Attitudes and barriers of undergraduate students towards conducting research at Fakeeh college for medical sciences, Jeddah, KSA: a cross-sectional descriptive study

Background: To evaluate attitudes and barriers toward medical research among undergraduate students at Fakeeh College for Medical Science (FCMS), Jeddah, KSA in order to improve their awareness towards medical research criteria and develop action plan to subdue all obstacles.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional multi-disciplinary study was conducted from March to September 2018 on undergraduate students at FCMS. A questionnaire was completed by 129 students; addressing 6 factors, consisting of 30 questions: 15 questions assessing the attitudes and 15 questions assessing the barriers.Results: Out of the 443 students enrolled in all 3 Programs 129 of the students responded. No significant differences towards research were noted between genders. A comparison between the three programs (medicine, nursing and medical laboratory sciences) towards research revealed that there were no statistically significant differences (P<0.01) between the 3 programs for all factors. Overall, the assessment of students' perception was the highest for factor on the relevance of research to their everyday life with a mean of 4.2 (0.40) whereas, the factor that addressed the research anxiety had the lowest perception with a mean of 3.76 (0.77).Conclusions: The majority of students in the study considered research to be valuable but, at the same time they had little time to conduct research because of their educational tasks. Accordingly, allocating credited hours in their educational schedules for research activities can help encourage students at FCMS to conduct research projects.

Predictors of work-related stress among nurses working in primary and secondary health care levels in Dammam, Eastern Saudi Arabia

Work-related stress [WRS] is an insidious and persistent part of everyday life related to the response of people to work environment. Nursing is a strenuous job and WRS is prevalent among nurses. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of WRS among nurses working in primary and secondary health care levels in Dammam, Eastern Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 17 primary health care centers [PHCCs] representing the primary level of health care and Medical Tower Complex [MTC] representing the secondary health care level in Dammam city. The total number of nurses included in the study was 637 nurses [144 in PHCCs] and [493 MTC]. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was developed based on the pertinent literature. It included two main parts: Sociodemographic and job characteristics of nurses and 31 WRS questions. The overall prevalence of WRS among all studied nurses was 45.5%; 43.1% and 46.2% in primary and secondary levels, respectively. In the primary level, there was a statistical significant association between WRS and being married [85.5%], and having living three children and more [53.2%]. Moreover, younger age group 20-<30 years [79.4%], Saudi nationality [86.8%], being married [74.6%], having nonbachelor degree [83.3%], work shifts [89.5%], and working in surgical department [46.5%] were the significant associating factors with the occurrence of WRS among nurses in secondary levels. Young age was the only predicting factor for WRS in primary care level. While being female, Saudi, married, with work shifts, and working in surgical department were found to predict WRS in the secondary level. Appropriate strategy in health care organization to investigate stress in health care settings is recommended. Moreover, interventional programs to identify, and relieve sources and effects of stress should be developed

Pharmacological and antioxidant actions of garlic and/or onion in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] in rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] includes a broad spectrum of fat-induced liver injury, ranging from mild steatosis to cirrhosis and liver failure. This study investigates the hepatoprotective properties of garlic and onion in NAFLD rat model. Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 9 groups; normal [I], NAFLD induced with high fat diet [HFD; II], NAFLD switched to regular diet [RD; III], NAFLD-HFD or NAFLD-RD treated with garlic [IV, V] onion [VI, VII] or the combined garlic+onion [VIII, IX] respectively. A NAFLD rat model was established by feeding the animals with a high-fat diet for 12 wk. These animals were then treated with garlic or/and onion or vehicle for 8 wk [weeks 13-20] and then killed to obtain serum samples and liver tissues. Liver histology, lipids, parameters of oxidative stress, TNF-alpha and TGF-p were measured. The liver in NAFLD-HFD showed typical steatosis, accompanied with mild to moderate lobular inflammatory cell infiltration. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, leptin, cholesterol, triglycerides, TNF-alpha, TGF-P and hepatic MDA were significantly increased [P<0.05] compared with normal group. This was accompanied with reduction of hepatic GSH, GR, GPx, GST, SOD and serum adiponectin. These changes were to a less degree in NAFLD-RD group. Combined administration of garlic+onion produced a better and significant decrease in liver steatosis, serum liver enzymes, oxidative markers and lipid peroxidation versus each one alone. In the same time, NAFLD-induced inflammation was also mitigated via reduction of TNF-alpha and TGF-P. In addition, these results were better in the group IX versus group VIII

Effect of Ficus sycomorus and Azadirachta indica extracts on liver state of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni

The potential role of hepatoprotective and antipathological effect of Ficus sycomorus and Azadirachta indica extracts was evaluated for scavenging the reactive oxygen species [ROS] and reduced the oxidative damage and pathological changes in the liver of S. mansoni infected mice. The levels of alanine aminotransferase [ALT], asparate aminotransferase [AST] and gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT] were evaluated in the infected mice and treated orally with each plant extract 12 weeks post infection [P.I.] in a dose of 500 mg/kg of each plant extract for five consecutive days and sacrificed two weeks P.I. The infection of mice showed an elevation of ALT, AST and GGT. Treatment of mice with 70% methanol extract of each plant extract reduced significantly ALT, AST and GGT elevation. The highest reduction was with the methanolic extract of F. sycomorus [42%, 35% and 44% for ALT, AST and GGT respectively]. Fractionation of the methanolic extract of each plant was carried out. The effect of ethyl acetate and butanolic fractions of each plant was also evaluated. The result showed that the two fractions lowered the levels of the tested enzymes and decreased the number and size of granuloma diameters with an increased in the percentage of degenerated ova

"Foot care practices among type 2 diabetics attending a primary care military hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia"

To determine foot care practices among type 2 diabetic patients without previous history of foot problems attending primary care clinics in Prince Mansour Military Community Hospital [PMMCH], Taif, Saudi Arabia. A Cross-sectional descriptive study using a convenient non probability sample was done during August and September 2010. 188 type 2 diabetic patients were questioned using a predesigned questionnaire sheet after reviewing their medical files. Collected data included: socio-demographic features, medical condition, diabetes control and foot care practices, which was later judged using a scoring system to show its quality. Among the studied sample: 112/188 [59.6%] were males; mean age was 56.5 years +/- 14.5 SD. Illiteracy was prevalent in 47.9% of them. Poorglycemic control [HbA[1]c>/= 7 mmol] was reported in 75% of the patients. Regular foot checkup has never been performed in 30.3% of the sample, 65.4% never seek medical advice for their foot problems, 61.2% never used special medical shoes and 46.3% never checked inside the shoe before wearing it. Using our scoring system, 63.3% of the studied patients were considered poor in their foot care practices. Educational level was the only factor predicting the level of good foot care practices, those with higher level were found to have better practices [OR=2.179, 95% CI=1.074-4.423 and p<0.05]. Health education programs integrated in comprehensive foot care clinics are crucial to limit foot complications among the growing number of diabetic patients

Water pipe [shisha] smoking among male students of medical colleges in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia

Shisha smoking, one of the commonest methods of smoking tobacco among Arabs, increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of shisha smoking among male students of three colleges and to identify factors associated with shisha smoking. This cross-sectional study included 500 male students of three colleges [medicine, applied medical sciences and dentistry]. Data were collected from 371 students using a self-administered questionnaire. The overall prevalence of shisha smoking was 12.6% [8.6% shisha only and 4.0% both shisha and cigarettes]. Thirty students [63.8%] started shisha smoking at ages of 16 to 18 years. Seven students [15%] smoked shisha daily. Cafes or restaurants were the favorite places for smoking [70.2% of students]. There was a high prevalence of shisha smoking among students whose mothers had a secondary [19.1%] and higher [53.3%] education. There was a high prevalence of shisha smoking among university students. The majority of students started shisha smoking at a young age. Public health measures, including the banning of smoking in public places are recommended

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]: Is it a health problem among male primary school children

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] among male primary school children. Cross-sectional study. Male primary schools, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. One thousand two hundred and eighty-seven students, aged 6-13 years, in 67 government and 10 private primary schools were selected by multistage systematic random sampling. Data were collected using two types of questionnaires: the modified Arabic version of the Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale [ADDES] school version, and Parents' questionnaire to diagnose the three main subtypes of ADHD namely: inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and combined ADHD. It was found that the majority of the boys were from government schools [83.0%], aged 6-<9 years [40.5%] and of Saudi nationality [80.7%]. One thousand two hundred and sixty-eight out of 1287 completed all parts of the questionnaire concerned with diagnosing all the three types of ADHD. The overall prevalence of combined ADHD was 16.4% [208], 12.4% [157] hyperactivity-impulsivity and 16.3% [207] inattention disorders respectively. The study also revealed a variety of socioeconomic factors to be significantly associated with the development of ADHD. These included parents' low level of education, mother's occupation, and low socioeconomic status. In this study, the overall prevalence of ADHD was higher than previous studies in Saudi population. ADHD prevention and control should be an integral part of the primary health care [family medicine] system. Education and training programs for parents, school teachers, and caregivers regarding different aspects of ADHD should be established

Handicapping conditions among children under six years in family medicine centers in Alexandria. Part I: screening and detection

Early identification of children with developmental delays is important in the primary health care [PHC] setting. The PHC practitioner's office is mostly the place where the majority of children younger than 5 years of age are seen and is ideal for developmental and behavioral screening by the use of age-appropriate developmental checklists to record milestones during preventive care visits as a part of developmental surveillance. The aim of the present study was to screen children under 6 years in 5 family medicine [FM] facilities in Alexandria, Egypt for the early detection of some handicapping conditions [visual, hearing, speech, and orthopedic] and to review the family files of the screened children to assess the number of suspicious cases missed by the family physicians. Data were collected using a pre-designed screening sheet for the early detection of the above mentioned handicapping conditions among 550 children attending the study FM facilities and by family file review of the screened children. Screening of children under 6 years old had yielded the following results: orthopedic abnormalities represented 14.2%, followed by visual abnormalities [9.3%], speech abnormalities [8.9%], hearing abnormalities [6.2%], and mental retardation [2%]. Risk factors found to affect the occurrence of the study handicapping conditions were found to be mostly positive family history, consanguinity between parents, maternal age at the time of pregnancy, and complications during pregnancy; labour; and in the post natal period. Recording was incomplete as only 11.6% of the screened children had both complete files including growth and development charts. Poor performance of the family physicians in the study facilities was evident regarding detection and referral of handicapped cases in children as only 75 handicapped cases [46.3%] could be detected by the family physicians in the study facilities out of the 162 handicapped cases detected by the researcher. Family physicians in the study facilities referred only 57.3% of the detected. Therefore, screening for risk factors of handicap should be performed by the family physicians during routine daily activity as well as during the well baby clinic schedules. This is best achieved by proper development and application of guidelines and protocols for screening, follow up, and management of handicapping conditions including proper recording and referral

Handicapping conditions among children under six years in family medicine centers in Alexandria. Part II: assessment of resources

Handicap means the disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by disability. It is the practical consequence of disability and impairment. It is estimated that 5% of the world's children population suffer from severe handicaps and an additional 10-15%, may need special attention to overcome less severe handicaps. The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of human and non-human resources necessary for the prevention and control of handicapping conditions among children under 6 years in 5 family medicine [FM] facilities in Alexandria, Egypt. Data were collected using 2 different questionnaires: a checklist was designed to assess the availability of resources required for the early detection of visual, hearing, speech, and orthopedic causes of handicap among children under six in the study family medicine facilities. A self-administered questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice [KAP] of 34 family physicians working in the study FM facilities about the early detection of the previously mentioned handicapping conditions in children. The percentage of registered to the total population was highest at Gohn FM unit [68.8%] and lowest at El-Seiouf FM center [24.6%]. Most of the equipment required for handicap screening was available in the study FM facilities. Child health records, daily registration records, and well baby clinic records were available, but no specific records or reports for handicapping conditions in children were present. About half of the physicians [47%] had no postgraduate studies at all, only 23.5% and 3% of the family physicians were trained about detection of mental retardation, and genetic causes of handicap, respectively and 14.7% did not attend any training course at all. The majority of family physicians had fair knowledge [76.5%], positive attitude [61.8%], and partial practice [70.6%]. The difference in KAP levels between the different study facilities was statistically insignificant. There was a statistically significant direct proportionate relation between the knowledge of the physicians and their practice; i.e., the higher is the knowledge the better is the practice. Therefore, handicap prevention and control should be properly integrated within PHC [Family medicine] services with continuous, proper training of all health team members

Steroidal glycosides of furcraea selloea and their biological properties against diffrent schistosoma mansoni stages

Furcraea selloea C. Koch dry powder [Family Agavaceae] was subjected to a bioassayguided fractionation technique to isolate the active constituents responsible for the potency of this plant. The antischistosomal impact of different extracts of the leaves of F. selloea was screened against adult Schistosoma mansoni warms in vitro using a well established culture media. The methanol extract of the plant showed the highest activity as S. mansoni warms recorded 100% mortality at 50 micro g/ ml after 24 hours. Owing to the high potency of the crude saponins obtained from the methanolic extract [100% mortality at 20 micro g/ml], it was submitted to chromatographic separation using silica gel and Sephadex columns as well as preparative thin layer chromatography. Three steroidal saponins [I-III] were isolated and their structures were elucidated using some spectroscopic and chemical methods as follows: 6-O-Beta-D- glucopyranosyl [1-4]-Beta-D-glucopyranoside chlorogenin [I], 3-O-Beta-D-glucopyranosyl-[1-4]- Beta-D-glucopyranoside crestagenin [II] and 3-O-Beta-D-glucopyranosyl-[1-3]-Beta-D- glucopyranosyl-[1-3]-Beta-D-xylopyranoside gloriogenin [III]. Bioassay screening of the isolated saponins [I-III] were carried out against certain Schistosoma mansoni stages. Compound III only proved to possess antischistosomal activity against S. mansoni worms at concentration as low as 5 micro g/ ml, while compounds I and II were inactive. Also, test against B. alexandrina snails revealed that only saponin III has high molluscicidal activity [LC [90] = 6 ppm] whereas the other two saponins did not show any activity up to 50 ppm after 24 hours exposure. Different concentrations of the crude and the isolated saponins were evaluated against S. mansoni free larval stages [cercariae and miracidia]. Hatchability of S. mansoni ova was markedly depressed when exposed to 6 ppm of compound III. The infection rate of B. alexandrina snails was significantly reduced when snails were exposed to three sublethal concentrations of the dry plant powder. Determination of the acute oral toxicity of F. seiloea methanol extract against mice was carried out. When three groups of mice infected with S. marisoni were treated orally with a single dose of 2500 mg/kg of F. selloea methanol extract either at 2, 4 or 7 weeks post infection, the reduction rate in worm load was significantly lower when compared to infected untreated control

Investigations on Kidding in Egyptian Baladi, goats with emphasis on immunogenetic structures and progesterone level

Twenty late pregnant Baladi goats were used to investigate kidding process with emphasis on the immunogenetic structures and progesterone level. Blood samples were collected during the late stage of gestation for serological investigations against brucellosis, salmonellosis and toxoplasmosis as well as for evaluation of progesterone level, blood grouping and electrophoretic analysis of plasma proteins. Genotypes data from four blood protein loci and 22 antigens of 7 blood groups were used to detect the genetic markers associated with normal and difficult births. Results of the current investigation revealed that despite all the experimental Baladi does were free from brucellosis, salmonellosis and toxoplasmosis, 40% of them suffered from dystocia and they have polymorphic structure of all studied loci. The most frequent antigenic factors of eutocic goats were A[3], Y[2], B, T[1], X x[3], Cb, R. on the other hand, these animals were characterized by predominance of Alb[B] and Tf[B] genes. Concerning dystocic goats they revealed high frequencies of S[26], N and L antigens with predominance of homozygotic genotypes Hb[A], Alb[A], Am[A] and Tf[A] Plasma progesterone level, few days before kidding was obviously lower in eutocic [0.38 ng/ml] than dystocic [13.99 ng/ml] does. It could be concluded from this study that kidding process is mainly controlled by B, cb, S[26], antigens and An[A] gene

Ovarian activity of barki ewes in relation to plane of nutrition

The present investigation aimed to improve the ovarian activity of Barki breed by means of nutritional management. Three groups of Barki ewes were fed on maintenance ration, maintenance besides nitrogenous supplement and maintenance besides carbonesious supplement. The results revealed significant increases in live body weight and daily gain in supplemented groups than in maintenance one. In the same time, the estrous cycles were superior with regular rhythm in both supplemented groups. Plasma progesterone concentrations showed significant higher figures in ewes fed maintenance than in supplemented ewes

Gestation and lambing of barki ewes in relation to plane of nutrition

The present investigation aimed to improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of Barki ewes managed under different planes of nutrition. The experiment was carried out on 3 groups of Barki ewes fed on maintenance ration, maintenance beside nitrogenous supplement and maintenance beside carbonesious supplement for 3 months premating. The results revealed that the level of supplementation had a non significant effect on both the gestation length and the sex of the off spring. On the contrary, progesterone concentration showed significant decrease in the supplemented 2 groups [2.36 +/- 0.95 and 2.59 +/- 0.76 ng/ml]. Lambing rates averaged 90, 100 and 100% in the 3 groups, respectively, without twinning. Sex ratio of newly born averaged 1.5, 0.67 and 0.67, respectively, and lamb birth weight was significantly heavier in nitrogenous supplemented ewes [3.50 +/- 10.17 kg] than in carbonesious supplemented ones [3.20 +/- 0.17 kg] or in control group [2.95 +/- 0.21 kg]

Effect of plane of nutrition on reproductive performance in barki ewes 2gestation and lambing

The experiment was carried out on three groups of Barky ewes fed on maintenance ration. Additional supplement was offered three months premating. The first group was supplemented by high protein supplement [36.6% total protein and 2.4 Mcal/kg digestible energy]. The second group was supplemented by low protein level [11.9% total protein and 3% Mcal/kg digestible energy], and the 3rd group was kept on maintenance ration and used as control. The results revealed that the level of supplementation had a nonsignificant effect on both gestation length and the sex of the offspring. On the contrary, progesterone concentration showed significant [P <0.05] decrease in the two supplemented groups. Lambing rates averaged 100, 90 and 100% in the 3 groups, respectively, without twining. Sex ratio of newly born averaged 1.5, 0.67 and 0.67, respectively, and lamb birth weight was significantly [P <0.01] heavier in ewes supplemented with high protein level than in either those supplemented with low protein level or in the control group. It is recommended to keep Barky ewes at the premating period on high level protein supplement to improve health condition which reflected on the crop

Effect of some nutrients on alginate synthesis in azotobacter vinelandii and characterization of the produced alginate

The role of nutrients on alginate production by A. vinelandii was studied in batch cultures. The largest amount of bacterial alginate was obtained in presence of: 0.3 g/t MgSO[4-].7H[2]O, 0.4g/l NaCI, 42mg/I CaCl[2]. 2H[2]O, 4mg/I K[2]HPO[4], 16mg/I K[2]HPO[4], 2.5mg/1 FeSO[4-]7H[2]O, 2.9mg/I H[3]BO[3], 2mg/1 ZnSO[4], 7H[2]O, 2mg/I Na[2]MoO[4]. 2H[2]O, 0.3mg/I CuSO[4-],. 5H[2]O, 0.2mg/I MnCI[2]. 4H[2]O. Alginate production was not enhanced by natural additives or inducing agents except for acetate which increase alginate yield. The pure alginate contained 0.36% ash and 0.4% protein. It is similar to algal alginate but has an extra acetyl group. It contains 69.5% M-M block, 27.5% M-G block and 3% G-G block

Alginate production by azotobacter Vineland

The production of alginate by a mucoid strain of Azotobacter vinelandii was studied in batch culture. Highest alginate yield was obtained using Jarman N 2,-free mineral medium supplemented with 4% sucrose and the pH was initially adjusted to 8.0. Maximum alginate yield and productivity were achieved at the late growth phase [4 days old cultures], when each flask containing 100m1 medium was inoculated with 5% [V/V] bacterial suspension of 36h old cultures and shaked at 250rpm