https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39345 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:35:44 GMT 2026-04-07T03:35:44Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/732 Title: The concept and range of charitable institutions up to World War I Authors: Cassar, Paul Abstract: The so-called Charitable Institutions of Malta and Gozo were organizations devoted to relieving the poor financially; providing them with food and shelter; nursing and treating them when sick either in their own homes or in hospitals; providing care for the aged and the mentally ill and assisting the helpless in any other way such as protecting unwanted babies and orphans and ransoming slaves. In practice all these activities took the form of three services: 1. Hospital Services 2. District Medical Service 3. Social Welfare. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/732 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/730 Title: Risk factor identification and prevention of osteoporosis in the primary care setting Authors: De Gabriele, Patricia Abstract: On one of her visits, MB Borg, a 54 year old lady, showed concern about her risk of developing osteoporosis. Lately, she had been listening to a series of radio and TV programmes on this matter where particular emphasis was put on bone density scans. She was preoccupied about being at risk for osteoporosis and wanted to know what she could do to prevent it or even treat it if she was found to suffer from osteoporosis. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/730 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/728 Title: Consumption of antibiotics at St Luke’s Hospital : a critical factor behind the local prevalence of antimicrobial resistance? Authors: Borg, Michael Angelo; Zarb, Peter Abstract: The intensity of antibiotic use in hospital settings is recognised as possibly the most important factor for the selection of antimicrobial resistance. Hospitals are therefore being encouraged to undertake surveillance and benchmarking of antimicrobial consumption patterns with a view to identify and rectify possible evidence of overuse or misuse. Use of antibiotics at St. Luke's Hospital, Malta (SLH) was assessed retrospectively for the year 2001 as part of participation in two pan-European antibiotic surveillance networks. Total antibiotic use during the study period averaged 147 Defined Daily Doses (DDD) /100 bed days with the three most common antibiotic groups prescribed being the penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides. Combinations of penicillin with beta-lactamase inhibitor were the predominant antimicrobials in use and their consumption was twice the median for other participating hospitals in the European ARPAC network. Differences were additionally seen for second generation cephalosporins and macrolides, where consumption was also significantly higher at SLH. These findings would explain one possible factor behind the high prevalence of resistance, particularly in Staphylococcus aureus, at SLH and suggest the need to intensify efforts for improved antibiotic stewardship programmes in hospital prescribing. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/728 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/727 Title: Family doctors and health promotion : do we practise what we preach? Authors: Sammut, Mario R. Abstract: Introduction: A survey on `Attitudes and Knowledge of General Practitioners (GPs) in Prevention and Health Promotion' was carried out in 2000 by EUROPREV (European Network for Prevention and Health Promotion in General Practice / Family Medicine). Method: All local general practitioners (GPs) known to the Malta College of Family Doctors were mailed a questionnaire to elicit beliefs and attitudes in practice, possible barriers in implementing preventive activities, and their personal health behaviour. Results: The response rate was 50% (156 replies out of 313). A difference was found between GPs' beliefs that certain preventive and health promotion activities should be done and their actually doing them in clinical practice. Forty-nine percent found some or great difficulty in carrying out such activities, mainly due to heavy workload and lack of time, problems in patients' accessibility to these activities, and patients' doubts about their effectiveness. Discrepancies were revealed between GPs' health promotion beliefs and their own personal behaviour. Discussion: As this study is based on GPs' self-reporting of activities, more objective evidence is needed through audit of properly-kept medical records. A practical protocol of health promotion activities needs to be devised for, and distributed to, family doctors. Health promotion activities may be facilitated by reduction of doctors' workload through patient registration and an appointment system. As doctors seem to prefer ordering investigations to giving verbal advice, other healthcare professionals could provide the latter. GPs should set an example to their patients by adopting a healthy lifestyle to reinforce their advice regarding health promotion. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/727 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z