Riyadh City Research Articles

Prehospital airway management by health workers in Riyadh City: A local survey

This study sought to determine the perception of healthcare workers (HCWs) about pre-hospital airway management and their experiences. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among health workers at the emergency department of King Fahad Medical City in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh City. This study targeted physicians, nurses, paramedics, and respiratory therapists. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, training, and experiences in airway management and a 5-item questionnaire to measure the perception of HCWs about airway management. Results: Of the 100 HCWs, 39% were doctors, and 37% were nurses. Approximately 23% had a poor experience with intubation. Traumatic injuries were the major difficulties involving airway management (44%). The overall perception of HCWs about prehospital airway management was good (68%), 31% were moderate, and only 1% were considered poor perception levels. No significant differences were observed between perception scores in relation to the demographic characteristics and experiences of HCWs in airway management (all p>0.05). Conclusion: Despite HCWs' good perception of prehospital airway management, some gaps have been identified mainly through intubation skills and experiences. This study provided evidence that perception towards prehospital airway management was not affected by profession, years of experience, regular practice of intubation, and airway management. Regular training should be implemented, with equipment and resources should be available to improve airway management and patient quality of care.

Prehospital airway management by health workers in Riyadh City: A local survey

This study sought to determine the perception of healthcare workers (HCWs) about pre-hospital airway management and their experiences. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among health workers at the emergency department of King Fahad Medical City in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh City. This study targeted physicians, nurses, paramedics, and respiratory therapists. Data were collected using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, training, and experiences in airway management and a 5-item questionnaire to measure the perception of HCWs about airway management. Results: Of the 100 HCWs, 39% were doctors, and 37% were nurses. Approximately 23% had a poor experience with intubation. Traumatic injuries were the major difficulties involving airway management (44%). The overall perception of HCWs about prehospital airway management was good (68%), 31% were moderate, and only 1% were considered poor perception levels. No significant differences were observed between perception scores in relation to the demographic characteristics and experiences of HCWs in airway management (all p>0.05). Conclusion: Despite HCWs\' good perception of prehospital airway management, some gaps have been identified mainly through intubation skills and experiences. This study provided evidence that perception towards prehospital airway management was not affected by profession, years of experience, regular practice of intubation, and airway management. Regular training should be implemented, with equipment and resources should be available to improve airway management and patient quality of care.

Factors Associated with Knowledge about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasing public health problem worldwide. Measuring the level of knowledge in a population at high risk for GDM will highlight the gaps and help in designing appropriate interventions. The objective of this study was to measure the knowledge about GDM and to identify the factors associated with it among pregnant women in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with pregnant women seeking antenatal care services in two of the public sector tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh city. The study was performed using a self-administrated predesigned questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS program. Results: More than 40% of the participants had poor knowledge about GDM complications, diagnosis and management. Women with lack of exercise [adjusted odds ratio 3.3 (95% CI 1.8, 6.1)]; having past histroy of GDM [3.2 (1.8, 5.7); primigravida [2.9 (1.6, 5.1)]; information on GDM received from doctors [2.0 (1.2, 3.4)] and those with low education level [1.8 (1.1, 2.9)] were more likely to have poor knowledge about GDM. Whereas, women with positive family history were 60 times more likely to have good knowledge about GDM. Conclusion: Primigravida mothers and those with low education level should receive specific information and awareness regarding GDM. Healthy lifestyle is important for the prevention and improvement in the diagnosis and management of GDM among pregnant women in Riyadh.

Association Between Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease in Saudi Arabia

Background: With an estimated 7 million people living with diabetes and more than 3 million with pre-diabetes, Saudi Arabia has the second-highest rate of diabetes in the Middle East and is ranked seventh overall by the World Health Organization. The purpose of the study is to investigate the association between type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, served as the site of this cross-sectional study. Retrospective data collection methods were used to obtain hospital records between May 2022 and October 2023. The study included both male and female adults over the age of 18 who were diagnosed with DM type 2, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. The authors gathered 920 records, and after filtering the data, they enrolled 520 records that had no missing data and met the study\'s inclusion criteria. Results: More than 70% of our sample were diabetics, while 17.5% (91) had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The association between diabetes mellitus type 2 and (age, sex, education, and occupation of the study patients) showed no significant results. The study included 520 patients with a median age of 34 and an interquartile range (22-65) years. Of the study\'s participants, 40.2% had dyslipidemia. 29.6% of people had hypercholesterolemia, and 12.3% had hypertriglyceridemia. When compared to women, men had about a 2-fold lower incidence of dyslipidemia (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.2-0.7). Conclusion: Our study found that diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated; they were also affected by other factors such as gender and body mass index. Additionally, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were associated with an increased random blood glucose level.

Efficacy and safety of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir in Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection at a major tertiary hospital.

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients, and to assess the prescribers' adherence to Food and Drug Administration recommendations on treatment duration. A retrospective cohort study was carried out on chronic HCV patients of ≥18 years, with or without cirrhosis, naive or experienced, and with normal kidney function or chronic kidney disease (including dialysis patients) at Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between February 2020 and March 2021. The primary effectiveness end-point was the number and percentage of patients who achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR12), virologic failure, and non-response. Safety was determined considering both serious and non-serious adverse events. A total of 92 patients were enrolled in this study. Among patients, 52 (56.5%) were female, 84 (91.3%) were naive, and 45 (48.9 %) had HCV genotype 4. The SVR12 was achieved in 91 (98.9%, 95% CI: [94-99.8]) patients. Only one patient (1.1%, 95% CI: [0.2-5.9]) developed virologic non-response and there were missing data on virologic failure. Overall, non-serious adverse events were observed in 26 (28.5%) patients, and none of them had serious adverse events that led to treatment discontinuation. Approximately 75% of the patients received an inappropriate treatment duration (12 weeks vs. the recommended 8 weeks) and most (n=40, 58%; p<0.022) of the exceedingly long treatments were prescribed by registrars. The GLE/PIB was highly effective and safe in chronic HCV Saudi patients.

Outcome of adults with diabetic ketoacidosis admitted to intensive care unit: a retrospective study.

Background: Numerous advancements in diabetes care have been made over the past 20 years. Few studies discussed the outcome and predictors of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) necessitating admission to intensive care units (ICU). We, therefore, performed a retrospective analysis of DKA patients admitted to King Saud Medical City\&amp;apos;s ICU between August 2022 and August 2023 to examine trends in outcome and predictors. Method: Patients with DKA episodes who visited the emergency room at King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between August 2022 and August 2023 were included in this retrospective analysis. Every adult patient, who met the American Diabetes Association\&amp;apos;s requirements for DKA diagnosis and was at least 18 years old, was included. Results In the final analysis, we included 218 patients with DKA, of whom 56 (25.6) were under ICU care. The patients admitted to the ICU had higher BMI and were more likely to be male than non-ICU patients, they were also having advanced age. DKA patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) had a higher likelihood of ICU admission than those with T1D. In patients with DKA needed ICU care, WBC counts were higher, as were urea level, and CRP. Compared to patients who did not need ICU admission, those who needed to be admitted had lower venous pH level and bicarbonate levels. Furthermore, 3.5% of ICU-admitted patients died in hospital, compared to 0 deaths among non-ICU admitted patients. Conclusion: Of all patients with DKA, 25.6% needed ICU. Some factors that indicate a patient\&amp;apos;s likelihood of needing an ICU were; T2DM, advanced age, an infectious cause, newly diagnosed diabetes, and moderate or severe DKA.

A Comparative Evaluation of ESBL Production and Carbapenem Resistance in UTIs Before and During COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the urgency to address antibiotic resistance, particularly ESBL and carbapenem-resistant UTIs. Our study seeks to assess the pandemic&amp;apos;s effect on the prevalence of these resistances, comparing data from before and during COVID-19. By identifying trends in resistance patterns, we aim to enhance antibiotic stewardship and inform healthcare policies. Understanding the pandemic&amp;apos;s impact on ESBL and carbapenem resistance is vital for guiding clinical practices and public health initiatives in tackling antibiotic resistance. Methods: This retrospective study, conducted at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, analyzed positive urine cultures from January 2018 to December 2022 to assess the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among UTIs. Using WHO-recommended semiquantitative culturing methods on CLED and blood agar, bacterial isolates were identified via the BD Phoenix system and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed following CLSI guidelines. ESBL detection employed the Double-Disc Synergy Test. Data analysis involved SPSS for statistical evaluation, utilizing chi-square and t-tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively, and logistic regression to explore associations between variables and antibiotic resistance, with significance set at p

Emergency hypertension and hypertensive crisis prevalence and associated factors

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of emergency hypertension in patients who had been diagnosed with hypertensive crisis. Methods: An analysis of adult patients with complete medical records who were hospitalized to King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between September 2022 and September 2023 and diagnosed with hypertensive crisis was carried out. Results: The study subsequently gathered 151 patient records. Patients were diagnosed with a hypertensive crisis when their systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) readings were more than 180 / 120 mmHg. The average age of the patients was 61.2 years, with females making up 54.3% patients. Around 66.6% had a history of using antihypertensive medications. History of hypertension was shown to be the most prevalent medical risk factor (72.8%). Stroke was the most common complication (n=32, 21.2%). Additionally, headache was the most common complaint at admission (41.1%). Further, 92.7% patients were discharged after showing improvement, and 6.6% patients reported deaths. Conclusion: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the gender of the patient and the presence of a history of hypertension were independently associated factors with hypertensive emergency. Monitoring and counselling hypertensive persons is crucial, and screening for hypertension might help prevent or minimize damage to target organs.

Public awareness of warning signs &amp; risk factors of colon cancer &amp; attitude towards screening in primary health care, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to assess public awareness of the warning signs and red flags of colon cancer and to evaluate the attitude towards screening for colon cancer. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data were gathered from a hard-copy questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data and study factor questions. The questionnaire was distributed to 363 participants, either patients or their relatives who visited the primary care clinics in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period of distribution from June, 2021 to February, 2022. Results: Majority of the participants answered abdominal pain as the common symptom of colon cancer (n = 248, 68.3%) followed by the presence of blood in stool (n = 177, 48.8%). Among the risk factors, inflammatory bowel disease was recognized as the biggest cause (n = 192, 52.9%). There was a statistically significant association between smoking and participants&amp;apos; gender (p-value = 0.018). Conclusions: Public health promotion is important to deliver the knowledge needed to achieve the highest awareness of colorectal cancer. The awareness about colorectal cancer is still not enough, there is gap which needs to be filled with a thorough education about the disease.

The Stigma of Burnout Impeding Formal Help: A Qualitative StudyExploring Residents' Experiences During Training.

Burnout is an occupational stress syndrome that gives rise to emotional exhaustion (EE) depersonalization (DP) and reduced personal accomplishment (PA). Increasing rates of burnout among health care professionals has been reported globally. Saudi Arabia appears to be among the highest in prevalence with reports of higher than 70%. Medical residents in training are the highest group at risk. The literature has repeatedly linked burnout among residents with poor academic performance on training exams, impaired quality of life, career choice regret and intentions to abandon medicine. In this study, we explore the factors that contribute to resident burnout, their experiences with burnout and how they choose to mitigate it. A qualitative design was used to conduct this study in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 14 residents from surgical and non-surgical programs were interviewed through in-depth interviews. Interpretive thematic analysis was used in coding and generated coding templates. Categories were repetitively reviewed and revised, expanding to include new data as it emerged and collapsing to remove redundant codes. Categories were organized into the final themes and sub-themes. All participants demonstrated a shared thread of shame in reaching the level of burnout. Three main interlinked themes were identified: Burnout stigma cycle, amalgamated causes of burnout and self-coping with burnout. One of the concerning findings in our study is the participants' pursuit of self-coping strategies and the avoidance of formal help, creating a cycle of suffering in silence. The literature has repeatedly reported high levels of burnout among residents in training. This study has added another dimension to those findings through the exploration of residents actual accounts and appears to link burnout with suboptimal training and working conditions. We have highlighted the pivotal role stigma and shame play in completely preventing residents from seeking professional help.

Smartphone addiction and its implications on psychosocial well-being in Saudi school-age children

Background: Despite smartphones&amp;apos; compelling qualities and their use to access the online world, it has become an integral part of our lives eventually leading to smartphone addiction in its users, especially children. This study focuses on elaborating on the association between smartphone addiction and sleeping, school performance, and poor psycho-social well-being among Saudi school-age children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted enrolling a total of 363 subjects through an online survey conducted in different malls in Riyadh city. A cross-section study using a self-administered questionnaire contains specific questions related to smartphone addiction in children. The smartphone addiction proneness scale (SPAP) is used to measure the possibility of being addicted to smartphones. Data analysis was achieved by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. Results: This study found strong correlations between smartphone usage and poor school performance (p &amp;lt; 0.010) and between less sleep and low academic achievement (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Male children had significantly higher scores for smartphone addiction (SPAP) than females (p = 0.023), suggesting males struggle more with planned activities due to smartphone use. Aggressive behavior and poor communication were associated with smartphone usage, but there was no significant difference between genders in this aspect (p = 0.153). Conclusion: There was evidence that a usage time of smartphones 2&amp;gt; hours a day was linked to poor psychosocial well-being, with no association between smartphone addiction effects and specific gender, more awareness should be raised the parents to limit the excessive usage of smartphones among their children.

Assessment of School Teachers&amp;#39; Awareness about Dental Trauma in Children at Riyadh City: Survey Study

Assessment of School Teachers&amp;#39; Awareness about Dental Trauma in Children at Riyadh City: Survey Study

Changes in Ocular Functions after Bariatric Surgery: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Obesity is a critical problem worldwide, as it contributes to many pathological diseases. Therefore, Bariatric Surgery (BS) is considered an optimal treatment modality for achieving ideal weight. However, the eye and its functions can be affected after surgery due to the changes that occur throughout the body. Aim: To investigate and analyse visual functions following BS. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Elite Hospital in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, from January 2023 to June 2023. A total of 16 subjects (32 eyes) were enrolled in the study. The subjects were categorised into three groups: preoperative BS (Group I), postoperative six months (Group II), and postoperative duration of one to two years (Group III). All participants underwent complete ophthalmological examinations, including Visual Acuity (VA) measurement using the Snellen chart, refractive error measurement by autorefractometer, colour vision testing using the Ishihara test, Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurement, and anterior segment examination using a slit lamp. Additionally, a dryness assessment was performed using clinical tests. Finally, choroidal thickness and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) measurements were obtained using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software Grad Pack Base version 28.0. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the mean values of the three groups. Post-hoc tests were employed for multiple comparisons between groups. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The range of the participants’ ages was 24 to 47 years. It was revealed that Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly influenced by the time elapsed since BS (p-value=0.04). In contrast, the effect of BS was not statistically significant between groups for both systolic and diastolic measurements (p-value&gt;0.05). Moreover, the automated Central Foveal Thickness (CFT) showed a statistically significant difference between groups, with p-values of 0.013 for the right eye (OD) and 0.016 for the left eye (OS). Although there was no statistical difference in the effect of BS on the OD Ganglion Cell Complex (GCC) (p-value=0.338), there was a significant effect on the OS GCC (p-value=0.03). Post-hoc analysis indicated that participants in Group I had a higher BMI than participants in Group III, with a p-value of 0.036. CFT was significantly increased in Group II OS compared to Group I (p-value=0.016). Group III showed a significantly higher GCC than Group II (p-value=0.028). There was a significant difference in Goldmann IOP among the three groups (p-value=0.009). Additionally, a negative correlation was found between the duration of BS and BMI (r=-0.615, p-value=0.011) as well as for systolic measurements (r=-0.592, p-value=0.016). A strong negative correlation was also observed between Goldmann IOP and BS, which was statistically significant for the OD (r=-0.788*, p-value&lt;0.001) but not for the OS (r=-0.346, p-value=0.189). There was a statistically significant difference in OD nasal choroidal thickness at 500 μm (p-value=0.03) and at 1000 μm (p-value=0.03) among the three groups. Conclusion: Hence, it can be concluded that some ocular functions were positively altered while others were negatively affected after BS. Choroidal thickness decreased in the six-month postsurgery group but increased in the one to two-year group. IOP decreased in the six-month postsurgery group and further decreased in the one to two-year group. CFT increased in the sixmonth group but decreased in the one to two-year postoperation group. GCC thickness decreased in the six-month group and increased in the one to two-year post-BS group. Measurement of such parameters could serve as a preoperative assessment, especially for glaucomatous and hypertensive individuals who are planning for future BS. These evaluations could also aid in the treatment of eye diseases after surgery. Additionally, normal individuals should undergo pre- and postoperative evaluations of their visual refraction, as this may be altered due to changes in posterior segment parameters, such as choroidal thickness. However, more studies are needed to validate these results.

Detecting the effect of artificial intelligence on internal audit performance: Empirical study in Saudia Arabia

This research attempts to investigate the effect of types of AI systems (assisted, augmented, and autonomous) on internal auditing in Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 internal auditors in Riyadh City. To confirm that the study's goals were met, the descriptive analytical method was used. The questionnaire data is analyzed, and hypotheses are tested, using the Smart pls application. The study’s results show that there is a clear positive effect of AI systems, but different impacts vary according to the kind of AI systems, which is high in augmented systems, moderate in autonomous systems, and weak in assistive intelligence systems. Further studies on this subject can be conducted with larger sample sizes, especially if they are conducted globally. Based on these findings, future research can concentrate on national and cultural conditions. Additionally, companies should adopt more comprehensive involvement methods in internal auditing issues and the development of AI adoption in all company activities.

Interventional radiology perception among medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Interventional Radiology (IR) is a specialized field within radiology that diagnoses and treats a variety of conditions through minimally invasive surgical procedures involving various radiological techniques. In recent years, the role of IR has expanded to include a range of organ systems, leading to an increased demand for this specialty. The present study aimed at investigating the perceptions of interventional radiology (IR) as a specialty among medical students and medical interns in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design, targeting male and female medical students in Riyadh City, KSA, in January 2023. We utilized a questionnaire for face-to-face and phone interviews to assess their knowledge about IR. The data were cleared and entered through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: A total of 314 students participated in the study, with 49% in the preclinical years and 51% in the clinical years. Forty-two percent reported that they had poor information and knowledge about IR. Only 28% of students were planning to take an elective and radiology rotation, while 27% said they would consider a career in IR. Among the 73% of participants who would not consider a career in IR, the highest reasons, in order, were \&amp;quot;I do not find it interesting\&amp;quot; (45%), \&amp;quot;Radiation exposure\&amp;quot; (14%), and \&amp;quot;The lifestyle is not for me\&amp;quot; (12%). Regarding training, 48% thought that an IR must complete a residency training program in both radiology and surgery, and only 36% of the students believed that an IR must finish training in radiology. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that the perception and exposure to IR among medical students and interns are generally poor. This has a direct influence on the students\&amp;apos; decision regarding IR as a career.

Impact of Point of Care Ultrasound Rotation on Single Saudi Emergency Medicine Program, Longitudinal Prospective Study.

Background: Emergency ultrasound (EUS) has become an essential component of patient care and a mandatory skill for emergency medicine (EM) residents. Since 2001, major EM organizations have released guidelines mandating the integration of bedside ultrasonography into EM practice. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the ultrasound knowledge of emergency residents and their progress by conducting a survey before and after their EUS rotation. Method: This longitudinal prospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to investigate the improvement in knowledge, interpretation accuracy, and clinical decision-making based on ultrasound findings. The study included first-year residents who joined the EM residency program in 2023. The research team collected data by administering a pre-test and post-test. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the participants&amp;apos; scores on pre-tests and post-tests to evaluate individual differences. Results: We analyzed data from 12 residents. Half of them had received ultrasound training, and half of them used ultrasound on a daily basis. Regarding the perceived barriers to ultrasound training, the most commonly reported barriers were a lack of training (75.0%) and a lack of equipment (41.7%). All of the residents under the study anticipated the use of ultrasound in their clinical practice. The mean knowledge score of the pre-rotation period was 13.8 ± 2.6, whereas the mean post-rotation score was 17.3 ± 1.6. There was a significant increase in the knowledge score from the pre- to the post-rotation period (p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: Our study has highlighted the significant benefits of the EUS rotation, including increased confidence in using ultrasound as a diagnostic tool and an enriched educational experience. EUS rotation provides residents with the hands-on experience they need to become proficient in image acquisition, interpretation, and the clinical application of these findings.

Predicting hospital disposition for trauma patients: application of data-driven machine learning algorithms

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;As a consequence of road accidents, around 1.3 million people die, and between 20 to 50 million have nonfatal injuries. Therefore, hospitals are receiving a high volume of patients in their urgent care, and a quick decision must be made regarding their treatment plans. At the admission stage, there is no information or probability about the patient's final result, regardless of if the patient will mostly die or be safely discharged from the hospital. To address this issue, this study proposed a machine learning-based framework that can predict the hospital disposition for trauma patients. The framework was developed to anticipate whether the patient would be safely discharged from the hospital or die based on a set of features collected at the admission time. In this study, the data used was collected from the King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the performance of different machine learning algorithms was investigated, including eXtreme gradient boost (XGBoost), K-nearest neighbor, random forest, logistic regression, BRR, and support vector machine. Results show that the XGBoost algorithm demonstrated a high degree of detection and prediction accuracy for disposed-to-home patients; of the 6059 patients that were sent home, the XGBoost correctly predicted 5944 (98%) of the total. Finally, the developed framework could accurately predict hospital disposition for trauma patients with high accuracy and sensitivity levels. This system can benefit healthcare teams and insurance companies by providing them with a quick decision-making tool to determine the best treatment plan for patients.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

Knowledge and practice of preventive methods of diabetic foot among diabetics in Dirab primary healthcare, National Guard Health Affairs

Objective: This study aimed to determine knowledge and practices of diabetic foot preventive measures among patients with diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on diabetic patients aged 18 years and above at King Saud Housing City (Dirab Primary Health Care Center) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study used a validated questionnaire to collect the data. Results: This study included 400 diabetic patients; females accounted for 60.8% of the patients, and 84.5% of the overall sample had hyperlipidemia. The overall level of knowledge was good among 52.5%. Knowledge levels were substantially associated with education levels (p value &amp;lt; 0.001), employment (p value = 0.021), age groups (p value = 0.016), and hypertension (p value &amp;lt; 0.043). Patients were most likely to wash their feet at least once a day (97.3%) and wear shoes that fit, adapt, and preserve their foot form (91%). Conclusion: The diabetic patients&amp;apos; general knowledge and behaviors of diabetic foot preventive measures were adequate, but neither item was optimal, and there were gaps in knowledge and practice.

Factors influencing lifestyle behaviors related to physical activity and smoking habits among Saudi adults attending Wazarat Health Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity and smoking, among adults who attended the Wazarat Health Center (WHC) under Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational survey-based study. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, smoking status, and physical activity assessment using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). It also screened for anxiety and depression using a four-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-4). Results: The study included 372 adults, with a mean (SD) age of 37.21 (10.9) years. The majority (69.6%) met the WHO recommendations for physical activity. About one-third (33.5%) were smokers, and 43% reported moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Males were significantly more likely to meet physical activity recommendations (p-value=0.004) and smoke (p-value=

Prevalence and risk factors of needle stick injury among healthcare workers in the emergency department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors and prevalence of needle stick injuries (NSIs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) working in the emergency department (ED) at King Saud Medical City (KSMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 194 HCWs in the ED at KSMC. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect the data about participants&amp;apos; demographics, work characteristics, previous exposure to NSI, and circumstances related to NSI. Results: Among the studied 194 HCWs, 45.5% had an age range from 18-30 years, 50.5% were females, 57.7% had a Saudi nationality, 41.2% had a work experience of 5-10 years, and 38.1% were nurses. Of them, 25.8% had previous exposure to NSI and among them, 60% had NSI once, 48% had a superficial injury, 16% had a penetration of gloves, and 84% wore personal protective equipment. The most common device associated with injury was a syringe (32%), 52% received medical attention within 2 hours, and 64% washed the site with soap. NSI was significantly higher among HCWs aged 31-40 years, with a work experience of 5-10 years, and among nurses. Conclusion: NSIs were frequent among the participants. Hospital managers and health policymakers should develop plans to boost healthcare professionals&amp;apos; adherence to general precautions.