Islamic medicine and evolutionary medicine: a comparative analysis

Developing a Jordanian Measure of Reverence in Muslim Praying ('Khushoo'): Content Validity, Factor Structure and Reliability

Many Muslims complain of straying while praying because of life's problems and psychological pressures (i.e., reflecting on topics other than prayer). To assess this problem, it was necessary to develop a measure of reverence in Muslim praying (MRMP). The study aimed to collect items from the theoretical literature and investigate these to determine the validity of the content by consultation with a group of experts (n = 17), after which the number of items was reduced to 39. The study focused on two random and completely different samples. The first sample (n = 396) was used to verify the validity of exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The results showed that the following four factors explain 67.27% of the variance in the total scale: groveling, focused attention, contemplation, and praying behavior control. The second sample (n = 362) was used to verify the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) as well as the convergent validity and reliability of the data. Additionally, the four factors were confirmed using bifactor confirmatory factor analysis (B-CFA) and met the criteria for fitness. Likewise, all correlation values between the MRMP and mental health, mindfulness, happiness, and well-being were significant. In addition, the Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the four factors ranged between 0.85 and 0.77 and the total score was 0.92. Finally, the correlations between the MRMP and the four factors were significant. The study concluded that the MRMP is appropriate for assessing reverence in Muslim praying, can be used to promote psychological health in the context of prayers, and can serve as a foundation for future research.

The utilization of nonprescription medications in Saudi patients with cardiovascular diseases

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of disease-related death in Saudi Arabia. The incidence of CVDs continues to increase, presenting a major health care problem. Nonprescription medications are widely used by patients with CVD and may cause adverse drug events, either by worsening the disease or by harmfully interacting with prescribed medications. We investigated the patterns of nonprescription medication utilization and the factors associated with their use in patients with CVD.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Cardiology Clinics of an academic tertiary health care center. Participants were asked about their sociodemographic characteristics, medical history and frequency of using nonprescription medications including over-the-counter (OTC) products, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Moreover, we investigated the participants' sources of information about nonprescription medications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictors of nonprescription medication use.

Results

A total of 209 participants were interviewed. The mean age of the participants was 56 ± 15 years, and 110 (52.6%) were female. Of the 209 participants, 116 (55%) reported routine use of nonprescription medications. Black seeds and garlic were the most frequently used herbal products. Acetaminophen, cold/cough remedies, and ibuprofen were the most commonly reported OTC drugs. Of the surveyed patients, 54 (46.5%) used nonprescription medications to manage cardiovascular conditions specifically. Compared with other comorbidities, diabetes mellitus was associated with a higher use of nonprescription medications.

Conclusion

In patients with CVD, the routine use of nonprescription medications was common for a number of reasons. Health care providers should proactively discuss nonprescription use with their CVD patients to avoid potential harmful outcomes.