Knowledge, attitude and satisfaction of health care providers regarding premarital screening and genetic counseling program in Jeddah

To determine level of knowledge and premarital screening and genetic counseling [PMSGC], to identify the predictors of high knowledge score and to verify their satisfaction with and recommendations for improving the program Cross-sectional study conducted during the January 2010 - January 2011 period Outpatient clinics of three governmental hospitals in Jeddah Intervention[s]: A self-administered questionnaire containing personal and socio-demographic data, 30 were used. HCP working in the program were asked about their satisfaction and recommendations for improvement. Main Outcome Measure[s]: satisfaction of the HCP About one-half [51.6%] of the health care providers had satisfactory knowledge about PMSGC. After controlling for the confounding factors, the only predictor of satisfactory knowledge score was being a specialized provider [aOR all participants [99%] strongly agreed and agreed on the importance of the PMSGC program. Concerning satisfaction, half of HCP working in the program had excellent or percentages for counseling about discovered diseases. program. However, there is some lack of knowledge. They recommended adding vaccinations, new screening and counseling to the current program. Formal training course[s] for HCP about the program were recommended

Premarital screening and genetic counseling program: knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction of attendees of governmental outpatient clinics in Jeddah

Premarital care [PMC] is a worldwide activity that aims to diagnose and treat unrecognized disorders and reduce the transmission of diseases to couples and children. To assess the knowledge and attitude of individuals attending governmental outpatient clinics regarding the Premarital Screening and Genetic Counseling [PMSGC] programs, to identify predictors of high knowledge scores and to determine the satisfaction and recommendations of clients of the program. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2009. Individuals who attended three governmental hospital outpatient clinics on the day of the interview and agreed to participate in the study were recruited. The three hospitals were the two hospitals in Jeddah that offer the PMSGC programs and the King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Ethical considerations were followed and data were collected through an interview questionnaire that had been constructed for the study. The questionnaire asked for personal and socio-demographic data and for responses, on a 5-point Likert scale, to 30 knowledge items and 14 attitude statements. Individuals who participated in the PMSGC program were asked questions regarding the services and activities of the program to ascertain their satisfaction with the program and their recommendations for program improvement. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16 [SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL]. The sample included 655 participants, of whom 38.8% completed the PMSGC program. The participants' knowledge about the program was generally low. Education was the first predictor of a high knowledge score; individuals having >/= university degree obtained a higher score [aOR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.77-4.20]. The second predictor was the nationality of the participants, with Saudis gaining a higher score [aOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.002-4.16]. The third predictor was monthly income. Regarding attitudes, the vast majority of participants [96.0%] strongly agreed on the importance of the program. Concerning the satisfaction levels of those who benefited from the program, 80.0% gave an excellent or very good score for program confidentiality, whereas lower scores were given for counseling. Counseling before the tests was conducted for only 11.7% of the study participants. The majority of participants recommended adding testing for other genetic diseases and STDs as well as additional topics for counseling. Knowledge in the general population about the PMSGC program was low. Implementation of school and university educational campaigns is important. Improved counseling and adding new topics for counseling on genetic, chronic, and psychiatric problems; building healthy families; reproduction and fertility are recommended

Acceptance of pharmaceutical gifts. Variability by specialty and job rank in a Saudi healthcare setting

To examine the variability in accepting different types of gifts by clinical specialty as well as job rank among physicians working in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was carried out between March and July of 2012 in different regions of Saudi Arabia. A self-administrated questionnaire was developed and administered to all participants, both in paper and electronic formats. A total of 281 participants answered the question "do you accept pharmaceutical gifts and/or promotions?" Most of the participants [80.1%] admitted acceptance of pharmaceutical gifts of any type. The most common gifts accepted were free drug samples [58.2%], stationary items such as pens and notepads [52.9%], free meals [37.8%], financial support to attend educational activities [33.3%], prepaid promotion cards/codes [7.1%], and funding research [5.8%]. While there were no significant differences in the overall gift acceptance by job rank or specialty, there were significant differences in type-specific gift acceptance by job rank and specialty. There were some differences in the reasons behind gift acceptance by specialty and job rank. The results of this study indicate that gift acceptance among physicians working in Saudi Arabia is common; however, there was no significant differences in the overall gift acceptance by job rank or specialty. Nevertheless, there were significant differences in type-specific gift acceptance by job rank and specialty

major medical ethical challenges facing the public and healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia

Despite the relatively high expenditure on healthcare in Saudi Arabia, its health system remains highly centralized in the main cities with its primary focus on secondary and tertiary care rather than primary care. This had led to numerous ethical challenges for the healthcare providers. This article reports the results of a study conducted with a panel of practitioners, and non-clinicians, in Saudi Arabia, in order to identify the top ten ethical challenges for healthcare providers, patients, and their families. The study design was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and qualitative one. The participants were asked the question: "What top ten ethical challenges are Saudis likely to face in health care?" The participants were asked to rand the top ten ethical challenges throughout a modified Delphi process, using a ranking Scale. A consensus was reached after three rounds of questions and an experts' meeting. The major 10 ethical, issues, as perceived by the participants in order of their importance, were: [1] Patients' Rights, [2] Equity of resources, [3] Confidentiality of the patients, [4] Patient Safety, [5] Conflict of Interests, [6] Ethics of privatization, [7] Informed Consent, [8] Dealing with the opposite sex, [9] Beginning and end of life, and [10] Healthcare team ethics. Although many of the challenges listed by the participants have received significant public and specialized attention worldwide, scant attention has been paid to these top challenges in Saudi Arabia. We propose several possible steps to help address these key challenges

educational program about premarital screening for unmarried female students in King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah

The present study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitude of unmarried female students in King Abdul-Aziz University [KAU] towards premarital screening [PMS] program, to determine predictors of high students' knowledge scores and to improve their knowledge about PMS through conduction of an educational campaign. Multi-stage stratified random sample method was used with recruitment of 1563 students from all faculties of KAU, during the educational year 2008-2009. The Pre-test included 30 knowledge items and 14 attitude statements with student's response through a 5-point Likert scale. Health education was conducted using audiovisual aids through pre-designed educational materials. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 16. Students' knowledge about the program was generally low before the educational campaign. The predictors of high knowledge scores were being a health science student [aOR = 4.15; 95% CI: 2.97-5.81], age >/= 20 years [aOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 2.01-3.85], family history of hereditary diseases and income >/= 10,000 SR/month. Regarding attitude, almost all students [99.0%] agreed on the importance of PMS. After the educational program, students' knowledge about PMS was markedly improved. The mean students' knowledge score was 9.85 +/- 5.36 in Pre-test and improved to 18.45 +/- 4.96 in Post-test, with a highly statistical significant difference [paired t = 25.40, p < 0.000]. Conclusion and recommendations: The educational program was successful in improving students' knowledge about the PMS. Conduction of similar educational programs and adding PMS in the curriculum of secondary and university education are recommended