BACKGROUND

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in fair-skinned populations. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is the most common and important modifiable risk factor. It is the target of most prevention strategies for cutaneous malignancies. Currently, data on knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of bikers on UV index in relation to sun protection are unavailable.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to develop a validated questionnaire, determine the demographic characteristics of bikers, and describe their KAPs on UV index in relation to sun protection.

METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted among bikers at the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital, through a self-administered questionnaire. Patients included were occupational and/or recreational bikers, aged 18 years old and above, belonging to both sexes, biking at least 15 min per day, who were able to understand written English or Filipino. Exclusion criteria included bikers who have skin cancer.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-eight bikers were able to answer the validated questionnaire, with mostly male respondents, college graduates, with internet or social media as the source of information for knowledge on sun exposure and sun protection. One hundred and two of them know that forecasts of UV index from weather app on the phone are free and readily available. However, only 59 of them check the UV index regularly as a guide for sun protection.

CONCLUSION

Forecasts of UV index raise the awareness and alert the public to the need for sun protection to reduce skin cancer risk and modify health promotion and primary prevention strategies.

Human ; Index ; Knowledge ; Attitude

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have been used as stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients due to their high risk for stress-related upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. With its dramatic increase in prescription, studies have noted its misuse and associated complications. This study aimed to determine the appropriateness of the use of PPIs in adult patients in the ICU of Medical Center Manila (ManilaMed). Methods: This eight-month study conducted a retrospective chart review, and analyzed through descriptive statistics using Stata 13. Out of 292 patients, 188 satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The indication of use of PPI was based on the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Therapeutic Guidelines on SUP. Results: The patients were mostly male, median age of 62 years, stay in the ICU of five days, overall hospital stay of 13 days, and 75% were admitted from the emergency room. About 58% of PPIs were prescribed in the intravenous route for an average of 10 days, 38% of which is prescribed by cardiology consultants. Of the 73% of patients prescribed PPIs, most were septic and intubated for >48 hours, as well as being older and with longer overall hospital stay. Only 53.7% were prescribed appropriately; adverse outcomes included pneumonia, GI bleeding, anemia, renal failure, combined complications and overall mortality. Discussion: The 46% inappropriate use of PPIs may indicate its routine use was common. The adverse outcomes, despite appropriate use, cannot be concluded as having causative effect owing to the nature of the study and given the possibility that these patients may have been sicker on admission hence prescribed the PPI. Conclusion Results indicated that PPI prescription in the ICU were mostly guidelines compliant. This paper recommends the development of ManilaMed’s own strategies to minimize its inappropriate use, in turn allowing proper allocation of funds and maximizing medical treatment.
Proton Pump Inhibitors