Identification of Pathogenic Microbes in Tools of Beauty Salon in Jeddah City

Beauty salons may draw in customers with glamour; however, they could also be considered a major health issue. They can cause the spread of bacterial and fungal infections. The purpose of this research was to identify pathogenic microbes from beauty salon tools. Microorganisms from contaminated salon tools and cosmetic products were isolated using various selective media. Microbial isolates were identified based on their molecular and biochemical characteristics. The most common bacterial species isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus equorum, Microbacterium spp., Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus subtilis, Sphingomonas aeria, Macrococcus spp., Microbacterium oxydans, Brachybacterium spp., Micrococcus luteus, and Brachybacterium nesterenkovii. Fungal isolates included Penicillium spp., Aspergillus niger, Purpureocillium lilacium, and Aspergillus flavus. Overall, Staphylococcus spp. and A. niger were the most common organisms isolated from the samples. The presence of potential pathogens indicates that the tools used in salons have not been adequately sterilized and the high risk of diseases spread.

Explaining Neighbourhood Variations in the Incidence of Dengue Fever in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia

The rapid growth and development of cities is a contributing factor to the rise and persistence of dengue fever (DF) in many areas around the world. Many studies have examined how neighbourhood environmental conditions contribute to dengue fever and its spread, but have not paid enough attention to links between socio-economic conditions and other factors, including population composition, population density, the presence of migrant groups, and neighbourhood environmental conditions. This study examines DF and its distribution across 56 neighbourhoods of Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia, where the incidence of dengue remains high. Using stepwise multiple regression analysis it focuses on the key ecological correlates of DF from 2006-2009, the years of the initial outbreak. Neighbourhood variations in average case rates per 10,000 population (2006–2009) were largely predicted by the Saudi gender ratio and socio-economic status (SES), the respective beta coefficients being 0.56 and 0.32 (p < 0.001). Overall, 77.1% of cases occurred in the poorest neighbourhoods. SES effects, however, are complex and were partly mediated by neighbourhood population density and the presence of migrant groups. SES effects persisted after controls for both factors, suggesting the effect of other structural factors and reflecting a lack of DF awareness and the lack of vector control strategies in poorer neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood environmental conditions, as measured by the presence of surface water, were not significant. It is suggested that future research pay more attention to the different pathways that link neighbourhood social status to dengue and wider health outcomes.

Humidification-Dehumidification Desalination System Powered by Simultaneous Air-Water Solar Heater

A humidification–dehumidification (HDH) desalination system requires thermal energy to desalt seawater. An environmentally friendly approach to obtain thermal energy is to utilize solar energy using solar collectors. Either seawater or air (or both) are typically preheated by HDH desalination systems before these fluids are conveyed to the humidifier column. Compared with preheating only air or water, preheating both is preferred because improved performance and higher productivity are achieved. Many researchers have proposed dual preheated HDH systems utilizing two separate solar heaters/collectors for simultaneous air–seawater preheating. In this study, dual-fluid preheating is achieved using a single solar collector. The proposed simultaneous air–water solar heater (SAWSH) is a modified flat-plate collector designed for simultaneously preheating air and seawater before the fluids reach the humidifier. A thermodynamic study was conducted using formulated mathematical models based on energy and mass conservation principles. Then, the dual-fluid heating HDH system is compared with HDH systems in which only air or only water is heated. This work found that the former outperformed the latter. The daily and monthly performance levels of the system in terms of the outlet temperatures of air and water, distillate rate, and gain output ratio were calculated using the weather data of the hot and humid climate of Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia.

Alterations in lipids and minerals in relation to larval trematode infections of Nerita polita marine snails

Summary Marine snails provide an important source of vitamins, proteins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, and their mucus has a therapeutic significance. Parasitic infection of larval trematodes in these snails affects their nutritional value. The present study aimed to screen Nerita polita marine snails for the prevalence of cercarial infections and to evaluate the changes in lipids and some minerals in the infected as well as non-infected ones. Snails were collected randomly from February 2018 to January 2019 from the Red Sea Obhor bay, Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. The amount of triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids in the Digestive Gland Gonad Complex (DGG), hemolymph, and Snail Conditioned Water (SCW) of non-infected and infected Nerita polita snail was estimated using a spectrophotometer. Minerals content such as Ca, Zn, Pb, Na, Mn, Mg, K, Fe, Cu, and Cd, in the DGG and shell in the infected and non-infected snails were analyzed using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Two types of cercariae were detected, ocellate furcocercus cercaria (Trichobilharzia regent) and xiphidiocercaria (Litorina saxatilis VII). The study showed that there is a fl uctuation in the concentration of lipids and minerals between increase and decrease in DGG, hemolymph, shell, and SCW in infected snails. The nutritive value of the snails is affected with infection through the decrease of some lipids and minerals in infected snails. Further qualitative studies are needed.

Evaluation of Patient’s Satisfaction Level with the Provided Healthcare in Primary Healthcare Centers in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to evaluate patient’s satisfaction at primary health centers PHCCs in (Khobar, Jeddah, Riyadh, Jubail, Dhahran, Hail, Majmah, Abha, Baha, and Makkah) located in Saudi Arabia. The review finding shows that the highest overall satisfaction in Baha city (84.16%) followed by Majmah city with (81.7%), and the lowest overall satisfaction was the score (2.44) out of a maximum of 5 for Jubail city and Jeddah (2.45). Dhahran, Hail, Abha, Makkah, Riyadh, and Khobar were scored different scores; (3.66), (3.60), (57.7%), (70.1%), (64.2%) and (3.76). Nursing staff play a vital role in the satisfaction of patients in primary healthcare centers, including education, care and counselling, which is why all nursing staff should be skilled in clinical skills, level of education and interpersonal skills The highest domain of satisfaction was for nursing performance, and their treatment were found to be high (90.1%), but the lowest score was for the explanation of the medical conditions by the nurses, which could be due to language barrier. Medical care, laboratory services, and pharmacological services are other factors that may impact patient satisfaction with primary health centers. There are significant differences between Abha city (57.7%) and Baha city (84.16%) in south province in their overall satisfaction with Patient’s Satisfaction in primary healthcare centers PHCCs. And between Riyadh city (64.2%) and Majmah city (82.0%) in the middle province. In the eastern province, overall satisfaction for three cities Khobar city (3.76), Jubail city (2.44), and Dhahran city (3.66). The western province, overall satisfaction for two cities, Makkah city (70.1%), and Jeddah city (2.45). One city for north province Hail city (3.60). For comparison, the highest overall satisfaction in this study was Baha city (84.16%) located in south province, and the lowest one was Jubail city with score (2.44) out of 5.

Use of 2SFCA Method to Identify and Analyze Spatial Access Disparities to Healthcare in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The issue of reducing spatial disparities in access to healthcare is one of the most important healthcare planning issues that policy makers and planners investigate and consider as a key focus until present time. A healthcare system that meets the requirements of availability and affordability will be useless if the spatial accessibility to healthcare is not provided to all equally. Therefore, this study aims to identify and analyze spatial disparities in access to healthcare centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method was used to measure spatial accessibility of healthcare centers based on the travel time threshold (i.e., 30-min drive time in this study). The GIS technology was used to execute the 2SFCA method. A geodatabase, which includes the population districts, locations of healthcare centers, and road network, was created. Some procedures were performed within the road network database to set the travel time that is considered as an essential step to compute the origin–destination (OD) cost matrix. The OD matrix was later used as the source for calculating provider-to-population ratios and the spatial accessibility scores for population districts. The results of the study revealed spatial disparities in access to healthcare centers in Jeddah city. The majority of the Jeddah population (i.e., 97.51%) have accessibility to healthcare centers, but with disparate levels. The central districts have a higher access score compared to the rest of the city’s districts. Most districts that do not have accessibility to healthcare centers are concentrated in the southeast of the city. The results can help local health planners improve spatial equity in access to healthcare centers through giving the less-served districts a priority when allocating future healthcare centers in Jeddah city.

Primiparous Adaptation with Postpartum Health Issues in Jeddah City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Quantitative Study

Background: The postpartum or puerperium period is the first 6 weeks after giving birth to an infant. The postpartum period can have negative implications, especially in first-time mothers. With their transition into motherhood, new mothers adopt new lifestyles, which can affect their physical wellbeing. Childbirth has physical, psychological, and emotional effects on women as they try to adapt to their new roles in order to get through this period with no or minimal health issues. Study Aim: The current study aims to explore primiparous adaptations with postpartum health issues in Jeddah City at Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The research design is quantitative cross-sectional. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data in relation to depression and weight gain, which consider the most common postpartum health issues. The inclusion criteria of the participants are: primipara, 2 to 6 months postpartum, and living in Jeddah. Results: 140 participants were included in the study. Mothers gained approximately 9.2 kg within the fifth to ninth month after giving birth. Discussion: Postpartum weight retention is a primary challenge in the majority of primiparous mothers and results in reduced quality of life. Nurses were always available to answer questions related to the postpartum health issues and explained the expectations to the family members. Conclusions: Childbirth and the postpartum period for first-time mothers are crucial in their lives as they try to adapt to a new way of life. The postpartum period can have negative implications, especially in first-time mothers. With their transition into motherhood, new mothers adopt new lifestyles, which can affect their physical wellbeing. More research is needed to explore the impact of postpartum health issues in Saudi Arabia.