Objectives:The objectives of the study were to investigate physician’s therapeutic practice and the compliance of diabetic patients attending rural primary health units in Alexandria.Material and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted and a multistage stratified random sample method was used for the selection of 600 diabetic patients. Data were collected by means of an interviewing questionnaire, an observation checklist, review of prescriptions and laboratory investigations. A scoring system was made for a diabetic patient’s knowledge and skills, patient’s compliance, doctor-patient relationship, and glycemic control.Results:About 57% always took their medication as prescribed by doctor and on time, only 2.2% always complied with dietary regimen while no one reported regular compliance with exercise regimen. Complications of the regimen was the commonest cause (63.3%) of noncompliance. A highly statistically significant difference was found between compliance with all regimens and patient’s knowledge of diabetes. The scores for doctor-patient relationship were all unsatisfactory. Results of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) revealed that metabolic control of four-fifth of the patients was satisfactory, 12% had fair and 8% had poor metabolic control.Conclusions:Patient’s compliance with most of the diabetes regimen was low. Doctor-patient relationship and patient’s compliance should be improved by conducting educational and training programs.

Background: Dietary patterns are influenced by behavioral factors in early adulthood. Nutritional education has a major role in improving health status of adolescents. Objective (s):This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and behavior about healthy dietary habits among adolescent females before and after a nutrition education program in Riyadh, KSA. Methods: An intervention study was conducted in two schools among 105 students (57 from intermediate school and 48 from high school). Nutrition-related knowledge, attitude and behavior were assessed pre-intervention and one week post-intervention using the same instrument. The nutrition education program consisted of three sessions This study was approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. Results: After the intervention, there was significant improvement in students' attitude (from 21.6±5.4 to 23.7 ± 3.2) and behavior towards healthy dietary habits (from 48±12.1 to 51.5 ± 7.2) with a P-value of 0.02 and 0.006 respectively. Knowledge score did not improve after the intervention. There was a significant decrease in the total barrier score from 12.2 ± 2.7 to 11.2 ± 2.7 with a pvalue of 0.01, and significant change in the consumption of daily breakfast, fresh food and whole grain (p-value 0.01, 0.05 & 0.02 respectively) and in checking expiry date of food (p-value 0.03) The Avoidance of fatty meals also improved significantly (p-value 0.03) . Conclusion: This nutrition education program was effective in improving adolescents' attitude and behavior in relation to healthy diet.

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Background The role of the pharmacist has changed from dispensing medicines, to working with other healthcare professionals to assure appropriate medication therapy management. This study assessed community pharmacists’ intention regarding diabetes care based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods A sample of 385 community pharmacies with one index per site (one pharmacist per pharmacy) was recruited in the sample using a multistage random sampling technique. This cross-sectional survey was performed using a self-administered questionnaire that measured the constructs of TPB. A structural equation model was used to identify specific factors that most contribute to and predict pharmacists’ intention to provide diabetes care. Results The sample included 385 pharmacies, approximately half of them (51.4%) were males and the majority of them (94%) had a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences. Intention was significantly correlated with attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control. “Regular screening for complications can improve quality of life for diabetic patients” (β = 1.131) was the most specific factor motivating pharmacists to perform diabetes care, while “some physicians do not appreciate pharmacists’ involvement in diabetic care” was the most specific factor that negatively influenced intention of pharmacists to provide diabetes care (β = 4.283). Conclusion Community pharmacists demonstrated a positive attitude, perceived significant approval from others and felt able to intervene in diabetes care. However, lack of physician collaboration was a specific hindering factor for pharmacists’ practice of diabetes care.

Background: Malnutrition is an evident problem in 40-50% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional status and dietary practices of maintenance hemodialysis patients at Prince Salman Center for Kidney Diseases in Riyadh (PSCKD). Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in (PSCKD) for 120 hemodialysis patients who agreed to participate in the study. Malnutrition score was used to quantify the degree of malnutrition. Two parameters from anthropometric and clinical manifestation data were used. Dietary practice score was measured. Results: the data showed that 79.2% of cases had normal nutritional status, while only 6.7% had moderate malnutritional status. Only 18.3% of them had good dietary practices while 65% had fair level. In patients with normal nutritional status, the body mass index (BMI) (29.57±10.34 vs. 17.19±1.80), mean weight (70.38±15.98 vs. 48.04±9.66), dry weight (68.537±15.55 vs.46.188±7.93), mean albumin (35.50±3.63 vs. 35.07±4.06) and low density cholesterol (1.94±1.10vs1.25±0.52) were significantly higher than in moderately malnourished patients. In patients with normal nutritional status, the mean body height (154.67±9.47vs. 162.63±9.87), mean urea level (64.16±18.65 vs. 67.14±22.90) and mean creatinine level (750.94±271vs.926.63±358.79) were significantly lower than in moderately malnourished patients. Patient' age, marital status were significant predictors for nutritional status. Patients aged > 50 years had 8 times the chance to develop malnutrition compared to those < 50 years. Single patients had 11 times the chance of getting malnutrition compared to married. These differences were statistically significant. (OR=8.213, 11.158, P=0.014, 0.011) respectively. Conclusion: Patient and nutrition education must be employed to hemodialysis for recommended dietary needs and for follow up of biochemical parameters.

An intervention experimental study was conducted to assess the impact of Peridontitis education program (PEP) for Peridontitis patients in King Abdel Aziz University Hospital (KAAUH) in Riyadh City. The program was administered to 103 patients through one session and one immediate assessment. Another 103 patients formed the control group. The results showed that the mean knowledge score, the mean scores of the perceived seriousness (p. seriousness), p. benefits, and p. barriers of intervention group were significantly higher than the control group. Stepwise multiple regression models revealed that total knowledge, perceived benefits, patients' work, and family size were predictors of patients' practice of control group (β=0.287, 0.218, 0.194, and 0.192). Total knowledge, patients' work and total health beliefs model (HBM) score were predictors of patients' practice of the intervention group (R²=0.303). The study recommended the replication of such program and a more long term one to have more improvement in patients' knowledge, all beliefs, and practice.

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