The determinants of the foreign exchange risk hedging practices of Saudi companies.

This thesis explores and examines the determinants of corporate hedging of exposure to changes in exchange rate. A new finance and contingency theory model of currency exposure management decision determinants is developed and tested by conducting a two stages survey of Saudi exporting and importing firms. This model suggests that the currency exposure of these firms is determined by four groups of forces. Finance theory is used to develop two explanations of why firms hedge. The first indicates that hedging increases firm value by reducing expected financial distress costs, agency conflicts, corporate finance costs, and the problem of underinvestment. A second explanation is that corporate hedging is attributable to managerial risk aversion. Contingency theory is used to develop two further explanations of why firms hedge. It suggest that the hedging decision is also dependent on the firm's need to hedge, and second on the firm's ability to hedge.The empirical side of this study consists of two stages. In the first stage, detailed interviews with fifteen risk management decision makers were undertaken to help in exploring and building the study framework. In the second stage the research model was tested using a sample of 83 responses from Saudi exporting and importing firms. This study found weak support for what previous studies identified as the determinants for hedging incentives and, further, suggests a new explanation regarding the role of finance theory factors in the hedging decision. It found strong support for the hypothesis that corporate hedging is affected, by managerial risk aversion. Our findings show that managers' characteristics appear to be more associated with corporate risk management than other organizational and environmental factors. According to the managerial risk aversion argument, firms which are controlled by owners, have monetary and equity compensation system, and have young managers, are more likely to hedge. In addition, the study found that contingency theory offers another two explanations for why companies hedge. The first explanation is that hedging decision depends on the firm's need to hedge. According to this explanation, firms with high levels of currency exposure, in specific industries, in competitive markets, and with operations highly sensitive to changes in exchange rates, are more likely to hedge. The second explanation is that the hedging decision depends on the firm's ability to hedge. Firms with qualified staff and risk management decision makers, more risk experience, risk management training programme, strong relationships with banks, more ability to bear the hedging costs, and active internal involvement of operating departments in risk management planning, will be more likely to hedge

The Health Belief Model Predicts Intention to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine in Saudi Arabia: Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey

We examined the intention and predictors of accepting the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a nation-wide, cross-sectional online survey between February and March 2021. A total of 1387 people (≥18 years) participated. Only 27.3% adults had a definite and 30.2% had a probable vaccination intent; 26.8% and 15.6% had a probable and definite negative vaccination intent. Older people (≥50 years) (p < 0.01), healthcare workers/professionals (p < 0.001), and those who received flu vaccine (p < 0.001) were more likely to have a positive intent. People from Riyadh were less likely to receive the vaccine (p < 0.05). Among the health belief model constructs, perceived susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 (p < 0.001), and perceived benefit of the vaccine (p < 0.001) were positively associated with vaccination intent, whereas perceived barriers had a negative association (p < 0.001). Individuals were more likely to receive the vaccine after obtaining complete information (p < 0.001) and when the vaccine uptake would be more common amongst the public (p < 0.001)

Post-COVID-19 fatigue and health-related quality of life in Saudi Arabia: a population-based study

BackgroundDespite substantial literature on symptoms and long-term health implications associated with COVID-19; prevalence and determinants of post-acute COVID-19 fatigue (PCF) remain largely elusive and understudied, with scant research documenting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Hence, prevalence of PCF and its associated factors, and HRQoL among those who have survived Covid-19 within the general population of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is the subject under examination in this research.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 2063 individuals, selected from the KSA’s general population, using a non-probability sampling approach. An online survey was used to employ a self-administered questionnaire to the participants, which included socio-demographic information, the patient’s COVID-19 infection history, 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to assess quality of life, and Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS) (CFQ 11) to evaluate the extent and severity of fatigue. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. A p < 0.05 was considered to be strong evidence against the null hypothesis.ResultsThe median age of participants was 34 (IQR = 22) years, with females comprising the majority (66.2%). According to the SF-12 questionnaire, 91.2% of patients experienced physical conditions, and 77% experienced depression. The prevalence of PCF was 52% on CFQ 11 scale. Female gender, higher levels of education, a pre-existing history of chronic disease, as well as the manifestations of shortness of breath and confusion during acute COVID-19 infection, were identified as independent predictors of fatigue.ConclusionTo facilitate timely and effective intervention for post-acute COVID-19 fatigue, it is essential to continuously monitor the individuals who have recovered from acute COVID-19 infection. Also, it is critical to raise health-education among these patients to improve their quality of life. Future research is required to determine whether COVID-19 survivors would experience fatigue for an extended duration and the impact of existing interventions on its prevalence and severity

Underestimation of overweight weight status in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Perceptions of children's weight status may be important in obesity prevention and treatment. Aims: This review identifies the prevalence of the underestimation of overweight status in children by parents/main carers, children, and healthcare professionals (HCP). The review critically synthesized both quantitative and qualitative evidence to explore the factors associated with this underestimation. The diverse methods used to assess this phenomenon are reported. Methods: Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects model. Published studies, up to 2020, were accessed using the following search engines: CINAHL, EMBASE, PUBMED, and Psych-Info and including the “Cited by” and “Related Articles” functions. Hand-searching was used to retrieve further articles. Publication language and location had no bearing on the nature of the included studies. Results: A total of 91 articles were included. In the quantitative studies, 55% (95% CI 49%–61%) of caregivers underestimated their child's level of overweight and obesity using a verbal scale and 47% (95% CI 36%–55%) using visual scales. Of the children studied, 34% (95% CI 25%–43%) underestimated their own level of overweight and obesity using both scales. In (n = 3) articles, HCPs reflected this misperception, but limited studies prevented meta-analysis. Underestimation was associated with the child's age, gender, BMI and parental weight status, ethnicity and education. In the qualitative studies, parents/main carers of children with overweight and obesity described their child's weight in terms other than overweight, for example, “big boned,” “thick,” and “solid.”. Conclusion: The results confirm the prevalence of underestimation of child overweight status across international studies. Understanding the factors which lead to this inaccuracy may help to improve communication within the therapeutic triad and facilitate the recognition and management of children's overweight status

Assessment of vitamin D intake among Libyan women - adaptation and validation of specific food frequency questionnaire

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has pandemic proportions worldwide. Numerous studies report on high prevalence of VDD in sunny regions like Near East and North Africa (NENA). Previous studies indicated that Libyan population was at risk of VDD. To contribute to the body of evidence, measurement of vitamin D status on children, adults, in Misurata region was conducted, and confirmed with validated dietary intake study. Serum 25(OH)D was analysed using electrochemiluminescence protein binding assay. Existing Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) were adapted to Libyan Women Food Frequency Questionnaire (LW-FFQ). Repeated 24h dietary recalls and LW-FFQ were employed in vitamin D intake evaluation. LW-FFQ was validated using 24h dietary recall and vitamin D status as referent methods. The questionnaires included anthropometry and lifestyle information. Vitamin D status assessment revealed inadequate levels (25(OH)D lt 50nmol/l) in almost 80% of participants. Women (25-64y) were identified as the most vulnerable group with vitamin D inadequacy present in 82% (61.6% had 25(OH)D lt 25nmol/l, and 20.2% had 25-50nmol/l 25(OH)D). Average Vitamin D intake within the study sample (n=316) was 3.9 +/- 7.9 mu g/d, with 92% participants below both Institute of Medicine (IOM) (10 mu g/d) and European Food Safety Authority (15 mu g/d) recommendations. Measured vitamin D status, in 13% of this group, correlated significantly (p=0.015) with intake estimates. Based on self-report, consumption of vitamin D supplements does not exist among study participants. Additional lifestyle factors influencing vitamin D status were analysed. Only 2% of study participants spend approximately 11 min on the sun daily, 60.4% were obese, 23.1% were overweight and 71.2% reported low physical activity. These findings confirm previous reports on high prevalence of VDD in women across NENA, and in Libya. The situation calls for multi-sectoral actions and public health initiatives to address dietary and lifestyle habits

The Role of Solvent Environment on the Optical Behavior of Chemically Synthesized Silicon Nanoparticles

Silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) were prepared by solution-based chemical etching method. Optical characteristics of the as-prepared Si-NPs were investigated in different polar and nonpolar organic solvents. The emission and absorption properties of Si-NPs were tuned by altering the environment (solvents). The variation in absorption coefficient was observed because of the solvent interaction nature of Si-NPs. Si-NPs in polar aprotic and nonpolar solvents manifested good luminescence under UV excitation. PL intensities were observed to be depending on etched cross-section area on wafer surface. The results show a linear dependence of the refractive index (n) on wavelength (λ). The nature of solvents altered the luminescence efficiency of Si-NPs when examining under UV lamp. The emission and absorption properties of Si-NPs were tuned by altering the environment (solvents) through electrostatic interaction of various organic solvents with the Si-NPs. The band shapes of the Si-NPs show remarkable changes in passing from noncoordinating solvent (chloroform) to various coordinating solvents, which was the result of change in the environment around Si-NPs in various solutions