Al Baha Research Articles

The Effectiveness of Designing Interactive Educational Software to Develop Instructional Design Skills among Students Teachers at Al Baha University

The Effectiveness of Designing Interactive Educational Software to Develop Instructional Design Skills among Students Teachers at Al Baha University

A descriptive retrospective study of ophthalmic care during pregnancy at Al Baha Province, Saudi Arabia

Background: The eye is considered as the mirror for the human body, and its examination can reflect many signs of systemic diseases. Pregnancy is associated with many physiological changes in the eyes that should be considered by all caring physicians to optimize the medical care for the pregnant lady. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the current status of the ophthalmic care during pregnancy at the biggest referral hospital in our city; King Fahad Hospital (KFH) at Al Baha, Saudi Arabia, by screening the available records at the obstetric unit, and to monitor the ophthalmic consultations from the obstetricians to the ophthalmologists. Materials and Methods: The data were obtained from the records of the antenatal care unit. The data included the records of the pregnant ladies who had their antenatal care and delivery at KFH over 1 year time the period from (January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015). All these records were reviewed and studied critically in a retrospective manner. The descriptive study including the mean and standard deviation was done by SPSS version 17. Results: The total numbers of pregnancies seen in the antenatal clinics were 5325, among them 214 patients were diabetic (26 were of type 1 diabetes and 188 were gestational diabetes mellitus) and 174 were hypertensive (44 patients with chronic hypertension [HTN] and 130 patients were gestational induced HTN). No single consultation or ophthalmic care documentations founded in the studied group files. Conclusion: In hospitals where obstetric care is provided, strong collaboration between obstetricians and ophthalmologist is mandatory to implement a clear protocol and guidelines for eye care during pregnancy.

Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesis Silver Nanoparticles Using Some Wild Edible Plants Commonly Used in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia

In the present study, aqueous extract of Cissus rotundifolia (Wild edible plants) was used as a reducing and capping agent in the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). UV-visible spectroscopy (Uv-Vis) was used to monitor the formation of AgNPs in the aqueous medium. The green-prepared AgNPs investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The morphology and size of the benign silver nanoparticles were carried out by the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The susceptibility of bacteria strains against the green synthesis AgNPs was determined using the disk diffusion method. The microorganisms employed were E. coli, K. pneumoniae, B. cereus, S. aureus, C. lbicans and Aspergillus. The results showed the characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak of the AgNPs appeared at approximately 418 - 446 nm. XRD revealed peaks at 38.2, 44.16, 64.24 and 77.22 θ, and the intensity of these peaks enhanced when using microwave curing compared to ambient temperature. SEM and TEM results showed that the silver nanoparticles have a spherical shape and the particle size for samples is less than 37 nm. FTIR spectroscopy measurements showed the binding of organic compounds on the surface of the silver nanoparticles. The highest antibacterial activity was enhanced with increasing of AgNPs dose and with increasing of extract ration against most of microorganisms.

Male and Female EFL Teachers' Consciousness of Self-Disclosure: A Case Study from Al Baha University, Saudia Arabia

Male and Female EFL Teachers' Consciousness of Self-Disclosure: A Case Study from Al Baha University, Saudia Arabia

Perceptions about Sickle Cell Disease among Adults in Al Baha Region : A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Sickle-cell disease (SCD) is a group of genetic disorders characterized by abnormally shaped red blood cells (RBCs), which are destroyed at increased rates, leading to anemia. Recently, Saudi Arabia has been reported to have an increased prevalence of SCD. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess perceptions about SCD among the general population in Albaha region, Saudi Arabia, and the possible relationship between their levels of knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: The study was carried out on 218 Saudi subjects who completed the self-administered questionnaires during the study period. Results: This study demonstrated that more than two-thirds of the respondents (68.80%) had good knowledge about basics of sickle cell disease. Those with poor knowledge (31.20%) were mainly younger males and works as businessmen and housewives, and all of them had no previous experience with SCD child. Despite the recorded favorable level of knowledge, certain gaps in knowledge were identified; most of them falsely believed that some foods like fava beans, lentils, falafel made with fava beans, vigna and /or nuts could precipitate sickle-cell crisis.Moreover, in depth information of our study population about pattern of inheritance of SCD and its complications were not sufficient. Conclusion: In our study, a good level of awareness regarding SCD was found. Some of the respondents were confused about the nature of inheritance, complications and dietary factors related to the disease. So, community health education meetings and/or media programs to increase the public awareness are recommended.

Positive and Negative Affect, Anxiety, and Academic Achievement among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia

Several studies have proven that an individual’s psychological well-being is an essential element of his or her health. Stress and anxiety both play roles in the overall functioning of the individual. They have been shown to have powerful influence on students and their overall academic achievement and performance in their courses. In the present study, we sought to evaluate the effects of anxiety on the academic performance of medical students. The study participants were 185 male medical students in the faculty of medicine at Al Baha University, Saudi Arabia, and in age range from 19 to 25 years (M = 21.6 ± 1.7 years). To investigate students’ experiences of positive and negative affect and also their anxiety levels, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS) were administered to medical students and correlation of the PANAS and TMAS measures with Grade Point Average (GPA) was performed. The present study findings revealed that the association of positive affect (p = 0.016) of PANAS is significantly and strongly related to GPA in Saudi medical students, whereas negative affect and the TMAS were not, suggesting that the positive affect component of PANAS enhances the grade performance. To confirm and establish these results, future studies including both males and females with various economic backgrounds are recommended.

MORPHOLOGICAL AWARENESS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH READING COMPREHENSION OF EFL SAUDI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

In the past ten years, there has a research interest in morphological awareness, which refers to an individual’s ability to decode the morphemic structure of words and further analyze them. The current study is an attempt to investigate levels of awareness of EFL Saudi university students and also to discover any potential relationship between their morphological awareness and successful reading comprehension. To this end, the researcher administered a modified version of Morphological Awareness Test (McBride- Chang et al. 2008) to 35 undergraduate students at the Department of Foreign Languages at Faculty of Arts and Humanities of Al Baha University in the academic year 2016/2017. The test included the analytic and synthetic aspects of word formation rules. Instruments of the study also included an adopted version of Reading Comprehension Test for Smart Choice Learners (Oxford, 2007). Results of the study indicated that the average score of the Morpheme Identification section (the analytic aspect of morphological awareness) was the highest among the students (M= 27.11, SD= 6.20) in comparison to the synthetic aspect of morphological awareness (M= 14.66, SD= 11.91). The students noticeably scored better in the Morpheme Identification Test (88.57%) than they did in the Morphological Structure Test (57.6%). The overall mean score of the Morphological Awareness Test was 41.77 out of 68 with a considerable dispersion among the results (SD= 14.63) with overall percentage (65.71%) which indicated that the students had intermediate awareness of word formation rules. In addition, EFL students scored better in the Inflectional affixes in both the analysis section (63%, SD= 5.32) and the synthesis section (50%, SD=9.85) than they did with the Derivational affixes (59.15%, SD= 7.38 in the analysis section, 46.33%, SD=13.72 in the synthesis section). Furthermore, there is high positive correlation between total students' scores on analytical aspect section of the morphological awareness test and reading comprehension test (0.871) (0.009). There is positive correlation between students' scores on synthetic aspect section of the morphological test and reading comprehension (0.841) (0.005), but it is weaker than that of the first section of the test. The total scores of students on morphological test positively correlate with their total scores on reading comprehension test (0.869) (0.005). The present study ended up with a set of pedagogical implications and recommendations to include training on rules of word formation in EFL curriculum so as to increase their morphological awareness and to develop their successful reading comprehension endeavors. Future research themes were also recommended such as the role of morphological awareness in tracing semantic irregularities to enhance learners' understanding of different English words and to explore the relationship between morphological awareness and other language learning skills including listening and speaking. Article visualizations:

A Strategic Plan to Develop Sports Activities and its Impact on Students' Participation at Al Baha University Colleges

A Strategic Plan to Develop Sports Activities and its Impact on Students' Participation at Al Baha University Colleges

Humorous in poem of Al Baha Zohair

للفکاهة أثر عميق في النفوس، ومکانة بارزة يحتلها مبدعوها بسبب قدرتهم علی رؤية البشر والحياة والمواقف والأفکار من زوايا جديدة غير مألوفة ليس للجدّ فيها نصيب کبير. ففي عالم السخرية تتقلب صور الحياة، فإذا هي مسرح للعب ومنظر تمتزج فيه الفکاهة بالمأساة، والحزن بالسرور، والمضحک بالمبکي. بل تبدو الحياة کلها رواية مسلية ومشهداً عجيباً. ولم تکن مصر بمنأی عن السخرية والروح الفکاهية في العصرين الفاطمي والأيوبي. و نحن إذا ننتقل إلی الحروب الصليبية، يمکن لنا أن نقول إن الحروب کانت سبباً في ازدياد هذه الروح عند المصريين، فقد فجرت الطاقات الکامنة في نفوس المصريين عامة، وشعراء الفکاهة خاصة. تناول هذا البحث مضامين الفکاهة والسخرية في شعر البهاء زهير(1185- 1258م) بوصفه ظاهرة أدبية؛ وشعر البهاء زهير کما هو مرآة صادقة بما فيه من فيض الطبع والبعد عن التکلف، هو أيضاً مرآة لعصره من حيث اللغة والتعبير، والروح المصري تتجلّی في هذا الشاعر، وفي شعره نفحات مصرية في التعبير والذوق، وظهرت فيه السخرية، لتشتمل سخريته مسائل متعدّدة نستطيع من خلال قراءتها أن ندخل إلی تناقضات شتی عاشها مجتمعه، وأثّرت فيه.

Soil Microbial Biomass of Pea ( Pisium sativum cv. Little Marvel) in Response to Three Atmospheric Air Regimes at Al Baha Region, KSA

This study was conducted to determine the effect of atmospheric air on soil health in pots involving the growth of pea under two soil moisture regimes. Twelve pots were treated with three air quality treatments of urban, suburban and rural sites. In situ soil respiration increased under urban and suburban while it decreased little under rural site atmospheric conditions. These data support the relationships between the number of microorganisms in soils and carbon dioxide fluxes. Microbial biomass, metabolic quotient and crop yields or biomass were found most sensitive indicators of soil quality, which significantly varied in response to air quality and soil moisture regimes. The soil microbial biomass, metabolic quotient, and basal respiration were the most practical quality index variables; however, when using only a single predicator, microbial biomass was the most sensitive indicator of the soil quality.

Magnification the use of some white grape seed that found in the AL baha area in applications of therapeutic nutrition

Magnification the use of some white grape seed that found in the AL baha area in applications of therapeutic nutrition

An Investigation Study on Optimizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation in Emerging Public University: Al Baha University Case Study

<span>This project investigates the correlation between the organizational readiness in Albaha University (ABU) and the respective Critical Success Factors (CSFs) with regards to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. The investigation also considers some suggestions to improve the ABU’s ERP systems and roadmap towards the self –development strategy and reduce vendor-dependency. A survey regarding ERP to the end-user, expert and developer in ABU was conducted. The analysis of the results in this work confirmed with the results of an existing work. The four significance success factors: Project Management, Business Process Re-engineering (BPR), System Integration, and Training and Education are recommended to be adopted to assure the smooth adoption of ERP at Albaha University</span>

An Investigation Study on Optimizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation in Emerging Public University: Al Baha University Case Study

<span>This project investigates the correlation between the organizational readiness in Albaha University (ABU) and the respective Critical Success Factors (CSFs) with regards to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. The investigation also considers some suggestions to improve the ABU’s ERP systems and roadmap towards the self –development strategy and reduce vendor-dependency. A survey regarding ERP to the end-user, expert and developer in ABU was conducted. The analysis of the results in this work confirmed with the results of an existing work. The four significance success factors: Project Management, Business Process Re-engineering (BPR), System Integration, and Training and Education are recommended to be adopted to assure the smooth adoption of ERP at Albaha University</span>

Causes of irreversible unilateral or bilateral blindness in the Al Baha region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

PurposeTo determine the causes of irreversible unilateral and bilateral blindness that cannot be rehabilitated medically, optically nor surgically in Al Baha province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. MethodsThere were a retrospective chart review and examination of patients presenting to King Fahad Hospital Al Baha, Saudi Arabia, with unilateral or bilateral blindness from June 2011 to September 2011. Blindness was defined as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of less than 0.05 (Snellen, 20/400) or a visual field no greater than 10° around central fixation. Data were collected on patient demographics, ocular disease either primary or secondary to systemic diseases and laterality if unilateral involvement. ResultsOne hundred consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the study sample was 58±2.28years (range, 1–90years). The male to female ratio was 3:2. The most common cause of blindness in one or both eyes per person was diabetes (30% of patients) followed by glaucoma (23%). Reclassification of the causes of the blindness according on World Health Organization (definition of blindness which included both eyes) did not change the causes of blindness. There were 76% patients with unilateral blindness. The most common causes of unilateral blindness were diabetes mellitus (DM) (19 patients; 27%), glaucoma (17 patients; 23%) and retinal diseases (other than that caused by DM) (17 patients; 23%). In the entire study sample, the male-to-female ratio for patients with blindness from DM was 2:1. Diabetic macular edema caused 87% of the cases of blindness in patients with DM mostly in the left eye. ConclusionDiabetes mellitus and then glaucoma are the major causes of irreversible blindness in the Al Baha region in Saudi Arabia. Public health plans should be developed to encourage proper patient health education in the region. Additionally, effective screening should be performed at the primary health care centers for diabetes.

مدى توافر بعض مهارات التفكير الناقد وعلاقتها ببعض المتغيرات لدى طلاب السنة التحضيرية بكلية العلوم والآداب بالمخواة – جامعة الباحة - المملكة العربية السعودية

Abstract: The research aimed to identify the availability of critical thinking skills among students in the preparatory year for the Faculty of Sciences and Arts at Al Makhwah - Al Baha University. The research sample is formed from (272) students, distributed according to specialization to (132) students of scientific specialization, (140) students to theoretical specialization. The study was conducted using the selection to measure critical thinking skills of the research sample. The test included in the final image on the number (14 Single) in the form of real problems and tasks reflect the students' ability to use a conclusion, generalization and test the validity of hypotheses. The research results indicated that the low level of research sample in the three skills for individuals with critical thinking, as the average performance of students in the test as a whole (4.823) as a percentage amount of 34.45% while the average performance of students in the test was (4.581) as a percentage of 32.72%, which reflects the level of a significant reduction in the level of critical thinking among a sample search personnel skill. Also, the results of the study showed a lack of statistically significant difference at the level (less than 0.05) between the average male and female students performance in the test, and the lack of a statistically significant difference when level (less than 0.05) between the average performance of individuals members of the scientific and theoretical specialization. The study attributed the reasons for the low performance of the sample level in the test of critical thinking and the lack of statistically significant differences as a result of the impact of global sex and specialization to teaching the course of Scientific Thinking and accompanying activities for students in the same way, as well as due to the simple skills 'default' classification content focus; the skills does not depend upon the exercise of critical thinking essential degree. Key Words: Critical Thinking Skills, Scientific Specialization, Theoretical Specialization Course of Scientific Thinking

Main vegetation types and plant species diversity along an altitudinal gradient of Al Baha region, Saudi Arabia.

Plant species composition patterns and vegetation types were investigated along Elevational Gradients in Al Baha region, Saudi Arabia. Sandy plain, wadis, drainage lines, rocky outcrops, hills and fallow lands occur over a wide geographic range encompassing variation in plant species and communities among these different ecological sites. To provide a quantitatively based classification of the vegetation we used Multi Variant Statistical Package (MVSP) software, followed by the re-arrangement of a matrix of the similar plant species in rows and similar sample sites in columns. Plant density and environmental variables were measured and recorded in each quadrat. Two-way indicator species analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were used to analyze the relationships between vegetation and environmental variables, while Arc Map was used to analyze the pattern of plant species density. A total of 59 sample plots (25 × 25 m), stratified, randomly-placed relevés were collected in Al Baha region, along a cross section running from south-west to north-west. About 190 plant species belonging to 59 families were recognized. This study showed that these plant species formed 15 vegetation types that primarily correspond mainly to different combinations of elevation, and topography. The study concluded that this research has provided the first quantitative and systematic survey of the vegetation in Al Baha region.

The Application of X.Class Teacher Program to Enhance Students’ Listening and Speaking Skills in Al Baha University

The present study focuses on the implementation of technological aids in improving foreign language education by investigating the impact of using X. Class Teacher's Program on teaching listening and speaking skills of Al Baha University Students. It aims at improving students' listening and speaking skills through the use of the above mentioned program. A multi-method approach will be adopted to enable researchers to extract information from different perspectives. This approach will involve tests and classroom practice and observation. The participants of the study will be a sample of students from the recently enrolled beginners in listening and speaking skills courses in the College of Arts and Science in Almandaq. SPSS mechanism will be used to analyze the data to verify the hypothesis that X. Class Teacher helps in improving students listening and speaking skills. The study recommended that X.Class Teacher Program is the best way to develop listening and speaking skills.

A new focus of autochthonous transmission of Cordylobia anthropophaga in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundCordylobia anthropophaga, is responsible for nodular cutaneous myiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. The fly has long been limited to tropical Africa except for Asir Province, Saudi Arabia. Al Baha Province; north of Asir has an ecological pattern close to that dominant in subtropical Africa. The Southern parts of Saudi Arabia, including Al Baha, are considered part of the Afro-tropical zoogeographical belt where C. anthropophaga is dominant. A case, with cutaneous nodular lesions, was presented to us, where comprehensive investigations were done to establish the diagnosis and to relate it to the known epidemiological background. Materials and methodsA thorough history taking, comprehensive clinical examination and an intensive parasitological examination on a viable larva recovered from the cutaneous lesions, were performed. Taxonomic identification of the larva was done based on various criteria including shape, size, cuticle spine pattern and the posterior spiracles of the recovered larva. ResultsWe report a case of cutaneous myiasis, caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga, indigenously acquired in Al-Baha. The recovered larva was identified as the third instar of C. anthropophaga. With no history of travel to Africa or to Asir, along with a comprehensive epidemiological assessment, an autochthonous pattern of transmission was confirmed. ConclusionWe present a new focus of autochthonous transmission of C. anthropophaga in Saudi Arabia suggesting a need for an epidemiological reassessment. We also propose considering Cordylobia myiasis as a differential diagnosis in furuncular skin lesions, even in individuals with no history of traveling to Africa.

Prediction of stature from radiographic study of foot and hand in modern Saudi at Baha Province

Background: Stature is necessary for medical and nutritional assessment in the living individual. Also, in Physical Anthropology and Forensic Medicine, determination of stature is an important parameter for personal identification along with others such as age and race. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between stature and foot and hand variables in both sexes through anthropometric and radiographic means. At the same time, prediction equations for estimating stature from foot and hand parameters were developed. Materials and Methods: Measurements of body weight, stature, foot length and breadth as well as hand length and breadth were taken from 400 randomly selected students in Al Baha University aged 19–22 years (290 male and 110 female). Plain X-ray for foot and hand was done for a subsample to measure the length and breadth of the metatarsals and metacarpals, respectively. Derived variables (body mass index, foot index, and stature/foot and hand ratios) were calculated from the measured variables. Results: Significant correlations were found between stature and many foot parameters. Low correlations were found between stature and hand parameters. Predictive regression equations were computed to estimate stature from foot and hand parameters. Conclusion: Predictive equations were computed to estimate stature from foot and hand variables. This would be useful in cases where stature cannot be measured in the living subjects or in cases of stature prediction in Physical Anthropology and Forensic Medicine.

Incidence of Leishmaniasis in Al Baha Province , Saudi Arabia : Past and Present Situation Observational and Descriptive Study

Cutaneous leisumamnasis (CL) is a worldwide skin protozoan infectious disease. This study evaluated the past and present situation of CL in Al-Baha Province. The incidence of CL patients over a total of (250,000) mid-year population was recorded from January to December in both years of 2012 and 2013. The statistical analyses were carried out with SPSS version 12.0 for windows. The highest number of patients was in 2012 with 11 cases in this year. 37.5% of patients aged younger than 15-year and 62.5% were older than 15 year. The highest incidence of disease was observed in Alinandak Governorate in 2012 (8 over 250,000 mid-year population), and the lowest incidence rate was in Al-Tawlah Governorate in the same year. The disease was observed with the incidence rate over 250,000 mid-year population of 3,3,2,1,1 and 1 for January, May , December, March, June and September 2012 respectively and 3,1, and 1 for June, January and April 2013 respectively. The highest incidence of disease was observed among males, Saudi patient who are resident in Al-Baha in both years of 2012 and 2013.