Asst. Prof.Omer Qataiba Badr Al-Din

Dr. Omar Al-Laila received his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Baghdad in 2001, and his Master’s and PhD degrees in 2009, 2012 respectively, from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). He has received many awards and honors from the USA, UK, Australia and Malaysia. He works as an editorial member in several reputable journals. He has authored more than 70 articles. It is a member of ISPOR, ISOP, ISID and MPS. Interested in research: Pediatric research, immunization error and adverse effects, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, smoking cessation.

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Most cited scientific research

Abstract :

Background
Immunization rate is one of the best public health outcome and service indicators of the last 100 years. Parental decisions regarding immunization are very important to improve immunization rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between parental knowledge-practices (KP) and children's immunization completeness.
Methods
A mixed method has been utilized in this study: a retrospective cohort study was used to evaluate immunization completeness; a prospective cross-sectional study was used to evaluate immunization KP of parents. 528 children born between 1 January 2003 and 31 June 2008 were randomly selected from five public health clinics in Mosul, Iraq. Immunization history of each child was collected retrospectively from their immunization record/card.
Results
About half of …

Abstract :

Parents’ knowledge about immunization is an important predictor factor for their children’s immunization status. The aims of this study were to assess parents’ knowledge and to evaluate the effect of a short educational intervention on improving parents’ knowledge of childhood immunization. A cross-sectional study using a pre- and post-test intervention survey of a single group was conducted among Malaysian parents. Changes in total knowledge score before and after the intervention were measured using a validated questionnaire. The intervention consisted of an animated movie and lecture using simple understandable language. Wilcoxon signed ranks test and the McNemar x2 test were applied to compare the differences in knowledge before and after the intervention. Seventy-three parents were enrolled in this study; the majority were mothers (n = 64, 87.7%). Parents’ knowledge about childhood immunization increased significantly after the intervention compared to the baseline results (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between parents’ knowledge and their educational level and monthly income (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005), respectively. A short educational intervention designed for parents had a positive effect on their knowledge about immunization. Educational interventions targeting parents with low levels of education and income are needed. Further studies investigating the actual effectiveness of such interventions on immunization rates and statuses are required.

Abstract :

Parents are the main decision makers for their children vaccinations. This fact makes parents’ immunization knowledge and practices as predictor factors for immunization uptake and timeliness. The aim of this pilot study was to develop a reliable and valid instrument in Malaysian language to measure immunization knowledge and practice (KP) of Malaysian parents. A cross-sectional prospective pilot survey was conducted among 88 Malaysian parents who attended public health facilities that provide vaccinations. Translated immunization KP questionnaires (Bahasa Melayu version) were used. Descriptive statistics were applied, face and content validity were assessed, and internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity were determined. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the knowledge scores was 7.36 ± 2.29 and for practice scores was 7.13 ± 2.20. Good internal consistency was found for knowledge and practice items (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.757 and 0.743 respectively); the test-retest reliability value was 0.740 (p = 0.014). A panel of three specialist pharmacists who are experts in this field judged the face and content validity of the final questionnaire. Parents with up-to-date immunized children had significantly better knowledge and practice scores than parents who did not (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively), suggesting a good construct validity. A significant difference was found in knowledge and practice scores among parents’ age (p = 0.006 and p = 0.029 respectively) and place of living (p = 0.037 and p = 0.043). The parents’ knowledge level was positively associated with their practice …

Abstract :

Since last 100 years, immunization rate is one of the best public health outcome and service indicators. However, the immunization system is still imperfect; there are many countries that still have unvaccinated children. Parental decisions regarding immunization are very important to improve immunization rate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between parental knowledge-practice (KP) regarding immunization with family and immunization providers’ factors.
Methods
This is a prospective cross-sectional study design. Immunization knowledge and practices among 528 Iraqi parents were evaluated through validated questionnaire. Familial data and immunization provider’s characteristics were collected from parents through interview.
Results
More than half of respondents/study population …

Abstract :

Objectives: This study was designed to explore awareness and attitudes of community pharmacists toward the national ADR reporting system activities in the northern states of Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a validated self-administered questionnaire was used in this study. The questionnaire was delivered to all community pharmacists (N = 470) practicing in the four northern states of Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang and Perak) during the study period. Results: A total of 470 survey forms were sent with one wave of reminders.Only 116 pharmacists responded to the survey (response rate of 25.2%). The total number of usable responses was 104 (24.7%). The survey findings revealed that nearly three-quarters of pharmacists (n = 75; 72.1%) were not aware of the pharmacovigilance activities run by the drug regulatory authority inMalaysia. Although more than half (n = 65, 61.5%) of the surveyed pharmacists emphasized the importance of ADR reporting, only 13 pharmacists (12.9%) claimed that they submitted ADR reports to the Malaysia Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee (MADRAC) before this survey. Barriers which prevent community pharmacists from ADR reporting were identified. These included lack of knowledge on howto report (n = 36; 34.7%), the unavailability of reporting forms (n = 44; 42.6%), and ignorance of where the report should be sent to (n = 46; 44.6%). Conclusions: Despite the unfamiliarity and the common misconceptions, the study results show that community pharmacists in the northern states of Malaysia have a very positive attitude toward the ADR reporting system in the country. However, the study findings highlight the urgent need for special education programs to establish continuous efforts to promote ADR reporting among community pharmacists. Further studies at the national level aimed at identifying and removing barriers that prevent community pharmacists from performing ADR reporting are required.

Abstract :

Aim

To test the reliability and validity of the translated version of the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire on immunization among Arabic parents.

Method
A cross-sectional prospective survey was carried out among 53 parents to obtain demographic data of immunized children. Other data were collected using translated KAP immunization questionnaires consisting of ten questions related to knowledge and ten questions related to attitude and practice. Descriptive statistics were used, and reliability was tested for internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.

Results
Employing the recommended scoring method, the mean ± standard deviation of the KAP scores was 13.226 ± 3.01. Good internal consistency was found (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.735); the test-retest reliability value was 0.812 (p < 0.001). For validity, known-groups validity was used, and three pharmacist specialists judged the face and content validity of the questionnaire. The level of immunization knowledge among parents was positively associated with the attitude and practices of immunization.

Conclusion
The study concluded that the translated KAP immunization questionnaire appears to be reliable and valid for measuring the knowledge, attitude and practices among Arab parents and that it can be used in future research.

Abstract :

Background: Postgraduate students often live with an excessive amount of stress, which can have negative academic, emotional and health-related outcomes.

Aim: To examine perceived stress and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) students compared to non-pharmacy master’s students (Non-MPharm).
Method: The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), SF-12v2 survey and a questionnaire instruments were used to measure stress, HRQOL and factors that MPharm students believed produced and alleviated stress, respectively.
Results: One hundred percent of MPharm students (n= 26) and 88% of Non-MPharm students (n= 100) participated in this study. The mean PSS scores were insignificantly different between the MPharm students and Non-MPharm students. Negative correlations were found between stress and mental and physical HRQOL in MPharm students. However, only negative correlation between stress and mental HRQOL in Non-MPharm students.
Conclusion: MPharm students reported relatively lower levels of stress and mental HRQOL than Non-MPharm students did.

Abstract :

To identify the immunization providers’ characteristics associated with immunization rate in children younger than 2 years. A cohort and a cluster sampling design were implemented; 528 children between 18 and 70 months of age were sampled in five public health clinics in Mosul-Iraq. Providers’ characterizations were obtained. Immunization rate for the children was assessed. Risk factors for partial immunization were explored using both bivariate analyses and multi-level logistic regression models. Less than half of the children had one or more than one missed dose, considered as partial immunization cases. The study found significant association of immunization rate with provider’s type. Two factors were found that strongly impacted on immunization rate in the presence of other factors: birthplace and immunization providers’ type.

Abstract :

Deficiencies in knowledge about immunization among parents often leads to poor uptake or errors in immunization dosage and timing. The aims of this study were to determine Iraqi parents'views of barriers to immunization and beliefs about ways to promote immunization. A questionnaire survey was carried out among 528 Iraqi parents with children who had incomplete immunization status. The main barriers to immunization agreed by the parents were lack of vaccine availability [‎51.5% of parents]‎ and parents' lack of education [‎42.4%]‎, while 88.4% of parents thought that lack of funding was not an important barrier. More than 60% of the parents suggested promoting childhood immunization via the media, and 77.5% thought that an increase in funding would not remove barriers to childhood immunization. Better vaccine availability in public health clinics and improving parents' literacy might enhance immunization uptake in Iraq

Abstract :

The immunization status of children is improved by interventions that increase community demand for compulsory and non-compulsory vaccines, one of the most important interventions related to immunization providers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the activities of immunization providers in terms of activities time and cost, to calculate the immunization doses cost, and to determine the immunization dose errors cost. Time-motion and cost analysis study design was used. Five public health clinics in Mosul-Iraq participated in the study. Fifty (50) vaccine doses were required to estimate activities time and cost. Micro-costing method was used; time and cost data were collected for each immunization-related activity performed by the clinic staff. A stopwatch was used to measure the duration of activity interactions between the parents and clinic staff. The immunization service cost was calculated by multiplying the average salary/min by activity time per minute. 528 immunization cards of Iraqi children were scanned to determine the number and the cost of immunization doses errors (extraimmunization doses and invalid doses). The average time for child registration was 6.7 min per each immunization dose, and the physician spent more than 10 min per dose. Nurses needed more than 5 min to complete child vaccination. The total cost of immunization activities was 1.67 US$ per each immunization dose. Measles vaccine (fifth dose) has a lower price (0.42 US$) than all other immunization doses. The cost of a total of 288 invalid doses was 744.55 US$ and the cost of a total of 195 extra immunization doses was 503.85 US$. The time spent on physicians’ activities was longer than that spent on registrars’ and nurses’ activities. Physician total cost was higher than registrar cost and nurse cost. The total immunization cost will increase by about 13.3% owing to dose errors.