A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitudes and practice of general practitioners (GPs) towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) was conducted in Doha, Qatar. Out of 119 respondents, 39.1% reported poor knowledge about CAM. Self-reported knowledge was highest for counselling and psychotherapy (69.0%), diet and supplements (68.1%), acupuncture (45.2%), herbal medicine (47.3%) and massage (42.5%). While 83.8% described their attitude to CAM as welcoming and 97.5% were interested to learn more about it, fewer (30.1%) had practised it before, referred patients (24.8%) or asked patients' about their use of CAM (34.8%). Their own lack of knowledge and training in CAM was seen as a barrier to its use by 60.0% of the GPs.
Background and Objective Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) is a well-known and frequently studied drug for primary and secondary prevention of disease due to its anti-inflammatory and coagulopathic effects. COVID-19 complications are attributed to the role of thrombo-inflammation. Studies regarding the use of low-dose ASA in COVID-19 are limited. For this reason, we propose that the use of low-dose ASA may have protective effects in COVID-19-related thromboembolism and lung injury. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of low-dose ASA compared with enoxaparin, an anticoagulant, for the prevention of thrombosis and mechanical ventilation. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study on COVID-19-confirmed hospitalized patients at the Mansoura University Quarantine Hospital, outpatients, and home-isolated patients from September to December 2020 in Mansoura governorate, Egypt. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of ASA compared with enoxaparin on thromboembolism, and mechanical ventilation needs. Results This study included 225 COVID-19 patients. Use of ASA-only (81-162 mg orally daily) was significantly associated with reduced thromboembolism (OR 0.163, p = 0.020), but both low-dose ASA and enoxaparin, and enoxaparin-only (0.5 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) daily as prophylactic dose or 1 mg/kg SC every 12 hours as therapeutic dose) were more protective (odds ratio [OR] 0.010, OR 0.071, respectively, p < 0.001). Neither ASA-only nor enoxaparin-only were associated with a reduction in mechanical ventilation needs. Concomitant use of low-dose ASA and enoxaparin was associated with reduced mechanical ventilation (OR 0.032, 95% CI 0.004-0.226, p = 0.001). Conclusions Low-dose ASA-only use may reduce the incidence of COVID-19-associated thromboembolism, but the reduction may be less than that of enoxaparin-only, and both ASA and enoxaparin. Concomitant use of ASA and enoxaparin demonstrates promising results with regard to the reduction of thrombotic events, and mechanical ventilation needs.
Background: Cigarette smoking is universally acknowledged to be a health hazard. Primary care physicians have several important responsibilities, being role models, information providers, and identifiers/modifiers of risk behaviors, and researchers. They are often able to influence the behavior of their own patients as well as the society as a whole in the prevention of illness and promotion of well-being. This can be accomplished by both serving as personal role models and actively promoting healthy behavior among their patients. Doctors who smoke may have a problem in achieving these two objectives, especially when trying to convince their own patients to quit smoking. The purpose of this study was to identify smoking prevalence among primary care physicians in Doha, Qatar, and to explore how the smoking behaviors of physicians, their perceived ability to influence patient smoking behavior, and their knowledge about health outcomes related to smoking can influence their interaction with patients. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous survey was conducted in November through December 2007, among 12 primary healthcare centers in Doha. Analyses were based on responses from 151 physicians, representing an 83.8% response rate. Results: The prevalence of smoking was 23.1% among primary care physicians, 1 5.8% of them were current smokers and 7.3% were ex-smokers. Smoking prevalence was significantly higher in men than women (12.9% vs.1.5 % regular smokers). Almost two thirds of smokers started smoking before reaching 20 years of age. Among smokers, 28.6% had previously smoked in the presence of patients and 40% of them felt ready to quit smoking within the next six months. Finally, physicians who smoke are less likely to ask their patients about their smoking behavior or believe their example is likely to influence their patients. Conclusion: Smoking prevalence is considerably high among physicians in the 1 2 primary healthcare centers in Doha, and a large percentage of physician smoke in the presence of their patients. Physicians' smoking behavior and attitude to smoking influences whether they counsel patients regarding smoking. These results indicate a need to educate physicians in Qatar about their potential for influencing patients to not start or quit smoking. There is a need for health education campaign not only for the general population but also for healthcare workers.
Objectives The inappropriate use of antibiotics is a critical global health issue. The lack of antimicrobial stewardship exposes the community to unwarranted medication and contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated the perceptions and practice of physicians and pharmacists at primary healthcare centres of Qatar with respect to antibiotic misuse. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 226 physicians and 82 pharmacists in primary health care centres. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used for data collection. Separate self-administered questionnaires were administered to physicians and pharmacists. Results Response rates for physicians and pharmacists were 97.8% and 100%, respectively. Both physicians (90.7%) and pharmacists (87.8%) perceived antibiotic misuse as a major public health issue. To prevent antibiotic misuse, most physicians and pharmacists reported a focus on patient education as well as good practices in their work. Conclusion This study provides novel evidence on the perceptions and practices of health professionals concerning antibiotic prescription in primary healthcare settings of Qatar.
School nurses and principals agreed on the clinical/medical aspects of nurses' role within schools, but disagreed on nurses' involvement in issues related to the school performance of students. The study recommends raising awareness of school principals on the school nursing role, especially in issues related to the school performance of students.
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