Background: antibiotic misuse is a common problem around the world with special regard to developing countries. It could result in increased rate of infections and admission to hospitals, high treatment costs as well as increased mortality rates. Aim of the work: this study aimed to assess the general knowledge of community population in Saudi Arabia (KSA) regarding the adverse effects of antibiotics overuse. Patients and methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 1700 Saudi adults from the period of February to June 2017. Respondents were interviewed and filled out a questionnaire that consisted of 3 parts the: first parts considered their demographics, the other parts regards the use of antibiotics and knowledge about their adverse effects. Results: the pattern of antibiotic use showed that 76.8% have recently used antibiotics. The major source of antibiotic use was pharmacist (46.5%) followed by physician (23.9%). About 71.7% used antibiotics for cold and cough and 61.8% used antibiotics for viral diseases. The level of knowledge toward excessive use of antibiotics was in adequate among 61% of respondents and was good among 39% of them. A significant correlation was detected between young age and good knowledge. Conclusion: there was a lack in the public knowledge regarding the adverse effects of antibiotic overuse among Saudi subjects. Educational programs may be performed to fill up the awareness gaps and enhance the knowledge thus decreasing the costs paid by health authorities to manage the adverse effects of antibiotics overuse.

Many clinical trials of omega-3 fatty acids, supplied as fish oil supplements, have been carried out in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over the past 3 decades. The current analysis evaluates the influence of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on clinical results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We conducted the current meta-analysis using a comprehensive search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials till 31 January 2018 for randomized controlled trials that examined the influence of omega-3 PUFAs on clinical results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We identified 8 prospective studies that could be included in the meta-analysis. They showed that omega-3 PUFAs had a clear influence on NSAID consumption (SMD −0.52, 95% CI −0.92 to −0.12, p = 0.01) without between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 0%) and in pain (SMD −0.55, 95% CI 0.17–0.027, p = 0.57). The use of omega-3 PUFAs at dosages of >2.7 g/day for more than three months can be effective at decreasing NSAID use in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

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The importance of assessment in the educational process is well emphasized in medical education. The system of continuous assessment (CA) used in the College of medicine, KKU can be described as frequent summative assessments in each course since there was no regular feedback. The CA adopted carries 50% of the total marks. Achievement of students in CA is critical to their pass or failure of any course. Excessive use of summative assessment was identified as problematic by some research work. But, at the same time a single terminal summative assessment is not recommended. The objective of this study was to examine the students' perception of learning and its relation with performance in CA.  Methods The target population of this study was the 4th, 5th and 6th year students of the college of medicine, KKU. Non-probability convenience sampling was used aiming at 25% - 30% of the total. A correlational design was adopted. A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed. This was based on four constructs: performance on CA: 3 items, feedback: 6 items, students' perception of learning: 12 items and gender. A 5-point Likert scale was used ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree to the stated statements in the instrument. The questionnaire was validated before use. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was computed using SPSS.  P value of <0.05 was considered significant.  Results and discussion This is a cross sectional study where correlational design was used. The total number of respondents was 128 with 58% of them males and 42% females. The computed r for the perception of learning with performance in CA was .741 and for feedback with performance in CA was .766. This clearly indicated a significant positive correlation between them. Gender had no significant correlation with performance in CA. Although profound evidence does exist on the positive effect of CA on academic performance and motivation of students, this effect seems to be dependent on how the assessment system is used. In one experimental study, it was found that CA had positive effect on students' academic performance, learning and satisfaction compared to summative assessment. On the other hand, when continuous assessment was done in form of frequent summative assessment, the positive effect was lost and in fact a negative effect was evident.  Conclusion The respondents viewed their perception of learning and feedback strongly and positively correlated with their performance in CA, while gender had no significant correlation

BACKGROUND The importance of assessment in the educational process is well emphasized in medical education. The system of continuous assessment (CA) used in the College of medicine, KKU can be described as frequent summative assessments in each course since there was no regular feedback. The CA adopted carries 50% of the total marks. Achievement of students in CA is critical to their pass or failure of any course. Excessive use of summative assessment was identified as problematic by some research work. But, at the same time a single terminal summative assessment is not recommended. The objective of this study was to examine the relation between each of gender, feedback and students' perception of learning with performance in CA. OBJECTIVE To get the views of medical students about their performance in continuous assessment and the factors affecting the continuous assessment. METHODS The target population of this study was the 4th, 5th and 6th year students of the college of medicine, KKU. Non-probability convenience sampling was used aiming at 25% - 30% of the total. A correlational design was adopted. A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed. This was based on four constructs: performance on CA: 3 items, feedback: 6 items, students' perception of learning: 12 items and gender. A 5-point Likert scale was used ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree to the stated statements in the instrument. The questionnaire was validated before use. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was computed using SPSS. P value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS This is a cross sectional study . The total number of respondents was 128 with 58% of them males and 42% females. The computed r for the perception of learning with performance in CA was .741 and for feedback with performance in CA was .766. This clearly indicated a significant positive correlation between them. Gender had no significant correlation with performance in CA. Although profound evidence does exist on the positive effect of CA on academic performance and motivation of students, this effect seems to be dependent on how the assessment system is used. In one experimental study, it was found that CA had positive effect on students' academic performance, learning and satisfaction compared to summative assessment. On the other hand, when continuous assessment was done in form of frequent summative assessment, the positive effect was lost and in fact a negative effect was evident CONCLUSIONS The respondents viewed their perception of learning and feedback strongly and positively correlated with their performance in CA, while gender had no significant correlation.