Effect of Students Engagement and Moderating Effect of Class & Web-based Tools on Students Performance

This study aims to bring out the engagement level of university students during this pandemic. The research is to study the levels of engagement such as affective, behavioural, and cognitive engagement on the dependent variable of students' performances. As in this pandemic, most classes are online, and students need different classes and web-based tools to interact in the classroom. The biggest challenge to the educational sector is the transformation, and by 2030 there could be a change in the educational sector. For this purpose, the primary data are collected from 979 students of the Kingdom of Bahrain. PLS-SEM was utilised to analyse the measurement and structural models through SmartPLS 3.3.2 software to prove the construct's hypothesis. Therefore, the study utilised the combinative PLS method that fulfils the characteristics of the model. The study results show that affective engagement, behavioural engagement, and cognitive engagement positively affect the students' performance. The moderating effect of class & web-based tools between behavioural engagements and student performance negatively reflects the SEM Model. The education sector is at the centre of revolution from the traditional learning system to more technological-based learning

The range and nature of reproductive health research in the occupied Palestinian territory: a scoping review

Abstract Background In order to set research priorities for reproductive health in the occupied Palestinian territory, it is vital to know what current research has been done in the field of reproductive health. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the range and nature of reproductive health research in the occupied Palestinian territory and to identify research gaps in the existing literature. Methods We searched four databases: EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Popline. We included studies that: (i) are published (with an abstract); (ii) relevant to reproductive health; (iii) Palestinians living in Palestine; (iv) participants over the age of 15 years; and (v) restricted to human research. Three independent reviewers screened title and abstracts, and extracted data from included articles. We conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses. Results Of 1025 titles and abstracts screened, 145 articles were included. 52 (36%) articles were conducted in community setting and 34 (24%) were conducted in hospitals. There were 5 (3%) experimental studies. 15 articles had more than one main theme; 160 subthemes overall were identified. The most frequently studied theme was labor and delivery (n = 19; 12%). One article discussed adolescent reproductive health and menopause while no articles discussed men’s reproductive health. Conclusions 91% of the research conducted is observational. The focus of reproductive health research was to understand the topic, community and providers’ perceptions and knowledge. Articles related to the quality of services were limited. It is also important to research the reproductive health of women outside of reproductive age, men, and adolescents

Evaluation of Accuracy of Episiotomy Incision in a Governmental Maternity Unit in Palestine: An Observational Study

Episiotomy should be cut at certain internationally set criteria to minimize risk of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and anal incontinence. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of cutting right mediolateral episiotomy (RMLE). An institution-based prospective cohort study was undertaken in a Palestinian maternity unit from February 1, to December 31, 2016. Women having vaginal birth at gestational weeks ≥24 or birthweight ≥1000 g and with intended RMLE were eligible (n=240). Transparent plastic films were used to trace sutured episiotomy in relation to the midline within 24-hour postpartum. These were used to measure incisions’ distance from midline, and suture angles were used to classify the incisions into RMLE, lateral, and midline episiotomy groups. Clinical characteristics and association with OASIS were compared between episiotomy groups. A subanalysis by profession (midwife or trainee doctor) was done. Less than 30% were RMLE of which 59% had a suture angle of <40° (equivalent to an incision angle of <60°). There was a trend of higher OASIS rate, but not statistically significant, in the midline (16%, OR: 1.7, CI: 0.61–4.5) and unclassified groups (16.5%, OR: 1.8, CI: 0.8–4.3) than RMLE and lateral groups (10%). No significant differences were observed between episiotomies cut by doctors and midwives. Most of the assessed episiotomies lacked the agreed criteria for RMLE and had less than optimal incision angle which increases risk of severe complications. A well-structured training program on how to cut episiotomy is recommended

PUBLIC AWARENESS TOWARDS HEPATITIS B AMONG GENERAL POPULATION, IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Hepatitis Virus B is a major health problem worldwide as well as in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as it is one of the most common contagious infection and cost effective. Objectives: To Evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of general population toward hepatitis B infection in KSA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 Saudi participants aged between 20-60 years old. Participants were conducted during the period from December 2018 till January 2019 and the questionnaire was consisted of 4 parts including the demographics information and KAP. Results: 500 participants have filled the surveys. The age of the participants were from 20-60 years/old and the majority were between 20- and 30 years old (33.8%). Regarding the knowledge, (87%) have heard about hepatitis disease and (81%) know that hepatitis B affects the liver. Regarding the attitude, (82.8%) will visit physician if they get hepatitis. But unfortunately, only (56%) have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Conclusion: The level of KAP toward hepatitis B was moderately acceptable in most of our sample but with insufficient practice among most of participants. More campaigns should be conducted increase the level of awareness towards the disease. Keywords: KAP, Hepatitis B, Saudi Arabia

Variation of caesarean section rates in Palestinian governmental hospitals

Background: Globally, the increased use of cesarean sections has become prevalent in high-income and low and middle-income countries. In Palestine, the rate had risen from 20.3% in 2014 to 25.1% in 2018. We have rates as high as 35.8% in some governmental hospitals and some as low as 15%. This study aimed to understand better why there is a variation in cesarean rates in governmental hospitals that use the same guidelines.Methods: A qualitative and quantitative research approach was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 specialists, obstetrics and gynecologists, and midwives in fve government hospitals. The hospitals were selected based on the 2017 Annual Health Report reported cesarean section rates. The interview guide was created with the support of specialists and researchers and was piloted. Questions focused mainly on adherence to the obstetric guidelines and barriers to the use, sources of information, training for healthcare providers, the hospital system, and the factors that afect decision-making. Each hospital’s delivery records for one month were analyzed to determine the reason for each cesarean section.Results: The results indicated that each governmental hospital at the system level had a diferent policy on cesarean sections. The National Guidelines were found to be interpreted diferently among hospitals. One obstetrician-gynecologist decided on a cesarean section at high-rate hospitals, while low-rate hospitals used collective decision-making with empowered midwives. At the professional level, all hospitals urged the importance of a continuous training program to refresh the medical team knowledge, in-house training of new members joining the hospital, and discussion of cases subjective to obstetrician-gynecologists interpretations.Conclusion: Several institutional factors were identifed to strengthen the implementation of the national obstetric guidelines. For example, encouraging collective decision-making between obstetrician-gynecologists and midwives, promoting the use of a second opinion, and mandatory training.</p

The strategic plan for combating antimicrobial resistance in Gulf Cooperation Council States

Summary: The Gulf Cooperation Council Center for Infection Control (GCC-IC) has placed the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on the top of its agenda for the past four years. The board members have developed the initial draft for the GCC strategic plan for combating AMR in 2014. The strategic plan stems from the WHO mandate to combat AMR at all levels. The need for engaging a large number of stakeholders has prompted the GCC-IC to engage a wider core of professionals in finalizing the plan. A multi-disciplinary group of more than 40 experts were then identified. And a workshop was conducted in Riyadh January 2015 and included, for the first time, representation of relevant ministries and agencies as well as international experts in the field. Participants worked over a period of two and a half days in different groups. International experts shared the global experiences and challenges in addressing human, food, animal, and environmental aspects of controlling AMR. Participants were then divided into 4 groups each to address the human, animal, microbiological and diagnostic, or the environmental aspect of AMR. At the end of the workshop, the strategic plan was revised and endorsed by all participants. The GCC-IC board members then approved it as the strategic plan for AMR. The document produced here is the first GCC strategic plan addressing AMR, which shall be adopted by GCC countries to develop country-based plans and related key performance indicators (KPIs). It is now the role of each country to identify the body that will be accountable for implementing the plan at the country level. Keywords: Strategic plan, Antimicrobial resistance, AMR, GCC, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwai