scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Childhood Immunization in Saudi Arabia

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 581
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alsuhaibani ◽  
Aqeel Alaqeel
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Routine Childhood ◽  
Large Household ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting national and international public health. Routine childhood immunization may be adversely affected by COVID-19 mitigation measures. We aimed to identify the prevalence of delayed immunization and explore the reasons and barriers for delayed immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire for parents of children under two years of age during the period from 1 May to 30 June 2020. Most of the 749 participants (82.6%) were mothers, with 31 to 40 years being the most common age group (49.8%). Nearly three-quarters (73.2%) of the parents had appointments scheduled for their child’s vaccination during the pandemic, and approximately 23.4% of the parents reported a delay of more than one month in the immunization of their child. The most common reason for the delay was the fear of being infected by COVID-19 (60.9%). Large household size and lack of insurance were risk factors for immunization delay. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the timeliness of routine childhood immunization in Saudi Arabia. Childhood immunization should be prioritized, as well as the implementation of focused strategies to achieve significant and sustainable vaccination rates during pandemics.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Routine Childhood Immunization: A Saudi Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leena R. Baghdadi ◽  
Afnan Younis ◽  
Hessah I. Al Suwaidan ◽  
Marwah M. Hassounah ◽  
Reem Al Khalifah
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Routine Childhood

Background: Routine childhood immunization is the most cost-effective method to prevent infection and decrease childhood morbidity and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected access to health care in Saudi Arabia, including mandatory vaccinations for young children. We aimed to assess the prevalence of intentionally delayed vaccinations in children aged ≤ 2 years during the COVID-19 pandemic curfew in Saudi Arabia, its relation to the caregivers' fear of infection, and identifying factors affecting the caregivers' decision.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered survey that targeted primary caregivers of children aged ≤ 2 years residing in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic curfew (March 4–July 6, 2020).Results: We received responses from 577 caregivers, of whom 90.8% were mothers. The prevalence of intentional vaccination delay was 37%. Upon adjusting the potential confounders, the odds of delaying scheduled childhood vaccination because of COVID-19 pandemic fears were greater among caregivers with higher levels of fear (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.11). Common reasons for delaying vaccinations were COVID-19 infection and prevention of exposure to COVID-19 cases.Conclusion: Intentional vaccination delay leaves young children vulnerable to preventable infectious diseases. Identifying these children and offering catch-up vaccinations reduces this risk. Campaigns to increase awareness about the dangers of delaying vaccine-preventable diseases must be promoted to caregivers in addition to the promotion of home vaccination services. In preparation for future pandemics, we recommend countries consider interventions to control the level of fear and anxiety provoked by the pandemics and media, and interventions for improved access to vaccinations.

scholarly journals Mental Health of COVID-19 Patients—A Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4758
Author(s):  
Hasan Saeed Alamri ◽  
Wesam F. Mousa ◽  
Abdullah Algarni ◽  
Shehata F. Megahid ◽  
Ali Al Bshabshe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Background: This study aims to investigate the mental health of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out targeting confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Due to travel and time constraints as well as the accessibility of patients, cases were included from East Jeddah Hospital, King Abdulaziz Hospital, and the Oncology Center in Jeddah. The data were collected using a predesigned self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed COVID-19 cases, personal data, medical history, smoking, traveling abroad, and work-related conditions. Additionally, data regarding contact level with COVID-19 cases were considered. The mental health statuses of the patients were assessed using a validated Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. The study included 261 COVID-19 patients whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. Results: The survey findings revealed that 13% of COVID-19 patients had a borderline level of anxiety, 26.8% were considered anxiety cases, while 60.2% were normal. The findings also revealed that 29.9% had a borderline level of depression, 18.4% were considered depression cases, while 51.7% were normal. Conclusions: This study concluded that COVID-19 patients experience anxiety and depression, and as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread, the results of the study are particularly useful in developing a strategy to psychologically support COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals Community Pharmacists’ Practice, Awareness, and Beliefs about Drug Disposal in Saudi Arabia

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Sultan Alghadeer ◽  
Mohammed N. Al-Arifi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Take Back ◽  
Medication Disposal

The awareness among Saudi people regarding the good and safe practice of drug disposal is fairly low. Community pharmacists’ potential toward drugs disposal directions and practice are not emphasized enough. Therefore, a cross sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to evaluate the practice, awareness and beliefs of community pharmacists about disposal of unused drugs. Out of 360 subjects who participated in the study, more than 70% returned the unused drugs to the pharmaceutical distributors. Around 80% of the participants confirmed the risk of environmental damage due to the inappropriate disposal of drugs, and 87.5% of them held themselves responsible for preventing such risk. Approximately 85% of surveyed pharmacists believed community pharmacies to be an appropriate location for the collection of unused drugs. There was no significant association between the community pharmacists’ age group and years of practice as community pharmacists with either the awareness of unused medication disposal on environmental hazards, or the beliefs about the appropriate location for collecting unused drugs (p > 0.05). The awareness and proactive accountable responsibility, along with community pharmacists’ belief of appointing pharmacies to collect unused drugs, strongly support the institution of drug take-back programs.

scholarly journals Maternal Knowledge on Routine Childhood Immunization: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study in Rural Area of Mon State, Myanmar

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Aung Zaw Htike ◽  
San San Myint Aung ◽  
Win Myint Oo
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Maternal Knowledge ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Routine Childhood

Aims: To determine the knowledge on routine childhood immunization and the factors associated with it among mothers in rural area of Mon State, Myanmar during 2017. Study Design:  A community based cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Rural area of Mon State, Myanmar, between June and August 2017. Methodology: We included 302 mothers who had 18 to 23 months old children using multistage random sampling. Face-to-face interview was applied in data collection. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were utilized in data analysis. Results: More than three fourths of mothers (76.2%) had good knowledge level on routine childhood immunization. There was a significant association between maternal knowledge and immunization status of their children (p<0.001). Logistic regression showed that the husband’s occupation was significantly associated with maternal knowledge (p=0.02). Conclusion: Majority of mothers have good knowledge on routine childhood immunization. However, health education campaign should be intensified to improve their knowledge level, especially among mothers whose husbands are blue-collar workers.

scholarly journals Attitudes toward breastfeeding practices among breastfeeding women in Buraydah city, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 1203
Author(s):  
Alhanof F. Alharbi ◽  
Asma M. Almutairi ◽  
Abeer E. Alrasheedi ◽  
Abdulrhman Aldukhayel ◽  
Sara M. Almutairi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Breastfeeding Attitudes ◽  
Individual Scores ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire ◽  
Purposive Sample

Background: This study assessed the attitudes toward breastfeeding among mothers receiving healthcare services in Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCCs) in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. It also examined the association between the mothers’ demographic characteristics and breastfeeding attitudes.Methods: This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. A purposive sample of 415 breastfeeding mothers who were receiving healthcare services from the selected PHCCs during the conduct of the study were recruited in PHCCs in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. A two-part self-administered questionnaire containing a demographic sheet and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) Arabic version was employed to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used accordingly in data analyses.Results: The overall mean score of the women in the IIFAS was 60.50 (SD = 11.08), with individual scores ranging from 17.00 to 82.00. This finding implies good attitudes toward breastfeeding. Mothers who were divorced/widowed (M = 63.75, SD = 5.20) had significantly better breastfeeding attitudes than married mothers (M = 60.24, SD = 11.38). Mothers who were not working (M = 61.41, SD = 10.03) reported more positive breastfeeding attitudes compared with working mothers (M = 58.36, SD = 13.02).Conclusions: The mothers reported good attitudes toward breastfeeding, but expressed poor beliefs in some areas of breastfeeding. The present findings have implication to medicine, nursing, and healthcare policies.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Diabetic Retinopathy among Primary Care Physicians of Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1697
Author(s):  
Ashokkumar Thirunavukkarasu ◽  
Abdulmohsen Khaled Almulhim ◽  
Faisal Ahmed Albalawi ◽  
Ziyad Muharib Alruwaili ◽  
Ola Ali Almajed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices

Primary care physicians play a vital role in preventing the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) from the initial stages to the late stages. This questionnaire-based analytical cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, practices, and their correlation among 274 randomly selected primary care physicians in Saudi Arabia. Among the studied population, high knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores were observed in 21.5%, 15%, and 29.2% of the physicians, respectively. The mean knowledge score was significantly higher among the age group of less than 30 years (p = 0.031) and the female gender (p = 0.012). The attitude scores were significantly higher among the Saudi physicians (p = 0.027) and those with PHC work experience of less than five years (p < 0.001). Regarding the practices, a significant association was found among the age group of less than 30 years (p = 0.019) and Saudi physicians (p = 0.003). There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.739, p < 0.001) and attitude (r = 0.479, p = 0.007) with the practice scores. It is recommended that targeted continuous medical education, workshops, and seminars are conducted on the prevention and care of DR among primary care physicians. Furthermore, an exploratory multicenter study that involves primary care physicians belonging to all ministries and private sectors is warranted.

scholarly journals Assessing the Prevalence and Factors Affecting Sexual Harassment Among Female Staffs of a Supermarket in Kathmandu, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
Ira Sharma ◽  
Sangam Lama
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Awareness Programs ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

This cross sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence and factors affecting sexual harassment (SH) among female staffs of a supermarket in Kathmandu, Nepal. The data were collected with self-administered questionnaire from 170 staffs. Uni-variate (descriptive detail) and bivariate (statistical detail) analyses were the methods applied. Among 24.1% of sexually harassed respondents, the most common was 15-30 years' age group. Moreover, 80.5% of the victims were harassed verbally, 39% non-verbally and 48.8% physically. The harassment occurred either when they were alone (non-verbal 56.5% and physical 78.3%) or when the shop was crowded (non-verbal 29.3% and physical 88.2%). Most of the victims accepted the problem (non-verbal 55.6% and physical 94.4%) due to fear of being fired and social stigma. Non-verbal (53.8%) and physical (100%) harassments mostly occurred during night shift whereas verbal harassment (63.4%) occurred during day shift. Out of 6 selected predictors: age, dress, place, shift, perpetrator and acceptance of the incident, the verbal harassment was statistically associated with shift (63.6% in day, p-val.= 0.007), non-verbal harassment was associated with age (25% of age 15-30 years, p-val.=0.002) and the physical harassment was statistically associated with age (35% of age 15-30 years, p-val.=0.000), shift (35.0% at night, p-val.=0.000), prepatrators (25% of age 15-30 years, p-val.=0.003), acceptance (40.0% due fear of being fired/ social stigma, p-val.=0.000). In order to reduce sexual harassment among female staffs of supermarkets, there must be awareness programs for all the staff, advocacy programs against SH for customers and staffs, punishment for the perpetrators must be legal.

scholarly journals Parental Awareness and Attitude about Childhood Immunization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8455
Author(s):  
Shuaa Z. Alshammari ◽  
Isamme AlFayyad ◽  
Youssef Altannir ◽  
Mohamad Al-Tannir
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Childhood Immunization ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Parental beliefs about vaccination are one of the main factors in reaching high vaccination rates. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the awareness and attitudes regarding routine childhood immunization among Saudi parents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This survey, with a pretested 18-item questionnaire, was conducted on parents having at least one child from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 1 May 2019 and 1 November 2019. The validated questionnaire consisted of three sections; participants’ demographics, awareness, and attitude regarding the immunization of their children. In total, 1200 parents participated in the study, 883 (73.3%) of the parents scored a good knowledge of childhood immunization, and 93% knew that routine vaccination protects children from infectious diseases and their complications. Around 10% stated that immunization can cause autism. Only parents in age groups 30–39 and 40–49 were 1.76 (p < 0.05) times and 1.92 (p < 0.05) times, respectively, more likely to exhibit good knowledge. About 522 (43.6) of the parents attained a positive attitude toward immunization. Adherence to the immunization schedule was confirmed important by 93%, while 91% presumed that immunization keeps their children healthy. Additionally, immunization was perceived as important by 94% of parents and only 8% agreed that immunization is prohibited by religion. Females were 1.45 (p < 0.05) times more likely to exhibit positive attitudes than males. Parents have good knowledge and a positive attitude towards child immunization. However, parental education should be focused on the fact that religion supports immunization, and more awareness should be focused on the lack of correlation between autism and vaccination.

scholarly journals Electronic cigarettes consumption and associated factors among general population in Western Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyad Alzahrani ◽  
Syed Faisal Zaidi ◽  
Hatem Alsolami ◽  
Bader Bashrahil ◽  
Nawaf Alghamdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
General Population ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Cigarette Consumption ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

Background: In recent years, consumption of E-cigarettes has increased dramatically. Several studies have focused on the prevalence of E-cigarettes among specific groups of people, using it as a substitute to traditional cigarettes, or the participant knowledge regarding risks. This research was aimed on E-cigarettes’ prevalence and its association to several factors in the general population of Western Saudi Arabia.Design and Methods: Using an observational cross-sectional study, data were collected from (n=465) above 18 years old smokers during the survey at public attractions. A validated self-administered questionnaire acquired from previous studies was employed to insure the suitability for the general population of Jeddah Saudi Arabia. Sample size was calculated via Raosoft@ and adults of either gender were included in the study. Descriptive or inferential statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.Results: The preponderance of e-cigarette smokers used entertainment as the reason for smoking, with an average of (33.9%). Although one reason for e-cigarette consumption was to cease traditional smoking, results showed an average of (49.4%), which is the majority of those who attempted to cease traditional smoking via e-cigarette, did not succeed in quitting traditional smoking. This study also demonstrated that participant that believed that e-cigarette is beneficial had a higher chance to cease conventional smoking than who did not (32.1% versus 14.6%) which is significant (p<0.001).Conclusions: In conclusion, this study estimated the prevalence of e-cigarette consumption among the population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia along with assessment of elements which help increase the overall e-cigarette consumption in Jeddah.

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