Awareness of First-Aid Management of Epistaxis Among Individuals in Al-Ahsa Region.

Introduction Epistaxis is among the most common emergencies in the Ear, Nose, and Throat department. The vast majority of these patients are treated with basic first-aid management. Our study aims to assess the awareness of first­aid management of epistaxis among individuals in the Al-Ahsa region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the male and female population in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, during March 2023, and it included all participants available at the time of the study. All the data were obtained using an online questionnaire. Results The study included 385 participants; 213 (55.3%) were females and 172 (44.7%) were males. Based on the correlation between our variables, 235 (61%) of the participants had a good awareness score while only 150 (39%) had a poor score. Our findings show that 113 (65.7%) of males had a good level of awareness and 122 (57.3%) of females had a good level of awareness regarding epistaxis. Participants who had gone through an experience of the treatment of any patients with epistaxis had better awareness about first-aid management of epistaxis than participants who had never gone through the experience. Conclusion The knowledge and awareness regarding first-aid management of epistaxis among the general population was satisfactory. However, we should increase the level of knowledge of individuals who did not treat any people with epistaxis because there are many cases of epistaxis in Al-Ahsa However, more integrated educational materials should be available to the general population to improve their overall knowledge. Social campaigns in public areas will enhance the level of knowledge regarding epistaxis management among the general population.

The Psychosocial Impact of Lower Limb Amputation on Patients and Caregivers.

Introduction The impact of amputation on patients' social and psychological well-being has been demonstrated. However, the experiences and requirements of amputees during the adjustment phase vary between amputees. Methods This study aimed to assess how amputation affects psychosocial life and the quality of life (QOL) in the amputees, the psychosocial processes involved in adjusting to amputation and a prosthesis, and the burden of amputees on caregivers in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was placed from November 2021 to February 2022, and it included all amputees and caregivers available at the time of the study. Result A total of 239 amputees and 219 caregivers were included in the study. The average level of the physical component score (PCS) was 63.5% ± 14.6% and 57.3% ± 12.9% for the mental component score (MCS). There is a significant positive correlation between psychological adjustment total and satisfaction with prosthesis with PCS and MCS dimension of QOL. Considering the QOL, PCS mean score was significantly higher among prosthetics users than among non-users (68.2 ± 15.5 vs. 59.9 ± 12.8, respectively; P=.001). Also, the MCS score was significantly higher among prosthetics users than among non-users (59.5 ± 12.4 vs. 55.5 ± 13.0, respectively; P=.001). A total of 15.1% of caregivers experienced a high burden, while 23.3% had a mild to moderate burden, but 61.6% had no or little burden.  Conclusion Our finding shows there are correlations between psychological adjustment total and satisfaction with prosthesis with PCS and MCS dimension of QOL. The findings emphasize the importance of psychological and social support to be considered in caregivers' health assessments. Also, the physical health of the caregivers should be fundamental in their lives as it minifies the caregiver burden. Further studies should be considered with a larger sample of amputees and longitudinal studies to evaluate the adaptation changes over time, caregiving burden, and family functioning.

Predictors of survival from Acinetobacter in Saudi Arabian intensive care units: A prospective, one-year, six-city, ten-center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is a continuously-emerging worldwide health crisis, with mortality rates approaching 50% in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate regional, patient-related, and organism-related predictors of survival among critically-ill patients with confirmed Acinetobacter infection. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted within ten ICUs across six geographically- and climatologically-distinct cities across Saudi Arabia over 13 months. RESULTS: Of 169 patients with confirmed Acinetobacter infection enrolled in the study, 80 (47.6%) died. Survivors were statistically younger, predominantly male, more likely to be admitted for trauma, less likely to have hypertension, diabetes, or have undergone hemodialysis, and more likely to have been treated with antibiotics prior to having a positive culture for Acinetobacter, but less likely to have received an aminoglycoside. Survivors also had lower baseline APACHE II and SOFA scores and were infected with stains of Acinetobacter that had less meropenem- or colistin-resistance. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent predictors of survival: younger age, lower ICU-day#1 APACHE-II and ICU-day#3 SOFA scores, being admitted for trauma, and having no history of hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-related factors outweigh regional and hospital-related factors as predictors of survival among critically-ill patients with Acinetobacter infection.

Incidence, outcomes, and predictors of Acinetobacter infection in Saudi Arabian critical care units.

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter is an increasingly-problematic organism, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). In this study, we compared its incidence, outcomes, and predictors spanning eight ICUs in five geographically and climatologically-diverse cities in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Geographic, climatologic, hospital-related, and patient-related factors were collected prospectively on 3179 patients admitted to eight Saudi ICUs from June 2018 through June 2019. These data then underwent both bivariable and multivariable analysis, the latter vis hierarchical logistic regression to identify predictors of clinically-manifest Acinetobacter infection. RESULTS: Overall incidence of Acinetobacter infection was 3.9% (n = 124). Of these 124 infections, 122 (98.4%) were cultured as A. baumannii. Incidence ranged from 1.0 to 7.9% across the eight ICUs. On bivariable analysis, incident Acinetobacter infection was more common in university and military hospitals, in hospitals with more total beds and ICU isolation rooms, and in 2018 versus 2019, incidence steadily declining over the 13 study months. Mechanically-ventilated patients had ten-fold increased odds of infection. Adjusted (multivariable) analysis revealed the risk of clinically-manifest Acinetobacter infection to increase the longer patients were on mechanical ventilation. Increased risk also existed at certain hospitals over others, especially in university-affiliated and military hospitals, larger hospitals with more isolation rooms, and hospitals with fewer ICU beds. CONCLUSION: In our study of eight ICUs across Saudi Arabia, inter-hospital differences did appear to account for inter-hospital differences in Acinetobacter incidence rates. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation for longer periods of time were particularly at risk.