Knowledge and awareness of genetic diseases among residents of the western region of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Ocular manifestations, such as conjunctivitis, redness, and tearing, were reported in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To investigate the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice about the ocular manifestations of COVID-19 and protective eye measures among the general population in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over two months with 800 participants from the general population and a 39-item online structured validated questionnaire using Google Forms. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS program version 20 and a P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results and Discussion: Among the participants (n = 800), 71.9% were females, 50% were highly educated, and 61.8% had moderate incomes. The overall mean total knowledge score was 25.185 ± 3.774, with significant differences regarding age group, gender, and income. Most of the Saudi residents with high monthly incomes, especially females, were knowledgeable regarding the ocular manifestations of COVID-19 (25.0957 ± 3.4311). The average total knowledge, attitude, and practice score was 42.1419 ± 4.833, which was average (medium level), with significant differences regarding age group, gender, and income; a high mean was obtained from the age group >50–60, females, and high-income class. Conclusion: Detailed information about the epidemiology of COVID-19 and an understanding of emerging related health issues, such as ocular manifestations, should be empowered to the public while considering the least knowledgeable groups.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Residents’ Clinical Training and Psychosocial Well-Being in Saudi Arabia’s Western Region

10.21203/rs.3.rs-78112/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Reem Alshareef ◽

Abdullah Al Zahrani ◽

Meshari Alzhrani ◽

Abdulaziz Suwaidi ◽

Bander Alamry

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Medical Staff ◽

Medical Training ◽

Well Being ◽

Western Region ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Western Region ◽

Distress Scale ◽

Junior Residents

Abstract Background: The novel COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a significant burden on healthcare systems. Similarly, it has also affected the performance and well-being of the medical staff working during the pandemic. However, to what extent COVID-19 is affecting medical staff is still unclear, especially among physicians.Objective: This study aims to evaluate the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the medical training and psychological well-being of resident doctors practicing in the western region in Saudi Arabia.Patients and Methods: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study that included a survey distributed to residents physicians working in the western region in Saudi Arabia. The survey included questions on demographic data and factors influencing the academic training, attitude, and daily habits of the residents during the pandemic. Psychological impact was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Data analysis was executed using IBM SPSS version 26. Results: A total of 121 residents responded to this survey. Of all respondents, 71.1% were junior residents, 66.9% had a medical specialty; and 33% were family medicine doctors, followed by 17% from general surgery. In regards to work amid the pandemic, 36.1% were in contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients, and 35.5% had to work overtime during the pandemic. Of the respondents, 44% described their training as extremely affected, and 32% strongly agreed and 53% agreed that their psychological well-being was negatively affected. Further, 39.6% were smoking more than they used to. Female and junior residents’ training was significantly more negatively affected than their peers’ (p=0.039 and 0.011, respectively). There was a non-significant difference detected between the residents regarding the factors negatively affecting their psychological well-being. Conclusion: Residents working during the pandemic in the western area of Saudi Arabia were significantly affected by the pandemic from both professional and psychological perspectives. Further research on how the pandemic is affecting doctors in other areas in Saudi Arabia is needed.

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Assessment of Barriers to Exclusive Breast Feeding Among Working Saudi Mothers

International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science ◽

10.23958/ijirms/vol06-i10/1221 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (10) ◽

pp. 656-663

Author(s):

Nisreen Kh. Aref Albezrah ◽

Haneen Ali Alshehri ◽

Raghad Hilal Alswat ◽

Manal Saeed Almalki ◽

Atheer Mohammed Al fuhayd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Breast Milk ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Working Mothers ◽

World Health ◽

Western Region ◽

Full Time ◽

Milk Secretion ◽

Exclusive Breast Feeding ◽

The Western Region

Background: The World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Fund recommend mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months of their life that should be initiated within the first hour after birth. Methods: This cross-sectional study included currently employed Saudi working mothers residing the Western region of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed through email and social media. Each person meeting the inclusion criteria was provided informed consent, explaining the study aim, and ensuring the confidentiality of information. Data were obtained by filling out the designed Questionnaire. Result: This study included 692 working Saudi mothers. The frequency of exclusive breast feeding was 40.2%, which was continued by 29.8% only after returning to the work. Insufficient breast milk secretion (17.5%) and the lack or minimal support from the workplace for EBF (6.6%) were commonly stated by the mothers. There were great deficiencies in the breastfeeding friendly work policies including the absence of breast feeding or breast milk-pumping place (86.4%), absence of breastfeeding hours during work time (80.9%), and the presence of a strict full-time schedule that did not allow freely use of the nursing break. Conclusion: The present study shows low prevalence of exclusive breast feeding among working mothers in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Multiple barriers to continuing breast feeding have been detected. Insufficient breast milk secretion and the lack of breastfeeding friendly work policies were common reasons.

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