Do various personal hygiene habits protect us against influenza-like illness?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported an association between improvements in hand hygiene and the reductions in rates of intestinal parasitic diseases. However, only a some have addressed its link to the frequency of influenza-like illness. The current study aimed to find the correlation between personal hygiene habits and the frequency of influenza-like illness. METHODS: A cross-sectional study targeting 3000 participants conducted in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A systematic random sampling methodology was applied for participant from different part of Riyadh city using a computer generating system. The researcher first started by calling each participant. A full explanation was given to each participant in details (from the purpose of the research, consent to answer the questionnaire, to the explanation of the outcome definition). Each point of the questionnaire was explained to them to make sure they had excellent comprehension, and therefore, respond accurately. Descriptive statistics and Odds Ratio and its 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the association between frequency of influenza-like illness and the studied variables. RESULTS: Two thousand eighty-two (69.4%) completed the questionnaire. The participants who spent 5-10 s in handwashing with soap and rubbing were at increased risk of more frequent influenza-like illness (odds ratio = 1.37, 1.08-1.75). Handwashing with soap and rubbing after handshaking is an independent protective habit against frequent influenza-like illness (adjusted OR = 0.59, 0.37-0.94). CONCLUSION: The decrease of the frequency of influenza-like illness could be done through the following: getting the influenza vaccine annually, washing hands with soap and hand rubbing not less than 15 s after getting out of the bathroom, before and after handshaking and before eating. Soap companies should invent soaps that take less rubbing time to kill bacteria, and subsequently may maximize compliance in the community.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Medical Students from a Saudi University Toward Postgraduate Training.

Introduction Choosing a postgraduate career path is a significant and complex decision for medical students. It involves gaining knowledge about a wide array of specialties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the specialties. The current study explored Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, College of Medicine students' perceived knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward postgraduate training Methods This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey study conducted in April 2016 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward postgraduate training among the students of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, College of Medicine. Results Ninety-two students participated in the study. Of these, 74% were in the pre-clinical years (years 1, 2, and 3). The mean age of participants was 21. Students reported having a poor level of knowledge regarding the types of material covered in license exams (46.2% had responses classified under 'poor'). Forty-six percent of students had a positive view of whether problem-based learning (PBL) prepared students for clinical scenarios. Of the total respondents, 24% reported having chosen a specialty while 78% of the students reported participating in extracurricular activities. Negative responses progressively decreased with each academic year. Conclusion This study highlights the significant lack of knowledge of medical students about the covered types of material in Saudi medical licensing exams. Nevertheless, they have adequate levels of awareness and acknowledgment, improve themselves, and modify their own weaknesses. Moreover, medical students show a positive attitude towards PBL that gives the ability to connect and relate to undergraduate studies and apply it to clinical practice. The delay in perceiving their own interests leads to an inadequate shift of focus. However, more studies are mandatory to explore the reasons behind the medical students' lack of knowledge and the factors involved in choosing their specialties.