Saudi Arabia Research Articles

The relationship between internet addiction and stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThere is an increasing rate of Internet addiction among adolescents that may lead to many negative psychological outcomes. This study assessed the relationship between Internet addiction and stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents in Saudi Arabia. MethodsA correlational online survey captured data on Internet use and psychological outcomes from 462 adolescents between March and May 2022. Young's Internet Addiction Scale assessed the degree of Internet addiction. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS21) assessed the perceived level of stress, anxiety, and depression. Bivariate and multivariate analyses determined the relationship between Internet addiction and depression, anxiety, and stress. ResultsSixty-eight percent of adolescents had mild to severe Internet addiction. Sixty percent of the adolescents perceived mild to extremely severe depression, 58% perceived mild to extremely severe anxiety, and 44% perceived mild to extremely severe stress. Adolescents with more Internet addiction scores perceived more stress, anxiety, and depression (p ≤ 0.05). ConclusionsThe Internet addiction rate is high among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Adolescents with more Internet addiction scores are prone to perceive higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Application to practiceInterventional multidisciplinary programs are needed to make adolescents, parents, schoolteachers, and school nurses in Saudi Arabia aware of Internet addiction and methods to reduce the dependence of those adolescents on the Internet. School nurses should provide adolescents and parents with means to reduce their Internet dependence.

The Impact of SC Ambidexterity on the Environmental, Economic and Social Performance: Mediating Role of SC Sustainability in the Retail Market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Impact of SC Ambidexterity on the Environmental, Economic and Social Performance: Mediating Role of SC Sustainability in the Retail Market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Impact of Arabic Coffee Consumption on Academic Performance in Saudi Arabia

The Impact of Arabic Coffee Consumption on Academic Performance in Saudi Arabia

Morphological, Molecular Identification and Genetic Diversity Assessment of Three Terrestrial Isopods from the High-Altitude Region

Terrestrial specimens were collected from Ashshafa, a south-western highland area in Saudi Arabia. Three species, i.e., Porcellio laevis, Porcellionides pruinosus (Porcellionidae), and Armadillidium vulgare (Armadillidiidae), were identified in this study based on their morphological characteristics. Partial mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences were used for DNA barcoding and biodiversity assessments. A phylogenetic tree of 22 haplotypes from 35 specimens of the three isopod species was drawn from the most similar sequences obtained from BLAST with the associated accession numbers. The tree included two clades. The first clade included samples of P. laevis and P. pruinosus, whereas the second clade included samples of A. vulgare. Each identified species formed a distinct subclade within the main clade, along with similar sequences obtained from the NCBI database. The heat map of genetic distance among haplotypes shows the haplotype diversity (Hd) ranged from 0.590 to 0.933 (mean = 0.767) and total nucleotide diversity (πT) ranged from 0.001 to 0.089 (mean=0.049), with a similar trend observed for nucleotide diversity per site (θw) ranged from 0.001 to 0.80 (mean = 0.049). In contrast, synonymous nucleotide diversity (πs), mean=0.009, was low compared to nonsynonymous nucleotide diversity (πs), mean=0.060, across all species. In conclusion, the morphological identification of terrestrial isopods was confirmed using COI gene sequencing of mitochondrial DNA. These results will be helpful in developing a deeper isopod identification method.

‘Architectural Design for Procuring Thermal Comfort’: Hassan Fathy, Nubia, and Desert Building

As part of an indigenous building movement in the Global South, the United Nations published two books by Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy (1900–89): one on building ‘for the poor’ and the other on passive cooling in vernacular architecture from hot environments. Using his correspondence, reports, designs, published writings, and built forms, this article tracks Fathy’s changing use of a crucial technique, mud-brick vaulting, that he learned in Nubia, an area of Egypt’s arid south largely destroyed by dams in the twentieth century. I show how Fathy mined Nubia rhetorically and materially to use, and later attempt to copyright, its residents’ ‘instinctive’ skills for living in hot arid lands. Over time, Fathy’s appropriations helped to transform Nubia’s vernacular morphology into a universal commons of desert and ‘Islamic’ forms, which enabled him to expand the geographic scope of his practice into the Arabian Peninsula in Oman and Saudi Arabia and into the southwestern United States.

Nurses' practices of children and family-centered care for chronically ill children: A cross-sectional study

PurposeThere is limited evidence of children and family-centered care (CFCC) practice in different cultural contexts, particularly regarding the factors that predict it among nurses providing care to chronically ill children. Also, the CFCC's impact on the quality of care has not been well studied. This study aimed to test a hypothesized model in which nurses' attributes and care environments predict CFCC, thereby increasing the quality of nursing care. Design and methodsA multicenter cross-sectional study recruited a convenience sample of 405 nurses caring for chronically ill children in Saudi Arabia for an online survey between February 2023 and August 2023. Structural Equation Modeling evaluated the hypothesized model. ResultsThe hypothesized model fits the data based on the fit indices. Care environment affected CFCC (β = 0.831, p = .000), while nursing attributes only indirectly affected CFCC practices through the mediating effect of the work environment (β = 0.553, p = .000). The CFCC practices positively affect the quality of nursing care (β = 0.636, p = .000). ConclusionsNursing attributes impact the work environment, which affects the practice of CFCC and enhances the quality of care for chronically ill children. Investing in nurses' attributes and a positive work environment is crucial for nursing leaders to enhance CFCC practice and the quality of care. Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can be used to shape policies and develop interventions to improve nursing CFCC practices and promote better quality of care for chronically ill children.

The Relationship between Taking Health Courses and Body Image Dissatisfaction in Young Medical Students

Background: Body image (BI) is a set of characteristics inclusive of a person's behaviours, perceptions, feelings and ideas about the shape and size of their body, which has a significant effect on mental, emotional, and physical health and the quality of life. This study sought to ascertain the relationship between health students' body image dissatisfaction (BID) and nutrition course enrollment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on health major students at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. An interview of the body shape questionnaire-14 version in Arabic was used, and data were analysed using SPSS statistical software. This study included 257 participants. Results: Males (50.9%, only 8.2%) had body image dissatisfaction, 55.6% had normal body mass index (BMI), and around 45.9% spent more than 4 hours on social media, with WhatsApp being used the most (83%). We found one factor significantly affecting our results: BMI, with a P= <.001. We found low levels of body dissatisfaction among participants, no effect by social media use duration, and found that BMI had a significant effect on BID. Conclusion: The findings of this study added to our understanding of the relationship between taking nutrition courses daily (BID) and increasing public awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in order to achieve body shape satisfaction, as doing so helps to prevent future health issues brought on by incorrect beliefs about body shape.

Prevalence of Migraine in Saudi Arabia and the Proposed Introduction of Eptinezumab: A Pooled and Meta-Analysis from Clinical Rrials.

Introduction: Chronic migraines (CM) affect a significant portion of the Saudi population, yet patients lack access to Eptinezumab, a drug with proven preventive efficacy and a strong safety record. This analysis aims to evaluate Eptinezumab’s effectiveness in managing CM and advocate for its availability to Saudi patients. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of data from two clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifiers: NCT02275117 and NCT02974153), involving patients treated with 100mg or 300mg doses of Eptinezumab or a placebo, delivered through IV infusion. Results: The analysis included data from over 1400 individuals, revealing that Eptinezumab significantly reduces MMDs, with the 300mg dosage being more effective than the 100mg. The 300mg dose reduced MMDs by an average of -8.2 days, while the 100mg dose achieved a reduction of -7.7 days. Discussion: Our findings confirm the substantial benefits of Eptinezumab in reducing the burden of CM, with both dosages showing effectiveness. The 300mg dose, in particular, provides a greater reduction in MMDs. These results, paired with the drug’s excellent safety profile, suggest that Eptinezumab would be a valuable addition to the treatment options available to Saudi patients. Conclusion: The administration of Eptinezumab at the studied dosages demonstrates prolonged preventive effects on CM with minor side effects. This supports the potential for introducing Eptinezumab in Saudi Arabia, proposing it as a promising CM treatment to improve patient outcomes.

An Exploratory Study to Assess the Communication Pattern, Skills, Style and Problems of Communication among the Professional Nurses

Background: Effective communication is the key element in providing comprehensive high-quality nursing care to the patients. Aim: Aim of the study was to explore the pattern, skills, and style of communication among the professional nurses and the problems faced by the nurses during communication. Methodology: A quantitative research approach with exploratory descriptive design was used in this study. This study was done at selected hospitals of Saudi Arabia. Professional nurses were the population of the study. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used in this study. The investigators randomly selected the subjects proportionately from different hospitals of Arar Province. Nurses from selected hospitals of Arar Province were the sample of this study with the sample size of 100. Before starting the data collection process written permission was taken from the ethical committee and administrators of the hospitals. Informed written consent was taken from all the participants of the study. Through the structured questionnaire, the researchers collected the data from the subjects regarding socio-personal variables of professional nurse, pattern of communication, skills of the professional nurses needed for the communication, style of communication and the problems faced by the professional nurses during communication. The data were obtained from the sample through observation and interview. Throughout the study, the researchers maintained the confidentiality and anonymity of the subjects. Results: Analysis of the study depicts that 38 percent of the subjects were belongs to the age group of 20-30 years, but 16 percent of the samples were between the age group of 51-60 years. Majority (78 percent) of the samples were females whereas 22 percent of the subjects were males. About 46 percent of the subjects were Saudis, but 30 percent of the subjects were Indian nurses. Majority (79 percent) of the samples were B.Sc. nurses and 88 percent of the samples were staff nurses / nurse technicians. Majority (84 percent) of them were working under ministry of health hospitals of Saudi. Around 41 percent of the subjects were having the experience of 1-5 years, whereas 8 percent of the staffs were newly joined, they have no experience. Regarding pattern of communication, 39 percent of the Nurses were having very good pattern of communication, whereas 28 percent of the subjects were maintaining excellent pattern of communication with their clients. About 19 percent of the Nurses were having excellent skill in communication. More than fifty (57%) percent of the Nurses were having very good style of communication. About 25 percent of the participants were facing the communication problems of incivility and rude behaviour, whereas 19 percent were suffering from intimidation. Around 22 percent of the participants were the victims of humiliation. About 16 percent were suffering from physical violence but 18 percent nurses were the victims of bullying. There was a significant association between socio-personal variables and pattern, skills, style, and problems of communication among professional nurses, P<0.05*. Hypothesis of the study revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between socio-personal variables and style of communication and problems faced by the professional nurses during communication. Correlation is significant at 0.05* level. Conclusion: This study recommends that effective communication improves productivity and promotes team-building among professional nurses.

The Saudi educational and learning capitals–perspectives from gifted and non-gifted students and their parents

ABSTRACT Evaluations of gifted education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are hampered by the lack of clear policy objectives as well as practical difficulties in obtaining data. Furthermore, it is unclear if the specific needs of gifted students are unique or shared across non-gifted students. In the current research, both gifted and non-gifted Saudi students (n = 284) and their parents completed Saudi-language versions of the Student Educational and Learning Capitals Questionnaire and the Family Educational and Learning Capitals Questionnaire, respectively, to assess the availability of 11 educational and learning capitals. Additionally, parents reported the major challenges to their child’s learning and what they did to support their children. Rasch modeling was used to assess the measurement properties of the two instruments and to transform the raw scores into Rasch scores (logits). The results indicated that gifted students and their parents differed in their evaluations of economic and social educational capitals, as well as organismic, telic, and attentional learning capitals that support their learning success, with estimates of effect size ranging from small to large. However, the differences between non-gifted students and their parents are similar, showing that the challenges facing Saudi gifted students are shared more generally among non-gifted students.

Optimal design of multilayer optical thin film structure for smart energy saving applications using needle optimization approach

In this work, a novel design of a one dimensional photonic crystal (1D PC) is investigated. The 1DPC structure is composed of alternating layers of tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) and silicon dioxide (Sio2). The proposed 1D PC structure is designed to act as short wave pass (SWP) edge filter that selectively passes light of short wavelengths, while the infrared light is blocked. In this study, Essential Macleod software is used to create the optimal design with the computational support of the needle synthesis technique. By varying the incidence angle of the mean polarized light mode, we can determine the features of the optimal SWP edge filter design, which leads to an important application for this filter. It can shed light on the filter’s suitability as a smart energy saving window coating for hot climate regions. The study includes different hot regions in Saudi Arabia such as Mecca, Riyadh, Dammam, Arar and Alaqiq. They were used as case studies in this research. According to the study of the optimal design of SWP edge filter applied in Mecca, Riyadh, Dammam, Arar and Alaqiq provinces, the light transmittance in the visible region is more than 99% during the summer solstice and more than 96% during the winter solstice. The photonic band gab (PBG) is almost constant during the summer solstice without shifting or decreasing in size whereas in the winter solstice, the PBG shifts toward the short wavelengths and decreases in size by increasing the angle of incidence. This allows an amount of solar energy to enter in winter. Riyadh, Dammam, and Arar provinces experienced a significant increase in solar energy during the winter solstice, more than Mecca and Alaqiq provinces.

Community’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Toward Dementia in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Community’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Toward Dementia in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Evaluation of Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn and Ni in selected cosmetic products: risk assessment for human health

ABSTRACT The ICP-MS method was used to determine the concentrations of five heavy metals: Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni). A total of 36 samples of cosmetic products (makeup, eye shadow, and mascara) of various brands were chosen from those available in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Several analytical parameters, such as accuracy, precision, linearity, the lower limit of quantification (LOQ), and the lower limit of detection (LOD), were assessed to determine the validity of the proposed method. The determination of Cd, Pb, Zn, Hg, and Ni was verified for accuracy and precision. The results of the determination of studied heavy metals concentration in cosmetic samples reveal that, the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Hg and Ni ranged from 0.03–0.53, 10.28–107.01, 14.49–867.12, 1.75–6.45 and 4.22–31.36 µg/g, respectively. In all samples of cosmetic products, the concentrations of Cd and Hg were deemed to be within the normal range. However, the concentration of Pb was higher than the recommended value by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nickel concentration was measured with a detection limit lower than the WHO recommended level, but no suggested value for Zn, which is critical for mitochondria, was found. Health risks related to these metal intakes through dermal exposure pathways are assessed using the total hazard quotient (THQs), total hazard index (HI), chronic daily intake (CDI), and hazard quotient (HQ). Despite the low risks of cancer and non-cancer caused by using these cosmetic products, testing results for cancer and non-cancer risks for these products must be regularly examined. Therefore, constant monitoring of cosmetic products, particularly with regard to heavy metal contamination, should be implemented to maintain human safety and security.

EFL College Programmes In Egypt And Saudi Arabia: Advantages And Difficulties In Intercultural Instruction

The present study evaluated faculty and student perceptions of the challenges and benefits of intercultural and multicultural education in EFL college classrooms. Using the descriptive approach through survey, the study further investigates the benefits and barriers to inter/multicultural education in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, including content integration, acculturation pedagogy, and the incorporation of cultural knowledge in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses as perceived by faculty and students in both countries. The sample consisted of 25 EFL instructors and 33 fifth and sixth-grade EFL students from King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia, as well as 45 TEFL students from Beni Suef University in Egypt. Findings revealed that while both teachers and students value cultural integration, challenges such as limited resources and cultural sensitivity persist.. Notably, the results showed that literature-based English teaching could be an efficient medium for introducing the target language culture to students. However, challenges include acquiring requirements to develop intercultural competence, professional development needs, and obstacles that hinder EFL instructors from teaching linguistic and cultural competence.

Inflammatory bowel disease training assessment of gastroenterology fellows in Saudi Arabia.

Recent advancement and complexity in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has made it challenging for gastroenterology (GI) fellows to obtain competency and confidence in managing the complex IBD patient. We aimed to evaluate the confidence and training in IBD among GI fellows in Saudi Arabia. We conducted an electronic, voluntary, and anonymous multicenter survey study of GI fellows in Saudi Arabia, from 1/5/2023 to 1/9/2023. The survey evaluated the fellows' confidence level in IBD management, methods of training received, and the amount of additional training desired in 20 core IBD domains. GI fellows' preferred learning method was also evaluated. A total of 65 GI fellows responded to the survey. In the entire cohort, >50% of fellows reported low confidence in 7 out of 20 IBD management domains, which included 71% in managing j-pouch disorders, 67% in managing the elderly/frail patient with IBD, 60% in managing extraintestinal manifestations, 57% in recommending preventative health services, and 54% in counseling patients on small molecules. Receiving >4 IBD didactic sessions per year was significantly associated with high confidence in managing j-pouch disorders (44.4% vs 13.3%, P = 0.05) and managing the elderly/frail patient with IBD (86.7% vs 50.0%, P = 0.03). Doing an external rotation to expand IBD knowledge was associated with high confidence in managing the elderly/frail patient with IBD (100% vs 26.7%, P = 0.01). Many GI fellows lacked confidence and training in key domains of IBD management. Enhancing IBD exposure with didactics and external rotations improved fellows' confidence in specific domains.

“AI Will Be the Beating Heart of the City”: Connectivity and/as Care in The Line

Artificial intelligence will be “the beating heart” (Bell, 2022, para. 1) of the linear smart city The Line<em> </em>in Saudi Arabia, one of the most expensive and expansive urban living projects of our times—and crucial in the larger vision of a post-oil future for Saudi Arabia. Exemplary of the complex relationship between past and future in constructing alternative urban imaginaries, the promotional material of The Line<em> </em>highlights technology as the best—and apparently only—solution to “maintain, continue, and repair our ‘world’ so that we can live in it as well as possible” (Tronto & Fisher, 1990, p. 40), while at the same time imagining artificial intelligence itself as a living and “organic” presence in the urban. Following David Pinder’s understanding of cities as always both imagined and real, immaterial and material, this article draws on care as a critical lens to explore the construction of The Line in answer to Nick Dunn’s provoking question: “So can imagining the future change it?” (Dunn, 2018, p. 376). Tracing “care in a manufactured landscape” (Mattern, 2021, p. 144) here highlights the entanglement between technology and sustainability, between organic metaphors and artificial environments, between virtual connection and material exhaustion. Critically examining the promise embedded in contemporary architectural projects to deliver “new and imaginative solutions” (NEOM, 2022e) for the physical, psychological, and environmental exhaustion of urban life, this article proposes an understanding of connectivity and care as increasingly entangled—and argues that the urban vision put forward in The Line, ultimately, hinges on care as connectivity rather than caring interconnections, networked logics rather than networks of belonging.

Cases of Meningococcal Disease Associated with Travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah Pilgrimage - United States, United Kingdom, and France, 2024.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, usually manifests as meningitis or septicemia and can be severe and life-threatening (1). Six serogroups (A, B, C, W, X, and Y) account for most cases (2). N. meningitidis is transmitted person-to-person via respiratory droplets and oropharyngeal secretions. Asymptomatic persons can carry N. meningitidis and transmit the bacteria to others, potentially causing illness among susceptible persons. Outbreaks can occur in conjunction with large gatherings (3,4). Vaccines are available to prevent meningococcal disease. Antibiotic prophylaxis for close contacts of infected persons is critical to preventing secondary cases (2).

Prevalence and Characteristics of People with Disabilities Among Abused Victims in Saudi Arabia.

Abuse is an ongoing public health issue that results in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Abuse against individuals with disabilities is a pervasive and deeply concerning issue, often compounded by factors of vulnerability and dependence. The majority of disabled individuals experience abuse, with the majority enduring it repeatedly. Identifying the problem is the first step towards preventing abuse. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of people with disabilities among abused victims and the victim's associated risk factors in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study obtained data from the National Family Safety Registry. All registered children and adults between April 2017 and December 2022 from 93 centers across 13 regions of Saudi Arabia were included. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between independent variables and victim-related risk factors such as the onset of abuse complications, the victim being an adult or child, the victim's gender, and whether they had been previously abused. Individuals with disabilities comprise 1.4% (n = 199) of all reported cases of abuse (n = 14,004), and the trend of violence against people with disabilities has decreased during the 6-year study period. Of the abused people with disabilities, 72.4% were children, 57.8% were males, 45.2% were previously abused, and 65.3% had complications from the abuse. Caregiver type, perpetrator gender, perpetrator age, and previous abuse status were significant factors. This study highlights the disability prevalence among reported abuse cases and evaluates victim's risk factors in Saudi Arabia, which demonstrates an urgency for targeted intervention and support. People with disabilities constitute a vulnerable demographic who require increased support and resources. Comprehensive data collection can be utilized for effective violence prevention strategies. Further research should explore qualitative methods and survey the rates of abuse among people with disabilities in the community to gain deeper insights.

The First Reported Foodborne Botulism Outbreak in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Lessons Learned.

Botulism has not been previously reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This rare and sometimes fatal foodborne illness is caused by neurotoxins and primarily results from consuming home-canned fruits, vegetables, dairy, and seafood products & it can lead to paralysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of patients who developed botulism in Riyadh in 2024 after consuming mayonnaise from a well-known local chain of restaurants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records and interviewed patients or their attendants for all hospitalized cases of foodborne botulism at Riyadh First Health Cluster. For each patient, a standard case report form was completed, containing information on demographics, clinical aspects, botulinum test results, and type of exposure. Descriptive statistics were applied to assess the data. During the outbreak, nineteen patients with foodborne diseases were admitted to Riyadh First Health Cluster Hospitals. Following thorough physical examinations, botulism was suspected in each case. Eight of the 19 suspected foodborne illness patients fully satisfied the botulism case definition requirements set forth by the Saudi Arabian Public Health Authority (Weqaya). Among these eight patients, 2 (25%) were male and 6 (75%) were female, with a mean age of 23.25 ± 9.29 years (range: 12-38 years). The incubation period for our patients was 36.25 ± 26.26h. Notable symptoms included dysphagia in all eight patients (100%), dysarthria, generalized weakness, nausea and vomiting in seven patients (88%), diplopia in four patients (50%), and stomach discomfort in three patients (38%). Of the eight cases, six required intubation, one mimicked brain death, and two were stable. The presence of Clostridium botulinum spores as the cause of the outbreak was confirmed by detecting botulinum spores in contaminated food. Diplopia and dysarthria were the most common early sign of botulism. Early manifestations may include respiratory symptoms without any musculoskeletal symptoms. or nausea, vomiting and disorientation.

Nursing student perspectives on improving mental health support services at university in Saudi Arabia – a qualitative study

Background University students’ needs for mental health (MH) services are an important aspect of academic success or failure. Nursing students enrolled at Saudi Arabian universities in need of MH care encounter obstacles in accessing this type of care. Aims The present work explores students’ views and suggestions about the existing problems surrounding university students’ MH and well-being support services. Methods Twenty students enrolled in a Master of Nursing program were recruited as research participants. Individual interviews of students’ perceptions of the needs and availability of MH services during their studies provided inductive data. These data were analysed through a constructivist thematic method. Findings Three major themes and sub-themes regarding the issues and possibilities of MH services were distinguished from the research data, namely, social implications, access and opportunity, and ways to improve care. Participants emphasised a need for a university-wide approach to reforming MH services to provide students with the required support and alleviate service demand by qualified professionals. Conclusion The present work underscores the need for provision of good quality MH care for university students and health promotion which strives to reduce stigma related to MH care.