The Ministry of Public Health in Qatar developed the NAP (National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in collaboration with WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO/EMRO). Among the major factors shaping AMR is antimicrobial prescribing and use. Tailoring Antimicrobial Resistance Program is a behavior change methodology that is utilized to adapt behavior change in relation to antimicrobial use. This study explores barriers of appropriate antibiotic (AB) prescription from the physicians’ and pharmacists’ perspectives at primary healthcare centers in Qatar. Data were collected from 50 participants across two PHCCs: 30 physicians and 20 pharmacists. Two different interview guides were constructed: One for physicians and one for pharmacists. In-depth, face-to-face, five focus groups were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Inductive qualitative analysis, involving discovering the themes in the interviews, was followed. Data were analyzed using constant comparative techniques. The Major themes arose from the analysis revealed that patients, practitioners mainly physicians, and the organization itself, played a role in shaping these barriers in the two primary healthcare centers. The findings would help develop and pilot behavior change interventions among patients, physicians and pharmacists with the aim of optimizing appropriate antibiotic prescription and use, which would support the implementation of the antibiotic stewardship program. Effective behavior change interventions should consider multiple factors including individual and organizational factors to optimize appropriate antibiotic prescription.

Aim To assess health care workers’ compliance with infection prevention and control measures in different health care sectors in Qatar during COVID‐19 pandemic. Background Being the first line of defense against COVID‐19 infection, health care workers are particularly at increased risk of getting infected. Compliance with infection prevention and control measures is essential for their safety and the safety of patients. Methods A web‐based national survey was conducted between November 2020 and January 2021 targeting all health care workers in governmental, semi‐governmental, and private health care sectors. Results Of 1757 health care workers, 49.9% were between 30‐39 years of age, majority (47.5%) were nurses. Participants reported a significant increase in the median self‐rated compliance scores during the pandemic compared to before it ( p <0.001). During the pandemic, 49.7% of health care workers were fully compliant with personal protective equipment (PPE) use, 83.1% were fully compliant with hand hygiene. Overall, 44.1% were fully compliant with infection prevention and control measures (PPE and hand hygiene). Nationality, health sector, profession, and frequency of interactions with suspected or confirmed COVID‐19 cases were significantly associated with compliance with overall infection prevention and control measures. The most reported barriers were work overload, and shortages of PPE and handwashing agents. Conclusions Compliance of health care workers with infection prevention and control measures needs further improvement. Implications for Nursing Management Frequent quality checks, provision of adequate supplies, and behavior change interventions are recommended strategies for hospital and nursing administrators to improve health care workers’ compliance.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality among elderly. Hemodialysis is the most commonly applied method for treatment, and is accompanied by a high incidence of psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance, which are having a negative impact on one's life. Benson's relaxation technique (BRT) is an effective technique used to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and enhance sleep quality in elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. Aim: determine the effect of Benson's relaxation technique on anxiety, depression, and sleep quality among elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. Design: Quasi-experimental, pre and post intervention design was used. Setting: The study was carried out in the hemodialysis unit affiliated to

Background: Being the first line of defense against COVID-19 infection, health care workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of getting infected. Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures were deemed to be instrumental in protecting them and their patients against infection. Purpose: To assess HCWs' knowledge of IPC measures and their perceived effectiveness in protecting against COVID-19. Methods: A national web-based survey was conducted in different health care sectors in Qatar. Results: A total of 1757 HCWs completed the survey. HCWs believed in applying stricter IPC precautions while dealing with confirmed COVID-19 cases than with suspected cases. Males and physicians were more likely to have high perceived effectiveness of IPC measures than females, nurses, and pharmacists. Higher proportions of HCWs believed in the effectiveness of hand hygiene than most types of personal protective equipment. Conclusion:Further research is recommended to assess the impact of HCWs' knowledge and perceived effectiveness of IPC measures on their compliance.