Exploring the prognostic significance of ß-HCG levels in cervicovaginal secretions and maternal risk factors for early birth.

Preterm birth is one of the leading causes of death in the perinatal period, this study was conducted to investigate the predictive value of ß-HCG Levels in cervicovaginal secretions and maternal risk factors in preterm delivery. This cross-sectional study was conducted over a six-month period from January 1 to June 30, 2021, in  Baghdad hospitals. The data were collected and used from the mothers who went to the hospital for delivery. Demographic information of patients and some risk factors were investigated. Vaginal secretions were sampled with a cotton swab. ß-HCG level in weeks 29, 31, 33, and 35 was measured by ELISA method. Data were analyzed with SPSS Ver 25 software and a significance level of less than 0.05 was considered. The mean age of the study participants was 28.29 ± 5.68 years. There was a significant difference in the level of ß-HCG between women with full-term delivery and pre-term women in weeks 29, 31, 33, and 35 of pregnancy (P ≤ 0.001). Maternal factors such as age older than 35 years, BMI, history of thyroid disease, blood pressure, premature rupture of the amniotic sac, parity, twin and multiple births, and decreased amniotic fluid volume have been identified as factors affecting preterm delivery. The ß-HCG level can also be a helpful marker for preterm birth.

Challenges of having a child with congenital anomalies in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative exploration of mothers' experience.

Background: Congenital anomalies in children lead to morbidity, mortality, or lifelong disabilities. Mothers of children with congenital anomalies face considerable obstacles in parenting their children because of their lack of knowledge about such health conditions, lack of family support, and lack of health, rehabilitation, and social care support. In Saudi Arabia, less attention are given to researching this important issue. In this context, the purpose of the study was to explore mothers' experiences and perceptions toward children with congenital anomalies. Methods: We employed a qualitative phenomenological study design. We purposively recruited 10 mothers of children with congenital anomalies from different cities in Saudi Arabia. We interviewed the mothers with an in-depth interview guideline. The interview questions were designed to explore their perception of congenital anomalies in children and their experience of parenting and seeking health, rehabilitation, education, and social care services for children with such anomalies. Result: Analysis of our data suggest that mothers of children with congenital anomalies face considerable challenges because of a lack of medical, rehabilitation, and social care support, lack of knowledge about these conditions and their management, lack of responsiveness of the healthcare providers, lack of support from the family and the stigma associated with such conditions. Consequently, mothers experience poor mental and social well-being. Conclusion: Mothers are facing considerable challenges in raising children with congenital anomalies. Regular screening for early detection of congenital anomalies, counseling support for mothers, and improving healthcare providers' responsiveness, knowledge, and skills are necessary. In addition, appropriate awareness-raising programs need to be implemented at the community level to counteract the stigma and negative attitudes of the community toward children with congenital anomalies and their families.

Quality Perceptions, Expectations, and Individual Characteristics among Adult Patients Visiting Primary Healthcare Centers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Quality is a main concern of primary healthcare centers, and pursuing quality can lead to service improvement as well as affordable healthcare. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to describe patients' healthcare quality perceptions and expectations and determine the relationships between them and associated factors. The study was conducted on a convenience sample of 470 patients visiting primary healthcare centers. Data were collected between April and July 2022 using an anonymous questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Most participants reported high levels of quality perceptions and expectations. Bivariate analyses showed a significant correlation between quality perceptions and expectations. Both being single and having a higher level of education were statistically different in terms of quality perception and expectations, respectively. Further, being single, highly educated, and employed had significant differences in terms of expectations. In regression, primary education and expectations influenced quality perceptions. Marital status, profession, and perception were the only variables that significantly influenced participants' expectations. Patients' healthcare quality perceptions and expectations are important for ensuring the efficiency of healthcare services. Primary healthcare centers are the key avenue for disease prevention and early detection. The optimization of primary healthcare centers' quality and addressing its potential issues should be performed through interdisciplinary teamwork.

Evaluation of clinical knowledge and perceptions about the development of thyroid cancer-An observational study of healthcare undergraduates in Saudi Arabia.

Background and objective: In the healthcare context, healthcare personnel are available to help patients according to their requirements. However, having sufficient knowledge of many elements of diseases before graduation may have a good impact on clinical practices later in one's career. As a result, the purpose of this study was to assess the clinical knowledge and perceptions of healthcare students in Saudi Arabia about thyroid cancer (TC). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in King Saud University from August 2021 to November 2021, using a validated self-reporting online survey. The data collection was carried out among senior healthcare students, including pharmacy, nursing, and medical students of both genders, who were Arabic speakers. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 for Windows (SPSS). Results: There were 141 healthcare students who responded, with 46.8% (n = 66) being pharmacy students, 28.4% (n = 40) being nursing students, and 24.8% (n = 35) being medical students. Male participants made up the majority of them (52.5%). Lump or swelling in the neck was described as the most common early indicator of TC by 54.6% (n = 77), followed by difficulty in swallowing by 34.04% (n = 48), and pain in the neck by 24.8% (n = 35). Female participants accounted for 44.7% (n = 63) of those with thyroid dysfunction, according to the study. About 55.3% of the participants (n = 78), reported that they had sufficient knowledge about TC. The knowledge score differed significantly by gender; female participants (60.3%) (n = 47) were more knowledgeable than male participants (30.7%) (n = 31) (p = 0.049). Conclusion: This study depicts that half of the healthcare students thatwere knowledgeable about TC had positive perceptions about the causes of diseases. Furthermore, we also recommend arranging awareness programs for the students by the university officials to overcome the knowledge gap.

Evaluation of Knowledge, Awareness, and Factors Associated with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out for over 4 months from May to August 2020 using a self-administered, anonymous online questionnaire. All adults of both genders were invited to participate in the study. Individuals who are able to read and understand the English language were included in the study. Data were descriptively analyzed using a statistical package for social science version 26 (SPSS). Results: A total of 427 subjects responded to the questionnaires. More than half of them were male 253 (59.3%), while 174 (40.7%) were female, approximately 49% had a university degree, and 196 (45.9%) were postgraduates. The mean age of the participants was 25.7 ± 6.2 (mean ± SD). Most of them were single 230 (53.9%). The majority of the respondents 367 (85.9%) had heard of hyperglycemia, while a comparable number of 366 (85.7%) were aware of it being a lifelong disease. About 305 (71.4%) of participants knew that genetic factors were associated with hyperglycemia, and more than half of 250 (58.5%) knew that diabetes causes foot problems. There was a significant association between the cause of diabetes with income and educational status (p < 0.05) and diabetic complications with age, education, and family income (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a need for greater awareness and additional education regarding hyperglycemia among the general community in the state of Telangana, India, to reduce the incidence of diabetes and associated risk factors. Public health campaigns that encourage healthier lifestyles might help achieve this aim.

Assessment of the knowledge beliefs and associated factors among Saudi adults towards blood donation in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion is essential in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses. There are two sorts of donors in the blood donation system voluntary and replacement donors. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we examined Saudi adults' knowledge, beliefs, and associated factors towards blood donation in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted over three months between November 2019 & January 2020 among the general public, using structured self-administered 18-items online questionnaires. A descriptive analysis was performed, a chi-square test was conducted to determine the relationships between the variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 364 respondents (93.1%) believed that blood donation is an important responsibility of every individual. When asked about the reason for previous donations 261(66.8%) said voluntary while approximately 130 (33.2%) donated for their families and friends. Fear of needles 91 (23.3%), fear of infection 53 (13.6%) a lack of time 88 (22.5%) were common barriers, and 270 (69.1%) agreed that token gifts should be given to donors. In this study, 71.1% (n = 278) were found to have good knowledge, and 96.7% (n = 378) found positive beliefs towards blood donation. The knowledge is significantly associated with being a male gender (p < 0.049), and the educational level of the participants (p < 0.003). positive beliefs were significantly associated with young donors (p < 0.045). CONCLUSION: These outcomes indicate that the Saudi public has positive beliefs and acceptable knowledge about blood donation and its importance in the society and health care system. Furthermore, educational programs should be done to increase the level of awareness about blood donation and its significance.