Papers by Inas R. Ibrahim
Simultaneous multiparameter radar and 2D-video disdrometer observations of snow
Polarimetric radars are very useful for remote sensing of storm microphysics. Multiparameter rada... more Polarimetric radars are very useful for remote sensing of storm microphysics. Multiparameter radar signatures have been used for quantitative and qualitative interpretation of convective storms. However, the interpretation of these signatures for aggregating snow particles is complicated because of many unknowns, such as bulk densities, and shapes of snow particles. During the winter of 1996-1997, extensive data were collected in

Pharmacy Practice in Iraq
Elsevier eBooks, 2016
Abstract Though the early records of therapy appeared in Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq) 6000 in BC, a... more Abstract Though the early records of therapy appeared in Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq) 6000 in BC, a lack of information pertaining to pharmacy practice in this country persists. This chapter aims to review the pharmacy scene in Iraq since its debut to the present day with the challenges facing it. The capital city Baghdad witnessed the emergence of the first apothecary in the world in 754 AD. A health unit appeared in 1905 followed by the establishment of the Ministry of Health in 1921. The Pharmacy Act was launched in 1923 to regulate the selling and control of pharmaceutical products and poisons. In 1936, the Royal College of Pharmacy and Chemistry was founded. The first independent pharmacy organization was authorized as the Syndicate of Iraqi Pharmacists in 1967. The country witnessed a sophisticated health system from the 1950s until the early 1980s. Then, it was affected by three decades of decline due to political conflicts and frequent wars that ravaged the country from 1981 until 2011. Despite a sufficient number of colleges of pharmacy, pharmacists' personnel, and community pharmacies nowadays, many challenges are present and affect the profession of pharmacy in Iraq.

Value in Health, Nov 1, 2016
143 CDMP patients with hypertension. A total number of 8 physicians and 7 private PHC managers we... more 143 CDMP patients with hypertension. A total number of 8 physicians and 7 private PHC managers were involved in this study. Level satisfaction of physicians and private PHC managers were observed by using a qualitative study through in-depth interviews. Results: Patient satisfaction was estimated to be 68.52±8.54, which could be interpreted that patient satisfy with CDMP. In-depth interviews showed that physicians did not satisfy with CDMP due to several factors (e.g.,unintegrated prescription systems, lack of medicines, uncompleted laboratory facilities, lack of physicians, and lack of collaboration between primary and secondary healthcare system). On the other hand, private PHC managers were quite satisfied with CDMP due to its linearity with other activities in private PHCs. ConClusions: Level satisfaction of patients with CDMP is quite good, while physicians might not satisfy with this program. In particular, private PHC managers confirmed that they are satisfied with this program.

Value in Health, Nov 1, 2016
Background Hormone replacement therapy is now thought to have serious adverse effects; consequent... more Background Hormone replacement therapy is now thought to have serious adverse effects; consequently, many menopausal women are seeking to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including non-pharmacological interventions (NPI), to alleviate symptoms. The prevalence and perceived effectiveness of CAM and NPI for ameliorating menopausal symptoms are not widely known and factors likely to predict CAM and NPI utilization for menopausal symptom management have not been comprehensively documented. Objectives The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the prevalence of using CAM and NPI for menopausal symptoms; (2) describe the perceived effectiveness of CAM and NPI for symptom management; and (3) investigate lifestyle and demographic factors associated with CAM/NPI use among menopausal women with vasomotor symptoms. Methods Women aged 46-55 years were recruited via six socioeconomically diverse general practices. Participants completed a postal questionnaire that contained items relating to demographics, lifestyle factors, weight, height, exercise behavior, menopausal status, vasomotor symptoms and utilization and perceived effectiveness of a range of CAM/NPI for symptom management. Of 1206 women who responded, 563 (47%) were symptomatic. The most commonly used CAM/NPI for symptom management were diet/nutrition (44.3%), exercise/yoga (41.5%), relaxation/stress management (27.4%) and homeopathic/ naturopathic remedies (25.4%). Of women who used these interventions, large proportions reported them to be helpful. The characteristics that were independently associated with use of CAM/NPI were White ethnicity, being physically active, and not smoking.
Journal of complementary medicine & alternative healthcare, Dec 6, 2017
Traditional medicine plays an important role in the Arab region. It remains the complement part o... more Traditional medicine plays an important role in the Arab region. It remains the complement part of the healthcare system of the Arabic society. Historical texts and current investigations indicated that Arab region of the Mediterranean has been characterized through generations with a rich inventory of medicinal plants and folk practices for healing. This in turn made the treatment with traditional medicine a long-standing cultural heritage.

Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 2016
T he recent decades witnessed an increased attention to the use of complementary and alternative ... more T he recent decades witnessed an increased attention to the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) in the management of different health conditions. Despite available researches that addressed patient's usage of CAM in various chronic diseases, little is known concerning hypertension. Hypertension is a chronic disorder, affecting approximately 27% of the population worldwide and accounts for 12.8% of the total deaths. [1] In Iraq (the Eastern region of the Arab world), the prevalence of hypertension is about 25% of the total population and accounts for 5% of all deaths in the country. [2] It is necessary for patients diagnosed with hypertension to achieve adequate blood pressure levels to prevent cardiovascular risk and serious renal complications. [3] The overall strategy to maintain normal blood pressure level involves standard medical treatment as well as patient self-care. Recent studies have identified the self-use of CAM among patients with hypertension to control their blood pressure and A qualitative insight on complementary and alternative medicines used by hypertensive patients
Journal of complementary medicine & alternative healthcare, Aug 24, 2018
The considerable use of CAM among HTN patients gives an indication of a distinct attitude towards... more The considerable use of CAM among HTN patients gives an indication of a distinct attitude towards it. Previous studies have found that users of CAM were characterized by a positive attitudes towards this practice .
Objectives………………………………………………………………….. 5.3 Methodology………………………………………………………………. 5.3.1 Study design... more Objectives………………………………………………………………….. 5.3 Methodology………………………………………………………………. 5.3.1 Study design and patient selection……………………………........ 5.3.2 Study instrument…………………………………………………... 5.3.3 Statistical analysis…………………………………………………. 5.4 Results……………………………………………………………………... 5.4.1 Demographic characteristics of patients according to the use of CAM………………………………………………………………. 5.4.2 Related co-morbidity of respondents……………..………………..
Use of complementary and alternative medicines: a cross-sectional study among hypertensive patients in Iraq
Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 2017
The purpose of this study was to assess the use, predictors and patient's seeking behaviour o... more The purpose of this study was to assess the use, predictors and patient's seeking behaviour of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in hypertension and evaluate patient's perception of CAM adverse effects.
Pharmacovigilance for Herbal Medicines in Iraq
Springer International Publishing eBooks, 2022
Self-medication practice in Baghdad, Iraq
Australasian Medical Journal
Self-medication practice in Baghdad, Iraq
Australasian Medical Journal
Consumers Preferences of Oral Solid Dosage Forms
Australasian Medical Journal
... Search result page. Title: Consumers Preferences of Oral Solid Dosage Forms. Author: Inas Rif... more ... Search result page. Title: Consumers Preferences of Oral Solid Dosage Forms. Author: Inas RifatIbrahim ; Mohamed Izham MI ; Mahmoud Al-Haddad. Abstract: Journal: Australasian Medical Journal. Issn: 18361935. EIssn: Year: 2010. Volume: 3. Issue: 12. pages/rec.No: 834-834 ...

INNOVATIONS in pharmacy, 2013
Objectives: The main aims of this study were to assess society's use of community pharmacies;... more Objectives: The main aims of this study were to assess society's use of community pharmacies; evaluate attitudes towards the role of the community pharmacist; and describe required pharmacist characteristics and future services. Study design: A cross-sectional survey with a stratified sampling technique. Methods: A self-administered, validated, questionnaire was distributed to 500 consumers in attendance at 50 community pharmacies in Baghdad, Iraq. Data were gathered from January to April 2012. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to test for statistical differences among the study variables. Further analysis through the Chi-square test and logistic regression was completed to assess the predictors of society's attitudes. Results: Twenty-six percent of respondents visited their community pharmacies at least once per week and an additional 65% reported visiting their pharmacy at least once per month. Fifty-five percent of respondents listed the community pharm...

Pharmacy Practice, 2021
Background: Pharmacists have the unique position of providing safe and effective care. Hence, add... more Background: Pharmacists have the unique position of providing safe and effective care. Hence, addressing their feelings about their working life is crucial to provide good pharmacy services. Objective: this study aimed to assess job satisfaction among Iraqi community pharmacists and determine the effect of pharmacist characteristics on job satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. A simple random sample technique was adopted to select community pharmacists. A survey questionnaire using Warr-Cook-Wall satisfaction scale (ranging from extremely dissatisfied to extremely satisfied) was used to assess job satisfaction. Results: Community pharmacists experienced moderate satisfaction with their jobs. The mean satisfaction score for all pharmacists was 20.4 (SD 3.7). The lowest mean scores occurred for recognition (1.4; SD 0.7), public respect (1.8; SD 0.9), and pharmacy regulations (1.9; SD 0.9). Job satisfac...

Pharmacy Practice
Background: Because community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, they ... more Background: Because community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, they are often involved in managing minor ailments within the community setting. Objective: This study evaluated the community pharmacists' history taking practice, medicine dispensing and advice in response to acute diarrhea. Methods: Authors conducted a simulated-patient study in 75 community pharmacies in Baghdad, Iraq from February to May 2015. The female simulated-patient complained of acute diarrhea that had lasted for one day and requested for medicine to treat her condition. After exiting each pharmacy, she then assessed the practices of the community pharmacists through the use of a specially designed checklist adopted with modifications from relevant guidelines. For history taking, a maximum total of eight was the highest obtainable score. Data collected was quantitatively analyzed and Mann-Whitney, Chi-square or Fishers exact tests were used at an alpha level of 0.05. Results: All of the 75 pharmacies visited were managed by professionally qualified pharmacists. The most common questions asked during history taking were number of diarrheal episodes (n=62; 82.7%); duration of symptoms (n=59; 78.7%) and presence of other diseases and if any drug had been taken (n=58; 77.3%). Female pharmacists had a higher total mean score (6.45, SD=1.33) for history taking when compared to their male counterparts (4.34, SD=2.13); p <0.001. Medicine combination of diphenoxylate HCl 2.5mg + atropine sulphate 0.025mg (n=34; 27.9%) was most frequently dispensed while the least was oral rehydration salt (n=1; 0.8%). Around 20% (n=15) of pharmacists dispensed antimicrobial agents. Over half (n=46; 61.3%) of pharmacists indicated the frequency of use on the medicine packet. Conversely, less than half (n=33; 44.0%) gave any advice on food and fluid intake. Conclusions: Majority of the community pharmacists asked at least four questions while taking patient history and was very likely to recommend antidiarrheal medicines as first line treatment options. The authors recommend the development of a minimum standard of practice as well as enhanced training for Iraqi community pharmacists.

Pharmacology research & perspectives, Apr 1, 2018
This study was undertaken to assess the people's self-reported reading of medicine labels and... more This study was undertaken to assess the people's self-reported reading of medicine labels and its associated factors and to assess the sources of information about medicines among general public. A cross-sectional study was carried out among general public in the State of Penang, Malaysia. A total of 888 participants were conveniently selected and completed the survey. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the data from all the participants. Most of the participants (74.2%) reported that they have adequate information about medicines provided on their medicine labels. In addition, 86.9% of them reported that they read their medicine's label for the directions of usage and 84.3% for the dosage instruction. However, 42.1% of the participants do not read their medicine's label for the active ingredients, and 33% of them do not read their medicine's label for the safety information. In addition, 36.5% of the respondents did not read the label of medicine f...

Pharmacy Practice
Background: Patients' behaviour in making decisions regarding health is currently changing from p... more Background: Patients' behaviour in making decisions regarding health is currently changing from passive recipients to recipients who play an active role in taking action to control their health and taking self-care initiatives. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the health seeking behaviour among general public and its associated factors; and to evaluate the medicine taking behaviour in public and the practice of self-medication. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among general public in Penang Island, Malaysia. A convenience sampling of 888 participants successfully completed the survey. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among the residents in the north east of Penang Island. Results: This study showed that most of the participants chose to consult the physician when they experience any health problems (66.7%), followed by self-medication (20.9%). The first action for consulting the physician was significantly predicted by Malay respondents and retired people (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.04-8.89). The prevalence of self-medication was 54%. The practice of selfmedication was significantly associated with Chinese participants, educated people, people with alone living status and people with more self-care orientation. Conclusion: Increasing the awareness of the public about the rational choice of getting medical assistance is a very important issue to control their health. A health education program is needed to increase the awareness about the use of medicines among the general public and to enable them to make the right decisions relating to health problems.
Self-medication practice in Baghdad, Iraq. . 2012; 5:600-602
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Papers by Inas R. Ibrahim