What is known about the quality of out-of-hospital emergency medical services in the Arabian Gulf States?:A systematic review

BackgroundThe Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have been developed in the Arabian Gulf States (AGS) in the last three decades. The EMS needs continuous quality assessment of their performance to improve and provide the best out-of-hospital care. This study aims to assess the quality of EMS in the AGS according to the six quality domains of the Institute of Medicine.MethodsWe searched four databases (i.e., PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL) for studies that reported on the quality of EMS in any of the AGS using clinical or non-clinical performance indicators. To quantify study quality and risk of bias, the adapted Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used. We focused on structural and functional indicators, clinical and non-clinical.ResultsTwenty-five studies were eligible for inclusion. One study contained result of safety, fifteen time-centeredness, twenty effectiveness, five patient-centeredness, and thirteen studies reported on equity of EMS. None of the studies reported on efficiency of EMS. A significant proportion of studies showed high scores on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Limited studies on EMS quality were available, not covering all relevant quality domains and not covering the whole AGS region. The equity domain showed the best outcome performance finding, whereas finding of the patient-centeredness domain showed room for improvement in the foreseeable future.ConclusionThis review highlights the need for more and better studies of sufficient quality about all domains of quality in EMS in all the AGS. EMS research in Kuwait and Bahrain is warranted, as currently studies of EMS quality are unavailable for these States. Moreover, efficiency researches exploring this discipline should be conducted specially no studies were found has been searching this domain.Trial registrationPROSPERO registration number: CRD42019123896

Using the exploratory sequential mixed methods design to investigate dental patients’ perceptions and needs concerning oral cancer information, examination, prevention and behavior

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate dental patients’ behavior, thoughts, opinions and needs for oral cancer information, and dentists’ behavior regarding prevention and examination of oral cancer. Materials and Methods: This study utilized an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted for forty dental patients of both sexes. Based on the qualitative analysis, a structured questionnaire was developed and distributed among the participants. Data were analyzed for 315 participants to quantify their thoughts, needs, behavior and behavior expected from dentists regarding oral cancer. Frequency, percentages and cumulative percentages were calculated. Results: This study reveals that patients’ oral cancer knowledge levels were adequate, but most reported that their dentist had never examined them for oral cancer. Additionally, the participants had never performed self-examinations for oral cancer, nor were they aware of the possibility of doing so. Participants showed a preference for being examined and educated by their dentist about oral cancer and believed it would help early detection. Conclusions: The study participants are aware of oral cancer and its risk factors. The practice of oral cancer examinations and patient education of its risk factors by dental practitioners is limited. Patients feel a need for more attention to be paid to oral cancer examinations, preventive measures and targeted information on oral cancer risk factors

Using the Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Design to Investigate Dental Patients' Perceptions and Needs Concerning Oral Cancer Information, Examination, Prevention and Behavior

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate dental patients’ behavior, thoughts, opinions and needs for oral cancer information, and dentists’ behavior regarding prevention and examination of oral cancer. Materials and Methods: This study utilized an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted for forty dental patients of both sexes. Based on the qualitative analysis, a structured questionnaire was developed and distributed among the participants. Data were analyzed for 315 participants to quantify their thoughts, needs, behavior and behavior expected from dentists regarding oral cancer. Frequency, percentages and cumulative percentages were calculated. Results: This study reveals that patients’ oral cancer knowledge levels were adequate, but most reported that their dentist had never examined them for oral cancer. Additionally, the participants had never performed self-examinations for oral cancer, nor were they aware of the possibility of doing so. Participants showed a preference for being examined and educated by their dentist about oral cancer and believed it would help early detection. Conclusions: The study participants are aware of oral cancer and its risk factors. The practice of oral cancer examinations and patient education of its risk factors by dental practitioners is limited. Patients feel a need for more attention to be paid to oral cancer examinations, preventive measures and targeted information on oral cancer risk factors

Dose-dependent effect of cordycepin on viability, proliferation, cell cycle, and migration in dental pulp stem cells

Objective: To examine the effect of Cordycepin on the viability, proliferation, and migratory properties of dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Materials and methods: The pulp was derived from human premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes after obtaining informed consent. The samples were transferred to the laboratory for processing. DPSCs were expanded and characterized using flow cytometry and differentiation to the bone, adipose, and cartilage cells was examined. MTT Assay was performed using various concentrations of Cordycepin. The growth curve was plotted for 13 days. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Migratory ability was assessed by wound healing assay. ROS generation was detected by flow cytometry. Gene expression was quantified by RT-qPCR. Statistical analysis was performed. p < 0.05 was considered as significant and p < 0.01 was considered as highly significant (* p < 0.05, and ** p < 0.01). Results: DPSCs expressed characteristic MSC-specific markers and trilineage differentiation. Cordycepin at lower concentrations did not affect the viability of DPSCs. The growth curve of cells showed a dose-dependent increase in cell numbers till the maximum dose. DPSCs treated with 2.5 µM Cordycepin was found to have a reduced G1 phase cell percentage. DPSCs treated with 2.5 µM and 5 µM Cordycepin showed a significant decrease in G2 phase cells. No significant difference was observed for S phase cells. Cordycepin treatment affected the migratory ability in DPSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: Cordycepin can be used at therapeutic doses to maintain stem cells

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices regarding Contraceptive Pill and Its Side Effects among Women in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

Contraception is one of the common methods of family planning. The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is among the most effective methods of contraception. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of oral contraception use and its side effects among women in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was carried out among adult women 18 years and older in the Jazan region. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to assess their demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, previous experience, and pattern of OCP usage. Descriptive analysis and a logistic regression model were used to analyse data. About 570 questionnaires were distributed and achieved a 98.3% response rate. The majority of women participants were between 18 and 25 years old, and 51.4% of the respondents reported that they had previously used or were using OCP. We found that women had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards OCP, with more than half of the users preferring them over other contraceptive methods. This study indicates that attitude, knowledge, and prior experience of OCP have no significant effect on the usage pattern of OCP among women with relatively high socioeconomic status in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia

Associations of Electronic Device Use and Physical Activity with Headaches in Saudi Medical Students

Background and Objectives: Primary headaches are highly prevalent among medical students, negatively impacting their health and academic performance. Excessive electronic device use has been implicated as a risk factor, in contrast to physical activity, which may be a protective factor; however, comprehensive data are lacking, especially for Saudi medical trainees. This study aims to investigate the associations between device use, exercise, and headaches among Saudi medical students. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 504 medical students at Jazan University completed an online survey collecting sociodemographic factors, headache characteristics/triggers, electronic device habits, exercise frequency, and headache impacts. Descriptive analyses summarized sample characteristics. Logistic regression identified predictors of 12-month headache prevalence. Results: Overall, 83% reported experiencing headaches in the past year. High headache prevalence was observed among females (86.6%) and third-year students (88.3%). Using electronic devices ≥4 h daily was associated with higher adjusted odds of headaches (OR 13.89, 95% CI 1.96–98.54) compared to ≤1 h daily. Low physical activity (exercising 1 day vs. 7 days a week) also increased headache odds (OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.61–9.42). Headaches impairing productivity (OR 4.39, 95% CI 2.28–8.45) and exacerbated by exercise (OR 10.37, 95% CI 2.02–53.35) were further associated with headache susceptibility. Conclusions: Excessive electronic device use and physical inactivity appear to be modifiable risk factors for frequent headaches in Saudi medical students. Multifaceted interventions incorporating education campaigns, skills training, and support services focused on promoting responsible technology habits, and regular exercise may help mitigate headaches in this population. Robust longitudinal studies and trials are warranted to establish causal mechanisms between lifestyle factors and headaches among medical undergraduates

AN OVERVIEW NEONATAL HYPOGLYCEMIA MANAGEMENT APPROACHES

Background: Hypoglycemia remains to stand for a usual metabolic problem dealing with the neonatal populace. Both healthy and ill-appearing neonates could be impacted by hypoglycemia throughout the very first days of life. Severe neonatal hypoglycemia (HG) leads to neurologic damage, mental retardation, epilepsy, personality disorders, impaired cardiac performance and muscle weakness. Objective: The goal of this review is to highlight the background of the inborn errors of metabolism that present with neonatal hypoglycemia to understand more and discuss management of neonatal hypoglycemia. Methodology: We conducted a search using electronic databases; MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), up to November, 2018. Conclusion: Neonatal HG is important factor in the general neonatal death. HG could additionally create serious invalidity. Treatment of the hypoglycemic infant may begin while investigations continu

Data_Sheet_1_In response to the Saudi healthcare reform: a cross-sectional study of awareness of and attitudes toward the public health model among health students.PDF

BackgroundSaudi Arabia’s health sector is experiencing a significant transformation toward an emphasis on the public health model. This model is a population-based approach to preventing and controlling disease, and its importance becomes evident during infectious outbreaks and pandemics, such as COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the awareness and attitudes of health students in Jazan toward the public health model.MethodsThis study applied a cross-sectional online survey. Data were collected from 3–18 November 2020 using Google Forms. A convenience sampling method was used with a final sample of 425 participants.ResultsMost participants (71%) were aware of the public health model, with an average score of 11.36 out of 16. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between the awareness level of the public health model and participants’ demographics, namely, gender, major of study, year of study, and prior training in public health. Participants who completed public health training (β = 0.220) had higher awareness scores than others. On the other hand, participants from public health (β = −0.342), medicine (β = 0.164), and nursing in Jazan (β = 0.128) had higher awareness of the public health model than the reference group (Nursing at Addayer College). Addayer is an area located in the rural northeast of the Jazan region. In addition, final-year students (β = 0.113) had higher awareness of the public health model than the reference group (year 2 pre-final students). Female participants (β = −0.142) had lower awareness of the public health model than male participants. Most participants (95.3%) believed that the clinical care and public health models are essential for promoting people’s health. However, 4.7% of participants believed that clinical health care is more important than public health.ConclusionHealth students, who are future healthcare professionals, must understand and value the public health model to support the planned health system reforms. It is recommended to evaluate how the education and training of students in public health, medicine, and nursing in Jazan impact the understanding and views of this cohort on the public health model compared to those of students in other health-related majors.</p

Data_Sheet_2_In response to the Saudi healthcare reform: a cross-sectional study of awareness of and attitudes toward the public health model among health students.PDF

BackgroundSaudi Arabia’s health sector is experiencing a significant transformation toward an emphasis on the public health model. This model is a population-based approach to preventing and controlling disease, and its importance becomes evident during infectious outbreaks and pandemics, such as COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the awareness and attitudes of health students in Jazan toward the public health model.MethodsThis study applied a cross-sectional online survey. Data were collected from 3–18 November 2020 using Google Forms. A convenience sampling method was used with a final sample of 425 participants.ResultsMost participants (71%) were aware of the public health model, with an average score of 11.36 out of 16. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between the awareness level of the public health model and participants’ demographics, namely, gender, major of study, year of study, and prior training in public health. Participants who completed public health training (β = 0.220) had higher awareness scores than others. On the other hand, participants from public health (β = −0.342), medicine (β = 0.164), and nursing in Jazan (β = 0.128) had higher awareness of the public health model than the reference group (Nursing at Addayer College). Addayer is an area located in the rural northeast of the Jazan region. In addition, final-year students (β = 0.113) had higher awareness of the public health model than the reference group (year 2 pre-final students). Female participants (β = −0.142) had lower awareness of the public health model than male participants. Most participants (95.3%) believed that the clinical care and public health models are essential for promoting people’s health. However, 4.7% of participants believed that clinical health care is more important than public health.ConclusionHealth students, who are future healthcare professionals, must understand and value the public health model to support the planned health system reforms. It is recommended to evaluate how the education and training of students in public health, medicine, and nursing in Jazan impact the understanding and views of this cohort on the public health model compared to those of students in other health-related majors.</p