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OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of knowledge, perception, and attitude of COVID-19 with the psychological distress status of the public in Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was performed among 429 participants using an online survey after approval from Umm Al-Qura University in March 2020. Data collection took three months during COVID-19 outbreak (May-July 2020). An online survey was composed of items related to knowledge, perception, attitude, and the population's psychological status during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Association tests were used at a significance level of < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. RESULT(S): Nearly 80% of the participants had variable degrees of psychological distress. There were significant associations of perception (fear of being infected with COVID-19, (p < 0.05), fear of being in contact with patients with COVID-19 (p < 0.05), and fear of inability to continue their usual activities/work (p < 0.05), changes in social habits (p < 0.05), and following the precautional measures to prevent acquiring COVID-19 infection (p < 0.05) with psychological status. At the same time, the association of Knowledge regarding COVID-19 with psychological level was not statistically significant (p = 0.221). CONCLUSION(S): Most of the participants had variable degrees of psychological distress. There were significant associations of most of the elements of perception and attitudes of the public regarding COVID-19 with their psychological distress. The public should implement psychological support programs during the pandemic to help them overcome COVID-19-related psychological distress. Copyright © 2022, J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci. All rights reserved.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the young adult's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health-preventive behaviors in Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: Semi-structured virtual interviews regarding health-preventive behaviors were conducted with 35 participants during the lockdown because of the pandemic. The Health Belief Model was used in the analysis and data presentation. RESULTS: Young adults had feelings of fear, loneliness, anxiety, irritability, easy distraction, loss of concentration, and depression during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants in this study were aware of the benefits of applying the health-preventive actions. The reported barriers hinder some of them from using some of the COVID-19 health-preventive steps are mainly related to social distancing and the curfew on some people. The participants reported their confidence in their COVID-19 health preventive knowledge and stated that they could protect themselves and others from getting infected with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: According to HBM, they strongly believe in health actions efficacy in their country and followed the COVID-19 health-preventive actions. Participants had a positive perception regarding the threat and severity of COVID-19 infection. Financial consequences of the curfew, noncompliance with the preventive actions' and lack of awareness of the importance of the health-preventive activities of some people are among the barriers to applying the COVID-19 health-preventive measures.
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Background. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in China regarded as a major health/economic hazard. The importance of coming up with mechanisms for preventing or treating COVID-19 has been felt across the world. This work aimed at examining the efficiency of Sitagliptin (SIT) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) trans-activator transcription peptide (TAT) against SARS-CoV-2. Methods. SIT-TAT nano-conjugates were prepared according to a full three-factor bi-level (23) factorial design. SIT concentration (mM, X1), TAT concentration (mM, X2), and pH (X3) were selected as the factors. Particle size (nm, Y1) and zeta potential (mV, Y2) were assessed as responses. Characterization of the optimized formula for Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) and Transmission electron microscope was carried out. In addition, IC50 in Vero E6 cells, In vitro 3CL-protease inhibition and docking tests were investigated. Results. The prepared complex's formula was as follows 1: 1 SIT: TAT molar ratio, whereas zeta potential and particle size values were at 34.17 mV and 97.19 nm, respectively. This combination did exhibit its antiviral potentiality against SARS-CoV-2 via IC50 values of 9.083 5.415, and 16.14 μM for TAT, SIT-TAT, and SIT, respectively. In addition, the complex SIT-TAT showed a significant (P < 0.001) viral-3CL-protease inhibitory effect (IC50 = 3.959 μM ± 0.011) in comparison to isolated components (IC50 = 10.93 μM ± 0.25) and TAT (IC50 = 8.128 μM ± 0.42). This was further confirmed via in silico study. Molecular docking investigation has shown promising binding affinity of the formula components towards SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3-CL). Conclusion. While offering significant binding interactions with protein's key pocket residues, an optimized formulation of SIT-TAT could guarantee both the enhanced delivery to the target cells and the improved cellular uptake. The presented findings would guarantee further investigations regarding formula optimization against SARS-CoV-2.
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Aim: The aim of this study was to survey student learning perspectives as measured by ‘student satisfaction’ following the rapid introduction of remote blended e-learning into the existing undergraduate nursing curriculum at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. Background: National legislation resulting from the spread of Covid-19 required all theoretical and practical nurse training to move immediately to online provision using an unfamiliar e-learning environment and associated tools. Objective: The objective of this study was to use a validated satisfaction questionnaire developed elsewhere, but within a similar educational context involving both theoretical and practical components, for the purpose of checking that educational objectives were being satisfactorily achieved across five relevant domains of educational enquiry, and to use survey findings to improve the online delivery of the nursing program in future academic years. Methods: A validated 35 item questionnaire was circulated online to all male and female nursing students in their 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of study. The questionnaire content was subdivided into the five domains of ‘Interaction’, ‘Instruction’, ‘Instructor’, ‘Course Management’ and ‘Technology’. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to compare levels of satisfaction between genders and among undergraduate years of study, and against findings from undergraduate information technology undergraduates. Results: 199 female and 84 male students completed the questionnaire (response rate 59.2%). Mean satisfaction scores for male and female nursing undergraduates were significantly greater than 3 (neutral score) in all domains of enquiry, indicating good satisfaction with blended e-learning (p<0.001). However, multivariate regressions of domain satisfaction scores taking gender and year of study as explanatory variables had poor resolving power. Domain scores were also significantly greater than those of a comparator study in three of the five domains (p<0.030) and similar in the domains of course management (p=0.717) and technology (p=0.677). Levels of satisfaction in males and females were similar in 80% of the survey questions, but in females, satisfaction was significantly lower in some questions concerning technology (p<0.003), willingness to interrupt the instructor (p=0.021), comparison of blended learning and face-to-face teaching (p=0.002) and timely feedback on tests and assignments (p=0.031). Fourth-year students showed the highest levels of satisfaction across all five domains. Conclusion: Undergraduate nursing students reported above-average satisfaction levels across all five domains of education provision. Despite an unfamiliar blended e-learning curriculum environment, they demonstrated compatible technological skills, satisfactory interaction with teachers and other students and engagement in the learning process. A number of recommendations identified in the literature as underlying a successful program of blended e-learning are recorded for the benefit of readers. © 2021 Tayyib et al.
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Background and Objective: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in China regarded as a major health/economic hazard. The importance of coming up with mechanisms for preventing or treating SARS-CoV-2 infection has been felt across the world. This work aimed at examining the efficiency of Sitagliptin (SIT) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) Trans-Activator Transcription peptide (TAT) against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Materials and Methods: Antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 propagated in Vero E6 cells, 3CL-protease inhibition activity and docking studies were examined. Eight formulae have been created using Design-Expert® Software to find the smallest complex size with the highest charge. The optimized formula was obtained then tested for antiviral activity. Results: According to the results, the prepared complex’s formula was as follows 1: 1 SIT: TAT molar ratio, whereas zeta potential and particle size values were at 34.17 mV and 97.19 nm, respectively. This combination did exhibit its antiviral potentiality against SARS-CoV-2 via IC50 values of 9.083 5.415 and 16.14 µM for TAT, SIT-TAT and SIT, respectively. In addition, the complex SIT-TAT showed a significant (p<0.001) viral-3CL-protease inhibitor effect (IC50 = 3.959±0.011 µM) in comparison to isolated components (IC50 = 10.93±0.25 µM) and TAT (IC50 = 8.128±0.42 µM). This was further confirmed via in silico study. Molecular docking investigation has shown promising binding affinity of the formula components towards SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3-CL). Conclusion: SIT-TAT could guarantee an enhanced delivery to the target cells, improved cellular uptake and synergistic blockage of the target active site. Results of this study confirm the efficacy of the Sitagliptin HIV TAT complex in the suppression of SARS-CoV2 virus multiplication.
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Background: Nurses are the frontline health professional more likely to undergo various stressors during the pandemic Covid-19 situation. The ongoing unprecedented crisis causes more stress, especially among nurses, as they are the most vulnerable group who predominantly get impacted while delivering comprehensive care. Aim: This study explored the level of stress among nurses working in different healthcare settings. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study among nurses from developed and developing countries between 7 February and 7 April 2020 was adopted for this research. Sixty-four nurses working in different healthcare settings were included in the study. A self-developed online questionnaire using google documents was used to collect data that comprised baseline data, Cohen Perceived stress scale, simplified coping items, and items of psychosocial perception. Results: It was revealed that 75.64% of studied participants (N=64) had a high level of stress, with a mean anxiety score and Standard deviation of 3.52 +/- 1.084, during the Covid-19 pandemic situation. A statistically significant association was found between the demographic variables such as experience and participation in the COVID-19 team at p<.05, whereas gender, age, and working unit do not show any significant associations. Conclusion: Heath institutions' effective and efficient protocols are required to enhance nurses' mental strength and alleviate their lack of coping strategies, particularly during a crisis.