Awareness of Saudi community toward multiple sclerosis in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the awareness of Saudis in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia on multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 Saudis in Qassim, Saudi Arabia between January 2019 and June 2019 using a pre-designed questionnaire including socio-demographic data and questions evaluating knowledge about MS. RESULTS: The majority of studied participants were adult females (74%), between 20-30 year-old (45.1%) and with high education level or above (80.6%). Nearly one third of the studied group had good knowledge regarding MS (31.7%). Half of the studied group knew that central nervous system (CNS) is the system affected by MS, 52% reported that vitamin D deficiency, family history of MS, personal history of autoimmune disease, viruses, and obesity are the factors which increase the risk of developing MS. Approximately, 62.9% knew that blurred and double vision, numbness, paralysis or weakness and difficulty in concentration and memorizing are symptoms of MS. Female participants and those knowing someone having MS had a significant good knowledge level regarding MS than others. Getting knowledge from combined sources from internet or social media; family, friends or neighbors and health workers was significantly more prevalent among those with good knowledge. CONCLUSION: Most of the study participants had limited knowledge regarding MS. Planning health education programs for the public is essential.

Enhanced recovery urinary protocol for patients undergoing hip surgery: a quasi-experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common complication after hip surgery. The enhanced recovery urinary protocol (ERUP) is a tool that employs several perioperative strategies to facilitate optimal conditions for surgery and recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ERUP on POUR in patients undergoing hip surgery. METHODOLOGY: A controlled pre- and post-quasi-experimental study was conducted. Data was collected between May 2018 and January 2019 at the orthopedic department of one of the largest teaching hospitals affiliated with Menoufia University in Egypt. A convenience sample of 100 Egyptian patients (of both genders) undergoing elective hip surgery was equally allocated into two groups. The control group (n = 50) was given traditional routine perioperative nursing care, while the intervention group (n = 50) was subjected to ERUP. Data was collected from socio-demographic, medical, and surgical data sheets, preoperative medication assessment sheets, postoperative data sheets, and fluid balance charts. RESULTS: ERUP application significantly reduced the length of hospital stay and the incidence of POUR in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the ERUP is recommended for patients undergoing hip surgery, as it has a significantly positive effect on reducing the incidence of POUR.

Healthcare professionals' perception and practice of complementary and alternative medicine in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last few decades, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown in popularity, changing health professionals' knowledge and attitude toward CAM, and the treatment recommended by them. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perception and practice of CAM among healthcare professionals. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare providers selected by multistage random sampling technique in two governmental hospitals and ten primary healthcare centers in two governorates in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. A web-based, self-administered questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms. RESULTS: A total of 350 physicians responded to the survey. Good basic knowledge about CAM was reported by 48.6% of the respondents; a positive attitude was adopted by 53%; and CAM was actively practiced by 9.7%. Being a physician > 40 years and consultant affiliation were significantly associated with higher knowledge level about CAM (p = 0.006 and 0.03, respectively), as well as having a proactive practice (p = 0.007 and 0.04, respectively). Practicing CAM was prevalent among non-Saudi and married physicians (p = 0.02 for both). Knowledge about CAM and its practice were strongly correlated (p = 0.007). The most frequent constraints facing CAM practice were lack of knowledge and training on CAM (81.4%) and lack of studies supporting CAM (74.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The practices of health professionals in Qassim region need to be improved despite their expertise and favourable perception of CAM. Educational interventions could play greater roles in providing evidence-based CAM knowledge and enhancing training for physicians.

Parents' Intentions and Associated Factors to Vaccinating Their Children Aged 12-17 Years with COVID-19 Vaccines: A Cross Sectional Study.

No available vaccine against COVID-19 had yet been proven for 12-17-year-olds in Egypt during the study period. This is the first study to assess Egyptian parents' intentions and associated factors in relation to vaccinating their children with COVID-19 vaccines. A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted between 17 October and 17 November 2021, via social media platforms. The target group was parents with children aged 12-17 years. Parents' intention to vaccinate their children and factors associated with vaccinating their children, reasons for not intending to vaccinate their children, and circumstances whereby the parents would change their mind were recorded. Among the 1458 parents recruited, 65.6% were planning to vaccinate their children. The main concerns were fear of the vaccine's side-effects (68.3%) and conspiracy theories (18%). The factors associated with parents' intention to vaccinate their children were mother's older age (40-49 years: aOR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.05-1.99; ≥50 years: aOR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.16-3.75), high family income (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.41-2.79), and children with a history of chronic conditions (aOR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.25-3.25), while higher mother's education level was negatively associated (aOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.27, 0.64). A comprehensive health education program regarding vaccinating children with COVID-19 vaccines is highly recommended for parents, particularly for young and highly educated mothers, to enhance children vaccination rate when the vaccine becomes available.

Video game disorder and mental wellbeing among university students: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: video games are a popular adult pastime but have a potentially pervasive negative influence on gamers. The aim: was to determine the prevalence of video game disorder (VGD), its associated predictors, and its impact on the mental health of university students. Methods: a cross-sectional study was performed with a convenience sample of 2,364 undergraduate students. Sociodemographic criteria, the Internet Gaming Disorder-20 (IGD-20) questionnaire, and the Mental Health-5 (MH-5) questionnaire were used to collect data. The weights and heights of the students were self-reported. The average number of hours spent playing video games per week, the average number of hours of sleep per day, the favorite type of game played, and the main causes for playing were also included. Results: the prevalence of VGD among participants was 18.9%. The main predictors of VGD were being male, residing in an urban area, playing more hours per week, sleeping fewer hours per day, and having a higher body mass index, while having a low socioeconomic status was a protective factor. Mental health had a strong negative correlation with VGD. The types of games most frequently played by video game addicts were violent and action games. However, the most frequent reasons cited for playing were to improve one´s avatar, relaxation, and amusement. Conclusion: playing video games in moderation, adequate sleeping, and engaging in outdoor physical activities enhances mental well-being and physical functioning. Thus, it is critical to promote and encourage balanced, effective, stable approaches to video gaming among university students to maintain their mental well-being.

Comparison between clinical characteristics and laboratory findings among patients with complicated and noncomplicated SARS-CoV-2 infection: A single-center experience from Shebin Al-Kom, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is considered a serious highly infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, resulting in more than 6.27 million deaths worldwide. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aimed to compare clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of COVID-19 patients with complications and without complications and discriminate the important risk factors for the complications and deaths. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 75 confirmed COVID-19 positive patients; out of which 49 were severely-ill cases. Analysis of all patients' clinical and laboratory information on admission including serum ferritin, thrombotic activity (d-dimer), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were done. RESULTS: Lymphopenia, tachycardia, tachypnea, elevated CRP, d-dimer, serum ferritin, LDH, and decreased SpO2 were significantly associated with complicated cases (p < .05 for all). By using multivariate logistic regression analysis models, elevated serum ferritin and tachycardia were significantly correlated with the increased odds of complicated COVID-19 cases (odds ratio [confidence interval 95%] = 10.42 [2.32-46.89] and 8.01 [1.17-55.99]; respectively) (p = .002 and .007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Lymphocytopenia, d-dimer, LDH, and CRP levels, which were significantly linked to the severity of COVID-19, were the prognostic biomarkers to predict the disease severity.

Handwashing knowledge, attitudes, and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A non-representative cross-sectional study.

Handwashing (HW) with water and soap is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of protecting oneself and others against the coronavirus. Here, the HW knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Saudi adults were assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic using a cross-sectional study conducted between May 8 and June 8, 2020, during a partial lockdown period. A web-based validated questionnaire was distributed through different social media platforms, and the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, seven items related to knowledge, four items related to attitudes, and thirteen items related to the practice of HW were assessed. A total of 1323 (51% male and 49% female) adults from all regions of Saudi Arabia responded to the questionnaire. The overall mean (± SD) was 5.13 (± 1.18) for knowledge of HW and COVID-19, 2.79 (± 0.77) for attitude toward HW, and 7.8 (± 2.56) for HW practice. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed factors associated with knowledge to be age and family income. Sex, educational level, family income, and HW knowledge were associated with negative and neutral attitude, whereas age, sex, family income, and HW knowledge were associated with practice. These results suggest that HW knowledge was strongly associated with positive attitudes toward HW and correct HW practice in Saudi adults during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Chlorpyrifos exposure and respiratory health among adolescent agricultural workers.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a commonly used organophosphate insecticide (OP). In adults, exposure to OPs has been inconsistently associated with reduced lung function. OP exposure and lung function has not been assessed in adolescents. The objective of this study was to assess CPF exposure and lung function among Egyptian adolescents. We conducted a 10-month study of male adolescent pesticide applicators (n = 38) and non-applicators of similar age (n = 24). Urinary 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TPCy), a CPF-specific metabolite, was analyzed in specimens collected throughout the study. Spirometry was performed twice after pesticide application: day 146, when TCPy levels were elevated and day 269, when TCPy levels were near baseline. Applicators had higher levels of TCPy (mean cumulative TCPy day 146 = 33,217.6; standard deviation (SD) = 49,179.3) than non-applicators (mean cumulative TCPy day 146 = 3290.8; SD = 3994.9). Compared with non-applicators, applicators had higher odds of reporting wheeze, odds ratio = 3.41 (95% CI: 0.70; 17.41). Cumulative urinary TCPy was inversely associated with spirometric measurements at day 146, but not at day 269. Although generally non-significant, results were consistent with an inverse association between exposure to CPF and lung function.

Longitudinal assessment of chlorpyrifos exposure and self-reported neurological symptoms in adolescent pesticide applicators.

OBJECTIVES: Occupational exposure of organophosphorus pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos (CPF), in adolescents is of particular concern because of the potential vulnerability of the developing neurological system. The objectives of this study were to examine how neurological symptoms reported over the application season vary across time, whether these effects are reversible postapplication and if there are associations between CPF biomarkers and neurological symptoms in an adolescent study population. SETTING: The longitudinal study was conducted in two agricultural districts of Menoufia Governorate, Egypt between April 2010 and January 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Male adolescent participants, including CPF applicators (n=57) and non-applicators (n=38), were recruited. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported data for 25 neurological symptoms were collected at 32 time points over the 8-month period before, during and after the application season. Additionally, urine and blood samples were collected to measure urine trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), a CPF-specific biomarker and blood cholinesterase activity. RESULTS: Applicators and non-applicators report the highest numbers of symptoms during the application season, followed by a reduction in symptoms after the application ended. Applicators reported a greater percentage of neurological symptoms, relative to baseline, than non-applicators after accounting for potential covariates. Among the applicators, cumulative TCPy was positively and significantly associated with the average percentage of symptoms (B=4.56, 95% CI 3.29 to 5.84; p<0.001). Significant associations (p=0.03-0.07) between the change in butyrylcholinesterase activity from the preapplication to the postapplication season and several domains of neurological symptoms were also found, even after adjusting for potential covariates. CONCLUSIONS: These observations demonstrate changes in the reporting of symptoms across the application season, showing an increase in symptom reporting during application and recovery following the end of pesticide application. These findings reinforce the growing concern regarding the neurotoxic health effects of CPF in adolescent applicators in developing countries and the need for developing and implementing intervention programmes.

Longitudinal assessment of chlorpyrifos exposure and effect biomarkers in adolescent Egyptian agricultural workers.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is applied seasonally in Egypt by adolescent agricultural workers and the extent of occupational exposure and the potential for environmental CPF exposure in this population is poorly understood. Adolescent pesticide applicators (n=57; 12-21 years of age) and age-matched non-applicators (n=38) from the same villages were followed for 10 months in 2010, spanning pre-application through post-application. Eight urine and five blood samples were collected from participants within this time period. Blood acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; exposure/effect biomarker) and urine 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy; exposure biomarker) were used to assess occupational CPF exposures in pesticide applicators and environmental exposures in non-applicators. Applicators demonstrated significantly higher TCPy concentration and BChE depression than non-applicators throughout CPF application. This difference persisted for 4-7 weeks after the cessation of agricultural spraying. However, both groups exhibited significantly elevated TCPy and depressed BChE, compared with their respective baseline. The peak TCPy levels during the spray season (95% confidence interval (CI)) for non-applicators and applicators reached 16.8 (9.87-28.5) and 137 (57.4-329) ug/g creatinine, respectively. BChE levels (95% CIs) during the spray were as follows: 1.47 (1.28-1.68) for non-applicators and 0.47 (0.24-0.94) U/ml for applicators. The longitudinal assessment of CPF biomarkers provided robust measures of exposure and effect throughout CPF application in adolescents and revealed significant exposures in both applicators and non-applicators. Biomarker data in the non-applicators, which mirrored that of the applicators, indicated that non-applicators received environmental CPF exposures. This suggests that similar exposures may occur in other residents of this region during periods of pesticide application.