Erratum: Prevalence and characterization of urolithiasis in 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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