Computer vision syndrome, visual ergonomics and amelioration among staff members in a Saudi medical college.

Objectives. Nearly 60 million people suffer from computer vision syndrome (CVS) globally, resulting in reduced work productivity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CVS, describe the working conditions, visualize ergonomic factors and determine preventive measures application among university staff members. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with university medical staff members using a semi-structured questionnaire that included a validated CVS questionnaire. Results. CVS prevalence was 81.2%. Dryness, headache, feeling that sight is worsening and difficulty in focusing on near vision were the most experienced symptoms. Prevalence of CVS was significantly higher among females (52.3%), those having a higher mean work duration (21.65 ± 7.55 years), those who frequently use a smartphone (84.9%) and those spending most of their screen time during both day and night (87.1%). Visual ergonomics and preventive measures application, such as correct screen level, regular cleaning of the screen, appropriate illumination and use of eye drops, were significantly associated with negative CVS. Conclusions. These results raised attention to the essential need for visual assessment of university staff members for early and proper diagnosis of CVS to minimize its impact on working performance. Accordingly, it is recommended to organize university-based awareness programs regarding CVS for working personnel.

Zamzam water is pathogen-free, uricosuric, hypolipidemic and exerts tissue-protective effects: relieving BBC concerns.

Zamzam water is the most frequently used drinking water by millions of people in Saudi Arabia. It is carried all the time by millions of pilgrims to their home countries as gifts to close and near relatives and friends. Safety of constituents of Zamzam water is a vital health topic. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) raised many health concerns regarding the high serum arsenic and nitrate contents in Zamzam water that may cause cancer. It is role of scientific research to present scientific facts to relieve such concerns. Arsenic is a carcinogen while nitrate causes methemogloinemia that affect oxygen carriage by haemoglobin. An ethical committee approval was obtained. Eighteen white albino mice (40-45 g) were used in this study. Three experimental groups were allocated (six mice per group): tap water group, distilled water group and Zamzam water group. Our data revealed that Zamzam water exerts tissue-protective effects that contradict malignancy. Our data proved that Zamzam water is pathogen-free causing no bacterial growth on CLED agar colonies. Zamzam water consumption for three consecutive months in mice was quite safe for the general health and significantly decreased serum uric acid (p < 0.05) (possibly due to Zamzam-induced urine alkalinisation facilitating uric acid excretion). Regular Zamzam water consumption significantly decreased serum cholesterol (p < 0.05) and serum triglycerides (p < 0.05). Hypolipidemic effects of Zamzam water may be due to its high mineral content facilitating increased lipids metabolism. Our data confirmed safety of prolonged use of Zamzam water comparable to other drinking water types regarding the metabolic and synthetic functions of the liver. Nitrates in Zamzam water are thought to be an original constituent that may be useful (exerting vasodilation, antithrombotic, and immunoregulatory effects) and not harmless. This may occur due to high Zamzam content of calcium, magnesium and selenium. Histologically, our data confirmed that Zamzam water was quite safe to renal parenchyma and comparable to other types of drinking water. In conclusion, health concerns raised by BBC regarding Zamzam water safety were a good chance for fruitful scientific research investigations that confirmed safety and beneficial effects of Zamzam water for human health.

Screening of latent tuberculosis infection among health care workers working in Hajj pilgrimage area in Saudi Arabia, using interferon gamma release assay and tuberculin skin test.

BACKGROUND: Interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) is highly specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is the preferred test in BCG-vaccinated individuals. The few studies that have screened health care workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) using IGRA have varied in agreement with the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST). OBJECTIVE: Assess the prevalence of LTBI among HCWs working in the Hajj pilgrimage using IGRA and TST and measuring their agreement. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prospective. SETTING: Multiple non-tertiary care hospitals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: HCWs who worked during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in December 2015. Data was collected by standarized questionnaire. Samples were drawn and analyzed by standard methods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of LTBI among HCW and the agreement by kappa statistic between QFT-GIT and TST. SAMPLE SIZE: 520 subjects. RESULTS: Nurses accounted for 30.7% of the sample and physicians, 19.2%. The majority were BCG vaccinated (98.5%). There were a total of 56 positive by QFT-GIT and the LTBI rate was 10.8%. In 50 QFT positive/476 TST negative the LTBI rate was 10.5% in discordant tests, and in 6 QFT positive/44 TST positive it was 13.6% in concordant tests. The overall agreement between both tests was poor-83% and kappa was 0.02. LTBI prevalence was associated with longer employment (13.1 [9.2] years). The QFT-GIT positive test was significantly higher in physicians (P=.02) and in HCWs working in chest hospitals 16/76 (21.05%) (P=.001). CONCLUSION: Agreement between the tests was poor. QFT-GIT detected LTBI when TST was negative in HCWs who had a history of close contact with TB patients. LIMITATIONS: A second step TST was not feasible within 2-3 weeks. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Second-Hand Smoking among Intermediate and Secondary School Students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Second-hand smoke (SHS) is an important public health problem worldwide. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SHS exposure and its associated risk factors among intermediate and secondary school students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 among 3400 students from 34 intermediate and secondary schools in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Data about sociodemographic and smoking-related factors and SHS exposure were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 3210 students analyzed, the prevalence of SHS exposure was 32.7% 49.3%, and 25% inside, outside, and both inside and outside the home, respectively. The highest risk of SHS exposure was associated with the adolescent's smoking status, parental smoking, close friends smoking, and family structure. The risk was markedly increased in association with parental smoking for exposure inside the home (OR = 6.49; 95% CI = 5.44-7.73) and with close friends smoking for exposure outside the home (OR = 4.16; 95% CI = 3.54-4.77). The risk of SHS, however, was lower among adolescents having knowledge about smoking and highly educated parents. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a considerably high prevalence of SHS both inside and outside the home among adolescents. Knowledge and beliefs about SHS exposure are the main preventable approach.