ABSTRACT
Introduction Being the first in-line care providers, primary healthcare (PHC) physicians may encounter all forms of medical emergencies, ranging from minor complaints to major life-threatening events; therefore, this study aims to assess the PHC physicians' knowledge and attitude related to the diagnosis and management of emergency cases as well as their preferences for emergency medicine training courses and their preferred methods of training. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians working at PHC in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, between November and December 2023, excluding those who do not work at PHC. The minimum required sample size was 192. A self-administered online questionnaire was developed using Google Forms and distributed conveniently through social media platforms. It consists of 22 items categorized into four sections: The first section focused on demographic information; the second section assessed knowledge related to the diagnosis and management of emergency cases commonly encountered in PHC, along with actual management experiences; the third section gauged physicians' attitudes, and the fourth section explored participants' preferences for emergency medicine courses and their preferred methods of training in this field. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were employed to identify predictors of knowledge and attitude. Results The study involved 193 participants, with 96 (50%) females and a median age of 30 years. The participants included 43 (22%) consultants, 69 (36%) family residents, 30 (16%) general practitioners, and 50 (26%) specialists. Participants reported a median of 4.0 years of experience in PHC in Saudi Arabia. The majority, 69 (36%), reported working in the hospital emergency department, with a reported median duration of three months. Roughly 84% of PHC physicians had a positive attitude toward emergency cases diagnosis and management, while 92% showed fair diagnostic knowledge of emergency cases, and 73% showed fair management knowledge. Higher knowledge in the diagnosis and management of PHC was linked to increasing age, being consultants, being employed in the emergency department, and having higher years of experience in PHC (p < 0.05). A positive attitude toward PHC was found to be associated with working as a consultant and being employed in the emergency department (p < 0.05). Approximately 133 (68.9%) expressed a preference for a course in wound care trauma, followed by central nervous system emergencies (n = 124, 64.2%), coronary artery disease emergencies (n = 116, 60.1%), and obstetrics/gynecologic emergencies (n = 114, 59.1%) with 160 (82.9%) favored training through practice in PHC under supervision of qualified staff. Conclusion While many PHC centers are well equipped and prepared for early stabilization and management of emergency cases, PHC physicians showed low competency in dealing with emergency cases. This indicates a great need for enhancing physician's knowledge and skills regarding emergency situations. Nevertheless, courses like basic life support (BLS) and advanced trauma life support (ATLS) should be the bare minimum requirements for PHC physicians. Mote advance training and lectures should be organized to enhance PHC physician competencies to deal with different emergencies.
ABSTRACT
Sexual function is a vital component of overall well-being and quality of life. Physical activity is known to have a profound influence on various aspects of health, but its impact on sexual function in the general population remains an under-explored area. This systematic review seeks to thoroughly examine existing evidence, aiming to establish the correlation between physical activity and sexual function in both male and female adults. We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases and relevant sources, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eligible studies were those that investigated the effects of physical activity on sexual function using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Quality assessment was performed on the included studies, and the findings were synthesized through qualitative analysis. The review identified 12 randomized controlled trials, primarily focusing on males, with interventions ranging from home-based walking to structured exercise training. Only two studies were conducted among females. The most recommended exercise was aerobic exercise. Consistent aerobic exercise proves to be a hopeful and efficient non-drug intervention for enhancing erectile function in men. However, when considering the effects of physical exercise programs on sexual function and the quality of sexual life of females, the results present challenges in drawing clear conclusions. Health policymakers play an important role in providing guidelines and recommendations to healthcare professionals, encouraging them to prescribe exercise as a preferable alternative to pharmacological treatments for enhancing sexual functions in both men and women.
