Hafr Al-Batin Research Articles

Organizational Diagnosis and its Relationship to Work Engagement among Hafr Al-Batin University's' Faculty Members

Organizational Diagnosis and its Relationship to Work Engagement among Hafr Al-Batin University's' Faculty Members

Beyond dialysis: Assessing therapeutic regimen compliance and sleep quality in chronic renal failure patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Saudi Arabia.

Given its potential to impact physical and mental health, sleep quality is one of the most significant clinical outcomes among hemodialysis patients. Patients undergoing hemodialysis are required to adhere to an intricate treatment plan that consists of regular hemodialysis treatments, dietary and fluid restrictions, and a multi-drug regimen. Investigate the relationship between adherence to a therapeutic regimen and sleep quality among chronic renal failure patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. A descriptive correlational research design was followed. The study was conducted at the hemodialysis units in Hafr Albatin City, specifically at Hafr Albatin Central Hospital and King Khaled Hospital, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of 100 adult patients was selected for the study. The Hemodialysis Patients Adherence Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were utilized to collect the data in 5 months from September 20, 2023 to February 15, 2024. The study revealed that more than half of the studied patients adhered to the therapeutic regimen, while (46%) did not adhere to it. More than half of the patients had poor sleep quality and were nonadherent to diet and fluid restrictions. Overall adherence score is negatively correlated with the global sleep quality score (r = -0.368, p < 0.001), indicating that poorer sleep quality is associated with lower overall adherence to the therapeutic regimen. While a significant proportion of the patients demonstrated adherence to overall therapeutic regimens, including dialysis sessions and medication intake, there was notable nonadherence to fluid and diet restrictions. Poor sleep quality, prevalent among two-thirds of the participants, correlates negatively with adherence to therapeutic regimens.

Awareness, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Diabetic Nephropathy Among the General Population in Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Diabetic nephropathy, a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), plays a part in the critical healthcare burden globally, especially in Saudi Arabia, where the prevalence of diabetes cases is among the highest worldwide. This study aims to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (A-KAP) in relation to diabetic nephropathy among the general population in Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and September 2024, involving 406 participants with a minimum age range of 18 years and older. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, disseminated through social media platforms, i.e., WhatsApp and Facebook, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0 (Released 2021; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). The chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between demographic variables and A-KAP scores, with a p≤0.05. Results Of the participants, 53.7% were male, and the largest age group was 20-29 years old (46.8%). The results revealed significant associations between knowledge scores and gender (p=0.033), age (p=0.012), and BMI (p=0.002). Females and participants aged 40-49 years had higher knowledge scores. Furthermore, 58.4% of participants were unaware of their BMI, and those with higher BMI scores showed lower knowledge levels. Regarding attitudes, older participants (aged 40 and above) have demonstrated more positive attitudes toward diabetic nephropathy (p=0.02). Practices related to nephropathy screening were deficient, with 84.2% of participants having never been screened and 68.7% never checking their kidney function. A significant proportion of participants, specifically 71.2%, indicated a lack of regular engagement in physical exercise, highlighting a notable prevalence of physical inactivity. Conclusion This study reveals notable differences in awareness, perceptions, and behaviors related to diabetic nephropathy among the general population in Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia. Females, individuals aged 40-49 years, and participants with lower BMI exhibited higher knowledge scores, while health maintenance practices such as nephropathy screening and kidney function checks were predominantly inadequate. Public health initiatives ought to prioritize enhancing awareness, advocating for regular screening, and fostering physical activity to reduce the risk of diabetic nephropathy. Future research should focus on identifying and overcoming the obstacles to healthcare access and preventive services for this population.

Morphological Characterization of Culex Quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Pupae in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Over the last 30 years, several mosquito-borne diseases have spread worldwide, threatening human and animal health, including lymphatic filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health issue in tropical regions like Saudi Arabia, caused by parasitic worms. The parasitic worms Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi are transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus. Cx. quinquefasciatus is a potential vector for various arboviruses like encephalitis virus and West Nile virus, along with protozoa like Plasmodium relictum that cause bird malaria. With the increasing number of mosquito species, there is an increased need for additional species identification. More attention is being directed to the immature stage, specifically the pupae, due to their valuable characteristics for species identification. Cx. quinquefaciatus, one of the nine Culicine species found in Saudi Arabia, lacks a complete description of its pupal stage and only has partial descriptions of other developmental stages, making identification challenging. This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of Cx. quinquefaciatus pupae, focusing on the cephalothorax, trumpet, abdomen, paddle, and genital lobes, as well as the distribution and arrangement of setal branching and chaetotaxy. The pupae were collected from Qaryat Al Ulya Governorate, Eastern region, KSA, and maintained in a Biology Laboratory at the University of Hafr Al Batin from September to October 2022. The findings of this study have provided the essential characteristics regarding the distinguishing features of Cx. quinquefaciatus pupae to distinguish it from other closely related species. This identification could assist field entomologists in enhancing their efficiency by classifying mosquitoes during virus outbreaks.

Optimizing faculty resource allocation in higher education: A mathematical model for strategic planning

This paper introduces a new mathematical model aimed at improving how faculty resources are allocated in higher education institutions. The model takes into account the complexities of student enrollment, teaching quality, and program offerings. It provides a structured method to estimate faculty needs, including both Ph.D. holders teaching core courses and teaching assistants or lecturers managing practical courses, labs, and related tasks. By considering factors such as class sizes, faculty workloads, and student enrollment patterns, the model offers useful insights for academic planning. Two case studies from Hafr Al Batin University illustrate the model's practical value and flexibility. These examples show how the model can support informed decision-making, helping to maintain a balance between student numbers and teaching quality. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of data-driven planning in the changing field of higher education, suggesting future research directions, and positioning the model as a key tool for improving the management and administration of higher education. The main goal is to ensure a high-quality education for students while making efficient use of resources.

الحوافز المادية وأثرها على إنتاجية الموظفين: إدارة التعليم بحفر الباطن نموذجاً

The research problem is evident in studying: What is the impact of financial incentives on the productivity of employees in the Education Department in Hafr Al-Batin Governorate? The study aimed to examine the financial incentive system in place in institutions and their role in improving employee performance. The objective limits of the study include its focus on knowing the impact of incentives, both material and moral, and their impact on employee productivity in the Education Department in Hafar Al-Batin as an example. The application of the study was limited to employees in the Education Department in Hafr Al-Batin Governorate during the year 2023-2024. The study relied on the descriptive correlational approach to determine the level of material incentives and their impact on the productivity of employees in the Education Department in Hafr Al-Batin. The study population consists of employees of the Education Department in Hafr Al-Batin Governorate, while the target study sample consists of employees whose number ranges from (228) employees. The study found that responses are statistically distributed according to relative strength (68.70%). The study recommends that the standard for evaluating employees' performance be the standard of reward and punishment within the work environment, so that the use of incentives, whether positive or negative, against employees comes in a way that ensures achieving the goals of the incentive system.

Nursing students' experiences of the clinical learning environment at Hafr Al Batin University: A cross-sectional study

The clinical learning environment plays a crucial role in nursing education, significantly affecting student learning. This research aimed to examine the learning experiences of nursing students at the University of Hafr Al Batin, specifically within their clinical learning environments. The study used the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher (CLES+T) scale to assess these experiences in hospital placements. Participants included nursing students in their second year and beyond who had completed at least one clinical placement in hospitals. The research adopted a quantitative approach, utilizing descriptive and inferential statistical methods for data analysis. Results indicated that final-year students were less satisfied with certain aspects, including the physical environment of the ward, supervisory relationships, and the involvement of nurse teachers. In contrast, second and third-year students generally viewed the clinical learning environment more positively. These outcomes are consistent with findings from international studies. The study suggests the importance of enhancing the roles of nurse teachers and supervisors to improve nursing students' learning experiences. Further qualitative research is recommended to gain a deeper understanding of these issues.

Impact of Academic Leaders in Enhancing Faculty Morale: A Comprehensive Analysis at the University of Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia

Impact of Academic Leaders in Enhancing Faculty Morale: A Comprehensive Analysis at the University of Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia

The Role of Educational Coupons in Financing Public Education Institutions in Saudi Arabia

The study aimed to diagnose the role of the use of educational coupons in supporting the financing of public education institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to diagnose its role in developing the educational environment in these institutions. The researchers used the descriptive survey method, based on a questionnaire they prepared for this purpose, its validity and reliability were measured. Distributed to a sample of (85) principals in secondary schools in Hafr Al-Batin Governorate, the study reached a number of results, the most important of which are: the total axes of the study obtained a “high” degree of approval with an arithmetic average (4.08). The study also showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the average scores of the sample members about the role of using educational coupons in supporting the financing of public education institutions in Saudi Arabia, as well as the role of using them in developing the educational environment due to the variable of gender or the variable years of service. Based on these results, the researchers recommended for the Ministry of Education to implement educational coupons, as it is one of the forms of financing public education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and an important financing public education in it. Keywords: Coupons, education financing, education spending, public education institutions, Saudi Arabia.

The Impact of Wrong Body Mechanics and Musculoskeletal Disorder among Nursing Staff of Hafr Albatin Hospital on the Quality of Patient Care

Background: Back pain is an international economic and social issue within healthcare. It is the main reason stated for sickness and absence and is a significant occupational health problem that has an influence in all areas of health care provision. Ergonomic and musculoskeletal problems are regarded as the leading occupational issue affecting the global healthcare workforce. Healthcare workers constantly rank amongst the main occupations with permanent back injuries which occur mainly from the handling of patients. Back pain studies in healthcare workers have shown a correlation between the symptoms of back pain and being in a poor posture Aim: This study aimed to assess the Wrong Body Mechanics and Musculoskeletal Disorder among Nursing Staff and relationship between back pain with nursing activities and the use of body mechanics among nurses working in hospitals. Design: a cross-sectional research design was utilized. Setting: Study was carried out in Harf Al-Batin Saudi Arabia Hospitals. Subjects: A convenience sample of nurses (158) was recruited from above mentioned setting. Tools: Tool I: Demographic questionnaire and lifestyles patterns, Tool II: Back pain scale, body mechanics observation and Common nursing care activities questionnaire. Results: This study showed that 72.3 % of the studied nurses had back pain in intensive care , acute kidney unit and operation room, 100% of them had daily work hours 8and 9 and 66.7% was listed in marital status , 87.5% had barriers to perform body mechanics pain intensity in female gender and have significant result of the studied nurses in age ranged 36-40.Conclusion: The current study revealed that was a statistically positive correlation between barriers to perform body mechanics, degree of back pain, and nursing activities of the studied nurses. Recommendations: The study recommended a program for nurses to enhance the safe nursing practice of body mechanics and develop strategies to prevent back pain.

Microbiological profile and antibiotic resistance of urinary tract infections in Maternity and Children Hospital, Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia within 2022

Objective: This study aimed to characterize the antibiotic sensitivity, microbial resistance, and prevalence of the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) at Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH), Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Analysis was done on 1273 culture samples that were processed in the microbiology lab between January and December of 2022. Results: In all, 1273 urine culture (UC) samples were gathered. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 46.9% of the 1273 positive UC, followed by Gram-positive bacteria with 28.8%, fungal pathogens with 13.1%, and Gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria with 11.2%. The most common uropathogenic organism (76.8%) was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was followed by Escherichia coli (55.6%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (22.9%), and Klebsiella pneumonia (24.3%). Candida albicans (69.5%) was determined to be the most frequent agent in terms of fungus, followed by C. glabrata (19.2%). The study revealed that the bacterial isolates exhibited effective resistance to antimicrobial drugs such as Amikacin, Cefepime, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, imipenem, Levofloxacin, and Piperacillin/Tazobactam when administered against Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, the most effective antibiotics against Gram‑positive was Erythromycin but were sensitive to Vancomycin. Conclusions: One of the most typical infections that affect women is bacterial urinary tract infection. Using antibiotics for a very long time, and their misuse will result in the widespread growth of resistant bacteria.

Body mass index, aerobic fitness, and eating habits for affiliated colleges students to King Fahd University at Hafr AL Batin: cross sectional study.

Body mass index, aerobic fitness, and eating habits for affiliated colleges students to King Fahd University at Hafr AL Batin: cross sectional study.

Unveiling the Veil: Exploring Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness and Behaviors of the General Population of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia

Unveiling the Veil: Exploring Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness and Behaviors of the General Population of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia

Maternal Perception, Hesitancy, and Satisfaction Toward Childhood Immunization in Primary Health Centers, Hafr Al-Batin: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study from Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Consumer perception of and satisfaction with vaccination services is a critical and commonly used indicator for evaluating the quality of services provided by concerned authorities. The present survey assessed maternal perceptions, hesitancy, satisfaction, and factors associated with childhood immunization services provided at the primary health centers (PHCs) of eastern Saudi Arabia. The current analytical cross-sectional study included mothers of childhood vaccine beneficiaries attending PHCs in Hafr Al-Batin. We collected data related to mothers' perceptions, hesitancy, and satisfaction using a validated Arabic version of the data collection tool. Factors associated with low and high satisfaction with the immunization services were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. We performed Spearman correlation test to identify the correlation between the perception and satisfaction scores. Of the 675 participants, 87.4% were satisfied with the immunization services provided at the PHCs. The participants' satisfaction was significantly associated with the immunized child's age group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.39-2.89, p = 0.037) and occupation status (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.17-1.74, p = 0.024). Vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with the mother's age group (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI of AR = 1.35-3.39, P = 0.003) and number of children (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI of AR = 1.17-1.74, P = 0.024), Additionally, we found a significant positive correlation (Spearman's rho = 0.207, p < 0.001) between perception and satisfaction scores. We recommend targeted health education programs for mothers to improve their perceptions and the importance of all recommended childhood vaccines. Additionally, we suggest continuing maternal satisfaction assessments to enhance and maintain the quality of vaccination services.

Investigating the predictors of physical activity behavior among female college students in Saudi Arabia using the theory of planned behavior

Background and Study Aim. Physical inactivity is a major public health concern, particularly among female college students in Saudi Arabia. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) suggests that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) are important predictors of behavioral intentions and behaviors. The aim of this study was to examine the role of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in predicting physical activity intentions among female university students in Saudi Arabia, using the theory of planned behavior as a framework. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 758 female college students from the University of Hafr Al Batin in Saudi Arabia. The measurement tool consisted of Godin-Shephard questions on leisure-time physical activity and theory-planned behavior questionnaires. Results. The study found that perceived behavioral control and attitude were significant predictors of physical activity intentions among female college students. However, subjective norms did not have a significant impact on the predictor variable. Furthermore, there was a statistical effect to predict involvement in physical activity from physical activity intention among female college students.. Conclusions. The study's findings suggest that the theory of planned behavior is a useful framework for understanding and interpreting physical activity intentions among female college students in Saudi Arabia. Interventions that aim to increase perceived behavioral control and positive attitudes towards physical activity may be effective in promoting physical activity among this population.

Estimation of Tritium Concentration in the Rain- and Groundwater in the Dry River of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia

Natural tritium is widely dispersed in the environment, leading to human exposure to tritium through water ingestion, inhalation of tritium gas, and absorption through the skin. High levels of tritium in the environment can pose significant health risks due to the potential carcinogenic effects of tritium. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the tritium concentration in spiked water, rainwater, and groundwater by a liquid scintillation counter (LSC). Due to the lower detection levels of the LSC, an enrichment process of tritium ten- to thirtyfold was carried out using the electrolysis process. The enriched water was then analyzed to estimate the tritium concentration. Five reference samples were prepared by diluting a standard with known concentrations (spiked sample) to verify the precision of the measurement technique. The estimated tritium levels of the rainwater and the groundwater were within the 0.3 to 3.5 tritium units (TU) range. A comparatively higher tritium concentration was estimated for the shallow wells in the lower valley of the monitored areas. However, relatively lower concentrations were detected for wells located in the hillside areas. These findings will assist regulatory authorities in formulating strategies to ensure public safety by mitigating human exposure to tritium.

Rainfall Trends Analysis in context of Climate Change in Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve (ITBA) – Saudi Arabia

Rainfall trend analysis, on different spatial and temporal scales, has been used during the past century as the indicate of global climate change by the scientific community. According to some recent studies, the Nature Reserve (ITBA) has been suffering a rainfall decrease, especially in the second half of the studied period (1993-2018). The aim of the present study is to analyze the rainfall trends using the time series of 52 years in five rain stations (Linah, Rafha, Ha’il, Dawmat Al Jandal and Hafr Al Batin) surrounding the Nature Reserve of (ITBA) that extended on area of about 91500 km2 in the Northeast of Saudi Arabia. The trends analysis of annual rainfall, rainy days, shows that the fluctuations or variations in climatic parameters is a recurring phenomena in the studied stations. Inter-annual variability of the rainfall and the actual mean of daily rainfall are characterized by the high coefficients of variation, varying from 0.73 (Linah) to 0.83 (Ha’il) and from 0.53 (Linah) to 1.09 (Rafha), respectively. The variance test of Fmax-ratio method indicates the homogeneous annual rainfall distribution at Linah, Rafha and Ha’il, the homogenous rainy days distribution at only Ha’il and the homogeneous distribution of the actual mean of the daily rainfall at only Linah. The trends of annual rainfall, rainy days and actual mean of the daily rainfall obtained by using T-student test are significant in Ha’il and Dawmat Al Jandal, in all stations and in only Hafr Al Batin, respectively.

The Relationship of Alexithymia with Social Phobia among Female Students at the University of Hafr Al-Batin

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relationship of alexithymia with social phobia among a sample of female students at the University of Hafr Al-Batin.&#x0D; Methods: The descriptive correlative approach was used in this study to reveal the relationship of alexithymia with social phobia among a sample of female students at the University of Hafr Al-Batin, consisting of (200) female university students from various disciplines and academic levels, where the Social Anxiety Scale (SAS) consisted of (24) items distributed on (3) main dimensions: interaction anxiety, performance anxiety, and evaluation anxiety. And the alexithymia scale (Tas20) consisted of (15) items divided into (3) dimensions: the difficulty of recognizing feelings, the difficulty of describing feelings, and externally directed thinking were used in this study.&#x0D; Results: The results of the study indicated the existence of a positive relationship between alexithymia and social phobia among female students at the University of Hafr Al-Batin, where the relationship ratio between them was (0.614), The explained difference in the relationship between the two measures was (0.38), which is a ratio that indicates the percentage of explaining the variance in the relationship between the two measures.&#x0D; Conclusions: Conducting more studies about alexithymia and its relationship to other variables (such as psychological adjustment, and psychological hardness), conducting more studies on other samples, and measuring the effect of accompanying variables such as gender, age, academic level, etc., in addition to applying other measures of social phobia and alexithymia to reveal the extent to which the variables relate to each other.

Comparison of Academic Results during Conventional and Online Modes of Learning: A Case Study of Two Groups of Saudi University Students

The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted all aspects of people’s lives, including pedagogy and instruction at universities, where its impact was felt globally, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is no exception. This paper discusses and compares the academic results during the conventional mode of learning (spring semester of 2019) and during the online mode of learning (spring semester of 2020), which was throughout the pandemic period. Specifically, the study considers two Saudi groups of fifty students who were enrolled in the Department of Health Information Management and Technology at the University of Hafr Al-batin in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The students’ accumulative marks in six first-year courses in two semesters were analyzed and compared by calculating the passing/failure percentages, descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance, maximum, minimum, and range), and the p-value of an inferential t-test. Additionally, the students filled out a six-category survey about their experiences and level of satisfaction with online learning compared to the regular learning mode. It was concluded that more students passed with higher grades in the year 2020 in five theoretical courses. Differently, it was deduced that practical courses such as computer applications had similar passing averages in the two years; the course required students to submit continuous assignments and projects in a fixed time period. Additionally, the participants revealed in their filled online survey that they preferred many features of the remote learning mode and the online assessment methodology. They inclined toward online learning for its flexibility and effectiveness, even though they confessed to having less interaction and focus during online sessions. Thus, the results imply to authorities in the Ministry of Higher Education to carefully and gradually embed online teaching for selected subjects with exam validation measures such as time strict limits, question banks, randomizations, and other security features.

The role of faculty members in promoting the culture of dialogue in the university environment from the point of view of students at the University of Hafr Al-Batin

هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى الكشف عن واقع دور أعضاء هيئة التدريس في تعزيز ثقافة الحوار في البيئة الجامعية من وجهة نظر الطلبة بجامعة حفر الباطن بالسعودية. لتحقيق أهداف الدراسة، تم استخدام منهج البحث الوصفي المسحي القائم على الاستبانة. تم تطبيق الدراسة على عينة قوامها (385) من طلبة جامعة حفر الباطن. لجمع البيانات أعدت الباحثة استبانة لرصد واقع تعزيز أعضاء هيئة التدريس بالجامعة لثقافة الحوار من وجهة نظر الطلبة مشتملة على أربعة محاور رئيسية، وأبرزت نتائج الدراسة أن المتوسط العام لاستجابات المشاركين بشأن دور أعضاء هيئة التدريس في تعزيز ثقافة الحوار لدى الطلبة قد بلغ (3.82)، وهو ما يعكس مستوى "كبير" من ممارسة أعضاء هيئة التدريس لأدوارهم في تنمية ثقافة الحوار لدى الطلبة. وكان أعلى المحاور "إدراك وفهم عضو هيئة التدريس لآراء الطلبة" وبدرجة (كبيرة جدا)، تلاه المحور الخاص بـ "احترام عضو هيئة التدريس للطلبة وثقافاتهم" بدرجة (كبيرة)، تلاه المحور الخاص بـ "التزام عضو هيئة التدريس بآداب الحوار" بدرجة (كبيرة)، وجاء المحور الخاص بـ "تشجيع عضو هيئة التدريس الطلبة على الحوار الجمعي" في المرتبة الرابعة والأخيرة كأقل المحاور وبدرجة (متوسطة).كما أبرزت النتائج عدم وجود ذات دلالة إحصائية في استجابات المشاركين بشأن دور أعضاء هيئة التدريس في تعزيز ثقافة الحوار وفقًا لمتغيري الجنس، والكلية.