Diabetes-related lower limb wounds: Antibiotic susceptibility pattern and biofilm formation.

The expeditious incidence of diabetes mellitus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, there is a significant increase in the total number of people with diabetic foot ulcers. For diabetic lower limb wound infections (DLWs) to be effectively treated, information on the prevalence of bacteria that cause in this region as well as their patterns of antibiotic resistance is significant. Growing evidence indicates that biofilm formers are present in chronic DFU and that these biofilm formers promote the emergence of multi-drug antibiotic resistant (MDR) strains and therapeutic rejection. The current study targeted to isolate bacteria from wounds caused by diabetes specifically at hospitals in Riyadh and assess the bacterium's resistance to antibiotics and propensity to develop biofilms. Totally 63 pathogenic microbes were identified from 70 patients suffering from DFU. Sixteen (25.4%) of the 63 bacterial strains were gram-positive, and 47 (74.6%) were gram-negative. Most of the gram-negative bacteria were resistant to tigecycline, nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefalotin, and cefoxitin. Several gram-negative bacteria are susceptible to piperacillin, meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim. The most significant antibiotic that demonstrated 100% susceptibility to all pathogens was meropenem. Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus aureus were shown to have significant biofilm formers. MDR bacterial strains comprised about 87.5% of the biofilm former strains. To the best of our knowledge, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is the first region where Serratia marcescens was the most common bacteria from DFU infections. Our research findings would deliver information on evidence-based alternative strategies to develop effective treatment approaches for DFU treatment.

Scrotal pain as a novel symptom of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): Report from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A previously healthy child, presented with severe abdominal and scrotal pain with scrotal swelling for five days. There was associated fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. There was history of COVID-19 infection in the previous month. The patient was febrile (39°C), and in pain. His other vitals were unremarkable. Testicular torsion and appendicitis were ruled out by ultrasound. Abdominal CT scan showed signs indicating terminal ileitis. His MIS-C panel revealed elevated inflammatory markers and cardiac enzymes and positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels. All cultures and RT-PCR COVID-19 were negative. Echocardiogram showed only minor mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. The patient was diagnosed as a case of MIS-C. and recovered completely on management. Our patient showed an inexplicable previously unreported complaint of scrotal pain and swelling as a symptom of MIS-c. Further research tackling MIS-C's different presentations and comparing the efficacy of the different treatment methods will help us better manage this disease.

Parental levels of stress managing a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Riyadh: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Caring for a child with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) pose a significant burden on parents especially when they struggle with their child's T1D management. The experience of not coping or struggling to cope increases the level of stress in parents, which may adversely affect their child's diabetic control (Al Dubayee et al, Horm Res Paediatr 88:2019). In this study, we assessed the level of stress parents experience in caring for a child diagnosed with T1D in four different domains. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in two specialized diabetic centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February to May 2015 (Al Dubayee et al, Horm Res Paediatr 88:2019). We used an Arabic translation of the validated Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP) questionnaire. The frequency and perceived difficulty of stressful events were rated by interviewing parents caring for children with T1D using two 5-point Likert scales. RESULTS: The sample realized as 390 parents. The level of stress increased in separated and unemployed parents. The frequency (mean 64.9/210, SD 7.529) and difficulty (mean 65.3/210, SD 9.448) indices of the parental level of stress were compared with variables possibly associated with stress. Both of the frequency difficulty indices correlated with the marital status, the father's level of education and occupation as well as HbA1c level (P-value < 0.05). In addition, the frequency index correlated with the frequency of hypoglycemia and the difficulty index correlated with the number of children in the family (P-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Parents of children with T1D in Riyadh experience a significant level of stress that may affect the child's glycemic control (Al Dubayee et al, Horm Res Paediatr 88:2019). Assessing the level of stress and providing support for these families has the potential to improve the clinical outcome.

Helicobacter Pylori infection among dyspepsia patients in suburbs of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the current prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among Dyspepsia patients and correlate this with Endoscopic findings. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive facility-based study was conducted from June to December 2017 to estimate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among dyspepsia patients from Majmaah, Sudair, Zulfi and Shaqra areas of Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. Four years data from January 2012 to December 2016 were reviewd by a checklist and analyzed by SPSS. RESULTS: Out of 1398 dyspepsia patients, 485 (34.7%) were positive and 913 (65.3%) were negative for H-Pylori infection. Majority of patients 1143 (81.7%) had gastritis, out of which, 457 (39.9%) of gastritis patients were H-pylori positive. The frequency of H-pylori infection was significantly higher among patients with gastritis (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of H-pylori infection among patients with erosion, ulcer, polyp and cancer (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of H.Pylori was low as compared to other governorates in the kingdom and regional countries. Gastritis was dominating finding on upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.

Transmissibility of MERS-CoV Infection in Closed Setting, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2015.

To investigate a cluster of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) cases in a women-only dormitory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2015, we collected epidemiologic information, nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab samples, and blood samples from 828 residents during November 2015 and December 2015-January 2016. We found confirmed infection for 19 (8 by reverse transcription PCR and 11 by serologic testing). Infection attack rates varied (2.7%-32.3%) by dormitory building. No deaths occurred. Independent risk factors for infection were direct contact with a confirmed case-patient and sharing a room with a confirmed case-patient; a protective factor was having an air conditioner in the bedroom. For 9 women from whom a second serum sample was collected, antibodies remained detectable at titers >1:20 by pseudoparticle neutralization tests (n = 8) and 90% plaque-reduction neutralization tests (n = 2). In closed high-contact settings, MERS coronavirus was highly infectious and pathogenicity was relatively low.

Improving patient safety culture in Saudi Arabia (2012-2015): trending, improvement and benchmarking.

BACKGROUND: Measuring patient safety culture can provide insight into areas for improvement and help monitor changes over time. This study details the findings of a re-assessment of patient safety culture in a multi-site Medical City in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Results were compared to an earlier assessment conducted in 2012 and benchmarked with regional and international studies. Such assessments can provide hospital leadership with insight on how their hospital is performing on patient safety culture composites as a result of quality improvement plans. This paper also explored the association between patient safety culture predictors and patient safety grade, perception of patient safety, frequency of events reported and number of events reported. METHODS: We utilized a customized version of the patient safety culture survey developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The Medical City is a tertiary care teaching facility composed of two sites (total capacity of 904 beds). Data was analyzed using SPSS 24 at a significance level of 0.05. A t-Test was used to compare results from the 2012 survey to that conducted in 2015. Two adopted Generalized Estimating Equations in addition to two linear models were used to assess the association between composites and patient safety culture outcomes. Results were also benchmarked against similar initiatives in Lebanon, Palestine and USA. RESULTS: Areas of strength in 2015 included Teamwork within units, and Organizational Learning-Continuous Improvement; areas requiring improvement included Non-Punitive Response to Error, and Staffing. Comparing results to the 2012 survey revealed improvement on some areas but non-punitive response to error and Staffing remained the lowest scoring composites in 2015. Regression highlighted significant association between managerial support, organizational learning and feedback and improved survey outcomes. Comparison to international benchmarks revealed that the hospital is performing at or better than benchmark on several composites. CONCLUSION: The Medical City has made significant progress on several of the patient safety culture composites despite still having areas requiring additional improvement. Patient safety culture outcomes are evidently linked to better performance on specific composites. While results are comparable with regional and international benchmarks, findings confirm that regular assessment can allow hospitals to better understand and visualize changes in their performance and identify additional areas for improvement.

Antibiotics and over the counter medication use and its correlates among Arab pregnant women visiting a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The use of over the counter medications (OTCMs) is a common practice globally. OTCMs are of special concern among pregnant women as they pose risk to the mother and fetus. The objective was to assess the use of OTCMs by pregnant woman, and factors associated with it. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, using a structured self-administrated questionnaire was conducted at the obstetric and antenatal clinics at King Khalid University hospital, Riyadh. 354 pregnant women were surveyed. RESULT: About 32% of the study participants used OTCMs without prescription at least once during their last pregnancy. The most commonly used OTCM was Paracetamol (22%). Pharmacists were the main source of knowledge (53%) for the participants. Correct knowledge regarding the drugs was associated with the usage of OTCM drug. CONCLUSION: Use of OTCMs and antibiotics during pregnancy is a common practice among Saudi pregnant women. General awareness regarding OTCMs use during pregnancy without prescription needs to be raised in the community. Pharmacists and media can help in providing accurate knowledge.

Satisfaction of Patients Attending in Primary Healthcare Centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Random Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aims to determine the level of satisfaction of patients who visit primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The investigation was a cross-sectional study conducted in twenty randomly selected primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from October to December 2014. A descriptive data analysis was performed. Eligible participants had visited at least one of the selected primary healthcare centers within the past 12 months. A total of 1741 participants completed the survey, providing a response rate of 87 % (43 % male, 57 % female). The highest satisfaction rates were in the following areas: comprehensiveness and coordination 76.2 % (95 % CI 74.8 ± 77.5), communication 72.7 % (95 % CI 71.3 ± 74) and attitude of staff 73.4 % (95 % CI 72.1 ± 74.8) The areas of greatest concern expressed by the participants were the length of the wait and the quality of the facility 55.4 % (95 % CI 53.3 ± 57.5), 50.5 % (95 % CI 48.3 ± 52.7), respectively. The majority of the patients attending primary healthcare centers in Riyadh showed high levels of satisfaction; however, there are still some factors that need to be considered and improved upon. These include the accessibility of primary healthcare centers as well as waiting time of patients. The results of the current study showed relative improvement in other factors such as comprehensiveness and coordination, communication and attitude of staff. The level of satisfaction of patients and stakeholders shows the progress of the quality of care in healthcare facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Epidemiology of 11 respiratory RNA viruses in a cohort of hospitalized children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Respiratory tract infections are a principal cause of illness and mortality in children worldwide and mostly caused by viruses. In this study, the epidemiology of 11 respiratory RNA viruses was investigated in a cohort of hospitalized children at a tertiary referral center in Riyadh from February 2008 to March 2009 using conventional and real-time monoplex RT-PCR assays. Among 174 nasopharyngeal aspirates, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was detected in 39 samples (22.41%), influenza A virus in 34 (19.54%), metapneumovirus (MPV) in 19 (10.92%), coronaviruses in 14 (8.05%), and parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) in 11 (6.32%). RSV, PIVs and coronaviruses were most prevalent in infants less than 6 months old, whereas MPV and influenza A virus were more prominent in children aged 7-24 and 25-60 months, respectively. The majority of the viruses were identified during winter with two peaks observed in March 2008 and January 2009. The presented data warrants further investigation to understand the epidemiology of respiratory viruses in Saudi Arabia on spatial and temporal basis.

Two years' experience of implementing molecular screening of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus 1, 2 in Riyadh blood donors.

Molecular screening technologies have improved blood safety by reducing the number of window-period transmissions relative to serological screening. In the two years following the introduction of molecular testing in King Khalid University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, 25,920 donor samples were screened in parallel by both serological and molecular techniques for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). No HCV or HIV NAT yields were detected. However, molecular screening enabled the interdiction of two confirmed HBV NAT yields. This is only the second report of confirmed HBV NAT yield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and amongst the few reports in the wider Middle East and North Africa region.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of pediatricians and pharmacists in Riyadh City toward the use of sugar free medications.

OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pediatricians and pharmacists about sugar free medications (SFMs) and their impact on oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Self-administered close ended questionnaire was handed out to all pediatricians and pharmacists in five tertiary hospitals in Riyadh (King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud Medical City, King Fahad Medical City, Prince Sultan Medical Military City, Security Forces Hospital) to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice concerning SFMs. RESULTS: Eighty-five pediatricians and 77 pharmacists participated in this study. The results showed that pediatricians and pharmacists have a good knowledge, but negative attitude toward SFMs. Only (5.9%) of pediatricians had formal undergraduate training which is significantly lower than pharmacists (15.6%) (p = 0.04). One-third of pediatricans and pharmacists prescribe or dispense SFMs. The most influencing factors toward prescription (pediatrician) of SFMs was the medical status of the patient (70.6%), while the most influencing factor of dispensing (pharmacists) SFMs was the availability in the pharmacy (64.9%). Two-third of pediatricians (67%) guide the parents about the risk associated with sugar-containing medications (SCMs) which is significantly higher than pharmacists (p < 0.0001). Also, 53% of pediatricians recommend oral hygiene instructions when prescribing SCMs which is also significantly higher than pharmacists (p = 0.0 02). CONCLUSION: There is a considerable knowledge about SFMs and its impact on dental caries, among pediatricians and pharmacists participated in this study. However, their attitude toward prescribing or dispensing SFMs was not positive and may be linked to the gap in knowledge. Further training and education of healthcare providers regarding the use of SFMs and its negative impact on dental caries has to be reiterated.

Community pharmacists' knowledge, behaviors and experiences about adverse drug reaction reporting in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess community pharmacists' knowledge, behaviors and experiences relating to Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated self-administered questionnaire. A convenience sample of 147 community pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: The questionnaire was distributed to 147 pharmacists, of whom 104 responded to the survey, a 70.7% response rate. The mean age of participants was 29 years. The majority (n = 101, 98.1%) had graduated with a bachelorette degree and worked in chain pharmacies (n = 68, 66.7%). Only 23 (22.1%) said they were familiar with the ADR reporting process, and only 21 (20.2%) knew that pharmacists can submit ADR reports online. The majority of the participants (n = 90, 86.5%) had never reported ADRs. Reasons for not reporting ADRs most importantly included lack of awareness about the method of reporting (n = 22, 45.9%), misconception that reporting ADRs is the duty of physician and hospital pharmacist (n = 8, 16.6%) and ADRs in community pharmacies are simple and should not be reported (n = 8, 16.6%). The most common approach perceived by community pharmacists for managing patients suffering from ADRs was to refer him/her to a physician (n = 80, 76.9%). CONCLUSION: The majority of community pharmacists in Riyadh have poor knowledge of the ADR reporting process. Pharmacovigilance authorities should take necessary steps to urgently design interventional programs in order to increase the knowledge and awareness of pharmacists regarding the ADR reporting process.

Coping strategies for stress used by adolescent girls in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: Secondary school girls, ages 15 - 19 yrs were surveyed to find out the coping strategies they used when stressed. Adolescents, who are affected with stress and depression early in life, suffer from depression throughout their lives especially if they are utilizing improper ways to cope with it. METHODS: A cross sectional school based survey among 1028 adolescent girls was conducted among the secondary schools in Riyadh city,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: About 25% stated that they cry, 19% listen to music, 15% start eating a lot, 12% sit alone/isolate themselves, 11% pray/read the Quran, 10% get into a verbal argument or a fight. Only a few, 3% exercise, and 2% stated that they find someone to discuss and talk to. CONCLUSION: Majority of the adolescent girls in our survey, rely on emotion related coping mechanisms rather than problem solving mechanisms. This can cause long term implications in these adolescents as there is an increased probability to develop depression later on in life. Policy makers need to implement strategies for early identification of stress and depression. Talking to friends and family can serve as an effective way to cope with stress.

Exploring the Enigmatic Link: Unraveling the Relationship Between Obesity and Cigarette Smoking Among Diverse College Students at Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat. This medical condition frequently results in a high BMI and an increased risk of a variety of health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. Cigarette smoking includes inhaling smoke created by the combustion of tobacco. It is linked to a variety of health issues, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory ailments, and is a primary cause of preventable disease and premature death worldwide. The association between obesity and cigarette smoking is complex and incompletely understood. This study aims to investigate the intriguing association between obesity and cigarette smoking among diverse college students at Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted as an observational study, specifically an analytical cross-sectional study, to measure the prevalence of cigarette smoking and obesity and their association. This type of study is chosen because of its advantages including targeting a large sample in a short time and inexpensive way, with no loss to follow-up, unlike some other study designs. RESULTS: In this study, we were able to collect data from 603 participants, of which 57.4% were male and 67.8% of them aged between 20 and 24 years old. Moreover, we found that 39.6% had normal weight; however, the prevalence of obesity, overweight, and underweight were 24%, 28.1%, and 8.3%, respectively. Considering the prevalence of smoking, we found that 22.6% of the participants reported being current smokers, while 5.3% were former smokers. There is a significant difference between participants with different BMIs (P=0.001). The prevalence of smoking was significantly higher in obese and overweighted participants (35.1% and 31.3%, respectively) compared with 28.4% in normal-weighted participants. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smoking and obesity in this study was significantly higher than reported in different studies. Moreover, we found a significant relationship between smoking and obesity; however, further investigation should be conducted to determine the cause of this relationship.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Diabetic Retinopathy among Final-Year Medical Students in Riyadh.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, knowledge, and attitude on diabetic retinopathy of final-year medical students and the association of knowledge, attitude, and practice with the gender of medical students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The initial part of the questionnaire included demographic details, while the remaining parts of the questionnaire included six questions on knowledge, four on attitude, and three on practice. IBM SPSS Statistics 24 was used to retrieve and analyze data from an Excel file. A P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Of 84 medical students, 51 (60.71%) and 33 (39.19%) were male and female medical students, respectively. The total knowledge score for male and female medical students was 4.28 (SD = 0.92). The majority of students correctly answered practice questions, indicating good significant practice toward diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients with A score of 1.93 (SD = 0.83). Conclusion: The majority of final-year medical students were good in knowledge and practice toward prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, which helps them become better future care providers for patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

Knowledge and Attitude of Patients Attending Primary Health Care (PHC) or Family Medicine Clinics About Periodic Health Assessment.

Background This study assesses the awareness and perceptions of periodic health assessments (PHA) among patients at primary health care (PHC) and family medicine clinics. Despite PHC's importance in preventive health, previous research indicates a significant gap in the public's knowledge and routine practice of PHA, potentially affected by various demographic factors. Materials & methods A cross-sectional approach was employed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with data gathered via self-administered questionnaires from 382 participants. The survey focused on socio-demographic information, knowledge about PHA, and attitudes towards it. Statistical analysis explored the influence of demographic and clinical factors on individuals' knowledge and attitudes. Results Findings showed that 300 (78.5%) participants had engaged in routine medical examinations, displaying substantial knowledge of PHA. Nevertheless, issues like healthcare accessibility and provider availability were identified as the major barriers, affecting 125 (32.7%) and 84 (22%) participants, respectively. The overall attitude towards PHA was positive, especially among individuals with chronic conditions, emphasizing its perceived benefits in health management. Conclusion The research underscores a generally positive attitude and fair knowledge level regarding PHA among the studied population, alongside significant barriers to participation. Targeted interventions that address these barriers and capitalize on the positive attitudes may enhance PHA uptake, promoting better health outcomes. This study contributes to the understanding of public engagement with PHA, offering insights for improving health promotion and disease prevention strategies.

The Prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Its Predictors in the First Six Months of Life Among Working Mothers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations are early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of infants' lives. Despite the WHO and UNICEF recommendations and expanding evidence of the significance of exclusive breastfeeding, about two-thirds of infants worldwide have not received exclusive breastfeeding for the six recommended months. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of working mothers exclusively breastfeeding in the first six months of infants' lives and investigate their predictors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted for four months in 2022. The study included working mothers who have a child in the age range of 6-24 months living in Riyadh. Data was collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) program. Results A sample of 118 participants were included in the study. Their prevalence for EBF practice for the recommended period is 28% (n=33). Around 58.5% (n=69) of the participants did not receive breastfeeding counseling during antenatal visits. Almost half the infants were given prelacteal feeding. Male infants are two times more likely to be exclusively breastfed for the recommended period than female infants. Work-related pressures were a key factor in the discontinuation of breastfeeding (53.4%, n=63). Conclusion This study highlights the lack of breastfeeding counseling and breastfeeding work regulation, alongside concerns about colostrum avoidance and prelacteal feeding. While EBF rates show progress, delayed initiation and work-related pressures remain challenges. Gender disparity in exclusive breastfeeding urges targeted interventions for more equitable outcomes.

The epidemiological and clinicopathological features of breast cancer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the epidemiological and clinicopathological features of breast cancer (BC) in Saudi Arabia to improve decisions regarding resource allocation, disease control, and management. METHODS: We retrieved the records of all patients who presented with histologically proven BC at King Fahad Medical City between 2019 and 2020. The data were analyzed quantitatively, and the results were expressed as percentages and frequencies. RESULTS: This study comprised 419 patients. The mean age was 50.13 (± 10.96) years. The majority of the patients were obese (56.6%), and approximately a quarter had a history of oral contraceptive pill use, breast biopsy, or an affected family member. Most cases were from the central region (80.1%), followed by the southern provinces (12.7%). Breast lumps were the most common complaint (89%), whereas hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common pathologic type (89.7%). Most patients presented with TNM stages II and III (55.2%), and 27.7% had metastasis. The main therapeutic modalities included radical mastectomy (63.8%), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (60.4%), and adjuvant radiotherapy (82.9%). CONCLUSION: In Saudi Arabia, a trend of BC incidence migration towards older patients may be ensuing. However, prediction of an advanced and aggressive presentation requires the enhancement of screening programs and standardized protocols for disease management.

Client's perception toward services of smoking cessation clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: In Saudi Arabia, approximately 70,000 deaths yearly occur from diseases caused by smoking. Assessing patients' smoking behavior in primary care has apparent benefits. Assisting patients with smoking cessation is one of the essential roles of primary care. This study evaluated the quality of smoking cessation clinic counseling in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, based on customer opinions of such services. Methods: This research employed a cross-sectional approach involving individuals attending smoking cessation clinics located within primary health care centers in Riyadh city. The participants were chosen through random selection. They were informed about the study's objectives, and those who consented to take part were contacted and provided with an online questionnaire to complete. Results: A total of 340 subjects participated (95.6%) of them were males, and 41.2% were in the age group of 25 to 35 years old. The common modality of tobacco use was cigarettes (82.6%), and 87.9% reported consuming tobacco daily. The mean (±SD) total score of the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence was 5.03 (±2.36), and the highest percentage (44.4%) of the participants had a moderate level of nicotine dependence. The vast majority (93.8%) of the participants had former quitting experiences. Half (50.9%) of the participants showed complete satisfaction with the cessation clinics, while 13.2% and 9.1% of them were not satisfied or slightly satisfied, respectively. Conclusion: The majority of smoking cessation clinic visitors were satisfied with the services provided, exceeding three-quarters of them, with half totally satisfied.

Investigation of Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices of Glaucoma in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Background Glaucoma is a group of conditions characterized by progressive irreversible optic neuropathy, intraocular pressure as a modifiable risk factor, and, in many patients, visual field defects. Glaucoma has recently been classified as a neurodegenerative disorder of the optic nerve that results in the loss of retinal ganglion cells. This study evaluated levels of awareness of glaucoma in the general population of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A pre-designed, pre-validated online questionnaire from previous studies was distributed to respondents via online social media platforms. Factors associated with awareness of glaucoma were analyzed statistically. Results Responses were received from 585 participants aged ≥18 years, including 309 (52.8%) men and 276 (47.2%) women. Gender, a diagnosis of glaucoma, a positive family history of glaucoma, and undergoing glaucoma screening were significantly associated with the level of glaucoma knowledge (p < 0.05 each). Age group (p = 0.587) and level of education (p = 0.136) were not significantly associated with the level of glaucoma knowledge. Conclusions The population of Riyadh City exhibited a low level of glaucoma awareness, indicating an urgent need for comprehensive ophthalmic health education initiatives aimed at enhancing public consciousness and awareness of glaucoma risks and complications.