The relationship between lifestyle habits and obesity among students in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia: using the Arab Teens Lifestyle (ATLS) questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The Arab Teens Lifestyle (ATLS) questionnaire was an initiative to assess the lifestyle habits influencing obesity rates in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including physical activity (PA) patterns, sedentary and eating behaviours. Since its implementation, the ATLS questionnaire has been used in several studies among different age groups and populations. This instrument has not previously been administered among the university students of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, where the obesity rates are the highest in the country. This research was the first that aimed to identify lifestyle habits influencing the rates of obesity among 18-25-year-old university students in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) using the ATLS questionnaire. METHODS: Quantitative cross-sectional research among n = 426 students of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia using the ATLS questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of n = 426 participants, n = 200 (47%) were categorised (using body mass index) as normal weight; n = 113 (26.5%) were overweight, and n = 73 (17.1%) were obese. The findings showed that most of the nutritional, PA, and sedentary behavioural factors (e.g., screen time) in the questionnaire were not associated with obesity status amongst the participants. In the obese group, more of the males that consumed fruits, French fries, cakes, sweets and doughnuts more than three times per week were likely to be obese, which was not the case for females. CONCLUSION: The reported lifestyles of the students could potentially lead to long-term negative health effects, which is of concern given the rising rates of overweight, obesity, and obesity-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the Kingdom's adult and ageing population. Further studies are recommended to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Saudi students in the Eastern Province in relation to PA, sedentary behaviours, and dietary habits, along with their views on how these can be improved.

Factors of Overweight and Obesity Among Employees of Petrochemical Manufacturing Companies.

The high prevalence of overweight and obesity is a major contributor to the global burden of disease, and create an economic burden for nations, including both direct and indirect costs. Although the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rapidly industrializing and the economy is now less dependent on oil, oil industry is still the main contributor to the Saudi labor force (41%). However, the productivity growth lags behind many developing countries. No studies have been conducted to explore the factors that can be associated with the lower productivity in this population of Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and examine the association between overweight/obesity and lifestyle habits among employees of petrochemical manufacturing companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 1000 employees were surveyed. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to predict odds ratios for obesity. About 47% of the sample was normal weight, while 28.5% was overweight and 21.2% was obese. Four factors were found to be predictive of obesity: feelings about weight, age, marital status, and childhood region. More than 52% of employees reported being happy with their weight. Those unhappy with their weight had more than six times greater odds of obesity as compared to those happy with their weight. Married employees were about twice as likely as unmarried to be obese. The findings of high prevalence of overweight and obesity among employees of petrochemical manufacturing suggest that more efforts are needed to promote healthy behaviors among employees. Workplace wellness programs and educational campaigns are recommended to encourage healthy lifestyle habits at both the workplace and in the community.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 and impaired fibrinolysis in pregnancy and sickle cell anemia.

PURPOSE: This is the first study that aimed to determine antigen levels in plasma and genotypes of PAI-2 in pregnant and non-pregnant homozygous sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients. METHODS: The study subjects were all Bahraini females in the reproductive age group. The study population included 31 pregnant homozygous SS (SCA) patients. Three control groups were also studied to evaluate the effect of pregnancy and SCA on PAI-2 levels and fibrinolysis: (1) 31 healthy non-pregnant volunteers; (2) 31 cases of normal pregnancy; and (3) 20 non-pregnant SCA patients. Pregnancies were screened in the second (TM2) and third (TM3) trimesters. Global coagulation, fibrinolysis rate (euglobulin clot lysis time, ECLT), PAI-2 antigen (ELISA), and PAI-2 Ser(413)/Cys polymorphism (restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis) were determined. RESULTS: Feto-maternal complications were documented in both pregnancy groups. PAI-2 antigen levels were undetectable in the non-pregnant groups, but was quantifiable in both pregnant groups. Impaired fibrinolysis rate and rising PAI-2 levels with progression of pregnancy were observed in both healthy and SCA subjects. These changes were more prominent in SCA, although the rise in ECLT was less steep and PAI-2 antigen levels were not significantly different compared to normal pregnancy in the third trimester. No correlation was observed between PAI-2 genotypes and plasma antigen levels. Also, no significant difference in feto-maternal complications was found in normal (n = 25) versus SCA pregnant patients (n = 30). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that with progression of pregnancy, increasing PAI-2 levels contribute to the hypercoagulable state, particularly in SCA patients.

A literature review of carpal tunnel syndrome and its association with body mass index, wrist ratio, wrist to palm ratio, and shape index.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature review of case-controlled studies. INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common tubular neuropathies where certain anatomical variations may be accounted for as risk factors for CTS, including body mass index (BMI), wrist ratio (WR), wrist to palm ratio (WPR), shape index (SI), and digit length. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess case-control studies examining the association between specific anatomical variations of the wrist as risk factors for developing CTS and whether this effect is the same for both genders. METHODS: The literature search was conducted between February-June 2020 through PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus and PEDro. The literature search yielded 149 potential publications, fifteen of which were filtered in accordance with eligibility criteria. The methodological quality was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Form for Case-Control Studies (NOS). RESULTS: The total number of subjects included in this review was n=4299. The largest sample was n=1117 participants and the smallest n=54. All studies included patients who had a clinical diagnosis of CTS confirmed with nerve conduction studies and or ultrasonography. CTS was significantly higher in patients with higher BMI, WR, WPR compared to control groups. BMI and WR were the only indicators that can be considered as strong risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Discussion: Despite the general patterns on the association of BMI, WPR, WR and SI as risk factors for the development of CTS, there were exceptions to the accepted results and conclusions. CONCLUSION: Clinicians are recommended to conduct more research to confirm anthropometric measurements as risk factors for the development of CTS, mainly SI and WPR. When determining the cut-off values for BMI and WR, it is recommended to take into account additional risk factors such as occupation.

Current state of ethical challenges reported in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review & bibliometric analysis from 2010 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, five domains of importance about the current state of bioethics in Saudi Arabia have shaped the perspective of most research: doctor-patient relationship, informed consent, do-not-resuscitate, organ donation, and transplantation, medical students' knowledge and attitudes about medical ethics curriculum. This systematic review aimed to systematically identify, compile, describe and discuss ethical arguments and concepts in the best-studied domains of bioethics in Saudi Arabia and to present cultural, social, educational, and humane perspectives. METHODS: Six databases were searched using Boolean operators (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar) from December 2020-June 2021. The search and report process followed the statement and flowchart of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). RESUTLS: The search resulted in 1651 articles, of which 82 studies were selected for a final review and assessment. There is a gradual increase in research, whereby a substantial increase was observed from 2017. Most of the published articles focused on 'Organ Donation & Transplantation' with 33 articles, followed by 'Doctor-Patient Relations' with 18 publications. Most of the published articles were from Central Province (33), followed by Western Province (16). The authorship pattern showed a collaborative approach among researchers. The thematic analysis of keywords analysis showed that 'Saudi Arabia,' 'attitude PHC,' 'organ donation,' 'knowledge and education,' and 'donation' have been used the most commonly. CONCLUSION: This systematic quantitative synthesis is expected to guide researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers about the strengths and gaps in knowledge and attitudes regarding medical ethics in Saudi Arabia, both among the general public and health professionals.

Psychosocial Impact of Sickle Cell Disease and Diabetes Mellitus on Affected Children and Their Parents in Khartoum State, Sudan.

This study aimed to assess the psychosocial impact of sickle cell disease (SCD) and diabetes mellitus on children and their parents in Sudan, and the relationship between socioeconomic status and psychosocial issues. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among n = 320 children aged 6-12 years, of whom n = 170 were diagnosed with SCD, n = 150 children with diabetes mellitus and their parents. The strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ scale) was used to assess the psychosocial aspect of children. Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale -21 Items (DASS 21) was used to assess the psychological well-being of the caregivers. Data on psychological problems of children with SCD showed that 66.5% had emotional symptoms, 18.2% had conduct problems and 19.4% hyperactivity. Data of parents showed that 45.9% of parents did not experience depression; 27.9% were moderately depressed group. Data on psychological problems among children with diabetes showed that 57.3% experienced emotional symptoms, conduct problems were close to the average among 66%. Data on psychological problems among parents of children with diabetes showed that 45.3% of parents did not experience depression; 22.7% belonged to the moderately depressed group. Psychosocial problems were common both among children and parents. More research is needed in the context of caring for a child with chronic diseases and the role of health care providers in adapting and mitigating psychological problems among both parents and children.

Image Analysis for Ultrasound Quality Assurance.

The quality assurance (QA) of ultrasound transducers is often identified as an area requiring continuous development in terms of the tools available to users. Periodic evaluation of the transducers as part of the QA protocol is important, since the quality of the diagnostics. Some of the key criteria determining the process of developing a QA protocol include the complexity of setup, the time required, accuracy, and potential automation to achieve scale. For the current study, a total of eight different ultrasound machines (12 transducers) with linear transducers were obtained separately. The results from these 12 transducers were used to validate the protocol. WAD-QC was used as part of this study to assess in-air reverberation patterns obtained from ultrasound transducers. Initially, three in-air reverberation images obtained from normal transducers and three obtained from defective transducers were used to calculate the uniformity parameters. The results were applied to 12 other images obtained from independent sources. Image processing results with WAD-QC were verified with imageJ. A comparison of raw data for uniformity showed consistency, and using controls based on mean absolute deviation yielded identical results. WAD-QC can be considered as a powerful mechanism for quick, efficient, and accurate analysis of in-air reverberation patterns obtained from ultrasound transducers.

E- Learning experience of the medical profession's college students during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, most of educational institutions have moved to online electronic learning methods because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 8, 2020, the Saudi Ministry of Education announced remote learning for public and private schools and universities as a preventive and precautionary measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The objective of this study was to explore the e-learning experience of the students of the colleges of health sciences with regard to the technical preparedness, academic achievements, e-learning advantages and limitations. A well-structured and validated questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale and open-ended questions about their e-learning experience was distributed to a heterogeneous purposive sample of the health sciences students in Saudi Arabian universities. RESULTS: Of the 1288 respondents, of various demographical features a relatively higher proportion of 58.2 % agreed that they had enough information about the online learning. However, the proportion who reported receiving adequate guidance, technical support, and having satisfactory hardware and internet access to online learning were 48.1 %, 42, and 35.4 %, respectively. Of all participants, 40.8 % agreed that they had gained a good understanding of their courses learning outcomes. Only 30.0 % agreed that the quality of the online teaching was similar to traditional classes and 56.1 % agreed that the online learning is unsuitable for the medical sciences studies. E-learning advantages mentioned were the flexible accessibility of the learning materials, time, effort, and money saving, acquiring and improving technical and self-learning skills, health safety, interaction without shyness, and better academic accomplishment. On the other hand, disadvantages and difficulties included inadequate tools to facilitate online learning, poor internet connection, lack of technological skills by the educators and students. In addition, there was inadequate or lack of practical classes, lack of a unified clear policy for the conduct of online classes and exams and grade distribution, limited online exam time. CONCLUSIONS: The sudden shift to e-learning without prior preparedness has revealed some pitfalls that need to be adjusted. The initial findings were considered satisfactory for such a new experience for both learners and students. However, there is a great chance for improving and expanding the e-learning process.

A pilot study on screening for gestational/congenital toxoplasmosis of pregnant women at delivery in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Globally, congenital toxoplasmosis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and outbreaks of T. gondii infection represent a major public health threat, especially in developing countries. Evidence in the literature indicates that only a few studies have been conducted on the incidence of maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis in Saudi Arabia. This prospective study aims to measure the overall incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis, both patent and 'silent' infection, among pregnant women in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The study would attempt to relate the cord blood results with the time of seroconversion in the mother, underlining the importance of early intervention in such cases. METHODS: Five hundred paired maternal/cord blood samples were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgG or IgM antibodies. Samples were collected during delivery from mother and newborn (cord blood) from November 2011 to May 2012. Only positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG or/and IgM cord blood was processed for real-time PCR for confirmation. The age of mothers ranged from 16 to 45 years. RESULTS: The sample subjects were tested during child delivery for specific IgG and IgM antibodies against Toxoplasmosis, of which 21.0% (n = 105) mother/baby pairs were found serologically positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. The rate of maternal seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies was found among 4 participants (0.8%), who were also seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. None of the children tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies, even those born to mothers with IgM positive. All 105 cord blood tests in the study sample were confirmed negative by real-time PCR. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgG antibodies increased with maternal age, parity, and was significantly higher in women who gave birth to children with congenital anomalies (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study indicate a dire need to develop and implement preventive programs against Toxoplasma gondii infection, as well as a health education program on how to avoid toxoplasmosis for all seronegative women during pregnancy.

Nurse Who Had MERS-CoV Complications with A Near-Death Experience during Pregnancy: A Narrative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: According to prevailing views in neuroscience, near-death experiences (NDE) occurring after severe head trauma, critical illness, or coma are often life-transforming experiences in which no awareness or sensory experience of any kind is possible. Although there are general patterns, each case is quite different from the other and requires accurate recording and reporting to potentially explain the phenomenon. AIM: This narrative study aimed to explore a pregnant woman's NDE due to complications from MERS-CoV. METHODS: This was a qualitative narrative study with the administration of two unstructured interviews. After the second interview, the participant completed the Greyson NDE scale, presented through descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using Labov's model of narrative analysis through abstract, orientation, complicating action, evaluation, resolution, and coda. RESULTS: The Greyson scale resulted in a total score of 12, confirming that the patient had experienced an NDE. Labov's model of narrative analysis revealed that the patient's experience was not limited to the NDE but had implications for her recovery and life. The patient experienced all three types of NDEs: out-of-body, transcendental, including the transition of consciousness to another dimension, and a combined experience. She also suffered from prolonged hallucinations, neuropathy, and post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). At the same time, the patient experienced what is known as NDE aftereffects, which are caused by a change in beliefs and values; she began to lead a more altruistic life and became interested in the meaning of life. CONCLUSIONS: NDE survivors should be encouraged to talk more and share their stories with others if they wish. This study not only investigates the NDE but also considerably adds to the existing literature by integrating a unique cultural view from a country outside of the US and other Western nations, and it highlights the significant role of healthcare providers in NDEs and the importance of communication with comatose patients. It underscores the need for compassion when dealing with patients with NDEs.

A Saudi Woman with Ceftriaxone Induced Fixed Drug Eruption.

Background: A fixed drug eruption (FDE) is an immunological cutaneous adverse reaction, classified as a cutaneous adverse drug reaction (CADR) and characterized by well-defined lichenoid lesions that occur at the same site each time. Ceftriaxone is a third-generation antibiotic of cephalosporin antibiotics of the beta-lactam antibiotic family, which has typical in vitro activity against many Gram-negative aerobic bacteria. This is the first clinical case from Saudi Arabia and the fifth in the world to document a woman's experience with recurrent FDE after repeated ceftriaxone use. Case Report. A 25-year-old Saudi woman with a known case of sickle cell anemia (SCA) with a history of avascular necrosis of the right hip after replacement was hospitalized with a pain crisis triggered by an upper respiratory tract infection. The patient denied having a history of allergy previously. Due to fever, leukocytosis, and active follicular tonsillitis, ceftriaxone was started. However, a few hours later she developed lip edema and a fixed drug eruption measuring 7 × 11 cm on the left side of her back. The lesion reformed over a hyperpigmented lesion (4 × 8 cm) that the patient did not report upon initial examination. It turned out that this was due to the intravenous administration of ceftriaxone, a year ago in another hospital. An allergy to ceftriaxone was considered, and steroids and antihistamines were started. The case was labeled as ceftriaxone induced FDE. Conclusion: Ceftriaxone induced FDE is an uncommon type of allergic reaction that has been reported infrequently. Understanding this condition and the mechanism by which FDE becomes recurrent with the same previous fixed lesion is of great importance for both academic and future research purposes.

Correction: Healthcare providers as patients: COVID-19 experience.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289131.].

Perception and behavior toward neuropsychiatric disorders in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review and quality assessment.

LAY ABSTRACT: In 2010, Saudi Arabia became the first country from the Gulf Cooperation Council states to join the World Mental Health Survey Initiative, which collaborates with Harvard University and has undertaken over 33 countries. The Saudi National Mental Health Survey revealed that 80% of Saudis with severe mental health disorders do not seek treatment. Considering the strong evidence set out in Saudi national study and the recommendations for future research, this systematic literature review was initiated to examine the most studied neurodevelopmental disorders reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to explore public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Findings have shown that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder have been the most studied neurodevelopmental disorders in Saudi Arabia since 2010. However, various groups in Saudi society, including healthcare professionals, medical students, and the general public, lacked knowledge about these health conditions, often leading to stigmatized attitudes and behaviors toward people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. However, demographic data showed that most of the studies were carried out in the Central and Western provinces. More research is needed in all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to contribute to the knowledge about mental health conditions of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder children and their parents to increase knowledge about neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health disorders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thereby enabling people to rethink their attitudes and behavior.

Impending splenic rupture as indicator of atypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report from Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the hematological malignancies in which the bone marrow overproduces mature, dysfunctional lymphocytes. Affected lymphocytic cells can affect the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and rarely other organs. Spontaneous rupture of the spleen is a rare health condition, with a few cases caused by CLL. Since the preliminary presentation of either impending or real splenic rupture is unusual and requires recording and reporting, this case report was developed. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old male patient presented with a significant weight loss of 20 kg, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, and early satiety. Clinical examination revealed massive splenomegaly 22 cm below the costal margin, otherwise unremarkable on systemic examination. The size and dimensions of the spleen were confirmed by computed tomography of the body. The patient underwent a bone marrow biopsy, which was suggestive of atypical CLL. Due to the rapid progression of the size of the spleen and the pattern of impending rupture of the spleen, an emergency splenectomy was performed, and the histopathological report confirmed low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, mostly typical of CLL. CONCLUSION: Given the rarity of cases, continuous data recording and reporting is required to enrich the scientific literature and share experiences from case to case. This will create a complete picture of this health condition across diverse regions and countries.

Saudi women's leadership experiences in the healthcare sector: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Gender equality in the workforce and the promotion of woman leadership is critical to economic growth and the sustainable development of society and the global community. However, gender diversity in leadership positions is a concern as women continue to be underrepresented. Ensuring equal opportunities in leadership positions in the health sector can help advance the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore Saudi women's perspectives and leadership experiences at senior-level positions in the healthcare sector. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative approach was adopted to address the study aim. This included nine semi-structured interviews with Saudi women who have held leadership positions in the health sector over the past ten years. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted by adopting the six phases. RESULTS: The results showed that internal factors, such as qualifications, experience, and the innate qualities of a winner, are the most important factors that contribute to women's leadership. Women's role expectations, gender norms, and the patriarchal nature of the community have a negative impact on women's leadership. One of the new findings of this study was negative attitudes and lack of support from female colleagues. CONCLUSION: Women leaders in health care in Saudi Arabia share similarities and differences with women leaders around the world. However, the Saudi community has its own social norms and gender roles that cannot be denied. While Vision 2030 brought a number of positive changes in women's empowerment that participants spoke of, more research is needed to explore men's perceptions, which can complete the picture and lead to organizational improvement and changes.

"Familial Multiple Coagulation Factor Deficiencies of FXI and FXII in an Asymptomatic Saudi Woman".

Factor XI deficiency (FXI) is the third most common coagulation factor deficiency after hemophilia A and B, ie, in the hierarchy after factors VIII and IX, taking into account von Willebrand's factor deficiency, as bleeding disorders are higher than in hemophilia C. Factor XII deficiency (FXII) is a congenital condition, inherited in the vast majority of cases in an autosomal recessive manner, more often associated with thromboembolic complications. A combination of both factor deficiencies has been found very rarely, and it can be familial multiple coagulation factor deficiency (FMCFD). This study reports the case of a 39-year-old woman from Saudi Arabia who had the combination of FXI and FXII deficiencies, known to be on treatment for hypothyroidism and was referred to a hematology clinic with an incidental finding of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Although there was no history of bleeding tendency, her siblings had a family history of an unknown type of bleeding disorder. On physical examination, the patient did not show any bruising, petechiae, or ecchymosis. The aPTT was 69 seconds (27-38) with normal use of other hemostatic agents and was corrected after a 50:50 mixing study. Intrinsic coagulation factors were evaluated, and they revealed severe FXI and moderate FXII deficiencies. Due to a strong family history, the patient was diagnosed with FMCFD. In conclusion, familial combined multiple clotting factor deficiency (FCMFD) is a rare condition that requires attention and reporting. The management strategy in such cases has not been well studied, especially in the long-term symptomatic patient with severe but asymptomatic combined FXI and FXII deficiencies, which is an area for review and further study.

Literature review on the efficacy of near-infrared device in improving peripheral venous access time and number of attempts in pediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: The process of peripheral venous access (PVA) in children can be challenging for the patient and the clinician, as failed attempts often exceed the recommended two insertions, which can be painful. To speed up the process and increase success, near-infrared device (NIR) device technology has been introduced. This literature review aimed to investigate and critically evaluate the impact of NIR devices on the number of attempts and the time of the catheterization procedure in pediatric patients from 2015 to 2022. METHODS: An electronic search was performed to identify studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL Plus, from 2015 to 2022. After applying eligibility criteria, seven studies were considered for further review and evaluation. RESULTS: The number of successful venipuncture attempts ranged from 1 to 2.41 in control groups and from 1 to 2 in NIR groups. The procedural time required for success ranged from 37.5 s to 252 s in the control group and from 28.47 s to 200 s in the NIR groups. The NIR assistive device could be successfully used in preterm infants and children with special health care needs. CONCLUSIONS: While more research is needed to examine the training and application of NIR in preterm infants, some studies have shown improvement in placement success. The number of attempts and time required for a successful PVA may depend on several alternative factors, including general health, age, ethnicity, and knowledge and skills of healthcare providers. Future studies are expected to investigate how the level of experience of a healthcare provider performing venipuncture influences the outcome. More research is needed to explore additional factors that predict the success rate.

Improving patient experience by implementing an organisational culture model.

A satisfactory patient care culture model can help improve most patients' quality of care in a hospital. This study aims to improve patients' experiences (PX) by implementing a culture model at King Abdul-Aziz Armed Forces Hospital in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. To achieve the research aim, a set of interventions were implemented that included a patient and family advisory council, empathy training, recognition of the PX, leadership-patient interviews, PX champions and quality improvement. These interventions were further measured using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey in the inpatient, outpatient and emergency departments. The improvement project was conducted in 2020, focusing mainly on transforming the culture and launching activities targeting specific touchpoints identified as priority areas. After making these changes, the hospital saw improvements in all patient relationships, with an average score across all dimensions collectively increasing by more than 4%. The quality improvement project using the PX culture model approach demonstrated significant improvements. In addition, employee involvement in patient care has become a significant factor in improving the quality of care. The critical elements for improving the PX and culture included recognising staff and creating networks across the system through effective leadership, employee engagement and engagement of patients and their families.

Turnover-attachment motive of Saudi Arabia nursing workforce: A Cross-Sectional study.

AIM: This study aimed to explore the association of turnover-attachment motive with socio-demographic data among Saudi and foreign nurses in a hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional correlation study was conducted among n = 180 registered Saudi and foreign nurses working at a private tertiary hospital in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. The turnover-attachment motive survey was used to evaluate the eight motivational forces. Data were analysed using JASP version 16 statistical software and Orange 3 version 3.26.0. The data were subjected to correlation analysis and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Only 8% of participants were identified with a high intention to leave driven by alternative, behavioural, normative and constitutive forces. Younger healthcare workers tend to have higher intentions to quit the job; the 29-33 age group has a statistically significant negative effect, increasing intention to leave. It was found that those with 5-6 years of clinical experience at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Al Khobar and no experience abroad had statistically significantly lower intention to leave. CONCLUSION: This study presented the factors influencing nursing staff to stay or leave work in a hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia that can be a basis for reviewing existing policies and procedures to improve nurses' working conditions.

A Multicenter Study to Determine Knowledge and Perceptions on Stem Cell Donation, Transplantation Among Saudi Medical Students.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant contributions to stem cell research in Saudi Arabia, knowledge and awareness of stem cell research is the subject of ongoing studies with controversial findings, specifically among medical students. This was a cross-sectional study with 685 medical students aimed to explore their knowledge and attitudes in relation to stem cell research and transplantation. METHODS: A validated survey exploring knowledge and attitudes in relation to stem cell research and transplantation was administered. The total knowledge, attitude, and age scores were presented through mean and SD RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that university students in the Eastern Province had an average 35.88 knowledge of stem cell research. In contrast, the attitudes were positive among the entire study sample, with a mean of 3.79 out of 5. Both men and women had significant knowledge about the definition of stem cells and adult stem cells, bone marrow, whether stem cells can be used for drug testing, and recommended stem cell treatment if available. CONCLUSIONS: The medical curriculum needs to be refined and enriched with additional data on organ and stem cell donation. This can be further enriched with experimental evidence through additional training initiatives that will allow those with negative attitudes to re-evaluate their perceptions and provide accurate information to patients as future health care providers.