COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Hesitancy about receiving vaccines has been deemed a global danger to public health by WHO. The sociocultural backgrounds of the people have an impact on vaccine acceptance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sociodemographic factors on COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy as well as to identify the factors that contributed to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the primary variables causing COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among residents of Pune. The general population was sampled through simple random sampling. The minimum sample size was determined to be 1246. The questionnaire inquired about the individuals' sociodemographic information, vaccination status, and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS: In total, there were 5381 subjects, 1669 of whom were unvaccinated and 3712 of whom were partially vaccinated. Fear of adverse effects (51.71%), fear of losing a few days of work (43.02%), and inability to secure a vaccine slot online (33.01%) were the most frequently cited reasons. An older population (>60 years, p = 0.004), males (p = 0.032), those who were literate (p = 0.011), those of lower middle socioeconomic status (p = 0.001), and smokers were significantly associated with fear and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine, while mistrust of the vaccine was greatest among individuals from the upper and lower middle classes (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Vaccine hesitancy due to concerns about the side effects and long-term complications was prevalent among the elderly, males, those from the lower middle class, and smokers. This study emphasizes the importance of communicating effectively about the vaccine's efficacy, its distribution, and vaccination sites.

Specialty preferences and factors affecting the choices of postgraduate specialty among undergraduate medical students.

Objectives: To study specialties preference of the students at the College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia; and to determine the factors that affect the choice of their postgraduate specialty. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia for the current academic year 2021-2022. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, and a Chi-square test was utilized to compare qualitative data. Results: Internal medicine is the first choice for 16 (19.8%) students. General surgery and family medicine were selected by 15 (18.5%) and 12 (14.8%) students, respectively. Sixty-seven (82.7%) students relied on their selection of a good future guaranteed by specialty, and 48 (49.3%) selected challenging specialty; 64 (79.0%) were motivated by a practicing doctor for their future specialty selection and 54 (66.7%) by their families. Conclusions: Most preferred specialty for medical students is internal medicine followed by general surgery. Both genders preferred internal medicine as their future specialty. Some important specialties such as public health and basic medical sciences were not selected as a future specialty by any student. The most stated reason behind specialty selection is the provision for a good future. Most students are motivated by a practicing doctor to select a postgraduate specialty.

Use of electronic health records among Saudi and Non - Saudi health providers - a comparative study at a secondary hospital, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is now considered the backbone of effective storage and retrieval of patient records in a healthcare setup. This study is an attempt to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare professionals in the use of Electronic Health Record system in patient care. METHODS: It was a comparative cross-sectional study, conducted among the clinicians working in King Khaled Hospital, Almajmaah, Saudi Arabia. The data was collected from 260 clinicians using systematic random sampling technique. A pre-validated questionnaire was used to gather the data. Nineteen items were graded based on the adaptability, usability and knowledge of the participants. The total duration of the study from conception to completion was 6 months. RESULTS: There were 146 (56.2%) Saudis and 114 (43.8%) non - Saudi participants. Knowledge of computer was slightly more among Saudis 134 (51.5%) than non - Saudis 104 (40.0%) (p>0.05). Saudis had an overall positive attitude toward using the EHR as compared to non-Saudis (p<0.001).Frequency of accessing computers daily was more among Non-Saudi practitioners 93 (35.8%) as compared to the Saudis 85 (32.7%) which was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study has attempted to correlate that clinician's adaptability with an electronic record system that requires prior expertise in the use of computers. It recommends further foray into researching barriers associated with slow uptake and positive attitudinal change among clinicians using the electronic health records system in healthcare facilities across Saudi Arabia.

Patients' Satisfaction with Primary Health Care Centers' Services, Majmaah, Kingdom of Saudi of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: PHC Patient' satisfaction represents a key marker for the quality of health care delivery and this internationally accepted factor needs to be studied repeatedly for smooth functioning of the health care systems. The objectives of the current study were to determine the level of patients' satisfaction with the primary health care services provided in Majmaah city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; to identify the reasons behind satisfaction or dissatisfaction and to determine the effect of the social factors on the level of satisfaction. METHODOLOGY: The study was a cross-sectional facility- based. The sample comprised 370 patients selected by stratified and systematic sampling at the health centers' level and the patients' level respectively. The data were collected by a pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS: Patients' level of satisfaction was 82%. The reasons behind satisfaction were cleanliness of the facilities and technical competencies of the staff (33.1% and 24.2%). The study showed that the most stated reason behind dissatisfaction was the unsuitable buildings (29%). Significant association was found between the level of patients' satisfaction about PHC centers services and the respondents' level of education. CONCLUSION: The level of satisfaction with the services provided by PHC centers in Majmaah is high. The gender, marital status and income have no effect on the level of satisfaction with the services provided by PHC centers. However, the lower educated are more satisfied than the higher educated. Cleanliness, competence of the staff along with respect and good handling are the drivers behind the high level of satisfaction.

Quality of Antenatal Care Provided For Pregnant Women in Ribat University Hospital; Khartoum

Background:The purpose of antenatal care is to assure that every pregnancy culminates in the birth of a healthy baby without any impairment of the mother's health. The objective of this study was to study thequality of care given to pregnant women attending the referral clinics in Ribat University Hospital; Khartoum;Sudan.Methods:This is a descriptive; cross sectional study. 300 antenatal care cards were checked fordocumentation for the following parameters at the 5th month of pregnancy: date of the first visit; age of the pregnant woman; the address; date or duration of marriage; parity; the first day of the last menstrual period; the expected date of delivery; the gestational age; vaccination; blood pressure; fundal level; foetal heart sound; haemoglobin estimation; urine analysis; blood group; ultrasound check and the date of ultrasound check. Data was analysed by the computer using SSPS soft ware; version 16.Results:The date of the first visit; the age of the pregnant woman and her address were documented in 294(98); 296(98.7) and226(75.3) respectively. The date/duration of marriage; parity; the first day of the last menstrual period; the expected date of delivery; the gestational age and vaccination were documented in 70(23.3); 298(99.3);298(99.3); 295(98.3); 278(92.7) and 45(15) respectively. Blood pressure; fundal level and foetal heart sound were checked in 266(88.7); 280(93.3); 244(81.3) respectively. Haemoglobin; urine analysis; blood group and Rhesus factor; ultrasound were done in 187(62.3); 159(53); 173(57.7); 121(40.3) respectively.Conclusions: The study concluded that documentation of the personal history and obstetrical examination were adequate. On the other hand documentation of obstetrical history was high except for date of marriage and vaccination which were very poor. Documentation of results of investigation were average