Current issue
Archive
About the Journal
About us
Aims and Scope
Indexing and Abstracting
Editorial Office
Open Access Policy
Publication Ethics
Contact
For Authors
Editorial Policy
Peer Review Policy
Manuscript Preparation Guidelines
Copyright & Licensing
Publication Fees
Fast-Track Paper Publication Option
Conflict Interest Guidance
Submit an Article
Special Issues
News & Editorials
“Fake,” “Predatory,” and “Pseudo” Journals: Charlatans Threatening Trust in Science
Shifting the Journal submission-review system to the Editorial System Manuscript December 27, 2017.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
What factors shape public knowledge, attitudes, and practices of corticosteroid use in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic?
1
College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
2
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UNITED KINGDOM
3
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JORDAN
4
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, JORDAN
5
College of Dental Surgery, City University Ajman, Ajman, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
6
College of General Education, City University Ajman, Ajman, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
7
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Science, Ajman University, Ajman, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
8
College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
9
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, JORDAN
10
MEU Research Unit, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan
Online publication date: 2023-12-14
Publication date: 2024-01-01
Electron J Gen Med 2024;21(1):em559
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Background:
Corticosteroid therapy has been associated with detrimental consequences such as cardiovascular problems and immunosuppression.
Aims & objectives:
This study aimed to assess the public knowledge, attitudes, and practice surrounding the use of corticosteroids in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study carried out among the general population of the UAE from March to July 2022. A self-administered online survey was used, which included questions about participants’ sociodemographics, health status, and knowledge regarding corticosteroids. Eligibility criteria included participants aged>18 years or older and could read and respond to the questionnaire.
Results:
The study involved 583 participants, where the majority were mostly males living in urban areas. Nearly half had a bachelor’s degree, and 36.9% worked in the health sector. Around 55.0% of the participants had a high level of knowledge about corticosteroids, while more than half had a negative attitude towards them. The most frequently reported reason for using corticosteroids was dermatological diseases. Males with lower education levels, and who had not been infected with COVID-19 had lower odds of having a high level of knowledge about corticosteroids. Furthermore, older participants and those with a lower education level had a more negative attitude towards corticosteroids.
Conclusions:
This study showed gaps in knowledge and unfavorable attitude toward use of corticosteroids. Age, gender, working field, education level, residential area, having a chronic disease, being infected with COVID-19, and knowledge level were significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, and/or practice of corticosteroid use.
Corticosteroid therapy has been associated with detrimental consequences such as cardiovascular problems and immunosuppression.
Aims & objectives:
This study aimed to assess the public knowledge, attitudes, and practice surrounding the use of corticosteroids in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study carried out among the general population of the UAE from March to July 2022. A self-administered online survey was used, which included questions about participants’ sociodemographics, health status, and knowledge regarding corticosteroids. Eligibility criteria included participants aged>18 years or older and could read and respond to the questionnaire.
Results:
The study involved 583 participants, where the majority were mostly males living in urban areas. Nearly half had a bachelor’s degree, and 36.9% worked in the health sector. Around 55.0% of the participants had a high level of knowledge about corticosteroids, while more than half had a negative attitude towards them. The most frequently reported reason for using corticosteroids was dermatological diseases. Males with lower education levels, and who had not been infected with COVID-19 had lower odds of having a high level of knowledge about corticosteroids. Furthermore, older participants and those with a lower education level had a more negative attitude towards corticosteroids.
Conclusions:
This study showed gaps in knowledge and unfavorable attitude toward use of corticosteroids. Age, gender, working field, education level, residential area, having a chronic disease, being infected with COVID-19, and knowledge level were significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, and/or practice of corticosteroid use.
REFERENCES (56)
1.
Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al. A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013;9(1):30. https://doi.org/10.1186/1710-1... PMid:23947590 PMCid:PMC3765115.
2.
Joly P, Roujeau J-C, Benichou J, et al. A comparison of oral and topical corticosteroids in patients with bullous pemphigoid. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(5):321-7. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMOA... PMid:11821508.
3.
Shamim S, Khan M, Kharaba ZJ, Ijaz M, Murtaza G. Potential strategies for combating COVID-19. Arch Virol. 2020;165(11):2419-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705... PMid:32778950 PMCid:PMC7416802.
4.
Rabie ASI, Salah H, Said ASA, et al. Clinical consequences for individuals treated with tocilizumab for serious COVID-19 infection. Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(4):607. https://doi.org/10.3390/health... PMid:36833140 PMCid:PMC9957040.
5.
COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines. National Institutes of Health; 2023. Available at: https://www.covid19treatmentgu... (Accessed: 12 January 2023).
6.
Hajjo R, Sabbah DA, Bardaweel SK, Tropsha A. Shedding the light on post-vaccine myocarditis and pericarditis in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 vaccine recipients. Vaccines(Basel). 2021;9(10):1186. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccin... PMid:34696294 PMCid:PMC8541143.
7.
Grennan D, Wang S. Steroid side effects. JAMA. 2019;322(3):282. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2... PMid:31310300.
8.
Zulkifly MFM, Merkohitaj O, Paulus W, Brockmöller J. The roles of caffeine and corticosteroids in modulating cortical excitability after paired associative stimulation (PAS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in caffeine-naïve and caffeine-adapted subjects. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2021;127:105201. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105201 PMid:33740589.
9.
Kharaba Z, Sammani N, Ashour S, et al. Caffeine consumption among various university students in the UAE, exploring the frequencies, different sources and reporting adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms. J Nutr Metab. 2022;2022:5762299. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5... PMid:35646395 PMCid:PMC9132715.
10.
Buchman AL. Side effects of corticosteroid therapy. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2001;33(4):289-94. https://doi.org/10.1097/000048... PMid:11588541.
11.
Boulet LP. Perception of the role and potential side effects of inhaled corticosteroids among asthmatic patients. Chest 1998;113(3):587-92. https://doi.org/10.1378/CHEST.... PMid:9515829.
12.
Blaiss M. Efficacy, safety, and patient preference of inhaled nasal corticosteroids: A review of pertinent published data. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2001;22(6 Suppl 1):S5-10.
13.
Kaliner MA. Patient preferences and satisfaction with prescribed nasal steroids for allergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2001;22(6 Suppl 1):S11-5.
14.
Kharaba Z, Feghali E, El Husseini F, et al. An assessment of quality of life in patients with asthma through physical, emotional, social, and occupational aspects. A cross-sectional study. Front Public Health. 2022;10:883784. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.... PMid:36117601 PMCid:PMC9477115.
15.
Khanna P, Shah A. Assessment of sensory perceptions and patient preference for intranasal corticosteroid sprays in allergic rhinitis. Am J Rhinol. 2018;19(3):316-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/194589... PMid:16011141.
16.
Balkrishnan R, Housman TS, Grummer S, et al. The family impact of atopic dermatitis in children: The role of the parent caregiver. Pediatr Dermatol. 2003;20(1):5-10. https://doi.org/10.1046/J.1525... PMid:12558838.
17.
Carroll CL, Balkrishnan R, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, Manuel JC. The burden of atopic dermatitis: Impact on the patient, family, and society. Pediatr Dermatol. 2005;22(3):192-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1525... PMid:15916563.
18.
Staab D, von Rueden U, Kehrt R, et al. Evaluation of a parental training program for the management of childhood atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2002;13(2):84-90. https://doi.org/10.1034/J.1399... PMid:12000479.
19.
Ben-Gashir MA, Seed PT, Hay RJ. Quality of life and disease severity are correlated in children with atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. 2004;150(2):284-90. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365... PMid:14996099.
20.
Chamlin SL. The psychosocial burden of childhood atopic dermatitis. Dermatol Ther. 2006;19(2):104-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1529... PMid:16669993.
21.
Cork MJ, Britton J, Butler L, Young S, Murphy R, Keohane SG. Comparison of parent knowledge, therapy utilization and severity of atopic eczema before and after explanation and demonstration of topical therapies by a specialist dermatology nurse. Br J Dermatol. 2003;149(3):582-9. https://doi.org/10.1046/J.1365... PMid:14510993.
22.
Gamble J, Fitzsimons D, Lynes D, Heaney LG. Difficult asthma: People’s perspectives on taking corticosteroid therapy. J Clin Nurs. 2007;16(3a):59-67. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365... PMid:17518870.
23.
Alsukait SF, Alshamlan NM, Alhalees ZZ, Alsuwaidan SN, Alajlan AM. Topical corticosteroids knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary care physicians. Saudi Med J. 2017;38(6):662-5. https://doi.org/10.15537/SMJ.2... PMid:28578448 PMCid:PMC5541192.
24.
Sekler O, Segev-Becker A, Interator H, et al. Paediatricians’ practices and knowledge of corticosteroids: A national survey. Acta Paediatr. 2021;110(2):711-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/APA.15... PMid:32654302.
25.
El Hachem M, Gesualdo F, Ricci G, et al. Topical corticosteroid phobia in parents of pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis: A multicentre survey. Ital J Pediatr. 2017;43(1):22. https://doi.org/10.1186/S13052... PMid:28245844 PMCid:PMC5330138.
26.
Moawad S, Mahé E, Aubert-Wastiaux H, et al. Topical corticosteroid concerns among parents of children with psoriasis versus atopic dermatitis: A French multicenter cross-sectional study. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19:261-5. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40257... PMid:28849428.
27.
Ozceker D, Uckun U, Islamova D, Tamay Z, Guler N. Corticosteroid phobia among parents of asthmatic children. Turk J Pediatr. 2018;60:142-6. https://doi.org/10.24953/TURKJ... PMid:30325119.
28.
Ashique K, Kaliyadan F, Mohan S, Vijayan S, Chandrasekhar D. Knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding topical corticosteroids in a sample of pharmacy students: A cross sectional survey. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2018;9(6):432-4. https://doi.org/10.4103/IDOJ.I... PMid:30505785 PMCid:PMC6232999.
29.
Aubert-Wastiaux H, Moret L, Le Rhun A, et al. Topical corticosteroid phobia in atopic dermatitis: A study of its nature, origins and frequency. Br J Dermatol. 2011;165(4): 808-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365... PMid:21671892.
30.
Yakar H, Kanbay A. Evaluation of corticophobia in asthmatic patients. Niger J Clin Pract. 2020;23(8):1033-8. https://doi.org/10.4103/NJCP.N... PMid:32788477.
31.
Al Meslamani AZ, Aldulaymi R, El Sharu H, Alwarawrah Z, Ibrahim OM, Al Mazrouei N. The patterns and determinants of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 crisis: A nationwide study. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2022;62(6):1778-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh... PMid:35710898 PMCid:PMC9142173.
32.
Jirjees F, Odeh M, Aloum L, Kharaba Z, Alzoubi KH, Al-Obaidi HJ. The rise of telepharmacy services during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive assessment of services in the United Arab Emirates. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2022;20(2):2634. https://doi.org/10.18549/Pharm... PMid:35919806 PMCid:PMC9296093.
33.
Kharaba Z, Moutraji SA, Al Khawaldeh RA, Alfoteih Y, Al Meslamani AZ. What has changed in the pharmaceutical care after COVID-19: Pharmacists’ perspective. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2022;20(2):2656. https://doi.org/10.18549/Pharm... PMid:35919794 PMCid:PMC9296094.
34.
Barakat M, Elnaem MH, Al-Rawashdeh A, et al. Assessment of knowledge, perception, experience and phobia toward corticosteroids use among the general public in the era of COVID-19: A multinational study. Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(2):255. https://doi.org/10.3390/health... PMid:36673623 PMCid:PMC9859254.
35.
Julianti TB, Hanifa DNC. The level of knowledge and attitudes of pharmacy students towards cortiosteroids uses. J Ilmu Kesehat. 2019;7(1):18-23. https://doi.org/10.30650/jik.v....
36.
Lau W, Donyai P. Knowledge, attitude and advice-giving behaviour of community pharmacists regarding topical corticosteroids. Pharmacy. 2017;5(3):41. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharma... PMid:28970453 PMCid:PMC5622353.
37.
Sir Alkhatim WA, Adam YA, Attaalmanan EM, Idriss SA, Baiker AAM, Taha ZI. Awareness of oral corticosteroid use among Sudanese with rheumatological diseases: A single centre study. Sch Acad J Pharm. 2021;10(3):49-53. https://doi.org/10.36347/sajp.....
38.
Shetty YC, Vinchurkar P, More S, et al. Knowledge and awareness regarding corticosteroids and effectiveness of a novel steroid educational module among people visiting general OPD of a tertiary care hospital. Indian J Pharm Pract. 2022;15(1):40-5. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijopp.....
39.
Gupta P, Bhatia V. Corticosteroid physiology and principles of therapy. Indian J Pediatr. 2008;75:1039-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12098... PMid:19023528.
40.
Jadhav RB, Naikwadi SA. A study of knowledge, attitude and practice of corticosteroid use among prescribers in a tertiary care centre in Maharashtra. J Med Sci Clin Res. 2018;6(8):334-9. https://doi.org/10.18535/jmscr....
41.
Mahdy A, Hussain N, Al Khalidi D, Said ASA. Knowledge, attitude, and practice analysis of corticosteroid use among patients: A study based in the United Arab Emirates. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2017;7(6):562-8. https://doi.org/10.5455/njppp.....
42.
AlDhabbah O, AlJutayli Z, AlObaid A, AlOraini T, Alsaif A, Elmorsy E. Awareness of corticosteroids side effects among attendees in King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraydah City, Saudi Arabia. Int J Med Dev Ctries. 2021;5(10):1686-94. https://doi.org/10.24911/ijmdc....
43.
Schillinger D, Chittamuru D, Susana Ramírez A. From “infodemics” to health promotion: A novel framework for the role of social media in public health. Am J Public Health. 2020;110(9):1393-6. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2... PMid:32552021 PMCid:PMC7427212.
44.
Sun M, Yang L, Chen W, et al. Current status of official WeChat accounts for public health education. J Public Health. 2021;43(3):618-24. https://doi.org/10.1093/PUBMED... PMid:31974552.
45.
Basirat M, Kia SJ, Dadvar Z. General dentists’ knowledge and practice about corticosteroid prescription. Polish Ann Med. 2019;26(2):114-9. https://doi.org/10.29089/2019.....
46.
Choi E, Chandran NS, Tan C. Corticosteroid phobia: A questionnaire study using TOPICOP score. Singapore Med J. 2020;61(3):149-53. https://doi.org/10.11622/SMEDJ... PMid:32488277 PMCid:PMC7905116.
47.
Song SY, Jung SY, Kim EY. Steroid phobia among general users of topical steroids: A cross-sectional nationwide survey. J Dermatolog Treat. 2019;30(3):245-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/095466... PMid:30081700.
48.
Bos B, Antonescu I, Osinga H, Veenje S, de Jong K, de Vries TW. Corticosteroid phobia (corticophobia) in parents of young children with atopic dermatitis and their health care providers. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019;36(1):100-4. https://doi.org/10.1111/PDE.13... PMid:30338542.
49.
Lambrechts L, Gilissen L, Morren MA. Topical corticosteroid phobia among healthcare professionals using the TOPICOP score. Acta Derm Venereol. 2019;99(11):1004-8. https://doi.org/10.2340/000155... PMid:31099401.
50.
Ragamin A, Schappin R, Witkam WCAM, et al. Long term effects of digital education among healthcare professionals in paediatric dermatology: Opportunities for improving care. Ski Heal Dis. 2022;2(3):e143. https://doi.org/10.1002/SKI2.1... PMid:36092257 PMCid:PMC9435444.
51.
Chhabra N, Sachdev D, Shukla AK. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding topical steroids in dermatology outpatients: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2021;87(3):429-32. https://doi.org/10.25259/IJDVL... PMid:33666060.
52.
National Eczema Association. Common risks of topical corticosteroids. Available at: https://nationaleczema.org/ris... (Accessed: 21 January 2023).
53.
Dey V. Misuse of topical corticosteroids: A clinical study of adverse effects. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(4):436-40. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5... PMid:25396124 PMCid:PMC4228636.
54.
Nagesh TS, Akhilesh A. Topical steroid awareness and abuse: A prospective study among dermatology outpatients. Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(6):618-21. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5... PMid:27904178 PMCid:PMC5122275.
55.
Saraswat A, Lahiri K, Chatterjee M, et al. Topical corticosteroid abuse on the face: A prospective, multicenter study of dermatology outpatients. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2011;77(2):160-6. https://doi.org/10.4103/0378-6... PMid:21393945.
56.
Richard MA, Paul C, Nijsten T, et al. Prevalence of most common skin diseases in Europe: A population-based study. J Eur Acad Dermatology Venereol. 2022;36(7):1088-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/JDV.18... PMid:35274366 PMCid:PMC9415115.
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 2516-3507 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
