ABSTRACT
Although self-service facilities (SSFs) have been used on a large scale worldwide, they can be easily contaminated by microorganisms from the hands of their sequential users. This research aimed to study the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility/resistance of bacteria contaminating SSFs in Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia. We randomly swabbed the surfaces of 200 SSFs, then used the suitable culture media, standard microbiological methods, and the MicroScan WalkAway Microbiology System, including the identification/antimicrobial susceptibility testing-combo panels. A high SSFs' bacterial contamination load was detected (78.00%). Ninety percent of the samples collected in the afternoon, during the maximum workload of the SSFs, yielded bacterial growth (p < 0.001 *). Most of the contaminated SSFs were supermarket payment machines, self-pumping equipment at gas stations (p = 0.004 *), online banking service machines (p = 0.026 *), and barcode scanners in supermarkets. In the antiseptic-deficient areas, 55.1% of the contaminated SSFs were detected (p = 0.008 *). Fifty percent of the contaminated SSFs were not decontaminated. The most common bacterial contaminants were Escherichia coli (70 isolates), Klebsiella pneumoniae (66 isolates), Staphylococcus epidermidis (34 isolates), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (18 isolates), and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (14 isolates), representing 31.53%, 29.73%, 15.32%, 8.11%, and 6.31% of the isolates, respectively. Variable degrees of reduced sensitivity to some antimicrobials were detected among the bacterial isolates. The SSFs represent potential risks for the exchange of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria between the out-hospital environment and the hospitals through the hands of the public. As technology and science advance, there is an urgent need to deploy creative and automated techniques for decontaminating SSFs and make use of recent advancements in materials science for producing antibacterial surfaces.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Bell's palsy, characterized by acute onset unilateral facial weakness, is caused by the paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve, which controls the muscles of the face. This condition can result in functional disabilities, and early detection and management are crucial for quick recovery. Awareness was found to be one of the factors associated with early detection and interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the awareness of the population of Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, regarding Bell's palsy. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1,198 participants in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, between May and July 2023. We used a self-administered online questionnaire inquiring about knowledge and awareness of Bell's palsy. We performed descriptive and correlation analyses, and a p-value of less than 0.05 indicated a statistical significance. RESULTS: The mean (± SD) knowledge score was 7.02 ± 2.03 out of a total of 13 points. Almost a third of participants (n=353, 29.5%) expressed uncertainty about the causes of Bell's palsy, with 346 (28.9%) and 107 (8.9%) attributing it to idiopathic factors and viral infections, respectively. Most participants (n=520, 43.4%) believed both genders were equally affected, while 563 (46.9%) correctly identified cranial nerve 7 as the affected nerve. Treatment awareness varied, with 629 (58.2%) acknowledging physiotherapy and (n=777, 64.9%) acknowledging traditional medicine. Interestingly, only 111 (9.3%) thought that Bell's palsy was permanent, most participants (n=1023, 85.4%) recognized Bell's palsy as treatable, and 1,105 (92.2%) correctly perceived it as non-contagious. There were significant correlations between awareness and age (p<0.001), gender (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001), occupation (p<0.001), information source (p<0.001), nationality (p=0.009), and education levels (p<0.031). Addressing these gaps and demographic nuances through targeted educational campaigns is crucial for enhancing overall awareness of Bell's palsy. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate suboptimal awareness among participants in general, poor knowledge about causes and clinical manifestation, and a relatively better awareness of treatments. We recommend further studies exploring awareness and associated factors.
