Al-Ahsa Region Research Articles

Factors Affecting Adherence to Hemodialysis Therapy Among Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease Attending In-Center Hemodialysis in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are global health concerns, with ESRD requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). Hemodialysis is a prevalent modality for RRT. However, access to hemodialysis is challenging for rural patients due to geographical barriers and limited nephrology services. This research aims to identify factors influencing adherence to hemodialysis sessions among rural ESRD patients, addressing travel, healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study of 154 participants was conducted from July 06to September 10, 2023 at Al-Jaber Dialysis Center in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. It included adult CKD patients on hemodialysis who were interviewed to assess factors influencing hemodialysis adherence using a structured questionnaire. Results Our study assessed hemodialysis adherence in 154 patients in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Gender distribution was nearly equal (male = 54.5%), with the majority aged 41-60, married, and residing in downtown areas. Hypertension (43.9%) and diabetes (32.3%) were the prevalent comorbidities. Most patients received thrice-weekly dialysis (96.15%), with family cars as the primary transportation mode (55.2%). Hypertension (43.3%) and diabetic nephropathy (40.9%) were the leading causes of CKD. Approximately 26% missed dialysis, with health issues and transportation difficulties being common reasons. Notably, adherence correlated with female gender, lower education, and family car transportation mode. Social support significantly influenced adherence, highlighting its importance in maintaining hemodialysis adherence. Conclusion Our study identified various sociodemographic and dialysis-related factors influencing adherence among hemodialysis patients in the Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia. Notably, factors such as gender, education level, and transportation means significantly influenced adherence. Adequate family and social support were associated with better adherence. These findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions addressing these factors to enhance hemodialysis adherence and ultimately improve patient outcomes in this population.

Quality of Life Among Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Alahsa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disease in children, and its annual prevalence is increasing worldwide. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a crucial indicator of chronic illnesses such as DM. This study aimed to assess the HRQoL and determine the associated factors among children and adolescents with type 1 DM in Alahsa region in 2022. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the DiabeterSA center using the Arabic version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQl 3.2). All patients aged 5-16 years and diagnosed with type 1 DM were included in the study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted during the patients' routine visits to the outpatient clinic from September 2022 to January 2023. A total of 254 children aged 5-16 years (mean age: 10.87 ± 2.89 years) were recruited. The mean HRQoL total score reported by the children and adolescents was 72.61 ± 15.36. Older age, higher family socioeconomic status, excellent school performance, and higher parental education level, particularly in mothers, were significantly associated with higher total HRQoL scores. In the regression analysis, male sex (β = -0.157,P = 0.018), older age (β = 0.246,P <0.001), and excellent school performance (β = -0.290,P < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of the HRQoL total score. Nearly19% of the participants achieved glycemic control. The quality of life of children and adolescents with type 1 DM in Alahsa region was relatively good. Increased age, good family economic status, and higher parent education levels positively influenced the participants' quality of life. Therefore, regular evaluation of HRQoL is recommended for children and adolescents with type 1 DM to identify problems and initiate an appropriate intervention for improving child health and the health care system.

Molecular identification of Leishmania major species in phlebotomine sand flies from Al Ahsa, Eastern KSA

ObjectivesCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is considered an overlooked public health threat in KSA. CL is endemic to several Saudi regions, including Al Ahsa City, Eastern KSA. To our knowledge, no prior molecular identification of Leishmania parasites in vectors in Al Ahsa has been published. The aim of this study was to perform molecular identification of Leishmania species in sand flies collected from Al Ahsa. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Al Ahsa from July 2020 to May 2021. Sand flies were collected from the three areas with the highest rates of CL cases and sand flies, according to data from the Vector Borne Diseases Prevention Center in Al Ahsa. CDC miniature light traps and sticky traps were used to collect sand flies. Pools of 3–10 female sand flies were subjected to genomic DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was then amplified with a protocol targeting the Leishmania genus and using species-specific primers. For Leishmania species identification, a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used. ResultsTen of 113 pools of samples tested positive for the Leishmania genus, according to our experimental protocol. Characterization of Leishmania species by PCR-RFLP established Leishmania major as the only species found in the collected sand flies. ConclusionThis is the first documentation of molecular identification of Leishmania species in phlebotomine sand flies in the Al Ahsa region. L. major was the only species identified in our study. Further comprehensive research investigating the vectors and reservoirs will be crucial to establish the dynamics of transmission of Leishmania in Al Ahsa.

Impact of COVID-19 on the body mass index of school students in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

The precautionary restrictions that were imposed on school students in Saudi Arabia have significantly influenced school students' lifestyles and nutrition intake. This paper aims to reveal the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic on school students' body mass index (BMI) in the Al-Ahsa region, which is located in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The study used cross-sectional data that was collected randomly from school students representing all school levels in Al-Ahsa. The paper used a seemingly unrelated regression method, paired t-test, and McNaimar test to examine the factors affecting students' BMI scores before and after the Coronavirus pandemic. The most critical factor that affected the BMI of the school student indirectly is distance learning, where students spent a lot of time in front of electronic devices to study, learn, use social media, and play electronic games. These led to a decrease in their physical activity and an increase in food consumption. All these factors led to a significant increase in BMI for male and female school students. Also, the results show that fruit consumption is associated with a lower BMI score, whereas vegetable consumption is associated with a higher BMI score. The study also revealed that students infected with the Coronavirus have lower BMI scores, on average than students who were not infected with the Coronavirus. The largest impact on school students' BMI is associated with social media usage and Coronavirus infection. To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first paper to use a seemingly unrelated regression method to reveal the impact of socio-economic and nutritional variables on students’ BMI.

AWARENESS AND CONSUMPTION OF PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS AMONG ADULT (MALE/FEMALE) IN AL AHSA REGION

Introduction: Public awareness and interest in food that is highly related to their health benefits are flourishing. Even though there is a gap between the biomedical sciences experiments and the business of marketing, the accessibility of health-promoting channels/media leads the consumer to seek healthier food and drinks. Pre/probiotics have a big role in management and protection of gastrointestinal infection, allergic disease. The aim of study is to find out the awareness and consumption of prebiotics and probiotics among adults (male/female) in Al-Ahsa region. Method: Cross sectional study was conducted in Al Ahsa, KSA among adults using structured questionnaire which included questions related to demographic, anthropometric, frequency of consumption of prebiotics and probiotics and about health status. A clear inclusion and exclusion criteria data was set before the data collection. Arabic version of Questionnaire along with ethical consent form was distributed through social media total of 450 participated in the study with their consent, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria data of 384 respondents was included for statistical analysis, Data was collected, checked for completeness, and further analysis of the data was done by using (SPSS) software version 20, Descriptive statistics was calculated including frequencies and proportions for categorical variables. Approval for this study was obtained from KAIMRC and IRB Result: Majority of the participants are not aware of the term prebiotic (64.3%) and probiotic (61.2%). However, pre/probiotics products (apples, leeks, garlic, yogurt) are available in all the supermarkets which (kefir and yakult) are rarely available, also the consumption of these products are in high percentage on regular basis (28% &amp; 35%) daily and weekly basis, respectively. Significant association of age, gender, and educational level for awareness &amp; consumption. Conclusion: Pre/probiotics products are available abundantly in all the Al-Ahsa supermarket also the consumption rate, most of them aware of the health benefits of these products. However, the term Pre/probiotics is not very familiar to the population of al Ahsa indicating need for increasing awareness about these products also its health benefits.

PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS IN AL-AHSA REGION, SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Osteoporosis, an ageing bone disease, where the bone mineral density and bone mass decreases leading to decrease in the bone strength ,is a leading cause of bone fracture among the older population. Multiple risk factors participate in developing the osteoporosis which include age, gender, previous fractures, family history of osteoporosis diet deficient in calcium, sedentary lifestyle, Body Mass Index (BMI) ,smoking, corticosteroid medication, or having hyperparathyroidism and chronic liver disease. The present study was conducted to assess prevalence of osteoporosis and to determine its risk factors in Al Ahsa district of Saudi Arabia in order to control and manage this condition. Material and Methods:It was a cross-sectional study conducted at all the primary health care centers of Al Ahsa district of Saudi Arabia. All the patients with bone ailment over 60 years of age attending the Primary Health Care Centers for their bone ailment were the study population. The minimum sample size for this study has been calculated to be 384.A probability sampling in form of multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample. A special data sheet was prepared based on a similar earlier study, The data were entered and analyzed by using the statistical package for social sciences, version 21 .Descriptive statistics were presented using counts, proportions (%), mean ± standard deviation whenever appropriate/ The association of risk factors with the osteoporosis was tested by chi square test .Logistic regression analysis was also done for comparative study. A p-value cut off point of 0.05 at 95% CI was used to determine statistical significance. Results:A total of 422 patients attended the selected PHCs for the treatment of bone ailment making the response rate of 90%. The mean age of the patients was 67.36 years Std. Dev. 6.46 years (Range 60-91 years).The sex of the patients were almost equally distributed (Male: 50.1%, Female: 49.1%).More than sixty one percent of the patients were detected on DXA as suffering from osteopenia (27.3%) and osteoporosis (34%). Majority of them (55.5%) had all the signs of osteoporosis while the rest had osteopenia on DXA. On logistic regression analysis, obese patients over 60 years old were having almost 3 times more risk to develop osteopenia and osteoporosis than those with normal weight (OR2.77, 95% CI 1.48-6.25, P= 0.032 ) . Similarly those patients who had family history of osteoporosis were 5 times more likelihood of developing osteopenia and osteoporosis (OR:5.56 95% CI 2.58-8.34, P = 0.003) .The patients with smoking habit, those who were suffering from liver disease and those who were not involved in physical exercise were 3.5 times ( OR 3,56 , 95% CI 1.58-634, P= 0.032 ) , 4 times (OR 4.32 , 95% CI 2.12-5.63, P= 0.045 ) and 2,7 ( OR 2.77 , 95% CI 1.48-6.25, P= 0.032 ) times likelihood of developing osteopenia and osteoporosis among the patients above 60 years of age. Conclusion:The present study has provided vital information on the prevalence of osteoporosis among the elderly population of Al Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. Osteoporosis is a leading cause of fracture of bone among the elderly population leading to morbidity. The high prevalence of osteoporosis in this region necessitates developing an effective awareness programme among the elderly population for the prevention of osteoporosis at least by controlling the modifiable risk factors.

Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization and Autoimmunization in Blood Transfusion-Dependent Sickle Cell Disease and β-Thalassemia Patients in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia.

The risk of developing transfusion-related complications, especially alloimmunization, is an ongoing concern for transfusion-dependent patients. It is important to determine the rate of alloimmunization and autoimmunization in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia, where sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia incidence rates are the highest in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to review the transfusion history of patients with SCD and thalassemia at the King Fahad Hospital (KFH) in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. 364 transfusion-dependent patients were included in this study. Alloimmunization rates in patients with SCD and thalassemia were 16.7% and 11.97%, respectively, while autoimmunization rates in patients with SCD and thalassemia were 5.3% and 0.7%, respectively. The most frequent alloantibodies among the study participants were against Kell, Rh blood group systems. Blood transfusion-related alloimmunization and autoimmunization compromise the proper management of chronically transfused patients. Ideally, extended matched phenotyping should be implemented to prevent alloimmunization and reduce the risk of developing blood transfusion-related alloantibodies.

Isolation and Characterization of Brucella spp., Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Plastic Degrading Bacteria in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia

Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues, causing severe environmental damage. It is of vital importance to find an efficient and eco-friendly approach to biodegrading plastics. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize different bacterial isolates from water samples in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. The ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic was evaluated using multiple approaches, including changes in the media pH values, weight loss, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The water samples were collected from plastic-contaminated sites in Al-Ahsa, and bacterial isolates were obtained using a mineral nutrient medium (MNM) enriched with LDPE as the only carbon and energy source. Two bacterial isolates (APCK5 and APCZ14) were obtained and they showed potential LDPE degradation, as evidenced by changes in media pH (from 7.0 ± 0.03 to 6.17 ± 0.05 and 6.22 ± 0.03), LDPE weight reduction (8.1 ± 0.63% and 18.85 ± 0.96%, respectively), and FTIR and GC–MS analyses. Based on 16S rRNA gene similarities, APCZ14 and APCK5 were determined to be most closely related to the genus Brucella. APCZ14 exhibited a 99.48% homology with Brucella cytisi, whereas APCK5 showed a 99.33% similarity level to Brucella tritici. In conclusion, both bacterial strains had high efficiency in plastic biodegradation and could be developed for wide use as an eco-friendly method to remove or reduce plastic pollutants from the environment.

Liver enzymes among COVID-19 patients in Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia

BackgroundHepatic damage is one of the common forms of extra pulmonary organ destructions among patients with COVID-19 infections.AimTo evaluate the prognosis of liver damage among COVID-19 patients based on their...

Evaluating food safety knowledge and practices among Saudi women in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia.

Foodborne illnesses are responsible for about half a million deaths annually, of which 30% occur among kids. This study aimed to assess the current food safety knowledge and practice level of Saudi women in Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted through personal interviews among 239 Saudi women. The questionnaire consisted of close-ended questions covering different aspects of food safety knowledge and practices at home and during shopping. Descriptive analyses were used to identify the level of participant's awareness, and the scores were shown in three categories (good - fair - poor) based on their food safety knowledge and practice awareness. The effect of socio-demographic characteristics and their correlation to food safety knowledge and practices was conducted using Chisquare analysis. The results about food safety knowledge showed that around 50% of participants achieved a good score, and 37.5% achieved a fair score, while 12.5% achieved a poor score. In comparison, the participants achieved 75% good score, whereas 12.5% achieved both fair and poor in food safety practices. The results also highlighted a significant correlation (P<0.05) between level of food safety knowledge, practices of participants and their age, marital status, work status, and educational level, while there's no correlation with their family size and total income. Although, the overall result showed good level in food safety knowledge and slightly less in food safety practices among Saudi women living in Al-Ahsa region, continuous education, training, awareness, and motivation are highly recommended to improve women's knowledge and practices to higher levels.

The Utilisation of Test-Taking Strategies by Saudi EFL High Schoolers in Al-Ahsa Region

It is highly recommended that educators know the importance of test-wiseness and test-unwiseness strategies which impact learners' performance on tests. This study aims to identify the common strategies learners adopt to achieve a high score and the most significant challenges that the learners face when taking the tests concerning the design of the tests and the clarity of instructions and questions. A group of six high school students has participated in the study. They have been given a vocabulary test with two types of questions (open and closed questions). The data has been collected by direct observation and a think-aloud protocol. The participants has utilized various test-taking strategies, which have helped them arrange ideas and gather information, such as asking about instructions, excluding choices, reading all questions before answering, and making a random choice of answers. Other students have utilized some TTS unwisely, such as skipping reading questions and instructions or reading them partially and choosing random answers without processing the whole question for meaning. The study helps to understand test-wise and test-unwiseness strategies and differentiate between conscious and unconscious strategies used by the participants. It has also suggested that educators should understand the impact of these strategies on their tests as this would help reduce the incidence of poorly framed questions and ambiguous instructions for learners. The study also raised the question of whether TTS should be taught to students or not. A topic that could further this investigation to reach wider insights and implications.

Farmers' beliefs and concerns about climate change, and their adaptation behavior to combat climate change in Saudi Arabia.

Climate change threatens the existence of humankind on the planet Earth. Owing to its arid climate and poor natural resources base, Saudi Arabia is particularly susceptible to the negative impact of ongoing climate change. Farmers' understanding of this global phenomenon is extremely important as it may help determine their adaptation behavior. This study was designed to analyze farmers' beliefs and concerns about climate change as well as their views about adaptation different obstacles. Data were collected from 80 randomly farmers of the Al-Ahsa region in Eastern Province using structured interviews. The findings revealed that farmers believed that climate change is mainly occurring due to anthropogenic activities. Drought, insects, crop diseases, and heat stress were their main concerns regarding adverse impacts of climate change. Lack of knowledge about adaptation practices, and poor government and financial support are perceived as the major obstacles to adaptation. The results of non-parametric analysis identified no significant differences in farmers' climate change beliefs and concerns, and their views about obstacles to adaptation in relation to their demographic characteristics. Based on the findings, we suggest that capacity building programs should be undertaken by the government for enhancing the adaptive capacity of the farmers as well the provision of financial incentives wherever deemed necessary for promoting the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and building a resilient national food system.

Pregnant and puerperal women's knowledge and awareness of venous thromboembolism: a medical of things survey technique

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy and postpartum. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection increases the risk of VTE. This study aimed to assess pregnant and puerperal women’s knowledge and awareness of VTE. The study included 403 females at the maternity hospital in the Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia. All participants were chosen by convenience sampling technique and interviewed about their bio-demographic, clinical, and gynecological data, personal and/or family history of VTE, history of thromboprophylaxis, and knowledge about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The results of the study revealed that 284 (70.5%) of the participants had poor knowledge about DVT, and only 119 (29.5%) had a good level of knowledge, with a mean score of 8.7 out of 20. Although VTE prevalence has increased due to COVID-19 and its complications, the study results showed a lack of knowledge and poor awareness of VTE among 70.5% of the study participants. The education of women regarding VTE should be improved, especially among pregnant females. More patient education and public education campaigns are needed to increase public awareness of VTE, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The estimating level of awareness and knowledge of colorectal cancer among general population in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that affects the colon. Globally, CRC is one of the most common types of cancer in the world among both genders. The east of Saudi Arabia, Al Ahsa, is reported by the Saudi Cancer Registry to have the highest incidence. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of CRC signs and symptoms among the general population in Alahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022 to February 2023, utilizing a survey based on a previous study by Bakry et al. The sample size was 384 participants, with data collected through an online Google questionnaire. This survey covered demographics, CRC awareness, knowledge, and risk factors. Result: 385 out of 457 of the participants which is represented as 84% answered the questionnaire correctly. The majority were males, aged over 45, residing in the Al Hassa region, with over half having university education or degrees. In addition, most participants were married, and over 80% had heard of CRC. Twelve individuals had been diagnosed with CRC, and 91 had a family history of the disease. Surprisingly, more than 90% of participants demonstrated excellent knowledge of CRC. The correlation analysis indicated that younger participants were more aware of CRC (p = 0.042), but no significant associations were found between excellent awareness levels and gender, educational level, or marital status. Conclusion: There is an excellent level of awareness of CRC signs and symptoms among the general population in Alahsa. This reflects the excellent knowledge and education among the general population. Leading us to expect early medical help if anyone experiences CRC symptoms.

The prevalence of tramadol use and its dependence for the pain management in Al Ahsa district of Saudi Arabia: A chart review study

Background: Tramadol hydrochloride, synthetic centrally acting opioid analgesics is being widely used throughout the world. In many Middle East countries, tramadol abuse was raised as a major public health issue. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of tramadol use and abuse among Saudi patients living in Al-Ahsa region, the risk factors associated with tramadol use/ abuse. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional chart review study which was conducted at a single center, King Fahad Hospital in Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia from January 2020 to December 2021. The data were collected from three main sources: the Pharmacy medical records, from the electronic medical records, and from interviewing the patients. The incomplete information was obtained by calling the patients through the contact number they had provided to the hospital. The Epi info software was used for calculating the sample size, assuming a confidence level of 95% and margin of error at 5% and a power of 80% and with the assumption of the prevalence of tramadol use in the population to be 26% (as reported from one similar study ) with 5% deviation. The total sample size calculated was 277.The data were collected on the data collection sheet especially prepared for this study based on the similar study.. The data were entered and analyzed by using the SPSS, version 21. Descriptive statistics (e.g. number, percentage) and analytic statistics using Chi Square tests (χ2) to test for the association and/or the difference between two categorical variables were applied. Logistic regression analysis was also done. A p-value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The records of 277 patients who were taking pain killer for their treatment were retrieved for this study. The mean age of the participants was 43.10 years ± St. Dev. 11.30 years. Majority of the participants were in the age group of 38-47 years of age (35.4%). The majority of the participants (71.8%) were male. Likewise majority of the participants were married (90.3%) while 2.9% were never married and 6.5% were divorced. More than fifty parents of the participants were graduate (56.7%) while 30.3% were secondary educated. Almost sixty four percent of the participants were unemployed. More than thirty one percent (31.4%) of the participants were using tramadol tablet. Among them 84.5% were using it for acute pain while the rest 15.46% were using it for chronic pain. More than seventy two percent of the participants (72.71%) never used the tramadol without physician prescription while the rest took it from other source without physician prescription. Young (18-27 years) and older age group (58- 67) participants were 2 times more likely to use the tramadol as compared to other age group (AOR 2.27; 95% CI 1.36-3.41,P=0.046).Most of the elder group of the participants used tramadol for arthritis pain. Non Saudi was 7 times more likely to use and misuse tramadol (AOR 7.27; 95% CI 3.23-12.98, P=0.013). Similarly the use and dependency on Tramadol among the participants with high income group was 2.50 times more than those with middle and low income group participants (AOR 2.50,95% CI1.35-4.32,P=0.045) and the participants with arthritis were 7 times more prone to Tramadol use and dependency as compared to other participants with other diseases (AOR 7.23 ; 95% CI 3.35-14.43). Conclusion: The study has shown not only a high prevalence of tramadol use but also\ high dependency of the patients suffering from pain on tablet tramadol. This is a matter of concern especially among the young population. The strict regulation on the drug system in Saudi Arabia has not allowed it for easy access. However it is important that measures should be taken by the public health department to stop the unnecessary use of tramadol to prevent the abuse.

Indicators of Actively Open-Minded Thinking as One of the Cognitive Learning Outcomes for Gifted Programs in Al-Ahsa Region: An Evaluation Study

The evaluation process of gifted care programs in the Kingdom has focused only on verifying the quality of services provided in these programs, without going beyond that to studying the different cognitive and emotional learning outcomes of these programs. To verify the quality of some of the outputs of these cognitive and emotional programs, the current research aimed to reveal the extent of the impact of gifted programs on the development of some actively open-minded thinking skills. To achieve this goal, the actively open-minded thinking scale was developed. The results showed that the gifted program led to the development of actively open-minded thinking skills for students enrolled in gifted programs. The results of the application of the scale in its four dimensions also showed the availability of indicators of actively open-minded thinking with a high degree and that the dimensions of belief identification and dogmatic thinking got a high average rating, while the dimensions of flexible thinking and constructive thinking got a medium rating. The researcher recommended the need and importance of considering the gifted in the content of these programs to determine the positive and negative of them and their opinions of those in charge of these programs to develop them according to their abilities and to try to involve the gifted in developing their own programs on various aspects of personality.

Ventral Hernia in the Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia: Risk Factor Knowledge Assessment.

Introduction A ventral hernia is defined as a non-inguinal, non-hiatal defect in the fascia of the abdominal wall. Approximately 350,000 ventral hernia procedures are performed each year. Ventral hernia can have a negative impact on a person's quality of life and, in severe situations, lead to hospitalization and even death. Aim This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the general population living in the Al-Ahsa region regarding the risk factors of ventral hernia. Subjects and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the general population living in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the population using an online platform. The questionnaire includes basic demographic characteristics (age, gender, and body mass index (BMI)) and a nine-item questionnaire to assess the knowledge of risk factors of ventral hernia. Results Of the 803 respondents involved, 42.1% were aged between 22 and 28 years old, and 44.4% were either overweight or obese. According to participants' knowledge, the most common risk factor of ventral hernia was heavy weight lifting (87.4%), and pregnancy and labor (64.1%). The overall mean knowledge score was 5.78 (standard deviation (SD): 2.68) out of 12 points. Nearly half (49.4%) were considered to have poor knowledge levels, 40.2% were consideredto have moderate knowledge levels, and only 10.6% were considered to have good knowledge levels. Increased knowledge was seen more frequently in younger participants, males, and respondents with normal or underweight BMI. Conclusion The knowledge of the general population regarding the risk factors of ventral hernia was insufficient. Of all the population, male respondents who were younger and had a normal body mass index demonstrated a better understanding of the ventral hernia's risk factors compared to the rest of the subjects. Further research is needed to establish the knowledge of the general population regarding the risk factors of ventral hernia in our region.

Use of Potassium Hydroxide in Dermatology Daily Practice: A Local Study From Saudi Arabia.

IntroductionPotassium hydroxide (KOH) is an inorganic keratolytic test. It is considered one of the most worldwide methods used in the dermatological field with reasonable reliability and sensitivity. One of its major uses is in identifying fungal elements in the skin, hair, nails, and different body secretions. In this study, we aimed to identify the prevalence of KOH usage in different hospitals in the Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, we aimed to identify the dermatological conditions in which KOH is being used and practiced by physicians.MethodsThis was an anonymous questionnaire-based cross-sectional study that was distributed and carried out among dermatologists in Al-Ahsa city in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.ResultsA total of 30 dermatologists completed the study questionnaire. Participants’ ages ranged from 29 to 59 years old with a mean age of 39.5 ± 11.4 years old. 14 (46.7%) dermatologists reported that the KOH test is available in their clinic. Using KOH once a day was reported among 14.3% while 21.4% used it once a week. The most reported condition for KOH use was hair dermatophytes (100%).ConclusionThere is a clear lack of usage and availability of KOH in clinics. The shortage of availability of diagnostic tools, including KOH might affect the diagnosis of several diseases and may cause a waste of resources, wrong prescriptions, and patient’s burden.

Knowledge of COVID-19 and Its Treatment Among Healthcare Worker in Al-Ahsa Region of Saudi Arabia.

To find out how well healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia's eastern region knew about the novel coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19) in terms of its symptoms, transmission, and treatment. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Saudi Arabian region of Al-Ahsa. Between December 2020 and March 2021, a questionnaire was distributed in the main hospitals in the eastern region: King Fahad Hospital, Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Hospital, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, and Maternity and Children's Hospital. Participants' knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms, transmission, and treatment was assessed using our developed questionnaire tool. The Student's t-test/ANOVA test was used to compare the mean knowledge scores of different demographic groups. A total of 300 HCWs participated in this study. Our study sample's mean knowledge score was 6.9 (SD = 2.1) out of 13 (53.1%), indicating a marginal degree of understanding. The duration of practice had a significant effect on the participants' knowledge of COVID-19. Senior and non-Saudi HCWs had a higher knowledge score than the rest of the groups (p ≤ 0.05). The majority of the participants were able to identify that COVID-19 is transmitted from human to human through respiratory droplets, populations at higher risk of developing severe complications, populations needing screening for COVID-19, main clinical symptoms of COVID-19, and were following the WHO guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19. According to our findings, HCWs only had marginal knowledgeaboutthe symptoms, transmission, and treatment of COVID-19. As our findings represent early investigation at the start of the pandemic, more research is needed to evaluate the degree of information gathered two years after the outbreak began. Furthermore, future research should identify knowledge gaps in the targeted population of HCWs and provide strategies to address them.

Toxic Metals and Metalloids in Hassawi Brown Rice: Fate during Cooking and Associated Health Risks.

Rice has been a dietary staple for centuries, providing vital nutrients to the human body. Brown rice is well known for its nutrient-dense food profile. However, owing to multiple causes (anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic), it can also be a potential source of toxic heavy metals in the diet. Brown Hassawi rice samples were collected from the Al-Ahsa region and analyzed for its content of toxic metals. The results reveal that all the tested metals varied significantly in the brown rice samples, while As and Pb in all three samples exceeded their respective maximum allowable limits (MALs), followed by Cd, which nearly approached the MAL in two samples out of three. Brown rice samples were cooked in rice:water systems, viz., low rice:water ratios (1:2.5, 1:3.5) and high rice:water ratios (1:5, 1:6), along with soaking as a pre-treatment. Soaking was unproductive in removing the heavy metals from the rice, whereas cooking dissipated all metals from the rice, except for Cd, which was statistically non-significant. The high-water cooking of the rice was more effective in the dissipation of metals from the rice as compared to low-water cooking conditions. Through the consumption of rice, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of heavy metals is 162 g per person per day for As, which is above the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) regardless of cooking circumstances. The hazard risk index (HRI) also highlighted the fact that As can be a potential health hazard to rice consumers in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. These results indicate the potential health risks caused by the consumption of this rice by humans. Regular monitoring is recommended to manage and control elevated concentrations and related health hazards as a result of the use of Hassawi rice contaminated by the accumulation of metals and metalloids.