ABSTRACT
Chest trauma incidence is increasing worldwide, and it requires attention as it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, chest trauma is the second most common cause of mortality and a major cause of disability and hospitalization. Our main aim is to systematically review the prevalence, pattern, causes, manner, morbidity, and mortality of chest trauma in the Middle East among adults. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Screening of the relevant articles was done by using databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 128 articles were found as a result of searching the databases and reviewing the reference lists. Finally, nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Most of the victims were males, as reported by all studies in this systemic review. The most common cause of chest trauma was road traffic accident (RTA), as described in seven out of the nine included studies. The pattern of chest trauma included pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemopneumothorax, lung contusion, flail chest, rib fracture, and diaphragmatic injury. The rate of mortality and morbidity following chest trauma varied among the studies. However, most of the studies revealed higher rates of morbidity than mortality. Chest trauma carries economic and social burdens, and it is a serious issue, especially in males in the second to third decades. Preventive measures should be considered to decrease the prevalence of chest trauma and its related complications.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Older adults aged 65 years and above are among the most vulnerable to adverse outcomes and death following a COVID-19 infection. The weekly epidemiological updates by the World Health Organisation show that the continued emergence of concerning subtypes of the virus indicates that the pandemic remains a public health concern and the public should continue to comply with personal preventive measures (PPMs). This study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) which is rooted in the field of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Preventive Medicine to Saudi older adults to predict their health behaviour. Methods: This behavioural epidemiological study recruited older adult participants aged 65 years of age and above. A tool which consisted of sociodemographic and health-related questions, as well as questions regarding the components of the TPB, namely, Attitude, Subjective Norm, Perceived Behavioural Control was used. Bivariate analyses, followed by unadjusted and adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to derive odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The total number of participants was 502. The mean age was 70.34 years, with similar distributions between males and females. In total, 52.2% intended to practice PPMs, whereas only 48% had a good practice. Also, 56% had a favourable Attitude towards PPMs, 61.4% had a positive Subjective Norm and 39.8% had perceived they had a high control over their behaviour. Females, and high educational status were predictors for high intention to practice PPMs (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.01-2.52 and OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.44-5.16 respectively). Further predictors included Attitudes, Subjective Norm and Perceived Behavioural Control. Results also show that intention to practice was significantly associated with a lower odd of practicing PPMs (OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.04-0.10). Conclusion: Current findings highlight the need to continue with public health efforts targeting vulnerable older adults. Also, the fact that intention negatively predicted practice highlights the need for further behavioural epidemiological studies addressing the intention-behaviour gap.
