Awareness of cytomegalovirus infection among medical students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: This study aimed to compare changes in medical students’ research practices and perceptions of two cohorts of graduates. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted from November 2014 to December 2017 and included the 2015 and 2017 medical graduates of King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A validated self-administrated questionnaire, which included questions about participants’ age and gender, research activities, and obstacles to and motivators for research involvement was used. Results: A total of 484 graduates were included in this study (response rate: 96.8%). A significant difference was found between the 2015 and 2017 graduates who had not started any research project (48.4% versus 35%; P <0.001) and a 20% increase in the 2017 graduates’ confidence in their abilities to start their own projects was observed (P <0.001). Significantly more 2017 graduates were engaged in various research roles, other than 'author', compared to 2015 graduates (71.3% versus 55.4%; P <0.001). Career progression was the main motivator for both the 2015 and 2017 medical graduates to participate in research (79.5%). Reported obstacles to research included a lack of dedicated time for research and methodology training and a shortage of research project opportunities. Conclusion: This study highlights positive changes in attitudes towards and perceptions of research among medical graduates.Keywords: Medical Students; Research; Professional Practice; Attitude; Perception; Medical Education; Saudi Arabia.

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Eating Habits Among Medical Students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

International Journal of General Medicine ◽

10.2147/ijgm.s246296 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol Volume 13 ◽

pp. 77-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sami H Alzahrani ◽

Abdulmajeed Abdulaziz Saeedi ◽

Maan Khaleed Baamer ◽

Abdullah Faisal Shalabi ◽

Abdullah M Alzahrani

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Medical Students ◽

Eating Habits ◽

King Abdulaziz University

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Knowledge and Attitudes towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Senior Medical Students in King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/9370721 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sami H. Alzahrani ◽

Jamil Bashawri ◽

Emad M. Salawati ◽

Marwan A. Bakarman

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Medical Students ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Older Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

King Abdulaziz University ◽

Students Attitudes ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Objectives. This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in medical students in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, it evaluated their views on the incorporation of CAM in their medical syllabus.Methods. The study was conducted by selecting a cross-sectional sample of senior medical students in the Faculty of Medicine. A validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire was used to explore the knowledge, attitude, and benefits of CAM. It was distributed to a sample of 273 students.Results. The study included 242 students, making the response rate 88.6%. Only two-thirds of students (62.4%) were aware of acupuncture principles and only 17.4% recognized that chiropractic is associated with pain management. The knowledge of common herbs such as St. John’s Wort,Echinacea, andGinkgo bilobawas limited among the students. Older students had a positive CAM attitude compared to younger students (p=0.027).Conclusion. Students attitudes toward CAM learning were encouraging regardless of their limited knowledge on the subject. A high percentage of students agreed that CAM in combination with conventional therapy is beneficial in treating unusual cases, but the choice of CAM should be based on evidence. Furthermore, medical students are still reluctant to have CAM practitioners in their referral network.

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