On the motivations and career orientations of self-initiated and conventional expatriates employed in the Saudi Arabian banking industry: a two scale contextual validation and an inter-cohort crosssectional investigation with control

This cross-sectional inter-cohort study explores the dominant motivational factors and career orientations among conventional (CE) and self-initiated (SE) expatriates. Quantitative data was obtained from a sample of 344 SEs and 74 CEs working in the banking sector in Saudi Arabia. Firstly, a principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to validate a pull-push model of motivations governing the decision to expatriate and a career anchors model. Secondly, six motivational hypotheses and eight career hypotheses derived from a review of the extant literature were tested by means of logistic regression using a forward stepwise procedure. The results of the contextual validation provided support for a five factor pull-push construct and for a nine-career-anchor construct model in contrast with the original eight-anchor model. The findings from the logistic regression analysis reveal that age, marital status and position level made significant contributions to the motivational factors model. The push-motives factor was the strongest predictor in this study to distinguish between CEs and SEs regardless of the effect of the control variables that were included in the model. The results also showed that none of the pull motivational factors produced significant results in predicting either cohort. With respect to career orientations, SEs were more anchored by the ‘pure challenge’ and ‘security and stability’ career orientations than their CE counterparts. The position level variable was the only control variable that made significant contributions to the career orientations model. The results also revealed that ‘technical and functional competence’ was among the top career orientations for this sample of CEs and SEs in the banking sector. The theoretical, empirical and practical implications arising from the research are set down and directions for future research are offered

The Magnitude and Determinants of Tinnitus among Health Science Students at King Khalid University

Background. Tinnitus is a symptom that is defined as a subjective perception of noise in an absence of external sound. It is an indicator of auditory system abnormalities. It can also be present in individuals without any hearing abnormalities. Difficulty to consternate, insomnia, and decreased speech discrimination are the most common symptoms related to tinnitus. Aim. To assess the magnitude and pattern with determinants of tinnitus among health science students at King Khalid University. Methodology. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting all accessible students in health science colleges in King Khalid University which is the main university in the Aseer region, south of Saudi Arabia. Students were included consecutively from different faculties and different grades. Data were collected through a self-administered prestructured questionnaire, which was distributed and recollected the next day. Tinnitus was screened using an adapted form of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Results. A total sample of 400 students have been included with their ages ranging from 18 to 30 years with a mean age of 22 ± 1.8 years), and 28.5% of the students recorded positive findings. Tinnitus was bilateral among 51.8% of students, and 44.7% of tinnitus students hear buzzing sound while 21.1% have hissing sound and 10.5% had pulsating sound. Among 46.5% of students with tinnitus, the heard sound was of moderate loudness and intermittent among 64.9% of them. Conclusions and Recommendations. In conclusion, the study revealed that just more than a quarter of students complained of tinnitus which was bilateral among half of them. Tinnitus frequency was mainly moderate in intensity and intermittent. Having ear problems, loud sounds, and allergy were the most important predictors of having Tinnitus

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population