ABSTRACT
Background and aim Assessing the knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure (ABCDE) approach is crucial since it prioritizes the initial assessment and treatment of patients who are critically ill, regardless of the underlying cause or their age. Since adherence requires knowledge, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge level of the ABCDE approach among healthcare professionals. Methods This cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals was performed from April to August 2023 in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. The study included healthcare professionals employed in departments exposed to patients with critical illnesses and excluded those from other specialties and individuals from outside Taif City. Data was collected via Google Forms using a previously validated questionnaire designed to assess the ABCDE approach knowledge among healthcare professionals. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS, version 26. Results The study included 242 healthcare professionals with a mean (SD) age of 35.77 (9.93) years. About half of the participants were female (52.5%) nurses (50.8%) and had been working in intensive care units (ICU) and neonate intensive care units (NICU) (41.4%). The mean (SD) of the participants' working experience was 9.28 (8.295) years. The overall mean test score was 52.94 % (SD 16.27). The mean knowledge score among males was significantly higher than females (56.37% vs. 49.85%, respectively) (p-value= 0.001). The mean knowledge score was significantly higher among medical specialists and residents (63.308% and 55.67%) than among nurses (46.34%) (p-value <0.001). Attending an advanced trauma life support course and theoretical lecture significantly impacted the total knowledge score among the participants (p-values= 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). The total knowledge significantly increased with age (r: 0.265, p-value <0.001). Years of experience correlated with total knowledge score; with increasing years of experience, the total knowledge was significantly increased (r: 0.248, p-value <0.001). Conclusion The ABCDE approach is a valuable tool for the initial examination and treatment of patients in acute medical and surgical emergencies. The findings indicate that there is a need for further awareness programs and training on the ABCDE approach, as the total knowledge score among healthcare professionals was found to be suboptimal. Further research is needed to assess the association between knowledge level and clinical performance in different healthcare settings within Saudi Arabia.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Cancer is a condition where abnormal cells proliferate uncontrollably, leading to metastasis, which can be related to death. Breast cancer is the most prevalent type among women worldwide. Early detection with screening mammography has contributed to the decline in breast cancer incidence and mortality. Breast cancer patients are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, with elderly patients dying from complications. Understanding the patients' cardiovascular status prior to treatment is essential. The study's objective was to evaluate the cardiovascular characteristics of women with breast cancer at diagnosis within the designated time frame of one year. Methodology This was a retrospective study that focused on patients in Taif City, Saudi Arabia, who were initially diagnosed with primary breast cancer over a span of one year. The inclusion criteria encompassed eligible patients, while those not meeting the criteria were excluded. Data extraction from patients' records was conducted, and the analysis was executed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results This study analyzed the cardiovascular attributes of breast cancer patients, focusing on 136 female cases. The study found significant patterns concerning cardiovascular risk factors in breast cancer patients, categorized by menopausal status. Premenopausal female cases had a mean age of 43.09 ± 8.31 years, while postmenopausal patients had an average age of 58.07 ± 11.70 years. Postmenopausal patients had a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, irregular menstrual cycles, type II diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia compared to their premenopausal counterparts. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, axillary lymph node metastasis, or distant metastasis. This study emphasized the importance of regular check-ups for menopausal women to detect potential health complications early. Conclusion In summary, breast cancer is a global health concern, and understanding its impact on the cardiovascular system is crucial for comprehensive patient care. A study in Saudi Arabia found associations between cardiovascular risk factors and menopausal status in breast cancer patients. Postmenopausal patients had more prevalent risk factors, emphasizing the need for proactive assessment and management. Age-appropriate screenings and interventions are essential. Integrated healthcare approaches should consider the interplay between breast cancer and cardiovascular health, with medical professionals vigilant in evaluating and addressing risk factors to mitigate complications and optimize long-term outcomes.
