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Background: Drug information is all information provided on the safe and effective use of therapeutic and diagnostic pharmaceuticals. Health providers require information resources for therapeutic decision support, implementation, and monitoring of outcome, thus, improve the quality of care, enhance the use of evidence-based treatments, maintain and updated knowledge. Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge of drug information resources and the type of drug information resources that are commonly used by students of College of pharmacy and nursing at the University of Nizwa, Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Questionnaires in both Arabic and English language were distributed among the first and final year students of pharmacy and nursing students in University of Nizwa. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results: Questionnaires were distributed to 200 students of pharmacy and nursing. (4% male, 96% female). As students, the enrolled sample showed that 40% gain the knowledge about drugs through their instructors. The majority of students (37%) used tertiary resources for searching drug information. The main reasons for the respondents to search for drug information are because of study purpose, curiosity about the medicine and examination which made up 51%. Conclusion: Up to date information about medicine are necessary for practicing the profession of pharmacy and nursing. The study managed to find that the students had enough knowledge about drug information resources which will make them capable of valuing the evidence-based practice. However, they showed that their classical way of getting information is through books and main reasons were because of study purpose, curiosity about the medicine and examination. Interestingly the students of pharmacy and nursing showed similar responses. Establishing drug information resources knowledge among students is crucial for better practice in the future.

The patient who had myocardial infraction has a risk of recurrent myocardial infraction. Secondary prevention including antiplatelet, beta-blocker, statin, ACE inhibitor/ARB aims to prevent recurrent myocardial infarction. This study aimed to find the influence of secondary prevention and risk factors on the occurrence of recurrent myocardial infraction. This research was conducted with quantitative and case-control retrospectively. The subjects were 80 respondents consisting of 40 respondents in the case group and 40 respondents in control group patients. Data were analyzed using bivariate analysis of chi-square test followed by multivariate analysis of logistic regression. Rate of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) with antiplatelet therapy decreased from 64.3% to 34.2%, with beta-blocker therapy decreased from 57.7% to 35.7%, with statin therapy decreased from 65.9% to 30.5%, with ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy decreased from 65.9% to 30.5%, with a combination of fourth therapy reduced from 57.4% to 34.6%. Chi-square test showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between antiplatelet therapy (p = 0.007), statin therapy (p = 0.002), ACE inhibitor / ARB therapy (p = 0.002), family history (p = 0.011) and adherence (p = 0.007) to recurrent MI. While multivariate analysis of logistic regression showed that the variables influencing the incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction were did not use antiplatelet therapy (P = 0,005; OR= 4.006) and statin therapy (P = 0,029; OR= 3.111). The secondary prevention reduced the incident of recurrent myocardial infarction.

The state of Penang has been known to be offering the lowest water tariff rate for its users in Malaysia. The most recent water services reform exercise in Malaysia saw a suggestion made for the abolishment of water subsidies by the federal government and for full cost recovery (FCR) approach to be applied. This means that the operating cost will be transferred to consumers instead. This study reports a descriptive pilot study results that explored Penang user’s responses to various issues pertaining to their perception of water quality, health risk concern and willingness to pay for increased water tariff. The findings show that users were not that happy with water quality only in terms of taste, suspended solids that should not have come out from the tap but sometimes they do, and chlorine content; however, not for its odor or color. As for health risk concern, although majority believe that their tap water adhered to the drinking standard set by World Health Organization (WHO), still many perceived that their tap water is associated with health risk and unsafe for drinking, which saw many opted to buy bottled water for their drinking consumption. As for willingness to pay, majority think that the tariff should not be increased at all, particularly at the current water quality provided to users. Gender and monthly income as part of demographic factor play important roles in enhancing the study’s outcome. The findings provide preliminary insight to how water users may act towards a possible water tariff increase in the state.