Suchergebnisse

Using social opportunity function approach, this work
assesses, firstly, the change in and access to education and employment
opportunities available to the population and secondly, how equitably
these opportunities are distributed. Opportunity Index (OI) and Equity
Index of Opportunities (EIO) are calculated to measure and quantify the
extent of progress made in these two most important socio-economic
components of development. Based on data, extracted from Pakistan Social
and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) Surveys of 1998-99 and 2007-08,
the present work finds that growth process has resulted in increased
inequalities both in education and employment opportunities over the
study period. Average opportunities available to population increased
for education while a decline in average employment opportunities is
documented in 2007-08 as compared to 1998-99. OI registered an increase
for primary and secondary levels of education. EIO improved at primary
level, remained stagnant for secondary level and decreased for literacy
rate over the time. Moreover, EIO for employment opportunities,
suggesting equitable distribution for employment and paid employment,
registered a decrease and opportunities distribution turn inequitable
when calculated based on average monthly income earned. Findings of the
paper suggest that policies should be focused to actively engage the
marginalised groups of the society in growth process through improvement
in higher education and more equitable distribution of opportunities.
JEL classification: C46, D63, E24, I24, O12 Keywords: Inclusive Growth,
Inequality, Opportunity Curve, Opportunity Index, Equity Index of
Opportunities, Pakistan

PURPOSE: This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general public regarding the use of antibiotics in community pharmacy, in Pakistan. METHODS: This is a mixed method study where data were collected through a validated questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Convenience sampling techniques were used to recruit participants from the general public of Bahawalpur, Pakistan who visited pharmacies to purchase antibiotics between 1 June 2018 and 31 July 2018. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to tabulate the results of quantitative data while inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes and draw conclusions from the qualitative data. RESULTS: Over 60% of the 400 survey participants (n=246; 61.5%) had a moderate level of antibiotic knowledge; however, attitudes regarding antibiotics use were poor in half the sample (n=201; 50.3%). More than half (n=226; 56.6%) of the respondents stated that antibiotics could cure all types of infections. Just under one third (n=129; 32.3%) of respondents obtained the appropriate dosage regimen while the majority did not complete the course (n=369; 92.3%); stopping when they felt better. Inductive thematic analysis yielded four themes, 10 subthemes and 27 categories. Two subthemes were related to knowledge, one to attitude, three to practices and four subthemes were related to suggestions to improve the healthcare system. Inappropriate antibiotic practices included: lack of consultation with healthcare professionals, purchase of antibiotics without prescription or refilling of previous prescription, use of home supply of antibiotics, sharing of antibiotics with others, improper dosage regimens and early cessation of antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Level of education, low health literacy, high consultation fees of private practitioners, inadequate health facilities in government hospitals and patient overload, busy schedules of people, poor healthcare infrastructure in rural areas and unrestricted supply of antibiotics ...

Muhammad Atif,1 Saima Asghar,1 Irem Mushtaq,2 Iram Malik,1 Anum Amin,1 Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar,3 Shane Scahill4 1Department of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 2Department of Education, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 3Department of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK; 4School of Management, Massey Business School, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand Purpose: This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general public regarding the use of antibiotics in community pharmacy, in Pakistan.Methods: This is a mixed method study where data were collected through a validated questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Convenience sampling techniques were used to recruit participants from the general public of Bahawalpur, Pakistan who visited pharmacies to purchase antibiotics between 1 June 2018 and 31 July 2018. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to tabulate the results of quantitative data while inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes and draw conclusions from the qualitative data.Results: Over 60% of the 400 survey participants (n=246; 61.5%) had a moderate level of antibiotic knowledge; however, attitudes regarding antibiotics use were poor in half the sample (n=201; 50.3%). More than half (n=226; 56.6%) of the respondents stated that antibiotics could cure all types of infections. Just under one third (n=129; 32.3%) of respondents obtained the appropriate dosage regimen while the majority did not complete the course (n=369; 92.3%); stopping when they felt better. Inductive thematic analysis yielded four themes, 10 subthemes and 27 categories. Two subthemes were related to knowledge, one to attitude, three to practices and four subthemes were related to suggestions to improve the healthcare system. Inappropriate antibiotic practices included: lack of consultation with healthcare professionals, purchase of antibiotics without prescription or refilling of previous prescription, use of home supply of antibiotics, sharing of antibiotics with others, improper dosage regimens and early cessation of antibiotic therapy.Conclusion: Level of education, low health literacy, high consultation fees of private practitioners, inadequate health facilities in government hospitals and patient overload, busy schedules of people, poor healthcare infrastructure in rural areas and unrestricted supply of antibiotics were key factors associated with inappropriate use of antibiotics in Pakistan. Keywords: antibiotic resistance, general public, knowledge, health literacy, self-medication