Introduction: Although it is discouraged, community pharmacy customers can obtain oral corticosteroids (OCSs) without prescriptions from some community pharmacies in Iraq. Medication abuse is defined as the use of medication for non-medical reasons. Objectives: The study aimed to determine demographics, beliefs, and perceptions associated with the abuse of oral corticosteroids for non-illness reasons among community pharmacy customers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in fall 2018 in four provinces in Iraq. Customers of 19 community pharmacies asking for OCSs for themselves without a prescription were administered a paper survey. This study used the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to measure the relationship between the motivational factors and the abuse of OCSs. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationships between the use of OCSs for non-illness and six TRA factors: Normative belief, behavioral belief, evaluation of the behavior, motivation to comply, subjective norms and attitude toward behavior. Results: The study enrolled 141 participants (98 women and 43 men) taking asking for OCSs without prescription. Dexamethasone was the most commonly used OCSs (59.6%). Friends were the primary recommenders for corticosteroids abuse (28.4%). The main reasons for using OCSs were to increase appetite and gain weight (53.9 %). Approximately one-third (36.2 %) of the participants gained weight after using OCSs. The regression analysis of the TRA variables showed two factors were significantly related to the abuse of OCSs. Age had a significant inverse relationship with the abuse of OCSs and the "good appearance" belief had a significant positive association with OCS abuse. Conclusion: Some Iraqi community pharmacy customers use non-prescribed oral corticosteroids to increase appetite and gain weight. Improve body appearance represents the dominant incentive that urges people to use OCSs without prescription. Health officials and healthcare practitioners need to promote people's awareness about the risks of misusing OCSs through education programs and advertisements in public health settings, media, and social media. Article Type: Original Research
The current study examined the effect of different sample sizes to detect the Item differential functioning (DIF). The study has used three different sizes of the samples (300, 500, 1000), as well as to test a component of twenty polytomous items, where each item has five categories. They were used Graded Response Model as a single polytomous item response theory model to estimate items and individuals’ parameters. The study has used the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) way to detect (DIF) through each case for the different samples. The results of the study showed the inverse relationship between the sample size and the number of items, which showed a differential performer.
Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of nonnutritive sucking habits on the presence of oral Escherichia coli. Methods. One hundred and twenty children aged 3–5 years old were enrolled in the present case-control study, as follows: 60 children with continuous pacifier and thumb sucking habits (study group) and 60 children without any sucking habits (control group). The children in the two groups were matched in terms of age and gender. Information was gathered from the parents concerning their children using a special sheet. Sterile swabs were taken from both groups and cultured on agar plates. Then, they were subjected to further biochemical tests to identify E. coli species. The mean of the E. coli count was determ
... Show MoreThe research endeavors to harness the benefits stemming from the integration of constraint theory into construction project management, with the primary goal of mitigating project completion delays. Additionally, it employs fuzzy analysis to determine the relative significance of fundamental constraints within projects by assigning them appropriate weights. The research problem primarily revolves around two key issues. Firstly, the persistent utilization of outdated methodologies and a heavy reliance on workforce experience without embracing modern computerized technologies. Secondly, the recurring problem of project delivery delays. Construction projects typically encompass five fundamental constraint types: cost restrictions, tim
... Show MoreThe study of the language through the prophetic curriculum in general and the semantics in particular through the books of Professor Abdul Salam Yassin, may God have mercy on him and the most distinctive linguistic phenomena, and then study semantics and the most prominent methods that reveal the emotions dominated by this study to indicate the semantics of religious terms In this research we try to dive into the sea of significance to know the relationship between the words and their connotations, and to monitor aspects of semantic development, although we have left non-essential words in order to avoid lengthening. N or three and sometimes Aguetsarna on one example we thought it was enough to clarify the meaning.
This paper introduces a non-conventional approach with multi-dimensional random sampling to solve a cocaine abuse model with statistical probability. The mean Latin hypercube finite difference (MLHFD) method is proposed for the first time via hybrid integration of the classical numerical finite difference (FD) formula with Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) technique to create a random distribution for the model parameters which are dependent on time [Formula: see text]. The LHS technique gives advantage to MLHFD method to produce fast variation of the parameters’ values via number of multidimensional simulations (100, 1000 and 5000). The generated Latin hypercube sample which is random or non-deterministic in nature is further integ
... Show MoreIn this paper we investigated some new properties of π-Armendariz rings and studied the relationships between π-Armendariz rings and central Armendariz rings, nil-Armendariz rings, semicommutative rings, skew Armendariz rings, α-compatible rings and others. We proved that if R is a central Armendariz, then R is π-Armendariz ring. Also we explained how skew Armendariz rings can be ?-Armendariz, for that we proved that if R is a skew Armendariz π-compatible ring, then R is π-Armendariz. Examples are given to illustrate the relations between concepts.
In this paper, we introduce a new concept named St-polyform modules, and show that the class of St-polyform modules is contained properly in the well-known classes; polyform, strongly essentially quasi-Dedekind and ?-nonsingular modules. Various properties of such modules are obtained. Another characterization of St-polyform module is given. An existence of St-polyform submodules in certain class of modules is considered. The relationships of St-polyform with some related concepts are investigated. Furthermore, we introduce other new classes which are; St-semisimple and ?-non St-singular modules, and we verify that the class of St-polyform modules lies between them.
In this thesis, we introduce eight types of topologies on a finite digraphs and state the implication between these topologies. Also we studied some pawlak's concepts and generalization rough set theory, we introduce a new types for approximation rough digraphs depending on supra open digraphs. In addition, we present two various standpoints to define generalized membership relations, and state the implication between it, to classify the digraphs and help for measure exactness and roughness of digraphs. On the other hand, we define several kinds of fuzzy digraphs. We also introduce a topological space, which is induced by reflexive graph and tolerance graphs, such that the graph may be infinite. Furthermore, we offered some properties of th
... Show MoreThe primary objective of this paper, is to introduce eight types of topologies on a finite digraphs and state the implication between these topologies. Also we used supra open digraphs to introduce a new types for approximation rough digraphs.
Recently, environmental noise has arisen from various sources, such as those from exhaust mufflers of combustion engines found in cars, trucks, or power generators, which produce significant noise during their operation. Controlling the radiated noise from these mufflers is a major factor in improving acoustic comfort and minimizing the impact on the surrounding communities. Numerous research has been presented for this reason by modification of the internal structure of the exhaust muffler. The main objective of this work is to reduce the noise level emitted from exhaust mufflers. This can be achieved by adjusting structure parameters to attenuate the surrounding environment's radiated noise. Analysis of pressure-wave propagation h
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