Comparative Study between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women Regarding Variation of Liver Function Tests: Assessment of Health Literacy

Context: Pregnancy is associated with normal physiological adaptive changes. Biochemical parameters reflect these changes and are distinct from the non-pregnant state. Low levels of health literacy have been shown to result in less healthy choices, riskier behavior, poorer health, less self-management, and more hospitalization among that category of adult patients.Aim: The study aimed to examine the effect of pregnancy on liver function tests among pregnant women during various trimesters of pregnancy and compare with non-pregnant and determine the patients' level of health literacy regarding the variation of liver function tests among those patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to achieve the study aim. A random sample of 65 women was selected from an outpatient clinic in the maternity hospital; 54 out of them were pregnant women. Three tools were used to collect data, socio-demographic and clinical data assessment sheet; assessment of liver function tests by Cobas c 311; and health literacy management scale.Results: The sample's age range was between 20-40 years. This study revealed that; serum albumin levels decreased from the first trimester (3.7-4.7), and this decrease became progressively more accentuated as the pregnancy advanced (3.35-4.36 decreased significantly to 3.19-3.81). There was no significant decrease in serum AST between pregnant and non-pregnant women, but there was a significant decrease in ALT in pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women (11.90 Vs. 8.60 at p 0.017). In the current study, Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly higher (P˂0.0001) during the third trimester (63-171) compared with the second trimester (33-137), and the first trimester (36-129), and with the control group (48-122). Finally, it was found that a significant decrease in total serum bilirubin concentrations during the second (0.11-0.38) and third trimesters (0.12-0.42) compared to control (0.11-1.57) and the first trimester (0.12-0.85). Moreover, most of the studied sample has a low level of health literacy for all subscales and the total scores. Conclusion: During normal pregnancy, most values of liver function tests remain below the normal upper limits compared to non- pregnant women. Any increase in serum ALT and AST activity levels and serum bilirubin should be considered pathologic and prompt for further evaluation. Moreover, most of the studied sample has a low level of health literacy for all subscales and the total scores. The study recommended that the liver function tests should be routinely investigated during pregnancy to outline any pathologic changes. Focusing on the nurse's role, she should emphasize increasing the patient's level of health literacy regarding the variation of liver function tests. So, it is a must for nurses to develop many skills to enable them to function for this category of patients with low health literacy levels. Also, those patients should be equipped with information-seeking behavior, decision-making abilities, and problem-solving approaches along their health and illness continuum

Clinical Laboratory with the Cooperation of Pharmacist and Nurses in Delivering Propar Antimicrobial Drugs

One of the most significant factors that is regarded to be contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance is the usage of antimicrobials without proper consideration. Pharmacists, nurses, and clinical microbiologists are in a strategic position to encourage the sensible use of antimicrobial medications. Community pharmacies are the primary source of access to antimicrobials. Because of this, it is essential to be aware of the quality of the dispensing service. According to the findings of the evaluation, the quality of antimicrobial dispensing is unsatisfactory, which calls for enhancements in practice as well as diversified ways to encourage the professionals involved in the process to continue their education. In addition, it is necessary to perform awareness initiatives for the general community in order to encourage the responsible utilization of antimicrobials and to decrease the level of microbial resistance

Prevalence of smoking cigarettes and beliefs regarding smoking habits among medical students: a cross-sectional study in Sudan

BackgroundSmoking is a common problem in university students worldwide. Smoking is one of the most dangerous social phenomena and has a significant impact on public health. This study investigated the beliefs and attitudes of medical students toward smoking in Sudan.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at Al Neelain University, Sudan, from March to June 2022 using a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of eight items on demographic characteristics and 13 on the beliefs and attitudes toward smoking. Other data included smoking status, smoking habits, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and smoking duration. Data analysis was performed descriptively, and chi-square test and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS version 24. Statistical significance was set at 0.05.ResultsA total of 336 students participated in this study, and the smoking prevalence was 48.8% (41.1% in men and 7.7% in women). In total, 76.8% reported smoking daily at a rate of 5–10 cigarettes per day. In terms of students’ beliefs about smoking, 86.8% disagreed with selling cigarettes at the university. Of the respondents, 68.4% did not approve smoking on campus. There was a relationship between smoking habits and the age group of 22–25 years, which was the highest smoking category among students (p-value = 0.01).ConclusionThe prevalence of cigarette smoking among medical students is disturbing, particularly as they are future doctors. There is a need to include plans to reduce smoking among students that can be incorporated into courses and special programs

Understanding the views of Saudi women to participate in mammography screening: A focus group study

Background: The global burden of breast cancer is growing. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females in Saudi Arabia. To date, there is a lack of understanding about the low level of mammography screening uptake in Saudi Arabia, particularly as it is free. Aim: The main aim of this research study was to explore Saudi womens’ perceptions regarding mammography screening. This exploration of the views will provide a better understanding of why there is a low uptake of mammography screening across the kingdom among Saudi women and inform the development of a workplace intervention that seeks to change women’s behaviors and reverse this trend. Methods: First, a systematic review of workplace interventions to increase mammogram screening uptake among female employee was conducted. Second, a scoping review sought to explore the contextual factors that influence mammogram screening practices among women in Saudi Arabia. Third, a qualitative, exploratory study. Focus group discussions were conducted with 41 female employees who worked at Al-Baha University in the city of Al-Baha or Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in the city of Dammam. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data. Ethical approvals were granted in U.K. Findings: low health literacy and socio-cultural norms (gender inequality) were found to be the major barriers among Saudi females, and having information was a major facilitator to screening services. This emphasized the need for mammogram screening guidelines and recommendations, which are currently lacking in the Saudi health service. There is also a need to engage women in intensive national programmes and encourage them to seek and receive screening, as well as education. Conclusion: This study provides, for the first time a source of information for understanding the barriers and facilitators to mammogram screenings uptake. The necessity to provide screening information to Saudi women routinely and raise their awareness of mammogram screening was strongly confirmed by this study

Women's Awareness and Beliefs of Breast Cancer at Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background: Women's awareness and beliefs about breast cancer in Saudi Arabia were not fully investigated. The aim of this descriptive study was to assess women's awareness and beliefs toward breast cancer in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study; it was conducted among women attending the Women and Child Care Center at Alawi Royal Mall in Alaqiq for mammogram screening of breast cancer.A convenient sampling technique was used; it included women who attended the center in the period from September 2021 to December 2021, and who agreed to participate. The data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of questions onawareness and beliefs toward breast cancer. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The current study showed that the level of awareness in women was high toward breast cancer general information (42.9%), the meaning of malignancy (54.3%), and ways for detecting breast cancer (42.9%), it was also shown that they had fair awareness on myths related to breast cancer (45.7%), and signs and symptoms of breast cancer (51.4%). The study also showed that the women have a high level of beliefs toward breast cancer health services (48.6%), the ability of breast cancer to be prevalent in some families (45.7%), the ways of breast cancer self-detection (34.3%), and mammogram role in early detection of breast cancer (34.3%). It was found that the occupation of women and women's level of education significantly improved the awareness in women. It was shown that the occupation of women and their level of education were significantly related to the level of beliefs toward breast cancer (21.4%) compared to 16.7% for women working in the private sectors. Conclusion: Women in Al-Baha have a high level of awareness and beliefs about breast cancer. The occupation of women and women's level of education are associated with a high level of awareness and beliefs toward breast cancer

Strong coupling in molecular exciton-plasmon Au nanorod array systems

We demonstrate here strong coupling between localized surface plasmon modes in self-standing nanorods with excitons in a molecular J-aggregate layer though angular tuning. The enhanced exciton−plasmon coupling creates a Fano like line shape in the differential reflection spectra associated with the formation of hybrid states, leading to anti-crossing of the upper and lower polaritons with a Rabi frequency of 125 meV. The recreation of a Fano like line shape was found in photoluminescence demonstrating changes in the emission spectral profile under strong coupling.Science Foundation IrelandEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC-UK

Workplace-based Interventions to Increase Mammography Screening in Islamic Countries:A Systematic Review and Narrative Summary

Introduction: Breast cancer is a contributing factor to women's death. Mammography screening uptake is low in Islamic countries compared to non-Islamic countries. In Saudi Arabia, a first step is to develop an appropriate intervention at workplace to increase mammography screening rates, this review was conducted to update current knowledge on the effectiveness of existing workplace interventions to enhance mammography screening uptake in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A systematic review and narrative syntheses was conducted. All studies that assessed the effectiveness of workplace interventions to increase mammography screening uptake among female employees were included. This review was registered on PROSPERO with the number CRD42021281744. Results: Three studies were included. All the studies evaluated a workplace educational intervention aiming to increase mammography screening uptake. It was found that workplace-based interventions increase breast mammography screening uptake while the effectiveness of the existing workplace intervention remains questionable and further research is warranted to improve our understanding of how we can successfully improve mammography screening among women in Islamic countries. Conclusion: This review has demonstrated that the effectiveness of the existing workplace interventions to increase mammography screening uptake remains unclear. It was also found that no studies about workplace interventions in Islamic countries.</p

Workplace-based Interventions to Increase Mammography Screening in Islamic Countries:A Systematic Review and Narrative Summary

Introduction: Breast cancer is a contributing factor to women's death. Mammography screening uptake is low in Islamic countries compared to non-Islamic countries. In Saudi Arabia, a first step is to develop an appropriate intervention at workplace to increase mammography screening rates, this review was conducted to update current knowledge on the effectiveness of existing workplace interventions to enhance mammography screening uptake in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A systematic review and narrative syntheses was conducted. All studies that assessed the effectiveness of workplace interventions to increase mammography screening uptake among female employees were included. This review was registered on PROSPERO with the number CRD42021281744. Results: Three studies were included. All the studies evaluated a workplace educational intervention aiming to increase mammography screening uptake. It was found that workplace-based interventions increase breast mammography screening uptake while the effectiveness of the existing workplace intervention remains questionable and further research is warranted to improve our understanding of how we can successfully improve mammography screening among women in Islamic countries. Conclusion: This review has demonstrated that the effectiveness of the existing workplace interventions to increase mammography screening uptake remains unclear. It was also found that no studies about workplace interventions in Islamic countries.</p

The use and perceived value of electronic health information resources by health care professionals in the field of medicine, pharmacy, and nursing in Jazan province, Saudi Arabia

Background: Healthcare workers increasingly use Electronic Health Information Resources (EHIRs) to make evidence-based decisions. Our study was intended to assess the perception, attitude, and practice of healthcare professionals in medicine, pharmacy, and nursing regarding their perceived value and use of EHIRs. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using a pre-validated questionnaire among healthcare professionals in Jazan province from September 2022 to February 2023. We included healthcare professionals and interns with medical, pharmacy, or nursing degrees and excluded those who refused informed consent. Results: We included fully completed data from 294 participants, with an actual response rate of just 80.1 %. Almost 87.41 % utilized the health information resources at their workplace, with UpToDate [39.45 %] and Medscape [67.01 %] being the most frequently used medical databases. The health facilities' access to electronic health resources significantly impacted healthcare professionals' [p = 0.04] and medical interns' [p = 0.02] roles. Faculty members felt the need to access electronic health information at their workplace [p = 0.00]. Lack of time to access electronic health information due to a busy schedule was a significant reason that impacted the attitude of medical professionals [p = 0.008] and nursing staff [p = 0.025]. An excessive amount of clinically unrelated data was the primary obstacle (181/294, p < 0.0001) in using electronic health information resources. Conclusion: Our study showed the pattern of healthcare professionals using EHIRs in the Jazan province, Saudi Arabia. We believe the study's outcome can help increase the calibre of electronic health information services available to healthcare professionals and raise awareness of different EHIRs in improving clinical care