Eastern Saudi Arabia Research Articles

The pattern of acute heart failure as an emergency situation in Eastern Saudi Arabia

The pattern of acute heart failure as an emergency situation in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Dental expenditure and catastrophic dental expenditure in Eastern Saudi Arabia: Pattern and associated factors

BackgroundDental services have one of the highest expenses among health services. The aims of the study were to assess (1) dental expenditure (DE), (2) catastrophic dental expenditure (CDE), (3) dental services payment and (4) factors associated with DE and CDE.Material and MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted in 2018 in Saudi Arabia. Using convenience sample, participants were recruited from governmental and private dental clinics/hospitals. A questionnaire assessed (a) personal information, (b) dental background: payment methods, type of clinics visited, perceived oral health status, frequency of pain and (c) payment for dental services received. The number of remaining teeth was clinically assessed. Two outcome variables were assessed (1) total DE in linear regression and (b) CDE (DE exceeds 10% of income) in logistic regression. Personal and dental background variables were explanatory variables.ResultsThe response rate was 83.8% (419/500) with 43% reporting expenditure, 16.5% facing CDE and 36.3% using multiple payment methods. The greatest DE was for crowns and bridges, root canal therapy, fillings and implants. Income, payment method and pain were associated with DE and CDE.ConclusionsParticipants used multiple payment methods including out of pocket and faced CDE. The bulk of expenditure was for rehabilitative services. The availability and quality of health-insured primary care services may reduce the financial burden facing dental patients. Key words:Health expenditure, Saudi Arabia, dental care, insurance, dental, universal health insurance.

Assessment of Infection Control Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Dentists in the Public Health Sector of Eastern Saudi Arabia

Assessment of Infection Control Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Dentists in the Public Health Sector of Eastern Saudi Arabia

EFFECT OF MICRITE CONTENT ON CALCITE CEMENTATION IN AN UPPER JURASSIC CARBONATE RESERVOIR, EASTERN SAUDI ARABIA

Cementation is a primary factor reducing the porosity of carbonate rocks. It is a challenge to accurately model cementation for reservoir quality prediction because cementation is often a syndepositional process. In addition, cementation requires fluid flow to transport chemical species for precipitation within the pore spaces in a sediment. The development of fully‐coupled depositional‐hydrogeochemical models for cementation prediction is desirable, but the parameters which control the extent of cementation need to be identified and evaluated. This study uses petrographic data from 583 carbonate samples from 15 wells in an Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) reservoir at a giant oilfield in eastern Saudi Arabia to investigate the controlling effects of micrite content on cementation in carbonate rocks. The results indicate that the amount of cement decreases with increasing micrite content in the carbonate rocks analysed. In addition, a modified Houseknecht method has been developed to assess the relative fractions of porosity reduction in carbonate sediments due to compaction and cementation. The method highlights variations in depositional porosity for different rock textures and distinguishes microporosity from interparticle porosity. In the studied samples, the total porosity loss due to compaction and cementation is generally less than 45%, and samples lose more porosity due to compaction than cementation. The relative importance of compaction and cementation in reducing porosity is different for different rock textures: wackestones and mudstones lose porosity mostly as a result of compaction, while grainstones, mud‐lean packstones and packstones lose porosity due to both compaction and cementation.

Assessing the Effect of Density and Water Level on the Degree of Compaction of Sand Using Dynamic Cone Penetration Test

Saudi Arabia has witnessed unparalleled development in all types of construction, especially in eastern Saudi Arabia where the major oil and petrochemical industries are located. The major projects are mostly located on sandy soil, and it is difficult to assess the physical properties of this soil using conventional methods. Consequently, laboratory and field studies were conducted to evaluate the density of sandy soil utilizing dynamic cone penetration test (DCPT). The laboratory study was conducted on sand specimens prepared with different relative densities (40%, 60% and 90%). Additionally, the effect of the level of water table on DCPT values was investigated. The density of soil at two field sites was assessed by using DCPT and nuclear gauge. Test results indicated that an increase in the dry density and shear strength was associated with a decrease in the dynamic cone penetration index. Further, the variation in the water table level had a significant impact on DCPT results due to the changes in the effective stress. The DCP resistance for fully drained sand increased significantly by as much as 170% compared with the fully submerged or dry sand, due to the development of negative pore water pressure. Further, the results of this investigation have shown that DCPT is an effective and reliable tool to assess the degree of compaction of sandy soils. Reliable correlations between density, relative density and degree of compaction of sandy soils have also been developed.

Association between Helicobacter pylori gastritis and dental diseases: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

There is inconsistent evidence about the association between Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) and dental diseases with possible effect of environmental factors. The aims of the study were to assess (1) the association between gastric and oral H.pylori colonization and (2) the association between oral colonization of H.pylori and dental diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in King Fahad University hospital in Khobar, Eastern Saudi Arabia in 2017. Patients admitted to the Endoscopy Unit were recruited and clinically examined for plaque, decayed teeth (D), filled teeth (F), missing teeth (M), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), attachment loss (AL), and gingival bleeding in addition to assessing their age, gender, education, tooth brushing, flossing, and tobacco use with a questionnaire. Pooled dental plaque samples were collected and analyzed using nested polymerase chain reaction PCR to detect oral H.pylori. Gastroscopy was used to extract biopsies to assess gastritis and the presence of gastric H.pylori using Giemsa stain. Regression analysis was used to assess differences between patients with and without gastritis, oral H. pylori and gastric H. pylori in the percentage of sites with gingival bleeding, PPD, CAL, D, M, and F with adjustment for confounders. One hundred twenty patients were included. Most of them brushed daily (82.6%) and had university education (45.7%). Of these, 34.2% had gastric H.pylori and 5% had oral H.pylori. No significant association was observed between the percentage of sites with gingival bleeding, mean PPD, AL, F, and either gastritis, the presence of oral or gastric H.pylori. Patients with gastritis had significantly higher number of D and M than patients without gastritis (P= 0.03). In this study, the presence of gastric and oral H.pylori in patients with good oral hygiene and moderate socioeconomic status is not significantly associated with periodontal diseases. Patients with gastritis tend to have a higher number of decayed and missing teeth.

THE NUTRITIONAL PRACTICE, PERSONAL, HEALTHY AND HABITUAL RISK FACTORS RELATED TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS AT KING FAISAL UNIVERSITY, AL-AHASSA PROVINCE, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Balanced nutrition plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. The quality of fats and carbohydrates also have a protective effect compared to the consumption amount. The consumption of diets high in polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and low in refined grains, processed red meat and sugary drinks, reduce cardiovascular disease. The aim of this research is to monitor the personal, nutritional, healthy and habitual risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases of female employees and students at King Faisal University in Al-Ahssa Province, Eastern Saudi Arabia. The descriptive analytical approach was used. Data were collected by distributing two forms included general questions about female employees and students (eg, age, socioeconomic status and place of residence), The two questionnaires were accompanied by two lists, the first included a range of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and the other included 16 nutritional practice related to cardiovascular disease. Also some anthropometric measurements of the sample were recorded. The sample included 75 female employees and 425 female students volunteering in the study, from three colleges in the university, and data were statistical analyzed. The results showed that the level of nutritional practices associated with cardiovascular disease is average for most of the sample of the study, Which is better among university female employees compared to female students (P = 0.000). The mean number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease was 4.03 and 2.77, respectively. The risk factors for most of university's employees included age factor (82.7%), psychological stress (80%), overweight and obesity (69.3%) and the classification of waist circumference was a risk factor and high risk (66.7%). The risk factors for students were psychological stress and the presence of one smoker or more in the family. Based on the results, the study recommends that the university students and employees should carry on following good nutritional, healthy and habitual practices that reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as well as modify the bad nutritional practices with good ones. The study also recommends the university administration to provide nutrition education programs. This will increase the awareness of students and employees of the university about the importance of balance nutrition and encourage them to adopt good nutritional Habits and health lifestyle.

The Ichnological and Sedimentological Signature of a Late Paleozoic, Postglacial Marginal-Marine and Shallow-Marine, Tidally Influenced Setting: The Wudayhi Member of the Nuayyim Formation (Unayzah Group) in the Subsurface of Central and Eastern Saudi Arabia

Abstract Sedimentation in the Nuayyim Formation across subsurface central and eastern Saudi Arabia has been chiefly ascribed to continental sedimentary environments. However, a number of levels in this formation show evidence for marginal-marine and shallow-marine sedimentation. This paper documents trace-fossil faunas and sedimentological characteristics from these facies and presents a regional depositional model for the Wudayhi Member that confirms the presence of shallow-marine sedimentary environments. Marginal-marine and shallow-marine sedimentation in the Wudayhi Member includes estuarine deposits and upper-shoreface through lower-shoreface deposits. They are reflective of several transgressive–regressive (T-R) cycles in an overall shoaling-upwards, tidally influenced progradational succession that exhibit mixed-process (wave-, tide-, and fluvially-influenced) depositional environments. The succession displays an overall upward decrease in bioturbation intensity with elements of an impoverished proximal expression of the Cruziana Ichnofacies at the base in proximal- and distal- lower-shoreface deposits (Facies 5–6), passing into an impoverished expression of the Skolithos Ichnofacies in upper-shoreface deposits (Facies 4). Therein, Facies 5 records storm-influenced sedimentation and includes hummocky cross-stratification (HCS), combined-flow ripples, cross-lamination, and ichnofossils that alternate between storm-related and fair-weather assemblages. An overall reduction in both the diversity of ichnogenera and the intensity of burrowing across the shoreface profile, an apparent lack of middle-shoreface deposits, and the occurrence of storm-wave-generated structures interspersed with tidally generated structures in the center and southeast of the study area are interpreted as tidal modulation, suggesting macrotidal conditions at the time of sediment deposition. Estuarine sedimentation includes coal deposits (Facies 1), tidal flats (Facies 2), and fluvio-tidal deposits (Facies 3) that overlie the succession, and display a stressed, impoverished mixture of traces with facies-crossing elements of the Skolithos and Cruziana Ichnofacies in the north and northwest of the study area. Sedimentation took place on a broad and sandy, partially restricted shelf, chiefly influenced by tidal currents that was variably fluvially influenced. The interplay of the aforementioned processes results in a complex architecture that is traceable, based on the sedimentological and ichnological content. Colonization by bioturbating infauna exhibiting elements of an overall impoverished Skolithos and Cruziana Ichnofacies in the Wudayhi Member is interpreted to be related to sea-level rise, with regional transgression induced by the melting of glacier ice following the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian glaciation that affected southern Gondwana. Subsequently, as the Arabian Plate migrated northwards, isostatic rebound concomitant with increased tectonism associated with the Neotethys propagating into the Arabian Peninsula caused regional regression responsible for the progradational sequence presented herein in the Early to Middle Permian. Trace-fossil associations and ichnofacies presented in this paper are significant, because they provide evidence for marginal-marine and shallow-marine tide- and storm-influenced processes in the Unayzah Group during deposition of the Wudayhi Member of the Nuayyim Formation. Furthermore, it establishes a framework than can be linked to fully marine coeval deposits southeastern of the Arabian Peninsula into Oman.

High-resolution lithofacies and porosity modeling of the mixed siliciclastic–carbonate deposits of the Burdigalian Dam Formation, Eastern Saudi Arabia

Conventional subsurface models of reservoir bodies are limited with respect to the good understanding of small-scale heterogeneities at inter-well spacing. Uncertainties associated with data limitation of such large-scale models can be enhanced by information from small-scale modeling. These high-resolution models may provide a realistic three-dimensional insight into their relevant subsurface reservoir setting. In this context, outcrop studies are frequently used to produce high-resolution models. In this paper, the Burdigalian Dam Formation outcrop in eastern Saudi Arabia was targeted to construct high-resolution models of lithofacies and porosity variations. These models were used to identify small-scale heterogeneities in lithofacies and porosity distribution using geostatistical modeling. Ten different lithofacies were identified and modeled. Indicator semivariogram analysis of the lithofacies showed good continuity in NW–SE direction but less continuity in NE–SW. The porosity model showed differing porosity distributions in different carbonate lithofacies. Several realizations of lithofacies and porosity models were generated and ranked against the input data set. Furthermore, the porosity variation was investigated through detailed petrography and SEM analyses for each of the studied lithofacies. The models demonstrated the presence of patterns of lithofacies and porosity variation at a small scale that cannot be obtained from conventional subsurface models. The study indicated the importance of such models in reducing the uncertainty associated with subsurface modeling as a result of data limitation.

The evolving role of social media in health-care delivery: measuring the perception of health-care professionals in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

PurposeThe objective of this study is to evaluate the perception of health-care professionals in Saudi Arabia toward the usages of social media in health-care delivery.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, an online-based questionnaire was distributed among the health-care professionals residing in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Their perception toward the uses of social media in health-care service delivery was evaluated by analyzing their attitude toward its benefits and risks involved.ResultsThe sample size was 120 participants, and 80% of them agreed with the benefits of using social networks in health-care services and considered that the use of these technologies in the provision of health services improves their professional knowledge and is a suitable tool for patient education and public health awareness. However, some respondents (20%) believed that there are several risks associated with the use of social media, such as ethical or legal challenges, the risk to the patient’s health status, or the breaching of the privacy and confidentiality of the patient.ConclusionThe results of this research indicate that social media can be a useful tool by which physicians may promote their services and publish general health information. However, there are potential problems in the use of social networks that can have negative consequences for patients and HCPs. This implies that precautions must be taken to avoid ruptures of patient privacy and other risks that can result in legal action against health professionals damaging their image and professional status. The study also found that the participants are willing to use social media for professional purposes.

Evidence of equine influenza A (H3N8) activity in horses from Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia: 2013-2015.

Equine influenza virus (EIV) is one of the main causes of viral respiratory affections in horses. Little is known about the prevalence of EIV in Saudi Arabia especially the H3N8 serotype. To assess prevalence of equine influenza in horse populations in Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia. Cross-sectional study. We collected 145 sera, 323 nasal and 323 rectal swabs from horses from six major cities in Eastern and Central regions. None of the horses were vaccinated against EIV. Sera were tested in ELISA assays for influenza A type-specific antibodies and by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests using equine H3N8. The swabs were tested by RT-qPCR assay targeting a conserved region of the influenza A matrix gene that detects influenza A viruses of all subtypes. None of the swabs had detectable influenza A virus RNA. Of the 145 serasamples tested by ELISA, 81 (55.9%) were positive and 98 (67.6%) of 145 sera tested by HI tests were positive for equine H3. Our failure to detect and sequence any EIV prevents identification of the lineage of virus that circulates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These results confirm that EIV H3N8 is circulating in Saudi Arabia and should be considered as a possible cause when investigating horses with respiratory disease in Saudi Arabia.

Chemostratigraphy of the Unayzah Group, eastern Saudi Arabia

The Permo-Carboniferous Unayzah Group contains several hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs in Saudi Arabia, where it is subdivided into the Juwayl and Nuayyim formations. The Ghazal Member, which occurs in the lower part of the former, is dominated by fluvio-glacial sandstones, and it is overlain by diamictites, fluvial and lacustrine sediments of the Jawb Member deposited during glacial retreat. This is succeeded by the Wudayhi Member of the Nuayyim Formation, comprising red siltstones and fine grained sandstones deposited in marginal marine-continental environments. The Tinat Member, recognized in the upper part of this formation, mainly consists of continental sediments.Placement of the boundaries between the various members is often challenging, and palynology data are limited due to the generally unfavourable lithologies. For these reasons, chemostratigraphy was employed to produce a robust scheme of high resolution. A total of 1130 core and cuttings samples were analysed by ED-XRF (Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence), with data acquired for 50 elements.The scheme is based on variations in the following ‘key’ elements and ratios: Zr/Ti, Zr, Zr/U, Zr/Yb, Zr/Gd and Th/Y. These parameters are largely associated with changes in source/provenance, and the framework comprises a hierarchical zonation of six zones, eight subzones and two divisions.Based on a detailed comparison between the chemostratigraphic, lithostratigraphic and sedimentological data, specific chemozones can be linked to particular stratigraphic members within the Unayzah Group, though only confidently over cored intervals and in sections where members are clearly identified based on GR log trends. Once the associations between chemozone and member boundaries were established, it was then possible to use chemostratigraphy to define member boundaries in sections where this could not be achieved using other techniques. In addition to this, chemostratigraphy enabled correlative boundaries to be recognized within each member of the Unayzah Group, thus adding an additional level of resolution.

Assessment of Heavy and Trace Metals in Surface Soil Nearby an Oil Refinery, Saudi Arabia, Using Geoaccumulation and Pollution Indices.

The present study deals with the measurement of heavy and trace metals in the soils of Ras Tanura city nearby one of the oldest and largest oil refineries located on Arabian Gulf, eastern Saudi Arabia. Metals were analyzed in 34 surface soil samples using plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICPE-9820). The result showed that the mean values of the metals concentrations were in the order: Cd > Mo > Tb > Ce > Hf > Eu > Yb > U > Sm > Rb > Cr > Ni > Pb > Sc > Cs > Zn > Lu > Co. The mean values of Cd (39.9mg/kg), Mo (13.2mg/kg), Eu (4.01mg/kg), Hf (6.09mg/kg), Tb (8.23mg/kg), and Yb (3.88) in soil samples were higher than the background values in soil and the world average. The obtained results indicated to elevated levels of Cd and Mo in most samples, with mean concentrations exceeded the background levels by 113 times for Cd and 5 times for Mo. Pollution index (PI) and Geoaccumulation (Igeo) for each metal were calculated to assess the metal contamination level of surface soil in the study area. The assessment results of PI and Igeo revealed a significant pollution by Cd, Mo, Eu, Hf, Tb, and Yb in most of sampling sites nearby Ras Tanura refinery.

Triassic fault reactivation in eastern Saudi Arabia: implications for shear and fluid systems on the southern margin of Neotethys

Early to Mid-Triassic fault reactivation in eastern Saudi Arabia is shown using three-dimensional seismic reflection data. The geometry and timing of these fault systems are constrained by the interpretation of reflectors in the Khuff, Sudair and Jilh formations, tied to deep wells. The faults terminate upwards in the Sudair and Jilh formations, dating this event to 250–240 Ma. The fault systems generally trend north–south to NE–SW and in places consist of isolated systems several hundred kilometres long, whereas other areas show pervasive, evenly spaced faults 5–10 km apart. The north–south-trending structures control Triassic isopach variations, whereas the NE–SW-trending systems contain localized highs and lows in relay zones, indicating strike-slip kinematics with the maximum horizontal stress, restored for post-Triassic plate rotation, trending 030–210°. These fault systems link Lower Paleozoic source rocks with the Khuff Formation reservoirs, often retaining topseal integrity due to the presence of upper fault tips in the sealing units. The faults are interpreted to be reactivations of Precambrian basement lineaments. The fault timing correlates with a cusp in the African–Arabian plate motion path relative to Tethyan terranes. These local- and plate-scale observations can be explained by Early to Mid-Triassic dextral shear along the Arabian continental margin.

The Deletion Polymorphism in Exon 8 of Uncoupling Protein 2 is Associated with Severe Obesity in a Saudi Arabian Case-Control Study

Context: Obesity is a major health concern in Saudi Arabia. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) seems to play a major role in the regulation of human metabolism; therefore, genetic polymorphisms in the UCP2 gene might contribute to obesity. Aim: This study aims to establish whether 45-blood pressure (BP) insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphisms in UCP2 are associated with moderate and/or severe obesity in a Saudi Arabian population. Settings and Design: Case–control study design. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 151 male and female subjects originating from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, and assigned each to a “nonobese,” “moderately obese,” or “severely obese” group. Genomic DNA was extracted from all subjects and screened for UCP2 I/D polymorphisms using a standard polymerase chain response protocol. Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis of variance, Chi-squared tests, and logistic regression analysis. Results: The frequencies of the UCP2 45-BP I/D genotypes D/D, I/D, and I/I within the analyzed population were 58.3%, 36.4%, and 5.3%, respectively. The D/D genotype was highly prevalent within the severely obese group (82.9%) compared to the nonobese (46.2%) and moderately obese (53.3%) groups. Using a dominance model, the conducted logistic regression analysis showed a strong association between the deletion allele and severe obesity (Odds ratio = 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.07–0.44, P = 0.0004). Conclusions: The present study reported that the frequency of UCP2 45-BP I/D polymorphisms in a population originating from eastern Saudi Arabia and identified a strong association between the D/D genotype and severe obesity.

Prevalence of Microalbuminuria in Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Background Proteinuria is a common feature of sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) that can progress to renal insufficiency and end stage renal disease. Microalbuminuria (MA) is the earliest manifestation of SCN and precedes the development of overt proteinuria. In addition to the renal consequences, MA is linked to cardiovascular complications. Periodic screening and early detection of MA allow early intervention that may reduce the risk of progression to advanced renal failure and cardiovascular diseases. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MA in patients with SCD in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH). Urine samples of SCD patients 18 years old and older were tested for the presence of MA using urinary albumin over creatinine ratio (ACR). Correlation was tested with multiple variables including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin level, blood pressure, blood transfusion history, pain episodes, and use of hydroxyurea. Results Urine samples were tested on 72 patients. The mean age of the study cohort was 35 ± 16.9 years. Microalbuminuria was detected in 18 patients (25%). No correlation was found with any of the tested variables. Conclusion Microalbuminuria is a common finding in patients with SCD in eastern Saudi Arabia. Patients with SCD should be screened for MA, and those with positive tests should probably be treated with antiproteinuric agents that may slow the progression to advanced stages of renal failure and decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

How Intern Doctors Deal with Hepatitis B in Riyadh and Eastern Saudi Arabia

Background: Hepatitis B is one of popular health problem and is considered as major global infectious hazard. It represents an occupational risk for all people who are working in healthcare, including doctors, nurses, laboratory staff, and training interns as well as the student who is trained in hospitals. This can be correlated with their contact with body fluids during clinical rotations and activities. However, protection from getting any infection logically is mandatory for healthcare worker. Aim: Our problem in this study was to assess how our new doctors in Saudi Arabia, specifically those in Riyadh Region and Eastern Region are safe and are protected from hepatitis B infection by evaluating their knowledge, attitude and practice towards Hepatitis B. Method: That was a cross-sectional study which was conducted to intern doctors in Riyadh and Eastern Regions. Random sampling technique was used to select 350 intern doctors. Study tool was a self-administrated questionnaire that is made online by using Google drive forms and sent as an internet link to all interns via WhatsApp mobile application. Data analysis was done using computer application SPSS 24. Comparison between results and many variables was done using Chi-Square test and statistical significance is considered when P-Value < 0.05. Result: In this study, 131 intern doctors participated out of 350 who received the questionnaires (response rate 94.6%). Regarding the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice, around 86% of participants have good knowledge, 63% of them have a positive attitude and 85% have a good practice. Chi-Square test was applied to compare our results of KAP with gender and region. No difference between males and females was found in the level of knowledge and attitude (P-value > 0.05). Males were better than females in practice (P 0.05). Conclusion: It was obvious that our new doctors in Eastern and Riyadh regions have good knowledge, attitude and practice for Hepatitis B. People in Eastern region have less knowledge and attitude compared to those in Riyadh with a significant difference between them. Also, males interns have a better practice than females interns in general.

Bullying among medical and nonmedical students at a university in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND:Many medical students, junior doctors, and other health-care professionals have been affected by the negative experience of bullying. Research is scarce on bullying experienced by medical and nonmedical students in Saudi Arabia unlike what is found in Western countries. It is unclear whether being a nonmedical student modifies the risk of being bullied.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A cross-sectional study included 400 university students using convenient sampling. The sample comprised 295 students who responded and were stratified into medical (n = 176) and nonmedical (n = 119) groups. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used to analyze our data. Normality was measured using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Statistical significance was tested using chi-square test for categorical variables, and t-test for continuous variables.RESULTS:Almost half of the respondents were found to have experienced some bullying, victimization, or other harassment during their medical education. The most common forms of bullying were verbal abuse and undue pressure to produce work (43.8%; n = 77). Nonmedical students experienced more bullying than medical students and were more likely to be female, single, and younger in age. The number of medical students subjected to sexual harassment (1.7%; n = 3) was higher than nonmedical students (0.8%; n = 1). Physical violence was more towards nonmedical (4.2%; n = 5) than medical students (1.1%, n = 2). The rates of bullying continue to be associated with anxiety and depression.CONCLUSIONS:Our data suggest similar bullying rates in the developed world but higher than previously reported in a Saudi study. Bullying or harassment affects both medical and nonmedical students and is associated with high levels of anxiety and depression.

Prevalence of diabetes type-2 and pulmonary tuberculosis in Filipinos and treatment outcomes: A surveillance study in eastern Saudi Arabia

To study prevalence of diabetes type-2 and pulmonary tuberculosis among Filipino patients and treatment out comes. Tuberculosis centre of Dammam medical complex (MOH) is a referral centre for the Eastern Saudi Arabia where patients from all government and private hospitals having open pulmonary tuberculosis are admitted for isolation till they are rendered noninfectious. All patients are treated for 6 months under DOTS strategy with 4 drugs (2HRZE) for 2 months as initial intensive phase and 2 drugs (HR) for 4 months as continuation phase. Method & Material: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 1388 patients admitted with open pulmonary tuberculosis between Jan-2003 and June-2010. Result: Among 1388 patients, 39% (n=542) were Saudis and 61% (n=846) were non-Saudis. Among these 12.39% (n=172) were Filipinos, 153 males and 19 females, respectively. Out of 1388 patients, 114 (7.17%) were found to have diabetes type-2. Among these diabetics, majority n=91 (79.82%) were Filipinos. Sputum conversion was late in diabetic patients resulting in relatively longer hospital stay compared to fellow patients having only tuberculosis. Conclusion: Our study has shown that one possible risk factor for tuberculosis is diabetes. Majority of TB patients having diabetes type-2, 79.82% (n=91) were Filipinos. Their sputum conversion was relatively late and their hospital stay was longer than their fellow patients having only tuberculosis. Our findings are in agreement with the current literature on the correlation of diabetes and tuberculosis.

The Deletion Polymorphism in Exon 8 of Uncoupling Protein 2 is Associated with Severe Obesity in a Saudi Arabian Case-control Study.

Context:Obesity is a major health concern in Saudi Arabia. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) seems to play a major role in the regulation of human metabolism; therefore, genetic polymorphisms in the UCP2 gene might contribute to obesity.Aim:This study aims to establish whether 45-blood pressure (BP) insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphisms in UCP2 are associated with moderate and/or severe obesity in a Saudi Arabian population.Settings and Design:Case–control study design.Materials and Methods:The study enrolled 151 male and female subjects originating from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, and assigned each to a “nonobese,” “moderately obese,” or “severely obese” group. Genomic DNA was extracted from all subjects and screened for UCP2 I/D polymorphisms using a standard polymerase chain response protocol.Statistical Analysis Used:Analysis of variance, Chi-squared tests, and logistic regression analysis.Results:The frequencies of the UCP2 45-BP I/D genotypes D/D, I/D, and I/I within the analyzed population were 58.3%, 36.4%, and 5.3%, respectively. The D/D genotype was highly prevalent within the severely obese group (82.9%) compared to the nonobese (46.2%) and moderately obese (53.3%) groups. Using a dominance model, the conducted logistic regression analysis showed a strong association between the deletion allele and severe obesity (Odds ratio = 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.07–0.44, P = 0.0004).Conclusions:The present study reported that the frequency of UCP2 45-BP I/D polymorphisms in a population originating from eastern Saudi Arabia and identified a strong association between the D/D genotype and severe obesity.