AMA, Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America
AMA, Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America (AMA) (issn: 00845841) is a peer reviewed journal first published online after indexing scopus in 1982. AMA is published by Farm Machinery Industrial Research Corp and Shin-Norinsha Co. AMA publishes every subjects of general engineering and agricultural engineering.
WOS Indexed (2025)
27 Nov 2025 (Vol - 56 , Issue- 11 )
30 Nov 2025 (Vol - 56 , Issue 11 )
Aim and Scope :
AMA, Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America
AMA, Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America (ISSN: 00845841) is a peer-reviewed journal. The journal covers Agricultural and Biological Sciences and all sort of engineering topic. the journal's scopes are in the following fields but not limited to:
Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Electrical Engineering and Telecommunication
Electronic Engineering
Computer Science & Engineering
Civil and architectural engineering
Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Transportation Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Industrial and Commercial Design
Information Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Food Engineering
Farmers’ Perception of Constraints in Livestock Service Delivery System of Tamil Nadu: Insights into Cost, Inputs, Personnel, and Farm-Oriented Challenges
The study proposes to analyse the livestock service delivery system in terms of service constraints farmers face while receiving it. The service providers considered in the study are veterinarians of State Animal Husbandry Department / government veterinary centres (GVC), Veterinarians from dairy co-operatives (public co-operatives), Veterinarians from private milk procurement agencies (private co-operatives) and Independent private veterinary practitioners or veterinarians who do private practice in their own capacity. Persons who are village level workers (VLW) from public or private co-operatives, Animal Husbandry Assistants or Livestock Inspectors from GVC are grouped together as para-veterinary professionals in veterinary/livestock services. A sample of 480 farmers were selected through multi-stage sampling procedure and statistical tools such as weighted mean score analysis was employed to get actionable insights into the challenges faced by farmers in accessing livestock services. The farmers were from four districts of Tamil Nadu, primarily identified by application of principal component analysis and composite index construction. Results revealed that lack of knowledge on animal insurance, service not delivered at preferred time, non-availability of service personnel at government veterinary centre, inconvenient working hours of hospital, lack of knowledge on vaccination, shortage of different drug types and lack of continuous service evaluation as the serious constraints faced in receiving livestock service delivery. The findings offer valuable guidance for enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of service delivery systems in the livestock sector.
The Pharmacist's Role in Health Care: Expansion and Evolution
Pharmacists have transitioned from traditional roles focused on dispensing medications to expanded responsibilities that include direct patient care, chronic disease management, medication therapy management, and public health initiatives. These developments position pharmacists as vital members of the healthcare team, contributing significantly to improved patient outcomes. However, public awareness of these expanded roles remains limited, which may hinder their full utilization. This study aims to assess public awareness, perceptions, and understanding of pharmacists' evolving roles in healthcare within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It also seeks to identify potential barriers and facilitators to optimizing pharmacist-patient engagement. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 1,295 adult participants in KSA. The structured survey, distributed online in Arabic, evaluated knowledge, perceptions, and barriers regarding pharmacists’ roles. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to explore associations between demographic factors and awareness levels. Among participants, 77.5% were aware of pharmacists’ roles beyond dispensing medications, and 89.3% had received health advice or counseling from a pharmacist. Despite this, 68.7% identified dispensing medications as the primary pharmacist role, with limited recognition of roles in chronic disease management (3.2%) or preventive health services (7%). Awareness of expanded services, such as vaccination provision (57.7%) and chronic disease management (74.4%), was variable. Additionally, 86.8% had consulted a pharmacist for advice instead of visiting a doctor, highlighting positive engagement. However, misconceptions regarding pharmacists' expertise and their broader contributions to healthcare were evident. The findings underscore the need for targeted public education initiatives and policy development to enhance awareness of pharmacists' capabilities. By addressing gaps in knowledge and perceptions, stakeholders can optimize pharmacists' integration into healthcare teams, improve patient outcomes, and promote public health. These results offer actionable insights for advancing pharmacists' roles in healthcare systems.
Examining the Prevalence of Drug-Herbal Interactions and Public Knowledge in Saudi Arabia
Herbal remedies are widely used in Saudi Arabia alongside conventional prescription medications. While perceived as safe due to their natural origins, their concurrent use with prescription drugs can lead to drug-herbal interactions (DHIs), resulting in adverse effects or reduced therapeutic efficacy. Awareness of DHIs among the Saudi population remains limited, increasing the risk of unmonitored interactions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of herbal supplement use, public awareness of DHIs, and the role of healthcare providers in mitigating these interactions in Saudi Arabia. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults aged 18 years and older across Saudi Arabia. A stratified random sampling approach ensured a representative sample of 2,455 respondents. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire addressing demographics, herbal supplement usage, DHI awareness, and perceptions of healthcare providers. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Of the 2,455 respondents, 57.31% reported using herbal supplements, with Black seed (Nigella sativa), ginger, and turmeric being the most commonly consumed. While 70.02% of participants were aware of potential DHIs, only 11.93% consistently discussed herbal supplement use with healthcare providers. Pharmacists were perceived as knowledgeable about DHIs by 50.39% of respondents, though 64.93% had never sought advice from them. Additionally, 62.24% of participants strongly agreed that public education on DHIs is necessary, yet 65.66% had not encountered relevant educational materials in pharmacies. Herbal supplement use is prevalent in Saudi Arabia, yet significant gaps exist in public awareness and communication regarding DHIs. The findings highlight the need for enhanced public education campaigns and greater pharmacist involvement to promote safe and informed use of herbal supplements. Integrating discussions about herbal supplements into routine healthcare consultations is critical to reducing the risks associated with DHIs.
Medical Errors and Their Consequences: Insights from the General Population in Saudi Arabia
Medical errors remain a significant global challenge, representing one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality. These errors can compromise patient safety, erode public trust in healthcare systems, and impose significant financial burdens on both patients and healthcare providers. In Saudi Arabia, addressing medical errors has become a priority, particularly in light of the healthcare transformation initiatives under Vision 2030. This national strategy emphasizes quality improvement, transparency, and patient-centered care, making the exploration of public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes toward medical errors a timely and critical area of study. By understanding the systemic and cultural factors influencing medical errors, this research aims to inform targeted interventions and policy reforms to enhance patient safety. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with a representative sample of the Saudi population. Statistical analyses, including correlation measures, were applied to examine relationships among demographic variables and participants' responses. The findings reveal a predominantly young and educated sample, with a moderate positive correlation between age and education level (r = 0.296), suggesting that older individuals have higher educational attainment. Participants demonstrated high awareness of medical errors, reflecting successful public health campaigns under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. However, gaps in understanding among some respondents highlight the need for tailored educational interventions. Systemic issues, such as communication breakdowns and inadequate training, were identified as primary causes of medical errors, aligning with global findings. Transparency emerged as a critical factor influencing trust, with participants strongly supporting open disclosure policies. Additionally, the willingness to engage in safety initiatives underscores the potential for collaborative efforts in reducing medical errors. Key recommendations include enhancing education, improving communication, promoting transparency, and leveraging public engagement. Despite its contributions, the study acknowledges limitations, including reliance on self-reported data and potential underrepresentation of rural populations. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing systemic healthcare challenges to enhance patient safety and align with Vision 2030 goals.
Investigating the Integration of Health Informatics in Pharmacology Practices in Saudi Arabia
The integration of health informatics into pharmacology has revolutionized medication management, patient education, and drug safety. Despite advancements in Saudi Arabia's healthcare sector, public awareness and utilization of health informatics tools remain underexplored. This study examines the public’s familiarity, usage patterns, and perceptions of these tools, while identifying factors influencing adoption and barriers to utilization. This cross-sectional study recruited 1,200 participants from diverse demographic groups across Saudi Arabia using a random sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured, closed-ended questionnaire that assessed familiarity with health informatics tools, their usage, influencing factors, and barriers. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics, employing SPSS version 26.0. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The findings revealed that 45% of participants were familiar with health informatics, while 38% actively utilized these tools. E-prescriptions (53%) were the most commonly used, followed by online drug databases (28%) and telepharmacy services (20%). Key motivators included convenience (60%) and recommendations from healthcare providers (55%). Major barriers were lack of awareness (60%) and privacy concerns (45%). Notably, 78% of participants perceived health informatics as critical for improving medication safety, with 60% strongly agreeing that these tools reduce medication errors. While health informatics tools are recognized for their potential to enhance pharmacology practices, significant gaps in awareness and utilization persist. Addressing barriers through targeted educational campaigns, enhanced privacy measures, and integration of tools into healthcare systems can foster adoption. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of health informatics on healthcare outcomes and evaluate interventions to bridge the awareness-utilization gap.