 94.4% owned a smartphone. Although only 9.5% (48/502) of participants had prior knowledge of apps for managing chronic illness, 66.7% (335/502) of participants reported that managing their seizure through an app would be useful. Sixty-five point five percent of participants reported that they would use a smartphone app for seizure self-management if it were free. Patients who were more likely to use an app were those with a low Morisky Scale score (patients with poor medicine adherence), young patients, patients who lived in cities, and patients with frequent seizures (P<0.001, P=0.002, P<0.001, P=0.01). Patients with higher education and with stable employment were also more likely to use an app (P=0.001, P<0.001). This is the first study on the feasibility and acceptability of smartphone apps for seizure self-management in China. The findings of this study indicate that there is a positive attitude toward using epilepsy apps among patients with epilepsy. Based on patients' positive attitudes toward using epilepsy apps and the current development of mobile health in China, the use of smartphone apps could be a promising strategy for seizure self-management.

Knowledge and Utilization of Computers Among Health Professionals in a Developing Country: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundIncorporation of information communication technology in health care has gained wide acceptance in the last two decades. Developing countries are also incorporating information communication technology into the health system including the implementation of electronic medical records in major hospitals and the use of mobile health in rural community-based health interventions. However, the literature on the level of knowledge and utilization of information communication technology by health professionals in those settings is scarce for proper implementation planning.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to assess knowledge, computer utilization, and associated factors among health professionals in hospitals and health institutions in Ethiopia.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on 554 health professionals working in 7 hospitals, 19 primary health centers, and 10 private clinics in the Harari region of Ethiopia. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered, and pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regression techniques using SPSS version 16.0 (IBM Corporation) were applied to determine the level of knowledge and identify determinants of utilization of information communication technology.ResultsOut of 554 participants, 482 (87.0%) of them responded to the questionnaire. Among them, 90 (18.7%) demonstrated good knowledge of computers while 142 (29.5%) demonstrated good utilization habits. Health professionals who work in the primary health centers were found to have lower knowledge (3.4%) and utilization (18.4%). Age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.06, 95% CI 0.57-5.37), field of study (AOR=3.08, 95% CI 1.65-5.73), level of education (AOR=2.78, 95% CI 1.43-5.40), and previous computer training participation (AOR=3.65, 95% CI 1.62-8.21) were found to be significantly associated with computer utilization habits of health professionals.ConclusionsComputer knowledge and utilization habits of health professionals, especially those who work in primary health centers, were found to be low. Providing trainings and continuous follow-up are necessary measures to increase the likelihood of the success of implemented eHealth systems in those settings.

Self-rated oral health status, oral health service utilization, and oral hygiene practices among adult Nigerians.

BackgroundThere is scarce information available on oral health service utilization patterns and common oral hygiene practices among adult Nigerians. We conducted the 2010–2011 national oral health survey before the introduction of the national oral health policy to determine the prevalence of oral health service utilization, patterns of oral hygiene practices, and self reported oral health status, among adults in various social classes, educational strata, ethnic groups and geopolitical zones in Nigeria.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey in North-Central, North-West, South-East, South-South and South-West geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Multi-stage cluster sampling method was used for the sample selection. We administered a structured questionnaire to a total of 7,630 participants. Information on the socio-demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices and oral health services utilization pattern of participants was obtained.ResultsWe interviewed 7, 630 participants (55.6% female). The participants ages ranged between 18 and 81 years, mean age was 37.96 (SD = 13.2). Overall 21.2% of the participants rated their oral health status as very good, 37.1% as good and 27.4% as fair. Only 26.4% reported having visited the dentist at least once prior to the conduct of the survey. More than half of these visits (54.9%) were for treatment purpose. Utilization of oral health services was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with being older, more educated and being engaged in a skilled profession. More educated persons, females and younger persons used toothbrushes for daily tooth cleaning. Age, sex, marital status, level of education and occupation were significantly related to daily frequency of tooth cleaning (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur results show that while most Nigerian adults have a positive view of their oral health status, majority reported poor oral health utilization habits. Older persons resident in the northern zones of the country and less educated persons displayed poorer oral hygiene practices. The study findings suggest that there is low oral health service utilization among adult Nigerians and that socio-demographic variables influence oral health utilization habits and oral hygiene behavior among adult Nigerians Further studies to identify other factors influencing oral health behavior are suggested.

Assessment of internal medicine trainee sign-out quality and utilization habits

Transfers of care have been associated with adverse events. High quality sign-out may help mitigate this risk. The authors sought to characterize the clinical questions asked of physicians covering patients overnight and to determine the adequacy of current sign-out practice to anticipate inquiries. The authors conducted a prospective, self-report study of interns' overnight experience at two hospitals. We collected data from novice interns (July 7-August 3, 2010) and experienced interns (March 2-March 29, 2011) in an Internal Medicine residency program. Interns recorded information about overnight inquiries regarding cross-covered patients. For each inquiry about a patient, the intern was asked to record what the situation was about, who initiated the contact, where the intern found the desired information, whether all required data was located, whether the call could have been anticipated by the primary team, if so, whether the call was anticipated, whether the sign-out was sufficient, the time required to address the question, and whether the patient was physically visited. Twenty-one interns (13 novice, 8 experienced) reported 167 overnight inquiries. Most were from nursing staff (87%) about a wide range of topics, with orders (25%) and plan of care (20%) being most common. Trainees used the oral or written sign-out to answer 56% of inquiries. The proportion of inquiries successfully anticipated (47% overall) significantly decreased as the academic year progressed (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2, 0.8). Trainees rely on sign-out to answer nearly half of overnight inquiries, but the quality of sign-out may decrease over the course of the academic year. The deterioration of sign-out quality from novice to experienced interns and the common use of sign-out as a reference by covering interns suggest continued education, support and oversight by supervising physicians may be beneficial.

Storage, utilization and cost of drug products in Palestinian households

Appropriate storage and use of medications in households may decrease drug wastage and unnecessary hazard. The objective of this study was to investigate storage, utilization habits and cost of medications in households in Palestine. This is a cross sectional, anonymous, questionnaire-based study of 465 households in northern Palestine. The drug product inventory in the surveyed households was investigated and family members were interviewed. A total of 465 households were assessed, 50 were excluded. The total number of drug products in the 415 households was 5,505; the mean + or - SD was 13.3 + or - 7.8. Level of father's education, presence of chronic disease and insurance coverage were the variables that showed a significant relationship with the amount of drug products found in the households. Most of the drug products (43.4%) were stored in relatively unsafe places in the house within the reach of children. Approximately one third (32.5%) of the drug products were not in their original container. The percentages of unused drug products, expired, or those with no clear expiry date were 32.7%, 17.7% and 11% respectively. Estimated drug wastage in the 415 households and nationwide would be 16,100 and 19 million USD respectively. The most common drug categories encountered in households were alimentary, musculoskeletal and anti-infective agents. The most common individual drugs encountered were: paracetamol (8.5%), ibuprofen (4.9%) and diclofenac (3.7%). Medications were stored in large quantities in Palestinian households, and a large percentage was being wasted. Drug-use assessments and a comprehensive evaluation of the current national drug policies are warranted to curtail this problem.

Patterns of molecular and phenotypic diversity in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] from West and Central Africa and their relation to geographical and environmental parameters

BackgroundThe distribution area of pearl millet in West and Central Africa (WCA) harbours a wide range of climatic and environmental conditions as well as diverse farmer preferences and pearl millet utilization habits which have the potential to lead to local adaptation and thereby to population structure. The objectives of our research were to (i) assess the geographical distribution of genetic diversity in pearl millet inbreds derived from landraces, (ii) assess the population structure of pearl millet from WCA, and (iii) identify those geographical parameters and environmental factors from the location at which landraces were sampled, as well as those phenotypic traits that may have affected or led to this population structure. Our study was based on a set of 145 inbred lines derived from 122 different pearl millet landraces from WCA.ResultsFive sub-groups were detected within the entire germplasm set by STRUCTURE. We observed that the phenotypic traits flowering time, relative response to photoperiod, and panicle length were significantly associated with population structure but not the environmental factors which are expected to influence these traits in natural populations such as latitude, temperature, or precipitation.ConclusionsOur results suggested that for pearl millet natural selection is compared to artificial selection less important in shaping populations.

Storage and utilization patterns of cleaning products in the home: Toxicity implications

Background and aims Cleaning products are used to achieve cleaner homes. However, they have been responsible for a considerable number of poisoning cases. The aims of this study were to investigate the storage and utilization patterns of cleaning products in the home, as well as the risk of adverse and toxic effects produced by them. Methods This study has been performed using a questionnaire that was developed by the Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC). The questionnaire was distributed randomly in northern Palestine. The questionnaire included questions regarding storage, utilization habits, and the adverse effects experienced by respondents upon handling the cleaning products. Results All respondents utilized and stored cleaning products in their homes. Chlorine bleach and acidic cleaning products were the most common. Respondents stored cleaning products at different places in their homes, but most of those storage places were suboptimal and were within the reach of children. The daily utilization rate of cleaning products was 1.6 ± 0.8 with chlorine bleach being the most commonly used. Of the respondents, 27% reported experiencing a wide range of acute adverse and toxic effects resulting from cleaning product use and that exposure occurred mainly via inhalation. Caustic substances, bleach, and kerosene were the agents mainly involved in producing these adverse and toxic effects. About half of those who experienced adverse and toxic effects sought medical help, and 22% of them were children younger than 6 years of age. Finally, most respondents reported mixing and discarding cleaning product leftovers and their containers improperly. Conclusion and recommendations Correct utilization and safer storage of cleaning products is encouraged. Several preventive strategies should be implemented in order to decrease the incidence of accidental harmful exposure that is due to cleaning agents. The role of the PCDIC is very important in the education, prevention, and management of cleaning product-induced adverse effects.