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Objectives: The goal of this study was to explore medical students' perceptions, assess their experiences, and identify obstacles to e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to understand the factors behind its adoption and application as a learning means in the surgery module. Materials and Methods: Data were gathered from undergraduate medical students, at the University of Hail, KSA, in their surgery module using an electronic questionnaire. Subsequently, SPSS version 25.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) has been used for analysis. Results: The study included 72 students, with a participation rate of 85.7%. Students positively perceived technology (M = 4.024 +/- 0.94 and P < 0.001). Most respondents (79.5%) claimed that e-learning required less time for studying than the conventional learning technique (M = 4.14 +/- 1.052 and P < 0.001). They had positive perceptions of the implications of e-learning (M = 3.92 +/- 0.89 and P < 0.001). Regarding the perception toward instructors, 53.9% admitted that when instructors use computer technologies, it adequately met their needs. The mean agreeability to online quizzes was high (M = 3.8264 +/- 0.910). More than half preferred the blended style of learning. A-70.9% interested in using e-learning (M = 3.83 +/- 1.278 and P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference among genders (P > 0.05). Conclusion: This study addresses the determinants behind the adoption and use of e-learning within the surgery module. Therefore, it will support the event of a rational approach to an effective application of e-learning and look at it as a positive initiative toward development and alteration.
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Vaccination against any infectious disease is considered to be an effective way of controlling it. This paper studies a fractional order model with vaccine efficacy and waning immunity. We present the model's dynamics under vaccine efficacy, the impact of immunization, and the waning of the vaccine on coronavirus infection disease. We analyze the model under their equilibrium points. The model under the equilibrium points is discussed and proven that it is locally asymptotically stable if (Formula presented.) is lesser than unity. We present the backward bifurcation hypothesis of the model and show that there is a parameter (Formula presented.) that causes the backward bifurcation in the imperfect vaccine model. We show certain assumptions when (Formula presented.) for the imperfect vaccine case;the model is both stable globally asymptotically at the disease-free ((Formula presented.)) and endemic cases ((Formula presented.)). By using infected cases from the recent wave throughout Pakistan, we shall estimate the model parameters and calculate the numerical value of the basic reproductive number (Formula presented.). We present the comprehensive graphical results for the realistic parameter values and show many useful suggestions regarding the elimination of the infection from society. The vaccination efficacy that provides an important role in disease elimination is discussed in detail. © 2023 by the authors.
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The aim: of this study is to investigate the prevalence of anosmia and its impact on quality of life among COVID-19 positive patients. Objective(s): To confirm tthe high prevalence and severity of smell disorders among laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patients.To assess the impact of anosmia on quality of life among covid patients. To evaluate anosmia features and duration. Materials and Methods Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Study population: Patients diagnosed with covid-19 in Hail city constitute the population of the study. Sample collection: pre-validated self-administered questionnaire. Sample collection and processing: pre-validated and translated self-administered electronic questionnaire. The sample size was calculated by using the Rao soft sample size calculator. We will be collecting a sample size of 137, with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%. Rationale: The sudden onset of smell loss has been reported as a symptom related to COVID-19, the rationale of this study is to provide an insight into the prevalence of the olfactory disorder. Result(s): A total of 213 covid-19 patients complained of anosmia Between the ages of 18 and 60, with a mean age of 36.2 + 11.9 years. Covid-19 patients' anosmia and quality of life in Hail, Saudi Arabia.74.4 percent of patients who were not concerned about future changes in their sense of smell had an excellent quality of life, compared to 23.7 percent of those who were. This difference was statistically significant (P=.001). Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and associated preventative measures introduced a shock to the teaching paradigm in Saudi Arabia and the world. While many studies have documented the challenges and perceptions of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, less attention has been given to higher education staff. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the staff's perception and experiences of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methodsA validated survey was conducted between December 2021 and June 2022 in Saudi Arabian Universities to assess the status of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic among faculty members. The collected responses were exploratively and statistically analyzed. ResultsA total of 1117 response was received. About 66% of the respondents were male and 90% of them hold postgraduate degree. Although rarely or occasionally teach online pre-COVID-19, only 33% of the respondents think the transition was difficult and 55% of them support the move. Most respondents received adequate training (68%) and tools (80%) and 88% of the respondents mentioned that they did not accrue additional workload in online study design. While the perception of online teaching was mostly positive (62%) with high satisfaction (71%). However, 25% of the respondents reported that a poor internet bandwidth was an obstacle and 20% was unable to track students' engagement. Respondents with more years of experience, previous training, support, or perceived online transition as easy were also more likely to be satisfied with the process. Also, older respondents, those who support the transition and those with previous training were less likely to report barriers (all p < 0.001). ConclusionThe perception and experience of transition to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia were positive. Low internet bandwidth and inability to track students' limited effective online teaching. Work experience, previous training, and positive perception are the main factors that influence staff online teaching satisfaction.
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Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a unique type of pneumonia outbreak in the Wuhan city of China in 2019 and spread to all its provinces in a matter of days and then to every continent of the world except Antarctica within 3-4 month. This paper aims to comprehensively consolidate the available information about COVID-19 and present all the possible information about this disease in form of a single paper to readers. Unparalleled research and exhaustive studies of everything about the disease and its causative virus, i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are underway since its emergence. The genome sequence of the virus was made available within a record short time by China, making possible immediate study of its structure and characteristics. The routes of transmission of the disease, signs and symptoms, incubation period, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology have been extensively studied and presented in an organized way in this review paper. The number of confirmed cases and case fatality and mortality rates are updated regularly. The different diagnostic mechanisms have been characterized. Testing and management criteria and protocols have been adopted. Extensive efforts are underway for finding a treatment of the disease and developing a vaccine against it. A number of vaccines are available even in markets in different countries. More and more ways of personal protection, prevention, and mitigation of the disease are being explored and shared. While the outbreak has been declared as pandemic, the response of scientists was timely and enormous;thousands of publications about various aspects and impact of the diseases and its causative virus are there on the World Health Organization database and many more studies are underway. The purpose of writing this review article is to provide a comprehensive summary of the major aspects and important scientific findings so far, about COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2, in a single article for ready reference. © 2021 Sumaira Naz et al., published by De Gruyter.
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In December 2019, our lives changed forever, as a new virus named COVID-19, disrupted the lives of people worldwide. The spread of this virus has had critical effects on people's health and social interactions, security and national, the economy, and individual attitudes, activities, manners, and behaviour. This dire situation called for governments world-wide to adopt various strategies to contain the spread of the virus and minimise its negative impacts on individuals, communities, and nations. People were asked to self-isolate to avoid contagion and, within a matter of weeks, many began working from home. People started to use sophisticated social networking (SN) applications to communicate, collaborate, connect, and cooperate to exchange information, ideas, keep fit while confined at home, and obtain news about the spread of COVID-19 world-wide. This paper will present an individual perspective on SN during the COVID-19 period, examining and discussing the benefits and challenges associated with SN. Copyright © 2021 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
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This study aims to investigate public response attitude, anxiety, practices and trust in the authorities' mitigation plan during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. A national cross sectional phone survey was conducted among Saudi residents aged 16 years and above. A total of 90,421 (45.2%) individuals participated in the study. Of those, the overall rate of COVID-19 correct knowledge was 82% (mean: 9.84);social media was the most reported source of knowledge. Younger age, low levels of education and foreign residents were associated with poor knowledge. Overall, 49.5% scored 5 or more on the GAD-7 test, indicating anxiety symptoms, 19.2% of them scored 10 and above, suggesting moderate to severe anxiety. Majority of participants (>78%) trusted and supported the interventions implemented by the government to control COVID-19. Social distancing practices among participants was as following, 72.5% stayed at home and avoid going out for nonessential business and 49.5% avoided attending social events and family gatherings. Trust in authorities, being anxious, worry and levels of knowledge about the disease, were the most common factors affecting adoption of the recommended practices. Continuous evaluation of public response about COVID-19, and the effectiveness of protective measures is essential to better inform policy-makers and identify ways of encouraging behaviour change among public during pandemic.
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This study aims at describing academic self-efficacy in online learning and exploring the determinant factors of learners’ academic self-efficacy. In this cross-sectional survey-based study, 892 respondents voluntarily participated in and completed the survey. Online learning self-efficacy was assessed using an online academic self-efficacy questionnaire. The sociodemographic characteristics showed that 85% of the respondents were female, 21% were medical students, and 13% were postgraduate students. Most respondents reported insufficient self-efficacy for learning and time management, whereas 51% showed good self-efficacy for technology. When considering the study’s field, more medical students reported good self-efficacy scores for learning and technology (36% and 68%, respectively) than non-medical students (33% and 47%, respectively). Time management self-efficacy was mostly reported to be good (47%) among those with a high grade point average. The results showed that educational status, field of study, and learning satisfaction were significant predictors of self-efficacy for learning and technology (p < 0.001). Gender, academic performance, and learning satisfaction were significant predictors of self-efficacy for time management (p < 0.001). Self-efficacy can play a major role in online learning, particularly in circumstances like the sudden transformation of the educational system that has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. An effective academic self-efficacy of learning, use of technology, and time management skills should also be emphasized. The value of this research lies in exploring the electronic learning self-efficacy and its predictor among university students. The research findings help us improve students’ academic self-efficacy to enhance the learning environment by planning new studies. © Copyright © 2021 Aldhahi, Baattaiah and Alqahtani.
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Host reservoirs other than dromedaries for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) still to be unknown. Equine Herpesviruses (EHVs) are widespread in equine populations worldwide. In this study, the presence of MERS-CoV, Equine Herpesviruses type 1 (EHV-1) and 4 (EHV-4) in horses in Najran, southwestern of Saudi Arabia was investigated. One hundred and thirty four blood samples collected from horses of different ages and sex. The samples tested for the presence of specific antibodies by ELISA and viral RNA and DNA by PCR. The ELISA results were positive for equine herpesviruses 1 and 4 with percent of 23.1 and 70.8% respectively;while all tested samples were negative for MERS-CoV. The PCR results showed that all samples were negative for all three viruses. As the history of the horses showed no previous vaccination or infection with equine herpesviruses, these results might refer to equine herpes subclinical infection. The results indicate also that horses were free from MESR-CoV infection. © 2020 Ali S. Alqahtani. This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 3.0 license.
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The World Health Organization declared the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2 virus outbreak as a pandemic on May 27, 2020. Since then, more than 5 488 825 cases across the world have been recorded at the time of revising this article. Governments around the world have imposed serious containment measures, meanwhile, the healthcare system is overburdened due to large increases in COVID-19 cases. However, no specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 virus drugs or vaccines have yet been shown to be effective to fight this causative virus of acute infectious pneumonia. The current review was conducted to look for potential natural and synthesized drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Previously published data in journals, textbooks, periodicals, websites, and sources, including data about the treatment of human coronavirus with natural and synthesized drugs, were taken from the online bibliographical databases. The results showed that syndic drugs approved for other human diseases have been used to improve the symptoms of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Several clinical trials across the world evidenced beneficial effects of natural and synthesized drugs in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections. On the other hand, many studies have provided a deep understanding of the therapeutic effects of conventional and traditional medicine in identifying naturally occurring drugs effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Both natural and synthesized drugs should come together to fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other potential emerging dangerous viral diseases since they have shown promising findings in clinical trials conducted with COVID-19 patients.