ABSTRACT
Objectives@#Voluntary testing (VT) plays a crucial role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The present study investigated the perceptions and utilization of VT services for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the inhabitants of Saudi Arabia. @*Methods@#In total, 3,510 adult participants from all provinces of Saudi Arabia were recruited via a national online survey. @*Results@#Of the 3,510 participants, 88.9% were aware of the testing services available to them and of those, more than half (59.5%) had used the VT services and 96.1% were satisfied with the services. Contact with a positive COVID-19 case was the top reason for accessing VT, while a lack of awareness about the availability of VT services was the top perceived limiting factor. A history of chronic health conditions, anxiety and/or depression, and previous symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 were found to be predictors of the utilization of VT services (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.22−1.96; OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.16−1.88; OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.77−3.95; and OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.34−1.96; respectively), respectively. @*Conclusion@#The awareness of voluntary COVID-19 testing services was satisfactory among the Saudi Arabian population, but can be improved. Sociodemographic and health history predictors of the utilization of VT services were identified.
ABSTRACT
Background: postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV] are a common distressing symptoms in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery and can contribute to anxiety, dehydration, metabolic abnormality, wound disruption, delayed recovery and other issues. The incidence of PONV varies from 20 to 80 % of all surgeries, and it is an economic and social burden
Aim of the Work: was to assess whether dexamethasone is a cost-effective alternative to ondansetron in the prevention of PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery
Patients and Methods: A study was conducted at Ain Shams University Hospitals between November 2017 and April 2018, after obtaining approval of research ethical committee and patients' informed consents. 80 Patients were included in the study and underwent elective laparoscopic surgery and received general anesthesia
Results: The study showed a statistically significant difference between groups regarding PO nausea and other postoperative complications
Conclusion: Dexamethasone 8 mg was as effective as ondansetron 4 mg. Dexamethasone provided a simple, safe, cheap, and effective postoperative nausea and emesis prevention method with the advantage of being cheaper decreasing the economic burden