Effect of physical activity goals on aerobic physical activity: testing the mediating role of external and internal motivation.

Prior work has shown that primary care patients endorse one or more of the following PA goals, weight maintenance, overall benefits, stress reduction, weight loss, tone/body shape, overall well-being, cardiovascular fitness, and increased energy. Using self-determination theory as a guide, the present study tested whether these eight goals had indirect effects on likelihood of meeting aerobic PA guidelines through internal motivation, external motivation or both. Patients (N = 642; 60.7% female; 44.5% Black; Mage = 50.26 years) were recruited from the waiting room of a primary care clinic to complete a questionnaire. Results showed that PA goals of tone/shape, weight maintenance, and stress reduction had dual, opposing influences on likelihood of meeting aerobic PA guidelines via internal and external motivation. The goal of weight loss had a negative indirect effect on likelihood of meeting guidelines via external motivation. The PA goals of overall health benefits and cardiovascular health had singular, positive indirect effects on PA via internal motivation. Well-being had a direct positive effect on PA and a negative indirect effect via external motivation. Finally, the goal of improved energy had a direct positive effect on likelihood to meet PA guidelines. Implications for clinical practice and theory development are discussed.

The Effect of a Vegan Diet on the Health Indicators and Outcomes of P atients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Recently, there has been a notable increase in interest in various forms of vegetarianism, which may be due to the growing prevalence of health issues, such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Adhering to a vegan diet may have positive health outcomes. As a result, we conducted a review article to gather data from previous research studies on the effects of a vegan diet on different aspects of managing patients with T2DM. METHODS: We searched the PubMed website for research studies on how a vegan diet affects the outcomes of patients with T2DM. The research studies were categorized according to the type of data collected, such as prevalence, incidence, body weight, insulin resistance, glycemic control, and lipid profile. RESULTS: It was found that following a vegetarian diet can significantly reduce the risk of mortality from heart disease. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that a vegetarian diet is linked to several improvements in T2DM. However, long-term weight loss plans and managing T2DM is a comprehensive intervention that includes caloric restriction, exercise, and behavioral modification. CONCLUSION: Incorporating a vegan diet can be a valuable factor to consider in managing T2DM, as it can offer numerous benefits, such as increased insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and reduced blood sugar levels. It helps to reduce cholesterol levels, LDL, and triglyceride levels, which are all risk factors associated with T2DM. By reducing these risk factors, the vegan diet can improve the overall health of T2DM patients.

Healthcare Workers' Assessment of a Visual Triage System (VTS).

Overcrowding and extended waiting times in the emergency department (ED) can pose a significant risk of COVID-19 transmission from patients to healthy individuals. In 2017, the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) introduced a visual triage system (VTS) with scoring to notify healthcare workers (HCWs) in EDs about the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection risk. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the MOH employed a VTS to classify patients according to their potential risk of COVID-19 infection upon their admission to the ED. Suspected patients were then directed along specific pathways to reduce their contact with healthy individuals. This study assessed HCWs' satisfaction with the VTS in the ED of two major government hospitals within the Riyadh region. Additionally, it assessed HCWs' perceptions of VTS effectiveness. This study used a cross-sectional, observational design and relied on surveys for data collection. A total of 127 participants completed the survey, of which 87 (68.5%) were based in the EDs of the two hospitals. Among the ED participants, 18.1% expressed satisfaction with the VTS, 46.4% were neutral, and 33.1% reported dissatisfaction. ED participants provided feedback on the system's effectiveness, with 24.1% finding it effective, 66.7% considering it somewhat effective, and 9.2% deeming it ineffective. Of the total (127) study participants (70.1%) reported that the HCWs required better training to effectively implement the VTS infection control plans for suspected cases. Fewer than half of the participants (35.4%) deemed the time spent by VTS personnel to identify COVID-19 cases to be reasonable, whereas 22% found it too short and 27.6% considered it too long. Of the total 127 participants, 63% reported that language differences between patients and HCWs constituted barriers to the effective application of the VTS. Our study findings indicated that most ED participants had a neutral outlook on their satisfaction with the VTS and a neutral perspective on the effectiveness of VTS, viewing it as only somewhat effective. Reported weaknesses and key obstacles to the successful implementation of the VTS included language barriers. and insufficient training for HCWs, and unclear VTS pathways. The reported strengths of the VTS included its effectiveness in reducing crowds and identification of COVID-19 patients.

Favipiravir and Hydroxychloroquine Combination Therapy in Patients with Moderate to Severe COVID-19 (FACCT Trial): An Open-Label, Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Antiviral drugs have shown limited effectiveness in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to assess the effects of a favipiravir and hydroxychloroquine combination on treating moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients. METHODS: An investigator-initiated, multicenter, open-label, randomized trial at nine hospitals. Eligible patients were adults with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 defined as oxygen saturation (SaO2) of ≤ 94% while breathing ambient air or significant clinical symptoms with chest x-ray changes requiring hospital admission. Randomization was in a 1:1 ratio to receive standard care (control group) or standard care plus favipiravir and hydroxychloroquine. The primary outcome was time to clinical improvement of two points (from the status at randomization) on a seven-category ordinal scale or live discharge from the hospital within 14 days. Analyses were done in an intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: From May 2020 to Jan 2021, 254 patients were enrolled; 129 were assigned to standard of care and 125 to the treatment. The mean age was 52 (± 13) years, and 103 (41%) were women. At randomization, six patients were on invasive mechanical ventilation, 229 (90.15%) were requiring supplemental oxygen only (with or without non-invasive ventilation), and 19 (7.48%) were receiving neither. The time to clinical improvement was not significantly different between the groups: median of 9 days in the treatment group and 7 days in the control group (HR: 0.845; 95% CI 0.617-1.157; p-value = 0.29). The 28-day mortality was not significantly different between the groups (7.63% treatment) vs. (10.32% control); p-value = 0.45. The most prevalent adverse events were headache, elevation in ALT, and the prolonged QTc interval in the treatment group. CONCLUSION: The combination of favipiravir and hydroxychloroquine did not result in a statistically significant clinical benefit in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04392973).

Knowledge and attitude about emergency contraception among Saudi women of childbearing age.

CONTEXT: Emergency contraception (EC) use is rare in Saudi Arabia. AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of EC among Saudi women of childbearing age. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study using a survey questionnaire tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of married women of childbearing age (18-45 years) attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January and April 2018. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Pearson's Chi-square test is used for this study. RESULTS: This study included 370 of 525 (70.5%) women, with a mean age of 32.3 ± 6.3 years. Of these, 117 (31.6%) knew how to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, and 62 knew about EC. Forty-two women (67.7%) thought EC should be widely advertised, and 30 (48.4%) thought it should be made available even without prescription. Forty-seven women (75.8%) said that they were not shy to ask for EC, and 37 (59.7%) claimed that both partners should decide about the use of EC. The most common reason for not using EC was medical concerns (n = 30, 48.4%). Thirty three (53.2%) of the 62 women with knowledge about EC would use it immediately after sex. Knowledge, awareness, and use of EC were significantly correlated with higher monthly income, educated women, having three or more children, and working women. CONCLUSIONS: Among Saudi women, knowledge, awareness, and use of EC remain low, although a positive attitude for future use of EC exists. Health information campaigns are necessary to reach women, particularly those of low socioeconomic status, less educated women, and housewives to explain EC, its availability, and its proper use.

Attitudes and acceptance of the Saudi population toward cosmetic surgeries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

CONTEXT: Public awareness regarding cosmetic surgery. AIMS: To assess the attitudes and acceptance of cosmetic surgery among patients in a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Single-center, cross-sectional study in the family medicine department at our institution. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Data were collected from 389 patients (age 15-50, 29.37 ± 9.25 years, male: female = 139:250) using the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS) modified for Arabic speakers. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SPSS 22 statistical package. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five (47.6%) patients were willing to undergo minor cosmetic surgery, whereas 144 (37.1%) were not. Additionally, 237 (60.9%) patients agreed that cosmetic surgery is good because it can help people feel better about themselves, whereas104 (26.8%) patients disagreed. Robust Cronbach α values were observed among all ACSS scales. Mean significant (P = 0.002) differences were observed between gender and the intrapersonal scale scores. The average intrapersonal scale score was greater among female patients (22.48 vs. 19.29). Similarly, the mean consider scale scores among female patients (20.92 vs. 17.45; P = 0.001). Mean significant (P = 0.001) differences were also observed between education and the intrapersonal scale. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal important information regarding the acceptance of and attitudes toward cosmetic surgery in Saudi Arabia. There is an urgent need for regulatory intervention to ensure patient safety and satisfaction.