Al Hasa Research Articles

Association between hemoglobin level and food consumption among female nursing students at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

Anemia exerts significant adverse impacts on health and the economy, both in developing and developed nations across the globe. The physiological and physical changes that transpire during adolescence and early adulthood necessitate heightened nutritional requirements. Among teenagers and young adults, anemia manifests as a frequent condition. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of anemia and its contributing factors among female nursing students enrolled at King Faisal University in Al Hasa, located in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Employing a cross-sectional design, we conducted an investigation involving a cohort of 83 nursing students who were in good health. To ensure adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, we employed a practical sampling method to collect the samples. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels were assessed using a finger-stick capillary blood sample. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for diagnosing anemia, hemoglobin levels exceeding 12.0 g/dL indicate the absence of anemia. The study findings revealed that 59% of the participants were diagnosed with anemia due to their low hemoglobin levels. Substantial associations were observed between hemoglobin levels, anemia, and clinical factors such as chronic illnesses, heavy menstrual cycles, and dietary supplements. Based on these outcomes, anemia is highly prevalent among female university students. Furthermore, the research population may be susceptible to anemia if they engage in practices such as tea or coffee consumption, irregular meal patterns, or the intake of foods that impede iron absorption.

Prevalencia de patologías incidentales en el seno maxilar en una muestra de pacientes dentales asintomáticos mediante el uso de CBCT: un análisis retrospectivo

Background: The incidence of abnormalities in asymptomatic people varies between 10.9% and 69.1%. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pathologies in the maxillary sinuses using CBCT as a diagnostic tool in asymptomatic patients at King Faisal University’s dental clinical complex in Al Hasa, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the CBCT images of 600 patients (male and female) and consisted of 1200 maxillary sinuses. The included patients ranged from 14–75 years old and were grouped into three age groups: (1) 14–30; (2) 31–60; (3) 61–75. The maxillary sinuses were observed for increased mucosal thickening, polypoidal mucosal thickening, polyps, and opacification changes. A correlation of these pathologic findings with age and gender was analyzed. Statistical analyses included a chi-square test and the significance level was p< 0.05. Results: The incidence of the pathological findings in maxillary sinuses observed was 27.7%. The most common abnormality observed was mucosal thickening (63.3%), followed by polypoidal mucosal thickening (18.4%), opacification (10.2%) and sinus polyps (8.1%). However, there was no significant correlation between different age groups or gender. Conclusion: The prevalence of pathologies in the maxillary sinuses is high in asymptomatic dental patients in this study; hence, dentists should be aware of them and evaluate the entire CBCT images comprehensively, as it will help with early diagnosis and treatment.

The Effectiveness of Sports Programs in Improving the Social Interaction of Children with Down Syndrome

Paying attention to learners with special needs is essential to achieving the principle of equal educational opportunities for all. This study is aimed at determining the effectiveness of sports programs in improving the social interaction of children with Down syndrome. The sample consisted of 12 children with Down syndrome. Their ages ranged from 8 to 14 years, and their IQ ranged from 50 to 70. They were from Al Najashi School in Al Hofuf, Al Hasa. The children were asked questions to gain preliminary data about children with Down syndrome. A scale was used to measure and assess their social interaction, and the efficacy of the sports programs in their social interaction was obtained. The results show that there are differences in the social interaction of group members in the test conducted before participation in the program (pre-test) as compared to the test conducted after participation in the program (post-test). There are also statistically significant differences among the experimental and control groups in their social interaction, in favor of the experimental group. There were no differences in the social interaction in the experimental group between the post- and follow-up tests. This shows the effectiveness of sports programs in improving social interaction in children with Down syndrome, as well as the continuing effectiveness in improving social interaction for these children during the follow-up period. The study recommends that sports programs be used to improve social interaction skills in children with Down syndrome.

Evaluación de la ubicación del foramen mental en una muestra de población de Arabia Al Hasa, utilizando tecnología de tomografía computarizada de haz cónico: Un estudio retrospectivo.

Background: It is essential that the dentist understand the positional variations of the mental foramen to perform different types of dental procedures. This study was conducted to identify the position of the mental foramen among the Saudi population of Al Hasa. Material and Methods: According to the selection criteria of 200 CBCT images, 101 images were selected. The selected images were categorized into five groups with respect to patient age. Each image was evaluated from both sides of the mandible and then recorded in six classes (position I-VI) according to the horizontal position and three classes in the vertical position. Results: In the Saudi Al Hasa population, Type 4 (at the level of 2nd premolar) was the most common location for mental foramen in the horizontal direction, on the right side (n= 41; 40.6%) and on the left side (n=44; 43.6%). Mental foramen was found in the vertical location, Type 3 (below the apex of 1st and 2nd premolars) was found in the right side (n= 54; 53.5%) and left side (n=56; 55.4%). The position of mental foramen is not constant and changes according to gender and ethnicity. This warrants dentists to evaluate patients individually. Conclusion: Even though the present study was done with a small sample of patients it provides a picture about approximate location of mental foramen among the target group of a population.

The Discovery of the Great Wall of Jordan, Southern Levant

Great wall of Jordan also known as Khatt Shebib is a unique ancient wall situated in Southern Jordan near Maan City. The remains of the wall which includes towers, barracks, rooms …etc. are 150 km long from south to north, making it the longest linear archaeological site in southern Levant &in Jordan. The archaeological remains of the wall were first identified by British experts, the discovery was unveiled in 1948, then it was documented by air photographing in 1982, the Department of Antiquities explored it in 1992, with survey, excavations, & documentation continued to the present day. Located in the south of the Kingdom, the wall is the world's second longest after the China Wall, as it spans a distance of approximately 150 kilometers approximately, making it the region’s longest structure. Known locally as Hableh or Khatt Shebib, the wall stretches northwards from Ras Al Naqab in Maan Governorate extending to the Wadi Al Hasa area of Tafileh Governorate, A Jordanian team of archaeologists and experts imitated a field project in 1992-1996, and 2020in order to document the nearby remains of the wall, where comprehensive survey and excavations urgently needed in several significant sites along the wall sides. The field study concluded in revealing significant architectural structures built directly adjacent to the wall, also focused on the importance of the wall to be an attractive point for tourism in South Jordan. The date of the wall's construction clearly refers to Nabataean Period.

Screening for depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders among secondary school students in Al-Hasa Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and assess their severity in both male and female secondary school students.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This cross-sectional study was conducted among secondary school students in Al Hasa region. A sample of student was selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using valid self administered questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Anxiety Disorder 7, and Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive scale). Study was approved by institutional ethical review committee, and informed consent was obtained from each participant. SPSS used for data entry and analysis. Chi-square test was used to test for statistical significance.RESULTS:A total of 1783 of students, 930 males and 853 females, were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and OCD was 76.2%, 49.9%, and 61.6%, respectively. Most of the diagnosed students had mild forms of the diseases, fewer had moderate form, and very few had severe forms. The most significant risk factor was gender, but other risk factors were significant for some of the diseases.CONCLUSION:The prevalence of the three diseases is high and significantly associated with gender. Further work is needed to evaluate this high prevalence and assess the severity of the diseases and other risk factors.

Phylogenetic Analysis of MERS-CoV in a Camel Abattoir, Saudi Arabia, 2016-2018.

We detected Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA in 305/1,131 (27%) camels tested at an abattoir in Al Hasa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, during January 2016–March 2018. We characterized 48 full-length MERS-CoV genomes and noted the viruses clustered in MERS-CoV lineage 5 clade B.

Sleep Disturbances and Self-Care Strategies among Women in Reproductive Age in Al Hasa

Sleep Disturbances and Self-Care Strategies among Women in Reproductive Age in Al Hasa

Retrospective study of risk factors predicting hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy in Al Hasa, Saudi Arabia

Retrospective study of risk factors predicting hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy in Al Hasa, Saudi Arabia

Air Conditioning the Arabian Peninsula

With much of the Arabian Peninsula characterized by hot and arid weather conditions during long summer seasons, residents are forced to rely on air conditioning to cool their surroundings. Before the construction of air conditioning infrastructures, many would leave the coast during the summer months to head to oases, such as Al Ain near Abu Dhabi, or live in tents in the desert to find relief from the heat. From the 1950s, European and American building practices shaped the region with little consideration of vernacular design elements or energy conservation. These building practices introduced air conditioning as a cooling method. For instance, the 1951 Report of Operations to the Saudi Arab Government by the Arabian American Oil Company explained how “automobiles, air conditioning units, sewing machines, washing machines, refrigerators, and many other modern conveniences are now readily available” in Al Hasa, a significant region for Aramco's operations on the east of Saudi Arabia. By 1952, workers residing in Aramco's camps could have air conditioning units installed in their rooms on a rental basis. Air conditioning technology reconfigured urban environments, altering the relationship between indoors and outdoors, and ultimately constituting what Jiat-Hwee Chang and Tim Winter term a “thermal modernity” that transforms how built forms are imagined and inhabited. The current widespread use of air conditioning in the region is therefore connected not only to high temperatures, but also to how air conditioning is singled out as the ultimate technical fix in confronting the climate. Other solutions to managing heat, such as improving insulation mechanisms for residences and office buildings, have been less pervasive.

Geological and geotechnical properties of soil materials at Tannur dam, Wadi Al Hasa, South Jordan

Tannur dam, sited about 150km south of Amman on Wadi Al Hasa with a reservoir capacity of 17×106m3, forms part of the Southern Ghors project for water supply and irrigation in the Jordan valley. Values obtained for plastic limit (PL) ranged from 9.8 to 30.3 mass %, liquid limit (LL) 20–42 mass % and plasticity index (PI) 7.3–16.3 mass % for alluvium materials, while values obtained for PL ranged from 10 to 32 mass %, LL 28–58 mass % and PI 12–43 mass % for landslide materials. PSD analysis shows that the materials at the dam site falls into the sandy to clayey silt grain size range. XRD analysis revealed that the landslide materials are composed of smectite as major component with minor amounts of calcite and quartz, while the alluvium materials are mostly composed of quartz, calcite and smectite. Based on the plasticity characteristics, the alluvium materials are slightly to moderately plastic, while the landslide materials are classified as moderate to high plasticity. Accordingly, it is evident that the landslide materials reflect high swell potential due to the presence of considerable amount of expansive clays (smectite).

The knowledge attitude and practice regarding diabetes and diabetic retinopathy among the final year medical students of King Faisal University Medical College of Al Hasa region of Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional survey

The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge attitude and practice of the final year medical students of king faisal university medical college towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. A cross sectional survey was conducted in King Faisal university Medical college of Al Hasa province of Saudi Arabia in May 2012. The student population was the Final Year students of MBBS. All 96 students of final year MBBS were included in this study. The data were collected by means of filling up of pre-tested specially designed questionnaires focused on Knowledge, Attitude and practice towards Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic retinopathy. The answers were scored by assigning marks. A SPSS 17 was used for statistical analysis. The mean of overall KAP score (±SD) for all the respondents were 64.75 ± 11.17 (Maximum 100). Male students scored better than the females students (65.30, P = 0.02 vs. 64.18, P = 0.02). The male student scored better in the knowledge (35.83 vs. 34.05, P = 0.018) and practice (13.63 vs. 12.95, P = 0.045) category while the attitude score of female student (17.16 vs. 15.83, P = 0 .020) was significantly higher than the male students. The main weakness of knowledge was on epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), the follow up of the diabetic patient for the screening of diabetic retinopathy and the relation of duration of diabetes with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Many students believed that diabetes is more prevalent among the uneducated people. Ninety percent students did not know the proper angle of insulin injection. This survey highlights some of the lacuna in the teaching system of the medical students and identified the need for improvement in their knowledge, attitude and practices for treating the patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. This can be done by incorporating special syllabus focusing on diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in their teaching programme.

The Knowledge Attitude and Practice Regarding Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy among the Final Year Medical Students of King Faisal University Medical College of Al Hasa Region of Saudi Arabia : A Cross Sectional Survey

The Knowledge Attitude and Practice Regarding Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy among the Final Year Medical Students of King Faisal University Medical College of Al Hasa Region of Saudi Arabia : A Cross Sectional Survey

Factors contributing to non-compliance among diabetics attending primary health centers in the Al Hasa district of Saudi Arabia

Purpose:The purpose of the study was to measure the rate of non-compliance and the factors contributing to non-compliance among the diabetic patients in the Al Hasa region of Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Al Hasa region during the period of June 2010 to June 2011. Random sampling was carried out for the selection of 535 diabetic patients from three chronic disease centers in different parts of Al Hasa. The data were collected by means of interviewing questionnaires and file records. Any patient who had been prescribed optimum treatment and was properly advised on diet and exercise for his / her diabetes, but did not follow the medical advice, with Hb1AC of more than 7% at the time of interview, was considered as non-compliant.Results:The overall prevalence of therapeutic non-compliance of the participants was 67.9% (n = 318, 95% CI 63.59 – 72.02%). The non-compliance of males (69.34%) was higher than females (65.45%, P = .003). The non-compliance among the urban participants was significantly higher than (71.04 vs. 60.15%, P = .023) in the rural participants. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of non-compliance among the participants with different levels of education. Factors found to be significantly associated with non-compliance on bi-variate analysis were: female gender (OR = 1.90, CI =1.32-4.57),level of education (Illiteracy) (OR = 5.27, CI = 4.63 – 7.19), urban population (OR =5.22, CI= 3.65 – 8.22), irregularity of the follow-up (OR = 8.41, CI = 4.90 – 11.92), non-adherence to drug prescription (OR = 4.55 , CI = 3.54 – 5.56), non-adherence to exercise regimen (OR = 5.55, CI = 4.2 6 – 6.), insulin (OR = 1.29, CI = .71 – 1.87), and insulin with oral Metformin (OR = 1.20, CI = .65 – 1.75).Conclusion:The findings indicate that there is a high rate of non-compliance among the diabetes patients in the Al Hasa region of Saudi Arabia and there is a definite need for improvement in the healthcare system, health education, and training of diabetic patients.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of ministry of health primary health care physicians in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study in the Al Hasa District of Saudi Arabia, 2010

To assess the Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) of MOH Primary Health Care Physician in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). A cross sectional survey was conduced between April and October 2010 on MOH Primary Health Care physicians working in Al Hasa district of Saudi Arabia by filling up of pre-tested specially designed questionnaires focused on Knowledge, Attitude and practice towards Type 2 DM patients. The answers were scored by assigning marks. A SPSS 18 was used for statistical analysis. The mean of overall KAP score (± SD) for all the respondents were 66.59 ± 8.82 (Maximum 100). Male physicians scored better than the females physicians (66.90, P=.018 Vs 64.67, P=.018) and the same was true with the rural physicians who scored higher (68.65 ± 10.19, P=.003) than the urban physicians (65.34 ± 7.36, P=.003).The main weakness of knowledge was on epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). 28.3 % (n=28) of physicians didn't know the correct diagnostic criteria of Type 2 DM and only 34.7% physicians knew the correct angle of insulin injection. 86.8% (n=86) of the physicians did not agree that Diabetic Self Management Education (DSME) is an essential part of diabetic care. The mean overall KAP score was significantly higher for physicians with 1-5 years of experience (70.16, P=<.05)) than those with more than 5 years of practice (P=<.05). This difference was found in all the segments of KAP. Overall KAP score of those GPs who had a copy of Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) in their clinic was 70.90 ± 10.94 which was higher than KAP Score of those GPs who did not have a copy of CPG (65.10 ± 7.01, P=.005). Checking patients' ability to manage their diabetes, checking blood pressure, eye exam, lipids , serum creatinine, baseline ECG, chest X ray and serum electrolyte were the best followed tests while foot exam and urinary protein were performed more often than recommended in the guideline. Serum HbAc1 was the most delayed test. This study explored several aspects of diabetes related KAP of Ministry of Health appointed GPs and identified the need for improvement in their knowledge, attitude and practices for treating Type 2 DM patients.

Effect of storage temperatures on microbial load of some dates palm fruit sold in Saudi Arabia market

Forty samples of four date palm fruit varieties (Rezizi, khlas, Sukri and Sefri) collected from date factories located in Riyadh and Al hasa regions in Saudi Arabia were examined for their total microbial load (Mesophilic aerobic count, Yeasts and Molds count, Spore-formers bacteria and Osmophilic yeast count). The effects of different storage temperatures (26, 4 and -19oC) for six months on their microbial population were also examined. The results showed that the microbial load of the date palm fruit was mixture of bacteria, yeasts and molds. The microbial load of Khlas variety was higher than the other varieties, whereas, the Sukri variety had the lowest.The aerobic mesphilic bacteria of samples stored at -19EsC for 6 months decreased significantly (p < 0.05) while those stored at 4EsC were slightly decreased, however, those stored at 26EsC showed insignificant reduction. Theyeasts and molds, spore- formers bacteria and osmophilic yeast counts were significantly decreased at -19EsC storage compared to those stored at 26 and 4EsC. Key words: Microbial load, storage temperature, dates palm fruit varieties.

Prevalence and determinants of diabetic retinopathy in Al hasa region of saudi arabia: primary health care centre based cross-sectional survey, 2007-2009.

Purpose:To evaluate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the urban and rural areas of Al Hasa region of Saudi Arabia and to determine risk factors related to DR.Materials and Methods:This study was conducted on patient attending primary health care centers between July 2007 and June 2009. A retrospective chart review was conducted on subjects with diabetes mellitus greater than 18 years old. Ophthalmologists examined DR status through dilated pupils by using direct, indirect, and slit lamp bio-microscopy. Frequencies, percentage, and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Odd’s ratio was used to associate DR with possible risk factors. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The prevalence of DR among 473 diabetic subjects was 30% (95% CI: 25.80–34.20). The odd ratios (ORs) of DR among diabetic residing in an urban area was significantly higher than diabetics residing in rural areas [OR = 1.94 (95% CI of OR 0.82–2.89)]. DR was associated to the duration of diabetes (adjusted OR = 1.70), uncontrolled blood sugar level (adjusted OR = 1.96), hyperlipidemia (adjusted OR = 2.04), and hypercholesterolemia (adjusted OR = 2.80).Conclusions:DR appears to be a public health problem in the Al Hasa district of Saudi Arabia, and a planned approach is required to avoid severe visual impairment in patients with diabetes mellitus. Primary prevention and early detection could be implemented through primary health centers and non-ophthalmologists.

Human Ecology in Wadi Al–Hasa: Land Use and Abandonment through the Holocene

Human Ecology in Wadi Al–Hasa: Land Use and Abandonment through the Holocene

Vaginal birth following two cesarean deliveries--are the risks exaggerated?

BackgroundPrior to 1996, most women who had undergone two previous cesarean deliveries were offered only cesarean delivery at Al-Hasa Health Centre. A policy of trial of labor was instituted in 1996. We compared the outcome of trial of labor versus cesarean delivery in women with a history of two previous cesarean deliveries who delivered between 1997 and 2002.Patients and MethodsAll patients with a history of two previous lower segment cesarean deliveries were included in the study. Those considered suitable were permitted a trial of labor that was neither induced nor augmented at any stage.ResultsOf the 205 patients in the study, 66 delivered vaginally (32.2%), 68 had an emergency cesarean delivery (33.2%), and 71 an elective cesarean delivery (34.6%). No scar dehiscence was observed, nor was hysterectomy performed in either group. The rate of complications was lower in the vaginal delivery group (4.5%) than in the cesarean delivery group (19.4%).ConclusionTrial of labor in women with a history of two cesarean deliveries is a reasonable consideration, and when carried out without the use of oxytocics or prostaglandins, is associated with reduced maternal morbidity with no difference in perinatal morbidity.

Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Antibody in Polytransfused β-Thalassemia Major Patients

Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Antibody in Polytransfused β-Thalassemia Major Patients