Exploring the Demand and Supply Conditions of E-Commerce and E-Banking Services in Saudi Arabian Conventional and Islamic Banks

The extensive use of technology by banks and financial institutions aims to respond to customers’ demands by providing efficient, speedy and convenient financial services. After developing the e-banking services, banks have also expanded their online services into e-commerce. Developments of e-banking services and e-commerce have been the case with the majority of banks including Islamic banks in the GCC region. The main aim of this research is to explore the demand and supply conditions of e-commerce through e-banking services in Saudi Arabian conventional and Islamic banks. In doing so, this research aims to assess the level of customer awareness of e-commerce and to explore customers’ motivation in Saudi Arabian conventional and Islamic banks. In addition, this research further explores and evaluates customers’ use of e-commerce and e-channels banking services, and the obstacles faced including security issues. In an attempt to locate the supply side related issues, the study aims also to explore perceptions of the IT managers in the six banks. In the study, data were collected through a survey questionnaire to measure the opinions and perceptions of bank customers, and interview surveys were utilised for assessing the supply conditions. To achieve the aims of this research, firstly, this research presents the initial findings with the objective of developing a better understanding of customers’ preferences based on their opinions and perceptions, expressed through a questionnaire survey with a sample of 198 Islamic and conventional bank customers representing six banks in the country; secondly, to further the analysis of this research, an empirical study is presented by using a series of semi-structured interviews with IT managers at three different levels of the sampled banks in Saudi Arabia. The findings over five empirical chapters demonstrate that the majority of the respondents from both the banks appear to understand and have awareness of the importance of e-commerce especially and e-banking services in particular. The findings also indicate that the majority of the respondents from both banks tend to be equally motivated to deal with e-commerce using banking facilities available for them. In search of motivational factors, this research found that the benefits and the 24/7 availability of e-commerce and e-banking services were the main factors motivating participants to deal with e-commerce and use e-banking services. The findings also indicate that the customers of Islamic banks have a better understanding of using e-commerce and e-banking services. Furthermore, the findings show that customers experienced personal, institutional and macro level obstacles to using e-commerce in both the bank types. Moreover, the customers of Islamic and conventional banks appear to understand the importance of security issues in e-commerce through e-banking services as well as banks. The findings also show that the government of Saudi Arabia has played a key role to improve the environment of e-banking services in Saudi banks. Finally, the interviewees’ analysis indicates the weaknesses in the telecommunication infrastructure. Based on the findings this study suggests that e-commerce through e-banking services can play an important role in expanding business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, while they facilitate individual engagement with commercial activities. Since the technology is expanding and advancing rapidly, and to address the future challenges in IT especially in the e-banking services, it is essential that the necessary infrastructure should be developed to take advantage of the opportunity

Advanced IoT Technology and Protocols: Review and Future Perspectives

The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a disruptive paradigm, altering how we interact with our surroundings and enabling a plethora of novel applications across multiple sectors. This literature review provides a complete overview of the Internet of Things, including applications, technology, protocols, modeling tools, and future directions. The assessment begins by looking at a wide range of IoT applications, such as smart cities, healthcare, industrial automation, smart homes, and more. It then looks into the underlying technologies that enable IoT deployments, including low-power wireless communication protocols, edge computing, and sensor networks. Protocols and routing methods designed expressly for IoT networks are also described, as well as simulation tools used to simulate and evaluate IoT systems. The discussion focuses on critical insights and consequences for the future of IoT, including challenges and potential in security, interoperability, edge intelligence, and sustainability. By tackling these obstacles and using emerging technologies, IoT can create disruptive change across businesses while also improving quality of life. This review seeks to give scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders a thorough grasp of IoT and its implications for the future

Planning maintenance when resources are limited: a study of periodic opportunistic replacement

We study an aged-based replacement policy with two control limits. The first triggers opportunistic replacement and the second triggers a guaranteed replacement. The policy is novel because: the instances for component replacement are restricted to instances of time, which we call slots, that arise periodically; and a slot provides an opportunity for replacement with a particular probability. The policy models contexts in which maintenance is periodic, and resources are limited or execution of maintenance is not guaranteed. The policy is important for practice because it is simple and reflects the common reality of time-based maintenance planning. Long-run cost per unit time and average availability are calculated in a renewal-reward framework. Numerical study indicates that, if opportunities are rare, guaranteed replacement is beneficial and opportunities should be taken early in the life of a system. Using the policy, a maintainer can evaluate the cost-benefit of investing more resources to reduce the time between slots. Specific analysis and policy comparisons can be carried out using a web-application developed by the authors

Patient safety attitudes and their predictors among emergency healthcare providers in a military medical city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe increase in the number of patient safety incidents poses a challenge for hospital management. Various studies have been conducted on the safety of patients in healthcare settings, but gaps exist concerning the attitude of healthcare providers (HCPs) toward the safety of patients, including those in the emergency department (ED) in Saudi Arabian hospitals.AimThis study aimed to determine the attitude of HCPs toward patient safety in the ED at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) and to identify demographic factors predictive of HCPs’ attitude.MethodsA descriptive–correlational design was used. The study was conducted on a convenience sample of 202 HCPs working in the ED at PSMMC. Data were collected in December of 2022 and analyzed using SPSS v.23. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed separately for the six domains and overall patient safety attitude as dependent variables. For the seven models, the demographic variables were considered predictor variables.ResultsOverall, HCPs demonstrated a positive attitude toward patient safety (Mean = 3.75/5). Among the six domains, job satisfaction scored highest (Mean = 3.96), while stress recognition scored lowest (Mean = 3.54). However, the respondents reported some patient safety issues and agreed on the difficulty in speaking up if they perceived a problem with patient care, as well as in discussing errors. Significant relationships and predictors were established in all six dimensions and in the overall patient safety attitude. The study findings revealed that three demographic variables, namely, certification in ED (p = 0.044), value of patient safety (p = 0.001), and profession (p = 0.014), demonstrated significant correlations with the overall attitude toward patient safety. Furthermore, years of experience as an HCP in ED (p = 0.019), value of patient safety (p = 0.004), and profession (p = 0.047) were identified as predictors of the overall patient safety attitude.ConclusionThe overall attitude of HCPs toward patient safety in the ED at PSMMC was found to be positive across all six domains and overall. Several demographic factors were identified as significantly influencing their positive attitudes toward patient safety. However, some patient safety issues still need to be resolved, needing interventional and strategic solutions from hospital administration. These solutions should take into account, and give high consideration to, the significant demographic factors identified as predictors of HCPs’ attitudes toward patient safety

Graduate Medical Students’ Mental Health Concerns During COVID-19 Pandemic

Medical students are more likely than the general population to experience perceived stress during the pandemic due to many variables. This study aimed to evaluate the stress levels and prevalence of different mental health conditions among graduate medical students in Al Kharj City. An anonymous online survey was conducted among graduate medical students of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU). For this investigation, the following scales were used to measure the prevalence of common mental health issues: DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult (CCSM-A); Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10-C), to measure COVID-19-related student stress; and the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire to get the global stress score (GSS). Two hundred twenty-one students were contacted, and 214(96.8%) consented to participate in the study. According to the CCSM-A scale, anxiety (73%) and depressive symptoms (71%) were the most frequently reported symptoms by the students. After correcting for age and self-perceived COVID-19 risk, there was a significant relationship between anger, suicidal ideation, and substance use, on one hand, and the study year on the other graduate medical students who have mental health issues bear a heavy load. In the post-pandemic recovery period, regular mental health assessments and providing early and adequate mental health assistance to needy people are imperative

Assessment and Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Primary Care Settings

An increasingly common chronic inflammatory skin condition is atopic dermatitis (AD). It exhibits severe itching as well as recurring eczematous lesions. New difficulties for treatment selection and approach occur with the expansion of available therapy alternatives for healthcare professionals and patients.  The article highlights recent developments in scientific research on atopic dermatitis diagnosis and assessment that have led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of targeted therapies, both of which have the potential to completely change the way AD is treated, particularly in a primary care setting

The Role of Nurse in Raising Health Awareness for Patients to Prevent Diseases

The goal of the current study is to know the role of the nurse in health awareness for patients to prevent chronic diseases, and to know the type of health information that the nurse provides to patients, and the importance of health awareness for the prevention of chronic diseases. The questionnaire was created electronically via the Google Drive program, and then distributed via mobile phone on the social networking program (the targets are residents of the city of Mecca who are between the ages of 25-55 years. The social networking network WhatsApp was used to distribute 500 questionnaires, and the researcher received it via mail Electronic responses to 450 questionnaires

The Role of Family Physicians in Mental Health Care: Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

amily physicians play a pivotal role in the early detection, diagnosis, and management of mental health disorders within the community. This review article delves into the multifaceted responsibilities of family physicians in the realm of mental health care. Emphasizing the importance of primary care settings as the first point of contact for many patients, the article underscores the need for effective screening tools and methodologies tailored for these environments. The diagnostic precision of family physicians, often challenged by the broad spectrum of mental health symptoms, is explored alongside the potential implications of misdiagnoses. Furthermore, the article evaluates various treatment options, from pharmacological interventions to psychotherapy, and their applicability in primary care settings. The integration of technological advancements, such as electronic health records and telemedicine, is also discussed in the context of enhancing patient care. The review concludes by highlighting the importance of educating primary care physicians to not only pay close attention to the mental health of their patients, but also to be able to accurately screen and diagnose mental health issues using various diagnostic tools. Moreover, it is critical to develop more useful tools that can be used in the context of primary care settings

Patterns and Characteristics of Children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Treated in Saudi Arabia: Data from the National Saudi Program for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

The National Hip Dysplasia Program (NHDP) was launched in December 2016 to treat children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in Saudi Arabia; however, its outcomes have not been examined or published yet. Therefore, our aim in this study was to report the findings of this unique program. In this retrospective study design, we included data of patients with DDH who received interventions provided by the NHDP, from two major Saudi regions (Northern Borders and Al-Jouf regions), from April 2017 to February 2021. Outcomes reported included age at first surgery, sex, involved side, interventions provided, and recurrence rates for failed surgeries. Independent t -tests compared age differences between Northern Borders region and Al-Jouf region, whereas chi-square tests determined the differences between Northern Borders region and Al-Jouf region regarding sex and the involved side of DDH distributions. Out of 404 children with DDH, 300 (82.3% were females and 17.7% were males) were included and were first seen at the age of 20 months in the Northern Borders region and at the age of 22 months in Al-Jouf region. We found a significant difference in the number of bilateral DDH cases between the Northern Borders ( n = 129; 70.1%) and Al-Jouf ( n = 59; 51.0%) ( P = 0.003) regions. In the Northern Borders region, the majority of children with unilateral DDH were treated by open reduction (right side = 40.7%; left side = 60.7%), with recurrence rates of 14.8% for the right side and 7.1% for left side. In the Al-Jouf region, the majority of children with unilateral DDH were treated by femoral shortening with graft (right side = 69.2%; left side = 54.9%), with a recurrence rate of 7.7% for the right-sided DDH. More than half of the children with bilateral DDH underwent operations for both sides (Northern Borders region = 62.0%; Al-Jouf region = 57.9%). The study provides a detailed analysis of DDH among children in the Northern Borders and Al-Jouf regions, highlighting significant regional differences in both the prevalence and treatment outcomes. Future studies need to develop strategies to prevent and minimize potential long-term effects of DDH

Clinical and biochemical characteristics of people experiencing post-coronavirus disease 2019-related symptoms: A prospective follow-up investigation

BackgroundPost-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome, also known as long COVID, is a prolonged illness after the acute phase of COVID-19. Hospitalized patients were known to have persisting symptoms of fatigue, headache, dyspnea, and anosmia. There is a need to describe the characteristics of individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms in comparison to the baseline characteristics.PurposeTo investigate the clinical and biochemical characteristics of people who recovered from COVID-19 after 6 months of discharge from the hospital.MethodsThis was a prospective follow-up investigation of hospitalized and discharged COVID-19 patients. Adult patients admitted to King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and discharged were recruited. The baseline demographic information, comorbidities, vital signs and symptoms, laboratory parameters, COVID-19 therapy, and outcomes were collected from the medical records. Blood samples were collected for cytokines estimation. A detailed interview about signs and symptoms was undertaken during the follow-up.ResultsHalf of the followed-up people reported experiencing at least one of the COVID-19-related symptoms. The mean blood pressure was found higher in follow-up. People with the symptoms were characterized by low lymphocyte count, lower serum calcium levels, and hyperglycemia compared to people without any post-COVID-19 symptoms. Cytokines IL-8, VEGF, and MCP-1 were higher in people with the most frequent symptoms.ConclusionPeople with post-COVID-19 symptoms were characterized by lower lymphocyte count, lower serum calcium levels, and hyperglycemia compared to people without symptoms. Individuals with the most frequent post-COVID-19 symptoms had higher baseline pro-inflammatory, chemotactic, and angiogenic cytokines