Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance of Common Bacterial Isolates Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic in Armed Forces Hospital Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health issues. After the pandemic of corona virus 2019 (COVID-19), AMR became a challenging complex that needs to be addressed during the corona pandemic. Objectives: Evaluating the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that was conducted at Armed Forces Hospital Jazan, Saudi Arabia using positive cultures` results from microbiology department. Results: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most prevalent microorganisms isolated from the patients. E. coli was the most isolated organism from patients with infections such as: COVID-19 fever, sepsis, urinary tract infections and wound infection. There was no significant change between 2019 and 2020 regarding AMR prevalence. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the AMR before and during the COVID-19 era thus other large population studies must be conducted to evaluate worldwide evolution of AMR during COVID-19 pandemic.

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Patterns of infections and antimicrobial drugs’ prescribing among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study

Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice ◽

10.1186/s40545-020-00292-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohamed A. Baraka ◽

Lina Hussain AlLehaibi ◽

Hind Nasser AlSuwaidan ◽

Duaa Alsulaiman ◽

Md. Ashraful Islam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Maternal Complications ◽

Multicenter Studies ◽

Antimicrobial Drugs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Categorization System ◽

Tract Infections

Abstract Background Antimicrobial agents are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in pregnancy due to the increased susceptibility to infections during pregnancy. Antimicrobials can contribute to different maternal complications. Therefore, it is important to study their patterns in prescription and utilization. The data regarding this issue is scarce in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to generate data on the antimicrobial agents that are most commonly prescribed during pregnancy as well as their indications and safety. Methods This is a retrospective study focusing on pregnant women with a known antimicrobial use at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH). The sample included 344 pregnant women with a total of 688 antimicrobial agents prescribed. Data was collected on the proportion of pregnant women who received antimicrobial agents and on the drug safety during pregnancy using the risk categorization system of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Results The results showed that urinary tract infections (UTIs) were the most reported (59%) infectious diseases. Around 48% of pregnant women received antimicrobial medications at some point during pregnancy. The top two antimicrobial agents based on prescription frequency were B-lactams (44.6%) and azole anti-fungals (30%). The prescribed drugs in the study were found to be from classes B, C and D under the FDA risk classification system. Conclusion The study revealed a high proportion of antimicrobials prescribed during pregnancy that might pose risks to mothers and their fetuses. Future multicenter studies are warranted to evaluate the rational prescription of antimicrobial medications during pregnancy.

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Evaluation of e-health (Seha) application: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making ◽

10.1186/s12911-021-01437-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abeer Alharbi ◽

Joharah Alzuwaed ◽

Hind Qasem

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Health Services ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Advanced Technology ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Technical Problems ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ease Of Access

Abstract Background The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia is expanding the country’s telemedicine services by using advanced technology in health services. In doing so, an e-health application (app), Seha, was introduced in 2018 that allows individuals to have face-to-face visual medical consultations with their doctors on their smartphones. Objective This study evaluated the effectiveness of the app in improving healthcare delivery by ensuring patient satisfaction with the care given, increasing access to care, and improving efficiency in the healthcare system. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the perceptions of users of the Seha app and non-users who continued with traditional health services. The data were collected using an online survey via Google Forms between June 2020 and September 2020. Independent t tests and chi-square (χ2) tests were conducted to answer the research questions. Results There was a significant difference between users and non-users in terms of ease of access to health services (t = − 9.38, p < 0.05), with app users having a higher mean score (4.19 ± 0.91) than non-users (3.41 ± 1.00); satisfaction with health services (t = − 6.33, p < 0.05), with users having a higher mean score (3.96 ± 0.91) than non-users (3.45 ± 0.94); and efficiency (only one visit needed for treatment) (t = − 3.20, p < 0.05), with users having a higher mean score (3.71 ± 0.93) than non-users (3.45 ± 0.93). There were significant associations between the use of the Seha app and age (χ2 = 8.79, p < 0.05), gender (χ2 = 22.19, p < 0.05), region (χ2 = 19.74, p < 0.05), and occupation (χ2 = 22.05, p < 0.05). There were significant relationships between the three items (on access, satisfaction, and efficiency) and experiencing technical issues (t = 4.47, t = 8.11, and t = 3.24, respectively, p < 0.05), with users who faced technical problems having significantly lower mean scores for all three items. Conclusion This study provided evidence that the Seha app improved the delivery of healthcare in Saudi Arabia. Users of the app had a better health experience in terms of their perceived ease of access to healthcare services; their satisfaction with healthcare services; and the efficiency of the system, measured by the number of required doctor visits. Other factors that appeared to influence the use of the app included age, gender, usual source of care, and technical difficulties.

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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Dental Implants among Dental Interns in Saudi Arabia – A Cross-Sectional Study

The Open Dentistry Journal ◽

10.2174/1874210602014010440 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 440-449

Author(s):

Khaled Alzahrani ◽

Abdulrahman Mohammed Alnafisah ◽

Khalid Gohormallah Alzahrani ◽

Khalid Ghalib Alharbi

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Dental Implants ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Practical Experience ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Males And Females

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of dental implants among dental interns in Saudi Arabia Materials and Methods: A self-designed, close-ended questionnaire was distributed among 205 interns chosen by stratified random sampling technique. The questionnaire consisted of 28 items pertaining to demographic characteristics, knowledge and practices of dental implants. Responses were coded and entered into spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel 16.0.) and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Version 22.0) and contingency tables and chi-square test (χ2). Results: The majority of the participants were males (64.4%), between 24-26 years of age (64%) and had a GPA between 4-5 (63.4%). The majority of the participants gained knowledge of dental implants through theoretical lectures (98.5%), and most of them (80%) knew, what material, an implant was made up of. Almost all participants (91.7%) knew that dental implants had surface modifications. Most (64.4%) believed that case selection is the most important criteria for the success of dental implant therapy, and this differed significantly among participants with respect to GPA (p=0.03). Many participants (60%) believed that the most important advantage of dental implants over fixed prosthesis is that reduction of adjacent tooth is not needed, and this differed significantly between males and females (p=0.026). There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between males and females when it came to confidence in independently restoring teeth using dental implants. 63% of the participants were confident to use dental implants in their future practice. Conclusion: Knowledge of dental implants among dental interns is satisfactory, but this study reveals that participants lack practical experience and would like to acquire more clinical skills. Limitations: The response rate of participants from each university was low, which made comparisons between different universities difficult because sample size from some universities was very small, which could not produce statistically accurate results.

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Correlation of lip profile preferences in Pakistani population; and its comparison with orthodontic norms

Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association ◽

10.47391/jpma.855 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hashim Bin Mansoor ◽

Zahra Khalid ◽

Abdullah Jan ◽

Rumeesha Zaheer

Keyword(s):

Orthodontic Treatment ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pakistani Population ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Difference Of Opinion ◽

General Dentists ◽

Group B ◽

Treatment Seekers

Objective: To determine the most desired lip profile and compare the subjective sense of aesthetics among orthodontists, general dentists and the general population. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Orthodontic Department of the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January 1 to February 25, 2020, and comprised different silhouettes for each gender with increasing lip procumbence from -6mm to +6mm with respect to Rickett’s E-line which were created using Photoshop CS 8.0 after cephalometric analysis of 20 cephalograms. The sample comprised an equal number of orthodontists in group A, general dentists in group B and orthodontic treatment-seekers in group C with equal representation of the two genders. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. Results: Of the 180 subjects, there were 60(33.3%) in each of the three groups, with 30(50%) males and as many females in all the groups. All the three groups preferred the average lip profile for males (p=0.018) and 2mm procumbent lips for females (p=0.008). There was significant difference of opinion between groups A and C (p=0.034) and between groups B and C (p=0.022). Conclusion: There was found to be a marked difference of opinion among the orthodontists, the general dentists and the orthodontic treatment-seekers regarding the desired lip profile. Key Words: Aesthetics, Pakistani population, Cephalometrics, Lip profile. Continuous...

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Family planning KAP survey in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20174990 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (11) ◽

pp. 4798

Author(s):

Enas A. Dhaher

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Family Planning ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Southern Region ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

The Individual

Background: Family planning practices could be determined through adopting proper knowledge and positive couple attitudes towards the use of family planning which would most likely result in favourable family decisions which would benefitted both the individual and the overall country welfare.Methods: A cross sectional study has been conducted using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interview to a convenient sample of 151 pregnant women attending the obstetrics and gynaecology outpatient clinic at the Armed Forces Hospital in the southern region of Saudi Arabia in December 2014.Results: The results revealed that modern methods were popular among women. In general we found positive attitudes towards family planning among the sampled women as two third of the women have ever used contraceptives. However, the present study showed that 34% of women had unmet need of family planning. Women’s age, marriage years and number of children were all found to be associated factors with unmet need.Conclusions: National organized family planning programs might help satisfying the family planning needs for the families. Further studies regarding southern men’s knowledge and attitudes towards family planning is recommended.

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Perceptions of, and Practices for Coping with, Heat Exposure among Male Arab Pilgrims to the Hajj, 1436

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x19000025 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (02) ◽

pp. 161-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zayid K. Al Mayahi ◽

Ibrahim Ali Kabbash

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Heat Exposure ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Concern ◽

Health Issues ◽

Coping Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Excessive Heat ◽

The Face ◽

Earth’S Climate

Background:The problems associated with exposure to excessive heat are a key health concern throughout the world, and are likely to become increasingly important as Earth’s climate warms. Heat exposure is particularly problematic when large groups of people gather, but there is relatively little literature on the subject. Islam requires all adherents who are able to undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca (Saudi Arabia), known as the Hajj. This can result in huge numbers of pilgrims travelling to Mecca in the summer months, during which the temperatures can be very high, and to undertake physically demanding activities.Objective:The aim of this study was to identify the perception level of heat-related health issues and the coping behaviors adopted by pilgrims in the face of excessive heat exposure.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mecca, Saudi Arabia among male Arab pilgrims performing Hajj of the Islamic calendar year 1436 (Summer 2015). Sample was divided into two strata: domestic pilgrims and international Arabs. A total of 14 camps were selected randomly, seven from each stratum. A total of 412 participants completed the questionnaire.Results:Mean age was 43.48 (SD = 13.42) years. Majority of pilgrims had never performed Hajj before (68.2%). Almost 89.5% among pilgrims more than 40 years of age had more water intake compared to only 76.5% for people under 40 years. Only 7.3% of educated people used to go out at noon time, and almost two-fold of pilgrims with lower educational level did so (15.4%). Approximately 51.8% among those who were aware of Mecca’s weather used cotton clothes, compared to 36.0% among pilgrims unaware of Mecca’s weather.Conclusion:This study reveals the extent of pilgrims’ understanding of, and abilities to cope with, excessive heat and also suggests coping strategies and options for improved understanding of heat-related health issues world-wide.Al Mayahi ZK, Ali Kabbash I. Perceptions of, and practices for coping with, heat exposure among male Arab pilgrims to the Hajj, 1436. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(2):161–174

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Knowledge, barriers and uptake of influenza vaccine among non-health college students at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Journal of Public Health Research ◽

10.4081/jphr.2020.1856 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Malak M. Alhawsawi ◽

Amjad A. Alghamdi ◽

Balqees M. Alzayed ◽

Hessa M. Binmugren ◽

Raghad A. Alshehri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge Barriers ◽

Viral Influenza

Background: Viral influenza, one of the global public health problems is specifically important in Saudi Arabia due to high susceptibility of transmission in hajj and umrah seasons (Islamic pilgrimage to the Mecca), as it has the ability to spread widely to a large proportion, in addition the disease has a higher rate of complications that might lead to death. Vaccination is an important strategy in prevention of viral influenza. Design and methods: The study aimed to describe the association between uptake of influenza vaccine with knowledge as well as identify the barriers that prevent vaccination among Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) non-health colleges students. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was undertaken, including 385 students from non-health colleges using a convenience sampling technique. Data was collected using an Arabic self-administered online questionnaire Analysis done by JMP program. IRB approval as well as informed consent were taken. Results: The uptake of the influenza vaccine was 15.3% in the current year and 56.8% in the previous years. No significant association was found between knowledge, and uptake of the vaccine. For the unvaccinated students, the most common encounter barriers stated by study population were concerns regarding the vaccine effectiveness, reduction of immunity the uncertainty of complete protection in a percentage of 12.0% for all. Conclusions: Although the level of vaccine uptake is low for this year, it is not associated with knowledge. There were some barriers that need to be tackled by health education programs.

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Effects of nomophobia on anxiety, stress and depression among Saudi medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association ◽

10.47391/jpma.983 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Nusrat Bano ◽

Muhammad Anwar Khan ◽

Uzma Asif ◽

Jennifer de Beer ◽

Hawazen Rawass ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Prevalence Of Depression ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

Severe Anxiety ◽

Different Levels

Abstract Objective: To assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in medical students, and to analyse effects of demographics and nomophobia on depression, anxiety and stress. Method: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from April 1 to May 23, 2019, and comprised male and female medical students aged 19-25 years. Data was collected using a demographic information form, the 21-item depression, anxiety and stress scale and the 20-item nomophobia questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the 230 students, 108(47%) were boys and 122 (53%) were girls. The overall mean age was 21.93+1.80 years. Anxiety, depression and stress was reported in 168 (74.6%), 158 (70.2%) and 127 (55.9%) of the students. Extremely severe anxiety, depression and stress were self-reported by 92 (40.9%), 38 (16.8%) and 16 (7.04%) students. There was a significant difference in the distribution of subjects within different levels of anxiety across gender (p<0.05). Higher anxiety and stress scores were observed in 78 (33.9%) students with severe nomophobia. Differences in the levels of anxiety and stress with regards to type of residence and nomophobia levels were significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress associated with gender, nomophobia levels and residence type. Key Words: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Medical, Nomophobia.

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Frequency of Metabolic Abnormalities in Pakistani Children With Renal Stones

Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal ◽

10.48083/hxbk3263 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 18-24

Author(s):

Muhammad Tanveer Sajid ◽

Muhammad Rafiq Zafar ◽

Qurat-Ul-Ain Mustafa ◽

Rabia Abbas ◽

Sohail Raziq ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Duration ◽

Urine Volume ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Renal Stones ◽

Posterior Urethral Valve ◽

Metabolic Abnormalities ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Urinary Lithiasis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tract Infections

Objective: To determine the frequency of various metabolic abnormalities in children with urinary lithiasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Urology, Rawalpindi, from 30 January 2017 to 1 February 2020. A total of 1355 children who were aged 4 to 14 years and who had renal stones were included, while those with urinary tract infections, posterior urethral valve, pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction, reflux disease, and chronic renal failure were excluded. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were analyzed for urinary uric acid, calcium, oxalate, citrate, and magnesium. Demographics and metabolic abnormalities—hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, hypocitraturia, hyperuricosuria, and hypomagnesuria—were noted and analyzed. Results: The study analysis included 1355 patients. Low urine volume was observed in 465 (34.3%) of the patients. Three hundred nine patients (22.8%) had metabolic abnormalities, the most common being hypocitraturia (184, 59.5%) followed by hypercalciuria (136, 44%) and hypomagnesuria (126, 40.8%). Mean age of presentation, disease duration, recurrent bilateral stones were found significantly different in those having metabolic abnormalities (7.81±2.25 versus 8.76±2.50 P < 0.001, 7.73±1.50 versus 8.43±1.54 P < 0.001, 19.4 versus 2.4% P < 0.001 respectively). No significant difference was found in frequency of abnormal urinary metabolic parameters between boys and girls (P > 0.05) or, upon data stratification, on the basis of disease duration, stone laterality, and recurrence. Conclusion: Metabolic abnormalities were found in 22.8% % of children presenting with urinary lithiasis. The most frequent abnormality observed was hypocitraturia followed by hypercalciuria and hypomagnesuria. Early identification helps manage such patients appropriately, mitigating long-term sequelae.

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