Foot Function Index for Arabic-speaking patients (FFI-Ar) : translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation study

Background: Foot Function Index (FFI) is a valid and reliable outcome measure, which is widely used to measure the foot and ankle functional level and disorders. Until now, no validated Arabic version of the FFI is available. This study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this project was to translate and adapt the FFI into Arabic and to evaluate its psychometric properties of validity and reliability. Methods: The study consisted of two phases. The first phase was the translation and cultural adaptation of the FFI to Arabic. The next phase involved, testing the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the FFI on a sample of 50 consecutive participants which included internal consistency, test–retest reliability, floor and ceiling effects and construct validity. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 38 ± 12.94 years. Both the genders were evenly enrolled with 50% of the participants as male and 50% as female. Majority of them complained of plantar fasciopathy (32%) followed by pes planus (22%) and ankle sprain (18%). The scores of FFI-Ar were normally distributed, confirmed by a significant Shapiro–Wilk test. The mean value of FFI-Ar total score was 47.73 ± 19.85. There were no floor or ceiling effects seen in any of the subscales and total score. The internal consistency was good with the Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.882, 0.936 and 0.850 for the pain, disability and activity limitation subscales, respectively. The reproducibility of the FFI-Ar was analysed by intra-class correlation coefficient which revealed good to excellent test–retest reliability. A significant correlation was found between FFI-Ar and SF-36 and numeric rating scale (NRS) confirming its construct validity. Conclusion: The FFI-Arabic version showed good validity and reliability in patients with foot and ankle problems. This tool can be used in usual practice and research for analysing foot and ankle disorders in Arabic-speaking people

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Investigating factors affecting customer satisfaction and the utilization of emarketplaces

The increased use of Internet-based web applications in business organisations today has brought huge opportunities. A major focus of organisations in the volatile business environment, customer satisfaction, has become one of the key measures of service quality outcomes, which in this thesis, is determined by the degree of utilization of the eMarketplace. Although much research has addressed the issues surrounding the adoption of technologies, particularly eMarketplaces, investigations into customer satisfaction and utilization of eMarketplaces are still lacking. For this reason, this thesis aims at answering the following research question: What are the factors affecting customer satisfaction and the utilization of eMarketplaces? A review of the literature on eMarketplaces identified five key factors, which are pivotal to the success of the eMarketplace, namely security, complementary services, strong infrastructure, reliability and regulatory requirements. Six hypotheses were proposed to test the impact of these factors on customer satisfaction and the utilization of eMarketplaces. Employing a multiphase mixed methods design, data was collected in two phases. The first phase of data collection involved surveys of 337 eMarketplace users from Saudi Arabia. The survey participants were divided into two groups based on their age, experience and their involvement with technology. The first group comprised non-fulltime workers (n=156) and the second group comprised fulltime workers (n=181). Outcomes of the first phase of data collection supported the proposed hypotheses with differences between the two groups in relation to the importance of factors relating to eMarketplace infrastructure and regulatory requirements. There were common uncertainties among the non-full-time group’s answers, which in turn resulted in weak support for eMarketplace infrastructure and regulatory requirements. Outcomes of the second phase of data collection using semi-structured interviews further clarified the issues raised from the findings of the first phase whereby participants recommended additional sub-factors, which were used to revise the research model. In addition, the interview findings helped to identify the barriers resulting in the low utilization of eMarketplaces in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia. This thesis contributes to the existing research on eMarketplaces by providing a theoretical framework involving the factors that positively influence customer satisfaction and utilization of eMarketplaces. It shows how customer satisfaction can be determined and demonstrates its correlation with the utilization of eMarketplaces. The findings further enhance the understanding of eMarketplaces in Saudi Arabia, particularly in terms of factors that ensure customer satisfaction and the desired utilization level. It contributes to building an empirical foundation for understanding the needs of customers from specific cultural backgrounds. Future research is vital to validate the research model in relation to different settings e.g. in countries with similar cultural backgrounds

Level of disability and associated factors with musculoskeletal disorders among supermarket cashiers

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the severity of symptoms and the level of disability or difficulty associated with MSDs in the neck, shoulders, upper limbs, lower back, and lower limbs as well as the factors associated with MSDs.Material and MethodsThis investigation collected demographic, health (36-Item Short Form Survey [SF-36]), and occupational related-factors for supermarket cashiers through the administration of several questionnaires, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain.ResultsOne hundred ninety-three supermarket cashiers participated in this study. The mean scores for disability levels included NDI (M±SD 18.62±14.57), ODI (M±SD 20.74±13.89), DASH (M±SD 15.08±13.90), and LEFS (M±SD 63.06±14.24). Regression analyses demonstrated the existence of significant relationships between the experience of MSDs and several other factors, including the number of working days per week, the preferred working position, marital status and the need for awkward positions.ConclusionsThe results indicate MSDs that signified a mild disability level among young participants. The number of working days per week, the preferred working position, the need to assume awkward positions, and marital status were significantly associated with MSDs. The findings indicated the need for preventive to avoid or minimize the prevalence of MSDs among supermarket cashiers

Prevalence of hypermobility in primary school children: a Saudi experience

Background: This study aims to determine the prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) in primary school children in relation to age (6–12 years) and gender. It also aims to ascertain whether musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is associated with GJH among these children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in five primary schools in Al-Madinah al-Munawarah city. The demographic profile recorded includes age, gender, ethnic group, height, weight, and body mass index. The existence of GJH was assessed by the Beighton score (≥4 was acknowledged as hypermobility). Prior to physical examinations, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was distributed to the students to assist in detecting symptoms in their neck, back, shoulders, and extremities. Results: The study included 563 students (392 boys, 171 girls; average 10.12 ± 1.588 years; range 6–12 years). GJH was found in 144 students (25.6%). Out of the total number of participants, the occurrence of GJH in male students was 30.87% versus 13.5% in female students, indicating a significant difference (p = 0.001) by gender. GJH was also more prevalent in the age group of 6–9 years (29.2%) compared to that of 10–12 years (23.7%), with a considerable significant difference of p < 0.05. With respect to MSP, 222 (39.4%) of the total number of students reported pain. Pain was found in 31 (21.5%) and 191 (45.6%) of hypermobile students and non-hypermobile students, respectively, with a significant difference of p = 0.029. MSP was also not associated with GJH among these children. Conclusions: The prevalence of GJH in the primary school children in this study was markedly higher than the range revealed in some countries in the region but somewhat within the range reported internationally

The Severity of Pain and Comorbidities Significantly Impact the Dependency on Activities of Daily Living among Musculoskeletal Patients in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

Limited research has been carried out on the effects of pain, comorbidity, and impaired function in musculoskeletal patients in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 115 patients (aged ≥ 55 years) with physician-diagnosed musculoskeletal conditions in Jizan to investigate the association between pain severity, comorbidities, and dependence on activities of daily living (ADLs). Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect data on pain, comorbidities, and physical function measured by ADLs. In ADLs, participants were categorized as dependent (n = 36) or independent (n = 79). Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the predictors of dependence. The results showed that higher pain severity (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–2.38, p = 0.002) and a greater number of comorbidities (adjusted OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06–2.17, p = 0.021) were independently associated with dependence in ADLs. These associations remained significant even after controlling for covariates. This study concluded that patients with musculoskeletal conditions in Jizan who experience high levels of pain and comorbidities are at risk of dependence on basic daily activities. Therefore, addressing pain and comorbidities is crucial for maintaining independence and improving quality of life. Personalized rehabilitation programs are needed to manage these conditions in this region

PLGA-Based Nanomedicine: History of Advancement and Development in Clinical Applications of Multiple Diseases

Research on the use of biodegradable polymers for drug delivery has been ongoing since they were first used as bioresorbable surgical devices in the 1980s. For tissue engineering and drug delivery, biodegradable polymer poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has shown enormous promise among all biomaterials. PLGA are a family of FDA-approved biodegradable polymers that are physically strong and highly biocompatible and have been extensively studied as delivery vehicles of drugs, proteins, and macromolecules such as DNA and RNA. PLGA has a wide range of erosion times and mechanical properties that can be modified. Many innovative platforms have been widely studied and created for the development of methods for the controlled delivery of PLGA. In this paper, the various manufacturing processes and characteristics that impact their breakdown and drug release are explored in depth. Besides different PLGA-based nanoparticles, preclinical and clinical applications for different diseases and the PLGA platform types and their scale-up issues will be discussed

Burnout, Resilience, Supervisory Support, and Quitting Intention among Healthcare Professionals in Saudi Arabia: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

Although personal resilience and supervisory support are known to reduce the impact of burnout and quitting intention, there is limited data available to explore these relationships among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of burnout and explore its association with resilience, supervisory support, and intention to quit among Saudi Arabian HCPs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to a convenience sample of HCPs between April and November 2022. Participants responded to socio-demographic questions, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS (MP)), the Connor-Davidson resilience scale 10 (CD-RISC 10), and the Perceived of Supervisor Support Scale (PSS). Descriptive, inferential, correlation, and logistic regression tests were performed for data analyses. Results: Of the 1174 HCPs included in the analysis, 77% were presented with high burnout levels: 58% with emotional exhaustion (EE), 72% with depersonalization (DP), and 66% with low personal accomplishment (PA). Females were associated with increased odds of burnout (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.04&ndash;2.06) compared to males. Burnout and its subscales were associated with higher intention to leave practice, with 33% of HCPs considering quitting their jobs. Furthermore, HCPs reported a low resilience score overall, and negative correlations were found between EE (r = &minus;0.21; p &lt; 0.001) and DP (r = &minus;0.12; p &lt; 0.01), and positive correlation with low PA (r = 0.38; p &lt; 0.001). In addition, most HCPs perceived supervisory support as low, and it is associated with increased burnout and quitting intention. Conclusion: Burnout is common among HCPs across all clinical settings and is associated with higher intention to quit and low resilience and supervisory support. Workplace management should provide a supportive workplace to reduce burnout symptoms and promote resiliency