Bahrain Research Articles

Assessment of the Monoclonal Antibody Palivizumab: Effects on Admission Rates, Cost-Effectiveness, and Severity for Premature Infants Attending RSV Clinic in King Hamad University Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain

Assessment of the Monoclonal Antibody Palivizumab: Effects on Admission Rates, Cost-Effectiveness, and Severity for Premature Infants Attending RSV Clinic in King Hamad University Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain

Exploring essential features for developing a human resource management mobile application: Insights from the middle east

This study aims to investigate the key features necessary for the development of a mobile application for human resource management (HRM). It addresses the shortage of empirical studies on digital HRM in the Middle East and emphasizes the increasing importance of HRM mobile applications in the region. The research utilizes qualitative research methods, including the Delphi method, in-depth interviews, literature review, historical analysis, and critical discussion.A qualitative research strategy is employed, analyzing data from 43 HR experts and mobile app development team members from international and local businesses in the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain. NVivo software is used for data analysis, encompassing over 120 transcriptions, notes, and academic papers. The study identifies and explores the logical and practical features required for an HRM mobile app. It uncovers challenges related to the Delphi survey experiences, such as managing heterogeneous information and ensuring compatibility with iOS and Android platforms. This research fills a gap in the literature by investigating the digital HRM landscape and HRM mobile applications in the Middle East. It provides valuable insights from HR and technology experts, contributing to the advancement of digital HRM, mobile applications, and the application of the Delphi method methodology. The study highlights implications for industries to enhance HR operations and productivity through the adoption of mobile HR applications. Theoretical contributions include new insights into the digital HRM literature, specifically regarding the identification and discussion of essential features in HRM mobile applications. Practical implications involve the benefits of transitioning from traditional HRM to digitalized HRM in the professional era, as identified through the analyzed features of the HR app. The study offers practical insights for the development and implementation of mobile HR apps. Organizations can leverage these insights to create effective mobile HR apps that enhance HR operations and employee productivity.

Prevalence of abnormal thyroid function test in adults attending primary care setting in the year 2022 in the Kingdom of Bahrain

ABSTRACT Background: Thyroid disease is known to be one of the most common endocrine diseases globally and has serious health implications if left untreated. Objective: This study aimed to gain a better understanding of common thyroid diseases and to explore the associated risk factors in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Methods: A case-control study was carried out after obtaining all thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) results done in a primary healthcare setting from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 from the Health Information Department. In total, 500 participants were randomly selected from each group: the abnormal thyroid test group (cases) and the normal thyroid test group (controls). Participants were interviewed using a structured list of associated risk factors with the following sections: sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, family history of thyroid disease, BMI, previous radiation therapy, and certain medications. Results: The prevalence of abnormal thyroid tests was found to be 11%. Cases were categorized into four groups: hyperthyroidism (26.4%), hypothyroidism (64.6%), hyperthyroidism (4.5%), and subclinical hypothyroidism 13 (4.5%). The results showed significant differences between case and control in the following risk factors: female sex, increasing age, BMI, dyslipidemia, family history of thyroid disease, and previous radiation therapy (P = <0.05). Conclusion: In summary, the high prevalence of abnormal thyroid results highlights the need for an organized national screening program for individuals at average risk for developing thyroid disease.

Relationship Between the Serum Cortisol, Insulin, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), and Blood Glucose Levels of Pregnant Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be defined as hyperglycemia that develops during pregnancy. GDM poses both maternal and fetal potential risks.Elevated maternal cortisol levels have been linked to maternal hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between GDM and serum cortisol levels in Bahraini and non-Bahraini pregnant women in the Kingdom of Bahrain. We also investigated the relationship between age and ethnicity in the development of GDM. Methods Data were collected from a total of 75 pregnant women; 41 of which were diagnosed with GDM and 34 had normal blood glucose levels. Serum cortisol, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), fasting (FBG), and random (RBG) blood glucose levels were measured. Results FBG, RBG, and insulin blood levels were significantly higher in the GDM group when compared to the control group. Serum cortisol and ACTH levels tended to be higher in the GDM group; however, they were statistically insignificant. Within the GDM group, there were no statistically significant differences in serum insulin, cortisol, and ACTH levels between Bahraini and non-Bahraini patientsor between patients less than or more than 30 years old. Conclusion Our results suggest that cortisol may not have a major role in the development of GDM in our patients. Further research is needed to confirm these results. This study highlights the necessity to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the development of GDM in pregnant women.

Filling gaps in global myrmecology: ants of the Kingdom of Bahrain (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

ABSTRACT We present the first faunal analysis of the ants (Formicidae) of the Kingdom of Bahrain (Bahrain), an island nation in the Arabian Gulf. We document a total of 35 ant species based on published, unpublished and new specimen records, including 26 presumed native species and nine non-native tramp species. The native fauna was predominantly of Palaearctic origin, with a few Afrotropical species. A new species of the genus Lepisiota Santschi, 1926, L. bahrainensis sp. n., is described and illustrated based on the worker caste. Habitat suitability modelling of the ant fauna of Bahrain was generated using a total of 157 recorded points against the panel of 19 bioclimatic factors. We used Maxent software to generate the final map which indicates a significantly high and excellent habitat suitability of species on the northern part of the country and high suitability on the eastern coasts. Our results show that the mean temperature of the driest season is the most effective parameter in modelling the distribution, and we present interpretations of the very low habitat suitability in the extremely arid desert in the southern regions of the main island. Finally, we present ecological and biological remarks and distribution maps for each species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:18D05DD2-4B64-4A87-8389-582D5714411C http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:DA93B16A-C23B-45F8-8C6A-867B8734D587

Employee green behavior in laboratories of higher education institutions: a qualitative study

Purpose This study aims to explore employee green behavior in higher education institution (HEI) laboratories in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used to explore the green behavior experiences of individuals working in HEI laboratories. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine participants selected via purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was performed on the collected data using ATLAS.ti 9 software. Findings The analysis of the collected data identified five themes related to the green behavior in HEI laboratories. These themes, ranked in descending order of frequency, are conserving, avoiding harm, transforming, influencing others and taking initiative. The conserving theme accounted for one-third of the subcodes, as did the avoiding harm theme. The final one-third of subcodes was distributed among the remaining three themes. Research limitations/implications This study conducted virtual interviews and coincidentally interviewed only female participants. The findings contribute to the existing literature on the themes of green behavior among laboratory staff in HEIs and provide valuable insights for university managers and sustainability coordinators in shaping policies to promote environmentally friendly practices and address negative practices. Originality/value Despite existing studies on environmental practices in various workplace settings, the exploration of green behavior in HEI laboratories in the Kingdom of Bahrain from the employee perspective remains limited. This study presents a significant opportunity for researchers to explore sustainability in HEI laboratories and for policymakers to develop corresponding strategies.

Assessing Sustainability Performance at Farm Level in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Crop production in Bahrain is facing many challenges that may undermine farm's sustainability. Farmers are an important player and assessing farm’s sustainability to identify performance gaps is essential. This study aims to measures farm sustainability in Bahrain using Response-Inducing Sustainability Evaluation (RISE) tool accompanied by field visit observations. The assessment was carried out on 29 farms and applied on 8 themes. The study contributed by configuring RISE's regional data to match Bahrain's conditions through the adjustment of some evaluation functions. The application of RISE showed that the average score of the 29 farms was (63 points) which indicates the requirement of additional improvement. Farms fared well in five themes (quality of life, water use, working conditions, soil use, and farm management). Whereas it performed low in three themes (Material Use, Biodiversity & Economic viability). Quality of life theme received the highest score (76 points), while biodiversity was the lowest (34 points). RISE application was successful; however, land tenure needs to be considered to improve local sustainability. Despite the presence of lands that are classified as agriculture but unexploited, it is suggested to encourage landowners exploiting the lands or rent them out to other farmers. In addition, the development of good agricultural practises guidelines is vital.

Assessment of image quality and establishment of local acceptable quality dose for computed tomography based on patient effective diameter.

We aim to develop modified clinical indication (CI)-based image quality scoring criteria (IQSC) for assessing image quality (IQ) and establishing acceptable quality doses (AQDs) in adult computed tomography (CT) examinations, based on CIs and patient sizes. CT images, volume CT dose index ( ), and dose length product (DLP) were collected retrospectively between September 2020 and September 2021 for eight common CIs from two CT scanners at a central hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Using the modified CI-based IQSC and a Likert scale (0 to 4), three radiologists assessed the IQ of each examination. AQDs were then established as the median value of and DLP for images with an average score of 3 and compared to national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs). Out of 581 examinations, 60 were excluded from the study due to average scores above or below 3. The established AQDs were lower than the NDRLs for all CIs, except for oncologic follow-up for large patients (28 versus 26mGy) in scanner A, besides abdominal pain for medium patients (16 versus 15mGy) and large patients (34 versus 27mGy), and diverticulitis/appendicitis for medium patients (15 versus 12mGy) and large patients (33 versus 30mGy) in scanner B, indicating the need for optimization. CI-based IQSC is crucial for IQ assessment and establishing AQDs according to patient size. It identifies stations requiring optimization of patient radiation exposure.

Preterm birth in young women and singleton pregnancy following IVF in the kingdom of Bahrain

Invitro Fertilization (IVF) rate has been constantly increasing since 1986. Preterm birth is a known complication of IVF pregnancies. Analysis of the risk of preterm birth in young mothers conceived singleton pregnancy through IVF/Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an important assessment to counsel young patients contemplating IVF treatment.This is a retrospective analysis of births from young patients of ≤35 years, following natural/ IVF conception between January 2019 and February 2020 at Bahrain Defense Force Hospital. We studied the women who had conceived through ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) against women conceived naturally. Preterm birth between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation was analyzed. The risk factors for preterm delivery such as multiple pregnancy, placental insufficiency, vaginal infections as well as iatrogenic preterm deliveries were analyzed. P-Value<0.05 is considered statistically significant.The study included 2646 women. IVF conception was reported in 56 patients with rate of 2.1%. Our study showed that gestational age at delivery was earlier for IVF conception at 36.5 weeks compared to 39 weeks for natural conception. Multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting other risk factors of preterm delivery, confirmed increased risk of delivery before 37 weeks after IVF singleton conception with OR 2.3 and 95% CI(1.1-4.7) P = 0.02. Risk of delivery before 32 weeks not increased with IVF conception OR 2.3 with 95% CI of 0.9-5.9 P=0.09, but the risk significantly increased for delivery before 28 weeks with OR 4.5 with 95% CI(1.2-16.8)P=0.02.Preterm deliveries are significantly increased in women aged less than 35 years old after IVF/ICSI with singleton pregnancies.

Factors Affecting Citizen Engagement in the Kingdom of Bahrain Through Gamification

Factors Affecting Citizen Engagement in the Kingdom of Bahrain Through Gamification

Job crafting and work engagement: A study of civil service bureau employees in the Kingdom of Bahrain

This study examined the impact of job crafting on work engagement among Bahraini Civil Service Bureau employees. A survey was used to collect data from 278 participants resulting in a 93.3% response rate. The findings showed that increasing structural job resources, decreasing hindering job demands and increasing challenging job demands had a positive and statistically significant impact on work engagement. However, there was no significant relationship found between increasing social job resources and work engagement. Reducing hindering job demands was identified as the most influential dimension followed by increasing structural job resources and increasing challenging job demands. The study recommended encouraging employees to consult their superiors, providing more flexibility in job task execution and motivating participation in new programs. These findings contribute to understanding the relationship between job crafting and work engagement offering practical implications for enhancing employee engagement and well-being in the Civil Service Bureau.

The FDI and Many Economical Sectors Impact (Oil, Non-Oil) on Bahrain GDP: (An Econometrics Study for Period 1990-2021)

Host countries work to attract foreign direct investment by creating an appropriate investment environment that meets the specifications required by multinational companies across continents, through which they seek to compensate for the deficit in local savings, as well as achieving a tangible increase in annual growth rates of the gross domestic product, as When multinational companies with experience and technology operate in host countries, they must train the local workforce in order to contribute to raising economic growth rates. The Kingdom of Bahrain has attracted foreign direct investment as a complement to local investment by transferring expertise and modern technology necessary to train and develop local cadres technically and technologically., Consequently, job opportunities increase, unemployment rates decrease, and production increases for the Kingdom of Bahrain, as Bahrain has entered the competition to attract foreign direct investment worldwide. Not only that, most of the investment is directed to important economic sectors such as the manufacturing and extractive industries sectors, and even part of the foreign trade sector, and therefore Their study of their impact on the gross domestic product and the analysis of economic relations shows the strength of both the effects of investment and economic sectors side by side in developing the Bahraini economy to keep pace with global changes in the field of energy and economic competition, despite the high progress in the field of investment at the international level that preceded it in this context., Since the investment coming into the Kingdom of Bahrain during the study period is low when compared with countries in the world that attract foreign direct investment, the research aims to measure the direct impact of foreign direct investment and some economic sectors on the gross domestic product using the Eviwes 12 program, and important results were obtained from the estimation.

Prevalence and Awareness of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Among Full-Contact, Semi-contact, and Non-contact Sports Athletes in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Background The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a crucial connective tissue that links the femur to the tibia, playing a vital role in stabilizing the knee by resisting forward and rotational movements. ACL tears can occur due to both contact and non-contact sports injuries. Diagnosis and assessment typically involve the Lachman test and magnetic resonance imaging. Initial treatment focuses on reducing swelling, followed by physical therapy or surgery to restore long-term knee functionality. Objective This study aimed to assess the injury prevalence and awareness of ACL and the engagement of preventing training programs among Bahraini athletes across diverse sports. Methods A cross-sectional survey was utilized to evaluate injury prevalence and awareness of ACL and engagement in preventing training among 161 Bahraini athletes from different sports. Data were collected through a detailed questionnaire addressing demographics, sports involvement, ACL injury history, and preventive training. The analysis involved descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and independent t-tests to compare knowledge across sports types. A chi-square test was performed to examine correlations between injury history and training. Results The results showed that athletes in full-contact sports exhibited significantly higher ACL injury awareness compared to those in semi-contact and non-contact sports. Furthermore, a higher percentage of athletes in semi-contact and non-contact sports reported a history of ACL injuries when compared to those in full-contact sports. However, there was no significant difference in the engagement of preventive exercise training across different sports categories. Conclusion A notable gap in ACL injury awareness exists among Bahraini athletes, varying significantly across sport types. The data highlight the need for customized educational programs catering to different sports.

Circular Agriculture Approach: Towards a Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Circular Agriculture Approach: Towards a Sustainable Agricultural Waste Management in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Medicolegal assessment of reported female sexual assaults in the Kingdom of Bahrain: record-based descriptive study

BackgroundSexual assault is an important social issue that influences women’s lives. Despite a significant increase in 2018, there is no reliable information available in the Kingdom of Bahrain about female sexual assaults. The aim of this study is to investigate the pattern of reported sexual assaults among living female victims in the Kingdom of Bahrain. All medicolegal reports of sexual assaults in living female victims from 2016 to 2020 were included. Reported cases were studied for sociodemographic data of victims, assailant data, assault circumstances, and medicolegal findings and procedures.ResultsThe prevalence of female sexual assault allegations was 7%. During the studied period, there were 272 cases of sexual assault overall. Most cases were in the age group 18–30 years (41.2%). In 58.1% of assaults, the assailant was the boyfriend or partner of the victim. The medicolegal examination took place within 2 days after assault in only 32%. Forensic examination of sexual assault victims revealed extragenital injuries in only 30.9% of cases. Sexual assaults involving mixed penetration occurred in 66.9% of victims, followed by vaginal penetration (30.1%), then anal penetration (2.9%). The final medicolegal opinion confirmed positive assault in 38.6% of allegations and negative assault in 32.4% of allegations, while allegations that have no firm medicolegal conclusion were 29%.ConclusionsDespite the efforts made in Bahrain, there is an underestimated problem of sexual violence against females which needs a robust multilevel strategy including the roles of education, law, and non-governmental institutions.

Exploring the Dietary, Lifestyle, and Demographic Factors Associated with Risk for Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Abnormalities in a Fecal Immunochemical Test-Positive Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Exploring the Dietary, Lifestyle, and Demographic Factors Associated with Risk for Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Abnormalities in a Fecal Immunochemical Test-Positive Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Experimental and Numerical Heat Transfer Assessment and Optimization of an IMSI Based Individual Building Block System of the Kingdom of Bahrain

The increase in energy consumption in Bahrain is a significant issue. Insulation blocks are crucial for reducing heat transfer from outside to inside buildings. However, there’s limited research on the thermal performance of Bahrain’s insulation building blocks. No research to date has been conducted in Bahrain to study the effect of plaster and insulation inserts on the R-value of the blocks. This study examines and optimizes the thermal resistance (R-value) of an ‘Integrated Masonry System International, Ltd. (IMSI)’ block, chosen due to its common use in Bahrain’s commercial and residential construction. The study involves experimental analysis using a hot box setup and numerical analysis through the finite element method (FEM), along with assessing the impact of insulation inserts in the block’s cavities. R-values are calculated and validated for accuracy. The R-value discrepancy between numerical and experimental findings is 2.411%, and between numerical and manufacturer’s data is 5.743%. It is also observed that a 25 mm external plaster, as required by Bahrain’s government (EWA), enhances the R-value by 79.34%. Furthermore, optimizing the IMSI block’s height increased the R-value by 10.67%.

Insulin Blood Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Relation to Ethnicity and Age in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It may be attributed to certain placental hormones during pregnancy which render insulin less effective. Our study aimed to focus on the levels of insulin in gestational diabetic women in the Kingdom of Bahrain as compared with non-diabetic pregnant women. Furthermore, we studied the correlation between insulin levels by ethnicity and age of the pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 pregnant participants: 41 with GDM (test group) and 34 without GDM (control group). Insulin levels were determined in patients with GDM and compared to non-diabetic pregnant women. A comparison between Bahraini and non-Bahraini women was carried out in two different age groups: below and above 30 years of age. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. The results showed higher mean values of fasting blood glucose (FBG), random blood glucose (RBG), and insulin levels in the test group when compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in FBG, RBG, and insulin levels among Bahraini women with GDM and non-Bahraini women (Indian, Pakistani. Bengali, and Filipino) with GDM. Age, less than 30 vs more than 30 years, had no significant effect on women with GDM. Insulin levels were higher in pregnant women with GDM irrespective of their ethnicity or age. The lack of blood glucose control in GDM even in the presence of high insulin secretion may suggest loss of insulin effectiveness due to other factors such as stress and lactogenic placental hormones.

Analysing the Landscape Aesthetics in the Urban Context of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Urban development in the Kingdom of Bahrain has been a rapid phenomenon. To overcome the urban challengesand progress in an effective manner, the Kingdom of Bahrain has undertaken several measures for sustainabledevelopment. Landscape aesthetics plays a vital role in achieving urban sustainability and affects human perceptionand behavior in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain have predominantly enjoyed beachfronts due to its geographical location. However, recent urbanisation has resulted in the development of designelements that are not associated with the sea. This research aims to analyse the change in landscape aesthetics dueto urbanisation and the impact of social and cultural factors on it. The methodology adopted in this research includessite visits, documentation, and surveys. The study contributes to understanding the changing landscape aestheticsin the Kingdom of Bahrain. It analyses the effect of social and cultural factors on the changing landscape aestheticsin the Kingdom.

Factors Associated With Adverse Radiographic Outcomes Following Operative Management of Ankle Fractures: A Single-Center Study.

Introduction Ankle fractures arecommonly encountered fractures in emergency departments worldwide. These fractures often have significant articular involvement that requires anatomic surgical reduction and stabilization. Radiographs can be used in everyday practice to evaluate ankle fractures utilizing various parameters to assess reduction quality intraoperatively and postoperatively. Several factors have been found to influence the reduction quality of fractures across body regions.This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the influence of several factors on the reduction quality of ankle fractures in a tertiary care center in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Materials and methods A total of 462 records were identified during the search, and 68 records were excluded. A total of 394 ankle fractures met the inclusion criteria for the study. Five orthopedic surgeons then evaluated the operative films in accordance with the Delphi consensus parameters for evaluating ankle fractures, and the reductions were graded as good, adequate, or poor. Results The study included 394 ankle fractures that met the inclusion criteria, and four significant associations were notedto affect the quality of reduction. Ankle fractures with posterior malleolus involvement (PMI) were significantly associated (p = 0.001) with fragments smaller than 15% and larger than 20% having decreased outcomes. The number of daysfrom admission to operation was also significant (p = 0.009), with the best reductions observed between zero and one day from admission. Operating surgeon was also a significant factor (p = 0.038), with inferior reductions noted in specialist surgeons compared to trainees. The last significant association was the number of malleoli (p = 0.001), with an inferior reduction with a larger number of malleoli involved. Conclusion Ankle fractures are a common and significant orthopedic injury. Reduction quality is important for optimal outcomes after surgical stabilization. Various factors including the number of malleoli, the grade of the operating surgeon, and the time of surgery were significantly related to the quality reduction in this single-center study. Expedited surgical management of fractures that are amenable to early fixation, careful assessment, and meticulous technique in fixation offractures with multiple fractured malleoli is indicated to reduce the chance of malreduction particularly in complex injuries.Further assessment of factors related to reduction quality with large-scale prospective studies would provide orthopedicsurgeons with insights into the identification and optimal treatment of such fractures.