Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate antimicrobial prescribing behaviors in the dermatology outpatient department. Methods: This multi-centered, cross-sectional study was conducted at dermatology outpatient department of three tertiary care hospitals in Chittagong division, Bangladesh during the period October, 2021 to April, 2022. Results: During the study period, 463 prescriptions were obtained. Over half of the participants were female (57%) and between the ages of 21 to 40 years. The majority of patients were diagnosed with eczema (19%), acne (17%), and scabies (15%). Most commonly prescribed antimicrobials was Azithromycin (22%), followed by Permethrin (16%) and Erythromycin (7%). In most cases, antimicrobials were recommended for more than two weeks (60%). Nearly half of the antimicrobials (53 %) were recommended as combination of systemic and topical route. Conclusion: Current study found that dermatologists frequently recommended broad-spectrum antimicrobials for extended periods of time, which may lead to antimicrobial resistance. There is a need for continuing medical education on the appropriate use of antimicrobials, which will result in the effective management of skin diseases.

BACKGROUND Undergraduate research opportunities teach students not only how to conduct research, but they too learn problem-solving aptitudes. Participating in research also increases students' interest in being involved and making special contributions to the academic field. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was intended to assess the attitude and perceived barriers toward research among the medical undergraduates of Bangladesh. METHODS A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted among third, fourth, and fifth year students of medical colleges in Bangladesh, during the month of July, 2020 to December, 2020. A Google-linked questionnaire was disseminated to the students via different social platform and the responses were received through Google drive. RESULTS The questionnaire of the survey received responses from 1279 students, with 94% claiming to be familiar with the scientific method. Most of the students (82.7%) mentioned that they could design and execute a research project as well as can write scientific articles. More than half of the respondents (66.4%) expressed an interest in participating in research. Almost all respondents (96.7%) agreed that research is beneficial as it aid in critical thinking and policy implementation. Almost two-third of respondents (79.8%) opined that education on research methodology is required in the medical curriculum. Majority of the respondents reported that inadequate time and priorities (89.1%), insufficient guidance (86.6%), inadequate familiarities with research methodology (87.5%) and statistical analysis (85.2%) were the barriers of research. CONCLUSIONS Findings of this study indicated that Bangladeshi medical students had a positive attitude toward research and they wish that research methodology should be taught in undergraduate medical education. In order to increase participation in research, the challenges identified by students may be addressed.

Background: In dermatology, corticosteroids are the most frequently prescribed medication group. The goal of this study was to examine the prescription pattern of glucocorticoids in patients with skin diseases in outpatient dermatology departments (OPD) in tertiary care hospitals. Methods: A prospective, multi-centered, cross-sectional study was undertaken in the dermatology department of government affiliated private medical College hospitals in Chittagong, Bangladesh, from March 2021 to April 2022. A total of 450 prescriptions from dermatology out-patient department patients with skin diseases were obtained and evaluated for demographics, skin diseases, and corticosteroid use patterns. Result: Out of 450 patients, majority belonged to the age group 21-40 years (44%) and were female (56%). The most frequent indication for prescribing corticosteroids were eczema (20%) urticaria (17%) and allergic Contact dermatitis (7%) and psoriasis (7%). The commonest corticosteroids used were betamethasone (19%) and Clobetasol proprionate (17%), Deflazacort (15%). Use of topical steroid combinations with Fusidic acid and Miconazole nitrate were prevalent, (4%) and (5%), respectively. Highly potent steroids were used in 51% cases whereas only 21% were given low potency steroids. Conclusion: Physicians prefer highly potent corticosteroids, according to this study. To improve prescribing, physicians should receive ongoing medical education and be made aware of the irrational use of steroids. Researchers and policymakers can use the baseline data acquired in these studies to enhance judicial prescribing practices. Keywords: Corticosteroids, dermatology, prescribing pattern.

In the history of human civilization, research has played a significant role. There is no doubt that meeting the challenges of the 21st century will be tough if we are not world leaders in science and technology. The objective of this study was to assess physicians' attitude about research and the challenges they confront when doing research. From July to December 2020, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was performed among physicians in Bangladesh.  The questionnaire poll had 626 responses in total. There were 55.6 % female physicians and 44.4% male physicians among them. The majority of physicians (87.6%) felt that conducting research is critical to become a specialist. Research methodology training at the medical colleges are extremely beneficial, according to a substantial percentage of physicians (72.2%). Research methodology should be included in undergraduate curriculum, according to 89% of physicians. Research is beneficial as it aids critical thinking and policy implementation, according to almost all respondents (96.7%). The majority of respondents cited insufficient research training (92%), insufficient funding (92.2%), insufficient time (61%), insufficient familiarity with statistical analysis (88%), insufficient skill to design and conduct a research project and write a scientific paper (90%), as barriers to research. Priority on teaching and clinical practices over research and lack of interest to do research also mentioned by 93.3% and 61% responded respectively.  Consequently, this study identified challenges and attitude of physicians towards research. This finding will guide for further studies to find out effective interventions to address the obstacles raised by research participants. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Education Vol.13(1) January 2022: 10-19

Background: An antimicrobial is an agent, that kills micro organisims or prevents their growth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate antimicrobial prescribing behaviors in the Dermatology Outpatient Department. Materials and methods: This multi-centered, cross-sectional study was conducted at Dermatology Outpatient Department of three tertiary care hospitals in Chattogram division, Bangladesh during the period October, 2021 to April, 2022. Results: During the study period, 463 prescriptions were obtained. Over half of the participants were female (57%) and between the ages of 21 to 40 years. The majority of patients were diagnosed with eczema (19%), acne (17%) and scabies (15%). Most commonly prescribed antimicrobials was Azithromycin (22%) followed by Permethrin (16%) and Erythromycin (7%). In most cases, antimicrobials were recommended for more than two weeks (60%). Nearly half of the antimicrobials (53 %) were recommended as combination of systemic and topical route. Conclusion: Current study found that dermatologists frequently recommended broad-spectrum antimicrobials for extended periods of time, which may lead to antimicrobial resistance. There is a need for continuing medical education on the appropriate use of antimicrobials, which will result in the effective management of skin diseases. IAHS Medical Journal Vol 5(1), June 2022; 16-21