Mindfulness Skills Training and Psychological Skills Training Impact on Psychological Factors and its Impact on Athletic Performance: A Case on Saudi Arabia Athletes / El entrenamiento de habilidades de atención plena y el impacto del entrenamiento de habilidades psicológicas en los factores psicológicos y su impacto en el rendimiento deportivo: un caso en atletas de Arabia Saudita

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of mindfulness and psychological skills training on Saudi Arabian athletes' athletic performance via psychological aspects. Using a convenient sampling technique, applied cross-sectional study, quantitative research approach, and structural equation modeling, a sample of 350 athletes participated (SEM). According to the survey, mindfulness and psychology skills training significantly and favorably improved athletic performance via psychological aspects. In particular, mindfulness skills training considerably enhanced psychological variables such as attention, concentration, and emotional regulation, whereas psychological skills training greatly enhanced psychological factors. This research has significant implications for athletes, coaches, and sports psychologists in Saudi Arabia, stressing the significance of incorporating mindfulness and psychological skills training into sports psychology to improve athletic performance. Future studies should investigate the impact of mindfulness and psychological skills training on sports performance in various cultural contexts using more significant sample numbers and control groups.(AU)

Physical exercise has control over players' emotions and psychological capital: A moderating role of coach behavior / El ejercicio físico tiene control sobre las emociones y el capital psicológico de los jugadores: Un papel moderador del comportamiento del entrenador

This is quantitative research employing a cross-sectional research design for data collection. This study's theoretical approach is intended to evaluate the impact of physical exercise on players' emotions and psychological empowerment in Saudi Arabia, with the coach's behavior as a moderator. There are no substantial reasons for this link presented by the studies in the literature. The players with destructive emotions and low psychological empowerment are unsuitable for the team because they hinder its performance. Empowering the players psychologically is essential for team performance. According to the research, athletes' emotions and psychological empowerment improve when they engage in appropriate exercise under the guidance of a committed coach. The research revealed practical consequences that are important for managing various teams to strengthen the players' psychological empowerment and improve their moods. This research improves the theoretical understanding of player emotions and psychological empowerment by introducing two direct linkages and two moderating relationships. The future recommendations of this study are endorsed for researchers contemplating work in the field of psychic empowerment and psychological control of players.(AU)

Medications adherence and associated factors among patients with stroke in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Stroke is one of the most significant neurological problems around the world, and is considered a leading cause of death. Due to polypharmacy and multimorbidity, stroke patients are susceptible to have lower levels of adherence to their medications and self-care activities. Methods: Patients who have suffered a stroke and had recently been admitted to public hospital were approached for recruitment. Patients’ adherence to their medications was examined using a validated questionnaire during an interview between the principal investigator and the patients, where patients’ adherence to their selfcare activities was assessed using a developed, validated and previously published questionnaire as well. Reasons for lack of adherence was explored from the patients. Verification of patient’s details and medications was done via the patient’s hospital file. Results: The mean age of the participants (n=173) was 53.21 (SD= 8.61) years. Assessing patients’ adherence to medications showed that more than half of them stated that they sometimes/often forgot to take their medication/s, while 41.0% sometimes/often stopped their medication/s from time to time. The mean adherence to medications score (out of 28) was 18.39 (SD=2.1), with 83.8% having a low adherence level. It is found that patients who did not take their medications were due to forgetfulness (46.8%) and complications from taking the medications (20.2%). Better adherence was associated with higher educational level, higher number of medical conditions, and higher frequency of glucose monitoring. Adherence to self-care activities showed that majority of patients performed correct self-care activities three times a week. (AU)

Psychological Control helps to counter sports anxiety: A moderating role of coach relationship / El control psicológico ayuda a contrarrestar la ansiedad deportiva: un papel moderador de la relación del entrenador

Without access to skilled coaches, sports anxiety is frequent among athletes. In Saudi Arabia, the lack of emotional intelligence and other mental problems prevent athletes from doing better with sports anxiety. This study examines the direct influence of psychological Control, coach-athlete interaction, and coach support on sports anxiety in Saudi Arabia. This study also analyzes the moderating effect of coach relationship and support on the relationship between psychological Control and athletic performance. A Likert scale questionnaire is utilized to collect cross-sectional data from Saudi Arabian college athletes. When players have a good relationship with their coach, they can have greater psychological Control over their athletic performance, as revealed by the study. This research is founded on a novel concept, and its theoretical framework contributes to our understanding of sports anxiety. In addition, the research produced exceptional practical and theoretical consequences that are crucial for combating sports anxiety practically and advancing our understanding of sports anxiety, respectively. The research findings suggest future directions based on the literature that provide researchers with new insight into investigating deeper links within the sports anxiety model.(AU)

Conocimiento y uso de la información nutricional y efecto de las características sociodemográficas sobre diversos aspectos del etiquetado de alimentos en Al-Ahsa, Arabia Saudí / Awareness and usage of nutrition information and effect of sociodemographic characteristics on various aspects of food labels in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: labels deliver basic product information, health safety and nutritional information. Objectives: this study aims to assess consumers' knowledge, awareness, and practices in relation to food labels and the effect of sociodemographic characteristics on various aspects of food labels in Al-Ahsa. Methods: a random sampling method was used to recruit participants (n = 403) and a validated electronic questionnaire was used to gather data. Results: most of the participants (81.4 %) had moderate knowledge about general nutrition. The majority of them (58.8 %) placed high importance on reading food labels. Participants have positive opinions about the significance of reading food labels, and practice most of its aspects on a “frequent” basis. Lack of time was the main barrier for not utilizing food label information and obesity was the main concern if they did not read food labels. Results also demonstrate significant (p ≤ 0.01) positive correlations between participants' nutrition knowledge and their rating of the significance and their opinion and practices of reading food labels. Participants' rating of the importance of reading food labels was positively correlated with participants' opinion and practices regarding food label. Results also indicate that participants' sex, age, body mass index, educational level and health status have significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects on various aspects of food label under study. (AU)

Introducción: las etiquetas contienen la información básica del producto en términos de seguridad para la salud y composición nutricional.Objetivos: este estudio pretende valorar el conocimiento, la concienciación y la práctica de los consumidores saudíes con respecto a las etiquetas de los productos, así como el efecto de las características sociodemográficas sobre varios aspectos de dichas etiquetas en la región de Al-Ahsa. Métodos: se usó el método del muestreo aleatorio para reclutar a consumidores saudíes (n = 403) en Al-Ahsa y se empleó un cuestionario electrónico validado para recolectar los datos. Resultados: la mayoría de los participantes (el 81,4 %) tenían conocimientos moderados acerca de la nutrición en general. La mayor parte de los participantes (58,8 %) daba mucha importancia a la lectura de la etiqueta alimentaria. Además, los participantes tienen opiniones positivas sobre la importancia de leer las etiquetas de los alimentos y practican la mayoría de los aspectos relacionados con las mismas de forma “frecuente”. La falta de tiempo era el principal obstáculo para aprovechar la información nutricional de las etiquetas de los alimentos y la obesidad, la principal preocupación en caso de no leerlas. Los resultados muestran también correlaciones positivas significativas (p ≤ 0,01) entre los conocimientos nutricionales de los participantes, su valoración de la importancia que tiene leer las etiquetas alimentarias y las prácticas derivadas de ellas. Además, la valoración que hacen los participantes de leer las etiquetas de los alimentos se correlacionó positivamente con su opinión sobre dichas etiquetas y las prácticas relacionadas con ellas. Los resultados también indican que el sexo, la edad, el índice de masa corporal, el nivel educativo y el estado de salud de los participantes tienen un efecto significativo (p ≤ 0,05) sobre diversos aspectos de la etiqueta alimentaria sometida a estudio.

Assessment of commitment to healthy daily habits and diets, preventive measures, and beliefs about natural products utilization during COVID-19 pandemic in certain population in Egypt and Saudi Arabia

Objective: The purpose of this research is to assess the commitment of participants in Saudi Arabia and Egypt towards healthy daily habits, preventive measures, healthy food habits, and beliefs about natural products as an immunostimulants during COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in Saudi Arabia (mainly Riyadh and Jeddah) and Egypt (mainly Cairo). The questionnaire instrument was created based on an extensive literature review on the COVID-19 pandemic, including its spreading and transmission methods, preventive measures, healthy lifestyle, and diets that increase human immunity against viral infections and the use of natural products and drinks. The questionnaire was created by Microsoft 365® office forms, participants were invited through emails and other social media. The questionnaire includes a demographic section (gender, nationality, residency country, city, age, marital status, educational level, employment status, chronic disease history, under anxiety or stress, have a temper or irritable person, were infected/currently infected and in contact to COVID-19 patient) and (23) questions arranged under five domains; Domain I daily habits (4), Domain II keeping preventive measures (4), Domain III healthy eating habits (9), Domain IV for participants currently or previously infected, or in contact with a patient (4) Domain V for assessment of participants’ beliefs towards the use of natural products to elevate immunity during COVID-19 pandemic (2), beside 4 choice questions (stimulant drinks, natural drinks, natural products, and zinc-rich food). SPSS® was used to analyze the results using Student’ t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey’s HSD tests. (AU)

Hospital pharmacists’ awareness and perspective toward the management of COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Objectives: This study investigates the hospital pharmacists’ awareness of important facts about the COVID-19 disease and their source of information, as well as their perception. Methods: This cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The questionnaire was developed via electronic platform and invitations were sent to pharmacists working in private and government hospitals. A multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with awareness of COVID-19. Results: A total of 272 pharmacists submitted their responses via weblink. Many pharmacists (n=228, 84%) followed the latest COVID-19 updates on treatment and updated their information mainly through World Health Organization documents (n=151, 56%). Pharmacists working in secondary and tertiary hospitals were relatively five-times times (AOR = 4.59; 95% CI: 1.69–12.8; p-value = 0.003) and three-times (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.35–6.72; p-value = 0.008) more aware of COVID-19 than those working in primary hospitals. Pharmacists with prior adequate knowledge regarding epidemics and pandemics were twotimes more likely to have a good awareness of COVID-19 compared to those who had received none (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.09–4.35; p-value = 0.030). Conclusions: Half of the pharmacists believed that they received required education in the past about epidemics and pandemics, and many follow the recent COVID-19 updates on medicines predominantly from the WHO followed by the government awareness campaigns. Many pharmacists believed they have a key role in the management of epidemics/pandemics via their hospital pharmacy. However, this study identified certain awareness gaps regarding COVID-19, highlighting areas of improvement. (AU)

Estudio cualitativo sobre las experiencias de las enfermeras en cuanto a estigma social en el contexto de la COVID-19 / A qualitative study on nurses’ experiences with social stigma in the context of COVID-19

Objetivo:El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar el estigma social experimentado por los trabajadores sanitarios que cuidan a las personas diagnosticadas de COVID-19.Métodos:Este estudio utilizó un enfoque cualitativo-fenomenológico, y fue realizado en los centros de COVID-19 de la región de Hail, en el Reino de Arabia Saudita. Se utilizó un muestreo intencional y de bola de nieve, obteniéndose una muestra de 15 participantes. Sin embargo, se identificó saturación en el 11.° participante. Las entrevistas se llevaron a cabo utilizando una plataforma Zoom, empleando al menos 50 minutos por participante. Para analizar los datos se empleó un análisis temático.Resultados:Las enfermeras registraron cuatro temas y tres subtemas basados en entrevistas individuales. Dichos temas incluyeron: (1) el etiquetado de las enfermeras como «enfermeras COVID», con un subtema de frustración; (2) el «miedo a lo desconocido», con un subtema de «incertidumbres»; (3) la necesidad de apoyo de las enfermeras, y (4) el amor por la profesión, con un subtema de «valía de las enfermeras».Conclusión:Las enfermeras que cuidaron a los pacientes diagnosticados de COVID-19 experimentaron estigma. Fueron etiquetadas como «enfermeras COVID». Experimentaron miedo a lo desconocido e incertidumbres, sintiendo que necesitaban apoyo. A pesar de estas experiencias, las enfermeras se sintieron satisfechas, ya que tienen en alta estima su profesión. Las experiencias de dichas enfermeras solicitan una intervención de ayuda antes, durante y después de la crisis sanitaria. En este contexto, las enfermeras estarán preparadas a nivel mental y emocional para enfrentarse a los retos de su carrera.

Aim:This study aimed to examine the social stigma experienced by healthcare workers caring for people diagnosed with COVID-19.Methods:This research employed a qualitative-phenomenological approach. It was conducted at the COVID centers of the Hail region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Both purposive and snowball sampling were used, resulting in 15 participants. However, saturation was identified in the 11th participant. Interviews were conducted online through a Zoom platform, with at least 50min per participant. Thematic analysis was used in analysing the data.Results:The nurses recorded four themes and three subthemes based on one-on-one interviews. These themes included (1) Labeling nurses as “COVID Nurses,” with a subtheme of frustration, (2) “Fear of the unknown,” with a subtheme of “uncertainties,” (3) Nurses’ need for support, and (4) the Love for the profession, with a subtheme of “nurses’ worth.”Conclusion:Nurses who cared for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced stigma. They were labeled “COVID Nurses.” They experienced fear of the unknown and uncertainties and felt they needed support. Despite these experiences, the nurses felt fulfilled as they have a high regard for their profession. The experiences of these nurses call for intervention to help them before, during, and after any health-related crisis. In this context, nurses will be prepared mentally and emotionally to face the challenges in their career.

Assessing the use of MDI among Asthmatic Patients in Saudi Arabia

Background: Asthma is an important public health problem worldwide on account of its prevalence. Education of asthmatic patients about appropriate using of MDIs would be more effective medications. Objectives: To assess the appropriateness of using MDIs among asthmatic patients and to determine the factors significantly associated with correct use of MDI. Method: A descriptive study was conducted on 399 asthmatic patients on internet on Google from 28th October to 28th November 2015. A questionnaire was filled out and SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis. Standard method was used to obtain descriptive statistic comprising means, percentage and standard deviations in order to describe demographic variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare means of contentious and categorical variables of demographic characteristics and medical background with using MDIs and find association between them. P-value of 0.05 and less were regarded as statistically significant. Results: In the studied sample, 87% were age less than 45 years, 74% of cases were females. About 92% of cases were higher and above level of education. More than half of subjects had asthma for more than five years. There were 36% of patients using MDI. Only a few patients (12%) had the correct all skills using MDIs. There were significant association between using MDIs with age and duration of asthma (p=<0.001). Conclusions: Despite the well-known fact that a good MDI technique is of greatest importance, Majority of asthmatic patients have poor skills of MDI appropriate use. Incorrect MDIs technique is common among asthma patients. Health care professional must be focused on training on use MDI among the younger and newly diagnosis asthmatic patients. This indicating the need for regular formal training programmes on inhaler techniques so as to decipher correct practices in inhalation therapy. (AU)

Enfermeros por el mundo. Riyadh / Nurses around the world. Riyadh

Yoness Samadi es un enfermero ibicenco que decidió trasladarse a Riyadh, en Arabia Saudí, para ejercer la profesión enfermera. En un primer momento para aprender inglés, Samadi quiso ampliar sus fronteras y conocer otras culturas, por lo que acabó recalando en el país asiático. Nos atiende para hablar de su día a día en Arabia, de su experiencia como profesional y de las diferencias que percibe con respecto a España.(AU)

Empowering Saudi Women for Sports as a Response to KSA Vision 2030: Attitudes of Undergraduate Female Students toward Practicing Sports / Empoderar a las mujeres saudíes para los deportes como respuesta a KSA Vision 2030: Actitudes de las estudiantes de pregrado hacia la práctica de deportes

Background: Paying particular attention to women’s health is of great significance for ensuring the well-being of the general population. One of the key aspects of caring for their health arises is encouraging active engagement in sports, which is undoubtedly an essential pillar of a healthy lifestyle. Sports activities are important for maintaining physical, psychological, mental, and social health. The objective of this study is to identify the factors affecting the attitude of undergraduate female students in Saudi Arabia towards sports. The relationship between physical fitness, social experience, formal competition, physiological experience and sports attitude of female students has been examined in this study. Methods: For the purposes of this study, a questionnaire survey is conducted to study the factors affecting the attitudes of undergraduate female students enrolled in universities of Saudi Arabia regarding sports activities. The study sample consists of 645 female students from various universities of Saudi Arabia. The collected data has been analyzed and processed using Partial Least Square (PLS). Results: Results of the study report that; physical fitness, social experience and formal competition have a positive effect on physiological experience which in turn has a positive effect on the attitude of female students towards sports. Conclusion: Physical fitness, social experience, formal competition, and physiological experience has the ability to promote a more positive attitude towards sports among the female students in Saudi Arabia. Various factors including physical fitness, social experience and formal competition have positive role in promoting better physiological experience which further lead to a more positive attitude among female students towards sports. Hence, the current study has important role for the management of universities to promote sports attitude among undergraduate students.(AU)

Comprehensive study for BRCA1 and BRCA2 entire coding regions in breast cancer

Background About 5–10% of incidences of breast cancers have been reported as a result of germline mutations of BRCA genes. However, the mutational spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes among breast cancer Saudi women patients is inadequate at present. Therefore, the present study aimed to report the specific germinal mutation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the entire coding regions, to investigate the prevalence rate of BRCA1 & BRCA2 mutations among Saudi women and the effect of these mutations, both benign and malignant tumors. Methodology A total of 270 tissue samples of benign and malignant breast tumors were collected from Saudi women patients, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Examination of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations was performed using heteroduplex DNA analysis (HDA) or single-stranded conformation analysis (SSCA). 177 breast cancer women with malignant tumors and 93 with benign tumors were enrolled in the study. A total of 62 out of 177 breast cancer patients carried a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation (54 BRCA1 and 8 BRCA2). The analysis was done using the Sanger sequence assay. Results Point and frameshift mutations through the entire coding area of the two genes indicated that all the mutations were germline alterations and of early-onset breast cancers. The mean ages of diagnosed breast cancer women for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers were 36.3 (± 3.5) and 37.9 (± 3.7) years, whereas that of benign control was 35(± 2.5) years. Conclusion Point and frameshift mutations across the entire coding region of BRCA1 and BRCA2 are responsible for many breast cancers cases (AU)

Analysis of the anatomic variations of the ethmoid roof among Saudipopulation: A radiological study

The olfactory fossa (OF) is a depression in the anterior cranial cavity whose floor is formed by the cribriform plate of ethmoid, bounded laterally by the lateral lamella of cribriform plate and medially by crista galli. Keros categorized the olfactory fossa depth into 3 types. For a successful endoscopic sinus surgery, the surgeons should pay attention to the details when dealing with the complex anatomy of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) and skull base. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of Keros classification of the height of ethmoid roof among Saudi population by using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). This was a retrospective study conducted on 511 patients (360 males and 151 female) referred for MDCT assessment of PNS over a two-year period. The mean age of our patients was 34.47± 10.69 years, aged between 18 and 79 years. Patients with nasal trauma, surgeries or any pathological diseases affecting the ethmoid roof were excluded from the study. Keros type II was the commonest presentation observed in 53.2% of cases, followed by type I in 12.5%, then type III in 11.7% of cases. Out of the 511 patients analyzed, 115 (22.5%) cas-es had asymmetry (different types of OF) on both sides. Conclusion: The majority of studied Saudi adult population showed Keros type II (53.3%), followed by type I (12.5%). Keros type III was seen in 11.7% among the studied population

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Hiperplasia tímica de rebote posquimioterapia en niños con linfoma / Rebound (reactive) thymic hyperplasia after chemotherapy in children with lymphoma

Introducción: Se ha descrito la regeneración del timo tras la quimioterapia en niños con linfoma y, para evitar diagnosticar incorrectamente estos casos como recurrencias, los facultativos han de familiarizarse con la hiperplasia tímica de rebote (HTR) y tener en consideración su posible ocurrencia. Nuestro objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia de HTR en niños con linfoma tras la quimioterapia y evaluar las características clínicas, evolución y hallazgos de las pruebas de imagen mediante tomografía computarizada (TC) y la gammagrafía con galio 67 (GA-67). Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo transversal, mediante la revisión de las historias clínicas de niños diagnosticados de linfoma, realizado en la Clínica Ambulatoria de Oncología Infantil del Centro de Oncología de Yeda, Arabia Saudita. Resultados: Se detectó HTR en el 51,9% de los pacientes con linfoma (14/27 pacientes). La HTR ocurrió una mediana de 2,5 meses tras finalizarse el tratamiento (rango: 2,0-4,25 meses). Los pacientes con HTR recibieron tratamientos significativamente más cortos, y no se observaron diferencias entre pacientes con y sin HTR en cuanto al sexo, la edad al diagnóstico, el tipo de linfoma o el tipo de tratamiento recibido. Todos los pacientes con HTR se encontraban asintomáticos y las pruebas rutinarias de laboratorio no evidenciaron alteraciones. La TC y la GA-67 fueron altamente sugestivas de HTR. Ninguno de los pacientes con HTR tuvieron recurrencias y la HTR se resolvió espontáneamente en una mediana de 6 meses (rango: 4,0-11,0 meses). Conclusión: Se detectó HTR en alrededor del 50% de los niños con linfoma tras completarse el tratamiento. La evaluación clínica, pruebas de laboratorio, TC y gammagrafía con GA-67 resultan útiles para identificar la HTR y descartar otras lesiones en otras localizaciones

Introduction: Thymic regrowth after chemotherapy treatment has been reported in children with lymphoma, and in order to avoid misdiagnosing these cases as relapses, physicians should become familiar with rebound (reactive) thymic hyperplasia (RTH) and remain aware of its possible occurrence. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of RTH in children with lymphoma after completion of chemotherapy and to evaluate the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and the findings of computed tomography (CT) and gallium-67 (GA-67) scans in these patients. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study by reviewing the health records of children with a lymphoma diagnosis managed at an outpatient paediatric oncology clinic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: Rebound thymic hyperplasia was detected in 51.9% of the lymphoma patients (14/27). It developed a median of 2.5 months after completion of chemotherapy (range, 2.0-4.25 months). Patients with RTH had significantly shorter treatment durations, and we found no significant differences between patients with and without RTH in sex, age at diagnosis, type of lymphoma or type of treatment received. All patients with RTH were asymptomatic, and routine laboratory tests did not detect any abnormalities in them. The findings of CT and GA-67 scans were highly suggestive of RTH. None of the patients with RTH had a recurrence, and RTH resolved spontaneously within a median of 6 months (range, 4.0-11.0). Conclusion: RTH was detected in ∼50% of children with lymphoma after completion of chemotherapy. A clinical evaluation and laboratory tests combined with imaging by CT and GA-67 can help identify RTH and rule out other lesions elsewhere

Evaluation of Acid-Suppressive Medications Prescribing and Usage in Central Hospitals in Abha Region, Saudi Arabia / Evaluación de la prescripción y uso de medicamentos supresores de ácido en hospitales centrales en la región de Abha, Arabia Saudita

Objective: The aim of this study was to study and assess the indications of acid suppressive drugs and to find out percentage of irrational prescriptions with acid suppressive drugs. Material/Methods: It is a prospective observational study conducted in the Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region and Abha Maternity Hospital, both in Abha in Assir region (Saudi Arabia). The sample size of study was 185 patients. The case sheets of the patients' prescription order were reviewed for acid suppressive drugs prescription and relevant data was taken. Patients’ age above 18 were identified. The duration of study was 8 weeks, between May and June 2017. Results: Our results showed that the majority of the prescriptions of proton pump inhibitors (68.1%) were unjustifiable and that proton pump inhibitor was the most commonly prescribed acid suppressive drugs for the patients (97.8%). The frequency of prescribing for the autism spectrum disorders in our study was found to be higher in patients with an existing risk factor and was mostly recommended by physicians as concomitant medications (67.6%). The most common concomitant medications used with the proton pump inhibitors were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (29.2%) in which aspirin composed 13.5% of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed followed by antimicrobials (9.2%). Conclusion: Acid suppressive drugs are the most commonly prescribed drugs with no proper indications hence irrational. Based on the results of this study, creating awareness about reasonable use of acid suppressive drugs is a necessity

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue estudiar y evaluar las indicaciones de los medicamentos supresores de ácidos y averiguar el porcentaje de recetas irracionales con medicamentos supresores de ácidos. Material / Métodos: es un estudio observacional prospectivo realizado en los Hospitales de las Fuerzas Armadas del Sur y en el Hospital de Maternidad Abha, ambos en Abha en la región de Assir (Arabia Saudita). El tamaño muestral del estudio fue de 185 pacientes. Se revisaron las hojas de casos de orden de prescripción de los pacientes para la prescripción de medicamentos supresores de ácido y se tomaron los datos pertinentes. Se identificó la edad de los pacientes mayores de 18 años. La duración del estudio fue de 8 semanas, entre mayo y junio de 2017. Resultados: nuestros resultados mostraron que la mayoría de las prescripciones de inhibidores de la bomba de protones (68,1%) eran injustificables y que este era el fármaco supresor de ácido más comúnmente prescrito para los pacientes (97,8%). La frecuencia de prescripción para los trastornos del espectro autistas en nuestro estudio, fue mayor en pacientes con un factor de riesgo existente y fue recomendada principalmente por los médicos como medicamentos concomitantes (67,6%). Los medicamentos concomitantes más comunes que se usaron con los inhibidores de la bomba de protones fueron los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (29.2%) en los cuales la aspirina supuso el 13,5% de los antiinflamatorios no esteroideos prescritos, seguidos por los antimicrobianos (9.2%). Conclusión: los medicamentos supresores de ácido son los medicamentos más comúnmente recetados sin indicaciones adecuadas, por lo que son irracionales. Basado en los resultados de este estudio, crear conciencia sobre el uso razonable de los medicamentos supresores del ácido es una necesidad

Information seeking behavior and awareness among physicians regarding drug information centers in Saudi Arabia

Background: The role of Drug Information Center (DIC) in a health-care setting has increased tremendously owing to the high influx of pharmaceutical molecules that pose serious challenges to physicians. DIC promotes rational prescribing behavior among physicians, leading to better patient outcome. Objectives: This study aimed to explore information-seeking behaviors and awareness of physicians regarding DIC services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians working in government and private sectors between June to November 2018 by using an 18-item electronic anonymous questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using IBM SPSS (Version 21). A P-value of <0.05 was taken as the level of significance between responses. Results: In total, 500 questionnaires were distributed among the included hospitals, and only 254 physicians (response rate: 50.8%), including 193 males (76%), participated in the study. The majority of participants (n = 83, 32.7%) had more than ten years of experience, and many of the respondents (n=131) worked as residents. Most of the physicians (62.9%) were aware of their institutional DIC. UpToDate was the most preferred drug information database among physicians. Regarding the improvement required in the DIC services, most of the physicians (23.6%) opined that the contact details should be available in all clinical wards. Conclusions: Only 10% of the respondents were not aware of the presence of DIC at their institution. The UpToDate online drug information database was the most frequently used database by the physicians. Our findings showed that there is a need for conducting educational programs for physicians regarding DIC services. Such an attempt can increase the frequency of drug-related queries and promote patient safety

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Risk factors for postnatal depression among primipara mothers

In recent years postnatal depression (PND) has become one of the most important public health issues because of its prevalence. Estimates for those affected by PND suggest a range of 10-15% of new mothers worldwide. In the context of Saudi society, attitudes toward this disorder are influenced by various beliefs, traditions, cultural factors, and values. These variables trigger considerable disparity in terms of frequency of symptoms. The symptoms of postnatal depression vary and can arise over a period of months, causing profound effects on mothers, also effecting mother-baby and broader familial relationships. The current study establishes the rate of occurrence and risk factors for PND in the western region of Saudi Arabia, to build on existing data. In total, 217 new Saudi mothers were recruited and data was collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Scale (EPDS) in conjunction with a self-report questionnaire. Based on recommendations in previous studies, an EPND cut-off point of 13 ≥ was applied herein. Findings show the prevalence of PND, approximately 17.1% among the participants, and contributing factors included a previous history of depression, χ2 = 67.74, df = 1, p < .05, problems with the child's health, χ2 = 31.42, df = 1, p < .05, issues with home support, χ2 = 43.47, df = 1, p < .05, and pregnancy complications, χ2 = 7.19, df = 1, p < .05. Meanwhile, no correlation was found between PND and the baby's gender, delivery type, breastfeeding, mother's age, or mother's educational level. Additional studies are required to confirm these findings, and to identify other risk factors

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Measuring the health literacy level of Arabic speaking population in Saudi Arabia using translated health literacy instruments

Background: Health literacy is an essential predictor of health status, disease control and adherence to medications. Objectives: The study goals were to assess the health literacy level of the general population in Saudi Arabia using translated Gulf Arabic version of the short-version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA) and Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS) tests and to measure the relationship between health literacy and education level. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional with a convenience sample of 123 participants from the general population in Riyadh. Data were collected using the modified (Gulf) Arabic versions of both S-TOFHLA and SILS. Fisher's Exact test was used to measure the difference of the health literacy scores according to the education degrees and Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the internal consistency of the S-TOFHLA items. Results: More than half (55.4%) of the participants were male, 50.4% had a middle school or less education level, and we found that 84.4% had adequate health literacy as measured by the S-TOFHLA, compared to 49.6% as measured by SILS. The Fisher's Exact test showed a significant difference (P<.05) in the S-TOFHLA and SILS scores according to education categories. Conclusions: The level of education has a significant positive association with S-TOFHLA and SILS results. The Gulf Arabic version of S-TOFHLA is a reliable test with a good internal consistency and a significant positive correlation between the two parts of S-TOFHLA. We recommend the use of S-TOFHLA or SILS at the first patient visit

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An initial exploration of the perceptions of preparedness to practise among Saudi Arabian trained hospital pharmacists

Background: There is a dearth of literature on perceptions of preparedness to practise, which explores the extent to which educational institutions prepare their students to fulfil their professional role. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of preparedness to practise among Saudi Arabian pharmacy graduates working in hospital. Method: Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten hospital pharmacists based in four hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia who had qualified within the last five years from a Saudi Arabian School of Pharmacy. Interviews focused on expectations of hospital practise, perceptions of preparedness and challenges encountered, and reflections on how to better prepare students. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically by two independent researchers using the Framework Approach. Results: Five key themes were identified: expectations versus reality of practise; issues relating to university course; practice related training; adapting to the work environment; and proposed improvements to undergraduate education. Participants were generally disappointed to find practise was not as expected. University training was largely didactic, with skills such as critical thinking not being sufficiently developed. Where practice related training was provided, it was variable in length and content. Cultural issues, most notably working in a mixed sex environment, were also considered to impact preparedness. Suggested improvements included greater focus on skills development and structured training placements. Conclusions: Participants experiences in university, and experiential placements varied greatly and were perceived to impact greatly on preparedness to practise. Further multiple perspective exploration of perceptions of preparedness to practise is warranted

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Medication reconciliation errors in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia: admission discrepancies and risk factors

Background: Medication reconciliation is a major component of safe patient care. One of the main problems in the implementation of a medication reconciliation process is the lack of human resources. With limited resources, it is better to target medication reconciliation resources to patients who will derive the most benefit from it. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the frequency and types of medication reconciliation errors identified by pharmacists performing medication reconciliation at admission. Each medication error was rated for its potential to cause patient harm during hospitalization. A secondary objective was to determine risk factors associated with medication reconciliation errors. Methods: This was a prospective, single-center pilot study conducted in the internal medicine and surgical wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A clinical pharmacist took the best possible medication history of patients admitted to medical and surgical services and compared with the medication orders at hospital admission; any identified discrepancies were noted and analyzed for reconciliation errors. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the risk factors related to reconciliation errors. Results: A total of 328 patients (138 in surgical and 198 in medical) were included in the study. For the 1419 medications recorded, 1091 discrepancies were discovered out of which 491 (41.6%) were reconciliation errors. The errors affected 177 patients (54%). The incidence of reconciliation errors in the medical patient group was 25.1% and 32.0% in the surgical group (p<0.001). In both groups, the most frequent reconciliation error was the omission (43.5% and 51.2%). Lipid-lowering (12.4%) and antihypertensive agents were most commonly involved. If undetected, 43.6% of order errors were rated as potentially requiring increased monitoring or intervention to preclude harm; 17.7% were rated as potentially harmful. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that patients aged ≥65 years, polypharmacy, and prescriptions for hypoglycemic drugs and warfarin were more likely associated with reconciliation errors. Conclusion: There is a high failure rate in medication reconciliation process in patients admitted to the medical and surgical department. The reconciliation process proves to be a useful tool since nearly half of avoided reconciliation errors were unintentional and had the potential for harm. This strategy, based on our results and the difficulty of applying the process to all patients should be directed primarily to the patients at increased risk of error (AU)

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