Assessment of Experiences of Preventive Measures Practice including Vaccination History and Health Education among Umrah Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, 1440H-2019

AbstractBackgroundAnnually, approximately 10 million Umrah pilgrims travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Umrah from more than 180 countries. This event presents major challenges for the Kingdom’s public health sector, which strives to decrease the burden of infectious diseases and to adequately control its spread.Aims of the studyThe aims of the study were to assess the experiences of preventive measures practice, including vaccination history and health education, among Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross sectional survey administered to a randomly selected group of pilgrims by the research team members from February to the end of April 2019 at the departure lounge at King Abdul Aziz International airport, Jeddah city. The questionnaire was comprised of questions on the following factors: sociodemographic information, level of education, history of vaccinations and chronic illnesses, whether the pilgrim has received any health education and orientation prior to coming Saudi Arabia or on their arrival, and their experiences with preventive medicine.ResultsPilgrims (n=1012) of 48 nationalities completed the survey and were reported in this study. Chronic diseases (n=230) were reported among pilgrims, with hypertension being the most reported morbidity (n=124, 53.9%). The majority of pilgrims had taken immunization prior to travel to Saudi Arabia, and the most commonly reported immunizations were meningitis (n=567, 56%), influenza (n=460, 45.5%), and Hepatitis B virus vaccinations (n=324, 32%); however, 223(22%) had not received any vaccinations prior to travel, including meningitis vaccine, which is mandatory in Saudi Arabia. 305 pilgrims (30.1%) had reported never using face masks in crowded areas; however, 63.2% reported lack of availability of these masks.The majority of participants had received health education on preventive measures, including hygienic aspects (n=799, 78.9%) mostly in their home countries (n=450, 56.3%). A positive association was found between receiving health education and practicing of preventive measures, such as wearing masks in crowded areas (P= 0.04) and other health practice scores (P= 0.02).ConclusionAlthough the experiences of the preventive measures among pilgrims in terms of health education, vaccinations, and hygienic practices were overall positive, this study identified several issues with the following preventive measures: immunizations particularly meningitis vaccine and using face masks in crowded areas.Further studies are required to develop a health education module to promote comprehensive preventive measures for pilgrims.

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Assessment of Preventative Measures Practice among Umrah Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, 1440H-2019

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010257 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 257

Author(s):

Mansour Tobaiqy ◽

Ahmed H. Alhasan ◽

Manal M. Shams ◽

Samar A. Amer ◽

Katie MacLure ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Health Education ◽

Health Sector ◽

Positive Association ◽

Face Mask ◽

Education History ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preventative Measures ◽

Poliomyelitis Vaccine

Background: Annually, approximately 10 million pilgrims travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Umrah from more than 180 countries. This event presents major challenges for the Kingdom’s public health sector, which strives to decrease the burden of infectious diseases and to adequately control their spread both in KSA and pilgrims home nations. The aims of the study were to assess preventative measures practice, including vaccination history and health education, among Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross sectional survey was administered to pilgrims from February to April 2019 at the departure lounge at King Abdul Aziz International airport, Jeddah city. The questionnaire comprised questions on sociodemographic information (age, gender, marital status, level of education, history of vaccinations and chronic illnesses), whether the pilgrim had received any health education and orientation prior to coming to Saudi Arabia or on their arrival, and their experiences with preventative practices. Results: Pilgrims (n = 1012) of 41 nationalities completed the survey. Chronic diseases were reported among pilgrims (n = 387, 38.2%) with cardiovascular diseases being the most reported morbidity (n = 164, 42.3%). The majority of pilgrims had been immunized prior to travel to Saudi Arabia (n = 770, 76%). The most commonly reported immunizations were influenza (n = 514, 51%), meningitis (n = 418, 41%), and Hepatitis B virus vaccinations (n = 310, 31%). However, 242 (24%) had not received any vaccinations prior to travel, including meningitis vaccine and poliomyelitis vaccine, which are mandatory by Saudi Arabian health authorities for pilgrims coming from polio active countries. Nearly a third of pilgrims (n = 305; 30.1%) never wore a face mask in crowded areas during Umrah in 2019. In contrast, similar numbers said they always wore a face mask (n = 351, 34.6%) in crowded areas, while 63.2% reported lack of availability of face masks during Umrah. The majority of participants had received some form of health education on preventative measures, including hygiene aspects (n = 799, 78.9%), mostly in their home countries (n = 450, 44.4%). A positive association was found between receiving health education and practicing of preventative measures, such as wearing face masks in crowded areas (p = 0.04), and other health practice scores (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Although the experiences of the preventative measures among pilgrims in terms of health education, vaccinations, and hygienic practices were at times positive, this study identified several issues. These included the following preventative measures: immunizations, particularly meningitis and poliomyelitis vaccine, and using face masks in crowded areas. The recent COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for further studies that focus on development of accessible health education in a form that engages pilgrims to promote comprehensive preventative measures during Umrah and Hajj and other religious pilgrimages.

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Utilization of key preventive measures for pregnancy complications and malaria among women in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7727-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mariame Ouedraogo ◽

Jaameeta Kurji ◽

Lakew Abebe ◽

Ronald Labonté ◽

Sudhakar Morankar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Health Sector ◽

Maternal Health Services ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Wealth Status ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Jimma Zone

Abstract Background In Ethiopia, malaria infections and other complications during pregnancy contribute to the high burden of maternal morbidity and mortality. Preventive measures are available, however little is known about the factors influencing the uptake of maternal health services and interventions by pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods We analyzed data from a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted in 2016 in three rural districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, with 3784 women who had a pregnancy outcome in the year preceding the survey. We used multivariable logistic regression models accounting for clustering to identify the determinants of antenatal care (ANC) attendance and insecticide-treated net (ITN) ownership and use, and the prevalence and predictors of malaria infection among pregnant women. Results Eighty-four percent of interviewed women reported receiving at least one ANC visit during their last pregnancy, while 47% reported attending four or more ANC visits. Common reasons for not attending ANC included women’s lack of awareness of its importance (48%), distance to health facility (23%) and unavailability of transportation (14%). Important determinants of ANC attendance included higher education level and wealth status, woman’s ability to make healthcare decisions, and pregnancy intendedness. An estimated 48% of women reported owning an ITN during their last pregnancy. Of these, 55% reported to have always slept under it during their last pregnancy. Analysis revealed that the odds of owning and using ITNs were respectively 2.07 (95% CI: 1.62–2.63) and 1.73 (95% CI: 1.32–2.27) times higher among women who attended at least one ANC visit. The self-reported prevalence of malaria infection during pregnancy was low (1.4%) across the three districts. We found that young, uneducated, and unemployed women presented higher odds of malaria infection during their last pregnancy. Conclusion ANC and ITN uptake during pregnancy in Jimma Zone fall below the respective targets of 95 and 90% set in the Ethiopian Health Sector Transformation Plan for 2020, suggesting that more intensive programmatic efforts still need to be directed towards improving access to these health services. Reaching ANC non-users and ITN ownership and use as part of ANC services could be emphasized to address these gaps.

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Adaptation of a Health Education Program for Improving the Uptake of HIV Self-Testing by Men in Rwanda: A Study Protocol

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56040149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 149

Author(s):

Tafadzwa Dzinamarira ◽

Tivani Phosa Mashamba-Thompson

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Education Program ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Health Sector ◽

Nominal Group ◽

Health Education Program ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Testing

Background and objectives: Available evidence shows a low uptake of HIV services among men in Rwanda. HIV self-testing (HIVST), a new intervention, may have the potential to improve the uptake of HIV testing services among men. The current study aims to adapt a health education program (HEP) for improving the uptake of HIVST among men in Rwanda. Materials and Methods: We propose a mixed method study, which will be conducted in four phases. In Phase 1, we will conduct a scoping review to map the available evidence on health education programs for men in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Phase 2, we will conduct interviews with stakeholders in the Rwanda HIV response and healthcare providers to determine their perspectives on implementation of HIVST in Rwanda. In Phase 3, a cross-sectional survey will be used to assess HIVST awareness and acceptability among men in Rwanda. Guided by findings from Phases 1, 2, and 3, we will employ the nominal group technique to develop and optimize the HEP for improving the uptake of HIVST among men in Rwanda. In Phase 4, we will use a pragmatic pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the preliminary impact of the HEP for men in Rwanda and assess the feasibility of a later, larger study. We will employ the Stata version 16 statistical package and NVivo version 12 for the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. We anticipate that the findings of this study will inform implementers and policy makers to guide strategies on the implementation of HIVST in Rwanda and ultimately accomplish goals set forth in the Rwanda 2019–2024 Fourth Health Sector Strategic Plan on scaling up the number of men who know their HIV status. Conclusion: It is anticipated that this study will proffer solutions and strategies that are applicable not only in Rwanda but also in similar settings of LMICs.

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The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and associated risk factors in Al-Kharj population, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12872-020-01825-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jamaan Al-Zahrani ◽

Mamdouh M. Shubair ◽

Sameer Al-Ghamdi ◽

Abdullah A. Alrasheed ◽

Abdulrahman A. Alduraywish ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

General Population ◽

Vascular Diseases ◽

Positive Association ◽

Heart Association ◽

High Cholesterol ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Background Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is an important precursor to many cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular diseases. A report conducted by the American Heart Association showed the prevalence of HC to be 11.9%, with around 28.5 million adults age ≥ 20 years having high cholesterol levels. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HC and its associated risk factors among the general population of Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on the general population of Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia in 2016. The representative sample consisted of 1019 individuals, who all participated on a voluntary basis. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results The results of this study showed the prevalence of HC in the sample to be 12.5%. There was a significant moderate positive association between increasing age and the prevalence of HC (r = 0.240, P < 0.0001). Males had a significantly higher prevalence of HC (56.7%) compared to their female counterparts (43.3%) (X2 = 23.093, P ≤ 0.0001). BMI was positively and significantly associated with high cholesterol status. Participants in the overweight category had a significantly higher risk of HC (OR = 1.727; 95% CI = 1.58–1.914; P = 0.046). The non-obese (< 25 kg/m2) participants had an inverse significant association with the risk of hypercholesterolemia. (OR = 0.411; 95% CI = 0.216–0.783; P = 0.007). Conclusion In this population-based study, the predominant risk factors of HC in Al-Kharj region were being of a Saudi nationality, male, having obesity, being unemployed, and being a civilian worker. There is a clear need for future screening studies of HC, as most previous studies have reported contradictory prevalence data (because they were conducted in different regions of KSA). Furthermore, well-designed prospective cohort studies are needed in the future to assess how the association between lifestyle behavioural factors such as dietary intake patterns and levels of physical activity may affect the relative risk of HC status.

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Knowledge of cholera and its prevention amongst urban residents of a district in Abuja: The pivotal role of health education

Research Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/rejhs.v8i2.6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 102-112

Author(s):

G.O. Anetor ◽

F. Abraham

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Control Measures ◽

P Value ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Validated Questionnaire

Objectives: Cholera is endemic in many Africa countries including Nigeria, where it is still endemic despite all the control measures put in place. It is still a disease of public health importance. The northern parts of Nigeria been implicated in the recent spike in cholera cases in Nigeria. Durumi, one of the communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been observed to have cases of cholera in recent times but with paucity of data on the occurrence of the disease in Durumi. This study examined the knowledge of cholera and its prevention amongst the residents of Durumi to get baseline information and ascertain the role of health education in curtailing cholera in the community.Methods: A Descriptive (cross-sectional) survey design. Multistage sampling was used to select 360 participants (171 females and 159 males) and a self-developed validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages and inferential statistics of Chi-square to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significant levels.Results: Knowledge of cholera significant (p-value .000<0.05); age group below 50 years contributed higher percentage scores than those above 50 years old. Awareness of preventive measures to cholera also significant (p-value .000<0.05); the age group below 50 years contributed higher scores than those above 50 years old. Findings suggest insufficient knowledge and awareness of preventive measures of cholera for age > 50 years.Conclusion: Durumi residents appear to have adequate knowledge and awareness of cholera preventive measures. Targeted health education may be employed to prevent cholera in Durumi. Keywords: Cholera, knowledge, prevention, Abuja, health education

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Referral Patterns of Paediatricians and General Medical Practitioners to Paediatric Dental Clinics and Oral Health Knowledge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-57256/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Latifa Alhowaish ◽

Aziza Aljohar ◽

Mostafa Arafa ◽

Lujane Almarshed ◽

Reem Binrabbaa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Oral Health ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Referral Patterns ◽

Oral Health Knowledge

Abstract Background: The single most chronic disease impacting children on an international scale is dental caries; there are alerts to deaths of children as a result of the complications caused by dental caries, despite the fact that this disease is completely preventable. This study aims to evaluate physicians’ dental knowledge, preventive measures they would provide and their referral patterns to paediatric dentists.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Certified paediatricians and general practitioners (GPs) from different sectors were invited to participate. The survey comprised 24 questions, distributed into 5 sections; demographic data, dental knowledge, participation in oral preventive measures, case scenarios and one question about participants’ opinion in implementing oral health rotations in the paediatric residency program. Results: 406 physicians participated in the study. Only 4.4 % of the participants answered all the knowledge questions correctly, the mean correct knowledge score was 2.95 ± 0.9937 out of 5. No significant difference was detected in the total knowledge score according to gender (P= 0.315), specialty and years of experience (P= 0.463 and 0.985 respectively). Common causes for referral were dental pain or swelling (67%) followed by a child with dental caries (43.6%). Less than 60% of the respondents would refer children to any dentist in the same hospital, while only 28 % only advise parents to consult a dentist. Most physicians suggested the addition of an oral health rotation in the medical residency program.Conclusions: The current level of oral health knowledge is not satisfactory to provide effective paediatric patients referrals to dentists, although their attitude towards providing oral preventive measures is good. Oral health knowledge and engagement should be emphasized in medical schools. Early and correct referral can be effective in preventing oral disease. The integration of oral health in undergraduate and specialty training curricula is vital to achieve disease prevention goals.

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Assessment of Medication Errors Among Anesthesia Clinicians in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare ◽

10.36401/jqsh-21-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Deemah Nassir Aldossary ◽

Hussah Khalid Almandeel ◽

Jumanah Hashim Alzahrani ◽

Hasnaa Obaid Alrashidi

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Survey Study ◽

Occurrence Rate ◽

Future Research ◽

Anesthetic Drug ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Anesthetic Drugs ◽

Drug Errors

ABSTRACT Introduction Anesthetic drugs are prepared and administrated without referral to the pharmacy or other medical departments. We aimed to assess the occurrence of anesthetic drug errors in Saudi Arabia. We also determined the contributing factors, reporting strategies, and clinicians' opinions of the preventive measures. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey study using a validated tool. A total of 300 anesthesia clinicians completed the survey (146 anesthesiologists and 154 anesthesia technology specialists). We measured descriptive statistics to describe the demographic characteristics and performed inferential statistics to examine associations and differences. Results Sixty-nine percent of respondents had experienced an anesthetic drug error at least once in their career. The two primary factors that caused drug errors were haste (60.3%) and heavy workload (60.3%). On syringe labeling, 56.3% withdrew the drug then labeled the syringe, and 43.7% labeled the syringe then withdrew the drug. The chi-square test revealed that clinicians who labeled the syringe first then withdrew the drug made errors more frequently (p = 0.036). The test also showed that clinicians with less experience had committed more errors (p = 0.015). On reporting drug errors, 77.7% of respondents identified the fear of medicolegal issues as the most common barrier to reporting errors. Respondents believed that double-checking the medication and color-coded syringe labels were the most effective strategies to reduce errors (82% and 64%, respectively). The Mann-Whiney U test revealed significant differences between the two specialties about their opinions of the preventive measures. Conclusions There was a high occurrence rate of anesthetic drug errors in Saudi Arabia. Policymakers need to unify the syringe-labeling practice, and future research needs to focus on what makes a nonpunitive culture to encourage reporting errors.

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