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Introduction: Effective Basic Life Support (BLS) interventions, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), are essential for enhancing survival rates. This review aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of healthcare professionals regarding BLS in Arab countries. Methods: We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE, to identify relevant studies. We included studies performed in Arab countries that included healthcare workers' KAP assessment towards BLS. The meta-analysis was carried out utilizing the OpenMeta Analyst Software, and a subgroup analysis was performed for Nursing staff category. The quality of the included cross-sectional studies was assessed through Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. Results: A total of 18 studies were included in our study, and eight of them entered the analysis. The study showed that 61.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 48.9%, 73.7%, p<0.001) of health care workers were knowledgeable about the correct CPR ratio, and 62.1% (95% CI: 51.7%, 72.5%, p<0.001) answered the location of chest compression correctly. While, only 36.5% (95% CI: 23.5%, 49.6%, p<0.001) had correct answers regarding the compression rate, 48.1% (95% CI: 38.1%, 58.0%, p<0.001) were aware of the compression depth, and 34.8% (95% CI: 22.9%, 46.7%, p<0.001) answered the sequence correctly. Conclusion: The study revealed a gap regarding the BLS KAP of healthcare workers in different Arab countries, which crucially requires taking actions, in terms of frequent certified training sessions, assessments, and clear protocols.
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BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients often require sedation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) to ensure stillness and minimize stress. This meta-analysis compared the effectiveness and safety of 3 sedative agents-dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and chloral hydrate-for pediatric MRI/CT sedation. METHODS: Six studies with a total of 633 patients were included in the analysis. Quality assessment revealed varying levels of bias risk. Dexmedetomidine exhibited a significantly higher successful sedation rate compared to midazolam (risk ratio [RR] = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.29-0.64]), but no statistically significant difference compared to chloral hydrate (RR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.60-1.45]). Chloral hydrate also showed a higher successful sedation rate compared to midazolam (RR = 0.46, 95% CI [0.25-0.83]). The onset of sedation time did not significantly differ between the 3 agents. RESULTS: The dexmedetomidine group had a significantly higher incidence of bradycardia compared to the chloral hydrate group (RR = 0.17, 95% CI [0.05-0.59]), but no significant difference compared to the midazolam group (RR = 0.29, 95% CI [0.06-1.26]). No statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of nausea and vomiting between the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine demonstrates effectiveness in pediatric MRI/CT sedation, offering advantages over midazolam and similar efficacy to chloral hydrate. Careful cardiovascular monitoring is essential during administration, particularly in patients with congenital heart disease. Sublingual and intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine is a viable option with high bioavailability. This meta-analysis contributes valuable insights into refining sedation protocols for pediatric imaging procedures, emphasizing efficacy and safety considerations.
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BACKGROUND: Emergency airway management in resource-limited settings presents multifaceted challenges due to shortages in essential medical resources, healthcare professionals, and infrastructure. METHODS: We conducted a literature search using keywords "Emergency Airway Management" "Low Resource" "Africa" "Asia" from databases such as Pubmed, and Google Scholar, from where we extracted relevant literature for our study. FINDINGS: These limitations resulted in delayed interventions, suboptimal care, and higher complication rates during intubation procedures. However, innovative solutions have emerged to address these challenges, including cost-effective airway management devices and training programs tailored for non-medical personnel. Capacity building and local empowerment are critical components of improving emergency airway management in these settings. Additionally, advocating for policy support and investment in healthcare infrastructure is essential to ensure access to essential equipment and adequate staffing. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing networks among healthcare professionals and organisations are pivotal in disseminating best practices and advancing healthcare delivery in resource-limited regions. CONCLUSION: Future efforts should focus on tailored training programs, rigorous research, innovative device development, telemedicine solutions, sustainable capacity building, and advocacy to enhance emergency airway management in resource-limited settings.