Patient safety culture and associated factors among pharmacy professionals working in Bahir Dar City public hospitals using a pharmacy survey on patient safety culture (PSOPSC).

Background: Adverse events resulting from medical care continue to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Many individuals experience harm due to medical errors, particularly in developing nations. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the patient safety culture among pharmacy professionals employed in public hospitals within Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia.

Extemporaneous dermatological compounding in hospital pharmacies, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Dermatological problems are among the leading causes of hospital visits in Ethiopia. Extemporaneous compounded products are currently used by many patients with different disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate the most commonly prescribed extemporaneously compounded products compounding practice and applicability of compounding guidelines at five randomly selected hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia.

Application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on Breast cancer diagnosis combined with multiple algorithms: A systematic review.

Introduction: Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is an innovative diagnostic technique for improving early detection and personalized care for breast cancer patients. It allows rapid and accurate analysis of biological samples. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of FT-IR spectroscopy for breast cancer, based on a comprehensive literature review.

Current access, availability and use of antibiotics in primary care among key low- and middle-income countries and the policy implications.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), exacerbated by inappropriate antibiotic use, access to quality antibiotics and weak antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). There is a need to review current evidence on antibiotic use, access, and AMR, in primary care across key countries.

Areas Covered: This narrative review analyzes publications from 2018 to 2024 regarding access, availability, and use of appropriate antibiotics.

Community pharmacy professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward substandard and falsified medicines and associated factors in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: The availability of substandard and/or falsified medicines (SFMs) in the market poses a severe threat to health and the national economy. Therefore, pharmacy professionals are highly responsible for controlling SFMs distribution in the market to improve the health of the population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess community pharmacy professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward SFMs and to identify associated factors in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia.

Serum cardiac and inflammatory biomarker levels following chemotherapy among female patients with breast cancer attending at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Chemotherapy is a well-established therapeutic approach for several malignancies, including breast cancer (BCa). However, the clinical efficacy of this drug is limited by cardiotoxicity. Assessing multiple cardiac biomarkers can help identify patients at risk of adverse outcomes from chemotherapy.

Cost-effective track and trace technology for poor-quality chemotherapeutic pharmaceuticals in resource-limited countries: a review of the Chemotherapeutic Paper Analytical Device.

Poor-quality medicines (substandard or counterfeit) can lead to treatment failure. There is a vast global imbalance in cancer treatment outcomes due to the difficulty of accessing quality chemotherapeutic products. Early diagnosis of cancer brings more hope for curative treatment of cancer and increases the demand for chemotherapeutic products.

Evaluation of female university students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward human papillomavirus infection and vaccination. Multicenter cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Having good knowledge and a favorable attitude toward human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccinations is the cornerstone for increasing the use of HPV vaccinations and preventing cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HPV and HPV vaccinations, as well as to identify associated factors among female undergraduate health science students at both the University of Gondar (UoG) and Bahir Dar University (BDU), Amhara, Ethiopia.

Methods: Institutional-based multicenter descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1, 2023, to July 30, 2023.

Prevalence of substandard, falsified, unlicensed and unregistered medicine and its associated factors in Africa: a systematic review.

Background: Substandard, falsified, unlicensed, and unregistered medicines pose significant risks to public health in developed and developing countries. This systematic review provides an overview of the prevalence of substandard, falsified, unlicensed, and unregistered medicine and its associated factors in Africa.

Methods: Articles published from April 2014 to March 2024 were searched in Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice on substandard and counterfeit pharmaceutical products among pharmacy professionals in Gondar City, North-West Ethiopia.

Introduction: The circulation of substandard and counterfeit pharmaceutical products on the national and international markets has increased. Different studies revealed that there is limited information about pharmacy professionals' awareness of substandard and counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Therefore; the aim of the present study was to assess the pharmacy professionals' knowledge, attitude, and practice of substandard and counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Contamination of Commonly Consumed Fruits in Bahir Dar Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Excess accumulation of potentially toxic elements in frequently consumed fruits is a serious threat to human health. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) and to estimate the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with their daily intake in commonly consumed fruits in Bahir Dar town, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: Three types of fruits (mango, banana, and orange) were collected using a simple random sampling method from open markets in Bahir Dar town.

Evaluation of logistics management information system and availability of non-program tracer drugs in public health facilities in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia.

The logistics management information system (LMIS) plays a crucial role in effective record-keeping and reporting, ensuring efficient management of stock status and consumption data. A proficient LMIS improves accountability and supports informed logistic decisions in healthcare. Conversely, a subpar LMIS negatively affects essential medicine availability, compromising overall healthcare service efficiency.

Pharmacists' Medication Counseling Practices and Knowledge and Satisfaction of Patients With an Outpatient Hospital Pharmacy Service.

The degree of communication between patients and pharmacists has a significant impact on the process of medication counseling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pharmacists' practices of medication counseling and to assess patients' knowledge of medications and satisfaction with pharmacy services at Woldia Comprehensive Specialised Hospital (WCSH). A cross-sectional study involving 23 pharmacists and 339 patients was carried out between February and May 2022 at WCSH.

Prevalence of Hypercholesterolemia and Awareness of Risk Factors, Prevention and Management Among Adults Visiting Referral Hospital in Ethiopia.

Background: Unhealthy lifestyles and physical inactivity are among the contributing factors of hypercholesterolemia. This study assessed the prevalence, awareness of risk factors, and prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia among adults who visited Woldia referral hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults who visited Woldia referral hospital from May to August 2022.