Makkah Region Research Articles

Prevalence of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, and Atopic Dermatitis and Their Association With Oral Health in Saudi Arabia.

Background The word "atopy" is frequently used to describe immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated diseases. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma is increasing and disconcerting in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to investigate the association between allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, and oral health among adults in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study of 726 adults using an electronic questionnaire was adopted. The study was carried out from Januaryto December2022. The questionnaire included demographic data, patients' diseases in response to inclusion and exclusion criteria, oral health status and symptoms, and dental health-related behaviors. Results Most participants were aged from 18 to <40 years (79.1%). More than half of the participants were females (53.6%); 39.7% of participants had poor oral health. Poor health was significantly higher among obese subjects as well as those with lower levels of physical activity, higher perceived levels of stress, those who received a sealant, and those who brushed their teeth for ≤ one time per day. The results showed that the individual symptoms of oral health did not associate significantly with being diagnosed with allergic rhinitis or asthma in the past 12 months. However, atopic dermatitis was independently associated with a chipped or broken tooth (OR = 1.52) and pain in the tongue or inside the cheeks (OR = 3.57). Conclusion Poor oral health was significantly associated with atopic dermatitis in Saudi adults. Some systemic diseases are considered chronic diseases, and they are multifactorial; thus, we cannot claim that periodontal pathogens are the definite cause of systemic infections. More studies are necessary to find a definitive association.

Prevalence of Positive Blood Cultures in the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Single-Centre Study

Background: Blood cultures (BCs) are frequently ordered during the course of investigation in emergency departments (EDs). However, there are few studies examining the clinical value of BCs and the prevalence of positive BCs in the adult ED. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted by reviewing patient charts to obtain all BCs collected in our ED over the course of one year. Out of 214,566 ED visits over the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, a total of 1034 blood cultures were collected. The study was conducted in the ED of a teaching hospital in Taif, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia, that has 500 beds for adults. Results: The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus hominis (19.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (14.1%), Escherichia coli (9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8%), Staphylococcus capitis (7.3%), and Staphylococcus aureus (5.6%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from 3.4% and 1.1% of positive blood cultures, respectively. In the context of antimicrobial sensitivity, the organisms isolated from positive BCs in this study showed the highest sensitivity to vancomycin (57.6%). This was followed by levofloxacin (48.6%), linezolid (48%), gentamycin (41.8%), amoxicillin clavulanate (39.5%), and clindamycin (39%). The highest prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was to ampicillin (42.4%). Resistance to clindamycin, azithromycin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and imipenem was 22%, 8.5%, 3.4% and 0.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of positive blood cultures in the ED of this tertiary hospital was high. The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Vancomycin elicited the highest antimicrobial sensitivity, followed by levofloxacin.

Thyroid Cancer Knowledge and Awareness Among Women in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent endocrine cancer, and it has shown a rapid rise in incidence across the globe in recent decades. This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge about TC among women in the Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 28 December 2022 and 20 January 2023 among women in the Makkah Region via a self-administrated online questionnaire using Google Forms. Our inclusion criteria were women aged 18 years and older from the Makkah Region, and we excluded healthcare professionals and women who declined to participate in the study. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS program. The sample included 1219 participants. The majority (64%, n = 784) were 18 to 35. Of the participants, 362 (29.7%) had poor knowledge of TC, and only 94 (7.7%) possessed good knowledge. Forty-four percent of the participants (n = 541) believed that TC was incurable, and 86% (n = 1050) did not watch or participate in TC campaigns. Age, marital status, and family members or friends working in the medical field all significantly impacted the participants' knowledge scores. According to our study, women in the Makkah Region in Saudi Arabia do not fully comprehend the risk factors and symptoms of TC or the diagnostic methods and treatment for it. The results emphasize the value of health campaigns focused on women-in public places and on social media platforms to increase awareness of TC.

The British Stance on the Arab Emirates in the North of the Arabian Peninsula during the First World War 1914-1918

This study deals with a significant historical subject, focusing on the British stance towards the Arab Emirates in the north of the Arabian Peninsula during the First World War, particularly in relation to the British Conflict with the Ottoman Empire. The primary goal for Britain was to end the Ottoman presence in the region and counter the influence of local forces in the north of the Arabian Peninsula. To achieve this objective, Britain employed a combination of both cooperative and coercive methods. Furthermore, the study explores the support from the people of the north of the Arabian Peninsula for the Great Arab Revolt, a movement aimed at liberating and elevating the status of the Arabs. The revolution had the potential to succeed in its aims if not for Britain's failure to honor its promises to the Arabs. This study aims to understand the nature of the British position on the Arab Emirates in the north of the Arabian Peninsula during the First World War and assess the consequences of this stance on the region and the Arabian Peninsula as a whole. Additionally, the study aims to elucidate the British plan to assert control over the entire Arab East and understand the circumstances and conditions surrounding the north of the Arabian Peninsula during the First World War. It also examines the reaction of the local forces towards the British intervention. The significance of this research lies in its examination of British policies towards the local forces in the north of the Arabian Peninsula during the First World War and the responses of these forces. It fills a gap in the existing literature, as most writings have primarily focused on the Najd and Makkah regions, paying little attention to the northern Arabian Peninsula. Keywords: ottoman Empire, Colonial Britain, Emirate of hail.

Delays of construction projects in Makkah from the point of view of the consultant

The study investigates the causes of delays in construction projects in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. The objective is to determine the most significant factors from the consultant designer and supervisor’s perspectives. This study is part of a series designed to explore the causes of delays from the perspective of different stakeholders in the construction industry. A comprehensive survey of 69 questions has explored various possible delay factors. All factors are grouped into eight categories based on their relevance and orientation. The factors were recorded and ranked by their relative importance index concerning their impact and frequency. The top three factors in their impacts are found to be (1) difficulties in financing the project, (2) poor management of the site and lack of distribution of tasks (3) low productivity of labor. The first two are delay factors related to the contractor group, and the third is related to the labor group. The highest in frequency relative importance index is (1) delays related to sub-contractor’s work, (2) lack of experience of the owner in the approval of the supervision team and (3) inadequate estimate of task duration and scheduling, inadequate training, and adopting new techniques. In the overall average of the impact index of all groups, the highest was the delays due to the contractor group, followed by delays due to the designer group, and finally, delays related to the labor group. The overall average of the frequency index of the whole group seems relatively low. The study’s novelty lies in the large number of delay factors that have been investigated, by collecting and analyzing actual data, focusing separately on the opinions of all stakeholders, and then comparing them to find objective results related to delays in construction projects in the Makkah region.

The Relationship Between Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Awareness and the Use of Personal Listening Devices in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common avoidable reasons for hearing impairment worldwide. Work-related, genetic, infectious, and environmental factors all have a part in defining the level of hearing impairment. Nevertheless, the use of personal listening devices (PLDs) is popular nowadays, particularly among younger people. Healthy behaviors are needed to prevent them from developing hearing loss. Our objective is to evaluate the knowledge level of NIHL among the people of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and understand its association with PLDs. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed in December 2022 by sending an online survey on various social media applications. An electronic Arabic questionnaire with a total of 37 questions was designed to explore the participants' demographic data, history of hearing loss, risk factors, attitudes, and awareness of NIHL. Results Almost 22% of the study had mild-to-severe hearing impairment. Hearing issues were especially common among male individuals.A higher incidence of hearing impairments was seen in individuals who were utilizing a sound degree of more than 80%. The causes for NIHL comprised exposure to occupational noise, duration of the listening session per day, and the level to which the sound of the television or the broadcasting was raised. Approximately 77% of the participants preferred to reduce the sound of their personal audio devices (PADs) to prevent NIHL. Conclusion According to this study, there is a high prevalence of hearing problems in the Saudi population. Most of the respondents understood the risk factors linked to NIHL. There is a need for more NIHL awareness campaigns to educate the Saudi population and reinforce positive, healthy listening habits.

National and regional prevalence rates of hypertension in Saudi Arabia: A descriptive analysis using the national survey data.

Limited studies have examined the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) at the national and regional levels in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the national and regional prevalence of HTN in the Saudi population. This study used the data from household health survey carried out by the General Authority for Statistics in 2017. It included 24,012 households representing the Saudi population across all 13 administrative regions. The diagnosis of HTN was confirmed by a self-reported history of a physician diagnosed HTN. The prevalence of HTN was 9.2% among Saudi population aged 15 years and older. It was relatively higher in women (10.0%) than in men (8.5%). The prevalence of HTN increased with advancing age (aged 65 years and older), accounting for 55.3% in women and 48.0% in men; its prevalence was relatively low among the younger age group, accounting for 0.1% in those aged 15-19 years. A large difference was found in the prevalence of HTN between regions, ranging from 6.0% in Najran region to 10.0% in Makkah region. This study reported the national and regional prevalence of HTN among Saudi adults using a representative sample with large variations in the prevalence rates according to age, sex, and regions. Older age, men, and Makkah region had higher prevalence of HTN. Our findings will help determine the etiological factors, identify the priorities for healthcare, and generate initiatives for policymakers, and develop preventive and therapeutic strategies for HTN.

Malnutrition is associated with increased disease risk in older people in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

There is little research on the nutritional status of older people in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated the factors associated with the nutritional status of older people in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. We hypothesized that older people who are at risk of malnutrition are at higher risk of different diseases. This cross-sectional study surveyed 271 people aged ≥60 years from October 2021 to January 2022. We collected data on demographics, body mass index, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Eating Attitudes Test, and Household Dietary Diversity score. Among the 271 participants, 13.3% were malnourished and 53.9% were at risk of malnutrition. The oral health (P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.001), and eating disorder (P < 0.002) scores were significantly associated with malnutrition. Congestive heart failure, asthma, peripheral vascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and hypertension were more prevalent among malnourished participants-this supports our original hypothesis. The HDD score showed no significant differences between men and women. Malnutrition was associated with overweight or obesity, poor oral health, and depression. Older people in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia, had a high risk of malnutrition.

Obesity prevalence, physical activity, and dietary practices among adults in Saudi Arabia.

The current study evaluated obesity prevalence, physical activity, and dietary practices among Saudi adults in the Makkah region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The current survey was accomplished between November 2021 and March 2022. A validated questionnaire, Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS), was used to evaluate all participants' physical activities, sedentary behaviors, and nutritional habits in addition to demographic data. A total of 2,115 people [1,238 (58.5%) women and 877 (41.5%) men] participated in this survey. Being overweight was prevalent in 32.8% of the population (41% of men and 28.9% of women), obesity was prevalent in 23% of the population (males 23.1% and females 24.2%). Obese people consumed more soft drinks, and overweight people did not consume enough vegetables (fresh/cooked). Obese people consumed fast food (e.g., burgers, sausage, pizza, or Arabic shawarma) over three times each week. The mean (SD) number of days of practice walking was 2.51 (2.05) vs. 1.3 (1.87) (p < 0.001) for lean and obese individuals, respectively. In addition, individuals with normal BMI had more days of jogging, moderate and high-intensity exercise, dancing, and strength training than those with obesity. The odds of being obese increased with age (OR: 1.07; p < 0.001), in males (OR: 2.16; p < 0.001), in participants earning <5,000 SR/month (1.3 thousand $) and 10-15 thousand SR/month (1.34-2.66 thousand $) (OR: 2.36; P = 0.01). Obesity was inversely associated with moderate-intensity exercise (OR: 0.802; p = 0.009), and regular walking (OR: 0.685; CI: 0.624-0.752; p < 0.001). Overweight and obesity were prevalent in 32.8% and 23% of the population, respectively. Sociodemographic factors associated with obesity. Focused intervention strategies are needed to overcome the obesity issue.

Patterns of acute poisoning for children during outbreak of Corona virus in Makkah region Saudi Arabia.

Poisoning occurs when a person is exposed to an external substance at a too high dose for them. It is possible for young children to be exposed to chemicals. Lungs, the heart, CNS, the digestive tract, and kidneys can be poisoned. In 2004, over 45,000 children and teenagers died from acute poisoning, representing 13% of all accidental poisoning deaths worldwide. Poisoning patterns vary by exposure type, age group, poison type, and dose. This study assessed the pattern of acute poisoning with drugs, chemicals, and natural toxins among children (<12 years old). The study was done in Makkah region and registered in the poison control center in Makkah, the forensic chemistry center in Haddah during 2020-2021. A retrospective cohort study was done on 122 children exposed to toxic substances in Makkah. The children were 12 years old and had good health for a maximum of one year. Stratified random sampling was used to divide cases into groups of similar poisons (pharmaceutical products, household products, plant envenomation, and animal envenomation). Then each group got a random samples. The data were analysed with SPSS software. The mean age of children was 5.2 years, with 59% being boys. The mean temperature, pulse, systolic, diastolic, and respiratory rates were 36.77, 98.29, 109.1, 69.17, and 21.49. The most documented pharmaceutical products (200 mg) were carbamazepine (5 mg), methanol, risperidone (5 mg), propranolol (5 mg), and olanzapine (5 mg). The most common poison forms were tablets (42.6%), syrups (15.6%), capsules (13.9%), and solutions (13.1%). The most common poisoning routes were ingestion (82.8%), dermal (5.7%), injection (4.9%), and inhalation (6.6%). Accidental poisoning was 83%, with a 30-minute lag for 30.3% of children, and most (69.7%) occurred at home. Benzodiazepines were the most commonly used category class drug (18%), with normal pupils and an ECG of 85.2%. Sixty-seven percent had blood tests. Sickness was 9.48, and the positive result was 213.01. The most common presenting symptoms were GIT and neurological (23.8%). 31.1% had mild, moderate, or severe toxicity. Most cases (68%) were complex. 34.4% were intubated, 9.8% had repeated-dose-activated charcoal for enhanced elimination, and 27.8% were on IV fluids. Children with GIT, CVS, respiratory, dermal, and neurological symptoms had a higher percentage of severe toxicity (p < 0.05). Slight toxicity was associated with whole bowel irrigation, intubation for oxygen therapy, N-acetylcysteine or sedation, fluids, and phenytoin (P < 0.05). Complicated cases had a higher mean AST/IUL than non-complicated cases (75.5 vs. 20.08, p < 0.05). The level of toxicity did not correlate with the mean of all lab tests (p > 0.05). The age of the children correlated positively with their systolic BP (r = 0.22, p < 0.01). The results show how important it is to teach the public about poisoning and make rules for tracking and dealing with poisonings in Saudi Arabia.

An Antibiogram Study for Urine Culture Testing in Makkah Region Hospitals.

The antibiogram profile could be helpful in the selection of the most appropriate antimicrobial treatment for microbial infection and even useful to monitor antibiotic resistance. This study aims to identify the bacteria in the urine through urine culture and perform their antibiogram to determine the resistance profile between antibiotics and urine tract infection (UTI)-causing bacteria and to determine the effective and non-effective antibiotics. The study was based on urine culture data from five Makkah hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A total of 1000 pathogens were found in the urine culture; 899 were bacterial isolates, and 101 were Candida spp. Seven hundred and seventy-seven of the 899 bacteria isolates were gram-positive, while 122 were gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli (44%) was the most frequent UTI-causing bacteria, followed by Klebsiella spp. (20%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6%), S. aureus (5.5%), Enterococcus faecalis (4.5%), Enterobacter spp. (2%), and Proteus spp. (1%). There was clear evidence that ampicillin, cefepime, erythromycin, and moxifloxacin were not effective antibiotics for uropathogens in the Makkah area, KSA.The multiple drug resistance (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL), CR, and quinolones resistance (QR) were higher in the gram-negative bacilli. The pandrug resistance (PDR) andAmpC seemed to have fewer ratios of UTIs caused by gram-negative bacteria. On the other hand, S. aureus of the gram-positive type was also involved in the UTI and had a higher ratio of MDR, QR, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Among Children in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorder in children and is described as a disease involving loss of self-control. The core symptoms of ADHD are inattentiveness, impulsivity, and motor unrest. Furthermore, poor concentration, distraction, hyperactivity, and poor academic achievement at school or at home are other symptoms. ADHD, like other prevalent medical disorders such as asthma and schizophrenia, may be impacted by several genes and has multiple contributing causes that are not all related to each other. The management of ADHD contains multimodal treatments, starting with psycho-education for parents and the child or adolescent patient in an age-appropriate manner called cognitive behavioral therapy. The worldwide prevalence rate of ADHD among children is 7.2% and, in some countries, can be higher and reach 15.5%; studies show the average prevalence of ADHD in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA) is 9.2%. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to January 2023 among children who live in Makkah between the ages of 4 and 14 years old via an online survey that contained the ADHD Rating Scale-IV for parents/teachers, and caregivers based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV criteria. The scale was translated into Arabic and contains 18 questions about ADHD symptoms. Result The overall prevalence of combined ADHD among children in Makkah is 52.5% (n=203 out of 387); most of them were males (30.8%) and 21.7% were females (P=0.09), and most of the combined ADHD prevalence was between the ages of 11 and 14 (20.4%), then the age of 4-7 (16.8%), and 15.3% of them were between 8 and 10 years old. Additionally, the results show a higher prevalence of combined ADHD in Makkah city (33.1%) (n=121) in comparison to rural areas 19.4% (n=82) (P=0.132). Conclusion The aim of the study was to measure the prevalence rate of ADHD in the Makkah region. The study showed a high prevalence rate of ADHD (52.5%) among children in Makkah; the study was carried out online using an ADHD scale, and more accurate results could be found by using face-to-face interviews and including both parents and teachers.

Career Competencies and Job Performance of Saudi Employees in Tourism Industry: Intelligent Career Model

Tourism industry is one of the most growing sectors that contributes significantly to Gross World Product (GWP), employment opportunities, and local culture. Saudi Arabia has witnessed a growing number of hotel projects of new international chains and domestics hotels. Studies relevant to career competencies topics are relatively scarce among the first-line staff in Saudi&amp;rsquo;s hotels industry. This study seeks to examine the relationship between career competencies and job performance among frontline staffs at luxury, mid and upper mid-scale hotels in Riyadh and Makkah regions of Saudi Arabia. This study used online questionnaire method and was sent to 700 different hotels with a response rate of 76% (n=499). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis. Results showed that reflective, communicative, and behavioral career competencies have a statistically significant positive influence on individual work performance with values of (B=0.3, p&amp;lt;0.01), (B=0.34, p&amp;lt;0.01), and (B=0.21, p&amp;lt;0.01) respectively. A number of practical implications along with the research limitations were discussed.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Allergic Rhinitis Among the Population in the Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered a high global disease burden; hence, the shortage of knowledge would lead to poor adherence to management and preventive measures and increase the exacerbation of AR symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors, and assess the knowledge and practices of the population regarding AR among the population in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology This was an online survey cross-sectional study conducted in December 2022 via social media platforms (WhatsApp and Twitter) to collect data on participants' demographics, prevalence, risk factors, knowledge, and attitudes towardAR, using a validated Arabic version of a self-administered questionnaire. Results The study involved 466 participants. Of the participants, 55.8% were aged 31 to 45 years, and 286 (61.4%) were females. The prevalence of AR among the participants was 45%. The most common symptoms were a blocked nose (79.6%), sneezing (74.2%), and a runny nose (71.5%). Furthermore, the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis in this study was 56%. The most common inhalant allergen was house dust (73.0%). Only the age and history of asthma or eczema were significant factors associated with AR. Overall, most of the subjects (94.85%) had adequate knowledge regarding AR. Conclusion A high prevalence of AR was observed. Understanding the factors linked with AR is imperative to ensure better adherence to preventive management plans.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Contraception Use Among Childbearing Women in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction The rapid growth of the Saudi Arabian economy led to socio-demographic changes, with an increasing need for birth spacing and the use of contraceptives. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraception use in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire involving women aged 18-49 in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Descriptive analyses were performedand the Chi-squared test was used to compare variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The study included 352 women aged 32±9.1 years with a response rate of 91%. Among them, 72.1% hada diploma or bachelor's degree, and two-thirds were married (63.4%). Nearly all respondents had heard of contraception before (96.9%). However, only 44.3% knew contraception is a method of family planning, and 23.9% knew it prevents unwanted pregnancy. During the period of conducting the research, 37.8% reported using some contraception. Oral contraceptive pills (OCP) (97.2%, 33.8%), intrauterine devices (IUD) (97.2%, 22.7%), and male condoms (92.9%, 16.9%) were the most known and popular contraception methods used. Respondents' primary sources of information regarding contraception were relatives or friends (38.3%) and websites (30.2%), and 61.9% needed education on family planning. We found that women with multiple children were significantly more likely to practice family planning (p=0.005). Conclusion We found that participants were aware of and had a good attitude toward family planning. However, they had poor knowledge and poor practice of family planning. Raising awareness and education are recommended to improve knowledge and practice of family planning.

Knowledge of and Testing Rate for Hepatitis C Infection among the General Public of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has announced a plan to eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study sought to evaluate the knowledge levels and testing rate among the general population of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected from an online, self-administered survey. Multivariable analysis was conducted using multiple binary logistic regression models to identify factors associated with low knowledge levels as well as predictors of HCV testing. A total of 689 participants completed the survey. While most participants (88%) have heard of HCV infection, less than half (47.3%) understood that HCV is curable with medications. More than half of the participants (53.7%) have low knowledge about HCV infection. Testing for HCV was reported by 123 respondents (17.8%), and the odds of testing for HCV were significantly lower among residents of the Makkah region (OR = 0.59 [95% CI: 0.36-0.97]) and those with low knowledge level (OR = 0.47 [95% CI: 0.29-0.74]). HCV diagnosis was reported by nine respondents (1.3%), of whom only four reported receiving treatment (44%). Our study indicates inadequate knowledge levels and relatively low testing rate. These findings underscore the need for national awareness campaigns and more effective strategies for HCV screening.

Modelling the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the spread of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Countries around the world have implemented a series of interventions to contain the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and significant lessons can be drawn from the study of the full transmission dynamics of the disease caused by—severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)—in the Eastern, Madinah, Makkah, and Riyadh regions of Saudi Arabia, where robust non-pharmaceutical interventions effectively suppressed the local outbreak of this disease. On the basis of 333732 laboratory-confirmed cases, we used mathematical modelling to reconstruct the complete spectrum dynamics of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia between 2 March and 25 September 2020 over 5 periods characterised by events and interventions. Our model account for asymptomatic and presymptomatic infectiousness, time-varying ascertainable infection rate, and transmission rates. Our results indicate that non-pharmaceutical interventions were effective in containing the epidemic, with reproduction numbers decreasing on average to 0.29 (0.19–0.66) in the Eastern, Madinah, Makkah, and Riyadh region. The chance of resurgence after the lifting of all interventions after 30 consecutive days with no symptomatic cases is also examined and emphasizes the danger presented by largely hidden infections while switching control strategies. These findings have major significance for evaluating methods for maintaining monitoring and interventions to eventually reduce outbreaks of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia in the future.

Wind Farm Power Prediction Considering Layout and Wake Effect: Case Study of Saudi Arabia

The world’s technological and economic advancements have led to a sharp increase in the demand for electrical energy. Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid economic and demographic growth, which is resulting in higher energy needs. The limits of fossil fuel reserves and their disruption to the environment have motivated the pursuit of alternative energy options such as wind energy. In order to regulate the power system to maintain safe and dependable operation, projections of current and daily power generation are crucial. Thus, this work focuses on wind power prediction and the statistical analysis of wind characteristics using wind data from a meteorological station in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected over four years from January 2015 to July 2018. More than twelve thousand data points were collected and analyzed. Layout and wake effect studies were carried out. Furthermore, the near wake length downstream from the rotor disc between 1 and 5 rotor diameters (1D to 5D) was taken into account. Five robust machine learning algorithms were implemented to estimate the potential wind power production from a wind farm in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The relationship between the wind speed and power produced for each season was carefully studied. Due to the variability in the wind speeds, the power production fluctuated much more in the winter. The higher the wind speed, the more significant the difference in energy production between the five farm layouts, and vice versa, whereas at a low wind speed, there was no significant difference in the power production in all of the near wake lengths of the 1D to 5D rotor diameters downstream from the rotor disc. Among the utilized prediction models, the decision tree regression was found to have the best accuracy values in all four utilized evaluation metrics, with 0.994 in R-squared, 0.025 in MAE, 0.273 in MSE, and 0.522 in RMSE. The obtained results were satisfactory and provide support for the construction of several wind farms, producing hundreds of megawatts, in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Makkah Region.

Job Satisfaction Among Nurses Working in King Abdul Aziz Medical City Primary Health Care Centers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Job satisfaction in the nursing field directly impacts the quality of patient care. However, increased work demand puts nurses at a higher risk of job dissatisfaction, which can, in turn, affect their work performance. This study aimed to measure job satisfaction among nurses working in National Guard Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) and to determine the different sources of pressure at their workplace. Methods A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among nurses working in the National Guard PHCs in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia, in 2022. A validated questionnaire from previous literature was used to evaluate nurses' job satisfaction. Results A total of 77 nurses completed the questionnaire, with an overall response rate of 89.5%. While 58% (n=45) of nurses were satisfied, 42% (n=32) were dissatisfied. Approximately half the participants were dissatisfied with the rate of payment (49%, n=38), working hours (47%, n=36), and future chances of promotion (44%, n=34). Moreover, 51% (n=39) of nurses attributed considerable pressure to staff shortage and 44% (n=34) to workload. Furthermore, lower mean satisfaction scores in nurses were significantly associated with their intention to leave their current center (p-value= 0.06). In addition, reduced satisfaction scores were frequently observed among females, singles, those who finished their first nurse training five to 10 years ago, those who had a previous experience outside the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), those who had only one to five service years, and the ones who belonged to centers that did not have clearly stated standards and policies for nursing practice. However, these associations were statistically not significant. Conclusion Results indicate that nurses' job satisfaction should be improved to decrease nurses' intention to leave their workplace and maintain their optimum performance in patient care. This can be achieved by addressing the sources of dissatisfaction and pressure at work.

Missed Nursing Care and its relationship with Nurses’ Perceptions of Professional Practice Environment during Hajj Season

Context: An important factor that significantly affects missed nursing care is the nursing work environment. Additionally, it significantly impacts the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals and indirectly affects the standard of nursing care.&#x0D; Aim: To identify nurses' perception of the professional practice environment, identify types and reasons for missed nursing care, and find the relationship between nurses' perceptions of the professional practice environment and missed nursing care during the Hajj season.&#x0D; Methods: A descriptive correlational design was carried out at seven hospitals in Makkah region. A convenience sample of 463 registered nurse who has at least one year of nursing experience and working in inpatient units was included in this study. Data was collected through an online questionnaire. It included patients' demographic data, the revised professional practice environment scale, and missed nursing care assessment questionnaire.&#x0D; Results: The result of this study reveal that the mean scores of the professional practice environment and its subscales were 3.56±0.46, indicating a favorable environment. Furthermore, it was found that the overall missed nursing care among the studied nurses was 1.56±0.65, which indicates low missed nursing care. The highest reason for missed nursing care was the inadequate staff (2.85±1.12), supplies/equipment not functioning properly when needed (2.74±1.07), and not being available when needed (2.70±1.10). The professional practice environment statistically significantly negatively correlated with missed nursing care (r=-0.32, p=0.000).&#x0D; Conclusion: Missed nursing care in hospitals can be reduced by improving the professional practice environment. The study recommends that the hospital and nursing administrators consider keeping good practice environments for nurses to prevent missed care activities and potentially enhance patient outcomes in nursing units.