Objectives Antibiotic resistance is a major global public health concern today. We explored the usefulness of an educational intervention in increasing antibiotic-related awareness of the public. Methods This community-based interventional study was conducted among 100 people living in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Preintervention awareness regarding antibiotics and antibiotic resistance was assessed using the World Health Organization antibiotic resistance: multicountry public awareness survey. After the baseline assessment of the knowledge, educational intervention was given to the study participants. The same questionnaire was used to assess the impact of this intervention after 4 weeks. Key findings The study participants had low baseline knowledge of antibiotics and the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. A high proportion of study participants (54%) took antibiotics in the past 6 months. Our intervention significantly improved antibiotic-related knowledge and behaviours. Postintervention majority of study participants realized that full course of antibiotics should be taken (% change: 50.0, P < 0.001), leftover antibiotics from family and friends should not be used (% change: 40.0%, P = 0.004), antibiotics are of no use in viral infections (% change: 72.0%, P < 0.001), infections are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics (% change: 37%, P < 0.001), bacteria resistant to antibiotics can be spread from person to person (% change: 73%, P < 0.001) and infections from resistant bacteria are difficult to treat (% change: 38%, P < 0.001). Conclusion Following the intervention, antibiotic-related awareness was significantly improved among study participants. Further efforts should be made to ensure that this improved awareness is converted to necessary health behaviour changes in the long term.
Aristolochia albida is a plant, native of Africa that has found various applications including antiparasite and anti-snake venom. In the present study, Aristolochia albida rhizome was extracted successively with chloroform and methanol by maceration technique. The extracts were tested for their larvicidal activity against 3 rd and 4 th instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, according to WHO guidelines for larvicidal bioassay, with slight modifications. Fractionation of the chloroform extract was carried out using column chromatography. Larvicidal bioassay was carried out on the fractions obtained and the most potent fraction (fraction S) was further analyzed using preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and characterized using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopic analyses. Chloroform extract showed the highest mortality (100%) at 25 ppm, with LC50 and LC90 values of 4.24 ppm and 7.59 ppm. Fractionation of the chloroform extract of Aristolochia albida rhizome yielded 180 fractions. Fraction S was the most potent fraction having the lowest LC50 value (1.12 ppm). Preparative TLC profile of fraction S yielded five distinct spots (S1-S1a, S2-S2a and S3). Assessment of the larvicidal activity of the fractions confirmed that they act in a synergistic manner. Likely compounds identified using GC-MS were columbin, benzene acetaldehyde, oleic acid, naphthalene and fucosterol. FTIR analysis identified some functionalities, such as, alcohols, aromatics and carboxylic acids. It was concluded from the present study that chloroform extract and fractions of Aristolochia albida possess larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus.
The aim of the current study was to explore the possibility of formulating a topical gel using avocado extract. The avocado oil was extracted by the locally procured fruit. Different formulations were prepared by changing the concentration of avocado oil and carbopol. The formulations were tested for pH, spreadibility, viscosity, sunscreen activity and antibacterial effect.All the parameters were found to be satisfactory. The formulation exhibited good sunscreen activity and was found effective against selected microorganism. It can be concluded that the formulation can be used in the treatment of different skin infections and for the protection from Sun.
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