Asian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy

Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards cervical cancer screening and hpv vaccination among women in passo community, abuja, nigeria

2025-08-26T21:16:01-04:00

Cervical cancer is a common cancer among women globally. In Nigeria, it is the second most prevalent cancer among women aged 15–44 years. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, particularly HPV 16 and 18, is the primary cause. Despite effective prevention strategies such as HPV vaccination and routine screening, uptake in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains poor due to low awareness, socioeconomic barriers, and inadequate health infrastructure. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination among women in Passo Community, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria.A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 217 adolescent and adult females (15–65 years) using a cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Associations between variables were tested using Pearson’s Chi-square, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Awareness of cervical cancer was 45.5%, while only 13.4% were aware of HPV and 14.3% knew about HPV vaccination. Good knowledge of cervical cancer was found in 31.3% of respondents, and of screening in 30.0%. Most respondents (75.1%) displayed a positive attitude towards screening; however, only 9.7% had ever undergone screening, and none had received HPV vaccination. The most cited barriers were lack of awareness and uncertainty about where to access services.Despite a generally positive attitude towards screening, knowledge and practice of cervical cancer prevention in this community were low. Public health interventions should focus on awareness creation, accessible screening services, and HPV vaccination programs to reduce the burden of cervical cancer.

A study on risk factor, etiology and outcomes of acute pancreatitis

2025-09-04T21:56:03-04:00

A prospective observational study was conducted on 80 patients with acute pancreatitis to assess clinical presentation, management, and outcomes. Abdominal pain (93.75%) was the most common symptom, followed by vomiting (37.5%) and constipation (10%). All patients received supportive treatment with intravenous fluids, and most required analgesics (97.5%), nutritional support (56.25%), antibiotics (25%), or insulin therapy (12.5%). Interventional procedures such as ERCP or drainage were performed in 6.25% of cases. Symptomatic relief was achieved in the majority, with 95% experiencing pain resolution. Complications included transient hyperglycemia (12.5%), pseudocyst formation (3.75%), and infected necrosis (2.5%). The average hospital stay ranged from 7 to 10 days in uncomplicated cases, with 18.8% experiencing prolonged admission. Overall survival was 97.5%, with mortality occurring in 2 patients due to severe necrotising pancreatitis. The study highlights that timely fluid resuscitation, effective pain management, and appropriate nutritional and interventional support are essential for favourable outcomes in acute pancreatitis.

A Study on Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers of Persons with Severe Mental Illness

2025-08-01T18:33:01-04:00

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among caregivers of individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness. Conducted in the Department of Psychiatry at SVS Hospital, the study included caregivers of psychiatric patients who met the inclusion criteria and provided informed consent. Sociodemographic data were collected using a standardized intake proforma, and socio-economic status was assessed using the Modified Kuppuswamy Scale (2023). Psychological distress was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The findings revealed that the age group of 21–30 years showed the highest prevalence of psychological issues, with 28 caregivers (27.7%) reporting moderate to severe levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Caregivers from rural backgrounds, particularly farmers, were significantly affected, likely due to the burden of caregiving compounded by environmental stressors such as unpredictable climate conditions, financial insecurity, and limited support systems. Female caregivers were found to be more psychologically impacted than their male counterparts, possibly due to traditional caregiving roles and societal expectations. The study underscores the substantial emotional burden borne by caregivers of patients with psychiatric illnesses and highlights the need for targeted psychological support and interventions for this vulnerable population. Routine mental health screening and supportive counselling for caregivers should be integrated into psychiatric care services to improve both caregiver well-being and patient outcomes. These findings emphasize the need to recognize caregivers as secondary victims in the mental health care process and advocate for their inclusion in holistic mental health management plans.

Generic vs branded medicines: an over-view

2025-08-15T16:08:01-04:00

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the winner in the form of the most affordable formula in the world. The concept of generic prescription is widely accepted in various parts of the world. Nevertheless, it has failed to gain popularity in INDIA due to factors such as no availability and distrust on the product quality. However, since 2012, the Government of West Bengal, India, has initiated exclusive generic drug outlets called “fair price medicine shop” (FPMS).The concept of generic prescription is widely accepted in various parts of the world Generic drugs offer the same ingredients and same dosage forms therapeutic effect but lower cost and there available after the brand name drug patent expires .Dissolution is the amount of substance that goes into solution per unit time under standardized conditions of liquid/solid interface, solvent composition and temperature. Dissolution is one of the most important tools to predict the in-vivo bio-availability and in some cases to determine bioequivalence and assure interchange ability. Same drug can be sold for different prices under different brand names due to various reasons. Branded medicine is the original product that has been developed by a pharmaceutical company and generic medicine is a copy of the original branded product, marketed after the expiry date of the patent and hence supposed to be of low cost as compared to their branded versions

Artificial intelligence and machine learning in drug discovery-a review

2025-08-26T21:15:56-04:00

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has revolutionized various sectors, including healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Among the most transformative applications is their role in drug discovery and development. Traditionally a costly, laborious, and time-consuming process, drug discovery has significantly benefited from the integration of AI and ML technologies, enabling rapid identification of potential drug candidates, target identification, drug repurposing, and prediction of pharmacokinetics and toxicity. This article explores the principles, applications, benefits, challenges, and future perspectives of AI and ML in drug discovery, supported by contemporary references.