Prenatal care perception of Saudi females of childbearing age: an epidemiological study

Background: The purpose of this study is to assess perception of Saudi women of childbearing age regarding prenatal care.Methods: Participants were invited to participate in a voluntary online survey. The brief survey consisted of 15 basic multiple choice questions administered in Arabic, and delivered as a secure link through private social media messaging services. The survey permitted only 1 attempt per user. In order to reach and capture non-respondents, 2 follow-up reminders 10 days apart were sent through the same channels of communication. The survey data was collected and analyzed using the survey software platform, Qualtrics by Qualtrics © LLC 2017.Results: Approximately 9% of participants reported previous pregnancy without use of prenatal care. Nearly 12% of respondents thought that prenatal care is only indicated for malnourished pregnant females, and 7% reported not knowing who prenatal care is specifically indicated for. Nearly 21% reported prenatal care should start after confirmation of pregnancy, 14% thought proper start is anytime within the first 3 months, 8% reported proper start should be after confirmation of healthy pregnancy and 8% reported not sure when to initiate prenatal care. Approximately 12% thought taking prenatal vitamins should be once weekly or some days of the week, while 5% do not advice women to take prenatal vitamins during pregnancy at all.Conclusions: The majority of Saudi women are well educated on prenatal care. However, women in early and late twenties are less aware of proper usage of prenatal care

Axillary Artery Pseudoaneurysm Following Percutaneous Transaxillary Access for Impella Device Placement during Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Percutaneous transaxillary access is currently considered an acceptable alternative to transfemoral approach for large-bore access, especially in the setting of hostile iliofemoral arteries. Few published reports exist concerning complications of upper extremity access. We describe development of an axillary artery pseudoaneurysm and its management following transaxillary access. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.

The Possession level of the Specialized Professional Standards in Saudi Biology Teachers from their Supervisors' Point of views

This paper aimed to identify how biology male and female teachers possess professional biology standards from their supervisors' point of View. The population and sample included all male and female supervisors in all educational districts in Saudi Arabia (N=262). Only 208 of them responded; and 32 of this number were excluded since they did not provide their specialization or they were not specialized in biology. The data was collected through a questionnaire constructing based on the standards and indicators included in the Professional Biology Standards for Biology teachers developed by the National Center for Assessment in Higher Education (Qias, 1434). The result indicated a high possession for the standards for male and female biology teachers; however, as individual standard, the result indicated that three of them had very high possession, four of them had high possession, and four of them had moderated possession. It also indicated higher possession for standards related to biology comparing with standards related to teaching. It was found also that there were significant differences between the responses of males and females supervisors in the total mean and on the means of six out of the eleven standards

Practice of wound closure techniques among emergency physicians and surgeons in Makkah City Hospitals in Saudi Arabia

Background: Wound suturing is a procedure performed by medical and surgical specialists. While there are many different suturing techniques and materials used to treat patients, the choice of which to employ depends on different variables that affect the outcome of the procedure.Design and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted to provide descriptive data regarding the practice of wound closure techniques, and to develop an awareness of scar formation factors. A total of 172 general surgery (GS) surgeons and emergency (EM) physicians in Makkah city hospitals in Saudi Arabia participated in the study.Results: More than 50% of the practitioners favored the simple interrupted technique for the treatment of all types of studied wounds. The other most common techniques among participants were the subcuticular and vertical mattress methods, respectively, while the use of a stapler was limited to certain wound types. Regarding suturing material, polyglycolic acid was the most frequent material used by 50.1% of participants, whereas only 22% of the participants selected nylon material for wound suturing. However, this study showed a good level of awareness among participants, with significant p-values (p<0.05) of strongly agree and agree regarding the essential factors affecting wound healing and scar formation.Conclusions: The result provides insight into the most common suture techniques and materials used in wound closure. There are wide variations in selecting these techniques and materials among the participants. Also, we found that there is good awareness among participants about factors that lead to scar formation

Preparatory Year Students’ Perception of Pharmacy Profession as a Career Choice: A Cross-Sectional Study

The study attempted to assess preparatory year students’ perception towards pharmacists and the pharmacy profession. This cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020. The students were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire via Google Forms®. In total, 244 students, of which 53.7% were female with the mean age of 19.2 ± 0.65, from 12 universities participated in this study. As per our findings, the majority of the respondents (91.8%) regard pharmacy as a well-respected profession, 82.4% thought pharmacists are important decision-makers, 68.4% disagreed that most pharmacists were unkind, and 60.7% did not agree that pharmacy was a low-status occupation. Meanwhile, 95.5% agreed that pharmacists must have a university degree, 88.6% agreed pharmacists must take responsibility for patients, and 82.8% believed pharmacists had to work too hard. Moreover, 62.3% did not think pharmacy was a low-skill occupation, 54.9% did not agree pharmacists must do unpleasant things, and 45.1% disagreed pharmacists only did what physicians requested of them. Lastly, 48.8% had low confidence in choosing pharmacy as a career. The students’ overall perception toward pharmacists and the pharmacy profession was favorable. However, only one-fourth of the students displayed a tendency to choose pharmacy as a future career

Perception and satisfaction of stakeholders regarding the patient care area pharmacist initiative in a military hospital in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To explore the perceptions and satisfaction of stakeholders (physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) regarding services provided by the patient care area pharmacist (PCAP) initiative. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC). The questionnaire was hand-delivered to a random sample of stakeholder groups (including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) in three different areas of the hospital: the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), high dependency unit (HDU), and pediatric nephrology. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section collected demographic information of the participants, and the other sections collected anonymous opinions regarding services provided by the PCAP. Results: Ninety-nine participants, comprising physicians (n = 27; 27.27 %), nurses (n = 55; 55.55%), inpatient pharmacists (n = 13; 13.13%), and PCAPs (n = 4; 4.04%), participated in the survey. A majority of the respondents (92.3 %) were satisfied with the PCAP services, and all respondents recommended expansion of the PCAP service to cover all wards. Conclusion: The findings show that all participants have a positive perception of the PCAP service; PCAPs were seen by the participants as drug experts, and their recommendations were perceived as clinically relevant. All stakeholders sought to continue working with the PCAP. Keywords: Patient care, PCAP, Attitude, Satisfaction, Pharmac

Risk Assessment Of In-Vitro Fertilization, Review Article

Since its remarkable inception in 1978, IVF has garnered significant public interest.   Currently, assisted reproductive technology is widely accessible in most developed countries, and the methods employed have significantly evolved since its inception.   Advancements in laboratory technology and clinical practice have enabled IVF to develop into a medical process that is highly efficient, safe, easily accessible, and comparatively affordable. Over 2 million children conceived by IVF have been born so far, and it is probable that ongoing improvements will increase its attractiveness and suitability. There has been a rising interest in the topic of risk assessment in IVF in recent years, with a significant amount of research focused on detecting and reducing the potential dangers linked to the operation.   This review article seeks to offer a thorough and all-encompassing analysis of the present understanding of risk assessments in IVF, encompassing the diverse range of risks and complications linked to the operation

A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia

Background: Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases. Method: A cross-sectional, population-based survey was performed using a previously validated questionnaire (Lung CAM). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with deficiency in knowledge and awareness of risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer. Results: Majority of the 15,099 respondents were male (65%), aged between 18 and 30 years (53%), 50% of which were educated up to a bachelor’s degree level. Overall awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms was 53%, with painful cough and coughing up blood being the best-known symptoms. Conversely, persistent shoulder pain (44%) and clubbing fingers (47%) were the least known lung cancer symptoms. Also, 60% of the respondents showed low confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The overall awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer development was 74%, with first-hand (74%) and second-hand (68%) smoking being the most known risk factors. However, only ≤ 62% know the other non-smoking risk factors. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer depended on age, gender, education, marital and employment status (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia is inadequate and heavily dependent on education and socio-economic status. Awareness can be improved through campaigns to raise awareness about other lesser-known lung cancer risk factors and symptoms

A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia

Background: Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases. Method: A cross-sectional, population-based survey was performed using a previously validated questionnaire (Lung CAM). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with deficiency in knowledge and awareness of risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer. Results: Majority of the 15,099 respondents were male (65%), aged between 18 and 30 years (53%), 50% of which were educated up to a bachelor’s degree level. Overall awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms was 53%, with painful cough and coughing up blood being the best-known symptoms. Conversely, persistent shoulder pain (44%) and clubbing fingers (47%) were the least known lung cancer symptoms. Also, 60% of the respondents showed low confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The overall awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer development was 74%, with first-hand (74%) and second-hand (68%) smoking being the most known risk factors. However, only ≤ 62% know the other non-smoking risk factors. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer depended on age, gender, education, marital and employment status (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia is inadequate and heavily dependent on education and socio-economic status. Awareness can be improved through campaigns to raise awareness about other lesser-known lung cancer risk factors and symptoms

Transcriptomics-based characterization of the toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles against chronic myeloid leukemia cells

Introduction: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have recently attracted attention as potential anti-cancer agents. To the best of our knowledge, the toxicity of ZnO NPs against human chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K562 cell line) has not been studied using transcriptomics approach. Objective: The goals of this study were to evaluate the capability of ZnO NPs to induce apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K562 cells) and to investigate the putative mechanisms of action. Methods: We used viability assay and flowcytometry coupled with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide to investigate the toxicity of ZnO NPs on K562 cells and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Next we utilized a DNA microarray-based transcriptomics approach to characterize the ZnO NPs-induced changes in the transcriptome of K562 cells. Results: ZnO NPs exerted a selective toxicity (mainly by apoptosis) on the leukemic cells (p≤ 0.005) and altered their transcriptome; 429 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with fold change (FC)≥ 4 and p≤ 0.008 with corrected p≤ 0.05 were identified in K562 cells post treatment with ZnO NPs. The over-expressed genes were implicated in “response to zinc”, “response to toxic substance” and “negative regulation of growth” (corrected p≤ 0.05). In contrast, the repressed genes positively regulated “cell proliferation”, “cell migration”, “cell adhesion”, “receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT” and “phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling” (corrected p≤ 0.05). Lowering the FC to ≥ 1.5 with p≤ 0.05 and corrected p≤ 0.1 showed that ZnO NPs over-expressed the anti-oxidant defense system, drove K562 cells to undergo mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, and targeted NF-κB pathway. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings support the earlier studies that reported anti-cancer activity of ZnO NPs and revealed possible molecular mechanisms employed by ZnO NPs to induce apoptosis in K562 cells