Increased emergency calls during the covid-19 pandemic in saudi arabia: A national retrospective study

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a direct and indirect effect on the different healthcare systems around the world. In this study, we aim to describe the impact on the utilization of emergency medical services (EMS) in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. We studied cumulative data from emergency calls collected from the SRCA. Data were separated into three periods: before COVID-19 (1 January–29 February 2020), during COVID-19 (1 March–23 April 2020), and during the Holy Month of Ramadan (24 April–23 May 2020). A marked increase of cases was handled during the COVID-19 period compared to the number before pandemic. Increases in all types of cases, except for those related to trauma, occurred during COVID-19, with all regions experiencing increased call volumes during COVID-19 compared with before pandemic. Demand for EMS significantly increased throughout Saudi Arabia during the pandemic period. Use of the mobile application ASAFNY to request an ambulance almost doubled during the pandemic but remained a small fraction of total calls. Altered weekly call patterns and increased call volume during the pandemic indicated not only a need for increased staff but an alteration in staffing patterns

Short-and long-term outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 patients presenting with diarrhea

Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are frequently observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals at distinct time intervals after the initial diagnosis. Psychological distress in the form of anxiety, burnout, and depression is regarded as a common complication of COVID-19, but also as a risk factor for the development and exacerbation of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is highly prevalent among COVID-19 patients and the general population. The pathophysiological mechanisms culminating in the diagnosis of IBS are yet to be fully understood, however, factors including gut–brain interaction, COVID-19-related intestinal damage, and other external influences might play a role in this process. While long-term GI complications of COVID-19 such as IBS are speculated to develop as a result of a multifaceted interaction between the virus itself with the host, in addition to the effects of psychological distress, further research on this topic is warranted. The purpose of this study was to explore possible factors correlating with the development of IBS and depression during the follow-up period post-COVID-19 infection

Evaluation of telephone cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance in current practice in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a global health problem with a low survival rate. Telephone cardiopulmonary resuscitation (T-CPR) guidance by emergency medical services (EMS) dispatchers can improve CPR performance and, consequently, survival rates. Accordingly, the American Heart Association (AHA) has released performance standards for T-CPR in current practice to improve its quality. However, no study has examined T-CPR performance in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate T-CPR performance in the Saudi Arabian EMS system.Methods: a retrospective observation of OHCA calls in current practice was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. OHCA calls were reviewed to identify those that met the selection criteria. Variables collected included return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), OHCA recognition rate, time from EMS call receipt to location acquisition, to OHCA recognition and to commencement of CPR.Results: a total of 308 OHCA cases were reviewed, and 100 calls were included. ROSC was identified in 10% of the included calls. OHCA was correctly recognized in 62% of the calls. The time to OHCA identification and CPR performance from EMS call receipt were found to be 303 s and 367 s, respectively.Conclusion: T-CPR performance in Saudi Arabia is below AHA standards. However, this is similar to what has been reported in the literature. Avoiding any unnecessary call transfer during OHCA calls and prompt identification of callers’ locations could improve T-CPR performance

Principal’s learning-centred leadership practices and teacher’s wellbeing: a self-determination theory perspective

This study examines the role of learning-centred leadership practices of school principals towards the fulfilment of teachers’ basic psychological needs, which, in turn, predict the wellbeing of teachers. The data was collected from 1124 teachers from 37 primary and secondary schools in Riyadh province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothetical relationships. The results affirmed the significant effect of school principals’ learning-centred leadership practices on teacher wellbeing via the fulfilment of teachers’ basic psychological needs. The findings provide important insights into how learning-centred school leadership can provide a school environment that would ensure the positive wellbeing of teachers, which, in turn, would lead to better academic achievement of students

Generation of human iPS cell line SKiPSc1 from healthy Human Neonatal Foreskin Fibroblast cells

The SKiPSc1 induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell line was generated from Human Neonatal Foreskin Fibroblasts (HNFFs) obtained from a healthy donor infant that were reprogrammed using non-integrating Sendai viral vectors expressing Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4

Health-related quality of life in adult patients with hemophilia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Despite a reduction in mortality rates, hemophilia patients continue to suffer the consequences of repeated bleeding episodes. Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) attempts to determine how different life aspects are affected and helps guide future decision-making. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess HRQoL in adult patients with hemophilia managed at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh and to identify factors affecting HRQoL. Settings and Design: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at KKUH in Riyadh from September 2014 to April 2015. Subjects and Methods: Sixty-one patients followed up and treated at KKUH from 2000 to 2015 were enrolled in the study. Patients were asked to complete the Arabic version of the Hemophilia-Specific QoL (HAEMO-QoL-A) Questionnaire. Results: Forty-Nine hemophilic patients completed the HAEMO-QoL-A questionnaire. Of these, 81.6% had hemophilia A, with a mean age of 29.84 years. The most common target joint was the knee (89.7%). The majority used on-demand treatment (55.1%). The HAEMO-QoL-A mean total score was 99.89. “Treatment concerns” were the most impaired dimension, whereas the “work/school, family, and social life” dimension was least affected. Patients receiving on-demand treatment had the lowest average bleeding events (8.22, P = 0.007). Conclusion: Frequent bleeding events, prophylactic treatment, and presence of clotting factor inhibitors negatively impact the HRQoL of patients with hemophilia

Use of dietary and performance-enhancing supplements among male fitness center members in Riyadh: A cross-sectional study

<div><p>This study aimed to explore the health beliefs and patterns of dietary supplement usage among fitness center members. This cross-sectional study was conducted in four large indoor fitness centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This study involved male fitness center members aged ≥18 years with no speech or hearing disabilities. In-person interviews were conducted with fitness center members who agreed to participate using a newly developed questionnaire. Information on participants’ sociodemographics (e.g., age and education), smoking status, health status, exercise frequency, average time spent exercising, different supplements used, used supplements sources, and health beliefs regarding dietary supplements were obtained. A total of 445 fitness center members agreed to participate, and 198 of them reported taking dietary supplements. Most participants were between the age of 18 and 25 years (66%), had a college degree (74%), non-smokers (77%), healthy (84%), and perform exercise at least thrice weekly (52%) for at least 1 hour (63%). The percentage of participants who had favorable health views on dietary supplements was significantly higher among the supplement users than among the non-users (<i>P</i><0.0001). Proteins, multivitamins, amino acids, and omega 3 fatty acids were the most commonly reported supplements used. Almost 30% of the supplement users reported buying them overseas, 28% online, 25% from a pharmacy or supplement store, 19% from a medical clinic, and 17% from peddlers. Public health campaigns are needed to educate the public on the potential harmful effects of supplements if purchased from an unofficial seller or taken without seeking medical advice before using them.</p></div

Dietary supplements used by the participants.

<p>Dietary supplements used by the participants.</p

Participants’ beliefs regarding dietary supplements.

<p>Participants’ beliefs regarding dietary supplements.</p

Sources of dietary supplements.

<p>Sources of dietary supplements.</p