Riyadh Region Research Articles

The Role of Knowledge Management in Improving Performance of Human Resources – A Field Study on the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training, Riyadh Region –: دور إدارة المعرفة في تحسين أداء الموارد البشرية – دراسة ميدانية على المؤسسة العامة للتدريب التقني والمهني بمنطقة الرياض –

This study aimed to identify how knowledge management plays a role in improving human resources, it also aimed to identify the realities of knowledge updating of the institution, and knowledge disseminating and distributing among workers. The research sample consists of the employees of the top departments 11.419 of the general organization for vocational training in three departments: the national training department, the general administration of quality and training, the general administration for development and curriculum design, in the Riyadh region, the study used a descriptive and analytical approach to address the research subject. knowledge management has been also mentioned as an important and positive impact on the efficiency of the organization's internal processes and the quality of performance. The results have been as follows: there is a positive statistical significant correlation between the knowledge diagnosis and measuring the quality of human resource performance, the value of the correlation between them was (0.577), at a significant level (0.00), which is a value less than (0.01),there is a positive statistical significant correlation between updating knowledge and measuring the quality of human resources performance, as the value of the correlation between them reached (0.682), at a significant level (0.00), which is a value less than (0.01),there is a positive statistical significant correlation between the disseminating and distributing of knowledge and the measuring of the quality of human resource performance (0.705), at a significant level (0.00), which is a value less than (0.01), as the higher the diagnosis of updating, disseminating and distributing knowledge, the higher the quality of human resource performance. The most important recommendations of researchers: The necessity for the institution to have the ability to identify its employees who possess knowledge related to its fields of activities. The necessity for the institution to provide material and moral rewards to its employees for their efforts to gain new knowledge that supports its activities. Reliance on objective and fair standards in order to truly reveal the levels of employee performance, which leads to avoiding problems among workers.

Obstacles to the Nebras Drug Prevention Program: A Study of the Educational Environment Program: مُعوِّقات برنامج نبراس للوقاية من المُخدِّرات: دراسة لبرنامج البيئة التَّعليميَّة

To identify the nature of the programs offered through Nebras program for the educational environment, and the goals described for Nebras for the educational environment, to identify the external obstacles represented in the social and cultural obstacles and the internal obstacles related to the administrative and technical aspect related to beneficiaries and the environment in which the program is applied. Study population consisted of (15) in charge of the educational environment program in Nebras in Riyadh region. A sample of (370) female students selected from the offices of education: The Guard, Al Nahda education office and Al Rawabi education office. In addition to a sample of (12) female student guides who are in charge of the implementation of the educational environment program in these schools. The study utilized the descriptive analytical approach and used the questionnaire to collect data. The study found that the most prominent programs offered in the educational environment are the awareness programs for female students about how to use their leisure time to benefit them, the most important programs, from the viewpoint of the female students, were introductory bulletins programs of free call service at the National Center for Addiction Consultation, followed in importance by video presentation programs about the national project for drug prevention, the most important objectives described for Nebras for the educational environment were, to raise the level of awareness of female teachers and students about the danger of drugs and psychotropic substances then to enhance self- immunity of female students towards negative practices. The study recommended that the National Committee for Drug Control should pay attention to the necessity of bringing families and the community together in raising awareness of the importance of the educational environment program because they play a fundamental role in supporting the participation of female students in the program, and that the Ministry of Education should allocate specific times and quotas to participate in educational environment programs and empty female students and counselors to participate in these programs. The study also recommended that the school be concerned with activating the material and moral support for the female guides based on the program, and the participating students effectively and motivating them.

Heavy metal content and microbial population in the soil of Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Heavy metal content, soil moisture, organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity, and the population of bacteria and fungi in the soil were all investigated. In the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia, soil samples were collected from Al Muzahmiyya, Al-Moqbel, Wadi Hanifa, the Sadus Dam area, Al Uyaynah, and Bawdah. The amount of Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Pb, Cdin soil samples was measured using ICP-MS. The bacteria and fungi population was determined using the soil plate count method. The correlations between the variables were evaluated using principal component analysis, aggregative hierarchical clustering, and Pearson's correlation. The data reveals that the soil pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, and organic matter ranged from 8 to 8.9, 1.7 to 37.4 ds/m, 3.3 to 26.7%, and 5.9 to 2.0%, respectively. The mean quantity of heavy metals was detected in the following order: Fe > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Co > Pb > Cd. The quantity of all heavy metals was less than the pollution level. The population of bacteria ranged from 6.54 CFU log/g to 7.07 CFU log/g, whereas the fungi population was between 4.19 and 4.67 CFU log/g. From the soil samples, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Fusarium, Alternaria, Trichoderma, Rhizopus, and Botrytis were identified. The soil pH and the population of bacteria and fungus had a strong negative correlation. A negative correlation was also found between Cd and the population of bacteria and fungi. A positive correlation was noticed between fungi and Zn. The effect of soil properties on fungal diversity was also noticed. Thus, it can be concluded that the soil properties in this area vary greatly. The soil of this region is mild to very alkaline, with a moderate to high salinity. The findings demonstrate that soil factors have an impact on the region's microbiota. Although the heavy metal content in this region is not yet above the pollution threshold, a timely evaluation is suggested.

Adoption of Sustainable Water Management Practices among Farmers in Saudi Arabia

Promoting sustainable water management (SWM) practices among farmers is essential in order to ensure water sustainability. This study aimed to analyze patterns in the adoption of SWM practices by farmers at the farm level, and how their awareness regarding the causes of agricultural water pollution influence SWM adoption. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect field data using structured questionnaires from 129 farmers in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that 38.8% of farmers had a high awareness of the causes of water pollution from agriculture. Approximately half of the farmers exhibited a high rate of adoption of SWM practices, most of whom adopted water quality and soil management practices. The findings reveal a positive association (0.37, p < 0.01) between SWM adoption and awareness regarding water pollution caused by agriculture, whereby the farmers with more awareness regarding the causes of water pollution from agriculture showed a higher level of adoption for 55% of the SWM practices. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the awareness levels regarding the causes of agricultural water pollution and cultivated crops significantly influenced the adoption of SWM by farmers. The findings and implications provide an understanding of the SWM practices of farmers, and offers insights for policymakers aiming to reformulate strategies and policies combatting water scarcity in Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus in Food Products Collected from Riyadh Region

The goal of this study was to isolate, count, and identify coagulase-negative Staphylococci from meat and dairy products collected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well as to perform molecular identification of the mecA gene. In addition, the prevalence of these bacteria among the examined food products was determined. Ninety samples of both meat and dairy products were collected and examined between February 2018 and August 2019. Mannitol salt agar and VITEK 2 system were carried out and VITEK 2 system was used to identify all bacterial isolates. Also, the molecular technique was used to detect the target gene of mecA among CoNS. The proportion of samples in which Staphylococcus species isolated is 13.33% (Camel meat), 6.66% (Beef mortadella), 6.66% (Turkish labneh), 33.33% (Cows cheese), 6.66% (Goat labneh), 13.33% (Nabulsy cheese), 13.33% (Haloumi goat cheese) and 6.66% (Akawy white cheese). Counts of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (as cfu/gm) of sample were around 11×104, 10×104, 9×104, 12×104, 4×105, 11×104 (Nabulsy cheese), 14×104 and 12×104, respectively. The Prevalence of species in both products was 3.30% (Staphylococcus vitulinus), 53.30% (Staphylococcus saprophyticus), 16.66% (Staphylococcus hominis), 6.66%, (Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus lentus) and 13.33% (Staphylococcus sciuri). Furthermore, results showed methicillin specific mecA gene was harbored in 40 % of the CoNS.

Variability of ophthalmology residents' perception toward different major training programs in Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE:The constant demand for ophthalmologists has nationally resulted in creating more programs in different regions of the kingdom. We have previously reported the overall residents’ satisfaction with the current local ophthalmology curriculum and the competency of the ophthalmic training (clinical and surgical) in our local programs in Saudi Arabia compared to international standards. In this study, we aim at comparing the major local training programs and analyze the differences among them aiming at improving our training.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire that was completed by residents and graduates of the local ophthalmology programs in Riyadh, Eastern and Western regions. A closed-ended questionnaire was validated and circulated online and a hard copy was distributed to residents and recently graduated ophthalmologists (2009-2015). Data were categorized by demographic variables, and basic statistics were done. The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Human Ethics Committee (HEC) of King Saud University.RESULTS:Of the 200 individuals surveyed, 175 (87.5%) completed their responses. The average age was 29.6 years (range: 24-39) with 67.5% males and 32.5% females. The overall satisfaction among senior residents and graduates showed a statistically significant higher result among graduates in Riyadh area (P=<0.001). Satisfaction of senior residents with the program director’s support was higher in the Eastern region (P=<0.001). Clinic-based training was generally satisfactory. Refractive surgery was reported to be significantly insufficient in 70.6% (P=0.003). Most of the graduates in Riyadh area achieved the surgical requirements for training compared to other regions.CONCLUSION:Saudi postgraduate ophthalmology training programs show a variable level of satisfaction among senior residents and graduates. Better surgical exposure has been observed in Riyadh region, however reassessment of the current curriculum and the parameters for training are needed to fulfill the requirements with special attention to the surgical training in all programs.

Analysis and forecast of road traffic accident in Saudi Arabia from 1990 until 2018

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are an epidemic problem in Saudi Arabia, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. This paper investigates the increasing number of RTAs and their related injuries and mortalities in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This study was performed on the population of Saudi Arabia using secondary data from the general authority for statistics from 1990 to 2018. Correlation among the variables (RTAs, injuries, mortalities, and population) was conducted using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), and forecasts of their trends over the next ten years using linear regression was discussed.Results: Eastern, Makkah and Riyadh regions were the top three regions in the number of RTAs accounting for 69% of the total RTAs in Saudi Arabia. All regions have had a pattern of RTA rise from 1990 till 2014 that dropped in the last 4 years. Riyadh had the highest injury rate per 10,000 RTA, although it had the lowest RTA rate per 100,000 population in the period from 2010-2014. Mortality rate in Riyadh doubled between the years 2014 and 2018 while Makkah accounted for the highest RTA-related mortality rates. The correlation between RTAs and mortalities were the highest in the country (r=0.92). In 2030, the average annual increase in the rate of RTAs, related injuries, and related mortalities will be 3%, 2% and 2.1%, respectively.Conclusions: Decision makers in Saudi traffic and transportation department should continue monitoring accidents prevention strategies and their effect. Reasons behind high injury and mortality rates, despite the decrease in the rate of RTAs, should be investigated.

Effect of quarantine on eating behaviors and weight change among King Saud University students in Riyadh

BackgroundTo determine the effect of quarantine on eating habits and weight change, as well as the primary changes in weight and eating habits among King Saud University students. AimThis study aims to identify the effects of quarantine on eating behaviours and weight changes. Also, it determines the main changes in eating behaviours and weight among KSU students in Riyadh from March 23 to June 21, 2020. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study of a random sample of KSU students. Saudi male and female (non-pregnant females) bachelor’s degree students at KSU in the Riyadh region, who had not tested positive for COVID-19, satisfied the selection criteria. The total number of responses to the questionnaire was 1053; after the elimination of 320 responses that met the exclusion criteria, 733 students were included in the study. ResultsThe current study results confirmed as 52.4% of students ate more of snacks. Among students’ most consumed food items during the quarantine were starches, coffee, dairy, and poultry. Contrastingly, the least consumed food items were energy drinks, fish, and soft drinks. Further, 53.7% of the students gained weight, which was associated with anxiety, boredom, and consumption of red meat and eggs. However, weight loss among students was associated with concerns regarding weight gain, changes in food quantity, changes in appetite, and the consumption of vegetables. ConclusionAlthough lockdowns are an important safety measure to protect public health, the findings of this study show that quarantine affects eating and Emotional Eating (EE) behavior such as consuming more starch, dairy, and poultry among students at KSU. Furthermore, this study can help the Saudi authorities develop guidelines to direct Saudi food markets to increase advertising and promote healthy foods during situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Survey of mange mite infesting sheep in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

The study was performed to survey the Sarcoptic mange in sheep and the effect of infection on the local strains during a specific period in different regions of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 1745 sheep were examined clinically and were selected from the suspected cases for laboratory investigation of skin scrapings for disease diagnosis. The examined animals included (509) Naimi, (396) Najdi, (518) Hurri, and (322) Rufidi native sheep.The results showed that the infestation rate was (12.77%) in all sheep. The highest strain was recorded (17.2%, 14.3%, 9.6%, and 8.6%), respectively. The infestation was highest in sheep over two years of age (15.2%) while it was lowest in sheep under two years of age (11.2 %). In addition, the infection rate in females was higher than in males. The prevalence of mange mites in females was (14%) compared to (11.2%) in males. The highest percentage of infestation was recorded in the head region at 67.2%, followed by that in the neck (4.4%), back (16.5%), tail (11.6%), and legs (0%).The presence of mange mites was discovered by microscopic examination of deep skin scrapings of infected animals that were identified morphologically. The infection was assured by histological investigations. This study revealed that mange mite is one of the most significant sheep health constraints in Riyadh. Therefore, proper prevention measures must be implemented to take into consideration other non-host-related risk factors.

Assessing Reflection as a Tool of Female Teacher’s Professional Development in Saudi EFL Post-Observation Conferences

This qualitative study investigated the effect of Saudi EFL post-observation conferences on female teachers’ professional development through assessing teachers’ reflection. It also examined to what extent these conferences are considered reflection-enhancing. Moreover, it contributed towards filling the gap in the literature regarding this area because of two reasons. The first is that there is a paucity of research on functional and thematic analyses of post-observation conferences either internationally or in the Arab world. The second is that most studies conducted in this area have only been surveyed. The sample consisted of 30 Saudi EFL female participants divided into 10 supervisors and 20 teachers. They voluntarily recorded the post-observation conferences conducted by them in Saudi schools in Riyadh region. Two analytic systems are used to analyze the recordings: a functional analytic system and a thematic one. The findings showed that post-observation conferences do not contribute towards enhancing teachers’ reflective skills as a key element of teachers’ professional development.

Stroke prevention: knowledge of the general population in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia.

Stroke is a medical emergency that may lead to permanent neurological damage, complications, and disability. It is the second leading cause of death worldwide and one of the main causes of adult-acquired disabilities. Stroke can be prevented by controlling modifiable risk factors and the early detection of stroke warning signs. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge of the general population in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia about stroke. A cross-sectional and community-based design was employed in this study. The sample was calculated as 432. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 23. Descriptive statistics were used. The Chi-square test was employed to test differences between qualitative variables, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results showed that 26.6 % of the population had good knowledge about stroke. Population with average and poor knowledge were 50.5% and 22.9%, respectively. The level of stroke knowledge is related to age; the older population aged 45 and more acquired the highest level of knowledge (50%) compared to the other groups. Age group 35-44 years received the least level of stroke knowledge (19.9%). The school teaching had the highest level (40.0%) of stroke knowledge than the other occupations. Stroke knowledge among the population of Saudi Arabia is inadequate. The stroke knowledge is related to age and occupation.

Personality Types as Predictors of (HACCP) Process Management Success (Analytical Study of a Sample of food Production Companies in Riyadh)

The current study deals with one of the most prominent topics that have received a broad attention by academics and practitioners of management in the contemporary time, especially when the criterion for the success of management has become reliance on the types and personal characteristics of employees and workers in various institutions and companies. The study of personality types is considered one of the most discussed topics in various scientific fields, as it has received great interest in many vital groups in various sectors of society. The results of some scientific research and studies across different languages, cultures and civilizations have indicated a great role for personality traits and types in the individual's success in job performance, feeling of quality of life and enjoyment of mental health. The scientific interest in studying personality has appeared since researchers began to measure personality in the fields of psychology, mental health and sociology. This concept has also recently developed in the field of Food production operations management in addition to its study in the field of management, and every field that deals with personality from its own approach and from its scientific perspective. This interest in personality is explained as the most important elements of success in achieving development and progress in societies are due to the role of the individual in the rising of society. We also note that the information revolution through the electronic information network had a major role in improving the field of psychometric measurement at the global Cross-border level through the electronic information network. Many psychological measures were applied to countless numbers and were developed in the study of personality.The aim of the current research is to identify personality types as predictors of the of the (HACCP) process management success in a sample of employees in three food production companies in the Riyadh region. The study sample consisted of (100) individuals with different academic qualifications, age and years of experience. The study is employed the descriptive, analytical and correlative approach. The results of the study resulted in a positive correlation of personality types (a), (b), (c), and successful (HACCP) process management success through personality types as follows, type (a), followed by type (c), and finally, type (b) as well. The study concluded with some recommendations and suggestions.

Social Networking Addiction and Quality of Academic Life among First-Year High School Students in Saudi Arabia: The Mediating Role of Academic Procrastination

Students with high levels of procrastination were unable to organize and achieve their academic goals. A student who procrastinates may face internal consequences such as low academic performance, bad learning habits, and low learning motivation. When he/she is unable to address procrastination, this will hinder his/her academic performance. The study group of the research consists of 258 boys studying in high schools in the Riyadh region in the 2019-2020 academic year. They aged 16-18 years, (M= 17.23,SD= 4.45). Social Media Addiction Scale - Student Form, High-School Satisfaction Scale, and Tuckman's procrastination scale –short form were used for gathering and analyzing data. Quality of academic life correlates negatively with social networking addiction and academic procrastination.&#x0D; On the other hand, social networking addiction was found to be positively correlated with academic procrastination. Regression coefficients of the empirical model show that social networking addiction had a direct negative effect on the quality of academic life (b= -0.49, p&lt;0.001) and a direct positive effect on academic procrastination (b=0.52, p&lt;0.001). Results support previous research showing that social networking addiction negatively impacts academic achievement by creating academic procrastination, reducing sleep quality, and increasing academic stress. Evidence indicates a positive and significant correlation between inappropriate and problematic use of technology and quality of academic life. Procrastination may interrupt the academic performance, as procrastinators are likely to avoid completing the task at Hand until the last moment. They may also be unable to invest the time and effort necessary for performing as they underestimate the amount of time required for completing specific tasks.

Cancer in Saudi Arabia (CSA): Web-Based Application to Study Cancer Data Among Saudis Using Waterfall Model.

BackgroundInformation technology (IT) has emerged as a promising enabler to address the issue of big data in health care. Despite the urgent need for an IT-based tool to tackle this issue, one is not available to specifically study the massive data related to cancer among Saudis.ObjectiveTo develop a web-based application, which we named “Cancer in Saudi Arabia (CSA)” to provide an interactive, quick, and easy method to reach, extract, compare, and visualize cancer data from Saudi Cancer Incidence Reports (SCIRs).MethodsWe used waterfall model to develop CSA. Next, we used CSA to study the data of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in Saudis reported in the SCIRs (1999–2015).ResultsCSA-based analysis showed that NHL incidence rate increased with age and the disease was more common among males compared with females. In addition, NHL was most predominant in the regions of Riyadh and Eastern, while it was the least prevalent in Jazan Region. Interestingly, the largest proportion of NHL patients was diagnosed in the late stage, and malignant lymphoma, large B-cell diffuse, OS (DLBCL) were the most frequent subtypes of NHL.ConclusionAs a user-friendly application, we believe that CSA will be a useful tool for studying cancer data in Saudis and will make the data published in SCIRs more reachable and usable. Our findings of NHL provided an almost comprehensive view of the epidemiology of the disease in Saudis for 17 years.

Evaluation and Comparison of Mechanical Properties of Polymer-Modified Asphalt Mixtures.

Polymer modification is extensively used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) because the available asphalt cement does not satisfy the high-temperature requirements. It was widely used in KSA for more than two decades, and there is little information regarding the differences in the performance of different polymers approved for binder modification. Pavement engineers require performance comparisons among various polymers to select the best polymer for modification rather than make their selection based on satisfying binder specifications. Furthermore, the mechanical properties can help select polymer type, producing mixes of better resistance to specific pavement distresses. The study objective was to compare the mechanical properties of the various polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) mixtures that are widely used in the Riyadh region. Control mix and five other mixes with different polymers (Lucolast 7010, Anglomak 2144, Pavflex140, SBS KTR 401, and EE-2) were prepared. PMA mixtures were evaluated through different mechanical tests, including dynamic modulus, flow number, Hamburg wheel tracking, and indirect tensile strength. The results show an improvement in mechanical properties for all PMA mixtures relative to the control mixture. Based on the overall comparison, the asphalt mixture with polymer Anglomk2144 was ranked the best performing mixture, followed by Paveflex140 and EE-2.

Sandstorm and its effect on particulate matter PM 2.5, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone pollutants and SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths

Sandstorms are a natural metrological phenomenon, frequently occurring in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The sandstorm dust contains environmental pollutants, microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These events are the primary sources of air pollution and its long-distance transport. Thus, sandstorms are becoming a greater concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this novel study aimed to investigate the effect of a sandstorm on “environmental pollutants particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and day-to-day new cases and deaths due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On March 12, 2021, a sandstorm occurred in the Riyadh region, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The data on PM 2.5, CO, NO2, and O3 were recorded three weeks before and three weeks after the onset of the sandstorm, from February 20, 2021, to March 12, 2021, and from March 13 to April 2, 2021. The daily PM2.5, CO, NO2, and O3 levels were documented from the metrological websites, and Air Quality Index-AQI, COVID-19 daily cases, and deaths were obtained from Saudi Arabia's official coronavirus website. After sandstorm, the air pollutants, CO level increased by 84.25%; PM2.5: 76.71%; O3: 40.41%; NO2: 12.03%; and SARS-CoV-2 cases increased by 33.87%. However, the number of deaths decreased by 22.39%. The sandstorm event significantly increased the air pollutants, PM2.5, CO, and O3, which were temporally associated with increased SARS-COV-2 cases. However, no significant difference was noticed in NO2 and the number of deaths after the sandstorm. The findings have an important message to health authorities to timely provide information to the public about the sandstorm and its associated health problems, including SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths.

Provision of Emergency Medical Services in Rural and Urban Saudi Arabia: An overview of personnel experiences

Objective: Pre-hospital emergency medical services (EMS) are a vital component of health management, however there are disparities in the provision of EMS between rural and urban locations. While rural people experience lower levels of pre-hospital care, there has been little examination of the reasons underpinning these differences through discussion with the providers of EMS, and particularly in countries other than the USA, UK and Australia. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the lived experience of EMS personnel in Saudi Arabia regarding the key issues they face in their work practice. Design: This research focussed on frontline workers and middle-level station managers within the Saudi Arabian EMS system and adopted a hermeneutic phenomenology design to better understand the factors contributing to observed disparities between rural and urban areas in Riyadh region in Saudi Arabia. A semi-structured interview approach was used to collect data reflecting realistic experiences of EMS personnel in both urban and rural locations. Results: 20 interviews (10 each with rural and urban personnel) were done. Data analyses identified three primary thematic categories impacting EMS delivery: EMS Personnel Factors; Patient Factors; and, Organisational Factors. Underpinning each category were sub-themes, including Working Conditions, Stress, Education and training, and Resources, amongst others. Conclusions: The quality and efficiency of EMS services, in both rural and urban areas, was affected by a number of over-arching organizational factors. Implementing major policy shifts, such as recruitment of female EMS professionals, will be critical in addressing these challenges, but is acknowledged that this will take time. Quicker changes, such as improving the advanced training options for rural EMS staff, may help to remediate some of the issues. Public awareness campaigns may also be effective in addressing the identified misconceptions about the role of EMS in Saudi Arabia.

Causes and Outcomes of Dental Malpractice Litigation in the Riyadh Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Every health organization aims to provide high-quality service and promote patient safety. However, achieving these goals can be challenging in many healthcare systems around the world. In dentistry, dentists can face medicolegal issues, which can be overcome by exploring the reasons for dental malpractice litigation. In this study, we aim to identify the most common causes and outcomes of dental malpractice litigation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a retrospective study. We reviewed all closed cases in dentistry as decided by the Medico-Legal Committee of Saudi Arabia in the Riyadh region over a period of 5 years and 3 months, from January 1, 2014, to March 31, 2019. Descriptive analysis was used to examine the phenomenon of dental malpractice claims. Results: In total, 151 claims were analyzed. As per our findings, it was determined that the number of closed claims had increased, with the highest number of claims (35%) related to the prosthodontics specialty, followed by endodontics specialty (31%). The most common causes of litigation were failure to conduct the procedure properly (31.5%) and poor documentation (19.7%). With respect to litigation outcomes, 54% ended up with verdict in favor of the plaintiff. Conclusions: It was determined that there is a rising trend of malpractice litigation in the dentistry field; thus, measures should be taken to address these concerns.

Identification of Indian jujube varieties cultivated in Saudi Arabia using an artificial neural network.

This study aimed to develop a method for identifying different cultivars of Indian jujube fruits (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) based on a single Indian jujube fruit color and morphological attributes using an artificial neural network (ANN) classifier. Eleven Indian jujube fruit cultivars were collected during winter of season 2020 from a local orchard located at Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia to measure their lengths, major diameters, and minor diameters. Different morphological descriptors were calculated, including the arithmetic mean diameter, the sphericity percent, and the surface area. Moreover, the color values of L*, a*, and b* of the skin of fruits were recorded. The ANN classifier was used to identify the appropriate class of Indian jujube fruit by using a combination of morphological and color descriptors. The proposed method achieved an overall identification rate of 98.39% and 97.56% in training and testing phases, respectively. In addition to color and morphological features, ANN classifier is a useful tool for identifying Indian jujube fruit cultivars and circumventing the difficulties met during fruit grading.

Organisational factors affecting emergency medical services\u2019 performance in rural and urban areas of Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThere is a disparity in outcomes between rural and urban emergency medical services (EMS) around the world. However, there is a scarcity of research that directly asks EMS staff in both rural and urban areas how service delivery could be improved. The aim of the present study is to gain insights from frontline workers regarding organisational factors that may underpin discrepancies between rural and urban EMS performance.Subject and methodsThe study was undertaken in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. Potential participants were currently employed by Saudi Red Crescent EMS as either a technician, paramedic or an EMS station manager, and had a minimum of five years experience with the EMS. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken between October 2019 and July 2020 with first respondents to a call for participants, and continued until data saturation was reached. All interviews were conducted in Arabic and transcribed verbatim. The Arabic transcript was shared with each participant, and they were asked to confirm their agreement with the transcription. The transcribed interviews were then translated into English; the English versions were shared with bi-lingual participants for validation, while independent certification of the translations were performed for data from participants not fluent in English. A thematic analysis methodological approach was used to examine the data.ResultsThe final sample involved 20 participants (10 rural, 10 urban) from Saudi Red Crescent EMS. Data analyses identified key organisational factors that resulted in barriers and impediments for EMS staff. Differences and similarities were observed between rural and urban respondents, with identified issues including response and transportation time, service coordination, reason for call-out, as well as human and physical resourcing.ConclusionThe findings identified key issues impacting on EMS performance across both rural and urban areas. In order to address these problems, three changes are recommended. These recommendations include a comprehensive review of rural EMS vehicles, with a particular focus on the age; incentives to improve the numbers of paramedics in rural areas and more localised specialist training opportunities for rurally-based personnel; and the implementation of national public education program focusing on the role of the EMS.